W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Edgewood Children’s Ranch honors longtime supporter Joanie Consolver. PAGE 8A.
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
VOLUME 93, NO. 11
A fight all the way to the end Central Florida Christian Academy earned a trip to Jacksonville and a spot in the Final Four. PAGE 1B.
First-of-itskind clinic opens in Dr. Phillips
Smart play starts here
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.
CELEBRATE ST. PADDY’S DAY THIS WEEKEND
Photo by Leticia Silva
Above: Grayson Santiago attended the museum for the first time and quickly made a friend while dressed as a Winter Garden firefighter. Right: Anthony Perez and Glenda Castellanos are at the Play Street Museum every day.
One local couple has brought the first Play Street Museum to Florida, located right in the heart of West Orange County. STORY ON PAGE 4A. 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.
Courtesy photo
Chabad parties for Purim
THE WRITE STUFF:
Chabad of Winter Garden threw a sportsthemed Purim bash for the Jewish community. SEE PAGE 9A.
The city of Ocoee named its 2026 Black History Month Essay Contest winners. SEE PAGE 7A.
Students recognized for essay excellence