01.01.26 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

VOLUME 11, NO. 13

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The Observer Media Group staff wishes you much happiness and success in 2026!

YOUR TOWN OCLS, FAIR PLAN TALES FROM THE FARM EVENTS

Sew sweet

The Orange County Library System and the Central Florida Fair are partnering to bring Tales from the Farm, a fun farmthemed story time and animal meet-and-greet to several libraries this month.

The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Windermere Branch, 530 Main St., Windermere; 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Winter Garden Branch, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden; 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at the Southwest Branch, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando; and 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee.

Animals will vary by location.

Registration is required at bit. ly/4oZYyMw.

OCOEE TO CELEBRATE MLK The city of Ocoee’s 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19.

The parade begins at Citrus Elementary School, 87 N. Clarke Road and ends at the parking lot of the West Oaks Mall. The public is invited to attend a post-parade celebration that will take place in the West Oaks Mall food court at 11 a.m. Ages Hart will be the keynote speaker for the celebration.

Organizations may register for the parade by visiting ocoee. org/MLK.

YEAR IN SPORTS

Photos by Liz Ramos

Bridgewater Middle School students worked for more than a month on the Squishmallows Keene’s Crossing Elementary third-graders designed.

Left: Eighth-grader Bernardo Castello was adamant about being assigned the reindeer Squishmallow his third-grade sister, Carolina Castello, designed. “She really deserves it,” he said.

Bridgewater Middle School art students bring Keene’s Crossing Elementary students’ dream Squishmallows to life.

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Celebrate the 2025 sports seasons one last time with our look back. PAGES 16-17A.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

Is yours the fittest neighborhood in West Orange?

Maddy Owens, owner of Fit ’N Fierce, has created a fitness competition to take place between neighborhoods in West Orange.

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

People can kick off their fitness New Year’s resolutions with a fun and friendly competition through Fit ’N Fierce of West Orange.

Fit ’N Fierce is a communitydriven fitness collective located in Gotha, Ocoee and Dr. Phillips.

Maddy Owens, owner of Fit ’N Fierce, has created a friendly neighborhood competition, Battle of the Neighborhoods, to normalize working out.

From January to March, a maximum of five people from the same neighborhood in West Orange can come together to create a team and sign up for the challenge with a chance to win $1,000.

“There’s a different level of accountability that comes with a journey when you’re not doing it alone or with a couple of friends,” Owens said. “(Because) we are a community-driven fitness program, I was like, ‘I really want to do a competition where (participants) have to have a team from their neighborhood.’”

Owens said competitions can make people stay consistent and motivated, especially when there is a cash prize involved.

Courtesy photo

Fit ’N Fierce members take on a variety of challenges together. The collective is hosting a neighborhood challenge to kick off 2026.

“For some people, fitness is a punishment,” she said. “We’re trying to normalize being active. It’s supposed to be part of every day life, not a part of something you only do to reach a certain health marker. …

We’re trying to find a way where we can help people make this a lifestyle change as opposed to just a phase they go through.”

Owens recalled her fitness journey starting at 7 years old,

working out to a VHS tape called “Balance Workout.”

Owens said she didn’t know what working out meant back then and believed the tape was an interactive movie. “‘Can we watch this movie together?’” Owens would ask her mom. “I was just having fun, just being active. And then one day, my mom said, ‘I’m too tired to work out today, Maddy.’”

That is when Owens realized the tape wasn’t just an interactive movie but rather her mom’s workout tape.

“Because it was fun for me, I didn’t develop a negative relationship with it, and I kept it up my whole life,” Owens said. “I became a nerd over how the human body adapts to the physical demand you put on it. So I carried that through middle school, high school and college.”

The love she has for fitness is one she hopes to share with her clients through this competition, making them fall in love with it, as well.

“When I have an off period, it really impacts my ability to get through my day, like my sleep, my mood, my energy levels,” she said. “Everything just gets thrown off and I realized, ‘Wow, exercise is such a key part of life.’”

Owens said there are multiple ways for a team to earn points in the competition to rise to

HOW TO JOIN COST: $10 DETAILS: Minimum of four groups with five participants in each team.

WHEN: January to March. Deadline to sign up is Saturday, Jan. 3. The final fitness competition will take place March 7 at 2220 Hempel Ave, Gotha.

WEBSITE: Visit fitnfierceofwestorange.com/battle-of-theneighborhoods to sign up.

the top including attending classes, eating healthy meals, bringing new members to classes, coordinating matching outfits, participating in challenges such as push-ups and planks, and more.

Points will be tracked through a private group chat and a master leaderboard that are updated by Owens.

“This is just to help promote healthy living habits,” she said. “I would love for this to be an annual event that grows and gets bigger with time.”

The challenge will end March 7, 2026, with a final competition in which people will participate in fitness challenges, such as carrying 50% of their body weight, a minute-long farmer’s carry and more.

The final competition will be open to all to attend and cheer on their neighbors, friends and family.

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Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Liz Ramos, lramos@OrangeObserver.com Historian / Amy Quesinberry Price, amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com

Mila Sobek and Veronica Zamora Carrasco showed off their completed Squishmallows.

Courtesy photo

Horizon West schools find common thread

CONTACT US

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange.

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MANAGING EDITOR

T

Courtesy photo

SOME OF THE CREATIONS Keene’s Crossing Elementary School third-graders let their imaginations fly with their Squishmallow designs. Here are what some came up with: n Butterfly n Turtle n Reindeer n Avocado n Lime n Unicorn n Capybara n Pirate pig n Spider-Man n Axolotl n Queen bee n Pineapple n Pepperoni pizza

homas Velasquez, a Bridgewater Middle School eighthgrader, was hopeful.

He worked for more than a month on a turtle Squishmallow, carefully selecting the colors, making every stitch exact and matching all the details to the design in front of him.

He wanted the turtle named Bobby to look exactly like the one Keene’s Crossing Elementary third-grader Henry Rose designed as part of a collaborative art project between art classes at Bridgewater Middle and Keene’s Crossing Elementary.

When Thomas handed Henry a white paper bag and Henry pulled out the Squishmallow, he smiled.

Mission accomplished.

The Squishmallow looked just like the design.

Dozens of third-graders were filled with joy as they unveiled Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Squishmallows seventh- and eighth-graders handmade for them based on their designs.

Bridgewater Middle School art teacher Kevin Hand and Keene’s Crossing Elementary art teacher Wendy Martinez deemed the collaborative project a success.

GOING OLD SPOOL

Both Hand and Martinez have wanted to bring their students together with older or younger students, but they never had the opportunity.

That is, until Hand attended last year’s art show at Keene’s Crossing Elementary School. He saw the great work that was done, and he approached Martinez with an idea.

What if his middle-school students worked with her elementary students on a project?

With the popularity of Squishmallows, the idea formed easily.

“I live locally, right around the corner, and my kids are in elementary and middle, so the same age group,” Hand said.

“I thought it’d be a really neat project.”

As soon as Hand and Martinez introduced the Squishmallow project to their students, all of them were enthused and engaged.

T h i rd - g ra d e rs made sketches of their dream Squishmallows.

“The fact that as an artist, designer, they can actually design their own Squishmallow and have it come to life, that was the magical part,” Martinez said.

Martinez said the project “wasn’t hard work

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Keene’s Crossing Elementary third-grader Henry Rose was pleased with the Squishmallow Bridgewater Middle eighth-grader Thomas Velasquez made.

at all” for her elementary students, because they were so engaged. They immediately were excited, which made it for an easy lesson to create.

She said the elementary school is filled with the most talented, creative students who were able to apply real-world techniques and skills to their designs.

The designs ranged from animals to fruits and vegetables to whatever the third-graders could dream up like aliens.

“Their creativity is unbridled,” Hand said of the third-graders with a chuckle. “It did make it difficult, but my kids are the best, so they did a good job of it.”

Eighth-grader Isabella Glass said she couldn’t recall being as creative as these third-graders when she was their age. She saw many designs based on characters from books, TV shows and movies.

With some complicated designs, some middle schoolers had to use critical thinking skills to problem solve, even if it meant starting all over again. If the stitches were wrong, they were undone and restitched.

Isabella said there was pressure to create the Squishmallow to look exactly like the design. The middle schoolers didn’t want to disappoint the third-graders.

Eighth-grader Laura Caldeira, forgot to stitch the arms onto her Pokémon Squishmallow, so she had to start again.

But those mistakes are what added to the challenge and fun of the project.

The artists didn’t let any setbacks deter them from completing the project, and many were proud of what they created.

Seeing the final Squishmallows, Hand and Martinez were blown away.

They were in awe of how similar they were to the third-graders’ designs.

PIN PALS

What made this collaboration all the more special was the students knowing their creations were meant for someone else.

When eighth-grader Bernardo Castello first learned of the project, he asked which elementary students would be participating. He was thrilled to learn his sister Carolina

Castello, a third-grader, would be involved. He asked Hand to have his sister’s creation because he felt she “really deserves it.”

Bernardo shared with his little sister that he was making a Squishmallow for her, for which she was grateful.

He made minor color adjustments to Carolina’s reindeer design that he thought would make it even better. He had some challenges with stitching the body together, but it all worked in the end.

Carolina said her brother’s work was amazing.

Understanding the kind gesture of the middle-schoolers, a third-grader approached Martinez wanting to find a way to give back to them.

They brainstormed ideas and came up with friendship bracelets.

Martinez taught them Kumihimo, a Japanese braiding technique.

Carolina wanted to keep the bracelet a secret from her brother, so she hid away in her mother’s bedroom while she worked on it. She was proud of her finished bracelet.

Bernardo thought if his sister was born just a year or two before or after, he never would have been able to participate in the project with his sister, so the Castello siblings were appreciative of the opportunity to gift one another something handmade.

Martinez said the collaboration was more than just learning art lessons; it was about making lasting memories.

“The spirit of giving on both ends was just a beautiful thing to see,” she said.

For Martinez, the project exchange Wednesday, Dec. 17, was emotional.

She was seeing some of her former third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students now as seventh- and eighthgraders, and they continued to pursue a passion for the arts.

“It was really a full-circle moment for me, because I realized that maybe what I do now affects them in the future,” she said. “It made me realize that, yes, what I do here has an impact on their future.”

After a successful first year, both Hand and Martinez hope to make the collaboration a tradition for their schools. They can’t wait to see what their students come up with next.

Left: Eighth-grader Isabella Glass was proud of her finished product.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

Seniors Kathy Tran and Vivi Huynh made Chinese New Year lanterns to hang around the Windermere Prep campus as part of the school’s Day of Service.

Published Jan. 30, 2025.

Right: Windermere’s patriotic horse statue was reinstalled as a permanent reminder of one of the town’s favorite sons, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon.

Published Jan. 16, 2025.

Nicholas Marotta and his grandmother, Judy Patrizzi, went on a skydiving adventure after he returned from his two-year mission to Madagascar. Published Jan. 2, 2025.

JANUARY

Erin Huntley, the chair of the Orange County Republican Party, traveled to Tallahassee in December to cast a vote for President-elect Donald Trump on behalf of Florida residents.

Published Jan. 16, 2025.

Both Winter Garden and Ocoee honored the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with inspired celebrations Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Published Jan. 23, 2025.

Ben Snyder Jr., with the help of his mother, Michelle Snyder, wrote a book that shares a biological child’s view of growing up in a household with more than 25 foster ‘siblings.’ Published Jan. 23, 2025.

Attorneys for Tommy Zeigler submitted new DNA analysis that could exonerate the Winter Garden furniture store owner who has been on Florida’s death row for nearly 49 years. His evidentiary hearing took place in December 2025. Published Jan. 30, 2025.

OCOM Media Engineer/IT Specialist Edwin Gonzalez, left, and Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Robert Hasty worked together to produce The OCOM Podcast. Published Jan. 23, 2025.

The town of Windermere kicked off its centennial with a Torch Lighting Ceremony of the Centennial Flames Friday, Jan. 24, at Town Hall. Published Jan. 30, 2025.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

Nearly 30 students from The First Academy traveled to New York City for a multipleday field trip full of educational and cultural experiences. Published Feb. 20, 2025.

Petty USA performed note-for-note renditions of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers hits.at the 2025 Winter Garden Music Festival, held Saturday, Feb. 22, in downtown. Published Feb. 27, 2025.

FEBRUARY

Florida state Senator for District 15 Geraldine Thompson died Feb. 13, 2025, after complications from knee surgery. She was 76. Published Feb. 20, 2025.

City officials and staff welcomed Ocoee residents for the reveal of the 1,200-foot McKey Street Centennial Mural as part of the city’s 100-year anniversary festivities.

Published Feb. 13, 2025.

Curtis Massey, Oakland’s first black mayor, led the town at a time when it had few paved roads, a two-person police department and no town taxes. Published Feb. 20, 2025.

Left: Attendees had a blast trying various food and wine at the 11th annual Windermere Wine & Dine Saturday, Feb. 1. Published Feb. 6, 2025.

Water Spring Middle School eighth-graders descended upon the New Yorker Ballroom on the second floor of New York Beer Project for the school’s annual semiformal dance. Published March 27, 2025.

Right: The father-son team of Mac and Jesse Bishop spent nine solid months rebuilding a 1979 Ford Bronco, and it is nearly road-ready. Published March 6, 2025.

MARCH Faith, coffee and help from their church community keep Daniel and Brianne Griffis moving forward on the days they feel they’re at their breaking point. The couple loves their house full of children, laughter and chaos. Published March 27, 2025.

Windermere Preparatory School sent 29 students to Tanzania for a trip of service, education and exploration. Published March 20, 2025.

Left: London Hudson, a second-grader at Windermere Elementary, competed in a pie-eating contest at the school’s Family Festival Saturday, March 1. Published March 6, 2025.

Windermere High School senior and recently named Super Scholar Samuel Lahik was among the four people killed in a late-night crash Saturday, March 1. Published March 6, 2025.

Left: Olivia Berman, 4, and her 4-month-old sister, Maya Berman, both dressed as Ana for the Rosen JCC’s Purim Pop-Up Friday, March 14. Published March 20, 2025.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista returned for its second consecutive year — and 19th total — at District Fire Station No. 4. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the fundraiser. Published April 3, 2025.

APRIL

Irene and Bud Veit celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary at the Rotary Club of Winter Garden’s annual Evening at the Pops Saturday, March 29, at Newtown Park. Published April 3, 2025.

Families throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange had plenty of ways to celebrate Easter. Published April 24, 2025.

Hundreds of beer connoisseurs flocked to Hamlin for the second annual Hamlin Craft Beer Festival, presented by Legacy Events for Education in partnership with Observer Media Group. Published April 3, 2025.

Mei Ashton’s passion has turned into a business that inspires others and spreads awareness for her invisible illnesses. Published April 24, 2025.

Left: Family Church’s Brazilian Community presented its Easter drama production Sunday, April 20, at its Lakeside Village campus.

Published April 24, 2025.

Right: Pathways for Life Academy helps students not only in academics but also in life. Karen Wise taught students Alejandro Resto and Nya Joseph how to make lasagna. Published April 17, 2025.

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Season’s greetings Here’s to all good things this holiday season.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

For 20 years, customers needing to send packages, buy stamps or pick up mail at the Winter Garden Post Office on West Colonial Drive likely walked up to Ramanand Rewah’s window. The longtime USPS employee retired in 2025. Published May 1, 2025.

Gold Star families, along with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orange County Sheriff John Mina, concluded Woodlawn’s Memorial Day Service with a dove release. Published May 29, 2025.

Top right: The town of Windermere continued its centennial celebrations by unsealing and revealing the contents of the 50-year time capsule the town buried in 1975. Published May 1, 2025.

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

West Orange High School’s Class of 2025 participated in three Warrior traditions — the Sen’ya Later Parade, the Senior Walkout and Senior Sunset — to cap their final week of their high school careers. Published May 22, 2025.

The West Orange Junior Service League held a festive 15th annual Run for the Roses Saturday, May 3, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. Published May 8, 2025.

MAY

Amy Quesinberry Price has told West Orange’s stories for 35 years. She ‘retired’ from the Observer Media Group in May. Published May 15, 2025.

Joel Doss, of Ocoee, was nominated for the one-day trip to Washington, D.C., to experience the war memorials in the nation’s capital. Doss served in both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. Published May 29, 2025.

Winter Garden’s Young Star Musical Theatre’s production of ‘Les Misérables: School Edition’ featured a cast of about 60 young actors. Published May 8, 2025.

Ocoee’s Don Bedwell was the first in line at the grand opening of Wawa. He was thrilled to receive his free cup of coffee and T-shirt. Published May 8, 2025.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

St. Luke’s Youth Theatre Camp participants brought Disney’s “Dare to Dream Jr.” to life on stage. Published June 26, 2025.

After undergoing a second liver transplant, Horizon West resident Andrew Wagner has a new outlook on life. Published June 19, 2025.

Left: Jerry Chicone, a titan of the citrus industry and of Winter Garden, died May 29, 2025. He was 90. Published June 12, 2025.

West Orange and Southwest Orange residents were among the first to experience Universal’s Epic Universe. Published June 5, 2025.

Agave Bandido opened in June in Hamlin. Published June 12, 2025.

JUNE

The Backyard opened Tuesday, June 10, in Ocoee.

The new venue brings guests options for food trucks, drinks and outdoor party activities. Published June 26, 2025.

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida’s Asian Cultural Festival took place in Ocoee. Published June 5, 2025.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gave the State of the County address, stressing the importance of working together efficiently. Published June 19, 2025.

Winter Garden held a celebration June 21 with booths, food, music and more to honor Juneteenth. Published June 26, 2025.

Windermere High School celebrated its Class of 2025 with an energetic graduation ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Kia Center. Published June 5, 2025.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

LaVon Bracy Davis won the primary for Florida Senate District 15. Published July 3, 2025.

Left: Phil Cross has lived his entire life in West Orange County and has become a historian on the area and its railroads.

Published July 17, 2025.

JULY Austin Arthur was named West Orange Habitat for Humanity’s new president.

Published July 31, 2025.

Right: Tim Keating, 65, led his life with service to his family, his community, his church and his industry.

He died Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Published July 31, 2025.

Horizon West’s Amelia Crassus de Senior found a new passion in painting after arthritis took away her first love of the arts: playing piano. Published July 31, 2025.

Left: Amelia Sherlock and Palmer Trien (top row), and Kenny Trien, left, JP Sherlock and Luke Sherlock all enjoyed the Fourth of July in Windermere.

Published July 10, 2025.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

West Orange County’s

Church DIRECTORY Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

West Orange High seniors enjoyed painting their school parking spaces. Published Aug. 14, 2025.

BAPTIST

METHODIST

First Baptist Church

First United Methodist

Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church

PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

@ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

St. John’s PCA

Starke Lake Baptist Church STARKE LAKE BAPTIST

Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden

Pastor Jeff Pritchard CHURCH PO Box 611 W Ave, Ocoee PO Box520, 520 Pastor Jeff Pritchard 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

Victory Baptist Church Pastor Thomas Odom N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee &1105 Christian Academy

A complaint against the Williams Holiday House threatened the future of the Winter Garden mainstay. Published Aug. 21, 2025.

407-656-8011

AUGUST

407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 9:30AM 6:00PM

1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH (407) 656-3097 241 N. Main, Winter Garden www.VBCOCOEE.com Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM www.churchofthemessiah.com Wednesday: 7 PM

Meets at West Orange HS 1625 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 321-343-7741 Sundays: 10:30 AM www.stjohnspca.com

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

NON-DEN

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Dr. Gideon Logan, the medical director, Deauna Medaris, the nurse manager, and Jonathan Ortiz, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, were thrilled to welcome community members to the new HCA Florida West Orange Emergency.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

Artist Jordan Emmitt created a new mural that transformed Westbrooke Elementary’s media center. Published Sept. 18, 2025.

Mayra Feliciano, from Dr. Phillips High School’s Air Force JROTC program, was recognized as the No. 1 cadet in the world. Published Sept. 18, 2025.

SEPTEMBER Andy Williams, a fifth-generation Windermere resident, and his mother, Lavina Williams, sit on the front porch of her home on Lake Down. All of the photos they are holding were taken on the same porch. Published Sept. 11, 2025.

Left: Thousands of West Orange residents honored the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk at a vigil held Saturday, Sept. 20, on the steps of Winter Garden City Hall. Published Sept. 25, 2025.

Southwest Orange’s celebrity horse, Tsaber, turned 38 this month, and locals celebrated him at a birthday party Sept. 13.

Published Sept. 4, 2025.

The West Orange Times & Observer celebrated its 120th anniversary with a party Sept. 11, 2025. Published Sept. 18, 2025.

Left: Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Oakland Mayor Shane Taylor, Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and Winter Garden Mayor John Rees shared their thoughts at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s State of the County Q&A. Published Sept. 25, 2025.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

13A

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce geared up for the fourth annual Stina D’Uva Tour de Chamber Community Bike Ride in Horizon West. Published Oct. 16, 2025.

Left: Southern Hill Farms celebrated 10 years of its Fall Festival with a corn maze that pays homage to owner David Hill’s baseball history. Published Oct. 23, 2025.

Scott Billue, founder and CEO of Matthew’s Hope, with friends David and Eileen Buckles at the nonprofit’s Mobsters & Money fundraiser. Published Oct. 2, 2025.

Left: Julia Merritt was one of two Orange County students to place at the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ fifth annual Florida Future Chef Competition. Published Oct. 30, 2025.

OCTOBER

Oakland Nature Preserve educator Jenifer Odom taught attendees about different species of snakes at ONP’s Nature Fest. Published Oct. 2, 2025.

Left: Windermere High School seniors enjoyed a morning of friendships and reminiscing during the Class of 2026’s Senior Sunrise. Published Oct. 2, 2025.

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Right: Sleep in Heavenly Peace is dedicated to the betterment of children’s lives, and the Windermere Police Foundation supported that mission with a bed build Oct. 18. Published Oct. 9, 2025.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

It was a bittersweet goodbye as West Orange High Principal Matt Turner left to take on a new role with Orange County Public Schools.

Published Nov. 6, 2025.

Left: Kurt Gies, founder of Challenge 22, left, led the ninth annual ruck walk to support veterans.

Published Nov. 27, 2025.

NOVEMBER

Eight Waves founder Sarah Meyer celebrated the nonprofit’s successes at the 2025 Wavemaker Luncheon.

Published Nov. 6, 2025.

Left: Foundation for a Healthier West Orange representatives went all out for the West Orange Habitat for Humanity’s 2025 Rock the House event. Published Nov. 27, 2025.

Marching bands from throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange performed a wide variety of music in their shows at the 2025 Florida Bandmasters Association District 8 MPA, held Saturday, Nov. 1, at Boone High School, Orlando.

Published Nov. 13, 2025.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

15A

Helena, Flavio, Gustavo and Thayna Dicanco were cozy together in their beach chairs at Water Spring Elementary’s Winter Drive-In. Published Dec. 11, 2025.

Left: Trey Hildebrant, Sarah Hildebrant, Jude Hildebrant, Bear Hildebrant, Maverick Hildebrant, Melody Rigdon and Tim Rigdon were all smiles at their first Light Up Winter Garden. The Hildebrants just moved to Winter Garden the day before the event. Published Dec. 11, 2025.

DECEMBER

Hunter Hyun loved playing in the glow-in-the-dark bubbles with his dad at Light Up Windermere. Published Dec. 4, 2025.

Longtime Disney entertainer Billy Flanigan hosts Christmas tree lots outside Windermere High School, with proceeds benefiting the school’s choir program. Published Dec. 18, 2025.

A quartet of West Orange and Southwest Orange students performed with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band on Thanksgiving Day. Published Dec. 4, 2025.

Right: Natalie Naak and her friend Aurora Matthews loved riding on Foundation Academy’s float in the 2025 Winter Garden Christmas Parade. Published Dec. 18, 2025.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

1

2025

3

YEAR IN SPORTS

4

2

T

he sporting world is constantly changing.

Every year, we see

new coaches, players and teams emerge on their quests for victory. We see stars being born to take the places of the ones leaving for college. We see new records set, banners hung and hardware added to the trophy case.

For West Orange and Southwest Orange, 2025 was a year chock full of all of that — and more.

So, before we dive into the new year, let’s take one last look back to celebrate the 2025 Year in Sports.

1

The First Academy Royals baseball team began the 2025 high school season as the favorites to win the Class 2A, Region 2 championship, and the team exceeded its initial hopes. The team won its sixth consecutive district championship and a second consecutive regional championship.

But the history-making didn’t end there. The team brought home the second state championship in program history by defeating Trinity Christian Academy 7-2 May 21, 2025.

The record-producing season came under the guidance of firstyear head coach Alan Kunkel.

“We set the expectations and the standard of the program, (and) we wanted to focus on the ability to improve daily, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well,” he said of the season.

TFA closed out its impressive season by graduating a class of eight seniors who served as some of the Royals’ top players.

2

In 2025, Windermere Prep’s soccer squads knew how to get it done. The Lakers’ girls team won the FHSAA Class 2A, District 6 title game, 4-1 over The First Academy, for the first time in school history. A day later, Windermere Prep’s boys team won the Class 2A, District 6 — its first in a decade. What’s more, the boys team also claimed the district championship with a 4-1 win over Foundation Academy.

