SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Leadership key to Foundation Academy’s success. SEE PAGE 1B.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024
VOLUME 9, NO. 30
Stirring up a hornet’s nest Horizon West Middle School celebrated its fifth anniversary with a festival. PAGE 3A.
Purple Power
YOUR TOWN HAMLIN HOEDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY Don your cowboy boots and hats: The Hamlin Hoedown returns this weekend. This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in the Hamlin green space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Mosey on down for a familyfriendly day filled with pony rides, a barnyard petting zoo and the toe-tapping tunes of DJ Renee. Engage in heartwarming crafts, games and good ol’ fashioned farm fun. For more, visit hamlinfl.com.
SOUTHERN CROSS PLANS FUNDRAISER
Alain Boniec, left, was all smiles as his wife, Julie, helped him put on his survivor sash at the 2024 Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista.
Photos by Michael Eng
Caregivers joined survivors for an emotional second lap at the Relay.
The Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista returned to Southwest Orange County Saturday, April 27, at Reedy Creek Fire Station 4. The emotional event celebrated cancer survivors and caregivers as it raised money for the American Cancer Society. SEE PAGE 4A.
Southern Cross Service Dogs will host the second annual Always Beside You Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando. The celebrity golf tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday. For those golfing or attending the gala, a welcome reception with special performances will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, guests can enjoy a pool party with live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the gala, which starts at 5:30 p.m. The gala will include a dinner, performances, a live auction and an opportunity to learn more about Southern Cross and its mission.For more, visit SouthernCrossServiceDogs.org or email Matt@AlwaysBesideYou. org.
Visit Orlando gets an earful from residents
STUDENTS PARTY AT CARNIVAL
Residents in Orange County District 1, which includes all of Horizon West, were asked to give their input on a 10-year plan that will guide the future of the tourism industry. SEE PAGE 5A.
Sand Lake Elementary School students and faculty blew off a little steam Friday, April 19, at the school’s Spring Carnival. SEE PAGE 5B.