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. 24
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
Feelin’ lucky in green
West Orange celebrated the Irish in a St. Paddy’s filled weekend. PAGE 3A.
Classroom to clinic
Courtesy photo
OCOM students hope to grow the student-led initiative with Shepherd’s Hope.
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine students work with Shepherd’s Hope to receive hands-on experience while helping the community through the nonprofit’s clinic. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Royals youth take lead TFA underclassmen are leading the front of the girls lacrosse team’s success.
SEE PAGE 9A.
Boathouse talks stay afloat PAGE 8A.
YOUR TOWN EIGHT WAVES RELAUNCHES BEARS WHO CARE
Eight Waves has brought back the Bears Who Care program to schools. The nonprofit merged with Bears Who Care, a nonprofit Kari Kron Schmitz founded that provides books and teddy bears to ill and disadvantaged children so they have a comforting companion and something to encourage them to read. Kron Schmitz passed away in 2024, but her husband, Tad, wanted to continue her legacy so the nonprofit merged with Eight Waves. Now, Bears Who Care is a preschool and elementary literacy program, expanding the original vision into schools where students can benefit from books, hands-on learning and community volunteers. Nonprofit staff and volunteers have visited two schools and supported more than 150 students so far. During the visits, a community guest reader shares a story with students. Afterward, students rotate through four interactive learning stations: art, sensory, STEM discovery and career exploration. At the art station, children create artwork inspired by the story, while at the sensory station, children explore hands-on materials connected to the story. At the STEM discovery station, students work through simple challenges, helping to build problem-solving skills and early math concepts. At the career exploration station, students learn about different jobs and community helpers, allowing them to imagine the various possibilities for their futures. At the end of the visit, every student receives a reading care package that includes a teddy bear reading buddy, books they can keep, a reading passport to track reading at home and a hygiene kit. Anyone can be involved in Bears Who Care by serving as a guest reader, volunteering at one of the learning stations, sponsoring books or reading care packages, or helping bring the program to more schools.