W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
VOLUME 90, NO. 26
City of Ocoee adds AED to park Martha Lopez-Anderson, a former Ocoee city commissioner, lost her son to sudden cardiac arrest in 2004 and continues to educate and advocate today through Parent Heart Watch. SEE PAGE 6.
Return to form WE LOVE THIS LAND Check out all these ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this year! PAGE 3.
YOUR TOWN OAKLAND TO UNVEIL EXHIBIT The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland is hosting a special exhibition June 29 through Sept. 1, and the opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at the center, 126 W. Petris Ave., Oakland. Attendees can meet the artists whose works are included in the exhibition and enjoy banjo music from Oakland resident Anthony Dixon. The local art and history exhibition will feature Oakland’s origins in the citrus industry and the great vegetable region. Learn about Oakland’s original citrus and vegetable farms, the major players in the industry, and contributions to Florida’s agricultural history.
Courtesy
The 10,000-square-foot clubhouse sits on the 145-acre property. Right: Rocky Hodge is the new face behind the golf course.
After closing in December 2018, Stoneybrook West Golf Club plans to reopen its doors with a newly updated golf course, clubhouse, lounge and pro shop. SEE PAGE 4.
ENJOY A MEAL, SUPPORT MATT’S MISSION
Bella Italia Ristorante is helping a local nonprofit by donating a percentage of the sales from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 29. Matt’s Mission is the beneficiary. Matt’s Mission is dedicated to increasing the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims by placing automated external defibrillators throughout the community and through education and training. The restaurant is at 13848 Tilden Road, Suite 192, Winter Garden. For information on Matt’s Mission, visit matthewsheart.org.
NATIONAL CHAMPS! The First Academy alum John DuBois won recently the 2023 NCAA Championship with the University of Florida golf team. SEE PAGE 15.
Photo by Annabelle Sikes
County revisits Reams Road traffic concerns District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson led a community meeting to discuss traffic concerns and an updated timeline on the two associated projects in the area. SEE PAGE 2.