05.21.20 Southwest Orange Observer

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VOLUME 5, NO. 34

A Windermere estate tops real-estate transactions. 9.

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Centenarian celebrations Two residents at Health Central Park in Winter Garden hit 101 and 102. SEE 7.

Bridgewater teacher loses everything in house fire

Driveway dance-off

Danny Cortolillo is without a home after a fire destroyed his new house in Clermont.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

It’s going to be hard for Danny Cortolillo to teach his guitar students without any musical instruments. This is what Cortolillo is facing after a house fire gutted his new home in Clermont Thursday, May 7.

He and his girlfriend, Nicole SEE TEACHER PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN WINTER GARDEN ALTERS MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

CHAMBER OFFERS REOPENING WEBEX The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is hosting an informative WebEx video/ conference call from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, pertaining to Orange County’s reopening plan.

Participants do not have to be a chamber member to join the conversation. Register at wochamber.com.

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Troy Herring

Julie Sadlier, second from left, put together the flash mob with help from Sage Croft, second from right, while local families — including Jennifer

For one afternoon, Keene’s Pointe was a scene of dance and celebration as resident Julie Sadlier organized a quarantine flash mob. SEE PAGE 4.

Trade students adapt to distance learning Instructors at technical colleges have had to alter the way they teach their students the skills required for careers such as welding, HVAC and cosmetology.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Teachers and students at public and private schools and colleges have figured out how to teach and learn through distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic —

but how do trade-school students learn hands-on skills when they can’t be on campus?

Kathy Lepow, a guidance counselor at Orange Technical College — Westside Campus, said video SEE WESTSIDE PAGE 2

SPORTS

The annual Memorial Day ceremony in Winter Garden will still be held, but it will look a little different this year.

To honor the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, the American Legion will hold a small ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Veterans Memorial Park, on South Park Avenue. The ceremony is private, but residents can watch it live on the Hugh T. Gregory American Legion Post 63 Facebook page.

One West Orange family has learned how to keep baseball alive — even without actual games. 15.

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Westside students, staff roll with changes conferencing has been working despite any reservations students or teachers might have had a few months ago.

“We’ve become extremely adept in a short amount of time at video conferencing,” Lepow said. “We’re using the same learning management system as the K-12, the Canvas (e-learning) system, so our instructors right now, every class, even welding, has theory that they work on. So they’re adding as much theory as they can and then doing a lot of video conferencing.”

Many of Westside’s 600 students returned briefly to campus to pick up kits and chemicals and tools and other items necessary to practice their lessons.

Cosmetology students took home mannequin heads with hair, as well as their tool kits and hair coloring. Many of them already Courtesy had been working with the products, Lepow said. Massage stu- Chef instructor Chris Bates turned his home kitchen into a Food Networkstyle studio so he could continue to teach. dents picked up massage tables.

“Most people have someone at home with them; some lucky classroom setting, students have as we all were. After the initial people who are still getting their contact with human skin in their shock, my amazing group of stuhaircuts or their bodies massaged,” daily skills practice. dents stepped up to the plate and Lepow said.

Lesson modification was nec- attended the daily Zoom classes “Massage and barbering and essary, and she said she and her and completed their assignments facials and cosmetology — we’ve respective educators had to cre- online. My students were acceptdone a lot of video conferencing ate digital courses “using creative ing of the theory portion online.” where the instructor was demon- ideas to construct lessons of skills However, they still would prestrating something by video con- practices and theory knowledge.” fer to be in the classroom experiference and then was watching The challenge, she said, was encing hands-on practice for this the student as they practiced that designing online lessons that career, she said. skill,” she said. engaged her 22 students as much Welding is probably the most Mary Dorian teaches the as the classroom lessons. difficult, Lepow said.

Advanced Esthetics and Facial “Interesting, fun lessons; a pos“I can’t send home a tank of gas,” Specialist courses, where students itive energy; and communication she said. “Our instructor has gone learn about the skin, its sciences are key factors in keeping students out and purchased his own ORHE-0204 to ER_ObserverMedia_Halfpg_PRESS.pdf 1 5/5/20 2:15 PM and treatments beautify and engaged,” Dorian said. “The stu- equipment to work from promote skin health. In a typical dents were disappointed at first, home. Even in welding,

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their (lessons) work online, prac- worked with them on, so they were ticing their safety.” already looking for internship and Ellen Logue is the senior instruc- employment opportunities.” tor for the Heating, Ventilation, Orange Technical College’s four Air Conditioning and Refrigera- campuses will come together for tion program, and her class went one large graduation ceremony from mostly hands-on training to once the school is cleared to hold 100% virtual learning. one, Lepow said.

“Labs and lectures became vidIt has not yet been decided how eos and virtual meetings,” she said. the summer program will work.

“Some students have adapted very “We’re trying to plan for well. Some students have strug- every possibility,” she said. gled with relating content to the actual work, because they prefer the hands-on part of the program.”

When distance learning began, Logue had 13 students. The online lessons have worked, because eight of those students have completed the program and four have gained employment within the industry, she said.

Lepow said distance learning began at the most opportune time.

“We’re very blessed KEEPING WEST ORANGE because of this time of year, RUNNING FOR 83 YEARS! (students), especially the construction trades, were already out on some kind of internship; in many cases, they are already Family Owned employed,” she and Operated said. “(Others) had finished up the majority of their beginning Since 1937 The Joiner family has been proud to provide skills the our community with the best care and quality available. instructor With our fast, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, we are here 333576-1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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3

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Winter Garden approves retention pond extension near Maxey Elementary

STRENGTH in flexibility

FaceMask America

The decision includes annexation and rezoning of two nearby vacant properties at East Lafayette Street and WJ Peters Lane.

DANIELLE HENDRIX

IN OTHER NEWS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FACEMASK AMERICA

WEBSITE: facemaskamerica. com EMAIL: wecare@facemask america.com PHONE: (407) 605-3500 CYNERGREEN: Aside from FaceMask America, the Hoffers also are the concept and real estate developers behind CynerGreen and CynerGreen Health and Wellness. CynerGreen is a full-service development company, while the health and wellness branch supplies medical products to businesses across the globe.

Concept and real-estate developers Danelle and Joe Hoffer shifted their resources to provide people with access to personal protective equipment.

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

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many businesses to pivot.

In Winter Garden, the Hoffer family launched a new one completely.

Danelle and Joe Hoffer are the concept and real estate developers behind CynerGreen, a full-service development company that creates brands, unique designs and products — including 30 N. Park, a townhouse community at the corner of Plant Street and Park Avenue in Winter Garden.

The Hoffers — along with their daughter, Riley — have been selfisolating since mid-March. They began watching the news and learning of the desperation for personal protective equipment and concerns of shortages.

“I looked at Joe, and he looked at me, and we said, ‘We don’t understand, because we have the ability and the resources to import products people are having trouble getting — is there anything we can do?’” Danelle Hoffer said.

Joe Hoffer has a partner agent in China for seven years now, which helps with gaining access to larger quantities of products for clients.

“We started to make phone calls and reach out to hospital systems and companies who might need masks,” Danelle Hoffer said. “Joe realized very quickly we can get these here. Within 10 days, we had a half-million masks here in the United States. … We realized we could help people.”

The Hoffers also realized much of the public didn’t have access to surgical masks, either. That’s when FaceMask America was born.

FaceMask America is an e-commerce business that allows consumers to purchase PPE such as surgical masks and hand sanitizer.

Through FaceMask America, surgical masks are available in quantities from 10 to thousands. To date, the Hoffers have sold and fulfilled several hundred orders.

“It literally launched overnight, and our first sale happened within an hour of when we launched the website,” Danelle Hoffer said.

“Honestly, all we wanted to do was to be able to share these products with people who needed them.”

The Hoffers are committed to providing information and education on the difference between cloth masks and surgical masks, as well as proper mask wearing.

They also are committed to the community and those in need.

Since late March, the family has donated more than 2,000 face masks to organizations such as Matthew’s Hope and Foundation House.

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“We have distributed to Matthew’s Hope, and that was the first one that came to mind for us, because we follow them regularly, and, being a part of Winter Garden, you can’t not be exposed to that great organization and what Scott Billue does,” Danelle Hoffer said.

“The other ones we’ve donated are to other nonprofits spread around the country. That’s really our goal if we get a request — to fill it as quickly and efficiently as we can and make sure that product is going to people who can really use it right away.”

In addition to FaceMask America, the Hoffers have been growing CynerGreen Health, a branch of the company that supplies premium medical and wellness products to businesses globally. They now are working with the hospitality, business, retail, restaurant and medical industries on making a safe and successful return by equipping team members and guests.

“This business didn’t even exist six to eight weeks ago,” she said.

“I’m just really grateful that we have the resources and can share it with whoever needs it.”

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n Mayor John Rees proclaimed May 14 as Apraxia Awareness Day in the city of Winter Garden. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a speech disorder in children that makes it difficult for them to learn to speak. n City leaders approved Police Chief Steve Graham’s request to use $10,392 from the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for purchasing new gym and exercise equipment for the department.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Bollhoefer also updated commissioners on the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

When Florida began Phase One of reopening a few weeks ago, city staff blocked off some of the street parking and added tables and umbrellas to assist local restaurants in expanding their outdoor capacity.

Bollhoefer said one area in which the city’s emergency COVID-19 ordinance differs from the state’s is that the state did not require masks for restaurants.

“We’re going to make a recommendation tonight to remove that requirement and let the restaurants make that decision on their own so we’re following the state law and customers can decide whether or not they feel safe at those establishments,” he said.

Bollhoefer also recommended pushing back the city curfew from 10:30 to 11 p.m. in accordance with Orange County lifting its curfew.

“The reason we’re still staying with 11 is because … bars aren’t allowed to be open, and after 11, there’s generally not people eating out,” he said. “The restaurants then become more like bars, so we’d like to stay with 11 for the short term and then look at it within the next two weeks to see if we want to make an adjustment the next meeting.”

The commission unanimously approved both recommendations.

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The Hoffer family — Danelle, Joe and daughter Riley — lives in Winter Garden and launched FaceMask America in response to COVID-19.

Winter Garden leaders approved three ordinances that allow Orange County Public Schools more space for a retention pond near Maxey Elementary.

During the May 14 City Commission meeting, commissioners discussed multiple requests regarding about 0.82 acres of land west of the school at 356 E. Lafayette St. and 497 WJ Peters Lane. The properties currently are vacant and will be used as open space or drainage.

These included annexing the properties into the city, changing their future land-use destination from Orange County Low-Medium Density Residential to City Low-Density Residential and rezoning them from Orange County R-2 Residential District to City R-2 Residential District.

“These two lots are on the back (part) of the school, sort of on the western side of the property,” City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said. “They want to annex these, and they want to extend their pond along there.

This will enable them to extend the pond. We’re bringing it in as R-2 zoning because that matches the predominant zoning of the existing neighborhood.”

Mayor John Rees said his only concern with designating the properties as City R-2 Residential District was what could happen with them in the future.

“I know everything around this is R-2, but if you’ll remember back in the ’20s we had a lot of R-2 downtown and going out down Main Street,” Rees said.

“When they tore down Winter Garden Elementary School, because it was R-2 zoning it allowed them to put in a bunch of duplexes. I realize that all this is R-2 around here, but I just want it noted that that needs to be thought of somewhere in the future.”

Ultimately, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the three ordinances.

“We support staff recommendation and we appreciate their help getting this application through,” said Steven Thorp, senior administrator in OCPS’ Facilities Planning department.

Dr. Bao Huynh

Dr. Said Malas

Dr. Usman Lone

4

OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Putting pep in their step TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

LOSE YOURSELF TO DANCE

About a month ago, Sadlier came across a video challenge online from a neighborhood in Utah.

Then, during a conversation with some friends where ideas for community events were discussed, the reality of a flash mob hit.

“It was like, ‘We’re missing our

ONLINE

“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

Troy Herring

CONTACT US dancing, should we try to do a Zoom dance party?” Sadlier said.

“And then I said, ‘That’s it! Why don’t we just get in our driveways and coordinate and try and do a video?’ We have a huge neighborhood; we could definitely do it.”

Sadlier then got in touch with Croft, whose passion and talent for video are well known throughout the community. It’s also why he will be going to film school at Chapman University in California in the fall — one of the top film schools in the country.

“Dancing is a universal art form — people have been doing it since the beginning of time,” Croft said. “(People) have always done it to celebrate and to mourn, and we felt like it was kind of a good way to get everyone involved to express themselves in a positive manner during this really, very strange time.”

With Sadlier’s plan in place, an announcement was sent out to the community so they had some time to get ready. Then, the fun happened.

Originally, Sadlier and Croft only expected to be out for about 30 minutes. Instead, by the time they were done, about two to three hours had passed by as the two

“I think it was a sense of community — coming together for something fun. We’re all out and you can’t really hang out, but it was a way to pull everyone together, and I think everyone wanted to be a part of that.”

— Julie Sadlier

went from one end of the neighborhood to the other.

“As we were shooting, families were texting other families and moms were texting moms about what they were doing, and people were getting excited and kept asking us to drive all over the neighborhood to come by their house so their kids and family could dance together,” Croft said. “It just kept growing and growing, because people were just so excited for the opportunity to get together and dance and have fun.”

Teacher loses home CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Courtesy photo

Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

Julie Sadlier and Sage Croft orchestrated the flash mob to bring something positive to the community.

To view the flash mob video, visit https://bit.ly/2LJDRnP.

A fire swept through the home of Danny Cortolillo and Nicole Hajewsky May 7.

“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

K

eene’s Pointe is normally a quiet neighborhood, where often, the only sounds heard are trees rustling in the breeze or the shoes of joggers hitting the pavement.

But this day is a little different.

It’s Sunday, May 3, and the sounds of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” blasts from a speaker in the back of Julie Sadlier’s golf cart, as she and Sage Croft ride around with a specific mission: Get people dancing and put together a light-hearted quarantine flash mob video.

Just about every driveway they passed saw families put on their best moves, while Croft jumped in and out of the golf cart to video them. Even folks who were just out and about wanted in on the fun.

“Everyone wanted to participate as soon as we said, ‘Hey, we’re doing this,’” Sadlier said. “I think it was a sense of community — coming together for something fun. We’re all out, and you can’t really hang out, but it was a way to pull everyone together, and I think everyone wanted to be a part of that.”

During a time when everyone has been stuck inside because of the coronavirus pandemic, anything to bring the community together in a safe way is more than welcome, said Jennifer Tinn, whose family lives in Keene’s Pointe and participated in the flash mob.

After being given a notice of what was going down, the Tinn family went into it without a single plan in place of what kind of dance moves they wanted to show off, Tinn said.

“It required no preparation — especially with a JT song, you can’t help but to move,” Tinn said. “I think as all the families went around the park we kind of shared, ‘Oh, here’s what I want to do,’ so that we would not look like we were all doing the same thing.”

Observer

Hajewsky, also a musician, are safe, but they have lost everything, escaping only with the clothes they were wearing.

Cortolillo is in his first year as director of guitar studies at Bridgewater Middle School. He and Hajewsky lost at least 30 instruments in the fire, including vintage guitars, a vintage keyboard, 15 guitars, three bass guitars, drums, an accordion, banjo, five amplifiers and stereo equipment.

An investigation continues at the charred home, which the couple purchased in August. Cortolillo said he has no idea how the

fire started, but it appears to have originated in the backyard. He and Hajewsky awoke to an intense fire and barely made it out, he said. He slipped and fell while running out of the house, and there were injuries to his knees and wrist.

Neither was burned or suffered from smoke inhalation.

Coworker and friend Christiane Lynch said she has been in touch with Orange County Public Schools to see if any instruments can be made available for the music teacher. She also has set up a GoFundMe account in hopes the community will rally together to help the couple.

Cortolillo said both are in need of clothing, so part of the finan-

When all was said and done, Sadlier and Croft had seen 25 families get involved with the flash mob. All that was left was to edit the video and put it online.

After spending three to four hours editing, Croft pushed the video out only a few days after they recorded it. The final product ended up being better than either initially anticipated.

