11.21.19 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

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INSIDE

Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE

VOLUME 5, NO. 8

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Pride in the playoffs Foundation Academy’s Lions are heading to Lakeland. SEE PAGES 16-17.

Into the wild

SHIPPING DEADLINES // Page 12

After selecting the perfect gift, make sure it gets there on time

WHAT’S INSIDE

HOLIDAY EVENTS // Page 18-19

Discover a new way to celebrate the holiday season in Central Florida

GIFT OF GIVING // Page 22-23

West Orange is home to numerous nonprofits that can use your help

MERRY AND BRIGHT // Page 24 Find the brightest holiday homes using this new app

UCP charter purchasing land for new campus The school, in Winter Garden, will have more space and will add grades six through eight. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Big changes are coming to UCP West Orange Charter School in Winter Garden, now that the purchase is being finalized on an 8-acre piece of land on County Road 535. A new and larger campus will provide the SEE SCHOOL PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN WANT TO SERVE IN WINDERMERE?

Courtesy photo

Blake Jacoby gained the trust of Gan Da during his internship in Thailand.

Three Windermere Town Council seats will appear on the March 17, 2020, ballot — that of Mayor Jim O’Brien and council members Chris Sapp and Loren “Andy” Williams. Qualifying will open at noon Friday, Nov. 22, and close at noon Friday, Dec. 13, and ballots can be picked up and turned in at the clerk’s office, 614 Main St., or via the website, town.windermere.fl.us.

AMERICAN DREAM

Horizon West regional park concept unveiled Residents got their first look at the concept for the 215-acre park at a community meeting Nov. 13. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Postal Customer

Jonah Best celebrates becoming U.S. citizen. SEE PAGE 13.

A new regional park in Horizon West is taking shape — and residents still have a chance to provide input on its amenities. Horizon West residents got their first glimpse of a conceptual rendering for the area’s new regional park at a community meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Windermere High School. The park — which will be located north of New Independence Parkway and behind Bridgewater Middle School — consists of a passive recreation zone, a natural zone, an active zone and a lake zone. The natural zone on the northSEE REGIONAL PAGE 2

SCHOOL ZONE

After an eight-week internship with Wildlife Friends Foundation, in Thailand, Blake Jacoby is working with a primate group in South Carolina. SEE PAGE 4.

HWMS students talk business. SEE PAGE 11.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

YOUR CALENDAR

THURSDAY, NOV. 21

FLORIDA SEMINOLES 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Take a peek at the rich history and culture of the Seminole and participate in fun hands-on activities. (407) 835-7323. GROCERY STORE TOUR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Publix – Horizon West, 5400 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden. Do you know which yogurt is the healthiest choice? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for you and your family. Free. Space is limited; call (407) 407-3046 to reserve space. WEST ORANGE WOMEN CHARITY LUNCHEON 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Macaroni Grill, 12148 ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. Enjoy some time of fun, friendship and philanthropy. Cost is $28. RSVP to Dottie Ansel (407) 554-1460. For information, call Mary Borgan, (407) 929-3030.

FRIDAY, NOV. 22

17TH CENTURY LIFE IN AMERICA 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Travel back in time and find out what life was like for Native Americans and Pilgrims living in the 1600s. (407) 835-7323. IRONMEN OF GOD COFFEE 7 to 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, above Axum Coffee, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Join

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

with other Christians in this independent men’s ministry focused on serving the men in the community. The guest speaker is Steve Brown. IronMenofGod.com.

Regional impact

SATURDAY, NOV. 23

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

WALK FOR APRAXIA 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk begins Saturday, Nov. 23, at Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., Orlando. The Walk for Apraxia celebrates children with apraxia of speech and recognizes them for their hard work. Visit community.apraxiakids.org/orlandowalk.

THURSDAY, NOV. 28

WALK/RUN SWEET POTATO MASH 5K 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. 5K Thursday, Nov. 28, at Chapin Station Park, 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden. Enjoy a 3.1-mile walk or run on the down-and-back course along West Orange Trail. Each participant will receive a finisher medal, and top participants will receive awards. Medals will be given also to participants dressing in Thanksgiving costume, especially sweet potatoes. Entrance fee is $25 for adults; the kids run is free. To register, go to sweetpotato5k. com/e/1.

MONDAY, DEC. 9

CENTRAL FLORIDA RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at the Central Florida Railroad Museum, 101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Videographer Danny Harmon presents “Coverage of Recent Florida Trains.” Free. (407) 656-0559.

east side will be left mostly untouched and give residents a chance to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, while the passive recreation zone to the northwest — which has more hills — will include similar natural features along with amenities like dog parks. An active area located at the center of the park would feature ball fields and a community center. A lake zone would give residents a chance to enjoy Lake Hartley through amenities like a fishing dock and a kayak launch area. In an alternate concept rendering, the active zone is slightly adjusted, with the community center further west and the ball fields consolidated to the east behind Bridgewater Middle School. The concept shown at the community meeting was put together using input gathered thus far from an online survey, along with an exercise from a community meeting May 1 where residents placed stickers representing certain amenities on a map of the property. District 1 Orange County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said that input from the residents is critical to shaping the park. “This is a park that we want to make sure gets used very heavily, so when people give us their feedback on what they need, that’s how we’re driving what’s

Courtesy

The concept for the Horizon West regional park is split up into four zones based on the kinds of amenities.

GIVE YOUR INPUT Residents can fill out an online survey to voice their options on the new park by visiting HorizonWest RegionalPark.org. The survey will be open until Wednesday, Dec. 13.

going to go into this park,” VanderLey said. That input came in rapidly after the first May 1 community meeting. A survey that was online through June 25 saw 1,920 respondents, more than 40,000 votes and more than 1,700 comments. Findings presented at the Nov. 13 meeting revealed the most requested amenities within the future park so far. At the top of the list sat bike/pedestrian trails (requested by 67% of participants), followed by picnic pavilions (58%), hiking paths

(56%), a farmers market (54%) and a splash pad (51%). Residents were asked at the Nov. 13 meeting to write down which amenities were most important to them — the findings from the online survey recorded almost 50 different kinds of amenities residents wanted to see. Even though the concept is taking shape, further input on what amenities will reside in each zone still is needed, VanderLey said. “As we go forward and we get more input from the residents and we start to put some more details on paper and that refines, then that’s going to really help us decide what specifically goes where, how does this flow,” she said. “There’s a lot more that has to follow.” A third community meeting will take place at some point during winter/spring of 2020.

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Orange teachers to vote on new contract agreement The tentative agreement between the district and CTA includes permanent salary increases, more planning time and no increase in health insurance costs until October. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Pep rally attendees danced to hype up the band members.

LOUD & PROUD P

arents, friends and family members showed up in full force Monday, Nov. 11, to cheer on the Windermere Wolverine Band during its final practice before competing in Bands of America Grand Nationals. Those in attendance at the pep rally brought pompoms, signs, thunder sticks and more to show their support for the band members. The band traveled to Indianapolis for the competition early that Wednesday and placed 34th overall among 95 bands.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX Randy Van Patten played alongside the drum line.

Parents and family members got creative with signs for various sections of the band. Right: Tyler Rivera laughed as Blake Pyko gave him a ride on his shoulders.

Emily Sadlier paused on the field during the show.

Adam Zopf and Michael Wakim were thrilled with the customized blankets they received from the band parents.

After heading back to the drawing board for further bargaining, the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association and Orange County Public Schools have reached a new tentative agreement regarding teacher compensation and working conditions. On Nov. 8, the CTA announced that it signed the tentative agreement. And on Nov. 12, the Orange County School Board approved the teacher salary increases pending CTA ratification. “Together we showed that when our members speak with one voice, we have strength and power at the bargaining table,” Wendy Doromal, president of the CTA, told members. “You said you wanted salary increases and not bonuses, you said you wanted a one-year deal, you said you wanted more planning time, and together, we have achieved those things.” The district and CTA have gone back and forth with bargaining teacher salaries and benefits for the 2019-20 school year since June. The two previous agreements proposed in June and September included cost-of-living increases to base salaries and one-time, lumpsum bonuses. However, teachers voted to reject both offers, stating that they wanted salary increases rather than bonuses. They also asked for more planning time, and many stated concerns about the increase in insurance costs. The most recent agreement, should it be ratified, would include higher permanent salary increases, no temporary bonuses and no insurance increase in the 2019-20 school year. Staff across the board would receive a $700 cost-of-living increase. Personnel rated “effective” would receive a $2,100 total salary increase, while those rated “highly effective” would receive a $2,800 total increase. Staff would receive their retro pay before the end of the year. Additionally, employees would not have to pay a health insurance increase until October 2020, giving them time to prepare for the increase and seek alternative arrangements if needed. Highlights of the agreed-upon working conditions include a maximum of two early-release day meetings per month, limits on meetings during preplanning, guaranteed restroom breaks and free replacement ID badges. The tentative agreement comes as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes a $91.4 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July, which includes the $600 million needed to raise teachers’ starting salaries to $47,500. DeSan-

PROPOSED CHANGES

+ $700

cost-of-living for staff across the board

+ $2,100

total raise for personnel rated “effective”

+ $2,800

total raise for personnel rated “highly effective”

+ 10 months

time employees’ increase in insurance payments will be delayed * Staff would receive their retro pay before the end of the year.

tis said this would boost the pay for more than 101,000 teachers. The Legislature will approve a budget during the annual session beginning Jan. 14. “It is an extraordinary increase compared to what you’re seeing around the region,” School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs said of the district’s tentative agreement. “This board has been actively engaged in continuing to work with the Legislature. We’re excited to hear the governor talk about raising starting salaries and minimum salaries but think it’s important for everyone to know that as excited as we are about that, we also understand the concern about compression. “It’s extremely important to us — and to most of the members of the Legislature that we’ve talked to — that our teachers that have been in the classroom for years, our teachers that are encouraging and mentoring other teachers need to see that same appreciation and respect in terms of pay,” she said. Ballots for the 2019-20 contract ratification were mailed to teachers on Nov. 18 and are due back to the CTA office Dec. 5. Ballots will be counted Dec. 6, and results will be announced after vote counting is complete. Results also will be posted on the CTA’s website at orangecta.com. Doromal said CTA members stood up and spoke loudly and clearly about what they wanted, and the deal reached represents their victory in achieving one of the biggest salary increases in recent history, as well as a victory in regaining planning time and respect to their working conditions. “We must continue to make progress to increase Florida’s average teacher pay from the bottom 10 nationally to the top 10,” Doromal said. “We hope that we can get our message out to fund our future for students, teachers and public education.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

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

“You don’t have to do something big to do something.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

— Blake Jacoby

President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com

Courtesy photos

Phraya Nakhon Cave, in Sam Roi Yat National Park, is an underground forest with a temple inside.

Monkey business AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

lake Jacoby can attribute his new job at a primate sanctuary in South Carolina, in part, to a gibbon that liked his grooming skills. The Windermere resident recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in biology and moved last week to Summerville, South Carolina, having accepted a caregiver position with the International Primate Protection League. There are more than 30 gibbons with the organization, and Jacoby will be preparing their food, maintaining their cages and taking care of the animals. The job offer came following a summer internship with a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand. Jacoby said he always has been interested in animals. He and other members of FGCU’s Wildlife Club volunteered at The Talkin’ Monkeys Project Inc., in

FOR INFORMATION n The Talkin’ Monkeys Project Inc. — talkinmonkeys.org n Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand — wfft.org n International Primate Protection League — ippl.org

Clewiston. The small primate sanctuary is home to nine gibbons, four capuchins, a spider monkey and a squirrel monkey. One gibbon snarled at Jacoby every time it saw him, but there was one trusting gibbon that always scurried across its cage and put its back toward Jacoby, ready for its human friend to start grooming it. Jacoby fell in love with the place and the animals and volunteered there every Sunday. He even visited the International Primate Protection League in Summerville, where he ultimately landed a job. “It’s the human characteris-

tics that you see in animals that I love,” he said. This experience led to an international adventure. After graduating from FGCU, Jacoby packed his bags and headed to Asia for an eight-week summer internship with Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. He volunteered in two sections of the wildlife sanctuary: six weeks at the wildlife rescue center and two with the elephant rescue. His daily tasks were food preparation, field work and cage maintenance. Creating enrichments for the animals also is important, Jacoby said. He explained that in the wild, animals are constantly busy, looking for predators, caring for their young and searching for food. Although the animals at the sanctuary have plenty of space to roam and behave like animals, the conditions are different. So, Jacoby and the other volunteers give the animals stimulated

challenges, such as searching for food in a pile of hay. Every day was different at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, he said. The organization specializes in rescue and rehabilitation, so daily it received animals that were struck by vehicles or orphaned due to poaching. Many of the larger animals that live there once were circus performers or were used for tourism. Feeding the sun bears and Asiatic black bears was fun, Jacoby said. “The bears were probably my favorite to feed,” he said. “They would lock them in the side enclosure to be able to clean the big enclosure. We had big buckets of food, and we would hide them around. And then we go out and they would start looking for the chunks of food.” Jacoby is grateful for all of the experiences. “There’s a lot to be done in the field of wildlife conservation,” he said. “But you don’t have to do one big thing; you don’t have to own the sanctuary in order to be able to say, ‘I’m doing something.’ Even me being there, cutting up a piece of corn or cucumber for a macaque that was formerly abused. … I know I’m doing my part. “You don’t have to do something big to do something,” he said.

school with greater capacity and an enhanced educational experience for both special needs and general education students. United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida’s Winter Garden facility is moving just north of its current location at 1297 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 112. The school serves 170 children in prekindergarten through fifth grade, and about 70% of the students have a disability and are receiving educational or therapy services, according to the principal, Tom Brickel. The school is at capacity and has a waiting list, he said. The move will give UCP the space to provide education for 250 students. “The new campus will provide our West Orange students with the opportunity to seamlessly receive educational and therapy services during their middle school years,” Brickel said. “Our families have struggled to find satisfactory

school options for their students after they graduate from fifth grade. How convenient will it be for West Orange families to finally have an elementary and middle school for students with and without disabilities in the heart of Winter Garden?” Dr. Ilene Wilkins, CEO of all UCPs in Central Florida and surrounding municipalities, said the organization will ask for feedback to create a wish list. Once that’s determined, then the architect firm, SchenkelShultz, will start working on the design. Brickel said construction will take up to one-and-a-half years. The initial space will be 22,000 square feet, and there is space for future expansion of another 8,000. UCP has been in the current space about five years. Prior to that move, the school was in the West Orange Shopping Center, on South Dillard Street, and the Winter Garden Plaza, on West Colonial Drive. “I am truly excited at the prospect of a larger, more accom-

The Southwest Orange Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The Southwest Orange Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 6562121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

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School to expand CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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The Southwest Orange Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $40 per year ($50 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787 Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER send address changes to the Observer, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Courtesy

The new UCP campus in Winter Garden will look similar to the East Orange/Bales Campus.

modating facility,” Brickel said. “Our new facility will have some essential school features we currently lack, such as a cafeteria, a larger kitchen with ample room for our kitchen equipment, a teacher break room and rooms for diagnostic testing. “We will also be able to design a playground/P.E. area equipped for our students in wheelchairs from the ground up,” he said. “With the increased number of classrooms, we will also be able to accommodate a greater number of students with and without special needs

that are currently on our waiting list.” The new school will cost $6 to $7 million, including the land; a capital campaign has begun, with several commitments. For information, email info@ucpcfl.org. “For years, our UCP families have been waiting for the time when their kids can continue their integrated education and therapy services into the middle school years,” Brickel said. “For me, it is a joy to finally tell them, ‘Yes, your kids can stay with us through eighth grade.’”

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Protect your family. Prepare for their future.

Betsy VanderLey

hen I heard 1,500 people a week were projected to move to Central Florida through 2030, I couldn’t help but think about the new infrastructure that would be needed to help accommodate such rapid growth. Anyone who has lived in Horizon West for any length of time probably can relate to my concerns. Keeping up with the pace of growth impacting our area is next to impossible. But responding to it in a responsible and timely manner isn’t. That’s what the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Governing Board did with its recent unanimous decision to build the Lake/Orange County Connector as a congestion-relieving traffic corridor. Being a regional toll authority, CFX closely monitors the pulse of its member counties, Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole. It responds to population shifts and seeks to alleviate the traffic congestion they cause. Building toll-funded, limitedaccess expressways where they’re desperately needed is what CFX does so well, and you don’t need

CFX website, CFXway.com. While the Lake/Orange County Connector is only five miles in length, it will go a long way toward making West Orange County a better place to live. District 1 Orange County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey is the county’s representative on the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Governing Board.

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CFX’s Lake/Orange Connecter is responsible response to growth to be the Orange County commissioner sitting on the agency’s board to know that. Just think what living in Horizon West would be like today without CFX’s State Road 429 connecting the community to major travel arteries such as Interstate 4 and Florida’s Turnpike. The Lake/Orange County Connector will provide further congestion relief to local roads in West Orange and serve as a bridge to South Lake County, connecting two emerging super-communities. Extending from U.S. 27 in Lake to S.R. 429 in Orange, the divided and lighted four-lane expressway will provide a nonstop travel alternative to heavily congested State Road 50 to the north and U.S. 192 to the south. It also will draw commuters off County Road 545 and other narrow rural roads meant for local traffic. Besides its obvious time-saving benefits to intercounty travelers, the connector will spur economic development in our area, improve the flow of labor and goods and services between counties, provide a faster-moving evacuation and emergency corridor, and enhance the region’s overall quality of life. With the populations of Lake and Orange counties projected to grow by 30% each by 2030 (and Horizon West fueling Orange’s growth), the connector can’t be built soon enough. The CFX Governing Board advanced the project to the production phase, with design expected to start in spring 2020. To stay informed about the project’s progress, please visit the

THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

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MY VIEW

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Dr. Craig Curtis, MD CPI, is the Director of Alzheimer’s Disease research at the Florida Alzheimer’s Prevention Institute. Dr. Curtis has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Advertorial

Candidate files for School Board District 4 Dayna Gaut, a Horizon West resident, wants to take the pressure off students within Orange County Public Schools. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

A Horizon West resident in Mabel Bridge hopes to be the next Orange County School Board member for District 4. Dayna Gaut officially has thrown her hat in the ring and hopes to be elected by Orange County voters next year in the primary election. The candidate has 10 years of experience teaching in OCPS between Citrus and West Oaks elementary schools. She spent the majority of her time at Citrus, where she taught English classes to students from other countries. Before that, Gaut served as a paramedic for 15 years, including public affairs management work for Rural/ Metro Ambulance and a brief stint as a firefighter for the city of Maitland. She earned her master’s degree in education from Florida Southern College and currently is working on her dissertation for her doctorate in education leadership. Gaut said she’s running for the school board seat because she isn’t pleased with the direction OCPS is going. “I know education; I’ve learned education — I don’t know everything and I’m still learning a lot, but I just think there’s a time when we need to stand up and do what’s right,” Gaut said. “People have been asking me over the years and I didn’t. Finally, I said, ‘I will stand up and serve.’” Changing the school district’s hyper focus on testing and meeting standards is among Gaut’s top priorities if she’s elected. “I think public education is really at a turning point right now,” she said. “We’re over-testing, and I think we’ve gone from no accountability at the schools over the decades to now the pendulum has swung too far to where it’s just hyper accountability. It’s all about the tests, and we’re testing the kids too much. We’re making them anxious about testing, and it’s not good for children and it’s not good for teachers.” Gaut said she thinks tests are important and standards are important, but it’s time to calm things down because every child learns at a different pace, she said. “It’s like popcorn — when you cook popcorn, you use the same pot, put the same oil in and use the same heat, but the popcorn kernels don’t always pop at the same time,” Gaut said. “You can’t get mad at one kernel or punish

