The Trails March 2015 by Ormond Beach Observer

bserver O YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

EMERGENCY

Aside from 9-1-1, the ‘other’ emergency number is your house number. PAGE 5 A message from the

PRESIDENT + Spring is in the air for The Trails Hello, friends and neighbors . . . with one fell swoop, The Trails’ majestic oak trees shed their leaves and announced the arrival of Rob Bridger spring and of Florida’s almost never ending summer. Somewhat like Mother Nature, your Trails Homeowners Association board has been at work to prepare for this year and its change of seasons. In January contractual agreements were renegotiated and approved with both the Ormond Beach Observer and with Carl Harrell. Our renewal agreement with the Observer will enable the continued publication, within budget, of The Trails Observer, the high quality quarterly newspaper our community residents deserve. And, yes, our vendor contract with Carl Harrell means “The Pool Guy” will be back for another season. On or about June 1, Carl will again be offering swimming lessons for children; if you’re interested in scheduling lessons for your child(ren) please contact Carl.

SEE BRIDGER / PAGE 6

MARCH 2015

DOWN TO BUSINESS

UNDERGROUND

No shoes? No problem! Grass Roots brings kids together for learning and fun. PAGE 10

Tunnels to landfill are a cause for concern for Ormond Beach. PAGE 3

AMENITIES

joyful noise in the library By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

GRACE NOTES

Rose Grace learned to play the piano from her mother when she was young; now she shares her passion with a new generation.

Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

Good looks: Clubhouse, pool to get an upgrade Board of Directors approved a variety of improvements.

A trio performs with Rose Grace watching proudly from the far left. Dr. Rose Grace beamed at her students as they we not so quietly making noise in the City Island Branch Library meeting room for an appreciative audience. Grace is an assistant professor of Piano at BethuneCookman University and an adjunct professor at Daytona State College. The Instrumental Concert on Feb. 28 was typical of BethuneCookman's Music Outreach

Program, founded by Grace in the fall of 2009. In 2013 she was recognized for her contribution with the B-CU Community Service Award. The Music Outreach Program mission is to establish a musical interaction between the B-CU students and faculty and local public schools with musical workshops and presentations. Grace, a Russian born pianist, accompanied her students as

Photos by Jacque Estes

they performed a variety of musical pieces on euphoniums, a flute, clarinet and as soloists. Eda Shylam, the woman who instilled her passion for music and taught her how to play the piano and is her mother, was in the audience. “I sat down at the piano at 4 years old,” she said. “My mother

SEE GRACE / PAGE 4

When the pool opens on April 1, residents may notice the reflection is brighter thanks to a recent resurfacing in pearl white by Blue Water Pool. The Board approved the $26,800 expenditure after reviewing several bid proposals. “We wanted to get this done the first week of March so it's ready for the pool opening,” said Wes Collier. At the end of the pool season last year, it was noted that some of the pool furnishings, especially the slings on some of the chaise lounges, had stained and faded. The manufacturer has instructed the staff on the proper cleaning and care and also offered a substantial discount toward the purchase of new slings at $62 instead of the typical $180 cost. The Facilities, Fixtures and Furnishings Committee was given approval for an additional $3,000. The funds will double the life expectancy of the furniture since the slings can be replaced as needed in the future. The Board also agreed for the pool party to be scheduled 2-5 p.m. May 3. A wish list of improvements was presented by the Amenities Committee. With little remodeling being done to the clubhouse in the past 20 years, many upgrades are needed: remodeling the kitchen, light fixtures and flooring in the clubhouse, and interior painting of the clubhouse. Drivers will be seeing fewer signs along the roadways in The Trails. Flo McNelly of the Landscape Committee recommended that all but 19 “Keep Right” signs be removed. Main Trail will keep 18 signs and Twelve Oakes will retain one. “We want to make the commu-

