Baldwin Park Living March 2024

BALDWIN PARK LIVING MARCH 2024

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

MARCH 2024

Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver.com

EDITORIAL

Design Editor — Jessica Eng, jeng@orangeobserver.com

News Editor — Annabelle Sikes, asikes@orangeobserver.com

Contributors — Brie Bernstel, Will Campell, Mimi Simmons and Suz Tapy

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@orangeobserver.com

PRODUCTION

Graphic Designer — Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@orangeobserver.com

CONTACT

To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Annabelle Sikes at asikes@orangeobserver.com. For advertising inquiries, call (407) 656-2121.

Baldwin Park Living is a monthly publication of the Observer Media Group published in partnership with the Baldwin Park Joint Committee Inc.

Baldwin Park notebook

ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

BY STACEY FRYREAR

The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official Jan. 23, 2024, meeting minutes and Jan. 30, 2024, special meeting minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork. com.

The board accepted, appointed and or approved the following items/work:

n Appointed Frederick Burnett to the Bulk Internet Implementation Committee

n Approved Special Meeting for Jan. 30 to interview Insurance Agents Assured Partners and Foundation Risk Partners

n Approved Assured Partners as the Agent of Record

n Appointed Robbie Ceravolo to replace Mark Rash on the Insurance Committee

n Approved issuing letter from the Board of Directors to the petitioners and owners of City Homes No. 1, City Homes No. 2 and ISSA 28 Townhome Service Areas

n Approved Nichols Contracting for the electrical and fire alarm work needed for the elevator modernization

n Approved the Nov. 16, 2023, TSAC Meeting Minutes, Dec. 21, 2023, TSAC No Meeting Notice and the Jan. 18, 2024, TSAC Meeting Minutes

n Approved sending the discussion on hybrid meetings back to the TSAC for further information/plan

n Approved allowing the Grace Hopper gathering room to be blocked off for reservation purposes and used for movie nights when there is inclement weather

n Ratified the additional 2023 income tax payment and the OPD cost for the TSAC meeting on Jan. 18, 2024

n Approved DRS to clean and paint the exteriors of Grace Hopper Hall, Enders Facility Center and Enders NEV garage

n Approved BrightView to replace plant beds at Lower Union Mews

COMPLETED ACTIONS

1. January carpet cleaning at Enders and Grace Hopper.

2. Holiday décor was removed at Grace Hopper and Corrine Commons.

3. The Historical Society cleaned out its materials from the display at Grace Hopper Hall, because the materials were fading.

4. ARC approved Design Guideline Changes that are included in the January meeting packet. After board approval, they will be sent to the city of Orlando TDRC for approval.

5. January Covenants Hearing canceled because the Board of Directors did not meet in December.

6. Bulbs and ballast were replaced in Enders fitness center where the lights were out.

7. SMI maintenance replaced light bulbs that they could reach with a 10-foot ladder.

8. SMI removed pictures from Enders gathering room walls and touched up the paint.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS

CANOPY TREE PRUNING

There are many reasons to prune a tree. These are some of the most common.

1. Clearance. Elevating the lower limbs on a tree provides safe clearance to pedestrians over walkways. Trees located by driveways and right of ways should also be elevated appropriately for traffic and signage visibility.

2. Plant health. Pruning can be used to remove or control pests and disease on parts of the trees. This may increase the opportunity to avoid unnecessary use of pesticides and prevent the problem from spreading on to healthy parts of the tree. This is a good alternative when the pest/disease infestation is minor and limited to a few branches.

3. Protect structures. Pruning branches away from buildings helps to reduce pest access, reduces moisture and avoids friction of limbs against walls and windows.

4. Storm damage mitigation. Pruning selected interior branches of a tree will allow better wind flow through the canopy and produce less re-

9. SMI maintenance cleaned/ pressure-washed the back of Grace Hopper Hall.

10. Spectrum replaced the cable boxes in Grace Hopper. SMI repositioned them on the equipment, because these boxes are quite a bit larger than the previous boxes.

11. Eblast reminder went out for the December Food Fare.

12. Food Fare on Dec. 15, 2023. Food truck vendors made some changes to selections,

sistance which will reduce the possibility of breakage in the structure of the canopy.

5. Crown reduction. Pruning can be used to give a tree the desired size and control growth in limited space.

Please keep safety in mind at all times and make sure you have the appropriate equipment, experience and knowledge for the task you want to accomplish. Accidents while doing tree work are very common, mainly due to lack of experience and safety awareness. If in doubt, consult a tree care company with the expertise and equipment necessary for a successful and safe tree pruning.

EXTERIOR CHANGES

Any exterior change to your home — including but not limited to — painting, replacing or adding gutters, roofs, windows, plant materials/sod/ trees, accessories, structural changes, etc., requires ARC approval. All applications can be found at baldwinparknetwork. com under ARC Applications.

If you have questions, please call ARC Coordinator at (407) 740-5838 or email ARC@ baldwinparkpoa.com.

e.g. desserts, quesadillas, vegan options.

13. SMI maintenance to touch up the Allguard on the walls from roof at Grace Hopper pool restroom buildings.

14. SMI checked on the status of the Notice of Commencements for the Grace Hopper Hall shutter replacement and elevator modernization work. They are both good for one year.

Continued on page 10

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

BY MELISSA PARKER

The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the Jan. 18, 2024, meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

n The TSAC approved re-bidding the Cambridge roof replacement project.

n The TSAC approved working with A/R/C Associates Inc. for roofing consulting services.

n The TSAC approved approaching additional companies to obtain more bids for the 2024 annual tree trimming.

n The TSAC recommended Paul Lartonoix to the ROA Board of Directors as the CH No. 4 service area representative.

UPDATES

n Please remember to report any landscape, building, or irrigation issues on Baldwin Park Solutions. Reporting items on Baldwin Park Solutions allows residents to share photos of the reported area(s) and receive real-time updates from management staff on corrective measures being taken. Baldwin Park Solutions can be accessed on the Baldwin Park Network.

n City Homes No. 1 is receiving roof replacements. The project has been divided into two phases. Townhome buildings, within City Homes No. 1, will receive roof replacements and new gutters. The roof-replacement project is currently located at the townhomes on

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS

Questions about pest control for your townhome?

The only pest control that the association maintains is the termite bond for the building. All other pest control is a homeowner responsibility. If you believe you have a termite issue, you can report it on the Baldwin Park Services App or contact Melissa Parker at mparker@baldwinparkpoa.com.

Many people get ants and termites confused, so here are a couple examples to help.

WINGED TERMITE VS. WINGED ANT

Both pair of wings the same size

CARPENTER ANT VS. TERMITE

Chatfield Place. Townhome owners will receive notices on their front doors advising on the construction start date prior to the project beginning.

n The Cambridge service area roof replacement project has been voted by the TSAC to be rebid. There are 26 buildings located within the Cambridge service area. More information will be provided to the community as it becomes available.

n New sod that was installed in January/February has been treated with a fungicide.

n BrightView has continued to make multiple irrigation repairs throughout the townhome service areas. Any plants that have suffered from a lack of irrigation will be removed and replaced if they do not recover.

BrightView also corrects any irrigation following the installation/replacement of plant material.

n Per DRS Inc., here is the townhome maintenance scheduled for 2024: City Homes No. 2: February; Mattamy, areas of Cambridge, areas of Issa 22: March; Painting Mattamy: 2009 Coulson Alley (Jan. 29 to Feb. 9), 2037-2061 Coulson Alley (Feb. 12 to 23) and 2000-2036 Brink Alley (Feb. 26 to March 8).

Schedules will be projected one to two months out to anticipate any possible future changes or delays. Notices are still being left on townhome front doors one to two weeks in advance to inform residents of any upcoming projects beginning in their address range.

BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC.

BY BILL PATTERSON

Spring is here! Head over to the Village Center for all your spring time foods, drinks and shopping.

THINGS TO KNOW

n Seal Coating. The COA and CDD are working together to schedule the Neighborhood Business District (Unit 7), which includes Outer Road, Halder Lane and the parking lot, to be seal-coated sometime this year. Please be on the lookout for notices concerning this project, because it will create sections of these roads and parking lot to be temporarily closed.

n Tree Trimming. The annual tree trimming for the parking lots will start this month. Please keep an eye out for the Brightview landscaping trucks and avoid parking near where they are working.

n ARC. ARC Architectural Review is required for all exterior — and some interior — changes, including roof replacement, painting, signs and landscaping changes. For the city to approve permits, the Commercial Owners Association must sign off on the project. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. For questions and application submission, please feel free to email Bill at BPatterson@BaldwinParkPOA.com.

n Commercial Parking Lots

There are nine commercial parking lots scattered in the Village Center. These lots are for Commercial Building employees, tenants and guests only. Commercial Buildings include apartments, office and retail. Anyone parked in these lots are

Continued on page 10

Baldwin Park notebook

15. As directed by the Board of Directors, SMI sent an eblast for townhomes with a letter from the Board explaining various items that affect the owners. This letter was also mailed to all townhome owners with their perspective reserve study update sheets.

16. SMI sent an eblast reminding owners of the upcoming Assessment(s) due Jan. 1, to ensure the owner has checked their automatic payment schedules for accuracy and who to contact if help is needed with this.

17. As directed by the Board of Directors and Legal Counsel, SMI sent an eblast to townhome owners regarding a change in assessment due dates and amounts due.

18. SMI sent an eblast to owners providing Hotwire’s Customer Communications efforts, construction updates and who to contact for assistance. It also included that the covenant violation process for the adjacent right of way utility easement and/ or yard where the work is being done is on hold until such time as the sod is replaced by Hotwire.

19. SMI sent an eblast to owners reminding them of the rules regarding trash can storage and provided a link for the garbage pick-up schedule.

20. SMI sent representatives to Tallahassee to discuss the challenges House Bill 173 present to Associations. This bill, also known as the Tithing Bill, would amend Section 720.303,

F.S. to require charitable contributions or donations of fifteen percent (15%) of the budget by every Florida homeowner’s association.

21. SMI maintenance painted (including shark grip/sand additive) the men’s pool restroom floors at Enders.

22. SMI maintenance painted (including shark grip/sand additive) the women’s and men’s pool restroom floors at High Park.

23. On Jan. 9, 2024, the pools were closed and furniture was secured because of a strong storm system coming in that afternoon/evening.

24. BrightView inspected the association’s properties for down limbs after the storm.

PENDING ACTIONS

1. DRS proposal to replace hinges on attic access at Enders.

2. SMI is working on an interim design for the display case at Grace Hopper until such time as the Historical Society replaces the materials.

3. SMI reviewing SMI redline changes to ARC applications before providing to the ARC and Board for approval. This is in an effort to bring clarity to the applications as some find them confusing.

4. Hotwire will attend the February 2024 Movie Night in an effort to answer questions and initiate contact with owners.

5. Hotwire will host resident informational/sign-up sessions in Grace Hopper Hall at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 and 31. Eblast will be sent out ahead of time with a QR code for reservations.

6. Apiary will host the February resident Mod Podge Event.

7. Modernization of elevator at Grace Hopper approved in February. Time blocked in March/April 2024 for modernization. This originally was scheduled for October/ November 2023, but there was a scheduling issue. The state is allowing until the end of August 2024 to complete this work.

8. Replacement of shutters at Grace Hopper Hall. Special order as these are custom sized shutters. These were expected to arrive in February.

9. Proposal to replace screen doors at Enders facility center. DRS to provided proposal. Because of the cost — these are custom-sized doors — Screen Walkers is to provide a like for like proposal.

10. Proposals for Poured-in Place Tot Turf Enders and Union Park playgrounds including root pruning. Have proposals for Poured-in Place surface. Proposals for root pruning and installation of root barriers were in the September 2023 packet. Because of costs, SMI is obtaining an additional proposal for the Poured-in Place replacements.

11. Proposals related to 2023 reserve expenditures per the 2023 Reserve Study Update: Asphalt overlay 1-inch Enders parking lot. A proposal will be obtained and brought to the board. Update: SMI met with ABC Paving on site. It will provide three options for this parking lot because of the change in code concerning ADA grade requirements/ limits.

subject to the COA rules and regulations. Please make sure your tags are up to date and your vehicle is parked properly. Vehicles not following these rules or not approved to park will be tagged and towed if not corrected or removed. As a reminder, the Baldwin Harbor parking garages also have parking for commercial tenants and guests.

n Trash Talk. The dumpster in the commercial lots are for use of commercial tenants and apartment residents. Apartment residents are encouraged to throw their trash down the chute on the side. When the door is closed, it will compact. Commercial tenants are not to use the trash chute for discarding trash. Rather, they are to go inside the enclosure and throw directly in the dumpster. Please do not leave trash bags in front of or around the dumpster; this attracts bugs and rodents. If the dumpster is not working, please go to one of the other parking lot dumpsters and contact the office so OUC can be notified to repair.

n Bulk Pick-up. The dumpsters in the commercial lots are meant for trash bags and small items only. For all large items, please use OUC bulk pick-up. Stuffing these items in the dumpster or leaving them causes multiple issues, including dumpster break down and rodents. Visit orlando. gov/Trash-Recycling for more information and to schedule future pick-ups.

n Baldwin Park Solutions. Commercial owners, tenants, and managers can submit work requests through our new Baldwin Park Solutions system. It is located on the Baldwin Park Network. Simply click “Resident Home” at the top right, and you will find the link in the middle of the page. If you do not have a Baldwin Park Network account, you can request one from that page, as well. Visit baldwinparknetwork.com to start.

ROA Board of Directors Meeting from page 8

Baldwin Park Commercial Owners Association Inc. from page 9

Embracing unity and the power of community

WILL CAMPBELL PRESIDENT BALDWIN PARK JOINT COMMITTEE

Hello friends and neighbors!

I missed you all last month as I took a little break to focus on some work stuff, but rest assured, you aren’t rid of me —even if you might want to be sometimes!

As I sat at home and pondered what my March article could be about, lots of ideas ran through my head. Everything from St. Patrick’s Day and the leprechauns (creepy little buggers) to the temperatures changing — and everything in-between. One thing stuck out though: With everything going on in the world, and even within our little community bubble, how can we come through the divisiveness that surrounds us and remember that we’re really all in this together?

In a world often marked by division and discord, the concept of coming together as a community stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience. Despite myriad challenges and divisive forces that surround us, the power of unity has the potential to bridge gaps and foster understanding. It is in these moments of collective strength that communities find the ability to overcome adversity and build a stronger foundation together.

One of the defining characteristics of a community is its ability to bring people together that might otherwise separate them. The shared sense of belonging within a community can create a space where differences are celebrated rather than feared. I think that we, as residents, as boards and as neighbors, have done a remarkable job of helping foster the sense

of community that makes Baldwin Park so great.

When faced with challenges or conflicts, the collective strength of a community can serve as a formidable force for positive change. By fostering open communication and understanding, we can navigate through those issues and find common ground that promotes unity rather than division. Although we may not all agree on the same topics, we can agree that we all want what’s best for our community.

The importance of shared values and common goals cannot be overstated when it comes to community building. By coming together for a central purpose, we can forge a sense of identity and direction that supersedes the divisive forces at play in the broader world. This shared vision becomes a unifying force, guiding the community towards collaborative efforts and collective achievements that benefit everyone involved.

Communities also play a crucial role in providing support networks for their members. In times of personal or collective hardship, the bonds formed within a community can offer solace, encouragement and practical assistance. Looking back at how we all came together during the pandemic not only to support our neighbors but also the businesses within the neighborhood, it was an impressive feat. Some of those businesses are still here and thriving solely because of the support from within our own community.

It is essential to acknowledge that building and sustaining a community requires intentional

effort. Addressing conflicts, promoting open dialogue and fostering a culture of inclusivity are ongoing processes that demand commitment from all community members. While it may not always seem so, everyone who plays a role in the community — from homeowners to our stellar Sentry management team to those of us who dedicate our time to sit on the various boards and committees that help make Baldwin Park continue to thrive — is doing it because we love this community that each of you have helped build.

History is full of examples of communities that have risen above divisive circumstances to create positive change. It’s important for people’s voices to be heard, but at the same time, there are ways to go about it that won’t divide us but, instead, bring us together.

The idea of coming together as a community in the face of divisive issues is a testament to the resilience and strength inherent in our connections with one another. Whether in physical or virtual spaces, communities have the power to foster understanding and create a sense of belonging that is essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. By embracing these shared values, and a commitment to collective well-being, we can serve as powerful agents of positive change, demonstrating that unity is not only possible, but a fundamental force for building a better future for all of us in Baldwin Park.

Until next time, stay safe, stay well, and remember, #WeAreBaldwinPark!

SUZ TAPY COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Iam working on my 12th year at Sentry Management. My office is situated in the facility center at 1913 Meeting Place. Every day I step into the building that was named after U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Grace Hopper. For most of my 12 years, I have had the pleasure of greeting folks as they come through the front doors. I have sat at the front desk looking at the display case in the lobby that chronicled Baldwin Park’s past and its proud military history. From the Orlando Air Force base to the U.S. Naval Training Center to what we now know as your beautiful neighborhood, Baldwin Park.

March is International Women’s Month, and I thought it would be relevant to talk about the rich history that has transpired on these grounds and how the inclusion of women, many of them trained right here, helped positively change the landscape of the military.

Grace Hopper was one of the many women of WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). WAVES was the U.S. Naval Reserve women’s branch established on July 21, 1942, created to replace men stationed ashore to provide more sea duty sailors and officers during World War II. More than 100,000 WAVES served in various capacities during the war. It provided the opportunity to work at jobs usually only open to men.

Just who was Grace Hopper?

In honor of International Women’s Month, we celebrate the life and legacy of U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.

After graduating from Vassar College in 1928 with a degree in math, Grace Brewster Hopper earned her masters and PhD from Yale. That type of PhD was a rarity back then. It wasn’t just rare for women but men, too — only 1,279 math PhDs were awarded between 1862 and 1934.

Grace Hopper joined WAVES in 1943 and a year later was Lieutenant Hopper. She had no background in computing but received a crash course in programming when she was assigned to the Bureau of Ships Computation team. She went on to design a machine that made difficult calculations for tasks such as laying

mine fields. She and her team ran across a computer failure one day and opened the machine only to find a moth had gotten inside! She taped the little insect into her log book and wrote down, “first actual case of bug being found” — coining the phrase “bug” and “debug” for computer errors and how to fix them.

She joined a startup that developed one of the earliest computers recording information on high-speed magnetic tape. Hopper then became the systems engineer and director of automatic programming. Hopper and her team developed the first programming language to use English words later incorporated into COBOL, the business programming language that brought data processing into the world of commerce. Before COBOL, the leading computer companies were competing to be first to come up with such a language. They couldn’t join forces to create a common language without violating antitrust laws, so Hopper, other academics and the Defense Department formed a committee to devise the language.

In 1966, she reluctantly retired from the Navy, but the following year, she returned to active duty and was exempted from the mandatory retirement age of 62. She was voted “Man of the Year” in 1969 (how ironic during this International Women’s Month) by the Data Processing Management Association.

Over the next 20 years, she actively lectured, wrote and consulted. The Navy promoted her to rear admiral, and she was still serving as a senior consultant to Digital Equipment Corporation when she died in 1992 at age 85.

World War II empowered women such as Grace Hopper to seek new opportunities and fight for equal pay in the decades to come.

Other notable women in service during WWII were Mildred McAfee, director of WAVES, Naval Reserve lieutenant commander and the first female commissioned officer in the Navy; Phyllis Mae Daily, the first African American woman sworn into the Navy Nurse Corps. and one of only four African American women to serve in the Navy during WWII;

and Jane Kendeigh, a Navy flight nurse and the first to fly to an active combat zone at the Battle of Iwo Jima. She and her fellow flight nurses air evacuated some 2,393 Marines and Sailors.

These women and many others have proven that when we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. Happy International Women’s Month!

Courtesy images

Grace Hopper and her team coined the terms ‘bug’ and ‘debug’ in reference to computer errors after she discovered an actual insect in her machine.

PAIN, PAIN, GO AWAY

Baldwin Park resident John Gernert is using his passion for his practice, Orlando Pain Centers of Excellence, to alleviate his patients’ pain.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

From a young age, Baldwin Park resident John Gernert knew he wanted to pursue a career in health care.

Gernert’s great-grandmother was a midwife in the mountains of extreme western North Carolina in a rural, Appalachian town called Hanging Dog.

His great-grandmother worked with almost every member of the small community, and Gernert remembers hearing fascinating tales of patients and their stories of healing.

“Everybody, when they learned I was her great-grandchild, they always would have to tell me some kind of medical story, because she was the closest thing to there being a doctor in that part of the state,”

he says. “The stories of her helping people who had been bitten by a snake, or children that were born, or any type of emergencies in this small little area, I got to hear firsthand.”

Now, Gernert is following in her footsteps with the opening of his practice, Orlando Pain Centers of Excellence.

“Potentially, if I do my job right, my patients’ lives are so much better,” Gernert says. “What normally happens is you have someone that is at a high-functioning place in their life where they’re doing great. Then, they have an injury (or) a surgery, and all of a sudden, they have terrible pain. Not only does chronic, severe pain lead to depression — you lose your friends, you lose your ability to work, you lose your ability to get out and do things — but everything starts spiraling down. Some

of these patients I see have been going down for years of their life. When they come in here and I offer them the possibilities of my practice, for the first time in years I’ve shown them something other than opioids. An injection that is going to give meaningful reversal of the downward spiral that their life has been. I can instantly see a change in the patients I see come in my office. By the time they leave, they’re like a new person. It’s the most extraordinary and rewarding moment. I get a blessing, the office gets a blessing, the families get a blessing and the patient gets a blessing.”

