12.07.18 Baldwin Park Living

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING DECEMBER 2018

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Sold SoldininBaldwin BaldwinPark Park

Jeff Clark Jeff407.733.0773 Clark

jeffclarkorlando@gmail.com 407.733.0773 www.BaldwinParkLiving.com jeffclarkorlando@gmail.com www.BaldwinParkLiving.com www.BaldwinParkLiving.com www.BaldwinParkLiving.com

Welcoming More Families Welcoming More Families To Our Neighborhood ToAny OurOther Neighborhood Than REALTOR .

Than Any Other REALTOR . ®

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING

This holiday season, I treasure each and every one of the residents, community members, and friends I have been able to help buy and sell their homes.

As a resident of Baldwin Park for the past 14 years, I am truly grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Kimberley R. Gernert R E A L E S TAT E S P E C I A L I S T

c: (321) 348-8825 • d: (423) 381-5701 

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Orlando 5 Star Professional Realtor by Orlando Style Magazine 2017 & 2018

One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors Since 2015

Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004

 Ranked in Top Producer Magazine 2015, 2016 & 2017

 KW Winter Park Individual

 KW Winter Park Rookie of the Year 2015

Realtor of the Year 2016

J UST SO LD

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1845 Common Way Road

3 Bedroom • 2 Bath Corner Unit, Wrap Around Porch Attached Garage Open Floor Plan

2880 Lincroft

3 Bedrooms • 2.5 Bath Hardwood Throughout Upstairs, Custom Tile Downstairs, Private Side Porch

321-348-8825 • Kimberleyrg@kw.com BALDWIN PARK LIVING

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5386 Ardsdale Lane

5 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms Open Floorplan, Private Office, Screened-In Porch with Outdoor Grilling Station

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS 8 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders.

12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Denny O’Neil discusses a new strategic plan.

14 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Looking for something fun in Baldwin Park? Find it here.

16 HOLIDAY SPARK Get ready, Baldwin Parkers!

Winter Spark is coming!

18 ARTS CALENDAR Add some culture to your calendar.

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DECEMBER 2018

24 SPOTLIGHT Kristy Lee began her art career after raising kids.

26 BUSINESS Tactical Brewing Company finally ready to open.

FEATURES

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PASSION FOR FASHION Angie Montenegro opened Saor Boutique on New Broad Street in Baldwin Park.

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RHYMING FOR A REASON Local poet Dave DiBona finds plenty of inspiration on walks around Lake Baldwin.

30 WHAT’S SELLING See two homes that sold recently in Baldwin Park.

31 TAX TALK Learn how to settle your IRS dept.

34 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE Realtor Christina Rordam offers market advice.

36 BALDWIN PARK SCENE Did our camera catch you?

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING DECEMBER 2018

Publisher — Jackie Fanara

EDITORIAL Executive Editor — Michael Eng Design Editor — Jessica Eng Associate Editor — Tim Freed Associate Editor — Troy Herring Black Tie Reporter — Harry Sayer

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Contributors Stacey Fryrear Denny O’Neil Peter Pappas Christina Rordam Brad Wasil

ADVERTISING Multimedia Sales Executive — Laura Rubio

Discover why over 17 million homeowners trust State Farm .

PRODUCTION

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Creative Services — Tony Trotti

CONTACT To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Tim Freed at tfreed@orangeobserver.com.

Jim Ackerman CLU, Agent 922 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite A Orlando, FL 32814 Bus: 407-277-2994 www.jimackerman.net

For advertising inquiries, call (407) 401-9929.

With your new home comes new responsibilities – like protecting your new investment with the right amount of homeowners insurance.

That’s where I can help.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL ME TODAY. ®

Baldwin Park Living is a monthly publication of the Observer Media Group published in partnership with the Baldwin Park Joint Committee Inc.

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State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL

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OrangeObserver.com

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Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

BY STACEY FRYREAR The following information is a glimpse of the business the ROA Board of Directors addressed at the Oct. 23 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n The board approved closing the bank accounts with BB&T and transferring the balances into the existing Iberia Bank accounts. n The board approved the new banquet chairs for the gathering rooms. n The board approved starting the process for amending Exhibit C 2 (h), which would give the Association enforcement rights over animals offleash on association-owned property. n The board approved the new elliptical for Grace Hopper Hall fitness center. n The board approved replacing two sidewalk panels in Corrine Commons due to trip hazards caused by tree roots.

UPDATES SPACE (GYM/OFFICE) BUILDOUT AT GRACE HOPPER KTH Architects is in the process of revising the plans per the September board meeting.

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ARC COORDINATOR AND COVENANTS COORDINATOR Sentry hired Alex Lee as a new Covenants Coordinator to replace Carrie Blomstrom.

TREE TRIMMING The following approved hazard prune/building clearance issues have been completed: CH No. 2 Mews Elms and CH No. 3 Mews Elms.

LANDSCAPE REPLACEMENTS The following replacements/repairs will occur in the next thirty days: Bermuda repairs at Corrine Commons and plant replacements at CH No. 4 Mews.

ENDERS FITNESS CENTER The two new ellipticals were delivered and installed.

POOL HEATER The pool heater at Grace Hopper was replaced.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS Do you need a copy of the governing documents?

The governing documents can be found on the Baldwin Park Network. Once you go to baldwinparknetwork.com, select the following: n Association Information n Residential Owners Association n ROA Overview & Documents n Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the different options

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

BY BRAD WASIL

The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the Oct. 18 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n The TSAC approved a proposal from Massey Services to install the Sentricon bait system for termite protection in the City Home No. 4 service area when the current contract expires in 2019.

All the other townhome service areas changed to the Sentricon bait system in 2018. n A new solution was approved by the ARC and also by the TSAC for the A/C drainage areas of the City Home No. 2, Mattamy and City Home No. 4 service areas.

The new approved solution will be adding a gutter-like system bringing the water out of the A/C drainage pad areas. The proposed 2019 budgets also will include to clean these areas quarterly. n The TSAC approved the proposed 2019 service area budgets, which will be reviewed by the ROA board of directors for final approval. Coupons will be mailed in early December.

UPDATES n The preventative maintenance contract work for 2018 has been completed in the City Home No. 1, Live/Work, City Home No. 2, Mattamy and City Home No. 4 service areas. Preventative maintenance work is underway in the Cambridge and Issa 28 service areas.

n DRS Inc. has finished repainting 17 of the 19 townhome buildings scheduled for this year.

