Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What the Hungerford Property sale could mean for Eatonville’s future
Also, don't miss OCLS Little Scientists on the Orlando Patch calendar

Greetings Orlando! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What the Hungerford Property sale could mean for Eatonville’s future
- How a Venezuela strike is still disrupting flights into Orlando
- Could this Orlando shelter “playgroup rock star” be your new dog?
Also on today's calendar: OCLS Little Scientists and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Orlando Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Orlando Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Orlando.![]()
Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.
- Thursday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 80, low: 61.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Orange County School Board leans toward sale of Hungerford Property (mynews13.com) — Orange County School Board members in Orlando are moving toward selling Eatonville’s historic 100-acre Hungerford Property to Dr. Phillips Charities, with a final vote set for Jan. 13. The proposed deal would create a town center with a museum, early learning center, health facility, and possible affordable housing, while Eatonville leaders push for more inclusion and collaboration in the process.
![]()
2. Families struggle to get home from holiday travel after U.S. strike in Venezuela (mynews13.com) — Travelers passing through Orlando International Airport are still feeling the ripple effects of airspace closures after a U.S. strike in Venezuela, with some families delayed for days and rerouted through Orlando. Passengers describe mounting costs, complex rebooking, and long detours as airlines work to add flights and restore normal schedules by the weekend.
![]()
3. Adoptable pup Reba is a playgroup rock star (orlandoweekly.com) — If you’re looking to adopt in Orlando, Reba is a gentle, playful two-year-old pup waiting at Orange County Animal Services on Conroy Road near the Mall at Millenia. She’s great with other dogs, loves treats and affection, and the shelter provides convenient daily hours for visits.
![]()
4. Moroccan Americans and the EPCOT Pavilion: Immigration and Cultural Representation (arabamerica.com) — Moroccan culture has a high-profile home at EPCOT’s Morocco Pavilion in Orlando, where decades of collaboration with the Moroccan government have shaped an authentic showcase and steady jobs. The piece explores how this pavilion influences Moroccan immigration patterns, supports a localized Moroccan community in Orlando, and connects diaspora workers to official cultural diplomacy in the U.S.
![]()
5. Florida Venezuelans want opposition leaders to be put in power in Venezuela (mynews13.com) — An Orlando-based group, Vente Venezuela Orlando, is rallying Central Florida Venezuelans after Nicolas Maduro’s arrest, urging support for opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia. Local advocates are also pressing the U.S. government for immigration relief and connecting asylum seekers with organizations like Casa de Venezuela for legal guidance.
![]()
📸 Around Orlando
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- OCLS Little Scientists
South Creek Branch Library - Orange County Library , 1702 Deerfield Blvd , Orlando
10:30 am - OCLS The Life of Zora Neale Hurston
Orlando Public Library , 101 E Central Blvd , Orlando
4:30 pm - OCLS All About Amphibians
Southeast Branch Library , 5575 S Semoran Blvd , Orlando
10:30 am - OCLS Music in the Library: West African Kora
Chickasaw Branch Library , 870 N Chickasaw Trail , Orlando
11:00 am - Daytona Boat Show
Daytona International Speedway , 1801 W International Speedway Blvd , Daytona Beach
11:00 am - Lunch & Learn: Golf Fore Central Florida
Orange County Regional History Center , 65 E Central Blvd , Orlando
12:00 pm - Orlando Home & Garden Show
9400 Universal Blvd , Orlando
12:00 pm - Functional Friday Dinner
Maria & Enzo's Ristorante , 1560 E Buena Vista Dr , Lake Buena Vista
7:00 pm
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
📣 Orlando Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Next Level Real Estate & Trades Network
East Orlando Chamber of Commerce , 12301 Lake Underhill Rd #245 , Orlando
5:00 pm - Breathe with the Trees Relaxation Training
Mead Botanical Garden , 1300 S. Denning Dr. , Winter Park
10:00 am - Preschool Playdate
Buenaventura Lakes Library , 405 Buenaventura Blvd , Kissimmee
2:30 pm - Candlelight - Tribute to Adele
Mead Botanical Garden , 1300 S Denning Dr , Winter Park
6:30 pm
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Orlando PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Got Balloons — (407) 655-3161
We make Orlando pop with custom balloon setups for events!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good Morning from Waterford Lakes!
Do you happen to crochet? You’re invited to come hook with The Monday afternoon Hookers each Monday, 2-4 at Duo58 coffee shop on South Alafaya rd. … (Nextdoor Eastside Waterford) - This is your sign to GET A BICYCLE!
It's never been a better time to ditch the car, just remember to wear All The Gear All the Time (ATGATT) -- be VISIBLE and PREPARED for emergencies!… (Nextdoor Twelve Oaks)
- One of the core missions of the Orlando Police Department’s Gang Unit is getting illegal guns off our streets. In 2025, that mission delivered real... (X: OrlandoPolice)
- Congratulations to Community Service Officer Megan McGuire on being named CSO of the Quarter for Q3 of 2025! CSO McGuire has served with OPD for 12... (X: OrlandoPolice)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for (USA) Baker / Packager in Orlando. Apply here.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.
Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.