07.02.26 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ANNIVERSARY

VOLUME 11, NO. 39

FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

STARS, STRIPES & STACKS Juan Carlos Alejandro Mateo, left, handed out his America 250 for kids coloring book to community members. He made it in honor of Independence’s 10th anniversary.

Luisa Umehara hula-hooped by the stage as the fog machines released smoke.

Independence’s Day Winter Garden and Windermere both will host July 4 pancake breakfasts.

SEE PAGE 5A.

YOUR TOWN CELEBRATE AMERICA 250 There are plenty of ways to celebrate America 250 in West Orange and Southwest Orange this weekend.

In Winter Garden, the Red, White & Blues on the Plaza concert will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Centennial Plaza.

Then, on Saturday, July 4, the city will host the 22nd Annual All American Kids Parade & Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge. There also will be live music from noon to 7 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. The city will close out the holiday with its Party in the Park & Fireworks, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Newton Park.

Celebrate with live music by Dead Radio, family-friendly activities and games, crafts, and food and merchandise vendors. The fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Apopka.

In nearby Ocoee, the city will host its Fourth of July and America 250 Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Bill Breeze Park. The event will feature live music from The Gerry Williams Band, as well as games, rides and food trucks. There also will be recreations (6, 7 and 8 p.m.) of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride down Lakeshore Drive. The event will culminate with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. over Starke Lake.

In Windermere, the town will host its annual Pancake Breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, July 4, at Town Hall.

Teens from Horizon High School and Windermere High School enjoyed the Firework Spectacular together.

Photos by Megan Bruinsma

Independence community celebrated its 10th anniversary at its annual firework spectacular Saturday, June 27. SEE PAGE 4A.

Members of Legend Martial Arts Windermere took turns to show their skills to the crowd.

Kaia Yontz handed out trinkets to guests sitting around the reflecting pond.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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The Overlook Apartments collecting donations for Venezuela Overlook Apartments at Lake Britt is collecting donations to send to Venezuela after two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Wednesday, June 24, near Venezuela.

As of press time Tuesday, the death toll had topped 1,700. Venezuela currently is searching for about 50,000 missing residents, with the help of other countries from around the world.

Items needed include nonperishable food, water, medical supplies, hygiene items, clothing, shoes and baby supplies.

Drop-off will be at the leasing office, located at 15055 Lake Britt Circle, Winter Garden.

Items need to be dropped off by the end of the week to be sent to a trusted donation collection facility, where workers will prepare boxes to be sent to those in need in Venezuela.

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Courtesy photo

Wiggle & Wonder also will offer mom and baby sensory classes, craft mornings, inclusive play sessions, birthday parties and more.

The owners hope to have the sensory play cafe open to the public in August.

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Jeff’s Bagel Run coming to Hamlin Jeff’s Bagel Run is returning to the community where it all began.

The Hamlin location will be the local bakery’s 13th location in Central Florida, opening at 5360 Hamlin Groves Trail.

The location is planned to open by the end of the year, serving New York-style bagels, cream

cheese spreads and coffee.

Jeff’s Bagel Run started in the kitchen of owners Jeff and Danielle Perera, who always shared a love of bagels, and decided to personally deliver “always boiled, never toasted” bagels door-to-door during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the couple opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Ocoee.

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Separate incidents reported in Ocoee The Ocoee Police Department is investigating a possible shooting.

According to OPD, officers responded to reports of gunshots at

about 3:45 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Prairie Lake Park on Hackney Prairie Road, Ocoee.

OPD said officers searched the park and its surrounding areas but did not locate any victims of a shooting.

This remains an active investigation.

Call (407) 905-3160 if you know any information.

On top of that, a vehicle crashed into an Ocoee home Saturday, June 27.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 11:49 p.m. at the intersection of Adair Street and Fifth Avenue, near Vignetti Park.

The vehicle ran off the road and collided with the house.

One person was transported to AdventHealth Apopka to receive care.

FHP currently is investigating the crash.

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Wiggle & Wonder Sensory Play Cafe to open in Horizon West A new sensory play cafe is heading to Hamlin.

To be located at the plaza on 7263 Avalon Road, Winter Garden, Wiggle & Wonder Sensory Play Cafe will offer newborns to 10-year-old children a safe space to build sensory skills as well as boost creativity and exploration.

The facility will have a large play structure, as well as a sensory room for children to enjoy.

Jeff’s Bagel Run’s Hamlin location will be the local bakery’s 13th location in Central Florida.

Emergency care that’s in the neighborhood, and on your side.

Have a plan and find a location.

Fast emergency care starts with a plan.

Scan the QR code to find an Orlando Health ER location near you, with a dedicated team when you need them the most.

457879-1

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AdventHealth Winter Garden opens new cath lab AdventHealth Winter Garden opened a second cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Officials announced this cath lab expands access to care closer to home, while also giving teams

more capacity and flexibility while supporting care across oncology, women’s health, cardiology and interventional radiology.

AdventHealth Winter Garden officials said this also helps prepare for future percutaneous coronary intervention and ST-elevation myocardial infarction services.

“Most important, it helps more people in our community get timely, compassionate care when they need it most,” officials said.

The lab is located at 2000 Fowler Grove Blvd., Winter Garden.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ANNIVERSARY LONG ROAD THERE

Courtesy photos

Windermere Preparatory Academy alumnus Stephen Horn dreams of becoming a pilot and will attend the U.S. Naval Academy to make that dream come true.

Cleared for takeoff Windermere Preparatory Academy graduate Stephen Horn III combines his passion and dedication for flying and the military by attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

F

rom the first time he flew a plane, Stephen Horn, a 2026 Windermere Preparatory Academy graduate, knew he wanted to pursue becoming a pilot as a career in the military.

He wanted the leadership opportunities that come with being a pilot, the chance to lead a team of other pilots and push himself to become better.

“It’s a very difficult path, very difficult career, but if I’m able to achieve it, then it’ll allow me to do amazing things in the future,” Horn said.

Despite the pressure of being the one in total control while there’s a lot at stake, being in the sky is freeing, Horn said.

“Everything’s in your own hands, so you have to trust yourself a lot to be able to make the right decisions in case anything goes wrong,” he said.

“There’s so much happening at once, but even with all of the so many things

to be thinking about, it’s pretty calming up there. I don’t know what it is about just being up in the air for me and being able to do that, but I just feel at home almost. All the things come to me with ease, just being able to multitask and make sure everything’s in order but also being able to enjoy it.”

As a sophomore in high school, Horn learned of the military academies when a friend of his was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy.

It piqued his interest, and after conducting research, he realized it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Being able to become a pilot and serve his country? It was the perfect pair, he said.

His dream of being a pilot in the military is one step closer to becoming reality as he shipped off to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Wednesday, June 24.

FAMILY LEGACY

Horn isn’t the first in his family to have a passion and dedication to

becoming a pilot or serving in the military.

He grew up listening to stories his father told of his time serving from 1993 to 1999 in the U.S. Marines.

His father talked about the bonds he forged with fellow Marines and the leadership opportunities presented to him. Horn admired how the military helped his father grow into the man he became.

“It all just made me really want to also pursue that — become the best version of myself that I can be through the way of the military,” Horn said. “It was really cool because it not only let me see a bit into what my dad’s past was but also gave me a little trajectory into what I might want to do in the future.”

Being able to see some of the accomplishments of those who have served in the military also was a driving factor to applying for a military academy.

Aviation also runs in the Horn family. Horn said his dad has his private pilot’s license, and both his sisters also are working toward their pilot’s licenses. Horn was following in their footsteps, but he stopped pursuing the license to dedicate time to his training for his military academy applications.

The road to the Naval Academy was not easy.

As a high school junior, he first had to receive a nomination from a representative or senator in U.S. Congress.

After completing numerous essays and answering questions that were part of a lengthy preliminary application, he was interviewed three times.

He also began training for the fitness test he knew he would have to pass if he received a nomination.

He received two nominations for the Air Force Academy and a nomination for the Naval Academy.

“From the time I had finished the interview and when I got the nomination, it felt like forever,” Horn said. “I was waiting, and there was suspense.

I remember when I received my first nomination — it just felt great. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, one less thing you have to worry about, and it made me feel good, because it gave me a little hope that I would be able to get into the actual academy itself.”

Then, it was time to work on the application to the Naval and Air Force academies.

Horn, a varsity football player and varsity lacrosse captain, decided not to play football his senior season to dedicate all the time he could to his training. The fitness test included a 1-mile run, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run and a basketball throw.

Any chance he had, he was running as long as he could, fearing the 1-mile run would be what kept him from his dream.

When the fitness test came, he blew his scores out of the water, he said, far exceeding any stats he had from his training.

Although the beginning of his senior year was the most intensive academically, he had his eyes set on the military academy.

Nothing was going to stop him.

“I knew that this is really what I wanted, and if I did want the opportunity to attend and do great Stephen Horn said his acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy is a blessing.

Heritage foundation, Opera Orlando partner for ‘Patriotism on Plant’ The two organizations are bringing history and music together at the Garden Theatre to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

Opera Orlando, in partnership with the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, currently is producing a patriotic performance centered around Winter Garden’s history.

“Patriotism on Plant: A Musical Journey Celebrating America’s 250th,” which will take place Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, is about uniting, inspiring and connecting community members while honoring America and Winter Garden’s histories as well as those who fought for the country.

“Winter Garden is an older city, and (WGHF) has photos from the 1800s, early 1900s, so I thought it’d be cool to have music over the different decades,

the different generations going all the way back to the 1800s, and then show footage of historic Winter Garden over the decades as well, so you can see how the town has developed,” Opera Orlando General Director Gabriel Preisser said.

It will be a one-of-a-kind performance.

WGHF Executive Director Kristi Karst Gomen said the Garden Theatre was the perfect place to host the performance, too.

“The Garden Theatre is the absolute cultural heart of historic downtown Winter Garden,” she said. “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, it felt essential to celebrate our great nation in a space that carries its own rich, local history. Bringing this performance here grounds national history in our local spirit, reminding us that America’s story is ultimately built by communities exactly like ours.”

Lead vocalists include a quartet from Opera Orlando, as well as a narrator, who will walk the audience through the decades through vocals.

Songs such as “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Born in the U.S.A.” will have the audience singing along, Preisser said.

“The music is going to be a blast,” he said.

Planning for “Patriotism on Plant: A Musical Journey Celebrating America’s 250th” began in December, right after Opera Orlando performed “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” at the Garden Theatre.

Karst Gomen said seeing how moving and historically grounded the performance resonated with Winter Garden residents, she knew she had to bring Opera Orlando back to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday.

“Gabriel Preisser and his team share our deep commitment to storytelling and community enrichment,” Karst Gomen said. “They don’t just put on a show, they create a transformative experience.”

There will be instruments, vocals, visual tributes, costumes and lighting, but more important, veterans also

will be recognized. A portion of the proceeds from the performance will be donated to Challenge 22, a Winter Garden nonprofit dedicated to ending and preventing veteran suicide while providing resources for those in need.

“The mission of Challenge 22 is lifesaving, and as we celebrate the freedom of our nation, it is our duty to support and honor the veterans who stepped up to defend it,” Karst Gomen said.

The rest of the proceeds will benefit WGHF to ensure the protection of archives and that history remains alive for generations to come, she said.

“Our residents have an immense pride in their heritage and a profound respect for our country,” she said. “Being able to bring world-class entertainment right to their backyard to celebrate America 250 is a dream for our foundation.”

Preisser is just as honored.

“I hope it gives back in some way,” he said. “That’s always the goal with this — is to share our talents, share our music and hopefully touch other people’s lives.”

things, then I would have to really just buckle down and just conquer through all the workload,” he said. “It wasn’t really a question of if I could do it, because I knew I could. It was just how I was going to, and just knowing that my whole future is based upon that really helped me and motivated me to work through it day by day.”

The hard work paid off.

Horn was accepted not only to the Naval Academy but also the Air Force Academy.

He had a difficult decision to make.

FUTURE FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITY

Earning acceptance to both academies was a blessing, Horn said, but it made his decision harder.

Since he started the process to apply, he had his heart set on the Air Force Academy. It made sense for him with his dream of becoming a pilot.

When he arrived at the Naval Academy, though, his heart sang a different tune. He said seeing the legacy and traditions at the academy and witnessing the people and their mindset made him feel it was the place for him.

Much like football players picking the hat of the college or university they’re committing to, Horn and his family did the same for the academies.

He sat in front of his family with a Naval Academy and Air Force Academy hat on the table. He decided to joke around for a minute by pretending to choose the Air Force hat. He ultimately picked up the Naval Academy hat and put it on with pride, surprising his family.

Horn went off to participate in Plebe Summer Wednesday, June 24, excited to meet the people he’ll be working with for the next four years and potentially longer, as well as the growth he’ll see in himself.

Once he completes his four years at the Naval Academy, Horn said he will need to serve in the military for at least five years, and if he becomes a pilot, it’ll be a minimum 10-year commitment to the military.

He’ll have another difficult choice to make: Join the Navy or the Marines?

Follow in his father’s footsteps? Or set off on his own path?

Only time will tell.

“Knowing I’ve already accomplished (being accepted to the Naval Academy) is a great feeling, and there’s only more to come, so I know that bigger and better things are going to happen,” Horn said.

“I’m just very grateful for it all to be able to just make my parents proud.”

IF YOU GO “PATRIOTISM ON PLANT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH” WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26 WHERE: The Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden DETAILS: Two-hour performance with a color guard flag salute.

Patriotic attire optional.

TICKETS: $59 to $79 INFORMATION: bit.ly/4wbCbru

Preisser said the performance will not be a lecture.

“This will be a really fun concert with music, love and just a real celebration,” he said.

Karst Gomen and Preisser both hope the audience leaves the performance with a heart full of love, gratitude, patriotism and joy.

“There are a lot of trials in the world today,” Preisser said. “A lot of challenges, a lot of negative things out there, but I think when you know Winter Garden is a beautiful place to live in, it’s a beautiful community, I think we can all come together and be unified around that, and be unified around the people that have fought for us over the past 250 years, so we can celebrate the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today.”

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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.”

ANNIVERSARY

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Liz Ramos, lramos@OrangeObserver.com Historian / Amy Quesinberry Price, amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com

Angel Hernandez and Alexis and Bill Curtin proudly wore their red, white and blue at Westwood Exterior Solution’s tent.

Melwin Ayala and Francisco Monteiro smiled as they put on red, white and blue necklaces and danced to the music.

Our flag was still there HISTORY OF

Varia Tsikhan and Giuliana Gutierrez were happy to walk around together.

INDEPENDENCE The Independence community was one of the first master-planned communities built in Horizon West. In 1995, Orange County created the Horizon West Development Area, which planned for the creation of six selfsustaining “villages.” Those villages feature centers with retail, dining and civic uses, and include Bridgewater, Summerport and Signature Lakes, which became Independence when Transeastern Homes purchased it. The purchaser looked to replicate the success of The Walt Disney Company’s community of Celebration and designed Independence to be connected by green spaces, lakes and parks, and intertwined with homes, roadways and sidewalks.

Independence was inspired by the aesthetic of Colonial America, and its streets are named after agricultural methods, explorers, authors, artists and more from the time frame.

Its community icon is the mall, which resembles the National Mall in Washington D.C. The mall is a 512-foot reflecting pond with a fivestory brick Clock Tower, and at the end sits the Town Square Residents Club, which was carefully designed with inspiration from Georgian colonial buildings of historic Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

After two decades of planning and development, the community’s major construction was complete in 2017. Residents serving on the board of directors are committed to Independence’s mission: “to be the jewel of Horizon West, the leading community among its peers with a lifestyle and day-to-day operations that are unrivaled in their personalization, attention to detail and rich quality.”

Inside of Independence sits nearly 1,900 individual properties. It was founded in 2004, with 1,300 acres, 15 parks, four playgrounds, more than six miles of bike trails and walking trails, two residents clubs, two boat ramps and two Orange County schools.

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CONTACT US

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If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 210 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP PUBLIC NOTICES

J

uan Carlos Alejandro Mateo moved to Horizon West’s Independence community six months ago from Chicago.

He has fallen in love with the community, and in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Independence’s 10th anniversary, he made a children’s coloring book.

The red, white and blue themed book depicts iconic symbols, historical landmarks, heroes and more, and Carlos Alejandro Mateo handed it out for free at Independence’s 10th annual Firework Spectacular Saturday, June 27.

A weekend rainfall didn’t stop hundreds of Independence community members from coming

Alexia and Dalete Machado fit in perfectly with the Independence firework sign, which was a photo opportunity for guests.

together in their star-spangledbanner attire to enjoy food trucks and a kids zone with foam and inflatables.

They lined together around Independence’s 512-foot reflecting pond to enjoy the fireworks display.

Left: Lucas Cortes picked up the mound of foam in his hands.

He played in it with his twin brother, Gabriel Cortes.

The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120)

WEST ORANGE TIMES

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ANNIVERSARY

West Orange serves up patriotic pancake breakfasts Windermere’s and Winter Garden’s annual pancake breakfasts will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary while honoring the community traditions that have connected residents for decades.

MIA SCHAEPERKOETTER STAFF INTERN

As a long line of hungry families stretch around Windermere Town Hall on the morning of the Fourth of July, Mayor Andy Williams takes pride in his community being like the perfect pancake — rare and made with care.

Williams, a fifth-generation Windermere resident, has been attending the town’s annual Fourth of July pancake breakfast since the tradition began in the early ’90s with charitable roots.

“It was a fundraiser raising money for the Historic Preservation Board,” he said. “The Town Hall at the time was in rough shape. It has evolved. It’s grown and shrunk, and now it’s definitely on the growing side again.”

No matter the size, Windermere and Winter Garden’s patriotic pancake breakfasts always have been about celebrating patriotism and community.

WINDERMERE FOURTH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

While Windermere’s breakfast began as a fundraiser, it has remained focused on bringing residents together. Running from 9 to 11 a.m., the breakfast now is free to attend, allowing town families to enjoy a morning of food and connection.

“It’s a great community event that’s smaller,” Williams said. “It’s not like a food truck (night), where you’ve got 1,000 people there. The impact is really on the town residents. We see a lot of people walking and biking up that morning for the event.

They come straight from their … house, and they’re not having to get in the car to go.”

Even with the small-town appeal of the event, it continues to draw more residents.

Last year had the largest turnout yet.

“We went through 30 gallons of pancake batter,” Williams said. “We normally have at least a bucket left over that we end up donating to Edgewood (Children’s) Ranch, but last year was the first year we ran out, and nobody really understands why. We didn’t do anything different.”

With hungry mouths to feed, making the perfect pancake isn’t always possible, but when it does, it’s special.

“Everything is patience,” Williams said.

“The griddle can’t be too hot or the pancake burns and it’s raw in the middle. It can’t be too cold, because they just don’t cook all the way through. In the line of people, that perfect pancake doesn’t happen all the time, but when you do see it, it’s special like our events.”

Much like creating the perfect pancake, Williams said living in Windermere requires patience and effort.

“We have a special community to live in,” Williams said. “It’s not easy, but people who want to live in Windermere do it for the people that are here. They love their neighbors.”

File photos

Jerry Fay has volunteered for Windermere’s Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast for the past 30 years.

Last year, Lila Miller, 10 months at the time, enjoyed the Winter Garden All-American Kids Parade & Pancake Breakfast with her mom, Ale.

Williams said Windermere’s dedicated group of about 50 volunteers is the driving force behind the pancake breakfast. Williams said the events such as the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast often feel like a high school reunion.

“Not every community is small enough to have this kind of event, where so many people know each other,” Williams said.

“Our event, our residents, they walk in, and it’s akin to walking into a high school reunion. Where you can’t take but five steps without running into someone you know.”

WINTER GARDEN ALL-AMERICAN KIDS PARADE & PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Winter Garden Masonic Lodge No. 165, in partnership with the city of Winter Garden, also is hosting an Independence Day celebration, the 22nd annual All-American Kids Parade & Pancake Breakfast.

Ken McGowan, secretary of the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, said in the breakfast and parade’s 22nd installment, it has the same mission to invite families to eat, decorate and show their patriotism.

Starting at 8 a.m., the lodge offers free breakfast to children under 12, first responders and veterans. All other attendees make an $8 donation. Then at 10 a.m., the red, white and blue-decorated bikes and riders parade the streets of Winter Garden.

In its early installments, the parade and breakfast drew in no more than 150 people, McGowan said.

“When we first started, we had a small trailer on the side of the lodge that we would pull up and our speakers would stand on, and all the kids and people would meet on the side,” McGowan said.

Since its humble beginnings, the annual event has grown and continued to unite the Winter Garden community. This year, more than a dozen charities and groups are supporting the event. For McGowan and the Masonic lodge, the community impact makes it even more meaningful.

“It just brings the community together,” McGowan said. “What we do as a lodge is the majority of what we do is community-based, bringing families together. The Fourth of July lets us all get together to celebrate our country, spend time with our kids and do something fun with them.

They love the parade.”

McGowan described the event as a celebration of “community, family and patriotism.” The breakfast serves as an opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy the holiday with their neighbors.

“It’s a way that we can show masonry in its truest form,” McGowan said.

“Doing charitable work and bringing the community together and bringing families together to enjoy a morning and putting away everything else. We really have a good time with that, just the success of everybody coming out and getting involved and just having a great morning.”

In Windermere and Winter Garden, community is the backbone of these sparkling Fourth of July celebrations.

“It’s the Fourth of July, we all have pride about our country, and we have those patriotic feelings,” Williams said. “That’s the first part of it, and I think everybody coming together with the same feelings, you appreciate the town you live in, the community you’re a part of.”

Reenactor to perform at Ocoee’s July 4 event LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

Marcea Oetting has been a historical reenactor for nearly 10 years.

The passion for history began at a young age, as Oetting constantly found herself reading historical figures’ biographies.

She found them fascinating.

“History is not names and dates,” she said. “It’s a giant story, and every piece lays on top of the other. That’s one of the neatest things about it — to see that progression, to see the evolution, to see how one story contributes to another.”

More than that, Oetting’s birthday is July 2, and she always thought the Independence Day fireworks were for her.

“When I was a little kid, my grandma always told me that the fireworks were just for me, and grandmas don’t lie,” she said.

It created a positive correlation between her birthday and America’s independence, when she found herself happy and joyful of the celebrations each year.

She still recalls celebrating America’s bicentennial in 1976, as a 6-year-old, and holds that memory close to her heart.

The love for history never went away, and Oetting even went on to study history in college.

“The women are always fascinating because they’re not necessarily always in the history books, but they’ve been there all the time, writing their stories down, contributing, doing,” she said.

Today, Oetting finds joy in reenacting historical women, telling their stories with accuracy and passion. She portrayed Abigail Adams — her favorite — at Hamlin’s All-American Flag Parade June 20.

And this weekend, she will do the same at Ocoee’s Fourth of July and America 250 Celebration, which takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Oetting joined the Daughters of the American Revolution wanting to contribute to its mission: preserving and promoting historic events, education and patriotism.

She joined right in time for a Veterans Day parade and wore an Abigail Adams costume her mother made for her.

People came up to her asking to take photos, questioning who she was. She found joy sharing facts and information about one of the most prominent women in American history.

Something was reawakened in her that day, she said.

She thought of the idea to become a reenactor. She already had the costume, so that’s what she did in 2017.

“Doing it just felt like a natural extension of who I am,” she said.

To be a reenactor isn’t simply putting on a costume, though.

“It’s a lot of research,” Oetting said. “You have to understand the historical context of things and you have to understand the time and what they were up against.

“This is really a service to America,” she said. “We commit to doing this to help educate people about history in America. … Maybe they didn’t do right all the time.

They made mistakes, just like we all do. If we can grant grace to the past, maybe we can start granting it in the present.”

MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES

Oetting portrays more than 12 women from different eras, and she does so with care, responsibility and understanding.

Her favorite woman to reenact is Abigail Adams, someone she said always has been one of her favorite people in the world.

Primary sources are Oetting’s go-to to learn about those whose stories she’s telling, and she quickly found herself reading John and Abigail Adams’ letters one after the other.

John and Abigail Adams often exchanged letters as he went away on business trips, but Abigail Adams found herself frustrated with John Adams, Oetting said.

Abigail Adams claimed John Adams was not sending her the amount of letters she anticipated. However, his letters were going astray.

John Adams decided to purchase a blank notebook and copy every letter he wrote to Abigail Adams to show her even if she didn’t get his letters, he was writing them.

He even suggested to Abigail Adams to let their children copy her letters to him down, so they could practice their pen-

Courtesy of Jason Cannon Marcea Oetting attended Hamlin’s AllAmerican Flag Parade as Abigail Adams.

CAST OF CHARACTERS Marcea Oetting can perform as many historical figures in U.S. history.

Those include: n Abigail Adams n Nellie Bly n Mary Brewster n Winnie Davis n Mary Dyer n Temperance Flowerdew n Matilda Gage n Lucretia Garfield n Mary Lincoln n Dolley Madison when Washington was burning n Alice Paul n Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings n Mary Rowlandson n Mary Surratt FUN FACT Matilda Gage told her son he should write down all bedtime stories he tells his little boys. Eventually, those bedtime stories became “The Wizard of Oz.”

manship. These letters made it easier for Oetting to understand who Abigail Adams was as a person and her family dynamic.

“She’s so quotable,” Oetting said of Abigail Adams. “She has some excellent lines that just really pop out, but research never ends. I’m still finding out new things about Abigail.”

Oetting also finds letters from other women from the same era to better understand the reality of being a woman in that time period.

“Being able to find these documents and find these quotes is just one of the most fun things that I get to do,” Oetting said.

“It’s helping people to understand that so often you look at a history book with a flat picture and a name. What I’m trying to do is get it through three dimensions.”

She does that with each woman she portrays.

“I know this is going to sound crazy, but they talk to me,” she said.

She said the most important part of being a historical reenactor is to present these women’s stories from their point of view, and that starts from the skin out.

