08.29.19 West Orange Observer

W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 4, NO. 48

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

Eat and play the Dragon way Castleview Elementary School hosted a fun family food truck night Aug. 23. SEE PAGE 11.

Fixing the Hornets nest New signage and potentially more crossing guards are on the horizon for Horizon West Middle School to assuage traffic and safety concerns.

STORY ON PAGE 4.

YOUR TOWN

CITY OFFICES CLOSED LABOR DAY Windermere town offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day Monday, Sept.

2. The town’s services and employees will return to normal office hours Tuesday following the holiday. Call (407) 876-2563 with any questions.

Rosser lots sell at auction Tim Freed

Orange County is looking into bringing in more crossing guards outside of Horizon West Middle School.

Windermere’s Long Range Planning Committee discussed what the proposed Orange County one-cent sales tax increase could mean for the town, if implemented.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Although much of the growth in West Orange County is taking place in the Horizon West area, the town of Windermere has its eyes PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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set on long-range planning, too.

The seven-member Long Range Planning Committee provides a long-range plan and vision for the future of town and ensures that such plans address and further the town’s mission.

Long Range Planning members met Thursday, Aug. 22, to SEE SALES TAX PAGE 2

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

SPORTS

Windermere committee talks long-range planning

Nine lots on Rosser Reserve were sold at an auction Aug. 21, pending an approval from federal bankruptcy court.

PUTTING ON A SHOW

Olympia High School senior Jonah Leach is ready for his senior season. SEE PAGE 15.

A prominent, longstanding property in Windermere has been auctioned off — opening a new chapter for the future of the land.

The majority of the Rosser Reserve property off Conroy Windermere Road sold for $3.99 million during an auction Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Windermere Town Hall.

Three separate parties purchased the nine lots available for auction — a 10th lot on the property already is owned by a separate party.

Lots 3 and 4 — two of the SEE ROSSER PAGE 4

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THURSDAY, AUG. 29

YOUR CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

GROCERY TOUR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Publix Super Markets – Horizon West, 5400 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden. Orlando Health is hosting the free class for community members who want to get and stay healthy. To register, call (407) 407-3046.

WOOFSTOCK CONCERT: BRYAN HAYES 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Yellow Dog Eats, 1236 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Enjoy the sounds of the band in this concert series at the restaurant. (407) 296-0609.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7

WOOFSTOCK CONCERT: DIAMOND DIXIE 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Yellow Dog Eats, 1236 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Enjoy the sounds of the band in this concert series at the restaurant. (407) 296-0609.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 10

CUISINE CORNER: TEA EDUCATION & TEA TESTING 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Enjoy tea education, for non-tea drinkers to those who have drunk tea their whole life. Sample two teas and learn about the history, fun facts and different types of teas.

Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Promote wellbeing through mindfulness

meditation. For beginners to advanced. Presented by Lucia Beninati. Chairs provided.

Ages 13 and older. Registration preferred by calling (407) 8357323; walk-ins welcome.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

ANGEL PAWS TO READ 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Practice your reading skills by reading aloud to a lovable, furry listener.

Be An Angel Therapy Dogs Ministry presents this reading program for children featuring certified therapy dogs. (407) 835-7323.

EMPOW“HER” 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

14, at Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Horizon West, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden. Join the monthly learning events aimed at empowering young girls and women through education about their health. Dr. Shweta Patel will discuss women’s health concerns in a comfortable environment. Program is free. Space is limited; call (407) 635-3303 to reserve a seat.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 17

CUISINE CORNER: GOAT CHEESE CROQUETTE 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Join Chef Emily Roy from Publix Aprons on a culinary journey as she demonstrates how to make goat cheese croquette and raspberry preserves. Seating is limited. Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

KID’S SALE OF WINDERMERE 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.

18; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at The Pines of Windermere, 3409 Maguire Road, Windermere. The Kid’s Sale consignment event gives parents a chance to sell their name-brand clothing and accessories on consignment or to buy quality items at a low price. For information, visit thekidsale.biz.

WRITING WEDNESDAY 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Engage in structured writing time and light refreshments in the library’s reading area. Writers of all types and levels are invited to attend.

(407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19

LATIN FUN FIESTA 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Children are invited for a fun “Maya & Miguel” celebration. Activities, crafts and culture await them at this program that will prove to be “muy fabuloso.” (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

DECORATE A SWEET TREAT WITH A VETERAN 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Decorate a treat with a local veteran.

Learn more about their time serving our country while sharing this treat together.

Recommended for elementary students. Registration required PM at (407) 835-7323.

Sales tax discussed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

discuss topics like the town facilities update, new banners and entrance signage, and the Orange County one-cent sales tax proposal. While these topics stayed in discussion and no solid motions were made one way or another, Long Range Planning members were able to obtain more information on what Windermere might face in the future.

One of the most heavily discussed items was reviewing the countywide sales tax proposal, which Town Manager Robert Smith primed the committee on.

Smith was among many county administrators, representatives and city managers who met with leaders for details on the proposal.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proposed in May the one-cent increase, which would raise the county sales tax to 7.5%.

The purpose, Demings said, is to create a funding source for furthering transportation.

Smith and committee members discussed the possibilities of how this increased sales tax might affect or benefit Windermere, should it be implemented.

“Their viewpoint is it’s a transport issue, there’s a lot of congestion on the roadways and we need pedestrian trails,” Smith said. “A thousand people are moving to Orange County every single week. They know that right now with the amount of gas tax they have it’s not going to be sustainable to offset the cost, not only of the infrastructure they

need, but also the maintenance of infrastructure.”

Smith said that, as currently proposed, that extra money generated from the extra penny sales tax would go straight to the county. He told committee members that, should the town decide to support this initiative, there needs to be some sort of algorithm that points back to West Orange County in appropriating funds. For example, if the initiative was considered an infrastructure sales surtax, a certain percentage of it goes to all municipalities based on population.

“When we met with them it was mostly just Lynx and SunRail and then, ‘We have this huge pot of money we’re going to put to all these different theories,’ meaning pedestrian crossings, intersection improvements and stuff like that,” Smith said. “Their argument is, ‘Instead of the top down we want to work from the community up.’ They want to have the referendum first reading in front of the county commissioners in February in order for it to be on the presidential ballot in November. It’s a very aggressive timeframe for a lot of questions that are unanswered right now.

“From our standpoint, if we all are collectively working as one, meaning all of West Orange County, if something were to happen … we still want some mechanism where we’re going to get some money,” Smith said.

“We want to see what we can do what with our position in West Orange County, because most of the growth is over here.”

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Eagle Scout builds bike repair station in Oakland Max Wiese, of Dr. Phillips’ Troop 6, custom-designed a standalone station that gives riders access to tools and a tire pump.

“I thought, I might as well bring this (tool station) to America and make it a custom-made project and make it all myself.”

— Max Wiese

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Max Wiese was visiting a college campus in Germany when he noticed an interesting diamondshaped tool station positioned near the bicycle racks.

When it came time to present an idea for his Eagle Scout project, Wiese — a member of Boy Scout Troop 6, in Dr. Phillips — remembered the bike-repair station at the Technical University of Munich.

“I thought, I might as well bring this to America and make it a custom-made project and make it all myself,” Wiese said.

“I designed the thing myself, worked through it myself, worked with (a) welder, punched holes, I welded, drew up all the plans. I thought it was interesting.”

He wanted to place his project on the West Orange Trail, where many bicycle enthusiasts ride, and he approached the town of Oakland in hopes of having it installed there. Town officials agreed to partner with Wiese and put the tool station near the town center.

The station includes typical

toolbox pieces, such as wrenches, Allen keys and screwdrivers, as well as two retractable bars that allow the cyclist to prop up the bike to be able to reach the tools. Next to the tool station is a stand-alone bicycle pump.

Oakland was the natural choice for Wiese, who said the closest trailheads are at the OrangeLake county line to the west and on Plant Street east of downtown Winter Garden. “(Oakland is) just not a good place for your bike to break down,” he said.

He expects to see many people utilizing his station, especially once the new arts and heritage center is completed nearby.

The entire Eagle Scout project from inception to installation took about six months, Wiese said. He wrote the paperwork, worked with the welder and the town, set up a fundraising page to buy his materials and led other scouts during the project. The actual construction took about two weeks.

In addition to donating the repair station and pump to the town of Oakland, Wiese built a wooden bike rack; he said offi-

Courtesy photos

cials can place it wherever they choose.

Wiese’s Eagle board of review was in July. He now is in Germany studying electrical engineering at the Technical University of Munich.

Ocoee resident running for Florida House Republican Frank Blanco announced his candidacy for the state District 44 seat.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Ocoee resident Frank Blanco has been interested in public service for just about as long as he can remember.