SEE BOARD MEETING / PAGE 4 Dr. Rose Grace and her mother and teacher, Eda Shlyam

Vol. 1, No. 5

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THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

closed landfill concerns By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

City wants youngsters to find safer play area An old landfill is getting a second life as an unauthorized play area for local youngsters. Authorities want it to stop. An intricate tunnel system snakes beneath the unstable dirt by the Nova Recreation Area. A plywood cover has been placed on top to conceal the “fort.” For Kevin Gray, environmental systems manager for the city of Ormond Beach, it’s the makings of a disaster. “I spoke to Brandie Hayes at The Trails because we are pretty sure those building this are Trails residents,” he said. “The fence is being kicked in from the Trails side.” He talked Hayes, the property manager, about the situation to see what could be done to alert parents to this activity and the safety concern. “We are asking the parents to keep their kids out of the area. First: It’s not monitored and we wouldn’t be able to see if something went wrong. Second: We are finding a lot of personal items, non-hygienic personal items like birth control, and finally there is a pond at the bottom. We wouldn’t see if someone fell in,” Gray said.

“We are asking the parents to keep their kids out of the area,” said Kevin Gray, environmental systems manager for the city of Ormond Beach. The area is an abandoned landfill that has been closed for 15 years. The only individuals allowed to use part of the property

are members of a model airplane club. There is a locked fence but that isn’t deterring trespassers. “We have had past problems

with the fence being knocked down from the Trails side,” Gray said. “This is costing the city and taxpayers money.”

While the cost and annoyance of repairing the fence is a factor it isn’t the main concern for Gray. “They have built an elaborate tunnel in sugar sand, and anything can happen,” he said. “No one should be on the landfill, but we see BMX bikes and motor bikes. The fence is an annoyance but compared to a child’s life, it’s not even close. I just don't want anyone to get hurt.” Gray said soft pellets were found near the plywood covered tunnel indicating those on the property are playing war. “From the safety perspective, we don't want anyone to get hurt,” Gray said. “9-1-1 dispatch goes by addresses. If someone needed help and called 9-1-1 and said they were at the landfill, a landfill that is closed, they wouldn't be able to find them.” The site is posted “no trespassing” and a limited number of people have keys or should be on the property, including the mowers. All that's left is for parents to talk to their children and explain the dangers.

AMENITIES COMMITTEE By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

How to make use of the Clubhouse Improvements at the Clubhouse should help the building remain the center of The Trails community; Amenities Committee is on the job. Wes Collier, a member of The Trails Board of Directors and the Amenities Committee, stood in the kitchen of the clubhouse looking around at what needs to be done. The clubhouse is supposed to be the center of The Trails community, and office manager Brandie Hayes has been working diligently to increase the usage of the facility. Hayes says the clubhouse wasn't used to its full potential until the past year. Now the upstairs area with the kitchen is being used by neighborhood card groups or rented out for wedding receptions and anniversary and birthday parties. Monthly HOA board meetings are also conducted in the upstairs area of the clubhouse. An original feature of the development, the time has come

for upgrades. The kitchen has cabinets on the wall above the stove — way above the stove. To use these, it would be helpful to invite a professional basketball player to your next event. Additional cabinets are under a counter top on another wall but even they appear unused. “We want to make this party friendly with a set up more suitable for a catered party,” Collier said. “Maybe take these cabinet doors off entirely and just have shelves.” With an eye on staying within the committee budget, Collier said re-purposing and refurbishing existing features was always the first choice. The kitchen sink, positioned just inside the only door to the kitchen really should be moved but it's not the priority at the moment.

“Our objective is to create a usable kitchen that is easy to clean and easy for people to prepare for parties,” he said. Outside the kitchen in the main room, proposed suggestions are to replace the worn and dated carpet, freshen the walls and possibly update the light sconces. Downstairs, the entrance hallway and the offices are all covered in dark paneling. Popular in the 1970s, the entrance is seen as dreary now and not very welcoming. “When you walk into see Brandie downstairs, it's gloomy,” Collier said. “We need to open that up and do something with that paneling.” Outside is the most popular and by far, the most used feature of the clubhouse — the swim-

Jacque Estes

The Trails Clubhouse is used for a variety of activities from card groups to parties. It also houses the management offices on the first floor. ming pool. The pool will be opening in a few short weeks and the season opening party will be on May 3. Chairs are being cleaned and fixed if necessary and a new fence is being installed at the entrance to the pool. “After the fence is installed in front of the pool it will be ready for the swipe card process,” Collier said. Homeowners will be receiv-

ing pool swipe cards each with unique identification. The new slide cards will record who is going in and restrict those who do not have their dues up to date. They will also be time sensitive, not allowing access when the pool is not open. “The Amenities Committee's primary goal is to have more people use the facilities The Trails Community has,” he said.