Painting is based on the date the building was originally painted or last repainted. n BrightView Tree Care will be completing some street treeroot pruning/grinding. They have marked the roots first with paint and then will go back and trim/ grind these roots. n BrightView will be replacing all the Crape Myrtles in the City Home No. 1 service area with Majestic Beauty Indian Hawthorn trees. This project was approved by the ARC, TSAC and ROA boards after many homeowner requests. n BrightView will be replacing drip-line irrigation between the garages in the City Home No. 1 service area with bubbler irrigation. This was a budgeted expense for 2018 and approved in the October TSAC meeting. n BrightView began installing the pine straw (pine needle) mulch starting in all the townhome service areas. Pine straw is being used because it breaks down into the soil more quickly, thus helping the very high pH leaves in the soil; it does not attract termites as pine bark/pine nuggets can; it is considered an all-natural or “green” mulch; and it doesn’t float away as easily during rain storms because the needles become tangled together. When pine bark/pine nuggets float away, many times it lands in the sod and can damage the sod. n The groundcover beds will have pine fines installed instead of pine straw, to help enhance the overall growth of the groundcover beds.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS

n Duro-Last will be completing inspections of the flat roofs in the Live/Work service area. Duro-Last has stated it will provide a schedule and should have all the flat roofs inspected within a month (pending the number of needed repairs and weather).

Have you ever heard a beeping noise coming from the FACP closet on your building and wondered what it could be?

The main building fire alarm panel is maintained by the Association if you are in Cambridge, City Home No. 1, Live/Work, City Home No. 2, Mattamy or City Home No. 4 service area. Note: Issa 22 & Issa 28 townhomes have individualized fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems, and the homeowner is responsible for maintaining their individualized systems.

The building fire systems are radio dialers (which are similar to cell phone signals) that are monitored 24 hours a day. For each of these alarms, there are two designated lines for the alarm to communicate with the monitoring center.

The most common reasons for an alarm to go into “trouble” status and start beeping are: 1. When one of the two radio signals fail to connect properly and puts the alarm in “trouble” status.

2. When an alarm has a low battery. The alarms have four batteries, and generally when the low-battery trouble begins, the battery will last a couple more days. The alarm will function with low batteries, because they run off electricity and the batteries are there as back-up. However, we want to get those batteries changed ASAP in

case of an emergency.

If an alarm is in “trouble” status, it does not prevent the alarm from working if there is an actual fire. If the alarm is in “trouble” status, sometimes it will reset itself, but usually it will have to be reset by the fire services company with which the association contracts (currently United Fire). If you hear the alarm beeping, please contact Brad Wasil at (407) 740-5838 (our office) or e-mail at bwasil@ baldwinparkpoa.com. Brad will generally get a call from the monitoring center, but there have been times when they are very busy and the call is not received until the next day. Please note if the actual fire alarm is going off, it is extremely loud (it can be heard for blocks) and the fire department is automatically dispatched.

If you have any additional questions, contact Brad Wasil at (407) 740-5838 or bwasil@baldwinparkpoa. com.

n The quarterly fire sprinkler system inspections was completed Nov. 5 through 9. These inspections are on the system for the building, not individual sprinklers. This took take place in all townhome service areas, with the exception of the Issa 22 and Issa 28 service areas. The Issa 22 and Issa 28 townhomes have their own individualized system for each unit for which the homeowner is responsible for maintaining.

bwasil@baldwinparkpoa.com.

This is a great opportunity to be involved and make decisions that directly affect your townhome (including monthly assessments). n The A/C pad drainage project (for City Home No. 2, Mattamy and City Home No. 4 service areas) was postponed again because the approved solution is creating additional issues. The contractor has been in touch with architects to work out the best solution. n DRS Inc. has finished re-painting 12 of the 19 townhome buildings to be re-painted this year.

Painting is based on the date the building was painted originally or re-painted last.

n The city of Orlando has hired a crew to make repairs to the sidewalks. The week after the sidewalk has been repaired, a second crew should come through to make repairs to sod, plant material and irrigation. If you have any questions or issues with the sidewalk repairs, please contact Lisa Rain with the city of Orlando, lisa. rain@cityoforlando.net. Management had a meeting scheduled with the city, its contractors and BrightView for Thursday, Nov. 8, to discuss the time it is taking for repairs to be completed.

n The roof for the townhome building located at 976-986 Fern Ave. has been replaced by Crown Roofing.

n If you are an owner in the City Home No. 2 or City Home No. 4 service areas, we need your help.

Currently, there are two open positions on the TSAC — one to represent the interests of the City Home No. 2 service area owners and a second to represent the owners in the City Home No. 4 service area. With these open positions, the TSAC is struggling to obtain quorum each month. If you would like any additional information on volunteering or are unsure of which service area you reside in, please contact Brad Wasil at

n There are two open positions currently on the TSAC, one to represent the interests of the City Home No. 2 service area owners and one to represent the owners in the City Home No. 4 service area. If you would like any additional information on volunteering, contact Brad Wasil at bwasil@ baldwinparkpoa.com. This is a great opportunity to be involved and make decisions that directly affect your townhome (including monthly assessments).

n The city of Orlando has hired a crew to make repairs to the sidewalks. The week after the sidewalk has been repaired, a second crew should come through to make repairs to sod, plant material and irrigation. If you have any questions or issues with the sidewalk repairs, contact Lisa Rain with the city of Orlando at lisa.rain@ cityoforlando.net.

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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN

Board creates strategic plan A

DENNY O’NEIL BALDWIN PARK RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

fter about two-and-ahalf years of off-and-on work and the election of several new board members, the board of directors has approved a strategic plan for the Residential Owners Association.

Why do we have a strategic plan? Our plan is geared to improving the quality of management’s and staff’s performance and establishing regular performance reviews of the most important things for which the ROA is responsible and must do to be successful. Over the years, the board of directors has periodically compared our performance to the performance of other large communities with the goal of improving our performance.

Now, the board and our community staff will be looking at our performance to a much greater degree and on a regular basis.

The board looked to the documents that govern our community to ensure the strategic plan is focused on what the board is required to do. Additionally, the board will use the strategic plan to plan for new events and improvements to facilities.

The plan identifies five value-creation processes and sets performance objectives for each process. Below, I’ll summarize both for brevity’s sake. Each process has at least one lead (board member responsible for working on setting performance objectives and monitoring performance toward achievement of the objectives).

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Provide management of ROA facilities and services. The performance objectives are 1.1 Efficiently and professionally manage and operate ROA facilities, common areas, enhancements and adhere to guidelines; 1.2

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Efficiently provide ROA services; 1.3 Increases methods to receive resident input; 1.4 Optimize use of information technology; 1.5 Enforce compliance with governing documents; and 1.6 Assess the management company annually. I am the lead, and a second lead will be appointed at the next regular board meeting.

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Provide oversight and fiscal accountability of financial resources. The performance objectives are 2.1 Oversee preparations of annual budget and separate budgets for each service area; 2.2 Use accrual accounting; 2.3 Obtain and continue insurance coverage for property, general liability, umbrella, crime and D&O polices; 2.4 Manage contract award and execution; 2.5 Deposit ROA funds in bank and use funds to operate the ROA; 2.6 Keep books and detailed records; and 2.7 Fund reserves according to the Declaration/FS 720 requirements. The leads are Michael Cummings and Matt Williams.

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Promote and oversee sustainability in Baldwin Park.

The performance objectives are 3.1 Comply with applicable laws; 3.2 Promote and encourage recycling by residents; 3.3 Reduce ROA energy consumption; and 3.4 Reduce ROA irrigation water consumption. The leads are Kirsten Blum and me.

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Maintain and improve ROA infrastructure. The performance objective is 4.1 Provide excellent facilities that are on par or better than other facilities in our area — maintaining a quality of life deserved by our ROA membership.

The lead is Steve Thomas.

2019 ROA SEMI-ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS Coupons for the 2019 Assessments will be mailed out to all owners in early December.

The first semiannual payment is due Jan. 1, 2019.

REMINDERS n The Christmas Parade is on Dec. 8. n The New Years Eve in Baldwin Park Celebration is Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year with the fireworks at Lake Baldwin.

I hope to see you there at both events!

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Provide community events for residents. The performance objectives are 5.1 Provide community events that meet or exceed resident expectations; 5.2 Increase activities, programs and processes that foster resident engagement; 5.3 Encourage and facilitate establishment of volunteer organizations; and 5.4 Provide resident driven leisure activities. The lead is Kai Fu. For each performance objective, there are measures, goals and action plans. To see the plan, sign into baldwinparknetwork. com, click on association info, click on Residential Owners Association, and then click on Residential Owners Association Strategic Plan. A fleshed-out plan will be posted at that site when all measures, goals and action plans are finalized.

In the future, changes and new goals and action plans will be added as needed.

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calendar December 2018 DEC. 7 FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, along New Broad Street in the Village Center. First Friday Festival, presented by BOOM Marketing & Events, will feature more than 70 local artisans of all genres, as well as many Central Florida-based small businesses and nonprofit organizations with products and offerings ranging from health and fitness to beauty and fashion, as well as community-service opportunities. This free sidewalk festival is held the First Friday of every month and is both family- and pet-friendly. Sponsored by Westminster Communities of Central Florida. For more information, visit baldwinparkevents.com.

YOGA FOR WOMEN 8 to 8:50 a.m. Fridays in the gathering room at Grace Hopper Hall.

All levels are welcome to this class, which includes deep stretches, balancing poses and beginner meditation techniques. The class is taught by Becca Schmidt, E-RYT200/RYT500. Schmidt is a Baldwin Park resident and has been teaching classes in Baldwin Park for more than 12 years. Take a yoga mat and water to class. The first class is $5, and drop-ins are welcome. Email becca@bluemoon. yoga for more details.

POWER YOGA EXPRESS 9:15 to 10 a.m. Fridays in the gathering room at Grace Hopper Hall. Bring your three-pound hand weights to this uptempo class that features sculpting movements combined with power yoga. The class is taught by Becca Schmidt, E-RYT200/RYT500. Schmidt is a Baldwin Park resident and has been teaching classes in Baldwin Park for more than 12 years. Take a yoga mat and water to class. The first class is $5, and drop-ins are welcome. Email becca@bluemoon.yoga for more details.

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BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Participate in a wonderful Holiday Party.

This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/BaldwinPark-Kids-Club.

DEC. 8 MOMS RUNNING GROUP/ MORNING PRAYER 7:30 a.m. Saturdays. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/Baldwin-Park-KidsClub.

WINTER SPARK PARADE AND FESTIVAL 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Village Center. Ready to celebrate the holiday season? Baldwin Park will host its annual celebration with a parade down New Broad Street for all to enjoy at 6 p.m. The festival also will include music, train rides and a photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

DEC. 10 ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION TOY DRIVE Noon Monday, Dec. 10. Help those less fortunate in a special holiday toy drive. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/ Baldwin-ParkKids-Club.

DEC. 11 AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the American Lung Association’s Baldwin Park office, 851 Outer Road, Orlando. Those who are affected by lung cancer can come together; support topics range from educational to inspiriting.

Dinner is available. For more, call (407) 425-5864 or email central@ lungfla.org.

DEC. 12 THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE PARKS Meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Although still meeting in Baldwin Park, the Rotary Club has changed its name to include more members from Audubon Park and Winter Park.

The Rotary Club of the Parks is a diverse group of working professionals and neighbors that like to have fun will doing good in our community and the world. Visitors and guests are welcome. For more information and the current meeting location, email Rotary-

DEC. 13 2018 ORNAMENT EXCHANGE 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

Exchange gifts and take part in a holiday gathering. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup. com/BaldwinPark-Kids-Club.

CLUBS

KIDS’ CLUB Contact: Julie, bpkidsclub1@gmail.com NIFTY 50S … PLUS Contact: Diane, nifty fiftiesplus@gmail.com CRUISE AND TRAVEL CLUB Contact: Kathleen, kmptravel@icloud.com MEETUP GROUP Contact: Lianna D’Angelo, Lianna@soteraliving.com ROTARY CLUB Contact: Kathleen Peters, kmpeters2009@gmail. com THE PAGE TURNERS Contact: Genie Lim, bsrocky@hotmail.com

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DEC. 31 NYE IN BP 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the Village Center Celebrate New Year’s Eve Baldwin Park style. NYE in BP is an all-ages celebration. Purchase a ticket and receive a wristband that will allow entrance into a private party. Inside will be food trucks, a bar, dancing and music. In addition to receiving a wristband, you also will receive BP Bucks to spend at the bar and food trucks. At midnight, gather by the lake for a midnight toast and a countdown to the new year followed by a fireworks celebration. Early-bird tickets are $20; advance tickets are $30; tickets will be $40 at the door. For more, visit baldwinparkevents. com/nye-in-bp.

BASKETBALL Contact: Rick Schreiber, rickschreiber2@gmail.com

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ClubOfTheParks@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/RotaryClubOfTheParksOrlando.

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A beautiful sight!

Baldwin Park’s signature holiday fest — Winter Spark — will feature plenty of festive fun.

HARRY SAYER BLACK TIE REPORTER

I

t takes time and energy to get ready for the holidays. Setting up decorations, picking up presents, getting into the spirit of the holidays. It can be a lot for any family to handle.

And then there are the people who spend an entire year setting up a holiday celebration for an entire community.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, the community of Baldwin Park once again will be putting on its Winter Spark celebration — an afternoon-long festival complete will vendors, games and a very merry parade.

“We pretty much start the process of this event the day after the last one,” says event director Sidney Albert. “It’s a whole year

IF YOU GO BALDWIN PARK’S WINTER SPARK FESTIVAL WHEN: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 WHERE: New Broad Street, Parade starts at Baldwin Park Elementary WEBSITE: baldwinparkevents. com/2018-winter-spark SCHEDULE n 4 p.m.: Musical performances n 4 to 6:30 p.m.: Photos with Santa n 7 p.m.: Parade

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of coming together and figuring out what we want to do. We start booking vendors as well as getting feedback from the community on what they liked, what they didn’t like and how we can improve for the next year. … We began advertising for this event in January.”

Winter Spark, put together by the Baldwin Park Joint Committee and Florida Hospital, will have its iconic festival portion on Prospect Avenue off New Broad Street that will consist of food truck vendors, photo booths, arts-and-crafts tables and some other food vendors.

At the end of New Broad Street, near the lake, the festival will feature craft vendors along with a small train for parents and children to take trips on. Children will be able to get photos with Santa Claus himself from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and finally, a few musical performances will kick off at 4 p.m. sharp.

At 7 p.m., the annual festival’s parade will kick off in earnest, with a number of vendors, Baldwin Park residents and other costumed characters starting at Baldwin Park Elementary and working their way down Common Way towards New Broad Street and then to Lake Baldwin Lane.

“We have floats; we have people walking with signs (who) are dressed up; we have people in vehicles,” Albert says. “It’s different for everybody, and we give everybody (freedom to) create and have their own version of the holidays to show the people of Baldwin Park.”

Albert says the group has made a few small changes to Winter Spark based on feedback from Baldwin residents. As opposed to last year, this year’s event will have its vendors and festival section closer to the parade area — Baldwin Park Elementary.

For the second year, the Baldwin Park Joint Committee is accepting toy donations for XL 106.7’s Baby DJ program, which provides as-

sistance to disadvantaged families across Central Florida.

“We love being able to do some kind of donation for this event for the holidays,” Albert says. “The drop-off location will be near the Santa booth.”

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Arts Calendar

FRIDAY, DEC. 7 POPCORN FLICKS IN THE PARK 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Central Park along Park Avenue in Winter Park. Come to this free screening of “Miracle on 34th Street.” Presented by Winter Park CRA and produced by Enzian Theater, this film series features classic films for the whole family. Take a blanket, a picnic or snacks, and some family and friends. Free popcorn for everyone. For more information, call (407) 629-0054.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12 SPOTLIGHT CABARET SERIES: TODD ALLEN LONG 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, and Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., Suite C, Winter Park.

Long returns to The Winter Park

Playhouse Spotlight Cabaret Series to premiere his holiday cabaret entitled “Christmas Is.” Playhouse patrons will remember Long from his numerous cabarets and many performances on the main stage in shows such as “The Fantasticks,” “Forever Plaid,” “The Musical of Musicals: The Musical” and many more. Musical Director Christopher Leavy will accompany on the piano. This unique form of entertainment showcases a different professional singer each month up front in the lobby bar. A truly New York-style cabaret, each performance is about 55 minutes in length with no intermission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general seating.

Tickets are $23 to $28. For more information and to buy tickets, call (407) 645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15 A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16, at Knowles Memorial Chapel, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. Hear Christmas classics performed by the incomparable Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Orchestra in beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel, led by conductor John V. Sinclair. Tickets are $35 to $79. For more information, call (407) 646-2182.

‘ONE MAN — A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Dec. 17; and 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. “One Man — A Christmas Carol” is written and performed

by David A. McElroy. McElroy

adapted “A Christmas Carol” for the stage and performs all 37 different characters. The play is directed by Marylin McGinnis, with stage management by Bonnie Sprung. Tickets are $20.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit bluebambooartcenter.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 20 NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC JAM 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, on Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. Join local musicians on the stage in back of the Winter Park Community Center for a fun evening of making music. Musicians of all ages, instruments and abilities are invited to come make new friends as they play a variety of songs, from pop to rock to blues to country. If the weather

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is nice, they will be set up on the stage out back near the splash pad. If it rains, they will move indoors. For more information, call (407) 599-3275.

ONGOING ‘WINTER WONDERETTES’ Through Sunday, Dec. 16 at select showtimes at The Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., Suite C, Winter Park. The well-loved Wonderettes, created

by Roger Bean, are back and better than ever. This whimsical musical comedy finds the four-girl singing group entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa goes missing, they use their charm, talent and creative ingenuity to save the day. This production features fabulous ’60s versions of holiday classics, including “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Tickets are $15 to $42. For more information, call (407) 645-0145.

SATURDAY, DEC. 22 23RD ANNUAL MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Central Park main stage, on the corner of Park and Garfield avenues, Winter Park. Enjoy the rich sounds of Christmas as tuba, euphonium, sousaphone and baritone players of all ages gather in Central Park to perform a free concert from the main stage beginning at 1 p.m. Winter Park’s 23rd annual Merry Tuba Christmas is a free one-hour concert that has become a staple on the holiday list of things to do. Take a break from shopping on the avenue and relax with loved ones to enjoy this annual event. Registration is $10 for musicians and begins at 9 a.m., with rehearsal running from 10 am to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (407) 599-3463.

LIVE MUSIC

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Troy Herring

Daniel DiBona visits Lake Baldwin five days a week.

A poet in the Park Dave DiBona writes poetry of the things that inspire hime the most, including the space he considers his muse — Lake Baldwin.

TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR

N

o one sees Lake Baldwin the way Dave DiBona does.

With his patented white floppy hat shielding his bald head from the Florida sun, he treks about the lake like a curious astronaut exploring a new world.

In his right hand, he carries a fat blue notebook that functions as an extension of his being — it’s the book in which he keeps his thoughts, his words.

Page after page are hand-written scribbles that examine particular moments in time that grab

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DiBona’s attention.

Sometimes, those poems are about the wildlife he encounters, while others — such as a recent poem — come from a simple scene he observed of children fishing.

“When I walk around Lake Baldwin — or as I call it Baldwin Lake — all the thoughts I have while I’m walking around I put into words, I’ve learned to do that,” DiBona says. “All of us have millions of thoughts going through your mind constantly. Well I’ve learned how to read those, and when I do, I write.

“I write what I see and what I continued on page 22

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21

continued from page 20

Although originally from Tampa, DiBona and his family moved in 1953 to Orlando when he was 5 years old. It was another 10 years before he discovered his passion for the written word.

DiBona remembers his first poem and the moment that sparked it.

“I was in puppy love — so to speak — and a cardinal landed on the clothesline, and I just wrote some romantic poem,” DiBona says, laughing. “That’s how it started.”

A second eureka moment came for DiBona during a literature class he took one summer. There, his teacher helped fuel his love of language. That was the only real schooling he had related to poetry.

Since those early days of dabbling, DiBona — now retired — has filled his free time only with poetry but also with playing percussion in a number of Orlando bands at local haunts such as Hannibal’s on the Square and Dexter’s Winter Park.

“My uncle — in 1959 — he came back with a set of bongos from Cuba, and I started playing them, and that grew into the whole percussion thing,” DiBona says. “And now I virtually go anywhere in Orlando and bring my bongos with me, and just go sit in with anybody.”

Along with developing his musical sensibilities, DiBona has also spent the last 40 years working with collage — 20 years of which have seen his poetry merge with the visual aesthetics of collage.

Often, DiBona will do collages — which feature poems and photos — for family and friends, as well as commission that he says often incorporate important moments for a family.

But although his collage work and music have become an important aspect of his life, it always will be poetry that draws DiBona in.

“Until the day I die, I will be writing,” DiBona says. “Until the day I don’t have a thought anymore, I will be writing.”

A POEM BY DAVE DIBONA “two kids on the pier casting out bait on the line tom sawyer and huckleberry finn most saw two young kids but i was able to pretend a samuel clemens delight one hundred thirty four years past and here on baldwin lake they are a wonderful sight, what is reality, really, it could be thoughts kept that paint a view of the one who comes by it and what they see as true, it might be me or it might be you, today i saw tom and huck finn, that is all there is to it, the magic of baldwin lake shows yet another page.”

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feel, and walking around Baldwin Park — it’s just an amazing place,” he says. “It has so much to offer — people, otters, birds, trees, the lake, and I’ve even seen alligator gar.”

Although his home is actually a few minutes outside of Baldwin Park, DiBona has made the lake his home away from home — visiting at least five days a week to take in the inspiration of the area.

DiBona’s routine of lake trekking — which began 18 months ago — starts at the some spot each go around — Orlando Veterans’ Memorial Park. There, the Navy veteran stops to pay his respects before taking an hourlong journey around the lake.

“I walk for an hour, so I fester with the idea — as I’m walking I start reciting it in my mind,” DiBona says. “Then I’ll come home and write it right away — in 10 to 15 minutes — but I’ve been living with the idea for two hours.”

BIRTH OF A POET

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23

Kristy Green — aka Kristy Lee — began her career as an artist after raising her children.

HARRY SAYER BLACK TIE REPORTER

B

aldwin Park resident Kristy Lee is an artist — that much is obvious. She’s just not the kind of artist that likes to keep creating the same kind of art.

“I’m always moving in different directions; I’m not an artist that wants to be in a box,” Lee says.

Lee, real name Kristy Green, has dozens on dozens of paintings and artistic creations in her home.

Some line the walls of her house.

Others follow you up the staircase to the second floor, where a number of large paintings are resting in a back room. The largest number, in both quantity and size, are in her office, which is filled with paintings, sculptures and mixed-media creations.

But if you pay attention to each piece of artwork, you’ll notice something else too — her style is always changing. And the Baldwin Park artist is just getting started.

NEW YORK ROOTS

Lee didn’t start as an artist or a Florida resident. The two-year Baldwin Park resident was born in New York and, barring a few years in Ocala and Gainesville in high school and college, has spent much of her life living in the Big Apple. She recalls the first time she became interested in arts as when she started painting characters on matchbooks for a few years starting when she was 5.

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Harry Sayer

Kristy Lee spends almost every day painting in her studio.

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abstract expressionism, Lee is beginning to create mixed-media art pieces that incorporate everyday materials such as plastics or concrete to give a more textured feeling. She says it’s a period of creativity and innovation in her career. And she can’t wait to see what happens next.

“When I went into that first art class, I was so insecure,” Lee says.

“I didn’t know how to broaden my horizons. I think that comes with age and experience. It’s been good for me.”

Her first phase was focusing on portraits and figures — tight, precise paintings of people that contain realistic details and shadings.

Lee enjoys the style but admits it’s both time-consuming and tiring.

“That kind of stuff takes a lot of of you,” Lee says. “To be perfect, to be precise … (one wrong brush stroke) can ruin the whole thing.”

She decided last summer to focus on abstract expressionism — large, wild paintings with big and bold colors. She enjoys the “big” aspect of these works — some of her canvasses are massive. It was a prolific summer, as well. Lee says she’s painted more than 50 abstract creations since the beginning of the season. Some are being collected for an art collection in Orlando, as well as being shown to the owner of a New York building.

But she’s starting to switch her style again. Emboldened by her success with

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Lee also dabbles in making sculptures.

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Lee spent more than 30 years as a hairdresser but all the while harboring an interest in the arts.

“I always dabbled in the arts, but I had children, and I had a family,” Lee says. “I didn’t have time to stand in the studio and work. …

A hairdresser works many crazy hours and weekends and whatnot. I work every day in my studio now. … If I’m not running around for some particular reason, I am painting.”

Eleven years go, after her children were grown and moved out (Lee says she started painting the minute her son was settled in his dorm room), Lee focused fulltime on her artistic endeavors.

She took local classes in Baldwin Park and Winter Park and painted for herself in the beginning, but eventually, her works began making appearances in museums and exhibits in Florida, New York and New Jersey. Her more recent paintings have been seen in the Mennello Museum of Art and the Orlando Museum of Art.

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Glass half full

Tim Freed

Tactical Brewing Company owners and founders Doug Meyer and Kreis Holland are just about ready to open their brewery in Baldwin Park.

Tactical Brewing Company is finally getting ready to open its doors and get the beer flowing.

TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR

T

he wait is almost over, Baldwin Park beer lovers.

Tactical Brewing Company is planning for a grand opening in December or January following a successful soft opening that

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started in November. On Veterans Day, thirsty patrons had a chance to step inside the military-themed brewery for the first time to try some of what was on tap.

Veterans got their first beer free.

It’s an exciting time for owners and founders Doug Meyer and Kreis Holland — the long wait seems to finally be coming to an end.

“I think people are going to be really stoked, especially once they see it in person and the difference compared to what it used to look like and hopefully once they try our beer,” Meyer says. “We put every-

thing into this — we put our heart into this. It’s very important to us.”

“You keep your nose to the grindstone so long that it’s hard to appreciate some of the little milestones,” Holland says. “Now that we’re at the finish line aspect, it’s all starting to flood in. It’s really exciting.”

One of the major reasons the brewery took so long to open its doors was the complex permitting process — specifically involving the brewing equipment and where it should be placed, Meyer says.

“We had no clue how complicated it would be having to go through

two different jurisdictions — the difference between here and most other places in Orlando is we not only have to follow Orlando permitting guidelines, but we also have to follow Baldwin guidelines,” Meyer says. “When you’re doing something complex like commercial manufacturing of beer, it adds to that.

“A lot of it was out of our control, but we’re ready to move past that now and open the doors and give people beer like they want,” he says.

While waiting for the brewery to open, the partners have stayed busy. They have competed in numerous beer festivals to get brews in the hands of beer lovers. The Baldwin Park brewers took first place out of 40 breweries in the Florida SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) Beer Festival in September. There, teams were given the same ingredients and tasked

with crafting a unique, tasty beer.

Tactical captured the title after it created the Aztec Death Whistle — a white stout with lactose, coffee, cocoa nibs and ancho chili peppers.

“We were very honored, because there was really good competition,” says Meyer, adding that Tactical Brewing also won the people’s choice award at the 2017 Downtown Brew Festival in Orlando, as well as second place at the 2017 Central Florida Top Brewer Beer Festival.

“Our concentration has just been getting our beer out there for people to try and meanwhile getting this place done,” he says. “We’ll definitely try to enter in some more competitions here soon.”

Tactical Brewing will open with a lineup of six beers, including a stout with coffee and chocolate notes called Celestial Mechanics; a New England IPA called MRE: Hop Soup; a lager called BASE; a Hefeweizen-style beer; and a Brut IPA — a dry, champagne-like beer

that resulted from a collaboration with Playalinda Brewing Company in Titusville.

The Baldwin Park brewers know the neighborhood has been eagerly awaiting the grand opening, and that anticipation inspired the name of Tactical’s sixth beer and the first beer created with its new brewing system, Are You Open Yet? — a West Coast-style IPA with piney notes and a bitter bite.

“It just seemed fitting — we all know the delay this has taken, so we might as well have fun with it,” Meyer says.

The wait has been difficult, but Meyer says he has looked at it with a glass-half-full approach. It has helped the brewery create a strong team that looks forward to handing out glasses of delicious beer.

“We’re ready to get this show on the road,” he says.

Meyer says Tactical Brewing will nail down a grand opening date once it gets a grasp of the production schedule.

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Photos by Troy Herring

Angie Montenegro is selling her fashion sense and unique clothing options from her Baldwin Park shop.

Passion for fashion At the new Saor Boutique, Angie Montenegro is helping Baldwin Parkers dress their best.

TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR

L

et’s face it — fashion is difficult.

For those with untrained eyes or fashion sense, figuring out what colors go well together, or what patterns match, can be anxiety-inducing.

And even if you know the patterns and colors you like, that doesn’t necessarily mean they work for you — another facet of the challenges of finding the right outfit.

Luckily for folks in Baldwin Park,

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the calvary is here in the form of Saor Boutique, now open on New Broad Street.

The new shop is the physical embodiment of local fashionista Angie Montenegro’s lifelong love for clothing and helping others.

“I am a very avid shopper; I love shopping … and it doesn’t have to be for myself — I love picking clothes for other people,” Montenegro says. “There’s just something about clothes — it’s the way you can change everything about yourself with one outfit. It’s like artwork. You

can just switch everything. You can be a whole different person.”

Helping people find the clothing made just for them drives Montenegro, who says there is a process to finding the perfect look.

Although many women have preferences for to colors and textures, Montenegro says she enjoys helping her clients expand their own tastes.

“I kind of try to pick items that they’re kind of leaning toward — whether it’s the same textures, the same pattern type, the same materials — and then I try to expand on it and kind of help them see something they might not have,” Montenegro says. “There’s no guarantee, and nobody has to buy everything

It also lets her have the ability to counsel her customers, which adds a personal touch that you can’t get by ordering clothes online, Montenegro says.

“I’m definitely trying to obtain lifetime business — I want the women to feel comfortable and know that every week I’m going to have multiple deliveries of new things,” Montenegro says. “They’ll be able to consistently try on new things and know they can trust my judgment and trust the pieces that I’m personally picking out for them.”

IF YOU GO SAOR BOUTIQUE WHERE: 4825 New Broad St., Orlando HOURS: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursdays through Saturdays EMAIL: info@ saorboutique.com

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family into the Baldwin Park community. In fact, the custom T-shirts she makes now for BPE is how she first jumped into the business.

“I started doing the custom T-shirts — like the things you find on Etsy,” she says. “So I launched my Etsy website and would do bachelorette-party T-shirts with fun, little witty comments. So that kind of just kept on progressing and kept getting more requests for orders.

“Then this past spring, when Audubon Elementary changed its name to Baldwin Park Elementary, we were already in the works at that point with the clothing store,” Montenegro says. “Once we had the plans for the clothing store to open up, we got the account for the school spirit store.”

Before the store officially arrived, Montenegro had a booth during First Fridays so she could sell her shirts.

Now, instead of dealing with the temporary nature of a booth, Montenegro has a whole store open for the First Friday events and more.

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they touch, but I think just getting the exposure and letting them see something else — see their own body and their own image in a different view — makes a big difference. And women love it.”

For ladies looking for new outfits, there are plenty of options at Saor.

Each item in the shop has been hand-selected by Montenegro herself.

Brands ranging from California Moonrise (a favorite of Montenegro) to Julie Brown are sprinkled around the hangers and displays at Saor, while a few men’s and children’s brands sit in their own little spots, as well.

There’s also a section toward the back where Montenegro sells Baldwin Park Elementary items — shirts, water bottles, head bands and more. Montenegro, a PTA mom with two children at the school, says 25% of the money made from those sales benefits BPE. The contributions to BPE and the opening of her store have been just a few ways for the Michigan native to further immerse her and her

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

29

WHAT’S SELLING 1789 FOSS AVE., ORLANDO SALE PRICE: $1,575,000 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 5,144 BEDROOMS: Five BATHS: 5.5

Photos by VHT Studios

DETAILS: This gorgeous custom Charleston-style home in Baldwin Park sits on a corner lot overlooking Lake Baldwin and a scenic pond, steps away from downtown shops and restaurants. With more than 5,000 square feet, an enormous backyard and attached forward facing three-car garage, this 2016 built custom home is a rare find.

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TAX TALK

How to settle your IRS debt ecause of the slowly recovering economy, the IRS changed recently its rules for settling IRS debts for less than the amount owed. IRS settlements are called offers in compromise, and they are now much easier to get.

THE IRS MAY ACCEPT LESS THAN THE FULL AMOUNT YOU OWE

The IRS will accept less than the full amount you owe if you can prove that you can’t pay more than the amount offered and that it is in the government’s best interest to accept the offer rather than continue to expend its resources chasing after you.

ANALYSIS REQUIRED BEFORE SUBMISSION OF AN OFFER

One of the reasons The Pappas Group has experienced a high percentage of accepted IRS settlement offers is because we only take those cases where the chances are strong that the IRS will accept the offer. This means we have to do some serious analysis before we recommend the filing of an offer and accept a taxpayer as a client.

The great majority of IRS offers are based on what is known as “doubt as to collectability.”

For the IRS to accept a doubt as to collectability offer, the taxpayer must prove to the IRS’s satisfaction that he cannot pay the debt, including any accrued interest and penalties, in full.

Here are the things that, without exception, must be analyzed before deciding to file an offer in compromise: n The value of the taxpayer’s assets as compared to the amount of the IRS debt

n The taxpayer’s monthly income as compared to his monthly necessary living expenses n The taxpayer’s age and prospects for continued employment n The amount of time the IRS has left to collect the tax debt (statute of limitations)

IT IS A MISTAKE TO FILE AN OFFER WITHOUT PRIOR FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

There are potentially serious consequences to filing a frivolous or meritless offer in compromise, including the imposition of a $25,000 “delay” penalty and the extension of the statute of limitations on collection.

You should never file an offer in compromise without having a trained and qualified CPA or tax lawyer perform the proper analyses.

TAX SCAM WARNING

There are a number of unscrupulous tax-resolution firms that promise they can settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar.

It is a violation of the IRS rules of ethics to make such a promise. Do not trust anyone who guarantees you such a result — especially if they guarantee you a result before they have made a complete and thorough evaluation of your financial condition.

Peter Pappas is both a tax attorney and certified public accountant. His Baldwin Park firm, The Pappas Group, has been assisting both federal and state taxpayers with their tax problems for more than 30 years. To set up a free consultation to discuss your tax problem or to learn more about our services, call (407) 648-2555 or visit pappastax.com.

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1691 SHAWNEE TRAIL | DOMMERICH 3 BR | 2 BA | 2,556 SF

1595 HARSTON AVENUE | BALDWIN PARK 5 BR | 6 BA | 3,730 SF

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610 GENIUS DRIVE | WINDSONG 5 BR | 6 BA | 5,196 SF

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2002 SHAW LANE | BALDWIN PARK 3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,405 SF

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WWW.KELLYPRICEANDCOMPANY.COM 243 West Park Avenue Winter Park, Florida 32789

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260 S. OSCEOLA AVENUE #904 | STAR TOWER 2 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,000 SF

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KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE

How to sell your home this holiday season CHRISTINA RORDAM FLORIDA REALTY INVESTMENTS Christina Rordam is a local Realtor with 12 years experience and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. For more, visit christinasells orlando.com.

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he holidays are upon us, and Orlando families are gearing up for all the celebrations this time of year brings.

There are jam-packed calendars, trips out of town and what can seem like endless shopping lists to be completed. With so much going on, winter is considered by many to be the slowest period for those looking to buy or sell a house.

Central Florida doesn’t really have much of a winter though, and certainly no snowdrifts or icy roads to keep people from viewing homes.

If you are considering putting your home up for sale this winter, here are three quick steps you can take toward making a pretty penny just in time for the new year.

1. Look at all your marketing options. As a full-service Realtor I’m aware of the ever-expanding list of iBuyers and websites with algorithms designed to eliminate me from the process of a homeowner selling their home. I say, bring it on. As a seller, it’s a great idea to look at all of your options.

Certainly, I believe in the value and ability of a knowledgeable and professional Realtor providing hands-on customer service in partnership with the latest and greatest technology. But don’t take my word for it. Many iBuyers and websites offer to provide a quote to buy your home in mere minutes, mostly site unseen.

Further, many of these companies offer a “guaranteed” purchase.

What I would say to those homeowners thinking of utilizing such a method to sell your home is make a list of questions to ask purveyors of both business models. What do they charge for their services and what do their services include? Ask to

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review their contract to list or buy your home prior to agreeing to anything online or otherwise, then ask them to explain any portions you don’t understand.

If you have an iBuyers valuation, get the opinion of a Realtor who has seen your home, as well. Make sure you find out how long they have been in business, if they have any complaints, reviews or testimonials from independent sources like the Better Business Bureau or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. For Realtors, there are plenty of social and third-party websites where you can read about past customer experiences. Be sure to ask if your representative, virtual or otherwise, if they will be marketing your home to all potential buyers of just a select group of private investors. Make apples to apples comparisons, and don’t sign on the dotted line with a virtual company without getting a second opinion.

2. Keep it festive; just don’t overdo it. If you’re like me, a little holiday cheer is never enough.

I want my home lit up like the tree at Lake Eola in December and decorations everywhere the eye can see. However, if I were selling my home, I would take a different approach to my holiday style. It’s important to keep things clean and clutter-free, and unfortunately, that includes holiday decorations. In my experience, having your home on the market doesn’t mean that you have to pretend you don’t live there or that you don’t celebrate special days. Go ahead and show some spirit, but keep it simple and elegant, and definitely don’t obstruct walkways or other parts of your home. Always keep in mind the

people viewing your home need to be able to visualize themselves in it. The general rule of thumb is the less personal items the better, but you can keep your décor style as long as it’s minimal and well-kept.

3. Go ahead and celebrate, but be ready for buyers. The holidays just wouldn’t be as much fun without the food and the family gatherings, but if your house is for sale, you always have to be ready for guests who probably aren’t related to you. Are you the one who cooks the turkey and makes five different types of pies for everyone to enjoy? You may want to let another relative do the cooking this year, or make some reservations at a restaurant. Again one of the keys to selling a home is allowing potential buyers to picture themselves in it. If a homebuyer walks in and the home smells strongly of food, it may be a turnoff — even if your food truly is delicious. Cooking a large meal for a celebration is rarely a quick and mess-free activity, so save yourself the headache of having to rush to pick things up and plan to eat out this year if you plan to sell. Are cousin Jack and Aunt Jill coming to stay? That’s great, too. Just make sure to have them keep their guest rooms in order and make them aware you may all have to pop out for an impromptu movie if you have a showing that day.

Selling your home during a festive time of year doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. Keep things clean and décor simple, make sure to look at all your marketing options with equal scrutiny and have a plan to clear out so buyers can view your home in peace.

Your profits may help you make the coming year the best one yet.

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Baldwin Park families had a blast at the Festival of Trees Reindeer Romp Children’s Party.

FESTIVAL OF TREES REINDEER ROMP CHILDREN’S PARTY

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aldwin Park families with the Baldwin Park Kids Club enjoyed an evening of holiday festivities during a special trip to the Festival of Trees Reindeer Romp Children’s Party Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Orlando Museum of Art. Children marveled at ornate Christmas trees, got their faces painted, met Santa Claus and created special memories with their families.

Allie, 5, and Lindsay Hemphill, 7, were all smiles after meeting Santa Claus.

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—TIM FREED

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a ng r P i n e e p int n O o W So rk a ng r P i n e e p int O W

Inspiring Whole-Person Health Wholeness | Fitness | Medicine

The Center for Health & Wellbeing is where wholeness, fitness and medicine all come together to help you achieve your optimal state of wellbeing. It’s where you can feed your body and your mind, while staying in tune with your health.

Inspiring Whole-Person Health Wholeness | Fitness | Medicine

Fitness Wholeness Medical Wellbeing is B. where wholeness, fitness and medicine all • & Peggy & Phillip Crosby • Kid’s Corner The Center for Health • Acupuncture Wellness Center a • Conferencecome centertogether to help you achieve your optimal state of wellbeing.

• Chronic condition It’s where you can Medical Fitness Association management and • Health and wellness feed your body and your mind, while staying in tune with your health. education Certified Facility* education classes • Massage • Two indoor pools for lap • Outpatient lab • Nourish coffee bar + kitchen Fitness swimming and warm• Wholeness Nutrition theater • Medical Primary care physician offices water activities • Peggy & Phillip B. Crosby • Kid’s Corner • Acupuncture • Gardens with walking paths • Retail pharmacy Wellness Center a • Multi-purpose group • Conference center • Chronic condition • Social gathering spaces • Specialty physician offices Medicalrooms Fitness Association exercise management and education • Health and wellness • Terrace with patio seating • Sports medicine and Certifiedequipment Facility* • Exercise education classes •rehabilitation Massage and weights • Two indoor pools for lap • Nourish coffee bar + kitchen • Outpatient lab swimming • Indoor track and warm• Primary care physician offices • Nutrition theater water activities *Pending certification • Retail pharmacy • Gardens with walking paths • Multi-purpose group • Social gathering spaces • Specialty physician offices exercise rooms • Sports medicine and • Terrace with patio seating • Exercise equipment rehabilitation and weights • Indoor track

2005 Mizell Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792 | 407.644.2300 | YourHealthandWellbeing.org

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*Pending certification A partnership between the Winter Park Health Foundation and Florida Hospital

2005 Mizell Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792 | 407.644.2300 | YourHealthandWellbeing.org BALDWIN PARK LIVING 37

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A partnership between the Winter Park Health Foundation and Florida Hospital

BALDWIN PARK ELEMENTARY PTA’S

‘BOBCATS ON BOURBON STREET’

Saqib Ishaq, Safina Khan, Yung Siddiqi and Atif Siddiqi

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he Baldwin Park Elementary PTA brought a Big Easy shindig to the Orlando Museum of Art with the “Bobcats on Bourbon Street” fundraiser Friday, Oct. 19. Baldwin PTA members and families celebrated the school’s new name — Baldwin Park Elementary — with a New Orleans-themed night of drinks, silent auction bidding and more. Money raised throughout the night went toward the school’s budget and community events.

— HARRY SAYER

Penn and Eric English

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PTA president Elizabeth Benson and her husband, Scott Benson

Above: Candice Lyons, Fiona Anavi and Ashley Ferguson Left: Vichhika Taing and Javier Perez Below: Jen Muntean and Sally Eum

FEATURED PROPERTIES Beautiful move-in ready ISSA townhome located across from Blue Jacket Park. This 3/2.5 has gorgeous wood floors throughout the entire first floor and brand-new carpet throughout the upstairs. Freshly painted throughout gives it a light and bright feel.

Open kitchen has been beautifully upgraded with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, and stainlesssteel appliances, and overlooks the spacious family room and dining room area. Separate formal living room would make a great office/den space, or playroom. All bedrooms are located upstairs as well as the inside laundry room. Conveniently located within Baldwin Park to schools and parks, as well as, easy access to downtown Orlando and Winter Park.

Asking $415,000

WHAT’S SELLING This one story home has many fabulous features that set it apart from the rest! Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the entire home, with tile in the bathrooms. The screened-in porch overlooks the large brick paver patio and expanded side yard. The custom cabinets, with granite counters, were added to the living room, to store the AV equipment that connects to the upgraded surround sound speakers.

The split bedroom plan is ideal with the private master suite in the back, including tray ceilings and a large, professional organized walk-in closet. There are beautiful updated light fixtures, fans, elegant drapes, and upgraded plantation shutters & blinds throughout. The home was recently painted inside.

The location is ideal and just a block from the beautiful community pool and pavilion.

Sold for $553,000.

2017 Ovations Award Winner for “Best Real Estate Agency” by the Winter Park/Maitland Observer Readers

• One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors in 2017 • Highest Sales Volume in Townhomes in 2015 • Highest Sales Volume of New Construction Homes in Baldwin Park in 2013 • Ranked Top Producer since 2002 • Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004

Stunning and immaculate David Weekley City Home in Baldwin Park has tons of upgrades and feels brand new! Desirable end unit townhouse is beautifully appointed & perfectly situated on a tranquil greenspace. This 3 bedroom plus study also has 2 full baths and 2 half baths with a wonderful open floor plan. Gorgeous porcelain tile throughout all living areas and upgraded carpet in all bedrooms.

Solid oak hardwood stairs and wrought iron balusters give this townhome a classy and modern feel. Silestone countertops and upgraded tile in the kitchen and baths, Spacious living area with stunning whitewashed brick wall.

Sold for $479,000

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Baldwin Park beauty with inviting brick front porch overlooking Blue Jacket Park! Completely customized with features like gorgeous built-ins, coffered ceilings, double crown molding, Brazilian cherry wood floors & extensive architectural millwork details. The renovated kitchen features a large breakfast bar counter, 6 burner Viking gas range, GE Monogram appliances, closet pantry & more. Spectacular backyard landscape designed by Keller Outdoors complete with landscape lighting, a full summer kitchen and a salt water pool with water features surrounded by an expansive Chicago brick deck!

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Sold for $975,000

Lisa Fleming

407.644.1234 321.228.8341 cell Lisa@fanniehillman.com “The Right Representation MakesBALDWIN All thePARK Difference” LIVING 39

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