06.30.16 West Orange Times & Observer

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 83, NO. 26

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Stoneybrook success stories

Gian Paul Rivera and Arwen Bertrand, of Stoneybrook Karate, hope to secure spots on the U.S. National Team. Page 17

SPECIAL SECTION SPIRIT OF AMERICA

HEARTS FOR

SERVICE

Meet six West Orange residents who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation’s freedom.

ALSO INSIDE: FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS CALENDAR

Observer

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

YOUR TOWN Cramer, Abe win steer awards Callie Cramer, of Wrangler’s 4H Club, raised and showed her market steer, Abe No. 3, at the Central Florida Fair, and she and Abe placed first in their steer class and competed in the Grand Steer Drive.

She purchased Abe in May and raised him from a 500-pound steer to his final weight of 1,280 pounds. He also graded Choice in the Carcass contest.

Callie graduated recently from Lakeview Middle.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Danielle Hendrix

West Orange kids loved asking myriad questions about the creatures Devan Brown, of Gatorland, brought to the Winter Garden Library June 20.

This bearded dragon was a donation to Gatorland. See photos on page 11.

Holding out hope

ARTS & CULTURE

Matthew’s Hope, now in its seventh year, has until July 30 to find a new location for all of its programs, which includes weekly services, a preschool and a garden.

AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR WINTER GARDEN With

Amy Quesinberry Rhode

Looking for a new home to continue the homeless ministry: Matthew’s Hope employee Bill Metzger, left, who was once homeless but has since graduated from the program; Cleveland Robinson, a guest who was able to get his birth certificate from Jamaica; registered nurse Nancy Pfaff and founder Scott Billue.

a Saturday, July 30, deadline looming, Matthew’s Hope already is emptying shelves and drawers for an impending move.

And although it has found a short-term space for its offices at a home at 523 S. Woodland St., many of the nonprofit homeless ministry’s operations — including its Firm Foundation Montes-

sori Preschool — are in jeopardy.

The house next door, 529 S. Woodland St., will be used for the food pantry, clothing storage and hygiene services. What they cannot do is distribute food and clothing from there, founder Scott Billue said. In addition to the preschool, the ministry’s Tuesday programs — when up to 60 homeless men, women and SEE HOPE PAGE 4

Actress Rebecca Schledwitz, 10, is no stranger to the stage.

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YOU R CALENDAR

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at R.C. Stevens Construction Company, 28 S. Main St., Winter Garden. Mingle with business-minded people, and don’t forget your business cards. Cost is $5 in advance and $10 at the door for West Orange Chamber of Commerce members and $25 for others.

(407) 656-1304.

A KNACK FOR KNITTING 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Whether you are a seasoned knitter, just getting started or wanting to learn, enjoy an hour of knitting fun. Bring something you are working on, something you are stuck on, or needles and yarn to begin to learn the relaxing art of knitting. Ages 18 and up. (407) 835-7323.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

RACE TO WIN 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Join us for a race around the library to solve clues, complete physical and mental challenges, avoid roadblocks and be the first to arrive at the designated pit stop.

(407) 835-7323.

SEVENTH ANNUAL PRE-INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in the auditorium of West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. The free event, sponsored by FarMor Entertainment, includes artists from across the street, including author/poet Patricia Robinson and recording artist Edith Marlo Wright, a WOHS graduate. The mistress of ceremonies is Carmen Mihelic of Oviedo. Group seating is available. To RSVP, call (407) 476-8121 or visit farmorentertainment. org.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

MUSIC AT PILARS: MICHELLE MAILHOT AND DAVE MACKENZIE 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of music with Michelle Mailhot and Dave Mackenzie.

(407) 369-8900.

SATURDAY, JULY 2

MUSIC AT PILARS: STEPHANIE AND TIM CHRISTOFORE 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of music with Stephanie and Tim Christofore. (407) 369-8900.

SUNDAY, JULY 3

CELEBRANT SINGERS 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Cornerstone Community Church, 1333 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee. The community is invited to hear this Christian singing group from California featuring 10 singers and a 12-piece orchestra. Admission is free. Call the church at (407) 656-1520 or Pastor Mike Yoakum at (407) 758-3570.

MONDAY, JULY 4

ALL AMERICAN KIDS PARADE & BREAKFAST 8 to 11 a.m. Monday, July 4, at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 10, and children eat free. There will be entertainment, activities and a child I.D. table. Parade lineup begins at 9:45 a.m. and starts at 10. Children will decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons and parade up and down Plant Street. Sponsored by the lodge, Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Winter Garden Downtown Merchants. (407) 656-3244.

FOUR ON THE FOURTH 7 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland.

Celebrate our great country by joining the fourth running of the Four on the 4th Run/Walk in Oakland. Cost is $30 through July 3; $35 on race day. To register, visit trinrun.com.

FOURTH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St, Windermere.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets will be available at the breakfast.

OUR TOUGHNESS IS YOUR STRENGTH.

PARTY IN THE PARK 5 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Attendees can take a chair or blanket for this annual tradition, which will include live music, family activities and food. Parking is available at Health Central Park and Dillard Street Elementary. For information, call Winter Garden City Hall at (407) 656-4111. In case of a potential rainout, call the rainout hotline at (407) 8775432.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

MUSIC AT PILARS: TAMARA AND PER DANIELSSON 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9, at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of music with Tamara and Per Danielsson. (407) 369-8900.

SATURDAY, JULY 9

PLANT FOOD FOR GOPHER TORTOISES 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at the Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland.

Help feed tortoises by planting the native wildflowers and grasses. Take gloves, shovels, trowels, water bottles, a lunchbox, sunscreen and a hat. To register, visit OaklandNaturePreserve.org or email outreach@ oaklandnaturepreserve.org.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

New principal, familiar face Samuel Davis, the new principal at Ocoee Middle School, has served at Ocoee Middle as assistant principal for three years.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER OCOEE Samuel

Amy Quesinberry Rhode

Laura Beusse has returned to Ocoee High School as principal. She helped open the school in 2005 as an assistant principal under Mike Armbruster.

Re-u-‘Knighted’ Laura Beusse, who helped open the school in 2005 as an assistant principal, is sitting in the principal’s seat at Ocoee High School after three years in the top position at a middle school in Apopka.

AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR OCOEE Monday was

a homecoming of sorts for Laura Beusse as she started setting up her principal’s office at Ocoee High School. In 2005, she took an assistant principal’s position in the school’s inaugural year and stayed there for seven-and-onehalf years. She left three years ago to become principal of Wolf Lake Middle.

And now she’s back, ready to guide the Knights to a successful 2016-17 school year.

She has been in education for 34 years, starting her career as a teacher at Colonial High. She taught at Lake Brantley and Lake Mary high schools, as well.

“There’s something about coming full circle and being back at a high school,” Beusse said.

“I’ve been anxious to get started.”

She applied for the position immediately upon hearing of the opening.

“If you have the high-school fever, you’ve got the fever,” she said.

Beusse attended a meet-andgreet at the school after being

hired and realized she already knew many of the staff.

She’s eager to continue and expand the programs at OHS, building on the success of former principals Mike Armbruster and Bill Floyd. A new program called Project Lead the Way is starting this year. It is a college and career umbrella with several programs beneath it, she said. Ocoee is offering engineering as an elective through this project.

Also new this year is the hiring of a second agri-science teacher, Amy Anderson, to teach animal science.

“That’s going to be a great addition here,” she said. “We’re looking to grow in that area.”

Beusse worked previously with Anderson at Ocoee Middle, and Beusse’s two sons studied agriculture under Anderson.

The new OHS principal, who grew up in Apopka, has had educational influences her entire life.

Her mother was a school secretary at Apopka High for 34 years, starting immediately after graduating from the school. Beusse is also an Apopka High graduate.

“I feel like I’ve hit the ground

“There’s something about coming full circle and being back at a high school. I’ve been anxious to get started.”

—Laura Beusse

running,” she said. I’m just excited to be here. I have this sense of excitement and an anticipation of continuing to move forward. I’m excited to see all the growth here.”

Beusse lives in Apopka with her husband of 30 years, Jim, and they have twin sons who graduated from Ocoee High School and the University of Central Florida. Jim earned his undergraduate degree and she her master’s degree at UCF, too.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English and speech education at the University of South Florida, choosing that career path because of her high school English teacher, Myrtle Hubbard.

“What she stood for was she expected excellence out of all of us,” Beusse said. Hubbard’s husband was an English teacher at West Orange High, and former Ocoee High School Principal Lester Dabbs was her brother.

“We do so many things right in education,” Beusse said. “There’s such a huge impact on people’s lives. It really is the whole foundation of what keeps our country moving forward. I think we lose sight of what our teachers do on a daily basis interacting with our kids.”

Davis is the new principal at Ocoee Middle School, but he’s not new to Ocoee Middle.

Three years ago, he applied to become assistant principal at the school. Because Ocoee Middle is Florida’s State Demonstration School for technology, he had to create a video to get the job.

Each year, he creates a video for his daughter’s birthday, so he had the technical experience to create a unique video.

His submission was based on the theme of “The Breakfast Club” and the song, “Don’t You Forget About Me.” He got the job.

During Davis’s time at Ocoee Middle, he participated in the Preparing New Principal Academy, with the goal of ultimately becoming a principal. He didn’t expect that opportunity to come at Ocoee Middle, but when it did, he grabbed it.

“It was a gift; it was a blessing,” Davis said. “As assistant principal, I had developed a skill set that was aligned to be a principal here.”

Davis decided to pursue administration after a principal observed his classroom at Freedom Middle School and told Davis that he saw him becoming a leader. That led Davis to join the Aspiring Leaders program and work his way to becoming principal.

“I still thank him for that,” Davis said.

As principal at Ocoee Middle, Davis said he will work to maintain the school’s positive path.

He hopes to emphasize relationships and the sense of belonging students have at the school. He considers it crucial for students to find a place within the school

ABOUT SAMUEL DAVIS

Samuel Davis studied science and education at Southwest Missouri State University. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership at Stetson University. Davis worked as a science teacher at Meadow Woods Middle School and Discovery Middle School. He was a science teacher and dean at Freedom Middle School before he accepted the assistant principal position at Ocoee Middle School. He is now Ocoee Middle’s new principal.

— whether that be a club, elective, arts program or even just a teacher the students look up to as a mentor.

Additionally, he will continue to emphasize the technology programs at the school. Each sixthgrader is required to take a technology elective so they can know what their school offers them.

“It ensures that all Ocoee Middle School students can be placed on the path to industry certification in the digital field,” he said.

Students then have the choice to continue to take electives that will allow them to gain industry certification in digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Internet business and programming and logic.

In the upcoming school year, Ocoee Middle School will add two new teachers to help expand the digital elective program.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Jennifer Nesslar

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@orangeobserver.com.

Samuel Davis served as Ocoee Middle School assistant principal for three years before becoming principal of the school.

#OrlandoUnited #PrayForOrlando SUNDAY 10:05 SPANISH SERVICE 12:30 STUDENT MINISTRY SUNDAY EVENING 6:30 PM MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY 6:30 TO 7:30 PM

13640 W. Colonial Drive Suite #110 • Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-654-8661 • www.nextcommunitychurch.com

Lead Pastor - Sean LaGasse Sr. Spanish Pastor - David Bonnilla

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SERVICE TIMES

This July 4th we need to focus on our Faith in God, on our families, and on our Freedom. Next Community Church stands with YOU as we ask God to unite us again. One Nation... Under God! Indivisible! Join us July 10th for a special service as we pray for our city, our families and each of our relationships with our Savior. Guest speaker Evangelist / Crusade Preacher Chris Mikkelson will lead us in this power-filled evangelistic service!

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Matthew’s Hope seeks new home IMMEDIATE NEEDS Matthew’s Hope has some immediate needs as it works to relocate all its programs and services: n Temporary or longterm location to host weekly services (including shower trailer, haircuts, meals, lifeskill classes), 1,500 to 2,000 square feet about six hours one day a week. n Temporary or long-term location for Firm Foundation Montessori Preschool (18 children, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week), at least 900 square feet n Space for Hope Chest to repurpose and refinish furniture n Area for Harvest of Hope Garden and hydroponic/aeroponic greenhouse n Place for vehicle detailing n Funding for move, $25,000 (includes computer network, phone system, playground and set up) n Teams to disassemble playground, greenhouse and fencing and help with move and store

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

children show up for a hot meal and to get a haircut, take a shower, get help with their medical and dental needs, do their laundry and work toward independence — will have to be set up somewhere else.

“For the working homeless, (the Tuesday program is) a place to get back on your feet to independence and self-sustainability,” Matthew’s Hope founder Scott Billue said.

The list of needs is great. But Billue is holding onto hope.

“I’m a guy who is used to facing insurmountable odds,” Billue said. “ I can’t afford to quit believing that something’s going to happen. … Do I think we’re going to survive? Yeah, I do. What’s that going to look like for the future? I don’t know. … It’s really up to the community on whether or not we are able to meet those needs.”

Since its inception in 2010, the ministry has operated from the campus of West Orange Church of Christ, on Daniels Road in Winter Garden. Church officials said they want to lease out the land, which Matthew’s Hope has been using rent-free. Its only expenses have been insurance, utilities and maintenance.

Billie said this first home has enabled the ministry to make enormous changes within Winter Garden’s homeless community.

Billue was walking along a Plant Street sidewalk recently when a man sharing a coffee with another waved him over. The man asked if he was “that Matthew’s Hope guy.”

Then, he said, “I’m not sure what you have done, but it seems like all the homeless people are gone.”

Billue replied: “It’s as if they are hiding in plain sight.”