“This is the fifth year we’ve reached the district finals, and before this season, we lost every single one,” Windermere Prep boys soccer coach Jonathan Griffiths said.

“It was nice to finally get over the line, because this has been something we’ve been building toward.

I have 11 seniors on this team, with

seven of them starting, and I’ve seen them grow and learn what they needed to do to be successful over the last couple of years.”

3

Dr. Phillips High’s boys basketball team was one of the many programs in the area to bring in a new coach for the 2025 season. But what set the Panthers apart from some of the other coaches selected was the team welcomed state championship head coach Ben Witherspoon back.

The former Panthers’ head coach left Dr. Phillips in 2022 and tested the waters on the collegiate level at the University of Central Florida before returning to where he coached high school ball for three seasons.

“Coach Witherspoon is well known in the Orlando basketball community,” Panthers Athletic Director Jason McDaniel said. “He brings a lot of opportunities for Dr. Phillips High to expand and grow our men’s basketball program. One thing that is vital in sports is community. Coach Witherspoon has the ability to bring our basketball community together and that is what we need at this time.”

5

4

As only a junior in high school, Windermere High swimmer Rylee Erisman broke the National High School 100-meter free record. She broke Olympic swimmer Gretchen Walsh’s five-year-old National High School record of 46.98 seconds. Erisman swam the 100-meter free in 46.73 seconds Saturday, Nov. 15, at Florida’s 4A State Championship.

Since then, she announced she will be reclassifying to the Class of 2026, graduating high school a year early and taking her talents to the University of California at Berkeley.

6

OrangeObserver.com

6

Foundation Academy football team welcomed new head coach Daniel “D.J.” White, a former Apopka High linebacker, at the beginning of the season.

“The vision for this team is very simple: We will work hard, play with passion and serve with purpose,” White said at the beginning of the season.

The first season under White came to a close in the semifinals of the SSAA 11-Man playoffs, and the team finished 10-3. The Lions’ loss to Mount Dora Christian Academy was its largest point differential since Aug. 16, 2024, when the team fell 42-17 to The Master’s Academy. The loss also marked the end of Foundation’s seven-game winning streak and the end of its season.

Lions senior quarterback Braydon Marks threw for 152 yards, and wide receiver Ben Ford picked up

7

17A

9

8 10 62 of those yards. Running back Sam Wood rushed for 45 yards and earned himself one touchdown.

7

Foundation Academy’s competitive cheer team once again showed up and showed out over its competition. The girls’ dynasty held strong, and the team earned its fourth FHSAA Class 1A Large Non-Tumbling State Championship. What made the award even more impressive was that two-thirds of the team was brand new to the sport and were not a part of Foundation’s 2024 voyage to winning a state title, a national championship and a world championship.

“This season has really just been incredible,” Foundation Academy’s co-coach Kristin Johnson said.

“Seeing the joy on their faces, tears streaming down their eyes and love

for (one another) after hitting zero at states is a memory I will never forget.”

8

Foundation Academy welcomed the public and donors to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the brand new, eight-lane track and bleacher expansion Friday, Oct. 1. Its celebration marked the beginning of a long-awaited dream becoming a reality. The new track and bleachers are the first projects that were completed in a larger facilities upgrade at the school. A new concession stand, restrooms and a press box also were in the works.

“Everything we do is to serve the needs of our students,” Foundation Academy Chief Operations Officer Robert East said. “A track isn’t just for track and field; it supports cross-country, PE classes

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and training for our entire athletic program.”

The expansion plan started in 2021, when the planning team laid out the rough draft for what was to come. With funds coming in Feburary 2025, the school got to work. With the upgraded track, Foundation was able to host its first Class 1A, District 4 crosscountry meet Wednesday, Nov. 5.

It marked an exciting new step for the school and the future to come.

9

Eric Lassiter served at the helm of Windermere High’s baseball program for all seven years of its existence and led the team to a Class 7A championship game, but to kick off the 2025 year, he stepped down. He left the program in good hands and handed it off to the Wolverines’ pitching coach Brian Adkins.

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“I look forward to watching the program’s continued success under the leadership of my great friend and colleague Brian Adkins and the rest of the current staff,” Lassiter wrote in his farewell letter.

10

Windermere Wildfire softball club was open for 17 years. In those years, the club reeled in three national titles, three state championships and more than 200 players who went on to the college level. Unfortunately in 2025, the club came to a close and said goodbye to that chapter of its life. George Paulson looked back at the softball club he founded and due to the landscape of the club and travel ball as a whole, he decided it was the best time for him to make an end to the team.

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In the 2025 season, three local basketball teams made their way down to the state championship Final Four arena. On the girls side, Dr. Phillips’ girls basketball team pushed its way down to the state championship game for the fourth time in a row. The team won the state championship game the three years prior and wanted to attempt it again but fell short 45-42 to Winter Haven.

The Ocoee High girls basketball team might have fallen in the Final Four and not advanced to the state finals when it lost to the overall No. 1 seed, the Winter Haven Blue Devils, 65-41. However, the team made school history by winning its first regional championship and achieved the goal the team had set at the beginning of the season.

“At the start of the season, when we talked about our goals, making it to Lakeland was at the top of that list, and that’s what we did,” Ocoee head coach Marcus Spencer said.

“I gave them a vision; we even got shirts that say ‘Lakeland’ on it and for the first time in school history we’re here.”

On the boys side, Windermere High’s team pushed its way to day two of the tournament in Lakeland after winning the semifinal game 59-39 and secured the program’s first state title appearance. In the title game, the team unfortunately fell 68-36 to Columbus.

“They put in a lot of hard work; they bought into the idea of playing for each other,” Windermere High’s head coach Mark Griseck said. “It’s a great group; I’m sad to see the seniors go. … Ultimately, I’m just proud of the character of our guys, they’re great kids.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THE WAYS

WE WERE

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY

1945: 80 years ago

Mrs. Hearn Ficquette was here from Texas for a visit with her parents-in-law.

1950: 75 years ago

FROM THE ARCHIVES A happy and healthy 2026 to all!

On this holiday, let’s visit the Woman’s Club of Ocoee, still operating at 4 N. Lakewood Ave. It held its charter meeting Jan. 17, 1924. As it celebrates its 102nd birthday, we herald this service organization’s century of community outreach.

According to past club reports, the group “was called upon for all kinds of services: a layette for a new baby, glasses for an elderly couple, bleachers for the school, everything from little Boy Scouts to City Fathers.”

Eva Sims of the Bluford Sims lineage donated two lots in town where the clubhouse was constructed with Works Progress Administration funds in 1936. Furnishings were purchased by members, each lady pledging to buy one chair.

The archive of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation houses the history of Ocoee and is available to all researchers. Contact the center at museum@wghf.org.

Lakeview High School seniors impressed the faculty, administration and students with their fine record made during the Florida 12th-Grade Testing Program sponsored by the University of Florida.

Principal Robert L. Moore said one fourth of the class of 1966 scored higher than 400, with the maximum of 495 points.

Calvary Baptist Church planned a $125,000 addition to its church sanctuary on Dillard Street. Plans called for the auditorium to seat 600, according to Pastor Reynold Lemp.

Bill Blaine, graduate and assistant teacher of fine arts at the University of Syracuse, came home for Christmas bringing new paintings and etchings for the Webb Gallery Christmas show in Winter Park.

to become its vicar. He served as vicar for two missions in Belle Glade and Pahokee and was dean of the West Palm Beach Deanery.

1970: 55 years ago

1995: 30 years ago

The Rev. Arthur L. Dasher accepted a call to the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

Palm Lake Elementary students shared their resolutions for 1996.

In Mrs. Poelker’s third-grade class, Daniel McGarigal resolved to stop fighting with his brother; David Howe promised to re-

cycle and take shorter showers; Kaley Elkins said she would put away her toys after playing with them; Mikana Maeda vowed to help people stop using weapons because all around the world lots of children and people get injured; Tehotu Batani wants to help people stop using drugs; and Allyson Emmer resolved to stop arguing with her sister and help take care of her brother. In

Mrs. Lesh’s fourth-grade class, Charlotte Manley vowed to find ways to get places without using so much rubber; Jessica Stillwell promised to turn off her radio when leaving her room; Stephanie Johnson vowed to stop her constant talking; Luis Ayuso wanted to learn to save money; and Wayne Clemens resolved to improve his handwriting.

celebrity cipher

crossword DOUBLE-BOOKING by Sam Brody, edited by Jared Goudsmit starred clues’ answers

46 Passed along, like

125 Word after “funny” or

information

“wish”

50 Throat malady, briefly

126 Workout unit

52 Sleeve ink, for short

127 Joining, like oxen

55 “... you get the idea”

128 Ready to play, like a harp (Abbr.)

129 Bugs that farm aphids

56 Tiff

130 Podcast interruptions

58 Removed, as from a bank

131 Gently strokes

account

132 Hearty, soupy meals

62 Has a chat with

DOWN

ACROSS 1 Cliff projection 6 Carded

10 Campfire residue 13 “I call it!”

17 Cold and distant 18 “Hold your horses!”

20 Corp. big shot 21 Admired figure

2 Jazz great Fitzgerald

69 Kenyan’s neighbor

3 It’s one letter off from

70 Bring in, like moola

“sour,” aptly

72 Hellish being

4 Suddenly have no

73 Altar vow

thoughts

74 Chinese search engine

5 Pair in Buffalo?

company

6 Darjeeling’s country

77 Sums

7 Dusk’s counterpart

80 A haiku contains 17

8 Endorse digitally

82 Salad with bacon and

9 Mo. when Kwanzaa starts

eggs

10 Land measurement

84 Putting up

11 Navy guy

86 Golden State sch. that

12 ___ pink

Jack Black attended

13 Coke Zero alternative

87 Really labor

14 ___ gossip (some small

88 Short jump

talk)

91 Tidies, like hedges

15 Tapioca pearls

93 Persuaded

16 Word after “grand” or

96 Is under the weather

“poetry”

98 Infamous cow owner in

18 Ascended slowly

Chicago history

19 Energy point in yoga

100 NNW’s opposite

23 Garlicky spreads

101 Berate profanely

29 Some fancy shoes

103 Shouted

30 ___ Men (“Who Let the

107 Stopped dreaming

105 Burn reliever

Dogs Out” band)

108 Animals such as the

22 *Lunch with three slices of bread

36 Blunders

24 Snitch

110 Nerve cell part

37 Broad bean

25 “Luther” star Idris

111 Tenant’s payment

38 Country once called

26 Noble below a marquess

113 Little mischief-makers

Persia

115 Leave out

40 Qatari leader

117 Sheet of glass

41 Writer/director Nora

118 Backstage workers

42 Going out with

119 Contributes

43 Wipe away

121 Prohibition ___

44 PDF, e.g.

123 Alley-___

61 “Decorates” on Halloween 92 Saxes lower than altos

35 “Stat!”

63 Gives an address

94 Pigeon’s call

37 “Grand” end

65 Bubble bath spot

95 ___ Cowboys (NFL team)

39 *It’s said the moon is

67 “Look at her moving,

97 Extensive

made of it

baby, she’s the ___” (Chap-

99 *Short cnn.com video,

44 *Aspect of the Force that pell Roan lyric)

e.g.

Darth Vader uses

68 *Window-closing button

102 *Bit of monthly mail

46 Domain

71 *What supports lying

104 Informal

47 Little Simz or Lauryn Hill people?

48 Lab eggs

74 Steamed bun

49 Group that’s part of a

75 “Spill the ___!”

106 Landform akin to a butte 32 ___ Vegas Aces 34 “Been there” 108 Eyelid afflictions

larger group, in math

76 Teeny

109 Pointed remarks

51 Internet destination

78 Down in the dumps

112 “The Simpsons” saxo-

53 ___ nut (source of some

79 Moola dispensers

phonist

81 Rainbow’s shape

114 “Gee whiz!”

83 Serve a prison sentence

116 Pet welfare org.

27 Sweet stuff on a birthday butter) 54 Walking sticks candle 28 Attention-getting sound 30 Second-string group 31 Hawaiian greeting 33 Sneaker brand, or a

66 Sound like a real ass?

68 Really bothers

goddess

57 Kitchen container’s cover 85 Fountain of ___ (mythical 120 Figure skating maneuver 59 Uncooked

spring)

121 Shade tree

60 Cool color named after

89 Brit’s “Goodness me!”

122 College offering, or

a flower

90 Trucker’s hitch, e.g.

what follows each half of the

“C AFCXM AFDA AJ HDMZ VJHZAFCXI DWCYZ, CXVAZDN JL JX D GDIZ, CV DX FJXJODRWZ ADVM. DXN CA ASOXV HZ JX.”

64 Take effect

1 “Tatted” fabric

©2026 Universal Uclick

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

HCMZ XCTFJWV

“ITG NTOXHTRM LT AWVPL WP XPLVGX EWPRNJWAX TI SVNKWE VOWUXGM YVLF BKNL NFXXLN TI YTGRN – LFWL’N OWUVJWE.”

OTN RXI

“EPYPGGPV HW EBX MHGWE RZLIF ULSX PM L 365 ULSX RPPF. VGHEX L SPPA PIX.” WHISXG RGLA ULHWZXT Puzzle Three Clue: Y equals M

1965: 60 years ago

Puzzle Two Clue: H equals B

Three Cub Scout dens and their sponsors met at the Fellowship Hall of the Methodist church for a Christmas party. Johnny Rodgers was awarded the Webelos badge, and Jesse Waller Jr. was awarded a silver arrow.

Editorial view: “The crossing at the corner of Plant and Main streets is very dangerous, and should the owner of a car kill a child or a grown person at this corner for failure to blow his horn, he would be guilty of murder. Four miles an hour in passing through the streets is fast enough.”

DEC. 28, 1995 It once was common practice for local businesses to take out small advertisements in The West Orange Times and its predecessors to wish shoppers, customers and residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and 1995 was no exception.

Ushering in the new year with best wishes, peace, blessings, joy and good luck were many area establishments, many of them still in business today: Stevens Legal Service, Glenn Joiner & Son, Car Store, Hatley Pest Control, Jowers Batteries, Trophies Unlimited, Modern Stationery, American Phoenix Corporation, Bryan’s Insurance Agency, DJ’s Auto Sales, George McClellan, Hudson Tire & Service Inc., Credit Car Center, ERA Orange World Realty, Suzi Karr Realty, A First Class Travel Services, H&R Block, Bray Hardware, Auto Electric, Clark Tire & Automotive, L&J Transmission, Traywick’s Garage, Times Printing, Alderman Marine, Fulmer Cleaners, B&S Plumbing, Crawford Tire Service, C. Wayne Efurd and Associates Inc., Ton’s Jewelry, Palm Tree Properties, Bowers Furniture & Appliance Inc. and The Medicine Shoppe.

Puzzle Two Clue: S equals U

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

© 2026 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

Ugly Duckling 109 ___ ghanoush

45 Paperless library offering 124 “Stay” K-pop band

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01-01-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2025

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