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SOUTHWEST ORANGE

The sounds of summer

HAMLIN SET TO HOST ALL-AMERICAN FLAG PARADE

The Horizon West community will kick off America 250 celebrations in West Orange and Southwest Orange with the Hamlin All-American Flag Parade this weekend.

This free event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden.

The event will feature a 1-mile flag walk, patriotic ceremony, live music and community activities. Event organizers say the event will honor the past and celebrate the shared values that unite us today.

Every attendee will receive a free handheld American flag. Larger, home-mount flags will be available for purchase, encouraging participants to proudly display their flags throughout Hamlin and Horizon West after the event.

Proceeds from the event benefit Horizon West American Legion Post 419, which supports local

and

grams in our community.

Up syndrome

There are more than 1,200 people with Trisomy 21 — aka Down syndrome — in Orange County — and each has a story to share. They make an impact in the communities in which they live, work and visit. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

town of

The Windermere Town Council is sending a letter to the Florida Legislature to share concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed property tax legislation. SEE PAGE 5A.

Sophia Mazo is

Photo by Leticia Silva

Maureen, Andi and Greg Wright hang out together on a daily basis, enjoying their time together.

Windermere couple rolls with ice cream adventure in Winter Garden. SEE 8A.

5FAST

Winter Garden sergeant arrested for stalking A sergeant within the Winter Garden Police Department surrendered to the Orange County jail Tuesday, June 9, after a warrant for his arrest was placed through the Apopka Police Department because of a stalking accusation.

According to the WGPD, Sgt. Bryan Stubbs was placed on paid administrative leave once the agency was notified of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the APD. Stubbs has been with department since February 2016 and in 2025, he was promoted to sergeant.

“As Chief Graham stated, we take these issues seriously and they do not reflect the standards we expect of our personnel,” WGPD Captain James Capeletti said. “We are committed to accountability, transparency and maintaining the public’s trust while ensuring a fair and impartial review of the matter.”

2

Sookdeo Family Medicine relocating and expanding

Sookdeo Family Medi-

cine is taking its next step after six years in Winter Garden.

The primary care clinic Dr. Trishann Sookdeo started will be relocating and expanding in the fall.

“What began as a dream to provide compassionate, patientcentered care has grown into something truly special because of you — our patients, families and supporters,” clinic officials posted on social media. “This milestone represents six years of growth, dedication, and countless relationships built along the way. We are beyond excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to welcome you into our beautiful new home.”

The new facility, which will be located at 148 Southern Railway, Suite A, in Oakland, will allow the practice to expand its space, provide more services and enhance patient experience.

3

Oakland police continues search for missing adult

The Oakland Police Department recently received a tip Tyler Green, a missing adult since 2020, might be buried on the 1200 Block of West Crown Point Road in Winter Garden.

According to Oakland’s Deputy Chief Mike Bryant, cadaver dogs walked the property and showed interest in two areas.

Since the property is in Orange County Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction, Bryant said OPD asked OCSO’s forensic team to take a look.

“They did, but unfortunately,

Green went missing and is in no way involved.

Green remains a missing adult.

“We are open to any information regarding his whereabouts,” Bryant said.

Green was last seen at 11 p.m.

March 25, 2020, at his mother’s home in Oakland.

Shortly before his disappearance, Green was discharged from the hospital with an unspecified, serious medical condition.

His white cruiser bicycle was found on Oakland Avenue by Winters Landing.

Green, 36, is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with brown hair and hazel

roundings, contact the Oakland Police Department at (407) 6569797, Ext. 5, or the Winter Garden Police Department at (407) 6563636.

County breaks ground on Phase 1B of Horizon West Regional Park Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson invited the public to the groundbreaking of Horizon West Regional Park’s Phase 1B.

The event took place from 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, June 18, at 4715 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden.

This phase will include a 2-acre open lawn, splash pad, boardwalk, floating dock, new sidewalks and more. For questions, email parks@ocfl. net or call (407) 836-6257.

5Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream & Cookies coming to Hamlin Hamlin will have a new ice cream and cookie shop soon. Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream & Cookies is making its way to New Independence Parkway. The shop features handmade ice cream made in Florida as well as sprinkles and cones that are made right in the shop. Although an opening date has

Courtesy images

Sookdeo Family Medicine, is relocating to 148 Southern Railway, Suite A, Oakland, in the fall.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Joint venture

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

When Jacob Cox walked into the operating room at Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital during his first week on the job as an orthopedic surgeon five years ago, he was met with a surprise.

Standing in the room, scrubbed and ready to go were his father, Kevin Cox, and grandfather, William Cox, who also are orthopedic surgeons.

William Cox had retired not long before but received his credentials again so the three Cox men could perform sur gery together to mark the third generation of Coxes to become a practicing orthopedist.

Together, they performed sur gery. They recreated a photo from when Jacob Cox was an orderly in high school and was able to be in the operating room to watch his father and grandfather perform an arthroscopy. He recalled a nurse used a wind-up camera to take the photo.

That photo became motivation for Jacob Cox to follow in the fam ily’s footsteps to pursue a medical degree and become an orthopedic surgeon himself, adding years to the family’s decades-long histo ry of serving West Orange County through the Orlando Health Jew ett Orthopedic Institute.

SURGICAL LEGACY

The Cox family’s legacy in Cen tral Florida began when William Cox, Kevin’s father and Jacob’s grandfather, opened his practice in 1966 after completing the orthopedic residency program at Orlando Regional Medical Center. William Cox practiced at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital in Winter Garden and his practice served as the main orthopedic group at the hospital.

In 1992, Kevin Cox started his practice and worked at West Orange Memorial for two years until Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital opened in 1993. He started working on Day One.

The passion for orthopedics was passed down generations in similar fashion: the son seeing the father at work, helping others.

Kevin Cox recalled being in high school and actually being able to scrub in for surgery, which would not be allowed today. As a practicing orthopedist, he recalled operating with one of the operating room nurses he worked with in high school.

While Jacob Cox was in high school, Health Central Hospital had a summer internship program. He participated, and the program gave him a glimpse into the life of a nurse, doctor, surgeon and more.

Having seen his dad as a surgeon, Jacob Cox said there was a genuine interest in following in his father’s footsteps. He was able to be orderly in the operating room and developed a passion for surgery.

Through college and medical school, Jacob Cox tried all types of medicine, but orthopedics always was calling him home. The idea of helping people and fixing their problems with his own hands to give people back their function was alluring.

But Kevin Cox always knew orthopedics had to be something

each person wanted. There had to be self-motivation, he said, so he never pushed Jacob Cox in the direction of medicine or orthopedics specifically.

“People ask if it was brainwashing or whatnot, but no, especially in medical school when it was time to make those decisions, there was no forcing of that, ‘You will be an orthopedist,’” Jacob Cox said. “It was, ‘No, you need to make sure you really want to do this.’”

Jacob Cox felt a calling to orthopedics just like his father and grandfather.

“I love going to work every day,” he said. “I love getting to work here with Orlando Health. It’s been great to finally put to purpose all the stuff I’ve learned and be able to help our community and West Orange. When I get my old patients that live in Winter Garden and lived here forever, I love hearing those old stories.”

GIVING BACK

Kevin Cox said his family has been blessed to be able to serve the community in which they live.

“Our whole family has a strong faith, and it is an incredible privilege when your job coincides with what you believe in your faith,” he said. “We have a privilege to be able to be in our community, and when people get hurt, it’s not always the best timing for them, and we get to take care of people, no matter what their financial situation is, whether they have insurance. We get to give back to our community. … It’s such a privilege to have a job that’s

Oakland sends Comprehensive Plan amendment to state

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

Oakland Town Commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday, June 9, the transmittal of Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue Overlay District Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the state.

Oakland Town Manager Elise Hui said the town has been working alongside Kimley-Horn and Dix.Hite + Partners since 2024 to develop an overlay district including portions of Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue.

The purpose of the overlay district is to guide redevelopment and enhancement of the primary entrance corridor into the town.

The overlay district would transform Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue into a main street that is vibrant and walkable — while also including pocket parks, open spaces, small businesses, shade trees and more.

The district would be divided into three separate districts: Gateway, Heritage Walk and Canopy, also known as the Main Street Sub Area.

The Gateway District is the point of arrival into Oakland from State Road 50. It plays a critical role in setting expectations, signaling entry and slowing movement, said Katy Magruder, senior planner at Dix.Hite + Partners. Located along Tubb Street, between Sadler Avenue and State Road 50, the Gateway District also will serve as a commercial and office gateway.

IN OTHER NEWS

n Mayor Shane Taylor proclaimed Friday, June 19, as Juneteenth.

n Taylor also proclaimed Monday, June 22, through Sunday, June 28, as National Pollinator Week.

n Town commissioners unanimously approved to serve beer and wine at the fall Block Party, taking place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center.

n Town commissioners unanimously approved Capital Projects Coordinator Mike Parker’s request for authorization to piggyback on Toho Water Authority Agreement, which holds a contract with Kissimmee-based paving contractor Asphalt365. The contract includes competitively priced recycled asphalt pavement, Parker said, and the town may utilize this contract under the provisions of the town’s Purchasing Policy, allowing access to favorable pricing without issuing a separate solicitation. By securing a reliable material source, remaining projects can be completed.

rewarding and able to give back to our community.”

To an experienced orthopedist, Jacob Cox said doing a joint replacement or fixing a broken bone is routine, but to the patient, it could be one of the most stressful days of the patient’s life.

“We’re putting them back together,” he said. “We’re able to have a very profound impact on people with our skillset and so I really liked that ability. … This is fixing a person (so) we can allow them to live their life to their fullest in ways that perhaps weren’t able to be done even just a few years ago.”

The rewarding moments come when Jacob Cox is at service at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, where he sees patients on Sunday being able to raise their hands up in praise at church short weeks after surgery after they hadn’t been able to do so for 15 years, he said.

Kevin Cox knew the impact he could make as a surgeon when he took a trauma call at Orlando Regional Medical Center 10 years ago during his residency. A man was jogging on the side of the road and was hit by a car. The accident nearly claimed his leg. Kevin Cox said the man was filthy and “just a mess.” He learned at that moment to treat everybody the same — no matter how they look when they enter the emergency room. The man turned out to be “one of the most prominent defense attorneys in town.”

With Jacob Cox specializing in shoulders and elbows and Kevin Cox specializing in hips and knees, joining their practice with Orlando Health will allow them to have access to more resources and other qualified doctors they have known for years to assist on cases, especially if it is out of their specialties.

“It is very nice to have the increased resources of the entire network to be able to really solve anything from an unusual tumor to trauma or something weird,” Kevin Cox said.

Having multiple orthopedic surgeons in the family is helpful when there’s a complicated case on which either Cox needs assistance or a second opinion. There’s no issue of dealing with egos or trust.

The biggest lesson Jacob Cox has learned from his father is something he uses every day.

“Patients do not know how good of a surgeon you are, but they know how good of a person you are, and that’s what he made his reputation on,” he said of his father.

The Heritage Walk District is located north of the Gateway District, along Tubb Street between Oakland Avenue and Sadler Avenue. It would include professional and personal offices around the intersection. It also would include wider, shaded sidewalks for enjoyable biking and walking.

Finally, the Canopy District, located along Tubb Street between the West Orange Trail and Oakland Avenue, would create a lively and functional commercial, retail and civic focus.

The goal is to keep Oakland’s charm while also growing the town and the services it offers.

“Oakland’s charm and historic character are already evident, providing strong bones upon which to build a true destination — one that fosters daily community life for residents while creating a memorable experience that invites visitors to return again and again,” Magruder said.

Magruder said the town’s Appearance Review Board amended the original language of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment from allowing five-story buildings to be constructed in the Gateway District, three-story buildings in the Heritage Walk District and two-story buildings in the Canopy district, to four-story buildings in the Gateway District, four-story buildings between State Road 50 and Ryan Court, and three-story buildings between Ryan Court and Sadler Avenue.

“It’s a big deal for our town,” Mayor Shane Taylor said. “This is something that needs to happen here to help drive that revenue that we need. … There’s a lot of good things that can come out of this project — not just for the town, but for visitors, everyone.”

Before the town can move forward with policy changes, the state must review the amendments and approve it.

“I’m excited,” Taylor said. “I can’t wait to see what comes from this.”

STATE BUDGET, TOWN WIN

Glen Glizean, senior adviser from Arrow Group said the company was able to secure $1.5 million from the state for the South Lake Apopka Initiative.

The initiative will improve the water quality within Lake Apopka’s watershed and protect natural resources, support reasonable growth, and enhance a quality of life for current and future residents, he said.

“This project will have a direct and meaningful impact for the town of Oakland,” Glizean said. “It extends sewer service and supports Oakland’s transition from septic to

n Town Manager Elise Hui announced there will not be any farmers markets in July.

sewer services by reducing the septic sewer systems within Lake Apopka’s watershed.”

Glizean said the town’s priority were heard in Tallahassee, which is how Arrow Group was successful in achieving this win.

Arrow Group Senior adviser Ron Brisé said although this is a big win for the town, Gov. Ron DeSantis still has to review all the line items in the budget and approve them.

REZONING APPROVED

Oakland Town Commissioners unanimously approved, Tuesday, June 9, the second reading of two ordinances amending a property’s zoning and classification.

