12.07.23 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.

Christmas cheer rolls at annual parade. SEE 7A.

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

VOLUME 90, NO. 49

Schwenn Services celebrates 20 years The father-son company in Winter Garden has met the needs of customers in the Central Florida area for two decades. SEE 5A.

YOUR TOWN FARM TO HOST VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER Special Hearts Farm’s sixth annual Boots, Wine and Dine Under the Virtual Stars will be held from Dec. 8 through 10 online. Sponsorships range from $500 to $1,000 and include gifts ranging from a T-shirt to restaurant gift cards to signage on animal stalls. To sponsor, visit specialheartsfarm.com.

The Winter Garden nonprofit serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities. For information, call (407) 347-8431.

All is merry & bright

LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS CONTINUE

Several holiday festivities are taking place this week in West Orange County.

Chabad of South Orlando will lead the Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Butterfly Sculpture Park in downtown Winter Garden.

Mistletoe Market at Hamlin runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. The market will feature a diverse selection of unique small businesses, handmade holiday treasures and one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans and craft vendors.

The city of Ocoee will host its Jolly Jamboree and Holiday Tree Lighting event from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, on McKey Street in downtown Ocoee and at City Hall and the historic Withers-Maguire House. Activities include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, games, inflatables, carnival rides, musical performances, carriage rides, craft vendors, downtown merchants and food trucks.

A Holiday Dog Parade will kick off at 3 p.m. (with judging at 2:30); register at ocoee.org. The tree lighting ceremony will start at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 N. Bluford Ave. Call (407) 905-3180 or visit ocoee.org for information.

In Gotha, Nehrling Gardens will hold its annual Holiday Amaryllis Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, with blooming amaryllis, boxed bulbs and rare hybrid bulbs available for purchase. The event also includes photos with Santa and other photo opportunities, a holiday plant and vendor market, crafts for children, food trucks, and demonstrations on splitting logs and making pottery. Guests are asked to take an unwrapped toy or a food item for a local charity.

Ocoee crossing guard Leonarda Richardson — known to the children as “Mrs. Lee” — is throwing a Christmas party for the students she helps.

STORY ON PAGE 4A.

Annabelle Sikes

Mrs. Lee has a special place in her heart for community members in Ocoee.

She even made a Christmas wreath for a local garbage collection worker.

Luck of the Irish

Longtime Oakland scoutmaster to retire Todd Shaw has assisted 30 teens in Troop 145 in obtaining their Eagle scout rank. 6A.

West Orange High’s Ivan Taylor has committed to playing college football at Notre Dame. SEE 1B.

2A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

Maria Font was thrilled to light a candle at Light Up Winter Garden.

Sharing their Christmas wish list with Santa and Mrs. Calus were Emari Atkinson, Daya’Mora Vazquez, Elijah Atkinson and Adonis Roberts.

The highlight of Light Up Winter Garden is the throwing of the switch to turn Plant Street’s trees and buildings in a winter wonderland of lights.

Mayor John Rees and the city commissioners participated in the program, and the mayor’s wife, Linda Rees, threw the ceremonial switch. Participating churches were Church of the Messiah, Cornerstone Community Church, Resurrection Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, People of Faith Lutheran

Church, Southside Church and First Baptist Church of Winter Garden.

Children and families had fun at the snow slide and snow pile and enjoyed spending a few minutes with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

Ventrac 4520

Carmelo Nuccio took a turn on the snow slide.

Julius Zuckerman was excited to pose with some elves on stilts.

SHOP OR RENT AT 415593-1

T

he city of Winter Garden held its annual Light Up celebration Friday, Dec. 1, along downtown Plant Street. Musical acts performed on various stages throughout the night, and vendors lined the street selling holiday décor and fun merchandise.

Locations: Winter Garden, Clermont, Ocala | www.mainstreetmower.com

No Sweat.

We’re Here.

We know emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. With 14 ER locations throughout Central Florida, we’re ready to provide expert emergency care if you’re facing one.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll find a place where chaos meets calm and uncertainty finds answers. Giving you more reasons to choose well. OrlandoHealth.com/ER

choose well.

398875-1

10000 W. Colonial Dr. | Ocoee, FL 34761

Emergency Room

1879950 Facilities ER - HWH 2023-ER Print Ads West Orange Times & West Orange Observer 11.25x9.833.indd 1

11/30/23 2:42 PM

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

3A

MERRIMENT FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP

Courtesy photos

The production requires its actors to also play musical insturments and accompany themselves throughout the story.

‘Moonshine & Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas Tale’ will run through Dec. 23, at the Garden Theatre.

NEWS EDITOR

IF YOU GO

est Orange County residents are experiencing the joy of a traditional Appalachian Christmas tale with the production of “Moonshine & Mistletoe” running through Dec. 23, at the Garden Theatre in downtown Winter Garden.

Rated G and suitable for the whole family, the show is presented by Garden Theatre and produced by Victory Productions and Jessica Huckabey Theatricals, with the book

by DJ Salisbury and arrangements by Larry Moore.

In the show, the Ballards — Lessy Boy and Curleen — welcome family and friends into their Appalachian mountain home to celebrate Christmas. In the midst of the Great Depression, they have no gifts to exchange, but instead, they share their love of Appalachian hymns and carols.

Unexpectedly, the Ballard’s son, who had left the fold to escape a certain fate in the coal mines, returns to make amends with his parents. With him is his soon-to-be-a-mother wife.

Although Curleen seems incapable of negotiating a peaceful reconciliation with her son, a Christmas miracle opens up a new possibility of forgiveness.

“Part of the ‘why’ when I was writing this piece is that I grew up in eastern Kentucky, and I think it’s sort of a unique place in America and in the world with how music is woven into the heritage and culture,” Salisbury said.“I wanted to bring the kind of music that was essentially ‘stuck in the hills’ to a broader public, because it’s beautiful stuff. The show encompasses mainly authentic hymns, carols and comedy songs from Appalachia. The three songs I wrote just to augment the score so that I could keep it authentic to the time and place. … It was a real labor of love. Bringing these kinds of

‘MOONSHINE & MISTLETOE: AN APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS TALE’ WHEN: Through Dec. 23 WHERE: Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden TICKETS: bit.ly/3ux7UJ6 INFORMATION: Call (407) 877-4736 or email boxoffice@ gardentheatre.org

W

not-often-heard songs to the broader public was really one of the big goals, in addition to wanting to highlight and celebrate American Christmas traditions.”

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

“‘Moonshine & Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas Tale’ was pitched as an original holiday musical with a unique approach of actors who sing, dance and play instruments while telling this heartwarming tale,” Garden Theatre COO Keith Davenport said. “This delivery approach was yet to be seen on the Garden Theatre stage at this level, and we, along with producing partner Victory Productions, wanted to give that offering to patrons and the Winter Garden community for the holiday.”

Salisbury has had the piece for about a decade and did one developmental production as a test. Although the show did well and spawned a cast album featuring Broadway performers, the show was never picked up — until recently.

“You write what you write because you have a push to write it,” he said.

“That never really, usually, has anything to do with whether it will be produced. We make what we make because we’re artists. We’re pushed to create. For me, the opportunity to have something produced is wonderful and rare. I’ve had things produced, and I’m very grateful for the things that have

been produced, but there are just as many projects that haven’t yet been produced because you’re always, as a creative artist, waiting for somebody to say, ‘Yes.’ It was so fast and unexpected — but also so wonderful.

I’m just grateful they said, ‘Yes.’” Salisbury said seeing characters who reflect the people he grew up with come to life was his favorite part in producing the show.

“They’re based upon real people, with real wants and needs and real love for (one another),” he said.

“Seeing these actors deliver that family warmth and the connection they all have is something so special. … I look to create material that is about connecting people, and I think that’s what theater does so brilliantly.”

Kamilah Lay, 26, plays the character of Dovey, the unmarried daughter of the Ballard family. At 24, she is considered an “old maid.”

“I got to create Dovey almost entirely from scratch using the beautiful script written by our director, DJ Salisbury, as a guide,” she said. “The biggest challenge, initially, was finding motivation for why Dovey makes a lot of decisions she does in the show. Just from reading the script to myself, it was difficult to figure out why exactly Dovey would be single and so hopeless in love, but through playing with the text and interacting with the other actors throughout our creative process, I was able to discover what a humongous dork Dovey is, which happens to be my favorite part about her. Unlike many of the female characters we see presented in stories that take place in the 1930s and 1940s, the Ballard women are strong, opinionated and not afraid to be themselves, and Dovey is no exception. She is excitable, loves her family deeply and cannot help but dance when the music starts. Dovey is a character I have fallen in love with; it’s a joy to play her every night.”

As a native of Wisconsin, this is the first time Lay is performing in Florida.

The musical premiered Nov. 24 at the Garden Theatre.

She was attracted to the production because it requires the actors to also play musical instruments and accompany themselves throughout the story.

“I’ve been playing violin (mostly classical) since I was 4 years old, but only in the last five years or so have I had the opportunity to combine theater with my musical instrument,” she said. “In those five years, I have met and worked with the most brilliant and talented people, and they’re what keep me coming back to these kinds of shows. The actor-musician world has challenged me in ways I never thought possible and taught me so much about not only the violin but also about myself as an actor and a person.

“The second thing that attracted me to this production was the subject matter,” she said. “My great-grandma Bernice was born in 1926 in the hills of West Virginia. Her father was a farmer, and she was one of 10 siblings.

Before her passing in 2007, she spent many nights recounting the stories of her upbringing in Appalachia, so I feel

incredibly honored to tell this story in her honor.”

David Finch, 55, plays Wilmer Flutie, the local moonshiner.

“Wilmer is essentially one of only two non-family members depicted in the show; he’s on the outs with the maternal figure (Curleen) and has to work his way back into her good graces,” he said. “His profession as a moonshiner, and all that goes with that, has probably caused this disharmony. So, he uses his charm and humor to re-establish his relationships with the Ballard family. As an actor, riding that ever-thin line of character and caricature is always tricky with a more chromatic character such as Wilmer. But, DJ wrote a very funny part, and if I stay true to the script and trust what he’s written, Wilmer plays out how he should. My favorite thing about him is my chance to bring some bits of the more colorful people I’ve known in my life into my interpretation of him.”

