SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 18
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Into the grape wide open! The town of Windermere uncorked its 2025 Wine & Dine Saturday, Feb. 1. SEE PHOTOS ON 12A.
Mangiamo! Windermere resident Simona La Terra is a blogger, traveler and tastemaker who brings her authentic Italian roots to your kitchen table. SEE PAGE 4A.
Simona La Terra makes all her meals, including her pasta noodles, from scratch.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY Hamlin Elementary School boys enjoyed a special evening Feb. 1 at GameTime Ocoee. SEE PAGE 11A.
YOUR TOWN LEGACY READY TO SERVE UP CHILI COOKOFF
Chili chefs from throughout Florida are ready to throw down at Legacy Events For Education’s annual Central Florida Chili Cookout. This year’s event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the streetparty format on McKey Street in downtown Ocoee. Sample 30 chilis provided by local restaurants and chefs of all varieties. Enjoy a bite from one of the food trucks and dessert vendors while enjoying live entertainment, adult and family-friendly refreshments, as well as the Kids Zone play area. Since its inception, Legacy has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships and grants to local graduates and their schools. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/42FfXTe.
Amy Quesinberry Price
Closer to the heart: Dr. Phillips hospital adds AFIB procedure West Orange and Southwest Orange heart patients no longer need to travel to downtown Orlando for atrial fibrillation treatment. 2A.
WINDERMERE TO HOST DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE
The town of Windermere is hosting its second annual Daddy Daughter Dance. The dance will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Town Hall, 520 Main St. Windermere. There will be a deejay, dancing, games, photo booth, activities, sweet treats and more. Last year’s dance brought lifelong, special memories for fathers and their daughters.
BRAINFOOD LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE TOY Meet five inventors of fun. SEE PAGE 10A.