W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
IN THIS ISSUE: SEASON SPRING 2024
SEASON
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
SPRING / SUMMER 2024
2
THE OBSERVER’S GUIDE TO ARTS AND SOCIETY
MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 91, NO. 9
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024
‘Historic’ 9-10% raise Orange County Public Schools offered a $103 million investment in teacher salaries. However, the union representing teachers said the hike to health insurance costs is unacceptable. PAGE 2A.
MEALS ON
WHEELS
YOUR TOWN HORIZON WEST FEST IS SATURDAY
Horizon West Happenings is hosting the annual Horizon West Fest — its biggest event of the year — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Hamlin Town Center, on Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. The day will be filled with local flair, live music and an abundance of family-friendly activities. Business vendors will offer activities and giveaways, and local restaurants such as Skyline Chili, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, Crisp & Green, Crumbl Cookie, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will provide food, drinks and snacks. Home State Brewing will have beer and wine for attendees. A huge Kids Zone will include an inflatable rock wall, miniature golf, tot lot, bounce house, obstacle course, inflatable sports games and the Turbo Tubs carnival ride.
WIN $2,500 FOR YOUR SCHOOL!
Amy Quesinberry
Mike Forrester, left, president of the Central Florida Railway Historical Society, introduced Ken Murdock, Central Florida Railroad Museum curator and a member of the society since 1977.
FRIENDS FUR-EVER The town of Windermere celebrated all our furry family members at the town’s annual PetFest, held Saturday, Feb. 24. SEE PAGE 9B.
The Central Florida Railroad Museum takes visitors back to the golden age of passenger trains in its new exhibition, ‘Dining in Style: The Golden Age of the Railroad Dining Car.’ STORY ON PAGE 4A.
HANGIN’ 10: Details released on HW surf park
Ocean Sports Development is proposing the new 43acre park on a site formerly used as a landfill. SEE 6A.
Ready to rumble Ocoee High School’s wrestling teams snagged three championships this year to complete a historic season on the mats. SEE PAGE 1B