Recently, Orange County opened the first phase of Horizon West Regional Park to the public and currently is working on the park’s second phase.
A new library, the Horizon West Branch of the Orange County Library System, is expected to open by the end of 2026.
Horizon West not only is a desirable place to live with plenty of amenities and fun activities throughout, but also, it ranks as one of the top 10 fastest-growing markets in the nation.
It also is close to Disney World, offering plenty of opportunities to view the spectacular fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
ORANGE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
201 S. Rosalind Ave., fourth floor, Orlando UTILITIES
n Solid waste: Orange County Solid Waste, (407) 836-6601
n Power: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744
n Water: Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515
n Fire: Orange County Fire Rescue Temporary Station 21, 902 Avalon Road, Winter Garden, (407) 905-6332
n Police: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, (407) 2549000
Note: Because Horizon West is an unincorporated area of Orange County, it is serviced by both Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orange County Fire Rescue. The city of Winter Garden and the town of Windermere do not offer emergency services to Horizon West residents.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Horizon West Fest
This is a spring celebration involving community connection, live music, activities and fun for all community members.
Homegrown in Horizon West
This is a bimonthly market featuring local vendors, live music and homemade goods, held the first Sunday of each month.
Flavor Fest of Horizon West
This fall festival provides attendees with a plethora of food options to taste and love, with live music and a whole lot of culture involved.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
n Avalon Road is a north-south road that runs through Horizon West’s eastern portion, making it a great option instead of using the often-clogged State Road 429.
n Shoreside Way is located in Hamlin Town Center and is the epicenter of community events and entertainment for Horizon West.
n Seidel Road connects Avalon Road to State Road 429. It also feeds into The Mark, a 21-acre commercial shopping center.
n New Independence Parkway serves as a major “artery” for the Hamlin Town Center and as relief for congested roads.
Christmas at Hamlin
A Festival of Traditions: This annual, festive event includes the lighting of a 25-foot Christmas tree, with bright, cheerful lights and plenty of holiday activities for all to savor.
Horizon West Pet Fest
This annual event is about bringing pet parents, pet enthusiasts and animal lovers together for games, competitions, and even adoption, featuring local businesses and vendors.
Easter Bunny
Meet & Greet at Hamlin
An annual family-friendly event offering families and children the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny, play yard games and participate in arts and crafts.
Hamlin All-American Flag Parade
This event, launched in June 2026, honors America with a 1-mile flag walk, patriotic ceremony, live music and more.
Hamlin Hoedown
This annual spring event brings the country charm and vibes to Horizon West, with local artists, kids crafts, petting zoo, pony rides and lots of food and other vendors.
n Hartzog Road serves as a crucial east-west traffic relief route toward State Road 429.
n Schofield Road provides a direct pipeline to Lake County and is the primary access point to Southern Hill Farms.
n Winter Garden-Vineland Road, also known as County Road 535, serves as the northern starting point of a major north-south corridor that runs through the eastern portion Horizon West.
n Reams Road, together with a portion of State Road 535, completes a circle around the Lakeside Village. It also is known as the road to Disney’s “back door,” and locals know this is the fastest way to Magic Kingdom.
LOCAL LEADER
As a Realtor, Elle Probst said she feels fortunate to have watch Horizon West grow from an idea on a page to a bustling community tens of thousands call home.
“I have had the privilege of helping many neighbors plant their roots here, and watching families thrive is the most fulfilling part of my career,” she said. “A major highlight is serving as current president of the Rotary Club of Horizon West, where our motto is Service Above Self. It has been an honor to witness the tangible, positive impact we make on local schools and community projects. It is a legacy I am proud to help build for our future.”
Because Horizon West is attracting new residents daily, Probst said it is important to get plugged in quickly.
“Get involved immediately,” she said. “This place is still defining its identity, and that provides a huge opportunity for you to leave a mark. Join local groups like the Rotary Club of Horizon West or attend community events, such as Horizon West Happenings’ Flavor Fest, to help shape this neighborhood. Take time to learn your back routes early as traffic patterns shift with our growth and always treat this as a hometown rather than a hotel. The more you immerse yourself into the community, the more you will reap the benefits!”
Rotary Club of Horizon West President Elle Probst
— LETICIA SILVA
Date Night
HORIZON WEST
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
With a plethora of activities and restaurants to visit, Horizon West is a perfect spot for a night out with the family.
Start the evening grabbing dinner at The Pizza Press, located at 16406 New Independence Parkway, Suite 100, Winter Garden. This pizzeria draws inspiration from the 1920s America and the golden age of newspapers.
Customers can curate and “publish” their custom pizza or select from its signature pizzas, such as “The Daily,” “The Times,” “The Chronicle,” “The Sun,” and others. Individual 12-inch pizzas start at $7.99, while extra-large, 16-inch pizzas start at $19.99. The menu also offers a plethora of appetizers, such as garlic cheesy bread, pesto mozzarella balls or Alfredo mozzarella balls, and salads.
For those who aren’t fans of
the traditional signature pies, The Pizza Press also offers Brazilian-style pizzas and even pastas.
After dinner, head over to Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream & Cookies, Hamlin’s newest ice cream parlor. With flavors such as mint monster, Gillespie’s bourbon pecan, midnight chocolate, brown butter chocolate chip cookie and rotating seasonal offerings, Mayday has options for every sweet tooth in your brood. Choose between one ($6.25) or two scoops ($9.50), or a six-mini scoop flight ($11). A kids size costs $4.85 and includes two half-scoops. Guests also can choose a cup, sugar cone ($1), pretzel cone ($2) or waffle cone ($1.85). If you’re looking for a different treat, the parlor also offers cookies. Prices are $3.85 for one, $19.25 for six or $37.95 for a dozen.
IF YOU GO
THE PIZZA PRESS
16406 New Independence Parkway, Suite 100, Winter Garden (407) 395-8418
MAYDAY
HANDCRAFTED ICE CREAM & COOKIES
16406 New Independence Parkway, Suite 120, Winter Garden maydayicecream.com
End the perfect family night at PopStroke, an elevated, technology-driven mini-golf experience bringing people together from all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.
PopStroke offers guests 18-hole mini-golf experiences, taking about 45 minutes to one hour to complete.
The best way to end the night is to putt away with family members — creating moments filled with joy, laughter and positivity.
PopStroke also offers a full-service restaurant, an ice cream parlor, outdoor gaming and a kids playground.
Families can make it a full evening experience by savoring a delicious meal at the mini-golf venue, indulge in tasty ice cream and make memories of a lifetime with the ones you love.
— LETICIA SILVA
OCOEE
The Center of Good Living
With its easy access to State Road 429 and Florida’s Turnpike, the city of Ocoee is situated perfectly for growth in the future.
Incorporated in 1925, Ocoee began as a small city that fostered a sibling-like relationship with neighboring Winter Garden. Attending high school in Ocoee during the 1960s meant learning how to bud orange trees and spending time raising cows through 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
Ocoee lacked its own grocery store (with the exception of a small family-owned market), so people often crossed into Winter Garden to visit Winn-Dixie for staple goods. Current Mayor Rusty Johnson went to work there when he was 14 years old, riding his scooter to work and to play in Winter Garden’s Little League.
Children dotted the railroad tracks as they crossed cities until they became older and earned their driver’s licenses. Being able to drive brought everyone to Quick Snack, a small hamburger place, serving as a gathering point for the two cities’ youth.
Young boys were involved in Boy Scouts, completing their service projects through the natural lands Ocoee had to offer. Johnson’s 1964 graduating class at Ocoee High boasted 43 students — vastly different from the Class of 2026’s roughly 650.
Further development of the county led to Ocoee’s growth.
Ocoee now includes about 55,000 residents across its 14.7 square miles.
At the heart of it lies the newly built 2022 City Hall and the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, as well as the green space of Bill Breeze Park. The trifecta is situated on the shore of Ocoee’s prized Starke Lake, which brings boaters and anglers to its shores.
Ocoee has prioritized recreational life as it has developed, offering 13 main community parks within its Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services’ operations. It’s a vibrant and thriving community that comes together to participate in activities, community celebrations and share the joy of a small-town feel within a larger population.
MEGAN BRUINSMA
LOCAL LEADERS
Mayor Rusty Johnson Johnson has resided in Ocoee for more than 69 years. In 2015, he was elected as mayor after serving as District 3 Commissioner from 1999 to 2015.
“This is my home,” he said. “Somebody said … ‘When you retire are you moving?’ I said, ‘No, I’m not moving. I’m going to be right where I live, right down the street from (City Hall).’ I’m not going anywhere. This is my home.”
Johnson and his wife, Marilyn, married in 1974. Together, they have raised their five children in Ocoee. They also have 11 grandchildren and one expected great-grandchild.
“I love it,” he said of Ocoee. “It’s a place where, I think, and I’ve told people forever, ‘You move here, (and) you’ll realize what it is. You won’t want to leave, and that’s what happened.”
City Manager
Craig Shadrix
Appointed to the position of city manager in 2024, Shadrix spent the previous 14 years serving as Ocoee’s assistant city manager. He joined the city’s staff in 2008. Prior to his time with Ocoee, he served as a regional planning manager for Glatting Jackson. Shadrix also was inducted into the Central Florida Youth Football & Cheer Hall of Fame in 2024.
District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy
Kennedy was first elected to the Ocoee City Commission in 2023. He previously served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the Human Relations Diversity Board. Kennedy said he has appreciated seeing the diversity in Ocoee as the city has grown.
“With Ocoee’s history, that influx of new residents has really helped us to unify and come together as a community based on the quality of life that we want as a community, the shared values,” he said.
Mayor Pro Tem/ District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner
Firstner has resided in Ocoee for the past 20 years. He retired as the fire chief for the city of Ocoee in 2009 after he served 14 years for the community. Firstner brings 35 years of public safety background to his position. He attended the University of Central Florida and is married to his wife, Doris. Firstner has helped Ocoee increase its emergency medical service from Basic Life Support (EMT) to Advanced Life Support (PARAMEDIC).
District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen
Wilsen has been a resident since 1997 and served on boards including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Spring Fling Committee and the Ocoee Merit Board. Once she joined the boards, she felt like she was a part of the community.
“The West Orange community is to me a very tight community,” she said. “It’s where folks who over the years think this is their home. … We have that small town atmosphere but yet we have seen a lot of growth. That’s important to me to maintain the small-town atmosphere because when we go to events you see folks. I meet a lot of new folks (and) I think people are very approachable.”
District 4 Commissioner
George
Oliver III
Oliver has served on the commission for at least six years across multiple terms. He loves the small-town, back-home feel of Ocoee that reminds him of Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the USA.” Although Ocoee has a lot to offer, he said the hidden gems of the city are the neighborhood parks.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Spring Into Conservation
The family gathering at Bill Breeze Park welcomes wildlife interactions, educational booths and activities for the youth.
Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza
Children enjoy an egg hunt, with fair rides and games, and vibrant food trucks.
Ocoee Music Festival
This two-day event boasts bands across multiple genres.
Fourth of July Block Party and Fireworks Display This event at Bill Breeze Park brings together a community market, live games and music, and concludes America’s birthday with fireworks over Starke Lake.
Jolly Jamboree and Tree Lighting Neighbors, friends and family come together for the magic of Christmas with a countdown to a tree lighting and a visit to Santa’s village.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
n Bluford Avenue spans from East Silver Star Road to Old Winter Garden Road and stretches through downtown Ocoee. It provides a route for children to walk and bike to schools. Capt. Bluford M. Sims, a native of Tennessee who served in the Confederacy, purchased much of the land that comprises modern-day downtown Ocoee and established the United States’ first citrus nursery.
n Maguire Road, which runs north-south through Ocoee and connects with the town of Windermere, is named after Harold Maguire, the city’s first fire chief.
n Lakeshore Drive is the picturesque road that hugs the western border of Starke Lake. Nearby Bill Breeze park is the location for many of Ocoee’s signature events.
n Think of McKey Street as Ocoee’s downtown “main street.” This road is the home of some of Ocoee’s quaint retail shops and popular eateries.
A PASSPORT TO CULINARY BLISS
For anyone seeking an adventurous night of excellent dining, the city of Ocoee is the perfect place to explore culinary delights from around the world. There are dozens of family-owned and -operated restaurants serving up some of the most authentic cuisine you will find in the area.
Situated in the same plaza at the northwest corner of West Colonial Drive and Maguire Road are two restaurants — The Fifth District
Noodles & Tea, 11127 W. Colonial Drive; and La Fonda de Ocoee, 11103 W. Colonial Drive.
The Fifth District is a Vietnamese restaurant that offers summer rolls, edamame and popcorn chicken for appetizers. Diners also can indulge in the restaurant’s popular milk tea flavors. The restaurant’s popular pho is served with steam coming off the top — a clear indication of its freshness — and it also serves a variety of Vietnamese sandwiches and rice bowls.
Date Night OCOEE
Just a few doors down, La Fonda de Ocoee is one of several Ocoee options that offers authentic Mexican food. Start the meal with La Fonda’s freshly made guacamole and chips or casa fries, which are fries topped with melted cheese, jalapeño and bacon. The main courses range from traditional dishes with your choice of protein to burritos, fajitas and tacos. La Fonda even offers a kids menu if you decide to take the kiddos out on the town with you.
At both restaurants, prices range from $10 to $20, and orders are placed at the counter, making it convenient to either eat in-house or take it to go and catch a sunset at the nearby Healthy West Orange Wellness Park.
For dessert, head down the road about eight minutes to a Mexican ice cream shop, La Michoacana Tradicion Natural at 101 W. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Its walls are popping with colors, and there even are arcade games to spark up friendly competition. A wide variety of ice cream is available, but its signature creations don’t lie in the display case. Try fresas con crema to have a refreshing light fruity treat or try the popular Dubai chocolate on strawberries or in a crepe.
— MEGAN BRUINSMA
IF YOU GO THE FIFTH DISTRICT NOODLES & TEA 11127 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee (407) 614-0153
LA FONDA DE OCOEE 11103 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee (407) 614-3972 lafondadeocoee. com
LA MICHOACANA TRADICION NATURAL 101 W. Silver Star Road, Ocoee (407) 347-7961
Among the Lakes Lake living and small-town charm make Windermere one of the most unique places in Central Florida.
Mayor Andy Williams remembers riding his bike as a kid with his friends to the hardware store in the town of Windermere so they could buy fishing lures and bait before hitting
the Butler Chain of Lakes for a day of fishing.
He cherishes seeing children today doing the same but at Ace Hardware, the local hardware store Windermere residents Walter Toole and his wife, Patti, opened in 2025.
No matter how many years have passed, Williams said the small 2.2-square-mile town has changed and yet, also stayed the same.
The town of Windermere was incorporated in 1925. But the town’s history dates back further to when Englishman Dr. Stanley Scott, whose father purchased 160 acres in 1885 in Windermere, built his home. Many believe he called the home Windermere in honor of the famous Lake Windermere in England.
Throughout the years, the population increased, but the town retained its unique charm with dirt roads and love for the environment.
While Williams was growing up, he recalled children playing on the baseball field that once sat behind Windermere Town Hall where the current Windermere Branch Library stands. The library’s parking lot once was tennis courts. Children would play until it was dark or when they heard Windermere Union Church’s bells chime, signifying it was time to return home.
The revitalization of downtown Windermere has been slow, but with new small businesses such as Dixie Cream Café opening in 2010, Paloma Coffee Co. in 2017 and Windermere Brewing Company in 2022, the pedestrian-friendly downtown area has been returning.
As Windermere at-large has grown with new neighborhoods being annexed into the town, the latest being Chaine du Lac in 2025, the town’s personality has remained, Williams said. It remains family-oriented with friendly residents, some
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Windermere Wine & Dine
Tickets have been known to sell out in mere hours for this annual celebration of food and wine that raises money for the Windermere Legacy Fund and the West Orange Foundation.
Easter Egg Extravaganza
The Windermere Police Department escorts the Easter Bunny in a short parade before the hunt begins with children of all ages searching for candy-filled eggs.
Fourth of July
Pancake Breakfast
Residents are invited to join town staff and volunteers for a celebration of patriotism and community.
Windermere Run
Among the Lakes
Known as one of Florida’s most beautiful and unique 5K and 10K routes, this run has participants trekking over the dirt roads of Windermere, under a canopy of century-old oaks and along several lakes.
Light Up Windermere
To kick off the holidays, the town typically combines its Food Truck Friday event with a tree-lighting ceremony and holiday festivities.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
n Main Street: It’s hard to go through the town of Windermere without driving on Main Street as it’s the main artery through the town, but it’s best to avoid Main Street during rush hour.
n Dirt roads: Windermere treasures its dirt roads, with many residents believing it adds to the town’s charm.
LOCAL LEADERS
Mayor Loren “Andy” Williams
Williams, a fifth-generation Windermere resident, was first elected to Windermere Town Council in 2018. Six year later, he became mayor. A perfect day in Windermere for Williams would consist of beautiful weather in the morning that leads to a light rainfall in the afternoon to allow for a cool evening where everyone is out walking the dirt streets of the town, conversing and interacting.
Town Council Member Mandy David
Davis was first elected to council in 2021. David loves Windermere’s small-town feel and unique charm that includes two of her favorite events: the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast and the Halloween parade. At the pancake breakfast, she enjoys seeing the town come together to celebrate the country while at the Halloween parade, she loves seeing the children in their Halloween costumes.
Mayor Pro-Tem, Town Council Member Tony Davit
Davit was first elected to Windermere Town Council in 2021. He said the town of Windermere strives to keep its Old Florida feel with its dirt roads and limited development. “Being nestled between Lake Down and Lake Butler, Windermere is an oasis surrounded by reality,” he said.
Town Council Member Tom Stroup
Stroup has been serving on Town Council since 2023. He has a community wood shop in his 1920s garage and loves when neighbors and their children come by to hang out, do a little woodworking and painting on the floors. The garage also has a pull-up bar children hang from to test their strength, and one of the walls has 25 years worth of neighborhood kids’ handprints on it. “It is almost like a Windermere time capsule,” he said.
Town Council Member Brandi Haines
Haines was appointed to council as an interim member in 2023 and secured her seat in the 2024 election. Her fondest memory is bringing home her newborn daughter from the hospital to her new home in Windermere. One of her favorite hidden gems in the town is Town Square, which brings the community together for a variety of activities.
Town Council Member CT Allen
Allen is serving in her first term. She is one of the founders of Windermere Wine & Dine, an annual event that began in 2010. One of her favorite places in Windermere is The Art Room. “At one time or another, everyone has taken a class there, young and old,” she said.
Town Manager Robert Smith
Smith has served as town manager since 2011. When there isn’t a town event, Smith’s perfect day in Windermere would consist of spending the day out on the Butler Chain of Lakes boating, fishing and swimming. He’d then head over to Dixie Cream Café for lunch before stopping by Windermere Brewing Company for a drink.
n Police: Windermere Police Department, 620 Main St., (407) 876-3757
of whom might be quirky with big personalities.
Williams said new residents always are blown away by how welcoming everyone is as people come knocking on their doors to introduce themselves and welcome them to the area.
Town events often are reunions of family and friends celebrating community and having fun.
Surrounded by lakes, residents treasure the opportunity to spend time on the water, taking in the sights, enjoying boating, fishing or seeing the light glisten on the water. They’re protective of their bodies of water and trees, ensuring the environment is safe not only for the residents but also the wildlife.
At any time, Williams, who said he’s fortunate to live in his childhood home on the water, can look out on the lake and see a 4-foot-tall blue heron hunting for fish or otters resting on his dock or a baby alligator swimming along.
LIZ RAMOS
OAKLAND
Among the Oaks
Even in 2026, Oakland boasts a small-town, Old Florida charm that few municipalities can match.
Oakland is a charming, historic town in West Orange, incorporated in 1887.
But before it was incorporated, Oakland already was booming with residents, and it even had its own post office, gristmill, sugar mill and sawmill.
Following the Civil War, the town thrived in its citrus industry, and for a long time, oranges were shipped in barrels on boats directly across Lake Apopka.
Then came the railroads.
In 1886, Oakland founder James Speer opened the way for the railroad, which brought the town its biggest boom yet.
The town became the headquarters of the Orange Belt Investment Co., and the town boomed quickly, with more residents and businesses moving in.
Railroad investor Peter Demens went on to become Oakland’s first mayor.
In 1894-95, a severe freeze killed most of the citrus groves, and the Orange Belt Line was left with almost no cargo to ship. Stores and shops built by the railroad company closed, and Oakland settled back into a quiet, agricultural community.
Today, the town preserves that quiet, historic charm, with oak trees surrounding the area.
And that’s how residents like it. Those who live in Oakland enjoy the rural living, with few paved roads and a tight-knit feel. Local leaders and residents are determined to keep its charm and history preserved even as newcomers move to town.
The Healthy West Orange Heritage & Arts Center opened in 2021. Its mission is to preserve Oakland’s past, present and future.
Currently, there are about 6,000 residents in the town, and this number is projected to continue growing in future years.
However, Oakland’s mission stays the same: preserve the town’s historic, small-town charm, rooted in families and friends.
LETICIA SILVA
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
n Speer Avenue is named after James Speer, who moved to Oakland in 1858 to begin a farm and established a post office in Oakland in 1860. He negotiated the arrival of the Orange Belt Railway in 1886. He’s known as Oakland’s founder.
n Vick Avenue honors Helen “Dewey” Vick, who grew up in Oakland in the early 1900s. She was the first female mayor of Oakland and served three terms in the 1940s.
n Briley Avenue acknowledges Samuel J. and Fannie Edna Rich Briley and their children, who lived in several houses in Tildenville and Oakland before settling in 1900 in a home near Lake Apopka. The family cleared acreage and planted cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers and, in later years, purchased additional land for groves and family homesteads.
n Water: Oakland Water Department, (407) 656-1117, Ext. 2100
n Gas: Lake Apopka Natural Gas, (407) 656-2734
n Fire: Orange County Fire Station 37, (407) 654-1616
n Police: Oakland Police Department, (407) 656-9797
LOCAL LEADERS
Mayor Shane Taylor
“Oakland does not try to be the biggest town or mimic others,” Taylor said. “We know we have a unique and charming town. Instead, we focus on being the best town for our residents. We are a town that values it’s past while thoughtfully planning for its future.”
Seat 2 Commissioner/
Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield
“Being on commission for so long, I could never have just one favorite memory,” Satterfield said. “There are so many firsts that have moved our town forward. First Heritage Day bringing the town together, first day of school, groundbreaking of the Oakland Nature Preserve. I could go on forever in my 30 years. ... These memories are my personal treasures.”
Seat 1 Commissioner Kris Keller
“Oakland has managed to preserve its small-town character while being surrounded by some of Central Florida’s fastest-growing communities,” Keller said. “Even with convenient access to shopping, dining, entertainment and major roadways just outside our town limits, Oakland remains a peaceful, close-knit community where neighbors know one another. ... It’s truly the best of both worlds.”
Seat 3 Commissioner Yumeko Motley
“Undeniably, my favorite thing about Oakland is our strong sense of community,” Motley said. “Oakland is a place where neighbors know (one another) and genuinely care. Let’s not forget the small-town charm, which makes me feel warm and beaming with pride when I drive down our oak-lined streets.”
Seat 4 Commissioner Joseph McMullen
“The best thing about Oakland is our people,” McMullen said. “We have a welcoming community where neighbors know (one another), volunteer together and work to preserve the small-town character that defines us.”
Town Manager Elise Hui
“I love how intentional Oakland is,” Hui said. “We’ve kept that small-town charm and natural beauty, even as we’ve grown. It still feels connected and genuine, and people really care about the community.
“My favorite memories are seeing everyone come together at our smaller events,” she said. “You’ve got families, longtime residents and people who are brand new all enjoying the same space together. It really captures what Oakland is all about.”
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Heritage Day Festival
The town kicks off the new year celebrating Oakland’s heritage with live music, local vendors, delicious food trucks and a whole lot of fun and community.
Celebration Among the Oaks
This family-friendly event takes place in the springtime for families and friends to celebrate Easter, hunt for eggs, and enjoy plenty of delicious food, as well as live music, vendors and art.
Music Under the Oaks
This is an annual, free, outdoor concert that takes place in the fall. It features live music from various bands, food vendors and community spirit.
Santa’s Lane
The town of Oakland transforms into the North Pole with a special visit from Santa and his elves. Attendees are able to enjoy the Christmas festivities by writing letters to Santa, indulging in tasty treats and beverages, creating arts and crafts, participating in a golf cart parade, and much more. It’s a guaranteed good time.
Nature Fest
The Oakland Nature Preserve hosts this annual event offering guided hikes, animal interactions and educational presentations.
Town of Oakland Car Stroll
This is one of Oakland’s newest annual events, featuring a variety of vintage, classic and muscle cars.
Farmers Market
The town holds farmers markets twice per month featuring local vendors.
Pumpkin Glow
Jack-o’-lantern Trail
The Oakland Nature Preserve hosts this event annually, featuring a dark, nighttime hike where attendees bring flashlights and lanterns to explore the glowing jack-o’-lanterns along the preserve’s woods, usually created by local residents.
DR. PHILLIPS A Name Never Forgotten
The curiously named community takes its character from the man who started it all.
The Dr. Phillips area in Southwest Orange is one of Central Florida’s most sought-after communities.
The area’s history harkens back to the citrus industry. Dr. Philip Phillips, a physician-turned-entrepreneur, envisioned a successful business and helped shape the landscape of Orange County.
Phillips moved to Florida from Tennessee with his vision but was set back by the devastating freezes in 1894 and 1895. He returned to the state and acquired citrus groves with the plan to become a cattle baron. However, Phillips saw the opportunity within the area’s fabulous citrus industry and purchased a large orange grove along Big Sand Lake in 1905, the land that eventually would become the heart of today’s booming Dr. Phillips community.
As Phillips’ orange grove business expanded, he invested in his employees and the surrounding community. He provided housing for workers, and built a post office, school and community facilities on the edges of the groves. Ever a philanthropist, he helped create the Dr. Phillips Memorial Hospital, donating millions of dollars to charities and social services in 1953, and established the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation to help with the
Following the decline of the citrus industry in the mid-20th century, the former grove land was transformed into residential neighborhoods, commercial developments and recreational facilities. Under Howard Phillips, Philip Phillips’ son, the area quickly evolved into one of Central Florida’s first master-planned communities. That same community is known for its beautiful lakes, schools, upscale homes and the famous restaurant row along Sand Lake Road, which boasts an abundance of high-end restaurants, serving as one of Orlando’s premier dining destinations.
MEGAN BRUINSMA
charitable needs of Central Florida.
SIGNATURE
EVENTS SERVICE WITH A SMILE
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Held in March at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge, the API brings Orlando its only PGA Tour event, attracting top golfers from around the world. It brings worldwide recognition to the Southwest Orange community through its weeklong pro-am competitions, youth programs and professional golf, as well as a significant economic impact.
A Taste of Dr. Phillips
This event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips, is held each fall at Dellagio Town Center on Restaurant Row. It features tastes from many of Orlando’s top restaurants, wine and beer, live entertainment and silent auctions. All proceeds go to supporting local charities, schools, health care organizations and scholarships.
LOCAL LEADERS
President and CEO for Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation Kenneth D. Robinson In his role, Robinson’s primary goal is to uphold the values, legacy and donor intent of the Phillips family as he oversees the Dr. Phillips real-estate operations, an extensive disciplined investment portfolio and one of Central Florida’s largest grant-making organizations. To date, Dr. Phillips Charities has gifted more than $257 million — almost all of which has remained in Central Florida.
President of the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips Stephen Graham Graham’s service as the president of the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips began in July 2026, and he will serve for one year. The club was founded in 1979 and serves the community through fellowship and making an impact locally and globally.
“I love the impressive collection of fine dining on Restaurant Row, the proximity to all the theme parks and shopping outlet malls,” Graham said. “Most of all, I love that this area has a diverse cultural, racial and ethnic background of individuals who care about one another.”
Living in Dr. Phillips, Graham loves dining at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and other fine-dining restaurants and enjoys Universal CityWalk. His favorite events are A Taste of Dr. Phillips, the API tournament and EPCOT’s International Food and Wine festival.
n Solid waste: Orange County Solid Waste, (407) 836-6601
n Power: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744
n Water: Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515
n Fire: Orange County Fire Station 31, 6116 D. Apopka Vineland Road, (407) 2462470
n Police: Orlando Police Department, (407) 246-2470
Date Night
WINDERMERE/ DR.
PHILLIPS
GOING ALL OUT
IF YOU GO
NORMAN’S
FLORIDA KITCHEN
7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando (321) 754-1025
MELTING POT
7549 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando (407) 903-1100
WINDERMERE
BREWING CO.
111 W. Fifth Ave., Windermere (407) 217-2953
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate a big occasion — be it a birthday, an anniversary or perhaps an engagement — Windermere and Dr. Phillips offer some of the best, most exquisite dining options in all of Florida.
We recommend you start the night at Norman’s Florida Kitchen, a sophisticated, upscale restaurant on Restaurant Row, at 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando. Norman’s is more than a fine dining destination — it’s a combination of Caribbean, Latin American and American South influences that reflect Florida’s beautiful and unique cultural identity.
We recommend you try the three-course prix fixe menu, which includes a first course, the main course and dessert.
Try the aromatic Brazilian-style conch chowder or the refreshing Lolla and burrata salad to start.
As the main course, taste the
Florida freshness with the Key West yellowtail snapper or enjoy a Cuban-inspired pork Havana.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a tart, yet sweet key lime pie, or a beautiful layered carrot cake.
But the night isn’t over just yet. It’s a big celebration, remember?
Head over to the Melting Pot, at 7549 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando, and indulge in some creamy, chocolate-y fondue goodness.
We recommend the bananas foster, a buttery, creamy white chocolate fondue mixed with bananas, dulce de leche, cinnamon — all flambéed.
Add on cream puffs, macarons and even a caramel cheesecake for an additional $14 for all three!
Don’t like white chocolate?
Try the pure chocolate fondue or the caramel toffee crunch instead — those are sure to leave you wanting more!
After dinner and a sweet treat, visit Windermere Brewing Co., a local brewery offering live music every Friday night at 111 W. Fifth Ave., Windermere. Whether you listen to rock, jazz, country or pop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and sing along.
End the night with your loved ones at a place filled with laughter, love and fun — just how you started the night!
Or end the night with a calm, scenic stroll at Windermere’s historic downtown area, displaying a breathtaking canopy of oak trees, ambient lighting and fresh air.
— LETICIA SILVA
GOTHA
Back to Nature
Gotha is situated in an established rural settlement within Orange County. About 1,179 residents live within 1.71 square miles of land, and the area includes an additional roughly .21 square miles of water.
Henry Hempel named Gotha for his hometown in Germany after he came to Central Florida in 1879 to create his own community. It was established in 1885 after Hempel had acquired land and built a post office, school, sawmill, community hall and general store.
Much of Gotha’s interesting history can be found in former resident Kathleen Klare’s 2023 book, “The New Colony of Gotha: 1876-1950.”
Charles Kouene was another major player in the settling of Gotha. Klare said his creation of the American Turner society in 1885 was perhaps the single greatest influence on the Gotha colony’s early development.
Kouene met Hempel, who was of the other secular
Tucked away between Ocoee and Windermere, Gotha is a preserved reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life.
n Solid waste: Orange County Solid Waste, (407) 836-6601
n Power: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744
movement, the Freethinkers, and the two made an instant connection. Kouene brought his entire family to Gotha less than two months after meeting Hempel.
This group of German intellectuals established a unique secular colony in Gotha based on independent thought, logic and scientific reasoning rather than religion or tradition.
“I don’t think any community around here can compete with what Gotha had in its history,” Klare said. “We had inventors and poets … free-thinkers, the military depot, a bowling alley, social hall.”
After World War II was declared in 1941, the U.S. Government acquired 250 acres in Gotha to build two military depots — the Gotha Ordnance Depot and the Minorville Quartermaster Depot — for storage, supply and training facilities. Both had pump houses, fuel tanks and septic tank systems.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
GOTHA’S GARDEN Gotha is home to Nehrling Gardens, the former home of famed horticulturalist Henry Nehrling, who purchased the property in 1885 to establish a garden where he could experiment with tropical and subtropical plants year-round.
Dr. Nehrling tested more than 3,000 new and rare plants for the Bureau of Plant Industry (now the USDA). Of the 40-plus acres purchased by Nehrling between 1885 and 1897, only the six-acre homestead site remains on Lake Nally. Specimens of the original 100-year-old tree canopy and many of his plantings still exist.
The Henry Nehrling Society was formed in 1999 to save and purchase the property; which it did in 2009.
n Water: Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515
n Gas: Lake Apopka Natural Gas, (407) 656-2734
n Fire: Orange County Fire Station 33, 1700 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, (407) 836-9000
n Police: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, (407) 254-9000
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
n Hempel Avenue is named for the community’s pioneer, Henry Hempel.
n Dingens Avenue is named for Hempel’s business partner, Joseph Dingens.
n Gotha Road dead-ends into Wilkening Farm Road named after the Henry A. Wilkening family, which moved to Gotha in 1911 and established a significant citrus farm and real estate presence in the area.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
One of the most critical aspects of any community is the emergency and urgent medical care available. Sure, on most days, you probably won’t need it. But when you do, you want to know it’s available.
West Orange and Southwest Orange residents are fortunate to have myriad options available for those times when emergency care is needed — not only for you but also your children and even pets. Here’s a roundup of the care available in our community.
WEST ORANGE EMERGENCY 1320 Daniels Road, Winter Garden (407) 518-4107
ORLANDO HEALTH
— DR. P. PHILLIPS HOSPITAL 9401 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando (407) 351-8500
ORLANDO HEALTH
— HEALTH CENTRAL HOSPITAL
10000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee (407) 296-1000
ORLANDO HEALTH — HORIZON WEST HOSPITAL 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden (407) 407-0000
URGENT CARE (both adults and kids)
ADVENTHEALTH CENTRA CARE
DR. PHILLIPS
8014 Conroy-Windermere Road, Suite 104, Orlando (407) 291-8975
ADVENTHEALTH CENTRA CARE
HORIZON WEST
9225 Miley Drive, Suite 100, Winter Garden (407) 347-2620
ADVENTHEALTH CENTRA CARE
WINTER GARDEN
3005 Daniels Road, Winter Garden (407) 654-8186
PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE
CARE SPOT URGENT
CARE OCOEE
10959 W. Colonial Drive, Units 6 & 8, Ocoee (407) 554-4590
KIDS 1ST URGENT CARE, PEDIATRIC MOBILE CLINIC (407) 214-0971
NIGHT AND DAY PEDIATRICS
7932 W. Sand Lake Road, Suite 305, Orlando (786) 360-6315
PM PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE
13750 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 250, Winter Garden (407) 905-4717
EMERGENCY VETERINARY CLINIC
ALL 4 PETS EMERGENCY HOSPITAL 1555 Boren Drive, Ocoee (407) 205-0420
PAWS AROUND TOWN MOBILE VETERINARY HOSPITAL (407) 272-2803
PREMIER VETERINARY CENTER (877) 460-2088
URGENT VET WEST ORLANDO 11050 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee (689) 208-7878
VETERINARY EMERGENCY
CLINIC OF CENTRAL FLORIDA — OAKLAND 16369 W. Colonial Drive, Oakland
TOGETHER WE PLAY
West Orange has become one of Central Florida’s most active communities for youth and prep athletics. From city recreation leagues hosted by Winter Garden and Ocoee to nationally recognized travel programs and dominating high school teams, young athletes have all the opportunities to develop at every stage of their careers.
YOUTH SPORTS
Once children are ready to step away from T-ball and into a livepitch ball, their baseball or softball journey can begin at Little Leagues in Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Windermere and Winter Garden, where they not only will learn the fundamentals of the sport but also the intangibles of teamwork, sportsmanship and competition. Local youth
sports extends beyond Little League, too. There are countless other leagues to provide the foundation for young athletes across soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, flag football and even martial arts. Every year new leagues arise to keep up with the rapidly growing market.
Summers are booming, too, with youth summer camps offering the opportunity for the athletes to further their development as they prepare to advance their careers to the next level in high school or through the prep schools.
PREP SPORTS
At the prep level, West Orange is home to several schools dedicated to shaping their students into the true student-athlete.
Orange County Public Schools programs at Dr. Phillips, Horizon, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Olympia, West Orange and Windermere high schools all have produced memorable seasons in practically every sport, and many of the area’s student-athletes even have gone on to careers playing professionally.
Not to be outdone, the area’s private schools also offer excellent sports programs.
Foundation Academy in Winter Garden is one of the fastest growing Christian college preparatory schools in the area. The Lions field competitive programs across more than a dozen sports while offering Lions Pride youth athletics for younger children. In 2025, Founda-
The First Academy in Orlando has been recognized for years as one of the state’s most successful athletic programs. The Royals boast more than 20 varsity sports, which have produced many district, regional and state championships. Alumni frequently advance to collegiate, Olympic and professional competition after graduation.
Windermere Preparatory School in Windermere has established itself as one of the premier independent college preparatory schools. The Lakers compete in a varsity of varsity sports, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, swimming and more. The campus features specialized tennis and swimming academies and a pool on campus, which allows the students to train and compete right on home base.
BEYOND SPORTS
Aside from the plentiful youth and prep sports, there also is an abundance of ways for adults to come together to stay active and connected.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing activities in the area and with public courts at Dr. Phillips Community Park, Tiger Minor Park and Veterans Memorial Park, there are plenty of opportunities for players of all skill levels. On weekends, catch free open win-based play at the parks, and be sure to bring a paddle to hold a spot in line.
Golf has long been a defining
HEALTHY WEST ORANGE’S FIVE WAYS TO HAVE FUN AND STAY ACTIVE
1
Join a local walking group. Did you know that walking at least 150 minutes per week can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure? West Orange County is home to several indoor walking groups and clubs. Yes, you can beat the heat and get your steps in, too.
2
Explore the trails at Oakland Nature Preserve. Stroll the Healthy West Orange Boardwalk for stunning views of Lake Apopka or take a trail walk through one of the area’s most scenic natural spaces.
feature of the area’s recreational landscape with the renowned championship courses, public facilities and private clubs attracting players from across the state. Charity tournaments also provide opportunities to stay social while supporting local causes.
Of course, leisure wouldn’t be complete without the West Orange Trail. The 22-mile-long trail is one
3Make a splash this summer. Swimming is a fun, full-body workout the whole family can enjoy. Before you dive in, check out just a few water safety tips from Healthy West Orange.
4
Ride the West Orange Trail. Grab your bike (or rent one) for a casual ride along one of the longest and most beloved trails in Central Florida.
5
Connect at the Winter Garden Farmers Market. Browse the Saturday market, pick up fresh ingredients and head home to try a healthy recipe.
of Florida’s most popular and it welcomes runners, walkers, bikers and skaters every day. Look out on Facebook for different run clubs or biking organizations, who also promote the many organized races, charity walks and fitness challenges that further encourage healthy living.
— MEGAN BRUINSMA
The West Orange Trail is one of the area’s most unique amenities.
HIDDEN GEMS
In the wide world of West Orange, there is plenty to see and do.
From well-known attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando to Restaurant Row in Dr. Phillips to Plant Street in Winter Garden, there is something for everyone.
But diving deeper into Dr. Phillips, Horizon West, Oakland, Ocoee, Windermere and Winter Garden reveals so much more in these communities.
DR. PHILLIPS
BILL FREDERICK PARK AT TURKEY LAKE
The park, located at 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando, covers 183 acres of land along Turkey Lake. From its scenic views and disc golf courses to its dedicated drone-flying area and children’s farm featuring Tsaber, a 38-yearold Arabian horse, this park offers
HORIZON WEST ORANGE COUNTY NATIONAL GOLF CENTER AND LODGE
At Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, located at 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, golfers or newcomers to the sport can enjoy two champion courses, a nine-hole short course, the Central Florida’s Premier Golf Academy, and the largest driving range and practice facility in America.
The facility also offers Florida Golf Stay and Play packages at OCN’s lodge. Enjoy a meal at Orange 83 Pub and Grill, which has a regular menu containing soups, salads and sandwiches.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE TIBET-BUTLER PRESERVE
The preserve is a part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and home to the Vera Carter Environmental Center, which provides a variety of exhibits and displays.
Spend the day hiking on miles of trails or participate in ongoing environmental programs. The 438acre park, located at 8777 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Orlando, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Saturdays.
OAKLAND
PRAIRIE HOUSE COFFEE
At the corner of Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue is Prairie House Coffee, a local cafe offering coffee and espresso drinks to order, with emphasis on local and organic ingredients.
The coffee is sourced from single farms and organic practices.
Owners Jade Dinsdale and Alexa Maisonet believe great coffee is one of the most essential aspects of an incredible community.
visitors a plethora of activities. Bill Frederick Park also is home to the annual Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival, a regatta that attracts dozens of rowing crews from across North America. Park entry fees range from $1 to $5. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through October.
Beyond coffee and espresso, Prairie House Coffee also offers holistic beverages, such as turmeric latte with organic spices and organic sodas, as well as teas and bottles of wine.
The cafe is cozy and perfect for all occasions — business meetings, morning coffee, a casual date or even a work spot.
OAKLAND NATURE
PRESERVE’S FIREFLY HIKES
The Oakland Nature Preserve at 747 Machete Trail, Oakland, is a 150-acre preserve with a variety of environmental education and ecotourism opportunities.
