Ocoee Briefs 06.19.14

+ Ocoee woman completes training

Navy Seaman Recruit Heather Soper, who is a 2013 graduate of Ocoee High School, recently graduated from U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

+ Hospital to offer pastoral care course

Health Central Hospital’s Pastoral Care Department will present a free pastoral care training course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Gleason Room of the hospital, 10,000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee.

The course is open to all communities of faith and to the public, and is designed for healthcare workers, chaplains and people who provide home or hospital visits. Those who complete the program might be called to help people who are hospitalized and minister to the terminally ill and their families, individuals and families in sudden crisis and the grieving or bereaved. Registration is due by August 1.

For more information, call 407-296-1815.

+ Police Academy to start soon

The Ocoee Police Department will host its Annual Teen Police Academy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14-18 at High Point Church, 476 Ocoee Commerce Parkway.

The program is free and covers numerous law-enforcement topics. It is open to teenagers who are 13-18 years old and have no felony convictions.

All participants will receive a free Ocoee Teen Police Academy shirt. Individuals interested in the program must complete a registration form, which can be downloaded at www.ocoee.org.

For more information, contact Officer Patera Scott at 407-905-3100 ext. 3024, or [email protected].

+ City seeks photos for calendar contest

The city of Ocoee is accepting submissions through Sept. 15 for the city’s annual Calendar Photo Contest. The public is invited to give it their best shot and enter photos that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Ocoee.

Winning photos will be published in the city’s 2015 Community Calendar, and photographers will be given photo credit in the calendar. Amateur and professional shutterbugs are invited to submit color pictures of people at work or play in Ocoee, scenic or historic places around town, or a favorite snapshot of life in the city.

There is a limit of three photo entries per photographer. The format must be 8-by-10-inch print, 600 DPI TIF or JPEG file on CD. Photographs can be mailed or delivered to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL, 34761.

Photos will be selected on the basis of originality, creativity and the quality of reproduction. Photo entry forms are available at www.ocoee.org or by calling 407-905-3100.

+ Groups are encouraged to seek grants

Beginning July 1, Ocoee Community Grant applications will be available at www.ocoee.org and at City Hall. The deadline to submit applications is July 30.

The Community Grant program provides grants of up to $500. Groups eligible to apply are Ocoee non-profit organizations and civic groups, as well as non-profit organizations and civic groups from outside the city limits that benefit Ocoee residents. The city awards the grants to acknowledge excellence and to further the contributions these local organizations bring to Ocoee. Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.

The applications are reviewed and ranked by the Community Grant Review Board, a group of residents appointed by the Ocoee City Commission. The board makes a recommendation to the commission on which organizations to fund, and the commission then makes the final decision. For more information, call 407-905-3100.

+ Ocoee High Class of 1974 reunion

The Ocoee High School Class of 1974 will hold its 40-year class reunion in the fall. Contact Vicky Whitehurst-Walker at [email protected], Jeff Griffin at 407-694-0320 or Andrew Jenkins at 407-456-4997 to update contact information.

+ Ocoee PD to teach self-defense

Ocoee Police Department officers will present a free self-defense awareness and familiarization exchange class for women at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10. This one-time, three-hour presentation is limited to the first 15 eligible participants.

Officer Patera Scott, who is the class’ lead instructor, has been serving with the Police Department since 2009. Officer Scott will be utilizing the S.A.F.E. curriculum approved by the National Self Defense Institute.

Participants must be at least 13 years old. Preference will be given to Ocoee residents, but others may fill available seats. For more information or to register, contact Officer Scott at (407) 905- 3160, ext. 3024 or [email protected].

+ Enjoy a movie, food trucks and more on Friday night

Bring the family for dinner and afterwards, watch a movie under the stars at Ocoee’s Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park event. Held the third Friday of each month at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, the June 20 event includes: an arts and crafts market from 5-9 p.m.; food trucks from 6-9 p.m.; free tours of the historic Withers-Maguire House, 16. E. Oakland Ave., from 6-8 p.m.; and the movie, “Frozen,” at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, call the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department at 407-905-3180 or visit www.ocoee.org.

+ Churches announce Bible School schedules

Starke Lake Baptist Church welcomes children to attend its Vacation Bible School from 6-8 p.m. June 23-27, at 611 W. Ave., Ocoee. The theme is “Agency D3: Discover. Decide. Defend.” The event is free to the public, and a family night will be hosted on the final night of VBS, Friday, June 27. Register on a Sunday or Wednesday at the church, or register the first night of VBS.  For more information, call 407-656-2351.

West Orlando Baptist and Child Discovery Center invites children to its free Vacation Bible School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 21-25 at 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee. The theme is “Agency D3: Discover. Decide. Defend.” Register the first night of VBS, but come at least 20 minutes early. Call 407-905-9508 for more information.

Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church will have Vacation Bible School July 7-11 from 6-8:30 p.m. at 201 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee. The theme is “Wilderness Escape Camp.” Children will camp out with Moses and the Israelites, and learn about the Ten Commandments and crossing the Red Sea. Dinner will be offered at 6 p.m. with a $3 donation per person. 

The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Call 407-293-0700 for more information. 

+ Officials recommend emergency supply kits

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Ocoee Fire Department recommend the residents of West Orange County take a few simple steps to prepare for a hurricane or other disasters.

Officials suggest putting together an emergency supply kit with essential items and store enough water for at least 72 hours. 

The list below includes some basic necessities:

• Water – 1 gallon per person per day

• Non-perishable food and non-electric can opener

• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

• Flashlights (one per person) and extra batteries

• First-aid kit, including manual

• All prescription medications

• Whistle to signal for help

• Heavy gloves for clearing debris

• Cooking/eating necessities, including cups, plates, utensils and paper towels

• Copies of important family documents

• Copies of driver’s license, passport, Social Security card and birth certificate

• ABC fire extinguisher

• Local maps

• Cash (small bills and change)

• Dust masks to help filter contaminated air

• Personal sanitation items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

• Toilet paper and garbage bags for waste

• Tool kit, including wrench to turn off utilities

• Food and water for pets

• Waterproof container

• Battery for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors

• Games for everyone

• Special needs: baby formula, diapers, bottles and other infant supplies, extra eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, special equipment for the physically challenged, diabetic supplies, serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers, pet supplies such as a cage, leash, food and vaccination papers.

The leading cause of death during a hurricane is storm surge, but after the storm has passed the potential of injury and death is still present due to downed power lines, the use of portable generators, standing water and storm debris. 

Officials urge residents to pay attention to their environment.