06.28.18 Spirit of America

Observer JULY 2018

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

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Observer Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@ OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Rich Osterhaudt, rosterhaudt@OrangeObserver.com Business Development / Kim Kowske, kkowske@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Katie Rehm, krehm@OrangeObserver.com

The Bekemeyer-Walker Family

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f you’re a supporter of locally grown food and live in Winter Garden, you’re probably familiar with the Bekemeyer Family Farm.

The 20-acre farm, purchased in 1920 by Nancy Bekemeyer Walker’s grandparents, once was a citrus grove. Today, the Bekemeyer-Walker family has turned their farm into more. Depending on the season, locals can enjoy picking strawberries, peaches and blueberries, as well as fresh vegetables.

Although there are many things that make Nancy Bekemeyer Walker proud to be an American, none comes close to a key piece of the First Amendment — freedom of religion.

Troy Herring

“We all have different answers, but for me personally, it’s not about being American — for me it’s about my Christian beliefs. It’s about loving Jesus and showing that love to others, and I guess that’s the (best) part about being an American — that I can do that freely in this country.”

Scott Billue A

To Advertise, please call (407) 656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@ OrangeObserver.com.

CONTACT US The West Orange Times & Observer and Windermere Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Winter Park/Maitland Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. The Observer papers can also be found free in many commercial locations.

If you wish to subscribe to the West Orange Times, Windermere or Winter Park/Maitland Observers, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our offices at 720 S. Dillard St. in Winter Garden, FL. or 180 S. Knowles in Winter Park, FL.

Tim Freed

“When you think of what’s been done for our freedom, I believe our response to that should be helping others free themselves. People have died so that we can have this lifestyle that we have. I think we take it for granted how quickly it can be taken away.

It’s a paycheck, for most of us, away from being in real trouble.”

single moment can turn your life upside-down — a car accident, a bad relationship or a poor decision made in a split second. That’s the case for many people who become homeless, says Scott Billue, founder, president and pastor at Matthew’s Hope. The head of the local Winter Garden outreach program was homeless himself through periods of his life, and in 2010, he decided to start a ministry that provides resources, housing and education that puts homeless people back on their feet and in society.

Being an American — and by extension having the American spirit — isn’t only about enjoying freedom, Billue says.

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Fabrizio Schenardi

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hef Fabrizio Schenardi has been enjoying the taste of life in America ever since he first came to the United States in 1992 from his home in Torino, Italy.

He brought his culinary dreams of being a chef, and he realized them at several restaurants in New York and numerous hotels across the country. Today, he lives in Winter Garden and works as the executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, where he serves recipes straight from his grandmother’s kitchen at Ravello, the resort’s Italian restaurant. What the immigrant-turnedU.S.-citizen loves most about the United States — and what he believes captures the American spirit — is the sense of boldness to try new things and chase one’s dreams.

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Tim Freed

“I love the way Americans live — Europeans are more conservative and don’t like to spend as much. Americans have the willingness to spend and explore. … They take a chance on everything. I admire that.”

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Kristin Weissman

Tim Freed

“The American spirit means anything is possible. It just takes those people with courage that are willing to take the risk and give it a try.”

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Leigh Ann Dyal

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orn and raised in Windermere, Leigh Ann Dyal has devoted her life to bettering the community by a number of different means. As the president of the her homeowners association, Dyal is no stranger to the Orange County Commission chambers.

“We’ve been fortunate to travel to a lot of places, but no matter what, coming back to America is the best place of all.

There is nothing better than sleeping in your own bed, and having hot water — the luxuries we have are things that (some) people have never seen.”

Troy Herring

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indermere resident Kristin Weissman had to build her business, Studio K, not once — but twice. After she lost her original studio space, Weissman was forced to regroup and find new digs. But, when you have a dream, you pursue it relentlessly, she says.

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Larry Herrington

Troy Herring

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f you walk in to Larry’s Barber Shop, you will see the more than 100 Polaroids of kids getting their haircut for the first time. The shop, owned by Larry Herrington, has been a staple in the Ocoee community for 50 years — making it the oldest business in town. It showcases the pride one man has for his business. A native of Enterprise, Alabama, Herrington moved to Orange County at age 11, where he has made a name for himself as the friendly barber. His interaction with folks throughout the community for a half-century has had an important role in his life, and it’s the people who make the country great.

“I just love people, and I love America — there are no two-ways about that. America has come a long way, and it’s always America — it doesn’t get any better than that.”

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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Tim Freed

“I think the (American) spirit is in the music if you listen to the music, especially the earlier jazz. When I think of Louis Armstrong, I think of patriotism and the style — something that was developed organically just from freedom. That’s really where it came from.”

Sonja Oelker

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he Dixie Cream Cafe in Windermere is like a second home for baker Sonja Oelker, who always is hard at work whipping up desserts such as Key lime pies and chocolate Coca-Cola cakes. When Oelker considers the American spirit, she recalls growing up in Ohio and celebrating the Fourth of July in a tightknit community.

WHO THEY ARE For over 45 years, the Christian Service Center has provided aid for struggling neighbors. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, their mission is to prevent homelessness, combat poverty and cultivate self-sufficiency through programs that work hand-in-hand to keep families in their homes and food on their tables.

From their West Orange Family Life Center in Ocoee, they directly assist thousands of families every year. To do this, they depend on a volunteer base and financial support from local businesses, churches and individuals with heart who want to continue making West One of the Orange a great place to Christian Service live, for all of us.

WHAT THEY DO At the Daily Bread kitchen, six days a week they prepare and serve up to 150 lunch meals a day from 11am-12pm. Last year alone, Daily Bread served 34,696 meals, and they’ve served more than 750,000 meals in West Orange since 1991!

Center’s programs is the Love Pantry, an in-school food cabinet currently in 68 Orange and Seminole County public schools, including several elementary schools in West Orange.

They also offer a food pantry and short-term crisis assistance with rent and utilities through Family & Emergency Services. Plus, affordable new and used clothing, toys and home goods are available from two thrift stores at their Ocoee address.

Tim Freed

Last fall, a group of West Orange business leaders and churches came together to help find realistic solutions to address some much-needed building repairs to the Family Life Center’s property. Now known as the West Orange

Advisory Council, one of their primary goals is to raise awareness of the Christian Service Center throughout the Ocoee and Winter Garden area.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Volunteer to serve lunch at Daily Bread! This is a fun and eye-opening experience for church groups, local business teams, and individuals. Their thrift stores also need help every Monday and Friday (9am-1pm).

You can also donate nonperishable food, clothing or give financially. Stop by for a tour of the Family Life Center located at 300 West Franklin Street, Ocoee, FL 34761.

To learn more about the Christian Service Center’s West Orange Family Life Center, call 407-656-6678 Ext. 324, or visit ChristianServiceCenter.org/westorange

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n the confines of Pilars in downtown Winter Garden, Windermere resident Walt Hubbard plays at least once a week. Jazz — the original American art form — always has captured his interest.

“It always meant neighborhoods and families and block parties and barbecue. It always meant togetherness.

It’s kind of like (the cafe) — if you come in on a Sunday, everybody knows everybody.”

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Join the fight against hunger & homelessness in West Orange with long-standing local nonprofit

Walt Hubbard

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Alicia Dooley

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Tim Freed

hrough Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses Inc., Alicia Dooley brings a miniature horse named Rommy to hospital rooms and nursing homes for locals who need a fuzzy friend. She says the American spirit is all about helping others.

“We’re one big community, and if you take the time to meet somebody and interact with somebody, there’s that connection. I have the horse to help facilitate that. You learn everybody’s story.”

Angela Withers

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ince 2003, Angela Withers has worked to help preserve Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, where she has served as the board’s president since 2005. A native of Australia, Withers moved to the United States in 1972.

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“The thing that I find really extraordinary about Americans and America is the generosity and spirit of volunteerism.

And I think that Nehrling Gardens is just an amazing example of what people here are willing to do — just out of sheer generosity of spirit.”

Troy Herring

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Tom Burnett

Troy Herring

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f you head to Florida Metal Craft in Winter Garden, you likely will find local Tom Burnett sweating in what he affectionally calls a “10,000-square-foot oven.” The shop, which Burnett co-owns with his brother, Rob, has been a staple of the Winter Garden community since 1933, when their grandfather, Lawrence Iserman, founded the business. Since those early days, members of their family have worked metal for a variety of projects for both community members and businesses — with Tom and Rob being third-generation steel workers.

For Burnett, the American spirit is best defined by one of the documents that started it all: the Constitution.

“The nutshell is the preamble to the Constitution. If we did all those things — establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, et cetera — if we did all those things that just those few sentences of that preamble did, America would be — and will continue to be — the best there is.”

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4TH OF JULY

CALENDAR THE VILLAGES THE VILLAGES CONCERT BAND PRESENTS A PATRIOTIC SPECTACULAR Performances at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 3, at Savannah Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Sing along with the best patriotic tunes performed by the Bands of the Villages. For more information, call (352) 753-2270 or visit thevillagesentertainment. com/patriotic-spectacular.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

HORIZON WEST INDEPENDENCE FIREWORK SPECTACULAR 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at Independence Commons, Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden.

This event will feature the INDY KidZone, food trucks, entertainment and vendors. It concludes at 9 p.m. with a fireworks display over Lake Hancock.

SUNDAY, JULY 1

EUSTIS HOMETOWN CELEBRATION 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Ferran Park, 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis. Activities include music by national recording artist Eli Mosley, vendors, food and a kids zone. A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.; take a lawn chair or blanket. For more, call (352) 483-5491.

TUESDAY, JULY 3

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS RED, HOT & BOOM 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs.

Red, Hot & Boom will feature plenty of live music, food, drinks and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Performers include Echosmith, Alyssa Raghu, Lauv, Logan Henderson, MAX, In Real Life, and Jack & Jack. Visit facebook.com/ officialredhotandboom.

BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY BASH 6 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Baldwin Park Village Center, New Broad St. The Baldwin Park Joint Committee presents an Independence Bash with a fireworks show. This event is a community highlight and features more than 100 vendors, a kiddie fun zone, beer garden, Baldwin Park’s own Room2 band, a 15-minute fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. and more than 20,000 attendees.

This free family- and pet-friendly event starts with a festival on New Broad Street and ends with fireworks over Lake Baldwin. For more information, visit baldwinparkevents.com.

MOUNT DORA FREEDOM ON THE WATERFRONT 5 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora. The city of Mount Dora will present this event, which features live music by Spayed Koolie and the 13th Army Band, children’s activities, vendors and more. The festivities conclude at dusk with fireworks over Lake Dora. For more, call (352) 735-7183 or visit mountdorafireworks.com.

AVALON PARK FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Town Park, 3651 Avalon Park Blvd.

E., Orlando. This event will feature an apple pie bake-off, hot dog-eating contest, bike parade, wet/dry bounce park and performances. A fireworks display begins at 9 p.m.

For more, visit eventsatavalonpark.com.

THEME PARK CELEBRATIONS

CELEBRATION FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, along Celebration Avenue. This year’s parade will kick off at 9 a.m. from Town Hall, follow a route along Celebration Avenue to Market Street and conclude at the entrance to Lakeside Park.

Civic and service groups, families and individuals all are invited to participate. The most important part of the day is to be patriotic.

For more information, contact the Town Hall Lifestyle office at (407) 566-1200 or lifestyle@ celebrationtownhall.com.

WALT DISNEY WORLD MAGIC KINGDOM Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and dance parties July 3 and 4. A fireworks display, called “Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” will take place at 9 p.m. both nights. Watch in wonder as blazing fireworks ignite and fantastic effects light up the sky above Cinderella Castle — all while a magnificent musical score surrounds you with the reverberations of triumph and joy. Two different DJ dance parties will take place at 7 p.m. both nights.

The Independence Day Party in Frontierland will be a starspangled celebration with two DJs spinning country-western and contemporary tunes. The Independence Day Party in Tomorrowland will feature a live DJ and terrestrial tunes.

Both dance party locations offer an excellent vantage point to watch the fireworks.

CLERMONT RED, WHITE & BOOM! 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Waterfront Park, 100 Third St., Clermont. The event will feature traditional Americana-type activities for all ages. Live music

by Gary Roland and the Landsharks Band. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Minneola.

For more, visit clermontfl.gov/ events.

EPCOT See a new side of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth during a special Fourth of July showcase. Enjoy an enhanced take on this iconic Epcot experience featuring a stunning fireworks display that celebrates the planet’s past, present and future — along with something spectacular planned to highlight Indepen-

dence Day. Be sure to stick around for the end of the show to see a grand celebration of the Red, White and Blue.

Epcot also will host patriotic performances by the Voices of Liberty a capella group in the American Adventure Pavilion.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RED, WHITE & BOOM 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at LEGOLAND Florida, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. Celebrate America’s independence with patriotic activities such as LEGO builds, Americana apparel and a dance party.

While wearing special viewing glasses, guests can watch a gazillion bricks explode from the sky above the beautiful Lake Eloise during the Brick & Boom Fireworks Celebration, LEGOLAND’s biggest fireworks spectacular of the year. All event activities are subject to cancellation because of inclement weather. (877) 3505346.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO ‘IGNITE’ AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. Guests can enjoy SeaWorld’s “Ignite” display, which features fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a one-of-a-kind, patriotic finale to SeaWorld’s new end-of-day spectacle.

Fireworks can best be viewed from Bayside Stadium. For more, visit seaworld.com.

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WINTER GARDEN ALL-AMERICAN KIDS PARADE & BREAKFAST 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St., Winter Garden. Parade through downtown begins at 10 a.m.; lineup starts at 9:45 a.m. The morning includes entertainment, activities and children’s identification opportunities. Breakfast is free for children.

Sponsored by the Masonic Lodge, Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Winter Garden downtown merchants. (407) 656-3244.

GROVELAND STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Lake Catherine Blueberries, 5849 Lake Catherine Road, Groveland. The event will include dueling fireworks, six bands, a BMX stunt show, sanctioned steak cook-off, food trucks, kids zone and more. For more, visit groveland-fl.gov.

KISSIMMEE MONUMENTAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, 201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee.

Hosted by Joey Fatone, this event will feature live music from Doug E. Fresh, C+C Music Factory and The Gerry Williams Band. A monumental fireworks display will close the night. (407) 518-2503 or KissimmeeParks.org.

LEESBURG JULY 4 CELEBRATION 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Venetian Gardens, 201 E. Dixie Ave. The event will begin with a baseball game between the Leesburg Lightning and the Sanford River Rats at Pat Thomas Stadium/Buddy Lowe Field. Other activities include a performance

by Justin Heet, stilt-walkers, bounce houses, face-painting, free ice cream (while supplies last) and more. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Harris. For more, visit leesburgpartnership.com/ leesburg-4th-of-july-celebration.

MOUNT DORA INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, in downtown Mount Dora. The city of Mount Dora will present its annual Independence Day parade, which will begin at North Donnelly Street and West Seventh Avenue and end at North Tremain Street and West Fourth Avenue. For more information, contact the city of Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Department, (352) 735-7183.

OAKLAND FOUR ON THE FOURTH 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland. Celebrate our great country by joining the fifth running of the Four on the 4th Run/Walk in Oakland. Cost is $35 through July 3; $40 on race day. This race benefits Matthew’s Hope Ministries. To register, visit 4onthe4thrunwalk.itsyourrace. com.

ORLANDO CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY AT THE ICON ORLANDO 360 Wednesday, July 4, at the Icon Orlando 360, 8401 International Drive, Suite 100, Orlando. Combine some of the best views of the entire city with a patriotic display of lights for a unique Fourth of July activity. The ICON Orlando 360 Orlando Eye will be illuminated in the classic red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day. Visit iconorlando.com.

FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. Celebrate the Fourth of July at Lake Eola Park.

The city of Orlando’s Fireworks at the Fountain is a patriotic celebration filled with fun, food and fanfare. Live entertainment will include performances by The Mellow Relics, Mo’Mo-Browne, The Spring and the Orlando Concert Band. The event also features a large children’s play area. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. For more, visit cityoforlando.net/fireworks.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER FOURTH OF JULY SCIENCE CELEBRATION 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. This event will feature a simulation of Paul Revere’s midnight ride in the Sphero arena and patriotic games. Attendees also can make his or her own quill to sign a giant Declaration of Independence and see the live show, “Kaboom!” to learn about the science of fireworks. For more information, visit osc.org.

ST. CLOUD LAKEFRONT CELEBRATION 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Lakefront Park, 1104 Lakeshore Blvd., St. Cloud. The event will feature live music by Little Texas, First Circle and Whiskey Plates, food, games and more. This year’s Honorary Fireworks Commissioner is Maj. Gen. Jerry Lang. For more, visit stcloudfireworks.org.

SANFORD SANFORD FIREWORKS AT STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD ON THE RIVERWALK 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Ft. Mellon Park, 600 E. First St., Sanford. Celebrate Independence Day in Sanford with great entertainment, food and drinks.

The event concludes with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. over Lake Monroe. Sanford Recreation Department, (407) 688-5120.

TAVARES OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. Activities will include a parade at 5 p.m.; music by Blond Ambition, Soul Therapy and DJ Dance Party; kids rides and activities; food trucks; and more. A fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. overlooking Lake Dora. Parking is free at the city parking garage. (352) 742-6319.

WINDERMERE FOURTH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets will be available at the breakfast.

PARTY IN THE PARK 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Attendees can take a chair or blanket for this annual tradition, which will include live music, family activities and food.

Parking is available at Health Central Park and Dillard Street Elementary. For information, call Winter Garden City Hall at (407) 656-4111. In case of a potential rainout, call the rainout hotline at (407) 877-5432.

WINTER PARK 23RD ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 4, in Winter Park’s Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. City Commissioner Sarah Sprinkel will lead the event from the main stage, which will include an “Oath of Allegiance” naturalization ceremony. The ceremony will include remarks regarding the history of this monumental day, as well as congratulations to new American citizens on their milestone. The event also will feature performances by Sean Holcomb, the Bach Festival Brass Band and the Bach Festival. The Children’s

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Bicycle Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. Children can take their bikes already decorated or they can deck them out at the old bus stop at the corner of Park Avenue and Morse Boulevard in Central Park.

The Family Fun Program Kids Zone also will include a touch-atruck, fun games and inflatables.

Free hot dogs, watermelon and water will be available for all to enjoy, while supplies last, thanks to the Electric Utility Department.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art also will celebrate 23 years on Park Avenue with its annual Independence Day Open House. For more, visit cityofwinterpark.org/event/23rdannual-4th-of-july-celebration.

2018 FLORIDA HOSPITAL WATERMELON 5K 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at 251 Park Ave. S., Winter Park.

Start your Independence Day the right way — with a 5K. Join friends, family and neighbors for a morning celebration featuring icecold watermelon and American pride. Cost is $33 through July 3 and $38 on race day. Military personnel and family receive a $10 discount and a special bib.

For more information, visit trackshack.com/event/114.

WINTER SPRINGS WINTER SPRINGS CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM 18 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs.

The evening will be filled with fun — including live entertainment such as the annual Winter Springs Got Talent competition. Enjoy a fun-filled kids area and shop the various vendors. As the night wraps up, the sky will fill with world-class fireworks. For more, visit bit.ly/2MNZQcA.

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Jim Crescitelli

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s program director of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, Jim Crescitelli serves as a caretaker of the city’s history — and the artifacts that tell it.

“(The American spirit is) about hard work to establish and improve your community for the people (who) come after you. It’s appreciating what you have and then successfully preserving it and keeping it for the next generation. We’re caretakers.”

Ryan Ashworth

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ow 21, Ryan Ashworth knows his time playing baseball could come to an end after his senior year at Flagler College, but that’s OK. The pitcher from Ocoee knows there are more important things in life. His grandfather joined the military during the tail end of the Vietnam War, despite just being drafted by the Milwaukee Braves.

“I think the American spirit is just helping one another and just being kind to each other.”

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Melvin Henry

Troy Herring

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ll Melvin Henry has ever known is service to his country. As the newly appointed commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305, Henry helps serve those who served — an honor of the highest regard he says. Henry’s own service started in 1978. Just after graduating from West Orange High, the Winter Garden native decided to join the U.S. Army. It was a route his father and four uncles had taken years before him. His time in the military and the VFW has helped solidify Henry’s love of country, but of all the things he appreciates the most, he holds closest the concept of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

“We share the same freedoms that George Washington dreamed of, and Lincoln dreamed and on down the line. I was born here, but as a young kid here in Winter Garden, to think that I could be anything that I wanted to be — (it’s) the spirit of freedom and the right to pursue happiness for you and your family.”

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OrangeObserver.com

Victoria Grace

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bright new chapter is on the horizon for Victoria Grace and her three children. The four have been living in transitional housing in West Orange but are finally on the verge of moving into their new home built by West Orange Habitat for Humanity. It’s an emotional moment for Grace and her daughter, Nadine, as they stand inside the structure they will call home in a matter of weeks. Grace went from being a stay-at-home mom in a supposedly happy family to a single mom overnight in February 2016. Habitat for Humanity rallied around her family in their time of need — and nothing embodies the American spirit more.

Tim Freed

“The spirit of America to me is essentially an idea that when you participate with this idea, it’s community coming together to overcome an obstacle. Maybe the obstacle is more individual, an individual family or maybe it’s for the entire community. If you go back to our history, our settlers were founded by overcoming … they wanted religious freedom. It was overcoming an obstacle.”

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OrangeObserver.com

JULY 2018

Ken Moisan

Troy Herring

K

en Moisan always has lived a life full of service to his fellow Americans. As the lieutenant paramedic for Winter Garden Fire Rescue, Moisan spends his time on the job helping to keep his community safe — and his service doesn’t stop there. Before he joined in 2004, Moisan was a member of the New York International Guard and also worked as a police officer. Moisan retired from the International Guard after 26 years; he served in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Freedom Sentinel. For Moisan, there’s a flood of thoughts that come with the question of what does it mean to be an American.

“I think it is based on your life experiences. To me, being an American means being patriotic, proud and having love for the country and showing it.”

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Matt McGrew

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t’s been about 40 years since Matt McGrew became a firefighter — and the passion for his work burns stronger than ever. McGrew first arrived at the Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department in 2006 as a deputy fire chief but was promoted to fire chief in 2014. He has seen the West Orange community — and the firefighting departments that serve it — evolve and change over the years.

Two words come to mind when McGrew thinks of the American spirit: pride and freedom.

Tim Freed

“There’s pride in being an American and then the freedom that goes along with that. There’s freedom to still be individuals, and that’s where we have to be able to treat everyone equally at their worst moments — regardless of where they live or who they are or the color of their skin.”

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OrangeObserver.com

Joe Ort

Troy Herring

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veryone in Winter Garden knows the big, beautiful house that sits on East Plant Street — the location of the Ort Law Firm. Inside its walls, real-estate lawyer/owner Joe Ort and his team have helped locals negotiate and close real-estate transactions. A native of Wisconsin, Ort moved to Florida when he was 3 years old and began practicing law in 2005, when he realized the great opportunities that the field could offer him — especially in the form of helping those in his community. As both a part of the legal system and a business owner, Ort has made, for himself, a path that is quintessentially American.

“Despite all of our problems — and our country has a lot of them — it is still an amazing place for opportunity and a place that brings out the best in people. Being an attorney working in the legal system — which certainly isn’t perfect — when you think about a system that has been designed to address all human issues and all human problems, they’ve done a pretty good job of creating a great legal system and a great society, in general.”

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JULY 2018

David Ogden

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n the tight-knit community of Windermere, many folks recognize the face of Police Chief David Ogden. A public servant for 32 years, Ogden retired from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office five years ago to take on his role of chief in Windermere. Going from the 10th largest sheriff’s office in the country to a small community has been one of the greatest experiences of his life, and it’s the ability to have that choice of how to live your life that remains as one of Ogden’s favorite aspects of being an American.

Troy Herring

“The freedom of what we get to do each and every single day — we get to choose who we want to be.

The spirit of America is someone who doesn’t give up. America embodies the people who do not give up.”

Mayors Gary Bruhn and Kathy Stark

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t the local political level, West Orange is led by communitydriven individuals such as Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark. Stark, a Winter Park native who moved to Oakland in 1990, has served as both a commissioner and mayor during her 21 years of public service. Bruhn grew up all over the world as a military brat before making his way to Central Florida 37 years ago — 30 of which have been in Windermere. Along with his role as mayor, Bruhn also serves as the president of the Florida League of Mayors.

As a public servant in this country, Bruhn’s passion for helping to continue the forefathers’ dreams of democracy is what makes him proud to be an American.

“I love history — I’m a history buff — and I think about back in 1776, the men left their homes, their jobs, their families to take up arms and to create this experiment called democracy. As Americans, we have a real responsibility to protect and preserve our freedoms.”

— Mayor Gary Bruhn

“First and foremost would be to thank people who have protected our country in the past and currently and in the future. And secondly, freedom — the ability to be a part of a government, at any level, to shape policy and protect our culture.”

— Mayor Kathy Stark Troy Herring

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We’re celebrating 40 years with

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Please drop by during business hours July 9th thru 31st for Food, Refreshments and Gifts.

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$500 off move in fee for the month of July Call or stop in today!

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