“My expectation of this was quite different than the end product,” Croft said. “Coming in as a director who expects order and planning and logistics, I expected this to go so horribly wrong, but I promised myself that I was going to have fun no matter what happened. I couldn’t have imagined how great it was going to come out.”

Despite the video having been out for weeks now, Sadlier said she still hears a lot of positive feedback from members in the community.

It’s hearing those positive words that help make this fun little video more than worth the time put into it, she said.

“I’m still getting likes and comments, and I posted it two weeks ago,” Sadlier said. “I think it was a good way to demonstrate community coming together … it was a way to just take some time and come together when you can’t really be together.”

TO HELP

Christiane Lynch, who works at Bridgewater Middle School with Danny Cortolillo, has established a fund to help her friend and coworker after a fire destroyed his home. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/help-dannycort. The goal is $10,000.

cial donations will go toward the purchase of new wardrobes.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with the GoFundMe donations,” Cortolillo said. He currently is staying in a rental home in Clermont.

“My next plan is to follow up with insurance, get an MRI done on my knees and inventory my personal property,” he said.

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange and at our office.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

It’s time to flatten the unemployment curve Dear Editor: With this week’s announcement of Florida moving into a new “full” Phase 1 in its fight against COVID-19, Floridians are excited and ready for a return to normalcy.

With a serious recession on the rise and unemployment at its highest rate since the Great Depression, it is clear we must get this economy moving again— and fast. We believe this can be done safely. State and local governments have enacted various safety precautions and ramped up increased testing around the state and it is time for private industry to lead the rest of the way. Private industry must do its part in helping bridge the gap to a safe and fully open economy.

The question then is, “How is it possible to do both simultaneously?”

Here is an idea. We should announce that all businesses in the state may open to higher occupancy with two provisions: that all employees in the business should be screened on a daily basis, and that all guests/ customers should be screened before they enter the business.

All other restrictions should be waived. Although, if a business wishes to require masks and/or distancing, or other restrictions or precautions, it may do so. All businesses should open quickly and judiciously. Caution and discretion should be employed at all times.

“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 DONALD F. FANNIN OCOEE

Basically, what we need now is a paradigm shift. We should not be concerned solely with testing alone. Massive testing by itself will not restore consumer confidence and get people moving around again. An emphasis on both testing and screening must take place. We in private industry are in a unique position to help and are ready and willing to apply new screening technology in order to make every guest, employee and member of the public feel confident in the approach private industry has taken.

Currently, there exists new walkthrough scanners that can help detect COVID-19 by checking the temperature, respiration rate and blood oxygen level of hundreds of people an hour. We believe our local government officials should partner with industry to make these resources available to as many employers as possible. Doing so should allow us to safely return to normal facility capacity levels. We need to move the focus from the question of how many people should be permitted to enter a space to instead whether those people actually have COVID-19. New technology makes this easier.

We have successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve; now it is time to flatten the curve of unemployment in our state.

HARRIS ROSEN,

PRESIDENT, ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS

ANTHONY SABATINI,

BAPTIST

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

EPISCOPAL

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

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

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

CHURCH D

ANGLICAN

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

Sunday School: 10 a.m.

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

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH ANGLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, FELLOWSHIP CHURCH Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden of God Rector The Rev. CanonOcoee Tim TrombitasChurch (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden www.starkelakebaptist.org Pastor Thomas Odom Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Web: fumcwg.org Church Orlando Ave.,Ocoee Purpose Find us at: Theacf.net 1105 N. Lakewood CHURCH OF GOD (407) 656-8011 13640 CHURCH W Colonial OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD UNITED OF Dr. Ste 110, BAPTIST Pastor Thomas Odom Winter Garden CHRIST 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee BEULAH BAPTIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH (407) 654-9661 407-656-8011 Pastor Casey Butner 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Windermere, FL 34786 EPISCOPAL 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 407-876-2112 Worship times: Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM 9:00am Adult Sunday School Saturday Service: 6 p.m.

241 N. Main, Winter Garden SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM 10:00am Worship Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM purposechurchorlando.org www.windermereunion.org www.churchofthemessiah.com FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana MIKE YOAKUM Pastor Tim Grosshans PASTOR www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: P: 407.656.1520 FOUNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867

CHURCH OF GOD

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. OCOEE, FL 34761

Matthew’s Hope Chest

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Orange County has created the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force “to reopen the county as quickly and safely as possible,” according to a report by the West Orange Times & Observer Community Editor, Amy Quesinberry, in your April 30 edition.

“We want to reopen Orange County as fast as possible,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced. “We’re asking the community to have the patience.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis is working with his statewide Re-Open Task Force Industry Working Group on Tourism, Construction, Real Estate, Recreation, Retail and Transportation to get people “back to work and back to some semblance of normalcy.”

Also tackling pandemic reopening issues is a statewide executive committee. It includes state and local officials plus members “from some of the state’s largest companies.”

All of this study and soulsearching is in addition to the countless other national, state, county and local groups now grappling — equally assiduously, of course — with the myriad facets of “reopening” on the heels of what is known as the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, at this writing, mounting evidence continues to indicate the true seriousness of the pandemic has been deliberately overblown by individuals and organizations seeking to exploit the situation for selfish,

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Dear Editor:

greedy, purely partisan, antiAmerican purposes. Shame!

Finally, I imagine that — at least in the case of Florida — by the time conclusions, recommendations and actions have been reached by the multiplicity of task forces — governmental or otherwise — perhaps half of Florida’s current population of more than 20 million people simply will have died of old age rather than from the effects of the pandemic.

Why don’t we just stop cringing in fear in our homes and “man up,” as the current challenge goes, to get fully back to work in our communities?

(Perhaps we even could discard the ugly, wet, stinking, filthy, smothering face masks.) We must act very quickly if we hope fully to restore the unparalleled prosperity and freedom we had achieved working together throughout the past several years.

As earlier Americans did in other challenging times in our past, we, too, can brush aside today’s enemies of our republic and yet again preserve our nation’s marvelous, unique greatness. I’ll close with the following words from the masthead of the West Orange Times & Observer:

5

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

LV14252

OBSERVER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Stop cringing in fear

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Windermere discusses plans for potable water system

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A potential three-phase approach to implementing water services throughout the town could cost a little more than $10 million.

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Windermere leaders are taking another step forward in the process of bringing potable water services to the town.

During the May 12 Town Council meeting, council members were presented with a potential master plan for such services.

Mike Demko, senior project manager at utility engineering consulting firm Wade Trim, walked town leaders through a proposed three-phase plan — a north phase, a central phase and a south phase.

Demko said the team developed and calibrated a hydraulic model to analyze the existing system and found it had sufficient pressure, but there were some fire flow limitations.

“We developed two future scenarios with the hydraulic model to look first at filling all of the town within the town limits, and then also looking at some of these areas directly adjacent to the town to see how this expansion would affect those areas, as well,” Demko said.

“What we determined was that these connection points have suf-

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ficient flow for the area. Orange County Utilities can provide that flow. What we also see is that the main trunks through the town — and actually most of the lines within the town — that are existing are sized adequately in order to allow expansions off those main lines.”

The interface between the three phases was chosen in part because there will be no crossover between contracts, Demko said, and each phase is roughly of equal scale. The north phase includes 376 parcels, the central phase has 223 and the south phase has 241 parcels.

The north phase, he said, contains the only area within town limits that Wade Trim’s analysis showed a water-age concern. This is located along Bayshore Drive.

“That’s one where during final design we would want to look at putting in an automatic flushing device, perhaps, at the end,” Demko said. “There are other spots within the town that during final design you may want to put one in — not necessarily for age issues but because flushing of the distribution systems is a good practice.”

Demko said in the central phase, Sunset Lane would have to be upsized for fire flows. In the south phase, there are two to three areas that also need for be upsized for fire flows. While some of the town currently is equipped with fire hydrants, there still is a large portion that is not.

IN OTHER NEWS n Town Council members unanimously approved a Temporary Use Permit program to assist local businesses as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The relaxed guidelines will allow businesses in Windermere’s downtown business district to utilize certain temporary signs, outdoor retail sales and restaurant seating, and small tents. n Town leaders also discussed making changes to the policies relative to the town’s boat ramp and tennis court keys.

This could include numbering each key and introducing new consequences for unauthorized uses of the keys. No action has been taken yet.

