W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Local community leaders remember Sen. Geraldine Thompson. SEE PAGE 5A.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 8
ABOVE Strike up the bands THE RIM! The 2025 Winter Garden Music Festival will feature more than 30 acts. SEE PAGE 3A.
1926-2025
Remembering a local pioneer Playoff basketball kicks 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
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.
Courtesy photos
CAMPAIGN
TRAIL
Ocoee City Commission candidates Ages Hart and George Oliver III stump at political forum. SEE PAGE 6A.
The family celebrated Curtis Massey’s 97th birthday last year.
Curtis Massey, Oakland’s first black mayor, led the town at a time when it had few paved roads, a two-person police department and no town taxes. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Curtis Massey served in the military during World War II.
Oakland terminates town manager A letter authored by town of Oakland employees claimed Andy Stewart created a hostile work environment. It also accused him of harassment and discrimination. SEE PAGE 2A.