One of the most popular opportunities at the preserve is its Firefly Hikes. On select nights, visitors are able to stroll the .7-mile boardwalk and watch fireflies light up the night. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening. Watch the beautiful insects bring joy and laughter to attendees, while getting some fresh air in nature.
OCOEE
LAKE MEADOW NATURALS
Into the quiet neighborhood, the faint bawks of chickens and moos of cows can be heard at Lake Meadow Naturals, located at 10000 Mark Adam Road, Ocoee. But beware: The farm animals aren’t for petting. Rather, their fresh goods fill the shelves of the quaint market. Open seven days a week, the market offers meat free of antibiotics, growth hormones and preservatives; eggs; raw honey; and much more. The farm also offers tours for those curious about the grounds from which the products came.
STARKE LAKE FISHING DOCKS
Ocoee’s Bill Breeze Park is the spot for many city-run community events, but lying behind the grassy area and City Hall is the beautiful 208-acre Starke Lake. With an abundance of largemouth bass, the lake is designated as one of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “Fab Five” lakes in the Fish Orlando program.
Its free lakefront parking is sized to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers, making it a convenient spot to drop in the water off its two-lane boat ramp. Parking also provides access to the ADA-accessible fishing pier that has automatic fish feeders activating morning and evening.
WINDERMERE
PALMER PARK
BUTTERFLY
GARDEN
Windermere teenager Carmella Duell created the town’s first butterfly garden in 2026. Situated in Palmer Park, located at 216 Pine St., the butterfly garden is the perfect place to find moments of peace and quiet with monarch butterflies making their way to the garden. The garden features nectar and pollinating flowers as well as milkweed and salvia plants.
The goal of the garden is to provide a place for monarch butterflies to lay eggs, consume nectar and act as cross-pollinators, with the ultimate goal being to keep the butterflies from becoming extinct.
9/11 MEMORIAL
Situated in a quiet area behind Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., next to the Windermere Library, the 9/11 Memorial is a solemn place to reflect. Windermere’s Jeff Cox created the memorial monument as part of an Eagle Scout project when he was a teenager. With the help of the town of Windermere and Boy Scout Troop 6, Cox secured a steel beam nearly 4 feet long weighing 650 pounds from the rubble of the World Trade Center. He designed the 8-foot-tall monument that includes 90 ceramic tiles around the base that Central Florida scouts painted and represent the countries of all the people who died in the 9/11 attacks.
WINTER GARDEN
LAKE APOPKA SUNSET
Florida sunsets always are picturesque, but there’s nothing better than watching the sunset on Lake Apopka outside Tanner Hall, located at 29 W. Garden Ave. The peace and quiet surrounding the area enhances the experiences as you’re watching the dimming light glisten on the lake. Make an evening of it by enjoying a picnic at Newton Park.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
RAILROAD MUSEUM
The outside of the Central Florida Railroad Museum, located at 101 S. Boyd St., is unassuming. But step inside, and you’ll be immersed into the world of trains. The former Tavares & Gulf Railroad depot at Winter Garden has become home to a museum that captures moments in time from throughout the history of railroading in Central Florida through photos, exhibits, maps and signage, charts, historic railroad artifacts and more. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Edgewood Children’s Ranch is a faith based, nonprofit residential program serving children ages 10 to 17 and families in Central Florida since 1966.
Our Mission • Vision • Purpose
Since 1966, Edgewood Children’s Ranch has helped children ages 10 to 17 who struggle with behavioral issues created through past traumatic experiences find hope. Founded through the vision of Judge D. Arthur Yergey and John W. “Jack” Lynd, Edgewood was established as a Christian home and school where young people can safely heal and change the direction of life. We empower children to thrive through love, structure, education, and Biblical values so they can live purposeful, transformed lives.
What We Do
Through our residential program, Edgewood Ranch Academy, and our family care services, children receive a safe, stable home, individualized education, guidance, structure, and opportunities to grow emotionally, academically, socially, and spiritually.
How You Can Help
Give. Volunteer. Share the mission. Attend an event. Join the Love A Kid Club and help provide hope, healing, and a brighter future for a child in Central Florida.
HOSPITALS
Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital // 10000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee
Orlando Health — Horizon West Hospital // 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden
Orlando Health — Dr. Phillips Hospital // 9401 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
AdventHealth Winter Garden // 2000 Fowler Grove Blvd., Winter Garden
MAP KEY
city and town boundries
Winter Garden Windermere
Oakland Ocoee
Horizon West Doctor Phillips Bay Lake
Gotha Bay Hill
locations key
1. OAKLAND TOWN HALL // 230 N. Tubb St., Oakland
WINTER GARDEN CITY HALL // 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
OCOEE CITY HALL // 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee
WINDERMERE TOWN HALL // 520 Main St., Windermere
ORANGE OBSERVER // 210 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden
ROPER YMCA FAMILY CENTER // 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden
DR. P. PHILLIPS YMCA FAMILY CENTER // 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando
LAKE APOPKA NATURAL GAS DISTRICT // 1320 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden
HEALTHY WEST ORANGE // 1200 E. Plant St., Suite 200, Winter Garden
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 13275 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 2140 N. Don Wickham Drive, Clermont
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 840 Mercy Drive, Orlando
HAMLIN TOWN CENTER // 14422 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
MATTHEW’S HOPE CHEST STORE & BOUTIQUE // 1027 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden
ORANGE COUNTY NATIONAL GOLF CENTER AND LODGE // 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden
WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION // 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden
SOUTHERN HILL FARMS // 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont
Find local news every Thursday in the Big Red Box!
Scan the code to find your closest location for the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer.
Lake Butler
FIND YOUR WAY TO YMCA
PLUGGED IN
The best way to get involved in your community is to join a local civic club. West Orange and Southwest Orange are home to many organizations that work hard to improve the lives of others and the community as a whole.
DR. PHILLIPS
Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips
P.O. Box 1381, Windermere PHONE: (407) 325-5483
WEBSITE: drphillipsrotary.com
SIGNATURE EVENTS:
A Taste of Dr. Phillips, Wine & Dine on Nine, Birdies and BBQ
GOTHA
The Henry Nehrling Society 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha PHONE: (407) 445-9977
WEBSITE: nehrlinggardens.org
SIGNATURE EVENTS:
Owl Prowl — Art & Wine Wander, Holiday Amaryllis Festival
HORIZON WEST
American Legion Post 419
16016 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden
PHONE: (407) 494-4160
SIGNATURE EVENT: Veterans Day Walk/Ruck
Kiwanis Club of Horizon West/Windermere
PHONE: (407) 744-1205
WEBSITE: kiwanis.org
Rotary Club of Horizon West 16106 Marsh Road, Suite 104, Winter Garden
PHONE: (407) 451-9738
WEBSITE: horizonwestrotary.org
LAKE BUENA VISTA
Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista
P.O. Box 22033,Lake Buena Vista
EMAIL: info@rotarylbv.org
WEBSITE: rotarylbv.org
SIGNATURE EVENT: Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista Foundation
Charity Golf Challenge
OCOEE
GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee
4 N. Lakewood Drive, Ocoee
PHONE: (407) 656-7115
WEBSITE: womansclubofocoee.org
SIGNATURE EVENT: Birthday Luncheon and Fashion Show
Bloom & Grow Garden Society
800 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden
WEBSITE: bloomandgrow.club
SIGNATURE EVENT: Spring Fever in the Garden
Rotary Club of Winter Garden
P.O. Box 770096, Winter Garden
WEBSITE: bit.ly/4ffEMKa
SIGNATURE EVENT: Evening at the Pops, Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
West Orange Junior Service League
P.O. Box 770267, Winter Garden
WEBSITE: wojsl.com
SIGNATURE EVENT: Run for the Roses, Pumpkin Patch Dash 5K, Winter Garden Golf Cart Parade
Ocoee Lions Club
108 Taylor St., Ocoee
PHONE: (321) 247-7441
WEBSITE: ocoeelionsclub.com
WINDERMERE
Windermere Garden Club
P.O. Box 502, Windermere
PHONE: (407) 876-1127
WEBSITE: bit.ly/44vT04Q
Rotary Club of Pet Rescues Orlando
WEBSITE: facebook.com/ PetRescueRotary
Rotary Club of Windermere
WEBSITE: windermererotary.org
SIGNATURE EVENT: Lobster and Laughs
WINTER GARDEN
American Legion Post 63
271 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
PHONE: (407) 656-6361
WEBSITE: legionflpost63.org
SIGNATURE EVENT: Challenge 22 Walk and Picnic
West Orange Women
WEBSITE: westorangewomen.com
CONTACT: Alice Bergeson, alicedberg@gmail.com
Winter Garden Elks Lodge 2165
700 Ninth St., Winter Garden
PHONE: (407) 656-2165
WEBSITE: bit.ly/4w6GC7e
SIGNATURE EVENT: Annual Charity Ball to raise funds for the Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services Program and the Florida Elks Youth Camp Ball
Winter Garden Masonic Lodge 165 F&AM
230 W. Bay St., Winter Garden
PHONE: (407) 614-7380
WEBSITE: bit.ly/4whdlGY
SIGNATURE EVENT: All-American Kids Parade on July 4
Winter Garden VFW Post 4305 1170 East Plant St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 656-3078
WEBSITE: vfw4305.org
LOCAL LORE
Every community has its larger-thanlife tales and fascinating stories that become embedded in the area’s history. West Orange and Southwest Orange have plenty of stories floating around, and many involve famous names. Here are a just a few:
DR. PHILLIPS
When the Walt Disney Company was constructing its iconic Central Florida theme park starting in 1968, the company built five nearly identical ranchstyle homes on Tibet Bay Drive in the Dr. Phillips community of Bay Hill. These houses served as private residences for Disney executives traveling between California and Florida. Original residents included Roy O. Disney (Walt Disney’s brother, who oversaw the project) and Admiral Joe Fowler, Disney’s construction director.
In 2001, Disney sold the properties to TBHC Inc., a holding company associated with the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Today, the homes are used as private lodging connected to the golf resort.
ISLEWORTH
The King of Pop once considered buying a 36,000-square-foot mega-mansion in Isleworth Golf & Country Club. Michael Jackson was interested in the Palazzo del Lago, which was later known as the Siegel mansion, on Windover Drive overlooking Lake Butler. He reportedly offered as much as $75 million to buy time-share magnate David Siegel’s unfinished estate. Instead of purchasing, though, he ultimately rented Siegel’s luxury compound during his visit to Orlando in 2004.
OAKLAND
A once-grand five-bedroom, five-bath, 5,900-square-foot mansion practically was hidden for decades to everyone
The this home in Oakland was demolished in 2024. The 17-acre estate had many names through the years, including the bin Laden House.
driving along West Colonial Drive in Oakland. At one time it was connected to a terrorist.
Behind a concrete wall near the Orange-Lake county border was a home built in 1928 by William Pratt, a chemist who helped invent Jell-O. Earl S. Tupper, founder of The Tupperware Company, purchased the property in the 1950s.
Perhaps the most notable owner was Khalil bin Laden, one of 53 siblings of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who bought the home as a wedding gift for his bride. The home cost $1.6 million and was known as Desert Bear.
Khalil bin Laden, his wife and their son abandoned the home and fled the country following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Desert Bear sold the estate five years later for $4 million to real estate scammer Aleem Hussain, who sold it to an investment company for $1.7 million. After that, several people purchased the
Ocoee was home to two airports, including Maguire Airport, which started as an airstrip operated by Harold Maguire on Maguire Road and became an official airport in 1969.
These five homes in Bay Hill housed theme park executives while Walt Disney World was being built.
home to make it a wedding venue or to live in it with their families. The house was demolished in 2014 after being in foreclosure for many years.
The current owner of the land is Brookstone Oakland LLC. A mixed-use project plan has been approved for the property.
OCOEE
The city of Ocoee once had two airports, Maguire and Longcoy.
Longcoy Airport opened in 1949 north of what is now Silver Star Road and west of Johio Shores Road. It was owned and operated by Olin Longcoy and provided aerial spraying of crops, later concentrating on citrus. Longcoy invented and manufactured spraying equipment that was used all over the world.
In the 1950s, Maguire Airport “opened” in the middle of Harold Maguire’s orange grove. The “airport,” located on Maguire Road, was a way for him to land his personal aircraft on his own property. It was put on air maps for emergency landings but was little more than a plowed field.
The 2,800-foot, north-south runway didn’t have any lights, so when Maguire landed his plane, he lined up with the lights on Bluford Avenue, the light under the hangar he built and the light on his manufacturing plant.
When local airplane owners learned of the Maguire airstrip, they inquired about storing their planes there. Maguire, concerned about liability, started
the process of becoming a licensed field. By 1969, Maguire Airport was official.
WINDERMERE
Athletes and entertainers have been drawn to Windermere and the surrounding communities on the Butler Chain of Lakes for decades.
Famous athletes have included golfer Tiger Woods, a former Isleworth resident; National Basketball Association star Shaquille O’Neal, former estate owner in Isleworth; the late Arnold Palmer, pro golfer, philanthropist, Bay Hill Club owner and longtime Bay Hill resident; Johnny Damon, Major League Baseball player and former Windermere-area resident; NBA player Vince Carter, of the Windermere area; and MLB player Ken Griffey Jr., of Windermere.
Entertainers have included actress Millie Bobby Brown; actor Wesley Snipes; and boy band singers Howie Dorough, of the Backstreet Boys, and Joey Fatone and Justin Timberlake, of *NSYNC.
WINTER GARDEN
Downtown Winter Garden, with its time-period architecture, has been the setting for many film scenes. For the 1993 film “Matinee,” starring John Goodman, a small food market was created inside an abandoned storefront previously occupied by Three Birds Café and Shirley’s Downtown Antiques.
Actor Tom Hanks caused quite the buzz when he was spotted outside the American Legion headquarters on Plant Street in between filming for the 1998 HBO space docudrama miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon.” The building was transformed into an early 20th-century French film studio stage for Episode 12, titled “Le Voyage Dans La Lune.”
2002’s direct-to-video film, “Kermit’s Swamp Years,” included several scenes around Winter Garden.
“Sydney White” (2007) brought actors Amanda Bynes and John Schneider to downtown to film scenes in multiple locations, including the exterior of the Winter Garden History Museum.
The 2010 faith-based drama “Letters to God” featured several Winter Garden locations, including the interior of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden.
National Geographic used Winter Garden storefronts to simulate 1950s Cocoa Beach in the 2020 space series “The Right Stuff.” Filming took place in the historic Edgewater Hotel, Earl Brigham’s Barber Shop and The Boutique on Plant.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
File photos
Downtown Winter Garden was turned into a 1950s Cocoa Beach shopping area for a 2020 National Geographic space series.
Actor Tom Hanks was in downtown Winter Garden in 1998 to film an HBO miniseries.
Partners in Purpose
One of the most special aspects of living in West Orange and Southwest Orange is the amount of philanthropic opportunities available to residents. The area boasts a wide variety of ways to help others in the community. Whether your passion is for children, families, the arts, the environment or something else, you’re likely to find a local group working in that space. A perfect way to get involved in our community is through giving, and here are just a few of the organizations that can benefit from your help.
8 WAVES
413 S Dillard St., Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 308-2785
n eightwaves.org
Mission: Invest in the lives of children, youth and families who live in under-resourced communities by building the healthy support systems they need to thrive.
THE ANGELS’ VOICES FOUNDATION
Phone: (201) 686-3173
Email: inquiry@theangelsvoices.org n theangelsvoices.org
Mission: Provide children facing hardships with a sense of normalcy and comfort beyond their expectations through financial, academic and artistic assistance.
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES — CENTRAL FLORIDA
29 W. Smith St., Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 877-4006
n bethany.org/locations/us/ florida/central-florida
Mission: Bethany Christian Services offers domestic infant adoptions, pregnancy support and transitional foster care; finds safe families for children; and provides assistance to victims of trafficking.
BLOOM & GROW GARDEN SOCIETY
n bloomandgrow.club
Mission: The society provides community enhancement through community service, landscape projects and financial support.
BUILDING PATHWAYS
P.O. Box 3365, Windermere
Phone: (407) 654-9711
n building-pathways.com
Mission: Building Pathways is a safe place where teens and adults with unique abilities are provided with structure and support while being trained in the fields of their interest.
CENTRAL FLORIDA DIAPER BANK
1041 Crown Park Circle, Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 656-7055
n centralfloridadiaperbank.org
Mission: Advocate and encourage healthy growth, nutrition and development for children from newborn to age 3.
CHALLENGE 22
12200 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 300K, Winter Garden
Email: info@challenge22inc.com
n challenge22inc.com
Mission: Raise funds that go to vetted organizations that help veterans working through post-traumatic stress.
COMMONSENSE CHILDBIRTH
213 S. Dillard St., Suite 340, Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 656-6938
n commonsensechildbirth.org
Mission: Inspire change in maternal child health care systems; to re-empower the birthing mother, father, family and community by supporting the providers, practitioners and agencies that are charged with their care; to improve birth outcomes and save lives by offering training and certification programs for health care professionals, paraprofessionals, maternity care systems and medical institutions interested in creating perinatal safety for at-risk populations.
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
110 S. Woodland St., Winter Garden Phone: (407) 905-8827
n chcfl.org
Mission: Provide quality and compassionate primary health care services to Central Florida’s diverse communities.
DO GOOD FARM
12423 Marshall Farms Road, Winter Garden
Email: info@dogoodfarm.org n dogoodfarm.org
Mission: Create an economic engine to fund world change.
EDGEWOOD CHILDREN’S RANCH
1451 Edgewood Ranch Road, Orlando
Phone: (407) 295-2464
n edgewoodranch.com
Mission: Provide children and their families a safe environment to change.
EMPOWERED TEENS UNITED
Phone: (407) 413-7384
Email: info@empowerteensunited.org n empowerteensunited.org
Mission: This organization helps students and families navigate the education system, build a plan and connect to real opportunities to create a better future.
FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHIER WEST ORANGE
1200 E. Plant St., Suite 200, Winter Garden Phone: (407) 337-6919 n healthywestorange.org
Mission: This is a founding champion of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire West Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation.
FREEDOM TO THINK PROJECT
n freedomtothinkproject.com
Mission: The Freedom to Think Project exists to equip students, parents, homeschool families and educators with the knowledge, courage and resources to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with the freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
FRENCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
3554 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden
Email: Hello@FrenchFamilyFoundation.com
n frenchfamilyfoundation.com
Mission: The foundation exists to provide support and assistance to people with disabilities, their families and those seeking adoption of children with disabilities.
FRIENDS OF LAKE APOPKA
P.O. Box 770355, Winter Garden; Email: folalake@gmail.com n friendsoflakeapopka.org
Mission: Advocate for the restoration of Lake Apopka.
Mission: Provide access to drowning-prevention resources for those who are underprivileged, mentally or physically challenged, or otherwise disadvantaged.
THE GREYSON PROJECT
2146 Burbank St., Orlando
Email: info@thegreysonproject.org n thegreysonproject.org
Mission: Help families feel at home when loved ones are in the hospital during the holidays.
HAPCO MUSIC FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 784581, Winter Garden
Phone: (800) 409-6133 n hapcopromo.org
Mission: Build futures through music, art and education.
A HEART TO GIVE
Phone: (409) 365-3556 n ahearttogive.org
Mission: From helping struggling moms secure diapers for their infants to organizing back-to-school and Christmas drives, A Heart To Give strives to provide a hand up to the community.
HOPE ALONG THE WAY
P.O. Box 914, Ocoee
Email: hopealongtheway@hotmail. com
n hopealongtheway.net
Mission: Provide community outreach and equal access to healthy food, clothing, medical services and spiritual nourishment.
JIMMY CRABTREE CANCER FUND INC.
P.O. Box 770446, Winter Garden n JCCancerFund.org
President: Andy Crabtree Mission: Assist families battling cancer.
LEGACY EVENTS FOR EDUCATION
Email: info@legacyeventsfored.org
n legacyeventsfored.org
Mission: Inspire students to leave their legacy in the world.
LIFT DISABILITY
NETWORK
611 Business Park Blvd., Suite 105, Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 228-8343
n liftdisability.net
Mission: Inspire families and individuals living with disabilities to discover a new vision for their future.
MATT’S MISSION
Phone: (407) 466-7266
n matthewsheart.org
Mission: Increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims through AED donations, education and training.
MATTHEW’S HOPE
611 Business Park Blvd.,
Suite 101, Winter Garden Phone: (407) 905-9500
n matthewshopeministries.org
Mission: A homeless-outreach ministry organization funded and supported by the local community.
MILES TO GO
6651 Vineland Road, Orlando
Email: milestogocharities@gmail. com
n milestogocharities.org
Mission: Assembles and donates bags of toiletries, socks, snacks and more to members of the homeless community.
NEHRLING GARDENS
2267 Hempel Ave, Gotha
Phone: (407) 445-9977
n nehrlinggardens.org
Mission: Nehrling Gardens is the former home of famed horticulturalist Henry Nehrling. Today, Nehrling Gardens continues to enrich our lives as a community resource and education center focused on historic preservation, horticultural education and environmental conservation.
OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE
747 Machete Trail, Oakland Phone: (407) 905-0054
n oaklandnaturepreserve. wildapricot.org
Mission: Promote an understanding of the fragile balance between mankind and the environment by educating visitors about Lake Apopka basin’s ecosystems and cultural history.
ONE PURSE
213 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Phone: (407) 205-7414
n onepurse.org
Mission: Provide jobs and scholarships to empower women reclaiming their lives after domestic abuse and trafficking.
ONE WINTER GARDEN
12200 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 300K, Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 809-8378
n onewintergarden.com
Mission: Promote and foster community outreach for east Winter Garden by advocating for programs and enhancements that will improve the lives of families.
ORLANDO
BOOK BANK
Phone: (407) 906-3237
Email: orlandobookbank@gmail. com
n orlandobookbank.com
Mission: Orlando Book Bank is the brainchild of a group of motivated high school students to help students from all backgrounds gain easier access to books.
POVERTY SOLUTIONS GROUP
1000 Lincoln Terrace, Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 347-3936
n povertysolutionsgroup.org
Mission: Reduce poverty in Central Florida.
READING REINDEER
210 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden Phone: (407) 656-2121
n orangeobserver.com
Mission: The Observer’s Reading Reindeer collects new books to give to a variety of organizations for distribution to children throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange.
SAVING YOUNG HEARTS
Phone: (407) 293-9333
Mission: Provide heart screenings for early detection.
SHEPHERD’S HOPE
455 Ninth St., Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 876-6699
n shepherdshope.org
Mission: Provide health care services, education and wellness programs to the underinsured and uninsured.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
n shpbeds.org
Mission: This nationwide organization, which has a local chapter, utilizes volunteers and donations to build and deliver beds to children in need.
Mission: Feed the hungry and care for those in need by sharing life’s necessities and a message of hope.
SPECIAL HEARTS FARM
10557 Oakview Pointe Terrace, Gotha (mailing); 1100 E. Maple St., Winter Garden (physical) Phone: (407) 347-8431
n specialheartsfarm.com
Mission: Provide farming and gardening experiences for individuals with disabilities and unique abilities.
WEST ORANGE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden Phone: (407) 867-0566
n bgccf.org
Mission: Enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
WEST ORANGE DREAM CENTER
1136 E. Plant St., Winter Garden Phone: (407) 258-3107
n wodreamcenter.com
Mission: Support to those affected by homelessness, hunger and lack of education.
WEST ORANGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
13369 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden Phone: (407) 809-4411 n westorangehabitat.org
Mission: Dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing and preserving homes.
WEST ORANGE JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE
P.O. Box 770267, Winter Garden Email: wojslcorrespondence@gmail.com n wojsl.com
Mission: Provide care and support to the community by assisting families of all races, ages and incomes.
WEST ORANGE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
800 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden Email: WOScholarshipFoundation@ gmail.com n facebook.com/ westorangescholarship
Mission: Foster and encourage higher education of West Orange High School graduates by providing scholarship assistance to deserving students who are seeking to improve themselves.
WINDERMERE POLICE FOUNDATION
n wpdfoundation.com
Mission: The Windermere Police Department Foundation Inc. was established in the wake of the tragic loss of Windermere Police Officer Robert “Robbie” German on March 22, 2014. This charity has promoted, encouraged and benefited the citizens served by the Windermere Police Department and its employees and families.
WITH EVERY STEP
Phone: (407) 535-1099
n witheverystep.org
Mission: This Winter Garden-based nonprofit brings joy and dignity to seniors in nursing facilities and shut-ins by providing specially curated gifts.
WINDERMERE WINE & DINE
Email: windermerewineanddine@ gmail.com n windermerewineanddine.com
Mission: All proceeds benefit various charitable organizations and the town of Windermere.
WINTER GARDEN ART ASSOCIATION
127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 347-7996
n wgart.org
Mission: Encourage creativity, promote community involvement, and advance the appreciation and availability of the arts.
WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
21 E. Plant St. and 1 N. Main St., Winter Garden
Phone: (407) 656-3244
n wghf.org
Mission: Preserve the heritage and architecture of West Orange County.
YMCA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Roper, 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden; Dr. P Phillips, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando
Phone: (407) 656-8816
n ymcacf.org
Mission: Improve lives of all in Central Florida by connecting individuals, families and communities with opportunities based on Christian values.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
In addition to the tens of thousands of humans who call West Orange and Southwest Orange home, there exists an entire population of animals, as well. The area boasts more than 19,000 acres of wilderness across Lake Apopka’s North Shore, the 438 acres of Tibet-Butler Preserve in the Windermere and Horizon West area, the Oakland Nature Preserve and the Johns Lake Conservation Area. Even within neighborhoods and local parks, the wildlife is present — whether it’s the common green anole lizards or a curious squirrel.
But aside from the animals we see crossing the sidewalk every day, there are plenty of others to spy.
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
When most think of Florida, they think of beaches, sharks and alligators. Here, we only have the alligators — aka gators. The reptilians commonly can be mistaken for a floating log in the water, but beware: They hold between 74 and 80 teeth in their jaws that close with a bite force of 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch. Ouch. The once-endangered species now frequents all of Florida’s lakes, canals and any body of water. The gator is consider a species of “least concern” for its population numbers. Although their attacks are extremely rare, don’t follow the popular myth of running in a zigzag line to get away — run straight and fast.
BOBCAT
Bobcats can be spotted throughout the woods and neighborhood streets, much like an alley cat. They’re easily identified by their short, 4- to 6-inch-long, bobbed tail with a black tip at the end. The quiet animals are mostly seen at dawn or dusk and prey off rabbits, hares and other small rodents. They also rarely attack humans, but if you do stumble upon a bobcat, never run or turn your back on it. Bobcats are fast. Instead, stay calm and slowly back away.
SNAKES
The southern black racer is the most common type of snake to see in the area. The harmless black snakes can be seen and yards or woods while they are searching for insects, lizards and frogs. Another common and harmless snake is the yellow ratsnake, which is identified by its golden yellow and brown scales. While most of the snakes found are harmless, take extra precaution by any sounds of a rattle. The rattle is a warning and most commonly will be from a cottonmouth — a semiaquatic, venomous snake. When in doubt, stay away.
BLUE HERON
The majestic and beautiful 4-foot-tall birds are seen across the banks of waterways as they slowly wade for fish and amphibians until they strike the animals with lightning speed. Like all birds, they’re ancestors of dinosaurs, but their large stature gives them the nickname of a “dinosaur bird.” Herons can be blue or white and live up to 25 years, and their signature S-shaped neck gives away their presence.
OTTER
The species (top left) is the North American river otter. These animals travel throughout river ways and canals, finding their way through Windermere’s Chain of Lakes and to other bodies of water. Seeing one otter typically means there are others nearby; they like to travel in family groups. Otters weigh between 10 to 30 pounds and use webbed feet and water-repellent fur to help them propel themselves as fast as 8 mph in the water and 15 mph on land.
OPOSSUM
Opossums are creatures of the night. They are famous for their playing-dead defensive maneuver and are North America’s only native marsupial. Their hairless tails and opposable thumbs are perfect tools for climbing up any branch — much like a squirrel. They have a distinctive pink tipped and pointed nose with gray fur. It is best to keep your distance if you see one on a nightly stroll. Opossums are extremely docile but will hiss to try and look scary to potential threats.
MEGAN BRUINSMA
DAY TRIP
ORLANDO WETLANDS
From the moment you step out of your car in the parking lot of the Orlando Wetlands, you’re instantly taken over with a sense of peace.
At the entrance from the parking lot, there is a pavilion with a plethora of information about the wildlife you can encounter on your journey throughout 1,650 acres and more than 18 miles of open marsh trails.
The Orlando Wetlands opened in 1987 as an advanced water reclamation facility for the city of Orlando. The man-made wetlands feature 18 wetland cells and 67 water control structures as well as a 75-acre lake that was created to provide material to construct the 18 miles of berms.
The 5,000-square-foot Orlando Wetlands Visitor Center opened in 2025 and has interactive exhibits and live animal displays as well as a gift shop. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Orlando Wetlands.
With little shade on the trails,
be sure to pack a hat and sunscreen and dress appropriately.
While roaming the trails, birds chirping and the echoes of alligators’ bellowing grunts similar to that of bullfrogs fill the air. You might not be able to see the gator resting in the water, but you certainly can hear it.
If you see a gator on land, don’t get too close! Alligators are faster than you think.
Walking down the flat gravel trails, keep your eyes open for wildlife. From bobcats to otters to deer to turtles, snakes and birds, every visit to the Orlando Wetlands can lead to something new.
IF YOU GO ORLANDO WETLANDS
25201 Wheeler Road, Christmas
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset Tuesdays through Sundays; Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
PUBLIC TRAM TOURS: 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays May through October; and 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. November through April
INFORMATION: (407) 568-1706
The Orlando Wetlands has more than 220 species of birds, so be sure to bring your binoculars to see which species are gently floating on the water, flying above or resting in a tree. The field checklist of birds details the species of birds and what season of the year they are common, uncommon or rare to see.
The 2,200-foot Cypress Boardwalk takes you across the lake for an overwater view of the wetlands as well as a close-up view of the Cypress Dome. There are benches along all the trails for you to stop and take a moment to take in Mother Nature.
Whether you’re a nature photographer, bird watcher, nature lover or someone who wants to get outside for the day, the Orlando Wetlands are a dream.
— LIZ RAMOS
DAY TRIP
WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER — OCALA
Fewer than 90 minutes away from West Orange and Southwest Orange sits the mecca for all things equestrian.
With equestrian shows, a luxury hotel, and a plethora of dining options and retail shops, the World Equestrian Center — Ocala offers something for everyone.
Beyond six indoor arenas, 23 outdoor arenas and 3,000 horse stalls visitors can explore for free, the World Equestrian Center offers special events beyond the equestrian world. Its exposition center often hosts sports competitions, automobile showcases and canine shows.
Furthermore, the center also offers weekly worships at its chapel and can accommodate up to 100 guests. The property also includes more than 30 shops to indulge in beauty, décor, equestrian living and food. At The Equestrian Hotel, visitors can explore a variety of shops such as the Lugano Diamonds, J. McLaughlin, Rooney’s, Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe and more.
But the shopping experience doesn’t end inside the hotel — there also are arena shops and vendors throughout the property.
Visitors also have access to a spa and salon, where guests can enjoy a massage, facial or a hair wash.
Then, visit a restaurant on property for an elegant evening out. From refined restaurants to casual bites, there’s a diverse range of cuisine to enjoy.
The White Willow, inside the Equestrian Manor, offers a PanAsian dining premium experience.
The Polo Pony offers craft cocktails and American fare.
Other cuisine offered on property include Italian and Mexican cuisine.
End the day indulging in Emma’s Patisserie, a European-inspired bakery, or try the Miss Tilly’s Lollipops, offering açaí bowls, smoothies and ice cream.
With a multitude of activities and amenities, this family-friendly location is sure to leave a mark in your heart.
Don’t forget to grab a souvenir before leaving. This is a one-ofa-kind destination spot, and it’s expanding!
Soon, it will offer more facilities and shopping opportunities, welcoming visitors from all around the state, nation and world.
— LETICIA SILVA
IF YOU GO
WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER — OCALA 1750 N.W. 80th Ave., Ocala
WEBSITE: worldequestriancenter. com
DAY TRIP
YALAHA BAKERY
Tucked away about 35 minutes northeast of Winter Garden lies a vibrant yellow home — Yalaha Bakery at 8210 FL-48, Yalaha.
Since 1995, the bakery has been serving the greater Central Florida area, bringing authentic German cuisine to the state. It’s a family-owned company, founded with the philosophy of offering Central Floridians the highest quality organic German handmade products.
Its bakers begin work before the sun rises every day to ensure each batch of bread and pastries is as fresh as possible.
The bakery works with local and international suppliers to find the freshest and most authentic German ingredients. It offers a variety of pastries, including eclairs, apple streusel, pies, cream puffs, cannolis and cakes.
Any sweet-tooth craving is guaranteed to be met, and those looking for freshly made bread can purchase one in store or find loaves online. The bread is
so popular that orders of two or more must be made in advance to ensure the bakery can fulfill it.
Despite the name, the shop offers much more than baked goods. The Yalaha deli serves German breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. daily, including Leberkaesse, German meatloaf; nurnberger breakfast, sausages with scrambled eggs and fruit; German potato pancakes with Bratwurst; and Münchner breakfast with two Weisswurst, pretzel and sweet mustard. Its lunch continues with authentic German offerings, including an extra-large pretzel with beer cheese and German mustards; a variety of sandwiches; and plates with bratwurst, hunterschnitzel and wienerschnitzel. Inside, the bakery is quaint with limited seating, but the outdoor patio is where the true beauty lies.
The Biergarten patio boasts rows of picnic tables and serves as an ideal spot for family and friends to gather together as
they share food. The walls are decorated with murals, paying homage to the bakery’s German roots, and the plentiful trees provide shade for all to sit back, relax and enjoy coffee while listening to the live music at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Making a trip to Yalaha Bakery is guaranteed to satisfy any craving from breakfast needs, lunch and desserts. It’s also a unique way for those with German heritage to step back into their roots and others to discover a new favorite treat.
MEGAN BRUINSMA
IF YOU GO
YALAHA BAKERY
8210 FL-48, Yalaha
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week
PHONE: (352) 324-3366
WEBSITE: yalahabakery.com
Ways to Experience
SCHOOL ZONE
The ABCs of learning in West Orange County
Many families choose our communities for their robust and highly rated educational options.
From traditional public schools to private schools to charter schools, there is no shortage of educational opportunities in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
With more than 200,000 students across 208 district-managed schools, Orange County Public Schools is the eighth-largest school district in the country and fourth-largest in Florida.
The “A”-rated school district has 101 “A”-rated schools, and 100% of the schools are either rated “A,” “B” or “C.” Out of the 47 traditional public schools in West Orange County, 35 received “A” ratings, nine received “B” ratings and three received “C” ratings for 2025-26 school year. Two of those schools went down a grade from “A” to “B,” six went up a grade, and the rest maintained their rating.
The district boasts a 97.2% graduation rate — the highest in the district’s history — across its 22 traditional high schools, outpacing the state average of 92.2% for the 2024-25 school year.
OCPS offers 40 magnet programs, five Orange Technical College campuses, three university dual-enrollment partners and more.
Many of those highly rated schools are in West Orange and Southwest Orange, with several schools bursting with students of high-academic standing.
Ocoee and Windermere high schools have some of the highest graduation rates in the district — 99.2% and 99.5%, respectively — for the 2024-25 school year.
OCPS offers a variety of magnet programs in West Orange, from elementary through high school. Bay
Meadows Elementary is a STEAM Career Academy, Maxey Elementary is a visual and performing arts magnet school, and Tildenville Elementary has a Two-Way Dual Language Magnet program. Lakeview Middle School is a World Language Academy, and Dr. Phillips High is a Center for International Studies as well as a visual and performing arts magnet.
OCPS is facing a decline in enrollment for the second consecutive year, losing 6,800 students in the 2025-2026 school year and an expected 3,000 more in the 2026-2027 school year. The decline in enrollment caused the district to close six elementary schools and a
middle school, although those were not located in West Orange.
Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said OCPS’ decline in enrollment is caused by multiple factors, including a decline in birth rates, housing trends, the sunsetting of temporary protective status for immigrant groups and the Family Empowerment Scholarships.
As a result of the declining enrollment, OCPS is facing budget shortfalls.
Despite the decline in enrollment, 12 of the 47 traditional schools in West Orange and Southwest Orange are over capacity, many of which are in the booming Horizon West area.
OCPS opened Atwater Bay Elementary in August 2024, and in 2022, the district opened Hamlin and Panther Lake elementary schools and Hamlin Middle School — all of which are in Horizon West. Horizon High School opened in 2021 to alleviate overcrowding at West Orange and Windermere high schools. Windermere High School remains overcrowded.
To address the overcrowding, one of the final schools OCPS will be constructing for the next five years, Ovation Elementary School, will open in August 2026 to alleviate Panther Lake and Water Spring elementaries.
As of May 2026, Panther Lake had 865 students enrolled, with a capacity of 837 students, while Water Spring had 1,096 students enrolled, also with a capacity of 837.
Ovation Elementary School, located at 13603 Hartzog Road, will house 834 students in voluntary pre-K through fifth grade. Patty Harrelson will serve as the founding principal.
To address declining enrollment, OCPS last year entered a partnership with Caissa Public Strategies LLC, a Memphis-based third-party recruitment agency. The district renewed the partnership for the 202627 school year. Caissa receives $935 for each formerly enrolled
OCPS student who re-enrolls in the district and attends a district-operated school for 30 days. The funding comes from per-pupil spending.
Vazquez said in the 2025-26 school year, OCPS was able to recoup $1.7 million in funding with Caissa’s help.
Vazquez said the district needs to advertise all it has to offer to draw in more students and bring back former students as more families choose to send their children to private school, homeschool their children or choose other educational opportunities.
OTHER OPTIONS
West Orange County families have several other educational options besides OCPS.
There are at least 34 private schools and four charter schools throughout Winter Garden, Oakland, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, Windermere and Horizon West.
The schools range in all sizes from having graduating classes of 20 students up to more than 100 in a senior class.
Several private schools, including Foundation Academy and The First Academy are faith-based.
For the early learners of the community, there is a plethora of early learning centers and preschools — more than 50 — from which to choose.
If traditional school or private school isn’t the right fit, Florida offers virtual school options, as well as opportunities for you to homeschool your child. Nonprofits such as Step Up For Students administer scholarships to help make homeschooling more affordable.
There are dozens of co-ops and Facebook groups for homeschool families, such as a Disney homeschool Facebook group that coordinates outings to the theme parks to have educational lessons using all that Disney has to offer.
The co-ops and Facebook groups provide resources, educational material and opportunities to build relationships with other families who choose to homeschool their children.
— LIZ RAMOS
MAKING THE GRADE
AP, AICE or Dual Enrollment?
High school students have several options to earn college credits early.
But which one is the best for your student?
High-school students across the state are given the opportunity to earn college credits for free before graduating high school.
For families, this means financial relief from the debts of college tuition and expenses, and it also can mean early college graduation for others.
But how do you know what the best option is for your teen?
First, you need to know your options and what each of them means.
There are Advanced Placement classes, the AICE program and Dual Enrollment.
AP COURSES
Advanced Placement classes, created by the U.S.-based College Board, are college-level classes offered to all high-schoolers. Florida high schools offer between 38 and 42 AP classes in a wide variety of subjects. Students in these classes are given college-level work and expectations, and may earn college credit if they score a three or higher on a standardized end-of-year exam.
Students should choose to take these classes if they would like to explore subjects in greater depth and want to bypass certain introductory classes in college.
QUICK TIP
Every student should consult with his or her guidance counselors on what path will be most beneficial. A student’s time-management skills, schedule, willingness and future plans all play an important role in what path he or she should choose.
Overall, these programs are designed to allow students to pursue a higher education while still in high school.
Students are encouraged to engage in these programs, because they foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and academic excellence.
The end-of-year exam does not count toward the student’s highschool GPA, and if a student fails the exam, it does not affect him or her negatively. However, if a student fails the end-of-year exam, he or she is subject to retake the course in college. These classes are more widely accepted at out-
of-state and private universities than the AICE program. AP courses are best for students who want to apply to highly competitive colleges across the nation. According to Orange County Public Schools, students saved nearly $23.6 million in college tuition in May 2024 through AP courses.
AICE PROGRAM
The Advanced International Certificate of Education program follows an international pre-university curriculum created by the University of Cambridge in England. It is similar to AP classes, although the exams focus more on clear and concise writing rather than multiple-choice questions. Students also are given the opportunity to choose between advanced-subsidiary courses or advanced courses. Advanced-subsidiary courses are one-credit classes covering parts of a subject. Advanced courses take that subject and teach students additional, more in-depth
The Bloom and Grow Garden Society has been a force for nature in the Winter Garden and West Orange County area since the club’s inception in 1997. We strive to stimulate a knowledge and love of gardening through promotion and sponsorship of community projects and the protection and sustainability of native habitat. Bloom and Grow focuses on the importance of plants and beautiful landscapes while working with community-based and civic organizations, residents, businesses, and schools.
In June of 2026, we celebrated National Garden Week with tours of five member-planted and club-maintained gardens.
Day 1: The Health Central Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center resident therapy/ pollinator garden took two years to relandscape into a serene paradise for residents to enjoy.
