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VOLUME 11, NO. 10
They’ve got spirit, yes, they do! Windermere Prep’s competitive cheerleading team is ready for another run at states. SEE PAGE 9A.
New home. Same Special Hearts Special Hearts Farm has acquired a new 19-acre home in Horizon West. The property will allow the nonprofit to fully fulfill its vision in assisting people with disabilities. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Special Hearts Farm works to create creating memories and a sense of purpose and responsibility through animal care.
Horizon West resident wants new laws governing e-bikes Linda Sibley has created a petition regarding rules and laws she wishes to be implemented for e-bikes and mopeds. PAGE 3A.
A REEL GOOD TIME
Water Spring Elementary students and families enjoy Winter Drive-In movie night. SEE PAGE 13A.
YOUR TOWN OCOEE TO HOST FULL DAY OF HOLIDAY CHEER Ocoee will celebrate the holiday season with its annual Jolly Jamboree and Tree Lighting this weekend. The event takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. In addition, the city’s annual dog parade will take over downtown Ocoee at 1 p.m. Attendees of the Jolly Jamboree will enjoy Santa’s Village, a kids zone, special guests, tree lighting and much more.
CHABAD TO HOST CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
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What a bright time! Windermere caps off its centennial year by burying a time capsule at Holiday Hoopla. PAGE 6A.
Chabad of Winter Garden will celebrate Chanukah with a huge celebration this weekend. Chabad’s Chanukah Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at 240 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The event will include a menorah lighting, donuts, live deejay, balloon twisting, stiltwalkers, magic and much more. Admission is free. For more information, click visit JewishWinterGarden.com/ Chanukah.
NEHRLING GARDENS TO CELEBRATE 14TH AMARYLLIS FESTIVAL
Nehrling Gardens will celebrate the holiday season with its 14th annual Holiday Amaryllis Festival this weekend. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. The gardens will feature beautiful and rare amaryllis bulbs for sale; pictures with Santa; owls and birds of prey; a holiday market; family photo ops; food trucks; holiday treats and more.
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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
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health efforts. The safety and wellbeing of our members and staff remain our highest priority, and we are committed to upholding the rigorous standards our community expects and deserves.” The testing came after an Ocoee woman was diagnosed with the disease and confirmed she is a member of Crunch Ocoee.
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Chef’s Table at the Edgewater and Tasting Room sold The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater and Tasting Room have been sold. Owners Laurie and Kevin Tarter are retiring and have sold the restaurant to Jim Larweth, who also purchased the Edgewater Hotel. The Tarters have owned the Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel since 2008. “When we opened in 2008 with our tiny space of 30 seats and nine tables, we could have never imagined growing to almost 200 seats with two restaurant concepts, serving from the original tiny kitchen,” Laurie Tarter posted on Facebook. The Chef’s Table won its first award in 2008 for Best New Restaurant in Orlan-
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The county is requiring several changes to Orlando Surf Park’s plans.
do. In 2025, the restaurant won the Joseph Hayes Legacy Award. The Tarters also plan to sell their sister restaurant, the Attic Door, in 2026.
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Orange County denies Orlando Surf Park in Horizon West Orange County is requiring changes to a proposal for a Horizon West surf park before it can move forward. Orlando Surf Park originally was proposed to Orange County as a 44-acre sports and lifestyle complex, featuring a 15-acre surf lagoon, full restaurant, beach volleyball, live entertainment, surf stores and more. But before developers can begin construction, they must address environmental, technical and transportation issues. With landscape and sidewalk
conflicts, intersection and roadway issues, as well as fire safety issues and environmental worries, the project might take years to complete if approved by the county. The county now is waiting for the developer’s new and improved plans to be submitted. Learn more about the park at orlandosurfpark.com.
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Jag Cantina closes near Windermere The “cursed” restaurant location at the northeast corner of Conroy Windermere Road and South Apopka Vineland Road appears to have claimed its latest victim. Jag Cantina, the upscale Mexican restaurant that opened in June at 8965 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, is closed. Although the restaurant has
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Disney valet employee arrested after stealing guest’s checks A 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing a guest’s checkbook and writing himself multiple checks. Mason Reid Henrichsen, who worked as a valet at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Villages, is facing grand theft by fraud and forgery of a check charges. According to the arrest affidavit, the guest called the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Dec. 3, after her bank notified her of four suspicious transactions. The checks varied between $98 and $670, totaling almost $1,300. The woman notified police the checks were written to a “Michael Henrichsen.” Detectives determined the man worked at the hotel at which she was staying. Henrichsen’s employer, Town Park, released a statement saying it is aware of the situation and is cooperating with authorities on the matter. When detectives spoke to Henrichsen, he said he found a blank check in the parking lot and decided to write $88 for himself. He deposited the check at a bank near Disney Springs, and after declining the transaction, no money entered his account.
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Crunch Fitness in Ocoee shows no signs of Legionnaires’ bacteria Crunch Fitness in Ocoee has received confirmation from the Florida Department of Health that all 20 samples taken at the gym show no signs of the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s Disease. The Florida Department of Health collected nine bulk-water samples and 11 swab samples during an extensive evaluation of the facility, including the spa systems, showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, bathroom sinks and the exterior water main. Every sample tested negative for Legionella. “We understand there is heightened community attention following reports of Legionellosis cases in the wider Ocoee and Pine Hills areas,” Crunch Ocoee said. “While health officials continue their broader investigation, the Department of Health’s comprehensive testing into the identified systems has found no current indication that Crunch Ocoee’s water systems contained the presence of Legionella pneumophila. “We appreciate the Department of Health’s diligence and transparency throughout this process,” gym officials stated. “Crunch Ocoee will continue to work closely with local and state officials to support public
made no official announcement, the business’ profile on Google indicates that is has “permanently closed.” Furthermore, no person or recording answers the business’ phone number. Jag Cantina opened earlier this year, taking over the spot formerly operated by Black Rock Bar & Grill. Before Black Rock, the space was occupied by Fresh Made Kitchen and earlier by Perkins.
