W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 6
Into the grape wide open! The town of Windermere uncorked its 2025 Wine & Dine Saturday, Feb. 1. SEE PHOTOS ON 12A.
Dr. Phillips hospital adds AFIB procedure
IN THE
WILD
West Orange and Southwest Orange heart patients no longer need to travel to downtown Orlando for atrial fibrillation treatment. SEE 2A.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY Hamlin Elementary School boys enjoyed a special evening Feb. 1 at GameTime Ocoee. 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.
Courtesy photos
Emery Marks held ice from Antarctica. She and her family walked on ice, hiked mountains, kayaked and went on other adventures during their National Geographic Antarctica expedition cruise.
Foundation Academy fifth-grader Emery Marks and her family spent 10 days exploring Antarctica. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
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.
Kris Keller selected for Oakland Commission seat
BRAINFOOD
Town commissioners chose the Planning & Zoning Board member from the seven applicants to finish the term vacated by Rick Polland. SEE PAGE 5A.
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE TOY Meet five inventors of fun. SEE PAGE 10A.