W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 90, NO. 2
FREE
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023
Hoop dreams come true The Ocoee Police Department welcomed the community to its 2023 open house. SEE PAGE 7A.
YOUR TOWN REGISTER NOW FOR FASTPITCH SOFTBALL LEAGUE
The West Orange Girls Club has opened registration for its spring fastpitch girls softball league. Players ages 5-17 of all skill levels are welcome to participate in the nonprofit volunteer organization that has been supporting girls fastpitch softball in the area since 1978. Evaluations will be held Feb. 4, and the season will start March 4. To register, visit bit. ly/3VJ2bbd. For information, visit wogcpf.net.
Fight for her life
OAKLAND ISSUES CALL TO ARTISTS The Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland invites all adult and youth artists to submit 2D and 3D art, including multimedia, pottery and sculpture, for its annual Black History Month art exhibition inspired by black culture and/or art created by black artists. Submission deadline is Jan. 19. Artists must submit the following information to arts&heritage@oaklandfl. gov: artist name and contact information, title, medium, size, sales price, and photo. The exhibition will be on display from Jan. 28 through March 22.
WGHF TO CHAT WITH HISTORIAN Amy Quesinberry
Kristy Wilkinson’s second-graders at Westbrooke Elementary have rallied around her during her battle with cancer. Right: Kristy Wilkinson was determined to beat cancer so she could be here for her two daughters, Siena and Sydney.
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will talk to local artist and historian Rod Reeves in its next Facebook Live program, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. The live link will appear on the Winter Garden Heritage Facebook page, or folks can join in person at WGHF’s Heller Hall, 21 E. Plant St. WGHF Director Jim Crescitelli will talk with Reeves about his teaching career, his role as the first director of the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, local history and his collection of drawings covering many people and places in West Orange County.
Kristy Wilkinson was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago and is in remission after 12 months of treatment — but she’s currently battling high medical bills. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A. Courtesy
JUST THE CLASSICS
Here’s how you can celebrate MLK in West Orange County Winter Garden and Ocoee are hosting events to commemorate the work of the slain civil rights leader and to promote unity. PAGE 2A.
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The first Cruise-In event rolls into Hamlin. 2A.
It wasn’t in their plans, but Paul and Robin Bedford love owning Ocoee’s Pelican’s SnoBalls. SEE PAGE 3A.