SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 47
FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
Fun for one, fun for all! The Roper YMCA Family Center on Aug. 23 hosted Healthy Family Day. PAGE 20A.
YOUR TOWN
SAVE THE DATE: WINDERMERE HIGH FALL BASH 2025
CHECKMATES
HouseWiseofWOC HouseWise Supply & Demand AUGUST 2025
Housewise of WOC is an Observer Media Group sponsored content product.
INSIDE
Windermere High School’s PTSO is preparing for its annual fall event. This year’s Fall Bash will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Home State Brewing Company, 6016 New Independence Parkway, Suite 100, Winter Garden. Attendees will enjoy drinks, food, music and a silent auction — all to raise funds for faculty and club grants for the school. All ages are welcome. Last year’s event raised $5,000; organizers hope to raise $6,000 this year. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit teachtix. com/whsptso/fall-bash.
Market Moves
n Halfway through 2025, RE/MAX real-estate adviser Carmelo Nuccio shares his predictions on a volatile market as we head into the end of the year and into 2026. n While some companies have scaled back — or even eliminated — their homeowners’ insurance policies in Florida, State Farm remains committed. n The Orlando Regional Realtor Association hosts its State of Real Estate event.
Here is the latest edition of HouseWise. INSIDE.
Hotel sells for $10.3M
WIN TICKETS TO CHRIS BROWN, ANDREA BOCELLI
Details on the future of the historic Edgewater Hotel in downtown Winter Garden still are murky. But here’s who bought it. PAGE 7A. Attention music fans: You can score tickets to two of the hottest upcoming shows and support the Winter Garden Art Association and SOBO Art Gallery at the same time. The office of District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson has donated two tickets to both the Chris Brown concert, scheduled for Sept. 30, and Andrea Bocelli, scheduled for Oct. 9, at the Kia Center. Suggested donation for raffle tickets is $20 for the Chris Brown concert and $25 for the Andrea Bocelli concert. The Chris Brown raffle closes Sept. 14; the Andrea Bocelli raffle closes Sept. 24. Winners will be notified by email or phone. No purchase necessary; limit one free entry per household. To enter the Chris Brown raffle, visit wgart.org/chrisbrown. To enter the Andrea Bocelli raffle, visit wgart.org/ raffle-tickets-bocelli.
GAME OF THE WEEK Liz Ramos
Alpha & Omega Orlando Chess Club co-founders Valentina Naumenki, left, and Steven Tavarez, right, are working with Coach Todd Kay to expand the reach of the club and provide new opportunities for local chess players.
Dr. Phillips’ Alpha & Omega Orlando Chess Club looks to expand its reach and provide more opportunities for local chess players. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Windermere doctor sentenced in slaying Dr. Thomas Wentzell pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the December 2024 killing of his wife, Linda. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. STORY ON PAGE 8A.
West Orange overcomes early deficit to beat Evans in Week 1. SEE PAGE 15A.