Baldwin Park Living June 2022

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING JUNE 2022

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

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Happy Father’s Day!

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

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Kimberley R. Gernert Real state Specialist Baldwin Park Resident

(423) 381-5701

KimberleyRG@kw.com

Top Baldwin Park Realtor since 2016 Keller Williams #1 Individual Agent 2016, 2019-20

Expert SOLD Baldwin Park

Baldwin Park resident for over 15 years Ranked top producer since 2015

YO!"U!” helpYOU o help re tto hehere "I'm “I’m

One of Baldwin Park's top realtors since 2015 Ranked in op Producer Magazine Since 2015

Member of Keller Williams Winter Park Top Realtor in Baldwin ParkCertifie since 2015 d n; Gold Key Divisio Luxury Orlando HOT 100 Realtors since 2019 ional Professfor 5 Star OrlandoPark Baldwin Resident overRealtor 15 years Magazine Style o Orland by Ranked in Top Producer Magazine since 2015 2017, 2018 & 2019 Keller Williams Winter Park Luxury Division Member Gold Key Certified Orlando 5 Star Professional Realtor by Orlando Style Magazine 3 years running (2017-2019)

Client Testimonial

“Kimberley Gernert is a wonderful Real Estate professional. I definitely recommend her for the sale of your D process very SOLthe home. She made D SOLINLET D S TURN CIRCLE , PONCE SOL72 easy and smooth. Kimberley was 6 Bedroom/5.5 Bath I 2 Master Suites I Swimming Pool Outdoor Shower I Incredible Location! very2633 insightful, Placeme ingshowed Meetshe 1878 Meeting Place 625 Lake Baldwin Lane what my home was really worth. baths 4 bed 4.2 bath 2.5 m bedroo 3 She convinced me to go up on my 3 bedroom 2 bath Pool Salt water Bonus Room Kitche Lovely Courtyard or Outdo Full asking price and she wasn right!

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I received more than I ever thought possible. Thank you Kimberley I for a e, experienced, professional, savvy and kind-hearted, then "If you are looking for a Realtor who is knowledgeablGerner t to wonderful real te estate experience” the marke ically naviga t. She helped us strateg ivocally recommend Kimberley

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eyrg@kw.com

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strongly and unequ every step of Her professionalism, enthusiasm and good-natured wit alleviated stress e.Gernert for our lifestyl find a home h sailing smoot ly Kimberley R. certain was It . the month the way. Then, she turned around and sold our current home within their and clients about cares ely genuin who ne knowing we were in such good hands with someo and so nice 423–381–5701 families."

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CONTENTS

JUNE 2022

TAKING ROOT

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

12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Summer is here! That means sun in the sun. And there are plenty of options in the City Beautiful!

14 CALLING ALL CANDIDATES The Balwin Park Residential Owners Association seeks candidates for its board.

PLANTS FOR PEACE Baldwin Park students create flowers to support refugees in Ukraine.

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16 CRAFTY CREATOR Baldwin Park resident Alyona Alshaeva turns her hobby into a full-blown craft business.

File photo

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING

Give your home the protection it deserves.

JUNE 2022

Editor and Publisher — Michael Eng meng@orangeobserver.com

EDITORIAL Design Editor — Jessica Eng jeng@orangeobserver.com

John A. Psomas RICP, Agent 922 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite A Orlando, FL 32814 Bus: 407-277-2997 www.johnpsomas.com Hablamos Español

Your home is where you make some of your best memories, and that’s worth protecting.

I’m here to help.

LET’S TALK TODAY.

Staff Writer — Annabelle Sikes asikes@orangeobserver.com

FOR ADVERTISING: Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@orangeobserver.com

PRODUCTION Senior Graphic Designer Lindsay Cannizzaro

CONTACT To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Annabelle Sikes at asikes@orangeobserver.com.

For advertising inquiries, call (407) 656-2121.

