Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando

Weekend highlight: I was extended a warm invitation out to 4Girvins Farm in Tavares on Saturday evening for a farm tour and wonderful farm-to-table meal under the stars with many ingredients grown (and raised) right there on the premises. Between the goats staging their impromptu comedy show (they’re hilarious + one attempted escape), pet pigs, and chickens who clearly missed their calling as Olympic sprinters, I'm grateful to the Girvins family for their incredible hospitality. Stay tuned for more of their story!

In today’s issue: 👇

• Lake Rose

• Road Diets

• Kickstart My Heart

• ….and much more

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Let’s dive in!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Lake Rose: The Sinkhole That Swallowed Winter Park

Nature unleashed a geological spectacle in Winter Park on May 8 & 9, 1981, when the ground near South Denning Drive and West Fairbanks Avenue transformed into a ravenous crater.

What began as an unusual depression evolved into a massive void that grew to 350 feet wide and 75 feet deep, consuming 250,000 cubic yards of earth. The sinkhole's appetite proved insatiable as it devoured a three-bedroom house, five Porsches from a nearby dealership, part of the municipal swimming pool, portions of Denning Drive, and a pickup truck.

The $2-4 million disaster became an instant tourist attraction with vendors selling commemorative items to thousands of spectators. As the sinkhole stabilized and filled with water, it formed Lake Rose, named after Mae Rose Williams, whose home disappeared into the earth.

The event prompted serious scientific interest in Florida's karst terrain, where acidic rainwater dissolves limestone bedrock until the ground collapses. This led to the establishment of a sinkhole research institute at the University of Central Florida.

Today, Lake Rose's placid waters belie its dramatic origin—a reminder that in Florida, solid ground isn't always guaranteed.

🔥 Check out this fascinating (3-minute) Lake Rose history, right here!

THE SQUEEZE 🍊

Skinny Streets, Happy Feet: Orange County's Road Diets

Orange County is putting its roads on a diet – and the results are anything but slimming!

By strategically trimming vehicle lanes, these "road diets" are super-sizing safety for everyone from cyclists to scooter enthusiasts. Take Rio Grande Avenue, once a four-lane speedway, now transformed into a people-friendly paradise.

The Federal Highway Administration dishes impressive stats: crash reductions up to 47 percent! With dedicated turn lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian havens, Orange County proves that when it comes to roadways, sometimes the best strategy is to subtract rather than add.

Who knew less asphalt could equal more safety?

👉 Check out what these “road diets” look like, right there.

Setting the Table for Dignity: Orlando's Dementia-Friendly Dining Movement

After his wife Nancy's 2015 Alzheimer's diagnosis, Dennis Dulniak transformed personal challenge into community action. As her devoted Care Partner, he founded Dementia-friendly Dining alongside experts Toni Gitles and Edith Gendron.

The Meatball Stoppe pioneered the initiative before COVID-19 forced a pause.

Despite pandemic setbacks, he expanded to six restaurants through partnerships with key organizations including Hollerbach's in Sanford and fine-dining establishment A Land Remembered.

Rosen Shingle Creek's General Manager embraces the program as aligned with their core principles, committed to supporting both those with dementia and their caregivers. Restaurants receive specialized training to create safe, anxiety-free environments for patients and caregivers.

Dulniak’s advocacy, including dementia-friendly cruises and caregiver support, recently earned him the MLK "I Have A Dream" award—recognition that furthers what he humbly calls his life's calling.

One Stop, Many Hearts: Turning Hotels into Homes

In Orlando's tough rental market, Mark Vengroff is carrying on his dad Harvey's amazing work—turning old hotels into affordable homes for working folks who just can't make ends meet.

It all started when Harvey helped his own employees find housing, then blossomed when he met hardworking people living in their cars. When Harvey fell ill, Mark left his glamorous California career behind to keep these newfound communities intact.

Today, One Stop Housing has doubled in size with properties across Central Florida, including special homes for teachers. Their friendly support services help residents thrive, proving that everyone deserves a nice place to call home—no matter what they earn.

(Learn a ton more about One Stop Housing and Mark Vengroff with Kendal Asbury, right here)

Florida Lawmakers Champion Trio of Life-Saving Student Health Bills

Good news from Tallahassee as Florida lawmakers are championing three amazing bills to keep our kids safe at school.

