Birding festival returns, Nesta runs for mayor

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: November 21 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
November 21, 2025

Welcome to the Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Good morning! Since this is the final newsletter before Thanksgiving, the Chief staff would like to share our favorite Thanksgiving dishes. We are so thankful for you!

- Debrah Hayden, Administrative Assistant: Ham
- Gigi Cohen, Media Ambassador: Yams
- Jackie Trefcer, Business Development: Turkey and dressing
- J.C. Derrick, Publisher: Stuffing
- Lesbia Toruño, Legal Clerk: All of it!
- Nancy Thomas, Copy Editor: All of it!
- Natalie Mitchell, Member Ambassador: Sweet potato casserole
- Neida Cruz, Publication Coordinator: Pernil with arroz con gandules
- Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter: Pineapple casserole
- Teresa Sargeant, Reporter: Pecan pie
- Vinnie Cammarano, Sports Reporter: Sausage pie

Also, if you’re thinking about ways to relax during the holidays, take a minute now and enter to win a free massage or facial! Five winners selected randomly will be chosen to win an $80 gift card to be used for services at their Apopka location. It’s easy to enter—just start at https://theapopkachief.com/hand-and-stone-contest/ or click the banner below this note.

Thank you for reading. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Front Page

Purple gallinules, such as this one, are familiar inhabitants at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. | Courtesy of St. Johns River Water Management District

Other front page news:

Other Local News

Family First Health hosts grand opening in Apopka

New business offers primary care to community

Nelson: Third term as mayor will be his last

Incumbent announced decision at church service.

Wekiva Culinary to receive $5K grant from culinary foundations

Wekiva one of 48 high schools in nation to receive award

VFW Post 10147 to host Wreaths Across America ceremony at cemeteries 

Nonprofit's theme this year is ‘Keep moving forward’.

Police Beat: APD arrests 23 Nov. 9-Nov. 15

In the period from November 9-15, 2025, the Apopka Police Department received 1,558 calls for service, responded to 35 crashes, issued 114 citations, and made 23 arrests.

Santa Claus is coming to town for Apopka Tree Lighting

Lakeville, Wolf Lake schools will perform holiday classics. 


Opinions: Bryan Nelson, Christine Moore, and Melissa Byrd


Lifestyle


Apopka Fact of the Week:

“For more than 20 years after the World War II, the Apopka Sportsmen’s Club continued to manage and use its 6,000-acre hunting preserve, but in 1966, the club arranged to sell the land to the state, and it became Wekiwa State Park in the late 1960s. The Springs thus remains a popular watering place for Central Floridians just as it has been since the early settlers first came.”

- Treasures and Pleasures Cookbook