JANUARY 2020
VistaLakesFL.com Resident of the Year Most residents have heard of the many great things that happen here in Vista Lakes. Some have experienced things like, helpful information from a neighbor. What’s the best way to handle an issue (from post on the neighborhood Facebook pages)? And then there is usually that one person who is always going well beyond what is expected. And for this person, Resident of the Year honors was established.
The first recipient of this annual award is Carla Daly! It should come to no one as a surprise as she has earned this honor for so many contributions over the years. It’s not just what she does by transforming her home every year into a haunted house for thousands to enjoy. Nor is it just for the annual Easter festivities she provides for many of our children and grandchildren to enjoy! What comes to mind is the unending support she provides to this community without recognition. She works on the Amenities Committee and regularly interfaces with the CDD to make sure our community’s interests are addressed. The list of her contributions goes well beyond what we have space for here. So please congratulate Carla Daly as the Vista Lakes Resident of the Year.
Cell Tower? As many of you know by now, the Church at the corner of Lee Vista Blvd and Passaic, directly across from our Residents Club is trying to get permission to build a 120+ foot cell phone tower directly in the heart of our community. Building a cell phone tower at that location is not in the best interest of our Vista Lakes community, for various reasons. On December 17th, more than 40 Vista Lakes residents, including many Board members and Neighborhood Representatives, attended the City of Orlando Municipal Planning Board meeting at City Hall. Many of our residents spoke publicly about their concerns with a cell phone tower of that size being built in the center of our community. In the end, the MPB agreed with our community’s concerns and voted 6-1 in our favor. They voted to DENY the waiver being requested by the permit applicant. The applicant needed that waiver in order to build the cell tower at that location. While this is only the first step in the process, we are excited about the outcome. For those who came out to support the December 17th effort on behalf of our entire community thank you! Your attendance and comments clearly made an impact on the MPB’s decision. For those interested in helping during the next steps - stay tuned! We will let you know the dates, times and other specifics as they become available. John Daly VLCA Board President
inside
From the Board From the Board
2
From Your Manager From Your Manager
3
In Our Community Amenities Committee Year Overview 4 Amenities Gentry Party
5
News from Newport
5
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Warwick 7 Contacts 7 Thiara’s cakes
8
Book Library
8
Safety and Security
9
Carlisle 10 Neighborhood Representatives 10 Financial Tips!
11
2020 Quarterly Assessments VIsta Lakes 11
Calendar January, February, March 6
Gary Mitchell VLCA Vice President Editor Monte Brown Published by the Vista Lakes VistaLakesFL.com VOLUME 20 NUMBER 1 Communications Committee
Continued from Page 2.
From the Board Welcome to 2020! Hopefully everyone had a very happy holiday season. As we reflect on 2019, our VLCA Board is very excited about the progress we’ve made on behalf of our residents and our community over the last year. We’ve worked diligently with the Amenities Committee and the VLCA staff to move forward with some important projects including awarding contracts for new equipment in the playgrounds throughout Vista Lakes, adding shade canopies at the playgrounds, upgrading the WIFI and sounds systems at the pool and Residence Club, upgrading our fitness equipment, and a slew of other projects that will help keep Vista Lakes a great place to live! In working with our Safety & Security Committee, we are also moving forward with plans to install surveillance cameras at key entrances in our community. In 2019, we brought on a new legal team to better support our needs. We also established a stronger relationship last year with the staff at the City of Orlando. And our neighborhoods have significantly increased the number of resident activities done in each neighborhood! Last year, eight neighborhoods held “block parties”, we had the highest participation rates ever at our “DiveIn Movies“ and we had nearly 400 people attend our Hawaiian Luau at the pool!
While 2019 also had some setbacks, such as the unexpected loss of some key staff, we are excited to be at full staffing once again with the addition of Pedro Ramirez, Carlos Martinez and Sean Russaw. We are excited to have each of them on our team to help us continue our positive momentum. As most of you know, we are in the process of transitioning from BB&T to Alliance. While the transition has not gone as smoothly as we had planned or hoped, we appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility with the late arrival of the coupon books. In the end, once the transition is complete, we are confident that we will end up with better support to our residents as a result of the shift in banks. We are excited that 2020 will bring great success for our Vista Lakes community! If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity to help us succeed, please contact Kassie at 407-2071202 to learn where we can use your support. This community belongs to all of us and any help you are willing to offer would be appreciated. On behalf of the VLCA Board, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2020! John Daly VLCA Board President
We recognized 44 homes as “Yard of the Quarter” in our eleven single-family home neighborhoods, highlighting the residents who are doing a great job maintaining their property.