She digs deep into the fashion, the mannerisms, the historical era and the relationships to portray these women honorably and accurately.

Sometimes, she said, history books aren’t all that accurate. Sometimes, people need to dig deeper to find other truths.

“A lot of times these women were put in situations they didn’t have any control over,” Oetting said.

To her, telling these stories is important because “it’s our story,” she said.

She hopes to be able to continue educating others on the women that silently shaped America’s history, to make sure they are seen and heard.

“I present all the evidence — the good, the bad and the ugly — and let the audience make their own moral judgements,” she said.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

West Orange County’s

Church DIRECTORY BAPTIST

METHODIST

First Baptist Church

First United Methodist

Pastor Jeremy Woods 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:00 AM Traditional 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Contemporary

www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

Courtesy photo

John Grogan served for six years as an Ocoee city commissioner.

‘His heart was in Ocoee’ Former Ocoee City Commissioner John Grogan died Saturday, June 20, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to the city.

Starke Lake Baptist Church

MEGAN BRUINSMA

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

STAFF WRITER

John Grogan moved in 1998 to Ocoee from Boston. He began to work for Walt Disney World, while also picking up as many city board positions as he could in 2002.

Grogan’s devotion to Ocoee only grew from there.

He served six years on the Ocoee City Commission from 2013 to 2019 — even serving as mayor for a short time period before current Mayor Rusty Johnson took office in 2015.

Ocoee became Grogan’s true home. His dedication to the city was crystal clear and his passion left “big shoes to fill” for the person inline behind him on the commission, District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen said.

Grogan died at age 64 Saturday, June 20, 2026. His dedication and love for Ocoee will never be forgotten by those he touched in his time.

“I’m truly going to miss him,” Johnson said.

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy

1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

DEDICATION TO SERVE

Johnson met Grogan after he moved from Boston to Ocoee. He said at first, it took time for him to understand Grogan’s thick New England accent, but it didn’t take long for Johnson to realize what a wonderful man Grogan was.

Although Grogan wasn’t a lifelong resident, Johnson said he quickly embraced the community and became deeply invested in helping its future growth.

The two served together on the Ocoee City Commission and also represented Ocoee through the National League of Cities. Johnson had introduced Grogan to the organization, where both served on the committees and traveled across the country together attending conferences in Washington and Wyoming.

Those trips strengthened their friendship. They both shared the same thought process — do what’s good for Ocoee — and worked together toward it.

“He was a good person,” Johnson said. “He didn’t overly bother people. He spoke his piece. He liked the city. He loved doing things for citizens.”

During his tenure on the commission, Grogan briefly served as mayor after then-mayor Scott Vandergrift left office.

Wilsen, who served alongside Grogan during his time on the commission, said it was admirable how Grogan took on the role of mayor with “enthusiasm and dedication” despite him knowing it would be a short-term position.

“He was committed to the community and he was very willing,” she said. “His willingness to serve is something that we can always remember. John leaves behind the legacy of dedicated public service … and he’ll be missed. It was a privilege to have known him.”

Johnson said it’s challenging to find people who are truly dedicated to doing everything needed — Grogan was that man.

Grogan thought through every decision. He understood decisions he made impacted not only his district but also the entirety of Ocoee, and he made his decisions by looking after the citizens. He was involved in everything, from dis-

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OrangeObserver.com

CELEBRATION Saturday, July 4, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Bill Breeze Park 125 N. Lakeshore Dr. Ocoee, FL 34761

“His willingness to serve is something that we can always remember.

John leaves behind the legacy of dedicated public service … and he’ll be missed. It was a privilege to have known him.”

MUSIC · GAMES · RIDES FOOD TRUCKS FIREWORKS & MORE! 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM & 8:00 PM

— Ocoee Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen

"The British are coming!"

Watch history come to life as Paul Revere goes on his Midnight Ride down Lakeshore Drive

Throughout the Event Declaration of Independence Signing Station - Get your keepsake copy signed on-site by Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, while supplies last.

MEET AND TAKE PHOTOS WITH HISTORICAL REENACTORS Visit the Daughters of the American Revolution vendor booth and meet America’s Second First Lady - Abigail Adams

America 250 Selfie Station Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with a Smile!

FOR MORE INFO, SCAN THE QR CODE OR CALL 407-905-3180

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Although Grogan never lost his Boston accent, he quickly became “one of us,” Johnson said.

Grogan attended community events whenever possible, from Little League activities to the city celebrations, because he truly enjoyed being around the residents and people.

Grogan’s entire family is made up of dedicated people. Grogan’s wife, Michelle Grogan, served as a police officer for the Ocoee Police Department, one of their daughters now serves as an officer in Winter Garden. Johnson said the whole family is humble, caring and “down-toearth people.”

Over time, their families became friends.

While Johnson and Grogan were in business meetings at out-of-state conferences, their wives toured the cities together. Grogan also was an avid golfer, and their favorite place to golf together was Ocoee’s Forest Lake, although they always made sure not to talk about city business during the outings.

During one of their lunches, John-

FOURTH OF JULY

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COMMUNITY MAN

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City of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services

son found out something unique about Grogan’s past.

Grogan was a gymnast when he was in high school, and he was an alternate for the Olympics. Johnson thought it was “amazing” Grogan had accomplished that level in his career, and it was something nobody knew because Grogan never advertised his own achievements.

Johnson said he visited Grogan a few times while he was in the hospital and would bring him donuts from Dunkin’ because he knew they were a favorite. Even while in the hospital, Grogan continued to be an optimistic person and curious about what was happening in Ocoee, even suggesting he would return to the commission one day.

Having served in local government for nearly 40 years, Johnson said he has worked alongside many commissioners, but Grogan distinguished himself because his motivation was never centered around politics.

“Some people have that feeling in their heart, and some don’t,” Johnson said. “John did.”

He hopes residents remember not the length of Grogan’s service but his heart behind it.

“I think the world of him,” Johnson said of Grogan. “I think the world of his family. It’s going to be tough for them, but we’ll try to help them. … When he was here, even though it was only six years, his heart was here. His heart was in what we were doing with the city and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. He was just a good person.”

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cussions about the new city hall to building the Lakeshore Center, and even encouraging Johnson to run for mayor.

Wilsen saw his dedication to the city when Grogan went along with her to an assisted-living home to hand out a certificate to a person who was turning 100 years old. Her mom used to be in an assisted-living facility that was in Wilsen’s district so she had a connection to it, and they would call her to ask if she’d go.

Most of the time Wilsen would go alone — not this time.

“It was delightful, because you’re sitting in front of folks, maybe someone who turned 100 years old, and their families (are) there and they’re all very proud that we came and their family member is being acknowledged,” Wilsen said. “He was very sincere.”

Grogan also was a leader who always followed through on what he said he would do, which Johnson said he respected.

“His heart was in Ocoee,” Johnson said. “He worked hard at it, he came to all the meetings, he never missed.

He was always friendly.”

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Oakland holds first budget work session Town leaders showed residents and commission what possible property tax reforms could mean for the town.

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

File photo

The town of Windermere has filed a lawsuit against the boathouse owners to obtain clarification on who owns the land and water surrounding the boathouses.

Town of Windermere sues boathouse owners again The town is suing the boathouse owners over ownership of the land and water around the boathouses.

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

n Mayor Shane Taylor proclaimed July 4 as a day of celebration, remembrance and gratitude as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary. n The second budget work session will take place Tuesday, July 28. n There are no farmer’s markets in July.

OCFR told Hui budgets aren’t made per station, and she has not yet received further information she requested.

“I don’t think the model they’re using should be driven by taxable income or taxable property like they’re doing now,” Taylor said. “It should be per unit. I would think the cost to put out a million-dollar home is the same cost to put out a $300,000 home.”

Taylor said the town’s goal is to protect the core services necessary to run the town, while working around the “cards that we’re dealt.”

BRILEY FARM PHASE 1

Town commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of Briley Farm’s Phase 1 planned development and development agreement amendments.

Briley Farm currently is working on Phase 1 of its traditional neighborhood totaling about 36 acres.

The proposed amendment would incorporate 302 Briley Ave., Oakland, into the planned development and development agreement.

On top of that, the developer would like to split that newly acquired lot and split the lot on 415 N. Walker St., Oakland, into three lots. This would increase the allowable single-family residency lots from 53 to 55.

The lots then would be reassigned as Type D lots, which is a standard lot with a rear- or front-load garage.

When rear loaded, the garage is accessed via a side drive from the street.

The amendment also would set streetscape guidelines while continuing to follow the town’s ordinance and United States Postal Service rules.

The second reading will take place Tuesday, July 14.

R R GA DEN E CE T N I

CITY O F

TES RA EB L

W

The town of Windermere is suing the boathouse owners once again.

This time, the town is suing regarding the land and water surrounding the boathouses, focusing on the land between the lagoon that feeds into Lake Butler, Pine Street and Third Avenue, aka the lagoon upland.

The five boathouses the owners and the town have been fighting over for decades are situated on the northwest side of the lagoon.

Although the town has paid taxes on the lagoon upland for years, the town claims in the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday, June 10, that a 2022 lawsuit the town filed against the boathouse owners created ambiguity over who owns the lagoon and lagoon upland, and as a result, who is required to perform required maintenance on the lagoon upland as well as ensure safe ingress and egress and overall navigability of the lagoon.

“This ambiguity as to ownership of the lagoon upland and lagoon has left the town in doubt as to who bears

responsibility for those lands, including an obligation to continue paying taxes on and whether to maintain them, thus creating a significant issue of public safety,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit states the ambiguity in ownership would likely result in the property falling into disrepair, creating a public nuisance or hazard, because the owners of the area have an obligation to maintain them.

The town alleged in its filing that the boathouse owners now are claiming ownership of portions of the lagoon upland while the town believes it owns the entire lagoon upland.

This lawsuit comes after the town appealed a signed order from Ninth Circuit Judge John E. Jordan in October in favor of the five titled owners of the boathouses. The town appealed the decision to the Sixth District court of Appeal in November after the final judgment was rendered Nov. 19, 2025.

The town and the boathouse owners entered virtual mediation in February, but Windermere Town Council voted down in March two offers to resolve the town’s ongoing litigation.

Jordan granted a motion Monday, May 4, ordering the town to pay for the boathouse owners’ attorneys’ fees and costs, and the town filed a motion for reconsideration of the decision Tuesday, May 19. Jordan denied the town’s motion Wednesday, May 20.

Oakland’s Finance Director Gaby Leon presented Oakland Town Commission and residents Tuesday, June 23, with the first budget work session for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

Leon said in the core of creating the budget was principles, such as maintaining a structurally balanced budget, prioritizing essential services and public safety, preserving financial stability, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

The budget was based on a 6.7 millage rate, which has remained consistent since 2025.

Leon said the largest source of revenue for the town will be ad-valorem taxes, which accounts for about $6.6 million, or 59%, of the town’s total revenue.

The second largest source of revenue comes from sales and use taxes, which accounts for about $2.3 million, or 21%, of the town’s total revenue.

Altogether, the General Fund budget is projected to be $11,208,819.

Leon said property values in the town of Oakland have increased by 12.18% from last fiscal year, increasing the ad-valorem revenue by $713,670.

Because of that, the town’s fire rescue bill also increased by $343,000, now at $2,585,000.

The three largest departments in terms of expenditure are police at $3,066,026, fire at $2,625,000 and general government at $1,492,460.

Total expenses for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 equal $11,084,437 and include $180,000 for road resurfacing, $100,000 for Comprehensive Plan updates, $100,000 for land purchase near the town’s roundabout and also reflects a 10% decrease across all departments per Leon’s request.

The town’s contingency budget for the upcoming fiscal year totals $124,382.

Leon also made projections for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 and Fiscal Year 2028-2029 to allow commissioners and town residents to understand the possible impacts to the town’s budget if property tax amendments pass in November.

If the amendment passes, Leon said, the town could see budget deficits starting in the first year of homestead property exemptions, with a $820,000 decrease in advalorem revenue each fiscal year.

However, she said the predictions are not all accurate, as the town could see a decrease or increase in non-ad valorem revenue, such as sales and use taxes, licenses and permits, fines and forfeitures, and others.

For Fiscal Year 2027-2028, Leon estimates a $255,213 deficit in its budget, as expenditures cost more than what the town receives in revenue.

In Fiscal Year 2028-2029, she estimated a $595,467 deficit.

Leon said the deficit comes even after reductions across departments and the removal of a cost-of-living adjustment for government employees.

Leon said the town might need to consider reducing staff benefits such as health care, reducing staffing levels in departments or reduce work hours.

Town Manager Elise Hui said department heads currently are looking at free services the town offers, such as debris pick-up and back-flow prevention tests, to see what can be passed on to residents to offset expenditures in forecasted fiscal years.

Mayor Shane Taylor said he asked Hui to reach out to Orange County Fire Rescue for a cost breakdown of to run the station serving the town.

IN OTHER NEWS

As our nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary this Fourth of July, we pause with gratitude for the freedoms we share and the community we call home.

Big Ron Betts Trio

CENTENNIAL PLAZA FRIDAY, JULY 3 7 - 9 PM

Winter Garden Masonic Lodge Hosts

All American Kids Parade & Breakfast HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SATURDAY, JULY 4

Pancake Breakfast 8 - 10 AM Parade 10 AM

WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET SATURDAY, JULY 4 8 AM - 1 PM

FIREWORKS SHOW • NEWTON PARK SATURDAY, JULY 4 6 - 9:30 PM

For Details & Additional WINTER GARDEN CELEBRATES AMERICA 250 Events: www.cwgdn.com

www.downtownwg.com

1148 E Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 463887-1

Visit Historic Downtown for Patriotic-Decorated Small-Town Charm

(407) 877-6700

www.collisoncareyhand.com

464616-1

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

New ordinance will allow in-law suites on downtown properties

IN OTHER NEWS n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved reducing the Code Enforcement liens for 249 Center St. from $24,739,85 to $9,000 as well as the liens for 281 Center St. from $18,082.56 to $6,000. Both liens are to be paid by Friday, July 31.

The Winter Garden City Commission approved an ordinance amending the Land Development Code expanding where accessory dwelling units are permitted throughout the city.

n Commissioners unanimously approved moving Code Enforcement to the building department as well as using engineering inspectors to help support the inspections for trade work under the new $7,500 exemption. City Manager Jon C. Williams said the minor changes are a result of House Bill 803, which provides for building permit and inspection reform, and will improve the city’s response times because the changes “place everything under one department and a single point of contact.”

PROPERTY TAX IMPACT

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance amending multiple sections of the city’s Land Development Code to clarify standards of accessory structures and accessory buildings as well as formally expand where accessory dwelling units are permitted throughout the city.

The ordinance allows accessory dwelling units as a permitted accessory use in residential zoning districts including R-1A, R-1, R-1B, R-2, R-4, R-5, R-NC, R-NC2, PUD, UVPUD and CAPUD districts.

The ordinance also updates and refines definitions for accessory buildings, accessory structures, detached garages, front porches and principal structures to provide clarity, consistency and administration of the city’s code.

With the approval of the ordinance, detached garages and accessory dwelling units are required to generally be located behind the principal structure. It also establishes setback, height and architectural compatibility requirements, and it encourages alley-loaded access to minimize the visual impact of garages on streetscapes.

The ordinance also permits front porches to encroach into required front setbacks to reinforce traditional neighborhood design patterns.

Accessory dwelling units will have standards related to size, parking, owner occupancy, utilities, rental restrictions and compatibility with the principal residents in the ordinance, which also clarifies that accessory dwelling units do not count toward density calculations

Photo by Liz Ramos

Mayor John Rees accepted the John Land Years of Service Award from Tyler Denehand with the Florida League of Cities.

and may not be sold separately from the primary home.

Planning Director Kelly Carson said accessory dwelling units would be permitted only on homesteaded single-family residential lots and limited to one accessory dwelling unit per property.

The ordinance also prohibits the ability for accessory dwelling units to be used as short-term rentals.

“These standards are intended to provide additional housing opportunities to the community, support multi-generational living arrangements and aging-in-place solutions, while maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods,” Carson said.

Winter Garden resident Tammy Dacey, who has a 24-year-old son

with autism, said the ordinance will be helpful to several families in the city, including hers.

Dacey said when she tried finding alternative living options for her son a few years ago, the closest she could find was an hour away.

“One of the challenges for the families in this community is we have parents that are getting older, but we also have children who are facing one of the greatest housing challenges of the last 100 years, and that’s especially true for our children who are adults with disabilities,” Dacey said.

“Having accessory dwelling units, or expanding a garage, the capability of adding space for them as adults where they can still have some quality of life, some kind of privacy, a little bit of pride, dignity is so important.”

With property tax reform on the ballot in November, District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman made a motion, which was unanimously approved, directing city staff to look into all funding sources to see what changes can be made in preparation of the property tax reform passing.

The motion included looking into setting the fire assessment fee to its maximum rate, with the intention that if the reform doesn’t pass, the city wouldn’t move forward with the fee.

The city considered imposing a fire assessment fee last year but decided not to move forward with it after residents expressed they were not in favor of the fee and the city was able to make cuts in the budget.

“Yes, people were up in arms (last year), but I think it would be prudent for us as a commission to do what Ocoee did and go ahead and pass it but knowing that we would table it or rescind it if the measure on the ballot fails,” Sharman said.

City Manager Jon C. Williams said the fire assessment fee is one option staff has discussed, and “it’s a valuable option,” but city staff is looking at all ways there can be cuts in the budget and other ways to raise revenue.

“We have to be wise, because we do have to fund our services,” District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett said. “We can’t just be mandated by the state to do certain things and not have funding for them in place, whether it’s popular or not, and we don’t have to. … We can’t just pretend it doesn’t exist and stick our head in the sand.”

MAYOR HONORED WITH AWARD

Tyler Denehan with the Florida League of Cities presented Mayor

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n The commission appointed Adrian Galvan to the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board as well as Danykqua L. Faulk, Martha L. Lombardy, Martin Jacoby and Char F. Jordan to serve on the Election Canvassing Board.

John Rees with the John Land Years of Service Award, which honors elected municipal officials who have reached major milestones in service on commissions or councils. “(The award) is reserved for elected municipal officials whose longterm leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on their communities,” Denehan said.

Rees has served on the Winter Garden City Commission for 30 years.

Denehan presented and read a resolution from the Florida League of Cities to recognize Rees.

Sharman said Rees has “been a mentor to us all in different ways.”

“I think we balance each other out, and this commission does what’s best for everyone, so thank you,” he said to Rees.

“We all work together,” Rees responded.

Toole’s Ace Hardware of Winter Garden (Bray Hardware) 500 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL

ANNIVERSARY SALE! CELEBRATING 120 YEARS! Big Green Egg, Napoleon and Traeger Grilling Demos 7/11 10am - 1pm

JULY 11th & 12th

BRAY HARDWARE 120TH ANNIVERSARY SALE

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Established on Plant Street in 1906, Bray Hardware became a historic downtown Winter Garden staple. In 1983, Walter Toole purchased the shop, eventually moving it to its current location on Dillard Street to better serve the West Orange community.

Today, that single storefront has grown into 14 Toole’s Ace Hardware locations across Central Florida. Join us at our Dillard Street location in Winter Garden, Florida to celebrate 120 years of local service with our Anniversary Sale!

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

SNAPSHOT

REAL ESTATE

Total Sales: 77 High Sale Price: $6,700,000 Low Sale Price: $245,000

The home at 825 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold June 11, for $770,000. Built in 1935, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,664 square feet. Days on market: 28.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 1515 Lake Whitney Drive, Windermere, sold June 8, for $1,267,500. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 3,931 square feet. Days on market: Five.

WINDERMERE OAKS

The home at 505 Jennifer Lane, Windermere, sold June 10, for $2,100,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,525 square feet.

Days on market: 37. realtor.com

The home at 6507 Rosella Court, Windermere, sold June 9, for $6,700,000. This home features a private garden oasis with two pools with waterfalls, grotto and waterslide, an outdoor kitchen and fireplace all overlooking Lake Tibet on the Butler Chain of Lakes. The sellers were represented by Deanna Sechrest, Florida Realty Professionals.

Keene’s Pointe mansion sells for $6,700,000 A

mansion in the Keene’s Pointe community

from June 8 to 14.

The home at 6507 Rosella

WEST ORANGE CASABELLA

Court, Windermere, sold June 9, for $6,700,000. Built

feet. Days on market: 143.

The sellers were represented

by Deanna Sechrest, Florida Realty Professionals.

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

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL COVE

The home at 8738 Great Cove Drive, Orlando, sold June 8, for $1,010,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 2,965 square feet. Days on market: One. BAY HILL VILLAGE

The home at 6034 Jamestown Park, No. 109, Orlando, sold June 12, for $890,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,684 square feet. Days on market: 76.

SAND PINES

The home at 6219 Merridith Erin Lane, Orlando, sold June 12, for $612,000. Built in 1987, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,670 square feet. Days on market: 94.

Courtesy photo

The home at 232 Sagecrest Drive, Ocoee, sold June 10, for $770,000. It was the largest transaction in Ocoee from June 8 to 14. The sellers were represented by Mike and Teresa Stewart, Southern Realty Group LLC.

WINDERMERE HEIGHTS

The home at 8162 Oak Park Road, Orlando, sold June 10, for $1,130,000. Built in 1986, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,629 square feet. Days on market: 35.

HORIZON WEST AVALON WOODS

The home at 5931 Flowering Cherry Bend, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $764,005. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,688 square feet.

HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16331 Taliesin St., Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $820,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,104 square feet.

Days on market: 59.

INDEPENDENCE

The home at 14525 Whittridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $691,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,487 square feet. Days on market: Three.

SUMMERLAKE RESERVE

SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 9409 Emerald Berry Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 8, for $860,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,923 square feet of living area. Days on market: 53.

SHADOW BAY SPRINGS

The home at 9433 Emerald Berry Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $720,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,063 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

The home at 6229 Silver Glen Court, Orlando, sold June 9, for $585,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,922 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 5534 Baybrook Ave., Orlando, sold June 9, for $812,000.

Built in 1983, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,147 square feet. Days on market: 18.

WATERS EDGE BOCA POINTE AT TURTLE CREEK

The home at 9212 Island Lake Court, Orlando, sold June 10, for $2,775,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,776 square feet. Days on market: 80.

The home at 232 Sagecrest Drive, Ocoee, sold June 10, for $770,000.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,689 square feet. Days on market: Five.

The home at 10066 Melody Time Drive, Orlando, sold June 11, for $5,495,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,041 square feet. Days on market: One.

tial real-estate transactions

baths and 10,485 square

WINDSOR LANDING

GOLDEN OAK

West Orange-area residen-

rooms, seven-and-one-half

The home at 2614 Grapevine Crest, Ocoee, sold June 8, for $545,000.

Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,670 square feet.

Days on market: 49.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

near Windermere topped all

in 2007, it has seven bed-

GLADES AT SYLVAN LAKE

WINCEY GROVES

The home at 16256 Misty Hills Ave., Winter Garden, sold June 11, for $629,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,240 square feet. Days on market: 108.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8323 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold June 12, for $580,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,633 square feet.

Days on market: 27.

WINDING BAY

The home at 10705 Petrillo Way, Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $727,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,528 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

OAKLAND

LONGLEAF AT OAKLAND

The home at 1507 Wild Sweetgrass Way, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $565,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,975 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 4029 Isabella Circle, Windermere, sold June 10, for $3,120,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, six baths, two halfbaths and 7,217 square feet. Days on market: 18.

WINDERMERE BUTLER BAY

The home at 2931 Sunbittern Court sold June 12, for $1,050,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 4,018 square feet. Days on market: 12.

CHAINE DU LAC

The home at 3413 Lilas Court, Windermere, sold June 8, for $1,975,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,084 square feet.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6001 Caymus Loop, Windermere, sold June 11, for $1,550,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 3,520 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

MANORS AT BUTLER BAY

The home at 2635 Tryon Place, Windermere, sold June 12, for $1,375,000. Built in 1997, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,027 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

OCOEE

The home at 105 Pine St., Windermere, sold June 10, for $2,335,000.

Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,696 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 1455 Sourwood Drive, Ocoee, sold June 9, for $549,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,883 square feet. Days on market: 11.

The home at 106 Palm St., Windermere, sold June 11, for $1,375,000. Built in 1960, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,082 square feet. Days on market: 12.

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2806 Windsor Hill Drive, Windermere, sold June 12, for $1,040,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,181 square feet. Days on market: 38.

WINTER GARDEN BLACK LAKE PARK

The home at 650 Setting Sun Drive sold June 8, for $720,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,605 square feet. Days on market: 34.

DEER ISLAND

The home at 17608 Deer Isle Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $975,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 3,144 square feet.

Days on market: 199.

JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 813 Marsh Reed Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $615,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,148 square feet. Days on market: 298.

LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

The home at 3351 Current Ave., Winter Garden, sold June 10, for $739,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,682 square feet. Days on market: 67.

The home at 3467 Buoy Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $580,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,610 square feet. Days on market: 129.

The home at 3306 Hanging Tide St., Winter Garden, Lake County, sold June 12, for $562,725. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,894 square feet. Days on market: 145.

ORANGE COVE

The home at 723 Sunburst Cove Lane, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $555,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,189 square feet. Days on market: 22.

OSPREY RANCH

The home at 12549 Grape Chardonnay Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $597,000. Built in 2026, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,200 square feet.

SANCTUARY AT TWIN WATERS

The home at 16768 Sanctuary Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $1,530,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,258 square feet. Days on market: 107.

The home at 1689 Cranleigh Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $855,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,937 square feet. Days on market: 69.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 13526 Fox Glove St., Winter Garden, sold June 12, for $845,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,866 square feet. Days on market: 21.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 10291 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 9, for $1,200,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,910 square feet. Days on market: 307.

The home at 9062 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 11, for $755,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,909 square feet. Days on market: 191.

WINDSOR HILL

SUNSET LAKES

The home at 13603 Sunset Lakes Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 11, for $750,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,425 square feet. Days on market: 10.

WINTER GARDEN Courtesy photo

The home at 9212 Island Lake Court, Orlando, sold June 10, for $2,775,000. It was the largest transaction in Dr. Phillips from June 8 to 14. The sellers were represented by Jules Carneiro, Premier Sothebys International Realty.

The home at 1261 E. Fullers Cross Road sold June 11, for $650,000.

Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,832 square feet. Days on market: 27.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

11A

2026 HURRICANE SEASON

NOAA expects below-normal Atlantic season 2026 STORM NAMES

However, NOAA officials say preparation is key for staying safe.

COURTESY OF NOAA

1. Arthur 2. Bertha 3. Cristobal 4. Dolly 5. Edouard 6. Fay 7. Gonzalo 8. Hanna 9. Isaias 10. Josephine 11. Kyle 12. Leah 13. Marco 14. Nana 15. Omar 16. Paulette 17. Rene 18. Sally 19. Teddy 20. Vicky 21. Wilfred

Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to Nov. 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.

The agency is forecasting a total of eight to 14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, three to six are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including one to three major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

KEY FORECAST FACTORS

The Atlantic season is expected to be below-normal due to competing factors. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal, and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Niño conditions tend to support fewer tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.

“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said.

NOAA’s outlook is for overall seasonal activity based on largescale weather and climate patterns.

It does not indicate where or when any storms might affect land as that is determined by short-term and variable weather patterns.

“Preparing now for hurricane season — and not waiting for a storm to threaten — is essential for staying ahead of any storm,” Graham said.

“Visit weather.gov/safety and ready. gov for important preparedness information.”

hurricanes and major hurricanes.

NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory is using machine learning to qualitycontrol data collected from tail Doppler radar — a specialized radar system mounted on the back of NOAA’s “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft. This new method gathers more than 25% more meteorological data than the current method and leads to more high-quality data to support structure and wind analysis by forecasters.

ENHANCED COMMUNICATION

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center will implement an improved version of the tropical cyclone forecast cone graphic that now will include tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for inland areas for the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

NHC will begin testing an experimental version of the tropical cyclone track forecast cone that will capture a greater range of possibilities for the track of the storm by incorporating uncertainties for both direction of movement and timing.

ADVANCEMENTS ANALYTICS

NOAA, in collaboration with the Unified Forecast System community, is testing an experimental high-resolution Seasonal Forecast System that utilizes the latest modeling technology and new methods to assess the evolution of the global ocean-atmosphere system. The system is helping forecasters better simulate tropical storms and hurricanes, and more effectively predict the number of

NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction high-resolution Flood Inundation Mapping services provide emergency managers visualizations of those streets and neighborhoods likely to go underwater. FIM covers 60% of the U.S. population and will expand to nearly 100% by late September 2026.

For the first time, data from small unmanned aircraft systems will be integrated into NOAA’s hurricane forecast model during the 2026 hurricane season. Scientists from the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies and NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory determined that incorporating sUAS data into NOAA’s Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (can improve hurricane intensity forecast accuracy by 10%.)

NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center launched the experimental Urban Rain Rate Dashboard, a customizable, real-time tool that shows the probability of extreme rainfall a week in advance for more than 60 U.S. cities.

2026 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON OUTLOOK Seasonal probability

Above normal

Near normal

Below normal season

8-14 3-6 1-3

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12A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

2026 HURRICANE SEASON Study reveals fascinating facts about wildlife behavior in hurricanes MEREDITH BAUER-MITCHELL UF/IFAS

Hurricanes can be devastating forces — leveling trees, erasing beaches and damaging homes. But what do they do to wildlife?

The answer ranges from the good to the bad to the ugly. Hurricanes sometimes help native species, but other times, they introduce and spread invasive species. Sometimes, they cause animals to evolve to survive these storms more easily. Other times, they lead to mass migration or extinction.

A University of Florida study published in Biological Reviews reviewed more than 300 scholarly articles for trends that showed how animals reacted and adapted to tropical cyclones — which includes hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, typhoons in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and cyclones in the south Pacific and Indian oceans. Such research can help inform environmental and wildlife management decisions as tropical cyclones become more frequent and stronger in a warming world.

Overall, researchers found a few themes: Animals around the globe moved differently in response to hurricanes due to instinct or by impact from the storm itself. Some hid or fled to unexpected places, others were killed by the hundreds, and some thrived and multiplied — despite all odds, said Hance Ellington, senior author and assistant professor in the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Tropical cyclones also spread invasive species into

Hurricanes have pushed American flamingos all the way into the Midwest.

The Eastern spadefoot has been nicknamed the ‘hurricane toad’ because the species thrives in storms.

new regions, adding a new survival challenge for native species.

“The big picture is that tropical cyclones impact wildlife, directly or indirectly, in a variety of ways — whether via survival, impacting reproduction or by other means,”

Adobe Stock

he said. “While it’s not the norm, a really fascinating realization from this review is that some wildlife can actually benefit from hurricanes.”

Heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes can fill ponds, which are perfect for gopher frogs to lay eggs.

Similarly, the Eastern spadefoot has been nicknamed the “hurricane toad” because tropical cyclones and tropical storms can “trigger explosive breeding events,” the study states.

Survival rates of blue-footed boobies tend to be higher after a storm, possibly because of an increase in fish populations, on which the birds feed.

Some effects are indirectly helpful, such as shedding of high canopy vegetation from strong hurricaneforce winds. Key deer in the Florida Keys had more fawns after Hur-

ricane Georges in 1998, presumably because the lush, new growth of vegetation provided a new food source.

Some species, such as the Cozumel thrasher and the Miami blue butterfly, have teetered on the edge of extinction due to tropical cyclones.

Indirect forces also can cause animals to die. This includes saltwater flooding into American alligators’ freshwater habitats or queen conches being buried by sand or rubble.

Storms also can spread invasive species. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 reportedly released pythons from a South Florida facility, though this likely worsened rather than caused the now-established Burmese python invasion. Another case is the spread of the non-native lion-

fish from Florida to the Bahamas and the introduction of non-native green iguanas onto tropical islands by hitching rides on floating rafts of storm debris.

When looking at how animals avoided hurricanes, they found sharks might have an innate sense of an oncoming tropical cyclone by detecting a drop in barometric pressure. This was shown when juvenile blacktip sharks evacuated a nursery bay for deeper waters, even though they never had experience with a storm before.

Some animals, such as birds, aren’t lucky enough to avoid a hurricane but instead get caught in its path mid-flight. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia blew flocks of American flamingos from the Yucatan in Mexico across at least 13 U.S. states, as far north as Wisconsin and Ohio.

Some animals hide – sometimes in unlikely safe havens. Atlantic yellow-nosed albatrosses and wandering albatrosses, for example, have been recorded flying into the eye of a tropical cyclone, where the wind speed is lower.

Some animals stay in place and instead have adapted over generations to better survive tropical cyclones.

Some anoles, a type of lizard, that live on Caribbean islands have formed larger toe pads to be able to grip leaves better during storms.

Despite whether the impact is good, bad or ugly, understanding the impact of tropical cyclones to wildlife will help with wildlife conservation and management decisions, as well as understanding quickly changing dynamics in the natural world as storms become more frequent and stronger, Ellington said.

The study was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Centre, the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative and Florida’s Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

13A

2026 HURRICANE SEASON

Prepare, prepare, prepare During hurricane season, it’s always hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Here’s what you might not have thought of for storm prep.

OBSERVER STAFF

PET FRIENDLY n Stock extra food and medication. n Collect your pets’ vaccination records and appropriate ID tags. n Evacuate to a pet shelter, which will require the above items. n Put patches of artificial grass in a baby pool and set the pool up in a garage or somewhere in the house so the pet doesn’t need to go outside to do its business. n Inflate dozens of black garbage bags and place them in corners around your house to reduce noise from the wind so animals aren’t as scared. n Consider putting your pet in its cage or carrier and covering three sides of the containment unit.

It’ll give them a safe space while also still allowing them to see what’s happening around them.

FREEZER FRIENDLY n Don’t overstock your freezer before a hurricane. n Fill Ziploc bags with water and put them in the freezer. Instant ice pack!

It’ll help make your food last longer if power goes out. They later can be used as drinking water. n The coin in a bottle. Fill a bottle, such as an empty Gatorade bottle

ER

NEW

KEEP THE FAMILY ENTERTAINED n Family game night. Store games, cards and other non-digital entertainment options in an easily accessible area. Don’t let the competition get the best of you! There’s nowhere to hide! n You already should have flashlights on hand, so why not do a puppet show? Grab a sock, make a puppet and light up the show! n Have a book you’ve always wanted to read but never the time? Now’s the time! Have books, magazines and other paper reading materials at the ready. n Have glow sticks on hand. Need more light? Put them in a clear glass of water/rainwater. Or have a glow party! Or light the way of your home so it’s safer to navigate when the power is out, especially at night. n Stock up on binder clips! They become quite useful when making forts, hanging artwork made during the storm and clipping the bottom of paper fans to stay cool.

GENERATOR SAFETY n Ensure the generator is 20 feet away from your home or garage. n Have three to four feet of clear space above it and on all its sides. n Never use it inside your home.

Photo by Liz Ramos

Board games always are an easy way to entertain the entire family.

n Keep it dry, and don’t use it in rainy conditions. n Fuel up — before and after the storm.

STORAGE n Don’t spend time before a storm running like a chicken with its head cut off trying to gather all your supplies. Put everything in a large bin and store it in the garage or somewhere in the house. Pull it out when a hurricane approaches and voilà, you’re ready! n Instead of using plastic water bottles, use reusable containers such as pitchers, thermoses, cooking pots or buckets for fresh water. n Fill not only your tub with water but also your washing machine.

Perfect for water to flush the toilet if necessary.

TIME TO UNPLUG — LITERALLY n No power means no electronics.

Make sure all your electronics are charged. n Use solar batteries and battery packs to recharge devices.

n Unplug electronics to protect them from high-voltage power surges caused by lightning.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR Think about your neighbor, those in need and nonprofits or schools serving as emergency shelters and what they need: n Twin white sheets and pillow cases n White towels n White crew socks n Men’s boxer briefs n Women’s brief-style panties n Plain T-shirts for men and women n Running/mesh-style shoes n Jeans and shorts n 55-gallon trash bags n Coffee n Protein drinks n Tin pans n Backpacks n Lightweight sleeping bags n 8-by-10-foot tarps n 9-by-7-foot tents n Travel-size hygiene items

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Hurricane season is upon us once again, and although forecasters with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service are predicting a belownormal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year, everyone should remain prepared.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a total of eight to 14 named storms, which are storms with winds of 39 mph or higher.

Of those, three to six are projected to become hurricanes, which have at least 74-mph winds. Of those hurricanes, one to three of them are forecasted to be major hurricanes, which are a Category 3 or higher.

So how can we prepare?

We all know to stock our pantries with canned goods and plenty of water, but what are those tips and tricks to prepare we might not think of in the days leading up to a hurricane?

The Observer staff asked community leaders and residents for their best tips and tricks.

Make sure to check these off your prep list:

two-thirds of the way with water and freeze it. Afterward, fill it with colored water and freeze again. Put a coin on top. If the power goes out and the coins have sunk to the bottom and the water is one solid color, the food inside the freezer no longer is safe.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Be Ready, Not Reactive: Prepare for Hurricane Season Now

F

lorida earned its nickname as the Sunshine State with beautiful, sun-soaked days filling out most of the year, but as hurricane season approaches, it also becomes one of the most storm-vulnerable states in the country. June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season, meaning that now – not later – is the perfect time to make sure you and your family are prepared.

At Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD), we’re proud to support our Central Florida neighbors by offering the most reliable energy solution. We know firsthand that one of the smartest ways to prepare for hurricane season is by choosing safe, reliable natural gas.

Unlike electricity, which is vulnerable to downed power lines and service disruptions, natural gas is delivered through underground pipelines, meaning you can depend on it even during the harshest storms.

That’s part of the reason why critical service providers like hospitals, fire stations, and emergency management centers depend on natural gas to stay up and running during critical times.

are approximately 49% lower than those of comparable all-electric homes, according to the American Gas Association.

That said, making the switch requires some planning to fulfill your natural gas service installation. That’s why we encourage homeowners to act now, before a storm is on the horizon.

In addition to exploring reliable energy options, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends creating a full preparedness plan that includes keeping an emergency preparedness kit stocked and at the ready, knowing your evacuation routes ahead of time, creating a communication plan with family members and other important steps that you should take to help you and your family stay safe during hurricane season. Learn more at https://www.fema.gov/.

Don’t wait until a storm is in the forecast. Now is the time to prepare and equip your home with natural gas to make sure you’re storm ready before hurricane season arrives.

For more information about natural gas services, safety tips, and how LANGD can support your energy needs, visit www.langd.org or contact our team at (407) 656-2734 or EnergyChoice@langd.org.

Natural gas customers can also rely on essential appliances like water heaters and oven ranges to remain operational during power outages. When the lights go out, you’ll still be able to cook, clean, and take hot showers. For families, that type of reliability can bring much-needed peace of mind during uncertain times.

It’s not just about dependability either.

Natural gas is also the smarter economic choice. Thanks to high-efficiency appliances and its lower cost, natural gas homes enjoy annual utility bills that

424318-1 432359-1 424317-1 403488-1

14A

JULY 2, 2026

SPORTS HIGH

Squeeze interns tell stories of summer ball

1

5

Ocoee High School has hired Super Bowl champion Sammy Watkins as its football team’s new wide receivers coach. Watkins comes to the Knights after a long career in the NFL. Watkins spent his college years at Clemson University, where he was a two-time firstteam All-American player for the Tigers. Following college, he was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2014 NFL Draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

He was born and raised in Florida, attending South Fort Myers High School, where he was the all-time leading receiver in Lee County’s history with 133 catches for 2,997 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also ran track and field in high school.

Gotha Middle School seventh-grader Ava Smith completed her second season on the USA flag football team while also playing for Windermere Little League. . Page 16A.

Second-year interns Daniella DiSciullo and Zachary Moore are important pieces of the puzzle behind the scenes of the Winter Garden Squeeze as they’ve stepped into their new roles.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Courtesy photo

Interning for the Squeeze has helped Zach Moore and Daniella DiSciullo dive into their future career aspirations.

Although Winter Garden Squeeze interns and West Orange High School alumni Daniella DiSciullo and Zachary Moore work in two distinct roles as interns for the Winter Garden Squeeze, without each other, their jobs would be impossible.

With an orange microphone in hand, Moore, the team communications intern, tackles postgame interviews with a player who had a

Coverage sponsored by:

standout night or one of the head coaches. DiSciullo, the social media intern, connects the microphone to her phone and carefully records the interview.

They, then split ways.

DiSciullo edits and posts the video to the Squeeze’s social media. Moore heads home to his computer to write a gamer, describing the action to someone who wasn’t there — perhaps a scout or a coach who wants to see how a player performed. He also is in the press box for every game doing play-by-play broadcasting for home games and color commentary broadcasting for away games.

Together, they tell the stories of the Squeeze — through videography and commentary — and their footage fills the Squeeze’s social media page.

They also work together on brainstorming new content. DiScullo said SEE DUO PAGE 16A

2

Lake Buena Vista High School’s athletics program was awarded the 2025-26 Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 6A. The FHSSA presents the award each year to one school in each classification for a sports program best showcasing the qualities of sportsmanship through its coaches, players and spectators. The Vipers received $2,500 for winning the classification.

3

Five years after graduating from Olympia High School, Jacari White has signed a summer league deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told 247sports.

White graduated in 2021 from Olympia, where he was a standout player on the boys basketball team before attending State College of Florida for one season. He then transferred to North Dakota State for three seasons. There, he made 29 starts his final year and averaged 17.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. White attended the University of Virginia as a graduate student.

He became an important part of the team, playing 31 games, setting a UVA record with 12 consecutive made 3-pointers and reached double figures in 14 games.

4

The First Academy is welcoming a new name to its athletic department. Josh Mathews was announced as the Royals’ new associate director of athletics.

He comes to TFA from the Atlanta area and “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience” to the department, TFA athletics wrote.

5

Jo Barsh, Wrigley Bates, Cyndi Gustafson, Grayson Stoke and Landon Oswald played with Squeeze player Javy Calzadilla during the Winter Garden Squeeze’s first PopStroke Golf Tournament Saturday, June 27, at PopStroke Hamlin. The team won the tournament with a score of 33, which was a combination of the team’s best score on each hole.

Outside of golf, the Squeeze have been busy this summer on the baseball field and currently pose a 11-11 record after beginning the season 0-3. The team is No. 3 in the Florida Collegiate Summer League’s standings at time of publication.

LAST 12 STANDING

Courtesy image

The 10U players’ mindset of playing for Winter Garden Little League — rather than their last names — has allowed the team to advance to states.

Those traits combined allowed the team to become the first WGLL 10U team to advance past sectionals and onto states. It also is the first WGLL team to go to states in eight years since the 11U team in 2018.

“We’re all kind of in awe,” Team Manager Kyle Flanigan said. “We are super happy and so excited for these boys. It’s an amazing feeling and experience that we have all had.”

The team’s journey began by winning

DR. PHILLIPS LITTLE LEAGUE Dr. Phillips Little League had seven teams advance past districts and onto sectionals. Baseball district champions: Seniors, Juniors, Majors and 11U. Softball district champions: Seniors, Juniors and 11U. Majors All-Star baseball coach Bryan Smith said seven teams winning districts was “impressive” and a testament to the league’s ability to foster a competitive environment for the players. He especially was proud of his team for winning as it was many players’ fourth district win in a row, and they felt a target on their backs.

All of DPLL’s softball All-Star teams advanced to states. The Seniors and Juniors teams brought home the Section 5 Championship banner Saturday, June 20, in Lake Wales. The 11U softball team also claimed the Section 5 banner Sunday, June 28, in St. Cloud.

Smith’s team and the 11U baseball teams will play their sectionals games Friday, July 17, in Oviedo.

“It’s a very scrappy, gritty group that finds ways to win and they’ve been like that for a long time,” Smith said. “We don’t have a bunch of home-run hitters on the team. We have a bunch of smaller kids that know how to play the game the right

SEE LOCAL PAGE 16A

SEE WINDERMERE PAGE 16A

For the first time in the Winter Garden Little League All-Star 10U team’s history, a team advanced past sectionals and will play in states Friday, July 17.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

W

inter Garden Little League’s 10U All-Star team’s Colton Bergdahl, Tanner Flanigan, Levi Ledford and Jace Watkins unanimously agreed “playing for the name on our chest and playing for Winter Garden” is what set them apart from the competition.

That — and great defense and pitching.

AREA LITTLE LEAGUERS

16A

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Local Little Leagues find success in 2026

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

Ava Smith At 12 years old, Gotha Middle School’s Ava Smith already has tackled the battle of being a dual-sport athlete. The seventhgrader plays as a quarterback for HERricanes Brand Name Athlete Winter Garden girls flag football team, and in the 2025 fall season, she competed in more than 11 championships.

Her accomplishments led her team to become the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars Regional Champions and the 2025 12U NFL Tennessee Titans Regional Champions. She has been selected twice as an athlete for the USA Select Bowl, which is a bowl game highlighting the country’s rising flag football players.

Smith also plays for Windermere Little League’s 10-12U softball All-Star team, for which she played as a shortstop who never left the field and rarely struck out.

“Ava went from just being a good athlete and teammate to understanding the game, being able to read defenses and take what the defense gives her,” Ava’s mom Shauna Smith said. “But more important, she is becoming a leader. She understands that her body language and her confidence can change the outcome of the game.”

What do you enjoy most about football?

The competition.

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

In 2022. I wanted to try something new.

What was your best memory in football? Individually or with your team.

Winning the Tennessee Titans NFL Flag Regionals and being able to compete with teams across the United States repre-

THE BASICS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15A

Age: 12 Grade: Seventh School: Gotha Middle School Sport: Flag football

the District 14 Championship 5-0.

Then in sectionals, the team with the best record advanced. The pressure was on. Of WGLL’s around 672 players in the league, the 12 players on the 10U team were the last men standing.

WGLL won its first game, 17-2, Friday, June 26. In the next game, 9-year-old Owen Devito pitched a perfect game in 33 pitches with no hits, no walks and nine batters up with nine batters down — the first perfect game in WGLL history — and won 21-0.

The final game came Sunday, June 28. In the first inning, WGLL went up 4-2, and the players kept the pressure on to close out Sectionals 3-0.

The team’s last game was played in 100-plus-degree weather. The players beat the heat with cooling towels and plenty of water — helping their fellow teammates out whenever possible. In that moment, it became more than just baseball — it became a showcase of camaraderie.

Flanigan said it was an amazing sight to see the players continue to fight together.

senting other NFL teams.

Individually, being selected to play on the USA flag football team for my age group, where I got to play with other competitors from other states and coached by new coaches.

What has football taught you?

To be disciplined.

How would you describe yourself as a teammate?

A leader.

What advice would you give someone who just joined football?

Welcome to the team. We are going to win some. We are going to lose some. But as long as we compete and have fun, leave it all on the field.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?

We will be in tough situations, so you just have to keep your head up and power through.

What is your pre-game ritual?

Listening to music, running through routes in my mind and getting excited.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? Why? Softball because I’ve already played it, and I’m really good at it.

Who do you look up to the most?

My dad. He is the one that got me into football.

What is something new you would like to learn?

A backflip on the ground.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

California. The weather is amazing, and they have In and Out. If you won the lottery what would you do with the money?

Buy jet skis and trampolines.

What is your favorite birthday memory?

Going to a rage room then dinner with my favorite people.

What future career do you want to have?

A professional football player and a very, very well paying job.

PICKING THE ROSTER

Flanigan has coached for 11 years at WGLL. As the league’s longesttenured coach, he has worked with seven All-Star teams in six years.

Last year, he coached the Tournament of Champions team, which won all four games and set a TOC Little League record by run ruling three out of four games, scoring a total of 63 runs in four games and only giving up seven.

Needless to say — Flanigan understands what it takes.

After drafting regular-season teams, the managers from every team in the age groups gathered, created an “All-Star watch list” and wrote attributes of the players such as attitude, hard work and ethics, rather than statistics. They even took note of parents’ characteristics. The monitoring continued all throughout the season. Flanigan and his assistant coaches sat down, looked over the list of 20 players and narrowed it to 12, which isn’t easy to do — especially for their ages.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15A

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BASEBALL FOR ONE ANOTHER

“We believe that culture of being a good teammate over a great ballplayer, because if you’re a good teammate and you can put your arm around somebody and say, ‘Hey, you’re OK, you’re moment’s going to come and we believe in you,’ they go out on the field and they play harder for you,” Flanigan said.

The team does exactly that.

If someone is down, the players said they instantly put their arms around one another and remind one another they’re playing a great game. They also celebrate the accomplishments.

Every time someone hits a home run, the others run to the end of home plate. When batter jumps on the plate, they all fall down before getting back up to give their teammate hugs, cheers and encouraging pats on the helmet. It’s a tradition they’ve done with other teams over the years and carried over to the AllStar group.

Each player has his own celebration when they get on base. Oliver Wynne makes the sign for “more.”

Then they turn toward the dugout, and all of their teammates replicate the celebration.

Their camaraderie stems not only from playing together for the last few years but also the summer of activities parents and coaches have organized for them.

Gatherings have included swim nights, post-practice pizza parties on the fields and outdoor movie nights where a sheet served as a screen for “The Sandlot” while the players watched from the pool. The

way, and they do a great job of competing and getting the job done.”

WINDERMERE LITTLE LEAGUE Windermere Little League had three All-Star teams claim a district banner: softball Minors and 10U teams, and Intermediate All-Star baseball team.

WLL’s Minors’ and 10U’s journeys ended in sectionals following losing the second game of the day Saturday, June 27.

“We are extremely proud of both of our softball teams,” WLL officials wrote. “The girls represented our league with class.

They have earned some fun this summer. Looking forward to seeing all of our softball girls back in the fall.”

On the baseball side, WLL’s Intermediate team advanced past sectionals and onto states by winning 24-19, then 7-6 over Oviedo Little League Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28.

Team manager Sean Grau, who has coached for WLL for 15 years, said it’s a “proud moment” being able to continue representing WLL. He’s coached the All-Star team the past three years and his team has been to states all three of those years.

“I’m really proud of the boys on the team,” he said. “They’ve worked really hard to get here and I know they’re all really excited to play at the next level.”

The team will play its state tournament Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12.

players’ favorite activities are the fishing outings. One dad even purchased matching cleats for all the players to complement their gloves.

Flanigan said all of it has been a blessing.

“We feel as a coaching staff really strong about our team,” he said. “Our boys have such a fight for (one another) and love for (one another) that there’s no quit in these kids.”

As they begin states Friday, July 17, in St. Augustine, they will be fighting to win and set off to regionals in North Carolina for more than just one another or WGLL but for the chance to see their old teammate. Flanigan said 11 of his 12 players have a friend who just moved to North Carolina, and they’re driven to go there to see him again.

Duo makes Squeeze magic happen

they collaborate extremely well together, never having moments where they become frustrated with each other or disagree. They also bounce ideas off each other to stay current with online trends.

If you became famous, But behind the scenes, a friendwhat would it be for? ship has grown over the past two Being so young on a prosummers. fessional football team.

Both were first-time interns for the Squeeze in 2025 and came in If you had to pick familiar with each other from being a spirit animal, in West Orange’s Student Governwhich would you ment Association, but they never choose? were close — until now.

A goat because “It’s such a cool friendship that’s we all know why been built through the Winter Gar— Greatest Of All den Squeeze,” Moore said.

Time.

Now, they even carpool to all the Squeeze’s away games together What is your perfect day?

— creating lasting memories and When there’s a perfect breeze, even a running joke about the craand we get to scrimmage at ziness on the roads driving to Sanpractice. ford. Moore said every time they travel to Sanford, something on the Why did you pick your jersey road has happened — whether it’s number? people breaking for no reason and No. 2 was Jalen Hurts’ rookie Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. swerving out of the way or seeing Fowler’s Grovenumber.

3279 Daniels Rd State Farm has a long traditiona man walking in the middle of the Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 of being there.

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Get to a better State .

Moore said funny moments like

We’re all in this together.

They picked their roster because all 12 are the first ones to say they’re playing the game for the league on the front of their jersey, not the last name on the back of it. Flanigan said it’s a “beautiful” trait to see, especially at this age group.

At midnight May 15, which is when they can announce the AllStar team’s rosters, Flanigan and the staff drove around and placed yard signs in the players’ front yards to surprise the boys when they woke up.

The players said as soon as they walked out and saw the signs, they were ready for a summer filled with baseball.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15A

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those and enjoying the grind of the summer together has been special. They both know every day isn’t easy; there are rain delays and other technical issues at games that require quick, on-the-fly solutions.

THEIR RETURN

The Squeeze’s other two team operations interns and West Orange alumni, Carmen Aguilera and Mikey Murphy, also help with all of the home-game operations to ensure a smooth event.

Squeeze General Manager Adam Bates said it’s been huge having three returning interns from last summer. When he asked DiSciullo, Moore and Murphy to return again at the end of last summer they were “absolutely all in.”

For DiSciullo it was simple: She came back to continue working on the community growth the Squeeze began building last year. “(DiSciullo) is just a ‘yes’ girl,” Bates said. “She rarely says no.”

The continuity helped ensure a smooth transition for this summer.

Murphy already understood all of the game-day setup and events, but this year, he’s grown. Now, he doesn’t feel like an outsider running the walk-up songs. Now, he’s an integral team member interacting with the fans, players and kids to make everyone feel welcome to Horizon High. He and the other returning interns also helped Aguilera step in for her first season.

Through Aguilera’s first year, she has come to love running the raffle event and getting to know her fellow interns and the greater community.

Moore has come back in his dream position as the communications intern. He watched Ricky Potts last season, learning from him, and growing as a sports journalist in the last year at the Uni-

versity of Florida by covering softball for The Alligator, the student newspaper.

“He was coming back ready to go because he just wasn’t last year,” Bates said. “He took a year to learn and bought in on the process. …

That was huge.”

But they also came back for the opportunities the Squeeze gave them to pursue their dreams in the future.

Last season, Moore worked as team operations and dipped his toes in communications, social media and more, but his dream was to work in communications — and he was set up to take it over this year.

Moore, a rising junior at the University of Florida majoring in journalism with a specialization in sports media, has dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster. He said working in the Florida Collegiate Summer League has allowed him to connect with many in the sporting world such as Rich Hollenberg, a play-by-play commentator for the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I fell in love with (sports journalism), and I just want to keep rolling with it and this league has given me such an open door to be able to really put myself out there in the journalism world,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of reps with broadcasting. Repetition is what provides growth and confidence, and he will collect 18 reps throughout the Squeeze’s 18-game schedule.

DiSciullo also dreams of continuing her involvement with sports down the line. She’s a rising sophomore at the University of Tampa and majoring in accounting with a sports management background. Her plan is to collect experience now and use it to fuel her future job in the operations position in the sports industry.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

17A

Star player hosts Ocoee youth camp MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Former Ocoee High football players came together to help make the camp a reality.

Joshua Guerrier, middle, stood with his parents James Guerrier, left, and Gerdia Exinor, right, who supported his endeavors.

Above: Elgin Quezada, a member of Ocoee High’s football and track-and-field team, quickly ran a route.

Ocoee High football team’s new quarterback Nathaniel Watkins perfected his throw during the route practice.

Left: Many Ocoee High football players attended the camp.

Joshua Guerrier grew up in Ocoee and became a star safety for Ocoee High School’s varsity football team.

The Class of 2025 alumnus was ranked No. 35 in the nation and No. 2 in Florida for his 793 total return yards and averaged six tackles per game with 60 total and three interceptions. He also was a productive offensive player rushing for 375 yards on 31 carries and catching 32 passes for 675 yards.

His talents allowed him to commit to the University of Pittsburgh, where he played all 13 games as a true freshman and totaled eight tackles and three pass breakups as a defensive back.

Guerrier’s roots in Ocoee are what shaped him to become the DI player he is today.

Through middle and high school, he watched kids grow up without structure in their lives and struggling to find weekend activities.

Those childhood memories inspired him to give back to the same community that gave him so much through his first Josh G. Youth Football Camp Saturday, June 27.

“This is for the community,” he said.

“This is me just giving out to the community and helping the kids because I was in the same position not too long (ago).”

And the community returned its support to him.

The city of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services helped sponsor the event. The Ocoee High football team’s coaches and athletic trainers, including head coach Buck Gurley, and former Knights players helped run the camp for participants ages 11 to 18 years old.

“It’s something that he wanted to do collectively with his teammates that graduated with him, those who played on the field with his class, even those who graduated before him,” Guerrier’s mom, Gerdia Exinor, said. “Joshua’s an olive branch. He’s one of those people (who) gets along with everyone. …

He also believes in community and brotherhood, love for all, so it made sense.”

All of the former players and Guerrier worked with the middle school football players and current Knights players thoroughly through eight different stations for two hours. Younger players learned position-specific skills — throwing and blocking — as well as improving their reaction time through sprints, quick cut backs around cones and approaching.

The camp transitioned from stations into route practice with middle school and high school age groups, which brought out a new level of excitement as participants cheered for each other after an incredible catch or an impressive block.

Seeing it all unfold brought Guerrier immense joy.

“It makes me feel great,” he said.

“Seeing the kids working is an amazing sight. It’s amazing. Seeing it shows you they still love the game.”

Guerrier already plans to bring the camp back to Ocoee next summer following his sophomore year at Pitt.

He designed all the logos and apparel for the camp himself and next summer hopes to add something new such as a book bag for the participants to take home.

Joshua Guerrier guided players as they warmed up.

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Let Kids Create Inc. worked with children at Maxey Elementary School.

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Passion to create comes to life

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In her freshman year at New York University, Lyla Tsiokos created the nonprofit Let Kids Create Inc. in Winter Garden.

Launched in January 2024, the company was made to bring various performing art opportunities to the local community.

“Our mission is to facilitate artistic opportunities for children who otherwise would not have access to or be exposed to the creative arts,” Tsiokos said.

Tsiokos previously worked with the Winter Park Playhouse and its OUTREACH program, where it brought the musical “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.” to Title I elementary schools. This inspired Tsiokos to create her own company to do the same.

“We envision a world where access to the arts is accessible for all children and greater emphasis is placed on the positive impact creative expression can generate in society,” Tsiokos said.

Let Kids Create Inc. has held many events over the years, one of which being its fundraising cabaret June 7, 2024. At that event, 10 Central Florida young singers performed to a sold-out crowd. These singers included Sarah Jordan, Andrea Matos Devesa, Safin Karim and Amelie Jaime. The nonprofit also held a free theater workshop that Tsiokos led herself, along with other volunteers.

However, bringing performing arts to students is not where Tsiokos’ dreams end. She wrote her own book, “I Want to be on Stage,” about three children finding their passion for theater. Grace Ezzati illustrated the book.

The book tells the story of children finding their passion for theater, no

Courtesy photos

matter their background, showcasing the message that you can get involved in the arts and thrive within them despite everything you have come from and be loved for who you are.

“I Want to be on Stage” is continually distributed to Title I elementary school students in Florida for free and is available to read at the Orlando International Airport Flybrary in Terminal C. Tsiokos also has joined many classrooms to read her book aloud to students.

Let Kids Create Inc. was invited to present at the Winter Garden 100 Quarter 1 Awards. The nonprofit won the first-place prize and used the money to bring thousands of books to young students. A network of men who are passionate about giving back to their community built Winter Garden 100. Together, they donate $10,000 each quarter. Since 2023, Winter Garden 100 has raised $175,650 for nonprofits, such as Let Kids Create Inc. To support Let Kids Create Inc., contact the nonprofit at info@ letkidscreate.org. You also can serve as a volunteer or donate through its website, letkidscreate.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR Originally from Orlando, Lyla Tsiokos is a professional actress based in New York City. At age 5, Tsiokos found her passion for theater, her experience reflecting those in her children’s book.

Since making her professional theater debut at 12, she has worked with various theaters throughout Central Florida, including the Orlando Shakes Theatre and the Garden Theatre.

Tsiokos currently attends New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying drama (musical theater) with minors in both classical civilizations and the businesses of entertainment, media and technology.

Illustrator Grace Ezzati was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada.

Now, she majors in fine art at New York University. Ezzati has a desire to learn new things, with passions in illustration, ceramics and design just to name a few.

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19A

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

Strike up the fun with one of the oldest sports in the world

OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL

When kids tell their teachers, friends and relatives they play sports, most people assume they play basketball or football. However, a sport that demands precision, accuracy and stamina is hardly mentioned: bowling.

Bowling is older than most sports, with early records from the United States Bowling Congress showing the game being played in Egypt around 5200 BC. Since then, bowling has risen to have about 67 million people play in the United States every year. According to the USBC, only a fraction — about 1.2 million people — play the game in an organized league. So, although the game is so widely known, few play competitively.

The game itself seems easy: A heavy ball is rolled across an oiled lane to hit 10 pins. However, bowling is rooted in science — everything from the release to the oil on the lanes can impact the ball. It’s all physics.

IT IS A SPORT

While bowling appears more of a pastime than a sport, it is not as simple as it appears.

The object of the game — hitting 10 bowling pins — requires a distinct precision. Players try to aim for the “pocket,” which is the area where the pin at the front of the triangle meets the pin to its side.

Throwing even an inch off your target can destroy your score. Bowlers take years to develop their throws.

Once they do that, practice is key to getting the same result every time, like a golf swing.

Also, the game requires unique stamina. Bowlers often will play several games during professional matches, and it’s hard work to keep your cool and stay consistent. The bowler’s throwing arm naturally will get tired, and the balls will gain oil from the lanes that can change the ball’s typical friction. So, in addition to normal pressures during a game, bowlers must adapt and roll with the punches.

A LEGACY

One of the best parts of the game is being able to enjoy it with everyone.

People in leagues and school teams are able to socialize and form bonds while training. Friends and families can go to alleys and spend time together.

Bowling might take practice, but it’s easy to get started. Winter Garden Bowl, a local alley at 715 Dillard St. in Winter Garden, has been a home for bowlers since 2014. It offers games at $7.50 per game, per person, as well as special deals and the Kids Bowl Free program. This is a perfect way to get started in the game and learn from others.

For those looking for the next step in bowling, Winter Garden Bowl also has a pro shop run by Rich Gibson that sells balls, bags and shoes. Gibson was a professional bowler and transitioned to running a shop to continue his career in bowling. He said the best part of working at Winter Garden Bowl is “helping people get involved in the sport and get better as they grow in bowling.”

So, if you’re looking to try something new or to support local businesses, bowling might be a great option. You never know what could turn into a fun rainy-day activity or a lifelong passion.

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the 1950s, bowling pins were reset by hand until pinsetter machines became more widespread. Bowling balls themselves have changed, too. They used to only be available in polyester, but they now have different weights, surface textures for friction and more. Even the pins have shifted from being entirely wood to using mostly synthetic materials.

Of course, alleys themselves have had to adapt to the rise of technology. With machines making the game easier, more people flocked to bowling alleys. Alleys added automatic scoring as well as lounge areas, arcade games and food.

Alleys weren’t just for bowling anymore; they became centers for sport, entertainment and dining.

CHANGES IN THE GAME

As technology became more advanced, there was a shift in how sports were played and perceived — bowling included.

The design aspect of the game has changed immensely. Before

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BRAINFOO O SAY CAN YOU SEE I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher “THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER”

Although most only know the first, the song actually contains four stanzas.

Did you know?

When the National Anthem was written, the American Flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes.

More than likely, you have the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” memorized. You learned it in school, you’ve heard it before many ballgames, or you simply took the time to learn it. But did you know our national anthem has an incredible history?

Read on to find out how this song came to be!

HISTORY LESSON

Although we celebrate the founding of the United States as July 4, 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “The Star-Spangled Banner” wasn’t written for another 38 years!

The writer — a Maryland lawyer — was Francis Scott Key. Mr. Key was inspired by what later became known as The Battle of Fort McHenry.

That battle, part of the War of 1812, took place from Sept. 12-14, 1814, between the Americans and the British.

On Sept. 12, the British landed at North Point to attack Baltimore. The Americans met the British forces at the shore but eventually retreated to Baltimore.

That night, the British launched a naval attack on Fort McHenry.

For the next 24 hours, the British blasted the fort with shells and rockets. The British then sent men to the shore to try to take the fort from behind, but American forces stopped them from advancing.

The next morning, Maj. George Armistead raised a 30-footby-42-foot U.S. flag over Fort McHenry. The British, who were running low on ammunition, retreated.

Inspired by the battle — and the presence of our flag — Mr. Key wrote a poem, “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which appeared in the

“Baltimore Patriot” newspaper.

Later, Mr. Key’s brother-inlaw, Joseph H. Nicholson, set the poem to music, a popular British tune called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The poem and music then were renamed “The StarSpangled Banner.”

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Although the origins of “The Star-Spangled Banner” date back to 1814, it didn’t become our national anthem for more than 100 years!

Before that, the United States didn’t have a national anthem at all. However, there were a few “unofficial” anthems, including “Hail, Columbia,” which served as our unofficial anthem for most of the 19th century. Then, “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” was adopted, but some Americans did not like it because it shared its melody with the British national anthem, “God Save the King.”

However, throughout the 19th century, “The Star-Spangled Banner” grew in popularity.

Bands played it during Fourth of July celebrations. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered “The Star-Spangled Banner” be played at military occasions. Two years later, it was played during Game One of the 1918 World Series.

Maryland Congressman John

Linthicum introduced six bills between 1918 and 1929 to adopt the song as the national anthem.

In 1930, the Veterans of Foreign Wars started a petition for the United States to officially recognize “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem. Five million people supported the measure.

And finally, a bill to name the song as our national anthem passed Congress, and President Herbert Hoover signed it on March 3, 1931.

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, ‘Tis the star-spangled banner — O long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

RECOMMENDED READING

n “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Peter Spier n “Francis Scott Key’s Star-Spangled Banner”

by Monica Kulling n “The Star-Spangled Banner: America’s National Anthem”

by Bea Moritz n “Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner” by Jessie Hartland n “Star-Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and the American Anthem” by Tim Grove

SCAN HERE

FOR MORE INFO

READING CHALLENGES AND FUN FOR EVERYONE!

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20A

OrangeObserver.com

WEST ORANGE OBITUARY

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Emma Monegro can’t wait to see more birds outside her bedroom with the completion of her birdhouse project.

Windermere’s Art Room fosters summertime creativity

Emily Pleener showed off her finished project. She loved painting the three birdhouses.

E

Aria Lu started creating her cardinal by painting the feathers on its head.

The Art Room instructor Allison Dyer demonstrated how the campers should paint their cardinal.

Dom Bazanella had an eagle and butterfly to accentuate his birdhouse project.

— LIZ RAMOS Right: Valerie Uzcategui added bees to her project as the final details.

With his chalk outline complete, Benson Rogers was ready to start painting.

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Tracy Elizabeth (Toole) Jones, a longtime journalist, wife and mother of three, died June 12 in Savannah, Georgia. She was 44.

A native of Windermere, Florida, Tracy is a graduate of West Orange High School and the University of Florida, where she first met her husband, Mark Jones. They moved together to New York City, where she worked as a writer at W Magazine in New York City for several years before returning to Florida. They started their family in Jacksonville, where she worked as a journalist at the Florida Times-Union. Tracy excelled at both feature stories and accountabilitydriven investigative stories, led by her insatiable curiosity and deep empathy. In recent years, the family lived on Anastasia Island and St. Augustine Beach, where Tracy deeply was proud to watch her children — Ella, Lydia and Declan — grow and thrive.

Tracy was generous and brilliant, loving and dynamic. Her husband and children were at the center of her life, and she loved being a mom, but she also simply enjoyed her family’s company. She loved animals, especially alpacas and her cats. She was wickedly funny, a great writer, and a thoughtful and joyful presence in the lives of all who loved her.

In addition to her husband and children, Tracy leaves her parents, Walter and Patty Toole; brother, Thomas Toole; parents-in-law, Jimmy and Barbara Jones; and beloved nieces, nephews and close friends to cherish her memory.

A private celebration of life was held June 27.

In lieu of flowers, Tracy would be delighted if you donated to your favorite animal rescue organization.

Some other ways to honor her: Tell a mom she’s doing a great job. Support your local media outlet. Go to the beach. Give a snack to an alpaca. Find joy in the absurdity of life.

Those desiring may leave messages of sympathy and encouragement by going to her tribute page at stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ tracy-jones-14/#!/TributeWall.

Arrangements are under the care of St. Johns Family Funeral Home, St. Augustine.

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mma Monegro hopes the birdhouses she built and painted during The Art Room’s summer camp will bring more birds to her home.

She missed the bird that would visit outside her bedroom window every morning.

Monegro put the final touches on her birdhouse and completed the art project Friday, June 19, excited to take it home.

At least 17 campers were able to express their creativity and expand their art skills during the camp.

They not only finished the birdhouse project but also completed a canvas painting of a cardinal Friday, June 19.

21A

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OrangeObserver.com

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

THE WAYS

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

WE WERE

JULY 1, 1976 Al Ewing Ford was celebrating two anniversaries in 1976 — America’s 200th and the dealership’s ninth.

The Ford business was on Highway 50 in Winter Garden, and Ewing took out a full-page patriotic advertisement in The Winter Garden Times to announce a big sale on the lot.

In addition to free ice cream and cake compliments of the Winter Garden Ice Cream Shoppe, the dealership marked down prices on every new and used car and truck and onsite services. For instance, the brand-new Pinto Pony was priced at a low $78.17 per month.

1936: 90 years ago

In Windermere, Letha Luff and sons, John and Chandler, entertained with a fireworks display at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Palmer. Many local and out-oftown guests enjoyed the festivities.

The nation celebrated its 160th birthday with the worst July 4 tragedy in five years. Airplane crashes, auto races, lightning, train wrecks, burning buildings, drownings, wild bullets and tavern brawls added up to a total of 441.

In the classified section of the newspaper, this ad was found: “20 acres of good road five miles from Winter Garden. Fine citrus and truck land. $4,500. Terms.”

1941: 85 years ago

A group of the younger set had a wiener roast at Fish Lake in Ocoee.

Those enjoying the occasion were Helen Iserman, Margaret Jane Smith, Lou Evan Reddick, Carlton Lawson, Teto Parker and PeeWee Groves.

FROM THE ARCHIVES A member of the Winter Garden Fire Department demonstrated state-of-the-art equipment in Newton Park as part of Winter Garden-Oakland Fourth of July Celebration in 1974. The Bicentennial Committee, headed by Harriette Grimes, organized the affair in preparation for the 1976 celebration with multiple musical performances, dances and presentations. This included a display of classic cars, clogging and a parade. As we gear up for America 250, let’s celebrate with the same enthusiasm that marked the Bicentennial here 50 years ago!

1976: 50 years ago

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

square dance and a communitywide religious-patriotic service.

1996: 30 years ago

The S.O.S. Scott Vandergrift sent out apparently worked, at least temporarily. The Ocoee mayor and the volunteer group S.O.S. (Saving Our Star-Lite) worked tirelessly to convince the owner of the StarLite Drive-In movie theater on East Plant Street to allow the group to

continue operating the historic theater until investors were found.

The theater, situated on 7.6 acres in Winter Garden, was worth $200,000. An opening gala was planned.

What was playing at the West Orange 5 in Ocoee? “Eraser,” “The Rock,” “Cable Guy,” “Nutty Professor,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Independence Day” and “Phenomenon.”

2006: 20 years ago

Drama students at Dr. Phillips High School held what was touted as the World’s Biggest Garage Sale in hopes of raising the final $50,000 needed for a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. DP was the only Florida high school to perform at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.

A previous fundraiser was attended by DP alumni Susan Vargo and Wayne Brady.

celebrity cipher

©2026 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

30 Not much 1 “Sk8er ___” (Avril Lavigne 31 “Soldier” insect 32 Necklace sometimes song) made with pua keni keni 4 Jam Master Jay and Mix blossoms Master Mike, for short 34 “Fur Elise” key 7 Knee injury spot, briefly 36 Broke down grammati10 Total up cally 13 VFX tech 38 Hand sanitizer target 16 Crawl (along) 40 Salts, maybe 18 “___... Sasha Fierce” 42 Branch of mathematics (Beyonce album) involving polygons 19 Minor star 44 Book that introduced the 21 Snitch (on) 22 Rhythmic Spanish dance “nutritarian diet” 46 See 58-Across 24 Grammy-nominated 47 Simplicity “Dirty Computer” singer 48 Word in some animal 26 “Peanuts” character shelter names who believes in the Great 50 Software malfunction Pumpkin 53 Pack to capacity 27 Soviet spy org.

55 “Who ___ to say?”

29 Majestic

56 Toy brick company 93 Pilot, for one 58 With 46-Across, golf great 96 Secrecy doc known as “The Big Easy” 97 Holi celebrant 60 Connected with 99 “___ Miserables” 64 Period that started with 101 Ferrari alternative, the Hijrah in 622 CE informally 67 “Come in!”

102 Number of B vitamins 69 Honda luxury brand 104 Fertile area in a 10670 Flight unit Down 71 On edge 105 Piano practice piece 73 Fight to the end 107 Saturn, Jupiter and 75 Russian ruler until 1917 Pluto 77 Zilch 109 Cry a little 79 Supporter of the arts?

112 HVAC measure 80 Buffoons 113 Bibimbap topper 83 Coffee that won’t give 116 Brownie ___ (earned you a buzz things) 85 “Go, team!”

117 Lists one by one 88 Highway divider 124 Super 8 alternative 91 CBS procedural 126 Daring poker play 92 Social equal 128 Hot pot mushroom

129 Garments worn by many 59 Snakelike fish characters on “The Bear” 61 Language-learning app 130 Put up, as a building with an owl mascot 131 Rarin’ to go 62 “ur so right” 132 Cats’ cries 63 Granola grain 133 Engraved 65 “We should!”

66 Comedian Garcia 134 ‘Tude 68 Regret 72 Part of NSFW DOWN 74 Twister or Go 1 Tricolor symbol of pride, 76 Fruity drink suffix informally 78 Opera solo 2 Using the internet 80 Cinco + tres 3 “The temptation is too 81 Most populous continent great!”

82 Shark parts 4 Loud noise 84 Certain Greek islander 5 First lady in the ‘60s, 86 Whispery video genre casually 6 Air pollution portmanteau 87 ___ bag (crescent-shaped purse) 7 “True” or “false” (Abbr.)

8 Certain woodwind player’s 89 Condition for which fidget spinners can be insert helpful 9 Bedsheets and such 90 D.C. ballplayers 10 On the lam 92 Evidence board fasteners 11 Big name in PCs 94 Heartfelt request 12 Dad on “black-ish” 13 Card game that’s a varia- 95 ___ Perignon 98 Start to play? tion of rummy 100 Surname that anagrams 14 Ones marking exams to “trustee” 15 Water cooler?

102 Starter follower 17 “My DMs are open” 103 Invasive lizards in 20 Lily variety Florida 21 Voted out 106 Gobi or Mojave 23 Adult ed. course 108 Civil War prez 25 Palindromic address 110 Seemingly forever 28 “Thai” herb 111 Get through to 33 High regard 113 Dutch cheese 35 “Twister” or “Go” 114 Stare in shock 36 Theorize 115 Greek sandwich 37 Hair colorant 118 “Nick at ___” 39 Big ___ (burger) 41 Vice president who wrote 119 Not new 120 Rx item “Earth in the Balance” 121 Ancient senator’s gar43 Pointy-eared Tolkien ment figure 122 Squeaks (out) 45 Dutch blooms 123 Titles for knights 48 Ewe’s mate 125 Scatter seeds 49 Australian birds 127 VCR button for taping 51 Atlanta-based channel

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“K VEPBW AEKGA LE RYZIRY. K BGMEQBW DBKGA H OHIL EC LYB RYEKI ... K RBILHKGVQ BGMEQBW NHLRYKGA HGW VKTLBGKGA LE JQ WHW.” HIBLYH CIHGXVKG

“O VEHVYLVQ LX UV M YRMPPOYMR LJVMLVC MYLXC ... O ZSOYWRA RVMCIVQ LJML O JMQ LX HMA UMYW DA PYJXXR RXMIP.”

KCMIYVP DYQXCDMIQ

“T UMK’L GVKL LM ZJ TK LOJ QVTKRLSJVQ ... TX LOJ ASTLTAR RLVSL WTBTKH QD QMYTJR, LOJK T’Q TK UJJI LSMNZWJ.” EMOK AVSIJKLJS Puzzle Three Clue: O equals S

BEARING FRUIT by Bob Weisz & Zachary Edward-Brown, edited by Taylor Johnson

Puzzle Two Clue: P equals S

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: I equals R

Traditional Fourth of July celebrations were planned all weekend in West Orange County to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. In Ocoee, the Bicentennial Committee planned a flea market and a parade, including the Rosie O’Grady’s fire engine and Uncle Sam; and the Lions Club was serving up steak dinners for $3.50 each; a street dance in the Ocoee City Hall parking lot; sunrise church services; afternoon activities of sack races, three-legged races, 25- and 50-yard dashes, and a tug-of-war competition; and endof-day fireworks. In Winter Garden, the Jaycees planned and implemented the city’s celebration, with an old-fashioned cookout with hamburger and hotdog meals costing 76 cents, an old-fashioned

sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

52 Chart-topping songs 54 Serve as a go-between 57 Fall for it ©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

07-02-26

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Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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24A

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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