W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026
VOLUME 93, NO. 4
MLK inspires celebrations Both Ocoee and Winter Garden honored the legacy of the Civil Rights leader. SEE PAGE 3A.
SCARE TACTICS
Courtesy of Fox
Above: Tyler Blake Hendrick was focused as he participated in the vacuum-sealed plastic challenge. Top photo: Tyler Blake Hendrick participated in multiple challenges while in the house.
Tyler Blake Hendrick, West Orange High School AP physics teacher, was one of the participants on ‘Fear Factor: House of Fear.’ STORY ON PAGE 4A.
BRIDGE THEATRE CO. TO PRESENT ‘ANNE & EMMETT’ The Bridge Theatre Company will present Janet Langhart Cohen’s “Anne & Emmett” this weekend in Southwest Orange. The public performance will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Pargh Event Center at the Rosen JCC, 11184 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. School and community group matinees will take place Jan. 26-29. This play, directed by esteemed high school theater director Karen J. Rugerio and produced in collaboration with award-winning actor and producer Wayne Brady, offers an educational experience aligned with Florida’s curricular requirements for teaching the Holocaust and African-American history.
This play addresses racism, antisemitism and the longlasting effects of prejudice through an imagined conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till. The content is mature and includes references to violence, racism and religious persecution. Each performance includes a cast talk-back to support meaningful discussion and reflection. For more information or tickets, visit thebridgetheatre.org and rosenjcc.org/arts-at-the-j. The Bridge Theatre Company is a new 501(c)(3) based in the Orlando area. Its board comprises of eight theater parents and Dr. Phillips alumnae, together with Rugerio.
LAKEVIEW MIDDLE TO CELEBRATE LIBRARY RE-OPENING
‘WHAT A BIRD FEELS LIKE’ Winter Garden’s Jana Shelfer is one of the world’s best adaptive water-skiiers. SEE PAGE 9A.
YOUR TOWN
FAITH: Couple opens Chabad House in Winter Garden to connect local Jews. 5A.
Lakeview Middle School will celebrate the renovation of its library with a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting event next week. The celebration will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the school, 1200 W. Bay St., Winter Garden. The evening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, student activities and special programming. The school also will welcome award-winning local author Amar Shah, who will be visiting, speaking with students and signing books. The event highlights literacy, community partnership and student achievement.