W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange
Gymnast Bailey Ferrer makes a name for herself. PAGE 17
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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VOLUME 84, NO. 3
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
Who will fill District 3 seat in Winter Garden?
YOUR TOWN CRUISE ON IN FOR CAR SHOW
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The quarterly Cruz N Car Show takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in downtown Winter Garden. Check out the dozens of classic cars that will line West Plant Street. Radio station WJBJ’s Cruisin’ with the Classics will broadcast from the car show. The other shows this year will take place April 15, June 17 and Sept. 16.
CFCA ROYALTY
Beauty
of wildlife drive Congratulations to Joel Setien and Megan Keener, seniors at Central Florida Christian Academy, on being crowned the school’s Homecoming king and queen Jan. 12. The royal pair was announced at halftime of the school’s varsity boys basketball game that evening. Homecoming festivities were originally to take place during football season but were rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew.
WOHS CLASS OF ’77 TO REUNITE The Class of 1977 at West Orange High School is planning its 40-year reunion and wants to connect with all 295 graduates. Classmates can contact Class President Carla Smith Crow at momofbird@yahoo. com or go to the Facebook page: West Orange High School Class of 1977 Reunion. Details are still being planned, but the event will be Friday, June 2, in downtown Winter Garden and Saturday, June 3, at The Pines in Windermere.
coming to library
Bald eagle, by Glenn Hall
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS n Patty Bates n Donna Bertrand n Tamar Boorstin n Robyn Churchill n Randy Clark n Sonia Durrance n Lynn Marie Folts n Phoebe Gonsalves n Glenn Hall n Suzi Harr n Karen Havling n Jennifer Hew n Ted Hollander n Kathy Johnson n Lilo Johnson n Stacey Kelly n Mary Lander n Hortensia Law n Kimberly McCumber n Michelle Nardone n Tina Pruitt n Patricia Sanders n Tiffany Skora n Sherry Straus n Robin Ulery n Michelle Wilson
An exhibit of 40 of the best photographs taken along the Lake Apopka North Shore will be set up at the Winter Garden Library starting Jan. 31. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
Every drive through reveals something different: a blue Belted Kingfisher, playful otters or a family of raccoons, a bobcat, a stunning orange sunset. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, open since May 2015, has garnered quite a following, and some folks make the drive weekly, hoping to catch a glimpse of flora and fauna they haven’t seen before. The Facebook page has become a popular stop, with close to 2,500 followers looking to see the latest photos posted.
A collection of these photographs will be on display in an art exhibit Jan. 31 through March 3 at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Ten of the photos from 26 amateur and professional photographers were selected by three local photographers for an exhibit at Apopka City Hall last fall. The remaining 15 were chosen by Phoebe Gonsalves, who approached the library about sharing the exhibit. Exhibit guests can see a variety of wildlife, such as wading birds and songbirds, butterflies, a coyote, a bobcat and, of course, alligators. SEE LAWD PAGE 4
Seaplane base proposed on Lake Apopka
Ocoee and Apopka residents have mixed feelings for a seaplane base proposed on Lake Apopka near their homes. GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER ORANGE COUNTY Although the segment of Lake Apopka’s eastern shore at 3812 Walker Road once hosted a successful fish camp, it has since fallen into disuse after the lake’s bass population died off from pollution. But now, with news of a proposal to build a seaplane base at the small 1.24-acre site nestled in unincorporated Orange County between north Ocoee and south Apopka, surrounding homeowners are both optimistic and somewhat wary.
SEE BASE PAGE 6