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Bin there, done that Ready, Set, Recycle is a family-owned business dedicated to keeping the streets and environment clean in Winter Garden. MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER
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s a child, Amy James spent time digging through garbage cans to collect aluminum cans. James and her family would crush the cans and take them to a local recycling center. She was born into a recycling family and, from an early age, learned the importance of practicing it for the protection of the environment. Growing up in northwest Indiana during the ’70s and ’80s meant James could take her Coca-Cola bottles back to the store to receive the 10-cent deposit. Every can saved meant cash back in her pocket. Twenty-five years ago, she made the move down to Winter Garden, where she continued to cherish the lessons she learned from her childhood. When Winter Garden discontinued street recycling service in January, she understood the logic. But understanding and being content without recycling are two different things. James said to her husband, Kevin, “One day, we should start a recycling pick-up service.” He jumped on board, and eight months later, Ready, Set, Recycle was born. ‘IT MADE SENSE’
Winter Garden discontinued its recycling services because of the cost and knowing most of the items collected still went to a landfill because of the amount of contamination. James said people were using their recycling bins as an extra trash can, and it caused all of it to go to waste. Cities canceling their city-provided curbside recycling services is a trend James expects to continue. Ready, Set, Recycle was one of James’ many ideas that came to fruition. She has an entrepreneurial mind by nature from her dad, and she con-
MORE INFORMATION WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturdays. They ask for residents to place the bins outside their homes by 7 a.m. Saturdays. COST: Free for December, afterward it is $20 per month or $220 for the year. ACCEPTED MATERIALS: Plastics: Plastic bottles, jugs and containers (please rinse clean). Paper: Office paper, junk mail, magazines and newspapers. Cardboard: Flattened boxes and packaging (place under your bin). Aluminum: Cans and tins (rinsed and dried) WEBSITE: readysetrecyclewg.com
stantly throws out different ideas to Kevin James for the couple to try and start up. Typically, he isn’t on board, but this time was different. What set Ready, Set, Recycle apart from her other ideas was simple: the need for it and the sense it made. “The people (who) really like to recycle — they’ll pay for it,” James said. As the Jameses began thinking deeper on how to turn the simple idea into a reality, a similar company, Plant Street Recycling, launched. At the time James already had spoken to Steve Pash, the assistant city manager of Winter Garden, and he had invited her and Kevin James to come talk to city staff. But they both were so busy and she put the meeting on the back-burner, but when she saw the Observer’s story about Plant Street Recycling, she realized they should spring back into action. James put her head back down and got to work on creating her vision into a reality. “It was a lot more planning than I had anticipated,” James said. “We didn’t have a truck. We had to go find a truck. We had to go find a trailer. We had to get a place to store our stuff,
the bins that we had to source was not easy.” Every aspect of the business had to be created. She and her family decided on blue round 20-gallon bins to use to set themselves apart from Plant Street Recycling so it’ll be easier if they are picking up on the same street. She had to make a website. “It’s not glitzy; I did that (website) on my own,” she said. “That was probably the hardest thing to do ever.” What helped was it wasn’t her first time starting a business, although it is her largest. While James homeschooled her son, she wanted to teach him the steps of starting a business, so the pair created a business on fixing car windows. Once the city approved Ready, Set, Recycle, the business sprung into action, and James decided on bringing all of the recycled goods to Recycling Services of Florida. It’s a family-owned business that began in the 1970s and is aimed to protect the planet by reducing waste’s impact. Eight months after the idea sparked in James’ mind, Ready, Set, Recycle kicked off its first pick-up Saturday, Dec. 6, in Heritage at Plant Street. PASSION FOR RECYCLING
The secret to starting the business wasn’t a huge plan or a brain that understood all of what went into creating a project. It was passion. “I wasn’t going to give up,” James said. So she didn’t. Ready, Set, Recycle is run by Amy and Kevin James, their son, Kyle, and family friend Mat Bowling. All share the passion and love for educating the public on ways it can maintain the longevity of Earth and the town in which they live. Kevin James was born and raised in Winter Garden. Amy James said he can’t believe what the city has become and how it has grown since the ’70s. She described how the couple used to
Resident spearheads campaign for mandatory e-bike education LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
Linda Sibley decided to go on her daily run on a morning in September 2024. While running, she said she was almost struck from behind by a student riding an electric bicycle to school. While she was concerned about the fact she had not heard the e-bike, nor had she seen any lights, she decided to let it go. “But then shortly thereafter, over the next couple of days, as I was running longer, because I was training for a half-marathon, it happened to me a few more times,” Sibley said. “It wasn’t the same student, so I realized that this was really an issue, not only
for me, but for anybody else that was out on the sidewalks or the bike trails.” The Orange County Board of County Commissioners discussed the increase of e-bikes on the roads Tuesday, Dec. 2. At that meeting, District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson proposed the county conduct research on the issue to then put new policies in place. Wilson acknowledged the many petitions and proposals made to Orange County and the state regarding laws and rules to be put in place to minimize crashes and fatalities, including Sibley’s ongoing effort to make a change regarding the topic. District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore supported the idea of creating change through the county and schools, hoping to partner with Orange
County Public Schools to ensure students are safe. “I really hope that (in the) first week of school, we can develop some sort of a module about safe walking and biking to school,” she said. “We have to work together. We have to have a more collaborative approach because they are all our children.” Although no immediate decision was made, commissioners will continue to talk about it, and so will Sibley. “I cannot live with myself if one of your children was struck at an intersection, and it was partly because nobody spoke up,” Sibley said. “I’ve just been speaking up, because I don’t want to see any of you hit somebody, nor do I want to hear that one of your children was hit.”
Courtesy photo
Kyle James and Mat Bowlng collected Reacy, Set, Recycle’s first bins. In the future, they hope to run their own employees for the business.
walk down Plant Street together, and everybody would recognize Kevin James. Now, they don’t see anyone they recognize because of how much it’s grown. “If it’s growing that much, then there’s that many more people living here, let’s continue to keep it clean,” James said. The community is the real reason why James and her family began Ready, Set, Recycle. She knows many in Winter Garden were upset by recycling services being removed and she thinks it’s important for the residents to know it’s still accessible to them. Education is her second priority. “What we’re picking up is going to be recycled,” James said. “It’s not
SIGN THE PETITION
To sign Sibley’s petition to develop and implement a comprehensive moped and e-bike driver safety program in Orange County, visit bit.ly/48sEQ7k.
After her run-ins in 2024, Sibley began asking questions regarding the matter on Facebook. “What struck me was the fact that people my age, because I’m 72, were very concerned that when they were walking on the sidewalk getting some exercise, they had to start changing their behavior and the timeframe they were out on the sidewalk because they were just fearful that they were going to get struck from behind,” she said. Sibley started a petition to strongly urge Orange County to work with OCPS to develop and implement a comprehensive moped and e-bike driver safety program, a program that would be mandatory for all students, as well as their parents, to take and
going to the landfill, where if the city started to do it again, it’s where it would end up. And if it’s important to them, then we’re available for them.” When looking into the future and the goals James has for Ready, Set, Recycle, her main hope is for the community to jump aboard. “That it spreads like wildfire throughout the community, and not only are the adults recycling, but they’re teaching their children about it as well,” she said. It’s important to teach everyone the proper practices for recycling and trash management, she said. People can’t throw trash out of the windows of their cars, and James is hopeful residents will have learned lessons from recycling businesses.
pass before any authorization to drive either a moped or e-bike to school is granted. Sibley’s idea came after she researched the topic, where she came across California’s ordinance on e-bikes and mopeds. “They had to develop a program that — based on what I have read and seen— has absolutely evolved over time to be an incredibly successful program,” she said. The state not only educates riders through online classes, but also it makes them go out on the road and sidewalks to be tested. Sibley said she also is pushing for public service announcements to be put around Florida, educating parents, students and all riders about the dangers of e-bikes, mopeds and e-scooters. So far, her petition has gathered 953 signatures out of the 1,000-signature goal she set, as petitions with more than 1,000 supporters are more likely to receive traction, which tends to lead to ordinances and changes.
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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek
“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Liz Ramos, lramos@OrangeObserver.com Historian / Amy Quesinberry Price, amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com
Special Hearts Farm has acquired 19 acres at 4151 Avalon Road in Horizon West.
Special Hearts Farm acquires its forever home LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER
A MIRACLE
Davis said the nonprofit started looking for a new property in 2021 because of the increased interest in the program. After a year, Special Hearts Farm acquired land in Mount Dora to expand its program and allow for more farmers to participate. “We were excited about the growth and everything, but we were going to have to move farther away from our
HOW TO HELP SPECIAL HEARTS FARM EIGHTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER WHEN: Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14 WHERE: Virtually at specialheartsfarm.com DETAILS: Donors have the opportunity to sponsor an animal, granting them unlimited visits, pictures and an official certificate. Raffles and auction items also will be available during the fundraiser.
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illed to the brim with a waiting list for individuals seeking entry to Special Hearts Farm, it was time to acquire new land and expand its program. “We just really saw a need to expand and be able to grow the mission — not only grow the individuals that we’re able to serve but also just the programming itself,” Special Hearts Farm Director of Development Emily Davis said. “We really see that this as an opportunity for the community as a whole to see what individuals with disabilities can truly accomplish when they’re supported and believed in.” Special Hearts Farm acquired 19 acres located at 4151 Avalon Road in Horizon West. The new space is 10 times larger than its current property and will allow the nonprofit to serve more individuals and decrease the number of people on the waitlist. Started in 2014 by two special-education teachers, the nonprofit aims to serve individuals with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities by creating meaningful memories and a sense of purpose and responsibility. Davis said the farmers love to take care of the animals, as that is the main component of the program. She said it brings them a sense of calm. At this new property, Special Hearts Farm hopes to bring a full-size horse and breed goats so farmers can continue to have that bond and connection with as many animals as possible. “We just want the community to know how special our farmers are,” Davis said. “And we believe that everybody who walks onto this property will leave with a kinder, more special heart.”