Now, that passion is fueling a bid for the District 44 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

Blanco, a Republican, is set to face off against fellow Republican Bruno Portigliatti in the primary election next August.

The winner will face incumbent Democrat Geraldine Thompson.

The district encompasses most of southwest Orange County.

Blanco is a Miami native but has lived in West Orange for seven years with his wife and their three children. He began his work in public service with a two-year stint as a legislative aide for former State Sen. Steve Oelrich. He then was promoted to Oelrich’s chief of staff.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more about Frank Blanco and his stances on issues such as jobs, taxes, guns, immigration and civil liberties, visit blancoforhouse. com.

Shortly after, Blanco enrolled in law school at Florida A&M University’s College of Law in Orlando. After graduation, he passed the Florida and Colorado bar exams and opened his own practice.

“I went to law school, because I’ve always been interested in doing public service and specifically running for office,” he said.

“I thought that law school and running for office kind of went hand in hand, and that’s why I paired those two up.”

“I definitely think I can see the benefits of some of the policies Democrats believe in as far as social policies. I think that I am capable of working with both sides. I am definitely someone that has no economic incentive or desire to benefit from this in a way that will line my pocketbook.”

— Frank Blanco

But what drove Blanco to enter this race was his desire to make a difference and bring a new set of ideals to the Republican side of the political spectrum.

“I definitely have ideas that are not necessarily considered conservative or Republican in nature,” said Blanco, who describes himself on his website as a “little ‘r’ Republican. “I’ve always being eyeing a seat in the Legislature, because, based on my experience working in the Legislature, I know that in order to be an effective legislator, you have to know what the process (is). After my experience working in the Senate, I thought, ‘I could do this; I could make a difference in my community, too.’

“I thought, ‘This is something I could see myself doing, this is something that I want to do so I can make a positive future for not only the people that I live around but also my kids, my wife and everybody that I love,” he said.

As both an attorney and smallbusiness owner, Blanco said he has a unique perspective of understanding how an expanding government might restrict growth, crush incentive and stymie the economy.

If he is elected, Blanco plans to champion the ideas of liberty, freedom and small government. He added that he brings fresh ideas that could resonate more with both Republicans and Democrats.

“While I do have ideological things for Republicans in terms of fiscal policy and just general

Courtesy photo

Republican Frank Blanco hopes to bring new thoughts and ideals to his party within the political spectrum.

economic policy, I think that my social policy, that aspect of me, leans a little more toward the middle of the road or slightly to the left,” he said. “I definitely think I can see the benefits of some of the policies Democrats believe in as far as social policies. I think that I am capable of working with both sides. I am definitely someone that has no economic incentive or desire to benefit from this in a way that will line my pocketbook.”

Some of the cornerstones of Blanco’s campaign include prison reform, investment in education, investment in local infra-

structure and health care.

He advocates for prison reform because he believes mandatory minimum sentences should be posed only for offenders involved in serious crimes and those that involve violence.

“That policy of mandating that people go to prison for (a) specific period of time for nonviolent offenses destroys families and kind of continues the cycle, and I want to see if we can make a break from that,” he said.

Blanco believes education is an upfront investment that should be made more frequently to ensure Florida’s children will be better equipped as productive members of society and as global competitors.

Additionally, investment in infrastructure is crucial to Orange County with the number of visitors it receives each year, he said.

“I want to run for the purpose of making sure that the lives of people in my district and people in Florida in general are improved,” he said. “I think that can be done by enacting policies that are common sense, that make the lives of people easier to deal with so they have less government in their lives.

“I think that I am the Republican (who) is like a new-school Republican and still believes in the rights to bear arms unequivocally — but also believes that people should have the liberties and rights that are afforded them in the Constitution,” he said.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

Transforming Tattant TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

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or the Horizon West community, a new middle school has meant both changes and new challenges.

The opening of Horizon West Middle School meant muchneeded relief for nearby Bridgewater Middle School, but the first few weeks of the school’s existence also have raised concerns about traffic and safety along and surrounding Tattant Boulevard.

But don’t fret, Horizon West Middle parents. Orange County Government, Orange County Public Schools and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office all are aware.

“Each year, it takes about three to four weeks to get the school traffic smoothed out,” Orange County School District 4 Board Member Pam Gould said. “That said, with all the growth, I work with Commissioner (Betsy) VanderLey on evaluating and improving traffic areas. The county and OCPS are aggressively recruiting crossing guards, which would also help. …

We are also evaluating each school to see what on-site improvements can be made.”

TRAFFIC TROUBLE

Long lines for pick-up and dropoff outside Horizon West Middle have led to some parents finding alternative means to get near the school, including parking along nearby residential streets.

Bus service only is available to students who live more than 2 miles away from the school.

According to Orange County Public Schools, 60% of the 1,215 students at Horizon West Middle live within a 2-mile radius and therefore have to walk, ride a bike or be dropped off via passenger vehicle.

The traffic situation around Horizon West Middle was launched into the spotlight Aug. 21, when a video taken in the Ashlin Park neighborhood near Horizon West Middle School went viral.

The video captured an angry outburst from a woman after Horizon West Middle parent Diana Romero parked her Range Rover along a neighborhood alley to drop off her oldest daughter.

Romero, who also lives in Ashlin Park, said the woman yelled at both her and her daughter, telling them to leave and using vulgar language. Her younger daughter,

Tim Freed

Some Horizon West Middle School parents are concerned about the safety of students crossing Tattant Boulevard.

HOW TO HELP

Currently, Horizon West has a need for school crossing guards. Anyone interested in serving the community as a school crossing guard is encouraged to visit the Orange County Sheriff’s Office website, OCSO.com, to apply.

who is preschool age, was also in the backseat of her car during the incident.

“I understand if you feel mad with that situation — she could tell me, ‘Hey, please, no parking here.

I don’t like it. It’s my property,’ but she was really disrespectful,” Romero said. “She’s screaming at me. ... I’m with my baby, and I can do nothing. She said a lot of bad words in front of my daughters, and I feel really offended about that.”

Romero said she was dropping off her daughter within Ashlin Park because of the long line of cars that accumulated before the beginning of the school day. She added the line sometimes took an hour to get through, and it prevented her from dropping off her younger daughter at preschool.

Her family only lives a couple of blocks away, but Romero said her daughter likes to be dropped off closer so she doesn’t have to walk as far.

Romero said she called police shortly after the incident, but officers confirmed she was not allowed to park along the alley.

“I’m frustrated, because the police (should) talk with (the woman),” Romero said. “That

behavior is really bad for the kids.

Because she didn’t touch me, it’s not assault, but she told me a lot of words that were really disrespectful.”

Horizon West resident Dayna Gaut said she remembers having to sit in the lines outside of school to pick up her child years ago. Parents still need to follow the rules, she said.

“The biggest problem is that it bleeds into side streets, because parents won’t follow the rules and drop off their kids at the car circle because it takes time,” Gaut said.

“When parents try to find different ways or park illegally … it’s caused a lot of problems.

“Parents need to understand that sitting in a car circle is part of being a parent if your kid does not ride their bike, walk or take a bus,” she said. “If you can’t handle it, put your kids in after-school care or find something else, but roadraging is not good for the community.”

Lauren Roth, senior manager of facilities communications for OCPS, said the traffic situation around the school has, in fact, improved over time.

“It’s not taking any more than 15 minutes for parents to get their students picked up and dropped off,” Roth said. “It’s never really been longer than 40 (minutes), even on the first day. They have a really good process there.”

MORE CROSSING GUARDS?

Horizon West Middle parents such as Richard Caruana, who has a son in sixth grade who bikes, have wondered when the school will receive more crossing guards.

Only one has been in place since the school’s opening, he said.

The current crossing guard — established through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office — stands at a crosswalk near the bike rack area, but another crosswalk exists farther west, close to the bus dropoff area.

It’s not only about the safety but also improving the flow of the students trying to get to the school, Caruana said.

“I think the school is trying to address it,” Caruana said. “There’s an area that’s right at the school — a crosswalk, which is another area where I think they should be allowing kids to cross there, but there’s no guards there. Everybody’s getting bottle-necked at the front of the school. That’s where cars are coming in, that’s where bikes are coming in, that’s where kids are coming in and I think a lot of the frustration is that the school has (one) area for crossing.

“You’re talking 1,200 kids are flowing through there,” he said.

“Why don’t they spread that out a little bit? … It will flow a lot quicker. … I just don’t think the school was built preparing for the amount of bodies they were going to get.”

Kelly Finkelstein, senior public information officer for Orange County, said Aug. 23 that steps already are in motion to place more signage outside the school. Additional crossing guards also should be coming soon, she said.

