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VOLUME 91, NO. 1

YOUR TOWN

The Peach Cobbler Factory is open in Winter Garden.

SOBO: PAGE 5

LOCAL ELECTIONS: PAGES 2–3

WINNIE PALMER WELCOMES FIRST BABY OF 2024

The new year started off with a bang for one West Orange family.

Justin and Ana Jacinto welcomed baby boy Milo Philip into the world at 1:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. He was Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies’ first baby of the new year.

Milo weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 20 inches long.

In honor of this special occasion, the Central Florida Diaper Bank donated diapers for a year (about 3,600) to the family. The organization advocates for and encourages healthy growth, nutrition and development for children from newborn to age 3 and promotes self-sufficiency for at-risk families by identifying needs and providing the appropriate resources.

“It’s a joy to partner with Orlando Health for the third year in a row to give this gift to a family in our community and help them in this new, precious chapter of life,” said Sharon Lyles, executive director of the Central Florida Diaper Bank.

2024

FORECAST From new leaders and sports amenities to the openings of not one, not two, but three campuses, 2024 is shaping up to be a year to remember in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. Oh, and there are just a few elections that hold big implications for our future.

STEPHEN LEWIS: PAGE 4

GIVE INPUT ON TRAFFIC ISSUES

ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE: PAGES 10-11 OCOM: PAGES 14-15

COUNTY COMMISSION RACE: PAGES 8-9

A Vision Zero Safety Action Plan is being developed in the tri-county area, as well as additional action plans tailored for each county and city, and residents are being asked to give their input.

The results of a survey will help municipalities identify opportunities to change roadway designs, educational needs and enforcement strategies.

To fill out the survey, visit bit. ly/3H4u6gU. The submission deadline is Jan. 31.

WATER SPRING ELEMENTARY RELIEF SCHOOL: PAGE 16

ALSO INSIDE: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE: PAGE 6

Athletes to watch: PAGE 12 New high school fields: PAGE 13

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST

At the local level SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

W

e are only a few short months from the 2024 elections, and although the

presidential elections will surely steal the headlines throughout the country, in West Orange County, there are plenty of municipal elections that will have a day-to-day impact on our communities.

With the ballots set in the towns and cities of this portion of Orange County, voters will have the chance to elect a new mayor in Oakland; vote in a special election to fill the empty District 4 commission seat in Ocoee; and elect two commissioners in Winter Garden — districts 2 and 3.

To get you ready for the March 19 elections, here is what you need to know about the 2024 municipal elections in West Orange County.

The 2024 elections will see voters cast ballots for mayoral and commission candidates in multiple West Orange County municipalities.

OCOEE

Ocoee voters living in District 4 will be tasked with choosing a representative for the next year — the remaining time on former District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III’s term.

Oliver vacated the seat in 2023 to run for the city’s mayoral seat against incumbent and eventual winner Rusty Johnson.

Since April 2023, the seat has been filled by interim Commissioner Ages Hart, but a special election will be held in March for voters to elect a successor to Oliver until the term expires in 2025. Voters then will vote for District 4 commissioner for a full four-year term.

Although there was a heated debate that included back-andforth between former commissioner Oliver, current members of the commission and residents of Ocoee, regarding Oliver’s qualification to be his own successor, the courts ultimately said the former commissioner did qualify to run for his old seat.

With Oliver qualifying for the special election, he will face firsttime commission candidate Nate Robertson.

GEORGE OLIVER III

After becoming the first black elected to the Ocoee City Commission for District 4 in 2018 and winning his re-election bid in 2021, Oliver vacated his commission seat to run for Ocoee mayor.

Oliver was opposed in both of his bids for the commission seat.

In his win in 2018, Oliver defeated incumbent Joel F. Keller — who served as District 4 commissioner for the 12 years before Oliver — by a slight margin of 41 votes.

2021 saw him again defeat Keller for the seat, except this time he faced two more challengers as the incumbent — Lori Hart and Keith Richardson. With a total of 745 votes (56.18% of the popular vote), Oliver won re-election in a landslide over Keller’s 337 votes, Hart’s 208 and Richardson’s 36.

Oliver’s most recent election platforms have focused on increasing transparency at City Hall and keeping Ocoee’s leadership accountable, as well as development aimed at improving Ocoee resident’s quality of life.

Outside Oliver’s work on the commission, he also worked as a computer education teacher at Horizon West Middle School, is a U.S. Navy veteran, served as the network administrator for the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars and has worked in compliance management.

NATE ROBERTSON

Robertson, a first-time commission candidate, is focusing his election bid on three key issues — education, personal freedoms and small-business development — and is approaching his bid with a “resident-first mindset.”

Although he hasn’t held any elected office, Robertson did run for the Florida House of Representatives District 40 seat in 2022 as a Republican and lost to Democrat and Dr. Phillips High School alumnus LaVon Bracy Davis by a large margin (27,920 to 15,040).

Before running for elected office in 2022, Robertson — who holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Union University, a Baptist college in Jackson, Tennessee — worked in account and program management for pharmaceutical company RxCrossroads.

Currently, Robertson serves as the vice president of pro-life organization, Sidewalk Advocates for Life. The organization’s website lists this as its vision: “That peaceful, prayerful, loving and law-abiding sidewalk outreach be present outside every abortion and abortion-referral facility in the U.S. and beyond, redirecting all to life-affirming alternatives, thereby ending abortion.”

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With the mayoral seat open, following longtime Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark’s decision to decline to seek a new term, the town of Oakland will see current Town Commissioner Salvador Ramos and Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Board Shane Taylor face off to replace Stark. Seat 2 Commissioner Michael Satterfield was unopposed, so he retains his seat.

With Ramos vacating Town Commission Seat 3, a successor will be filled by the town following the swearing-in of the new board.

SALVADOR RAMOS

In November 2015, Ramos was appointed to fill the vacant seat left behind by late Oakland Commissioner Willie Welch and has since retained his seat since the appointment — running unopposed in the 2020 election.

The longtime Oakland resident also served over two years on the town’s Charter Review Committee before his 2015 appointment.

Along with his position as town commissioner, he serves as a board member of MetroPlan Orlando’s Municipal Advisory Committee and is an honorary board member of the Central Florida Council for the Boys Scouts of America.

He also has been involved with many other charitable or non-profit organizations, especially through his church — Mosaic Church — where he’s served as a deacon since 2007, and as a committee member of the Coalition of Churches in Oakland.

In the private sector, Ramos founded Empire Finish Systems, a construction company, with his two partners — one of whom is Iliana R. Jones, a candidate for Winter Garden District 2 commissioner — and also has received the West Orange Golden Eagle award and Best Small Business award at the Golden Orange Awards.

SHANE TAYLOR

Taylor, the 2019 Town of Oakland Volunteer of the Year and longtime resident, has served on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board since 2013 and began serving as the board’s chair in 2017.

In the private sector, Taylor works for the Dr. Phillips Foundation in construction and development and has been one of the key people involved in the development of the Packing District project near Downtown Orlando.

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WINTER GARDEN

There will be two commission seats on the ballot during the 2024 municipal elections in the city of Winter Garden.

For the District 2 seat, Danny “DJ” Culberson Jr. and Iliana R. Jones will face embattled incumbent Ron Mueller — who will face a forfeiture hearing in January after the commission recently DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES RON MUELLER

Mueller is facing a forfeiture hearing in January, after the commission voted 4-1 to proceed with investigating three charges of alleged violations of the city’s charter regarding Sunshine Laws — regulations requiring public disclosure of government agency meetings and records, to promote and maintain transparency among public officials.

The three charges are from Article II, Section 14 of the City Charter. Specifically, the violations Mueller is being charged with are: Allegedly requesting the removal of city staff members, who report to the city manager; working with city staff members without solely going through the city manager; and giving orders to members of the city staff.

The incumbent has called these accusations “nothing more than just political rhetoric” and a “political stunt here to push something at the election time that is unwarranted and unfounded from the information.”

Mueller’s list of commission accomplishments over his time as an elected official includes saving residents $2,551,750 in liens, penalties and interest left behind by previous Oakland Park developers; approving the repaving of all the streets and repairing or replacing the aging storm drain system at Valencia Shores; and being a part of the effort to stop the construction of the turnpike ramp at Avalon Road, which Mueller said would have worsened traffic in the area.

Mueller said his focus in office will be five-fold: Annexation of land and roads that are under Orange County jurisdiction; an economic model that emphasizes balanced distribution of economic resources among three tiers — the investor, consumer and labor tiers; integrating more green space elements in Winter Garden; continued efforts to execute the comprehensive plan on Plant and Dillard streets; and a continued focus on creating “Hallmark moments.”

ruled to hold a forefeiture hearing on three alleged city charter violations.

Chloe Johnson and Karen McNeil will run to fill the seat left vacant by District 3 incumbent Mark A. Maciel, who withdrew after qualifying, while District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman is unopposed in his re-election bid, so his seat will not be on the ballot.

DANNY “DJ” CULBERSON JR.

Culberson’s campaign platform is committed to implementing several components while remaining financially responsible and not burdening residents with more taxes. He proposes strategically leveraging the city of Winter Garden’s reserve balance to do so.

His plan in office would be to improve the city worker-to-resident ratio, invest in youth leadership and life skills programs, support small businesses and local downtown businesses, and help enable the growth of the city’s summer and day camp offerings.

Outside of his bid for the commission, Culberson has a broad background in restaurant management at the corporate level and currently, he is a corporate account manager for chemical manufacturing company Ecolab.

ILIANA R. JONES

Jones is again trying to make history by becoming the first Latina to sit on the Winter Garden commission after running for the District 2 seat in 2021 and losing to Mueller by a narrow margin of 66 votes.

The co-owner and CFO of Empire Finish Systems, a construction company she owns with her brother, Oakland Commissioner Salvador Ramos, Jones is a graduate of USF and serves as a board member of the Winter Garden’s Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Board, West Orange Political Alliance, West Orange Chamber of Commerce and Winter Garden Heritage Association.

Her election platform focuses on three key issues: Family, low density and local charm. Jones’ focus is to keep Winter Garden a family-friendly city that grows in a way that maintains its low-density and charm-filled nature.

DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES CHLOE JOHNSON

After incumbent Mark A. Maciel withdrew from the election following qualifying, he chose to endorse Johnson as the candidate he would support in the race for District 3 Commissioner. Along with Maciel, Winter Garden District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett and former District 3 Commissioner Harold Bouler also have endorsed Johnson for the seat.

Johnson’s platform for the election is based on three key elements: She wants to keep Winter Garden familyfriendly, with safe neighborhoods, while maintaining its low-density charm.

Along with her endorsements and platform, Johnson also has experience in the public sector in various manners.

She founded a non-profit called I Am Her, which seeks to uplift women in a positive environment. She’s also served as vice president of One Winter Garden, was a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board and a representative for Winter Garden on the Orange County’s Citizens Safety Task Force, and was a member of Winter Garden’s Planning & Zoning Board.

KAREN MCNEIL

A lifelong resident of Winter Garden, McNeil has advocated for public safety, continued economic development and the preservation of historic landmarks and buildings in Winter Garden.

McNeil also has helped develop several initiatives including parenting classes, the installation of speed bumps, youth programming with a focus on skill and talent development and Single Mothers in a Learning Environment (SMILE) — a GED preparation program. She also serves on the board of VoxPopuli, a West Orange County community media outlet.

Along with her advocacy work, McNeil is the president of Fresh Start Entrepreneurs Inc. — a nonprofit that helps prepare people for business ownership — and is the owner of McNeil’s Adult Daycare.

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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.”

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CONTACT US Stephen Lewis is looking forward to guiding the West Orange Chamber into a new era.

Fresh perspective Stephen Lewis is hoping his age will be a benefit to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and his experience can help him bridge the gap between the older and younger generations of business men and women who are members of the organization.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

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“I come from the generation (that) played outside and didn’t grow up with a computer,” he said. “That brings a perspective to things. I am bridging a gap between the older and young generations. It’s unique.”

— Stephen Lewis

hen longtime president Stina D’Uva announced her retirement from the West Orange Chamber of Commerce last year, the organization embarked on a nationwide search to locate its next leader. After a months-long quest, the chamber ultimately selected a man who grew up in Central Florida, has a background in politics and can bring a national nonprofit perspective to the local level.

Stephen Lewis, 37, was hired in September and worked alongside D’Uva throughout October to ensure a smooth transition from one leader to the next.

Lewis has enjoyed getting to know the community and its businesses and residents, and he is eager to put his skills to work in the new year.

“When I think about my age and what it brings to this — I’m a student of history, so I feel that my age and my experience helps me to bridge the gap between the generation that came before us and my younger generation,” Lewis said. “I love the history and knowing what’s happened in the community, the pioneers of West Orange County and the history of the surrounding area. I think that being able to understand and appreciate that, (I can) help the younger generation understand that, those just coming in the work force.

“I come from the generation (that) played outside and didn’t grow up with a computer,” he said. “That brings a perspective to things. I am bridging a gap between the older and young generations. It’s unique.”

BRINGING SKILL SETS

Prior to coming to the West Orange Chamber, Lewis was the director of governance and leadership with Associated Builders & Contractors, a national construction industry trade association.

“One skill set I bring is I have a national perspective when it comes to nonprofit management,” he said.

“I’m fortunate that I got to travel to 45 states when I was traveling on the road. … Twelve years on the road — I got to see large organizations and small organizations, and I think I’m able to bring a perspective that few can bring in that I’ve seen small organizations that are very well run and large organizations that are very well run, and both that are poorly run, and I’m able to bring that national perspective

to the local community.

“I come from the trade association world, and I know there’s a lot that can be gleaned from it,” he said.

Lewis attended Tallahassee Community College — he said he believes students truly benefit from going to a two-year college before attending a university. He learned more about the political scene when he interned for former State Rep. Bryan Nelson.

In his junior year at Florida State University, he began his career with ABC as an administrative assistant in the Tallahassee office, giving him experience in the trade association aspect of politics.

He graduated in 2008 from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science and social science, with a minor in communication, and worked as a lobbyist with the ABC of Florida team. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree in political science from FSU. In 2018, he earned the Certified Association Executive credential, which is the marker of an association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to managing a not-for-profit organization.

Having worked nationally and throughout Florida, Lewis has garnered a network that extends beyond the local chamber — one he hopes can benefit the West Orange organization when he and his team tackle several initiatives in 2024.

HAVING A VISION

The West Orange Chamber has three committees that serve its more than 1,150 members: Ambassador Committee, Economic Governmental Advocacy Committee and the West Orange Political Alliance. There is a fourth group, the West Orange Foundation, but it operates as a separate entity.

Lewis said he considers the chamber to be uniquely situated as the hub of innovation and creativity.

“We have the world’s largest theme parks in our backyard that are members of our chamber,” he said. “We have literally world-class medical facilities that are members of our chamber. We have businesses, sports franchises — we represent such a large swath of industries. We have the ability to bring together people and industries that otherwise wouldn’t connect, and I think that’s when you can come up with unique ideas and solve complex problems that our community faces.

“I think that we have people that have skill sets (who) otherwise

Amy Quesinberry

wouldn’t intersect, and we can bring them together to synergize,” Lewis said.

Leadership West Orange introduces participants to people in other industries. Chamber memberships include the University of Central Florida, Valencia College, Orange County Public Schools and individual OCPS school board members, bringing in an educational component to the conversation. West Orange Foundation has helped with food insecurity and provides scholarships to high school students.

2024 will bring some changes to the West Orange Foundation, Lewis said. Chamber leadership is working on reshaping the entity’s focus, and he said the goal is to bring together community partners to fulfill the new purpose.

This also is an election year, so WOPA members will be busy making sure they are providing smart guidance on business-friendly candidates who are running for office, Lewis said. The political hobnob is an important event that allows chamber members to meet and ask questions of candidates.

Lewis and his team will be examining all of the chamber’s events and programs.

“I tell my staff: There isn’t an idea (that’s bad),” he said. “Even if we’ve brought it up before … things that didn’t work before, let’s try it again in the post-COVID world. If we see something successful, we’ll try to replicate that.”

Lewis is excited for the challenge of merging the chamber’s past with its future and to educate members, especially those in the younger generation, on the organization’s history.

He is an Eagle scout, so service to others and community is second nature to him.

“My desire to serve the community came a long time ago,” Lewis said.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to run for office; that was always, when I was a kid, something that interested me. But now I find that this is such a great way to give back to the community. Being in scouts, I always knew I wanted to give back to the community, and it’s kind of manifested itself in this position.

“One thing I try to stress is that I’m a servant leader,” he said. “I want to listen to the needs of our membership and respond accordingly.”

AFTER HOURS

When Lewis isn’t handling chamber business, he is spending time with his wife of 13 years, Amanda, and their two children, Hayden, 7, and Lawson, 5, who are active in sports. The Lewises live in Windermere — not far from Lewis’ hometown of Apopka — and enjoy frequently taking their boat out on the Butler Chain of Lakes.

The family has an affinity for the theme parks, too, and they split their time between Animal Kingdom, the kids’ favorite, and Epcot, the adults’ preferred park.

“We love the theme parks,” Lewis said. “We like to take advantage of all the area has to offer: the lakes, the theme parks, Oakland Nature Preserve.”

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

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2024 FORECAST

Creative space

The Winter Garden Art Association has been seeking funding for a second artist space south of the SOBO Art Gallery.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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The West Orange Healthcare District had pledged $1.25 million, to be managed by Healthy West Orange.

The grant agreement between the West Orange Healthcare District and the Winter Garden Art Association Inc. states the district is awarding funding in the amount of $1.25 million to pay for a portion of the new building, “which will provide additional gallery space for expanding creative program-

Clockwise from above: This concept calls for historic mill-type windows and a strong corner influence.

Shade is influenced by a hard awning reminiscent of rail stop and citrus packing.

First impressions for art galleries usually have to do with the unique design of the structure over the art it holds.

The new building would be situated south of the existing SOBO Art Gallery on South Boyd Street.

ming for healthy growth and vitality for residents of West Orange County.”

The agreement continued: “The health benefits of exposure to the arts (includes) the reduction of stress and anxiety, increase in positive emotions, decreased focus on pain and enhancement of social bonding.

Findings also confirm that exposure to the arts enhances coping skills, thereby reducing needs for hospital care, pain medication and medical costs.”

The WGAA’s request focuses on the development of an arts complex designed to include both museum and gallery space, community art galleries, and a dedicated creative arts and wellness center for lifelong learning. New construction adjacent to the existing SOBO Gallery would be initiated late 2023 or early 2024, with final construction in 2025. The two buildings and outdoor areas will provide needed space for expanding creative programing for healthy growth and vitality for all ages including seniors and children.

The WGAA submitted a request to Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force last year and will present the full application in March and make a presentation for approval before

the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in April or May. The WGAA will find out soon after if the request was granted.

In the proposal for TDT funds, Self advised the organization of WGAA’s committed grant of $1.25 million from HWO, its request of the city of Winter Garden for a matching grant of $1.25 million and its plan to raise additional funds toward an overall project budget of $5 million.

WGAA is asking for TDT funding of $2.5 million.

“The creation of a dedicated learning center will provide potential for expanded programming focused on arts and wellness, arts and aging, arts and healing, and special needs communities, as well as provide space for art-related skill development and personal expression for all ages,” the request stated. “Additional gallery space will allow inclusion of more local artists to share their work, a permanent collection of art and enable the community to enjoy museum quality experiences in a larger capacity than is now available … in West Orange County.”

The TDT request continued: “About 20% of people visiting Winter Garden are tourists. Our city has become a hot-spot destination, and our gallery is helping brand the city as an arts town. We need your

help. Our SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden has become a hot topic place on the arts scene in Central Florida, and many artists say we are the best in Central Florida in terms of the range and quality of art — even in our small gallery space compared to many museums etc. in Orlando and Central Florida in general. This grant would allow for great expansion of the presence of art in West Orange County, and we believe that Winter Garden is worthy of a large and substantial grant to help with tourism in our area. In West Orange, the Winter Garden Art Association is an ideal partner.”

Self said the WGAA is in the process of taking the steps toward requesting funds from the city of Winter Garden.

GOING VERTICAL

If the entire $5 million falls into place, the building could reach three stories, with the top floor being a combination of indoor and outdoor deck space.

Self envisions the entire space being a piece of art — a railroad-era, steel-based structure that incorporates wood and stone, lights on the trees and a water feature that cascades down the side of the building and around the front. An awning would connect the two buildings.

Self has plenty of ideas for the gallery space, including a high school arts

league that would give talented teen artists a place for exposure.

Overall, he said, with the expanded gallery space, West Orange County artists would have a higher chance of being accepted into juried exhibitions.

“We have (more than) 1,100 artists who have actively submitted to an average of three exhibitions at SOBO in the last four years,” he said.

Self is on a quest to put the arts on the map the way eating right and exercise have done through the West Orange Trail and the HWO initiative.

“Eating right and exercise is right there, but I think if you had a vibrant arts community, it would make Winter Garden that much more interesting,” Self said. “Even with this limited size here, we’ve already expanded, and I can just imagine once we have the new building.”

SOBO hosts eight big exhibitions each year and curates many pieces, as well. Furthermore, about a dozen businesses display WGAA artwork on their walls.

Self said art is one of the last bridges between social, religious and racial differences.

“When two people are celebrating creativity together, none of that matters,” he said.

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GRANT MONIES

n Dianna Duffy: Chair n Lesley Austin: Vice chair Elizabeth McKinney: Founder, treasurer and past chair n Mary Keating: Founder and past chair n Kim Stutsman: Past chair n Alan Bent: Secretary n Philip Self: Executive director n Patrick Anderson, Anne Fanelli, Larry Henrichs, Ryan Hinricher, Bob McGoff, Tracey McFadden-Morrissey, Patrice Ragusa: Other members

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hat started a decade ago as a simple idea for an arts organization in Winter Garden has grown into one of the most successful art galleries in Central Florida. The Winter Garden Art Association has reached artists of all ages through classes, workshops and exhibitions — and now it is making plans to expand.

“The success of the art association in Winter Garden has had an impact on thousands of artists’ lives,” said WGAA executive director Phil Self.

The SOBO Art Gallery — named so because it’s located on South Boyd Street — recently marked its 10-year anniversary and has announced a $5 million project that includes a second building of 5,500 square feet, additional gallery space and greater opportunities for even more local artists to be seen.

This project could be a boon to Central Florida artists, who have expressed to WGAA their disappointment that they typically don’t get any space in the exhibitions.

SOBO’s last two exhibitions included 96 different artists, and only 11 made it into both shows. A small percentage of artists was from West Orange County.

“We have so many thousands of 2D and 3D artists — sculptures and paintings and classic drawings — as opposed to visual arts,” Self said.

“There are all these thousands of artists in Central Florida fighting to get in all these galleries. We reject 70 to 80% of submissions because of limited display space. You’re not tapping into this, it’s like an underground reservoir, like a spring, and you’re not tapping into these 2D and 3D artists.”

The new building is expected to solve that problem.

Self’s idea is to bring together 2D and 3D artists and musicians for a well-rounded exhibition.

“If we just give them a stage, not performing acts, but someone who can do juried themes and combine with musical artists … I think we could do something many people don’t,” he said. “It would be a mecca catalyst, and you wouldn’t believe the art culture you could create here.”

WGAA’s success can be traced back to the city officials who gave their initial support to the arts project more than a decade ago and continue the partnership today. Self is grateful for the city’s support — especially when he sees many private galleries in the Mills District closing.

“It’s only because of the city that we are here,” Self said.

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2024 FORECAST

Courtesy of Isleworth Realty

The Da Silva Estate, at 9538 Blanche Cove Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 18, 2023, for $35 million. It was the largest transaction in Central Florida history.

By popular demand Following two years of steadily rising interest rates, low supply and high demand, local real-estate experts are optimistic 2024 will be a year of stable growth.

MICHAEL ENG

MARKET TRENDS

EDTIOR AND PUBLISHER

I

f you were to look up the word “chaos” in the thesaurus, you might just find “the 2021-2023 real-estate market” as a synonym.

In two years, buyers and sellers saw mortgage interest rates change from 2.95% in November 2021 to a whopping 7.77% in October 2023.

Accordingly, the Central Florida market experienced wild swings in inventory — going from a low of 2,313 in February 2021 to 8,202 in November 2023.

“The good news is that the increase in inventory helped the market a lot,” said Lisa Hill, immediate past president at Orlando Regional REALTOR Association. “We had no homes (on the market), and we’re starting to see the increase.”

And yet, because of the area’s high demand — spurred by transplants from states such as California, New York and New Jersey, as well as a steady influx of international buyers from countries such as Brazil — average prices of homes continued to grow steadily — from $378,907 in November 2021 to $452,578 in November 2023.

However, given the tumultuous past two years — along with 2024 being an election year — local experts agree: For buyers and sellers to be successful this year, they will have to be smart, savvy and flexible.

BUYERS

In the fourth quarter of 2023, interest rates saw a slight decrease — from 7.77% in October to 7.26% in November to 7.22% in December, Hill said.

“To put that into perspective, for a $400,000 house, that’s $125 per month,” she said.

Hill expects that trend to continue in the first quarter of 2024, settling somewhere in the 6% to 6.5% range.

“Obviously, that depends on the Fed,” she said.

And while the skyrocketing interest rates certainly cooled the market in 2023, it also helped to increase inventory and lengthen a home’s time on market — both positives for those searching for a home to buy. Furthermore, Hill advises her clients to consider more than just the mortgage rate. After all, refinancing to a lower rate is an option post-sale.

“Marry the house, date the rate,” she said.

Matthew Allen, a Windermerebased agent who leads the Matt Allen Team, agrees and said for anyone looking to purchase his or her first

MONTH June 2023 July 2023 Aug. 2023 Sept. 2023 Oct. 2023 Nov. 2023

AVG. MORTGAGE RATE 6.66% 6.84% 6.58% 7.29% 7.77% 7.26%

TOTAL INVENTORY 5,450 5,720 6,115 6,758 7,813 8,202

NEW LISTINGS 3,703 3,413 3,620 3,545 3,456 3,188

SALES CLOSED 3,124 2,852 2,792 2,558 2,429 1,996

DAYS ON MARKET 41 39 41 41 44 46

GOLDEN HANDCUFFS Those who have owned a home in West Orange and Southwest Orange County for more than three years likely are in a conundrum. Matt McKee calls it the golden handcuffs. Matthew Allen said it is real-estate gridlock.

“You might have a 2.49% interest rate, which means you can’t sell — not even to downsize,” he said. “People are not moving for pleasure. They’re moving for the three D’s — divorce, diploma or diapers.”

It’s a situation that likely will keep inventory low for the foreseeable future and, in turn, prices high.

Source: Orlando Regional Realtor Association State of the Market, November 2023

MORTGAGE RATES MONTH Nov. 2022 Dec. 2022 Jan. 2023 Feb. 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 Aug. 2023 Sept. 2023 Oct. 2023 Nov. 2023

RATE 6.58% 6.12% 6.13% 6.36% 6.70% 6.41% 6.62% 6.66% 6.84% 6.58% 7.29% 7.77% 7.26%

AVERAGE SOLD PRICES PRIOR YEAR 2.95% 3.07% 3.38% 3.87% 4.20% 4.94% 5.28% 5.52% 5.35% 5.29% 6.32% 6.95% 6.58%

CHANGE 122.9% 99.5% 81.5% 64.5% 59.4% 29.7% 25.4% 20.6% 27.7% 24.5% 15.3% 11.8% 10.3%

INVENTORY MONTH Nov. 2022 Dec. 2022 Jan. 2023 Feb. 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 Aug. 2023 Sept. 2023 Oct. 2023 Nov. 2023

HOMES ON MARKET 7,197 6,351 6,115 5,555 5,052 5,148 5,149 5,450 5,720 6,115 6,758 7,813 8,202

PRIOR YEAR 3,046 2,586 2,379 2,313 2,478 2,670 3,851 5,437 6,518 6,762 6,884 7,128 7,197

PRIOR MONTH AVG. PRICE YEAR CHANGE Nov. 2022 $424,483 $378,907 12.0% Dec. 2022 $421,685 $395,965 6.5% Jan. 2023 $425,407 $386,061 10.2% Feb. 2023 $438,375 $401,232 9.3% March 2023 $431,875 $410,169 5.3% April 2023 $443,718 $438,880 1.1% May 2023 $458,116 $445,544 2.8% June 2023 $461,242 $451,260 2.2% July 2023 $444,555 $441,210 0.8% Aug. 2023 $447,376 $434,313 3.0% Sept. 2023 $446,888 $418,768 6.7% Oct. 2023 $448,853 $427,195 5.1% Nov. 2023 $452,578 $424,483 6.6%

AVERAGE MORTGAGE PAID

BY CENTRAL FLORIDA BUYERS CHANGE 136.3% 145.6% 157.0% 140.2% 103.9% 92.8% 33.7% 0.2% -12.2% -9.6% -1.8% 9.6% 14.0%

8.0% 6.58%

7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 4.0%

2.95%

3.0% 2.0% 1.0% Nov. 2021

home and begin to build equity, it is paramount to find a way to get on the property-ownership ladder.

Admittedly, that is difficult in the Central Florida market, where the average starter home in Orange County costs a whopping $500,000.

Difficult, yes. But not impossible, Allen said.

“Start talking to lenders early,” he said. “Do your research to get the best rates, and some even help with closing costs.”

There are myriad assistance programs available to first-time homebuyers that can assist with down payments. Furthermore, experts say buyers would be wise to widen their search parameters. Many builders are offering interest rate buy-down

7.26%

incentives for new construction, he said.

The key is to know your options and to stay flexible.

“Explore your options,” Hill said.

“Look at single-family (homes) versus townhouses. Look at all your scenarios. There’s nothing we can do about the interest rate (right now), but you can refinance down the road. “(For first-time buyers), don’t look for your forever home,” she said.

“Statistically, people are in their first home for five years and then move on.”

Home prices rose throughout 2023, and experts expect that to continue in 2024. Demand from out-of-state buyers remains high, and with Universal’s Epic Universe slated to open in 2025, the West Orange and Southwest

+122.9%

+10.3%

Nov. 2022

Nov. 2023

Orange markets will remain popular for those transplants, said Matt McKee, of the Dr. Phillips-based The Matt McKee Group — Compass.

And although a $500,000 starter home sounds outrageous to longtime Florida residents, for those moving from California, New York and New Jersey, it is quite reasonable.

“It’s still a very affordable state (comparatively),” Allen said. “The median California home is $1.4 million to $1.5 million. They like the cost.

They like the weather. And they like the state government.”

International buyers also exert influence on the local market. Brazil, in particular, accounts for 38% of all international buyers, Hill said.

“It’s so affordable here (compared

to Brazil,” she said. “They love the climate, and it’s a little safer here, too.

They also love Disney; it’s all about The Mouse.”

SELLERS

The average time on market lengthened to a six-month high of 46 days in November 2023. Gone are the days when homeowners received phone calls and texts with sight-unseen offers from iBuyer companies such as Opendoor and Zillow. Gone, as well, are the buyers willing to waive inspections and appraisals to close as quickly as possible.

And that’s a good thing.

“This is the way it should be,” Hill said.

Yes, sellers: You are going to have to put in some effort.

“We went from seven days (to close) no problem in 2021 to 2022 to now, I tell my sellers to expect 120 (total) days (to close),” McKee said. “Your home has to be a show-ready model home.

It’s not for the faint of heart. You cannot be a casual seller. You have to be fully engaged.”

Allen agreed and said that engagement starts even before the “for sale” sign is put in the front yard.

“Houses that sell the quickest are priced appropriately,” he said. “Know your comparables.”

Furthermore, take care of all that maintenance you’ve put off for years.

Buyers don’t want to rehab a house.

Finally, marketing is key, Allen said.

“You have to build the story of your house,” he said. “And you have to get your house in front of the people interested in your house.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Succinctly, nobody knows for sure.

But experts agree a drop in interest rates in 2024 could encourage healthy growth in the market — freeing up some homeowners to either upgrade or downsize. That would continue to increase the available homes on the market, which would help with the steady demand from folks seeking property in Central Florida. And because of sustained interest from out-of-state buyers, the local market is poised for another year of growth.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST

Nicole Wilson, incumbent

Austin Arthur

Pam Gould

Three-way race Incumbent Nicole Wilson will face challengers Austin Arthur and Pam Gould for the District 1 Orange County Commission seat.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

T

his August, residents living in Orange County’s District 1 will have a big decision to make.

They will be tasked with choosing to re-elect current District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson or vote in a new candidate to office in Austin Arthur or Pam Gould.

Wilson, who has held office since August 2020, beat out former incumbent Betsy VanderLey, as well as former candidate Hannah Burns.

Although all three candidates share a mutual love and passion for District 1, each brings his or her own ideas and visions to the role.

NICOLE WILSON

Nicole Wilson moved in 1998 to Orange County when her husband graduated from medical school and matched with a family medicine residency program in Orlando.

The couple made the move to the west side of Orange County after their oldest child was born in 2000. They have lived here ever since.

Wilson said the best decision they made was raising all their children in the Windermere/Winter Garden area and building their lives here.

Wilson’s undergraduate degree is in human services and psychology, and she worked in community health when she first graduated from college.

She returned to law school later and said she has been fortunate to be able to be active in her community throughout the years.

When her children were young, she taught at their preschool and was a substitute teacher at their elementary school.

Wilson said she has had the honor of working with many passionate individuals along the way who helped form entities such as the Dolphin Education Fund, the Ultimate Warrior Scholarship and the Florida Rights of Nature Network.

She has served and continues to serve on the Water Cooperative of Central Florida, Orange County Children and Family Services Board, the Community Action Board, Metroplan Orlando Board and the Florida Association of Counties Environmental Policy Committee. Her experiences also include leading a Girl Scout troop, serving as PTO president and practicing environmental law.

“I believe my experience as a Girl Scout troop leader and PTO president were as meaningful as my professional experiences in preparing me for my role as Orange County District 1 commissioner,” she said. “My experience in environmental law gave me unique qualifications that I’ve employed over the last three years to be a capable and effective county commissioner.”

Working as an environmental attorney in Orange County, Wilson saw firsthand the detrimental impact unprecedented growth can have on quality of life.

“The county’s plans to make a road wider and faster in front of my children’s elementary school got me even more interested in growth

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES n Nicole Wilson: votenicolewilson.com n Austin Arthur: voteaustinarthur.com n Pam Gould: electpamgould.com

management and creating walkable, bike-able communities,” she said.

“Through my work with other local advocates, we were able to get a safer outcome for that intersection. I was involved in crafting environmental protection charter amendments that were balloted and passed by historic margins and really understood that Orange County residents were unified in their desire to protect our environment and grow in a responsible way. I saw a fundamental disconnect between our existing elected officials’ actions and the wishes of the constituents they represented.”

Wilson wants to represent District 1 because she hopes to continue working to improve the place she loves the most.

“This is my home,” she said. “This is where I started my family and raised all three of my children. My feeling is that local government should not be as confusing and mysterious as it often seems to residents. I believe that unnecessary bureaucracy and lack of communication leave residents feeling voiceless. Over the past three years, we’ve made real progress in removing barriers that separate residents from this process. We’re shifting the conversation back to our residents, and that was a long-overdue change.”

Wilson said transparency remains her top priority, and she encourages residents to look at who is supporting each candidate financially before casting a vote.

“I’m not here to tell you who the best candidate is for you,” she said. “What I can tell you is that I come into this office every day laser-focused on the best interests of District 1 residents. I am not here to line my own pockets, or as part of a self-promotional business. … I don’t believe in backroom meetings and I don’t owe favors to cronies or corporations. … Sadly, local races have recently become big money campaigns, and if a local candidate has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is important to ask that candidate exactly who they are working for.”

When it comes to growth and development, Wilson said Central Florida leaders governed with the premise that all growth is good for decades.

“Over the previous decades, Orange County’s leadership allowed deviations from the comprehensive plan resulting in a patchwork of development without adequate infrastructure,”’ she said. “In my first year of office, I was able to champion increased impact fees to ensure developers pay for the burden felt on our roads, schools and emergency services.

“Even with the increased impact fees, we are years behind in our infrastructure investment,” she said.

“When I entered office, we were rapidly losing undeveloped land needed to mitigate flooding and provide refuge for displaced wildlife. I am proud to have passed a budget reinvestment in conservation lands when we updated our Green PLACE Program in 2021.

I furthered a revised wetland protection ordinance and a tree protection ordinance in an effort to find some balance during the development process. Early in my first year, I heard from residents their concerns about flooding and standing water in typically dry places, so I advocated for a stormwater management update. My goal is making sure our stormwater retention and treatment accounts for the growth and loss of natural soil absorption. I am currently working on a process to create stormwater treatment that mimics the natural processes of wetlands. All the while, I am pushing for a low impact development manual that incentivizes development projects that follow environmentally friendly regulations.”

The environment has been a driving force in Wilson’s work. Since entering office, she has championed a more protective fertilizer ordinance to better protect waterways from runoff; advanced an updated dock permitting process to better protect shorelines; and advocated for a more protective tree protection ordinance to stop the mass clearing of tree canopy.

She also pushed for a full revision of the Wetland Conservation Code and brought forward the need to revise the Environmental Protection Commission to eliminate the conflicts of interest in the permitting process.

“All my efforts give us more tools to prevent the degradation of our environment as we continue to grow,” she said. “The environmental policy changes that I have been working on don’t always make headlines, but they are critical for the health and safety of all Orange County residents. No one survives without clean air and water.”

Wilson said her relationships with Orange County Public Schools leadership, administrators and teachers has been a huge benefit during her time serving as a commissioner.

Wilson was instrumental in bringing the stadium back to Windermere High School and has worked with several principals and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to facilitate safer drop-off and pick up, school crossings and walkable, bike-able access for students.

When it comes to the future of the east-west connector, Wilson said she has worked hard to forge a good relationship with her Lake County counterpart, and the two meet quarterly to discuss issues that impact their respective districts.

“There will be multiple connections to State Road 27 in the coming years, including the completion of New Independence Parkway, Flemings Road and the Wellness Way project,” she said. “I am a strong voice for our residents as these projects progress to make sure their concerns are addressed, and that their safety and

quality of life are preserved and protected.”

AUSTIN ARTHUR

Although Austin Arthur was born and raised in South Florida, he moved to the West Orange County area with his brother, Zander, 15 years ago.

Once settled into the area, he knew he would never leave.

“My wife, Kellie, was born and raised here in West Orange, and we are raising our three children here,” he said. “We absolutely love it here and never plan to leave.”

Arthur was a firefighter paramedic who said he always had a passion for business.

In 2012, he and his brother launched a marketing firm, Stars and Stripes Marketing Services, which they still run today in Winter Garden.

In 2014, the brothers opened another business, Gymnastics USA, also in Winter Garden.

“Along the way, we have had several businesses, including a software company, named after my late father, which was successfully acquired two years ago,” Arthur said. “Business became thriving to the point where I could no longer also do my role as a firefighter paramedic, so I stayed focused on the businesses and I still am involved in leading our marketing firm today.”

Arthur said he has always had a heart for the community and for helping others, so he began to give back and volunteer his time for charitable causes.

He serves on many community service boards, including the West Orange Habitat for Humanity, Challenge 22 to End Veteran Suicide, West Orange Scholarship Foundation, Eight Waves Children and Family Services, and the Winter Garden Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board.

“It was through my service with these organizations that I realized we have a serious leadership crisis in Orange County Government,” he said. “I began to see many alarming deficiencies, and so I started to urge friends to run for commissioner in our district, but I kept being asked in return if I would do it. Eventually, I decided to take on the task myself.”

Arthur believes Orange County has a lot of challenging issues.

“I believe Orange County has become bureaucrat-heavy and needs a haircut,” he said. “We need to approach things with a common sense, business mindset rather than a political one. We also need leadership that is community-driven, but one cannot understand the will of the community unless you are actively engaged in the community.”

Arthur believes what’s currently happening throughout Orange County Government is not working.

“This is evidenced by the fact that we have the mayors of Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland and Apopka all endorsing this effort,” he said. “We also have every council member of Windermere endorsing the campaign.

In total, we have almost 25 various current and former elected leaders who have endorsed. It is not just electeds (who) are supporting my candidacy.

We see people volunteering and even financially giving to the campaign that have never done either of those things in their life. … People are hungry for

something new at the county level, and many of them feel I am the best candidate for the job during such a time as this.”

Arthur believes the growth in District 1 is profound, especially in Horizon West.

“We are all feeling the pressure,” he said. “While acknowledging certain land-usage rights exist, growth cannot be unchecked — especially without regarding the ability for our schools and infrastructure to sustain the increase in population and traffic.

If we do not have an ‘infrastructurefirst’ mindset, the residents lose. At the same time, we have a supply-anddemand issue when it comes to housing. The housing market needs more supply online to meet demand and to bring housing prices and rental prices down, so (as) to become affordable for our residents. People (who) have lived in West Orange their whole lives are finding that their children and grandchildren are becoming priced out of the communities they helped to build.

This is why the commissioner must work with everyone involved in the subject of development toward solutions.”

When it comes to the environment, Arthur plans to focus on promoting native species, prioritizing bodies of water, preserving tree canopy areas and protecting green space.

“The president of the Oakland Nature Preserve, Rick Polland, has been an inspiration to me on how we can intersect preservation with governanceasheisalsoacommissioner for the town of Oakland,” he said. “As a commissioner, he was one of the first elected officials to endorse the campaign, and I am grateful to partner with him and to have his knowledge and wisdom as a resource. As a member of Friends of Lake Apopka, I have learned that when residents stand up for our God-given natural environment, we can do powerful things together. Jim Thomas, the founder of FOLA, began a mission decades ago that has led to tremendous restoration of Lake Apopka and showed us how to engage residents and government to not only protect what we hold dear but, as in the case of the lake, restore it. I seek to stand on the shoulders of these giants as we focus on local environmental restoration and conservation.”

Arthur said if the Orange County School Board is not working well in partnership with the county and the local municipalities, the residents lose. He said it’s critical to have a good relationship with the School Board members, and he already has begun the process with OCPS Board Member Alicia Farrant endorsing his campaign.

“It is critical that our School Board stay focused on ensuring education within our schools and that kids are in a safe environment — not in overcrowded environments or sitting inside vulnerable portables,” he said.

“The Orange County Commission must work together with OCPS to ensure the right number of schools are available before the overcrowding occurs — not always racing to catch up.”

Arthur believes the Lake County Government has done a tremendous job partnering strongly with CFX to make the east-west connector happen.

“However, the sad thing is that there have been other connectivity solutions which were teed up by a prior commissioner and they have lingered without support for the past few years,” he said. “Those connections could provide much-needed routes supporting relief for congestion and greater public safety access in both

OrangeObserver.com

NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE STARTING FALL 2024 Up to $30,000 per undergraduate scholarship Limited to students with a maximum annual 2021 family of 4 income of $69,000 For graduates of West Orange County and South Lake County high schools Pays 100% of the actual cost of in-state public university tuition, fees and books, but can be used for private or out-of-state schools Applications available on the Oakland Presbyterian Church website www.oaklandpres.org/education-fund/ 407 656-4452.

Applications accepted if submitted by Feb. 12, 2024 Successful applicants must maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers The Florida Public Service Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $30.50 per month and business services are $43.50 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible lowincome individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

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414964-1

Pam Gould has lived in the Windermere area of West Orange County for 23 years.

She and her husband, John, raised their two boys in the area.

For more than 20 years, Gould said she has had the privilege to work on many “big issues.”

“Success was achieved because I built engagement, consensus and fostered collaboration,” she said. “I’ve held executive leadership roles at Orlando Health, Health Central/Health Central Foundation, Island One Resorts, Dave’s House, and from 2010 to 2019, owning my own business. I managed various projects for The Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, Lakeside Behavioral Health, ARDA International Foundation, Garden Theatre, West Orange Chamber of Commerce and Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.”

Most recently, Gould retired as CEO of Shepherd’s Hope after expanding its presence and service within the West Orange County community.

She was elected to the Orange County School Board in 2012.

During her tenure, Gould has been instrumental in advancing the opening of 14 new schools, two rebuilds and multiple comprehensive campus improvements; has increased career and technical certifications and training; expanded work-study opportunities for exceptional students; started Generation WOW; participated in an exclusive Guidewell Mental Health Think Tank which resulted in her introducing mental health first-aid training to the school district; increased guidance counselors and mental health services; and championed the electrocardiogram screenings that are now required for high school students wishing to participate in athletic programs, band and ROTC. “Twelve years ago, I was asked by a group of community leaders to run for the School Board,” she said. “ As part of the executive leadership at Health Central, I had the privilege to be the executive in charge of the School Nurse Program. We developed a model for funding and support that engaged OCPS, the business community and the educational community through the Health Central Foundation to fully fund registered nurses in 21 schools.

That experience proved the impact of strategic collaboration between public, private and not-for-profit can work and be sustainable. I wanted to see this model duplicated. I knew I had the skills to apply my business acumen and common-sense strategic approach to the board.”

Gould wants to represent District 1 because she was asked and has been called to continue her service.

“My leadership experience, public service and community involvement have armed me with the tools to build on my success in solving big issues,” she said. “I have a unique gift for facilitating collaboration between public, private and grassroots organizations and identifying resources to accomplish big things.”

Gould said experience in solving big issues counts, and her perspective has come from leading not-for-profits, health care, and hospitality companies and her public service, all during the most challenging growth, social and health issues in the community’s history.

“I … cannot stand by when something needs to get done,” she said. “I understand the landscape of District 1, managing its growth and the importance of preserving our character. I have the unique resume of being a community activist, recognized business leader and public servant. My long-term leadership role on the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Board

9A

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CenturyLink participa en el programa Lifeline, que hace que el teléfono residencial o el servicio de banda ancha calificado sean más asequibles para las personas y familias con bajos ingresos que cumplan los requisitos.

Los clientes que reúnan los requisitos pueden optar a descuentos Lifeline por servicios de voz de $5.25/ mes o paquetes de servicios de voz de $9.25/ mes por servicios de banda ancha o paquetes de banda ancha que califiquen. Los residentes que viven en Tierras Tribales reconocidas a nivel federal pueden optar a prestaciones tribales adicionales si participan en determinados programas federales adicionales de elegibilidad. El descuento Lifeline sólo está disponible para un servicio telefónico o de banda ancha por hogar, que puede ser fijo o inalámbrico. Las velocidades de banda ancha deben ser de al menos 25 Mbps de descarga y 3 Mbps de subida para poder optar a la subvención.

CenturyLink también participa en el Programa de Conectividad Asequible (PCA), que ofrece a los hogares que cumplen los requisitos un descuento en el servicio de banda ancha. El PCA ofrece un descuento de hasta $30 al mes en el servicio de banda ancha para los hogares que reúnan los requisitos y de hasta $75 al mes para los hogares en tierras tribales que reúnan los requisitos.

Para ambos programas, un hogar se define como cualquier individuo o grupo de individuos que viven juntos en la misma dirección y comparten ingresos y gastos. Los servicios no son transferibles y sólo los consumidores que reúnan los requisitos pueden inscribirse en estos programas. Los consumidores que deliberadamente hagan declaraciones falsas para obtener estos descuentos pueden ser castigados con multa o prisión y se les puede prohibir el acceso a estos programas.

Si vive en un área de servicio de CenturyLink, visite https://www. centurylink. com/aboutus/community/community-development/ lifeline.html para obtener información adicional sobre cómo solicitar estos programas o llame al 1-800-201-4099 si tiene preguntas.

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PAM GOULD

of Directors has provided experience in managing the impact of county-level decisions on our municipalities and business community. Through broad engagement, we can go far and make sure we make the right decisions for our district.”

In terms of growth and development, Gould believes the county can do better identifying the stakeholders to advance alternative funding sources when local funding falls short. This includes working with developers to plan roads, parks, amenities, trail advancements and connected bike paths.

“Our children and families are crossing busy streets and highways, and there’s not enough pedestrian safety being incorporated into rapid development nor are old infrastructures being fully maintained or improved,” she said. “What’s gone well is we have had municipalities with vision and landowners that jointly created master plans before selling private property.

Sure, it needs tweaks and updates, but that strategic foresight is directly responsible for not allowing crazy sprawl like we experience around us that haven’t been master-planned.

“However, there are areas in our district where there isn’t a master plan overlay,” Gould said. “As a result, we have roads that can’t handle the volume of traffic from all the new multifamily housing that’s been developed. We need attainable housing, but backfill without a master plan has compromised our communities and caused increased congestion and water management challenges. District 1 residents need to have easy access to everyday needs (such as) health care, groceries and getting to work. Currently, that’s difficult in some of our areas. We need fewer reactionary responses and more advanced planning. Problems can be solved through partnerships, not government acting in a vacuum. The only way to rapidly achieve results is to engage businesses, stakeholders, neighbors and non-traditional resources to diversify our economy, increase road and pedestrian safety, and preserve our natural resources while managing the projected growth for Central Florida.”

