SO U T H W EST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
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VOLUME 5, NO. 27
The extra mile
Local teachers hit the road to show love for their students. PAGE 10.
Virus impedes swimming tradition
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THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020
YOUR TOWN READING IN THE TIME OF CORONA
Normally, we love to see photos of readers enjoying the Southwest Orange Observer on vacation in some exotic destination, and we showcase them in our ongoing It’s Read Everywhere feature. But we’re changing it up! Send us creative photos of you enjoying our newspaper at home, and we will feature them in future editions! Email to Amy Quesinberry, amyq@ orangeobserver.com.
Lucky’s Lake Swim, a daily event for three decades, is closed until the pandemic subsides. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
COVID-19 closures impact preschools
For 30 years, swimmers have flocked daily to Lake Cane for Lucky’s Lake Swim, a 1-kilometer swimming jaunt across the lake. But that decades-long streak has been broken because of the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic. “First time we’ve ever had to shut down,” said John “Lucky” Meisenheimer, the Dr. Phillips SEE PANDEMIC PAGE 4
Although adjusting to a new normal has posed a challenge for parents, the extra family time has been a silver lining. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER
DOUBLE
DUTY
Courtesy photo
Jacquie Meisenheimer
Lucky Meisenheimer reluctantly has put a temporary halt to the daily lake swim.
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Windermere High’s band director, Rob Darragh, also serves as a staff sergeant and squad leader with the Army National Guard’s 13th Army Band. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
With businesses, universities and schools closing across the country to stop the spread of COVID-19, preschools and some daycare centers have followed suit. The closure of such establishments that provide childcare for the youngest age groups has left many families with young children adjusting to a new normal. That adjustment has posed a challenge for parents such as Amy Costin, of Windermere. Her daughter is enrolled in the preschool program at Wind e r m e re Un i o n SEE VIRUS PAGE 2