415638-1

ANNABELLE SIKES

4A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor / Sam Albuquerque, sama@OrangeObserver.com Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Graphic Designer / Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

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.

Annabelle Sikes

Leonarda Richardson has been stationed at the same spot in Ocoee for the last seven years.

Suite 180, Winter Garden.

Ocoee crossing guard to host Christmas party for children “… They’re not mine, but I watch them like they’re mine. They’re so sweet and innocent. People drive down this road way too fast and they’re not paying attention.

They don’t ask for any of that. They’re just children.”

— Leonarda Richardson

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

I

f you’re driving down East Orlando Avenue on a weekday morning or a weekday afternoon, you’re bound to come across Mrs. Lee. Leonarda Richardson, a crossing guard with the Ocoee Police Department, has stood at the intersection of East Orlando Avenue and Sleepy Harbour Drive for seven years.

Every resident who passes by Mrs. Lee is treated exactly the same: with a warm smile and a friendly wave.

Although Mrs. Lee is well known to the entire neighborhood, there isn’t anyone who adores her more than the children headed to school.

“They’re my babies,” she said. “I watch out for these kids. If somebody hurts them, I get very mad. They’re not mine, but I watch them like they’re mine. They’re so sweet and innocent. People drive down this road way too fast and they’re not paying attention. They don’t ask for any of that. They’re just children.”

IT’S THE SMALL THINGS

It started with one little girl in the third grade named Kaitlyn.

When Mrs. Lee started at her post, Kaitlyn began to show up and stand with her.

The two would play games such as jump rope, dance or even pat-acake. Kaitlyn was always showing Mrs. Lee just how much she adored her, bringing her presents such as popsicles and sodas.

Mrs. Lee said the pair had the greatest time on that sidewalk, and many of the other children started to notice.

“It was so fun, and from that, all the children started to come and play more and more,” she said. “They would show me their grades, and I would encourage them to improve and then they would do better. I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate them.”

This will be the fifth year Mrs. Lee is hosting her Christmas party for the children who come to her post on their way home from school.

Although the party used to be hosted in the summer, it was too hot

ATTEND THE PARTY WHEN: 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 WHERE: Harbor Highlands subdivision

and has become an annual December tradition.

This year, the party will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Harbor Highlands subdivision.

Mrs. Lee will pass out bags of candy, local pizza places will donate slices, and Ocoee resident Richard Mack will bring his grill to make chicken, hotdogs and hamburgers.

Children will have the opportunity play games, make necklaces, dance to music, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and take photos with Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber from VeggieTales.

What started off as five children on the corner, grew from 15, to 30 and then 45 children at last year’s party.

Mrs. Lee said children she is unfamiliar with already have started to come walking by her post in anticipation of the party. She expects some children who have grown up or moved away to also come back and visit at the party.

“I just want to show love to the children in our community,” she said.

COMMUNITY CARETAKER

Originally from Ohio, Mrs. Lee came in 1998 to Orlando with her family.

She started working as a floater crossing guard in 2012, where she had the opportunity to explore and get to know the Ocoee community she has called home for 15 years.

Mrs. Lee meets all kinds of people at her post.

She remembers community members’ stories down to every detail and looks forward to her daily conversations with those who pass by walking their dogs, riding their bikes or taking their daily run.

She never misses a wave or a smile to a person, car or bus passing by.

When it’s cold, one neighbor brings her hot cocoa, tea or warm cookies. When she’s sick, people immediately notice she’s missing.

One woman even stopped to ask Mrs. Lee’s shoe size and gifted her with new running shoes.

If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway,

“Different people have told me I’m not allowed to leave here,” she said.

“One lady asked me why I can’t be here in the summer, and I told her I don’t do summers because it’s too hot out here. She told me they want me around here all year and that I make a difference. I don’t know what I do though. I just stand here and cross the kids. I appreciate the way that people feel about me, but it also makes me feel uncomfortable, because even though it’s not what we think of as responsibility, it’s my job to make sure that whatever it is they’re looking for, I give it. I just feel like I’ve really been blessed with this gift to show love. It’s an honor to know some people see me like that.”

Although Mrs. Lee loves people in general, nothing lights her face up more than seeing the children.

Like the trees and flowers that have changed and grown near the stop, Mrs. Lee has watched the children bloom and become young adults.

She said the children keep her young and she has learned to communicate with them in a way they understand. She often struggles having conversations with adults now because of her constant discussions with the children.

Even when she’s not at her post, Mrs. Lee spends her free time around children. She teaches Sunday school at Remnant Christian Center in Apopka.

“I just love and enjoy being around the kids,” she said. “They have such a quick way of letting go and forgiving.

I think the world needs more of that.”

Mrs. Lee lives in Ocoee with her husband, and the pair have two children who are now older and off on their own.

When she’s not with the children, Mrs. Lee loves to be creative and inventive, sewing and making crafts.

One of her most recent projects is an Elf on the Shelf-themed Christmas wreath she created for one of the local garbage collection women.

Mrs. Lee hopes to continue hosting the party in the future, giving the children something to look forward to and work toward.

TO ADVERTISE

For display or digital advertising, call (407) 656-2121.

For Classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.

SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

To contact us, email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP PUBLIC NOTICES

The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120)

WEST ORANGE TIMES

The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida.

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, LWR Life Magazine, Key Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

Founding Editor and CEO / Matt Walsh President / Emily Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

1970 Main St. Third Floor Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

OrangeObserver.com © 2023 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

5A

Winter Garden AC company turns 20 AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

When Jeff Schwenneker started his air-conditioning and electrical company out of his home in 2003, he had three employees, one of whom was his son, Jeffry.

Twenty years later, the owners of Schwenn Services boast close to 50 employees and a reputation for loyalty and honesty.

Schwenn offers electrical services, thermal imaging, design/build, lighting protection, retrofits, new construction and remodeling, and more. The Schwenneker fatherson business recently celebrated two decades of operation providing services to commercial customers.

“We’ve always had an excellent working relationship,” Jeff Schwenneker said of his son and him. “I don’t remember a time when we’ve had an argument. There’s been times when we’ve sat across from each other and times were tough and we said, ‘What are we going to do?’ You don’t always hear about a successful father-son businesses, but this one works.”

Another son, Brent Schwenneker, worked for the company for a time, too.

“The analogy I try to give everyone is that he and I are like chips and salsa,” Jeffry Schwenneker said. “No one goes to the store and buys just salsa. … You can’t have one without the other.

“I try to do what he doesn’t enjoy

doing, and he does what I don’t enjoy doing or can’t do,” he said. “I manage day-to-day, hour-to-hour management of the business. I’m the farmer; Dad’s the hunter, the one with all the relationships.”

“A lot of people say, ‘Don’t go in business with your family; there’s a lot of strife,” Jeff Schwenneker said. “We don’t have any of that.

He respects where I came from, and I respect where he’s come from — (growing up with) the internet, cell phones, computers.”

Jeff Schwenneker said he was hands-on in the company’s earlier years, and he worked on project management, estimating, and loading trailers and trucks. In recent years, the company started hiring project managers so he could focus on estimating.

The business has had several addresses through the years, starting in a business park in Ocoee before moving to warehouse space in Winter Garden. Three years ago, the Schwennekers operated near the airport in Orlando. But the dream always was to move the company to downtown Winter Garden.

One day, Jeff Schwenneker drove down a few side streets near Plant Street and found a building that was available on North Woodland Avenue. It was a former house built around 1955 — it still had the original pink and green bathrooms — and it was the perfect new home for Schwenn Services.

The company has had customers

“The analogy I try to give everyone is that he and I are like chips and salsa. No one goes to the store and buys just salsa. … You can’t have one without the other.

— Jeffry Schwenneker

Amy Quesinberry

Jeffry Schwenneker, left, and his father, Jeff Schwenneker, operate Schwenn Services out of a former house on North Woodland Street in Winter Garden.

who have stayed loyal to the Schwennekers since the beginning.

Jeff Schwenneker opened the business after working for a large company, and he knew he needed to start small and slowly grow.

“We were doing $100,000 in service,” Jeffry Schwenneker said. “(But) when you put in a system, you have to have the service. It’s now doing about $3 million per year.

(Dad) gets all the credit for that.

“That’s his baby, and he grew it to that,” Jeffry Schwenneker said.

“That’s to his credit. He’s hired the right people.”

Jeff Schwenneker instead gives credit to his employees who are efficient and get the jobs done day after day.

“What’s kept them loyal to us is we don’t work from the top down, from the president down, but we start at the maintenance guy and go up from there,” he said. “I think our customers have seen that over the years. We do what we say we’re going to do.

Sometimes it costs us money, and sometimes we make money.”

SCHWENN SERVICES PHONE: (407) 895-7550 WEBSITE: Schwennservices.com

Schwenn has handled some large projects through the years, including the Veterans Administration, Foundation Academy, Holy Land, Disney Springs and the Kennedy Space Center. The company has done a great deal of school renovations as well as work at area hospitals, too.

It did work on one of the city’s fire stations and currently is changing the air-conditioning units on the Garden Theatre. Healthy West Orange is another client.

The Schwenn office has a lowkey vibe and makes people feel comfortable when they first enter. On occasion, maintenance employees with the city of Winter Garden stop by for a quick visit with the staff.

“That’s what’s been part of our success — they don’t have to go through the receptionist when they come in the door,” Jeffry

Schwenneker said. “They don’t have to deal with his secretary, because he doesn’t have one.”

The business keeps regular office hours, but clients know they can call the Schwennekers directly if they are in need.

“This world’s about people and not what we have and how much we have,” Jeff Schwenneker said.

The Schwennekers have built their business on trustworthiness and giving back to the community.

They recently joined the WG100 organization that collects monetary donations from members and distributes them quarterly to needy organizations.

Jeffry Schwenneker said he appreciates all the hard work his father has put in to help make the business a success.

“When I get out of bed each day (and know) that what he started and has continued all these years — (I’m grateful) I can continue that every day,” he said. “Every decision (I make) revolves around that.”

Honoring Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season

Woodlawn’s 24 Annual th

Holiday Remembrance Service

412872-1

Woodlawn Memorial Park 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road Gotha, FL 34734

December 12, 2023 7:00 - 8:00 PM

6A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Scoutmaster closing 2023 with retirement AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Dozens of scouts in Boy Scout Troop 145 have benefited from the leadership of Scoutmaster Todd Shaw. After eight years, he has made the decision to retire from the position and allow someone else to mentor the next group of young men who will rise up through the program at Oakland Presbyterian Church.

