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10 Observer WINTER PARK/MAITLAND
STORIES TO WATCH IN 2019
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 30, NO. 52
FREE
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018
THE YEAR IN PICTURES Relive 2018 through some of our favorite images. SEE 3-14.
Miracles do happen
YOUR TOWN LOCAL TOY DRIVE SUPPORTS FAMILIES Orange County’s Holiday Heroes Toy Drive has grown into a highly anticipated event for its employees, volunteers and the extended community in Central Florida. As a part of caring for some of Orange County’s most precious residents, the Toy Drive aims to make the season brighter for children and families in need. Since its inception in 2011, more than 39,200 toys have been collected and distributed to families across Orange County. This year, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings surprised three families during a holiday-shopping event at the Ivey Lane Neighborhood Center for Families located near the Washington Shores neighborhood where Demings grew up.
OBSERVER OFFICES CLOSED UNTIL 2019
Tim Freed
A Maitland family and Police Chief David Manuel have a close, ongoing friendship — 28 years after Manuel saved their 2-year-old’s life. STORY ON PAGE 4.
The Observer Media Group’s Winter Park office, located at 180 S. Knowles Ave., Suite 4, Winter Park, will be closed from Monday, Dec. 24, through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, for the holidays. We will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Officers launch beard initiative to help officer with cancer The police department is growing beards and painting nails to help their officer in need. HARRY SAYER BLACK TIE REPORTER
When Winter Park Master Police Officer John Reynolds made his way to a walk-in clinic under the advice of his wife last spring, he figured the pain in his body was from a gallbladder issue. The situation was much more SEE ONE PAGE 2
Courtesy photo
Several Winter Park police officers have put down money to help Master Police Officer John Reynolds.