03.28.24 Southwest Orange Observer

OCOEE’S EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA IS SATURDAY

Ocoee’s Parks and Recreation Department is putting on its annual Easter Eggstravaganza from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 30, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Admission is free.

The day of family fun will include an egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and other characters, and food trucks. Children 12 years old and younger can join in the scramble for thousands of Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes. The event also will feature family-fun activities, a game truck, bungee jump, bubble bus, rock-climbing wall, train rides, music and prizes. Bon Appetite Good Food, Co Deeze Café and Chick-fil-A will set up food trucks.

TOWN TO PRESENT OPERATION EASTER BUNNY

The Easter Bunny will make his way through the town of Windermere for the 2024 Operation Easter Bunny event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 30, throughout the streets of Windermere. Join the Windermere Police Department as the Easter Bunny travels around the town’s neighborhoods. When you hear the sirens, come out to say hello! Town staff also will be throwing bags of eggs and candy to children along the route.

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HAMLIN TO HOST EASTER EVENTS

Hamlin

McKey Street serves up new eateries

SPORTS EDITOR

Slowly but surely, the city of Ocoee has grown into the third-biggest city in Orange County, by population, and as the city grows, so does the interest of businesses looking to set up shop in the area.

Earlier in 2024, two local establishments announced they would be coming to the small downtown area of Ocoee on McKey Street. Antojitos Loco’s is a family-owned taco food truck that is opening a brick-andmortar location. Wine O’Clock Bistro is an expansion concept to the already-popular downtown shop Bike Life Café.

Wine O’Clock owner Renata Azevedo describes the vision of the expansion as a welcoming — yet affordable — experience.

“Our vision is to make Wine O’Clock Bistro a beautiful and welcoming place … where we can continue to bring people together to enjoy themselves and bring others while always keeping a familyoriented environment (by) offering great food, wines and a unique wine bar experience,” Azevedo said. “We

believe Wine O’Clock Bistro will bring lots of visitors to the area.”

These announcements and the anticipated openings of these establishments have shined a light on the growing downtown section of the city.

“It’s great to see the growth in Ocoee, especially in the downtown Mckey Street area,” Azevedo said. “We started the bicycle shop almost five years ago, when there was only us and a couple of other businesses. We were concerned but decided to take the chance, because we had a vision of what it could become. A couple of years later, we integrated Bike Life Café to the front of the bicycle shop. … We’re so grateful for this amazing community for their support and encouragement.”

With the continued success of the downtown’s current shops, such as Bike Life Café, DG Doughnuts, Pelican’s SnoBalls and Toll Road Brewing Company, more businesses will be sure to follow in the future.

Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, a resident of the city for more than five decades, wants to see downtown continue to grow while maintaining its small-town charm.

“When I got in office back in 1985, Ocoee was a quiet kind of a private, easygoing place,” Johnson said. “When I came back home from the Army, everything was

starting to just go … and everything changed a bit and it grew. Ocoee has really become a good place to live. It’s close to Orlando, close to the airport, and things have started to move in the right direction in the past years.

coming soon, and we’re able to get some more shops put in over there, things are going to change a lot in the downtown area,” Johnson said. “With the new couple of restaurants that are coming to downtown — the wine bar, which I know they’ll serve food also … and the Mexican restaurant coming down the corner — when we get Oakland Street set with their shops, we’re going to be going in the right direction.”

Johnson’s vision for the downtown area in the near future is music to the ears of Ocoee’s current smallbusiness owners.

“We’d like to see the continued growth and have other small businesses moving in but yet keeping the community-oriented lifestyle,” Azevedo said. “We’re hoping to see a connection to the bicycle trail which should bring more families and a more active lifestyle.”

work, and work locally, not having to travel too much. A place where their kids can get jobs. And that’s what’s happened over the years. We’ve just gradually moved in the right direction.”

“We’re trying to grow the city in our way,” Johnson said. “Still having a great little town, where people can feel like they live within an area that they are safe, that they can go to

With the new businesses coming and new infrastructure on Oakland Avenue, Johnson expects the area to grow even more in the coming years.

“I honestly believe that when we get Oakland Street started, which is

Although these highly anticipated locations have been in the works for a few months, there is no set date for either business to open.

“We’re extremely close,” Azevedo said. “We’re working hard and efficiently to make everything, abiding by the rules and regulations for a safe environment. We’ll keep constantly updating our social media as to our target opening date.”

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Sam Albuquerque

Ocoee’s growing downtown should start to see new businesses opening soon.

Pops culture

Hundreds of people filled the lawn behind Tanner Hall at Newton Park in Winter Garden for a night of wonderful music at the 2024 Evening at the Pops, held Saturday, March 23.

The annual event, presented by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden, featured former American Idol contestant John Stevens and the Space Coast Symphony. To the delight of those in attendance, the pairing performed Big Band classics from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and plenty more.

Beyond the wonderful sounds that filled the air and the picturesque backdrop of Newton Park at sunset, the beautiful spring weather made it a perfect evening out for families, couples on a date night or just for those who love live music.

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE

History museum chronicles downtown Winter Garden’s rebirth

A Winter Garden Heritage Foundation exhibition shares the history of the city’s downtown area and how it became the popular destination it is today.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Downtown Winter Garden has been referred to as a setting for a Hallmark movie — with its charming shops, theater, restaurants and museums

But it didn’t always look this way.

A great deal of vision, funds and effort went into revitalizing the Plant Street corridor starting in 1991 with the creation of Main Street Winter Garden. The change really ramped up in 1999, when the railroad tracks were removed.

A Winter Garden Heritage Foundation exhibition continues through this weekend at the Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St., and it takes viewers through an illustrated timeline of the rebirth of the city’s downtown and all the collaborative efforts between city staff and the Winter Garden City Commission at the time.

“Modern Day Renaissance: The Winter Garden Story” is on display through Sunday, March 31.

The WGHF got its start in 1994 as a fundraising arm for the MSWG initiative, and a permanent heritage museum opened in 1998.

The flourishing downtown area started declining in the late 1960s and would continue on this path for more than two decades before experiencing its rebirth with commerce, culture and entertainment.

Perhaps what fueled Winter Garden’s renaissance more than anything was the creation of the West Orange Trail. When the railroad tracks were removed from the center of the city, the trail took its place, bringing hundreds of thousands of runners and cyclists and, eventually, the opportunity for successful businesses and restaurants to fill the empty storefronts.

This was spurred by the creation of a Community Redevelopment Agency, which needed government approval. CRAs receive extra funding and reallocate it in multiple ways to improve the economic health of an area.

Multiple sizable projects would be started after this, including the

IF YOU GO

MODERN DAY RENAISSANCE: THE WINTER GARDEN STORY

WHEN: Through Sunday, March

31

WHERE: Winter Garden Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St., Winter Garden

WEBSITE: wghf.org

revival of the Garden Theatre and the Edgewater Hotel.

From 1935 through 1963, the Winter Garden Theatre was one of the only constant sources of entertainment in the city. The popularity of the television reduced moviegoing to the point that owner Collie Biggers sold the building to Pounds Motor Company and it was used as a tractor warehouse.

In 2003, the WGHF launched a movement to restore the theater to its original grandeur, and a grandopening celebration was held five years later.

Down the street, the Edgewater Hotel faced similar highs and lows. It was constructed as the tallest building along Plant Street in 1927 and housed many fishermen who came from around the world to experience the thrill of catching a prize-winning large-mouth bass from nearby Lake Apopka. When pollution killed off all the fish and destroyed the local fishing industry, the hotel, now without a strong clientele, shuttered its doors.

The hotel sat empty — except for the pigeons that came in through the broken skylights — until the downtown Winter Garden resurgence gave the structure new life as a boutique hotel with businesses and restaurants on the ground floor.

Revitalization efforts have continued in recent years, and, today, the downtown area draws shoppers, diners and visitors with its shops, restaurants, festivals, outdoor music venues, scenic photo backdrops and overall charm.

Elizabeth Cruz and Donnie Martello were one of many couples who took advantage of the event and brought a picnic blanket to enjoy the music.

Along with the wonderful music, the picturesque Newton Park and the great weather made the evening a wonderful outing.

Left: Former American Idol contestant John Stevens with the Space Coast Symphony dazzled those in attendance with his renditions of big-band classics.

Courtesy of Winter Garden Heritage Foundation The original Winter Garden Theatre, which opened in 1935 and closed in 1963, was given new life as the Garden Theatre in 2008.

Windermere honors legacy of Officer Robbie German Observer

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

It was 3:59 a.m. the morning of March 22, 2014, when Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden received the call.

Windermere police officer Robert “Robbie” German, 31, was shot and killed at the southeast corner of Horizon Circle and ConroyWindermere Road.

It was a moment Ogden will never forget. It was a moment people across the nation will never forget.

On Friday, March 22, the town of Windermere hosted a remembrance ceremony to honor German’s memory and unforgettable sacrifice.

Ogden took to Facebook that morning to share his thoughts.

“Ten years ago, we were saying,

‘I can’t believe this happened,’” he wrote. “Today, we say, ‘I can’t believe it has been 10 years.’ Robbie’s death has left an indelible mark on each of our lives. At the first year’s memorial, I shared that we each had a decision to make: whether this tragedy would leave us better or bitter. One of those options steals the selfless sacrifice that Robbie made. The other option honors his legacy. We faced a choice to become better officers, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, co-workers, supervisors, and leaders. We faced the choice to reflect on what was most important in our lives and always strive to let others know how much they were appreciated and loved. We honor Robbie by becoming better at what we do each day.”

HONORING A HERO

German, who was unmarried and did not have children, served as a Windermere officer for more than five years. He was born in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Florida at age 5. He grew up in Sanford and Lake Mary and became a year-round soccer player, progressing to club select/ travel teams during his middle and high school years.

German graduated in 2001 from Lake Mary High School and received an athletic scholarship to attend South Georgia College, where he studied business.

Following work in airport operations, involving security and interaction with local police departments, German realized his growing interest in law enforcement and decided to attend the police academy at Seminole State College.

German joined the Windermere Police Department Dec. 19, 2008.

Since the loss of German, the community has come together to honor his memory in myriad ways.

German’s name was inscribed on a new piece of workout equipment at the Roper YMCA, and the Windermere post office was renamed after him. Softball games and spring, summer, fall, and St. Patrick’s Day festivals all have been hosted in honor of his memory.

The WPD also created the Windermere Police Foundation, which has helped hundreds of police officers and citizens bridge the gap between law enforcement and community partners.

“Ten years ago, Robbie chose this

police department,” Ogden wrote on Facebook. “He was excited about its new direction and the possibilities for the future. The team we have created today, the beautiful building, and the awards and accolades are part of his dreams. Robbie is as much a part of the culture and character today as he was those days 10 years ago — I would submit even more. Ten years ago, he was the first to embrace our ethos of honor, integrity and service. Little did I know, at that time, that his legacy would be the ultimate sacrifice.

“Robbie has left such an impact on my life,” he wrote to the German family and friends. “I am sorry for your loss, and my greatest gift is to honor him by becoming a better man, husband, father and leader to the men and women I get the opportunity to serve. This is the legacy that your son has left. This is why we honor him and his sacrifice. … May He bless and watch over our officers who are willing to sacrifice everything.”

Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien also shared a few words on Facebook.

“Ten years ago this morning, I received a call that Officer German had been shot while patrolling the town of Windermere,” he wrote. “It was 4 a.m., and there were more questions than answers, but it was clear that our little town and police department had just lost its innocence. Today, and every day, we remember Officer German, his fam-

ily, fellow officers and friends. While we miss him, we are proud of our Windermere Police Department and the role that Officer German’s legacy plays in our commitment to excellence, integrity and service. As mayor, I wish peace for Robbie’s family and our entire community, and I pledge that Windermere will never forget the sacrifice of Officer Robbie German.”

NEVER FORGET

At the ceremony, chaplain Wes Beacham welcomed attendees and opened with a prayer.

“As I was driving over here today, I was thinking about the life of Robbie,” he said. “Some of you guys have met Robbie, and some of you have not met Robbie. I am in the category of people who have not met Robbie, but as I was thinking about his life — from the opportunity I’ve gotten to sit with Chief Ogden and the fellow officers — I’ve thought a lot about the phrase, ‘You won’t know the impact that you have made until well after you’ve made it.’ While I haven’t met him, his life has made an impact on me, and I’m so thankful for that.

… When you live a life where there’s integrity and there’s character, people want to show up to celebrate you years later. … We are all better for knowing the life and legacy of Robbie German.”

Orlando Police Department Officer

Gladys Justiniano sang “I Can Only Imagine,” by MercyMe, before Town

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Council Member Tony Davit spoke.

“Even though it’s been a decade, the memory of his service, his kindness and his sacrifice burns bright in our hearts,” Davit said. “We celebrate the courage he displayed in the face of danger, the unwavering commitment to the town of Windermere and citizens that defined him, his absence, a profound ache for those who loved him, but Robbie’s legacy extends far beyond them, far beyond the people of Windermere and far beyond the state of Florida. It lives on in the countless officers he inspired. Those that continue to serve to protect, not only here, but across this great nation. … His sacrifice serves as a constant reminder of the price paid for the peace we cherish. It compels us to honor his memory by building a stronger, more compassionate Windermere. … Though the grief may cloud our memory, let this memory of Officer Robbie German inspire us.”

Tim German shared a few words about his son and thanked the town for continuing to honor his memory throughout the years. He said the town was his son’s true family.

“This is an incredible, humbling memorial, and we appreciate it,” he said. “This truly has been his home away from home. He had an opportunity to go to a bigger place and a bigger police department … he had been here long enough to know this is where he wanted to stay. Besides the fact that he felt a real connection with the community, it was the leadership here. … He wanted to stay to see the changes here and see this town grow. It was like his place. … This is the family he left here, but he’s watching. … The first couple years, obviously, really hard. They still are, but they were really, really hard. … It was tough. Then we heard things like, ‘We will never forget.’”

Ogden spoke about Robbie German’s legacy before leading attendees in a vigil of light.

“Legacy isn’t what you leave for people, it’s what you leave in people, and Robbie left something in us, which outlives him, which outlives me, which outlives all of us,” he said. “As I’ve said before, I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sorry for all of our loss. But my greatest gift I can do is to honor your son. I made that commitment 10 years ago, and I hope and I pray that each day I fulfill that. May God bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you. May you feel the comfort and warmth of His peace. I am so grateful to have known Robbie. Not as Officer German, but as Robbie German. It is one of my greatest blessings.”

The

unveiled

Courtesy photos

Officer Robert “Robbie” German joined the Windermere Police Department in 2008.

n The Oakland Town Commission authorized

City moving forward with new Boys & Girls Club facility Development coming to Colonial in Oakland

Two projects totaling nearly 27 acres have come before the Oakland Town Commission for approval.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Two projects totaling nearly 27 acres were presented to the Oakland Town Commission for approval at the March 12 meeting. The elected officials approved the first reading and public hearing of multiple ordinances related to the projects.

Oakland West Five Zero LLC and owner Steve Healy have submitted an application to amend the Future Land Use from Commercial Mixed Use to Mixed Use Activity Center and to rezone 21.25 acres at the southeast corner of Tubb Street and West Colonial Drive for a project called 4th Street Village.

The proposal originally included several buildings arranged in a town center with 190 multi-family dwelling units, a maximum of 125,000 square feet of commercial, 25,000 square feet of office and a 110-room hotel (68,000 square feet). The property’s southeast corner is a wetland preserve area, and the applicant is proposing a small event center or gathering area.

The Mixed Use Activity Center designation is intended for urbanstyle mixed development for properties located adjacent to and in close proximity to the West Colonial Drive corridor.

The commission approved the ordinance with the stipulation the hotel is removed and more mixed-use space is added.

Donald Parsons, a resident who lives on Fourth Street, voiced his concerns about the impact this will have on his property.

“Would you want to have something like this after living (there) for 40 years?” he asked. “It’s like putting a sewage plant in front of my house. I’m going to have all the trash coming over to my side of the street.”

“You’re really lucky that you haven’t had any development here before this,” Mayor Kathy Stark responded.

Another resident who has lived near the proposed development since 1978 worried about the event center emitting music late at night.

“I feel like we’re wasting our time because you don’t care,” she told the commission.

“We hear you,” Stark said. “That’s a very good piece of land for commercial development; it’s been slated for that. We will have to work together. But it’s not going to not happen.”

Resident Donna Reed expressed concern about parking.

“When this is full, people will find any place to park, including along (State Road) 50 and in front of their homes,” she said.

Town Manager Andy Stewart assured Reed the town has parking standards that would be enforced.

The second project presented was Oakland Village at The Grove, located at 1551 W. Colonial Drive. The applicant, New Horizons Investments LLC, is asking for a small-scale Future Land-Use amendment for the 5.2 acres from Commercial to Mixed Use Activity Center with a rezoning from A-1 to Planned Development with a Development Agreement.

This proposed development, on the north side of Colonial, includes two three-story buildings with a maximum of 48,000 square feet of commercial and retail on the first floor and 72 multi-family units on the second and third floors.

The land is on the boundary of Oakland and Winter Garden. The project still is in the conceptual phase, so no tenants have been selected. Commissioner Sal Ramos recommended original mom-and-pop stores. If approved, the project should take two years to complete, the applicant said.

n Officials approved an amendment to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant agreement to assist Oakland with the conversion of Oakland Avenue Charter school and the Public Safety Complex from a septic system to centralized sewer. The amount of the matching grant was $150,000. The project is nearly complete.

n The meeting became heated when Mayor Kathy Stark misunderstood a resident’s comment and shouted at the woman to stop talking and to sit down. This was Stark’s last meeting before the March 19 municipal election.

The second reading and public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, after press time.

UTILITY RATES

The Oakland Town Commission passed a resolution pertaining to adjustments in utility rates.