Day 2: Bloom & Grow members’ private home garden features raised containers bursting with multiple varieties of pollinator plants and areas of landscape plants and trees bordering Lake Apopka.
Day 3: The West Orange Trail Pollinator/Butterfly Garden was planted to give pollinators the ecosystem they need to prosper. The five-year project is alive with butterflies, bees, and birds, and signage to identify areas and plants.
Day 4: Butterfly/Pollinator Raised Beds Garden at Magnolia Park in Apopka. The full sun habitat for bees and butterflies uses native and non-invasive plants, nectar-rich flowers, and host plants to attract pollinators.
Day 5: Path of Life Serenity Garden. The oldest and largest of Bloom & Grow gardens is in its 27th year as a shade garden with towering trees, variegated plants, and lush bushes that invite you to sit and enjoy nature.
For more information on these gardens and about the Bloom & Grow Garden Society and Spring Fever in the Garden festival Visit our websites Bloom and Grow Spring Fever
material. Advanced courses are worth two college credits rather than one.
Students must pass a minimum of seven subject credits within a 25-month period to receive the AICE Diploma. This is a great option for those who do not do well in multiple-choice exams and prefer writing assignments.
In 2024, OCPS students saved nearly $5.8 million in college tuition.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Dual enrollment allows students to take college courses for free while still attending high school. This means students will earn
CTE PATHWAYS
college and high-school credits simultaneously. Schools offer transportation to and from campus and waives all course fees. This is a great opportunity for those who want to save time and money in college. However, students must maintain a 3.0 high school GPA to continue in dual enrollment. It is also important to note credits earned through dual enrollment may not transfer to out-of-state colleges. This is perfect for those who want college credit without the fear of standardized end-of-year exams and want to stay local.
Currently, OCPS students can take dual-enrollment classes at Valencia College, the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida.
Some high schools offer Career and Technical Education courses, which introduce students to high-skill, in-demand careers, including agriculture, hospitality, engineering and transportation.
Students can earn certificates and/or college credit.
West Orange high schools offering CTE pathways include Dr. Phillips, Horizon, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Olympia, West Orange and Windermere.
PRIVATE
MASTER CLASSES
PARTIES
MONTHLY PARENTS
MULTILINGUAL INSTRUCTORS
SONGWRITING
MOBILE
Eric Joiner & Glenn Joiner
FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
Since the 2023-24 school year, all Florida families — regardless of income level — became eligible for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options.
When Dr. Phillips’ Arianna Bryant works on a Baketivity kit for a homeschool assignment, she is learning multiple lessons across various educational topics. She is reading, working on math and learning about the history and culture of the country from which the STEM baking kit is made.
But the kit means much more than the educational topics. Arianna’s mother, Lacye Bryant, said her daughter is excited and engaged because baking is one of her hobbies. She’s not simply reading from a book and taking a test.
Being able to choose the curriculum and hands-on lessons that also pique her children’s interests are reasons why Lacye Bryant homeschools her three children, and without a Personalized Education Program scholarship, she wouldn’t be able to afford to homeschool her children.
Florida is known for its school choice options, and Step Up for Students, a state-approved nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, helps administer scholarships that help families afford to send their child to private school, homeschool or engage in other educational opportunities.
There are three types of scholarships available: private school scholarships, scholarships for students with unique abilities and the Personalized Education Program.
There also is a transportation stipend to support the transportation costs associated with traveling to a public school other than the student’s assigned school. School districts are not required to provide transportation to students who live within 2 miles of their school. The stipend is $750 per household for families of students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options provides on average $8,000 in financial assistance for private school tuition and related costs. The scholarships are available to all Florida students eligible for K-12 public schools, regardless of household income.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program was established in 2001 to provide an income tax credit for corporations contributing money to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations, such as Step Up For Students. The Florida Department of Education must approve private schools that meet the scholarship law’s requirements to participate in the program.
After the state eliminated financial eligibility restrictions for the program starting in the 2023-24 school year, all families became eligible for the program, but priority is given first to students whose household-income level does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level or who is in foster care or out-of-home care. Then students whose house-
BY THE NUMBERS
500,000
The number of students Step Up For Students serves through its scholarships
286,284
Students on the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship in the 2025-26 school year
2,500+
Private schools participating in the scholarships
140,147
Students in the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities in the 2025-26 school year
76,274
Students in the Personalized Education Program
hold-income level exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level but does not exceed 400% are prioritized.
In Orange County, Step Up provided 10,991 Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options in 2023-24, compared to 7,153 in 2022-23.
The scholarship for students with unique abilities provides on average $10,000 for students who have specific diagnoses and are ages 3 through 22 (grade 12, whichever comes first). The scholarship gives families access to an education savings account similar to a bank account so families can direct funds
SEE VOUCHERS PAGE 82
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to a combination of programs and approved providers including schools, therapies, curriculum, technology, a college savings account and tutoring.
Similarly, the Personalized Education Program provides on average $8,000 through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship through an education savings account.
The scholarship is available to K-12 Florida students who are benefiting from a parent-directed education. It can be used for tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring, instructional materials and more.
For the 2026-27 school year, the program can serve up to 140,000 students.
Lacye Bryant said for her family, the Personalized Education Program has been a game-changer.
She said Step Up For Students has a MyScholarShop that helps parents find and purchase resources, curriculum and instructional materials that are pre-approved without having to pay out of pocket. She simply types in a subject, such as history, and finds a hands-on lesson that will be of interest to her daughter. She also has the freedom to seek faith-based curriculum.
Lacye Bryant said being able to purchase their own curriculum and resources means her children can meet educational requirements while also completing lessons in ways that interest them or are related to their passions and hobbies. This year, Arianna Bryant is using part of her scholarship to purchase a camera so she can complete lessons while exploring her passion for photography.
The Bryant family also is looking forward to focusing on gardening this coming school year. The family is using the scholarship to purchase indoor growers and hydroponics, so they can plant and grow their own food that they then will use to cook and teach life skills.
A misconception of the various scholarships is that families can purchase whatever they like using the funds, but Bryant said purchases must follow strict guidelines
and be explained thoroughly to be reimbursed or to use money in the family’s education savings account.
Every year, more families are taking advantage of these scholarships to educate their children in the manner they prefer. Step Up for Stu-
dents currently is serving more than 500,000 through its scholarships, with 286,284 of those students using the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Education Options in the 2025-26 school year.
— LIZ RAMOS
Courtesy photos
The Bryant family uses voucher dollars to purchase curriculum for homeschool learning.
ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
CHAIR TERESA JACOBS
Teresa Jacobs became chair of the Orange County School Board in November 2018. Her final term will end Nov. 17, 2026. Two current members of the board, Alicia Farrant and Angie Gallo, are running to replace Jacobs as chair. Previously, Jacobs served two terms as Orange County mayor (2010-2018) and two terms as an Orange County commissioner (2000-2008).She also has served on the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, LYNX Board of Directors and MetroPlan Orlando.
DISTRICT 1
ANGIE GALLO
Angie Gallo was elected in 2018 as School Board member for District 1 and is a past president of the Florida School Boards Association. She is running to replace Jacobs as chair. Gallo has been volunteering in Orange County for more than 20 years. She served as PTA president at the elementary-, middle- and high-school levels, and also sat on the Orange County Council of PTA/ PTSA board of directors. Gallo also has served as School Advisory Committee chair for East Lake Elementary and on the SAC at Corner Lake Middle and East River High.
DISTRICT 2
MARIA SALAMANCA
Maria Salamanca was elected the District 2 member of OCPS in 2022. She is the youngest voice in district history after a student-led grassroots campaign. Salamanca was a student of the district for 12 years in six different schools. She attended UC Berkeley, where she studied political science and legal studies.
DISTRICT 3
ALICIA FARRANT
Alicia Farrant was elected in 2022. She now is running to replace Jacobs as chair. She has grown up in a life of public service and helping those in need. At 13, she moved to Guatemala with her family to engage in full-time charity work. After high school, she went into the medical field and worked her way from a CNA to an RN. She is the founder of Wigs of Hope, an outreach that creates wigs for underprivileged children.
DISTRICT 4 ANNE DOUGLAS
Anne Douglas was elected to the School Board in November 2024. She started her career with humble beginnings as a maid. She transitioned to become a public-school teacher in 1999 and specialized in elementary education. She holds a master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern University and has served for 25 years as an educator at OCPS, predominantly in Title I schools. Additionally, Douglas served as an adjunct professor at Valencia College for four years.
DISTRICT 5
VICKI-ELAINE FELDER
Vicki-Elaine Felder was elected to the School Board in 2020. She is known as a wordsmith and orator. She paints the power of words and ideas on the minds and canvas of those who hear her — especially her students. She possesses the versatility to reach for hidden potential found in all her students. This serves as a testimony of her ability and her commitment as a champion for education.
DISTRICT 6 STEPHANIE VANOS
Stephanie Vanos was elected to the School Board in 2024. She is a mom to three girls in Orange County Public Schools and graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University. She later earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Vanos is a member of the Education Committee of the League of Women Voters Orange County and served as its co-chair for two years. In 2021, she joined a statewide public education caucus and became the vice president.
DISTRICT 7
MELISSA BYRD
Melissa Byrd was elected to the School Board in 2018. From an early age, Byrd had a passion for education, deciding she wanted to be a teacher when she was in elementary school while growing up in Altamonte Springs. Her passion led her to the University of Central Florida, where she received her degree in elementary education in 1997 and started her career at Forest City Elementary, the school she attended as a child.
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Free college tuition? Yes, please!
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program gives Sunshine State students a unique opportunity to further their learning after high school.
Since its inception in 1997, Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program has helped more than one million Sunshine State students attend an in-state college of their choice.
The purpose of the program, funded by the Florida Lottery, is two-fold. Not only does it award scholarship money based on merit, but also it encourages high-performing Florida students to remain in the state.
The program includes four different scholarships; however, most traditional high school students earn either the Florida Academic Scholars or the Florida Medallion Scholars awards. Each of these come with specific academic and community-service requirements.
Students earning the FAS are awarded a scholarship worth 100% of tuition and mandatory fees, while students with the FMS receive 75%, at any of Florida’s public postsecondary institutions. The award is available for up to five years from the student’s high school graduation date. Students attending a private school in Florida can receive a comparable cost-per-credit-hour award.
It is important to note that the Bright Futures awards fund tuition and mandatory fees only. They do not apply to other costs, including housing or food, which constitute a larger percentage of the total college costs.
OTHER OPTIONS
In addition to the FAS and FMS, the Bright Futures program also includes options for vocational students, homeschooled students, those who have a Personalized Education Program, and those who have earned a Florida General Educational Development diploma. Furthermore, even out-ofstate students could be eligible if certain requirements are met.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for either the Florida Academic Scholars or the Florida Medallion Scholars award, students must meet initial eligibility requirements. See chart for specific requirements for each award.
n Graduate from a Florida public high school with a standard Florida high school diploma; graduate from a registered Florida Department of Education private high school; earn a GED; complete a home education program; or graduate from a non-Flor-
ida high school if specific conditions are met
n Complete the required high school coursework
n Achieve the required minimum high school gradepoint average
FAS/FMS AWARD REQUIREMENTS
n Achieve the required minimum score on either the ACT, CLT or SAT college entrance exam
n Complete the required number of volunteer service, paid work hours or the combination of 100 total hours
n Submit a Florida Financial Aid Application during senior year
Both the Florida Academic Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship require four English credits (three must include substantial writing); four mathematics credits (at or above Algebra I level); three natural science credits (two must include substantial laboratory); two social science credits; and two foreign/world language credits (sequential in same language).
GOLD SEAL VOCATIONAL SCHOLARS
The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award is available to students enrolled in a career education or certificate program. Requirements for these students include:
n A required weighted GPA of at least 3.0 in the non-elective high school courses
n At least three full Career and Technical Education credits (on-the-job training may not be substituted for any of the three required career credits)
n Achieve the required minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA in the Career and Technical Education credits
n Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT (19 in Reading, 17 in English, 19 in Mathematics), SAT (490 in Reading and 480 in Mathematics) or Florida
Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (106 in Reading, 103 in Writing and 114 in Mathematics)
n Complete 30 volunteer service hours, 100 paid work hours or the combination of both for 100 total hours
BRAGGING RIGHTS
West Orange’s and Southwest Orange’s growth over the years has created an atmosphere for healthy and intensely competitive — rivalries on the gridiron.
Every sports fan knows: Rivalries can intensify the competition — and drama — of any game. Think Packers/Bears, Yankees/ White Sox, Celtics/Lakers. Any time those teams meet, it is guaranteed entertainment.
Luckily, sports fans in West Orange and Southwest Orange have plenty of hyperlocal rivalries to satisfy their craving for competition, bragging rights and yes, even trophies. Here, everything began in 1975, with the opening of West Orange High School. The population was
booming with the opening of Walt Disney World, and the school opened to relieve the overcrowded Lakeview and Ocoee high schools. The new school became the new home for West Orange’s 10th- to 12th-graders. Lakeview and Ocoee became junior high schools and now are local middle schools.
For years, West Orange High served as the primary high school until 1987, when Dr. Phillips High opened. The home of the Panthers was situated in prime position for the rapidly growing population surrounding Orlando’s theme parks. It was designed to serve the
Southwest Orange suburbs.
Despite the distance of about 10 miles between the schools, the two were the largest high schools in the county and quickly developed into cross-town rivals through their well-established and productive athletics programs.
Changes remained stagnant until the 2000s, when Orange County as a whole experienced rapid growth as more and more discovered the beauty within its lands, opening Olympia and Timber Creek high schools in 2001. They were the first of Orange County Public Schools to be completed in the 2000s.
Olympia served as a relief school for the overcrowded Dr. Phillips, and a rivalry between the two emerged. The Panthers historically have dominated the football field, although the Titans
never have gone down without a fight. Out on the hardwood, both schools are known for their basketball powerhouses, and it’s guaranteed to be a lively crowd in either Mount Olympus or The House of Payne.