TRAINING

Originally from Murphy, North Carolina, and growing up in east Tennessee, Gernert attended the University of Tennessee. He completed his post-graduate

Annabelle Sikes

When not at the office, John Gernert and his wife, Kimberley, can be seen fishing on Lake Baldwin with their three sons or walking their dog, Rocky.

education at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He then completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of South Florida.

Following his anesthesiology residency, he elected to further specialize in the field of interventional pain management.

Gernert was accepted into USF’s pain-management fellowship program. There, he completed an additional one year of intensive training in the art of alleviating patients’ acute and chronic pain.

That’s when he knew one day he wanted to have his own office working on interventional pain treatments.

Gernert moved to Orlando to take a job with Orlando Regional Medical Center.

He was one of the five interventional pain physicians that treated chronic and acute pain patients at the hospital and with affiliate M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

He left the hospital to pursue his dream in interventional pain

management full-time.

“I enjoyed the aspect of getting to talk to people, and I didn’t really get to do that when I was just putting them to sleep,” he says. “I’m good with a needle, and I enjoy using that God-given talent to help cure people with their pain.”

NEW PRACTICE

Gernert opened Orlando Pain Centers of Excellence in spring 2022. There, Gernert employs interventional pain management, which uses minimally invasive, needle-based therapies to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Gernert and his team use a multi-faceted treatment approach to prevent the downward cycle often seen with patients afflicted with pain. The office uses numerous, therapeutic options but specializes in neuromodulation.

The practice treats myriad pain types, including spinal, back, neck, peripheral neuropathy, complex regional pain, PTSD, musculoskeletal, nerve and muscle.

ORLANDO PAIN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

LOCATION: 515 W. State Road 434, Suite No. 201, Longwood

PHONE: (407) 745-1115

EMAIL: info@orlandopaincenters.com

WEBSITE: orlandopaincentersofexcellence.com

Gernert specializes in spinal cord stimulation therapy, as well as spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion stimulators.

“It’s going to change the world of pain management,” he says of dorsal root ganglion stimulation. “DRG stimulation uses equipment, which is implanted in your spine under your skin, to send mild, electrical impulses to the area of a DRG in your spine. This stimulation can make the DRG create more ‘red lights,’ which blocks pain signals from that area traveling to your brain. It’s an amazing piece of technology, but it’s brand new.”

In addition, Gernert is one of the only doctors in the area who offers in-office kyphoplasty, the surgical filling of an injured or collapsed vertebra. This procedure restores original shape and

configuration and relieves pain from spinal compression.

BALDWIN BLESSING

Orlando Pain Centers of Excellence is accepting new patients. Gernert says he wants patients to know when they’re desperate they should seek help.

“Let me at least try to help you,” he says. “I’ll try every time. Every single patient. I don’t care if they have insurance or not. If they are desperate and they come to me for help, I’m going to try to do my best.”

Gernert has lived in Baldwin Park since 2004 with his wife, Kimberley, a real-estate specialist with Keller Williams in Winter Park. When they’re not working, the couple can be seen fishing on Lake Baldwin with their three sons or walking their dog, Rocky.

Community Calendar AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

FIRST FRIDAY EVENT

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, on New Broad Street. Find the full vendor list by searching “BP Community Market Day” on Facebook.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

OCBA LAW DAY 5K

7 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 2, at Harbor Park,4990 New Broad St. The Orange County Bar Association will host the ninth annual OCBA Law Day 5K Run and Walk looping around beautiful Lake Baldwin. This annual race is open to the public and benefits the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA. For more, visit orangecountybar.org/page/ law-day-5k.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

BABY AND ME YOGA

11 a.m. Tuesdays, March 5 and 12, at the Enders community room. All Baldwin babies (not yet walking) and their mommas are invited to spend a wonderful morning with other moms/babies. It is a laid-back class and a safe space to nurse/feed, diaper and soothe your baby. Join us for a little yoga/ movement and a lot of laughter and fun. $10 per class. For more info, email lisafineman@yahoo.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, virtually. Because of the current high volume of Residential ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications

will be held for the next scheduled ARC meeting. The ARC meets twice a month. More information can be found in your weekly newsletter.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BLOCK PARTY ON NEW BROAD STREET

Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17, on New Broad Street. This event, hosted by Tactical Brewing, will feature “The Green Fling,” a green water, tournament-style balloon fight. There will also be a live band, food by Orlando Parking Lot Party, vendors and new drink releases. (407) 203-2033.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

COVENANTS HEARING

6:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, virtually. More information can be found on the Baldwin Park Network or by emailing Erin at covenants@ baldwinparkpoa.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

TOWNHOME SERVICE

Area Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, virtually. All information for the meeting also can be found on the Baldwin Park Network, along with the link to join the meeting.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

BACKYARD FOOD FARE

Join your neighbors at Corrine Commons for delicious food vendors. Residents: Check your weekly newsletter for more information.

NIFTY 50S

Nifty 50s is a great way to meet your neighbors here in Baldwin Park. The group hosts several monthly events that are open to Baldwin Park residents who are older than 50 (for couples, only one person needs to be 50 or older). All events are very casual. Annual dues are $30 (or $20 after July 1) per person. Invitations for luncheons and parties throughout the year are sent thru Evite.com only to members. For more information, email niftyfiftiesplus@gmail. com.

LADIES COFFEE: Takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month at Café 906, 4932 New Broad St.

HAPPY HOUR: Takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at a Baldwin Park restaurant. Some will stay for dinner.

MARCH 28

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, virtually. Because of the current high volume of Residential ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications will be held for the next scheduled ARC meeting. The ARC meets twice a month. More information can be found in your weekly newsletter.

MARCH 31 EASTER

Not to be deferred — exterior home painting

My college roomie grew up on a hog farm in Indiana. She once told me that her daddy had a saying. It went something like this:

“If you clean the hog pens every day, life is easy. However, if you let the daily refuse of your animals pile up, over time it can harden and become a major nuisance to remove.”

[Colorful language omitted out of respect for our readers. Use your imagination!]

It turns out that life on a Midwestern farm is pretty much the same as it is everywhere else, and the lesson contained within this allegory continues to apply to all sorts of situations, including home maintenance matters in Baldwin Park.

A DEFENSIVE LINE — THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

A key example of how putting off regular home maintenance can come back to bite you is delaying the painting of exterior walls, doors, trim, shutters and other surfaces. According to Holly Renick, residential sales associate for CertaPro Painters, to maintain the integrity of your home’s building

envelope (the exterior part of the house that separates the interior climate from the exterior climate), repainting should be done every four to seven years and no fewer than every 10 years.

“Especially in Florida, where sun, rain, and generally hot and humid conditions can accelerate wear and tear of even the most durable of building materials, homeowners here need to repaint more frequently than those in more moderate climates,” she said.

HOW FAST IS YOUR COLOR?

One of the first signs of aging exterior paint is color fading, which is

caused primarily by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Color duration can be optimized from the start by color selection.

According to a recent post on TheHomeGeek.com, “Certain colors, such as reds, blues, and greens, are more susceptible to fading due to sun exposure than light earth-toned colors like tans, beige, brown, and shades of white.”

On the other hand, light colors tend to show more dirt and stains, so pressure washing is often required to keep a paint coat looking new.

MULTIPLE PATHS TO DESTRUCTION

Excessive moisture can cause peeling, building settlement can cause cracking, and the wrong sheen combined with prolonged aging of exterior paint can cause chalking.

According to TheSpruce.com: “Chalking is actually the paint pigment released by the paint binders that have been broken down by exposure to the weather. It’s telltale sign is a chalky film left on your hand after touching a painted surface.

It’s a sign the paint is failing, meaning moisture can be absorbed into the wall assembly. In other words, the building envelope has been compromised.

FIX IT FIRST

In all cases of paint deterioration, problems tend to mount as more time passes and need to be addressed before a fresh coat of paint can be applied. This often involves mold removal, caulking, sealing, conditioning and application of special primers that can increase the cost of a paint project. In the worst-case scenario, structural and moisture problems need to be re-mediated costing multiples of the periodic paintings that could have been done to prevent them.

COLOR BY HISTORICAL PRECEDENCE

Step one of planning for your exterior paint project is to download a paint application from the community portal and identify your proposed colors. In Baldwin Park, the HOA has a pre-approved palette of colors for every home style based on historical use. Swatches can be

MIMI SIMMONS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Excessive moisture can cause peeling. Courtesy photos

Putting off home maintenance can cause bigger problems in the future.

obtained at the HOA office. Colors must be chosen for the home body, trim, doors (including your garage door), and if applicable, shutters, porch and lanai floors and ceilings. Color choices outside of the pre-approved palette can be proposed by the homeowner must be approved by the Architecture Review Committee and be consistent with the home style.

SHINY AND NEW

The sheen of each surface should be determined to ensure appropriate appearance and durability. For instance, entry doors are often painted with a gloss or semi-gloss finish. Trim can be painted with semi-gloss or satin finish, and the home body often is satin. It is desirable to have a hierarchy of sheen with high gloss drawing the most attention and used sparingly. A flat finish is hardly ever recommended for Central Florida exteriors, as it is the least able to withstand the elements.

