SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Brazilian students at Family Church enjoyed Outsiders 2024. SEE 5B.
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
VOLUME 10, NO. 10
It’s glistening once again Winter Garden rolled out the red carpet for the Christmas season. SEE PAGES 6-7B.
More than 100 people participated in the Community Choir during St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s ‘Sounds of the Season.’
Photo by Howard Clifton
In perfect harmony St. Luke’s United Methodist Church will present its annual holiday concert — ‘Sounds of the Season’ — this weekend. SEE PAGE 4A. YOUR TOWN CHAMBER NAMES BIG ORANGE AWARD FINALISTS
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce has announced its finalists for the Big Orange Awards in six categories. The announcement was made at the Member Celebration Luncheon, held Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. The finalists are: n Sam Hovsepian/Mary VanDeventer Spirit of West Orange Award: Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, Jessica Villegas and Jim Zeitschel n George Bailey Award: Horizon West Happenings, We Are Winter Garden and West Orange Dream Center n Bert Roper Award: Community Health Centers, West Orange Habitat for Humanity and Dr. Phillips YMCA n Danniel J. Petro The Bright Future of West Orange Award: Chris Chan, Jamie Mark and Tim Haberkamp n Big Business of the Year: Foundation Academy, Valley Bank and Westgate Resorts
n Small Business of the Year: Dawn Gilmore Productions, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream and Revel Realty. The Ambassador of the Year and the Chair’s Award will be announced at the Big Orange Awards, set for Feb. 22, 2025, at Walt Disney World Resorts.
CREALDE PRESENTS NEW EXHIBITION The Crealdé School of Art presents “It’s a Wonderful Life in Winter Garden II,” a photographic exhibition featuring the work of 10 master class students guided by senior faculty member Peter Schreyer. The exhibition, on view through Jan. 3, 2025, at the Art in Public Places Gallery in Winter Garden City Hall, showcases blackand-white photographs in Winter Garden. The opening reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Attendees can meet the photographers and learn more about their work.
Rosen CEO outlines company’s future Frank Santos will succeed Harris Rosen as the CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. SEE PAGE 2A.
A SMALL WORLD Windermere Prep hosts students from all over the world for Nord Anglia’s 2024 Global Games. SEE PAGE 3B.
Freshman phenom L.J. Byrd has TFA basketball fans excited. SEE PAGE 1B.