Garden Variety

Nesting Instincts

Winter Garden is the perfect place for two eagles to raise their young and (quite literally) make their home.

Twelve years. That’s how long the mated pair of bald eagles have been nesting in the treetops high above the pasture on the corner of Plant Street and 429. For five of those years, Diane Melesio has been documenting their efforts to raise a new generation. One eaglet, sometimes two. On occasion, none have survived.

This year, we have one. And by the time you read this, it will be learning to fly.

“It’s impossible not to get attached to these guys,” she says. “When you see them day in and day out, you get invested in their success. Like neighbors. Their kids become your kids, you know? And when they learn to take flight, it’s just magical.”

Dozens of avid raptor-lovers and nature photographers have been chronicling Bald Eagle Nest OR066, sharing images to Facebook’s Winter Garden Community page. Like Diane, several voluntarily monitor the local nests and report back to the Audubon EagleWatch program, which collects data for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Today, Florida has one of the densest concentrations of nesting bald eagles in the lower 48 states. An estimated 1,499 nesting pairs were recorded in Florida in 2014, compared to only 88 active nests in 1973.

Through concerted protection efforts, and the banning of DDT in 1972, the population has soared back to life. How and why we know that is due, in part, to enthusiastic volunteers like Diane.

“Florida is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to photographing birds, but there is nothing like the eagles. I pass the nest on my way home every day, it’s like my own happy hour,” Diane jokes. “I’m very worried about the construction and the impact it may have on the nest. Which is why I share my photos. It’s something I’m so passionate about, but the more people who know the story of our eagles, the better chance we have of protecting them. Like I said, it’s impossible not to get attached.”

GET INVOLVED: Audubon EagleWatch, one of Audubon’s premier community science programs, started in Central Florida in 1992. The program deploys citizen volunteers as boots on the ground and eyes in the field to monitor and protect Florida’s eagles. For more information email eaglewatch@audubon.org.

Vocal Locals

This month’s question: It’s never too late to…

REBECCA L.: It’s never too late to change your mindset. To have a positive attitude, wake up, and face the day.

COLIN R.: It’s never too late to do what you want to do. And do it, and do it, and do it.

EMMA R.: It’s never too late to achieve your dreams. I’m going into broadcast for college to achieve mine.

JACK B.: It’s never too late to see things from a new perspective.

ROBERT R. It’s never too late to enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy!

Local History: Marilyn’s Mansion?

We have to debunk a Winter Garden rumor: Marilyn Monroe never lived at 244 N. Lakeview Ave. in Winter Garden. Many Hollywood celebrities vacationed in Winter Garden for fishing and relaxation in the past, with a few even buying homes in the area. However, while this stately home has been featured in a nationwide commercial for Aid Association for Lutherans, the film “Letters to God”, and perhaps an upcoming film we have seen filming on location, the golden bombshell that is Marilyn never resided in this 2,700+ square-foot 1920 historic residence. Originally built by J.D. McMillan, the first president of First National Bank, the home has seen few owners. It is known by most locals as the Barber house (for Bob Barber, an administrator for the former West Orange Memorial Hospital, and his wife, Nancy) or if you have been here a long time, it is known as the Bray house (for Cohen Bray, a citrus grower, and Edith Bray, a teacher who operated a kindergarten out of the small building in the back of the property).

Driving under the canopy of moss-dripping oaks on Lakeview Ave., this two-story Middle American design is sure to catch your eye. Ever wonder what is inside? The house has a living room, dining room, family room, two staircases, five bedrooms, three sunporches, two fireplaces, and an attic. When the Barber family bought the home in 1973, they began the process of restoring the flooring and plaster to stabilize the infrastructure, taking care to keep any historic elements. Their loving legacy has been continued with the progressive owners, maintaining the charm and elegance of this vintage home.

Market Watch: Mr. and Mrs. Pickle

Caitlin Ruggiero has been marinating in the pickle-making business since she was a sophomore at Lake Mary High School. Mr. and Mrs. Pickle has been in Caitlin’s family since 2007, when the original “pickle people” sold their already-famous booth to her father. When she graduated from UCF in 2016, Caitlin was not only happy to preserve the business, but was brining to grow it into a successful woman-owned small business. In addition to continuing the business’s flea market legacy, Caitlin ventured out to other markets, including Winter Garden.

Mr. and Mrs. Pickle leaves pickle-lovers tickled with 13 types of pickles, as well as hand-stuffed olives, sauerkraut, pickled okra, stuffed peppers, marinated mushrooms, giardiniera, pepperoni sticks, and more—pretty much anything you need for the perfect charcuterie board for a cocktail party. Speaking of cocktails, they also have olive juice and pickle juice for your martinis or Bloody Marys. If you don’t want to assemble it, they have catering trays and platters and will work with you for your custom order.

If you can’t make it to the Farmers Market in Winter Garden, check them out on mrandmrspickle.com.

NEW ON THE SCENE

It feels like Winter Garden surged to life last month as a slew of new businesses opened their doors. Home State Brewery poured to life at 16016 New Independence Parkway in Hamlin. Karem Rodriquez, of the popular blog, The Modern Host Life, opened her eponymous brick and mortar at 636 S. Dillard Street. As of press time she was still busy filling shelves with edibles and accoutrements galore. The same can be said for Swalty Sisters, a delightful gift shop located at 24 E. Joiner. Speaking of salty, Whiskey Wednesdays, Hangry Hours and Acoustic Thursdays are sure to be landing in your social feeds as The Hangry Bison finally opens this month at 250 West Plant Street. No, it doesn’t come with any new parking spots, but the city did begin construction last month on 124 more parking spaces at 63 N. Boyd. Hallelujah! Speaking of driving, you may have noticed two new vans trolling Garden streets. Dog Dash Delivery (dogdashdelivery. com) is Uber for pets, getting your furry kids to their grooming appointments, daycare dates, or overnight adventures. Likewise, Dr. Donita McCants (407-490-1652) fired up the engine on her mobile vet concierge services, bringing everything from X-rays to sick visits to dental cleaning to your doorstep. Our good friends, Dr. David and Jane Tran, cracked the door wide open at Tran Chiropractic at 11920 W. Colonial Drive. We almost forgive them for opening in Ocoee, which is also how we feel about Blaine Nelson from Mayson’s Wine Shop. But since he brought the winning People’s Choice Chili to the Central Florida Chili Cookoff in Hamlin Feb 19, benefitting Legacy Events for Education, we’ll happily keep visiting his wine shop at 2222 Ocoee Apopka Rd. You know, for the kids.

CHARITABLE SPOTLIGHT: 2022 Special Olympics USA Games

Orlando is making history by hosting the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, the largest ever USA games event. More than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all over the United States and the Caribbean will come together to compete in 19 different sports from June 5th through June 12th. Not only will this event transform the lives of those living with intellectual disabilities through training and competing in various sports, the 2022 Games are dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful societal change in support of the Special Olympics movement in Florida, the United States, and around the globe. This cherished event will reach billions of people internationally, and approximately 125,000 family, friends, and spectators at the competitions. You can be one of the volunteers to make it all happen. “This is an incredible opportunity for residents, and especially students who need community service hours, to make a big difference while having fun as a volunteer team member”, says Winter Garden resident Jeanne Ford, Director, Operations responsible for Volunteers & Sustainability. “The 2022 USA Games is the largest humanitarian event in Florida’s history. You don’t want to miss it!”

Get Involved! 2022SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org volunteer.2022usagames.org