W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 13
HERE WHEN YOU NEED IT: HCA celebrates construction of new ER HCA Florida’s West Orange Emergency will offer a plethora of services right in Winter Garden. PAGE 2A.
HOPPY TOGETHER Legacy Events for Education and the Observer Media Group will present the second annual Hamlin Craft Beer Festival to impact local teens. PAGE 7A.
Fostering in faith
YOUR TOWN RELAY FOR LIFE RETURNS TO LAKE BUENA VISTA Following a hiatus because of COVID-19, Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista returns for a second consecutive year from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at District Fire Station No. 4, located at 1920 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista. “We are so thrilled to be back for another year,” said Yamile Rivera, Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista co-lead. “With last year being our first year back on our home track, it was a great experience for us, and we raised a little bit (more than) $68,000. This year is even more special because we get to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the actual Relay for Life event and it’s lasting impact.” The fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society will feature a day full of activities, live entertainment, games, celebration of survivors and caregivers, that will culminate with the most impactful moment of the event, a luminaria ceremony to remember the loved ones lost to cancer, ending with a fireworks display. For more information about the event, how to donate or volunteer visit bit.ly/41ZwT53 or contact Rivera at Yamile.rivera@ hgv.com or (407) 489-8356.
Brianne and Daniel Griffis, of Winter Garden, love their house full of children, laughter and chaos.
Courtesy photo
Faith, coffee and help from their church community keep Daniel and Brianne Griffis moving forward on the days they feel they’re at their breaking point. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Perfection at the plate Foundation Academy throttles Lake Highland Prep, 10-0, in win. PAGE 3B.
REAL ESTATE A Magnolia Wood home topped all Winter Garden sales from March 3 to 9. SEE 10A.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO OUR NEW PODCAST
In partnership with Foundation Academy, the Observer is proud to present “Between Faith and Reason,” our new podcast. This podcast is a platform designed to enhance, challenge and inspire your journey as individuals, with your families and in your community. In addition to myriad podcast guests, host Jeff Lawrence also hopes to shepherd a dialogue between our community and the podcast. If you have questions or topics you want discussed, you can do so by emailing Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@ orangeobserver.com. Please put “Between Faith and Reason Podcast” in the subject line. You can listen at foundationacademy.net/between-faithand-reason or by searching for “Between Faith and Reason” in your podcast app of choice.