Victoria Park's The Picket Fence | Fall 2019

W W W.MY V ICTO RIAPARK .CO M

FA L L 2019

V IC TOR IA PA R K C OM M U N I T Y C OU N C I L

Communication Methods EMAIL - We send out email notifications periodically in addition to weekly electronic newsletters every Thursday.

NEWSLETTERS - The weekly electronic and printed quarterly newsletters can be viewed on the website, www.myvictoriapark. com, any time!

Evergreen Customer Service 877-221-6919

WEBSITE - Check out www.myvictoriapark.com for tons of great information, including the weekly newsletter, calendar, club and group contacts, and so much more!

Victoria Park Community Management

SOCIAL MEDIA - Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ VictoriaParkComm for all the latest info!

Customer Service

525 East Victoria Trails Blvd. (Starting 10/28/19) 386-738-2112 DeLand, FL 32724 Community Manager Michelle Saunders MSaunders@Evergreen-LM.com Dir. of Operations & Maint.

Dave Benson DBenson@Evergreen-LM.com

Administrative Assistant/ Architectural Coordinator Celi Rosario ARosario@Evergreen-LM.com Community Standards Clara Munoz-Feliciano CMFeliciano@Evergreen-LM.com

STATEMENTS - We will no longer mail out quarterly statements; you should have received a coupon book. If you haven’t received one, please call Evergreen Customer Care at 877-221-6919.

Please email JTucker@Evergreen-LM.com if you need any assistance with receiving Communications.

Maintenance Manager Steve Ingram SIngram@Evergreen-LM.com

Pool Hours

Administrative Coordinator Maureen Philips MPhilips@Evergreen-LM.com

Fall

6:45am - 7pm

SEP 1 - OCT 31

Winter

Victoria Trails Amenity Center 525 East Victoria Trails Blvd.

DeLand, FL 32724

7:30am - 5:15pm

NOV 1 - FEB 29

386-738-2112

The pool heaters are set at 80 degrees from March 1-December 31.

Fitness Room

Lifestyle Director Justine Tucker JTucker@Evergreen-LM.com

The Commons & Trails: 5:30am - 10:30pm Victoria Gardens: 4:45am - 9pm

Guests must be accompanied by residents at all times (2 per resident).

All residents must have their photo ID card with them.

1001 Gardens Club Drive DeLand, FL 32724

386-785-2700

For a full list of the Rules, please see the signs posted in the Fitness Rooms.

Security Main Gate 386-736-6499 Clubhouse Manager CJ Hamlin CHamlin@Evergreen-LM.com

Assistant Clubhouse Manager Julie Maurer JMaurer@Evergreen-LM.com

Lifestyle Director Evelyn Rosa ERosa@Evergreen-LM.com

Administrative Assistant Remy Pugh RPugh@Evergreen-LM.com

Advertising Opportunities For information or details regarding size, cost, and deadlines, please visit www.vppicketfence.com or call 813-501-7220. Email us directly at Info@VPPicketFence.com.

Advertising Policy Victoria Park Community Council, Inc. does not guarantee any work or claims made by advertisers. Advertisements in The Picket Fence do not constitute an endorsement or approval of goods and services by Victoria Park Community Council, Inc.

Victoria Hills Golf Club / Sparrow’s Grille 300 Spalding Way DeLand, FL 32724 General Manager Scott Wyckoff SWyckoff@Hampton.Golf

386-738-6000 Food & Beverage Director Michael Morrison MMorrison@Hampton.Golf

“Creating Better Communities” www.kolter.com

COMMUNITY MANAGER

M A NAG E M E N T

Community Updates

BY MICHELLE SAUNDERS, LCAM

Community Growth • Victoria Gardens celebrated it’s 1,000th home closing this month!

• V.P. HOA is up to 1,517 homes and Victoria Oaks closed its first home this month.

Improvement Projects • The construction of the Community Management Office at the Trails Amenity Center is well underway and on schedule. The Community Management Office will be closed to move locations on Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th. The office will re-open at the new location on Monday, October 28th. Please note the new Community Management Office address is 525 E. Victoria Trails Blvd., DeLand, FL 32724.

• The Tennis Courts at the Commons have been resurfaced and an additional Pickleball Court was added as well. Interested in learning Pickleball? Please see page 7 for more information.

• The Commons Fitness Center had new rubber flooring installed in August.

• The Commons Pool restrooms were re-painted in August.

• Upcoming projects include the replacement of the wooden pergolas at the Commons Pool, replacement of the Commons playground equipment, and cleaning of the street lights, just to name a few.

Environmental Committee In the coming weeks we will be looking for resident volunteers to form an Environmental Committee. The committee will review multiple areas of interest, including Water Conservation, Florida Friendly Landscape, Water Quality Improvement, Pond Beautification and Wildlife Awareness. Please contact the Community Management Office if you are interested in serving on this committee.

MICHELLE SAUNDERS is the Community Manager for Victoria Park.

You can reach her at 386-738-2112 or by email at MSaunders@ Evergreen-LM.com.

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M A NAG E M E N T

COMPLIANCE

Covenants Corner B Y C L A R A M U N O Z-F E L I C I A N O

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hank you to the residents who responded to our reminder letters with understanding and support in maintaining the beauty of their homes and investments. We also want to welcome all new residents to the Victoria Park Community. Please understand that the role of the Community Standards Administration is to help ensure that the community adheres to the covenant standards as set forth in the governing documents. Please remember that this is your community and together we can work toward maintaining and improving the aesthetics of Victoria Park. We understand that sometimes life happens and should you receive a letter from the Community Management Office, the best thing you can do is contact us. We are always willing to assist in any way possible or offer timeline extensions as necessary. Our goal is to establish a professional relationship through communication, connecting, commitment and caring for our residents.

This is a very large community and still growing, so there are violations we may miss. In the event there is an issue that you would like to report, you may do so by filling out a Confidential Incident/Violation Report, which can be obtained online or at our Community Management Office.

Maintenance With the weather getting comfortable to perform outdoor responsibilities, now is the time to focus on the items listed below: • Pressure Washing – Including home exterior, driveway, sidewalk, PVC fences or where mildew may be visible.

• Exterior Painting – There are a variety of colors to paint your home. Please visit our office to review the color schemes.

• Mailbox Upkeep – Cleanliness, visible numbers – Please review our weekly e-newsletter to find information on replacement or maintenance of your mailbox.

• General Landscape Items – Shrubs and tree trimming, weeding, edging, etc. As a reminder, please note that the tree needs to be trimmed 8 feet high from the sidewalk and 14 feet high from the street. Also, if you are having problems with sun or shade, you can replace your grass with other ground cover, for example with Mondo or Dwarf Confederate Jasmine. Please contact our office or go to our website to view other choices.

Architectural Applications Reminders • Holiday Decorations - Decorations are encouraged in all areas of the Victoria Park Communities; however, please understand that they must be removed within 14 days after each holiday.

• Irrigation Abuse – Lawns should be watered deeply, but infrequently to encourage deep roots. Victoria Park allows for two watering times per week which is sufficient. For new plant or sod material, manual (hose) watering may be necessary. You should only have your water on during a maintenance time if you are actively performing maintenance to your system. Otherwise, over usage of the reclaim water will affect the community and the ponds. Violations will be issued for abusing the irrigation during maintenance and unscheduled times. Residents will be subject to fines of $100 per day and up to a maximum of $1,000 as allowed by Florida Statutes 720.

• Pets - All pets should be leashed. In addition, please be mindful and respectful of your neighbor’s lawn by not allowing your pet on it and by cleaning up and removing solid waste after your pets. Please note animal waste can attract breeding flies, which transmit disease onto the grass.

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If you have made changes to your property without approval, we encourage you to complete and submit an application for an ARC approval to avoid violation notices. These applications can be found online or by coming into the Community Management Office. Please remember to fill out an Architectural Application before you begin any changes on the exterior of your home.

Parking Please remember that residents must park in the driveway or garage. We will be conducting overnight inspections and will issue violation notices on cars that are parking overnight and obstructing traffic. Parking issues should also be directed to the City of Deland Non-Emergency Police Line at 386-626-7400. Please be courteous of your neighbors and park your vehicles in the garage or driveway.

CLARA MUNOZ-FELICIANO is the Community Standards Administrator for Victoria Park. You can reach her at 386-738-2112 or by email at CMFeliciano@ Evergreen-LM.com.

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EVENTS

VICTORIA PARK

Recent Victoria Park Events PHOTOS BY JUSTINE TUCKER & CHELLA PHOTOGRAPHY

July 4th, Christmas in July, Beat the Heat Back to School Bash, Build-A-Pet, Fitness Luncheon, Great American Circus, Ladies Paint Night, Ladies Tex-Mex Night, Taste Around the World, and Water Aerobics

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T H E P I C K E T F E N C E | FA L L 2019

VICTORIA PARK

EVENTS

Save the Date for Upcoming Events!

OCT

Fitness Friendsgiving

E V E RY TU E SDAY

T UE - O C T 1 5

S AT - N OV 9

Dueling Pianos

Concert on the Green Hoe Down

FRI - OC T 1 8

DEC

Drive In Movie Pirates of the Park

You’ve Been Elfed Begins

Murder Mystery

12:30pm-3pm • Trails Amenity Center E V E RY WE DNE SDAY

12:30pm-3pm • Trails Amenity Center E V E RY F RIDAY

FR I - DEC 6

WED - OCT 30

Dominoes

Bridge M O N - DEC 2

S AT - O C T 2 6

E V E RY MO N TH

TUE - N OV 5

12 Days of Christmas Begins

Cards & Games

12:30pm-3pm • Trails Amenity Center

S AT - DEC 14

NOV

Breakfast with Santa at the Polar Express

S AT - N OV 2

S AT - DEC 21

Fall Community Yard Sale

Christmas In Central Park

Call 386-279-7700 to RSVP or for more info.

Dates and events listed are subject to change.

To keep up with the latest events, please see the weekly e-newsletter emailed out each Thursday.

Pickleball at Victoria Park Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, especially with active adults and retirees. Many Medical Health Journals and Health and Wellness studies have documented the positive health benefits of playing Pickleball, including lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, improving overall fitness levels, and lowering the risks of depression in aging adults by becoming regular participants in a serious leisure activity.

There is a very active group of Pickleball enthusiasts that play regularly right here in Victoria Park in DeLand. You can find them playing on one of the eight freshly resurfaced and lighted Pickleball Courts at the Swimming and Courts Complex in Victoria Commons. Although you will find regular scheduled play every night of the week starting at 6:30pm, the most popular nights are Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Pickleball is so much fun and easy to learn. We have friendly Victoria Park players from beginners to advanced on the courts every night and they will be more than happy to lend you a paddle and get you started playing and enjoying the game right away. AND IT’S FREE! You do not need expensive lessons to learn how to play and enjoy Pickleball. Put on some tennis shoes and come out to the the courts to give it a try! You’ll love it! For more information, come down to the courts any evening at 6:30pm.

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EVENTS

C R E S S W I N D AT V I C T O R I A G A R D E N S

Save the Date!

OCTOBE R 18 Divas Through the Decades 24 Les Misérables Bus Trip 26 Halloween Party NOVEMBE R 08 Pink Floyd Tribute 11 Veterans Day Celebration 19 Seminole Hard Rock Casino Bus Trip D ECE M BE R 08 Eagles Tribute 12-13 Vee Gee’s Holiday Concert 21 Holiday Dinner Buffet 31 New Year’s Eve Party JA NUA RY 11 Jukebox Memories with Johnathan Len 17 Karaoke 31 Residents Dance Night

Calendar is subject to change. Please contact Resident Services for further details at 386-785-2700.

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C R E S S W I N D AT V I C T O R I A G A R D E N S

SPOTLIGHT

Cresswind at Victoria Gardens Celebrates 1,000th Resident B Y C A S S I E B E N N E T T, V I C T O R I A G A R D E N S C LU B H O U S E

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omething very exciting just happened here in Victoria Gardens.

Let’s welcome Katie and Michael Mathe to the community! Little did they know, they would become the 1,000th homeowners to move into the Victoria Gardens community. The couple moved here from Cleveland, Ohio. Their son had recently moved to Florida, and a few years after that, the Mathe’s welcomed their first grandchild. The choice became apparent – move to Florida to be closer to family. They began their search for a place to call their new “forever home,” and that is how they discovered Victoria Gardens!

Their home was ready for move-in during August 2019. The Mathe’s truly loved how smooth and easy Kolter made the buying and movein process. Their home faces the preservation area, where they enjoy beautiful, stunning sunsets over the picturesque view. “We just knew this was where we were going to spend the rest of our lives,” Katie said.

The Mathe’s have visited the Clubhouse for our Breakfast Buffet, and plan to join us for more events and meals soon. The couple enjoys golfing and will be exploring the Victoria Hills golf course soon.

Their hobbies include early morning walks, bike riding, trips to the beach, and of course, precious time with their family. They are looking forward to discovering more of the hidden gems this area has to offer.

Mrs. Mathe told us this experience has brought her family closer together in many ways, and they are thrilled to be a bigger part of her grandchild’s upbringing. Welcome to Victoria Gardens, Mr. and Mrs. Mathe! We’re very happy to have you here and we appreciate you sharing your journey with us. I think it goes without saying that all of our hearts are warmed by this story and we wish you nothing but happiness in your future here at Cresswind at Victoria Gardens!

Pictured above left: Katie Mathe and Michael Mathe. Pictured above-right (left to right): Mark Bines, Kolter VP-Central Florida, Carol Duchscher, Kolter Project Coordinator, Vernette Conrad, Kolter New Home Consultant and Katie and Michael Mathe.

Elvis visits the Victoria Gardens Club!

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M A NAG E M E N T

VICTORIA HILLS GOLF CLUB

Updates from the Club B Y S C O T T W Y C K O F F, P G A / G E N E R A L M A N A G E R

As

we head into the last few months of 2019, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. In addition, thanks to everyone for their continued support of Victoria Hills through 2019.

Golf Course Maintenance Even with the recent hurricane that skirted the east coast of Florida in early September, the golf course this year has continued to be in great condition as our maintenance staff has worked tirelessly to improve the overall look and feel of the course. This past August, the facility underwent “root pruning” of the cart paths which is a process of cutting the vertical root structure that grows under the cart paths.

This reduces the buckling effect of the concrete due to the subsurface root growth of the trees near the cart paths. Also, there were over 20 tree stumps throughout the golf course that were “stump grinded” to ground level. This was done to improve the overall look of the golf course as well as eliminate personal injury as a result from golf cars running into those stumps.

we kindly ask that you use the sidewalks throughout the community when walking during the day.

Sparrow’s Lunch As you are aware, since August, Sparrow’s has not had a “set down” lunch menu service on Mondays. This was a decision based on the volume of customers during the summer months; however, beginning November 4th, Victoria Hills will restart the Monday lunch service. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope that you will plan on joining us for lunch on Mondays in November.

Sparrow’s Weekly Events As a reminder, Sparrow’s Grille continues to have weekly events such as: Pasta Night every Wednesday; Taco Night on the first and third Thursday; Wing Nights on the second and fourth Thursday; Fish Fry on the first and third Fridays; and the second Friday offers three unique entrée selections. As always, Chef Mike Morrison features our incredible Slow Roasted Prime Rib on the fourth Friday of the month. To end the week on Saturday, Sparrow’s offers an amazing build your own Burger night. If you have not experienced Sparrow’s Grille, we strongly urge you to enjoy an afternoon or evening with us, you will not be disappointed!

Special Events As the holidays approach, Victoria Hills is the perfect venue to host your event. Lisa White, Director of Sales and Events for Victoria Hills, will gladly assist you with planning any size event in either our Sparrow’s Grille or for those more intimate events, our Azalea room. She can be contacted at lwhite@hampton.golf.

Golf Course Safety As a reminder for everyone’s safety, in the past few months there have been numerous individuals walking their pets or riding bicycles onto the golf course using the golf course cart paths. I would like to remind everyone that the golf course paths are to only be used for those playing golf. Individuals are asked to use the community sidewalks when taking casual walks in the afternoon or evening. There is a danger of being hit by a golf ball as well as the increased liability to the golf course; therefore,

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We look forward to your continued support of the club by being more active in the events that are hosted at Victoria Hills and in Victoria Park. During October, we invite you to enjoy the wonderful golf course at Victoria Hills...just mention this article in The Picket Fence at time of check in and receive a green fee price of $28, plus tax, per person.

SCOTT WYCKOFF is the General Manager of the Victoria Hills Golf Club in Victoria Park. You can reach him at 386-738-6000 or by email at SWyckoff@Hampton.Golf.

“We Make Real Estate Real Easy” Experience, Energy, E-Marketing Buyers & Sellers Call “The Pastore Team” “DeLand’s New Home & Resale

Specialists”

Donna • Chuck

407-920-4667 or 407-920-3557 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate “Victoria Park Residents & Specialists” Servicing Volusia & Seminole Counties

Visit our Website: www.Pastore.CBintouch.com E-mail: DonnaChuckPastore@Gmail.com

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Local Lawyers...

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS Es t a t e Pl a n n i n g . Wi l l s . Tr u s t s . Pro b a t e .

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223 woodland blvd. deland fl 386.734.3313 | delandattorneys.com

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West Volusia

C o u n t r y s i d ea tt h eP a r k The best veterinarian is just around the corner.

(386) 337-7575 FA LL 2 0 1 9 | T H E P I C K E T F E N C E

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I know what the homes are like in the area.

So I can offer advice you can trust to help you get the protection that fits your needs.

If you’re ready to talk home insurance or need some advice about protecting all that’s important to you, call me today.

Govreau & Associates, Inc. 386-738-6955 2251 S. Woodland Blvd.

DeLand, FL 32720 jgovreau@allstate.com

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240352

Your home is a big investment. Protect it. © 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.

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525 E. Victoria Trails Blvd.

DeLand, FL 32724 386-738-2112 www.myvictoriapark.com

LET YOUR FRIENDS FALL IN LOVE WITH VICTORIA PARK

With limited opportunities remaining at Cresswind at Victoria Gardens and brand-new homesites available in Victoria Hills, now is the perfect time to make a friend your neighbor.

Invite them to stop by and experience a taste of the ideal Central Florida lifestyle.

VICTORIA HILLS Golf Neighborhood Living

CRESSWIND AT VICTORIA GARDENS Active Adult Living

386-873-4680 • VictoriaParkDeland.com