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‘Downton Abbey’ inspires Legacy Fund gala. SEE 6.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Panthers pass first playoff test Dr. Phillips High School opened postseason play with a 28-7 victory over Lennard Friday, Nov. 8. SEE PAGE 20.

Preschool celebrates six decades Windermere Union Preschool is celebrating 60 years of instilling the love of learning in its young students. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Families can’t seem to leave Windermere Union Church Preschool. As the program at Windermere Union Church celebrates 60 years of teaching and loving on children prior to elementary school, many families are celebrating their second generation of students to attend the school. “I think one of the most important things that makes WUCP so special is that 85%

COME ONE, COME ALL The Venardos Circus, ‘The Little Circus That Could,’ will offer its unique brand of family fun through Nov. 24 in Hamlin. SEE PAGE 4.

SEE WUCP PAGE 2

YOUR TOWN ORLANDO HEALTH CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

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Troy Herring

Aerialist Laura Gwendolyn Burch soars over audiences on silk and single-point dance trapeze as part of the Venardos Circus.

Rosser Reserve’s name could change Owners of the Windermere property are hoping to see the community renamed Lake Down Reserve. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

One of Windermere’s most prominent vacant properties could be in for a name change — ushering in a new planned subdivision. The Windermere Town Council conducted a first reading during its Tuesday, Nov. 12, meeting on a name change of the Rosser Reserve property, located off Conroy Windermere Road.

If the ordinance is approved on second reading Dec. 18, the property would be known as Lake Down Reserve, and Rosser Reserve Lane would be renamed as Down Reserve Court. “I think (the owners) want to get the stigma away from Rosser Reserve and own it themselves,” Town Manager Robert Smith said. “It’s a branding thing — they want to take away the old SEE A NEW PAGE 2

IN FOCUS

The community is invited to help Orlando Health celebrate its anniversary in Horizon West. The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion, 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden. The event will include free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings; refreshments and giveaways; free bounce houses, yard games, face painting, a balloon character artist and more. Children can take their favorite doll or stuffed friend to the “ouchie” station for a checkup from the ER staff. For information, call (321) 8HEALTH.

SUGAR RUSH! Matthew’s Hope annual Garden Party is a sweet success. SEE PAGES 10-11.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

WUCP commemorates anniversary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of my staff members’ children attended WUCP before they began working here,” Director Kim Collins said. “They fell in love with the preschool, first as a parent and now as a teacher. We have a very low staff turnover. I’ve had teachers retire after serving for 30, 26 and 20 years of service. I currently have staff members with 20-plus years of service.” Collins signed on as director after her youngest daughter, Tiffany, spent one year there. “It only took one year of having a child attend WUCP for me to see and experience what a special preschool it was,” Collins said. “I became the director in September 2002.” Nearly 18 years later, she still is serving in that position. “I’ve stayed for so long because WUCP is my family,” she said. “The staff and the children and families I have been fortunate enough to serve for 18 years. I love seeing the accomplishments the preschool children have after leaving WUCP.” Collins has no plans to leave; she said her work at the preschool isn’t done. “We are able to serve even more children in our still-growing community and provide them with an important well-rounded education before entering kindergarten. We focus on the child as a whole and work on developing them physically, emotionally, spiritually and academically.” Sixta Lawrence’s three sons, now in their 20s, attended WUCP.

Courtesy photo

An undated scrapbook photo shows the kindergarten graduates of one of the earliest classes in Windermere Union Church’s early-education program. Bottom row, Eve Whitmer, left, John Spears, Cindy Terry, Bill Hayes, Amy Whitmer; second row, Kathy Pickens, Karn Skjersaa, Bryon Fischer, Greg Wilson; third row, John Cooper, Maureen Loth, Ben Taylor; fourth row, Nancy Stowe, Bruce Alderman, Claudia Adkins; and top row, Lance Huber, Jim Winters, Kevin Ferm and Jay Lake.

She has served as chair of the advisory board and is a past board member. She said she got involved in the preschool when her sons attended but she stayed with the school long after the boys left. “It has such amazing history and such dedication to children,” Lawrence said. Three generations of Bonny Elder’s family have called the preschool home. Her mother, Marilyn Potz, taught at WUCP from 1976 to 1978 when it was located in downtown Windermere. Elder attended those two years, too. And Elder’s own children, Eva,

11, and Jack, 9, have been students at the school, both at its former location and the current off Park Ridge Gotha Road. “(WUCP) is just such an amazing Christian-based school that’s small and has amazing teachers with a mission to educate kids and get them ready for life, even at such a young age,” Elder said. “They just work wonders with the kids. A very safe place. ... A lot of history.” PRESCHOOL HISTORY

WUCP was started in 1959 by the Young Matrons Class to fill a community need for kindergarten at a

time when public school education began in first grade. This was when the church was located on Oakdale Street. The last year on Oakdale was 2005, when the school had four classrooms, 96 students and 13 staff members. Forty-seven years after the school started, it moved with the church from downtown Windermere to the current location on Park Ridge Gotha Road, where the school has its own, much larger, space: six classrooms for 133 students and 18 staff members. A program for 2-and-a-half-yearolds was added, followed by one for 2-year-olds. Accreditation with the Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Association allowed the school to drop its Department of Children and Families licensing. In 2008, another classroom addition allowed for an enrollment of 185 and a staff of 22. In 2009, the preschool obtained National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, which allowed the school to add a VPK program. More classrooms and programs were added, and by this time, enrollment had risen even more. By 2017, WUCP employed 24 staff members and taught 214 students. After-school and specialty programs were added, and five to six weeks of summer camps were offered. Last year, the school broke ground on another new building, which will give WUCP a chance to expand even further, to 248 students and up to 30 staff members.

A new name? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

stigma and put on a new face to that development.” The property has hit several roadblocks in recent years. 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. That eventually led to the pieces of the property being auctioned off. The majority of Rosser Reserve 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 was owned by a separate party. Lots 3 and 4 — two of the four available lakefront lots — were purchased for $1.5 million, while lakefront lot 1 and interior lots 6 through 10 were purchased for $1.8 million. Lakefront lot 2 was purchased for $690,000. The total contract price — including the buyer’s premium — for all the lots was $4.38 million.

Orlando Health’s Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion has been serving the Horizon West community for a year. To thank the community for your warm welcome, we’re hosting a celebration and we hope you’ll join us!

November 16, 2019 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion – Horizon West 17000 Porter Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787 (Corner of Porter Road and Avalon Road)

Join us for:

• Free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings

• Free bounce houses, yard games, face painting, balloon character artist and more! • Complimentary refreshments and giveaways • Kids, bring your favorite doll or stuffed friend to the “ouchie” station for a checkup from our ER staff. Kids receive a special-edition stuffed friend (while supplies last) 321015-1

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Lake Sherwood OPC pastor retires after 48 years

PALATE

PLEASER H

undreds of members of the community made their way to Hamlin Saturday, Nov. 9, for the inaugural Flavor Fest of Horizon West. The event was held at the field by Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas and was organized by Horizon West Happenings. Fest-goers mingled with dozens of vendors from local businesses, sampled a smorgasbord of food and enjoyed performances from an array of acts.

Eric Gutierrez

The Rev. Dr. Larry Mininger has served as a leader, mentor and teacher at Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church, in West Orlando.

The Rev. Dr. Larry Mininger may have retired, but his work serving Christ isn’t finished. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Kelly Kennedy mesmerized fest-goers as she danced atop a sway pole.

Magician Michael Matson captivated Maxwell Gomez with a few tricks up his sleeve. Above: Even Santa made an appearance at the Flavor Fest to ask children what they wanted for Christmas. Right: Acrobat Zach Miller, of We Flip, rolled around in an LED cyr wheel during his performance.

The ladies of Fretless Rock kept the music going as the headlining act. From left: Michelle Jones, Jessica Peña, Madison Harding and Lexy Parsons.

