SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 11, NO. 20
Local detectives solve oldest cold case in Ocoee history. SEE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Royal guests walk the red carpet The 2026 Night to Shine brought kings and queens to Family Church Windermere. SEE PHOTOS ON 6B.
YOUR TOWN MEET NICOLE WILSON IN WINDERMERE
Artistic endeavor
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson will be available to meet with the public during in-person office hours Thursday, Feb. 19. Wilson will be at Windermere Town Hall, which is located at 520 Main St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents who have questions, concerns or ideas. A time slot can be reserved by calling (407) 836-7312 or emailing district@ocfl.net.
THREE BIRDS CAFÉ SUPPORTERS PLAN DEMONSTRATION
Following the announcement that Three Birds Café will be leaving downtown Winter Garden, supporters are planning a demonstration to show support for the local restaurant. The demonstration is planned for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, outside the cafe, 2 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Three Birds owner Ashley Morton said the new owner of the building in which the cafe is located has decided not to renew her lease. “Despite every effort to communicate and explore possible solutions, we were not granted an extension or the opportunity to stay,” Morton wrote on Facebook. The last day of the café will be Thursday, Feb. 26. “This situation is entirely outside of our control, and we share it with heavy hearts,” she wrote. “Three Birds has never just been a coffee shop. ... It has been a placed filled with morning routines, first dates, study sessions, celebrations, tears, laughter and so much love from this community.” Morton said she is working on having Three Birds’ coffee carts out in the community, participating in local farmers markets and searching for another location in downtown Winter Garden.
Photo by Megan Bruinsma
Andy Pargh, left, celebrated unveiling the renamed Pargh Event Center. The center will build a venue for the arts to serve the Southwest Orange community.
Arts at the J celebrated unveiling its newly named Pargh Event Center and the expansion of arts to the community. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Windermere considers filing appeal to boathouse decision The town of Windermere heads into boathouse mediation Wednesday, Feb. 25. The Windermere Town Council has approved a resolution for a law firm to assess the viability of the appeal. SEE PAGE 7A.
Singin’ and salutin’ The inaugural Boots and Salutes in Windermere had a sold-out crowd raising funds to support Wind River Ranch in Colorado. SEE PHOTOS ON PAGE 7B.