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NOW OPEN: SEO Basilico opens pizzeria in Winter Garden. SEE PAGE 2A.

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VOLUME 11, NO. 48

Local writer pens first book Horizon West resident Brittany Bell invoked her own memories to conjure up ‘Danvers.’ PAGE 3A.

YOUR TOWN

An Eagle spirit

HOMEGROWN MARKET RETURNS TO HAMLIN The next Homegrown Market will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, adjacent to Home State Brewing Company, 16016 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden. Attendees can expect live music, a yoga class, food vendors, the monthly Cars and Coffee. For more, visit hamlinfl.com/ events.

RISE UP EVENT SET FOR WINDERMERE A new event to celebrate Constitution Day is coming to Windermere. Rise Up: America 250 in Motion will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in downtown Windermere. Experience an unforgettable outdoor performance featuring live aerial silks and acrobatics and immersive projected visuals inspired by the Broadway hit “Hamilton.” The evening begins with a patriotic opening ceremony featuring the Lone Sailor Division Sea Cadets Color Guard, the national anthem, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and special community guests. Admission is free and open to the community. Limited VIP seating also will be available. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Lone Sailor Division Sea Cadets. This event is presented in partnership with Challenge 22 to End Veteran Suicide. For more, visit windermerea250.com.

Kristie Badalament’s friends and family are asking for support from the community as they navigate her cancer diagnosis.

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

For eight years, Kristie Badalament has taught the young Eagles of Sunset Park Elementary. Now, she’s had to step away from her career as she fights Stage 4 colon cancer. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

GAME OF THE WEEK

8 Waves’ children’s museum gets win in TDT endorsement The I Am Children’s Museum now will go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. SEE PAGE 8A.

BRAINFOOD CUSTOM DESIGNS

Horizon High seniors add personality to their spots. 13A.

STRING THEORIES It’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. SEE 14A.

Central Florida Christian Academy is looking for a state title this season. SEE PAGE 9A.

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children’s literacy with the world and so much more.” To donate, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

SEO Basilico now open in Winter Garden Winter Garden residents now are able to try the newest Brazilian pizzeria in Winter Garden, which also is a top-50 pizzeria in Latin America. SEO Basilico, originally from Mooca, Sāo Paulo, has made its way to West Orange County, bringing artisanal pizzas with Italian ingredients. On Friday, Aug. 21, Juliana and Leandro Marcondes, owners of the

Courtesy photos

SEO Basilico is the newest Brazilian pizzeria in Winter Garden.

ToyTopia has opened at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., No. 52, in Orlando.

establishment, held a soft opening. The pizzeria’s offerings include a meat lovers, prosciutto, tuna, smoked sausage, chicken catupiry, four cheese and more. Beyond pizzas, salads and appetizers also are available. Desserts include Nutella pizza, pistachio pizza, homemade tiramisu and homemade cannoli. SEO Basilico is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at 12107 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite 105, Winter Garden. For more information, visit seobasilico.us or call (689) 280-6708.

Orange County under mosquito-borne illness advisory The Florida Department of Health issued an advisory for Orange County regarding an

increase in mosquito-borne disease activity Thursday, Aug. 27. The notice comes after an increase in sentinel chickens testing positive for West Nile virus, which causes flue-like symptoms and is spread through mosquito bites. The department and Orange County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by expanding coverage within affected communities. In addition, response measures have been increased through targeted mosquito control treatments to help reduce mosquito populations. Community members can avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by following DOH-Orange’s guidelines: protect yourself with repellent, empty containers that can hold water to prevent breeding,

Orange County Loves Trees program plants 13 trees in Tildenville Park More shade is on the way at Tildenville Park. As part of the Orange County Loves Trees program, 13 new trees were planted Monday, Aug. 24, at Tildenville Park. The trees will provide more shade and help cool the park as they grow. The new trees include four live oaks, three southern magnolias, three Dahoon hollies, two slash pines and one winged elm. The county is planting hundreds of trees in parks and other public spaces across Orange County through the program using the Tree Mitigation Fund, which receives mitigation fees associated with development and tree removal.

ToyTopia opens in Dr. Phillips ToyTopia opened Monday, Aug. 17, at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., No. 52, Orlando. The toy store has toys and items for all ages. The store is designed to “spark curiosity and ignite imaginations with high-quality, open-ended toys and play experts’ available guidance,” according to ToyTopia’s website. ToyTopia is family owned with six locations. The Dr. Phillips location joins ToyTopia Winter Park as the two locations in Central Florida. The company also has locations in Nocatee, two in St. Augustine and one in Jacksonville Beach. For more information, visit toytopia. com.

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Kiwanis Club fundraising for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Kiwanis Club of Winter Garden — Horizon West is raising funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. The queen of country music, began her Imagination Library 31 years ago to gift free books to children from birth to 5 years old. “When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true,” Parton said of the Imagination Library. “I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows — maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world,” she said. Kiwanis wants to help continue her Imagination Library’s legacy by donating to the organization and giving books to children in need. “When you hear the name of Dolly Parton, you probably think of one of America’s most famous country icons,” Kiwanis Club officials wrote. “She was an inspiration for so many, an avid philanthropist who shared her love of reading and

and keep them outside by repairing holes in screens and keeping doors closed. For more information, visit bit. ly/45UxSpB.

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DEVELOPER: New project will be an ‘oasis for the town’ The development will be designed to become a destination not only for residents but also surrounding municipalities. LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

Photo by Liz Ramos

The goal of Horizon West’s Brittany Bell when writing her first novel, “Danvers,” was to laugh and to do something that makes people laugh.

Spellbound & determined Horizon West resident Brittany Bell published recently her first novel, “Danvers,” inspired by witches in 1692 and her own life. LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

s a Taylor Swift fan, Horizon West’s Brittany Bell listened to Swift’s advice to always write what you know. Bell used personal experiences, shenanigans and adventures with family and friends throughout her life to write the story of Mary and her friends, who are the most wicked witches, and their lives in 1692 in Danvers, Massachusetts, in her first novel, “Danvers.” In the book, Mary’s mother, who is a bone reader, and Mary’s sister, who in this instance is Bell’s sister, get into a fight that results in bones flying everywhere. In reality, Bell’s mother and sister “fought like cats and dogs” when her sister was in high school, and there was a moment her mother was holding a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and they were fighting. Her mom ripped open the bag of chicken nuggets, which sent them flying in the air. “(My dog and I) were just sitting there watching the whole thing and couldn’t believe this was happening,” Bell said. “When I started my writing journey, my mom said, ‘If there’s anything you ever write about me, you need to tell the chicken nugget story.’” The book, which is Bell’s first and was published Thursday, Aug. 6, is filled with nods and Easter eggs to her friends and family. When it came to writing what she knows, Bell knew her novel would be a fantasy involving Salem, Massachusetts, the birthplace of her greatgrandmother, Regina Gaudreault. Bell said Salem is a beautiful New England seaside town that embraces its witch culture. She said tarot cards, crystals, oils and more can be bought in Salem, which is “such a fun environment” filled with warm and welcoming people. Salem was the annual summer trip for the family. “It feels like a safe place in my heart with some very nostalgic memories,” Bell said. From the Salem Witch Trials Museum to the ghost tours to the House of Seven Gables, which is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house, there was plenty for her family to do and memories. Whenever she thinks of Salem, she thinks of being with her family at the House of Seven Gables, sitting on the water enjoying lobster and fish. Writing “Danvers” was an opportunity to reminisce about moments in her life, and she hopes it will continue

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“Danvers” by Brittany Bell is available on Amazon for $12.99.

to be a reminder of special memories for decades to come. “It definitely was great to reminisce,” she said. “It was great to laugh again and to have all those, we love calling it lore. All those little pieces of lore coming together, it’s almost like a little scrapbook in that way.” Bell has a knack for looking at everything in life with slight whimsy, which she incorporated into her novel. “There are optimists, there’s pessimists; I just am a humorist,” she said. “The two biggest things are I take my work seriously, but I do not take myself seriously. I was like, ‘I need to write something that is deeply unserious, that is self-aware but is something that people can enjoy and have fun with.” She has been writing since she was a child — starting with short stories as a kid on her small pink laptop about life in Maine before moving onto writing about sports in high school and college. She considered a career in broadcast sports journalism but opted for public relations for a more collaborative, less competitive approach to storytelling. After focusing on her career for the past several years, her husband, Zach Poulin, suggested Bell return to her creative writing. Before she knew it, she spent nights staying up until 3 a.m. writing. “As soon as the match was lit, it all just caught fire, and I realized, ‘Oh, I am good at this, or at least I think I’m good at it,’” Bell said. “But I really enjoy it, and it’s something that fuels me creatively. As I was approaching 30, I think everyone gets that itch of OK, is this what my life is going to look like? Is this what my career is supposed to be? I think there was

this perfect alignment of the plants and stars, and it struck a match and everything caught fire.” She worked diligently with her editor, Lauren Hitzhusen, and designer, Sofie Birkin, to make the book a reality. When the book published after more than a year of hard work writing and re-writing, Bell said it took days for her accomplishment to register in her mind. She said other people kept receiving their copies of the book before she did, texting and calling her with positive feedback. “It’s been very surreal,” she said. “I don’t think it has fully hit yet, and I’m not sure if there’ll ever be that one moment of OK, wow, this is real. There’s been little pockets of joy along the way of OK, this is happening and it’s out there.” Bell said “Danvers” is meant to be a satire, a comedy and a commentary, but she also wanted readers to realize people did lose their lives during the trials in 1692. “It is an important history to talk about the hysteria and panic and witch hunts in general, because it is an important history and it is an important thing to learn from,” she said. “I’ve been a firm believer that history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes.” A goal of Bell’s also was to incorporate as many pop culture references as possible, such as a Harambe joke and the character Lucky being inspired by the Free Britney movement. Her novel also is a love letter of sorts to her family and friends, the people who have supported her throughout her life. A main theme throughout the book is friendship and women supporting each other, which she saw as her way of “really pouring” herself into the theme. “I want all these people to know how much they mean to me, because I wouldn’t be professionally or personally or anything without any of them. I think that’s the most important thing: being able to give my flowers to those women and people in my life who are so important to who I am.” Completing her first novel feels like an accomplishment, but “it also feels like the start of something new.” With the literary fire lit, “Danvers” simply is the beginning of what Bell hopes is a career as an author. “When I set out on this journey, I was like one published book then I’ll be happy, and now I’m like, well, I think there’s a whole world out there to explore,” she said. “It just satisfied the itch but also gave me 1,000 more itches. It’s great. I’m so happy to share this.”

