05.31.18 Windermere Observer

WINDERMERE

Observer

Windermere High hosts first FFA banquet. 14.

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VOLUME 3, NO. 34

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Meet DP’s Cinderella Boys Dr. Phillips High’s baseball team is in the Final Four first the first time since 1996. PAGE 15.

We salute you

Developer reveals plans for ‘O-Town West’ project Plans include luxury apartments and more than 400,000 square feet of commercial space.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

The man behind multiple mixed-use communities throughout Orange County is proposing to build a luxury living and entertainment development in Dr. Phillips.

Unicorp National Developments, Inc. President Chuck Whittall and county officials hosted a community meeting on SEE O-TOWN PAGE 4

Eric Gutierrez

Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard fired shots for a rifle volley as part of Woodlawn’s memorial service.

Gotha’s Woodlawn Memorial Park honored those who gave their lives in combat at the 68th annual Woodlawn Memorial Day Service. SEE PAGE 3.

TIE

Art gallery to open in downtown Windermere

BLACK

The Art Gallery at Tranquiliti Wellness Center will showcase its first exhibition June 1.

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ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

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Windermere residents lead 100 Women Strong. 12.

The woman behind the Windermere Art Affair will be taking her support for the arts a step further by opening up downtown Windermere’s only art gallery.

Anne McDonough coordinates with and selects the artists for

Windermere’s annual art show.

She also owns Tranquilti Wellness Center, located at 503 Main St. in downtown Windermere.

The grand opening for The Art Gallery within Tranquiliti will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 1.

Afterward, the gallery will be open SEE CREATIVE PAGE 4

Local schools celebrate seniors.

SEE PAGES 7-10.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 1

YOUR CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

TRANQUILITI ART GALLERY GRAND OPENING 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Tranquiliti, 503 Main St., Windermere. The free event will offer live music, drinks and light snacks, and artists who are exhibiting will be present at the opening. The art gallery will encourage spiritual connection through art classes. (407) 448-0244.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

ADULT SUMMER READING KICK-OFF CELEBRATION 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Join the library for an adult summer reading kick-off celebration with crafts and coloring. Learn about Beanstack to win badges and prizes this summer. Light refreshments will be served.

Limited supplies. Ages 18 and older. Registration required at (407) 8357-323.

CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH FREE DAPS 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Celebrate the summer reading program with FREE DAPS, a local group of freestyle rappers and improvisers who use hiphop to create a one-of-a-kind musical comedy show every time they perform. All ages invited. (407) 835-7323.

SECOND-CHANCE PROM 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at The Breakroom, 13105 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. The theme of the 21-and-older party is “A Night in Paris.” Guests can bring their own libations.

Tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple and includes dinner, dancing and a prom photo. For tickets, email mindy@callmemktg.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 4

CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH FREE DAPS 3 p.m. Monday, June 4, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Celebrate the summer reading program with FREE DAPS, a local group of freestyle rappers and improvisers who use hip-hop to create a one-of-a-kind musical comedy show every time they perform.

All ages invited. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

BOOK CLUB FOR ART LOVERS Noon Saturday, June 9, at the SoBo Art Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Hosted by the Winter Garden Art Association, this month’s book discussion is “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” by Tracy Chevalier.

Participants will discuss the work of Johannes Vermeer and explore life during the Dutch Baroque period. Tickets are $10 for WGAA members, $15 for others. Call (407) 347-7996 or email info@wgart.org.

KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 9, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Meet with other Central Florida knitters and

Board Certified Pediatricians

• Erika Diogene, D.O. • Janelle Barfield, M.D.

have a great time knitting and mingling. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and needles. All levels are welcome.

(407) 835-7323.

LITTLE CHEF: A FULL SCOOP 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Mix and sprinkle fun toppings to make a delicious treat to keep cool. This is a “Mommy or Daddy and Me” event. Ages 3 to 5. (407) 835-7323.

WINDERMERE ROTARY CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 8 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at the MetroWest Golf Club, 2100 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. All proceeds go to the USO and other local veterans projects.

Single-player entry fee is $125; foursomes are $450. Information and registration at windermererotary.org or (407) 421-0548.

MONDAY, JUNE 11

CAMP OCLS 3 p.m. Monday, June 11, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor-inspired games, interactive stories and camp songs. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

Phone: 407-770-1414 1583 E. Silver Star Rd. Ocoee, FL 34761

Open: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Choose advanced joint replacement .

On the corner of Clarke Rd. and Silver Star Rd. in the Lake Olympia Square Plaza.

CENTRAL FLORIDA RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING 7 p.m. Monday, June 11, at the Central Florida Railroad Museum, 101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Warren Jennison will present “Sanford Rail Services in the Day.” Free. (407) 6560559.

TUESDAY, JUNE 12

SPANISH BOOK CLUB 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Join this Spanishlanguage book club to discuss literature, art, music and more.

All are welcome. (407) 8357323.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

MR. TIM THE COMEDY MAGICIAN 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Mr. Tim is a bumbling magician whose magic never seems to go as planned. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

TAI CHI 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the Building A Dance Room at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. Cost is $2 per class; drop-ins are welcome. First class is free.

Visit st.lukes.org/sports, email sports@st.lukes.org or call (407) 876-4991, Ext. 290.

Same day Appointments available for new and established patients.

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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County to upgrade sewer pipelines The lines between Overstreet Road and Lake Sawyer Drive will undergo construction improvements starting this month.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Retired U.S. Army Col. Calvin Wimbish was the first keynote speaker of the event.

‘Their courage nerves a thousand living men’ A

U.S. Army Capt. Philip Stiles, a member of the Army Honor Guard, told the story one of his military heroes during his speech.

merican flags flew at half-staff and the Orlando Concert Band played patriotic music as dozens of individuals gathered at Woodlawn Memorial Park for the 68th annual Woodlawn Memorial Day Service.

The service is held to honor the military service men and women who were killed in the line of duty or who have passed away since their service, prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Bob Swanson wore his military ribbon rack to the event. Swanson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and left the Air Force in 1979 to join the U.S. Navy. He retired from the Navy in 1996.

Developer introduces plans for 500 homes Orange County invited a representative to explain the project at a community meeting held Tuesday, May 24, at Independence Elementary.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Two parcels of land in Horizon West spanning 108 acres might soon host about 500 homes.

A project representative explained the plans during a brief community meeting held by Orange County officials on Tuesday, May 24, at Independence Elementary School.

The 108-acre property — only 96 of which are developable — is currently vacant. The project, known as Lake Austin, is located west of Avalon Road, south of Grove Blossom Way and east of Lake County.

According to property records from the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website, the multiparcel property was purchased for $6.25 million by BB Groves LLC, in December 2017. The property

is surrounded by several resorts, including The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando to the east and Summer Bay Orlando Resort to the south.

Kathryn Hattaway, a project representative from Poulos & Bennett LLC, explained the concept of the planned future project, which is currently in the initial stages of the county’s development approval process.

“This does have a PD future land use, and we are requesting to continue the (Planned Development) future land use, and we’re actually proposing a specific number of units on this property,” she said.

“So in our application, we are asking for a maximum of 500 dwelling units that can be used for any combination of short-term rentals, age-restricted (housing) or market-rate (housing).”

The south parcel of the property is currently designated Growth

Center/Resort/Planned Development. The north parcel is designated Village, which allows for 10 dwelling units per acre.

Hattaway said the applicant seeks to build up to 500 units, which is about five units per acre.

The property’s current zoning allows for a maximum of 10 units per acre.

According to county documents, the applicant intends to change the official designation of the south parcel to Growth Center-Planned DevelopmentResort/Low-Medium Density Residential, and the north parcel to Horizon West, Village I Special Planning Area Greenbelt.

The applicant also has agreed to make all market-rate housing on the property comply with the Horizon West architectural design standards in order to be consistent with surrounding areas, Hattaway said.

