W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Meet the author best known as the ‘Oakland Book Lady.’ SEE PAGE 6A.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
VOLUME 93, NO. 16
A sweet time for seniors West Orange High School’s Class of 2026 enjoyed a special Field Day. PAGE 13A.
Commission approves new church New Life Slavic Church will be constructing a 11,162-square-foot church. SEE PAGE 6A.
YOUR TOWN
YOUNG AT ART
CHAMBER TO SERVE UP ANNUAL BEST FEST 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.
ROPER YMCA TO HOST HEALTHY KIDS DAY
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. To register, visit ymcacf.org/ community/y-events/healthykids-day.
Class attendees have the opportunity to learn something new in a stressfree environment.
Leticia Silva
Vibrant members meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month to be creative in an art environment.
Age is but a number
The Winter Garden Art Association has partnered with Foundation for a Healthier West Orange’s Vibrant to bring arts to the maturing adult community. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Ocoee leaders opt to keep Code Enforcement Board The Ocoee City Commission elected to maintain its current citizen-run Code Enforcement Board, instead of moving in the direction of a special magistrate. SEE PAGE 8A.
Strength in community
Paul Laniosz earns black belt at 77 years old, proving you’re never to old to accomplish your dreams. SEE PAGE 9A.
Healthy West Orange Wellness Park was flooded with community members for the annual Healthy West Orange Block Party in Ocoee. SEE PAGE 7A.