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ROSIE / FROM PAGE 1 is a wonderful pianist and I took classes from her for 15 years.” Now the student is the teacher, and she is passing the importance of community outreach to her own students with performances off campus like this one. Many programs are conducted by the students under the Grace's guidance. During the workshops the B-CU music majors talk to the younger students about how they got started in their major. “These wonderful young people serve as role models and mentors to the next generation.” Grace said. “My kids conduct musical workshops with high school choirs and bands. They make music a part of their life, but it doesn't have to be a career.” Grace sees a benefit in having the younger college students work one-on-one with the teen-

‘‘

THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

These wonderful young people serve as role models and mentors to the next generation.

‘‘

Rosie Grace, pianist

agers in high school. “Usually mentors are groups that are made up of professional, older musicians,” she said. “The high school students can relate to my students.” The program also presents a $500 scholarship to one of the participants. Each of the nine students who performed at the library presented a different musical experience for the audience to

Rose Grace's hands have been gliding over piano keys since she was 4 years old.

Paris Lewis was one of several soloists. enjoy, from the opening piece, “The Lord's Prayer” sung by Devon Hagans, to “Cockeyed Optimist” from “South Pacific” by Brandi Neal, to the Trio in B flat Major, OP. 11, performed by DeYante McClay on clarinet, Bryan McCall on euphonium and Elijah Stevens on piano. The finale, “The Impossible Dream,” from “Man of La Mancha,” was sung by baritone Ashley Knowles. “I knew I just had to end the show with that one,” Grace said. Those who missed the Friends of the Library-sponsored performance and don't want to miss the next can go to www.daytonabeachfol.org. For information and a schedule of other community events go to http://www.cookman.edu/ academics/schools/sla/DepartmentOfMusic/music-outreach-program.html.

Jacque Estes

Flo McNelly shows the board one of the new multipurpose signs for the paths.

BOARD MEETING / FROM PAGE 1 nity less sign heavy for aesthetic purposes,” McNelly said. The 29 Bike Path and Bike Xing signs will be replaced with new more attractive multiuse trail signs. “We want to remove 53 signs that are hodge podge throughout the community,” McNelly said. It was also recommended that “Yield” signs be stenciled on the pavement where the trail comes out onto heavy traffic areas like Rio Pinar. There was concern expressed about possible liability issues if signs, even though they have no reflective qualities, were re-

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moved. The total requested amount of $3,100 was reduced to $2,775 until the insurance agent could be consulted concerning liability. Three fountains will replace the current fountain in Lake Walden. The one horsepower fountains will have LED lights and will aerate the pond. A second fountain in the little pond will also be replaced. The cost for all three fountains will be $11,469.29, nearly half of the next closest bid. Unfinished business included the “bump” on Main Trail caused by a tree. The city has been made aware of the problem and will make a temporary fence around the area and possibly remove the tree.

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

Fire Department: Help is just down the street Some of the best emergency response is available to the Trails but residents have to do their part to ensure the response is timely. mond Beach Fire Department website, clearly displayed house numbers are critical. Numbers stenciled on the curb are not easily seen. The firefighters are going to be looking at the front of houses and on mailboxes. Curbs are easily obstructed by trash cans or dirt. If you call 9-1-1, turn on the outside lights at your house, and if there is an extra person available, have them stand outside to signal to the firefighters. Mandarino said his firefighters don't leave things to chance. They are proactive in knowing the areas they serve. “Firefighters and responders familiarize themselves with the neighborhoods and the conditions by driving through on a nonemergency run,” he said. “We pride ourselves on our local knowledge of the neighborhoods.” The test drives also alert the firefighters to any conditions, like low hanging trees, that might pose a problem and delay response time. “We are not going to be the tree commandos, and if we can move and get around it, that's fine, but if there is a tree that is going to affect our response time, we need it cut.”

