FREE Community Seminar
You can hold Real Estate in your Retirement Plan—Find out HOW! Your IRA is not just for stocks and bonds—you can also hold real estate. All rental income and profits stay in the retirement account, and any expenses are paid out of the IRA. The property may appreciate, without taxation, and additional value yielded from a sale will remain in the retirement account. You owe it to yourself and family to learn everything about it!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 6 – 7:30 pm
625 Main Street, Suite 103, Windermere Refreshments and food from Yellow Dog Eats. Presented by Yapor Realty, Bret Jones PA and NuView IRA. SPACE IS LIMITED. Please RSVP by October 16th.
407-90
9-8000 • mail@yapor.com
625 Main Street, Suite 103 • Windermere, FL 34786 • www.YaporRealty.com • Irma G. Yapor, Broker-Owner • 407-909-8000 • irma@yapor.com
Town of Windermere
Table of Contents
Administration Offices Gary Bruhn, Town Mayor Robert Smith, Town Manager Dorothy Burkhalter, Town Clerk David Grimm, Public Works Director Linda Bouton, Finance Supervisor Amanda Click, Finance Clerk II Jacquelyn M. Hefeli, Administrative Assistant
From the Desk of the Mayor
Police Department Business Hours Non-Emergency: 407-876-3757 After Hours Non-Emergency: 321-299-2414 David Ogden, Police Chief Maria Carrasquillo, Police Clerk Sandra Regot, School Resource Officer
Photo Gallery 7
614 Main Street, Windermere, FL 34786 (407) 876-2563 • www.town.windermere.fl.us
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Farmer’s Market 4 Family Food Truck Night
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Halloween Family Movie Night
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Costume Parade and Hayride
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Elders Luncheon 7
Council Members Mayor Gary Bruhn: gbruhn@town.windermere.fl.us John Armstrong: jarmstrong@town.windermere.fl.us Richard Gonzalez: rgonzalez@town.windermere.fl.us Jim O’Brien: jobrien@town.windermere.fl.us Mike Pirozzolo: mpirozzolo@town.windermere.fl.us Molly Rose: mrose@town.windermere.fl.us
From the PD Chief’s Desk
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Lights On Officer German
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Give Thanks 9 32nd Annual Holiday Social
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Movie Night Under the Stars
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9th Annal Boat Parade
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Boards and Committees Special Magistrate • Development Review Board Downtown Business Committee • Elder Affairs Committee Historical Board • Long Range Planning Committee Parks and Recreation Committee • Tree Board
2013 Fall Tennis Schedule
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Park & Tennis Passes
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Qualifying for Council Seats
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The Windermere Gazette is published quarterly and is designed by Yapor Communications. For more information visit: www.Windermere Gazette.com. For news or advertising information, contact: Jacquelyn M. Hefeli: jhefeli@town.windermere.fl.us.
2013 Fall Calendar 15 “Still a Small Town” by John Nabers
COPYRIGHT © Town of Windermere, FL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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The Town of Windermere accepts MasterCard, VISA and Discover as methods of payment.
