W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 47
Your hyperlocal wish book
OrangeObserver.com
XNLV22399_V7
The Observer’s Holiday Gift Guide features gifts, community events and more! SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE.
Works of
Will Winter Garden end recycling services?
HeART
Staff estimates the city is spending more than $1 million per year on recycling services, but the volume of recycled material is decreasing. SEE PAGE 8A.
Oakland resident Joseph ‘Joe’ Warren is a lifelong artist in myriad media. SEE PAGE 7B.
YOUR TOWN
GAME OF THE WEEK
FOUNDATION ARTISTS SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER
Those who frequent downtown Windermere might have seen something new recently. Foundation Academy’s National Art Honor Society has added a little Christmas cheer to the town with a Christmas mural at Vintage Realty, 501 Main St. Portfolio and AP Art students worked in shifts to complete the mural.
WINDERMERE HIGH SGA PLANS HOLIDAY EVENT
Windermere High School’s Student Government Association will host a Winter Wonderland event at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the school, 5523 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Windermere. The event, which is open to the public, will feature story time with Windermere’s Homecoming queen and king, photos with Santa, games, giveaways, and performances by the choir, band and dance team. Rumor has it that the forecast is calling for snow that day, too!
Michael Eng
The French family includes mother Kelly, father Jason, daughter Addison, and sons AJ, left, and Greyson, right.
Route cause Hundreds of runners laced up for the Winter Garden-based French Family Foundation’s second annual 5K/Fun Run, held Nov. 16 in Hamlin. The organization supports people with disabilities, their families and those seeking adoption of children with disabilities. PHOTOS ON PAGE 4A.
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE A Lakeshore Preserve home topped all area real-estate sales from Nov. 11 to 17. SEE PAGE 9A.
The West Orange High Warriors will meet Plant City in the next round of the 2024 playoffs. SEE PAGE 1B.
Annexation process to continue Despite mixed opinions from Windermere Town Council members, the Chaine du Lac annexation will move forward to a second reading. SEE PAGE 2A.