SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer
1
SUMMER FUN 2025
SUMMER
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
FUN GUIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 26
YOUR TOWN
2025
Happy campers!
Find the perfect summer camp program for your children in our exclusive 2025 Summer Fun Guide. IN THIS ISSUE.
RUSSELL ANNOUNCES MAYORAL RUN Tiffany Moore Russell has thrown her name into the ring for the 2026 election for Orange County Mayor. Russell currently serves as the Orange County Clerk of Courts. She made history in 2014 when she was the first African American female clerk elected in Florida and the first African American clerk in Orange County. Previously, she was a District 6 Orange County commissioner. She was elected to the Orange County Commission in 2006 and was the youngest commissioner ever elected. She served two terms on the commission.
Beer we go again!
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.
Attendees received golden coins to vote for their favorite brewery. The winner — Brewers Anonymous Homebrew Club, received the coveted trophy.
Photos by Michael Eng
Hundreds upon hundreds of beer connoisseurs flocked to Hamlin for the second annual Hamlin Craft Beer Festival, presented March 29 by Legacy Events for Education in partnership with Observer Media Group. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 4A.
Stadium proposal draws residents’ ire
BRAINFOOD
Winter Garden commissioners will continue discussions with developer of proposed 5,000-seat stadium, commercial and residential development, and more. 8A.
Several fruits are ripe for the picking this spring. 6B.
FLORIDA FRUITS
Could golf-cart crossings come to Windermere? The Windermere Town Council is having three intersections studied to determine whether they are best for golf carts to cross. 7A.