06.18.20 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

Local overcomes tough battle with COVID-19. 3.

Summer Fun YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 2020 Guide

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Cure the summertime blues!

There are plenty of options to keep your kids entertained this summer. SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE. Observer

Winter Garden OKs Beard Road storage facility

A different world When Robert Smith isn’t leading Windermere as town manager, he can be found adventuring with his two children, Stella and Brady. SEE PAGE 4.

More than 114,000 square feet of self-storage space is coming to a six-acre property off Beard Road.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Winter Garden residents needing more space soon will have a new option for self-storage services.

City leaders approved two ordinances during the June 11 City Commission meeting that allow the new storage facility to SEE STORAGE PAGE 2

YOUR TOWN GRANTS HELP LOCAL CHARITIES

Five local not-for-profits were awarded grants from the West Orange Healthcare District to help meet the health and wellness needs of the residents they serve. The grants totaled $124,660: n Cornerstone Hospice received a $25,000 grant for its COVID-19 Emergency Fund. n Jack & Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center, was given a $25,000 grant to launch the Brain Fitness Academy program in West Orange County. n Orlando Health Foundation received a $24,660 grant for a heart-healthy, homedelivered meal program. n Camp Boggy Creek was given a $25,000 grant to enable at least 12 families from West Orange County to attend one of eight Fall Family Retreat weekends. n Finding the Lost Sheep was granted $25,000 to fund a six-month parent mentoring program that provides coaching, education and support to at-risk parents.

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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Robert Smith and his daughter, Stella, have a special bond.

Danielle Hendrix

Oakland leaders approve Lakeside Church site plans The church, currently meeting in an industrial park, wants to build a new facility on West Colonial Drive.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Lakeside Church has earned the Oakland Town Commission’s approval of its building design and site plan for the church’s new proposed location. The elected officials approved the proposal for the 9.4-acre parcel June 9.

The church presented detailed plans for a 32,000-square-foot,

stepped-seating auditorium that can accommodate 1,000 people, a two-story building to house Lakeside Kids and the church office, and an approved landscape buffer.

The south end of the property contains two commercial outparcels, each less than an acre. The town originally approved this tentative plan in 2018, which would SEE LAKESIDE PAGE 2

COMMUNITY UNITY Residents, city leaders and local clergy led the Winter Garden Peace March. SEE PAGE 7.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Storage coming

Lakeside approved CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

place the church in the back of the property. This parcel design was established to conform to the town’s long-term development policies.

Starr Street will be extended along the east property line with 40-foot rights-of-way to be dedicated by the church plus additional rights-of-way along Sadler Avenue on the north side.

The plan calls for paved and unpaved parking areas.

IN OTHER NEWS n The Oakland Nature Preserve was awarded a $364,000 grant from the West Orange Healthcare District to refurbish the 19-yearold boardwalk. Construction began last week on the two-thirds-of-a-mile raised walkway from the preserve parking lot to Lake Apopka, and RC Stevens is replacing the wood with a composite material. The path also has a new name: Healthy West Orange Boardwalk at the Oakland Nature Preserve.

Pastor Jason Hitte was present at the meeting to field questions.

His architect said the project, once completed, will be worth about $5 million. Construction is expected to begin by late 2020 and will last 12 to 18 months.

The church currently rents space in an industrial park on Countyline Court on the west side of Oakland.

“We’re excited to build a permanent home in the town of Oakland,” Hitte said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

acres of land that is left over at the end of construction will be returned to Meritage. n Town Manager Steve Koontz said Oakland’s participation numbers are low for the 2020 Census, and he is asking residents to make sure they have filled out the 2020 Census.

Residents who did not receive a letter from the Census can visit 2020census.gov/en/ contact-us.html or call (844) 330-2020 to be counted.

According to information distributed by the town, the census influences community funding and congressional representation for the next decade.

n Commissioners approved the agreement with Meritage Homes for the acquisition n The commission accepted of land necessary for roundTractor Supply’s request to about construction near the continue to a future meeting intersection of West Colonial its variance request to the Drive and Oakland Avenue. town’s design district guideMeritage agreed to donate lines for its proposed store on property for the transportaWest Colonial Drive. tion improvements; about 1.5 ORHE-0204 ER_ObserverMedia_Halfpg_HW_PRESS.pdf 1 5/6/20 9:39

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IN OTHER NEWS

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be built on 6.01 acres at 1577 and 894 Beard Road. The ordinances change the future land-use designation from Low Density Residential to Commercial and rezone the property from R-1 Residential District to Planned Commercial Development.

According to city documents, the proposed facility may be branded as Extra Space Storage and include a total of 114,641 square feet. The project consists of one three-story main building and five single-story storage structures. These surround an internal vehicle storage area with canopies.

City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the property owner at one time wanted to build housing.

However, because of the property’s proximity to Florida’s Turnpike, city staff did not believe that would be the best use.

“Oftentimes, we look at uses, and sometimes we get the best use we can get and have no other choice,” Bollhoefer said. “This is different. You look at the property, there’s a highway there. We don’t think you would get any good-quality housing right across the street from a very loud highway. We looked in the past — that is not a good site. After reviewing this piece of property … and the fact that the school is nearby, (and) the issues with the roads not being able to handle traffic, we thought as a staff that the actual best use for the property was for a storage unit.”

n City leaders approved a portion of an ordinance that would amend the West Market PCD — an 18.25-acre property south of West Colonial Drive, west of South Park Avenue and north of Sand Lime Road — to allow an automotive service center and a bank with a drive-thru as permitted uses.

The commission voted — with Commissioner Mark Maciel recusing — to approve only the bank and not the service center, with a second reading and public hearing June 25. n Commissioners approved the site plan for 1905 Avalon Road, which calls for three retail and office buildings on the 3.5-acre property at the northeast corner of Avalon and Tilden roads. n Commissioners also approved two ordinances regarding a 0.91-acre property at 30 N. Park Ave. and South Park Avenue. These ordinances will rezone the property and change a portion of its future land-use designation to Medium Density Residential to allow for development of nine townhouse units.

going from residential to commercial use when there is no surrounding commercial use nearby.

“There are no commercial properties, and now, we’re setting a precedent moving from a residential area to a commercial,” Hagen said. “I get it, I understand it’s a good use for the property, but is there really a need for storage units in the area? We have a ton of storage units on (State Road) 50.”

Bollhoefer said the city has a long history of turning down storage units; however, this ended up being a site that “was probably the best place for it” and had a lower environmental impact than housing.

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Winter Garand Operated den resident Tom H a ge n spoke against the storage facility, saying one Since 1937 The Joiner family has been proud to provide of his concerns our community with the best care and quality available. about the With our fast, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, we are here p ro p e r ty to help you with all of your automotive needs. w a s

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

“It makes the conversation more difficult as far as making goals of care or deciding long term, because you haven’t seen them,” he said.

“You don’t have that human touch.

We cannot lose the humanity in medicine, and specifically now in these very dark times. There’s not that magic pill — we haven’t found it — so we’re really just trying to do all that we can for them.”

Luckily, the efforts of Montano Matamoros’ team paid off. After being on the ventilator for about 26 days, he was extubated. And on June 5 — one-and-a-half months after his admission — he was discharged.

ALL WORTH IT

It was a family celebration June 5 as Juan Montano Matamoros was discharged after a month-and-a-half in the hospital with COVID-19.

Victory over the virus Juan Montano Matamoros was discharged from Health Central Hospital June 5 after battling a severe case of COVID-19 for more than a month.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

T

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

Juan Montano Matamoros raised his arms in victory after beating COVID-19.

BAD TO WORSE

Montano Matamoros faced a grim outcome upon his admission to Ocoee’s Health Central Hospital in April. Despite being just 41 years old, generally healthy and not having a significant past medical history, he was about to enter an uphill battle in the fight for his life.

Dr. Herman Gaztambide, a physician who specializes in pulmo-

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nary critical care, said the coronavirus defies logic.

“They say, ‘Oh, they’re old or they’re sick, or they had things already to begin with,’ but in his case, we didn’t see any of that,” Gaztambide said. “And he’s that scary case ... you really get concerned, because you really don’t want to see someone that young not make it.”

