Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
Well, the rain made my weekend full of fail! The fam and I look forward to weekends to engage in complete food and drink debauchery, you know, in the interest of research for this newsletter. 😃 Instead, I worked on some projects around the house AND OS. Announcement coming soon, and I think many of ya’ll will dig it.
In today’s issue: 👇
- Two Vaudeville Stars
- Keeping Wild Hearts Beating
- Grillers Puerto Rico
- ….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 ⏪
How Two Vaudeville Stars Became Altamonte Springs Legends
Howard and Herbert Lyman billed themselves as "The Lyman Twins," captivating audiences across America with their comedic genius.
These Michigan showmen launched their careers at 17 in 1895, hitting it big in 1899 with "A Merry Chase," their signature revue.
For fifteen glorious years, the Lyman Brothers Company ruled vaudeville stages across the country. Howard handled the business hustle while Herbert penned their legendary routines, including the infamous "Barber Shop Gag" that left confused barbers wondering how hair grew back instantly.
Herbert married star performer Patti Rosa (Louisa Scott) in 1904, while Howard wed celebrated singer Emma Abbott in 1914. Both leading ladies brought their own theatrical star power to the troupe.
Seeing the writing on the wall with silent films, the savvy brothers retired on top in 1911, trading spotlights for sunshine. They purchased an abandoned orange grove near Altamonte Springs and built "Lymandale," a thriving 150-acre farm. Howard became a civic powerhouse, helping incorporate Altamonte Springs in 1920.
When Howard died in 1923, the community immortalized him with Lyman Memorial School, now Lyman High School in Longwood, proving some encores last forever.
(Learn a ton more about the Lyman twins and see historical photos with Jason Byrne, right here)
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Christin Burford Keeps Wild Hearts Beating in Apopka
On ten acres in Apopka, Christin Burford wakes each morning to tigers rumbling, monkeys chattering, and dozens of rescued animals calling her "mom."
For over 20 years, Burford has run The CARE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) sanctuary where wild animals unable to return to nature find forever homes. This isn't a zoo, it's personal. Visitors stand five feet from tigers, connecting with creatures they'd never otherwise encounter.
Last year, the foundation lost a major donor contributing up to $70,000 annually. Most operations would fold. Burford keeps going with a shoestring budget, all-volunteer team, never turning away an animal in need. Even when tigers eat 10 pounds of meat daily, and she has more than one.
She even brings animals to schools and events, teaching that wildlife isn't just part of our ecosystem, it's essential to it.
Quiet heroism that deserves recognition, one rescued life at a time.
🐯 Check out The CARE Foundation, right here!
🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
Lights, Camera, Costume Sale!
Need or know someone who could use a bad-ass Holloween costume this season?
Orlando Family Stage is throwing open their costume vault doors for an epic shopping adventure that'll make your Halloween dreams come true.
Racks overflowing with sequined gowns, weathered pirate coats, and superhero capes that once dazzled live audiences.
From THIS Friday, October 10th (4-8 p.m.) to Saturday, October 11th (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), you can snag these stage-worthy stunners for just 5-30 bucks!
According to Zac Alfson, Sr. Director of Marketing, every costume carries its own magical story. Whether you're hunting for the perfect Halloween look or craft supplies for your next DIY masterpiece, this sale has both youth and adult sizes waiting.
No tickets, no reservations. Just show up. Plus, you'll support young performers while scoring theatrical gold.
🔥 Get all the costume deets, right here.
A Brush with Labor: Painting the Hands That Feed Us
Luca Molnar's bold new mural outside the Mennello Museum of American Art is serving up some food for thought, literally.
Part of the $1 million Art Pollination initiative (thanks, Bloomberg Philanthropies!), this Stetson University professor's work tackles a sobering stat: over 500,000 Central Floridians don't know where their next meal is coming from.
But Molnar's not just painting problems, she's celebrating solutions. Her mural spotlights heroes like Greg Schell, the attorney who battled for farmworkers' stolen wages.
Bonus: painting in Florida's scorching heat gave her real perspective. "Most workers do not get the protections they deserve."
🔥 Catch the unveiling (and free public reception) this Friday, October 10th!
(Learn more about Luca Molnar's mural with Zach Van Dyke, right here)
A Hilton Penthouse Gets a Second Life. This Time, for Heroes Without Homes
That swanky penthouse suite overlooking John Young Parkway? The one that once hosted tourists sipping cocktails and planning theme park adventures? It's getting a serious upgrade in purpose.
Orange County is partnering with Pathlight Home to transform the former Hilton Inn penthouse into five ADA-accessible units for disabled veterans, plus one ground-floor apartment.
The $84,100 project, funded through the County's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, targets veterans earning 30-50 percent of Area Median Income, folks who defended our country but can't quite swing Central Florida's wild rent prices.
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ SOFT OPENED: Mazala Pijja - India Meets Italy in Orlando
When butter chicken meets pizza crust, magic happens at Mazala Pijja (Insta). This new Indo-Italian fusion spot in Orlando's Laxmi Plaza serves bold creations like butter chicken pizza, achari wings with Indian pickling spices, and butter chicken spaghetti.
2️⃣ COMING SOON: Fat Rosie’s - Chicago Tacos Head South
A beloved Chicago taco destination is trading deep-dish territory for palm trees. Fat Rosie's Taco & Tequila Bar (Insta), with seven Illinois locations, plants its first out-of-state flag in Orlando's Waterford Lakes Town Center in early 2026.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
A hill I will die on….the best bakery in Greater Orlando.
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Winter Park
Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!
FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Grillers Puerto Rico
📍9565 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837. Map to this location.
Behind the sizzle and sofrito-scented air stands Jose Antonio Martin Grau, a chef with 25 years of kitchen mastery who created Grillers (Insta) to reimagine Puerto Rican cuisine at his three Greater Orlando locations.
His menu honors Boricua heritage, mofongo, Kan Kan pork chops, ocean-fresh seafood, while pushing creative boundaries.
Each plate tells a story, balancing tradition with innovation. Here, premium local ingredients meet expert preparation in an atmosphere that feels like family.
👉 Check out the menu right here 👈
Source: Grillers Puerto Rico
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🎨 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
🎭 YAGA by Kat Sandler
📅 Monday, October 6th & Thursday, October 9th
📍 Valencia College East Campus Black Box Theater
Dark mystery blending Slavic mythology with a missing person case; mature themes, strong language, ages 16+.
👉 Mythic Mystery
🎸 Everclear: Sparkle and Fade 30th Anniversary Tour
📅 Tuesday, October 7th | 7pm
📍 The Plaza Live
Rock band celebrates three decades of their iconic album with a special anniversary performance.
👉 90s Rock
🎺 Masterworks for Wind Orchestra
📅 Tuesday, October 7th | 7:30pm
📍 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
UCF Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band with Osceola County School of the Arts, featuring Florida premiere of Shuying Li's "In This Breath."
👉 Wind Symphony
🎮 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
🍽️ Feast on the 50
📅 Thursday, October 9th | 5:30-8:30pm
📍 Camping World Stadium
On-field tailgate with unlimited food and drinks from Orlando restaurants plus alumni tent competition from major collegiate conferences.
👉 Tailgate Party
🎓 Annual Florida Music College Fair
📅 Thursday, October 9th | 7-9pm (panel 6-7pm)
📍 Orlando Science Center
Representatives from 50+ music and performing arts institutions discuss admissions, auditions, financial aid, and student life.
👉 Plan Your Future
🎵 Reggae Festival Weekend
📅 Thursday, October 9 - Saturday, October 12th | 7pm
📍 Boxi Park - Lake Nona
Multi-day reggae celebration featuring live performances, tropical drinks, and island vibes throughout the weekend.
👉 Island Rhythm
🎭 Want to share an event? Use this link.
THANKS!
✅ Want to connect with 19K+ 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