Access points to the property would be from Grove Blossom Way and an access point to the north.

The applicant has not proposed any new access points along Ava-

lon Road, Hattaway said.

However, plans may change as the project gets more fleshed out through the developmentapproval process.

“At this point, we don’t know, as we’re still early in the development process,” Hattaway said, referring to the project’s planned housing ratio. “So we can’t tell you today, how many short-term rentals, how many owner-occupied or how many age-restricted units there will be. That will be further defined in the PD zoning document, which will be submitted soon after the transmittal public hearings.”

The process will require the project to be reviewed and voted on by both the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commissioners in transmittal hearings and adoption hearings.

The extended two-hearing process is a requirement for approval, as the requested change is considered a large-scale amendment to Orange County’s Future Land Use Map.

Orange County is investing $1.4 million in a construction project aimed at improving wastewater services in the area of Overstreet Road and Lake Sawyer Drive.

The 16-inch sewer pipelines that run along Overstreet Road between Nobleton Drive and Northwich Drive have failed, and Orange County Utilities plans to remove and replace them with 2500 LF of 16-inch pipe.

“This existing pipe has failed, so this replacement is to prevent another failure,” said Laurie Windham, public information officer for Orange County. “Samples of the old pipe will be collected and assessed to explore the reason it failed.”

The county also plans to install 1,200 linear feet of 6-inch sewer lines along Lake Sawyer Drive between the county’s pump station and Overstreet Road and disable the existing sewer line on Craigside Lane and Nobleton Drive.

The project, which is scheduled to start in May and be completed in Spring 2019, will be performed in phases and require temporary road closures and detours.

Construction will mainly occur on right-of-way and utility easements. Details on the construction timeline and anticipated road closures, which will occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., have yet to be finalized.

“The contractor is waiting for approval from Orange County on the MOT plan — MOT stands for Maintenance of Traffic which covered detours,” Windham said.

“Once the plan is approved, the contractor will begin on the east side of the project near the intersection of Overstreet Road and Northwich Drive.

Each section will be completed before the work progresses west.”

No planned water or electrical-service outages will be required to complete the project.

“This existing pipe has failed, so this replacement is to prevent another failure.”

— Laurie Windham, a public information officer for Orange County

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

WINDERMERE

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Danielle Hendrix, Courtesy

The entertainment center at O-Town West will feature a dancing water show.

Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com

O-Town West slated for Dr. Phillips “It’s significantly less than what could go on the property (today).

It’s right now designed for super density, and that’s not what we want to do.”

— Unicorp National Developments, Inc. President Chuck Whittall

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

May 23 at Sand Lake Elementary School to discuss a future landuse map amendment for an 84.32acre property generally located north of Interstate 4, south of Fenton St. and east of Lake Ruby.

The proposal is to amend the future land-use map designation of the property from activity center mixed use, activity center residential, and low-medium density residential to Planned Development-Commercial/ Medium-High Density Residential. The amendment would allow for the development of up to 1,800 dwelling units and up to 415,142 square feet of commercial space.

About 82 acres of the total 84.32 acres are developable, according to county documents.

Whittall branded his proposed development project with the name “O-Town West.”

“We’ve gotten, really, a lot of traction on it, because it’s going

to be a really great project, and it’s going to be (a) great development for this side of town,” Whitall said. “We’ve got a huge amount of interest from restaurants (who want) to be here. And the restaurants we’re bringing out here are really going to be new-to-market restaurants.”

He added the development will include a grocery store, various restaurants, a large entertainment complex with a movie theater and boardwalk overlooking a water show and an upscale, luxury apartment complex of up to 1,200 units called “Glass House.” The center of the complex will feature a large lagoon for swimming.

Rental prices will start at $2,000 per month. Additionally, other housing will surround the outside of apartment complex.

“The entertainment complex is going to be called ‘Boardwalk at O-Town West,’” Whittall said. “In the center of it, it’s going to have a water show. It’s going to be really

Advertising Executives Michelle Gentry, mgentry@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson,

cool. It’s a $4 million water show which will have lights and dancing water and video mapping and be set to music.”

Current entitlements for the subject property allow for the development of up to 282 hotel units, 564 timeshare units, 250 multi-family residential units and 487,765 square feet of commercial space. The proposed changes would have less of an impact compared to what is currently allowed on the property, Whittall said.

“It’s significantly less than what could go on the property (today),” Whittall said. “It’s right now designed for super density, and that’s not what we want to do.”

Aside from this proposed development, Unicorp built Dellagio on Sand Lake Road, Lakeside Crossing in Winter Park, I-Drive 360 on International Drive — home of the Coca Cola Orlando Eye — and other projects.

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Featured artwork will be for sale and will be switched every two months. The first artists being featured at the gallery are Cristiam Ramos, Crystal Dombrosky and Phyllis Shipley. Artist who are interested in having their work featured at the gallery are encouraged to contact McDonough at (407) 808-0665.

“Art is important to me, because it inspires your spiritual connection,” McDonough said, “Your spiritual connection — in today’s environment — is so important because we live in such a crazy and hectic environment with computers and a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world. You find your peace when you connect to your spiritual side, and that’s why art is important to me. I believe in finding that peace and tranquility in our world ... by expressing yourself through art.”

McDonough said Tranquiliti Wellness Center specializes in promoting spiritual wellness. She added the art gallery has been a vision of hers for many years, and

incorporating a gallery into her business seemed like a natural fit.

“It was my vision (to open the gallery), because I work with spiritual wellness,” McDonough said.

“Allowing this (gallery) to come in helps more — synergistically — with the spirituality concept of Traquiliti.”

Art classes will be taught at Tranquiliti in addition to having the gallery. Details on the art classes will be available at a later date, McDonough said.

Although she’s not a visual artist, McDonough paints pictures with words as a poet. Her belief of fostering and promoting spiritual wellness channeled through creativity only fuels her passion for the arts. That passion shows through the support she has given to the artists who have been involved with the Windermere Art Affair.

“I’ve gotten … probably 10 different artists that never would have entered (the Windermere Art Affair) if I didn’t stand here and have a physical conversation with them about how they can do it,” McDonough said. “I kind of have to talk them off the ledge of (them) thinking that they can’t do it, and that’s really what keeps me going. That’s a passion for

advertising@OrangeObserver.com Rich Osterhaudt, rosterhaudt@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Katie Rehm, krehm@orangeobserver.com

CONTACT US

The Windermere Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The Windermere Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden. If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 6562121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

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

Creative space CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com

WINDERMERE OBSERVER The Windermere Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $40 per year ($50 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida.

POSTMASTER send address changes to the Windermere Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

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Anne McDonough is a big supporter of the arts. So much so that she’s opened up a gallery in her business in downtown Windermere.

IF YOU GO THE ART GALLERY AT TRANQUILITI WELLNESS CENTER 503 Main St., Windermere OPENING: June 1 PHONE: (407) 808-0665

me. Every single artist (who) has been in that show, I have personally talked to and cultivated. That’s why it’s been successful.”

She added that because of monies collected through the Winder-

mere Art Affair, organizers were able to donate $1,000 to Windermere Elementary School’s art department, $1,000 to Olympia High School’s art department, $500 to Gotha Middle School and $2,500 to City Arts Factory.

“It’s about promoting the arts,” McDonough said. “It’s also (about) giving back because the school systems are cutting their funding for extracurricular things like art, and it’s also about (supporting) young artists.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Shining star Windermere Prep student Maya Tharoo, 13, has been named both a Disney Dreamer and Doer and a Shining Star for her work with Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Windermere Preparatory School student Maya Tharoo has always taken a head-start approach to life.

At birth, she weighed just 1 pound, 14 ounces. At age 5, she began volunteering at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. And at age 9, she founded a nonprofit and also became the youngest recipient of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Community Builder Rising Star Award.