Over the next couple of weeks, Montano Matamoros received every treatment available. He was given Tocilizumab, Remdesivir, convalescent plasma, prone ventilation, hydroxychloroquine, zinc, Vitamin C and azithromycin. Initially, Gaztambide said, he wasn’t responding as his team had hoped. At times, the waiting was the hardest part.

“If you ask me humbly which of them worked, I think it’s a combination,” Gaztambide said. “I think earlier intervention seems to be the right way. … I think the most difficult thing for families is not being there. For safety reasons across the nation, we’re not allowing visitors in the COVID unit, so that’s really playing a big role in the fact that you’re not there with your loved one.

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“Many others like him did not make it, and I think we honor their passing by also honoring the ones that do make it and really celebrating those small moments, because they don’t come (often).”

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he combination of suspense and excitement in the lobby of Orlando Health’s Health Central Hospital Friday, June 5, was nearly intoxicating.

Donning masks and holding signs and balloons, Juan Montano Matamoros’ family members were joined by dozens of hospital staff members as they waited for him to emerge.

“Thank you, nurses!” “Te quiero mucho, papa.” “Papa, tu eres tan fuerte como un superheroe” — translated, “Papa, you are as strong as a superhero.”

The moment Montano Matamoros emerged from the elevator in a wheelchair, the cheers erupted.

Tears in his eyes, he lifted his arms in victory. His children crowded around him — his oldest daughter sobbing tears of joy into her father’s shoulder.

The fanfare was well-deserved.

After all, Montano Matamoros had emerged victorious over a severe case of COVID-19.

Gaztambide said Montano Matamoros arrived at the peak of COVID-19. He was a textbook case, having arrived in the emergency department and testing positive for the virus. But he was breathing room air, and he was able to return home to self-isolate.

On the last day of his self-isolation, though, things took a turn for the worse. He began experiencing acute shortness of breath and returned to the hospital, where he was met by Gaztambide.

“We had a really good, frank heart-to-heart,” Gaztambide said. “We spoke, and I told him that we might have to put him on life support, so I was the one that intubated him. He came in overnight. … And by mid-morning, I was already putting him on life support.”

Gaztambide said watching Montano Matamoros interact with his family and express himself was another big victory. Sometimes, he said, patients whose bodies have been ravished by pulmonary issues end up with some brain damage due to decreased oxygen levels.

“There’s a concern in the back of the mind of, ‘Are we fighting this fight just to find out at the end that we’re dealing with brain damage?’” Gaztambide said. “So having someone just return to family and recognize their kids, that’s the reason we do it. … When I intubate you with COVID, I have to sedate you quite heavily, so I really don’t have a way of knowing if you’re having damages. So we’re just praying and every day going with what we feel is best for you, and we hope for the best.”

Montano Matamoros’ discharge also was a rare occasion for Gaztambide — who, as a critical-care physician, rarely gets to see his patients recover and head home.

“It’s really good to see the fullcircle,” he said. “As a physician in over 10 years of practice, this is maybe the third time I’ve seen one of my own patients being discharged. At the end, we’re just really happy he’s going home.

Many others like him did not make it, and I think we honor their passing by also honoring the ones that do make it and really celebrating those small moments, because they don’t come (often). … It just makes all the effort worthwhile.”

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‘I wouldn’t give it up for anything’

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.”

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

R

obert Smith is used to having little artists draw on his face in makeup, making leis for his daughter and her dolls, and going on Disney cruises.

He’s also happy to show his daughter how to create a worm garden, coach her soccer team, take her and her baby brother on adventure hikes, and even let her give him a quarantine hair cut.

After all, it doesn’t matter what the day’s adventures bring — it’s all about making lifelong daddydaughter and father-son memories.

The Windermere town manager and his wife, Ranee, are parents to 4-year-old Stella and 1-year-old Brady.

But their journey to becoming parents hasn’t been an easy one.

They struggled with infertility for years before choosing the road to adoption. Even then, an adoption disruption shook them to the core.

Although the road hasn’t been smooth, it’s the one that led them to Stella and Brady. Smith doesn’t take that for granted.

“It was very trying not only just the rollercoaster of emotions that you go through, but physically, too, especially with Ranee,” he said. “You never really think you’re going to have to deal with IVF. …

We talked about adoption and were like, ‘Why not? If the goal is having a child, there are probably millions of kids out there that need a great home. We were like, ‘We just want a baby to love.’”

A NEW ROLE

“It changed me,” Smith said of the moment he met Stella in June 2016. “It’s like, ‘I’ve just become a dad,’ and it’s weird. You just can’t describe it. My whole day is spent doing stuff for them trying to make them happy, because their happiness is my No. 1 priority. You just adapt to whatever they want or need. You’re tired all the time. …

It’s changed my life, my priorities and what I do on a day-to-day basis. I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I don’t care what I look like, what I’m wearing or doing. If they tell me, ‘Hey, Daddy, I want you to wear a dress, put makeup on your face’ … I would do it in a heartbeat.”

When Brady joined the family last year, Smith had to adjust to being a dad of two. His children have changed the way he views life.

“It’s changed in the fact where I’m more conscious of different things I never thought I would be worried about, because now I have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old,” he

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Robert Smith loves spending time with his children, 4-year-old Stella and 1-year-old Brady.

ROBERT SMITH’S TIPS ON FATHERHOOD n Have patience. n Have a really goofy sense of humor. n Not only have an interest in but also be involved in what they like, and like it on their level. n Don’t forget about your spouse. I admit it, I accept it, and I tell her all the time.

Don’t lose sight of your spouse.

said. “I have to worry about their future and what kind of future we’re going to be leaving them. …

Another great thing about parenting is it changes your focus. You just block all that out and focus on these two little human beings and try to be the best you can.

“My dad always told me, ‘Whatever you do, make sure your kids will be better off than you,’” he said. “That’s what my dad did for me, and that’s what I intend to do for my kids.”

There are other lessons he has learned since becoming a parent, too, and some are harder than others. One of those realizations is that with children needing so much time and attention, it can be easy to lose some connection with your spouse.

“You don’t always go on dates anymore, you don’t hang out anymore like you used to,” he said.

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“It’s sad, but it happens. When you want to go out and do something or you want to show her how much you love her and do this special thing, you’re both just so tired and exhausted.”

For the Smiths, they’re open with each other about when they get too tired or need a break.

Sometimes, that remedy looks like a night of watching movies together. Other times, one of them will give the other a night off from watching the children.

Smith particularly enjoys using these opportunities to both give Ranee a break and take Stella on a daddy-daughter date.

“She’s changed my viewpoint on how people should be treated and how they treat other people,” he said. “She’s taught me how to be more patient, understanding and pretty much just how to be a kid.”

DADDY’S GIRL

Those who are friends with Smith on Facebook often are treated to chronicles of his and Stella’s adventures.

Recently, those adventures included flying kites, making homemade ice cream, learning how to garden and doing some father-daughter yoga. Little Brady makes his appearances, too, with photos of him trying new foods or hamming it up during playtime.

“I love posting pictures about all the fun stuff I do with my kids,” Smith said. “There’s times when it’s not so fun — when they’re having tantrums, when you’re tired but they’re not, when you and your

spouse are having a disagreement.

There’s a lot of times it’s really tough, but then those moments are the ones that really make it.”

Stella, who Smith describes as a social butterfly, can go from playing dress-up to getting dirty from playing outside. She loves being outdoors and learning new things, and she’s sensitive to how others are feeling.

“Besides my wife, she’s my best friend,” Smith said. “Not only am I teaching her stuff, she’s teaching me stuff. I love to be silly and do crazy things. … When I’m with her I’m like, ‘OK, let’s go to the park, go for a nature walk, or let’s go to this little farm and pick strawberries.

It’s stuff in a million years I never thought I would be doing, and it’s with my little best friend.”

Stella and Brady also give Smith the opportunity to be a child again, too. He’s used glow sticks, black lights and a “Frozen” karaoke machine to turn one of the rooms in the house into “Club Stella,” a place for her and her cousins to have a dance party.

He’s created rocket ships out of cardboard boxes, had his nails painted by Stella, and even hurt his back putting together a Slip ’n Slide in the backyard. Every minute that he gets to spend with Stella and Brady, though, is worth it.

“Out of the blue, she’ll say, ‘Daddy, I love you,’ and your heart just melts,” he said. “She opened my eyes to a whole different world. I love every minute I spend with her, even when some are more trying than others. It’s a game-changer.”

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Windermere leaders consider utility agreements

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY SUPPORT

The Windermere Town Council considered the first readings of three ordinances pertaining to utilities and discussed whether to move forward with the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Windermere town leaders are considering a new franchise agreement with Duke Energy and two ordinances regarding water conservation.

The June 9 Town Council meeting, which took place virtually via Zoom, saw first readings of the three ordinances. They will go to a second reading and public hearing at the next Town Council meeting, scheduled for July 14.

Franchise agreements serve as negotiated contracts that allow an electric service provider the right to serve customers within town limits and use right-of-ways.

According to town documents, the current 30-year franchise agreement between the town and Duke is set to expire in September 2021. The new agreement would be for a 20-year term, and the town would receive an additional revenue of $3,500 per month under the new algorithm.

Regarding water conservation, town documents state, the South Florida Water Management District has begun an effort to have all local governments adopt their own year-round irrigation ordinances.

“The district adopted mandatory, year-round, permanent landscape watering restrictions in 2010,” documents state.

“Because local governments have not adopted the rule into local code as swiftly as expected, district staff have been instructed by its governing board to engage in an effort to have all local governments adopt two-day/week, year-round irrigation restrictions.”

Town staff members said they were informed of this initiative May 21 and found the town didn’t have a year-round irrigation ordinance adopted into code. The irrigation ordinance will promote water conservation, increase water-use efficiency, and prevent and curtail wasteful irrigation practices.

Under the proposed ordinance, landscape irrigation would be prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, with some exceptions.

Even-numbered addresses and rights-of-way would be allowed to irrigate on Thursdays and

Sundays, while odd-numbered addresses and rights-of-way would be allowed to on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

While looking into the irrigation ordinance, staff also realized the town’s water shortage code doesn’t meet District criteria for accuracy and completeness. This latter code would address temporary water-shortage plans and orders for emergencies.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, council members also discussed whether the town should go ahead with its annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast.

Although all council members want to go ahead with the Pancake Breakfast, they are aware the waters still are murky regarding COVID-19 and public safety surrounding it. Some suggestions included scheduling time slots through Eventbrite or putting out a poll to gauge community interest in and sensitivity to holding the event.

“It looks promising, but on the other hand, it might be too early to call,” Council Member Bill Martini said. “I would prefer to have the event if we can, if things are going smoothly. I think we can figure out a way to do it so that it’s safe and we have the proper distancing. I think the town needs a celebration of sorts, so if we can do it safely, I’m for it.”

Council Member Loren “Andy” Williams agreed with at least planning for it while keeping an eye on the numbers.

“I’d really like to see it happen, but I think we just need to be cognizant of the numbers,” Williams said. “Are we going to flatten back out? We’ve had such a spike moving into Phase 2 already. … I think we should plan it and if we have to cancel it, we will.”

Mayor Jim O’Brien said if the town were to hold the event, staff and council members would have to be cautious and follow the guidelines presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as by the state. As of press time, the Town Council has agreed to plan for the Pancake Breakfast, with plans subject to change depending on the status of COVID-19 and public safety in the coming weeks.

Caring for Your Family Like Our Family

o t d e e N u o Y n e h W . t r a p A y l e f a S Stay During these times, we’re thankful that we can care for our residents while providing them comfort and peace of mind in the community they love.

Their friends and families are thankful, too, and have been expressing appreciation to our team.

Here is just a bit of what they have to share: “Great efforts are given to give the residents the best care. This is an outstanding place to live.”

“They take very good care of my mother.”

Live Well. Age Well. Be Well.

Contact us today to schedule a virtual visit.

407-258-1222 AzpiraWindermere.com

13798 Speer Island Drive | Windermere, FL 34786 A Pathway to Living® Community

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Town of Windermere leaders say they prefer to host the annual July 4 Pancake Breakfast.

However, a drastic change in COVID-19 numbers would force them to cancel.

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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

Windermere Assisted Living withdraws request

EPISCOPAL

The owner of the assisted-living facility has halted expansion plans after receiving overwhelming opposition from Lakes of Windermere residents.

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

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

METHODIST

A variance request that would allow for the expansion of an assisted-living facility operating within one Horizon West neighborhood has been withdrawn.

According to county records, Windermere Assisted Living — which operates out of a 2,460-square-foot home in the Lakes of Windermere community Michael Eng — applied earlier this year for the variance in hopes of expanding the The facility is located within the UNITED CHURCH facility, which is licensed to serve Lakes of Windermere community.

Starke Lake Baptist Church OF CHRIST five senior residents.

Pastor Jeff Pritchard In owner Tesfa Bahta’s variance Bahta and the Lakes of WindWindermere Union Church PO Box 520 611 W Ave., application, he proposed extendermere HOA also have a mediated 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd., ing the assisted-living service agreement from September 2016, Ocoee Windermere — currently operating at 7050 when Bahta first began the process (407) 656-2351 (407) 876-2112 Bramlea Lane — to include the of opening his facility in the comStarkeLakeBaptist.org Adult Worship: 9 a.m. home directly behind it. Orange munity.

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Advertise yourshow Services or Events NGLICAN METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL County property records “The homeowners associaCHURCH FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDOBahta purchasedon WindermereUnion.org the abutting tion … has certain covenants and this page weekly.

GLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee CHURCH OF GOD CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, LLOWSHIP CHURCH home — located at 7047 Nobleton restrictions within the AssoPastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden of God tor The Rev. CanonOcoee Tim TrombitasChurch (407) 656-2351 2019. ciation’s documents that would Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Drive — in April This page appears weekly in the 6 East Plant St, Winter Garden Thomas www.starkelakebaptist.org Pastor Odom NON-DENOMINATIONAL Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM The requested variance was otherwiseand prohibit opening an NDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM West Orange Times & Observer Web: fumcwg.org Church Orlando Ave.,Ocoee Purpose to allow a separation distance of d us at: Theacf.net 1105 N. Lakewood assisted-living facility within the CHURCH OF GOD online at OrangeObserver.com.

(407) 656-8011 13640 CHURCH W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, 43 feet between two community residential community,” said Erik OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD UNITED OF APTIST Pastor Thomas Odom residential homes with six or few- Whynot, the attorney representWinter Garden CHRIST the Church Directory 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH er residentsTo inadvertise lieu of theinstateing the HOA. “However, the asso(407) 654-9661 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner call 407-656-2121 or email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. required 1,000 feet. ciation provided the owner with Beulah Rd, Winter Garden Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com EPISCOPAL However, the request did not go -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org notice of the violation and pro407-876-2112 Worship times: Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM over well with Lakes of Winder- vided him with an opportunity to 9:00am Adult Sunday School Saturday Service: 6 p.m.

241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM 10:00am Worship mere residents and its homeown- attend pre-suit mediation to disServices: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM purposechurchorlando.org www.windermereunion.org ers association. Orange County cuss the issue.” www.churchofthemessiah.com ST BAPTIST CHURCH Case Planner Dave Nearing said In that agreement, the HOA E Plant St., Winter Garden he received many emails and oth- gave Bahta a one-time variance to -656-2352 er correspondence from neighbors the HOA covenants to allow him NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional asserting their opposition to the to open an assisted-living facility 5 am Bible Study 00 am Contemporary request. within his residence under certain DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana “(The applicant) was encounconditions. One of the terms of MIKE YOAKUM or Tim Grosshans tering significant opposition from the mediated agreement, Whynot PASTOR w.fbcwg.org the neighbors,” Nearing said. “I said, was that Bahta “agrees to not Campus: P: 407.656.1520 UNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 believe the HOA had also expressed own, operate or be affiliated with NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM some concern. (The applicant) another ALF facility within the ndation Academy High School realized that they were basically Lakes of Windermere Community 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden w.FoundationWorship.com in an uphill battle and rather than Association.”

