SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 9, NO. 5
YOUR TOWN VETERANS DAY EVENTS PLANNED
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
Social butterflies Bloom & Grow society takes flight with Flora’s Fiesta. PAGE 7A.
1956 to 2023
There are several opportunities to honor our heroes for Veterans Day this year. The city of Ocoee will hold its 21st annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo will be the keynote speaker. Ocoee resident Sherri Gladney will sing the national anthem. The Ocoee Middle School Wind Ensemble will play a medley of songs, and an Ocoee High School band member will play taps. The First Academy also will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in the Worship Center at First Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando. This year’s celebration will be highlighted by the school’s salute to Vietnam veterans with special guest decorated Vietnam veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier. In Windermere, the Rotary Club of Windermere has planned two events Saturday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. The first is an observance ceremony in conjunction with Mayor Jim O’Brien, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Lone Sailor Division and Family Church Windermere Campus. It takes place from 10:45 to 11:20 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in front of Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. The ceremony will include a flag presentation, moment of silence and musical number. The community is welcome to attend. That evening, starting at 7, the Rotary will host the Windermere Rotary Wine & Cheese Tasting at Town Hall to benefit veterans. For tickets, visit ticketstripe.com/windermererotary.
FLAVOR FEST SET FOR SATURDAY The Horizon West Flavor Fest will feature a fusion of local cuisine, live music and entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Nearly 20 local restaurants are participating in this fourth annual event. Tickets are $5 for children and $15 for adults 13 and older for general admission; $30 for food and drink only; and $43 for admission, food and drinks. They can be purchased at bit. ly/49mIhKU. Featured restaurants are Playa Pizza, Huey Magoo’s, Crisp & Green, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, Bella Italia, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, Gertrude’s Kitchen, The Smoking Soul, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Beng Bread, Clean Eatz, Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza, All Day Chefs, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ, From Italy with Love, Willy T’s Crab Shack, La Fondita de Nandy and The Crepe Co.
Gentle giant
Courtesy photo
Joseph C. Ware, a well-known Windermere artist and community member, died Oct. 6, 2023. Anne Scharer, leader of Windermere Arts and the Windermere Fine Art Show, is making sure his memory lives on. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Pastry party delights parents Lake Whitney Elementary School hosted its Pastries & Parents event. PAGE 6B.
What improvements are needed on Tiny Road? Orange County is conducting a Roadway Conceptual Analysis study to evaluate improvements to the two-lane section of Tiny Road. PAGE 2A.
A PROUD MOMENT West Orange High student Alexa Bishop is recognized for her volunteer work. PAGE 3A.