Torch lights up Lake Eola

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Dec 11, 2001 Source: Orlando Sentinel Submitted By: jmw By Mark Schlueb - Sentinel Staff Writer Despite running about an hour late, once the Olympic torch made its way through Winter Park and downtown Orlando, Mildred Wilkerson stood ready for her starring role. With hundreds looking on, Wilkerson -- a 64-year-old neighborhood leader and former school teacher -- grabbed the torch from Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough before boarding a boat and looping Lake Eola. Lighting a 200-pound cauldron near the edge of the lake, she helped mark the end the torch's trip, if only for the day. The ceremony also cued a finale of pyrotechnics and lighted kites to cap an evening of music, games, food and drink. Wilkerson found herself in the limelight after years of giving to her community. After retiring from the Orange County School District, she started a neighborhood association with her husband. Her work over the past few years to beautify the Lake Sunset Luola Terrace neighborhood and to help nearby Orange Center Elementary School earned her Friday's honor. The torch arrived in Orlando after stops in Ormond Beach, DeLand and Daytona Beach, where a somewhat more high-profile torchbearer took a lead role. Four-time Winston Cup winner Jeff Gordon, grinning ear to ear and holding the burning torch high, waved at the crowd as he ran a leg of the tour through Daytona Beach. Most along the route had no idea Gordon would be participating. His role was kept a secret, making for quite a surprise that left some breathless. "I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about, and I stuck my head out the door," said an out-of-breath Tom Edwards, who works at Violet's Flowers. "I looked and saw that the little fellow was Jeff Gordon." Edwards grabbed a disposable camera and joined the crowd chasing Gordon. Twelve-year-old Jessica Holt and her sister, Nicole Memolo, 10, who waited two hours for Gordon, were ready to race him. "I can beat him in running any day," bragged Nicole. Their father, Ken James, cautioned the children to stay on the sidewalk and not to bump into anyone. "We brought them here to see the flame," he said. "It's the symbol of world peace, which we all pray for." Corporate sponsorship was showcased as much as the torch. After Chevrolet workers passed their version of the American flags, co-sponsor Coca-Cola handed out bottles of cold soda and company banners just before Gordon made his run before the throng of media and spectators. Gordon was eventually taken to Daytona USA, where he stood in front of his Chevrolet Monte Carlo to tell the media that he was honored and humbled to be in the run. "I'm not a kid who wrote a winning essay, I'm not a teacher, not a cancer survivor," he said. "I'm not worthy." The torch changes hands five times per mile and travels an average of 208 miles each day on its journey toward Salt Lake City for the Feb. 8 opening ceremonies. Before it got to Gordon, it passed through the hands of local Chevy car dealer, Glenn S. Ritchie, 60, who was selected both for his association with the sponsor and with his work in the community. The 60-year-old car dealer-owner wore his old running shoes -- the ones he wears on his daily 4- to -5-mile treadmill runs. Ritchie, too, said he is humbled to be one of the torchbearers. "As I say, I know there are many others more deserving, but I'm honored just the same. It's an awesome task." Among the viewers in Daytona was 65-year-old Maria Tomais, a native of Greece who has lived in America the United States since 1952. "I had to come see it. It's from my country. It means peace for all nations. I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said. High school bands played patriotic tunes along the way as the Olympic caravan headed out of Daytona Beach and drove to DeLand for its next leg of the run. Arriving about an hour later than expected, the torch runners were greeted by up to 1,000 people lining Woodland Boulevard from Wal-Mart to New York Avenue. Some people brought lawn chairs and others brought pets for a brief glimpse at the torch. Ludmilla Lelis, Charlene Hager-Van Dyke and Rich McKay contributed to this report. Comment on this item. Next Item: Kevin Calendars Available online at JWR Prev Item: Backstreet Boy Richardson to Hike Mt. Rainier to Support Cancer Research