When the Rev. Dr. Larry Mininger first arrived to Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church, it was surrounded by — as he described it — a jungle. “There was no road leading to it at all — it was between orange groves,” Mininger said of the land around the church. “There was a dirt road leading up this pathway to this plot of land. … There were no pews (in the church). There was no air conditioning, and I said, ‘We’re going to the jungle.’ “Balboa Drive was built while I was here,” he added. “In fact, we had sort of a contest — a prayer contest — to see whether the Lord would help the east side of Balboa to be paved, or the west side. The west side team won. It got paved first, but it took a long time.” It was Aug. 1, 1971, when he first arrived. He would then go on to dedicating the next 48 years of his life ministering at Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In that time, he’s served in myriad roles such as a Sunday school teacher, youth and vacation Bible school director and choir member. He’s also officiated countless weddings, baptisms, leadership trainings, neighborhood outreach efforts, ordinations and funerals. Under his ministry, the church also planted daughter churches in St. Cloud and Oviedo. After many years of serving the church and his flock faithfully, and with so many accomplishments under his belt, Mininger retired from his role as pastor on this year’s anniversary of his initial arrival to the church — making this chapter of his life come full circle. He’s been designated as Pastor Emeritus of Lake Sherwood Orthodox Prebyterian Church. “My main focus is to preach the Bible — making it clear to people and then try to love God’s people and encourage them through the scriptures,” Mininger said. “I’ve had a lot of weddings and a lot of funerals in my day.” Originally from Souderton, Pennsylvania, Mininger, 75, now calls the city of Ocoee his home. He grew up in a strong Christian community and felt an inner calling to serve God when he was a teenager. “I was raised in a good, Biblebelieving church, so I learned about the Bible quite a bit when I was a kid,” Mininger said. “I went to a Bible camp … (and) I prayed to the Lord in my camp bunkhouse

… and it right away came to me as I finished praying that I was also called to ministry. It was an inner feeling. In the practice (to be) a pastor, we call that an ‘inner call.’” Mininger’s educational pursuits followed his faith. His degrees include a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bob Jones University, a master’s degree in theology and a master’s degree of divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as a doctorate degree of ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary. But he wasn’t just a student and a preacher of the gospel — he’s also been a longtime teacher and mentor to many others in their walk of faith. Over the years, Mininger has influenced many seminary students, interns and associate pastors. Those individuals now minister in other Orthodox Presbyterian churches, in the Presbyterian Church in America and in other denominations. In addition to being a mentor, Mininger served as an adjunct professor of practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He’s also dedicated 30 years of leadership to the Southland Student Conference, serving as the organization’s director of the middle school Bible camp in the Gainesville area. “I (also) preached monthly at the Rescue Mission in downtown (Orlando),” he said of the other ways he’s served the community through Christ. “Our church has been a prayer supporter. One of our elders is on the board of the Rescue Mission. I went down — I think for 20 years — once a month to preach to the Rescue Mission … which involves people (living) on the streets. Some of them are kind of staying with the Rescue Mission ministry to get help; some are just in and out.” Mininger also has served the Orthodox Presbyterian Church at the national level. He was elected as moderator of the 66th General Assembly of the church, and on two separate occasions he’s represented the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as a Fraternal Delegate to the Presbyterian Church in America’s General Assembly. Although his time leading Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church is at an end, his life of serving God is far from over. He continues to foster the minds of future Christian leaders and other servants of God through his role as part-time campus pastor at Reformation Bible College in Sanford.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Living the dream TIM FREED

MANAGING EDITOR

nder a red and white striped tent in an open field, an escape awaits in Hamlin. It’s a place where the extraordinary is on display and celebrated. A diverse group of performers has arrived — and have they got a show for you. Venardos Circus is back in Hamlin for a series of shows through Sunday, Nov. 24. It’s one of the final stops in a nationwide tour that has taken the performers from West Sacramento, California, and Tempe, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, and Louisville, Kentucky. Since the circus was in Hamlin last year, the traveling group has performed in 45 weeks under the watch of Ringmaster Kevin Venardos. “In my wildest imaginings, I did not think that was possible,” he said. Venardos, who had previously performed as a ringmaster with the Ringling Bros. Circus for five years, always dreamed of running his own circus. In 2014, that dream became a reality, when the Venardos Circus held its first performance at the Los Angeles County Fair. Venardos said it’s his goal to deliver new surprises and a new show every year when returning to a city, and this year’s performance in Hamlin will be no exception. “That means new music, new acts or reinventing of things you’ve seen before in such a way that it takes on a new quality,” Venardos said. “There are some familiar faces, but really for us, it’s been another huge step forward — the show that we’re going to present this go-around — from what we were able to do last time.” The performance also is a circus-meets-Broadway-musical, Venardos said. “The show itself this year is the story of the little circus that could — that’s what the show is,” he said. “We impart by the end — it is my intention to — a message of inclusivity, a message of diversity and also one of community. ... It’s the things that make you different that make you special and uniquely positioned to change the world for the better.”

The Venardos Circus has returned to Hamlin and is performing shows through Sunday, Nov. 24.

Aerialist Laura Gwendolyn Burch soars over audiences on silk and single-point dance trapeze.

THE FAMILY THAT PERFORMS TOGETHER

The Venardos Circus is an event for the whole family — just ask the Stoica family. Among the circus’ returning cast from last year, husband and wife Leonard and Antoaneta Stoica — along with their 7-year-old daughter, Aissa Maria Stoica — perform an exciting gymnastics routine on a spring board. The family has been traveling with the Venardos Circus for just more than a year. Originally from Romania, the Stoicas arrived in the United States with the Shrine Circus in 2015 — the same year that Leonard Stoica had heard about Venardos’ project to start a circus. The circus community is tightknit, Leonard Stoica said, and eventually, the family took a leap of faith to join Venardos. “It was a risk for us to come here, because we normally go where it’s something stable and already has roots,” Leonard Stoica said. “We kind of gambled — us and him together — but at the end, it was a good bet.”

Sofia Petrov performs in the air during her act, while her brother and mother perform together as jugglers. Photos by Troy Herring

Juggler Vicky Zsilak is a third-generation circus performer.

Leonard Stoica’s circus journey began at age 15, when he saw gymnastics at the circus. While his friends started playing more common sports, Leonard Stoica chose to learn gymnastics. Antoaneta Stoica has been performing gymnastics since she was 5 and has performed in circuses since age 12 in Romania. She met Leonard Stoica in 2005. With their daughter, Aissa Maria Stoica, the circus is an opportunity to give her the experience of performing in front of an audience. Leonard and Antoaneta will

support her with whatever she decides to do when she’s older, but it’s something she can learn from regardless, Leonard Stoica said. “It’s good that we started her small to perform, to engage with people and not be shy,” he said. Leonard and Antoaneta Stoica also perform a dangerous stunt with loaded crossbows, where Leonard Stoica demonstrates his accuracy by shooting balloons near his wife’s head — at one point with his back turned while using a mirror. The fact that the Venardos Cir-

cus is inside a small, intimate tent that only seats a few hundred people makes it even more exciting. “Everybody is so close that you can feel them — whether they like it or not and all of the emotion that they give you,” Antoaneta Stoica said. MAGIC IN THE AIR

Laura Gwendolyn Burch always finishes her act on a high note — 23 feet high in the air. The aerialist learned her craft later in life at age 28, but that hasn’t stopped her from soaring to new heights and impressing audiences. Burch was first inspired to learn

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Leonard and Antoaneta Stoica perform a dangerous act involving crossbows and balloons.

IF YOU GO VENARDOS CIRCUS WHEN 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 4 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 24 WHERE: 16045 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden WEBSITE: venardoscircus. com

the art form after seeing a show in Las Vegas about 10 years ago, she traveled to Bellingham, Washington, and joined a circus collective to learn techniques. It’s been an ongoing learning and growing process ever since. “If you ever see a good aerialist, they spent a lot of time being really bad,” Burch said with a laugh. Burch’s acts use silk and singlepoint dance trapeze — a rope that is connected to one point and allows the aerialist to spin or orbit in a circular motion. Performing in a small tent presents its challenges. The encroaching weather from the outside also plays a factor in the show. “With silk, specifically, it doesn’t always do what you tell it to,” she said. “There are days where you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s new,’ and you troubleshoot around it. We’re not in a controlled environment, like if I was in a theater. Heat, humidity, cold — all of those things affect the way that the silk reacts to me. … You have to be really present.” Despite those challenges, Burch has loved being a part of the intimate setting under the small tent. “Oftentimes, I perform in theaters or in a space where I’m really far removed from the audience,” Burch said. “In here, you can see everybody, which is great. As an aerialist, you don’t normally get that proximity to an audience.”

the pursuit of excellence and keeping audiences excited is a continuous journey. “All my life I’ve been juggling — my first teacher is my dad,” Zsilak said. The third-generation juggler, originally from Hungary, continued to learn how to toss objects into the air in impressive sequence at the Hungarian State Circus School. At age 24, she arrived in the United States in 1995 with her parents as a juggling trio with the Circus Vargas, performing there for a few years while traveling throughout California. She returned to the United States once more in 1998 to perform with the Ringling Bros. Circus and spent almost 20 years there until it closed. The life of traveling with a circus and hopping from city to city

Juggling son-mother duo Richard Zsilak and Vicky Zsilak perform together in the show.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

has become familiar over the years, Zsilak said. “I love it, and I’ve been raised in it, so this is what I know,” Zsilak said. “Actually, for me to stay in one place gets really boring and hard — I’m so used to traveling all the time.” During her time at Ringling, Zsilak met Venardos and remained in contact after it closed. She joined his circus just over a year ago, along with her husband, Alex Petrov, who works as a tent master; her daughter, Sofia Petrov, who performs as an aerialist; and her son, Richard Zsilak, who also juggles. “In the end, the main thing for us is to provide (the audience) with something that takes away from the everyday worries … to make them feel good,” she said. “It’s the best thing when the people react to us.”

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Leonard and Antoaneta Stoica perform an impressive springboard act for the show.

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If there’s one thing juggler Vicky Zsilak thinks spectators might not realize about the circus, it’s how much work and practice goes into each act. A few brief seconds of wonder was the result of hours of practice, Zsilak said, adding that

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

ALL ABOARD!