The Oakland Town Commission unanimously approved Tuesday, Aug. 25, the first reading of an ordinance approving the rezoning of five parcels in a 14.80-acre lot at the northwest corner of the intersection of State Road 50 and Catherine Ross Road from commercial general to planned unit development. Commissioners also approved the development agreement between the town and five-parcel property owner, as well as the preliminary subdivision plan for a new development, with conditions. Commissioner Joseph McMullen was absent. The Oakland Town Center project comprises 84,200 square feet of total building area, which will be home to 11 single-story commercial buildings such as restaurants, retail spaces, offices, wellness studios and clinics. The Development Agreement prohibits the establishment of vape/ tobacco shops and marijuana dispensaries. Mayor Shane Taylor requested the agreement also prohibit automotive retail, daycare, pre-K and kindergarten schools from being established within the development. “It’s not like I want an AutoZone or anything like that in the plaza, and I believe neither would anybody else,” he said. Changes from the applicant group also were requested. In terms of fenestration, the Land Development Code and standards of the Urban Corridor Design District have a 60% fenestration requirement for commercial buildings. The developers are, on average, 20.8% below the fenestration requirements. Developers said within the pedestrian band, however, those same frontages provide from 54% to 65% transparency. Other requested deviations are to have three ground-mounted signs to advertise the project rather than the town’s requirement of one identification sign of 48 square feet or less. The developers proposed two 98-square-foot, multi-tenant monuments — one fronting State Road 50 and another fronting Catherine Ross Road. Another 20-foot, 9-inch monument was proposed at the Catherine Ross Road and State Road 50 intersection. Town Commissioner Kris Keller said she is concerned regarding the monument on Catherine Ross Road because of the nearby Winters Landing neighborhood. However, she supported the other two. Developers said the monument would be placed strategically to allow residents and commuters to see what tenants reside within the plaza without having to hop on State Road 50. A retaining wall along State Road 50 and Catherine Ross Road also will be put in place, with its height varying from “almost nothing” to 6 to 10 feet, a developer official said. Five access points to the development will be available: two via South Starr Street, one from State Road 50 and two from Catherine Ross. A member of the development team said the goal of the project is for it to become an oasis for the town.

IN OTHER NEWS n Mayor Shane Taylor proclaimed Monday, Sept. 7, as Labor Day. n Taylor also proclaimed the week of Thursday, Sept. 17, through Wednesday, Sept. 23, as Constitution Week. n Taylor proclaimed Friday, Sept. 18, as West Orange Healthy Selfie Day. This year marks West Orange Healthy Selfie Day’s 10th anniversary. n The Oakland Town Commission approved the extension of the Planning Services Agreement with Wade Trim until Sept. 30, 2027. n Town commissioners also approved the continuance of the interlocal agreement with Orange County Property Appraiser. n The Oakland Block Party will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in front of the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center. n The Oakland Nature Preserve’s Nature Fest event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at ONP.

“You’re not going to feel you’re on Highway 50,” Project Manager Alex Reece said. “You’re going to feel way off of Highway 50, with fountains and nice pedestrian walkways and nice landscaping. It’s going to feel very different. … Our goal is to create a very Winter Park, Winter Garden feeling to this.” Keller said the development looks too industrial; modern. She wishes for it to match Oakland’s historic aesthetic better. “I don’t want us to be a mini Winter Park,” Keller said. “I want us to be uniquely Oakland.” Vice Mayor Michael Satterfield agreed. “It is the project that we need, but in my mind, it does not have an Oakland look or feel to it,” he said. “It doesn’t look like what we’ve worked for.” Developers said palm trees and other landscaping, alongside lighting, contribute to Oakland’s aesthetic, but they will take comments into consideration and formulate new renderings to present to the commission. Another change commissioners requested is its name. Commissioners Keller and Yumeko Motley were concerned the name of the development would take the spotlight away from the overlay district that’s part of the Comprehensive Plan. “We do have our own town center here that we consider the core of the town,” Keller said. Developers said a name change would not be an issue and will propose new names at the next ordinance hearing. “We don’t want to cannibalize your town center and we do not want to take over your town center,” Reece said. While navigating these changes, the town commission approved the first reading of the ordinance and have scheduled the second ordinance hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 9. The project is expected to be completed in one phase and will generate around $40 million per year and 450 to 550 jobs. “This is a great project; I’m excited,” Taylor said.

Courtesy image

The Oakland Town Center development will be located on State Road 50.

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Beloved Sunset Park Elementary teacher begins cancer battle MEGAN BRUINSMA

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Liz Ramos, lramos@OrangeObserver.com Historian / Amy Quesinberry Price, amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Graphic Designer / Sarah Santiago, ssantiago@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

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unset Park Elementary thirdgrade teacher Kristie Badalament’s kitchen counter was filled with school supplies in anticipation of the first day of school Tuesday, Aug. 11. She decorated her room with bumblebees to remind her of her 2-yearold daughter Bella, nicknamed Bellabee, who she missed dearly during the school days. But the day after the school year began, Badalament was not in her classroom but rather in a cold, sterile examination room. She had left school early that day with stomach pains and visited her doctor. The diagnosis: Stage 4 colon cancer. Badalament’s kitchen island went from school supplies to medical supplies. Rather than trying to find a place to fit all her tissue boxes and Clorox wipes for her classroom, she’s trying to find a place to put her medicine where Bella can’t reach. The diagnosis has changed the course of the school year for the teacher who has been at Sunset Park for eight years. Rather than planning for class every day, Badalment is going to the doctor’s every day as she heals from surgery and prepares for three to six months of chemotherapy in Tampa. During this time, she is unable to work, but the same community she has put so many years into is giving back to her and her family in their time of need. “I know that I’m not alone, and I know that with everybody’s support and love and generosity that we’re going to be OK,” Badalament said. “But it is overwhelming. It’s a lot to take in and to think about. I’m just looking at my counter and it’s full of medications and supplies for medical needs, and I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m only 38. How did this happen? This wasn’t supposed to happen until I was 70.’”

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“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.” “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Growing up, Badalament was the kid who would stay in her room all day and do nothing but read. She’d bury herself in as many books over the summer as she could. If she read 20 books one summer, she would try to beat it the next. She always was told she would make a good teacher, but she wanted to do something “cool.” Eventually she realized everyone was right — she was born to teach. Badalament finds purpose through the small moments, such as when students finally understand a difficult concept and their faces light up when it clicks. She craves creating the “lightbulb” moments. Her favorite is when a student really comprehends a topic and can explain it back in his or her own words. Working with younger children is special, Badalament said. They remind her of the joy in life. They experience the world in a different way — they’ll find a rock on the playground and think it’s a magical crystal and run toward Badalament to show it off. The love for seeing children discover the world while learning only grew over Badalament’s career. Her love was amplified eight years ago when she came to Sunset Park, which Badalament describes as her Disneyland, a place where teachers, parents and staff work together for the students. She worked at four other schools but never experienced the same level of camaraderie. What adds to the magic is sharing a classroom wall with her sister, Jennifer Hixon, also a third-grade teacher at Sunset Park. The pair does everything together. They only live four minutes away from each other. They carpool to school together, they plan, troubleshoot and help each other with emails. If either is having a tough day, they know they can go across the hall when the kids are at P.E. and have their spirits lifted. Hixon said sometimes the support is as simple as asking for a sticky note. “Working with my sister is just the best,” Badalament said. “I wouldn’t

Observer

Courtesy photos

Kristie Badalament calls Sunset Park her Disneyland. She met her close friend and sister-in-law Grace Koss, left, there. Left: Kristie Badalament and her sister, Jennifer Hixon, both work as third-grade teachers at Sunset Park Elementary and will miss their car rides to school together as Badalament takes leave to fight cancer. Photo by Megan Bruinsma

want to be anywhere else. She’s my best friend.” They worked together through the first weeks of August to bring their classrooms back to tip-top shape for the new year. STOMACH BUG

Badalament already had fallen in love with her classroom, it felt like her little girl wrapped up into one theme. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole life,” Badalament said of her daughter. “She’s my whole reason for living.” Through the first day of school, she already could tell she had some really sweet students and began to enjoy them. She looked forward to the months to come and to seeing their lightbulb moments. But when she arrived home after that day, her stomachache began. The pain didn’t resemble a typical flu with tiredness, aches, and hot and cold flashes, but rather a persistent stomach pain. Hixon instantly asked, “Did you have a salad?” Badalament, shocked, realized she did. Thinking she might have contracted cyclosporiasis from the national outbreak, she went to bed. In the morning, the pain persisted. Badalament thought if she took ibuprofen, it would be fine. She was determined to go to work. After all, it was only the second day of school and she didn’t want to let the students down. But she couldn’t make it through the short day. Badalament, left with no other option, had to call the office and ask for someone to take her class. It was the first time in her 16 years of teaching she left midday. Badalament’s mom came to pick her up and instantly could see her daughter wasn’t OK. They went to the emergency room, where a CT scan revealed a large tumor in Badalament’s colon.

