The 'cultural' side of Florida.

[floridapete]

H-E-L-L-O anybody out there ?

This Forum is SO quiet nowadays I thought that I might get some discussion going again in the lifestyle area - if nowhere else ?

Where do all you ex-pats in Florida go for a bit of 'culture' from time to time ?

I mean, you can't go on just working, watching that bloody awful TV, sleeping and working again (can you) or you will get to be brain dead after a short while.

Do any of you get into downtown Orlando to visit any of the cultural places down there, the theatre, the concerts, the art shows, the neighbourhoods with community events in old Orlando. There's some lovely places to discover - if you only make the effort sometime ?

We have visited the TD Waterhouse Centre a couple of times to see concerts (saw Julio Iglesias olne time - memorable), the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre (very close to the TDC) to see Bonnie Raitt in Concert (saw her also here in Newcastle just last week) and also the London Philharmonc Orchestra. We have also been to the Hosmer Museum in beautiful Winter Park (many times) to see their lovely exhibition of glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Downtown Orlando also has the Orange County Historic Centre right in the centre, which is a great place to take the kids as it is a very interactive museum of the history of Orlando and central Florida from the times of the early settlers (some of whom were Brits) through to the coming of Disney. It is very interesting and well worth the trip.

Lake Eola is also a beautiful place to visit (for free) and walk right around it taking in the sights and sounds of the best of downtown Orlando. Lakeside eateries include the Lake Eola Yacht Club, Sam Sneads Bar (the best hamburgers in town) and the nearby Coffee/pastry shop "Pan....?"

Just east of Lake Eola is a lovely old neighbourhood, Thornton Park, with sidewalk cafes and charming old restored houses and gardens.

Also just north of downtown in the Orlando Science Centre which is an interactive 'experience' museum where the kids can get involved in all kinds of educational activities, experiments etc. They also have an OMNIMAX THEATRE which should not be missed. This is like the giant screen IMAX cinemas, but built 'in the round'. You lay back in planetarium style seating and the sights and sounds wrap right around you ! Fantastic !!

Tampa also has a great museum and art gallery, some theatre and concerts, the wonderful Tampa Theatre with its original art deco interior and a working Wurlitzer organ that plays before every film show.

Ybor City, just on the east side of the I/4 into Tampa, is also a great place to visit to soak up the history of the early settlers of this intreresting City and see the last of the cigar makers still at work there. Interesting local history museums, trolley car rides, spanish and cuban restaurants, quirky little shops. Best visited by day - unless you are strong enough for the night-time club scene there !

So get out there and live a little !

But maybe you already do ?

So tell us about where you have found on the 'cultural' side ?

[JulieC]

We went to St Augustine recently over a slack period workwise. That is one of the only truly historic places in Florida dating from 1565 and is set up as a living museum where you can see how the original Spanish settlers lived. There is also a 17th century fort to explore and a beautiful old college, Flagler, as well as a number of museums. It is only just over two hours from Orlando now by i-4 and i-95. The whole place has a very Spanish atmosphere and it is hard to believe you are in America in the town center, even Wachovia bank is housed in a newly constructed but Moorish designed building to fit in.

Our other favourite place to visit is the Salvador Dali mueum in St Petes. This is a fantastic place if you are into his work.

In Orlando we have gone most of the things you menion apart from Ybor which we keep meaning to do. The science museum is very kiddie orientated, a bit like Eureka is it in the UK. Apart from the Imax and the plantarium as mentioned, we found the rest boring for adults.

I would agree it has gone quiet on here. I have put a couple of posts on over the last few days and have been the only poster. Susie hasnt been on for a while??

[floridapete]

Don't forget that St. Augustine also has a very English side to it - we did, after all, own Florida twice in its early history !

If you get through the 'T shirt alley' of St. George Street (how English can you get) and cross over the City Square (although actually it has a Spanish name), you will find lots of more English homes hidden in the smaller criss-cross streets back there.

The problem is that most people only see St. Augustine as a 'day-trip' from Orlando when, really you need to spend a couple of nights there to really explore it (and appreciate it) properly. Coming from a truly historic place (York) as we do we didn't think much of St. Augustine on our first day-trip. It was only after we spent a weekend there that we really got to know the place and to love it.

Well, Julie, seems like there is on us two on this forum nowadays ?

Did you read the posting on here from Corina in Lakeland who wants to set up an expats group ? I have sent her a PM (as she made contact with us for help) but I don't know whether she will have collected it yet. Not quite sure why she wants to do it though ?

[Kriz1]

I'm hoping to have more free time in FL...we live so near the sea right now the house needs repairing all summer....the hardwood floors need redoing because of the road sand and salt..it take up most of the nice weekends...along with the garden...which we leave to nature for the most part...but it still needs some love...we go the the Islands for a break....if I won the lotto...I would live on Nantuckett...cold winters or not...its a beautiful place full of life....

[floridapete]

I'm hoping to have more free time in FL...we live so near the sea right now the house needs repairing all summer....the hardwood floors need redoing because of the road sand and salt..it take up most of the nice weekends...along with the garden...which we leave to nature for the most part...but it still needs some love...we go the the Islands for a break....if I won the lotto...I would live on Nantuckett...cold winters or not...its a beautiful place full of life....

Sorry, Chris, but what's all that got to do with culture in Florida ? Or maybe I missed the very subtle link ? ;)

[Bobby]

Peter,

Why don't you just stay in York and ignore that Florida expats exist. You obviously have nothing better to do with your time than pick people's threads to bits.

I believe the site was set up to gather "EXPATS" together who have had immigration issues, to share one goal. A successful immigration path.
As far as I can see, you haven't done that. Your move here failed for whatever reason, so what's your point in being here?

You are being far too negative with everyone so far that I am sure the boards are quiet because you are scaring everyone away.

Ease off will you?

Thanks,

Bobby

[floridapete]

Well, that's what Bobby thinks !

Now how about the others on here ? Shall I 'shove it' or should I stay ? :)

Is Bobby a fair judge do you think ? ;)

(By the way, Bobby, "Your move here failed for whatever reason, so what's your point in being here?" is not exactly accurate. We decided NOT to move to Florida after we did a test period and decided that, at our time of life, it was not for us. So we never 'failed' - we just made a judgement that we could do better by staying in the UK than trying to rebuild our lifes to the level of lifsteyle that we already had in the UK. all over again in the US at 50+).

Also, I am on here at the specific invitation of Susie right from the start. She knows what I have done for this Forum (and others) - now what have you done ??????

[Kriz1]

Sorry, Chris, but what's all that got to do with culture in Florida ? Or maybe I missed the very subtle link ? ;)

Well I'll have time to see any 'culture' FL has to offer once I move somewhere where the house needs less care....take that onboard anyone thinking of doing up an old home...don't go there unless you have the money to have someone do the work for you...you'll never see daylight let along any 'culture'..;)......I always go off topic its my trademark........but it keeps topics from dying off .....:)

[Kriz1]

I think Bobby is right about negative posts keeping people away...it should not...moving to the US is a big step...people should read the negative bits....

This is Petes topic....he can ask people to stay on topic if he wants....not that I'll listen mind you....he'll go blue in the face and die quiet in some cold dark corner telling me to stay on topic....:)

[Bobby]

Perhaps Susie could review her "special invited" members list if it's going to rub any new joiners up the wrong way. As far as I can see that's Peter's only contribution so far, and definitely not what the site needs. If it's a site for old buddies with detriment to the purpose, then that's cool. I'll leave now.

Perhaps Susie can explain why someone who chose not to live in the USA is useful to us by posting sermons about how it can all go wrong. It's negative and only from one persons perspective. I'd rather hear information from someone who has made a success of their life, not someone who gave up, and pumps us full of how good YORK is!! Come on ....give us a break!

Personally, I'll give it another week.

If this Peter (who lives in York, but still decides to meddle in other people's affairs in USA), is still posting negatively and condescendingly to others then I wont even bother reading or posting any more.

I don't have the time in my life to bother with it. I thought this was to be a helpful site of like minded people, discussing immigration issues and the like?? Perhaps it's ME that's wrong??

Bobby

[Kriz1]

I must own up to leaving my last forum because the people moving over to the USA did not want to hear anything nagative about the USA ...but I found they posted endless nagative things about the UK forgetting that many E2s may have to return...
Bobby you could put Pete on ignore...I get the feeling you are a very caring helpful person....who could keep everything in balance...
We need people who have lived through everything...going home...staying in the USA even when the going gets hard...every bit of info good or bad is really needed...I notice that many come in and read but few post....to keep the forum alive more posts are needed....if the few who do post are getting upset no-one will feel happy about saying anything....this is just my 2 cents...hope I've not stepped on anyones toes....

[Bobby]

There's good and bad wherever you go Chris, and thanks for the advice on having him on ignore, but not having the full picture on some threads may cause me to post wrongly and I'd like to see what B******* he's writing anyway, so that I am not missing his usual preach on a thread.

Thing is though, I just don't get someone who tried it and didn't like it, still being part of a group of people who are still trying to go forward with the idea of being successful here.
To me it only sets up that we will hear everything negative that he has to offer on everyone's prospects.
I, for one, don't want to hear it. I'm successful, and hope that everyone who embarks on the same journeys as we did, can be too.

I'm sure that everyone connected with this site was told that it would be an immigration drive for expats. So, to log on and find some bloke in York blabbing on about how bad your quest for a better life is, when he's "stuck" in York is hardly going to multiply the readership of the site.

