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. 26
Meet the former Panther who will lead Dr. Phillips High’s storied football team. 9A.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
The roast of Jim O’Brien The town of Windermere honored its outgoing mayor with plenty of laughs — at his expense. 5A.
YOUR TOWN LOOKING FOR SOME EASTER EGGS-CITMENT? In addition to area churches offering special services this Sunday, there are a plethora of options for Easter fun this weekend.
The cancer comedy show
HORIZON WEST n Dream Finders Homes Hippity Hop 5K — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden n Crossline Community Church Easter Egg Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Crossline Park, 17922 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden
ONE LAST CHANCE TO BE KIDS
OCOEE n Easter Eggstravaganza — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee n Glad Tidings Church’s Egg Ocoee — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday April 4, at the church, 2009 Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee
Windermere High’s Class of 2026 enjoyed a morning of games, treats and more at Senior Field Day. SEE PAGE 14A.
WINDERMERE/GOTHA n Easter Egg Extravaganza — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at Town Square, 520 Main St., Windermere n Easter Sunrise Service — 6 a.m. Sunday, April 5, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha
BRAIN
FOOD
Traffic, safety top concerns about school expansion Windermere Preparatory School’s new elementary campus, proposed to be built at 15765 New Independence Parkway, has some Horizon West residents worried how it will affect their community. SEE PAGE 6A.
Photo by Megan Bruinsma
Dr. Phillips High teacher and breast cancer survivor Suzanne Scherfer has dedicated herself to helping others who have battled cancer, while being back in the classroom to expand students’ minds.
Dr. Phillips High Exceptional Student Education and Learning Disability teacher Suzanne Scherfer overcame her battle with breast cancer by surrounding herself with community — and lots of laughter. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
BUZZWORTHY! Celebrate Earth Day with un-bee-lievable fun facts. SEE PAGE 11A.