-730-1867 go forward … they decided instead “The owner subsequently purto see if they could come to some chased a home that neighbors the kind of agreement with the neigh- current assisted-living facility 1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. bors and the HOA.” and recently applied to the county OCOEE, FL 34761 Nearing said the county has for a zoning variance to allow him a community residential center to convert the new home to an designation, defined in the code assisted-living facility,” Whynot ORDERForYOUR those ready to make long lasting changes in their life Matthew’s Hope as having between seven and 14 said. “This, along with a few other CUSTOM MADE • Custom Furniture, Farm Tables, offers the Moving Forward Program which offers the following and more. residents. There’s a similar desig- occurrences, are believed to be Barn Doors, and More CHRISTMAS he said, for those with six violations of the mediated agree• Repaired, Refinished and nation, or fewer residents. Those are per- ment.”

GIFTS NOW! Repurposed Wood Furniture mitted in every residential zoning Bahta said he withdrew his Check out the custom • Gently Used Furniture and New & Used district, but the state requires they variance request largely due to made silent auction items Household Items be separated from another similar the pushback from the HOA and Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MatthewsHopeChest/ that will be available at use by 1,000 feet. neighbors.

Transitional Housing the Garden Party on Visit our Workshop Location at 611 Business Park Blvd. #101, Winter Garden “However, the very last line of “We have an assisted-living November 9!! the statute says local governments facility, and we’re just trying to Mental Healthcare Counseling 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am-3pm Saturday may reduce the distance, which expand it due to high demand,” Montessori Preschool gives us the option of pursuing Bahta said. “We don’t want to Resume Building a variance,” Nearing said. “(The upset them. We maintain the Employment applicant) bought a house right house, our house very well. … A behind it on the opposite corner. frail senior man or woman living Daycare The only thing separating them is in the neighborhood is not going Education a little bit of lawn and a 20-foot- to hurt anybody. It’s very quiet.

TEXT Legal wide alley, which is actually an That’s the service that we are easement. … Initially what they offering, and I guess they don’t Credit Counseling wanted to do is extend the license want it.

Debt Reduction TO DONATE from the existing one to the new “The residents we serve are very This is a secure site for giving one. happy,” Bahta said. “Somebody “We determined that that basi- has to advocate for the seniors. It’s Help Us. Help Them. 611 Business Park Blvd #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 cally was an attempt to circum- an equal-opportunity housing for (407) 905-9500 I MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Help Themselves. vent the code, because our code them, and if somebody is doing a says you cannot have a seven-to- good thing, we don’t have to stop 14-resident home in that par- it.”

WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE? ticular zoning district,” he said.

Nearing said there currently is “We told them that, and then they no further application to consider, amended their application, and it although Bahta could come back at was just a straight variance to get a a later date with a new request. or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com separate license for that unit.”

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

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

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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7

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Community rallies for unity at Peace March

Local pastors, officials and residents participated in an eight-minute, 46-second moment of silence.

U

Winter Garden Mayor John Rees spoke during Saturday morning’s event.

nder a sweltering sun Saturday, June 13, Winter Garden residents, pastors and public officials marched from Veterans Memorial Park to City Hall in a show of unity during the Winter Garden Peace March.

The march was organized by city leaders and local pastors. Following the march, the 100-plus participants gathered in front of City Hall and listened to several speakers — including Winter Garden Mayor John Rees, pastor and activist Anthony Hodge and Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham — as they discussed issues of police violence against minorities and inequality.

The event ended with a moment of silence in which everyone knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds.

— TROY HERRING

Pastor Anthony Hodge gave a rousing speech in front of City Hall in downtown Winter Garden.

Left: Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham, center, kneeled next to Orange County Sheriff John Mina and local pastors and officials during an eight-minute, 46-second moment of silence.

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Student writers taking over Summer School Zone mer to allow local students to contribute content to the Observer School Zone section of the newspaper. We are turning the focus to the students themselves, and they will be writing features on topics and issues important to them. Get to know our 2020 Summer Observer School Zone journalists.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

EMMA PASTIS

Sixteen-year-old Emma will be a junior at The First Academy in the fall. She lives in Orlando.

She considers English and language arts her favorite subjects in school, and she plays volleyball and sings during chapel time at TFA, as well.

Emma enjoys photography, travel, visiting Universal Studios and going almost weekly to the beach.

“I like the city, too, but I’m a beach gal,” she said.

She likes going the mall with her friends and going boating paddleboarding or wakeboarding.

Her favorite books are the ones in the Divergent series, and she owns the movies, too.

Another favorite movie is “The Notebook.”

She said Khalid and One Direction are her favorite musical artists, and her favorite restaurants are Chipotle and Chick-fil-A. Emma said she would love to write about fashion, movies

and, possibly, an article about her frequent visits to local theme parks.

One of her favorite trips was taking a multi-day mission trip to the Bahamas in December to help the residents paint a children’s home that sustained damages during Hurricane Dorian. The group also drove around Freeport to access the damage.

She said she is looking forward to writing for the newspaper.

“I wanted to participate in this Summer School Zone because I love reporting, and my teacher (Casey) Vaughn really inspired me to do this, and I thought it would be exciting,” Emma said.

RUBY BERTHOLE

Ruby is a 15-year-old Foundation Academy sophomore who lives in Winter Garden. Her favorite subject at school is history.

“I find it fascinating to be able to learn about our past and how we can learn from it to impact our future,” Ruby said.

She would like to write about history and compare it to current events.

“Especially this year,” she said. “How it kind of connects and how certain aspects of what we’re doing now causes it to make history repeat itself.”

Aside from classes, Ruby participates in the Drama Club, has played basketball and also is a member of the RILEY GOODMAN

Riley Goodman, 15, is a student at Foundation Academy. Her interest in writing comes from her love of language.

“My favorite subject is English, because I like to read and write, and learn about the history of our language and where words come from,” she said.

At Foundation, Riley is active in Student Leadership Institute and National Junior Honor Society. But her passion?

Music.

“I love to sing and dance, and like to hear about other people’s stories and experiences through their songs,” Riley said.

Riley said her favorite food is pesto pasta, and when she’s not

NOTES by Zhouqin Burnikel; CROSSWORD OPENING Edited by David Steinberg

104 Laptop giant 105 Separating space 107 ___ Speedwagon 108 Gun, as an engine 111 Totally dominate 112 “Let’s get crackin’!”

113 Words of wisdom next to a prescription?

116 Young chap 117 Chianti, e.g., in Italian 118 San Luis ___ 119 J’s point value in Scrabble 120 RNs’ workplaces 121 Come off as 122 Pathfinder producer 123 Bricks on a playroom floor

©2020 Universal Uclick

1 Rio Carnival dance 6 Washbowls 12 Soybean field measure 16 Place to get a vampire facial 19 Covered in creepers 20 ___ de corps 21 Big economic upturn 22 “Deep Work” author Newport 23 Learning facilities with rounded roofs?

25 Not fooled by 26 Casino cash source, briefly 27 Woolly mother

28 “I see a cockroach!”

29 180 degrees from SSW 30 ___ Bader Ginsburg 31 Voice above tenor 32 Specifics, in slang 34 Damage control for mall tenants?

36 Lotion additive 40 Collection with wrenches 43 Traveled smoothly 44 Author who moves from place to place?

47 Voice actress Strong 48 Fine-wooled sheep 49 Where Emperor Naruhito resides

51 Sushi roll cutter 55 “Swan Lake” princess 56 Enjoys a caramel 58 Los Angeles squad 61 Father 62 Role-playing festival, informally 64 Cheese in spanakopita 65 Cherry variety 66 Unavoidable discussions?

69 Well-made sheriff’s star?

71 Mental flash 72 Anger 73 Happy hour seat 74 Driveway surface

school’s dance team.

She is drawn to the arts and has been part of many plays and musicals, including “A Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Prince.”

Ruby said her passion is the arts — drawing, painting, making music and dancing. Her favorite book is the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and she said The Beatles are her favorite

75 Noah of “Falling Skies” 76 Lacking polish 77 “I didn’t need it anyway” 81 Put on a happy face 83 Archaeologist’s find 85 “Moonlight” Oscar nominee Harris 86 Some paintings 89 Most current design?

