SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 27
Should city limit house sizes in downtown Winter Garden?
SPRING FEVER DREAM! Bloom & Grow club takes over downtown Winter Garden. PAGE 8A.
Residents packed City Hall to oppose a proposed Downtown Residential Overlay District. 6A.
YOUR TOWN
LATEST PODCAST EPISODE FEATURES DUKE, WNBA STAR This week’s episode of “Between Faith and Reason” will feature Krystal Thomas Smith, a former Duke and WNBA basketball player. Smith is also the founder of Kingdom Basketball Academy and associate athletic director at Foundation Academy. “Between Faith and Reason” is a new podcast produced by Foundation Academy in partnership with Observer Media Group. You can listen to the podcast at orangeobserver.com/podcast/between-faith-and-reason or by searching for “Between Faith and Reason” in your podcast app of choice.
Photos by Brooklyn Moses
Penelope Walker will portray the Wicked Witch of the West in Foundation Academy’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
... and your little dog, too!
Foundation Academy’s theater department presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ April 10-12. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
SHOWCASE TO FEATURE STUDENT ARTISTS
The Young Creatives Showcase is collaborating with the Winter Garden Art Association to spotlight talented high school and college-age students in the Spring 2025 Curation. The opening reception will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. The mission of TYCS is to host art shows and curations to display the exceptional 2D and 3D artwork of talented students selected for seasonal events. For information, visit wgart.org/ see/young-creatives-showcase.
Foundation Academy’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ will star Armani Elliot as the Tin Man, Zavi Davidson as the Scarecrow, Jaslyn Quintana as Dorothy and Desmond “DJ” Coryatt Jr. as the Cowardly Lion.
Westgate Resorts founder dies
FUN & GAMES:
Windermere celebrates 100 years with Centennial Country Fair. 3A.
David Siegel launched his company in 1982 from his garage. He died Saturday, April 5, 2025. SEE PAGE 2A.