SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
IN THIS ISSUE: SEASON SPRING 2024
SEASON
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
SPRING / SUMMER 2024
2
THE OBSERVER’S GUIDE TO ARTS AND SOCIETY
MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024
VOLUME 9, NO. 21
‘Historic’ 9-10% raise Orange County Public Schools offered a $103 million investment in teacher salaries. However, the union representing teachers said the hike to health insurance costs is unacceptable. PAGE 2A.
Beachy keen
YOUR TOWN HORIZON WEST FEST IS SATURDAY
Horizon West Happenings is hosting the annual Horizon West Fest — its biggest event of the year — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Hamlin Town Center, on Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. The day will be filled with local flair, live music and an abundance of family-friendly activities. Business vendors will offer activities and giveaways, and local restaurants such as Skyline Chili, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, Crisp & Green, Crumbl Cookie, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will provide food, drinks and snacks. Home State Brewing will have beer and wine for attendees. A huge Kids Zone will include an inflatable rock wall, miniature golf, tot lot, bounce house, obstacle course, inflatable sports games and the Turbo Tubs carnival ride.
WIN $2,500 FOR YOUR SCHOOL!
HANGIN’ 10: Courtesy photos
Located north of the Disney resort area, the 1,100-acre Evermore Orlando Resort features a multitude of amenities, including Evermore Bay, a man-made, eight-acre pool designed to look like a natural lagoon. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
FRIENDS FUR-EVER The town of Windermere celebrated all our furry family members at the annual PetFest, held Saturday, Feb. 24. SEE PAGE 9B.
Details released on HW surf park
Ocean Sports Development is proposing the new 43acre park on a site formerly used as a landfill. SEE 6A.
Ready to rumble Ocoee High School’s wrestling teams snagged three championships this year to complete a historic season on the mats. SEE PAGE 1B