November 2018 by Windermere Scene

THIRD EDITION

November 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

Get a piece of the Rock Black Rock Bar & Grill

Kaleb Ogden

Behind the Badge

SHARE THE FARE

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

407.603.2560

The Windermere Way I’ve been a Windermere resident long enough not to be too surprised anymore by most things I see or hear around town.

Publisher Andrew Haines andrew@lanahpublishing.com President Leah Haines leah@lanahpublishing.com Editor Brian Ackley brian@lanahpublishing.com Creative Director Jules Franzese jules@lanahpublishing.com Contributors Irma Yapor Jesslyn Hernandez Micah Kurtz Photography Philip Podskalan

Contact Us 625 Main Street Windermere, FL 34786 www.lanahpublishing.com www.windermerescene.com For advertising opportunities, please contact: andrew@lanahpublishing.com

Yet, I have to admit, I was taken back a bit from something I read in our September issue of Windermere Scene. In our profile of Mayor Gary Bruhn, he noted that something like 18,000 cars a day come through our little corner of heaven. Obviously, we have a lot of traffic. But I had no idea it was actually that much. While solutions are in various stages of discussion and discovery, it’s going to be a while before that number improves much. But what if we could get some of those people to come back? Come back to enjoy our beauty, shop at our stores, eat at our restaurants, to discover what we are truly all about? In the last couple of years, we are making a concerted effort to do just that. Windermere is becoming an “event” destination, getting those people who use us mainly as a pathway from one point to another to come back and actually spend some quality time with us. Last month’s second annual craft beer festival was, not surprisingly, a big hit. We also saw in September the first ever Art, Wine and Music Stroll, a great idea that combines efforts of local artists and musicians and downtown businesses that highlighted the best of what we have to offer. There are several longstanding events – hope you have your tickets already for the fabulous annual Windermere Wine and Dine and our annual fine art show is one of the best anywhere – but we’ve seen a big surge in new ideas to help celebrate our town. And now you can add to the growing list Windermere’s first ever Holiday Makers Market juried craft show. Being a juried show insures the quality of who, and what, will be there, and it already seems destined to become a local holiday tradition giving everyone a chance to do some unique, one-of-a-kind, quality Christmas shopping like no other. With food trucks, entertainment and a lakeside setting, it’s a chance for outsiders to come back, relax, and enjoy something truly “Windermere”. We’re new too, and proud to help sponsor this family-friendly event. Warmly,

Andrew G. Haines Publisher

Windermere Scene is published 12x per year by Lanah Publishing. The opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publishers. We will make mistakes, so don't be too harsh when we do. We're human just like you. Sharing articles on social media from our digital publication is encouraged.

ut of the Past

Windermere, Fair Windermere

Brian Ackley

In 1930, the population of Windermere was a robust 181 people. Interestingly, the town’s growth didn’t really begin in earnest for another 20 years or so. The 1940 census showed just 167 town residents. But by 1950, the count had risen to 317, almost double the number from the prior decade. By 1960, the number nearly doubled again, to 576. Those 181 people were just a sliver of what made up Orange County in 1930. There were 50,102 people in the county then, a county which then lived up to its namesake by producing $7 million in citrus every growing season. There were seven golf courses, and about 6,200 homes had telephone service then. It was also the year Windermere resident C.M. Hiles penned “Fair Windermere”, a poem published Oct. 12, 1930, in the Orlando Sunday Sentinel. The story referenced “a fine community spirit in Windermere promoted by a splendid class of citizens.” Words as true today as they were almost

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90 years ago. Same goes for “Fair Windermere,” reprinted here. O Windermere, fair Windermere – O Land-0-lakes, to me so dear, Of thee I sing a song of love And gratitude to Him above Who led my wandering footsteps here To rest and peace in Windermere Up from the south at the break of morn Thro’ orange trees by soft winds borrne Comes with the dawn a sweet perfume Hearld of Spring with bud and bloom And passeth not, but lingers here In Windermere, fair Windermere White fleecy clouds go drifting by Beneath the stars, across the sky, Tall pines there are that sway and bend And graceful palms their fronds extend To hold thee fast and keep thee here In Windermere, fair Windermere At eventide the whippoorwill And mocking bird their love notes trill, Great herons with their homeward way The red birds sing a roundelay, In Windermere, fair Windermere, Sweet music to the listening ear.

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Windermere Real Estate MARKET REPORT

September 2018 Housing Snapshot*

Windermere Real Estate is a buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market as inventory still strong and sales have decreased. Windermere single family home values have gone down 7% as an average compared last year. Overall rentals decreased 42% compared to last year, with a median leased price of $1990/mo. Windermere continues to be a desirable place to live.

Overall Current Inventory:

Overall Pending Sales:

Highest Priced SFR* Listing:

Highest Priced SFR* Sale:

413

103

$28,000,000

$3,300,000

Overall New Listings

Overall Median Listing Price

Median Days on Market

September 2018

Th/C = Median Sold Price

Overall Sales Volume

$744k

SFR = Median Sold Price

$478k

This Market Report is PREPARED BY:

$237k

Down 7%

compared to September 2017

Up 10.23%

Down 8.3%

compared to September 2017

6-Month Median Sales Chart $500k

$400k

$300k

Irma Yapor

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Branch Office Broker

eXp Realty Windermere 625 Main Street, Suite 103 Windermere, FL 34786 407-909-9200 IrmaYapor.com 6 | WINDERMERE SCENE

*All statistical information is based on data provided by MFRMLS. Data shown is representative of the time frame and property types selected, and is based on both current listing inventory and recent sales data. The average and median numbers are approximate. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. We are not responsible for any innacuracies provided by the source. =

SFR = Single Family Residence; Th/C = Townhouse/Condo.

October ‘18

Contents Food

Eats Windermere Ice & Bites

Share the Fare Hawkers Asian Street Market

Get a Piece of the Rock Black Rock Bar & Grill

Travel

Health & Fitness

Five of Florida’s most unique day trips Fort Pickens, Bok Tower Gardens, Villa Zorayda Museum, Bob’s River Place, Blowing Rocks Preserve

A Dance and a Dream Windermere’s Kristin Weissman

The Best Exercise that You’re Probably Not Doing

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BEHIND THE BADGE Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden and his wife Shelly turn personal tragedy into an outreach mission to help parents who have lost a child. Shelly and Dave Ogden spent half a lifetime planning for their son’s death. A little longer than that, actually. Kaleb Ogden was born Sept. 25, 2008, and was finally diagnosed with Sandhoff ’s disease in March, 2010. More than two years later – half of Kaleb’s lifetime -- the youngster who never spoke a word but touched tens of thousands of hearts, passed away Oct. 3, 2012. For those two and a half excruciating years – the disease progressively kills nerve cells in the brain and spine – there were awful unknowns but one terrible certainty for Dave, and his wife who had her own 12-year career with the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office.

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“He is going to die. He absolutely is going to die and there’s nothing you can do about it but watch it happen,” Dave recalled. “For me it was more why him. Take me. And with both of us being in law enforcement we’re fixers, let’s fix it,” Shelly added. “You can’t fix it.” There were no immediate signs of trouble. For the first few months of a child’s life who is afflicted with the rare malady, all seems well. But by six months or so, when motor skills start to more fully develop, symptoms appear. “He was seven months old, and I kept saying something’s not right. He was smiling, he was engaging. But he would fall over and never try and catch himself. His bib would fall up on his face and he would never try to take it off,” Shelly recalled. “We just had that feeling.” Also known as Tay-Sachs Disease, there is no treatment or cure. And no way to truly quantify the pain.

“If you lose your spouse, you’re a widow. If you lose your parents you’re an orphan. But there isn’t a word if you lose your child, there’s no word to describe this. That’s the kind of grief and pain that comes along with it,” Dave said. The decision to turn Kaleb’s story into help for other couples who have lost children wasn’t quick, or conscious. It evolved organically, and perhaps predictably, an unavoidable calling that the couple has answered by counseling those who find themselves in a similarly devastating situation. They don’t claim to have a magic wand to offer instant relief. Often, there aren’t even a lot of words spoken. “People who lose children just find each other. There is just this natural and innate connection. People who have lost a child have this instant bond that can’t be described. We can’t fix their problems, but we can be a best friend,” Dave said. He has shared his story many times over, with large groups, small settings, and of course one-on-one which is the toughest of all. “We don’t have a monopoly on grief. It’s just shared experiences, we can mourn with them and kind of help pick them up. At the end of the day it’s just be with people, walk along side them,” he added. “We believe we’re called to share the story of what we went through and how we were able to get through that. When you can’t see that light at the end of the tunnel, and you see someone who has made it through that tunnel, I think that is pure hope. If you can give that tiny bit of hope, that’s all you can do right then and there.” She spends her days now at the couple’s gym in Clermont – Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Center – where Kaleb’s picture is on the door, and the couple funds a scholarship program which allows youngsters in-need a chance to participate. Shelly’s outreach work is more behind the scenes. Her blog – at www.ogdenfamily.weebly.com – has been viewed tens of thousands of times. And she runs a private facebook page mainly for Mom’s working through their grief. “Grief is not something you get over. You learn to live with it. I keep waiting for the day it gets easier, but it doesn’t, or it hasn’t yet,” she said. “You have days when it’s less painful than others, but it’s with me every day. It’s just some days you deal (Continue to page 12) WINDERMERE SCENE | 9

(Continue from page 11) better with it.” They have made life-long friends from support groups they joined just weeks after Kaleb’s diagnosis, generously supporting those organizations and families with not only their time, but fundraisers that have raised going on $100,000. The outreach and education has meant Kaleb’s life was far from being in vain. “You’re always proud of your son, he scored a touchdown, he scored a goal,” Dave added. “But there aren’t too many people who can say at four years old, my son touched 100,000 lives in a positive way all across the world. His name and his story is known all across the world. If that story makes you a better Dad, a better Mom, a better parent, it’s all because of him.”

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RESTAURANTS

Orlando foodie girl EATS WINDERMERE Ice and Bites had me at ‘hello’ Jesslyn Hernandez In this third issue of Windermere Scene Magazine, I stepped my toes over the rim and beyond the border of my dearest city of Windermere to showcase an eatery that truly reflects the diversity and the essence of this rich Central Floridan culture.

siasts and other social media platforms. They boasted of the fun and the tasty bites from this small eatery in a strip mall with grass lined walls and emoji pillows on their seats, so I walked towards the attendant and that’s where my food journey began.

This was an eatery “that had me at hello.”

“What can I get for you?” The attendant eagerly asked. I thought I knew as I had done my research previously, which is what you do as a food reviewer, but now I was boggled. Where would I start?

A short drive across a few roads and a highway or two, led me to one of my favorite discoveries. I was instantly transported to what I envisioned as a Japanese millennials favorite hang out. Stepping through the glass doors of this bright and whimsically themed Japanese inspired eatery, I immediately stretched my grin as the sweet scents of lavender and of taro infused ice cream seeped deep into the walls of my hypersensitive nose. The buttery smell of the freshly grilled, fish shaped, waffle cone was welcoming and only reflected the smile of the cheerful attendant behind the counter. The only thing on my mind as I inhaled the rich and sweet smells was the beautiful fish shaped ice cream cone that I had often seen in Instagram pictures taken by food enthu12 | WINDERMERE SCENE

“What do you recommend?” I asked. My eyes glazed across the creamy mango, the smooth lavender, the rich green tea and the vast variety of ice cream flavors that I was eager to try. Each of them was scented of sugary cream. He smiled and said, “Hold on, let me get you a spoon.” And that’s how this new food adventure began, spoon after spoon till the spoon became a scoop. This month in Windermere Scene Magazine, I am featuring “Ice & Bites Cafe.” A small and unique “fun bites” shop near the main campus of the University of Central Florida. The cafe was opened back in June of 2014 by a native Flo-

ridian nick-named “Big Dave.” His inspiration for this unique and upbeat eatery developed from his deep love for traveling and his deeper love for food. Dave’s goal was to bring to the city of Orlando a new food experience and to make a contribution of richer diversity to the Orlando city food scene. So what can you expect to find at Ice & Bites? *Soft ribbons of flavored ice cream, dressed with fruits, nuts, and assorted toppings. *Fish shaped waffle cones filled with chicken bites and house tossed syrup. *Affogato! Ice cream and a double shot of espresso in a smiling cup topped with cotton candy that melts to the warmth of the pouring coffee. *Rice burgers made with Chicken Katsu or crispy Tofu Bites It is the perfect spot to visit with your children, with your family, with your friends or even on a cheat day. It’s definitely worth the drive. I sampled several of these treats and enjoyed many new exciting foods until my Ice & Bites Cafe food adventure ended. It ended as I walked out the glass doors with my warm cone that held the green tea, lavender and taro ice cream adorned with sweet gummy worms, crunchy cereal and freshly cut fruit under a swirl of warm and melted rich white chocolate. And, yes, if you need to know, I ate it all!

To see more pictures of Ice & Bites Cafe and of other top restaurants, shops and eateries across Central Florida, follow me on Instagram @orlandofoodiegirl and don't forget to keep your eyes open for new and exciting restaurant features in the next issue of Windermere Scene Magazine. Ice & Bites Cafe 3402 Technological Ave #220, Orlando, FL 32817 Open seven days a week, 12p.m.-10 p.m. | 407.208.1340 WINDERMERE SCENE | 13

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Share the Fare

Brian Ackley One of Windermere’s newest eateries has an usual mission statement, unusual approach to restauranting and unusal success. Almost immediately, Kaleb Harrell and Allen Lo knew they had a problem. A good problem, but a problem nonetheless, when the restaurant’s four co-founders debuted their first Hakwers Asian Street Fare restaurant in downtown Orlando. “The first day we opened we did $750 in sales. The second day we did $1,500. The third day we did $3,000. We were like ‘awesome’. We were high fiving, we’ve got something people love,” Harrell recalled. 16 | WINDERMERE SCENE

Adds Lo: “We we’re never focused on the success or the money. Before we knew it, we were cooking, and there was a line around the building, and we had to look at each other and really ask ourselves, what now? We all had day jobs. We were like ‘we can’t keep this up forever.’” While it took virtually no time for Hawkers to become a hit – it’s named after street vendors in southeast Asia who sell local foods from carts and small stands – it took seven more years for it to arrive in Windermere. The locally-based chain opened on Conroy-Windermere Road at the end of April.

“When you go to Asia, the best food is on the street, and there will he hawker stalls lining the street and in the middle is communal seating. Every stall specializes in one or two dishes and we would all grab five or six things and bring it back to these communal tables and share the food and talk about the food,” Harrell said. Lo, who grew up in suburban Cincinnati, the son of parents who ran a traditional Asian restaurant brought many traditional family favorite recipes to the effort. “I’d do my homework there. I’d take a nap there, help with some prep. And do it all over again next day,” he recalled. “But there was always a family meal

every day where we would feed the employees. And every time my parents or the chefs would cook these very unique dishes. I always wondered how come we feed ourselves this but sell that? In their heads they were like, ‘oh, Americans aren’t ready for that.’ Which helps explain Hawkers unique mission statement “Be disruptive, always care, never compromise.” “Disruptive means that we’re going to approach the restaurant experience a little differently. So for our guests that’s going to mean they’re going to need a little more explanation and be a little more adventurous than your average restaurant goer,” Harrell said. There are traditional dishes like coconut shrimp or roast duck, but much of the menu is dotted with unique offerings like Filipino style crispy chicken skin, pork shoulder or Singapore chili crab. There are some 30 beer offerings to help wash it all down, and an extensive and creative selections of vegetarian and gluten free dishes as well. (Wok-seared tofu, broccoli, napa, carrots, bell peppers, shiitake and straw mushrooms anyone?) Central to sitting down at Hawkers is knowing that the meal will be a little different. Mostly on the menu are small dishes, meant to be shared and discussed as part of the overall dining experience. Food comes out of the kitchen as it is prepared, not ordered. So one or two of your dishes might show up in five minutes, and two or three more five or 10 minutes later. That’s how it was many years ago when the pair, along with co-founders Wayne Yung and Kin Ho, used to cross the globe together in search of their next great culinary adventure. “We would travel together and the focus was always food,” said Lo, a Windermere resident who attended Dr. Phillips High School. “It took work, an effort to find the local food back then. We were kind of foodies before it was a thing.” The Windermere location is set up so large groups (Continue to pg 20) WINDERMERE SCENE | 17

9100 Conroy-Windermere Road Sun- Tues, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Wed-Thurs, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. www.eathawkers.com | 407-583-6334

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Asian roots, but an All-American story After Orlando, the four partners in Hawkers Asian Street Fare decided to make Jacksonville their second market. Expansion has been deliberate and calculated, by design. Other Florida locations include St. Petersburg, Neptune Beach and Delray Beach. Outside the state, restaurants have opened in Atlanta and Charlotte too. “We want Hawkers to be a cool experience. Part of being cool or hip is exclusivity. We really want to be cognizant to not over-saturate. Our average radius for customers is a lot larger than most restaurants,” one of the co-founders, Kaleb Harrell said. “Part of the business side is taking calculated risks, and that was a big one. Next to the first store that was the biggest risk we took, a new market, nobody knows who we are, how are we going to make it? We had maxed out every personal credit card, the whole deal,” Harrell added. “We unlocked the doors – we just basically didn't have any money left – and we beat our sales record the first day we opened. That's when the light bulb went on, like 'alright, we've got something,' it's sustainable, it's doable.'”

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(Continue from pg 17) can easily share dishes and conversation just as the quartet did when owning their own restaurant wasn’t even much of a dream.

up in Polk County. “We’re bringing people together. That’s really the business we’re in. Part of it is fantastic food. Part of it is the conversations we have when we’re eating it.”

“As we go to Hawker stalls, we all part ways and we all go grab whatever our heart desires. And we bring it back to the table and the conversation starts. It’s like ‘what did you get?’ And we’re reaching over the table and grabbing everything we see,” he added. “We wanted to make sure we could share that experience. It’s very communal.”

That they are in Windermere at all is quite a coup. The four are very selective about their locations, and in fact, this is the first store that ventured into a true suburban setting.

What they learned from those trips, and from their early days in Orlando, is that Hawkers isn’t just about what comes out of the kitchen. “We all know that food brings people together. The Asian culture has nailed that. One of the greetings is ‘hey, did you eat yet?’ It’s not hello. The food we’re creating is incredible, but it really goes deeper than that,” said Harrell, who grew

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“Winderemere just felt right. It just made sense. It’s just where we wanted to be,” Lo added. “We’ve been doing this for eight years together. We’ve been friends for almost 20 years. We like to have fun. It was never about creating the next, best, hottest concept that we’re going to take nationwide. That thought never crossed our mind. Our only hope was to create a cool space that we could go an hang out.” Which, as they are proving right down the street, they did, about as perfectly as could be.

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Get a piece of the Rock

Brian Ackley Guests cook their own meat, seafood right in front of them on a 755 degree volcanic stone at Black Rock Bar and Grill, Windermere’s most unique restaurant. It’s too bad a couple of insurance companies beat them to the punch. Because “so easy a caveman could do it”, or “get a piece of the rock,” would fit nicely in describing Windermere’s most unique and entertaining eatery, the Black Rock Bar 22 | WINDERMERE SCENE

and Grill, which in the coming months will be closing in on its three-year anniversary on Conroy Road. That’s almost three years of throwing wonderful steaks and shrimp and tuna fillets – or any other manner of appetizers and entrées from cheese fondue pretzels to Habanero chicken – on a 755 degree volcanic granite rock right at your table. And yes, you do the cooking, which is all part of the truly one-of-a-kind experience diners get on each visit.

It’s a concept that, one could argue, harkens back to the discovery of fire, fulfilling a modern day primal instinct, although the hunting and gathering has already been done for you. (And spectacularly. Scallops, for example are the size of ping pong balls, and shrimp are whatever comes next after jumbo.) “It’s upscale sports bar meets steakhouse” owner Scott Anderson said. True, there are some three dozen television sets unobtrusively scattered throughout much of the restaurant, but it leans much more to the classic steakhouse side, with a warm, upscale, sophisticated and softer ambiance than most burger and beer joints. There are many myths that are quickly dispelled on just one visit. For example, you don’t need a second mortgage to eat there. A 6 oz sirloin, which because of the baseball cut featured at Black Rock is remarkably tender, and two sides, like baked potatoes or soup or salad is just $16.99. “All the steaks are certified Angus beef which are the top two percent of all choice cuts,” Anderson revealed. “If you (Continue to pg 26) WINDERMERE SCENE | 23

secrets for eating at Black Rock

Don't rush. “The stone is going to stay hot for 30 to 45 minutes. You don't have to race. Just relax and enjoy the experience. Cut it off an enjoy it one bite at a time,” owner Scott Anderson said. The baseball cut. “It's a tall cut of beef,” Anderson explains of their certified black angus. The thickness allows searing on the outside, leaving almost all of the inside totally rare to cook each bite to your own personal doneness. Eyes on the meat, not your watch. The menu suggests cooking time for each cut of meat or seafood, but trust your eyes and experiment a little to get it just right. “You start going off the color you like instead of worrying about the time. Medium might be different to you than it is to someone else,” Anderson said. Be a good listener. Black Rock invests heavily in training its staff to make sure they can properly educate customers on how to maximize their experience. Put that bubbling shrimp on a stone appetizer down and pay attention! Your taste buds will thank you later. Dont rush, part two – Remember, you're cooking on a 755 degree surface! Don't take that steak immediately off the rock and directly to your mouth. Let it cool for at least a few seconds! 24 | WINDERMERE SCENE

Sun - Thurs 11AM - 10PM, Fri - Sat 11AM - 11PM 8965 Conroy Windermere, Orlando, FL 32835 www.blackrockwindermere.com | 407.505.5195

l S

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(Continue from pg 23)

flower steak or their Art of Sicily sandwich, grilled portobellos with Swiss cheese, baby spinach, tomato, artichoke salsa all topped with a balsamic drizzle on a brioche bun. The gluten free menu is as extensive as any around. But make no mistake, most guests, especially once they’ve been there once or twice, are ready for the sizzle and steam of the stone. (Share the food, or course! But each diner gets his own rock.) In fact, two out of every three items that come out of the hustling kitchen – which houses ovens that can heat up to 648 stones – involve the nine-by-nine inch slab. “The stone is the key. The first time people come in they’re a little unsure and they’ll order something conventional like a burger or a sandwich or salad,” Anderson observed. “But as they sit there enjoying their meal, and you see all the food go by and see people eating off the stone it’s like “ahhh, that’s what it is. It’s hard to describe. You just have to do it.” The concept actually dates to 2010, when the Morganroth family opened its first location on Oct. 27, 2010. There are now six additional Michigan locations, along with restaurants now in Tampa and Brandon (with Ft. Lauderdale coming soon), Naperville, Illinois, and Toledo, Ohio. Once guests experience what Black Rock is all about, there’s little doubt about what keeps bringing them back.

have a sirloin here, it tastes like a filet. And the filet is another level.” And if you’re not into potatoes or soup, inspired “sides” include such distinctive items as butternut squash puree and asparagus, without an up charge. Another is, it’s not a place for the kids. Quite to the contrary. A recent Sunday night visit showed Black Rock teeming with tots and teens, including many in one of the restaurant’s private dinning rooms which have hosted everything from baptism parties to wedding proposals. (A holiday get together in one of the rooms would be a Christmas memory to savor!) “Kids actually love it. They love the stone, it’s kind of like a forbidden thing at home,” Anderson added. A third: It’s not just for meat lovers. Seafood “on the rocks” – and yes there’s a full bar so your cocktails can also be “on the rocks”, but they won’t be served at 755 degrees – is equally as good. There are vegetarian options like Cauli26 | WINDERMERE SCENE

“It’s a phenomenal experience. The food, the quality of the food, the flavor of the food is phenomenal. They never go back once they’ve cooked on the stone is the short version of it,” Anderson added. “It’s not a shtick thing. The quality of the food and the flavors are a whole other level. Your meat stays hot and fresh throughout the meal. The last bite is as hot as your first. ” It takes a full eight hours to heat the stone to its perfect 755 degree temperature, and the volcanic properties allow it to say super heated for a long time. Even the cheese dip served with the buttery “dueling pretzel” appetizer was literally bubbling in its crock atop one of the stones 20 minutes after it was first served. “On a holiday we’ll go through all of those (stones) and then some,” Anderson joked. Another treat is the “rock sauce”, one of several condiments that can give each bite its own unique taste. Their signature

creation is a type of creamy au jus that makes a wonderful dipping sauce. “I won’t give you a regular steak sauce until you try ours,” Anderson joked. Even baseball all-star Johnny Damon, a Windermere guy who knows a thing or two about big hits, isn’t surprised Black Rock has become so popular. He and wife Michelle are regular guests. In Michigan, where he first discovered the experience, it’s not uncommon for wait times to be two or three hours. “I like to cook steaks at home, so it actually makes sense because a lot of times you’re at a restaurant and they under cook it or over cook it. This way it comes out perfectly,” Damon noted. Actually, Black Rock has come up with a pretty good slogan of their own, “755 degrees of sizzling satisfaction.” But we rather like the question they often ask, one which has an easy answer after just a couple of visits: “Why eat ordinary when you can eat on a rock?” WINDERMERE SCENE | 27

of Florida's most unique day trips

No, Florida can’t lay claim to the world’s biggest ball of yarn. And, really, whose going to drive a few hours out of their way to see that anyway? But, there are hidden gems all over the Sunshine State that are truly worth the effort to get there, even if it’s just for an hour or two between destinations that might be on your travel itinerary. Here are five of our favorites that while maybe not bucket list items are worth your time nonethelesss. Fort Pickens | Pensecola Beach Why you should go: Built by U.S. Army engineer Major William Chase, who fought for the Confederacy, Fort Pickens was taken over by the Union at the start of the Civil War, and remained in the North’s hands for the duration, despite many southern attempts to take it. Fun fact: Apache War Chief Geronimo was once housed as a prisoner here. 28 | WINDERMERE SCENE

Bok Tower Gardens | Lake Wales Why you should go: A $12 million overhaul and expansion was concluded just a few years ago, and included a magnificent new Children’s Garden. Lush and serene, it’s basically everything Disney isn’t. Fun fact: Magazine mogul Edward Bok built the bell tower in 1929 as a tribute to his wife. He died less than a year after it was completed, and is buried at the base of the 205foot tower.

Villa Zorayda Museum St. Augustine Why you should go: Yup, it’s not the world’s biggest ball of yard, but it is a run woven totally out of cat hair, estimated to be 2,400 years old, that most people put on their must-see list. It’s part of the very eclectic collection of priceless antiques and art from the collection of original owner. Fun fact: Part of the 1988 Rob Lowe Movie “Illegally Yours” was filmed at the museum

Bob’s River Place Branford Why you should go: Maybe Florida’s quintessential spot on a hot August day. Former family swimming hole on the Suwanee River with slides, ropes and rafts to enjoy a day on the water the old fashioned way. Fun fact: “Swiss family Robinson meets wild adventure.”

Blowing Rocks Preserve Hobe Sound Why you should go: Not your average Florida beach experience. Holes in the bedrock where ocean meets land explode with water at high tide, some plumes reaching as high as 50 feet. Hiking trails and boardwalks with interpretive signage enhance the visit. Fun fact: The preserve was named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline—the largest on the Atlantic coast. WINDERMERE SCENE | 29

Getting to the point

Unique artist is one of many crafter at new Windermere event If sons follow in their father’s footsteps, they might become a doctor, teacher or police officer. Not Matt Pallady. He makes knives, just like his Dad. The 20-year old – who made his first knife when most kids are content with a few crayons and scrap paper – is one of more than 40 crafters who will be featured in Winderemere’s first-ever Holiday Market Maker juried show which will have a six-hour run on Sunday, Nov. 25. at the Pines of Windermere. “I grew up around seeing the tools, and hearing the stories and seeing the books especially,” he recalled. “He mostly made them for himself, but he always loved knives.” It didn’t take him long before he tried his hand at it. “I made my first knife when I was five,” he said. “I barely remember most of it, but I still have it. It was out of a lawnmower blade. Ever since, I’ve taken breaks here and there but it’s never left my side. And there’s a lot to learn, you’re never fully done learning.” There will be candlemakers and jewelry makers, artists who work with wood and canvas. And at least one blacksmith, who uses a brick coal 30 | WINDERMERE SCENE

forge and anvil and forge to make his one-of-a-kind knives under the label of Oaken Moose Trading (www.oakenmoosetrading.com), a name he created to pay homage to his family’s Minnesota roots. While his father’s passion was more of a hobby, Pallady is turning his love into a full-fledged business. Christmas is coming early to Windermere. Well, at least the shopping part. The first-ever Holiday Makers Market will be setting up shop on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free to the special event that features a day of fun, food, and an opportunity to obtain unique artwork from gifted local artisans for the holiday season. “The Holiday Makers Market brings together amazing local makers, artists and designers,” said Maria Murphy, Director. “It will be the perfect day to find that one-of-a-kind piece to add to your collection or gift for someone special. We will also have our favorite food trucks serving up delicious treats for lunch on the lake.” The Holiday Makers Market is a curated show that will be held at The Pines at Windermere – On the Lake – located at 3409 Maguire Rd. The event will feature food trucks, local craft beer and music throughout the day. Tables and chairs will be available, allowing individuals to enjoy a meal while appreciating a view of the lake. Individuals will find an extensive selection of highly diverse handcrafted items that includes pottery, artwork and jewelry, along with creations of glass, metal, textiles, wood and paper. For the eco-minded shopper, creatively up-cycled and artistically re-purposed gifts will also be highlighted. The Makers Market will include a Young Makers show for budding artists under the age of 18. It’s an opportunity for younger individuals to display their own artwork and projects, while learning more about the business of being an artist. (Photo featured on the lower left of 30, one of the many other vendors featured in the HOliday Market)

In addition to his knives, he also hand crafts woodworking tools and ornamental iron, all of which will be on display at the show. He’s actually starting to dive into making custom axes as well. And if you don’t find something quite to your exact liking, he’s happy to work with clients on custom works as well. He figures so far in his young life he’s forged around 500 knives. A student at Seminole State College, he is majoring in marketing with the hopes the degree will help fuel Oaken Moose Trading’s local and national footprint. So, what exactly makes a good knife? “Good tempering makes a good knife. You need hardness so it keeps an edge, and so it’s easy to sharpen,” he said. “But you also need softness so that it doesn’t break when you’re cutting with it. It’s a combination of the two and you acquire that through the heat treating process.” While he produces several different models, his most popular is made out of Damascus steel. “It’s folded steel, so instead of being made from one piece, it’s multiple pieces that I stack together and forge into one piece,” he explained. “Once you make the knife, it gives it a really cool pattern on the blade.” Windermere show goers, however, are in for a treat as for the first-time ever, he will be offering what he considers his favorite piece which has ancient roots and a special place in his heart. “It’s one I actually gifted to my Dad,” Matt added. “It’s a cable knife, it’s made from an old cable. It’s the sharpest knife I’ve ever made. It’s a beautiful but simple blade, that’s what I like. It’s a Finnish style, a traditional Scandinavian wood carving knife. They’ve been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. There’s nothing too fancy to it, it just feels good in the hand.” WINDERMERE SCENE | 31

A dance and a dream Windermere’s Kristin Weissman has lived the All-American story, twice. The owner of Studio K Orlando lost it all, but has come back stronger than ever.

