ON THE COVER
REFLECTIONS APRIL 2022 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 4
VILLAGE CENTER HOURS Administration: 863-427-7100 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm K&M Drugs: 863-496-7930 Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday Closed Marketplace Bistro: 863-427-7150, ext. 4724 Daily 8am-7pm, Breakfast 8am-11am Mosaics Restaurant Friday & Saturday 4pm-8pm Riviera Spa & Fitness Center: 863-427-7130 Monday-Thursday 6:30am-9pm Friday 6:30am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-7pm Riviera Spa Massage: 407-914-9168 Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm Solivita Club Facilities After Hours Emergency Phone Number: 863-286-8779 Weekdays 5pm-8pm and Weekends 12pm-5pm Starlite Ballroom Daily 8am-11pm Stonegate Pro Shop: 863-427-7150, ext. 4710 Daily 7am-5pm The Grille at Stonegate: 863-427-7167 Daily 11am-8pm Breakfast Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-11am Happy Hour Daily 3pm-7pm and All Day on Sundays
Bring the grandkids and hop on over to the Spring Parade and Carnival on Saturday, April 16th! Parade at 9am goes down the Village Center and will end at Freedom Park where the carnival is held. New is the Helicopter Egg Drop over the Softball Field at 10am for 7 and up and 10:40am for 6 and under. Dress kids appropriately due to the clay around the Softball Field. Photos by Joe Thomas and Judie Chiappone.
CONTACT LIST Community Manager (Association) - Rudy Bautista: 863-701-2969 or rbautista@evergreen-LM.com Club Manager - Sheri Wollschlager: 863-427-7129 or swollschlager@evergreen-LM.com Director of Security & Safety - Elettsy (Lexy) Jimenez: 863-440-7572 or elettesyj@vitalsecurity.com Communications Director - Doug Gilbert: 863-427-7137 or solivitacommunications@evergreen-LM.com Evergreen Lifestyles Management (For ALL Club & HOA Matters) 24/7: 855-490-1804 or customerservice@evergreen-LM.com Taylor Morrison Customer Care: 321-397-7247 or OrlandoCustomerCare@taylormorrison.com. Warranty Request: taylormorrison.com/warranty/request Activities: 863-427-7125 or SolivitaActivities@evergreen-LM.com Architectural Review: 863-427-7022 or compliance@solivitahoa.com Catering & Banquets (Stonegate Golf Club): 863-427-7150, ext. 4720 Concierge: 863-427-7100 or Fax: 863-496-4456 Floralawn: 863-225-9565 or floralawn.com (Submit a Work Order) Floralawn Irrigation Emergency After Hours: 863-225-9565 (Starting at 5pm all calls get routed directly to the on-call manager) K&M Drugs: 863-496-7930 or Fax: 863-496-7931 Membership: 863-427-7143 or solivitamembership@evergreen-LM.com Resident to Resident Resource Center: 863-236-9973 or SolivitaR2R@gmail.com Riviera Spa & Fitness Center: 863-427-7130
The Palms: 863-496-1530 Amenity Center: Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm Kids Pool Hours Monday-Friday 12pm-4pm Saturday & Sunday 9am-9pm Fitness Center Monday-Thursday 6:30am -9pm Friday 6:30am-7pm Saturday-Sunday 7am-7pm
Security Gatehouses Supervisor: 407-989-2417 Bella Viana Gate: 407-603-2422 Main Gate: 407-603-2399 Parkway Gate: 863-286-0329 South Gate (Marigold): 863-496-1473 Venezia Gate: 407-603-2397 West Gate (San Clemente): 863-496-1453
Waterfront Galleries Daily 8am-11pm
Stonegate Golf Club Directory: 863-427-7150
Welcome Center or Model Park: 863-427-7000 Monday-Saturday 9:30am -5:30pm Sunday 11am -5:30pm
Violations & Compliance: 863-427-7151, 863-256-2897 or compliance@solivitahoa.com
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Solivita Sales: 863-427-7000 The Palms Amenity Center: 863-496-1530 or Fax: 863-496-0914
Visitor/Vendor Gate Access Voice Server: 863-313-1314
Solivita Information
APRIL TABLE OF CONTENTS Newsletter Submission & Advertising Info ............................ Page 3 Department Articles .............................................................. Pages 4-15 Solivita University .......................................................................... Page 12 Community Events .............................................................. Pages 16-19 Mosaics Special Nights ........................................................... Page 16 Wellness Events ................................................................ Pages 18-19 A Touch of Class ................................................................... Pages 19-23 Club & Support Group Meeting Lists ........................... Pages 23-28 Club News ............................................................................... Pages 28-50 Neighborhood Captains News ................................................ Page 50 Resident Kudos ............................................................................... Page 51 Advertisements ..................................................................... Pages 52-88 Activities Events (back of calendar) ................ Insert Pages E1-E3
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Email submissions to reflections@evergreen-LM.com
MAY SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Friday, April 1st. Club insert copies are due by Thursday, April 21st, but must be approved by Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager (email swollschlager@ evergreen-LM.com) or Communications Director, Doug Gilbert (email solivitacommunications@evergreen-LM. com) before they are copied.
JUNE SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Monday, May 2nd.
Thursday Night Movies .................................................. Insert Page E1 Events You Do Not Want to Miss .............................. Insert Page E2 Future Events ..................................................................... Insert Page E3 Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) ........................ Insert
REFLECTIONS DELIVERY If you are leaving or returning to Solivita and want to change the status of Reflections delivery to your home, you can do this on the Gate Website. Log on to the website at websites.vertilinc.com/solivitahoa and click the Reflections button or tab. Change delivery status to YES or NO. Contact Membership for Log on information at SolivitaMembership@Evergreen-LM.com.
ADVERTISING INFO Solivita reserves the right to refuse advertisement and does not guarantee any work or claims made by advertisers. Advertisement in Reflections does not constitute an endorsement or approval of goods or services by Solivita. For More Info: Visit the advertising website at SolivitaAdvertising.com, call 863-440-0377, or email SolivitaAdvertising@Evergreen-LM.com.
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT
We are currently accepting donations of up to 12 books at a time, with a copyright date of 2011 and newer. Large print books are especially needed, regardless of the date.
As a reminder, attending any event or class advertised in this publication grants Taylor Morrison, Evergreen Lifestyles Management and Solivita, permission and unconditional rights to use, print, publish or allow to be published, any photographic or videographic image and/or likeness for promotional and/or advertising purposes without compensation, consent, restrictions or limitations whatsoever.
Please put donations and returns into the gray woven basket located inside to the left of the entry door, for processing. Thank you for enjoying the Library.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Contact Keri at 863-496-7217 or Rita at 863-496-5116 for more information.
SolivitaHOA.com: solivitacommunications@evergreenLM.com; Reflections: reflections@evergreen-LM.com; Channel 732: communitychannel@evergreen-LM.com
SOLIVITA LIBRARY NEWS
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
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Department Articles
Solivita 101 - Part 1: What is My HOA Responsible For? BY RUDY BAUTISTA, LCAM SOLIVITA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER Now that the HOA has been turned over to a Resident Board, there have been some questions about who to contact and what the Solivita HOA owns and is responsible for. Below is a snapshot of what the HOA owns, controls, is responsible for, and who to call. You may want to cut this page from Reflections and save it for easy reference!
» » » »
Irrigation Service/Repairs Outdoor Lawn Insect & Disease Control Service Shrub & Decorative Tree Trimming Shrub, Tree & Turf Replacements/Concerns
Security - Vital Security
The Solivita Community Association, Inc. is your Homeowners’ Association (HOA). Your HOA Board of Directors is responsible for directing the operation of the HOA. Your resident Board of Directors are: 1. SolivitaHOAPresident@SolivitaHOA.com - Brenda Taylor 2. SolivitaVicePresident@SolivitaHOA.com - Michael Luddy 3. SolivitaTreasurer@SolivitaHOA.com - Glenn Larson
If you have an issue with security, please contact Director of Security Lexi Jimenez at elettesyj@vitalsecurity.com or 863440-7572. » Supervisor: 407-989-2417 » Bella Viana Gate: 407-603-2422 » Main Gate: 407-603-2399 » Parkway Gate: 863-286-0329 » South Gate (Marigold): 863-496-1473 » Venezia Gate: 407-603-2397 » West Gate (San Clemente): 863-496-1453
HOA Responsibility
Community Association Manager
NOTE: the HOA does not own or control any ponds or lakes in Solivita.
NOTE: all HOA contracts are posted on the SolivitaHOA. com website.
The Board of Directors contracts for community association management service, landscape service, security service, and other services as needed. Below are the contacts to reach the correct service provider to get the quickest response when you need assistance.