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The new location will be 10 times bigger than its current property.
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client base,” Davis said. “And something was kind of just telling us that it wasn’t meant to be this site.” Then, a miracle happened. “There was an amazing person in the community who had a piece of land that he was not using,” Davis said. “And so he approached us and offered to do a land swap so that it would be a much better fit for us. … He kind of just felt led in his heart to be a tremendous part of making this project happen and so he made us the offer — an opportunity to switch (properties) — and we took him up on it. And it was an amazing decision, because now we are going to be right in (Horizon West), and that’s where we’ve always been.”
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EXPANSION
With this new land, more space will be available to expand the program and classes. “We are going to have an event barn, and they’ll be able to gain many more skills beyond farming and gardening,” Davis said. “They’ll actually be able to gain skills in retail, event planning, catering, cooking and all kinds of new things by hosting events for the community.” Currently, farmers take care of animals like mini cows, mini horses, chickens, bunnies, goats and more, while also growing and practicing their gardening skills. “Everything that we do will be taken to the next level,” Davis said. From a 20-square-foot garden to a 2-acre garden, the expansion will provide farmers with more opportunities and learning skills. “We also will have a greenhouse that will provide a lot of wheelchair accessible opportunities for our farmers to take part in all of the gardening things,” Davis said. “And we’ll be able to use that as not only a revenue source but (also) a way to engage the community in meeting our special farmers by hosting farmers markets and all kinds of events that are related to the farm
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Farmers gain a sense of responsibility and calmness when caring for the animals.
and produce and the animals.” Davis said classrooms will expand as well and will have smart boards in each one of them, enhancing the learning outcomes. The new property also will include a commercial kitchen and dedicated spaces for goat milk soap making and woodworking with professional equipment provided. “It’s basically going to take everything that we do to the next level and expand upon our mission so much more,” Davis said. Beyond classrooms, Special Hearts Farm will build a residential facility, accommodating up to 30 farmers. They will have their own rooms in a house with up to six farmers, as well as full-time caretaking staff. “It’ll be kind of like a group home-
type of setting, but we’re going to make it super home-y and just full of love and laughter,” Davis said. The property also will have a 15,000-square-foot agriculture training facility. “It will definitely be an amazing landmark in Central Florida,” Davis said. “I really think that it’s going to make history in our area. We are just incredibly blessed and so grateful and excited to be able to carry out this project.” This expansion also will mean more pasture for the animals to feed on, making this a win-win property for Special Hearts Farm. Although the property has been acquired already, Davis said construction most likely won’t be complete until 2027.
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YOUR WINTER GARDEN NEIGHBOR. YOUR REAL ESTATE PARTNER.
Orange County Environmental Protection Division assistant manager receives award from Friends of Lake Apopka. LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR
Liz Ramos
Liz Johnson is the recipient of the Friends of Lake Apopka’s 2025 Jim Thomas Environmental Hero Award.
River Water Management District in 1988. She said her years with the district were filled with amazing people who helped her make fond memories that grew her heart for public service. In 2000, Johnson wanted to grow in her career, so she took a position with Orange County, where she was able to hone in on her skills and broaden her horizons. Rather than focusing on 19 counties, she only had one to work with, and rather than working with consultants and environmental professionals, she was working more with the average citizen. “When you’re doing something you love, it just doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything special,” Johnson said. “If it’s something you love, you get up, you’re excited and you’re like, ‘What can I accomplish today that will make things better tomorrow?’ I think that’s really a lot of what it is.” Johnson said she wouldn’t have completed as many projects or accomplished as much throughout her career if it weren’t for those with whom she worked. She considers her efforts a drop in the bucket. “Hardly anybody can do anything by themselves,” she said. “I might have gotten the award, but I didn’t achieve it on my own. We all earned it.” Reflecting on her career as she prepares to retire next year, Johnson said she hopes she’s inspired people to enter the environmental field.
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As a child, Liz Johnson loved to explore nature. She would turn over rocks and look at the worms and anything else she would find underneath. Any chance she had, she was spending her time outside. “Every time I’m in nature, or I think about nature, I’m just in awe,” Johnson said. “Take detritus, on the surface, it just looks like old cypress needles and some leaves and twigs. But if you were to actually get a handful of it and you were to look at it under a microscope, you would be amazed at the number of critters doing jobs that’s in something that seems so nondescript. When I think of nature, that’s what gets me so excited, I’m just in awe about how everything seems to have a purpose.” It’s that passion for nature that has driven Johnson, who is an assistant manager with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division, in her 37-year environmental career and has led to her receiving the 2025 Jim Thomas Environmental Hero Award from Friends of Lake Apopka. Johnson has worked with Thomas on numerous occasions when he was serving as a consultant on a project on which she was working. She said he was one of the consultants that was “going to do it the right way,” which she admired. She knew she could trust him. To receive an award named for Thomas was an honor for Johnson. She said she never believed she would be in the same company of award recipients as people she considered true environmental heroes. “I never saw myself as that, because it’s just doing what I love,” she said. Johnson started with the St. Johns
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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
Family Owned & Operated Since 1945 · Celebrating 80 Years
Mayor Jim O’Brien was excited for the time capsule burial.
Windermere hosts a night to remember
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apping off its centennial year, the town of Windermere hosted a roaring ’20s Holiday Hoopla for residents to enjoy Friday, Dec. 5. With various activities, the night was one to remember. Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien began the celebration with the burial of a time capsule. Inside, there are receipts, letters from the mayor and the centennial committee, newspapers, a Lego set, a book made by
Special Holiday Hours (Starting December 1st) Monday-Saturday 9:30am - till, Sunday - Closed
second-graders, and more. The time capsule will be opened in 2075. Besides the burial of the time capsule, attendees enjoyed rock climbing, a petting zoo, an interactive deejay, arts and crafts, and more, with free beverages, food trucks and a cake to celebrate the town’s birthday. Santa Claus even made a debut at the event, surprising children and families.
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Victoria Rodriguez attended the event with her son for a fun night out.
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Jennifer Pilgrim and Bruna Lounsberry showed up to the event with holiday spirit.
Aliya, Ayden, Danny and Khalil Anjarwalla attended the event with their pet, Fluffy.
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Ocoee to tighten code enforcement
West Orange County’s
Church DIRECTORY
STAFF WRITER
The Ocoee City Commission was presented with an update on the Operation Clean Street effort during its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2. Code enforcement and the police, fire, building and planning departments were involved in the operation conducted Aug. 27 in Ocoee’s downtown mixed-used area. Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn said the operation was conducted to identify and document violations of municipal codes and ordinances to ensure the public’s safety from hazardous conditions. The departments checked 45 properties, issued 33 property citations, 12 parking citations and three fire code violations. Of the properties cited, 20 have since come into compliance. After being presented the results of the operation, commissioners asked staff to bring back proposals that can tighten enforcement — especially for commercial violators and oversized vehicles in residential areas. The commission expressed concerns that fines are not deterring frequent offenders. “People don’t care, because they think we can’t do anything,” Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said. Ogburn recommended the commission continue to conduct multidepartment sweeps, increase community education and institute a clearer fine structure. Under state law, fines reach $250 for first-time offenses, $500 for second offenses and up to $5,000 for irreparable violations. TNXL PROPOSES LAND PURCHASE
The commission read a letter of intent from TNXL Academy Ducks LLC to purchase 8.97 acres at 1755 Adair Street and a 1.3-acre portion of 1701 Adair St. for $2.2 million. TNXL Academy is under a lease agreement, which was approved July 18, 2019, by the commission. A first amendment approved construction of a permanent building at the site and a second amendment gave
n The Ocoee City Commission is working on arranging a meeting with Orange County Public Schools to discuss traffic and student safety concerns. They especially are concerned about the congestion on Lafayette Street where students wait daily near the road before and after school. n Approval of Surety Bond for Banyan Cove Boulevard and Westbridge Court to approve and record a plat was unanimously approved. The plat will formally create the associated street right-of-ways, tracts and retention facilities and provide easement for emergency vehicle access.