2
VistaLakesFL.com
January 2020
From Your Manager From the Manager As many of you are aware we lost our maintenance Supervisor of 10 years Gregory Blackwell October 18, 2019 to an unexpected Medical condition. Greg’s passing has been felt by all of us at Vista Lakes from the Board, staff and Residents’. Hello! My name is Carlos Martines. I am the new Maintenance Supervisor for the beautiful Vista Lakes Community Association. I moved to Orlando 3 months ago from Houston Texas with my wife and 3 children. My previous positions held were Maintenance, Lead Maintenance and Maintenance Supervisor. I had been working for the Houston Apartment Association in the areas of new construction and remodeling of homes in the greater Houston Area. I have over 10 years of experience in the Maintenance and repair field and am extremely excited to get started in the Vista Lakes community. Carlos Martines VLCA Maintenance Supervisor
My name is Pedro Ramirez; I came from, Puerto Rico 2 year ago when hurricane Maria hit our beautiful island. Now I live in Kissimmee with my two lovely kids. We love the weather in Florida and my kids love the theme parks. I worked in the healthcare industry for 6 years as a Reconciliation analyst, working and gaining experience with databases and financial reports. I am a Licensed CAM in the state of Florida. I am very excited to be working as an Assistant Manager at Vista Lakes. Pedro Ramirez Assistant Community Manager Hello My name is Sean Russaw. I am the new Vista Lakes Maintenance Tech. I previously worked for spirit airlines as an aviation specialist and Team Leader. I have a 1 year old son and I am looking forward to assisting with the Vista Lakes beatification efforts. Please join me in welcoming three new Vista Lakes Employees to the staff. Should you see them out on the property please introduce yourself. Monte Brown VLCA Community Manager
Your Vista Lakes Area Specialist 16+ years! 51 Vista Lakes Homes Sold!
Need help to get your home market-ready? STOP paying rent and invest in your future Call- Text- or Email me for a FREE consultation
@ToniCampbellRealtor fb.me/tonicampbellrealtor
ü Knowledge ü Experience ü Your Best Interest At Heart Residential - New Construction – Investors - Bank Owned Properties January 2020
VistaLakesOrlando
3
development. Early childhood education creates the foundation to provide a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities. In terms of human development, the importance of early childhood education cannot be overstated. Children gain social, emotional, physical,Committee and cognitive Amenities development needed in order to help them Year Overview grow as individuals and to have a brighter This has been a record for the future. Optimizing the earlyyear years of Amenities committee’s accomplishments. The HOA children’s and livesCDD is the besthand investment weus and worked in hand with can make approved as a society in ensuring the following. The their HOA is also willing to entertain next year some bigger future success.
In Our Community
projects such as expand gym and splash pad by kiddie pool.
• New equipment events - A new sound system and BluRay/ Did youfor know? DVD player has been purchased for community events like movie nights, etc.
80% of the adult brain 90% of the adult brain
• Barbecue grills - The Committee added two outdoor grills as a test run for a possible bigger facility thisby next year developed age 3 after and we access the usage of it , • Rowing Machine In Fitness Center - The Committee agreed to request Board Approval for the purchase of ERG machine as well as free weights .NEW Cardio Equipment , new Mays developed by age under machines, new commercial air freshener and5cleaning system , repainting of facility as well as add an additional day to cleaning schedule . Lakes has a new preschool in Luckily, Vista
town that truly understands the importance
children for tomorrow’s world, equipping them for a future we’ve yet to even imagine. They provide a caring and safe environment that helps children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. They offer a leading-edge STEAM curriculum that focuses on science, Defibrillator technology, • Ventilator/ In engineering, Fitness Center - arts, The Committee to request Board for installation of andagreed mathematics. TheApproval have partnerships Defibrillator/ Ventilator in the Fitness Center. . with Nemours Children’s Hospital to provide • Repair and replacing of dock area and bridge at the Club house healthy meals for the children throughout • Online Reservation Program - The Committee recommend thethat day, the Contentment Foundation to the Communications Committee implement the online teach students and and staff about reservation program credit card emotional processing which was approved by the Board intelligence and mindfulness, and collaborate • Wifi In The Club House &to Pool Area - The Committee with local corporations create recommended providing Wifi in Club House & Pool Areas for one-of-a-kind steam exhibits to provide residents. . students with real, hands-on experience. • Approval for ALL NEW playground equipment at all park Amazing believes itofisallnever tooNEW locationsExplorers along with resurfacing areas and Foundation for Newport playground area. early for children to develop a genuine • Addingfor of handicap passion learning.accessible pool equipment and entrances. • Repair and remodel pool restrooms.
If your family is in need of childcare for • Resurfacing of tennis courts children ages 0-5, we highly recommend • New pool furniture giving Amazing Explorers Vista Lakes a tour • Resurfacing and repair of all pool areas and painting slide area andasseeing all the amazing things they have well as replacing the Elephant in kiddie pool. to offer.
Continued on Page 8
Are you open for adventure? Vista Lakes
Preschool | After School VPK | Summer Camp
SCHEDULE A TOUR | (407) 250-7851 5744 Crowntree Ln, Orlando, FL 32829 www.aexplorers.com/vistalakes
4
@VistaLakesFL
January 2020
In Our Community Gentry Party
News from Newport
On Saturday, November 9th, Gentry Park had our block party for residents and friends. It was a great turnout for adults enjoying various food and beverages as well as a bounce house and piñata for the kids. In all we had around 60 residents and children pop by throughout the day. We had a delicious cake that was provided by one of our residents of Thalias Cakes. I’d like to thank Patty Kenny and Wendy Simon for helping to plan our event and a huge thank you to our residents who came out and enjoyed this event. We’d also like to thank our Vista Lakes BOD for providing the neighborhood reps with the funding to throw events for the communities.
Newport Residents and Guest from Vista Lakes enjoyed my very first Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 1st. It was a joyful success filled with laughter and neighborly happiness for all of those that attended. The hot chocolate was drank while the sweet cakes and cookies were a bit of holiday magic to our lips. The children and adults alike placed beautiful handmade and purchased ornaments upon the tree making it a tree for all of us here in Vista Lakes. This activity brought a smile and a wink of love and good cheer to all. I thank those who attended and hope to see you again next year along with some new smiling faces. To those who attended, don’t forget how to sing, “Oh Christmas Tree”, my version, lol..... Janet Weinberg You’re Neighbor in Newport
Wishing all of Vista Lakes a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Leah Del Rosario Gentry Park
Email KKouvaras@VistaLakesFL.com or call 407-207-1202
Need a property manager?
MANAGE YOUR PROPERTY WITH US AND
ONLY 7% PAY of management fee 407-413-5892
13950 LANDSTAR BLVD. ORLANDO, FL 32824 | WWW.ODRYVARGASPROPERTY.COM January 2020
VistaLakesFL.com
5
Calendar January
Sat/Sun Only 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Pools Open
Amenities Center
8
10:00 a.m.
ARC Meeting
Residents’ Club
9
6:30 p.m.
Board Workshop
Residents’ Club
20
MLK Day
22
ARC Meeting
10:00 a.m.
Residents’ Club
February
Pools Closed
Amenities Center
5
10:00 a.m.
ARC Meeting
Residents’ Club
7
10:00 a.m.
CDD Meeting
Residents’ Club
14
Valentine’s Day
1 9
ARC Meeting
10:00 a.m.
Residents’ Club
March
6
Daily 10:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.
Pools Open
4
6:30 a.m.
Amenities
4
10:00 a.m.
ARC Meeting
7
7:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Community Garage Sale
12
6:30 p.m.
18
10:00 a.m.
Amenities Center Residents’ Club
Board Workshop
Residents’ Club
ARC Meeting
Residents’ Club
VistaLakesOrlando
October 2019
In Our Community Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Warwick Each year on Thanksgiving night at 7:30pm, Warwick has their Lighting of Lights. It’s a countdown that happens across from our house. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 Merry Christmas was screamed out by 80 plus neighbors this year and then the cheers began as the 25,000 plus lights turned on. This year’s theme was Who-Ville and the Grinch but there was not a Grinch on site…only happy neighbors getting together to share Thanksgiving desserts and drinks at our home. Each year it gets bigger and bigger and we feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful and close knit neighborhood and community. We in Warwick wish EVERYONE in Vista Lakes a very Happy Holiday Season.
CONTACTS Monte Brown Community Manager 407-207-1241 MBrown@VistaLakesFL.com Kassie Kouvaras Assistant Manager 407- 207-1202 KKouvaras@VistaLakesFL.com Pedro Ramirez Assistant Manager 407- 207-1202 PRamirez@VistaLakesFL.com ARC Administrator 407-207-1241 ARC@VistaLakesFL.com Pool Office 407-207-1202
✁
Board of Directors Board@VistaLakesFL.com CDD Community Development District 407-566-1935 Admin@VistaLakesCDD.org Central Park:
Elizabet Salgado Association Manager 407-384-5663 Elizabet.Bellini@FSResidential.com Gentry Park: Christie Zarilla Association Manger 407-781-5785 CZarilla@LelandManagement.com
Vista Lakes Financial Report The year-end financial report can be viewed at: VistaLakesFL.com or by submitting a request to: Vista Lakes Community Assoc., 8841 Lee Vista Blvd. Orlando FL, 32829
www.CastleGroup.com January 2020
Horizons: Vanessa Stein Association Manager 407-781-4449 VStein@LelandManagement.com For Additional Contacts, including Neighborhood Reps. Visit VistaLakesFL.com
or by emailing: MBrown@VistaLakesFL.com
@VistaLakesFL
7
flavors of Dominican cake and the experience of high pastry. A company formed more than 3 years ago with an extensive clientele. Jobs always full of a lot of love creativity and passion. Thiaracakes focuses on always giving good service and the highest standards of quality and good taste. Our motto is: THE REWARD OF A WELLDONE WORK IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE! Follow us on our pages @thiracakes in IG and FB for the opportunity to serve you.
In Our Community
Thiara’s cakes is a family company with the fusion of two cultures, Colombian and Dominican. With more than 18 years of experience in pastry Chef Alexander Agudelo (Colombian) with his wife Tania Agudelo (Dominican) have joined to form an Exclusive Cakes and Desserts company; with the flavors of Dominican cake and the experience of high pastry.
Book Library “We are happy to announce that at the close of 2019 we have been able to add a lending library to our Vista Lakes clubhouse. Feel free to come and bring your family and browse our shelves for a new treasure that you can take home and read at your leisure” Trista Hobble Book Club Chair
A company formed more than 3 years ago with an extensive clientele. Jobs always full of a lot of love creativity and passion. Thiaracakes focuses on always giving good service and the highest standards of quality and good taste. Our motto is: THE REWARD OF A WELLDONE WORK IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE! Follow us on our pages @thiracakes in IG and FB for the opportunity to serve you.
Amenities Committee Year Overview Continued from Page 4. • Restrooms at pool refurbished/ remodeled • New book case to support the Book clubs free library
In Memory of Greg Blackwell Loyal Vista Lakes Employee for 10 Years Greg will never be forgotten
• One of the biggest accomplishments was getting the CDD to work with me as the liaison for the HOA Amenities Committee, hearing our requests and acting on them, they have been very instrumental in helping us accomplish major improvements through our community such as lake clean up , dredging lake Carlise , adding and repairing fountains in the lakes , adding benches and electrical outlets in our community , repair of our dock on vista lake , replacing and removing large trees fallen after hurricane, total renovation of both big entrance towers, a complete Assessment and over haul of landscaping throughout the community ,adding fountains and park benches near Newport are currently in the works. and let’s not forget the wonderful holiday lights . I personally want to thank the volunteers who helped make this all come together. I am looking forward to all these projects completions this year and the new projects coming! Here is to a great 2020
Thank You, Carla Daly Amenities Chair
8
VistaLakesFL.com
January 2020
In Our Community The Safety and Security would like The Safety and committee Security committee to reiterate when towhen to would liketo reiterate
CALL911911 CALL-
Fire Wellness check
Emergency Medical need Non-wellness check
Suspicious activities
Trespasser
In October, Vista Lakes was very fortunate to have District 1 OPD Police Liaison, Officer Edgar Malave visit us. In his visit he shared some tips to keep our community safe and better assist law enforcement in performing their scope. • •
• • • •
Keep your hedges in front of your home trimmed down no more than 2 feet. If higher please make sure they’re lit at night in case a suspect is hiding behind them. Take an extra second to make sure your garage doors are fully closed when leaving. There have been known cases where thieves have rolled basketballs and soccer balls under the garage doors to trip the sensors and have access to your garage and home. When coming home, drive in and close your garage door immediately. There’s been known cases where thieves have walked into garages as home owners are still in their cars, texting or talking on their electronic devices. Don’t leave your second floor windows open when you’re not home. Parking vehicles on the street makes it difficult for law enforcement to identify trespassers. Please keep your cars in your driveway. If you have a commercial vehicles cover them to deter from any break-ins.
From all of us at the Safety and Security Committee, we would like to wish everyone in Vista Lakes a safe and Happy Holiday season. Alex Del Rosario Chair Safety and Security Commitee January 2020
@VistaLakesFL
9
In Our Community Shout out to all our Carlisle neighbors for making our first ever Block Party a huge success! It was a great time for neighbors get to know each other. Planning on a bigger party next year with Waverly. Roxanne Krywacz Carlisle Neighborhood Rep.
15
DINNER FOR 2 - $20.00
Includes Salad 3/31/2020
3/31/2020 3/31/2020
VISTA LAKES NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVES, 2018-19 Neighborhood
Neighborhood
2020 2020 Quarterly Annual Assessment Assessment
Amhurst $124.45 $497.80 Avon $124.45 $497.80 Carlisle $175.66 $702.64 Central Park $55.63 $222.52 Champlain $124.45 $497.80 Colonie $124.45 $497.80 Gentry $124.45 $497.80 Horizons $55.63 $222.52 Melrose $171.86 $687.44 Newport $124.45 $497.80 Pembroke $124.45 $497.80 Warwick $190.24 $760.96 Waverly $175.66 $702.64 Windsor $187.99 $751.96
10
Representative
Amhurst
Leah Hanson
Amhurst@VistaLakesFL.com
Avon
Linda Marcell
Avon@VistaLakesFL.com
Carlisle
Roxanne Krywacz
Carlisle@VistaLakesFL.com
Central Park
Carla Daly
CentralPark@Vista LakesFL.com
Champlain
Christopher Blake Evans
Champlain@VistaLakesFL.com
Colonie
Jose Perez
Colonie@VistaLakesFL.com
Gentry Park
Patty Kenny
GentryPark@VistaLakesFL.com
Horizons
Melrose
Eric Shipp
Melrose@VistaLakesFL.com
Newport
Aaron Simmons
Newport@VistaLakesFL.com
Pembroke
Keely Hoffman
Pembroke@VistaLakesFL.com
Warwick
Carla Daly
Warwick@VistaLakesFL.com
Waverly
Carlos Suarez
Waverly@VistaLakesFL.com
Windsor
Garry Mitchell
Windsor@VistaLakesFL.com
VistaLakesFL.com
January 2020
In Our Community FINANCIAL TIPS! What to do with all the Holliday shopping expenditure well wasn’t that fun? The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. But O what a cost? Well, it doesn’t have to hurt that much! While it is never a good plan to overspend, sometimes we do. And it never hurts to have a plan for all those credit card balances. Here are a few tips to help navigate your financial plan. If possible keep credit card spending to less than what’s in savings. This way you never carry a balance. And that’s a nice thought, but not always possible. So, the second strategy is to find the lowest interest rate cards and use them the most. But when it comes to repaying, pay the highest interest rate cards off first. It doesn’t take much to get you going. Once you start to see those balances decrease, it will motivate you to pay even more!
Natural Healthcare Natural Healthcare FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
ACUPUNCTURE
PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA)
ACUPUNCTURE
Last (but certainly not least) if you are able to pay your cards off monthly, use cards that provide rewards. It would be my pleasure to recommend cards that offer some of the best rewards around. I use my point’s card as if it were a debit card. Everything that I can purchase or pay on the card, I do! Our family has paid for cruises, flights, weekend getaways and much more by simply cashing in reward points. This year Santa used points to give us tickets to a concert! Gary Mitchell VLCA Vice President
January 2020
VistaLakesOrlando
PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA)
BIO-FEEDBACK
THERAPY
BIO-FEEDBACK
THERAPY
ORTHOPETIC-
SPORTS
PRP
ORTHOPETIC-
SPORTS
PRP
FUNCTIONAL
MEDICINE
JOINT
PAIN
FUNCTIONAL
MEDICINE
JOINT
PAIN
TESTING/DETOXIFICATION
SPORTS
RELATED
INJURIES
TESTING/DETOXIFICATION
SPORTS
RELATED
INJURIES
HOMEOPATHY
COSMETIC
PRP
COSMETIC
PRP
HOMEOPATHY INFRARED
SAUNA
INFRARED
SAUNA
VITAMIN VITAMIN
SKIN
INJECTIONS INJECTIONS
OZONE
THERAPY
OZONE
THERAPY
NUTRITIONAL
COUNSELING
NUTRITIONAL
COUNSELING
CHROMOTHERAPY
REJUVENATION
SKIN
REJUVENATION
FINE
&
DEEP
WRINKLES
FINE
&
DEEP
WRINKLES
REGENERATIVE
MEDICINE
REGENERATIVE
MEDICINE
NON-TOXIC NON-TOXIC NON-SURGICAL NON-SURGICAL
CHROMOTHERAPY
CALL TODAY FOR A CONSULTATION CALL TODAY FOR A CONSULTATION
407-801-5510 407-801-5510
6917 Narcoossee Rd. Suite 734 6917 Narcoossee Rd. Suite 734
www.benergetics.com www.benergetics.com
11
Vista Lakes Community Association 8841 Lee Vista Blvd. Orlando, FL 32829
12
Yard of the Quarter Winners
Warwick
Windsor
Waverly
Colonie
Melrose
Champlain
Carlisle
Newport
Amhurst
Pembroke
Avon
VistaLakesFL.com
January 2020
