12.12.19 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 5, NO. 11

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

ALL ABOARD! The Grove rolls in the holiday fun. 7.

PRESERVE & PROTECT

Windermere board talks plans for schoolhouse. 5.

Developer proposes 42 homes by Lake Roberts The project could bring a new subdivision to the West Windermere Rural Settlement.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR:

Larry Rabin was an actor in the show called “Hopeless Romantics,” and Ryan Gigliotti performed as Rathbone the Dragon Hunter.

Huzzah!

SEE LAKE PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN

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ORANGE COUNTY HONORS CITIZENS OF THE YEAR A West Orange County organization and a YMCA board member have received recognition from Orange County Government at its 2019 Community Conference, held recently at the Orange County Convention Center.

Gislene “Gigi” Moorman was awarded the Mayor’s 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year. She is the CEO of Raise Your Glass Enterprise, a board member of the Dr. Phillips YMCA and co-founder of Space to Grow.

The District 1 Citizen of the Year actually is an organization: Lake Cane Restoration Society. This nonprofit group was created to improve the environmental conditions of Lake Cane.

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limpses of the past came to life from Dec. 6 to 8 during the fourth annual Orlando Renaissance Festival.

Costumed characters from across the land convened at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake for the event. The festival included various shows and performances, fascinating history, unique artisan crafts, food and brews.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ Natalia Sepulveda sewed a clasp onto a cloak.

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 4

County approves plan for 588 units in Horizon West County commissioners voted on a plan to subdivide 234.4 acres within the Waterleigh Planned Development.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

Two development-related requests within the Horizon West area were approved unanimously by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners at its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Commissioners first approved the Waterleigh Planned Development/Phase 4 Preliminary Subdivision Plan — a request to subdivide 234.4 acres to construct 421 single-family detached units and 167 single-family attached units SEE WATERLEIGH PAGE 4

SCHOOL ZONE

Residents in the West Windermere Rural Settlement arrived to a community meeting regarding a proposal of 42 single-family homes east of Lake Roberts with mixed feelings.

Held Monday, Dec. 9, at Windermere Elementary, the meeting served as a point of discussion for the Lake Roberts Reserve land use plan and preliminary subdivision plan.

Windermere Prep is ready to dazzle in “An Enchanted Evening of Dance.” SEE PAGE 11.

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YOUR CALENDAR

THURSDAY, DEC. 12

CUISINE CORNER: BEEF SEVEN WAYS 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Feast like it’s the holidays in Vietnam with Ha Roda.

Learn about the history and culture of the country and make spring rolls. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, DEC. 13

HOLIDAY MUSIC AT FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Centennial Plaza Gazebo, 101 W. Plant St. A lineup of talented musicians will perform favorite holiday tunes: Dec. 13, Key Harmony. Free. Cwgdn.com, (407) 656-4111.

WEST ORANGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED MEETING 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the West Orange Country Club, 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. The group will recognize its NFRW Diamond Achievement Award; and new members, past presidents, renewed members and FFRW founder Greta Weis will be honored. Donations can be made to the Edgewood Children’s Ranch in the form of Christmas food items. Buffet lunch is $25. RSVP at rebeccatmellen@gmail.com or (407) 230-5968.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

19TH ANNUAL JOHNS LAKE HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE 7:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Johns Lake Public Boat Ramp, 13620 Lake Blvd., Winter Garden. See a parade of boats decorated in lights. Take chairs and/ or blankets. (407) 701-8033.

AMARYLLIS FESTIVAL 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Blooming amaryllis and rare hybrid amaryllis bulbs will be for sale, and there will be a silent auction, holiday and nature-themed vendors, music and eco-themed activities for children. Photos can be taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. (407) 445-9977 or info@nehrlinggardens.org.

MATTHEW’S HOPE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Matthew’s Hope, 611 Business Park Blvd., Suite 101, Winter Garden. The fun holiday event is open to the community but is geared to the younger homeless and at-risk children in West Orange County. There will be old-time carnival booths with prizes, a Santa’s Shop, visits with Santa Claus and more.

(407) 905-9500.

SUNDAY, DEC. 15

SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF CART PARADE 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, along the historic streets of Winter Garden. Lineup is tentatively starting at Bradford Park on Division Street. Neighbors can enjoy the parade from their front porch. The golf carts will travel along cart-approved streets and end at Walker Field baseball fields at Smith Street and Park Avenue. Participants should take a minimum $50 donation (per cart), cash or check, for Edgewood Children’s Ranch. For details and to register, go to the group’s Facebook page, Christmas Golf Cart Parade.

‘HOME ALONE 2 — LOST IN NEW YORK’ INTERACTIVE MOVIE 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The Wet Bandits are back! Can Kevin stop them from ruining Christmas in The Big Apple?

After the overwhelming positive response to 2018’s “Home Alone”: Interactive Film and Fun, here is the sequel. Tickets are $15 and available at the theater box office or at gardentheatre. org/movies.

MONDAY, DEC. 16

LET’S KNIT TINY TREE ORNAMENTS 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 16, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Create sweet tiny tree ornaments decorated with stripes, beads and buttons. Practice garter and stockinette stitch while learning to seam and attach buttons and beads. (407) 835-7323.

LITTLE CHEF: MILK CARTON GINGERBREAD HOUSES 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Run, run as fast as you can, just like the gingerbread man, to this sweet fun-filled workshop. Celebrate the season with little ones as they build their own gingerbread house.

(407) 835-7323.

MERRY MONDAY 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves, 3251 Daniels Road. Santa and his reindeer will make a visit and be available for photos.

RESEARCHING YOUR HEALTH ONLINE 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Center for Health Improvement, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden.

Discover how to safely research your health online. Learn how to find safe and accurate health information written with the patient and/or caregiver in mind. Reserve a seat by calling (407) 407-3046.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17

MEET THE AUTHOR — KENDRA LOTT 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Sonata West, 420 Roper Road, Winter Garden. Meet the author of “Unique Eats and Eateries of Orlando,” Kendra Lott, and participate in a Q&A and book signing. Open to the public. Free to attend. (407) 654-3633.

WRITING WEDNESDAY 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Writers of all types and levels are encouraged to attend. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

HOLIDAY MUSIC AT FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at the Centennial Plaza Gazebo, 101 W. Plant St. Musicians will perform favorite holiday tunes: Dec. 20, Roots & Rosin/Nicole Equerme/Abigail Collins.

Free.

(407) 6564111.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18

BABY BASICS 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion — Horizon West, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden.

Join Dr. Shweta Patel and Dr. Pamela Ponce as they guide your next steps after bringing home baby. Also, get tips on breastfeeding and postparOIL CHANGE SPECIAL $23.98 tum care. Class is free, but space 50QT JUG NAPA FULL SYNTHETIC is limited. Call AND PLATINUM FILTER (407) 6353303 to SERVING OUR COMMUNTY FOR RSVP.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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“Vel Heckman was the toughest coach I’ve ever been around; he made boys into men but cared about us all. I became a football coach for over 35 years because of him.”

— Russell Crouch, Lakeview Class of 1969

Amy Quesinberry

Vel Heckman still has his cleat that was bronzed following the first UF-FSU game in 1958. After playing football for the Florida Gators, Vel Heckman accepted the head coaching position at Lakeview High School in Winter Garden.

Mar-VEL-ous Heckman honored on Florida Field The Gotha resident was a Gator Great and 1958 All-American, but his greatest accolades still come from his former high school football players.

ruff from 1956 to 1958.

He was named to the All-American team his senior year.

Look magazine sponsored a trip to New York City for the team members; he recalled the entire team singing on national television with Perry Como. It was three days of entertaining; no football was played.

“We must have signed 500 footballs for them to hand out to dignitaries and others,” Heckman said. “I have one of them.”

Heckman went by his given name, Velles, until his sophomore year of college when a newspaper reporter watched the team scrimmaging and wrote “mar-VEL-ous” in the headline of a story the next day.

After college, Heckman signed with the San Francisco 49ers but never played an NFL game.

“I felt like it wasn’t enough money to play pro football,” he said.

“And that was my desire, but I just didn’t want to play for that kind of money.”

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

V

el Heckman found himself back on Florida Field last month, 61 years after playing in the first UF-FSU football game. So great was his defensive tackle game that Heckman was named a first-team AllAmerican in 1958.

Heckman returned to Gainesville Saturday, Nov. 30, to be recognized as the oldest Gator AllAmerican and for his role in the rivalry game. A photo of him in uniform was emblazoned on the big screen, taken six decades ago when crewcuts were the fashion.

“It was quite a thrill,” he said.

“It was nice that the head football coach, Mullens, came over to me and he congratulated me.”

The football and coaching great now lives in Gotha with his wife, Frances, and together they have five children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A Google search for Vel Heckman provides the basic information: Velles Alvin Heckman is a former college football player. He played at the tackle position for the Florida Gators football team at the University of Florida.

But Heckman, now 83, is much more than that. Just ask the hundreds of boys he coached at Lakeview High School, several of whom give him credit for their careers.

“Vel Heckman was the toughest coach I’ve ever been around; he made boys into men but cared about us all,” said Russell Crouch, Lakeview Class of 1969, who played for Heckman his junior and senior years. “I became a football coach for over 35 years because of him.”

THE GATOR CHOMP

In the late 1950s, the Florida legislature mandated that the two state-supported schools face each other on the football field. Heckman remembers the game buzz — that Florida State was better than Florida.

“In the opening first minutes, on the opening kickoff, we kicked to them and they ran all the way back to score a touchdown,” he said.

Those would be the only points the Seminoles scored that day; the Gators won the game 21-7.

Heckman attended UF in 1954, took a break after one year and returned after another year to play for Gator head coach Bob Wood-

COACHING THE RED DEVILS Courtesy photos

Clockwise from above: Coach Vel Heckman and Gator Head Coach Dan Mullen met up on Florida Field before the Nov. 30 game.

Before he was a football coach, Vel Heckman played defensive tackle for the Florida Gators.

Vel Heckman was named to the AllAmerican team in 1958 and received his own collector card.

Heckman made the decision to go into teaching and coaching, but he wanted to work on the high school level so he could stay home and build a family. By 1962, he was in Winter Garden, teaching P.E. and coaching the football team at Lakeview High School.

That first fall, when the teachers went back to school, Heckman was asked to meet with them.

“We talked, and I used to say, ‘If an athlete gives you a problem, you really don’t have to send them to the office. You just send them to

me. Or tell me,’” he said. “And (the students) would sooner go to the office than come to me.”

He considered himself a disciplinarian, and at that time, teachers were allowed to paddle the unruly students.

“And it didn’t matter if he was a starting quarterback or not,” he said. “If he acted up, he got a lick.”

Heckman instituted a curfew for the football players so they would be in top shape for the games, and he didn’t hesitate to drive past the popular local spots to see who was hanging out. He also was known to call the boys’ houses and ask to speak to them.

The players were fed steak before every home game, which was played at Walker Field, off Park Avenue in Winter Garden. Heckman seeded the football field, periodically moved the lawn sprinklers and, until he got some help, he mowed the field.

He said his goal was to coach these boys and get them into college.

“The first year, I got Tommy DeLoach a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee,” Heckman said. “My second year, I got Larry Pendleton a scholarship to FSU. Then (there) were different guys who played for me that played in college: Freddy Owens, Dennis Reed, Mark Hodge, Pat Wiggins, Jan Gowland.”

The Lakeview High gig lasted 13 years; he vacated the position when West Orange High School opened and Lakeview became a junior high.

Ron Cothern, a 1964 Lakeview graduate, played for Heckman in the 1962 and 1963 football seasons.

Heckman called him Redbird.

“Coach Heckman was fair and, even back then, he was easy to talk to,” Cothern said. “The difference upon his arrival and coaching was like night and day. The practices were more organized, we started strength training, and a few other things were introduced such as telephone poles, boards and isometric stations.”

Ted Melinn, another 1969 graduate, said playing quarterback for coach Heckman was the greatest time of his life.

“We called him ‘Daddy Vel,’” he said. “He was an awesome, biggerthan-life figure. He worked us hard and made it fun at the same time.”

Mark Sterns was Heckman’s team manager from about 1969 to 1974, and his brother, Reggie Sterns, was quarterback around 1967 and 1968.

“Coach Heckman was a very positive influence in my life,” Mark Sterns said. “I am still grateful for him allowing me to go to an athletic training seminar at the University of Florida. … It was that course which I think set me into a career in health care and service to the citizens of West Orange County as a paramedic and a nurse.

“He was always the positive influence on me,” Mark Sterns said.

“He was and is like a second father to me. ...He will always have my undying respect.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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

David Grady and Alex Cage dressed up for the occasion.

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

From left: Levi and Kaleena Landry and Sarah Scott of Acrobellum dazzled audiences with acrobatic stunts.

Chris Champion, left, and John Ortiz duked it out during a live-steel demonstration at the Circle of Champions.

RENAISSANCE REVELRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Corben O’brien sat leisurely as he waited for festival-goers to play the Tomato Torment game, which involves him getting pelted in the face with produce.

Waterleigh Phase 4 earns approval CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

for a total of 588 units. The subject property is generally located west of Avalon Road and north of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway.

Despina McLaughlin, a public information officer with Orange County Government, said the approval marked the final public hearing for the phase, but the applicant still will need to process subdivision construction plans through Public Works prior to breaking ground.

“Additionally, they will then have to plat the property prior to

issuance of any vertical building permits,” McLaughlin said. “The timeline all depends on the applicant’s ability to submit plans and address comments.”

The Waterleigh Planned Development altogether is approved for a total of 3,600 units. McLaughlin said there are two additional tracts of land after Phase 4 under review for Phase 5.

“That project includes 283 units,” McLaughlin said. “I believe Phase 5 is the last single-family residential phase, although the applicant could end up revising their phasing plan through the process.”

In terms of Village H, McLaughlin said, the remaining areas to be platted are within D.R. Horton’s Waterleigh (Phases 4 and 5) community, Lennar’s Storey Grove community, and Mattamy Homes’ Hawksmoor community.

“There is also proposed commercial and multi-family development at the intersection of Avalon Road and Flamingo Crossings Boulevard that will be moving forward shortly,” McLaughlin said.

“The growth will then move south down Avalon Road into Village I, which is the final Horizon West Village.”

MORE UNITS IN VILLAGE F

The board also approved a substantial change to the Village F Master Planned Development, adding 35 units in the future development parcels in the previously approved preliminary subdivision plan for Phase 1 and Phase 2B. The subject property is generally located south of Summerlake Groves Street and east of Seidel Road.

“Village F is nearly completely platted, with the exception of a few tracts, so the homebuilders are actively building on those residential lots,” McLaughlin said.

Lake Roberts Reserve project discussed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The applicant, Geoffrey Summitt, is requesting to rezone and subdivide 78.53 acres from A-1 (Citrus Rural District) to Planned Development District to construct the 42 homes. The proposed project would be located west of Windermere Road, north of McKinnon Road and south of Stoneybrook West Parkway.

As part of the rural settlement, the future land use designation allows for no more than one home per acre.

Summitt, president and owner of G L Summitt Engineering Inc., said six of the 42 lots would be lakefront. The subdivision’s access would be through Walker Pond Road, which would be improved — including paving and the addition of streetlights and sidewalks — from Windermere Road down to the project site.

Plans include three retention ponds, some open-space tracts and amenities that have yet to be decided upon. Summit added there are about 42 acres of wetlands and surface waters that will be saved and maintained. There also will be central water and sewer services.

“We have ... a lift station — we’re actually going to be bringing in water and sewer so we’ll have central water and sewer, this won’t be a septic subdivision,” Summitt said. “We’re trying to make sure we don’t cause any additional pollution to Lake Roberts.”

Summitt said the subdivision also is proposed to be gated, and everything is staying within the project site.

“As far as the overall development scheme, that’s it; it’s pretty simple,” he said. “We’re not asking for more density, we’re not asking for any crazy waivers or variances to the code. We’re just asking to stay with the character of the surrounding area with respect to the lot size and the densities that we’re allowed to have.”

Carl Brockman, who lives on Walker Pond Road, asked Summitt how the developer planned to bring utilities with the complication of easements in place.

“If anybody subdivides the property, the existing easement is null and void, and as far as I know, no one has made an attempt to contact the residents on Walker Pond Road for an exception,” Brockman said.

Summit said he and his team

have spoken with several residents on Walker Pond Road and have worked to acquire property to set forth a 50-foot right-ofway. From there, the road will be paved and they will run water and sewer — both of which are located on Windermere Road — into the subdivision.

Other residents questioned whether there will be a financial mechanism to protect the lake and help keep it clean, as well as how the wetlands would be protected.

Cathy Novokowsky, a Waterford Pointe resident, expressed concerns about the impact to the surrounding wetlands.

“None of the wetlands should be impacted ideally at all,” she said. “Messing with the wetlands, period, is bound to have negative effects on Lake Roberts and the other lakes. I personally don’t think that any of the wetlands should be used for retention, and I think a lot of us residents would like the wetlands completely left alone.”

But some residents of Walker Pond Road, including Francois Dennaoui, supported the project because of the benefits they would receive from it. Dennaoui, a resident of 15 years, spoke of the

flooding issues that forced him to pump water out of his front yard consistently for six years. He added the road is only on average 15 feet wide, so drivers are constantly having to move over onto the shoulder or into someone’s yard to allow others to pass.

“There is no speed limits on our street, there is no drainage on our street, there is no sidewalks on our street,” he said. “We have flood issues, we have safety issues with our kids not being able to walk on sidewalks. … We’ve had no help from the county because the road does not meet DOT specs so they don’t maintain it. We have a few neighbors here that fixed the potholes, our road floods all the time so it’s constantly pitted.

“The developer has made a lot of concessions to help us with flooding in our front yards, with fixing the road, with sidewalks, with current code of building the roadway,” he said.

The project is headed next to the Development Review Committee.

For more, contact case planners Nicolas Thalmueller at nicolas. thalmueller@ocfl.net or Romel Seepaul at rowel.seepaul@ocfl. net.

Managing Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Terri Hope, thope@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Office Coordinator / Accounting Ashley McWilliams, amcwilliams@OrangeObserver.com

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The Southwest Orange Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays.

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The Southwest Orange Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 6562121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

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‘American Pickers’ coming to Florida Local antique collectors may have a chance of being on the TV show.

The History Channel’s most avid antique aficionados are heading to Florida — and they’re looking to pick up some more pieces of the past.

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of “American Pickers” are heading to the Sunshine State this month, and they’re on the hunt for large, rare collections, as well as items they’ve never seen before from local collectors.

“We’re just looking for people that have a good-size accumulation of sorts — whether it be someone’s garage, their home, maybe a private building or just Courtesy photo something throughout their yard where it’s kind of cluttered up Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe of History Channel’s “American Pickers” will be and messy where our guys can making their way to the Sunshine State on the hunt for their next pick. root around and do some digging where it’s got a little dust ey Mouse in the state.

WANT TO BE ON and maybe some dirt on it,” said “Surprisingly, down in FloriAnthony Rodriguez, one of the da, we haven’t found any MickTHE SHOW? producers for “American Pickey stuff,” Rodriguez said. “We’re Those interested in being ers” who works with the research always trying to find local colconsidered for the show can team for the show. “In terms of lections that represent where the reach out by the three differitems that the guys look for, it’s guys pick, but surprisingly from ent methods listed below. anything from A to Z — anything Florida (they’ve found) nothing Email: americanpickers@ transportation related, early really Disney-related.” cineflix.com Americana, signage, some toys Those who are familiar with Phone: 1-855-OLD-RUST … and vintage stuff. The guys are the show are aware that many of Facebook: @GotAPick pretty much open-ended when the items purchased are resold, it comes to the stuff that they’re but what Wolfe and Fritz do on after. It’s always a case-by-case the show is more than just turnbasis and whatever catches their guez said. “We’ve been every- ing a profit on the items they eye.” where from the Panhandle to pick, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that Wolfe Jacksonville, down to Central “The general game of antiques and Fritz are no strangers to Florida and even down to Fort is that people that are collectors Florida — the show has been Lauderdale. We’ve covered our kind of consider themselves heading there every year for the tracks throughout the state. We caretakers, and that’s what Mike last six or seven years. They’ve don’t leave a stone unturned and Frank are — they’re caretakbeen all over the state — from the when we make our show.” ers of these items,” Rodriguez Panhandle to South Florida and Although “American Pickers” said. “They may be pickers at many other places in between. has been all over Central Florida heart, but when they find true “We resort to the south when and the Orlando area, the team pieces that they deeply desire or it starts getting colder in the has yet to discover any antique want, they will hold onto (them) Northeast and Midwest,” Rodri- items related to Disney or Mick- as long as they can.”

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One of Windermere’s oldest existing buildings may be getting some needed renovations in the future.

Members of Windermere’s Historic Preservation Board discussed some potential structural and aesthetic work that could be done on the 1887 Windermere Schoolhouse at its Wednesday, Dec. 4, meeting.

Structural engineer firm HB Associates and Marc Black — a professional with experience in renovating historic buildings in Winter Garden — each took a look at the schoolhouse recently and noticed it could use some repairs.

Some of the items mentioned during the meeting in need of replacement or repair included the metal roof, the roof rafters, the gable ends, the interior floor, the front and rear stairs, and more.

“If the (roof) gets weatherproofed and fixed, then the rain has a hard time getting in,” Board Chair George Poelker said. “It’s getting in through the gable ends right now — some of that’s rotten, and wind and rain can blow into the building.”

The board discussed splitting up the work into four phases, with the first phase handling the roof and gables, the second phase working on the siding, the third phase potentially removing the sidewalk and adding new stairs, and the fourth and final phase focusing on landscaping.

According to a historic marker outside the schoolhouse, the building is the only surviving one-room schoolhouse in Orange County and one of the few still standing in Florida. The building was communally constructed with milled heartwood from Florida long leaf pine trees.

Maude Adams, one of the first full-time teachers, taught 22 students at the schoolhouse on a salary of $22 per month.

The historic marker also states that the schoolhouse served as a headquarters for the local board

Tim Freed

Professionals have noticed numerous repairs that need to be made to the town’s historic schoolhouse.

of trade, a women’s club, a union church, a polling station and a meeting hall.

The town stopped using the building as a schoolhouse in 1916 when a larger schoolhouse complex was established. The building has gone through a series of alterations that have been added and taken away years later to preserve the building’s identity as a schoolhouse. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with Windermere Town Hall and the Cal Palmer Memorial Building.

Poelker said the board hopes to repair and renovate the schoolhouse in a way that’s keeping with its historic character.

“You can technically do anything you want to with those buildings, but if you modernize them or change them radically it may change its status, so we want to make sure that we keep them in the national historic register,” Poelker said.

The board will further discuss the potential repairs and costs at its next meeting in January, along with how it plans to present its proposal to the Town Council.

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Board considers repairs to 1887 schoolhouse MANAGING EDITOR

STAFF WRITER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Music to their ears DANIELLE HENDRIX

IF YOU GO

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When Winter Garden resident Derric Johnson was a music minor in college, his vocal coach told him he would never make a living as a singer.

Instead, his coach inspired him on another path in his pursuit of music — he suggested Johnson learn to write music and help others flourish vocally.

Years later, Johnson has written 150 original songs, 23 cantatas and 2,800 musical arrangements; published 32 books of choral collections; and has been involved in producing 98 recorded albums on 14 labels. He also spent 33 years as a creative consultant for Walt Disney World Resort, where he is credited with arranging and producing Epcot Center’s The Voices of Liberty, as well as the Christmas Candlelight Processional.

Today, though, it’s his newest brainchild that allows him to continue stretching his musical muscles and gather with like-minded singers and musicians while incorporating something else dear to him — his Christian faith.

Johnson directs The Voices of Life, a community choir that is part of the ministry of Lifebridge Church in Horizon West. The choir exists to sing songs of faith and hope, and it comprises committed singers expressing their love for God and country.

“I started it last January, so we’re brand new,” Johnson said.

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“I just have this music in me. The well of creativity never runs dry as long as you keep dipping from it.

That’s what The Voices of Life is.

We’re designed for ‘choir orphans’ — a lot of people go their churches, they love their churches, but there’s not a choir there. We said, ‘Come sing with us. You can stay at your church — we don’t sing Sunday mornings but Sunday nights.’

We have members from eight local congregations, and it keeps growing all the time.”

After spending more than three decades working with Disney, Johnson knew it was time to move on and make new memories. Although he no longer serves there, it was his persistent love of and hunger for music — as well as his faith — that inspired him to

As its Christmas program nears, Lifebridge Church’s The Voices of Life community choir is combining faith, finesse and fun for an immersive and impactful experience.

start a choir at Lifebridge.

“They don’t have a choir at all, but they have a lot of people within the church who have choir backgrounds and want to sing,” Johnson said. “It’s a really good choir — we have great anchor voices all the way through. I do it because I just love to do it. The people start coming who love to do it.”

The Voices of Life’s first production celebrated Easter, and at the time, there were 40 members in the choir. For the Fourth of July patriotic concert, that number grew to 55. Next, The Voices of Life did an evening of spirituals and grew to 60. Currently, the active roster is up to 79 singers.

The Voices of Life meets at 7 p.m. every Monday for two hours.

Its members range from The Voices of Liberty alumni and those in the entertainment industry to nurses commuting from Maitland and talented singers who need a creative outlet.

Faith, finesse and fun comprise the backbone of The Voices of Life, Johnson said.

“Faith is why we do what we do, finesse is when we do it better than the crowd can do it, and fun — if it’s not fun, don’t do it,” Johnson said.

“You’ve got to have a good time, so we really have a great time.”

And just in time for the holiday season, there is much more fun to be had before the new year. On Sunday, Dec. 15, the group will be telling the story of Christmas one color at a time.

The group’s “Colors of Christ-

mas” show will take place at 6 p.m. at Lifebridge Church, and attendees will get to experience Christmas as told through music and color.

“The whole church building, we change colors,” Johnson said. “We sing ‘Silent Night,’ and it’s blue, and the whole sanctuary turns blue. We really bathe it. … We do six colors with a song or two with the story of Christmas. I say it’s romantic in the feeling. It’s a whole different feel to sing ‘Silent Night’ when the whole room is cold blue.

“I’m always looking for a new hook to hang something on,” he said.

“I don’t want to just do a Christmas program and call it ‘Wonderful Night.’ How can I tell the incredibly wonderful story of Christmas in a fresh way that nobody I know of has done b e fo re ?

It’s the

same story — let’s find another door. I love to create new concepts.”

It’s the dedication, commitment and talent of the choir members that makes The Voices of Life a choir of a different caliber. Johnson said it isn’t just 79 people who sing, but instead 79 people who are singers and who exude joy and enthusiasm.

“It’s very euphoric,” he said. “I just love every bit of it. …It’s really important, the whole concept of singing together and your voice providing the note in a chord surrounded by other singers filling it out. …That’s fun, that’s just what it is. I want to go for heart, not just for ear. That’s wh a t that choir is really about.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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Axle and Elijah Gomez wrote their Christmas wishes in a letter to Santa.

THE BIG CHILL A

little magic and holiday cheer came to The Grove Orlando Saturday, Dec. 7, during its Winter Wonderland event. The Grove’s piazza was transformed into a festive scene, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus in attendance to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Children enjoyed games, face painting, bouncing in an inflatable snow globe, making crafts, playing in a snow pit and writing their letters to Santa. Little ones could also hop on the “Polar Express” for a train ride.

