Avalon Park Sun Tavares May 2021

KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL.... AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED.

MAY 2021

LIVE

VOLUME 2 EDITION 5

You Are Not Alone

Mental Health Awareness Month PAGE 2

LEARN

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WORK activity at pinecrest academy tavares

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PLAY

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COMMUNITY UPDATES

The theme for the 2021 May Mental Health Awareness Month outlined by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is “You Are Not Alone.”

That could not be truer for a community such as Avalon Park! After living over the past year in economic, political and health insecurity, we need to identify and take advantage of the ways that we can stay connected in our community. There is strength in community, and no one should feel like they are struggling alone or that they do not have access to the resources needed to live healthy and satisfying lives.

In January of this year, the Live Well program was launched in culmination with AdventHealth and the YMCA. This program is designed to be an online resource center for holistic health options in our community, from physical fitness to educational material, medical resources, nutritional tips and more. The resources can be found

Avalon Park Tavares Movie Under the Stars

online at AvalonParkTavares.com/ LiveWell, as well as in the last section of each month of the Avalon Park Sun. One of the latest resources offered is through the non-profit organization, ProjecThinkForward. The mission of this organization is to provide sponsored therapy to those affected by mental health concerns. Each Monday of this month the ProjecThinkForward team will be interviewing local mental health professionals and will be providing discussions on topics such as trauma, depression, relationships, PTSD and holistic remedies. The podcasts will be available on their Facebook and Website pages.

This month’s edition also outlines YMCA Summer Programs and a physical fitness challenge, which you can find starting on page 8.

Community Health Survey Additionally, we would like to hear

from you on what health resources are needed in our community. As part of a continued commitment to improve programs, amenities, and services in our community, we want to know what is important to you and your family. Please take a minute to complete the short community healthy survey. By doing so, you will be providing valuable information on what is important to you regarding health and wellness within your community. All answers are anonymous and will be used as a base to understand what the community as a whole views our overall health is and how we can begin to improve it through community action.

Click Here to Complete Survey Just remember, You Are Not Alone.

You are part of an entire community that cares for you!

LIVE ORLANDO

Coffee Hour with BEAT Psychology and is my closest advisor, we believe in MENS SANO IN CORPORE SANO, and understand the importance of mental health.

We believe that the composition of a healthy community has a direct impact May is Mental on both the physical Health Awareness and mental health Month and as I beof its stakeholders. gan writing this Cof- Building communifee with Beat, I was ties that are holistireminded of the find- cally strong includes ings AdventHealth made several years ago through a community health survey. AdventHealth and Avalon Park Group were trying to determine what medical specialists Avalon Park needs in its goal to become a focus on establishthe healthiest coming a place where munity in central the residents have Florida and the con- a strong sense of clusion was that we belonging and safeneed more psychol- ty. When you know ogists, psychiatrists, your neighbors, they and counselors. The often become friends resounding cry was that you can relax that above all other with and check in needs mental health on you in good and was one of the most challenging times. critical and where any community, in- That sense of belongcluding ours could ing and safety is also improve. complemented with outlets for mind, While we are not body and spirit. And counselors at Avaunderstanding not lon Park Group, all people respond although my wife to the same outlets, Jill holds a Ph.D. in having a diverse of-

fering is important for the health of the entire community. We are building Avalon Park to be programmed to provide outlets for all.

For the body there will be activities like yoga in the park and youth sports. For the mind there are counselors, music and dance performances, art classes, and more.

For the spirit, there are several churches of all faith bases

I BELIEVE GIVING BACK THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE HELPS WITH POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH.

programming that will create positive outlets for all needs.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the inaugural church service started by our long-time friend Pastor Dale Brooks in Bithlo. In his sermon, he reminded the congregation that first and foremost the community needs God. And while there are many needs, such as clean water, enough food, and shelter, the foundation should remain routed in faith.

I also truly believe giving back through community service helps with positive mental health. There located near Avalon are countless opporPark, as well as plans tunities to give back for additional spiriand help in the comtual center inside of munity. I encourage the community. In you to look around Avalon Park, every- to the local schools, thing for your daily non-profits and serlife will be at your vice organizations to fingertips, you do see where you can not have to leave help the most. the community, and that the sense of be- With the focus on longing and safety mental health in the becomes real. We month of May, I encontinue to look for courage you to exways to improve the plore the different mental health oppor- ways we can contintunities for our com- ue to build a healthy munity from bringcommunity together. ing mental health doctors to the community to adding

LIVE (Cont.)

Avalon Park New Homes Coming Soon!

40’ Homesites

50’ Homesites

5 Plans to choose from

6 Plans to choose from

3 - 5 Bedrooms

3 - 5 Bedrooms

2 - 3 Bathrooms

2 - 3.5 Bathrooms

2-Car Garage

2 -Car Garages

1,504 - 2,164 Sq. Ft.^

1,672 - 2,807 Sq. Ft.^

AMENITIES • Pool • Cabana AREA HIGHLIGHTS • Pedestrian Friendly Streets

• Nearby Marina, Sea Plane Base, & Water Splash Park • Proximity to Lake Dora, Eustis & Harris • Short Commute to Bustling Downtown Mount Dora • Easy Access to 441

FEATURES

• Granite Countertops • Home Is Connected®* Smart Home Technology • Ceramic Tile Flooring • All Concrete Block Construction • Stainless Steel Appliances • Ceramic Tile Flooring

Avalon Park • Mt. Homer Road, Tavares FL 32778 D.R. Horton is equal housing opportunity builder. Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Pictures, photographs, features, colors and sizes are approximate for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. ^Square footage dimensions are approximate. *Home Is Connected, A smart home is a convenient home setup where appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely from any internet-connected place in the world using a mobile or other networked device. Florida Registered Building Contractor License #CBC1252212

877.415.0030 | DRHORTON.COM

LIVE (Cont.)

5 Mood Boosters for Dealing With the Pandemic Blues

With the pandemic keeping many at-risk seniors indoors, creating a space that helps them feel their best is key for keeping their spirits high. By incorporating some simple mood boosters into their everyday routine, your senior loved one can better navigate their time inside and overcome the pandemic blues.

Ways To Boost the Mood of Seniors Stuck Inside

senior with their favorite colors can lift their spirits tremendously. Such colors can be added in furniture pieces, artwork, curtains and drapes, bed sheets, and more.

The following small changes can make a big difference in positively boosting a senior’s day.

1. Brighten their space with fresh flowers and plants.

Beautiful, bright, and blooming, fresh flowers are go-to pick-me-ups. But if seniors are looking for something more long term, the act of taking care of plants and watching them grow can be uplifting in and of itself. Additionally, plants hung in open windows can welcome extra light and fresh air into a space, which can be a mood booster as well. However, if your senior has any existing plant or outdoor allergies, or if they simply lack a green thumb, artificial flowers and plants are great alternatives and can offer the same bene-

sounds that can play in the back2. Keep them calm ground as seniors with an oil diffuser go about their day. or scented candle.

For example, with Aromatherapy uses sounds of waves oils and scents to crashing on the promote well-beshore, seniors can ing. With just a few envision visiting drops of essential the beach. Or, with oils in an oil difechoes of chirping fuser or a scented birds and rustling candle, seniors can trees, seniors can fill their space with feel as if they’re out their favorite scents in nature. If paired to create a spa-like with a diffuser or experience right at candle, the sounds home. Some difand scents will cerfusers also have tainly transport seunique light setniors to a new and tings, which make exotic environment for an added mood all from the comfort booster. of home.

5. Display their favorite photos. Perhaps one of the best ways to put a smile on your senior’s face and make their living space feel more comforting is by showcasing their favorite photos and cherished memories of loved ones.

Whether they’re hung on a wall, pinned to the refrigerator, propped up on a nightstand, or rotating on a digital picture frame, memorable moments captured in time will always be uplifting to see.

3. Use a sound machine to create an escape to new and different locations.

While sound machines vary, many offer soothing

Overcoming the pandemic blues goes beyond creating a happy living space.

fits.

4. Fill the room with colors that will enhance their mood. While vibrant colors can brighten any room, surrounding your

LEARN ORLANDO

Pinecrest Tavares Update Pinecrest Academy Tavares has had a busy month with testing but still has found time to celebrate! We had our very first student earn Principal for a day, honored our Elephants of the month who displayed tolerance and held our first annual

school carnival! We are in the last stretch of the school year and preparing for the fall! We are accepting registration for our summer

program at this time and it is open to the public, we will be accepting the first 100 applicants so register now!

WORK ORLANDO

Tavares Chamber Update

Hello from the Tavares Chamber- and happy May! We had a great time at our annual Golf Tournament, we missed it last year! Please stop by www. tavareschamber.com to see photos. While you’re there, find out where we’ll be this month and register for our events. You can also visit our website (www. tavareschamber.com) to join the Chamber, and visit our Facebook page (@ TavaresChamberOfCommerce) for the latest news!