The rates are being raised from $6 per thousand gallons to $7.25 per thousand, and it will affect commercial and wastewater customers only.

“Periodically, the town reviews the water and sewer utility rates being charged to see if they are providing a sufficient revenue stream,” Public Works Director Mike Parker said. “Expenditures include operational expenses, capital improvements, regulatory expenses, capital replacements, emergencies and other costs. These utility dollars are going toward a lot of different expenses that most users don’t even think about.

“As the number of customers grows, it provides an opportunity to spread these fixed costs over a larger base,” he said. “That is a good thing.”

The city of Winter Garden and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, at the Thursday, March 14, City Commission meeting, agreed to enter into a 35-year ground lease agreement for property located in historic east Winter Garden.

The agreement governs and defines the terms of the relationship involving the property at 459 Ninth St., Winter Garden.

The Boys & Girls Club will develop, improve, operate and maintain the new planned facility.

The facility will be developed in two phases on the city-owned property, currently zoned Residential District.

As part of the agreement, the city also agreed to contribute $1.5 million toward the construction of the project’s second phase.

The building, situated on 2.44 acres, will be 9,980 square feet and will have 39 parking spaces.

Economic Development Director

Marc Hutchinson said the operating presence of the Boys & Girls Club in Winter Garden will address wellneeded services and programming for local students from K-12. The facility also will provide additional multi-use meeting space for the use and benefit of the community, including residents and non-profit organizations.

“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida have a remarkable and welldocumented track record of success,” he said. “This operating and ground lease agreement represents a significant partnership that will directly enrich and impact families in our Winter Garden community.”

District 3 Commissioner Mark A. Maciel thanked city staff for their hard work and said the project has been “a long time coming.”

“I know we get a lot of comments

IN OTHER NEWS

n Two new police officers were sworn in at the Winter Garden City Commission meeting: David Carter and Dominick Donald.

n The Mayoral Award of Excellence was presented to the Foundation Academy varsity cheerleading team. Team members include: Fabiana Aguirre, Rylie Dechon, Tristan Dechon, Taylor Dunn, Tinsley Fisher, Kendall Johnson, Erika Kime, Haley Lambert, Abbey Langhoff, Rylan Marion, Ava Marosan, Skylar Mullarney, Grace O’Hey, Shylah Pemble, Ellie Perfetto, Presley Powell, Caroline Prunty, Briana Ramirez, Ella Reuter, Mia Sanders, Gabrielle Swart, Jaime Williams and Alexandra Zabik.

n Commissioners approved the distribution of the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and other law-enforcement trust funds to purchase active shooter response equipment for school resource officers in the amount of $15,049. The equipment consists of ballistic shields, entry tool kits and weapon optic enhancements.

that the city is buying property in east Winter Garden, and this is an example of what we do with that property when we purchase it,” Maciel said. “We get this property so we can do great things for the community with it.”

A construction start date has not yet been established. A few finishing additional steps need to occur, including a split lot approval process to properly redefine the property and premises upon which the new structure will sit.

Community pushes back against Disney affordable-housing project

Horizon West residents still have a multitude of concerns involving Walt Disney World’s proposed affordable-housing project.

remain and resurfaced at the county’s community meeting Monday, March 18.

However, Disney representatives are confident in how the county will address the topics of residents’ concerns.

“We thank the residents who were able to attend tonight’s community meeting, and we also appreciate the many individuals who have told us how excited they are about this initiative,” Tajiana Ancora-Brown, director of external affairs at Walt Disney World Resort, said in a prepared statement. “We know that affordable housing is a top priority for leaders in Orange County, and we take great pride in contributing this land to make a lasting impact.”

BACKGROUND

The proposed project sits on 114.23 acres on Hartzog Road, generally bounded by Hartzog Road to the north and east and State Road 545 to the west.

Disney is working with The Michaels Organization to build about 1,400 units of mixed-income housing in the area, more than 1,000 of which will be reserved as affordable.

With more than 425 communities in more than 35 states — including in Florida — The Michaels Organization is the largest privately held owner of affordable housing in the country. It will build, own and operate the housing community.

The development is not government funded, and Disney officials said the company will not benefit financially from the development.

The Michael Organization’s vision for the new development is to lift the lives of those who support the local community, seamlessly integrate within the Horizon West community, and promote health and wellness through an inspirational environment.

In terms of goals for the project, the organization hopes to provide elevated resident engagement through a personalized approach to management and operations; inspire residents to share their story through unique placemaking and ongoing community events; and ensure health and wellness is prevalent throughout the community experience.

Officials said the land was selected because it is part of a thriving community. The area is close to employers, shopping, services, schools, and areas of rest and recreation.

The community is planned to include a mix of building types, with a focus on storytelling and the arts, featuring murals and unique elevations that create a distinct look and feel for each neighborhood within the development.

The distinctive designs will help provide a sense of belonging for future residents who also will have access to amenities that provide ample space to focus on wellness.

There are two amenity buildings proposed, and amenities for the development would include a pool, pickleball court, dog parks, playgrounds and a large amount of greenspace area.

Because the development is privately funded, the developer will not be requesting fee waivers typically available to affordable-housing developments. The developer will pay impact fees to help address the transportation, infrastructure and school capacity needs.

The development, planned to be privately financed, will be limited to applicants within a certain income range.

Based on 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, households eligible for affordable units will include

those with a combined annual income between $30,750 and $115,000.

Disney officials said groundbreaking for the project, if approved, is targeted for late 2024 with the first units anticipated to be completed in 2026. The project was to be discussed at the BCC meeting Tuesday, March 26, after press time.

THE CONCERNS

At the recent community meeting, residents were invited to participate in information stations with representatives involved or impacted by the project. Stations included schools, transportation, environment, public safety, community design and management.

Sarah Hibbs, resident and former Disney employee, expressed her concerns in an email to the County Commission following the community meeting.

“After attending last night’s farce of a community meeting, where no feedback was allowed from the area residents at the request of Disney, I continue to be thoroughly frustrated and disgusted at this project and the continued lobbying efforts of the Disney Corporation,” she wrote. “Very frustrating that citizens are silenced by corporations and not allowed to have discourse at public meetings as

has historically happened — this is a terrible precedent.”

Adam Gilbertson, another resident, believes the project is a bad idea.

“The schools are way over capacity, and there is no near term plan to alleviate it,” he said. “The roads and infrastructure are not built for capacity as it is today, let alone for the 12,000 apartment units coming online in the next 12 months, not including this proposed project. ... The developer knows there will be severe parking concerns which is clear in their request to get a waiver to allow parking 750 feet from use, way beyond the standard 150 feet. Disney and (The Michaels Organization) are not acting in good faith with the community. They have actively worked to silence the community complaints, are lobbying the board members and have not actually considered any of the community’s concerns, instead brushing them off at outside of their control or ignoring them entirely.

“Community crime is a real concern, and Disney ignored the question entirely and focused only on security at the complex rather than crime in the community, and Orange County police have not even been able to manage the crime as of today,” he said.

However, not all oppose the project.

“This is an exciting public-private partnership that will bring 1,400 safe and affordable housing options for people who need them the most — our teachers, public service and hospitality employees,” Shelley Lauten, longtime community advocate and local resident, said. “This project can serve as a model for how other businesses can work side by side with government and nonprofits to address this critical community need.”

Stephen Lewis, president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

“Currently, many of the businesses we represent are struggling to recruit and retain workers due to the limited supply of affordable and attainable housing in Orange County,” he said. “Ensuring affordable housing is available for West Orange residents is critical to the success of our county and will help grow small businesses and bring long-awaited amenities to the residents of Horizon West.”

Courtesy photos

Disney is working with The Michaels Organization to build about 1,400 units of mixed-income housing.

Works of HeART

Anna Cary

The mission of the Winter Garden Art Association is to showcase, encourage and celebrate individual creativity and artistic expression among local artists. West Orange County is teeming with artists whose talents range from visual to performing to literary

In this feature, the Observer and the WGAA will highlight a local artist monthly. This month, meet Orlando resident and artist Anna Cary.

How long have you been creating?

I have always been involved in creative projects — from the performing arts to medical imaging to photography and digital painting.

What are your favorite media?

Photography (both color and infrared black and white) and digital painting.

What are some of your favorite themes in your artwork?

Subjects that make me smile, go “hmmm” or just grab my attention.

My favorite themes change constantly, and I am always looking for new inspiration. People sometimes ask, ‘What is your style?’ and I always say that I hope I don’t have only one. You can see what I mean at annacary.com.

Why is expressing yourself through art important to you?

It is a way to convey the humor, irony, absurdity and beauty of things in life.

Did you have a formal art education?

If so, where and when?

My art education started in 2004 with a Photoshop class and an

online photography class with Bryan Peterson. Since then, I continue to do independent study of art, art history, photography and digital creative techniques through online classes, in-person workshops and personal mentors.

Who is your favorite famous artist and why?

Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper and Jerry Uelsmann. These American artists cover the range from traditional impressionism to modern abstracts. I admire them, in particular, because they often blur the lines between photography and painting, which I love to do.

What notable places has your artwork been displayed?