TNXL $640,000 in capital investment for facility improvements. The second amendment Dec. 17, 2024, also reduced TNXL’s lease payments, and Ocoee maintains access to two baseball fields from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. If the purchase is approved, TNXL would replace the functions of the two fields at Bob Sorenson Park with similar fields at Vignetti Park and maintain city access to the Sorenson Fields, under the same hours. District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy expressed his concerns with the price. He said there isn’t enough in ANGLICAN the proposed packet to justify the $2.2 million, so he would need further ANGLICAN COMMUNITY negotiation to be convinced to sell the FELLOWSHIP CHURCH property. Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas District 4 Commissioner George 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden Oliver III echoed the concerns. SUNDAY you SERVICE “Land isn’t something can 10:00 AM Find us at: Theacf.net manufacture,” Oliver said, emphasizing the need for Ocoee to have more stake in the property it already owns. BAPTIST The commission requested for BEULAH BAPTIST TNXL to formalize negotiations Pastor Casey Butner and return with a detailed purchase agreement for the to Garden 671commission Beulah Rd, Winter review. 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: FOUNDATION WORSHIP SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867
Nehrling Gardens
Holiday Amaryllis Festival
FUN, FREE, German-Inspired Family Event SATURDAY, DEC. 13, 2025 9AM-3PM 2267 Hempel Avenue, Gotha
BAPTIST
METHODIST
First Baptist Church
First United Methodist
Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana
www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
2nd Campus: First Baptist Church
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
@ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org
St. John’s PCA
Starke Lake Baptist Church STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
Pastor Jeff Pritchard CHURCH PO Box 611 W Ave, Ocoee PO Box520, 520 Pastor Jeff Pritchard 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Victory Baptist Church Pastor Thomas Odom N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee &1105 Christian Academy 407-656-8011
1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH (407) 656-3097 241 N. Main, Winter Garden www.VBCOCOEE.com Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM www.churchofthemessiah.com Wednesday: 7 PM
Meets at West Orange HS 1625 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 321-343-7741 Sundays: 10:30 AM www.stjohnspca.com
METHODIST
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org
NON-DEN
PURPOSE C 13640 W. Colo Winter Garden 407-654-9661 Fellowship 9:4
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org
MIKE YOAKUM PASTOR
P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM
1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. OCOEE, FL 34761
LV14252
IN OTHER NEWS
MEGAN BRUINSMA
Matthew’s Hop
ORDER YOUR Matthew’s Hope is looking CUSTOM MADE for new or gently used • Custom Furnitur Spectacular and rare hybrid Amaryllis bulbs as Barn Doors, and CHRISTMAS casual type clothing. • Repaired, Refinis well as blooming Amaryllis to purchase GIFTS NOW! Items can be dropped off Monday - Friday, Repurposed Wo
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Check out the custom 10 AM - 4 PM or by appointment. • Gently Used Fur made silent auction items Household Item • HOLIDAY PLANT & VENDOR MARKET Follow us at https://www.faceboo will be available at • OWLS & BIRDS OF PREYthat EXPERIENCE • ECO-ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS KIDS Party on theFOR Garden Visit our Workshop Location at 611 Business Park B • FOOD TRUCK & HOLIDAY TREATS November 9!! 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am 423297-1
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Bring a food item or toy for charity to receive a ticket for a chance to win a raffle prize.
611 Business Park Blvd. #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (407) 905-9500 | MatthewsHopeMinistries.org
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Call (407) 656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com
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With a passion for cooking, Charlene Carter, owner of CC’s Kitchen, has brought soul food to Winter Garden — one of the few spots in the area offering Southern-style comfort food. Carter has offered catering at corporate events, radio station events, weddings, family events and more for more than 20 years. Although she has no idea where her cooking ability came from, she thanks God for it and calls it a gift. Carter recalls cooking a meal for her then-boyfriend on Valentine’s Day more than 20 years ago and said it was excellent. From that point on, she started cooking often and eventually had kids. “I became a family of five once I got married, and I had no choice but to cook,” she said. She first opened a CC’s Kitchen after moving to Atlanta in 2008 with her children, but years later, things took a turn for the worse. Carter became homeless. With business expenses, she came to live paycheck to paycheck, and in 2013, she no longer had funds to have a home or keep her business open. She was homeless for two years. A homeless organization helped her get an apartment, where she then began catering again, and in 2015, she moved back to Winter Garden. Because of her experience with homelessness, she hopes to collaborate with nonprofit organizations and feed the homeless community nearby. “I’d like to help Matthew’s Hope, Hope Foundation, Hope Imaging,” she said. “It’s a passion of mine and became even stronger once I experienced it myself.” From 2015 to 2024, Carter was catering full time and did not open a brick-and-mortar CC’s Kitchen right away. “I didn’t want to open a restaurant again, but I felt like I had something to bring to the Winter Garden area,” Carter said. “I decided that if I was going to do it, it was going to be here. So I said, ‘If it’s meant to be God, open the door,’ and here we are.” In 2023, Carter said she prayed and had a conversation with God about CC’s. “The next day, I kept circling around in this parking lot (at Winter Garden Plaza) not knowing why,” she said. “And then suddenly I caught the (rent) sign, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute God, what are you doing?’” She called the number listed on the sign and after a few weeks, she heard she was approved for the property. Carter said work that was supposed to be completed in six months took triple the time. She hired workers to do some work for her, but unfortunately, they never returned after their first day, leaving incomplete work and a mess for Carter to figure out. After two years of issues to get the restaurant open, she finally did it. “I went through a lot, but I was so determined,” she said. “If this is it, then God will make a way … and He did. It’s really special to me to be home
IF YOU GO CC’S KITCHEN 13391 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. CONTACT: (407) 986-2525 WEBSITE: ccskitchenfl.com
and to bring this to my community.” The restaurant offers a variety of soul foods, including collard greens, smothered pork chops, candied yams, fried catfish, smothered liver and more. She said all dishes she offers are delicious, but the smothered items are customer favorites. Since opening Sept. 13, Carter said she already has regulars. “I’m very personal when I’m not stuck in the kitchen,” she said. “I like to come out and speak to the customers, and people now have become family. We call them by name when they come in.” As the only cook in the restaurant, she doesn’t have the ability to greet everyone but when she can, she surely does. “I’m the only child on my mom’s side, so I get really attached to my customers,” she said. “I go above and beyond.” Open Wednesdays through Sundays, CC’s Kitchen has become so popular it has been running out of items every day. “The first two weeks of opening, we were selling out every day,” she said. “I’m getting supplies every day, I’m getting deliveries every day, that’s just how much we’re going through.” Carter said the feedback has been great so far, with people thanking her for bringing this comfort to the Winter Garden area. Carter said she still is working out the kinks of the restaurant as it’s been a roller coaster, but it’s something she wouldn’t change. While in Atlanta, her father prayed she would come back to Winter Garden and open a restaurant in the area, so this location is special to her. “It just means a lot,” Carter said with tears in her eyes. “Not just that I opened it but that it’s successful.” She will continue fighting for her business every day and hopes it grows in multiple ways. “I plan on branching out in the future, building from the ground up, expanding, franchising, wherever God takes this,” she said. “I’m ready.”
