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. 29
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
Take them out to the ballgame!
For the Koss family, the Winter Garden Squeeze has become a summertime tradition. SEE 1B.
7-Eleven proposal draws ire
Cross’ paths
Ocoee residents say a proposal for a 7-Eleven convenience store will have negative impacts on the community. SEE PAGE 8A.
YOUR TOWN POPSTROKE ANNOUNCES OPENING DATE PopStroke Entertainment Group has announced the opening date for its Hamlin location. The long-anticipated entertainment hub will open to the public Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Hamlin Town Center, 5487 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden. It will be the company’s second location in the Orlando area, its ninth in Florida and the 18th location overall. PopStroke Entertainment Group is co-owned by Greg Bartoli, Tiger Woods, and TaylorMade Golf Company. The Hamlin opening comes after PopStroke opened its Daytona venue in 2024. The company also plans to open a location on International Drive in 2026. The Winter Garden location spans 1.75 acres and features two 18-hole putting courses; a full-service scratch kitchen restaurant, BarTenders; an ice cream parlor, three bars; an outdoor gaming patio; beer garden; and a fully enclosed children’s playground with a soft rubber surface. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to midnight Thursdays through Saturdays.
Ask Phil Cross any question about the history of local railroading and he immediately will give you the answer.
Amy Quesinberry Price
Phil Cross has lived his entire life in West Orange County and has become a historian on the area and its railroads. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Crash knocks out downtown W.G. building’s power
SEW FAR, SEW GOOD
The building located at 360 Plant St. is running on a generator after a car hit its transformer. SEE PAGE 8A.
INK AHEAD Students at SOBO Art Gallery’s summer art camp explored their creativity in a variety of different media. SEE 7B.
Ocoee resident Carmen Bishop turned her love for sewing into a leathersmithing business. PAGE 3A.