Association Administration
HOA Board
The HOA owns, operates and controls the following assets (personal and real property): » The 6 gates and 6 guardhouses » The License Plate Reader system used at the gates » The SolivitaHOA.com website domain » All common areas in Solivita, including mailbox kiosks, gazebos, dog waste stations and parks » All streets and golf cart parking throughout Solivita, EXCEPT for the larger parking areas at the clubhouses and pools » All fencing and walls around the perimeter of Solivita
Landscaping - Floralawn
For landscaping assistance, call 863-225-9565 or log on to floralawn.com to submit an online work order. For an irrigation emergency after hours, call 863-225-9565. » Lawn Mowing Services 4
I am your Community Association Manager (CAM) and can be reached at RBautista@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-701-2969. If after allowing the vendors listed above a reasonable time to respond and you have not received a satisfactory response, then please contact me. The CAM performs the following services for the HOA: » Oversees HOA Assets as listed above » Supervises HOA support staff » Monitors performance of HOA contracted vendors » Supports Solivita HOA Board of Directors and Committees
Association Administration is handled by Raj Hanooman and she can be reached at RHanooman@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7124. • RV Storage • Notaries – by appointment only • Vantaca Account Support • HOA Assessment Account Support (coupon books, billing issues) Article continued on page 5
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Department Articles Rudy’s article continued from page 4
Communications
Doug Gilbert is the Communications Director and can be reached at SolivitaCommunications@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7137 (also services Solivita Club). » SolivitaHOA.com » HOA Reflections Article Submissions – Reflections@ Evergreen-LM.com » Association & BOD Email Blast Issues » HOA Community Channel 732
Concierge
Shelley Destefano is the Concierge and can be reached at SDestefano@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7100 (also services Solivita Club.) » Business Center – Faxing, Copying, Scanning » Stamps » Golf Cart Registration » Business Directory and Information Center
Compliance
Yolanda Santiago, the Community Standards Manager, can be reached at Compliance@SolivitaHOA.com or 863-427-7032. » Non Compliance/Violation/Fines: 863-427-7151 and 863-256-2897
» Architectural Review Committee: 863-427-7032. Any change to the exterior of the home, including repainting, window tinting, lawn ornaments, fountains, solar equipment, artificial vegetation, or to the landscaping must be approved by the ARC.
Membership
Vickie Kellogg, the Membership Coordinator, can be reached at SolivitaMembership@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7143. » Golf Cart Registration » Tenant Leases » Gate Access » License Plate Recognition Registration & Support - New Plates and Plate Updates License Plate Registration Form We hope you found Solivita 101 - Part 1 useful and that it helps you quickly contact the correct department when you need assistance. Read on for Part 2 to see what the Club is responsible for. If you are still not sure who to contact, you can contact me or the HOA Board at the above email addresses and we will point you in the right direction. Rudy Bautista 863-701-2969 rbautista@evergreen-LM.com
Solivita 101 - Part 2: What is the Club Responsible For? BY SHERI WOLLSCHLAGER CLUB MANAGER Now that the HOA has been turned over to a Resident Board, there have been some questions about who to contact with Club and/or HOA ideas or concerns. Listed below is the Club which continues to be owned by Taylor Morrison.
The Club Amenities Consist Of:
» All of the amenities in the Village except for the restaurants, the golf courses, and the Welcome Center. These include the Starlite Ballroom, Library, Magnolia Room, Mediterranean Skyline Rooms (Baltic, Aegean, and Caspian), Gator Room, Activities offices, Resident to Resident Resource Center, Riviera Spa and Fitness Center and the Waterfront Galleries (Art, Billiards, and Ceramics).
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» Mosaics is a shared facility between Hampton Golf and the Club. » The Palms amenities including the recreational courts. » All of the Community Satellite Pools and Bella Viana, Venezia, and Lago Vista Clubhouses. » Freedom Park: All the recreational courts and fields, pavilions, dog park, and kids’ playground. » Community Garden, Butterfly Garden, and the grassy area beside the Starlite Ballroom. » The large car and golf cart parking areas at Freedom Park/Ballroom, Welcome Center/Sales, The Palms, Bella Viana, and Venezia Clubhouses. Article continued on pages 6-7
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Department Articles Sheri’s article continued from page 5
» The Club is responsible for the sidewalks and curbs in all of the previously mentioned areas. » Lake Polk » Vendor Spaces (Riviera Spa Massage and K&M Pharmacy are run by the vendors but the Club is responsible for addressing any vendor concerns). Evergreen Lifestyles Management employees from the following departments work for the Club: Activities, FitWell, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Court Maintenance, Communication, Concierge, and one of the Membership team members.
Club Manager
All Club concerns should be directed to me, the Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager at SWollschlager@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7129. The Club Manager oversees all the Club Amenities, Club contracts, and staff members.
Activities
SolivitaActivities@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7125 » Room Scheduling: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Calendars & Maps” in the menu > Click on “Solivita Room Calendars” » Activities’ Events and Online Ticket Sales: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Calendars & Maps” in the menu > Click on “Activities Events & Solivita University Classes” » Solivita University: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Get Connected” in the menu > Click on “Solivita University” icon » Dog Park Registration: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Lifestyles” in the menu > Click on “Dog Park” icon » Community Garden: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Lifestyles” in the menu > Click on “Community Garden” icon » Resident Clubs: Navigate to SolivitaHOA.com > Click on “Get Connected” in the menu > Click on “Clubs” icon
Communications
SolivitaCommunications@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7137 (Also services the HOA.) » SolivitaHOA.com » Reflections Submissions - Reflections@Evergreen-LM.com 6
» Email Blast Issues » Channel 732: CommunityChannel@Evergreen-LM.com
Concierge
SDestefano@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7100 (Also services the HOA.) » Business Center - Faxing, Copying, Scanning » Stamps » Golf Cart Registration » Business Directory and Information Center
FitWell
SolivitaFitWell@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7130 » Fitness Classes » Wellness Seminars » Outdoor Recreation » Visitor Passes
Membership
SolivitaMembership@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7143. (Also services the HOA.) » Membership ID Cards
Resident to Resident Resource Center
SolivitaR2R@gmail.com or 863-236-9973 » Mobility Equipment Loaner Program (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, shower chairs, etc.) » Community information and local business resources » Monthly educational workshops I hope this helps explain what the Club is better and helps you contact the departments who can assist you. If you are not sure who to contact, feel free to contact me at SWollschlager@ Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7129; or Rudy Bautista at RBautista@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-701-2969 and we will send you in the right direction.
Guest Pass Process & Reminders
The Evergreen Lifestyles Management Team has been seeing an increase in guests visiting our beautiful community. The following are friendly reminders which we hope will help everyone to enjoy their visit, when using the Club facilities (previously listed above). Children under the age of 18 are Article continued on page 7
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Department Articles Sheri’s article continued from pages 5-6
welcome to tour the facilities and they can utilize the outdoor recreation facilities and the satellite pools. They can also attend advertised events “Guest of All Ages.” Guest Passes can be purchased at the Riviera Spa & Fitness Center and The Palms during operational hours for $1 a day and $5 for 7 days.
Guest Passes
Guest Passes are required for all guests 3 years and older that are using the Club facilities, with the exception of complimentary events and events you purchase a ticket for your guest. Adult guests must be present and show a valid ID to receive a Guest Pass. An adult pass will not be issued without an ID. All adults will be required to sign a guest waiver along with sign for any guest under the age of 18. Guests must be 18 years of age or older to use the fitness facilities and Riviera Spa & Fitness Center pools. We encourage homeowners to add their adult guests to the gate system to expedite the Guest Pass process. Homeowners do not have to be present with their guests if they are listed on the gate system but they MUST present a valid ID. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to use the facilities. Homeowners are responsible for their guests at all times and to follow the Club Rules and Regulations. When asked to present your Guest Pass or resident ID, please do not give the staff a hard time. If you don’t have your resident ID or Guest Pass, you will be required to leave the Club facility. Entrance at The Palms pool is through the front doors not the gates on the pool deck. Please do not allow your guest to enter through the gates to attempt to allow them in without a Guest Pass. Guest Pass badges and lanyards that are not returned are subject to a $25 replacement charge.
Pool Etiquette
» No alcoholic beverages are permitted unless purchased from our Food & Beverage Department because of our liquor license. » No glass bottles or containers of any kind are permitted at the pools. » No saving seats at the pool. » It is not safe or allowed for children to be in or swim in the spas. » No smoking or vaping permitted inside the pool gates. » No pets permitted inside the pool gates.
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
» No loud music and be respectful to fellow pool goers.
General Information
Golf carts can be dangerous if not operated properly. The law prohibits children under the age of 14 from driving a golf cart. Please exercise caution when allowing your younger visitors to ride on and/or drive a golf cart. Golf carts driving on the sidewalks or golf cart paths should be alert for walkers and bicyclists and slow down when approaching them. Overnight parking is not permitted on roadways or in Clubhouse parking lots. Only overnight parking can take place in the Freedom Park parking lot and passes can be purchased from the Membership office, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Park all golf carts in designated parking areas, not on ramps, sidewalks or the grass, with the exception of the grassy knoll area beside the Starlite Ballroom during high volume events. Do not park golf carts in car parking areas, use the designated golf parking areas like we have at The Palms. If there is no golf cart parking areas, i.e., Freedom Park recreation, you can park your golf cart in car parking spaces but please double up if the area becomes crowded.
Have a Laugh
It really warms my heart when several residents have told me they miss my mom’s jokes. Mom just had her 86th birthday in February and the good looking guy with her in the picture is my dad who is turning 89 in April. Here are a couple of funnies my mom sent the family and I know all of us can relate to this one: “When checking my car’s resale value on Blue Book, it now asks if the tank is empty or full.” Pictured left is rare footage of my parents on their way to school. I have to add to this joke; mom always told us how she walked to school in the snow and at the end of the story she always added, “...And that was both ways!” Sheri Wollschlager 863-427-7129 swollschlager@evergreen-LM.com
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Department Articles
Yard of the Month Our judges spent this month visiting Treviso to find our Yard of the Month at 340 Treviso Drive. For those of you who use the pass-through to the Village, you may have noticed the lovely landscape adjacent to the 18th green on the Oaks Course. Jim and Debbie Schafer are the proud owners of this month’s choice and are thrilled to have been chosen. The new residents are from New Jersey and looking forward to getting to know their Solivita neighbors. March is a good time to get out and trim off the freeze and frost damage on your landscape plants to allow new growth. Who is our next yard of the month?
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REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
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MOND AY, AP 4PM-7 RIL 25TH :30P VETER ANS M M EMOR IN FRE IAL EDOM PA DJ » C ASH B RK SEATIN AR G
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READ MORE INFORMATION AND WHO IS PERMITTED TO ATTEND THESE EVENTS ON THE BACK OF THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER CALENDAR OR GO TO SOLIVITAHOA.COM HOME PAGE AND CLICK ON THE RSVP OR PURCHASE TICKETED EVENTS ICON. FOR QUESTIONS, EMAIL OR CALL ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT AT SOLIVITAACTIVITIES@EVERGREENLM.COM OR 863-427-7125.
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Department Articles
Take a Look “Behind the Scenes” of the Solivita Club – Our Housekeeping Team BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES There is so much that happens around the Solivita Club areas that you may not always see all of the work that is being done morning, day and late at night. The repairs, upgrades, cleaning, watering, set-ups, take-downs, deliveries, etc. are all done with every intention to cause as little disruption as possible to the active lifestyle of Solivita residents. I could write a book on all that happens to make Solivita run seamlessly, but this article, I am focusing on our Housekeeping (HK) department.
events, Fitness, private and, of course Activities’ events. They hustle to get it all done! When Activities has large outdoor events, HK sets tables, chairs etc. up before the Activities’ Team arrives, which is often three hours before the event. Following the event, the team is quickly back at work, picking up tables, chairs, bagging TONS of garbage, and transferring it to the dumpster. The New Year’s Eve (NYE) Parties take event set-up and cleanup to another level. The HK AM shift will set up 100 tables and 800 chairs by the time Activities arrives at 2pm to begin preparing the event. You may not notice, but during the NYE Street Party, we are busy cleaning the indoor dinner venues starting with The Grille, then Mosaics, and lastly the Ballroom, all while you are enjoying a wonderful party out on the street. The Activities’ Team will finish their clean-up by 2am and HK continues cleaning and putting things back until they are done so everything is ready for the next day. On NYE, it takes the entire Activities and Housekeeping staff, plus the help of other department team members, to pull off this huge event.
Housekeeping AM Shift Team
The Solivita Housekeeping Team does not clean houses, they clean ALL of the Solivita Club facilities. They are often confused with our Maintenance Team, who is another awesome department that we work closely with and will be highlighted at another time. HK is the largest department within the Solivita Club, consisting of 30 staff members, 8 of whom have worked here for 15+ years. The team works 7 days a week, including all holidays except Christmas. Their team is led by Alex Vazquez, who is one of the team members that has been at Solivita for 15 years, and his assistant, Carmen Castro. The team is split into an AM shift (some who arrive as early as 5am) and a PM shift, who work until 1am. Behind the scenes, the HK and Activities’ team meet weekly to review all of the custom/creative room layouts for that week’s events, including tables, chairs, easels, etc. for the Ballroom, Mosaics, The Palms and Freedom Park Pavilions. For room set-ups needed by 8am, the PM shift sets up the night before. Most days, HK will reset 1-2 rooms, 2-3 times during the day, for resident clubs, neighborhood gatherings, Stonegate Golf 10
Another interesting “behind the scenes” fact that you may not be aware of, is that there are 137 toilets in the Village Center, The Palms and the Satellite Pools that are cleaned EVERY DAY! I cannot begin to tell you all that they do to assist with event setup, take-down and clean-up, as well as keeping Solivita looking clean and beautiful day to day. What I can tell you, is that they are the absolute best, nicest, hardworking team and we are so thankful for them. If you see them around, thank them for all that they do. They would certainly appreciate it.
Last & Final Chance to Turn in Your Activities Letters of Credits, Gift Cards & Certificates If you have a 2020 or 2021 Letter of Credit, Gift Card or Certificate that was good for a future Activities event or Solivita University class, bring them to the Activities office for us to issue a check reimbursement. These are no longer in use/effect due to the online ticket purchase system. April 30th will be the last day to bring them in for reimbursement.
Article continued on page 11
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Department Articles Jana’s article continued from page 10
Village Drive & Freedom Park Closings
Saturday, April 9th: Community Yard Sale Event is 8am-11am. ALL RECREATION EVENTS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL 12PM. VILLAGE DRIVE EXPERIENCES HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM 5:30AM-12PM.
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Deborah Denise Hastie
Herbert Kantrowitz
Al Murawski
Marvin Novak
Carmen Robinson
Donald Walsh
Saturday, April 16th: Spring Parade & Carnival Event is 9am-1pm. VILLAGE DRIVE FROM THE BALLROOM TO THE PRO SHOP ROUNDABOUT IS CLOSED TO VEHICLES FROM 8:30AM-9:30AM FOR THE PARADE. ALL RECREATION EVENTS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL 2PM FOR THE CARNIVAL.
Thank you, Housekeeping Team, you are big part of how we Keep The Party Going ... Jana Malik 863-427-7125 jmalik@evergreen-LM.com
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the residents who recently passed away.
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Solivita University
Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities April Annual Passes are on sale now by scanning the QR Reader or go to the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page. On the Home Page there is a Purchased Ticketed Event or Class HERE button. No studying, tests or exams are given, just enlightening topics to keep your mind energized. All classes are 90 minutes long unless otherwise noted. Solivita University class calendar and faculty biographies can be found on SolivitaHOA.com under Get Connected. Adult guests welcome. For more information stop in, call the Activities Office at 863-427-7125 or email SolivitaActivities@Evergreen-LM.com.
2022 Great Decision (GD) Discussions Annual Pass
This is an annual pass for the Foreign Policy Association who produces a study guide (which comes included in the pass) with eight of the most critical global issues facing America. Great Decisions discussions are moderated in person by Thomas Gallagher Ph.D on select Wednesdays at 4pm and virtually by Mary Ellen Roberts and Len Trushkosky on select Tuesdays at 11am. The 2022 GD Annual Pass is $42 (or $47 for two sharing a book).
but we will use Bernini as our guide. We will visit his fountains throughout Rome’s neighborhoods and learn her history too. Next Lecture: September 20th – Titian
April Discussion Topic: Climate Change » Tuesday, April 12th at 11am over Zoom » Wednesday, April 13th at 4pm in The Palms
2022 Art and Literary Lecture Pass
This pass will allow residents admittance to any of approximately 10 Art and Literary Lectures throughout the year for $20 per person. Art classes, presented by Art Historian Jan Clanton, are on Tuesdays as scheduled at 1pm in the Ballroom. Literary Lectures, taught by resident Professor Thomas Gallagher, take place as scheduled on Mondays at 4pm in the Gator Room. If you choose not to purchase an Annual Pass and want to attend a lecture, admission is $5 per lecture at the door. Art and Literary passes are for Art and Literature Lectures only and are non-refundable.
Art Lecture – Rome
Tuesday, April 19th Mosaics at 1pm Tuition: 2022 Art and Literary Lecture Pass or $5 at the door Lecturer: Jan Clanton, Art Historian Class Description: Rome is a city we could spend a month in, 12
Literary Lecture – Irish Poetry by Devin Garrity Monday, April 25th Gator Room at 4pm Tuition: 2022 Art and Literary Lecture Pass or $5 at the door Professor: Thomas Gallagher, PhD Class Description: This is an anthology of great Irish poets from the eighteenth to the twentieth century includes modern translations of old Gaelic songs, ballads and myths. Next Lecture: September 26th – Book TBD
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
Department Articles
Bunny Traditions!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE Easter for me consists of going to church, eating jellybeans and Italian dishes made by my mother-in-law’s loving hands. I will be eating Frittata, pizza keen and all the pies they make along with their Easter bread because she is Italian. There are so many religions, cultures, and holidays that we celebrate this month. Of course, we all have our own traditions and beliefs, but it is interesting to learn about other traditions as well. Grab your Peeps and enjoy the important dates and things going on in the area this month.
Good Friday: Friday, April 15th
This is a Christian holiday that falls on the Friday before Easter observing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Passover: Sundown, Friday, April 15th
The Passover holiday is one of the most important Jewish holidays celebrating the freedom of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. They also have a religious feast known as the Passover seder. Of course, I checked out the menu consisting of Lamb, matzah, maror, and, of course, wine! Shall we dine? Yes, please.
Easter Sunday: April 17th
Easter is always on the first Sunday after the full moon, on March 21st or after, representing the start of spring. The Easter holiday which started in Germany as a Pagan holiday goes back hundreds of years. The holiday itself was named for Eostre, who was an Anglo-Saxon Goddess known as the Goddess of Fertility as well as the Goddess of dawn and light welcoming spring. The bunny was her symbol, and as Christianity spread, the Pagan and Christian holidays were combined. Once the holidays merged, the obedient children received chocolate eggs from the Easter bunny. Today, Easter is known as a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is interesting reading about all the traditions and seeing how this holiday has changed throughout history. Just hearing the word Easter basket already has me craving jellybeans, especially popcorn flavored Jelly Bellys.
Earth Day: Friday, April 22nd
What we do affects every living creature on earth, including each other. Every day we should do whatever we can do to protect our planet. REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
Arbor Day: Friday, April 29th
When Covid-19 first started, I planted a mango tree and now it is triple my height. I also planted other things and now I have all these adorable plant babies to take care of. Taking care of your plants is rewarding and I love it. “Plant Therapy” should totally be a thing. Put a seed in the dirt on Arbor Day and you may develop a green thumb that you never knew you had. Since you get an email blast with things going on in Polk County, we will venture elsewhere to give you more options of things to do this month.
The Sebring Soda Festival
The festival will be on April 1st from 5pm-9pm, April 2nd from 11am-6pm and April 3rd from 11am-4pm. This is a free event located in historic downtown Sebring. You can enjoy live music, a beer garden and you can also purchase a soda pass to sample different types of soda at this fizzy event. Please visit sebringsodafest.com or call 863-385-8448 for more information.
Fiesta in the Park
If you enjoy art, live entertainment, and food, then you might enjoy this free event taking place on April 2nd and 3rd from 10am-5pm located at Lake Eola Park in Orlando. Please visit fiestainthepark.com for more information.
Mount Dora Blueberry Festival
On April 23rd and 24th from 9am-5pm, you can enjoy this festival located at Donnelly Park (539 N. Donnelly Street in Mount Dora). There will be vendors, blueberry plants, blueberry beer, wine, food, and live music. Please visit mountdorablueberryfestival.com or contact Janet Gamache at 352-217-8390 or janet.gamache@gmail.com for more information about this free event. Share your traditions with other peeps and enjoy this sacred month. It is a blessing to be alive, healthy, fortunate, and loved by some bunny. You need peeps in your life who think you are special enough to receive all those Easter wishes. Fluff up your cotton tail because you are one eggstra special bunny.
Community Concierge 863-427-7100 sdestefano@evergreen-LM.com
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Department Articles
April in Solivita
BY BRAD THOMPSON BRANCH MANAGER, FLORALAWN Spring officially sprung a few weeks ago, and our days are getting warm again. Here’s what Floralawn crews have been up to recently.
Weed Control & Fertilizing
plant replacements. In any given year, we conduct plant and sod audits, recording where plants and turf have undergone stress and are either damaged or dead. We replace the plants and grass in several installations over the course of the year.
We completed the year’s first application of weed control and fertilizer on schedule. The controls we applied target those weeds that emerge in early spring. The fertilizer replenishes the soil with nutrients needed by grass after the winter.
Prepping for Summer
Tree-trimming crews completed the annual property-wide pruning of crape myrtles. Solivita has hundreds of crape myrtles that grow throughout the community; it takes our crews a full two months to prune them all.
We also begin gearing up for the summer, preparing for the increased growing activity of lawns, shrubs, trees, palms, ornamental grasses, and bedding plants.
Grass & Shrub Pruning
We also completed the native grass pruning, including the Fakahatchee mounds that grow in the medians in Solivita. Rejuvenation pruning is a late winter chore that our crews undertake annually. We perform this kind of pruning on plants that get long and leggy (they have growth at their tops but are bare or sparse at the bottom). Floralawn crews do rejuvenation pruning on plants around Solivita that include Gold Mound, Arboricola, Viburnum, Tibouchina, and Downy Jasmine. Sometimes we’ll take a shrub down to half its height to reach areas of full growth and to spur new, thick growth.
Turf Care
Our crews have almost completed the current round of sod and
What’s coming up this month? In April, we return to our regular weekly mowing of residential lawns and common-area turf. We continue with weekly mowing of the turf around all ponds.
We’ll be purchasing additional equipment to keep pace with the work as well as hiring new employees to round out our crews. These men and women are carefully vetted so that we get the best of the best. They comprise our maintenance and detail crews that work hard every day to ensure that the residential and common areas of Solivita maintain their award-winning appearance. Please note, we’re not doing a Coffee Talk in April. Our next Coffee Talk will be in Mosaics at 9am on May 27th. For questions, please call 863-225-9569. Floralawn 863-225-9565 floralawn.com
Annual CERT Drill BY SOLIVITA CERT
You may see Community Emergency Response Team personnel around Solivita neighborhoods this month. We will be conducting our annual drill to maintain our disaster response skills. There may also be other individuals playing the roles of victim. Do not panic or interfere with their efforts to search, rescue, and treat victims. In addition, other vehicles may be transporting victims to our Medical Center in the Village. This notice is just to let you know we may be out and about and there is no real emergency. If you would like to know more about CERT, look us up on SolivitaHOA.com under Get Connected > Clubs > CERT or attend one of our meetings (see club listing in Reflections). 14
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
Department Articles
Brag About Your Club - SAHCCEFI
SUBMITTED BY SOLIVITA AFRICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CLUB EDUCATIONAL FUND INC. The Solivita African Heritage and Cultural Club Educational Fund Inc. (SAHCCEFI) is a sister club to the Solivita African Heritage and Cultural Club (AHCC), and incorporated as a nonprofit organization. SAHCCEFI serves the educational needs of local children and young adults in Polk and Osceola Counties through college scholarships, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and mini grants to elementary schools. In December 2020, Chestnut Elementary received a donation of $1,000 to implement a “Raised Bed Garden,” as well as over 800+ Box Tops for Education. Chestnut Elementary School continues to be our “adopted” elementary school, thus receiving yearly monetary donations for the upkeep and/or additional raised beds. All area high schools receive our scholarship applications. Our selection committee reviews all submitted applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. Each selected student is granted a $2,000 Scholarship Award their freshman year and a $500 Book Award for each of their next three years of college. Over the past 15 of our 17 years, the Educational Fund has mobilized our community, as well as private benefactors, to raise more than $189,500 to help 56 young people in the Poinciana community, for college. Mentors are an integral component of our purpose. Over 40 Solivita residents have served as mentors to our college students, providing guidance, support, wisdom, and non-judgmental
relationships, thus helping our recipients navigate their way through college. The Pandemic did not deter our mission in servicing our scholarship recipients. Our “Annual Mentee Gathering” for 2020 and 2021, took place via ZOOM (the new norm for meetings and social gatherings)! These afternoons were spent with scholarship recipients and some of the SAHCCEFI Board Members, getting to know each other through fun activities. Discussions related to the college experience, and ways to navigate this new chapter of their lives, made for a lively interactive experience. These events were enjoyed by all in attendance, and we look forward to the day we can meet up, “face to face.” There have been many blessings bestowed upon our Educational Fund - the benefactors, committee members, and many of our Solivita neighbor friends. We invite YOU, to help us continue investing in the future of our local students. Donations can be sent to SAHCCEFI, P.O. Box #580124, Kissimmee, FL 34758 or visit our website at sahccef.com.
If your club would like to submit up to a one page article, including pictures, that explains your club’s purpose and achievements (no solicitation of an upcoming event is permitted), please send submissions and questions to Jana Malik at JMalik@Evergreen-LM.com.
REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022
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REFLECTIONS | APRIL 2022