06.23.22 West Orange Times & Observer

W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 89, NO. 25

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Windermere’s Joshua Brown named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. SEE 5B. THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Drama at the Garden Theatre?

Artistic Director Joseph Walsh left the theater earlier this month. His replacement, Rob Winn Anderson, resigned after one week. PAGE 6A.

NUMBER, PLEASE Locals celebrate freedom Juneteenth Freedom Day was held Friday, June 17, at the Mildred Dixon Activity Center in Winter Garden.

PAGE 3A.

YOUR TOWN MEET THE NEW DOC!

The original telephone company building was constructed in 1925 on North Main Street in Winter Garden. It was built in the Spanish Mission style by Otto Wettstein, founder and chairman emeritus of Florida Telephone. This design was used in many communities for phone company offices.

Florida Telephone started its operation in the 1920s in Winter Garden, and it provided employment opportunities to hundreds of local women who became as close as family. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

Ruby Maloy, left, and Mae Reeves, both worked as telephone operators for several decades.

Windermere OKs temporary roadway closures

Waiting game At capacity, Orange County Animal Services is offering adoption discounts this summer.

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Russell is the shelter’s longest resident. He’s been waiting for someone to adopt him for 98 days.

Residents along Oakdale Street have historically expressed issues with cut-through traffic, speeding, stop sign running and aggressive driving behaviors.

SEE PAGE 2A.

The 2009 Ocoee High School valedictorian is now a doctor.

Dr. Robert S. Eisinger, formerly of Ocoee, graduated from the University of Florida as a medical doctor May 21.

After ending his high-school career, Eisinger earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2013 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore while also pursuing a pre-medicine track.

He was accepted at several medical schools across the country, including the University of Florida, to attend the combined MD/PhD degree program in 2014. MD/PhD students constitute only 5% of UF’s 2022 medical school class.

During the eight-year program that includes full tuition scholarship and a stipend for participants, Eisinger earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience while working in the Brain Mapping Lab with the dissertation research topic “Impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease.”

In his final year of the program, Eisinger was interviewed by several top hospitals for residency including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, which he chose for his four years of neurology residency.

Eisinger recently moved to Philadelphia. He earned an Eagle Scout rank from Winter Garden Boy Scout Troop 210 and is the son of Steve and Sherri Eisinger, of Ocoee, and the brother of Kenneth Eisinger, of Orlando.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Town: Road closures will address traffic concerns ANNABELE SIKES STAFF WRITER

ORIGINAL PLAN

Residents along Oakdale Street have expressed issues with cut-through traffic, speeding, stop sign running and aggressive driving behaviors for years.

To review the situation, staff placed traffic devices along Oakdale Street.

According to the town, the data collected indicated that drivers along Oakdale Street were within the 85th percentile — “the speed at or below which 85% of all vehicles are observed to travel under free-flowing conditions past a monitored point.”

Staff conducted public meetings to address residents’ concerns and develop solutions including two public workshops in April, a Long Range Planning Workshop in May, a Town Council Workshop in May and the Town Council meeting.

Although the traffic data didn’t show a speeding issue, staff said they took the perceptions of aggressive driving and cut-through driver negligence as a catalyst to create a solution.

After the public meetings, the idea to close off some access roads into the quadrant was proposed, and town staff brought the idea to the LRP for recommendation. The LRP moved forward with a recommendation to close off the following roads from East Sixth Avenue into the southeast quadrant: East Seventh Avenue, Bessie Street, Magnolia Street and Oakdale Street, as well as closing off East 12th Street and Main Street. The LRP then requested approval from the Town Council to implement the plan.

At the May 26 workshop, the LRP recommendation was presented, and council members concluded the recommendation should be brought to the June meeting for final consideration.

ADOPTED PLAN

However, not all were in favor of the original proposed closures.

Windermere resident Martin Collins, who has lived in the town for more than 30 years, said the traffic study was inconclusive and better alternative solutions were available.

“The Oakdale residents are putting forward a solution that has the least impact on their neighborhood,” Collins said. “We do not know what the size of this potential problem is and what we are trying to fix. … Why are we shutting down our streets for something where we don’t know the size of the problem?”

Windermere resident John Hov-

Courtesy

Although the original business item pertained to closing the Southeastern quadrant of the town at East Sixth Avenue, the council opted to adopt a temporary road closure of East Eighth Avenue at Main Street and East Seventh Avenue at mid-block.

ey, whose family has lived on Bessie Street for more than 50 years, also had concerns.

“I think you have flawed data, I think you’re making a big mistake by closing anything right now, because there’s just not enough information,” he said. “You’re limiting the

EMS response. You are extending their response time by blocking these streets. …If you block these streets there will be litigation brought to the front door of this town and everybody here will be responsible.”

At last week’s meeting, Council Member Bill Martini presented the alternate option to close East Eighth Avenue at Main Street and East Seventh Avenue at mid-block. He said the solution would be simpler to implement, less inconvenient for many and achieve the same results.

Council members Andy Williams and David agreed with the new proposition. Davit disagreed and said he was concerned about the lack of notification to residents as the issue expanded from the closure of a single area to many, as well as the lack of engineering.

Thirty days prior to implementation, Town Manager Robert Smith will work with staff to create message boards and social-media posts about the closures. In addition, town staff will coordinate with the local first response teams, USPS and solid waste management 30 days prior to the implementation.

Three months and six months after the plan is in place, the town will conduct a traffic analysis and hold public input workshops for residents. All complaints will be documented. If the program is successful, staff will draft an ordinance for permanent closures.

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Town of Windermere residents now will reap the effects of a temporary solution to address traffic concerns along Oakdale Street — just not the solution they originally anticipated.

Town Council members approved a temporary roadway closure of East Eighth Avenue at Main Street and East Seventh Avenue at mid-block on the line between the commercial and residential parcels at their Tuesday, June 14, meeting.

Although the original business item on the agenda pertained to closing the southeastern quadrant of town at East Sixth Avenue, three of the four council members present, with Mayor Jim O’Brien absent and council member Molly Rose present on Zoom (allowing her to participate in discussion but not vote), voted to temporarily adopt the new plan, with Council Member Tony Davit dissenting.

GrayRobinson is set to draft a resolution for the council’s July meeting stating that the roadway closure would include closing off a portion of East Seventh Avenue just east of The

Art Room and closing off East Eighth Avenue.

In addition, the resolution would include creating left-turn-only signage and a possible diversion barrier at East Ninth Avenue and Oakdale Street heading north and south, and closing off East 12th Avenue and Chase Road.

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

3A

Oakland eyes funds for water facilities project The town continues to work on a plan for an alternative water supply.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Children played on a bounce house and enjoyed food from Grandma’s BBQ at the celebration.

A day for freedom W

inter Garden residents gathered outside to celebrate Juneteenth Freedom Day Friday, June 17, at the Mildred Dixon Activity Center. The celebration was hosted by retirees and friends of Orange County Community Action & Head Start Inc. Charlie Mae Wilder, organization president, who said the event was in partnership with the West Orange Neighborhood Center for Families and the city of Winter Garden. The afternoon’s activities included prayers, history, inspiring words of encouragement, songs of praise, children’s activities and even food from Grandma’s BBQ. — ANNABELLE SIKES

The Juneteenth Freedom Day event was hosted by retirees and friends of Orange County Community Action & Head Start Inc. Charlie Mae Wilder, organization president, right.

Oakland officials have adopted a facilities plan to move forward with the town’s alternative water supply project.

The Town Commission held a workshop Tuesday, June 14, before its regular meeting to discuss funding for this project, which, in part, would come in the form of a low-interest State Revolving Fund loan of $400,000.

The facility would harvest stormwater discharging to Lake Apopka in an effort to offset the town’s potable water demand for landscape irrigation.

The town has been working toward an alternate water supply since 2019, when officials created a water facilities supply work plan.

The calculated demand for four of the town’s newest residential developments on the west side of town (Hull Island, Longleaf, Oakland Trails and Briley Farms) was used to size the proposed AWS facility. The facility requires three options being evaluated.

Two include a pumping structure, filters, clearwell, chlorine disinfection and connection to the reclaimed water irrigation distribution system.

“At this point, we are ready to move from preliminary design to a full-fledged design status,” Public Works Director Mike Parker wrote in a memo to the commission. “As expected, the growth of the community has placed a heavy demand on our drinking water system, especially when you take into consideration that all irrigation needs (except Oakland Park) are currently met with drinking water.”

Parker said the loan may not be utilized, but it’s important to have a financial back-up plan in place.

The initial amount of the loan will be approximately $400,000 to be used exclusively for design of the facility. If not utilized for design, this would be rolled into the construction portion of the loan. The cost of construction is estimated at $4 million.

Commissioners voted at the commission meeting to apply for the loan.

POLICE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Anthony Dawkins, captain and support services commander at the Winter Garden Police Department, spoke at the event.

