SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Local community leaders remember Sen. Geraldine Thompson. SEE PAGE 5A.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 20
Strike up the bands ABOVE THE RIM! The 2025 Winter Garden Music Festival will feature more than 30 acts. SEE PAGE 3A.
RHYME & REASON
Playoff basketball tips off in West Orange and Southwest Orange. SEE PAGE 3B.
YOUR TOWN CHAMBER PRESENTING BIG ORANGE AWARDS The West Orange Chamber of Commerce will recognize multiple members at its annual Big Orange Awards ceremony Saturday, Feb. 22, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Convention Center. The finalists are: n Sam Hovsepian/Mary VanDeventer Spirit of West Orange Award: Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, Jessica Villegas and Jim Zeitschel n George Bailey Award: Horizon West Happenings, We Are Winter Garden and West Orange Dream Center n Bert Roper Award: Community Health Centers, West Orange Habitat for Humanity and Dr. Phillips YMCA n Danniel J. Petro The Bright Future of West Orange Award: Chris Chan, Jamie Mark and Tim Haberkamp n Big Business of the Year: Foundation Academy, Valley Bank and Westgate Resorts n Small Business of the Year: Dawn Gilmore Productions, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream and Revel Realty. The Ambassador of the Year and the Chair’s Award also will be announced.
OCOEE TO LAUNCH NEW MARKET
CAMPAIGN
TRAIL
Ocoee City Commission candidates Ages Hart and George Oliver III stump at political forum. SEE PAGE 6A.
Dev Sakhuja hopes his book will help people learn about one another’s cultural backgrounds.
Liz Ramos
Windermere Preparatory School senior Dev Sakhuja used personal experiences to write a children’s book about embracing diversity. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
The city of Ocoee’s Parks and Leisure Services department is partnering with Orange Blossom Market Co. to host the new Ocoee Community Market. It will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month on the lawn of the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. The market will showcase dozens of local vendors with handcrafted goods, unique products and artisan snacks. Savor the flavors from an array of food trucks offering tasty treats. The family-friendly event will have live music performances by local artists, face painting and more. The goal of the market is to encourage residents to shop and eat local to support small businesses in their community. For more information, call (407) 905-3180.
Windermere council OKs front-yard pickleball court The owner plans to add a third floor to the home in addition to the court. SEE PAGE 7A.