Happy New Year, Orlando magazine readers! January brings a time of rejuvenation and resolutions, and often has us looking back at what was and is no longer, something this 78 year old publication knows a thing or two about. So let’s take a moment to look back at some of the things that no longer exist in Central Florida, but that are kept alive in our memories.
The Senator
For as long as I can remember, we visited The Senator several times a year with my family. Born and raised in Altamonte Springs, Longwood’s Big Tree Park wasn’t far at all. Over 3,000 years old, The Senator was the biggest and oldest bald cypress tree in the world, standing 125 feet tall with a trunk diameter of nearly 12 feet. In 2012, it was destroyed accidentally in a fire lit near its base. Today, what’s left of The Senator can still be viewed at the park, along with a clone of the tree and an artificial recreation for the on-site playground. Its sister tree, Lady Liberty, is still viewable, stretching an impressive 89 feet into the canopy.
The Bubble Room
Oh spinach and cheese crepes, why have you abandoned me?! Having lunch at The Bubble Room in Maitland is a core memory for me, where I spent enjoyable afternoons listening to my mother and grandmother lunch and gossip while I ate the same crepe meal on repeat. There were decadent cake slices too, the kind you’d find in only the best homemakers’ kitchens. The Bubble Room space is now a Buca de Beppo, but older Floridians may remember when this building was a bright shade of pink, and the inside décor was part Christmas, part old Hollywood, and a whole lot of wackiness all combined into a delightfully fun experience. For those looking to see what it was all about, Captiva Island is home to the only other Bubble Room, and they serve the same amazing cakes.
This month we’re also focused on design, home design, that is. Orlando magazine is proud to present the winners of the 2024 Home Design Awards, as voted by you, our readers. With dozens of winners in 50+ categories, this issue is chock full of helpful contacts for your next home improvement project. We also explore an energy-efficient home build in Winter Park, with an enviable and environmentally friendly water-filtration system and modern insulated construction. For our travel enthusiasts, we visit Jackson County, North Carolina for a mountain experience where one could truly “get lost”, to an overseas trip to beautiful Norway, we hope to inspire your future destinations! This month we also explore Orlando’s best Private Schools and offer readers a comprehensive Private School Guide for parents, grandparents, and parental figures alike.
Finally, we revisit three amazing Central Florida neighborhoods and learn more about what makes them great places to live.
From everyone at Orlando magazine, Happy New Year!