SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 19
YOUR TOWN ST. LUKE’S TO PRESENT HYMNSONG There will be three chances to catch Encore! Performing Arts and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s HymnSong concert. Performances will take place at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at the church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. In this celebration of the art of sacred music, Encore’s choir and orchestra, St. Luke’s Sanctuary Choir and featured soloists will come together to honor the beauty and history of the hymn. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Go Full STEAM, which fill the opportunity gaps experienced by low-income youth who do not have access to critical enrichment activities. For tickets, visit bit.ly/42UWnTj.
Red carpet royalty Family Church hosted Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine. SEE PHOTOS ON 3A.
Recipe for success
OCOEE HOSTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONTEST
In recognition of Black History Month, the city of Ocoee is holding its 20th annual Black History Month Essay Contest. The competition is open to fifth-grade students who attend Ocoee schools. The theme for the essay contest is “100 Years of Unity.” Writers should be able to answer the following: As the city reflects on the past century, what is your vision for Ocoee and America for the next 100 years? How can you promote and encourage diversity and unity in your community? The essay winners will be recognized at the Ocoee City Commission meeting March 4 at 6:15 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast on Ocoee TV Spectrum Channel 493 and a livestream at ocoee.org/ OcoeeTV. Ocoee TV is airing programs that highlight significant people and events from AfricanAmerican history. For more information, call (407) 905-3100.
Area basketball teams prepare for playoffs.1B.
Left: The ProStart team made chicken teriyaki with bruleed pineapple; Thai chicken and vegetable noodles; and chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis and peanut butter dust.
Courtesy photos
Right: Manuela Ferrer de Oliveira and Natalia Capucho took home first place for their tiramisu in the gourmet dessert category.
Horizon High School students placed in the top three in various categories at the 2025 OCPS Culinary Competition. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Lake Apopka BEAR IN MIND: Wild visitor fish kill likely worries Oakland residents Oakland residents attributed reported damages to their property — to weather and farm animals — Florida Fish and Wildlife is awaiting test results to find out what caused thousands of fish to die in Lake Apopka last week. SEE PAGE 6A.
after the black bear was seen roaming in different parts of the town last week. SEE PAGE 2A.
GETTING ALL DOLLED UP
Girls dress to the nines for annual Windermere Daddy-Daughter dance. SEE PAGE 7A.