Tony Gebbia was hired as the general manager for one of the oldest railroads on the planet. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

Windermere resident Tony Gebbia said it’s like having his own giant train set — only it’s older than the American Civil War. Gebbia was hired last month as the general manager for the Pennsylvania-based Strasburg Rail Road — founded in 1832 and currently the oldest operating railroad in the Western Hemisphere. In that new role, Gebbia manages a team of chiefs and vice presidents while helping the railroad come up with new and creative ways to improve business and provide a special experience for customers. “Where my office is situated,

“There’s a lot of heritage to this railroad. I was humbled that they selected me.” — Tony Gebbia

it’s pretty much in the middle of the property and I have this amazing bay window — if I stand next to it I can look up and down the entire length of the primary operation and there are steam trains outside of my window,” Gebbia said. “The first couple of days, even though it was cold, I opened the window so I could really listen to the trains as they come in and just hear the whoosh of the steam — it’s amazing how quiet they can be and also how loud they can be. It’s like having a big train set — it’s pretty cool.” The Strasburg Rail Road has three tenets to its business — a tourist train that provides a turnof-the-century, authentic steam locomotive experience; steam locomotive restoration — working with clients from all over the world; and freight, which has been expanded from 12 cars a year to about 600 cars this year, hauling materials and products. Gebbia already has made some changes and moves within the company. With a current tree shortage and a longstanding Christmas tree train experience

Courtesy photo

Tony Gebbia, of Windermere, is adjusting to his new role as general manager of the Strasburg Rail Road.

in jeopardy, Gebbia made the decision to partner with Lowe’s to source additional trees to keep the tradition going. Gebbia said he also is encouraging the railroad to create premium experiences for locomotive enthusiasts, such as letting them sit at the throttle and operate the train with supervision. The recent hire is in many ways coming full circle for Gebbia. He made the choice to apply for the job to be closer to his parents in the Ronks, Pennsylvania, area,

but Gebbia has a history with trains. He enjoyed a long career at Disney that included positions in studio attractions, international marketing and program development, but it all started with a job as a monorail pilot. “I said that when I retire or at some point in my career I want to work with steam locomotives, because here I am working with the high-tech train and going to low-tech when I retire, I thought that would be kind of cool,” Gebbia said. “In my mind, it was over

at the Magic Kingdom being one of those old guys in the overalls operating the train.” Gebbia said he feels grateful to be brought into a company with so much rich history. “There’s a lot of heritage to this railroad — I was humbled that they selected me,” Gebbia said. “I wasn’t planning on looking for a job. I wasn’t planning leaving my life in Florida. My wife left her job of 20 years at Disney for me to be able to do this. It was an amazing choice.”

Wolverine Legacy Fund supporters enjoy elegant affair

Christy Farley showed off all the novels she published and spoke about how she achieved her dreams of publishing them.

A David Damelus, Kylie Beyl, Jeryl Lewis, and Tracy and Mario Lewis were excited to support the school.

n air of British posh and elegance filled the room of the Garden Ballroom Coop in Winter Garden Saturday, Nov. 2, as the Wolverine Legacy Fund held its “Downton Abbey” themed Legacy Social Night to raise money for Windermere High. Attendees also heard from guest speakers Christy Farley, a children’s author; Michael Brodsky, a financial adviser; and Leah Porrata, director of education and outreach for the Central Florida Community Arts.

Miryam Graddy, left, celebrated a win with Jennifer Benton. Graddy won a gift basket from the raffle at the end of the night.

— SARAH CAVACINI

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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OR CALL TO SPEAK TO AN AGENT

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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Bryan and Ellison Bowdish, 1, spent some quality time together.

Stephanie Ryan and Candice Bowdish watched their children have a blast at the festival.

www.FeedHopeNow.org

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Dalia and Rafaela Maluli, 6, enjoyed the fall festivities.

olden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe members and their families enjoyed some outdoor fun at the club’s Fall Festival Sunday, Nov. 3. The event included plenty of bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses, along with an airbrush tattoo artist. The exclusive event was open to Golden Bear Club members. — TIM FREED

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Plant Street Market Barrel Room Tuesday, December 3rd at 11:00am 426 W Plant Street, Winter Garden

FREE COFFEE AND PASTRIES!

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH 10 AM - 5 PM

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Anderson Bowdish, 9; Jacob Nally, 11; Jibraan Khan, 9; and Nate Ryan, 9, had a great time launching themselves off the inflatables.

KIDS AREA FOOD TRUCKS TROLLEY RIDES CHRISTMAS CAROLS CANDY CANE RACES PICTURES WITH SANTA

Antonio Tavares; Antonella Viana, 6; and Wilma Tavares had a great time at the Golden Bear Club.

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Left: Lylah, 1, and Natalie Jenkins were spotted at the festival.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

A party with a purpose

G R E AT E R O R L A N D O A V I AT I O N A U T H O R I T Y

How To Do Business With

GOAA

Dawn Willis, Gina Cole, Jo Barsh, Cyndi Gustafson, Alexandra Baake, Kassie Gustafson and Ruth Baake

rom Christmas and “Candy Land” to cowboys and superheroes, the table themes at Matthew’s Hope’s Harvest of Hope Garden Party this year went above and beyond as attendees vied for the coveted table awards. The sixth annual Garden Party aimed to raise $300,000 for Matthew’s Hope, which helps the homeless with a hand up rather than a handout. Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks and a silent auction.

15th Annual Small Business Networking Event

Dec. 12, 2019

7:30am

Greg Warmoth, Scott Billue and Jennifer Stout

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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December 2nd - 4th December 2nd - 4th

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Christmas Tree Auction December 5th | 4:00pm-6:00pm

Enjoy cocktails and light appetizers while we listen to Christmas music

December 2nd - 4th

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Christmas Tree Auction December 5th I 4:00pm - 6:00pm

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

Lori Gibson Left: Dawn Gilmore and Ruth Burton accepted an award for “Most Original Table” for their Moroccan-themed table.

Florence King, Karen Raborn, Hallah Noble, Jennifer Englert, Gillianna Canelo and Erika De Jesus represented The Orlando Law Group.

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See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

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ONLINE

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

OBITUARIES

Turning 65 or new to Medicare? Susan Story

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Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare one of its affiliated companies, aor Medicare Advantage organization Insurance Company one of its affiliated with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan d pends on the plan’s companies, a Medicare Advantage contract renewal with Medicare. AARP isn’t an insurer, doesn’t recomorganization a Medicare contract. mend products, and with encourages you to evaluate your needs. AARP Enrollment the plan depends the does not employ orinendorse agents, producers oron brokers.

CATHERINE “CAT” WADE DIED SUNDAY, OCT. 27, 2019.

Catherine “Cat” Wade, 78, of Orlando, departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. Catherine dedicated her life to education, serving in the public school system for over 25 years. Her career as an educator in Orange County allowed her to impact the lives of students and colleagues at Orlo Vista Elementary School. She was a member of the Orange County Teacher’s Association and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, educator and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. “Cat” is survived by her husband, Deacon Myron Wade Sr.; daughters,

Let us tell the story of your life.

ROBERT O’DELL MALLORY DIED FRIDAY, NOV. 8, 2019.

We Proudly offer: • Traditional Burial and Cremation Services • Prearranged Funeral Services

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans (407) 656-2352 125 E. Rant St, Winter Garden Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional, 9:45 a.m. Bible Study, 11 a.m. Contemporary Wednesday: 6 p.m. - Awana

Robert O’Dell Mallory, 88, of Ocoee, Florida, passed away on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on Sept. 9, 1931. He later met and married the love of his life, Betty Jean Mallory. Bob worked all his life as a business owner and was proud of his Ocoee Pawn Shop. In his free time, he enjoyed rebuilding old tractors and fishing. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Mallory. He is survived by his children, David Allen Mallory, Bonnie Sue Brown, Kathy Ann Bruce and Sandra Faye Mallory; his grandchildren, Allen Dean Rohn, James Harold Rohn and Ashley Bruce; and his sister, Reba Medley. A visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, with a service beginning at 11 a.m. at Baldwin Fairchild Winter Garden. Burial will follow at Highlands Memory Gardens in Apopka, Florida. Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to Glad Tidings Church of Ocoee or the Second Harvest Food Bank on Mission Street in Orlando. Please visit dignitymemorial.com/ obituaries/winter-garden-fl/robert-mallory-8920663.

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Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden

428 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787 • 407-656-2233 • www.baldwinfairchild.com

BAPTIST

Carolyn (Alvin) Holley, Michelle (Fabian) Cook, Lisa (Ulysses) Ward; sons, Michael Riley, Myron (Shawnda) Wade Jr., Eston Wade, Don (Desiree) Wade; 10 siblings; and 10 grandchildren. Service of celebration was held Saturday, Nov. 9, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando. Interment: Oakland Tildenville Community Cemetery. Postell’s Mortuary provided service for the Wade family.

2nd Campus Foundation Worship High School (407) 720-1867 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages FoundationWorship.com

Community Partners wanted!

