07.14.22 Local Motion 2022-23

LOCAL MOTION

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIVING IN WEST ORANGE COUNTY

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Live the West Orange life!

For 116 years, the West Orange Times & Observer has served proudly as the newspaper of record for Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere and surrounding communities. Our journalists have documented how this community has grown and changed over time. We saw Dr. Phillips come out of the ground. We were there when Disney did the same. And we have watched in awe as Horizon West has taken shape.

So, it is with that legacy that I present our 2022 edition of Local Motion: An Insider’s Guide to Living in West Orange County.

We begin with profiles of each of the area’s municipalities and communities — Winter Garden, Horizon West, Ocoee, Gotha, Windermere, Oakland and Dr. Phillips. You’ll find brief histories of each, along with introductions to leaders, signature events, and even the names and contacts of your utility and service providers.

We also have a comprehensive guide to the area's schools, as

well as the names and locations of our four hospitals.

What's more, we've selected 10 events you won't want to miss (page 30); a round-up of civic clubs (page 32); and, of course, a menu of dining options to please every palate (pages 48-49). Also, be sure to check out our exclusive map of the area (centerfold).

And although you could spend years just enjoying all our community has to offer, it's fun to seek adventure elsewhere. That's why we've included three Day Trip options — Clermont (page 60), Mount Dora (page 64) and Sanford (page 66) — all within a short drive from your home.

We hope you find Local Motion informative and helpful. To stay connected, make sure to grab copies of our West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer newspapers; bookmark OrangeObserver. com; and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (search for Orange Observer).

— Michael Eng

Coffee • Wine • Beer & Good Food

We offer service that stems from a love of excellent hospitality, unparalleled quality beverages that range from lattes to premier wines, and food that will leave you with cravings for weeks to come.

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Victor

LOCAL MOTION 2022-2023

PRESIDENT Emily Walsh

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

Michael Eng

EDITORIAL

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry

Staff Writer Andrea Mujica

Staff Writer Annabelle Sikes

Design Editor Jess Eng

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager

Cyndi Gustafson

Multimedia Advertising Executive

Iggy Collazo

Advertising Coordinator Allison Brunelle

STAFF INTERNS

Amanda Gerhartz

Katie Steed

CREATIVE SERVICES

Graphic Designer Lindsay Cannizzaro

COVER ART:

Local photographer Kassondra Gustafson, of Forever Box Photography, captured this photo at a private farm in Winter Garden. View more of her work at foreverboxphotography.mypixieset.com.

WINTER GARDEN Charm Blooms from City’s Citrus History

The city with a 'juicy past' blends historic heritage and modern living.

Attracted by the fertile muck land that bordered Lake Apopka, settlers began arriving in the Winter Garden area by the 1850s.

Newcomers engaged in citrus and vegetable farming, and lived in small settlements situated along the lake’s south shore. By the end of the 19th century, Winter Garden’s business district had grown alongside the two railroad lines that ran through the city. The commercial buildings were rebuilt with brick after two fires destroyed the wooden buildings and packinghouses that stood along Plant and Main streets.

Winter Garden was established in 1903 and incorporated as a city in 1908. The population of Winter Garden had grown to more than 1,000 people by 1920, and the city quickly became the center of commerce and agriculture in West Orange County.

Lake Apopka’s emergence as “the large-mouth bass capital” attracted tourists, and the Edgewater Hotel opened in 1927 to accommodate these visitors. Early residents either owned or worked in the groves. As the citrus industry grew in importance and acreage, the commercial district continued to expand.

Winter Garden’s rapid development slowed considerably in the late 1960s. Lake Apopka had become severely polluted, and the construction of major highways in the area drew businesses away from downtown.

Despite the challenges, Winter Garden’s architectural heritage remained intact. The establishment of the West Orange Trail attracted thousands of visitors eager to patronize the new shops and restaurants that moved into the old buildings.

Today, Winter Garden’s Historic District serves as a successful example of historic preservation. Infill development, redevelopment, repurposed buildings, preservation, housing and businesses all converge to create a thriving downtown that draws people from around the world.

WINTER GARDEN

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SUMMER

All-American Kids Parade. A family favorite, this patriotic parade encourages children to decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons in red, white and blue for a spirited stroll through downtown Winter Garden.

Winter Garden Fireworks Display. End the Fourth of July holiday with a bang by taking in a fireworks display on Lake Apopka. Families bring chairs and blankets to take in the sparkling spectacle.

FALL

Halloweenfest. The city of Winter Garden’s Halloweenfest offers children a chance to trick or treat down Plant Street, and features live entertainment, local vendors and family activities.

WINTER

Christmas Golf Cart Parade. To celebrate the holidays, residents deck out their golf carts in true Christmas spirit and travel along golf cart-approved streets to spread cheer in downtown Winter Garden.

City of Winter Garden Christmas Parade. Kick off the holiday season with a jolly parade through Winter Garden. Local organizations, clubs, bands and businesses come together for some spirited fun. Route may vary.

Light Up Winter Garden. One of the hallmark events of the holiday season, thousands head over to Plant Street each year to take in the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and enjoy the festivities.

n A.B. Newton published the city’s first newspaper, The Ricochet, and was the first mayor, postmaster and storekeeper. He owned the only imposing brick building in town, and his general store carried most every kind of merchandise. He also operated a packinghouse and sold crate material and fertilizer to growers.

n William S. and Juanita Maxey were longtime teachers dedicated to the education of children in east Winter Garden.

n Henry Bradley Plant was the founder and president of the Plant System of railways, steamship lines and hotels. He developed and promoted the west coast and central sections of Florida. Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden is named for him.

n The Luther Fuller Tilden family and descendants had a great impact on West Orange County. Several streets, an

elementary school and a small community are named for the Tildens. Generations of the family were involved in the lucrative citrus business, and many of them lived in the Tildenville area.

n The King family story began in Winter Garden in the 1920s, when Jimmy King’s cousin moved to the area and owned a restaurant and boardinghouse on 10th Street. Charles Alexander King was hired in 1967 as the first black officer with the city’s police department. Jimmy and Eddie Mae King established roots here, and many of their descendants continue to break barriers.

n William Lasenby Story Sr. arrived in the 1880s and lived one mile south of Winter Garden. He was publisher of the West Orange News and owned extensive citrus groves. Story Road is named after him.

Supporting community growth is about providing financial solutions and guidance that people and businesses can trust.

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LOCAL LEADERS WINTER GARDEN

Mayor John Rees

Rees has served as mayor of Winter Garden for 14 years and was a city commissioner for 12 years prior. He also has served on boards of the city’s Planning & Zoning Board, as well as the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Little League, YMCA, Health Central, Lake Apopka Natural Gas and the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. The lifelong resident of Winter Garden graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967.

District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett

Bennett is a lifelong resident of Winter Garden. She graduated in 1981 from Calvary High School and attended Valencia Community College. She has been a real-estate broker for 25 years and co-owner/broker of Windsor Realty Group Inc., Winter Garden, for 18 years. Bennett has served District 1 for five years and formerly served on the city’s Architectural Review Board.

District 2 Commissioner Ron Mueller

Mueller is a graduate of Florida State College in Jacksonville, majoring in business, and served eight years in the U.S. Navy on both Fast Attack and Trident II nuclear submarines. An Indiana native, he served two terms as alderman in the St. Louis area before returning to Florida. He is currently employed at Walt Disney World as chief of staff for corporate, where he oversees architecture and standards across the company.

District 3 Commissioner Mark A. Maciel

Maciel came to Winter Garden in 1998 from Rhode Island with his wife, Justine, and two children. His third child was born in Winter Garden. In Rhode Island, he served as a law-enforcement officer with the Department of the Air Force and worked in a family business. Having been a paratrooper and then an Air Force Reservist, he served 32 years in the military and was activated multiple times after the events of 9/11.

District 4 Commissioner/ Mayor Pro-Tem Colin Sharman

Sharman served the citizens of Winter Garden as commissioner since 2006. He is an account manager for Trane US Inc. and a certified mechanical contractor. He was on the city’s Planning & Zoning Board from 200506 and is a past board director of Florida League of Cities, Roper YMCA Indian Guides, Florida Health Care Association and Advent Health Winter Garden Advisory Council.

City Manager Jon C. Williams

Williams has been with the city of Winter Garden since early 2018. He became city manager in 2021 after serving as assistant city manager of public services. Previously, Williams was the city manager of Longwood and had served as its finance director. He also served as both city manager and finance director for Edgewater. Williams is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, from which he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.

WELCOME TO WINTER GARDEN

Welcome to the city of Winter Garden! The city’s unique combination of small-town charm, combined with family-friendly amenities, makes it an ideal location to live and work. Its appeal and desirability is recognized nationally, including being named one of the “Best Places to Live in America” by Money magazine.

Winter Garden embodies a wealth of historical, cultural and natural assets that provide a high quality of life. Its brick-lined, walkable downtown provides a mix of restaurants, retail shops, museums, an art gallery, a theater and landmarks, as well as an interactive fountain and recreational parks. The award-winning West Orange Trail winds through the heart of our downtown, and, every Saturday, an award-winning Farmers Market provides a community hub.

The city is committed to delivering top-notch customer service to our more than 49,000 residents and 2,000 businesses. In fact, we are a proud recipient of the 2020 National Voice of the People Award given to the top 10 jurisdictions nationwide for achieving excellence. Once again, welcome and enjoy Winter Garden, where good things grow.

— Mayor John Rees

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Winter Garden City Hall: 300 W. Plant St., (407) 656-4111

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department, (407) 877-5175

n Police: Winter Garden Police Department, (407) 656-3636

n Solid waste: City of Winter Garden, (407) 656-4111, Ext. 2009

n Utilities (water, sewer) Winter Garden Water Department, (407) 656-4100

It's All Happening HORIZON WEST

The boom continues in West Orange's bustling planned community.

Before the 28,000-acre Horizon West community was home to thousands of families, the land was home to thousands of acres of robust citrus groves. In the 1980s, a series of freezes devastated the groves, forcing much of the citrus production to relocate to a warmer climate in South Florida. As a result, conversations to develop the area where the former orange groves were located began. However, this enhanced concerns about urban sprawl, because the existing land-use regulations in the rural area only allowed one house to be built per 10 acres.

So, landowners met to devise a plan. This led to them working with Orange County leaders to begin developing a master plan for the area in 1993.

The owners — Horizon West Inc. — hired VHB MillerSellen to prepare the Horizon West sector plan, which included the project concept, design standards and a planning overlay. The county approved this framework on June 5, 1995.

The objective of the plan for Horizon West was to avoid suburban sprawl through the creation of a more sustainable growth management approach. The community reflects the principles of garden cities and new urbanism, ensuring new development will contribute to maintaining a sense of place, environmental protection, excellent architectural design and quality pedestrian environments and community spaces. Early on, the influence of Ebenezer Howard’s Garden Cities model led to the preliminary design of independent, self-sustaining villages. At buildout, the goal of Horizon

LOCAL LEADER

Orange County

District 1 Commissioner

Nicole Wilson

Horizon West stands on what was formerly citrus groves. After the devastating freezes of the 1980s destroyed the area’s citrus trees, local leaders created a master plan for the area. Horizon West was conceived as a community that would center self-sustaining, mixed-use villages around elementary schools as the focus of each community. Still growing, the Horizon West community is civically engaged and community-focused.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Orange County Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 2912500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: Orange County Fire Rescue, (407) 8369000

n Police: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, (407) 254-7000

n Trash: Orange County Solid Waste, (407) 836-6601

n Utilities (water/ sewer): Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Horizon West Fest. This celebration of all things Horizon West brings the community together for a day of fun in the sun, complete with kids’ activities, local vendors and businesses, food and live entertainment.

Hamlin St. Patrick’s Day Block Party. This community event features live music, performances from Irish dancers and bagpipers, local vendors, food and beverages.

Venardos Circus. With the exception of 2020, Horizon West has become an annual stop for the traveling Venardos Circus. Creator Kevin Venardos already has announced it will return to the area from Nov. 14 to Dec. 4, 2022.

NOTABLE NAMES

Flavor Fest Horizon West. This festival provides an immersive experience to enjoy a fusion of food, culture and arts along with a live music performance. The festival will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Bears Who Care OctoBEARfest 5K Fun Run and Walk. This annual event offers a healthy and family friendly opportunity to either — virtually or in-person — run, walk or jog for Bears Who Care. Proceeds provide teddy bears and books to children in the community who need them. This year, the event will take place Sunday, Oct. 23.

West is to create a village development pattern while preserving large quantities of open space, as well as using public/private partnerships to help provide community amenities and public infrastructure.

Horizon West’s design sections the community into six villages — Lakeside, Bridgewater, Town Center, Village F (Seidel area), Hickorynut and Ovation. Horizon West villages typically include two to four neighborhoods and are set up around the community schools and parks. Each has a center that provides community shopping and services.

Lakeside Village is located in the easternmost portion of Horizon West and surrounds the Reams Road area, right behind Magic Kingdom. Village F, one of the more central portions of Horizon West, also backs up to Magic Kingdom. The Village of Bridgewater is located at the northeast portion of Horizon West, and Ovation Village sits at the southernmost area. Hickorynut Village hugs the western side of State Road 429 and gives way to the Town Center, commonly referred to as Hamlin. The Town Center is designed to be the largest commercial area and is surrounded by dense residential neighborhoods.

n Arthur George Hamlin was an attorney who came to Florida in the 1880s, grew citrus and eventually developed the Hamlin orange, for which the Hamlin community is named. His legacy will be cemented into Horizon West through A.G.’s Market — a forthcoming food hall — named in his honor.

n Randy June, a land developer, has developed more than 15,000 lots. He was born and raised in West Orange.

n Don Phillips and his wife Diane’s “Story” family had been a part of the area's citrus industry since the 1930s. He owned hundreds of acres in Horizon West.

n Phil C. Peters Road is named after Phil C. Peters. Peters moved to Winter Garden at age 6. His father, a citrus grower, taught him everything he needed to know about the citrus business. Peters was a member of the Florida Citrus Commission in 1938 and 1939. In 1931, Peters was named manager of the Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association. During the next 32 years, led its development, earning a reputation for quality fresh fruit. Peters was one of the founders of the Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative in 1943 and later became its vice president. And, for 25 years of his life, Peters was a director of the Florida Citrus Exchange.

Horizon West is considered one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in the nation. In total, the community has been approved for 40,282 units, making the projected population at buildout 100,705. Although it comprises just 4% of Orange County, the area has been responsible for more than half of the building permits pulled countywide in the last couple of years. Not much has changed over the years regarding the original plan for Horizon West; however, the speed at which it has been growing was unprecedented.

A Blossoming ‘Apricot Vine’ OCOEE

Ocoee, aka the 'Center of Good Living,' is carving a new identity from its roots.

Ocoee originally was formed as a small agricultural settlement supported by bustling local citrus and vegetable industries. The Florida Legislature recognized the Town of Ocoee as a municipality in 1921 before it became a city in May 1925.

In the mid-1800s, the township, which initially only had 820 residents, first was settled adjacent to Starke Lake — southeast of Lake Apopka.

Ocoee was the name of a subdivision platted by Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper, who created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886, and named it after a river in Tennessee.

In the Cherokee language, the word “Ocoee” means “apricot vine,” which is why the city utilizes the passion flower in its logo.

It was also during that time the first school was established. In 1880, a three-sided hut was located on Floral Street — which would later be replaced twice — and Mrs. E. D. Perkins was its first teacher.

As tracks were completed for the Florida Midland Railroad in the 1880s, the town boomed. It experienced rapid growth as settlers moved in to take advantage of the available farmland, and the area bustled as more lucrative citrus groves replaced other crops.

Along with the growth came the success of a strong and vibrant black community, which came to prosper in the area. Unfortunately, that growth — along with the passing of the Reconstruction Amendments — was met with animosity. On Election Day 1920, white mobs murdered an unknown number of black residents — including July Perry — and burned the community to the ground.

Since those tragic days, much has changed in Ocoee. The Ocoee City Commission — and the city government in general — now includes more diversity than ever.

WELCOME TO OCOEE

What makes Ocoee, the “Center of Good Living,” a great place to live and work? The answer is easy: the people who live and work in our city. Ocoee is a welcoming community that offers a familyoriented, hometown atmosphere. It is a great place to raise a family. The city offers many recreational,

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SPRING

Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza. Children in Ocoee enjoy an egg hunt, games, crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Ocoee Music Festival. Formerly known as Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival, this event has taken place for the last 27 years to celebrate Ocoee’s small-town traditions with live music, community engagement and more.

FALL

Haunted House Halloween Event. Each year, the city of Ocoee puts together its own themed haunted house — 951 Ocoee Apopka Road, Ocoee — complete with a haunted walk and activities for children.

WINTER

City of Ocoee Christmas Parade

Kick off the holiday season with a jolly parade through Ocoee.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Ocoee City Hall: 50 N. Lakeshore Drive, (407) 905-3109

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: City of Ocoee Fire/ Rescue, (407) 905-3129

n Police: Ocoee Police Department,(407) 905-3160

n Solid waste: (407) 905-3170

n Utilities (water, sewer): (407) 905-3159

employment and educational opportunities.

Our 14 parks offer many options for boating, sports facilities, playgrounds, picnics and even a dog park. The city also recently built a pickleball facility at Tiger Minor Park, as well as two new tennis courts. A soccer field now

has been added at the Jim Beech Athletic Center, and the city has started Phase 1 of the cemetery beautification project.

The city is focusing on revitalizing our historic downtown. Several new businesses and eateries have opened, and more are planned. This has been made possible by the addition of sewer and water lines in the area. The new state-ofthe-art downtown master storm-

LOCAL LEADERS

Mayor Rusty Johnson

Prior to his election as mayor, Johnson was District 3 commissioner from 1999 to 2015 and District 1 commissioner from 1986 to 1997. Johnson is currently employed by Gosselin Realty. He is retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he served with the Ocoee Post Office for many years. Johnson served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam veteran.

District 1 Commissioner Larry Brinson Sr. A retired/disabled veteran, Brinson served more than 20 years in the U.S. Marines. Currently, Brinson works for the Orlando Police Department. Brinson sees himself as “semi-retired” — with an emphasis on “semi” — because there is always something to do.

Mayor Pro-Tem, District 2

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen

Wilsen has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Spring Fling Committee and Ocoee Merit Board. She graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, the Ocoee Community Emergency Response Team training and is a former member of the Ocoee Education Committee.

District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner Firstner lives in Wesmere and has been involved in the city of Ocoee for the past 20 years. Firstner retired as fire chief for the city of Ocoee in 2009, after 14 years of service to the community.

District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III

Oliver has served in a variety of roles in and around the city. Among the list of accomplishments includes becoming the first black commissioner in the city’s history, partnering with Orange County to bring the Health Community Program to the city of Ocoee and establishing the city’s first youth council.

City Manager Robert Frank Frank graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a master’s degree in public administration. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from the State University of New York. He has a broad range of experience, including as an assistant city manager, deputy county manager, director of public works, paramedic and police officer.

water park under construction will serve as a passive nature park and will be named Unity Park. We will be moving into our new City Hall in the next few weeks. It is a building our residents can be proud of. I invite everyone to come to our city and see for yourself what is being accomplished and what makes Ocoee such a popular destination for new residents.

— Mayor Rusty Johnson

NOTABLE NAMES

n Captain Bluford M. Sims was a native of Tennessee who served in the Confederacy. He purchased a piece of land from Dr. J. D. Starke and was able to establish the first citrus nursery in the United States and served as contractor for the first framed court house in Orlando.

n James D. Starke moved to the Ocoee area around 1850 with 23 enslaved black people and established citrus groves between what is now known as Starke Lake and Apopka.

n Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper created the Town of Ocoee subdivision in 1886.

n William Blakely arrived in 1881 in Ocoee. He soon became a principal and teacher. He also served as postmaster and justice of the peace. In 1913, he bought a home on West Oakland Avenue and converted one of the rooms into a library, which he allowed the community to use. Blakely devoted more than 50 years to teaching, running a general store and promoting Ocoee as a desirable place to live.

GOTHA

A Hidden Gem

Gotha is a charming and historical hidden gem located between the city of Ocoee and the town of Windermere. The Orange County rural settlement is generally located south of Old Winter Garden Road, north of Windy Ridge Road, east of South Apopka-Vineland Road and west of Maguire Road.

Gotha was established in 1885, when Henry A. Hempel, a German native, came to the area and founded the community. He named it after his homeland of Gotha, Germany. The main street

NOTABLE NAMES

through the community — Hempel Avenue — is named for him, as well.

Hempel first came to Central Florida in 1879 and began purchasing land. In a few years, he had amassed 1,000 acres and created a town plat, although the town was never incorporated. Hempel established a sawmill to generate lumber, which was used to construct a general store — today’s Yellow Dog Eats restaurant — a post office, school, community hall and more. The sawmill also provided orange crates for the booming citrus industry.

In its heyday, Gotha was thriving with schools, churches, a railroad, social hall and the sawmill.

