W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange
Victoria Jefferson earns Ocoee’s first state title.
PAGE 17
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 83, NO. 6
FREE
•
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016
Observer partners to host Ocoee debate Observer Media Group and the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee will present candidates for mayor and District 3 commissioner Feb. 24. MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR OCOEE The West Orange Times
Courtesy photo
Horizon West residents John and Dodi Geisler have eight children as a result of a blended family.
Love Stories From one wife’s decision to put her life in danger to save that of her husband to a marriage that took nearly two decades to complete, here are just two of West Orange’s love stories fit for the silver screen. The Nemeths, from Winter Garden, celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this year.
ARTS+CULTURE
See stories on pages 6-7
RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
& Observer has partnered with the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee to present candidates for Ocoee’s mayor and District 3 commission seat. The Ocoee Political Forum will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Ocoee City Hall, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive. The forum is free and open to the public. It also will be broadcast on OGTV channel 493, the publicSEE DEBATE PAGE 4
YOUR TOWN
Southern hospitality The line snaked the top floor of Baer’s Furniture, 12105 W Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, as Paula Deen fans awaited the arrival of the American celebrity chef. Deen came to the Winter Garden store as part of her “Paula Deen Cuts the Fat” book tour. Some guests showed up more than two hours early to secure a spot at the front of line.
Sydney’s center needs volunteers
Florida’s best blues artists set to take stage at W.G. fest.
PAGE 9
Nearly 300 runners laced up for the Winter Garden 10K, held Saturday, Feb. 6, in downtown Winter Garden. See photos on page 12
Sydney’s Reading and Learning Center in West Oaks Mall needs a few volunteers for Feb. 13 and 14. Any high-school students in need of community-service hours should call Thom Battisto, founder of Read to Sydney, at (407) 247-8595 or email him at readtosydney@ aol.com.