“In addition, some of the existing hydrants — according to the modeling under worst-case scenario — may not have the fire flow required for the size of the homes,” he said. “The vast majority of the homes are below 9,800 square feet — which would require 2,000 gallons per minute — and that’s a flow that I believe can be met pretty much throughout the entire town.

When it comes to the larger homes, there are a handful of larger homes that do require higher flows.”

The estimated total cost of all three phases would be $10,281,000, which is based on roughly $15,841 per connection for 649 new connections.

Town leaders also received some suggestions for major funding programs that could help keep the overall implementation cost down.

Council members voted unanimously to give town staff direction to move forward with a draft water plan.

YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

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

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Top: The family of Cassie Wilkes gathered around as they spent time with her Monday, May 18.

Triple digits — x2!

Despite being separated by a wall of glass, the families of Petra Arroyo Mendez and Cassie Wilkes — residents at Health Central Park in Winter Garden — made their way to the facility to celebrate their birthdays.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Wednesday, March 13, was Petra Arroyo Mendez’s 101st birthday.

Normally, she would be surrounded by her entire family, which includes five children, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

But this year, because of the coronavirus and the no-visitor policy at nursing homes, she and the family who could visit are separated by a large pane of glass.

As she sat inside — sporting her birthday crown and sash — daughters Felicita Cruz and Norma Perez smiled and waved to those sitting just on the other side of the window.

“First of all, it’s a big blessing having my mom all this time— 101 years? It’s a big blessing,” Cruz said. “It’s a little bit different than the way we celebrated before. …

It’s hard on us, but also I notice it is hard for her because she hardly understands what’s going on. We always had the family over ... flying in just for her, and we couldn’t do that this time.”

A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Arroyo Mendez has been in Florida for 50 years and is well known around Health Central Park for her bright personality, Cruz said.

That charm shined during her

101st birthday celebration, even if it could only be seen through a tinted window and the iPads used to link up the family outside to Arroyo Mendez on the inside.

It was also a moment to reflect on the long life of a woman loved so dearly by her family, Cruz said.

For Cruz, it’s the memories of her mother in the garden that have stood the test of time.

“She loves flowers,” Cruz said. “I remember her, when I was growing up, always in the garden planting and taking care of her flowers — that was her life. She loved to be in the garden all the time.”

It’s not exactly the birthday party Cruz was hoping to have with her mom, but given the circumstances, it was more than enough.

However, she does wish she could have some real one-on-one time with her so she could pass on a simple message.

“That I love her, and I miss her,” Cruz said.

WILKES TURNS 102

Five days later, on Monday, May 18, a similar celebration took place for Cassie Wilkes and her family at the entrance of Health Central Park.

A large group of family members — including Cassie Wilkes’ son, Isaac Wilkes, and daughter, Betty Brown — were there to celebrate her 102nd birthday.

7

Bottom: Norma Perez spoke to her mother, Petra Arroyo Mendez, through the door.

Photos by Troy Herring

“They have put on a real nice display due to the circumstances,” Isaac Wilkes said. “We know what’s going on with the COVID-19, because down south, there are some nursing homes where people come with their kids, they can’t even bring them to the door to see them. I’m just happy for her to see 102 years old.”

Just like the party for Arroyo Mendez, Cassie Wilkes spoke with her family via iPads, and the

smile that came across her face when folks kept showing up was a moment that brought warmth on a dreary day.

“I’m glad to see y’all,” said Cassie Wilkes with a big grin.

Cassie Wilkes — born in 1918 in Attapulgus, Georgia — spent much of her life working in tobacco fields and farming. It was hard work, but it put food on the table.

And that food she put on the table? It was the best thing you’d

ever tasted, Isaac Wilkes said.

Every day, she whipped up something for all three meals of the day.

“I can remember — when I was growing up — her cooking,” Isaac Wilkes said. “My job was I had to go out in the morning and pick the blackberries, and she would make something for dinner.”

“I remember the times when we would go to Sunday School,” Betty Brown said. “We’d have a table spread with everything — Momma cooked all of this stuff. Momma loved cooking.”

While Cassie Wilkes and her family continued to enjoy one another’s company on a cloudy Monday afternoon, Isaac Wilkes stepped back to take in what was happening in front of him.

It was a simple gesture by the people at Health Central Park to put on the party, but for the family, it was the creation of a memory that will last forever.

“This is something I’ll always remember,” Isaac Wilkes said.

“Everybody here will always remember this.”

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

DANCING THROUGH ADVERSITY Ocoee High alumna Destini Hendricks’ first year in Pace University’s prestigious commercial dance program was cut short by the coronavirus.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When Ocoee High alumna Destini Hendricks headed to New York City last fall to begin the adventure of a lifetime at Pace University, she never imagined her freshman year would end this way.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pace — along with much of society — was forced to shut down in mid-March. It was only a few days after Hendricks and her peers left for spring break that they discovered they wouldn’t be returning to school for the remainder of the semester.

Hendricks is one of 26 freshmen in Pace’s prestigious commercial dance program. Students work on the disciplines of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, contemporary,

Courtesy of Collette Mruk Photography

Destini Hendricks is looking forward to the day she can return to New York to resume her coursework at Pace University.

aerial arts and other dance. In the process, they are prepared for a professional career on stage, television and commercials. Students have the opportunity to work with professionals in acting, vocal studies and technical theater.

It was her dream school and program, and finding out a little more than a year ago that she was accepted after a rigorous pre-

screening and audition process was the fruit of many years of labor.

“I was in shock,” Hendricks said.

“I was actually at dance rehearsal when I got the call, and I was so shocked and surprised. I was with my dance teacher, so it was a really big moment because she’s literally made me the dancer I am today, so it was just amazing. I was so happy.”

FDA ApproveD CoviD-19 TesTing AvAilAble

Hendricks has been dancing since she was just 3 years old. She didn’t enjoy it when she first started, but today, dance is her life. And her adventure studying at Pace is nurturing her passion for it.

“We train in so much — we don’t just do ballet, jazz and modern, which is what most schools in New York do,” she said. “At Pace, (because) it’s the commercial industry, you’re literally doing everything. Not only is it dancing but we’re acting and we’re doing vocals, as well, so we have singing lessons and all that. Our junior year, we go to Los Angeles for a semester, too, so we get both worlds — we have the musical theater/Broadway world in New York and then we go to the LA music industry world, too. What they offer was something new that no school was offering.”

Hendricks quickly found her “people” at Pace, who have become like family. The city is mesmerizing, and everyone at Pace is committed to his or her craft.

Training in dance is tough, but her education at Pace has pushed her to grow, she said.

A program so dependent on physical presence was hit hard when COVID-19 became a concern. New York is the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, so officials had to come up with a game plan — and quick.

Hendricks and her classmates watched as Juilliard and other New York-area schools began to shut down. Pace followed suit as students left for spring break. Just a few days later, students were notified that remote learning would continue for the remainder of the semester. Hendricks and her father, Ocoee High Band Director Bernie Hendricks, flew back to the

“I know that after all of this, we’re going to come back stronger and better, and I’m just really excited to be back already.”

— Destini Hendricks

city to get her things and clear out her dorm room.

Hendricks is back in Ocoee finishing out her freshman year through distance learning, but it’s not the same.

She attends classes — ballet, jazz, vocals, partnering and two academic classes — via Zoom meetings and still is able to dance at home. Although it’s not the way she envisioned her first year at Pace ending, she and her classmates understand that it’s what is necessary.

“It’s really sad that now we have to do dance online, and I won’t see my people, and we’re not able to do our spring show,” she said. “It’s harder online than it is in person.

We’re still getting good training and everything, and I love that we’re back dancing. … It is challenging with the lagging and stuff (from) having it online. … Also, not having anyone else there with you doing it forces you to think about everything even more and focus on yourself because you have to know what you’re doing.

“I know that after all of this, we’re going to come back stronger and better, and I’m just really excited to be back already,” she said.

Eric Gutierrez contributed to this report.

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The home at 1007 Parkwood Cove Court, Windermere, sold May 7, for $424,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,661 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $115.82. Days on market: 85.

West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from May 7 to 14.