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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Baldwin Park notebook HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Summer in Florida is right around the corner and brings with it, longer days, heat and humidity, and, of course, the beginning of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. While the prospect of a storm impacting our area can be somewhat disconcerting, preparation can help lessen those fears.

Preparing in advance for hurricane season can determine not only how safely and comfortably you ride out the storm, but also how easy it is to handle the days and weeks after the storm has passed.

The Baldwin Park Residential Owners Association, Commercial Owners Association and Joint Committee are responsible for the property owned by each association including certain parks, facility centers, parking lots and landscaping. This is not an all-inclusive list.

As homeowners and business owners, you are responsible for your dwelling during a hurricane. If you are a tenant, you need to check with your landlord for specific responsibilities.

Here are some important steps: n MAKE A PLAN. All residents should prepare for hurricane season by creating a family plan and disaster supply kit, securing personal property and having a place to go in the event of an evacuation. A plan should answer the following questions. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

What is my shelter plan? What is my evacuation route? What is my family/household communication plan? Learn more at floridadisaster.org/hazards/hurricanes. n HURRICANE KIT. The most important part of your hurricane plan is a hurricane kit that includes the basic life support you will need after a disaster. Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days to two weeks. n TUNE IN. Listen to and follow public announcements through local media.

OCFL ALERT is an alert system that allows Orange County Government to contact you via email or cell phone text message during an emergency affecting Orange County.

Download to your phone here bit.ly/3sKtxBX.

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

BY STACEY FRYREAR The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official April 26, 2022, Meeting Minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

The board approved the following items/work: n BrightView to install plants at Baskin Mews. n DRS to replace the shower tiles at the Grace Hopper pool showers along with the shower fixtures.

UPDATES

9. Cleaned chalk art in large pavilion and playground area of High Park.

10. Cleaned all pool furniture.

11. Replaced all missing sign panels in parks.

12. Replacement lounges and chairs for Enders and Grace Hopper were delivered.

13. Approved landscape/tree replacements in City Homes No. 4 Mews.

14. Mulch installation in parks/ mews.

PENDING ACTIONS 1. Interior touch up painting and painting of trim and doors at Grace Hopper Hall.

COMPLETED ACTIONS 1. Floor replacement in hallways, foyer, kitchen and bathrooms at Grace Hopper Hall.

2. Access control hardware upgrades at High Park. Still waiting on parts for High Park.

2. Access control hardware upgrades Enders.

3. AllGuard (painting) of Grace Hopper pool house was scheduled for May 9-13.

3. High Park replacement slings for lounges and dining chairs for High Park pool were delivered.

4. Replace backer rods and re-caulk expansion joints at Grace Hopper Pool scheduled for May 9-13.

4. Access control emergency exit button at High Park was installed.

5. Installment of replacement lounge and chair slings for High Park.

5. Touch up painted floor in women’s pool restroom at Enders.

6. Replacement tables and umbrellas for Enders and Grace Hopper was scheduled to be shipped in May 2022.

6. Pressure0washed High Park pool deck.

7. Replaced sod on north end of Parkland Quadrangle.

8. Tightened rail in elevator.

7. Coordinating pool furniture donation to Habitat for Humanity after all of the new furniture at Enders and Grace Hopper is delivered.

8. Replacement tables at High Park pool. Twenty-six- to 32-week delivery window.

Ordered on March 23, 2022.

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

9. Armrest for benches at City Homes No. 2, City Homes No. 3 Mews and Corrine Commons were ordered.

Six- to eight-week delivery window. Ordered on Feb. 4, 2022.

The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the April 21, 2022, meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

10. Installation of approved fencing around Enders main and kiddie pool equipment.

11. Proposal to repair and paint talking table in the Grace Hopper foyer.

12. Proposal to re-glue step risers in Grace Hopper interior stairwell.

13. Repaint NEV garage floor.

Scheduled for May. 14. Re-stain birthday pavilion table top.

15. Proposal for replacement lighting at High Park large pavilion.

16. Proposal for new surveillance cameras at Grace Hopper, Enders and High parks.

17. Playground mulch installation at Union Park playground and Enders playground (on back order).

Continued on page 13

BY MELISSA PARKER

n The TSAC moved to approve the following residents representing the following service areas be recommended for appointment to the TSAC by the Board of Directors: Lori Pollock: Cambridge Robert Slavens: City Homes No. 1 Open/vacant: City Homes No. 2 Eric Christner: Live/Work n The TSAC moved to approved irrigation upgrades in the Cambridge service area. This is a budgeted item to occur in 2022.

UPDATES

n Please remember to report any landscape, building or irrigation issues on Baldwin Park Solutions work-order system. Reporting items on Baldwin Park Solutions will allow residents to share photos of the reported area(s) and receive real-time updates from management staff on corrective measures being taken. n Roof replacements are coming to multiple townhome service areas. Please remember to check your attics/soffit areas for any bats and/or rodents. Some of these animals may have decided to make a home in these areas.

Animals will be required to be removed prior to any roof replacement projects beginning and may delay construction if they are found. This is considered a homeowner’s expense. Issa 22 is the first service area to receive roof

replacements this year, followed

by Cambridge, Issa 28, and City Homes No. 1. (Not all addresses will have roof replacements this year; some addresses are listed to be replaced in 2023 per the Reserve Study. Please refer to the previous mailing sent out for the address list.) More information will be released as it becomes available. n New sod that installed in April/May has been treated with a fungicide. n BrightView has completed installing pine straw within the townhome service areas. n BrightView has treated all Indian Hawthorn, Magnolia trees, Ixora and Gardenias with fungicide, micro- nutrients, Merit and insect control in April. n BrightView irrigation techs have performed monthly inspections, and several issues were found and resolved. BrightView will continue to manually water areas because of current drought conditions. n During the month of April, there was .75 inches of rain (normal is two inches). n Per DRS Inc. the following is the Townhome painting schedule for May/June 2022: City Homes No. 2. n Per DRS Inc. the following is the Townhome maintenance schedule for May/June 2022: City Homes No. 2, Mattamy. n Because of supply shortages, schedules will be projected one to two months out to anticipate any possible future changes or delays. Notices are still being left on townhome front doors one to two weeks in advance to inform residents of any upcoming projects beginning in their address range.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOUSE OWNERS Mulching is completed once or twice a year based on the approved budgets.

The mulch used is pine straw (pine needles). The following reasons are why the TSAC decided to use pine straw: n Pine straw breaks down quicker into the soil, which in turn helps the very high pH levels in the soil. n Pine straw does not attract termites as pine bark/pine nuggets can. n Pine straw is considered an all-natural or “green” mulch. n Pine straw 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 have pine fines installed instead of pine straw to help enhance the overall growth of the groundcover beds.

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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN!

Summertime in the City A

WILL CAMPBELL PRESIDENT BALDWIN PARK JOINT COMMITTEE

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nd just like that, we’re moving into another season — or at least, as much as seasons change here in Florida. As the school year comes to a close, kids will be roaming the neighborhood more frequently, and their teachers are getting a much-needed break. Families are planning and preparing for their summer vacations. While some people in the neighborhood will be out of town, we usually get an influx of out-of-towners visiting our little corner of the City Beautiful by way of visiting family and even tourists.

We often pride ourselves on our neighborhood not being what a lot of people consider Orlando as a whole to be: a tourist trap. With that said, we have a lot to offer — especially for the more discerning of travelers. We’ve even got some new blood in Downtown Baldwin Park that you should definitely show off to your visiting friends and family.

Provision & Buzz got a face-lift and soon, a new name. Paper Goat Post left its original home in College Park and moved into the former home of Farris & Fosters and has succeeded in making it a little bubble of happiness — complete with a confetti faucet (seriously, so cute in there, be sure to check it out). Pedego bikes has joined the neighborhood, offering not only sales of their electric bikes but also day-rental packages that include a little piece of Baldwin Park by way of a gift card to one of our other amazing businesses when your rental concludes. Each of these new neighbors offers something special to do on these long, hot summer days.

If you’re looking to be a tourist yourself in the area, there’s so much to do that a theme park doesn’t even need to be on your list. If you’re looking to beat the

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

heat and take advantage of the A/C, there’s the Orange County Regional History Center in the heart of Downtown Orlando, where you can learn about the area from over the past 12,000 years. Yes, I said 12,000, and yes, that’s a lot! There’s also the Orlando Museum of Art, which hosts a rotation of 10 to 12 unique exhibits throughout the year, so it’s never the same thing twice. Another super fun option is the Orlando Science Center, which is especially great for the little ones.

If you’re looking to be outside but still aren’t feeling like a butter beer at Hogsmeade, just a short ride past the attractions and off Interstate 4, you can find Bok Tower Gardens. This beautiful 250-acre garden and bird sanctuary offers walking paths that you could get lost one with plenty of shady spots for you to take a break a clear your head. In the same vein, and much closer, is Harry P. Leu Gardens at the corner of Corrine Drive and Forest Avenue.

Leu Gardens showcases all of the beauty central Florida has to offer by way of plants, gardens, and the beautiful lake it sits along with so many different paths to take that you could spend an entire day and still not see everything.

If you’re looking for something completely different and don’t mind venturing a little further out of the bubble, head up to Daytona and take yourself and five friends on a cruising tiki boat tour of the intracoastal. We did this for my birthday once, and I assure you, it will not disappoint. You are literally cruising the intracoastal waterways on a floating tiki bar, what can go wrong?! Another out-of-the-box option is the Limo Cycle. Yes, equally as ridiculous as the tiki bar boat but equally as fun.

Plus, you get to learn something

about the town as you pedal along the brick paver streets of Historic Downtown Sanford.

With so many amazing options in and around Baldwin Park, the summer possibilities are endless.

You likely will find the husband and I sitting along New Broad Street at one of the restaurants or grabbing a glass of wine at Golden Hour along Lake Baldwin Lane, relaxing after our long days of work, and planning our own summer days. We’re already counting down the days until a seven-day cruise we have booked with a group of friends in mid-July, but there are always those random days off that we have together when we’re looking for something new to see or do.

Oh yeah, before I forget, speaking of July (you like that segue?): Don’t forget about the Baldwin Park Independence Bash on Sunday, July 3, in Downtown Baldwin Park. This is our premier event for the neighborhood, and it’s going to be one of the best we’ve ever done.

Tons of work has been going on behind the scenes since the end of last year to really put on an event of which Baldwin Park can be proud. Be on the lookout for more details in the weekly e-blasts, here in Baldwin Park Living and on BaldwinParkNetwork.com. We can’t wait to see you all out there.

No matter what your summer plans, I hope you take advantage of all that we have within our reach, or drive, within Central Florida.

I know we don’t like to leave the bubble too much, but sometimes it’s OK! Until next time, stay safe, stay well and remember, We Are Baldwin Park!

BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC.

BY BILL PATTERSON Summer has arrived! Cool off with the amazing summer merchandise at our local Baldwin Park businesses or stop in one of our many restaurants for a cool drink. You can find a list of all the great Baldwin Park businesses on the Baldwin Park Network. Just scroll down and click on the criteria you are looking for.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT n During COVID, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer passed an executive order allowing temporary signs. This has since expired. The COA will start enforcing the sign guidelines again.

Please note that in the Neighborhood Business District A-frame, banners and bandit signs are not allowed. Any temporary sign must be hung in the proper fashion according to the guide-

Continued from page 9

lines. They must be hung on the inside of the window/door and for no more than 30 days. Any signs up longer than 30 days are considered permanent signs and must be approved by the ARC Committee. Please get in touch with Bill Patterson if you have any questions.

GENERAL UPDATES n Commercial owners, tenants and managers can submit work requests through our new Baldwin Park Solutions system. It is located on the Baldwin Park Network. Simply click “Resident Home” at the top right, and you will find the link in the middle of the page. If you do not have a Baldwin Park Network account, you can request one from that page as well. Visit baldwinparknetwork.com to start. n The parking lot dumpsters are not meant for large items. This can break or clog the city’s dumpsters and cause further issues. If you have any bulk items, the city of Orlando offers

bulk pick-up — in most cases, free of charge! This can be used for most items that cannot fit in the commercial dumpster. Visit orlando.gov/ Trash-Recycling for more information and to schedule future pick-ups. n Architectural Review Committee meetings take place twice a month — on the second and fourth Tuesdays — for application reviews regarding commercial changes to exterior structures (roofing replacements and painting), landscaping and signage.

All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. For questions and application submission please feel free to email Bill at BPatterson@ BaldwinParkPOA.com. n The conversion of the parking light to LED continues throughout the year.

LED lights are much more efficient and brighter than the old bulbs.

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Baldwin Park notebook

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

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ASSOCIATION NEWS: ROA 2022 Elections Summer is here, and that is an indication in Baldwin Park that it is time to start thinking about the ROA Annual Meeting and Election of Board of Directors.

In 2022, we will be looking to fill the three open positions on the Residential Owners Association Board of Directors.

Governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, the Board, working side-by-side with management, has a goal to protect and maintain property values by promoting an enjoyable community-oriented neighborhood.

Included in the maintenance is the responsibility for the operation, care and upkeep of common areas, which include contract management for the

repair and improvements. The common areas include ROA owned buildings, parks, pools and playgrounds.

THE TIMELINE n A “Call for Candidates” will be mailed to each owner this month to the address of record for each property. Owner is defined in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Baldwin Park Residential Properties as “Persons who hold the record title to any Unit.” n Owners interested in running will have until 5 p.m. July 8, 2022, to complete and return

their “Intent to be a Candidate” form. These forms will be made available on the Baldwin Park Community Network (baldwinparknetwork.com) or by emailing Roaboard@baldwinparkpoa. com. The three candidates with the most votes will serve two year terms.

n Each of these positions will be filled on an At-Large basis.

In other words, all candidates participating in this election will be eligible for one of the open seats. The top three candidates with the most votes will fill the open positions. n Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Aug. 9, 2022.

n Information, including biographies provided by each candidate, will be posted on Baldwin Park Community Network and published in an upcoming edition of the Baldwin Park Living magazine. This material will give you an idea of the candidates ’background, qualifications and why they want to serve.

Please consider volunteering your time and talent to serve our community in this most important capacity. This is your opportunity to have your voice count in the governance of Baldwin Park.

For questions, please email Roaboard@baldwinparkpoa.com.

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Crafty creator What started off as a hobby for Baldwin Park resident Alyona Alshaeva is turning into a full-blown craft business.

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

A

lyona Alshaeva says she is happiest when she gets to see people’s reactions to her homemade gifts.

Originally a web developer from Russia, the 35-year-old took up crafts as a hobby while awaiting her green card in the United States.

Although the Baldwin Park resident has been experimenting with knitting since she was a teenager, her love for crafting didn’t take off until she moved in 2017 from Moscow to Wisconsin with her husband.

“When we moved to Wisconsin, I got a sewing machine as a Christmas present from my mother-inlaw,” Alshaeva says. “I immediately started learning how to sew. First, I made some pillowcases. I fell in love with the fabric designs at a local craft store, and it motivated me to learn how to sew. But the first craft I made was table décor for our wedding. I still keep it as a memory.”

Alshaeva says she thought she would be able to stitch a straight line easily with the machine but was humbled when she had to draw a line to help herself sew with more perfection. She says the challenge made her want to practice more.

In 2019, the couple moved from Wisconsin to Florida. Alshaeva says she decided to visit the public library in downtown Orlando Courtesy photos

Alyona Alshaeva loves creating decorations for various holidays throughout the year.

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

Alyona Alshaeva loves creating table decordations.

Alyona Alshaeva hopes to make her own fabrics in the future.

to take sewing lessons and perfect her skills.

That’s when her crafting business took off.

Currently, the Baldwin Park resident is focused on creating unique clothes for babies and toddlers.

However, she has expanded her capabilities with a multitude of other creations along the way.

“I’m in love with the American tradition to change out holiday décor,” Alshaeva says. “I make kitchen sets like matching table runners, napkins, aprons, pie carriers, shower curtains and decorative pillows. I can customize any item.

For example, using a Cricut Maker 3, I’m making custom sweaters, T-shirts and other things.”

One of the crafter’s most popular items are her reversible dresses.

“If a baby spits (up) on a dress, you can just flip it on the other side,” she says. “Instead of one

dress, you have two. It’s the perfect item for traveling.”

The aprons, table sets and pie carrier are also new hits.

“People says it makes their life easier,” Alshaeva says. “I love to make everything reversible, so that it saves space to store it, and you can change sides depending on the holiday or your mood. For example, combining Thanksgiving and Halloween fabric together or Christmas and a winter design on the other side.”

Currently, Alshaeva is focusing on expanding her website. She is adding more information, as well as a lessons section, where people can learn how to make decorations without sewing, obtain free sewing patterns and even explore ideas for crafts.

“I’m a perfectionist, and I care about quality,” she says. “When I started sewing bedding, it was because I couldn’t find 100% cotton cool-design bedding, especially duvet, and it would cost a lot. I went and bought premium cotton and made a first set. When I see some cute home décor at Pottery Barn or any other store, I know that I can make it or make it even better, and it won’t cost that much. Plus, I like unique things. It makes me happy to see people’s reactions

Alyona Alshaeva uses her creativity to create a variety of products.

when I make them presents.”

Alshaeva says her favorite craft to make is a table runner, because of the stunning fabric she can find.

She says she loves to match all the home décor together and gets excited to change it for each holiday.

“It’s very simple but gives your home festive vibes,” she says.

In addition to her website, Alshaeva is planning to attend craft markets in the fall.

She is working on products that she will take to the markets, making sure to include an array of festive fabrics, which she stocked up on so she can access them at all times of the year — not just the holidays.

In the future, Alshaeva says she wants to study textile design and be able to make her own fabric.

MORE INFORMATION Website: alshaeva.com Email: alshaeva.craft@gmail.com Instagram: instagram.com/alshaeva. craft/

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In full bloom ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSHROOMS

Baldwin Park Elementary students have been working hard since April to create an art installation in support of families in the Ukraine.

The art installation, known as The SPORE Project, was first developed in 2005 by artist Doug Rhodehamel. The project is an awareness program to support creativity and art education by constructing and planting mushrooms simply made from brown paper lunch bags.

Tens of thousands of paper bag mushrooms have been constructed and planted by hundreds of individuals, students, businesses and organizations around the world.

Paper bag mushrooms have been planted in every continent of the world, including Antarctica.

All K-5 art classes at the school, about 700 to 800 students, participated in the making of the art installation.

The project includes the school’s own custom twist on the mushrooms as sunflowers. The sunflower is a symbol of peace and also the national flower of Ukraine.

Beki Linville, BPE’s art teacher, says the students painted the impression of sunflowers to show their love and support to the country.

“We want to send a message of peace to all the world,” Linville says. “This project is important to me to help teach our children to be empathetic to others and that our art communicates. The students are really excited to be a part of one of the largest art installations in the world.”

The uniquely painted sunflowers were placed in the grass outside the front of the school for the whole community to view.

MATERIALS Paper lunch bags Bamboo skewers Small rubber bands Glue sticks Hot melt glue gun METHOD n Take a paper bag and open it up. Squeeze the bag in the middle with one hand.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

MAN ON THE STREET Why do you think it is important to create these sunflowers?

“So people know about love.”

— Kaiden Eaton, kindergarten

“To bring kindness and light to people.”

— Jackson Fiske, first grade

n Using the other hand, “pop” the top down to make a mushroom cap. Be sure not to pop it too hard, or it will pop for real and ruin the bag. n Take a bamboo skewer and place it up through the stem of the mushroom with the pointed side out. n Squeeze the lower part of the bag into a stem shape. Do not twist; just squish it. n Grab the neck of the mushroom with one hand and flatten the top with your other hand. Rotate your mushroom a bit while doing this. Push the corners of the bag inward, this gives the mushroom a more rounded appearance.

“So people can love to look at them when they wait for their kids and know about love.”

“To let other people know we are thinking about them.”

— IlA Todd, kindergarten

— Jae Nguyen, kindergarten

“So art can stay in life.”

“So people can feel peace and joy.”

— Clara D., kindergarten

— Layla Fiske, kindergarten

n Using your thumbs and forefingers, pinch and rotate the underside of the mushroom cap.

Put one rubber band all the way to the top of the stem. Place another rubber band toward the bottom of the stem. The rubber bands keep the mushroom from bulging out if they get wet or rained on. n Open the bottom of the mushroom a little bit and squirt a drop of hot melt glue into the base of the stem. n Pinch the bottom of the mushroom to squish the glue to the paper and skewer.

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More than 700 Baldwin Park Elementary students painted the impression of sunflowers on paper bags to show their love and support to refugees in the Ukraine.

“The sunflowers are important because they are helping spread the message of peace.”

— Penny Detzel, third grade

“It’s important because they represent peace and hope for the Ukraine.”

— Luca Poulos, third grade

“Because it shows we are on their side and hope they are OK.” — Carter Poulos, first grade

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Ate, drank, made merry After taking a break in 2021, Taste of Baldwin Park returned Thursday, May 26, to the delight of Baldwin Park residents, friends and families.

File photo

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER Residents of Baldwin Park and beyond came together from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Harbor Park on New Broad Street for the highly anticipated return of Taste of Baldwin Park.

Celebrating its second year, more than 1,000 guests were delighted at the return of the event after having to take a break in 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual foodie night out featured a plethora of all-inclusive and unlimited tasting of wines, craft beer and food stations from more than 25 vendors, with VIP ticket-holders arriving an hour before the event for early access.

Food vendors this year included local favorites such as Seasons 52, Outback Steakhouse, The Alfond Inn, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Jimmy Hula’s, Tibbys New Orleans Kitchen, Gators Dockside and Provisions & Buzz Co. Dessert vendors include Nothing

Bundt Cakes and Gelato-go Orlando.

Other featured vendors included co-presenting sponsors such as Publix and Park Life Group Keller Williams Winter Park, as well as smaller sponsors such as The Drip Bar and Red Fox Promo.

The event, hosted by VIP Events

by David Merritt, benefits Caring

By Sharing United, a non-profit organization in Altamonte Springs that provides humanitarian needs for the homeless, hungry, sick and less fortunate.

“It’s all about creating an amazing night out for individuals to enjoy the Baldwin Park community,” Merritt says. “This is a community event, and I feel very responsible to make sure it’s executed, to give everyone a great night out with delicious food and drink, great music and just a wonderful vibe where people feel safe. This is a special community, and they deserve an event just as special.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment on a

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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | JUNE 2022

professional stage on the lake. The band Room 2, which has several members who live in the area, performed rock music.

In addition to the food, the event provided face-to-face marketing opportunities for local businesses.

Although an event of this magnitude is a lot of work, it also is rewarding, Merritt says.

“When you see everybody leaving, and they’ve had an amazing experience, then you know that you have completed your mission and you have done what you promised people you would do where you created an amazing night out,” Merritt says. “After the pandemic, I feel like there’s this pent-up demand emotionally where people wanted to get out and do things.”

Starting in 2023, Merritt wants to host two Taste of Baldwin Park events per year — one in the fall and one in the spring. The tentative dates for 2023 are Thursday, April 6, and Thursday, Nov. 2.

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