SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
VOLUME 8, NO. 29
Hottest party of all time! The Ocoee Fire Department rolled out the fire hose for its annual Open House. SEE PAGE 6B.
YOUR TOWN D’UVA RETIRING FROM CHAMBER
Stina D’Uva has announced her retirement from the West Orange Chamber of Commerce after 21 years with the business organization. Under her leadership as president and CEO, the chamber has grown into one of the strongest, most respected in Florida. D’Uva has led the organization through different economies, numerous personnel changes and a multi-year pandemic. Her retirement will be official at the end of the year. The chamber board has begun the task of searching for D’Uva’s successor.
Acting global Evan Fernando, a youth at St. Luke’s United Methodist, has been providing meals for people in his native country of Sri Lanka through his fundraising efforts. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
OCOEE CLASS OF 1973 TO HOLD REUNION
The Ocoee High School Class of 1973 is holding its 50-year reunion and is looking for classmates. The event is Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10. On Friday, attendees will celebrate with music, munchies and memories from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Tom Ison Senior and Veterans Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. Classmates are asked to bring memorabilia. The Saturday event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Cardinal classmates are asked to RSVP now to Mike Hopper, mhopper317@yahoo. com, or Pam Pounds, pamelabutler11@yahoo.com.
Evan Fernando has set a goal of feeding hot meals to 10,000 residents in Sri Lanka, where he was born.
Amy Quesinberry
Cause for alarm? Parents unsettled by increased threats at Hamlin Middle According to information from Orange County Public Schools, three of the four threats at the school in the past year occurred in April. SEE PAGE 7A.
WHOOP HAPPY 20TH! WHOOP! The First Academy Head of School Dr. Steve Whitaker celebrated recently his 20th anniversary of leading the school. PAGE 5B.
Windermere High’s lacrosse team snags third district crown. SEE PAGE 1B.