Unbeknownst to the cafe patron, the man seated on the other side of him was a homeless person, one of the thousands who have received assistance from Matthew’s Hope.

“One of the reasons Winter Garden is so attractive from the outside is they think that stuff doesn’t exist anymore,” said Billue, who also is chairman of the board and president of the corporation. “We have hidden it in plain sight. The guy sitting next you is homeless. You just don’t recognize it.”

Joseph McMullen, an Oakland town commissioner, has been a Matthew’s Hope board member for four years. He said the homeless are a vulnerable population who need the community’s help.

“No one wants to be homeless, so why wouldn’t we do our best to facilitate them out of this situation?” he said. “Matthew’s Hope is unique, as the guests have to participate in the process that helps them.”

And the ministry can only exist with the community behind it.

“Matthew’s Hope will never claim to have eradicated homelessness in West Orange County; that is not realistic,” said board

— Matthew’s Hope founder Scott Billue

The measure would allow the City of Ocoee to keep its collection rates from increasing.

STAFF WRITER OCOEE Instead of increasing fees

for garbage collection, Ocoee city leaders are considering changing the service from two days to once per week.

The consideration is similar to what other municipalities have done. Most recently, Orange County adopted a once-per-week collection when it implemented its new trash cans.

“We actually have a lot of residents call us and ask, ‘Why are you picking up two times a week still? We don’t need that,’” Ocoee Public Works Director Steve said.

“That’s what started the whole process of looking into it.”

Because many citizens recommended this, Krug hopes they will be receptive to the switch.

The switch to one pick-up day per week would save on fuel and allow one less day of trucks on the road.

“The city currently provides two pick-up days per week for every resident and, generally, most people don’t put out gar-

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@orangeobserver.com.

“I hope we can get the people of West Orange County to understand why they don’t want us to disappear.

There’s not someone coming up behind us to take over.”

Ocoee considers once-per-week trash collection GABBY BAQUERO

member Barry Altland. “But, through the tireless efforts of many generous donors, thousands of volunteers and people who simply care about people because they are people, your community looks and is as beautiful as it is today.”

Matthew’s Hope has fought for many of the individuals’ medical needs, as well. Prior to one man coming in contact with the program, he was trying to take care of a blood tumor on his shoulder by dressing it with toilet paper and water.

Nancy Pfaff, a registered nurse who works at the ministry to help the homeless get medications and find volunteer providers. She said the new Florida Hospital site in Winter Garden has been a great partner, and the man with the tumor is having surgery Friday to have it removed.

“And that’s just one person,” Pfaff said. “There’s a huge amount of need out there.”

She has treated people with diabetes, heart disease and mental health.

“We can keep them on the right medications while they are under the care of Matthew’s Hope,” she said. They have Matthew’s Hope, and they can trust us. … People are accepted here. They are accepted, and they are loved.”

bage on both days,” he said. “If we want to go to one service day per week, that would save us a day of operating the trucks and keep us within budget.”

Krug said the fee rates for the valet trash service in Ocoee haven’t changed since 2008, so the intention is keep the same fees by limiting garbage pick-up services to once a week. The fees collected to used to pay Sold Waste Sanitation for their service.

“The solid waste sanitation has to pay for itself with what we collect, and each resident is charged $252 per year on the non-ad valorem tax roll, and that’s how we fund our solid waste,” Krug said. “It’s a little over $3 million, and that pays for everything: picking up yard waste, recycling, garbage and it also allows us to participate in Orange County’s (household hazardous waste).”

Non-ad valorem tax is assessed by the Community Development District, which is included in the real-estate tax bill. The tax helps pay for infrastructure

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writers Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Jennifer Nesslar, jnesslar@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Sharlene Dewitz, sdewitz@Orange Observer.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Creative Services Andrés Tam, atam@OrangeObserver.com Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@Orange Observer.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

The West Orange Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays.

The West Orange Times & Observer can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange County and at our office.

If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

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IN OTHER NEWS n Commissioners reappointed Catherine Carpenter, whose term ended in May, to the Board of Adjustment. Robert Henderson also submitted an application for the open position of alternate member. The board, which makes decisions regarding appeals to zoning ordinances, comprises five regular members and one alternate member, who all serve three-year terms. n The City of Ocoee Police Department recently was given the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, an amount of $11,342, from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The grant is made available to police departments making special efforts to prevent and reduce crime or violence. Police staff recommend the grant be used to purchase a GIS Advanced License and a Canon

improvements and county services including water, fire rescue, lighting, solid waste, etc.

The commission hasn’t voted to approve the new program or set a date for approval just yet.

However, Krug will be meeting with the commissioners individually to talk about the specifics and brainstorm which neighborhoods to use as pilot communities to gauge residents’ reaction and program feasibility. The change wouldn’t take place until January

44-inch Color Plotter with three years of routine maintenance.

The license and GIS Canon Color Plotter will aid the department’s crime analyst with advanced data analytics and modeling. That will help the department analyize trends. n Commissioners approved Phase 2A of the final subdivision plan for the Ocoee Crown Point project. The phase includes 150 single-family residential lots and a density of 2.58 units per acre. There are no wetlands in Phase 2A. The rear setbacks will be 20 feet; side setbacks will be at least five feet; and all corner lots will be required to maintain a 10-foot setback from the side streets. n The next Ocoee City Commission meeting will take place at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at City Hall, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.

2017 at the earliest, he said.

The result of the pilot program will influence the progress and potential start date of the citywide program. If implemented, the most challenging part, Krug added, is educating residents on when the route changes will be and when residential neighborhoods’ assigned pick-up days will be.

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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Here’s the best reason to eat out this week More than 250 restaurants in Florida will participate in Dine Out for Orlando United June 30 to benefit the OneOrlando Fund.

EAT FOR A CAUSE Here are some of the participating restaurants that have locations in the West Orange Times and Observer and Windermere Observer coverage area: n 4Rivers (all locations) n The Attic Door, Winter Garden n Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano, Windermere n Bonefish (all Orlando locations) n The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater, Winter Garden n Chick-fil-A (all Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties locations) n Duffy’s Sports Grill, All locations n First Watch Winter Garden n Gator’s Dockside (Ocoee and Dr. Phillips) n IHOP (7344 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee) n Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (all Orlando and Tampa locations) n Miller’s Ale House (all locations) n Melts On Main Street, Winter Garden n Nothing Bundt Cakes, Orlando Sand Lake Road location n Pizza Hut (all Florida locations) n Ruth’s Chris Steak House n The Tasting Room at The Chef’s Table, Winter Garden n Urban Flats, Winter Garden

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER WEST ORANGE If you need a good

excuse to dine out with the family, Thursday, June 30, would be a good day to do so.

Dine Out for Orlando United, organized by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA, is an event that spans throughout the day Thursday and allows restaurants, employees and customers to support the OneOrlando Fund.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer created the OneOrlando Fund following the June 12 shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub. The mission is to provide support to the victims and families of the shooting, as well as for other needs now and for years to come.

During Dine Out for Orlando United, customers who eat at participating restaurants and locations can have a portion of their checks donated to the OneOrlando Fund. They also can choose to make direct donations to the fund. Employees can help by choosing to work a shift on June 30, by volunteering their time or by donating a portion of their tips.

For the restaurants, there are myriad ways they can participate, and the extent of each busi-

ness’ participation is up to them.

Some options include: donating a portion of total sales; making a donation for every guest served; collecting donations received from guests and staff; making a donation for every sale of a specific item; or identifying a set donation amount.

Melts on Main Street in downtown Winter Garden is one of the participating restaurants. As soon as owner Matt Erickson heard the news of the Pulse tragedy, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to help in whatever way possible. On Thursday, MOMS will participate in Dine Out for Orlando United by donating 50% of total sales.

“It was an absolutely horrible tragedy, you know, watching the news over and over again and seeing horribly affected these families were,” Erickson said. “It just

made sense for me to reach out in whatever way I can. If it’s financial and that’s what they need the most, then that’s what I’m going to give.”

Additionally, Urban Flats in Winter Garden will participate by donating 10% of its sales for the day. Owner David Downs said he hopes the event will show its beneficiaries that the community stands behind them.

“I (want them to) know that they have support from the hospitality industry in general,” Downs said. “It really just shows them that we’re all one big family, that we’re here for you and will do anything we can do.”

For more information, visit frla. org/dine-out-orlando.

Danielle Hendrix

Matt Erickson, owner of Melts on Main Street, and Jessica Belcher are excited to be participating in Dine Out for Orlando United.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

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time to make life a picnic with natural gas. Natural gas grills have no tanks

dependence on foreign oil, keeping patriotism alive well past the fourth.

if natural gas is available in your neighborhood.

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Visit www.LANGD.org or call (407) 656-2734 to see

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

The name game Parents, students and community members met June 23 to brainstorm name, mascot and color ideas for the new West Orange County high school.

FAVORITES n NAME: Windermere; Lake Butler n MASCOT: Hawks; Wolverines; Coyotes n COLORS: Navy/silver/ bright green; red/gold/ black;green/gray/white

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN After a commu-

nity meeting at West Orange High Thursday, June 23, the new relief high school is one step closer to having a name, mascot and colors.

At least 50 parents, students and community members showed up to give their input on potential names, mascots and colors for the new school. The room was divided into a handful of cluster groups, and each was given a list of everything that already had been suggested via social media.

The resounding crowd favorite for a name was Windermere High School, with Lake Butler High School close behind. Many parents in attendance voiced their reasoning that the Windermere name represents the community, with one adding that even though the school is not located in the town of Windermere, it is still Windermere by address.

For mascots, the groups chose Hawks, Wolverines and Coyotes as the top three picks. Coming close behind as the fourth choice for mascots were the Gators.

Finally, for colors the top three sets were: navy and silver with a green accent (like the Seattle Seahawks); red and gold with black as an accent; and green, gray and white.

“Tonight was about represent-

HIGH-SCHOOL HUMOR Many names and mascots were suggested via social media prior to the community meeting — some funny and some serious.

Here are some of the suggestions offered: SCHOOL NAMES n Buena Vista n Citrus n Horizon West n Lakeside n Summerport n West Lake n Windermere Garden n Windependence (a mixture of Windermere and Independence) SCHOOL MASCOTS n Buccaneers n Bobcats n Curmudgeons n Fighting Cranes/ Sandhill Cranes n Hurricanes/ Lightning/Thunder n Millionaires n Vikings

ing the community and what the community wanted it to be,” said Julie Sadlier, SAC president-elect at West Orange High. “It gives us a starting point as a community and also gets everyone excited. The school’s walls are going up, the gymnasium will be up this week and the principal’s really excited to get everything rolling.”

From here, the West Orange relief high school’s PTSO will give these top picks to the Orange County School Board. The school board then will take them to ninth- and 10th-grade students — as well as middle-school students — who will get to suggest their ideas. This portion of the process likely will begin in September, Sadlier said.

The Orange County School Board will create a final SurveyMonkey survey on which parents, students and the community can vote before the board makes a final decision on the name, with colors and mascot to follow. Ultimately, Sadlier said she is hoping for a decision before Christmastime.

“It should be a pretty quick turnaround by the time the forms are in and the survey link is online,” she said. “They’ll then have a school board meeting and announce it.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

Courtesy photo

The first walls of the relief high school were erected earlier this month.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

City to help fund drainage repairs in Brandy Creek

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

7

CR ITTER COR NER

Commissioners approved a non-ad valorem assessment to cover the residents’ share of improving the drainage in Winter Garden’s Brandy Creek subdivision.

STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN

Drainage issues within the Brandy Creek subdivision of Winter Garden have concerned residents, because groundwater has ponded in areas not intended for waters. Residents, fearing health and safety issues of such drainage, have asked the city for help.

According to Winter Garden, more than 70% of lot owners in the subdivision have signed a petition asking the city to move forward with the repair of the drainage.

The city has agreed to pay for part of the project out of the stormwater fund. Commissioners approved a non-ad valorem assessment to cover the residents’ share of the cost of the project.

CROOKED CAN TO HOST MICROSOFT

Commissioners approved a special event at the Crooked Can Brewery. Crooked Can will host a private event 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 21, for 500 Microsoft employees.

The event would have a stage with live entertainment and require closing South Central Avenue from Plant Street to Smith Street. Commissioners asked if there had been any issues at previous events. City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the city has

worked with the Crooked Can on any complaints it received.

“They’ve now installed new speaker systems which focuses the sound down, so some of the complaints we had in the community have disappeared,” Bollhoefer said.

“It’s impressive that they want to come do events, but we probably have to be careful with large events and music very often down there,” Mayor John Rees said.

SHEPHERD’S HOPE PARTNERSHIP

Shepherd’s Hope has been awarded funds to build an office, and that office could be coming to Winter Garden.

They are in talks with the city to put this facility at 455 Ninth St., allowing residents below the poverty line to receive health care.

The city also is interested in using the community garden at this site, hoping it will be a space where entrepreneurs in the community can grow vegetables, ultimately bringing a smaller farmers market to the community.

“The great news is that with the farm part on this, this provides a great opportunity for people within the east Winter Garden community to become entrepreneurial,” Bollhoefer said.

IN OTHER NEWS n Commissioners agreed to examine the dock at Newton Park before the next commission meeting. The dock is in need of repair, but commissioners are hesitant to invest a large sum of money into the dock, only to see more money needing to be poured into it when more changes come to the park down the road. n The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board convened to approve an $8,000 facade matching grant applied for by Winter Garden Investment at 100 W. Plant St. n Commissioner Colin Sharman asked how patrolling on dump trucks has progressed in Winter Garden.