Ava and Connor Cao visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Creighton Fain and Chelsea Ashe played Connect 4 with Killian Ashe.

Isabella Marcelino enjoyed making snowballs.

Left: Rick De Jesus, a balloon-twisting stilt walker, was a hit with the children.

S O N ATA W E ST I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G

The Best Presents

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Keene’s Pointe estate sells for $3.24 million Pointe commu-

nity topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 92 High Sale Price: $3.24M Low Sale Price: $35,000 BAY LAKES AT GRANADA

Pointe Circle, Winder-

The home at 8718 Master Link Court, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 2, for $325,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $175.39.

Days on market: 26.

mere, 34786, sold Dec.

BELLA NOTTE AT VIZCAYA

from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6.

The home at 9349 Tibet

baths and 7,529 square

The townhouse at 8556 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 6, for $330,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,060 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $160.19. Days on market: 41.

feet of living area. The

CLUBHOUSE ESTATES

6, for $3.24 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, six-and-two-half

price per square foot is $430.34.

DR. PHILLIPS

AVALON AT TURTLE CREEK

The home at 10812 Woodchase Circle, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 4, for $370,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,910 square feet.

The price per square foot is $193.72. Days on market: 16.

BAY HILL

The condo at 6238 Masters Blvd., Unit E104, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 4, for $495,000. Built in 1971, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,919 square feet.

The price per square foot is $257.95. Days on market: 38.

The home at 8427 Indian Wells Court, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 4, for $310,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,564 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $198.21. Days on market: two.

DIAMOND COVE

Realtor.com

The home at 9349 Tibet Pointe Circle, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 6, for $3.24 million. The grand owner’s suite includes a wet bar, a fireplace, a sitting area, a three-level closet with spa room/massage area, and a bathroom with a steam shower and a soaking tub.

rooms, six-and-two-half baths and 6,346 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $291.52. Days on market: 156.

The home at 8901 Elliotts Court, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 4, for $770,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,569 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $215.75. Days on market: 52.

The home at 8100 Diamond Cove, Orlando, 32836, sold Nov. 29, for $336,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,980 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.70. Days on market: 15.

KENSINGTON PARK

ESTATES AT PHILLIPS LANDING

LAKE CANE HILLS

The home at 9233 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 3, for $1.85 million.

Built in 2000, it has six bed-

The home at 5114 Keeneland Circle, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 6, for $800,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,159 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $192.35. Days on market: 164.

The home at 5802 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, 32819, sold Nov. 29, for $270,000. Built in 1972, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,567 square feet of living

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The home at 7208 Glasgow Ave., Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 4, for $240,000. Built in 1971, it has four bedrooms, one-andone-half baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $205.13. Days on market: five.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 8917 Kittanning Ave., Orlando, 32836, sold Nov. 29, for $374,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,125 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $176. Days on market: 21.

NEWBURY PARK

The home at 11713 Fitzgerald Butler Road, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 3, for $310,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,085 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $148.68. Days on market: 96.

The home at 9139 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 2, for $254,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,773 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $143.26. Days on market: zero.

The townhouse at 8488 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 3, for $239,900. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,428 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $168. Days on market: 55.

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

The home at 6648 Parson Brown Drive, Orlando, sold Dec. 4, for $380,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,918 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $198.12. Days on market: 27.

SAND PINES

The home at 6040 Sand Pines Estates Blvd., Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 6, for $347,500. Built in 1986, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,115 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $164.30. Days on market: five.

SHADOW BAY SPRINGS

The home at 4856 Spring Run Ave., No. 4, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 5, for $334,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,144 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $155.78. Days on market: eight.

TOSCANA

The townhouse at 6735 Sorrento St., No. 2, Orlando, 32819, sold Nov. 29, for $290,500. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,104 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $138.07. Days on market: 97.

VIZCAYA HEIGHTS

The condo at 8743 The Esplanade, No. 24, Orlando, sold Nov. 29, for $489,500. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,549 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $192.04. Days on market: 264.

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS: TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

West Orange Chamber of Commerce AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Dr. Phillips’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of AdventHealth

Medical Group Family Medicine at Dr. Phillips, located 7940 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 142, in Orlando. To learn more, visit www.adventhealth.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce AdventHealth Medical Group Group Pediatrics at Winter Garden’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of AdventHealth

Medical Group Pediatrics at Winter Garden, located 15502 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite 117, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.adventhealth.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Healy Chiropractic & Wellness Center’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Healy Chiropractic

& Wellness Center, located 214 S. Dillard St., in Winter Garden. Healy Chiropractic & Wellness Center focuses on treating the body as a whole. At HCWC they provide therapies that include chiropractic adjustments, deep tissue work, therapeutic exercises/rehab, and stretching. To learn more, visit www. drhealychiropractic.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce La Boucherie’s 1st Anniversary

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 1st Anniversary of La Boucherie

Restaurant Grill & Lounge, a top-quality French cuisine with France’s most popular steak house. La Boucherie is located at 7625 Turkey Lake Road in Orlando, Dr. Phillips area. To learn more, visit www.laboucherieusa.com.

THURSDAY HORIZON WEST

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 10th Anniversary of C Solutions,

a local IT company for small businesses. They offer full IT support and solutions. They can help you increase efficiency and give you a piece of mind whether it’s backup and recovery, cyber security, or just technical advice and direction for your business. To learn more, visit www.csolutionsit.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce The Goddard School’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of The Goddard

School of Early Childhood Development, located at 2007 Avalon Road, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.goddardschool.com/orlando/ winter-garden-avalon-road-fl.

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

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Clancy & Theys Construction Company’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Clancy & Theys

Construction Company’s new office in Winter Garden, located 1401 Beulah Road, Suite 124. Clancy & Theys is a general contractor/construction management at risk firm that has been operations for 70 years. To learn more, visit www.clancytheys.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Matthew’s Hope with “We Noticed” Award

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently recognized

Matthew’s Hope for the opening of their new Outreach Center located at 611 Business Park Blvd. Suite 101, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.matthewshopeministries.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Vitality Bowls Superfood Cafe’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Vitality Bowls

Superfood Café, located 11050 West Colonial Drive, Suite 50, in Ocoee, near the busy intersection of West Colonial Drive and Maguire Road. Vitality Bowls offers an array of nutrient-packed menu items, including acai bowls, smoothies, fresh juice, salads, and Panini. To learn more, visit vitalitybowls. com/locations/orlando-ocoee/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce HarborChase’s 1st Anniversary

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 1st Anniversary of HarborChase, an

independent, assisted Living and memory care facility, located at 7233 Della Drive in Orlando, Dr. Phillips area. HarborChase offers a host of stimulating activities and customized programs that will enhance your loved one’s health and happiness. To learn more, visit www.harborchase.com/harborchase-drphillips/.

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To learn more and to register participation visit wochamber.com/ ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates C Solutions’ 10th Anniversary

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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REAL ESTATE

WINDHOVER

The condo at 5944 Peregrine Ave., No. 4, Orlando, 32819, sold Dec. 3, for $125,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,139 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $109.75. Days on market: 16.

HORIZON WEST

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

The townhouse at 11425 Brownstone St., Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $290,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,920 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $151.04.

Days on market: four.

LAKESIDE VILLAS

The villa at 8271 Maritime Flag St., No. 105, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $205,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,476 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $138.89.

Days on market: 36.

OASIS COVE

The townhouse at 14232 Oasis Cove Blvd., No. 3203, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $260,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,512 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.96. Days on market: 106.

OASIS COVE AT LAKESIDE VILLAGE

The townhouse at 8125 Enchantment Drive, No. 1305, Windermere, 34786, sold

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Dec. 6, for $238,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,371 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $173.60. Days on market: six.

34786, sold Dec. 6, for $1 million. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,016 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $331.56. Days on market: 47.

SUMMERPORT

KEENE’S POINTE

The townhouse at 5309 Keenes Pheasant Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 3, for $260,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,461 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $177.96. Days on market: 38.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 4567 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 6, for $366,000.

Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,965 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $123.44. Days on market: 41.

VINEYARDS OF HORIZON WEST

The townhouse at 13841 Ingelnook Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 6, for $293,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,894 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $154.70. Days on market: 40.

The townhouse at 13754 Beckman Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $288,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,912 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $150.63. Days on market: 35.

The home at 6227 Foxfield Court, No. 1, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 3, for $835,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,946 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $283.44. Days on market: 90.

Realtor.com

The home at 9233 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Dec. 3, for $1.85 million. Kitchen has been updated with wider quartzite counter tops, custom 42-inch cabinets, a built in double oven and microwave, and a study or computer area.

WINDERMERE SOUND

Moor Blvd., Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $1 million. Built in 2011, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,725 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $174.67. Days on market: 20.

The home at 13249 Penshurst Lane, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $428,000.

Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,775 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $113.38. Days on market: 69.

WINDERMERE

The home at 13178 Kegan St., Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 2, for $318,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,207 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $144.09. Days on market: three.

The home at 12730 Butler Bay Court, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 6, for $595,000.

Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,056 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $194.70. Days on market: 27.

WEST ORANGE

BUTLER BAY/ WINDERMERE CLUB

ISLEWORTH

The home at 9707 Green Island Cove, Windermere,

OXFORD MOOR

The home at 5915 Oxford

The home at 11006 Kenmore Court, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 4, for $710,000.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,211 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $221.11. Days on market: 69.

TILDENS GROVE

The home at 12727 Jacob Grace Court, Windermere, 34786, sold Dec. 5, for $900,000.

Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths and 4,739 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $189.91. Days on market: 95.

WESTOVER CLUB

The home at 9519 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, 34786, sold Nov. 30, for $590,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,633 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $162.40. Days on market: one.

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OBSERVER

SCHOOL ZONE DECEMBER 12, 2019

Eric Gutierrez

IB dance students Benjamin Haidukewych and Mirabella Miranda are just two of the 160 dance students who will hit the stage during Windermere Prep’s upcoming dance concert.

Photos by Carey Sheffield

Windermere Prep’s dance students are trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, composition hip hop and more.

Concert of choreography “An Enchanted Evening of Dance” will showcase the skills of about 160 Windermere Prep dance students Dec. 12 and 13.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

W

indermere Preparatory School’s dance students are eager to show off their steps — and you can catch them onstage at their upcoming dance concert.

The school will be hosting its annual winter dance concert, called “An Enchanted Evening of Dance,” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Cypress Center for the Arts at the Windermere Prep campus.

Gilliane Hadley, the dance department chair at Windermere Prep, said the concert includes performances from all of the middle school and high school dance students. A total of 160 dance students will be hitting the stage to perform 15 different dances.

“We have a very large program,” Hadley said. “The show consists of dancers who’ve only been dancing, maybe, this semester or dancers that have been dancing with us since they were in fifth grade and now are graduating seniors. (It showcases) a wide range of levels. … It’s a great way for people to see the evolution of someone who joins our program in sixth grade and by the time they graduate 12th grade.”

Hadley added that the concert will feature not only a wide range

of skill levels, but also will feature a variety of dance styles and techniques. One of the dance performances is inspired by a Japanese style of dance and will include live music from Taiko drummers, which will be a new experience for the students.

“It has lots of variety and lots for people to see in the diversity (of dance) that they do,” Hadley said. “Our students are trained in everything. They’re trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, composition (and) hip hop, so all of those elements are all thrown into one show. The goal of our dance program is to make them the most

well-rounded (dancer).”

Mirabella Miranda and Benjamin Haidukewych are both junior International Baccalaureate dance students at Windermere Prep, and they’ve both been in the dance program since the fourth grade.

“My favorite thing about being in the dance program here is definitely (the fact) that we have lots of freedom,” Miranda said. “In our dances, we get to choreograph many parts of it, and we really get to develop our (choreographical) skills — especially with IB dance. … It really kind of helped me build those skills. Before, it would just be me getting taught a dance, but

now I actually get to create, and I really like that because I feel like I’ve really grown as a dancer.”

“I joined dance because I really love music, and I wanted to try a new outlet to explore music and how to express myself,” Haidukewych said. “I really loved seeing how everybody works together to create a picture, an image and make the audience feel a certain way (through dance). I thought dance was a really interesting way to interpret emotion and make a story.”

Although Miranda and Haidukewych have been in the dance program for a number of years, the upcoming concert will be their first time dancing to live music onstage.

“The Japanese dance has been a challenge, definitely, because it’s a whole new style we’ve never really been exposed to before,” Miranda said. “And then when you have that element of live music, you have to consider the fact that the pace and the tempo could go faster or it could be slower. You don’t know. We have a recording that we always practiced with, but obviously on show day we have to come prepared. I feel like we’ve done a really great job adjusting and adapting to the new style.”

“There’s some really complex rhythms in the music,” Haidukewych said. “We have to find where those certain impulses are to guide our movements, so if there’s a really strong impulse there, we can use that as a marker when we’re counting. Or we can use certain accents in the music to emphasize certain points of the movement too, and that’s been a challenge.”

IF YOU GO “AN ENCHANTED EVENING OF DANCE” WHERE: Cypress Center for the Arts at Windermere Prep; 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere WHEN: 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 and 13.

COST: Free TICKETS: teachtix.com/ wps/winterdance-concert

Students are set to hit the stage at Windermere Prep’s upcoming dance concert, called “An Enchanted Evening of Dance.”

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Castleview hosting WinterFest event

Castleview Elementary Dragons, get ready for a morning of wintry fun.

The school will be hosting its inaugural WinterFest in two sessions Saturday, Dec. 14. Families can choose to visit and participate in festivities either from 8 to 9:30 a.m. or from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The fun includes pancakes, games, prizes, shopping, hot cocoa and crafts.

Additionally, children can step into the photo booth with Santa Claus himself and take home a special keepsake to commemorate the occasion.

The $10 per person cost includes all food and activities and is non-refundable.

Space is limited and could sell out prior to the deadline.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit castleviewpto.org/events-1.

Keene’s Crossing ready for Party in the Park

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Join the Keene’s Crossing Elementary PTO Thursday, Dec. 19, for a festive celebration, complete with a holiday lights bike parade in Summerport Park on Bridgewater Crossings Boulevard.

This community party begins at 4 p.m. and is free for all students, families and neighbors. Activities will include free face painting, a holiday craft and lawn games for the kids provided by local businesses and supporters of the Keene’s Crossing Elementary PTO. Kids can decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters, wagons and strollers for a lighted parade around the Summerport Park loop, starting promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Bring your bikes pre-decorated with fun lights, glow sticks, garland and holidaythemed ornaments for the bike parade. A grand prize will be awarded for the best decorated bike.

Other prizes include raffle giveaways for a family movie night package to Cinépolis, a family game night package and a pizza night.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

EILEEN OATS INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eileen Oats is the assistant principal at Independence Elementary School. She will be retiring after working 30 years in education — 13 with Orange County Public Schools. She helped open Independence Elementary five years ago and has been an integral part of the school’s success. She is loved and will be missed by the school community, staff, parents and students.

What do you love most about your school?

It is such a pleasure coming to school every day at Independence Elementary School, home of the Eagles. I love the dedicated teachers and staff. They are always willing to do anything necessary to ensure success, and they always have smiles on their faces. Our wonderful students work so hard every day as they learn and achieve. They know at IES, “The sky is the limit.” As we all know, it takes a village to educate children, and we are so fortunate to have supportive parents and a wonderful community.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is watching students grow academically and socially throughout the school year and as they progress from one grade level to the next.

What made you want to take on this job?

I was excited to open a new school.

It was both challenging and exciting to organize and create a brand-new,

REPORT CARD

beautiful learning environment for our students to enjoy and excel.

Watching their faces when they came to school the first day was a thrilling moment I will always remember.

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

I am motivated by all of our students who are hungry for learning.

Guiding them to always achieve and reach their full potential has helped our school earn an “A” grade every year. Our students have improved each year, and last year, IES was the highest-achieving elementary school in Orange County Public Schools. It is amazing knowing that we are helping these students to be the best versions of themselves every day socially and academically.

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

The nicest things I have received from students are handmade gifts or cards for various occasions. These remembrances are very special, and I appreciate when teachers allow students to do this for me.

What’s your favorite place to eat?

I love seafood from any place, especially when it’s fresh on the coast.

If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? Dubai is first on my bucket list when I retire at the end of this school year because of the ultramodern architecture and, of course, the luxury shopping!

If you could have any superpower, what it be and why?

If I had a superpower, I would want to turn back the hands of time. It has been an honor to work in OCPS since 2006, and I am proud that I will retire in June 2020 with 30 years of service in education. I would love to be able to go back in time and do it all over again.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

ROLE: Assistant principal SCHOOL: Independence Elementary TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

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.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Orange teachers ratify one-year agreement With a majority vote of 76%, Orange County Public Schools teachers approved the 2019-20 agreement between the school district and teacher’s union.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Following months of bargaining, Orange County Public Schools teachers have voted to ratify a contract agreed upon by the district and Orange County Classroom Teachers Association.

With 76% of teachers voting in favor, according to OCPS, teachers ratified the 2019-20 agreement for salary and other working conditions Friday, Dec. 6.

“You, the members, stood up and spoke loudly and clearly,” OCCTA President Wendy Doromal told members upon reaching the final agreement. “This deal represents your victory on one of the biggest salary increases in recent history, your victory on your planning time being restored for you and your students, your victory on regaining dignity and respect to your working conditions. Our unity is our strength. … This is an important step in regaining our respect, dignity and academic freedom in Orange County.”

Reaching and ratifying the one-year agreement has been a work in progress. The district and OCCTA previously reached earlier agreements in June and

ORIGINAL VS. RATIFIED AGREEMENTS

September, but teachers rejected both proposals.

The original agreement proposed a $500 cost-of-living salary increase, as well as a $1,125 increase for teachers rated “effective” and a $1,525 increase for those rated “highly effective.” There also would have been a one-time, lump-sum $500 bonus.

In September, OCPS leaders offered an additional $11.5 million from the unassigned reserve fund to increase the one-time bonus from $500 to $1,250 for all teachers, with the originally proposed salary increase remaining the same.

With both of these previous proposals, though, teachers stated that they wanted salary increases rather than bonuses, as well as more planning time.

Another concern was the increase in health insurance costs. In the original June agreement, increases in health insurance would have started this school year. According to the OCCTA, there was no protection against future increases. Additionally, the change would have been immediate, with little to no time for teachers and their families to prepare and seek alterna-

Original (June 2019) Increase to payroll 4% Cost of living (COLA) increase to base salary $500 Salary increase for “highly effective” teachers $1,525 Salary increase for “effective” teachers $1,125 One-time, lump-sum bonus $500 Health insurance increases begin 2019-20 school year Total cost to OCPS $52,872,636

tive arrangements for health insurance if needed.

The newly ratified agreement states that these insurance increases will begin in October 2020 and are locked in, ensuring they cannot go up further.

This also gives teachers and their families more time to prepare for the increase.

The ratified agreement also includes a $700 cost-of-living salary increase, as well as a $2,100 increase for “highly effective” teachers and a $1,400 increase for “effective” teachers.

There will not be any temporary bonuses.

“On Dec. 6, 2019, we were pleased to announce the teachers ratified agreements for salary and other articles in the CTA contract,” said Lorena Arias, assistant director of media relations for OCPS. “The contract was ratified by a majority vote, 76% ‘yes.’ Congratulations to the CTA and to the teachers of OCPS!”

These salary increases represent an overall 5.5% increase to payroll, as opposed to the original proposed 4% increase.

Teachers will receive their retro pay by the end of the year.

“The additional 1.5% comes from the non-recurring 201920 fund balance,” wrote James Preusser, senior executive director of OCPS’ Human Resources Division, in the contract’s letter of understanding. “In the 2020-21 school year budget, the additional 1.5% average increase to wages by the District will be funded through recurring, unrestricted revenues from the state, or if necessary, reductions to the operational budget.”

The 5.5% salary increase is one of the highest in the state this year, Doromal said. However, this is just the beginning of a statewide movement from teachers to rally for the future of public education.

Teachers from across the state — including some from the

Ratified (December 2019) 5.5% $700 $2,100 $1,400 0 begin 2020-21 school year $74,219,414

OCCTA — are planning to attend a rally organized by the Florida Education Association in Tallahassee Jan. 13. The Legislature will approve a budget during the annual session beginning Jan. 14, and the rally serves as an opportunity for teachers to make their voices heard by lawmakers.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently proposed a $91.4 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. The proposed budget contains $600 million needed to raise teachers’ starting salaries to $47,500. However, this would not affect veteran teachers.

“This is not about partisan politics; it’s about building strong public schools and a better future for students,” FEA President Fedrick Ingram said. “I think we can agree that Florida’s kids need qualified teachers and all the staff necessary to public schools. Our members know firsthand what it takes to retain and recruit educators.”

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WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION FROM THE ARCHIVES

Colonial Corners flower shop has opened to the public.

This new venture is under the ownership and management of Helen Dewey Vick of Oakland.

75 years ago

The acute shortage of favorite brands of cigarettes in Winter Garden is causing much talk by those addicted to the habit of enjoying their smokes.

40 years ago

Dock Reeves of Winter Garden received a pleasant surprise this Christmas. He won a freezer and a side of beef in a promotional drawing at Thriftway grocery store. Mayor Ralph Fulford drew the winning name.

Larry Walker asked the Winter Garden City Commission to approve his plans for a gazebo in A.B. Newton Park as his Eagle Scout project. The commission gave unanimous approval.

The Windermere Town Council held a public hearing to discuss possible sites for the public boat ramp to be moved to: Windermere Groves North, Glenmuir property on Lake Louise and northwest corner of Lake Butler.

20 years ago

Stone’s Plumbing, a perennial winner in the Ocoee and Winter Garden Christmas parades, did it again this year with an impressive float featuring a train carrying Santa.

30 years ago

BAPTIST

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

The Winter Garden Times Dec. 12, 1980 The AM/FM/stereo receiver was a popular Christmas gift in 1980. The Gran Prix version, at $99.99, included an 8-track cartridge player and record changer. This fantastic music machine received AM and FM broadcasts and had lighted sliderule tuning, wide-range speakers, a dust cover and more.

Eckerd Drugs advertised this beauty in the Dec. 12, 1980, issue of The Winter Garden Times, hoping to pull in some holiday shoppers.

Today, this entire package fits neatly in a cell phone in the palm of your hand.

A young man poses with “The Tire Lady,” the former Uniroyal Tire mascot that was moved to this West Colonial Drive location in 1990. She reigned for almost 22 years in front of John’s Tire and Car Care until owner John Aitken moved his shop further west on State Road 50 in December 1990. Manufactured in 1966, she stood 18 feet tall and weighed 600 pounds. When the photograph was taken, she stood in front of Jay’s Marine, a business on West State Road 50 where the Winter Garden Publix shopping center is now located.

80 years ago

The action was fast at the basketball game at Ocoee Middle School to benefit the annual holiday toy program. The Ocoee faculty defeated a team representing the Ocoee police and fire departments. Leading the OMS team were Principal Bob Williams and West Orange High Principal Joe Worsham, both former basketball players and basketball coaches.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

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.

10 years ago

Home at Last dedicated a mortgage-free house in Oakland to injured Army war veteran Marcus Griffin, his wife, Andrea, and their sons, Isaac and Joseph.

WE’RE IN THE

ZONE

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

EVERY THURSDAY

With Observer School Zone, we will celebrate the achievements of the students and educators at all our West Orange schools and provide unparalleled news coverage of West Orange schools.

Community Partners wanted!

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

FEATURES INCLUDE: • School News • Photo Galleries • Upcoming Events

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!

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FOUNDA ION ACADEMY

JO BARSH

DECEMBER 12, 2019

HIGH

SPORTS

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CFCA continued its strong start to the basketball season as the Eagles squeaked by Tampa Blake in a 60-58 win during The Breast Cancer Awareness Classic Saturday, Dec. 7. The Eagles (4-1) were led by senior wing Nicolas Silva and his team-high 23 points. Of CFCA’s four wins this season, the Eagles have won three by five or fewer points; the Eagles’ only loss came by four points to Bishop Moore.

Dr. Phillips High’s Tyliyah “Ty” Smith is crushing personal records in the weight room. Page 16.

A Knight’s tale Now a senior at College of Charleston, Grant Riller became the first basketball player at Ocoee High School to have his number retired.

2

The First Academy boys basketball team tipped off its season with a 70-51 thrashing of DME Sports Academy Friday, Dec. 6. In the win, senior guard Kam Summers exploded for 26 points, while Alex Shields tacked on 20 points. The Royals followed the win with a 38-26 loss the following day against Vero Beach in the Hoops for Heart Shootout.

3

Despite Olympia boys soccer’s 4-2 loss at the hands of Bishop Moore Friday, Dec. 6, junior striker Christian Lizyness continues to shine on the pitch for the Titans; he picked up both goals for his team. The two goals push Lizyness’ goal count to 15 through seven games — with the Titans going 5-2 so far.

4

The West Orange girls basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak in its 75-63 win over Lake Howell Thursday, Dec. 5.

The Warriors (2-2) were led by junior wing Kyla Cruz and her 22 points, while junior power forward — and team captain — Lakada Bryant picked up a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Grant Riller’s natural prowess for the game of basketball — alongside his positive influence on the program — made him an easy selection to become the school’s first basketball player to have his number retired.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

W

hen Grant Riller reached for the long roll of paper that hung from the wall in Ocoee High’s gymnasium, all he could do was smile.

Surrounded by family, friends and the current Ocoee basketball team, Riller ripped the paper from the wall — revealing his old No. 11 jersey to the applause of those

in the packed gym before the Knights’ game against Olympia Wednesday, Dec. 4.

It was a special moment for Riller and his old school, as the now College of Charleston senior became the first basketball player in the history of Ocoee High to have his jersey retired.

“It means a lot, especially coming from a school like Ocoee — they haven’t done stuff like this in the past,” Riller said. “It’s a great honor, and I made it a strong point

In the 14 years that the school has been in existence, Riller was — and still is — someone who has provided a positive, helping hand, Siers said. It’s a big part of why Riller was not only selected as the first basketball number to be retired, but also as to why he will be a member of next year’s inaugural Ocoee hall of fame class.

“He has had an impact on our program, and he’s the best player SEE OCOEE PAGE 16

The First Academy alumna honored by ACC Windermere resident Matti McKissock was recently named First Team All-ACC and Server of the Year as a member of the Georgia Tech volleyball team.

5

In the Foundation Academy girls soccer team’s 3-1 victory over Forest Lake Academy Thursday, Dec. 5, freshman Kaitlyn Clark tore up the Panthers’ defense as she racked up three goals to record the hat trick. Sophomore Cecilia Fulmer and freshman Daniela Cardenas each recorded an assist. The win pushed the Lions to 4-1 on the season and has Foundation on a two-game win streak.

to do all of my four years here at Ocoee with the people I grew up with. I wanted to be inspiring to the kids to stay at home, because we can be homegrown.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Riller and his family were invited by Ocoee head coach John “Sarge” Siers to take in a team dinner with his staff and players. It was there, in the school’s media center, where Riller got the chance to speak to current players and rekindle relationships with old coaches.

Troy Herring

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Athletics

Matti McKissock has become an All-ACC talent for the Yellow Jackets.

When Matti McKissock arrived to volleyball practice it felt just like any typical day.

