SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Meet the top area football players, the ‘24 All-Orange Observer Teams. PAGE 1B.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024
VOLUME 10, NO. 5
Wilson wins District 1 seat In other election results, Anne Douglas bested Kyle Goudy in the District 4 School Board race. SEE 2A.
YOUR TOWN
PAGEANT PRIDE
After suffering a sudden cardiac arrest newly crowned Mrs. Florida American 2024, Janaina Bonassi, is using her pageant platform to help inpsire hope in the hearts of other community members. SEE PAGE 4A.
OCOEE CEREMONY TO HONOR VETERANS The public is invited to attend the city of Ocoee’s 22nd Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. Retired Marine Corps Maj. Barron Mills will be the keynote speaker. Mills spent 20 years in the military; his prior experiences include leading Marines on missions in the Mediterranean, Haiti, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. His military career included a variety of roles, such as a project manager for a $42-miliion simulation training system, building a 5,000man Iraqi infantry brigade and leading a 35-man platoon in conducting security operations in Bosnia and Haiti. The program will include music, Ocoee’s police and fire department honor guards, a wreath placement, and refreshments.
WINDERMERE HOSTING VETERANS DAY PROGRAM The town of Windermere is inviting the community to its Veterans Day Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Town Hall, 520 Main St. The event will honor the veterans who served this country and will include a car show, food trucks and live music.
Courtesy photo
As Mrs. Florida American 2024, Janaina Bonassi is an inspiration for not only her family, but families across the United States.
ROCK THE HOUSE WITH HABITAT West Orange Habitat for Humanity will host its annual Rock the House celebration this weekend. The annual fundraiser will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the McKinnon Grove Family Farm, 1401 Williams Road, Winter Garden. Rock the House is a unique celebration for more than 400 friends to gather to enjoy live entertainment, participate in silent and live auctions, and celebrate Habitat family stories. West Orange Habitat has served hard-working families for nearly three decades through building and preserving homes, raising and upholding the community, and strengthening and safeguarding neighborhoods. Tables start at $500. To sign up, visit event.gives/ rockthehouse.
HAPPY AND HEALTHY
BRAINFOOD THANKSGIVING EATS! Kids, check out these recipes you can follow for your Turkey Day table. SEE 6B.
RESIDENTS ATTEND CHARRETTE Healthy West Orange partners with city for festival. SEE PAGE 5A.
The town of Windermere invited residents to have their say on the future of Town Square Park at a recent design charrette. 6A.