“We’re getting ready to expand our patrolling and start writing tickets,” Bollhoefer said. “As you know on Marsh Road, those dump trucks — all of them are speeding excessively… they’ve become a real hazard out there.”

Langston is the perfect furry friend. Langston (A352033), a curious and active dog, has a mellow personality and knows a few commands, such as how to sit. The 5-yearold dog is sweet and loving. He recently was surrendered, and now, he is looking for a new home.

For the month of June, the adoption fee for dogs will be reduced to $25, and the adoption fee for cats will be $20. The adoption fee includes sterilization, vaccinations and a microchip.

Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road in Orlando near the Mall at Millenia. The shelter is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m Sundays. For more, call (407) 8363111 or visitocnetpets.com.

Critter Corner showcases local animals available for adoption. To participate, contact Staff Writer Jennifer Nesslar, jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

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JENNIFER NESSLAR

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 Sundays 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary Awana - Wednesdays - 6pm Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: “FOUNDATION WORSHIP” Sundays 9:45 am - All Ages at Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Road - Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407.730.1867 STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH 611 West. Ave., Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 Email: starkelakebaptist@gmail. com

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

CHURCH DIRECTORY

EPISCOPAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd. Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 6:30pm.

407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org

METHODIST

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at wotimes.com.

To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email sfelt@wotimes.com

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BAPTIST

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NON-DENOMINATIONAL

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

NEXT COMMUNITY CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Winter Garden 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05AM

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17 (NIV)

CHURCH OF GOD OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

Relocating Soon!

Matthew’s Hope will close our current offices and discontinue serving the homeless at 1460 Daniels Road on July 27.

Our Temporary Office will be located at 523 S. Woodland in Winter Garden beginning July 28.

1460 Daniels Road • Winter Garden, FL 34787 • 407.905.9500 • MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

LIVE IN CONCERT! Sunday, Juy 3, 2016 at 6:30 PM Cornerstone Community Church 1333 East Crown Point Rd., Ocoee, FL 34761 A Freewill Offering will be reeived

MIKE YOAKUM, Pastor P: 407.656.1520

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FREE EVENT

Jon Stemkoski’s CELEBRANT SINGERS, a fresh and dynamic Christian singing group from California, featuring ten singers with a twelve-piece orchestra, will present a praise celebration featuring contemporary sounds with a live orchestra combined with personal witness and prayer.

Come join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiring Christian Music. All seats are free, and all are encouraged to attend this uplifting service.

An event for the whole family!

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

QUICK HITS THURSDAY, JUNE 30

SEVENTH ANNUAL PRE-INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in the auditorium of West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. The free event, sponsored by FarMor Entertainment, includes artists from across the street, including author/poet Patricia Robinson and recording artist Edith Marlo Wright, a WOHS graduate. To RSVP, call (407) 476-8121 or visit farmorentertainment.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

MICHELLE MAILHOT AND DAVE MACKENZIE 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., Suite 120, Winter Garden. Grab your favorite drink and enjoy some jazz from Michelle Mailhot and Dave Mackenzie. (407) 369-8900.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 IN GOD WE TRUST

10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 2, at Between the Brushes, 709 Main St., Windermere. Kids in grades kindergarten and up can paint a special wrapped canvas in honor of Independence Day. $35. (407) 909-1869.

MONDAY, JULY 4

PARTY IN THE PARK 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4 at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden.

The event features live music from Speed Limit 70, family activities and food.

A firework show begins at 9:15 p.m.

RAVE OF THE WEEK

SCOTT WOLF Rave! Took my kids to the Downtown Winter Garden Splash Park today and discovered from other parents that Ms. Bee’s Gourmet Popcorn and Candy Shoppe was giving away free icepops to all the kids at the splash pad. We just missed them, so we walked down to her store to get other treats, and come to find out, she is doing this all summer.

Pretty awesome way to give back to the community.

LIVING OUT LOUD

ARTS + CULTURE

Courtesy photo

A close up shot of Rebecca Schledwitz in “Waving the Flare,” a local movie.

At 10 years old, Rebecca Schledwitz already has a growing résumé in the acting world.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER HORIZON WEST

W

hen Rebecca Schledwitz first looked

for her name on the list of parts for an Orlando Repertory Theatre’s performance of “Aladdin,” she scanned the ensemble.

Her name wasn’t on the list.

She stepped back for a moment, wondering why she didn’t make the cut.

“One of my friends walked up to me and she (said), ‘OMG, look at the top of the page.’ And I look at the top, and I see my name is next to Iago, and I am almost screaming,” Rebecca said.

SEE PAGE 10

Jennifer Nesslar

Rebecca Schledwitz, a Keene’s Crossing student, is a rising star in the Orlando acting and theater community.

“From a self-esteem standpoint, it’s remarkable what theater has done.”

— Scott Schledwitz, Rebecca’s father

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OrangeObserver.com

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For Rebecca, the Orlando Repertory summer camps feel like home, because it is where she made her closest friends and got comfortable with theater. But attending those camps is not the 10-year-old Keene’s Crossing Elementary student’s only brush with musical theater. In the local acting scene, Rebecca is a rising star. Since she was 7, she has been in a variety of plays, musicals, commercials and short films. She has done many plays with the Orlando Repertory Theatre and Winter Garden’s Gifted University. Recently, she has performed community theater shows at Central Florida Community Arts and the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church community theater.

Most recently, Rebecca starred in Gifted University’s “Annie” as Annie. At the end of the song “Tomorrow,” she held out the note for a whopping 12 seconds — a personal record.

“I was so proud of myself and so excited,” Rebecca said. I’ve never held that note out that long before without making my voice crack.”

Rebecca has performed a variety of roles, from Amaryllis in “The Music Man” to Betty Parris in “The Crucible.”

Since participating in community theater roles, she feels she has developed as an actress, encouraged by the support of adults with whom she performs.

When performing for film, she rarely is cast as the cute, bubbly child and more often snags a darker role. She has been cast as a depressed ghost, an assassin and a child being pulled away by a monster.

A SACRIFICE

Many students who act as frequently as Rebecca choose to be home-schooled, but Rebecca must work in her acting around her school schedule. It’s not easy.

From the beginning of October to the end of April, she only had a two-week break where she wasn’t performing or in rehearsals for the shows. On top of that, during the Florida Standards Assessments, Rebecca was in tech week for “The

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Courtesy photo

Rebecca Schledwitz played Betty Parris in Central Florida Community Arts’ performance of “The Crucible.”

Sound of Music” at Central Florida Community Arts, where she played Brigitta von Trapp. She left the theater each night after midnight and was in school taking her tests early the next morning.

She often trains with drama coach Kevin O’Neill and voice coach Carolyn Douras White. For commercial work, she trains with Courtney Prince.

On weekends, she gets invited to birthday parties for her classmates. But often, it’s difficult to go between play rehearsals, performance and voice lessons. Once, she had to miss a family trip to Texas because of rehearsals.

Despite the sacrifices, she feels it is worth it. Her parents do, too.

“From a self-esteem standpoint, it’s remarkable what theater has done,” said her father, Scott Schledwitz. “(When she’s performing), she lives out loud.”

“She does better in school, she’s more confident in school when she’s performing,” said her mother, Roxanne Schledwitz. “And I can honestly say, in Orlando, you have such an opportunity for kids to be involved.”

FUTURE GOALS

For middle school, she hopes to attend a school that specializes in the arts, like Howard Middle.

She dreams of attending an arts college such as The Juilliard School or New York University. For a career, she wants to keep acting and perhaps write her own plays or create her own theatre school.

This summer, she will be attending the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensive Program.

SEE REBECCA IN ACTION Rebecca’s next performance is in “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” July 11 to 15 at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. She has not yet been cast.

For more information, visit orlandorep.com.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

To learn more about Rebecca Schledwitz, rebecca.schledwitz.com

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hildren of all ages went to the Winter Garden Library Monday, June 20, for a morning of meeting a gator wrangler and some creepy-crawly creatures from Gatorland.

Gatorland employee Devan Brown brought along a tarantula, bearded dragon, ball python and two American alligators to show the kids as he taught them about each animal.

The kids asked myriad questions about each animal, including their life spans, predators and prey, origins and lifestyles in the wild.

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Right: Willie, a 3-year-old American alligator, seemed to smile.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

OrangeObserver.com

ExpandingED to meet of the West Ora

Join us to celebrate the Gran Emergency Department

July 9, 2016 | 11:

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

13

the healthcare needs ange community!

nd Opening of the expanded nt and new patient tower!

1:00 am – 3:00 pm

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

First Baptist goes under the sea for summer VBS

C

hildren in kindergarten through fifth grade enjoyed a week of learning about God at First Baptist Winter Garden’s Vacation Bible School, themed “Submerged.”

From June 13 to 19, kids and volunteers gather at the church, located on Plant Street, in the evenings for a time of community, crafts, learning and other fun activities.

The week is based on an under-the-sea atmosphere, with the theme verse being Psalm 139:23-24.

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First Baptist Winter Garden Family Pastor Will Blaine spoke to the kids about what the week will bring.

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DIED JUNE 23, 2016

Robert L. “Bob” DeWeese, 85, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on June 23, 2016. He was born Oct. 2, 1930, in Posey County, Indiana. Bob worked for Pounds Motor Company, was the manager at Trailer City and retired from the City of Winter Garden. He served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Bob is survived by his children, Ray (Sherry) DeWeese and Jayne DeWeese Henry; his sisters, Velma Young, Evelyn Huebner and

Gayle Cobb; his grandchildren, Jessica, Robert Ryan (Ashley), Ciara and Marshall; his greatgrandchildren, Chloe, Ezekiel and Mason; and his former spouse, Myrna DeWeese.

RICHARD H. PAGE DIED JUNE 26, 2016

Richard H. Page, age 57, went to be with the Lord, whom he served so faithfully, on Sunday, June 26, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends as he entered his eternal reward.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1958, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, a son of the late Cornelius M. and Minnie Lee Page. He graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 1976 and married Lora Meadows on Dec. 31, 1977.

How can you sum up the life of one who touched so many lives in just a few words? Rick, as he was known to his family and friends, had a passion for serving God that led him to “birth” Faith Family Community Church almost 25 years ago.

He served as their pastor/friend for most of those years until illness required that he step down

as leader. The lives he touched throughout his ministry are too numerous to count. His loving and gentle spirit was an encouragement and comfort to all who knew him.

From high-school sweethearts to lifelong partners, Rick’s love and commitment to Lora has never wavered! Oh what a love! He considered Grant, his son, his hero, and it was a privilege to be his father. Concern for their well-being was his priority. Having experienced the loss of most of his immediate family,

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden. Funeral service was at 1 p.m. Monday, June 27, at the funeral home with entombment following at Winter Garden Cemetery, Winter Garden, Florida. Memorials may be made in Bob’s name to the Mike Conley Hospice House, Cornerstone Hospice in Clermont, Florida.

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, baldwinfairchild.com.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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he and his sister Terri became even closer. Rick was loved and respected by his entire extended family and friends. He loved his family well.

Another of Rick’s passions was building and restoring motorcycles, and he became the owner of Ascension Cycle Works, where he worked closely with his nephews, Jason and Justin.

Rick is survived by his wife, Lora M. Page; son, Grant Page; his sister, Terri Mastin (David); and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Rick is preceded in death by his sister, Connie Mitchell, and C.M. Page.

Rick will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

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WHAT’S AHEAD AAU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WHEN: July 6 to 9 WHERE: Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale USANKF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WHEN: July 13-17 WHERE: The Westin Convention Center, 1000 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh

National aspirations Three competitors from Stoneybrook Karate are off to national competitions, with hopes of qualifying for the U.S. National Team.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN Arwen Bertrand

has a humble demeanor when she talks about her success at karate.

Bertrand is so humble, in fact, that she might forget to mention her place atop the national rankings — that the USANKF,

a national karate organization, has ranked her No. 1 in the 10-11 female category.

“Arwen’s level of commitment has always been high,” said Stoneybrook Karate instructor Tim Hilgenberg. “She’s just a good student. She never talks back, she’s always listening, she’s

just like your model student.”

The Keene’s Crossing Elementary student is one of three from Stoneybrook Karate in Winter Garden who will try to qualify for the U.S. National Team at two karate competitions in July.

SEE KARATE PAGE 18

SIDELINE SCENE

HIGH

SPORTS

Makala Heidelberg was named MVP at the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships. PAGE 18

1

5

Winter Garden Little League’s 11-and-under All-Stars finished as runners-up in the Florida District 14 Tournament, which ended June 27. WGLL advanced out of pool play before falling to Dr. Phillips in an exciting championship game, 11-7.

2

CFCA football will host a 7-on-7 tournament July 15 to 16.

The “Clash at the Cross” will feature a 16-team bracket.

3

Winter Garden native and Windermere Prep alumnus Chase Haney, a pitcher on the Florida State baseball team, was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.

Haney, who posted a 5-0 record as a freshman for the Seminoles, had a 3.375 GPA and was named to the dean’s list in last fall.

4 Members of the United States Military All-Stars look on as a teammate bats during a game in Winter Garden June 24.

Bigger than baseball The United States Military All-Stars’ barn-storming baseball team brought its ‘Red, White & Blue Tour’ through Winter Garden June 24, playing the Squeeze in an exhibition game.

Congratulations to Montverde Academy alumnus Ben Simmons. Simmons, who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State after graduating from MVA, was taken first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in last week’s NBA Draft.

5

The Winter Garden Squeeze (8-10) has hit a bit of a rough patch, dropping four consecutive games and six of their past seven contests.

The Squeeze dropped from second place to fourth place in the past week.

WOHS softball named national champions

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

S

tanding next to Bodacious Ball, the head coach of the United State Military All-Stars baseball team, Winter Garden Squeeze coach Jay Welsh had a question.

Ahead of the exhibition game between the two teams June 24, Welsh had noticed that, in place of last names on their jerseys, the players for the USMA — players who are predominately active-duty members of the difPhotos by Steven Ryzewski

SEE TRADITION PAGE 18

A “Passing the Flag” and “Walk of Honor” ceremony took place before the game.

FloSoftball, in its final “FAB 50” national rankings, has the West Orange softball team No. 1 — making the Warriors its national champions.

West Orange (31-1), which won the FHSAA Class 9A State Championship, finished first ahead of Mission Viejo (California) and Eagle (Idaho).

Additionally, West Orange ace pitcher Lauren Mathis, a rising senior, was recognized by USA Today — which has the Warriors at No. 6 in the nation in its most recent national poll — as an All-American Honorable Mention.

18

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

|

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORS

Makala Heidelberg Makala Heidelberg, a rising junior for the West Orange High volleyball team, is having quite the summer. Last week, Heidelberg’s club team won the 17 Open division at the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships and Heidelberg was named the national tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Playing against a national field and winning the tournament, what does that mean to you and your teammates?

It’s amazing — it was very exciting. We work hard, and we’re in the gym almost every day. We earned it.

Were you surprised at all to be recognized as an individual at such an elite tournament?

It kind of surprised me, but I think I had one of my best tournaments that I played in.

You committed to Tulane last week. What put the Green Wave over the top as your college of choice?

I love the coaches — they’re great and they believe in me.

The campus, I was told that a lot of movies are filmed on campus. It’s beautiful. I love it — it’s very urban.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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Where are you working to improve this summer?

My ball control with servereceive — I’ve gotten a lot better with that and it showed during this tournament.

Now that you’ve got a national championship to your credit, how exciting would it be to lead West Orange further than it has been before in volleyball?

That’s my goal — to take (West Orange) further. It would be great and amazing to prove that West Orange has what it takes.

How would you describe the differences between playing club and playing varsity?

Varsity is more fun. With club, it’s serious. We do have fun, but it’s more of a business, I would say.

What’s your favorite city you have traveled to for volleyball?

I would have to say Atlanta — it’s the site of a tournament I go to every year. It’s fun — it’s one of the bigger tournaments.

What’s a good movie you have seen this summer?

My favorite would be “The Conjuring 2.”

I don’t usually get scared during scary movies, but that movie made me not want to sleep with my light off.

What is your (non-volleyball related) dream job?

Honestly, I want to play football. I love quarterbacks — I just feel I would be really good at it. In the NFL, I would probably want to play, maybe, for the Patriots.

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Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Karate kids One of those competitors, Ben Harrison, is ranked No. 7 in his division.

The USANKF and AAU competitions allow competitors to make the national team.

Should any of the local fighters prove successful, they would be continuing a tradition of sorts. For every year that Stoneybrook Karate has had eligible competitors, someone has made the national team.

To make the team, competitors must place in the top three positions at the national competitions.

Gian Paul Rivera, an athlete at Stoneybrook Karate, made the national team last year and is hoping to make it for a second year. This year, Rivera, a recent West Orange High School graduate, competes in the 18- to 34-age division, the most difficult division.

He hopes the experience will help lead him up to his lofty, but attainable, goal of making the U.S. Olympic team in karate in 2020. It is the first year karate will be included in the Olympics.

Both Bertrand and Rivera started karate young. He came

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Jennifer Nesslar

Gian Paul Rivera and Arwen Bertrand are preparing to go to national karate competitions, with hopes of qualifying for the U.S. National Team.

during a summer camp and decided he didn’t want to leave.

It took him about four and a half years to receive his black belt.

Bertrand was started when she was 8, when her friend showed her a pamphlet for karate. Bertrand went to a trial karate class.

“I just decided to stay,” she said.

Three-and-one-half years

later, she received her black belt. All three say the love of karate keeps them coming back.

“You’re never done learning,” Rivera said.

Their dedication to the craft is not lost on their instructors.

“They’re super dedicated kids,” Hilgenberg said.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

A barn-storming tradition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

ferent branches of our nation’s Armed Forces — instead had military-related phrases across their shoulders.

They read “Desert Storm,” “Infantry” and “Marines,” among others.

It was the phrase on the jersey of shortstop Daniel Vargas, though, that caught Welsh’s eye — Vargas’ jersey reads “ST1 Echo.”

When Welsh asked Ball what that meant, Ball replied that Vargas is a U.S. Navy SEAL and is a part of SEAL Team 1. He told Welsh that a unit like the one Vargas is a part of is one that would be called in to take out targets that could be considered the worst of the worst.

Later, when Vargas came over to the Squeeze’s dugout in search of his bat weight that someone had borrowed, the team made sure it was located quickly and returned promptly.

“We couldn’t do enough to scramble and say, ‘Let’s get that guy his bat weight back,’” Welsh said with a smile.

The USMA practices the old art of barnstorming, and this past Friday, it was Winter Garden’s turn to play host.

In sports, barnstorming is the act of a team or athlete going from place to place to stage exhibition games or matches. It’s most famously associated with baseball teams from the Negro Leagues during segregation, but the practice has not been lost to the tides of

time just yet — thanks in part to the USMA. The USMA’s “Red, White & Blue Tour” takes them across the country, playing 35 to 60 exhibitions annually. The USMA plays varying degrees of competition, from college summer teams in leagues like the Florida Collegiate Summer League to semi-pro ball clubs to college and professional teams in the spring.

The USMA go from town-totown, performing their famous “Passing the Flag” and “Walk of Honor” ceremonies before each game. They play hard and afterward they are available for pictures and autographs.

The team comprises players from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines, all of whom pass through an extensive application process to make the team.

Even once a player makes the team, it requires a secondary approval process from the command chain. More than 90% of the players who have suited up for the USMA have been in active duty.

Players often come and go as their deployment schedules dictate — just as the case was with Cody Stack, a Leesburg native who is on the team and serves in the Army. After playing first base in Winter Garden on Friday, and in his hometown against the Leesburg Lightning on Saturday, Stack was to ship out for deployment — but not before his parents and family at least got to see him play.

“When I saw on the schedule

WANT TO DONATE? Tax-deductible donations to help fund the United States Military All-Stars, and their mission to promote awareness and support to organizations such as Wounded Warriors, can be made at usmilitaryallstars.com.

we were playing Leesburg, it was a dream come true,” Stack said. “I’ve been in the service almost five years now, and I haven’t been back home, really.

So to come back for baseball is incredible.”

At this point in the tour, the USMA is particularly low on players — Ball even came in to pitch in relief before the game against the Squeeze was called because of inclement weather.

The Squeeze were leading 8-1 when the game ended.

It’s an adversity Ball and Tank Stone, the team’s vice president of development, take in stride. Win or lose, these veterans usually receive cheers from the large crowds.

Plus, although they often meet at the ball field, they also have one another.

“The camaraderie is more than I can even begin to explain,” Ball said. “We’d never even met each other before … (and) it’s a brotherhood — whether I’m talking to a Marine, or a Seaman or an Air Force guy.”

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

WGLL 12-year-olds ready for district Winter Garden Little League will host the Majors (12 and under) district tournament this week, where its own All-Stars team will face some stiff competition from Windermere, Dr. Phillips and South Lake.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR WINTER GARDEN The road to Wil-

liamsport begins on ballfields at Winter Garden Little League this week, as the Florida District 14 Majors (12U) Tournament begins play June 30.

The district features a team each from Winter Garden Little League, Dr. Phillips Little League, South Lake Little League and two teams from Windermere Little League, which is dual-chartered because of its size.

Ocoee Little League, which competes in District 14, is not fielding a 12-and-under team this summer.

Even without their rivals from Ocoee, manager Mike Maroth and his team know advancing out of District 14 and into sectionals will be a tough task.

“You can pretty much guarantee that there is going to be several strong teams,” Maroth said.

“There’s just a lot of talent that comes out of Central Florida — at all levels. And it starts young.”

The tournament will take place at Winter Garden Little League, giving the boys in blue and orange a bit of a home-field advantage.

WGLL will open the tournament a 6 p.m. Thursday against Wind-

ermere’s National team. Following the opener, WGLL will take on South Lake at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Windermere American at 10 a.m.

Saturday and Dr. Phillips at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

No games are scheduled for the Fourth of July holiday, and WGLL will be off Tuesday, the final day of pool play.

The district championship is scheduled for July 6 and, if WGLL hopes to be there, Maroth said his boys will have to put together a complete effort each time out.

“We’re going to have to rely on everything, to be honest,” Maroth said. “It’s going to take a lot of our guys stepping up and it’s going to take a team effort.”

The majority of this year’s 12-year-old All-Stars team played for WGLL’s 11-year-old team in 2015, with three new additions to All-Stars. Although most of these players competed against one another during the regular season, Maroth and his coaching staff of Cherokee Pineda and Adam Bates are proud of the way the team has come together through a few weeks of practice.

“We’ve got 12 guys on our team, and it’s important that all 12 feel like a part of the team,” Maroth said. “That’s really what I stress is team — it’s going to take all 12 of them (to advance).”

MEET THE TEAM

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

The 2016 Winter Garden Little League Majors (12-and-under) AllStars include; Front row, from left: James Hoyt, Justin Goodman, Logan Turner, Robert Dempsey, John Lowe and Tristan Petrey. Middle row, from left: Nick Pineda, Evan King, Nolan Maroth, Chandler Evans, Jacob Klopp and Jackson Bates. Back row, from left: coach Cherokee Pineda, manager Mike Maroth and coach Adam Bates.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

T he West Orange Chamber of Commerce (wochamber.com) recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Clean Slate Janitorial

service.The Clean Slate Experience is about creating clean, fresh and inviting environments using our proven five steps to almost new process. It is a daily commitment to creating an even better product consistently. For more information visit http://www. cleanslatejan.com. Photo courtesy ofWOCC.

Celebrating 1st Anniversary of Crooked Can Brewery

T he West Orange Chamber of Commerce (wochamber.com) recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of Crooked Can

Brewery. Crooked Can Brewing Company is a craft brewery located inside Plant Street Market in historical downtown Winter Garden.They celebrated their first anniversary with a Celtic Festival in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day. Photo courtesy of WOCC.

Celebrating the Grand Opening of The Boutique on Plant

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

T he West Orange Chamber of Commerce (wochamber.com) recently celebrated the grand opening of The Boutique on Plant.

“We Noticed” Recognition for Little Gators Pediatric Dentistry

Celebrating Newstart Art’s 35th Anniversary

improvements made at Little Gators Pediatric Dentistry. “We loved sharing that we take our responsibility very seriously here at Little Gators Pediatric Dentistry, and work diligently to help the children in our wonderful community have great smiles!” . Photo

graphic design and illustration company. Previous to that, DeLoy was a Disney artist, starting his art career in caricaturing and moving on to figure finishing with WED Show Production to prepare EPCOT for opening. In addition, today he is active in entertaining and adding value to parties, weddings, corporate events and conventions through caricaturing, as well as white board drawing for explaining videos and graphic facilitation.

Celebrates Business

Located in Historic Downtown Winter Garden,The Boutique on Plant offers a fantastic selection of women’s clothing and accessories, and features champagne shopping every Friday evening! Photo courtesy of WOCC.

T he West Orange Chamber of Commerce (wochamber.com) recently celebrated the 35-year anniversary of Newstart Art. W est Orange Chamber of Commerce (wochamber.com) Newstart Art was started by Dee DeLoy in 1980 as a full service Ambassadors celebrated a “We Noticed” recognition of the recent courtesy of WOCC.

Photo courtesy ofWOCC.

For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com

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20

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

OAKLAND

A

n estate in the Chaine Du Lac community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from June 10 to 16.

The home at 12564 Park Ave., Windermere, sold June 16, for $1.895 million. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 5,528 square feet of living area on 2.06 acres.

The price per square foot is $342.80.

four baths, a pool and 3,719 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.87.

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 328 Largovista Drive, Oakland, sold June 15, for $330,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,324 square feet. The price per square foot is $99.28.

JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 15052 Sawgrass Bluff Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $271,900. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,917 square feet. The price per square foot is $141.84.

OCOEE

BRYMAR

The home at 3416 Meadow Breeze Loop, Ocoee, sold June 15, for $319,950. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,900 square feet. The price per square foot is $110.33.

movoto.com

This Chaine Du Lac home, at 12564 Park Ave., Windermere, sold June 16, for $1.895 million. It is situated on more than two acres and features more than 200 feet of shoreline on Lake Butler.

feet. The price per square foot is $101.22.

WESTYN BAY

WINTER GARDEN

The home at 960 Nola Drive, Ocoee, sold June 12, for $295,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,034 square feet. The price per square foot is $97.23.

BAY ISLE

The home at 14350 Hampshire Bay Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $405,000.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,553 square feet. The price per square foot is $113.99.

WINDSOR LANDING

The home at 3364 Tabreeze Court, Ocoee, sold June 10, for $365,000 (short sale). Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,606 square

EMERALD ACRES

Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $309,000. Built in 1961, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,430 square feet.

The price per square foot is $216.08.

GLYNWOOD

The home at 13706 Glynshel Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $483,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms,

ONLINE

The home at 250 Temple Grove

Pat Sharr Realty PAT SHARR

Broker/Owner

407-948-1326 patsharr@aol.com

407-656-7947 MultiMillion Dollar Producer www.patsharr.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

KRISTI LOWERY

(SALES ASSOCIATE-REALTOR)

407-235-4920

Thinking of buying a home?

kristilowery711@gmail.com

Read more real estate transactions at OrangeObserver.com

206999

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

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

Craig Martin Craig Martin

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The greatest compliment you can give iscompliment a referral!

The greatest you can give is a referral!

00

THIS JEWEL IS A POT OF GOLD!!!

Gated community, lake access to Clermont CHAIN of LAKES. Step inside to this VERYopen floor plan with wood laminate flooring throughout except for baths and laundry rooms which are tiled. Decorator’s CUSTOM dream home, KITCHEN features CUSTOM cabinets, GRANITE counter tops, ISLAND, breakfast BAR, walk-in pantry and large breakfast area. Living/Family room highlighted by wood burning FIREPLACE. Split bedroom plan, office/den, inside laundry room. IMMACULATE CONDITION, once you see this home you will want to stay. Close to major highways, shopping and restaurants...Beautifully designed... Stately Trees... Asking only $445,000.

PE SA ND LE IN G!

!

PE SA ND LE IN G

The home at 12155 Rebecca’s Run Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 13, for $440,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,572 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.18.

The greatest compliment you can give is a referral!

DU JUS CE T D$ 9,1

LUXURY FOR LESS!!!

RICK LARSON LAW

Richard S. Larson, Attorney at Law

Employment & Human Resources Free Consultations

407-877-7115

310 S. Dillard St., Ste. 100 • Winter Garden, FL 34787

www.ricklarsonlaw.com

JUST LISTED!!!

Don’t wait to look at this home or it will be gone!!!

Just remodeled 3 bdrm.2Ba. Split plan with formal living/dining, family room with wood burning fireplace, kitchen has quartz counter tops, solid wood cabinets that have smooth closing doors and pull out drawers, stainless steel appliances.

Bathrooms have granite counter tops, home has been freshly painted inside and out. Large covered and screened lanai 32x13. No hoa great neighborhood minutes from downtown W.G. West Orange Trail, 408,429 & Turnpike. Nothing to do here but move in!!! Asking only $265,000

JU S

TS

TS

OL

D!

OL D!

Beautiful two story, 4bdrm/3.5Ba, and over 3200 sf home in Winter Garden gated community of bay isle. Plenty of space to entertain and cathedral ceilings. Spacious kitchen, living rm, dining rm, separate dinette, family rm, and master bdrm on first floor. Upstairs the 3rd & 4th bdrms have a Jack and Jill bath. Inside utility rm with a sink, and the washer & dryer stay. Many upgrades such as crown molding, central vacuum system, tinted windows, and electric blinds on the lower level, dimmer switches, surround sound in family rm and upstairs loft. Gated community has a park, access to Black Lake, private boat ramp, dock, and fishing pier. Near all major highways, downtown Winter Garden, Fowlers Grove shopping & dining, and theme parks. Askin only $420,000

JUS WHY RENT? YOU CAN OWN THIS BEAUTY!

Very quiet sought after Valencia Hills subdivision. This 3 bedroom 2 bath split plan sets on a very nice over sized fenced lot. The home is also in a cul-de-sac so no worries of living on a busy street. Brand new stainless steel appliances, new carpet in all bedrooms, new blinds, guest bath re-modeled with granite counter top and tile in the bathtub/shower. The exterior has been repainted, a/c replaced (2015). Master bedroom has large walk in closet and shelf space. Enjoy your family room on those chilly nights with your wood burning fireplace to keep you cozy. You are close to all major highways, shopping, restaurants, and Health Central hospital. Come see this home before it’s gone, it will not last long!!! Asking only $205,000

Why Not Make July 4th YOUR Independence Day!!!

RE

SAY “HELLO” TO A GREAT BUY!!!

TUSCANY IN WINTER GARDEN is where you will find this 4 Bdrm. 3 Ba. 1-story, 3009 sq.ft. of living.

Immaculate condition with Open floor plan, Formal living room/Dining area, Family room, Large kitchen with all appliances staying, Island, plenty of cabinets for storage, Breakfast Nook, walk-in Pantry, Inside Laundry. Master Bedroom features dual sinks, garden tub, separate shower, other 3 bedrooms are centered around 2 guests bathrooms.Open Patio and 2 car garage. This is one of Winter Gardens sought after neighborhoods with stately trees, minutes away from downtown, the West Orange Trail and all major highways. Asking Only $299,900

PE SA ND LE IN G!

JUST REDUCED $5,000!!!

NEW HOME 3 BDRM/2BA. WITH OPEN FLOOR PLAN AND SO MANY CUSTOM FEATURES YOU WON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES... Seller’s HAVE ADDED CUSTOM CEILING FANS, LIGHT FIXTURES, CROWN MOLDING, PAVER OPEN FIRE PIT, PRIVACY VINYL FENCE. THIS HOME SHOWS LIKE A MODEL. If you want a NEW home with a lot of UPGRADES then this HOME IS FOR YOU! Kitchen features STAINLESS STEEL appliances, BREAKFAST BAR ISLAND, Granite, 42” cabinets, walk-in Pantry...Split bedroom plan, inside laundry and 2-car garage. Gated Community with amenities... Minutes from downtown W.G. and Fowler’s Grove for shopping and restaurants... This is a Must See...Asking Only $310,000

WINDERMERE CROSSING

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

CALL US TODAY!

SEEING IS BELIEVING!!!

The home at 12032 Windstone St., Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $415,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,952 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.58.

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BANK

BUYING A HOME? SELLING YOUR HOME?

Stunning 4 Bdrm/2B pool home in the beautiful neighborhood Crown Point Springs, and just minutes from the much loved Downtown Winter Garden. New carpet in the living and dining rooms. Split bedrooms, and with a fourth bedroom to enjoy the convenience of an office, exercise room, or playroom. Kitchen has all stainless appliances, back splash, and separate dinette area. Inside laundry room with nice LG Front Load Washer & Dryer that STAY!! Relax after a hard day on your Screened Back Lani equipped with a 4 Person HOT TUB!! You can go from there to your beautiful screened POOL. Asking only $264,900

WESTFIELD LAKES

206963

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

207160

MICHAEL ENG

JUST LISTED!!!

Immaculate move in ready 4/2 home in Signature Lakes. Ceramic Tiled 19x09 Foyer, Formal living rm, Formal dining rm. Very open FAMILY ROOM features sliding glass doors that lead to the covered lanai, backyard and ally. SPACIOUS double door entry MASTER bdrm adjoined by the master bath with garden tub, separate shower... located on the 1ST FLOOR. Upstairs you have a bedroom that features a private bath, the other two BEDROOMS are grouped around a guest bath. this home also features a loft. MANY UPGRADES...Concrete Block and Spray Foam Insulation Reducing Power Consumption from $350 to $170 during summer months, Installed Wood flooring Upgraded all kitchen appliances (Extended warranties on refrigerator, dishwasher & Range) ... BREAKFAST NOOK, 2 car garage.

Close to all the theme parks, major highways, and Winter Garden’s Fowler’s Grove. ASKING ONLY $380,000

JUST REDUCED OVER $50,000!!! HURRY!!!

LAKEFRONT BEAUTY!!! 4 BDRM/4BA. 5615 sq.ft. of living!!! Gorgeous open floor plan on first level- living rm w/gas fireplace, dining rm, kitchen, breakfast nook, office, master bdrm, with another rm that could be workout area, nursery/den, master bath w/ walk-in shower, jetted garden tub. Guest bdrm, bath, laundry rm, plus another large rm that can be used for private office, playroom. Downstairs family room/ game room, 2 guest bdrms, 2 baths, wet bar, media rm and sliding glass doors leading to, 2 story screened paver deck sparkling pool/spa plus LAKEFRONT! Gated community, private boat ramp. Just minutes from all major highways...Asking Only $849,000

JULY 31, 2016

207710

REAL ESTATE

Chaine Du Lac estate sells for $1.895 million

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

W EAT HER

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

FORECAST

|

21

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, JUNE 30 High: 93 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 60%

FRIDAY, JULY 1 High: 94 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 60%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, June 30

6:32a

8:28p

Friday, July 1

6:32a

8:28p

Saturday, July 2

6:33a

8:28p

Sunday, July 3

6:33a

8:28p

Monday, July 4

6:33a

8:28p

Tuesday, July 5

6:34a

8:28p

Wednesday, July 6

6:34a

8:28p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JULY 2 July 19 Full

High: 94 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 50%

High: 95 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 20%

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

ONLINE

See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com

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YEAR TO DATE:

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You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

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ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Call us at 407-656-2121 Email us at AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or Subscribe@OrangeObserver.com

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32 “On the double!”

35 University in Philadel1 Places for pledges phia 6 Drew back, as the tide 38 Land along the coast 11 Lays off (with “from”) 40 Belt maker’s tool 19 Skater’s figure?

43 Used a couch 20 An animal, not a des45 Candied tuber sert 46 Rolls’ partner in cars 21 Chinese restaurant 48 Windpipe offering 51 Lopsided, as a grin 22 Kid’s backpack 52 “National Velvet” contents 24 Place to rest your dogs author Bagnold 54 Deteriorate through 25 Marker brand use 26 American child of 55 Play billiards Japanese parents 57 Dig find 28 Corduroy feature 59 Words after prayers 29 Did an imitation of 62 Good golf score 30 Copied a kitty

ACROSS

July 11 First

July 4 New

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, JULY 3

Windermere resident Jane Guida submitted this photo of a beautiful zebra longwing butterfly.

July 26 Last

1 Admit (with “up”) 2 Definitely not poor 3 Turkish general 4 Insect midsection 5 Cork or plug 6 Implant firmly, like a post in concrete 7 Shout of disapproval 8 Great windfall 9 Type of frozen pie 10 Sweet treat 11 “Long ___ and far away ...”

12 Facial feature 13 ___ good example 14 Electric car brand 15 Payments for poker hands 16 “What was ___ think?”

17 Keanu in “The Matrix” 18 Moviedom’s Mineo 23 Be in hiding 63 Type of note or number 91 Actor’s asset 24 “Fee, ___, foe, fum” 64 Onetime playground 93 With a cast of thou27 Pitcher with a wide fixture sands spout 66 Places for dipping 95 Owner’s certificate 31 Black Sea bungalow 68 Successful student 96 Large coffeepot 33 Feeling lightheaded 70 “___ to Remember” 97 Soap ingredient 34 One way out of prison 71 Not al fresco 100 Hedge component 35 Unnatural blondes, e.g.

74 Pilot’s guess 102 Like the Who 75 Current reader 103 “Amazing Grace” verse 36 One spelling for an Indian princess 79 Longish English assign- ender 37 Boxer Griffith or author 104 Food for a horse ment Zola 105 Some are sordid 80 Skin wound 38 Sauteed shrimp style 107 Harsh and metallic 84 To whom a dictator 109 Two items of the same 39 From ___ out (going answers forward) kind 85 Large pig 41 Fingerprint figure 112 Surgical bypass tube 88 Werewolf film sound 42 Summer zodiac sign 114 Garden dirt effects 44 Mary ___ Moore 115 Shopper’s guide 90 Fit leader?

47 Affirmative vote 49 Cleopatra’s biter 50 1980s Republican strategist Lee 53 Expand by stretching 56 Expressed in words 58 OPEC, and others 60 Lymph ___ 61 Move through puddles 65 Fork-in-the-road shape 67 Just average 69 Fish with an electric charge 72 Most inexperienced 73 Slender, graceful girls 75 Black cattle breed 76 At anchor 77 Kyle of “Saturday Night Live” 78 Character on 44-Down’s show 81 Agenda units 82 Two-tone cookies 83 Simpleton 86 Gives approval 87 Government procurement org.

89 “To ___, With Love” 92 “Aah!” accompanier 94 Die-shaped 98 Rotated 99 Human-powered vehicle 101 Intelligence officer, at times 106 Moe, for one 108 Recessed space 110 Assign, as a portion 111 Somber tune 113 “___ just one of the guys” 114 Type of wool 116 Zoom skyward 117 Type of bag or board 119 Frayed 121 Daily Planet reporter 122 Wait at the light 123 “Hey, buddy!”

124 Bit of body art, slangily 125 “Shogun” apparel 126 Leftover for Fido 127 Pre-___ (college major) 129 Mauna ___, Hawaii

CRYPTOQUIZ

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a beloved TV dad. Using the hints Z=A and N=R, decipher the clues to name the character.

1. G Z B C H 2. V U U P W 3. Z Q Q Y C S B V M N U B S 4. Q Z N W 5. W M U N V W He is a husband and father of three residing in Detroit:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 June 30 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.36) through 9 in each row, column and box.

6 3

5

7

8

6

1

1

3

8 4 1

6

4

2

3

4 2

8 9 5

4

6

6

2

5

2

1

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June 30 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.36)

2 6 3 1

4 7

8 9

9 6 2 1

5

3 4

7

8 5

1

9 4 8 7

8 4 1 5

5

3 5

6 3 7

6 2

9 6 3 2 7

2 9 3 8 7 2 4 1

6 4 1 8 9 5

22

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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24

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

HEARTS FOR

SERVICE

Meet six West Orange residents who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation’s freedom.

ALSO INSIDE: FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS CALENDAR

Observer

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

Spirit of America – Water Safety Tips for Kids of All Ages Celebrate summer and stay cool with these smart water safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!

Swim Safely

Splash Safely

Drowning is preventable!

In pools, waterparks, hot tubs, splash pads, and spray parks, reduce the risk of illness from germs that can contaminate the water.

• Stay out of the water if you have a stomach illness.

• Take children out of the water for hourly restroom breaks.

• Always swim with a buddy.

• Always supervise children when in or around water.

• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

• Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

• Shower for 1 minute before entering water.

Boat Safely

• Avoid swallowing water.

• Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you and your loved ones are on the water, even if you are an expert swimmer.

Health Central Hospital is here when you need us. healthcentral.org

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OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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JULY 2016

The PURSUIT of happiness

MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

I

n his book “American Creation,” historian Joseph J. Ellis called the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence “the most potent and consequential words in American history.”

We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

To be sure, this is one of the cornerstones of our country and freedom. But today, as we prepare to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the declaration’s signing, I’d like to share my family’s story — and proof that this sentence’s influence stretches far beyond the borders of our country.

My family’s journey to America begins the same as most any immigrant: My greatgrandfather sought a better life and future for his family. So he and my grandfather, who was 14 at the time, left their native Canton, China, in 1940 for Houston. They couldn’t afford to bring my great-grandmother, so she stayed behind.

Can you imagine? Leaving the only home you’ve ever known for a country a half-a-planet away, with a foreign language and culture? You know no one.

No one knows you. And, perhaps the most alarming: No one will hire you because you’re a foreigner.

Now what?

My family — and many other immigrants like them — found the answer in another cornerstone of the Spirit of America: entrepreneurism.

My great-grandfather opened a grocery store, where my grandfather worked as a delivery driver. There was no time for school, for higher education. I doubt operating a tiny grocery store was their definition of “happiness.” But the declaration doesn’t say anything guaranteeing happiness — merely the pursuit of it. For my grandfather and his dad, that meant one thing: earning money to bring the rest of the family.

From the mere freedom to pursue that goal, my grandfather’s patriotism began to grow.

At 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of the 14th Army Air Corps, also known as the Flying Tigers. Just three years after stepping foot on American soil, he was prepared to die for this country.

While stationed in China, my grandfather met my grandmother and brought her back to the U.S. The day they married, she made local history as Houston’s only G.I. bride from the Far East. A Houston Chronicle article and photo from that day sit on my desk: “East Meets East as Mrs. Molly Lo Lim, wife of Harry Lim, seeks congratulations from her husband just after becoming an American citizen,” the caption reads.

“Mr. Lim, born in Canton, is an American citizen — served with the United States Army during the war when he was stationed in China, where he met his wife.

She is believed to be Houston’s only G.I. bride from the Orient.”

By the time I came along, my grandfather was more American — and, more specifically, Texan — than Chinese. I’ll never forget his cowboy belt buckle securing his brown belt with “Harry” etched into the leather. He hated it when singers took too many

This photo was taken in San Francisco when my grandfather, Harry H. Lim, returned to the United States with his bride-to-be, my grandmother, Molly Lo Lim. Decades later, they recreated this photo during a family vacation.

liberties with the “The StarSpangled Banner” or when other immigrants refused to learn English.

Throughout their 62-year marriage, my grandfather started and owned several successful businesses, including a grocery store, restaurant and a heating- and air-conditioning repair service. Of course, these weren’t passion projects, either.

But they were the avenues by which he provided a better life and future for his family. And that was the reason he became an American in the first place.

I am reminded of this every day I wake up next to my wife in my own home. Upstairs, my children have rooms of their own. Our refrigerator and pantry are stocked with food for weeks. Outside, we have two cars ready to take us anywhere we want to go. And because of my grandfather, my siblings, cousins and I all are able to pursue our dreams — to have careers that satisfy our lifelong

passions.

Come Monday, the rockets’ red glares will cast warm glows on ours and many faces throughout our country. I know my grandfather would love it if, as we celebrate, we each took a moment to reflect on the potent, consequential words that declared our independence.

Savor them, dwell with them, and teach them to your children.

This document may be 240 years old, but our understanding of it is paramount to our nation’s future — and, indeed, to our Spirit of America.

In this special edition, we celebrate some of our country’s heroes and heroes in the making. We hope you enjoy learning about their incredible accomplishments as much as we did, and we thank all our veterans for their service and sacrifice.

From all of us at the West Orange Times & Observer and Windermere Observer, we wish you a safe, happy and patriotic Fourth of July.

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

“I grew up with the belief that we need to give back” When she’s on duty as a MEDEVAC pilot, Rachel Chiles must be ready to take a multi-milliondollar aircraft in the air in less than 15 minutes.

Typically, she can be up in five to nine minutes.

Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“The Fourth is the epitome of America in my mind. Celebrating our freedom and way of life.”

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“One of my earliest memories is riding my tricycle in the annual Fourth of July neighborhood parade with streamers attached to the handlebars. My grandparents (Jon and Kay VanderLey) participated heavily in community events and organized the parade every year.”

How are you spending this Fourth of July?

“I’ll be pulling MEDEVAC coverage for Fort Benning. The weekend prior, my company will be doing a cookout to celebrate.”

AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR

R

achel Chiles grew up flying with her maternal grandfather, Jon VanderLey, so her love of flight started early. That fascination has turned into a career, and the former Oakland resident now pilots Blackhawk helicopters for the U.S. Army.

“I grew up with the belief that we need to give back,” said Chiles, a chief warrant officer 2. “Moreover, I was taught to make the world we live in a better place than the one we inherited. It was those tenets that led me to serve in the U.S. Army. “ Chiles said she didn’t make a purposeful decision to become a helicopter pilot; it was more of a discovery.

“I knew how I wanted to live my life, and this fit all of the parameters,” she said. “Flying in service of my fellow soldier and my country is a joy and an honor.”

Chiles is a MEDEVAC pilot assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia. For several weeks out of the month, she is on duty three days a week. Being on duty typically means a 15- to 19-hour day, and she is on “ready-up,” which means she can’t leave the airfield.

“In a MEDEVAC situation, the assigned crew has to be in the air

Rachel Chiles sits in an Army Blackhawk helicopter’s open engine cowling for the No. 1 engine, situated above the left-hand cargo door.

in no more than 15 minutes after receiving the call,” she explained.

“That sounds like a lot of time, but plotting a grid point, running up a multi-million-dollar aircraft and ensuring we have the equipment necessary for the call, in that amount of time, is a feat.

“We’re typically off the ground in five to nine minutes after we get a call,” she said.

She flies two or three times a week, and she likened her oncall duty as “waiting for a call that someone needs help; think of it like fire rescue or EMT.” When she’s not on duty, she is training to maintain proficiency in skill sets that aren’t used often in the U.S. This includes practicing one-wheel, two-wheel and pinnacle landings, emergency procedures and limited-power approaches. She also has additional duties that include tracking soldiers and reporting readiness level to higher command.

This current MEDEVAC assignment is a first for Chiles. Prior to Fort Benning, she was assigned to an air assault unit — the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, 3-158 Assault Battalion — in Germany, inserting and extracting ground forces from the battlefield. The unit was tasked with covering NATO missions from Poland to Romania and in between, and she said these missions kept her

Courtesy photos

Rachel Chiles, left, with her mother, Betsy VanderLey, grew up in Oakland.

team on the go constantly, flying to various countries on a rotational basis.

“Whether it’s air assault, MEDEVAC or a VIP unit, all Army aviation revolves around supporting ground forces,” she said.

Chiles attended basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, four years ago. She was born in Orlando, where her family lived until she was 6. In 1991, they moved to Oakland.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@orangeobserver.com.

OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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5

JULY 2016

To Our Community. Our State.

Our Nation. Our World.

In this time of profound sadness for our Orlando community, we take a moment to pause and recognize all those who responded to the call for help during and after the events in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016.

From first responders to our own Orlando Regional Medical Center Level One Trauma and support teams, to our fellow healthcare colleagues from around the nation, to LGBTQ, Hispanic and faith organizations, to businesses and community resource centers, to our local, state and national governments, to the many individuals and organizations from around our country and the world who have come together to aid the victims and families, and who have offered their sympathy and support to our Orlando Health family and our “City Beautiful�...

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Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

“I always tell my wife it’s a BEAUTIFUL country” Winter Garden resident Larry Berry returned to Vietnam for the first time in several decades after serving in the Vietnam War. JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER

D

Larry Berry is pinned as an officer.

uring his days of serving as an officer in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War, Larry Berry carried around a Vietnam Conflict Map. The map helped him navigate the country during his time of service. The front of the map shows a picture of soldiers standing with a large mountain looming in the background.

When he returned to Vietnam on a trip three years ago, Berry was traveling just outside of Da Nang when he looked up and saw a mountain that looked quite familiar. He referred to his map.

It was the same mountain.

A MARINE CORPS OFFICER

“When we went outside the city out to the countryside and the mountains, it was the same as before. The little villages and hamlets.

Nice people.”

— Larry Berry

Larry Berry served as an officer in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

When Berry, now 78, graduated from the University of Michigan, he immediately began serving as an officer in the Marines. He was active between 1962 and 1972. He was 29 years old when he served in Vietnam; his service spanned 13 months in 1968 and 1969 during the Tet Offensive.

During the first part of his tour, Berry visited hamlets and villages throughout south Vietnam. He was part of the Combined Action Program, a squadron of Marines tasked with protecting the village from attacks and developing resources like schools for the villages.

In the second part of his tour, Berry led a company of Marines, who went out for ambushes and protected the roads of south Vietnam.

During the war, he sent pictures to his wife, Stephanie, who filed them all in a photo album, writing a caption for each

Larry Berry referred to this Conflict Map while serving in Vietnam. When he returned to the country, he recognized the mountain depicted in the photograph.

photograph. The album still sits in the living room of the Berrys’ home in Winter Garden.

“I always tell my wife it’s a beautiful country,” he said.

So they went back together.

RETURNING TO VIETNAM

They took the trip with a group of men from the Marines and the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam. The trip, which lasted about two weeks, began in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, which is in the north. It was north of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone, which divided the Communist north and the Viet Cong from south Vietnam and its allies, the United States. Berry stayed south of the line during the war, so going to the north was something he was unsure he wanted to do.

“It was bittersweet,” he said.

“It was their capital.”

To his surprise, the city was well developed and beautiful but crowded with people. He saw the Hanoi Hilton, where U.S. prisoners of war were held.

OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

|

JULY 2016

Jennifer Nesslar

Courtesy photo

While Larry Berry was serving in Vietnam, he kept a photograph of his wife Stephanie handy.

Top: Larry Berry enjoys collecting maps and looking at photographs of his travels.

Once the group traveled to the south, he saw the city of Da Nang, where he spent time during the war, was also developed. They saw the nightlife in the city and enjoyed swimming in the pools there. But a level of familiarity came when traveling outside the city.

“When we went outside the city out to the countryside and the mountains, it was the same as before,” Berry said. “The little villages and hamlets. Nice people.”

He returned to Con Thien, near the DMZ, where Berry saw his first action during the war.

In the war, he was visiting some Marines. They sat around the airstrip playing cards when suddenly they were under attack.

Upon returning to the airstrip during his trip, there was no longer a landing strip. And one thing was different for certain.

“Nobody was shooting at me,” he said, laughing.

He noticed a similar situation when he visited at the air base at Chu Lai. “It was a huge air base,” he said.

“Now there’s one hut. Nothing.

No runway, no buildings. Just one hut. Which I find so amazing because it was such a big, operating air base.”

He returned to Phu Loc, where he led action platoons, which protected the roads and the hamlets.

THE TRAVELING COUPLE

The trip to Vietnam was memorable for the Berrys, but it is not the only trip the couple has taken. Recently, they visited Pearl Harbor, where they slept aboard the battleship Missouri on Dec. 6, so they were there for Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7.

They’ve traveled to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The couple has planned a trip to Israel this October.

“My wife has always wanted to go there,” he said. “I said, ‘Hey, if you want to go, we better go.

We’re not getting younger.’”

Next year, they hope to travel to Normandy.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“It was the start of this great country.”

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“Winter Garden’s parade. It starts downtown and goes all the way around. It is just a nice parade, and I like that.”

What are your Fourth of July plans?

“We’re going to that same parade, but we will have people in town visiting so we’re having a cookout here at our house.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

“We only want two words: ‘Thank you’”

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The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service because many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans’ pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.

Some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum.

By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.

Source: vfw.org

AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR

D

aniel “Dano” Riveira is starting his second oneyear term as commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305. He has the hang of it now, having served a term in the top position five years ago.

As commander, Riveira represents 4305 at various community and state functions. The post works with disabled veterans at the Orlando VA Medical Center, and it sponsors Boy Scouts of America, attending flag-raising ceremonies.

“We have worked in the community,” Riveira said. “We’re mostly Vietnam vets, and we only want two words: ‘Thank you.’

Those are two magic words that we’ll bend over backwards for.

You know we got that (poor treatment) when we came home.”

Riveira has been a member of the West Orange VFW for 12 years, joining the roughly 350 military veterans. There’s also an auxiliary for spouses and other direct relatives.

VFW strives to do good things for deserving people: veterans, their families and their communities. Camaraderie draws veterans to the white, block building at 1170 E. Plant St., in Winter Garden.

“If you’re in uniform, you’re a brother,” Riveira said. “It doesn’t matter which uniform you wore.”

The only criterion for membership is the person must have served in a war overseas. Riveira said soldiers stationed in Korea had to be stationed close to the 38th parallel and those in Germany had to be stationed near the Berlin Wall.

OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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JULY 2016

Amy Quesinberry Rhode

Vietnam veteran Daniel “Dano” Riveira is the commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305 for the 2016-17 term.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@orangeobserver.com.

Enjoy your Summer Fun!

Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“Being born and raised in Hawaii, not very much. I didn’t have much chance to (celebrate) that in the military, either.”

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“Watching the Disney fireworks or just sitting

by Lake Apopka watching the fireworks. Sometimes it’s just pretty from where we’re at.”

How are you spending this Fourth of July?

“I’ll probably be at the VFW. I have to make a speech, plus we’re having hamburgers and hotdogs for members and their families and friends. And then, more than likely, I’ll put on the karaoke music. I have to get up there; I torture them with my Hawaiian music.”

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“Other than that, it’s just being in harm’s way,” he said. “If you’re old enough to be in harm’s way, you’re old enough to be in the VFW.” The sense of brotherhood felt in the organization is what brings Riveira there.

“Instead of sitting home alone growing old, I can go down and talk to my old buddies and the younger military people coming out of Afghanistan,” he said. “Tell them where to go to seek benefits and so forth; mentoring the younger ones.”

The best way people can join the West Orange VFW is to visit, taking with them their DD Form 214, which was issued upon their retirement, separation or discharge from active duty.

“It’s about going to a nice quiet place,” Riveira said. “We have our beverages, and we don’t worry about being in the rowdy night club. It’s nice and mild.”

The commander, now 73 and living in Killarney, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, from 1964-74. He was aboard combat ships and did receive injuries, but because he was in Special Forces, there are still aspects of his service that he cannot talk about, he said.

CAPTAIN ROBERT LITTLETON

Realtor4Military@gmail.com

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

4th of July

CALENDAR

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

WINTER GARDEN SEVENTH ANNUAL PREINDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in the auditorium of West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. The free event, sponsored by FarMor Entertainment, includes artists from across the street, including author/poet Patricia Robinson and recording artist Edith Marlo Wright, a WOHS graduate. The mistress of ceremonies is Carmen Mihelic of Oviedo. Group seating is available. To RSVP, call (407) 476-8121 or visit farmorentertainment.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

EUSTIS HOMETOWN CELEBRATION — 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Ferran Park in downtown Eustis (west of Bay Street between Orange and Clifford avenues).

Activities include music by Jimmy Stanley, a ski show, Jeep show and a kids zone. A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.; take a lawn chair or blanket. For more, call (352) 357-7969.

SATURDAY, JULY 2

CLERMONT CLERMONT WATERFRONT PARK RUN — 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at Clermont Waterfront Park, 100 Third St., Clermont.

This free timed run is organized by volunteers. Race against a friend or race against the clock through the Clermont Historic Village. For more, visit parkrun. us/clermontwaterfront.

SUNDAY, JULY 3

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS RED, HOT & BOOM — 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. Red, Hot & Boom will feature plenty of live music, food, drinks and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Performers include Daya, Ruth B., R. City and Ben Rector.

For more, visit facebook.com/ officialredhotandboom.

MOUNT DORA FREEDOM ON THE WATERFRONT — 4 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora.

The city of Mount Dora and

103.1 FM The Wolf will present this event, which features live music, children’s activities, foodtruck vendors and more. The festivities conclude at dusk with fireworks over Lake Dora. For more, call (352) 735-7183 or visit mountdorafireworks.com.

ORLANDO BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY BASH — 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at the Village Center of Baldwin Park.

This annual event will begin with a festival in the Village Center and end with a choreographed fireworks show over Lake Baldwin.

For more, visit baldwinparkevents. com.

THE VILLAGES THE VILLAGES CONCERT BAND PRESENTS A PATRIOTIC SPECTACULAR — Performances at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Savannah Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Under the direction of Jean Butler, Ward Green and Hugh Wicks, the bands of The Villages are proud to present their annual Patriotic Spectacular Concert. For more, call (352) 753-2270.

MONDAY, JULY 4

OAKLAND FOUR ON THE 4TH — 7 a.m.

Monday, July 4, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland. Celebrate our great country by joining the fourth running of the Four on the 4th Run/Walk in Oakland. Cost is $30 through July 3; $35 on race day. To register, visit trinrun.com.

WINDERMERE 4TH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST — 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Monday, July 4, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St, Windermere. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets will be available at the breakfast.

THEME PARK CELEBRATIONS WALT DISNEY WORLD MAGIC KINGDOM — The celebration begins with “Disney’s Celebrate America!

A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” at 9 p.m. July 3 and 4 at Magic Kingdom. The 14-minute fireworks display will illuminate the sky above Cinderella Castle. The fireworks are set to a musical score produced in a concert-band style. This score was specifically created to stir a sense of pride in being American, show producers say, while at the same time, inviting guests from around the world to feel part of the celebration.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS — Guests can enjoy the all-new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks nightly, with the show beginning at a special time of 9:30 p.m. for the holiday weekend, July 3 and 4. The next generation of Star Wars-themed fireworks shows, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” features new themed fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, all set to the unforgettable score of the film series.

EPCOT — Guests visiting Epcot on July 4 will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Disney characters dressed in patriotic attire

throughout the afternoon at the American Adventure Pavilion. Voices of Liberty, the eight-part a capella group, will have special performances at American Gardens Theatre at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. They also will perform inside the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m. that day.

Guests also will have the opportunity to catch the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps outside at 1, 2:15, 3:30, 4 and 4:45 p.m. The “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA PATRIOTIC FIREWORKS SHOW — 9 p.m. July 2 to 4 at LEGOLAND Florida, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven.

As part of its new LEGOLAND Night Lights event, the park will feature Ninjago-themed fireworks displays July 2 and 3 and a patriotic display on July 4. (877) 350-5346.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO INDEPENDENCE DAY AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO — July 2 to 4 at SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando.

Country music star Lee Greenwood will perform at 6:30 p.m. July 2 and 3 at Bayside Stadium. The concerts are included with park admission.

Then at 10 p.m. July 4, guests can enjoy SeaWorld’s annual patriotic fireworks display featuring the 13th Army Band, Florida National Guard.

OrangeObserver.com

WINTER GARDEN ALL AMERICAN KIDS PARADE & BREAKFAST — 8 to 11 a.m.

Monday, July 4, at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St. Breakfast will be served from 8-10, and children eat free.

There will be entertainment, activities and a child I.D. table.

Parade lineup begins at 9:45 a.m. and starts at 10. Children will decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons and parade up and down downtown Plant Street.

Sponsored by the lodge, Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Winter Garden Downtown Merchants. (407) 656-3244.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

PARTY IN THE PARK — 5 p.m.

Monday, July 4, at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden.

Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

Attendees can take a chair or blanket for this annual tradition, which will include live music, family activities and food. Parking is available at Health Central Park and Dillard Street Elementary. For information, call Winter Garden City Hall at (407) 656-4111. In case of a potential rainout, call the rainout hotline at (407) 8775432.

AVALON PARK FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT AVALON PARK — 5 to 9 p.m.

Monday, July 4, at Town Park, 3651 Avalon Park Blvd. E., Orlando.

Event will feature an apple pie bake-off, hot dog-eating contest, bike parade, wet/dry bounce park and performances. A fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. For more, visit eventsatavalonpark.com.

LEESBURG LEESBURG JULY 4 CELEBRATION — 6 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Venetian Gardens, 109 W. Dixie Ave. The event will begin with a baseball game between the Leesburg Lightning and the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs at Pat Thomas Stadium/Buddy Lowe Field. Other activities include a performance by Justin Heet at 6 p.m., food, boat tailgate party and kids’ play zone and free ice cream. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Harris. For more, visit 4thofjuly.leesburgpartnership.com.

MOUNT DORA INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE — 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, in downtown Mount Dora. The Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle and the city of Mount Dora will present its annual Independence Day

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WINTER PARK 21ST ANNUAL OLDE FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, July 4, at Central Park, West Morse Blvd., Winter Park.

Mayor Steve Leary will lead a special presentation at 9:15 a.m. from the main stage. Children’s activities will include the annual bicycle parade at 9 a.m. For more, call (407) 599-3463.

CLERMONT RED, WHITE & BOOM! — 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Waterfront Park, 300 Third St., Clermont. The event will feature music, food and games. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.

KISSIMMEE MONUMENTAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION — 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, 201 E. Dakin, Kissimmee. Event will feature live performances by Doubting Abby at 5:10 p.m.; The Supervillains at 6 p.m.; Ken-Y at 7 p.m.; Tone Loc at 8 p.m.; and Soul Asylum at 8:30 p.m. A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. (407) 5182503 or KissimmeeParks.org.

JULY 2016

kids activities, the Big Red Bus, food trucks and more. The July 4 parade will begin at 5 p.m. along Main Street. A fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. overlooking Lake Dora with an American flagraising over Lake Dora. Parking is free at the city parking garage at Main Street and Sinclair Avenue.

(352) 742-6319.

CELEBRATION ALL-AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION — 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday, July 4, in Celebration Town Center, 701 Front St. The event will feature a parade through town, Celebration Chorus performance, Mac McAnally performance and a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. For more, visit celebrationtowncenter.com.

GROVELAND GROVELAND CELEBRATION — 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Ave. Activities will include vendors, the Central Florida Idol singing contest; July 4 Groveland Family Feud contest; Red, White and Blue pie contest; the annual Firecracker Pageant and, of course, a fireworks display. For more, visit grovelandjuly4th.com.

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parade, which will begin at North Donnelly Street and West Seventh Avenue and end at North Tremain Street and West Fourth Avenue.

For more information, contact the Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle at (352) 385-1418 or email bill.brooks@fnbmd.com.

ORLANDO FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN — 4 to 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Lake Eola, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites Central Florida residents and visitors to attend Fireworks at the Fountain. Celebrate the United States’ independence at the free fireworks display and laser show around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Pack picnic baskets and blankets for an oldfashioned summertime picnic.

For more, visit cityoforlando.net/ fireworks.

ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD LAKEFRONT CELEBRATION — 3 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Lakefront Park, 1104 Lakeshore Blvd., St. Cloud. The event will feature music, food, games, a beer tent and a tribute to veterans. There will be more than 15,000 people to enjoy food, fun, music and, of course, a fireworks display. For more, visit stcloudflchamber.com.

SANFORD SANFORD FIREWORKS AT STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD ON THE RIVERWALK — 4 to 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Ft. Mellon Park, 600 E. First St., Sanford.

Celebrate Independence Day in Sanford with great entertainment, food and drinks. The event con-

cludes with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Monroe.

TAVARES LET FREEDOM RING — 3 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. Activities will include a water-ski show, live music by Blonde Ambition,

WINTER SPRINGS WINTER SPRINGS CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM 16 — 5 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs. Event will feature a kids zone, hot dogeating contest, Winter Springs’ Got Talent competition and a fireworks display at 9:10 p.m.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

“I want to be able to inspire people to dream for greatness”

Observer Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@ OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Bill Carter, bcarter@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Sharlene Dewitz, sdewitz@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

Recent West Orange High School graduate Dorothy Dennis is heading to West Point to continue her family’s history of military involvement.

CONTACT US

DANIELLE HENDRIX

The West Orange Times & Observer and Windermere Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. They provide provides subscription home delivery. The West Orange Times also can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange County and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

STAFF WRITER

A

fter her family dropped her older brother off at West Point two years ago, Dorothy Dennis was so mad that she swore she would never go to the military academy.

Now, two years later, the 17-year-old recent West Orange High graduate is gearing up to join her brother there and begin her Army career.

“I was mad at them for taking my brother away, and I said, ‘I will never go here, this place is awful!’” Dorothy said. “God really changed my heart over the past couple of years. He was like, ‘Remember that thing you said you were never going to do?

You’re gonna do it now!’ Next time I went back I was like, ‘This place is really pretty!’”

If you wish to subscribe to the West Orange Times, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

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Dorothy credits a few influences in her life with helping jumpstart her interest in joining the military, her faith and her family among them. Military membership is a sort of family business, she said. Her grandfather went to West Point, where her brother is now, and was an officer in the Air Force. Another grandfather was in the Marine Corps. Her dad attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, and her mom did Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in college and was in the Air Force.

Dorothy’s decision to join the military came during her high-school career. On a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on a band trip her freshman year, the seed was planted. Her friend then

Courtesy photo

The Dennis sisters — Hannah, Emily and Dorothy — at Dorothy’s appointment to West Point. The oldest, Hannah, FaceTimed in from Nairobi.

helped convince her to join the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at school. During JROTC, Dorothy participated in physical training and drill and leadership skills, among other things.

“For so long, I was like, ‘I’ll never go into the military, especially not the Army,’ and then I saw a way I could be a positive influence over people who are

really negative when they’re in the Army,” she said. “I want to be able to inspire people to dream for greatness. The Army really cares about people and developing leaders, and they develop teamwork.”

Her faith also played a large role in her decision. Her favorite Bible verse, John 15:13, goes hand-inhand with a desire to be selfless

OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

Danielle Hendrix

West Orange High School graduate Dorothy Dennis, who will attend West Point, is following a long and proud line of family members who served in the military.

and have an impact on others’ lives: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

WEST POINT BOUND

Also known as the U.S. Military Academy, West Point’s mission is to “educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.”

Cadets attend the institution for four years, where they train for the military in the summer and work toward their degrees during the academic year.

The application process is an intense, multi-step one that begins with West Point’s Summer Leadership Experience.

Each year, about 1,000 rising high-school seniors are selected to attend SLE, where they stay in the barracks and are exposed to the West Point experience.

Dorothy next had to get a con-

gressional nomination to the academy; she applied through U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, as well as for the ROTC and presidential nominations.

“The presidential (nomination) you can only get if your parents were missing in action, killed in action, prisoner of war or retired military, and my dad is retired Air Force, so I got that one, ROTC’s and Webster’s,” Dorothy said.

One of the final steps was participating in a physical fitness test and an exam from the Department of Defense Medical Exam Review Board. To prepare for this and basic training — formally called Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training — she credits her dad with making her run with him to get in shape.

“I was a swimmer and played water polo in high school, so running isn’t that great,” she said. “I hate it, but I’ve been running with my dad to get ready for BEAST.” After all of that, she finally found out in late January that she had been accepted to West Point.

“They try to make it a surprise,” Dorothy said. “Daniel Webster came to my school and presented me the award. I was really excited, and one of my sisters FaceTimed in from Nairobi, so it was pretty cool that she got to FaceTime in for that. It was kind of shocking, and I was like, ‘I’m actually going to BEAST.’” At West Point, Dorothy plans to study some type of engineering, and she said West Point is known for its engineering program.

Once she graduates, she also will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

She has the next four years to decide her specialization within the Army. Currently, she is considering aviation or infantry.

“They’re excited, proud and sometimes more excited than I am,” she said of her family’s reaction to her joining the Army. “I want to be able to influence people in their lives and the soldiers I’ll be leading someday.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“Independence. My initial thought is “hooah,” which is Army slang.” (Note: The term is an expression of high morale, confidence, motivation and spirit.)

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“We have a golf course in our backyard, and my dad would shoot up the fireworks from there.

We’d have the little sparklers and write our names.”

How are you spending this Fourth of July?

“I’ll be in basic training at West Point. I think they have a concert for us.”

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JULY 2016

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2016

Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“Independence day is the birth of our nation.

It’s what patriotism is all about. I don’t know what it means to me, but I know it’s the birthday of our nation and we are still the greatest nation on earth.”

“We’re not all broken; we don’t all have PTSD”

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“My favorite of all time was the (Bicentennial Celebration of 1976) on Independence Day. It was the 200th birthday of our country. There was a humongous parade, fireworks display, barbecue – it was a huge celebration.”

How are you spending this fourth of July?

“My wife and I are going to a veteran’s retreat called Soldier’s Freedom Outdoors up in Melrose.”

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Daniel Kalagian now volunteers with The Mission Continues, an organization that helps veterans readjust to civilian life.

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER

YOU’RE ALWAYS YELLOW

W

hen he was a kid, retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Daniel Kalagian admired actor John Wayne’s war movies and played army with his friends. He never had any sudden epiphany about his future careers.

He just knew.

“I knew two things: I was going to join the Army, and I was going to be a cop,” Kalagian said. “I was able to successfully complete both careers.”

And so began Kalagian’s 20 years of service in the Army, for which he served in Germany, North Carolina, Iraq and Cuba.

Now retired, Kalagian

“We’re helping our veterans get that camaraderie that we often miss when we leave service and feel good about doing something for (their) community and continuing that sense of volunteerism by attacking community problems,” said Kalagian, an Ocoee resident.

“We’re not all broken; we don’t all have PTSD. Some of us really struggle, some of us have some severe disabilities, but we can all get out there and contribute.”

Gabby Baquero

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Daniel Kalagian said his time in combat has changed him. He lives in what he calls “yellow” mode — on alert.

volunteers as a platoon leader with The Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization that helps

veterans readjust to civilian life by helping them find new missions to serve their community.

Kalagian’s first tour of duty was in 1982, when he was deployed to Germany for 18 months with the 556th Military Police Company. He worked at Siegelsbach Army Depot, a former military base that stores nuclear weapons performing what he colloquially terms “tower rat duty.” Kalagian remembers working long shifts because much of the military personnel was arrested for smoking hash there shortly before he arrived.

Once his initial enlistment in the Army came to an end in 1985, Kalagian made a beeline for his next career goal and solved cases as a police detective for 24 years

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in his hometown at Bridgeport Police Department. His favorite case and the highlight of his police career, he said, was solving a case involving a burglary ring that called itself the Snow Bandits.

The case had been open for three years, but he and his partner solved it in only four months.

“I did homicides, crime scenes, auto theft, burglary; you name it, I investigated it,” Kalagian said.

“My favorite was auto theft. I loved running after bad guys.

(I) hated car chases, but I loved running after bad guys.”

After 9/11, at age 40, he re-enlisted in the Army. In 2002, he was mobilized in North Carolina to work in port security until 2004. While there, he met now-retired Sgt. 1st Class Priscilla Kalagian — his wife.

After North Carolina, Kalagian served as a military police instructor from 2004 until 2008 in New York. In 2008, he was deployed to Iraq with the 306th Military Police Battalion, and stationed at Camp Bucca, a detention facility. His duties there included transferring detainees to other facilities around Iraq.

“It was interesting, because every time we’d take off, the bad

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calls “yellow” mode.

“You’re always hyper-vigilant while you’re there; you have to always have situational awareness,” he said. “Normal people are green, just going about their life and everything is la-dee-da and beautiful, right? As a soldier in a war zone, you’re always yellow, just like alert, hyper-alert.”

NEXT STEP?

Courtesy photo

Daniel Kalagian and his fellow volunteers assist other veterans through The Mission Continues.

guys would pray for us to crash,” Kalagian said.

The most challenging aspects of his deployment in Iraq were the extreme heat, dealing with the constant threat of attacks and being separated from his family.

“With our wars, it’s a little better, because we have the Internet, Skype and messaging on Facebook,” Kalagian said. “So

you get a little more contact with your family, but you (still) miss a lot of important things.”

For his last deployment, he served nine months as a senior leader from 2012 to 2013 at Guantanamo Bay. “That was harder than Iraq; I can’t talk much about what my mission was there,” Kalagian said.

“We were under a microscope at

the highest level. If one of those prisoners or detainees there cut his finger, we would have to report it. So every little detail was documented. ... It was hard on my troops.”

The stress of being in a war zone and working as a police officer have left their impressions. Even though he retired in June 2015, Kalagian still is living in what he

Kalagian credits a memory of a friend who committed suicide after leaving Guantanamo Bay as one of the experiences that motivates his desire to volunteer in The Mission Continues.

“If I can do something in my retired life to save just one veteran from thinking about killing themselves today, I’m going to do everything I can to do something,” Kalagian said.

Now 53, Kalagian is deciding his next move.

“I’m one of the lucky people in the world because I was able to successfully complete two career goals, but now I’ve got to figure out what I want to do when I grow up,” Kalagian said.

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

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“I learned right away to be responsible” Q&A What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“It just makes me think about the sacrifices that people have made for us to have the abilities to make our own choices and be able to make something of ourselves without people telling you what you can and can’t do.”

What is one of your favorite Fourth of July memories?

“My most memorable Fourth of July was with my son. We were in Winter Springs and he was young — this was before I deployed in 2003. I had him all dressed up in a shirt with a flag, and he had this little American flag and he was walking around, just waving it around. It just makes me appreciate the liberties that we have.”

How are you spending this Fourth of July?

This Fourth of July, Hernandez and his family are going to be attending celebration festivities in Apopka.

“On the Fourth of July, what I like to do is ask people who wrote the national anthem and why the song was written. It’s surprising that most people don’t even know … (it) basically talks about our resolve and our strength, perseverance and ability to defeat our foes. That’s a real motivating thing for me.”

Winter Garden Fire Rescue EMT-firefighter Miguel Hernandez returned recently from a deployment to Djibouti, Africa.

ALISSA SMITH STAFF INTERN

A

s a National Guardsman and a combat veteran, Miguel Hernandez is no stranger to life-or-death situations. He’s faced minefields, Iraqi tanks and the threat of chemical warfare. Most recently, Hernandez returned home June 6 after a nine-month deployment to protective detail in Djibouti, Africa.

Each military assignment has required quick thinking, teamwork and plenty of guts to overcome.

And those are the same traits Hernandez uses in his civilian life. Between deployments, he serves as an EMT-firefighter at the Winter Garden Fire Rescue.

“I love being a firefighter,” Hernandez said. “Working at a fire station is cool, because every call is different. You work with great guys and gals that you call your brothers and sisters.

We do everything together. We work together, train together, eat together, risk our lives together, sacrifice together.”

STEALTH IS A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND

Hernandez was born in 1970 in Puerto Rico. Four years later, he and his family moved to California. He was close with his two sisters, Sheila Rezny, now 45, and Melisa Baker, now 43, and together, they have plenty of tales of childhood mischief.

He was an active boy who loved games such as cops and robbers and sword-fighting, and by age 17, he had decided he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Marines.

“My grandfather (José Rodriguez) was a Korean War veteran, and I really enjoyed all of his

Courtesy photos

National Guardsman Miguel Hernandez enlisted in the U.S. Marines at age 17.

OrangeObserver.com

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

Miguel Hernandez, second from left, said he loves the family feeling that comes with working for Winter Garden Fire Rescue.

stories,” Hernandez said. “I just wanted to know what it was like to be in the military. So I decided to join.”

Although Hernandez has plenty of veterans in the family, his parents weren’t happy about his life plans.

“My dad thought that I should do something else, and my mom was scared that I was going to go off and get killed somewhere,” he said.

Because he was 17, Hernandez’s father had to sign a waiver giving his son permission to enlist.

“At the time, my dad thought I was going to go into aviation coordinates; he said he wanted me to do anything other than combat arms,” Hernandez said. “(But) as soon as he signed the wavier, I told the recruiter to change my (Military Occupational Specialty) to infantry. (My father) didn’t know until I got my orders for basic training.”

Hernandez shipped out to infantry school on Dec. 16, 1987.

While there, he discovered his true military calling: reconnaissance. Recon Marines go ahead of the infantry battalion to do reconnaissance and report on the position of the enemy. They operate in six-man teams, and their best friend is stealth.

‘WE WOULD’VE WIPED OUT’

Hernandez’s service from 1987 to 1993 included several memorable missions. During the first Gulf War, from 1990-91, he was one of six teams that went into Kuwait seven days before the ground war began.

“Our mission was to get eyes

After being deployed multiple times, Hernandez needed a break.

He left the Marines, only to find that he missed being deployed overseas.

“Just out of high school, I was still immature; I didn’t know what I wanted to do with myself,” Hernandez said. “In the corps, you’re basically made accountable for your actions, so I learned right away to be responsible because there were no excuses.”

That yearning led him to join the National Guard in 1997. Most recently deployed to Djibouti, Africa, for a force protection assignment where Hernandez was responsible for securing Chabelley Airfield and Camp Lemonnier.

THE FAMILY MAN

When he’s not deployed, Miguel Hernandez tries to take his children, Chloe, 8, and Bryce, 16, to Wekiva Island at least once per week.

on the minefields that Saddam Hussein had placed between us and them,” he said. “And we discovered several different enemy defensive positions and also got eyes on the minefield.”

He called in an airstrike on enemy forces during that same mission. At one point, the enemy fired missiles near Hernandez.

Fearing the missiles were chemical weapons, Hernandez and the rest of the team donned gas masks.

“We had to walk around like that for a while,” he said. “I finally got tired of wearing it, so I volunteered to take (the mask) off.

So they sat around and watched me. Nothing happened to me, so everybody took their stuff off.”

An incident in 1993 changed Hernandez’s entire perspective of his military service.

“We were on an aircraft carrier

sitting off the coast of Bosnia,” he said. “They were showing footage of a city in Bosnia. …

They were dropping artillery rounds in the city, and there was this woman — she was walking her son home … and they started dropping rounds on the city. …

She was like running up the hill and running down the hill, and she finally realized there was no where safe that she could run to take her son. So then she just pushed him up against a vehicle and she shielded him with her body.

“That really bothered me; that that’s the way it is in the world,” Hernandez said. “At that point my reasons for being in the military changed from being those of ‘just get the next adrenaline rush’ to those of ‘I really want to help other people’ — to help those who can’t help themselves.”

After a career that took him to 29 different countries, Hernandez found his home in Apopka. When not working, he cares for his two children, Bryce, 16, and Chloe, 8.

Almost every night, the three curl up and watch a movie, Bryce said. The two share the favorite color purple, he said, and his favorite memory is just him and his dad hanging out, “nobody else.”

Bryce described a father as self-sacrificing and loving. He said his dad never missed one of his games and is always offering to help with any homework.

When times were tough, Bryce saw his dad go without food just so he and his sister had enough to eat.

“He’s always been a good guy,” he said. “His moral compass is always pointing north; he’s always trying to do the right thing. For as long as I’ve known my dad, I’ve never seen him do one bad thing ever. … He always puts me and my sister first before him.”

Hernandez hopes to convince his son to get into track and his daughter to take singing lessons. He also plans to become a paramedic-firefighter after his daughter gets older and he can spend the time on the required coursework. Hernandez is currently on a five-year cycle with the National Guard, so he could ship out again in 2021.

Contact Alissa Smith byalissasmith@gmail.com.

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Enhancing Health and Wellness in the West Orange Healthcare District

• • • Initiative Grant Round Open • • • June 27 - August 26, 2016 The West Orange Healthcare District (WOHD) would like to announce the upcoming Initiative Grant Round. The application window has been open since June 27, 2016 and will close on August 26, 2016 5:00 pm. Grant award announcements will be made in October 2016.

Applications will be accepted from qualifying local nonprofits. Only programs that primarily improve, preserve or provide health services to residents of the District can be funded.

This notice is being issued to allow qualified potential applicants’ sufficient time for submission of applications.

The WOHD is an independent special healthcare district created by an Act of the 1949 Florida Legislature and

is governed by a 16 member Board appointed by the Governor of Florida. From its beginning, the purpose of the District has been to improve access to quality healthcare services for residents of West Orange County. This has been achieved through investing in new and expanded facilities in partnership with Orlando Health, the largest provider of healthcare services in West Orange County, and awarding over $2 million in initiative grants since 2012 to non-profits in the community supporting programs that align with the District’s mission of enhancing the overall health and wellbeing of the community. Recent recipients benefiting from the support of the District include: UCP, Shepherd’s Hope, Quest, Inc., The Howard Phillips Center, The Roper YMCA, Dave’s House and The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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