But this practice — as it turns out — would start with some major news.

The team and coaching staff huddled around Joeleen Akin — the associate athletics director for student-athlete development and senior woman administrator — as she announced awards handed down to a few players by the ACC. McKissock was among those

mentioned, as she — much to her surprise — was named First Team All-ACC and Server of the Year.

“At first she announced I was First Team and then Setter of the Year, and I was just really shocked — I didn’t really believe it at first,” McKissock said. “It was very emotional for all of us just knowing that all of our hard work had paid off, even though we didn’t get the bid into the (NCAA) that we wanted.

“It feels really humbling, and I’m just super grateful for the SEE MCKISSOCK PAGE 16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

Ocoee retires Riller’s number

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Tyliyah ‘Ty’ Smith

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

in a great conference and he’s on NBA draft boards … he is going to have a legitimate chance to play in the league, so he is going to be the first pro out of Ocoee,” Siers said. “We have 11 seniors that started as freshmen and all of them are going to play in college, and he has had a big impact on a lot of that.”

Dr. Phillips High senior Tyliyah “Ty” Smith has been on the weightlifting team since her sophomore year and continues to push past her personal bests. On Dec. 4, she clean and jerked 185 pounds, and she hit her career-high bench press before Thanksgiving with 235 pounds.

What got you started in weightlifting?

I started weightlifting in 10th grade. I always thought I was strong. When we would go grocery shopping I used to grab as many bags as I could on my arms and carry it in the house with my sisters. Then 10th grade year, which was my friend’s 11th grade year, she decided to come to the interest meeting and then we decided to go from there.

THE BASICS

AGE: 18 YEAR: Senior WEIGHT CLASS: Unlimited HEIGHT: 5-foot-8 HOMETOWN: Orlando OTHER SPORTS: Track and field

OCOEE THROUGH AND THROUGH

front squats. Then we worked our way up from there. It’s a long process, but it’s worth it.

Why have you stuck with it?

I like the team — we’re very competitive but we also cheer each other on — and I just like the weights. I feel powerful.

Describe your mental process in approaching a lift.

It’s better now. When I first started, it was kind of difficult because when I missed — or scratched a lift, as they say it — I used to beat myself up about it, but now I just focus on, “OK, you did the weight, you might have missed this one but just keep on going,” because if you’re not right in the head, you’re not going to do the weight because it’s all about mentality.

Do you have a favorite lift?

When I first started off, I liked the bench because it was easier and for clean and jerk I didn’t have the correct technique, but now I like clean and jerk a little bit more than bench because I’ve got the proper technique and it’s easier when you squat. I had to learn that because I didn’t squat, I just muscled it up.

What is the most rewarding aspect of weightlifting for you?

The most rewarding is seeing my teammates as well as the other team we’re competing against, because you see their process, as well. Most of the time — and we go against the same teams every year so you actually see the other teams gain, as well — but you also see your teammates.

Compared to when we first started — most of us all started the same year — and we gained a lot of weight.

What was the process like for you of learning proper technique?

It was hard — difficult because last year when I went to states I muscled it up, but after states, Soko — my coach — he broke down the steps. I started off light, learning how to squat and I did

Having talented players stick around for all four years has become a rare scenario for a high school team.

Players will transfer for numerous reasons — from coaching changes to just being generally unhappy — but that was never the case for Riller.

When he arrived as a freshman in 2011, he found himself on the JV team. There, he made friends and enjoyed his time, but it was never easy — especially when you consider his size at the time.

“When you see the Division 1 player label itself, you think he was always that kind of player, but I wasn’t,” Riller said. “My first two years were more downs than ups as far as basketball goes.

I was a small, scrawny kid at the time playing against a lot of older kids on varsity, so I didn’t have that much success early on, but I ran my race and trusted my pro-

cess and eventually it all panned out.”

By the time his senior year rolled around, Riller was the established leader on a talented team run by head coach Rob Gordon — who’s now coaching Olympia.

During that year, which Riller said was the highlight of his high school career, the senior averaged a whopping 29.1 points per game and set a school singlegame record when he scored 53 points against Leesburg in the championship game of the Ocoee Great 8 Boys Basketball Tournament.

CHARLESTON CALLING

Riller’s game drew the attention of a few schools, but it was the College of Charleston that piqued his interest.

Going into his freshman year, Riller was ready to get his Division 1 career underway, and then a roadblock happened.

During a scrimmage, Riller tore his ACL, forcing him to take a medical redshirt. It was a tough blow, but always the optimist, Riller took the time to dive deep into the X’s and O’s of the game.

“I got to work on my body, I got to watch film with a lot of coaches and I got to just — more importantly — watch the games as an observer and just learn so much during that sit-out year,” Riller said. “My freshman year

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Who is your funniest teammate and why?

They’re all funny. Besides me — I like to goof around a lot — I’ll say Gabby Serpa.

She’s the funniest, because she likes to goof around. She’s just crazy, but it’s a good crazy.

She really likes to goof around, that’s why me and her are so close.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

opportunity to be in the situation that I was in to even be in the running for those awards,” she said.

An alumna of The First Academy, McKissock has become one of the ACC’s best players over the last two years and the ultimate assist woman for the Yellow Jackets (23-8, 14-4).

In this 2019 season for Georgia Tech, the sophomore setter has picked up an impressive 1,270 assists — the rest of the team has only 211 — in 113 sets played. So while McKissock was surprised at being named Setter of the Year, the stats were there the whole time.

A big part of that stat boost had as much to do with her team as it did for McKissock on an individual level, she said.

“We definitely all had more confidence,” McKissock said.

“And it just put less pressure on everyone knowing that we were all more confident, and had a year of playing with each other and playing against these other teams.”

Building confidence is some-

thing that McKissock has been first big challenge she had to face working on since she first was overcoming those feelings Cipher answers arrived to GeorgiaThis Techweek’s in the Celebrity of not being a starter. fall of 2018, and Puzzle it has taken “It was an upset for myself that One Solution: patience and time.“BreastfeedingI is wasn’t startingritual in the beginthis savage that Transitioning just from high ning, ” McKissock said.

“I reminds you that your body is a never school volleyball cafeteria at TFA and knew I could now.”doubted myself —–IAli Wong club volleyball to Division 1 is do it and I knew I was deserving Puzzle a challenge — one you’reTwo not Solution: and I worked hard enough. I just “If you live life to defining yourself fully aware of until you makeyourtried calm myself down.” the move, McKissock said. other The people It wasn’t until ACCit’s playa that by what think of you, game is faster paced, more McKissock locked down her form ofphysself-torture.”

– Sarah Silverman ically demanding and required starting spot as the team’s setMcKissock to learn a completely ter — from there she would lead new game plan. the Sudoku Yellow Jackets in assists This week’s answers Going into her freshman year (929) and had a career high of 52 in 2018, McKissock didn’t know assists against the University of what to expect as far as playing Virginia. time was concerned. But she The success from last year didn’t expect to start 29 matches continues this season for McKisfor the Yellow Jackets as a fresh- sock, and while she and her team man. didn’t make the NCAA tourna“There was actually a transfer ment like they were hoping to, setter out, so that opened up the the Yellow Jackets are getting to spot for me to come in,” McKis- take part in the National Invitasock said. “And I knew that there tional Volleyball Championship. was another girl here, so I knew “It means so much to me that it was up in the air that I could I get to play a sport that I truly be playing this much, but it defi- love and enjoy,” McKissock said. nitely wasn’t wide open.” “(I) play it with some amazing To start the year, however, people — I love all of my teamMcKissock was coming off the mates, and I’ve met so many bench regularly — something amazing people through club ©2019 NEA, Inc. she hadn’t done in years. So the and TFA.” week’sCrossword Crossword answers ThisThis week’s answers

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playing there were a lot of ups and downs, but the coaches there do such a good job of just letting you be the player that you are supposed to be.

It would take eight months for Riller to get back to the court, but from there, he made up for it in his redshirt freshman year when he was named to the 2017 CAA All-Rookie Team after averaging 13.1 points per game and was third on the team in steals (33).

The success continued though his sophomore and junior years, as Riller was named All-CAA First Team two years in a row.

In his junior season alone, Riller averaged a team-leading 21.9 points per game — ranking him No. 20 nationally in points per game.

While the accomplishments pile high for Riller — which will probably continue in his final year — he also knows one simple thing: That he wouldn’t be where he is now without the people who have helped him through his basketball journey.

“I’m just so appreciative — I’ve met so many different people over these last five years, and so many people who have helped me,” Riller said. “That’s the biggest thing — the basketball has been great to me, but at the same time the relationships that I’ve made have made more of an impact on my life than basketball.”

McKissock named All-ACC

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Windermere Prep hosts NAE Global Games Middle school students from 18 Nord Anglia Education affiliated schools traveled to Windermere to participate in the games last week.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

While elementary and high school students at Windermere Prep were going about their day, more than 1,300 middle-schoolers flooded the athletic courts and fields out back.

For three days — Wednesday, Dec. 4, to Friday, Dec. 6 — students from 18 Nord Anglia Education-affiliated schools took over Windermere Prep as they participated in the NAE Global Games.

“NAE hosts these big global games for the Americas — which includes Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama and then the Americas,” Windermere Prep Marketing Manager Summer Simmons said.

“It’s almost like an Olympics, so the kids come from those schools. … It’s a huge thing. The goal is for them to come and enjoy sports and games, but then also to meet students from other countries and other cultures and interact together.”

Just like the Olympics, the festivities kicked off with an Olympic-esque opening ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 4, where schools — decked out in their own colors — marched onto the football field before taking part in the national anthem, which was followed by a flyover.

Troy Herring

Participating students took in a half-dozen different sports.

NAE-affiliated schools from Boston to South America enjoyed a week of fun and games.

“At the opening ceremony, when we were all together, we met this guy from Ecuador, and he introduced us to all of his friends and he was really nice to us — even though he had never met us,” said Henrique Petrongari Rosner, a sixth-grader at Windermere Prep.

After the ceremony, the games were on.

On the baseball field, games of soccer were being played, while other teams faced off on the basketball courts — both outside and indoor. In the pool, swimming was well underway, and behind

the school, games of sand volleyball, flag football and archery were afoot.

But it was on the football field where a majority of the action was taking place. There, teams participated in boys and girls volleyball, soccer and track.

“Throughout the first two days, soccer has definitely been my favorite sport so far,” said William Kane, a sixth-grader at Windermere Prep. “I’ve never played soccer, but I love watching soccer — I know a lot about it — so I’ve always wanted to start playing, so it’s a great opportunity.

“My team … none of us (are) really amazing, but we’re all friends, and we got together and worked together really hard,” he said.

Luckily for William, the soccer team he was on was made up entirely of friends he knew at the school — including fellow sixthgrader Quinn Foley.

Having the chance to play alongside friends in a competition against middle schoolers from around the Americas was one of the biggest highlights of the week, Quinn said.

“We’ve been friends forever, so everybody that’s on the soccer team, we are all friends — we’re

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

17

just trying to have fun together and we’re not trying to be super serious,” Quinn said. “We’re all just having a lot of fun — if somebody does something wrong, we just kind of laugh at it.”

Along with the plethora of sports, the games also gave students a chance to experience other aspects of the Olympic atmosphere. In one corner of Windermere Prep, there was an “Olympic Village” and a spot where students could grab food.

Meanwhile, a video-game station offered students virtual athletic competitions, while a STEAM tent — co-run by the school and its partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — was a popular spot for students looking to participate in intellectual competition.

And if that wasn’t enough, students and their chaperones enjoyed the best of Orlando’s entertainment at the end of the day — visiting Andretti’s, Pirates Dinner Theater, Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Universal. Of all the activities, those were among the highlights, Quinn said.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, we’ll go to theme parks and stuff,” Quinn said. “Today, we are going to go to Magic Kingdom for the whole day, so that’s going to be a lot of fun, because everybody is going to be with each other. We can bond (there).”

Ultimately, the friendships and bridges built at the games will resonate long after the final whistles blew.

“I’ve just been really enjoying this — coming together with other schools and making new friends with them and just enjoying having fun,” William said.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

GAME FILM

18

Madison Maroulis, right, fought for the ball against Apopka.

Left: Junior defender Caitlyn Bruno, right, jostled for position as she prepared to make a move.

Windermere pushes past Apopka in back-and-forth win In a game of two teams that are among the best in their respective districts, Windermere and Apopka didn’t disappoint on the pitch during their game Thursday, Dec. 5.

Windermere (4-1-1) and Apopka (4-3) went round for round before the Wolverines came out on top in a 4-3 victory.

Wolverines Victoria Gonzalez junior forward started off scoring early for Windermere when she found the back of the net

only two minutes in to give the home side the early lead. Eleven minutes later, sophomore midfielder Madison Maroulis would score the first of her two goals on the night to give the Wolverines the early 2-0 lead.

Despite being down 2-0, Apopka would rally back — scoring a goal in the 19th minute, and another five minutes into the second half to tie the game up at 2-2.

Junior forward Giovanna Do Amaral would stop the bleeding in the 55th minute with a goal, making it 3-2 Windermere. But just as they had done earlier,

the Blue Darters knotted things back up a little more than three minutes later.

With the game on the line, Maroulis would fly to the goal in the 66th minute and fire off a laser past the keeper to give the Wolverines the 4-3 lead.

Despite a late Apopka corner that bobbled around in the box before being cleared in the dying minute, Maroulis’ goal would prove to be the game changer.

The Wolverines will look to push their win streak to four in a matchup with Wekiva (6-2-1) Tuesday, Dec. 10.

VOICES by Zhouqin Burnikel ; CROSSWORD RAISED Edited by David Steinberg

©2019 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Hugging duo 5 Band formed in Stockholm 9 C in shop class?

14 Ray gun attacks 18 Quick glance 19 Dull in color 20 “America’s Got Talent” judge Mandel 21 City east of Syracuse 23 Active Italian volcano 24 Fraught with danger 25 Meet component 26 Gently wash against, as waves

27 Computer system exec 28 Winter Palace monarch, once 29 Guiding principle 30 Many lines are drawn on and with them 31 Direction indicator 33 All-time high, e.g.

35 Nonfictional 37 Unkind one 39 Tramp’s beloved 40 “Iron Mike” of football 41 Org. with a cryptologic memorial 42 Do a surfboard stunt 44 Flavorful brisket bit

47 Fort Worth sch.

48 Pantheon member 49 Opening number?

50 Hr. when East Coast prime time starts 54 “Huh?” 55 Place for a mud mask 56 Jordan’s capital 58 Keister 59 Talked and talked 61 Fallback option 63 News outlets 65 Composer Brian 66 Muslim holiday 67 Semi-oxidized Chinese brew

90 Spotify rival 92 ___ Moines 95 Vegetable in many salsas 96 Forgetful Pixar fish 98 Involuntary twitches 101 Comply with 103 Certain chickens 105 “Yup” 106 Like some curiosity 107 Bare minimum 109 Omar of “House” 111 “If you ask me,” in texts 112 Practiced, as a trade 113 Old Swedish autos 114 0, for one 115 Baja resort, familiarly 116 Buffalo hockey player 117 Theater pathway 118 Brick that’s painful to step on 119 Swarming insect 120 Buggy software version 121 Welcome at the door 122 Minute quantity 123 Major Egyptian goddess

69 Wandering around 70 London’s ___ Gardens 71 Hawks, on scoreboards 72 Nottingham’s river 73 Punished monetarily 74 Backspace over 76 Disc golf starting point 78 Swing for the fences 80 Carnival city, casually 82 J.Lo’s fiance 83 Thoroughly enjoys oneself 85 Turn down 86 Lawn repair material 87 Good cholesterol letters 88 Occur simultaneously

DOWN 1 San Diego Zoo’s primate feed?

2 Hit the hay 3 They’re all lit on the eighth night of Hanukkah (see letters 8-4) 4 Jamaican music genre 5 Goes on to say 6 Prickly plant 7 Drove fast (letters 9-5) 8 Bart’s grandpa 9 Roughly spherical firework (letters 9-6) 10 Really, really liked11 Bowled over 12 Study secondarily 13 Companion animal 14 It’s spoken in South Africa (letters 5-2) 15 In any way 16 Supply, as elevator music 17 Wolfs (down) 22 On the briny 28 Castor, to Pollux 29 Fish in some burritos 30 Make tons of money

Madison Maroulis got a hug from Domenica Facusse after scoring a goal.

Left: Sophomore defender Ella Maggio headed the ball to a teammate.

32 Acting without thinking 34 Send packing 36 Suffix for luncheon 38 Flan ingredients 40 “You wish!”

43 Force from office 45 Sch. that celebrates Lobo Day 46 Some A.L. sluggers 47 Popular drink in Bangkok 51 Noted reality show family (letters 7-3) 52 Stain fighter from Clorox 53 Cried like a kitty 54 Christmas door hanging 56 Oscar winner Lee 57 Advice about keeping one’s options open (letters 10-7) 60 “I wouldn’t do that” (letters 10-7) 62 Former justice Scalia 64 Author Joan 68 Admitted to the clergy 69 Offshore apparatus 73 Factory, e.g., for a firm (letters 7-4) 75 Full of team spirit 77 Campaign-backing org.

79 eBay attempt 81 Sweepstakes statistics 84 Ticked-off state 89 Refreshing summer forecast 90 Poker tour player 91 Work of a composer 92 Deadens, as a string 93 Big name in water safety 94 Copy writer?

97 Go (for) 99 Home to Bollywood 100 Photo sessions 102 Longtime movie critic Roger 103 Dish alternative 104 Wolfgang Puck restaurant 108 Lack of hassle 110 Alka-Seltzer sound 113 Droop 114 Like antiques 115 “Avatar” FX

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“SIKGHNDKKJYMW YH NCYH HGLGWK IYNXGZ NCGN OXHN IKFYMJH TVX NCGN TVXI SVJT YH G PGDKNKIYG MVE.”

– GZY EVMW

“GI ASW MGJC ASWX MGIC TCIGBGBF ASWXDCMI KA HVRN SNVCX ECSEMC NVGBO SI ASW, GN’D R ISXZ SI DCMI-NSXNWXC.”

– DRXRV DGMJCXZRB Puzzle Two Clue: F equals G

SPORTS EDITOR

Puzzle One Clue: L equals V

TROY HERRING

©2019 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2019 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

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