SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 9, NO. 45
Olympia’s top Titan! 15A.
FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
Painting with pride
YOUR TOWN
West Orange High School seniors left their colorful mark on their personal parking spaces in the annual Warrior tradition. SEE PAGE 19A.
OCOM WELCOMES INAUGURAL CLASS
Photos by Jason Cannon, Cannonfire Photography
The inaugural class of 97 students at Horizon West’s Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine started their first week of classes Monday, Aug. 5. OCOM is more than an investment of $200 million into the community. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
MVBJJ Academy opens in Hamlin The academy offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes taught by Marcos Vinicius. SEE PAGE 3A.
OAKLAND EXHIBIT TO FEATURE LAKE APOPKA ART The town of Oakland and the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland will highlight the successful restoration story of Lake Apopka through an artand-history exhibition running until Oct. 25. The gallery opens Friday, Aug. 16, showcasing more than 60 pieces of art and photography from 31 local artists: Cheryl McLean, Philip S. Avello, Talia Mancera, Kelly Pounds, Laura Serdiuk, Tiffany Santos, Diana Eagles, Rebecca Corcoran, Robin Churchill, Mary Kathryn Van Kleunen, Amy Ashley, Jon Burket, Joni Banks, Ansa du Toit, Marie Dudek Brown, David Minichiello, Bev Nethers, Robin Ulery, Joseph Warren, Sidney Barger, Xamara Maisonet, Wei-Shen Chin, Matthew Chin, Lauren Chin, Karina Ross, Lori Warren, Jan Pewsey, Sara De Jesus, Jennifer Walker, Reed Walker and Shelley Connard. The reception, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., also will include encounters from Gatorland; banjo music from theme park musician Anthony Dixon; and food offerings. The public is invited to attend this free event.
Ocoee golf course WAY BACK WHEN changing hands Ocoee’s Forest Lake Golf Club is undergoing a change in ownership. SEE PAGE 2A.
Alice Dees Kennedy, whose grandfather was A.B. Newton, Winter Garden’s first proprietor and mayor, tells stories of yesteryear. SEE PAGE 5A.