SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 8, NO. 14
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Longtime DP security guard retires. PAGE 5B.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023
Just the classics The first Cruise-In event rolls into Hamlin. SEE PAGE 2A.
YOUR TOWN REGISTER NOW FOR FASTPITCH SOFTBALL LEAGUE
The West Orange Girls Club has opened registration for its spring fastpitch girls softball league. Players ages 5-17 of all skill levels are welcome to participate in the nonprofit volunteer organization that has been supporting girls fastpitch softball in the area since 1978. To register, visit bit. ly/3VJ2bbd. For information, visit wogcpf.net.
OAKLAND ISSUES CALL TO ARTISTS The Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland invites all adult and youth artists to submit 2D and 3D art, including multimedia, pottery and sculpture, for its annual Black History Month art exhibition inspired by black culture and/or art created by black artists. Submission deadline is Jan. 19. Artists must submit the following information to arts&heritage@oaklandfl. gov: artist name and contact information, title, medium, size, sales price, and photo.
WGHF TO CHAT WITH HISTORIAN The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will talk to local artist and historian Rod Reeves in its next Facebook Live program, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. The live link will appear on the Winter Garden Heritage Facebook page, or folks can join in person at WGHF’s Heller Hall, 21 E. Plant St.
DR. PHILLIPS TO HOST OPEN HOUSE Orange County students are invited to a Visual and Performing Arts open house at Dr. Phillips High School. The event is at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Performing Arts Center. There will be a short performance from each strand (band, chorus, dance, orchestra, theater, TV/film, and visual art) and students can meet the VPA faculty.
Hoop dreams come true The Ocoee Police Department welcomed the community to its 2023 open house. 7A. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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Photos by Andrea Mujica
Windermere Prep senior Giovanna Bassi De Melo stands in front of a world map ini the community cafeteria that reads “Many Nations … One Family.”
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Residential Life program at Windermere Preparatory School gives exchange students a place to call their own. SEE PAGE 4A.
Here’s how you can celebrate MLK in West Orange County Winter Garden and Ocoee are hosting events to commemorate the work of the slain civil rights leader and to promote unity. PAGE 2A.
FAMILIAR FACES It wasn’t in their plans, but Paul and Robin Bedford love owning Ocoee’s Pelican’s SnoBalls. SEE PAGE 3A.