Now 13, Maya Tharoo not only has been named a Disney Dreamer and Doer — she also earned the honor of becoming a Disney Shining Star.

Each spring, Disney asks elementary-, middle- and highschool principals to select one student who dreams of a better home, school and community — and who works hard to make it a reality.

These students are recognized as Disney Dreamers and Doers.

Annually, there are about 375 students from across Central Florida who are honored as Dreamers and Doers, but the larger compe-

tition is the Shining Star awards.

These are given to 15 students — one elementary-, middle- and high-school student from each Central Florida county.

Shining Stars receive Disney World annual passes for their families for one year, “Mousecar” statues — based on Oscar statues — and commemorative certificates. They also are invited to a special event at Walt Disney World.

“I thought that while I had a good chance at getting it; I also thought that my story was something that should be heard, and it would be good to get it out in the world,” the rising freshman said of being a Shining Star. “I was so extremely happy and grateful. I was proud that I could represent my school in that way and that they trusted me and thought I could go on to the next level and receive the Shining Star award.”

Maya was born prematurely and spent 110 days in the NICU at Winnie Palmer. She and her family were so grateful to the hospital for their care that she decided to give back. Once a month, or by parents’ requests, Maya visits NICU fami-

Courtesy photo

Maya Tharoo is both a Disney Dreamer and Doer and a Disney Shining Star.

“I thought that while I had a good chance at getting it; I also thought that my story was something that should be heard, and it would be good to get it out in the world.”

— Maya Tharoo

lies at Winnie Palmer and shares her story and inspiration.

“It’s made me rally happy, because as I’ve gotten older, I understand the impact I’m leaving,” she said. “I realize that it gives them hope, and honestly for me hope is the best feeling in the world to have. I’m so thankful for every day I’m able to provide that feeling to them.”

But Maya also is the founder of her own nonprofit, the Miracle Makers Foundation. The purpose is to support premature babies and their families. One of her goals is to help provide NICU centers in countries that don’t have them, and also to provide scholarships to doctors intending to pursue careers in neonatology.

Her parents, Abdullah and Mumtaz, said it is humbling and they are blessed to be able to watch Maya’s passion for giving back grow — and that they get to be a part of it.

“The only word I can think of is blessed,” Abdullah said. “We’re blessed we’re able to make so much difference, and for me it’s a way of paying back. You have to pass it forward. We were in the hospital for 110 days. She went through a very long, extensive, complicated surgery when she was 2 weeks old. …We’ve been taking her to Winnie Palmer for every birthday since she was born for the nurses to see her and what they have done. We were very blessed that she feels at home there.”

Leaders provide project updates at luncheon GABBY BAQUERO NEW EDITOR

During the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Mayoral Update Luncheon, local leaders informed attendees of the latest projects being pursued in their individual municipalities.

The luncheon, held May 23 at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden, provided attendees the chance to learn more about long-term projects and ask questions about relevant issues and developments.

Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark, Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Winter Garden Mayor John Rees each offered brief summaries on ongoing projects and future goals and later took questions from the audience members.

WINDERMERE

Acknowledging the ongoing traffic problems in Windermere, which is landlocked and experiences cut-through traffic from the surrounding areas, Bruhn stressed the town’s efforts to pursue road improvement projects and cooperate with the city of Ocoee and Orange County on potential road

expansion projects to increase connectivity and traffic flow.

Bruhn also remarked on the town’s priority of protecting and preserving the quality of its lakes, as well as a new utilities expansion initiative that will explore the feasibility of retrofitting the town for water, wastewater and underground electric.

“I firmly believe that cities and towns are just like a home — you’ve got to maintain them and you’ve got to improve them, or pretty soon, nobody wants to live in them,” Bruhn said. “So I think that’s what our goal is in West Orange: to just continue trying to improve our quality of life.”

WINTER GARDEN

Rees emphasized that Winter Garden’s priority is to ensure the city receives quality development.

Rees also shared the news that Tucker Ranch, which is being converted into a 209-acre park and with an organic farm that will produce fruits and veggies for the Winter Garden Farmers Market, is set to open in the fall.

The mayor also mentioned the city’s ongoing discussions to improve its recreational offerings and sports fields.

“We’re considering doing a $20 million bond to expand and improve our Parks and Recreation Department, and included in that would be a Tanner Hall expansion, buying more property along the corridor here on Lake Apopka,” Rees said. “We’re also talking with the Church of Christ about some fields they have in the back of their church so we can expand the number of soccer fields in our area. So we’re doing quite a bit with that.”

ORANGE COUNTY

Jacobs spoke about Provision Healthcare LLC, and its move to build a proton therapy center and several medical office buildings in the Hamlin community.

Jacobs also highlighted a service being offered to Orange County residents in light of the endless gun violence plaguing the nation.

“With all of the school shootings that we’ve seen and all the mass tragedies that we’ve seen — almost all of them taking place at the hands of a mentally ill or young people,” she said. “ We just introduced in Orange County in the last year … Mobile Crisis Service. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to any parent, teacher, or law-enforcement (officer) and anyone in Orange County who comes into contact with a young person they think might be suicidal or dangerous.”

OAKLAND

When asked to provide a short explanation of the most important projects going on in Oakland, Stark pointed to the town’s goal to replace its septic tanks with a new centralized sewer system that is expected to cost millions to fund and years to fully install.

Stark also mentioned the town’s plan to update its architectural design guidelines and create a mobility master plan and transportation network to handle the growth the town anticipates the future may bring.

“We are in the midst of a design guideline update, and we have placed a moratorium on any building until July at the earliest, so that we can update our design guidelines to make sure that we are continually growing in a way that

really reflects the heritage and the traditions of our small town,” she said.

Stark also emphasized an upcoming town project for an Oakland cultural building known as the Oakland Arts and History Center, which will be built on the West Orange Trail.

OCOEE

Johnson presented a video that showed a visual overview of the major projects being pursued as part of the city’s $45 million initiative to revitalize its downtown area.

Johnson also shared the city has seen an influx of quality residential projects come in on the north side of the city that are either under construction or set to begin construction soon.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS Shop at the ReStore Save $5.00 On your purchase of $20 or more during May when you bring in or mention this ad.

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“I firmly believe that cities and towns are just like a home — you’ve got to maintain them and you’ve got to improve them, or pretty soon, nobody wants to live in them. So I think that’s what our goal is in West Orange: to just continue trying to improve our quality of life.”

— Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn

(between 9th and Dillard Street, behind Taco Bell in Winter Garden)

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. Closed Sunday

Donation Hotline: (407)905-0406

www.westorangehabitat.org

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Mayors from Oakland, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden and Orange County spoke at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce event.

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

County leaders discuss update to short-term rental rules Orange County commissioners discussed whether or not to overhaul the current ordinance on short-term rentals in light of the growing popularity of Airbnb.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

As the popularity of Airbnb and similar sites continues to grow, Orange County commissioners examined how they should approach its increasing usage.

Airbnb is a company that operates an online marketplace for people wanting to rent out their entire homes, spare rooms or guest beds. According to a basic search on its site, there are 306 total listings in Orange County.

However, some listings may no longer be active.

“With its increased popularity, we also have increasing concerns from the community,” said Jennifer Moreau, an assistant manager in the county’s zoning department. “You essentially have what is a commercial use in a residential neighborhood, which can cause additional issues, including parking, noise, garbage.”

In a work session held during the May 22 Orange County Board of

Commissioners meeting, Moreau provided commissioners with a refresher on the county’s existing rules on short-term rentals.

EXISTING RULES

As currently written, Orange County’s code on short-term rentals — some of which dates back to 1957 — only refers to traditional hotels, time-shares and motels, Moreau said. Short-term rentals are defined as 180 days or fewer and are strictly confined to commercial or industrially zoned areas.

The code also contains language pertaining to B&Bs, homestays and inns, which are permitted by right or special exception in agricultural, residential multifamily and commercial areas.

In addition, the county’s code permits transient rentals in a single-family home, so long as the home is located within an R-3 (multifamily) zoned area and the rental is fewer than 30 days.

“With its increased popularity, we also have increasing concerns from the community. You essentially have what is a commercial use in a residential neighborhood, which can cause additional issues, including parking, noise, garbage.”

— Jennifer Moreau, Orange County zoning department

However, even if one meets all the zoning requirements to host a short-term rental, one still needs to abide by any applicable HOA rules, and Airbnb is not permitted if your HOA has rules against it.

And even if you’re in the clear, there are still some other legal requirements for hosting shortterm rentals.

“Assuming you meet the zoning requirements and you meet any HOA requirements, there are also other requirements you would need to meet in order to be allowed by code,” Moreau said. “You would need to pull a business tax receipt, possibly obtain a use permit … meet state lodging regulations, pay your hotel/motel tax, and then address any building or fire code requirements.”

PROS AND CONS

During her presentation, Moreau pointed out the pros and cons of Airbnb, as well as possible community concerns.

“There are also public safety concerns with high turnover in neighborhoods, which can affect the character and stability of neighborhoods,” she said. “There’s also a potential lack of investment.

Absentee landlords are generally presumed to be less diligent about routine maintenance than owneroccupied (homes). And there’s also the competition to traditional

hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.”

Despite the potential disruption to the traditional hotel industry, Moreau added that Airbnb can help Orange County homeowners who may struggle to pay their mortgage.

But she also highlighted the link between short-term rentals and affordable housing, explaining that residential properties purchased for later use as short-term rentals lead to housing shortages and thus exacerbate the county’s affordable-housing problem.

“There’s actually two sides to this coin,” Moreau said. “On the one side, it can assist homeowners with offsetting homeownership costs, especially in regard to hosted rentals. … On the other side of that, you have investors (who) are specifically buying up residential properties with the intent of using them for commercial uses as short-term rentals. So decreasing the longterm housing stock can then contribute to an increase in housing and rental prices.”

AIRBNB COMPLAINTS

The county decided to review its rules on short-term rentals after a couple requested the county to allow short-term hosted rentals in residential neighborhoods, Moreau added.

The couple, which had been unaware of the existing shortterm rental rules, received an anonymous code enforcement complaint in December 2017. In the past two years, the county’s Code Enforcement Board has

received about 75 complaints regarding Airbnb use.

This is out of the 26,000 total complaints the CEB received in 2017 alone, Moreau said.

Following a lengthy discussion, county commissioners ultimately agreed via consensus to revisit the issue after observing how things play out in Orlando, which approved new rules in February allowing short-term rentals in all residential neighborhoods.

Orlando’s new ordinance becomes effective July 1.

“I think that I’d like to see some lessons learned with how it plays out in the city of Orlando,” said Betsy VanderLey, the Orange County District 1 Commissioner.

“There are some items that … if we moved forward, I would want to require — some of the sexual predator language and some other things like that to protect guests.

“We certainly don’t want to go on the map, nationally, for some kind of a debacle there,” she said.

“But having said that, I do think that less regulation might be more in this particular case, because if we get too sophisticated and too tricky in our ordinance … we could tee law-abiding citizens up to be not law-abiding citizens because of the level of ordinance that they might have to comply with. You know, these folks are citizens, they don’t have compliance divisions to handle this.”

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Final act

Thalia Gomes helped Stephanie Morales adjust her cap.

T

housands of parents, friends and family members packed the Amway Center Thursday, May 24, to watch their favorite Titans cross the stage at graduation.

More than 800 Olympia High seniors got to turn their tassels as Olympia faculty and staff — along with Orange County Public Schools officials — declared them high-school graduates.

Graduates also enjoyed humorous and inspiring speeches from salutatorian Daniel Leongomez and valedictorian Thomas Russo.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Chhaya Patel and Michelle Liu waited patiently to begin filing into the arena.

Excited graduates showed off their best poses for the camera.

Heath King and Azhariyha Vaughan sang “The Prayer.”

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn, center, was all smiles with valedictorian Michael Thomas Russo, salutatorian Mark Daniel Leongomez, student-body president Catherine Jeffers and senior class president Elizabeth Biro.

Thais Campello, Mariana Santos, Victor Pallesi and Isabela Duarte looked great in their caps and gowns.

Matthew Curschman, Gabriel Griffin, Julie Corrie and Christopher Hall were all smiles.

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Daniella Feliz was excited to graduate.

Kedesh Frederick proudly showed off a medal he earned.

Dr. Phillips High School’s class of 2018 waited patiently to graduate.

Panthers celebrate commencement T

he Amway Center was filled with proud parents and smiling grads on Thursday, May 24 as Dr. Phillips High School’s Class of 2018 walked across the stage and began a new chapter.

The class of more than 800 students enjoyed kind and inspirational words from DPHS principal Dr. Suzanne Knight and viewed short videos from the class’ 12 valedictorians.

Right: Luis Forestal looked sharp in his suit and graduation gown.

Below: Kema Lewin, left, and Ivan Rivera, right, were proud of their son Jaleel Rivera for gradating.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Sophia Belloli, left, and Ariane Machado looked great in their graduation gowns.

Right: Destiny Odeus was stunning in her cap and gown.

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

9

Lakers turn tassels at graduation

Suha Ansari and Hiba Syed were all smiles.

Windermere Prep graduates got together for a group photo.

H

From right: Melissa Botia, Paula Stiegler, Annie Kim, Sarah McLellan and Kateryna Tymofeieva looked lovely in their caps and gowns.

Salutatorian Franklin Estein and valedictorian William Sealy were ready to address their fellow graduates.

undreds of parents, friends and family members cheered on their favorite Lakers on Friday, May 25, as Windermere Preparatory School honored its Class of 2018.

The school held its graduation ceremony in the Walt Disney Theater in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The class of about 150 graduates heard kind words from Headmaster Dr. Tom Marcy and heard speeches from salutatorian Franklin Lothar Estein and valedictorian William Eppinger Sealy.

Ish Cortes, Roberto Salamo, Shaquan Jules and Jovanny Green were excited to gradate and start their college careers.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Right: Gabriella Gegg, Madi Tyrcha and Zoe Rosenfield raised their caps in celebration of graduating.

ONLINE

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Foundation Academy senior class marks graduation

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ifty-two Foundation Academy seniors took their final walk across the gymnasium stage Thursday, May 24, in the Class of 2018 commencement exercises.

The ceremony included speeches by valedictorian Jade Browne and salutatorians Julia Eazer and Joshua Zigan, as well as remarks by Dr. David Hoag, president of Warner University.

Legacy Lions were recognized for their 13 years of education at Foundation Academy. The five who attended from kindergarten through graduation are Kenneth Ames, Sachin Bire, Browne, Connor Carson and Macey Wise.

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Valedictorian Jade Browne spoke to the Class of 2018.

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THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

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11

THROWBACK THURSDAY MAY 24, 1946 Florida Power regularly advertised its latest products and services in the local newspaper, including this ad warning folks about the dangers of “octopus outlets.” As more electrical appliances were introduced on the market, it became increasingly more difficult to plug everything in.

Florida Power offered its services of modernizing home wiring.

85 years ago

Sixty-four unemployed men were given part-time work this week at $1 per day, and construction advanced rapidly on widening the Plant Street roadway from Dillard to Highland.

80 years ago

Thirty-seven graduates received diplomas at Lakeview High School’s 1938 commencement.

50 years ago

An agreement has been signed between the ACL Railroad and the city of Winter Garden for the use of the old depot on Plant Street. The Chamber of Commerce office will use the brick portion of the building, and the old wooden freight shed on the east side will be torn down to make way for a parking lot.

45 years ago

Vivian Woodard was named valedictorian, and Pam Freeman salutatorian, of Lakeview High School’s Class of 1973.

Ocoee High School named Jeannie Creel valedictorian and Phil Roberts salutatorian of the Class of 1973.

The Orange County School Board approved a new West Orange High School after listening to a plea by Bill Breeze of Ocoee, representing the steering committee for Concerned Citizens

FROM THE ARCHIVES The photograph shows a dramatic view of Lake Apopka from the porch of the MatherSmith home on Oakland’s North Tubb Street, looking toward the family’s boathouse.

No longer standing, the home was the showpiece of the family estate, platted soon after the couple arrived in town in 1908.

The Winter Garden Heritage Museum is currently exhibit-

ing a collection of photographs depicting the beautiful house, its grounds and interiors — and the lady of the manor, Grace Mather-Smith. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. daily.

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. of West Orange. He reviewed the inadequacies of the Ocoee and Lakeview high schools, built in the 1920s.

40 years ago

Cindy Matheison has been named valedictorian of West Orange High School’s third graduating class. Salutatorians

are Dawn Crooker and Preston Roper. Fred Savage, head of the Science Department, will deliver the commencement address.

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce held a Newcomers Reception at the El Prado Family Inn. Among businessmen welcomed were Jess Green, owner of Times Printing, and Mike Hubis, new advertising

manager of “The Winter Garden Times.”

30 years ago

The city of Ocoee appointed a project manager to oversee the paving of Bowness Road from Kissimmee Avenue to Franklin Street. The estimated project cost is $800,000.

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This year’s Spirit of America will honor our local heroes — including those who have served or currently are serving in the U.S. military, as well as their families. Their stories and their willingness to fight for our freedom, embodies the true Spirit of America.

This section will also have a comprehensive calendar of July 4 celebrations in Central Florida.

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Problem-solvers Windermere residents Avani Desai and Leslie Hartog are co-chairs of local giving circle 100 Women Strong, a Central Florida Foundation initiative.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Helen Keller’s vision for humanity is the guiding principle of 100 Women Strong, a giving circle at the Central Florida Foundation. And at the helm of the circle are two Windermere residents: Avani Desai and Leslie Hartog.

Giving circles differ from the fundraising methods of many nonprofits in that the funds come from the circle members themselves. Each member of 100 Women Strong contributes $1,100 annually, and together, they research local source problems and devise a plan to solve them.

The goal is to find the root cause of problems local women and children are dealing with and then focus on a lasting solution. Rather than throwing money at a symptom, Hartog said, the women in the giving circle put their heads together to analyze the best possible solution.

“We vote on our area of focus and then have a research team and a grants team do the research on the root cause and the project we want to support,” said Hartog, 100 Women Strong’s co-chair. “We work with experts in the community and different nonprofits. …

We’re about collaborating with the community, working with the experts and figuring out, ‘How do we fix it?’”

Hartog got involved with 100 Women Strong about twoand-one-half years ago and met her co-chair, Desai, when she joined shortly after. Hartog is the co-founder and CEO of Community Seal, and Desai is the president at Schulman & Company.

“We’re both fairly new to the organization, but when

CIRCLE OF SECURITY

For the last two years, 100 Women Strong has focused its efforts on early-childhood education. The project — Circle of Security — focuses on positively affecting the social and emotional development of children ages 3 to 5 who live in or come from high-risk situations.

One of the statistics that drove the group to focus on this was when it found out how many children are being expelled from preschool, Hartog said. In high-trauma areas the preschool expulsion rate is actually higher than in middle and high schools. Additionally, according to the Early Learning Coalition in Orange County, 45% of local children are not socially or emotionally ready for kindergarten.

“It’s really just how they deal with stress, and how they interact with their peers and adults in their lives is not healthy and certainly not preparing them for kindergarten,” she said. “That affects their reading scores (and eventually) graduation rates. We focused on private preschools in the Pine Hills area, because it’s considered a high-trauma area.

Kids who have been through trauma, its difficult for them to be emotionally ready for school.”

The project focuses on build-

Courtesy photo

Windermere residents Leslie Hartog, left, and Avani Desai are co-chairs of the Central Florida Foundation giving circle 100 Women Strong.

ing relationships so that a child in a teacher’s care will feel safe and secure to explore and come ready to learn. It revolves around finding the root cause of negative behavior — what the child’s needs are and how they can be met.

“The teachers have a better way of understanding the children and their needs and why they’re behaving the way they are,” Hartog said. “The environment these kids grow up in is not a very safe and secure one, so learning their ABCs is the last thing on their mind.”

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As a whole, 100 Women Strong is always looking for and researching ways to help the community. Grants are awarded based on the members voting on the projects they feel are

“We work with experts in the community and different nonprofits. … We’re about collaborating with the community, working with the experts and figuring out, ‘How do we fix it?’”

— Leslie Hartog

most pressing.

For Hartog and Desai, being co-chairs and keeping the circle going has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Their skill sets balance each other perfectly. While Hartog said she is more about structure and meeting the needs of the circle’s members, Desai is connected in the community and has a knack for social media, outreach and networking.

“It’s been terrific because we live close to each other, work well together and have developed a respect and friendship out of it as well,” Hartog said.

“The whole leadership team has really rolled up their sleeves and jumped in and we’ve been thrilled and honored at how far we’ve come in the last year.”

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we joined the woman who had started it … had moved away from Central Florida and after that the membership had waned, so they were down to about 17 members when I joined,” Hartog said. “We got ourselves organized when I joined and Avani became my co-chair after she joined and we started doing some recruiting. Our goal is to get back up to 100 women, and we’re about up to 70. We’ve been doing a lot of growing and making sure that we have things for everyone — networking events, our award ceremonies, several teams people can join — but at our core we look for source problems in the community.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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CAUSING AN EFFECT

JFS Orlando This month’s featured nonprofit is the Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando. JFS Orlando is a human-services organization that reaches thousands of people in the Central Florida each year and offers various programs, services and resources to help stabilize families, attack hunger and homelessness and more. JFS currently is celebrating its 40th anniversary of making an impact on the Central Florida community.

NOTICE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TRANSMITTAL PUBLIC HEARING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WINDERMERE Notice is hereby given that the Town Council for the Town of Windermere, Florida, will hold a transmittal public hearing at 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as the matter may be considered) Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in the Town Hall, located at 520 Main Street, Windermere, Florida, to hear and consider the transmittal of proposed amendments to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. If the transmittal is approved by the Town Council, then the proposed amendments will be transmitted to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Division of Community Development and other applicable agencies for review and comments. A second and final public hearing for adopted of the proposed amendments will be held by the Town Council following the review by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Division of Community Development, and other agencies.

Interested parties may appear at the Town Council Transmittal public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments.

month. … It really does impact the community in a positive way, so there’s lots of successful programs we offer.”

NO FINAL ACTION TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. The proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments are available at the Town Clerk’s Office, 614 Main Street, Windermere, Florida, for inspection during normal business hours of Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting should contact the Town Clerk at least 48 hours before the meeting.

What is significant this year for the JFS Orlando community?

“We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary,” Geboff said. “When we look just year to year and see that we impact the lives of 10,000 people every year, it tells us that we’re doing the right thing. …

That gives our board and volunteers a really good feeling about what we’re doing and how we’ve been doing it, because the need continues to grow and we know that.”

How long has JFS Orlando been in operation?

“We were incorporated in 1978, and we have a whole list of programs we offer to clients, individuals and families in need in Central Florida,” said JFS Orlando Executive Director Eric Geboff.

“This organization was started by the Jewish community 40 years ago. … However today, (more than) 94% or 95% of our clients are not Jewish.”

Persons are advised that if they decide to appeal any decision made at this meeting, they will need a record of the proceeding, and for such purposes, they may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based, per Section 286.0105 F.S.

What sets JFS Orlando aside from other similar organizations?

“What’s cool about us is we provide a holistic approach to serving people,” Geboff said.

“People tend to have multiple issues they’re dealing with at the same time and with the four areas (we focus on), they tend to impact everyone who walks into our office. We feel pretty good about what we’ve been doing, and we’re creating new partnerships every day to help our clients and their clients lead better lives.”

How has JFS Orlando impacted the community?

“We focus on four areas: hunger, aging/end of life, mental and emotional stability and homelessness prevention,” Geboff said.

“We have several programs that fall underneath each category. …

We (have provided) more than 1.6 million meals and have offered more than $2 million in financial assistance to help those in need with mortgage and utilities to get them through to the next

NOTICE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TRANSMITTAL PUBLIC HEARING OF THE TOWN OF WINDERMERE LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY Notice is hereby given that the Town Council, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, for the Town of Windermere, Florida, will hold a transmittal public hearing at 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as the matter may be considered) Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in the Town Hall, located at 520 Main Street, Windermere, Florida, to hear and consider a recommendation to the Town Council for the transmittal of proposed amendments to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Division of Community Development and other applicable agencies for review and comments. A second and final public hearing for adoption of the proposed amendments will be held by the Town Council, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, following the review by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Division of Community Development, and other agencies.

Causing an Effect is a monthly feature that introduces a charity or philanthropic organization and highlights its impact on the local community. If you would like to be featured in a future Causing an Effect, contact Black Tie Editor Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

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Interested parties may appear at the Town Council, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, transmittal public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments.

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What is JFS Orlando?

Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando provides services to stabilize individuals and families in crisis. It also works to enhance the quality of life across generations to all members of the Central Florida community.

Courtesy

NO FINAL ACTION TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. The proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments are available at the Town Clerk’s Office, 614 Main Street, Windermere, Florida, for inspection during normal business hours of Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting should contact the Town Clerk at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Persons are advised that if they decide to appeal any decision made at this meeting, they will need a record of the proceeding, and for such purposes, they may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based, per Section 286.0105 F.S.

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JFS Orlando recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala.

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Windermere High FFA celebrates inaugural year

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Scott Dillon

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“We have the largest chapel in West Orange County.”

Owned and operated by the Romano family.

indermere High School Future Farmers of America students celebrated a year of hard work and accomplishments at its annual banquet Thursday, May 17.

The banquet was held to mark the end of the year, give out awards and install new officers.

Friends, family and FFA students from other West Orange County schools were treated to dinner and dessert.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

West Orange High FFA students attended the banquet.

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Bledsoe and Katlynn Shoue, Seth Palmer, Keith Palmer and Scott Palmer; great-grandson, Terry Sherman. Scott is also survived by his nieces, nephews, greatnieces, great-nephews and greatgreat-nephews.

Scott was predeceased in death by his father, Arthur Topping; mother, Muriel Topping; brother-in-law, Gary Cobia; grandparents, Mary and Leo Topping and Joshua and Gladys Porter; and last, but not least, his beloved dog, Bullet.

Service arrangements entrusted to Collison-Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. Services will be held in the chapel of Collison-Carey Hand on Saturday, June 2, 2018, with visitation hours starting at 10 a.m. and service immediately following at 11 a.m.

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Scott attended Winter Garden Elementary and Dillard Street Elementary. Scott attended Lakeview High School prior to beginning his long-term career with the city of Orlando, from which he retired in 2001.

Scott made his home in Winter Garden, Florida, where he raised his children, Leanne Michelle Topping and Cheryl Lynn Topping.

Scott departed our earthly world on May 15, 2018, at 4:22 p.m.

Scott is survived by his beloved daughters, Leanne and Cheryl (Joe); brothers, Kirk Alexander (Cathy), of Williamsburg, Virginia, Mark Alexander, of Palm Coast, Florida, Peter Alexander (Patricia), of Winter Garden; and sister, Sharlene Cobia, of Bonifay, Florida; grandchildren, Zoe Austin, Christopher Austin, Alyssa

SCOTT PORTER TOPPING DIED TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018.

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WHS FFA Chaplain AJ Ortiz led the invocation for the opening ceremony.

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HIGH

SPORTS

Windermere High School fullback Michael Richardson has strong spring season, scores in spring game for Wolverines. Page 16.

5

1

Windermere Prep alum Spencer Pigot, a professional racecar driver, finished 20th in the 2018 Indianapolis 500 last weekend.

2

Elijah Stimmell tossed three touchdown passes in the first half — all of which landed in the hands of Darrell Harding — and the West Orange football team cruised past visiting Gainesville in its spring game May 25, 45-7. For more photos and a recap, visit ObserverPreps.com.

Teammates mobbed closing pitcher Logan Bryan after he recorded the final out of the regional championship May 22.

NEXT STOP: FORT MYERS

3

West Orange High alumna Sabrina Stutsman is a sophomore for the Florida State softball team, which advanced to the Women’s College World Series last weekend after defeating Louisiana State in a Super Regional. She will join former teammate Lauren Mathis in Oklahoma City; Mathis and the Georgia Bulldogs also won their respective Super Regional.

Derek Arroyo’s two-run triple in the sixth inning helped the Panthers rally past the host Lake Mary Rams for a 6-3 win in the FHSAA Class 9A, Region 1 Final.

4

The Stetson University baseball team, which includes local alumni Kirk Sidwell (Olympia) and Dee Shelton (West Orange), will host an NCAA Regional for the first time this weekend. The DeLand Regional also will feature USF, Oklahoma State and Hartford.

5

The boys of summer are back.

The Winter Garden Squeeze will begin their fifth season in the Florida Collegiate Summer League June 1 with a road game at Seminole County. The Squeeze will celebrate their homeopener June 2, when the Scorpions come to Heller Bros. Ballpark at West Orange High to face Winter Garden. First pitch is at 6 p.m.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

Sophomore Derek Arroyo drove in the go-ahead run for the Panthers in the regional championship game against Lake Mary May 22.

D

r. Phillips baseball coach Mike Bradley has taken to calling his team “Cinderella boys” throughout the playoffs — and for good reason.

Over the past few weeks, the Panthers have — on different occasions — been down to the final out of their season, survived an extra-inning thriller that last-

ed more than four hours and navigated the uncertainty of having a playoff game rescheduled three times in one week.

In the latest chapter of the team’s remarkable run, Dr. Phillips rallied from a 3-2 deficit to Lake Mary to top the host Rams 6-3 in the FHSAA Class 9A, Region 1 Championship May 22.

The win advances the PanSEE CINDERELLA PAGE 18

West Orange softball finishes as state runner-up The Warriors came up one win short of their bid for a third consecutive state title, falling May 24 in the FHSAA Class 9A State Championship Game.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The West Orange softball team came up short in its attempt to win a historic third consecutive state championship, falling to Davie’s Western High 7-0 in the

FHSAA Class 9A State Final May 24.

The Warriors (24-8), who compiled just four hits and left eight runners on base, were unable to solve the riddle of Western pitcher Jada Oleski.

“Any balls that we hit, they

ONLINE

For more coverage of the West Orange Warriors in the FHSAA Class 9A State Semifinal and State Final, visit ObserverPreps.com.

weren’t really squared up,” West Orange coach Todd LaNeave said. “(Oleski) was doing a good job of mixing it up. She threw a great game.”

The Warriors’ best chance at closing the gap against the Wildcats came in the bottom of the fifth when — trailing 5-0 at the time — they loaded the bases with one out. A pop out and a ground out closed the door on that opportunity, and West Orange would not threaten again.

Despite the loss, the Warriors’ appearance in the state final caps an impressive season durSEE WARRIORS PAGE 18

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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‘Cinderella boys’

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Michael Richardson

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

thers to the Final Four for the first time since 1996, when the program won its state championship.

Afterward, Bradley — who was a sophomore on the 1996 team — hardly could contain the pride he felt in his team.

“We’re finally taking that next step forward, as a program — I’m almost at a loss for words,” Bradley said. “We’re just trying to play one pitch at a time. Our guys are buying into that. ... We’re going to keep riding the wave.”

While Bradley was a sophomore for the Panthers in 1996, current sophomore Derek Arroyo was years away from being born. And it was Arroyo, someone who had spent most of the season playing for Dr. Phillips’ junior-varsity team, who squared up the biggest hit of his young career — a tworun triple in the top of the sixth inning that put the Panthers back ahead of the Rams (23-5).

“I was looking for a fastball — he threw me a curveball, and I stayed back, and I hit the ball,” Arroyo said. “It felt amazing.”

Arroyo’s hit put the Panthers ahead 4-3, and later in the inning, Raymond Negron drove him in to extend the lead to 5-3.

An insurance run in the top of the seventh inning was icing on the cake for Dr. Phillips, which turned to closer Logan Bryan to close the door on Lake Mary. He did just that with five strikeouts in two innings.

Bryan relieved starting pitcher Cort Roedig, who allowed just three hits in five innings of work. Roedig had just one true blemish during his outing on the mound — a two-run home run by Lake Mary’s Albert Duran in the sec-

Michael Richardson only began playing football when he arrived at Windermere High, but through the fall season and into the spring, he has made an impression on coaches and teammates. The fullback for the Wolverines scored a touchdown during the team’s spring game May 24, and head coach Fred Priest said that Richardson had a strong spring season and is emerging as a leader for the program.

What was it like to run out onto your new home field at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park?

It felt pretty good. We were trying to win, but we couldn’t get it. I was happy that the team scored a touchdown — it’s better than what we did last season.

How would you rate the spring season for the team?

Probably a seven out of 10. We have good players, we just need more people. We need to get bigger, faster and stronger.

What did you want to improve on as an individual during the spring?

I was focused on trying to get yards, being a fullback.

Was it tough to learn the offense that the team now runs under coach Fred Priest?

It was tough at first, but I got used to it. It’s a pretty easy concept.

Is there a professional or collegiate running back whom you try to emulate?

Marshawn Lynch. My coach

THE BASICS Graduates: 2019 Height: 6 feet Weight: 208 pounds Position(s): FB, LB GPA: 3.0 Other sports: Weightlifting

told me to watch a video of him.

In the video, he (Lynch) said that you’ve just got to keep hitting people over and over again until it makes them tired.

How did it feel to score a touchdown?

It felt amazing.

You’re relatively new to football. Why did you decide to join the team at Windermere High?

I realized that people were recommending it to me, and I thought it would be a good choice. I tried it out and actually liked it.

What has been your favorite class this school year?

Probably pre-calculus with Mrs. (Rebecca) Germansky. It was a pretty fun class, and I like math most of the time. The class is fun, I have a lot of friends in there and the teacher is amazing.

What do you think you would like to study in college?

Electrical engineering. I took a class in ninth grade, it was a technology class, and we were watching videos of how these engineers made things. I made a few things myself and it was amazing.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

ing which the team overcame significant adversity. That included having several players injured and unavailable to play early in the season and navigating a month without head coach Todd LaNeave, who suffered a heart attack in March.

“This season will certainly be remembered for a lot of things,” LaNeave said. “To be standing here after a state final, I’m speechless — this group was phenomenal.”

The night before the state final, the Warriors defeated

Do you have any other hobbies beside school and football?

I like playing basketball with my friends.

Family.

Family.

Friends.

Friends.

Community.

Community.

What’s your dream car?

Probably just a 2017 Toyota Camry, black.

— STEVEN RYZEWSKI

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DR. PHILLIPS Record: 18-13 Quick pitch: The Panthers’ run has seen several players come up huge at the plate in big moments, lending some unpredictability to Dr. Phillips’ lineup. What’s been consistent, though, has been the stellar pitching of Cort Roedig, who spent a good portion of the season injured, Mitchell Stockwell and closer Logan Bryan.

TIMBER CREEK Record: 21-7 Quick pitch: Marcos Roque is hitting .427 with a teambest 38 hits this spring, while Parker Smith leads the team in home runs (four) and RBIs (24). Preston Schumacher, the Wolves’ ace, has nine wins this spring and an ERA of 1.81.

COLUMBUS (MIAMI) Record: 25-4 Quick pitch: Defense has been key for the Explorers — Columbus has allowed just 1.3 runs per game this spring. The Explorers were state runners-up in 2016 and won it all in 2015.

JUPITER Record: 17-10 Quick pitch: The Warriors — like Dr. Phillips — have experienced rough stretches in the schedule, including losing five out of eight games to begin April. Jupiter is in the Final Four for the second consecutive season.

SCHEDULE June 1 — Semifinals: Dr. Phillips vs. Timber Creek, 4 p.m.; Columbus vs. Jupiter, 7 p.m.

June 2 — FHSAA Class 9A State Championship at 7:35 p.m.

Warriors sustain excellence

What’s your go-to meal after a game?

Probably McDonald’s — that’s where everyone else goes. Probably order a McChicken — two McChickens.

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ond inning.

“In my head, I flush it — (Duran) hit a home run off me, but right after, I just came back in and just did my work,” Roedig said. “I have faith in my team and especially in Logan (Bryan). He’s a great pitcher, and our guy to close it out for us.”

Dr. Phillips will face Metro Conference peer Timber Creek (21-7) at 4 p.m. June 1 at CenturyLink Sports Complex’s Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers — the Spring Training home of the Minnesota Twins.

The winner of that state semifinal game will face the winner between Miami’s Columbus High and Jupiter.

The FHSAA Class 9A State Championship Game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. June 2.

It might seem an unlikely place for a team that was the No. 5 seed in its district tournament. But not to the Panthers.

“To be honest, it’s not surprising — we really thought this was going to happen from the first day of practice,” senior August Haymaker said. “It was a rough season, but we grinded through it, and when it came time for the playoffs, we’re playing our best baseball.”

Indeed, Dr. Phillips had started the 2018 season with five consecutive wins before enduring a stretch where it lost 10 of its next 14 games — with half of those losses coming in one-run ballgames.

All that seems a distant memory, and perhaps a necessary evil, for a team that is one of four teams left standing in the state of Florida in Class 9A. “We stopped with the expectations and we just started playing baseball,” Bradley said.

“All of a sudden, confidence started to grow, and we’re winning these immaculate games.”

FINAL FOUR PROSPECTUS — CLASS 9A

Timber Creek 2-1 in the state semifinal. Lexi Scalzo drove in what became the winning run for West Orange in the bottom of the sixth. Scalzo’s two-out single up the middle created just enough time for Bryce Adkinson, who was pinchrunning at second base, to make it home safely.

From there, senior pitcher Landry Newgent did the rest in the top of the seventh.

Newgent earned her second complete-game victory on the mound in her past two outings, allowing just three hits on the night.

“She does a really good job of just mixing it up,” head coach Todd LaNeave said. “And our defense behind her was pretty solid.”

West Orange’s state runnerup finish continues a fouryear run in which the Warriors won two state championships (2016, 2017) and finished as a regional finalist in 2015. The team will graduate six seniors and hope to return to the Final Four again in 2019.

“We’ve got something really special at West Orange softball, and I’m hoping we can continue that,” LaNeave said.

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

17

Windermere Wolverines show improvement in spring football game I

t didn’t take long for the Windermere High football team to evict the elephant in the room. After not scoring a touchdown in 11 games during their inaugural season (including a preseason game), the Wolverines scored a touchdown on the opening drive of their spring game May 24.

