Orange Observer

We serve as the local newspaper for West Orange County, featuring news and stories from Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, and Horizon West. Additionally, our sister publication, the Windermere Observer, reports on the areas of Windermere, Gotha, Dr. Phillips, and Southwest Orlando.

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Windermere residents open their 14th Ace Hardware

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos |Debra Garcia

Windermere’s Walter Toole smiled big as he watched Neil Asma, president and CEO of Toole’s Ace Hardware, use giant scissors to cut a ribbon outside the newest Toole’s Ace Hardware. Toole had been waiting about seven years for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Toole’s Ace Hardware of Windermere, signifying the opening of the 14th Ace Hardware location for Toole and his wife, Patricia. Finally, the day had come Monday, June 9.
Winter Garden community mourns Citrus titan

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos

When Sue Chicone sees the clock tower in downtown Winter Garden, she’ll think of her husband, Jerry Chicone Jr. When she sees the mid-1940s railroad caboose outside the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, she’ll think of him. When she hears “Mr. Florida Citrus,” she’ll think of him. When she sees the slogan “Squeeze Oranges, Not Growers” on bumper stickers and signs, she’ll think of him.
Horizon High summer music camp hits the right notes

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos

Eric Misura, a rising eighth-grader at Hamlin Middle School, joined his fellow clarinet players in the auditorium of Horizon High School. In unison, they started playing a portion of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”Although the clarinet players only had been playing together for four days during Horizon High School’s summer music camp, they were progressing in the song and as individual musicians.
Ms. Bee's mourns loss of founder, owner

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos

Ms. Bee's Gourmet Popcorn & Candy Shoppe is mourning the loss of its founder. Belinda Wilson, aka the store's Queen Bee, will be remembered for her kindness and commitment to the West Orange community. "She created a place for families to make memories that will live on forever," the store posted on Facebook.
Agave Bandido opens in Hamlin

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos

Mathew Baum, president of Wolverine Management, has devised a plethora of business plans while majoring in business at the University of Kentucky and throughout his career. Not many came to fruition. But 17 years ago, he created a business plan for a Mexican restaurant. He rediscovered the business plan about 10 years ago while moving files off an old computer and decided it was time to start conceptualizing it.
Windermere High dissolves 501(c)(3) athletic booster association, internalizes booster operations

2 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Sam Albuquerque

In a letter penned by Windermere High Principal Andrew Leftakis, the school’s athletic booster association will be dissolved and booster operations will be internalized by the school, which aligns with Orange County School Board policy. “Over the years, athletic boosters operated as a 501(c)(3) in an effort to support all athletic programs at Windermere,” wrote Leftakis. “The board also organized events, sought out corporate sponsors and sold the annual booster passes.
PHOTOS: Dr. P. Phillips YMCA hosts Summer Safety Splash

3 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Sam Albuquerque

In partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center hosted families from the Southwest Orange community for its Summer Safety Splash event June 7. The community pool party — which featured a live deejay, a variety of local vendors, free snacks and activities — is a fun summer event put on in an effort to help keep kids safe. Along with the family fun event-goers learned tips focused on swimming and overall safety during the summer from experts.
PHOTOS: Winter Garden Farmers Market Birthday Party on the Lawn

3 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Liz Ramos

Maria Uhl has been going to the Winter Garden Farmers Market since its inception 17 years ago. "I've loved watching it grow and seeing local business contribute more and more," she said. "Now as a mom, I love seeing the different activities that have become available for families."One of the family activities Uhl enjoyed was the farmers market's Birthday on the Lawn Saturday, June 7. The party was in celebration of the farmers market's 17th birthday and was held in conjunction with the market.
Oakland Park home tops Winter Garden sales from May 26 to June 1

3 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Michael Eng

An Oakland Park home topped all Winter Garden residential real-estate transactions from May 26 to June 1. The home at 907 Celadon St., Winter Garden, sold May 29, for $2,199,000. Built in 2020, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,247 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three. The sellers were represented by Kimberly Beach-Byerly, The Real Estate Collection LLC. OAKLANDJOHNS LANDINGThe home at 308 Largovista Drive, Oakland, sold May 30, for $443,500.
Three-star football prospect Brian Dillard announces transfer to TFA

3 weeks ago | orangeobserver.com | Sam Albuquerque

West Orange football’s 2024 starting quarterback and do-it-all athlete Brian Dillard has announced he will be transferring to The First Academy for the 2025 football season. “Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths,” Dillard wrote in an Instagram post.