07.28.16 Windermere Observer

WINDERMERE

Observer Serving Southwest Orange County

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE

VOLUME 1, NO. 43

Jazz students swing into Disney Springs. Page 11 •

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

Greater than the sum of its parts With residential, retail, entertainment and health care announced, Boyd Development’s Hamlin vision is taking shape. Page 3

HEART OF BLUE

YOUR TOWN STATE SALES TAX HOLIDAY RETURNS The Florida Sales Tax Holiday starts at 12:01 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 5, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

A plethora of merchandise can be purchased tax-free, including clothing, accessories, backpacks, suits, employee uniforms, sports uniforms, school uniforms and shoes less than $60.

For the entire list, visit dor. myflorida.com.

TOLL BROTHERS RAISES $4,000

SEE STORY ON PAGE 4 Danielle Hendrix

“I didn’t join because of anything external in the world.

I joined because I wanted to do this job, and that’s about as simple as it gets.”

— Griffin Hebel

ARTS & CULTURE

Toll Brothers recently raised more than $4,000 through the company’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in June at its four local communities.

The communities — Lakeshore, Toll Brothers at Eagle Creek, Casabella at Windermere, and Royal Cypress Preserve — each held fundraising drives. Toll Brothers employees, homeowners and their children hosted hand-built lemonade stands at the communities.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation shares the vision of founder, Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) — a cure for all children with cancer.

More details emerge about proposed mosque The proposal should go before the Board of County Commissioners by the end of August.

DANIELLE HENDRIX

Artist Jon Deuschle on “African romance.”

PAGE 9 PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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STAFF WRITER HORIZON WEST Residents of Lake

Mabel and neighboring communities gathered at Sunset Park Elementary Wednesday, July 20, for the second community meeting regarding plans for the Windermere Religious Center.

A previous meeting held in March debuted the project, a

mosque that would be located at 8806 Winter Garden-Vineland Road near the northeast shore of Lake Mabel, if approved.

Currently, the land is designated rural-country estate (R-CE), and the applicant — property owner Dr. Muhammad A. Awan — is requesting a special SEE MOSQUE PAGE 4

Courtesy rendering

This rendering of the proposed Windermere Religious Center depicts how it will blend with the existing communities.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28

YOU R CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

HOW TO BRAID 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. ‘Tweens and teens, learn braided styles and how to style hair. Recommended for ages 9 to 17. For information, visit glamourkidsbraids.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 29

LIVE MUSIC: ROCKIT FLY 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, at Dexter’s of Windermere, 4757 The Grove Drive, Windermere. (407) 2587028.

SATURDAY, JULY 30

WHEN BUTTER FLIES 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at the TibetButler Preserve, 8777 County Road 535, Orlando. Learn about the biology of butterflies and go

through a learning metamorphosis by meeting some of Central Florida’s common butterflies.

Ages 7 and older. Space limited to 30. (407) 254-1940.

SUNDAY, JULY 31

CHILI COOKOFF REGISTRATION DEADLINE 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31, is the deadline to sign up for the Knights of Columbus chili cookoff, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Resurrection Catholic Church, 1211 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden. There will be four categories: vegetarian, regular, hot and super super hot. Entry fee is $10. First-, second- and third-place awards will be given.

To register, contact William Fischer at (407) 235-4697 or rita.william.1325@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, AUG. 2

NATIONAL ADULT COLORING BOOK DAY 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Celebrate National Coloring Book Day by taking your favorite to show which ones you love and your coloring masterpieces to show off. The second Orange County Library System Adult Coloring Book will be available to all attendees. Ages 18 and up. (407) 835-7323.

ROSEN JCC POKER LEAGUE 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Aug. 2 at the Rosen JCC,

11184 S. Apopa-Vineland Road, Orlando. This Texas Hold ’Emstyle league includes five weeks of tournament play. The top scorers then advance to the final table for a chance to win prizes.

Ages 21 and older. Lori Levine, (407) 387-2740.

THURSDAY, AUG. 4

CHAMBER HOB NOB AND STRAW POLL 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at Manheim Orlando, 11801 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. This West Orange Chamber of Commerce gathering is presented by Orlando Health and is the last political event and chance to talk with candidates before the primary. Cost is $26 in advance, $31 at the door, and includes dinner, beverages and a vote in the Straw Poll. (407) 656-1304 or wochamber.com.

DIY MINIATURE ZEN GARDENS 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Construct a Zen garden from rocks and gravel while exploring the art of abstraction. (407) 835-7323.

native speakers in a supportive environment. A certified ESOL instructor will lead the workshop. Free. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, AUG. 5

LIVE MUSIC: MY GENERATION 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, at Dexter’s of Windermere, 4757 The Grove Drive, Windermere. (407) 2587028.

MONDAY, AUG. 8

BOOKS TO BOOGIE 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Shake, rattle, and roll and dive into picture books and engage in dance and movement activities. Ages 2-5. (407) 835-7323.

ACTIVE 50+: AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 8, and Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Jessie Brock Community

ESOL CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH WORKSHOP 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Practice conversational English skills with other non-

Center, 310 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden. This insurance reduction and driver refresher course will garner up to a 10% discount after completion of the course, depending on the insurance provider. Cost is $15 for AARP members, $20 for others. Advanced registration is required at wintergarden-fl.gov or (407) 656-4155.

NEHRLING GARDENS FUNDRAISER 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at BurgerFi at The Grove, 4750 The Grove Drive, Windermere. The eatery will donate 15% of each purchase to Nehrling Gardens.

For information, email Jill. ralph@nehrlinggardens.org.

The FACES of Heart Failure • Fatigue • Activities Limited • Chest congestion • Edema or ankle swelling • Shortness of breath

Trust your HEART to the Cardiovascular Team of Experts Close to Home at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital

Connect to health at

healthcentral.org 211324

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

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Scouts earn Silver Award for park improvements Girl Scout Cadette Troop 432 of Dr. Phillips had eight girls earn their Silver Award for their efforts.

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER DR. PHILLIPS The

next time you visit Johns Lake Environmental Park and see the signage and a photo kiosk there, you can thank a Dr. Phillips Girl Scout troop for them.

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 432 recently completed the volunteer project under the leadership of Beth Jackson, supervisor of Orange County’s GREEN PLACE Environmental Park effort. Upon completion, participating girls earned a Girl Scout Silver Award in early June.

In Boy Scouts, the highest award achievable is the Eagle Scout rank.

For Girl Scout Cadettes, the Silver Award is the equivalent.

“The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and in her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others,” said Cindy Sayers-Lane, Troop 432’s leader.

“The first four requirements of the Girl Scout Silver Award help girls build skills, explore careers, gain leadership skills and make a commitment to self-improvement.”

To earn the Silver Award, each Girl Scout must go through a specific process. First, she needs to identify an issue she cares about. From there, girls can work as a team or individually as they explore the community and pick a project. Finally, they create a

project plan and put it into action.

The girls who earned their Silver Award through this project were: Dahlia Abousaouira, Britney Damon, Anna Gigante, Gabriella Gissy, Indya Jimerson, Marilyn Lane, Sarah Saiari and Mary Waters.

They worked with Jackson as their beneficiary and sponsor to research, design and install four rustic park benches, seven picnic-area signs and a kiosk with photos and information about the marsh environment.

“It’s one of the newer parks in Orange County,” Sayers-Lane said. “There is nothing to really draw a crowd, and they were trying to make improvements in that direction. We put in a 10-foot

kiosk with pictures of all of the wildlife that has been spotted in that park.”

The troop received assistance through support of local businesses, and the girls led the coordination and implementation of it all. Sayers-Lane said Westgate Resorts provided financial and technical support, while a local Lowe’s provided a generous amount to help cover all of the materials needed for the project.

Additionally, Wildlife Canvas Portraits of Oviedo donated photography of wildlife spotted at the park to use on the kiosk.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

WHAT IS A GIRL SCOUT CADETTE? Cadettes are those Girl Scouts in grades six through eight who are interested in making a difference in the world, saving the planet, standing up against stereotypes and using teamwork to accomplish it all.

For Cadettes, trying out new experiences, getting outdoors and in touch with nature and working on projects dealing with an issue they care about make up the program.

For more information about Girl Scout Cadettes and the Silver Award, visit http://bit. ly/1UmCyaS.

HAMLIN HAPPENINGS

A 16-bed hospital will open in Hamlin in 2018.

Developer Boyd Development Corporation announced apartments to add to the incoming hospital, luxury theater, Publix and other shopping and entertainment options.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER

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HORIZON WEST

he news has been piecemeal so far — with bits of Hamlin development trickling in every few months.

However, when the projects are viewed together, Boyd Development Corporation’s vision becomes clear: It is developing in Horizon West a community hub that will include everything from residential and retail to dining and, yes, even health care.

HOUSING OPTIONS GROW

Boyd Development Corporation recently announced Hamlin’s latest housing option — a 316-unit apartment project, LakeWalk at Hamlin.

Construction on the apartments begins in September, with the leasing process beginning summer 2017. The project will be completed late 2017 or early 2018, said Kevin Merideth, of Boyd Development Corporation.

Boyd Development has not yet announced floor plans or size of apartments and still is looking to hire a management company to

lease the apartments.

Both the apartments and center connected to the theater will front Lake Hancock.

The apartments project is estimated to cost between $50 million and $55 million. It is the first apartment complex in Hamlin, which includes neighborhoods for single-family homes — Ashton Woods’ Hamlin Reserve and Taylor Morrison’s Overlook at Hamlin and Cove at Hamlin. These neighborhoods are still under construction, with homes currently for sale.

SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

The hub of the community takes place at the intersection of New Independence Parkway and Hamlin Groves Trail.

“We look at the town center as the four quadrants of New Independence Parkway and Hamlin Groves Trail,” Merideth said.

At the northwest corner, a Walmart will open this fall, Merideth said. The Walmart, at about 193,000 square feet, anchors six other stores. The tenants of the stores have yet to be announced.

A frontage parcel along New Independence Parkway also will

have a mix of retail and restaurant options. These stores likely will open in 2017.

At the southwest corner of the intersection, Hamlin residents will have their own grocery store — a 54,000-square-foot Publix supermarket. Construction is scheduled to begin in September, with the supermarket opening the following year — April or May 2017.

Similar to the Walmart, the Publix also will anchor a variety of other retail options and restaurants.

A main street will lead from Publix to a lakefront shopping center area at the southeast corner of the intersection, which will be home to a 10-screen luxury movie theater. The theater, operated by a company that Boyd Development Corporation has not yet named, will hold 750 to 800 seats. The theater will front Lake Hancock, along with three to five other waterfront restaurants.

HORIZON WEST’S FIRST HOSPITAL

The first hospital built in Horizon West will be located in Hamlin, along the south side of Porter Road, with quick access to New

Independence Parkway.

The 16-bed Orlando Health hospital will be constructed beginning in November 2016 and completing in February 2018. It is built on 80 acres of land and designed to grow as the community does. Phase One of the project will initiate the hospital’s emergency department, with a second floor devoted to an outpatient diagnostics department and physician offices.

It will increase Hamlin residents’ access to an emergency department. The closest hospital is Florida Hospital Winter Garden, located 15 minutes away from the community.

Additionally, the hospital will add a source of employment in the health care sector.

“It’s just a great synergy between a hospital like that — with the employees that are looking for a place to go for lunch and places to go for dinner and retail, and on the flip side, it’s great for our town center to have that type of employment center right there,” Merideth said.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Courtesy renderings

Hamlin’s town center will feature shopping options Publix and Walmart, as well as restaurants and a luxury movie theater.

“I think it’s just a great synergy between a hospital like that — with the employees that are looking for a place to go for lunch and places to go for dinner and retail, and on the flip side, it’s great for our town center to have that type of employment center right there.”

— Kevin Merideth

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

WINDERMERE

Graduate ready to protect, serve

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.”

Apopka resident Griffin Hebel, 21, recently completed the police academy at Seminole State College and is ready to serve with the Windermere Police Department.

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

S

erving as a police officer and helping others was something Apopka resident Griffin Hebel never thought twice about: He just knew he wanted to do so.

“I’ve always planned on going into law enforcement; it wasn’t a split-second decision,” Hebel said. “It’s always been a draw for me.”

Now, the 21-year-old is fresh out of Seminole State College’s Law Enforcement Academy and is putting that training to use as the newest officer at the Windermere Police Department.

The department is small, having only 13 officers, but Sgt. Mark DeStefano said each candidate is thoroughly vetted and goes through the same 14-week training process. Some qualities the department looks for in new officers include maturity, integrity, honesty and a good work ethic.

“Even in a young officer right out of the police academy, we look at their scores, prior jobs, school records — it’s all very important to us,” DeStefano said.

Hebel’s addition to the department is especially notable because he is the first police academy graduate WPD has hired under Chief David Ogden.

TRAINING DAYS

Seminole State’s Law Enforcement Academy program requires 770 total program hours, and candidates must meet a host of requirements to enroll. Among them are submission of a completed law enforcement/corrections/crossover application, completing and passing the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities test and successfully completing a physical assessment.

Once in the program, students

are introduced to the world of law enforcement and Florida laws and legislation. From there, they learn and gain necessary skills in a controlled environment: interviewing and report writing, vehicle and firearm operations, defense tactics, first aid, criminal investigations, traffic crash investigations, crime scene to courtroom and more.

“There wasn’t terribly much for me mindset-wise in preparing for the academy,” said Hebel, a 2013 Apopka High School graduate. “I did ROTC in high school but didn’t have any other special training besides the academy. It (the academy) was fun, it was a good time.”

Hebel completed the program earlier in July and was officially sworn in with WPD by July 23, noting that the agency was a good fit for him because of its size.

“It’s a smaller agency, and I was looking for that,” he said. “I didn’t necessarily want to jump into a large agency right off the bat. I’m young and don’t have a ton of experience. It’s definitely a learning experience, it’s new. It’s different from what the academy is — a controlled environment. In the academy, I pretty much knew what was going on a lot of the time, but here, I’ve definitely had a lot to learn.”

Throughout the next 14 weeks, he will learn even more as he rides along with officers on different shifts to get his bearings and to get acquainted with the town. After that, he will be allowed to patrol the streets himself.

“No matter where the officer comes from, they all get the same standardized training,” DeStefano said. “Nobody’s going to be the exception. That keeps us into the mode of all officers being equal.

We want everyone to have the same type and level of training.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writers Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Jennifer Nesslar, jnesslar@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Sharlene Dewitz, sdewitz@Orange

Above: Hebel was officially sworn in as a Windermere Police officer.

said the majority of those who would be attending the mosque live within a two- to four-mile radius from the property. Currently, those attendees drive at least 20 minutes to get to the Ruby Lake mosque.

“Currently there is no mosque facility in the local area that services the residents of Windermere, Lake Butler, Lake Mabel, Lake Tibet and surrounding residential communities,” Stephens said.

The mosque capacity would be 120 people. With this in mind, there would be 16,218 square feet of asphalt for a parking area. As per Orange County Land Development Code, one parking space for every three fixed seats is required, as well as one space for each employee. In this case, with 120 patrons and four employees, there is a total of 44 proposed parking spaces.

Currently there are about 25,500 trips on Winter GardenVineland Road each day, and the new mosque would only account

Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Creative Services

Right: Part of Hebel’s training as a new officer included firearm training from Windermere Police Department.

Andrés Tam, atam@OrangeObserver.com Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

CLIMBING THE RANKS

Despite recent tragedies involving police officers being injured or killed in the line of duty — such as in Dallas and Baton Rouge — Hebel’s decision to serve as a law-enforcement officer remains firm, and his family is proud of his accomplishments.

“With everything that’s happened, it’s tragic, but it hasn’t affected my decision,” he said.

“My family’s fine with it. My mom’s brother was in the Air Force, so they’re not too worried about any of that. They never raised a concern about it. I didn’t join because of anything external in the world. I joined because I wanted to do this job, and that’s about as simple as it gets.”

Although Hebel is already sworn in, Ogden said in a Facebook post that he will be recognized at the Aug. 9 Windermere Town Council meeting with a special swearing-in ceremony.

Mosque proposal progresses exception to be able to build the 6,900-square-foot mosque. Per Orange County Land Development Code, churches, mosques and synagogues are allowed as a special-exception use within the R-CE zoning.

“This area has an underlying zoning R-CE, which is mostly designated for accommodating residential uses,” said Orange County District 1 Commissioner S. Scott Boyd.

Although the property contains just a little more than six acres, the project only would take up one-and-one-half acres, with 1.61 acres left for undisturbed wetland and 1.79 for undisturbed upland. The rest of the area, 1.04 acres, is submerged in the lake.

Convenience was one of the main reasons project supporters vouched for their cause — the nearest mosque to the property in question is more than six miles away on Ruby Lake Road. Chris Stephens, of Barrios Engineering, which is helping with engineering and permitting for the mosque,

Observer.com

Courtesy photos

for about 20 trips during morning prayer and 30 during afternoon prayer.

It would be screened from Lake Mabel by about 900 linear feet of undisturbed vegetation, from the east by 170 linear feet of existing vegetation, and from the west by about 30 feet of existing wetlands, trees and new vegetation.

Stephens said the applicant had worked hard to make the facility as aesthetically pleasing and screened as possible in attempt to appease nearby residents.

“The building facade has been designed to be aesthetically pleasant, without steeples and to resemble the architectural elements common to recent upscale, area residential homes,” Stephens said.

Stephens also said the mosque will have no stormwater impact to the existing wetlands or on Lake Mabel. All exterior light fixtures will be “cut-off” fixtures and light directed downward, and there will not be a “call to prayer” over intercoms or loudspeakers.

Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

WPD also will be pinning Hebel’s badge at the SSC Law Enforcement Academy’s graduation ceremony Aug. 18.

Going forward, Hebel will be working on an associate’s degree in criminal justice at SSC and eventually plans to finish up his education at UCF while enjoying his time with WPD. “I don’t have a firm map set out for exactly where I want to go in my career,” he said. “I’m definitely going to work on getting my degree ... and rank up.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

The Windermere Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery.

The Windermere Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

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

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Additionally, the mosque will not have a childcare facility.

Nearby residents were mainly concerned about the zoning and that the property is located in a residential area. Part of the property that Awan owns is not currently being developed, but he said he may one day build a house there. Residents were more satisfied with the idea of building the home than they were with plans for a mosque.

Other concerns include the future of adjacent land and the remaining property that Awan owns nearby, as well as whether the development would have water running on septic versus hooked up to the water main.

There is a tentative Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing date Aug. 4, and the project should go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners by the end of August. For more, contact Hillary Hepp at (419) 934-2072.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER The Windermere Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $29 per year ($40 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida.

POSTMASTER send address changes to the Windermere Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in the Windermere Observer are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of the Windermere Observer, its publisher or editors. Mailed letters must by typed and include the author’s signature and phone number. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for space and grammar and become the property of the newspaper.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

Triple crowns

MRS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 2016 At 34, the era of competing in pageants is still far from over for Amy Santiago. She just competed with 63 girls in the Mrs. International 2016 pageant last weekend in Jacksonville. But it’s not about the fame and beauty for Santiago — it’s about her drive to help others like her.

Using the recognition from her reigning title of Mrs. Florida International 2016, Santiago has pushed for awareness of a rare hereditary condition that had her struggling to fit into her dance shoes at 14 years old.

After years of medical misdiagnoses, Santiago was informed she had primary lymphedema, an incurable disease that causes blockage in one’s lymphatic system leading to severe, painful swelling from fluid accumulation in a person’s limbs. The condition is estimated to affect about 140 million people worldwide and can be fatal if not treated.

As a dancer since she was 7 years old, Santiago was shocked by the diagnosis. But she has since pulled through and managed her condition with confidence. She now aims to help others suffering from the same by serving as a global ambassador and spokeswoman for lymphedema awareness.

Santiago currently works with eight different organizations that raise lymphedema awareness to prevent misdiagnoses and make available treatments more accessible. The only treatment options encourage manual fluid drainage from the affected limb, such as physical exercise, specialized

Three pageant titleholders represented the West Orange community at their respective state and national pageants this month.

T

he West Orange community was represented well at several state and international pageants this month.

Reigning Mrs. Florida International, Amy Santiago competed in the Mrs. International 2016 last weekend in Jacksonville. Jenna Vincitore, Miss Winter Garden 2016, recently competed in the Miss Florida USA 2017 pageant, held July 13 to 16 in Fort Lauderdale. Finally, Gabriela Baez won the title of 2016 National American Miss Florida at a state pageant July 10.

Combining poise, talent and philanthropic efforts, all three hope their pageant success inspires others to work hard to fulfill their own dreams.

— GABBY BAQUERO

MISS WINTER GARDEN 2016 With every step she took as she walked onto the stage in her heels and evening gown during the Miss Florida USA 2017 pageant, she mentally commanded herself: Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.

Such were the thoughts of 23-year-old Jenna Vincitore, who holds the title of Miss Winter Garden 2016, as she competed for the Miss Florida crown with 65 other girls in Fort Lauderdale July 13 to 16.

Vincitore, a University of Central Florida alumna and now the orchestra director at West Orange High School, only started competing in pageants two years ago after a suggestion from a friend.

Pageants typically evaluate competing girls in three categories: Interview, swimsuit and evening gown.

“During the interview, normally, what’s going through my mind is current events,” she said. “Then in swimsuit, I try to just keep my head up, shoulders back and look super confident, and in evening gown, I’m usually telling myself not to trip. That’s pretty much what’s going through my head the

Amy Santiago, Mrs. Florida International 2016, has used her crown to push for awareness of a rare condition.

massages and custom compression garments that can cost anywhere between $300 and $1,000.

Santiago treats her condition with all of the above, but because of their high costs, compression garments are not a feasible option for everyone. To change this, Santiago is working to pass a bill in Congress that will make lymphedema treatments eligible for insurance coverage.

In addition to changing policy, Santiago is making efforts to reduce the stigma that comes from living with lymphedema.

She uses her involvement in pageants as a rallying cry to demonstrate that the condition does not have to adversely affect your sense

of self-worth or prevent you from accomplishing your dreams.

“Lymphedema is not a condition that most people are proud to show,” Santiago said. “It’s not the most fancy thing or fashionable thing, and it’s not sexy by any means.

“Who wants to wear compression garments when they go to bed?” she said. “Who wants to get on an airplane and have to wear these big puffy things on your legs to keep the swelling down? There’s a lot of embarrassing things about lymphedema, but the most exciting thing for me is to show individuals that, regardless … (you can’t) let a condition ruin or control your life.”

2016 NATIONAL AMERICAN MISS FLORIDA Gabriela Baez also was named the 2016 National American Miss Florida at the state pageant July 10.

She will be attending the national pageant, which will be held during Thanksgiving week at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. There, she will compete for a share of more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.

Gabriela is the daughter of Jose and Adriana Baez. She is a children’s board member for A Birthday Party Wish and volunteers with Bread of Life Fellowship Inc., Second Harvest Food Bank and Teens Go Green.

She is also a dancer at Creative Soles Dance Company in Windermere.

National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across with an age-appropriate and family-oriented program. Pageants are held in each state for girls ages 4 to 18 in five different age divisions.

For more information, visit namiss.com.

Gabriela Baez was named the 2016 National American Miss Florida.

West Orange High School orchestra director Jenna Vincitore, 23, holds the Miss Winter Garden 2016 title.

whole time — and to smile.”

Although Vincitore was eliminated in the first round, she is grateful for the experience and camaraderie she developed with the other girls while waiting backstage. Some of the girls, along with Vincitore, sometimes deal with pervasive societal stereotypes regarding their participation in pageants, but Vincitore said they are confident enough to ignore the gibes.

“Most of us are either already working or in school,” Vincitore said. “So we’re not just dumb little Barbie dolls like a lot of peo-

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Vincitore now will take a year off study abroad in London. She currently is pursuing a master’s degree in music education at Florida State University. Once she returns, she will compete in the Miss Florida USA pageant one last time before she turns 26 — the cutoff for state pageants.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

Caring for the kids The third BrightStart Pediatrics, a nursing and therapy center for medically fragile children, is set to open in Winter Garden.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN

When Linda Brown, an occupational therapist, saw the Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care model, it just made sense to her.

PPEC is a term given by the state for a nursing and therapy center for medically fragile children. It can function as a day care of sorts for children, but it is licensed as a skilled-nursing facility. It is a place where parents can get a much-needed respite from caregiving while being confident their child is in the care of medical professionals. PPECs are staffed by nurses, aides and therapists.

“When I saw the PPEC design, as a therapist I was drawn to it,”

OPEN HOUSE

The open house is not open to the general public, but local medical professionals and families interested in finding out more information can attend.

WHEN: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28 WHERE: BrightStart Pediatrics Winter Garden, 1335 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Suite 120, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 545-2773

Brown said. “It made sense. I as a therapist would have a session with a child for a half-hour (per) day, maybe three, two times a week. … I often felt like it wasn’t enough. So I when I saw the PPEC concept, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, the therapists work with the nurses; the child’s in your center all day; you get so much more done.’”

After working for a PPEC company for a few years, Brown decided to start her own. The first BrightStart Pediatrics facility opened in 2003 in South Orlando, near Kissimmee.

And at the end of the July, a Winter Garden location — the company’s third — will celebrate its grand opening.

CARING FOR CHILDREN AND HAVING FUN

The term “medically fragile” describes children who have medical needs that require a nurse’s oversight while they are at the PPEC. Some children just need a nurse to supervise them, while others require the nurse to provide regular treatments. Many children are fed by a gastrostomy tube, are on oxygen or have a tracheotomy.

Each day, BrightStart Pediatrics sends its own bus to pick children up from their homes and take them to the center. An EMT is on the bus in case any child needs assistance.

When they arrive, the children

Jennifer Nesslar

DOES MY CHILD QUALIFY? To qualify for BrightStart, your child must require a nurse’s care. For more information, visit BrightStart’s website at brightstartpeds.com. If you are unsure, call the office at (407) 545-2773.

PAYMENT Most patients are covered by Florida Medicaid or insurance, although different insurance plans vary widely on what they cover. Some families choose to self-pay.

BrightStart always tries to work with families to figure out their options and the best choice of care, Brown said.

are assessed so caregivers can know what assistance they will need. BrightStart doesn’t serve as the child’s pediatrician — each child is under the care of his or her own doctor — but BrightStart follows the plan of care the child’s doctor has formulated.

There are different rooms for each development level. BrightStart primarily serves children from birth to 5 years old but can serve older children when it is appropriate. There are different rooms for newborns through preschoolers.

They also like to have fun along the way. Depending on the child’s ability, they go on field trips, as well as bring some fun, such as petting zoos and water games, to the kids.

“Yes, we’re meeting their medical needs first — that’s our first priority, their medical care,” Brown said. “But they’re kids.

We have them all day long. And

BrightStart Pediatrics Winter Garden is Linda Brown’s third Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care.

our goal is to have these children ready to go to regular kindergarten by the age of 5.”

WINTER GARDEN CAMPUS

At 6,700 square feet, Winter Garden’s campus will be BrightStart Pediatric’s largest center.

Brown always has chosen locations in areas that are either more rural or lack the access to medical care. As West Orange continues to grow, she sees a need for the community to have access to a PPEC. Winter Garden’s proximity to Lake County, as well as the toll roads, also will allow the PPEC to have a farther reach.

The center will have a threeto-one child-per-caregiver ratio, meaning for every six children, there will be a nurse and an aide on staff and ready to care for the children.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Enhancing Health and Wellness in the West Orange Healthcare District

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

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

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

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

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

www.wohd1949.org

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For additional information, frequently asked questions, qualifying criteria or to submit an application please visit

8

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FROM THE ARCHIVES

AUG. 6, 1981 Spaceship Earth, the landmark structure of Walt Disney World’s Epcot, was officially topped out in the summer of 1981. Once the topping-out ceremony was completed, the giant ball could be seen from the Magic Kingdom’s northsouth entrance road and from the top of the Contemporary Resort hotel.

The huge geosphere is 180 feet tall and 165 feet in diameter and, at the time, was the only building of its type in the world. There are 1,450 structural steel members, and every weld was carefully checked by X-ray.

The sphere was built to house the Spaceship Earth show, sponsored by the Bell System, which told the story of communications.

Epcot opened Oct. 1, 1982.

Pictured is Oakland’s Robert Lawrence Smith Sr., the adopted son of late 1880s Orange Belt Railroad engineer Robert Fulton Smith.

R.L. Smith was a World War I Marine; this photo was taken in Seoul, Korea.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has been searching its photo collection for images related to World War I. To mark America’s April 1917 entry into the conflict, the foundation is seeking photographs of West Orange County men and women who served.

Thank you to Robin Smith for donating this photograph. If you are able to share material with the foundation, call WGHF at (407) 656-3244.

65 years ago

The Winter Garden City Commission believes in fishing in Lake Apopka. It is in the process of completing the rebuilding of the fishing pier for white people and, at a special meeting, voted to rebuild the negro pier, also.

35 years ago

Orange County commissioners approved zoning for the controversial West Orange Country Club Estates, located on State Road 535 across from the Winter Garden Cemetery. It will include 56 duplex units on 30 acres within a 115-acre site.

Seven acres will be used for commercial purposes.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.

25 years ago

Tom West and Edna Carter entertained the crowd at a fundraising dinner and dance held at the Ocoee Community Center for the World War II Memorial. West taught Carter how to play the harmonica when they were sixth-grade students.

10 years ago

Connie and Steve Holland, of Winter Garden, hosted President George W. Bush at their TM Ranch in the Moss Park area. The Hollands helped the SWAT build a training course and practice range on part of

the property, and when Bush was scheduled to come to Florida, the couple was asked if the president could ride his mountain bike on the 12-mile course. After his ride, he spent

an hour relaxing in a rocking chair and sharing ranching stories with the family.

West Orange High School has been removing grass from Ray Screws Field to make

way for its state-of-the-art athletic field. The artificial turf project was expected to cost $510,000, to be paid for with funds raised from the community.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

ARTS + CULTURE QUICK HITS

FRIDAY, JULY 29

ROCKIT FLY AND DONNIE LEE IN CONCERT 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Dexter’s of Windermere, 4757 The Grove Drive, Suite 100, Windermere. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy Rockit Fly and Donnie Lee in concert.

Rockit Fly puts on an ’80s and ’90s hits cover show. (407) 258-7028.

SATURDAY, JULY 30

BEGINNING ACRYLIC PAINTING 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 30, at SOBO Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Learn composition, sketching, color mixing, seeing light and shadow, brush and palette knife techniques at Noreen Coup’s class on beginning acrylic painting. Cost is $60 for members; $75 for non-members. RSVP at wgart.org/workshops.

(407) 347-7996.

MICHELLE AMATO AND CHRIS ROTTMAYER 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., Suite 120, Winter Garden. Grab a drink and enjoy music from Michelle Amato and Chris Rottmayer. (407) 369-8900.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3

MOUSEHUNT 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 at West Orange 5, 1575 Maguire Road, Ocoee.

Take kids to West Orange 5 and enjoy “Mouse Hunt,” a movie telling the story of home owners trying to remove a mouse from their home, but the mouse is equally determined to stay. $1.50. (407) 877-8111

RAVE OF THE WEEK

MAURINE COOPER GEIGER Rave! With all the things wrong in our world, I must acknowledge that the law enforcement in Winter Garden have always come very quickly and kindly when I have needed help. Their swift response helped in saving my life a few years ago. Same for our (Orange County Sheriff’s Office).

It must be a very tough time for them. I should give them more praise; truly I should. Thank you for being there when I needed you.

“Paris is romantic, Rome is romantic, but nothing is more romantic than Africa. Nothing.

The way giraffes move is like ballet. There’s an ineffable wild that gets in your lungs.

It’s hearing the fish eagles and smelling the African wild. It’s waking up to an African sunrise.”

— Jon Deuschle

African romance It was only recently that a Zimbabwe-born Windermere resident discovered his talent in painting. Now, he is making a career out of his art.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER

W

hen Jon Deuschle was 23, he wanted to get a birthday gift for his father, a missionary in

Zimbabwe. Deuschle didn’t have a lot of money to spend, so he created a painting.

He didn’t have a lot of experience painting but discovered a talent.

“I surprised myself,” he said.

“I hadn’t painted in years. … (My dad) put it in his office, and people wanted to buy it.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Deuschle, currently a Windermere resident, is a man of many talents. After growing up in Zimbabwe, he moved in 2010 to the United States to pursue a career in music in Los Angeles. After music school, he spent some time training to compete in track-and-field events. But after he painted for his father’s birthday, he set visual art aside for a while. He didn’t paint again until about a year ago, when his girlfriend and bandmate Haley Hunt told someone about his talent.

“She told someone I could paint as well and threw me under the bus,” he said, laughing. “They said, ‘Paint me something.’ And I did, and they loved it. So I sort of carried on painting from there.”

Of all Deuschle’s passions, his painting has garnered him the most attention. His work is featured in the Steltenkamp Fine Art gallery in Winter Park, as well as Melvin’s Garden in Windermere.

Locally, he attends art shows and works on commissions. Laguna Art Group in Laguna Beach, California, represents his art work.

Africa is Deuschle’s muse when he is painting, and Deuschle considers the genre he paints in as “African romance.”

“Paris is romantic, Rome is romantic, but nothing is more romantic than Africa,” Deuschle said. “Nothing. The way giraffes move is like ballet. There’s an ineffable wild that gets in your lungs. It’s hearing the fish eagles and smelling the African wild. It’s waking up to an African sunrise.”

Deuschle lived in Harare, a city in Zimbabwe, but he didn’t have to travel far to see the wildlife.

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A PASSIONATE PERSON

Deuschle finds passion is what he does and allows the creative process to strike at any moment. He has been known for doing everything from throwing air javelins in a supermarket aisle to creating voice notes with his ideas in the car.

Since his music-school days, he has worked less with the craft, but currently is picking it back up again. He is collaborating with Hunt on a project that he plans to release soon. He likes to write music across all genres, but he considers his style to be pop and soft rock with an R&B and African vibe.

Music has been a key part of Deuschle’s life, starting with the days his mother led music at their church, Celebration Ministries International, when she taught him how to sing, write music and play the saxophone.

Ultimately, his passion for his faith in God supersedes any hope for his success in the art world.

“I just want to tell as many people about Jesus as possible,” he said. “I just love people, and I want to help people no matter what.”

He hopes to someday move back to Zimbabwe to continue to help with the conservation of animals, as well as with children who are in orphanages there.

KEEP UP WITH JON The best way to keep up with Jon Deuschle’s work is to follow him on Instagram @jondeuschle.

There, you can see his artwork and be notified of his music as it is released.

To contact Deuschle, visit his website at jondeuschle. com.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road in Orlando Florida near the Mall at Millenia. The shelter is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m.

Sundays. For more information, call (407) 836-3111 or visit ocnetpets. com.

C R IT TER CO R NER

Jennifer Nesslar

Zimbabwe-born artist Jon Deuschle only recently discovered his talent for painting.

He finds that people far from Africa, in places such as Windermere, connect to African wildlife.

There’s a special interest in animals such as giraffes, elephants and especially lions.

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

Are you looking for a new furry friend? Savan (ID No. A354614) is a 3-year-old dog who was surrendered because his owner could no longer care for him. Now, he is looking for a forever home. This sweet dog is friendly, easygoing and loving. Savan enjoys eating treats, and he will make a very loyal pet. He loves attention and spending time with you.

Savan walks well on a leash and seems housebroken, as well.

For July, the adoption fee for dogs will be reduced to $25, and the adoption fee for cats will be $15. The adoption fee includes sterilization, vaccinations and a microchip.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

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Swingin’ in the summer

Wycliffe Gordon and Tyler Bonilla performed together.

Wycliffe Gordon conducted the jazz band at its Disney Springs performance.

E

Robby Cruz played a solo on his trumpet.

ONLINE See more at OrangeObserver.com Justin Mendez passionately played a solo on the saxophone.

211165

— JENNIFER NESSLAR

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Thomas Milovac got into the music during the Disney Springs performance.

very camper who participated in HAPCO’s first summer jazz camp now can say they performed at Disney.

Following a weeklong camp at Ocoee High School, the students showed off what they learned July 22 at Disney Springs. Students from across Central Florida participated, which was led by instructors such as jazz artist Wycliffe Gordon; Scott Wilson, director of jazz studies at the University of Florida; and Bernie Hendricks, director of bands at Ocoee High.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

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JournalismX

Pokémon Go has invaded Winter Garden!

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

VOLUME 1, NO. 3

ON THE JOB:

Andrea Vaughn Winter Garden’s community relations manager coordinates the city’s newsletter and also assists with various events.

BY CAROLINE BOOTHE, 10; ALEX BARRON, 10; MIA ADATIA, 10; AND JOSH MCDONALD, 10

Photo by Tyler McMahel

SEE STORY ON PAGE 14

SEE VAUGHN PAGE 15

211987

ZOO-RRIFIC PROGRAM!

Photo by Tori Lutz

Winter Garden had only two or three stores downtown during the 1980s but now boasts a thriving community of businesses, homes and local activities.

But what does it take to run a city like Winter Garden? The Journalism X team went behind the scenes with Andrea Vaughn, community relations manager of the city of Winter Garden, to learn more about how our city functions.

Vaughn’s roots lie within Winter Garden. Born in Central Florida and raised in this community, she graduated from West Orange High and chose to pursue her career in state government working as a legislative aide, as well as assist a representative in the House of Representatives. With Vaughn’s amazing qualifications and passion to work with the community, choosing to go back to her hometown and continue her career in government work was an easy decision.

According to Vaughn, many people are needed to run a city.

Jobs include accountants, engineers, lifeguards for the city’s two pools, solid-waste employees, police officers and so much more.

Vaughn works on marketing and public relations for the city, as well as producing the city newsletter that comes out three times a year. She also assists with a lot of city events, such as the vigil

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

SUMMER

FUN

BY ALEX BARRON, 10; AND MIA ADATIA, 10

Pikachu —

Summer is here, and while you’re waiting for school to start again, make the most of what’s left of your vacation and follow the Journalism X team’s quick summer fun list!

(FYI, this is from the perspective of 10-year-olds!)

1

To start out your summer fun, you should focus on getting plenty of water and going outside to play with friends.

Tour some of our area’s small towns and hop on the Cannonball Express that runs out of Mount Dora!

Photos by Tori Lutz

We see you!

BY JOSH MCDONALD, 10; AND CAROLINE BOOTHE, 10

2 3 4

You should try out a new summer camp or apply for a summer job.

You should get plenty of family time — whether it’s going to the beach, splash pad, shopping or on vacation.

Finally, make sure you get a lot of sleep and then some more sleep — oh, and don’t forget naptime.

SUMMERTIME TREAT What’s our favorite summer snack? Watermelon-flavored popsicles!

Watch out Winter Garden: There might be a Pokémon in your backyard!

Everywhere you go, from your bathroom to a local store, is a chance to “catch ’em all.”

This new game, Pokémon Go, is bringing Pokémon to the real world. The virtual world was released earlier this month and is compatible with iPhone and Android devices. When you launch the app, the interface looks a lot a like a GPS map. Users create an avatar, but instead of an arrow pointing to a direction or your car driving to its destination, it’s your avatar leading the way. When you

walk, the avatar walks; when you turn, it turns; when you stop walking, the avatar stops walking.

What’s the Journalism X Team’s favorite part about this app? It’s bringing a lot of players into our town who might not have been here before. Take the app and launch it around downtown Winter Garden. You will be guided on a scavenger hunt, taken to a “Pokéstop” in the Edgewater Hotel, or the Splash Pad, post office, theater, pavilion and more!

This is a fun, great way to explore your town or even the world using this fun and engaging app.

Keep your eyes peeled! The next time you’re traveling anywhere there may be a Pokémon waiting for you!

Downtown Winter Garden is a perfect place to play Pokémon Go.

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Animals for the People

BY CAROLINE BOOTHE, 10; ALEX BARRON, 10; JOSH MCDONALD, 10; AND MIA ADATIA, 10

A Photo by Rylee Gawlik

nimals are a crucial part of our ecosystem. Zoos all around the state are working hard to educate people about the environment and conserving endangered animals.

The Journalism X team recently explored the Central Florida Zoo to see what our community is doing to help animals all around the world.

Central Florida Zoo opened its doors to the community in 1975 and is working with zoos throughout the country to implement the “Species Survival Plan.”

This plan is in place to monitor breeding within zoos and helps sustain the population of endangered plants and animals.

Central Florida Zoo is educating people through “Keeper Chats” on how people can protect endangered animals. For example, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007 because of federal and state laws passed to protect them.

The community can support Central Florida Zoo by donating, adopting an animal, volunteering or getting an internship.

For more information, visit centralfloridazoo.org.

DID YOU KNOW?

Photo by Tyler McMahel

Photo by Jake Cuomo

n Gaboon Vipers strike at 130 mph. n Cheetahs can run up to 60 mph. n Ahhhh! Monsters do exist! If you get bit by a Gila Monster, a venomous lizard, the venom won’t kill you, but it will hurt very badly.

When should kids receive a cellphone?

Parents share some advice regarding when to connect children to their first data network.

BY CAROLINE BOOTHE, 10; ALEX BARRON, 10; MIA ADATIA, 10; AND JOSH MCDONALD, 10 Photo by Brittain Rainville

Meet Andrea Vaughn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

held a few weeks ago to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Her job for an event such as the vigil is to coordinate behind-the-scenes work with police officers to maintain a safe environment and coordinate trash collection.

Touching nearly every depart-

ment in the city, Vaughn has a lot on her plate, and she never works solo. She always works with other departments to succeed at her job.

Being in Winter Garden for most of her life, Vaughn still has something big on her bucket list: Running through the famous Winter Garden landmark — the Splash Pad!

Technology plays a big part in our daily lives. You can order your groceries right from your phone, use it as a GPS, watch movies and even use your phone as a form of entertainment through a variety of Internet games and apps.

But when is it appropriate for a kid to get his or her first cellphone? The Journalism X team took this debate to the streets and asked our local Winter Garden community for opinions.

Taylor, an employee at a local restaurant on Plant Street, thinks parents should wait to give kids their first phone.

“When they can drive a car,

maybe 16?” Taylor said. “It makes sense that when they are driving places as a teenager, kids can use the phone to call their parents.’’

Deciding the appropriate age for kids to have a cellphone is certainly difficult and a decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration.

Tourist and father, Jonathan, said: “As long as they’re mature enough; it’s important to have a talk with your parents, regarding certain websites. I’d prob-

ably say, maybe fourth, fifth or sixth grade, depending on their maturity.”

Local mom Dawn tells us it’s important for kids to get a hold of their parents for safety reasons and believes restrictions should be in place regarding websites kids can access. She also thinks the accessibility outweighs the detriment of having a phone.

Deciding the appropriate age to have a cellphone is and should be a case-by-case situation and should be left up to the parents.

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Hitting all the high notes The beginning concert band students learned several months of curriculum in eight days.

Nina Iapichino used streamers to show a visual representation of musical concepts.

H

undreds of budding musicians took center stage July 21 as the 2016 Bridgewater Middle School Music Camp culminated with an end-of-camp performance.

Students from first through eighth grades displayed all they had learned during the twoweek camp. Ensembles included beginning-, intermediate- and advanced-concert bands, jazz bands and more.

— MICHAEL ENG The elementary students performed on a variety of percussion instruments to the popular Pharrell Williams tune, “Happy.”

Music educators from throughout Orange County shared their knowledge at this year’s camp.

CLASS NOTES

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT HAS 270 OPEN POSITIONS Orange County Public Schools has 270 teaching positions to fill by the Aug. 15, the district’s first day of school.

At the beginning of the summer, the district had 1,000 open positions to fill. It hopes all the positions can be filled when the school year begins.

“Our district is so large, so there is quite a bit of mobility,” Shari Bobinski, senior manager of media relations at OCPS, said. “Teachers retire, they leave for other jobs.

Every year we have new schools opening.”

Three new schools open this year, including Horizon West’s Bay Lake Elementary School. When a new school opens, it adds an additional number of positions to be filled.

The growth of Orange County, specifically in West Orange and Horizon West, add to the need. OCPS is projecting 5,000 more students than last year, and the district likely will have 200,000 students between August and October. The shortened length of the summer also creates a hiring challenge for the district.

The areas of biggest need for teachers are elementary schools, as well as the core subjects — reading, math and science teachers.

Because there are a larger number of elementary schools than other schools, there is a greater need for teachers in those subject areas.

In Orange County, teacher salaries start at $39,500, and those with advanced degrees can earn up to $5,000 to $7,000 on top of that.

Teacher applicants can apply for positions by visiting ocps.net and clicking on the “Employment” tab.

STEM STUDENTS TOUR OTC CAMPUS Students from summer STEM camps at Keene’s Crossing, SunRidge and Tildenville elementary schools learned about robotics, 3-D gaming, simulation and more during a recent visit to Orange Technical College’s Mid-Florida campus.

The visit included tours of the college’s new simulation lab and time with some of the older students.

Zach Hamberg performed on recorder with the elementary students.

COLLEGE KUDOS n Katia Berger, of Windermere, a sophomore at Randolph-Macon Academy, in Front Royal, Virginia, received second place in the persuasive category of the academy’s Sophomore Speech Contest held in the spring. Katia is the daughter of Robert and Kathryn Berger, of Windermere. n Arin N. Crowell, of Windermere, completed her baccalaureate studies in adolescence education, cum laude, in spring 2016 at SUNY Oswego and was recognized at the college’s commencement in May.

Emily Mack enjoyed learning more about music during this year’s camp.

Jazz bassist Jamison Harnstrom got into the groove during the performance.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

CLUB HUBBUB

ROTARY CLUB OF LAKE BUENA VISTA

Courtesy photos

Members of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista enjoyed their First Tuesday Social visit to Fish Bones Grill in the Dr. Phillips area. From left: past club president Rommel Mosquera, then-president and Dr. Phillips resident Jean Campana and Bonefish Grill Manager Matthew T. Howard.

ROTARY CLUB OF DR. PHILLIPS The Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips awarded the Rotarian of the Year Award 2015-16 to Mark Ramney.

He was awarded for his service above self in all his work related to the club.

The Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips past president RuthAnn DiLauri also passed the gavel to Rotarian Ken Peach, who was sworn in as the new president for the club for 2016-17.

“As we launch into our new year, we have some very important goals to achieve, none that are more important than continuing to have fun as we support our membership and give back to the community,” Peach said.

WINDERMERE TOASTMASTERS Windermere Toastmasters made history last month by earning President’s Distinguished in the Distinguished Club Program in its first year.

The club completed President’s Distinguished when Lynn Ramsey earned his Advanced Communicator Gold, and Balaji Ranjan finished his Competent Communicator.

It capped a busy two weeks for Ramsey, who earned ACG by completing the Humorously Speaking and Special Occasion Speeches Manual, assisting Ellen Feigenbaum through her first three speeches and giving the Success Leadership presentation, “How to Conduct Productive Meetings.” He has completed the Communication Track and needs only his Advanced Leader Silver to complete the Leadership Track and finish his Distinguished Toastmaster award. DTM is the highest achievement in Toastmasters education.

Ranjan finished the Competent Communicator manual, tackling the Inspire Your Audience project for his 10th speech.

The club also inducted a new slate of officers for 2016-17: Paul Rene (president); Christen Stewart (VP — education); Christine Lorthe (VP — membership); Alwyn McDowall, (VP — public relations); Ellen Feigenbaum (secretary); Lencia Marc (treasurer); and Balaji Ranjan, (sergeant at arms).

Former president RuthAnn DiLauri presented the Rotarian of the Year Award 2015-16 plaque to Mark Ramney.

RESULTS FROM JULY 21 N-S: 1. N. Fortin – B. Shelton 2. B. Ballenger – O. Saffold 3. M. Voorhees – E. Quinn 4. S. Kmiec – M. Ryan 5. J. DeLoach – N. Velden; E-W: 1. S. Horovitz – R. Austen 2.

B. and R. Blair 3. V. Oberaitis – J. Muzeni 4. L. Meador – J. Winegard 5. B. Bell – M. Lesnik

EUGENE HARRIS NICKERSON, 48, of Ocoee, died Saturday, June 18, 2016. Loomis Funeral Home, Apopka.

ONELIA PAGAN SEDA, 88, of Ocoee, died Monday, July 4, 2016. Osceola Memory Gardens, Kissimmee.

WALTER OSVALDO QUIROZ, 54, of Ocoee, died Sunday, June 26, 2016. Baldwin Fairchild Conway Chapel, Orlando.

GRADY RAYBURN, 83, of Winter Garden, died Monday, June 27, 2016. Baldwin Brothers, Orlando.

MAGALY MARGARITA ROSALES, 62, of Windermere, died Wednesday, July 6, 2016.

DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, Ocoee.

CAROL JEAN SCHLACHTER, 77, of Ocoee, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Loomis Family Cremations, Orlando.

JAMES EDWARD THOMAS, 58, of Winter Garden, died Sunday, June 19, 2016. Marvin C. Zanders Funeral Home, Apopka.

GAMALIEL TORRES, 83, of Winter Garden, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016. San Juan Funeral Home, Kissimmee.

EDWARD N. “ED” TUDOR SR., 77, of Ocoee, died Monday, June 20, 2016. Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Gotha.

SARAH FRANCES WATSON, 84, of Ocoee, died Monday, July 4, 2016. DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, Ocoee.

JAMES L. WERT, 71, of Winter Garden, died Monday, July 4, 2016. Compassionate Cremations, Winter Springs.

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What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary.

Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905.

For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition.

Today, that changes.

Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper.

For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West,

Email us at AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or Subscribe@OrangeObserver.com David Haynes

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn strikes the only suitable pose when holding a glass from “The Godfather.”

Since the 1980s — far longer than he has been mayor of Windermere — Gary Bruhn has collected and sold movie memorabilia. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN SCOTT APPOINTS AREA RESIDENT Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere,

JULY 28, 2016

SPORTS

Summer baseball — abroad Instead of the normal college summer experience, Dr. Phillips alum Nolan Lang is honing his skills with the Solingen Alligators in Germany’s Baseball Bundesliga.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Courtesy photo

Nolan Lang has made himself right at home playing for the Solingen Alligators in Germany this summer.

Every summer, college baseball players around the country leave their university towns to play in any number of summer leagues to hone their skills and show off for pro scouts.

For Dr. Phillips alumnus Nolan Lang, that experience this summer has a more international feel.

Lang, 20, is a rising junior for the baseball team at Northeastern University. The former Bay Hill resident and captain of the team

at DPHS is playing his own unique version of summer ball in Germany for the Solingen Alligators — a baseball and softball club competing in the first division of Baseball Bundesliga, the top league in the country.

With his mother being from Germany and plenty of family still there, Lang seized the opportunity for a summer experience that would be a little less ordinary.

“I investigated this, got in conSEE SUMMER PAGE 20

GEORGIA-BOUND

HIGH

Jada Novoa helped lead the way for Windermere Little League 12U Softball All-Stars as one of the team’s top two pitchers. Page 20

1

5

Members of the Foundation Academy football team participated in donation efforts led, in part, by Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher to help with relief after floods devastated West Virginia. Foundation donated 44 game jerseys to teams in need that were affected.

2

Nick Smith, a rising senior linebacker/ defensive end for the Dr. Phillips football team, has committed to play his college football at North Carolina State.

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Tyler Halstead, an Olympia High alum, homered and drove in three runs for the Winter Garden Squeeze in a 14-2 win over Leesburg July 19.

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The Sunshine State Athletic Conference, which includes Windermere Prep, CFCA and Legacy High, will host a high-school beach volleyball jamboree Aug. 13 in Tavares.

The conference is offering varsity beach volleyball this school year.

5

Ken Griffey Jr., a former baseball superstar and a longtime resident of Southwest Orange County, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last weekend.

Squeeze’s playoff hopes in jeopardy

Courtesy photo

The Windermere Little League softball team was all smiles after beating Fort Myers in the state championship game.

The Windermere Little League 12U softball team won the state title to return to the Southeast Regional in Warner Robins, Georgia.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

T

he 12U Softball AllStar team for Windermere Little League has advanced to the Southeast Regional tournament in Warner Robins, Georgia — again.

This year’s team — which includes four members who were a part of the 2015 team that won the state title in Rockledge — swept through the competition at

the state tournament, going 4-0 on the weekend and outscoring opponents 40-5.

Windermere (8-0) rallied past Fort Myers in the state final July 24 after trailing early, winning by a final score of 7-4.

Before that, the girls set the tone for pool play, within which they outscored opponents 33-1, by scoring a resounding 11-1 victory over Land O’Lakes on the first day of competition July 22.

“That first game was everything,” head coach Ken Janata

said. “We figured that was the most important thing, to get that (first win) under our belt.”

The next day, Windermere topped Palm Bay 12-0 and a team representing Bayshore, West Tampa and Palma Ceia Little Leagues 10-0. The victories set the stage for the showdown against Fort Myers — a game that required the girls to adapt to the unfamiliar scenario of falling behind early.

SEE SOFTBALL PAGE 20

MEET THE TEAM The Windermere Little League 12U Softball All-Stars include: Brooke Ames Samy Evans Brianna Fincher Victoria Grieder Sutton Janata Iman Labonowski Jada Novoa Zoie Pistel Jayda Ross Lexi Scalzo Dayna Ulicny Shannon Weems Coaches: Ken Janata, Greg Scalzo, Rick Evans and Bill Labnowski

A five-game losing streak has put the playoff hopes of the Winter Garden Squeeze in jeopardy with just a few games left in the season.

With five games to play, Winter Garden (16-19 as of July 25) has fallen to fifth place in the standing after briefly tasting second place two weeks ago. The Squeeze will need to finish at least fifth to make a play-in game scheduled for Aug. 1 between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds.

The last-place team in the Florida Collegiate Summer League does not make the playoffs.

Currently, Winter Garden is two games ahead of last-place Winter Park and a half-game behind Leesburg.

The Squeeze have games left against Winter Park (four games between July 28-30) and Altamonte (July 31).

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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WLL 4-0 at state tourney

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Jada Novoa The Windermere Little League 12U Softball All-Stars team won both the Section 5 Tournament and the state tournament. Jada Novoa helped lead the way as one of the team’s top two pitchers and also at the plate, where she hit her first grand slam. In the state championship game, Novoa came on in relief to close out the victory.

What’s it like to make and win state two years in a row?

It’s awesome. It was a lot of fun last year — the competition. This year, we’re expecting competition again, and I can’t wait.

What did you learn from last year’s run?

I learned that it’s (a high level of) competition and you have to work your hardest.

You hit a grand slam during sectionals. What was that like?

That was a good feeling — I’ve never hit a grand slam before.

What’s your favorite part of the game and how do you approach that particular facet?

Pitching. I like to approach it that I’m going to throw strikes and have fun. I try to get all my pitches down and to not be scared — just be confident.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

“They’re very experienced girls,” Janata said. “They’ve been in that situation before — and they responded.”

On the mound, Lexi Scalzo and Jada Novoa did the majority of the work. At the plate, Windermere capitalized on a dynamic lineup that includes hitters with myriad strengths.

“We do a great job of having power hitters, situational hitters and we have speedsters,” Janata said. “There are teams that are one-dimensional, and we are unlike that — I think that’s what makes us successful.”

Janata and assistant coach Greg Scalzo also helped coach the 2015 team that won state and advanced to Georgia, where it went 1-2 in pool play. This

THE BASICS AGE: 12 SCHOOL: Hope Charter GRADE: Seventh HOMETOWN: Ocoee HITS/THROWS: Right HEIGHT: 5-foot-3 FAVORITE PLAYER: Jennie Finch

Many of the girls on the team play travel ball together and four, including yourself, were on last year’s team that won state. How valuable is that familiarity to the team?

It helps a lot because it’s just like we are playing any other time. We have a couple new girls on the team, but we just took them right in. We’re like a big family.

Three teams represented Windermere Little League at state tournaments around Florida last weekend. The 12U and 14U baseball teams competed in addition to the state champion softball team.

Both baseball teams finished 1-2 in pool play, and both teams also won their first respective games. The 12U All-Stars topped Plant City 10-8 to open play July 22, and the 14U All-Stars topped Lake Wales 6-3 to open play July 23.

Although neither team advanced out of pool play, each represented the local community well.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

Why do you love softball?

I’ve been doing it since I was 4 years old, and if I didn’t like it, I would stop. It’s something I want to do for the rest of my career through college.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a zoologist. I love animals, and I would like to do marine biology. Monkeys and animals like that interest me, too.

STANDOUT SIBLINGS

What’s a unique animal you wish you could have?

Probably a horse ... I’ve always wanted to do horseback riding.

Courtesy photo

Nolan Lang is hitting over .300 this season in Germany.

Summer in Solingen

What’s something you learned about in school last year that was interesting?

Probably science stuff, like how DNA and how all that works.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

tact with them, and it all happened in a matter of two weeks in April,” Lang said.

Lang, who is hitting over .300 this summer and just missed out on making the league’s allstar game, said the level of play in the league has been a pleasant surprise, thanks in part to each team being able to bring in players from other countries, including the United States.

“I was surprised as to how good the competition is,” Lang said. “It’s a lot better than what people would think.”

Teams in the German league play double-headers on Saturdays and practice during the week. The league has a wideopen feel regarding the players on its roster, with competitors

What’s your favorite television show?

My favorite TV show is “One Tree Hill.” It kind of inspires me. It’s really interesting, and it’s just a good show.

What’s a hobby of yours that not a lot of people know about?

Dancing — I kind of just, on my own time when no one’s around, I like dancing. I do hip-hop dancing.

Family.

Family.

Friends.

Friends.

Community.

Community.

— STEVEN RYZEWSKI

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year, the WLL staff — which also includes Rick Evans and Bill Labonowski — is optimistic the team will be better prepared for the Southeast Regional thanks to that added experience.

“Last year, we went up there, and I think we were in a little bit of an awe,” Janata said. “It’s almost like a Super Bowl — it’s an unbelievable experience.”

And, although the girls have been the stars on the field, the parents for Windermere are once again stepping up to do their part — including midweek travel to Georgia on Wednesday.

“The commitment, on their part, is unbelievable,” Janata said. “It’s a big, huge commitment on the parents’ part.”

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ranging in age from their teens to their 40s. The games draw sizable crowds, Lang said, and although many observers may not fully grasp the game and its many nuances, every Saturday is a good time.

“I’d say the knowledge isn’t there, really, but they do a good job pretending,” Lang said. “It’s not a serious environment — it’s a Saturday get-together.”

With game days just once a week and practice in the evenings, Lang, who is staying with a host family, has time to visit family that lives about 45 minutes away and also to visit other cities by train. Lang speaks German and said he enjoys the country’s culture, beer and friendliness.

“Everybody here is welcoming,” Lang said.

Nolan Lang isn’t the only Lang sibling playing sports at the college level. Lang’s sister, Sarah, is on the University of Maryland’s softball team, where she will be a senior this year. Sarah Lang was First Team AllMetro each year during her time at Dr. Phillips and played her travel ball for the Windermere Wildfire.

Lang also has another goal for the summer season. He is currently in the process of trying to make the 40-man roster for Germany’s national team ahead of the European Championships in the Netherlands in September.

The 40-man roster should be announced within the next few weeks, giving the former Panthers standout one more shot at an international experience before he heads back to Northeastern.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

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Dozens of college and professional athletes — especially football players — have received a helping hand over the years from Lo Wood, a local coach and athletic trainer.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

T

FIRST PRIORITY

The thing to know about the camps put on by Wood, who lives in West Orange County near the borders of Ocoee and Gotha, is that they are not intended to make money — or, often, even cover costs. Camps over the past two months at Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Wekiva, Lake Mary and other locations have ranged from $10 to $5 to free — and they all come with a T-shirt.

Of course, the reason for the camps isn’t to make money.

The reason is the passion — the same passion that has allowed Wood and those who help him train local athletes to build a local brand that transcends Central Florida and brings together rivals on the field to get better off of it.

“His first priority is the kids,” Washington said. “Trying to find the best guys around to push each other — competition makes people better.”

The way college recruiting has evolved for football and other sports involves a much greater emphasis than ever before on how athletes perform outside actual games — in camps and 7-on-7 tournaments during the summer.

Beyond natural ability, it helps an individual athlete to know how these camps operate, how to excel while in attendance and what scouts will be seeking.

So, the camps that Wood will put together, with volunteers ranging from past players to high-school coaches from around the region, are designed to prepare local youth to shine at future camps.

“Through that camp, it will help them excel at the big camps so they can get recognized,” Wood said. “Our goal is to try and help kids get scholarships. The NFL is a dream — a college degree is reality.”

Wood and Excel Speed Training will host another camp July 30 at CFCA in Ocoee. This one will include a coaches clinic to train youth coaches at their craft.

Steven Ryzewski

Holding his “Lo Wood Hall of Fame” poster board — a memento of the dozens of athletes who have gone on to play college football — Lo Wood is all smiles with current and former trainees Brandon Brown-Dukes, left, Tavion “Tabo” Wood, James Green, Josh Green, Dorian Jones and James Washington.

‘LO WOOD HALL OF FAME’

Coaching has long been a passion of Wood dating back to his days as a standout hurdler at Apopka High. When there was a slow transition between coaches one season, Wood stepped up — while still a student — and helped fill the void in the meantime.

“I kind of became the track coach in high school,” Wood said.

“Since then, I’ve known that coaching and training was my calling.”

The philosophy that drives Wood is one that has helped build his reputation to where varsity coaches such as Ocoee’s Ben Bullock, Dr. Phillips’ Rodney Wells and others regularly partner with him and one that he credits to a living legend of sorts in the Central Florida football scene — Apopka head coach Rick Darlington.

“I actually heard this from Rick Darlington, that our job is to create young men, great fathers, great husbands — and good football players,” Wood said.

And so, although the “Lo Wood Hall of Fame” — a poster board collage of photos of all the young men trained by Wood or Excel who have gone on to play college football — contains players such as Clinton-Dix, Wood said he is most proud of the 39 program alumni since 2008 who have earned college degrees.

Those ranks include Wood’s oldest son, Lo Wood Jr., who starred at Notre Dame and Miami.

When injuries got in the way of playing football professionally, Lo Wood Jr. was able to fall back on an undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and a graduate degree from Miami and now has a successful career in the entertainment industry on the West Coast.

“Student-athletes getting their degree works,” Wood says with a smile.

GENUINE CONCERN

Wood does charge for his training services at Excel, but with the idea of covering costs and compensating his other trainers who help round out the process (Wood focuses on speed and agility, while others well help athletes with strength and other areas of improvement). Options are avail-

able for parents and players in need of financial assistance.

Wood has a “day job” at Westgate Resorts and also owns a barbershop — Lo’s Master Cuts — in Orlando. Even the barbershop underscores Wood’s intentions, designed as a place where some of the players he mentors can hang out and stay out of trouble.

It’s that genuine concern Brown-Dukes reflected on as he prepares for NFL Training Camp with the Steelers .

“I knew he cared about me,” Brown-Dukes said. “You can have a conversation about how he goes about getting you to the places you need to be and helping you further than what you actually need.”

Keeping you up to date with news, photos (Game Film), athletes of the week, commentary, alumni updates, recruiting and more for our area’s prep sports.

OBSERVER PREPS SCHOOL COVERAGE PRINT & ONLINE COVERAGE

• West Orange High School (Winter Garden) • Ocoee High School (Ocoee) • Olympia High School (Apopka-Vineland, MetroWest, Windermere) • Dr. Phillips High School (Dr. Phillips) • Windermere Prep (Windermere) • Central Florida Christian Academy (East Ocoee, MetroWest) • Legacy High School (Ocoee/Winter Garden) • Foundation Academy (Winter Garden/Horizon West)

ADDITIONAL OBSERVER PREPS ONLINE COVERAGE

• Evans High School (Pine Hills) • Wekiva High School (South Apopka) • The First Academy (Southwest Orlando) • Apopka High School • Freedom High School (Southwest Orlando)

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! To advertise or subscribe email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or call 407-656-2121

212120

here is a common thread linking the likes of current high-school football standouts such as Ocoee High’s Dorian Jones or the Green brothers — James and Josh — at Olympia High.

It links those players, and a number of other athletes currently starring at the high school level around Central Flori da, with someone such as Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix — a Dr. Phillips alumnus starring in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers — or Brandon Brown-Dukes, who just signed a contract to become part of the 90-man roster for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It is a thread that has even come full circle in a way, as someone such as James Washington — a former star for Boone High and North Carolina State — has returned to the area as a teacher and the junior varsity head coach at Dr. Phillips High.

The thread is a person — Lo Wood — and his “Burn Baby Burn” brand.

Along with the many camps he puts on each summer through his business, Excel Speed Training, in partnership with high-school programs around the area, Wood has become a fixture of the highschool athletics local community.

22

REAL ESTATE

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

Vizcaya home sells for $1.23 million

A

home in the Vizcaya community in Dr. Phillips topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate sales from July 8 to 14.

The home at 7914 Versilia Drive, Orlando, sold July 11, for $1.23 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $209.40.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 60 High Sale Price: $1.23 million Low Sale Price: $59,500 Auction/REO: Three REO/Bank Owned: Three

DR. PHILLIPS

one-half baths and 1,490 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.23.

CYPRESS LANDING

The home at 3524 Watercress Place, Orlando, sold July 11, for $465,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,417 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $136.08.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 15235 Evergreen Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold July 11, for $281,490. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,454 square feet. The price per square foot is $114.71.

CYPRESS POINT

The home at 9025 Point Cypress Drive, Orlando, sold July 8, for $845,000. Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,308 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.19.

GRANADA VILLAS

The home at 8223 Bronte Court, Orlando, sold July 8, for $303,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,850 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.78.

PARKSIDE

The home at 8005 Chilton Drive, Orlando, sold July 14, for $851,157. Built in 2015, it has seven bedrooms, six-and-onehalf baths and 5,016 square feet. The price per square foot is $169.69.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 10129 Holcomb Court, Orlando, sold July 8, for $415,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,591 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.17.

TURTLE CREEK

The home at 10854 Woodchase Circle, Orlando, sold July 14,

hotpads.com

This Vizcaya home, at 7914 Versilia Drive, Orlando, sold July 11, for $1.23 million. This lakefront home features an elevator, game room, media room and bonus room.

for $384,150. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,270 square feet. The price per square foot is $169.23.

HORIZON WEST ASHLIN PARK

The home at 7241 Still Pond Lane, Windermere, sold July 13, for $470,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,044 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.40.

The home at 11462 Misty Oak Alley, Windermere, sold July 12, for $336,990. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,366 square feet. The price per square foot is $142.43.

AVALON RESERVE

The home at 1077 Vinsetta Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $330,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,511 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.42.

CASA DEL LAGO

The home at 12151 Montalcino Circle, Windermere, sold July 11, for $750,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,823 square feet. The price per square foot is $196.18.

EDEN’S HAMMOCK

The home at 14095 Ancilla Blvd., Windermere, sold July 12, for $200,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-

The town house at 14644 Whittridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $239,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,328 square feet. The price per square foot is $102.66.

The home at 6755 Cultivation Way, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $243,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,650 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $147.27.

The town house at 5750 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden, sold July 11, for $222,500. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,848 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $120.40.

The town house at 14435 Prunningwood Place, Winter Garden, sold July 11, for $206,000.

Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,476 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $139.57.

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

GRANDVIEW ISLES

The town house at 10348 Fallsgrove St., Orlando, sold July 8, for $247,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,671 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.82.

WEST ORANGE MARBLE HEAD redfin.com

This Cypress Point home, at 9025 Point Cypress Drive, Orlando, sold July 8, for $845,000. All five bedrooms are complete suites.

The town house at 14455 Prunningwood Place, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $175,000.

Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,116 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $156.81.

LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES

The town house at 8744 Danforth Drive, Windermere, sold July 11, for $185,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,375 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $134.55.

The town house at 8855 Newmarket Drive, Windermere, sold July 8, for $183,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,280 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $142.97.

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 7708 Moser Ave., Windermere, sold July 13, for $212,500. Built in 2010, it has

three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,644 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.26.

OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN

The home at 14560 Black Quill Drive, No. 124, Winter Garden, sold July 9, for $453,295. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,010 square feet. The price per square foot is $113.04.

PEACHTREE PARK

The home at 8712 Peachtree Park Court, Windermere, sold July 9, for $462,120. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,821 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.81.

SUMMERPORT

The home at 4633 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold July 11, for $355,000. Built in 2006, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 3,251 square feet. The price per square foot is $109.20.

The home at 5321 Lemon Twist Lane, Windermere, sold July 12, for $313,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,680 square feet. The price per square foot is $116.79.

WATERSTONE

The home at 11748 Waterstone Loop Drive, Windermere, sold July 8, for $740,000. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,235 square feet. The price per square foot is $228.75.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8299 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold July 12, for $471,720. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,914 square feet. The price per square foot is $120.52.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE CYPRESS ISLE

The home at 8937 Sunset Blvd., Orlando, sold July 8, for

The home at 8087 Canyon Lake Circle, Orlando, sold July 8, for $260,000 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,151 square feet. The price per square foot is $120.87.

WINDERMERE

KEENE’S POINTE

WINTER GARDEN DEERFIELD PLACE

The home at 531 Spring Leap Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $235,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,050 square feet. The price per square foot is $114.63.

EMERALD RIDGE

The home at 14742 Tullamore Loop, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $255,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,834 square feet. The price per square foot is $89.98.

HILLCREST

The home at 1300 Vic Kay Court, Winter Garden, sold July 13, for $288,750 (auction/REO).

Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,449 square feet. The price per square foot is $83.72.

The home at 11910 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold July 8, for $545,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,974 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $183.25.

PARK AVENUE ESTATES

RESERVE AT WATERFORD POINTE

STONE CREEK

The home at 2008 Water Key Drive, Windermere, sold July 14, for $580,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,273 square feet. The price per square foot is $177.21.

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

The home at 606 Magnolia St., Windermere, sold July 11, for $384,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,327 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.02.

23

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

The home at 102 Hartsdale Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 12, for $152,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.08.

The home at 1714 Sherbourne St., Winter Garden, sold July 11, for $215,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,372 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $156.71.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 8717 Eden Cove Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 8, for $340,035. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,924 square feet. The price per square foot is $116.29.

See more real estate transactions at OrangeObserver.com

$375,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,736 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $137.06.

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ONLINE

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W.O.P.A.

West OrAnge POliticAl AlliAnce, inc: A non-partisan political committee, the political action arm of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, formed to represent the best interests of West Orange County

REMINDS YOU TO:

Vote Early, By Mail or on Tuesday, August 30th Our endorsed candidates: Betsy VanderLey - District 1 Pete Clarke - District 3 Ted Edwards – District 5 Phil Diamond – Comptroller Eric DuBois - Judge Group 1 Tom Young – Judge Group 4 Mark Anthony Arias – Judge Group 5

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD

FLORIDA SENATE Randolph Bracy – District 11

Pam Gould – District 4 Christine Moore – District 7

FLORIDA NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT Jeff Ashton – State Attorney Dan Traver – Group 4 Luis Calderon – Group 14

Paid political advertisement by the West Orange Political Alliance, Inc.

For information call 407-656-1304.

FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Kamia Brown - District 45 Bruce Antone – District 46

210686

ORANGE COUNTY

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

We support the Healthy West Orange Initiative and encourage our entire community to become actively involved in building their future on a healthy foundation. Something we’ve done since 1926.

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By incorporating physical activity into your daily life (30 minutes for adults and 60 minutes for children) as well as healthy eating, you will experience positive health benefits and be on the path for a better future.

Regular physical activity can produce long-term health benefits. It can help: • Prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke • Control weight • Make your muscles stronger • Reduce fat • Promote strong bone, muscle, and joint development • Condition heart and lungs • Build overall strength and endurance • Improve sleep • Decrease potential of becoming depressed • Increase your energy and self-esteem • Relieve stress • Increase your chances of living longer

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

W EAT HER

I LOVE WEST ORANGE Jay Marder submitted this photo of his family’s dragon fruit cactus. “This first bloom … lasted one day,” he said.

The Windermere Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize.

To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to aqrhode@orangeobserver.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line.

Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

ONLINE

FORECAST

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25

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, JULY 28 High: 96 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 20%

FRIDAY, JULY 29 High: 97 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 20%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, July 28

6:46a

8:20p

Friday, July 29

6:46a

8:19p

Saturday, July 30

6:47a

8:19p

Sunday, July 31

6:47a

8:18p

Monday, Aug. 1

6:48a

8:17p

Tuesday, Aug. 2

6:49a

8:17p

Wednesday, Aug. 3

6:49a

8:16p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JULY 30 July 19 Full

High: 97 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 60%

July 26 Last

Aug. 10 First

Aug. 2 New

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, JULY 31 High: 97 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 20%

See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com

Tuesday, July 19

0.12

Wednesday, July 20

0.00

Thursday, July 21

0.48

Friday, July 22

0.03

Saturday, July 23

1.43

Sunday, July 24

0.00

Monday, July 25

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

JULY TO DATE:

2016 29.79 in.

2016 4.20 in.

2015 28.24 in.

2015 6.07 in.

LOCALLY SPONSORED IN PART BY...

Thank you West Oaks Mall for partnering with us to educate the future of our community.

Be sure to stop by and see the “Journalism X” wall coming soon to West Oaks Mall.

Newspaper in Education is an international program that promotes literacy by using the newspaper as a teaching tool

CROSSWORD

The newspaper is a “living textbook” that reports history as it happens and teaches students about themselves and their community, state, country and world.

Students who learn using the newspaper grow up to become lifelong readers and thoughtful and engaged citizens.

FEEL GOOD by Timothy E. Parker 117 10,000,000 rupees, in India 119 Spots in high school?

120 Spaghetti topping 121 “Why, certainly!”

122 Negatively charged atom 123 Word with “second” or “landing” 124 It’s fit for a queen 125 Mimicking one 126 Diarist Frank 127 Atlantic coast hrs.

128 Church official

DOWN

©2016 Universal Uclick

32 Part of a sentence 1 Palindromic address for 33 Satisfied 34 Book excerpts a woman 39 The point of writing?

6 Veggie spheroid 40 Canary, e.g.

9 Use a semi 41 Muggy and hot 13 “Dragnet” actor Jack 42 “Physician, ___ thyself” 17 Suspect eliminator 44 Old crone 18 Assured vigor 19 Easier version, in musi- 45 Croce’s “Bad, Bad ___ Brown” cal scores 49 Canine command 21 Natural burn soother 50 Light measurement 22 Cavalry mount 51 Inscribed stone pillar 23 Support at sea?

53 Deadly virus 24 Certain Greek letter 54 Little nipper 25 Sub ___ (privately) 55 Stomach purger 26 Like some debates 58 Former communist 29 Commotion country, briefly 31 Wolf chicken?

ACROSS

9401 W. CO LO N I A L D R I V E, O CO E E, F L 34761 • 407-294-1494 • W W W.W E S TOA K S MA L L.CO M

59 Common MIT grad 60 Confidential matter 62 Quarry piece 64 Finnish relative 67 Hot place for hops 68 Not at all enthusiastic 70 Nursery powder 71 Prevented from happening 75 Gambling mecca 76 Routine 79 Nutmeg skin 80 Used a doorbell 82 Twists out of shape 84 Defensive tennis shot 86 Lady Liberty holds it 88 Emulates a donkey 90 “___ to Billy Joe”

1 Hawkeye’s TV show 2 Lowest female voice 3 Middle management?

4 Brother of Cain 5 June 30 6 Arrange in advance 7 Direction of the dawn 8 Satellite dish predecessor 9 Spa feature 10 As white as a sheet 11 What “new to you” means 12 Kiddie ___ (book genre) 13 Be a team substitute 14 Abscond to wed 15 Warship warrant officer 16 Beauty’s admirer 18 Milk a scene for all it’s worth 20 Brother of Moses 91 “Ristorante” beverage 27 Sly or crafty (var.)

92 Provide, as with a 28 Loam and marl, e.g. quality 93 Giant Hall of Famer Mel 30 Your aunt’s husband 33 Smoky place?

94 Cajun staple 34 Whispered call for 96 Very cold attention 98 Cherries’ leftovers 35 You can fill a lot with 100 Unhealthy-sounding them drink?

36 Chalkboard material 101 Dependence 37 Digs on Pork Avenue?

103 Bother 38 Open’s counterpart 106 Cheese from France 40 Many a test answer 107 Tout’s offer 108 They’re spineless but 43 Live and breathe 44 First word of “Nowhere well-armed 109 When disclosures are Man” 46 Rice-a-___, “the San made?

Francisco treat” 116 Extract juice from

47 Gold-medal gymnast Korbut 48 Knitting ball 50 Thin explosive device 52 Fun river activity 55 Particular periods of history 56 Engage, as gears 57 Ordained group 61One who is difficult to rattle 63 Parrot or mimic 65 Hardly height-challenged 66 Auto pioneer Ransom Eli 69 Arts supporter 71 Leonardo’s “Titanic” co-star 72 Rustable metal 73 It may have a nest egg 74 Pub game 77 Adjust, as car wheels 78 Pick-me-up beverage 81 Crooner ___ King Cole 83 Jewish month 85 Indicate by signs 87 Highly perturbed, old-style 89 Type of gold or ground 91 By means of 95 Merchant ship fee 96 Move like a butterfly 97 Sharp comeback 99 Kane of “All My Children” 100 Garfield’s girlfriend 102 Knockout gas 103 Backs, anatomically 104 Freeze over, as a windshield 105 Long, hard look 106 Element with the symbol B 109 Element of change?

110 Decorates, as a cake 111 Small flying insect 112 Get a bad grade 113 Group of two 114 Farm section 115 Annual time period 118 It’s stranded in the human body

CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of one of America’s Founding Fathers. Using the hints M=E and Z=R, decipher the clues to name the man.

1. H R O B M Z P 2. K C Z M M – G U G K C H 3. H M V Z M K O Z P 4. T O Z 5. L Z M H U N M W K This man was a skilled writer, as evidenced by the Bill of Rights:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 July 28 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.57) through 9 in each row, column and box.

7

9 1

4 3

6 5

1

8 3

4 8 6

5

4

9

5

2 9 7 5

8 4 5 2

6

9 3 4 8 1 07-28-16

July 28 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.57)

7

9 1

6 5

6 4 3 2 5

2 9 1

8

8 3 4 7

8 3 4 5

7

2 6 1

9 8 6 7

2 4 1

9

3 5

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

HERE’S MY CARD - BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO SERVICE

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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5 CLASSIFIEDS 59 Thursday, DATE, 2015 July 28, 2016

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

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Windermere Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in Windermere Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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This week’s Cryptoquiz answers

Answers:1) Slavery, 2) Three-fifths, 3) Secretary 4) War, 5) President.

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Answers:1) Slavery, 2) Three-fifths, 3) Secretary 4) War, 5) President.

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2016

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CHURCH DIRECTORY

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

This page appears weekly in the Windermere Observer and online at orangeobserver.com.

EPISCOPAL

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

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

New Beginnings Start at Matthew’s Hope

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Christ Community Church 5425 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando 32819 10 AM Sunday School 11 AM Worship Service Pastor John P. Flanagan 407-909-9495 • orlandoccc.org

PRESBYTERIAN

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE LAKES, USA Conroy-Windermere Rd. @ Lincoln Ave. Sunday School 9:00AM, Worship 10:30 Worship on Wed. 7:00 - 7:30 PM “Come hear the Gospel” Rev. Ferdinand Brits 407-291-2886 • www.pcol.org

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

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

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

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Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

Thanks,WestOrange!

COMMUNITY RALLIES TO HELP

A group of great young people from Tuskawilla United Methodist Church helped move us to our new offices.

KEEPING US MOVING FORWARD

These young people are the future leaders in our community! Bless them for their commitment to a strong West Orange County!

Two weeks ago, Bruce Knox, owner Knox Nursery, issued a matching funds challenge of $5,000. Last week, another Matthew’s Hope supporter issued a second $5,000 matching funds challenge!

Teammates on the West Orange High School football team and wrestling team helped staff and Moving Forward program members dismantle and move the Firm Foundation preschool playground and the Harvest of Hope greenhouse.

CRITICAL MEDICAL SERVICES Staff member Nurse Nancy, in close partnership with the HOPE mobile medical team and Florida Hospital, ensure our community’s homeless receive medical care.

Through our medical program, Guest Zac had a large tumor removed from his shoulder, and is recovering swiftly. Other guest conditions the team is treating include hepatitis C, diabetes, cirrhosis, blindness and hernias. Your support is always a difference maker.

At times, the difference is life and death.

WAYS TO HELP

The West Orange Junior Service League’s President Kim Cannon and Social Chair Courtney Gibson presented Matthew’s Hope Founder Scott Billue and Treasurer Lori Gibson a $5,000 check to further the mission of Matthew’s Hope in serving the homeless men, women and children of our community.

Your support means the world to the homeless of our community. We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to the homeless men, women and children we serve in West Orange County.

To date, we have raised $13,639 of the $25,000 needed for our relocation.

• Check/cash: 1460 Daniels Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787 [mail, or drop off M-F, 9 am - 4 pm] • Credit card/PayPal: www.matthewshopeministries.org • GoFundMe campaign: www.gofundme.com/2dy6qa4 • Matching funds challenges: Scott Billue, 407.905.9500, scottbillue@matthewshopeministries.org

Grace •Compassion •Understanding Our Mission (is) Still remains...

Broken, Flawed People Helping, Loving & Caring for Broken Flawed People

NEW LOCATION • OPENING SOON Firm Foundation Preschool and Outreach Center 740 9th Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 NEW LOCATION • JULY 28th Administrative Offices 523 S. Woodland, Winter Garden, FL 34787 407.905.9500 MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

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