SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Edgewood Children’s Ranch honors longtime supporter Joanie Consolver. PAGE 8A.
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
VOLUME 11, NO. 23
Sun’s out, fun’s out at fest Horizon West Fest attendees enjoyed perfect weather and plenty of springtime fun. PAGE 7B.
First-of-itskind clinic opens in Dr. Phillips The new clinic at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital offers treatment for pelvic floor disorders. SEE PAGE 6A.
YOUR TOWN WEST ORANGE HIGH CHARTER CLASS TO HOST CELEBRATIONS West Orange High School’s charter class of 1976 will celebrate its 50th anniversary with two events. The class will host a Meet and Greet Friday, April 10, at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden; followed by a dinner Saturday, April 11, at the West Orange Country Club, 3300 W. Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. The class is inviting the Ocoee and Lakeview classes of 1975, as well as the West Orange Class of 1977. Deadline to register is Friday, March 20. For more information or to register, email wohs1976@ outlook.com.
More than 1,200 Windermere Preparatory School students have contributed in some way over the past three years to the dispensary in Tanzania that is nearly complete.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
CELEBRATE ST. PADDY’S DAY THIS WEEKEND
Courtesy photos
Senior Maycee Walsh, left, and junior Lacey Farrell, right, loved making connections with the Maasai children.
As luck would have it, there are three ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. In Winter Garden, Crooked Can Brewing Company will host its annual Celtic Fest Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15, at the brewery, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Ocoee will host its St. Patrick’s Day Block Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 13, in downtown Ocoee. Finally, Home State Brewing Company will throw its St. Paddy’s Party 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14, a 16016 New Independence Parkway, Suite 100, Winter Garden.
Windermere Preparatory School students lived and worked alongside members of the Maasai for the first time while visiting Tanzania. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Making the connection
Central Florida Expressway Authority crews are building a bridge to link State Road 429 and State Road 516 in Horizon West. SEE PAGE 3A.
Superintendent Vazquez hosts town hall Orange County Public Schools’ leader talks enrollment decline, AI in the classroom and more. SEE PAGE 5A.