ROBERT NEIL BRITT JR. DIED TUESDAY, OCT. 29, 2019.

Robert Neil Britt Jr., 39, of St. Petersburg, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. Neil, as he was known to friends and family, was born on Feb. 17, 1980, in Orlando, Florida. He began a career as a salesman for his family’s lumber company shortly after high school and continued in this profession for more than 20 years. On Oct. 5, 2007, Neil became a father to his daughter, Jordan Rain, his life’s greatest joy. On Nov. 15, 2014, Neil married the love of his life, Andrea Greene, in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Neil had an extraordinary love for the ocean. He was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed surfing, boating and spending time with friends, family and his two dogs, Bruce and Sebastian. He was known for his giant heart, infectious smile and great sense of humor. Neil is survived by his by his wife, Andrea; his daughter, Jordan; his father, Robert Neil Britt Sr., and mother, Karen; his sister, Stacy Cooper (Todd); and his brother, John (Kaley). A celebration of life was held Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at BridgePoint Church Tyrone, 6690 Crosswinds Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to aa. org and oceancrestalliance.org. If so desired, flowers can be sent to BridgePoint Church Tyrone. Online guestbook at brettfuneralhome.net.

Looking for local Businesses, Churchs, Clubs, Schools, Civic Groups, or Group of Friends. Help underprivileged families in our community at our

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL WITH SANTA

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU

Saturday, December 14 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home is a proud fixture of Windermere and West Orange County. We have built our homes and reputations here. We are here for you.

Sign up for a 10’x10’ Booth Area with a Christmas Twist. Booth must have an Old Time Carnival Game or Activity geared to a child 12 or younger with small prizes

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Games for Kids Window Shopping Visit with Santa Elves to help to make Christmas Lists Parents can return later to “shop” We also need assistance with Food and Music! Robert Bittle

Funeral Director In Charge

Learn more at MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Call (407) 656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

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Pre-Planner

TODD DEGUSIPE Director/Owner

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Director/Manager

COLLEEN GILLIS

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MAITLAND 9001 N. Orlando Ave Maitland, FL 32771

SANFORD 905 Laurel Ave. Sanford, FL 32771

OCOEE 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd Ocoee, FL 34761

UNIONTOWN 65 N. Gallitan Ave Uniontown, PA 15401

OBSERVER

SCHOOL ZONE NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Lincoln and Madelyn Troast loved petting goats in the petting zoo.

Ella Jurs showed off her beautiful dolphin face painting.

LIONS’ DEN

Timothy Wilder concentrated on scaling the rock wall.

oundation Academy families and students took advantage of cool weekend weather by spending time at the school’s annual Fall Festival Saturday, Nov. 9. Inflatable games, a rock-climbing wall, carnival games, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and a magic show rounded out the day’s festivities. Attendees also enjoyed food, a silent auction and music. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

Right: Natalie Azevedo thoroughly enjoyed her pony ride.

Benjamin Wilder attempted to knock his opponent off of the platform he stood on.

Bella Steele laughed as she ducked to avoid being hit by an inflatable log.

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

‘The Little Mermaid’ to make splash at WPS This year’s all-school musical at Windermere Prep will be taking audiences under the sea. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” will take center stage from Nov. 14 to 16 at the Cypress Center for the Arts at Windermere Preparatory School, 6189 Winter GardenVineland Road, Windermere. Tickets cost $13 to $18 depending on seating and can be purchased online or at the box office the day of the show. The musical will feature more than 90 students ranging from lower school to high school. Based on the classic animated Disney movie, Windermere Prep’s production of “The Little Mermaid” will feature many of the most memorable songs from the film like “Under the Sea,” Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” To buy tickets, visit teachtix.com/wps/disneys-the-littlemermaid.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

Observer seeking book donations Observer Media Group’s Reading Reindeer literacy program is kicking off its 22nd year of collecting new books to be given to needy children at Christmastime. New books for children from infancy through middle school are being accepted for this annual project. They are distributed to multiple organizations throughout West Orange County. Through cash donations, this program also provides a new copy of Dr. Seuss’ ABCs to the parents of all babies born at Health Central Hospital throughout the year — about 700 births annually. Checks payable to Reading Reindeer also can be mailed to the Observer Media Group office at 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. For more information, call the Observer office at (407) 656-2121.

KELLEY BELL

HORIZON WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Kelley Bell is the coordinator of both the Student Assistance and Family Empowerment Program and the Partners in Education Program. Through those roles, she also is a go-to person at Horizon West Middle School when students need to talk, and she works with businesses within the community to provide additional resources for the school.

What do you love most about your school? I love the fact that we are a brandnew school. Being at a brand-new school can bring some challenges, but it gives us a fresh start to be able to create a legacy. What’s your favorite part of your job? Being able to simply talk to students about the concerns and issues they have. Sometimes, it may be about academics, but majority of the time, it’s about other things. We talk about the things that are bothering them, we come up with strategies on how to address those concerns. OCPS has a great support system in place in regards to providing mental health support for our students. It’s amazing to be able to reach out to so many others for additional support and resources for our students. … As the PIE coordinator, I enjoy being able to work with local businesses and providing resources to our faculty and students.

REPORT CARD

ROLE: SAFE Coordinator, PIE Coordinator SCHOOL: Horizon West Middle School TIME AT THE SCHOOL: First year

What made you want to take on this job? I really enjoy helping students as well as parents. In this position, as SAFE coordinator, it gives me the opportunity to create a safe place within my office, where students have somewhere to go if they need to vent or just need some time to gather their thoughts. I enjoy being a person that students can lean on when they feel like their voice isn’t being heard. What motivates you and pushes you to do your best? Knowing that I have the ability to positively change a student’s life truly motivates me. I believe everyone has that one teacher they can think of that made a positive impact in their life and they will forever remember that teachers’ name. As an educator, I have the ability to pour my love, compassion, patience and positive outlook on a child. Sometimes, it only takes that “one person” to believe in a student, and it gives that student the motivation, the drive and determination they need to reach their goals. To know that I could be

that “one person” for a student, to motivate them to accomplish their goals, is impactful to me. What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done with you? At my last school, one of my coworkers at that time bought me an “Amazing Grace” picture for my birthday. It looks like a snap shot of the hymn right from a hymnal. My background is music education, and I started piano lessons at a young age. I enjoy playing the piano and hymns are one of my favorite “styles” of music.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

OPEN 24 HOURS

CMY

TO FEEL BETTER, SOONER.

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The Orlando Health Emergency Room - Horizon West is located at 17000 Porter Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787 (corner of Porter Road and Avalon Road).

ER Services

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Carnival-goers held on tight as they went for a spin on the Reckless ride. Right: Juniors Camila Pazos, Haley Park, Maria Leitao, Kadia Mohammed and senior Carter Heitkamp ran the Incarceration Station as a fundraiser for the Spanish Honor Society.

Kirsten and Megan Mellgren made a new friend at the petting zoo.

Rockin’ good times I

t was an evening of play the Laker way at Windermere Preparatory School’s Rockin’ Carnival Friday, Nov. 8. The carnival featured different kinds of inflatables, carnival games and rides. Attendees also got to enjoy a petting zoo, raffle prizes and those who worked up an appetite got to grab a bite from food trucks. Windermere Prep’s Parent Volunteer Association organized and hosted the event.

Candiss Baxter and Lorelay Maynard of Noah’s Landing Petting Zoo enjoyed mingling with carnival-goers.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ Left: Jowell Reyes reached new heights on the Space Walk.

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We’re Not Asking You to Give Up Pizza. Because how would you survive?

Healthy West Orange is all about balance and long-term gains, not the latest diet craze. We’re a free resource that will help you make those healthy choices with expert advice from local sources, yummy recipes, and fun contests and giveaways.

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A N D A G R E AT S C H O O L Y E A R

F O R F R E E C O N S U LT A T I O N

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ORLANDO WINDERMERE APOPKA NOW WITH 3 (407) 217-2927 (407) 801-7775 (407) 294-1560 CALL TODAY! C A L L T O D A Y ! F O R F R E E C O N S U LT A T I O N C O N V E N I E N T AFTER SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS C O N V E N I E N T L O C AT I O N S

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A N D A G R E AT S C H O O L Y E A R

Observer School Zone_111419.indd 1

11/5/19 1:44 PM

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Ocoee Youth Council offers aerospace initiative The program is intended to aid students interested in careers in flying and in the airline industry. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

A new initiative offered through the Ocoee Youth Council is looking to help local students take flight. The Aerospace Education Initiative is a new program offered through the OYC that will provide scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities to students who are interested in a career in the airline industry. Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver introduced the program to JROTC students at Ocoee High School Tuesday, Oct. 22. “There are high-school age kids at Ocoee High School, Wekiva (High School), as well as West Orange (High School) that have interest in flight and aerospace engineering but have no means or mechanisms to realize that dream or even get started — they don’t even know where to get started,” Oliver said. “With the help of a few organizations, we were able to introduce that curriculum to Orange County Public Schools to build interest and really introduce that form of education to those kids that are interested in flight.” Oliver added that the program isn’t just for students who want to become pilots. It’s also open to students who want to pursue oth-

er careers in the airline industry. “Not every kid is interested in becoming a pilot,” Oliver said. “Some kids are interested in becoming engineers — aerospace engineers. Some kids are interested in the mechanics of flight, so we’re able to take that education and wrap it up into this … Aerospace Education (Initiative).” The program has been made possible through partnerships with Orange County Public Schools, the Florida Civil Air Patrol, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Private partnerships through airline companies like JetBlue, Alaskan Airlines, United Airlines and other companies also are part of the program to offer participants hands-on educational opportunities. “(Students) will have access to actual pilots,” Oliver said. “They will have access to aerospace engineers (and) access to a wealth of aerospace executives at the executive airport, as well as JetBlue University. … This (program) is open to all — to all kids that are interested in the wonders of flight.” For now, the Aerospace Education Initiative is only available to JROTC students at Ocoee High School, but it could later accommodate other students. Additionally, JROTC students who want to participate in the Aerospace Education Initiative must get involved with and sign up for the OYC. “We’re introducing through

Celebrating 22 Years! 2019 Book Donations Supporting children in our community

Now thru December 1st

File photo

Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver hopes to see more students given the opportunity to participate in the Aerospace Education Initiative.

