WINTER PARK/MAITLAND
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 30, NO. 5
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018
The Music Man
BLACK
TIE
COMPLETE TEAM EFFORT NFL players lend superstar power to First and Goal Gala. SEE PAGE 7
Local chef launches new biscuit company. SEE PAGE 3
YOUR TOWN
Liberty Counsel loses ‘hate group’ label lawsuit
CHAMBER PLANS AWARDS CELEBRATION
The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce annual Membership Awards Celebration is a tribute to the members and volunteers that make the organization and community so exceptional. This year, John Rivers will be honored as the Lydia Gardner Citizen of the Year. In 2009, Rivers opened 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which quickly became one of the fastest growing restaurants in the Southeast. With 13 locations in Florida and one in Atlanta, the success and popularity of his 4 Rivers Smokehouse and his second concept, the Southerninspired The COOP, have garnered national recognition. The annual Membership Awards Celebration is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at The Alfond Inn, 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park.
A judge dismissed a lawsuit the group filed against GuideStar. TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A U.S. District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Maitland-based nonprofit Liberty Counsel. The organization claimed that it was labeled unfairly as a “hate group” by GuideStar, an online database of nonprofit organizations. SEE COUNSEL PAGE 2
TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I
t’s just before noon at Edgewater High School, and Alex Glover has already been working his
musical magic. This period, Glover is working with his mixed choir, comprising a diverse group of young vocalists.
SEE LIFTING PAGE 4
Troy Herring
Since 2012, Alex Glover has helped to revive Edgewater High’s chorus program.
Alex Glover, director of choirs at Edgewater High, is helping students find their voice as he helps revive the school’s music program.
IN FOCUS
A FRESH CONCEPT
FREE
CULTURAL TRADITION Eatonville honors Zora Neale Hurston. SEE PAGE 3