The Pointe—October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

T H E E X LU S I V E P U B L I C AT I O N O F L A K E C O V E P O I N T E

THE

THE

DIAZ FAMILY

Still going (and growing) strong

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CONTENTS 14

Room for One More

The Diaz family prepares to welcome a new member.

8 8 Pointes of Interest Numbers, news, and need-to-knows about the neighborhood. The Osser family spills about their must-see annual haunted house.

19 Is it Fall Yet? Fall in Florida doesn’t have the same drama as it does in the Northeast, but it’s still special.

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20 The Natural Order Our massive retention pond cleaning project is finally underway.

29 Wine Cellar Master sommelier Brian Koizol shares what pairs well with BBQ.

22 New Neighbors Meet two new families that have moved into Lake Cove Pointe.

30 Pointe of View Lake Cove Pointe as seen from a drone—courtesy of Nick Botts

24 The Dish Everyone in the Soulsby family learns how to make this egg-free Depression-era cake.

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YO U R S A F E T Y

IS A S S U R E D

3 DECADES

PROTECT EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS

DECADES OF RESEARCH BACKING THE SCIENCE OF OUR CLEANING PROCESS

30 DAYS

CONTINUOUS PROTECTION ON SURFACES FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS WITH OUR PROPRIETARY TWO STEP PROCESS

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OFFICES, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, EDUCATION, PLACES OF WORSHIP, WORKSHOPS, FACTORIES AND MORE

TO THE POINTE

While helping put this inaugural issue together, I’ve thought of Stone Soup.

The children’s book, written by Marcia Brown, tells the story of three hungry soldiers who convince members of a town to bring their vegetables and herbs to a kettle of water and rocks. By the end of the book, the town feasts on a delectable soup made all the more flavorful by each of their contributions.

This is a publication created, collaborated,and edited by your neighbors within the Lake Cove Pointe community. We are so excited to bring you the news, notes, and nice-to-knows of our neighborhood. As I have gotten to know more of you and learned of the various passions and hobbies you have, I’ve grown even more proud of helping you share them.

Already we have a tasty mix of ingredients from some of our neighbors, but we can make this soup even better! We all have something to bring to the table, and we want you to join in the feast.

If you read something in this magazine that makes you smile, something that makes you reminisce, something that gets you excited, please let us know. You may have just the right ingredient to add to the pot—one that inspires the next neighbor to join in. We’re better together, and we can do great things for our neighborhood.

Happy reading!

Nicole Soulsby, Editor

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

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5

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

Ron Sikes President rsikes@sikeslawgroup.com Gabriel Irizarry Vice President gabriel.irzarry@gmail.com Mary Langley Secretary marylangley3@gmail.com Erik Halluska Treasurer ehalluska@withum.com Ron Mueller Director ronmueller@me.com

ARCHITECT REVIEW COMMIT TEE

Rita Izaguirre Marsha Bentley Mike McGuffie

FINING COMMITTEE

Nick Botts Erika Diaz Ryan Hinricher

911 Fire, Ambulance, Police

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

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

WELCOMING COMMIT TEE

Ellen McGuffie Chair (407) 493-5444

EVENTS COMMITTEE

Nicole Soulsby Chair nicsoulsby@yahoo.com

IMPROVEMENTS TEAM

Vickie Parrish Wes Parrish Sue Aduss parrishnursery@gmail.com

ADVERTISING INQUERIES

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

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

OCTOBER 2020 / VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 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 1 Copyright© 2020 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

Terri Grace Sentry Management liaison terri.grace@sentrymgt.com 407-788-6700 ext. 51405 sentrymgt.com To create an account on the Sentry Management portal, you will need your account number, found on your annual bill.

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7

POI N TE S

OF

INTEREST

Frightful amounts of Fun The heart behind the Osser house’s bone-rattling Halloween decor.

If you’ve traveled down Tierra Verde Lane lately, you’ve probably seen the skeleton looming in front of the Osser house. In fact, it’s impossible not to see it, considering it’s 12 feet tall. You already know what time it is.

Since 2005, Jerry, Beverly, and David Osser have been bringing the holiday fear to the Pointe with their elaborate Halloween decorations. Boarded up windows, light shows, cobwebs, life-sized

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

horror icons—and sometimes larger-than-life—they bring their A-game to spooky season.

But what inspired this tradition of terror is something you might not expect. Many years ago, the family decided to go allout on Halloween each year as a way to celebrate their son David’s birthday—which is December 29.

Observant readers may note that this is nowhere near Halloween. Unfortunately, it’s

near something even scarier: Christmas and New Year’s.

Anyone who is born in mid-tolate December knows that it’s basically the worst time to have a birthday, since it is consistently overshadowed by two of the biggest internationally celebrated holidays on the calendar.

Rather than facing the challenge of differentiating their son’s birthday presents from his Christmas presents, the Osser

THAT FIGURES

1,810 pounds the weight of the world’s largest pumpkin, harvested in 2010.

SOURCE: history.com

(L-R) JERRY, BEVERLY, AND DAVID OSSER PLUS GUNNER AND EINSTEIN

family decided to circumvent the issue completely and celebrate his birthday on Halloween instead. Needless to say, the tradition stuck.

David’s Halloween obsession has seeped into his bones. During his time working as a Universal team member, his favorite job has been playing the role of Michael Myers during Halloween Horror Nights 26.

His spooky standout house, meanwhile, is an annual neighborhood highlight, drawing visitors from both inside and outside the Pointe—and this year’s is his biggest one yet.

As for potential trick-or-treaters? The house receives mixed reviews. Some of the children are too scared to come to the door for candy, but others are mesmerized and lean into the fun.

One of David’s favorite things about it, though, is seeing how the hallowed Halloween classics are still fresh in the minds of the next generation. Kids who come through the house easily recognize Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolf Man, to name a few.

Our skyscraper skeleton and his inflatable fiends will be guarding the Osser home all through October, so be sure to behave yourself and not steal any candy. Happy Halloween!

41.1 MILLION

the estimated number of trick-ortreaters (ages 5 to 14) in 2018.

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SOURCE: US Census Bureau

L AK E COV E P O O CH

Hello. I am Phantom, Siberian

Husky, 11 years old. I have many names—sometimes Bubba or Poocher, sometimes Fontana or Sir Poopinstein. Any names are good, as long as they are for me.

I am very smart. I know many good tricks and I know where the sunniest napping spot in the driveway is at all times.

Favorite things: walks, naps, snacks (marshmallows are A++++), talking to my humans, Rich and Amy. My most especially favorite thing is sirens. The car howls Hello, and so I also howl, because I am just polite.

If you see me with my humans, say hello and give me a pat. I will leave very much of my fur with you, as a gift. Oh, and if you see me, you also will see my sister, Sam. Say Hello to her, too. But say Hello mostly to me, please and thank you.

MOONS the number of full moons to appear in October. The second is on Halloween—and it’s a rare Blue Moon, so keep your eyes peeled!

SOURCE: almanac.com

2023 the next year that the autumnal equinox will fall on September 24, rather than the 22nd or 23rd.

SOURCE: factretriever.com

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POINTES OF INTEREST

LCP BUDGET Q3 R E P O RT

Total Operational Funds .............................. $112,165 Total Operation Expenditures, YTD .............. $50,165 Total Reserve Funds Available .................... $132,056 Total Reserve Fund Expenditures ................. $24,660 Residents, Paid in Full, 2019 ....................... 130 of 131 Residents, Paid in Full, 2020 ...................... 127 of 131 New Home Closings, YTD .................................... 112

NEIGHBORLY NOTICE

There will be regular trash pickup on Columbus Day, but not Thanksgiving.

If you are out of town during your day, you can request door-side pickup at 407-656-2256.

1 Budget estimates were generated before the official end of the quarter. Final budget report numbers are subject to change.

2 E xcludes pending closings

October is about trees revealing colors they’ve hidden all year. People have an October as well.

—JIM STORM

A PROFIT FIRST PROFESSIONALS CERTIFIED FIRM

855 E. Plant Street, Suite 1600, Winter Garden FL (Downtown next to the Library) 407-855-6648 gofigureaccounting.net

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

Fitting In Fitness

RESIDENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Minh-Thi’s tips for creating a wellness routine that flexes to your schedule

Have you told yourself that there isn’t enough time to exercise? You’re not alone—it’s easily the most challenging thing for busy people to find time for, but is no less essential than water and sleep.

Luckily, there is a solution: Start your day with your “Tens”! Your “Tens” are 10 reps of 10 basic exercises every day. These exercises are all equipment-free and don’t take more than 15 minutes.

YOUR DAILY TENS 1. Ten jumping jacks 2. Ten burpees 3. Ten sit-ups 4. Ten push-ups 5. Ten mountain climbers

6. Ten squats 7. Ten standing oblique side bends 8. Ten plank jacks 9. Ten high knees 10. Ten butt kicks.

Edward W. Soulsby

Attorney Board Certified Elder Law 352-205-7245 trotterlaw.com

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

NOT HOME

FOR THE HOLIDAYS? As your neighbors prepare to leave town to celebrate the holidays with their families, they may notify surrounding neighbors of their plans.

While they’re gone, look out for them: If you see that a catalog, newspaper, or phone book delivered to their driveway has sat for more than 24 hours, please move the item to their porch. Untouched delivery items are a sign to potential thieves that a house is unoccupied and, therefore, an option for robbery.

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

Ronald W. Sikes Attorney 407-877-7115 sikeslawgroup.com

LET EVERYONE KNOW YOUR BUSINESS

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

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

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POINTES OF INTEREST

BEGINS NOVEMBER 1!

The Events Committee will be collecting non-perishable foods, hygiene items, and new clothing for donation through Monday, November 16.

Proceeds will benefit Matthew’s Hope.

VOX

CHRIS DOLD

ABBY BENNETT

MIKE AZAROW

LEAH VERNON

LISA BRITTO

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Frustrated Chef

Ignore the whole thing.

Vote your conscience in November. And then let’s get back to living.

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QUESTION: What’s your tip for staying sane during election season?

THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

Dog Lover

Don’t worry so much about everybody else’s opinions. I only worry about my own.

Mad Biker

Keep it simple. Don’t let anybody influence you. Vote with your conscience. Vote with what feels right in your heart.

That’s how you vote.

Tie Dyer

Don’t debate. Believe in yourself, believe in your choices, and stay true to yourself. And vote!

Mother of Cat, Keeper of Garden

Turn off the television, and go garden! Distract yourself a little bit, because too much of this will drive you insane.

Fall Refresh

Wes and Vickie Parrish know how to add color to your landscape this autumn.

Starting in late September, as the weather begins to change, you can add annuals to refresh your yard.

Select plants that will adapt well to the many different conditions Florida can throw at them. The amount of sun, shade, and water will all vary through the seasons.

Impatiens, begonias, and pentas

are a few blooms that will thrive all winter into May. Big Series begonias are a great varietal for beginners and will flourish through the heat and even a cold snap.

Be careful when purchasing plants as some stores often carry out of season plants. Mums are being featured at most home im-

provement stores right now, but we suggest waiting for the cooler temperatures toward the end of October before picking some up.

Autumn is also a perfect time to begin planting vegetables and herbs. Tomatoes—specifically beefsteak tomatoes—fare exceptionally well in our hotter climate, and will bear fresh fruits throughout the winter season.

LEARN MORE

Click for more seasonal gardening tips from Orange County’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.

PORCH PIRATE PROTECTION We’ve all been there. You have an Amazon order on its way, but you can’t be there to receive it. So you cross your fingers and hope that it isn’t pillaged by pesky porch pirates before you can get home.

So, how do you keep unattended packages safely in your dooryard? One way is to purchase a package delivery lockbox. Most models are discreet—even fashionable—and allow delivery drivers to lock your package safely inside.

Just notate it on your delivery instructions.

You can also turn any large, hinged, lockable box into a package delivery lockbox. All you have to do is weigh down the bottom with heavy items such as rocks or bricks. Otherwise, porch pirates would be able to steal your entire box with package inside!

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? Share your news with the neighbors.

Send us your ideas and images to lcp@emagency.com

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

ROOM FOR ONE MORE The Diaz Family put down roots in Winter Garden a decade ago, and has blossomed ever since. Now, they are ready to grow again.

N

STORY: RHEYA TANNER PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT TULLO

estled along the back curve of Lake Cove Pointe Circle, the Diaz family house is growing. With a pool house addition, a new fence, fresh landscaping, and a swimming pool on the way, Erica, realtor at Erica Diaz Team, and her husband Obie, a radio host at K92.3, are no strangers to growth.

“We’ve been here four years already. It’s hard to believe,” says Erica. “September 19 was four years. It took a lot of time to build the addition.”

They’re happily settled in Winter Garden with their three children: Zack, 10; Kennedy, 9; and Presley, 7.

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But before their family-raising days, the two led a very different lifestyle in the heart of downtown Orlando. “That’s where we met,” says Obie. “High rises. Fast life.”

At the time, the radio station had asked him to be a judge for the Orlando Magic Dancers. And one of those dancers happened to be Erica. “We didn’t have a ton of interaction then,” says Erica.

“Months later, I rented him an apartment downtown, and as we got to know each other, we realized that I was dancing and he had been a judge.”

When they ultimately moved to Winter Garden, they found home. “When we moved out here nine years ago before the area had really blossomed, we were a little concerned,” says Obie. “But seven years into it, we realized we didn’t want to be anywhere else.”

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

“A lot of [mothers] want to place with families who have no children…but Levi’s birth mom has 12 siblings, so she wanted him to have a big family.”

—ERICA DIAZ

Raising from Arizona

The family may be done moving, but they are certainly not done growing. They are just weeks away from adopting a son. “We’ve wanted to adopt for the past two or three years,” says Zack. “We just started the program a year ago.”

The newest addition to the Diaz family, named Levi, will be born in Arizona next month. “We talk to [the birth mother] regularly— actually I’m going to talk to her today,” says Erica. “She’s going to have the baby November 6, God willing. So we’re going to fly out there on November 5, and we’ll be there working with family courts and a lot of that stuff.”

The decision to adopt was not an easy one. “Erica’s been wanting to adopt for a long time, but it’s taken a while to get me on board,” says Obie. “We’ve got a pretty active family with a ton on our plate already.”

family profile—kind of like a Facebook profile—to send to expectant mothers looking to place.”

“I thought someone would pick us the first time, and we’d get our baby, like, five days latBut the time came when Obie er,” says Kennedy. knew it was meant to be. “God “A lot of them want to place spoke to me in the studio,” he said. with families who don’t have “He basically dropped a bomb on my head and said, ‘you can’t share that with somebody else?’ So I called Erica and said ‘OK, I think FA ST FAC T S the family’s ready to expand.’”

LCP residents since: 2016 One thing they learned on this journey is that adoption is not Married for: 13 years as simple as some people think.

Dog: Wilma the English Bulldog It can take months, sometimes Cat: Chloe years, for an adoptive family to Favorite activities: Boating, golf carting be matched. “You think it’s going Favorite family meal: Spaghetti to be like picking a pet from a shelter,” says Obie. “As if you can Best spot in WG: The Tasting Room just walk in like, ‘hmm, we pick Secret talents: Obie plays piano that one with the curly hair!’ But Most used household phrase: it doesn’t work like that.”

“Knock it off!”

“When you go through domesOne family tradition: Delivering food tic infant adoption, you hire attorbaskets to families in need on Easter neys, agencies, consultants,” says Erica. “They have a book with your

children or were unable to have children, and that isn’t our story,” says Erica. “But Levi’s birth mom has 12 siblings, so she wanted him to have a big family.”

As for Levi’s future big family, the three Diaz children are excited to become new big brothers and sisters. “We needed to be even any-

TV family most like us: American Housewife Favorite room: Laundry room (it has two washer/dryers and a Chick-fil-A ice machine!)

Best advice received: “Everything is a phase.”

Our cause: Runway to Hope Favorite vacation spot: Lido Beach Looking forward to: 2021 Something no one realizes: Erica is an introvert.

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way, since there’s two girls and a boy,” says Presley. “We’re evening up. We’re going on a plane with five and coming back with six.”

But their initial reactions may not have been what they let on.

“Was that really your first reaction?” says Obie. “I think I remember you having a problem with it.”

“Yeah, she said ‘I don’t want a baby to take my spot!’” says Zack.

TRICK OR TREAT OR NOT? The ultimate October question: what will you be for Halloween?

“If we’re here, we’ll go trick-or-treating. But if we have to go to Arizona early because of the baby, well, then we’re in Arizona,” says Erica. “But we did order costumes.”

Zack will be Iron Man Mark 51, which is a surprise to no one.

“You’ve been alive for 10 years,” says Erica. "How many of those years have you been Iron Man for Halloween?” The answer: Six. Kennedy remains undecided for now. “I wanted to be something scary this year, but mom said no,” she says.

And Presley will be Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. “It’s perfect for Arizona because it’s a onesie,” she says.

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

Kennedy also had her reservations at first. “I had just gotten the bedroom that I wanted,” she says. “Then my mom called me downstairs and told me I had to move back to my old room.”

“The timing in that was funny,” says Erica. “We’d been waiting so long to be matched, so I told her it was fine to move to the open room. Then literally as she’s

inside scoop. “We knocked on the door and said ‘a little bird told us you want to sell,’” says Erica. “The owners thought I was asking as a realtor, but I was looking for me.”

Erica and Obie had been searching for the perfect home for a while. “They let us in, and we were here for maybe two minutes before we were like, “this works. We’ll buy it,” she says.

“We have amazing stuff to offer each other. We see it all the time during hurricane season— neighbors helping each other out, looking out for each other.”

—OBIE DIAZ

moving her stuff, our attorney called—which, they never call unless it’s something real.”

The Secret Garden

The Diazes couldn’t imagine a better place than Lake Cove Pointe. “I love that it’s like the little Secret Garden back here,” says Erica. “Like from the movie, with gates wide open.”

“It’s a hidden treasure, right?” says Obie. “The number-one thing people say when they come to Lake Cove Pointe is, ‘I didn’t know this was back here!’ Even friends who have a lot of land, which we’re envious of, when they come back here, they’re always surprised.”

As for why they chose this particular house? They had the

“We’re actually still friends with the previous owners. I’m selling their house in Winter Park.”

Even greater than the house itself, though, is how tight-knit the little family community can be. “We have amazing stuff to offer each other,” says Obie. “We see it all the time during hurricane season—neighbors helping each other out, looking out for each other.”

The Diaz family is eager to welcome Levi into this community and into their lives. “We have a pretty cool family. We have a pretty cool life. We’re surrounded by experiences that are pretty awesome. We’re surrounded by people who love us,” says Obie.

And it’s a life with plenty of love for one more.

Is it Fall Yet?

Fall in Florida doesn’t have the same drama as in northern states. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t special.

Nicole, circa 1994

as well as the homegrown activities rooted here in Winter Garden.

This year, autumn looks a little different. I may not be able to eat and drink my way around STORY NICOLE SOULSBY a theme park as I have in years past. But the weather will still break. The celebrations will still come, though they may come in I hail from Rochester, NY, and the one that makes me the different forms. Most of all, I will where the average annual snowmost homesick. After 22 years in still share the holidays with those fall is greater than in any city in the sunshine state, I have adaptI love. Maybe, just maybe, I will Alaska, and spring is basically ed to the smaller but noticeable cheat and have a glass of storeslushy season, followed by one changes that mark the seasons. bought cider as I toast my family, week of blossoming lilacs and Autumn doesn’t begin with the friends, and neighbors. Happy daffodils. Summer is short but start of school (which happens Fall, All! beloved, with amazing homelater up North). It’s not when the grown produce, festivals, pamerchandise with gourds and corn rades, and cool evenings. hits store shelves, which seems to And then there’s autumn. I find be earlier every year. It’s not the so much to love about it—the turning of the leaves, as they’re as crispness in the air, apples of every green in October as they are in July. variety being pressed into cider.

Instead, it’s on that random earBut what always strikes me most ly day, when you walk outside and of all is the leaves! Every landscape feel the drop in temperature. It is that had been lush and green just in the building excitement for the a moment ago is suddenly rich happy holidays that creep closer with reds and honey golds. on the calendar, for the Central Autumn is my favorite season, Florida festivals and celebrations

Autumn is my favorite season, and the one that makes me the most homesick.

After 22 years here, I’ve adapted to the smaller, but noticeable changes that mark the seasons.

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The

NATURAL ORDER The massive cleaning project for the retention pond and natural spring is finally underway.

As you may have noticed, the area by the retention pond and the natural spring is getting a makeover.

This project is many years in the making. We are taking the steps to improve the area for the benefit of the neighbors who live in that immediate area as well as the rest of us who enjoy the look of our community. While doing this all, we are taking the proper conservation efforts for the safety of the wildlife and the environment.

Historically, this area was all marsh, forest, and orange groves.

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

In the mid-90s, development started on LCP, and we were the first gated community. This happened when Winter Garden still had single lanes going through downtown and most of the shops that exist today were just abandoned buildings. The rules in place required that each community have so much undeveloped land, by percentage (this rule remains in effect).

For developers, the most common usage is common areas: parks, playgrounds, nature trails, and, in some cases, the use of pools, tennis

courts, etc., can be allowed to count to this value. Other developers can have used retention ponds as part of that equation, as is the case here.

Unfortunately, this made it easy to leave the space untended, causing issues we are dealing with now.

Neighbors were concerned about the drainage, the look, and the smell of the space and contacted not only the City of Winter Garden but also Orange County officials to ask what should be done.

The Homeowners Association was tasked with fixing the issue.

Over the past year, as we worked with Orange County, the City of Winter Garden, Florida Wildlife Commission, and St. John’s Water Management District, we discovered that drainage easements do not run through conservation areas. We also have an abundance of vines and heavy vegetation that are not native to the area and are choking trees and blocking the lake front view.

Funding restrictions and other priorities put this low on the list and the issue continued. We are now in a different position and we have teamed up to investigate what it would take to clean the area

and restore it. This has become the primary must-do project for the neighborhood as it directly impacts the neighbors in the immediate area of the conservation area.

The current project is large but rather straightforward. From a big picture, we will re-establish the waterflow as was intended by the drainage, remove the invasive plants, restore native plants and wildlife, clear the stream to Lake Apopka, and remove the invasive vines and trees from the lake front while raising the canopy 20 feet.

The vendor selected, Angel Oak, was the lowest bidder and the only

The work will be done in phases: 1. Clear the vegetation and invasive trees in the common area.

2. Re-establish the natural drainage, running between the culvert on Whipperwill and Lone Heron, to adjacent to the Langley property at 556 LCP Circle to the outflow under the street and into Lake Apopka.

3. Smooth the group in the affected area.

4. Spray Rodeo in the affected area multiple time to stop the re-growth of invasive species (this is an approved aquatic product).

5. Cover the area in pine needs and then replant native cypress, oak, and plants.

one willing to take on the work RON MUELLER during the rainy season as we had HOA BOARD valid concerns that hurricane level MEMBER rains could cause severe damage to nearby homes if the drainage wasn’t addressed. It has resulted in a lot of stuck equipment and on/off days of work, but the payoff has been worth it. Even this past week with all the heavy, constant rains, water has flowed within its banks and through the outflow, as designed.

We have some work to do as yet.

The project is moving along despite weather delays, but everyone is excited about the end results which will benefit all of us.

On the lake side, there are five more phases: 1. Clear the stream from the road to Lake Apopka for unobstructed water flow.

2. Remove all invasive plants and trees from the pond area to the waterfront.

3. Preserve and clean the native trees on Lake Apopka.

4. Create a lake front view that benefits the wildlife.

5. Provide for a space to create a dock, if future boards decide to do so, to be used by the LCP community.

WES & VICKIE PARRISH

Neighborly Know-How Part of our restoration efforts include replanting the damaged areas. In those efforts, we are lucky to have Wes and Vickie Parrish, who are knowledgeable arborists and previously owned a nursery, taking the helm. Taking inspiration from their back yard, which is lakeside (see photo), we will be replanting the conservation area. The cost for this portion of the project is primarily for plants and equipment since many residents are volunteering their time and energy in contribution.

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NEW NEIGHBORS

The

LaMacchias

Justin and Kaitlin LaMacchia are two new neighbors you’ll see around the Pointe. The family hopped over from Downtown Orlando to find the right neighborhood to raise their two daughters: Violet, age 5, and June, age 3.

The LaMacchias are in good company here in LCP, as they are huge Disney fans. Up until COVID-19 stopped parkgoers in their tracks, the family had been visiting Walt Disney World twice a week.

So far, their experience in the neighborhood has surpassed their expectations. They love everything about their new home, and they’ve met several of their neighbors already, while play-

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ing in the driveway with their daughters.

As for what made them choose Lake Cove Pointe, the couple explains that the choice was clear from the outset. “The moment we drove in, we fell in love,” says Kaitlin. Their favorite thing about the neighborhood is the proximity to downtown.

If you’re looking for the LaMacchias, you’ll find them poolside—their favorite place to entertain—for as long as the autumn months allow. “We really want to develop a strong bond within the community,” says Kaitlin. “We plan to be here for a very long time and would love to make some lifelong friends.”

THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

FA ST FAC T S

Married for: 7 years Pets: Two goldfish named Watermelon and Sparky Career: Justin works for Loyal Source Government Services, and Kaitlin is a Realtor Favorite meal: Chicken empanadas. And lots of ice cream!

One thing we want to start doing more: Take family bike rides on the trail Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with a beach One thing on our bucket list: Visit Hawaii Cause that matters to us: We are huge advocates for children. We believe in standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

Something we’re looking forward to: Our golf cart! Then we’ll really feel like locals.

NEW NEIGHBORS

Whitfords

The

FA ST FAC T S

Married for: 8 years Pets: Two 3-month-old white hamsters Favorite activities: Playing pool, dancing, reading, watching good movies Favorite restaurant: 4Rivers Secret talents: John is a pool shark, and Suzi is really good at ordering food Favorite vacation spot: Home sweet home One thing on our bucket list: Travel the world once the kids are out of diapers The TV family that is most like us: Jim and Pam from The Office Cause that matters to us: Catholic Charities Something we’re looking forward to: Christmas

John and Suzi Whitford are two online educators who are new to the Winter Garden scene. The couple relocated to LCP from Jacksonville with their three children: Sue, age 6; Heidi, age 4; and Johnny, age 3.

A self-proclaimed “nerdy family,” the Whitfords are lovers of books, movies, digital marketing, and Pokémon-catching. But, far from the introverted nerd stereotype, the family is also friendly and outgoing, and is looking forward to partying more with their awesome neighbors.

If you stop by their house, you’re most likely to catch them hanging out on the porch, relaxing and shooting some pool. And they’re planning for that porchside view to include some more swing sets soon.

Winter Garden was an easy choice for the Whitfords, since they have family nearby. As for what drew them to Lake Cove Pointe? Well, someone somewhere let them in on our little secret—they heard we were an amazing neighborhood smackdab in the middle of downtown.

Though they’re sad to be far from John’s family and their friends in Jacksonville, they’re thrilled to have found a lovely home so close to the action, and are looking forward to making new friends.

Want to party with the Whitfords sometime? It’s easy—just stop by with a bottle of whiskey any time you’re feeling like a chat. And if you think you stand even a chance of beating them at Catan? Challenge accepted.

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THE DISH

Look Ma, No Eggs This egg-free dessert is perfect for bakers-to-be and connoisseurs alike.

RECIPE: NICOLE SOULSBY

The Crazy Cake is a Depression-Era cake, made during a time when key cooking staples—particularly eggs—were scarce.

Eggs were already rationed during WWI, and the Great Depression saw a shortage, as they had not yet learned that chickens required 16 hours of sunlight to lay eggs in winter. There was no shortage on resourcefulness, though, so working-class Americans developed a dense, moist cake recipe that is completely egg-free—vegans rejoice!

This is the first cake that everyone in the Soulsby family learns to make from scratch. The result is fudgey, flavorful, and doesn’t even need frosting to be delicious! Best made the day before presentation.

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THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

Crazy Cake MAKES ONE 9”X 13” CAKE I N GR E D I E N T S

I NSTR U C TI O NS

• 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour • 2 cups Sugar • 2 tsp Baking Soda • 1 tsp Salt • 1/4 cup Cocoa (the darker the better) • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract • 2 tsp White Vinegar • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil • 2 cups Water • Frosting or Powdered Sugar (optional)

• Preheat oven to 350º F. Butter and flour a 9" x 13" baking dish.

• Place the first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

• Make a small well in the center and add remaining ingredients in order. Whisk until combined.

• Pour into prepared dish and bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

• Let cool and top with a frosting of your choice or dust with powdered sugar—or don’t!

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A

O AT R C TH OM EC EG LE ET RM A ON TAS T F TE AR EV M ER ER Y S ’S UN M AR DA KE Y T

va

Featuring GOURMET PEPPERS GROWN LOCALLY IN

CENTRAL FL ON OUR VERY OWN AQUAPONIC FARM

100% ORGANIC / NO CHEMICAL OR SYNTHETIC NUTRIENTS CAPTAINCALIENTE.COM

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www.inperspective.co

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

THE WINE CELLAR

BBQ Favorite

BRIAN KOZIOL MASTER SOMMELIER

What pairs well with what you’re grilling: Malbec.

As I walk through the neighborhood and smell the aromas from the fired-up grills, one wine grape varietal that comes to mind is called Malbec. It thrives high in the Andes Mountains in Argentina’s Mendoza region.

The primary aromas and flavors in a bottle of Argentina Malbec are ripe blackberry and cherry with luscious raspberry and blueberry, along with chocolate, violet flowers, and baking spices.

The wine itself is dry with a juicy mouthfeel and velvety texture.

Enjoy Malbec with grilled meats, mushrooms, roasted vegetables, exotic spices, funky cheeses, or even just a burger.

Here are a few of my favorite Malbec producers: • Achaval Ferrer • Altocedro • Altos Las Hormigas • Bodega Norton • Catena Zapata • Don Miguel Gascón • Lamadrid • Luca • Susana Balbo • Tapiz • Viña Cobos • Zuccardi

BRIAN’S OCTOBER SELECTIONS

$ Don Miguel Gascón Malbec

$$ Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec

$$$ Zuccardi Concreto Malbec, Altamira

MENDOZA 2018

MENDOZA 2017

MENDOZA 2018

JUICE BOX: A VIRTUAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE

October 18, 3–4:15pm Order by October 15 $55 plus $5 delivery fee 407-270-6300 / swirlery.com

Juice Box is a unique and fun way to sample sommelier-selected wines from the comfort of your home. All you have to do to participate is order your set of six bottles from Swirlery Wine Bar. Each of the sommelier-selected, premium wines is 6 oz, or two flights. The day before the tasting, you’ll receive the set and a message with the Zoom link.

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POINTE OF VIEW

Life is about perspective and ultimately, 30

THE POINTE OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

how you look at something… you have to zoom out.

—WHITNEY WOLFE HERD

PHOTOGRAPHY: NICK BOTTS TAKEN USING A DJI MAVIC AIR TAKEN 7PM ON SEPTEMBER 25TH ELEVATION IS APPROX 350FT

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BUY

Real Estate

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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