Rising senior Isaiah Jackson now will always have the distinction of scoring the first touchdown for Windermere at its home field of Deputy Scott Pine Community Park — on a 12-yard keeper less than two minutes into the game.

The early lead did not hold, though, as Holy Trinity (Melbourne) eventually won the game 41-21.

Afterward, Wolverines head coach Fred Priest encouraged his team not to be satisfied with simply scoring a handful of touchdowns in a loss.

But the veteran coach, in his first year leading the team at Windermere, acknowledged the historic moment.

“That was huge to score the first one on the opening drive,” Priest said. “I was proud of my guys, because they acted liked they’d been there before, and we had talked about that.”

The Wolverines showed a number of positives to conclude their spring, including the fact that their third touchdown — a one-yard touch-

Head coach Fred Priest encouraged his players not to be satisfied with the improvements that they had made after the game.

Above: Fullback Michael Richardson scored a touchdown for Windermere.

Left: Windermere freshman Jordan Dozier looked to shed a would-be tackler.

down run by fullback Michael Richardson on the last play of the third quarter — made it a one-possession game entering the fourth quarter.

Although Holy Trinity pulled away with two scores in the fourth quarter, Priest and his staff believe the Wolverines will benefit from having had a chance to win a ballgame — and seeing how thin the margin of error can be in such a situation.

“It’s extremely valuable,” Priest said. “There are a lot of positives. … There are times where we ran the offense and we executed — you can see where, when we start getting more consistent with that, it’s going to be real hard for folks to stay with us in that deal.”

— STEVEN RYZEWSKI

Eat, Play & Stay Healthy West Orange!

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

SPONSORED BY

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, MAY 31 Winter Garden resident Michael Black submitted this beautiful spring image. He calls it “Midday Shadows.”

The Windermere Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to amyq@ orangeobserver. com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line.

Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

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High: 86 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 80%

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 High: 87 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 80%

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Thursday, May 31

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Monday, June 4

6:28a

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Tuesday, June 5

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Wednesday, June 6

6:28a

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MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JUNE 2 June 20 First

High: 87 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 60%

June 27 Full

June 13 New

RAINFALL Tuesday, May 22

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SUNDAY, JUNE 3

Wednesday, May 23

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High: 87 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 40%

Thursday, May 24

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Saturday, May 26

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YEAR TO DATE:

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2018 13.05 in.

2018 6.83 in.

2017 6.56 in.

2017 3.38 in.

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mously 59 “Arrivederci ___” 60 Tony winner Lenya 61 Be independent 68 So much, in music 69 Poems of puffery 70 Words before mind and sight 71 Largest city of the three Baltic states 72 They have long strings 75 “What’ve you been ___?”

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25 Famous fish 29-Across? 92 Peacock attachment 26 Declines, as a tide 93 Funny bone’s nerve 31 Drunkards 94 Corral but good 33 Amer. mil. group 95 Be a waiter 34 Formed frost 96 How many oaths are 35 Command to a pooch given 36 Pronoun for a posses- 97 Capital of Yemen 98 Arouse, as one’s wrath sive thing 99 One of 6 million in 37 Forensic concerns France 38 Bart’s animated 101 Carpe ___ teacher 102 Oil crisis to face?

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269148

274332

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

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274335

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Merchandise Wanted

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YARD SALE: Maguire Road Self Storage, Saturday Garage/Moving/Estate Sales Merchandise Wanted June 2nd from 8AM to 2PM Great Sales, Fun, GiftHomes For Sale YARD SALE: Maguire Road Self Storage, Saturday CREEKFRONT W/LOG Cabin. 7.8 acres near TIEC. 13178 W. Colonial Dr. June 2nd from 8AM to 2PM Great Sales, Fun, Gift New 1400 sf cabin features screened porch, fpl, lg.

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Thursday, May 31, 2018

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272420

Your Windermere Partner in Health

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TO ADVERTISE IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS CALL 407-656-2121 Or email us at

advertisenow@orangeobserver.com

2018

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

OrangeObserver.com

275962

20

2018

HURRICANE SEASON

Sales Tax Free Holiday June 1-7 on storm supplies!

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Date

Alberto _______________ Beryl _________________ Chris __________________ Debby ________________ Azores Ernesto _______________ Florence ______________ Gordon ________________ Helene ________________ Isaac __________________ Joyce _________________ Kirk ___________________ Leslie _________________ Michael ________________ Nadine ________________ Cape Verde Islands Oscar __________________ The G Patty __________________ Rafael _________________ Sara ___________________ Tony __________________ Valerie ________________ 45°W 40°W 35°W 30°W 25°W 20°W William ________________ 275834

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When you’re in need of a

HURRICANE SAFETY -

BEFORE THE STORM WATER HEATERS/ POOL AND SPA HEATERS

Most water, pool and spa heaters have a safety valve which will automatically shut off the flow of gas if the pilot light goes out. Tankless water heaters need a UPS backup device, connection to a 120V standby generator or a 12V inverter.

RANGE

Gas ranges with pilot lights require no additional care. Continue to cook as usual. When the electricity is off, surface top burners with electric ignition can be easily lit. Simply: Light match (preferably a wooden match) Hold match next to the top burner cap Then turn the control knob to the “light” or “high” setting. The burner will light and you can adjust the flame.

Most ovens and broilers on ranges with electric ignition cannot be used when the power is off.

OUTDOOR GRILL

A portable grill should either be moved inside or securely tied down outside. A grill with a patio base should either be bolted down or disconnected and brought inside. A grill with a permanent post is usually secure and does not need any additional tie down. The lid of any gas grill remaining outside should be securely tied closed to prevent it from snapping open.

DRYER

Most dryers have a safety valve which automatically shut off the flow of gas. In addition, your gas dryer needs electricity to operate.

IF ASKED TO EVACUATE:

Leave the gas on. Turning off the gas could result in unnecessary delays in restoring your service. It is not necessary to turn off the gas at your meter or, if you use propane, at your tank. Should Lake Apopka Natural Gas deem it necessary to turn off the service, Company representatives will inform you. By leaving the gas on, you will be able to cook and, as long as there is a reliable supply of water, you will have hot water. Leaving gas on also helps you avoid reconnection fees.

AFTER THE STORM Clean-up efforts after previous hurricanes show that more gas lines are broken during clean-up than during the actual storm. Before removing fallen trees, call for a FREE utility line location by Dialing 8-1-1.

IF YOU SMELL GAS:

Do not do anything to cause a spark (i.e., using a garage door opener, portable phone, etc.). Immediately evacuate the premises and call Lake Apopka Natural Gas District’s 24/7 emergency number at 800.542.3344 or 9-1-1. It is important to call from a telephone away from the building where you smell gas. In the case of a gas leak, our first responsibility is to make sure the area is safe. Service will be restored as soon as possible. All District personnel carry identification and will, upon request, show their identification before entering your home.

IF FLOODING OCCURS:

If your home or business was flooded and gas appliances were underwater, do not attempt to operate the appliances. Water can cause damage to the internal safety mechanism and create a hazardous condition. Call Lake Apopka Natural Gas or a qualified appliance contractor for a safety inspection and to relight the pilot lights on your appliances.

Check yard for loose items. Move and secure items not firmly installed before the storm arrives. This includes grills, patio furniture, swings, pool equipment and supplies, even water hose reels. Items such as these can be blown around by hurricane winds causing unnecessary damage to your home, propane tank or gas meter.

276360

When hurricane season is upon us, we as Floridians, should be familiar with gas safety. When a hurricane threatens, leave the gas on unless notified by us.

Because most gas facilities are located underground, rarely does a hurricane threaten your service.

Are you Ready for Hurricane Season?

With Natural Gas, We Keep the Lights On! Call 407-656-2734 ext. 307 to get Natural Gas to your home or business…

WHEN THE STORM HITS IT’S TOO LATE!

275124

407-656-2734 | www.langd.org