Six years after Hempel arrived, horticulturalist and naturalist Dr. Henry Nehrling began purchasing land. Nehrling bought more than 65 acres and established the 25-acre Palm Cottage Gardens, a popular tourist destination in the early 20th century. There, he developed an experimental testing facility to help establish Florida’s ornamental horticulture by testing more than 3,000 plants.

n Henry A. Hempel was the German native who founded Gotha and named it after his homeland.

n Dr. Henry Nehrling was a horticulturalist and naturalist who established the Palm Cottage Gardens, known today as Nehrling Gardens.

n Bob Ross was a famous landscape artist, art instructor and television host known for his serene scenes and his “happy little trees.”

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Caladiums, Canvases and Coffee. Guests of this event can take a morning stroll through Nehrling Gardens while enjoying coffee, mimosas, pastries and live music. Plein-air artists showcase their work, and attendees can browse a selection of original art available for purchase.

Holiday Amaryllis Festival. As Nehrling Gardens’ signature event, this December event features beautiful and rare amaryllis bulbs for sale, as well as nature-themed vendors, food, music and crafts.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: Orange County Fire Rescue, (407) 836-9000

n Police: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, (407) 254-7000

n Trash: Orange County Solid Waste, (407) 836-6601

n Utilities (water/sewer): Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515

LOCAL LEADER

Orange County District 1

Commissioner Nicole Wilson

Gotha stands as a peaceful community known for its lakes, mossdraped oaks and unique history. Gotha’s historic buildings stand as a reminder of the area’s roots in agriculture. As Central Florida grows, Gotha stands as a protected Rural Settlement, where neighbors help one another and make sure nature and history are preserved.

Orthodontics is a specialty within the field of dentistry. It focuses on diagnosing and treating problems with the alignment of the teeth and jaws. In addition to improving the appearance of the teeth, orthodontics makes the bite more functional and can balance the facial features.

Some of the most common problems that can be addressed with orthodontic care are overbites, underbites, overcrowding, and spacing issues.

Dr. Lauris Johnson

Lakefront Living WINDERMERE

Although many people — especially in the Horizon West area — have Windermere addresses, the town of Windermere proper spans just 2.2 square miles.

Centuries before the town of Windermere was incorporated, the Timucua Indians inhabited the land until the 1500s. In 1564, the Spanish began to settle in the area. After Florida became the 27th state of the Union in 1845, the U.S. government gave 160 acres of land to anyone willing to cultivate five acres and build a cabin. That’s when more people began settling in Windermere.

The town was founded in 1887 when two Englishmen, the Rev. Joseph Hill Scott and his son, Dr. Stanley Scott, started their settlement. Dr. Scott built his home on the shore of Lake Butler, and most believe he named the town after England’s famous Lake Windermere.

Another English native, John Dawe, built the Florida Midland

Railroad through the community in 1889. A post office opened in 1888, closed in 1901 and reopened in 1911. The town was established as a residential development in 1889, but it wasn’t until 1925 that it was incorporated by Cal Palmer, J. Howard Johnson and Howard Lyon. The first mayor was John Jaquith, who served from 1925 to 1927. Cal Palmer served as the second mayor, from 1928 to 1929. Johnson was the fifth, and Lyon was the seventh. In fact, Cal Palmer’s office building — which was completed in 1911 — still stands today, as does the historic 1887 Schoolhouse, which was the first school in town.

Johnson and Palmer founded the Windermere Improvement Company in 1910 and together formed the town’s foundation. In 1922, settlers formed a Chamber of Commerce, and the Windermere Improvement Company gave land to the Womans’ Club and Union Church.

Over the years, the town began

to take shape. New buildings — including a clubhouse, more school rooms, a library and a renovated town hall — were constructed.

Most recently, the town celebrated the opening of its new town facilities buildings, which include new buildings for the police, administrative and public works departments.

Along with an abundance of trees, one of the town’s hallmarks is its location along the Butler Chain of Lakes. The Butler Chain has more than 5,000 acres in surface water among the 13 lakes: Down (900 acres), Little Lake Down (23 acres), Wauseon Bay (100 acres), Butler (1,600 acres), Louise (140 acres), Isleworth (86 acres), Blanche (21 acres), Chase (135 acres), Tibet-Butler (1,200 acres), Sheen (656 acres), Pocket (126 acres), Fish (23 acres) and a 14-acre unnamed lake. The system also has a total of 32 navigable canals.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SPRING

Windermere’s Easter EggStravaganza. The town hosts a fun egg hunt for children each year outside Town Hall. Children are divided by age group to hunt for eggs, some of which will win them fun prizes.

SUMMER

Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. Windermere families look forward to this event each year. Residents are invited to join town staff and volunteers for a patriotic breakfast.

FALL

Windermere Halloween Parade. Although the format changed slightly in 2020, the town of Windermere typically hosts a Halloween hayride and costume parade for children and their families to enjoy.

WINTER

Light Up Windermere. To kick off the holidays, the town typically combines its Food Truck Friday event with a tree-lighting event and holiday festivities.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 291-2500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: Ocoee Fire Department, (407) 905-3129

n Police: Windermere Police Department, (407) 876-3757

n Trash: Waste Pro, (407) 774-0800

n Utilities (water/sewer): Windermere doesn’t provide water or sewage services. Residents either have personal wells/septic tanks or are hooked up to Orange County Utilities, (407) 836-5515.

LOCAL LEADERS

Mayor Jim O’Brien

O’Brien is serving his third term for the town and previously served as a Town Council member. O’Brien was elected mayor in 2019, replacing outgoing longtime Mayor Gary Bruhn. He serves as the town liaison for the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and MetroPlan Advisory Board.

Town Council Member Mandy David

David is serving her second term for the town of Windermere. She is the council liaison for the Farmers Market/Food Truck Selection Committee, the Parks & Recreation Committee and the Windermere Active Youth Committee.

Town Council Member Tony Davit

Davit is serving his second term for the town of Windermere. He is the council liaison for the Butler Chain of Lakes Advisory Board (Orange County) and Windermere Public Works. He also serves as an alternate for the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and MetroPlan Advisory Board.

Town Council Member Bill Martini

Martini is serving his third term for the town of Windermere. He is council liaison for the Development Review Board, the Windermere Tree Board and the Windermere Police Department.

Town Council Member Molly Rose

Rose is serving her first term for the town of Windermere. She is council liaison for the Long Range Planning Committee, the Windermere Budget & Finance and Windermere administration.

Town Council Member Loren “Andy” Williams

Williams is serving his third term for the town of Windermere. He is the mayor protem and the council liaison for Elder Affairs, the Holiday Social Committee, School Advisory Committee and Historic Preservation Board.

Town Manager Robert Smith

Smith has served as Windermere’s town manager since 2011. During his 11-year tenure with Windermere, Smith has been involved with numerous projects, including the construction of the town’s new facilties, which opened in 2022.

WELCOME TO WINDERMERE

Welcome to the town of Windermere, aka “Among the Lakes” — the best of small-town living in the heart of West Orange County. This is a place where white-sand streets are lined by trees and surrounded by the Butler Chain of Lakes, a 5,000-acre chain designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway. It is a great place to raise your family, with abundant parks and recreational opportunities such as tennis, volleyball, basketball, exercise trails, playgrounds, a kayak launch and a private boat ramp directly on Lake Butler. Although small, our town is a vibrant hub of activity with annual festivals, weekly family food trucks and green market, and the popular Run Among the Lakes. Although there is plenty of activity, at night, you can still see the stars, as well as the Disney fireworks across Lake Butler.

Downtown, you will find Main Street is a two-lane road with roundabouts for safety and walkability lined by retail shops, including a wine store, restaurants, ice cream parlor and a craft brewery. The town of Windermere is a community that prides itself on knowing your neighbor and is one of the safest in Florida because of our professional Windermere Police Department. Windermere Elementary School is highly rated and within walking distance. Once you settle in, I know you will be enamored by the special charm and character that make the town of Windermere the place we love to call home.

— Mayor Jim O’Brien

NOTABLE NAMES

n Carl D. Patterson Jr., a former town mayor, is the author of “Windermere Among the Lakes: The Story of a Small Town.” It is the definitive book on the town’s history.

n Cal Palmer served as Windermere’s second mayor. Palmer also incorporated the town in 1925.

n Dr. Stanley Scott was one of the first settlers in Windermere who gave the town its name.

Natural Wonder OAKLAND

The town of Oakland once boasted an opera house and thriving businesses in its bustling downtown area.

At one time, the town was the social and industrial hub of West Orange County — with railroad tracks that carried goods to and from other areas. The town — which housed several Indian trading posts and villages around the 1850s — was officially established in 1887, when a meeting was called to incorporate the town with a list of 31 qualified voters.

James Gamble Speer is credited for being the first real settler. He bought bought a large piece of land between two lakes — Apopka and Johns — in 1857.

Speer Park, at the northwest corner of Tubb Street, and Briley Avenue is named for this pioneer.

Peter A. Demens was the first mayor.

Back in Speer’s time, Oakland was considered a loosely designated area between the

two lakes and two or three miles east and west. Today, Oakland has close to 4,000 residents living, playing, working and going to school within its 2.4 square miles.

Oakland’s popularity increased when the railroad system was extended through the area in the late 1880s. But a devastating fire about a decade later wiped out the business district, and an 1895 freeze destroyed all of the citrus groves. The railroad left because of a decline in business, and the town’s economy took a major downturn.

After the town settled back into a rural lifestyle following the freeze and fire, residents — many of them descendants of the first settlers — once again enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and small-town neighborliness that was its humble beginnings.

The town limits stretched from Killarney to Tildenville from 1926 to 1959, when Oakland officials voted to de-annex more than

800 acres, because it couldn’t afford to serve the area.

The town seemed to stay at a relative standstill for decades, until Oakland’s mayor, commissioners, manager and town staff began working on a steady, viable growth plan.

Oakland started the process of bringing sewer to the town in 2013, which will allow for restaurants, hotels and other development along West Colonial Drive. In 2019, construction began on lift stations, sewer lines and other aspects of the massive project with the assistance of grant monies and state funds totaling more than $1.7 million.

The town is now in its 19th year as a Tree City USA. It has a new Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center and is working on its Speer Park Master Plan. A roundabout is coming to the west end of Oakland Avenue to ease traffic congestion in the booming area.

WELCOME TO OAKLAND

As the mayor of Oakland, it is my honor to welcome you to our unique town, beautifully situated among the oaks and between Lake Apopka and Johns Lake.

Oakland proudly has boasted its serene atmosphere since 1887.Recently, we’ve completed and undertaken new projects that will enhance the quality of life for existing and new residents. We move forward with an eye on the past.

For cyclists, walkers and joggers, the town is ideally located along the West Orange Trail. The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, the West Orange Trailhead and the Oakland Nature Preserve are accessible via the trail, with additional trail spurs in the works.

Our doors are always open, as we value communication and transparency. I encourage those interested to attend our Town Commission meetings and to get involved in the process by volunteering or joining a board. Connect with us by dropping in at Town Hall, calling (407) 656-1117, visiting oaklandfl.gov and following our Facebook page at facebook. com/OakTownUSA.

– Mayor Kathy Stark

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Oakland Town Hall: 230 N. Tubb St., (407) 656-1117

Cable/internet: DIRECTV, (800) 531-5000; DISH Network, (800) 9637868; Spectrum, (407) 2912500; CenturyLink, (888) 273-5968

Power/electric: Duke Energy, (407) 629-1010

Fire: Orange County Fire Rescue Department Station 37, (407) 654-1616

Police: Oakland Police Department, (407) 656-9797

Trash: Advanced Disposal, (407) 464-0664

Utilities (water, sewer): Oakland Water Department (407) 656-1117, Ext. 2100

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SPRING

Celebration Among the Oaks. This egg-citing springtime celebration includes a helicopter Easter egg drop, bubble machine, petting zoo and lively deejay keeping everyone on their feet.

LOCAL LEADERS

Mayor Kathy Stark

WINTER

Light Up Oakland. Gather with Oakland residents and members of the community to start the holiday season the right way with a tree lighting in the heart of the town.

Stark was first elected to serve the town of Oakland in 1994. Stark chaired the Town Square redesign. For 20 years, she has served as a board member of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce to represent the town of Oakland.

Seat 1 Commissioner Rick Polland

Polland has been an Oakland resident since 2000 and has since served the community in many ways, including as a member of the Board of Directors for the Oakland Nature Preserve and Friends of Lake Apopka. He joined the Town Commission in 2013.

Seat 2 Commissioner/Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield

Satterfield was first elected to the commission in 1998. As chair of the School Advisory Committee for Oakland Avenue Charter School, he has been named a winner of a 2022 Florida Charter Schools Chapions Award. He also serves as a professional Santa Claus and volunteers at schools and with the elderly during the holidays.

Seat 3 Commissioner Sal Ramos

Ramos first served on the town’s Charter Committee, and in 2015 he was elected as a town commissioner. He is a board member of MetroPlan Orlando’s Municipal Advisory Committee and honorary board member of Central Florida Council Boys Scouts of America.

Seat 4 Commissioner Joseph McMullen

McMullen has served the town in Seat 4 since 2006. He is the recipient of the Florida League of Cities’ 2022 Home Rule Hero Award. In 2021, he was elected president of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County League of Cities and was appointed as the Florida League of Cities’ vice chair of Land Use & Economic Development. He is the founder and chairman of the nonprofit HAPCO Music Foundation.

Town Manager Stephen Koontz

Koontz was named town manager in 2018. He has two decades of local government experience, having worked for Orange and Lake counties, where he served as budget director and assistant county manager. Koontz’s service with the town of Oakland has been the most diverse and satisfying of his career, with oversight and management of the Oakland Avenue Charter School, the Oakland Police Department, planning and growth-related activities, town administrative functions, and the water and wastewater utility.

NOTABLE NAMES

n Judge James Gamble Speer, from South Carolina, moved to Oakland in 1858 to begin a farm and set up a post office in 1860. He negotiated the arrival of the Orange Belt Railway in 1886. Speer Park is named for him.

n Peter A. Demens, of Russian aristocracy, was the town’s first mayor. He brought the Orange Belt Railroad into Oakland.

n Charles Frederic and Grace Mather-Smith came to the quiet town of Oakland from Chicago in 1910. They built the original West Orange Country Club — on what is now Tucker Ranch — so she could hold social events. Grace Park is located near the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at Oakland.

n Grover Cleveland Tubb moved to Oakland in 1921 and was appointed deputy clerk — and a month later, the clerk — in 1928. He served as superintendent of the water department, the streets and parks department, and sanitation; a volunteer fire chief; and the tax collector. He invested more than 50 years of service to the town. The Grover Cleveland Tubb Fountain was dedicated in the center of town in 1977.

n William V. Nixon came to Oakland in 1946 to teach in the black school. He was elected Oakland’s first black commissioner in 1971.

n James Hardy Sadler came to Oakland to live with his grandfather, Judge Speer. He is credited with planting the large oaks along Oakland Avenue.

n Robert and Jean Pollard were among the first black people to settle in Oakland. They were farmers and owned property on what is now Pollard Street.

n Helen “Dewey” Vick grew up in Oakland in the oldest house in Oakland. She was a registered nurse and owned Colonial Corners Florist Shop, which operated out of the family garage starting in 1939. She was the first female mayor of Oakland and served three terms in the 1940s.

DR. PHILLIPS One Man’s Lasting Legacy

Dr. Phillips is Central Florida's first masterplanned community.

WELCOME TO DR. PHILLIPS

Dr. Phillips contains high-quality residential neighborhoods, retail shopping, health care services, schools and a world-class YMCA — many named after its founder. Today, the Dr. Phillips community enjoys access to worldclass dining and hospitality, theme parks, Bay Hill (home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational) and outdoor recreation. Through the struggles of a pandemic, international conflict and local challenges, the Dr. Phillips community has been resilient and giving in the face of adversity, as well as flexible and supportive in times of community changes.

— Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson

The Dr. Phillips area was named for Dr. Philip Phillips, who visited Central Florida in 1902 to become a cattle baron but instead invested in orange groves and ultimately moved his family here.

He invented flash pasteurization, which lengthened the shelf life of many products, including orange juice.

Phillips was a philanthropist who helped create the Dr. Phillips Memorial Hospital, donated millions of dollars to charities and social services and, in 1953, established the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation to help with the charitable needs of Central Florida.

He came up with a plan to create a community centered around his orange groves. He hired a planner, who created a blueprint for the Dr. Phillips area. When he sold his citrus interest in 1954, he kept his undeveloped land in Southwest Orange. Today, neighborhoods make up much of that land.

After Phillips’ death in 1959, his son, Howard, carried out his father’s wishes for an ideal community. Howard Phillips developed an 18-square-mile master plan, which became Central Florida’s first master-planned community. The idea was to produce a self-contained, self-sustaining, agriculturally oriented township with a small post office, fire station and grocery — and it would be called Dr. Phillips.

DR. PHILLIPS SIGNATURE EVENTS

Arnold Palmer Invitational. The PGA Tour’s API is undoubtedly Dr. Phillips’ signature event. Played each March at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, this tournament brings worldwide attention — as well as economic boosts — to the Southwest Orange community.

A Taste of Dr. Phillips. This event, held annually in November, is a key event for the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips Foundation. This feast for the palate highlights the restaurants from the community’s famed Restaurant Row.

NOTABLE NAME

LOCAL LEADERS

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson

Dr. Phillips sits within unincorporated Orange County and is represented at the Orange County Board of County Commissioners by Nicole Wilson. Email her at district1@ocfl.net.

Dr. Phillips Charities Board of Directors Chairman James Ferber

James "Jim" Ferber has served as chairman of the Dr. Phillips Charities’ Board of Directors since 2015. He has been involved in the granting of several legendary gifts helping transform the Central Florida community — namely, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Dr. Phillips Hospital, HarborChase of Dr. Phillips, The YMCA of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Advent Health and more.

n Dr. Philip Phillips: originally from Tennessee, Dr. Phillips arrived to the Central Florida area in 1902 and came up with the idea of “flash” pasteurization, helping increase the shelf life of many products we use in our daily lives. Dr. Phillips also was a great philanthropist, helping with the creation of the Dr. Phillips Memorial Hospital. Also, he donated millions of dollars to charities and social services. The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation was established in 1953.

n Orange County Board of County Commissioners — 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, (407) 836-5918

n Cable/internet: Spectrum, (407) 2912500; DIRECTV, (866) 906-2621; DISH, (844) 306-7067; AT&T, (866) 817-0776; CenturyLink, (877) 862-9343; EarthLink, (844) 903-3107

n Power/electric: Duke Energy, (800) 700-8744

n Fire: Orange County Fire Station 31, (407) 737-2444

n Police: Orlando Police Department, (407) 246-2470

n Solid waste: (407) 836-6601

n Utilities (water, sewer): (407) 836-5515

Orlando Area Rowing Society (OARS) is a 501(c)(3) organization.

10 to attend

1

EDGEWOOD CHILDREN’S RANCH COUNTRY ROUNDUP

Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee

DETAILS: Dress up or dress down in Western attire to enjoy this annual event, complete with a dinner and silent auction to benefit the Edgewood Children’s Ranch.

2

BROADWAY & BEYOND

Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden

DETAILS: The Rotary Club of Winter Garden hosts this annual event, which typically features local Broadway performances under the stars on the shores of Lake Apopka.

3WINDERMERE WINE & DINE

Windermere Town Hall

DETAILS: One of the most highly anticipated local fundraisers of the year, Windermere Wine & Dine is a night of sampling wines and gourmet foods, along with live music.

4MATTHEW’S HOPE HARVEST OF HOPE GARDEN PARTY

Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee (2021)

DETAILS: For this event, attendees get creative and decorate their dinner table with a theme in pursuit of the Best Dressed Table Award. All proceeds benefit Matthew’s Hope and its work with the homeless in the community.

5

OCOEE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee

DETAILS: The Ocoee Music Festival (formerly Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival) is dedicated to celebrating Ocoee’s small-town traditions with music, community, small businesses and fun.

6

BUBBLY ON THE BOARDWALK

Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland

DETAILS: This annual Earth Day event gives attendees a chance to take a 2/3-mile walk along the Healthy West Orange Boardwalk to Lake Apopka. On the way to the Lake Pavilion, guests can enjoy the natural wonders at the preserve and catch a sunset over Lake Apopka.

7

SPRING FEVER IN THE GARDEN

Downtown Winter Garden

DETAILS: This annual spring event is one of Florida’s best plant, flower and garden festivals. It also offers live entertainment, food vendors and a kids’ zone.

8WEST ORANGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S ROCK THE HOUSE

DETAILS: This annual event for West Orange Habitat for Humanity features live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and Habitat family stories. This year's event is scheduled for Oct. 29.

9WINDERMERE RUN AMONG THE LAKES

Downtown Windermere

DETAILS: This annual 5K and 10K run gives participants a chance to run, jog or walk the town’s unique dirt roads and along its scenic views of the Butler Chain of Lakes.

10

HORIZON WEST FEST

DETAILS: This celebration of all things Horizon West brings the community together for a day of fun in the sun, complete with kids’ activities, local vendors and businesses, food and live entertainment.

PLUGGED IN

The best way to get involved in your community is to join a local civic club. West Orange and Southwest Orange are home to many organizations that work hard to improve the lives of others and the community as a whole.

DR. PHILLIPS

Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips

P.O. Box 1381, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 325-5483

WEBSITE: drphillipsrotary.com

PRESIDENT:

Mary Ellen Elizabeth Kerber CONTACT: president@drphillipsrotary.org

MEETINGS: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, 9000 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando

SIGNATURE EVENTS:

A Taste of Dr. Phillips; Wine & Dine on Nine; Birdies and BBQ

West Orange Women

WEBSITE: westorangewomen.com

CONTACT: Mary Borgan, (407) 929-3030

PRESIDENT: Noel Anne McGuigan

MEETINGS: WOW monthly luncheons are held in area restaurants, usually at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month, from September through May.

GOTHA

Nehrling Garden Society 2267 Hempel Ave. P.O. Box 884, Gotha PHONE: (407) 445-9977

WEBSITE: nehrlinggardens.org

PRESIDENT: Angela Withers MEETINGS: Board meetings are held once a month. Volunteer days are Wednesday mornings and the first two Saturdays of each month.

SIGNATURE EVENTS:

Owl Prowl — Art & Wine Wander; Holiday Amaryllis Festival

HORIZON WEST

Kiwanis Club of Horizon West/Windermere

PHONE: (407) 744-1205

WEBSITE: kiwanis.org

FACEBOOK: Kiwanis Club of Horizon West/Windermere Florida MEETINGS: 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Piesano’s, 7782 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere.

Legacy Events for Education

WEBSITE: legacyeventsfored.org

EMAIL: davidterry@legacyevents fored.org

HISTORY: Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $60,000 toward scholarships and grants for students, teachers and facilities at local high schools.

SIGNATURE EVENTS:

Holiday Market at Hamlin; Central Florida Chili Cookoff

Rotary Club of Horizon West 16106 Marsh Road, Suite 104, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 451-9738

WEBSITE: horizonwestrotary.org

PRESIDENT-ELECT: Andy Ortiz

MEETINGS: Noon on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

OCOEE

GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee

4 N. Lakewood Drive

P.O. Box 953, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 656-7115

WEBSITE: womansclubofocoee.com

PRESIDENT: Lynne Seigler

MEETINGS: Monthly at the clubhouse

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Birthday Luncheon and Fashion Show; Corn Beef and Cabbage event

Ocoee Lions Club

108 Taylor St. / P.O. Box 538, Ocoee

PHONE: (321) 247-7441

WEBSITE: ocoeelionsclub.com

PRESIDENT: Melissa Tanner

MEETINGS: 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays

SIGNATURE EVENT: Asylum Haunted Hospital

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista

PHONE: (407) 780-6422

WEBSITE: rotarylbv.org

MEETINGS: 7:15 a.m. Thursdays at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort.

WINDERMERE

Windermere Garden Club

P.O. Box 502, Windermere PHONE: (407) 876-1127

WEBSITE:

windermeregardenclub.org

PRESIDENT: Vicki Hearst MEETINGS: Held at 9:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. Summer luncheons are held June through August.

Windermere Rotary Club

WEBSITE: windermererotary.org

MEETINGS: 6:54 to 8 a.m. Tuesdays at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: The club emphasizes community service and has created several projects, including the Rotary Park, the Town Hall back porch and the Windermere Veterans Memorial.

WINTER GARDEN

American Legion Post 63 271 W. Plant St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 656-6361

WEBSITE: legionflpost63.org

COMMANDER: Kurt R. Gies

MEETINGS: A weekly open house is held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, and veterans are invited to visit for coffee, conversation and cards.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Challenge 22 Walk and Picnic

Bloom & Grow Garden Society

800 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden

WEBSITE: bloomandgrow.club

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Spring Fever in the Garden festival each April.

Rotary Club of Winter Garden

P.O. Box 770096, Winter Garden

WEBSITE: rotaryclubofwintergarden.org

PRESIDENT: Eric Roukey

MEETINGS: Noon Tuesdays at Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Broadway & Beyond; Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. Supports the Rotary Medical Equipment Bank.

West Orange Junior Service League

P.O. Box 770267, Winter Garden

WEBSITE: wojsl.com

PRESIDENT: Sonya Adams

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Annual Golf Cart Parade in December, as well as two fundraisers: the Oakland Park 5K and the Run for the Roses

West Orange VFW Post 4305

1170 E. Plant St., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 656-3078

WEBSITE: vfwpost4305.org

COMMANDER: Terry Gunthrie MEETINGS: 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Sponsors the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen contests.

Winter Garden Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 2165

700 S. Ninth St., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 656-2165

WEBSITE: bit.ly/3I8Fbx5

CONTACTS: Edwin Colon, exalted ruler; Leslie Freeman, secretary MEETINGS: 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Winter Garden Lions Club

Winter Garden Lions Foundation, P.O. Box 770757, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 615-6362

WEBSITE: wglionsfoundation. weebly.com

CONTACT: Al White, president MEETINGS: Potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Orange Tree Mobile Home Clubhouse, 29 Orange Tree Circle, Winter Garden

Winter Garden Masonic Lodge 165 F&AM

230 W. Bay St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 614-7380

WEBSITE: wintergardenmasoniclodge.org

WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Luis Oliveira

MEETINGS: 7:30 p.m. first and third Thursdays of each month

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Annual All-American Kids Parade on July 4

MAP KEY

city and town boundries

Winter Garden Windermere

Horizon West Doctor Phillips Bay Lake

Oakland Ocoee Gotha Bay Hill

locations key

1. OAKLAND TOWN HALL // 230 N. Tubb St., Oakland

WINTER GARDEN CITY HALL // 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden

OCOEE CITY HALL // 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee

WINDERMERE TOWN HALL // 520 Main St., Windermere

ORANGE OBSERVER // 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden

ROPER YMCA FAMILY CENTER // 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden

DR. P. PHILLIPS YMCA FAMILY CENTER // 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando

LAKE APOPKA NATURAL GAS DIRSTRICT // 1320 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden

WEST ORANGE HEALTHCARE DISTRICT // 10000 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 281, Ocoee

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 13275 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 2140 N. Don Wickham Drive, Clermont

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS // 840 Mercy Drive, Orlando

LAKERIDGE WINERY // 19239 U.S. 27, Clermont

AZPIRA AT WINDERMERE // 13798 Speer Island Drive, Windermere

HAMLIN TOWN CENTER // 14422 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden

MATTHEW’S HOPE CHEST STORE & BOUTIQUE // 1027 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden

MATTHEW’S HOPE FIRM FOUNDATION PRESCHOOL // 740 Ninth St., Winter Garden

MATTHEW’S HOPE MINISTIRES // 611 Business Park Blvd., Suite 101, Winter Garden

ARNOLD PALMER’S BAY HILL & LODGE // 9000 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO // 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando

SEAWORLD ORLANDO // 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando

DISNEY’S MAGIC KINGDOM // Lake Buena Vista, Florida

DISNEY SPRINGS // 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista

ORANGE COUNTY NATIONAL GOLF CENTER AND LODGE // 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden

Find local news every Thursday in the Big Red

the code to find your closest location for the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer.

Lake Butler

TOGETHER GROW

HERE WHEN YOU NEED IT

Access to quality health care is a critical component of any community. Thankfully, with four hospitals servicing the West Orange and Southwest Orange communities, local residents have just that.

The most recent addition is AdventHealth Winter Garden’s new five-story, 80-bed inpatient tower, which opened in May. The tower offers a multitude of new services, including advanced gynecology, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurology, spine health and urology.

HOSPITALS

ADVENTHEALTH

WINTER GARDEN

2000 Fowler Grove Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 614-0500

DETAILS: Earlier this year, AdventHealth celebrated the opening of its 80-bed AdventHealth Winter Garden Hospital to join its emergency department.

SERVICES OFFERED: Cardiovascular care; diabetes care; digestive care; emergency care; imaging services; men’s care; outpatient surgical care; pain medicine; podiatry care; senior care; spine health; urological care; women’s care

ORLANDO HEALTH

— DR. P. PHILLIPS HOSPITAL

9401 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 351-8500

DETAILS: Orlando Health’s Dr. P. Phillips Hospital is a full-service medical/surgical facility serving Southwest Orange.

SERVICES OFFERED: Cancer services; emergency care; endocrinology; endoscopy; gastroenterology; heart and vascular care; laboratory and pathology services; nephrology; neurosciences; occupational medicine; orthopedics and sports medicine; outpatient services; radiology services; robotic surgery; surgical services; women’s services

ORLANDO HEALTH — HEALTH CENTRAL HOSPITAL

10000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 296-1000

DETAILS: Health Central Hospital has served West Orange County and surrounding communities for more than 60 years. It has nearly 1,500 employees and more than 500 doctors.

SERVICES OFFERED: Bariatric surgery; chaplain services; diabetes education; emergency care; Health Central University; heart and vascular care; joint replacement center; laboratory and pathology; neurospine; orthopedics; outpatient pharmacy; radiology and diagnostic imaging; rehabilitation; robotic surgery; stroke and cerebral vascular care; surgery center; wound care

ORLANDO HEALTH — HORIZON WEST HOSPITAL

17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 407-0000

DETAILS: The newest addition to Orlando Health’s family of hospitals, Horizon West Hospital opened in January 2021. The six-story, 214,000-square-foot facility features a 120-patient-bed capacity and integrates the 78,000-squarefoot emergency department and medical pavilion that began serving the community in 2018.

SERVICES OFFERED: Cancer care; critical care medicine; digestive health; ER/emergency care; heart and vascular care; laboratory services; medical pavilion; neurosciences care; orthopedics and sports medicine; outpatient care; radiology care; robotic surgery; stroke care; surgical care

Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital has served West Orange for more than 60 years.

AdventHealth opened its Winter Garden Hospital in 2022.

EDUCATION

For parents, finding a community with competitive schools is a top priority. Those living in West Orange and Southwest Orange have plenty of options for quality education throughout the area. From Orange County Public Schools’ elementary, middle, high and virtual offerings to a number of charter and private options, parents should have no trouble plugging into a school community that meets their needs.

AMY QUESINBERRY

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

BAY LAKE

12005 Silverlake Park Drive, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 217-7960

WEBSITE: baylakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Lakeitha Mincey

MASCOT: Lions

ENROLLMENT: 703

FUN FACT: Each year, fifthgrade teachers select one student from their class who consistently goes above and beyond expectations. These students are nominated for the Heart of a Lion award.

BAY MEADOWS

9150 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 876-7500

WEBSITE: baymeadowses.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: GeRai Johnson Mays

MASCOT: Koalas

ENROLLMENT: 706

FUN FACT: Bay Meadows Elementary celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year.