Cook Like a Pro This Holiday Season Featuring BurgerFi® in Winter Garden No matter how you celebrate this holiday season, three things always come to mind: family, friends…and food. From cooking to consumption, there’s nothing better than bringing your loved ones together over a great meal, sharing cherished traditions and making new memories. This may be a special time of year for food, but one thing remains constant year-round – the excellence of cooking with natural gas. Nine out of ten chefs prefer cooking with natural gas, and for good reason. Natural gas sets the table for easy and precise cooking and a better, tastier finished product. Lake Apopka Natural Gas District customer, Daryl Baer, a Winter Garden-local chef and business owner, recently shared some of his favorite holiday cooking memories, tips and tricks, as well as why natural gas is a key ingredient in his business’ recipe for success. BurgerFi Winter Garden, located at 360 W. Plant St., is a modern, eco-minded eatery serving up grass-fed beef burgers, hot dogs, craft beer and wine. Daryl Baer, the restaurant’s director of operations and franchise partner, is proud to deliver fresh, delicious offerings that lean more toward fine dining than fast casual when it comes to quality. “Our food is always fresh, never frozen. When you come to BurgerFi, you’re enjoying clean, farm-to-table food that is hard to find at a price point like ours,” Daryl said. His favorite menu item to prepare? The restaurant’s infamous fries, which are hand-cut and made from scratch. As Daryl noted, “You’ll never find us tearing open a frozen bag.” Nestled in the heart of Winter Garden’s historic downtown, BurgerFi is always buzzing with guests and friendly employees – two groups Daryl holds close to the heart of his day-to-day operations. “I feel like I’m throwing a party every day… everyone is enjoying themselves and making the experience a truly great time,” he shared. “My amazing employees make it easy for me to create a memorable guest experience.” Daryl has been creating memories in the restaurant industry for over 40 years, starting with his first position as a dishwasher for a RaceTrac in Collinsville, Illinois, but he was having fun with food before he even started working in the industry. “I think I invented Cookies and Cream ice cream in 1977. At the time, ice cream was so boring – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry … maybe Neapolitan if you were lucky,” he reminisced. “So, I thought, why not throw a few things together?” And, as with so many passionate chefs, some of Daryl’s earliest food memories are centered on family and the holidays. “I grew up watching my grandmother and mother cook together, which really made our house a home,” he shared. “Holidays were a real treat – we always knew we were in for a big family dinner whenever we were making a trip to grandmother’s house.” Daryl also has a specifically fond memories of baking cookies – one of his favorite holiday treats. Beyond enjoying them as a tasty snack, he would often package up bundles of cookies for holiday-time gifts when he was younger and still working his way through his early years in the industry.

Courtesy

Dayna Gaut has some changes planned if elected Orange County School Board member for District 4.

the person who is cooking the popcorn because that kernel didn’t pop in the first two minutes; it took four minutes.” School overcrowding is another issue Gaut hopes to address. Orange County Public Schools does a fine job building new schools, but the process needs to be expedited further, she said. “Where’s the holdup?” she said. “I look at it in a medical way. Here are your signs and symptoms. What could that be? Let’s rule out these things. It’s the same with education. “Let’s find the part that’s broken, and we can fix it,” she said. “We’re dealing with children’s lives. It needs that level of passion and study and commitment and to do the right thing.” Gaut mentioned that OCPS staff also needs to be held more accountable when it comes to research and findings they present to the school board. “The school board adopts staff proposals all the time,” she said. “I know the school board is a part-time position — I would give it my whole heart, because it’s big enough that it needs to have someone where you do your own homework instead of just be a rubber stamp for staff.” Gaut said her passion, experience in teaching, background as a first responder and history of public participation and community leadership all make her the best candidate to serve as the District 4 member. “I think I’m the best because all of these little parts of my life have brought me here and I think this is the logical next step — to get back into service,” Gaut said.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Ghosts of Christmas to haunt Garden Theatre IF YOU GO “A CHRISTMAS CAROL — A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS” 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden Phone: (407) 877-4736 (Dial Ext. 0 for the box office) Website: Gardentheatre.org Cost: $35-$37 (Discounts available for youth, seniors, groups of 10 or more as well as active and retired military personnel) An ASL-interpreted performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, and a sensory-friendly performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Steven Miller Photography

Cast members for the Garden Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas” are excited to hit the stage.

STAFF WRITER

With the holidays around the corner, the Garden Theatre will be featuring a Christmas classic with a twist for its upcoming production. “A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas” will take the stage through Dec. 22, offering a production that pays tribute to the classic 1843 novel by Charles Dickens but also comes with a few surprises. The production includes the classic characters of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley, but alongside a new ensemble of ghosts. Audiences will enjoy the familiar themes of redemption, magic and hope as Scrooge learns the fault of his greedy ways. Although the underlying themes of the Garden Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Car-

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ham Aikley Barker’s first time in a production of “A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas” with his role of Timothy Cratchit — better known as Tiny Tim. Unlike Lima, the 10-year-old actor has only been doing theater for about five years. “I chose Tiny Tim because I feel like he’s a good character because he’s always so grateful for what he has,” Barker said. “He’s from a poor family, but he doesn’t care. He’s still grateful for what he has.” Olivia Demarco will be starring as Mrs. Cratchit in the play.

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ol — A Ghost Story of Christmas” rings true to Dickens’ classic tale, the play adds a twist to the tale through the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. “It focuses more on the ghost story element of it, which kind of brings it back to its roots,” said Stephen Lima, who plays Bob Cratchit in the play. “If you read the original ‘Christmas Carol,’ it’s a little darker than what we’re accustomed to. … Some of the characters that have a smaller role in other productions are more predominant in this one, so it’s an interesting take on it.” Although he’s seen “A Christmas Carol” numerous times, this is Lima’s first time being in a production of it in the nearly 30 years he’s been doing theater, which is one of the reasons he wanted to take on the role of Bob Cratchit. “I chose to play it because the Cratchits are probably one of the most famous families in all of literature,” Lima said. “‘A Christmas Carol’ has probably been done thousands of times in different interpretations, and surprisingly, I’ve never done ‘A Christmas Carol’ before.” Like Lima, the play will be Gra-

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‘A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas’ opens Nov. 22 and runs to Dec. 22.

She said one of the most enjoyable aspects of the play for her is the chemistry she has onstage with the other actors who play members of the Cratchit family — including Lima and Barker. “We have to build these entire, three-dimensional beings in very small snippets,” Demarco said. “I think all of us have a very great (chemistry). … You have to jump in with both feet every time with these scenes because you don’t get a chance to build up to it.” “Everyone from the beginning seemed to have really great chemistry,” Lima added. “We’re joking with each other and having fun with it. Like Olivia said, our scenes are very short — just two of them — and we have to establish that family unit in so short of a time. It helps that everyone gets along and has great chemistry.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

OBITUARIES

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Robert Earl Hallfin, 78, of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. He was born March 13, 1941, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to the late Peter and Sally A. (Starr) Hallfin. He has been a resident of the area since 2013 and was a resident of Winter Haven since 1977. He was a retired traffic logistics manager. Robert was a veteran in the United States Army, serving from 1959-1960. He was a lifelong golfer, known for his expertise with a pool cue. His nickname was the “Banker.”

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ROBERT EARL HALLFIN DIED WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6, 2019.

MILDRED ALIENE CADLE DIED NOV. 17, 2019.

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First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans (407) 656-2352 125 E. Rant St, Winter Garden Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional, 9:45 a.m. Bible Study, 11 a.m. Contemporary Wednesday: 6 p.m. - Awana

He was a longtime driver for Meals on Wheels, a greeter and served on many committees at Beymer United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy J. Hallfin; daughters, Ramey J. Brezak and husband

Evan of Windermere, Florida, Elizabeth A. Harrison and husband Randy of Winter Haven, Florida; sister, Leah Bergstein and husband Phillip of Tucson, Arizona; brother, Lawrence W. Hallfin and wife Elaine of Bonita Springs, Florida; and four grandchildren, Lilly Brezak, Allison Harrison, Jackson Robert Brezak and Paige Harrison. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home. Memorial service was at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at the Beymer United Methodist Church at 700 N. Lake Howard Drive, Winter Haven.

2nd Campus Foundation Worship High School (407) 720-1867 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages FoundationWorship.com

Mildred Aliene Cadle, 96, of Ocoee, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday Nov. 17, 2019. Mrs. Cadle was born on June 24, 1923 in Phil Campbell, Alabama, to the late Arthur Milton Baker and Emma Line Yocum Baker. Mrs. Cadle was a member of Temple Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Garden. She loved cooking, gardening, singing, her Faith, serving others and caring for her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Mrs. Cadle was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Cadle; her son, Gene Cadle; her daughter, Carolyn Hiers; eights siblings; and her great-granddaughter, Carolyn. Mrs. Cadle is survived by her son, Teddy Cadle; daughter Pen-

ny Waters; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Temple Free Will Baptist Church, 1208 E. Story Road Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden is handling funeral arrangements.

LOUISE BARNES, 100, of Winter Garden, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

DIEGO OSCAR NIEVES, 19, died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

ROSA MAE LAWWILL, of Ocoee, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

MORGAN BENJAMIN “BEN” POOLE SR., 85, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

CLARA EVE MARTIN, 83, died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2019. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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OBSERVER

SCHOOL ZONE NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Ellie Kopelousos played Martha Arable.

Taylor Johanneman played the role of Sheep.

Lily Cabrera played Charlotte the spider.

‘With the right words, you can change the world’

The role of Wilbur the pig was taken on by Jordan Kalter.

beloved farmhouse fable recently hit the stage at Bridgewater Middle School. The school’s drama students presented their production of “Charlotte’s Web” from Nov. 14 to 16. The students took to the stage to tell the classic tale of a scholarly spider; some terrific, radiant pig; and their barnyard buddies. — ERIC GUTIERREZ

The role of Avery Arable was played by Rebeca Castro Mendes.

Cast members rehearse a scene where Wilbur and his barnyard buddies act as a distraction while Charlotte wrote new words on her web. Left: Carson Peters was cast for the role of Templeton the rat.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Winter at Windermere High Get your tickets now for Windermere High School’s first Winter Spectacular 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Performing Arts Center. The production is fun for all ages with excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” “Frozen” and “Home Alone.” Come enjoy ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and swing all in under an hour with a special Rockettestyle finale debuting the Windermere Winderettes! Tickets are on sale now at teachtix.com/whs. Pick your favorite seat and skip the line!

Observer seeking book donations Observer Media Group’s Reading Reindeer literacy program is kicking off its 22nd year of collecting new books to be given to needy children at Christmastime. New books for children from infancy through middle school are being accepted for this annual project. They are distributed to multiple organizations throughout West Orange County. Reading Reindeer was started in West Orange County in 1998. Community support has enabled Reading Reindeer to bring new books to close to 63,500 children. Through cash donations, this program also provides a new copy of Dr. Seuss’ ABCs to the parents of all babies born at Health Central Hospital throughout the year — approximately 700 births annually. The community is invited to join the effort to improve literacy levels in West Orange County. Checks payable to Reading Reindeer also can be mailed to the Observer Media Group office at 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. New books can be dropped off at the following locations: Garden Theatre, Rotary Club of Winter Garden, Roper YMCA, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Winter Garden Library, Foundation Academy campuses, Ocoee City Hall and Windermere Prep. Email contact@orangeobserver.com.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

LAURA MAY

SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Laura May is an eighth-grade English and language arts teacher at Southwest Middle School and was recently selected as the school’s Teacher of the Year. She’s not only a teacher at Southwest Middle, but she’s also an alumna. May attended Southwest Middle School during her seventh and eighth grade years, and she finds it interesting to be back at her former school in a different role.

What do you love most about your school? I love how diverse our student population is. Teaching students with various interests and from different backgrounds challenges me to find new ways to engage and teach them to the best of my ability. What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part about teaching is connecting and building relationships with students through their learning. I still keep in touch with a handful of former students who are now in high school, and I absolutely love hearing about their academic journey and how they are progressing through life. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness them grow, mature, and succeed. What made you want to take on this job? I always knew I wanted to enter a profession that helped others, and I have always valued education. I want to be proud of what I do for a living; teaching allows me to feel that way.

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best? My biggest motivator is student engagement and success. The goal is to help them improve, so I consistently try to implement best practices while keeping their interests in mind. I enjoy learning about new strategies that I can try within the classroom. What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you? The nicest thing students have done for me is express their gratitude. Each month, our school allows students to recognize a teacher who has helped them by providing comments on a survey. It’s really nice to read their comments and feel appreciated. It encourages me to keep trying to reach every student in a meaningful way. What’s your favorite place to eat? I love restaurants with outdoor seating — especially ones along the beach!

If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? I would visit Australia because I’d like to experience their culture and outdoor adventures. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would choose to be able to teleport for two reasons. One, so I could visit family members who live far away and, two, to avoid wasting time sitting in Orlando traffic! Cats, dogs or some other pet? I love dogs. I’ve adopted them in the past and hope to again someday. — ERIC GUTIERREZ

REPORT CARD ROLE: English teacher SCHOOL: Southwest Middle School TIME AT SCHOOL: Seven years

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Business is buzzing

Dhanya Rao sold her artwork and jewelry at the event.

shirts for sale at the event. The clothing was made with the help of My Smart Shirts, which partners with SERV International to feed a hungry child with every shirt sold. Christopher’s parents, Adam and Coppelia Acevedo, said they were excited to see their son get the experience of trying to sell his clothing. “I love that it was at his school — that it was supporting local entrepreneurs,” Coppelia Acevedo said. “It builds the kids up and encourages them.”

Horizon West Middle students recently showed off their own business ideas at the Kid Entrepreneurship Showcase. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

These Horizon West Hornets mean business. Students at Horizon West Middle School were given a chance to show off their own ideas and boost their confidence at the Kid Entrepreneurship Showcase Monday, Nov. 18, after school. About a dozen Hornets set up tables with their products on display for all to see. It’s an event spearheaded by the school’s HOPE Club, which looks to promote volunteerism within the community. HOPE Club Adviser and PTSO Vice President Tamara Zotti said she wanted to showcase the talented students at Horizon West Middle School and give them a platform to share their special ideas. Many of the students at Horizon West Middle School came from Bridgewater Middle School, which had put on a similar event in the past, Zotti said.

Tim Freed

“They had to make the items, they had to have a passion for something, they had to set a plan for how much they were going to charge for it, they had to come up with a design … so this is all their creativity,” Zotti said. “They all have their little things that they put together, and I think that what happens is it makes them realize you can do what you want to do. … They’re young now, and if they have this passion, I can only imagine what they’re going to do in the future.” Horizon West Middle School Principal Michelle Thomas said the event is a great way for the students to get some experience and grow their expertise in a business area. “We have a lot of talented students here,” Thomas said. “If this is what they dream — to become an entrepreneur — then I think it’s fabulous. It gives them

an open door to do it at a different kind of level here and then hopefully broaden it later on.” Zotti said she hopes to have another entrepreneurship event in the spring since word is still getting out. SHOWING STYLE

Eighth grader Christopher Acevedo, 13, loves playing basketball — so much so that it’s inspired his own clothing brand, Buckets Wear. “It all started in about sixth grade — I would just kind of draw it and I didn’t really take it serious,” Christopher said. “This year, I decided to actually think about it and I talked to my parents. … I obviously want to make my brand bigger and reach out to more people. I just want people to be able to express themselves through clothing.” Christopher had some of his

Sixth grader Dhanya Rao, 11, is always creating something, whether it’s a painting, a piece of jewelry or a photograph. Why not sell some creations for others to enjoy? Dhanya had a couple of her paintings, a photograph and several necklaces, earrings and bracelets on display for sale. “I started making small bracelets when I was 6 years old,” Dhanya said. “I sold them in a garage sale and then I got very interested in it. I started making other jewelry.” Just this past year Dhanya began exploring painting as a new medium, with two of her pieces focusing on plants and flowers. Working under the name Dhanya’s Arts and Crafts, Dhanya said she’d love to sell her creations on the side someday.

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Sixth grader Emma Hendry, 11, dreams of opening a pastry shop someday, and for a brief moment, that dream felt a little more real as she sold some sweet creations to students at the Kid Entrepreneurship Showcase under the name Emma’s Edibles. Emma sold swirls meringue on a stick — or “meringue pops.” “I watched a lot of shows on cooking and I saw that it looked really cool,” Emma said. “I was looking at it and we found recipes and we saw these and they seemed really cool.” Emma’s mother, Rachel Hendry, said the experience was insightful, as the two of them discussed how much it costs to make each treat and therefore how much they should cost. “It’s great — she’s told me she wants to be a pastry chef for a few years,” Rachel Hendry said. “It gives her a chance to put it into practice.”

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SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

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Caio Izidoro, a fifth-grader, delivered remarks about the welcoming culture at the school.

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Trinity Joseph, a fifth-grader, welcomed guests to West Orange’s newest castle.

OCPS dedicates three new West Orange-area schools

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Students at the three newest schools in West Orange celebrated their campuses at their respective dedication ceremonies last week. Water Spring Elementary kicked off the parties with its ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 13. Students from the school’s Orff ensemble, dance group and chorus performed for the guests, including Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins, School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs, School Board Vice Chair Pam Gould, West Area Superintendent Patricia Fritzler and Pastor Brandt Leich of Life Church Horizon West. The next day, Castleview Elementary celebrated the dedication of its school with a ceremony focused around the traits embod-

ied by the school’s four houses — Chivalry, Loyalty, Wisdom and Valor. Student “house leaders” put items into a dragon egg-shaped time capsule and greeted guests. The school’s Dragon Scales musical group both sang and played the drums. Students also heard words to remember from Principal Julie Helton, Jacobs, Gould and Jenkins. Last but not least, Jacobs and Gould cut the ceremonial ribbon at Horizon West Middle School Nov. 15. The inaugural Hornets christened their new nest with a large celebration full of performances and speeches. — SUBMITTED BY LAUREN ROTH

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NOVEMBER 21, 2019

SPORTS

HIGH

Windermere senior Kira Skretteberg is looking to make the most out of her final season with the girls soccer team. Page 14.

Windermere Prep is hosting a Special Olympics basketball clinic this Saturday, Nov. 23, in the gymnasium on campus. From 9 to 11 a.m., participants ages 8 and up will get to take in drills and learn the ins-and-outs of the game. To RSVP, contact lauriechmielewski@ sofl.org.

The Windermere High boys swim team had a top-10 showing during the Class 4A state finals at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart Friday, Nov. 15. The Wolverines’ ninth-place finish was thanks in part to a strong showing from Reef Ide, who finished second in the 100 butterfly (49.19) and second in the 100 backstroke (50.50). Ethan Sido would finish 15th in the 100 backstroke (54.25), while Tristan Ide finished sixth in the 100 breaststroke (57.77). Windermere also would finish sixth in the 200 medley relay (1:35.27) and ninth in the 400 free relay (3:10.16)

In West Orange boys soccer’s 1-0 win over Timber Creek Monday, Nov. 11, goalie Noah Schwarz picked up his first career varsity shutout as he recorded five saves to keep the Wolves off the board. The win moves the Warriors to 1-0 on the season.

The Windermere Go Pro Academy 11U Eagles baseball team has been on a tear the last few months, as the Eagles won the Perfect Game Tournament in Sanford — going 4-0 — over teams from Jacksonville and Tampa the weekend of September 20-22. The Eagles followed up that perfect showing with a second-place finish at the USSSA War on I-4 Tournament — which took place Saturday, Nov. 2, to Sunday, Nov. 3.

It was a big day for the Holy Family Catholic School’s boys JV soccer team and girls JV basketball team as they both won the Orlando Catholic School’s Diocese Cup in their respective sports Wednesday, Oct. 23. Both teams not only finished as champions, but also also went undefeated during their seasons, as well.

Troy Herring

AMERICA’S I

TROY HERRING

SPORTS EDITOR

BEST After spending most of his life in the United States, Windermere Prep senior studentathlete Jonah Best — and his family — became naturalized citizens this month.

f you met Jonah Best on the street, you wouldn’t think he was any different than your average American. He drives a big truck, speaks like an American and has a deep love for the game of football — American football, as to not be confused. Those simple facts — especially the way he speaks — are what throw people off when he tells people that he isn’t originally from the United States. “That’s probably the question I get asked the most — why I don’t have an accent,” said Jonah Best, a Windermere resident who was born in Scotland. “But my parents do and my brother does.” The hilarity of the situation isn’t lost on his mom — it’s something

she recognized long ago when they first moved to the United States. “You would have never known from talking to him that he wasn’t American, would you?” said Sarah Best, Jonah Best’s mom. “That’s what I always thought was so funny, because out of all of us he sounded like an American within five minutes of getting here and loved all of the American stuff.” Despite living here in the U.S. for around 10 years, Jonah Best and his family were simply permanent residents. He and his siblings were born just outside of Glasgow, Scotland, while Sarah Best is English and their dad, David Best, is Scottish. But the Bests’ living status changed on Nov. 7 when they arrived at a naturalization ceremony, where Sarah and David SEE BEST PAGE 14

Foundation Academy adds new soccer team The middle school team — led by head coach Alfanso Garwicki — will bolster Foundation’s soccer program. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

There’s a lot that goes into building a successful sports program, and that’s something that is well understood by the athletic department at Foundation Academy. It’s part of the reason why this year saw the establishment of the middle school girls soccer team at the school, which will be led by head coach Alfanso Garwicki. “This is my fifth year at the

school, and I’m so excited and happy that I’m going to stay here,” Garwicki said. “I’m hoping we can win everything this year, and the next year and the next year. Alongside Garwicki, fewer people were more pleased with the news of the new program more than varsity girls coach James Grosshans — who took over last season. For Grosshans, the program SEE FA PAGE 14

Troy Herring

Camryn Clements works through a drill during practice Monday, Nov. 19.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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Kira Skretteberg A senior captain on the Windermere High girls soccer team, Kira Skretteberg is looking to take advantage of her last year of soccer for the Wolverines this season. At the midfield position, Skretteberg races up and down on the field as she plays both offense and defense for the Wolverines.

How did you first get into soccer? I’ve been playing soccer since I was about 3 years old — I didn’t like it in the beginning, but my dad kept forcing me to play. I grew up a little bit and started playing it correctly and everything, and then I got a little bit better and better. The better I got, the more I liked it.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Windermere High SPORT: Soccer POSITION: Midfield CLASS: Senior AGE: 18 CLUB: Florida Kraze Krush

hardest part — at least right now with almost graduating — is staying committed. For club, it’s an hour drive and we train four days a week, and then we drive out of state for games.

What has been your favorite thing about playing soccer at Windermere? I think our team is really fun — I love all the girls on our team — and I’m being coached by a coach I had all through middle school for club, which is fun. Also, a lot of girls have a good understanding of the game and motivation, so it’s just having girls who have the same mentality as you.

What are the best words of advice you’ve been given about soccer? If you don’t love it, you shouldn’t be there — if you do love it, you should be putting your full effort into it.

What’s your favorite part about soccer? The hardest part? I’ve met all of my closest friends through soccer, so being able to be around them all the time — training and doing something we love. The

This is your last year of high school. Has that sunk in? No, it hasn’t. Thinking about leaving, possibly the state, and I won’t be playing soccer after high school, everything that I do now is going to change next year and I haven’t processed yet. What’s the toughest aspect of playing in the midfield? Your favorite aspect? The biggest challenge is it’s the most running in the whole world — I have to go forward, and then I have to go back. The best part about it, I think, is that it’s the best of both worlds between offense and defense. I’ve been a defender most of my life, but then coach Trent put me at midfield for the first time when I played for him, and it kind of gives you more diversity in your playing and you get to work with everybody on the field at once. If you could have your perfect meal after a game, what would it be? Usually it’s a pub sub. If I’m really treating myself, I’ll get the chicken tender sub. — TROY HERRING

Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together.

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Best took the Oath of Allegiance, while Jonah Best and his sister watched on with the rest of the crowd there. Though they were not participating, Jonah Best and his sister — due to being minors — were automatically naturalized alongside their parents. “It was really crazy — the word that I’d use to describe it best is ‘proud,’” Jonah Best said. “I was proud that we were able to do this, and it was just a huge moment because we have lived here for so long.” There were a lot of reasons why the decision to become naturalized was made, but one of the biggest, Sarah Best said, was because she knew how big it would be for her son. “For me, it was very momentous because it means a lot for Jonah,” Sarah Best said. “He identifies as American — he wants to live here, he wants to participate in everything here and we wanted to make that as feasible as possible for him.” The process to give Jonah Best the citizenship he had always wanted was relatively quick, which came as a total surprise, Sarah Best said. It takes a good while to get all the paperwork and information in order to apply, and then there’s the wait that can take years and years. For David and Sarah Best,

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it took less than a year. The interviews and tests that they needed to take were done the Monday before the naturalization ceremony. “It was kind of crazy, because we weren’t expecting to get it that fast, because it’s a super long process for a lot of people,” Jonah Best said. “We only applied early 2019, because it was kind of mostly for me — for college stuff and the possibility of going into the military.” LIFE, LIBERTY AND SPORTS

Though he spent his early childhood close to Glasgow, Jonah Best never cared much for soccer. In fact, it wasn’t until the Best family moved to Singapore — after living in the U.S for three years — when Jonah Best found the first sport he actively participated in: rugby. “We went to an international school, so we had people from all over — I had friends in Singapore who were from the U.S. and the U.K.,” Jonah Best said. “A couple of my buddies and I, we figured one day we would go out and try out for the rugby team. We just went out there and had a lot of fun.” Jonah Best would take his time in rugby to heart, and when he and his family moved back to the States just before he started eighth grade at Windermere Prep, he decided to give football a shot since it was similar to rugby.

To say things started off well for Jonah Best on the team is an understatement. “I came to the summer workouts and practiced with the middle-school team, and that was the start of the whole thing,” Jonah Best said. “And that year we had a lot of fun, because we were really good as an eighth-grade team. That kind of propelled me into high-school football.” Since then, Jonah Best has found a place as a starter on the offensive and defensive lines, where his work ethic, performance and leadership earned him captain honors this past season. Though his football career is now done, Jonah Best will be back on the field in the spring — this time for lacrosse and throwing shot put. After graduating, he plans on going to either Florida State University or University of Central Florida to study information technology or computer engineering. While sports — especially football — have been a huge part of his life, nothing has been bigger than the opportunity to pursue his dreams in the country that he can now officially call home. “I love this country,” Jonah Best said. “(It’s) just the symbolism of becoming a part of this country that I have lived in for so long, and that I care about so much.”

FA girls soccer looks to grow CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

shows that Foundation is serious about building up the soccer culture at the school. There’s also the excitement of having a feeder program that can help develop and prepare players for the highschool level, Grosshans said. “We’re growing as a school, and we’re jazzed about continuing to raise up the younger generation,” Grosshans said. “With the middle school stuff, especially being at a private school, it’s all together — so all of the girls from middle school and high school will be practicing on the same field and we’ll be kind of interchanging who is working with what coach off and on, just so that everyone is aware of who is able to do what. “We’re really just building for that varsity program,” he said. “It just allows for that smooth transition from one program to the other.” It’s a welcomed sign of relief for the soccer program as a whole, especially given the challenges of being undermanned throughout

the 2018-19 season. Going into that season, the varsity had 16 players at the most, and by the time the year ended — after a few injuries — Grosshans was down to just 10-and-a-half players. “I had one girl who had just been cleared to be able to do sports again, but who still wasn’t able to fully run,” Grosshans said. “And I put her on the field for our district game and I was like, ‘Maddy, I just need you to stand’ … and she just stood in the middle of the field, just so I would have 11 people on my team so we could qualify and play in that game.” This year the varsity team had more than 30 girls show up, while around 15 signed on to play for the middle school team. Getting those kinds of numbers is exactly what Garwicki and Grosshans were hoping to see. A big part of the boom was from girls who had watched the U.S. Women’s National Team win the World Cup during this past summer. And the inspiration to play

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the sport has shown up early for the middle school team, as Garwicki’s girls won their first-ever match by a score of 5-1 Friday, Nov. 8. It was a solid outcome, but as Garwicki knows, working with a team of young players and trying to establish a program is difficult. “The girls have a really good intensity for play — everything is really good — but the techniques are not the best, but that’s just normal,” Garwicki said. “It’s their first year and maybe some haven’t played soccer before.” Over the course of the next few months, the girls will play six more games and will spend three days a week practicing out behind the gym on campus. As the girls on his team continue to grow on the field, there’s one big thing that Garwicki hopes they walk away with before they make the transition to the next level. “They need to understand the game,” Garwicki said. “That’s probably the most important thing in soccer, and dominate in all of the fundamentals.”

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What’s your sign? Student-athletes around the area signed with their respective colleges of choice. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It’s that time of the year again as student-athletes from around the Observer coverage area sign their National Letters of Intent with their colleges of choice. Windermere Prep kicked of the week with an Early National Signing Day event Wednesday, Nov. 13, as the Lakers had four studentathletes — Arianna and Angeline Bergner, Megan Ideda and Hiroshi Tai — sign on the dotted line. For many of them, Wednesday afternoon’s event was the ending of a process that provided more stress than not — at least that was the case for Ideda. “I wasn’t expecting it right away, because it’s kind of a last-minute thing — a lot of golf girls signed earlier,” said Ideda, who will be playing golf at The Citadel. “I was a little worried getting down to the wire, because I committed three weeks ago. Just the waiting process is a little nerve wracking, but I’m glad I was able to sign today and just knowing where I’ll be the next four years has definitely made me a little proud.” On the other end of that spectrum is Tai, who signed on to play golf at Georgia Tech during his junior year. Tai, however, will be taking a little bit of a different route as he has to go into national service in his home country of Singapore after he graduates early in December, meaning he won’t step onto Georgia Tech’s campus until January 2022.

Despite the wait, Tai said he’s excited to take to the links for the Yellow Jackets in a few years. “They have a really good golf program the last couple of years,” Tai said. “I’ve talked to all of the recruits that are coming in in 2020, and I know another that’s a freshman there now, so I just know all of the guys on the team really well and I’m comfortable around them.” Rounding out the group were the Bergner sisters, who are being given the chance to play on the beach volleyball team at Florida State University. “It’s super exciting to say that we are going to Florida State, because my older sister went there,” Angeline Bergner said. “We loved the campus and everything,” Arianna Bergner said. “And then we got to meet the team and the team was so much fun.” Most of this week’s signing events took place Thursday, Nov. 14, and that includes West Orange High — which had 10 total signees across six different sports (baseball, beach volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball). After listening to their respective coaches speak to the crowd about each student-athlete, seniors like Maverick Ferguson, Riley Fromberg and Cristina Roque signed alongside their fellow classmates. “I’m relieved,” said Ferguson, who will be playing baseball at Ashland University (Ohio). “It has been a long journey, and it was tough because it’s a long time without knowing what you’re doing next year.”

Despite the worry — which is now long gone — Ferguson can look forward to traveling back to his home state to pursue his baseball dreams. “I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio, so I have family all over there,” he said. “So I’m just happy I’m going home to play college baseball.” While Ferguson goes home to Ohio, some of West Orange’s athletes will be heading to a place that’s completely new to them. Thomas Roth will head up to South Carolina next fall to play lacrosse at Limestone College. There, Roth will get to play with a team that plays for national championships just about every year — one of several reasons why Roth chose to become a Saint. “Lacrosse is very big (there), and it’s one of the biggest D2 schools in the nation,” Roth said. “But I’m excited about the weather — being in the cold and have the season al change. And I’m excited about being on a higher level of lacrosse.” Roth won’t be the only Warrior signing on to play for a national championship contender, as Cristina Roque signed to play on a Florida State women’s soccer team that just came off of a national title in 2018. Roque will graduate from West Orange early and make it up to Tallahassee in January to join her new team, which is the most exciting aspect for her. “I’m ready to meet the team and just spend time with them,” Roque said. “They’re all super nice.”

SIGNEES AROUND THE AREA DR. PHILLIPS

Carlos Lopez, baseball — Indian River State College Kaitlyn Montague, soccer (women) — University of IllinoisChicago Marika Virthe, volleyball (women) — Northeastern University Victoria Zarazel, volleyball (women) — Daytona State College Jessica Corredor, wrestling (women) — Missouri Baptist University

OCOEE

Alston Andrews, basketball (men) — Northern Illinois University David Green, basketball (men) — Hofstra University

OLYMPIA

Chenoa Johnson, basketball (women) — University of Tampa Jonah Leach, golf (men) — University of Florida Trevor Hodges, lacrosse (men) — Ohio Wesleyan University Jadyn Pike, volleyball (women) — Eastern Florida State College

THE FIRST ACADEMY

Brett Kelly, baseball — UNCGreensboro Kamron Summers, basketball (men) — United States Naval Academy Ariel Yu, golf (women) — Vanderbilt University Sampson Zheng, golf (women) — Cal-Berkeley Ella Simpson, soccer (women) — Samford University Elli McKissock, volleyball (women) — University of Florida Joe DeLuzio, volleyball (men) — Pepperdine University

THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

WEST ORANGE

Sam Broderson, baseball — Wingate University Maverick Ferguson, baseball — Ashland University Anthony Garcia, baseball — St. Petersburg College Alyssa Keller, beach volleyball (women) — University of South Carolina Thomas Roth, lacrosse (men) — Limestone College Cristina Roque, soccer (women) — Florida State University Bryce Adkinson, softball — Murray State Riley Fromberg, softball — St. Petersburg College Sara Leach, softball — Eastern Florida State College Tara English, volleyball (women) — Florida State College

WINDERMERE

Carlos Anderson, baseball — West Virginia Wesleyan Jason Grant, baseball — West Virginia Wesleyan Carson Montgomery, baseball — Florida State University Tyler Ostendorf, baseball — West Virginia Wesleyan Onix Ortiz, cross country (men) — University of North Florida Faith Campopiano, softball — Webber International Gabby Defranco, softball — Piedmont College Christina Fleming, softball — Furman University Taylor Head, volleyball (women) — University of Arkansas

WINDERMERE PREP

Arianna Bergner, beach volleyball (women) — FSU Angeline Bergner, beach volleyball (women) — FSU Megan Ideda, golf (women) — The Citadel Hiroshi Tai, golf (women) — Georgia Tech

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Dr. Phillips falters in seasonending, 20-7 loss to Osceola TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

t’s never easy to see your season come to an end, especially when it’s partly due to selfinflicted errors. That was the case during Dr. Phillips’ 20-7 loss to Osceola (Kissimmee) in the 8A regional semifinal Friday, Nov. 15. Throughout the night’s game, the Panthers struggled with penalties while turning the ball over on multiple occasions — including a pick-six by Osceola’s Jerry Wilson that went for 95 yards. “It was just self-inflected wounds,” said Panthers head coach Rodney Wells. “It’s the playoffs — we had way too many mistakes to beat a really good team in Osceola. We turned the ball over, had too many penalties and we hurt ourselves.” Out of the gate, the Panthers (9-3) seemed to be in good shape, as seven minutes into the game running back Brandon Fields capped off a strong drive — helped by three Osceola (10-1) penalties — with a 10-yard touchdown run at the five-minute mark in the first quarter. Riley Stephens’ extra point would split the uprights, and the Panthers would take the early lead. On their next drive, the Panthers turned the ball over on a bad handoff between quarterback Isaiah Givens and Fields. From there, things seemed to quickly go downhill fast. After driving downfield and converting on fourth-and-1 at the 3-yard line, Kowboys running back Dwayne McGee broke through the line for Osceola’s opening score with 9:05 left in the first half. The extra point tied the game at 7-7. The Kowboys would strike again with 1:32 left in the half when Spencer Richards kicked the easy field goal to give the Kowboys the 10-7 lead. From there, the Kowboys never gave up their lead. To start off the second half, the Panthers drove down the field with relative ease before Givens tossed a ball that ended up in the hands of Osceola’s Jerry Wilson, who proceeded to spring past the entire Dr. Phillips defense for an emphatic 95-yard pick-six. The extra point made it 17-7 with 8:45 left in the third. The most frustrating part of the Panthers’ offensive struggles on Friday was that they were completely uncharacteristic for Wells’ team. Things that had usually worked during the season just seemed to fall flat. “We had the pick-six, and then we had two times where we missed a guy wide open in the end zone … we have been hitting that all year,” Wells said. “It’s just that type of night.”

OTHER WEEK 13 SCORES

n The First Academy 21, Holy Trinity Episcopal 14

Photos by Troy Herring

Nivon Holland took off during a play.

Senior Elijah Morris was overcome with emotion after his final game as a Panther. Left: Brandon Fields was upended by multiple Osceola defenders.

The Panthers would get their last real shot for points about three-and-a-half minutes later, but Stephen’s 35-yard field goal flew wide right of the uprights. The last score of the night would come on a 27-yard field goal by Richards to push the Kowboys’ lead to 20-7 with 8:33 left in the game — sealing up the victory for Osceola. Despite the loss and the disappointment that comes with the manner in which they lost, the Panthers still have a lot to be proud of, Wells said. “We had some great times,” Wells said. “These guys matured. Coming out the first few weeks we weren’t very good — we were not a good football team — and these guys did everything that we asked them to do to mature and get better and they did something that nobody thought they would do.”

head coach Brad Lord decided to use his timeouts to try and give his team one more shot at scoring before the end of the half. Those timeouts wound up backfiring, as the Eagles (8-4) drove down the field and scored on a pass from Cole Gonzales to Andrew Pickens with 12.5 seconds left in the half. Foundation Academy went into halftime up 21-7. “I made a mistake at halftime,” Lord said. “I shouldn’t have called those timeouts. We should’ve went into the half up 21-0. I got a little greedy, they scored and (it was a) new game.” With momentum on its side, Oak Hall forced an interception to start the second half and drove down the field. Following an interception by the

Lions being called back because of pass interference, the Eagles scored once again on a pass from Gonzales to Pickens to cut Foundation Academy’s lead to 21-14 with 7:25 left in the third quarter. The Lions would respond with a long drive of their own — moving the ball all the way inside the Eagles’ 5-yard line. Stutsman would make a rare mistake, however, as he fumbled the ball away, which Oak Hall recovered at its own 2-yard line. By the end of the third quarter, Oak Hall had the ball in Lions’ territory. Then, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Foundation Academy forced a fumble and Henry Austad recovered. After the Lions were forced to punt, Oak Hall drove again into

Foundation Academy territory, but just like on the previous drive, Foundation Academy’s defense managed to get a stop — forcing a turnover on downs. With 3:47 left in the game, the Lions had a chance to put the game away with a field goal. That wouldn’t come to fruition though, as the kick hit the left upright. The Eagles would attempt to go down the field to tie the game, but Foundation Academy got one last stop, forcing another turnover on downs to seal the game. In Oak Hall’s last two games, the Eagles scored 50 and 47 points, respectively. The Lions’ defense forced three turnovers on downs, had one fumble recovery and Dominic Zagame

FOUNDATION STAVES OFF OAK HALL IN 21-14 WIN

Behind an early start on offense and a stout defense, the Foundation Academy Lions were able to hang on late for a 21-14 win over the Oak Hall Eagles to advance to the regional finals Friday, Nov. 15. Foundation Academy (9-2) seized control early, as it was able to capitalize on good field position in the first quarter to score touchdowns on its first two drives of the game to go up 14-0. Late in the second quarter, the Lions extended their lead to 21 with a rushing touchdown from Danny Stutsman. With the defense shutting down Oak Hall’s potent offense throughout the first half, Lions

Nate Marrero

Travis Hutchinson broke through the line on a run.

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Games at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, unless otherwise noted.

Nate Marrero

Quarterback Henry Austad went through his pre-snap reads before the play.

had an interception. Michael LemieuxBott led the team with nine tackles and Edward Byrd had eight tackles. “Our defense played real good tonight,” Lord said. Offensively, Stutsman led the team with 179 all-purpose yards and one rushing touchdown and Travis Hutchinson also had a rushing touchdown. Austad completed eight of his 12 passes for 93 yards, with his one passing touchdown being completed to Braden Holcomb — he also threw an interception. “We should’ve scored two or three more touchdowns and we didn’t do that,” Lord said. “We persevered. I have a great bunch of seniors, great leadership — we’re going to the regional championship again and we’re getting to go to Lakeland again.” The Lions will seek revenge as they go on the road to face Victory Christian Academy for the fourth time in five years. “I expect us to get real tough next week and go to Victory and have another thriller over there like we do every year,” Lord said. — NATE MARRERO

n FOUNDATION ACADEMY (9-2) AT VICTORY CHRISTIAN (9-1) Game time at 7 p.m., Southeastern University After holding off Oak Hall in a close game, Foundation Academy (9-2) will face off against a familiar foe as the Lions travel to Lakeland to take on Victory Christian (9-1) in the regional final. Over the last five years, the Lions have seen Victory Christian on four separate occasions, with the most recent being in a 36-7 loss in the regional final. The Storm are led on offense by junior running back Cornelius Shaw, who has torn up opposing defenses to the sound of 1,409-rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. n THE FIRST ACADEMY (6-5) AT LAKELAND CHRISTIAN (9-1) The First Academy (6-5) limped through a 4-5 season, but since the start of the playoffs, the Royals have really found their groove. After a 50-6 pounding of Trinity Prep in the first round, the Royals went to Melbourne as underdogs against Holy Trinity Episcopal in the regional semifinal and won 21-14. This week, the Royals will take on the top-seeded Vikings. in the regional final. The Vikings’ high-powered offense is led by running back Bo Copen, who has scored 15 times on the ground and has rushed for over 700 yards this season.

THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business

NEW BOOKS PLEASE

Celebrating 22 Years! 2019 Book Donations

FOR AGES NEW BORN TO 17 YEARS

Supporting children in our community

CHAMBER OFFERS 4

West Orange Chamber of Commerce BIZCENTER USA’s Ribbon Cutting

W OCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of BIZCENTER USA with State of The Art Executive Suites, and Virtual Offices, located

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ORLANDO

Dr Phillips YMCA 7000 Dr Phillips Blvd

The First Academy 2667 Bruton Blvd Other locations to be announced

322059-1

For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com

Windermere Library 5300 Main St

DR. PHILLIPS

Hair Designer’s new studio, located at 7586 West Sand Lake Road, Studio 125, in Orlando. To learn more, visit www.ruthburtonhairdesigner.com. Photo courtesy of WOCC.

PEAK by ALFRED BYWATERS CROSSWORD PIKE’S Edited by David Steinberg

Roper YMCA 100 Windermere Rd

First Baptist Church of Winter Garden 125 E Rant St

Rotary Club of Winter Garden

HORIZON WEST To learn more and to register participation visit wochamber.com/ ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

WINTER GARDEN

Call for more details 407-656-2121 www.OrangeObserver.com

42 Merit 43 Dinner announcer 44 Word on an Irish euro 46 Rainbow goddess 47 Gravlax alternative 48 “In that case, I have no objection” 49 Drags behind 52 Gifted person? 56 Approach 57 Motown’s Terrell 59 Post-makeover self 61 Carve into a desk, say 62 What paint does slowly 65 Minute ___ lemonade 67 Staggers 68 Apiece 72 Feudal domain 73 Like a shoppe 74 Arm bone 75 ___ bene DOWN 76 “It’s of no ___ me” 1 Arizona natives 77 Poisons 2 Washer maker 78 With, in France 3 You can’t pass them on 79 Shakespearean king with highways three daughters 4 Whole number 81 Looks surreptitiously 5 Bronze component 82 Notion 6 Aston Martin wheel 83 Fraction of a quarter 7 Washed (down) 87 Shut noisily 8 Say “nothin’ doin’,” say 90 Crafty trick 9 Like some diet foods 92 Likely to tip over 10 Alaska and American 94 It’s often made in a hurry 11 Rage 97 Act in the capacity of 12 Address for some drill 98 Render docile sergeants 99 Interminably 13 640 acres (Abbr.) 101 Trilby or fedora 14 Astronomer condemned 88 Tree service? 102 With determination 89 “The Simpsons” charac- by the Inquisition 105 Moves about a foot? 15 Harmful helpers ter Krabappel 107 Made bubbles, say 16 Old copy machine, briefly 91 Autocorrect might cor108 Unsettling 17 March parade VIP rect one 109 Like five-star hotels 22 Requests 93 Black Panther Bobby 111 Gaston’s sidekick in 24 Group of nine 95 Understanding “Beauty and the Beast” 25 Skin care brand 96 Source of frightening 112 Unescorted 30 Tweed tormentor broadcasts? 114 Ward (off) 32 Structural chart type, 100 Place to plop down 115 Heavy volumes informally after a long day? 117 Northern Scandinavian 34 Often-abbreviated list 103 Chamomile drink 118 Nonbinary pronoun ender 104 “Hop ___” (Dr. Seuss 120 Doing the job 37 Certain classic) 124 Period 39 Day of the Dead prop 106 Tests for future drs. 125 Took a chair 41 Laotian’s neighbor 107 “Don’t give in!” 110 Australian lass 113 Drink raiser’s words 116 Eden garment? 119 Swathe 121 Until 122 Muppet with a rubber duckie 123 First to arrive on the playing field? 126 Modern pagan religion 127 “Jeopardy!” creator Griffin 128 Braxton who sang “Let It Flow” 129 Pain relief brand 130 They may twinkle or light up 131 Noncommittal response 132 Bird feeder supply 133 Little kids

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

“K DHUG ZMCX YZWAKVB PIWOWPGXOU WVJ BXGGKVB YWKJ SMO KG, WVJ GIWG’U NIWG K NWVG GM JM GKZZ GIX JWA K JKX.” – OWKVV NKZUMV “T OBSK B IVPRANCR-XRRETSY, OBXTSY-NE-RBZCG, OBCCRKVBZZGTSY, SUS-LRCVZU-IPURORBZTSY DBS.”

– DTSAG XBCTSY

Puzzle Two Clue: Y equals G

ORANGE

Now thru December 1st

Puzzle One Clue: D equals J

THE WEST

316738-1

SUDOKU

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

11-21-19

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2019

AUTO SERVICE

HOME SERVICES 321078

AUTO SERVICE

LV11098

HERE’S MY CARD - BUSINESS DIRECTORY

“Contractor Rates on Materials” Beautify Your Home Inside and Out With Our Superior Home Improvement Services

317631

Stress-Free Financing Now Available on All Purchases $149 and Up

SERVICES AVAILABLE:

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BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

179.95 Mercedes E-Class $199.95

179.95 BMW 5 Series $199.95

Visit our website to complete an estimate request form and schedule a free estimate

Full Synthetic Oil Service

89.95

AdamsHomeImprovement.com

881 S. 9th Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787

ONLY

ADAM’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

Includes up to Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts and Labor. 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 11/30/19.