93 High-fiber muffin type 96 1996 pageant title for Ali Landry 97 Bad mood 98 Exhausted dog?

100 Dilapidated 103 Loads from mines

studying for school, she loves to hang out with family and friends, watch movies, listen to music and swim. And, although some people prefer to spend their vacations in exotic locations or embarking on crazy adventures, Riley’s favorite spot is a little closer to home.

“My favorite vacation has probably been going to Blue Ridge, Georgia,” she said. “It is a beautiful, small town in

46 “Keep out” sign 50 End of a threat 52 “Look what ___!”

53 Cobra’s weapon 54 Crispy part of a brownie, often 56 Bingo official 57 Enjoy a nature trail 59 Bickering 60 “Like a Prayer” singer 63 Go belly-up 64 Escape maker?

65 Voters cast them 66 Temper tantrums 67 Father of Abel 68 “Meet the Parents” star Polo 69 Mole and pesto DOWN 70 Berate, as the other team 1 Fries or slaw 73 Adele and Kate Winslet, 2 State confidently for two 3 Silent performer 75 Bizarre 4 Unpaid garden worker?

76 “___ de Lune” 5 Tacked on 78 Foreboding sign 6 “Waiting for Godot” 79 Apple Watch voice playwright 80 Shipped out 7 Firepit residue 82 Places for piercings 8 Nike, e.g., for Serena Wil84 Bull on a glue stick liams 87 City west of Cheyenne 9 Golf club with a metal head 88 Cold, colorful dessert 10 River near the Sphinx 90 Do better than 11 Ave. crossers 91 Org. screening carry-ons 12 Roughly 92 Kickstarter alternative 13 Member of an email list?

93 “Lawrence of Arabia” actor 14 Tax-sheltered nest egg Peter 15 Gloomy rock genre 94 Conflict in the sky 16 Overcharges for tickets 95 Fashion designers’ 17 York Peppermint ___ concerns 18 Ground nut in macarons 99 Stuff in a scorpion’s tail 24 “Get what I mean?”

101 Oolong, for one 30 Take another crack at 102 Sing high notes?

31 Like Alibaba and Samsung 105 Desert along the Silk 33 Roadside rescue Road 34 Smells bad 106 Thrift store caveat 35 Waits in the shadows 108 Diana of “Game of 36 Food, in a food fight Thrones” 37 Fudged the facts 109 Cave sound effect 38 Grotesque fantasy figure 110 Dog docs 39 African country on the 112 MinuteClinic operator Red Sea 113 Mob honcho 41 Soda bottle sizes 114 Transcript fig.

42 Vermont ski resort 115 Compete (for) 45 Paid to get a hand

band. Her choice of restaurants is Chili’s, and her mostloved meal is Haitian rice and chicken. She enjoys going to the movies and hanging out in downtown Winter Garden, and her best vacations are when she and her family go to Walt Disney World each summer.

Ruby took journalism as a freshman and enjoyed the class.

“It was really interesting going around the school and interpreting stories for the school,” she said. “I went to different groups, like clubs … and looked up the events and interviewed the heads of the organizations for those events.

If there was a robotics tournament, I interviewed the robotics teacher.” northern Georgia, and my family and I have rented a cabin up there for the past two years during spring break. It is just nice to be able to get away from everything and just relax in the mountains with my family.”

As for Summer School Zone, Riley said she is excited to use her writing talent to do something positive in the community.

“I am interested in journalism because I like to write, and I also like to inform people about what is going on,” she said. “I feel that journalism is an important part in our society and helps people stay in touch with what happens in our world.”

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.

“LB FWPDP VH FWP YEDPPH, TP EIH IAA OAM. KLF XVTH WPDP VH PIDFW, TP HPPX FV KP PIEW VFWPD’Y TZHCY.” – PXXZP DPXSIMHP “LDM UTG AZTBZ UETGFVGF DMB YDBJX RDB ZEC HCZZCB XTVJL, GD STZZCB EDY ASTJJ ZEC TUZVDG.”

– GCJADG STGXCJT

Puzzle Two Clue: R equals F

The Observer writers are taking a small break this sum-

Puzzle One Clue: O equals F

8

© 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

06-18-20

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

|

9

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE JULIA KAUFMAN

Julia, 14, lives in Windermere and is a rising freshman at Windermere Preparatory School. She has a passion for theater, having participated in musicals and acting summer camps since she was 5.

At school, she has participated in basketball, piano and junior thespians.

“I want to be an actor,” she said. “But I also want to be able to write my own things to perform. I think it would be cool to do that. Whenever I can, I like to be creative with writing, and … I’ve wanted to do more personal writing, too.”

She said she is interested in the arts and would like to explore how theater has had to

adapt during the coronavirus.

When Julia isn’t working on her academics or the arts, she occasionally helps take care of her twin brother, who has autism. She wants to write about having a family member with special needs during the pandemic.

Julia’s favorite movie is “The Color Purple,” and her top book is “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“I think so much of it is jus-

GABE GOMES, MASKED READER

Gabe is known locally as The Masked Reader, who films his book reviews and posts them on his YouTube channel. He will be a seventh-grader at Horizon West Middle School in the fall.

The 11-year-old lives in Windermere.

His favorite subjects in school are math and language arts, but he is a huge football fan and hopes to be able to write about the sport. He dreams of becoming either a football player or astronaut, or both, he said.

Gabe’s hobbies are diverse — he enjoys playing the piano, riding his bike and playing video games.

“I have a huge passion for video games,” he said. “We have

football games, obviously. I like to play Fortnite. I want to be a professional at that. I also play some games made by Lego.”

His favorite book genres are adventure, action and comedy, and his favorite movie is “Avengers: Endgame.”

His free time is spent filming his lively book reviews as The Masked Reader and posting them to social media, and hanging out with friends.

“After all this social distanc-

tice and society, and you think about what’s right and what’s wrong and seeing the struggles that African-Americans went through, and I think it’s a great thing to see that you can be empowered and stand up,” she said.

She enjoys walking with her mother and going to the movies.

“I find characters interesting, what struggles they had to overcome,” she said. “I think there’s so much you can learn from movies and plays.”

Queen is her favorite band, her favorite vacations have been to North Carolina and New York City, and her favorite restaurant is the Melting Pot.

JULIA HIGH

ing thing and after the corona goes, my family and I like to go to Disney, Hollywood Studios,” he said.

He’s a big music fan of Christian performers Jordan Feliz and Hillsong. His favorite vacation was a trip to Japan with his family and celebrating his birthday while they were there.

If he had his choice of meals, he would choose Brazilian rice and beans, chicken and barbecue.

Gabe is excited to be part of the Summer School Zone team.

“I think it would be a nice opportunity to be able to write for a newspaper,” he said. “My mom was a journalist, so it would be rewarding for the experience, the uncharted territory (for me).”

Julia, a resident of Windermere, will be a junior at Windermere Preparatory School in the fall. The 16-year-old is drawn toward U.S. history and loves reading about history.

“I really enjoy all sorts of history, but for some reason, U.S. history has always been interesting to me,” she said.

“When we study about it in school, we concentrate on one country and can go in-depth.

The state of our world now, you can always find a direct event in history.

“And right now, we can’t do any traveling,” she said. “I love road trips and traveling. … My dream is to travel the world.”

Two of her favorite family vacations were to Montreal, for skiing and touring the city, and to Hawaii. The family has traveled several times to Washington, D.C., as well as to Philadelphia.

Her passion for learning other cultures and languages has led her to study Spanish inside and outside of school for a few years.

Politics and keeping up with world news interests Julia, too. She is involved in Student Government — she served as freshman class president and is rising class president.

Julia competes on the varsity track and girls weightlifting teams, and she founded her school’s book club.

“We’re hoping to turn it into … more of some outreach in our community, maybe some free tutoring,” she said. “I’m also involved in Model U.N. — it’s more of like a team, highand middle-schoolers. We go to conferences, including one in Mexico, within our family of schools.”

Julia is interested in writing about social justice issues and wants to talk to local youth activists and get their opinion.