Ocoee High opened in 2005 to correct West Orange’s once again overcrowded campus. The northernmost high school in West Orange proudly boasts another competitive athletics program with a most recent back-toback Final Four appearance in women’s basketball and regional quarterfinals in football.
West Orange contractors went on another hiatus until 2017, when the Warriors were in dire need of help. Built in 2017, Windermere High opened its doors and quickly built a reputation on its quality programs. The Wolverines already have won state titles across wrestling, swimming and countless district and regional titles among team sports.
dominating force athletically and academically, it too was in need of help. The Wolverines’ population reached capacity in just one year.
Enter, in 2021, Horizon High. That school opened in tandem with neighboring Lake Buena Vista, and the two offered relief for both Windermere and Dr. Phillips.
As soon as the Hawks arrived in Horizon West, Windermere and Horizon were at odds. Although they’re new, the schools weren’t late to developing one of the area’s intensest rivalries.
The Hawks have come to love their purple and orange colors as the population cheers for their 28 different sports teams across the field. Much like Windermere, Horizon already has established itself as a dominating force, with multiple district titles through its highly successful weightlifting and cheer teams, and most recently a boys volleyball team making a state championship
THE HARDWARE
THE OLE ORANGE CRATE
The rivalry between Dr. Phillips High and West Orange High dates back to 1987, when Dr. Phillips first opened, splitting the population of Warriors. Since then, the first rivalry was born in West Orange and became known as the Ole Orange Crate Game. The two dominating football programs have competed for the orange crate since 1988. The rivalry went on hiatus when the divisions split in 2010 but resumed in 2015. It continues today, with both teams playing in Class 6A.
THE FENCE
West Orange and Olympia High’s feud began in 2001, when the Warriors were split when Olympia opened. This rivalry created the Backyard Bowl, and The Fence trophy, which symbolizes the yard-like
THE SHIELD
The Battle for the Shield began between Ocoee and West Orange High in 2005, when the Knights opened their doors for the first time since 1975. The neighboring schools — separated by just 7 miles — compete for The Shield every season, as well as advancement to further their district rankings.
THE SMUDGE POT
With the birth two new high schools in the area, Horizon and Windermere, a new trophy came into play five seasons ago — the Smudge Pot trophy of the Battle of the Groves. Horizon High claimed the first three titles in dominating fashion. However, for the last two seasons, Windermere’s Wolverines not only completed back-to-back 10-0 seasons but
Love Lifts Us
Area offers excellent options for students with special needs
Every child deserves an exceptional education, and there are multiple options in West Orange and Southwest Orange for families who are seeking education for their loved ones with special needs.
Fun fact: Orange County Public Schools alone serves at least 37,800 students in Exceptional Student Education. Of those, 13,419 have been identified as gifted.
All public schools throughout the district offer ESE services, but other unique programs could offer a better fit for those exploring alternative options.
The First Academy’s Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) was created for families seeking a Christ-centered environment for their children with special needs. This program features smaller class settings, personalized learning plans, specialized curriculum and teachers trained in proven approaches
to connect with students. In addition, DAL students are part of the wider TFA community — sharing the same campus life as their friends and siblings.
Another option is Pathways for Life Academy in Gotha. The school incorporates core academics with real-life application through a therapy-driven learning approach. The organization believes integrating life and social skills in the curriculum has a positive impact on students when they leave the school.
Brighter Journeys Academy in Dr. Phillips is a private school focuses on Applied Behavior Analysis principles and ensures each student’s needs are met with individualized curriculum
and teaching methods. With the support of board-certified behavior analysts, teachers use data-driven, decision-making strategies to identify areas of strengths and deficits to develop instructional plans.
Or in Winter Garden, there’s House of Academia, a K-12 school specializing in learning differences such as high-functioning autism, speech impairment, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, emotional/ behavioral differences, developmental delays, sensory processing disorder, gifted and more.
LIZ RAMOS
LOCAL OPTIONS
ABELS ACADEMY
350 Acceptance Way, Clermont
Applied Behavior Education and Life Skills Academy’s mission is to provide an educational environment promoting a child-centered approach to learning, the development of life skills and the advancement of family and community values.
PHONE: (352) 223-1999
WEBSITE: abelsacademy.com
BRIGHTER JOURNEYS ACADEMY
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite 72, Orlando Brighter Journeys Academy focuses on Applied Behavior Analysis principles.
PHONE: (407) 730-5969
WEBSITE: brighterjourneys.com/academy
BUILDING BLOCKS BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS
3200 S. Hiawassee Road, Suite 203, Orlando
Building Blocks offers direct 1:1 therapy for individuals with disabilities of all ages in a home, school or community setting.
PHONE: (407) 286-4031
WEBSITE: bbbinterventions.com
DISTINCT ABILITIES LEARNING
2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando
Distinct Abilities Learning offers a unique approach to teaching students with ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, ASD, dysgraphia, anxiety, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities and other unique abilities.
PHONE: (407) 206-8801
WEBSITE: thefirstacademy.org/academics/first-hope
HOUSE OF ACADEMIA
1150 Elboc Way, Winter Garden
House of Academia specializes in numerous learning differences with the objective of developing the overall personality and skills of every student through a high-quality education.
PHONE: (407) 473-3187
WEBSITE: houseofacademia.com
PATHWAYS FOR LIFE ACADEMY
1450 Citrus Oaks Ave., Gotha
Pathways for Life is a private middle and high school supporting students to excel in all areas of academics, life application and social skills integration in a therapy-driven environment.
PHONE: (407) 723-0030
WEBSITE: pflacademy.com
UCP CENTRAL FLORIDA — WEST ORANGE CAMPUS
1441 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden
UCP Central Florida’s mission is to empower children to achieve their potential, providing customized education, therapy and family-support services within an inclusive community environment.
PHONE: (407) 904-0135
WEBSITE: ucpcfl.org
There are a few higher-education options in West Orange County, all offering hands-on, personalized student education.
LOCAL LAUNCHPADS
While some students envision college as a time to leave the nest, others are opting to find a school close to home. Of course, as the largest university in Florida, the University of Central Florida attracts many graduates from West Orange and Southwest Orange.
However, there are options for higher education even closer to home.
“… the experience (at Orange Technical College) has been a massive confidence-builder. It taught me how to trust my instincts and sharpened my problem-solving skills, which helps me every single day.”
— David Stamper
ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE WEST CAMPUS
Orange Technical College’s West Campus is located at 2010 Ocoee-Apopka Road, Ocoee, at a new location that offers modern, state-of-the-art facilities and career-ready programs.
Since its founding in 1933, the college has continued to grow and evolve, with the goal of empowering students with superior academic experiences, essential life skills and boundless opportunities.
OTC students benefit from hands-on training in high-demand fields while gaining real-world skills that lead directly to employment or continued education.
The school offers apprenticeship programs, including plumbing, mechanical and electric; career-certificate programs in architecture and construction; and arts, audio/visual and communication. Continued-education programs include welding, short-term construction training and natural hair braiding.
David Stamper is enrolled in the school’s HVAC/R program at the West Campus and said his time at OTC has been nothing but amazing. Stamper chose to attend the school because he wanted to take control of his life and better himself. He knew he could accomplish that at the school.
“Professionally, OTC has com-
pletely elevated my skill set,” he said. “Beyond mastering the technical skills of my trade, it heavily improved my communication and customer-service abilities. Personally, the experience has been a massive confidence-builder. It taught me how to trust my instincts and sharpened my problem-solving skills, which helps me every single day.”
Stamper said the school offers students with upward growth, giving him and others the stability of knowing his skills always will be needed. He said OTC heavily focuses on its students and their future success.
“It’s a place where people can truly connect with a hands-on trade to build a better life,” he said. “The instructors and staff genuinely care about your personal growth and success, rather than just treating you like a number. … If you’re looking for a great school that will truly set you up for success, OTC is the place to be. To any newcomer, I would say:
Don’t second-guess yourself. Trust the process, stay focused and stick with it — the reward at the end is entirely worth it.”
VALENCIA COLLEGE WEST CAMPUS
Founded in 1967, Valencia College is the second-largest state college in Florida and the sixth-largest community college in the nation.
Valencia is among the top producers of associate’s degrees and certificates in America.
With seven campuses across Orange and Osceola counties, Valencia College serves 75,000 students each year. The college offers a wide variety of degrees and training programs, including 43 workforce-tailored associate degrees in science; more than 100 technical certificates and continuing education programs; seven bachelor’s degrees; and one two-year associate degree in arts, designed to transfer to a bachelor’s
AVERAGE TUITION COSTS
n Orange Technical College: $2,112 — varies per program
n Valencia College: $2,880
n Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine: $55,000
Additional costs such as fees, textbooks, parking, housing, food and transportation are not included. All three schools provide financial aid.
program at a four-year college or university.
And, because of its groundbreaking partnership in DirectConnect to the University of Central Florida, Valencia College boasts one of the highest transfer rates in the nation — with one in five UCF graduates starting their education at Valencia College.
Each year, Valencia College students earn more than 12,000 workforce credentials, including industry certifications and degrees in high-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, business and allied health. Those who stay in Central Florida are essential fuel for the area’s economy.
Valencia College’s West Campus, located at 1800 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, is home to the college’s School of Nursing; School of Allied
Health; and School of Engineering, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing. The college’s Plant Science and Agricultural Technology program is also based at the West Campus.
Hannah Wooten is a former student of Valencia College. When she began her studies, she believed her future was in political science, but after a few semesters at a state university, she realized it wasn’t for her. She decided to transfer to Valencia.
“Attending Valencia College, I quickly started enjoying school again because of the intimate class size and engaging professors,” she said. “Everyone was there for a reason — a new chance.”
At Valencia’s West Campus, Wooten took a class called neotropical biology to fill a science credit. However, in that class, she found her calling.
“I never thought of myself as a scientist,” Wooten said. “But something about this course piqued my attention.”
After graduating from Valencia, Wooten earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape and nursery horticulture with a minor in agribusiness management and then a master’s degree in agroecology from the University of Florida.
Today, Wooten works for UF Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences as the Central Florida specialized agent of commercial horticulture. She also serves as an adjunct horticulture professor at Valencia College.
“There are many things we can do to better educate ourselves,” she said. “It all starts with our roots; I found my roots in a random science class at Valencia.”
ORLANDO COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) is a private, fouryear medical school located at 7011
SEE HIGHER ED PAGE 98
“
Attending Valencia College, I quickly started enjoying school again because of the intimate class size and engaging professors. Everyone was there for a reason — a new chance.”
— Hannah Wooten
ED FROM PAGE 97
Students are going to see patients from all over (at OCOM), with all different kinds of concerns, comorbidity, family history, things like that,It’s very realistic to what we will see as future physicians because it is the real world and it is real patients.”
— Mariana Valdez
Kiran Patel Drive, Winter Garden, and is dedicated to educating the next generation of osteopathic physicians.
As Central Florida continues to experience rapid population growth, OCOM was established in 2024 with a clear mission: prepare compassionate, highly skilled physicians who are equipped to meet the evolving health care needs of our communities with a whole-person approach to patient care.
At OCOM, students experience an innovative curriculum that integrates foundational sciences with early clinical experiences, simulation-based education, research opportunities, leadership development and community engagement.
As part of the Horizon West community, OCOM is proud to contribute to the region’s continued growth by educating future physicians, supporting local partnerships and fostering a culture of service and lifelong learning. The college is committed to developing doctors who combine clinical excellence with
compassion, communication and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Ultimately, OCOM’s goal is not only to educate future physicians but also help improve access to health care throughout Florida and beyond by graduating doctors who are prepared to lead, innovate and provide patient-centered care wherever their careers take them.
Mariana Valdez is a student at OCOM, and through the school, she’s been able to learn beyond the textbooks. Through hands-on experiences, caring professors and colleagues, she’s able to make a
difference in the community even before graduating.
Through a recent partnership with Shepherd’s Hope, a faith-based nonprofit in Winter Garden that offers free health clinics for the uninsured and underinsured, she has been able to change the lives of many, and she’s not the only one.
“Students are going to see patients from all over, with all different kinds of concerns, co-morbidity, family history, things like that,” Valdez said. “It’s very realistic to what we will see as future physicians because it is the real world and it is real patients.”
— LETICIA SILVA
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OCPS 2026-27 CALENDAR
AUGUST
n Monday, Aug. 3, to Monday, Aug. 10: Pre-planning
n Wednesday, Aug. 5: Professional development day
n Tuesday, Aug. 11: First day of school
SEPTEMBER
n Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day (schools and district offices closed)
OCTOBER
n Friday, Oct. 9: End of first marking period
n Monday, Oct. 12: Teacher workday/student holiday
n Tuesday, Oct. 13: Begin second marking period
NOVEMBER
n Monday through Friday, Nov. 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
DECEMBER
n Friday, Dec. 18: End of second marking period
n Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2027: Winter Break
JANUARY
n Monday, Jan. 4, 2027: Teacher workday/student holiday
n Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027: Students return to school. Begin second semester/third marking period
n Monday, Jan. 18, 2027: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (schools and district offices closed)
FEBRUARY
n Monday, Feb. 15, 2027: Presidents Day holiday (teacher non-work day; schools closed; district offices open)
MARCH
n Thursday, March 11, 2027: End of third marking period n Friday, March 12, 2027: Student holiday/teacher workday
n Monday, March 15, to Friday, March 19, 2027: Spring Break (schools closed; district offices open)
n Monday, March 22, 2027: Begin fourth marking period
APRIL
n Friday, April 23, 2027: Teacher professional day; student holiday; teacher nonwork day
MAY
n Wednesday, May 26, 2027: End of fourth marking period/ last day of school for students
n Thursday, May 27, to Friday, May 28, 2027: Post-planning for teachers
n Monday, May 31, 2027: Memorial Day holiday (schools and district offices closed)
SEVERE WEATHER MAKE-UP DATES
PRIORITY DATE
CURRENT USE
1 Feb. 15, 2027 Presidents Day Holiday
2 April 23, 2027 Student Holiday
3 Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Break
4 Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Break
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