Coming Events: • May 13- Business After Hours- RB Fine Arts, 347 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares • May 18- Networking Lunch- Fish Camp, 901 Lakeshore Blvd., Tavares • May 20- Lake County Community Service Awards- Venetian Center, Leesburg • May 26- Monthly Business Luncheon- Sponsor & Speaker - CareerSource Central Florida. Tavares Pavilion on the Lake. 11:30am-1:00pm • Every Thursday – Take the Lead: An Industry Exclusive Weekly Leads Group – 7:30am-9:00am, at the Mary’s Kountry Kitchen

PLAY ORLANDO

Coming together to create a healthy community

An East Orlando Health Alliance

21-WOMENS-03698

Nationally Recognized Women’s Care in Lake County At AdventHealth for Women, our network of care across Central Florida, including our location at AdventHealth Waterman, provides expert services for women in every stage of life. Our care providers are focused on providing the whole-person support you need, when and where you need it.

Experience the AdventHealth for Women difference • 8 convenient labor and delivery locations with the highest level of NICU care • Virtual resources for new parents including classes, tours and support groups • Advanced minimally invasive surgical options and leading technology

Our breast care team is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

• Comprehensive pelvic health program including pelvic floor rehabilitation • 3D mammography with the most locations throughout Central Florida

To connect with your personalized health navigation team, visit WomenAreIncredible.com.

A part of AdventHealth Waterman

© Amy Smith Photography

ORLANDO

Discover incredible care for incredible women.

LIVE WELL (Cont.)

Grow Stronger with Your Family this Summer at the YMCA

This summer, the YMCA of Central Florida is ready to serve you with a full lineup of fun activities for your entire family so you can grow stronger and healthier together! From safety-enhanced Youth Sports, Day Camps, and Aquatics programs for the kids to a variety of in-person and virtual wellness class offerings for adults, the Y has all the ways for your family to stay active. Plus, don’t forget, Y members save 50% off programs as an added benefit.

ly centers so we can bring you the classic offerings you enjoy such as Zumba and HIIT along with new ones like outdoor yoga and cycling. If you’re looking for virtual workouts, we also offer live and on-demand classes through Facebook that are designed to make it easy to enjoy a great workout from home. As always, our group exermore. how to swim for gencise classes are meant for erations. We offer safeall ages and abilities so Middle School Day ty-enhanced group swim you can grow stronger, Camp at Family Center lessons and private swim no matter where you are.

Sites lessons so you can find Kids will have daily aca class that best fits your For You, For All tivities and access to Y needs.

As a nonprofit focused facility amenities, longer Youth Sports on strengthening and camp sessions, and addSafe Start YMCA Youth Sports supporting our commued days.

Safe Start and Infant provide a healthy way nity, the YMCA is able to Swimming Resource for your child to gain offer discounts on proMiddle School Day (ISR) are the leading beor improve their skills, grams and membership Camp at School Sites havioral-based approach develop sportsmanship, to our neighbors in need Held at Orange County to swimming lessons, learn how to positivethanks to the generosity and Lake County schools, using techniques that are ly communicate with of our donors and Comthese sessions offer developmentally approtheir teammates, and munity Impact Members. choice-based specialty priate for your child. see positive role models.

All are welcome and all tracks.

Nonwalking infants will With a variety of sports belong at the Y. be taught to roll on to to choose from, the Y is The Y also offers free Specialty Camps their back to float, rest ready to help your child Neighborhood MemChoose from a wide vaand breathe while chilstay active, grow healthbership to anyone in the riety of unique offerings dren that are walking ier, and have fun this community. Simply opt this summer with Spewill be taught to use a summer. in and we’ll provide you cial Interest, Sports, or swim-float-swim sewith free wellness tips, Aquatics Camps. quence to reach safety.

Summer Day Camp healthy eating recipes, Whether your child and more throughout Aquatic Safety Safety Around Water spends the day developthe year to help you stay With water all around In the state of Florida, ing their STEM skills or strong in spirit, mind, us in Central Florida, drowning is the leading jumps in for a week-long and body. it is imperative that all cause of accidental death aquatics camp, they’ll be kids learn to be safe in in children under age building a foundation of You can also get involved and around water. That’s 4. Learning to stay safe growth and confidence in supporting the Y’s why the Y has develaround water may begin efforts to strengthen our for a lifetime as they oped a full array of water at the Y, but it doesn’t learn in a safe, caring, community as a donor, end there. That’s why and fun atmosphere. Our safety classes and swim Youth Sports volunteer, lessons for all ages and every year, during Nasessions and themes as or by joining us as a Y abilities. These swim tional Drowning Preven- team member. So, this designed for kids of all ages and interests, so you programs save lives and tion Month, we engage summer, let the Y be allow kids to build conand educate families with your home for growing can choose a summer fidence in the water that unique tips and activities stronger and healthier camp option that your lasts a lifetime as they to promote safety around together! child enjoys as they are have fun! water. enriched with summer learning, friendships, and Swim Lessons Group Exercise Classes fun!

Choose from group swim This summer, you and lessons or private lessons your family can stay acElementary Day Camp with certified instructors tive together with group Campers will enjoy fun from an aquatics proexercise classes! We’ve themes like Hawaiian reimagined our group exHulapalooza, Wild Wild gram that’s taught kids, teens, adults, and seniors ercise classes at our famiWest, Toon Town, and

LIVE WELL (Cont.)

Wellness with Jen: Know Yourself, Know Your Limits

I had a completely different article written for the month of May, the month of mental health awareness, and then this week happened...

This week has been A WEEK! You know those weeks when you make it to the end of the week, and you look back thinking WOW, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! Well, that is how this week has been. As I was sitting here, reflecting on the week and sipping some wine, I thought about how many other people have experienced weeks like this, especially over the past year.

This week, a major change took place. I moved on from a company that I have been working with for close to 10 years. Yes, change is hard. Yes, I struggled with the decision to move on. Yes, I felt anxious about making the decision. Ultimately, however, I made the decision and felt confident in my reasons for deciding to move on. Next week was planned to be my final week. I work with children, and I form deep connections with these children, so leaving is not easy. I made it through telling all of “my kids” (yes, I call them “my kids” as if they are my own) that next week would be our final week together.

Some of them were too young to understand, some just said ok, and some cried, but we knew that we had next week. Then the email arrived in my inbox. The email telling me that next week

was not my final week; the email telling me that this was actually my final week. That is when my anxiety went through the roof.

My emotions ran high. I cycled through feelings of denial, anger, heartbreak, betrayal. All that I kept thinking was that I will be breaking a promise to so many kids next week when I don’t return to say our final goodbye, to give a final hug, to feel that final connection that runs so deep.

What do you do when your emotions run high? What do you do to center yourself when you are feeling out of control of your emotions? If you have ever struggled with anxiety, you know that feeling of not being able to take a full breath; that feeling of shallow breathing despite trying to take a deep breath and ground yourself.

I used to just continue to spiral out of control of my emotions.

Now I know what I can reach for to help stop the spiral. What I have found to work for me might be an unpopular option in some people’s opinions, but hear me out...

I reach for essential oils. I know, I know. You’re thinking “Oh goodness, she is one of those. She uses those snake oils. She mixes potions in her witch cauldron.” I have heard it all before, so don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings. Don’t knock it till you try it though! I wasn’t a believer. I had the same thoughts that you

are having right now. Once I did decide to give essential oils a try based on friend’s testimonies, I didn’t know the importance of using essential oils from a company that I can trust, and so the oils that I had tried from the store didn’t do anything for me. I finally decided to do my research, reach out to friends and ask what had worked for them, and then I did a little trial and errors.

So, as I sit here reflecting on the week, I am breathing deeply without difficulty and I am accepting what has happened.

I have grounded myself, found peace in the situation, and even managed to boost my mood with a little help of a roller and a diffuser.

If you have found yourself feeling like you need some peace but don’t know how to achieve it, or maybe your have found yourself feeling overwhelmed with this craziness called life that just never slows down, you might benefit from some snake oils. Maybe you could use a little witch cauldron of your own from time to time.

Keep in mind to know when you just need a little something natural to help ground you and help you take a deep breath, and know when you might need a little more. If you are experiencing feelings of anxiety that have reached a point that you might need to seek the attention of a medical professional, DO NOT ever hesitate to do so. Seeking out

medical guidance shows strength and self love. Know yourself, know your limits.

*I am not a doctor and do not claim to diagnose, treat, and/ or cure any ailment. I am only sharing my experiences and results of what I have found to be successful for myself and that of my family. I empower everyone to do their own research and decide what work best for them and their family. In the event that medical attention is needed, seek medical attention.

Follow me on social media or shoot me a message if you have any questions or concerns.

Happy Spring, everyone!

Jen Cosby jcdiamondwellness@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/ yljennifercosby https://www.facebook.com/ groups/oilshowyouthewayed/ https://www.instagram.com/ jen_cosby/

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LIVE WELL (Cont.)

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