“I didn’t want to open a restaurant again, but I felt like I had something to bring to the Winter Garden area. I decided that if I was going to do it, it was going to be here. So I said, ‘If it’s meant to be God, open the door,’ and here we are.” — Charlene Carter
DECEMBER 11, 2025
SPORTS
Lake Buena Vista’s Katelyn Pulver and finished the season averaging 3.8 kills per set, 94 total kills with a 0.330 hitting percentage. Page 10A.
Windermere Prep’s competitive cheer team is fully unified in its goal to win states. The girls added white pompoms to enhance the cleanness of their presentation.
GAME DAY
DECISION
Windermere Prep cheer is new opportunity emerged ready to enter its second year in the cheerleading world for the 2024-25 season: of competition after finishing the FHSAA Game Day Division. last year as state runners-up hadIntothisrecreate new competition, each team the energy and exciteof real football sideline situain FHSAA’s Game Day Division. ment tions — either defense or offense. MEGAN BRUINSMA
STAFF WRITER
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cheer team decided to enter into uncharted territory. And not only did it compete, at the state competition in January, the Lakers finished as the runners-up. Now, with another year of experience and training, the Lakers have their sights set on returning to states. But this time, they want to win it all. REP THE PREP
Audrey Petterson started her tenure as Windermere Prep’s cheerleading head coach in 2020. She cheered all throughout high school and won the Tennessee state championship but fell away from the sport when she began college at the University of Central Florida. She had dreams of becoming the general manager of SeaWorld, but life had other plans. Petterson’s friend at UCF reintroduced her to cheer, and in 2004, Petterson began working with the Orlando All Stars, now Top Gun All Stars. Currently, she serves as the program’s junior executive director.
HIGH
Windermere Prep’s competitive
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Windermere Prep boys basketball shooting guard Brandon Bass Jr. etched himself further in the school’s record books by becoming the all-time leading scorer. He surpassed Michael Stones’ record of 1,912 points, and Bass Jr. still has more time to extend his scoring record. Bass Jr. broke the record during Windermere Prep’s game Saturday, Nov. 29, at Winter Park High School. The Lakers won, 50-34. The fourstar recruit will take his talents to Florida State University after graduation.
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Horizon High hired Raul Gomez as the football team’s offensive coordinator Wednesday, Dec. 3. The news comes after Ashton Watts, Horizon’s former OC, left the program to become the head coach at Wekiva. Gomez is coming to the Hawks with experience as a special teams, defensive and offensive coordinator. He served as the offensive coordinator at Celebration, Lyman and West Orange high schools. When
he worked at Feltrim Academy as the head coach and OC, his offense broke the national prep school record for the most points in a season.
3
The Olympia High School boys basketball team defeated Bishop Kenny 65-54 Saturday, Dec. 6, and four players reached double-digits in points. James Nowells led the Titans with 20 points, Bishop Wenze had 16, and Kevin Edou and Torrence Moore both recorded 10 points.
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Local teams competed in cheer competitions Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6. Foundation Academy’s junior high competitive cheer team took first place in its division in the Hornet Classic Friday, Dec. 5, at Bishop Moore Catholic. The team has won first place in both of its competitions this season. Ocoee High School’s varsity cheer team won first place in the Husky Cheer Challenge at Hagerty High School. Lake Buena Vista finished second in the medium varsity co-ed division at the 11th annual Chase the State competition at Bartow High School. The First Academy also competed in the same invitational and finished second in the extra-large varsity division.
5
Olympia High School golfers Liam Bonnet-Eymard and Wyatt Bliss were named to the All-Metro Golf Team for their success this season. Lake Buena Vista volleyball players Katelyn Pulver and Estelle Aubert also earned All- Metro Honors.
Megan Bruinsma
SEE LAKERS PAGE 10A
SISTER ACT: Foundation’s Clark siblings bolster Lions soccer Alyvia and Delaney Clark are following in their mom’s and older sister’s footsteps on the pitch. MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER
For most teammates, chemistry is something built over time. It begins at tryouts and grows throughout the hours spent practicing for game day. And it’s one of the most important aspects to build aside from individual skills. Players need to have chemistry with their coaches and teammates, but for some, the connection is built prior to knowing each other through the sport. For Foundation Academy sisters Alyvia and Delaney Clark, their special connection began at birth. Then, it blossomed when they began playing youth soccer. Today, Alyvia is a senior on Foundation’s team, and she’s played for the Lions since sixth grade. Delaney, an eighth-grader, is in her second season as a Lion, It’s the age gap that’s allowed for Delaney Clark to have a smoother
Courtesy photo
Alyvia and Delaney Clark’s family tie runs deep and presents itself on the pitch.
transition to playing on the high school-level team. As a middleschooler on the high school team, she looks up to the older players — especially her older sister — for guidance and support as she navigates the team. “Alyvia’s helped me become friends with a lot of them, since she’s older than me, so it all works out,” Delaney said.
Over her seasons with the Lions, Alyvia has developed close friendships with her teammates. She said this season is different since Foundation lost a core group of seniors, but now, she is able to step into the role of a senior leader and help Delaney tackle the road of developing friendships. SEE FOUNDATION PAGE 10A
OrangeObserver.com
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
Foundation of familiarity
SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES
Katelyn Pulver Katelyn Pulver played a dynamic role on the Lake Buena Vista volleyball team this year. The senior captain was well-rounded in the front row and played middle, outside and opposite hitter. Pulver finished the season averaging 3.8 kills per set and 94 total kills with a 0.330 hitting percentage. She led the team in all three statistics and was named the Player of the Game four times. In the post season, she earned the All-Metro Honors, an award given to top athletes in the area, for her contributions to the Vipers.
What do you enjoy most about volleyball? I enjoy the fast-paced, adrenaline-driven play that the game is all about. It’s so fun when you’re in the middle of a great play and you’re playing your hardest and you win the point. When did you start volleyball, and why did you join? I started playing volleyball when I was about 8 years old. I don’t really remember why I started playing — just that my parents wanted me to play a sport and they both played in high school. What is your biggest accomplishment in volleyball? My biggest accomplishment is probably qualifying for nationals four times and being named to the All-Metro team twice. What has volleyball taught you? Volleyball has taught me how to work as a team with many types of people and how to change my mindset when things get rough.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A
THE BASICS
Age: 18 Grade: Senior School: Lake Buena Vista Sport: Volleyball
that every ball is theirs. Having the mentality that you’re responsible for every ball can help communication and defense. What is your pre-game ritual? My pre-game ritual is to listen to some hype music while stretching. In my opinion, I play best when I’m relaxed and singing some song I got stuck in my head, so listening to music before the game helps me get a good song stuck in my head to listen to. If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? Why? I would probably pick basketball if I were to choose another sport. It’s a similar environment and adrenaline-filled sport with a team aspect. Who do you look up to the most? Walt Disney, for pursuing his love of animation even with all of his setbacks. He and Roy created a very successful company, starting from very little. What is something new you would like to learn? I would like to learn guitar. The guitar seems like a really cool instrument.
Three years ago, Alyvia’s role was flipped when she was a freshman on Foundation’s team with her older sister, Kaitlyn. Alyvia learned from her older sister and now uses those leadership skills as she takes on being the oldest. Being sisters helps the Clarks to feed off each other’s energy. They share neighboring bedrooms, and Delaney often will go into Alyvia’s room just to spend time together. They understand each other on a deeper level than the soccer field, so they understand what emotions are rushing through on game days. Their shared love for soccer is an element that adds to the bond between the sisters. “I think that working with (Delaney) it’s just so much better than working on just a team,” Alyvia said. “Compared to working with your sister than people you may not know as well. I think it’s just better.” Soccer gives them an added reason to spend time together. They work on their skills together outside of Foundation’s practices by doing shootouts. Going out to the field and playing with her sister and teammates is Delaney’s favorite part of soccer. Outside of sharing time together as sisters, the girls never struggle with their family ties impacting their teammate status in a negative way.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A
Family. Friends. Community.
