12.07.23 Southwest Orange Observer

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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. 9

YOUR TOWN FARM TO HOST VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER Special Hearts Farm’s sixth annual Boots, Wine and Dine Under the Virtual Stars will be held from Dec. 8 through 10 online. Sponsorships range from $500 to $1,000 and include gifts ranging from a T-shirt to restaurant gift cards to signage on animal stalls. To sponsor, visit specialheartsfarm.com. The Winter Garden nonprofit serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities by providing adult day training, supported employment and possible entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences. The organization has purchased 15 acres and will be expanding and moving the facility to a larger adult day training building, event barn training center, animal barn and residences. For information, email office@ specialheartsfarm.com or call (407) 347-8431.

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

A simpler season

Garden Theatre’s ‘Moonshine & Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas Tale’ whisks audiences back to a time of family, faith and tradition. 3A.

PASSION PROJECT

Oakland scoutmaster to retire

LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS CONTINUE

Todd Shaw has assisted 30 teens in Troop 145 in obtaining their Eagle scout rank. SEE PAGE 6A. Several holiday festivities are taking place this week in West Orange County. Chabad of South Orlando will lead the Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Butterfly Sculpture Park in downtown Winter Garden. Mistletoe Market at Hamlin runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. The market will feature a diverse selection of unique small businesses, handmade holiday treasures and one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans and craft vendors. The city of Ocoee will host its Jolly Jamboree and Holiday Tree Lighting event from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, on McKey Street in downtown Ocoee and at City Hall and the historic Withers-Maguire House. Activities include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, games, inflatables, carnival rides, musical performances, carriage rides, craft vendors, downtown merchants and food trucks. A Holiday Dog Parade will kick off at 3 p.m. (with judging at 2:30); register at ocoee.org. The tree lighting ceremony will start at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 N. Bluford Ave. Call (407) 905-3180 or visit ocoee.org for information. In Gotha, Nehrling Gardens will hold its annual Holiday Amaryllis Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, with blooming amaryllis, boxed bulbs and rare hybrid bulbs available for purchase. The event also includes photos with Santa, a holiday plant and vendor market, and more. Guests are asked to take an unwrapped toy or a food item for a local charity.

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

Luck of the Irish

Jan Taylor Hendricks and co-producer Devin Collins recently completed the black comedy, ‘Julie’s Secret.’ STORY ON PAGE 4A. photo credit

Blowin’ up bushels of fun Light Up Winter Garden kicks off big weekend. SEE PAGE 2A. See inside photos of the Winter Garden Christmas Parade, Santa’s Coming to Hamlin and Oakland’s Santa’s Lane. PAGES 7-9A.

West Orange High’s Ivan Taylor has committed to playing college football at Notre Dame. SEE 1B.


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12.07.23 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer - Issuu