Regarding the environment, Gould said water management is a huge issue, with tremendous effects of runoff on the lakes and road flooding.

“We have flooding issues in Gotha, Dr. Phillips and various neighborhoods that need to be addressed locally and at the state and federal levels,” she said.

“We need to explore all the advances available to manage those floodways and ensure they are unobstructed, and we have high-quality filtration including use of preservation of natural resources. The lack of management is causing havoc. As we see storm intensity increase, our challenges become greater.

“While water is an issue, it’s also our biggest asset — our beautiful lakes,” she said. “We’ve invested so much in restoring and preserving Lake Apopka and the surrounding chain of lake systems, but we haven’t been coordinated enough in educating all the new arrivals. As part of managing growth, preserving natural resources must be in the plan. Advancing our parks, preserves and recreational spaces is essential to the quality of life and longterm value of our properties. What’s gone right, beyond the preservation and restoration of Lake Apopka, is the creation of the West Orange Trail and the plans to connect to it. We need interagency and grassroots to focus on completing these connections.”

Gould knows firsthand how important it is for School Board members and county commissioners to be aligned.

If elected, she said she would reinstitute collaborative work sessions and regular updates with local municipalities and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce.

“Working together on advanced planning, we were able to ensure there were adequate lights and sidewalks in a 2-mile radius around the schools for walkers and bike riders along with light synchronization and road improvements throughout,” she said.

Gould plans to continue the collaboration with Lake County when it comes to the east-west connector by further developing the relationships between chambers of commerce, county commissions, the Department of Transportation and the Expressway Authority.

“Early planning had a model that came out of convening the West Orange Chamber and the Central Florida Expressway Authority,” she said. “Convening the stakeholders and maximizing public-private partnerships will create new opportunities to adequately plan artery roads that maximize our residents’ ability to get where they need while minimizing the impact of traffic on neighbors.”

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Orange and Lake counties. These additional solutions include non-toll road options such as with Sawgrass Bay Boulevard, which ends just 100 feet away from Orange County’s Flemings Road.

Currently, the connection is approved but is slated to take two years to complete. CFX is scheduled to be done with their $500 million, 5-mile, highway project in only two years. Which begs the question, ‘Why do we need the same amount of time to connect 100 feet in Orange County?’

“This connection needs to be prioritized by the District 1 commissioner who should work with staff to get it done faster,” he said. “Two years for 100 feet is unacceptable; our residents need traffic relief now. … I am excited that I have already begun a relationship with members of the Lake County Commission, resulting in both Commissioner Sean Parks and Commissioner Josh Blake endorsing our campaign. The commissioners and I are chomping at the bit to coordinate … to get connectivity and other shared issues resolved, in partnership between our two counties. When you do not have a partnership mentality in leadership, the residents lose. I am tired of the residents in District 1 Orange County losing.”

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST

Courtesy photos

The new OTC — West Campus in Ocoee is a $42.3 million project situated on 38 acres of property.

Skill space The new Orange Technical College — West Campus, at 2010 Ocoee-Apopka Road, Ocoee, is set to open this fall.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

T

he Orange Technical College — West Campus will open its new home come fall 2024 in Ocoee.

The school, currently located at 955 E. Story Road, Winter Garden, is moving to its new 115,604-squarefoot campus, located at 2010 OcoeeApopka Road.

The $42.3 million project includes building and campus areas/space planned for growth and future expansion.

Scott Weidl, senior director of the OTC — West Campus, hopes the new campus will serve as a top destination for students looking to start a career in cosmetology or construction.

“We especially look forward to building and expanding our industry partnerships to develop critical workforce pipelines that will benefit businesses, jobseekers and our community at large,” he said. “The Orange Technical College — West Campus will continue to serve as West Orange County’s trusted provider of affordable and high-quality career training programs. I like to say we don’t compete with other colleges — because there is enough time, space, options and opportunity for people to pick where they want to go to school — but to have that shiny exterior, that impressive facility that matches the education that we’ve been (offering) here for decades, I think that’s going to take it over the top and give us some visibility that we haven’t had before. This is a generational jump for OTC, and the campus will serve this generation and the many to follow in the future.”

STRUCTURAL SCHEMATICS

The OTC division of Orange County Public Schools broke ground for the new OTC — West in February 2023.

At the groundbreaking, Scott Howat, OCPS chief communications

Annabelle Sikes

Scott Weidl is proud to serve as the senior director of the OTC — West Campus.

officer, said following a new institutional model for OTC, with each campus focused on a specialty, the new campus will feature building construction technology training programs such as electricity, welding and various apprenticeship programs — all leading to high-skill and high-wage careers.

“As part of OTC’s comprehensive rebuilding and renovation plan and thanks to the investment from OCPS and our local taxpayers, Orange County Technical College … will be undergoing a significant transformation,” Howat said. “The goal of this transformation is to further align our career and adult training programs with industry needs, enhanced collaboration across our college and modernization of our learning environment for our students. … The school will also house brand-new human services-training facilities that will expand on popular

regional training programs (such as) cosmetology. It will include flexible space that will allow us to create short-term programs based on industry needs.”

There are about 60 programs offered across the six OTC campuses.

Although Weidl said the design process has been the longest and most challenging part of the process, it also has been the most rewarding to see come to fruition.

The design started with a meeting between the teachers and the architects to come up with what the prototype for the programs would look like.

The design will help to maximize the space, with facilities constructed to aid instruction and help instructors to teach to a greater depth in their respective fields.

The campus will offer two clusters: architecture and construction, and human services.

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD CAMPUS? David Ocasio, assistant director of media relations at Orange County Public Schools, said the future of the current OTC — West Campus in Winter Garden has not yet been determined. He said there are a few options being considered, which could include a property exchange with the city.

Last year, residents were outraged when OCPS considered putting a bus depot in the campus’ place.

The community learned of the technical center’s move when former Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer shared the information with residents in June 2020.

The Westside campus was once the facility for Drew High, a school for the area’s black students. It opened in 1956 as Charles R. Drew Junior High School and became a high school when more grades were added. Drew High became accredited in 1959 and held its last graduation exercises in 1969.

Representatives from OCPS hosted a community meeting Feb. 16, 2022, at OTC — West Campus to share their proposal to locate the bus compound on the property. Residents who spoke, as well as Winter Garden officials, shared their opposition to the proposed project, which would have included a bus compound with hundreds of buses, a 10-bay repair facility and a fuel island on the 18.8acre site on East Story Road.

Melissa Byrd, OCPS School Board Member from District 7, said OCPS had two other locations it could consider.

Career pathways include welding, heating, ventilation, air conditioning/refrigeration, electrical, building construction, carpentry and plumbing, as well as human services/personal care pathways, such as cosmetology, advanced esthetics, facials and nails. OTC — West also offers many registered apprenticeships.

Weidl said the goal is to continue to meet the needs of the community with the school’s programs.

“In this line of work, you can’t will an economy to your needs; you need to meet the needs of the economy,” he said. “We need to continue to stay in tune with industry, partner with industry to help meet their needs, so we continue to stay relevant by offering programs that match those needs.”

Rosa Grant, executive leader of career and technical education for OCPS, said OTC has played a pivotal role in the West Orange community.

“We have been a beacon of educational e m p owe r m e n t , fostering a skilled workforce that positively influences local industries,” she said. “Through programs (such as) human services, construction and apprenticeships, we not only contribute to individual growth but also address the evolving needs of business, enhancing the overall economic landscape.”

The new campus will include five buildings— two two-story buildings and three one-story buildings — with features such as construction labs, classrooms, an event space and hybrid lab, cafe and campus store, administration offices, construction yard, and a full-service salon.

The campus also will help students with learning English, becoming an apprentice, earning a GED or expanding industry-based skills.

Melissa Byrd, OCPS School Board member from District 7, said the school will provide a custom-designed, industry-based environment that will give students an even more seamless transition into the workplace.

“Our high school students already see the value in career and technical education, with nearly 10,000 industry certifications earned last school year alone,” Byrd said.

“Hundreds of high school students complete OTC dual-enrollment programs every year, and that momentum should only grow as we build on our efforts to lead every student to their own successful futures.”

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

The new establishment will have a capacity of 1,110 student stations with 506 parking spaces.

There will be separate access for buses and deliveries from the East Fullers Cross Road extension, with two bus stacking at drop-off.

There is bike access to the West Orange Trail with a maintained 10-foot adjacent tree buffer. The design saves existing trees on campus.

In addition, the site was designed to keep Green Globes sustainable building standards, with optimized building envelope performance, maximized daylight through design and solar energy panels.

The property is 38 acres in total, with only 17 being used currently with the new campus.

A NEW HOME

The campus will be leaving Story Road, the Winter Garden location it has called home since 1974.

David Ocasio, assistant director of media relations at OCPS, said there was an opportunity for OCPS to modernize its current West Campus in Winter Garden.

“This property’s proximity and close range to Ocoee High School is practical,” he said. “With this in mind, the continuity of operations would make for an easy transition.”

D r. Mi ch ae l A rmbruster, OCPS deputy superintendent, discussed the benefits of moving the campus from Winter Garden to the city of Ocoee at the original groundbreaking.

Armbruster believes there is more than one way to a great career.

“I’m a Winter Garden boy, and it was hard for me to say we’re going to move Westside from Winter Garden to somewhere else,” he said. “But honestly it was the best spot, the best plan and the best place to put it.

It gives access to people from three of our local communities. This is a huge thing for our community. It’s a huge thing for not only our past students but our future students.”

Weidl said the new site for the campus was selected, in part, because of its close proximity to the current campus, which is three miles away.

“With the exponential growth that West Orange County has experienced over the last decade, it was important

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that we maintain a presence in this general area,” he said. “The benefit of our new campus being located in Ocoee is our ability to continue to serve our western-most areas of Orange County, including Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Garden. … We are in an age where just about every sector of the construction industry is in need of skilled workers to keep up with demand.”

PERSONAL PASSION

Weidl started his career as a fifthgrade teacher in 2007 at Citrus Elementary.

His mother, who also has worked for OTC for many years and still does, encouraged him to make the jump from elementary education to postsecondary education at OTC. On his first day of teaching fifth grade, he had an interview to teach GED classes at OTC at night to make some extra money to help pay for his first house.

He immediately fell in love with the technical college.

“Here, you not only affect the students, but if they have a family you affect the whole family and their trajectory,” he said.

Weidl started to work to figure out what he had to do to make the transfer to OTC full-time during the day, and the stars aligned when he began working full-time as a GED instructor, where he served for three-and-one-half years.

He knew he wanted to get into administration, and he did so by becoming an assistant director at OTC — West for another seven years. He then served as the senior director at the OTC Main and Avalon campuses for two years.

When the OTC — West senior director position became available, Weidl stepped into the role, where he has been since July 2023.

Weidl believes all the OTC campuses have their own charm, but OTC — West always had his heart.

“Once you come to (work at) OTC, you tend not to go back to wherever you came from,” he said. “People see the same draw that I do as far as working in career and technical education. It’s just a different format of education. It’s hands-on. The format of education is very appealing to people. This campus has a certain charm just like the others, but I think

The new OTC — West Campus property is 38 acres in total, with only 17 acres being used currently.

what makes this campus special is the people and, luckily, we get to take our people with us.”

When it comes to career and technical education, Weidl said it’s a battle of awareness and education in the community, because the college fills other paths outside of just blue-collar jobs.

OTC has become increasingly popular, and the West campus has doubled its enrollment since the beginning of the school year.

Marcos Romero, a civil engineer from Venezuela who is a graduate building construction technology student of OTC, shared his positive experiences with the school’s teachers and students at the groundbreaking.

“The staff at Orange Technical College was always kind, friendly and professional with me and the other students, even when they didn’t understand my English, they would always try to find a way to help me,” he said. “They (teachers) worked very hard to prepare the stu-

dents for the real world. They make that work look easy, but it’s not easy.

I completed all my goals because I was there with them.”

Looking ahead, Grant said her overarching goal for OTC is to establish a hub for cutting-edge career and technical education that includes collaboration with business and industry.

“I envision OTC as a dynamic center that not only meets but anticipates the needs of the workforce, producing graduates who are not just job ready but industry leaders,” she said. “With the expansion of programs and the new campus, I aspire to see OTC play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce, driving innovation and fostering community prosperity. We are not just building a new campus; we are laying the foundation for a future where OTC continues to be a catalyst for individual success and community development.”

Courtesy photo

OTC — WEST CAMPUS 2010 Ocoee-Apopka Road, Ocoee (407) 905-2018

FAST FACTS

n SIZE: 115,604 square feet n PROPERTY: 38 acres; 17 in use n BUILDINGS: Five n CAPACITY: 1,110 student stations n PARKING: 506 spaces n CONSTRUCTION BUDGET: $42.3 million

Dear Friends Of The Ranch, As the new year begins, we reflect with gratitude on the impact your generosity has had on our organization and the children we serve.

Your commitment to Edgewood Children’s Ranch is the driving force behind our success in providing deserving children with the tools they need to be successful. Your support in our mission has allowed us to make renovations and upgrades to our childcare program making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

A few acomplishments in 2023: 1. We served 49 children and their families through our residential, academic, and family care programs.

2. We upgraded Edgewood Academy by remodeling our classrooms, implemented a dual teaching structure, and added new electives allowing more opportunities for student credits.

3. We relaunched our Hope Farm garden program in partnership with Valencia College. This program includes agriculture science classes providing our students the opportunity to learn alongside Valencia College students while earning high school credits. Through our partnership with Hebni Nutrition we provide fresh produce to local communities that do not have access to fresh produce.

4. We enhanced our onsite counseling services for our children & families through our partnership with Liz’s Legacy and the Nurture Place.

5. Our Academy launched a fine arts program in partnership with Orlando Family Stage and Artworks Orlando. These classes have given the students new experiences in live performances, creative art, and training in public speaking.

6. We have increased our infrastructure by renovating our facilities. These improvements help increase our capacity to house and care for more children in Central Florida.

7. We implemented our pilot Transitional Student Program allowing our 2023 high school graduate, an opportunity to live on campus, work onsite, and attend college while being supported by our program.

8. Through your donations and help from the Kiwanis Club of Orlando, we have built two additional tutor rooms, upgraded our technology for better reading programs for our students. We have added additonal teaching support for math and grammer to help students that are extremely behind in school get back on grade level in a short amount of time.

As we embark on a new year filled with aspirations and audacious goals, we are confident that, with your continued support, we can amplify our impact even further.

With Heartful Appreciation,

Bruce Jordan Executive Director Ranch Alumni From 1985 - 1987

EST. 1966 Executive Board Chad Barr Scott Fosgate Julie Kleffel Tom Tukdarian Mark Hess Jeff Wieland Committee Members John Elder Thomas Eastwood Joseph Khayat Kaleb Clark Jeffrey Funk Paul Watson Louise Cobb Melissa Daly Our Founder Judge Arthur D. Yergey Executive Directors Dr. John W. “Jack” Lynd 1966-1989 Dr. Joanie Consolver 1989-2011 Stuart Eldridge 2011-2020 Bruce Jordan 2020-Current

398877-1

Please call 407-295-2464 ext 5 to discuss ways you can help in 2024. 1451 Edgewood Ranch Rd., Orlando, FL 32835 / www.EdgewoodRanch.com

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST

Defining moments Whether it be on the field, court, sidelines or classroom, these individuals are going to make impacts felt this year.

CANNON FEAZELL

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

The 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher — with the perfect name for a pitcher, Cannon — was un-hittable from the mound last year for a Wolverines team that finished with a 25-4-1 record and reached the Class 7A region finals.

In 57 innings pitched as Windermere’s ace, he had an ERA of 1.35 with 44 strikeouts. Expect more of the same in 2024 from the Clemson commit with key players expecting to return around him.

I

t’s no secret that sports are engraved into the fabric of the West Orange and Southwest Orange County communities.

From thriving youth sports teams and leagues, to championship-level high school teams, to elite-level club sports organizations and even some professional sports, this section of Central Florida is one of the best sports communities in the country.

To celebrate this area’s tremendous leagues, teams, coaches and athletes the Orange Observer team is going to look ahead and highlight the 14 individuals that could make their mark on the sports landscape in 2024.

Here is the inaugural class of the Forecast 14.

BRANDON BASS JR.

Windermere Prep boys basketball

Bass, a four-star prospect with offers from some of the best college basketball programs in the country, led the Lakers to the 2022-23 FHSAA Class 3A state championship game as just a freshman. The son of former NBA player Brandon Bass, Bass Jr. finished last season with an average of 17.4 points per game and was named the Class 3A, District 11 player of the year.

So far in the first half of the 23-24 season, Bass has shown improvement on both ends of the floor and continued to lead the Lakers in points (18.7 a game). With the return of fellow high-level recruit Sinan Huan and other key additions to the team, Windermere Prep has a legitimate chance to win a state title in 2024 with Bass leading the way.

OLIVIA CADIZ

Dr. Phillips flag football

Cadiz, an Ottawa University signee and U.S. Army Bowl All-American, has almost gotten used to breaking records and barriers these past few years as the first female quarterback in Dr. Phillips football history and as a star QB on DP’s flag football team too.

This upcoming spring season, Cadiz will look to again star on the field for the Panthers’ flag football team before she heads to play in college for the three consecutive NAIA national championships.

SHAWN COULTOFF West Orange boys golf

Coultoff finished the 2023 club golf season as the American Junior Golf Association’s highest-ranked 2025 boys golfer in the state, as well as the 86th-ranked golfer in the country across all junior age categories.

That’s no shock, considering his three top-10 finishes on the AJGA circuit this season.

Expect the FSU commit to continue his climb on the club scene and in high school for the West Orange Warriors in 2024.

Given his performance, Coultoff could certainly make a run for the individual state championship this season.

MICHAEL MCCLENTON After making the move from Lake Mary High — where he recorded 96 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks as a freshman — to Ocoee High, McClenton continued to show why he was the most disruptive force in the area.

The 2023 All-Orange Observer Player of the Year recorded the most absurd stat line of any other player in the area, breaking the Ocoee record for tackles with 202, TFLs with 45 and sacks with 31. He also added three forced fumbles and a blocked field goal for good measure.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound rising junior linebacker, who plays all over the Knights’ defensive front, has everything it takes to repeat this kind of performance in 2024 and cement himself as one of the state’s top recruits.

Dr. Phillips girls basketball

BRIAN HOFF

Windermere Prep boys basketball

Over the past six seasons as Lakers’ coach, Hoff has built Windermere Prep into one of the best boys basketball programs in the state, leading the Lakers to an overall record of 105-46 — as of Dec. 29, 2023 — and an appearance in the 2023 Class 3A state championship game.

The former FSU basketball player not only has led the Lakers to wins on the court, but also he is helping his players get to the next level. See Bass Jr.’s entry on this list or go check out Huan’s recruiting buzz or Samuel Shoptaw’s offers.

When you combine the wins with the recruiting buzz around his players, the high-level teams/tournaments they are playing and the resources, academics and advantages the preparatory school has, you can see Hoff is on the precipice of leading Windermere Prep’s establishment as the premier basketball program in the area.

The one thing that’s missing is that state title, and if 2023 is any indication, it may be on its way to Windermere Prep in 2024.

Brian Davis Golf Academy

The former PGA pro with 28 top-10 finishes and 385 events played since joining the tour in 2005 is partnering with the historic Stoneybrook West Golf Club, which re-opened this past summer, to open a golf academy that will look to serve the West Orange and Southwest Orange County communities.

With Davis’ vast experience as a pro and the club’s re-emergence as a Winter Garden staple, this academy — which has partnered with West Orange High’s golf teams — has the chance to establish itself as one of the most important athletic hubs in the area this year, and Davis being at the helm is a big reason that could happen.

ALYSSA PARSONS

Windermere Prep girls soccer

After scoring 35 goals and assisting 11 more as a freshman for Apopka High last season, Parsons is leading the line for Windermere Prep for the 2023-24 season. Early on in her time as a Laker, she has picked up where she left off with the Blue Darters, through six games Parsons has scored 20 goals.

Beyond her success at Windermere Prep, Parsons is also making waves on a national scale as she was called up to a U15 USA Women’s Youth National Team camp in 2023.

Expect the sophomore striker to continue to establish herself on the pitch like this in 2024.

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LOU ROMAO

Windermere boys soccer

After 13 seasons as a coach for Olympia High, Romao left to take over one of the most talented teams in the area, Windermere High. So far in the 2023-24 season, he has the Wolverines flying.

With only one loss to its name — that came after 3-3 draw against Horizon High went to penalty kicks — the 10-1 Wolverines are primed to go on a deep run this season after losing in the region semifinals in 2022-23.

Romao’s wing-dependent and possession-heavy scheme that utilizes Windermere’s most productive players — seniors Jose Moyetones and Arthur Cavalcanti and junior Kaike Maia — the talent and coach combo has shown to be championshipsworthy.

Romao’s successful track record of building a consistent winner along with Windermere’s talent-rich area could see this young program become the pinnacle of local boys soccer.

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A four-year varsity starter and Georgia commit, Turner has the chance to lead the Panthers to a third-consecutive Class 7A state championship and establish herself as the best girls basketball player in Dr. Phillips history in 2024.

The senior guard came into the 2023-24 season with nearly 1,500 points scored, as the 2022-23 MaxPreps Florida Player of the Year, the runner-up for the 22-23 Miss Basketball award all while averaging 20.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 4.6 steals per game on the way to DP’s second consecutive state title.

So far in the 23-24 season, Turner and the Panthers are continuing their winning ways with an 11-4 record — with three of the four losses coming to out-of-state teams.

Expect Turner to be leading DP deep into the playoffs yet again in 2024.

MI LI

Li has been one of the most dominant athletes in the state, regardless of sport, over the past couple of years. The rising senior has won back-to-back individual girls golf state championships while leading The First Academy to a fourth team state title in a six-year span as a sophomore and to a runner-up finish EMILIE CHING in 2023.

Windermere softball Along with her success on the The senior shortstop was the best high school circuit, she also has been bat and vital fielder for the 2023 making a name for herself on the club Wolverines team that was a Class scene. Currently, she is ranked 32nd 7A region finalist. From the plate, in the AJGA rankings with six top-10 Ching hit for an average of .468 with finishes in 2023.

11 home runs and 32 runs batted in, Her dominance on the course this to go along with her 30 runs scored. past year earned her the Florida Dairy With this kind of production, it’s Farmers Miss Golf Award. no wonder Ching will be playing at But looking beyond what she the next level — she has signed to RYAN ERISMAN accomplished in 2023, Li can make play for Florida Atlantic University Windermere boys swimming history in 2024.

Erisman, a rising senior, is a Uninext season. Expect Windermere to With two state titles to her name, once again be in a prime position to versity of California — Berkeley com- she is currently one title away from compete for a state championship mit who won two individual FHSAA not only completing the first threestate championships and was part of peat since 2005, but she would also with Ching leading the way. a state title-winning relay team in end her high school career as the joint 2023. He also represented the Unit- leader for the most individual girls ed States and brought home the gold golf state championships in Florida Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. medal in the freestyle history.

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A Notre Dame signee, the rising senior defensive back and son of Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor, Ivan Taylor is not only a four-star prospect, the 62nd-ranked player in the nation and the ninth-ranked prospect in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite for the Class of 2025, he is also the leader of one of the best returning defensive back groups in the area.

With Taylor leading the way for the Warriors’ defense, and a host of returners throughout the roster, expect Taylor and West Orange High to leave a significant imprint on the 2024 sports landscape.

TRINITY TURNER

BRIAN DAVIS

We’re all in this together.

West Orange football

Ocoee football

Windermere baseball

Editor’s Note: Individuals are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Statistics were compiled from online data.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

13A

2024 FORECAST

Fields of dreams The heap of athletic upgrades for Windermere Prep and an on-campus stadium for Windermere High coming in 2024 is a legacy-defining moment for both athletic departments.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

W

ith every new year, there comes a general sense of newness, a sense of the unknown, a feeling that a never-before-seen, felt or heard experience is right on the horizon.

In 2024, both Windermere High School and Windermere Preparatory School athletics will see the building of their lasting mark, the start of a lifetime-long legacy in the form of new and upgraded facilities that will help both schools’ sports programs thrive.

For the Wolverines of Windermere High, an Oct. 24, 2023, Orange County Commission meeting saw the approval of a 1,850-seat, $3 million on-campus stadium that is estimated to be ready for football season this year.

As for the Lakers of Windermere Prep, the new year will bring the introduction of a plethora of new athletic facilities and infrastructure upgrades that span across various sports — including a new multisport artificial turf field; installation of a rubberized track; an expanded weight room; and revamped hardwood floors in the gymnasium.

These new developments mark an important moment for the two schools but for different reasons.

For Windermere Prep, it’s a physical representation of the mindset that drives the Lakers. For Windermere High, it is a long-awaited homecoming.

File photos

Above: Windermere Prep athletes are looking forward to the school’s new rubberized track.

Left: The Wolverines finally will host a Homecoming game on its home turf.

themselves, in the hopes that they become better people down the road.

“From a head of school perspective, yes, I want our athletes to be excellent and certainly I’m very competitive and I want to win, but I also want our students to grow up to become fabulous young people,” Salerno said. “Most of our athletes aren’t going professional … but all of our young people are going to be partners, mothers, fathers, friends, colleagues and citizens. They’re going to be people who interact with other human beings. So we want to develop a program that allows them to become the best human beings they can possibly be, and part of that is providing them with excellent facilities and excellent people to be around them.”

Ultimately, the new field, track, weight room and other upgrades — and even the unitas philosophy — serve one purpose: Help Windermere Prep students grow into great people.

UNITAS

room, which includes a 500-squarefoot expansion; a refinish of the tennis facility and basketball courts; and the addition of a rubberized track and a turf field at the stadium.

The much-needed facilities upgrade provides Windermere Prep’s athletes the chance to perfect their craft in the proper environment.

Salerno recalls an experience he had with a girls track athlete that encapsulates that idea.

“I was down at the track the other day, and I asked some of the kids how they are liking it,” he said. “And then one girl pulls out her track cleats and she’s like, ‘I can finally wear my track spikes on our track.’ That’s a big deal.

This is a high-quality athlete who really wants to run and improve, and now she can use the proper shoes on the surface.”

Beyond the new facilities and their practical applications, Salerno knows that this unitas mantra isn’t about the short-term success of these student-athletes on their field of play, or even what these upgrades will provide in the long-term for the school.

Unitas is an idea that gets students to buy into something bigger than

HOMECOMING

Windermere High football coach Riki Smith knows something about construction.

“With construction, it’s all about the slab,” he said. “You have to get a solid foundation. You have to grade it, then you have to dig, you have to put plumbing in underground, the electrical, then you do your rebar and eventually you pour a concrete slab.”

Smith knows that before you start building, you have that foundation set and in place. So, when he took over the program in 2022, that’s exactly what he did.

“Everything was about building that slab in Year 1,” he said. “Just

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you’re not just representing your team, you’re representing kids from grades pre-K through 12th grade.

You’re representing a larger-scale community.”

However, according to Windermere Prep’s Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno, the unitas philosophy can only work if everyone — including the administration — is held to that same standard.

“Why do you invest in facilities, why do you put money into a new track or a new artificial surface on the field?” Salerno said. “It’s because, if we ask our teams to be unified, then they need to feel that unity across the campus. That feeling of unity comes down to their facilities, how they feel when they walk out onto a surface or how they feel when they run on a track or when they’re practicing. We want to give them the best that we can possibly give them.”

So when it came time for the school to meet its unitas standard and undertake a sweeping upgrade to its athletics facilities, the administration did what Salerno said and gave their athletes the best facilities they could.

The renovations include an upgraded strength and conditioning

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In team sports, when individuals play for themselves and fail to sacrifice for the team, it usually does not produce quality play.

But when a team has players, coaches and even equipment managers who understand what they need to do individually to help the team succeed and accomplish the team’s goals, then something special can happen.

That collection of individuals becomes one. That group begins to represent something bigger than the sum of its parts.

That is a concept Windermere Prep athletics has tried to embody: A mantra of unitas — the Latin term for unity or oneness.

“It’s always been a consistent model of this unitas mindset, the unity of a whole school,” Windermere Prep Director of Athletics Patrick Hollern said. “We’re looking at groups of individuals, and we’re asking them to come together and play for one another. The result of that approach equals consistent play and identity throughout our program. So for us, when a Windermere Prep team takes the field, we want people to understand what being a Laker and playing for Windermere Prep … means because

build. We were building the slab, we were building our foundation. That’s all that we did in Year 1.”

After the foundation is set, you want to do is understand what you are trying to build. So, this past season, Smith pushed his team to focus on developing a vision for what the program should look like when it is built.

“We’ve built the foundation, so now we want to attach the vision for what our standard of the program is,” Smith said. “When you think of a good football program, it has a certain standard, it has high expectations.

“We’re focusing on building our standard, and we don’t care what other people say,” he said. “We’re just going to build this standard. It’s going to be high, and as the coach, I’m going to hold my players to it, and that means some people are going to quit, some are going to leave and some people aren’t going to be able to cut it, and that’s fine. But the ones who stay are going to continue to do things up to our standard and eventually, good things are going to happen.”

Smith, in what now seems like a “Field of Dreams” reference, was right: If you build it, he will come.

Except in this movie, what’s being built is a winning culture for Windermere football and what’s coming is a new on-campus stadium.

For Smith and his team, the stadium represents more than a patch of grass and stands. It’s a chance to build a legacy, to build a home after only knowing a nomadic existence.

Windermere has played its home games at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park, a bit more than a mile down the road from campus.

Offensive lineman Noah Wright, a Bucknell University signee, is one of the members of this year’s graduating class who never will get to play for the Wolverines at their new stadium but knows the work he and his fellow seniors put in help set the foundation for Windermere’s new home.

“When it first happened, I was kind of in the mindset, like, ‘Oh, I’m not gonna get to use it, like, how does this affect me,’” he said. “But then when I saw how much Coach Smith is looking forward to it, and how much the younger guys are looking forward to it … I got super excited.

It means a lot to me that we were able to help lay the foundation for the underclassmen. Hopefully, they can take this program, and get more people to buy into this team, more people to come and support them at games and create a true Friday Night Lights experience for the generations to come. I never really got that experience, so I’m excited that they’ll be able to live that for me, as I move on to the next step.”

With the new stadium on its way, Smith sees this development as a great thing for the community and as a huge step in the program’s progression.

“I find myself thinking about it, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” he said. “I think it is great for the community. It’s great for the student body at the school, and I think it’s great for our players. I get my satisfaction from the kids being excited about being able to play at their own stadium … on campus and being able to build traditions. It’s an exciting time. I’m just thankful to be the head coach of Windermere.”

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST

OPEN

OCOM incoming

HOUSE SPRING 2024

The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine is more than an investment of $200 million into the community. Leaders expect it to have more than a $1.7 billion economic impact by 2045.

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ome August 2024, the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine in Horizon West will welcome its inaugural class of the next generation of professional health care leaders.

The first class at OCOM will have 90 students. At full enrollment, the school plans to have 180 students.

The mission of the school is to train caring and competent osteopathic physicians who will have an impact on the Central Florida community, the nation and the global community.

OCOM benefactor Dr. Kiran C. Patel said the school is going to change health care for the region for generations to come.

“With an innovative medical school curriculum meticulously crafted by our esteemed faculty, under the leadership of the dean and chief academic officer, Dr. Robert Hasty, our institution stands at the forefront of modern medical education,” Patel said.

Hasty said Patel’s first priority was to set the highest standard for all measurable outcomes.

“We have recruited nearly 1,000 credentialed clinical faculty to achieve this vision,” Hasty said.

“OCOM was built from the ground up in pursuit of our vision to create a world-class medical school. The educational journey that awaits our medical students at OCOM promises to be transformative in training the physician of the future by cultivating their expertise and compassion.

Through OCOM’s modern and comprehensive training, our graduates will emerge as well trained and caring physicians, ready to make a profound impact on the lives of the countless patients they will care for.”

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OCOM broke ground in July 2022 at 7011 Kiran Patel Drive.

The campus is 10 minutes west of Walt Disney World and is located off the Schofield Road exit of State Road 429.

“After carefully considering 10 locations in the greater Orlando metropolitan area, we fell in love with Horizon West,” Hasty said. “Factors that we considered included the following: safety, access, traffic, amenities, growth potential, master planning, lot availability for our 25-acre campus and feel. Horizon West came in No. 1 in every category of our considerations.”

Hasty said the school was designed from the ground up to be the medical school of the future and support the needs of the organization’s students, faculty and staff for generations to come.

The single, three-story building spans 144,000 square feet and is built with a modernist-style architecture.

The project cost about $75 million, not including the 360 multi-family apartments adjacent to the campus.

The first 180 apartments in phase one will be completed in June 2024.

Phase two will encompass 180 additional apartments which are estimated to be finished come August 2024.

While the apartments will be popular among the OCOM medical students, there will be a number of units open to the general public, as well.

The aesthetics and natural light of the school building were essential design components, as Hasty said evidence suggests they improve outcomes for adult learners.

The building has an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine lab, virtual anatomy lab, research lab and a

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14A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

ORLANDO COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 7011 Kiran Patel Drive, Winter Garden WEBSITE: ocom.org PHONE: (407) 707-4520 EMAIL: info@ocom.org

Annabelle Sikes

simulation lab, as well as multiple classrooms and a library.

Students will have access to numerous private and small-group study spaces.

In addition, behavioral services, such as mental health counselors, will be on site for student support.

The building is secure, with assigned access to students, faculty and staff, allowing for the highest security level.

“We designed it from the ground up to be the most modern medical school in the country,” Hasty said. “In addition to our modern and beautiful facility and campus, the curriculum was designed from the ground up to include the most evidence-based curricular elements, including active learning through case-based learning, a ‘lecture-less’ learning environment, pass/fail system, virtual anatomy and a significant amount of simulation training to train a safe, caring and competent physician. In the advancement of our mission, we will have a number of support systems for our students, including an on-site mental health counselor, a learning specialist for each year and a caring culture among the faculty and staff.”

The school will be led by Hasty, as well as a Board of Trustees and executive leadership team.

The first year of matriculated students will begin with a maximum class of 97.

Faculty and staff comprises 71 full-

time employees — eventually reaching about 110 when OCOM is in full operation — covering teaching faculty, staff and administration, as well as more than 1,000 credentialed physician faculty at the school’s affiliated hospitals and healthcare systems.

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

To achieve OCOM’s goal, the medical facility already has secured affiliations with 20 hospitals, medical centers and health care organizations, with more in the works.

The affiliations will allow medical students at the school to begin rotations in 2026.

OCOM is an exclusive medical school partner with the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Institute for Graduate Medical Education. The organization has a vision to create 1,000 newly developed residency positions over the next 10 years.

Recently, OCOM also has partnered with AdventHealth University.

Established in 1992, the university offers dozens of health care degrees and certificates, including two premed tracks: a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences.

The new collaboration will provide a multitude of benefits, including allowing AdventHealth University students and alumni in one of the two degree programs to be guaranteed interviews for admission into OCOM.

In addition, OCOM students will rotate through various specialties at AdventHealth hospitals beginning in 2026. Several AdventHealth physicians serve as OCOM faculty.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine,” C. Josef Ghosn, president and CEO of AdventHealth University, said. “This partnership creates valuable pathways for our graduates to grow and succeed in the field of medicine.”

Hasty said the school is going to change health care for the region for generations to come.

“With an innovative medical school curriculum meticulously crafted by our esteemed faculty, our institution stands at the forefront of modern medical education,” he said. “The educational journey that awaits our future medical students promises to be transformative. They will enter from esteemed schools like AdventHealth University and emerge as highly proficient and caring physicians, expected to fulfill the physician shortage within the Central Florida community.”

COMMUNITY IMPACT

According to an independent study conducted by Tripp Umbach, OCOM is a more than $200 million investment in the community that is expected to deliver more than $1.7 billion in local economic impact by 2045.

The report states the campus’ direct and indirect economic impact during the two-year construction and start-up period alone is expected to total $62.4 million, provide 338 construction and other jobs, and add $2.6 million in taxes to communities in the Central Florida region.

When the school is fully operational in 2028, OCOM is estimated to have an economic impact — direct and indirect economic benefits — of $46.4 million, with more than 345 jobs and to add $3 million in taxes to communities in the region.

In addition to the operational impact, by 2030, the economic impact of the proposed campus will grow to $80.4 million as Central Florida communities begin realizing health care benefits and additional economic impact as graduates of the campus locate in the region and state.

Tripp Umbach estimates by 2030, when the medical students complete their residencies, these new primary care physicians also will yield real savings, as emergency room utilization declines, for example. These savings are expected to total $10.8 million annually by 2030.

By 2030, commercial spin-off activity from research completed at the proposed campus will equal $100 million annually, sustaining about 800 additional jobs in Central Florida.

By 2045, the total economic impact of the proposed college to the Orlando region will equal more than $1.7 billion, support more than 9,000 jobs and contribute more than $86 million to state and local governments.

OCOM will have many more impacts than just economic to the area.

Through community service activities, including health fairs and service at the school’s affiliated free clinic, Shepherd’s Hope, to bringing the expertise of the school’s physician faculty to local hospitals and clinics, OCOM will be an integral part of the community.

“We feel that OCOM will be judged by the excellence of the caring and expert physicians that we will produce,” Hasty said. “What we are doing here will positively impact the community’s health for generations to come. … Being part of the team that will create a medical school that will train caring and expert physicians is an incredible opportunity, honor and responsibility.”

15A

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Robert T. Hasty: Dean and chief academic officer

Daniel Newhaller: President and chief executive officer

Anna Addonisio: Chief financial officer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Anna Addonisio Sandra Dunbar Andrew Fink Robert T. Hasty Marlow Hernandez Daniel Newhaller William P. Orr: Vice chair Gilbert Singletary Chad Toujague: Chair Phil Zaveri: Secretary/treasurer

YOUR SMILE,

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OUR PASSION

16A

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

2024 FORECAST OTHER OCPS CONSTRUCTION

Construction continues on Site 47-E-W-4 — the latest elementary school to provide relief from overcrowding at Water Spring Elementary.

Orange County Public Schools is opening three new schools for the 2024-25 school year.

Besides the elementary school in Horizon West, OCPS is in the middle of two other public-school construction projects: a high school is being built in the southeast area of the county, on Dowden Road, Orlando; and a middle school is under construction in the south Lake Nona area.

OCPS is replacing two of its six technical colleges as well —Orange Technical College – West Campus and OTC – East Campus.

The West Campus being built on Ocoee-Apopka Road, Ocoee, replaces the old campus that has educated students on Story Road in Winter Garden since 1974.

Starting this fall, Windermere High School students and fans will finally be able to cheer on their Wolverines in their own stadium on the WHS campus.

Football games have been played in the school’s off-campus stadium down the road from the campus at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park since the school opened in 2017.

Courtesy of OCPS

RELIEF SCHOOL FOR WATER SPRING ELEMENTARY

Another year, another school The new OCPS school in Horizon West will provide relief from overcrowding at Water Spring Elementary School.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

capacity for 725 students and has an enrollment of 1,284; it is at 171% capacity.

The relief school will be the first to use the latest prototype design.

Pam Gould, OCPS School Board Member representing District 4, is happy to see another relief school in her ever-expanding district.

“The relief school for Water Spring will be the 15th new school I have been able to advance over my tenure on the School Board to accommodate all of our new neighbors,” Gould said.

“It has been an honor ensuring that OCPS has been able to build schools for each new community so they are truly neighborhood schools.

The new prototype was designed with community and staff input.

I am excited to see it open and in operation.”

The school, designed by

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OCPS has planned a comprehensive renovation at Lakeview Middle School, 1200 W. Bay St., Winter Garden. It will include advanced classroom technology, system replacements and various other improvements campuswide. The work is expected to be finished in March 2026.

The next new school OCPS has planned for construction in West Orange County is Site 126-E-4, which will open for the 2026-27 school year.

This elementary school also will help relieve overcrowding at Water Spring Elementary.

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s the Horizon West community continues to expand its housing development footprint, the ever-present need for more school facilities continues, as well. Nearly every year, at least one new Orange County Public Schools campus is built — and 2024 will be no exception.

Site 47-E-W-4 is the latest school under construction for more than 800 students. This still-unnamed school in Horizon West/Winter Garden will be located on Atwater Bay Drive.

The new school will be located north of Water Spring Elementary School in the Waterleigh community.

It will draw students from the Waterleigh subdivision who currently are attending Water Spring Elementary. Water Spring was built with a

SchenkelShultz, has an adopted budget of $45.0 million. The school’s construction is set to be completed in June. The school, encompassing a gross floor area of 97,941 square feet on a 15-acre site, is expected to have a student capacity of 837.

Amenities at the new school will include a multipurpose/cafeteria, kitchen, media center, art and music labs, science labs, computer labs, multipurpose labs, classrooms, covered play area, hard courts, playgrounds, covered walkways, administration office, enhanced classroom technology with new computers and interactive touchscreen panels, and a secure campus with one public entrance.

According to OCPS officials, a principal will be assigned to the school sometime this month; and then OCPS will begin the process of filling the school staff positions and determining the school mascot and colors.

SITE NAME: 47-E-W-4 ADDRESS: 11000 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden STUDENT CAPACITY: 837 GROSS FLOOR AREA: 97,941 square feet SITE AREA: 15 acres DISTRICT: 4, represented by School Board Member Pam Gould ARCHITECT: SchenkelShultz CONTRACTOR: Welbro

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THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

60 years ago

The West Orange Youth Center rocked ’n’ rolled with Santa merriment at the Christmas dance of the season.

Mrs. S.C. Holden of North Boyd Street, Winter Garden, left by jet for Baltimore, Maryland, where she attended the graduation of her son, Hollis, from Nuclear Power School in Maryland.

55 years ago

Six charming girls dressed as penguins staged a cha-cha dance at the Christmas in Winter Garden program: Rebel Lee Palmer, Janet Green, Sandy White, Elizabeth Walker, Melodye Hendrix and Lori Smith. Al Valdes offered his services as makeup man for the nativity scene.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

45 years ago

20 years ago

The West Orange Times’ Reading Reindeer program surpassed its book-collection goal when West Orange High School students donated 1,800 new books for local

children in need. More than 2,400 books were gathered ahead of the holidays.

Beverly Parker, known as Nana to her grandchildren and their friends, organized a wrapping party for a group of students who put together Christmas goodies for underprivileged children in the area. Participating in the Nana’s Kid project were Casey Schulte, Erin Schulte, Wilson Swope, Tommy Kirkpatrick, Auston Martin, Samantha Vaught, Taylor Lowery, Anne Arthur, Gretchen Swope,

Jack Arthur, Sean Kirkpatrick, Sarah Orris and Sidney Vaught.

The town of Oakland employees moved into their new Town Hall facilities located just north of the historic town hall building.

Oakland’s new meeting hall also was ready for Town Commission meetings.

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6 Any number minus itself Sartre play 7 Princess in some Nintendo 88 Zogby, e.g.

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10 Act of purification 95 Gardener’s need 11 Flower painted by 97 League the Celtics and O’Keeffe Lakers have historically 12 Wheel support 13 *Ordinary peach bagels? dominated 98 Prophetic 14 Conclusion 15 *Last Frontier’s respect- 100 Sax range 101 Bambi, for one able lenders?

16 Stars that brighten and 103 Beefy order?

104 Made a mistake fade 105 Pie ___ 17 Oscar or Tony 29 Make out, in Tottenham 106 Greek yogurt brand 107 Rascal’s lack 33 Julia’s character in 108 Moral precept “Ocean’s Eleven” 109 Storybook monsters 35 “Double ___” (Nickel110 Major Finnish telco odeon game show) 37 Clock setting in Chi-Town 115 Pencil stump 116 Green owl mascot for a 38 Oolong, for one language-learning app 40 Otherwise 117 Mathematician Lovelace 44 World-weary cry 118 Bio 101 subject 45 Kind of blue?

119 ___-cone (icy dessert) 46 Some skirts 115 *Gigantic utensils in the Upper Midwest?

120 A, in Arles 121 Capital of Italy?

122 NYU ender 123 List of options 124 A, in Austria 125 Safe place to crash?

126 Two ___ (mobile puzzle game) 127 Beam of light 128 List-finishing abbr.

129 ___ Paulo, Brazil

©2023 Universal Uclick

1 Edge of a basketball hoop 4 John Coltrane’s genre 8 As well 11 Sheet in a book 15 Actress de Armas 18 Brouhaha 19 Run away 20 Big brand in camping gear 21 Wagon-pulling animals 22 Melancholy 23 Turn bad?

24 Economist Marx 25 Walgreens competitor 26 Wearily walk 27 “Selma” director DuVernay 28 Kiddos 30 Dad ___ (middle-aged

physique for some) 31 Panama, e.g.

32 ___ capita 33 Russian ruler of old 34 “The Hill We Climb” poet Gorman 36 Sharpness 39 ___ out (got in touch with one’s inner nerd) 41 Linguistics expert Chomsky 42 Boring 43 “Casablanca” character 44 Reactions to creations?

47 Unit of magnetic flux density 48 Effectively impersonate 51 Place to experiment 52 Dubai dignitary 54 Tax prep expert 55 Capture on film

56 Grandpa Simpson known 84 Keanu, in “The Matrix” for shaking his fist 85 Language that’s 57 Alamo rival unspoken 59 Snake eye?

87 “Right away!”

60 Arm ink 89 Oceanic phenomenon 61 Letter appearing twice in 90 Fashionable Big Apple this clue label 62 Cowardly character of 91 Losing politician film 94 “Well, well -- what have 63 Like Japanese writing we here?!”

65 Mentalist Geller 96 Swarms, like pests 66 Calm 99 Electric animal 68 Serve as a go-between 100 How picture books are 69 Onetime MGM rival often read 70 Conclusion of a direct trip 102 Disallow 71 Kind of instinct 103 *Where a young DJ 73 Refuses to might become a Lone Star?

76 Division for the N.Y. Mets 111 ___-a-brac 79 Charged atom 112 Singer’s concert staples 80 The “E” in FEMA 113 Silly giggle 82 Amps (up) 114 Therefore

48 Diet that shuns bread

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“NH RFBXF MR OX MVX MVNHT ARI SKHM MR OX, ARI VKYX MR SRFP CNPX K BRT KM MVX MVNHT ARI CRYX.” JFKHP CKHTXCCK

“BLYXY XYMGGI EP M KMXFOYPP VLYO IJH MXY AGMIEOT PJUYJOY APINLJBEN -IJH LMWY BJ TJ BLYXY UYOBMGGI.” NHCM TJJKEOT RX.

“RADDAZ PAMB SKJGSKUGJ HKO OA KAG DTG AGYTB XTAXDT’J AXSKSAK AR PAM WTUACT PAMB AXSKSAK AR PAMBJTDR.”

JHBHY ITJJSUH XHBETB

Puzzle Three Clue: C equals M

Citrus groves were hit by three nights of damaging cold.

Temperatures dipped into the very low 20s Christmas Eve and early

Christmas morning, and the cold continued for two more days.

Jack Nicklaus played the first official round on his new design, the exciting 7,054-yard Grand Cypress Resort golf course on both sides of State Road 535 near Buena Vista.

Puzzle Two Clue: A equals P

40 years ago

DEC. 27, 1971 New year’s wishes were all over the pages of the Dec. 27, 1971, edition of The Winter Garden Times. Local businesses, such as El Prado, offered a New Year’s Eve party for $10 per couple. The Governor’s Highway Safety Commission urged folks to drive carefully on the last day of the year.

Betty and George Akin, who lived on North Lakeview Avenue in Winter Garden, appear nattily dressed in this 1938 image. Staff at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation are busily gleaning its vast collection of Family Files, which are filled with treasures like this photo. When staff members encounter a photograph, they enter it into the Past Perfect Database, which ensures it will appear in searches for projects and exhibits.

If you’d like to share your family legacy, call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244 and become a part of history.

The Lakeview Devilettes met a strong orange and green basketball team from Groveland in the local auditorium and bowed to a 57-22 defeat.

Ocoee Elementary School students cleaned out their old desks and moved their books to the new school building, where they were to begin classes after the Christmas holidays.

There was a big celebration as Killarney residents gathered to see the new four-way caution light at State Road 50 and Deer Island Road begin operation. The dangerous intersection had been a concern since the original single light was knocked down two years ago. Many gathered to watch Fran Irrgang flip the switch.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FROM THE ARCHIVES

85 years ago

ACROSS

17A

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 , 2024

Puzzle One Clue: A equals Y

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

Community Celebration

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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

Parade | 11:00 am

Historic Downtown Winter Garden

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Celebration | 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue

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Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

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CHURCH OF GOD

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

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Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

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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

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

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