®
Family. Family . Friends. Friends. Community. Community . ®
tackling the nuances of Game Day. The new form of competition led all the girls to participate in sideline cheer during the fall season. YEAR-ROUND SPORT
Although competitive cheer is technically a winter sport, the athletes’ commitments run from the beginning of school through March. The girls support all fall and winter sports through sideline cheer. Sideline practices focus on precision, the arm angles, kicks, height and vocals. Petterson constantly is making adjustments the week of games. She needs to know how many girls will be there and if they need to change positions. Leading up to each game, she checks in with the team to see which cheers need to be refreshed and go over WP’s opponent so the girls are fully prepared. The competitive season is entirely different. The Lakers have a structured warm-up to prepare them for running the route. They take out all of the props, set everything into place, run the routine, feedback and critique. Petterson looks for all the fine details. In past years, not all of the competitive cheerleaders participated in sideline cheer. But this season, they’ve all taken on both forms of the sport all in preparation for Game Day. Petterson said some find sideline cheer to be more nerve-wracking than stepping onto a mat for competition. “You’re looking directly at somebody while you’re cheering,” she said. “Some of the kids will tell you that’s really stressful, but then at the same time, there’s the 5-yearold little girl trying to match your motions.” Each motion is made with precision and intention. The cheerleaders adapt to the crowd’s energy. If they can tell fans to enjoy and engage in a cheer more, they’ll do it; if the energy is low, they’ll bring in a performance to light it back up. The key is practice to perfection. “The thing that still makes me the most proud is when you see it click,” Petterson said, who is in her 21st year of coaching.
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Cheer is all about precision and the technicalities. For competition they try to hit zero, which means no visible errors. In Game Day, the team is judged off the band chant, cheer section and celebration. “When you see them hit a zero routine, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, it was so pretty; it’s perfect,” Petterson said. “They did such a good job And the amount of excitement and pride around that — I think that’s definitely a big thing, too.” Windermere Prep’s varsity cheer team was full of middle-schoolers in her first few seasons at the school. Petterson said it wouldn’t have survived without them. Those girls stuck with it and now are in high school, and Windermere Prep was able to build an entire middle school team now. “The growth of cheerleading in this school is really cool,” Petterson said. MARCH TO STATES
With a fresh year and high hopes for what is to come, the Lakers’ cheer team is ready to take the stage in this new season. Petterson said the team has looked over what successful teams in their division did differently. The team revisited feedback from last season to set itself up for growth. “We’ve only had one competition so far this season, but we got a higher score at that competition than we did at the state championship,” Petterson said. What’ll add fuel to the Lakers’ march back to states is the leaders on the team who understand what it takes. There’s a few new cheerleaders on the team, but Petterson said the experienced girls are very serious about raising their voices, becoming louder and showing more spirit. They’ve even taken on the role of suggesting different movements the team can do. “It’s definitely a team effort from all of them and just trying to make it all happen,” Petterson said. The cheer team still has a long road ahead to make it back to the states stage in January. Windermere Prep is participating in four more competitions before regionals.
We Simplify the Complex
Athlete of the Week Sponsored by Shannon Till,
We’re all in this together.
probably be my older sister Kaitlyn because she definitely pushed herself a lot in soccer and in academics, because now she goes to the University of Florida,” Delaney said. After Kaitlyn headed off to UF, the girls have relied on each other and become closer. Senior captain Alyvia channels the positive and uplifting energy when she leads her teammates and her sister on a daily basis. “I’m a captain, so I try to lead by example,” Alyvia said. “I think it’s easier for me to be a captain for Delaney, because obviously, I can naturally boss her around and stuff to listen. So I think I’m kind of just keeping her in check.” Delaney will be the last Clark to play for Foundation’s team, and she hopes to push herself to her limits in order to grow for the years to come. She dedicates herself to soccer and wants to one day become the captain of the team. Her goals align with Foundation’s team goals to push themselves and challenge their capabilities. The goal is to make it to districts and see how far the team can go from there, but throughout the journey, Alyvia said the team wants to see growth in their accomplishments. No matter the outcome at the end of the year, Foundation’s team wants to be able to look back at the beginning and feel the differences in their connections and skills.
Lakers set sights on states
Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? If I didn’t live in Florida, I would probably live in Japan. The vibrancy of the atmosphere and technological advancements are so interesting to me.
At the time, Windermere Prep didn’t have a head cheer coach, and Petterson had coached eight of the 12 girls when they were younger, so she promised to help them out. In If you won the lottery, what her first season as a Laker in 2020, would you do with the money? the competitive cheer team made it I would probably put it toward to the state final in the traditional my education. I want to get a route division. But that class was What advice would you give master’s, and six years of school loaded with seniors who graduated, someone who just joined volis pretty expensive. I would proband the program had to be rebuilt. leyball? ably also put it towards some The Lakers tried to compete in the I would give the advice to decide vacations, like a trip to Disneytraditional division for the next few why you love the sport early on, land, Paris or the aquariums that years without success. But when so that when something tests have whale sharks in Japan and the Game Day division was created, your resolve, you remember why China. Petterson’s ears perked up. you’re playing in the first place. It was uncharted territory not What is your favorite holiday? only for the girls but also Petterson. If you were a coach, what speech Why? She dived into researching everywould you give the team? My favorite holiday is Thanksthing she could — judges’ training I would most likely talk to my giving, because I love being able videos, college routines and even team about having the mindset to see all of my family and have band chants during football games. such great food. “It definitely put me outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “It What future career do you want challenged me a lot, but I enjoyed it, to have? because it’s like, ‘Hey, I’m learning I want to be a marine biotechsomething new now.’” nologist, working on ways to help While traditional competitive health problems using untouched cheer focuses on synchronized or undiscovered marine resourctumbling, stunts and pyramids, es. Game Day emphasizes leadership, crowd engagement, sideline tradiIf you became famous, what tion and school spirit. It’s highly would it be for? demanding of energy and creates a I would be the first female presence on stage. marine biologist to win a Petterson was unsure how the Nobel prize. uncharted territory would look. She didn’t know if a lot of teams would If you had to pick a choose to transition or if there spirit animal, which would hardly be any competition. would you choose? Once competition began, the LakI would choose a giant ers saw their pathway open. panda, because I feel like The cheerleaders had their skills I am very silly and cuddly. and strength down to a tee, but for Game Day, they had to practice their What is your perfect day? smiles and engagement with the My perfect day is being able to crowd. Certain girls were selected go to Disney, specifically Magic to hold up Windermere Prep’s signs, Kingdom, and riding the rides which say, “W,” “P,” and “Rep the and meeting characters. I would prep,” their jobs became more comalso go to Epcot for food during plex than the girls initially thought. the festivals. “I need you to put the sign out and when you do it, I need it to make a Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. What doesRd6-7 mean? sound, and they’re like, ‘I have to Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels State Farm but has aitlong Winter Garden, 34787 I’mFLnot really sure, either, is traditionpractice this,’” Petterson said of the Toll Free:fun 855-742-1591 there.with That’s one reason to say. I thinkofitbeing started training process. www.shannontill.com whysaying I’m proud a basketball player histo support West There was some frustration when Orange county.. height. girls realized they excelled at everyGet toBRUINSMA a better State . — MEGAN thing else but were struggling with How would you describe yourself as a teammate? I would describe myself as a positive teammate. When people get great plays, I’m the first to cheer; and when we’re down, I’m trying to keep the team positive.