Since my last post, I have spoken to someone who knows Peter in person and they assure me that Peter's probably the last person I'd like to meet. I'll leave it at that.

[Kriz1]

I have to agree that this is a place about immigration more than anything else ....we should all remember that one.....
I've had a few bad years in the US and it does tar your outlook for a while...
I really hope you stay....being successful....it gives hope to everyone.....and you can give me a kick if I start moaning....:)

[Dette]

So culture in Florida - see on topic!:)
We live in Lakeland and it is a great place to be.

Here are a few highlights -
We have the Lakeland Centre which has all kinds of things to do and see. We saw Elton John there a few years ago - he played to a small house for 3 hours with just backing music and a piano - amazing. Very recently we saw Alison Krauss and Union Station, also amazing. In December my son was a dancer in The Nutcracker with Harrison Arts Centre there too.

The Polk Theatre is a beautiful place. They also have different events, including Indie type movies, often foreign which we enjoy a great deal. There is live theatre there and musical stuff too.

The Imperial Symphony plays in Lakeland too. They have guest artists and their concerts are very well attended. The Polk Museum of Art is also a gem.

Pied Piper Players, Lakeland Community Theatre has 5 main stage shows each year (two are musicals), plus two Youth Theatre shows, Alternative Theatre and One night only events. Prices are very good and season tickets are a very good buy. They hold classes and Summer Camps too. Anyone can audition and anyone can volunteer both on stage and in the box office or back stage and front of house. Theatre Winter Haven has similar opportunities.

Finally The Harrison Arts Centre is a little known cultural hotbed. Not only a school (where my son is a theatre major) Members of the public can attend concerts and shows there for as little as $5 for seniors/students and $7 for adults. They do some amazing pefromances and will be putting on their whole school musical in October - South Pacific.

So you can see, there is so much to do, not even mentioning the concerts the city puts on at Lake Mirror etc. Check out culture in Lakeland! :)

[Susie]

Hi

The Polk theatre in Lakeland is really quaint. Ian and I went and saw the Drifters and Coasters there.

Has anyone visited Mount Dora ? I have been told it is really nice so must take a drive to check it out

[floridapete]

Whilst not exactly 'culture' this may be classed as 'cultural' ?

If you do go to Mount Dora,which is a beautiful and quaint lakeside town which hosts many events such as arts and crafts, antiques and garden shows, you should also make a point to look up the "Windsor Rose Tea Rooms".

This is now owned by a couple from Essex who I helped to relocate to Florida last year and helped them to purchase this well-established English tea rooms.

It is set in a shaded courtyard garden filled with English roses and is, internally, an Aladdins cave of all things British and Royal. They do teas and meals in the better British way (not 'chips wiv everfing') and it is far removed from any 'Brit pub' experience. Thank goodness !

Mt. Dora also has it's own little ride-on train experience between Mt. Dora and Tavares (the 'capital' of Lake County!) and the nearby lakeside park has a lovely boardwalk through the wetlands where lovely birds can be seen.

Mt. Dora is worth the visit BUT, if you want to really 'see' the place bets to NOT go on a SHOW day when you cannot see the town itself for all the stalls and booths on every street and all the thousands of folks who throng them.

I will get back to you with more details of the Window Rose Tea Rooms. You might want to make contact with the new owners to invite them into your ExpatsVoice group ?

P.S. Yes, Phil & Sue Goodale 'hail' from Essex, UK, and had the 'urge' to move to Florida prior to a couple of years back when their kids had flown the nest. They had been longtime members of our Florida Brits Group here in the UK.

So they contacted me about the possibilities of emigrating 'before we are too old to do so' and I made arrangements with our Business Broker contact in Orlando to show them a few possible businesses for sale.

Windsor Rose Tea Rooms came up for sale at that time and it seemed ideal for their purposes.

In fact I have known Windsor Rose for a number of years since Richard & Christine Annis first set it up in a leafy courtyard off W.4th street in downtown Mt. Dora. It is a wonderland for fans of all things all British and Royal !

We have often taken our American friends and neighbours there for 'afternoon tea' (that's HOT tea - not of that terrible iced stuff) served with finely cut sandwiches, or with scones served cream and jam. It's a delight - and a lot cheaper than the same thing at the Ritz Carlton !

Why don't you give Phil or Sue a call on (904) 735 2551 ? Say that I said so - Peter Stanhope from Florida Brits !

They will welcome you over for a 'cuppa' and you can tell them about the website and about your opportunity to 'Meet the Brits' in the Orlando area.

[JulieC]

Mount Dora is very genteel, a bit like Winderemere without the hills. There isnt a lot to do apart from the little ride and now having cream tea by the sounds unless you are into souvenir or antique shops. If you think Celebration on a larger scale, there isnt much more there, Susie.