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Longwood Ginger Ale Spring
Reading time: 4.5 minutes
Good morning, Orlando! At this point, you’ve picked off most of the leftovers, spent money on heavily discounted gifts for others, and already shared stories (cough-cough, gossiped) about everyone you went to high school with. 😀
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🌟 In today’s issue: 🌟
Ginger Ale Spring
RoseArts Riles Residents
Orlando’s person of the week 💕
….and much more
Enjoy the issue!
- Philip
Tucked away in the lush forests near I-4 lies an ancient secret: a historic spring known as the "Ginger Ale Spring" to locals. Though easily missed by passing cars, this unassuming natural wonder has a fascinating backstory spanning over a century.
The spring's origins trace back to the 1880s, when a visionary doctor named Edward Beeman concocted a revolutionary cure for upset stomachs. This breakthrough laid the foundations for Beemans booming chewing gum empire. His shrewd investments made the Beemans’ a prominent and wealthy Orlando family.
Years later, Edward's son Harry struck business gold once again by developing the Palm Springs resort area near Longwood. Sighting opportunity, Harry's own son Lester established a bottling plant at the nearby Ginger Ale Spring in 1924. Lester claimed the spring's waters had wondrous healing properties, touting its "Beemans Palm Springs Water" as a challenger even to Coca-Cola.
Though short-lived, the plant made waves. Local shops stocked the spring's ginger ale and merchants were abuzz about its purported benefits. Many considered its sulfur-scented waters to possess almost spiritual healing powers.
Today, the abandoned bottling plant is gone but the spring still flows. Its stone tub collects water as a small stream trickles toward the Little Wekiva River. Traces of paint and decades-old offerings suggest this site remains sacred to some. Officials caution it lies on treacherous floodplains.
Yet the allure of this secluded oasis has drawn visitors who disturb its natural state and sacred sanctity. For the preservation of its legacy and landscape, the spring is best admired from afar.
The Ginger Ale Spring endures as a hidden reminder of Longwood's spirited past. For those who know where to look, this mysterious fountain continues nourishing awed respect for the magic water of old Florida.
(Learn more about Longwood’s Ginger Ale Spring from Jason Byrne, right here)
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
RoseArts Riles Residents: Will Mega Complex Eradicate or Uplift Neighborhood?
The Rosemont neighborhood of Orlando faces a divisive reckoning. Controversial blueprints would utterly bulldoze an abandoned 128-acre golf course, replacing the weedy wasteland with a bustling $1 billion urban development dubbed "RoseArts District." This titanic complex would offer over 5,000 apartments atop 350,000 square feet of shops on land left barren since the shuttering of the Lake Orlando Golf Club nearly a decade prior.
Longtime residents aren’t having it. They argue this metropolitan makeover would eviscerate Rosemont's small-town soul. In their nightmares, images of hulking 10-story buildings now blight cherished backyard views. And they scoff at suggestions the sparkling complex would magic away existing headaches like speedsters whipping down local roads, storm flooding, and rampant crime in neighboring apartment blocks.
Developers says RoseArts will lift up all of Rosemont by injecting economic adrenaline. But the locals aren’t buying the hype, doubting property values or quality of life will see any boost once construction dust settles.
Engineering a Healthier Future for Ailing Infrastructure, Helped by AI
America's infrastructure got a measly C- on its last report card. Now, engineering experts at the University of Central Florida want to help them graduate to the honor roll. Led by UCF Professor Necati Catbas, his UCF students are creating virtual tools to examine bridges and buildings more closely than humanly possible. Mixed reality headsets allow engineers to digitally walk through and interact with hidden cracks and shifts, predicting where new damage may emerge.
Other innovations underway include AI-automated analysis for rapid results, augmented reality tours for remote check-ins, and mapping degradation blueprints in old structures to estimate timelines for fresh damage in new ones.
As Catbas explains, it’s like taking engineers inside for an up-close-and-personal scan. The advanced peek behind the scenes could hopefully be integrated pending reviews. Early detection of weak points could allow earlier intervention, getting structures the remedial help they need to go the distance.
While America’s infrastructure impatiently awaits its next report card, these new technologies promise a brighter future. AI and automation may be just the academic assistance needed to help failing frameworks get back on the honor roll. High-tech check-ups can catch issues before they become irreparable.
Dissolving Insurance Red Tape: Direct Care Connects Docs and Patients
Becoming doctors represents the fulfillment of lifelong dreams for Drs. Akilah De Aza and Penelope Pauley. However, despite their passion, issues plague the medical profession. Surveys show 1 in 5 physicians may leave within 2 years, with over a third looking to reduce hours.
Drs. De Aza and Pauley believe a major factor is insurance companies hindering patient relationships. They feel rushed and unfulfilled, unable to properly help people.
Seeking solutions, the physicians discovered Direct Primary Care – a model removing third party barriers with monthly flat rates around $99, directly connecting doctor and patient. There are no time constraints or insurance interference. Calls are fielded personally in a refreshing change.
Early patient Natasha Slay sees benefits, contrasting her previous physicians where scheduling appointments took months and wait times exceeded visit lengths. Her first meeting with Dr. De Aza spanned an hour as they discussed issues she'd never shared before. She feels Dr. De Aza is invested in her wellbeing.
While still new, Direct Care offers optimism. Dr. De Aza hopes it becomes a viable alternative model, representing a glimmer of hope for overwhelmed physicians to reclaim the power to truly heal.
Passionate School Counselors Transform Crisis into Opportunity
Behind the cheerful banners at Orange County’s Academic Center for Excellence hides a silent crisis: only one mental health counselor serves over 1,000 students. Administrator Jania Fuller states the need is staggering, especially in impoverished neighborhoods where trauma scars youth.
While Florida schools require one counselor per 250 students, real-world ratios approach around 1:400. Overburdened counselors split time between campuses, leaving students to fall through cracks until problems become full-blown crises. Yet help has arrived via the University of Central Florida’s Project STAR. Graduate student Emily Rodriguez Lopez guides struggling youth, building trust central to growth. She’s one of over 200 counselors-in-training soon embedding in high-need schools statewide.
It’s a systematic intervention, shifting how schools address mental health from reactive to fostering proactive wellness. Witnessing Lopez connect with a distressed student, Fuller observes this passion could transform today’s crisis into tomorrow’s strength.
An Urban Oasis Proposed for Parramore
In Orlando's historic Parramore district, a forgotten stormwater pond may soon transform into a vibrant community gathering space. Local architect, Ryan Young of Interstruct Inc., has unveiled bold plans to convert the city-owned retention basin at Lee Avenue and Church Street into a unique urban oasis.
Young shares that when Exploria Stadium was built, this pond was expanded to capture more runoff. But he sees an overlooked opportunity to uplift Parramore. Imagine colorful pavilions, verdant lawns for concerts and markets, pedestrian bridges spanning the water - all while preserving its drainage function.
Young's imaginative renderings re-envision the pond as the heart of the neighborhood. Stylish walkways would connect parkside patios and performance venues, linking the community. The former eyesore could host art fairs, yoga, farmer's markets, and more.
The ambitious proposal aims to honor Parramore's history while cultivating its future. But Young still needs the city's blessing. He states that with the support of the city, they can create an inclusive, one-of-a-kind space showcasing Parramore's promise.
Young's passion for placemaking has sparked excitement, though plans remain in an exploratory phase. If approved, the waterside lawns could turn a humble infrastructure project into Parramore's next crown jewel - an urban oasis rising.
ORLANDO’S PERSON OF THE WEEK: CHERLETTE MCCULLOUGH 🥇
A Heartwarming Tradition Born From Tragedy
The scents of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes wafted through the air as Cherlette McCullough and her dedicated volunteers packed over 100 hot Thanksgiving meals outside a Winter Park office building. This heartwarming scene has become a tradition rooted in tragedy - after McCullough's grandmother died of COVID-19 in 2020, she was inspired to honor her memory by serving holiday meals to vulnerable community members in need.
Recipients ranging from senior citizens to struggling single parents lined up to receive piping hot, homemade favorites like turkey, mac and cheese and more. Smiles emerged at the bounty, touching moments played out in the parking lot. Some had tears in their eyes as they expressed gratitude during financially hard times.
From small beginnings of 57 families in 2021, this year McCullough and her team outdid themselves, providing over 130 households across three counties with Thanksgiving dinners.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Orlando morning
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Bakery 1908
📍2021 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL, or map to this location, right here.
⏱️ Open 7 days from 8:30am to 8:00pm
The tantalizing aromas of Bakery 1908's freshly baked goods now grace our neighborhood. This delightful patisserie tempts with culinary treasures not often found outside New York's vibrant food scene. Their showcase boasts pineapple buns with a sugary crisp crust, custard buns oozing with velvety filling, and shokupan - the acclaimed Japanese milk bread known for its cloud-like texture.
Those seeking a touch of savory will discover hot dog stuffed buns, pork buns with tender meat tucked inside steamed dough, and pizza buns - a marvelous merging of bread and everyone's favorite cheesy pie. For the adventurous, there are also red bean cakes and pork floss buns.
And the pièce de résistance - gorgeous layer cakes as visually stunning as they must be delicious. Their baked goods truly transport me, and I cannot wait to see what culinary delights they craft next. Have you tried this wonderful new neighborhood gem yet?
ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️
Monday
76🌡️ 55 | ⛅️ | Variable cloudiness
Tuesday
65🌡️ 48 | ⛅️ | Mostly cloudy and cooler
Wednesday
66 🌡️ 50 | ☀️ | Plenty of sunshine
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THANKS! 🙏
If you found something useful or interesting, please share this issue with someone you know! We’ll see you on Thursday with some fun weekend recs.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal