Ocoee Briefs 08.07.14

+ Back in the day

Ken Lassiter, of the Friends of Ocoee Historic Preservation, shows a display of old jewelry, including some pieces made of human hair, at the historic Withers-Maguire House, 15 E. Oakland Ave., Ocoee. Members of the Friends group give free tours of the house and its contents from 6-8 p.m. on the third Friday of the month, in conjunction with Ocoee’s Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park event.

+ Flooding slows Colonial traffic

A torrential downpour on July 29 led to flooding on Colonial Drive east of Health Central Hospital and near the ramp for State Road 408. City of Ocoee and Florida Department of Transportation employees used a pump to clear the water from the roadway. FDOT later brought in a second pump to alleviate the flooding.

It appeared that a substantial amount of the water flow came from adjacent storm-water management systems, Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift said. He said FDOT would continue to maintain the situation.

+ Ocoee group to share history

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Capt. Bluford M. Sims Camp 1630 will host a free military history show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Tom Ison Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee.

The show will feature a variety of exhibits and artifacts, such medical equipment from the Civil War and weapons from the Seminole Indian Wars, Civil War, World War I and II, the Korean War and other wars. To learn more, contact Camp 1630 Commander Glen Richardson at (407) 877-7472 or [email protected].

+ It’s carnival time

Emeritus at Ocoee’s 4th Annual Fundraising Indoor Carnival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 9, at 80 N. Clarke Road. The event will include food, games, prizes, balloon making, face painting and a raffle for a SeaWorld Family Fun Package for four. Tickets will be sold at the door. Proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. To learn more, call (407) 299-2710.

+ Trade in guns for gift certificates

The Ocoee Police Department will participate in the annual “Kicks 4 Guns” program from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at HighPoint Church, 476 Ocoee Commerce Parkway, Ocoee.

During this Crimeline-sponsored event, anyone can turn in unwanted guns anonymously and with no questions asked. Those who turn in a gun will receive one gift certificate, regardless of the number of guns turned in.

People wishing to turn in guns are asked to transport the weapons unloaded and secured in the trunk of their vehicle, if possible. Upon arriving at the church, citizens should immediately advise the officer helping them if the firearms they have are loaded.

Ocoee police officers will safely handle and remove the guns at the venue. Gift cards will be given in exchange for genuine firearms only.

+ Police, pizza joint to promote safety

The Ocoee Police Department and Stevi B’s Pizza plan to host “Ocoee’s Community Safety Day” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the pizza parlor, 9679 W. Colonial Drive. The event will feature free school supplies while they last, as well as raffles, prizes, kids’ height and weight checks, fingerprinting, a fire truck on display and more. Children must be present for the school supply giveaway.

Also, through Aug. 22, anyone who brings in school supplies to Stevi B’s will receive a gift certificate.

To learn more, contact Ocoee Police Officer Patera Scott at (407) 905- 3160, Ext. 3024, or [email protected].