SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WGLL All-Stars crowned tourney champs. SEE 1B.
FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024
VOLUME 9, NO. 36
Good times, grad times Dr. Phillips, Horizon and Ocoee all celebrate their seniors at graduation. 3-5B.
YOUR TOWN WINTER GARDEN HOSTING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Whisky business
Join the city of Winter Garden and various partners from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 15, for its Juneteenth Community Celebration. The event takes place at the park at 1203 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, and will offer family activities, guest speakers, children’s performances, a kids zone and more. Seating is limited, so guests are asked to take a lawn chair or blanket. Parking is available at the Healthy West Orange building, 1200 E. Plant St., across the street from the park. Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day, is June 19 and officially is recognized as a federal holiday.
Biologist wins FOLA’s Jim Thomas Award Nathalie Visscher was recognized for her tenacity in protecting Lake Apopka by fighting for the removal of hydrilla in Florida’s fourth-largest lake. SEE PAGE 7A.
Courtesy photos
Celebrity chef Richard Blais has built a culinary empire out of his deeply rooted love of food. The ‘Top Chef: All Stars’ winner will be at his restaurant, Four Flamingos, located at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, later this month. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Meet a West Point grad! Windermere High School alum Jacob Goldberg became the first Wolverine to complete the military academy. 3A.
Jerry Demings delivers 2024 State of the County The mayor highlighted the county’s achievements and plans for the future during his address Friday, June 7. SEE PAGE 2A.
REAL ESTATE See all of the area’s top realestate sales in our exclusive report. PAGE 9A.