The back up fire engine at Station 92 on Nova Road pulls out of the bay. There are trucks that go through neighborhoods on a weekly basis that often clear the way for the fire trucks. “Garbage trucks often do the trimming for us,” Mandarino said. “They are taller than the fire engines so they often knock down the low hanging branches.” The fire department also provides services to help homeowners prevent fires. Many stations have oil recycling “igloos” for household

waste like motor oil, a substance that cannot be thrown out with the trash and taken to the landfill. Laws require stores that sell car batteries to accept them for recycling. Toxic substances like gasoline, paint, and pool chemicals are harmful to the environment and can be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Tomoka Landfill. There is also a paint exchange facility for resident in Volusia County at the

Jacque Estes

landfill. These facilities provide paint to noncommercial and nonprofit organizations as available. Additional information is available by calling the Volusia County Solid Waste at 386-9437889. Cleaning your garage of these items reduces the extra “fuel” that could make a fire burn hotter and cause more destruction. Email Staff Writer Jacque Estes at jacque@ormondbeachobserver.com.

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Fire Chief Bob Mandarino oversees the fire stations in Ormond Beach. Station 92 at 189 S. Nova Road is the station most likely to respond to fires and other emergencies in The Trails. Station services include advanced life support, disaster preparedness and response and fire and life safety education. Residents with house numbers that are not properly displayed may sacrifice precious minutes while the truck slows down to search for the address. “With our computerized GPS in each truck and the hard copy map book, our response time is barely over four minutes,” Mandarino said. Having the address prominently placed is critical. This is not the place you want to be decorative or fancy. House numbers should be at least 3 inches in height, visible from 150 feet from all angles and easily read at night. Ask neighbors, visiting friends and relatives, and even delivery trucks if they were able to find your house address easily. If they had issues, replace your numbers so they can be easily seen during the day and at night. Referred to as “The other emergency number” on the Or-

THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

BRIDGER / FROM PAGE 1

Spring cleaning … so to speak:

Toward the end of last summer it was noted that the surface of the pool lining was deteriorating. After reviewing bids received, your Board awarded a contract to Blue Water Pools Inc. for resurfacing the pool, its gutters, and rebuilding the crumbling steps at the shallow end. Work is on schedule for completion so that the pool can open timely on April 1 (no fooling), and your board is investing in quality to get the job done right. To improve aeration of the lake and pond water while also enhancing the aesthetics new fountain pumps and lighting kits have been installed in both Lake Walden and Little Pond. Check them out; while this is basically an environmental issue, aesthetics are a plus for all residents! (See the story on Page 1 for more on the latest board meeting.) As an association, we have a partner in our spring cleanup — the city of Ormond Beach. Perhaps because of our improved communications with the city, The Trails Property Management was alerted to a potentially dangerous situation. Kids had built army-like fortress tunnels for pellet gun fights, digging dangerously near the protective lining of an adjacent hazardous waste site. (See the story on Page 3.) The city has also been most responsive to requests for smoothing the natural “speed bump” caused by a tree root near Mimosa and Main Trials, and acted quickly on our request for repainting the double lines along areas of Main Trail. We’re still working with the city on projects to improve the ingress/egress and sidewalk at the Clubhouse parking lot and to designate crosswalks at critical intersections. I’m pleased to report that your Board’s Landscape Committee has been working diligently to plan for seasonal flower rotations. In addition 14 hazardous trees have been removed from the medians along Main Trial. The planters around the pool

area will be refreshed before pool opening. The committee has also recommended and the Board has approved new signage for the Clubhouse, Misner’s Branch, and our community’s pathways … so be on the lookout. The Board’s Amenities, Technologies and Facilities, Fixtures & Furnishings Committees will be working collaboratively to propose updating renovations to the Clubhouse … so stay tuned.

Spring cleaning … financially

The heretofor CPA audit firm was planning on charging the Association what your Board deemed and outrageous amount for its annual audit. At a savings to the association, your Board has disengaged from the previous CPA auditor and has secured the services of Martin, Klayer & Associates, PL. Homeowners will be notified when this year’s audit has been completed and will have an opportunity to review the audit if they so desire. As of our March 2015 regular board meeting, the association is right on track with regards to its current operating budget.

Spring cleaning … a personal note:

As I’ve walked and driven around our community, I’ve seen many neighbors out pruning back shrubbery and panting new annuals. Kudos to you! Thank you for your work to improve not only your property, but our community. I know, from an inside source, that our Association’s Landscape Committee is working to develop criteria (for Board approval) for reinstituting a “Yard of the Quarter” award and a “Sub-Association of the Quarter” award. Last year I reported to you that the association was going to actively pursue property inspections for covenant enforcement. Prior to engaging the professional services of Aegis Property Management our Covenant enforcement had been on a reactionary basis; only responding when one’s neighbor called the office to complain. In the interest of insuring everyone’s property values, we are now more

proactive. Since visual, onsite inspections had not been regularly conducted your Board’s guidance and direction to Aegis was clear: First, go for the “low hanging fruit.” That is, look for covenant violations that are readily apparent from street view. With respect to fulfilling the Board’s direction, our property manager, Brandie Hayes, has done a fantastic job. Please note the accompanying pie chart graphic display of the types of infractions cited based on data from the past quarter. What these data don’t display, however, is the response our property manager receives from the homeowners/residents cited. Now let’s face it: No one likes to receive a citation whether it’s from a traffic cop or anyone else. But, Ms. Hayes reports to your Board that most owners promptly correct the issue and, interestingly, many owners actually thank her for the citation / “reminder” letter. She has not experienced this in other communities she managed.

Spring cleaning … or not … some things we don’t want to change

As noted, Hayes noted to her surprise that Trails residents were responsive and in some instances thankful for the citation notices resulting from her property inspections. I thank you for your community spirit. Many folks living in the greater Daytona Beach / Ormond Beach area consider our neighborhood, The Trails, as an especially affluent community. That’s fine, but I argue to you that affluence and compassion are not contradictory terms. Our community has most recently shown great compassion for the less fortunate. On behalf of the Board, I salute the Girl Scouts collecting shoes at our Clubhouse for distribution to other countries; I salute Al Legg and the Lions Club for collecting eye glasses for those in need; and, I salute and especially want to recognize our neighbor, Peggy Holleran, for her efforts and coordination of a most suc-

GOTCHA! The chart below illustrates the types of covenant violations reported by Property Manager Brandie Hayes.

Vehicle parking violations: 24% Landscaping violations: 21% Architectural violations: 21% Unsightly violations: 17% Fence violations: 13% Rubbish, debris: 4%

cessful blanket donation drive. It’s not just our handsome homes and beautiful natural environment that make The Trails such a great place to live; it’s the quality and character of our residents. Best regards, always. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the pool this summer.

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Sherry Erbe, of Holly Hill, sold 5 Cobblestone Trail to Brendan Roberson and Karen Blendick, of Ormond Beach, for $237,500. Built in 1976, the house has three bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace, swimming pool and 1,708 square feet. It sold in 1976 for $66,000.

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Richard and Tina Castello of Northville, New York, sold 319 Timberline Trail to Larry and Jonni Hepler of Ormond Beach, for $151,385. Built in 1981, the townhouse has two bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace and 1,348 square feete. It sold in 1981 for $61,900.

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Michele Moyano, of Pembroke Pines, sold 634 Main Trail to Biana Zukin and Igor Zhubrak,of Staten Island, New York for $108,000. Built in 1981, the townhouse has two bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace and 1,439 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $84,500.

$151,000

Stuart Straw, Stay Straw and Thomas Craig of Ormond Beach sold 50 Soco Trail to Velma Lowe, of Ormond Beach for $151,000. Built in 1980, the house has three bedrooms, three baths, a fireplace and 1,614 square feet. It sold in 1995 for $88,000.