“I feel like sharing student voices,” she said. “I think it’s a really good way … to have an opportunity to speak up myself on things … I feel like high-schoolers are overlooked. And I think it’s a really super opportunity and it’s important to high-schoolers.

“I’m just excited to learn and gain writing experience and share my voice,” she said.

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10

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY JUNE 16, 1950 A&P Super Markets on West Plant Street in Winter Garden made a revolutionary change to its store in an attempt to draw more customers. Managers put a price sticker on every single grocery-store item so customers could compare prices and keep track of their expenditures as they shopped. An advertisement in the June 16, 1950, Winter Garden Times, promised the best prices of the week.

70 years ago

Fred Bekemeyer, 25, assistant postmaster under Mrs. J.S. Kirton, acting postmaster, was recommended for postmaster at the Winter Garden Post Office.

The Lake Apopka Sportsman’s Association is making plans to crack down quick and hard on violators of the fishing laws of the state by seining in Central Florida’s freshwater lakes, notably in Lake Apopka.

After all the expense and labor expended in trying to clean out the bad fish and leave the good ones to be caught in the legal way and in lawful quantities, the association wasn’t going to stand by and watch “bootleg fishermen” at night go out and fill their boats with the precious bass.

Classified: For sale — fourroom house with bath, near lake, two lots, $2,700. Malcom Bass, Box 835, Ocoee.

Miss Patricia Pease and guests spent Monday at Silver Springs.

One of the most delightful social functions last week was the party given by Miss Rubie Harris in the parlors of the Edgewater Hotel. They were attractively decorated with gladiolas sent to the hostess by her bridge club Pollyanna.

Courtesy of the Chase Collection, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida

FROM THE ARCHIVES Most new Windermere residents have no idea a railroad once ran through the center of their town.

In 1893, brothers Sydney and Joshua Chase purchased a 46-acre parcel of land south of Windermere. They named it Isleworth or “Isle of Worth.”

The brothers continued to acquire grove land throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Eventually they cultivated groves in both Orange and Seminole counties and, for a time in the 1920s, ran a packinghouse in Ocoee.

In this aerial view of the Isleworth packinghouse complex, the Florida Midland Railway tracks and Lake Bessie can be seen. The Florida Midland tracks originated in Longwood, headed west to Apopka and then south to Kissimmee. The railroad stop at Isleworth was often called Waco, possibly named for employee who lived at the complex. The Isleworth citrus complex also featured a small facility for the company’s black workers, complete with a chapel and a schoolhouse.

One of the packinghouse workers was a man named Lincoln Perry. After working for the Chase family as a young man in the 1920s, he moved to California and achieved notoriety as the first black movie star through the stage name Stepin Fetchit.

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.

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SPORTS

Zale Lugo is working on his game this summer so he’s prepared to return to the field with Ocoee High’s baseball team next year. Page 12.

New bill could affect high school athletes A recent bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would go into effect July 1, 2021, and allow college athletes to be paid for name, image and likeness.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Sand volleyball and wrestling will be recognized by the FHSAA starting in the 2021-22 school year.

A STEP FORWARD Tuesday, June 9, was a big day for girls high school athletics, as the FHSAA sanctioned girls wrestling and sand volleyball for the 2021-22 school year.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

T

wenty years ago, as a sophomore at Winter Springs High School, Kristen Iannuzzi competed in what was then a new step forward for girls’ athletics in Florida.

Iannuzzi, who has just finished her 12th season as the wrestling coach at West Orange High School, competed in the first three girls state invitational championships in wrestling and remembers what that moment was like — a big deal.

Since then, the sport has exploded in popularity but had not been recognized by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Until now.

In a 13-0 unanimous vote by the FHSAA board of directors during a meeting Tuesday, June 9, girls wrestling — along with sand volleyball — finally was given the recognition it has long deserved, and it’s an important moment for female wrestlers, Iannuzzi said.

“It’s monumental,” Iannuzzi said. “It’s really been a long time coming. … I wrestled at the first three state championships for girls in Florida, and the fact that it is not sanctioned yet — you’re

The debate on whether college athletes should be paid has spanned decades, but now, Florida has just become the epicenter of the discussion.

During a press conference Friday, June 12, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he had signed a bill that would allow college athletes to be paid for their image, likeness and name starting in July 2021.

Although California and Colorado both passed similar laws, Florida’s new law will go into effect 18 months earlier than either — making it the first state to allow for college athletes to be paid.

“We’re not talking about, you get a scholarship to Florida State and Miami and the universities are going to pay you to play — that’s not what we’re talking about,” DeSantis said.

“But if you have a situation where you have some of the great athletes, particularly in sports like football and basketball, whose name, image, and likeness is being used to make millions and millions of dollars, and they don’t have the opportunity to get any of that, there’s something fundamentally unfair for that.”

“The only drawback I can see is the increase in distractions for some kids when they’re at school — some kids focusing more on marketing themselves than working on their game …”

— Dr. Phillips head boys basketball coach Ben Witherspoon

talking over 20 years later — I think has hindered the sport a little bit, but not so much in the fact that I think the people who are heavily involved understand. I think Caroline (Schmitt’s) accomplishments are incredible whether it’s

sanctioned or not. … I just think sanctioning it gives it that extra credibility for outsiders looking in, and it gives the girls the attention they deserve.”

SEE GIRLS PAGE 12

File photos

Girls wrestling has grown in popularity every year since 1990.

The news was met with a variety of responses from local high school coaches.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” said Brian Rizo, head girls basketball coach at West Orange High. “I think it’s great, in a way, to get some of these kids money — especially those that come from different financial hardships. But at the same time, I think it takes a little bit away from the amateurism of the sport, and I think that can be heavily influenced and certain schools will have an advantage. I think there are pros and cons, so I’m kind of still processing that.”

SEE PAYING PAGE 12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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

Zale Lugo

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Despite having his first season at Ocoee High cut short, rising sophomore Zale Lugo still managed to be one of the team’s best hitters. Now, during the summer, Lugo will work on his game in the Perfect Game organization — which recently named him Top 10 in its 2023 Follow List.

When did you first get into baseball?

A lot of my friends in my neighborhood play baseball. I used to play soccer, but I saw them playing it, and I wanted to try it out one day. I was actually really good, so I stuck with it, and here I am.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Ocoee High GRADE: Rising sophomore AGE: 15 SPORT: Baseball POSITION: First base, third base SUMMER BALL TEAM: Power Baseball

Did the game get harder when you transitioned to Ocoee?

It wasn’t a big transition, because it’s still the same game. The kids are obviously different — they’re older and bigger — but I just played the same as I’ve always played, and it worked out pretty well.

man, he is a great hitter and he is a good defensive player. He’s who I look up to and who I try to model my game after.

What is your favorite part about playing first/third base? The most challenging part?

I like playing first base because you can show off your athleticism. A lot of people just put the biggest kid at first, but I go over there, and I try to make the difficult plays. The hardest part about playing first base is people make bad throws a lot, and you have to pick them up.

Third base, it’s just all the hot shots — that’s where you get the hardest balls hit, so a lot them pop up on you and get up on you quick.

Is there anything you’re trying to work on this summer?

I’m just trying to crush baseballs still — that’s what I like doing. I’ve been doing a lot of sprints, running and agility.

I always get my fielding in — I’ve been working on that a lot — and I’ve been hitting every day.

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

Be good when you need to be good. That’s what I go by — coach told me that when I was 12 years old.

When you get any kind of free time, what do you like to do?

I like playing a few other sports just for fun — not for another team or anything.

I’ll throw the football around sometimes and play basketball a little bit.

What’s been the biggest change you’ve seen in the game of baseball since you first started?

Probably just the pitching. For a while, it was all the same speed, and now I’m seeing a variety — a lot more faster stuff and seeing 89 to 90 (miles per hour) on a good basis.

Is there a highlight moment that stands out to you during your shortened freshman season?

I was playing our rival school, West Orange — and they don’t like me very much over there or whatever — but I hit two doubles, and I was going off that game.

It was a great game.

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The attention to the sport has grown alongside the participation in girls wrestling. According to the National Federation of High Schools, participation in girls wrestling has seen an increase every year since 1990.

In Florida, more than 700 female wrestlers participate in the sport.

As news of the vote spread around the wrestling community, it was met with excitement — even though many were hoping it would be implemented this upcoming season and not in 2021-22. Now that it’s in place to happen, though, many coaches — such as Dr. Phillips girls wrestling coach Kirwyn Adderley — are already looking ahead.

“It’s not necessarily relief, as it is to say, ‘OK, the roadmap is set for the future, so we can put that behind us — the sanctioning — because it seemed it was hanging over (us),’ and now we can move forward,” said Adderley, whose Panthers program is one of the most dominant in the state. “We’re sanctioned — we’re matching up with some of the other states that are sanctioned — and it just takes the cloud off of it, I guess.”

Not only will athletes and teams be recognized for their achievements by the governing FHSAA body, but also there are now tremendous opportunities for girls and programs.

“It will help with recruiting; it will help establish the full girls

programs,” Iannuzzi said. “I do hope more schools take the dive in getting girls wrestling out. I’m excited for the future of wrestling. … The benefit of that just adds to the depth of the sport.”

TAKE TO THE BEACH

Much like the news of girls wrestling receiving its FHSAA sanctioning, the sand volleyball community in the area also celebrated a victory for its sport.

Among those in the community is Dr. Phillips’ Emily Loftus, who coaches both indoor volleyball and the school’s new sand volleyball team. For her, the vote was more than just the sanctioning of a sport.

“The FHSAA is continuing to look out for female athletics, and I’m hoping that trend continues, and hopefully we’re going to see even further steps,” Loftus said. “As long as we are able to kind of see the growth in beach volleyball the way that we have seen it with girls indoor volleyball, then I’m going to be a really happy coach, and I’m going to be really happy for the sport in general.”

Between the year-round warm weather and the proximity of top volleyball club organizations in Central Florida, sand volleyball

“This could not be better — this is definitely the ideal situation for every girl, because we want to be recognized as athletes, as well.”

— Taylor Scaletta

Paying players and its effects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Although the bill only applies to college athletes, it could change how athletics are done at the high school level, Rizo said. The bill sparks questions about recruiting, amateurism and more.

“It trickles down — I think it affects the different generations,” Rizo said. “Now you’re talking college and how it’ll affect the high school landscape.

I think it changes the culture of everything, because there is more pressure now to get to college and be able to be in a position where you’re making money as a college athlete.”

The recruiting process for athletes — especially those in the upper echelon — is full of distractions, and this could present even more issues, said Dr. Phillips head boys basketball coach Ben Witherspoon.

Although Witherspoon — who

has multiple players on his team who will be playing on the collegiate level — believes college players getting paid is great, he said there could be distractions for players who look to build up their social-media following and brand to attract future endorsements.

“The only drawback I can see is the increase in distractions for some kids when they’re at school — some kids focusing more on marketing themselves than working on their game, which could put some kids in jeopardy of having a scholarship the next year,” Witherspoon said. “It’s important that players are still putting the right amount of focus on their craft to have a spot in school.”

For Windermere High baseball head coach Eric Lassiter, the pros outweigh the cons.

In baseball, there are no full scholarships, and given the hectic schedule of a college ath-

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“They deserve to be able to not have to call their parents and ask for $50 to take their girlfriend on a nice dinner on your anniversary — I remember having to do those things,” he said. “When I played, it was like, ‘Hey Mom, I don’t have this money, but it’s our anniversary.’ … It’s not exactly the best-feeling thing you have to do when you’re a 20-year-old, because you cant have a job like everyone else in college.”

Despite the unknown, coaches — such as Legacy Charter head football coach Trent Hopper — will have to sit down with their players to discuss these things.

“I’m sure at some point, I’m going to have an athlete where this is part of the conversation, and I’m just curious as heck as to what that conversation looks like,” Hopper said. “It’s a good step toward equality, that’s for sure, though.”

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By giving the sport FHSAA sanctioning, the belief among sand-volleyball athletes — such as Windermere Prep’s Kirah Bolanovich and Taylor Scaletta — is that it will help grow the game to heights that it has never seen before.

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OBSERVER

CORAL JOY EPSTEIN AMBUTER DIED FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020.

MASTER SGT. CLAYTON J. JOHNSEN DIED MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020.

Coral Joy (Epstein) Ambuter, of Windermere, Florida, formerly of Needham, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Friday, June 12, 2020.

For 57 years, the beloved wife of Roger Ambuter; devoted mother of Hal Ambuter and his wife, Cherwyn, Mary Ann Staskywicz, Edward Ambuter and William Ambuter; adored grandmother of Chanah Dow, Adam, Michaela, Andre and Amanda Ambuter; dear sister-in-law of Bruce and Betsy Ambuter, and Linda Epstein. She also is survived by her adored dog, Jasper; and many friends and family who loved her.

She was the daughter of the late Martha and Murray Epstein and sister of the late Jack Epstein.

She was a graduate of Newton High School and Beth Israel School of Nursing class of 1963. She worked as a nurse for most of her career as well as being the founder and owner of Sancor Monograms.

Services will be private.

Donations in her memory can be made to Temple Beth Shalom, 640 Highland Ave., Needham, Massachusetts, or to Congregation of Reform Judaism, 928 Malone Drive, Orlando, Florida.

On June 8, 2020, Master Sgt. Clayton J. Johnsen, USAF, Retired, age 90, passed away at his Windermere, Florida, home. During a 22-year Air Force career, Clay logged over 10,000 hours of flight time as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer, including 36 combat missions in Vietnam.

After the Air Force, he was a mechanic at Boise Cascade and Southern Fruit and Disney World. Clay also served on Post

286 Honor Guard teams providing military honors for over 1,000 veterans.

See WinterOakFuneralHome. com for further info and leaving condolences on the Memory Wall.

William Ralph Amidon Jr., 91, died June 12, 2020. Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Gotha.

Charles Michael Long, 60 of Winter Garden, died June 3, 2020. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

John A. Anderson, 83, of Winter Garden, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2020. BaldwinFairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Miguel Savala, 79, of Winter Garden, died June 8, 2020.

Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

David Carl Ashby, 73, died June 11, 2020. Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Gotha.

Patricia George Johnson, 70, died June 9, 2020. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange Chapel, Ocoee.

Anthony “Tony” Robert LaVornia, 79, of Ocoee, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange Chapel, Ocoee.

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LV16621

This week’s Celebrity INFO & RATES: 407-656-2121 • EMAIL: classifieds@orangeobserver.com • ONLINE: www.orangeobserver.com DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 10:OOAM • Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash,Puzzle Check orOne Credit Card Solution:

AUTO SERVICE

2020

Excellenceatcleaning1@gmail.com

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR

Schedule Schedule your FREE your FREE estimate!!

REG# MV-01095

estimate!!

TFN

WE HOME CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR AND OFFICE CLEANING NEEDS!!

HOME AND OFFICE CLEANING NEEDS!!

AUTO SERVICE

STRESS

335866

FREE

Financing See store for details

BRAKE PAD SALE

BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

179.95 $199.95 $

BMW 5 Series

179.95 $199.95 $

Mercedes E-Class

Full Synthetic Oil Service ONLY

89.95

$

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

7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 6/30/20

Phone 407-656-6646

Richard Hudson • Reggie Hudson

335871

EMAIL US AT: OROR EMAIL US AT: Excellenceatcleaning1@gmail.com

“Your Complete Service Center” 10 West Story Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 334532

GIVE USAACALL CALLAT: AT: GIVE US 954-995-5191 954-995-5191

TRAYWICK'S GARAGE

TFN

1045 S. Vineland Rd. •Winter Garden • New and Used Tires • Alignment • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

Explore the

407-656-1817

CLASSIFIEDS for great deals.

To place an ad call 407-656-2121

335869

A healthy touchfrom fromour our family family to A healthy touch toyours yours

336833

2020

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

HERE’S MY CARD - BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO SERVICE

CONSTRUCTION

15

LV11098

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

REALTORS

333965

Residential & Commercial Construction Rick Weber ‧ Brooks Weber License #CBC1253779

334091

Serving Central Florida Since 1972

NEW CONSTRUCTION INTERIOR BUILDOUTS Office: 352-394-5364 www.weberbuild.com

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

635 W. Hwy 50, Clermont weber @weberbuild.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

FIRE TECH

ROOFING

TFN 335868

EXTINGUISHER

SERVICE Ocoee, FL

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

CATERING

Willie’s Bar-B-Que

TFN

335867

335865

TFN

www.Firetechextinguisher.com

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

335872

“A luxury everyone can afford!”

Willie J. Fulmore Owner

UPGRADES & REPAIRS

We make Old Fashioned, Texas Style BBQ! 335864

A portion of the profits help to fund Homeless Women and Children.

336037

17436 7th Street • 407-469-0060 Montverde, FL 34756 Open Friday and Saturday • 11 am until 7 pm

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

FREE ESTIMATES

Your ad here!

407-656-2121

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

DIRECTORY

- BUSINESS HERE’S MY CARD

FLOORING

AUTO SERVICE

TRAYWICEK'S GARA•WinGter Garden

TFN

$...

TFN

ET RP From CA talled

301021

AIR CONDITIONING

Full

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

407-656-1817

OPERATED –

268 407.296.9622 407.877.6

l: gsairsystems@cfl.rr.com www.gsairsystems.com emai e #CAC1814407

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

Licens

Battery Testing and Replacement

on Call for a FREE estimate t.

Equipment Replacemen ed credit

We offer financing with approv

Transmission and Engine Repair

Scheduled Maintenance

Ray Cornell Jr. Doug Gallinger

301016

Licensed & Insured - State

Working Owners

www.r-dauto.com

Computerized Diagnostics

99

1

WATERPROOF

/ sq . ft.

4

$ 99/ sq. ft.

Tires and Alignments

Tune-Ups and General Repair

In House Towing Available

930 Carter Rd #202 Winter Garden, FL 34787 Telephone: (407) 614-3827 om rdtransautorepair@cfl.rr.c

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

407-614-5027

Ocoee, FL 34761 11159 W Colonial Dr. • g.com IntegrityLaminateFloorin

Estimates

3.3" x 1" starting at $28.00 3.3" x 2" starting at $33.00 3.3" x 4" starting at $55.00

HOME SERVICES

S ORLANDO PREMIUM SHUTTER The best shutters!

The best prices!

With the best warranty!

en, FL 34787 881 S. 9th Street • Winter Gard

298995

WE BUY JUNK CARS TAL WE BUY SCRAP ME- 5PM

iumShutters.com

PAINTING

See store for details

407-656-4707

SA LE Full Synthetic BR AK E PA Dedes C-Class Oil Service BMW 3 Series Merc

ww w.b udg etu pul lit. com

ONLY

89.95

301027

STRESS

302117

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

FREE

$

MADE IN THE USA

Custom measured, designed, manufactured and installed by shutter experts.

CALL FOR YOUR FREE IN-HOME Serving Orlando & CONSULTATION Surrounding Areas TODAY!

407-415-7185 • OrlandoPrem

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 8AM

Financing

179.95 $179.95 edes E-Class BMW 5 Series Merc $ 199.95 $199.95

Three Business Card Sizes to choose from:

3 59

$

...

Fully Installed From...

AUTO SERVICE

$

Full LAMIN y In stall ATE ed F rom

. ft. / sq

s y In

301025

-FAMILY OWNED &

LV11098

|

301035

OBSERVER

301014

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Includes up to 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Parts and Labor.

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

Not valid with any other offers.

Tax and recycling fees are extra.

PEST CONTROL

Center” “Your Complete Service ter Garden, FL 34787 10 West Story Rd. Win MV-01095 ie Hud

Richard Hudson • Regg

Willie’s Bar-B-Que Beef

“A luxury everyone can afford!”

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

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

A portion of

PET SERVICES

l Puppy Dreams Pet Hoe te

Willie J. Fulmore Owner

the profits help to fund Homeles

407-469-0060 17436 7th Street •FL Montverde, 34756 7 pm day • 11 am until Open Friday and Satur

CONSTRUCTION

from hom Your pet’s home away ty

301015

Tires • Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG

TFN

302828

CATERING

a unique no-cage facili boarding daycare and overnight

(407) 654-8885

TFN

703 S. Vineland Rd. 7 Winter Garden, FL 3478

301030

TFN

Phone 407-656-6646 son

301029

REG#

301017

22

om

Color included on all ads!

Publishes every Thursday, and deadlines Friday the week prior.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

BLAIR M. JOHNSON Attorney at Law

407-656-5521 blairjohnsonlaw.com

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BANK Health Insurance OPEN ENROLLMENT Nov. 15 thru Feb. 15 Health Insurance OPENour ENROLLMENT Nov.Neighbor 15 thru service Feb. 15 Call ANYTIME to receive State Farm Good

Our Services

NEED SPACE?

CALL NOW!

Call ANYTIME to receive State Farm Good Health Insurance OPENour ENROLLMENT Nov.Neighbor 15 thruservice Feb. 15

Agent ChFC, service CLU, CLF Call ANYTIMECraig to receiveMartin our State Farm Good -Neighbor

Wills/Advance Directives Estates Corporation/LLC Commercial Transactions Landlord/Tenant Real Estate: Contracts, Closings, Short Sales, Deed in Lieu And Other Matters

Craig Martin Craig Martin

Agent - ChFC, CLU, CLF Craig@CraigMartinInsurance.com www.CraigMartinInsurance.com Craig@CraigMartinInsurance.com Craig@CraigMartinInsurance.com Agent - ChFC, CLU, CLF www.CraigMartinInsurance.com www.CraigMartinInsurance.com 13330 W. Colonial Dr., Suite 110 • Winter Garden, FL 34787 Craig@CraigMartinInsurance.com 13330 W. Colonial Dr., Suite • Winter Garden, FL 34787 14416 Shoreside Way, Suite 140 •110 Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-656-1040 407-656-1040

www.CraigMartinInsurance.com 13330 W. Colonial Dr., Suite 110 • Winter Garden, FL Hablamos 34787 Español

407-656-1040

335769-1

Now The Hiring Licensed greatest complimentInsurance Professionals you can give iscompliment a referral!

The greatest you can give is a referral!

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

Hablamos Español Hablamos Español

The greatest compliment you can give is a referral!

LOCALLY OWNED SELF STORAGE “LIVE LOCAL, STORE LOCAL”

Maguire Road Storage

Stoneybrook West Storage

407-905-7898 WWW.MAGUIREROADSTORAGE.COM

407-654-3037 WWW.STONEYBROOKWESTSTORAGE.COM

IN OCOEE

MAGUIREROADSTORAGE@CFL.RR.COM

FDA ApproveD CoviD-19 TesTing AvAilAble

335797-1 XNSP17973

|

335852-1

OBSERVER

IN WINTER GARDEN

STONEYBROOKWESTSS@GMAIL.COM

TELEMEDIC INE AVAILABLE 407-960-218 8 Quality healt h at your finge care Seven Days rtips, a Week 9am-7pm

On-site services include X-Rays, IV rehydration, drug screens, work & DOT physicals, auto accident evaluation and injury care.

335831-1

Office Now Open 9am-7pm, 7 Days a Week

DaD

S S

A E

E-B

IK

E

I Love My EBike

$1280

All Terrain Comfort

• 50 Mile Range • All Terrain Fat Tire • Throttle Boost • Hydraulic Disc Brakes

$1195

I-ZIP TRLZ • 35 Mile Range • 7 Speed SHIMANO • Pedal Assist • Front Fork Shock

A Gift Certificate DAD Customer Name: ������������������������������������� 100 Value:���������������������������������$������������ ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS LENNY Authorized By: �������������������������������������� TODAY 001 Date:�������������������� Certificate#�������������

CERTIFICATE TOWARDS DAD’S NEW E-BIKE

$1480

I-ZIP ZUMA

-60 Mile Range -7 Speed SHIMANO -Pedal Assist -Disc Brakes

855 E. Plant St. #500-600 | Winter Garden, FL 407.614.8280

CrazyLennysEbikes.com

337028-1

e s i r p r u

l

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