The owners of 2253 Bay Line Road, Oakland, Floriano and Neisa Putigna, recently submitted an application to the town to amend the future-land use and rezone the 12.91-acre property.

The property currently has a zoning district and future-land use of agricultural, but the owners would like to be reclassified to low-density residential and rezoned to singlefamily residential.

“We have an enormous amount of children — seven kids,” Neisa Putigna said during the commission’s Tuesday, May 26, meeting.

“We plan on having something for one of our children in particular that would probably need to stay close and live near us due to being adopted and some special needs.”

While there are no development proposals at the time, the Putignas would like to have the option to transform their land into five parcels when the time is right.

While commissioners were concerned during the May 26 meeting about the amount of wetlands in the property and their conservation, Neisa Putigna said they will not touch any of the wetlands.

This was the final approval needed for the amendment.

“It’s a big deal for our town. This is something that needs to happen here to help drive that revenue that we need. … There’s a lot of good things that can come out of this project — not just for the town, but for visitors, everyone.”

— Mayor Shane Taylor

During his first week at Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital, Dr. Jacob Cox, center, was surprised to perform surgery with his father, Dr. Kevin Cox, left, and his grandfather, Dr. William Cox, right.

Courtesy photos

The Cox family has been serving West Orange County for three generations through Drs. Kevin Cox, William Cox and Jacob Cox.

Theresa Nachtsheim said she never has put limitations or restrictions on him, allowing him to be the person he wants by doing the things he loves.

He hangs out with friends on a weekly basis, attends events throughout Ocoee and nearby communities and always has a smile on his face.

Currently, he works at Publix, where he’s been for 13 years.

He’s a bagger — and a really good one, Theresa Nachtsheim said.

He’s friendly with customers and coworkers, and cares about his job. He carefully places items into bags, making sure his job is being done to the best of his ability.

He also is a part of the Central Florida Community Arts, where he dances, acts and sings with his friends.

“There are no limitations,” Theresa Nachtsheim said. “I’m absolutely thrilled of all his accomplishments.”

She said all people need to do is give individuals with Down syndrome a chance.

“They can change the world,” she said. “They can make a difference and make you happy. And they’ll tell you what’s important in life.”

Alec Nachtsheim has an outgoing, fun personality, as well as being a hardworking, caring and supportive man.

“He deserves a chance,” she said.

‘THE JOY OF OUR FAMILY’ Martha Mazo came to Dr. Phillips from Colombia, where she worked as an industrial engineer for the Coffee Growers’ Federation.

“I was a perfectionist and cared deeply about what people thought of me,” she said.

When she got pregnant and learned her baby girl had Trisomy 21, she was devastated. At the time, she didn’t understand what that meant.

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CONTACT

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

There are about 8.3 billion people on the planet, and not one person is the same.

Every single human has his or her own talents, fears, voices. Each comes from a different background, upbringing, culture.

And some humans have a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 — trisomy 21 — more commonly known as Down syndrome.

According to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, there are about 1,200 Orange County residents living — and thriving — with Down syndrome.

Many of those individuals call West Orange home. And their families and their communities are better for it.

WINNING THE LOTTERY

Winter Garden resident Brian Sanders has triplets.

He and his wife, Angelina Veronica Sanders, had just bought a two-bedroom house in 2004 and were not expecting to have children just yet. However, she got pregnant. Not with one baby, not twins, but triplets. During a checkup, they found out baby “C” more than likely had Down syndrome due to a fused tricuspid valve, calcification and a low nasal bridge.

The doctor immediately told them he could dissolve the baby. Whoa! Stop! Sanders said to the doctor. That might be your medical obligation to tell us that, but from this point forward, don’t ever mention that again.

He didn’t think of his child as “something to dissolve.” He couldn’t.

And although he wasn’t educated on the subject, he immediately got to researching and learning.

Of course, he had questions. Why? How?

But he learned quickly: It just simply happens.

During his research, he found out they did what was right for their family.

“I learned that we won the lottery,” Sanders said. “It’s probably better than winning the lottery.” Calvin Sanders, now 22, is his father’s biggest blessing.

Calvin Sanders is a jack of all trades. He enjoys coloring, listening to music, watching movies and

“I don’t even like the term Down syndrome; it should be called Up syndrome, because everything about it is uplifting — there’s nothing down about it.”

DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

To learn more about the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, visit dsacf.org.

working out, specifically weightlifting.

“He’s won gold medals in swimming for the state; he’s won medals in basketball,” Brian Sanders said. He’s got tons of awards when it comes to weightlifting and stuff with Special Olympics. He’s very strong — stronger than his brothers.”

Calvin Sanders enjoys working out. So much so that he goes to the CrossFit gym almost every single day, five days per week.

He’s extremely active, and that’s how he likes to live his life.

He even has gone skydiving — and wants to do it again.

“There’s nothing that he won’t do; there’s nothing he won’t try,” Brian Sanders said.

Calvin has taught his family, friends and community members unconditional love, empathy and patience.

“You could be having the most terrible day in your life, and then (Calvin) shows up, and everything changes,” Brian Sanders said. “You’re happy, you’re joyful again, because he brings that to the environment. …

He’s taught us patience, he’s taught us empathy, he’s taught us unconditional love. He’s taught his brothers how to be more acceptable of adults and kids with specials needs. … He’s just a joy.”

Unfortunately, there are lots of misconceptions out there about individuals with Down syndrome, Brian Sanders said.

“I don’t like the misconception when you tell someone that your son has Down syndrome, and the first thing they say is, ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’” Brian Sanders said. “You don’t need to be sorry. You need to be happy and jealous that I have someone with Down syndrome. ... The public’s view on family members or anyone with Down syndrome is that it’s a disability, and it’s not a disability at all. Matter of fact, I don’t even like the term Down syndrome; it should be called Up syndrome, because everything about it is uplifting. There’s nothing down about it.”

Calvin Sanders is fearless, accomplished, supportive and happy — everything any parent wants for his or her child.

“The love is unconditional,” Brian Sanders said. “It’s like winning the lottery, and he’s the one that’s got the winning numbers.”

NO LIMITS

When Alec Nachtsheim was born in 1992, his parents Theresa and Doug Nachtsheim had no idea he had Down syndrome.

“It was an absolute, ‘Wow,’” Theresa Nachtsheim said. “I remember talking to a social worker when he was born, and I said, ‘I don’t know if I can deal with this.’ She said, ‘Don’t make any decisions now. Take the baby home and enjoy the baby.’”

So that’s what they did.

“I just remember those words of wisdom, and I went along,” Theresa Nachtsheim said. “I asked questions. I went to support groups and talked to people. Oh my goodness gracious, what a miracle. It’s like the best thing in the world, because it’s so much joy and so much love. It puts you in a whole different perspective of life.”

Theresa Nachtsheim said she’s learned a lot from her son, Alec Nachtsheim.

“Don’t sweat the big stuff; just enjoy today,” she said. “We do everything together, and we have fun. We laugh, and we just enjoy life.”

Even though she wasn’t familiar with the condition, people around the world sent her books to teach her and her husband how to take care of their first-born son.

Soon, they learned Alec Nachtsheim needed occupational, physical and oral therapies, and even educated their insurance company on why he needed all of this.

And he grew up with a relatively regular childhood.

Aside from doctors’ appointments, he went to public school, took the bus, made friends and tried hard in academics.

“He had great teachers, and he bonded with his teachers, which is what helped him grow,” Theresa Nachtsheim said. “(When he graduated), he hugged every single person going across that stage to get his diploma. That’s what he does, and cheer people and make people happy.”

Alec Nachtsheim also is an Eagle Scout, having accomplished that through hard work and dedication.

His scoutmaster asked Theresa Nachtsheim what he should worry about.

“‘Honey, he can do anything he wants,’” she told him. “‘Don’t put restrictions on him.’ And they didn’t. He had to earn those medals, and he earned those awards.”

For his service project, he built a butterfly garden, with the help of former Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift, three commissioners, three past scout leaders and more than 20 community members.

Alec Nachtsheim is an active member of the community and is recognized around the city often.

He also is a part of Special Olympics, having participated in swimming, basketball, bowling and, soon, pickleball.

“He’s got a real mean serve,” Theresa Nachtsheim said.

Besides sports, he enjoys dot art, marathons and helping others.

He often helps his neighbors with their lawn and trash.

“I had spent time with many families who had children with special needs and had seen how difficult it was for them to raise those children in a society that judged them— viewing them as a punishment rather than the blessing I now know them to be,” she said.

Her husband didn’t care. This baby was his first daughter after having two boys in a previous marriage.

He was ecstatic.

“Both my family and my husband’s family supported us from the start,” Mazo said. “To them, it was a blessing. But I couldn’t accept it — especially when I was told she would face serious health issues. … One day, my husband and I asked God for help. We called my doctor and asked her what decision she would make if she were in my shoes. She told us she had faced a similar situation and that God had made the decision for her, because she had studied medicine to give life, not to take it. We cried, we prayed, and I decided to continue with the pregnancy.”

Sophia Mazo was born at eight months and spent one month in the hospital. She had surgery to repair her duodenum when she was seven days old.

“She is the person I love most in the world, and every day, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be her mother,” Martha Mazo said. “When I was younger, my relationship with her was very difficult, but God sent my mom to help me. I was forced to learn how to prioritize what truly matters and how to relax.”

Martha Mazo credits the many support groups she attended.

“In those groups, our children always come first, and learning from each of these women’s experiences has helped me become a better mom.”

Sophia Mazo is a hard worker.

She spent one year working three hours every Monday with babies who have Down syndrome at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.

“She is extremely sociable and kind-hearted with everyone,” Martha Mazo said. “She gets along wonderfully with children who have special needs, and regardless of their disabilities, she sees them all as lovely and intelligent. She is very charismatic.”

Sophia Mazo also works at Special Hearts Farm Mondays through Fridays.

At the farm, she has learned to make goat milk soap, care for animals, distribute food to those in need and do gardening work, but what she enjoys most is public relations. She participates in most activities and events organized by the Down Syndrome Association, the Down Syndrome Foundation, Nathaniel’s Hope and Family Church.

“Sophia is the joy of our family,”

Martha Mazo said. “She has brought us much closer together. Recently, she faced a health crisis where we thought we might lose her. You cannot imagine the immense pain and terror we felt.

My husband and I stayed with her at the hospital 24 hours (per) day. … We cannot imagine life without her.”

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— Bryan Sanders, father to Calvin Sanders

Photo by Leticia Silva

Alec Nachtsheim is proud of his accomplishments, which include receiving a plethora of medals, awards and recognitions.

Property tax proposal would force significant changes in Winter Garden

MICHAEL ENG EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

According to Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams, if Florida voters approve proposed changes to property taxes passed by the state Legislature, the resulting property taxes collected by the city won’t be enough to fund the police and fire departments.

Williams presented a budget forecast during the City Commission’s Thursday, June 11, meeting.

The Legislature-endorsed changes (HJR 1F) would increase the existing $50,000 exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 starting in 2027, rising to $250,000 in 2028.

According to Williams, current property tax collections total $30,277,220, and combined with police and fire charges, funds 93.9% of the costs for operating both departments. If the homestead exemption increases to $150,000, that total drops to $29,194,952, funding 79.7% of the costs. At a homestead exemption of $250,000, it drops further to $25,894,952, or 70.7%.

“I wanted to do that comparison, because there’s been some statements from … officials out of Tallahassee that said, ‘Whatever reduction in property tax, you’re to take the remaining portion, fund the core services, public safety being one of those,” Williams said. “At present, we don’t even cover the full cost of public safety with the ad valorem (taxes) that we generate.”

The total revenue reduction for the first two years would be $13,500,000, he said.

Furthermore, Williams noted these calculations are based on 2025-26 numbers and do not address increased wages or benefits.

“It also does not take into account any additional staffing to accommodate new firefighters for schedule modifications to either implement Kelly Days or 24/72,” he said.

With a sigh, Williams said city staff is looking a several options to accommodate the potential shortfall.

“We’re going to look at eliminating non-core services and programs, and we’re certainly going to bring back those details of what those services

and programs will look like,” he said.

“Other factors we’re looking at (are) ways to increase revenue to be able to offset this deficit. I don’t think, at this point, that I can comfortably say that through reduction or elimination of non-core services and programs that we would be able to cover this deficit entirely.”

For Winter Garden residents, that could mean an increase in the millage rate.

“We’re going to have to explore additional property tax for this, and that could be an increase in the milage rate starting with the budget Oct. 1, 2026,” Williams said. “We know if this constitutional movement does get put in place, there will also be some caps on what you will be able to adjust your millage rate going forward.”

Other potential revenue-generating measures include implementing a fire assessment, which the city discussed last year; parking fees; and other service fees.

District 4 City Commissioner

Colin Sharman said the property tax measure would not help property owners to the degree its proponents have promised.

“It’s all political theater — all of it,” he said. “It doesn’t do anything for anybody. There’s no way to fund it again. They’re just boosting their own popularity with something that covered the cost, but if they were true to their values, they would cut costs at the state level and let local governments have more Home Rule.”

The measure already has sparked a lawsuit, City Attorney Kurt A. Ardaman told city commissioners. A nonprofit called Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language, Inc., along with Thomas F. Campenni, former mayor of Stuart; and Michael W. Davey, former mayor of Key Biscayne; filed the suit Thursday, June 11.

The suit claims the ballot measure’s title — “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes” — is an endorsement rather than an explanation.

“The ballot summary does not merely describe the Proposed Constitutional Amendment — it endorses it,” the lawsuit states. However, the lawsuit will not prevent the measure from appearing on the November ballot. Rather, it asserts its language should be revised. And thus, Williams said the pressure is on him and city staff to make the numbers work.

“We are now four months and 24 days until Election Day and (when) voters would potentially sign this,” he said. “Nine months and 14 days until we would kick off the budget cycle that would incorporate these changes, and 15 months, 21 days until the new fiscal year would begin in which these changes would begin.

So this is a rather large task to try to navigate in a relatively short period of time to be able to come back and make some solid recommendations to consider as we move forward. But I’m confident in all of our staff and all the work that they’ve done … to be

n Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham welcomed four new officers to the department.

n Mayor John Rees presented a proclamation to the Adams-Onís Treaty Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in recognition of America 250.

n City commissioners, with Rees dissenting, approved Resolution 26-06, which will allow up to six temporary use permits for the temporary outdoor sale of fireworks within the city. Three will be available for sales for New Year’s Eve, and another three for the Fourth of July. Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are not renewable.

n The City Commission approved the Back to School Bash, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Farnsworth Pool at Newton Park.

able to achieve that, working sideby-side with them along the way. It’s highly likely that I will be totally bald when it’s all done.”

SECONDARY STRUCTURES DOWNTOWN

City commissioners also passed the first reading of an Ordinance 26-17, which clarifies permitted uses and requirements for detached garages and accessory dwelling units in the historic downtown district.

“The most significant change is the expansion of ADUs as a permitted accessory use within most residential zoning districts, including R-1A, R-1, R-1B, R-2, R-4, R-5, R-NC, RNC-2, and residential planning unit developments,” Planning Director Kelly Carson said. “This ordinance establishes a consistent set of standards for ADU location, size, height, parking, architectural design and occupancy.”

Carson said the ADUs would be permitted only on homesteaded single-family residential lots, limited to one per property and remain subordinate to the principal residents. Owners must provide one off-street parking space for the ADU. The ordinance also prohibits the separate sale of ADUs and prohibits short-term rentals, she said.

“These standards are intended to provide additional housing opportunities within our community, support multigenerational arrangements, aging-in-place solutions, and increased housing plus flexibility while preserving the character of our existing neighborhoods,” Carson said.

Mayor John Rees noted adding a second structure to a property, in effect, doubles the density.

“How do you stop an area basically from going from R-1 to R-2?” he asked. “Because when you’re sitting here in an R-1 neighborhood, you got one house per acre. So you have two or three people that put up an ADU. Now you’ve got two houses. So you do that, you’re really going from R-1 to R-2.” City commissioners also questioned how to define short-term rentals.

“A year is a standard … term of a lease,” Carson said.

A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for the City Commission’s June 25 meeting.

Photo by Michael Eng

Four new officers were sworn in by Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham.

OCPS media policy restricts press access, threatens protected speech

The University of Missouri School of Journalism didn’t have a class called Journalism 101. It actually was called Journalism 110, but it served the same purpose: Teach young students the basics of our craft.

One of the first lessons: You report the news. You are not the news.

So when the Observer Media Group last week joined several other Central Florida news organizations, as well as the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida State University College of Law’s First Amendment Clinic, to urge Orange County Public Schools to revise its media policy, it felt odd. A press release went out, and all of a sudden, we became part of the news.

But another, more important lesson from J-110: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

And when we find the government treading on the First Amendment, we cannot stay silent.

As West Orange’s only paper of record, our newspaper has a long history — 121 years! — of chronicling, celebrating and communicating news and information about our schools to our readers.

However, in at least the last five years, the Observer — and other news organizations covering Central Florida — has experienced increasing difficulty covering OCPS-related topics, people and events.

Most of these troubles arise from the district’s media policy. The policy strips away the ability for our reporters to contact our schools directly. Instead, with any OCPS-related story, we are to contact the media relations office in downtown Orlando with our request. We are then supposed to wait for that office to contact the school to arrange a time to conduct interviews and take photos. Sometimes, that happens. Often, it does not.

Furthermore, any band director, drama director, coach, teacher — anyone who wants publicity for an event or to highlight students’ achievements — are not allowed to contact us directly, even to let us know about events otherwise open to the public. And if they do, they risk discipline. Instead, we — the journalists — are supposed to let the media relations department know. So this roundabout circus can begin anew.

In a perfect world, perhaps this could work. But, after years of watching this policy in action, we have found it not only delays stories to the point that they are no longer relevant but also prevents our ability to publish some stories altogether.

And this is the most dangerous, most corrosive product of OCPS’ policy: They can control the news.

Another J-110 nugget: Just the facts.

So, here we go. Three specific instances in which OCPS’ media policy has either killed a story or delayed our ability to cover one. Of course, there are more, but only so many words will fit on this page.

1West Orange High School’s 2026 Warriorthon. This is an event we have covered every year for as long as I can remember. Except this year. And even though we did as we were told — asked the media relations department for access to the event on March 3 (three full days before the event) — we didn’t receive a response.

On the day of the event, our reporter reached out one more time, only to receive this: “I was not able to secure approvals for your visit.”

We sent our reporter to the event, anyway. After all, we covered this event every year. However, the organizer of the event apologized and said we were not allowed to come in, per district policy. She also told our reporter she had no idea the Observer had asked to attend. Translation: The media relations department hadn’t told her of our request.

Castleview Elementary’s “The Lion King.” Castleview’s theater director had contacted us in January to invite us to cover the school’s spring musical. Our reporter confirmed we would attend the Friday, March 6, public performance. Our reporter covered the event and published the photos on our website. On Monday, March 8, OCPS’ media relations administrator contacted me to question who invited us and to slap our hands because his office had not been contacted. Remember: The director invited us personally.

“… Your team never reached out to our office,” this administrator wrote. “Did you purchase a ticket to the event? Yes, the event was open to the public … with the purchase of a ticket. I am assuming you did not, which is where the approval to be on campus would come from.”

Windermere High School’s Barbershop Quartet. Our reporter sent the media relations department a request for interviews Friday, April 3. The office responded to confirm receipt of the request. However, we still hadn’t received a response by Tuesday, April 7. Our reporter followed up on this request but received no reply. For regular readers, you might remember that we, indeed, had this as a cover story in our April 16, 2026, edition of the Southwest Orange Observer. That’s because my son is friends with a couple of the guys in the quartet, and I had him contact them directly. When our reporter interviewed the boys, three of them said they never heard from the district or the principal that we wanted to interview them. The fourth said his mother received a call from the principal the morning of the interview, Friday, April 10.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

This policy, in practice, delays access to routine information and reduces transparency for parents, taxpayers and the community. Moreover, by controlling OCPS employees’ access to journalists, it has created a chilling effect on employee speech. And to think: These three instances I shared are all positive, uplifting stories. You’d think a district that is hemorrhaging students (and thus, money) would welcome a few puff pieces to make their schools look great. But if OCPS’ media relations officials want to silence these stories, what do you think they will do when we have to tell one that is less flattering?

In our letter to the district, our coalition has asked for a face-toface meeting with Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez. Unsurprisingly, the media relations department has not been responsive to that request. Instead, they’d like us to talk to them. Figures.

MICHAEL ENG EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

Windermere council to ask state to clarify replacement funding mechanisms

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

The Windermere Town Council unanimously approved Tuesday, June 9, sending a letter to the Florida Legislature to not only share concerns regarding the proposed property tax legislation but also request the Legislature identify and clearly define sustainable replacement funding mechanisms to close the gap that will occur if voters pass the legislation in November.

“The town seeks to ensure that significant changes to local government revenue sources are accompanied by clearly defined sustainable and reliable funding mechanisms that allow municipalities to continue providing essential services,” Assistant Town Manager and Public Works Director Tonya Elliott-Moore said. Town Attorney Heather Ramos said proposed property tax legislation will increase the homestead exemption for existing Florida residents; limit future assessment growth on non-homestead property, including commercial property; create a residency waiting period for new Florida residents before they receive the enhanced homestead exemption; and restrict how counties and municipalities may spend property tax revenues.

State Rep. Leonard Spencer provided an update to Windermere Town Council on the legislative session, including property tax reform. Spencer said if the reform is passed in November, it would “strip local governments of a critical revenue source without a suitable replacement, which would jeopardize the funding towns like Windermere rely on for public safety, roads, parks and everyday services that residents have grown to love and care about.”

The passing of the property tax proposal would be a “tax shift,” Spencer said, because it might reduce taxes on some properties, but these services still need to be provided. He said Windermere would have to find

other ways to close the funding gap, such as through fees and other taxes, to ensure the town still can provide services on which residents depend.

Council Member Tony Davit said one of his “major concerns is we’re going to change the free state of Florida to the fee state of Florida.”

Besides sending the letters to the Florida Legislature, Davit said the town should host community workshops, not only to educate residents about the amendment on the ballot but also engage with them regarding how the town should adjust its budget and what services to cut to make up for the budget shortfall if the reform passes in November.

Council members agreed, stating the community needed to be engaged in the process.

“It does sound great on paper,”

Council Member CT Allen said. “I’m saving on my property taxes, but you don’t see the impact on the back end, and I think we just educate everybody.”

RESTROOM AMENDMENT

The Windermere Town Council unanimously approved an amendment for the Town Square Restroom Facility project.

The town needs to engage qualified professional engineering and architectural services in compliance with the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act to proceed with the final design and construction-ready plans for the facility.

The reviewed and refined proposed scope and fee from Kimley-Horn, with which the town has an existing Continuing Engineering Services Agreement, includes structural engineering design for the building foundation and structural system; mechanical, electrical and plumbing design for building systems; architectural design services through Tabernacle Architecture and Designs LLC; agency permitting and utility coordination with Orange County, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and South Water Florida

Management District; coordination with the septic tank and drainfield design consultant; and preparation of final construction plans and supporting documentation suitable for permitting and construction.

The revised lump-sum fee for the services is $34,190, an $8,910 reduction from the previous proposal. Optional landscape design services are available for an additional $4,870.

WALL IMPROVEMENTS

RETAINING

Town Council unanimously approved Kimley-Horn and Associates for professional engineering and related services associated with the Sixth Avenue and Lake Down retaining wall improvements in the amount of $199,230.

The town was awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding through the Florida Division of Emergency Management for shoreline stabilization improvements along Sixth Avenue adjacent to Lake Down after Hurricane Ian caused substantial erosion that impacted the shoreline embankment and exposed underground utilities. There is a need for long-term stabilization improvements to protect the roadway and surrounding infrastructure.

The town previously installed QUIKRETE Rip Rap to help secure the shoreline while staff pursuit grant funding and developed a permanent mitigation solution.

The grant funding now allows the town to proceed with the engineering, permitting and design phase for the long-term seawall and shoreline stabilization improvements.

Kimley-Horn’s services will include the preparation of 45% and final design plans for the retaining wall and shoreline stabilization improvements; structural engineering design for the proposed retaining wall; drainage improvements, including a nutrient-separating baffle box for stormwater treatment prior to discharge into Lake Down; sidewalk improvements to connect existing

IN OTHER NEWS

n Windermere Town Council unanimously approved declaring 19 Virco upholstered stacking chairs as surplus property and dispose of the chair through the town’s approved public auction process with proceeds returning to the appropriate town fund in accordance with town policy.

pedestrian facilities and enhance accessibility; environmental assessment and permitting coordination with applicable regulatory agencies; surveying and subsurface utility engineering services; geotechnical engineering and soil testing services; and Florida Department of Emergency Management grant administration and coordination services.

REPORT FROM TALLAHASSEE

During his report to Windermere Town Council, Spencer addressed other bills that came from the legislative session, including legislation related to Home Rule, e-bikes and redistricting.

He said he consistently tried to push back against state overreach.

“The state Legislature should not be preempting local communities and stripping decision-making power away from towns like Windermere,” he said. “We all believe municipalities are best equipped to manage their own growth and are best equipped to maintain community standards.”

Spencer spoke of House Bill 1001 that was passed alongside Senate Companion Bill 1134. The bills prohibit counties and municipalities from funding, promoting or taking any official action related to diversity, equity and inclusion, including adopting ordinances, resolutions, programs or policies. The bill also prevents local governments from spending funds to establish a DEI office.

He said the “fundamental issue” with the statute is although members of the local government body

previously were allowed to take those actions, those actions now will be considered malfeasance, and the governor can remove the government official from office. He called it a “significant erosion of local Home Rule.”

“We all elect you as our local officials, and as such, we put our trust in you, and it’s very difficult for me to vote for anything that’s going to allow someone else to remove a duly-elected public official in our municipality,” Spender said to Windermere Town Council.

Spencer also addressed redistricting, stating he believed the maps were gerrymandered to “protect political opponents rather than to fairly represent the communities that actually live here.”

“Windermere and the residents of this district deserve maps that help keep our communities together and give every voter a meaningful voice, and the constituents of the state are overwhelmingly against gerrymandering maps,” he said.

Spencer also shared a bill was passed that mandates specialized training for law enforcement officers when interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as legislation allowing high school students to volunteer at polling locations to have youth directly engaged in the civic process.

He also discussed legislation regarding e-bikes that he co-sponsored. It would cap e-bike speeds at 10 mph on sidewalks when pedestrians are nearby and require operators to yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, make violations a traffic infraction and create an electric bicycle safety task force that would deliver recommendations to the governor and the Legislature by October.

Spencer said grants were secured for the district, including $784,000 for the Windermere roundabout upgrade at Sixth Avenue as well as $500,000 for the Chase Road and Main Street intersection improvement project.

New AdventHealth ER brings care closer to Ocoee residents

AdventHealth’s first freestanding ER in Ocoee provides faster, life-saving treatment closer to home.

MIA SCHAEPERKOETTER

STAFF INTERN

AdventHealth opened its first freestanding emergency room in Ocoee Monday, June 1, making care in crucial moments more accessible to residents in the growing city.

Located at 7480 W. Colonial Drive, the new facility offers 24-hour service, seven days per week. There are several features designed for comprehensive emergency care, including seven treatment bays to improve patient flow, respiratory therapy services, advanced diagnostic imaging, a fullservice on-site laboratory and an on-site pharmacy.

AdventHealth CEO Aimee KellerPickford said the Ocoee ER directly reflects the community’s needs.

“This emergency room reflects our commitment to listening to and growing alongside this community,” she said. “Our mission calls us to be present for people in their most vulnerable moments, and the AdventHealth Ocoee ER ensures that whole-person care is available close to home when it matters most.”

The ER boasts a clinical team of board-certified emergency physicians and skilled emergency nurses. There is additional support from the network of AdventHealth specialists.

The new ER location stays true to AdventHealth’s mission to treat every patient with extraordinary care.

Kerry Jean, senior manager of nursing at the AdventHealth Ocoee ER, said patients already have praised the service at the location.

“Since opening, the AdventHealth Ocoee Emergency Room has already made a meaningful impact on the West Orange community,” Jean said. “Google reviews highlight themes of compassionate care, efficient service, excellent communication and a welcoming environment.”

ER staff see patients and their families at extremely tense and vital moments in their lives. Jean expressed a string of five-star Google reviews already has ensured that patients are receiving adequate care in the ER’s early days.

“Several reviewers noted the speed and efficiency of care,” Jean said. “There are comments such as being ‘in and out in no time’ and receiving

timely treatment while remaining informed throughout the process.”

Alongside the emphasis on quick and thorough care in their reviews, Jean also has taken pride in the comments on the team’s friendly and comforting demeanor. A dedication to deeply personal care is a keystone of AdventHealth’s mission.

“Other reviews have specifically recognized the staff’s commitment to not only caring for patients but also supporting family members during stressful situations,” Jean said.

“Patients and family members have already described our team as kind, courteous, friendly and attentive.

They’ve been emphasizing the positive interactions they experienced throughout their visit.”

The positive feedback reflects attentive care. Beyond individual interactions, Jean sees the reviews as an early indicator the ER is meeting its goal of delivering high-quality care while creating a welcoming environment for patients and their families during difficult moments.

“These early reviews show that the Ocoee ER is fulfilling its promise of providing exceptional, patient-centered emergency care close to home,” Jean said. “There is a team culture built on compassion, communication, teamwork and clinical excellence.”

AdventHealth’s first ER in Ocoee joins the Winter Garden location in the hospital’s mission to provide critical care close to home. In the most crucial minutes of an emergency, being more than 20 minutes away from the closest ER can be fatal. Dr. Arun Malhotra, emergency medicine medical director at AdventHealth Winter Garden, said the Ocoee ER will expand high-quality emergency care in one of West Orange County’s fast-growing communities.

“The AdventHealth Ocoee ER is more than a new access point for care; it represents faster access to lifesaving treatment for this community,” he said. “Our team is prepared to provide expert emergency care with compassion, urgency and respect for every patient who walks through our doors.”

AdventHealth External Communications Specialist Tiffany Cahill said several factors are considered when deciding on a new ER location, but the top priority is to ensure patients are aware and able to address their emergencies.

Taking into account ease of navigation for patients, navigation for EMS teams and a general alignment within the broader AdventHealth network, Ocoee became the perfect candidate.

Windermere couple rolls with new ice cream franchise

Rolly Polly Cow owners Godfrey and Sandra Fernandes hope to bring joy to the community through a variety of treats.

IF YOU GO

ROLLY POLLY COW

1620 Avalon Road, Unit 140, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 554-1338

HOURS: Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays WEBSITE: rollypollycow. com/winter-garden

MIA SCHAEPERKOETTER STAFF INTERN

Within the striped pastel-pink walls of Winter Garden’s newest rolled ice cream parlor, Rolly Polly Cow, a Windermere couple is turning a Canadian franchise into a Central Florida family destination.

Godfrey and Sandra Fernandes moved to Windermere from New York City 10 years ago. Immediately, Sandra Fernandes felt inspired to start a business.

“When I moved here, I always had a passion to open up some form of business in the restaurant industry,”

Sandra Fernandes said.

She said she had dreams of opening a Spanish restaurant, but while she and her husband continue to work in corporate jobs, a full-service restaurant was risky. Joining the Rolly Polly Cow franchise offered a sweet, whimsical dive into owning a food-service business.

The couple had been considering joining Rolly Polly Cow for six years prior to opening, but it all came down to finding the right location.

cream treat. The shop offers cakes, waffles and crepes, with a specialty in freshly made ice cream rolls. In addition to set menu items, the store allows customers to combine mixins and flavors.

“We wanted to bring something unique, and rolled ice cream was definitely unique,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “It was something that we didn’t find anywhere in Winter Garden.”

Rolly Polly Cow’s ice cream artists spend two to three weeks learning the menu and practicing how to properly create the signature ice cream rolls. The Fernandeses value presentation; each order is crafted in full view of customers behind a glass pane, turning the ice cream-making process into part of the experience.

“The kids see us roll the ice cream and watch, and they’re very amazed; it’s like entertainment for them.” Sandra Fernandes said. “Even adults are sometimes surprised. It’s just nice.”

Beyond the precise presentation, customers can put their own spin on each treat with Rolly Polly Cow’s fully customizable menu.

“We make our own flavors,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “We offer three different bases: vanilla, mango and chocolate. We offer any add-in items. It’s a unique experience for the customer, and they make the ice cream any way they want.”

The Fernandeses were extremely familiar with the Winter Garden community, and when the storefront at 1620 Avalon Road became available, they knew they found the perfect spot.

“We thought it would be beneficial for the customers to be in a family setting, and Winter Garden offers a lot of family activities,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “It has a large, diverse population, so we wanted to be somewhere where we can offer a nice sit-down and ice cream place.”

Rolly Polly Cow has filled a gap in the Winter Garden community for family-centered sweet treats, they said. Godfrey Fernandes said that since opening, customers already have noticed an impact.

“They have already said that they are happy to have an ice cream shop in the neighborhood,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “They said we’ve needed something like this forever and that they were just hoping something like this would come.”

Since the grand opening at the end of February, Rolly Polly Cow has gained a regular customer base — even marking special occasions at the parlor.

The personalized ice cream experience is only one part of the shop’s appeal. The Fernandeses wanted to give customers a reason to hang out after their ice cream has been rolled and served.

“We want to offer a comfortable setting for customers to come enjoy a good treat,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “We want to be more than just an ice cream shop. We offer pastries; we offer waffles and crepes. We also wanted to offer a setting that families can come and enjoy about 30 minutes to an hour of their day.”

The family aspect the Fernandeses envisioned already has taken shape. Rolly Polly Cow has hosted date nights, after-school outings and family gatherings in the shop. Moving forward, the Fernandeses hope to continue highlighting the family aspect.

“We’re in a good place right now,” Sandra Fernandes said. “Now we’re looking to do family fun nights. We’re going to do everything to draw customers in.”

The shop still is settling into its new home, the Fernandeses said. As they gain a name in the community, they hope to remain a place where families and friends can gather and have a good time.

“We have a customer that normally comes with his kid,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “He called me about throwing a party. He wanted to have a party for his daughter’s soccer team, to celebrate the end of the year. It was about 40 of them, and it was just great.”

“The Rolly Polly Cow is here to stay in Winter Garden,” Sandra Fernandes said. “We’re going to expand and continue to bring joy to families.”

Sandra Fernandes was particularly drawn to the franchise’s aesthetics, and customers are encouraged to take photos at the photo-op spot.

Among grab-and-go parlors in Winter Garden, Rolly Polly Cow invites the community to grab a seat and indulge in a unique ice

Photos by Mia Schaeperkoetter

Godfrey and Sandra Fernandes said they wanted to bring something unique to Winter Garden.

Ahome in the Keene’s Pointe community near Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from May 25 to June 1.

The home at 6137 Grosvenor Shore Drive, Windermere, sold May 28, for $7,650,000. Built in 2010, it has six bedrooms, six baths, three half-baths and 9,571 square feet. Days on market: 344. The sellers were represented by Mick Night, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

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

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 9111 Mid Pines Court, Orlando, sold May 29, for $2,275,000. Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,315 square feet. Days on market: 85.

NORTH BAY

The home at 9118 Galleon Court, Orlando, sold May 29, for $770,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,989 square feet. Days on market: Four.

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

The home at 7037 Edgeworth Drive, Orlando, sold May 27, for $760,000. Built in 1986, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,611 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

SAND LAKE COVE

The home at 7824 Fernleaf Drive, Orlando, sold May 27, for $670,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,208 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 10240 Pointview Court, Orlando, sold May 27, for $685,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,382 square feet. Days on market: Four.

TOREY PINES

The home at 5232 Hillview Lane, Orlando, sold May 28, for $1,100,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,041 square feet. Days on market: 11.

The home at 8725 Summerville Place, Orlando, sold May 29, for $880,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,878 square feet. Days on market: 15.

WINDERMERE HEIGHTS

The home at 8133 Oakland Place, Orlando, sold May 27, for $1,475,000. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,901 square feet. Days on market: 32.

HORIZON WEST

AVALON WOODS

The home at 15111 Tea Tree Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $797,398. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,688 square feet. Days on market: 16.

ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 12249 Encore at Ovation Way, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $689,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,346 square feet. Days on market: 123.

HAMLIN MEADOWS

The home at 17091 Haggerty Hollow Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 26, for $644,502. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,515 square feet.

HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16975 Wingspread Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $930,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,557 square feet. Days on market: 43.

HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 15716 Sweet Lemon Way, Winter Garden, sold May 26, for $739,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,945 square feet. Days on market: 91.

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 13263 Strode Lane, Windermere, sold May 28, for $770,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,559 square feet. Days on market: 47.

The home at 14348 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold May 26, for $1,049,990. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,721 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 11211 Hollow Bay Court, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $939,741. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,225 square feet. Days on market: 23.

The home at 11181 Hollow Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $810,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,327 square feet. Days on market: 40.

The home at 18029 Cider Mill Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 26, for $704,990. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet. Days on market: 76.

WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

The home at 7766 Minutemen Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 28, for $1,640,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,716 square feet. Days on market: 263.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 11816 Angle Pond Ave., Windermere, sold May 29, for $830,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,391 square feet. Days on market: 22.

WINDING BAY

The home at 15312 Gilligan Court, Winter Garden, sold May 28, for $1,100,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,652 square feet. Days on market: 82.

The home at 15306 Gilligan Court, Winter Garden, sold May 28, for $925,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,127 square feet. Days on market: Six.

WINDWARD CAY

The home at 3430 Turningwind Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $780,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,358 square feet. Days on market: Five.

The home at 7519 Brofield Ave., Windermere, sold May 27, for $753,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,628 square feet. Days on market: Four.

LEGADO

The home at 9164 Patrimonio Loop, Windermere, sold May 28, for $767,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,449 square feet. Days on market: Six.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 11659 Acosta Ave., Orlando, sold May 26, for $887,000. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,298 square feet. Days on market: Four.

NORTHLAKE AT OVATION

The home at 12956 Eureka Lemon Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $1,054,993. Built in 2026, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,672 square feet.

The home at 17006 Seville Orange Road, Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $649,000. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,224 square feet. Days on market: 34.

OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN

The home at 5340 Bowman Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $2,050,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,749 square feet. Days on market: 17.

The home at 5637 Tiger Way, Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $760,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,917 square feet.

PALMS AT WINDERMERE

The home at 14250 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold May 27, for $1,187,865. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,100 square feet.

The home at 14354 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold May 27, for $1,100,000. Built in 2025, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,542 square feet. Days on market: 108.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 5104 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold May 31, for $5,000,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 9,636 square feet.

The villa at 6113 Payne Stewart Drive, Windermere, sold May 27, for $4,287,500. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,983 square feet. Days on market: 30.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 1412 Glenheather Drive, Windermere, sold May 28, for $831,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,903 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WATERSTONE

The home at 11418 Waterstone Loop Drive, Windermere, sold May 29, for $2,849,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 5,501 square feet of living area.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE PROVENCE AT LAKE SHEEN

The home at 10319 Lavande Drive, Orlando, sold May 27, for $930,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,068 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14.

WINTER GARDEN

BAY ISLE

The home at 14039 Hampshire Bay Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 28, for $780,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,801 square feet. Days on market: 401.

BRONSON’S LANDING

The home at 2217 Rickover Place, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $1,039,000. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,324 square feet. Days on market: 47.

