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Lake Eola’s Other Fountain
Good morning, Orlando! Gelato-Go on Park Ave in Winter Park lives up to the hype so hard. The Crème brûlée gelato is out of this world, and the fam agreed.
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👇 In today’s issue: 👇
Lake Eola’s other fountain
Orange County’s rickety relic
The best smash burger on the planet?
….and much more
Let’s dive in!
- Philip
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P.P.S. Happy birthday to Miles Feldman! 🎉
Along the southwest corner of Lake Eola lies a century-old fountain that generations of Orlando residents and visitors have overlooked. Though overshadowed by its more famous sister fountain at the center of the lake, the Sperry Fountain has its own unique history and connection to one of Orlando’s pioneering leaders.
The man behind the modest fountain was E.F. Sperry, a transplant from Connecticut who first came to Orlando on vacation in the 1880s, and soon after made it his permanent home. He quickly established himself as an entrepreneur and opened one of the first metalworking shops in the area. His business grew rapidly as the small town began expanding.
Sperry soon directed his energies towards civic duties. He served on city commissions overseeing parks, infrastructure, and agriculture. His influence expanded citywide when he was elected mayor in 1914, setting in motion Orlando’s transformation into a modern 20th century city.
One of Sperry’s acts as mayor was to donate his shoreline land to complete the Lake Eola park project started years earlier by other pioneers. But his legacy extends beyond bricks and mortar. Mayor Sperry championed progressive causes like voting rights for women at a time this was still highly controversial.
Sadly, E.F. Sperry passed away unexpectedly two years into his term as mayor. The fountain he donated $2000 towards still flows over a century later, though mostly unnoticed in the shade of ancient oak trees.
For those who pay attention, the gently cascading water is a reminder of a visionary leader who left his mark not just along the shoreline but also in the conscience of Orlando.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Unlocking Literacy for Adults in Central Florida
Barbara Burke has spent much of her adult life as a volunteer tutor with the Winter Park-based nonprofit Adult Literacy League. For her, there is power in words - power that comes from understanding them, using them, reading them.
Burke has worked passionately for years to help unlock literacy for underserved Central Florida adults. Today, about one in four adults in the region read below a 5th grade level but with dedicated tutors like Burke leading one-on-one sessions and customized programs, that statistic is steadily dropping.
Burke draws from her own grasp of American English to guide diverse learners on their journey to becoming fully literate. As evidenced by her enduring commitment, she finds great purpose in celebrating small victories, powering through obstacles side-by-side with students, and helping them achieve breakthrough literacy moments that transform their confidence and lives.
As Adult Literacy League serves more adults every year, volunteers like Burke remain instrumental to their empowering mission and ability to help learners discover their own power of words.
Orange County’s Rickety Relic: A Small Bridge's Big Replacement
In a quiet corner of Orange County stands a small but mighty bridge that has supported the community faithfully for over half a century.
The Bates Road Bridge near Goldenrod Road was constructed in 1962 to cross the winding Crane Strand Canal. Now 62 years old, this humble infrastructure gem is finally being put out to pasture.
Ross MacLeod has crossed this bridge countless times without worry in his pressure washing truck, but he understands why replacement is necessary. According to MacLeod, “it may seem fine to me, but I know the county engineers have declared it functionally obsolete.”
While structurally sound, the bridge's design is outdated and no longer meets current safety standards, a senior county engineer says. All bridges in the county with posted weight limits are being prioritized for replacement, including the Bates Road Bridge.
By end of summer, construction is slated to begin on a new, modern bridge worthy of supporting the canal crossing for decades to come.
It's the end of an era for this small relic, but the beginning of a new chapter in infrastructure and safety for Orange County residents. Out with the old and in with the new on Bates Road.
Lake Nona Medical City Expands with Nursing Education Hub
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at the UCF Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona last Friday. This $68 million, 205,000-square-foot facility aims to address the critical nursing shortage in Florida and push the state to the forefront in meeting future healthcare challenges.
The pavilion, slated to open in 2025-26, will enable the university to increase nursing graduates by 150 students annually, providing area hospitals with crucial talent as older nurses retire and patient demand rises. It will house the latest simulation technology, made possible by a $10 million donation from Dr. Phillips Charities to honor the legacy of innovation and service of the community’s namesake.
Healthcare partners Advent Health and Orlando Health have backed the visionary project by elevating partnerships with UCF. The State of Florida has also invested $43.7 million.
As construction begins, the promise of expanded care shines brightly for Lake Nona’s Medical City. This marks a new beacon of hope and investment in the healthcare of tomorrow.
Check out the video rendering below. 👇
The Race for Paris 2024 Begins on the Streets of Orlando
Thousands will line Orlando’s streets on February 3rd for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, hoping to witness the making of our next generation of American marathoners.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission CEO says this $12-15 million economic injection lets Orlando showcase itself on the world stage, as six athletes secure spots to represent USA in Paris.
The course takes runners on a tour of Orlando, starting and finishing downtown, lined with free public viewing areas. The Race Director promises front-row spectator views from locations like Seneff Arts Plaza, as well as the best course for athlete performance.
By embracing sporting events like the Trials, on the eve of Super Bowl LVIII in Orlando, the city continues stepping further onto the world stage - hoping to come away celebrating a unique moment in the spotlight on the race to become an Olympian passing through Central Florida.
How Zika Virus Could Vanquish Childhood Brain Tumors
A mosquito-borne virus notorious for causing birth defects could now save young lives instead. Recent research by Nemours Children’s Health demonstrated Zika’s potential to eliminate tumors in mice infected with neuroblastoma - a rare but lethal nerve tissue cancer killing 15% of pediatric patients.
Zika completely shrank tumors in mice at higher doses, fueling excitement. Lead author Dr. Tamarah Westmoreland states this finding provides much-needed hope for families struggling with limited treatment options.
Experts attribute Zika’s cancer-fighting capacity to its interaction with the CD24 protein present in several tumors. Further, Dr. Milan G. Chheda’s research confirmed Zika’s effectiveness against aggressive brain cancer cells. However, experts acknowledge safety as a concern given Zika’s link to fetal deformities.
While additional testing is imperative before human trials, Nemours scientists remain confident to progress swiftly. By leveraging this once-feared virus for good, they potentially discovered a breakthrough to save young lives - a hopeful new direction families pray for.
ORLANDO DIGS: DISCOVERING THE AREAS TOP PROPERTIES 🏠
Rare Mid-Mod Lakefront Gem in Orlando
A rare Orlando A-frame in top mid-century form beckons lovers of retro design. Tucked along tranquil lakefront, the 1960s home at 10215 Trout Road artfully blends its 2,403 square feet of preserved period details with contemporary comforts.
Inside, soaring wood beam ceilings disappear into the clouds while custom wood and tile floors create artistic geometries underfoot. An onyx accent wall casts ethereal glows amidst clean-lined built-ins punctuated by a spiral staircase. The kitchen balances vintage inspiration with today’s appliances.
Panoramic water views steal the show from nearly every light-filled room, enhanced by a newly expanded dock and covered boat house awaiting lakeside recreation.
Priced at $2.6 million, this portal into mid-century optimism frames serene waterfront living without forgoing modern amenities. For the right buyer, it’s a time capsule home ready for making new memories on the shores of Orlando.
Curious (or nosey like me)?
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Early morning Nona VA
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Cow & Cheese - Possibly the best smash burger on the planet
📍400 S Orlando Ave #101, Maitland, FL 32751, or map to this location, right here.
After over a year of pop-ups and rumors, Cow & Cheese finally found a permanent Maitland home last December for their killer smash burgers.
I fondly remember my first Cow & Cheese burger back when they briefly rented kitchen space from Chicken Fire. That seminal Doc Burger - double beef patties harboring melted cheese and caramelized onions, capped with signature house sauce between a toasted bun - was love at first bite. Layers of beefy perfection in harmonious flavors stopped time for a moment.
On this recent visit, the Doc Burger transported me back to that burger nirvana. With smash burgers ranging $5-$9, Cow & Cheese delivers artisan quality at steal-worthy prices. For passion-made smash burgers with no pretentious frills, Cow & Cheese now provides Maitland (and greater Orlando) a neighborhood beefy haven.
ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️
Monday
72🌡️ 61 | 🌤️ | Breezy and warmer with intervals of clouds and sun
Tuesday
75🌡️ 64 | ☁️ | Low clouds
Wednesday
78 🌡️ 67 | 🌧️ | A touch of rain in the morning; otherwise, a thick cloud cover
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THANKS! 🙏
I appreciate your attention! We’ll see you again on Thursday for the weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal