Florida Curiosities

My articles and essays on the hidden stories, remarkable people and little-known places that make Florida fascinating. From cultural quirks to historical gems, these tidbits reveal the Sunshine State beyond the guidebooks.

Glamour and crime at an historic Florida restaurant

Willoughby’s Open Hearth existed in Orlando’s collective memory as a stylish, indulgent restaurant from the 1970s, but behind the nostalgia lurked a much messier story. Continue reading
The woman who gave ‘it’s a small world’ its magic

Joyce Carlson started at Disney fetching coffee during WWII. She became the artistic force behind “it’s a small world,” transforming Styrofoam, plastic flowers and costume jewelry into theme park history. Yet for decades, few knew her name. Continue reading