Shaw’s final “scoutmaster minute” — in which he shares about 60 seconds of wisdom at the end of the troop meeting — is Jan. 2, 2024.

Shaw is the troop’s second scoutmaster since its inception in 2005. He replaced Tom Davis after he died in 2015. Shaw was familiar with the troop after joining with his grandson, Joey Rosenbaum, and had been serving as a committee chairman.

Shaw said he and his wife, Betsy VanderLey, now are empty-nesters, and he wants to spend more time with her, maybe take a few trips together.

Since he became scoutmaster, Shaw has used his vacation time for winter and summer scout camps and VanderLey has taken separate vacations.

“I also looked at the amount of adults that were active, and I thought it’s a good time,” Shaw said. “There’s a lot of great men that can step up right now.”

The new scoutmaster will be Justin Farr, who has been involved in the troop for about seven years and whose son, Caleb, recently obtained his Eagle scout rank.

Shaw said he appreciates the values taught in scouting. He grew up in a small town with a population of 50, and boy scouts was not an option.

But he still learned many of the skills taught in scouting.

“We camped a lot, and we naturally learned things from our dads that scouts teach,” he said.

Shaw’s first involvement with scouting came in the 1990s when

his sons joined Troop 210 in Winter Garden. When they lost interest in scouts, Shaw thought he was done.

Until his grandson came along, and Shaw found himself in the middle of troop activities and campouts once again in Oakland.

This time, the passion stuck, and Rosenbaum and Shaw enjoyed the scout’s rise through the ranks to Eagle and all the lessons that were taught along the way.

“A lot of my boys learned how to safely build a campfire and set up tents and use an ax and a saw, and we teach them how to safely use a bow and arrow and use shotgun,” Shaw said.

“We teach them how to row and steer a canoe.

“I’ve watched (Joey) and the boys who came up with him and how they grew up to be great young men — from boys to outstanding young men,” Shaw said. “I thought, when Mr. Davis passed away, this couldn’t let the troop evaporate into nothing.”

So, he became the troop’s second scoutmaster.

Shaw said he didn’t create anything new when he took over as troop leader.

He just continued the legacy of Davis and David Sharpe, the former assistant scoutmaster who died during the pandemic.

“I watched in amazement how he worked with the boys,” Shaw said.

“At the point (Sharpe) took them, they were young men, and he guided them.

And I just followed in their footsteps.

I saw that the boys had fun, the boys enjoyed the troop.

“I even remember a boy when Tom was scoutmaster,” he said. “We were on a campout, and there was a new boy who came to the troop. After the campout, he came up to Mr. Davis, and he said, ‘I never had so much fun on a campout.’”

That is why Shaw was committed as scout leader.

He estimates he has been instrumental in mentoring close to 30 scouts on their rigorous path to the rank of Eagle. Many of the

The boys wanted to compete in a council event called the Raft Regatta. David Sharpe designed the raft, but the boys did all the work and ended up in first place.

projects have been at the Oakland Nature Preserve, and the boys have constructed benches, picnic tables and even a period-style well from stone and wood.

Eagle candidates also have created mileage markers at Tucker Ranch, built circular benches around trees, and poured sidewalks and helped out at the preschool at Oakland Presbyterian. A flagpole and several memorials for Oakland’s military personnel are located at Speer Park as part of another scout’s project.

Shaw’s grandson’s project was to build an outdoor xylophone in the preschool playground.

Rosenbaum is 25 and has landed a great job, Shaw said.

“I know that the Eagle rank helped him on his job resume, because they needed someone who could pass an FBI security clearance,” he said.

Although Shaw won’t be scoutmaster after the first of the year, he will continue the tradition of offering the troop the use of his shop and any of his tools. “ I wanted them to be successful in

Courtesy photos

life, even if they didn’t earn the rank of Eagle,” he said. “They work hard and still live by that scout oath and scout law, and they do something with their life. Not every boy is going to earn Eagle, but I think just being in the program and what they’ve learned, they can still apply that to their life.”

Scoutmaster Todd Shaw can be found most weekends helping boy scouts obtain their Eagle rank.

415595-1

is a

Holiday Entertainment

Restaurants & Cafés

A Very Merry Light Show

Bakeries & Ice Cream Parlors

Festive Decorations & Light Displays

Brewery

Themed Photo Stations

Small Town Holiday Charm

Boutique Shops & Unique Retail Stores

Free Parking

www.downtownwg.com

@officialdowntownwintergarden 407849-1

www.cwgdn.com

415588-1

Much More!

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

7A

Photo by Marissa Romeu with TK Photography

Photo by Marissa Romeu with TK Photography

Right down Santa Claus Lane PHOTOS BY THOMAS LIGHTBODY | TK PHOTOGRAPHY

W

inter Garden residents packed Dillard and Plant streets Saturday, Dec. 2, to catch a glimpse of the 2023 Winter Garden Christmas Parade. The parade featured dozens of floats, performers, elected officials and more as it marched through the downtown district. And even though the weather was quite warm for the holiday season, those in attendance even got to experience a little snowfall courtesy of the Observer Media Group.

— MICHAEL ENG

12 DAYS OF

WIN $100 IN TOLLS It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Get a free E-PASS and you can win $100 in tolls. What holiday dream will you make come true with the time & money you save with E-PASS?

GetEpass.com

Get a free E-PASS or enter online at GetEpass.com between 12/4/23 - 12/15/23. No purchase necessary to win. Official rules, entry form and details at GetEpass.com. E-PASS is operated and managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority.

414034-1

One Winner Daily Through December 15th

8A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

These candy cane-inspired stilt-walkers delighted attendees at this year’s Santa’s Coming to Hamlin.

Colby, 4, and Hazyl Niecestro, 8, made sure to spend some time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa makes early appearance in Hamlin

A Amanda Miese, 6, showed off her expert-level hula-hooping skills.

Right: Emma Rose Montalvo, 3, let Santa know exactly what she wanted to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Elouise Figueiredo, 8, shared a special moment with her family at this year’s event.

lthough the weather outside wasn’t necessarily frightful, a delightful time was had by all at the 2023 Santa’s Coming to Hamlin event, held Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Hamlin green space. This year’s event featured a plethora of holiday fun, including face painting, kids crafts, music, dancing, vendors and food trucks. And of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus both were on hand to gather wishes from all the children in attendance.

— MICHAEL ENG

celebrity cipher

DOWN

©2023 Universal Uclick

gases 38 Cash drawer 1 Enjoy a soak 39 The “A” of A.D. 6 It might be dropped unexpectedly on a date, in 40 Popular East Coast homes slang 44 Gullible sort 11 Fall bloomer 46 Go backpacking, say 16 Theater worker 47 Fragile state after a 17 “Everything okay?”

19 Jewish mourning period dethroning 20 Cut wool from a sheep 49 Czech or Serb 21 Brass instrument akin to 51 Middle East chieftain 52 Charged particles a euphonium 53 “___ real nowhere man” 23 Mr. Spock’s forte (Beatles lyric) 24 Carried 54 Voice that millions hear 25 Rollerblade product 27 Place for a French beret 55 Stimpy’s cartoon pal 56 Workout count 28 Llama’s feature?

57 “I love,” in Latin 30 Punjabi music genre 60 Soprano Jenny, called 32 Lubricates the “Swedish Nightingale” 33 Unreactive, like some

62 Environmental prefix 63 Brain scan, for short 64 Westernmost Aleutian island 65 GPS precursor 66 Where Samson slew Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone 67 French seasoning 68 Singer DiFranco 69 Deviled egg topping 72 Sheepskin boot brand 74 Does a graphic artist’s job 78 Happen again 79 Chanel fragrance 83 ___ nous (between us) 84 Included in an email 86 Palindromic lady’s title 88 Full-length

89 Police officer 90 Hungarian philanthropist George 92 “Not going to do it!”

94 Singer Rita ___ 95 Wanted poster letters 96 Certain snake’s poison 98 Alaska or Hawaii 99 Kimono closer 100 In shape 101 Kittens’ cries 102 One of Alcott’s “Little Women” 104 Smooch 106 Campaign pro 107 Kermit’s solo in “The Muppet Movie” ... and this puzzle’s theme 112 Some head coverings 114 Campari-and-sweet-

40 Commandeer 41 Confesses (to) 42 Fashion designer Bartley 43 Girl in “Calvin and Hobbes” 45 Ludicrous comedy 46 ___ and now 47 Shell casing?

48 Bros’ embrace 50 Cello’s ancestor 56 Mountains that go on for miles 57 Hyped 58 Artist Chagall 59 Poppy-derived drug 61 Free one’s car from a snowbank 68 Put on TV 70 “Yuh-huh!”

71 Poisonous Asian snake 73 Spirit in a Negroni 74 Joltless java 75 Japanese mushroom 76 March honoree 77 Ace’s tricky pitch 79 =] and 8-) 80 Feature of some dresses 81 Muscle car’s super-

1 Shrub 2 Hearth residue 3 Disney film set in Africa 4 Top draw 5 Make a goof 6 She played Jennifer on “WKRP in Cincinnati” 7 “___ appetito!” (“Mangia!”)

8 Shrek, for one 9 Scale that measures hardness 10 Tome 11 Gallaudet Univ. course 12 Toast holder?

13 Orange flowers with black spots charger 14 Politician played by 82 Amazon’s sphere Madonna 85 Broth from the French 15 Go like the wind for “complete” 17 Rant and rave 87 Roused from slumber 18 Lacking pizzazz 91 Baker’s need 21 Letters important to Wile 93 Sparrow’s digs E. Coyote 97 Timesaving Excel 22 To the ___ degree shortcuts 25 Weigh-___ (fight rituals) 98 Meshed 26 Have a bite 101 Drizzles 29 “Evil Woman” rockers, 103 “Li’l ol’ me?” familiarly 105 Instrument for Bolly31 Palindromic diarist Anais wood soundtracks, often 33 ___ du Vent (Windward 108 Soothing lotion additive Islands) 109 Gradually withdraw 34 Word often with 110 Zippo “neither” 111 Animal in a pod 35 Ltr. container 112 Old pro 36 Coastal indentation 113 Org. monitoring AQI 37 Dash gauge, for short 116 Poetic “before” 39 Anouk of “La Dolce Vita” 117 Down in the dumps

“Z KJZLC RNS TBKSTUUR JTYW KN JTYW TUU NX RNSA GAWTPM BNPW KASW KN AWTUZDW KJWR TAW KJW VANLH GAWTPM.”

PTKKJWV OWAAR

“RWNDRV EXP’VR KVXFWSK XV EXP’VR LRABEWSK; NDRVR’O SX TWLLCR KVXPSL. WM EXP’VR ONBSLWSK ONWCC, EXP’VR LRABEWSK,” BCBS BVJWS

“JWG SGCF PKE’F FKDM KEJFVNEO JWG RKEF WGF WX HNXM RNFVWGF AGFFNEO CWYMFVNEO IKPD NE MTPVKEOM.” ANAMU HKGUNM Puzzle Three Clue: Y equals M

vermouth cocktail 115 Forest makeup 118 Disney theme park 119 “Too funny!” in a text 120 Genesis garden 121 Capital of Ghana 122 Viewpoints 123 Microscope part 124 June honorees 125 Acted the fall guy?

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: A equals C

COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES by Kelly Clark & Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

ACROSS

Julianna Arteaga, 5, couldn’t wait to dig into the cookie she decorated at the Village Point Church booth.

Puzzle One Clue: R equals Y

crossword

Beka Horman, 4, was all smiles with her beautiful face painting.

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-07-23

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

9A

Community CHRISTMAS

S E R V I C E

P R O J E C T

ENJOY FREE

LOG YOUR

MUSIC &

VOLUNTEER

HOURS

LOCAL FOOD

TRUCKS

FA M I LY

GIVE BACK TO THE

COMMUNITY

F R I E N D LY

T H I S H O L I D AY

SEASON

Brooke and Brady McBride and their children, Madison and Nash, stopped for a photo with Santa Claus at Oakland’s Santa Lane event.

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY: Santa returns to Oakland

T

he town of Oakland held its annual Santa’s Lane holiday event Saturday, Dec. 2, and the town square was filled with festive Christmas music, games, inflatables, letters to Santa and more.

Children and families also sat with Santa Claus and shared their wish lists. A holiday market gave attendees the chance to shop, and guests could visit the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland and vote for their favorite tree.

FOLLOWED BY A SPECIAL FREE

EVENT

P E R F O R M A N C E B Y P O P - R O C K G R O U P,

THE BAND OFI

DECEMBER 9, 2023

SERVICE PROJECT

FREE CONCERT

UCF Downtown Campus, 5 2 8 We s t L i v i n g s t o n S t , Orlando, FL Ages 12+ welcome to sign up with parents, guardians, and leaders

Luminary Green Park, 437 North Te r r y A v e , O r l a n d o , F L F a m i l y F r i e n d l y - A l l We l c o m e

8PM-10PM

6PM-8PM

Scan the code for event details and sign up or visit JustServe.org/LightOrlando

415639-1

Left: Cecilia and Ava Broge filled out their wish lists for Santa Claus.

They attended the Santa’s Lane event with their parents, Jacob and Nicole Broge, and their grandmother, Jill Devries.

FOOD TRUCKS

W W W. L I G H T O R L A N D O . O R G

414115-1

Folks voted for their favorite trees at Oakland’s Trees of the Season display.

Bring a chair or blanket to sit on and a donation of shelf-stable food to support local food pantries!

FOLLOW FOR MORE EVENTS LIKE THIS @_LIGHTORLANDO

FA C E B O O K . C O M / T H E L I G H T O R L A N D O

410317-1

— AMY QUESINBERRY

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Your News. Your New Way.

Read Print Digitally!

NEW APP!

Get our e-Newspaper on your laptop, smartphone or tablet all in our new, easy-to-use app. Scroll through the pages of the paper on any device, and take us with you, wherever you go.

Scan to Watch Video

SHARE Love an article?

Share it with a link.

PRINT

BOOKMARKS

Print articles and crosswords.

Save articles for future reference.

A READ OFFLINE Download our digital edition on your mobile device and read it anywhere.

LISTEN On-demand narration is available for those who prefer to listen to their newspaper.

SUBSCRIBE NOW! OrangeObserver.com/subscribe

TRANSLATE

Our new tool offers instant translation in multiple languages.

ONLY ¢

99

FIRST MONTH

Limited Time Offer Cancel Anytime

Have questions?

Call 877-231-8834 or email: subscriptions@OrangeObserver.com 404828-1

10A

DECEMBER 7, 2023

SPORTS

TFA golfer Mi Li claimed her second consecutive 1A individual state championship. Page 2B.

HIGH

FANTASTIC 15: Meet the area’s top girls soccer players for 23-24

1

5

College football recruiting season is on fire in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. In addition to West Orange High’s Ivan Taylor committing, fellow defensive back Devin Jackson, linebacker Tavarrius Powell and cornerback Donovan Lanier picked up big-time offers, as well. Jackson received an offer from UCF, Powell from University of Texas at San Antonio and Lanier from FAU. Foundation Academy’s J.T. Bronaugh — a first-team All-Orange Observer selection and Class 1M, District 2 Player of the Year — announced his commitment to Eastern Michigan. Bronaugh chose the Eagles over the likes of Kansas, Minnesota, East Carolina University and others.

And we have to show the kickers some love, too. Windermere High’s Lucas Glassburn picked an offer from Temple. Expect the offers and commitments to keep on rolling in, as college football recruiting kicks into high gear.

Soccer season is about to get into high gear.

Before that happens, read up on the area’s top girls players for this season.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Editor’s note: Statistics were compiled from online data and coaches’ submissions. Athletes are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

It’s that time of year again in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. The high school girls soccer season is kicking into high-gear once again, and the area is filled with some of the best players in Central Florida.

The 2023-24 girls soccer season should be another fun one, so expect it to live up to the level that was set by the players that have come before.

Here are 15 of the area’s top girls soccer players you should be keeping an eye out for this season.

2

Matchups between the area’s top boys soccer teams have begun to paint a picture of who is the cream of the crop in the 202324 season. With Windermere off to a flying 5-0 start, an impressive 6-1 win over West Orange (4-1), cements the Wolverines as the class of 7A. However, the Warriors showed they’re not just going to roll over. West Orange bounced back from its lone loss with a 1-0 win over another top area team, Horizon High (3-1-1). But the Hawks will have a few more opportunities in the early season to show they mean business in Class 5A, as they host Olympia High (3-1), then travel to Ocoee High (4-1), whose lone loss is to West Orange.

This is going to be a fun season.

3

Three West Orange and Southwest Orange County esports teams — Windermere, Ocoee and West Orange — have advanced to the second round of the Florida FASA Super Smash Bros. playoffs.

4

The battle for the Class 7A, District 5 boys basketball title is looking like a three-horse race between Dr. Phillips High (3-1), Olympia (3-1) and Windermere (3-1). The three squads look to be firing on all cylinders in this early season, with each picking up quality wins and each of their lone losses coming at the hands of solid to great teams. This district will be one to keep an eye on this season, and so will the games between the three.

5

Windermere wrestling placed several wrestlers on the podium in an early-season meet. Secondyear wrestler Alicia Williams finished first in the 120-pound weight class, while senior Lucas Drone repeated as champion at 138. Freshman Raphael Taquechel finished as runner-up at 144, while fellow first-year wrestler Nicolas Consuegra placed third at 138. Sophomore Emily McCormack placed fifth at 150, picking up her first two wins competing against boys.

AVERY BANGSUND, FOUNDATION Defense | Junior | No. 7

As one of the key returners from last season’s 13-5 team, the center back is one of the four juniors on a young Lions team with no seniors. Her quickness, high soccer I.Q. and instinctive tackling ability will be useful for Foundation. She also provides a veteran presence in the back line.

AIDA BELL, HORIZON Midfield | Senior | No. 13

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

Warriors star defensive back Ivan Taylor is heading to South Bend to play college football for Notre Dame.

COMMITTED West Orange’s Ivan Taylor, a four-star defensive back, chooses Notre Dame over FSU, Michigan, USC and other college football powers.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

W

ith championship blood running through his veins, a combination of the prototypical size, speed and tenacity common in highlevel college football and the film that backs it all up, it’s no wonder West Orange High football’s Ivan Taylor had his choice of schools to play college ball.

Among the sea of offers that included Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Penn State, UCF and others, Taylor narrowed his options to seven: FSU, Louisville, Notre Dame, Michigan, Tennessee, USC and Wisconsin.

On Friday, Dec. 1, at the West Orange gymnasium, he announced his decision: Taylor chose to commit his football future to Notre Dame.

WHY NOTRE DAME?

The common considerations college football recruits usually point to when announcing their commitment decisions are playing time, facilities, coaches, the team’s recent success, the school’s history and, more recently, the money that can

come from the always-controversial name, image and likeness endorsements.

For Taylor, though, the choice was predominantly based on one thing: The relationships he’d been able to develop with the Fighting Irish coaching staff.

“I picked Notre Dame because of the communication with the coaches, hands down,” he said. “It feels like every day, they text me or call. It’s like nonstop ever since I went to their Irish Invasion camp during the summer, and I played well.

“Since I went there, coach (Chris) O’Leary, the safeties coach, and I started off in a good spot,” Taylor said. “We talked a lot about things like what I can get back better at and really just little things like that. I think my experience with them really changed my opinion on the way I look at schools. (O’Leary) talks to me every day, and it’s not even always about football. I called him recently, and he was at the grocery store. … I think our relationship feels like the relationship I have with my coach now at West Orange (Geno ThompSEE WEST PAGE 3B

The senior captain leads a Hawks group that returns most of last season’s team that went 14-42. Bell bagged nine goals in 17 games last year. In three games in the 2023-24 season, she’s scored once.

CAMRYN CLEMENTS, FOUNDATION Midfield | Junior | No. 5

With the top two goalscorers from last season gone, the Lions have turned to Clements to lead their offense. In the early season, she has bagged eight goals and assisted one more for Foundation. Like Bangsund, Clements is one of those four juniors who will be a vital veteran presence in the middle of the pitch for the Lions.

SEE MEET PAGE 3B

Courtesy of Windermere Prep

After a sensational freshman season at Apopka High, Parsons is hoping to repeat her performance at Windermere Prep.

2B

OrangeObserver.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

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

Mi Li

The First Academy’s Mi Li has been dominant on the golf course for the Royals’ girls team over the past two seasons, most recently leading them to a second-place finish at the FHSAA Class 1A state championships — falling to Florida Atlantic University High School by seven strokes.

Li finished the tournament eight-under-par, shooting 136 over the two-round 36 holeevent, earning herself a second consecutive 1A individual state championship, topping FAU’s Kayla Bryant by one stroke.

Last season, she shot a 66 (-5) over the 18-hole tournament to lead The First Academy to its fourth 1A team state championship in a six-year span and win her first individual crown.

Her two individual state championships put her tied for the second-most in FHSAA history. With one more season to play, she could end her high school career as the joint leader for the most individual girls golf state championships in Florida history. She would join Beth Bauer, Constance Chillemi, Elizabeth Pooley and Morgan Pressel — all of whom won their three state titles before 2005.

The junior not only has been dominant on the Florida high school circuit, but she also has been making a name for herself on the American Junior Golf Association ranks. She currently is ranked 32nd in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and has played 12 events in 2023, finishing in the top 10 in half of them and in the top 20 in eight.

Her performance this season earned her the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Golf Award.

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

I would say I’m proud of myself, and I feel thankful to you all for choosing me as the Athlete of the Week.

What do you like the most about playing golf?

My favorite part would be playing in tournaments, because I actually enjoy competing with other players; it helps me understand where I need to improve.

THE BASICS

Sport: Golf Grade: Junior School: The First Academy

to a deserted island? Why? Fresh water, soap and a knife.

Just the basic needs to survive.

What is your favorite movie?

I don’t really have one, kind of a little of everything.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be? Why? I don’t really want to eat with anyone. It’s so awkward.

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

Why? I would want to go back to one of my three putt moments, so I could make it.

Former Olympia boys soccer coach Lou Romao has Windermere off to a flying start.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your 10-year-old self?

Control your weight, eat more veggies, and you may be able to grow taller in the future.

Under new coach, Windermere boys soccer hits ground running

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

What am I going to be doing for a living then?

With five straight wins and 30 goals scored, the Wolverines boys soccer team is primed for a deep playoff run under new coach Lou Romao.

Who is your favorite superhero?

I don’t really have one.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

For 13 seasons, Lou Romao roamed the touchline of the pitch as the head coach of the Olympia High boys soccer team — two for the junior varsity and 11 for the varsity. In those 13 seasons, Romao amassed a record of 102-32-24.

In his 14th season, once again Romao is pacing up and down the touchline, coaching his team in the art of the beautiful game, accumulating wins and teaching his players how to be good young men.

But this time, he’s not donning the Titans’ black and silver. For the 2023-24 season, he has made the 9.1-mile move to Windermere High as the Wolverines’ new boys soccer coach, and he’s brought his culture and winning ways with him.

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

I want to be able to talk to animals.

What are three places you would like to visit?

My bed, bathroom and the kitchen.

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

Any kind of bird, so I can jump down from a tree without hurting myself.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Yes.

HOT START

In Windermere’s first five games of the season, it not only has won all five, but also it has demolished each opponent. The Wolverines’ combined margin of victory is 30-4, meaning they have scored 30 goals in five games and allowed only four.

This is a Windermere team that lost 14 seniors to graduation from a team that finished 13-2-2 last season and won the district title.

So how have the Wolverines done it? It’s all about believing in the system.

“What has worked so far is the players have bought into the philosophy,” Romao said. “They have bought into what we’ve preached and what I’ve always coached in the past. Having players like this, who are respectful, who are hungry, who want to learn and are willing to be taught … has been one of the biggest reasons for our early success.”

Romao’s philosophy is simple: Bring your lunch pail and get to work.

“We’ve brought that blue-collar work ethic,” he said. “We work hard every day, and we’re humble. We make sure our players understand that nothing in this sport, or in life, is guaranteed. You have to work We’re all in this together. hard to earn your spot. If you’re on State Farm has a long traditionthe bench, work hard so you can get of being there. That’s one reason playing time. If you are on the field, why I’m proud to support Westgive everything you have. … In the Orange county.. real world, when you leave high Get to a better State . school, you have to give 125%, if

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from the sport of golf?

Stay calm, think only about your ball and play one shot at a time.

What is your favorite non-golf hobby?

I do art, sometimes.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Why? I really enjoy my art class, because I’m able to relax and also draw out things I like.

What are three things you would take with you

Family.

Friends.

Community.

Shannon Till, Agent Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 www.shannontill.com

®

Family.

Family .

Friends.

Friends.

Community.

Community . ®

We’re all in this together.

1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL Farm, Blooming ton, IL

When it comes to tactics, Windermere’s roster and its new coach are a match made in soccer heaven.

“We basically build from the back,” Romao said. “We get the ball to our players in the middle, and everyone then opens up, so we can spread the defense. We make runs to do that, as well. And of course, we try to get the ball to our wingers because they’re huge weapons for us. … Just look how they’ve played so far. Jose Moyetones had a goal and four assists against West Orange, Arthur (Cavalcanti) had two goals, and Kaike (Maia) had two, as well.”

The style Romao likes to employ requires defenders capable of doing more than what their position’s name implies. To build out from the back, defenders are often at the inception of the attack.

Luckily, the Wolverines have four quality defenders in their starting back line who can do just that. At the fullback spots, captains Nicolas Mujica and Mauricio Ortiz flank the edges in both defense and attack.

In the middle, Matias Montenegro and Ethan Guillem patrol the center back spots.

“Our four defenders are topnotch,” Romao said. “To this day, no one has scored on our starters in open play. They’ve only conceded goals via penalty kicks.”

After the ball advances up the pitch from the back line to the midfield, Sebastian Fernandez and Jose Prato make the all-important connecting passes to set up the potent Windermere wingers.

“In general, a huge aspect of our game is just spreading the defense out by staying as wide as we can and using those weapons on the wings by letting them play oneon-one against their defenders,” Romao said. “I will put any of my two wingers against any two fullbacks in all of Orange County — or any part of the state really.

That’s how comfortable I feel with them, because they are that quick, that talented, and I’m honestly very fortunate that they’re even here playing high school with us,

®

1620 Daniels Rd, Ste 110 Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-4000 I www.shannontill.com Hablamos Español

BEYOND THE PITCH

According to Romao, the success the Wolverines have had goes beyond what his team does on the field.

“The players are willing to fight for (one another),” he said. “They’re willing to fight for their coaches; they’re willing to fight for the program. They strongly believe in what we are bringing as coaches, and they strongly believe in each other. So, I think in the long run, they’ll continue to do this well because they just are all a tight-knit group and have bought into what we’re bringing.”

Just as Romao points to the players and their willingness to fight, the players point right back at their coach.

“Everybody’s on the same page; it feels like we’re all going in the same direction, toward the same goal,” Moyetones said. “That’s why I think one of the biggest parts of our early success is the coaching.

Coach Lou keeps us motivated and gives us so much support in everything we need to go out and win every time we step on the field.”

Romao also points in another direction when speaking of his team’s early success.

“The whole administration at Windermere ... is the reason why I strongly believe that our sports programs are so successful,” he said. “The support they give the soccer program, and all the programs really, especially our athletic director — Jillian Sutton is amazing.

Jillian should get so much praise in her first year on the job.”

Looking for new floors?

minneola 301 E. Washington St. Unit F (352) 394-0303

West

winter garden 731 S. Dillard St. Unit 101/103 (407) 410-8998

Call us to have our mobile showroom come to you!

415596-1

®

GETTING IT DONE

because these kids are that talented.

But our goal is to basically work the ball faster than the defensive player can get to it, and when we have a shot … we don’t wait, we crack the shot as quick as we can.”

One of the aspects that allows Romao to be comfortable with his wingers is the fact that he knows how to play that role from personal experience.

“I love to take on the defender one-on-one and get past them, cross the ball and cut in to score too,” Moyetones said. “ Coach Lou, when he was younger, played on the wing, so he knows how to talk to us about it and how he likes the position to be played. His tactics are incredible for us on the wing.”

The senior has been electric so far this season from the wing for Windermere. He has scored nine goals and assisted 10 more — one shy of his team-leading 10 in 2022-23 and more than triple his three assists.

Shop our extensive flooring selection.

Shannon Till, Agent We’re all all in this together.

We’ re in this together.

TM Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd ® State Farm® has a long tradition State Farm has a long tradition Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 of being there.there.

That’s one reason of being That’s one reason www.shannontill.com

why I’m proudproud to support West why I’ m to suppor t Orange county..

Orange count 1211007 y..

State Farm, Bloomington, IL Get to a a betterbetter State .

Get to State .

not more, into what you do to succeed. The point of this philosophy is that it carries over to how they act off-the-field to, so they can be a good part of society and be good young men in the future. They’ve all bought into that.”

Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by Shannon Till,

State Farm has a long tradition of being there.

That’s one reason why I’m proud to support West Orange county.

Courtesy of Ibrafilms

Follow us

Shop our entire catalog now at www.marksfloorsonline.com

OrangeObserver.com

3B

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

West Orange’s Taylor Meet our Fantastic 15 chooses Notre Dame ARIANA LACRUZ, WINDERMERE PREP Attack | Senior | No. 10

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

For the Fighting Irish faithful wondering what Taylor will bring to the program come the fall of 2026, here’s what he had to say.

“They’re definitely going to get a hard worker,” Taylor said. “I think out of everything I do well, I feel like my work ethic is what really separates me. … I think that’s the biggest thing for me. I feel like I’m very aggressive and instinctive on the field as well. So, I think just going in there, I’m going to give 110%. I’m not going there to mess around, I’m going there for business.”

Aggressive and instinctive is right on the money for the 6-foot, 174-pound four-star defensive back.

You also could add speed, ball skills, high-level high school football experience and what looks like a genuine enjoyment of knocking the opposition off its feet.

The son of former NFL player Ike Taylor — a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh

SADE LAITINEN, WINDERMERE PREP Defense/Midfield | Senior | No. 8

TAYLOR GIGUERE, DR. PHILLIPS Goalie | Senior | No. 99

In Dr. Phillips’ last three games in the early season, Giguere has recorded 17 saves between the posts.

The senior keeper has been phenomenal for the Panthers and is a crucial part of this lineup. Whether it is her ability to make extraordinary saves or flip the field with her punts, she’s as reliable as they come in goal.

One of her best assets is her ability to use her size to block shots from any angle; she also is helpful as an outlet to her defenders whenever she is needed.

EVANTHEA HAINLINE, DR. PHILLIPS Defense/Midfield | Senior | No. 28

At center back, the Panthers’ captain was a workhorse, playing 980 minutes last season and starting every game for DP since her freshman season. Despite being a defender, Hainline was vital in attack, scoring four goals on five shots and dishing out two assists.

On defense, Hainline is a force.

She possesses natural athletic ability perfectly paired with a strong tactical awareness. She also harbors a relentless desire to succeed, tireless work rate on the pitch and is a true leader on and off the field.

ELLA HENDERSON, HORIZON Goalie | Senior | No. 0

After being a brick wall in front of net last season for Horizon — allowing just seven goals and earning 10 clean sheets — Henderson returns to mind the net for the Hawks again in 2023-24. So far, she has allowed just two goals this season.

Laitinen is the perfect example of what you want in the middle of your defense in modern soccer. Not only is she a positive vocal leader who helps keep the Lakers defense organized, but also she is able to remain calm with the ball at her feet and withstand the pressure from the opposition front line.

File photo

Lake Buena Vista High’s Ella Owens is set to lead the Vipers to even more wins in her final season.

MCKENNA MCBRIDE, HORIZON Midfield | Sophomore | No. 23

McBride is one of three sensational sophomores who broke into the varsity rotation last season. She scored eight goals in 18 games for the Hawks. So far in 2023-24, she has scored one goal in three games.

KEIRA MOREHEAD, DR. PHILLIPS Defense | Senior | No. 22

As the Panthers’ other captain, Morehead, a senior, plays all along the back line. Last season she also contributed in attack with two goals and an assist. The fierce defender with limitless stamina and a sharp protective nature is a commanding defensive presence for DP who strikes fear into any and all attackers who dare approach her.

As a leader, she is quick to encourage and uplift her teammates, and is always sporting a much-needed positive energy.

ELLA OWENS, LAKE BUENA VISTA Midfield | Senior | No. 5

In three games for the Vipers, Owens, a senior, has gotten off to a hot start. So far in 2023-24, she has scored three times and also assisted her teammates three more times for goals.

ALYSSA PARSONS, WINDERMERE PREP Attack | Sophomore | No. 15

Point blank: Parsons is a goalscoring machine. The Apopka transfer scored 35 goals and dished out 11 assists for the Blue Darters as a freshman. So far at her new home, she has scored 18 goals and recorded two assists in just five games. Her combination of strength, speed, dribbling and finishing make her one of the best players in the state, if not the country (see her call-up to the U15 USA Women’s Youth National Team, for proof). According to her coach, she is not just one of the most talented players on the team, she is also one of the hardest working and dedicated.

CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ-MEDINA, HORIZON Midfield | Sophomore | No. 7

The second of Horizon’s sophomore trio, Rodriguez-Medina was the joint-top goalscorer last season for the Hawks with 10 goals in 19 games.

MACKENZIE RUEL, HORIZON Defense | Sophomore | No. 6

Along with McBride and RodriguezMedina, Ruel was the third of the breakthrough freshman from last season for the Hawks, after finding the back of the net six times in 18 games.

KNOW YOUR IMPLANT OPTIONS!

CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

Same-day crowns Sinus lifts

407-614-5955

Soft tissue grafting Socket preservation All-on-four dental Implants & dentures

DR. ROBERTO GIL GENERAL DENTIST

415602-1

TAYLOR THE PLAYER

The Lakers’ senior attacker is a specialist at creating scoring opportunities for herself — with her powerful shot — and her teammates.

Last season, she scored 15 goals and has continued in good form this year with two goals in three games.

Despite only being a freshman, Farias has had a strong start to the 2023-24 season, with three goals and three assists in six games. Her early success comes because of strong and accurate shooting, poise in front of goal, and a technical dribbling ability that can put defenders on skates.

1317 Winter Garden Vineland Rd. Ste. 110, Winter Garden, FL 34787

413570-1

son). When it came down to making this decision, just seeing the bond I had with the coaches was the biggest factor.”

Another aspect that went into Taylor’s decision was his faith and the guidance his mom, Danielle Taylor.

“My mom has definitely had a great impact on me and this decision,” he said. “Obviously, my dad taught me so much about football, what I needed to do, my work ethic and a ton more. But my mom taught me so much about how to treat people, my manners, just everything, especially my faith. I’m Catholic, so I’m big on my faith, and I feel like my mom also really helped me use that in this decision.

“She told me to go with my gut and pray about it, just make sure I know what I want and ask God,” Taylor said. “My mom has been huge on that. And with the decision, she honestly let me do me and kept telling me to just pray about it, and when I felt something, when I felt a sign, it’s probably God talking to me.”

Although Taylor’s faith was part of his decision-making process, Notre Dame being a Catholic school was just a bonus.

“It being a Catholic school was a part of it, but I honestly wasn’t even looking at it like that,” Taylor said.

“To me, wherever I was going to go, I was going to go to church on Sundays and focus on my faith … but I do feel like it’s kind of cool and is a plus for me to be in that environment.”

Steelers — is currently the 62nd-ranked prospect in the nation and the ninth-ranked prospect in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite for the Class of 2025.

He has made an impact in Florida’s highest classification since his freshman season for the Warriors.

This past season, on a young West Orange team, Taylor racked up 50 tackles, six of which were for a loss, forced three fumbles and caught one interception.

Last season — his first as a starter — Taylor recorded 65 tackles, 5.5 of which were TFLs, caught three interceptions and broke up eight passes.

What the tape shows is a plus athlete with a good combination of size and speed. In the passing game, Taylor plays predominantly in a twohigh safety system and has shown the ability to force turnovers with good ball skills, make the correct reads and has the athletic ability to get to the play and be a factor.

In the running game, Taylor shows an incredible willingness to get dirty and make tackles, he especially excels in the open field. His size/ speed combo and body frame are more than enough to project that in a college-level strength and conditioning program he’ll be even more physically dominant.

According to Taylor, and given his skillset and tape this makes a ton of sense, the Notre Dame staff has spoken to him about playing as a slot cornerback.

“When we’ve talked on how I would fit into the system, they’ve said the nickel position is the position,” he said. “To me, I’m perfectly fine with that; I feel very comfortable there.

Throughout the season in practice, I’ve been playing a lot man-to-man in the slot, playing with depth in the slot to get used to it. And I feel like that spot is one where you have to roam and have high football I.Q. at the next level, so for them to think of me in that spot says a lot about what they think about me as a player.”

Before Fighting Irish fans get excited about the prospect of Taylor roaming the defensive backfield at Notre Dame Stadium, the nowjunior still has one more season as part of the über-talented West Orange secondary.

Along with Taylor, the Warriors’ are returning Devin Jackson, who recently picked up an offer from UCF, Donovan Lanier; who recently received an offer from FAU; and Artavius Riley Jr., a first-team AllOrange Observer selection.

412041-1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

VICKY FARIAS, FOUNDATION Forward | Freshman | No. 10

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE Snack Shack operators Rafaela Berretta, Sydney Whitman and Ian Montecinos, are accompanied by peer leaders Molly Krug, back, and Zach Altpeter, front.

Melissa Breaud, behavior specialist, and Daniel Bourgeois assist the VIP Program students who operate the Snack Shack at SunRidge Middle School.

SunRidge Middle Snack Shack promotes inclusion The Winter Garden school teaches students with special needs the skills to take lunch and snack orders, handle money transactions, and select and deliver the food items purchased.

When the to-go window opens near the front office on Fridays, teachers line up to order lunch or perhaps chips or candy at SunRidge Middle School’s Snack Shack. What makes this snack bar different is it’s run completely by students with special needs, with the help of student peers.

Melissa Breaud is the behavior specialist at SunRidge, and she’s thrilled with the program.

“This is showing that there are possibilities,” she said. “In the world of ESE, we’ve gone into this model

of, ‘They’re going to do greeters,’ or, ‘They’re going to be just somebody who participates in life.’ But this shows there are possibilities. …

They can be active participants in the world.”

The parents of students in the VIP Program love what the Snack Shack has done for their children.

“It’s truly amazing what they are doing there for the kids and the inclusion in the school,” said Cricket Whitman, whose daughter, Sydney, is in the program. “Mrs. Breaud is a Godsend. Sydney has grown leaps and bounds in the last two years here. We are sad it’s our

Photos by Amy Quesinberry

Mathias Rodriguez-Tufano, Julia Fabre and Santiago Rodriguez Irausquin began their work shift with a smile.

last year with this amazing team.”

The Snack Shack operates weekly and, this year, offers a lunch option.

Breaud leads 38 VIP students plus 31 eighth-grade peers who support the students. All work in shifts, and not everyone sells at the window;

Snack Shack operators Jackson Parker, Hailey Zaver and Roman DiGiovanni were ready to serve lunch to Snack Shack customers.

some will keep a shopping list, take inventory, stock shelves or deliver to classrooms.

“It’s based on their personal, unique abilities,” she said. “We’re trying to do what is successful for them.”

The “workers” wear a uniform, apron and gloves and have everything they need to perform their jobs. They have to figure out how much money is in the till and make change. At the end of their shifts, they close down, clean the room, take end-of-the-day

Increase the value of your home with natural gas and save money.

At Lake Apopka Natural Gas, we’re helping families connect to affordable, reliable, and efficient natural gas, with appliances that pay dividends for years to come. Studies show a home with natural gas has a 6% greater resale value than an all-electric home.

www.langd.org 407-656-2734 ext. 307

415610-1

COMMUNITY EDITOR

415614-1

AMY QUESINBERRY

415606-1

4B

OrangeObserver.com

inventory and count the money for the deposit.

“They love to see people, they love the customer service,” Breaud said.

“They love the welcoming and the camaraderie … seeing people who are in their independent world. It’s a big campus, lots of kids, now everyone knows our students. … There’s a community now.”

When the peers step in, Breaud steps back to let the students work together.

“Students don’t always need adults,” she said. “They don’t want help; they want to do it themselves.

They own it. They stand taller.”

Two of the 31 peer assistants are Molly Krug and Zach Altpeter, who support the VIP Program as a daily elective class.

“I love serving as a peer, because I like to help people who sometimes can’t help themselves,” Zach said. “It helps with compassion skills, and it gives you friends because they love to see you every day. They light up when they see you.”

“They just brighten my entire day,” Molly said. “I love being with the kids because they just need someone their age to be friends with … and not an adult.”

Molly and Zach like Tuesdays and Thursdays when the peers go to the student drop-off area and walk the VIPs to their classroom.

The peers receive volunteer hours for National Honor Society, but that’s not why Zach does it.

“Honestly, I enjoy it,” he said. “I don’t see it as a volunteer thing. I see it as hanging out with my friends.”

“Having the peers there, it allows others to come in for friendship,” Breaud said. “This allows for organic friendship. And they have names now; they aren’t the self-contained students. They have a name.”

The Snack Shack is such a unique opportunity for our special kiddos to learn so many skills,” Whitman said.

“I was amazed the first time I saw my daughter working and what all she could do! I was shocked watching her take the order, fill it and even make change. … Watching the peers teach, love, support and cheer them on will melt anyone’s heart. This generation truly is unique in their ability to accept others, no matter how different, and forge lifelong friendships.”

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

WENDY COOPER

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

Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She was one of the leaders in the women’s rights movement. Because of Mrs. Stanton’s determination and women like her, I have the right to vote. As a woman, I have a voice in our country’s elections. Can you imagine how delighted she would be to see how her hard work paid off?

WINDERMERE HIGH

Wendy Cooper is the front desk clerk at Windermere High School.

This is her second year with the school and Orange County Public Schools. When you visit the school’s campus, Cooper is one of the first people you will meet. Her job has many duties, which one might expect working at a high school with almost 3,300 students. She said one of the most important things she does is to make sure every person who walks through the school’s front doors feels welcomed and appreciated.

What brought you to your school?

Prior to working at Windermere High School, I was a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway in Windermere for 12 years. I chose to step away from real estate in 2021, but I still craved that connection with the community. When the position became available at Windermere High, I jumped at the chance.

What do you love most about your school?

Windermere High is amazing! The administrators, teachers, students and their families are an absolute delight to work with. The support we receive from Principal (Andrew) Leftakis, assistant principals and the deans on a daily basis makes it a pleasure to come to work every day.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The students! Every morning when the students arrive at school, it is my personal mission to make sure they are laughing or smiling when they leave my desk. A positive word and a smile can change their outlook on the whole day.

Who influences you?

It isn’t a who but a what. Seeing kindness in others is so inspiring.

REPORT CARD POSITION: Front desk clerk TIME AT SCHOOL: Second year

5B

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

It would have to be something where I interact with others. I am such a people person. It fills my cup to be a positive force for good in the world.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? The teacher who impacted my life the most was Ms. Libba Gray.

She taught English and theater at Heritage High School in Maryville, Tennessee. She was incredible and showed me just how far I could soar if I applied myself.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

“I Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. We read this book over and over to our son when he was small, and it holds a very special place in my heart. I also love “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel” by Virginia Lee Burton. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my mother’s lap and listening to her read to my brother and me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Reading; I am a voracious reader and truly enjoy it. I also love playing with my dog, Biscuit.

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

I would choose time travel. The ability to go back in time and visit relatives and loved ones who have passed away would be an enormous gift. My mom passed in 2000, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her and wish we could visit.

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

Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Stevie Nicks. This music created by these artists speaks to me.

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

A PB&J sandwich and chocolate pudding were my favorite lunch and snack.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Everyone loves Christmas, but my favorite holiday is Halloween. Dressing up, carving pumpkins and all the kids who come to trick-or-treat is the best!

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

My best friend growing up was Beth Prichard, and we are still friends to this day. When I think of Beth, I smile and, sometimes, laugh when I remember all the shenanigans we got into. A good friend is hard to find; I am fortunate to have a friend as good as (her).

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

I was a theater kid. I participated in theatrical productions and concert choir. I attended Girls State and was chosen to attend the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts for theater during the summer between my junior and senior year. I was president of my senior class and also president of the International Thespian Society at my high school.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

YOUR SMILE,

415605-1

415604-1

415603-1

OUR PASSION

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

BRAINFO D The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

Do you know the gingerbread man? I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher No other cookie symbolizes the Christmas season quite like the gingerbread man. He’s cute, iconic and looks great in pretty much any icing attire you choose. He’s great for parties, for sharing with friends and for marking with your family. But did you know the gingerbread man actually has royal roots?

Read on and find out!

THE STAR OF THE SHOW

Ginger root first was used as medicine in ancient China. In fact, it still is used this way today.

Ginger is great for treating nausea and other stomach pains. The next time you get motion sickness, try chewing on a piece of ginger. It really works!

Later, after ginger spread to Europe, it was used to flavor preserved meats.

Gingerbread recipes were developed and enjoyed in many countries, including China, Greece, England, France, Holland and Germany.

Gingerbread arrived to the United States through English colonists.

HOME SWEET HOME

Gingerbread houses began to take shape in the 16th century in Germany and quickly became common during Christmastime.

Gingerbread houses were popularized even more through the Brothers Grimm tale of Hansel and Gretel. In that story, the two characters find a house made of treats in the forest.

Fun fact: The largest gingerbread house ever constructed measures 39,201.8 cubit feat and was built by the Texas A&M Traditions Club. It’s located in Bryan, Texas (of course) and is about the same size as a tennis court!

JOLLY OLD ENGLAND

According to an article on MarthaStewart. com, the first human-shaped ginger treats were served in England under Queen Elizabeth I. The legend goes like this: The queen had her royal chefs create ginger “biscuits” in the shape of people on the royal court and guests from other countries. Back then, people also believed that if a woman ate a “gingerbread husband,” it would help her find one in real life.

CHRISTMAS TRADITION

Gingerbread’s popularity during Christmastime is fairly simple. Its flavors and spices — ginger, cinnamon, molasses — were used in the wintertime, so the cookie’s flavor is a natural fit for the holiday season.

METHOD

1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Recipe from McCormick Spice INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling • 2 teaspoons McCormick ginger, ground • 1 teaspoon McCormick cinnamon, ground • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 teaspoon McCormick nutmeg, ground • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 3/4 cup butter, softened • 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 1/2 cup molasses • 1 egg • 1 teaspoon McCormick pure vanilla extract

2. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla; mix well.

Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed.

6. Bake in the preheated oven until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

7. Decorate cooled cookies as desired.

Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

3. Press dough into a thick, flat disk.

Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 5. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch.

Cut into gingerbread men shapes with a 5-inch cookie cutter. Place gingerbread men 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

RECOMMENDED READING NON-FICTION n ‘Winter Lights: A Season in Poems and Quilts’ by Anna Grossnickle Hines n ‘Crafts for Kids: Winter Holiday Book’ by Greta Speechley FICTION n ‘EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!’ by Sally Warner; illustrated by Brian Biggs n ‘How I Survived Middle School Super Special: How the Pops Stole Christmas’ by Nancy Krulik

Winter Break

at the Library

Celebrate the winter season with fun for the whole family. From crafts to cookie decorating, winter has never been more magical.

407627-1

6B

Illustration by Andrea Rukstalis //Graphic Designer

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Courtesy photo

Isabella Sheffer, Gianna Senges, Laura Smith, Sofía Lopez and Sedona Vega have spent close to a year planning and building fun pieces for the garden at Tildenville Elementary School.

Cadets create fun in Tildenville garden Cadets in Girl Scout Troop 1773 have completed a service project at their former elementary school to earn scouting’s Silver Award.

Isabella Sheffer, Gianna Senges, Sedona Vega, Sofia Lopez and Laura Smith built and installed an outdoor musical instrument, a mud kitchen and colorful signs around the garden at Tildenville Elementary School.

“Their vision is to make the garden a fun place where the kids can benefit from being outside, playing with the instruments and using their creativity,” said Sarahi Gonzalez, who

BR DENTAL 407-905-9965

BR DENTAL 407-905-9965

MIKE YOAKUM Pastor P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM

We’ll take the first step with you

Direct Cremation $975

www.drbrianramski.com

www.drbrianramski.com

Now Offering

plus container

415597-1

denville parent and the school’s garden volunteer.

“It’s amazing; it adds a new dimension to the garden,” Weisdecker said.

“It allows the children to be in the garden using all their senses.”

She had given the group some ideas for the space in the garden that was unsuitable for planting.

Weisdecker hosts a garden club at the school, and she works with student members to plant seeds, water the plants and explore the garden while its contents are growing.

“They are able to be kids and use some of their morning energy to explore music,” Alvarez and Weisdecker said. “It allows the students to see the garden can be used for more than just planting. They have the instruments, as well as the mud kitchen.”

The garden has other benefits too, including being a space for calmness.

Weisdecker received a heartwarm-

1333 East Crown Point rd. oCoEE, FL 34761

921 S. US Hwy 27, Minneola, FL One block north of Citrus Tower (352) 394-8228 I www.CremationChoicesfl.com Prices subject to change without notice.

Now Offering

DentalImplants Implants *✳Sedation ✳*Dental SedationDentristy Dentistry * Pain Free Injections * Accepting New Patients ✳ Cosmetic Clear Braces ✳ Pain Free Injections * Serving✳West OrangeNew County for 20 Years Accepting Patients

213 S Dillard St., Suite 140 Winter Garden, FL 34787 Office Hours: Mon: 8-4 Tues-Thurs: 8-12 & 1-5 Fri: 7-1 Call Today for Your Appointment!

✳ Dental Implants ✳ Sedation Dentistry ✳ Cosmetic Clear Braces ✳ Pain Free Injections ✳ Accepting New Patients

“thE stonE thE buiLdErs rEjECtEd is now thE CornErstonE.” –Psalms 118:22

Plan for the future. Enjoy the now.

415584-1

Don’t let the unexpected catch you off guard.

Pre-plan your funeral needs.

Scan QR code or call us today.

310499-1 415431-1

COMMUNITY EDITOR

“I love that the use of instruments in the garden can bring out more beauty from it,” music teacher Jenna Vincitore said. “The addition really has helped students form a love for the garden more than before. I am so thankful for the collaboration between the garden, girl scouts and music.”

The scouts were excited to use power tools and actually do the construction. They also made and painted colorful signs using recycled pallets with messages such as “fresh produce” and “Our Garden Bees: Bee Responsible, Bee Creative, Bee Caring, Bee Kind.”

They cut little cooking utensils and pots and pans so students could “cook” in their kitchen.

“Even the fifth-graders, they like going to play with the mud kitchen,” Gonzalez said. “It’s so fun to see them in the morning and get their energy out.”

One of the people helping the scouts was Marni Weisdecker, a Til-

ing email from one of the teachers regarding the garden.

“She said there was a boy who came to school late and was upset and was crying and she had to take him to the class,” she said. “They passed through the garden, and she let him play a little bit, and she said it made him so happy so that when he got to his class he was smiling, and even custodial noticed the change in behavior. She said it’s something small, but it’s making a difference already.”

“We shared that information with them, and it made them happy,” Gonzalez said of the scouts. “Whenever they pass the garden and see people playing, it makes them happy.”

“The students love going to explore the sound garden and using the different instruments,” teacher Guillermina Walker said. “My class used it to identify different adjectives that appeal to the sense of hearing such as loud, soft, fast, slow. I have used it to de-escalate first-graders that are upset. I am planning to take students to do phonics drills of counting syllables in a word and words in a sentence.

“During Garden Club, students love exploring all the instruments and kitchen tools,” Walker said.

“It supports creative play, social and emotional well-being. I am very thankful to the girl scouts that donated it.”

The garden is a huge community effort to maintain and keep going. A group of parent volunteers help run the garden and plan activities for the students. The Bloom & Grow Garden Society has been providing funds through grants over the past several years to help Tildenville replace its deteriorating garden beds with new concrete garden beds. Garden club members also have donated many plants over the years to the butterfly gardens.

The school currently is looking for funding to replace several other old garden beds.

The scouts are awaiting their official ceremony to receive their Silver Award certificates.

Winter Garden’s ONLY 213 Sfamily Dillard St.,owned Suite 140funeral home.

Winter Garden, FL 34787 Direct Cremation for Office Hours: Mon: 8-4 (407) 614-8350 1132 E. Plant Street $ 8-12 & 1-5 Winter Tues-Thurs: Garden, FL 34787 Fri: 7-1 Call Today for Your Appointment!

995

Exceptional - Not Expensive

310499-1

AMY QUESINBERRY

leads the troop with Karen Young.

“We love our garden,” Tildenville Principal Agathe Alvarez said.

The project is improving the school’s learning garden to give the children the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in a fun way, Gonzalez said. She leads the cadet level and worked with the girls on their Silver Award project.

Sheffer, Senges, Lopez and Smith, all middle-schoolers, are former Tildenville students, and they wanted to give back to their school.

They decided what type of project they wanted to tackle and then spent about a year formulating a plan, researching and gathering information, getting their materials, and starting the construction process.

The girls reached out to Lowe’s and Ace Hardware, both of which donated materials. The West Orange High School band director donated some drums the band wasn’t using for the sound garden.

415594-1

Five Girl Scouts built a music garden, a mud kitchen and signage for the elementary school in Winter Garden.

7B

www.winteroakfuneralhome.com

Including the alternative container. Call for details.

LIC #F080822

407-877-6700

415592-1

1148 East Plant Street | Winter Garden, FL 34787 collisoncareyhand.com

FRANK SCARLATA

All inclusive direct cremation only $995 Burial starting at $2,295

“Because You Care” (407) 695-CARE (2273)

www.DeGusipeFuneralHome.com

MAITLAND 9001 N. Orlando Ave Maitland, FL 32771

SANFORD 905 Laurel Ave. Sanford, FL 32771

OCOEE 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd Ocoee, FL 34761

Family Owned & Operated Director/Manager

UNIONTOWN 65 N. Gallitan Ave Uniontown, PA 15401

TODD DEGUSIPE Director/Owner

415586-1

Full service funeral provider with onsite crematory.

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 407-656-2121

Announcements

redpages@orangeobserver.com • orangeobserver.com/redpages

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words .......................... $ 15.00 per week Each add’l word ................25¢ 15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 407-656-2121 Email: redpages@ orangeobserver.com Online: orangeobserver.com/ redpages

Announcements

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! VINTAGE HESS TRUCKS FOR SALE

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Friday at Noon

Accounting

www.CMMDR.COM

We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more!

415624

SMOKE!

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE!

Advertise your

415573

407-656-2121

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 407-656-2121

415621

13178 Wi

13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden

NOW P

SCRAP

407-

NOW PURCHASING

SCRAP BATTERIES 407-656-3495

13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden

NOW PURCHASING

SCRAP BATTERIES

This week’s407-656-3495 Sudoku answers

This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I think you actually have to have all of your dreams come true to realize they are the wrong dreams.” Matthew Perry

FUR BABIES HERE Call today to find a new home for your fur baby.

415749

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Merchandise Wanted

©2023 NEA, Inc.

1801 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803

You now get the dry flower to

Very fairly priced.

Call: 407-654-3422.

Please leave message.

©2023 Universal Uclick

407-755-0012

peekers’ place

Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone

delivered directly to your home or business

All in original box with inserts.

Sold in pairs or entire collection.

611 Business Park Blvd, Unit 101 Winter Garden, FL 34787

CERTIFICATION FREE

Dec. 16 I 10am-1pm

Join us for a day filled with joy, laughter, and festive wonders.

Struggling families looking to participate and receive help with toys, contact us!

407-905-9500 info@matthewshopeministries.org

FAST & EASY

1988 Hess Truck & Racer

Liquidating “MINT” 64 truck collection, 1988-2020, 2 each year.

Scan for more information.

GET YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD HERE

DELIVERY

1989 Hess Fire Truck

349888

The Community Christmas Carnival

You’re only cheating yourself.

403051

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.

415620

Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Puzzle Two Solution: “Either you’re growing or you’re decaying; there’s no middle ground. If you’re standing still, you’re decaying.”

Alan Arkin

Puzzle Three Solution: “You just can’t take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.”

Piper Laurie

OrangeObserver.com

9B

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Auto Service

Professional Services 415626

Auto Service

For all your chimney and dryer vent cleaning needs.

Rob Meehan

Serving Central Florida Since 2003

5-Star Clean Inc.

GARAGE

1045 S. Vineland Rd. • Winter Garden • New and Used Tires • Alignment • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

415625

TFN

407-656-1817

ATW

EXTINGUISHER

SERVICE

1207 North Lakewood Avenue Ocoee, FL 34761

Danny Motes Cell 407-466-4738 Tel 407-654-2395

ATW

CREATE BUZZ!

ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD

ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD

Central Florida’s Oldest & Largest Transmission & Total Car Care Company

Central Florida’s “Your Complete Service Center”Oldest & Largest Transmission Total Car Care Company 10 West Story Rd., Winter Garden,&FL 34787 REG# MV-01095

• Transmission • Clutches • CV Axles • Foreign & Domestic

TFN

12939 W. Colonial 1150 E Semoran Blvd.Dr.Ste. B Apopka, FL,FL 32703 Winter Garden 34787

Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

Call 407-656-2121 Roofing

• Transmission

Phone 407-656-6646 • Clutches • CV Axles

& Domestic Richard Hudson • Regie Hudson • Foreign 415629

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

415632

TFN

www.Firetechextinguisher.com “If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”

415628

“If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”

TFN

FIRE TECH

UPGRADES & REPAIRS

WITH THE RED PAGES

VIRUS & SPYWARE Winter Garden’s Premier Roofing Company Since 1978 REMOVAL

Call to reserve your ad space

407-656-8920 www.WestOrangeRoofing.com

Serving All of West Orange County 1150 E Semoran Blvd. Ste. B DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement Apopka, FL, 32703 RECOVERY

407-877-7600 407-880-9300

407-656-2121

alltransmissionworld.com

WIRELESS & WIRED 407-880-9300 NETWORKING FREE ESTIMATES

alltransmissionworld.com

PROOF APPROVAL

Important to Check the Following Name Copy/Picture/Logos Address Expiration Date Telephone #

415627

TRAYWICK'S

INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MORE

Please Sign Below

HEROES

Date

Approval/Release to Print - Subject to corrections as noted below.

MESSAGE TO ADVERTISER:

This proof is for your protection. If it meets your approval, please sign and email it to your sales representative or fax to 407-889-4121. Instructions have been followed as closely as possible.

The Apopka Chief • 407-886-2777 • Fax: 407-889-4121

found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 407-656-2121 or visit OrangeObserver.com/RedPages

41563032

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

407657

407-719-1263 sweepsalints@gmail.com www.sootloose.com

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

LOCAL NEWS FOUND HERE

in the Big Red Box

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

Each week, the Observer is full of local news you can’t find anywhere else.

It’s always about You. Your Neighbors.

Your Neighborhood.

CHURCH OF GOD

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

EPISCOPAL

Pick up your FREE copy every Thursday. Find a big red box near you, visit www.orangeobserver.com/ rack-locations

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 Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

415717-1

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

The Community Christmas Carnival Dec. 16 I 10am-1pm

Jingle all the way to our Magical Christmas Carnival!

Scan for more information.

415566-1

Community...Get ready to unwrap the magic of the holiday season at our enchanting Christmas Carnival!

Join us for a day filled with joy, laughter, and festive wonders that will leave your hearts aglow.

Everyone is welcome to join!

Struggling families looking to participate and receive help with toys, please call or e-mail us!

407-905-9500 info@matthewshopeministries.org 611 Business Park Blvd, Unit 101 Winter Garden, FL 34787

WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE?

415750-1

415561-1

CALL (407) 656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

404657-1

10B

. . . t i a But W

S ’ E R E H T !

E R MO

XNLV18913

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

is a

Holiday Entertainment

Restaurants & Cafés

A Very Merry Light Show

Bakeries & Ice Cream Parlors

Festive Decorations & Light Displays

Brewery

Themed Photo Stations

Small Town Holiday Charm

Boutique Shops & Unique Retail Stores

Free Parking Much More!

www.cwgdn.com

www.downtownwg.com

@officialdowntownwintergarden