NOVEMBER 2020
T H E E X LU S I V E P U B L I C AT I O N O F L A K E C O V E P O I N T E
THE
THE
BUDNIKS On the adventure of a lifetime
W E D D I NG
VIDE OG RA P HY
www.inperspective.co
Orlando, FL contact@inperspective.co | Tel: 863.443.4623
CONTENTS 14
Where the Heart Is
Though the Budnik family has seen more of the world than most, there’s only one place they call home.
8 5 To the Pointe 8 Pointes of Interest Numbers, news, and need-to-knows about the neighborhood. This month, get gift ideas, gardening tips, puppy kisses, and more. 20 New Neighbors Get to know the Thompson family.
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21 Meet the Board 24 The Dish You’ve elected your HOA. Now it’s Learn to make Spaetzle, a traditional time to learn a little more about them. German noodle dish. 22 Around the Block Halloween 2020 was a blast! Here’s our recap of the neighborhood’s best costumes.
25 Wine Cellar Brian Koziol shares what pairs well with your Thanksgiving feast 26 Pointe of View Neighborhood photo hobbyist captures the little moments.
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SPECIALIZING IN FAMILY LAW INCLUDING
DIVORCE PATERNITY CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION
AND OTHER FA M I LY- R E L AT E D M AT T E R S
Allison E.M. Budnik, Attorney 161 S. BOYD ST., SUITE 100 WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787 PHONE 407-499-2082 W G F A M I LY L A W F I R M . C O M
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TO THE POINTE
It is not always easy to be grateful. We all have bumps in our roads. Isolation can amplify those trials and tribulations to overwhelming levels. I know, particularly in the last few months, I have had my bad days. And yet‌ I’m getting ready for a walk. My dog nibbles my fingers , telling me I should be loving her instead of tying my shoes. So I giggle and I love on her. And I am grateful. After another day of chores and projects, emails and bad news, I am cooking dinner. My 16-year-old comes and hugs me from behind. So I stop and turn and hug him back. And I am grateful. While folding laundry, I hear my sixth grader singing with Alexa in the back hallway on his break from distance learning. And I am grateful. My husband comes home from work and gets in my way until I kiss him hello. And I am grateful. Family and friends text or call me just because they can. And I am grateful. I step outside and see people I have come to love walking their dogs or exercising in the neighborhood. We stop and chat. And I am grateful. Sometimes it is not easy and you will have bad days. But tomorrow is a fresh start and there are kernels of joy to be found in random moments. And I am grateful.
Nicole Soulsby, Editor
HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? Send your ideas and images to lcp@emagency.com
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NUMBERS YOU NEED E M E R G E N C Y C O N TA C T S
HOA BOARD MEMBERS
Gabriel Irizarry President gabriel.irzarry@gmail.com Mary Langley Vice President marylangley3@gmail.com Cheryl Lessard Secretary cherless1@aol.com Erik Halluska Treasurer ehalluska@withum.com Nicole Soulsby Director nicsoulsby@yahoo.com
ARCHITECT REVIEW COMMIT TEE
Rita Izaguirre Marsha Bentley Mike McGuffie
FINING COMMITTEE
Nick Botts Erica Diaz Ryan Hinricher
911 Fire, Ambulance, Police 211 Suicide Prevention 800-222-1222 Poison Control 407-254-9140 Animal Control
N O N - E M E R G E N C Y C O N TA C T S
407-532-6797 407-836-4357 407-877-5775 407-656-3636
WELCOMING COMMIT TEE
Ellen McGuffie Chair
EVENTS COMMITTEE
Nicole Soulsby Chair
IMPROVEMENTS TEAM
Vickie Parrish Wes Parrish Sue Aduss
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@emagency.com 407-573-6061
Florida Highway Patrol Orange County Sheriff Winter Garden Fire Dept. Winter Garden Police Dept.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT/SERVICES
407-656-4111 cwdgn.com 407-656-1117 oaklandfl.com 407-656-3344 407-836-2070 407-656-1304 407-835-7323
City of Winter Garden Winter Garden Official Website Town of Oakland Oakland Official Website Post Office Voter Registration The West Orange Chamber Winter Garden Public Library
844-219-5293 877-862-9343 407-629-1010 407-656-2734 407-656-4111 321-436-4559
Spectrum CenturyLink Duke Energy Lake Apopka Natural Gas Winter Garden Water & Sewer After-Hours Water & Sewer
UTILITIES
H O S P I TA L S / U R G E N T C A R E
NOVEMBER 2020 / VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 A P U B L I C AT I O N O F
Jamie Ezra Mark Publisher Nicole Soulsby Editor __________ Rheya Tanner Art Director Lynette Azarow Photographer Matt Tullo Photographer Josh Clark Designer Wendy Mak Designer Caleb Jensen Web Garrett Reardon Digital 407-573-6061 hello@emagency.com emagency.com @EMagencyinc
PROUD MEMBER OF
The Pointe Volume 1 Number 2 Copyright© 2020 by Em Agency. All rights reserved. Published monthly. Em Agency is not affiliated with or contracted by Lake Cove Pointe (LCP). This publication, including the articles, opinions, and advertisements contained herein, is not authorized or endorsed by LCP. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Em Agency. Advertising or products does not imply endorsement. Em Agency can not be held liable for the business practices of these companies.
407-654-4965 407-614-0500 407-296-1000 407-656-2055 407-841-5111 352-394-4071
Centra Care AdventHealth Winter Garden Health Central Hospital Health Central Express Care Orlando Regional Medical Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
A N I M A L H O S P I TA L S
407-656-4132 407-901-4923 407-347-8514 407-656-1800 407-654-1800 407-449-1369
Winter Garden Animal Hospital Wintermere Pointe Animal Hospital Oakes Animal Hospital WOVH Vineland WOVH Stoneybrook Orlando Animal Hospital
QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS
Terri Grace Sentry Management liaison terri.grace@sentrymgt.com 407-788-6700 ext. 51405 sentrymgt.com To create an account on the Sentry Management portal, you will need your account number, found on your annual bill.
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Custom Charcuterie Locally made custom wood crafts make the perfect holiday gift. Nicole and Taylor are a mother-daughter woodworking duo right here in Winter Garden. Their company, called Lily Grass and Pine, produces custom woodworking projects of all shapes and sizes, from
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
charcuterie and cutting boards to coasters to delicate wood lettering. For your project, you can choose the type of wood and whether it will include the use of resin, custom cuts, or custom
engraving. You can even engrave a handwritten message from a loved one, or create a beautiful live-edge piece with resin to make a beautiful centerpiece. You can learn more or get pricing options by messaging Lily Grass and Pine on Instagram or Facebook (@lilygrassandpine). Each custom build takes time, so don’t wait too long to get yours!
RESIDENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY Edward W. Soulsby
Attorney Board Certified Elder Law 352-205-7245 trotterlaw.com
Eric Halluska CPA Partner 407-849-1569 withum.com
Ally Budnik
Attorney 407-499-2082 wgfamilylawfirm.com
Erica Diaz
Real Estate Agent 407-951-9742 ericadiazteam.com
Michael Collins Flame Boss 800-978-9078 flameboss.com
Sierra Clemmons
Young Living Essential Oils 352-636-0960 myyl.com/sierraclemmons
Halluska & Roach Families Winter Garden Bounce wgbouncehouse@gmail.com wgbounce.com
LET EVERYONE KNOW YOUR BUSINESS
This is a FREE listing open only to residents of Lake Cove Pointe. Space is limited. Include your: • Name • Profession/business • Phone number • Web address Send to: lcp@emagency.com
THAT FIGURES
1863 The year Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. SOURCE: worldstrides.com
60 MILLION
The number of boxes of Stove Top brand stuffing sold during Thanksgiving each year. SOURCE: mobile-cuisine.com
13 to
The number of times per week that writing in a gratitude journal reaps the most benefits. Daily journaling is less rewarding. SOURCE: NPR
0
The number of times Shakespeare mentions November across 37 plays and 154 sonnets. SOURCE: cashkaro.com
Winter is Coming Tips for keeping your yard healthy
During our coldest, driest season, it’s important to focus less on growth and more on preservation. Any new growth at this point is too prone to damage from cold winds or frost. Make sure your irrigation system is working properly and covering all areas of your landscape. Sprinkler heads can be damaged for a number of reasons—not something you want to be dealing with during the dry season. Your goal should be three-quarters to one inch of irrigation per week. You can check your application rate with a rain gauge or any straight-sided container. Just set the container on a flat spot, run your sprinklers as you normally would, and then check the depth of water in it with a ruler.
Lakeside Cleanup Progress Report
Work progresses at the drainage area. Angel Oak will soon finish testing and engineering the area to prepare for planting. We are making our final selections of vegetation to not only improve the look but also prevent erosion of the water’s path. The City of Winter Garden continues to work with us, and last discussions were about the native plant and tree selections. The planting will be done through volunteers within the community. We will announce the days as soon as we have finalized the dates. For further detailed information, please attend the monthly HOA meeting.
GATE UPDATES The walk-through gates have been temporarily uninstalled because they were damaging the brick they were attached to, posing a danger to both the brick and to those using the gates. A new post with be installed and the gates will be adjusted to fit.
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POINTES OF INTEREST
L AK E COV E P O O CH
Hi fren, I’m Violet! I’m 3 months old, made up of a hearty mix of Lab and Terrier. I already have sooo many frens—there’s my hoomans Sarah, Jordan, Matthew and Eli, and then there’s Speedy and Tiny who live in a water bowl and don’t play much, but they are still great frens! Right now, I am learning how to…sit? Is it sit? So far it is not so good. But it’s only because sit is booooring. Why sit when there is so many things to do? Like dig? Dirt is the most fun to move, and I can’t move it if I am stuck in a sit. My goal is to have the most frens in the world. If you see me, we are already frens! (Unless you are the shadow dog who keeps following under my feet when the sun is up. You are not my fren.)
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
VOX
QUESTION: WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR THIS YEAR?
BARRY ROACH
AMY PIERCE
PATRICK VOGTLI
AMANDA HINRICHER JANA BECKWITH
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
Casual Runner
I’m grateful for mine and my family’s health. We haven’t had to deal with COVID-19 in the way everyone else has.
Phantom’s Mom
I’m most thankful for my family and for everybody getting together for Thanksgiving.
Accidental Auto Collector
I’m grateful for my family and for my dog, Scooby Doo.
Pug Mom
Runner Girl
I’m grateful for the time we’ve had with our kids. It’s been nice to spend more time with my family than I normally do.
God, there’s nothing to be thankful for this year… I guess I’m thankful for good health. ‘Cause I’m old.
_________________
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POINTES OF INTEREST
CU R B APPE AL
B E F ORE AFTER
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
The Rosenbauer house has undergone a transformation. Before, its dark, drab colors and simplistic accents made the home seem flat and overshadowed its beautiful stone facade. The family worked with Sherwin Williams to design a fresh palette of light, cool neutrals. They also replaced and refurbished their garage doors, shutters, and front door hardware. Their landscaping refresh included some new shrubbery, decorative curbing, and 10 tons of white river rocks. The final result is airy and modern, and draws the eye to all its best features.
THE BEAUTY OF BREATH
This breathing exercise helps reduce stress and focus the mind.
ENDS NOVEMBER 16! Proceeds will be donated to Matthew’s Hope. We are looking for the following items: CLOTHING ITEMS Belts Men’s Jeans (new or gently used, sizes 28–34, all lengths) Men’s and Women’s Running or Mesh Style Shoes (new or gently used) Men’s Boxer Briefs (new) Women’s Briefs Underwear (new) Men’s T-Shirts (new or gently used, sizes 2X–4X)
TRAVEL-SIZE HYGIENE ITEMS
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS
Wet Wipes/Wet Ones
Single-Serve Fruit Cups
Toothpaste Gold Bond Powder
Canned Meats
Men’s and Women’s Shaving Cream
Single-Serve Tuna Granola Bars
Men’s Razors
Single-Serve Pastas with Meat
Toilet Paper Men’s and Women’s Deodorant Insect Repellent
Gatorade or Crystal Light Single Mix Packets Instant Coffee (Small) Snack Crackers Bottled Water
Please label your items with your name and drop them off at Desiree Halluska’s home, 436 Lone Heron Way. She will have a bin on her front porch. To make a financial contribution, text MHM to 41444 or visit matthewshopeministries.com/donate-money.
Hatha Yoga is a practice of mindfully integrating breath, motion and meditation. For beginners and yogis alike, the Equal Breathing Exercise (Sama Vritti) is the perfect accompaniment for the wonderful, but often stressful, holiday season. Start by sitting in any position comfortable for you. The traditional posture is cross-legged, but you can sit in a chair or even lie down, as long as your back is straight. Relax your body and mind. Close your eyes. Keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose, without attempting to change or control your breath. Next, observe your breath. Feel it travel through your nostrils, into your sinuses, down your windpipe, filling your lungs, and then escape as easily as it came. Once you are feeling relaxed and in the moment, inhale to the count of 3 and exhale to a count of 3. You can practice this for ten rounds. Return to your normal breath. Gently stretch and resume your everyday activities.
HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? Share your news with the neighbors. Send us your ideas and images to lcp@emagency.com
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WHERE THE HEART IS The Budnik Family has seen more of the world than most. But, be it ever so humble, Winter Garden will always be home. Story: Rheya Tanner Photography: Matt Tullo
K
yle and Ally Budnik are on the adventure of a lifetime. The two have made better use of their passports in the last decade than many Americans do in their lifetimes, with such travel destinations as Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Prague, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and London. The latter of those trips was made, by the way, while Ally was pregnant with their second child. A bold move to some, but for the Budniks, it’s all just part of the adventure. “If you put it off forever, you never go,” says Ally. “Now when we travel, we look specifically for things to do with the kids. And we can always go back when they’re older. Who says you can’t go someplace twice?” Even when COVID-19 dashed this year’s international trip, they took it as an opportunity. Last month, the family traveled domestically, to Arches National Park. “We probably would have never gone otherwise,” says Kyle. “Now we have more National Parks on our list.” That’s the best way to sum up the family’s perspective—no matter what it throws at you, life is for living.
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
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Above: Ally and Kyle on the first day they met 17 years ago Center: The Budnik Family
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
And more importantly, it’s for living together. The Budniks’ roots run deeper than many Floridians—not just in Winter Garden, but in their relationships. The couple were high school sweethearts, and kept many of the same friends from their days at West Orange High School. “We have this really tight-knit group from Winter Garden, where all our friends live and where we hung out as kids,” says Ally. “We have our parents to thank. They came, they stayed, they made family a priority, so now we can’t imagine being apart from them.”
Growing Together
Kyle and Ally both trace their local heritage back to their grandfathers. “My grandpa was a high school basketball coach in Wisconsin before he came down here,” says Kyle. “He was Torchy Clark, the first basketball coach at UCF.” Ally’s grandfather, meanwhile, was the first manager of the Disney’s Polynesian Resort. “He was hand-picked by Roy Disney and was flown down here to open it,” she says. Though they went to school in the same town, their paths didn’t cross until their teenage years. “We actually met in middle school,” says Kyle. “Right after eighth grade.” On the day after the last day of school, teachers clean their classrooms and tie up any loose ends. Many teachers bring their children to help. “I came with my best friend and Kyle came with his cousin—both their moms taught at Ocoee Middle,” says Ally. “That’s the day we met.” The two remained friends in the first years of high school. “I
liked her first, and started working with her friends on how to get her to like me back,” says Kyle. “I said I’d never date him because he was a big nerd,” says Ally. “But then I got more focused, started doing what I was supposed to do. I nerded up. The cool kids were actually the nerdy kids by the time we graduated.” “We started dating in eleventh grade,” says Kyle. “Our first date was to Pizzeria Uno, then Fantasia Gardens for putt-putt golf.” “It was a double date with his cousin and my best friend—the people who introduced us that day after eighth grade,” says Ally. In most high school romances, graduation is where the story ends. But since both Kyle and Ally were accepted into the University of Florida, they were able to remain close—in every sense of the word. “There are two towers on campus called Beaty Towers, and we happened to both stay in those dorms,” says Ally. “I was in one tower and he was in the other.” The couple dated all through college, attending UF games together and building a lifelong circle of friends. “When we could have had other interests and gone our separate ways, we kept growing together,” says Ally. “We realized we had a lot more in common than we thought, even in high school.” After college, the two moved back with their parents while they figured out what was next. “We both graduated just as the recession hit,” says Kyle. “I had a job lined up in Orlando, but it fell through.” Ally became a substitute teacher at Millennia Elementary—a natural first step, since her mother, aunt, and sister are all teachers. “When my sister was going out
on maternity leave, the principal offered me a long-term position,” she says.“I ended up teaching for seven years after that.” Kyle, meanwhile, took the opportunity to earn his Master of Business Administration. “While I was there, I got an internship at Disney,” he says. “So I did that for six months, got hired on, and have been pricing parks and resorts at Disney ever since.” But teaching wasn’t the end of the line for Ally. “It fell into my lap,” she says. “But I wanted to have a little more control over my own destiny. So I would teach all day and then drive straight to Barry Law School in Orlando.” So, circumstance led the two to cement their roots in Winter Garden. They bought a house in Winter Oaks and soon got married. “Our wedding party on both sides was pretty much family members and all the friends we went to West Orange with,” says Ally. “One of Kyle’s college roommates even ended up marrying us.”
The Travel Bug
When we could have had other interests and gone our separate ways, we kept growing together. —ALLY BUDNIK
Travel has been a huge part of the Budniks’ adventures for most of their relationship. “I studied abroad in college in Florence, Italy,” says Ally. “My major was Art History, so Florence is my baby. I’d go back in a heartbeat.” They even lived in Hong Kong for two months while Kyle was working a temp position.“My former manager was at Hong Kong Disneyland, and needed some additional help,” says Kyle. “Of course, I wanted to take the opportunity while I could.” Ally stayed behind for a couple weeks in order to take the BAR Exam. “I took the BAR in July, but
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WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR? “We’re grateful for health and for our jobs. We see other people struggling, even other people in our family. We’re thankful for the security we do have. And we’re grateful to have a pool! Everyone’s trying to get a pool right now and we already have one.”
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wouldn’t know if I passed until September,” she said. “So I took the exam and then immediately hopped on a 13-hour flight, jobless, to wait for my results in Hong Kong.” Though it was a work trip at its core, the couple was able to take some leisure trips, including to Beijing, Bali, and Tokyo. “I knew a study abroad student at West Orange who was from Japan,” says Kyle. “I decided to reach out to him on Facebook. He responded right away, met with us, and stayed with us the entire weekend to show us around the city.” The experience was far different from their European repertoire—especially in the cuisine. “Trying to read menus is interesting,” says Kyle. “You think you know what you’re getting, but you definitely don’t. “I’m a hardcore vegetarian, and also just picky, so not being able
THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
to read the menu or ask specific on everything. If she’s not requestions was difficult,” says Ally. searching trips, she’s researching “Especially in Beijing, which isn’t houses or remodeling.” Americanized like Hong Kong.” “I worked in downtown, so I’d drive laps around the area,” says Ally. “When I drove by this house Coming Home to Roost and saw the sign out front, I Once the Budniks had their swear my heart lifted. Sometimes daughter, they quickly outgrew you just know. And I just knew.” their starter home and began She immediately called their searching for a place to grow. realtor to schedule a showing, “Some of the downtown houses, and made an offer the very next while beautiful, are smaller or day. The family has been happy need to be updated,” says Ally. to call Lake Cove Pointe home “We toyed with the idea of going since 2017, and has grown once into Ocoee or Oakland, but we again with the birth of their son. kept coming back here.” The two find it hard to imagine They kept their options open, living anywhere else. “We’re way but Lake Cove Pointe was always too established here,” says Kyle. on their radar. “We actually put “It’s our family, it’s the convenience in an offer on the house on the of golf carting, it’s the lake life.” corner first, the one that Nicole The family co-owns a lake Schneider lives in,” says Ally. house with Ally’s parents on Lake “We obviously didn’t get it.” “Ally was the driver of all that,” Louisa. “We have that lake life we says Kyle. “The queen of research crave, and we also have this house
which is more kid-friendly and closer to everything,” says Ally. The two sometimes fantasize about living elsewhere—Florence, Italy, is near the top of that list—but they think they’ll always call Winter Garden home. “We watched it grow up,” says Ally. “We were here when they put the bricks back on the roads.” “We were here when the brewery was getting built,” says Kyle. “I remember all the excitement, all the speculation that came with it.” “What we did prior to kids was so different,” says Ally. “We’d celebrate New Year’s downtown, we’d hit the bars and go to Tony’s as our last stop. When the brewery was first built it was so cool. I mean, it’s still cool. But it was so cool.” “It’s been interesting to see how things here have evolved, but also how we have evolved,” says Kyle. “It’s what we do here now, where we hang out now.”
But even deeper than their roots in their city are their roots with their family and friends. “There’s always something to do, always people to invite,” says Ally. “We can have a party and know tons of people will be there. We can throw together a kickball team made of all our friends.” In the midst of their current adventure—exploring the chaos of raising two small children within the chaos of 2020—the Budniks are grateful for the familiar comforts of home. “It’s so hard to make friends as an adult, and it’s nice to have people you’re already comfortable with and already have a level of trust,” says Ally. “And now our friends are all having kids who are all around the same age,” says Kyle. “So we’re watching all our kids grow up together.” “Everywhere you go, you know people,” says Ally. “It’s just home.”
FA ST FAC T S
LCP residents since: 2017 Married for: 8 years Children: Claire, 4, named after Kyle’s grandmother; and Clayne, 1, named after Ally’s grandfather Pets: Two rescued cats named Butler and Louisa (after our favorite lakes) Fave local spot: The golf cart trail Secret talents: We’re great at sports! Our team won a season of Winter Garden recreational kickball. Most used phrase in the house: Go Gators! Most important household rule: Use your manners Fave local food: Plant Street Market TV Family most like ours: The Starks from Game of Thrones Best advice we received: Nobody can change your integrity On our bucket list: African safari
It’s been interesting to see how things have evolved, but also how we have evolved. It’s what we do here now, where we hang out now. —KYLE BUDNIK
Cause that’s important to us: Supporting local breweries Something no one knows about us: We have dance parties in our kitchen—we have a disco light!
Left: A moodboard depicting the couple’s travels in Hong Kong and elsewhere
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NEW NEIGHBORS
The
Thompsons
FA ST FAC T S
Married for: 10 years Children: Blake, age 6; Brett, age 4 Pet: Mini Goldendoodle named Harley One thing we want to do less: Snacking Secret talents/hobbies: Jenna loves interior design TV Family most like us: Mix between the Bundys and the Dunphys Favorite vacation spot: Anna Maria Island On our bucket list: Cross-country RV road trip
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
Jenna and Alex Thompson—two managers at Lockheed Martin— loved visiting Winter Garden when they lived in Waterford Lakes. The couple was looking for a friendly city with a smalltown feel to raise their children, and this area seemed like a perfect fit. The minute the family came into Lake Cove Pointe, they knew they’d found home. An active, energetic family, you can almost always find them outside with
their two young sons. Whether they’re biking the trail, gator-spotting on their golf cart, or watching the Patriots win, the Thompsons are happiest when they’re on the go—a perfect fit for the LCP lifestyle! The family is looking forward to socializing again, to enjoying their great location, and to their boys making new friends in the neighborhood. If you spot them out front playing sports, feel free to tag yourself in.
MEET YOUR NEW BOARD You’ve elected your HOA Board Members. Now it’s time to get to know a little bit about them.
GABRIEL IRZARRY PR E SI DE N T
[ RESIDENT FOR 6 YEARS ]
Have you served on the Board before? Only at LCP for 6 years in various roles.
MARY LANGLEY VICE PR E SI D E N T
[ RESIDENT FOR 19 YEARS ]
Have you served on the Board before? Yes, I’ve served as Secretary and Director in the past.
Tell us about your family. I live with my wife Mariel and my Tell us about your family. I live two children, Sofia and Gabriel. with my husband Keith and my son Kevin, a senior at West What do you love about this Orange High School. Keith neighborhood? Love the friendliness and general sense works away from home half the time as a Merchant Marine. of welcomeness from the neighborhood.
What are your goals for the year? Completion of the drainage areas, update of C&Rs, and any other costsaving measures that benefit the community as a whole. If you had unlimited resources for LCP, what would you do? Would love to repave the streets and change the street lights to energysaving ones, as long as it was at no cost to the homeowners.
What do you love about this neighborhood? I love the friendliness of the people.
What are your goals for the year? I’m looking forward to the completion of the drainage and pond areas. If you had unlimited resources for LCP, what would you do? I’d make sure there were well-maintained, lush landscape gardens in common areas throughout our community.
CHER LESSARD SE CR E TAR Y
[ RESIDENT FOR 8 YEARS ]
Have you served on the Board before? No, I am new to the board.
ERIK HALLUSKA TR E A SU R ER
[ RESIDENT FOR 7 YEARS ]
Have you served on the Board before? I have served on this board since turnover.
Tell us about your family. I live here with my husband Briand, and we have three grown children who live in other states.
Tell us about your family. I live with my wife Desiree and my two sons, Easton and Evan. We love being outdoors and around the water. We like to What do you love about this travel and experience new neighborhood? I love the friendliness. Everyone is willing things. to say hello and help each What do you love about this other at a moment’s notice. I neighborhood? Proximity to also love our variety—we have downtown, friendliness, and everyone from children to community feel. retirees living here. What are your goals for What are your goals for the year? Continuing good communication between the board and the homeowners. I’m excited about the new committees and actions to keep our neighborhood beautiful. If you had unlimited resources for LCP, what would you do? I would love to have a dock and a gazebo on the lake to enjoy nature. I’d also love to have a clubhouse and a community pool in the neighborhood.
the year? Complete the conservation area project. If you had unlimited resources for LCP, what would you do? I’d make a clean, swimmable Lake Apopka!
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AROUND THE BLOCK
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
Halloween In the midst of this year’s chaos, we needed a chance to kick back and have fun like old times. Our Halloween block party was just what the Witch Doctor ordered. Complete with amazing costumes and socially distanced Trick or Treat festivities, everyone was able to stay safe and have fun! Photography: Matt Tullo
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THE DISH
Spaetzle I N GR E D I E N T S
• 2 large eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup water • 1 cup all purpose flour • 1/4 tsp. saking powder • 1/4 tsp. salt, salt for boiling water • Dash of white pepper • Butter to taste • Fresh parsley or nutmeg I NSTR U C TI O NS
• Blend flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. • In another bowl or cup, beat eggs, then add water. Pour into flour mixture and stir until batter is thick. Set aside. • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Using a slotted spoon, scoop up a portion of batter and hold over the water. The batter will fall into the water in Recipe by Nicole Soulsby little puddles and begin to cook. Try not to overcrowd the water. Spaetzle is a homemade noodle served with the various gravy-laden • Once the spaetzle have floated meals on a German menu. My mother began making this for my father to the surface, cook for another when I was in high school, but quickly stopped because it was very 1-2 minutes then scoop out and labor-intensive. Many recipes require you to make a solid dough you drain in a colander. Repeat with can handle and then grate it to form the noodles. the next batch. This recipe uses a drop noodle method, making it much easier to • After all the spaetzle have been make. In Bavaria they lightly sprinkle their spaetzle with nutmeg, but cooked and drained, place into I prefer plain old butter. This is also great to pre-cook and then add as a a serving bowl and add a pat of substitute dumpling to soup. butter to the top. Sprinkle with parsley or freshly grated nutmeg for serving.
Use Your Noodles
Try your hand at the drop noodle technique for this traditional German dish.
N OTE S
• Creating the spaetzle noodles takes practice. You can jiggle the slotted spoon or use another spoon/spatula to push the batter through the holes.
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
THE WINE CELLAR
Thanksgiving Toast
BRIAN KOZIOL MASTER SOMMELIER
Which wine goes best with America’s favorite feast? None other than America’s own Zinfandel. The array of flavors at a Thanksgiving feast presents a wine conundrum. You can never go wrong with a sparkling wine like Champagne or Prosecco, or a white wine like Riesling, which all pair well with a wide range of cuisine. However, the winner, winner, turkey dinner for me is always California’s hallmark red grape varietal: Zinfandel. Zinfandel is the only varietal in the world that the US claims as its own. Although researchers can trace its origins to Croatia’s Dalmation coast and a few other regions,
it gained its notoriety in America’s Northeastern wineries during the Gold Rush. The 1970s introduced the wine style known as blush wine, with its pink hue and sweet taste. Made from “white” Zinfandel, the trend cemented the wine’s popularity. Today, you can find California Zinfandel in the best wine restaurants across the world. A classic Zinfandel’s aromas and flavors resemble jammy berry fruits like raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry. With all the California sunshine, the grapes typically gain ripeness that creates charac-
ters of cherry compote, cranberry jam, raisins and figs. Additional characteristics include black pepper, baking spices, mocha, and coffee. Most Zinfandel are full body, typically dry, have moderate tannin, and their alcohol levels typically give them some power. Some of my favorite Zinfandel producers are: A. Rafanelli, Bedrock Wine Company, Carlisle Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Elyse, Klinker Brick, Martinelli, Ridge Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, Rombauer, Seghesio, The Prisoner Wine Company and Turley.
NOVEMBER’S SELECTIONS
$ The Seven Deadly Zins
$ Old Vine Zinfandel
$$ Saldo Zinfandel
$$ Pagani Ranch Zinfandel
$$$ Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel
MICHAEL DAVID WINERY, 2017
KLINKER BRICK 2016
THE PRISONER 2018
RIDGE VINEYARDS 2018
MARTINELLI, 2018
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POINTE OF VIEW
“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” — Frank A. Clark
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THE POINTE NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
Saturday morning snuggles with Ava, Ella and Ruvy Photograph: Rita DAngelo Tikador Taken October 28th, 2020 using a Nikon F4
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