“Orange County Government is working together with our partner agencies to address the need for additional traffic control devices and school crossing guards in and around Horizon West Middle School,” Finkelstein said. “Orange County Public Schools plans to install pedestrian crossing signage in front of the school next week. Because OCPS has notified the Orange County Government that school zone flashing beacons are currently on back-order, the county is supporting OCPS by installing static reduced-speed school-zone signage in front of the school until OCPS can install permanent flashing beacons.

“We are committed to ensuring that our children have a clear and safe path to all schools in Orange County,” she said. “We will continue to work together with our partner agencies on this important matter.”

Rosser lots sell for $3.99 million CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

four available lakefront lots — were purchased by bidder 118 for $1.5 million, while bidder 114 purchased lakefront lot 1 and interior lots 6 through 10 for $1.8 million.

Lakefront lot 2 was purchased for $690,000 by bidder 110.

The total contract price — including the buyer’s premium — for all the lots was $4.38 million.

Bidder 118, Todd South, of custom home builders Stonebridge Homes, said he was pleased with the outcome, adding he paid a fair price for the two lakefront properties.

“We have a lot of clients (who) are looking for lakefront property, so hopefully we’ll get together with the other bidders and fix

some of the issues in the subdivision and get it moving forward in a positive manner,” South said.

“It’s been sitting there vacant for a couple of years, and that’s not good for the property.”

The auction marks a potential transition for a property that has hit several roadblocks. The Rosser Reserve property was intended to be a boutique, 10-home subdivision, but the lots did not sell. As a result, part owner Sue Prosser filed for bankruptcy.

The filing led to a legal battle between Prosser and majority owner Timothy Green, which was settled.

Real-estate broker and auctioneer Robert Ewald, of Ewald Auctions, was appointed as a plan administrator by the federal bank-

ruptcy court to help bring forth a resolution.

Ewald said the bankruptcy has gone on for about two years. In May, a reorganization plan was approved by the federal bankruptcy court that allowed one of two options: having the owners redeem the property by paying everybody off in full, or, in the event that they didn’t redeem, take it to an auction, sell it and pay everyone according to the judge’s orders.

It was a great turnout at the auction, Ewald said, adding the sale of the property should spark progress.

“Our response on this thing was phenomenal,” Ewald said. “I had (more than) 160 calls on it. We had people downloading docu-

ments — everything went the way it was supposed to go. We had a great crowd. Market is market.

We had 50 to 60 people here — you put that many people bidding on property (in a room), you’re going to get what it’s worth,” he said.

The property is being sold free and clear of all liens, and the money acquired from the auction will be used to pay three secured creditors and various other costs and fees, subject to the approval of the federal bankruptcy court, Ewald said.

The results of the auction were set to come before the court Wednesday, Aug. 28, after press time.

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

Friedrich Hayek

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

Multiple infrastructure projects are coming soon to Windermere Windermere Town Council recently approved plans for multiple infrastructure projects throughout the town.

HANNAH SWAYZE NEWS EDITOR

Council members recently approved funds for several infrastructure projects and services throughout the town of Windermere at the Tuesday, Aug. 13, Town Council meeting. The projects will improve drainage, sidewalks, ponds and roads.

Approved costs for the projects and contracts range from $65,000 to $660,000.

BAYSHORE DRIVE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

Windermere Town Council approved the contract for a project that was proposed almost 12 years ago, but was never acted on, Public Works Director Scott Brown said.

For years, a spot on the eastern end of Bayshore Drive has been an issue for the town. Water collects on the road and on nearby rightsof-way — especially during afternoon rain showers — causing dangerous conditions, according to town documents. Water that collects in this spot also runs into private property.

The construction includes the addition of pipes underneath the driveway aprons, inlets on each side of the road and a small retention system to discard the water into the bay, Brown said.

The town received five bids on

the project ranging from $141,000 to just under $65,000, Brown said. The council approved a contract with Gregori Construction Inc. for a price of approximately $65,000. The same contractor was approved for another project in Marina Bay. Brown said the process to wrap up contracts and get a schedule for the process should take approximately 30 days.

PARK AVENUE DRAINAGE AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

Council members approved a contract with Barracuda Building Corporation for future construction regarding the Park Avenue drainage and sidewalks.

Due to the location of this project on a right-of-way in the town, Orange County is responsible for construction improvements.

However, instead of waiting on the county, Brown said the town will move forward with the project.

“The laws for utility installations in a right-of-way is anytime you have an … infrastructure improvement — a widening of a road, a sidewalk or a drainage project to enhance the area — then it’s usually the responsibility (of the county to), at their cost, remove and/or relocate that utility,” Brown said.

Orange County wouldn’t be able to get to the design of

the project for another 12 to 18 months, so they worked out an alternative with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. to get the project done sooner, Brown told council members.

Orange County will reimburse the town for the relocation of a six-inch water main to allow the installation of a storm drain system up to $125,000.

Brown said the plan also is to fix the sidewalks in the area and push the existing sidewalk back a few feet from the right-of-way.

“There’s some broken areas, there’s some jagged areas, so we’re going to go ahead and remove all that,” Brown said.

The town anticipates no effects on residents’ water services during construction.

The whole project was approved for $260,000.

The pond still has not recovered to the town’s desired conditions and this project will install a proper underdrain system.

Council members approved a contract with Gregori Construction Inc. for $85,000.

WILLOWS ROAD MILLING AND RESURFACING

This project was placed on the town of Windermere’s five-year capital improvement projects list in 2015 when Windermere contracted with Quality Engineering Solutions to develop a pavement management plan.

This project will mill and resurface roads thought the subdivision.

The town received bids for this project from five different

At the last town council meeting, a contract with All State Paving and Development was approved with a budget of $660,000.

WADE TRIM ON-CALL LAND PLANNING SERVICE

The town of Windermere will continue to use Wade Trim Inc. for its on-call land planning services. Town Council members approved the renewal of its contract with the company, which it has kept in place since 2014.

Changes to the contract include a 17% increase to Wade Trim’s principal planner’s hourly wage and a 21% increase to the project planner’s hourly wage. The agreement will renew for

one more

year.

MARINA BAY STORMWATER POND REPAIRS

The Marina Bay stormwater pond has had issues for years.

According to town documents, the town issued a notice to proceed in May 2017 for the removal of the underdrain system; re-grading the existing pond, including removal of excess sediment deposition; the plugging of underdrain connections; construction of permanent erosion control at all storm sewer inflow points and restoration.

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

AFFORDABLE HOUSING “Although our economy is strong and working well for many in our county, we still have challenges to navigate,” Singh said.

“For many, our economy’s rapid rise hasn’t benefited them. Our community is facing a housing crisis that’s growing and impacting many of our neighbors and many of our friends and many of our co-workers. According to a recent report, in Orange County there are 13 affordable available homes for every 100 renters. Another report showed that rent in Orlando has increased 6.8% just last year.”

But there is some good news, Singh said.

“We have partners across the region working to meet the housing needs of our growing population,” he said. “For example, Orange County government spent more than $11 million on new construction, rehabilitation and housing units.

The city of Orlando played their part and has invested more than $30 million in land for affordable housing.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

THE REAL DEAL TIM FREED

MANAGING EDITOR

Businesses is booming, Orange County.

Real-estate agents and other members of the community learned the latest local trends and statistics Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive during Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh’s 2019 State of Orange County Real Estate.

The presentation provided an in-depth look at the market and where it is headed and the numbers tell a positive story for Realtors looking to do business within the county.

Singh announced Orange County has reached a historic overall market value of $208.2 billion as of July 2019, an increase of 10.3% over 2018. That included market values of $970.6 million in Windermere (a 9.3% increase) and $5.3 billion in Winter Garden (an 11.9% increase).

The commercial market value sits at $97.5 billion, while the residential market value sits at $94.9 billion as of July 2019.

“The residential real-estate market in Central Florida is simply impressive,” Singh said.

“According to our friends at the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, the median sale price of a home in Orlando today has risen 164% since 2012.

Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh delivered the State of Orange County Real Estate Thursday, Aug. 22.

“Knowing what I see in the pipeline, this certainly will continue.”

— Rick Singh, Orange County property appraiser

Tim Freed

Rick Singh spoke before a packed ballroom at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive to give the community the latest real-estate market statistics.

We’ve seen that type of increase all around Orange County. As a matter of fact, the average home price in Orlando today sat at $285,000 this is the first time prices have reached this level since July 2007.”

Orlando homes also are priced $13,000 higher than the national average, Singh said.

“Knowing what I see in the pipeline, this certainly will continue,” he said.

Building overall also is on the

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rise in 2019, with $4.5 billion in new construction so far, an increase of 4.7% over 2018. That translates to more than $12 million in new construction every day, Singh said.

And much of that is happening in West Orange, according to Singh’s presentation. In 2019, more than 43% of new residences were built on the west side of Orange County in Oakland, Winter Garden, Ocoee and Apopka.

It all translates into an economic boost to the area.

“Based on the strength of the economy, supported by a strong educational system, we’re attracting new businesses on a daily (basis),” Singh said. “The value of commercial property in our county is growing due to new businesses, due to new construction and due to rising property values.”

The numbers mark a stark contrast from seven years ago, Singh said.

“In March of 2012, Orlando was named the worst rated in the country for foreclosures,”

$115 billion $126.1 billion $147.3 billion $158.8 billion $171.9 billion $188.8 billion $208.2 billion

he said. “As a matter of fact, 279,000 properties were in foreclosure. Here in Orange County, we had the lion’s share of these properties. The median sale price in 2012 was about $108,000, and the sales back then … only 2,000 homes sold that year. Currently the median sale price is $285,000 (and more than) 26,000 homes sold last year.”

The overall market value of Orange County has seen a rebound, jumping from $115 billion in 2013 to the current value of $208.2 billion, as of July 2019.

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2019 MARKET VALUE BY MUNICIPALITY Eatonville Oakland Edgewood Windermere Belle Isle Maitland Ocoee Winter Garden Apopka Winter Park Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista Orlando

AC T I V E

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(+9.6%) (+18.5%) (+8.4%) (+9.3%) (+10%) (+10.7%) (+12.4%) (+11.9%) (+10.1%) (+10.1%) (+5%) (+11.6%)

I N D E P E N D E N T

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

The Castleview Elementary chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society will hold an introduction and orientation event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 29, in the school cafeteria, 9131 Taborfield Ave., Orlando.

The meeting is open to families of third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students interested in learning about NEHS. Families transferring from a different chapter are invited to attend to learn about the Castleview chapter.

For more information, contact Michael Kelly, michael.kelly@ocps.net, or Sharilyn Johnson, sharilynjohnson@ocps.net.

Auction items needed for WHS Legacy Fund The Windermere High School Legacy Fund is accepting donations for a silent auction event. WHS Legacy Fund is accepting gift certificates, tickets, merchandise services and other similar items.

Donations can be brought to the WHS Legacy Fund meeting Thursday, Aug. 29, or other arrangements can be made by emailing Jen at whslegacyevents@gmail. com. Items must be donated by Oct. 1.

Sunset Park Spirit Night will be Sept. 5 The Sunset Park Elementary ParentTeacher Organization will host a Spirit Night event Thursday, Sept. 5, at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 6536 Old Brick Road, Suite 140, Windermere.

Participants must mention Sunset Park for credit. Parents should also mention their students’ teacher names.

The class with the most credits will win a party.

VANESSA KUNKEL

WINDERMERE ELEMENTARY Vanessa Kunkel is a talented second-grade teacher and was recently chosen as Windermere Elementary’s Teacher of the Year. Kunkel not only shares her knowledge with her students, she also shares her knowledge and expertise with colleagues, parents and community members. She serves as team leader for her grade level and facilitates Professional Learning Community meetings during common planning. Kunkel also serves on various committees on the campus and is a great supporter of parent organizations.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the cohesiveness of the school, parents and community.

We are truly a team working towards the same common goal of achieving excellence together.

here. The teachers and staff at Windermere Elementary School helped me rediscover my passion for teaching.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The kids! They are my “why.” I enjoy building relationships with my students and continuing them for years to come. They are “why” I am here.

What made you want to take on this job?

After taking an eight-year hiatus to raise my children, I decided to go back into the classroom because of the staff and families here at Windermere Elementary School. I volunteered regularly in my oldest son’s classrooms, and loved how I felt while I was

REPORT CARD ROLE: Second-grade teacher SCHOOL: Windermere Elementary School TIME AT THE SCHOOL: Nine years

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

My teammates and students. I owe it to each of them to show up each day prepared and ready to give them the best of myself.

What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you?

This is a tough one. I feel loved and appreciated every day. The big and small things lift you up.

Some days it might be something “big” like flowers for no reason at all and some days it’s the hug you didn’t know you needed from a co-worker or student.

What is your favorite movie?

“Mystic Pizza.” Released in 1988, it is a coming-of-age movie about the hopes and dreams of three best friends. Growing up in Winter Garden, which was a pretty small town in the ’80s, the movie really resonated with me.

What’s your favorite sports team to cheer for?

UCF Knights! My Alma Mater.

It’s been thrilling to watch the growth of the school and sports teams over the past 25 years.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

My family has one dog, Zoey, and two snakes! Having only boys means learning to appreciate creatures that I never would have considered pets before.

— HANNAH SWAYZE

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

School Board approves new threat-assessment policy DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With state statutes now requiring that school districts establish threatassessment teams, Orange County School Board members last week approved their policy in accordance with the mandate.

Referred to as “Board Policy JICK: Threats,” the policy’s adoption is a formality for Orange County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins told board members at the Aug. 20 School Board meeting that OCPS has had such teams in the past.

“This formalizes (it), and the board is required to adopt a policy, but we’ve had teams meeting at schools around troubled children in the past anyway — teachers, counselors, administrators — if a child is struggling, if there is a concern, it is not unheard of,” Jenkins said.

According to OCPS, all statements — written or non-written — as well as actions or gestures that threaten the safety of any person, OCPS school or facility will be taken seriously regardless of intent.

“All threats of harm to oneself or others shall be immediately reported to school administration and/or law enforcement, if applicable,” the policy states.

In accordance with Florida Statutes Section 1006.07, every school needs to establish a threat-assessment team.

OCPS documents state each team will include people with expertise in counseling, instruction, school

Courtesy photo

KeyWords Education Executive Director Fabiano Rodrigues, center, and his team are bringing a new after-school program to Sunset Park Elementary.

Emotion education KeyWords Education will be hosting its after-school program for emotional skills at Sunset Park Elementary School.

A new after-school program is picking up steam in West Orange County schools and intends to give children the emotional tools they need to succeed.

KeyWords Education recently partnered with Sunset Park Elementary for the 2019-20 school year, inviting students to take part in songs, discussions and roleplaying exercises that teach emotional and social skills.

Academic Coordinator Eric Faria, of KeyWords Education, said the program consists of five pillars: self awareness, self knowledge, empathy, responsible decision making, and social and emotional abilities — or how to actually handle emotions.

“It goes from joy to sadness to fear to disgust — we go through the whole process with them,” Faria said. “It’s very intuitive and, of course, age appropriate in a way that they can understand.”

The four-module program lasts 40 weeks for kindergarten students and 48 weeks for elementary students.

KeyWords Education stemmed from Chicago-based company Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning and is used in more than 600 public schools in the Chicago area. “(CASEL) saw the importance of not only teaching their public school students about English, mathemat-

WANT TO ENROLL?

Families can sign up their children for the program by visiting keywords education.com or by signing up at the school.

ics, science and history, but also in terms of making them emotionally intelligent,” Faria said. “They saw that there was a gap in terms of how the students related to each other and to the world around them.”

Central Florida is the first area in Florida to try the program — the area was chosen because of its growing, diverse population, Faria said.

Although KeyWords Education is only being hosted in Orange County as an after-school program, Faria said the hope is to someday have it integrated into the school curriculum.

“Our goal is that, eventually, they will see the value — the program speaks for itself,” he said.

KeyWords Education may not be a familiar name in the area yet, Faria said, but the company hopes to spread its name during the upcoming school year.

Faria said it is critical for children to learn about emotional skills during their developmental years.

“Our main goal is to really inspire kids so that they grown up to be better teenagers and, of course, better young adults,” Faria said.

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TIM FREED

administration, law enforcement and any other OCPS employee deemed necessary who can provide valuable input. This could be the dean, mentalhealth designee or a staffing specialist.

Each team will follow procedures and guidelines set by the district in accordance with state statutes. Teams will meet monthly or as often as necessary to ensure that students are appropriately assessed.

Other responsibilities of the threatassessment teams include the following: identifying members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported; consulting with law enforcement when a student exhibits patterns of behavior that could pose a threat to school safety; and reporting to the superintendent any student who poses a threat of violence or physical harm to his or herself or others.

During the meeting, Wendy Doromal, president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, expressed objection on behalf of the CTA to adopting the policy because this mandate is unfunded.

“School safety is paramount, and any teacher assigned to a schoolsafety committee deserves additional compensation for their crucial work keeping Orange County students safe,” Doromal said.

Jenkins acknowledged Doromal’s statement, adding that although additional state funding is not being provided, it is still important to ensure the safety of all students, staff and faculty.

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

OrangeObserver.com

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business TUESDAY NETWORKING GROUP Held every Tuesday from 8:00-9:00am at Village Inn in Winter Garden. Bonus Networking starts at 7:30am. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Bob Gentile (Bob@ NaturalSolutionsLLC.com).

WEDNESDAY NETWORKING GROUP Held the first and third Wednesdays of the month (except for holidays) from 8:00-9:00am at Fairfield

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, located at 4020 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 101, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.advancedderm.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Brookdale Senior Living Solutions in Ocoee with “We Noticed” Award

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently

recognized Brookdale Senior Living Solutions for the improvements made to their business, located at 80 N. Clarke Road, in Ocoee. To learn more, visit www.brookdale.com/communities/emeritus-ocoee/.

Inn Ocoee. In months with a fifth Wednesday, please visit wochamber. com for meeting location. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Pam Birdsong (pam@ proformaalbrecht.net).

THURSDAY NETWORKING GROUP Held the 2nd and 4th Thursday (visit wochamber.com for specific dates) from 8:00am - 9:00am at Dr. Phillips YMCA. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Marc Jablon (marc@ imaginethatpromo.com).

HORIZON WEST NETWORKING GROUP

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Cornerstone Hospice Care Center’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Cornerstone Hospice Care Center, located at 1300 Hempel Avenue, in Ocoee. To learn more, visit www.cshospice.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Office Depot OfficeMax with “We Noticed” Award

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently

recognized Office Depot OfficeMax for the improvements and opening of their Workonomy Hub at Dr. Phillips, located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd Bay Suite 158, in Orlando. To learn more, visit www.officedepot.com.

Held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 8:00a - 9:00a at Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion - Horizon West, 2nd Floor, Center for Health Improvement. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Tina Zernickow (tzernickow@ axiombanking.com).

For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Shepherd’s Hope’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Shepherd’s

Hope, located at 455 Ninth Street, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.shepherdshope.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Stratus Roofing’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Stratus

Roofing, located at 1081 9th Street, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.stratusroofing.com.

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Third-grader Mackenzie Page and her dad, Steve, cooled off with some Kona Ice.

Carlos, Susan and Ricky Castro each got something from a different food truck for dinner.

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After dinner, students enjoyed the playground, games and drawing with chalk.

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ThisOBSERVER week’s| Sudoku WEST ORANGE THURSDAY,answers AUGUST 29, 2019

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “If someone writes a nice review of my record, I feel like I should ... go over and clean their apartment.”

– Moby

AUG. 8, 2019

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

week’sCrossword Crossword answers ThisThis week’s answers

Puzzle Two Solution: “I love to dance ... but I’m not teachable.

I couldn’t learn ‘five, six, seven, eight’ if my life depended on it.”

– Sia

Come fly with me I think. ... It’s just something that

Puzzle Two Solution: happens in life, like autumn.”

“Melancholy is kind of sweet sometimes,–IBill think. ...

Murray It’s just something that happens in life, like autumn.”

– Bill Murray This week’s Sudoku answers

Three This Olympia High School week’s students recently completed Sudoku an aviation camp at the U.S. answers Space and Rocket Center.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

MANAGING EDITOR

This week’s Sudoku answers week’sCrossword Crossword answers ThisThis week’s answers 2019 ©2019 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle One Solution: “In this moment when the world is very scary, I feel like my role is to make people laugh really hard.”

– Judd Apatow

AUG. 15, 2019

“If I’m not ... working on something, I literally just Two Solution: sit in the roomPuzzle and think, which I don’t think is sometimes, productive.” “Melancholy is kind of sweet – Adam Driver

TIM FREED

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

AUG. 22, 2019

OrangeObserver.com

Puzzle Two Solution: “Paul McCartney ... married rock & roll to beauty, and forever raised the bar for composers, musicians and fans.”

– Alec Baldwin ©2019 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Sudoku answers week’sCrossword Crossword answers ThisThis week’s answers 2019

©2019 NEA, Inc.

week’sCrossword Crossword answers ThisThis week’s answers

AUG. 29, 2019

2019

2019

Puzzle One Solution: “A successful competition for me is For always three Olympia High and School going out there putting 100 This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers freshmen, their dreams of percent into whatever I’mflying doing.”

Puzzle One areSolution: just taking off.

– Simone Biles

“A successful competition me isKullich, always going Local teens for Brady Puzzle Two out there and putting 100Solution: percent intoRichwhatever I’m Logan Siemienas and Evan ©2019 NEA, Inc. “On court, I want to win. Off court, I doing.” manwant – Tennis SimoneisBiles recently Aviato week’s be acompleted better person.

This Crossword answersa tion Challenge Mach II at the Puzzle Two Solution: path to my future.”

Space andOff Rocket “On court,U.S. I want to win. court,Center to be a –I want Mariain Sharapova Huntsville, Alabama, sumbetter person.

Tennis is a path tothis my future.” mer. This week’s Sudoku – Maria Sharapova answers

This The weeklong program is designed for students interestweek’s ed in military aviation and the Sudoku mechanics of flight and teaches answers them through hands-on activities

and missions based on teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

Students had a chance to learn This Celebrity Cipher answers about theweek’s principles of aviation Puzzle Onesimulators Solution: and also through flight “If someone participated inwrites watera nice and review land of my record, I feel like I should ... go over and survival This week’straining.

Celebrity Cipher answers clean their apartment.”

– Moby 2019 Puzzle One “We Solution: did these simulations, “If someone writes a nice review offly mythose record, I feel such as a jet, so we got to Puzzle Two Solution: like I should ... go over and clean their apartment.” around every day, ” Brady said. ©2019 NEA, Inc. “I love to dance ... but I’m not“It teachable. had Iacouldn’t lot of buttons, so itsix, feltseven, really eight’ – Moby learn ‘five, if This week’s Crossword answers realistic.

That was probably Puzzle Two Solution: my life depended on it.” one of – Sia “I love to dance ... but I’m the highlights ofnot it.” teachable. I couldn’t learn ‘five, six, seven, my life depended on The threeeight’ teensifwanted to try it.” the aviation camp after doing a This week’s Sudoku answers– Sia Courtesy photo This space camp the previous summer at the U.S. Space and Rocket Olympia High students Logan Siemienas, Evan Richman and Brady Kullich week’s spent a week learning about the principles of flight and other skills.

Center.

Sudoku “It looked like it would be a fun answers experience,” Brady said. “Just going into it, it looked really fun even sleep in quarters designed to thing that would interest (Brady), to do — and it turned out it was.” resemble military bays. and they did Space Academy Students ventured out into “I just went there to get the feel before that and they loved that.

Thisareas week’s wooded onCelebrity what theyCipher calledanswers of it, because my dad wants me to “They’ve got pictures of people “patrols” — missions where they go into the Air Force, ” Logan said. and astronauts and different peoPuzzle One Solution: all had objectives andworld jobs is “This “Inspecific this moment when the very is pretty much probably as ple that work with the program or they had toCelebrity Brady said scary, I accomplish. feel like my role isanswers to make close as you can get to actually with the camp that were former This week’s Cipher 2019 one of the objectives was to find a how it would be.” people laugh really hard.” kid campers, and now they’ve Puzzle One Solution: –were Judd Apatow lost pilot, the campers Kellie Kullich, Brady’s mother, become either major astronauts or “In this moment whensothe world is very scary, I feel given papers with several already was familiar with the camp major high-up military pilots and like my role is Puzzle to make laughtasks reallytohard.”

Solution: ©2019 NEA,Two Inc.people complete — almost like a scaven— “Paul McCartney ... married rock & rollshe had completed the same engineers and rocket scientists,” – Judd Apatow This week’s Crossword answers ger hunt, he said. program when she was a child. she said. to beauty, and forever raised the bar for Puzzle Two Solution: composers, musicians andbeen fans.”

Aviation Challenge has For Evan, the camp might have “Paul McCartney ... married rock & roll to beauty,“I wanted them to do it — it – Alec Baldwin giving a glimpse of miliwas such an awesome experience been the start of a career path. and forever raisedyouth the bar for composers, musicians and aviation since when I did it all those years ago,” “Going into the camp I didn’t and fans.”tary training Alec Baldwin This week’s Sudoku– answers it was founded in 1990.

Students Kellie said.

“I knew it was somehave much of an interest, but after This I left I did start to get a little bit week’s interested,” Evan said. “I’d like to Sudoku “Going into the camp, I didn’t have much of an go into the Air Force and be a pilot. answers I think that would be pretty cool.” interest, but after I left, I did start to get a little bit Brady, Logan and Evan are considering joining the aviation camp interested. I’d like to go into the Air Force and be a again next summer for Mach III, which allows students to go down pilot. I think that would be pretty cool.” a zip line and use more advanced — Evan Richman simulators.

2019

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Senior Deaira Keaton, far right, had a lot of help Saturday as she painted her parking spot at Olympia High School.

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pot by spot, the parking lot at Olympia High School is becoming more colorful.

