Good morning Winter Garden! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Winter Garden Heritage Foundation launched 'Unboxed' series (orangeobserver.com) — Winter Garden residents can now explore rarely seen local artifacts through the Heritage Foundation's new "WGHF Unboxed" social media series, highlighting everything from early newspapers to a Flying Tigers uniform. The museum's director uses the series to tell stories of Winter Garden's citrus past, downtown revival, schools, and longtime families, connecting today's community with more than a century of local history.
2. 8 Waves seeks $25M for children's museum project (orangeobserver.com) — Orange County officials are weighing up to $25 million in tourist tax funding for the planned I Am Children's Museum, which organizers say will drive visitors and spending into downtown Winter Garden. The project aims to open in 2030, filling a regional gap in children's museums, and residents are being urged to email county commissioners to show support.
3. Leo Suarez wins Sportsmanship Award (mysanfordherald.com) — A Winter Garden Squeeze catcher, Leo Suarez, has been named the Florida Collegiate Summer League's 2026 David Eckstein Sportsmanship Award winner, highlighting the town's strong baseball reputation. Coaches praise his leadership, attitude, and versatility, and he's the third Squeeze player to earn this honor, underscoring Winter Garden's ongoing impact in the league.
4. Two hospitalized after reported lightning strikes in area of Winter Garden (wftv.com) — Two people were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center as trauma alerts after a medical emergency Wednesday near the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden. Fire crews from Orange County and Winter Garden responded amid reports of lightning in the area, though officials have not confirmed whether a strike caused the injuries and are still withholding details on the patients' conditions.
5. Ocoee-Apopka Road widening project could be completed by 2030 (clickorlando.com) — Drivers from Winter Garden who use Ocoee-Apopka Road could see relief as a $20 million widening project adds lanes, bike paths, and better drainage along the busy corridor. Scheduled for construction as early as 2027–2028, the upgrade aims to ease daily congestion and prepare for new development, including a planned hospital, that affects commuters across Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden.
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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: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
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