From Locomotive to Locomotion

Reading time: 3.5 minutes

Good morning, Orlando! Over the weekend we received the best phone call of the month. The person on the other end asked. “Would you like to come over for Thanksgiving?” The invite means this Thanksgiving we won’t be eating “just add milk” gravy. 😀

You share, we listen. Click 👆 the poll at the bottom of this issue and tell us how we did today!

🌟 In today’s issue: 🌟

• Orlando’s party depot

• Local vet bobsleds out of the darkness

• What’s a “boss scam?”

• ….and more

Let’s start the week off right!

- Philip

P.S. Happy birthday to George S.

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
From Locomotive to Locomotion: Orlando's Party Depot

Nestled in downtown Orlando resides a remnant of the city's vibrant past - Church Street Station. This imposing brick building first opened in 1889 as Orlando's railroad passenger depot, serving as a gateway to the blossoming city for decades. Streams of eager travelers passed under its Romanesque Revival archways, arriving by train to the growing town.

In 1908, Murdy even mailed a postcard to his sweetheart Clara from this station, writing "This is where we landed." Church Street Station transported generations under its iconic arches until 1926, when railroad travel declined in favor of automobiles. After over 60 years as a functioning depot, it closed its doors.

However, its rich history and striking architecture saved Church Street Station from demolition. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. While no longer a railroad terminal, the station found new life as a 1970s entertainment complex, filled with restaurants, bars and shops.

Renamed Church Street Station, the venue became Orlando's hottest spot, drawing nearly 2 million annual visitors in the 1980s. A weekly country music televised revue further cemented its status as the city's premier nightlife destination.

The echoes of the past are never far at Church Street Station. Just outside sits a stop for Orlando's SunRail commuter train line, linking the building to the city's growth once again.

The Church Street Station still stands as a window into Orlando's storied past and a testament to its enduring potential.

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
100 Candles Lit for OC Library System

The Orange County Library System hits the big 1-0-0 last week! But this centenarian is still spry and youthful when it comes to serving the community.

The Albertson Public Library opened downtown in 1923 as a segregated, 20,000-volume limestone landmark. Months later, the tiny Booker T. Washington Branch sprang up for Black residents. Fast forward to today's 14-location system circulating millions of physical and digital items annually, plus over 10,000 tech classes and countless events. Outreach services, from social workers to roving storytellers, aim to make the library accessible to all.

The focus now is on breaking down barriers to ensure the library is welcoming for every resident. Farm worker IDs can score you a new library card. Group homes only need one card to share among residents. Even late fees got the boot recently, bringing back thousands of wandering patrons. A new diversity department keeps inclusion top of mind internally.

As the library enters its next century, the focus stays on innovation to meet diverse county needs. While formats change, the core mission endures: being a "living, active agent of service," as the first librarian said in 1923. Staff proudly carry on that spirit of connection into the future.

Right Place, Right Time. Doctors Save Man Mid-Cardiac Arrest Over Dinner

Eddy Montero's trip to visit family in Lake Nona took a scary turn when he suddenly collapsed during dinner, going into cardiac arrest unbeknownst to him.

Fortunately, Dr. Nicole Brenner, an OB-GYN from Florida Osceola Hospital, along with three resident physicians, Drs. Sonia Alicea, Amanda Rivera, and Suhail Saad-Omer, happened to be finishing dinner nearby.

Rushing to help, they found Montero pulseless and immediately started CPR, with Dr. Saad-Omer calling emergency services. Despite being 35 weeks pregnant, Dr. Brenner aided in the lifesaving efforts until the strain led Drs. Alicea and Rivera to take over compressions.

Montero's daughter Fabiana expressed gratitude that God had placed the doctors there to save her father's life. Montero felt he had been saved by guardian angels. For Dr. Brenner, it seemed fated they were present when Montero went into distress.

In a remarkable full circle moment, Montero was assigned to Dr. Saad-Omer when brought to Florida Osceola Hospital, the same doctor who had helped save him on-site.

Montero survived his brush with death thanks to the timely emergency response of Dr. Brenner and the residents, whose lifesaving skills and proximity made all the difference in the sudden cardiac event.

Bobsledding Out of Darkness: An Orlando Vet's Road to Recovery

The deafening boom of an explosion engulfed Orlando resident and Staff Sergeant William Castillo’s world in flames on April 27, 2007. Moments after his team cleared an area for a chopper evacuation in Iraq, an IED detonated under their truck, killing his driver and gunner.

