07.02.15 West Orange Times & Observer 2015 Spirit of America

SPIRIT OF

AMERICA

Times& WEST ORANGE

Observer

CELEBRATING AMERICAN PRIDE IN WEST ORANGE ALSO INSIDE: FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS CALENDAR

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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JULY 2015

e h t p e e K S ’ T LE

People on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

y p p a h n i Y P P A H

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of these fireworks injuries in 2013 occurred during the month surrounding July 4th.

FIREWORKS were involved in all 8 firework related

deaths reported to CPSC in 2013.

ing or ntially life threaten te po t en ev pr n ca u more yo tips FIreworks safety, the facts, statistics and t t ou an ab rt po ow im kn me u so yo e re ar The mo sit. Here an emergency room vi as ll we as , of July! es ri ju altering in harm’s way this Fourth of t ou es on d ve lo d your that can keep you an

Injuries by fireworks type These percents do not account for how many products were used.

INJURIES BY AGE

For life threatening emergencies, cal 9-1-1 immediately.

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

★ Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. ★ Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. ★ Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. ★ Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. ★ Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. ★ More Fireworks Safety Tips — www.cpsc.gov/fireworks.

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JULY 2015

Spirit of America

CATHERINE SINCLAIR

W

hen the Founding Fathers created the Declaration of Independence, they wrote that all men are created equal. In the 250 years since this document was written, our nation has had an imperfect history when it comes to equality, but the true spirit of America always has been found in those who strive to ensure the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all who seek prosperity in our land.

West Orange County is a diverse community of workers, leaders, students and families who, in their own unique ways, add stitches to the colorful patchwork of our community. This Independence Day is a time to celebrate the freedom to take part in the opportunities our community has provided.

Inside this special edition, you’ll find the spirit of America is alive and well. From an Taiwanese immigrant who worked hard to open her own veterinary office in Ocoee to a family who has opened up its arms to a child of a different race, our community is steeped in examples of what it means to be an American. We hope this edition warms your heart as you celebrate the Fourth of July.

Catherine Sinclair

Community leaders stood alongside the Wittwer family to break ground on Home at Last’s seventh house.

Where the Heart Is A new home will be built in Oakland for a retired U.S. Marine sergeant and his family.

CATHERINE SINCLAIR STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND — Home at Last, a local nonprofit that provides new homes for disabled military veterans and their families, broke ground on its seventh house last week in Oakland.

The home is for U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Wittwer, his wife, Kassandra, and children, Kaydance, Karter and Kylee.

“Knowing that someday soon, we’ll have a place to watch the kids grow up — that’s pretty comforting,” Wittwer says. “I think having the opportunity at a young age to be able to spend as much time with my kids as I do is an honor.”

During his military career, Wittwer completed tours in the Southeast Pacific, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Mediterranean.

While in Iraq in 2006, Wittwer was the leader of a sniper unit.

He was assigned a mission to locate a high-value target, and there was some heavy fire coming toward his unit from the surrounding buildings. Wittwer’s vehicle was hit, and he was injured in the process.

Although he was undiagnosed for seven years, Wittwer’s disability was eventually identified as a traumatic brain injury and degenerate spine disease. He also suffered from anxiety and PTSD. “Some of the things that a normal 31-year-old would consider day-to-day are a little more difficult,” he says.

The groundbreaking for Wittwer’s home was held Saturday, June 27, and a number of community leaders were present to support Wittwer and the non-

profit organization.

“We owe you a debt we can never repay. … Your service to this country, your sacrifice, is just beyond imagination.”

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster said, addressing Wittwer and the other veterans in attendance. “That debt can be partially repaid as this house goes up. It’s one way we can show we’re thankful for your service.”

Wittwer expects Oakland, his family’s new hometown, to offer seclusion and peace, so that his mind will be at ease.

“When you get your keys in the near future … you will have a home that is not only sound but is in a place and a community that is sound as well and will be a great place for you and your children,” said Dennis Foltz, town manager of Oakland.

“We owe you a debt we can never repay. …

Your service to this country, your sacrifice, is just beyond imagination.”

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With The Beatles playing on his portable radio, Robert Everett biked through downtown Winter Garden on his way to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, which he attends a few times a week.

“It’s been great for me,” he said.

Sophie Bryce, Josiah Bascombe and their parents and other friends ran into one another on a Friday night at Winter Garden Bowl. The bowling alley offers free bowling for children in the summer.

The West Orange Seniors, based in Ocoee, have a community choir, and Doris Whylie, a native of Belize, has been singing in the group for about five years. She said she enjoys the nature of making music with friends. The choir practices once a week and frequently performs at nursing homes.

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Dorene Lasalle and Henry Kean serve up the classics at Harry and Larry’s Bar-B-Que in downtown Winter Garden. The menu is a cross-section of Americana, including Texas toast, St. Louis-style ribs, fried okra and cornbread.

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JULY 2015

West Orange Times & Observer in partnership with Gracie’s Pet Food present the NEW monthly

Times& WEST ORANGE

Observer

e t Photo P CO

Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@wotimes.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@wotimes.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@wotimes.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@yourobserver.com Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@wotimes.com Staff Writer / Zak Kerr, zkerr@wotimes.com Staff Writer / Catherine Sinclair, csinclair@wotimes.com Advertising Executive / Kim Edwards, kedwards@wotimes.com Advertising Executive / Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@wotimes.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@wotimes.com Customer Service Representative / Sarah Felt, sfelt@wotimes.com

NTEST!

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

If you wish to subscribe to the West Orange Times, visit our website, WOTimes. com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden. © Copyright 2015 Observer Media Group All Rights Reserved

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4th of July

CALENDAR

FRIDAY, JULY 3 ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

RED, HOT & BOOM — 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. Celebrating its 20-year anniversary, Red, Hot & Boom will feature plenty of live music, food, drinks and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

GROVELAND GROVELAND CELEBRATION — 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, at Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Ave. Activities will include entertainment on two stages, kids zone, food trucks, arts and crafts, trolley ride to restaurants, vintage car show, watermelon-eating contest, teen dance, dominoes, Firecracker pageant, Most Patriotic Attire contest and more. Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. July 4. For more, visit grovelandfireworks.com.

MOUNT DORA FREEDOM ON THE WATERFRONT — 5 p.m. Friday, July 3,

at Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora. The Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and the city of Mount Dora will present this second annual event, which features live music, children’s activities, food-truck vendors and more. The festivities conclude at dusk with fireworks over Lake Dora. For more, call (352) 735-7183.

ORLANDO BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY BASH — 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 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.

SUMTER COUNTY PATRIOTIC FAMILY FUN DAY — 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell. Event will feature a variety of games and contests such as egg toss, skillet throwing, sack races, watermelon seed spitting and more. A pet parade will take place at 6 p.m. There also will

be live music and food vendors.

There is a $3-per-vehicle fee for up to eight people; $2 for walk-ins and bicyclists. For more, contact Kristin.n.wood@dep.state.fl .us or (352) 793-4781.

SATURDAY, JULY 4 OAKLAND FOUR ON THE 4TH — 7 a.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland. Celebrate our great country by joining the third running of the Four on the 4th Run/Walk in Oakland.

Cost is $30 through July 3; $35 on race day. To register, visit fouronthe4thrunwalk.itsyourrace. com.

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

WINTER GARDEN 12TH ANNUAL ALL AMERICAN KIDS PARADE AND BREAKFAST — 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, starting at Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St., Winter Garden. Breakfast will be served (free for children) from 8 to 10 a.m. Children can decorate their bike, scooter or walking shoes and join the lodge, Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Winter Garden Downtown Merchants for a red, white and blue stroll along Plant Street. For information, call the WGHF at (407) 656-3244.

PARTY IN THE PARK — 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Fireworks start at 9:15

THEME PARK CELEBRATIONS WALT DISNEY WORLD MAGIC KINGDOM — Disney’s Celebrate America: A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky will take place at 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, at Magic Kingdom.

EPCOT — On Saturday, July 4, Disney characters will appear in patriotic costumes on the promenade near The American Adventure. The Voices of Liberty concert will take place at 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Voices of Liberty will perform at 4:15 p.m. and 5 p.m. inside the American Adventure Rotunda. Don’t Look Back will perform at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The celebration culminates with the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth patriotic fireworks finale at 10 p.m.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS — The park will feature a special July 4 fireworks presentation at 10 p.m.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RED, BRICK AND BOOM AT LEGOLAND FLORIDA — July 4 to 6 at LEGOLAND Florida, 1

Legoland Way, Winter Haven.

During the Fourth of July weekend celebration, families can help build LEGOLAND Florida’s American Flag during the day, then witness fireworks turn into millions of exploding LEGO bricks at night through special 3D glasses. (877) 350-5346.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO INDEPENDENCE DAY AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO — July 4 at SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. As part of SeaWorld’s Summer Nights, a special Fourth of July Reflections show will feature an expanded fireworks show timed to patriotic music. Admission is included in regular park admission. (888) 800-5447.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT INDEPENDENCE DAY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT — July 4 at Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. Guests can enjoy a special version of the popular Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular, a cinematic adventure that combines cuttingedge projection technology with lasers and pyrotechnics to bring movies to life. Admission is included in regular park admission. (407) 363-8000.

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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

Saturday, 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.

CELEBRATION CELEBRATION FIREWORKS 4TH OF JULY SCI-FI SHOW — 7 p.m. Saturday, July 4, in Celebration Town Center, 701 Front St. The event will feature a sci-fi-themed costume contest at 7 p.m., so go dressed as your favorite character for a chance to win prizes. It also will feature a synchronized fireworks spectacular set to a sci-fi themed soundtrack and a tribute to veterans. For more, visit celebrationtowncenter.com.

CHAMPIONSGATE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — The Omni Orlando Resort and ChampionsGate will host its first Fourth of July Celebration Saturday, July 4, at the resort, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate. The event will feature a barbecue cookout, music, poolside games and a grand fireworks finale. (407) 390-6664.

CLERMONT CLERMONT WATERFRONT PARKRUN — 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Cler-

OUR TOUGHNESS IS YOUR STRENGTH.

mont 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.

RED, WHITE & BOOM! — 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Waterfront Park, 330 Third St., Clermont. The event will feature music, food and games. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.

EUSTIS HOMETOWN CELEBRATION — Noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Ferran Park in downtown Eustis (west of Bay Street between Orange and Clifford avenues). Activities will include music by Jeff Howell Blues Band, Jerico and the Smokin’ Torpedoes, swimming at the pool, kids zone with a water slide, bounce house, face painting, balloon

animals, sailboat rides and more.

A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.; bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more, call (352) 357-7969.

KISSIMMEE ALL-AMERICAN FOURTH OF JULY AT OLD TOWN — 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee. This celebration will include live music from The Dukes, The Klaxxics, Ken Brady and The Casinos; a classic-car show, deejay, street performers, character look-alikes and more.

(407) 396-4888 or MyOldTownUSA.com.

LEESBURG LEESBURG JULY 4 CELEBRATION — 6 p.m. Saturday, 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 Uncle Bob’s Rock Shop at 6 p.m., food, boat tailgate party and kids’ play zone and free ice cream. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. over Lake Harris. For more, visit 4thofjuly.leesburgpartnership.com.

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KISSIMMEE

SANFORD

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 Charlie Cruz at 6:30 p.m. and the Spin Doctors at 8 p.m. Event also features food, beer and a kids’ power zone. A fireworks display will begin at 9:10 p.m. (407) 518-2503 or KissimmeeParks.org.

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

Celebrate Independence Day in Sanford with great entertainment, food and drinks. The event concludes with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Monroe.

MOUNT DORA

CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN DREAM — 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. Activities will include vendors, live entertainment, children’s rides, sand art, Civil War reenactment and a living Statue of Liberty performed by Unity Productions. Live entertainment will include Artimus Pyle Band featuring Pyle, former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, at 7:15 p.m. A street parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Main Street. A fireworks display beings 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.

For more information, call (352) 742-6319.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE — 10 a.m. Saturday, 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 parade, which will feature the theme, “America the Beautiful.” The parade will begin at North Donnelly Street and West Seventh Avenue and end at North Tremain Street and West Fourth Avenue. For more, call (352) 267-2879.

ORLANDO FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN — 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 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.

Free.

ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD FIREWORKS OVER EAST LAKE TOHO — 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. The Osceola Community Choir will perform just before the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Visit stcloud.org.

TAVARES

WINTER PARK HUNTER VISION WATERMELON 5K — 7 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Park Avenue in Winter Park, 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park. Start your Independence Day the right way with a 5K race against your friends, family and neighbors.

Cost is $29 through July 3; $35 on race day. To register, visit trackshack.com/events.php.

WINTER SPRINGS WINTER SPRINGS CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM 15 — 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs. Event will feature a kids zone, the Winter Springs’ Got Talent competition, live performances, and a fireworks spectacular at 9:10 p.m.

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p.m. Attendees can bring 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.

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TITUS TOUCH

Courtesy of Cricket’s Photography

Debbie and Gary Titus have adopted five children: Jacob, Isaac, Anna, Allie and Elijah.

Two Winter Garden parents have built their family through adoption, and they intentionally welcomed a son whose race is different from their own.

CATHERINE SINCLAIR STAFF WRITER

WINTER GARDEN — Debbie and Gary Titus, a Winter Garden couple, struggled with fertilityrelated challenges when they wanted to start growing their family years ago. But after recognizing adoption as an opportunity to fill a desperate need and change children’s lives, they knew it was the right decision.

The Tituses adopted their first son, Jacob, now 16, when he was an infant. They stopped pursuing infertility treatments and committed to adoption as the method through which they would welcome children into their home forever.

In the years after adopting Jacob, the Tituses adopted three more babies: Isaac, now 13; and twins Anna and Allie, now 12.

“We have been blessed with these amazing children,” Debbie says. “It’s fun to get to discover who they are and what they are good at as the years go on.”

The Tituses then started getting involved with foster care and learned about older children in need of families. Also at that time, the couple had been serving inmates at a nearby jail.

“Most of our interactions were with black male inmates, and it broke our hearts,” Debbie says.

“That’s how it initially started. I wanted to make a difference.”

With their children’s support, Debbie and Gary came to the decision to adopt again — specifically hoping to welcome an older, black child into their family.

“We believe that all children need a loving family, and we wanted to be intentional about bringing

diversity into our home,” Debbie says.

Two years ago, Elijah, now 8, joined the family. His biological father had been incarcerated, and his biological mother was a teenager when Elijah was born and later consented to adoption. Debbie says she believes God has used the Titus family to make a life-changing difference for Elijah.

“I think that families of different colors are great reflections of God’s love for us, and how God doesn’t consider anyone better than anyone else based on color or status or anything that we tend to label people with,” Debbie says. “I am so much more sensitive to any sort of racial inequalities now, and when I see a little black boy, I see my son.”

The Titus family attends Mosaic Church, which has been recognized by community leaders for

its more than 20 families who have adopted children or are currently in the process. Like the Tituses, some of these families have adopted children of multiple races.

Every day, Debbie and Gary look for ways to affirm their children’s identities as Tituses while still honoring the biological parents of each. They are honest with the children and regularly share information about their backgrounds in age-appropriate ways.

Debbie’s advice for families who are considering adoption is to seek guidance from reputable resources, and then go for it.

“We would have friends who would say that the problem with adoption is that you never know what you will get,” Debbie says.

“Our boys are excellent athletes, one of our daughters is incredibly gifted artistically and one of our sons is gifted academically. Gary and I look at them sometimes, laugh and think, ‘Yep — you never know what you might get.’”

“I am so much more sensitive to any sort of racial inequalities now, and when I see a little black boy, I see my son.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA

A horse named Red boards at Dream Big Horse Club and Rescue in Winter Garden.

The horse club offers a number of programs through which children can learn about riding and caring for horses, as well as summer camps and horse boarding.

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JULY 2015

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Jason Albritton sells melons, peaches, lemons and other fruits at a roadside stand in Winter Garden. He sets up at Avalon Road and Coscester Street five days a week and offers produce fresh from Plant City, one of Florida’s agricultural hubs.

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Dogged Determination Helen Liao, a native of Taiwan, followed her dream of working with animals and opened CarePlus Veterinary Clinic in Ocoee.

CATHERINE SINCLAIR STAFF WRITER

OCOEE — Helen Liao’s workspace can get a little bit loud at times, and messes are a daily occurrence. Most of her clients have no concept of standard social boundaries — she’s been scratched, licked, chewed and nuzzled.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

It was her love of animals and her dedication to hard work that led her to becoming a veterinarian, and in February 2014, she opened CarePlus Veterinary Clinic in Ocoee.

Liao’s journey to success in the career she loves started early, but it had plenty of challenges along the way — including learning a new language and getting accustomed to a new culture.

Liao was born in Taiwan, and her grandparents were farmers.

She spent a lot of time helping on the farm and getting to know the animals there.

“I grew up with animals — dogs, chickens, ducks, all kinds of animals,” Liao says. “It’s something really familiar. I formed that bond very early on.”

When Liao was a child, her father had a terminal illness.

She frequently visited her father at the hospital and got to know the doctors — interactions that sparked her interest in medicine.

Liao’s father died was she was 9 years old, but her mother wanted to make sure Liao and her four siblings still would have bright futures. She enrolled Liao in English school, and English soon became Liao’s favorite subject.

Catherine Sinclair

Helen Liao and her staff strive to treat every animal and pet owner with personal care.

After Liao finished high school, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Indiana. Liao earned a bachelor’s degree in science, with a double major in chemistry and biology.

She moved on to earn a master’s degree in chemistry, as well.

“Everything I did, I worked toward going to medical school,” Liao says.

But then, there was a lightbulb moment. Liao realized her true dream was to combine her love of animals with her interest in medicine. However, before jumping into veterinary school, she wanted to try it out as a volunteer at her local Humane Society.

Liao assisted with surgeries and giving medications to the ani-

mals at the shelter. She endured heartbreaking losses, disgusting messes and more, but she never lost her desire to become a veterinarian.

“I have all kinds of crazy stories,” Liao says.

She applied and was accepted to Purdue University, where she earned her DVM in 2010.

After working at a few other clinics and learning management skills, Liao decided to venture out and open her own clinic. The process of finding and preparing the space took about a year, but it was worth every challenge.

“I basically started from scratch; we built this start to finish,” Liao says. “It was a lot of work, but I learned so much from

“I basically started from scratch; we built this start to finish. It was a lot of work, but I learned so much from it. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

it. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

Liao has five pets of her own, four of which she rescued, and they sometimes get to spend the day with the staff behind the desk at CarePlus. But every pet that walks through the door is treated with the love and personal attention that Liao gives her own pets.

It’s important to Liao that every pet owner she meets is educated about his or her pet’s health. Her clinic is filled with informational posters and brochures, and she always keeps the communication lines open, verbally guiding her clients through every step of an exam and allowing plenty of times for them to ask questions.

“Every pet is different … so I’m very vocal in the room,” Liao says.

“I think client education is really important, and I try to focus on it.”

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An agricultural worker named Immanuel harvests oranges in a grove on Avalon Road in Winter Garden. Though citrus greening has significantly decreased many growers’ yields in recent years, there is still a high demand for the crops. It is common for agricultural workers in Florida to be migrant, moving throughout the year to follow growing seasons around the United States.

July 4

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Every Monday evening, Jeff Brinkman calls out numbers for bingo at American Legion Hugh T. Gregory Post No. 63 in Winter Garden. He worked on U.S. Navy submarines in the 1960s and has been a member of the post for about 10 years.

th

Weekend Special* GOLF AND LUNCH

Left, Olivia Rivera took a break at Allen’s Creamery and Coffeehouse in Windermere after a long day at preschool. Ice cream was an expensive luxury in the United States until the late 1800s.

34.95

(INCLUDES $10.00 LUNCH VOUCHER FOR RESTAURANT)

GOLF ONLY BEFORE 12:00PM $29.95 GOLF AFTER 12:00PM $24.95

15501 Towne Commons Blvd. • Winter Garden, FL 34787 407.877.8533

173661

*Available July 3rd - July 5th

Ray Ramlagan, a native of Guyana, owns a West Indian grocery in Winter Garden. In addition to culinary staples, he offers clothing and religious items. He moved in 2006 to West Orange County, where there is a substantial West Indian population, after 16 years in New York City.

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Anne Marie Klumb and her husband, Juergen, own Yalaha Bakery and sell their authentically German breads at the Windermere Farmers Market each week. The Klumbs’ heritage is a blend of German and Colombian, and their bakery has won numerous awards.

Sgt. Mireya Iannuzzi, of the Ocoee Police Department, spoke to residents about their ideas for the community at the second “Coffee With a Cop” at House Blend Cafe. The quarterly event, which rotates among different locations, is a time for citizens to get to know their neighborhood police team and discuss ideas or concerns in a casual atmosphere. Conversations are personal, and there are no agendas or speeches.

BIG The

Celebration!

Celebrating 40 Years of the Zoo and our Rhinos’ Birthdays!

July 4, 2015

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Unveiling 40 Years of the Zoo! 10:00 a.m.

Rhino Cake

Presentation 1:00 p.m.

Celebrating

40Years

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

3755 NW Hwy 17/92, Sanford, FL • I-4 Exit 104 407.323.4450 • www.centralfloridazoo.org

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Taylor Clark, camp leader, guides children on a nature hike to look for native plant samples at Oakland Nature Preserve. The preserve offers environmental summer camps through which children can learn about plant and animal conservation, make crafts and spend lots of time outside.

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