During my visit to St. Cloud I enjoyed exploring the murals throughout downtown. One of my…read morefavorites was the Joyland Beach Mural which is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of paintings that celebrate and preserve significant moments in St. Cloud's history. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network linking Florida communities through public mural art. Located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street, the Joyland Beach Mural transports visitors back to one of St. Cloud's most beloved destinations. The artwork depicts the Joyland Pier and Dance Hall, once situated on the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga near Ohio Avenue. During the mid-20th century, Joyland Beach served as a popular gathering place for both residents and visitors, offering relaxation, recreation, and entertainment. Families and friends flocked to its sandy beaches, swimming facilities, and picnic areas. The site's history dates back to 1911, when a boat dock and bathhouse were first constructed. After the original structures were destroyed by fire, they were replaced by the Joyland Pier. In April 1923, a new bathing pavilion was built, only to be lost to another fire in July 1935. Today, the area is home to the St. Cloud Lakefront, while memories of those simpler times live on through this downtown mural. The Joyland Beach Mural was created by artist Al Pepin. A figurative fine artist and product designer based in St. Cloud, Pepin is best known for his large-scale public murals, many of which can be found throughout downtown St. Cloud.

While exploring downtown St. Cloud, I came across the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps mural next to…read morethe American Legion Civic Hall. It caught my attention because of the fascinating history it represents. This mural is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of public artworks that celebrate and preserves the city's heritage. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network that links Florida communities through public mural art. The mural was inspired by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 34 and the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps, organizations that played a significant role in the city's early history. Following the Spanish-American War, veterans joined Union veterans of the Civil War as some of the first residents to purchase lots in the military retirement community that eventually became St. Cloud. By the early 1900s, the city had become home to the largest concentration of Union veterans in the South. The GAR, founded in 1866 as a fraternal, charitable, and patriotic organization for Union veterans, helped establish Memorial Day as a national holiday while promoting patriotism through parades and the creation of war memorials. In St. Cloud, GAR members marched alongside the St. Cloud Fife and Drum Corps during patriotic celebrations and community events, helping create civic pride. The veterans invested their pension checks to raise $8,000 to construct the GAR Memorial Hall on Massachusetts Avenue. The building was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Among the corps' founding members was J.T. Burbank, the subject of this mural by Amy Rosebush. This mural is a wonderful tribute to the veterans whose patriotism and pioneer spirit helped shape St. Cloud. Stop by f you're walking the Historic Mural Trail.

While exploring downtown St. Cloud, I came across the St. Cloud Sugar Belt Railway mural next to…read morethe local VFW Post. I enjoy historic trains and railroad history, so it caught my attention. The mural by Maria Arenas & Susi Sotois is part of the St. Cloud Historic Mural Trail, a collection of public artworks that celebrates and preserves the city's rich heritage. The trail is also connected to a larger statewide network that links Florida communities through public mural art. The St. Cloud Sugar Belt Railway was founded in 1888 by Hamilton Disston to serve his sugar plantation and mill on the eastern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, an area that would later become St. Cloud. The railroad opened in November 1890, running from Kissimmee through the St. Cloud plantation to Narcoossee. Its trains transported sugar, vegetables, other agricultural products, passengers, and freight. The railroad played an important role in the region's early development. In 1917, a brick station replaced the original wooden depot, which was known as Sunny Side. Over the years, the line came under the ownership of the South Florida Railroad and later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, where it operated as the Narcoossee Branch. The railroad was ultimately abandoned in 1942. One of the line's reminders is the 1918 passenger depot in St. Cloud, which still stands today. The historic building now serves as the local VFW Post, a neighbor to this mural that honors the community's railroad heritage.

This mural is located on the side of the City Centre building, which is located on the corner of…read moreEast Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando. It is not far from Lake Eola Park and is a vibrant piece of art that enhances and beautifies the downtown Orlando, Florida area. Public art shows the underlying personality of a city, it adds soul to the concrete and steel that define most large cities and shows us the community rather than simply the population in terms of numbers. This piece of art is a wonderful addition to the downtown Orlando area and I definitely encourage you to come check it out.

Hem is a mural by a local artist that is a part of the creative infusion Disney Springs Art Walk…read more The pieces area spread through the popular Disney springs outlet shopping and entertainment district. This particular piece features a child with a ballon draped over the shoulder of a woman who is overlooking some lovely nature backdrop. Overall a really good piece that is part of a cool art initiative in an area that will attract a lot of viewers.

A good authentic (some exceptions) Lebanese food. Service is really nice and ambience comfortable…read morewith nice outdoor area. Lacks on dish presentation and attention to detail.

Cedar of Lebanon is one of 9 sculptures that are part of See Art Orlando, a permanent contemporary…read morecollection of art that was unveiled by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the See Art Orlando Board of Directors on November 18, 2013. The art project was launched by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and art lover Jennifer Quigley. They hoped that adding public art to downtown Orlando would bring pride, boost the economy, and strengthen the city's cultural core. The art is mainly displayed around Lake Eola. You can find Cedar of Lebanon at the cul-de-sac on Osceola Ave next to Post Parkside just off Lake Eola Park Cedar of Lebanon was by sponsored by Khaled Akkawi and created by local artist Jake Harmeling who owns Qui Studios in Ivanhoe Village. He was the only local artist selected to create a piece for the See Art Orlando project. Cedar of Lebanon is a three story tall abstract metal tree made from bent sprinkler pipes and mirrored stainless steel canopies that are the leaves of the tree. The art work represents Orlando's diversity, strength, and elegance. At night the sculpture is lit from within. It is also meant to represent the nature found throughout Orlando. I like the the large scale of the piece and how it mirrors the trees found naturally all around Lake Eola.

Freewheelin is a statue by Gray Lee Price that perfectly captures a moment of youth when the world…read moreseemed boundless and in our innocence, we felt freedom in the wind. The statue is located in the Chapin Station and Neighborhood Park and is appropriately enough by the children's playground. Public art is an important part of a community. It gives a community a personality beyond the asphalt and steel. Public art, like all art, should make us think and feel. This is a great addition to the community.

This small plaque is to honor Colonel Corbin Marquand Sarchet, III, who is the founder of "Fiesta…read morein the Park" in Lake Eola. Fiesta in the Park has been recognized as one of the top 100 arts and crafts shows here in the United States of America and it is by the selfless work of this man and others that make it a reality. This plaque is a bit hard to find, though it is located by the Walt Disney Amphitheater in Lake Eola. I'm in Lake Eola pretty much weekly and it is surprising that I have never noticed this before. However, I saw today and I learned something new today about an extraordinary man who has given of himself so selflessly of for his community. If you were in Lake Eola Park seek this little plaque out. Lake Eola Park is definitely my favorite Park in Orlando and it is because of these little things that make this park so epic. Come check out the park as a whole and definitely seek out this little plaque.