FINDING HER MAGICAL VOICE
Ocoee’s Katrina Mena Rick has spent 14 years creating magic at Disney and was the first inductee into the Full Sail University Hall of Fame for theme park entertainment. SEE 3A.
From little to big league
From Winter Garden Little Leaguer to college-bound baseball player, West Orange native, Aidan McKee, is living out his dream of playing college baseball, after signing his national letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at Palm Beach Atlantic University. SEE PAGE 2B.
W.G. talks fire fees
The Winter Garden City Commission approved a resolution for a potential fire assessment fee. SEE PAGE 7A.
This home at 5121 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold for $5,000,000 on June 17. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, five-andtwo-half baths, and 8,178 square feet of living area. SEE PAGE 9A.
5FAST
1Homicide investigation taking place in Winter Garden
A homicide investigation is in order in Winter Garden.
According to Captain Scott Allen, a shooting took place around 12:30 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, June 24, at the Westside Townhomes on 1054 Dolphin Drive, where two people were injured.
Darius M. Towns, 24, was pronounced dead once he arrived at the hospital. The other subject is in stable condition.
According to the incident report, it is known that two subjects approached the residence and fired multiple shots. Video evidence shows an additional subject fleeing the scene, though this person’s involvement is unknown. Allen said the police department has identified multiple witnesses who were on scene, but they have been uncooperative.
The Winter Garden Police Department would like anyone with
2
Bridgewater Middle assistant principal saves student
Assistant Principal Toby Hurst at Bridgewater Middle School saved a student’s life.
According to reports, Timothy Cassell, a sixth-grade student, choked on a donut hole.
Hurst quickly jumped into action and dislodged the donut hole from his throat using the Heimlich maneuver.
Cassell’s family sent Hurst its deepest appreciation and said the child is doing well.
3
LaVon Bracy Davis wins Florida Senate District 15 democratic primary State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis has won the special primary election Tuesday, June 24, for Florida Senate District 15.
Ocoee’s Bracy Davis won with 42.96% of the vote or 5,533 votes
District 15 includes Ocoee, Oakland and part of Winter Garden.
Bracy Davis is an attorney, law maker and arts executive who has served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for House District 40 since 2022.
She will advance to a Sept. 2 special general election against Republican Willie Montague.
The winner of the Florida Senate District 15 seat will succeed Sen.
4
Lockbox program in place for senior citizens
The Ocoee Police Department now has a Lockbox program to easily enter senior citizens’ homes living on their own.
To qualify for the program, applicants need to be 65 years old or older and living alone. There is a $15 fee to participate in the program, which goes toward
faster when a senior living alone has an emergency and needs help. In addition to expediting access into the home, the Lockbox Program will reduce the likelihood of property damage caused by first responders, who must make a forced entry into the home during an emergency.
According to the OPD website, participants will store a key in a secure metal storage device, which is similar to a realtor’s lockbox.
The lockbox code only will be available to the police, fire department and EMS in case of emergencies.
5
Town of Windermere
launches new website
The town of Windermere launched a new website Thursday, June 26.
The website willhelp the town of Windermere keep residents better informed about news, events and updates.
It also will be connected to the new Windermere application on the App Store and Google Play. The new application is called “Town of Windermere,” similar to its old app, “The Town of Windermere.”
According to a Facebook post, staff from the town of Windermere believes the website will make it easier to share important information across all platforms.
Courtesy photo
LaVon Bracy Davis won the primary for Florida Senate District 15.
Disney journey comes full circle
From watching Disney sing-alongs as a child to learn American culture to working for Disney for 14 years, Ocoee’s Katrina Mena Rick continues to make all her dreams come true.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Ocoee’s Katrina Mena Rick always wanted to be a mermaid.
Growing up, she loved watching Ariel from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” sing and dance as a misunderstood mermaid-turnedhuman and felt she was a kindred spirit as they both felt they didn’t fit in the worlds in which they lived. So when she graduated from Full Sail University with a masters, she dreamed of becoming a performer.
Little did she know, her dream would come true in the most magical place on earth as a senior creative producer at Disney Live Entertainment with her most recent project being The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure, which debuted May 27 at Hollywood Studios.
Her hard work, dedication and passion over 14 years of working with Disney led to Mena Rick being the first person inducted to the Full Sail University Hall of Fame in the field of theme park entertainment.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
Growing up as a first-generation Cuban in Hialeah, Florida, Mena Rick didn’t always feel like she fit in. She grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and she listened to Disney sing-along tapes and watched Disney movies on VHS to learn the language and connect to American culture.
“I lived in Hialeah, Florida, which has the largest Cuban population outside of Havana, so it’s like a microcosm of Cuban culture,” Mena Rick
said. “Disney was that connection to that connection to American culture and also gave me the permission to dream and inspired me to be an artist and inspired me to sing.”
With her vocal background, Mena Rick secured her first job at Disney as a casting director for The American Idol Experience.
“I didn’t know what a seasonal job at Disney was, so I gave up a full-time job teaching music to take this opportunity, and I would sleep with the phone next to me every single morning, just waiting for somebody to call in sick so I could take their shift,” she said. “I volunteered to work weekends, nights, holidays. I didn’t care. I put my entire soul into it.”
Her dedication to the job helped her discover her superpower at Disney. She was the only cast member at the attraction to speak Spanish and Portuguese. She noticed many guests auditioning for The American Idol Experience in Spanish, but there weren’t songs for them in Spanish.
In her free time, she produced a deck of songs she thought would be excellent additions to the soundtrack.
Since then, Mena Rick superpower and drive to pursue the next steps in her career have launched her to where she is now as a senior creative producer.
“I took what made me different, what made me feel misunderstood, and I made it something that I was proud of and bold about,” she said.
“I did that not only to find my voice but to hopefully inspire others to find theirs with authentic representation that I didn’t have growing up. I wanted to create and blaze that trail for my
daughters and future generations.”
When Disney was creating “¡Celebración Encanto!” at Epcot, Mena Rick saw an opportunity to include more cultural representation with a fully bilingual script.
“I remember first reading the script, and it was in English, and I was like esperate, esperate, esperate (wait, wait, wait), this needs Spanish,” she said. “The fact we were able to put Spanish on the screen (in the
show), that is literally a love letter to little Katrina. It’s a love letter to all the little Katrinas out in the world that don’t have a place that hopefully they can feel like they do when they come here.”
HOW FAR SHE’LL GO
Mena Rick said her 14-year career at Disney has been humbling. She’s learned to not only expand on her musical talents but also incorporate technology and work with different teams such as 3D modelers, animators, digital artists and puppeteers.
“There was nothing that was going to prepare me for this other than the passion and the willingness to learn and the willingness to collaborate, be creative, think outside the box and just be a really good team player,” she said. “It means the world to me to have this honor because there’s so many people that dream this dream so I’m just lucky that I’m actually living this dream. I’m sharing this dream with so many other talented cast members.”
Mena Rick said there are times she feels she has imposter syndrome as she’s working with hundreds of talented individuals on projects like The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure.
With The Little Mermaid attraction, she said there was an immense “responsibility of shepherding a show that is so iconic and has such an important role” in Disney’s brand. The team creating the attraction didn’t want to take away from the scenes and moments from the movie people know so well and made “The Little Mermaid” special.
“We wanted to keep them and elevate them,” she said. “It took a lot of really talented, brilliant, creative people, a melding of minds and multidisciplinary collaborations like never before.”
She said she served as the bridge between the practical and digital for the show.
Mena Rick’s talents allowed her to find her ways to elevate the show, such as during the “Under the Sea” performance when she worked with digital artists, animators and puppeteers to ensure every character played its musical role correctly.
She came full circle in life watching the final production of The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure for the first time. She recalled sitting in front of the TV screen as a girl watching the animated version of Ariel finding where she belonged in the world. To make the first viewing even more special, Jodi Benson, the voice of the legendary mermaid, attended the performance.
“I was sitting next to our video designer and my lead VFX designer doing something boring and technical, and then all of a sudden I heard screaming,” Mena Rick said. “I literally stood up and my jaw dropped. I was like, ‘Oh my god, my childhood idol just walked into the theater.’ I froze. I cried. I felt all the feels. … It was one of the best moments of my life.”
All of her accomplishments with Disney have led to her induction into the Full Sail University Hall of Fame.
“I had major imposter syndrome being on stage with Grammy and Oscar winners when I’m working in a theme park, but they embraced me with open arms, and they were just as excited about the work that we do as I was with the work they did,” she said. “It’s truly a validation of the hard work, the investment I made in myself, the 21-year-old Katrina that moved here with $200 in her pocket, and it finally paid off.”
Courtesy photo
Ocoee’s Katrina Mena Rick had a hand in the production of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, Happily Ever After.
Courtesy photo
With her work on The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure, Ocoee’s Katrina Mena Rick hopes to be an inspiration for her daughters and future generations.
Behind the scenes: Winter Garden Fourth of July fireworks
Danny Turner, the sales and operations for east Florida for Pyro Shows, is the most nervous in those last three seconds before hitting a button that sets off the thousands of fireworks lighting up the night sky every Fourth of July.
“If you are not nervous before a show, I don’t want you shooting my show just because that nervous energy makes you triple check everything and make sure you’re good to go,” Turner said. “The most stressful time in a pyrotechnician’s life on the Fourth of July is when the countdown gets to three, two, one and they have to push the button and either the show’s going to start or the show’s not.”
Pyro Shows has been the team behind Winter Garden’s Fourth of July fireworks show for at least five years, and it’s back again for this year’s show. But getting to the moment where everything goes boom is 364 days in the making.
“When people start talking about, ‘Hey, when do y’all start working on July 4 (shows)?’ and the legitimately true answer is July 5,” Turner said with a laugh. “With next year being the 250th anniversary (of the U.S.), we’re already working on shows for next year. It’s a full yearlong process on these shows.”
ALL ABOUT PREPARATION
The first conversation Pyro Shows has with the city of Winter Garden, or any of its clients, is what went well and what did they like or not like of the previous display and what, if any, changes could be made. Turner said the conversation sets the tone and direction for where the fireworks company needs to go as the year progresses.
In August or September, Pyro Shows staff head to China to visit its manufacturers. There, they’ll get to see what new fireworks and effects are available that year. This leads to conversations with city staff about what they want included in the show according to the budget and what is available.
Once the New Year’s rush is over, that’s when Pyro Shows puts all its attention on the Fourth of July shows.
The design team begins crafting the show, scouring through hundreds of patriotic tunes to find the perfect pace and mixture of songs that blend seamlessly together to keep the audience captivated.
They choose what firework shapes will appear in the sky at what time. Smiley faces. Stars. Chrysanthemums. Peonies. One after the other dazzling the crowd.
The designers will choose fireworks that will match the pace and tone of the songs, adding excitement to the faster pace songs and slowing it down for the ballads.
Pyro Shows has a standard soundtrack of patriotic sounds, but sometimes clients will request other songs to add into the mix.
For the finale, the designers plan a barrage of effects with upbeat music.
“We have a digital simulation software where they go in, they can put the soundtrack in and then they can go in and law the show over the soundtrack,” Turner said. “They can watch the show virtually before we ever do anything in the real world. That’s been a major game changer for the industry as a whole.”
In Winter Garden, there will be approximately 5,000 fireworks going off over the course of more than 30 patriotic songs.
Once the show’s design is complete, next is gathering the firework shells and equipment needed to make the show a reality. Crew members will gather the product designed for the show from the facility in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“We have a whole crew that their whole job, day in and day out, is to do nothing but take that design sheet and then they go out to all the various storage locations and pull that specific product, assign it to the show and then it goes into storage waiting to be shipped down to the show site,” Turner said.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Turner said he wishes all his fireworks displays could take place in a similar location to that of Winter Garden because “it’s a phenomenal site.”
Pyro Shows shoots off the fireworks at the dock of Lake Apopka for viewers at Newton Park to see.
“The shoot site for Winter Garden is phenomenal,” Turner said. “I would love to have that site everywhere just because you’re far enough out on the water to where it’s not a mile-anda-half away on a barge that it looks like a postage stamp sitting out there. It’s close enough that people still get that proximity effect of man, that’s in our face. … Then you add the water, which you get the reflection off the water, and it’s hard to beat something like that.”
The only aspect of the location Turner would change is making the dock bigger so Pyro Shows can fit more equipment and gear on the dock for the show.
On top of location, Turner said the right crew needs to be in place to make the location of the display optimal.
The crew needs to be knowledgeable and experienced in knowing how to shoot fireworks off a dock in the middle of a lake and the impact the reflection of the lake can have on the show.
Turner said Winter Garden’s show is a sought after show for Pyro Shows as crew members often are requesting to be assigned to the Winter Garden show.
“The product is the product,” Turner said. “It doesn’t change. We have all the different effects and all that stuff … so it really comes down to those intangibles of the crew and communication with the folks at Winter Garden.”
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Setting up the fireworks display in Winter Garden has been narrowed down to a science. In past years, it might have taken the crew two or more days to set up leading up to July 4, but now, it takes one day. The firework shells are loaded into
the firing system according to the script provided to ensure it goes off as designed.
Then it’s the waiting game.
At showtime, the crew is conducting its triple checks, making sure every shell is in place and ready to go off on command.
Exactly at 9:15 p.m. the fireworks show will begin in Winter Garden.
When the shells finally are bursting out of the firing system, the show looks different to a pyrotechnician than to an audience member. While the audience is looking to the sky, the pyrotechnicians have their eyes on the ground, making sure every shell is going off as expected.
If a shell goes up but doesn’t explode, they are watching to see where it went down to ensure everyone’s safety. If needed, Turner said a pyrotechnician can switch from automatic to manual mode on the firing system and hit various switches to signal the correct fireworks to shoot out at the right time.
When the last shell hits the sky, the roar comes from the audience screaming and applauding.
“I cannot adequately describe the adrenaline dump and dopamine rush when you hear 10,000 people screaming, meaning you did a good job,” Turner said. “That is probably one of the most addictive things in a pyrotechnician’s life, hearing that crowd at the end because we all like to shoot
fireworks or we wouldn’t be doing this. After how long it took you to set up this show in the July heat, dealing with rain storms or whatever, to get that validation at the end, there’s not feeling like it for sure.”
IF YOU GO
Party in the Park & Fireworks
Display
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 4
Where: Newtown Park on Lake Apopka, 31 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden Cost: Free
Details: The community celebration will feature family-friendly activities, crafts for the kids, live music and more with the night ending in a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m. overlooking Lake
Information on more Fourth of July festivities is available at OrangeObserver.com.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE FIREWORKS?
• Chrysanthemums
• Peonies
• Hearts
• Stars
• Cubes
• Smiley faces
•Waterfalls
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Design
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Senior
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ORANGE TIMES
Courtesy photos
Pyro Shows crew members triple check everything before the start of the display.
According to Pyro Show’s Danny Turner, the best moment for pyrotechnicians is hearing the applause from the audience after the show’s finale.
Depending on the show, it can take days for Pyro Shows to set up the fireworks display on site. In Winter Garden, it takes one day for the Fourth of July fireworks show.
Pyro Show’s Danny Turner shares what it takes to make the annual fireworks show a must-see for residents.
Apopka.
Electro muscle stimulation is in Winter Garden
Bodystreet joined Winter Garden’s business scene in 2024 as a workout alternative.
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
As a veteran, Andino Delve deals with sciatica and knee injuries that do not allow him to use his full potential at the gym without overexerting himself.
Two years ago, he discovered electro muscle stimulation, or EMS, which is a workout method that uses electrical impulses to contract muscles, enhancing workout results in a shorter amount of time. It’s a form of training where a wearable device with electrodes is used to stimulate muscles and can be used to improve overall fitness, tone the body and strengthen muscles.
Since then, Delve has been using EMS to alleviate his pain.
With his perusal trainer certification, Delve joined Bodystreet, an EMS fitness studio, as the manager and trainer in April wanting to help others understand and reap the benefits of EMS. He joined the Bodystreet team after meeting Steffen Brandt, the owner of Bodystreet in Winter Park, through a networking event and learning more about the EMS studio.
“I love watching people win and hearing their success stories and helping them get there,” Delve said. “We have a client who came in just not even two days ago, just grinning ear to ear, smiling and she’s like, ‘Hey, this is the first time in 20 years that I hopped on a scale and there’s a ‘one’ in front of me.’ You can just feel she’s so happy with the progress she’s made.”
Winter Garden is one of many Bodystreet locations around the world, being the third location in Florida.
Bodystreet started in Munich, Germany in 2007. With over 300 boutiques and over 1,000 employees around the world, Body Street delivered over 16.3 million EMS workouts
since its opening, making it the world’s market leader in the field of EMS boutique fitness studios, according to its website.
The boutique studio in Winter Garden is designed for up to two people per session, making the experience unique to them with the proper attention from trainers.
EMS is specially helpful to people with mobility limitations or people with time constraints, like busy parents, full-time employees, etc. It is a 20-minute session that provides 85 muscle contractions per second.
Delve said it can be done once a week and clients still should see results.
“Besides the time factor (being different from gym workouts) is the injury factor,” Delve said. “Here it’s very low impact. It’s like yoga on steroids… You get a lot of power and strength building without the injury or stress on your joints or bones.”
These 20-minute sessions are equivalent to a 2.5-hour session at the gym or a 10-mile run, Delve said. It works multiple muscle groups simultaneously which allows for a balanced workout.
Communication is extremely necessary throughout the workouts, Delve said.
“I let everyone know, ‘I can’t feel it (electricity) for you so you let me know what your limit is,’” Delve said. “It’s really just about communicating and being very observant on who I’m working out with.”
Delve compared it to having a dance partner. The trainer will watch while turning the electric dials up to add intensity and respond to the client’s reaction.
Delve said feedback from his clients means the world. As a testimony, one of his clients who is in her 70s put on so much muscle it helped reverse her osteoporosis.
To see results, Delve said clients should wait two to three months with the proper diet and consistency.
“This is just like going to the gym, except you don’t spend as much time,” Delve said. “At three to six months, you’ll see it (progress) yourself. Though everybody’s different, you’ll be feeling it and other people will be
Robo-op: New tech rises in surgical field
Orlando Health’s Dr. P. Phillips Hospital added a third state-of-the-art robotic arm to perform surgeries.
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
Dr. P. Phillips Hospital has a new state-of-the-art robot that will help the hospital’s ability to perform minimally invasive surgeries.
On Monday, June 23, Luke Elms, a general surgeon at the Orlando Health hospital demonstrated how this new robotic arm works, showcasing its capabilities.
This robotic arm is the third one at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital but with new specs and smaller in size.
“Here at Dr. Phillips Hospital we have been using them extensively so it was time to offer a third,” Elms said. “We’re always looking to bring a lot of these complex surgeries closer to home. So this allows us to bring in more complex surgery, state-of-theart surgery, the type of surgery that you can get at the biggest institutions here locally to Dr. Phillips to keep these patients close to their families,
close to their social support system and really allow them to have access to the latest technology here.”
According to Elms, the robotic arm is able to create smaller incisions compared to regular surgery and it also supports a faster and smoother recovery for patients while maintaining sterility.
Elms has performed more than 1,000 surgeries using the surgical robotic arms and plans to continue using the robots for future surgeries.
It can be used across multiple specialties, like general surgery, gynecology, oncology, urology and more.
According to Orlando Health, “Robotic surgery offers surgeons the advantages of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery with the added benefits of more precise instruments, increased vision and total control of more aspects of the operation.”
With the master control, surgeons are able to control the arms and its movements, while also having bet-
noticing the difference in you as well.”
Delve said it’s not a miracle workout. Diet changes like increases in protein intake, less junk foods, staying hydrated and resting will play a big part in EMS’ successes.
“People coming to us, they have a problem they want to solve. They want to be more efficient, they want to be healthy and they don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it or stress their body on more than necessary,” Delve said.
Certain health conditions will impede some from the EMS workout method, like pregnancy, cardiovascular issues, skin conditions, neurological conditions and more.
For that reason, all clients must read and sign a consent form to participate in the EMS method and should not participate in case of conditions worsening.
ter visuals as the camera attached to the robotic arm is more stable than a member of the team holding it. It allows surgeons to have more control because they don’t have to rely on assistants to hold things as they are controlling all the instruments independently.
“(The robot’s camera is) 4K, so you can really get in and see the individual fibers,” Elms said. “This allows even better visualization and allows us to really see closer and allows us to be pretty much in the body in its natural environment. When you’re operating open, you’re having to look around corners and things like that, and this really allows that ‘cause it’s also a 30-degree camera, which allows us to look around the corner.”
Elms also said the robotic arm can allow doctors and staff to do more with their time, as less staff is required to be in the operating room. He also said it can extend a surgeon’s career, as it has more controlled movements than humans, overriding the aging process and all it comes with it.
“It does take away a lot of the essential tremor,” Elms said. “It can really extend the surgeon’s career in multiple ways. One, it can help with that kind of shaking, but it can also allow people to be more ergonomic. It’s a shame to lose all that knowledge and all that wealth of experience we can give patients just because of the natural aging process.”
He said it’s good to note he always is a few feet away from the surgical table, as that is the biggest concern for patients.
“ It’s always key to understand that the robot is just an extension of us,” Elms said. “There’s nothing autonomous about this current situation; I’m controlling all the movements. It just allows me to be able to make movements that humans would have a hard time making with the fine motor skills or anything like that.”
Elms said there aren’t many challenges that come with using the machine, aside from learning how to utilize it.
“The challenges that you can
encounter robotically are kind of a good challenge to have and that is that it has allowed us to really progress our skills to a point,” Elms said. “ The types of surgery that we’re doing are becoming more and more complex and more and more challenging in general. So we’re always pushing the boundaries to try and get the best results because we know for a fact, based on years and years of research that minimally invasive approaches are much easier to recover.”
With the addition of the third robotic arm to the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, surgeons and staff members hope it’ll allow people to have access to a form of surgery that’s minimally invasive and easy to recover from, unlike open surgeries.
“Our overall goal is to get people back to their normal functioning as fast as possible,” Elms said.
Andino Delve, manager and trainer at Bodystreet in Winter Garden is all smiles in the studio.
The EMS studio is boutique-like, with a comforting feeling and privacy for better client experiences.
Dr. P. Phillips Hospital uses a robotic arm to perform surgeries. Using the robot, surgeons have more precise instruments, increased vision and total control of more aspects of the operation.
Luke Elms, a general surgeon at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, demonstrated how the robotic arm works on Monday, June 23.
Photos by Leticia Silva
Photos by Leticia Silva
First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden
Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org
Starke Lake Baptist Church
Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org
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
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135
Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
PRESBYTERIAN
St. John’s PCA
Meets at West Orange HS 1625 Beulah Rd., Winter Garden 321-343-7741
Sundays: 10:30AM www.stjohnspca.com
Oakland recognizes police officers, staff
Two officers and two police department staff were promoted or received awards for their service.
potable water demands through 2040.
Oakland Police Chief Darron Esan attended the Oakland Town Commission meeting on Tuesday, June 24, to recognize some outstanding officers.
Shawn Dozier of OPD was promoted to corporal as of May 5. Esan said he is a caring employee and extremely supportive of the community.
Esan also announced the promotion of Justin Gau to sergeant. Esan said Gau wants to make the agency better, proving he is capable of doing it.
“He’s a motivated learner who is always looking for ways to better himself as well as those around him,” Esan said. “He’s a genuine person.”
Two members of the police department staff — Kelly Sims and Stacie Quinn — received Distinguished Employee of the Year awards.
Sims was recognized for her ability to handle multiple tasks at hand without missing any details. She files for grants for the police department, keeps track of all inventory and equipment, researches new computer systems to better the agency, helps all manage social media accounts, and recently, she just took the position as a public information officer for the town.
Quinn takes care of all public record requests at the office, while also organizing meetings, checking on the safety and well-being of senior citizens, taking photos for social media and supervising two civilian employees. Esan said she is professional and accurate in all the work she does.
“She has made my transition in this job easier than anybody could have,” Esan said of Quinn.
WATER TREATMENT EXPANSION PLAN
The water treatment expansion plan was said to be necessary due to an increase in water demand. It is estimated to cost around $6.5 million. The plan is to increase the town’s ability to support
The tentative project schedule suggests it would take around 23 months to complete the expansion.
In a comission meeting in April, Oakland’s Public Works Director Mike Parker addressed the issue at hand.
“We will very soon have new customers in the final phase of Oakland Park, new customers in The Grove, new customers in Briley Farms, new customers in Bay View, new customers in The Harvest and new commercial customers in The Exchange,” Parker said. “Do you see the issue here?” Parker also mentioned the developers should pay for the improvements, as increasing impact fees and monthly utility charges will not be a good solution. Though the project will take over a year to be completed, it is said it will help the town for a very long time.
IN OTHER NEWS
nJuly 4, 2025 was proclaimed as Independence Day by Mayor Shane Taylor.
n Oakland Town Commission approved a motion to support Oakland Charter School Avenue’s tentative budget for the 2025-26 school year. The school’s revenue is calculated to increase 2.5% from the 2024-25 school year. The school also will have salary increases up to 3%, based on a performance rating. OACS will provide new LED lighting to classrooms, upgrade fire systems and intercom systems. The school will fix the paint of interior and exterior buildings, as well clean up the gutter.
n The Oakland Police Department is enforcing the Florida law in which it prohibits public camping and sleeping. Chief of Police Darron Esan said OPD’s goal is to provide resources and redirect public campers rather than incarcerating them.
LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
Oakland Town Commission and the Oakland Police Department recognized officers and staff members for their service.
Photo by Leticia Silva
Winter Garden considers fire assessment fee
The Winter Garden City Commission approved a resolution allowing the possibility for a fire assessment fee as an alternative source of funding for fire services.
LIZ
RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved a resolution that would allow the city to possibly implement a fire assessment fee if needed in the future as an alternative source of funding for fire services.
The city is looking into alternative funding sources due to recent property tax amendments, shrinking revenue sources and increased costs to provide the essential services. In January, the commission gave authorization for city staff to proceed with updating the fire assess-
ment that was previously adopted in 2008.
An alternative funding source is a fire assessment, and the resolution approved at the commission meeting Thursday, June 26, establishes the initial rate and process for assessing and collecting a Fire Rescue Assessment.
The non-ad valorem special assessment would fund capital and operating costs associated with providing fire protection and first responder services.
An actual rate will be established at the Thursday, Aug. 14 meeting, and the commission can lower the
rate to any amount less than the advertised rate.
The requested budget of the Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is approximately $13.8 million. The assessable budget with the fire assessment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is approximately $12.4 million, but once assessment related expenses are deducted, the city will be able to collect approximately $11.5 million.
The demand by land use calculations are determined by 10 years of incident data from 2015 to 2024, the frequency of calls as well as the full resources utilized by each incident, including the number of personnel, number of vehicles and how long each incident lasted.
Residential land use has the highest resource utilization of fire services, followed by institutional and commercial land uses. Even if a property never calls the fire department, it still benefits from the availability of the fire department and the readiness factor. There are insurance premium discounts and property values are higher as a result of the fire department being available to serve the property.
The residential assessment rate for homes of less than 1,000 square feet could be approximately $333 while larger homes of 3,500 square feet or more could be approximately $518.
City Manager Jon C. Williams said the passage of the resolution only gives the city the ability to mail out first-class notices to notify residents of the maximum rates their property
IN OTHER NEWS
n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved a ground lease agreement with Eight Waves Corporation. The 30-year ground lease will allow the nonprofit to improve, develop and operate on the city-owned property at 971 E. Plant St. Eight Waves plans to use the facility for a children’s museum and expanded programming. Commissioner Chloe Johnson recused herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
n Mulligan Contractors Inc. was unanimously approved as the contractors for the new construction of Fire Station No. 21.
n The commission unanimously approved an ordinance amending a city code regarding the expedited process for issuing building permits. It allows building permits for residential properties to be submitted before the final plat is recorded if the applicant meets certain conditions. The ordinance is required in order to align the city’s code with Florida statutes.
can be charged, but the actual rates can be adopted Aug. 14, and the adopted rates can be lower.
“We have multiple factors we’re trying to hedge against with what’s likely to come a little bit down the pipe, and you have the realization of every year, you’re faced with trying to compete with external agencies and other agencies that can pay significant wages, which is constantly
n An ordinance vacating certain drainage and utility easements existing over property located at 620 Garden Commerce Parkway and 630 Garden Commerce Parkway was unanimously approved. At the same location, the commission unanimously approved a binding lot combination agreement combining the two lots in the Winter Garden Commerce Center Commercial Subdivision. A new 16,956-squarefoot warehouse/office building will be constructed.
n Commissioners approved the relocation of the home at 996 E. Plant St. to 971 E. Plant St. The owner of 996 E. Plant St., Winter Garden Salon Development, has plans to construct a commercial retail/office development later this year at this location. The existing 2,707-squarefoot house on the property, which was built in 1926, will be removed and relocated to 971 E. Plant St. and be donated to Eight Waves. The city of Winter Garden will contribute $80,000 towards the $100,000 total cost of the move. Johnson recused herself from the vote.
driving up the cost,” Williams said. “If you were to kind of just take a look at our public safety costs as a whole, combining both police and fire versus our ad-valorem tax collection, you’re probably looking at about a $12 million deficit, so we’re going to have to do something.”
The city will host community engagement meetings on Tuesday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 29.
Winter Garden apologizes for First Amendment incident
Winter Garden Police Department rescinds trespass warning against conservative social media personality Kaitlin Bennett.
LIZ RAMOS
SENIOR EDITOR
Kaitlin Bennett, a conservative social media personality, stood in front of Winter Garden City Hall and smiled. She was surrounded by dozens of Winter Garden residents and supporters who applauded her arrival on Saturday, June 28.
Bennett was able to return to the Winter Garden Farmers Market after the Winter Garden Police Department rescinded the trespass warning against her. The department issued the warning on Saturday, June 21 and rescinded the warning Tuesday, June 24.
“They are the reason that my trespass order was rescinded,” Bennett said of her supporters. “They did the job of my lawyer. My lawyer didn’t even have to get involved, but that does not mean he will not be involved in some way in the future. It’s amazing all of these people stood up for me, and even more, stood up for me online. It feels very humbling, and I’m very blessed.”
her due to the farmers market being a private event, she did not have permission to video record her interviews.
Bennett said because the farmers market is held on public property the city owns and the farmers market is a public event, the First Amendment gave her the right to conduct and video her interviews.
Later, police officers approached Bennett again with event staff and asked Bennett to leave again. Officers told her she could either conduct interviews on the sidewalk just outside the event or go to jail.
Bennett, a mother of two, said she would have allowed the officers to arrest her if she did not have to care for her children at home, so she was escorted to the edge of farmers market’s boundaries.
The Winter Garden Police Department gave her a trespass warning and told her she was not allowed to return to the farmers market.
Bennett, a gun rights activist, has one million followers on her Kait’s Unsafe Space Facebook page and more than 912,000 subscribers to her Liberty Hangout YouTube channel. She first gained media attention 2018 for open-carrying an AR-10 rifle at Kent State University after graduating.
While conducting people-onthe-street interviews with farmers market attendees, Winter Garden officers stopped Bennett and told
The department went on to rescind the trespass warning and the city of Winter Garden issued a statement on the incident Tuesday, June 24.
“On Saturday, June 21, at approximately 12 p.m., social media personality Kaitlin Bennett arrived at the Winter Garden Farmers Market to conduct interviews with attendees,” the statement from City Manager Jon C. Williams said. “Officers on-site informed Mrs. Bennett that inter-
views should be instead conducted outside the event perimeters. It has been a practice to restrict activity to approved vendors within the event boundaries. She was later issued a trespass warning after entering the event area.
“The Winter Garden Police Department is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals,” the statement continued. “The event, while hosted by a third-party private corporation, was held on public property. Following a careful review of the incident and the event’s use of unclosed public right-of-way, the department has rescinded the trespass warning. Police department staff will be provided guidance to prevent future incidents of this nature. We remain dedicated to transparency, accountability and the constant evaluation of incidents to identify areas where we can improve to better serve and protect our community.”
Bennett said Williams as well as the police department apologized profusely in a private call to her, but she is disappointed by the public statement.
“Privately, they were definitely more apologetic,” she said. “They were more forthcoming with where they went wrong, and then publicly, they didn’t ever say sorry. They didn’t say, ‘We made a mistake.’ They didn’t take ownership for threaten-
ing to arrest a mother of two young children and put her in jail at least overnight or even through the weekend for engaging in First Amendment activities that’s protected by the literal constitution of this country. I feel more accountability needed to be taking place, and they definitely lacked in that department.”
Williams said the police department has his “confidence, support, gratefulness and thankfulness” for the “outstanding job they do in keeping Winter Garden safe.”
“First and foremost, all of us along with the officers on scene and the Winter Garden PD were operating on the best available information that was provided, and that was the market, under the existing licensing agreement, is considered a private event,” Williams said. “That ultimately was not the case; and therefore, the decision was made to rescind the trespass warning.”
He said city administration will provide additional guidance and training to all staff on public vs. nonpublic forums.
Bennett said she’s calling on all police departments to do a briefing to its officers on the “boundaries and the legality of permitted events on public property, traditional public forums and First Amendment activities within a permitted space on public property.”
Kaitlin Bennett, a conservative social media personality, was surrounded by Winter Garden residents and supporters outside Winter Garden City Hall.
The fire assessment fee would be dependent on the square footage of a dwelling unit or parcel. Here are the potential fees if the maximum rate is approved Aug. 14.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Choose energy independence. Choose natural gas. Happy 249th
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Ahome in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from June 16 to 22.
This home at 5121 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold for $5,000,000 on June 17. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, and 8,178 square feet of living area. Days on market: 173. The selling agent is Carey Sheffield with Isleworth Realty LLC.
These are the highest-selling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BELLA NOTTE
This home at 8539 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, sold for $515,000 on June 20. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,010 square feet of living area. Days on market: 26.
PARKSIDE
This home at 8460 Karwick St. Orlando, sold for $1,800,000 on June 20. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,337 square feet of living area.
RUBY LAKE
This home at 10951 Citron Oaks Drive, Orlando, sold for $860,000 on June 17. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,954 square feet of living area. Days on market: 263.
SANDLAKE COVE
This home at 10112 Shortwood Lane, Orlando, sold for $710,000 on June 20. Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,673 square feet of living area. Days on market: 68.
SAND LAKE HILLS
This home at 8655 Shady Glen Drive, Orlando, sold for $640,000 on June 20. Built in 1983, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,928 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
SANDPOINTE TOWNHOUSES
This home at 7528 Chapelhill Drive, Orlando, sold for $415,000 on June 16. Built in 1989, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,147 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.
SOUTH BAY
This home at 7920 Summer Ridge Place, Orlando, sold for $970,000 on June 18. Built in 1981, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,762 square feet of living area. Days on market: 355.
VIZCAYA
This home at 8629 Saint Marino Blvd., Orlando, sold for $1,530,000 on June 18. Built in 2002, it had six bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 4,706 square feet of living area. Days on market: 291
GOTHA
BRAEMAR
This home at 9526 Lake Hugh Drive, Gotha, sold for $1,400,000 on June 18. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths and 4,969 square feet of living area. Days on market: 19.
PARK RIDGE
This home at 3723 Broadway St., Gotha, sold for $418,000 on June 20. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,604 square feet of living area. Days on market: 32.
HORIZON WEST
ASHLIN PARK
This home at 11746 Water Run Alley, Windermere, sold for $418,000 on June 18. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,588 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.
HARVEST AT OVATION
This home at 13062 Sunrise Harvest Drive, Winter Garden, sold for $817,000 on June 18. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,430 square feet of living area. Days on market: 33.
HAWKSMOOR
This home at 16781 Wingspread Loop, Winter Garden, sold for $850,000 on June 16. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,173 square feet of living area. Days on market: 37.
INDEPENDENCE
This home at 6475 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden, sold for $600,000 on June 20. Built in 2006, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,142 square feet of living area.
ISLES OF LAKE HANCOCK
This home at 7769 Summerlake Pointe Blvd., Winter Garden, sold for $2,575,000 on June 18. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths and 5,178 square feet of living area. Days on market: 61.
LAKESHORE PRESERVE
This home at 15681 Panther Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold for $2,540,000 on June 20. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 6,046 square feet of living area. Days on market: 65.
LAKESIDE AT HAMLIN
This home at 5059 Lake Hamlin Trail, Winter Garden, sold for $561,500 on June 17. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet of living area. Days on market: 39.
OAKLAND OAKLAND TRAILS
This home at 1757 Standing Rock Circle, Oakland, sold for $545,000 on June 16. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,000 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.
OCOEE
ARDEN PARK NORTH
This home at 2905 Black Birch Drive, Ocoee, sold for $475,000 on June 18. Built in 2020, it has
five bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,248 square feet of living area. Days on market: 168.
BROOKSTONE
This home at 369 Belhaven Falls Drive, Ocoee, sold for $650,000 on June 17. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,437 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.
BURCHARD PARK
This home at 9865 White Road, Ocoee, sold for $605,000 on June 20. Built in 1962, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,463 square feet of living area. Days on market: 42.
HAMMOCKS
This home at 1024 Featherstone Circle, Ocoee, sold for $496,000 on June 17. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,251 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.
MAGNOLIA RESERVE
This home at 1096 Desert Candle Drive, Ocoee, sold for $396,995 on June 20. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,935 square feet of living area. Days on market: 38.
PRESERVE AT CROWN POINT
This home at 1910 Donahue Drive, Ocoee, sold for $850,000 on June 17. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,850 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.
WEST ORANGE
GLENMUIR
This home at 6607 Crestmont Glen, Windermere, sold for $905,000 on June 16. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,199 square feet of living area. Days on market: 96.
WINDERMERE
CASA DEL LAGO
This home at 7225 Sangalla Drive, Windermere, sold for $1,300,824 on June 20. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,797 square feet of living area.
ISLEWORTH
This home at 5121 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold for $5,000,000 on June 17. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths and 8,178 square feet of living area. Days on market: 173.
KEENES POINTE
This home at 5950 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold for $1,450,000 on June 20. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,996 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.
This home at 11227 Macaw Court, Windermere, sold for $2,160,000 on June 19. Built in 2004, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 5,030 square feet of living area. Days on market: 231.
LEGADO
This home at 9248 Legado Drive, Windermere, sold for $855,000 on June 20. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,823 square feet of living area. Days on market: 33.
WINTER GARDEN
ARROWHEAD LAKES
This home at 16837 Arrowhead Blvd., Winter Garden, sold for $490,000 on June 16. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,299 square feet of living area. Days on market: 482.
CHAPIN STATION
This home at 1332 Hunterman Lane, Winter Garden, sold for $554,900 on June 19. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,805 square feet of living area. Days on market: 70.
EMERALD RIDGE
This home at 1750 Morning Sky Drive, Winter Garden, sold for $460,000 on June 20. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,292 square feet of living area. Days on market: 42.
FULLERS OAK
This home at 1713 Fullers Oak, Winter Garden, sold for $805,000 on June 19. Built in 2018, it has seven bedrooms, four baths and 4,700 square feet of living area. Days on market: 138.
HIGHLAND RIDGE
This home at 11957 Bracco St., Winter Garden, sold for $520,980 on June 18. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,985 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.
OAKLAND PARK
This home at 1024 Prosperity Drive, Winter Garden, sold for $870,000 on June 18. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,260 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.
This home at 921 Bradenville Lane, Winter Garden, sold for $1,475,000 on June 20. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,468 square feet of living area. Days on market: 49.
WESTFIELD
This home at 849 Shadowmoss Drive, Winter Garden, sold for $640,000 on June 17. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,620 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.
WESTSIDE TOWNHOMES
This home at 1332 Azalea Way, Winter Garden, sold for $226,000 on June 20. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 984 square feet of living area. Days on market: 103.
Independence Starts with Choice: Why Energy Choice Matters
This Independence Day, we’re reminded that freedom starts with the choices we make. Whether that’s a choice at the polls, at the supermarket, or in our homes, that freedom is what we celebrate every Fourth of July.
At Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD), we believe everyone should have the freedom to choose the energy mix that’s right for their home or business, but as fundamentally American as it sounds, energy choice is not guaranteed.
Across the country, some communities have embraced or adopted policies that limit access to natural gas even though it offers better performance, greater reliability, and lower costs. These efforts restrict consumer choice and ignore the diverse energy needs of families and businesses.
We’re proud that Florida has chosen a different path. In 2021, state leaders passed House Bill 919 to protect energy choice by preventing local governments from banning specific fuel sources, and in 2024, LANGD proudly supported its founding cities that passed local energy choice ordinances. These policies ensure that natural gas infrastructure is included in new developments from the start, empowering residents to choose the energy solution that fits their needs without the added expense of retrofitting later.
Why does energy choice matter? Because just like the American values we celebrate at this time of year, natural gas represents resilience and self-reliance. When storms roll in and the power goes out, underground natural gas lines keep working and powering essential appliances like water heaters, stoves, and backup generators. It’s why hospitals, fire stations, and emergency response teams
across Florida trust natural gas to get the job done.
Natural gas is also helping Florida lead the way in smart, cost-effective energy solutions. It reliably powers homes and businesses, saves customers money, and supports local economies. And since more than 97% of the natural gas used in the United States is produced domestically, it keeps energy dollars close to home and strengthens our national energy independence.
For more than 65 years, LANGD has served Central Florida with safe, reliable natural gas. Today, more than 30,000 customers trust us to fuel their homes, businesses, and quality of life. As our region grows, so does the demand for energy solutions that are not only dependable, but also efficient and cost-effective.
This Fourth of July, as families gather to grill, celebrate, and enjoy the best of summer, join LANGD as we reflect on the freedoms and choices that make it all possible. Visit www.langd. org, call (407) 656-2734 or email EnergyChoice@langd.org to learn more about making the switch to natural gas.
Fourth of July Community Celebrations
FRIDAY SIGHTS NIGHT
SPORTS
Swingin ’ for states
Three area Little League teams — Windermere Little League’s 8-10U baseball all-stars, Major League softball all-stars and Dr. Phillips Little League’s Senior League softball all-stars — advanced to the state championship tournaments after claiming sectional championships.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
As the calendar flips to July and the dog days of summer get into full swing, the only thing that’s hotter than the scorching weather in West Orange and Southwest Orange County is the play of the area’s Little League baseball and softball teams.
With three all-star teams crowned Florida Little League Section 5 Champions in their respective divisions — Windermere Little League’s 8-10U baseball all-stars, Major League softball all-stars and Dr. Phillips Little League’s Senior League softball all-stars — the area is being well-represented at the various Little League state cham-
pionship tournaments this summer.
DPLL’s all-star softball team fell in its state championship tournament held in Plant City from June 27 to 29, after losing three of its four games, while the WLL baseball all-stars are slotted to fight for their division’s state title from July 11 to 13 in Freeport.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” said Roger Heinz, Windermere Little League 8-10U baseball all-stars coach. “To see these 10-year-olds playing for a state title is a testament to their hard work, grit and love for the game. It’s rare to get a group this focused and determined at such a young age and we’re just
SEE AREA PAGE 2B
TFA sprinter Gianna Landri excels at nationals
Royals’ rising freshman Gianna Landri sprinted into record books this summer, while competing in the Florida middle school state championship and the New Balance Outdoor National Championship.
Before Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the ’90s went on a run of pure domination that saw them terrorize the NBA for the better part of a decade, it was the Detroit Pistons who were the bad boys on the block, having eliminated Jordan’s Bulls from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 1987-88 season and Eastern Conference Finals in the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons — Detroit also claimed the NBA championship in those two seasons. Like many NBA teams before and since, Chicago went up against the best in the league and gained an accurate measurement of how good a team it was, with each series loss providing lessons and motivation the Bulls used to develop into the juggernaut they became. In many ways, being pitted against the Pistons in the late ’80s is what created
the Jordan-era dynasty because it gave the Bulls an up-close and detailed look at what a championship-winning team looked like.
The Bulls’ journey from championship-hunters to dynasty defenders isn’t unique to them; it’s a path many teams and athletes at all levels have taken to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports. It’s a path, however, that begins with an age-old sports saying with a modern twist: To be the best, you have to beat the best. To beat the best, you have to be on the field against them.
For The First Academy’s Gianna Landri, her path to becoming the best on the sprinter’s blocks continued this summer as she followed the path Jordan’s Bulls and countless others took in pursuit of their sports’ highest peaks by pitting herself against the state’s best sprinters at the Florida Youth Running Association Middle School State Track & Field Championship
1
Windermere High’s Jillian Sutton has left her role as the school’s athletic director to become the new head athletic trainer at East River High. Sutton became Windermere’s first head athletic trainer, serving in the role for six years from 2017-23. She was named Wolverines’ athletic director beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
2
Registration for Ocoee Little League’s fall 2025 season now is open for kids ages 4 to 16 years old who are interested in getting on the baseball diamond this upcoming season, beginning in September. The deadline for registration is Thursday, Aug. 14, but registration will close as spots become full as each level of play is limited.
Ocoee Little League has five baseball age divisions: Tee-ball for 4 to 6 year olds, Rookie for 6 to 8 year olds, Minors for 9 to 10 year olds, Majors for 11 to 12 year olds and Seniors for 13 to 16 year olds. Registration fees for each league are $175, with the exception of Tee-ball, which is $150.
To register for the fall league, visit ocoee.org/civicrec and for more information, contact Ocoee Parks & Leisure Services at (407) 905-3180.
3
Windermere Prep announced the acquisition of the SmartSpeed Timing System, a state-of-the-art athletic tracking and measurement system, from global leader in human performance and musculoskeletal assessment technologies, VALD.
“This investment marks a significant step forward in enhancing the athletic development and performance tracking capabilities of our student-athletes,” said a post on the Windermere Prep Athletic Department Instagram page. “With capabilities to measure sprint speed, reaction time, agility and jump performance, all data flows into VALD Hub for long-term analysis and individualized athlete tracking.”
The collection of these data points create a variety of benefits for the athletes and their coaches, such as providing accurate assessments of key athletic traits of an athlete that can be used to direct the focus of training or coaching.
4
Registration to play golf with former Orlando Magic players Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Quentin Richardson, Courtney Lee and Bo Outlaw at the Windermere Elementary Golf Tournament, hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, is now open. The fundraiser, which benefits different student programs and school improvements at Windermere Elementary, will be Monday, Aug. 4 at the West Orange Country Club. To register, visit wespto.org/ wes-golf-tournament. Single players can register for $160, while the registration fee for a foursome is $560. Breakfast, lunch, carts and green fees are included with the cost of registration.
5
Ocoee High has hired assistant softball coach Brad Malik as the Lady Knights’ next head coach. Malik replaces Todd Verkennes, who led the program to a 12-11 record in his lone season in charge of Ocoee softball.
Aidan McKee, a West Orange native and resident, Winter Garden Little Leaguer and member of Ocoee’s TNXL Academy, is now fulfilling his dream to play college ball. Page 2B.
The First Academy rising freshman Gianna Landri competed against the country’s top middle school athletes at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships SEE GIANNA PAGE 3B
Windermere Little League’s Major League Softball All-Star team is headed to
Dr. Phillips Little League’s Senior League softball all-star team won the Section 5 championship.
Photos courtesy of Florida Little League
Aidan McKee
As a kid growing up in West Orange County, Aidan McKee loved baseball, joining the ranks at Winter Garden Little League at 7 years old and playing throughout his life in the hopes of continuing his career into college.
Recently, the former member of TNXL Academy, an elite travel baseball program based in Ocoee, and graduate of Orangewood Christian School in Maitland saw that dream turn into reality after signing his national letter of intent to continue his athletic and academic pursuits as a member of the baseball team at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
to be named Athlete of the Week?
I feel honored to be recognized as the Athlete of the Week.
What do you enjoy the most about baseball?
Developing as an athlete but more so, my development as a person.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from baseball?
To stay in your lane and trust the process.
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Being part of the Little League All-Star teams as a kid.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Cam Ward because he bet on himself and ended up as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft this year.
What’s your go-to pregame meal?
Chipotle.
What’s your go-to pregame hype song?
Anything by Morgan Wallen is what I’m listening to before a game.
What is your favorite nonsports hobby?
I actually like to go shopping or just going out with my friends.
THE BASICS Age: 19 Sport: Baseball College: Palm Beach Atlantic
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
I’d bring my Bible, a fishing pole and a lot of peanut butter.
What is your favorite movie? “Cars” because Lightning McQueen is the best movie character of all time.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
The comedian Shane Gillis.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I’d go somewhere and a time period when there were dinosaurs.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Keep your focus on controlling what you can control.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? Am I a billionaire yet?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Iron Man because he’s just awesome.
Who is your favorite supervillain?
The Joker because even though he’s a bad guy, he speaks the truth a lot of times.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would time travel so I could watch my younger self play baseball for the first time.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
First is Australia because I want to see a kangaroo; second, I’d go to Japan because it just looks cool; and third, I’d go to Italy because it looks
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and
Probably one of my dogs to see what they’re thinking.
What is your most controversial food take? Celery and peanut butter is easily the best snack.
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Nope.
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
AREA TEAMS STATES-BOUND
so proud to still be playing meaningful baseball in July.”
Rex Smith, Windermere Little League Major League softball all-stars coach, echoed Heinz’s feelings about being able to continue competing this deep into the summer. His group of 10 to 12 year olds will play for a state championship July 11 to 13 in Land ‘O Lakes.
“I’m so happy for the team and that the girls get this opportunity to compete in the state tournament,” Smith said. “It’s different than any other event, knowing that one team moves on and it will be the end for all the other teams. This WLL team is very talented and we know if we play well, we have a shot to win it and go on to Regionals.”
MORE WINS, MORE TIME TOGETHER
To accomplish what Smith has led two other Windermere Little League softball all-star teams to in the past — state championships — means more to this group than the hardware that comes with it, the motivation for this Major League division squad is the additional time they get to spend together playing the sport they love.
“All-Star teams are very unique because you bring a group of girls together and start playing in such a short period of time,” Smith said. “It all feels very temporary. Then, as soon as you lose, that team will never get to play together again. The girls have built something very special this summer that they know won’t last forever, but we also know if we play well, we get to extend our time together.”
So far, thanks to the time and effort put in by these players, that’s exactly what Smith’s bunch have been able to do, win ball games.
“Several of the players on this team played for their high school teams, while also playing travel tournaments and playing Little League,” Smith said. “They have all been going five to seven days a week since January. I love that they’re asking me to practice more, so I know they are having a great time and enjoying the time together. They all put in time on their own in workouts too. I’m just so proud to see such a young group of girls take the sport so seriously.”
In their limited time together this group of WLL all-stars have been dominant on the field, not falling behind once to their opponents across the five games they’ve played, thanks in large part to their outstanding defense
that’s led by Elin Gunkel in the circle and Emily Visser behind the plate, with Ella Goldberg and Alexis Visser serving as additional pitching options.
On offense, the Windermere bats have been electric with lightning quick leadoff hitter
Abby Bonnett — the team’s leader in runs scored — setting the tone as one of the toughest outs in the division and Presley Duroseau serving as the power-hitting thunder to Bonnett’s lightning. So far this all-star season, Duroseau has hit three triples and a home run.
The team’s dominant outings during its run to the District 14 and Section 5 championships, along with its limited experience playing games together, does present a concerning question for Smith: How will his team respond in a close game against the increasingly stiffer competition?
“I feel like we are just learning what kind of team we will be,” Smith said. “We haven’t been behind in a game yet and that will be a true test of how we respond.”
Given how this team has performed so far, it’s safe to say they’re ready to respond to any challenge that might be thrown their way, especially if it means they will have the chance to keep extending their time together on the softball field.
COMMITMENT IS KEY
Similarly to their Windermere softball counterparts, Heinz’s group of 8- to 10-year-old baseball all-stars have, in a short period of time, bought in to what the coaching staff has been preaching and created a culture focused on support and having one another’s backs.
“What sets this team apart is their commitment … to each other,” Heinz said. “One thing our coaching staff — myself, Jordan Williams and Brian Hartsfield — has really tried to emphasize is that baseball is the hardest sport to learn and play. You can do everything right and still fail sometimes … and that’s OK. What matters is how you respond and how you support your teammates. We’ve worked hard to build a culture where kids use words of encouragement to pick up a friend immediately after a strikeout or a fielding error. That mindset — knowing your teammates and coaches have your back — has helped these boys play more freely, take risks and grow not just as players but as teammates and people.”
This culture has allowed these boys to continue to grow their belief in themselves and trust in each other, in turn that confidence has helped generate the
chemistry needed on the Little League diamond to help them win ball games.
“More than anything, this team plays for each other,” Heinz said. “They support one another, celebrate the little things and never get too high or too low. That chemistry is what’s carried us this far.”
On the field, however, what the chemistry Heinz is referencing actually looks like is solid defensive fundamentals, employed by a pair of outstanding leaders behind home plate, big-time performers on the mound and an infield duo that’s become these pitchers’ best friends.
“Our pitching has been led by Carson Trimbee and Hampton Hartsfield, who have given us big-time performances on the mound,” Heinz said. “Behind the plate, Chance Williams and Kroy Gunn have done an outstanding job managing the game and keeping our pitchers locked in. Defensively, we’ve been solid across the board, (but especially) with Tyson Gay and Harrison Shaw forming a fantastic middle infield duo at shortstop and second base.”
This team’s confidence, in themselves and one another, has shown itself throughout this run from the batter’s box during the most pressure-filled moments.
“Our offense has been sparked by Gunnar Heinz, Luke Stengel, Porter Martinez, Lucas ArguetaRestrepo and Colin Francoforte,” Heinz said. “They have come up with some clutch hits for us, delivering in big moments when we needed it most.”
Above all, though, what Heinz says is the backbone of this group’s success — its commitment to each other — is best exemplified on the field by players putting the team first and doing what is needed of them to win.
“Bryce Capehart has been our most versatile player,” Heinz said. “He’s played eight of the nine positions on the field and always gives us what we need, wherever we need it.”
With this type of chemistry, commitment and confidence, there’s no doubt that this group of Little Leaguers have what it takes to continue bringing home hardware, however, according to their coach there’s nothing else they need to do to make their hometown proud.
“This group of kids has been grinding since March … giving up much of their summer break to represent our town,” Heinz said. “These kids don’t complain, they show up and work. … This is a special group of kids and it’s been an honor to coach them. Win or lose, they’ve already made our town proud.”
Courtesy of Windermere Little League
Windermere Little League’s 8-10U all-star baseball team claimed both the District 14 and Section 5 championships.
Gianna Landri breaks Royals sprinting record at nationals
and the country’s best at the New Balance Outdoor Track & Field National Championship, and getting an accurate measurement of just how fast she is.
“It was definitely an eye-opening experience for me to compete at the highest level this summer because I knew I was fast, but I didn’t completely understand what I was capable of,” Landri said. “When I ran my first 100-meter sprint at nationals, that’s when I thought to myself, ‘OK, I’m actually sort of quick.’”
Against the nation’s top middle school-aged 100-meter dash runners, Landri posted a personal-best time of 12.44 — which is the thirdbest time ever posted by a TFA sprinter — and finished as the 14th fastest middle school 100-meter sprinter.
After seeing she belonged in the conversation among the nation’s fastest middle school sprinters, a funny thing began to happen. Landri didn’t sit back and soak in the spoils of her triumph. No, in fact, she did quite the opposite; she gained confidence in her abilities to compete at the highest level and pushed herself beyond anything she’s ever accomplished on a track before. Not only did Landri learn she belonged at this level, but she also began to see the fruits of her hard work and how her dedication to her craft was what put her in this position.
“Then when I ran the 400-meter dash, I was in shock because if I had told myself at the beginning of the year that I’d be running any time in the 56-second range, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she said. “I would have been like, ‘There’s no way I’m going to improve from a 59-second 400 to 56 seconds.’ But I did, I just ran like crazy that race.”
Against the nation’s top middle school-aged 400-meter dash runners, Landri posted a personalbest time of 56.77— which topped Landri’s previous TFA-best time in the event, setting a new school record — and finished as the ninth fastest middle school 400 sprinter.
Landri, with the taste of the highest-level competition she’s ever participated in fresh on her tongue, wasn’t done pushing herself at the national meet hosted by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field, the oldest college stadium in the country. She had one more bite at the apple, the 200-meter dash, and she made sure to make it count.
“What was the craziest thing was my times in the 200, I set back-to-
back personal bests; I didn’t know how I did that,” Landri said. “My reaction when I ran 24.94 in the prelims, was like, ‘Oh, there’s no way I’m running any faster than this.’ And then in the final, I ran it in 24.37 seconds and I couldn’t believe it, it was insane.”
Again, against the nation’s top middle school-aged 200-meter dash runners, Landri posted not one but two personal-best times — the faster of which became the secondbest time ever posted by a TFA sprinter in the event — and finished as the fifth fastest middle school 200-meter sprinter.
Just as Jordan’s Bulls developed into a championship team because of the competition, Landri’s experience competing at the national level is now a source for motivation during off-season preparations.
“Nationals was amazing,” Landri said. “Running at this competitive of a level has 100% pushed me to get better, everybody competing at
Winter Garden Squeeze host Poker tournament
West Orange’s Florida Collegiate Summer League team hosted fans, players and coaches for its first poker fundraising event at Rock & Brews in Kissimmee.
The Winter Garden Squeeze — with the help of Big Stacks Poker League — pitted its fans, players, coaches, interns and staff against each other for an evening full of exciting Texas Hold ‘em action at Rock & Brews in Kissimmee for its first-ever celebrity poker tournament Sunday, June 29.
“Thanks to the community, sponsors and Rock & Brews for the support of this event,” said Adam Bates, Winter Garden Squeeze General Manager. “We look forward to growing it in the future, and we’re excited to see what the second half of the season brings, as we make a playoff push.”
Along with the fun at the card tables, which saw final table prizes exceed $1,000, event-goers were treated to raffles, door prizes, 50/50 drawings and a two-hour buffet crafted by the Rock & Brews kitchen.
At the end of the evening’s main event, only one poker player was left standing, Pablo Sierra. He not only claimed the first place prize of a $500 gift card but he also has the historic honor — and the bragging rights that come along with it — of being the very first winner of the The Winter
that level pushes each other to compete and get better,” Landri said. “The fact that everyone at that level understands the mindset needed to get there, gives us all a shared feeling and experience.”
Despite Landri’s experience being one that is mostly contained within her own mind, the type of growth that happens in a breakthrough moment is hard to miss from the outside looking in, especially for a proud mom.
“I just don’t think she understood what she was capable of,” said Alyissa Landri, Gianna Landri’s mother. “When you’re consistently running against a certain level of competition and then you enter a national field … and you get to race against the best in the country, that level of competition just has a levelingup effect on you. From a parent’s point of view, I saw that happen to Gianna at nationals.”
Courtesy Photos
TFA sprinter Gianna Landri posted a personal best time of 24.37 in the 200-meter dash at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships.
The top six finishers in the 200-meter dash at the New Balance Outdoor National Championship showed off their medals.
Photos courtesy of Chiara D’Amato Creative
Winter Garden Squeeze player Nico Banez, left, General Manager Adam Bates and Rico Banez — Nico Banez’s father — smiled for a photo at the poker event.
Squeeze General Manager Adam Bates, left, congratulated the tournament’s winner Pablo Sierra with a $500 gift card.
Community support on the basketball court
West Orange Boys & Girls Club hosts community teen events over the summer to provide activities for local youth.
have a friendly, but competitive, threeon-three basketball tournament that brought together friends and families from all around the community Saturday, June 21.
This was a way for the West Orange Boys & Girls Club to help get the children out of their homes and involved in a fun activity during the summer. This group puts on different events all summer to provide opportunities to children of all ages up to 18 years old in the area that don’t have the chance in their day-to-day lives to play video games or participate in any friendly sporting activities.
Shamel Akins, the service director for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, said the purpose of the Boys & Girls Club is to get youth involved in various activities, provide opportunities to meet local leaders and pique their interest in entrepreneurship. Some of the activities they offer include field trips and parties.
“It allows teens to be involved and saves students from getting into trouble,” Akins said. “This club helps motivate the kids to do more and be better. These events are there to support them and provide opportunities that they may not have at their own home, be involved in something new and have the resources to help push aside any worry about money issues.”
The most recent event the club put on was on Saturday, June 21, where it had a Mardi Gras themed three-on-three tournament. The event also featured a threepoint contest, video game stations to play the newest 2025 video games, a stilt walk-
er, arts and crafts stations, and a deejay. Akins said the Boys & Girls Club wanted to provide unique experiences for the children, such as seeing stilt walkers, as well as giving them hands-on resources to allow them to express their creativity. The arts and crafts stations allowed them to make gifts, like bracelets, to give to family or friends while also showing their creative side.
The event gave volunteers a chance to express to the children how each of them is incredible, creative, special and each one of them deserves to have every opportunity the rest of the community has.
On top of that, the winners of the threepoint contest won new Apple watches and the club also gave out two new TVs, electric scooters, spray ground bookbags and Apple airpods.
The kids not only were able to win prizes, but also they had fun in the community meeting friends and being involved in something that got them out of the house.
This positively impacted the kids by showing them they can have a good time in the community getting involved in different activities. Not only did this have a significant impact on the kids that came and participated, but it also had a great impact on the community, pulling together local families and out-of-town families to volunteer and help out in any way they could.
Many local leaders and businesses volunteered and donated resources.
Akins said the summer events have grown tremendously.
“The more people we get involved with, the more the program is able to grow,” he said. “In the past, the location participation has always had around 100 plus kids. The goal is to continue to grow and get a participation number of over 200 kids.”
Looking toward the future, Akins wants to be able to motivate and inspire these kids to volunteer in local communities and possibly even their local Boys & Girls Club.
This club allows anyone from anywhere in Central Florida to participate for free.
If this sounds interesting to you, the next event they are holding is from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at 309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden.
AVERY BANGSUND FOUNDATION ACADEMY
Children were able to do arts and crafts, which allowed them to express their creativity. Courtesy photo
10 West Orange County coffee shops to try
Kasey Bilodeau, a self-proclaimed professional coffee addict, shares where to get the best cup of joe in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
2. DOUBLE O’S COFFEE
1517 Maguire Road, Ocoee
From mobile carts to brick-andmortar stores, West Orange County has a lot to offer in the way of a good cup of coffee. Here are 10 of the best local coffee shops that keep our community running.
1. PRAIRIE HOUSE COFFEE CO.
4. S. Tubb St., Oakland
Nestled deep in Oakland, Prairie House Coffee Co. is the perfect place to relax. Not only is the quality of its coffee incredible, but its focus on organic, gluten-free and locallysourced foods makes for a guiltfree treat. The atmosphere is cozy: antique furniture, a shaded outdoor seating area and reading nooks. Founded in 2021 by two Canadian sisters, Prairie House quickly has become part of the Oakland community. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, Oakland wouldn’t be the same without them.
An exciting new drive-thru store, Double O’s prioritizes speed and taste over high volume production. It pulls off the one-of-a-kind coffee shop quality even as a franchise— which is rare among large chains. However, keep in mind there only is outdoor seating. Double O’s isn’t so much the coffee-house-hang-out spot as it is the place to stop by on your way to work and grab a quick morning jolt.
3. BLACK BREW BROS Winter Garden Farmers Market or visit Black Brews Bros on Instagram
A popular stand at the Winter Garden Farmers market, Black Brew Bros does coffee like no one else. This group of coffee aficionados serves and always remembers its regulars. It has a colorful drink menu featuring flavored beans and the Colombian espresso cold brew is delicious!
4. PALOMA COFFEE
507 Main St., Windermere
Established in 2017 by Marcelino Hoyo, Paloma is the gold standard for quality coffee. Right in the heart of downtown Windermere, it has a contemporary, intimately small and inviting vibe. The baked goods, including toasted cranberry orange bread and homemade cake pops, are sourced from nearby bakers. Hoyo often is seen helping customers and working the bar. “God gave me this coffee shop,” he said. And that is something we should all be grateful for—because there really is nothing else like Paloma around.
5. FILIGREE COFFEE CO.
16016 New Independence Parkway, #100, Winter Garden
Located in Home State Brewery, Filigree Coffee is the most unique coffee kiosk in Hamlin. Squeezed up against the vats of the brewery, you will be served espresso from a lovely La Marzocco machine perched on a charming coffee cart. There also is a small selection of desserts. I tried the homemade blueberry pop tart, which tasted like something your grandmother would have made. There is plenty of room to work and cushy chairs for relaxing. Despite the occasional noise from the brewery, it’s a great place for deep focus and getting work done.
6. THREE BIRDS CAFÉ
2 W. Plant. St., Winter Garden
Three Birds is a woman-owned brunch café nestled on Plant Street. The atmosphere is stunning: bright, urban and modern with a hint of west coast tropics. It has lots of fun drink options, like the rose lavender latte, banana crème latte and blueberry cobbler chai tea. The perfect place for a lunch date with friends after a busy morning— and the Sunday brunch board is delightful!
7. FOXTAIL COFFEE CO.
276 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
Foxtail partners with Kelly’s Ice Cream to bring you one of the best coffee franchises in Florida and a renowned ice cream company in the same building. Foxtail is a staple for
the community, hosting everything from friendly meetups to college study groups. Foxtail’s beans are locally roasted in Orlando, making for the fresh espresso many locals love. I’d recommend the cold brew and sticky bun—an old favorite.
8. GINGERS BAKING CO.
99 S. Main St., Winter Garden
A colorful shop with true Winter Garden atmosphere, Ginger’s Baking Co. is a great place to grab a quick bite, chat for a minute and try one of the delicious pastries and baked goods. The shop has a lot of spirit for its small size, and a good cup of coffee to match— especially the Americano. As a special treat, it also offers Louisiana style King Cakes every Mardi-Gras season.
9. PICCOLO COFFEE CO.
18 N. Boyd St., Winter Garden
Founded in 2016, Piccolo Coffee is the epitome of resilience. Formerly a single mobile coffee cart, it since has moved to a brick-and-mortar location to Deli Downtown. Now, college students and coffee tasters alike flock to its coffee shop, which has a very cheerful atmosphere and plenty of plants. It makes an excellent latte, which pairs well with its red velvet muffins and other pastries.
10. BLACK BEAN DELI
126 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
There has been no coffee shop so highly anticipated as the Black Bean Deli of Winter Garden. With its motto “Respect the Past, Embrace the Future,” it has taken over 126 W. Plant St. and will open a Cubanstyle café in our very own small town this winter. Serving a variety of sweet and savory Cuban dishes, Black Bean has a modern style but welcoming atmosphere. One can stop by for a quick cortado or stay for a full dinner.
Filigree Coffee in Hamlin serves espresso from a La Marzocco machine perched on a charming coffee cart.
Courtesy photos
BRAINFOOD
Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.
You’re a grand old flag! I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this month, you’re sure to see at least a few (or a few hundred) American flags on Independence Day. No July 4 party would be complete without one. And you might even wear a T-shirt with the stars and stripes.
But did you know the American flag has gone through more than 30 revisions in its history? It’s true! So, to celebrate the Fourth of July, we’re taking a look at just a few of the flags that have represented our country.
BENNINGTON FLAG
The Bennington Flag, created in 1777, is the only American flag to feature numerals in its design.
CONTINENTAL UNION FLAG
The flag known as the first American flag didn’t even have stars. Instead, the upper-left corner featured the design of the British Union flag. It also featured 13 red and white stripes to represent the 13 United Colonies.
During the American Revolution, the flag was known as the Continental Union Flag. The word “continental” referred to the Continental Congress, while the word “union” referred to the British Union Flag of 1707.
BETSY ROSS FLAG
You’ve probably seen this version before. This flag features the 13 red and white stripes along with 13 stars arranged in a circle in the upper left.
This flag is named after its designer, Betsy Ross, an upholsterer who made uniforms, tents and flags for Continental forces.
This design adheres to the rules in the Flag Act of 1777, which said the flag must have 13 alternating red and white horizontal stripes and 13 white stars in a blue upper-left corner.
In addition to 13 stripes and 13 stars, this flag includes the number 76 in the upper left to represent the American Revolution Battle of Bennington. The number represents the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Another interesting feature of the Bennington Flag is that the arrangement of the 13 stripes is flipped from most other American flags. The white stripes are on the outermost edges.
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
So, despite the rules of the Flag Act of 1777, there is one flag in American history that features more than 13 stripes.
Known as The Star-Spangled Banner or the Great Garrison Flag, this flag, featuring 15 stripes and 15 stars, flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812.
This flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem, “Defence of Fort M’Henry” — which became the lyrics to the United States’ national anthem in 1931.
This flag is on display at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.
CURRENT FLAG
The flag as you know it today — with 13 stripes and 50 stars, was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state on Aug. 21, 1959.
Prior to this, a 49-star ver sion of the flag was used for just one year (representing Alaska becoming a state).
The stars are arranged in nine alternating rows of six and five stars.
The current American flag is the longest-running design at 65 years (and counting).
The
Illustration by Sarah Santiago
Disney hosts World’s Largest Swim Lesson
The
They
“Hosting
“Helping
— MEGAN BRUINSMA
A member of the West Orange Boys & Girls Club waved as he walked out of the water.
Above: Disney volunteers led kids from the West Orange Boys & Girls Club into the wave pool for their swim lesson.
Left: Kids from the West Orange Boys & Girls Club were all smiles after finishing their swim lessons.
The kids pretended to swim in the air before they went underwater.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
70 years ago
The 23 graduates of Lakeview High School who received diplomas were Ruth Dieffenwierth, Ruth Cosgrove, Bobbie Jo Howard, Jessie Mae Cappleman, Cora Bolton, Mary Neel, Irene Johnson, Alvis Bas, Ruth Williams, Leona Joiner, Tex Brown, Alma Bekemeyer, Elizabeth Cloyd, Frances Clark, Everett Phillips, Carl Stevens, Cecil Boston, Ray Stevens, John Willis, Noel Griffith, Edwin Pounds, Herbert Pounds and Franklin Cappleman.
55 years ago
George and Anne Bailey bought The Winter Garden Times from the Winter Haven News Chief.
50 years ago
The Winter Garden Lions Club installed new members, and the featured entertainment at the dinner party was the Leatherwood Blue Grass Band. Performers were Jerry Carris III, Dave Maynard, Fred Burky and Jay Cook.
45 years ago
Portraits of the last seven mayors of Windermere — Sam Durbin, Howell Fowler, Frank Watson, Ted Johnson, John Luff, Dean Kinzey and George Hill — were unveiled at a Town Council meeting and were to remain permanently in Town Hall. The plan was for a similar portrait of each succeeding mayor to be added.
The Winter Garden Art Association presented an award to Manny Garcia, owner of Burger King, for decorating his new restaurant in Winter Garden with 3D paintings of landmarks from Winter Garden and Ocoee.
Shared by the Lau family, the photo setting features four women preparing for a picnic on Independence Day, 1920 — 105 years ago. A magazine article from the era recommends the perfect holiday repast:
“Roast Ham, Green Onions, Rye Bread with Green Chili Cheese, Dill Pickles, Sugared Red and White Currants, Iced Tea, Sugar Cookies and Rhubarb Punch.” A 48-star flag dangles from a live oak in the background; Alaska and Hawaii would not join the Union until 1959.
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation wishes everyone a happy and safe Independence Day weekend.
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.
35 years ago
More than 100 parishioners participated in a colorful groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the new $1.5 million Resurrection Catholic Church on County Road 535 just south of Highway 50. Six students in Dr. Phillips High School’s summer theater program — Thuyen Tran, Steve Wilson, Patrick Nugent, Linda Puritz, Ramona Crabtree and Nena Jervis — wrote and performed a three-scene play, “First Choice, Last Chance,” at the
directed by Karen Rugerio.
30 years ago
Walt Disney World announced plans for its newest theme park: Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom, and plans called for it to be five times the size of the Magic Kingdom. The centerpiece of the park would be the giant, majestic Tree of Life, coming in at more than 50 feet wide at its trunk and 14 stories
tall, nearly the height of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. The city of Winter Garden received $50,000 in grant funds to more than double the length of the roughly 75-year-old pier at Lake Apopka. The plan called for the pier to head straight 350 feet out into the lake with a 60-foot by 14-foot T at the end.
THROWBACK
THURSDAY
JULY 9, 1954
Florida Telephone Corporation and Florida Power Corporation took out advertisements in The Winter Garden Times to promote their services. The phone company reminded customers that although the machine is “often a complete mystery … its convenience and ease make your telephone one of the great instruments for continued freedom of speech.” The power company touted the benefits of owning an electric freezer, which saves time, money and
Lake Eola Bandshell in downtown Orlando. The original production was
TICKING AWAY by Les Mots, edited by Taylor Johnson By Luis Campos
Cipher