CASTLEVIEW

9131 Taborfield Ave., Orlando

PHONE: (407) 612-4205

WEBSITE: castleviewes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Dr. Julie Helton

MASCOT: Dragons

ENROLLMENT: 657

FUN FACT: Castleview has a house system in which all staff members and students are sorted into one of four different houses.

CITRUS

87 N. Clarke Road, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 445-5475

WEBSITE: citruses.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Robert Walker

MASCOT: Honeybees

ENROLLMENT: 472

FUN FACT: Citrus Elementary turns 23 this year.

DILLARD STREET

311 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 877-5000

WEBSITE: dillardstreetes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Tiffany Smid

MASCOT:

Dragon named Dougie ENROLLMENT: 532

FUN FACT: Nearly all 650 students live within a two-mile radius from the school.

DR. PHILLIPS

6909 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando

PHONE: (407) 354-2600

WEBSITE: drphillipses.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Christine Rogers

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 708

FUN FACT: Dr. Phillips Elementary was recognized for being the top-recycling school in the Southwest Learning Community.

WILLIAM R. FRANGUS

380 Killington Way, Orlando

PHONE: 407) 296-6469

WEBSITE: franguses.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: DeCheryl Britton

MASCOT: Jazz

ENROLLMENT: 449

FUN FACT: The school community is known as the Frangus Jazz and has taken the saxophone as the mascot to honor Bill Frangus and his love for music.

HAMLIN

16145 Silver Grove Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: TBD

WEBSITE: hamlines.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL:

Dr. Angela Murphy-Osborne

MASCOT: Huskie

ENROLLMENT: 515

FUN FACT: The new elementary school will share land with the new Hamlin Middle.

INDEPENDENCE

6255 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 217-7727

WEBSITE: independencees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Jeffrey Alan Peters

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 935

FUN FACT: Independence Elementary has a diverse student population with students from more than 30 countries.

KEENE’S CROSSING

5240 Keenes Pheasant Drive, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 654-1351

WEBSITE:

keenescrossinges.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Sherry Donaldson

MASCOT: Cougars

ENROLLMENT: 943

FUN FACT: The school has received the Five Star School award every year since 2009.

LAKE WHITNEY

1351 Windermere Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 877-8888

WEBSITE: lakewhitneyes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Dr. Pamela Crabb

MASCOT: Dolphins

ENROLLMENT: 597

FUN FACT: Every school year, Lake Whitney chooses a different theme.

WILLIAM S. MAXEY

602 E. Story Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 877-5020

WEBSITE: Maxeyes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Carletta Davis-Wilson

MASCOT: The Mighty Wildcats

ENROLLMENT: 422

FUN FACT: Maxey is a Kids for Peace Kindness Certified School.

OCOEE

400 S. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 877-5027

WEBSITE: ocoeees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Kandace Goshe

MASCOT: Cardinals

ENROLLMENT: 664

FUN FACT: Ocoee Elementary has many families who have

grandparents and great-grandparents who also attended Ocoee Elementary. Parents recognize teachers at the school from when they were students at Ocoee Elementary.

PALM LAKE

8000 Pin Oak Drive, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 354-2610

WEBSITE: palmlakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: James Weis

MASCOT: Bobcats

ENROLLMENT: 649

FUN FACT: Palm Lake has a nature trail and outdoor classroom called the Bobcat Nature Trail.

PANTHER LAKE

10151 Summerlake Groves St., Winter Garden

PHONE: TBD

WEBSITE: pantherlakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Christine Szymanski

MASCOT: Panthers

ENROLLMENT: 765

FUN FACT: Each year, the school will work to build self-esteem, reach common academic and social goals, nurture and support all students, and ensure all are ready for middle school.

PRAIRIE LAKE

8723 Hackney Prairie Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 884-2220

WEBSITE: prairielakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Dr. Robert Strenth

MASCOT: Panthers

ENROLLMENT: 818

FUN FACT: The school selects a different theme each year.

SAND LAKE

8301 Buena Vista Woods Blvd., Orlando PHONE: (407) 903-7400

WEBSITE: sandlakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Kathleen Phillips

MASCOT: Stingrays

ENROLLMENT: 643

FUN FACT: There was once an alligator found in the bike rack. Wildlife officials came to remove the 4-foot creature.

SPRING LAKE

1105 Sarah Lee Lane, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 578-2085

WEBSITE: springlakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Patty Harrelson

MASCOT: Blue Jays

ENROLLMENT: 441

FUN FACT: Spring Lake has a house system, and all students

are sorted into one of our four houses. Students and staff enjoy quarterly house competitions.

SUMMERLAKE

15450 Porter Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 554-1774

WEBSITE: summerlakees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Delaine Bender

MASCOT: Gators

ENROLLMENT: 720

FUN FACT: The student body comes from more than 21 different countries — the farthest being more than 9,000 miles away.

SUNRIDGE

14455 SunRidge Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 656-0809

WEBSITE: sunridgees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Douglas Farley

MASCOT: Sunny the Eagle

ENROLLMENT: 677

FUN FACT: SunRidge Elementary has made it a tradition to bring snow to the school every December.

SUNSET PARK

12050 Overstreet Road, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 905-3724

WEBSITE: sunsetparkes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Jay Gangwisch

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 821

FUN FACT: Sunset Park Elementary has a house system to help promote community and social emotional learning.

THORNEBROOKE

601 Thornebrooke Drive, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 909-1301

WEBSITE: thornebrooke.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Korey Bawden

MASCOT: Barracudas

ENROLLMENT: 587

FUN FACT: Corin Metz was named the 2021-22 Teacher of the Year.

TILDENVILLE

1221 Brick Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 877-5054

WEBSITE: tildenvillees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Agathe Alvarez

MASCOT: Tigers

ENROLLMENT: 533

FUN FACT: Tildenville employs a two-way dual-language program; students learn in English and Spanish while receiving 45 minutes of French each week.

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16000 Water Spring Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 554-1610

WEBSITE: waterspringes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Matthew Hendricks

MASCOT: Otters

ENROLLMENT: 1,063

FUN FACT: Water Spring opened in August 2019. Its mascot, Ollie the Otter, was created by a talented member of the community and named by its “Otterly Amazing” community.

WESTBROOKE

500 Tomyn Blvd., Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 656-6228

WEBSITE: westbrookees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Vidal Reyes

MASCOT: Wildcats

ENROLLMENT: 507

FUN FACT: Westbrooke awards the Tomyn Award each year to students who show outstanding effort in all academic areas, possess leadership qualities, consider both peers and community, and have continual school spirit.

WEST OAKS

905 Dorscher Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 532-3875

WEBSITE: westoakses.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Alfaye Floyd

MASCOT: Wildcats

ENROLLMENT: 473

FUN FACT: West Oaks opened in August 2004 as a relief school for Citrus Elementary.

WHISPERING OAK

15300 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 656-7773

WEBSITE: whisperingoakes.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Lee “Kip” Montgomery

MASCOT: Wildcats

ENROLLMENT: 806

FUN FACT: WOE is starting its 17th year of excellence.

WINDERMERE

11125 Park Ave., Windermere PHONE: (407) 876-7520

WEBSITE: windermerees.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Diana Greer

MASCOT: Mustangs

ENROLLMENT: 659

FUN FACT: Windermere has served students since 1889.

WINDY RIDGE SCHOOL K-8

3900 Beech Tree Drive, Orlando PHONE: (407) 296-5100

WEBSITE: windyridgek8.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Charles Jackson

MASCOT: Silverhawks

ENROLLMENT: 1,138

FUN FACT: This is a community school with lots of parent involvement, and some current teachers were students here themselves.

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MIDDLE SCHOOLS BRIDGEWATER

5600 Tiny Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 905-3710

WEBSITE: bridgewaterms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Amy Klaber

MASCOT: Bobcats

ENROLLMENT: 1,040

FUN FACT: Bridgewater opened in 2006.

CHAIN OF LAKES

8700 Conroy-Windermere Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 909-5400

WEBSITE: chainoflakesms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Cheron Anderson MASCOT: Ospreys

ENROLLMENT: 996

FUN FACT: Chain of Lakes has one of the best middle school performing-arts departments in the county.

GOTHA

9155 Gotha Road, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 521-2360

WEBSITE: gothams.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Monica Emery MASCOT: Grizzlies

ENROLLMENT: 1,098

SPECIALTY COFFEES

FUN FACT: Every year, the school creates a LipDub video that includes staff, teachers and students.

HAMLIN

16025 Silver Grove Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: TBD

WEBSITE: hamlinms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Dr. Suzanne Knight

MASCOT: Coyotes

ENROLLMENT: 1,215

FUN FACT: The new middle school will share land with the new Hamlin Elementary.

HORIZON WEST

8200 Tattant Blvd., Windermere PHONE: (407) 554-1570

WEBSITE: horizonwestms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Michelle Thomas

MASCOT: Hornets

ENROLLMENT: 1,194

FUN FACT: More than 42,000,000 pounds of concrete were used to build Horizon West Middle.

LAKEVIEW

1200 W. Bay St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 877-5010

WEBSITE: lakeviewms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Antonio Roman

MASCOT: Red Devils

ENROLLMENT: 842

FUN FACT: The school

as

OCOEE

300 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 877-5035

WEBSITE: ocoeems.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Samuel Davis

MASCOT: Cardinals

ENROLLMENT: 1,197

FUN FACT: Ocoee was built as a demonstration school for the state.

SOUTHWEST

6450 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando

PHONE: (407) 370-7200

WEBSITE: southwestms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Raymond Yockel

MASCOT: Sea Lions

ENROLLMENT: 1,367

FUN FACT: The school has the largest student council of any OCPS middle school.

SUNRIDGE

14955 SunRidge Blvd., Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 656-0794

WEBSITE: sunridgems.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Amy McHale

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 1,110

FUN FACT: The 2020 eighth-grade class left a legacy by designing SunRidge Rocks.

WATER SPRING

Temporarily at Horizon High, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 992-0597

WEBSITE: waterspringms.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Andrew Jackson

MASCOT: Wildcats

CAPACITY: 720

FUN FACT: It will operate on the Horizon campus until 2023.

HIGH SCHOOLS

DR. PHILLIPS

6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 355-3200

WEBSITE: drphillipshs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Jackie Ramsey

MASCOT: Panthers

ENROLLMENT: 3,164

FUN FACT: Dr. Phillips almost was not named as it is today due to a decision made by the School Board to stop naming schools after individuals.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

n Darren Barnet — actor

n Wayne Brady — actor

n Matt Lauria — actor

n Vinicius Machado — actor

n Mekia Cox — actress

n Ashley Eckstein — actress

n Brit Marling — actress

n Valery Ortiz — actress

n Amanda Seale — actress

n Joey Fatone, singer — *NSYNC

n Luis Fonsi — singer, Grammy award winner

n DJ Khaled — singer, producer, DJ

n Madison Anderson — model, Miss Universe 2019 runner-up

n Ha Ha Clinton-Dix — NFL free safety

n Johnny Damon — MLB player

HORIZON

10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 992-0597

WEBSITE: horizonhs.ocp.net

PRINCIPAL: Andrew Jackson

MASCOT: Hawks

CAPACITY: 2,776

FUN FACT: It is one of the district’s newest prototype designs.

LAKE BUENA VISTA

11305 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 317-3200

WEBSITE: lakebuenavistahs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Dr. Guy Swenson

MASCOT: Vipers

CAPACITY: 1,631

FUN FACT: This school was built to relieve Dr. Phillips and Freedom.

OCOEE

1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 905-3000

WEBSITE: ocoeehs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Lisa Karcinski

MASCOT: Knights

ENROLLMENT: 2,442

NOTABLE ALUMNI

n Cap Capi — NFL player

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OLYMPIA

4301 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 905-6400

“As an optometrist, being able to positively impact someone’s life by helping them see better brings me so much joy and fulfillment!”

— Dr. Angela L. Washington

WEBSITE: olympiahs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Christy Gorberg

Dr. Angela L. Washington is a member of American Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association, Central Florida Society of Optometric Physicians, and Black Eyecare Perspective. She is passionate about caring for patients with advanced eye diseases and preventing the progression of myopia in nearsighted children. She is a native Floridian, a Wife, and a Mom of two girls Come see Dr. Washington at our NEW Hamlin location!

MASCOT: Titans

ENROLLMENT: 2,919

FUN FACT: Since the school’s opening in 2001, Olympia High School has been the pride of the community, where high expectations and parental involvement support the school’s academic and extracurricular programs. This collaborative effort has consistently produced highly successful, exceedingly academic, well-rounded students.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

n Sherwood Brown — professional basketball player

n Deondre Francois — NCAA quarterback

n Nick Gordon — Minnesota Twins shortstop

n Chris Johnson — former NFL running back

n Rashad Lawrence — former NFL and CFL wide receiver

n Leah Lewis — actress

n Michael Lockley — former NFL and CFL linebacker

n Brad Miller — Major League Baseball infielder

n Trevor Siemian — NFL quarterback

n Jesse Winker — professional baseball player, Cincinnati Reds

WEST ORANGE HIGH

1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 905-2400

WEBSITE: westorangehs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Matthew Turner

MASCOT: Warriors

ENROLLMENT: 2,826

FUN FACT: West Orange High is a true community school that has a large number of parent volunteers donating more than 20,000 hours of service each year.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

n Cori Yarckin — actress and singer

n Sammie — R&B artist

n Austin Gomber — fourth-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals

n Dexter Williams Green Bay Packers running back

n Chris Seise — first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers

WINDERMERE HIGH

5523 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 347-0980

WEBSITE: windermerehs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Andrew Leftakis

MASCOT: Wolverines

ENROLLMENT: 3,038

FUN FACT: The campus features technology-integrated classrooms, a state-of-the art media center and a performing-arts suite.

OTHER

ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL SCHOOL

1600 Silver Star Road, Orlando PHONE: (407) 317-3327

WEBSITE: ocvs.ocps.net

PRINCIPAL: Brandi Gurley

MASCOT: Chargers

FUN FACT: OCVS was recognized as the 2019 Franchise of the Year by the Florida Virtual School system.

ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE – WESTSIDE

955 E. Story Road, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 905-2000

WEBSITE: orangetechcollege.net/ campuses/westside

PRINCIPAL: Crystal Davidson

ENROLLMENT: More than 1,400

CHARTER SCHOOLS HOPE CHARTER/ LEGACY CHARTER HIGH

1550 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 656-4673

WEBSITE: hopecharter.org

PRINCIPAL: Kristy Castellanos, Legacy; Allen Quain, Hope Charter

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: Legacy: 206, Hope: 430

FUN FACT: Hope was funded in 2000 and welcomed students in 2001.

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INNOVATION

MONTESSORI OCOEE

1644 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 654-2045

WEBSITE: innovationmontessori.com

PRINCIPAL: Patrice Cherico

MASCOT: Owls

ENROLLMENT: 707

FUN FACT: A determined group of middle-school students asked if they could start a basketball team, undeterred by the fact that there was no court. They worked together with coach Jamie LoFiego to find practice opportunities.

OAKLAND AVENUE

CHARTER SCHOOL

456 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland

PHONE: (407) 877-2039

WEBSITE: Oaklandfl.gov

PRINCIPAL: Pamela Dwyer

MASCOT: Eagle

ENROLLMENT: 531

FUN FACT: Students are grouped into “nests” — Trustworthiness, Integrity, Perseverance and Generosity.

RENAISSANCE CHARTER

SCHOOL AT CROWN POINT

83 West Road, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 573-1080

WEBSITE: crownpointcharter.org

PRINCIPAL: Brett E. Taylor

MASCOT: Royals

ENROLLMENT: 1,147

FUN FACT: Renaissance Charter at Crown Point is the first school in CSUSA history to have an aquaponic farm on its campus.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

700 Good Homes Road, No. 6600, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 850-2322

WEBSITE: cfcaeagles.org

PRINCIPAL: Pam Theobald

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 227

FUN FACT: The fully accredited prekindergarten-through 12thgrade Christian school is located at the Church at the Cross.

THE CRENSHAW SCHOOL

2342 Hempel Ave., Gotha

PHONE: (407) 757-2241

WEBSITE: crenshawschool.com

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Tanya Williams

ENROLLMENT: 250

FUN FACT: The school was founded by Brenda Crenshaw, who was a private instructor to Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass.

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando

PHONE: (407) 206-8600

WEBSITE: thefirstacademy.org

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Dr. Steve Whitaker

MASCOT: Royals

ENROLLMENT: More than 1,450

FUN FACT: The Christ-centered, college preparatory, private school has served Central Florida students from preschool through high school since 1986.

FOUNDATION ACADEMY

Upper School: 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden; Lower School: 125 E. Plant St., Winter Garden; Lakeside Campus: 8464 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Orlando

PHONE: Upper School: (407) 877-2744; Lower School: (407) 656-3677; Lakeside Campus: (407) 204-9672

WEBSITE: foundationacademy.net

PRINCIPALS: Sarah Reynolds, Upper School; Angel Whitehead, Lower School, Plant Street Campus; Amanda Donaho, Lower School, Lakeside Campus

MASCOT: Lions

ENROLLMENT: 905 students across three campuses

FUN FACT: Foundation Academy has been offering a Christ-centered education since 1958.

HOLY FAMILY

CATHOLIC SCHOOL

5125 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando

PHONE: (407) 876-2211

WEBSITE: hfcschool.com

PRINCIPAL: Sister Dorothy Sayers

MASCOT: Lions

ENROLLMENT: 650

FUN FACT: Throughout the year, Holy Family Catholic School’s students participate in numerous charity events, such as food drives and fundraisers, to help those in need through the Catholic Charities organization.

LIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Main Campus: 1105 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee; South Campus: 2450 Citrus Oaks Ave., Gotha

PHONE: (407) 656-6314

WEBSITE: mylcac.com

PRINCIPAL:

Bishop Thomas Odom

MASCOT: Sharks

FUN FACT: The school outgrew its Main Campus in 2020 and moved part of the student body to a South Campus at Quest Church.

MONTVERDE ACADEMY

17235 Seventh St., Montverde

PHONE: (407) 469-2561

WEBSITE: montverde.org

HEADMASTER: Kasey Kesselring

MASCOT: Eagles

ENROLLMENT: 1,300

VICTORY

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

1601 A.D. Mims Road, Ocoee

PHONE: (407) 656-1295

WEBSITE: vcaocoee.org

PRINCIPAL: Jason Davis ENROLLMENT: 100

FUN FACT: This year marks Victory Christian Academy’s 36th anniversary.

WINDERMERE

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

6189 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Windermere

PHONE: (407) 905-7737

WEBSITE: windermereprep.com

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Dr. Mitchell Salerno

MASCOT: Lakers

ENROLLMENT: 1,500

FUN FACT: This is the 21st anniversary of the school.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

UCP CENTRAL FLORIDA — WEST ORANGE CAMPUS

1297 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Suite 110, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 904-0135

WEBSITE: ucpcfl.org

PRINCIPAL: Thomas Brickel

MASCOT: The West Orange Wave ENROLLMENT: 231

FUN FACT: The school moved to a new campus for the 2021-22 school year.

AT SIAM THAI CUISINE

8957 International Drive, Orlando Crispy Duck

LOCAL FLAVOR

7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite 38, Orlando. Pistachio and Hazelnut Cone

13790 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., Suite 1000, Windermere Acai Bowl

5855 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Suite 160, Windermere; 16412 New Independence Parkway, Suite 140, Winter Garden Croque Madame

13211 Reams Road, Unit 110, Windermere

The Boss on Rainbow with Aly’s special razzle-dazzle sauce and homemade strawberry milk

THE FRENCH CAFE

LOOP CAFE

STUFF-A-BAGEL

GELATERIA LA CARRAIA

LISBON

7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite 12, Orlando

Polvo a Lagareiro (Broiled octopus)

BOSPHORUS

16418 New Independence Parkway, Suite 140, Winter Garden

Lavas and Mixed Appetizer

HOME STATE BREWING

16016 New Independence Parkway, Unit 100, Winter Garden

Party Goblin and The Selective Eccentric

121 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden Flower Child Salad

MANGONI ITALIAN MARKET

251 Tremaine St., Winter Garden

Tuscan Sky Cocktail

West Orange and Southwest Orange are home to some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. Here are just some of our favorite dishes — all unique to our community and well worth your time and money.

NAAN STOPP

5845 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Suite 130, Windermere

Butter Chicken, Chicken Vindaloo, Garlic Naan, Chana Masala, Spinach and Cheese Palak Paneer and Tandoori Chicken with red and white house wines.

PAMMIE’S SAMMIES

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SIGHTS TO SEE

n Clermont Historic Village Museum. Clermont’s Historic Village, at the corner of West Avenue and Osceola Street, is a cooperative effort of the South Lake County Historical Society and the city of Clermont.

n Clermont Performing Arts Center. The center has a 1,200-seat performance hall and a 250-seat black-box theater. The center is part of the 69,000-square-foot Clermont Arts and Recreation Center.

n Citrus Tower. One of Florida’s first “attractions,” the Citrus Tower was built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in Florida’s ridge section. A glassenclosed observation deck allows visitors to enjoy the panoramic view of the rolling hills of Florida’s ridge section and hundreds of spring-fed lakes in the surrounding eightcounty area.

n Clay Loop. One of the jewels of Clermont is its popular 10-mile Clay Loop, where Olympians and residents enjoy the beauty of scenic views combined with rolling hills. The Loop once was a clay road around many citrus groves.

n Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. Situated among the rolling hills of Clermont, this winery offers tours and wine tasting seven days a week. Lakeridge Winery is the largest winery in Florida.

EVENTS

n Red White & Boom. This Fourth of July extravaganza is held July 4 at Waterfront Park. The event is topped off with evening fireworks.

n Clermont Main Street Wine Stroll. Explore historic Downtown Clermont while sampling wine at participating shops.

n Downtown Clermont Farmers Market. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, this market features 40 vendors selling local produce, meat, honey, eggs, seafood, handmade gifts and home goods.

DAY TRIP

CLERMONT

LOCAL FLAVOR

n Guru Indian Restaurant, 2400 S. U.S. 27, Suite 101, Clermont. This popular restaurant features authentic Indian cuisine. Suggestion: Beef Saag Wala, succulent pieces of choice beef cooked with spinach, sauteed with onion, flavored with fresh coriander.

n Clermont Brewing Company, 750 W. Desoto St., Clermont. This establishment features an on-site brewery and thin-crust Neapolitan pizza. Guests also can enjoy live music.

n The Southern on 8th 801 W. Montrose St., Clermont. This kitchen serves a variety of Southern-style dishes. The Southern Shrimp and Grits features Atlantic red shrimp, Nora Mills Granary white grits, cherry tomatoes and white cheddar.

Founded in 1884 and incorporated in 1916, Clermont was created in the rolling hills between lakes Minneola and Minnehaha. It was named for the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotnowski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company, which was formed for land development. Much of the county initially was developed as orange and other citrus groves, which was the basis of the economy through the mid-20th century.

In 1922, a developer named Edward Denslow organized The Postal Colony Company when he bought 1,000 acres of land and planted citrus groves.

Clermont — known for its picturesque hills and pristine lakes — once was the Citrus Capital of Old Florida. It is home to the 1956 Florida Citrus Tower, one of Florida's early landmarks.

Downtown Clermont has restaurants, shops, the local Art League, Clermont City Center and City Hall. The downtown's western area, known as Historic Village, includes sites such as the Townsend House, home to James and Sallie Townsend, the first black couple in Clermont.

Waterfront Park is located along Lake Minneola. The park includes picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and a playground; a place to rent paddleboards, kayaks and bicycles; and a fitness trail that is part of a 30-mile system.

— Amy Quesinberry

Photos by Katie Steed

rench Cafe, we offer the best croissants, quiches, pastries, repes, & coffee in the Orlando area. Delight in an authentic afé experience with creations from our world-renowned chef. m scratch daily, j oin us for dine-in, carryout, or delivery!

Hamlin

d in Hamlin Grove Everyday 7am to 3pm New Independence Pkwy 140 (407) 500-4050

Windermere

Near Windermere High School

Open Everyday 7am to 5pm 5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd Suite # 160 (407) 500-0306

At V’s, we bring you nostalgia with a modern twist. From the authentic barber chairs, our old-fashioned hot lather and straightedge razor shaves to our relaxing head and neck massages, V’s Barbershop sets a new standard for barber shops.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional short hair cut or a more contemporary men’s hairstyle, we invite you to visit one of our barbers and experience for yourself why V’s is simply a cut above the rest!

SIGHTS TO SEE

n Modernism Museum

Mount Dora. This museum opened in 2013 and displays an incredible personal collection — belonging to Ken Mazik — of mid-century modern furniture. The exhibit changes every year.

n Grantham Point Park. Also referred to as Lighthouse Park, this touristic destination features one of Mount Dora’s famous landmarks — the red and white lighthouse.

n Downtown Mount Dora. Downtown Mount Dora delights the eyes of every visitor with more than 20 restaurants and a wide variety of arts and craft stores with historical buildings dispersed throughout the city.

EVENTS

n Mount Dora Craft Fair. The town’s largest event attracts more than 250,000 visitors every fourth weekend of the month of October. This year, the fair will take place the weekend of Oct. 22 to 23.

n Sailboat Regatta. Since April 1953, the Mount Dora Yacht Club has hosted this regatta, the oldest in the state, every year during the month of April.

n Mount Dora Arts Festival. Hosted annually on the first full weekend of the month of February by The Mount Dora Center for the Arts, this festival features oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, clay, sculpture and photography works. The next festival is scheduled for Feb. 4 and 5, 2023.

n Mount Dora Bicycle Festival. Held by the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce every October, this festival includes a variety of daily rides that range between 8 and 100 miles in length. This year, the festival will be held Oct. 7 to 10.

n Scottish Highland Festival. Held the third weekend of February, it features Scottish bands and musicians and an afternoon of highland games.

DAY TRIP

MOUNT DORA

LOCAL FLAVOR

n PizzAmoré, 722 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. More than a decade ago, Leigh Love moved to Mount Dora with the desire to share her passion for great food and wine. Popular dishes include the Palermo Pizza, and Adult Mac and Cheese.

n Serendipity Brews, 144 W. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. A quaint coffee shop located in Downtown Mount Dora, Serendipity Brews serves a variety of coffee, beer, wine-based cocktails and light food. A popular choice is the Sweet Cream Cold Brew with Brown Butter Toffee.

n Fifth Avenue Streatery, 846 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. This outdoor restaurant offers visitors a unique atmosphere. Popular dishes include Mediterranean Salad and the Southerner Burger with Potato Salad.

The quaint city of Mount Dora, known for its small-town Southern charm, rests next to Lake Dora. In the 1880s, Ms. Dora Ann Drawdy befriended and homesteaded federal surveyors. These surveyors, whom she welcomed into her house, named Lake Dora in her honor in 1846. In 1883, the town that had started to grow around the lake was named after it.

Since its early years, Mount Dora has been a popular winter getaway for hunters, fishermen and boaters. The Lakeside Inn, which has had notable visitors throughout its years — President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and President Calvin Coolidge — was initially named “The Alexander House” when it opened in 1883. In 1893, it was renamed for the first time to “The Lake House” for about a decade until 1903, when it received its final and current name.

Mount Dora, a historic city to this day, retains its small-town charm. Visitors can enjoy the sight of several historic buildings and larger canopy trees as well as its wide variety of antique shops scattered throughout the downtown area.

— Andrea Mujica

Photos by Andrea Mujica

SIGHTS TO SEE

n Explore the craft beer and cocktail scene. Pick up the Central Florida Ale Trail Map at any participating brewery and start your journey in Historic Downtown Sanford, enjoy several beer gardens and learn the art of craft cocktails.

n See a play at a local theater. Experience tributes, symphonies and off-Broadway plays at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center and Theater West End.

n Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Only a five-minute car ride from downtown historic Sanford, the attraction is home to more than 350 animals, representing more than 100 different species. Throughout the summer, locals can take the free trolley from the Sanford SunRail Station to the zoo.

EVENTS

n St. Johns River Festival of the Arts. This outdoor juried fine arts and crafts festival offers educational art demonstrations for visitors of all ages. It features more than 150 artists.

n Love Your Shorts Film Festival. This annual showcase of short films features work from filmmakers from all over the world.

n Sofas and Suds. This craft beer festival features local businesses and organizations racing their creatively crafted old sofas down the streets of downtown Sanford.

n Holiday Tour of Homes. This festive walking tour features Sanford's most beautifully preserved and restored homes — decked out for the holidays. The tour is also the centerpiece of other downtown events, such as the Tour of Drinks and the Light Up Sanford event.

DAY TRIP

SANFORD

LOCAL FLAVOR

n Hollerbach's German Restaurant, 201-205 E. First St., Sanford. This German-themed restaurant opened in 2001. Try the Eisbein with two-liter Das Boot — a skinless, bone-in pork shank served with sauerkraut and Heaven and Earth potatoes.

n St. John’s River Steak & Seafood, 550 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford. This waterside eatery features a light-filled dining room and outdoor tables. Try the Stuffed Grouper and Berries in Paradise, a baked grouper stuffed with crab meat and served with dirty rice, sautéed shrimp and Thai chili sauce.

n The Old Jailhouse Kitchen & Spirits, 113 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford. The restaurant’s Pork Belly is served with an apple and parsnip puree, daikon radish salad, fried parsnips and a bourbon gastrique.

Sanford, one of Central Florida’s oldest incorporated cities, rests on the south shore of Lake Monroe at the head of the navigation of the St. Johns River. During the Seminole wars of the 1830s, the area was the site of a U.S. Army post named Fort Mellon. With the emergence of commercial steamboat service, the town became a distribution point for goods essential to the growth of Central Florida.

Henry Shelton Sanford purchased the land west of Mellonville in 1870, planning a new city, “the Gate City of South Florida,” which he believed would become the transportation hub for all of southern Florida. The city of Sanford was incorporated in 1877, and Mellonville was annexed six years later.

Now, more than 150 years later, the city is rapidly growing with a population of more than 60,000. It is known for its bricklined streets, towering oaks, elegant storefronts and large, 19th-century Victorian homes.

The center of downtown Sanford rests on First Street, where the area is alive with a multitude of unique shops, restaurants, art galleries, a historic theater, and a vast microbrewery and craft cocktail scene.

— Annabelle Sikes

Photos by Annabelle Sikes

Models Open, Tours Given

DINING guide

MONDAY – THURSDAY

3:00pm – 10:00pm FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Clermont Brewing Company

750 W. DESOTO ST, CLERMONT I 321-430-BEER (2337)

WWW.CLERMONTBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

The CBC is your go-to place for fun friendly service, craft beer and cocktails, fresh artisanal food and more. Start your week off with Live Entertainment on Mondays. Come see us Tuesdays for our Cash Bingo, Dueling Pianos on Wednesdays and Thursdays for our Vibe Night. Friday and Saturday Nights come dance the night away with Central Florida’s greatest bands located in downtown Clermont. Top off your weekends with our Sunday Killer Brunch starting at 11 am with bottomless mimosas and build your own bloody marys! Check our event calendar online for the latest happenings.

HAPPY HOUR MONDAY - FRIDAY FROM 3PM - 6PM

Discounted Craft Beer, Well Drinks & Well Wine

4pm - 8pm

The Southern on 8th

801 W MONTROSE ST, CLERMONT I 352-394-7777

WWW.THESOUTHERNON8TH.COM

Enjoy southern comfort food with a sophisticated twist. Utilizing the freshest ingredients prepared to order and served to you...our guests. Please enjoy!

HAPPY HOUR EVERYDAY 4PM–7PM! open for brunch am– 3 pm