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. 28
Windermere High School names new athletic director. SEE PAGE 13A.
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
Local seeks Jr. Ranger status Oakland resident Finn O’Brien is competing in the national Jr. Ranger competition. SEE PAGE 7A.
YOUR TOWN CHAMBER REVS UP FOR NEXT LEAD AND FEED
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is getting behind the wheel — literally — for its next Lead and Feed. The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10, at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, 9299 Universal Blvd., Orlando. This is a great chance to network with chamber leaders, make connections and build relationships. During the informal luncheon, attendees will have 60 seconds to introduce themselves and their business, as well as share leads and expand their referral network. For more information or to register, visit wochamber.com.
WINDERMERE BREWING TURNS 3
Lila Miller, 10 months, and her mom, Ale Miller, loved seeing all the red, white and blue at Winter Garden’s parade. They attended with husband/dad Ian Miller.
God shed His grace on thee Hundreds of patriots flooded Plant Street with red, white and blue for Winter Garden’s 2025 AllAmerican Kids Parade. SEE PAGE 4A.
Windermere Brewing Company will celebrate its birthday with 3 Years of Beer July 11 to 13 at the brewery, 111 W. Fifth Ave., Windermere. This special three-day event will feature new beer, fresh merch, live music and food. On Friday, July 11, Francesca Tarantino will perform from 6 to 9 p.m., and the Eat Sleep Tacos food truck will be on-site. The next day, the Mug Club Party will take place from noon to 2 p.m. This includes an exclusive bottle share, free merch and behind-the-scenes brewery chat with the team. The day also will feature a Beer Pong Tournament and food truck Tagliolino Fresh Pasta. For more information, visit windermerebrewing.com.
Anna Beatriz was excited to receive a free bike helmet from the Winter Garden Police Department.
Left: Winter Garden Mayor John Rees and his wife, Linda, loved seeing so many residents enjoying the Fourth of July.
FIRSTNER: Fee increase is a ‘necessary evil’ At its July 15 meeting, the Ocoee City Commission will vote on a proposal that would increase the cost of fire protection by more than double. SEE PAGE 6A.
LIVE FREE OR DYE
Rosen JCC art campers engage in battle in summertime color war. 15A.
RECYCLING RETURNS Two Winter Garden residents start company to bring recycling services back, starting with Stoneybrook West. SEE PAGE 5A.