The home at 3413 Lilas Court, Windermere, sold May 11, for $1.15 million.

Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 5,084 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $226.20. Days on market: 47.

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

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The home at 13813 Orange Crest Drive, Windermere, sold May 8, for $318,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,020 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $157.43. Days on market: Nine.

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The townhouse at 6007 Blue Lily Way, Winter Garden, sold May 10, for $313,610. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,772 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $176.98. Days on market: 115.

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The home at 7319 Derexa Drive, Windermere, sold May 8, for $399,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,610 square feet. The price per square foot is $152.87. Days on market: Seven.

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

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Chaine du Lac estate sells for $1.15 million A

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SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 10

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REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

REAL ESTATE

10

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

STRESSED

BEWILDERED

in applying for the many economic disaster loans that are available (Florida Disaster loan, PPP, EIDL, to name a few) only to find out that your loan application needs more documentation, has been granted for less than what is required, has been denied, or you are in that dreaded “pending” que?

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This Chaine du Lac home, at 3413 Lilas Court, Windermere, sold May 11, for $1.15 million. This Akers Custom New Orleans estate features more than 5,000 square feet of living space.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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LAKEVIEW POINTE

The home at 7224 Enchanted Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 11, for $454,900. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,295 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $138.06. Days on market: Five.

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The home at 14364 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 11, for $530,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,882 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.90. Days on market: Six.

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

Publishing:

Thursday, June 4 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.

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.

SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14736 Speer Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 11, for $798,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,550 square feet. The price per square foot is $224.79.

Days on market: Four.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 7742 Purple Finch St., Winter Garden, sold May 7, for $435,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,932 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $148.36.

Days on market: 58.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 9432 Komika Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 13, for $349,490. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,027 square feet. The price per square foot is $172.42. Days on market: 11.

WATERMARK

The home at 15030 Stuttgart Alley, Winter Garden, sold May 8, for $376,921. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,892 square feet. The price per square foot is $199.22. Days on market: 97.

The home at 10384 Austrina Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 8, for $376,335. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,221 square feet. The price per square foot is $169.44. Days on market: 144.

WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

The home at 7614 Green Mountain Way, Winter Garden, sold May 8, for $679,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 5,296 square feet. The price per square foot is $128.21. Days on market: 22.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 11842 Silverlake Park Drive, Windermere, sold May 8, for $350,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,115 square feet. The price per square foot is $165.48. Days on market: 165.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 1827 Southern Red Oak Court, Ocoee, sold May 13, for $449,210. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,864 square feet. The price per square foot is $116.26. Days on market: 20.

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FOREST LAKE ESTATES

The home at 706 Birch Hollow Drive, Ocoee, sold May 8, for $332,315. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,034 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.38. Days on market: 80.

RESERVE AT MEADOW LAKE

The home at 9368 Royal Estates Blvd., Orlando, sold May 13, for $705,000.

Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,305 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.76. Days on market: 22.

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On the second floor you have a two way split bedroom plan on one side is a guest bedroom/en suite, on the other side there are two very desirable bedrooms centered around a guest bath. Straight ahead is the BONUS room, this room also features wet bar, snack bar, doors leading to the spectacular balcony with panoramic views!

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WINTER GARDEN BRADFORD CREEK

The home at 14186 Creekbed Circle sold May 8, for $627,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,436 square feet. The price per square foot is $141.34. Days on market: 72.

CHAPIN STATION

The home at 1124 Dunbrooke St., Winter Garden, sold May 11, for $332,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,102 square feet. The price per square foot is $157.94. Days on market: Six. PARK PLACE

The townhouse at 474 Hazelnut Court, No. 25G, Winter Garden, sold May 13, for $475,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,870 square feet. The price per square foot is $254.01. Days on market: 94.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 1001 Beaconsfield Court, Winter Garden, sold May 8, for $399,988. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,603 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.66. Days on market: Seven.

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Honoring the Men and Women who died while serving in the U.S. Military.

We thank those who did not get the joyous homecoming or have since been laid to rest.

TS

The home at 10390 Angel Oak Court, Orlando, sold May 8, for $787,495.

Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,298 square feet. The price per square foot is $342.69. Days on market: 35.

The home at 5114 Fairway Oaks Drive, Windermere, sold May 11, for $1,099,000. Built in 1999, it has seven bedrooms, seven baths, a pool and 6,459 square feet. The price per square foot is $170.15. Days on market: 10.

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The home at 1422 Plumgrass Circle, Ocoee, sold May 12, for $362,500.

Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,900 square feet. The price per square foot is $125. Days on market: 41.

BUYING A HOME? SELLING YOUR HOME?

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

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

MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN!!!

WINTER GARDEN , 3 BDRM., 2 BA. NO HOA!!! YOU CAN PARK A BOAT/ RV, LARGE LOT! ONLY MINUTES AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN. This home features glowing wood flooring throughout the house except for the wet areas which are tile. Entertainment size living room with plenty of room fro big, comfortable chairs & sofa and highlighted by a large picture window. The family room has a beautiful brick wood burning fireplace. Step saving kitchen with all appliances including built in oven...

Three bright, bedrooms all down the hall. This home was built in 1959 with almost 1600 sq. ft. heated) total sq.ft.3724,.MOTIVATED SELLER, bring your highest and best offer. Asking Only $250,000

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Call 407.656.2734 or visit www.LANGD.org for details.

On this Memorial Day we commemorate and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and our nation.

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The home at 452 Fern Meadow Loop, Ocoee, sold May 11, for $325,000.

Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,966 square feet. The price per square foot is $165.31. Days on market: 12.

Total Sales: 43 High Sale Price: $1.15 million Low Sale Price: $171,000

PE ND ING

CROSS CREEK

11

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Pat Sharr Realty

SNAPSHOT

LE

The home at 3427 Apple Ridge Blvd., Ocoee, sold May 8, for $320,000.

Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,352 square feet. The price per square foot is $136.05. Days on market: Six.

SA

BRYNMAR

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

12

Area students earn Top Talent honors Several West Orange-area students took top honors at the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools’ 2020 Top Talent competition. The performing arts portion of the competition was held virtually Friday, May 15.

Dr. Phillips High School singer Natalie Mastali won first place. For the win, she received a $500 gift card, and Dr. Phillips received a $1,000 gift to the arts program.

Windermere High School pianist Amber Wei won second place, earning her a $250 gift card and $750 for the Wolverine arts program.

In the visual art competition, Dr. Phillips High’s Jorge Rodriguez earned first-place honors and received a $150 gift card and $300 for his school’s arts program.

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/class-of-2020.

MICHAEL KLEINFELT

WINDERMERE HIGH SCHOOL As the student resource deputy at Windermere High School, Michael Kleinfelt is a familiar face for students and staff at the school. He has been in law enforcement since 2001. In addition, Kleinfelt owns and operates iDroneFlorida and has created a drone video celebrating the WHS Class of 2020 that can be seen on the business’ Facebook page, facebook.com/idronefl.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the inclusivity and diversity of Windermere High School. I love how the parents, students and staff work together to make Windermere High School a great school. I also love the talent found within Windermere High School.

What brought you to Windermere?

About three years ago, I decided to get my bachelor’s degree; I was a late bloomer, and at 36 years old, I enrolled at the University of Central Florida. At the time I decided to go back to university, I was a sexcrimes investigator, so I transferred to the Orange County Courthouse and went to the University of Central Florida as a full-time student.

In August 2019, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies — writing and research. After I graduated, my family and I moved to Windermere. After moving to Windermere, I was told a position opened up at the high school.

I submitted for the job, and I was selected.

REPORT CARD POSITION: Student resource deputy TIME AT SCHOOL: One year

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Being in TikToks! I never knew what TikTok was until I arrived at the high school. The judges and attorneys really weren’t into that, and I’ve learned that I have the moves of a total dad! I have also enjoyed being one of the five wrestling coaches.

Before COVID-19, I was working with Mr. (Douglas) Guthrie, the principal, to organize a drone technology club, the first in Orange County. However, the favorite part of my job is being a mentor and a role model. The school is its own community within our community.

When you’re an SRD, you are literally the “only sheriff in town.”

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

My family and being a role model in our community are my biggest motivations. I am a graduate and product of Orange County Public Schools (WOHS Class of 1999, Last and Best!), so I am motivated to show that OCPS Means Success.