The doctors admitted her right away. Her tumor was blocking everything and causing a backup, which is why she was experiencing stomach pain. She went into surgery, and surgeons stapled off her colon and gave her an ileostomy. Once she is healed from the surgery, she will begin her chemotherapy at Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. She’ll go for three days, take a week off and repeat the cycle for three months. Then, doctors will recheck her to see how the tumors have responded and if they have shrunk enough for surgery. The good news: Moffitt has a specific treatment for Badalament’s exact type of cancer. “When I first found out I had cancer, it was definitely a shock, but I felt an overwhelming sense of it’s going to be OK, and I truly believe that was God telling me you’re going to be OK,” Badalament said. “When we found out this institute has treatment for my cancer that’s working well, it was like, ‘Yep there it is. There’s the plan in action. It’s all coming together.’” While Badalament knows the treatments likely will cause side effects such as tiredness and nausea, she feels prepared after seeing her mother go through chemo when she had breast cancer twice. “I’m not scared of it, because it’s killing the cancer, and that’s the goal,” Badalament said. “I want it out.” The costly months ahead and the lack of work has forced Badalament to take a step she’s never taken before — ask for help. A GIVER

Badalament is a giver. “Even if I had a broken arm, I would still do everything,” Badalament said. “I would never ask somebody to do something for me because I was down in arms.” Her personality type is why Badalament needed Grace Koss, her sister-

in-law, to step in and advocate for her seeking help from the community. Koss saw Badalament’s soft-spoken nature, gentleness and kindness in their first interaction at Sunset Park’s teacher orientation eight years ago and instantly liked her. As their friendship evolved, Koss kept thinking she’d be a great fit for her brother, Louis, and eventually connected the two. It led to their marriage and their daughter, Bella, who Koss described as “a sweet ray of light,” being brought into the world. “(Badalament) is my sister; she’s the love of my brother’s life; she’s a teacher in the community — she’s so loved,” Koss said. “I want to see her get everything she can possibly get, and I don’t want the limiting step for her to be money.” While Badalament is beginning her fight against cancer, the community is beginning its fight for her to ensure money isn’t an issue. Seeing the support her GoFundMe received within the first four days was overwhelming for Badalament. She couldn’t stop crying seeing the support from former students, who now are high-schoolers, and even strangers. “Everyone loves you so much,” Koss said to Badalament. “They want you to be able to fight and have the best opportunity.” Teachers have given her the gift of time, donating their PTO days, one even giving 20 days, so Badalament can continue receiving a paycheck. Hixon has turned into a postal worker, delivering letters to Badalament every day from students wishing her well. “It’s really hard being there right now without her,” Hixon said. All the outreach is emotionally and spiritually lifting Badalament as she fights to regain her health for her friends, family and daughter. “I have a beautiful 2-year-old, and I don’t want to leave her,” Badalament said. “I want her to grow up with a mommy.”

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Development proposed along Winter Garden-Vineland Road Residents in surrounding neighborhoods shared concerns and disapproval of a rezoning to allow for the construction of a 21-unit single-family residential subdivision. LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

More than 30 residents attended an Orange County community meeting Wednesday, Aug. 26, to share concerns regarding a 21-unit singlefamily residential subdivision, known as Golden Cypress, along Winter Garden-Vineland Road. Toll Brothers is seeking to rezone a portion of the property with an underlying Low Density Residential Future Land Use designation from R-CE, which is Country Estate District, to R-1A, Restricted, a single-family dwelling district. The developer also is seeking a variance to allow a minimum lot width of 65 feet in lieu of 75 feet to establish consistency between the Future Land Use and zoning designations and allow for the development of the 21 homes. The property is west of Winter Garden-Vineland Road and northeast of South Lake.

CONCERNED RESIDENTS

NEW COMMUNITY

Adriana Caamaño, the Orange County case planner for the rezoning application, said the property needs to have a zoning and Future Land Use that correlate, which is the reason for the rezoning application on this property. Toll Brothers previously participated in a community meeting to rezone the property to R-1, which allows for a minimum lot width of 50 feet. Mike Flegiel, representing Toll Brothers, said the plan all along was to have 75-foot lots. He said requesting to rezone to R-1A gives them “some flexibility” if the developer needs to modify some of the lots due to site constraints. “The 65 (foot minimum) gives us some ability to shrink some of those lots slightly, and those would be smaller homes that would go on those lots,” he said.

den off the county. Toll Brothers also will upgrade the pond, such as adding gold water treatment technology that will help improve water quality. It also allows for additional landscaping and canopy trees to the pond.

Courtesy map

Golden Cypress is a 21-unit single-family residential development being proposed along Winter Garden-Vineland Road northeast of South Lake.

Flegiel said Toll Brothers is planning to build 20 or 21 two-story homes that are between 3,900 and 4,500 square feet in size. The homes will be sold for about $2 million. He said the subdivision will have $33.3 million of direct investment into Orange County between buying the land, developing the land and paying all the subcontractors to build the homes. Toll Brothers will hire more than 50 different local companies to help build the community, and the developer will replant more than 150 canopy trees.

He said the community will add an estimated $500,000 in annual tax revenue to the county, Orange County Public Schools, the Water Management, county libraries and the Orange County Fire Rescue Department. He added the appraised values of the homes will be well in excess of the $250,000 homestead exemption. Having the subdivision also will result in the creation of a Municipal Service Benefit Unit to fund pond maintenance, which Flegiel said means the developer helps pay for pond maintenance, taking the bur-

Flegiel also addressed concerns previously brought up at a community meeting for the proposal. Some residents had concerns regarding protecting the wetlands surrounding the property. Flegiel said the subdivision will maintain an 80-foot buffer from the wetland line. Residents of the neighborhood next door, Cypress Chase, shared concerns about an access point to the new subdivision through Cypress Chase. As a result, Flegiel said Toll Brothers is putting up a wall to divide the two subdivisions, cutting off any potential access point in the north of the division. Residents shared concerns of what type of wall would be put in place because they were worried it simply would be a PVC wall. Flegiel said Toll Brothers could put either a 6-foot PVC wall or a 6-foot paneled precast concrete wall, and the developer tends to favor the precast wall because they want “to build a high-end luxury community that matches our brand.” He said having the precast wall can be a condition to which Toll Brothers agrees. Another resident questioned whether development could occur because she had seen Bald Eagles resting in trees nearby. Flegiel said the nearest Audubon Eagle Watch nest is not located on the property site, and Toll Brothers would not be interfering with the recommended 660-foot buffer from an eagle nest. He said the property boundary is about 1,000 feet away from the nest. One of the biggest concerns residents shared at last week’s meeting was traffic. Residents said numerous cars already are using the intersection

of Winter Garden-Vineland, Monterey Cypress Road and Lake Sheen Reserve Boulevard as a U-turn, making it dangerous for residents. “It is a disaster,” one resident said. “We already have three actual neighborhoods using that intersection without any traffic light. People can’t cross as it is. It’s brutal for our children.” Flegiel said Toll Brothers is willing to add a median cut on Winter Garden-Vineland Road if Orange County requests it. A traffic study will be conducted in the future, and depending on the results, Toll Brothers will pay for any traffic mitigations needed as a result of the subdivision being developed. “We’re going to do everything we can to mitigate those concerns around this little entrance and stretch of road we control to the extent we can make it as safe as possible,” Flegiel said. “We want to do that as part of this development. I understand you don’t love seeing the new houses back there, but again, we’re going to do everything we can to beautify this area and also address traffic concerns as we can.” At the end of the meeting, a resident asked anyone against the proposal to raise a hand, which a majority of people did. Only a few people raised their hands in favor of the project. “I’m going to start out by saying I’m pretty confident that I can say nobody wants this at all,” said Micaela Navarra, president of the Cypress Chase Board of Directors. “Even though the pond is pretty and the canopy trees are pretty, ideally the left side of the street will look like the right side of the street, just more green. It just always seems like if there’s something green, we have to put something on it, and you really don’t. … There is nothing low density about adding (more than) 1,500 homes in the last couple of years.” The proposal for Golden Cypress now will go before the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission, but a date for the public hearing has not been set yet. Depending on the results of the public hearing, the proposal could move forward to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners either on the consent agenda or a commissioner can pull the item for a public hearing. The date it will go before the BCC depends on the results of Planning and Zoning.

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job (Panera). There’s Lyric with his first car. There’s Lyric painting his parking spot — the Steinway logo — as a senior. There’s Lyric 1601 A.D.LAKE MimsBAPTIST Rd, auditioning for college. There’s STARKE METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL Lyric winning the Leonard BernOcoee FL 34761 CHURCH FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO stein Musicianship Award. PO Box656-3097 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, (407) And here’s Lyric walking away Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden from the car to go to his new home. www.VBCOCOEE.com (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Everyone — and I mean everyonein the This page appears weekly www.starkelakebaptist.org Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM — warned me that it goes fast. And Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM West Orange Times & Observer and MICHAEL ENG yet, I still was unprepared. EighWeb: fumcwg.org Wednesday: 7 PM EDITOR AND PUBLISHER teen years just wasn’t enough time CHURCH OF GOD online at OrangeObserver.com. for everything I needed to tell him. OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD UNITED CHURCH OF ur son’s time to move into Or rather, 18 years wasn’t Pastor Thomas Odom his dorm at Florida Gulf enough time to prepare me for this CHRIST 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee Coast University was To set advertise moment.in the Church Directory WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 407-656-8011 for 8 a.m. And because Ft. callWe all ugly-cried, and itor took a 407-656-2121 email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Myers is about three hours away, few minutes before I mustered up Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com that meant leaving at 5 a.m. — at the strength to put the car in drive EPISCOPAL 407-876-2112 Worship times: the very latest. and pull away. The waterworks CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 9:00am Adult Sunday School With only porch lights and a started again when we pulled up 241 N. 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PASTOR call to her doctor, we were in the At home, my wife and I are car and on the way to the hospital. adjusting to having just the two P: 407.656.1520 Lyric was born at 6:47 a.m. — girls in the house. It’s quieter, C: 407.758.3570 five-and-one-half weeks early. of course, with no piano. Food Excitement. Fear. Buzzing. Before doesn’t disappear as quickly. I’m MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM the sun. not sure who will join me to see Then, I blinked, and found some of the more obscure prog myself, my wife and two daughters rock bands when they come to standing outside his dorm. We’re town. taking turns hugging him. The girls Lyric and I often served together went first, and the flood of memoon worship teams at several ries nearly knocked me over. churches. I’ll certainly miss playIt didn’t help that Facebook and ing with my favorite musician on 1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. my own rotating phone wallpathe planet. OCOEE, FL 34761 per have been punking me for Lyric came back for a quick visit weeks. We have three kids, yet last weekend. He and I went to both seemed to want to show only see his jazz professor perform at old photos of Lyric. There’s Lyric Judson’s Live. My wife made him asleep in his crib. There’s Lyric his favorite meal. We bought him eating an ice cream cone. There’s new shoes. He creamed us in Super Lyric on Santa’s lap. There’s Lyric Smash Bros. reading a book. There’s Lyric on On Sunday, he got in his car and his first day of kindergarten (he left for Ft. Myers, and I left for a was the first one to arrive). Even as church service we always played These can be dropped off I write this, my phone decides to together. There was no one on keyshow me a photo of Lyric on Test Monday - Friday, 10 AM boards that night. Track at Disney’s Epcot. Every so often, I opened the Find 4 PM or by appointment. And then there’s Lyric at his first My app to watch his dot traveling piano competition. 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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

What could be the financial future of Winter Garden? With property tax reform looming, the city of Winter Garden worked with a consultant to evaluate 10-year budget sustainability scenarios.

PROPERTY IMPACT Tax reform — plus fire assessment — average single-family home

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

he city of Winter Garden is proposing a budget that maintains the status quo and will wait until after the election Tuesday, Nov. 3, to see the results of the property tax reform before making any decisions regarding any necessary changes. However, the city also is being proactive in looking for potential cost-saving measures to mitigate future impacts of Amendment 3. The city engaged Raftelis in March to help city staff prepare for the potential revenue impacts of Amendment 3. “We believe an outside and independent consultant adds value and a level of transparency to this fiscal scenario planning process and ultimately will allow us to communicate proactively with our residents and better position us for sustainable long-term budgets,” City Manager Jon C. Williams said. “We also view this tool and this process very valuable in helping us propose recommendations to maintain service levels through revenue transition instead of reactively relying on across-the-board cuts or revenue rate increases.” Whether Amendment 3 passes or fails, Williams said the sustainability models will be a tool to use in the future to “test millage rate options, cost controls, alternative revenues and expenditure reductions in real time.” “It will certainly strengthen our long-term financial resilience and help us identify any vulnerabilities,” he said. Michael Burton and Erik van Malssen, of Raftelis, provided a presentation Thursday, Aug. 27, to show a 10-year sustainability forecast to test revenue and expenditure scenarios. The model is based on the Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget. Van Malssen reviewed the 10-year projection if the budget maintains the status quo, the impact of tax reform, first-year cost reduction measures available if the reform is approved and second-year strategies and options for lasting fiscal resilience.

IF AMENDMENT 3 FAILS

If the budget maintains the status quo, revenues and expenditures will grow in concert with each other, representing sustainable cash flows, van Malssen said. Revenues would grow slightly faster than expenses, ultimately building cash-flow surplus that applies to the end-of-year fund balances. Maintaining the status quo will allow the city to also continue to meet the minimum reserve target policy for two months and the three-month target policy. “By the end of Fiscal Year 2028, the city will meet its target of three months (reserves) and maintain it over the project period,” van Malssen said. “This is a really good, healthy, sustainable General Fund. We’ve done a lot of work to create budgets and execute those budgets in the past to get you to this point. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget is designed to continue forth that effort and provide for sustainable cash flows over the 10-year forecast. This is something I think many

cities and counties in the state and in the country would be envious of, and I commend you for doing the hard work thus far.” IF AMENDMENT 3 PASSES

If Amendment 3 passes, the 10-year sustainability outlook projects a stark difference to the status quo as revenues will significantly decline between Fiscal Year 2028 and 2029. Van Malssen said the property tax reform not only increases the homestead exemptions but also there will be an inflationary index to the homestead exemption, and the bill also caps non-homesteaded properties and non-residential properties at 5% annual growth per year. Currently, the cap is at 10%. “That will restrict not only the homesteaded properties’ growth but also all the other property growth for their taxable values, so that just depresses the slope of that revenue line,” he said. “So even if we lose the first two years of revenues, the gap between the expended and the revenues will now grow because of those limitations on property value growth.” Van Malssen said the impact of property taxes without mitigation efforts is not a feasible scenario. Without mitigation efforts, the fund debt balance will be depleted below the minimum target by Fiscal Year 2029, and the cash flow deficit will use available fund balances in each year and dip below zero by Fiscal Year 2030. “It’s a true financial emergency, but thankfully, you have a few years to respond to this and create a sustainable-looking General Fund,” van Malssen said. “Not only do you have some time to respond to it, and thankfully you’re being proactive right now to consider these options, but (also) the city does have quite a few options in the tool belt to address this should the tax reform pass.” If Amendment 3 passes, the city would begin mitigation efforts by deferring funding for new personnel requests, which is an estimated savings of about $2.1 million. If the personnel are not added to the budget, van Malssen said the $2.1 million will theoretically grow over time as cost savings because of cost-ofliving adjustments and inflationary pressures on personnel. Another option would be to only increase fire personnel salaries to the contractual obligatory minimum of 7.5%, which would replace the original larger increase to bring

“… Not only do you have some time to respond to it, and thankfully you’re being proactive right now to consider these options, but (also) the city does have quite a few options in the tool belt to address this should the tax reform pass.”

— Erik van Malssen

the salaries up to a market comparable adjustment, saving approximately $500,000 per year. Van Malssen said these cost-saving measures close the gap between the total expenses and total revenues by about $2.6 million in the first two years, allows the expenses to not grow as fast over time and closes that gap to a point where the city has other options to create a sustainable cash flow in the future. The cost-saving measures would result in the city being able to maintain its targets for the fund balance through Fiscal Year 2028, but more measures would be needed in Fiscal Year 2029 for future sustainability. The fund would be completely depleted by 2032. The city already has begun to look at other mitigation efforts, including a potential fire assessment, which would provide a predictable revenue source that would not fluctuate year-over-year with property values or economic variances. The city would be able to control the rate taxpayers would pay, the amount of revenues generated and how the funds would be used in the fire department. Raftelis looked at a potential $5 million annual fire assessment revenue, which would be about 42% of the city’s total fire costs currently budgeted. With a fire assessment revenue of $5 million, the revenues essentially will match expenses and grow in concert with them, providing for sustainable cash flows starting in Fiscal Year 2029. “Compared to our status quo scenario, you can see that we’re maintaining fund balance above our minimum and target balance, and we’re not compounding fund balances year-over-year like the status quo,” van Malssen said. “We’re flying just above the trees, but healthy enough for us to call this a sustainablelooking future.” Based on the fire assessment study conducted last year, the projected fire assessment to raise $5 million per year would cost an average single-family home about $172 per year. Without tax reform, an average homesteaded property would pay about $1,653 in an ad valorem tax bill. With the approval of the tax reform, the average homestead property would pay $682 per year with an additional $172 for the fire assessment, totaling $854, which is about half the total tax bill under the status quo tax forecast. Van Malssen said even 10 years from now, residents of an average homestead property would pay $1,000 or less than half of what the status quo would be. The city also has looked at other mitigation efforts such as eliminating or reducing non-core services, reducing capital funding, adjusting the millage rate and implementing a street-lighting assessment or parking fees to downtown Winter Garden. “We could sit here and come up with 100 different scenarios,” Mayor John Rees said. “Unfortunately, there’s only a few of them that’s going to make a significant difference. It’s an impressive model, though.”

Winter Garden preps for budget hearings LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

The city of Winter Garden proposed Thursday, Aug. 27, a budget that maintains the “status quo.” City Manager Jon C. Williams said no decisions have been made on potential budget changes or cuts to mitigate the impact of Amendment 3 if it passes Tuesday, Nov. 3. He said the proposed budget is as if the amendment was not passed, and city staff will await the results of the property tax reform, coming forward with more specific budget scenarios after the election depending on the outcome. As city staff developed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, Laura Zielonka, the city’s finance director, said staff kept four key priorities in mind: maintain the city’s current millage rate of 4.8565; invest in workforce; fund critical infrastructure; and prepare for uncertainty. The millage rate in Winter Garden is the second-lowest among seven regional cities and towns. The budget consists of $181.3 million and a $265.6 million citywide fund balance. The proposed budget includes department requests for 19 new positions: four for the Winter Garden Police Department, 13 for Winter Garden Fire Rescue, one engineer and one facilities management for the city. The budget includes 417 full-time positions, which equates to 7.78 full-time equivalent employees per 1,000 residents. Zielonka said the new positions are subject to the approval of Amendment 3. The budget also includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and market-rate adjustment for personnel. The city has budgeted $157.5 million for five-year capital improvement program investments. A large portion, $70.2 million will be allocated to the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, while $18.3 million will be for the revitalization of east Winter Garden, $18 million will be for road and intersection improvements, and $5.3 million will be allocated for fire and police facilities and fleet. “This is a substantial capital program, but the investments are necessary to support the growth and maintain the infrastructure that our residents and businesses use every day,” Zielonka said. The city is expecting $172 million in expenditures across all city operating functions, excluding transfers between funds. In the General Fund, the city is projected to have revenues totaling $75.2 million, a 7% increase over Fiscal Year 2026, and $73.3 million in expenditures, a 7.6% increase. The city’s certified taxable value is $7.06 billion, a 7.7% increase over Fiscal Year 2026. Williams said the General Fund sustainability analysis was conducted to show the public “we’re not just walking into this somewhat blindly and without going through a pretty serious evaluation of what the impacts of certain decisions will be.” Property taxes remain the city’s largest source of General Fund revenue at $32.6 million, or 43% of General Fund revenue.

IN OTHER NEWS n Mayor John Rees presented the Mayoral Award of Excellence to the Winter Garden Volleyball Club 11U team for winning the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship tournament in June in Minneapolis, Minnesota. n There was a recognition of the city’s 65 years as a commission. n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second hearing of an ordinance creating a new Zoning Compliance Review process within a chapter of the city code to establish a uniform administrative review for certain development activities.

BY THE NUMBERS $181.3 million

Total city budget for all funds

$157.5 million

Five-year capital improvement program investment

$265.5 million

Total citywide fund balance

417

Total full-time positions

Proposed additional personnel for Fiscal Year 2027

7.78

Full-time equivalent positions per 1,000 residents

4.8565

Millage rate

53,629

Projected Fiscal Year 2027 population

Fire stations

Police station

City parks

30 cents

How much Winter Garden receives for every $1 paid in property taxes

$75.2 million

General Fund revenues for Fiscal Year 2027

$73.3 million

General Fund expenditures for Fiscal Year 2027

$7.06 billion

Certified taxable value

$32.6 million

Property tax revenue

$41.8 million

Public safety allocation

The city receives 29.8% of total property tax. For a $350,000 home with the $25,000 exemption, the total property taxes the resident would pay is $5,296, of which the city of Winter Garden would receive $1,578 to fund services for fire, police, roads and other services. General Fund revenues are projected to increase by 7%, or $4.94 million, over Fiscal Year 2026 due to increases in assessed property values, water and electricity utility services taxes, electricity charges, camera citations and dispatch services, EMS transport revenue for the fire rescue department, and sponsorships and contributions. A majority of General Fund expenditures, $41.8 million, is for public safety. For police and fire alone, the city spends $41.2 million, which is $8.5 million more than the ad valorem tax revenue. The first public hearing for the budget will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, followed by the second public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget takes effect Thursday, Oct. 1. n Commissioners unanimously approved waiving the formal procurement process and authorized City Manager Jon C. Williams to execute a temporary landscape maintenance agreement in the amount of $741,450.84 with BrightView Landscape Services for Tucker Ranch. n The commission unanimously approved lien reductions and removal of Code Enforcement liens for 885 and 879 E. Bay St. n Commissioners unanimously authorized Williams to execute a second amendment to the rental and operating agreement with the Winter Garden Art Association.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Bravo opens in Winter Garden

Bravo welcomed the community with open arms to its grand opening Friday, Aug. 28. The first 50 families were given a $25 gift certificate to shop with during the extravaganza. There also was a live DJ and face painter to make it a

he long-awaited Bravo Supermarket in Winter Garden officially is

open. The store, located at 13375 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, took over the former Save A Lot.

unique shopping experience. Bravo is the second largest Hispanic-focused supermarket chain in the United States. Its hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. — MEGAN BRUINSMA

The workers at the Winter Garden Bravo and community members were ecstatic to open. Left: Rosemary Rodriguez carefully unwrapped the festival cookies to make an organized display for the guests to sample.

Sara Romero and Jael De La Cruz rocked their new uniforms.

8 Waves seeks $25M for children’s museum project

Courtesy rendering

I Am Children’s Museum will be for ages 2 to 12 and be the first children’s museum in Orange County. (Image is illustrative only).

HOW TO HELP To send an email of support for I Am Children’s Museum to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, visit iamchildrensmuseum.org/sandbox.

As a result, Philippe presented to the County Commission scenarios to be able to fund the top nine projects. In two scenarios, 8 Waves would receive $12.5 million in 2028 and again in 2029 to meet the total requested of $25 million. In two other scenarios, the non-

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profit would receive $5 million each year from 2027 to 2031, still totaling $25 million. Philippe said timing of funding, annual funding levels, duration of funding and use of existing grant programs could change the funding capacity. The final funding capacity will depend on the projects the board ultimately approves; the board’s direction on funding amounts, timing and duration; and financing terms for the projects funded with long-term debt. Meyer said the museum will be filling a gap. She said among the top 30 most populated metropolitan regions

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in the United States, more than 85% feature a distinct, standalone trio of cultural assets, including history, science and children’s museums. Orlando is one of the only major metro areas without a standalone children’s museum. She said the museum will draw people not only from around Central Florida but also the rest of the country. The goal is to become a destination children’s museum. Meyer said the TDT funds would be “transformational to the project because it will help us build the infrastructure and make sure we’re building it correctly from the beginning versus going back and wishing to add on later.” Having a destination children’s museum also means people will spend money in downtown Winter Garden and surrounding areas, fueling the local economy, as well. She said studies have shown families will go eat or shop in the surrounding areas before or after visiting a place such as a children’s museum. Meyer is asking anyone who would like to support I Am Children’s Museum to visit iamchildrensmuseum.org/ sandbox to send an email to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to demonstrate support of the museum. The board potentially could decide in September which projects will receive TDT funding.

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8 Waves’ I Am Children’s Museum is one step closer to becoming a reality after the Tourist Development Tax Task Force recommended the nonprofits’ proposal for I Am Children’s Museum to go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. The nonprofit requested up to $25 million in Tourist Development Tax funding to put toward groundwork, additional permitting and construction of the 23,000-square-foot children’s museum expected to open in 2030. I Am Children’s Museum would be the first of its kind in Central Florida. “Being the first dedicated children’s museum in Orange County will help complete a cultural asset,” 8 Waves founder and Executive Director Sara Meyer said. “We have beautiful, incredible educational institutions here. We are the land that so many families come to visit, and having a children’s museum completes a big portion of that and speaks into it.” Targeted for children ages 2 to 12, the three-story museum will have 17 different zones to build upon literacy and teach children real-world skills. Each exhibit will have seven to nine jobs associated with them that will help children explore various career opportunities.

There also will be 12,000 square feet of immersive outdoor exhibits, integrating nature, creativity, engineering, water exploration and environmental learning. The total capital investment for the museum is $40 million. So far 8 Waves, has $7.9 million in committed funding and partnership support. With 250,000 annual visits, the museum is expected to generate $45 million in annual regional economic impact; more than 48,000 overnight stays in Orange County; and about 113 jobs. It will support an annual payroll of $7.25 million. Once the museum opens in 2030, it is projected to have an annual operating budget of $5.65 million, 21 fulltime staff, 50 part-time/seasonal staff and 36 museum benchmark visits. The revenue will come from admissions, memberships, programs and earned income alongside contributed philanthropy. The I Am Children’s Museum was among 12 projects the task force recommended during a workshop Tuesday, Aug. 25, to advance to the County Commission. Danielle Philippe, assistant manager for Fiscal and Business Services, said there is insufficient capacity to fund all the projects at the requested timing and funding levels. There also isn’t sufficient capacity to fund the top nine ranked projects at the requested timing and funding levels.

500776-1 310499-1

MANAGING EDITOR

500788-1

LIZ RAMOS

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

HIGH

SPORTS

Foundation Academy senior James Salas looks toward states after setting a personal record in the first meet of the season. Page 10A.

GAME OF THE WEEK CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (1-0) VS. SEFFNER CHRISTIAN (3-0)

Four athletes from Dr. Phillips High’s water polo team were selected as National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association AllAmericans. Alejandro Delgado, Giancomo Graff, Emanual Pardo and Natalya Speller were recognized. Two of the water polo players, Delgado and Pardo, finished their high school careers with back-to-back AllAmerican nominations. “Being named to the NISCA Water Polo All-American list is a prestigious national honor,” DP water polo officials wrote. “It recognizes an athlete’s outstanding performance during the high school season. Athletes are nominated by their coaches and selected among the top players in the country.”

Olympia High girls volleyball head coach Semei Tello Ponce was recognized as the girls volleyball West Coach of the Year and beach volleyball West Coach of the Year. The Titans’ girls volleyball team is off to a hot start to the 2026 season, posing a 4-1 record and tied for first in Class 6A District 6. The team made it to Class 7A Region 2 semifinals last year under Tello Ponce’s guidance. “These two honors recognize coach Tello Ponce’s outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to his athletes and programs,” Titans Athletics officials wrote. “His work has helped build a culture centered on accountability, development, teamwork and competitive excellence. Olympia Athletics is proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the impact coach Tello Ponce continues to make within our athletics programs.”

Foundation Academy girls volleyball player Haley Higgins had a remarkable Week 2. The senior outside hitter led the way for the Lions with 20 kills and 10 digs during the games Monday, Aug. 24, to Thursday, Aug. 28. She also reached the 1,000 kills milestone. Higgins is the Lions’ leading blocker with 13, and leading with 96 kills on the season, averaging 5.1 per set. As of press time Tuesday, Sept. 1, Foundation Academy held a 3-2 record.

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

Central Florida Christian Academy’s senior athlete Deshaun Jones and ninth-grade quarterback Gavin Pritzkau are ready to make school history once again.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

After the Central Florida Christian Academy football team made school history with its first undefeated season, it lost in the first round of playoffs. The Eagles are back and hungry for revenge. MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

very time Central Florida Christian Academy’s football players walk out of the locker room and toward their turf, they pass a sign to their left: 9-0. It’s the newest installation on the chain-linked fence and pays homage to the 2025 team that became the first squad to go undefeated through the regular season.

But for those players who were on that remarkable team and return as an Eagle for 2026, that sign also reopens a wound left by CFCA’s first-round playoff loss. “It definitely is a constant reminder,” senior Deshaun Jones said. “It also reminds me that was an amazing regular season, but as soon as you got to the playoffs, you lost. It just shows me I want to get further. I want to beat that. I really want to get deep in this playoff run and ... win something.”

Ninth-grade quarterback Gavin Pritzkau said he can feel a different intensity in the room. He personally knows he wants it more. He remembers watching the playoff game from the sidelines due to an injury, and his team fell 49-13 to Aucilla Christian. As soon as the clock hit zero, all he could think was, “I’m ready for the next season to start.” Head coach Kevin Blackman said he

SCHEDULE All games kickoff at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 n Foundation Academy (1-0) at Cocoa Beach (2-0) n Central Florida Christian Academy (1-0) vs. Seffner Christian (3-0) n Horizon (1-1) vs. Olympia (1-1) n Legacy Charter (0-3) vs. Santa Fe Catholic (1-1) n Lake Buena Vista (02) vs. Nova Lakes (1-1) n Ocoee (1-1) at Apopka (0-2) n The First Academy (2-0) at Port Charlotte (1-1), 7:30 p.m. kickoff n West Orange (2-0) vs. Wekiva (2-0) n Windermere (1-1) at Edgewater (1-1) n Windermere Prep (1-0) at Cornerstone Charter Academy (0-1)* * District game

SEE CFCA PAGE 11A

Registration still is open for Windermere Little League’s fall season. The registration closes Saturday, Sept. 5. The Little League’s baseball program is open to Windermere residents for children ages 5 to 16. Evaluations are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at George Bailey Park. Windermere’s softball league is open to Windermere and Winter Garden residents for children ages 6 to 16. Evaluations are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, at WLL’s softball fields. For more information or registration visit tshq.bluesombrero.com/windermerellfla.

407Baseball’s 12U team won the Gold Division Champions in the weekend tournament Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30. The team went 4-0 on the weekend, scoring 47 runs and only allowing seven runs. Two of the wins were shutouts.

For TFA golf team, success is the standard The Royals have fallen shy of states for the past six years but their first match shows they’re ready to swing for gold again. MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

It’s been seven seasons since The First Academy boys golf team claimed its first state title. In the years that followed, they’ve come close — the Royals are threetime state runners-up and three-time third-place finishers.

“Every season has been dramatic,” director of golf and boys golf head coach Robin Rosado said. It’s emotional every time they’ve seen “second” plastered on the final scoreboard. Rosado has watched golfers graduate and kids’ hearts break when they come so close but fail again. His No. 1 priority is Jesus but finally seeing his players’ faces light up with gold would mean the world. “It would be everything,” he said. “It makes me a little emotional thinking about it right now, because we’ve been so close so many times, and these SEE ROYALS PAGE 10A

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

The First Academy boys golf team still is searching for a Class 1A state title after finishing in the top three the past six years.

10A

OrangeObserver.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Five West Orange, Southwest James Salas Orange teams to watch this fall SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Foundation Academy senior James Salas set a personal record of 17:24.3 in the Ocoee Kickstart Classic Saturday, Aug. 22, to launch the 2026 crosscountry season. His time earned him a fifth-place finish and a spot on the leaderboard. Salas, who has run for Foundation since his freshman year, has seen steady growth over his career. He’s prepared to take the production and make his last year one to remember.

What do you tell yourself to get in the right head space before the meet? That it’s finished. In a way — in my perspective — with God, the race has already been decided, so there’s really nothing to worry about going into the race. That’s how I think. Do you trust in God’s path for the outcome? Yeah, I settle my mind and just focus, because I’m trusting my training, and then it’s all about trusting the consistency that I’ve had. That’s where I find my trust in. Why are you grateful to have Him in your life? God is the reason for where I am right now and how much I’ve changed and grown. I feel like I give Him all the glory and all the honor for the reason I’m able to run fast and run faster. … Every day is a gift. One of my favorite Bible verses … goes, “To live is for Christ and then to die is to

MEGAN BRUINSMA

THE BASICS

STAFF WRITER

Age: 17 Grade: Senior School: Foundation Academy Sport: Cross-country/track

gain.” To live for Christ is a blessing, and then to die is also you’re gaining, because you’re gaining Him. How did it feel accomplishing your PR? It felt good, felt great. I felt great for the most part, and then my coach (Devin Bennett) actually encouraged me at the second mile. He told me little things to focus on like picking my head up and then focusing on my arms, because I was in eighth place right there, and then I put myself in fifth. It was a good spot to be. What is the hardest part about the 5K? Speeding up the whole time. Just trying to get faster the whole time, because that’s really what you have to do. The first mile is easy, and then the second mile is pretty much easy. It’s just finishing. What did you do in this off season to allow yourself to set a PR to kick off your senior year? I had to build myself from the very beginning. Coach already had me running right after track season ended. I started off with just three miles a day. Then, I built up all the way to 40 miles a week to build up my base. I would average 42 to 50 miles a week. What are your individual goals for this season? This season, I want to bring honor and glory to Christ, and I want to medal at state. I want to break the school record (16:12).

Of course, the start of a near year brings back all the excitement of school. Friends. Classes. Lunchroom antics. Friday night lights. Postgame gas station runs with friends. But it also brings back many other student-athletes to the places they find themselves most comfortable and where they compete. Bowling, cross-country, golf, swimming and diving, and girls volleyball players across West Orange and Southwest Orange are ready to start ring chasing and leave their personal mark on each of their respective teams. Before the new season fully ramps up, let’s take a look at some of the top five teams to keep an eye out for on the alley, lane or court.

File photo

Both of Horizon’s cross-country teams ran at states in 2025.

WEST ORANGE HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

After the Warriors made it to the Class 7A Regional Quarterfinals but fell 3-0, the team has regrouped and already is showing promise on the hardwood. West Orange has retained the core group of girls who helped the team to its postseason run last year. Outside hitter Jaylyn Burke, who recorded a staggering 110 kills as a sophomore, is back for her junior campaign. Over the summer, she announced her commitment to play at the University of Central Florida and already has picked up where she left off. The Warriors other outside threat, Avery Valentine, who had 104 kills in 2025, has tallied 27 through the first nine sets this year. The Warriors sit at No. 58 in Florida and already have collected wins over other local teams such as Horizon and Foundation Academy.

The list wouldn’t be complete without the Windermere High’s boys and girls bowling teams. The bowlers broke school records in 2025. The boys first broke the school record by rolling a 3,018 pin series. Then they became the first to win the Metro Championship and followed it with the first District Championship, completing a turkey and sending the whole team to states. But the team’s productive rolling wouldn’t have been possible without two bowlers: Ryan Martin and Jacob Larson. Martin was en route to throw a perfect game with 11 strikes but fell on the last frame — still 299 is no easy score to achieve. Larson made it look easy though. One day after Martin, Larson recorded his own 299 game. What helps the Wolverines and makes them an easy team to expect greatness from is both 299-game bowlers will be returning as seniors.

HORIZON HIGH CROSS-COUNTRY

Has your team set a collective goal for the outcome of this year? Our goal is to make it to state. Are there any former teammates who left their mark on you? Yes. I would say my friend — he’s actually over at Florida Southern — Andrew Nyland. He used to run at FA, and he’s really good. He’s very disciplined and (uses) no excuses. He’s really hype. Also, he just is the perfect inspiration to becoming a good runner.

WINDERMERE HIGH BOWLING

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

The Warriors are ready for this year.

The Hawks know how to take flight on the course. Both sides of Horizon’s cross-country team displayed remarkable speed in 2025: The girls finished No. 16 in states, while the boys took No. 18. Their top girls runner, Abigayle White, is preparing for her last season as a Hawk. She took third in district for 2025 and eighth at regionals. This year, she’s off to a fast start through the first two meets Saturday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 29, collecting second- and third-place finishes.

While the boys are gearing up without Jacob Finch, who graduated last year, they already are showing why they’re the reigning Metro West Conference Champions. Horizon’s boys tallied second place in the first meet, followed by fourth place in the second, with junior Maleik Lewis taking second in both.

OLYMPIA HIGH VOLLEYBALL

While the Titans didn’t complete the checklist they had set at the beginning of the year — win districts, regionals, make it to the final four — they still had a phenomenal season. They made it all the way to the Class 7A Regional Semifinals before falling 3-1 to Jupiter. Olympia kicked off its campaign 4-1 and rather than seniors paving the way, the Titans’ sophomores frequent the leaderboard, showing their eagerness to buy into the productive program.

WINDERMERE HIGH GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING

The Wolverines’ girls swim team has made headlines for years. In 2024, the team tallied its third consecutive metro title and collected multiple individual state titles. This year, after girls swimming head coach Kyle Casias received the Metro Female Coach of the Year, expect more of the same. Although the girls will be down a few swimmers, including record-setting swimmer Rylee Erisman, there is an abundance of returners to keep the Wolverines competitive.

Family. Friends. How have your coaches helped Community. Royals set sights on state title build the team?

They’re really good. They’re very CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A attentive and they really care. They care about everything. My kids honestly deserve it. This whole main coach (Bennett) is strict in Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. program deserves it.” a way to want the best for us. Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd State Farm has a long tradition And the golfers feel like they owe Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 — MEGAN of beingBRUINSMA there. That’s one reason it to Rosado. www.shannontill.com why I’m proud to support West “We put in a lot of hard work, Orange county.. and I think it’s really nice for that to Get to a better State . pay off, especially for coach Robin,” ®

Family. Family . Friends. Friends. Community. Community . ®

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by Shannon Till,

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WE GO THE EXTRA MILE

senior Nathan Erickson said. “We Orange is about as perfect a locaowe him for all the work and time, tion imaginable. The Royals gain wanting to sacrifice for us to do the experience at Bay Hill, home of the things he does for us. We owe it all Arnold Palmer Invitational; The Country Club of Orlando; Isleworth to him.” They know the steps. It’s simply Golf and Country Club; and Orange coming ready to swing when states Tree Country Club. Here, they enjoy roll around in November. Rosado impeccable facilities and challengsaid they have to shoot under par ing courses golfers dream about. But TFA’s consistent success also and overcome their biggest chalcomes from the program structure lenger, The Benjamin School. As a private school, TFA is In 2025, Charlie Woods, the son itself. Comprehensive Financial Planning of 15-time champion Tiger Woods, able to have middle-schoolers playsolidified the blow over TFA by ing alongside their older peers. That Investment Management shooting a final-round 4-under means golfers as young as 12 are able par. TFA lost states by five swings. to learn the game from the Royals’ Retirement Income Strategies stars. Benjamin’s win was the second title “We’re super grateful that we’re it had earned in three years. Medicare &have Long Term raising Healthcare young leaders in our proThe Royals might lost overall,Planning but its senior at the time, Mingbo gram,” Rosado said. “We’re develJiang, won the 2025 FHSAA Class 1A oping them as incredible human beings, and they’re a huge blessing boys golf individual state title. Social Security Strategies Although Jiang has graduated, to me.” Rosado said one of the players TFA is staying true to its character and already is showing early signs who inspires him is Erickson. “He’s one of the nicest kids you’ll of coming close to a coveted title. At the preseason match, the Royals tied ever meet in your life and super with Winter Park, and University of humble and an unreal player, and to North Florida commit 336 EErickson Plant won St see that (is) crazy inspiring to me as first overall. They followed up with a coach,” he said. Winter Garden, FL 34787Erickson has grown into his Roysolid swings in the Boone Invitational Wednesday, Aug. 19, to claim als’ polo, playing since he was in www.laportefinancial.com sixth grade. For him, golf always has first. PHONE: (407) 395-9720 “Success is definitely a standard, ” been part of his life. As he prepares Erickson said. “A lot of our sports (at for the next chapter, he can’t wait to FAX: TFA) excel in what866-250-4831 they do so it’s a continue playing the game he loves high standard where we try and hold while also traveling more with his Securities and advisory services offered college team. ourselves to that.” through LPL Financial, a registered But before he pulls on his Osprey investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC CONSISTENCY gear, Erickson is ready to give it his In real estate, it’s all about loca- all for the Royals one last time and tion, location, location. play for the program’s common And luckily for TFA, Southwest vision: Be excellent in our faith.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

CFCA ready to right LAST WEEK’S RESULTS last year’s wrong

The Eagles’ summers were spent with 5 a.m. alarms to make it to practice at 6 a.m., which instilled responsibility. Blackman saw the buy-in over the summer. He saw it in the spring. Everyone was showing up to practice. When he first arrived at CFCA,

UP NEXT: The Titans look to get back on their winning streak at Horizon.

UP NEXT: Ocoee continues on the road to Apopka. Dr. Phillips takes a week off to recoup after back-toback losses. THE FIRST ACADEMY ROYALS (2-0), 21 EDGEWATER EAGLES (1-1), 14 The Royals showcased its Week 1 domination was no fluke. TFA, the No. 11 team in Florida, showed up on the road at Edgewater. After a tied first half, the Royals defense stiffened, while the offense went into overdrive to push past the Eagles. UP NEXT: TFA travels to Port Charlotte and will try to make it 3-0. FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS (1-0), 27 LAKE HIGHLAND PREP HIGHLANDERS(1-1), 0 What a remarkable start for the Foundation Academy Lions, who are coming off the program’s first 10-win season. The Lions’ defense came ready to perform after the offseason and held the Highlanders to a mere 107 rushing yards and 41 receiving yards. UP NEXT: The Lions travel to Cocoa Beach, which averages 43 points per game. WEST ORANGE WARRIORS (2-0), 53 HORIZON HAWKS (1-1), 0 Within the first minute of the game, West Orange’s QB AJ Chung connected with his receiver Yuto Kawamura-Johnson for a 57-yard

Photo by Michael Eng

Foundation shut out Lake Highland Prep in its home-opener Aug. 28.

touchdown — the longest of the game — and never looked back. After the first quarter, West Orange led 26-0, after two missed 2-point conversions. Chung threw for 214 yards with six touchdown passes, while backup QB Jackson Long tallied a seventh passing touchdown. Horizon’s offense was limited to 69 passing yards and -17 rushing yards, a staggering contrast from its 221 total in Week 1.

LEGACY CHARTER EAGLES (0-3), 0 SATELLITE SCORPIONS (2-0), 56 Legacy still is struggling to find itself in the target area. Through the season, its offense has averaged 12.5 passing yards and -14 rushing yards, while its defense has picked up an average of nine tackles. UP NEXT: Legacy Charter prepares to host Santa Fe Catholic, a 1-1 team. WINDERMERE PREP LAKERS (1-0), WIN TAYLOR WILDCATS (0-2), FORFEIT The Lakers were supposed to take the field for their Week 1 game but their opponent called the game forfeited because of a lack of players. Even though they never hit the turf, Windermere Prep still earned one win for the last-minute cancellation.

LAKE BUENA VISTA VIPERS (0-2), 6 WEKIVA MUSTANGS (2-0), 56 Although the Vipers fell once again, the team celebrated its first touchdown, and it was a remarkable one. QB Yusuf Hussain connected with athlete Kris Figueroa for a 70-yard completion to put Lake Buena Vista on the board. UP NEXT: The Vipers head home to play Nova Lakes.

UP NEXT: Windermere Prep travels to Cornerstone Charter Academy in chase of its first true win.

celebrity cipher By Luis Campos

DOWN FEATHERS by Aidan Deshong, edited by Jared Goudsmit with a rhyming name 51 Best Actress winner for “Monster” 52 Actress Vergara 53 ___ sixteen 54 Unchallengeable claims in court 56 Meteorologic inflatable 57 Censored version of a song 58 Capital of Hubei, China? 60 Drug agent 63 Iconic L.A. concert venue 67 Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year DOWN 69 Some Roku devices 1 Mine passages 71 Aromatic necklace 2 “Hmm, if you say so” 74 Card above a deuce 3 Urbana-Champaign 77 WNBA score units students 79 Crepe-frying vessel 4 Tedious task 5 Cap wearer’s “hairstyle” 80 Porsche, e.g. 82 Sylvia Plath writing 6 Nearly boil, like milk 84 Jump like a joey 7 Use a peeler 86 Red card issuer 8 World Heritage Site org. 88 Prom partner 9 Payment to a hacker 91 Fish hidden in “stop 10 Hunks of concrete ahead” 11 Keep watch over 92 What Oreo crumbs 12 Like Tatooine’s climate represent in dirt cake 13 Sight, e.g. 93 James Bond foe 14 See ‘n ___ (educational 96 _ chi toy) 98 Cavs, on scoreboards 15 Toon employed by Mr. 100 Partner nations Krabs 16 Animal on a Froot Loops 102 Bert’s BFF 103 Charged particle box 104 Oscar recognition, 17 Nissan sedan informally 18 Softly throws 109 Spill tea, say 28 ___ over (satisfied for 110 Actor’s part now) 112 As well 29 Global financial org. 114 Humdrum 35 Golden Knights’ org. 36 Turned the Chicago River 116 Prom transport 117 Vehicle pulled by dogs green, say 119 Animal said to have 38 “Que ___?” nine lives 39 Cuban currency 121 ___ out (just make) 41 La Jolla sch. 122 Consumes 44 Like a dirty dryer trap 123 Like the last name of 46 “Como ___?” Tito’s Vodka founder Bert 47 Trade Beveridge 48 Ford or Lincoln 49 “Three’s Company” bar 125 “Quiet on the ___!”

124 Floral perfume ingredient 126 Listening intently 127 Animal aka the zebra giraffe 128 “Fab!” 129 “Busy” insect 130 Boxing ring ruling (Abbr.) 131 Termites’ homes 132 Vowelless sandwich 133 Oscar recognition, informally

33 Pink cocktail, informally 66 Do something 34 Chess finale, or a hint to 68 Not before 1 Nothing-but-net sound 70 Pioneering ISP 6 Cowboy boot attachments this puzzle’s theme 72 Landmark 1990 civil 37 “Return to the YouTube 11 Opposite of fail rights law (Abbr.) video” button 15 “ASAP!” 73 Depict 39 ___ Wonderful juice 19 Very 75 Beam fastener 40 Winter bug 20 Word after “root” or 76 Caught some extra Z’s 42 Serengeti scavengers “Panama” 78 French “Thank you” 43 “Skyfall” singer 21 Zone 45 Person discussed on TMZ 79 Credit card material 22 Golfer’s shirt 81 Printmaker’s prefix for 47 Exams scored out of 23 Divvy up “graph” 1600 24 Sports stadium 82 Book part 50 Frisbee golf objects 25 Minuscule 83 Tom yum cuisine 53 Talk back to 26 Ways to escape 85 Golfer Woodland 55 “Pride and Prejudice” 27 Ostriches and penguins, 87 Watermelon bit payment or a description of the 89 Approve 59 Capital of Hubei, China circled letters 61 Artsy NYC neighborhood 90 NBA player Ball 30 CBS procedural 92 Cunning 62 Length’s counterpart 31 Heavy unit 94 Nutritional amt. 64 Boyfriend 32 Muslim festival 95 “When an ___ Climbs a 65 Broke a fast

UP NEXT: Windermere prepares for battle against Edgewater on the road.

UP NEXT: West Orange remains at home to host the Wekiva Mustangs. The Hawks fly back to their home field to host Olympia.

crossword

ACROSS

WINDERMERE WOLVERINES (1-1), 26 INNOVATION BULLS (2-0), 29 There will not be a perfect season for Windermere this year. The Wolverines were handed their first loss in over two years. In the close game, QB Dean Monroe was another bright spot for the Wolverines. He threw for 238 yards, averaging 15.9 per throw, and three touchdowns. Jabari Anderson led the ground attack, producing a TD of his own on 58 yards.

Ramp To Eat Squid From a Clamp, That’s a Moray” (NYT headline) 96 ___ jar 97 Spaceship Earth theme park 99 Briefly 101 Eccentric Rowan Atkinson character 103 “Arrivederci” language 105 Airing at night 106 Author Carle 107 “Hey, didn’t expect to see you here!” 108 American Girl toy 109 Muffin type 111 Swimming pool division 113 Site with film facts 115 Misfortunes 118 Coherent 120 Post-injury regimen

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

“C NMCOA NMEN NMZ SEJ NMEN JFK EDN ... ERSEJU DMEOPZU HZDEKUZ JFKY VFCON FQ XCZS EU E VZYUFO DMEOPZU EU JFK EPZ.”

AZCYE AOCPMNRZJ

“B RLT’K GNKQC AUNIFNQEJ ... B ZDTDONUUI RL KCD JNSD KCBTZ KNED NHKDO KNED ... FDQNPJD B ETLG GCNK B GNTK KL RL.”

JNSPDU U. MNQEJLT

“BIOA OA WC OCBTYTABOCN BIOCN WZPSB APCNA ... MPS’YT ETKHOCN OCBP ABSDD BIWB LWMZT UPSKE ZT EODDOFSKB BP BWKG WZPSB.”

JWSK LFFWYBCTMK

Puzzle Three Clue: A equals S

DRIVE TO WORK

FRIDAY, AUG. 28 OCOEE KNIGHTS (1-1), 7 DR. PHILLIPS PANTHERS (0-2), 3 The game came down to the wire, but the Knights were the last with the ball. Both of the team’s defenses had maintained the flow of the game, with Ocoee finishing the evening with 6.5 sacks. The Panthers’ defense looked to make one final stop, but Ocoee’s quarterback Nathaniel Watkins had other plans. With 30 seconds left, Watkins showed off his version of a tush push and reached the end zone to seal the game for the Knights

Puzzle Two Clue: E equals K

continues to remind his players they lost the last big game they played. To the new players, he tells them they’re coming into a program that went 9-1, but that team is gone. Everything is brand new. “This is now your team, and how do we write this season?” he said. The Eagles already have begun to write their script for 2026, kicking off with a dominating 40-17 win against Trinity Prep in Week 1. To achieve their dreams, CFCA must rely on its returners and lay the groundwork to have all 36 rostered players buy into the vision: a state championship. Blackman said he sets extremely high standards for his players. Some might say it’s unrealistic, but he teaches if they aim to be perfect but fall short, they still fall on great. If they aim to be mediocre and they fall short, it’s poor. Every day is focused on doing their best. As soon as the season began, they already were setting the standard — with a midnight practice. The human body isn’t conditioned for football practice in the middle of the night. But as the Eagles and their coaching staff battled together through the exhaustion, they discovered something that will carry them throughout the year. “It really shows the character of the team,” Pritzkau said. “Of course, midnight practice is not your usual practice. It’s very different, so I will say that’s definitely something we’re trying to be this year — be different than the year before — because our end goal is to win a state championship, and that’s something that has never been done here at CFCA.” They don’t take days off.

the team couldn’t even hold a typical practice. Now, they have 33 guys consistently at practice and holding one another accountable. Once the players buy in, anything is possible. Jones is a prime example of how a player can change with a program. Jones first walked onto CFCA’s field without any experience in the tackle football scene. He remembers being scared to hit anyone. When Blackman first taught Jones the method to tackle someone, Jones responded, “You want me to do what?” He played on an 0-6 team, a 3-6 team and then a 9-1 team. “(Jones) got to see how the sauce is made, and he’s bought into what it is that Coach Ben and I try to instill in them in the beginning,” Blackman said. Now, he’s the defensive captain and also one of the most lethal offensive weapons for Pritzkau, who had a phenomenal eighth-grade year, to utilize. “What separates Deshaun from the other receivers is his leadership,” Pritzkau said. “I feel like (he and I) are on the same page when it comes to leading this team to a state championship. He’s never someone who I have to bark at.” Pritzkau’s first touchdown pass, which came his seventh-grade year in the preseason, was to Jones. Their connection always has been there and now they’re ready to take it to the next level. With a year under his belt, Pritzkau also is gearing up for another impeccable year. The former middleschooler skyrocketed. He threw for 2,087 yards last season, and in the Eagles first game this year, he threw for 359 yards and four TD passes. Pritzkau also has a new target in Melvin Mack, who transferred from Ocoee High. “He’s a team-first player,” Blackman said of Mack. “It’s not, ‘I need the ball 15 times a game.’ If he touches the ball one time, it’s going to be explosive. He’s that kid. He’s our biggest receiver. He may be one of our fastest receivers; he’s as shifty as they come.”

OLYMPIA TITANS (1-1), 7 TIMBER CREEK WOLVES (1-1), 18 Unfortunately, the Titans weren’t able to repeat last year’s win over Timber Creek and were handed their first loss of the season. The first quarter appeared promising after Olympia led 7-6, but the Wolves fought back to defend their den and had two scores through the second half.

Puzzle Two Clue: J equals Y

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A

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

09-03-26

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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SAM GILL WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Sam Gill is a high school biology teacher at Windermere Preparatory School. She teaches Honors Biology for freshmen and IB Biology DP Year 1 for juniors. She also serves as a lead for the school service trip to Tanzania and a sponsor for the Pride Club. What brought you to your school? I was actually recommended by coworker Lesley Reier. She and I worked together for five years at West Orange High School, and after she came here, she knew I would love it here just as much as she did. What do you love most about your school? Two things come to mind: First, I really love the relationships I get to build with the students. I used to teach at a very large high school, and usually once a school year was over, you rarely got to see your past students. Here, with it being a smaller campus, I get to see my students much more frequently and continue those relationships even after they leave my classroom. Second, the incredible opportunity of having chaperoned a school field trip to Tanzania! I have always wanted to go, and getting to see the impact of a service trip on my students was the best part.

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What is the most rewarding part of your job? I love getting to see the growth in my students. I have mostly taught freshmen, so I get the chance to see them during their first experience with high school and then watch how much they change and grow from there. It’s also incredible when a student tells you that they had written off science as a topic that was uninteresting or too hard, but now, it’s one of their favorites. What would you be if you weren’t in this profession? I was originally a zookeeper for five years before becoming a teacher. I worked with African hoofstock such as giraffe, zebra and antelope, so I could definitely see myself still doing that. Who influences you? My family. I am very close with my parents, my two sisters, my wife and my son. Each of them play such a huge role in my life and make me who I am. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Martha DeWeese was my high school biology teacher, and I can still hear her voice when I am teaching my lessons. She really focused on teaching to learn rather than teaching to memorize, and it’s shaped who I am as a teacher. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? That my life goal is to be a contestant on the show “The Amazing Race!” One day, it’ll happen!

REPORT CARD YEARS AT SCHOOL: Three POSITION: High school biology teacher

What do you like to do in your spare time? I have a 3-year-old, so my spare time is mostly spent at playgrounds or the swimming pool. If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why? Probably Steve Irwin. He just had such a big heart and cared so much for the environment. I would love to meet someone so passionate about what he did. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I’ve always wished I could speak the language of anyone I met. When I’ve traveled, just speaking a small phrase in someone’s native language has made such an impact on that person. I wish I could do that with more than just a memorized phrase and actually have a conversation with anyone, anywhere. If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? Blink 182, Pat Benatar and Backstreet Boys. If I could only ever listen to three artists I think I’d want to maintain some variety, so I’d want three pretty different sounding musicians that I’ve listened to my whole life. What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? Lunchables! It was always a good day when I opened up my lunch box to one of those. And for a snack, oddly enough I loved peanut butter and grape sandwiches (not grape jelly … actual grapes). Give it a try! What is your favorite holiday and why? I love Christmas, just the whole season and everything about it just puts me in a good mood. I will say, Halloween is growing on me, because it’s my son’s favorite holiday, and he talks about it at least weekly all year long. Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? My high school best friend was Patricia, but unfortunately, we don’t talk anymore. My college best friend however, Maria — we still talk almost daily. She and I met freshman year through mutual friends, became orientation leaders together and were inseparable after that. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I did crew all four years of high school, and I believe it was my junior or senior year that we got second place at states!

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— LIZ RAMOS

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13A

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

A lot of personality PHOTOS BY THOMAS LIGHTBODY | TK PHOTOGRAPHY

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orizon High School’s senior Hawks swooped onto campus Saturday, Aug. 15, to turn their parking spaces into artwork. With the help of friends and family, seniors spent hours painting their parking spaces. The Hawks showed off their personalities and favorite TV shows, movies, characters, quotations, teams and more.

OPEN HOUSE AT WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

OCTOBER 3, 2026 AT 10:00 AM Join us to tour the campus, hear from current students, and meet our faculty!

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(407) 905-7737 windermereprep.com

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RSVP TODAY TO JOIN US!

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BRAINFOO The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

Strings Attached I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher

ith school now in full swing, you might be looking for a new hobby to help

CLASS SCHEDULE

with the stress new teachers and homework bring. Luckily, the Orange County

FIBER ARTS JUNIOR: FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

Library System has a full slate of fiber arts classes this month. And if you’ve

never tried a fiber art, now is the perfect time! In case you didn’t know, the fiber arts — including crochet, knitting and macramé — use fibers (strings or cords) to create all sorts of items. Some can be fun — a new favorite stuffed friend or a keychain — while others can be useful around the house. This month, let’s take a look at crochet, knitting and macramé and how they are different. CROCHET

Crochet is one of the easiest and fun crafts to learn, and it is perfect for beginners and younger kids (starting at about age 7). Those who crochet use a hooked needle and different colored yarns to create, well, anything you can imagine. And in crochet, you finish a stitch completely before moving to the next one. That means your project won’t completely fall apart if you make a mistake. You can find hundreds and hundreds of patterns to get you started, and the library also has many fun books with ideas, as well. Some great beginner crochet projects include scarves, washcloths or a smaller stuffed toy.

KNITTING

Knitting is slightly more complicated than crochet and ideal for kids ages 8 or 9 and older. For knitting, you’ll use two long needles to stitch loops of yarn together. Some great first projects include small items such as a blanket for your favorite doll or stuffed animal, a bookmark or even a bracelet. Unlike crochet, in knitting, you will have many open loops at the same time. The end project is thinner and stretchier — great for making stuff such as socks.

MACRAMÉ

Instead of weaving or knitting, macramé is the art of tying cords into special knots to create patterns And unlike crochet and knitting, in macramé, you don’t use yarn. Instead, you use cotton, hemp or nylon cords. Also, instead of using a hook or needle, you just use your hands. This makes it a great fiber art for kids as young as 6. The great thing about macramé is once you learn one or two knots, you can begin to create a wide variety of things. Some easy macramé projects include friendship bracelets, keychains, wall hangings and leaves.

BENEFITS

Whether you choose crochet, knitting or macramé, you will enjoy a variety of benefits. Of course, you’ll be able to make lots of cool items for you, your friends — or even to sell. Furthermore, learning a new hobby is fun and can lead to making new friends. And all three also are super relaxing and great after a long, hard day at school. No screens required!