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WAY BACK WHEN: Mary Francis Fischer Howard

Windermere’s Mary Fran Howard was raised in a time when citrus and wilderness ruled the area, children were taught in a tiny schoolhouse, and you could keep livestock in your backyard.

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Latest News

1
  • June 25, 2026
Windermere sues boathouse owners again
2
  • June 25, 2026
Orange County soon to have online platform to rent parks facilities
3
  • June 24, 2026
Oakland Nature Preserve receives matching donation
4
  • June 24, 2026
Wiggle & Wonder Sensory Play Cafe to open in Horizon West
5
  • June 24, 2026
Driftwood Market introduces workshops for community members

Neighborhood

  • June 25, 2026
Windermere to host Special Kids Market
  • June 25, 2026
WAY BACK WHEN: Mary Francis Fischer Howard
  • June 24, 2026
Ocoee PD invites public to Cookies & Milk with a Cop
  • June 22, 2026
The Blake at Hamlin to host educational Alzheimer's, dementia support group
  • June 20, 2026
PHOTOS: Winter Garden Juneteenth Community Celebration 2026
  • June 20, 2026
PHOTOS: Hamlin All-American Flag Parade
  • June 19, 2026
PHOTOS: The Art Room summer camp 2026
  • June 17, 2026
Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute father and son orthopedists continue surgical legacy
  • June 17, 2026
Beyond a Down syndrome diagnosis
  • June 12, 2026
PHOTOS: Healthy West Orange's summer bike parade 2026
  • June 11, 2026
Winter Garden officials ask for community input on Downtown Winter Garden
  • June 10, 2026
FAMILIAR FACES: Color Me Mine's Nedy Trent

Arts & Entertainment

  • June 25, 2026
High school students across Orange County to perform in "In the Heights"
  • June 24, 2026
Driftwood Market introduces workshops for community members
  • June 24, 2026
Ocoee PD invites public to Cookies & Milk with a Cop
  • June 24, 2026
Opening season to be a love letter to the Garden Theatre

Winter Garden Livestream of the Downtown Area

House Wise

  • March 26, 2026
Outdoor kitchens help complete Florida lifestyle

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s the perfect time to consider adding or revamping your outdoor kitchen.

Sponsored Content
  • March 26, 2026
Downtown Winter Garden business changes will affect nearby residents

RE/MAX real-estate adviser Carmelo Nuccio has built his business on intimate knowledge of Winter Garden.

Sponsored Content
  • February 26, 2026
Local insurance agent Jo Barsh says regular insurance reviews are critical to ensuring you have the right amount of coverage for your home.

Be proactive now to prevent major heartbreak later

Sponsored Content
  • February 26, 2026
To start your gardening journey

Have you ever wanted to plant a garden but didn’t know how to start?

Sponsored Content

Schools

  • June 26, 2026
Commissioner Nicole Wilson hosting back-to-school drive

The hygiene and bookbag donation drive will take place through Wednesday, July 8, at various locations.

  • June 25, 2026
High school students across Orange County to perform in "In the Heights"
  • June 24, 2026
OCPS addresses employee health care, school consolidation
  • June 24, 2026
SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE: Running on empty: Why so many teens are burning out
  • June 24, 2026
SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE: Artemis II represents new era of space travel

Sports

  • June 24, 2026
Ocoee Knightmares end first club volleyball season at AAU Nationals

The Ocoee club volleyball team had a successful first season and just competed in the AAU National Championships, the largest volleyball tournament in the country.

  • June 24, 2026
More than a place to stay: Hosting Winter Garden Squeeze players shaped Windermere couple's summers
  • June 24, 2026
How 407Basketball's father-son duo is growing Class of 2032 basketball prospect's future
  • June 24, 2026
Athlete of the Week: Giovanni Veloquio, GGS Soccer Academy
  • June 24, 2026
Lake Buena Vista High receives 2025-26 FHSAA Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award

Newsletter

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Things to Do

  • June 25, 2026
High school students across Orange County to perform in "In the Heights"

More than 90 students will bring "In the Heights" to the stage at Edgewater High School Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28.

  • June 24, 2026
Driftwood Market introduces workshops for community members
  • June 24, 2026
Ocoee PD invites public to Cookies & Milk with a Cop

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Opinion

1
  • June 17, 2026
  • By Michael Eng
OBSERVED: OCPS media policy restricts press access, threatens protected speech
2
  • June 17, 2026
  • By Megan Bruinsma
Knicks rewrote history with NBA Finals, the first of many for Wemby
3
  • February 12, 2026
  • By Michael Eng
OBSERVED: New digs! Observer returns to Dillard Street

Real Estate

  • June 26, 2026
Courtlea Oaks home tops Winter Garden home sales from June 15-21
  • June 25, 2026
Keene’s Pointe mansion tops Windermere home sales from June 15-21
  • June 24, 2026
Meadow Ridge home tops Ocoee home sales from June 15-21
  • June 23, 2026
Lake Avalon Groves home tops Horizon West home sales from June 15-21

Photo Galleries

  • June 20, 2026
PHOTOS: Winter Garden Juneteenth Community Celebration 2026
  • June 20, 2026
PHOTOS: Hamlin All-American Flag Parade
  • June 19, 2026
PHOTOS: The Art Room summer camp 2026
  • June 12, 2026
PHOTOS: Healthy West Orange's summer bike parade 2026

Contact

  • 210 S. Dillard St.,
  • Winter Garden, FL 34787
  • Phone: 407-656-2121
  • Email: [email protected]

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