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

On National Law Enforcement

Appreciation Day, the SGA hung a huge poster outside of my partner, Deputy Curtis, and my office.

The students gave us balloons and doughnuts. … I guess they knew cops like balloons! Accompanying the poster were handwritten cards from the students saying how much they appreciate us in their community.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I love working on my honey-dolist, which, thanks to COVID-19, is almost nearing its end. I like spending time with my family, friends, and neighbors. I love offshore fishing with my buds. I also love flying my drones and creating content for my drone photography business. Drones are a growing technology, so I am always trying to learn as much as I can. I hope to eventually fly drones for Sheriff Mina and Undersheriff Canty.

— TROY HERRING

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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Source: The Leapfrog Group Top Hospital award, 2019.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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13

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Masked mission Everyone at Ocoee City Hall is wearing masks sewn by Breyana Landry, a family member of an employee in the city clerk’s office.

Courtesy photos

Breyana Landry, a graduating senior, made a purple face mask to match her school colors.

Breyana Landry has spent much of her time sewing face masks for family and friends.

just will keep making them and if (requests start) to go down, I will probably stop. But I’ll keep it up on Facebook in case someone wants one from me.”

Breyana said she plans to work in the health care field.

“I’m always wanting to help other people,” she said. “I’m going to go to Valencia College to do my prerequisites to be a nurse practitioner.”

How do you splash?

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Learn more at HealthyWestOrange.org

Join the Conversation!

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More than 80 employees at Ocoee City Hall are sporting colorful and patterned masks thanks to the generosity of Breyana Landry.

Breyana, who is 17 and recently graduated from Timber Creek High School, has been occupying her time making face masks for people wanting to wear them for protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. She and her mother, Danielle Daily, started making them together to give to family members.

When her stepmother, Amber Landry, who works for the city of Ocoee, mentioned city employees were in need of some, Breyana got right to work, cutting and sewing and coming up with 80 masks in one day.

“She told me the fire chief told her that they were looking for masks and that it might be mandatory soon, and she told me that we should make some masks,” Breyana said. “We just made them that day and gave them 80 the next day.”

Her mother lives in Avalon Park

and works at a hospital in Kissimmee, and when that facility was asking for face masks, Breyana made 50 of them and donated them the next day.

She decided to have some fun with the masks and makes them in fun, bright colors and with various patterns; others have popular Disney characters. All have a filter pocket in case the wearer wants to slide one inside for extra protection.

She made herself a purple face mask in Timber Creek’s school colors to match her cap, tassel, gown and stole for graduation photos.

She has given some to her grandmother, who works for Winn-Dixie and requested a few for her and her co-workers. Another employee at her neighborhood Publix asked for some, as well.

Breyana continues to sew the masks and is selling them for $5 apiece. To place an order, call or text her at (407) 595-7243.

So far, she has sold more than 700 — enough to pay off her car and pay for the insurance.

“We’re just making them in case anyone needs them,” she said. “I

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COMMUNITY EDITOR

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AMY QUESINBERRY

Observer School Zone_052120.indd 1

5/14/20 5:42 PM

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY MAY 23, 1974 The Focal Point camera shop, located in the Tri-City Shopping Center in Winter Garden, advertised in The Winter Garden Times offering equipment and accessories to the parents and grandparents of graduating seniors. The Kodak Pocket Instamatic 60 Special Outfit included a pocket camera, case, a box of film and a box of MagiCubes flash cubes, which allowed the photographer to take four photos per cube. Anyone looking for cassette tapes was in luck, too: A large selection of TDK and Capitol tapes were available for only 95 cents.

80 years ago

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Lakeview High School gymnasium were held with Harry M. Smith acting as master of ceremonies. The program launched with the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Lakeview band, followed by the invocation delivered by the Rev. Albert A. Stulck. The Lakeview Glee Club sang “Let All the Nations Praise the Lord.” Speakers included Bud Owens, mayor of Ocoee; Mr. Garland, Lakeview principal; Mr. Walker, superintendent of public instruction; Mr. Johnson, chairman, Orange County School Board; Mr. Burcham, chairman, Orange County Board of Trustees; and the Honorable J.B. Rodgers, state senator.

70 years ago

Den One, Cub Scouts, met recently with den mothers Mrs. Cecil Dees and Mrs. Durwood O’Neal. Don Wheatley, scout counselor, met with the cubs and instructed them in making airplanes. Cubs present were Art Dees, Butch O’Neal, Jesse Walker, Jimmy Kerr, Ralph Rodgers, Johnny Rodgers and Sonny Howard.

35 years ago

Ann and John Harrell, owners of the Winter Garden Loan Co., were the recipients of the Downtown Business Associa-

FROM THE ARCHIVES A group of tourists pose beside their recreational vehicles at Trailer City in the 1930s, soon after the facility opened. It was established under Mayor George Walker with funding from the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. One of many civic projects in Winter Garden funded by the federal government, this social program put many people to work and drew visitors to the city during the Great Depression. Trailer City, located on the south shore of Lake Apopka along Crest Avenue, drew anglers attracted to the bounteous large-mouth bass that filled the lake.

Trailer City still exists today, though the portable vehicles have been replaced by manufactured housing. For more information about the many New Deal projects still in use in Winter Garden, check out the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s Facebook page.

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. tion’s Worked Like a Dog Award for April.

Gotha heralded its second century with an exciting day filled with fun, food and fellowship. The Shriners parade was fun, and it almost caused a traffic jam on Hempel Avenue.

TALK by Gary Larson; CROSSWORD BACK Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

32 Moorehead of “Bewitched” 1 Bumbling person 34 Parcel of land 4 Blot gently 36 Journalist Couric 9 Women at a square dance 37 Stan’s comedy partner 13 Stake holder, perhaps?

39 ‘50s car feature 19 Wanted-poster letters 43 Device for a very public 20 Remove display of affection 21 Send out 47 Snorkeling spots 22 Japanese dance drama 48 Voice below soprano 23 Nervous twitch 49 Big books 24 Something heard ... at a 51 Lacto-___ vegetarian paint store?

52 Courteney of “Friends” 26 Accustomed 53 Carries 27 Irritated state 55 Lady ___ (“Million Rea29 Enjoyed a rink sons” singer) 30 ... on a movie set?

56 It has a head and a claw 59 Venomous snake 60 Woolly mothers 61 Bygone Seattle team, informally 63 “It’s a Wonderful Life” director 64 Sphere of influence 66 Guy, in Jamaica 67 No-no for Jack Sprat 68 Tugboat sounds 69 Butter type in lotion 71 ... at a clock tower?

75 Politician Feingold 76 Old West law group 78 Silent assent

Flo Johnson was given a big “thank you” as chairperson of the Centennial Celebration.

30 years ago

West Orange High School’s DCT Club won the state DCT title for the third time. It competed

95 Largest species of ray 97 Granny 98 Venue with many seats 100 Gets in harmony 103 Slung mud at 105 In bad condition, as a dog’s coat 106 German philosopher Georg 108 Tall flightless bird 109 Minor star cluster?

111 ... at a support group?

115 Religious residence 118 Hit with snowballs 121 Lacking a musical key 122 ... at a seance?

125 Originally named 126 Dissolved substance 127 Picture problem 128 Without a clue 129 “You ___ never tell” 130 Aide 131 Wild plum 132 Like some logs 133 This clue, for the list of Across clues DOWN 1 Overnight ___ (popular breakfast) 2 Similar (to) 3 ... at a spa?

4 Certainly, slangily 5 Come to the surface 6 ... on a fishing trip?

7 Taj Mahal’s continent 8 One often has an answer key 9 Live Aid co-founder Bob 10 French friend 79 Signs off on 11 “The Mod Squad” role 80 Like some kitchens 12 Hearty entree 82 One may be sore after 13 Jumpy a race 14 Maui verandas 83 Horror film whose protagonist gets fused with 15 Takes advantage of, as a privilege an insect 16 Doctor Zhivago 85 Banjoist Fleck 17 Just managed, with “out” 86 Nickname that rhymes 18 Ferris wheel, e.g. with Trey 89 Apt flowers for an optom- 25 “Is anyone in here?”

