Frank Sumner’s second sign inside Framework Coffee is a tribute to Mills 50. (CONNOR BARRY)

In July 2026, Frank Sumner was laid off from his job.

The 32-year-old customer success manager in the software industry had already been hand-painting signs around town for friends of friends for over a year. Now was the time to take it to the next level.

With far more time on his hands than before, Sumner decided the side gig would become his full-time job. Over the months since he was laid off, Sumner said that it’s already grown bigger than he could’ve imagined.

Acorn Signs offers hand-painted, human-designed signs for local businesses, both inside and outside. A number of his signs can be seen throughout Orlando’s districts with signs at local spots like Rock & Roll Heaven, Framework Coffee, Aguila, Dr. Drips and Will’s Pub.

Sumner’s Acorn Signs journey began in April 2025 when a friend of his, Framework Coffee owner Danny Forester, asked him to paint a sign on the wall advertising the local coffee and tea for sale.

“Looking back, it’s a fun sign. It’s not particularly impressive work, but it was the very first thing I had done that was displayed in public, you know? I was excited about it,” Sumner said. “Even though I can look back and say, ‘Oh man, this one isn’t that good’ … you can still look at it and say, “This was created by hand, flaws and all.’”

The first publicly displayed work from Acorn Signs sits above the coffee and tea shelf inside of Framework Coffee. (CONNOR BARRY)

A strong anti-AI sentiment was one of the first things that pushed Sumner toward hand-painting signs. With AI-generated content becoming increasingly prevalent, Sumner said he was even more drawn to something made entirely by people.

“A lot of things just aren’t handmade anymore, and it’s really disappointing to the creative industry. There’s so many talented people out there that do this for a living,” Sumner said. “There are designers, who have the skills and the knowledge to design things in ways that should be appealing to people. But then just seeing floods of AI-generated things … it all kind of looks the same.”

Seeing a friend of his still producing hand-painted signs herself, Sumner decided to give it a go, originally only painting for himself.

“I was just blown away at how fascinating it was to see the process … Then once I started, I just got completely hooked,” Sumner said.

What started out as a hobby grew into more after the first sign at Framework, thanks to word of mouth. Sumner’s presence within the Mills 50 community also helped a lot as he was already known by some of the people who would be his early clients. As part of the local band Like Father, Sumner made connections performing at spots like Will’s Pub. 

Along with client connections, Sumner made it clear there were others who left a major impact on his journey. Craig Sjoquist, founder of 592 Sign on Orange Blossom Trail, had a significant influence on him, helping to develop his style and provide guidance.

“He’s been gracious enough to lend me his 50 years of knowledge and expertise, and it’s really put a huge jump start on my ability to deliver quality products,” Sumner said.

While Sumner’s side gig was fueled by recommendations and local recognition for a time, after his layoff he had to put the pedal to the metal. Now he is making cold calls, emailing and reaching out on socials to see if local spots are interested in his signs.

What he didn’t expect was how many would say yes.

“I’m definitely surprised at how much work I’ve been able to get in such a short amount of time,” Sumner said. “I think just having more availability has opened opportunities as well.”

One of Sumner’s more recognizable signs is displayed on the door of Dr. Drips on Orange Avenue. (CONNOR BARRY)

When asked what his favorite sign so far was, Sumner didn’t hesitate for a moment.

“Oh easily, there’s one inside of Framework Coffee … There’s a little storage closet and the sign says, ‘When you see Mills Fifty you see the best,‘” Sumner said. “I think that just fully encapsulates everything that our community is about. Mills 50 is for the artists. All of the best art and music is coming out of the best district.”

The sign has added meaning for Sumner as well. Not only was it a return to the place he painted his first public sign, but the sign was also inspired by his grandmother. As a child, Sumner spent much of his time on her porch, where her many barn-shaped birdhouses could be seen, each reading “SEE ROCK CITY.” 

The phrase is a reference to old ads for Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from around the 1930s. City founder Garnet Carter paid sign painters to put the phrase atop roadside barns on the highway to draw in tourists. Sumner said his grandmother enjoyed frequent trips to Rock City Gardens and would often return with the birdhouses.

In an Instagram post about the sign, Sumner said, “I did see Rock City. It was great. But I see Mills Fifty every day. I see my chosen family on Mills. I take my mom to dinner on Mills. My band plays shows on Mills … Mills Fifty IS the best. You see the best, hear the best, taste the best, and personally, I feel my best when I’m here.”

Interested in commissioning a custom sign? Reach out to Sumner at acornsignsfl@gmail.com.

The post Acorn Signs: Hand-painted with heart first appeared on The Community Paper.

Special Olympics athletes and their coaches pose for a picture after receiving their triathlon results on Oct. 10. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

The athletes train at the Y three days a week, and the facility hosts several formal triathlons every year. 

“It was a beautiful feeling, both for him and for us,” said Lizette Roman, whose son, Hector, has been training in the program for several years.

“It stimulates his brain,” added Hector’s dad, also named Hector. “He knows he has a goal, and he finishes it.”

Hector Roman helps coach his son and the other athletes, working with volunteers like Sherry Whitaker. Whitaker, who has been with the Y as a part-time group exercise instructor for 26 years, encourages people to volunteer for Special Olympics events like this one.

“I’ve never talked to anybody that hasn’t left here in tears,” Whitaker said.

The post Downtown YMCA hosts Special Olympics Indoor Triathlon first appeared on The Community Paper.

Stephanie Bowman of One Heart for Women and Children with Lindsay Chamberlin, Community Paper publisher. (COURTESY OF ONE HEART FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN)

Impact Awards. (LINDSAY CHAMBERLIN)

Publisher’s note: There’s something inspiring about being surrounded by people who spend their days making life better for others. I had the pleasure of attending the 2026 Dr. Phillips Impact Awards, and it was a wonderful reminder of just how much good is happening in our community.

We spend plenty of time talking about what our communities need. It’s nice to celebrate the people doing something about it.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

___

Hosted by Dr. Phillips Charities, the annual Dr. Phillips Impact Awards celebrate nonprofits making a difference in Central Florida. This year, 17 organizations received a combined $325,000 in grants.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Orlando Ballet each received a $125,000 Leadership Award for their contributions to our cultural community.

Fifteen additional organizations each received $5,000 Legacy Microgrants: A Place for Grace Ministries, Blues Truth, Camaraderie Foundation, DM&A’s me & my commUnity, Freedom Ride, Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County, I.S. Hankins – F.A. Johnson Education Foundation, Loving Hearts & Praying Hands, One Heart for Women and Children, Orange County Police Athletic League, Place of Restoration Resource Center, Rebuild Yourself, Runway to Hope, Steps Foundation and The Penitent Thief.

The awards continue Dr. P. Phillips’ philosophy of “helping others help themselves,” the core motto of Dr. Phillips Charities and a legacy that has invested more than $270 million in Central Florida.

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Church Street Station bricks commemorated a number of celebrations — or just stated the obvious. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

Hundreds of the bricks were purchased, celebrating people, birthdays, vacations, recent marriages, holidays and much more. Construction on Church Street started in July, converting the block with the Church Street Station buildings to a festival street. With that change, the bricks are being removed, and the City of Orlando set up a program to help people identify and claim their bricks.

After scouting out her own brick over the weekend, local resident and former Community Paper columnist Allison Steedle arrived at noon on Oct. 13 to reserve three bricks — hers, her brother’s and a cousin’s who now lives up north.

Allison Steedle brought the commemorative certificate her family received when they bought her Church Street brick in 1985. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

“I didn’t think about my brick very often, but I’ve always been weirdly proud of it,” wrote Steedle. “I’ve come and gone and come back again to Orlando, and it’s been fun to think about how it’s just been in that place for over 40 years now. It’s sad that they are being removed, but so cool to be able to get back a piece of the city and my history!”

Steedle met with members of the Downtown Orlando Ambassador Team who were on hand over the week to mark off the claimed bricks. The mementos would be available later once they could be removed safely.

According to a city release, unclaimed bricks will go into storage and be repurposed for other projects.

The post Walking down memory lane first appeared on The Community Paper.

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Orlando Vintage Clothing & Costumes owner Lisa Smith poses with three Mary McFadden dresses. The vintage pieces were featured in Vogue.com’s coverage of the Sturbridge Show in New York City. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

Smith has been attending shows like this for over two decades. “I love to produce sales and promotions,” she said. “And I love to throw a party. And so, I thought, why not do my own show right in my own backyard?” 

The plan? According to Smith: “Invite some of the best dealers I know in the United States and do a show that’s accessible and reasonably priced, where people can make money and not feel like they’ve got to sign over their mortgage to do it.”

Smith said it’s unlike anything Orlando has seen before. “I hope it’s the beginning of something really solid.”

The post ‘Orlando Vintage Show’ coming in the spring first appeared on The Community Paper.

Running from October 22 through November 1, five scary classics and musical parodies will be coming to the performing arts center.

(S.T. CARDINAL)

“Halloween gives us the opportunity to showcase the incredible variety of experiences audiences can find at Dr. Philips Center,” said Foster Cronin, Dr. Philips Center vice president of programming and education, in a press release. “From musical parodies to live concerts and iconic horror favorites, this lineup offers unique ways for guests to celebrate the season.”

• RedRum: The Unauthorized Parody Musical Of The Shining, October 22 – November 1, 2026
• The Midnight Drearies, October 27, 2026
• Raspberry Pie: Trick & Treat, October 30, 202
• Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, October 31, 2026

For more information on each of the Halloween shows as well as a full list of what’s coming up at The Dr. Phillips Center visit DrPhillipsCenter.org.

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Professor Kenneth Bourgoin explains the course progression of Valencia’s culinary program to incoming students. (CONNOR BARRY)

Located in downtown Orlando is one of the top culinary schools in Florida and a program recognized among the best in the world for learning chocolate making.

Walking through Valencia College’s seemingly never-ending kitchens in the Walt Disney World Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality in downtown, it certainly feels like the place to be for those looking to prepare for a career in the culinary arts.

“It’s like a superstore, a one-stop shop,” said Steven Rujak, program chair and director of culinary education at Valencia. “You can get all your education here: your culinary, your baking, your pastry, your apprenticeship … Once you get one of those degrees, we even offer advanced technical certificates in bread, cake artistry, and chocolate and confectionary arts.”

With six huge kitchens, three of which are specially dedicated to pastry, and a mixology center, each day students are spending their class time gaining real experience, developing their own creative dishes, and perfecting tried and true recipes.

These facilities are stocked with more than just your standard KitchenAid. Each kitchen has dozens of gas stoves, specialty fryers, large ovens, griddles, grills, smokers, kettles, and anything else a chef could want or need. With shelves full of every spice or herb under the sun and refrigerators full of fancy meats, students in the culinary arts programs have the opportunity to let their creativity run free once they’ve mastered the basics.

Professor Kenneth Bourgoin emphasized the range of things students in the culinary program must learn to become a great cook. Everything from cooking in quantity to sauce-making, dry-aging meats, and sausage-making, as well as plating and curating. But, above all else, Bourgoin said that a better knowledge of the food itself is the most important skill students gain in the culinary program. 

Part of that process, he said, involves tasting everything, even if you aren’t a fan of it. One such tasting exercise has students required to taste a raw oyster, holding it in their mouth for at least three seconds. Bourgoin emphasized that a chef can’t fully understand a food unless they really know what it tastes like and, more importantly, they can’t be afraid of how it might taste.

Students in the culinary program have access to a range of ingredients, herbs and spices. (CONNOR BARRY)

“There’s a plaque on the wall saying, ‘A good cook knows how to cook. A great cook knows what they are cooking,’” Bourgoin said. “So forgive me if I am ad nauseum talking about food all the time, because it is food that has got me here. It is food that has given those students the opportunities that they have had, that you will have once you’ve been through this.”

Bourgoin told incoming students during the open house that once they’ve progressed their way to the fourth floor, that’s when they get access to the fancy foods that will really expand their food knowledge. 

“Up here is the expensive stuff: tenderloin, venison tenderloin, bison striploin. We are doing foie gras. We are doing truffle. We are doing caviar,” Bourgoin said.

Along with the many opportunities inside the kitchen classrooms at Valencia, the “one-stop shop” also offers unique apprenticeship and career connection opportunities. Rujak said that tons of Valencia students come from around the country and internationally just to be in Orlando. Being located here means students have the ability to get involved with the quickly growing local restaurant industry, as well as with food and hospitality titans like Disney.

“I’ve got about 100% job placement. Students get internships and it’s all with local players,” Rujak said. 

Assistant Dean Dr. Craig Rapp echoed that sentiment, saying that coming to school here in Orlando affords graduates the ability to work for whomever they want.

“Everybody is here, all the major players, all the hotel companies, all the theme parks,” Rapp said. “They’re the people that work here too. You’ll find people working here that opened some of these places. You really are getting the best education because you’re getting it from people who are still out working or recently retired from these places.”

Valencia graduates have even gone on to open up some of the amazing local restaurants around town, offering other exciting local connections for students looking to get professional experience. 

“We are trendsetters. We don’t follow; we set the trend. We set the bar so high that nobody can compete,” Rujak said.

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Construction of the memorial design by the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee, which was previously planned to begin in September 2026, is on track to begin this fall and be completed by the end of 2027. The concept is intended to transform the site of the tragedy and honor the 49 angels, those who died.

(COURTESY OF CITY OF ORLANDO)

According to a press release from the city, the construction has a “guaranteed maximum price” of $12,624,837. The city also announced that there will be an additional $1.75 million in support from community partners, including DeVos Family Foundation, Dr. Phillips Charities, Orlando Health, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Wilf Family Foundations and Walt Disney World Resort.

“These commitments represent more than financial support for the Pulse Memorial. They reflect the extraordinary spirit of collaboration that emerged in Orlando following June 12, 2016,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in the release.

Along with the progress updates, the city also announced a new piece of the memorial design. A passage from “Sonnet to Orlando” will be included in the survivor wall. The poem, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was delivered at the 2016 Tony Awards right after the tragedy.

For additional information visit PulseOrlando.org.

The post City Council approves Pulse memorial construction contract first appeared on The Community Paper.

The new exhibit at the Orlando Science Center offers visitors the chance to test themselves at a number of physical challenges. (COURTESY OF THE ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER)

The exhibit features five zones dedicated to different extreme sports, offering interactive experiences with virtual flight, rock climbing, off-road bikes, parkour and high line balancing.

Along with interactive areas, “Extreme Sports” also offers the opportunity to hear stories from incredible athletes around the world and learn about the many myths around sports.

This exhibit will be on display in the Science Center until January 3, 2027. Visit OSC.org/visit for online tickets.

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