Photo: Courtesy Cherry Heck
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Welcome to the March 2025 edition of Harmony Life Magazine.
Suenos Tenampa Mexican Restaurant is slated to open this month in Harmony (where Phyre was located)!
In case you missed last month’s announcement: The Community Building (where Phyre was, and the Gold Course/Gym resides) — as well as the old Welcome Center — has been purchased! Visit HarmonyFitnessCenter.com to reach the new owners who are bringing a Christian school, serving Pre-K through 5th grade, opening in August. The school is called “Heart of a Child” and will be operating in the old welcome center building.
Did you know that my wife, Jeanine Corcoran, puts out a weekly video and email for all the Harmony events? Send me your email address and I will add you to the list. You can always opt out at any time: Bill@QMCWorld.com
Harmony Life Magazine is produced by residents for residents. Please feel free to message me directly with content and pictures: Bill@QMCWorld.com
Remember to join the Facebook Harmony Residents Forum AND THE NEW, ADDITIONAL, HARMONY RESIDENTS FORUM, NO DRAMA.
See you in April!
Bill Bokunic, Publisher Bill@QMCWorld.com
CONTACT INFO FOR RESIDENTS
CDD HarmonyCDD.org, 407-566-1935 Dan, Jo, Lucas, Brittany or Julie @HarmonyCDD.org
SHERIFF, NON-EMERGENCY 407-348-2222
HROA Association Solutions, 811 Mabette St., Kissimmee 407-847-2280, www.MyHOASolution.com
CONDOS HOA Association Solutions, 407-847-2280
TOWNHOMES HOA Association Solutions, 811 Mabette St., Kissimmee 407-847-2280, www.MyHOASolution.com
MARCH 2025
A publication of Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC www.QMCWorld.com
PUBLISHER & CEO
Bill Bokunic
321.331.6398
Bill@QMCWorld.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Renée Blair
Blair Creative Group, Inc.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Cherry Heck
CONTRIBUTORS
Jeanine Corcoran
Corcoran Connect
Kim Kirsch
National Marketing Director, Healthcare Solutions Team
Dan Leet
Chairman, Harmony CDD
The opinions expressed in the Harmony Life Magazine articles are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Quantum Marketing Communications, Harmony Life Magazine or the Publisher.
Harmony Life Magazine, Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC and the Publisher can, in no way whatsoever, be held responsible for the content of such views, nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views.
All rights reserved. No part of any Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
CABLE / INTERNET 877-892-3279
LINK CABLE / INTERNET 866-314-4148
3501 Pug Mill Rd. Kissimmee, FL 34741
OsceolaFL@advanceddisposal.com
OSCEOLA COUNTY Osceola.org “Citizen Action Center”
COUNTY COMMISSIONER ricky.booth@osceola.org
RICKY BOOTH
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
By Dan Leet Chairman, Harmony Community Development District
CDD BOND REFINANCING
Hello! In case we haven’t met, my name is Dan Leet. My family has lived on Dark Sky Drive for nine years, and I’ve been serving on the CDD Board since 2020. I’m always happy to answer any questions about CDD issues; the best way to reach me is dan@harmonycdd.org. This column about bonds may not be the most exciting, but I think it’s important to make as much information available as possible.
One of the main reasons for CDDs existing is to allow developers to secure bonds to fund the initial construction of neighborhoods. As a municipal bond, the assessment shows up on the homeowner’s property tax, where it will be paid off over the course of 30 years. There were two bonds originally issued for Harmony — Series 2001 for the first phase to the left of the main entrance, and Series 2004 for the second phase to the right. These original bonds were refinanced by Series 2014 and Series 2015 bonds respectively, which show up on your current tax bill. Both of these bonds will be callable as of May, meaning they are eligible to be refinanced one last time before they reach maturity in 2032 and 2036.
I’ll be honest, I was skeptical when I was approached about a potential refinance. But as I learned more details, I came to believe that it is a viable option for the CDD to consider. The maturity date won’t change, and property owners should save around 11-14% on their bond assessments. Since the community has a good payment history and a relatively short time left until maturity, there will be a much smaller amount that will need to be held in reserve to cover defaults.
The company that prepared the refinance deal, FMS Bonds, was involved in both the original bond issue and the prior refinance. They have estimated a rate of 4.2 to 4.35% that would be secured for the new bonds. Their performance is contingent — there will be a minimum amount of savings that would be provided to the CDD, otherwise
the deal won’t go through and they won’t get paid. The CDD is also requesting proposals from other underwriters, to make sure we are getting the best deal possible.
Now let’s talk about risk. The CDD would be responsible for paying for District Counsel to review and prepare the transaction, even if the deal fell through. If the economy takes a turn for the worse, and suddenly a lot of properties miss their payments, the CDD would need to dip into reserves to cover the shortfall, or risk defaulting. On the other hand, if interest rates were to fall in the short term, it could be that the District would’ve saved more by waiting and refinancing at an even lower rate. These bonds are close enough to maturity that they would not be callable, and could not be refinanced before they’re finally paid off. Refinancing now would not prevent the CDD from issuing a new bond — I can imagine this would only be needed in the event of a major unexpect-
ed expense, like (heaven forbid) rebuilding after a natural disaster.
While my personal preference would be to use the refinance to reduce everybody’s bond assessment, it would also be possible to use those funds for a large project of some kind. This could be a brand-new amenity in front of Buck Lake — past suggestions have included pickleball courts, a fitness trail, or even a putt-putt course. It might be possible to construct new trails through CDDowned conservation areas, to replace those that were recently abandoned by Harmony West. The funds could also be used for upcoming capital projects, such as alleyway repaving in the Green neighborhood. These projects have typically been paid from Operations & Maintenance Reserves, and recent O&M increases have been made with these projects in mind. Bond refinance funds could offset further O&M increases in the near term, while maintaining a com-
fortable level of reserves for unexpected expenses.
Finally, I’d like to show you the detailed numbers that were prepared by FMS. The numbers are net, meaning they already account for the fee that FMS would take for themselves. The CDD will be voting on this in our March 27th meeting, with up-to-date numbers provided by FMS. All feedback is welcome — please feel free to email myself or any other Board member, or better yet attend the meeting yourself. We’re meeting in a new location, Su Mesa Café in Harmony Square, or you can attend via Zoom. All this information is available on the CDD website, http://harmonycdd.org, in the Agenda for the February meeting. As always, thanks for your interest! n
By Kim Kirsch Healthcare Solutions Team
NEW PARENT? What to Expect at That Important First Dental Visit
Babies should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). This early visit is essential for establishing a foundation for good oral health and can help parents learn how to care for their child’s teeth.
The first dental appointment isn’t just about checking for cavities; it’s also an opportunity for parents to ask questions about oral hygiene practices, diet, and the best ways to care for emerging teeth. For example, during this visit, the dentist will likely examine the baby's mouth and gums and discuss the importance of brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. They may also provide tips on how to manage teething discomfort and what types of foods to avoid to promote healthy teeth.
Another important aspect of the first dental visit is discussing habits that can affect oral health, such as thumb sucking or prolonged use of a bottle. The dentist can guide parents on how to address these habits early on to prevent potential dental issues later.
Additionally, establishing a dental home early helps children become familiar with the dental office environment, which can reduce anxiety and fear associated with dental visits in the future. A positive first experience can set the tone for a lifetime of good dental health and regular visits.
If you’re unsure about the right time for your baby’s first dental visit or have questions about what to expect, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to support you in
making the best choices for your child’s oral health.
Call us today at 407-870-3462, and let’s discuss how to ensure your baby gets off to a great start with their dental care! n
FLOORING :
KITCHEN
HARMONY, FLORIDA: LIVING WITH NATURE IN A NEW TOWN
By Harmony's Own, Anthony James Catanese
We know that Harmony is a very special place. This book tells how it was done. It started with a vision supported by science on how important regular interaction with nature and animals is to human health. This led to creating a new community whereby these interactions were incorporated at the very beginning of the development. It is intended for people who want to learn and take action. We can achieve greatness and conservation through proper development of our land. This is how to do it.
QUICK REFERENCE DIRECTORY
ADVERTISING & MAGAZINES
Harmony Life
Bill Bokunic
321-331-6398
Bill@QMCWorld.com www.QMCWorld.com
AIR-CONDITION SERVICES
Access Air
Eric Farnsworth
*Harmony Resident* 407-921-0760 ELFarnsworth@live.com
AUTO DEALER
Kisselback Ford 1118 13th Street St. Cloud 407-892-2141 www.KisselbackFord.com
CHURCH
Harmony Community Church
Meeting 10am Sundays at Harmony Community School (844) 444-FBCH www.HarmonyCommunity.church
CHIROPRACTOR
Living Well Chiropractic
*Harmony Resident* 4041 13th St. St. Cloud 34768 407-957-1337 www.LivingWellCFL.com
GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS
D.S.I.
Sales / Service / Repairs 407-970-5847
dsigaragedoor@yahoo.com www.dsigaragedoorandopener.com
GOLF CLUB
Royal St. Cloud Golf Links 5310 Michigan Ave. St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-891-7010
GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES
Blair Creative Group, Inc.
Renée Blair
Lake Nona 321-972-3669 www.BlairCG.com
HOSPITAL
Orlando Health
St. Cloud Hospital 2906 17th St., St. Cloud 407-892-2135 www.OrlandoHealth.com
INSURANCE
Brightway Insurance, The Sterner Agency 407-891-9361 www.BrightwaySterner.com
Gredy Insurance
Brady Evans
*Harmony Resident* 812-798-2199 brady@gredyinsurance.com
Healthcare Solutions Team Kim Kirsch 407-870-3462 kkirsch@myhst.com
Kisselback Insurance Agency
Ashely Evans 321-316-3360 1118 13th St. St. Cloud 34769
LAWN SERVICE
Champions Property Maintenance
*Harmony Resident* Joe Murray 407-766-5051 ChampionPropertyMaintenanceLLC@gmail.com
MORTGAGE LENDING
Northpoint Mortgage Mike Demarse 407-712-7303 mdemarse@northpoint.com www.MikeDemarse.com
MUSIC LESSONS
Harmony Performance
Arts Studio
Amber Lanning & Ellen Short Voice/Piano/Acting 682-936-9551
PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING
AAA All Star Painting LLC. Commerical & Residential Licensed & Insured 407-908-5525
Performance Soft Wash LLC. Exterior House Cleaning & Paver Sealing 407-729-7567
PARK
Wild Florida
3301 Lake Cypress Rd. Kenansville 407-957-3135 www.WildFL.com
PET GROOMING
Rivera's Pet Luv Spa 407-556-3555 7264 S. Harmony Square Dr.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Abbey Evans Photography Weddings, Families, Newborns, Seniors www.abbeyevansphoto.com
REAL ESTATE
Corcoran Connect
*Harmony Resident*
Jeanine Corcoran Owner/Broker Buy/Sell/Rent/Property Mgmt. 407-953-9118 www.CorcoranConnect.com
REMODELING
All Flooring USA & Cabinets 1021 N. Narcoosee Rd., St. Cloud Located Next to Domino's 407-593-9481 www.AllFlooringUSA.com
ROOFING
Hogan Roofing Corben Hogan 407-449-ROOF Office@HoganRoofs.com www.HoganRoofs.com/Refer
TRAVEL
Meisner Cruise and Travel
*Harmony Resident* 407-738-7088 • tvlwithlinda@gmail.com
Facebook: Harmony Get Aways With Meissner Travel
WATER SYSTEMS
Dependable Water Treatment 407-242-7150
WINE & SPIRITS
Levee Liquor & Gas
Now Delivering in Harmony! 718 13th St., St. Cloud 407-593-9605 www.LeveeLiquor.com
