Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
Over the weekend I learned Lego makes an MRI scanner play set. Over 10,000 of these sets have been distributed to hospitals and healthcare professionals to help kids needing an MRI in hospitals deal with anxiety around the test! This way they can understand how it works and that it’s nothing to be afraid of. Genius!
🎉 Happy birthday to reader, Allen Johnson!
In today’s issue: 👇
- Spanish Moss and Second Chance
- The Most Expensive Souvenir
- Maroush
- ….and much more
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Let’s dive in!
- Philip
P.S. 🍲 Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Spanish Moss and Second Chances: Trimble Park's Close Call
On a sweet stretch where two lakes meet near Mount Dora in Orange County, a 70-acre sanctuary has been delighting nature lovers for nearly a century, and it almost didn't survive.
Trimble Park exists because Sadie Conner Trimble, the first postmistress of Lake Jem, and her husband R.J. Trimble had excellent priorities. In 1926, they donated 27.5 acres between Lake Beauclair and Lake Carlton, choosing moss-draped oaks over money during Florida's land boom.
The real drama came in 1978, when developer James Locke planned a subdivision here. Orange County swooped in with a state environmental grant, snatched up 31.5 threatened acres, and doubled the park's size. Crisis averted.
Jeanine Neilson, the park's site supervisor for over 20 years, knows exactly what draws visitors: the ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss and that unmistakable old Florida beauty.
Today, fifteen waterfront campsites, winding trails, and boat ramps let you explore the legendary Harris Chain of Lakes.
Paddle from your tent to downtown Mount Dora for lunch? Absolutely possible. The Trimbles would approve.
📸 Check out lots of photos of this beautiful park, right here.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
The Most Expensive Souvenir: A Love Story That Became a Literary Journey
Sometimes the best souvenir from vacation is love, and a writing career.
Lynda R Edwards jokes that she was "her husband's most expensive souvenir" after they met and fell in love in Jamaica. Now, 29 years of marriage and one move from freezing Chicago later, this Mandeville-born storyteller has found her creative sweet spot in Waterford Lakes, East Orlando.
After years in windy Chicago, Lynda landed in Orlando and discovered something unexpected: the City Beautiful has a Caribbean energy that didn't just feel like home, it unleashed the novelist she'd been holding back for decades.
In 2015, she finally gave herself permission and published Redemption Songs, a powerful family saga. Two more novels followed: Friendship Estate and I Am Cuba, each blending romance, history, and magical realism with unapologetically strong female characters.
Today, she mentors emerging writers, rocks local literary events, and proves that sometimes you have to leave the island to truly honor it.
"If I can make even one reader feel inspired," she says, "I've done what I was meant to do."
📚 Check out Lynda’s books, right here.
👉 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
Food Banks Feel the Crunch as SNAP Benefits Stall
Food banks across Central Florida are bustling with activity after SNAP benefits lapsed on November 1st, leaving nearly half a million residents searching for alternatives.
The Neighborhood Center of South Lake served 62 clients on its first Saturday, a new record, before welcoming 150 families the following Tuesday. One location distributed an impressive 31,000 pounds of food in just one week as families adjusted to life without their usual grocery assistance.
Second Harvest Food Bank noticed something striking: searches for food help jumped 300% since EBT cards went un-reloaded.
Meanwhile, Heart of Florida United Way's 211 hotline experienced a 71% spike in food-related calls between September and November.
Those seeking food can use Second Harvest's locator tool or dial 2-1-1 for assistance. Volunteers and donations are welcome at Second Harvest and partner organizations.
(Learn a lot more about Central Floridians search for food with Danielle Prieur, right here)
Orlando’s Steinmetz Hall Joins World's Elite Theater Lineup
National Geographic recently gave Orlando's Steinmetz Hall a serious shout-out, naming it among nine jaw-dropping theaters worth globe-trotting to see. The Dr. Phillips Center venue already snagged a spot on Architectural Digest's most beautiful theaters list, now it's collecting accolades like souvenirs.
Boston's Citizens Opera House was the only other American theater to make the cut. The star-studded international lineup included Mexico City's Palacio Bellas Artes with its dazzling million-piece Tiffany glass curtain, Cornwall's dramatic clifftop Minack Theatre, and Vienna's Klimt-painted Burgtheater.
Since its early 2022 debut, the acoustically brilliant hall has hosted over 400K guests across over 500 events. Named for philanthropists Charles and Margery Pabst Steinmetz, it's home to the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Orlando, and the Orlando Ballet.
🎭 Check out the full Nat Geo list and see more incredible venues, right here.
Central Florida Celebrates Veterans Day with Parades, Fireworks, and Fanfare
November 11th marks the exact moment World War I ended at 11 a.m. in 1918. Originally Armistice Day, Congress expanded it in 1954 to honor all service members.
Though some communities celebrated early this weekend, several Central Florida cities are hosting their main events Tuesday.
Sanford kicks off at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park with a one-hour ceremony.
Oviedo follows at 5 p.m. at 299 Center Lake Lane, featuring Commander Larry Kayne, Hagerty High's JROTC Honor Guard, and Oviedo High's Brass Ensemble.
Bill Breeze Park in Ocoee hosts an evening bash at 6 p.m. with fire trucks, a ceremony, and fireworks. Bring chairs and stay for the show!
✈️ Orlando’s best flight deal - Cobblestones and Carolina coast edition
December in Charleston wraps the Lowcountry in subtle Southern charm. The historic streets glow with tasteful holiday lights, the waterfront is crisp and inviting without the summer heat, and there's something enchanting about strolling through this centuries-old city when the oysters are at their peak and the town feels like a well-kept secret.
Orlando (MCO) → Charleston (CHS) for 78 bucks*, round-trip in early-December for an extended weekend. See the deal.
Pro tip when departing MCO: here’s MCO’s security line wait times and parking availability checkers.
*Price shown above is accurate as of the time this newsletter was sent.
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ COMING THIS MONTH: Potbelly Sandwich Works - Made-to-Order Sandwiches On Their Way
Potbelly Sandwich Works (Insta) opens NEXT Tuesday in Orlando, with a second location following mid-December in Winter Park. Promising warm, made-to-order sandwiches in a music-filled atmosphere where guests feel at home, not just another sandwich counter.
2️⃣ OPENING NEXT MONTH: City Pho & Grill - Lake Nona's Getting a Taste of Maitland
City Pho & Grill (Insta) is bringing its Vietnamese comfort food to Lake Nona this December. The Maitland favorite, known for customizable pho, crispy vermicelli, and signature clay-pot curry chicken, will offer lunch, dinner, and delivery. With Lake Nona's dining scene expanding rapidly, the timing couldn't be better for steaming bowls and familiar flavors.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
The swans enjoyed Fall Fiesta, too
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Eola Park
Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!
FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Maroush Shawarma & Grill
📍783 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828. Map to this location.
Step inside Maroush Shawarma & Grill (Insta) in Waterford Lakes, and you're walking into a Syrian family's story spanning from Dearborn to Orlando.
Their wood-burning oven produces fresh pitas while tender beef and chicken shawarm, served in lavash or over fragrant yellow rice, earns devoted fans citywide.
From smoky baba ganoush to crispy falafel with creamy centers, each Halal dish honors Lebanese, Syrian, and Mediterranean traditions. It's destination-worthy Middle Eastern cooking done right.
👉 Check out the menu right here 👈
Source: Maroush Shawarma & Grill
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
📚 Book Talk: Shane Hinton + Teresa Carmody
📅 Monday, November 10th | 7-8:30pm
📍 Bynx Orlando
Burrow Press presents reading and conversation between authors of "Other Shane Hintons" and "A Healthy Interest in the Lives of Others."
👉 Literary Evening
🎨 3rd Annual "itty bitty art" Expo
📅 Monday, October 6th - Friday, November 28th
📍 Historic Sanford Welcome Center, 230 E. First Street, Sanford
Exhibition of 100+ mini paintings available for purchase with People's Choice voting and free drawing to win artwork; Artist Reception October 23rd, 6-8 p.m.
👉 Tiny Treasures
🎨 Silk Painted Scarves Galore
📅 Tuesday, November 11th | 10am-3:30pm
📍 A&H's Maitland Art Center
Hands-on workshop learning silk painting techniques including resist application, color blending, and salt methods; no experience necessary.
👉 Wearable Art
🍔 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
🎨 Watercolors for Beginners: Pumpkins
📅 Tuesday, November 11th | 1-3pm
📍 Leu Gardens
Seasonal watercolor workshop painting autumn pumpkins; no prior experience needed, leave with frame-ready art.
👉 Paint Fall
💑 Pitch-a-Friend
📅 Tuesday, November 11th | 7pm
📍 Half Barrel Beer Project, 9650 Universal Blvd
Unique singles event where friends pitch their awesome single friends to a crowd through fun 3-5 minute slide presentations.
👉 Make Connections
🏛️ Architecture On Tap
📅 Wednesday, November 12th | 5:30-8pm
📍 Rockpit Brewing, 2810 Corrine Drive
Casual evening discussing Why Design Matters in Central Florida and plans for Orlando Center for Architecture + Design with OFA members.
👉 Design Talk
🥗 Farmers Market Finds: Everoak Farm
📅 Wednesday, November 12th | 6-8pm
📍 The Kitchen House, 26 East King Street
Hands-on culinary experience with local farmer Mike Garcia, cooking with seasonal ingredients and learning market shopping confidence.
👉 Farm to Table
📖 Orlando Stories
📅 Thursday, November 13th | 5:30-7:30pm
📍 Orange County Regional History Center
Inaugural History Exchange featuring local storytellers sharing 5-minute Orlando stories, with social mixer and audience Q&A.
👉 Share History
🛍️ TPD Night Market
📅 Thursday, November 13th | 6-10pm
📍 TPD Circle, Thornton Park District
Curated market featuring uniquely fantastic local makers and artists, held every Thursday and Friday evening.
👉 Shop Local
📚 Book Club: Six of Crows
📅 Thursday, November 13th | 7pm
📍 Milkhouse
Dive into Leigh Bardugo's dark and thrilling world of heists, magic, and unforgettable characters.
👉 Discuss & Sip
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THANKS!
✅ Want to connect with 20K+ curious Orlandoans for your business?, start a conversation here.
🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
