SO U T H W EST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 5, NO. 19
YOUR TOWN
FREE
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
Campaign complete Windermere Prep raised $60,039.51 at its 2020 Lakerthon. SEE PAGE 10.
A CONVERSATION WITH LT. GEN. JAY GARNER St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is inviting the community to attend a conversation with retired Lt. Gen. Jay Garner from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. He will discuss topics such as understanding the complexities of the people of Iraq, including religious and ethnic influences; our involvement within Iraq; and Iranian and Saudi influences in the region through “proxy wars” and support of terrorist organizations. RSVP is not required, but attendees are asked to take an appetizer to share. The church is at 4851 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando.
‘The father they never had’ Stuart Eldridge, the beloved leader of the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, devoted his life to guiding youth toward their best potential in life. SEE PAGE 4.
Avalon Road apartments up for public hearing County commissioners will vote on a land-use request for 350 multi-family units. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR
A proposed project for 350 new apartments in Horizon West will soon go before Orange County leaders for a vote. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing at its Tuesday, Feb. 11, meeting on a planned development substantial change — converting 100,000 square feet of nonresidential uses and a 645-bed dormitory use to 350 multifamily residential units.
Horizon West Alliance hosts safety meeting
SEE PROJECT PAGE 6
INTO THE ROARING ’20S
Stranger danger, mental-health resources and an update on crime in the area were the topics of discussion. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER
In the wake of recent tragic events in the area, members of the Horizon West Alliance and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office came together to host a safety workshop. The safety workshop was held Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Summerport Clubhouse in response to an alleged SEE CRIME PAGE 4 PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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Courtesy photo
AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
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tuart Eldridge’s resume isn’t very long, but it tells of his deep devotion to youth. He and his wife, Lisa, first visited the campus of the Edgewood Children’s Ranch 37 years ago, ready to serve one year at the ranch
before seeing where else their life would take them. They never left. Eldridge — who began as a cottage parent in 1983, became an operations manager and, ultimately, served the last eight years as the executive director SEE GUIDING PAGE 4
The Big Orange Awards honored community champions. SEE PAGE 7.