320054

BRAKE PAD SALE

Orlando, FL 239-910-4607 or 802-735-5997 adamshomeimprovements@yahoo.com

ROOFING 321087

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 8AM - 5PM • All Engines $200.00 each • All Transmissions $100.00 each • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

407-656-4707

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

NESS DIRECTORY

- BUSI HERE’S MY CARD

FLOORING

AUTO SERVICE

WICK'S TRAYRA GE

TFN

301021

AIR CONDITIONING

y Full

er Garden 1045 S. Vineland Rd. •Wint ment • New and Used Tires • Align • Complete Auto Repair More & Serv. A/C •

gsairsystems@ www.gsairsystems.com email:

License #CAC1814407 Battery Testing and Replacement

e on Call for a FREE estimat Equipment Replacement. We offer financing with approved

credit

Transmission and Engine Repair

Scheduled Maintenance

Ray Cornell Jr. Doug Gallinger

301016

• Quality • Service • Sales • Installation • Commercial • Residential

Working Owners

www.r-dauto.com

Computerized Diagnostics

WATERPROOF

930 Carter Rd #202 Winter Garden, FL 34787 27 Telephone: (407) 614-38 rdtransautorepair@cfl.rr.com

FLOORING T E • WAT E R P R O O F CARPET • LAMINA

407-614-5027

Ocoee, FL 34761 11159 W Colonial Dr. • .com IntegrityLaminateFlooring

Estimates

HOME SERVICES

RS ORLANDO PREMIUM SHUTTE The best shutters! The best prices! With the best warranty!

298995

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

407-656-4707

Full Synthetic Oil Service

ww w.b udg etu pull it.c om

ONLY

89.95

302117

See store for details

Color included on all ads! Publishes every Thursday, and deadlines Friday the week prior.

miumShutters.com

PAINTING

301027

FREE

TODAY!

• All Engines $200.00 each each • All Transmissions $100.00 • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

Financing

179.95 Mercedes E-Class $199.95

MADE IN THE USA

Custom measured, designed, manufactured and installed by shutter experts. CALL FOR YOUR FREE IN-HOME Serving Orlando & ION CONSULTAT Surrounding Areas

407-415-7185 • OrlandoPre

- 5PM OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 8AM

STRESS

$ 99/ sq. ft.

Tires and Alignments

Tune-Ups and General Repair

In House Towing Available

en, FL 34787

179.95 BMW 5 Series $199.95

3.3" x 1" starting at $25.00 3.3" x 2" starting at $30.00 3.3" x 4" starting at $50.00

/ sq . ft.

881 S. 9th Street • Winter Gard

Includes up to 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Parts and Labor. Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Expires 3/31/19. Not valid with any other offers. Tax and recycling fees are extra.

PEST CONTROL

Your ad here!

Center” “Your Complete Service r Garden, FL 34787 10 West Story Rd. Winte MV-01095 TFN

Phone 407-656-6646n e Hudso

Richard Hudson • Reggi

301029

REG#

“A luxury everyone can afford!”

• Chicken • Ribs • Pork • • Small & Large Orders • Catering

Style BBQ! We make Old Fashioned, Texas Women and Children. A portion of

PET SERVICES

YOUR SOURCE FOR el s Pet HotADS DreamCLASSIFIED py LOCAL

Willie J. Fulmore Owner

the profits help to fund Homeless

407-469-0060 17436 7th Street ,•FL 34756 Montverde

y • 11 am until 7 pm Open Friday and Saturda

Pup

from home Your pet’s home away a unique no-cage facility boarding daycare and overnight

(407) 654-8885

TFN

703 S. Vineland Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787

301030

Willie’s Bar-B-Que Beef

Tires

301015

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG

302828

CATERING

301017

3 59

Fully Installed From...

AUTO SERVICE

E BRA KE PAD SAL BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

Fully LAMIN A Inst alle TE d Fr om...

. ft.

9 / sq

alle Inst

407-656-1817

OPERATED –

.6268 407.296.9622 407.877 cfl.rr.com Licensed & Insured - State

. PET m.. AR d Fro

301025

-FAMILY OWNED &

LV11098

301035

OBSERVER

301014

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

3 Business Card Sizes to choose from:

407-656-2121

Merchandise Wanted 13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden NOW PURCHASING

SCRAP BATTERIES 407-656-3495

321092

2787 OLD WINTER GARDEN RD., OCOEE FL 34761 407-554-3985 I PRIMEMEDITERRANEANGRILL.COM

Team Up Today With Classifieds • 407-656-2121

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales MASSIVE GARAGE SALE - Winter Garden, 900 W. Plant St., 8 A.M. Saturday, Nov. 23. Items lining the driveway and inside two garages! Holiday, books all ages, craft and school supplies, children and adult clothing, kitchen, home decor, collectibles, sports, music and movies, baby and kids toys, linens and more. 11/21 aq

Health & Medical

GET YOUR – MEDICAL MARIJUANA – CARD HERE Fast Easy Certification Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone

Orlando: 407-755-0012

1801 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803 CMMDR.COM

FREE MARIJUANA DELIVERY Delivered directly to your home or business

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

You NOW get the dry flower to

SMOKE!

TO ADVERTISE IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS CALL 407-656-2121 Or email us at

advertisenow@ orangeobserver.com

321093

TFN

321157

321077

CATERING

VIRUS & SPYWARE WinterREMOVAL Garden’s Premier Roofing Company Since 1978 Serving All of West Orange County DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement RECOVERY 407-656-8920 WIRELESS & WIREDWestOrangeRoofing.com NETWORKING FREE ESTIMATES

CLASSIFIEDS

321088

www.budgetupullit.com

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

UPGRADES & REPAIRS

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

M E D I C A R E MEMBERS

MAKE

2020

YOUR YEAR WITH

Attend a seminar &

RECEIVE A PUBLIX GIFT CARD

ENHANCED BENEFITS AND SAVINGS!

with no obligation to enroll. Limit 2 per person, per household Oct. 1st through Dec. 7th, 2019

TOP REASONS TO JOIN Prescription Drug Benefits Comprehensive Dental, including deep cleanings on most plans Vision, Hearing and SilverSneakers® Transportation Benefit and more!

110 $75 $2,220 $

UP TO

Up to

.00 REFUNDED .00 .00 PER YEAR

of your Part B Premium back to YOU each month!

each month in Over-the-Counter Health Care items

TOTAL SAVINGS

PER MEMBER

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. *Freedom Health earned a 5 Star for Health Plan and Drug Plan Customer Service Domain i.e. Plan Makes Timely Decisions about Appeals, Reviewing Appeals Decisions, Call Center (Part C & D) Foreign Language Interpreter and TTY Availability, Appeals Auto-Forward, and Appeals Upheld. **Earned 5 Stars for these Diabetes Care sub-measures: Eye Exam, Medical Attention for Nephropathy, and HbA1c Poor Control (<9.0%) ***Earned 5 Stars for these Care for Older Adults sub-measures: Medication Review, Functional Status Assessment, and Pain Assessment. Source: CMS 2020 Part C & D Star Ratings.

CALL NOW - SPACE IS LIMITED

EVENT BIZ. BANQUET HALL 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr Suite 111/112 Clermont, FL 34711 Nov. 22 & Dec. 6 - 11:00 am IHOP #360205 2589 South Highway 27 Clermont, FL 34711 Nov. 25 - 11:00 am

LILLY’S ON THE LAKE 848 W Osceola St Clermont, FL 34711 Nov. 27 & Dec. 2 - 3:00 pm RED LOBSTER 4010 West Vine Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 Dec. 5 - 11:30 am & 2:00 pm APPLEBEE’S 2060 E Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34743 Nov. 27 & Dec. 4 - 9:30 am

Freedom Members Receive:

Consistency: Value:

Benefits and Provider Network You Can Count on Year to Year! Savings You Can Use Everyday!

LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE #342 5925 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34746 Nov. 25 & Dec. 2 - 11:30 am BJ’S RESTAURANT 2421 W Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34741 Nov. 23, 30 & Dec. 7 - 9:30 am GOLDEN CORRAL #2701 2701 West Vine Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 Nov. 25 - 2:00 pm

APPLEBEE’S 2503 S Kirkman Rd Orlando, FL 32811 Nov. 23 & Dec. 7 - 9:30 am APPLEBEE’S 2823 S Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32806 Nov. 23 & Dec. 7 - 9:30 am IHOP #360139 1345 Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 Nov. 25 & Dec. 2 - 11:30 am & 2:00 pm

LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE #348 3060 West Sandlake Road Orlando, FL 32819 Nov. 27 & Dec. 5 - 11:30 am & 2:00 pm VILLAGE INN 3130 Daniels Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 Dec. 5 - 2:00 pm

1-866-587-7606*

TTY 711

www.freedomhealth.com

*Please call between Oct. 1st and Dec. 7th 2019

Freedom Health, Inc. is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Freedom Health, Inc. depends on contract renewal. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-888-796-0946 (TTY: 711). Freedom Health, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Freedom Health, Inc. cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Freedom Health, Inc. konfòm ak lwa sou dwa sivil Federal ki aplikab yo e li pa fè diskriminasyon sou baz ras, koulè, peyi orijin, laj, enfimite oswa sèks. Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). Kreyòl Ayisyen (French Creole): ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). From October 1 to March 31, we are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. From April 1 to September 30, we are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. H5427_20NPSR_MAKE2020_B_M

317234-1

PERKINS 989 W Orange Blossom Trail Apopka, FL 32712 Nov. 22, 25 & Dec. 2 11:30 am & 2:00 pm

OR CALL TO SPEAK TO AN AGENT