CANOPY OAKS

OAKLAND

WINTERS LANDING

The home at 8 Winters Landing Drive, Oakland, sold May 27, for $850,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,850 square feet of living area. Days on market: 44.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 1709 Southern Red Oak Court, Ocoee, sold May 27, for $662,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,665 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

WYNWOOD

The home at 2085 Ashwood Bluff Drive, Ocoee, sold May 29, for $677,990. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,787 square feet. Days on market: 48.

WEST ORANGE

GLENMUIR

The home at 10915 Ledgement Lane, Windermere, sold May 27, for $1,010,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,818 square feet. Days on market: 113.

WINDERMERE

BUTLER BAY

The home at 3130 Butler Bay Drive N., Windermere, sold May 29, for $1,650,000. Built in 1985, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,490 square feet. Days on market: 19.

The home at 671 Canopy Estates Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 1, for $1,295,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,490 square feet. Days on market: 39.

LAKE COVE POINTE

The home at 615 Lake Cove Pointe Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $842,500. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,465 square feet. Days on market: 13.

ROPER RESERVE

The home at 1751 Highbanks Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 26, for $700,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,037 square feet. Days on market: 50.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 15543 Pebble Ridge St., Winter Garden, sold May 27, for $635,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,359 square feet. Days on market: 455.

WESTFIELD LAKES

The home at 12463 Westfield Lakes Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 28, for $935,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,021 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The home at 264 Blue Stone Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $727,500. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,538 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

modern Mediterranean estate sits on the shores of Lake Tibet. The sellers were represented by Night-Pinel and Kim Tessitore, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1

BEGIN AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS DEFINED IN TITLE II, CHAPTER 7 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, SAID CORNER BEING THE INTERSECTION OF THE RANGE LINE DIVIDING RANGES 26 EAST AND 27 EAST WITH THE TOWNSHIP LINE DIVIDING TOWNSHIPS 24 SOUTH AND 25 SOUTH; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID RANGE LINE DIVIDING RANGES 26 EAST AND 27 EAST AND ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY, AS DEFINED IN TITLE II, CHAPTER 7 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE WATERS OF LAKE APOPKA; THENCE CONTINUING ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY RUN NORTHERLY ACROSS THE WATERS OF LAKE APOPKA TO A POINT ON THE WEST SHORE OF SAID LAKE APOPKA; THENCE LEAVING AFOREMENTIONED RANGE LINE BUT CONTINUING ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY, RUN NORTHEASTERLY, NORTHERLY AND NORTHWESTERLY ALONG THE WEST SHORE OF SAID LAKE APOPKA TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE RANGE LINE DIVIDING RANGES 26 EAST AND 27 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID RANGE LINES AND WEST BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE NORTH LINE OF THE SOUTH ¾ OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 27 EAST; THENCE LEAVING SAID RANGE LINE AND WEST BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY RUN EASTERLY ACROSS THE WATERS OF LAKE APOPKA ALONG SAID PROJECTION AND NORTH

LINE OF THE SOUTH ¾ OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 27 EAST TO THE WEST LINE OF TRACT

AA, WESTYN BAY PHASE 1, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 54, PAGES 29-36 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF TRACT AA TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF TRACT AA; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE WATERS OF LAKE APOPKA TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH 2/3 OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 27 EAST; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE NORTH 2/3 OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 1; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE WEST

NORTH LINE OF TRACT A TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID TRACT A; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID PARK AT 429 TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF ADDRESS 901 EAST CROWN POINT ROAD, AS RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NUMBER 20180473506, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID PARCEL ADDRESS 901 EAST CROWN POINT ROAD AND WESTERLY PROJECTION TO THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST CROWN POINT ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST CROWN POINT ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST PLANT STREET; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST PLANT STREET TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF SECTION 18 AND THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 429; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 429 TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE SAID WEST LINE OF SAID NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 31 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WINDERMERE ROAD AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROBERSON ROAD; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROBERSON ROAD TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF LOT 58, BELMERE VILLAGE G2, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 48, PAGES 65-69, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION AND THE EAST LINE OF SAID BELMERE VILLAGE G2 TO A POINT ON THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF VIA ANDIAMO (PRIVATE RIGHT-OFWAY) FROM A SOUTHWESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF LOT 77, BELMERE VILLAGE G2 TO SAID CENTERLINE; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF SAID VIA ANDIAMO TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF MAGUIRE ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SAID MAGUIRE ROAD TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHWESTERLY EXTENSION OF TRACT J, WINDSOR LANDING PHASE 1, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 46, PAGES 26-28, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY PROJECTION ALONG THE WEST AND SOUTH LINES OF SAID TRACT J TO A EASTERLY PROJECTION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF TRACT J TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF PARK RIDGE GOTHA ROAD; THENCE RUN NORTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF PARK RIDGE GOTHA ROAD TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SECTION 5 TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ AND NORTHWEST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST TO THE NORTH ¼ CORNER OF

SAID SECTION 32; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 32 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE; THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF STATE ROAD 408; THENCE RUN NORTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 408 TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF FOR WOODLAWN CEMETERY ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF WOODLAWN CEMETERY ROAD TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF WILKENING FARM ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY AND EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF WILKENING FARM ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH APOPKA VINELAND ROAD;

THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF SOUTH APOPKA VINELAND ROAD TO THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE;

THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST AND THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, AND THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE WEST LINE OF LOT 12, CONROY CLUB, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 47, PAGES 86-88, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SECTION 11, WEST LINE OF SECTION 12, AND SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF WEST LINE OF LOT 12, TO A POINT ON THE SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OFWAY OF AFORESAID FLORIDA TURNPIKE AND A POINT ON THE NORTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CONROY CLUB DRIVE (PRIVATE RIGHT-OF-WAY) OF SAID PLAT OF CONROY CLUB; THENCE RUN NORTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, AND ALONG THE NORTHERLY, WESTERLY AND SOUTHERLY LINES OF SAID PLAT OF CONROY CLUB TO AN INTERSECTION WITH AFORESAID EAST LINE OF SECTION 11, WEST LINE OF SECTION 12, SAID WESTERLY LINE OF PLAT OF CONROY CLUB AND THE EASTERLY LINE OF WOODLANDS VILLAGE, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGE 141, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SECTION 11, WEST LINE OF SECTION 12, WESTERLY LINE OF PLAT OF CONROY CLUB AND EAST LINE OF WOODLANDS VILLAGE, TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF CONROY ROAD AND TURKEY LAKE ROAD, ALSO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 11, AND THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 12; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF TURKEY LAKE ROAD TO THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WEST SAND LAKE ROAD; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WEST SAND LAKE ROAD TO THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF INTERSTATE 4 (ALSO KNOWN AS STATE ROAD 400);

SOUTH BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS DESCRIBED IN FLORIDA STATUTE TITLE II, CHAPTER 7, SAID INTERSECTION ALSO BEING A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY ALSO BEING THE TOWNSHIP LINE DIVIDING TOWNSHIPS 24 SOUTH AND 25 SOUTH TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2

BEGIN AT THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH APOPKA VINELAND ROAD WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF DRESSAGE DRIVE; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH APOPKA VINELAND ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF LAKE STANLEY ROAD; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF LAKE STANLEY ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SILVER STAR ROAD; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SILVER STAR ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF GOOD HOMES ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF GOOD HOMES ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROSE LAKE SHORE LANE; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROSE LAKE SHORE LANE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE RUN NORTHWESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 408; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 408 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE; THENCE RUN NORTHWESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE TO THE NORTH LINE OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN WEST ALONG SAID NORTH LINE TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF CROSS CREEK OF OCOEE, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 33, PAGES 30-31, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE NORTH ¼ CORNER OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ AND SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 32 TO THE NORTH ¼ CORNER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SAID SECTION 5 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF PARK RIDGE GOTHA ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF PARK RIDGE GOTHA ROAD TO A POINT ON THE EASTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF TRACT J, WINDSOR LANDING PHASE 1, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 46, PAGES 26-28, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY PROJECTION AND

SOUTHERLY AND WESTERLY LINES OF SAID TRACT J AND THE NORTHWESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE WEST LINE OF TRACT J TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF MAGUIRE ROAD (STATE ROAD 439); THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF MAGUIRE ROAD (STATE ROAD 439) TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF VIA ANDIAMO (PRIVATE RIGHT-OF-WAY); THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF VIA ANDIAMO TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE PROJECTION OF LOT 77, BELMORE VILLAGE G2, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 48, PAGE 65-67, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID PROJECTION OF LOT 77 AND THE EAST LINE OF SAID BELMORE VILLAGE G2 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF ROBERSON ROAD; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF ROBERSON ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WINDERMERE ROAD ALSO BEING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 31 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 429; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 429 TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 19 AND WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST PLANT STREET; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST PLANT STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF EAST CROWN POINT ROAD; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EAST CROWN POINT ROAD TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH LINE OF ADDRESS 901 EAST CROWN POINT, AS RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NUMBER 20180473506, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN EAST ALONG THE WESTERLY PROJEC-

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026

TION WITH THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE WESTERLY LINE OF LOTS 1-5, BLOCK F, REPLAT OLYMPIA HEIGHTS, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK N, PAGE 65, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION AND SAID WESTERLY LINE OF LOTS 1-5, BLOCK F, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OGLESBY AVENUE AND SOUTHERLY PROJECTION OF SAID WESTERLY LINE OF LOTS 1-5, BLOCK F; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OGLESBY AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF AFOREMENTIONED CLAY STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CLAY STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF MINNESOTA AVENUE; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, AND SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF MINNESOTA AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF HAROLD AVENUE; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF HAROLD AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF LOT 26, BLOCK B, LAWNDALE ANNEX, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK J, PAGE 50, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID WESTERLY PROJECTION AND SAID SOUTH LINE OF LOT 26, BLOCK B, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY LINE OF DORIS PARK, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK S, PAGE 116, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF DORIS PARK, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF LOT 10, BLOCK A, OF SAID DORIS PARK; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF LOT 10, BLOCK A, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY PROJECTION OF SAID SOUTHERLY LINE AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF JACKSON AVENUE; THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF JACKSON AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE COMMON LOT LINE LYING BETWEEN ADDRESS 750 JACKSON AVENUE (CONDOMINIUM), AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK 9189, PAGE 2481, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ADDRESS 874 JACKSON AVENUE, AS RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NUMBER 20250411376, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF SAID COMMON LOT LINE BETWEEN 750 JACKSON AVENUE AND 874 JACKSON AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ARAGON AVENUE; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF LINE OF ARAGON AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NICOLET AVENUE; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NICOLET AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED SOUTH LINE OF NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST AND AFOREMENTIONED CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF MINNESOTA AVENUE; THENCE RUN EAST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF NORTHWEST ¼ AND SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF MINNESOTA AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EASTERLY LINE OF LAWNDALE, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK H, PAGES 118-119, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION AND SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LAWNDALE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY PROJECTION OF SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LAWNDALE AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF INDIANA AVENUE; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF INDIANA AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11, BLOCK M, SAID LAWNDALE; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION AND SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11, BLOCK M, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 11, BLOCK M; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE LOT 11, BLOCK M AND ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF LOT 10, BLOCK M, SAID LAWNDALE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 16, BLOCK M, SAID LAWNDALE; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 16, BLOCK M, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY PROJECTION OF SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 16, BLOCK M AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF HARMON AVENUE; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF HARMON AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CLAY STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CLAY STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY PROJECTION OF THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LOT 3, BLOCK A, THE PINES, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK H, PAGE 14, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY PROJECTION AND NORTHERLY LINE LOT 3, BLOCK A, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 3, BLOCK A, ALSO THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 5, BLOCK A, SAID THE PINES; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY AND WESTERLY LOT LINES TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY PROJECTION OF SAID LOT LINES AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF JEWELL AVENUE; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID CEN-

TERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF JEWELL AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE AFORESAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CLAY STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CLAY STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF CLAY AVENUE, ALSO THE NORTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF CLAY AVENUE THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH ORANGE AVENUE; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH ORANGE AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH MAGNOLIA AVENUE, ALSO EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH MAGNOLIA AVENUE AND SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SOUTHEAST ¼ AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF COLONIAL DRIVE (STATE ROAD 50); THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST ¼, AND SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF COLONIAL DRIVE (STATE ROAD 50) TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH PINE HILLS ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY AND EASTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NORTH PINE HILLS ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, RANGE LINE DIVIDING RANGES 29 EAST AND 28 EAST, AND NORTHERLY PROJECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF ADDRESS 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD, AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK 6567, PAGE 4053, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼, SAID RANGE LINES, AND SAID NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTH ALONG SAID RANGE LINES, SAID EAST LINE OF 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD, AND AFORESAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTH ALONG SAID RANGE LINES, SAID EAST LINE OF 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD, AND EAST LINE OF SAID NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID 5800 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 13, LAKE HILL GROVES, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK J, PAGE 103, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF LOTS 8-13, SAID LAKE HILL GROVES, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 8, AND THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 4, BLOCK O, LAKE HILL, PLAT BOOK M, PAGE 9, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 8 AND EAST LINE OF ADDRESS 5828 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD, AS RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NUMBER 20230703875, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID 5828 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD AND AFORESAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID 5828 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD AND SAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID 5828 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD AND NORTHEAST CORNER OF ADDRESS 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET, LAKE HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID 5828 OLD WINTER GARDEN ROAD AND THE EAST LINE OF SAID 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH AFORESAID EAST LINE OF 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF SAID SOUTH LINE OF 301 SOUTH HUDSON STREET AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH HUDSON STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH

HUDSON STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF THE NORTH LINE OF LOT 1, BLOCK K, OF AFORESAID LAKE HILL; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG SAID WESTERLY PROJECTION AND SAID NORTH LINE OF LOT 1, BLOCK K TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOTS 1-3, OF SAID BLOCK K, LAKE HILL; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY LINE OF LOTS 1-3, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 3; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF LOT 3 AND WESTERLY PROJEC-

TION THEREOF TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE AFORESAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH HUDSON STREET; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH HUDSON STREET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF DETROIT AVENUE; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF DETROIT AVENUE TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11, BLOCK E, OF AFORESAID LAKE HILL; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY PROJECTION AND EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11, BLOCK E, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID LOT 11, BLOCK E; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LOTS 11-16, OF SAID BLOCK E, LAKE HILL TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼, OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH ¼, OF SAID SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST AND NORTHERLY LINE OF FOUNTAINS AT METRO WEST CONDOMINIUM, AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK 8594, PAGE 3449, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH ¼, OF SECTION 36, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH HIAWASSEE ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH HIAWASSEE ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY PROJECTION OF THE NORTHERLY LINE OF TRACT 16, METROWEST UNIT TWO, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 20, PAGES 142-145, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY PROJECTION OF THE NORTHERLY LINE OF TRACT 16, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID TRACT 16, AND WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE AFORESAID SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LOT 7, FAIRWAY COVE, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 21, PAGES 59-61, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN WESTERLY AND SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE NORTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID FAIRWAY COVE, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST ½, OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼, OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 22 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST AND WEST LINE OF SAID FAIRWAY COVE; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE EAST ½, AND SAID WEST LINE OF FAIRWAY COVE, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID EAST ½, OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼, OF SECTION 35; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG THE WEST LINE, OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHWESTERLY CORNER OF SAID FAIRWAY COVE, AND THE NORTHERLY LINE OF TRACT 19, OF THE AFOREMENTIONED METROWEST UNIT TWO; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF TRACT 19, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHEASTERLY CORNER OF HAWKSNEST, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 21, PAGES 138-139, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY AND WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID HAWKSNEST, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, OF NORTHWEST ¼, OF AFORESAID SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST, AND WEST LINE OF SAID HAWKSNEST; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE WESTERLY PROJECTION OF SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF HAWKSNEST TO THE INTERSECTION WITH CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EDGEWOOD RANCH ROAD; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF EDGEWOOD RANCH ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, OF SAID SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, AND SOUTH LINE OF ADDRESS 7990 STEER LAKE ROAD, FLORIDA GAS AND TRANSMISSION COMPANY, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF METROWEST TRACT 23, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 20, PAGE30, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND WEST LINE OF SAID NORTHWEST ¼, OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST; THENCE RUN NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SAID METROWEST TRACT 23, AND SAID WEST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY PROJECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF METROWEST TRACT 23 AND CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STEER LAKE ROAD, AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 8

BEGIN AT THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT OF WAY OF SOUTH JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY (STATE ROAD 423)WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT OF WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA PARKWAY; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA PARKWAY TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROCKET BOULEVARD; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF ROCKET BOULEVARD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS TO THE POINT

OF CURVATURE OF THE CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS; THENCE CONTINUE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE ARC OF THE CURVE TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS AND ALSO BEING THE EAST LINE OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH, PAGE 29

EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SAID SECTION 11 AND THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHTOF-WAY OF CSX SPUR RAILROAD TRACKS TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 11 AND THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH RANGE 29 EAST AND NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST; THENCE RUN EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 13, AND SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH, RANGE 30 EAST TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 24 SOUTH, RANGE 30

EAST; THENCE RUN SOUTH ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OUC RAILROAD TRACKS; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF OUC RAILROAD TRACKS TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF OIA (ALSO KNOWN AS ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) BYPASS CANAL, AS DESCRIBED IN OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK 3762, PAGE 2733 AND OFFICIAL RECORD BOOK 3762, PAGE 2737, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY AND EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF OIA BYPASS CANAL TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF JEFF FUQUA BOULEVARD; THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF JEFF FUQUA BOULEVARD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE TO HEINTZELMAN BOULEVARD; THENCE RUN EASTERLY AND NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF HEINTZELMAN BOULEVARD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF WAY OF STATE ROAD 528 (ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEACHLINE EXPRESSWAY); THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 528 (ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEACHLINE EXPRESSWAY) TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE THREAD OF THE ECONLOCKHATCHEE RIVER; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE THREAD OF SAID ECONLOCKHATCHEE RIVER TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTH LINE OF TOWNSHIP 25 SOUTH, RANGE 34 EAST; THENCE RUN WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID TOWNSHIP 25 SOUTH (ALSO BEING THE SOUTHERLY BOUNDARY OF ORANGE COUNTY AS DESCRIBED IN SAID FLORIDA STATUTES TITLE II, CHAPTER 7) TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF INTERSTATE 4 (ALSO KNOWN AS STATE ROAD 400); THENCE RUN NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF INTERSTATE 4 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF STATE ROAD 528 (ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEACHLINE EXPRESSWAY); THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF STATE ROAD 528 TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY; THENCE RUN SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF RIGHT-OFWAY OF SOUTH JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

Anyone in doubt as to which County Commission District they reside in may either contact the office of the Supervisor of Elections at (407) 836-2070, or visit the County’s redistricting website at https://www.ocfl.net/OpenGovernment/ Redistricting2025.aspx.

STATE OF FLORIDA §:

COUNTY OF ORANGE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the “Description of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners District Boundaries” prepared by the Orange County Data Center/GIS Department and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at their regular meeting held October 14, 2025, which is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby set my hand and official seal of the Board of County Commissioners this 12th day of June 2026.

PHIL DIAMOND, COUNTY COMPTROLLER AS CLERK OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

BY:__________________________

DEPUTY CLERK

Published: June 18 and 25, 2026

Certify: Description of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners District Boundaries adopted October 14, 2025

SPORTS

HIGH 5

1The Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors officially have instated a criteria for the new Open Division, which will begin in the 2026-27 school year.

The board unanimously approved moving the top eight ranked teams into a separate Open Division postseason bracket. The participating sports include football; boys and girls basketball; girls volleyball; baseball; softball; boys and girls soccer; lacrosse; and girls flag football.

MaxPreps rankings will be used to determine the top eight teams, rather than following the FHSAA’s rankings, which can be impacted by human element.

The eight teams will be divided into two brackets with two pools. Pool A will include seeds 1, 4, 5 and 8, while Pool B will includes seeds 2, 3, 6 and 7. All quarterfinal games will be hosted at the lower seeds. The Open Division’s state championship will take place in Miami.

2Olympia High’s coaching staff has expanded with two new hires.

Josiah Walker will be stepping in as the head coach of the freshman boys basketball team and an assistant coach on the varsity boys team. Walker graduated from Dr. Phillips High in 2025, where he played as a point guard on the varsity team.

The Titans also announced Frank Fountain will be joining the family as the new coach for cross country and track and field.

“Coach Fountain brings energy, experience and a dedication to helping athletes reach their full potential,” Olympia officials wrote on social media. “We look forward to the leadership and enthusiasm he will bring to our cross country and track and field programs.”

Lake Buena Vista High is continuing its search for eight new athletics coaches for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Vipers are hiring two head coaches — boys and girls golf, and swimming and diving. The school also is looking for assistant coaches in football, girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys lacrosse and track and field. There are potential teaching positions open with the coaching roles. For more information contact Athletic Director Lauren Bradley at 62674@ocps.net.

The summer youth cheer camp at Horizon High is back by popular demand from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17. The two-day camp is led by Horizon High’s cheer team. It includes dance, cheer, games and routines. It is open to ages 4 through 14 years old. The camp is $150 per athlete and will include a lunch both days and a t-shirt for the final day of performances. Register at ocps. schoolcashonline.com.

Windermere Little League’s 10U to 12U softball team won the District 14 Little League Softball All Star Tournament over Dr. Phillips Little League Tuesday, June 9. WLL won game one of the series 12-1 before clinching the district title. The district tournament was hosted by DPLL and included three days of competition, playing the best two out of three games. With the win, Windermere Little League advanced to sectionals.

Little League’s 10-12U AllStar

HOPE IN EVERY INNING

Winter Garden Little League coach Ryan Ledford has spent his whole life in the community as a player and now a coach. After a diagnosis of a rare blood cancer, the community is returning its support to him.

Meet the new coaches for the W.G. Squeeze

First-year coaches Steven Crabtree and Dewon Brazelton have combined their coaching and playing experience to craft the collegiate players.

Coverage sponsored by:

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Every summer, the Winter Garden Squeeze welcomes a new roster, but this season also brought a new coaching staff.

Head coach Steven Crabtree and assistant/pitching coach Dewon Brazelton stepped into their purple and orange gear to guide the collegiate players.

Although they came to the Squeeze from different worlds — Crabtree with his background in collegiate coaching and recruitment, and Brazelton as a MLB first-round pick and Team USA athlete — the combination of their unique perspectives has become the foundation of the team’s summer campaign.

COLLEGE PROSPECT TO MLB

Before Brazelton was helping Squeeze pitchers in summer baseball, he was one of the country’s best young arms. He grew up in Tullahoma, Tennessee, surrounded by athletes and constantly walking around with a ball in hand.

He was a star player for Tullahoma High School before earning a full scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University.

For generations of families in Winter Garden, baseball and Little League always have been more than just a game. It’s been a gathering place to form lifelong friendships.

Winter Garden Little League coach

Ryan Ledford is one of those who understands that deeply.

Being born and raised in Winter Garden, Ledford played baseball for West Orange High and WGLL. That’s where he and his wife, Jessica Ledford, first met. They’ve been together since they were 15 years old — spending more of their lives together than apart.

They know everything about each other.

And that’s why, when Ryan Ledford was experiencing nine days of severe headaches, Jessica Ledford knew something was off. They went to the emergency room but left still looking for answers.

It wasn’t until 10 days later that Ryan Ledford developed abdominal pain. Jessica Ledford took him to her ultrasound studio, Sweet Peeks Imaging, and performed a scan.

She found a blood clot in his liver.

“As both a wife and a sonographer, it was one of the most overwhelming moments of my life,” Jessica Ledford said. “I instantly knew we had found something significant. Looking back, I truly believe God was guiding us every step of the way. The headaches led us to seek help. The abdominal pain pushed us to keep searching for answers. Those symptoms ultimately led us to the testing that uncovered the underlying disease.”

At 37 years old, Ryan Ledford was diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasms, a rare form of blood

In college, Brazelton quickly found himself as one of the nation’s top pitchers. After his freshman season, he was invited to play in the Cape Cod League, similar to the Squeeze’s summer baseball league. Then a year later, he earned a spot on Team USA.

“When I was at MTSU, I was doing really (well), but I just thought I was doing (well) for somebody local,” he said. “I didn’t realize what I was doing and how good it was, but once I got inducted into the (MTSU) Hall of Fame (2013), I was able to look back upon the time and feel better about myself after other people recognized it.”

Brazelton saw his hard work in training pay off in 2001, when he was chosen as the third overall pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the MLB draft. He enjoyed a five-year career in the major leagues, traveling and being paid to play the game he loved.

But the most significant result of his professional career was the foundation it laid for his current role as a pitching coach for his academy Dewon Brazelton Pitching Academy in Winter Garden.

It started with one player asking Brazelton to help him, then another and another — until he had 15 kids pitching in a park. Today, more than 100 players train at the academy.

“I really feel like I was born to do this,” he said. “I think playing in the big leagues is a big part of it. I played there, and that gave me instant credibility with the kids. And so now I’m able to talk to them and teach them how to do certain things, and I mentor them about their grades, about every aspect of life.”

For his Squeeze partner, Crabtree, teaching and developing players is what made him realize his desire to be a coach.

CAREER IN COACHING

In high school, Crabtree loved the camaraderie with players and the relationships built over time. He

Windermere

pitcher Ellie Leneis looks towards her second state championship. Page 2B.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Courtesy photo

Ryan Ledford, back, and his family have asked for community support as they navigate his life-changing diagnosis.

Ellie Leneis

After helping Windermere Little League’s 8-10U softball team win the State Championship in 2024, pitcher Ellie Leneis has returned two years later with another productive year. The now-12-year-old has been playing softball since she was 6 and, once again, has made WLL’s 10-12U All Star team.

This past spring season, Leneis has played 14 games. She has pitched 39 innings with 91 strikeouts. She also has recorded a .519 batting average.

Her All-Star’s team was marked with success by defeating Dr. Phillips Little League softball team in the District 14 Little League Softball All Star Tournament Tuesday, June 9, and claiming the district title. The team now advances to sectionals, and Leneis will continue to work hard and push herself everyday as the team continues its voyage for a state title.

“Ellie is a natural competitor,” Leneis’ coach Andre Visser said.

“She loves to compete, pitching with purpose and confidence, and swings the bat with power. No matter the situation, she’s always ready to rise to the challenge.”

What do you enjoy most about softball?

I enjoy working hard and having fun with my teammates.

When did you start softball, and why did you join?

I started softball at 4 years old with T-ball. Then, I started real softball at 6 years old. I started to play — partially because my dad wanted me to — and when I started, I realized how fun it was.

What is your best memory in softball?

One of my best memories in softball is when my Little League All-Star team won state 8-10U championships in 2024.

What has softball taught you? Softball has taught me to work hard, work together and be competitive.

What advice would you give someone who just joined softball?

Work hard and never give up — even though it is hard.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team? Work on speed, mechanics and strength. Those things will get you through the game and have fun.

What is your pre-game ritual?

Warm up in your mind. During warms-ups, think of what you are doing and what you can do better in the game.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? I would pick swimming, because I used to swim, and I thought it was fun.

Who do you look up to the most? I look up to my sister, Anna. She works so, so hard for her swimming, and she is one of the best swimmers.

What is something new you’d like to learn?

I would like to learn to surf. If we do not play in the Little League World Series this summer, I am going to surf camp in Los Angeles with my cousins.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? I would live in Los Angeles,

What is your favorite birthday or holiday memory?

Going to my grandparents’ beach house with my best friend,

What do you want to be when you grow up? Marine biologist.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?

I would choose a cheetah because they are fast.

Why did you pick your jersey number?

My dad attended high school with Kobe Bryant, so my number 24 (is for him). My birthday is also May 24!

Experienced coach, MLB pitcher step in to lead Squeeze

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

could see how big of a role coaches had on players’ development —not only as a athlete but also a person — and knew he wanted to hold that role one day.

“There’s a greater purpose to it,” he said. “You’re using these lessons that you’re using in coaching a game to hopefully translate that to life and how you’re going to come through adversity when things happen in your everyday life.”

Crabtree’s baseball journey as a player ended in his freshman fall semester of college. He had to chose between working full-time or playing. He decided to take a job — even though his love for baseball hadn’t faltered.

After five-and-one-half years away from the sport, besides men’s leagues across Orlando, Crabtree made his return to the field in 2006 by assisting with Olympia High’s JV team.

“It felt great to get back into it,” he said. “I had to walk away from playing it, and it helped me to really dive in and do everything I could to help with players and help them understand you never know when the last practice or the last game is going to happen so don’t take each day for granted.”

The step launched his coaching career.

Crabtree worked at many levels of baseball, including stops at Nyack College, Rollins College, Weber International and Florida Southern College. He even coached two years in the Florida Collegiate League in 2013 and 2014 as an assistant on

Community rallies around Ledford

cancer that affects the body’s production of blood cells and requires lifelong treatment and monitoring.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis shocked his family — especially with how active Ryan Ledford has stayed his whole life.

Heather Fraga, Jessica Ledford’s cousin and member of WGLL board of directors, said the cancer essentially is a “sleeper cell.” Anyone can be born with it and never know they have it.

Unless — or until — it awakens.

Unlike some cancers that can be treated through surgery, MPNs must be managed over time. Ryan Ledford will have to have constant blood work, specialist appointments and medication designed to control the cancer and reduce the likelihood of complications. He has begun immunotherapy treatment, rather than traditional chemotherapy, to slow the progression of the disease and give him the best opportunity to live a near-normal lifespan.

Further testing he’s at elevated risk for blood clots. He has been placed on blood thinners, which has created risks for activities that were previously routine.

“From the outside, Ryan may not appear sick,” Jessica Ledford said. “He is still coaching, still involved with his family and still showing up for the kids he loves to mentor. Maintaining that sense of normalcy is one of our greatest goals. Staying active, involved and engaged in the

community has become an important part of this journey.”

Now, it’s about learning how to stay involved while making adjustments such as wearing protective screening when he was at batting practice for WGLL’s 12U All-Star team.

Everything, the medications and adjustments, is preventive and will be ongoing. The blood cancer doesn’t come with a clear future or road map or expectations on a timeline that the disease will spread.

And while the diagnosis requires many adjustments for the future, the response from the community has revealed just how many lives Ryan Ledford has impacted in his involvement with Winter Garden’s youth sports for nearly a decade.

A COMMUNITY COACH

After Ryan Ledford finished his playing career at West Orange and entered his adult life, he has coached Winter Garden recreational soccer, Rise/Under Armour Flag Football League and a coach, manager and All-Star manager for WGLL.

Fraga said within the first two weeks of Ryan Ledford coaching a new team, he already knows each kid’s strengths and weaknesses, which is why he puts together a phenomenal team. When the board got together to decide who the All-Star Managers would be, they unanimously decided: Ryan Ledford.

“He’s phenomenal,” Fraga said.

“He has great rapport with the kids, and he knows everyone. And it’s not one of those, ‘I know you, because I want to exploit that relationship.’

It’s, ‘I know you, because I see you as a player, I see you as an individual, and I’m going to make you feel included and special and important.’ And he just gets the best out of every single player on his team.

It’s phenomenal to watch.”

Before Ryan Ledford was a coach, Fraga knew him as an All-Star player. She has known him her whole life and before she became a boy mom she used to tease the Ledford family for always being at the ball field with their two boys. Now, Fraga understands. Watching Ryan Ledford from the front row find his calling as a coach and create an atmosphere that allows the kids to thrive together on the field has been “crazy to watch,” she said.

Evan Glass said playing for Ryan Ledford in 2025 was his best season playing for WGLL. Glass remembered hitting the first home run for the team of the season and Ryan Ledford started screaming with joy, while Glass’ teammates ran out from the dugout in cheers. That season Ryan Ledford gave encour-

agement to everyone and it was a big part of why the 12U team went from strangers to close friends.

“We’re all like a big family in the Little League,” Glass said. “If someone does another thing, you know, we all like to show support to everybody, even coaches and family and friends.”

The family extends past the players and even to the umpires. West Orange High Class of 2025 alumnus Wrigley Bates began umpiring for Ryan Ledford’s games three years ago.

Bates realized how phenomenal of a coach Ryan Ledford was when he was umpiring one of his team’s playoff games.

“He had every single one of the kids just engaged and wanting to play, and they ended up they ended up winning the whole thing,” Bates said. “You can just tell just by the smiles on their faces … that they’re out there having fun, and it all starts with coaching. And Ryan is at the top of the list of coaches that I’ve umpired before.”

His phenomenal coaching ability starts at the fulfillment coaching brings him, Jessica Ledford said. Ryan Ledford feels these years are the best of his life. He knows they go by quickly, and being able to be on the field with their two sons and other children, watching their confidence grow and overcome challenges, has meant the world to him.

That same community’s support has meant the world to them after they made the news of his diagnosis public to the community.

“In difficult moments, people often say it takes a village,” Jessica Ledford said. “We can honestly say we’ve experienced that firsthand. The support we’ve received has lifted us on days when the weight felt impossible to carry. It has reminded us that we are not walking this road alone.”

The baseball community always has followed Ryan Ledford, and now, the Ledfords are asking for help from that same community as they take on the new life filled with treatments and medical bills, while focusing on what matters most — watching their young boys grow within the same area that shaped him.

“This is what Winter Garden Little League is about,” Bates said. “This is what Winter Garden as a whole is about: Coming together for somebody that has put so much time and effort into making the community better, making the Little League better and putting so much time and effort into making sure these kids have fun. … We’re giving back to what he’s given Winter Garden.”

Orlando Freedom and College Park Freedom.

The eight years at Florida Southern as a recruiting coordinator and associate head coach for two of the years under Lance Niekra taught Crabtree his biggest lesson to play-

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

Former MLB pitcher Dewon Brazelton and current Trinity Prep coach Steven Crabtree have found the perfect balance as first-time Winter Garden Squeeze coaches.

Young NBA fans were the biggest winners this year

What a stressful weekend for anyone watching the NBA Finals.

Once the matchup was set between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks for the NBA Championship, it was bound to be historic.

Just look at their track history. The last time these two teams met in the finals was 1999, when the Spurs won, 4-1. San Antonio was led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson the claim the team’s first title.

It also was the last time the Knicks made the finals.

Since then, the teams have had their ups and downs. The Spurs enjoyed the most of ups, with their most recent NBA title in 2014 and, of course, one of the biggest names to rock the NBA in recent years on their roster — Victor Wembanyama. He’s basically a cheat code to have on the court. But they also only got Wemby, the No. 1 draft pick in 2023, after back-to-back 22-60 seasons.

Although the Knicks have produced more .500 seasons in recent years, they’ve been consistently mid (I’m a Detroit fan, so I understand the pain). Good enough to be competing, but not good enough to finish. Until now.

ers:

“Don’t change who you are.”

“Being you is going to be who makes you the most confident and feel the best,” he said. “I don’t want to change too much of who I am, and I don’t want them to change too much of who they are, because again, that’s when we’re all going to be at our best.”

It’s exactly what he’s emphasizing to this summer’s Squeeze roster.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege, and this is an experience that I obviously have wanted for a very long time,” Crabtree said. “I took over Trinity Prep in January this year as a head coach, so this is my second, third-ish experience with running

For the city that never sleeps, their hearts were reignited for the first time since 1973 — the Knicks last Final win — and they finally got their revenge. New York claimed the 2026 NBA Championship 4-1 over San Antonio.

Most of us could say we thought the Spurs had game four in the bag. Honestly if it weren’t an NBA Finals game, the Spurs’ halftime lead of 27 points — the largest in NBA history — could have been enough to just turn off the TV. They took a 3-point lead 90 seconds into the game and maintained that, translating it into doublefigures and putting New York down by 29 points at one point. It seemed like a lost cause.

San Antonio put up 76 first-half points but only 30 after halftime, while Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby absolutely lit up Madison

the thing, and it’s been phenomenal. Those people (who) believe in you and trust you: Those are the ones (who) always hold an extremely special place in my heart, and I’m forever grateful.”

SQUEEZING IN Finding their way to the Squeeze this summer all became possible through General Manager Adam Bates. Crabtree met Bates years ago through the baseball community in Florida, and the job offer instantly piqued his interest. He had been looking to get back into coaching college players.

“It’s really fun to coach college players because of the baseball IQ,

Square Garden. And their finishing play? Absolute madness.

Anunoby’s ability to read that Brunson’s three wouldn’t fall and react by leaping over the trio of black jerseys in front of him for the tip-in to seal the 107-106 win was remarkable. It is going to go down in history as one of the greatest for Knicks fans, but for the Spurs it’ll feel like waking up from a bad dream.

From there, the series was over. Confidence is key, and after blowing that lead, the Spurs didn’t have any. Although they came out hot in Game Five, the words, “When is the Knicks comeback going to start?” were flashing across the screen.

We know how it played out. Brunson once again rocked the court and helped carry New York to the title and earned the wellaccomplished MVP title.

Probably the biggest question from the final two games is this: How did the Spurs walk away with a monumental choke and the Knicks on top of the world? Most likely experience.

AGE DIFFERENTIAL

Experience. The word that earns jobs, teaches life lessons and for the Knicks — earned them a championship.

being able to work and dive into things with them and really push them to big limits and everything else,” Crabtree said. “As I tell those players all the time. ‘The difference between a professional athlete and them is all mental.’”

For Brazelton, the pathway became available through his pitching academy. He has athletes across Orlando-area high schools, and a mutual friend connected him with Bates. But Brazelton was hesitant at first: Did he want to commit to the travel with coaching?

In the end, he snagged the unique opportunity to work with players who are older than the average at his academy.

Yes, Wemby is the talk of the NBA. He basically has been ever since he came here from France. He came into the NBA basically born to play basketball at 7-foot-4 and even as a rookie he led the Spurs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. Wemby’s only 22 years old and just played for a NBA Championship, joining LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as one of the three players 22 or younger to lead a team to the NBA Finals. He’s going to go down in history as one of the greatest and losing the finals this year is going to become his villain origin story. We are watching one of the future greats develop. We just watched him lose his first finals.

Wemby is the player Generation Z is growing up watching, and honestly, it’s going to be amazing to have that ability. I didn’t get to watch James or the other greats in their prime and their growth trajectory, and feel blessed to be able to see someone who already is so important to the NBA become even better.

But he’s only 22, and look at the makeup of the Spurs. The average age of its most used players by minutes is 25. Even rookie and 20-year-old Dylan Harper just scored a team-high of 25 points in Game Five, becoming the first

“I try to breathe life into them,” he said. “Right before we go out there (for a game), I talk to them about making sure they know they’re good enough. They’re good enough at what they’re doing. … If you talk to anybody about my personality, I’m super positive. I don’t believe that you tear a kid down or a player down.”

When the Squeeze opened its summer practice, Crabtree and Brazelton were strangers. Within the first month, their dynamic has blossomed.

“Coach Crabtree is what I would call a baseball man,” Brazelton said. “He loves everything baseball. He loves fixing grass. He loves lining the

rookie to have multiple Finals games of at least 20 points since 1993.

The squad clearly is talented. It’s what led them to the Finals in the first place. But going up against the Knicks’ starting five players with eight or more years of NBA experience isn’t for the feint of heart. Plus, the Knicks built the team from scratch and through the hands of its Finals MVP Brunson, and the steady rebuild has been worth it.

Brunson came to them in 2022. Three years later, he helped the Knicks earn their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years and now their Championship title. He has absolutely found his rhythm.

He just scored 45 points in the Game Five victory — nearly half of the Knicks’ points. His ability to stay composed — for the most part — was remarkable. Not many people can continue to believe in themselves after being down by double digits in games four and five, but his hunger exceeded the fears.

It captures exactly what champions are made of. Someone can have all the talent in the world, but their ability to work under pressure, pull through in the last-second shots, is how history is made.

field. He loves making sure everything is right.” Crabtree takes the hands-on coaching approach. He enjoys every aspect of running a program, from preparing the field to tackling the game strategy. Brazelton focuses on developing pitchers and mentoring them through the mental side of the game by utilizing his MLB experience. “We were in the middle of a game the other night and I looked at (Brazelton) and I was like, ‘You got so much more knowledge about this game than me, so I’m all ears when you talk,’” Crabtree said. “I always love to surround myself with people that know more than me because I just feel like that’s how you learn.”

MEGAN BRUINSMA

Creating a space for everyone

Summer School Zone writer learns the impact of inclusion as a volunteer at a weeklong camp working with individuals with autism.

SCHOOL

When I arrived on my first day of volunteering for Thrive at Life Monday, June 1, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I would be spending the week working with young individuals diagnosed with autism, but I learned quickly the week would be about the experience with them and much more than just helping at a summer camp.

For those five days, it became an opportunity that taught me patience and brought me new friendships and a new perspective on spaces where everyone in this community should feel they belong.

During the first couple of days, I was excited but also learning how to adapt to a new perspective and environment. I wanted to make sure I was a supportive volunteer to all the campers. Campers were special in their own ways, and what was special to me was relating to each camper differently.

Throughout the week, I learned all the campers had their own personalities, hobbies and different ways of communicating. This also taught me I wouldn’t be all campers’ best friend but still be able to connect in a way. For example, I observed the campers loved being active and participating in group games, while others would like to focus on themselves in a quieter space and color.

One of my biggest takeaways from my week at Thrive at Life was the importance of being supportive and patient. Thrive at Life not only taught me exactly what to do as a camp volunteer but also to slow down with the campers and to listen with them to see what they needed so they can feel supported and safe in their environment. Whether it was asking campers to join a game or just asking them their favorite animal, learning from those small moments taught me what made the biggest difference. Thrive at Life created an environment where everyone had the chance to succeed in whatever they wanted to express themselves in. The camp was filled with activities and field trips that were designed to encourage the campers’ confidence and independence. This included the zoo, movies, bowling, miniature golf and waterslides. Every moment was an opportunity for campers to try something new and get to know other campers. Seeing all the individuals’ faces when they won a game, or even something such as giant UNO, reminded me how encouragement can go a long way.

My favorite part of this experience was seeing all the relationships that formed between the campers and volunteers. Thrive at Life wasn’t just a place where I could help a camper; it was a place where everyone learned from each other every day. The campers taught me to be appreciative of different points of view and to recognize other strengths in each individual. The campers’ uniqueness, humor and perseverance made each day unforgettable.

Being there also has taught me to change my perspective on inclusion. Before volunteering at Thrive at Life, I knew the importance of being kind and treating others with respect. But those five days showed me what inclusivity meant and what it should be like every day. It meant making sure all should have an equal opportunity to feel important and express themselves in their own way. Real inclusion wasn’t just about making the campers fit in, it was about creating an environment where differences and diversity is respected and accepted.

Leaving this experience, Thrive at Life has taught me not just as a volunteer for a camp but also as a human being. I learned to connect just off simple conversations, board games and how the littlest things can make a difference. This week showed me everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, supported and valued.

TATUM NGUYEN WINDERMERE PREPARATORY

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

REALITY AWAITS: Is this it for The Strokes?

NOAH SETLIFF HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL

On April 6, 2026, The Strokes posted on Instagram a teaser for their seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits.” Coming as a surprise to some, others were expecting this because of the band’s sudden involvement with shows such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits.

It has been six years since their last studio album, “The New Abnormal,” was released, so what are The Strokes going to do to shock their listeners once again and why should people even consider listening to it?

To answer that question, another question needs to be addressed first: Who are The Strokes, and why are they still being talked about today — 25 years after their debut album?

The Strokes formed in 1998 in New York City with singer/songwriter Julian Casablancas, his childhood friend and bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and two friends from school, drummer Fabrizio Moretti and guitarist Nick Valensi. Then in 1999, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., who met Casablancas while they both were attending a boarding school in Switzerland, joined the band.

They released their debut album, “Is This It,” Aug. 27, 2001, in Europe and Oct. 9 in the United States. “Is This It” was an immediate success. The band found itself being deemed the “saviors of rock ’n’ roll,” as the band brought back the garage-band feel to its songs. “Is This It” included songs — such as “Last Nite,” “The Modern Age,” “Someday” and “Hard to Explain” just to name a few — that fans and critics both loved.

With the success of their debut, expectations were high, and in 2003, they released “Room on Fire.”

Although it didn’t reach the same height as “Is This It,” fans welcomed new songs such as “12:51,” “The End Has No End” and “Reptilia.”

Similar to “Room on Fire,” their third studio album, “First Impressions of Earth,” didn’t meet the same hype as “Is This It,” but audiences still praised the album. They took a brief hiatus, which allowed members to branch out and work on solo projects. During this time, Casablancas, Hammond and Fraiture performed under the stage name Nickel Eye.

The band’s fourth studio album, “Angles,” released in 2011, saw a shift in the band’s sound. Rather than a garage, grunge-rock feel, they went pop-rock and started experimenting with their sounds. Rather

than Casablancas writing the music, all members were included in the songwriting process. Reviews on this album were mixed, and even now, fans are split on this album.

Then in 2013, The Strokes released their fifth and most ambitious album yet, “Comedown Machine.” Much like before, this album had a much different feel than “Is This It,” with critics writing it off and Pitchfork rating the album a 6.1 out of 10. To many, this was the end of The Strokes, with all members going in different directions. Casablancas focused on his side project, The Voidz.

Years passed without much spark from the band, though they went on to release a four-track EP, “Future Present Past.” In 2020, The Strokes released their sixth studio album, “The New Abnormal.” Working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, The Strokes found their love of music and why they were a band in the first place.

Friday, July 24, marks the release of their seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits,” and has been met with excitement from both fans and band members alike, with Hammond even calling it his “favorite album we’ve ever done” on Instagram.

Working with Rubin again, fans are expecting a similar sound to “The New Abnormal.” What made “The New Abnormal” different was the use of synths, auto-tune and Casablancas being open and personal on that record.

So why should you listen to “Reality Awaits?” This very well could be it for The Strokes. Members are nearing 50 years old, side projects are taking more control, and strained relationships are reasons as to why this could be the final album. If that is the case, then fans and listeners should just embrace this album and enjoy it. The first single released, “Going Shopping,” is a fun and very catchy song that many have found to be enjoyable. The Strokes are bound to have one last hoorah, and this could very well be it. If you want to make your summer more memorable and enjoyable, take a listen to “Reality Awaits,” coming soon.

Lake Buena Vista High celebrates Class of 2026

Lake Buena Vista High’s seniors turned their tassels and celebrated their high school graduation Tuesday, May 26, at Addition Financial Arena at the University of Central Florida.

College and career specialist Ladara Royal said the Class of 2026 always will be special to him, especially those students he had worked with since middle school.

“To watch you grow and mature through your early and middle adolescence years to now young adults has certainly been a gift and a treasure,” he said. “I will always protect and honor this bond.”

Following speeches, a group of senior students stood on stage and sung “Forever Young” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” before the graduates crossed the stage and closed their high school chapter.

— MEGAN BRUINSMA

SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2026 9 AM – 1 PM •

Anny Lima Hespanholeto sang on stage during the performance of “Forever Young” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Students followed valedictorian Collier Paul Alexander-Sawyer’s directions and held up both hands in an “L” and clicked with their right hand to take one large photo together.

Valedictorian Collier Paul Alexander-Sawyer was honored to earn the accomplishment during high school. The triplet couldn’t believe he and his siblings finally reached graduation.

Right: Valentina Isabel Garcia Burgos was decorated in many medals and tassels for her accomplishments.

Lake Buena Vista’s Class of 2026 proudly walked across the stage with their high school diplomas.

Horizon High Music camp hits high notes

Francesca Stressman, a music education major at Florida State University and Horizon High School Class of 2025 alumna, played a B-flat on her trumpet as a demonstration for the brass players in the Horizon High School Summer Music Camp.

They then hummed the note together before the dozens of students in the beginner band gave the note a try on their respective instruments.

“That was a beautiful sound,” Stressman said.

Beautiful sounds could be heard across several music rooms and the auditorium of Horizon High School during the school’s annual Summer Music Camp Monday, June 8.

The camp hosted 204 students in first through eighth grades with the help of 101 high school student volunteers.

The two-week camp concluded Thursday, June 11, with a free concert at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium that was open to the public.

The school is located at 10393 Seidel Road in Horizon West.

— LIZ RAMOS

Summerlake Elementary’s Veer Sehrawat was laser-focused on playing the triangle.

Windermere Elementary School music teacher Ninabeth Frank led the elementary band through a song as they used triangles, shakers, wood blocks and drums.

Right: Horizon High School’s Manuella Casemiro gave her all as the intermediate/advanced band rehearsed.

Hamlin Middle rising seventh-grader Isla Giuliani liked being able to play harder music with older students at camp.

Left: Water Spring Middle School’s Garrett Sutherland looked up at the director while playing.

Water Spring Middle School’s Alex Gerardi played the xylophone before moving onto another percussion instrument.

Independence Elementary School’s Roman Gillit gave his all to the clarinet.

Fifth-grader Bruce Mosqueda participated in his second year of Horizon High School’s Summer Music Camp.

“I’m able to see my friends again, and it’s honestly fun,” he said.

THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

1946: 80 years ago

The Winter Garden City Commission adopted a nuisance ordinance that prohibited the playing of coinoperated phonographs between the hours of 11 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. Mondays. Violators were subject to a fine of not more than $250, 60 days in jail or both.

1966: 60 years ago

Gene Spears was the Career Day speaker at Lakeview High School. His subject was “Opportunities in the Accounting Profession.” The CPA was no stranger to Lakeview, having been an All-Conference athlete and honor student.

1976: 50 years ago

Winter Garden Jaycees president Wayne Struble named Marietta Huckeba Outstanding Young Educator for 1976.

The wedding party of a womanless wedding skit presented by the men of Beulah Baptist Church at the Senior Adult Bicentennial Dinner was made up of the flower girl, Albert Griffin; maid of honor, Robert Cauley; pastor, Richard Wells; the bride’s father, O.W. Best; the bride’s mother, Bill McNatt, soloist, Roy Keen; and the happy couple, bride Doug Rouse and groom Jimmy Lott.

Residents were encouraged to watch for the largest invitation to the “world’s largest party” written in the sky by Bob Snow, owner of Rosie O’Grady’s. Villanova Restaurant was preparing the world’s largest meatball (250 pounds). Raymond Screws was named principal of West Orange High School. He previously was principal of Union Park Junior High School.

1996: 30 years ago

A fire broke out at West Orange Country Club and burned out of control despite the quick re-

This photo, taken May 21, 1927, shows Austin’s Boat Rental located in what is today Bradford Park in Winter Garden. Photographed were Joe Killgore, left, Paul Austin, Marion Lawsen Robinson and Harry Austin.

The sign on the left side of the photograph reads: “Motor Boats $5.00 per day, Row Boats $.50 per day, FISH.”

This boat rental service catered to the fishermen who came from all across the United States to catch premium large-mouth bass on Lake Apopka. Fishing tourism was one of the primary economic drivers for Winter Garden in the first half of the 1900s.

Many local businesses similar to Austin’s Boat Rental thrived, such as fish camps and the Edgewater Hotel. The hotel even was equipped with fish-cleaning stations, so its clientele could gut the day’s catch within the comfort of the hotel. This tourism industry had dried up by the end of the 1960s due to pollution in Lake Apopka, which wiped out much of the bass population.

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.

sponse of the Winter Garden Fire Department. A passerby saw the flames shortly after 1 a.m. The clubhouse was a complete loss, but the pro shop and golf cart facility were spared. The cities of Winter Garden and Ocoee held Memorial Day ceremonies to honor their war dead. In Winter Garden, the guest speaker was retired Air Force Col. Richard F. Ezzard Sr. In Ocoee, the

guest speaker was Harold Dann, an Ocoee native and World War II veteran who fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

2006: 20 years ago

Ocoee Police Officer Jeff Dyer was one of 13 Floridians to receive the Governor’s Medal of Heroism from Gov. Jeb Bush. Ocoee High School students, teachers and administrators,

including Principal Mike Armbruster, helped bury memorabilia from the school’s first year in a time capsule to be opened in 25 years.

Maxey Elementary School faculty, staff and students participated in a tree-planting ceremony to honor the memory of Martha Rochester Kaleshefski, an art teacher who was with Maxey for 10 years before retiring.

THROWBACK

THURSDAY

JUNE 17, 1976

Folks who lived in the 1970s likely remember the plaid flare slacks that all the stylish men wore. If you shopped at TG&Y in the Tri-City Shopping Center in Winter Garden, you could score multiple pairs of these fashionable pants for $10.88 apiece; solid colors were $5.88. For $2.50, you could add a men’s short-sleeved dress shirt in a variety of spring colors.

The TG&Y advertisement ran just in time for Father’s Day 1976.