Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
I forgot to mention last Monday during Memorial day (or even Thursday), but many consider this holiday as the official start for summer. Do you feel the same? About halfway down the newsletter, please chime in on the poll and settle this once and for all.
In today’s issue: 👇
- Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
- Smoke Signals
- JazTro
- ….and much more
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Let’s dive in!
- Philip
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: The Epic Tale of Code Hill's 16-Year Bet and Central Florida Fame
In 1896, Georgian transplant David "Code" Hill made a wonderfully absurd political oath at a Lockhart general store: he wouldn't cut his hair or shave until his preferred presidential candidate won.
For sixteen hilarious years around Greater Orlando, Code's mane grew magnificently wild and white while his beard cascaded to his waist.
When his candidate finally triumphed in 1912, Code turned his long-awaited haircut into Central Florida's most entertaining spectacle, reserving a bandstand on downtown Orlando's North Orange Avenue. Two tag-team barbers removed sixteen years of growth in exactly sixteen minutes before hundreds of delighted Orange County spectators.
🧔🏼♂️ Check out this photo of Code Hill.
The "Sage of Bear Lake" became beloved throughout the region for his clever antics. He brilliantly hustled wealthy horsemen in towns like Kissimmee and Bartow with his secret weapon Possum, a scrawny gray horse that looked pitiful but never lost a race. He even charmed Western tourists into believing he was the famous Buffalo Bill Cody during train travels.
When Seminole County split from Orange County in 1913, the wily Code found his Bear Lake Farm straddling both counties. He cleverly maintained his Orange County voting rights by insisting his “wash” was done on the Orange County side, a perfectly legal loophole at the time.
Code refused automobiles until 1922, when a speeding Ford struck him on the Orlando-Apopka Road, ending Central Florida's most audacious pioneer legend.
(Learn a boat load more about David "Code" Hill with Jason Byrne, right here)
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Smoke Signals: How Orlando Fell in Love with BBQ and Donuts
When Ian Russell's grandmother passed away in 2016, it sparked a life-changing realization. Despite a dream job in the wine industry, traveling internationally, and speaking at fancy dinners, something was missing.
"I was selling wine that somebody else created," Russell reflects. "I wanted to be the creator."
Enter Smoke & Donuts (Insta), the deliciously unlikely pairing of Ian’s barbecue passion, with partner Juliana's donut obsession. Back then, Googling "donuts and barbecue" returned absolutely nothing. They were literally inventing a new food category.
Their first Orlando pop-up? Sold out in hours. When COVID-19 threatened to shut them down, devoted fans hunted them down in a warehouse district kitchen like food detectives. Their Milk District grand opening in 2023 drew 800 people; anniversary parties packed in nearly 1,000 guests.
Recently, Ian's culinary journey came full circle when a student from the Culinary Institute of America, where Ian studied, requested an externship at Smoke & Donuts.
Now expanding to Orlando International Airport, this unexpected (or one might say suspected) success story proves the best culinary adventures can happen when you mix grief, grit, and glazed donuts with perfectly smoked brisket.
🍩 Check out Smoke & Donuts flavor explosion, right here. 🥩
Behind the Curtain: Local Government Opens Its Doors to Curious Citizens (Applications Open TODAY)
Ever wondered who decides where your tax dollars go?
The Mayor's City Academy opens applications TODAY, June 2nd, giving residents a chance to peek behind the municipal curtain in this 12-week civic adventure through America's second fastest-growing city.
Every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m., participants hop between locations like Camping World Stadium, Water Conserve II, and Fire Station One. Think field trips for grown-ups who want to understand how their community actually functions.
You'll meet everyone from sanitation workers to policy writers, network with engaged residents, and discover volunteer opportunities. The grand finale? Graduation with Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Plus, dinner's included – because nothing says "engaged citizenship" like learning municipal bonds over catered meals.
🏛️ Get more information, and apply, right here!
Orlando's Thunderstorms Become the Ultimate Test for Waymo's Autonomous Cars
While most people duck for cover when Florida's legendary afternoon thunderstorms hit, Waymo's self-driving cars are gearing up to dive right in. The Alphabet-owned company has picked Orlando as its newest testing playground, not for the roller coasters, but for the wild weather.
Orlando's epic rainstorms and sticky humidity create the perfect meteorological boot camp for autonomous vehicles. The Orlando Economic Partnership has been wooing tech companies for years with this soggy sales pitch, already landing companies like Beep.
Though Waymo's cars cruise the streets offering rides in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami, Florida passengers will have to wait. For now, human-supervised vehicles will tackle the ultimate question: can robots really handle driving in a Florida downpour? Stay tuned.
(Learn more about Waymo’s arrival in Orlando with Brendan O'Connor, right here)
From 1950’s Vacation Getaways to Forever Homes as Orlando Neighborhood Gets a Second Life
In Orlando's West Lakes Community, those sad, boarded-up houses are disappearing, and it's actually good news. The West Lakes Partnership has spent five years giving forgotten 1950s vacation homes spectacular makeovers, transforming Northern retreats into affordable housing for today's working families.
The nonprofit's executive director says these complete gut renovation’d homes run $150,000 to $175,000 each, with four homes already sparkling and ready.
Commissioner Shan Rose pitched in $4,000 for buyer credit improvement, focusing on bridging wealth gaps and creating homes where families can put down real roots.
The nonprofit just snagged vacant lots for an ambitious four-unit townhouse project, with plans dropping soon.
They're currently fundraising for the next phase, hoping the community will help keep this neighborhood revival rolling.
💸 Check out the fundraiser, right here.
(Learn more about this affordable housing transformation with Jarell Baker, right here)
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ Sparrow - European Escape Fully Opens Next Week
Sometimes the best things come in small packages, like Sparrow (Insta), Orlando's newest European wine haven. James Beard finalists Jason and Sue Chin have partnered with Chef Wendy Lopez to create an intimate 1,978-square-foot lounge serving Spanish-French-Italian fare. Opening June 9th, although they’ve soft-opened last week, it's Europe without the jet lag.
😔 Dearly Departed/ing: Thankfully, none this past week.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Peaceful
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Nona Wilderness
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
JazTro By Chef D.O.C.
📍829 Good Homes Rd, Orlando, FL 32818. See location info, right here.
In JazTro's (Insta) impossibly tiny space, Chef Danny and his family defy physics with massive portions of authentic Puerto Rican fusion cuisine, beautifully plated and made from scratch.
You order at the counter, then Chef Danny personally delivers culinary masterpieces from his island home.
But the real magic? Warm bread pudding drowning in coquito sauce, vanilla ice cream, and liquid gold dulce de leche, a dessert so transcendent you'll plan your return before finishing your first heavenly bite.
👉 Check out their MENU, right here 👈
💥 Shrimp Tuscany Pappardelle
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🌙 Moon Market
📅 Monday, June 2, 2025 | 5-10pm
📍 Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
Local vendor market featuring favorite community artisans and makers.
👉 Shop Local
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – E. Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🎛️ Luminary Market
📅 First Wednesday monthly | 5:30-9pm
📍 Luminary Green Park in Creative Village
Monthly market featuring 20-25 local vendors followed by an outdoor family movie at 7pm.
👉 Shop Local
🎨 Paint & Sip at CityArts
📅 June 4, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm
📍 CityArts, Downtown Arts District
Creative evening blending art, wine, and wellness with themes of medicine, therapy, and music.
👉 Get Creative
🌿 Late Night Thursdays
📅 Thursdays | 5-8pm
📍 Leu Gardens
Extended evening hours featuring the Origami in the Garden exhibit with picnicking and drinks allowed.
👉 Evening Stroll
🎭 Nikki Glaser: Alive And Unwell Tour
📅 June 5, 7pm & June 6, 9:30pm
📍 Hard Rock Live Orlando
Comedian brings her signature humor to Orlando for two nights of belly laughs.
👉 Get Tix
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