28 Pre-weekend shout etrist’s office?

31 Purpose 91 Singer Fitzgerald 33 Lipton rival 92 Church song 35 Tennessee NFL player 93 Sis or bro 37 Killer whale 94 Eastern way

against more than 200 high schools at the Cooperative Education Clubs of Florida’s state contest in Orlando and won 10 top state awards, more than any other school in Florida.

38 Warm, confident sorts, astrologically 40 Blonde or brown brews 41 The “I” of 28-Down 42 Request on some birthday party invites 44 ... in a chemistry lab?

45 Turns away 46 Swamp 50 Chinese gambling mecca 54 Night flyers 55 Venice vessel 57 Series of scenes 58 New Zealand language 61 Prince, to a queen 62 ... from Olympic skier Picabo?

65 Softens 66 Bygone Fords 69 Banana desserts 70 “Yippee!”

72 Andy on Bravo 73 Wild blue yonder 74 Ivy with a bulldog mascot 77 Before, poetically 81 Japanese floor covering 84 Moths are drawn to one 85 ___ of contention 87 Year indicator in a trunk 88 Where an Illinois-shaped Corn Flake sold for $1,350 90 Person committing traffic violations?

92 Vandalize, perhaps 96 Certain simians 97 Pacific island nation 99 Wood-shaping tool 101 Exercise that improves grip strength 102 It has 100 seats 104 Kingdom 107 Woolly babies 110 Ancient instruments 111 ATM output 112 ___-Missouria Tribe 113 Survey 114 Water source 116 Mosque figure 117 “Beetle Bailey” pooch 119 No-no for Jack Sprat’s wife 120 Watch over 123 Twosome 124 Mother’s Day month

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.

“XJKAT YAMOD LO KBA TLXS HL ZIVB, M UXOK KL HCAOS ZLTA KMZA UMKB ZP JXZMGP, UBL M BAXT XTA ULOSATJIG CALCGA.” – BLUMA ZXOSAG “OK CWIBXUE YPZBH, VIBWULBH, WUB WXH EYBCU ULBWUBI. ...

SITJPXS MC, ULB MXIBWY LWH WE OMFL POCTIUWXFB WE ULB IBWY.”

– OBSWX DTYYTJE Puzzle Two Clue: D equals F

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue: Y equals B

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

05-21-20

MAY 21, 2020

SPORTS

At shortstop, senior Charles Kwarteng played an important role for the Ocoee Knights baseball team. Page 16.

Observer names All-Area girls 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 girls track and field.

FIRST TEAM

Amaya Ugarte, Windermere, senior Best finishes: First-place finishes in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the Windermere Meet of Champions Classic.

Quick hit: The most decorated track and field athlete in the school’s history, Ugarte finished her Windermere career with a season featuring six first-place finishes in seven races.

Gabriele Matthews, Dr. Phillips, senior Best finishes: First place in 100-meter hurdles and thirdplace finish in Sanford-Seminole Open.

Quick hit: Matthews was a consistent top-five finisher for the Panthers, picking up four top-five finishes in the 100-meter hurdles and two top-five finishes in the 300-meter hurdles.

Mckenzi Neal, TFA, senior Best finishes: First place in the shot put and third place in discus at the Royal Open.

Quick hit: When it came to shot put and discus, Neal was one of the best. She finished with one first-place finish and two second-place finishes in shot put while picking up two third-place finishes and one second-place finish in discus.

Miracle Johnson, Ocoee, sophomore Best finishes: Finished in first place in 100 meters and long jump, and second place in 200 meters and triple jump at Mount Dora Christian Invitational.

Quick hit: Johnson was critical to Ocoee’s success this season, as she walked away with four firstplace finishes in the 100 meters while also picking up top-three finishes in the 200 meters and long jump.

Alyia Green, Olympia, sophomore Best finishes: Second place in 100 meters at Tohopekaliga Invitational and Brian Jaeger Elite Classic.

Quick hit: Out of the seven races she ran, Green finished in the top five on six different occasions, finding the most success in the 100 meters.

Dr. Phillips 4x100 relay team Members: Jarvia Carr, Shakaeja Dore, Lourdes Safford, Rayanna Mathis (at Larry Kelly Invitational); Irmiris Mendez, Jarvia Carr, Shakaeja Dore, Lourdes Safford (at Sam Burley HOF Invitational) Best finishes: First place at the Flagler Pre-Season Pinnacle Classic and the Larry Kelly Invitational.

Quick hit: Not once in the short season did the Panthers finish outside of the top five, and the 4x100 relay team finished with two first-place finishes.

Lourdes Safford, Dr. Phillips, sophomore Best finishes: First place in the 400 meters and 4x100 relay at the Larry Kelly Invitational.

Quick hit: Safford was a part of the Panthers’ dominating 4x100 relay team, and a constant top-10 finisher in the 200, 300 and 400 meters.

SEE ALL-AREA PAGE 16

Troy Herring

The sports of baseball and softball are a big deal for David Ocasio and his sons Kai, Kas and Kadan, and his niece, Savana.

Out at home With baseball and softball put on the back burner, the Ocasio family of Winter Garden is adapting to life without their sports.

TROY HERRING SPORTS HERRING

T

Courtesy photo

Amaya Ugarte was an all-world talent at Windermere and will be taking her talents to Ohio State University in the fall.

he sports of baseball and softball run deep in the Ocasio family.

In the garage of David Ocasio’s Winter Garden home, remnants of the sports can be seen everywhere. There’s the outline of home plate taped to the smooth concrete floor, while bats and gloves sit idly by waiting to be used.

But since the arrival of the coronavirus, the sports world has changed, and now the family — which is heavily involved in Winter Garden Little League, the Winter Garden Junior Squeeze and Empire — is stuck at home like everyone else.

“It’s boring, because you can’t do anything in the house except sit down,” said Kai Ocasio, 10.

“I can’t play any games with my team.”

Kai Ocasio is not the only one feeling these effects. His brothers Kas Ocasio (12) and Kadan Ocasio (8), and cousin Savana Ocasio (14) all are dealing with a life without baseball (and softball), and each of them has strong feelings about being away from the sports they love so dearly.

“It’s kind of not fun, because I can’t see my friends that much and I can’t play with my team,” Kadan Ocasio said. “We didn’t finish the season — we weren’t even halfway done.”

The need to compete alongside their friends is quite alien to this

group of youngsters who should be out rounding the bases on a ball field.

And just as it has been rough for them, it’s been just as rough on David Ocasio, who has dedicated his life to the game and coaches his sons on multiple teams in the Winter Garden Little League and the travel-ball Winter Garden Junior Squeeze.

“For me, I just like to get out and coach the kids and teach them,” David Ocasio said. “It’s a big part of my life — it is essentially who I am — and part of that, for two months, has been taken away. I had to readjust myself — instead of teaching numerous amounts of kids, I had to readjust to where SEE OCASIOS 16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

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

Charles Kwarteng Before his senior season was cut short, Ocoee High baseball’s Charles Kwarteng was hoping to lead his team to a second consecutive district title. Through his four years at the school, Kwarteng grew as a player and became a leader for the Knights at shortstop.

When did you first get into baseball?

I got into baseball when I was 3, and it’s because my older brother played. When I was a kid, we would go to his Little League games. I wouldn’t want to go unless my mom could get me a replica uniform like my brother’s.

Whenever he was at bat, I would get out of my stroller, and I was up to bat right with him. I really loved the game.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Ocoee High GRADE: Senior AGE: 18 SPORT: Baseball POSITION: Shortstop

What’s your favorite part about playing at shortstop?

The most challenging part?

I like to be in the middle of things — I like to keep everyone involved — so I think my favorite thing is being in that leadership position. I kind of like the pressure (knowing) you’re a guy who people need to keep everything going the right way. And I really love turning plays for some reason — it’s one of the most fun things to do. I think the most challenging part of it is the ball that is hit right at you — it’s the toughest play in baseball.

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

My coaches just remind to just have fun — I think that is the biggest thing for me.

They know that when I try to do anything too serious, it’s just not going to go well for me. Like, in the middle of a game, I’ll turn to my centerfielder and play rock-paperscissors-shoot with them. I just always try to remind myself to have fun.

