W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 93, NO. 5
Bridge Theatre’s ‘Anne & Emmett’ inspires audiences at Rosen JCC. SEE PAGE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
Excellence in motion West Orange students showcase their dance talents at Dance Gala. PAGE 14A.
The man behind the mic YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE TO SERVE UP WINE & DINE It might be a chilly night, but hearts will be warm at the 2026 Windermere Wine & Dine. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Town Square Park, 520 Main St., Windermere. Wine & Dine will feature food and wine from top restaurants in Central Florida. Attendees will be able to sample more than 100 wines, beer and cordials. This year, the event will be hosted by the West Orange Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from this event support the West Orange Foundation and the Windermere Legacy Fund. For more, visit wochamber. com/windermere-wine-dine.
WGHF PICKLEBALL TOURNEY A BIG ‘DILL’ The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is hitting the courts for a new event next month. Registration now is open for the Paddles for the Past Inaugural Pickleball Tournament, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, at both the Roper YMCA Family Center, 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden; and the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando. Player check-in takes place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. On-time check-in is required. Warm-up will take place from 8:30 to 9 a.m., and gameplay begins at 9 a.m. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a weekend warrior, this tournament is all about fun, friendly competition and meaningful connection, on and off the court. Registration for the Recreational and Competitive brackets is $150 per team; and $110 per team for the 65-and-older bracket. WGHF members save $50 per team. For more information or to register, bit. ly/4rk16qz.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Music always has been a part of Thorp Thomas’ life. He played drums as a child and into his young adulthood but gave them up once he graduated college and married. He bought an electric drum kit in 2023, rediscovering his passion for playing.
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Courtesy ph
Thorp Thomas used to play in several bands while attending the University of Arkansas.
LIFE-SAVING ADDITION
Matt’s Mission celebrated the installation of another AED in Winter Garden. PAGE 7A.
West Orange resident Thorp Thomas, an encyclopedia of rock music, uses his love for the genre to create Boyd Street Radio. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
A league of their own Winter Garden Little League launches new Challenger Division. SEE PAGE 9A.