Truth be told, Kristin Weismann would prefer to dance like nobody’s watching. “I’m truly a behind the scenes person. I’ve always made other people shine. I’m not the one that needs to shine,” she said. “I’ll always be the one hiding in the back.” By day, Weismann is the full time director of Marketing and Communications at Windermere Prep. When the five o’clock whistle blows, she’s off to her true pride and joy, Studio K Orlando, the story of which is as incredible as it is inspiring. Oh, it was life-saving too. There wasn’t a job too big or too glitzy for Weismann to tackle: Miss America pageant, the Grammys, the Oscars, ESPN, Sundance Film Festival. The indefatigable pace fueled her idea that once you’ve dreamed big, dream bigger. There was something else, however, that had gotten a little bigger too. “I had gotten very unhealthy, not well. I saw the doctor and I was 70 pounds heavier than I am now. The doctor said to me, ‘You have got to do something. What do you love to do?’ And I said, ‘You know what, I love to dance.’ And he said I needed to find some kind of adult dance class for stress, for exercise. And at the time, it was 2009, there 32 | WINDERMERE SCENE

Studio K Orlando 11951 International Drive South www.studiokorlando.com | 407.778.4607 Monday-Friday, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Star Wars fan? You're in luck! With three-dozen different types of dance classes – Zumba, Yoga Fusion and throwback hip hop to name a few – Studio K Orlando goes where most don't. These are two of their most unique offerings. Light saber fitness – “We have a whole fitness class that's choreographed with light sabers,” Weissman said. “They actually do fight choreography and get a killer workout while they're doing it.” POUND– “Actually a drumming class with lightly weighted drum sticks. It's absolutely like being in a rock concert and you're getting a full fitness workout while you're taking the class but you're really like you're in the band.”

wasn’t one other dance studio in Orlando except for one studio that had one.” It was her experience there that convinced her the market was ripe for something different. “I went to take the class. As I walked in, the owner said to me, ‘What are you doing here? You are way too fat to dance.’ And that’s what started Studio K,” she recalled. “I thought there has to be more people like me out there, all shapes and sizes, just for adults, that don’t want to go to a gym and feel uncomfortable and want to be supported and not judged.” Born and raised in Philadelphia, she earned her degree from Arcadia University and headed to nearby Atlantic City, where she spent five years working in the casino business, starting in 1997. She relocated to Central Florida, spending three years at Give Kids The World, and six years at Full Sail University, all while running her own public relations firm to boot. “It was a lot of 100 hour weeks which is what led me to my business. I was working so hard I got completely burned out,” she said. Debuting in 2012, things couldn’t have been better at Studio K. Except, they could have been, and Weismann didn’t know it until it was too late. She sunk her life savings in the venture, but a real-estate investment in the property where she was originally located went sour in a hurry. It didn’t just slow her down, it wiped her out. “I lost everything, literally everything. I just never saw it coming, that was the unfortunate part. I worked for three years to bring us back, and we’ve been going strong ever since,” she said. “It’s been my dream for so long, and I really think we’re impacting people every day. No matter how tired I am, we have a really special community here, that gives me the motivation to keep going.” That’s when Weismann’s pluck, perseverance and purposefulness really kicked in. Faced with no studio, and few prospects, she decided to create her own line of cosmetics, now a thriving operation of its own with customers world wide. (Continue to pg 38) WINDERMERE SCENE | 33

1 TOP G r e at e r Orlando

Nov. 2-4, 10-11

Event: Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire Location: 12835 County Landfill Road, Tavares The Skinny: For one, there’s fire eaters. For another there’s jousters and cold ale; we don’t recommend mixing the two. And, while you’re at it, ask cast member for clues to save the King! We’re not sure where the queen went.

Nov. 3-4

Event: Fall Fiesta in the Park Location: Lake Eola Park The Skinny: Some 600 jurried artists, food trucks, entertainment … proceeds benefit Orlando Community and Youth Trust Inc., so it’s all good. All the scoop at www.Fiestainthepark.com

Sat Nov. 3

Event: Cows ‘N Cabs Location: Winter Park West Meadow The skinny: Gourmet grub and spirits from more than two dozen of the Orlando area’s finest eateries. All proceeds benefit After-School Orlando All-Stars and Elevate Orlando. More than $500,000 donated to charities in first six years of annual event. www.cowsncabs.com for more details.

Sun Nov. 4

Event: Orlando Japan Festival Location: Kissimmee Lakefront Park The skinny: From cuisine to calligraphy, this day-long celebration has everything “Land of the Rising Sun” covered. Visit www.jorlando.org for details.

34 | WINDERMERE SCENE

10 Nov. 9-18

Event: Festival of Trees Location: Orlando Museum of Art The skinny: Get prepped for the holiday season in spectacular fashion. Advice: Don’t touch the art, and don’t eat any of the impressive gingerbread houses. Love the theme, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

Sat Nov. 10 Fri Nov. 16 Fri Nov. 16

Event: Fourth Annual Orlando Beer Festival Location: Festival Park, 2911 Robinson Street, Orlando The skinny: Two hundred craft beers? Sold! No kids, but dogs? Come on down! And our own Windermere Brewing Co. will be there. Try the red, we’re told.

Nov. 16-19

Event: Zen Awakening Festival Location: 26 N. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee The Skinny: We can dig it, man. Everything from yoga to Cirque performers and holistic teachers, fire performers to organic food vendors.

Fri Nov. 30

Event: Orlando SeaWolves Soccer Location: Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee | Time: 7:35pm The Skinny: Soccer fans rejoice, the pro game is here year round with the high-intensity, high scoring action of the Major Arena Soccer League’s newest team. Yes, you can still use only your feet, but it’s unlike any other soccer you’ll ever see. Team details at www.orlandoseawolves.com.

Event: Foam Glow 5k Location: Central Florida Fairgrounds The skinny: Run and get blasted with glow foam at the same time. The foam is “light’s up” on runners thanks to big black lights scattered around the course. You get a t-shirt … and a bib. The squishy info is at www.foamglow.com

Event: Orlando Hot Air Balloon Glow Location: Blue Jacket Park The skinny: Lots of behemout balloons all aglow at dusk, makes for some great photo taking and family fun making. Kids zone fun and food trucks, all free to boot! Get up, up and away!

WINDERMERE SCENE | 35

The Best Exercise That You’re Probably Not Doing Micah Kurtz Whether you are an extremely active person, a competitive athlete or a sedentary person, it is extremely important to train the posterior chain. And no, that’s not exactly a reference to what you might think! The posterior chain refers to all of the muscles in your backside like your glutes, hamstrings, calves, erector spinae (the little muscles surrounding the spine), and the lower and upper back muscles. If you’re a sedentary person and sit for a prolonged amount of time, there’s a good chance that your glutes and hamstrings have become lengthened, potentially leading to back problems and poor posture. It is vital for athletes to target both the hamstrings and glutes when strength training to balance out the symmetry between the hamstrings and quads. Additionally, the hamstrings and glutes play a major role in protecting the 36 | WINDERMERE SCENE

ACL when landing from a jump and when planting and cutting. If you’re a long distance runner and not training your posterior chain this can lead to knee problems. This is because your glutes and hamstrings are not being activated and when you run, you are only using the muscles in the front side of your body.

One of my favorite exercises to train the posterior chain is the Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift (RDL). This exercise trains the muscles in the posterior chain, and because it is a single leg movement, it also trains balance and can help eliminate any asym-

metries in the body from right leg to left leg. Additionally, when you perform the exercise with just one dumbbell, it trains the core in anti-rotation. Before an individual progresses to the Single Leg RDL, they should first be proficient in the conventional Double-Legged RDL. The RDL is a hip hinge movement, which is critical for maximizing performance in all areas of life. The cues for the Romanian Deadlift are: 1. The feet should be about hip width apart. 2. The knees should be slightly flexed. 3. As you descend your back should stay flat and the shoulders should be pulled back. 4. The hips should hinge and be pushed back as you go down while the knees stay slightly flexed. 5. The barbell should stay close to the body during the entire movement and should be lowered to just below the knee. 6. As you bring the bar back to starting position focus on squeezing the glutes.

The cues are the same as the Barbell RDL however the hip hinge occurs while standing on one leg. This movement is much more difficult to perform but it is great for basketball players as they are on one leg a lot of the time in their sport. 1. The rear leg should stay in line with the torso for the entire movement, so you should lock in that rear leg by squeezing and extending the glute. 2. Hinge at the hips and feel a stretch in the hamstrings of the leg that you are standing on. 3. The athlete should first practice the movement with no weight. 4. When they add weight, I like to use a contra-lateral load. That means the weight is in the opposite hand so the exercise is also working the anti-rotation of the core. Give these exercises a try and enjoy the benefits of a pain free lower back, improved performance and an upgraded appearance with a strong and toned backside. To learn more about all of the benefits strength training can provide for individuals of all ages contact me at Micah.Kurtz@WindermerePrep.com or you can visit my website www.TheAthleteMaker.com. WINDERMERE SCENE | 37

(Continue from pg 33) “You have thousands of people coming to your website, come up with something. And the number one thing people ask us for is make up,” she remembered. “Today we have women all over the world that wear it. My businesses are my passion and my dream. ” Rising a second time, Studio K is as unique as its owner. There are 35 different types of dance classes offered, and it’s for adults only, a niche that appeals to its clientele, and she’s hoping to add a second location in the potentially near future. Earlier this spring, she added to her resume by being crowned Miss Orlando International 2018, and finished as the first runner up in the Miss Florida International event. “It’s something that I absolutely never on earth thought I would do,” she said. “I worked for Miss America for so many years. But I had a good friend of mine who said I should get up there, share how you inspire people to find their confidence through fitness. I thought for my own growth, I’m going to put myself out there in this ridiculous way and see if I can pull it off. I did it. I got it and they said ‘Guess what, now you’re going to be in Miss Florida,’ and I almost passed out.”

Her advice to any entrepreneur is born of personal experience and professional success, a simple message that is as All-American as her own story. “To absolutely never give up. As cliché as that sounds, for someone like me, I did it completely on my own. I’m not married, my family didn’t have money. I completely threw myself out there and did it,” she added. “And when that went south, the whole world, everyone around me said you have to give that up. Walk away. I said, ‘No, it’s my passion, it’s what I want. We didn’t fail. We had it taken away from us. I’m going to try again.’ Everyone said I was crazy, but I kept going and going and going and achieved it again. If you want it bad enough and you’re willing to put the work in, if you think you’re working hard enough, work harder.”

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“Irma knows the market well and she works extremely hard on behalf of her clients. She was patient in getting a price we were happy with. We would highly recommend Irma to sell your property!” — Holmes Family “Irma was an excellent buyer’s agent for our family. She had a deep knowledge of the area and a broad network of connections that helped us through the entire buying process.” — Hawk Family CONTACT ME FOR A CONFIDENTIAL NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.

Irma Yapor, Branch Office Broker Orlando Magazine 2017 & 2018 All-Star Realtor

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