W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
20SUMMER YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 24 FUN GUIDE
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 14
Enter the fun zone! Parents: Find the perfect camp for your kids in our guide. INSIDE. Observer
Mike Alexander worked for the Ocoee Police Department for 30 years.
OUT OF THE
BLUE Michelle Grogan served the community for 20 years with the Ocoee Police Department.
Happy Easter!
Brian Satterlee retired after 26 years with the Ocoee Police Department.
YOUR TOWN OCOEE’S EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA IS SATURDAY Ocoee’s Parks and Recreation Department is putting on its annual Easter Eggstravaganza from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Admission is free. The day of family fun will include an egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and other characters, and food trucks. Children 12 years old and younger can join in the scramble for thousands of Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes. The event also will feature family-fun activities, a game truck, bungee jump, bubble bus, rock-climbing wall, train rides, music and prizes. Bon Appetite Good Food, Co Deeze Café and Chick-fil-A will set up food trucks.
TOWN TO PRESENT OPERATION EASTER BUNNY
The Easter Bunny will make his way through the town of Windermere for the 2024 Operation Easter Bunny event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 30, throughout the streets of Windermere. Join the Windermere Police Department as the Easter Bunny travels around the town’s neighborhoods. When you hear the sirens, come out to say hello! Town staff also will be throwing bags of eggs and candy to children along the route.
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Three senior members of the Ocoee Police Department have retired in the last year. They represented a combined 76 years of law-enforcement experience in the city. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE! Work of HeART Meet the Winter Garden Art Association’s March Artist of the Month, Anna Cary. SEE PAGE 7A.
The First Academy baseball hosts annual O-Town National Classic. SEE PAGE 3B.
New restaurants signal continued growth in Ocoee With Antojitos Locos and Wine O’Clock Bistro coming to McKey Street, Ocoee’s downtown is improving. 2A.
HAMLIN TO HOST EASTER EVENTS Hamlin will host several Easter-themed events this weekend. The festivities kick off with the Dream Finders Hippity Hop 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Following the run, kids can schmooze with the Easter Bunny at the annual meet and greet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Finally, the community will host an Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. Sunday, March 31, on the parking deck at 14111 Shoreside Way. This sunrise service is led by worship leader Clay Crosse. Arrive early for a complimentary continental breakfast with coffee.