Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
I went on another foodie adventure this weekend with the fam. Let me just say two words: Papi’s Burritos. So you all know I love donuts, and ice cream, and pastries, and chocolate, and coffee, and damn near everything else. Well, I also love an elite breakfast burrito. I’ve found it!
In today’s issue: 👇
- Orlando's Medical Rebels
- Local Wanderer
- Garp & Fuss
- ….and much more
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🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈
Let’s dive in!
- Philip
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
The Wild West of Orlando Medicine: How Rebels Built a Medical Empire
Back in 1892, Mrs. Phillard had big dreams for her seven Anderson Street cottages, until nobody wanted to live that far from downtown Orlando. Oops! So she donated them to charity, accidentally creating the city's first hospital. Talk about a happy accident.
Three years later, the Episcopal Diocese swooped in, turning it into Church and Home Hospital under Bishop William Crane Gray. They went all-out with operating rooms, private wards, and facilities that kept growing as Orlando exploded in size.
Meanwhile, Dr. R.L. Harris was running a tuberculosis sanitarium by Lake Estelle, the scrappy start of what became today's massive AdventHealth empire.
Enter 1906's dynamic duo: rival doctors C.D. Christ and John McEwan, both Harris proteges turned fierce competitors.
McEwan, the flashy New York surgeon, opened his own hospital by 1911 and scored headlines with cutting-edge cancer surgery. After experiencing surgery himself, he had an enlightening moment and swore off yanking adhesive tape, vowing gentle removal forever.
Christ was the lovable rogue who cheerfully called his minister patients profane hypocrites, and somehow they adored him for it.
These medical rebels built Orlando's healthcare legacy through sheer chutzpah and brilliant bedside antics.
🔥 Check out Ghoststorygirl’s tour and fine story-telling at these locations, right here.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Your Library Card: The Ultimate Cultural Key
Because you’re an Orlando Signal reader, you’ve just hit the motherlode.
That humble library card in your wallet is actually a golden ticket to Central Florida's most captivating destinations, completely free through the Orange County Library System's award-winning Local Wanderer program.
🛑 Brief intermission: New to Orange County, or don’t have a library card yet? Let’s fix that, right here.
This program let’s you explore the Orange County Regional History Center's 14,000 years of heritage in a stunning 1927 courthouse, wander through Leu Gardens' 50-acre botanical sanctuary, or discover American art at the Mennello Museum along Lake Formosa's shores.
The Central Florida Railroad Museum, Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, and Art and History Museums of Maitland round out this impressive cultural collection, but there’s a larger list!
Simply visit your local OCLS branch or their website to reserve passes 👇, up to two per card monthly.
💥 Get the complete list of program partners and book passes, right here.
Birthday Bonanza: Theater Scores Half-Million Dollar Gift for 100th Celebration
Talk about a birthday gift worth celebrating! Orlando Family Stage scored a spectacular $500,000 present from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to kick off their centennial party in style.
This incredible windfall supercharges their beloved No Empty Seat program, which has grown from delighting 2,500 kids in 2008 to welcoming over 6,000 people last season, all for free!
The foundation's amazing generosity means 3,000 more complimentary theater adventures across two seasons, plus exciting upgrades, fresh marketing magic, and a brand-new playwriting program.
Since 1974, these theatrical fairy godparents have showered the theater with 29 gifts totaling over $1.8 million.
Get ready for book-inspired productions that'll have Orlando's young audiences cheering, proving every child deserves front-row access to theatrical wonder!
🌟 Check out the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation’s work, right here.
(Learn more about the generous Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation’s gift with Matthew J Palm, right here)
Lights Out! Orlando's Giant CineDome Says Farewell After 28 Glorious Years
The party's over for Orlando Science Center's beloved Dr. Phillips CineDome, which rolled its final film last week after nearly three decades of mind-blowing entertainment. Since 1997, this massive 80-foot curved screen has wowed almost 4 million visitors with larger-than-life adventures.
The vintage Iwerks projector, one of the last surviving cinema dinosaurs, is heading to a new museum home rather than retirement. But don't worry, this iconic dome isn't disappearing! Thanks to a generous $1 million boost from Dr. Phillips Charities, the beloved venue is getting a spectacular makeover with cutting-edge 8K digital technology.
Mark your calendars for spring 2026, when this Orlando landmark will reopen its doors with crystal-clear visuals that'll make your jaw drop all over again.