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THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

OUT ON THE TILES By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

If it’s Tuesday, it must be mahjong There’s a group of friends in The Trails who know exactly what they are doing every Tuesday. They are playing mahjong. Tiles click and ladies laugh as they play mahjong on the second floor of the clubhouse. They have been playing every Tuesday at the clubhouse for nearly a year. Before that many went to the Ormond Senior Center. “The group I used to go to was at the Senior Center and then Judy found us this place to play,” said Lynn Sylvester. “We don't have anything on our schedules that interferes. Tuesday is mahjong day. We play from 10:30 to 2:30 or 3, and we bring our lunch.” Judy Kane, one of the organizers, a mahjong teacher and the group baker, moved to The Trails eight years ago, and mahjong has been a part of most of her life. “I started by watching my mother play with her friends. I would sit on the steps and watch,” she said. “After the ladies were gone, I could play with the set.” To make friends in her new community, she looked for people who played the game. “I went to the Senior Center and opened the doors expecting the room to be full of tables, but there was only one,” she said. The mahjong group was already established so she waited and watched until an opportunity to become a substitute got her a chair at the table. Being a substitute player got

You have to find somebody to teach you and you can learn quite fast. There are intricacies to the game that come with play. Judy Kane, one of the organizers for the mahjong club Sandy Zimbler a chair at The Trails games — Judy's chair. “I went away for the summer and called Sandy to take my chair. She didn't want me to come back because she didn't want to give it up,” Kane said. Zimbler didn't have to give up her spot. When there's an odd number of players the ladies rotate in and out of games giving everyone a chance to play. The ladies agree that mahjong takes time to learn and lessons are important. Beginners are welcome to watch the games, but until they are proficient they won't get a chair. Much like a

new tennis player taking the court with a professional player, the game wouldn't be enjoyable for anyone. “Having different levels of players slows the game down and mistakes are more likely to be made,” Kane said. “You have to find somebody to teach you and you can learn quite fast. There are intricacies to the game that come with play.” Pat Baumann started taking lessons three years ago. She bought herself a set of tiles and familiarized herself in between classes with the tiles, suits and

Photos by Jacques Estes

A mahjong game underway. cards. “This group isn't for beginners,” she said. “You need to feel comfortable before you start playing with a group. It took me

about a year.” The game has been compared to rummy with tiles instead of cards and with the brain stimulation of Bridge. For Judy the so-

The mahjong table includes Carol Richter, Pat Baumann, Judy Kane and Cheryle Easton

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THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

cialization is an important benefit. “It's very stimulating but very frustrating,” said Cheryle Easton. Barbara Goldstein recalled how she would play with other mothers in Brighton Beach with one hand jiggling a baby stroller and the other hand throwing the tiles. In December, Goldstein, who has had polio since she was a child and uses a motorized chair to go any distance, fell and broke her shoulder and for a while

the games weren't played at the clubhouse — the games were played at Signature Health Care where Goldstein was being treated. “I was there for seven weeks and while I was there the girls came out to me and played,” Goldstein said. “The people at Signature were very accommodating. They even scheduled my therapy around when the girls were coming. Therapy on Tuesdays had to be before 10 a.m.” The ladies groan when a hand

they thought they had doesn't work out but never seem to take it too seriously. They break for lunch and snack on baked treats Kane provides. “You have to make decisions and you don't have a lot of time. It’s like bridge except you don't have a partner. You have to be able to switch. If something isn't working, you have to do something else,” Kane said. “It's a very challenging game to make something out of nothing.”

Cheryle Easton looks over her hand.

Rosalie Ferry, Rita Pender, Lynn Sylvester and Sandy Zimbler play a hand of mahjong at The Trails Clubhouse.

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grassroots By Jacque Estes | Staff Writer

NO SHOES, LOTS OF FUN Moms, dad, and grandparents kick off their shoes to spend one-on-one time at Grass Roots Interactive, an indoor playground and education center for toddlers. It’s a dreary day in the sunshine state, but smiles are the facial accessory of choice at the Grass Roots Interactive Center on Nova Road in Ormond Beach. GrassRoots is a special place for toddlers and parents or grandparent or babysitters to go and have some one-on-one fun. “GrassRoots is a parent/child interactive activity not a drop off,” said Becky Railsback, a Trails resident, who opened

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the center with her sister-in-law Amy Annon on July 2, 2014. The two ladies know a little something about what children and their parents like. Railsback worked in the education field for eight years and both have young children. The sisters-in-law realized there was a need for a safe and clean place for parents of the youngest set to go to exercise, interact and have fun. “We have really been supported by the community,” Railsback said. “It amazes us every day we have new people coming in.” Half of the business is an indoor play area with a slide, kid-sized kitchen, a purple caterpillar to crawl through and even a tricycle to ride indoors. Being moms who have their children at the center they know there are certain expectations. “Safety and cleanliness are extremely important to us. Not just in the business aspect but because we are moms, too,” Railsback said. “The floor is steamed every day, and all of the toys are thoroughly disinfected.” Babies explore by putting things in their mouths, so moms are asked after a baby who has put a toy in their mouth is finished playing with it to toss the toy into a provided basket so it can be disinfected for the next child. It’s not unusual to see a sign in a store that says, “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” At Grass Roots, shirts are worn but shoes are left at the door. No one inside either the playroom or the education room wears shoes. A cubby-style shoe holder lines the wall in the lobby, and it is filled with all sizes of shoes, from tiny sneakers to a man’s work boots. Parents and children are asked to wear socks. Kids can also go barefoot. An-

IF YOU GO GRASSROOTS INTERACTIVE CENTER Where: 431 S. Nova Road Phone: 386-672-3353 Website: http://www.grassrootsinteractivecenter.com/ Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and most Saturdays unless the area has been reserved for a party. Monthly Memberships: $29 unlimited playtime; $49 unlimited music and art classes' $49 unlimited music and art classes and playtime.

other option for the adults is to purchase a pair of flip flops to be worn only in the center. To ensure this, the center will store the flip flops for the adults to use on future visits. For some the visit can be an all day event. Combine play with one of the special educational or class opportunities. Parents bring lunches to eat with their children in the lounge. The classroom side is used for special classes like Tippi Toe Ballet and the Mad

On the play side of the center, Evan Tejera, 1, was under his dad's watchful eye enjoying the playroom all to himself while the others mixed cookie dough.

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The education room was filled with mini chefs before Valentine’s Day.

Photos by Jacque Estes

THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

Left: Micha Dattel and babysitter Jori Walan enjoy the cooking class. Below: Bella Mackersie, 4, a junior Julia Child with trademark pearls.

Camryn Tejera, 3, mixes dough in a special pre-Valentine’s Day cooking class. Science program. There are dance classes for children 18 months to 12 years of age and the Mad Science is geared for children 3 to 12. Two programs the center offers are art sensory and music classes for parent and child. Does your child like to kick balls inside? The Little Slugger Indoor Soccer for 2- and 3-year-old children may be just the answer. Classes for a little older children are available in etiquette which includes communication and manners. Free preventative workshops are offered through the Center’s partnership Halifax Health. “The first and third Friday of the month

we have Baby Chicks for expectant moms and moms with newborns to three months,” Railsback said. “Moms and caregivers of the baby can get information about car seats, safe sleep, CPR and baby massage.” On this dreary day just before Valentines Day the education room is filled with adults and their children learning new recipes from Courtney Kirk of Sweet Boutique Bakery in Edgewater. The shoes are off, the smiles are on and everyone is having a wonderful time. “She loves being here,” said grandma Susan Voges. “You don’t have to worry about them and its nice and clean.”

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THE TRAILS OBSERVER MARCH 2015

NEW TOWNHOMES Plantation Bay, Ormond Beach

Welcome home to Arbor Lake Townhomes, located in the prestigious Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club! Community residents enjoy living close to the World’s Most Famous Beach, as well as the area’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment. One & two story townhomes feature: Fully-equipped gourmet kitchen Granite counters Custom wood cabinetry Spacious closets Private patio area Master suites conveniently located on first floor

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This resort style living destination is surrounded by lush landscaped grounds offering: