07.22.21 West Orange Times & Observer

W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

Habitat welcomes new homeowner. PAGE 7.

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

OCPS will not require masks The Orange County School Board voted to make masks optional. PAGE 6.

OBSERVER EARNS STATE RECOGNITION

A jolly good fellow

The West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer and Baldwin Park Living earned multiple firstplace honors in the Florida Press Association’s Better Weekly Newspaper Contest and the Florida Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives’ Creative Excellence Contest.

In the Better Weekly Newspaper Awards, the Observers earned 10 first-place editorial awards: n Multimedia Storytelling, Troy Herring n Online Breaking News Coverage, staff n Overall Graphic Design, Jessica Eng n Front Page Makeup, staff n Best Headline, Michael Eng and Troy Herring n Portfolio Photography, Troy Herring n Photo Series in One Issue, Troy Herring n Spot News Photo, Troy Herring n Community History, Troy Herring n Health, Medical and Science Reporting, Danielle Hendrix

Courtesy of McEvers family

Mike McEvers was a family man through and through and loved spending time with them outdoors.

Oakland preps for upcoming traffic woes

SPORTS

In the Creative Excellence Contest, designer Lindsay Cannizzaro won seven Gold Awards: n Best Multimedia Online and Print Campaign, Broadway & Beyond n Best Sponsored Content e-Blast, At Siam Thai Cuisine n Best Promotional or Reader Contest, Show Us Your Strength n Service Industry, First Baptist Church of Winter Garden n Business to Consumer/ Business to Business, Finnegan Academy of Irish Dance n Real Estate, Kimberley R. Gernert Real Estate n Dining, La Bella Luna Ristorante & Pizzeria

Mike McEvers was widely known for his natural white beard and his ability to amaze children with his Santa Claus persona.

STORY ON PAGE 4.

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Foundation Academy quarterback earns MVP honors at camp. SEE 15.

The Florida’s Turnpike widening project will cause congestion. SEE 5.

REAL ESTATE

Local market remains hot. PAGES 9 to 11.

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

Windermere police officer arrested for participation in U.S. Capitol breach Kevin Tuck had been a member of the town’s department since May 2019.

MICHAEL ENG AND DANIELLE HENDRIX

Former Windermere Police Department officer Kevin Tuck was arrested July 15 for his participation in the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Police Chief Dave Ogden said the department has worked over the past eight years to build a reputation of serving with honor, integrity and service to its residents, and Tuck’s arrest does not reflect on the hard work of those at the department.

“It saddens all of us in the law enforcement community to see criminal charges brought forward of any misconduct involving a police officer,” Ogden said.

According to Ogden, another WPD officer brought Tuck’s participation to the department’s attention. The WPD contacted the FBI Jan. 11, which relayed there was no indication that Tuck, 51, was inside the Capitol building that day.

On Jan. 12, Tuck was called in by commands staff. Tuck reportedly denied being inside the Capitol on that day and stated he was never close and simply was attending a political rally. Ogden said Tuck didn’t let his chain of command know he would be out of the state or notify his supervisor he would be attending this event. At the time, there was no indication that Tuck commitTO

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ted any illegal activity.

On July 7, the FBI contacted Ogden and advised that an arrest warrant was being secured for Tuck. The FBI requested further cooperation in calling Tuck into the office.

On July 14, Ogden reviewed photographs and a portion of the report that covered Tucks’ alleged acts.

On July 15, the FBI arrested Officer Tuck at the WPD and interviewed him. The FBI told Tuck he would be federally charged with the following offenses: n Obstruction of an official proceeding, aiding and abetting n Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds n Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds n Entering and remaining in the Gallery of Congress CH

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n Disorderly conduct in the Capitol building n Parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building Upon conclusion of the FBI interview, Tuck resigned from the WPD. WPD will move forward with an internal investigation, which is customary.

Federal prosecutors also arrested Tuck’s son, 29-year-old Nathaniel Tuck, a former Apopka police officer.

Kevin Tuck had been a member of the WPD since May 2019. He started as a reserve police officer for six months and was offered a full-time position in October 2019. He had no disciplinary history with WPD. Ogden welcomed Kevin Tuck to the department in a Facebook post dated June 7, 2019. Ogden wrote that Kevin Tuck was active in ministry, and his law-enforceSTUM

ment career began when he was asked to become a chaplain for the Longwood Police Department.

That inspired him to attend the Seminole State Police Academy.

He then served in patrol and as the agency’s community relations officer for six years.

“Although he thoroughly enjoyed serving the citizens of Longwood, Officer Tuck had a calling to focus entirely on his ministry along with his family, and the decision was made to leave the Longwood Police Department,” Ogden wrote. “Eventually, Officer Tuck wanted to return to this profession, and after hearing about the Windermere Police Department and its leadership, Officer Tuck knew he would be able to use his knowledge and experience to assist in making a difference in our community.”

The Apopka Police Department said Nathaniel Tuck was a fulltime officer with its agency from March 2018 to August 2020 and then served as a reserve officer until that September. He was not employed by APD at the time of the incident leading to his arrest.

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

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Ocoee Police Department to host Casting with a Cop Children ages 5 through 15 are invited to spend a few hours at Starke Lake’s edge with an Ocoee police officer.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Danielle Hendrix

The five boathouses in Windermere are estimated to be more than 100 years old.

Watershed moment Windermere Town Council delayed a decision regarding the boathouse lease extensions to allow time for further negotiations.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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“These residents have bought and sold these structures in good faith over the last 100 years. I don’t think it’s right to just take these structures and deprive them of any and all equities.”

— Council Member Bill Martini

iscussions regarding boathouse lease extensions in Windermere have been tabled to allow for further negotiations between the town and boathouse owners.

After hearing from boathouse owners and residents, Town Council members voted during their July 13 meeting to delay a decision until both parties had a chance to work out details in the lease.

The five boathouses in town are located in Palmer Park and are estimated to be more than 100 years old. The town decided to lease them out 20 years ago with an initial 10-year term; those leases then automatically renewed for another decade.

Current boathouse leases were set to expire in February, but Town Council voted in December 2020 to extend them to August to review options. Since then, the Town Council has been working to make a decision regarding lease extensions, as well as answer a question once and for all: Who actually owns the boathouses?

That answer remains elusive.

Boathouse owners only can provide quit claim deeds, which transfers whatever title someone has in real property to a grantee.

The town does not have documents that explicitly state or prove its ownership, either. However, it does own the land the structures themselves sit on.

Following the May 25 Town Council workshop regarding the boathouses, a new lease agreement was drafted. Town Manager Robert Smith said staff needed direction on whether to proceed with that agreement as written/amended or go a different direction.

Boathouse owner George Poelker said one of the main issues brought up at the workshop was fairness regarding boathouse ownership.

“Never once in 100 years has the town ever tried to insert itself into a transaction,” Poelker said. “I just keep wondering, ‘Why now?’ In all, there have been about 40 owners of the boathouses throughout history. … That equates to a boathouse changing hands every twoand-a-half years. That’s really not unfair. That’s capitalism at its finest. Ownership seems to be the key to this equitable distribution. The funny thing is, though, that neither one of us can prove that we own what we think we own.

“One thing I think we can agree on, though, is throughout the years, these owners have been commendable stewards of these boathouses,” he said. “They’ve been staunch preservationists of these iconic Windermere treasures. The proof is that they’re still standing.”

Fellow boathouse owner Curt Fraser shared about the investments he has made into the care and maintenance of his boathouse over the years.

“I’ve invested a lot of time and money into my boathouse, and I would like to keep it — especially since it’s directly across the street from my property and has been part of the property since it was built,” Fraser said. “We are current caretakers of this piece of Windermere history, and we would like to continue to maintain and look after those boathouses for a while.”

Some owners also pointed out details in the drafted lease agreement they were not in favor of and added that they wanted a seat at the negotiation table, too.

A group of them banded together to hire land-use attorney Allison

Turnbull to represent them.

“The framework in the lease is consistent with what was discussed at the workshop but there’s some issues,” Turnbull said.

“There’s some questions in here and things that I think we want to clarify and maybe just tighten up a little bit.”

Town Council members and residents were divided regarding who owns the boathouse structures, although they agreed the town owns the land under them.

Council Member Loren “Andy” Williams said he sees the rights of the people who have held the boathouses for so long and knows they have a lot of sweat equity and memories in them. Council Member Bill Martini agreed.

“I’m not convinced … that the town can claim ownership of the boathouses,” Martini said. “I haven’t seen any documentation to support this other than the current lease. And I’m not convinced that Section 12 (of the lease) applies to the structures as well as the site.

“These residents have bought and sold these structures in good faith over the last 100 years,” he said. “I don’t think it’s right to just take these structures and deprive them of any and all equities. I think we can work together to get this worked out. The current lease does have a number of items that need to be tweaked.”

Town Council members voted to table the issue to allow for both parties to enter further negotiations and discussions of a draft lease. Martini will represent the Town Council, and Smith and Town Attorney Heather Ramos will represent the town. The boathouse owners will have their attorney and also will designate their own representative.

Summertime, lakes and fishing are a rite of passage for children, and the Ocoee Police Department is helping youth make memories with its annual Casting with a Cop events.

The department is hosting another morning of fishing from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 29, near the city’s municipal complex on the southwest shore of Starke Lake, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive.

Children ages 5 through 15 are paired with police officers for a morning of citizenship and community connection. The family event is free, and fishing lessons are provided. Fishing poles and full tackle boxes are available for participants needing equipment.

About 35 youth and officers participate each time these fishing events are held.

Past participants said it gives youth a chance to see police officers in a positive light. Others said it allowed them to have a fishing buddy for a few hours.

“It’s a good way to build a relationship between the police department and the kids,” Deputy Chief Vince Ogburn said about last month’s fishing event. “Usually, we have community events or community initiatives that involve the youth, but over the last year we’ve been kind of limited with COVID restrictions. This is an event that we could practice social distancing, as well as let the children have a good time learning how to fish.”

There are no prizes, but the OPD provides free snacks and drinks.

“It’s not about catching fish, it’s about spending time together,” Ogburn said.

“This event is important to the PD, because it allows the police department officers to create a stronger bond with our youth and citizens,” said Officer Natalia Ortiz, event coordinator.

IF YOU GO

Courtesy photo

CASTING WITH A COP WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 29 WHERE: Southwest shore of Starke Lake, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive INFORMATION: Officer Natalia Ortiz. (407) 554-7204 or nortiz@ocoee.org

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

Ocoee’s beloved Santa dies AMY QUESINBERRY

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

COMMUNITY EDITOR

President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

E

ven without the Santa suit, children were drawn to the jolly man with the sparkling eyes and full white beard.

Everywhere Mike McEvers went, little ones were eager to walk up to him and ask him if he was really Santa Claus — and he always played along, asking if they were being good and even checking the “list” he kept in his pocket.

Michael Thomas McEvers, a longtime resident of Ocoee and member of the Ocoee Lions Club, died Monday, July 5, 2021. He was 71.

Family was everything to Mike McEvers, said his daughter, Kaila Wiles.

“The best thing I can say is he just loved kids,” she said. “He loved his family.”

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Contributing Writer /Nate Marrero Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

FAMILY MAN

He introduced his three daughters to a menagerie of animals while they were growing up and taught them to appreciate nature. He worked in the pest control department with Orange County Public Schools, so it wasn’t uncommon for him to bring home raccoons, possums and even a skunk. Wiles remembers him taking her out on the lake at night to look for alligators.

He coached a daughter’s softball team, and he took his children and grandchildren to many of the Lions Club functions, where they helped with tasks such as changing targets and running the concession stand at the turkey shoots.

His wife, Carolyn McEvers, even made a child-size yellow Lions vest, complete with club pins, for her children and grandchildren to wear at events.

Pops, as he was called by his family, liked to dine with his grandchildren at the counter at Carlo’s Diner, in Ocoee.

Before Mike McEvers was a family man, he served in the U.S. Navy, joining in his senior year at Lakeview High School, in Winter Garden. After graduating in 1969, he attended submarine school and served on the USS Spadefish in the Vietnam War. Carolyn McEvers was living in Norfolk, Virginia, and working on the military base. One January night in 1972, she accompanied a friend to the docks to visit the friend’s boyfriend, and she was introduced to several people — including the man who would become her husband four months later.

HEART OF A LION

The McEverses lived in Orlando and North Carolina before settling permanently in Ocoee in 1986.

Mike McEvers was known for his passion for serving his community through the Ocoee Lions Club and other volunteer work.

He held every office in the Lions Club, and he participated in the Right to Sight and the Hearing boards. He earned recognition for perfect attendance and twice received the Melvin Jones Fellowship. He frequently mentored new members.

“Mom was telling me, she got his vest out, and one of the (award) patches is faded and one is stained, but I guess it will show he was actually there and wore

CONTACT US

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange.

If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

Courtesy of McEvers family

Family was everything to Ocoee resident Mike McEvers. He was a longtime member and officer with the Ocoee Lions Club and was thrilled to put on his Santa Claus suit every year and help create magic for children.

his vest,” Wiles said. “Anything they did, he volunteered and was in there. Selling peanuts, selling beer — whatever they wanted him to do.”

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

The biggest thrill for Mike McEvers was portraying Santa Claus in the community. Children were attracted to his naturally white beard and resemblance to Santa, and he always patiently answered the questions of those bold enough to approach him.

For many years, he waved from his sled in the Ocoee Christmas Parade.

He also donned his red suit and went to Health Central Hospital on Christmas morning to visit patients and leave them a small present, usually a stuffed animal.

Mike McEvers was a member of the National Santa organization and greeted children at Bass Pro Shops in Florida and surrounding states for years. Wiles said he left for the Santa tour the day after Thanksgiving and didn’t return

home until Christmas.

“I wonder how many children across the United States … have his picture?” Carolyn McEvers said. “It could be thousands. He loved it. … He was awesome at it. … He went for 10 or 15 years and didn’t shave his beard off, and he had the prettiest white hair. It was absolutely beautiful.

“When he was in the hospital, it was just us, and we’d been talking a little bit, as much as he could,” she said. “He said, ‘Well, I guess I won’t get to be Santa this year.’

And I said, ‘I guess not, but you’ll always be my Santa.’”

She has many memories of her husband as Santa Claus, and their home has a closet full of Santa costumes and T-shirts.

“He had two that had the Santa beard and the belt, and our grandsons had matching ones, too,” she said. “When we were up in North Carolina visiting my family, the two grandsons were sitting on the porch, and Mike was in the middle, and … they had on their little beards.”

His other interests included fishing, history, guns, the military and striking up conversations with people.

“I made a commitment; I made a vow to God in sickness and in health, till death do us part,” Carolyn McEvers said. “We loved each other. I loved him a lot.”

In addition to his wife of 49 years, McEvers is survived by his three daughters, Kaila McEvers Wiles (Lenny), Erin McEvers and Stacey Anne McEvers Willis; four grandchildren, Kelsey Willis, Luke Wiles, James “Bo” Willis and Teagan Willis; two sisters, Dollie Ricketts and Sandra Hagan; and several nieces and nephews.

The Ocoee Lions held a memorial service last Saturday. McEvers was cremated, and his ashes were to be laid to rest this week with full military honors at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Mike McEvers also was a member of the American Legion, although his heart was with the Lions, his family said.

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Oakland prepares for traffic headache The town is planning now for the one-year traffic diversion on the west side when the Florida Department of Transportation begins its turnpike-widening project.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

By starting now, officials in the town of Oakland hope to get ahead of the traffic nightmare that is inevitable when the Florida Department of Transportation begins its four-and-one-half-year Florida’s Turnpike widening project.

Town Manager Steve Koontz and Public Works Director Mike Parker have been attending FDOT’s pre-construction meetings and will be sharing project schedules and other important information with residents as it is presented to them.

FDOT is widening 6.2 miles of roadway and adjoining bridges from West Colonial Drive north of Hancock Road, and this work will include bridge construction, milling, surfacing, signing, pavement marking, signalization and modifications to toll facilities. This includes the bridge on West Oakland Avenue that crosses the turnpike.

Koontz said the anticipated construction start date is Sept. 22 to demolish the Oakland Avenue bridge over the turnpike. FDOT has said it will give the town a two-week notice along with a detour plan. The bridge will be out of service for 12 months.

He said FDOT plans to do its piling work in the daylight hours but might have to do some median work at night.

This will affect residents in Hull Island, Longleaf, Trailside, Oakland Trails and the new apartment complex.

Once the road is finished, FDOT will start work on the West Orange Trail pedestrian bridge. Trail traffic will be rerouted to the new road while the trail bridge it out.

“It’s definitely going to be painful,” Koontz said of the construction and detours.

ing, that makes all the difference in the world.”

“I think what you guys have accomplished at that park, it’s beautiful,” Satterfield said. “Kids love it.”

Phase 3 will include a butterfly garden, junior basketball court, pavilion and sidewalks to connect all the components in the park.

IN OTHER BUSINESS n The commission approved the consent agenda, which included the following: contracting with Bike/Walk Central Florida to be part of the Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program for one year starting Oct. 1 at a cost of $5,000; allowing teachers at Oakland Avenue Charter School to receive full payout of any unused personal time off up to three days; and accepting an easement document required of Pulte Homes to complete the pedestrian/ bicycle connection between the Longleaf neighborhood on West Oakland Avenue and the West Orange Trail.

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

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n Commissioners approved the final plat for Phase 6B-2 of Oakland Park, which will have 54 single-family homes on roughly 31 acres. n The site plan and architectural building elevations for the proposed Kiddie Academy were approved. The site for the early-learning center is at 15708 W. Colonial Drive. The center would have a capacity of between 180 and 200 students from ages 6 months to 5 years and would operate from 7 a.m. to about 5 p.m. n The commission appointed Commissioner Sal Ramos as a voting delegate at the Florida League of Cities 95th Annual Conference in August.

PLAYGROUND ADDITIONS COMING

359856-1

The town has upgraded the Speer Park playground for residents, but staff said more equipment is coming in the way of children’s fitness centers.

The new playground, with two ageappropriate pieces of play equipment, was opened to the public June 23. The existing swing set was repainted, a new border with mulch was installed, sidewalk improvements at the playgrounds were completed, a rubberized surface was added and signage was placed.

Koontz said there was $40,000 left over after budgeting for the park improvements and there is space just west of the playground to include three fitness pieces. The GameTime playground company has quoted the town $55,000 for the additional pieces.

Commissioners voted to spend the $40,000 and allocate another $15,000.

Also on the table was a discussion of shade covers or shade sails over the playgrounds at Speer Park, as well as Pollard Park. The discussion on shade options and cost will be continued at the next Town Commission meeting.

“Shade is important,” Commissioner Mike Satterfield said. “If there isn’t shade, the kids won’t slide on (the slides). It’s too hot.”

“The staff has done a very good job of doing what we set out to do, taking the input of the people who live here; and we did what we said we were going to do,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “It’s like when you build a house. You stand back and you go, ‘Hm, maybe we should have thought of this.’ … That rubber floor-

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

OCPS makes masks optional The Orange County School Board voted 6-1 to revise the district’s face-covering policy for the 2021-22 school year.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With the 2021-22 school year just a few weeks away, Orange County Public Schools has decided to make face masks optional moving forward.

School Board members voted 6-1 July 13 in favor of the new revision to Policy EBBA — Disease Prevention; Face Coverings.

Students, employees, visitors, vendors and any other person can voluntarily wear a face mask at their discretion, but they will not be mandatory.

Accepted face coverings include commercially produced and disposable masks, cloth face coverings, clear face coverings and face shields.

The revised policy also gives the superintendent authorization to implement face-covering requirements should the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other government entities issue updated guidance that mandates more restrictive masking requirements.

“I want to reassure the general public that nothing in this new policy prohibits the School Board from taking any emergency action should they have a need to in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins said.

“Additionally, the provisions for the superintendent are limited to mandates from external resources — that is mandates, not recommendations. Thirdly, we will certainly continue to monitor the situation over the next fur weeks with Dr. (Raul) Pino and our health department, as well as our own Mayor (Jerry) Demings.

“We also have the ability … to add a statement on behalf of the board and in light of the CDC guidance: ‘The School Board of OCPS does recommend that parents of children not vaccinated for COVID consider having

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“I want to reassure the general public that nothing in this new policy prohibits the School Board from taking any emergency action should they have a need to in the future.”

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their child use a face covering at school and on the bus,’” Jenkins said.

There were mixed opinions from speakers at the School Board meeting. Wesley Hodge, chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party, spoke in favor of masks.

“I actually would like to see a mandatory mask update, but I believe that this optional one is at least a step in the right direction,” Hodge said. “This is one of the tools we have to protect ourselves from a disease that is spreading around the globe.

Doctors and nurses have been wearing these for many, many years with no ill effects to protect their patients. We need to do this temporarily to protect ourselves from a global pandemic.”

Others supported making masks optional. Parent Misty Griffin spoke of one of her son’s troubles with asthma, which was exacerbated by the mask requirement. Griffin added that when the mask mandate was implemented, not much was known about COVID-19.

“We know that children are at low risk,” Griffin said. “We know that those who are at risk are able to get a vaccination if they choose. We know that a teacher doesn’t need to be afraid of her students, and we know doctors know the proper treatment for the virus and are doing so in our local hospitals. We know that the hospitals are nowhere near reaching capacity, and the treatment is readily available.

We know that the masks do not work to stop the spread of the virus, and we know that damage is being done to students who do not need to or cannot wear a mask.”

School Board Member Angie Gallo said she is nervous about the COVID-19 Delta variant and what it means for the community. However, she said, there is evidence to support each side of the debate over face coverings.

“Our surrounding area — including the mayor — who is concerned about what’s going on in their community recommended that those wear masks in small spaces indoors if you cannot be socially distanced,” Gallo said.

“It was a recommendation — it was not a mandate. … It has to be left up to those individuals to decide what is best for them and their family and their child, and I respect that.”

School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs also said she was worried about the Delta variant and what could transpire in the weeks leading up to the new school year. However, she agreed it was time to make masks optional with reassurance that stricter requirements could be implemented again if necessary.

“At this point … I agree that we should be moving forward with the path of optional, but I also think it’s extremely important that we be able to change (that) — even if that means we’re changing between now and the start of the school year, depending on what happens with the Delta variant,” Jacobs said. “If I believe in my heart of hearts that a decision I’ve made is putting our children at significant risk and they’d be safer with masks, then I will be back here advocating for that.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

A home of her own

West Orange Habitat for Humanity selected Shannon Ligon to be the next homeowner in Winter Garden.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

All Shannon Ligon wants to do is give her 6-year-old daughter, Neirah, a home they can call their own. The two have been living in a small space with Shannon Ligon’s mother, Evelyn Ligon, in her east Winter Garden home — but that’s about to change.

Shannon Ligon is the latest person to be approved for a house through West Orange Habitat for Humanity. And she is excited her new home is not too far from Mom. “I didn’t want to move too far away from her in case she needed me,” she said. “It makes it easy.

(Neirah is) partially deaf; my mom takes her to Lake Como School — they have programs there that cater to her.”

Shannon Ligon grew up in Winter Garden, attending Maxey Elementary and Ocoee Middle before graduating from West Orange High School in 2012.

Her goal upon graduation was to attend the private Edward Waters University, in Jacksonville, but it didn’t work out, she said, so she started classes at Valencia College.

“I was trying to do forensics, but I ended up having to stop doing that and work full time, and then I got pregnant with my daughter,” Shannon Ligon said. “After I had her at Health Central in 2014, I decided I wanted to become a nurse, because of how nice they treated me.”

Although Shannon Ligon didn’t

Courtesy photos

Shannon Ligon, center, has been putting in sweat-equity hours by painting other homes in the community.

She has started her first-time homeowner classes and will complete financial literacy classes.

Her mentors, Jim Vanderwoud and Helen Olivieri, said they are thrilled with her enthusiasm and progress with the program.

“Shannon Ligon is one of our newest homeowner partners, and she is a wonderful new partner,” said Marilyn Hattaway, West Orange Habitat director.

Shannon Ligon is the latest person approved for a West Orange Habitat home for her and her daughter, Neirah.

pursue nursing, she did begin a career as a medical assistant in internal medicine. She has been with the Orlando Health organization for three-and-one-half years, and she has a work schedule that suits her and her family.

Neirah is excited about getting a new home and a room of her own — even if it is several months away.

“She asks me every day, ‘Is it finished yet?’” Shannon Ligon said. “I’m pretty excited for it, to be honest. I have (ridden) over there to see if they’ve put anything up yet, but I haven’t seen much.

They’ve dug up the ground.”

What she wants most is to be a homeowner so her daughter can see it’s possible to make dreams come true.

“Leaving something to my

CRISWELL COURT

Shannon Ligon and daughter Neirah will live in a similar cottage.

daughter is what I want to be able to do the most,” she said.

“I’m excited to have three neighbors to go along this journey with since there will be four homes at Criswell Court, and we can’t wait to move in.

“A new home means a place to raise my daughter, to welcome family, to start new family traditions and to cook,” she said. “But it means more than that. It’s a lifetime of change for me, for my daughter and for our family that

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will last generations.”

Shannon Ligon was selected from more than 80 individuals expressing an interest in homeownership. She immediately began saving for her down payment and working to complete her 200 hours of sweat equity.

She said she has earned about 60 by attending events and joining volunteer teams to help paint and landscape residents’ homes through a new Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

Shannon Ligon’s home is one of four being built at 275 Center St. in east Winter Garden. The mini community, Criswell Court, is named for the late Bill Criswell, a longtime Habitat supporter.

Shannon Ligon, her daughter and their dog, Milo, will have one of the two cottage homes, with two bedrooms, one bath and a porch.

Habitat Construction Manager Randy Stuart estimated the cottage homes will be finished in November, and the two garden homes in the community will be finished by next May.

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana 2nd Campus: 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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

THURSDAY, JULY 22

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

ORANGE COUNTY NATURE

BY LAND AND BY WATER 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22, online.

Orange County’s natural landscape is filled with terrestrial and aquatic wonderlands. Learn about these habitats, some of the species that inhabit each and how you can experience them in person.

To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/ event/5170922.

UPCYCLED GLASS BOTTLES & JARS 4 p.m. Thursday, July 22, online.

Upcycle those empty glass bottles and jars. Learn different techniques, ideas and designs to decorate and add personality to your home décor.

To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/ event/5205783.

WINTER GARDEN CITY COMMISSION MEETING 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. For more, visit cwgdn.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 23

FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 23, at the Centennial Plaza gazebo on West Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy live music near the fountain every weekend, including Orlando Gentlemen of Jazz. For more, visit cwgdn.com.

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Contemporary 11:15 AM Traditional Viewable on YouTube

GISELLE AND ERIK 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 23, at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, 126 W. Petris Ave., Oakland. HAPCO Music Foundation’s talented duo Giselle Felice and Erik Abernathy will perform original music, including jazz and classical guitar, outside of the center. For more, call (407) 656-1117.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy family-friendly live music on the pet-friendly patio every weekend. For more, visit crookedcan.com.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION WILSON FACEBOOK LIVE 4 to 5 p.m. Fridays on Facebook, facebook.com/NicoleWilsonD1. The purpose of these live office hours is to pull back the curtain of local government and help residents learn about what goes on behind the scenes once an elected official is sworn into office.

WINDERMERE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays at Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. Use the entrance along West Sixth Avenue.

Leashed pets welcome. Visit town. windermere.fl.us.

For those ready to take advantage of our Moving Forward Program, the following is a partial list of assistance available through our Program.

Moving Forward Program Offerings

LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy familyfriendly live music on the pet-friendly patio every weekend. For more, visit crookedcan.com.

WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the downtown pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden. For more, visit downtownwg.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 27

ROTARY CLUB OF WINDERMERE Meets at 6:54 a.m. Tuesdays at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. For more, visit windermererotary.org.

ROTARY CLUB OF WINTER GARDEN Meets at noon Tuesdays at Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Visit rotaryclubofwintergarden. org.

SUMMER LIVESTREAM SERIES FEATURING GATORLAND 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, online. Your family can enjoy wild and fun entertainment from the comfort of home this summer with these livestreams featuring a special guest performer on our YouTube and Facebook pages.

The Gatorland Wranglers will share stories of close encounters with some of the world’s most feared predators.

Recommended for families. To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/event/5199699.

THURSDAY, JULY 29

CASTING WITH A COP 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 29, at Starke Lake, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Join the Ocoee Police Department for fishing lessons in a family-fun environment. A limited amount of equipment will be provided. The event is free for children ages 5 to 15. Register online at ocoee.org/367/forms. For information, contact Officer Natalia Ortiz at (407) 554-7204.

FRIDAY, JULY 30

FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 30, at the Centennial Plaza gazebo on West Plant St., Winter Garden. Enjoy live music near the fountain every weekend, including Jason Thomas and the Southbound Duo. For more, visit cwgdn.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

BE GLOBAL NOT LOCAL COMMUNITY WATER DAY Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at 95 Center St., Winter Garden. This event will feature kid-friendly fun, including water slides, a dunk tank, bounces houses, music, food and more. For more information, email BeGlobalNotLocal@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 8

GRIEFSHARE: LOSS OF A SPOUSE 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, in Building C, Room 201 (Attic) at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando.

This one-time, free program is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a spouse/partner — no matter how long ago the loss occurred. Learn how to process your grief and face the future with hope. Register online at st.lukes.org/GriefSharespouse. For more, email care@st.lukes.org.

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REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

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9

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

Reserve at Belmere estate sells for $2,065,000 A

home in the Reserve

LEGADO

The townhouse at 8912 Matriarca Alley, Lot 68, Windermere, sold July 15, for $356,395. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,638 square feet. The price per square foot is $217.58. Days on market: Zero.

at Belmere com-

munity in Windermere topped all West Orangearea residential realestate transactions from

The townhouse at 8918 Matriarca Alley, Lot 69, Windermere, sold July 15, for $344,050. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,638 square feet. The price per square foot is $218.03. Days on market: Zero.

July 9 to 15.

The home at 1508 Lake Whitney Drive, Windermere, sold July

STOREY GROVE

12, for $2,065,000.

Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, six-andone-half baths, a pool and 6,771 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $304.98.

Days on market: Nine.

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

SNAPSHOT

Total Sales: 75 High Sale Price: $2,065,000 Low Sale Price: $145,000

upsidehomesforsale.com

The home at 1508 Lake Whitney Drive, Windermere, sold July 12, for $2,065,000. This home sits on the shores of Lake Whitney.

HORIZON WEST

HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 15757 Shaddock Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $630,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,103 square feet. The price per square foot is $203.03. Days on market: 33.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14542 Black Cherry Trail, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $430,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,234 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $192.48. Days on market: Five.

The townhouse at 6437 Sweet Clementine Alley, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $367,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $198.06. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 15617 Braintree Lane, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $407,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,148 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $189.48. Days on market: Two.

The townhouse at 6513 Calamondin Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $360,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,729 square feet. The price per square foot is $208.21. Days on market: Five.

The home at 6232 Manuscript St., Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $405,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,938 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $208.98. Days on market: Two.

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The townhouse at 7740 Moser Ave., Windermere, sold July 13, for $327,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,644 square feet. The price per square foot is $198.91. Days on market: Five.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE — PEACHTREE

The home at 8520 Greenbank Blvd., Windermere, sold July 13, for $380,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,726 square feet. The price per square foot is $220.16. Days on market: Nine.

LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The condo at 8180 Boat Hook Loop, No. 106, Windermere, sold July 12, for $242,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,455 square feet.

The price per square foot is $166.32. Days on market: Five.

The home at 10190 Storey Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $438,500. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,128 square feet. The price per square foot is $206.06. Days on market: Five.

The townhouse at 11097 Suspense Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $350,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,636 square feet. The price per square foot is $213.94. Days on market: Zero.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 7766 Purple Finch St., Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $575,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,764 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $152.76.

Days on market: Four.

The home at 7718 Purple Finch St., Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $470,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,133 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $220.35. Days on market: Seven.

SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 10

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SUMMERPORT

REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

The home at 4668 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold July 15, for $559,500. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths, a pool and 2,866 square feet. The price per square foot is $195.22. Days on market: Four.

The home at 13931 Ivory Gardenia Ave., Windermere, sold July 15, for $465,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,618 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $177.62. Days on market: 13.

The home at 5032 Carillon Lane, Windermere, sold July 15, for $425,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,083 square feet. The price per square foot is $204.03. Days on market: Five.

sold July 14, for $600,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,227 square feet. The price per square foot is $185.93. Days on market: Six. The home at 8521 Tavernier Alley, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $487,202. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,489 square feet. The price per square foot is $195.74. Days on market: Zero.

WATERMARK

The home at 9642 Woodcrane Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $425,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,080 square feet. The price per square foot is $204.33. Days on market: Five.

The home at 16430 Admirals Cove Lane, Winter Garden,

HUGE CHURCH SALE

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2285 Mountain Pine St., Ocoee, sold July 16, for $343,185. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $185.21. Days on market: 28.

The home at 2208 Mountain Pine St., Ocoee, sold July 9, for $336,990. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,215 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $152.14. Days on market: Zero.

FAIRFAX VILLAGE

The home at 247 Wescliff Drive, Ocoee, sold July 15, for $342,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-

WINDERMERE SOUND

The home at 13249 Penshurst Lane, Windermere, sold July 15, for $562,000. Built in 2015,

WATERLEIGH

it has six bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,800 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.89. Days on market: Two.

half baths and 1,765 square feet.

The price per square foot is $193.77. Days on market: Two. KENSINGTON MANOR

The home at 3460 Bromfield Drive, Ocoee, sold July 16, for $400,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,293 square feet. The price per square foot is $174.44. Days on market: 19.

NORTH OCOEE ADDITION

The home at 320 15th Ave., Ocoee, sold July 9, for $342,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,750 square feet. The price per square foot is $195.43. Days on market: 20.

ROBERTS RISE

The home at 614 Roberts Rise Drive, Ocoee, sold July 12, for $341,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,035 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.57. Days on market: Seven.

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The home at 2674 Migliara Lane, Ocoee, sold July 9, for $475,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,646 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $130.28. Days on market: Four.

WINDSOR LANDING

The home at 275 Calliope St., Ocoee, sold July 15, for $530,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,245 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $163.33. Days on market: 24.

WINDERMERE

BELMERE VILLAGE

The home at 1009 Algare Loop, Windermere, sold July 15, for $620,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,608 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $237.73. Days on market: Three.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

KEENE’S POINTE

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 6221 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold July 14, for $1,250,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, a pool and 4,347 square feet. The price per square foot is $287.55. Days on market: 94.

The home at 8050 Whitford Court, Windermere, sold July 14, for $1,020,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,833 square feet. The price per square foot is $266.11.

Days on market: 85.

The home at 6238 Lake Burden View Drive, Windermere, sold July 15, for $850,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,512 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $242.03. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 8441 Woburn Court, Windermere, sold July 14, for $729,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,115 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $234.03. Days on market: 16.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 1320 Glenwick Drive, Windermere, sold July 15, for $442,500. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,184 square feet. The price per square foot is $202.61. Days on market: Seven.

RESERVE AT WATERFORD POINTE

The home at 2027 Water Key Drive, Windermere, sold July 16, for $1,340,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three-and-

The home at 835 Rhett St., Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $710,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,131 square feet. The price per square foot is $333.18.

Days on market: Zero.

OVERSTREET CRATE COMPANY’S ADDITION

coldwellbankerhomes.com

The home at 15757 Shaddock Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $630,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from July 9 to 15.

one-half baths, a pool and 3,825 square feet. The price per square foot is $350.33. Days on market: Seven.

square feet. The price per square foot is $192.13. Days on market: Four.

WINTER GARDEN

The home at 1029 Emmett Lane, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $505,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,420 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.66. Days on market: Seven.

ALEXANDER RIDGE

The home at 2035 Solar Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $496,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,503 square feet. The price per square foot is $198.16. Days on market: Three.

AVALON RESERVE

The home at 1154 Vinsetta Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $660,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths, a pool and 4,733 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.45. Days on market: Zero.

CYPRESS RESERVE

The home at 13881 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $768,500. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 4,000

OXFORD CHASE

GROVEHURST

JOHNS LAKE HOMESITES

The home at 115 Live Oak Road, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $625,000. Built in 1962, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,522 square feet. The price per square foot is $247.82. Days on market: Three.

JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 746 Oxford Chase Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $1,160,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,739 square feet. The price per square foot is $244.78. Days on market: 20.

SHOWALTER PARK

The home at 219 Virginia Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $425,000. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,701 square feet. The price per square foot is $249.85. Days on market: Seven.

STONE CREEK

The home at 727 Marsh Reed Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $570,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,100 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $183.87. Days on market: 16.

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The home at 721 Vineland Road, Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $320,000. Built in 1928, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,397 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $229.06. Days on market: Six.

The home at 2017 Portcastle Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $375,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,857 square feet. The price per square foot is $201.94. Days on market: Nine.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 14808 Masthead Landing Circle, Winter Garden,

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

sold July 15, for $445,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,659 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.36. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 13530 Tenbury Wells Way, Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $410,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,905 square feet. The price per square foot is $215.22. Days on market: Three.

The home at 13524 Tenbury Wells Way, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $348,500. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,588 square feet. The price per square foot is $219.46. Days on market: 10.

WATERSIDE

The home at 16905 Broadwater Ave., Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $1,004,975. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,474 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $224.63. Days on market: One. WINTER GARDEN

The home at 318 E. Bay St., Winter Garden, sold July 15, for $300,000. Built in 1921, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,259 square feet. The price per square foot is $238.28. Days on market: Six. WINTER GARDEN SHORES

The home at 536 N. Woodland St., Winter Garden, sold July 14, for $411,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,608 square feet. The price per square foot is $255.60. Days on market: Three.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

A fairytale ending in Paris

KHLOE EHRHARD WINDERMERE PREP

“Ring!”

The bell rang as I walked into French class and took a seat. My teacher came in yelling at the top of her lungs.

“Guess what?” she said in her subtle accent.

Honestly, no one really cared, because last time she was like this, it was because we were getting an extra hour of class.

“What?” everyone said, sounding annoyed.

“Somebody in this school gets to go to Paris!” she said.

“Really?!!” the whole class yelled (suddenly being very interested).

“Yes, and whoever gets the highest score on our next test wins!” she said.

“Ughhhh, does it have to be a test?” we said.

“Yes, you all just have to work hard and study,” she said. “The test is in a week. You’ll have plenty of time, and this time, you will take it by yourself so you can focus. Some of you don’t even have to study because you’re so smart.” She smiled at me and winked.

I didn’t know what she was talking about. The smartest person in the class was Albert. When I looked over to see if he was doing that smirk, as if he was better than everybody else, he wasn’t; in fact, he looked like a tractor just ran over his dog. Albert’s hand shot up in the air as if it was the most

important thing in the world.

“Yes, Albert?” the teacher said.

“Can I see the nurse?” he said.

BLAHHH! Albert vomited all over my shoes. “Ewwww!”

I told my parents about the test as I sat down at the table.

“And the school will pay for everything!” I said.

“That’s awesome, sweetheart,” my dad said with an excited look on his face.

“You better study,” my mom said with a demanding voice.

“There’s no way she’s going to get in. The whole school is taking the test — that’s like 400 people,” my brother Evan said with an obnoxious voice.

“Evan, don’t say that: Claire doesn’t have the smarts to win,” my dad said in an offended voice.

“I’m gonna go upstairs and start studying,” I said with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. I sat on my bed and took out my French book and copied it word for word every night.

The day of the test, I put on my best outfit, pulled my hair back and stuffed as much breakfast as I could in my mouth before dashing out to the bus as it was leaving.

I grabbed onto the side of the bus, the wind blowing in my hair as I reached for the door. Slam!

The door opened with a big bang.

“Thanks, Frank,” I said.

“I’m assuming you have a test,” Frank said.

“Yep,” I said.

right next to the Eiffel Tower.

“Woooow,” Eian and I both said at the same time.

“We only have one day, so we better use it wisely,” Mrs. Smith exclaimed.

We got off the plane and went to the hotel. We unpacked our bags and went down to eat some food. “Mmmmmm.” The buttery goodness of the croissant filled my mouth with joy.

“Bonjour, comment allez-vous,” the waiter said in a bubbly way.

“Bien. Nous aurons un soufflé et deux crêpes s’il vous plaît,” we said.

“Bien sûr tout de suite.”

When the food came back, it was warm and crispy. It was like eating a slice of heaven. When we left, we went to visit all the amazing landmarks: the Louvre Museum, the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, Sainte-Chapelle, the Loire Valley Castles and, finally, the Eiffel Tower for dinner.

It sparkled in the moonlight.

We had so much fun that I wanted to tell Eian that I liked him.

“Eian?” I asked.

“Yeah?” he said.

“I like you,” I told him.

“Really? I like you too,” he said.

As I leaned in, we kissed.

There were sparks everywhere, and I felt so safe and alive. This was the best trip ever. I guess this is why Paris is known as the most romantic city ever.

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Budding storyteller Khloe Ehrhard used her love of Paris as inspiration for her latest fantasy.

“Whoooo!” the whole bus hooted and hollered as I sat down.

“Thank you,” I said as I bowed. I sank into my chair as Eian walked in. His bright blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. He brushed back his blonde hair with his fingers. I sank even lower as he sat across from me.

“Are you OK?” he asked, looking me dead straight in the eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks,” I said.

“I’m Eian,” he said.

“Trust me, I know,” I said.

“Claire, right?” he asked.

“That’s my name,” I said.

“Cool. I’ll see you ’round, Claire.”

I walked to class and sat down to take the test. She gave me the test, and my pencil started moving like the wind whipping around so fast you couldn’t even see it.

“Done,” I told her.

“Already, Miss Mason?” she said. “That was five minutes with 50 questions. You must have really studied. You’re free to go.”

“OK everyone, the winners are … EIAN and …

CLAIRE!!!” she said later.

Everybody clapped as we stood up from our seats. Eian and I were both shocked.

When I went home that night, I packed my bags and made a list of everything I needed. The next morning, the school picked me up. We drove to the airport, and Eian had to go through extra security. We got on the plane and took off. We landed

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OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

13

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

Summer is the perfect time to earn service hours

HANNAH NIXON THE FIRST ACADEMY

Attention seniors! If you are preparing to apply to colleges and want to boost your résumé, earning community service hours is the perfect way to stand out to admissions officers.

Community-service hours also can help you get scholarship money from organizations such as Bright Futures while helping those in need in your community: a win-win situation!

Some schools, like my own, require a certain number of service hours to graduate. As a rising senior, I searched for community-service opportunities in the area and discovered some organizations for which I enjoyed volunteering. I also found some volunteer organizations have an 18-or-older age requirement, so I compiled a list of organizations that are eligible for teenagers and will help you reach your requirements.

I recommend trying these out and finding what causes you are most passionate about.

Volunteer Match is a great resource that connects you with volunteer organizations that work best with you. At volunteermatch.org, you can fill out your information and interests.

The website will match you with a bunch of opportunities in your

area that will work with your schedule.

The Orange County Library System offers a program for teenagers called the Teen Library Corps — or TLC. Students between ages 13 and 18 can apply to their local library. With 14 locations in Orange County, you can easily find the location closest to you. To apply, you can visit your local library, and for more information, check out the website, ocls.info/supportlibrary/volunteer.

If you love working with pets, then I would recommend volunteering at Orange County Animal Services.

These volunteers will help assist the shelter and animals in finding their new homes. You can find more information at bit. ly/3wQIhP9.

As an athlete, I have volunteered at many camps my school hosted for younger kids looking to learn about the sport. This is an easy way to get service hours by participating in the sport you love. I recommend asking if your school or others around the area are hosting camps that highlight

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your sport or hobbies. Additionally, the YMCA is another great organization that offers a variety of positions that help locals to become more active. You can volunteer here to instruct kids on how to become better athletes. For more information, visit ymca.net/volunteer.

If you are passionate about the environment, then clean-up projects are perfect for you. Keep Orlando Beautiful is an organization that schedules clean-ups at public places in the community. As a volunteer for Keep Orlando Beautiful, you will be cleaning up areas in your community.

To apply, visit bit.ly/36SIPsV. Additionally, you can also volunteer to clean up shorelines at beaches in Florida. For more information on upcoming beach clean-up events, visit bit. ly/3kGPajg.

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The Society of St. Andrew is another great institution I highly recommend.

After local farmers finish their harvest, volunteers will come and glean the remaining produce and donate it to food banks in the area. Volunteers can pick a variety of products such as corn,

tomatoes and even blueberries.

It’s a super exciting and unique experience that all ages can enjoy. To apply as a volunteer and learn more about the organization, visit bit.ly/3inOLzL.

The Second Harvest Food Bank also works to provide food for those in need in Orange County. Volunteers will work in packing or sorting food. For more information, visit bit.ly/2UiJBgv.

Advent Health is another great organization that offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in all different areas. It has a variety of programs centered inside and outside the hospital. To learn more about becoming an AdventHealth volunteer, visit bit. ly/3wTnqKO.

Finally, one of the easiest ways to rack up community service hours is by volunteering in your neighborhood.

This can include doing lawn care or even helping an elderly neighbor by getting groceries. You make the most impact with the people around you. I recommend going around your neighborhood and asking if your neighbors need any help in their daily lives.

Even the simplest tasks can make a difference in your community. No act of kindness is too small. So, apply to one of these organizations today to make an impact!

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY JULY 15, 1971 The real-estate section of The Winter Garden Times was several pages thick in 1971, and Realtors were eager to advertise homes and properties for rent or sale.

West Orange County was the place to score a house for about $14,000, four acres with citrus trees for $12,000 or a large tract of land near Walt Disney World for $1,500 per acre.

85 years ago

Kathryn and Al Valdes returned to Winter Garden after attending summer school at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

75 years ago

Dr. Albert A. Gleason was named to the staff of the proposed West Orange Memorial Hospital in Winter Garden.

55 years ago

A bon voyage party was held at the Cappleman home for John Griffin. Helen Cappleman and Judy Tucker served as cohostesses. Those invited to bid farewell were Ronnie Donahey, Chuck Hawthorne, Melanie Wingfield, Douglas Girvin, Kay Quigley, Hinton Grimes, Linda Gail Garner, Leigh Kammerer, Charlene Payne, Larry Thompson, Patty Price, Jimmy Pounds, Bonnie Britt, Joseph Toole and Cheryl Strube.

“A mellow band of 100 proof music” was started with the creation of The Kentucky Gentlemen, with Pat Loucks on lead guitar, Wade Bradford on rhythm guitar, Ricky Moore on drums and Jerry Fay on bass guitar.

50 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. George Spigener, formerly of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, made their home in Winter Garden with their two children, Virginia and George.

FROM THE ARCHIVES Gay Annis, who taught at both Lakeview and West Orange high schools, recently donated a cache of photographs and items related to the history of both schools. This group setting was included. If anyone can identify the people in the photo, call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244 or post on the WGHF Facebook page.

The history center’s collection of items from local schools continues to grow, but there are gaps, and staff is looking for items to be donated or shared for copying.

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.

The Sunday before last, the Rev. Stacy Selph of the First United Methodist Church made a reference in his sermon to the 1971 graduating sinners. That really broke everyone up — including Selph.

GUIDANCE by Matthew Stock; CROSSWORD OCCUPATIONAL Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Sign into law 6 Massage venue 9 Email secretly 12 “___-Dick” 16 Mamas’ mamas 17 “Sun Goes Down” singer Lil ___ X 18 Pleased 19 <--- or ---> 21 Career advice for an anesthesiologist?

25 Big bird 26 Las Vegas athlete such as A’ja Wilson 27 “Metamorphoses” poet 28Label on a present

40 years ago

West Orange Memorial Hospital trustees voted to a slight increase in the tax rate for next year and to place the extra money in a special building fund for future expansion of the hospital and West Orange

99 Opera singer Romero 100 Miner’s finds 101 Peer in school 105 Four-time NBA All-Star DeMar 107 “You said it!”

108 Natural ‘do 109 Small, informally 110 Career advice for a groundskeeper?

115 Take care of 116 70-Across sound 117 “1919” poet Ewing 118 Unrefined 119 Slight setback 120 “How neat!”

121 Marry 122 Supply party food

Manor nursing home.

Lisa Sims and Kim Traywick were deejays at a recent dance at the West Orange Youth Center. Chaperones were Lynne Wiley, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sims and Mr. and Mrs. Bill West.

41 90%, say, gradewise 42 Finely chops 46 ___-Mex 47 Friend, in Panama 49 Outer garment worn by the pool 50 “We’re in trouble,” to Scooby-Doo 51 Spanish for “grandpa” 52 Sailor, informally 54 Some prosecutors (Abbr.)

55 Complains 56 Untagged, in a recess game 57 Pots may hang from them 62 Surroundings 63 Yogurt brand 64 Chases after, as fly balls 66 Future mushrooms DOWN 67 Sweet’s opposite 1 Concluded 69 Faulty firework 2 Tennis icon Osaka 73 Spanish sir 3 Make void 75 Celebrity chef Martin 4 Certain furry cuddle buddy 76 Showed on TV 5 Sound of disapproval 77 Orchids grow from them 6 White-speckled chocolate 78 Al ___ (pasta preference) morsel 79 Not look forward to 7 Runner’s speed 80 Does some digging 8 Inquire 81 Special guests 9 ___-green (teal) 86 What a guest attends 10 Joker or jack 87 With no blemishes 11 Audiobook holders 88 Staples Center, e.g.

12 Beach city near L.A. 90 Unit of resistance 13 “Carmina Burana” 93 Not digital composer 94 Two tuba toots 14 Stock option?

95 Made, as money 15 Video creator with a 96 Visibly flabbergasted 30 Predicament 53 Career advice for an 75 Career advice for a channel 98 Threaded together 33 Pool sticks apiarist? comedian?

18 Regulate 102 Northern island native 34 Marvelous, briefly 58 Peruvian worshipper 79 E-flat’s equivalent 20 Serena Williams’ circuit 103 Diacritic over the third 35 Rwandan ethnic group of Inti 82 Apple platform initials 22 Moniker letter in 73-Down 36 Career advice for a water 59 Bygone tape format 83 “I can’t ___ that!”

23 Question to someone who 104 Revered villager polo player?

60 Sixty minutes (reaction to a cringeworthy just stirred 106 Greek Z 40 Conk on the head 61 ___ fever photo) 24 “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!”

107 Prefix with “dynamic” 41 Iowa college town 62 ENTs, e.g.

84 Lip balm brand 29 Little fish 108 Earlyish dinnertime 43 “Not Top 10 Plays” 65 Pictionary team member 85 River to Lake Geneva 31 ___ out (barely manage) 111 “A Black Lady Sketch channel 67 Web destinations 86 Miscalculate 32 Untidy Show” channel 44 Title for Euphegenia 68 Bible book before Jonah 87 East ___ Alto 33 Wanda’s partner in “The 112 Tree that sounds like a Doubtfire 70 Donkey 89 “Verb” or “adverb,” Fairly OddParents” pronoun 45 Devoured 71 Expert ironically 34 Comedic absurdity 113 Broadcast-monitoring 47 “Is that true about me?” 72 Actor Kapoor 91 Long time 37 2021, 2022 and so on org.

48 Get out of Dodge 73 Have a good cry 92 Career advice for a trum- 38 Burnt ends?

114 “This American Life” host pet player?

51 Easy as ___ 74 Bone near the funny 39 Caribbean fruit Glass 52 Brand of boat shoes bone 97 Declare

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“CBHJ KJVXFGTZ TVDRTJ ZRBK DRID CBH’JT XIZDC, AJIXFC IXS ZTXVGT, BJ DRID CBH’JT IGKICZ ZOVGVXL.”

AIJGBZ ZIXDIXI

“JED CZEX XOBR P VPV BMRWI P XIERW KJ MPIHR ZEFWS? P HODR DU BZV XIERW RXWZRJ-ROIWW KEIW.”

KPNOBWS NEZZWSSJ Puzzle Two Clue:: F equals V

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clues L equals G

14

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

07-22-21

JULY 22, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

Jack Patterson is a member of both the Winter Garden Little League 12-year-old All-Stars and the Winter Garden Squeeze’s youth travel team. Page 16.

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Foundation Academy’s cheer teams earned recognition in a recent Universal Cheerleaders Association stunt camp.

The Lions’ varsity team earned first place in the allgirl varsity division, while the JV team earned third place in the camp routine championship. Overall, the Foundation program was named “Top Banana,” a recognition for hard work, top performances and positive attitudes.

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Registration is now open for the West Orange Girls Club fast-pitch softball fall season. All divisions can register through Aug. 20.

Evaluations will be held on Aug. 21, and teams will be chosen Aug. 22. The season will run through Nov. 13. For more information, contact Michaal Rossi, michaalrossi@gmail.com.

3

The Winter Garden Squeeze is scheduled to take on the Sanford River Rats three times this week. The first game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium, 1201 Melonville Road, Sanford; the second for 11 a.m. Friday, July 23, at Conrad Park at Stetson University, 555 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; and the third for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Sanford Memorial Stadium.

4

Horizon High School has announced tryout information for several of its fall sports programs. All tryouts will take place at the school, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden, unless otherwise noted. Girls volleyball tryouts are from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2; football from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 2; boys and girls cross country from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 2; and boys and girls bowling from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Kissimmee Lanes, 4140 W. Vine St., Kissimmee.

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Lake Buena Vista High School will host an ECG and Physical Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, in the gym, 11305 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando. The cost will be $15 for the physical and $20 for the ECG. RSVP by completing the form at forms.gle/WA2irgEdv4DASyyT7.

Courtesy photo

BOATLOAD OF SUCCESS Athletes from the Orlando Area Rowing Society have received national recognition this summer.

NATE MARRERO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

O

ne of the best ways to determine a program’s success is by looking at its ability to help get its athletes to the next level.

In that metric, the Orlando Area Rowing Society is easily one of the best.

This summer, 16 athletes from OARS were named to the USRowing’s Olympic Development Program in Jacksonville, and three

others were named to USRowing’s Junior National Team Selection Camp. Perhaps most impressive are OARS’ Meagan Goldsmith and Victoria Grieder, who will represent the United States on the Junior National Team in August in Bulgaria.

“We’re super excited that we got two of our athletes going on to represent the U.S. on an international stage,” OARS Director Kirsten Anderson said. “This is like your

MAKING WAVES UNITED STATES JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS Meagan Goldsmith Victoria Grieder USROWING’S OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS Evan Andrews Leo Frietas Bacile Ian Ballard Owen DeBoer Baylor Gunkel Gabe Larue Betsy McFarlane Danny McMullen Julia Pujol Jordan Reed Katelyn Semien George Sewell Ashley Sizelove Andie Williams USROWING’S JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION CAMP PARTICIPANTS Meagan Goldsmith Victoria Grieder Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hall

SEE ROWERS PAGE 17

Foundation QB earns MVP honors at FBU Top Gun camp Eighth-grader Sabby Meassick will join the Lions’ squad this fall after transferring from Lake Highland Prep.

NATE MARRERO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

To be the best out of 1,500 competitors is quite an accomplishment.

Sabby Meassick has done it twice.

The Foundation Academy rising eighth-grader recently was named FBU Top Gun’s all-camp

team MVP July 11. He earned the same honor last year.

“I wanted to get that MVP award again,” Meassick said. “(It made) my day feel awesome.”

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Meassick’s love for football began when he was 4 years old. Seeing his favorite team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on TV played a big role in

igniting his passion for the sport.

During his sixth-grade year, Meassick began to realize how good he was as a quarterback.

Not only was he starting to lap the competition, but also he knew he would continue to improve as he got older.

One of the coaches who has SEE LION PAGE 16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

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

Jack Patterson Jack Patterson played for the Winter Garden Little League 12-yearold All-Star team this summer. It was Patterson’s third consecutive year making the Winter Garden Little League All-Stars, which were eliminated from competition in districts this year. Patterson primarily plays catcher and first base. Outside of Little League, Patterson plays for the Winter Garden Squeeze youth travel team.

What’s your favorite part about playing catcher?

Just getting to be in every single play. Being able to catch the ball — and you get to see what happens.

THE BASICS TEAMS: Winter Garden Little League All-Stars; Winter Garden Squeeze youth travel team AGE: 12 SCHOOL: SunRidge Middle School POSITIONS: Catcher; first base SPORT: Baseball

What is your favorite team?

Boston Red Sox. I chose to follow them because of my dad.

How did you get into baseball?

I just thought it would be another good sport just to play, and then it was like so much fun that I just wanted to focus on this one sport.

What has been your favorite memory from playing baseball?

Hitting my first home run, because it was a big moment.

What’s your favorite part about playing baseball?

Getting to travel and hit the ball and have fun.

Of all the teams you’ve played on, which one is your favorite?

The Squeeze. I get to play with all of my friends. It’s just really fun, because I’ve known them for such a long time.

What was your experience like playing in All-Stars?

Really cool, because it’s really good competition. We had a really good chance of winning.

How excited are you to move onto the bigger field this year?

Really excited. It’s going to be a little difficult at first but it’s going to be fun.

If you could meet one baseball player, who would it be and why?

David Ortiz, because he hits the ball really far.

Do you have any interests outside of baseball?

I like to watch football with my dad. That’s really it.

What is your favorite football team?

The New England Patriots.

— NATE MARRERO

Sabby Meassick is excited to play for the Lions this fall.

Nate Marrero

Lion shines at camp CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

helped Meassick realize his potential and improve is Chris Leak. Leak, who played quarterback and won a national championship at the University of Florida, has been working with Meassick since 2017.

“He’s trained me a lot since like 2017,” Meassick said. “He’s taught me a lot, and I got a lot better.”

TOP GUN

Meassick earned an invitation to his third consecutive FBU Top Gun Camp following his participation in a regional camp four months ago.

At the FBU Top Gun camp, which took place July 9 to 11, quarterbacks went through a series of drills, including 7-on7s and 1-on-1s. Meassick’s experience from the previous two FBU camps helped him find his rhythm early.

“When I started going on a roll — like completing back-toback-to-back passes — I started to know that I was on a roll, and I was doing great,” Meassick said.

Between being the reigning

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MVP and competing with players from throughout the country, Meassick felt the pressure to succeed.

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“It was great,” Meassick said of earning MVP honors. “I wasn’t surprised, because I always do good at camps, but it still feels good to win MVP.” A SOLID FOUNDATION

Meassick isn’t the only new face at Foundation Academy. After being the head coach at Foundation Academy for 13 years, Brad Lord decided to hand the reigns to his defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, Andre Walker.

After the spring, Meassick’s family made the decision to transfer from Lake Highland Prep to Foundation Academy.

The Lions’ culture and their track record of success made them the right choice for Meassick and his family.

With summer workouts and 7-on-7 tournaments fully underway, Meassick has begun to build a good relationship with Walker.

“We started working out,”

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Meassick said. “Doing conditioning, weightlifting, and we also had a 7-on-7, so getting to know him better and the place that he runs makes me know him a little bit better.”

So far, Foundation Academy has reached the semifinals in two 7-on-7 tournaments before being eliminated. The tournaments have given Meassick a chance to build rapport with his teammates before the start of the fall season.

“I feel like we’re jelling really well,” Meassick said. “My connection with them has gotten better over a period of time that we’ve been together. I feel like we’ll get better and better as the season goes along, so we compete for a state championship.

“You feel so achieved when you know you’re an eighthgrader playing on varsity high school football against kids that are three, four years older than you, going into college, having Division I scholarships,” Meassick said. “It makes you feel really great that you know that you’re on that competitive level to play.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

Rowers earn recognition MIKE YOAKUM Pastor P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM

A COMMON GOAL

While the summer mainly consists of camps, the fall and spring schedules are filled with races.

OARS usually participates in four to five tournaments in the fall and another 10 in the spring.

“Our whole team will travel to the race, and there are different categories that we enter them in,” Anderson said.

Even with the growth and success of the program, Anderson’s main goal is to keep on increasing the number of athletes in her program while also forming a teamfriendly environment for everyone.

“Ultimately, we’d like our program to grow to have 300 kids, and we can do it,” Anderson said.

“We really would like to be the No. 1 team in the South, and you do that through numbers, the size of having more kids join.

“More than anything, (the goal is) to introduce people to the sport, to teach them the sport and let them grow within their level of enjoyment … and ultimately when we get to the competition, just to be this strong team,” she said.

“Not just necessarily how we play but (also) how we are supporting each other and working together toward a common goal.”

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Anderson, now in her 24th year with the program, said this level of growth reflects the work of everyone involved in the program.

“I am very proud at how much we’ve grown since our beginning,” Anderson said. “It has really taken a group of people — alumni, rowers, parents and the community — to make our growth possible.

We are definitely not finished. We would like for many more people of all ages to learn and love rowing.

“I’ve always had an idea in my mind of what our club could become,” she said. “It does take careful and deliberate planning to achieve this success. Every new class of rowers that we bring in has to be stepped in to our program with care. I believe that is what our great staff of coaches can do. We take athletes from where they are at and develop them in to great rowers and people.”

In total, OARS has sent more than 100 kids to compete either collegiately or nationally.

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

ple, you learn how to master your technique and work with a bunch of people toward a common goal.”

So far for the summer, there are about 175 kids participating in the summer camp. That number usually increases to about 200 during the school year.

359832-1

final moment. This is what you aspire to do, so we’re super excited for them.”

Anderson said Goldsmith and Grieder are among the best rowers in the nation. Goldsmith will row in the Straight 4 category, while Grieder will be coxing the 4.

After this summer of racing, they both will continue rowing in college — Goldsmith at the University of Virginia, and Grieder at Rutgers University.

One of its most notable alumni, Christine Cavallo, rowed at Stanford University, made the national team and went on to break two national records. She also rowed at the world championships for multiple years.

But even with all of the accomplishments, seeing students develop and having athletes come back to coach are two of Anderson’s favorite parts of being the director at OARS. Competition is only a part of the OARS program. During the school year, students in middle school, high school and even adults have the chance to be involved recreationally. During the summer, OARS hosts camps that allow students in middle school and high school to learn to row.

“We have one-week learn-torow camps that are designed for anybody really in middle and high school (who) have never rowed before and want to learn about the sport,” Anderson said. “What’s cool about our learn-to-row class is that the majority of our team members come and help. You get to row along with people that already know what they’re doing.”

Along with the opportunity to learn, participants also experience the positive impact rowing can have both physically and mentally.

“Rowing is one of the greatest whole-body workouts that’s low impact,” Anderson said. “Really, anybody from age 11 to 90 can row. It’s a lifetime sport, so you can enjoy it for years. … Rowing is definitely a team sport, so you learn how to work with other peo-

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