SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
W ES T O RA YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. N G E T I M ES &
Obser ver Winter Garde
New head football coach embraces mission at Foundation Academy. 17A.
n, Ocoee, Oakla
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GASTON INDUC TED INTO NATIO NAL HONORS SOCIE TY Brandon
Jermaine Gaston, of Winter Garden, has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars NSCS is an honors . organization that invites fewer than 10% percent of all eligible students nationwide to join each year. NSCS is made up of scholars from two-year , four-year and online institutio ns. “We welcome Brandon Jermaine Gaston to our community of like-mind achieving nationwi ed, highde scholars,” NSCS founder Steve Loflin said.
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SEE PAGE 2A.
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PLAYOFF PREVIEW
EGGS-CITIN G TIMES AWAIT
In addition to local churches offering special services this Sunday, there are options for Easter a plethora of fun. HORIZON WEST n Dream Finders Homes Hippy Hop 5K — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden n Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoresid e Way, Winter Garden
Four baseball teams from West Orang e Southwest Orang and e seeking postseasonare glory. SEE PAGE 1B.
n Crossline Commun ity Church Easter Egg Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, Park, 17922 Old at Crossline YMCA Road, Winter Garden n Spring Eggstrav aganza — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at The Learning Experience — Windermere, 6290 Lake Smith Circle, Windermere OCOEE n Easter Eggstrav aganza — 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday April 19, at Ocoee , Lakeshor e Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive n Glad Tidings Church’s Egg Ocoee — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at the church, 2009 Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee WINDERMERE/G OTHA n Easter Egg Extravaganza — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at Town Square, 520 Main St., Winderm ere n Easter Sunrise Service — 6 to 9 a.m. Sunday, April 20, at Woodlawn Memoria Park and Funeral l Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemeter y Road, Gotha
Jaime and Anne -Marie Douglas president of the are the CEO and Mont The Dynasty | Ocoe ierre Development team behin d e project. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
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Winter Garden lift stations will be renovated
The city will renova out of the 94 lift te 44 stations, starting with the ones most need of renova in tions. SEE PAGE 6A.
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FREE • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE TO HOST 9/11 SUNSET SERVICE
YEARS
Thespians at Ocoee ‘The Addams Famil High School are bringing y Musical’ to the recently renova school’s ted Shows take place performing arts center. April 16-19. SEE PAGE 6B.
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The town of Windermere will host its annual 9/11 Sunset Memorial Service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Town Square Park. The town will honor the families and first responders whose lives were forever changed that day. This year’s service will include special participation from Family Church of Windermere and Windermere’s U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Lone Sailor Division. For more, visit town.windermere.fl.us.
SOBO PLANS ART AND YIN YOGA EVENT
Family plans new Italian restaurant in the town of Windermere. PAGE 3A.
The Winter Garden Art Association is hosting an Art and Yin Yoga event. The event will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 15, at 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. The event will offer deep reflection, stillness and healing. Attendees will be surrounded by visual art in a candlelit space. Together, they create a space for inner peace, creative renewal and emotional balance. The price to attend is $15 in cash. For more, visit wgart.org.
POLAR SHAKE NOW OPENS
SCHOOL SPIRIT! Windermere Prep celebrates 25 years in the community. 3A.
Andy Williams, a fifth-generation Windermere resident, and his mother, Lavina Williams, sit on the front porch of her home on Lake Down. All of the photos they are holding were taken on the same porch. Amy Quesinberry Price
Town Council Member Andy Williams is the fifth generation of his family to live in Windermere. He and his wife, Colleen, are raising their daughter, Loren, in the house in which the elected official grew up. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
A new shake place has opened in Lakeside Village. Polar Shake now is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 11620 Lakeside Village Lane, Suite 105, Windermere. This shop offers a large menu varying from shakes, ice cream, acai bowls and paradise rolls. With more than 40 flavors to choose from, there’s something for everyone. The store prides itself for its Instagrammable brand — from its products to environment. The store is continuing to serve the Tru Nature Juice Bar menu, as well. For more information, visit polarshake.com.
BALANCING ACT: Oakland dips into reserves The Oakland Town Commission approved a tentative budget that pulls $500,000 from reserves.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
The Oakland Town Commission unanimously approved a tentative budget that pulls $500,000 from the town’s reserves to balance its budget and cover a $360,000 deficit.
During a tentative budget public hearing Monday, Sept. 8, the commission unanimously approved a tentative millage rate of 6.7, which is the current rate. The General Fund totals $11,020,949 and includes $10,520,949 in revenue and operating expenditures as well as
$500,000 in town revenue reserves. Oakland Director of Finance Gaby Leon said if the town does not use $500,000 in reserves, the town would face a deficit of $360,000. Pulling from the reserves leaves the town with a remaining reserve of $135,741. The need to dig into the reserves
came after the town received revenue estimates from the state and other funding sources as well as updated expenditures and Fiscal Year 2026 projections. Leon said the town’s portion for SEE OAKLAND PAGE 4A