Castillo survived, but with a traumatic brain injury and amputated left leg. In the quiet isolation between therapy sessions, the Orlando father of four sank into depression and PTSD. But a fellow veteran floated an unlikely idea - had Castillo tried bobsledding? The notion ignited a tiny flame of hope within him.

Once discharged, Castillo dove into bobsled training, determined to channel his competitive spirit. Before long, the amateur caught the eye of Team USA coaches. In a pinch-me moment, they asked him to try out for the National Para Bobsled team.

Despite his injuries, Castillo earned a spot on Team USA. While he may never don an Army uniform again, hurtling down the icy track draped in red, white and blue reignited his patriotic pride. Now a gold medal-winning captain, Castillo rockets toward each race with a new mission - to inspire fellow wounded warriors struggling in the aftermath, proving life exists beyond the battlefield.

Orange County Comes to the Canopy's Rescue

Orange County's trees are getting a reprieve as leaders move to curb excessive logging by developers. Expanses of wetlands in Horizon West have been clear-cut, leaving the area prone to flooding after Hurricane Ian.

The owner of Playa Pizza saw the aftermath firsthand when his business was left underwater for weeks, showing the dangers of overzealous land clearing. Now District 1 commissioner Nicole Wilson aims to ax the axing, after seeing denuded land near the flooded restaurant.

The updated rules will require county oversight before developers can buzzsaw properties, protecting heritage trees that aid flood mitigation. Local business owners hope the county can balance development while preserving nature's flood barriers.

The policy takes effect in March 2024, after an arboreal army of new county arborists is trained and ready. Wilson sees progress, but remains concerned about vulnerable trees under HOA control.

For now, the county's leafy residents are safer under their new guardian. But whether it's enough to stop the expanding graveyard of stumps and increased flood risk remains unseen. The next chapter of this arbor drama is yet to come as Orange County tries to balance development and preservation.

Phishing for Trouble: The OCPS Gift Card Caper

A phone call set off a cunning phishing scheme targeting Orange County Public Schools. A scammer posing as Superintendent Maria Vasquez convinced her to buy $500 in gift cards for a fake staff bonus program. Soon, similar calls circulated to schools across the district. Employees realized this “bonus” was a scam to steal gift card funds by impersonating the superintendent.

Disturbed by this fraud, Vasquez consulted cybersecurity expert Chris Hadnagy. He explained this “boss scam” preys on people's fear of disobeying authority. Oddly, gift cards seemed too small a target for hackers. Hadnagy wondered if a deeper deception was at play.

His suspicions proved true when ransomware-loaded USB drives arrived at three schools, concealed in envelopes with $10 cash and letters. The gift cards had been a distraction while the real cyberattack slithered through the mail.

While the mastermind remains unknown, OCPS cybersecurity experts protected against major disruption. But the phisher is still out there, spinning their web. Will staff learn from this tale or take the bait again? Time will tell if deception triumphs, even over watchful guards. For now, increased vigilance has foiled the scheme and protected OCPS’ most valuable assets: its students and staff.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Strollin’ Lake Nona - Cow escapes pasture in Laureate Park 😱

📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Nona

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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
WAFU

📍3201 Corrine Dr STE 203, 2nd Floor, Orlando, FL 32803 at the East End Market food hall. or map to this location, right here.

⏱️ Monday-Thurs 11-6p & Fri-Sun 11-9pm, Tues-Closed

Cravings for sweet and savory Japanese treats are perfectly satisfied at Wafu, Orlando's beloved dessert shop specializing in fluffy taiyaki pancakes and creamy soft serve. Born from a passion for Japanese street food and culture, Wafu began in 2020 as a humble weekend food stand at the Lakeland Farmers Market, dishing out fish-shaped pancakes bursting with fillings.

Word quickly spread about Wafu's melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, prompting the owners to upgrade to a food truck and expand across central Florida. The constantly growing lines and glowing reviews led Wafu to open its first brick-and-mortar location at East End Market in 2022.

Whether you're an anime lover, foodie, or just looking for something fun and different, Wafu's cozy shop welcomes all to experience a taste of Japanese street fare. Wafu delights the senses and satisfies comfort food cravings with a Japanese twist.

ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️

Monday

821🌡️ 68 | 🌦️ | Periods of clouds and sunshine with a couple of showers; breezy

Tuesday

77🌡️ 65 | 🌧️ | Breezy with rain at times

Wednesday

80 🌡️ 64 | 🌧️ | Occasional rain

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