W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023
VOLUME 90, NO. 28
Kids of the King to host its first summer camp Amy Klahr Terechenok is leading the way with a unique summer camp experience through her faith-based Christian musical theater organization. SEE PAGE 2A.
Beware: This is the new drug Police warn of xylazine, aka the Zombie Drug. 3A.
‘Gift from God’
YOUR TOWN CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK Join the city of Ocoee and the West Oaks Library for stories, songs and crafts to celebrate the city’s new Florida Friendly Garden. The event is from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. Families with children up to 5 years old are invited to bring a blanket, sit by the garden, sing a song and enjoy a story. There will be arts and crafts inside the Lakeshore Center and goody bags for all participants. Registration is required at bit.ly/3D49NhF. Space is limited. For more information, contact cmoser@ocoee.org.
COUNTY TO HOST FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Squeeze outlasts Deland
Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson is partnering with several organizations to bring a food distribution to the community Saturday, July 15. It will begin at 10 a.m. at Kingdom Culture Church, 12201 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Fresh food and other essentials will be provided by Orange County and community partners, including the Tildenville Safe Neighborhood Program and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Items will be distributed drive-thru style in the parking lot on a first-come, firstserved basis. For information, email district1@ocfl.net.
It took extra innings, but the home team came away with a victory. SEE PAGE 3B.
Courtesy photo
Taylor “Matthew” Bodine Jr. died in a car crash Friday, June 30. He was on his way back to Winter Garden from college. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Construction underway for Windermere Prep’s multi-use fields, track The improvements include a new artificial turf field and a new rubberized track. SEE 6A.
A-PEELING EXHIBIT Oakland’s heritage center is hosting an art exhibit honoring its citrus roots. SEE PAGE 6A.