MIND YOUR NEIGHBOR

Color considerations need to take into account the context of neighboring homes so that the same color is not repeated next door or unduly on the same block. Curiously, the exception to this rule is a white home, which can be in close proximity, even next door, to another white home.

PLAN AHEAD

As with most things, timing is key. Paint can be successfully applied in Central Florida any time of the year except when daytime temps are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or when it is raining.

“Paint takes about 30 minutes to dry and up to three weeks to cure,” CertaPro’s Renick says.

As long as paint can completely dry before rain starts, your project can proceed.

When times are good, it is easy to forget to take care of periodic maintenance activities. Most farmers will tell you though not to put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

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Build your own custom worksheet at

The perfect March in Baldwin Park

March is here and debatably one of the best months to spend in Baldwin Park. Spring is here March 19, bringing the sweet smell of flowers wherever you turn plus two holidays that bring everyone together (without the need for serious gift giving unless you count your homemade Easter basket for the little ones). It is time to decorate those eggs, find your something green and get ready for a magical March!

First Friday is, of course, happening again in the Village Center and always something we can count on for a great time. The event coordinators have been doing a fantastic job at bringing even

more joy to our already exciting community. You can now assume you will hear either some light jazz while coming down the street or some other type of live music plus food and more than 40 vendors selling their handmade crafts. It has been such a great addition to the community, so show up and show your support!

Another way to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend quality time on New Broad Street is during the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party hosted by Tactical Brewing. The brewery is throwing a free block party featuring “The Green Fling,” a green water balloon fight that will be tournament style (yes, you read that correctly). There will also be a

live band, food by Orlando Parking Lot Party, vendors and new drink releases. This event will run from noon to 5 p.m. Follow their social media platforms for more information (@tacticalbrewing).

Another way to spend some quality time with friends and family is at the Backyard Food Fare at Corrine Commons. Join your neighbors Friday, March 22, and save some time in the kitchen. Vendors will set up from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the park and take care of your dinner needs. This event has turned into such a fun gathering full of kids, fun and of course delicious food. Bring a blanket, chair, your guests, and we will see you soon in #BeautifulBaldwinPark!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Dwight Jones

Sentry Management, your on-site management team for the Baldwin Park Residential Owner’s Association, Inc., Commercial Owner’s Association Inc., Joint Committee Inc. and the District Agent for the Urban Orlando Community Development District, comprises an experienced group of licensed Community Association Managers and individuals. Our team talks with homeowners, meets with board members, supervises contractors and maintenance personnel and provides support to the association’s Board of Directors. The staff is crosstrained to accommodate peaks and valleys in the workload, and encourages you to take the time to visit the offices at 1913 Meeting Place to meet the team! At Sentry, people are the difference.

You may see Maintenance Supervisor Dwight Jones

around Baldwin Park with members of his team from time to time. He moved from North Carolina and has lived in Florida for 24 years, which makes it his second home.

Dwight comes from a very large family. His parents, Charlie and Shirley, set a good example of hard work for Dwight and his siblings, which makes him extremely appreciative and proud of the lessons he was taught as a young man.

He started working on a tobacco farm with his parents at a young age, but his first real job was part time stocking shelves at a New Jersey food store. His first full-time job was as a freight elevator driver at the B. Altman and Company department store in New York. He also worked at a janitorial job for a large printing company before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he did custodial work at a hospital,

as well as in the school system and later worked as a forklift driver before starting his own flooring business.

Upon coming to Florida on vacation, Dwight says: “I went on vacation to Disney one year and decided to make Florida

my home. Later I found Baldwin Park, and I have been here ever since.”

He has been here for more than 20 years, since Baldwin Park’s inception!

Dwight loves a challenge and still considers his job challenging after all these years. He takes pride in maintaining the neighborhood to the highest standards and pays special attention to the small details.

“There are so many things to like about Baldwin Park, but for me, it’s a place that I enjoy coming to each day and helping my team keep it looking its best,” he said.

In his free time, Dwight’s hobby is exterior design on his home and old truck, which is about to become a classic. For fun, he enjoys movie nights at home, game night, playing vinyl records, dancing in the kitchen with his wife and relaxing on the beach.

BRIE BERNSTEL MULTIMEDIA & COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

HEY NEIGHBOR

L E T ' S T A L K

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