Aliya Johnson, LaRhonda Smith and Ingrid Mallet attended the event together.

The commission approved a consent agenda item that allows former Police Chief Steve Thomas to assist the Oakland Police Department as coordinator of police services. This temporary position is necessary “to maintain the continuity of the command structure and management of the Oakland Police Department.”

He also will assist with the recruitment of a new police chief following former chief John Peek’s recent resignation.

Thomas’ position is in a civilian capacity, so Lt. Angela Campbell, as the highest-ranking sworn officer, will serve as acting chief, with Thomas’ assistance.

THE ORTON GILLINGHAM APPROACH

Oakland Avenue Charter School has an opportunity to become an Orton Gillingham Approach Model School. Principal Pam Dwyer said the opportunity comes through the REED Charitable Foundation.

OG is a science-based approach to teaching language skills and teachers are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of how to teach language and provides students with the “why” behind it.

Instruction is guided by several principles, she said: Multisensory;

Rose and Charlie Brown enjoyed the celebration.

Vida Addison passionately read the poem, “Still I Rise.”

Left: Ladonica Hardee and Danae Prince picked up platters from the event’s food sponsor Grandma’s BBQ.

“At this point, we are ready to move from preliminary design to a full-fledged design status.”

— Public Works Director Mike Parker

IN OTHER NEWS OACS Principal Pam Dwyer presented a plaque to Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield for his role as a Champion Charter School Pioneer. The award is given through the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. Satterfield was recognized for taking on a leadership role in helping create the charter school and for his continued support for education choice for the community.

“For nearly 19 years, Mike has been the glue that holds the school, the town and the community together,” the plaque read. “He remains an active sounding board and influencer for all school operations and staff. He champions student and parent choice and voice continuously. …

Mike is truly the foundation of the wonderful and successful school that Oakland Avenue Charter is. It would not be so without him pioneering the way.”

The Town Commission approved the tentative budget for OACS for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The school’s budget is $6,227,666. It includes increased funding for salary raises of up to 3%, overhang and classroom painting, technology purchases to expand 1:1 to include second and third grades, playground cover purchase and the change in position from fulltime instructional to full-time behavior tech support.

Commissioners approved the first reading of a utility easement vacation between two lots on Nobis Alley in Phase 6B-3 of Oakland Park. The two lots are being combined to allow for a large home.

Oakland police Sgt. Curt Crews was recognized for his most recent promotion. Crews was hired in 2017 and has more than 25 commendations in his Oakland Police Department file.

The commission heard a presentation given by Dylan Fontenot, an Eagle Scout candidate with Scout Troop 145 at Oakland Presbyterian Church.

For his project, he is building bat houses and purple martin birdhouses to be placed on the campus of Oakland Avenue Charter School, Fontenot’s alma mater.

Town officials announced the June 28 Town Commission meeting is canceled. The next regular meeting is July 12.

Structured, Sequential, Systematic and; Cumulative; Cognitive; Synthetic and Analytic; Direct and Explicit; Diagnostic and Prescriptive; and Emotionally Sound.

OACS previously had looked into training several teachers, but the cost would have been more than $4,000. Since its inception in 2019, RCF has trained more than 650 educators, professionals and parents.

“The goal is to provide this training to as many teachers as possible in the area,” Dwyer said. “They will offer training with a staff member coming to us. They will evaluate how this works within the state standards. Our agreement back to them is to provide feedback, general data.

“We’re very proud of being selected for this,” Dwyer said. “We consider ourselves a leader in the area, and we are already hearing from people that we are probably the only school in Orange County that is implementing OG fully.”

Dwyer said it would be a great fit at OACS. “It goes along with … what charter schools are all about — education choice,” Dwyer said.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

The first to know ‘all the news’ AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

A

century ago, there were only two ways to communicate with folks near and far: Send a letter or make an operator-assisted telephone call.

To make a call, residents relied on a telephone operator to complete the connection. In Winter Garden’s early days of telephones, you likely were assisted by Ina Jean, Ruby, Ruth, Mae, Pauline or one of the many local women who operated the switchboard for Florida Telephone Corporation.

The phone company played an important role in West Orange, providing communication service to the area and offering citizens an employment option for decent pay. A majority of the workers were women, and they became a tight-knit family who celebrated together all of life’s milestones — engagements, marriages, babies and more.

The operators were the first to know “all the news” that was happening back in the day.

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com

Florida Telephone News newsletters informed employees at the company’s various call centers. In December 1954, a photo ran featuring the women at the Winter Garden toll center board: standing, chief operator Ora Mae Burgess, left, and service assistants Alma Hussey and Mildred Borgard; and seated, Lucille Woods, Alvis Spear, Opal Little, Joyce Kendrick, Martha Beach, Chloe Brandenburg, Louise Shaw, Janice Gray, Mary Ruth Schmitt, Mae Reeves, Frances Sanders, Dorothy Bowden, Mary Clanton, Letha Huges, Voncile Cranford, Lorene Sanders, Barbara Poole, Celety Kinsey, Mary Gourlay, Betty Jean Spivey, Jewel Williams and Madolyn Josh.

ONE BIG, HAPPY FAMILY

Amy Jennings said the telephone office was her second home. Her mother, Ruth Greenway, was employed there for 41 years, and her starting pay was 50 cents an hour. She worked in all three of the company’s buildings on North Main Street.

“I have so many memories, from putting on the headsets and listening in on calls to all the dinners,” she said.

“I think we had dinners every week for something — wedding, baby showers, someone’s birthday. I think they made things up just to have a dinner. We were one big, happy family. We were known as the Telephone Kids.”

Craig Maloy’s mother, Ruby Maloy, spent more than three decades at Florida Telephone.

“It was a special place with a bunch of special ladies,” Craig Maloy said.

“It was a family feel, always had that.

Mom had relationships with those ladies, good relationships. … In the ’60s, we lived very close to the office.

He recalls frequently eating meals at the telephone office. Each operator brought her family and a dish for big sit-down dinners.

“All the ladies sitting behind the boards and handling the calls coming in … were always very hard-working,” he said. “It was just a good, solid core.

They had the same ladies who worked together for years. They would do anything in the world for you. She loved that group of ladies. And she loved her job. She was very good at it.”

His mother didn’t have a college education when she started her career there, so Florida Telephone paid for her to get her associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“She was rewarded moving up in the company for getting that,” he said.

“That place impacted a lot of people back in the day.”

She eventually became chief operator.

Elma “Exton” Adamson started her position in operator services in the early 1950s and retired in 1973. Granddaughter Becca Lanterman recalled she worked the long-distance board and had an indention in her head from wearing the heavy headsets.

Lanterman was only 6 when her grandmother died, but she clearly remembers the story of a drunk man who would call and then send apology flowers the next day.

Her aunt, Ruth Ann Adamson, also was employed at the phone company for 32 years, starting in the traffic department then moving to the business office and general office. She recalled one customer sent candy to the office every year in appreciation of the operators.

“When I started in 1969, these were the experienced operators; they worked the long-distance board,” she said. “When I first started, the new folks always started on the information position to give them numbers and then you learned. The older operators were good to let us younger ladies on our off time or our slower time — they would let us go two at a time to shadow their work and learn their work.

“Ruby Maloy was also the trainer for new hires, and when something new was put into place, then she trained the operators on it,” Ruth Ann Adamson said. “She was a special, sweet lady.”

Ruth Ann Adamson’s husband, Earl, was employed by Florida Telephone, as well.

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Ruth Greenway, foreground, Louise Shaw and others operated the switchboard for Florida Telephone.

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange.

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WINTER GARDEN TELEPHONE EXCHANGE Winter Garden’s introduction to a telephone company began in 1922, when Otto Wettstein Jr., a pioneer in the business, purchased an exchange in Winter Garden. In 1925, he merged 28 exchanges into Florida Telephone Corp. with 5,100 telephones.

In 1926, the office, which had one section of switchboard in a rented room, was moved to the Spanish Mission-style building at 99 N. Main St. In 1942, a new building was constructed on adjacent land that was supposed to have sufficient capacity for expansion. It was expanded as the company outgrew the space.

Florida Telephone was purchased by United Telephone Co. of Florida in 1973. United Telephone became Sprint Corp. in 1992, followed by Embarq in 2006 and then CenturyLink. The company became Lumen Technologies in 2020.

THE OPERATOR KIDS

Pauline Collier Beard, another longtime employee, served for more than 40 years. Her daughter, Susan Story, spent quite a bit of time there.

“I spent a lot of time up there in the lounge area waiting to go to school or when school was out,” she said. “I knew all the women there, and … they were a family. There were, of course, some disagreements between the ladies, but for the most part, they all got along. Those ladies … were great cooks. Someone was always bringing stuff they had made to their break room for the other people.”

Story recalled her mother working long hours during day, night, weekend and holiday shifts.

“She missed or was always late to many holidays, or we would always have to wait until she got home from work,” Story said.

Tchotchkes — such as coffee mugs, rain capes and ink pens — often were handed out to employees. Ruth Ann Adamson said she collected them throughout the year and then gave them to the children in the family at Christmastime.

“They looked forward to the free telephone gifts,” she said.

Kay Quigley’s mother, Susan Catherine Quigley, was a switchboard operator for 23 years, and she remembers being allowed to visit in the lounge if her mother was on a break, “if we needed to see her.”

When Mae Reeves began her 27-year career as a telephone operator in 1951, party lines were still in existence, said her son, Rod Reeves. Typically, five households had to share one line, and each was assigned a different color.

“Our phone number was 105-White,” he said. “White, red, blue, black and green — I remember the switchboard. I would go up there, and Mom would let me sit at the switchboard; I was about 10. A light would come on the board that would correspond to the caller’s number, and she would take a cord and plug into that to answer and say, ‘Number, please.’ The caller would say (the number), and she

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would take another plug and plug into (the number) and then the colors were along the bottom, and she would let me switch the color.”

Rod Reeves said an older woman on his party line was frequently talking on the phone, and if he wanted to call one of his friends, he would pick up his house phone and wait for her to take a breath and then ask if he could quickly call his friend.

He and a friend, Lamar Burgess, just two of the many aptly named Operators Kids, liked to visit the office because it was so informal and friendly.

“A lot of women worked there for a very long time,” Reeves said. “Two operators worked the night shift, and these women would go up there, and they would take a quilt and lie down and sleep until a call came through because there weren’t that many at night.”

His mother was dedicated to her job and refused to leave after her shift ended if the phone lines were busy.

“There was a real sense of service that they had and a real obligation,” he said.

‘THE BEST JOB’

Ina Jean Laney Kennedy, now 92, left her dime-store position and started working at Florida Telephone right out of high school. She was paid $15 weekly.

“That was the best job unless you wanted to do packinghouse work,” she said. “But a big majority of my friends — we looked for jobs that were not packing oranges. It was about the best paying job you could get in Winter Garden unless you had an education.”

“We had this great big board with the lights where you said, ‘Number, please.’ If they said 234, you plugged it into 234. We had local and long distance; local was in one room, and long distance was in another.”

In the original building, she said, about 10 women worked different shifts seven days a week, including holidays. During breaks, the women sometimes walked a block to down-

town Plant Street to get a banana split or ice cream soda.

She met her husband through her job, when a repairman brought his nephew to a company Christmas party. The two married six weeks later.

“We dressed up to go to work,” Kennedy said. “We would wear high heels and hose. … You couldn’t wear pants.”

When a long-distance call came in, Kennedy stamped a ticket with the time and then added a second time stamp when the call was finished. The operator checked the number of minutes in a book to note the appropriate charge.

A call from Winter Garden to another state was $2 or $3, she said. City residents calling Orlando paid 20 cents for three minutes.

Both of Paula Ravetto’s parents worked for Florida Telephone. Her mother, Barbara Anderson, was a secretary at several different offices.

“I remember in the 1960s longdistance phone calls were to everything except Ocoee, Winter Garden and Apopka,” Ravetto said. “Once in a while, Mom would go in to work in the evening to make a call to her parents in Gainesville. I don’t think that was favorably looked upon with the boss, but every penny saved helped in those days.”

Barbara’s husband, Bob Anderson, began his 35-year career there in about 1954 as a cable splicer before being promoted to the engineer department.

Ravetto said he worked long hours and was on call for service outages — and she still remembers how fascinated she was to see him working with the lines in a deep hole during Hurricane Donna in 1960.

“Mostly what I remember of those days was their steady work schedule and job security,” Ravetto said. “It was a very good place to work to support your family and plan for your future.”

PETITION STARTED TO SAVE THE BUILDING A change.org petition has been created to try to save the historical 1925 Spanish Mission building at 99 N. Main St. The 97-year-old two-story masonry building features curvilinear parapets, a pair of balconets, barrel tiles and stucco exterior.

First Baptist Church Winter Garden owns the property and has plans to tear down the aging structure and build a daycare.

Members of the community still hold out hope the building can be saved and used for community programs or as an outreach center.

To sign the petition, started

by Logan Bennett, visit bit. ly/3y7uxU1.

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

5A

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Orange County Animal Services has lowered its adoption fee from $55 to $25 for the remainder of the summer.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

On June 9, Orange County Animal Services received 114 animals. Just six days later, it received another 68.

Currently, the local shelter is providing care for close to 700 animals — 383 at the shelter and another 308 with foster families.

And it needs help.

The increase in numbers has filled the shelter to capacity, and to combat this, OCAS is offering discounted adoption fees for the summer.

OCAS Public Information Officer Bryant Almeida said animals come to the shelter for a variety of reasons. “(Animals are) surrendered, returned, brought in as strays or confiscated from cruelty situations,” he said. “The dogs are kept as long as we can keep them and as long as they remain healthy and their behavior does not deteriorate.”

The shelter does not have a day-limit stay for its residents. Some dogs have stayed at the shelter for more than 200 days. Currently, the longest-running resident, Russell, is at 98 days.

“Some dogs do well in the shelter environment; others can start to deteriorate, because of stress, frustration and boredom,” Almeida said.

Because of the influx of daily intake at the shelter, OCAS is asking for community support in different ways. Shelter officials are asking people who find a stray pet to take all the necessary steps to reunite the animal with its owners.

They also are asking owners who are considering surrendering their pet to the shelter to explore all options before they do.

“We have also taken to social media to market as many of our long-term residents as we can by featuring staff and volunteers taking our dogs on day trips, (such as) Starbucks for a pup cup, and local parks and lakes for a fun day out,” Almeida said.

To care for the animals, most of OCAS’ volunteers and staff foster animals, as well as the foster community, have helped provide the animals a temporary home while they find a forever one.

“We have so many amazing animals at our shelter; it’s easy to fall in love with them,” Almeida said. “And our staff and volunteers see them every day and get to know each one, so oftentimes, they find themselves taking some of the needy ones home.”

OCAS is currently asking for help, as during the summer time — and peak kitten season, the number of impounded animals can increase.

“People bring entire litters of kittens and puppies,” Almeida said. “We could also have a large number (of) confiscations or impounds from cruelty or neglect cases, and a lot of times, we have to hold these animals until investigations are completed.”

For more, visit orangecountyanimalservicesfl. net.

The adoption fee is usually $55, but for the summer, Orange County Animal Services is offering adoptions for $25.

That fee includes initial vaccinations (including rabies); spay or neuter; and microchipping. Animals that may be heartworm positive are covered by the shelter’s Heartworm Program, covered through Ocoee Animal Hospital.

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ADOPTION FEE

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Director’s departure sparks concern ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

Turnover in highly visible roles at the Garden Theatre has some questioning the future direction for the Winter Garden entertainment company.

Artistic Director Joseph Walsh has resigned after three years at the venue. The theater then announced former Artistic Director Rob Winn Anderson would return to the role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement was selected. However, Anderson left the post after only one week.

“My heart … I am feeling so many things right now, but mostly gratitude,” Walsh published on social media last week. “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community. I am truly humbled by the posts, messages and texts I have received over the past few days, and I want to thank every person that took the time to offer comfort while they themselves are hurting.”

The theater’s board chair, Allie Braswell, said the nonprofit’s governing body was surprised at Walsh’s resignation, and the news unleashed a wave of questions throughout the community, with staff and theater patrons using words such as “disheartening,” “unbelievable” and “heartbreaking.”

Education Director Nick Bazo was one of the many to speak up on social media. He said although he is “being limited” in what he can say and that there are questions he can’t answer,

he can say how he feels about Walsh and the work the theater has done with him.

“To say what is happening with Joe (Walsh) is a gut punch is an understatement,” Bazo wrote on Facebook.

“In so many ways I feel the work that he and the rest of us, the staff, the artists, only began to scratch the surface.

It hurts to not know what’s next with this journey. I love my job and my coworkers. This whole thing is painful.”

Walsh confirmed he was not asked to resign but said workplace circumstances led to his decision.

And although Walsh’s departure was the most visible, it wasn’t the only one.

STAFF SWITCHES

The theater recently has experienced a relatively quick turn around in a few roles.

Executive Director Nao Tsurumaki departed in the spring of 2020, and his interim replacement, Melissa Mason Braillard, left after two months. In November 2020, Elisa SpencerKaplan was hired in the newly titled role of managing director but departed after 13 months. The position has been vacant since, although about a month ago, the board hired Tom Carto as interim managing director.

Previous Board Chair Wes CatlettMiller stepped down in December to spend more time with his family, and Braswell took up the position in March.

And most recently, in addition to Anderson, Felichia Chivaugn, who

“We really thought we were moving in the right direction. Joe’s (Walsh’s) resignation was not asked for by the board. In no way did we try and shape what Joe (Walsh) put on stage. We were very pleased with this past season and his three years here.”

— Board Chair Allie Braswell

Artistic Director Joseph Walsh spent three years at the Garden Theatre.

File photo

was set to direct “A Bronx Tale” as the first show of the new season in August, also resigned, along with that show’s assistant director, choreographer and lighting/scenic director.

Braswell said there have been recent transitions in leadership but Walsh’s resignation “caught us really off-guard.”

“We really thought we were moving in the right direction,” Braswell said.

“Joe’s (Walsh’s) resignation was not asked for by the board. In no way did we try and shape what Joe (Walsh) put on stage. We were very pleased with this past season and his three years here.”

On Facebook, Walsh wrote he does not feel he can directly comment but wants to continue the practice of listening, supporting and uplifting voices in the community.

“Our staff , crew and creative teams have collaborated to create a space that uplifts voices, allows artists to be heard and understands that diversity without inclusion is performative, and I am so proud and grateful for everyone that came to work each day to take action to maintain that space,” Walsh wrote.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Ron Miles, who worked with Walsh in the recent production of “Parade,” as well as two other shows, said although he does not have insight on why Walsh resigned or any direct

knowledge involving the board, he was saddened by the news and said Walsh always impressed him.

“Joe (Walsh) created a very supportive and inclusive working environment,” he said. “What I saw was that his commitment to inclusion and diversity is more than just words. He lives that commitment both through action and through actively listening. … He created a collaborative work environment where everyone felt safe and supported, and were given the freedom to be truly vulnerable in a way I have never experienced anywhere else. That is 100% Joe’s (Walsh’s) leadership, filtered down through the rest of the creative team.

I am worried that, with his departure, the Garden Theatre will move backwards in those areas. Not necessarily intentionally but without a strong advocate to push for those things the natural tendency will be to regress to the norm.”

DaZaria Harris, who has worked with Walsh most recently as Beauty in “Beauty and the Beast,” also spoke out on the resignation, saying the news was “heartbreaking.”

“Without detail, you could see that there was foul play involved,” Harris said. “He is the reason many actors and production crew love the Garden.

He created a safe space for everyone and gave actors a chance when it seemed no one else would. Anyone who has worked with Joe (Walsh)

knows that he loves the Garden (Theatre) and calls it home and the people who work there, family.”

WHAT COMES NEXT?

According to the theater’s initial announcement on Walsh’s resignation, he will remain with the nonprofit until July 1 to help with the transition.

His upcoming plans include codirecting Central Florida Community Arts’ June concert staging of “Ragtime” with Roberta Emerson, artistic directing consultant at the theater.

He also has a previous commitment to work with the summer camp program of the White Plains Performing Arts Center in New York.

Braswell said the hope is to fill both the managing director and artistic director positions by December and that the board will take the time to find the right person that fits all of the nonprofit’s needs.

“I’m on this board because I believe in its diversity,” he said. “I believe in its open mindedness, and I believe that we will continue to move in that direction to make sure all voices are heard, present and maintained in the Garden Theatre,” Braswell said. “I am one of those residents (who) wants the opportunity for the Garden Theatre to continue to move, to continue to thrive and continue to be a ‘golden nugget’ in Central Florida.”

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

7A

Bellaria estate sells for $2.5 million A

home in the Bellaria

WINDHOVER CONDOMINIUMS

Orange-area residential

The condo at 5053 Eaglesmere Drive, Orlando, sold June 17, for $220,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,300 square feet of living area. Days on market: 28.

real-estate transactions from

WINDHOVER RESIDENCES

community near Win-

dermere topped all West

Circle, Windermere, sold

The home at 6214 Peregrine Court, Orlando, sold June 13, for $320,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,348 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

June 17, for $2,500,000. Built

HORIZON WEST

in 2012, it has five bedrooms,

The home at 13954 Darchance Road, Windermere, sold June 14, for $560,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,234 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

June 11 to 17.

The home at 13100 Bellaria

ENCLAVE AT BERKSHIRE PARK

six baths, three half-baths and 6,011 square feet of living area. Days on market: 26.

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

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY LAKES AT GRANADA

The home at 8340 Granada Blvd., Orlando, sold June 13, for $460,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,877 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 39.

realtor.com

The home at 13100 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold June 17, for $2,500,000. This Toll Brothers Villa Milano model sits on 3/4 acres in Bellaria.

LAKE CANE ESTATES

The home at 7063 Archwood Drive, Orlando, sold June 17, for $414,000.

Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,417 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

EMERALD FOREST

The home at 10331 Emerald Woods Ave., Orlando, sold June 17, for $760,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,461 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

Total Sales: 70 High Sale Price: $2.5 million Low Sale Price: $220,000

The home at 16662 Wingspread Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $599,999. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,372 square feet of living area. Days on market: 36.

LAKESIDE VILLAS

VENEZIA

The home at 7421 Pointe Venezia Drive, Orlando, sold June 17, for $720,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,892 square feet of living area. Days on market: 15.

The home at 8259 Maritime Flag St., No. 6, Windermere, sold June 13, for $293,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,460 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

PHILLIPS OAKS

SAND LAKE PRIVATE RESIDENCES

VISTA CAY AT HARBOR SQUARE

LATHAM PARK NORTH

RUBY LAKE

TANGELO PARK

WATERS EDGE BOCA POINTE AT TURTLE CREEK

MT. PARK ORANGE GROVE

The home at 7114 Cane Hills Circle, Orlando, sold June 16, for $510,000.

Built in 1965, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,689 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 10418 Sparkle Court, Orlando, sold June 15, for $815,000.

Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,591 square feet of living area. Days on market: 37.

SNAPSHOT

HAWKSMOOR

ST. IVES

LAKE CANE HILLS

DIAMOND COVE

The home at 10975 Lemon Lake Blvd., Orlando, sold June 16, for $935,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,564 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

The home at 6629 Winder Oaks Blvd., Orlando, sold June 15, for $480,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,928 square feet of living area. Days on market: 20.

The home at 10890 Lemon Lake Blvd., Orlando, sold June 14, for $1,350,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, four baths, two halfbaths and 4,897 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 7705 Apple Tree Circle, Orlando, sold June 16, for $820,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, five baths and 3,155 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

The condo at 7523 Seurat St., No. 11202, Orlando, sold June 15, for $265,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,323 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six. The home at 7719 Cassino Ave., Orlando, sold June 13, for $243,000.

Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 840 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

Celebrate Summer!

The condo at 4840 Cayview Ave., No. 303, Orlando, sold June 15, for $436,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,097 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Three.

The home at 10532 Boca Pointe Drive, Orlando, sold June 16, for $1,100,000. Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,790 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Three.

The home at 8930 Shipbrook Way, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $610,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,066 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

The home at 17362 Lake Ingram Road, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $910,000. Built in 2009, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,361 square feet. Days on market: Five.

SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 8

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

REAL ESTATE

OBSERVER

MERRICK LANDING

WINDING BAY

ORCHARD HILLS

OAKLAND

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 2180 Standing Rock Circle, Oakland, sold June 16, for $632,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,060 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Five.

The townhouse at 6375 Blu Knight Lane, Windermere, sold June 14, for $401,500. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,471 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Seven.

The home at 4831 Palmetto Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $820,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,577 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 15115 Lake Claire Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $670,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,010 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two. ORCHARD HILLS

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana 2nd Campus: 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

CHURCH OF GOD

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

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Contemporary 11:15 AM Traditional Also viewable on YouTube

ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE

The home at 10379 Royal Cypress Way, Orlando, sold June 17, for $1,050,000.

Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,423 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14.

The home at 2345 Standing Rock Circle, Oakland, sold June 17, for $445,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,640 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Four.

STOREY GROVE

OCOEE

The townhouse at 11060 Suspense Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $450,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,863 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 10.

The townhouse at 1777 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold June 16, for $384,524. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,963 square feet of living area. Days on market: 54.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 10230 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $675,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,594 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 55.

The home at 16712 Harper Cove Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $640,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,117 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

Moving Forward Program Offerings

WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

Transitional Housing Mental Healthcare Counseling Montessori Preschool & Daycare Educational Opportunities Resume Building & Employment Opportunities Legal Assistance Credit Counseling & Debt Reduction

The home at 421 First St., Ocoee, sold June 14, for $425,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,722 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

The home at 437 Second St., Ocoee, sold June 15, for $408,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,644 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Five.

The home at 14620 Spotted Sandpiper Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 13, for $799,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,912 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Two.

For those ready to take advantage of our Moving Forward Program, the following is a partial list of assistance available through our Program.

HILLCREST HEIGHTS

The home at 11031 Vignette Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $565,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,502 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Five.

The home at 7705 Green Mountain Way, Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $2,050,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,322 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 20.

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

The home at 2259 White Feather Loop, Oakland, sold June 17, for $525,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,204 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

The home at 2039 Standing Rock Circle, Oakland, sold June 15, for $524,500. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,204 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Five.

SUMMERLAKE

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

OAKLAND TRAILS

The home at 4124 Green Orchard Ave., Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $660,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,800 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Three.

The home at 12081 Beowulf Way, Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $1,000,011. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,505 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Nine.

Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

The home at 12078 Grandrose Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $505,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,212 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

The home at 7536 Lake Hancock Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $700,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,513 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

MARION PARK

The home at 134 Lafayette St., Ocoee, sold June 14, for $391,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,491 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 32.

NORTH OCOEE ADDITION

The home at 308 15th Ave., Ocoee, sold June 13, for $232,500. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,065 square feet of living area.

Days on market: One. PRAIRIE LAKE VILLAGE

The home at 1925 Aspenridge Court, Ocoee, sold June 20, for $409,000.

Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,390 square feet of living area. Days on market: 46.

SAWMILL

The home at 5122 Log Wagon Road, Ocoee, sold June 13, for $237,500. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,220 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE PHILLIPS/WINDERMERE CONDOMINIUMS

The condo at 11562 Amidship Lane, No. 306/126, Windermere, sold June 16, for $322,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,455 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

9A

YOUR NEWS. YOUR WAY. From print to podcasts, the Observer makes it easy for you to stay connected to your neighborhood.

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realtor.com

The home at 7705 Green Mountain Way, Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $2,050,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from June 11 to 17.

WEST ORANGE

New edition every Thursday!

OAKS AT BRANDY LAKE

TILDENS GROVE

The home at 5451 Tildens Grove Blvd., Windermere, sold June 13, for $1,375,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,867 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

WINDERMERE

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 9401 Skiles Court, Windermere, sold June 16, for $2 million.

Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, five baths and 4,741 square feet of living area. Days on market: 31.

KELSO ON LAKE BUTLER

The home at 5610 W. Lake Butler Blvd., Windermere, sold June 16, for $1,380,000. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,212 square feet of living area.

Days on market: 72.

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

The home at 836 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold June 14, for $1,710,000.

Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,917 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

WINTER GARDEN

CYPRESS RESERVE

The home at 13761 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $790,000.

Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,207 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

EMERALD ACRES

The home at 190 Temple Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 13, for $542,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,043 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.

The home at 616 Bending Oak Trail, Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $600,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,535 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Four.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 931 Kylee Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $719,198.

Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,822 square feet of living area. Days on market: 38.

OXFORD CHASE

The home at 14772 Ellingsworth Lane, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $980,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,436 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Four.

The home at 1902 Sherbourne St., Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $388,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,292 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Four.

The home at 15407 Amberbeam Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $540,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,434 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Three.

GARDEN HEIGHTS

The home at 3306 Hanging Tide St., Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $625,270. It has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,894 square feet of living area.

EMAIL

STONEYBROOK WEST

The townhouse at 1306 Priory Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $390,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,957 square feet of living area.

Days on market: Three.

LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

Find the latest news updated daily on Orangeobserver.com

STONE CREEK

FULLERS OAK

The home at 536 Garden Heights Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 15, for $520,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,972 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

ONLINE

The home at 14890 Winkfield Court, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $724,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,048 square feet. Days on market: 12.

The home at 15400 Amberbeam Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 14, for $460,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,520 square feet. Days on market: Five.

The home at 1802 Fullers Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $720,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,204 square feet of living area. Days on market: 56.

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VERDE PARK

The home at 17977 Gourd Neck Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 17, for $850,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,290 square feet of living area. Days on market: 59.

WATERSIDE

The home at 1430 Roxy Lane, sold June 14, for $465,595. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,502 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

P O D CAST Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC®

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Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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10A

JUNE 23, 2022

SPORTS Good as gold HIGH

Michelle Stevens placed third during the Special Olympics in her weight category of 72 kilos for powerlifting. Page 2B.

1

5

Foundation Academy hosted its Lion Pride Elementary sports camp June 20 to 23. The camp was available for K5 to sixth-grade students who were introduced to four sports: volleyball, soccer, football and basketball.

Students were able to participate in two sports during the morning session and two sports during the afternoon session.

2

West Orange quarterback Trever Jackson received his first P5 offer from the University of Pittsburgh after attending Florida Atlantic University’s mega camp June 18. A rising junior, Jackson is part of the Central Florida All Stars 7-on-7 team. Jackson also received an offer from FAU after the camp ended Saturday and is currently in communication with the staff at Indiana University.

3

Windermere Wildfire 16U pitcher and first baseman Payton Spears recently was selected for the softball AllCounty first team. Spears is a rising junior at George Jenkins High School. She finished her season with a .447 batting average, four doubles, one triple, nine homers and 26 RBIs.

4

Windermere Prep is offering strength and conditioning summer workouts until July 29. Workouts take place Monday through Thursday.

Workouts times are as follows: Football, 9 to 10:15 a.m.; F.A.S.S.T., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Females, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Males (non-football), 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. For price and registration information, contact coach Micah Kurtz at micah. kurtz@windermereprep.com or visit bit.ly/3b0BqNB.

5

Lake Buena Vista High School officially announced coach Jed Ebersole has joined the football coaching staff as defensive coordinator prior to the start of the 2022-23 football season.

Courtesy photo

The Westside Blue Thunder unified volleyball team visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom during the 2022 USA Games.

Westside Blue Thunder unified volleyball team, West Orange’s Special Olympics volleyball team, won gold at the 2022 USA Games.

THE TEAM

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

T

he Westside Blue Thunder unified volleyball team won gold during its first appearance at the 2022 USA Special Olympics, which took place June 5 to 12 in Orlando.

Under the name Florida West Side, the team defeated the Florida Blasters during the playoffs 50-38 in the final Thursday, June 9.

“It was amazing,” coach Wilma Wright said. “It was like a ‘Pinch me, I can’t believe this,’ type of feeling.”

The Florida West Side team is more than just a team, it’s family: The majority of the players on the roster have been playing together for more than six years.

“I’ve had the kids for so long, and I’ve gotten to know their families,” Wright said. “They are all so close.”

SEE LOCAL PAGE 2B

Benjamin Acton Hudson Adams-Farley Christian Borunda Timothy Bracht Jacob Craft DeVaughn Clarke Carlos Leon Kevin Roberts Shane Sapp Hannah Sauers Joshua Simard David Wolf

Andrea Mujica

All of the athletes attended Lakeview Middle School, where they met coach Wilma Wright.

Summer ball: Squeeze helps college players hone skills This year’s roster includes players from colleges throughout the country.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

This year’s Winter Garden Squeeze roster includes college players from ages 19 to 23.

The Winter Garden Squeeze is quickly approaching the middle of its season, with its next three-game series against Leesburg taking place June 23 to 25.

As of press time Tuesday, June 21, the Squeeze sat at 6-7 for the season.

The Squeeze’s 2022 roster comprises students from universities from all around the country such as Tulane University, the University of South Florida, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Eastern Florida State

College, among others.

The team, just as the others in the area that play in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, offers college players the opportunity to continue playing baseball during their months off school.

“It’s an opportunity to get guys from around the country that you don’t really know,” head coach Mike McDaniel said. “Getting them together and playing for the summer — it’s fun.”

General Manager Adam Bates has been involved with the team since 2004. For him, the best part of the summer league is the community aspect of the games.

“Any time they are playing, kids are watching,” he said.

Prior to the start of the season, most of the guys on the roster had SEE TAKE PAGE 2B

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

2B

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Michelle Stevens Michelle Stevens competed at the Special Olympics as part of the 2022 Team Florida for powerlifting. Stevens trains at CrossFit Winter Garden three times a week and every Wednesday with the Special Olympics team. After five years of practicing and growing in the sport, this was Stevens’ first opportunity to compete at the Special Olympics. She earned third place in her weight category — 72 kilograms.

What do you do on a daily basis?

CrossFit, Special Olympics, I do other sports with Special Olympics. I go to Disney a lot, hang out with my dog, Loretta.

What other sports have you done for Special Olympics?

I did volleyball first, then golf and basketball and now powerlifting.

How long have you been powerlifting?

I’ve done powerlifting for five years. So, ever since I started it, it’s been one of my favorite sports and one of my best sports that I’m good at.

Why powerlifting?

Because it motivates me to be more confident in myself and to show people that you can lift weights and be a special-needs athlete.

How did you get into Special Olympics in the first place?

Coach Laurie Chmielewski. She was the one that told me about it and told me to try it and go for it to see if I liked it or not. I met her when I first started doing Special Olympics from doing basketball, volleyball and golf.

What’s your favorite lift for powerlifting?

My favorite lift is the deadlift, because I feel like it’s my strongest. It’s just a little bit easier than some of the other lifts, and I’m good at that one in particular.

I lift the heaviest on that lift.

What do you love most about powerlifting?

I love the energy and the confidence that the coaches give to me. (How) they motivate me when I’m feeling down myself, they tell me not to give up or quit.

It helps with my confidence; to be better and stronger motivates me to be amazing.

Tell us about your experience with Special Olympics.

I didn’t know (that I had qualified) until they contacted me through a Zoom call— the WWE wrestlers did. I wasn’t expecting anything like that, but it was just amazing.

Tell us a little bit about your experience at the Special Olympics?

The experience was amazing. I met a lot of friends and got closer to people that I’ve known but I didn’t know much about.

It was amazing (to see) other athletes compete in the sport.

It’s just motivation, it motivated me to be more like them.

THE BASICS

AGE: 30 SPORT: Powerlifting TEAM: Wolfpack Powerlifting / Team Florida LIFT: Deadlift — 210 pounds.

WEIGHT CATEGORY: 72 kg AWARD: Third place

very nice to me that would get in my head … because I was the new girl.

How do you feel about placing third at the Special Olympics?

The feeling of getting third in the beginning was a little “I wish I had done better, and I wish I had gotten a better place.” But then at the end, overall I got over it. I was a little discouraged, because I was sad and everything about it. But at the end, I was joyful and really proud of myself, very grateful, and I wore my medals around my neck. So it was a great feeling getting third but in the beginning not so much. I would have wanted to place second or first, but I got over and I just said, “No, it’s OK, it happens.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

Wright began to recruit the athletes for the team about 10 years ago, when she was a physical education coach at Lakeview Middle School.

For the last nine years, the team has competed at the Special Olympics State Games. To qualify for the USA Games, a team has to win gold at the Special Olympics State Games for three consecutive years.

The USA Games take place once every four years, and qualification is by draw.

“We hadn’t been lucky, so we hadn’t been able to go,” Wright said. “But this year, we got lucky.”

Hudson Adams-Farley, 17, is one of the newest members of the team who joined about a year ago.

He said being able to compete at the USA Games has provided him with an incredible experience and further knowledge about the sport he loves.

“I learned a lot of things that I didn’t know before,” he said. “Even now, I’m still learning. It’s just been a whole learning experience, which is perfect, because I love this sport the most.”

Competition wasn’t easy during the games. In fact, DeVaughn Clarke, 20, recalls having some fierce opponents on the opposite side of the net.

“The teams were such high-level

ers feels protected by all the boys, and said, “They always make sure I feel included.”

Competing at the USA Games was nerve-wracking but exciting for some of the athletes. It was a new and completely different experience.

“There was never a dull moment,” Jacob Craft said. “At first I was nervous, but at the end, it was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people I got to meet.”

After winning gold, the team celebrated with the royal treatment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“I had been to Disney when I was in elementary school,” Joshua Simard said. “But this time was different. You could just walk up to an ice cream stand and they would give it to you.”

Overall, the team lived a oncein-a-lifetime experience, winning gold during their first participation ever in the USA Games.

“It was a close game, and we were pulling ahead,” Simard said.

“We were the ones giving them points, and we were like, ‘We’ve got to get out of our heads and not make mistakes.’ Being able to do that and overcome the mistakes — and just pull through and win — it was a good time.”

“We put in so much work and worked so hard for so long,” Clarke said. “It was a surreal moment.”

What’s your favorite thing to do?

Special Olympics, basically, exercising and meeting new people. I love to go to Disney.

What was your favorite Disney park to visit during Special Olympics?

I can’t (answer) that, because I like them all. I always go to Disney, so I only went to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, so I have to say both. Every park is different.

What’s your favorite food?

Probably steak or chicken.

What are three things that make you happy?

My dog (Loretta), CrossFit Winter Garden — this place makes me really happy — and Disney.

Favorite color?

Blue, I’ve liked that color and been a fan of blue since I was a little kid.

What’s the coolest vacation place you’ve been to?

Probably the beach. It’s a relaxing, calm and a pretty happy environment.

Three things on your bucket list?

I’d like to go to Hawaii, I want to go on a trip (and) I have a goal to lift a certain amount of pounds in powerlifting — 300 for deadlift.

— ANDREA MUJICA

Andrea Mujica

FCLS players play games almost every day of the week throughout the season.

Take us out to the ballgame CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

never met one another before.

Isaac Castro, 19, originally from Miami, is a rising sophomore at FAMU majoring in pre-physical therapy who plays middle infield and third base.

“We didn’t know each other that well before,” he said. “Over the days and games we’ve been playing, we’ve become closer and (have) started to build a relationship.”

For Tracy Mitchem, 19, the Warriors baseball field is familiar territory. He is a West Orange High School graduate currently doublemajoring in business and computer science at Tulane University. He plays outfield and first base for the team.

“When I was little, my parents had me do everything; basketball, soccer, baseball, but not football,” he said. “I guess baseball is the one (sport) I fell in love with. … I would say, the biggest difference between high school and college (baseball) is the speed of the game. Everything is moving faster, and balls are getting thrown stronger.”

Former Warrior and TNXL graduate Noah Dickerson joined the Squeeze late in the season. Dickerson, 22, is a rising junior at the

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(teams),” he said. “It was the most fun we’ve had in a while, because the competition was so high. … It was scary, (because) we were up, and we ended up losing the lead.

We got to like 20-21, and it was the last push to get 25. We started stressing for a little bit.”

Christian Borunda, 17, played every game during the USA Games.

But, during the last five minutes of the final game, he was on the bench.

“I felt so much nerves,” he said.

“When they made the last point, I was so happy because I was nervous, but they made it happen. It was such a great feeling.”

Kevin Roberts, 19, was a huge asset to the team during the hardest moments.

“I helped athletes (who) were having some problems adjusting, making sure they were not getting in their head,” he said. “I was approaching them, telling them it was already over, so they wouldn’t get in their head. Building up their confidence, that was my big role.”

Being a part of Special Olympics since she was in fifth grade has inspired Hannah Sauers, 18, to pursue a career in special education.

“It’s the best thing in the world,” she said. “It helped me choose my profession. … I also coach a team that has mostly kids with disabilities on it.”

As the only girl in the team, Sau-

How was training for the Special Olympics?

I trained every Wednesday. When they had CrossFit competitions, I’d go in and work in different movements for my competition.

How was the competition?

My competition was really tough.

I competed against some girls that were not Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Local team wins gold medals

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he is studying finance and completing an MBA. He plays right field for the team.

“I’d played with them two years ago during the COVID-19 years,” he said. “I reached out to coach Mike, and he said that they’d be happy to have me.”

Dickerson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school.

It’s been three years since his decision to attend college, and this upcoming year at college means he has the opportunity to enter the draft.

“I guess whatever happens, happens,” he said.

Similar to pro ball, the FCSL has games scheduled for almost every day of the week. The difference?

No traveling.

Sonny Rao, 19, a rising sophomore at the University of South Florida majoring in finance, plays first base for the team.

“We play more than in college,” he said. “We have a game every day, so you need to figure out when to get your food andShannon your Till, lifts in.”

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hit some balls have the option to report to the field starting at 3:30 p.m.

“I want to gets my reps in and have some fun playing baseball, because it’s something I like to do,” Castro said.

For Dalton Robinson, 19, a rising sophomore at Eastern Florida State College majoring in sports medicine, spending his summer days with the Squeeze has provided him the opportunity to return to the pitcher’s mount. Robinson is also has played in the outfield and first base.

“This is my first time back since my senior year in high school,” he said. “Here, you get a variety of pitchers and learn how to work the zone, too. You see slower pitchers to faster pitchers. You get to see everything that expands your view in college and helps you longer in your career.”

As the games unfold, camaraderie has improved and the connection between the players have become more palpable, therefore, improving their communication We’re all in this together. on the field.

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

3B

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES MARY ANNA PETERMAN DIED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022.

Collins Powell, 7, chanted with energy while practicing her group’s routine.

Mary Anna Peterman, age 84, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at her residence. She was born in The Bronx, New York, the daughter of the late Rita (Miller) and Frank Hanausek, and was employed in Human Resources at Health Central Hospital.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Joseph Peterman, of Winter Garden; three daughters, Judith Pizzonia, of Demorest, Georgia, Susan Byrd, of Winter Garden, and Debra Batchelor, of Leesburg; son, Joseph Peterman, of Winter Springs; sister Michelle Delaney, of Clermont; seven grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2022, at

Lily Moralia and Kinley Sims paired up while playing ‘Chicken in a Henhouse.’

Alberdinah Asma, 94, of Winter Garden, died Sunday, June 12, 2022. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home.

Joyce E. Conover, 78, of Windermere, died Thursday, May 26, 2022. Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations, Winter Garden.

Hyde Park Reception Hall, 14253 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787, for family and friends to share some of their favorite memories of Mary.

RSVPs are required by June 24, 2022, to Susan Byrd at (352) 2786590 or susanbyrd06@embarqmail.com. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Mary’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/ renew or call (800) 272-3900.

M.L. Faircloth, 84, of Winter Garden died Thursday, June 2, 2022. DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory — West Orange Chapel, Ocoee.

David W Rushing, 78, of Winter Garden, died Thursday, June 9, 2022. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

BOOK REVIEW

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‘Stamped’ book addresses racism, its origins and its history

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How would you describe racism?

The Oxford Dictionary describes it as “the inability or refusal to recognize the rights, needs, dignity or value of people of particular races or geographical origins.”

In other words, racism can be judging someone almost primarily based on their skin tone, or how someone looks, talks or acts. Racism can be treating people differently than others just because of their traits — even if they pose no threat at all.

Those are all ways to describe racism, and they are correct.

But most importantly, racism is everywhere, and it unfortunately happens way more often than it should.

But how did it get here? How did racism achieve this form? How did it mutate throughout decades of bias?

Where did it start? And how can it change? These are all questions that have been answered in “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Awardwinning Stamped from the Beginning,” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.

“Stamped” is a nonfiction book that discusses the roots of racism.

Although it is not a history book — according to the author — “Stamped” does a good job of showing the key points in the past that helped construct racism, and how it got stamped into our history, with helpful and insightful information. It also discusses the catalysts and major events that helped racism expand, spread and grow. This book reveals the people who helped combat racism throughout their movements, including Fredrick Douglas, W.E.B. Du Bois and others, while also outlining the difference between racism, nonracism and anti-racism. This book is a remix of another successful work called “Stamped: From the Beginning” and is intended for a younger audience of 12 and up.

Overall, this book is extremely insightful and helps introduce a younger audience to the who, what, where and why of racism in an easy-to-read and informative way.

“Stamped” is highly recommended to all.

Racism and prejudice are serious and ongoing issues not only in the United States but also the entire world in all stages and phases of life. Discrimination needs to be addressed, and books such as these are key in making people learn about these issues, so that more people are inspired, more actions are taken, and racism and prejudice levels decrease.

One thing is for sure though: A better world and a brighter future start with change, and change can start with you.

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THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

5B

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

Windermere student named U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Joshua Brown, a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, will attend Carnegie Mellon University this fall.

KATIE STEED STAFF INTERN

Joshua Brown, of Windermere, dreams of being on stage.

And he’s well on his way.

Most recently, Brown was selected as a 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. He was among 20 students selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars to receive the honor.

The son of Rebecca Brown and Craig Brown, Joshua Brown said he was ecstatic to win the prestigious award.

“You are just recognized by the White House for your exemplary achievement and heart,” he said.

“It’s about who you are as a person.”

“Our 2022 Presidential Scholars represent the best of America and remind us that when empowered by education, there are no lim-

its to what our young people can achieve,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a prepared statement. “Today, I join President (Joe) Biden to celebrate a class of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge, generosity of spirit and exceptional talents bring our nation tremendous pride. Throughout one of the most trying periods in our nation’s history and amid our recovery from the pandemic, our students have once again demonstrated their strength and that they have so much to contribute to our country. Thanks to them, I know America’s future is bright.”

This achievement is impressive, but it becomes extraordinary once you realize the process Joshua Brown went through to be nominated for this award — let alone win.

First, he had to apply for the YoungArts competition through

Courtesy photos

Joshua Brown will attend Carnegie Mellon University this fall.

his school, Interlochen Arts Academy. YoungArts is a competition held annually in Miami. Many performers, such as Viola Davis, Timothee Chalamet and King Princess, have won the YoungArts competition.

“You basically audition and you throw your video out in the dark, and you just hope on getting some recognition,” Joshua Brown said.

Not only did he make it as a finalist for YoungArts, but also Joshua Brown was one of 60 students nominated for the Presidential Scholarship. From there, he made it to the top 20 students for the ultimate nomination spot.

Joshua Brown had to compete against more than 5,500 students from both YoungArts and the nominees from the Presidential Scholarship to emerge as the winner.

When asked how his life has changed since winning this scholarship, he simply said his day-today life hasn’t changed at all but his attitude about himself and acting has.

“I think the biggest thing that has changed is that I believe in myself a lot more,” he said. “Acting is an unpredictable profession, but this is an anchor for me to remember that I am a Presidential Scholar.”

Before he won the Presidential Scholarship of the Arts, Joshua Brown performed 14 shows throughout his high school career.

His top favorites are “Winter’s Tale” at Interlochen, “The Lower Depths” at Interlochen and “Medea” at Montverde Academy.

“I’m proud of them, because I struggled in the beginning, and I think those have required me to work the hardest,” he said. “I challenged myself with what being an artist means. I had to take so much

Left: Joshua Brown wants to pursue theater as a career.

Below: Joshua Brown performed in 14 shows throughout his highschool career.

time out of rehearsal and work with myself and make sure I was coming to the rehearsal every single day ready to work.”

The teachers Joshua Brown would love to thank are Christine Marie Brown, Bill Church and Gulshirin Dubash — all from Interlochen. He said they all pushed him when it came to acting, displayed inspiring leadership and were incredibly kind to him throughout his time at Interlochen.

Joshua Brown has committed to Carnegie Mellon University this fall in Pittsburgh, where he will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in acting. His ultimate career goal after college is to “pursue theater, because all of the actors that I have grown up admiring have all started in the theater, and I think that it turns you into an artist prepared for anything. If I start with theater, you can truly take on anything after that.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY JUNE 17, 1972 21 S. Main St., in downtown Winter Garden, has held many businesses through the years. It currently houses Sweet Dee’s Cupcakery, but in 1982, it was a game room and arcade called Inner-City Family Fun. The operators offered freebies in hopes of drawing crowds of children and teens into the establishment to play games such as Super Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Jr., Q*bert or Tron. In the June 17 issue of The Times, the business advertised free games to students who took in an A or B report card and to anyone wearing a sports uniform.

85 years ago

The Lakeview High auditorium was packed with guests to see the members of the senior class receive their diplomas. Special mention was given to Harold Henschen, valedictorian, and Harold Britt, salutatorian. The American Legion medals for citizenship were awarded to Mary Roper and Wilbur Clounts of junior high school.

80 years ago

The city of Ocoee committee for the USO War Fund drive thanked all who cooperated to make it a success. Serving with Mrs. E.C. Muir, chairman, were Mrs. J.M. Grafton, Mrs. Dudley Wilson, Mrs. W.S. Pounds and Mrs. Mary Griffin.

70 years ago

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Eight West Orange natives graduated from the University of Florida in a class of 992. Receiving degrees were Charles McKim Barley, John Lucian Beck, William Borysewich, Harold Denmark and Ralph Harrell, all of Winter Garden; William Clifford Davis, of Ocoee; David Stanford, of Oakland; and Nina Janie Morrill, of Killarney.

Juneteenth began as a Texas holiday but is now celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the United States. Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, it also has been referred to as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day. It commemorates the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared an end to slavery in that state — two-and-one-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1863.

Black history is crucial to our total story. The T-shirt was donated to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation by Chester L. Keith of Atlanta, Georgia, whose family has been established in West Orange County for many years. The seven oranges represent seven brothers who worked the groves for the Roper and Britt citrus growing operations. The Keith Family Reunion was held May 28 in Oakland and honored A.B. Keith Jr.

55 years ago

50 years ago

A barbecue was held to honor former Orange County Sheriff Dave Starr. It was an occasion where bigwigs relaxed and enjoyed an opportunity to visit with friends.

40 years ago

Linda Anderson and Gretchen Boyd, co-chairs of the West

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.

Orange Junior Service League, presented specially designed R.I.F. T-shirts to Dillard Street Elementary School essay winners Jeni Quesinberry, Melissa Hall and LeeAnn Dault.

Gene Murphy was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Windermere at a ladies night banquet at Bay Hill Country Club. He also was honored by being named a Paul Harris Fellow.

30 years ago

Charles E. “Chet” Hawthorne III, of Windermere, received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was a 1991 graduate of West Orange High School.

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church said goodbye to its former pastor, the Rev. Jim Harnish, and welcomed the Rev. William S. Barnes as its new pastor.

20 years ago

An organizational meeting of the new West Orange Red Hat Society was held, and women ages 50 and older were invited to attend wearing a purple dress. Attending the inaugural RHS meeting were Audra Butler, Joan Teal Griffin, Teresa Sabat, Viola Gallagher, June Sunday, Anna Fulford, Zoe Taylor, Vikki Chitwood, Laveta Marsden, Jeanetta Vanover and Beverly Lee.

crossword

celebrity cipher

STUFF THE BIRD by Doug Burnikel and Zhouqin Burnikel. Edited by David Steinberg

DOWN

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

33 It has a screamo subgenre 1 “Doggone it!”

35 Gobbled up 5 Sailor’s “Stop!”

10 ___ sci (study of govt.) 37 “La Vie en Rose” Oscar winner (First two + last five) 14 Godsends 43 Hardly wordy 19 Fencing sword 47 Low-pH compounds 20 Apple product giant 48 Crave 21 Actor Leslie ___ Jr. 49 Say a bad word 22 “... never mind, then” 50 Tahoe and Santa Fe, e.g.

23 Reliable source of income (Note this answer’s 51 Field trip vehicle first two + last three letters) 52 “Buzz off!”

25 One is easy to buy (First 56 Stat for David Ortiz 57 Uno + due three + last two) 58 Societal practices in 27 Bridge capacity unit Hanoi (First one + last six) 28 Response at the door 64 Boot camp VIPs 29 Goes downhill 66 Wise person 30 Patch things up?

67 Place for breaking 31 “The X-Files” agent stories Scully 68 Canceled abruptly

70 French cap 73 Analogy phrase 74 Provincetown’s peninsula 77 ___ of March 79 Empty talk 83 “This is how things are ...” (First three + last two) 87 Sci-fi vessel 88 Tribute in verse 89 Cyber Monday events 90 Kitchen insect 91 Garden for 96-Down 92 Drink like a puppy 95 Like resistance bands 99 The first “A” of AAPI 100 Wipe clean 101 Course taught in Quebec (First four + last two) 104 Book with a legend 106 “Hulk” director Lee

1 Robin’s home 2 As many as 3 Adolescent behind the wheel 4 Clownfish’s home 5 “The Moon Lady” author 6 Promises 7 Molecule part 8 Potholes’ spots 9 Chastising sound 10 ___ stick (bouncing toy) 11 What nitrogen lacks 12 Less taut 13 “That’s hilarious!”

14 “Best of” collections, often 15 Tolkien brute 16 Burden 17 Place for a stud 18 Kimchi-jjigae or goulash, e.g.

24 Velociraptors and others, briefly 26 Rhinitis doc 29 Howling animal 32 Lends a hand 34 Sch. near Harvard 36 Just released 37 Poles on boats 107 Future OB-GYN’s hurdle 38 Luxury Honda 39 Board game with Dr. 108 Take the stage Orchid 111 Law grad’s hurdle 40 Deposes 114 Jargon 41 Get defeated 117 Asleep 120 Drowned out (First two 42 Tetherball paths 44 “Boston Legal” episode, + last four) 122 Icing on the cake (First now 45 Buffalo hockey pro three + last two) 46 Great Lake with 2,000+ 124 Walked anxiously shipwrecks 125 Fast time?

51 Splits in two 126 “America” singer in 53 One pushup, e.g.

“West Side Story” 54 Amazonian berry 127 Guthrie of folk 55 Picture with two views, 128 Makes a winter often blanket?

58 Irritates 129 Timeline segments 59 Capture 130 Parceled (out) 131 Winter Palace monarch, 60 At least 100, for a centenarian once 61 Promotion basis

62 Divulge 63 Tugboat’s signal 65 Stare in disbelief 69 Qatar’s capital 71 End of LSU’s URL 72 Oolong, for one 74 Tree for a totem pole 75 Food similar to a gordita 76 Marina ___ Rey 78 Curry may leave one on a shirt 80 Museum visitors’ downloads 81 “Sorry to say ...”

82 Chieng of “Crazy Rich Asians” 83 Place to sink a putt 84 Viewed 85 Mallorca, por ejemplo 86 Part of a foot 91 “Como ___ usted?”

93 Chloe Kim’s Olympic team 94 Places for kitties to dream 96 First person?

97 Envy, for one 98 Movie slogan 99 Austin Powers’ neckwear 101 Pop singer King 102 Signoff words in a letter 103 “So happy for you!”

105 Young bloke 108 Venmo and others 109 Group in Dundee 110 Chalupa alternative 112 Warrior princess of TV 113 Origami and ikebana, e.g.

115 Not out of contention 116 Kid-lit’s ___ the Great 118 Sch. west of Beverly Hills 119 Avenger with lightning power 121 Mostly poisonous tree 122 Closest peeps 123 Feed bag tidbit

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“HWAMWX DKM VHW MWYA DFNRX HTMSR RKXIEXYUXE MF RKXNF YNOX XLZXFNXWVXE, NW IA INWP, NEW’R H UXFA BMMP DFNRXF.” – FMTXFR FMPFNBSXC

“YSLYIS MIGMJE EMJ, ‘VTSJ (VSSHE) HSSW M PLLW VMIBRHP-VL. R’US HSUSF MPFSSW GRVT VTMV. M BRW HSSWE M PLLW IREVSHRHP-VL.”

– HMLCR XNWW

“DVUDGV LMX EMCV BYV TUFGA OI BYV TMI BYVI BYPXN MXA OI BYV TMI BYVI OVYMCV MXA TYMB BYVI YUGA BU OV PRDUFBMXB.” © 2022 NEA, Inc.

– LIXAP GMWDVF

Puzzle Three Clue: N equals K

The Winter Garden Lions Club was given some insight to what can be expected with the coming of Walt Disney World, when John W. Rynerson, president of the MidFlorida Publishing Company, was guest speaker.

Puzzle Two Clue: N equals U

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue: L equals X

6B

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

6-23-22

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY,JUNE 23, 2022

7B

Hailee Charles used a blow dryer to dry her dog painting.

Right: Sadie Scott collected a rainbow of colors for her Doggy Doodles.

A ruff life: Art Room campers show off canine creativity

Lifebridge had a plethora of games and activities set up for the students to enjoy.

Lifebridge Church celebrates miracle of Jesus at 2022 VBS

C

hildren at Lifebridge Church in Horizon West enjoyed a week of faithful fun during the church’s 2022 Vacation Bible School June 13 to 17.

Themed “Unexplainable: The Miracle of Jesus,” this year’s VBS featured a variety of music, activities and lessons based on Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Following four nights of VBS fun, children and their families celebrated the end of an exciting week with food trucks, bounce houses and more.

Savannah Deutsch, Rafaella Coppa and Maddie Grubb are helpers at the camp session.

W

indermere-area children are tapping into their creative sides this summer at The Art Room’s summer camp program. In a recent week, during the Doggy Doodles camp, students worked on a painting of Doodle Dog and also made a wall hanging. In addition, the camps teach art principles such as color theory, design, drawing, and looking at positive and negative shapes.

Courtesy photos

Each night of VBS began and ended with live music.

— MICHAEL ENG Jimmy Denham showed off his painting proudly.

Frostina, Fishstick and Sunshine were the three characters for “Unexplainable: The Miracle of Jesus.”

— ANNABELLE SIKES

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

RED PAGES redpages@orangeobserver.com • orangeobserver.com/redpages

Furnishings

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DEADLINES: Classifieds - Friday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Observer Media Group to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Anyone who can only write about themselves or their life experiences, in my mind, isn’t a very good writer.”

Robert Rodriguez

Puzzle Two Solution: “People always say, ‘They (teens) need a good talking-to.’

I’ve never agreed with that. A kid needs a good listening-to.”

Naomi Judd

Puzzle Three Solution: “People can save the world by the way they think and by the way they behave and what they hold to be important.”

Cyndi Lauper

OrangeObserver.com

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Celebrating 50 years of

Community “The West Orange Chamber provides us with an opportunity to do

our part as business leaders in the community. No matter our level of commitment, we know we are helping by being connected through this collective knowledge and voice that the Chamber has impressively assembled over the last 50 years.”

Take the lead today.

Join us!

HAROLD GATTEREAU

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The West Orange Chamber of Commerce

(407) 656-1304 12184 West Colonial Dr in Winter Garden

www.wochamber.com

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VISIT DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN FOR A SLICE OF PATRIOTIC SMALL TOWN CHARM. THE FESTIVE DECORATIONS ARE BETTER THAN APPLE PIE!

4th OF JULY FESTIVITIES Friday, July 1 • 7-9 pm

Live Blues Music Centennial Plaza • Historic Downtown

Saturday, July 2 • 8 am-1 pm

Live Music • Kids’ Crafts • Patriotic Decorations Lawn Games • Summer Produce & BBQ Essentials Downtown Pavilion • 104 S. Lakeview Ave.

Monday, July 4 • Parade at 10 am (Line up 9:45 am) Kids Free Pancake Breakfast – 8 am Entertainment, Activities, and Fun! Winter Garden Masonic Lodge • 230 W. Bay St.

Monday, July 4 • 11 am & 1:15 pm Film Screening of WWII Documentary Garden Theatre • 160 W. Plant St.

Monday, July 4 • 9:15 pm

Fireworks Display on Lake Apopka Festivities begin at 6 pm – Games, Crafts, Vendors, & More Newton Park • 29 W. Garden Ave.

All Fourth of July Festivities are FREE.

www.cwgdn.com

www.downtownwg.com

@OfficialDowntownWinterGarden