Seniors at Olympia High School set up shop to finish painting their assigned parking spots Saturday, Aug. 24, at the school.

Saturday was the second makeup day for students who missed the first or needed extra time to work on their paintings. Designs included multi-colored messages and television show and movie references.

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OBITUARIES

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

MARGUERITE C. KENNINGTON DIED AUG. 21, 2019.

Marguerite C. Kennington, 90, of Winter Garden, died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019.

She moved to Winter Garden when she was 3. She was an avid square dancer, Gators fan and a member of the Red Hat Society.

She was a retired supervisor with the Winter Garden Water Department. She also served as a driver for Meals on Wheels to Trailer City.

Her favorite place to walk the beach and collect shells was Bonita Springs, where she created many family vacation

memories.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Wade Kenington; her parents, Sam and Lizzie Jane Cannon; and her brother, L.J. Cannon.

Survivors include her son, Michael Kennington; daughter, Tammy Kennington, and her

son-in-law, David May; grandson, Nathan Kennington; cousin Gayle Mazar; nephew, Scott King, and his wife, Lori; niece, Kristy Hope, and her husband, Daniel Santiago; and her lifelong friend who was more of a sister to her, Laura Johnson.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at Calvary Baptist Church in Winter Garden, with interment following in Winter Garden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to Mike Conley Hospice House, 2100 Oakley Seaver Blvd., Clermont, FL 34711, or Calvary Baptist Church, 631 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787.

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REBA FRANCES BUTLER VARNADOE PASSED AWAY AUG. 20, 2019.

Reba Frances Butler Varnadoe passed away on Aug. 20, 2019, in Ocoee, Florida. She was 80 years old. She was born on May 29, 1939, in Cordele, Georgia.

She moved to Ocoee as a little girl in the 1940s and was a proud resident of West Orange County for the rest of her life.

During that time, she made countless lifelong friends and enjoyed all the area had to offer.

Reba grew up in Ocoee with her parents, Edwin D. and Lula Butler, along with her brother, Eddie, and sister, Marie. She worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for Tom West Incorporated almost all of her adult life. She was an active person who loved the outdoors, physical fitness and time gardening in her yard.

Reba had a heart of gold and was always there for a friend

in need. She loved her family dearly and treasured her time with her kids and grandchildren.

She was the loving mother of three children: Cheri Varnadoe (Greg Steffen), Steve Varnadoe (Pam) and Cindy Jenkins (Jimmy). She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Justin, Joshua, Kyler, Wade, Kirby, Brandon and Halie; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept.

7, at the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden.

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SPORTS

Logan Jerrells loves the game of golf and perfecting his technique at Windermere High School. Page 16.

HIGH

Troy’s

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5

Top 3

High-school sports are back, and here are the three things that I’m looking forward to in the 2019-20 school year.

It was a big weekend for the Windermere boys golf team Saturday, Aug. 24, as the Wolverines edged out Winter Park by three strokes to claim first place in the Wolverine Invitational at Orange County National – Panther Lake. On the links the Wolverines were led

by Cooper Tate’s secondplace finish (69, 71; 140 total), followed by Logan Jerrells, who finished tied for third place (72, 71; 143 total).

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It’s back. It’s finally back.

After what feels like an eternity of wandering through the desert, high-school sports are here to quench your thirst for high-level athletics.

As I type this column out, athletes from across six different sports (bowling, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, and girls volleyball) are back in their natural habitats — working on their techniques and getting game ready. And don’t forget the cheer teams, who are out practicing stunts and cheers for Friday nights.

For sports fans like myself, your humble narrator, this is one of the best times of the year, and it’s why I’m bringing you my top three things that I’m looking forward to in this new year of high-school athletics.

2

Orlando Tennis Academy’s Ekram Aouita had a tournament to remember Saturday, Aug. 24, as she won the USTA Level 8 Orange Ball Under 10 Singles Tournament that was held at the USTA National Campus. The win is made even more impressive by the fact that it was the first tournament Aouita had ever competed in.

3

The Windermere boys track and field team dominated the competition at the Jim Ryun Invitational at Lakeland Christian School Saturday, Aug. 24. The Wolverines’ first-place finish saw five runners finish in the top 15. Windermere was led by the third- and fourthplace finishes of Onix Ortiz (16:59.80) and Liam Pirie (17:03.80). Noah Siegel (17:18.00; sixth place), Noah Ellenback (17:35.10; 13th place) and Haile Buck (17:38.70; 14th place) all finished top-15.

4

In Windermere Prep’s tough 3-1 loss at the hands of Lake Nona in their season opener Thursday, Aug. 22, Julia Oliveira Bernardes still had a good showing as the senior picked up eight kills, three digs and two blocks for the Lakers (0-1).

5

In Olympia volleyball’s strong showing in its seasonopening 3-0 victory over Evans Thursday, Aug. 22, multiple Titans had impressive games. Emma McElveen recorded seven kills, 11 assists and three aces, while teammate Emma Colyer tacked on five kills, five aces and six assists for the Titans.

Troy Herring

drew me to golf in general,” said Leach, 17. “I’d use it as much as I could at first, and then once I really got into golf I started going to actual golf courses and practicing. If I couldn’t go to the golf course one day, I’d be back at the putting green practicing.”

Ten years have passed since then, and while many things come and go, the putting green still stands in his backyard and it remains a refuge for the now 17-year-old Olympia High senior.

It’s a place of comfort, and it’s the place where Leach perfected his short game.

In fact, thanks to his years and years of practice in the backyard, Leach’s entire approach to a hole SEE LEACH PAGE 16

SEE HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 16

Titan of swing From putting around in his backyard to leading the Olympia varsity golf team, Jonah Leach is ready for his final highschool season.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

S

tanding in his own backyard, a 7-year-old Jonah Leach lines up a shot that he has taken a million times before.

The putting green in the back was put in before he was even born, but he’s been studying it since he was old enough to walk and swing a golf club.

He knows the lay of the land and the best lines to take — regardless of the angle — and, with one swift motion, taps the ball in from a few feet away. It’s a simple moment, but significant in the fact that this is where Leach’s dreams of becoming a golfer began.

“I’ve always been on that putting green — that’s basically what

PASSION AND PAGEANTRY

This one is a twofer deal, because passion and pageantry are as interconnected as Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Without passion there is no pageantry, and let’s face it, pageantry is just as important as the game or match that’s taking place in front of us. It’s why we still shell out money and sit in the humid Florida heat.

The driving sounds of the marching bands playing their fight songs, and the elevating screams of joy — or pain — that funnel down to the court/field from an enraptured audience all makes for an atmosphere that you can’t get while sitting on your couch.

As a band nerd myself — saxophones for the win — watching the halftime shows is worth the price of admission alone, and for some players the band is a real highlight.

During the first few games I covered when I took over as the sports editor last October, I noticed just how impressive the marching bands are down here.

Growing up in rural North Carolina, the marching bands at most schools are small in number, but here it’s a totally different story. Once I started making the rounds of local schools, I got to

Jonah Leach has one last season to play at Olympia, before he heads to the University of Florida to play golf.

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SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Logan Jerrells Windermere High’s Logan Jerrells just got his golf season started and he’s already recorded a top-three finish, which happened at the Wolverine Invitational. When he’s not playing golf, Jerrells enjoys spending time with his friends and family when he gets the chance.

When did you first start playing golf?

I basically started when I was 9. Since I lived in Illinois, I only got to play six to seven months out of the year, and so we had a bunch of really crappy tournaments up there — there was not really any competition, because there aren’t many golfers in Illinois.

Once I moved down here, I started playing real golf tournaments when I was 13, so I consider that when I really started.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Windermere High School YEAR: Senior AGE: 17 SPORT: Golf DOMINANT HAND: Right

You and the Wolverines just won the Wolverine Invitational last week, and you finished tied for third. What was that like?

I was actually playing on the B Team, so the A Team won as a team. I played on the B Team, because I had the SAT, so I went straight from the SAT and I hit about five golf balls to warm up. I sprinted to the first tee, double bogeyed my first hole and birdied the last two to shoot one under the last day.

You moved to the Windermere area following your sophomore year in Jacksonville — what’s been your favorite part about playing at Windermere High?

I like how just everyone on the team is capable of shooting really good scores, so that kind of pushes everyone to do a little bit better.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given about golf?

You just have to stay out of your own way. I remember one time I had never broken par before in this instance, and I bogeyed my first three holes and I totally got in my own way — I shot 77 that day.

I had to do that six to seven more times where I was under par through a decent amount of holes and then just kind of choked it all away because I wasn’t used to it, and because I got scared of shooting over par.

Has there been a moment that stands out to you as it relates to playing at Windermere?

I’ve had a lot of pretty good rounds of playing for Windermere, but last year I did shoot a 63 — I shot 28 on the backnine at Panther Lake at Orange County National, and that was the first time I ever broke 66.

That was a good breaking point for me, especially to shoot 28 on nine holes.

What’s your favorite part about this game?

Probably just the process of getting better, because golf is an impossible game to perfect — no one is ever going to shoot 18 on 18 holes of golf. Anyone can obviously do better at any time — there’s been some incredible scores out there, but someone is eventually going to beat it, so that’s the goal.

— TROY HERRING

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Leach excels on the links CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

during a match or tournament comes down to putting. For him, it’s his best shot at scoring a low round.

“My mental approach toward every hole, especially during high-school season, is the best opportunity for birdie,” Leach said. “I figure out what places — where you want to be off the tee and where you want to be on the green — that I need to be in order for myself to make birdie, and ultimately it comes down to the putt. That mental attitude has helped me shoot low scores and it definitely shows in the results.”

Though his putting has long been a consistent — and favorite — tool of his throughout his young golfing career, a lot has changed since he first started playing competitively at age 7.

It’s one thing to repetitively swing a club around on a putting green, but it’s a totally different beast when you start playing on actual courses that require both technique and patience.

For Leach, it was a lot to take in at the very beginning.

In his first tournament, which was held in Orlando, Leach remembers just how drastic a difference it truly was.

“I didn’t know what to expect at all, and I didn’t play too good actually, but I played well enough to where it made me want to go out and play more tournaments,” Leach said.

“That was actually the biggest thing — I didn’t play so bad where I wanted to stop.”

A LEARNING PROCESS

Between the ages of 7 and 13, Leach went through around five coaches before coming into contact with coach Brian

Lombard — who now teaches at Ballantyne Golf Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was Lombard who really made a difference for Leach.

“I really didn’t understand anything, and that was the biggest difficulty for me — I just didn’t understand the swing and how the game worked,” Leach said. “He’s helped me change my game from bad to good, basically.”

While it took some time for him to adjust to more competitive levels, it took even longer to truly develop the weakest part of his game: driving off the tee.

It’s not unusual for a young player’s long game to be a point of weakness, as driving the ball comes easier as a player gets bigger and stronger, but for Leach it felt as though it took longer.

Leach will tell you that, before arriving at Olympia, he was always an undersized kid — shorter than average for his grade. It was a difficult thing for Leach, but luckily things have dramatically changed since he first arrived at Olympia and, started playing for the Titans varsity golf team.

“Just recently over the past three years, I’ve been growing and my long game has gotten a ton better since I’ve had distance and I’m now able to have shorter clubs in the greens,” Leach said. “So that elevated my game a ton.”

Once Leach started really developing his long game into something positive, he was set.

Next thing he knew, he was winning tournaments left and right, before shooting a 63 and winning the metro last year and making states for the first time.

Over the two-day tournament, Leach shot a 75 and 72 to finish

in sixth place overall.

Along with his success at the high-school level, Leach also has performed impressively among the organizations he competes in outside of Olympia — including numerous topthree and top-10 finishes in the AJGA and Florida Junior Tour.

The success that Leach had been rapidly building up since he first started competing didn’t go unnoticed by college coaches around the Southeast.

Back during his freshman year, Leach had taken visits to a few different schools — like Auburn, Clemson and Virginia — and it was Auburn where he initially thought he’d end up, but something changed his sophomore year.

During that second year in high school, University of Florida golf coach J.C. Deacon approached Leach during a tournament about playing at UF — a spot had just opened up and he wanted Leach to come on board.

“When I found that out it was a no-brainer for me, because I’ve always wanted to go there — I’ve always seen Florida as a really good school to go to,” said Leach, who was 15 when he committed to Florida. “It was almost like a dream come true when I heard there was a spot open.”

Though he’ll be taking to the greens for the Gators golf team in the very near future, the reality of his situation is still hard to truly grasp, Leach said.

“It’s only in the first two weeks of senior (year), but probably by the end of high-school season it will sink in,” Leach said. “Right now it seems like I still have a lot of time, but I know it’ll come up quick. But I’m super excited about college — I can’t wait.”

High-school sports return CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

hear the bands at other schools in our coverage area, such as Dr. Phillips and Olympia, and was blown away.

So if you make it out to a game, stop for a few minutes and take everything in — the bands, the atmosphere, everything.

A COMMUNITY GET-TOGETHER

As many who have followed my writing know, before I arrived at the West Orange Times & Observer and West Orange Observer, I was the associate editor at the Winter Park/Maitland Observer.

Now, there’s a lot of differences on that side of town compared to here, but there has been one thing that truly stands out to me: the sports community of West Orange is on another level.

The folks I’ve met in the Dr. Phillips, Windermere and Orlando areas truly love their schools with a fanaticism that clearly shows. School logos are plastered across the walls of local businesses, cars fly the colors of schools, and just about anywhere you go you’ll hear people chatting about the upcoming game.

Communities are built on a shared identity, so it makes

sense that the local school would become a place of community pride for people. And while I myself am not from the area, simply being around covering schools makes me feel like I’m a part of the community.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked around the football fields or basketball courts of the schools here, shaking hands and chatting with folks as if I’ve always been a part of the community.

Honestly, it’s the community aspect — the chats on the sidelines and in the stands — that I’m looking forward to the most, and I know I’m not alone in that.

RIVALRIES: GOOD, CLEAN, OLD-FASHIONED ‘HATE’

If there’s one thing that defines the upcoming high-school sports season, it’s the yearly renewal of rivalries.

Unlike higher pantheons of athletic play, at the highschool level the studentathletes face off against best friends they grew up with — and bragging rights are on the line. Who doesn’t want to be able to dangle a win over a friend?

And the area has rivalries aplenty, with the biggest of which being the newest of the bunch. When Windermere

High arrived on the scene and cut into West Orange High’s territory back in 2017, a rivalry was immediately born.

Players who once donned the orange and blue now wear the lime green and blue at Windermere, and that upset folks in the West Orange community.

It’s unfortunate that Windermere won’t be facing off against the Warriors this football season, but the rivalry in volleyball will be just as big, as former WOHS volleyball coach Roberto Santasofia left abruptly and went to Windermere to continue coaching. He also was joined by former Warriors star player Taylor Head. Also, keep an eye out for that DP/Windermere game, as DP head coach Emily Loftus — who once played under Santasofia — will look to beat her old coach in her first year.

While the “Backyard Bowl” between Olympia and West Orange already has been decided — in dominating fashion by the Warriors — rivalries will continue to unfold in various fields of play. And you can be sure that sweat will be poured in the name of bragging rights — both by players on the field, and by the fans in the stands looking for a win to brag about back in the office.

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

Foundation falls 26-21 in seesaw battle against Cambridge Christian

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

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WEEK PREVIEW

PREP FOOTBALL RECAP

n DR. PHILLIPS (0-1) AT TIMBER CREEK (1-0) Dr. Phillips being matched up with Seminole in the first week of the season was a tough draw — there is no doubt about that. Outside of two touchdown passes by Isaiah Givens — who was among three quarterbacks to play for DP — the Panthers (0-1) couldn’t keep up with the Seminoles. In week two, the Panthers will take on Timber Creek, a team they beat last year 25-7. The Panthers’ defense will look to shutdown junior running back Adrian Florez, who last week ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Chris Mayer

CHRIS MAYER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

W

OTHER WEEK ONE SCORES n Dr. Phillips 13, Seminole 35 n West Oaks Academy 6, The First Academy 28 n Windermere Prep 0, NV-Demarest (Demarest, New Jersey) 16

n OCOEE (1-0) AT OLYMPIA (0-1) Ocoee (1-0) and Olympia (0-1) are coming off of polar-opposite starts to their respective seasons. The Knights dominated Oak Ridge 37-6, while the Titans fell at the hands of West Orange by a score of 34-6.

In their game against Oak Ridge, the Knights saw multi-touchdown nights from quarterback Nick Wright and running back Dexter Rentz Jr., while the defense smothered the Pioneers’ offense — which only managed to get a touchdown following an interception that set them up deep in Ocoee territory. With that in mind, the Knights will look to keep that strong offense and defense going in order to go 2-0 into a tough home matchup against Lake Nona next week.

Troy Herring

The Lancers would respond with a 3-yard touchdown run by Williamson with 7:06 remaining, and it proved to be the difference against Foundation. The score capped a 55-yard drive – which featured a 41-yard completion to Preston Snider, as well as Ronald White’s 4th-and-1 conversion at the 4-yard line – but a second consecutive missed extra point by the Lancers kept the score 26-21.

After making a fourth-down stop with under two minutes left, Foundation reached the Cambridge Christian 26-yard line on its final drive. Austad tried to find wide receiver Seth Daniels on a fourth-and-10 play, but Noah Froelich intercepted the pass at the 5-yard line with six seconds to go.

Now Foundation will face a tough stretch, as the Lions travel to St. Petersburg (Week Two vs. St. Pete Catholic on Aug. 30) before heading to Bradenton (Week Three vs.

Bradenton Christian on Sept. 6).

OLYMPIA STRUGGLES IN 34-6 LOSS IN SEASON OPENER AT WEST ORANGE

Going into its game against West Orange (1-0), Olympia knew it would be a challenge. Nevertheless the Titans (0-1) were out to prove themselves — unfortunately it didn’t happen.

In the “Backyard Bowl,” the Warriors came out on top 34-6 in a game that got out of hand quickly for the Titans.

West Orange QB Julian Calvez continued his scoring streak with three (two rushing, one passing)

touchdowns on Friday night. He scored his first just minutes into the game. From that first quarter — which saw the Warriors put up 21 points — things were hard for the Titans, but there were bright spots here and there.

Titans kicker Colby Kintner knocked in his first field goal from 21 yards out following a Titans interception of West Orange backup QB Taylor Huff. Kintner would go 2-for-3 with FGs of 21 and 47 yards — his lone miss came from 27 yards out with 52.6 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Titans will look to rebound against a confident Ocoee (1-0) team that lit up the scoreboard for a 37-6 victory over Oak Ridge last week. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30.

WINDERMERE BLANKS CYPRESS CREEK IN 29-0 WIN

For the first time in their threeyear history, the Wolverines (1-0) did something they had never done before: win their opening game.

With its 29-0 thumping of Cypress Creek (0-1), Windermere got off to a great start, as right out of the gate the Wolverines found themselves up 15 at the half. In the second half, the Wolverines would add on touchdowns to give themselves the 29-0 victory.

The win was redemption for the Wolverines, who opened up last season with a close 30-27 loss against the Bears in a rally that fell just short.

Next up is a home matchup against Freedom (0-1) Friday, Aug. 30.

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Junior cornerback Miles Benjamin got his defense pumped up during the game.

ONLINE

hen long road trips are on the schedule, there tends to be added emphasis on winning at home.

Such was the case for Foundation Academy’s football team as the Lions (0-1) looked to kick off the 2019 regular season Friday, Aug. 23, with a win over visiting Cambridge Christian (Tampa). But the result was a hard-luck 26-21 loss to the Lancers.

Foundation took a 7-0 lead at the 4:30 mark of the opening quarter when quarterback Henry Austad and Danny Stutsman teamed up for a red-zone touchdown pass.

Mykal Chan added the extra point, but Cambridge Christian (1-0) knotted the score with 10 seconds left in the period as Chris Stephenson tossed a 10-yard TD pass to Preston Snider out of a Wildcat formation and James Porter kicked the point after.

Cambridge Christian quarterback Titan Williamson passed 55 yards to Gavin Martinez for a touchdown early in the second quarter, as Cambridge Christian pulled ahead 14-7. The Lions answered with an impressive scoring drive – capped by Charles Vickers’ 5-yard run at the 4:35 mark – and the two teams went to halftime tied at 14-all.

After the half, Martinez hauled in a 48-yard touchdown reception (after breaking a couple tackles along the Cambridge Christian sideline) to give the Lancers a 20-14 lead with 35 seconds left in the third quarter.

Foundation responded with a 70-yard touchdown drive fueled

by Austad’s 20-yard completion to Stutsman and three Cambridge Christian penalties. Austad scrambled out of the pocket and dove into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown, and Chan’s subsequent extra point gave the Lions a 21-20 advantage with 10:59 remaining.

n FOUNDATION ACADEMY (0-1) AT ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC (1-0) The Lions (0-1) face a tough twoweek road stretch starting this week in their game against St. Petersburg Catholic (1-0). The Barons finished the 2018-19 season with a modest record of 6-4. Foundation had no issues in away games last year, as the Lions went 4-0 — with one win by forfeiture. Foundation has the talent on both sides of the ball — including go-to players like quarterback Henry Austad and outside linebacker/defensive end Bryan Thomas — that should help lead the Lions to their first win of the season.

n DISCOVERY (0-0) AT THE FIRST ACADEMY (1-0) Coming off its 28-6 win over West Oaks Academy, TFA is doing what it always does: win. The Royals (1-0) will take on Discovery (0-0) next.

The Spartans are only in their third year as a program — last year the Spartans finished 4-6 — so don’t be surprised if the Royals come out on top with a lopsided win. n FREEDOM (0-1) AT WINDERMERE (1-0) After its 29-0 victory over Cypress Creek, things are feeling good in the Windermere camp. Just like in last week’s game, the Wolverines (1-0) get a matchup with another program in Freedom (0-1) that finished under .500 last season — offering the Wolverines an opportunity to put together the first win streak in program history. n WINDERMERE PREP (0-1) AT FAITH CHRISTIAN (1-0) The Lakers (0-1) find themselves in rather unfamiliar waters to start the season, as they fell in a 16-0 loss to NV-Demarest (New Jersey) to open up the season. The Lakers will need to shutdown quarterback Josiah Sarasty, who leads the offense for the Lions.

18

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

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Puzzle Two Clue: S equals K

©2019 Universal Uclick

56 Heretofore 57 Agatha Christie or Patricia Cornwell 58 Marten with dark fur 59 Island instrument, informally 60 Acapulco aunt 61 Islamic decree 62 Rosebush pests 63 Like a butcher going vegan 68 Judge’s field 70 Songs, in Stuttgart 71 555, to Octavia DOWN 72 Stocky 1 Loud precipitation 73 Derisive cries 2 Zits and the like 76 “___ ‘em!” (attack dog 3 Piece of facial jewelry command) 4 Bonanza find 79 Business card abbr. near 5 CEO’s magazine ext.

6 2005 Best Foreign Language Film set in South 82 Sexist, say 83 Morlock munchies Africa 84 Thick-skinned safari beast 7 Abounding 85 Former Deputy Attorney 8 Queen of the hill General Sally 9 So-so 10 Connect to, as the internet 86 Make a counterargument 90 Close call 11 In ___ land 91 Dowd of “The Handmaid’s 12 Pride member Tale” 13 The “A” of MOMA 92 Physique, informally 14 Santa laugh syllables 94 ‘60s actress Sharon 15 All set 96 Enter your password 16 Cornell and Columbia 98 ___ as directed 17 Yemen’s capital 18 Sweepstakes submission 100 Noon 101 Relishes 24 Help yourself to 102 Boxcar riders 25 Barely beats 103 Remove from office 31 Principal, for a school 55 Hindu hero 87 Score after deuce 33 “Music for Airports” musi- 104 Good point?

105 River by the Louvre 57 Cowardly B-team? (think 88 Like an abandoned case cian Brian 106 Hallmark purchases “Which came first?”)

89 Annoyance 34 Online currency 110 When temperatures start 61 C-worthy 90 Apprehend 35 “___ chance!” to drop 64 Title for a baronet 93 Dundee denizen 36 Former diplomat Kofi 111 “Nothing’s broken” 65 Alias letters 95 Boot tip 37 Milk-Bone biscuit, e.g.

112 A Latin teacher may 66 Punctual 96 Miller ___ 38 Tour grp. wear one 67 First 30-day month 97 Good, in Guadalajara 39 Stimpy’s canine pal 114 Digging, so to speak 69 Expensive Buddha statue 99 Milestone for a spooky 40 Hall-of-Fame knuckle115 Resting upon feature? (think alchemy) fiction genre? (think Stoker) baller Phil 118 1969 Peace Prize grp.

74 Decrease 104 Spartan 41 Of the Cherokee or Cree 119 Give a name 75 Tank engine of kiddie lit 107 Grps. such as Amnesty 42 Droning sounds 120 Way to sway 77 Feeling less than 100% International 47 Rich cake 121 Bottom-of-letter abbr.

78 Horse’s morsel 108 Exterior 48 Refines 4-Down 122 Lead role in “Star Wars: 80 A deadly sin 109 Used packing tape 51 ___ Master’s Voice The Rise of Skywalker” 81 Bacchus’ motto? (think 110 Pacific island nation 52 Juul, e.g. biblical miracle) 112 Atlanta-based channel 54 Cambridge sch.

113 Soccer legend Hamm 116 Voice on some phones 117 Cleat mark on the infield? (think graphite) 123 Puts the kibosh on 124 Mixture such as pewter 125 Egg (on) 126 Basil-based blend 127 Quiz’s bigger relative 128 What egg-white omelets lack 129 Drag queens’ wraps 130 Network admin

Puzzle One Clue: D equals C

by PAUL COULTER; CROSSWORD METAMORPHOSIS Edited by David Steinberg

©2019 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2019 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

8-29-19

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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