SOBO in Winter Garden, City Arts Factory in downtown Orlando and Albin Polasek Museum in Winter Park.

In which museum would you most like to see your artwork displayed?

The Chicago Art Institute, which represents a broad range of artists, inspiring me to expand my artistic horizons.

Accolades and awards?

Best in Show at SOBO 2014 for “Dutch Pears” and first-place Photography Award at City Arts 2014 for “Kress Building.”

Publications: Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine, Orlando Home Renovation Magazine and the comprehensive book, “Digital Infrared Photography,” by Deborah Sandidge.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

arts. Whether they are expressing themselves with a microphone, paint brush and canvas, or the written word, artists and their creations give us avenues in which to imagine, dream and wonder.

ANNA CARY

“LAST CALL”: Scene was captured using Nikon 10-24mm lens. Artistic effect was added to select areas, using Topaz Studio Software and then blended with the original photo inside Photoshop, using layer masks.

“AUTUMN GRAZING”: Scene was captured using Nikon 18-55mm lens. The natural lights and darks in the image were emphasized using selective dodging and burning in Photoshop. The painterly look was achieved by using Topaz Studio Software, as well as Photoshop brushes to add real paint strokes. To highlight the subjects, a soft vignette was added as a final touch.

Ahome in the Chaine du Lac community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from March 18 to 24.

The home at 12309 Park Ave., Windermere, sold March 18, for $4,850,000.

Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 6,996 square feet.

Days on market: Five. The sellers were represented by Matt Tomaszewski, Corcoran Premier Realty.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 6018 Tarawood Drive, Orlando, sold March 21, for $2,600,000. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, five baths, two halfbaths and 5,806 square feet. Days on market: 327.

The home at 6065 Masters Blvd., Orlando, sold March 18, for $2,400,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,509 square feet. Days on market: 121.

The home at 9043 Classic Court, Orlando, sold March 18, for $1,205,000. Built in 1986, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,293 square feet. Days on market: 127.

CYPRESS CHASE

The home at 9227 Pecky Cypress Way, Orlando, sold March 18, for $649,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,738 square feet. Days on market: Two.

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

The home at 7666 Persian Court, Orlando, sold March 20, for $710,000. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,126 square feet. Days on market: 76.

PHILLIPS OAKS

The home at 6655 Imperial Oak Lane sold March 18, for $525,900. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,210 square feet. Days on market: 18.

SANDPOINTE TOWNHOMES

The townhouse at 8219 Ambrose Cove Way, Orlando, sold March 18, for $525,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,084 square feet. Days on market: 70.

SOUTH BAY

The home at 9163 Ridge Pine Trail sold March 19, for $1,304,369. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,798 square feet. Days on market: Eight.

TOSCANA CONDOMINIUMS

The condo at 7580 Toscana Blvd., No. 844, Orlando, sold March 20, for $550,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,085 square feet. Days on market: 10.

TURNBURY WOODS

The home at 8601 Bay Ridge Blvd., Orlando, sold March 20, for $815,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two halfbaths and 3,104 square feet. Days on market: Four.

VISTA CAY AT HARBOR SQUARE

The condo at 5049 Shoreway Loop, No. 40801, Orlando, sold March 22, for $605,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,097 square feet. Days on market: 56.

GOTHA CITRUS OAKS

The home at 9304 Bud Wood St., Gotha, sold March 21, for $420,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,654 square feet. Days on market: Eight.

HORIZON WEST

CASA DEL LAGO

The home at 12402 Corso Court, Windermere, sold March 19, for $1,300,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,961 square feet. Days on market: 21.

CREEKS RUN

The home at 13924 Caywood Pond Drive, Windermere, sold March 20, for $875,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,733 square feet. Days on market: Five.

ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 12079 Eastmoor Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $561,460. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,994 square feet.

HARVEST AT OVATION

The home at 15169 Summer Harvest St., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $572,240. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,338 square feet.

OCOEE LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1914 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold March 20, for $406,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,963 square feet. Days on market: 70.

LATHAM PARK NORTH

The home at 14005 Aldford Drive sold March 22, for $615,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,334 square feet. Days on market: Four.

STOREY GROVE

The home at 11017 Robert Frost Drive sold March 18, for $770,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,722 square feet. Days on market: 14.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 8001 Key West Dove St., Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $805,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 3,842 square feet. Days on market: Four.

The home at 15019 Pigeon Plum Lane sold March 21, for $540,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,872 square feet. Days on market: Two.

VINEYARDS OF HORIZON WEST

The townhouse at 13731 Beringer St., Windermere, sold March 21, for $468,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,912 square feet. Days on market: 12.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 18363 Oliver Twist Way, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $726,581. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,225 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WICKHAM PARK

The home at 12993 Emersondale Ave., Windermere, sold March 19, for $598,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,032 square feet. Days on market: 24.

OAKLAND JOHNS LANDING

The home at 619 Strihal Loop sold March 20, for $426,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,046 square feet. Days on market: 23.

OAKLAND TRAILS

The home at 2357 Standing Rock Circle sold March 22, for $459,900. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,838 square feet. Days on market: 10.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6234 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold March 22, for $2,550,000. Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 6,017 square feet. Days on market: 40.

The home at 6252 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold March 20, for $2,775,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 6,699 square feet. Days on market: 28.

The home at 11840 Vinci Drive, Windermere, sold March 21, for $1,900,000. Built in 2013, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,338 square feet. Days on market: 100.

The home at 11801 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold March 22, for $1,025,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,814 square feet. Days on market: 22.

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

The home at 120 W. Seventh Ave., Windermere, sold March 21, for $1,600,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 3,191 square feet. Days on market: Four.

The home at 1027 Main St., Windermere, sold March 22, for $690,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,596 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

WESTOVER CLUB

The home at 1944 Reed Hill Drive, Windermere, sold March 21, for $875,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,560 square feet. Days on market: One.

WINTER GARDEN

CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 15634 Granlund St., Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $635,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,780 square feet. Days on market: 41.

COURTLEA PARK

LAKE OLYMPIA CLUB

The home at 109 Olympus Drive, Ocoee, sold March 20, for $469,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,085 square feet. Days on market: 13.

PRESERVE AT CROWN POINTE

The home at 1874 Farnham Drive, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $705,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,410 square feet. Days on market: Five.

WESMERE

The home at 2146 Blackjack Oak St., Ocoee, sold March 21, for $625,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,582 square feet. Days on market: 37.

The home at 475 Mickleton Loop, Ocoee, sold March 22, for $464,900. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,861 square feet. Days on market: One.

WYNWOOD

The home at 2347 Coachwood Drive, Ocoee, sold March 20, for $451,020. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,828 square feet of living area. Days on market: 66.

WINDERMERE

CHAINE DU LAC

The home at 12309 Park Ave., Windermere, sold March 18, for $4,850,000. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 6,996 square feet. Days on market: Five.

HARBOR ISLE

The home at 3049 Seigneury Drive, Windermere, sold March 21, for $2 million. Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 6,553 square feet. Days on market: Six.

ISLEWORTH The home at 4807 Alexandra Garden Court, Windermere, sold March 22, for $3,800,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,741 square feet of living area. Days on market: 116.

The home at 532 Courtlea Cove Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $730,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,612 square feet. Days on market: 17.

CYPRESS RESERVE

The home at 13924 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $960,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,290 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 14175 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $920,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,200 square feet. Days on market: Five.

ESTATES AT LAKEVIEW

PRESERVE

The home at 3166 Sailing Pier Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $734,999. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,808 square feet. Days on market: 66.

HARBOR

The home at 241 Harbor Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $990,900. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,917 square feet. Days on market: Four.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 1996 N. Old Killarney St., Winter Garden, sold March 18, for $687,990. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,787 square feet.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 1076 Huntspoint St., Winter Garden, sold March 19, for $775,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,363 square feet. Days on market: 142.

STONEYBROOK WEST The home at 14931

Landing Circle, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $575,000. Built in 2004, it has four

VERDE

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SPORTS

HIGH 5

1Registration for the upcoming season of the city of Ocoee youth basketball league at the Jim Beech Recreation Center is now open until May 3, with practices starting the week of May 20. The league is for children ages 5-15, and games will be on Fridays and Saturdays from June 8 to July 20. It will cost $65 for Ocoee residents and $75 for non-Ocoee residents. Prior to practices beginning, players will participate in a skill assessment April 27 (6U, 8U and 15U) and May 4 (10U and 12U). For more information on the league, call (407) 905-3180 or email twise@ ocoee.org.

2Windermere Prep boys basketball player Brandon Bass Jr. is one of 24 sophomores in the country selected to participate in the USA Basketball minicamp at the NCAA Final Four April 4-7 in Phoenix. Bass, who averaged 20.6 points per game and five rebounds for the Lakers, is one of the 65 total players invited to the camp.

3The First Academy football has seen a major overhaul this offseason with plenty of new coaches on its staff and transfers on its roster, but the Royals aren’t done reshaping their program quite yet. Jacob Gill has been named the new defensive coordinator for TFA and has become the second new coordinator the team has introduced this year. Gill also will serve on the TFA athletics staff as the new associate director of athletics, under new athletics director and football coach Jeff Conaway. Gill joins the Royals staff after one season as the head coach at Brentwood Academy in Tennessee — his first head coaching position. Prior to his stop in Tennessee, Gill served as Conaway’s defensive coordinator at Shiloh Christian in Arkansas.

4

Five West Orange and Southwest Orange County boys volleyball players have been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s 2024 All-American Team watch list. West Orange High leads all area schools with two players featured — Pedro MottaCharamba and Samuel Souza. The other three players named to the watch list are Horizon High’s 6-foot-6 outside hitter James Candrian, Olympia High’s 6-foot-2 outside hitter Leonardo Nabut and middle blocker Hayden Spears for Windermere High, an Ohio State signee.

5

In his first start in college basketball, former Olympia High basketball star Jizzle James scored a career-high 25 points for the No. 2 seed University of Cincinnati men’s basketball

After getting off to a hot start, Windermere boys volleyball’s Hayden Spears is ready to lead the Wolverines in the second half of the season. Page 2B.

DOUBLE PLAY

Not only has Zoe Calvez, a LSU softball signee, continued the lineage of Warriors softball’s top centerfielders, but also she has established herself as a force on the hardwood for the girls basketball team.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Besides being superstars in their respective sports, Patrick Mahomes, Abby Wambach, Bo Jackson and Elena Delle Donne all have something specific in common: They were all multi-sport athletes. For whatever reason, whether it be fear of falling behind in one sport or trying to take advantage of glimpses of promise in another, youth sports have entered an era in which athletes are specializing in one sport at an increasingly earlier age. In turn, that shift seems to have led to the transition away from the concept of multi-sport athletes from being the norm, to the minority.

But still, despite the shifting landscape in the youth sports world, a multi-sport star can emerge from the collective cookie-cutter approach.

For the past four years, Zoe Calvez has been that multi-sport star at West Orange High.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Calvez, a star centerfielder for the West Orange softball team and leading scorer for the Warriors girls basketball team, has been a varsity athlete at the school since her freshman year. Before high school, she was a competitive cheerleader and also played soccer.

This multi-sport approach can be directly linked to Calvez’s family.

“She comes from a very athletic background,” West Orange softball coach John Colbert said. “Her mom played softball at Florida State, her older brother Julian (Calvez) is the quarterback at Grambling State, and she also has a cousin (who) played football at Grambling. The competitive spirit and drive that it

takes to be a successful athlete — that just runs naturally in that family.

“I got to work with her older brother when he was a junior here, and he was our starting quarterback,” he said.

“I can see how growing up around him, she’s excelled and become the player she is in basketball and softball. There’s no question that her family environment has helped her development tremendously.”

Calvez can’t remember a time when she wasn’t competing.

“I was born into this; I’ve been competing with my brother since I can remember,” she said. “There’s just something about being out there competing with other people and becoming a family with your teammates — it’s something I just love.”

Combine the competitive environment in which she was raised, her natural physical ability and the hard work she put into developing as an athlete, and you get one of the most exciting athletes in West Orange.

From roaming centerfield for the Warriors and her club team — the Atlanta Vipers — Calvez has earned plenty of accolades. Those include helping lead West Orange softball to the 2021 Class 7A FHSAA regional finals as a freshman, her three selections to FHSAA All-State softball teams and her selection to the 2023 PGF Softball All-American futures team.

Throughout her four-year high school career, Calvez has a career batting average of .387 (109/282), 44 RBIs, 110 runs, 55 stolen bases and three home runs, while West Orange’s combined record in the span is 56-361.

SEE HOW PAGE 2B

Titans’ confidence leads to historic season

With a few games left in the 2024 regular season, Olympia High boys lacrosse is on the verge of breaking records on their way to the playoffs.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Coming off a 5-10 season in 2023, the Olympia High boys lacrosse team may not have seemed to be much of a threat coming into 2024. Or, at least to those outside the Titans’ locker room. On the inside, they knew this year would be special.

“I’d say there isn’t anyone from inside our locker room who has been surprised at how well we’re playing right now,” senior goalie Lucas Teixeira said. “We knew we were going to shock a lot of teams.”

Photo

The Olympia High boys lacrosse team is ready to make history.

Photos by Sam Albuquerque

On the softball field, Zoe Calvez patrols center field for the Warriors.

On the hardwood, Zoe Calvez commands the Warriors offense as its go-to scorer.

At

lead the Wolverines this season. Beyond his play for Windermere (5-3), the Ohio State signee has shown that same dominant form at the club level. Spears has earned a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American watch list and has participated three times in USA volleyball’s national team development program.

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

Amazing. I feel that the recognition shows that the hard work is paying off.

What do you like the most about volleyball?

The competitive games and the camaraderie with teammates.

What is your goal for this season — both for yourself and the team?

My goal for myself is to (always) play my best game and to help my team go as far as we can. My goal for the team is to make it to states.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from volleyball?

I’ve learned to be a leader by showing examples of hard work and competitiveness to the younger guys in high school.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Michael Jordan. I’ve always loved his competitive mindset and how hard he works at everything.

What is your favorite volleyball memory?

Winning Florida Fest last year.

What is your go-to pre-game meal? Fruit.

What is your go-to pre-game hype song?

“Out for the Night, pt. 2” by 21 Savage, specifically Travis Scott’s verse.

What is your favorite movie?

“Stepbrothers.” Will Farrell is one of my favorite actors, and the movie is hilarious.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

Elon Musk. I would ask him how to make that much money.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when would you go?

The 1990s, because there was no social media, and it looks like it was peaceful.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

No matter what, always stay positive and follow your dreams.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

Did I make it pro?

Who is your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero is Batman. He’s mysterious and stays calm under pressure.

Who is your favorite supervillain?

My favorite supervillain is Bane, because he’s super smart and devious.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Mind reading, because you could accomplish almost anything.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go?

The Swiss Alps for snowboarding, the Great Barrier Reef for fishing, and Turks and Caicos for relaxing.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be?

TFA hosts O-Town National Classic

The First Academy baseball hosted seven Central Florida teams for the 2024 O-Town National Classic over spring break week for Orange County Public Schools.

Along with the Royals, West Orange High, Foundation Academy and Dr. Phillips High represented the West Orange and Southwest Orange communities. Apopka High, Edgewater High and Oviedo High rounded out the rest of the OTNC field.

TFA (9-4), West Orange (10-3) and Foundation (13-1) all had a 3-1 record during the five-day collection of games — including a 3-1 Warriors win over the Lions that handed them their first loss of the season. Only Oviedo matched the three area teams’ 3-1 record during the week of games.

How West Orange High’s Zoe Calvez became a multi-sport star

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

Calvez is the No. 5 overall softball prospect in the country and after graduation will head to Baton Rouge to play for the currently secondranked LSU Tigers.

What is your most controversial

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“What makes her special is her competitive spirit,” Colbert said. “It’s her speed, it’s her arm strength, it’s her ability to do more than one thing at the plate. She can slap the ball, she can bump the ball, she can swing the bat. She has a very diverse skill set, and that’s what makes her who she is. She’s just an all-around player and all-around person.”

On the hardwood, she saw playing time as a freshman but ultimately found herself in the starting rotation as a sophomore. In her junior and senior seasons, Calvez became the primary scorer and ball-handler for the Warriors, averaging 11 points per game as a senior and 10 as a junior. She finished her career with 93 career games played and was a contributor to the 2021 district champion team.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Calvez said playing both basketball and softball in high school, and cheerleading and soccer at the youth sports level, was beneficial to her development.

“Because I played multiple sports, I’ve been able to tie them together and help me improve in a specific sport,” Calvez said. “At the end of the day, it’s all competitive, and it can make you drive harder and harder. Learning different aspects of other sports has helped me improve. Like, cheerleading helped me get a little faster and lighter on my feet, which helps in both basketball and softball. Basketball also helps handeye coordination which is vital for softball.”

Colbert agrees.

“The two sports complement each

other really well, believe it or not,” Colbert said. “Obviously, the handeye coordination Zoe mentioned was right on the money, but another example I can think of is I’ve seen her layout on the hardwood floor for a loose basketball. She had to do that in centerfield, too, every now and then. You have to be fearless to be going full speed to try and make a play and she is. I think those two kind of complement each other in that aspect because if you’re diving on the floor for a ball you have no fear. If you’re charging at a ball that’s coming in short from centerfield and you have your motor turned on full speed and are going after it; you have no fear. And that’s Zoe Calvez.”

MENTALITY MATTERS

There is no denying Calvez is a superior athlete — and even she admits she can pick up sports more quickly than most. But through her years of competing in multiple sports, she has learned that her mental strength is just as important to her success on the field of play.

“Being coachable is one of the biggest things that I’ve taken away from my experience in sports,” Calvez said. “I try to make sure that I’m always trying to take everything in that coaches are trying to teach me.”

That wasn’t always the case, though, especially when her coach was her mom.

“I remember always thinking that she was trying to call me out and use me as an example because I was her daughter,” she said. “But, she was really trying to just lift me up and teach me the right things. So, learning how to be coachable and learning that people are really just trying to help you was a big part of my growth. I’m glad that I learned that at a young age with my mom.”

With the end of basketball season overlapping with the start of soft-

ball, Colbert has seen how Calvez’s attitude toward coaching plays a big part in making that transition as smooth as possible.

“That happened this season; we had to wait for the basketball season to end with them in the playoffs before we got some our athletes out here,” Colbert said. “Literally, we didn’t get them out here until two weeks later. Because of that delay, Zoe’s been kind of a slow starter for us, but we know once she gets going, she’s going. … That circumstance always shows just how coachable she is. She always approached it with a humble attitude, she really is one of the most humble people that I’ve ever been around.”

Calvez’s mentality toward playing multiple sports and her perspective on why it’s important to be coachable is just a pair among many other indications that she’s the kind of person who can accomplish amazing things if she puts her mind to it.

So, when it comes to playing at the next level for LSU in the SEC, Calvez is approaching her next big transition with the same level of poise and rationale.

“She’s a very goal-oriented person, and when it comes to LSU, she’s already got her goals set for when she gets there,” Colbert said. “We’ve talked about them, and they’re very simple — but at the same time huge. First, she wants to get there and earn a starting position on the team. When that’s going to happen? She doesn’t know. I don’t know. LSU doesn’t know. But she’s going to go after it and find a way through the crowd and earn that starting job. Once she does that, she wants to become a team captain, which is a long-term goal. For a team goal, she wants to win some kind of championship while she’s there. And her last goal, obviously, is to earn her college degree.”

Above: West Orange High senior Joshua Bell (No. 22) celebrated with his team during a 3-1 win over Foundation Academy.

Left: The First Academy junior catcher Austin Pierzynski (No. 18) takes an at-bat in the Royals’ 8-1 win over Dr. Phillips High.

Photos by David Jester

Confidence key to Olympia’s success

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

With all but two graduating seniors returning and an entire offseason to develop skills and refine chemistry, the Titans did more than just get better. They gained confidence, and that has made all the difference.

“Lacrosse is such a skill-based sport, where you have to be able to do the basics before you can really do anything else,” Olympia coach Caleb Naegele said. “If you can’t pass and catch, if you can’t get a ground ball or cradle the ball when you’re running, you can’t then move on to focusing on what defense we’re running or what offense we’re running. So, I think, really what they improved on from last season is those guys just became so much more confident in their ability to do that fundamental stuff.”

RECORD-BREAKERS

That confidence has led to a historic start to the 2024 season.

Olympia has won nine of its first 10 games and has tied the program record for most wins, according to MaxPreps. And with five more regular-season games — two of which came after press time Tuesday, March 26 — and a playoff run to go, it seems likely the Titans will break the record.

Beyond the win-loss columns, Olympia has been dominant against its competition. The Titans have a goal differential of +110 (142 goals scored and 32 goals allowed) and are winning games by an average margin of 11 goals. Olympia’s only loss came in a one-goal road game against area rival Windermere High (8-4) early in the season.

CHEMISTRY + CONFIDENCE = WINS

Although Naegele points to the increased confidence of his group of players, he also recognizes how important the maturity, continuity and commitment of the 2024 Titans have been to the success this season.

“We had a lot of returners; almost our entire defense is back,” Naegele said. “Beyond that continuity, we have a lot of guys that have bought in and are very committed to working hard on their games and getting better. … Add in a few freshmen who came in and filled positions we needed, and here we are. Overall, we just have guys (who) wanted to put in the work in the offseason, and it’s been a great year so far because of that. Just to see how they’ve improved from last year and how much effort they put in to be great this year has been awesome.”

Olympia’s leading scorer, senior Emmett Bradford, is one of the players who made the commitment this offseason and saw the Titans’ growth firsthand.

“A huge part of the success we’re having this year comes from all the guys (who) decided to commit to playing during the offseason,” Bradford said. “Before last season, I think we had maybe three players playing in the summer and in the fall. Whereas before this season, we had a lot of players play for (Lacrosse Club Orlando) over the summer. … We also had the opportunity to do a tournament in the winter and practice together, which allowed us to get some reps in before the season even started.”

The commitment Bradford showed

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden

Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (French & Creole), 7 PM

www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

to developing this offseason is the perfect example of a player who has seen a tangible growth in his output. Last season, he scored 37 goals and recorded 17 assists in 15 games for the Titans. So far in eight games this season, Bradford has scored 31 goals and dished out 17 assists.

He attributes the growth in efficiency to the trust he’s been able to build with his teammates through their off-season work.

“I came back into the season much more confident than last year,” Bradford said. “That’s been a theme over all my years playing — just being less scared to make mistakes. Coming into this year … my biggest growth has been being able to include all my teammates and contribute more to team success, which is where the individual accolades come from.

“The biggest reason for that is the chemistry we’ve been able to build, it’s increased my trust in my teammates,” he said. “I’ve played lacrosse for a long time and for a lot of different teams, which made it hard for me to put the ball in the hands of teammates I didn’t know. But, this is a good group of guys that I feel confident can do things to contribute to us winning games.”

Olympia hasn’t only been a goalscoring machine; it also has leaned on the experience of its defense. The Titans have held their opponents to three or fewer goals seven times and have held the opposition scoreless twice.

“A lot of times, when you’re playing defense in lacrosse, it’s less about playing against your guy and more about playing with your defense against the offense,” senior defender Jacob Whiddon said. “We do try to defend based on the specific matchup. … But, at the end of the day, playing defense is really all about … knowing the guy to your left is going to have your back and that the guy on your right is going to have your back. That’s not just in practice or in the game either, but it’s also off the field. Just hanging out creates a bond and helps develop trust. That’s been the case with this group.”

LEAVING A LEGACY

The wins record isn’t the only historic feat on the horizon for the Titans. The chance at winning the program’s first district championship since 2013 is another prize that will further cement this team’s legacy.

“We wanted to really try and make a run this season — not just because (we) are a senior-heavy team but because we saw an opportunity that this would be the season to go the whole way,” Whiddon said. “We’ve already played almost all the teams in our district; we have a good feeling that we can win districts and go to regionals. We knew that if we put in the work during the offseason, this would be the year that we have a good chance to do something special.”

Still, despite seeing the opportunity at hand, this team isn’t allowing itself to look too far forward.

“It’s definitely a huge honor for us to be in this position,” Teixeira said. “We aren’t taking this moment lightly, and we know that we have the chance to have a great season but we know we have to take it one game at a time to get there. We have to keep our eyes set on what’s in front of us … rather than trying to look at the big picture. I think that has helped us a lot to stay present.”

First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351

www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097

www.VBCOCOEE.com

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM

Wednesday: 7 PM

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135

Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

Photo courtesy of Antony Vila Nova Olympia’s boys lacrosse team is poised to break program records this year.

Through chemistry and confidence, Olympia has started 2024 on fire.

PHYLLIS CRITTENDEN ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE — WEST CAMPUS

Phyllis Crittenden is the custodial crew leader at Orange Technical College — West Campus. In her role, Crittenden leads a winning team that ensures the cleanliness of the campus. She received the Stellar Award for her service in 2019 and was Support Person of the Year for 2021-22.

“Phyllis takes an immense amount of pride in keeping our school clean and presentable,” Scott Weidl, senior director at the school, said. “She knows that clean classrooms and working areas have a direct effect on people’s morale and attitude, from our faculty and staff members to our students. Phyllis is the crew leader of our custodial team. While she serves in a leadership capacity, Phyllis approaches her job with a servant’s heart with a strong desire to help others. Phyllis is universally loved and respected around our campus because she is so approachable and positive.”

What

I

What do you love most about your school?

I love the staff at West Campus, because we work as a team to make our school great, and we truly care about one another.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s rewarding to know that I make a difference — not just in the cleanliness of our school but (also) in those opportunities where I’m

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Custodial crew leader

TIME AT SCHOOL: With Orange County Public Schools and Orange Technical College for the past five years

able to help a teacher or student in need.

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

My passion is to be of service. So, I will always be in a position that involves helping others.

Who influences you?

I admire Michelle Obama for how she has raised her two girls and works to give back to others.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

My eighth-grade English teacher was always kind and helped me both in and out of school, but more important than anything is she really took the time to listen to me.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I loved reading all of the books by Dr. Seuss! The rhythm and flow and the imagery of his words fascinated me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love spending time with my family — whether we are relaxing at the beach or just sharing a meal.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would choose to dine with Yolanda Adams. I’d love to fellowship with her and hear the personal inspiration behind her songs that have greatly inspired me.

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE

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

Out of all the superpowers, I would choose healing, because then I could heal everyone that is hurting, physically and mentally, and bring joy to their life.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?

If I could only listen to three, it would be Kenny G., Yolana Adams and The Gap Band. Kenny G. has that relaxing vibe, while Yolanda Adams is inspirational, and The Gap Band brings that funk to make you dance.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?

Fridays at Phyllis Wheatley were the best days to be at school! The cafeteria served that delicious square pizza and cold chocolate milk.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love the fall season, from the colors to the weather. Most of all, I love preparing and sharing a meal with my family and friends.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend in school was Rodney. He was always there for me through the good and bad times. Rodney is still my best friend to this day, and he’s also my husband.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

In school, I was in the band and played the clarinet. I loved the excitement of performing in concerts and at pep rallies.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Teen thespian invited to playwright panel

Fourteen-year-old Ava Petroski earned a perfect score in the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival and also has been accepted into Valencia College’s Florida Playwright Competition.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Writing comes naturally for some people — especially to Ava Petroski, who turns 14 this week and recently has received accolades for her work in two separate competitions.

In February, Ava attended the annual Florida Junior Thespian State Festival at the Orange County Convention Center with other drama department students from Gotha Middle School. She achieved a perfect score and beat out all other writers from around the state.

“The whole event was a giant playground for thespians,” Ava said. “It had workshops every day for just about any subject — stage combat, improv and dancing, to name a few. Students could meet new kids, teachers and even some guest celebrities. I bounced between doing my events, watching my friends perform and attending workshops.”

Ava participated in scene writing, solo musical and set design events. Her performance of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” from the musical of the same name earned an Excellent, as did her set for the “Pure Imagination” scene from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Her writing piece, titled “Cheating,” earned a Superior, which is a perfect score, and Judge’s Choice for Best in Show. She received a trophy, medal and Superior button.

In her scene, a student named Ella is trying to cheat during a quiz and attempts to copy off another student, Quint. He repeatedly foils

her schemes, but she manages to get his answers. At the end of the scene, Quint reveals he wrote down all the wrong answers and changed them at the last minute in case anyone tried to copy his work.

“Earning Best in Show was something I’ve never imagined achieving,” Ava said. “I had a lot of difficulty finding a topic to write about, and I’ve never gotten a Best in Show award at Junior Thespians before. Before we found out our scores, a couple of students from my troupe wondered if I would get the award. I responded by saying that I would be just as happy sitting in the audience with them at closing ceremonies. Our troupe had grown and bonded throughout the months, and I realized I really did mean what I said. So winning was an indescribable overwhelming of emotions. I was proud of the rest of my troupe — and myself for being the first student to win Best in Show at my school.”

Additionally, Ava entered a Florida Playwright Competition open to adults and professional writers through Valencia College, and her scene was one of the few picked to be directed and performed by the school’s theater students at Valencia’s One Act Festival showcase April 19 and 20. Ava will participate in the meet-and-greet and panel of the winning writers, who will field questions from the college students in the program. It’s also the first time she will get paid and has to sign a usage rights contract allowing Valencia to use it. She said the contract makes the acceptance even more official and means she’s a professional writer now. “I found out the day after I won Best in Show,” Ava said. “I was catching up on missed schoolwork from my time at the festival when my mom and sister came into the room cheering. I thought I wasn’t going to get in; I was

competing against writers whose work has been published or already recognized across the country. I was so happy (with the previous honors), I vowed to not be upset if my scene wasn’t chosen. So, hearing the news was, as my mom said, ‘a sign from the universe.’ It meant that maybe this is what I’m meant to do.”

As for sitting on a panel with adults, Ava is prepared.

“It sounds like the start of a funny joke: A middle-schooler is going to be answering questions from college students,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s about putting on a great show and having a love for theater.”

Ava said she isn’t sure what she wants to do for a career.

“I love to write and perform, but I have so many other hobbies and interests,” she said. “While I don’t want to narrow everything down yet, I do know that writing will always be a part of my life. … I’ve always wanted to be a writer.”

Ava Petroski earned several awards for her scene writing, solo musical and set design skills at the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival.

Courtesy photo

THESE OLD TIMES

80 years ago

The Rev. Louis Calhoun, of Ashville, Alabama, is visiting his brother, Mayor W.H. Calhoun Sr., and family, of Ocoee.

V.E. Bourland announced he is a candidate for re-election for county commissioner from District 3, which included Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere, Orlo Vista, Vineland and precincts 22 and 22A.

At the new Lake Apopka docks, Mr. Patterson and a companion caught their limit of bass Monday.

Patterson had an 8-pounder, and the others were 2, 3 and 4 pounds. City Commissioner Glenn Joiner, in charge of the Honor Roll board, urged all those with relatives in the armed forces to turn in their names before March 28. The old list was lost, and the board was to be completed within a week.

Bert Roper, son of Mayor and Mrs. L.F. Roper, was one of seven juniors at Emory University, Atlanta, elected to the DVS, senior honor society. Membership was based on literary and scholastic attainments, leadership, ability, love for outdoor athletics and sports, and character.

70 years ago

Holler Motors was advertising a new 1954 two-door sedan delivered complete with tag and title for $1,853.

50 years ago

Smile contest winners at Winter Garden Elementary School were Christina Knighton, Lisa Fulmer, Mark Walker and Ward Theisen.

40 years ago

The Winter Garden Police Department purchased a talking puppet, McGruff, to use in elementary schools in its crime prevention and safety programs. The $300 puppet and $90 worth of tapes were bought with money

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is always happy to host the younger generations at its museums and history center and to see they’ve taken an interest in both local history and their family legacy. This photograph from March 28, 1996, features Lakeview Middle School eighth-grader Joshua Williford sharing a newspaper clipping with his friend, Michael Brown. Joshua’s mom, Joyce Watson Williford, was featured in The West Orange Times on the occasion of her wedding engagement.

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.

contributed by the West Orange Women Jaycees and the Winter Garden Men’s Club (formerly the Winter Garden Sertoma Club).

35 years ago

Ellen Hemmert spoke to the Winter Garden Rotary Club about Rails to Trails, a program geared toward turning abandoned railroad rights-of-way into hiking and biking trails.

30 years ago

Folks who ever wanted to be on center stage wearing a queen’s sash and crown while throwing kisses to the adoring audience had their chance when Main Street Winter Garden put an all-call out for the Possum Queen Pageant at the third annual Florida Cracker Festival. Crystal Tucker was the first Possum Queen in the city, and the honors went to Possum Queen

Tommy Burnett in the second year. “Pageant participants need not be female, and they need not be cute, but having an aroma pleasing to a possum certainly could help a contestant win.” Burnett won with apple butter; Tucker, who worked at the Winter Garden Animal Hospital, wouldn’t divulge the winning ingredient.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

MARCH 28, 1974

Scotty’s was a hardware store chain once located at the southwest corner of Bluford Avenue and West Colonial Drive in Ocoee. In a 1974 issue of The Winter Garden Times, the store advertised a “U-finish furniture fair” with deals on wooden pieces, such as desk chairs ($8.69), three-drawer desks ($29.95), encyclopedia bookcases ($23.59) and wagon seats ($29.95).

All of the pieces of New England-style Early American knotty pine furniture were kiln dried and sanded and ready to finish with stain, varnish, antiquing or paint. The Spindle-Flex shelving unit, also on sale, was a staple piece in many 1970s homes, with its easy-to-add hardwood spindle system that allowed folks to create as much shelf space as the rumpus room could hold.

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

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© 2023 NEA, Inc.

RAMSHACKLE by Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business

The

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 30-year anniversary of Main Street Mower

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 30-year anniversary of Main Street Mower. Located at 12403 W Colonial Dr in Winter Garden, Main Street Mower started off as a small shop in Windermere but has grown to have locations in Winter Garden, Clermont and Ocala. Main Street Mower serves homeowners and professionals with sales and service of Toro, Dingo, Ventrac and Stihl.

To learn more, visit https://www.mainstreetmower.com/

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Woofie’s of West Orlando

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Woofie’s of West Orlando. Based in Windermere, Woofie’s of West Orlando provides customized dog walking, pet sitting and mobile grooming services tailored to each individual pet owner’s needs. They service all of West Orlando and treat your pets like their own, giving them the love, care, attention and exercise they deserve!

To learn more, visit https://woofies.com/west-orlando/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of ACE Hardware Hamlin

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of ACE Hardware Hamlin. Located at 5175 Hamlin Groves Trail in the Horizon West part of Winter Garden, family-owned and operated Toole’s Ace Hardware has been proudly serving the Winter Garden community since 1983 and are proud to open their newest location in Hamlin! Providing general hardware, lawn and garden products, paint, and more throughout Central Florida. Toole’s Ace, Your Local Helpful Place.

To learn more, visit toolesacehardware.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Taborfield Park

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Taborfield Park. Located at 9025 Taborfield Rd in Orlando, Taborfield Park is a $1.518 million project located in Orange County District 1. It has a playground for ages 2-5, an inclusive playground for ages 5-12, a walking trail loop, workout stations, a two-table pavilion and picnic areas. Additionally, there is a bus entry along the east side of the property for Castleview Elementary School.

To learn more, visit https://ocfl.net/CultureParks/Parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=132.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of WG Health Solutions

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of WG Health Solutions. Based in Winter Garden, WG Health Solutions provides a tailored preventive health program that offers concierge physical therapy, ergonomics and registered dietitian services. The program enhances employee well-being and productivity with personalized care. With their comprehensive approach, they prioritize corporate health needs. Elevate your workforce’s vitality and performance as well as reduce absenteeism. Contact them today to revolutionize your workplace wellness strategy.

To learn more, visit http://www.wghealthsolutions.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Homewatch CareGivers of Winter Garden

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Homewatch CareGivers of Winter Garden. Located at 13640 W Colonial Dr Ste 130A in Winter Garden, Homewatch CareGivers of Winter Garden is a physician-owned and operated business that prioritizes providing compassionate care that aids daily activities, preserving independence. Their flexible, affordable in-home services cater to individual needs, offering personalized care. Whether daily assistance or round-the-clock care, they bring support and peace of mind to clients and their families. To learn more, visit https://www.homewatchcaregivers.com/winter-garden/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 50-year anniversary of WPC

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 50-year anniversary of WPC. Located at 529 East Crown Point Rd Ste 140 in Ocoee, WPC has been the energy behind some of the most exciting, community-building projects in Florida. Having completed over 200 million square feet of construction, WPC’s combined experience, innovative approach and dedication to building and nurturing relationships with their clients, their employees, and their subcontractors speaks to their core value of Building Beyond the Blueprint®.

To learn more, visit https://www.wpc.com/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Skyline Chili of Orlando

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Skyline Chili of Orlando. Located at 2331 Western Way Unit B in the Flamingo Crossings area of Winter Garden, Skyline Chili of Orlando is a fast casual restaurant. They have a drive-thru, but also a table-service restaurant that has servers serve you. Skyline is famous for their incredibly delicious Cheese Coneys and 3-Ways. Their unique chili is still made with the original secret family recipe passed down through generations of the Lambrinides family. It’s extremely craveable - some would even say addictive. All they know is people love it. And they love serving it to their family and friends.

To learn more, visit http://skylinechili.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital’s New Multispecialty Oncology Suite

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art Multispecialty Surgical Oncology Suite at Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital expanding access to colorectal oncology services. This new suite opening with the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute in partnership with the Orlando Health Cancer Institute will provide cutting-edge treatment for multiple conditions including colon and rectal cancer, colonic polyps, and other complex conditions such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, and fecal incontinence. This means that patients living in West Orange County will receive the high-quality colorectal oncology care and services that they need in the community where they live, further demonstrating our commitment to the health and well-being of our fast-growing community.

To learn more, visit https://www.orlandohealth.com/facilities/health-central-hospital?utm_ source=gmb&utm_medium=yext#/HCH+Main/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Your Storage Units Ocoee

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Your Storage Units Ocoee. Located at 9000 W Colonial Dr in Ocoee, Your Storage Units Ocoee offers their customers the very best in service, convenience, professionalism and quality storage available in the market today. They are proud of our clean, well-maintained, and secure facilities. They pride themselves on being the best and nicest in town and strive for total storage satisfaction for all customers. To learn more, visit https://www.yourstorageunits.com.

The

5 YEARS

JSI European Specialist Orlando Regional REALTOR Association West Tree Service

GLENDA DYER MEAD

DIED MARCH 13, 2024.

Glenda Dyer Mead, 76, of Winter Garden, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2024.

Glenda was the embodiment of grace, strength and dignity. She loved Jesus and was the rock of her family. She was a fierce mama bear to her siblings and children, a fairy godmother to all she loved, and a Dear Abby to everyone from her coworkers to people she met on the street.

She was born to James Donald “JD” Dyer and Evelyn Adams Dyer, in Orlando, Florida, in 1947. She grew up in tenement housing in the Central Florida orange groves following the seasonal work. Her family eventually settled in Ocoee, Florida, in late 1959, in time to spend her high school years at Ocoee High School, graduating in 1965.

Glenda was married to William “Bill” Whitley Mead, her “Sweet William.” They were married for 47 years until his passing in 2020. Through him and her first husband, Roger Meadows, she is survived by her babies, Kristen Meadows Crane and Denise Mead; son-in-law, Charlie Crane; former son-in-law, Ron Hall; and her beloved grandson, Dillon Hall.

As the oldest of seven siblings, she is predeceased by brother, Glenn Dyer; and survived by her brothers, Bruce (Joanne) Dyer, Geno (Tina) Dyer and Jeff (Andrea)

Dyer; and her sisters, Joyce (Jeff)

Kerlin and Sherry Joan (Mike)

Crane. Through marriage, she is survived by Charles “Chuck” Mead. After graduation from high school, Glenda started working in the medical field, starting at West Orange Memorial Hospital, then for Dr. E.S. Prada and finally for Dr. Raymond Gilmer. Through hard work and tenacity, she moved up the ranks and became the practice administrator for then, Gilmer, Cox & Associates, now West Orange Orthopaedics, for more than 40 years. After “retirement,” she became the legal secretary for Dr. Paul J. Maluso, until retiring again this past December 2023. While working with a dedication unmatched, she also created and owned her dream clothing store, Theodora’s Creations, for a time in the late 1980s. Glenda loved her family deeply and their dreams became hers. This led to her becoming the manager for The Dyer Brother’s Band, her brother’s country music band that played major Orlando venues in the early 80s. She was a dreammaker and entrepreneur for her children and siblings, creating jobs, small businesses and family ventures to ensure her families success.

Work was her hobby, but she also loved flower arranging, decorating, time with close friends and playing fairy godmother to her people. She loved nothing more than taking someone shopping, and she always knew unerringly what would work for every occasion. She was a mother to many and loved that she was known and adored as “grandma” in her favorite spots in downtown Winter Garden. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at her church, First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, 125 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, Florida. A reception and celebration will follow the service in the church basement.

ALBERT “PETE” MORITZ

DIED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024.

Albert “Pete” Moritz, of Ocoee, Florida, passed away at 76 on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in the VA hospital in Lake Nona, Florida. He was born Sept. 19, 1947, in Houston, Texas, to Julia Mae and Lester Preston, who predeceased him.

Albert was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.

Albert served two tours in the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He learned his lifelong trade while in his second tour of Vietnam, and it served him great in many ways. He loved his fishing and just being around the water. He will be missed by so many.

After only knowing each other for 30 days, Albert and Becky were married June 14, 1975, on a trail ride on horseback at Spring Creek Park in Tomball, Texas. In the earlier years of their marriage, they raised Dobermans in every color. They did

The Rev. Heberrto Camacho, 84, of Winter Garden, died Friday, March 15, 2024, at AdverntHealth Winter Garden. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Edward Earl Eldridge, 86, of Winter Garden, died Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

play days on horseback and many trail rides as a family.

Albert was also a member of the Harris County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse in Houston, Texas, where they were called on to help search for lost individuals in areas where only horses could go. They moved to Florida in 1987, when Disney moved the family because of Becky’s job. They have been in Florida for 37 years, where Albert was involved in fishing tournaments that he loved. June 14, 2024, would have been 49 years of marriage.

Albert is survived by his wife, Becky; daughters, Tara Magallan (David), Texas, Buffy Moritz (Ronnie), Michele Roe (Rob) and Sheryl Cockcroft; grandchildren, David Magallan III (Kelly), Texas; Hunter Magallan, Texas; Shelby Moritz; Brandon Hilton; Ashley Schaffer, Texas; Madison Schaffer (Kevin); Jordan Moritz; Colton Frith (Tinker), Mississippi; and Makena Lomeo (Geoff); greatgrandchildren, AK Corry and Nevaeh Corry (Kenton), Texas; Brantley Moritz; Olivia Rojas; David Magallan IV, Texas; and Shyne Thompson, Texas; brother, Jerry L. Preston (Vicki — deceased), Texas; sister-in-law, Barbara Moritz (Oscar Moritz — deceased), Texas; and nieces and nephews.

Place of rest will be at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida. TBD.

Veronica Perozo Guerrero, 40, of Windermere, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Vicente Marino Arreaga Lopez, 58, died Wednesday, March 13. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Donald Alvin Reeves, 89, of Ocoee, died Friday, March 15, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

CORBAN PARKS RUTHERFORD

FEB. 12, 1985 — JAN. 10, 2024

Corban Parks Rutherford, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 38.   He is survived by his loving wife, McKinsie Rutherford; and their son and daughter, Connor and Chloe Rutherford. He is also survived by his mother, Stoney L. Anderson; his father, Thomas H. (Debbie) Rutherford; and his sister, Sarah Rutherford, all of Winter Garden; his brother, Timothy (Amie) Rutherford; and his nephews, Beowulf and Asher Rutherford, of Melbourne, Florida.

Corban graduated from West Orange High School and Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. He was a proud husband and father, who was endlessly supportive of the passions and interests of his wife and son. You could always count on him to bring a big bear hug, a smile and a funny quip to any situation. Corban enjoyed all things related to cars, weapons, the beach and lacrosse. One of his favorite pastimes, though, was watching the Tennessee Volunteers play football on Saturdays.  His memorial service is at 1 p.m. Friday, April 5, at Woodbine Funeral Home — Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37211.