SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Meet the author best known as the ‘Oakland Book Lady.’ SEE PAGE 6A.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
VOLUME 11, NO. 28
Fun springs eternal The Bloom and Grow Garden Society’s Spring Fever flourishes in W.G. PAGE 3A.
TREBLE MAKERS
Photo by Liz Ramos
Windermere High School seniors Chandler Hall, George Kudmani, Connor Kelly and Andrew Rockefeller are bringing barbershop back to the 21st century during Top Talent LIVE.
Four Windermere High School seniors are bringing barbershop to the stage at Foundation for Orange County Public Schools’ Top Talent LIVE. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
YOUR TOWN
ROPER YMCA TO HOST HEALTHY KIDS DAY
CHAMBER TO SERVE UP ANNUAL BEST FEST
Kids of all ages are invited to the Roper YMCA Family Center as it hosts Healthy Kids Day this weekend. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the YMCA, 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden. Families can explore active play, nutrition, STEM discovery, creative movement and more — designed to help every child thrive. From toddlers to teens, the safe and welcoming space encourages learning, connection and healthy habits that last all summer. Participate in a New Worlds Reading Initiative event starting at 11:30 a.m. The initiative helps strengthen literacy for Florida students by equipping families with the tools and support they need to read and grow at home. Kids and parents can enjoy a live storytelling together, learn more about the New Worlds Reading Initiative, and take advantage of complimentary lunch, books and swag bags. To register, visit ymcacf. org/community/yevents/healthy-kids-day.
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce will present one of its biggest events of the year this Thursday. The 21st annual Best Fest — The Taste of West Orange — takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Participating restaurants include CC’s Kitchen, Chick-fil-A, Crooked Can Brewing Company, Culver’s, Festa Italiana Pesce’s Bakery Italia, Gochi, Graze Craze, Hawkers, Home State Brewing Company, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, Jersey Mike’s, King of Pops, Lime Fresh, Little Greek Fresh Grill, McDonald’s, Pammie’s Sammies, Peach Cobbler Factory — Ocoee, Pilar’s Martini & Loft, PRP Wine, Puff & Stuff, Southern Steer, Table Top Catering, Texas Roadhouse, The Brave Burger, Uno’s Pizzeria, Westgate Resorts and Windermere Brewing. General admission is $65 at the gate. Kids 12 and younger are free. For more, visit wochamber.com.
FOUNDATION Program helps moms-to-be DOMINATES AT HOME RIGHT ON TRACK Healthy Beginnings for Moms takes place this weekend. SEE PAGE 3A.
Both the boys and girls Lions teams came away with top honors at their own meet. SEE PAGE 11A.
Cancer survivors find strength at Lake Buena Vista Relay for Life. SEE 8A.