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My Fellow Neighbors…. As always, I hope this Newsletter finds all of you well. Here we are, with summer coming to an end, our children are back in school and our new fiscal year is starting. So let’s review some important information you need to know. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY WET SUMMER… at least in my opinion. I am writing this on Labor Day because of the time required to print and mail the “Gazette”. In the last 64 days, we have had rain on 59 of those days. As I look out my window at the lake levels, we are where we were AFTER Hurricanes Charley (August 13, 2004) and Frances (September 5, 2004). There has been no reason to use your sprinkler system this year. And as a result…. OUR SOUTH MAIN STREET REPAVING PROJECT TOOK TWICE AS LONG AS PLANNED. A two week project to rebuild our street base, pour curbing and repave South Main Street took over a month because of the weather. This was a fixed price contract so it did not cost you any more as a taxpayer, but I know the residents who live on South Main were inconvenienced and tolerated late night work, noise, and dirt. I appreciate those of you who understood the need for this work to be completed. SPEAKING OF TAXES… I am very proud to share with you that our Town Council agreed to maintain our same millage rate once again for 2013-14, continuing to make us one of the lowest taxed municipalities in Orange County, and still one of the safest, with no reduction in your services. AND SPEAKING OF SERVICES, LOOK FOR SOME OTHER MAJOR INITIATIVES ON THE HORIZON. I have asked our Parks and Recreation to consider renaming Butler Bay Park to something more representative of Windermere. And construction will soon commence on a pavilion and rest rooms making this once again a great park that all of our residents can enjoy and use. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the donations by residents and the Windermere Rotary in making this happen. WE HAVE INITIATED A THOROUGH STUDY OF OUR TRAFFIC ISSUES AND OPTIONS. We have now contracted with a professional traffic engineering organization to complete a full scale study of our Town with an emphasis in a number of areas including pedestrian safety,
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as well as those specific congestion points in Town. And part of that study includes YOU, as we look to gather YOUR input. The last thing we want to do is guess at what MIGHT improve traffic flow only to find that we may have made it worse. To put things in perspective, the design, engineering and construction of a roundabout is around $300,000. Want to add an additional lane to an existing road? Plan to spend close to $100,000. We owe it to our taxpayers to make sure that we have ALL of the facts before we spend the dollars to start a project.
area through text messages and other safety alerts that you need to be aware of. The Town of Windermere? Go “LIKE” Town of Windermere on Facebook. You would have heard about all of the upcoming events, the Boil Water Alert and other important information you should know. Do you want to see Town Council Agendas, Minutes, download forms, research information, contact your elected officials via e-mail or any other information pertinent to your town? Go to: http://town.windermere.fl.us.
DESPITE ALL OF OUR IMPROVEMENTS, WE CONTINUE TO BE FINANCIALLY SECURE. Our Town Staff and Town Manager continue to find ways to not only save money, but ways to do things better and smarter, and as a result, our Town’s financial reserves will once again return to where our auditors recommend they be. One violent summer storm can cost us a lot of money. After our storm on March 24th, where we experienced winds in excess of 80 miles per hour, our clean up costs were close to $100,000. That’s why it’s so important to always have money in reserve.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR… ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE IN WINDERMERE! Now that would make a GREAT song! Mark your calendars for some great events where you can enjoy fun and fellowship with your neighbors in Windermere. It starts with our Halloween Spooktacular where all the princesses and ghosts and goblins join me for a costume parade to Town Hall and enjoy refreshments and entertainment. We have our Movie Nights starting, and one of my favorite events of the year: “Light Up Windermere” in conjunction with our November Food Truck Night, where our businesses and town buildings LIGHT UP to celebrate the season. Do not miss this event. Our season will conclude with our Holiday Social where all of our neighbors and especially our younger ones await the arrival of some very special guests. A complete calendar of our events is in this edition of “The Gazette”. Mark your calendar. I WILL SEE YOU THERE!
KEEP YOUR PETS CLOSE. By now you should be aware that there are coyotes in the area. We have seen many pets disappear and even more sadly, residents have seen some taken while they watched. We have worked to get this information out to alert, not only Windermere residents, but everyone in the area through all media including television, radio, social media and the Town’s and my website. Additionally, our Police Chief had an expert present information and advice at a standing room only Town Hall seminar. You should also be aware the coyotes are not the only threat. We have eagles, hawks, and owls that will also attack small pets.
HURRICANE SEASON IS NOT YET OVER AND WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIES AHEAD. Now is the time to make sure you are prepared for what these last two months might have in store. Do you have special needs during and after a storm? Please contact our Police Department. They are here to assist you. We have seen what a storm out of nowhere can quickly do earlier this year. Make sure you are prepared.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ACTIVE IN SOCIAL MEDIA…. And by that, I mean Facebook, Twitter and internet websites. You have a great resource at your fingertips on your computer. We are constantly updating you. Want to hear from: Windermere Police Chief David Ogden? Go “LIKE” Windermere Chief David Ogden on Facebook. He recently told you about cell phone viruses that were being sent in our
Don’t forget that you can read all of the latest news by visiting my website: http://windermeremayor.com.
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Stop by and pick up your fresh produce, local honey, fresh bread, pasta, organic tea, nuts, gourmet cheeses, roasted coffee, healthy snacks, flowers, fresh kettlecorn, and so much more! Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WindermereFarmersMarket.
Every Friday 9 am – 2 pm Main Street
Every 4th Friday 5 – 9:30 pm Main Street Every 4th Friday of the month, the Town of Windermere’s Downtown Business Committee hosts the Family Food Truck Night. The event is held on brick Main Street, in front of Town Hall, located in the heart of Downtown Windermere. Bring friends, family, chairs, blankets and an appetite. For the current month list of participating trucks please visit our website at www.town.windermere.fl.us. The DBC is currently looking for entertainment sponsors —please contact Matt Allen at MattA@RIFlorida.com for sponsorship information. 4
Friday, October 25 – 7 pm
During Food Truck Night, behind Town Hall SPONSORED BY
877-522-1010
635 Main Street, Suite 103 www.YaporRealty.com
Saturday, October 26th – 9:45 am Windermere Parks and Recreation will host their annual Costume Parade and Hayride on Saturday, October 26, from 9:45 am to noon. The event takes place at Town Hall, and is open to all residents. The children’s costume parade will begin at 10 am. Children are asked to assemble at 9:45 am. The festivities include cookies and punch, story time or movie and a hayride. Children can trick-or-treat with the downtown merchants following the event. Sponsored by Suzi Karr Realty.
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Visit our Historical Office in Downtown Windermere on 102 W. 6th Avenue, Windermere, Florida 34786 INTERNATIONAL
Matthew Allen
Broker Associate GRI · ABR · RESS · MS www.TheAllenRealEstateTeam.com
321.228.5555
MattA@RIFlorida.com
Mark Allen
Broker CCIM · RESS · ABRM · CIPS · e-PRO www.WindermereProperty.net
321.689.8000
Mark@WindermereProperty.net
Recent Sales in Downtown Windermere 2661 Statnton Hall Ct 60 Oakdale St 125 North Dr 70 Forest St 3 1 St 2916 Sunbittern Ct 325 Magnolia St 10856 Bayshore Dr 515 W 2nd Ave 804 W 2nd Ave 836 Main St
$402.500 $630.000 $740.000 $750.000 $785.000 $960.000 $1.095.000 $1.600.000 $1.610.000 $2.300.000 $2.800.000
The following are homes that have sold in the Windermere area, based on information from the Mid Florida MLS. This information may or may not include all sold properties of one or more members of the Mid Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. Listings are not to be construed as agent’s listings. These listings are represented as a snapshop of acitivity in the current area.
Stop by and try our season flavors:
Pumpkin Ice Cream & Pumpkin Spice Latte We are located in Downtown Windermere Present this coupon for a FREE Kiddie Cone with the purchase of a $10.00 Gift Certificate. EXP 12/31/2013. 523 Main Street Windermere, FL • 407-876-3558 www.AllensCreamery.com
We called and you responded! Image courtesy of: Jennifer Thielhelm
Thank you to all who have submitted your candid photos. Some with captivating views of the Windermere lakes or capturing special times in your life and others have frozen a moment in time. Here we showcase a few. Jennifer captured the beauty of a peacock in all its splendor; Peter snatched a candid shot of a boy while sitting on the library bench in 1991; and, congratulations to Amy & Brian on their recent engagement!
Please keep them coming! Submit original photos taken by you that depicts a special event in Town or simply the beauty of our Windermere surroundings, and your photo could appear on the front or back cover of this Gazette. Image courtesy of: Peter Rems
Please make sure to email ONLY high resolution digital photos to: mail@windermeregazette.com.
October 1st – 11:30 am – Town Hall Featuring Ted Kellogg’s Famous Pork Loin and Tailgating Sides. Come dressed in your favorite NFL or College Team Jersey or wear the team colors. Image courtesy of: Amy Rohrbach
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4. During an internet safety lecture to our 5th Grade students at Windermere Elementary School, I inquired how many students had smartphones. Let’s just say that it was easier to count which of our children didn’t have a phone than those students who did. Our children were utilizing this technology for everything from Facebook, Twitter, texting, gaming, uploading Apps, as well as many other resources. On my Windermere Chief David Ogden Facebook page and herewith, I provide security tips to keep everyone safer while using this technology. Cyber security is the biggest threat to our nation.
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Always set your PINS and Passwords, which is your first line of defense to secure your phone. From a community policing perspective, it’s comparable to simply locking your car doors. We all leave our phones behind at one time or another. Don’t make it easy for someone wanting to do something nefarious with your phone.
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Do not tamper with your phone security settings. “Jail Breaking” your phone weakens the factory security settings and makes your information vulnerable. If you don’t know what Jail Breaking is, then ask your kids.
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Just like your PC, always backup and secure your data. If you’ve ever switched phone carriers and not recovered your contacts list, you know how this can affect your daily lives and work.
You should only install applications on your smartphones from secure sources. You can do this by doing your homework on the internet for the application that you are about to install and ensuring it has an official website and is a known and trusted source.
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Be cautious about simply granting application permissions on your phone. Many apps allow access to all your personal data so they can data-mine your info.
6. Security features that are currently available for most smartphones can enable GPS location finders and the ability to remotely wipe out your data on your phone should it become lost or stolen. 7.
Do accept updates and patches to the smartphones software by the prescribed company. Many of these updates will keep your operating system, which includes security functions, up to date.
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Be cautions when using open Wi-Fi networks. Don’t keep your phone open to Wi-Fi’s, but choose when you want to engage those features.
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Always wipe out your data on your smartphone before you turn it back in, sell it, or donate it to someone else. Erase all of the items that you have installed and reset all the features to the factory condition.
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Always report your stolen smartphone to local police. A stolen phone database exists amongst all the wireless network providers, which is helpful in recovering phones and/or investigative leads.
Born abroad in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Robbie moved to Florida at the age of 5. Growing up in Sanford and Lake Mary he became a year-round-soccer player progressing to club select/travel teams during his middle and high school years enjoying state championship, interstate and international matches in Belgium. Graduating from Lake Mary High School he proceeded to South Georgia College on an athletic scholarship where he studied business. Following work in airport operations, involving security and interaction with local police departments, Robbie realized his growing interest in law enforcement and made the decision to attend the Police Academy at Seminole State College. “When pretty much everything you do has a direct and sometimes immediate impact on the safety of the community and its citizens it makes the work itself rewarding.” After 4 years in police work he continues to feel he made the right career choice. “I feel fortunate to be working for the Windermere Police Department which has afforded me the opportunity to have a close camaraderie with fellow officers and has also allowed me to get to know many town residents on a more personal level.”
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The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie A. Brownscombe (1914) In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal became a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many as the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. The legacy of thanks, and particularly of the feast, have survived the centuries as people throughout the United States gather family, friends, and enormous amounts of food for their yearly Thanksgiving meal.
From our families to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 9
“Holidays Around The World” ] Thursday, December 12 – 6:30 pm Come and join your fellow residents at the historical Town Hall. Bring your sweet tooth and your favorite cultural holiday dish to share. The Town of Windermere and Windermere Police Department will be accepting donations of unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Also non-perishable food items for the Second Harvest Food Bank will be collected. If you would like to volunteer, please contact: Jacquelyn Hefeli at 407-876-2563 ext. 21 or jhefeli@town.windermere.fl.us.
Dress your home in holiday cheer and enter the Best Dressed Holiday House Contest Judging deadline will be December 7th. The winner will be announced at the Holiday Social on December 12th.
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Saturday, December 14 – 6:30 pm Behind Town Hall
Windermere Parks and Recreation will present the 5th Annual Movie Under the Stars featuring the movie “Elf” with Will Ferrell. Windermere residents are invited to bring the entire family, blankets and chairs and enjoy complimentary soda, popcorn, pizza and the movie. 11
SUZI KARR
Realtor/Broker—e-Pro Certified Green Certified Realtor Candidate
407-595-5258 C suzikarr@cfl.rr.com
SERVING WINDERMERE OLDE WINDERMERE & THE BUTLER CHAIN OF LAKES FOR OVER 35 YEARS! SERVICE IS MY MOTTO!
Meet at Bird Island at 5 pm. Parade begins at 6 pm. Please pick up a flyer in the Town Office for parade route and details sometime after Thanksgiving. Each year our regatta grows and becomes better and better, so come join us in your boat or watch from your dock!
For more information please visit the website:www.windermereboatparade.com
Windermere Spa Now Open
Offers a large variety of services catering to busy professionals.
120 E. 5th Ave.
Our second location is 519 Main
Windermere, Fl. 34786
St. Windermere, Fl. 34786
Services:
Services:
Hair ● Couples Massages ● Couples Facials ●
Hair ● Manicures ● Pedicures
Ion Detox Foot Bath ● Sauna ● Spray Tanning ● Teeth Whitening
Call us today to find out what our opening specials are or visit our website. Windermere Spa Www.windermerespa.com
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Upcoming Sessions
Classes and Days
SESSION 1 September 10 – October 17
Novice (Tuesday) 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (7-9 years old)
SESSION 2 October 22 – December 3
(No Classes Thursday, November 28 Thanksgiving Day)
Cost: $95.00 per session
10% off for Windermere Tennis Members
Novice (Thursday) 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (10-12 years old) Intermediate (Tuesday & Thursday) 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (7-12 years old)
MG Tennis, follows the latest USTA & ITF format age appropriate tennis instruction & play. Modifying the equipment, scoring and court dimensions to the size and level of the player, is a proven way to get young players playing quicker, technically better and keep them playing the sport longer.
To register visit www.mgtennis.com/windermere-tennis or visit the Town Office for a registration form.
Your Park Passes and Tennis Passes now run concurrent with the fiscal year: 10/1/2013 – 9/30/2014. Passes and keys are now available at the Town Office. The gates will be open for one week to give people an opportunity to purchase the new keys and passes, then the gates will be locked. You can purchase the passes during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
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Park Passes Renew/Locks Changed ........................... October 1 Elders Luncheon ........................................................... October 1 Food Truck Night & Halloween Family Movie ............. October 25 Halloween Parade and Hay Ride ............................... October 26 Food Truck Night & Light-up Windermere .............. November 22 Council Candidate Qualifications Begin ................. November 26 Thanksgiving (Offices Closed) ........................ November 28 & 29 Holiday Town Social ............................................... December 12 Movie Under the Stars ........................................... December 14 Windermere Boat Parade ...................................... December 21 Christmas Eve & Day (Offices Closed) ............. December 24 & 26 Food Truck Night ................................................... December 27 New Year’s Eve & Day (Offices Closed) .... December 31 & January 1 Council Candidate Qualifications Close ..................... January 10 Treebute ............................................................. January 17 – 20 5th Annual Auto Show ............................................... February 22
March 11, 2014, is the next local election for the Town. The seats open will be Mayor Gary Bruhn and two Council Members John Armstrong and Richard Gonzalez. If you are interested in running as a candidate, you need to contact Dorothy Burkhalter (Town Clerk) at 407-876-2563 ext. 23. Please be advised that it takes some time to verify signatures through the Orange County Supervisor of Election’s Office. REMINDERS & DEADLINES • Candidate Qualifying opens Tuesday, November 26 at 8 am • Candidate Qualifying closes Friday, January 10 at 4 pm - Must be 18 years of age - Must have lived in town limits for past 12 months - Must obtain & verify signatures prior to deadline
Mark your Calendars for the 5th Annual Windermere Auto Show Saturday, February 22, 2014 – 9 am to 3 pm Car Registration is Free! REGISTER NOW at www.windermereautoshow.com. Now accepting Sponsorships! For more information contact Mark-Allen@cfl.rr.com or call 321-689-8000.