“(Students) will have access to actual pilots. They will have access to aerospace engineers (and) access to a wealth of aerospace executives at the executive airport, as well as JetBlue University. …” — Commissioner Oliver

the JROTC with the hopes that we can expand that program beyond JROTC into some of the other classrooms — maybe create our own curriculum in Orange County Public Schools so kids can actually take advantage of those opportunities,” Oliver said. One of the requirements to join the OYC is that a student must be a resident of Ocoee, but that could soon change. “(I’m considering) doing an addendum to the ordinance that will allow kids who go to school in the city of Ocoee to be a part of the (OYC) program as well,” Oliver said. “And then, eventually,

I would like to extend it to West Orange County to all of the West Orange County high schools and the municipalities which lie in West Orange County. … I want that to be a natural progression of this program. (Starting in) Ocoee was just a way of testing out this type of program, and if it’s successful — which I know it’s been very successful thus far — we want to be able to expand it out to more kids.”

NEW BOOKS PLEASE FOR AGES NEW BORN TO 17 YEARS

2019 BOOK DROP OFF LOCATIONS Garden Theatre 160 W Plant St

WINTER GARDEN

Observer Media Group 661 Garden Commerce Pkwy, Ste 180

Roper YMCA 100 Windermere Rd

Winter Garden Library 805 E Plant St

West Orange Chamber of Commerce 12184 W Colonial Dr

Foundation Academy Lower School -125 E Plant St Upper School - 15304 Tilden Rd

First Baptist Church of Winter Garden 125 E Rant St

Rotary Club of Winter Garden Childrens Lighthouse Learning Centers

NOV EM BER

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OCOEE

West Orlando Baptist Church 1006 E Crown Point Rd

City of Ocoee 150 N Lakeshore Dr

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WINDERMERE Windermere Prep 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Rd

Windermere Library 5300 Main St

Sunset Park Elementary

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The First Academy 2667 Bruton Blvd OrangeObserver.com 315356-1

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NOVEMBER 14, 2019

SPORTS

Dr. Phillips freshman Maya Lis is trying to become one of the best cross-country runners at the school. Page 18.

HIGH

CLEARING 5

It was a busy day for local schools at the Class 4A state crosscountry finals Saturday, Nov. 9. Windermere led the way with an eighth-place finish thanks to a strong showing from Onix Ortiz (16:10.62), while Dr. Phillips finished inside the top 20 with a 19th-place finish. Meanwhile, West Orange High’s Colton Berquist (28th place, 16:16.78).

THE AIR

In the girls Class 4A state cross-country finals Saturday, Nov. 9, Dr. Phillips (19th place) and Windermere (21st place) both finished in the top 25. The Wolverines were led by Katie Ranck (40th place, 19:37.10), while the Panthers’ Jasmine Little (42nd place, 19:38.60) and Maya Lis (43rd place, 19:39.0) rounded out the top 45.

TNXL Volleyball is offering volleyball clinics every Wednesday through Dec. 18. The beginner/intermediate clinic takes place from 6 to 7 p.m., while the advanced clinic is from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Ocoee Rec Center. A $10 rec center pass — which is good for one year — is required to participate. For more information, contact the center at (407) 768-1400.

Troy Herring

After a near-fatal case of empyema and pleural effusion hospitalized Kelley Duell, the Windermere resident and runner returned to the course to conquer the Chicago Marathon. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

elley Duell shouldn’t be here. Yet, despite the cards she had been dealt, she paced the streets of Chicago running beside thousands of others in the Chicago Marathon on a cold morning in the Windy City. For the first leg of the race she was worried — Am I going to finish? Am I going to ‘hit the wall?’ But she never hit the proverbial

It was a big day in the pool for the Windermere Prep girls swimming and diving team, as the Lakers finished in seventh place at the Class 1A state finals at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart. Marcela Scaramuzza led the way for the Lakers with a runner-up finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.87) and third in the 100 butterfly (55.74). Gabriel Puryear-Lynch grabbed 12th place in the 200 IM (2:09.35) and fifth in the 100 butterfly (56.58), while Sydney Weatherspoon finished 14th in the 50 free (24.63). As a team, the Lakers finished fifth in the 200 medley relay (1:49.47).

In West Orange girls weightlifting’s 51-35 victory over Jones Wednesday, Nov. 6, Khiana Franklin (199-pound weight class) lifted a match-best 155 pounds, while Ybonka Auguste (154-pound weight class) lifted 115 pounds for the Warriors (1-0) in the win.

“runner’s wall,” and after mile 20, she knew that she would make it — scarred and partially collapsed lung be damned. The final fifth of a mile was grueling, but when she heard the chorus of cheers from the crowd and the sounds of the PA announcer, she knew she had made it. As she crossed the finish line, she fell into her friend’s arms and began sobbing in a moment that was bigger than the race itself. “Time stands still,” Duell said.

“When you have given every ounce of energy, every ounce of emotion and everything that you have in the tank, when you cross that finish line, time stands still. You remember who is around you, what they were wearing, what they said … they’re like your family. “It’s such a victory, and it’s a feeling of accomplishment and a feeling of success, combined with absolute exhaustion,” she said. “To explain it is to not do it justice.” That day — Friday, Oct. 13 — was one that the Windermere resident won’t forget, because that was the day she conquered a run that seemed impossible almost six months earlier after a near-fatal SEE DUELL PAGE 18

Fred Priest retires from coaching Priest will continue his role at Windermere High as assistant athletic director and PE teacher for the next one-and-one-half years. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

When Windermere football’s final game of the season ended Friday, Nov. 8, so did the tenure of its head coach. After 44 years of being involved with the game, coach Fred Priest decided that now was the time to step down and concentrate on his physical wellbeing, and hand the program over to new blood — whomever that may be. The moment was bittersweet,

but he knew it was eventually going to happen, as all good things eventually come to an end. “I tried to prepare myself all week for that, but at the same time I didn’t want to make that about me,” Priest said. “I told the team on Thursday — I didn’t want to tell them on game day — so I was trying to get myself ready for that … but it was still difficult.” Last February, Priest had his right hip replaced — which he SEE PRIEST PAGE 18

Chris Mayer

Head coach Fred Priest coached in his last game for the Wolverines Friday, Nov. 8.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Duell stays the course

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Maya Lis

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

A freshman on the Dr. Phillips cross-country team, Maya Lis already has become one of the best runners at the school and had a sixthplace finish at the Panthers’ 4A, Region 3 meet last week. Along with running, Lis enjoys healthy eating and playing the cello.

How did you first get into running? I first got into running about two years ago because my friend Natalie did running, and my brother did it and I wanted to beat him, so I just did it. Before, I didn’t run at all — I played volleyball.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Dr. Phillips High School CLASS: Freshman SPORT: Cross-country AGE: 14

over again, “You can do this, you’re strong,” then I count in my head to pass time. (I also) say my speech in my head — a speech from debate class — and the biggest tactic is smiling while you’re racing. If you smile, it’s really great — you get a runner’s high while you’re running.

What’s it been like running in high school as a freshman? I love it — it’s so much fun. Before I started high school, I would run with the crosscountry team for high school over the summer. What has that been like — going from volleyball to cross-country? I didn’t like volleyball, but I played it for six years — and gymnastics — but I like cross-country a lot better.

Is there ever a moment during a race where you hit a wall? How do you overcome that? I drink three cups of coffee before a race.

What’s the most challenging aspect of racing? The most fun aspect? The most challenging part is probably running fast in races. And I like it because it clears my head — I don’t have to think while I’m running, I just run.

Do you have a highlight moment from this season? The best moment of my highschool season was probably in one of the St. Cloud races. I smiled a couple of times while I was running while people were cheering for me, and I got like, two runner’s highs while running.