What’s the biggest highlight for you during your playing time at Ocoee?

It’s the two home runs in the (district) championship game last year. That experience right there, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that — it was like an out-ofbody experience.

With the season being canceled, what are you up to now?

I’m just looking at colleges and really trying to find the best fit. Other than that, I’m just filling time throughout the day — playing video games with my friends from school. It’s not much — wake up, work out, eat and play video games.

When it comes to playing baseball, what is the biggest change that you’ve seen in yourself?

I think my leadership.

You hear it a lot that actions speak louder than

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

now I’m just working with my kids.”

Although it has been disappointing not being able to work with all of the children who participate on his teams, it’s a silver lining that he has been able to enjoy focusing on the play of his own children, he said.

STAYING IN THE GAME

words, but when you see it put into action, that’s the biggest change for me — being someone (whom) the team looks up to and looks to for motivation.

What was your favorite thing about playing baseball at Ocoee?

It was kind of being the underdog. Coming into my freshman year at Ocoee, everyone was telling me that we were the school everyone wanted to play. If they had two tough district games in a week, they wanted to play Ocoee in the middle of that, because they thought it would be an easy win. But over these four years, we have erased that — we won our first district championship, and we had a lot of winning seasons.

Ocasios adjust to no sports

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Although the season sits in limbo, now is the time to keep up workouts and practices any way you can, David Ocasio said.

For Savana Ocasio, a freshman on the West Orange High softball team, that means getting back to working on her swing and fielding.

“I have been hitting a lot — I just started going back to my hitting coach,” Savana Ocasio said. “And I’ve been taking a lot of pop flies, because I am an outfielder for the most part.

For a lot of people, this is a great opportunity to try and work on their skills that they may have

started lacking on before the coronavirus happened.”

In the makeshift gym in David Ocasio’s garage, a net is draped between two walls and acts as a place for his boys to do work off the tee. He also has them do swings with heavy bats, and when they can, they’ll usually head over to the Winter Garden Squeeze field in Oakland for some practice.

Although the Ocasio family has places to practice, David Ocasio understands that that’s not the case for everyone.

To supplement that lack of space, David Ocasio said there are a few solutions. YouTube is always a good source to find drills that children can work through, or simply calling a coach is another easy option.

“Some things I tell kids to do is get into your baseball stance and go do some air swings — that doesn’t hurt, right?” he said. “You can do this at home — throw the ball against a wall and practice fielding it. If you don’t have a tee, find something

All-Area girls track & field CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Daijah Dacosta-Moore, Olympia, senior Best finishes: Four top-10 finishes in the triple jump at multiple events.

Quick hit: Dacosta-Moore was a bit of a utility woman for the Olympia track and field team, as she placed in the top 10 of the 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, long jump, triple jump, 4x100 relay and SMR 100-100200-400 meters.

Amari Sims, Windermere, senior Best finishes: Top-10 finishes at Jeff Wentworth Relays in the 100-meter hurdles, fourth in the triple jump and sixth in high jump.

Quick hit: Sims had a strong season for the Wolverines, as she picked up top-10 finishes in the 100-meter hurdles, javelin, high jump and triple jump.

Domanique Douglas, Dr. Phillips, senior Best finishes: First place in the long jump at Larry Kelly Invitational, first place in the triple jump at Flagler Pre-Season Pinnacle Classic.

Quick hit: Douglas was a strong finisher for the Panthers in the jump events, as she finished with eight top-10 finishes (five topfive finishes) in 10 events across the long jump and triple jump.

Aysha Miller, Olympia, junior Best finishes: First place in the triple jump and fourth place in the 4x100 relay at the Poinciana Relays.

Quick hit: Miller was a do-itall athlete for the Titans, with top-10 finishes in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, triple jump, 4x100 relay and SMR 100-100-200-400m.

Ma`kala Davis, Ocoee, freshman Best finishes: First place in the triple jump and third place in long jump at the Mount Dora Christian Invitational.

Quick hit: As a freshman, Ocoee’s Davis started her high school track career strong with four top-five finishes in the long jump and triple jump — which includes a win in the triple jump at the Mount Dora Christian Invitational.

SECOND TEAM

Liberty Jensen, TFA, senior Dr. Phillips 4x400 relay team Katie Ranck, Windermere, junior Rayanna Mathis, Dr. Phillips, sophomore Ocoee 4x400 relay team Ivana Edward, Windermere, freshman Jarvia Carr, Dr. Phillips, sophomore Zy’Kerriah Croker, Ocoee, junior Irmiris Mendez, Dr. Phillips, junior Ocoee 4x100 relay team

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to put a ball on and swing — it’s that simple.”

And then there are other options to keep moving, such as riding a bike, playing basketball or just running.

Of all things to take away from this time, Kas Ocasio is most excited about the growth of his game. He’s ready to put that hard work to use.

“I would like to see how what I’ve been doing and how (it will work) in a game — like fixing my swing,” Kas Ocasio said.

At the moment, the Winter Garden Little League season is still unclear — although David Ocasio said the league is working out a way of coming back. If it does come back, David Ocasio said he’ll be ready for it. He misses the sights, sounds and smell of baseball.

“It’s just smelling the air of baseball again,” David Ocasio said. “Regardless of whether we are social distancing or not, it’s just seeing the kids smiling out there and having fun again playing the sport they love.”

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16

OBSERVER

Carl R. “Pete” Peters Jr., 92, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 13, 2020, at (Vitas) Quality Healthcare in Winter Garden, Florida.

Pete was born August 17, 1927, in Montgomery, Alabama, to the late Carl Peters Sr. and Velma (Connell) Peters. Pete lost his mother, Velma, at the early age of 6 and was lovingly raised by his stepmother, the late Gustann (Traywick) Peters.

Pete was the oldest living fire chief in Winter Garden. Pete had owned several businesses and

started West Orange Auto Sales in 1977, which he ran until his retirement in 2007 at the age of 80. Pete was a very hard-working man and a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to many.

Pete was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Doris (Rowland) Peters, two sisters,

BLAIR M. JOHNSON

Bessie Holland and Nell Rogers; and two brothers, George Peters and Robert Peters.

Pete is survived by his four sons, Tommy (Lori) Peters, of Montverde, Florida, James (Shirley) Peters, of Ferndale, Florida, Glenn (Brenda) Peters, of Ocoee, Florida, Carl (Lisa) Peters, of Winter Garden, Florida; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Pete’s funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations, 1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787.

Proudly serving West Orange County for over 40 years 425 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

Doris J. Braswell, 90, of Winter Garden, died May 3, 2020.

Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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KATHLEEN MARY ROONEY DIED SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020.

Kathleen Mary Rooney, of Windermere, Florida, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at the age of 76. Kathleen was born in New York, New York, on Oct. 9, 1943.

She was the daughter of the late Arthur Joseph Rooney and Mary Rose Scott.

Kathleen had a kind soul and felt that kindness and laughter were two of the most important elements of life. She had a quick wit and a smile for everyone who walked through her door. She was a devoted mother to two sons and sacrificed many things to provide a better life for them.

She was a talented artist, gifted cook and avid researcher of her family’s history. She also loved to travel and visited many places in the United States and Asia in her youth.

17

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Kathleen worked as a medical coder for Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Florida, for 20 years and made many friends there whom she cherished.

Kathleen is survived by her sons, Sean Eglitis and Terence Rooney, and her daughter-inlaw, Natalie Rooney.

At this time, no services are planned due to COVID-19. A wake to celebrate her life will be planned for some time in the future, when her loved ones from near and far can be together to celebrate her.

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Virginia Healan, 91, of Winter Garden, Florida died May 14, 2020. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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CARL R. PETERS JR. DIED WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020.

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

OrangeObserver.com

Virtual House Calls Available Now

Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of your health. The good news is you don’t have to wait and can do it from the comfort of your home. With Video Visits, you consult with a medical expert via computer, tablet or phone for a wide range of health care needs. Experts in primary, specialty and urgent care, as well as pediatrics and physical therapy, are just a click away. It’s the modern form of house calls. And you don’t have to tidy up first.

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Talk with a doctor or medical provider at VideoVisitCare.com.

4/28/20 9:30 AM