Hidden "Elf Houses"

Good morning, Orlando. Happy Memorial Day! Did you know, the wearing of poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" written in 1915 by Canadian soldier John McCrae? Poppies grew over the graves of fallen soldiers in the Flanders region of Belgium during World War I.

 In today’s issue: 👇

• Hidden “elf houses”

• $346K lifting 257 people out of homelessness

• Milkhouse

• ….and much more

🛑 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. 🐈 😻

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Let’s dive in!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Roadside "Elf Houses" and the Space Age Relics They Left Behind

While not specifically Orlando this time, sometimes these Orlando-adjacent stories are too peculiar not to share.

Deep in the Oak Hill woodlands, crumbling concrete and rusted rebar structures nicknamed "Elf Houses" and "Fairy Homes" have guarded their secrets for decades.

One ivy-draped structure invites with a doorway barely six feet high, its dirt floor scattered with debris hinting at recent visitors. Its domed companion filters sunbeams through purposeful holes onto the decaying interior.

These curious ruins, according to Oak Hill Museum curator Tanya Petracca, once belonged to a man named Jake Stalder during the mid-20th century space race excitement.

As Florida's growing space program captured national attention, opportunistic locals erected roadside attractions along routes to the Space Coast. Petracca believes these "Elf Houses" cashed in on the trend, with Stalder selling flowers, produce, and a taste of cosmic wonder to awestruck travelers.

The perforated dome likely mirrored the defunct "Atomic Tunnel," using subtle nuclear motifs to showcase exotic flora. Petracca explains a nearby structure, initially mistaken online as a bomb shelter, was more likely a refrigerated cellar for perishables - part of Stalder's unrealized fruit stand playing on the space craze appeal.

When that fervor waned, these fanciful stops faded too, abandoned until rediscovered as nostalgic remnants of an era when the ordinary was transformed by celestial ambitions.

Click below to check out this 2-minute video tour 👇

@abandonedfl

#volusiacounty #daytonabeach #mysterysolved #beyondflorida #abandonedflorida

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
How One Orlando Neighborhood Works to Defy the Homeless Crisis

In the heart of Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, a remarkable transformation unfolded, fueled by an unexpected alliance and an unwavering determination.

The Christian Service Center and the city, armed with a $617,000 federal grant, devised an innovative program that exceeded expectations. A final report of the program's first year reveals that the program lifted 257 people (111 households) from homelessness using around $346,000 of the grant money.

The flexible funding enabled a multifaceted approach, from providing transportation to reunite families, to securing apartments through financial assistance.

Although the region still grapples with a homelessness crisis, with unsheltered cases surging 75% in five years, this program stands as a beacon of hope. Vanessa Artis's journey from sidewalks to a secure job and home epitomizes the life-changing impact.

The success has inspired plans for replication, with the goal of amplifying investment to address the root issue of affordable housing while responding to immediate emergencies.

This averages $1,346 per person to lift these folks out of homelessness.👇

Global Flavors Converge at Orlando's New Culinary Hotspot (Now Open!)

Orlando's vibrant Packing District welcomed an exciting addition with the grand opening of the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall and Bar this past Friday, located at 2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail.

This 13,000-square-foot foodie playground (Insta) promises diverse flavors from A Lo Cubano's Cuban street food, Antica Pizza's Neapolitan pies, Braza's Brazilian churrasco, Dancing Yeti's Nepalese and Indian cuisine, Eighty Twenty's gourmet burgers, Kabab2Go's Lebanese fare, Kayos Jamaican Grill's island delights, Raj Express' Indian specialties, and Stack'd Brownies' decadent treats.

With its impressive vendor lineup transporting visitors globally, the food hall is poised to become a prime destination for Orlando's discerning foodies, symbolizing the city's thriving culinary scene.

2024 Hurricane Hellstorm: NOAA Warns of Unprecedented Onslaught

Brace for an unprecedented 2024 hurricane season, warns the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In a troubling forecast, meteorologists predict a historic 17 to 25 named storms, with 8 to 13 expected to intensify into hurricanes.

Alarmingly, 4 to 7 could swell into major hurricanes with catastrophic 111+ mph winds. Near-record Atlantic temperatures and emerging La Niña conditions fuel this ominous outlook.

For hurricane-prone Florida, this forecast signals preparedness is paramount. With the likelihood of witnessing infamous storms like Hurricane Isaac heightened, communities must steel themselves for nature's fury testing the limits of human resilience.

👉 See NOAA’s full forecast, right here.

Bright Lights, Big Entertainment: Orlando's Next Epic Playground Unveiled

In a city renowned for conjuring dreams into reality, Orlando is poised to unveil its newest entertainment spectacle. Live! at the Pointe Orlando, a dazzling 73,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor complex, promises an electrifying "block party" atmosphere when it opens this fall.

Envisioned by the Cordish Companies, masterminds behind the celebrated Live! brand, this $60 million endeavor will transport guests into a vibrant wonderland.

At its heart lies the Live! Plaza courtyard, flanked by distinctive venues like the sophisticated Houndsmen Lounge, retro-chic Shark Bar, multi-experience Sports & Social, and wild western PBR Cowboy Bar.

With an unparalleled synergy of dining, entertainment, and nightlife, Live! at the Pointe Orlando (Insta) heralds the Cordish Companies' ambitious expansion across Florida and the Southeast, ushering in a new era of epicurean indulgence.

TASTY NEWS 🧑‍🍳
Orlando Eateries On Their Way

1️⃣ Ace Cafe - Roaring Back to Life in Sanford

After shuttering its downtown Orlando headquarters, iconic venue and restaurant Ace Cafe (Facebook) is making a comeback in Sanford, partnering with Ace Cafe London and 73 Moto. Plans include a stage, bar, kitchen, workroom and retail space at 115 N. Laurel Ave., formerly Horstmeyer Farm & Garden. No reopening date yet, but anticipation is high for this new chapter blending cuisine, entertainment and motorcycle culture.

2️⃣ Cups and Pups - Canine-Friendly Coffee Haven Expands Edgewater Presence

Cups and Pups (Insta), the dog-friendly coffee haven, seized an opportunity when "Dizzy Donuts" by Pizza Bruno's Bruno Zacchini dissolved at 2413 Edgewater Drive. Converting their original 1307 Edgewater Drive location into a "hyper-niche, micro-bakery," they're expanding to the vacant space, envisioning a grander coffee and canine companion realm, thrilling locals awaiting its mysterious unveiling.

3️⃣ Taffer’s Tavern - Orlando’s Getting a Taste of Jon Taffer's Hospitality Expertise

Jon Taffer, host of "Bar Rescue," is bringing his Taffer's Tavern (Insta) restaurant chain to Orlando's International Drive this winter, marking the brand's Florida debut. The full-service eatery promises elevated comfort food, curated cocktails, and a lively ambiance. As Taffer's first Sunshine State outpost, it promises to shake up Orlando's dining scene with Taffer's signature hospitality expertise.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Luna getting her treats after you vote in the poll 😀

📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Nona

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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
The Milkhouse

📍201 N. Bumby Ave. Orlando, FL 32803, or map to this location, right here.

Tucked away in Orlando is a harmonious fusion of four local businesses under one roof: Swine & Sons (3x Michelin-recognized), Kelly's Ice Cream, Foxtail Coffee, and The Ravenous Pig Brewing Company.

Upon entering, guests are warmly greeted and drawn to the inviting outdoor patio. Senses are captivated by the aromas wafting from Swine & Sons' Southern-inspired fare, like their renowned Smash Burgers and Hot Chicken Sandwich.

Knowledgeable servers guide diners through the menu, leading to a veritable feast punctuated by creamy Oatmeal Cream Pie ice cream.

But The Milkhouse (drool-worthy Insta) transcends ordinary dining, fostering genuine warmth and embracing Orlando's diversity. From youth groups to date nights, it's a hub celebrating community, connection, and the local spirit.

MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out

> Tonight (Monday) at 7pm, catch "Songs From the Home Front," a drama about life in wartime and how the line separating the battlefront and the home front can blur at the Bynx Orlando. $12 tickets are a no-brainer. (More info)

> This Wednesday at 7pm, Melanie Martinez, the avant-garde singer-songwriter known for her dark themes and whimsical aesthetics, brings The Trilogy Tour to Kia Center on May 29. Men I Trust and Beach Bunny will be the special guests for this highly anticipated concert by the former "The Voice" contestant turned alt-pop icon. (More info)

> An evening with Lee Asher, the shirtless animal rescuer with 70 dogs, tours Florida including Orlando this Thursday at 8pm at the Hard Rock. The tour features stories of adversity, tragedy, and animal rescue insights.  (More info)

> Check out Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe this Thursday at 7 p.m. A special concert featuring Mozart's celebrated “Requiem” commemorating founding rector of the Basilica, Monsignor F. Joseph Harte, on the fourth anniversary of his entering into eternal life. (More info)

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👉 Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal