SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 3
YOUR TOWN ONP PLANS PUMPKIN GLOW
The Oakland Nature Preserve is making plans for its annual Pumpkin Glow and is inviting residents to carve or decorate a pumpkin for the Jack-o’-Lantern Trail. The gourds will line the onethird-of-a-mile trail from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Attendees also can enjoy candy stations, opportunities to take fun holiday photos, and the chance to meet some of the preserve’s animal ambassadors. To carve a pumpkin to display on the trail, register at oaklandnaturepreserve.org/pumpkinglow. The preserve also is collecting clear milk jugs for a project. Anyone with jugs to donate are asked to rinse them well and leave them on the porch of the education center, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland.
FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024
Spooky shenanigans Local schools sweeten fall fun with candy-filled trunk-or-treats. 5-6B.
‘This is for you, John’
ROTARY BETS BIG ON POKER TOURNAMENT
The Rotary Club of Winter Garden is hosting its 16th annual Texas Hold’Em charity poker tournament Friday, Oct. 25, at Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden Registration begins at 6 p.m., and cards fly at 7. The cost is a $75 donation with preregistration and $85 at the door — and this includes pizza, salad and two drinks. Prizes are Visa gift cards in the amounts of $250, $500, $750 and $1,250; plus, there will be raffles and door prizes throughout the evening. To register, visit rotaryclubofwintergarden.org.
KING OF DARKNESS RETURNS TO HORIZON WEST
The 2024 Windermere Among the Lakes run was one of Roxanne Baggott’s favorite races. She ran the Oct. 5 10K in memory of her son, John Watson-Baggott, also a runner, who died in April. STORY ON PAGE 4A. Courtesy photo
One of the first races John Watson-Baggott ran was about four years ago with his mother, Roxanne Baggott, in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The King of Darkness Waterski Festival is returning to Horizon West. The festival will take place from 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, on Lake Hancock, 14600 Pylon Court, Winter Garden. The event is free and will feature food trucks and a sitewide beer/cocktail garden for the adults, as well as free ice cream and face paintings for children. Along with all the festival fun, this professional water ski tournament — with $50,000 in prize money up for grabs — should provide plenty of action and entertainment in the water as well. For more information, visit kingofdarkness.org.
Disney affordable- GAME OF THE WEEK housing project receives approval Walt Disney World and developer The Michaels Organization will construct 1,369 affordable-housing units on 114.23 acres on Hartzog Road in Horizon West. SEE PAGE 7A.
The Ocoee High School Knights’ Michael McClenton is the best-kept secret in all of Central Florida football. SEE PAGE 1B.