W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 92, NO. 15
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
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.
On purpose Jody Mathews, a certified peer recovery coach, is one of the guest speakers at the all-day event that focuses on mental health and recovery. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
SHOWCASE TO FEATURE STUDENT ARTISTS
Amy Quesinberry Price
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.
Westgate Resorts founder dies David Siegel launched his company in 1982 from his garage. He died Saturday, April 5, 2025. SEE PAGE 2A.
Jody Mathews, a former drug addict who has spent time in prison, now talks to others who are fighting demons of their own. He offers hope to people struggling to recover.
Horizon High to present ‘Grease’ Shows will take place April 9 through 13 at the school, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden. SEE PAGE 6B.
FORE A GREAT CAUSE
Golfers tee off in support of Matthew’s Hope at the orgnization’s 2025 Giving on the Green. SEE 3B.