In Foundation’s season-opener Thursday, Nov. 13, the girls both recorded an assist during the team’s 2-2 tie with Geneva. “I love my younger sister, and I think it’s really fun to play with her,” Alyvia said. “I’m proud of her for any of her accomplishments.” It was special for the pair to share the accomplishment during Foundation’s first game, and it reflected on the relationship they have been building by growing up together and now competing as teammates. For the sisters, soccer always has been more than just a sport; it’s been a part of their identity and their upbringing. “(Our parents) always push us to play a sport and be active,” Delaney said. Both Alyvia and Delaney joined soccer when they were 4 years old. Alyvia said her career became more serious when she joined club soccer in fourth grade. She’s no longer on a club team, because the senior wants to prioritize her education to prepare for physician assistant school after high school. Delaney currently is playing club soccer with Florida Kraze Krush Soccer Club. Alyvia credits their mom for sparking her and her sister’s love for the sport. Their mom was a Division I soccer player at Florida State University and passed along her soccer roots to Alyvia, Delaney and their older sister, Kaitlyn. “My major role model would
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Connor Clark and Jaxian Clark had festive balloon hats.
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Fernanda Silva and Lucca Dias took a moment to say hello to Santa.
MERRY & BRIGHT!
Shari Nevis, Sarah Ryder and Stefanie and Anthony Merillo waited for a shuttle to take them to the Sheeters’ estate.
Eight Waves decks halls at Home for the Holidays
W
hat started as an initiative to help five children in need became a nonprofit helping thousands of Central Florida kids succeed in school and life. Eight Waves, a Winter Garden nonprofit, held its annual fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 22. Home for the Holidays was hosted at Andy and Isabel Sheeter’s estate, where attendees received a one-ofa-kind experience. Guests enjoyed live music, cocktails, dishes and desserts and participated in auctions. The Sheeter home was elegantly filled with Christmas decorations and surrounded with Eight Waves students’ testimonials.
Trey Hildebrant, Sarah Hildebrant, Jude Hildebrant, Bear Hildebrant, Maverick Hildebrant, Melody Rigdon and Tim Rigdon were all smiles at their first Light Up Winter Garden. The Hildebrants just moved to Winter Garden the day before the event.
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rey Hildebrant, his wife, Sarah Hildebrant, and their children, Jude, Bear and Maverick, and Melody and Tim Rigdon all walked down Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden taking in all the lights and sounds of the holiday season Friday, Dec. 5. The Hildebrants just moved to the city Thursday, Dec. 4, and were thrilled to be at Light Up Winter Garden Friday, Dec. 5. The community gathered for the annual tradition of Light Up Winter Garden to ring in the holiday season. Festivities included live performances, games, visits with Santa, street performers, holiday photo stations, and of course, the flip of a switch to turn on all the lights going down Plant Street.
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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
STEPHANIE ROBBINS SUNRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Stephanie Robbins is a first-year educational media specialist at SunRidge Middle School. Robbins is responsible for collaborating with administration and teachers on digital instruction and literacy initiatives, managing media center procedures, providing a culture of reading, coordinating academic competitions and overseeing the SunRidge Middle School News Crew. She also supports the science department, and she is part of the leadership team at the school. Robbins holds an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. “Mrs. Robbins, media specialist at SunRidge Middle School, is our Influencer of the Week for her outstanding contributions to fostering a vibrant reading culture,” Principal Amy McHale said. “Since joining our literacy team, she has inspired both students and teachers to engage more deeply with literature, transforming the media center into a hub of excitement and learning. Her creative monthly themed literacy celebrations, lunch bunch and heartfelt recognition of Students of the Month have made the space feel welcoming, inclusive and full of joy. Mrs. Robbins is truly making a lasting impact on our school community.” What brought you to your school? I took a break from education for a few years and missed the students. I also missed being in the school environment.
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What do you love most about your school? I love my colleagues and the students. Interacting with students in the media center and during lunch duty is enjoyable. I also appreciate the supportive administration that allows me to bring my ideas to life in the media center.
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What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is building connections with the students. I enjoy learning about their interests and helping them navigate middle school. What would you be if you weren’t in this profession? If not in education, I would likely have pursued a career in the medical field due to my background in biology. I also have a creative side, so graphic design might have been an option, as well.
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Who influences you? My parents are my greatest influences. Despite being a challenging child, they worked hard to provide for our family. Reflecting on my childhood, I realize how grateful I am for their sacrifices and understand their desire for the best for my siblings and me.
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speech team coach, Mrs. Sluder, was my favorite. She was supportive, introduced us to classic literature in a fun way and always went above and beyond for her students. What is your favorite children’s book and why? I loved “Curious George” as a child for his curiosity and adventures. I still have some “Curious George” collectibles and books from my childhood. What do you like to do in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy crafting with my Cricut, baking, traveling and spending time with my family. If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why? I would choose Walt Disney. As a big Disney fan, I admire his imagination and how he brought characters to life. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would choose the power of teleportation. I love traveling and would enjoy reaching destinations quickly to explore new places. If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? My musical tastes are eclectic. I’d choose George Strait for his voice and guitar, Whitney Houston for her pop hits from the ’80s and ’90s and Jack Johnson for his folk-rock, especially his “Curious George” album. What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? I loved pizza day at school, with its classic rectangle pizza, canned corned and canned peaches. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the decorating, the spirit of giving, and the warmth and coziness the season brings. Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? I had a core group of friends with whom I shared everything. Though we have lost touch with some, I still stay connected with most of them through social media. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win accolades or honors? In high school, I was involved in student government and several school committees. I also participated on the speech team for four years. — LIZ RAMOS
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Helena, Flavio, Gustavo and Thayna Dicanco were cozy together in their beach chairs.
amilies gathered up their lawn chairs and blankets to camp themselves on Water Spring Elementary’s basketball court for the Winter Drive-In Friday, Dec. 5. They huddled together as the sun set to watch “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Anna and Sean Judd said they love the movie and joked they’ve seen it 3,000 times. The community came decked out in their holiday outfits and children took turns walking into a towering blown up snow globe for a photo opportunity. In the parking lot, a train was stationed, and it drove families around Water Spring’s car loop.
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‘No one should be alone on Christmas’ F
Water Spring Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization provided an inflatable snow globe for kids to enjoy a winter wonderland.
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Water Spring Elementary’s drive-in was a chance for friends to come together to get into the holiday spirit. Left: Dristen and Millicent Roberts were ready to go for the Grinch with their pizza and drinks.
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THE WAYS
WE WERE
FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
THROWBACK THURSDAY DEC. 10, 1970 The banks in West Orange County offered incentives to get residents in the door to invest their money wisely. At First National Bank of Winter Garden (located in the space now occupied by The Real Estate Collection in downtown Winter Garden), bankers issued the Christmas Club. “Load up with Christmas gifts … not bills. Join a Christmas Club this year so next year you can play Santa with cash, not your credit card.” Those who invested $1 per week collected $50, $5 per week earned $250, and a $20-per-week investment yielded $1,000.
1935: 90 years ago
Daphne, queen of the fan dancers, was one of the attractions of Bilroy’s Comedians. The 80-member cast performed drama, vaudeville, cabaret and revue.
1940: 85 years ago
The U.S. Army inducted the first 800,000 selectees. America thus launched its first peacetime conscription of military reserve power.
1950: 75 years ago
The Lakeview High PTA asked the school board to help pave the road to the school from town.
1965: 60 years ago
The council of Representatives at Lakeview High School presented its first assembly, “Thanksgiving Special,” for seventh- and eighth-grade students. Terri Pettus, presiding officer, opened the special with the audience joining the choir, under the direction of J.W. Lanear, singing a medley of Thanksgiving songs. Jerri Lynn Hood, Danny Wells, Chuck Markham, Ricky Miller, Donald Lake, Lillie Plate and Maxine Munford dialogued in moments of meditation, “We Thank Thee.” The occasion was presented by Derek Blakeslee. Laura McKey was introduced as a scholar, leader and a most cooperative follower. Postmaster Fred Bekemeyer urged residents of Winter Garden to try to remember that recommended mailing dates for civilian domestic Christmas mails start the first week of December. The na-
An early 1960s Christmas was celebrated with a party at the home of Winter Garden resident Johnie Griffin. He operated a grocery store for many years at 730 E. Plant St., presently the site of the Carpenters Local Union. In a photograph shared by Sandra Oliver is a group of nattily dressed local residents, left to right: Standing, H.C. Stevens, Kenneth Bush, Lennie Walls, M.L. Faircloth, Irvin Riffle and Wayne Wilson; seated, Johnie Griffin, Ruby Daniels, Tennie “Tina” Bush, Ann Rhodes, Hattie Welsh and Lenora Baldwin. Kenneth and Tina Bush were Sandra’s parents. Can anyone provide more details about the soiree?
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. tional Christmas “mail early” theme was based on the familiar musical tune “Try to Remember” and was featured in public service radio and TV announcements.
1975: 50 years ago
These seniors were presented at the Eighth Annual West Orange Debutante Ball, held at the Bay Hill Country Club: Jamey Ann Baker, Leslie Raye Beldin, Mary Ellen Cloughley, Debra Lynne Coffman,
Shayla Lynn Crooker, Yvonne Desiree Duffe, Catherine Ann Emrick, Kim Marie Kidder, Sharon Ann Ralph, Rebecca Lisa Sirmans, Tamara Kathryn Street, Mary Ellen Theisen, Dinah Caroyl Tompkins, Sharon Lynn Woodcock and Sherry Lynn Woodsby.
1995: 30 years ago
Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 7057 at Christ the King Lutheran Church honored two
members of the congregation, Wren Aber and Hank Dressel, for their continued service, dedication and commitment to the church. The Rev. James G. Radebaugh announced his retirement after 18 years as rector of Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden. West Orange County native Don Shaw, superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, was named Florida’s Superintendent of the Year.
celebrity cipher
crossword LET THE MUSIC GUIDE YOU by Hannah Slovut-Einertson, edited by Jared Goudsmit 110 Scottish lake
47 Obscure, like a video call
111 Like low-fat turkey
background
112 Puts on something new
48 Wedding seaters
117 Pasta ___ Norma
50 Way off
118 Stagger
52 Angrily exit
120 “Friends” actress Tyler
54 “The Blacklist” org.
121 Second-person pronoun 55 Notes ___ apology 122 Psychic
56 Silent
123 Name that anagrams to 58 Stretch of time “grade”
60 Scout ___ (“On my honor
124 Bagel type
...” pledge)
125 Haryana’s continent
62 “Mirror my actions”
126 (Over here!)
66 “That’s my final ___”
127 Hen’s home
(“No more haggling”)
128 Author Mystal
67 Swindle
129 Believe to be
69 Rat (on)
DOWN
©2025 Universal Uclick
ACROSS
1 “How relaxing!” 4 Cutesy dino sound in memes 8 First letters 11 Prof’s degree 14 ___-ball (cold New Orleans dessert) 15 Samoa’s capital 16 Not better
instructions in the lyrics, or a hint to 23-Across 23 “Get me?” 26 Med. care groups 27 D.C. leader 28 Feeling stuck 29 “Darn!” 31 Sail supporter
71 Livid
2 Giraffe or okapi
72 Like many backsplashes
3 Humans
73 Astrologer’s natal map
4 Like sashimi
75 “The Righteous Gem-
5 Not together
stones” patriarch
6 Dog with a stiff coat
77 Ride a unicycle
7 Kendrick Lamar and
78 Snip
Cardi B
79 Purple yam
8 Cringeworthy, informally
80 Tarot suit
9 Pretty, in Spanish
81 ___ and downs
10 Pastry portmanteau
82 Looong times
32 Blanco Brown song with
53 Darling
instructions in the lyrics, or
54 Craft-y military groups?
a hint to 41-Across
55 Morticia’s surname
lyrics, or a hint to 86-Across
35 _agic: _he _athering
57 Like a cold gaze
83 “No seats” initials
37 “Who ___ to judge?”
59 Line dance in a Ray
84 Bibliography abbr.
38 Clock app feature
Anthony song with instruc-
85 Ride app
40 “You Exist Too Much”
tions in the lyrics, or a hint
86 Recurring news brief
author Zaina
to 68-Across
89 Place after a decimal
41 “I’m not suspicious of it”
61 “Death of a Unicorn”
point
43 Taro paste
actor Paul
92 Mrs., in Lima
63 Royal’s sphere
93 Silent assent
64 W-7 org.
94 ___ up (began to cry)
is it good for? Absolutely
65 Stir-fry morsel
95 Thud
nothing”
68 Lunar mammal in myths 97 Ultimate result
46 Squiggly diacritic
70 Drill part
100 Browns, on scoreboards
47 Coastal region of Central 73 Pitcher Blyleven
101 DJ Casper song with
California
74 ATM charge
instructions in the lyrics, or
49 Christmas figure on a
76 Polite address
a hint to 112-Across
shelf
77 “Make It or Break It”
105 MN’s land
51 Debt slips
actress Gilpin
107 Maile garland
version
1 Inhaler user’s condition
78 Romantic-sounding 2007 11 Nebraska river song with instructions in the 12 Online search result
19 Like overcooked spaghetti 44 Analogy words 21 “Rocky Horror” song with 45 “___! Huh, yeah / What
70 Software’s preliminary
87 “Silly me!” 88 Thanksgiving pie flavor
13 Contacted outside of the 90 “How unusual” group chat
91 Less vast
17 Clothing ___
96 Prefix that means “false”
18 JFK alternative
98 Ab’s neighbor
20 Like lines that never
99 Bottom
meet
101 Jewelry fastener
22 Certain sex hormone
102 Plot flaws
24 Funny bone’s neighbor
103 Slow tempo
25 Catholic celebration
104 Ancient Andeans
30 Bengal ___
106 Check over
33 Fenced in
108 Singer Goulding
34 “Can’t beat your poker
109 Imam’s religion
hand”
113 Back of the neck
36 Clock standard (Abbr.)
114 Lamprey’s “lung”
39 Wrongly entered a
115 Name hidden in “je ne
password
sais quoi”
41 ___ Tome and Principe
116 Swimmer Diana
42 Record’s second half
119 Gender-affirming treat-
45 ___ teeth
ment, briefly
By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “H NKWR ZROO ST IT PHSN ‘SNR OHYBOTXO’ RWRMV ORKOTX AES H OSHDG YV XTOR HX ... YKGHXJ OEMR SNR ONTP NKO K OTEZ.” YKSS JMTRXHXJ
“DX, CZRH’A ZRYYPMEM’ BRM, HZEA EA TRLH AEBYAXM; SNAH WEKKEMU, KXM’H ZRMU NY, HZEA EA MRMOD ORLHCLEUZH.”
MRMOD ORLHCLEUZH
“XBSSO ZTNWBS, GFH GUHKZ KFZ KFZWZ KH ‘KFZ YLWVYHSY,’ ZK MZKZUB ... KFBK’Y GFBK L’TT IZ UZWZWIZUZX NHU.” © 2025 NEA, Inc.
XBSSO ZTNWBS Puzzle Three Clue: V equals P
1970: 55 years ago
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Puzzle Two Clue: T equals B
Old St. Nick was ushered into Winter Garden with all the pomp needed to assure all the kiddies and adults along the parade route of another nice Christmas season. There were marching bands from five high schools — Lakeview, Ocoee, Drew, Lyman and Maynard Evans — and a twirling group from Robinswood Junior High.
Puzzle Two Clue: A equals B
W EST O RANG E HISTO RY
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
sudoku
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
©2025 Andrews McMeel Syndicate
12-11-25
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Puzzle Three Solution: “Danny Elfman, who wrote the theme to ‘The Simpsons,’ et cetera ... That’s what I’ll be remembered for.” Danny Elfman
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349888
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454578
This week’s Crossword answers
You’re only cheating yourself.
peekers’ place
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TFN
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TFN
OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 407-656-2121
Phone 407-656-6646 Richard Hudson • Regie Hudson
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16A
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