GOTCHA! Happy April Fools' Day!

Dear beloved OrangeObserver.com reader: Happy April Fools’ Day.

Make no mistake: The story you just read — Winter Garden bans bicycles — is part of our company's annual April Fools' Day fun. It isn't true.

We repeat: It is not true.

Our sister paper, the Longboat Observer, started this tradition nearly 20 years ago. Since then, the April Fools’ edition has become that paper’s most anticipated — and most popular — issue of the year. Here in West Orange, former owners George and Anne Bailey also had some April Fools’ Day fun throughout the years.

The reasoning is simple: Who couldn’t use a laugh now and then? 

Although I may regret this in a few days, please shoot me an email — [email protected] — and let me know what you think. Better yet: Take this story and fool your family members and friends.