(Learn more about this cinematic farewell with Jayna Manohalal, right here)
Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: A Career Renaissance for Women
Millions of women earning under $50,000 annually remain trapped in exhausting cycles, working tirelessly, yet never advancing financially. Women On The Rise International, Inc., led by CEO Arlene Blake, offers a solution: a comprehensive 10-week Career Development Cohort meeting weekly 6-9 pm with dinner and free childcare provided.
Forget boring professional development; this is your complete glow-up journey! Participants master financial literacy, personal branding, resume writing, interviewing, and salary negotiation while receiving year-long mentorship and powerful networking opportunities.
Applications close August 22nd (that’s THIS Friday) for mid-September launch. Ready to change your career trajectory?
🔥 Know someone this could help? Here’s the workshop!
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ FUMAO Table - A Taste of Havana Heads to Heart of Clermont
December brings authentic Cuban soul to downtown Clermont as family-owned Fumao Table (Insta) opens in the near future. Generations-old recipes meet Central Florida, featuring perfectly pressed Cuban sandwiches, golden croquetas, fresh pastries, and bold café Cubano. Clermont's dining scene just got infinitely more flavorful.
2️⃣ Buffalo Boss - Brooklyn Wings Invade Orange Ave.
Buffalo Boss (Insta) brings award-winning Brooklyn wing mastery to Orange Ave this September. Their lemon pepper fusion recently claimed "Best Wings in Orlando" at R&B Wing Fest. Beyond championship wings, expect Hot Mess Fries and deep-fried desserts with customizable sauces.
3️⃣ Dr. Drip Coffee - Midnight Coffee Meets Mad Men
Dr. Drip Coffee (Insta), an Ivanhoe Village time capsule, promises locally roasted beans, signature cold foam, and midnight hours for night owls. This mid-century coffeehouse, complete with mysterious retro payment options, targets a September opening.
😢 Dearly departed/departing: Sadly, Mr. J Hand-Pulled Noodle in Ocoee announced their closure last week on August 11th.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Cantonese BBQ @ Mills Market
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Mills 50
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Garp & Fuss
📍348 N Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.
Situated in Winter Park's Hidden Garden (beautiful location!), Garp & Fuss serves as a neighborhood haven where craft cocktails meet chef-inspired cuisine.
This welcoming spot blends comfort with style – from exceptional Chicken & Waffles to the popular Pink Cadillac and smooth Espresso Martinis.
Here, laughter flows easily as conversations thrive. Guests arrive as they are and leave satisfied, with full stomachs and genuine smiles from this warm, inviting establishment.
👉 Check out the menu, right here 👈
Source: Garp & Fuss
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🎮 Game & Hobby Night at The Burrow
📅 Tuesdays | 5-8pm
📍 The Burrow Cafe & Play, Mills area
Weekly gathering for games, crafts, reading, and relaxation with drink specials available. 👉 Play Together
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – 2424 E Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🎤 Erykah Badu Presents Abi and Alan Featuring The Alchemist
📅 Wednesday, August 20th | 8pm
📍 House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista
Special presentation by neo-soul icon Erykah Badu featuring collaborative artists and producer The Alchemist.
👉 Soul Music
📚 Americans and the Holocaust: The Voyage of the St. Louis
📅 Wednesday, August 20th | 6:30-8pm
📍 Winter Park Events Center
Dr. Diane Afoumado explores the tragic 1939 refugee ship journey using survivor testimonies and archival materials.
👉 Registration Required
🎭 Russell Stephens in Broadway in Blue
📅 Wednesday, August 20th | 7pm
📍 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Swanky reimagining of Broadway standards with sultry modern edge, featuring Sondheim, Porter, and Tesori with a twist.
👉 Blue Broadway
🏛️ Access for All at OMA
📅 Thursday, August 21st | 10am-8pm
📍 Orlando Museum of Art
Monthly community day with extended hours, live performances, sketching materials, and complimentary SunRail rides.
👉 Art Access
🎹 Dueling Pianos Feat. Shake, Rattle & Roll
📅 Thursday, August 21st | 8:30-11:30pm
📍 Ole Red Orlando
Interactive musical entertainment where the crowd picks the playlist from Britney Spears to Blake Shelton.
👉 Request Away
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THANKS!
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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