The "Second Chance Act" will help protect young athletes with EKG screenings, while Senator Simon's "Kickstart My Heart Act" ensures life-saving AEDs are available on every campus.

Not to be outdone, Senator Calatayud is pushing to have glucagon ready for diabetic emergencies through her caring legislation. 

This thoughtful trio of health initiatives will be especially valuable for children from underserved communities. With companion bills already in the House, Florida's students may soon have these wonderful protections in place!

(Learn more about this trio of health related bills for students with Danielle Prieur, right here)

🧠 Last Thursday’s trivia: Which major infrastructure project opened in Orlando in the mid-seventies? The answer was the East-West Expressway. Orlando's traffic nightmare of the 1970s met its match when the $89 million Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway sliced through the city like a concrete savior, opening in two quick phases by December 1973. For just 20 cents a trip, commuters could zoom 13.3 miles across town and over Lake Underhill, finally bypassing the gridlocked Colonial Drive that had been suffocating downtown Orlando for years.

TASTY NEWS 🧑‍🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going

1️⃣ Tiger Sugar - Boba Bliss Hits Mills 50 Soon

Iconic boba hotspot Tiger Sugar (Insta) will unveil its first Orlando location on N. Mills Avenue this year. They'll soon bring their mesmerizing brown sugar boba milk with cream mousse to eager local fans. Opening date is still under wraps. I’ve personally visited their NYC location on Canal St. and they’re top tier!

2️⃣ SAMA - Dual-Level Dining Experience

Orlando's Indian cuisine titan Amit Kumar (of Bombay Street Kitchen, Aashirwad, and Tamarind fame) unveils Sama next year in Winter Park. This 8,000-square-foot Lee Road marvel will feature innovative Indian cuisine downstairs and trendy small plates upstairs.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Clermont Farmers Market (so many yummies)

📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Clermont

Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!

FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩

TALAY

📍861 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

Downtown Orlando's Talay (Insta) brings Thailand's seaside to life through bright, airy design and seafood-focused cuisine.

This Thai haven dazzles with raw seafood creations showcasing pristine ingredients and artistic presentation. Their authentic curries deliver familiar comfort with unexpected depth, while thoughtfully crafted cocktails perfectly complement the menu's bold flavors.

Don't miss their raw seafood specialties, traditional Thai classics with modern flair, and signature drinks that elevate the entire experience.

Talay isn't just dining—it's a coastal escape in the city center.

👉 Check out TALAY, right here

MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out

🧵 Upcycling Workshop 
📅 March 24, 2025 | 10:30am-12:30pm 
📍 Orlando Public Library

Transform denim scraps into stylish placemats in this sustainability-focused sewing class.
👉 Register Now

🧁 Kids Cake Class 
📅 March 25, 2025 | 4:30pm 
📍 The Burrow Cafe and Play

"Flower Power" themed decorating class for children ages 8-12 to create their own 4" layer cake.
👉 Book a Spot

🥂 Ivanhoe Village Business After Hours 
📅 March 25, 2025 | 5:30-7pm 
📍 Tim's Wine Market

Networking event with light refreshments for local business owners and community members.
👉 Connect

🎵 Soul in the Milk 
📅 March 26, 2025 | 9pm 
📍 Iron Cow, Robinson

Gratis performance featuring soulful local talents Brian + Hannah and Purple Essence as part of the Spilt Milk series.
👉 Feel the Vibe

🍽️ Dine Al Fresco With the Artist 
📅 March 26, 2025 | 5:30-8pm 
📍 Art & History Museums – Maitland

Vegetarian potluck dinner with artist Sinuhé Vega Negrin followed by exhibition tour.
👉 Join the Table

🍸 Chill & Chat: Singles Night 
📅 March 26, 2025 | 7pm-12am 
📍 Morse Code Lounge

Evening dedicated to authentic connections and conversations for singles.
👉 Meet New People

🍷 Flight Tasting: Austria 
📅 March 27, 2025 | 6:30-8pm 
📍 Formaggio & Friends

Wine tasting featuring diverse selections from Austria's historic wine regions.
👉 Expand Your Palate

THANKS!

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

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal