Sep/Oct 2021
L I FES T Y LE
Contents
10
In this issue 11
3 LETTER FROM THE LIFESTYLE TEAM
A note on what's coming up
4 TEAM SPOTLIGHT Meet Crystal Steere
5 NATIONAL NEIGHBOR DAY Recipe Basket Exchange
5 SIGNATURE EVENT Bubbles & Bowties
14
6 PET FEATURE
Furry Friends: Meet Finn
6
7 CONCIERGE
Exclusive offerings, just for you
8 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Frank Del Vecchio
9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch
Around Town
10 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
MEMBER SERVICE
TAYLOR MORRISON SALES
11 FITNESS
Esplanade@Evergreen-LM.com EsplanadeWiregrassLifestyle.com 866-325-0703 Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am to 6pm
Sales Gallery Mon-Sat, 10am to 6pm Sun, 12pm to 6pm
Recent Events Recap
Fall in Love With Yoga
12 A LOOK AHEAD Upcoming Events
13 GET INVOLVED
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
14 WELLNESS/CULINARY
Tess Gregory Lifestyle Manager 813-563-1259 TGregory@Evergreen-LM.com
Interest Groups & Social Clubs
Spiced Pomegranate Molasses Chicken
15 ESPLANADE CONNECT
Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup
15 COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP Understanding Conservation
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April Hueter Community Association Manager AHueter@Evergreen-LM.com
Cheryl Steers Community Sales Manager 813-240-0553 CSteers@TaylorMorrison.com Xiomara Romanov Community Sales Manager 813-685-3399 XRomanov@TaylorMorrison.com Elizabeth Ortiz Community Sales Manager 352-419-3189 EOrtiz@TaylorMorrison.com
Letter From the Lifestyle Team TESS GREGORY YOUR LIFESTYLE MANAGER
August 10th was Tess’s last day at Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch and we wish her all the best in her new role! A temporary, acting Lifestyle Manager is currently supporting Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch while we work to welcome a new Lifestyle Manager to the team!
Happy Fall Everyone! You may not know this about Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch, but we are a community built from courage. Our dedicated team opened a well-designed Sales Gallery adjacent to a brilliantly inviting model park of homes in May 2020. This beautiful community had so much potential, great location, phenomenal Lifestyle Programing, a place anyone 55 and better would flourish. Since day one, our team has been dedicated to the idea of a place where belonging would matter, gathered with open doors and hearts to welcome those ready to explore the evolution of what home would mean to them. The importance of home became more prevalent than ever during recent times. I remember being approached with the challenge of introducing new neighbors to each other while maintaining the safest environment possible. A virtual handshake is difficult to feel, and a worldwide pandemic is a challenging conversational spring board. As an experienced Lifestyle Manager, I have pioneered Esplanade communities before, but never like this. It was like designing a room in the dark. As my Lifestyle industry faced one of the most difficult times in history, I set out to find a way to create a deeper human connection. Traditionally, in the beginning of any community, the art of introduction is of utmost importance. As I looked to plan out our Lifestyle experiences in the “new normal,” I looked to our founding members for inspiration.
You can’t break the human spirit - we found a way, as a new gaggle of strangers, to create lifelong friendships. In the beginning, we all made the best of our zoom socials, virtually sharing interesting facts about our lives, and establishing social media connections. We created play lists together, and even contributed to some charitable organizations as a community. We rolled up our sleeves and knew the best years were yet to come, however changed in our approach we would be. Meeting mask to mask, once again, our new members found courage. Would our members recognize each other out walking their dogs in the neighborhood without a mask on? They used it as a tool instead of a hindrance! Many wore masks that were conversational pieces, breaking the ice and having fun with the situation. It was the positive attitude, and whimsical approach that poured the foundation of Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch. We built this community on the kind of courage and creativity that will endure. We are a community of strong, eclectic individuals living and loving life together. I am humbled by the people that currently live, and are building homes in Esplanade. I get to introduce them to the new experiences they have so patiently waited for. Your Lifestyle team looks forward to providing this inspired Lifestyle to the members who have inspired us all. Welcome home.
Tess
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Crystal Steere YOUR NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SPA, FITNESS & WELLNESS
A
s we continue to support the Esplanade brand on a national scale, we are excited to welcome Crystal Steere to the Esplanade National team. Her focus on spa and wellness programming will bring a fresh perspective to each community and streamline operations. In addition to a renewed focus on Lifestyle and sports programming, her expertise will be leveraged to create exciting wellness initiatives that encourage Members to live an inspired Lifestyle through building their social network while embarking on their wellness journey. Crystal will be instrumental in the launch of seasonally inspired spa treatments at our spas and introducing our new private label bath and body care product collection. Crystal will also be designing an annual fitness membership program and collaborating with your Lifestyle team to launch monthly wellness workshops, seminars, and expos geared at health, nutrition, and mindfulness. In addition to spa and fitness programming, Crystal will also be supporting each community as their court sports open, working with tennis and pickleball professionals to program weekly tennis, pickleball, and bocce clinics, challenges, and events. Crystal joins the Esplanade National team with an extensive background in resort and hotel management in the field of health & wellness. Crystal’s passion for spa and wellness programming encompasses not only industry knowledge, but operational excellence, business acumen, team support, and development. Crystal has more than 15 years of experience in spa and fitness management working for prestigious companies such as Golden Door Spa, Hilton Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, Northwood Hospitality, WTS, International and most recently as the Spa & Wellness Manager at Esplanade Golf & Country Club Naples, a Taylor Morrison community. In her career, Crystal has been awarded several leadership awards such as Manager of the Year at the Waldorf Astoria Naples and recipient of WTS International Basics to Excellence Management Award. In addition to being a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Crystal is an experienced leader in Human Resources and Retail Management, holding the title of General Manager at Banana Republic, Gap Inc. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a specialization in Hospitality & Resort Management from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. As a Florida native, Crystal enjoys spending time outdoors exploring all that Southwest Florida has to offer with her two children, Piper age 6, and Avery age 2, her husband, Nate, and their two dogs Cooper and Lucy. We look forward to introducing you to the rest of the Esplanade National team in future publications!
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National Neighbor Day RECIPE BASKET EXCHANGE Tue, Sep 28 | 4:30pm to 6pm | Sales Gallery National Neighbor Day celebrates the importance of being a good neighbor while contributing to one’s community and each other. In honor of this important holiday, our community will be hosting a good ol’ fashioned recipe basket exchange. You are invited to bring your beautifully designed basket containing a recipe card for a favorite beverage or dish including all the ingredients to create it. Put the mini bottle of olive oil, herbs, seasoning, lemons or whatever else your concoction requires right into the basket. Each contributing household will pick a number and take home a different neighbor’s recipe basket to enjoy. Would you like to share a recipe for your favorite Moscow Mule? Include a couple of copper cups and a mini mint plant accompanied by your favorite vodka and ginger beer. Don’t forget instructions for how to mix it up! It’s your opportunity to get creative with your contents. Include dry pasta, or if a couple of steaks are required, include all the other seasoning ingredients along with a gift card priced just right to purchase the refrigerated items. Let your culinary experience and imagination guide you. Get to know your neighbors through their favorite tastes. National Neighbor Day reminds us to be good neighbors by checking on those who live close to us and pitching in to help if we can. They’ll do the same for you. Loving life and taking care of each other is a cornerstone of this community. Please keep basket spending limit to $100 or less.
“ Please won’t you be my neighbor? ”
- Mister Rogers
PET FEATURE
Furry Friends MEET Finn – LOVED BY PAT AND MARYBETH SWEENEY The family is photographed here checking out the site of our future Resort Amenity Bark Park. He is very excited to know that very soon, right here in his own neighborhood, walking distance from his front door, there will be a beautiful patch of green earth designed just for him. Finn fantasizes, slow motion, galloping over the grounds, bathed in beautiful Florida sunshine. The team here at Taylor Morrison is working to make that dream come true for Finn, and all his friends who live here in Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch. The Bark Park will be just one of the many doggie perks in our community. Finn can look forward to being pampered by the mobile grooming services of Paws Wash Plus, or spending a day playing with friends or learning new tricks with K9 Adventure. We are definitely a furry family member friendly community, catering to everyone in the household. Since you will be seeing Finn and his family around, here is a chance to get to know them a little better. How old is Finn, and how long has he been a part of your family? Finn is 2 and a half years old. He joined the family when he was just 6 months old from a Tennessee farm. What is his breed? AKC Registered Standard Poodle. Finn is the 6th Standard Poodle that the Sweeney family has owned. What is Finn’s favorite thing to do and what does he despise? Finn’s favorite thing to do is chase the ball. He also enjoys running, and watching tv. His favorite shows are animal shows. He once knocked a brand new tv right over because he got so excited about a cat show. There isn’t a whole lot that Finn does not like, except getting his ears groomed. Where is his favorite spot in your new home and what is his favorite toy? His favorite spot to lay is on the couch and loves to play with any kind of toy ball. He loves tennis balls, and will rummage through any new bag brought into the house for an item or ball that he can play with. Can Finn do any special tricks? Finn is very smart. He can sit, fetch, and he can even spell. He also knows words and what they mean. If he has a nickname around the home, what is it, and why? Finn is actually short for his full name which is Finnegan. Tell us a couple of things that are unique about Finn. Finn is wearing his summer cut in these photos. It keeps him cool during the hot months. He can run faster than any other dog and he gets along with everyone. He is a joy to have around the house!
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CONCIERGE
Exclusive Concierge Offerings Part of the Esplanade Lifestyle is rolling out the red carpet and giving our members VIP access to exclusive offers and services! We are excited to continue to build and foster these relationships with local organizations and businesses to offer special rates for our community. If you know of a business or organization that would like to partner with Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch, please contact your Lifestyle Manager.
HOTEL RATES
TRANSPORTATION
BEAUTY
Ask your Lifestyle Team for more information about special discounts at the following hotels:
AFFARI TRANSPORTATION 10% Discount 813-448-4703 affaritampa.com
MARI’S MOBILE NAILS Contact Mari 813-507-3967 facebook.com/marismobilenails
SADDLEBROOK RESORT TAMPA ALOFT, SARASOTA RITZ-CARLTON, SARASOTA HYATT REGENCY COCONUT POINT, BONITA SPRINGS RITZ CARLTON GOLF RESORT, NAPLES INN ON 5TH, NAPLES
ACTIVITIES PETS
DRY CLEANING QUALITY PLUS DRY CLEANING Free pickup & delivery service 727-807-3257 qpcleaners.com
PAW WASH PLUS Grooming Services 727-375-7070 pawwashplus.com K9 ADVENTURE Dog Daycare 10% Off Regular Services 727-375-9995 k9adventurestrinity.com
KAI LANI CATAMARAN Catamaran Cruise Esplanade Rate: $45 per person 727-656-7894 kailanicat.com SARAH VANDE BERG TENNIS CENTER MEMBERSHIP No Imitation Fee, 20% Discount on All Membership Fees & 1 Free Salt Session 813-361-6660 svbtenniscenter.com
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Frank Del Vecchio On September 11th, Patriot Day gives all of us time to reflect. We commemorate those who we lost and give thanks to the brave First Responders who put their lives on the line. Frank receiving his promotion to 2nd Grade Detective from the Police Commissioner and pictured with his son Frank after receiving the promotion. Today, his son is a Detective in the NYPD and also wears Frank's detective shield.
O
n this occasion, we take a moment to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a better place for all. The bravery of American citizens and uniformed personnel is remembered this September; 411 men and women working in emergency services lost their lives trying to fight fires and fulfill rescue missions. For one of our very own members, ground zero was not a place behind a tv screen, but instead, a real memory. Heroes come in many forms, and this month our Lifestyle Team would like to take this opportunity to recognize one of your neighbors who was on the front lines that difficult day. Not just that day, but every day Frank Del Vecchio showed up to serve and protect. He said, “I think it’s fair to say a lot of us can remember where we were and what we were doing on this tragic day. It changed our lives and how we live and go about each day. We still have many First Responders being negatively affected from the toxic air they were breathing during search and recovery efforts. Many remember this horrific day on its anniversary each year, but for me I remember it twice a day, every day; 9:11am and 9:11pm.” How long were you a police officer? I worked for the New York City Police Department for 25 years. Within those years, I went from uniformed patrolman, to plain clothes police officer and then into the Organized Crime Control Bureau where I worked for the Manhattan South Narcotics Division and was then promoted to Detective. What Inspired you to join the police force? Back in the 70’s, as a kid growing up in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan, it wasn’t unusual to have a conversation with the cops
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walking a foot post or sitting in their police car. I was inspired by how the police were respected for doing their job and keeping the neighborhood safe. What was the best part of your job? The best part of my job was to know that I, along with other members of the department were making a positive impact on the quality of life within the neighborhoods we worked in. Did you receive any awards during your service? While working on the streets as a patrolman and in plain clothes, I received 40 awards for Exceptional Police Duty and 5 awards for Meritorious Police Duty. Did you have one or many partners over the course of your career? I worked with one partner during my time on Patrol and in plain clothes. I worked with a team of officers during my tenure in narcotics. Did you have a few favorite lunch spots where you went on break? I worked in an area of Manhattan that had many restaurants, bars, and diners. I liked the diners, which were owned and operated by Greeks. They were open 24 hours, had a good variety of food on the menu and always tasted great. Did you work the Thanksgiving Day Parade or any other nationally famous events such as movie premiers or award shows, professional sporting games? What were those experiences like? When I joined the NYPD, no one ever told me I would experience The Greatest Show On Earth. Yes, I had a ring side seat to every parade. I worked the sporting events, such as playoffs and World Series baseball games. I also worked concert events, such as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel., etc.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Today, reflecting and remembering the events that took place in 2001 reminds people of the sensitivity of time and the importance of standing united as a nation. Workers of all kinds were impacted, and so were their families. Here are a few ways you can honor Patriot Day both in person and in spirit. Participate in a moment of silence. Moments of silence are observed several times during the day. The timings correspond with the moments of each event that day, the first one starting at 8:46am and the last at 10:28am.
PATRIOT DAY BRUNCH
9/11 MEMORIAL MILE RUN Sat, Sep 11 | 7:30am runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lutz/911MemorialMile 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz Live and Virtual Run/Walk to remember the events of 9/11/2001. Proceeds from the race go towards a scholarship fund for Pasco County students looking to become first responders.
VISIT A TAMPA BAY MEMORIAL SITE »
and Bay to Bay. The steel in this memorial is steel recovered
Sat, Sep 11 | 11am-1pm | rememberhonorsupport.org/patriot-day St. Petersburg Coliseum Remember Honor Support (RHS) will honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11/01. All proceeds benefit Breaking Barriers and Operation Restore.
The 9/11 World Trade Center Artifact is located at Bayshore from the World Trade Center and it also functions as a sundial marking significant timeline events from that day.
»
The 9/11 Fallen Heroes Memorial is a historical landmark in Tampa located at 1900 North 20th Street.
Around Town Entertainment
Sports
Other
HALL AND OATES
TAMPA BAY RAYS BASEBALL
FRESH MARKET
Mon, Sep 20 | 7pm MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre hallandoates.com/tour
Regular Season Games Through Sep Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg mlb.com/rays/tickets
Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month
BROOKS AND DUNN
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Fri, Oct 8 | 7pm MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre brooks-dunn.com
Regular Season Games Begin in Sep Buccaneer Stadium fbschedules.com/tampa-bay-buccaneersschedule
SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL Closes: September 19 Straz Center for the Performing Arts strazcenter.org
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES SOCCER Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg rowdiessoccer.com/tickets
10am-2pm The Shops at Wiregrass 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel tampabaymarkets.com/fresh-market-atthe-shops-at-wiregrass
FLORIDA MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS (FMoPA) FMoPA collects, preserves, and exhibits historic
and
contemporary
works
by
nationally and internationally known artists. For more info and events, visit fmopa.org.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Recent Events In case you missed some of the events, here is a look back at our fun in the sun!
Pickleball 101
CLINIC
This specially crafted racket sport is one of the many recreational athletics that will be available at our future Resort Amenity Center. With that in mind, we presented our members with an opportunity to learn the basics to begin their journey of learning how to play. Diving into our partnership with the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, we have been hosting monthly Pickleball 101 clinics for our members. Learn to play, develop the skills, then take advantage of our exclusive partnership with the facility offering member discounts as part of our Esplanade concierge perks.
Live Jazz
ON THE LANAI Our members enjoyed a wonderful evening of live music at our Esplanade Sales Gallery. The jazzy tunes from our sax player and wonderful vocalist had this group dancing and socializing with neighbors.
Hyppo Gourmet
FROZEN TREAT TRUCK We kicked off the Independence Day holiday weekend with gourmet frozen treats at our Esplanade Sales Gallery. Our members enjoyed some sweet treats in the streets of our beautiful community!
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FITNESS
Fall in Love With Yoga W
The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning union, communion, and to bind, or concentrate one’s attention on.
hile yoga is indeed a physical practice, its main intention lies in the union of body, mind and spirit. It transcends the mere physical realm and supports us mentally, energetically, spiritually, morally and holistically. Whether you are just beginning your yoga journey, or being called back to a lifelong practice, yoga is sure to change your life again and again. For this reason, our Lifestyle Team would like to kick off our Fitness and Wellness programing with a little peace of mind. We would like to invite you to Fall in Love With Yoga.
INTRODUCING OUR HATHA FLOW YOGA CLASS This all-level class is designed for everyone and anyone, from absolute beginners to the most seasoned practitioners. Throughout the class, we will incorporate pranayama and moving meditation to build strength and flexibility. Students can expect to move through a
series of flows, core work, strength building and balancing poses to build stability and courage.
MEET OUR NEW INSTRUCTOR SAMANTHA KLINE She provides a heart centered approach to mind-body wellness for adults of all ages and abilities. She strives to assist her students in self-discovery, allowing for growth within their current capabilities and setting them up for success not only in their pursuit of yoga but their daily lives. Her goal is to bring balance to our members’ bodies, mind and spirit through asana and pranayama. Samantha started practicing yoga 10 years ago as a transition from the world of dance. She found a holistic healing in the practice, and that was the moment she knew she wanted to share the life changing effects of yoga with others.
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A LOOK AHEAD
Upcoming Events Take a peek at the lineup of events we are planning. All events and activities are subject to change. Please visit esplanadewiregrasslifestyle.com to see the most up-to-date information on upcoming events. Don’t forget about our monthly member meetings to learn more about lifestyle events and community happenings!
MAHALO'S SWEET ICE CO TRUCK Fri, Sep 3 | 12pm-3pm Sales Gallery We will be kicking off Labor Day Weekend with some delicious treats. These shaved ice creations are like nothing you have seen before. Colorful, full of tasty surprises, designed to excite both the young and young at heart. RSVP all the members of your family to stop by the Sales Gallery to visit the Mahalo’s Sweet Ice Co Truck.
SEASONAL CRAFTING WORKSHOPS Thu, Oct 21 | 4:30pm-6:30pm Sales Gallery Pumpkin season is here! As much fun as carving pumpkins is this time of year, with our traditional warm Florida weather, those hollowed out gourds usually only last a day. With this in mind, our team will invite our members to get creative with some pumpkin decorating this year. We will break out the paint, ribbon, sequins, stencils, and stickers to adorn our pumpkins with a unique flair. These painted pumpkins will look Florida fabulous on your front porch. Homemade gifts from the heart, home décor, even tasty recipes. Join us over the next few months as we heighten our creative skills and explore holiday crafting. Participate in our sand snowman building competition, build a vintage paper wreath, or etch a glass ornament.
OKTOBERFEST BREW BUS TOUR Sun, Oct 24 | 1pm-6pm | $40 Per Person Brew Bus Picks Up in the Community The Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest. It is held annually in Munich, Bravaria, Germany. The festival runs from mid or late September to the first Sunday in October. It is a celebration of parades, food, music, and most important, beer. The festival’s traditions go beyond that, but the original six Munich breweries still provide the beer for the festival. We will be celebrating in our own way here in Esplanade, and you don’t even need to wear your dirndls or lederhosen. Our members will be enjoying a Brewery tour on our very own Brew Bus, traveling to three different Tampa Breweries to taste the brews and experience the local atmosphere.
MONTHLY GOLF OUTING Golfing is huge in Florida, which means that Esplanade members hit the fairways often. Each month, we gather at a local course to enjoy a friendly game of 18 holes. Members are paired in groups to meet new neighbors and get to know each other a little better over the journey through the game.
LADIES LUNCH BUNCH & BURGERS WITH THE BOYS Interested in getting to know your fellow neighbors in a fun and social setting? Join us for our monthly Ladies Lunch Bunch and Burgers with the Boys gatherings. Create connections that blossom into great friendships!
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GET INVOLVED / A LOOK AHEAD
Interest Groups & Social Clubs Doing more of what makes us happy is called the key to life by many. Share your passion and take the first step by attending or creating a club/group today.
M
eet fellow members with similar interests by creating or joining an interest group or club! Any member wishing to develop an interest group or club should contact their Lifestyle Manager to receive information and an application. Your Lifestyle Manager will assist in coordinating when and where is available for your club or interest group to meet at the Resort Amenity. All groups and clubs must be open to any member of the community who is interested in joining. For more information about creating a club or interest group, please contact your Lifestyle Manager, Tess Gregory at TGregory@Evergreen-LM.com.
Current Clubs
New Club Ideas
BOOK CLUB (NEW)
Art Club
Men’s Golf Club
Cars and Coffee
Women’s Golf Club
Card Club
Run Club
Chess Club
Walking Club
Veteran's Club
Tennis Club
Cigar Club
Painting Club
Wine Club
Travel Club
Crafts for Causes
Tennis Club
Poker Club
Pickleball Club
Gardening Club
Bridge Club
Day Trippers Club
Bocce Club
Wednesday | 7pm | Sales Gallery Erl Piscitelli at Ekpiscitelli@aol.com
MAH JONGG
Wednesday | 1pm | Sales Gallery Roberta Hyde: rshyde@hotmail.com
PINOCHLE
Monday | 1pm | Sales Gallery Herb Hyman: herbhyman@hotmail.com
Monthly Member Meetings
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
ESPLANADE 101
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Tue, Sep 7 & Oct 5 | 10:30am Zoom
Tue, Sep 14 & Oct 12 | 1pm Sales Gallery
Tue, Sep 14 & Oct 12 | 6pm Zoom
Join your Lifestyle Manager for a relaxing and informative meeting over Zoom. Find out what’s happening on the social scene. Bring your questions and suggestions.
New Homeowner orientation for members who recently closed on their homes. Join your management team and find out everything you need to know about Esplanade.
Meet with your Community Association Manager and discuss community matters. Find out what’s happening around the community.
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WELLNESS / CULINARY
Spiced Pomegranate Molasses Chicken Thighs The fall season is on the horizon, although in Florida we tend to feel the effects a little later in the year. No matter, we can still celebrate the season in our kitchen with some healthy recipes that are packed with fall flavors.
INGREDIENTS » 1 lemon » 1 ½ pounds fingerling potatoes, halved » 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided » ¾ teaspoon salt, divided » ¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided » 1 ½ tablespoons honey » 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (see Tip) » 1 teaspoon garam masala » 2 ¼ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed » 4 cups chopped spinach » 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts » 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese » Pomegranate arils for garnish DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. 2. Zest lemon into a small bowl and set the zest aside. Cut the lemon in half and toss with potatoes, 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper on a large rimmed baking sheet. 3. Whisk 1 tablespoon oil, honey, pomegranate molasses, garam
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masala and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in another small bowl. Nestle chicken into the potatoes and brush with the glaze. 4. Roast the chicken and potatoes until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh without touching bone registers 165°F, 25 to 30 minutes. 5. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle spinach on top of the potatoes; toss until wilted. Carefully juice the hot lemons into the bowl with the lemon zest. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, walnuts and feta. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Serve the vegetables with the chicken; garnish with pomegranate arils, if desired. Tip: The pomegranate molasses used to glaze this chicken is made from pomegranate juice that's been reduced to a sweet-tart syrup. Look for it at well-stocked grocery stores or use 1 1/2 teaspoons each pomegranate juice and honey in its place here. Nutrition Facts: Serving size - 3 oz. chicken and 1 1/4 cups vegetables per serving; 737 calories; fat 45g; cholesterol 205mg; sodium 738mg; carbohydrates 44g; dietary fiber 7g; protein 42g; sugars10g; niacin equivalents 9mg; saturated fat 10g.
ESPLANADE CONNECT / COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP
Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup Save the Date, Saturday, September 18th Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful will host the Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. Unlike a typical litter removal event, this event offers the opportunity for volunteers to engage in vital international research activities by taking on the role of a scientist for a day. With a specific focus on water based natural resource protection, volunteers collect items and record the data. This information is used to determine future requirements for cleanup initiatives, assess projects that are needed in the area and develop awareness of these needs within the local communities who share these waterways. In 2019, volunteers removed 168,065 pounds of litter and debris from our waterways. This year Esplanade will join the movement to protect our waterways by volunteering to help on this special day.
Understanding
CONSERVATION Wildlife conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats. By conserving wildlife, we're ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it. To help protect wildlife, it's important to understand how species interact within their ecosystems, and how they're affected by environmental and human influences. Read more by visiting NWF.org/Educational-Resources and selecting the Wildlife Guide.
ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH NWF Taylor Morrison has teamed up with the National Wildlife Federation to restore and protect wildlife habitat in our communities nationwide! We are applying National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat standards to community parks and open spaces to protect natural areas.
DID YOU KNOW? Our partnership advances monarch butterfly recovery efforts by planting and maintaining chemical-free demonstration butterfly gardens, planting native milkweed throughout our communities, and educating the community!
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