W EST O RA N G E T I M E S & IN THIS ISSUE:
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 89, NO. 45
FREE
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Making a Point: New development revealed for east Winter Garden The Point on Plant Street, located at 996 E. Plant St. in Winter Garden, will combine retail and office space with an outdoor public area and courtyard area, and anchor restaurant. PAGE 2A.
YOUR TOWN LIGHT UP WINDERMERE IS FRIDAY Join the town of Windermere from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, for its annual Light Up Windermere event in Town Square Park, 520 Main St. Light Up Windermere is the town’s biggest food truck event of the year; 2021’s event saw more than 2,500 people attend. Mayor Jim O’Brien leads the countdown to lighting more than 200,000 lights across Town Square Park, at 7 p.m., officially kicking off the holiday season in Windermere. Guests will enjoy delicious food from 18 trucks, live music from DJ Russ and the DJ Truck, holiday choirs from Family Church, and a special performance from White Swan Academy.
DECEMBER 2022
WHAT’S
INSIDE
GIFT IDEAS / Page 8 / Holiday essentials to find the perfect something for everyone SAFETY TIPS / Page 10 / Ways to stay healthy and happy on the road HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS / Page 16 / Plan your holiday season SEASON OF GIVING / Page 29 / Check out these great ways to give back SHIPPING DEADLINES / Page 32 / Make sure your gift arrives on time
OrangeObserver.com
Ooh, Barracudas!
LOCAL MINISTRY COLLECTING TOYS The Finding the Lost Sheep street ministry is holding its 13th annual Christmas Outreach program and is asking the community to bring new toys for children in West Orange County. Toys can be dropped off at Impact Center, 784 Klondike St., Winter Garden; Kelly’s Foods, 650 Carter Road, Winter Garden; First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave., No. 2710; and House Blend Cafe, 10730 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. If taking toys to the Impact Center, donors are asked to call (321) 354-8885 for a drop-off time. Toys will be accepted until Dec. 15. For information, visit findingthelostsheep.com.
UNDER THE SEA! Ariel and all her friends were among the guests at the 2022 Matthew’s Hope Garden Party. 6A.
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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Postal Customer
Amy Quesinberry
A number of staff members have worked at the school since it opened 20 years ago: Felicia Robinson, left, Ken Kentner, Terry Coons, Coleen Chomanics, Angel Bodiford, Kimberly Coppola, Jaime Kentner and Heather Stepp.
Thornebrooke Elementary School is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It opened in 2002, with Danny Axtell as principal. SEE PAGE 4A.
Rising to the Challenge American Legion Post 63 hosted its 2022 Challenge 22 Walk and Picnic Nov. 12 in Winter Garden. PAGE 3A.
Playoff wins set up rematch between West Orange, Ocoee The Warriors and Knights dispatched their first-round foes and now will face each other Friday, Nov. 18. PAGE 1B.