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🌱 A new preschool opens its doors in Horizon West

Winter Garden, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good morning to you Winter Garden! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • A new preschool opens its doors in Horizon West
  • Life sentence for man who killed Winter Garden father
  • A look at Sanford living, from lakefront walks to historic homes

Also on today's calendar: Jacksonville Chocolate and Coffee Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two sides of a circle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 81 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy and less humid, temps: high: 77, low: 61.
  • Friday: Partly sunny; low humidity, with a high of 70 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Horizon West celebrated the opening of 700th Goddard School (orangeobserver.com) — Families in Horizon West have a new early education option with the opening of The Goddard School of Winter Garden — Horizon West. The school celebrated its ribbon-cutting Nov. 7 and is led by Victoria VanSicklin, who has more than 20 years of early childhood education experience.
   

2. Winter Garden father's ‘proud' killer sentenced to life without parole (orlandosentinel.com) — Ralph Hensel was sentenced Tuesday to life without parole for killing Ja'Keem Williams, a father of three, at Winter Garden's Bay Pointe Apartments in February 2025. Hensel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and Williams' loved ones urged the judge to impose life while describing the loss their family continues to endure.
   

3. Life on Lake Monroe: What It's Really Like to Live in Historic Sanford (centralfloridalifestyle.com) — Sanford's historic downtown and Lake Monroe waterfront anchor this look at living in the city, with Winter Garden mentioned only as a housing-price comparison. Early-November listings had a median asking price of $399,062, while buyers considering century-old homes are advised to investigate maintenance needs and local preservation rules.
   

4. Oakland Place officially breaks ground (orangeobserver.com) — Oakland has broken ground on its first mixed-use village, with plans for restaurants, shops, housing and an entertainment venue near State Road 50. Oakland Place will include 210 apartments and 73,500 square feet of commercial and office space, with businesses expected to begin opening in winter 2027 or early 2028.
   

📸 Around Winter Garden

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Winter Garden

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Winter Garden Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Can anyone recommend a sliding glass door repair guy.
    I think the wheels need replacing, it’s very, very, very hard to open. (Nextdoor Bronsons Landing)
  • Dollar General posted a job opening for SALES ASSOCIATE in WINTER GARDEN FL S03066 in Winter Garden. Apply here.
  • City of Ocoee Florida posted a job opening for Firefighter in Ocoee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winter Garden here.

Ok Winter Garden! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What are the two sides of a circle?" — The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Winter Garden

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Winter Garden

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.