W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange
Watercolor master offers painting class. See page 13
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 83, NO. 10
FREE
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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
PLAY BALL!
Winter Garden Little League officially kicked off the 2016 season at its Opening Ceremonies March 5 on its home field. After each team was introduced, the kids and their families enjoyed a day of celebration — and finally, the return of baseball. Steven Ryzewski
Combat veterans Brandon Wittwer, left, Steve Tovet and Marcus Griffin threw out ceremonial first pitches to Winter Garden Little League’s Cameron Takacs, left, Caleb Eagon and Isaac Griffin. For more coverage on West Orange-area Little Leagues, see page 19.
FIT FOR A FAMILY
Ocoee welcomes spring with its annual fling This year, Saving Young Hearts will provide free heart screenings for children ages 5 to 18. AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR OCOEE Flora, children’s
West Orange couple combines fun and fitness with new workout concepts for the whole family. Page 19
activities, educational booths and music are just a portion of what will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the city of Ocoee’s 11th Annual Spring Fling. It takes place at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, and admission is free. The event is paid for through police forfeiture funds, Police Chief Charlie Brown said. “The enforcement aspect of our job doesn’t always provide a setting for the educational services we provide,” he said. “This
event gives the public the opportunity to speak with officers in a non-enforcement setting to learn more about our agency and these services. We are fingerprinting children, and everyone can learn more about educational opportunities such as handgun safety, women’s self-defense and our combined police and fire citizen public safety academy.” Dozens of vendors will showcase community services available in the area. The event will offer food, door prizes and fun activities such as a bike rodeo and SEE FLING PAGE 4
YOUR TOWN Spring forward! Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13, so be sure to move your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
Shaving for solidarity The Winter Garden Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4947 is hosting a benefit for the St. Baldrick’s organization, which helps fund the fight against childhood cancer. Participants will have their heads shaved at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Crooked Can in the Plant Street Market, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. To see who’s participating, go to stbaldricks.org/ events/WinterGarden2016.