SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Horizon thespians to perform at Orlando Fringe. PAGE 5B.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023
VOLUME 8, NO. 32
TFA grads turn tassels The First Academy kicked off the 2023 graduation season Friday, May 12. PAGE 10A.
Town mulls options for dock repair
A lion inside of those lungs When Horizon West resident Alan Ogletree has a break in his work schedule, he travels to local park benches to make music in God’s name. SEE PAGE 4A.
The Windermere Town Council voted not to raise the height of the Lake Down Park dock. SEE PAGE 5A.
YOUR TOWN OCOEE TO HONOR COUNTRY’S HEROES The city of Ocoee will hold its first in-person Memorial Day Ceremony since 2019. The ceremony will honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. The public is invited to attend. First Sgt. Daila EspeutJones, a retired combat veteran with 22 years of service in the U.S. Army, will be the keynote speaker. During her military tenure, she served in many positions around the world, which includes squad leader, platoon sergeant, training non-commissioned officer, customs supervisor, plans supervisor, area support team leader and Korean linguist. Espeut-Jones has received more than 30 awards and honors. She is chair emeritus of the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council. Ocoee resident Sherri Gladney will sing the national anthem. The Ocoee Police and Fire Department Honor Guards will present the colors and carry a wreath to be set in place at the city’s Memorial Wall. An Ocoee High School band member will play taps. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. For information, call (407) 905-3100.
Annabelle Sikes
Alan Ogletree’s one ask of God is this: “Put the words that will change anyone’s life and let me share a song that people will be impacted with.”
STOMACH BUGS
Windermere Prep’s ‘Swallowed’ considers what happens after the old lady swallowed the fly . SEE 3A.
SUMMER BLOWOUT Two area elementary schools celebrate the end of the year with welldeserved parties. PAGE 7B.