What motivates you to run? I don’t know, but I do get to eat more food because I run. I also like to win and I think that’s it.

case of empyema and pleural effusion left her hospitalized. ‘I FELT OFF’

On Feb. 24, Duell competed in the Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa. Generally, things seemed to go well. She finished second in her age group, but something felt wrong — even after the race when she was training with friends. Duell simply thought it was just the running she was doing to prepare for the London Marathon. “When you’re in training mode you have a level of fatigue — you have aches and pains,” Duell said. “I was training extra hard because I wanted to do a good job in London, so it was hard for me to recognize the level of illness that I had.” During a training session with a group of friends, however, one of them noticed how raspy Duell’s breathing had become and asked her to go to the doctor. Duell did not heed the advice, and by the middle of March, things had gotten worse. Duell began coughing up blood sporadically and decided to see a doctor. His prognosis? Allergies. But, as Duell learned just a few days later after waking up one morning and falling to the floor, it was something much worse. After being taken to the hospital via ambulance, Duell learned she had pneumonia, and that’s

when it snowballed. “I went from having pneumonia to — 36 hours later — my left lung was completely whited out, so I was what they call ‘dry drowning,’” Duell said. “I had a pleural effusion on my left lung that was pushing my heart over into the right-hand side of my chest and cutting off my trachea. A lot of fluid built up in my lung, so I then became an emergency situation and had to be transported over to ORMC.” As soon as she arrived to ORMC, doctors performed an emergency chest tube — placing in a tube through her side to remove the fluid and infection in her lung. The procedure was done while she was awake, and it was the most painful thing she had ever experienced, Duell said. But that wasn’t the end of her tribulations at the hospital. The pneumonia led to a disease known as empyema, which required video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery that could be done only after removing the fluid from her lung. “My lung was covered in abscesses, and what it does is it basically squeezes your lung like a paper bag — it crumples it up,” Duell said. “So the surgery that I had the next day was for the empyema — they had to remove all the abscesses off of my lung.” Even with the abscesses removed, there was still scarring on her lung, which made it

painful for Duell to breathe — something that still affects her to this day. GIVING UP ISN’T AN OPTION

Duell had been through so much, but fewer things were more brutal than what the doctors told her about the sport she loved. “I asked every time I went back to a checkup, ‘Can I start running?’ And he told me, ‘Obviously you’re not going to take no for an answer, but I can tell you, don’t expect much,’” Duell said. “I just refused to take that as my outcome — I just refused.” She started slow, but as the days and weeks passed she progressed — eventually building up the stamina she needed to dominate at the Chicago Marathon. She ran the 26.2 miles in 3:41:29 — the fastest time she had ever run a marathon. Although the pain and shortness of breath still remain from those life-changing nine days, Duell still continues to run as she prepares for the Boston and New York City marathons in 2020. Duell already knows the training will be made even more difficult now given the physical toll her body has dealt with, but the pain she feels can be overcome, she said. “If you can get past that physical exertion and physical pain that you feel, it gives you that energy,” Duell said. “It’s you and the road, and it gives you the feedback that you are alive.”

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Priest ends 44-year career Puzzle One Solution:

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Then I director and physical edu-• ONLINE: and then I • EMAIL:letic HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 10:OOAM • Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card One Solution: The First Academy Puzzle and Lake sit in my bed how you keep your job a lot of Puzzle O cation teacher. Puzzle get excited PuzzleTwo OneSolution: Solution: Puzzle Two Solution: “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Nona —/before and I think of and “Oh Lord, won’t/you ahappy Mercedes “We’re stardust Webuy areme golden /for And “We’re stardust / We are golden And serving as the times — but if you’re not mak- “Oh Lord Benz? / My friends all drive and Porsches, HISTORY OF FOOTBALL athletic director at Apopka for ing an impact the course, you’re Inot Benz? / a race. Merchandise Wanted Health & Medical Benz? / My friends all drive I LONG we’ve got to get ourselves / Back to the we’ve got to get ourselves / Porsches, Back to the must amends.” Joplin Thismake week’s Celebrity answers Priest’s path to Windermere seven years. for like, 30 teaching kidsCipher to–beJanis better people must ma must make amends.” – Janis Joplin High garden.” garden.” — TROY is a long, winding one that When Windermere High minutes, and in their community, better hus- Puzzle T 13178 W. Colonial Dr. Puzzle PuzzleTwo OneSolution: Solution: – Joni opened Mitchellin 2017, HERRING has spanned five different states School Priest then I read over bands and better fathers, then – Joni Mitchell Winter Garden Puzzle Two Solution: “Oh Lord, won’t/you a Mercedes “We’re stardust Webuy areme golden / And in “We’re s and ©2019 18 separate moves. jumped on board, serving Year my tactics. I say in “We’re stardust / We are golden my mind you are wasting your NEA, Inc. NOW PURCHASING Benz? / My friends all drive Porsches, I we’ve go / And we’ve got to get ourselves / Back to the The Michigan native didn’t One as the school’s AD.must It was a my head over and time. ” make amends.” – Janis Joplin garden.” garden.” we’ve got to get ourselves /SCRAP Back to the BATTERIES This week’s Sudoku answers This week’s Sudoku answers This week’s Crossword answers – Joni Mitchell Puzzle Two Solution: garden.” 407-656-3495

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Soccer season kicks off After a week or two of preseason play, local schools are ready to to take the field for the regular season. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The Beautiful Game is back, and schools around Orange County and the rest of Florida are ready after a long off-season of training and conditioning. Last season, teams like the Olympia boys and Dr. Phillips girls teams finished with 10 or more wins — making the area one of the strongest in Central Florida when it comes to soccer. The following is a quick breakdown of each school going into the 2019-20 season. DR. PHILLIPS BOYS COACH: Michael Babin 2018-19 RECORD: 12-6-4 OUTLOOK: At 5-2-2, the Dr. Phillips boys soccer team finished fourth place in the district, despite an otherwise solid year. This year will be an interesting one for the Panthers, who have lost seniors Rafael Silva Azevedo (13 goals, six assists) and Raymond Negron (four goals, three assists), but that doesn’t mean this team is devoid of talent. Junior Pierre Abon — who co-led the Panthers in goals (13) — is back for another year and so is Enzo Teles (eight goals). DR. PHILLIPS GIRLS COACH: Billy Matthews 2018-19 RECORD: 18-3-1 OUTLOOK: Last season, Dr. Phillips dominated on the field all the way to a district title. The Panthers utilized a high-powered offense (scoring 4.2 goals per game),

while simultaneously shutting down opposing offenses with a defense that gave up an average of only 1.5 goals per game. Unfortunately for DP, the Panthers hit a buzzsaw in the first round as they fell to eventual state runner-up Oviedo. OLYMPIA BOYS COACH: Lou Romao 2018-19 RECORD: 15-3-3 OUTLOOK: Once again, Olympia head coach Lou Romao saw his Titans team show out, as they picked up another 15-plus win season and another district title — something that has become a norm for the Titans. This year’s team, however, will be filled with a bunch of new faces, as the Titans lost a good chunk of its lineup to graduation. Despite the loss of players like Beto Ydrach and Gio Guazzaroni, Romao still will have a core of guys like Christian Lizyness and Javawney Williams to lean on. OLYMPIA GIRLS COACH: Adnane Taifi 2018-19 RECORD: 8-8 OUTLOOK: Last season saw Olympia finish a respectable 8-8 and 2-3 in a district loaded with talented teams like Dr. Phillips and West Orange. First-year head coach Adnane Taifi has a seniorladen team to work with — led by Elle Ferguson, who last year colead the team in goals alongside Cameron Cisewski.

THE FIRST ACADEMY BOYS COACH: Joshua Andone 2018-19 RECORD: 3-14 OUTLOOK: The 2018-19 season was a tough one for the TFA boys team, as the Royals only managed to pick up three wins. A leaky backline — which gave up an average of 3.4 goals per game — led to struggles, including a six-game losing streak to start off the season. This year the Royals will look to right the ship and get back to work. THE FIRST ACADEMY GIRLS COACH: Jennifer Keltner 2018-19 RECORD: 12-5 OUTLOOK: After going 4-14 during the 2017-18 season, the TFA girls team managed to work its way back above .500 as the Royals finished last season with a 12-5 record. Both sides of the ball saw massive improvements, with the offense going from scoring only 14 goals in 2017-18 to 92 last year. On the defensive side of the ball, the Royals gave up 32 less goals. WINDERMERE BOYS COACH: Trent Frederick 2018-19 RECORD: 16-3-1 OUTLOOK: Despite being in its second season last year, the Windermere boys soccer team dominated on the pitch — winning 16 of its 20 games. Windermere managed to outscore opponents 64-to-19 throughout the season, which helped the Wolverines to their first-ever district title and first playoff appearance — making it to the regional semifinal where they lost 2-1 to Melbourne.

FULL TABLE

full heart

Windermere and Dr. Phillips will be among two of the area’s best teams. File photo

WINDERMERE GIRLS COACH: Trent Frederick 2018-19 RECORD: 11-4-3 OUTLOOK: Last year was another successful year for the Windermere girls team, but it came with a frustrating ending. For the second year in a row, the Wolverines fell to Montverde in the district final before falling in the first round of the playoffs. Luckily for head coach Trent Frederick, the Wolverines no longer share the same district as Montverde, and he has 14 returners — including Kira Skretteberg, leading goal scorer Victoria Gonzalez and Madison Maroulis — back for the new year. WINDERMERE PREP BOYS COACH: Jonathan Griffiths 2018-19 RECORD: 13-7 OUTLOOK: The Windermere Prep boys soccer team started off last year strong with a five-game winning streak, before going on to win

a respectable 13 games. Despite falling in the district semifinals to end the 2018-19 season, the Lakers come into the new year with a fire to build onto last season’s successes. WINDERMERE PREP GIRLS COACH: Greg Stone 2018-19 RECORD: 9-3-1 OUTLOOK: No team in the area had a season as big as the Windermere Prep girls soccer team, as the Lakers finished the year on a six-game win streak — which concluded with a SSAC state title (a 2-1 win over Master’s Academy). This year’s team will look much different, as head coach Greg Stone lost a chunk of his roster. Luckily, he has a talented bunch of young players to lean on, including junior defender Isabella “Bel” Teixeira, sophomore midfielder Courtney Mogauro and freshman midfielder Brielyn Knowles.

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PREP FOOTBALL RECAP

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Dr. Phillips defense stifles Lennard in 28-7 playoff win

Photos by Troy Herring

Left: Nivon Holland rushed for a touchdown against Lennard. Above: Brandon Fields eyed the defense on a run. Below: Myles Wiley played tough defense for the Panthers. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

espite a cold front that moved through Friday, Nov. 8, Dr. Phillips (9-2) adapted and overcame miserable weather to beat Lennard 28-7 in its Class 8A, Region 1 quarterfinal. Going into the night, Panthers head coach Rodney Wells knew rain would wreak havoc in many ways, and he knew it would change the way his team played. “We usually are a very balanced team,” Wells said. “We have some really good receivers who can get open and run some good routes, and our quarterback, Isaiah (Givens), has been hitting guys in stride over the last four or five weeks. But we just couldn’t do that tonight … because of the weather. We just leaned on the offensive line and the run game, which is not a bad option.” Relying on the run game paid off as running back Brandon Fields ran for 57 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries, while Jaydan Taylor picked up two touchdowns — one on a 3-yard run and another on a 32-yard punt return. Nivon Holland also added a rushing score. Throughout the game, both offenses struggled as the field conditions worsened, while the ball was made slick by the constant rain. It wasn’t until two minutes into the second quarter that the Panthers were able to find pay dirt. After Givens hit receiver Jalen Washington for a big gain down to the 3-yard line, Taylor got the rock and smashed through the line for a touchdown. The extra point gave

OTHER WEEK 12 SCORES

n Orlando Christian Prep 35, Windermere Prep 14 — SSAC Semifinals n Foundation Academy — Bye

Games on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted n OSCEOLA (KISSIMMEE) (9-1) AT DR. PHILLIPS (9-2) The second-seeded Dr. Phillips (9-2) gets another home playoff game Friday, as the Panthers host Osceola (Kissimmee) (9-1) in the Class 8A, Region 2 semifinal. The Kowboys are coming off a 58-21 thrashing of Riverview in the first round — the seventh time in 10 games that they have scored at least 40 points or more. Though they have played an average schedule — only four of Osceola’s regular-season opponents finished above .500 — the Kowboys have averaged almost 40 points per game thanks to solid play in all phases. The Kowboys have seen two guys back at quarterback, but their true leader is in dual-threat quarterback Davon Wells — who has 16 total touchdowns on the season. While the offense has lit up the scoreboard, the Kowboys’ defense has shut out opposing offenses. It has only given up an average of fewer than nine points per game. n OAK HALL (8-3) AT FOUNDATION ACADEMY (8-2) GAME START: 7 P.M. Foundation Academy (8-2) got last week off with a bye, but this week it will face a tough test in the Class 2A, Region 2 semifinal against Oak Hall (8-3) out of Gainesville. The Eagles are coming off a blanking of Saint Francis Catholic. Just like Foundation has a trusty quarterback in Henry Austad, Oak Hall has a beast in dual-threat quarterback Cole Gonzales. Through the season, Gonzales has picked up more than 2,447 total yards and has accounted for 33 total touchdowns (19 passing, 14 rushing). Through the air, freshman Jacarree Kelly (eight receiving touchdowns) and junior Andrew Pickens (six receiving touchdowns) have been his biggest targets, while Ryan Nolan (seven rushing touchdowns) has been a rushing threat for the Eagles.

Above: Ledger Hatch battled Lennard and the weather. Right: Isaiah Givens led the Panthers offense.

the Panthers the 7-0 lead with 10:42 left in the half. On Dr. Phillips’ following offensive drive, the Panthers went right downfield on the Longhorns (7-4) with eight running plays before Fields capped it off with a 9-yard touchdown run. The extra point extended the Panthers’ lead to 14-0 with 2:57 left in the half — a score that would hold going into the locker room. The rain continued to fall coming out of the break, and both teams held the other scoreless until Taylor broke free on a highlight reel-making, 32-yard punt return for a touchdown with 6:23 left in the third quarter. “When I first got it, I had to cut back, because the defender was right in my face,” Taylor said. “Then I saw Stephen Dix, and I had a clear path and basically walked into the end zone.” The Panthers got one more

WEEK PREVIEW

score in the game that came less than two minutes later, as Holland scorched the Longhorns’ defense on a 33-yard run. The extra point from Riley Stephens — who was 4-for-4 on the night — gave the home side the 28-0 lead. The third quarter was a big milestone for Lennard, as it would be the first time all game the Longhorns found themselves in Panthers’ territory. In fact, the Dr. Phillips defense didn’t yield an inch and shut out a team that had averaged almost 26 points per game, while running back Tino Hunt had picked up almost 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. In the game against Dr. Phillips, however, Hunt was

held to just 76 yards on 23 carries — an average of 3.3 yards per carry. “That’s a 1,600-yard back, so when we pop on the film, the first thing that you see is No. 21 just shredding everyone’s defense for 160 yards a game,” Wells said. “That was the challenge of the week.” The only score for the Longhorns came in the dying minutes of the game, when the Panthers — who had their backs to their own goal line — fumbled the ball away in the end zone, which was recovered by Lennard’s Cortland Mitchell with 2:33 left in the game. The extra point was good, sealing the game’s final score at 28-7. Next up for the Panthers is

n THE FIRST ACADEMY (5-5) AT HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL (6-4) Going into the playoffs, The First Academy had won three of its last four and the Royals kept that strong play alive with a 50-6 win in the Class 3A, Region 2 quarterfinal last Friday. This week, the Royals will travel from the friendly confines of Orlando as they make their way to Melbourne to take on Holy Trinity Episcopal (6-4) in the regional semifinal. The Tigers are led by junior quarterback Ja’Lon Hudgins, who has racked up 1,224 passing yards and 14 touchdowns through the air through 10 games.

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another home game, this time against Osceola (Kissimmee) (9-1) in the regional semifinal. Being able to host the first two rounds of the playoffs is something the Panthers are more than excited about. “It feels good,” Taylor said. “We just have to get back into the weight room and come back and get better.”

“We’ll look at the film, and we’ll look at the things Trinity Prep stopped,“ Kinard said. “There’s a reason that they stopped it, which means we probably put it too much on film, so we’ll add some things and we’ll make some adjustments.” — NATE MARRERO

WOLVERINES FALL 48-13 IN FINAL 2019 GAME

TFA ROLLS PAST TRINITY PREP IN 50-6 BLOWOUT

The First Academy Royals found themselves trailing for all of one play, as they answered Trinity Prep’s touchdown on their opening drive with 50 points to cruise past the Saints 50-6 in the Class 3A regional quarterfinals. “I think with the seniors we have — we only have four playing seniors — they have done an outstanding job this year,” Royals head coach Leroy Kinard said. Following Trinity Prep’s (5-6) touchdown, which put them up 6-0, Lake Ellis ran the ensuing kickoff back 82 yards to kickstart the 50-point run. Terrence Mosley had three rushing touchdowns, while Josua Gannaway and Tommy Waldrop each had one. The lone passing touchdown was from Sean Johnson Jr. to Camp Magee. Jayden Battle, Esteban Venegas and Gannaway each had one interception. The Royals (5-5) also had beaten Trinity Prep during the regular season 54-24. “Anytime you play a team a second time, it gives you an opportunity to make adjustments,” Kinard said. “I thought we made a couple of adjustments that were helpful. “They had a couple guys get hurt and when you have a couple

Nate Marrero

Camp Magee (No. 7), Josua Gannaway (No. 10) and Elijah Scadina (No. 85) celebrated TFA’s win over Trinity Prep.

guys get hurt, it significantly changes our level because the guys you put in aren’t as good,” he said. “I think that’s what happened to them so it just kind of snowballed after a while.”

With the win, The First Academy will move onto the 3A regional semifinals to take on Holy Trinity Episcopal (6-4), which beat Indian Rocks Christian 42-6 in their first-round matchup.

They were determined to play each other this season, but the Windermere and Freedom varsity football teams simply could not escape the weather. The Wolverines and Patriots originally were scheduled to meet Friday, Aug. 30 (Week 2), but the impending threat of Hurricane Dorian — which struck parts of the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm two days later — caused a postponement. Ironically, Friday’s make-up date (Nov. 8) brought periodic rain, strong winds and temperatures in the 60s to Deputy Scott Pine Community Park. Windermere completed the 2019 season with a 48-13 loss to Freedom. The Patriots took control with a 21-point second quarter en route to a 27-7 halftime lead before they outscored the Wolverines 21-6 during the final two quarters. Prior to the opening kickoff it was announced Friday would mark the end of Fred Priest’s storied coaching career. Priest — the original athletic director at Windermere High whose long coaching career spanned four decades and stops in Michigan, Colorado and Georgia — became head football coach following the Wolverines’ first varsity season in 2017.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

The Wolverines, who were beset by injuries throughout the 2019 regular season, finished 1-9 this year, with the lone victory coming in Week 1 against Cypress Creek. Windermere, which put up 41 points in Week 11 against Colonial, had some scoring opportunities go awry in the opening half against Freedom. The Wolverines lost a pair of fumbles inside Freedom territory, missed field goals from 30 and 42 yards and had a turnover on downs at the Patriots’ 17-yard line. Freedom (3-7) opened the scoring with 1:09 left in the first quarter when quarterback Cooper Galvin and Gio Frongillo connected for a 61-yard touchdown pass. Galvin’s 42-yard scoring toss to Pedro Guzman and Kaitlyn Reynolds’ extra point made it 13-0 at the 10:41 mark of the second quarter. Windermere fumbled inside the Freedom 10-yard line — at the end of a long catch-and-run play — that Ronald Starke III recovered for the Patriots. Moments later, Demorie Tate ran 95 yards for a touchdown around the left side with 3:40 remaining before halftime. The teams traded touchdowns during the final minute of the opening half: Freedom’s Kegan Duff had a 16-yard scoring run with 41 seconds to go, while Windermere’s Tyler Rosario caught a tipped pass down the right sideline from junior quarterback Ryan Flournoy en route to a 60-yard score as time expired. — CHRIS MAYER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY The Winter Garden Times Nov. 14, 1974 It was cause for celebration this week in 1974 as the TriCity Shopping Center, at the intersection of Highway 50 and Dillard Street in Winter Garden, turned 1. Four pingpong drops were held, and numbered balls garnered prizes for the recipients. Prizes and discounts were available at all the stores, including Food World, Happy Holiday Travel, First State Bank, Griffin’s Men’s Wear, The Whiffletree, The Focal Point, Card Carousel Shop, Eckerd Drugs and Burger Chef.

60 years ago

First Baptist Church is struggling without a secretary since Jackie Miss Humphreys left for college.

50 years ago

Jaycees Ernest Crawford, Stan Smith, Calvin Grubbs, Robert Rudd and Tom Goddard recently attended the District 8 conference in Orlando. Mrs. Bert E. Roper presented a program to the Rotary Club explaining the need and urging people to contribute their time to teaching others how to read.

45 years ago

The Windermere Country Restaurant, which was operated more recently as the Villa Milano, has been reopened by Harold and Theresa Barlow as Barlow’s Kountry Kitchen. Dale W. Higgins in the newest member of the Times’ editorial staff. He was a 1970 graduate of Lakeview High School.

40 years ago

Judge Spencer C. Cross of Ocoee is the chief judge of the newly created Fifth District Court of Appeal. He is the brother of Ocoee Mayor Cliff Freeman.

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photograph of J.C. Ward’s Gas and Grocery is dated June 1957. The business could be an earlier incarnation of the Clarcona Grocery that stands at the southwest corner of Angola Street and Clarcona-Ocoee Road. Any readers who can supply further information can call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244.

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

35 years ago

Top amateur golfers from all over Florida will be at the West Orange Country Club’s second Men’s Invitational Tournament. Mike Armbruster is club manager.

30 years ago

Maxine Black of Winter Garden was in San Francisco when the

earthquake occurred. In fact, she had crossed the Oakland Bay Bridge just a few minutes before its spans collapsed. John and Jan Zweifel of Bay Hill are busy assembling their 1-inch-to-1-foot scale replica of the White House. It spans more than 60 feet from east to west wing, and the reproduction has 35 moveable sections.

LESS by GAIL GRABOWSKI; CROSSWORD NO Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS

29 Friend in Nice 30 Collection of treasures 1 Get a look at 31 Charitable offerings 4 Mature goslings 33 Closest pal, for short 9 Fancy celebration 13 Provide an alibi for, say 36 Orderly line of linemen? 17 Vocalist James or Jones 39 Org. with many bins 42 Dinghy pair 18 Site for strikes and 44 Code components spares 45 Inc. relative 19 Portion out 46 Pack (down) 20 Like a skinny-dipper 21 Get a whiff of a compost 47 Side with? 48 Put on the brakes pile? 50 “The Simpsons” disco 23 AWOL, for one? 25 Patronizes, as a resort guy 52 Tickles, in a way 26 Belly, to a doctor 54 Slapdash 28 “Eek!”

56 Asked earnestly 57 Diminutive 58 Vietnamese observance 59 Proverbial sword beater 60 Off-the-wall 63 Comes together 64 Spot for a salt scrub 66 Person with incredible instincts? 68 Above, to a bard 69 Stick a toothpick in 71 What memory foam mattresses lack 72 Photo events, briefly 74 Anticipatory time 77 Bibb units

Mary Anne Swickerath, editor of The West Orange Times, retired after nearly 30 years with the weekly newspaper. Her first position was as columnist for the Ocoee Bulletin Board section.

38 Gunk 39 “I think this soup needs more seasoning,” for one? 40 Process, as ore 41 Vaulted church recesses 43 Additive sold at NAPA 46 Private pupil 48 “That’s all ___ wrote” 49 Grill master’s utensil 50 Words that might not be in the OED 51 Takes care of 53 Champagne cocktail 55 Lets off the hook 56 Plug projection 60 Thatching material 61 Strong string 62 Weaken, as confidence 65 Covers with blacktop 67 Big scene 69 Good-sized hunks 70 Birdcage feature DOWN 73 According to 1 Editor’s “don’t delete” 75 Attach importance to 2 Mediterranean volcano 76 Nemesis 3 Course that’s good for 78 Range rover one’s GPA 80 “This ___ outrage!” 4 King Arthur’s nephew 81 Source of trips in the ‘60s 5 Over the moon 84 Form a labor organization 6 Golf’s “Big Easy” Ernie 88 Flamboyance 7 Put out bait, say 89 Tex-Mex dip 8 Tweezer target 90 Posh properties 9 Fireplace sights 93 German gent 10 “... or ___!” 94 Abject fear 11 Pedicure target 95 Bouquet tosser 12 “And so on” letters 96 University of Oregon 13 “Delta of Venus” author locale Nin 97 Picnic spoiler 14 Post-meal sound 98 Run-of-the-mill 15 Outer boundary 100 Meant to be 16 Driving-range props 103 Massive crowd 17 Suffix for lion 104 Workplace standards 19 Ranked higher than agcy. 22 Edward’s adoptive 105 Job detail, for short mother in “Twilight” 106 Apple discard 24 Song from the choir 27 X-ray examiners, for short 108 Fairway shout 110 Strings at luaus, briefly 32 Homegrown 111 Short-term hire 33 Talk big 112 Appt. book divisions 34 Moralistic tale 114 LAX posting 35 Pursuit of healthy gift 116 “You can’t get ___ of me basket ingredients? that easily!” 37 Walk wearily 100 Frond-bearing plant 101 Muse of love poetry 102 “We’re toast!” 104 First name in hot dogs 107 Congolese or Nigerian, e.g. 109 Migrate for the winter, say 113 Entry in the Guinness World Leopards book? 115 Auto mechanic, at times? 117 “It’s all yours!” 118 Painful pang 119 Online publication 120 Pols with a donkey symbol 121 Nailed, as a test 122 Animal in a tractor logo 123 Passover celebration 124 Uncanny skill, for short

79 Used a doorbell 80 Mr. Right 82 Rap-sheet listing 83 Carry a balance 84 App downloader 85 Realtor’s goal 86 Emails discreetly, briefly 87 Air quality index org. 89 Rowlands of “The Notebook” 91 Rhythm instrument 92 “Keep it down!” 93 Firm producing Valentine’s Day candy? 99 Highly important

10 years ago

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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“VK FVHI, JVX’E WVT PTW RC O RCHACICU PCXS? / RW GHLCXIU OFF IHLMC YVHUAKCU, L RTUE ROZC ORCXIU.”

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“AO’PO RVYPMJRV / AO YPO CSBMOW / YWM AO’UO CSV VS COV SJPROBUOR / XYZF VS VLO CYPMOW.”

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Puzzle Two Clue: F equals K

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