Your local voting precinct will be at 520 Main Street, inside of historical Town Hall. As a reminder, political and election campaign signs not exceeding four square feet in area may be displayed by an owner or tenant on their property without a permit. If you have questions or see any one violating the Town’s sign ordinance, please call 407-876-2563 or see the Town’s website www.town.windermere.fl.us.
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In what other town can you get to know all your public officials personally and your children can walk barefoot for over a mile on oak shaded dirt roads by lake shores from one end of town to the other while passing several town parks with playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, bike trails, and other like amenities? You can also launch your boat, with a town pass into the Butler Chain or Lake Bessie. Except for the increase in rush hour traffic, it is surprisingly similar to what it was when the first northern families and well to do Orlandoans used to vacation and spend weekends here to boat fish swim and enjoy its hopefully everlasting beauty. J by John Nabers Continued from the previous issue.... Windermere residents have always been very protective of the pristine Butler Chain of Lakes that in 1970 the Butler Chain Conservation Association was formed to keep the lakes unpolluted and has largely been successful. They are still among the cleanest lakes in the area.
The
Art Room
As we all know when the Walt Disney Company decided to locate their massive operation, just a few miles south of Windermere, the area and Town began to change rapidly. Large increases in population and rising property prices were the result as many executives and cast members decided to relocate to Windermere, and this trend continues today. In the 1940s, Windermere’s population was only a few hundred, now it is a few hundred over 2000 and growing due to annexations. Surrounding neighborhoods and subdivisions are always trying to become part of Windermere, where taxes are less and amenities are more.
A teaching studio in the heart of Windermere, offering:
Adults/High School
Children
• Oil Painting • After School Art • Watercolors • Middle School Art • Acrylics • Workshops • Drawing Intensive • Summer Camps • Between the Brushes • Between the Brushes • Workshops • Preschool Art • Private Lessons (all ages)
The encouraging thing about Windermere is that in spite of this Town’s growth and especially the surrounding land, such as the Horizon West planning area and the continuing growth of Ocoee and Winter Garden toward the town limits, it still feels like a small town. The Town still enjoys the gatherings at the Town Hall for town meetings, the annual 4th of July pancake breakfast, car shows, craft festivals, the annual Easter egg hunt, weddings, and private parties. Much the same as always, except we no longer have magicians trying to escape from strait jackets and residents showing their vacation movies, pot luck suppers, and the like.
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For further information, call 407-909-1869, or see our schedule: artroomorlando.com
709 Main Street • Windermere , Florida 34786
Full Estate Management • • • • •
Lawn service Mulch Tree trimming Sod Tree removal
• • • • • •
Grading and clearing Stump grinding Total yard restoration Landscaping Install Demolition and clearing Landscape Maintenance
• Events - Weddings - Parties - Social Events - Yard cleanup and pruning
24-hour answering service for after hour activities and storm recovery FREE ESTIMATES • Locally owned for 30 years
407- 877-8806 P O Box 171, Windermere, FL 34786 • Fax (407) 877-8809 Michael Swatkowski • Cell: (407) 948-7072 • swat2005@earthlink.net
Sunset view from Bird Island Image courtesy of: Bill Martini