The Pointe—February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

WINTER GARDEN’S L AKE COVE POINTE COMMUNIT Y MAGA ZINE

THE

CHRIS & JANA

Their lives are built on family, pets, projects, and lots of love

A caring business woman who puts people first As your neighbor, and as a longtime local and business owner, I hope you’ll support me in this next election so I can represent our wonderful city.

VOTE MARCH 9

CONTENTS 12

Built on Love

Chris and Jana are building up to a wonderful life.

11 5 To the Pointe

20 18 Leaving a Legacy Reflecting on the restoration of our preservation park.

8 Pointes of Interest Numbers, news, and need-to-knows about the neighborhood. Support 20 The Home Front our neighborhood pet donation drive.

Showcasing the Schneiders’ home Reviews and recommendations reno; how to petscape your yard. from your neighbors. Partner yoga techniques from Cher.

23 New Neighbors Meet the Sorensons.

24 24 The Dish Forget regular chocolates. Have a whole homemade chocolate pie.

25 Off the Vine Pairing wine with chocolate 26 Pointes of View Fall in love in a whole new way with Writer’s Block Bookstore’s Blind Date with a Book.

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SPECIALIZING IN FAMILY LAW INCLUDING

DIVORCE PATERNITY CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION

AND OTHER FA M I LY- R E L AT E D M AT T E R S

Allison E.M. Budnik, Attorney 161 S. BOYD ST., SUITE 100 WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787 PHONE 407-499-2082 W G F A M I LY L A W F I R M . C O M

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TO THE

POINTE

What is the best way for someone to show you they love you?

This is a moving target with my kids. They are ever evolving, and what I say or do one day is not as effective the next. Not only is the how a challenge ,but my delivery may need work. Mom in Progress.

Recently, I had a couple different friends independently share articles about Love Language and I was intrigued. Love Language establishes the most effective way to show someone they matter to you; it is what resonates with them as appreciation. You still have to do the sleuthing to figure out their preferred dialect ,but then you can tackle the execution. I think I have the identification down for each of my sons, but my application may need adjustment. Here are the five Love Languages: Acts of Service: Would you like me to make you French toast for breakfast?

Nicole interpretation: “Here is your breakfast. What? You need a fork? Do you want me to chew it for you too?”

Quality Time: Do you want to have a lovely French toast breakfast with me?

Nicole interpretation: “Sit down already and eat! Your father and I are almost done and your food is getting cold.”

Words of Affirmation: I love the French toast you made.

Nicole interpretation: “It’s a miracle! You made French toast!”

Physical Touch: A hug in exchange for the French toast.

Nicole interpretation: This one is easy; we are a PDA family.

Gifts: I bought you some French toast.

Nicole interpretation: “I can’t believe I paid money for French toast; I hope you eat it all.”

Yep, I have some work to do.

Happy reading!

Nicole Soulsby, Editor

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? Send your ideas and images to lcp@emagency.com

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gofigureaccounting.net 407-855-6648

CO NS U LT I NG • B O O K K E E P I N G • TA X P R E PA R AT I O N • Q U I C K B O O KS

BUY

Real Estate

MANAGE Your Property

SELL

Your Home

As Winter Garden’s top real estate team, we have helped clients buy and sell homes across Central Florida. Our agents know the hottest neighborhoods and have access to a variety of off-market investor homes. ericadiazteam.com• info@ericadiazteam.com • 407-951-9742

NUMBERS YOU NEED E M E R G E N C Y C O N TA C T S

HOA BOARD MEMBERS

Gabriel Irizarry President gabriel.irzarry@gmail.com Mary Langley Vice President marylangley3@gmail.com Cheryl Lessard Secretary cherless1@aol.com Erik Halluska Treasurer ehalluska@withum.com David Leon Director lakecove@peapage.com

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMIT TEE

Marsha Bentley Joey Harkless

911 Fire, Ambulance, Police

211 Suicide Prevention 800-222-1222 Poison Control 407-254-9140 Animal Control

FINING COMMITTEE

Erica Diaz Ryan Hinricher

WELCOMING COMMIT TEE

Jana Beckwith

EVENTS COMMITTEE

Desiree Halluska Nicole Roach Tiffany Jensen

IMPROVEMENTS TEAM

Vickie Parrish Wes Parrish Sue Aduss

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@emagency.com 407-573-6061

N O N - E M E R G E N C Y C O N TA C T S

407-532-6797 407-836-4357 407-877-5775 407-656-3636

Florida Highway Patrol Orange County Sheriff Winter Garden Fire Dept.

Winter Garden Police Dept.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT/SERVICES

407-656-4111 cwdgn.com 407-656-1117 oaklandfl.com 407-656-3344 407-836-2070 407-656-1304 407-835-7323

City of Winter Garden Winter Garden Official Website Town of Oakland Oakland Official Website Post Office Voter Registration The West Orange Chamber Winter Garden Public Library

844-219-5293 877-862-9343 407-629-1010 407-656-2734 407-656-4111 321-436-4559

Spectrum CenturyLink Duke Energy Lake Apopka Natural Gas Winter Garden Water & Sewer After-Hours Water & Sewer

UTILITIES

H O S P I TA L S / U R G E N T C A R E

FEBRUARY 2021 / VOLUME 1 NUMBER 5 A P U B L I C AT I O N O F

Jamie Ezra Mark Publisher Nicole Soulsby Editor __________ Rheya Tanner Art Director Lynette Azarow Photographer Matt Tullo Photographer Josh Clark Designer Wendy Mak Designer Caleb Jensen Web Garrett Reardon Digital 407-573-6061 hello@emagency.com emagency.com @EMagencyinc

PROUD MEMBER OF

The Pointe Volume 1 Number 5 Copyright© 2021 by Em Agency. All rights reserved. Published monthly. Em Agency is not affiliated with or contracted by Lake Cove Pointe (LCP). This publication, including the articles, opinions, and advertisements contained herein, is not authorized or endorsed by LCP. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Em Agency. Advertising or products does not imply endorsement. Em Agency can not be held liable for the business practices of these companies.

407-654-4965 407-614-0500 407-296-1000 407-656-2055 407-841-5111 352-394-4071

Centra Care AdventHealth Winter Garden Health Central Hospital Health Central Express Care Orlando Regional Medical Orlando Health South Lake Hospital

A N I M A L H O S P I TA L S

407-656-4132 407-901-4923 407-347-8514 407-656-1800 407-654-1800 407-449-1369

Winter Garden Animal Hospital Wintermere Pointe Animal Hospital Oakes Animal Hospital WOVH Vineland WOVH Stoneybrook Orlando Animal Hospital

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS

Will Gonzalez Vista Management wgonzalez@vistacamfl.com 407-682-3443 vistacamfl.com

To create an account on the Vista portal, you will need your account number, found on your annual bill.

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POI N TE S

OF

INTEREST

Furry Friends February

Our second annual Pet Alliance donation drive helps eradicate pet homelessness in Central Florida.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is one of Central Florida’s oldest and biggest animal welfare groups. Formerly called the Orlando Humane Society, the organization has expanded and merged with other humane groups to serve Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties and beyond. The organization strives to eliminate dog and cat homelessness.

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

Last year we had great success with the amazing donations all of you gave to benefit Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. This year we are doing the donation drive for the entire month of February.

Thank you in advance for your love and care for our furry friends!

For more information on the Pet Alliance and other ways to volunteer, visit petallianceorlando.org.

The Alliance is requesting donations of the following items: • Wet or Dry Dog Food • Wet or Dry Cat Food • Towels • Blankets • Toys Please bring all donations to Desiree Halluska at 436 Lone Heron Way. There will be a bin on her front porch for collections.

RESIDENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY _________

Dan Bessetti

Strength and Conditioning Coach 407-976-8738 totalathletetraining.com

Erik Halluska CPA Partner 407-849-1569 withum.com

Ally Budnik

Attorney 407-499-2082 wgfamilylawfirm.com

Erica Diaz

Real Estate Agent 407-951-9742 ericadiazteam.com

Michael Collins Flame Boss 800-978-9078 flameboss.com

Sierra Clemmons

Young Living Essential Oils 352-636-0960 myyl.com/sierraclemmons

Halluska & Roach Families Winter Garden Bounce wgbouncehouse@gmail.com wgbounce.com

THAT FIGURES

88

PERCENT the number of Americans who get married for love, making it the number one reason to get married.

SOURCE: pewresearch.com

38

This is a FREE listing open only to residents of Lake Cove Pointe. Space is limited.

Include your: • Name • Profession/business • Phone number • Web address Send to: lcp@emagency.com

READ

This month has been a great time to relax and slow down a bit. John’s been enjoying reading The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien, 1937) to our kids at night. It’s a story of an ordinary hobbit who joins others in a quest to reclaim their treasure.

There are wizards, dragons, trolls, and adventure with strong themes of dark and light. Once we finished the book, the kids bravely watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with us. We may have to wait a bit before showing them The Desolation of Smaug, the second in the series—the scene with the spiders may just be too much for our little ones. The Lord of the Rings Series is a great continuing story for the whole family to share.

Suzi Whitford Suzi is a blogger and blog engineer.

She and her husband, John, are happy to be raising their two little girls and one little boy in LCP!

MILLION

The number of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate sold on Valentine's Day. SOURCE: fooddive.com

$101 The average percouple cost of a Valentine's dinner at a restaurant.

SOURCE: wallethub.com

LET EVERYONE KNOW YOUR BUSINESS

RECOMMENDATIONS

83

PERCENT The number of U.S. couples who say that their marriage or relationship is a happy one.

WATCH

People’s Choice Award winner for Best Comedy, Never Have I Ever (Netflix, 2020–Present, TV-14) will make you laugh out loud and grab a box of tissues to wipe away your tears. In this Netflix show, high school student Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) is looking to become cool even as she deals with the emotional fallout from the unexpected death of her father.

Mindy Kaling (of The Office and The Mindy Project) is a producer and writer and her sense of humor shines. If you never really got over the cancellation of My So-Called Life, if you loved Parenthood, or if you want to watch a spectacular and diverse cast take on high school, love, parenthood, and fitting in, put Never Have I Ever in your Netflix queue.

Sarah Gatenby Originally from Atlanta, Sarah has lived in LCP for 8 years. When not reading or working, she’s chasing her kids around the neighborhood or sneaking out to walk the dog alone.

SOURCE: 2date4love.com

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POINTES OF INTEREST VOX

Question: What is the best low- or no-cost way to show love?

JIM CAMPBELL

SHELLY MARK

ED SOULSBY

LYNETTE AZAROW

RON MUELLER

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Golf Nut

When new neighbors move in close by, we stop by, bring flowers, and tell them how nice it is to meet them.

Bookworm

Seeing something that I need help with and just doing it. Any little thing that helps me without me asking makes me feel great.

Party Dad

Sitting on the porch and sharing a glass of tea with someone I love. Or a back massage—that too!

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of a beloved pet.

Our December Lake Cove Pooch, Chloe Azarow, unfortunately passed away at the age of 12. She lived a full, happy life and brought boundless joy to her family and her dog sister, Mia.

Partner Yoga with a Twist Cher shows you how to stretch with someone you love.

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

Master Banker

My husband cleaned our windows. It makes me feel great because he's willing to work so hard for us and now we don't have to pay for it!

Yoga is often thought of as a solitary practice. But yoga with others is beneficial to your practice for the same reasons any other exercise partner is helpful. They provide support, accountability, and an opportunity to do exercises that aren't as effective for a party of one.

In honor of Valentine's Day, Cher shows us a partners' stretch that anyone can do.

1. Come to an Easy Seat,back to back, with the palms of your hands resting on your knees.

2. Inhale your arms upward while straightening and elongating your spine.

3. Exhale twist to the right, bringing your

Cat Minion

It feels nice to be invited into someone's home just to chat, just to still be part of society and of life.

right hand to the left thigh (or inner knee) of your partner.

Place your left hand on the outside of your right knee.

Gaze toward your right shoulder. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths.

4. Inhale your arms back upward, returning your gaze and your torso to face forward.

5. Exhale your hands back to your knees, palms facing down.

Take a few deep breaths in this neutral position.

6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 with on the left side, bringing your left hand to your partner's right thigh, and your right hand to your left knee.

LAKE COVE

POOCH

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

BUILT ON

LOVE For close to two years, their home and day-to-day life have been under construction. But Jana Beckwith and Chris Doerger are no strangers to the beauty of a slow build.

T

Story: Rheya Tanner Photography: Matt Tullo

hat fateful afternoon in 2019 seemed like any other.

Jana Beckwith returned home from an afternoon of errands to find something strange: a puddle. “My first thought was, ‘Huh, one of the dogs had an accident,’” she says.

“Until I went into the kitchen.”

Disaster struck. A flood had devastated their kitchen and was overtaking the surrounding rooms. “It was absolutely everywhere. The

dogs were splashing in it,” says Jana. “And Chris was out of town, of course, so I’m just like, ‘crap!’”

The culprit of the washout? A tiny plastic cap on the toilet had split and started spraying like a rogue fire hose. “When I opened the door, it got me right in the face,” says Jana.

“We didn’t have to replace the bathroom floor, since it was ceramic,” says Jana’s wife, Chris Doerger. “We did, however, have to replace the ceiling, because that’s where the water was spraying.”

But the ceiling was only the beginning. The long list of damages included the drywall, the laminate flooring, and virtually the entire kitchen. “All the appliances and bottom cabinets flooded, so we had to replace them,” says Jana.

“And when you need new bottom cabinets, you need new top cabinets, too. Before you know it, you’ve got a new kitchen.”

Little did Chris and Jana know, though, this mishap was more than an isolated incident; it was the first in a series of changes to their THE EXCLUSIVE PUBLICATION OF LAKE COVE POINTE

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As far as first impressions go, there wasn’t much of one, since the two barely interacted that day.

“There are photos of both of us there, but there were nearly 50 people at that party,” says Jana.

Months later, that same mutual friend would unite them again.

“She started hosting these happy hours to get her friends together,” says Chris. “So after that, we started seeing each other more.”

“Sometimes it would only be me, her, and that friend,” adds Jana.

“Eventually, I started coming to your house just to hang out.”

“I lived in a convenient spot, and I worked strange hours because of the hospital,” says Chris. “It was pretty common for me to be home on, like, a Wednesday afternoon.

So it was easy for her to stop by.”

“I was newly single, and she had been single a while,” says Jana. “I wasn’t really looking for a relationship; just someone to talk to.”

“It was a slow burn,” says Chris.

A Slow Build “We met at the party, then months The two first crossed paths in 2008, thanks to a mutual friend. went by. We met at happy hours, and some more months went by.”

“Or a friend of a friend,” says Until one day—at a different Chris. “It was a real Six Degrees birthday party—the construction of Kevin Bacon situation.” period was complete. “That’s final“I was having a 45th birthday bash,” says Jana. “My friend asked ly when we were both like, ‘hey, do you want to go out?’” says Jana. if she could invite someone, and “I think once we actually said it that someone was Chris.” home and their lives. “This all happened nearly around the time that my mother came,” says Chris.

In the fall of that year, Cathy had to move from Cincinnati, Ohio, to live with her daughter and daughter-in-law. “She has more friends than I do,” says Chris.“Cincinnati is one of those cities that people don’t leave.”

To better accommodate her, the family agreed to—you guessed it— some home renovating. “The two agreements we made,” says Chris, “were that we would redo one side of the house into an in-law suite, and that we would put a pool in.”

Nearly two years after that tragic summer afternoon, the Tierra Verde house is still a construction zone. But no one knows better than Jana and Chris that a little patience and a little spontaneity can build up to a better outcome than anyone expected.

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

out loud, that neither of us wanted to see anybody else, we were both like, ‘What just happened?’ It felt like I was already married.”

The two have been together for 12 years now, and have been married for six. “We got married on our anniversary, so we’d never forget it,” says Jana.

Everything Built into One

“I used to live in Winter Garden myself years ago, back in 2005, and I loved it,” says Jana. “I always wanted to go back, and I kept hounding Chris about it.”

Before moving to Lake Cove Pointe, Chris and Jana lived on the east side of town, closer to Orlando International Airport. “I travel for my job, so being close to the airport was convenient,” says Chris. “But eventually I realized, I’m not home enough to care where we live. It’s not really fair if I say I don’t want to live in Winter Garden, but then I’m always gone anyway.”

Though Jana was a former resident, she had no idea that Lake Cove Pointe existed. “It was like a secret hideaway,” she says.

Chris was out of town at the time, so much of the house hunting was done by Jana. “The funny thing is, this is the first house Jana

saw,” says Chris. “And she calls me and says, ‘I found it.’ So of course, I pull the, ‘No, there’s no way, we need to see a bunch more houses.’ So she saw a bunch more houses, and guess what? We just ended up with this one anyway.”

“You can tell when it’s got a good base,” says Jana. “It had everything I wanted.”

Her top want was being walking distance to downtown. “And while some of the other houses were cleaner or newer, they weren’t close,” says Chris. “So, despite my stubborn ass stopping it from happening right away, it turned out.”

What drew them to the neighborhood was the neighborly spirit.

“At our last subdivision, everybody came home, went in their garages, and shut the doors,” says Jana.

“We didn't meet our neighbors until we put the house up for sale.

We lived there for five years.”

“While here at Lake Cove Pointe, Dave Campbell walked across the street to us when we were just looking at the house,” adds Chris. “We hadn’t even bought it yet.”

“He came over and said, ‘I want you to know it’s a great neighborhood and you’ll love it here,’” says Jana. “It’s amazing how many people talk to us.”

The three make great use of that proximity to downtown when they can. “Jana and Cathy have a standing date on Saturdays where they go to the Farmer’s Market and the Moon Cricket Grill,” says Chris.

“We’re at the point where the waitresses go, ‘All right, sweet tea and Sprite?’” adds Jana.

But the house favorite is a Farmer’s Market staple: Donevette’s Confections. “It’s a little no-frills booth—they might be one of the only minority vendors there—and they have cookies the

size of your head,” says Chris.

“So now every week we go down there and get cookies.”

“I’m on the LCP welcoming committee now,” says Jana, “and I just welcomed our newest family, the Sorensons, by bringing them some of those cookies.”

Jana is an avid runner and biker, so she makes the most of the area trails, and then some. “I run the whole downtown area,” she says. “I go all the way to Story Road, up and down all the streets that have sidewalks.”

“When we first met, I did run with her occasionally,” says Chris.

“And I think when I finally stopped, she was like ,‘Oh, thank God.’” Jana laughs. “It’s easier to just run on my own. I can go at my own pace, listen to music.”

“And she doesn’t have to hear me complain!” adds Chris.

Built from Better Stuff

Jana worked for the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) for 27 years. “I started out as a meter reader, then went to cut-on and cutoff,” she says. “Then I became a supervisor and, eventually, I was a collections field investigator, which is a whole other thing.”

Utilities management isn’t exactly a cushy profession. “I was bit by a dog five times,” Jana says. “And sometimes, when you walk behind places to shut off the power, people are there. And they’re angry. It occurs to you that you could just disappear and it would be a while before people would realize you were gone.”

At the ripe old age of 52, Jana happily retired. “I wondered how I had time to do all this stuff when I was working!” she says. “Especially once the construction started, it was beneficial that I was here all the time.”

FA ST FAC T S

LCP residents since: 2016 Married for: 6 years Pets: Two terrier mixes, Dobby and Zoey; and two cats, Sanchez and the Baby Shark Hobbies: Chris scuba dives; Jana sings karaoke; Mom colors in adult coloring books.

Most used phrase in the house: Zoey, no!

Fave local restaurant: Chris, Downtown Deli; Jana and Mom, ice cream from Scoops One adjective to describe us: Modern One thing we want to do more: Swimming when the pool is done!

One thing we want to do less: Eating, so we can fit into our swimsuits Next on our improvement list: Renovating Mom's bedroom expansion We are proudest of: Chris, because she helps so many people with limb loss live the most normal lives possible We are looking forward to: Construction being over

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PET SANCTUARY As self-professed animal lovers, Chris and Jana have rescued four pets—and all of them kind-of-sort-of by accident. ”Zoey is the only one that was my fault,” says Chris. Zoey, a 4-year-old terrier mix (pictured above), is one of two dogs they've rescued.

The other is a 14-year-old mix named Dobby. ”When I first saw him, I was really drawn to him,” says Jana of her oldest pooch. ”A month later, I was walking by the rescue and he was still there."

“The first two times she asked about him, I just told her no,” says Chris. “And then the third time it was more like, ‘This freakin’ dog again? Okay, fine.’”

In addition to dogs, they have also rescued two cats. The first, Sanchez, is one Jana found while working at OUC. The other, though, is a longer story. “About a year ago, there was a post on our Facebook group about a stray cat,” says Chris. “We took her in with the intention of finding her owners. Well, we tried like hell and never found anything.”

Her gray coat and curious nature earned her her name: The Baby Shark (pictured on the opposite page). “She’s got such a personality,” says Jana. “We find her in all sorts of places around the house, which we try to document.”

“She likes to bring loose screws and stuff over from the construction side of the house,” says Chris. “We tried to close it off so she couldn’t get in there, but she ripped through the plastic.”

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

Chris’s career as a physical therapist (PT) also has to do with construction, albeit of a more medical persuasion. “I became particularly interested in limb loss patients,” she says. “I think it was the part where you get to build things. As a PT, you already know a lot about muscles and joints. But now there's this mechanical thing that has to somehow be a part of their body.”

So, she returned to school for her prosthetics degree. “I worked in the field for a while, but eventually ended up working for a manufacturer. Someone’s got to make the carbon feet, after all.”

Now, Chris provides clinical support to doctors using her prosthetics. “Say, for example, a prosthetist in Georgia is fitting this fancy microprocessor knee for the first time. So they call and ask me to be there for the fitting, since I know the ins and outs of this particular prosthetic,” she says. “It’s great because, even though it’s technically a sales position, there’s always a patient there. So I get my patient care fix, and I get to hear the interesting stories they have to tell.”

Built to Last

“It’s hard to say how things have changed since my mom moved in,” says Chris. “Sure, there’s another person in the house, so you’re shopping more, cooking more, all that stuff. But she moved in right before COVID. So it’s hard to see which changes were from her moving in and which weren't.

We can’t say, ‘Oh, our social life is totally kinked,' because we aren’t going out.”

There have been a few small adjustments. “If one of us is out, we coordinate so that the other is home,” says Jana. “If both of us are out, we keep it short. And ob-

viously, we have this big construction project to make the home more accommodating to her.”

Cathy is a socialite by nature, so the family is ready for the world to get back to normal. “We look forward to finding community activities for her to be engaged in soon, but those aren’t around right now,” says Chris. “So we stay busy with chores and entertainment around the house.”

That entertainment consists of coloring books, board games, and music biopics. “We put that Garth Brooks documentary from Netflix on, and she was riveted,” says Chris. “Same with the Dolly Parton one. We play Yahtzee, and we have an old deck of Uno cards.”

The three are ready for the construction to finally end. “We’re gonna be stylin’ when all this is done,” says Chris. "We’ll have the pool in the summertime. Mom will have her own space. Everything will be organized. My office won’t look like a storage space.”

Looking back, Chris and Jana can see how neatly it all happened

to fall into place. “I realize now how fortunate it all was,” says Chris. "Mom moved in in November 2019, and then a couple months later, there was a national lockdown. I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been to handle the logistics of getting her moved, or worse, if she was stuck there. We dodged a huge bullet.”

The word she uses to describe it is serendipity. “And then when Jana retired, it was perfect for when Mom moved in, since she could be home with her,” says Chris.

“I’d gone back on contract once or twice to help with some projects,” says Jana. “But then I decided not to extend my last one, which worked out, because that was right when her mother moved in.”

“When you say you have to take the good with the bad, it sounds cliché,” says Chris. “But looking back, we’ve had this series of events that at first, were like, ‘oh crap.’ But they always worked out. Even the flood. It was just serendipity.”

“Looking back, we’ve had this series of events that at first, were like ‘oh crap.’ But they always worked out.

Even the flood. It was just serendipity.”

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Natural Beauty

The newly appointed board sought to address the area right away,but with little money in the HOA reserves and the astronomical bids from contractors, the issue had to be tabled in favor of more pressing matters.

Many of our neighborhood advocates and longtime board members, including Mary Langley, consistently pushed to address Reflecting on the success of our preservation the issue of “the swamp,” but the park restoration, which we proudly built together. frustrating lack of revenue made it an impossibility. Sadly, the last with a $400,000 shortfall in its The Preservation Park is now the of the oaks toppled in 2017 before reserve fund, the park suffered hallmark of our community. The any headway could truly be made. from weeds, invasive trees, and two-area conservation space has Finally, in 2020, things started vines pulling down the few native been replanted with 800 native to change. Rather than depend on oaks that remained. The area, grasses and trees, a newly dug raising funds to meet a high bid, once teeming with birds and other stream, and French drains to we began to seek ways to reduce wildlife, was left a cesspool of pests, the financial need, through the reduce the effects of flooding. bacteria, and horrendous stench This restoration has been generosity of our neighbors and during the summer months. The hard-won. Just six years ago, our city. Director of the 2020 impact to the environment—and when D.R. Horton turned Lake Board, Ron Mueller, partnered on home values—was devastating. with the City of Winter Garden, Cove Pointe over to its residents

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

Saint John’s Water Management District, and the Florida Wildlife Commission to find the right contractor that would do the work at the right price and on the right schedule. This ensured that what would be so beautifully restored in January had time to take root before the rainy season. We selected Angel Oak, both because of its $35,000 fixed bid, and because it was willing to work during the summer and fall months, despite the risky swamp conditions.

In tandem with this process, Mueller and the Board also worked with the City on Ordinance 20-46, aka the Storm Water Act, which provided a $20,000 grant to Lake Cove Pointe. The City also provided us with concrete slabs to assist

Hello neighbor! vote march 9th!

in rebuilding the drain outlets to restore and prevent erosion.

It took a total of five months to clear the swamp land, restore natural water flow, and save the yards of nearby residents. During this entire process,Wes and Vicki Parrish were the visionaries who made our dream a reality. The couple had spent a lifetime in the plant nursery business, and understood how to create a Florida native environment. Their expertise, coupled with their many contacts, provided the HOA an opportunity to purchase 15,000 square feet of sod, 58 trees, 800 native plants, and 500 bales of pine straw for $15,000.

As Langley helped with approvals from the HOA and permits from the City and other entities,

Mueller sought help and volunteers from our residents. The labor for such work could have cost tens of thousands of dollars without help. But with the help of our volunteers who unloaded, dug, planted, lifted, pruned, and scattered every bit of the work, it wasn’t only money we saved—it was a community we built with our own hands. We poured our time and energy into something that belongs to every one of us.

Our initial estimate from 2015 was $115,000. In the end, we spent $30,000 and built a closer community. As the years go by and the trees grow, we can show our children what we've built; not another strip of land, but a park filled with the beauty of nature.

 U.S. NAVY VETERAN  EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SERVANT  KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE  KNOWN RELATIONSHIP BUILDER  BUDGET CONSCIENCE  PERSONAL INTEGRITY  COMMUNITY VALUES LEARN MORE ABOUT RON AND HIS VISION FOR WINTER GARDEN AT

WWW.RONMUELLER.ORG

Paid for by the Ron Mueller for City Commissioner

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19

THE

HOME FRONT

Brighter Days The Schneider family unveils their whole-home renovations.

We fell in love with the charm of our home the moment we drove up. There was no question it would need some serious TLC, but the bones were there and we were up for the challenge!

Our house is certainly not “done,” and we’re pretty sure it never will be, and we’re perfectly happy with that! We’re happy to share a few of the transformations we’ve accomplished in our first three years in Lake Cove Pointe.

In the kitchen, we considered simply painting the cabinets and switching out hardware and appliances to update and brighten it

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

up a bit, but after we discovered we would have to replace all of the flooring throughout the house, we realized it was now or never to reconfigure the kitchen how we truly wanted it. So we went all in. Jared did all the demo himself and we hired out the big guns to do the rest of the heavy lifting. We decided to take down a majority of the wall that separated the kitchen from the family room to open up the space and allow more light it. The difference is night and day!

I (Nicole) drew up the plans for the new kitchen and we had

AFTER

custom cabinets installed. We went with white cabinets, some with glass fronts, a statement range hood, and Carrera marble lookalike quartz countertops for durability. Jared tackled our subway tile backsplash himself to help keep costs down. In the breakfast nook, a new light fixture and window coverings made a huge difference. The built-in china cabinet and light oak floors added to the drastic change as well!

Since the original cabinets were still in good condition,we didn’t let them go to waste! I

GOING TO THE DOGS The do’s and don’ts of petscaping. ”Petscaping” is the new concept in landscape design that takes pets into consideration. Our dogs (or cats) use our yard as much, if not more, than we do, and they deserve to be just as comfortable and safe in it. So, here are a few tips for a successful petscape: Use paw-safe soils and surfaces. Mulch should be soft enough not to cut paws, but heavy enough that it won't be tracked indoors.

Create pet-safe paths. If you have room, use borders and raised beds to help them learn where they can and can't roam.

Shield tender plants with hardy shrubs and perennials, and always buy at least 1-gallon plants to have the most success against damage from curious pets.

painted them (SW Hale Navy), gave them new brass hardware, and installed them in our walk-in pantry (which was once floor-toceiling wire shelving). We repurposed the cabinets in the laundry

room as well! We added butcher block countertops after install and they were virtually brand new! Jared built the floating shelves above the cabinets in the pantry for added storage.

Avoid pet-harmful plants, be they thorny or sharp like cacti or toxic like azaleas or lilies.

Visit the ASPCA website for a full list of the 136 harmful plants.

Keep pests at bay. Eliminate or replace standing water to deter mosquitoes, and removing leaf litter and keep grass welltrimmed to prevent ticks.

If you really want to go all-out, look at how dog parks do their landscaping for inspiration.

BEFORE Wes & Vickie Parrish These LCP residents know their landscaping.

Each has spent years studying the science of horticulture, and previously owned their own nursery. Wes frequently travels around Florida to give seminars about his passion and knowledge.

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21

www.inperspective.co

Orlando, FL contact@inperspective.co | Tel: 863.443.4623

NEW

The

Sorensons

NEIGHBORS

FA ST FAC T S

Married for: 6 1/2 years Bobby and Allison Sorenson are two new faces you'll see around the neighborhood. They and their daughter Stella—who turns 3 this month—recently moved to the area from Pompano Beach.

And they found no more family-friendly neighborhood than ours. “Moving to a new city, we knew that this was important to us to be plugged in,” says Allison.

The family is looking forward to making friends and planting new roots here in Lake Cove Pointe.

The Sorensons came to Winter Garden for Bobby’s new job as a Project Manager at Sorenson Construction. Allison works as a graphic designer and as a stay-athome mama.

As for how to make them feel welcome, the family says just don’t be shy. They love entertaining at home, playing card games, and cheering on their favorite sports teams—the Gators, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Bolts, if that makes a friend or an enemy of you.

Children: Stella, turning 3 Pets: Nixon, Havanese Family Fun: Boating, biking, swimming, golf carting Go-To Meal: Anything Italian Favorite Room: The Dining Room—we just added wainscotting to the walls Next Home Improvement: Add a pool! We can't wait!

Fav Vacation Spot: New Smyrna Beach Secret Talents: Bobby is a great hunter, and Allison loves to run and dance What We Miss Most About Where We're From: The beach and boating in the ocean

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23

THE

DISH

Pie Love You

Show them how you really feel with a homemade chocolate pie.

Why settle for a small heartshaped box of chocolates when you could have a whole dang chocolate pie? Abby Bennett asked the question before we did, and has answered it with this decadent recipe. Made with marshmallows, whipped cream, and a great big Hershey's bar, this pie will put hearts in the eyes of everyone who tastes it.

Abby Bennett is one of our fabulous neighbors with a love for her husband, Matthew, her pup, and the Michigan Wolverines!

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

Hershey’s Chocolate Pie RECIPE BY ABBY BENNETT I N GR E D I E N T S

I NSTR U C TI O NS

• Graham cracker crust (premade) • 15 large marshmallows • 1 large plain Hershey bar • 8 oz Cool Whip • 1/2 cup milk • Shredded chocolate (garnish)

• In a small pan, melt marshmallows in milk.

In separate pan, melt Hershey’s bar.

• Add melted chocolate to marshmallows and let cool.

• Add whip and mix together.

• Pour into graham cracker crust and chill overnight.

OFF THE VINE

Wine’s Best Friend

Squeeze a little extra decadence out of your Valentine’s chocolate.

Chocolate and wine make everything better. This holds especially true if you understand the nuances of each of these great pleasures. On their own, they offer intense flavors and complexity. But together, there is a whole new layer to consider. This month, we will be diving into the nuance of this perfect pair.

Fine chocolate falls into three categories: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.

Dark Chocolate contains the highest amount of cocoa. The robust flavors and bitterness require a wine with high flavor intensity which showcases a fruity character. My two favorites to pair are Zinfandel and any type of Port.

Try to avoid big oaky style of red wines if you select a dry wine.

Milk Chocolate typically has less cocoa and adds an element of milk fats. The mellow and buttery flavors pair well with rosé bubbles and sweeter styles of dessert wines, such as late-harvest reds or Muscat.

White Chocolate with its creamy cocoa buttery profile compliments light styles of sparkling wine like Moscato d’Asti or late-harvest white dessert wines.

BRIAN’S FEBRUARY SELECTIONS WHITE CHOCOLATE

MILK CHOCOLATE

DARK CHOCOLATE

Inniskillin Vidal Gold Icewine

Rosa Regale Sparkling Red

Fonseca Bin No. 27 Reserve Port

Brian Koziol Master sommelier Brian has decades of training in the mysteries of wine and its varietals, with roles within Walt Disney World Resort and other prestigious distributors throughout Florida.

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POINTE OF VIEW

“Aren’t we blessed, we who love books?” ― Frances Richardson

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THE POINTE FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

WRITER'S BLOCK BOOKSTORE wants you to fall in love with the unexpected during its Blind Date With A Book event. Throughout February, pick up any wrapped paperback and find your new novel fix.

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As Winter Garden’s top real estate team, we have helped clients buy and sell homes across Central Florida. Our agents know the hottest neighborhoods and have access to a variety of off-market investor homes. ericadiazteam.com info@ericadiazteam.com 407-951-9742