ON THE COVER REFLECTIONS AUGUST 2022 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 8
VILLAGE CENTER HOURS Administration: 863-427-7100 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm C3 Wellness Spa: 407-914-9168 Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm Friday 8am-7pm 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 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
August is National Golf Month, but in Solivita, we celebrate un-foregettable golf all year long. Get your friends together for a fun par-tee by reserving a time at either the Oaks or Cypress Course. Just call the Stonegate Golf Pro Shop. Everyone gets an ace, or a hole-in-one as they call it, at Hole #19 (The Grille at Stonegate). If golf isn’t your interest, then think about joining the Golf Cart Rally community scavenger hunt. See the back of the calendar insert for details. Photo by Stonegate Golf.
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 - Paul Mears: 863-440-7572 or PaulM@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: 863-427-7000 Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday 10am -6pm Wednesday 1pm-6pm, Sunday 12pm -6pm
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
AUGUST TABLE OF CONTENTS Newsletter Submission & Advertising Info ............................ Page 3 Department Articles .............................................................. Pages 4-15 Community Events .............................................................. Pages 16-18 Mosaics Special Nights ........................................................... Page 16 Wellness Events ................................................................. Pages 17-18 A Touch of Class ................................................................... Pages 18-21 Club & Support Group Meeting Lists ........................... Pages 22-26 Club News ............................................................................... Pages 27-47 Neighborhood Captains News ................................................. Page 47 Resident Kudos .............................................................................. Page 48 Advertisements ..................................................................... Pages 48-84 Activities Events (back of calendar) ................ Insert Pages E1-E3 Thursday Night Movie & Event Photos ................... Insert Page E1
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Email submissions to Reflections@Evergreen-LM.com
SEPTEMBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Monday, August 1st. Club insert copies are due by Tuesday, August 23rd, but must be approved by the Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager (SWollschlager@ Evergreen-LM.com) or the Communications Director, Doug Gilbert (SolivitaCommunications@EvergreenLM.com) before they are copied.
OCTOBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Thursday, September 1st.
Events You Do Not Want to Miss .............................. Insert Page E2 Future Events ..................................................................... Insert Page E3 Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) ........................ Insert
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT Evergreen Lifestyles Management reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by ELM and the respective community the event is happening in, without expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. ELM may use the photograph/ video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by ELM including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian.
SOLIVITA ID CARDS If you’ve misplaced or lost your Solivita ID card, it is very important that you notify the Membership Office at 863427-7143 or SolivitaMembership@Evergreen-LM.com. It will be deactivated until you’ve found it or purchased a replacement ID card. We need your assistance to keep Solivita the most outstanding community we all can enjoy. REFLECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
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.
REFLECTIONS DELIVERY If you are leaving Solivita or returning to the community and want to change the status of the 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.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SolivitaHOA.com: SolivitaCommunications@EvergreenLM.com; Reflections: Reflections@Evergreen-LM.com; Channel 732: CommunityChannel@Evergreen-LM.com 3
Department Articles
Inside Look - Planning Activities’ Events BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES I have wanted to write this article for years so residents who enjoy Activities’ events, can get an inside look at what it takes and how far out we plan the Solivita community events. Annually, in June, the Activities team meets with the Solivita Lifestyles Activities Committee to review past years events where we discuss how we can improve or revamp them and we brainstorm ideas for new events and theme ideas. The Activities’ team then takes all of the ideas and by August, has formulated the WHOLE calendar for the next year, including scheduling the events in the room calendars and budgeting each one. So, while you are still enjoying the current years’ events, Activities has planned out all of the event names, themes and the costs up to 18 months in advance!
After that, we’ll focus on the big event(s) coming up in the next month of the current year visualizing how the entire event will look from top to bottom. We check and gather our supplies to see what we have available to save on cost. From there, we implement the event’s detailed budget from entertainment, rentals, food and décor. If the event is a street party, one lengthy email is sent giving exact detailed information, location and specifications to most of the Solivita departments (Activities, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Membership), Solivita on-site vendors (Stonegate Golf Catering, Vital Security, Floralawn) and several outside vendors (EMT, entertainers, rental companies, food trucks). I call these a “one and done” email. Inside tip, I save these emails, so that if we do that event again, I’ll go back to make improvements from the last time the event was held, and will resend it. When an event is two weeks out, it becomes crunch time and we really focus on the last minute details, signage needed and special additions that we love to add to make each event extra special and memorable. The week of the event, we are gathering everything we need for that event, onto a rolling cart, ready to wheel out to the event location. On event day, we are usually at the event three hours before the event starts, checking on everything, decorating and finalizing all the little details.
From there, we begin scheduling entertainment for the events, the most time-consuming part of the planning process. We try to contemplate the feel of the event, the most appropriate music and where the entertainment will be placed. We’ll connect with an assortment of our agents, explaining the event and deciding on the best fit, while keeping within our budget. As you know, we are constantly trying to mix up the music, artist, genre, decade, etc, to appeal to all Solivita residents. We also check out and book unique and interesting strolling entertainment to liven up the big events. Next, we’ll jump to the events that are coming up in the next three months of the current year to finalize food menus, write up the event promo, create the flier, add it to the SolivitaHOA. com Activities calendar and make the ticket sales webpage, if the event has a cost. 4
At event time, we are scanning tickets, analyzing everything (entertainment, attendees, lots of details), assisting our event volunteers and answering any questions from attendees or our vendors. Mid-way through the event is when we usually release a big sigh of relief and high-five each other on a job well done. After the event is over, we try to clean up within one hour, onto our rolling carts, back into the Activities office where we leave a catastrophe of a mess in the office to sort through on the next business day. Here’s where it gets confusing and why my head constantly moves in circles all day until I get home. On every business day, the team and I are jumping from visualizing one event, putting together another event’s budget based on the number of attendees and the room dimensions, writing an upcoming article or event promo, ordering decorations or supplies for Article continued on page 6
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Trivia
Karaoke SPECIAL NIGHTS
SPECIAL NIGHTS
SELECT MONDAYS 7PM » $7 » ART GALLERY/MOSAICS RESERVE YOUR TABLE & PURCHASE YOUR LIMITED DRINK SELECTION ONLINE
SELECT TUESDAYS COMPLIMENTARY 6PM-9PM ART GALLERY/MOSAICS CASH BAR
Wine Down Concert WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3RD 6:30PM-8:30PM WELCOME CENTER COURTYARD BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR FOOD CONCESSION & CASH BAR
August 2022
Activities Program Golf Cart Rally SATURDAY, AUGUST 13TH BALLROOM SIDE ROAD 9AM COMPLIMENTARY
WEDNESDAYS 11AM–1PM FARMER’S MARKET LOCATION IN FREEDOM PARK TO GO ONLY
Movie Night THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH 7PM » BALLROOM COMPLIMENTARY ENTRANCE, POPCORN & LEMONADE MOVIE LISTING IS ON THE BACK OF THE CALENDAR INSERT
We Want to Rock Concert FRIDAY, AUGUST 19TH BALLROOM 7PM GENERAL: $20 EOSS: $25
Battle of the Decades Dance FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH BALLROOM & MOSAICS 7PM $15 PER PERSON
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Happy
August
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@ Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7125.
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Department Articles Jana’s article continued from page 4
another event, drafting a detailed vendor and department email for a street party, scheduling tent rentals based on the location, size and the use it will be for, coordinating with our volunteers on their job tasks, time and location, drawing detailed event maps for the Solivita departments and vendors to know where every little thing will go, discuss food menu for another event 3-4 months out, and so, so, so much more. We do all of this amongst our daily office duties. The really big events (especially the ones that are open to the public) including the Solivita Car Show, the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, Salute Our Veterans, along with some co-sponsored club events, are being planned monthly alongside with a resident committee up to 10 months out. Those events are a well-oiled collaboration of expert residents along with our department, as we go over each and every little detail to make sure each event is a resounding success. It is a constant up and down “roller coaster” ride of a job, but we all love it when the event “vision” comes alive and we see the reaction from all of you. Now, you know what we do, and how far out we are planning the Activities events and we hope you enjoyed reading this inside look into our department.
2nd Place Winners (pictured above): Joyce Randall, Debbie Chapman, Joy Burd, Rhonda Svihula, Corliss Stallworth, and Darcy Mallon. America Says Game - July 4th (Adults Only)
We Are the Champions!
Game Show Olympics – June 15th
1st Place
Winners (pictured above): Names not available. We Are Constantly Planning, to Keep The Party Going ...
1st Place Winners (pictured above): Steve & Carol Center, Gary & Luann Nass, Marc & Diane Milgram, and Vickie & Danny McCort. 6
Jana Malik 863-427-7125 JMalik@Evergreen-LM.com
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Department Articles
Save the Dates
November 11th-13th All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Club of Solivita sponsored charity.
Veterans Day Memorial Service & Breakfast Friday, November 11th 9am · Freedom Park Veterans Memorial & Ballroom
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 3rd at 9am on SolivitaHOA.com.
Golf Tournament & Awards Luncheon
Saturday, November 12th at The Oaks at Stonegate Golf Shotgun Start at 8:30am · Registration: 7am-8am Registration for the tournament begins on Monday, August 22nd at 9am on SolivitaHOA.com or scan the QR code. For more information, please contact the Activities Department at 863-427-7125 or email SolivitaActivities@Evergreen-LM.com.
Photos by Joe Thomas
The Lovettes Show
Sunday, November 13th · 7:30pm · Starlite Ballroom To preview The Lovettes Show, scan the QR code. Tickets go on sale October 3rd on SolivitaHOA.com. REFLECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
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Department Articles
The R2R Resource Center is Here for You! Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Solivita CERT is part of a nationwide organization of volunteers. They are trained by Polk County Fire Rescue to be immediate-responders in community disasters in such areas as: Incident Control, Search and Rescue, Fire Suppression and Medical Triage and Treatment, etc.
expertise will be instrumental to further CERT’s technology presence in the future. We look forward to CERT continuing to grow and develop in the future. Thank you CERT for all you do!
CERT members are residents just like you who are trained to respond to a local disaster (i.e., hurricane, flood, fire) while professional first-responders are busy elsewhere.
Other Major Initiatives Include:
» Continued education efforts for all CERT members (Stop-the-Bleed, nation-wide standard disaster training, etc.) » Provide annual informational disaster preparedness presentation (in conjunction with Polk County Fire and Rescue) for all residents » Check-Call-Compress (“hands only” CPR) and AED classes open to all residents; currently over 3,100 residents trained. Seven out of seven lives saved by residents with the help of this training and AEDs » Maintaining list of all AEDs located in Solivita, and PulsePoint app to locate the AEDs » Administration of Smoke Detector Battery Replacement Program » Assist with events held in Solivita
Here’s What’s Upcoming in September Community Shred Day Tuesday, September 20th • 10am-2pm • Freedom Park Paper and electronic devices.
Change in Leadership
Wayne Schoeffel has been at the helm of the CERT team for 18 years; and will be stepping down from his role as Team Leader. Under his direction the program has grown and developed into the premier program we have today. We will miss his leadership, devotion, knowledge, and ability to work together as a team. Not to worry, we are in good hands; Bill Gross is taking over the leadership responsibility for CERT. Bill brings his abilities, knowledge, military experience, and with his computer 8
History of Polk County Presentation Tuesday, September 27th • 10am • Ballroom
R2R Resource Center 863-236-9973 SolivitaR2R@gmail.com
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Department Articles
Yard of the Month BY GREEN THUMBS CLUB
This month’s Yard of the Month can be found at 549 Portofino Drive in Flora Vista. Leah Nadeau and Duggie Stomp are two Granite State gardeners that have a unique variety of blooming flowers throughout their beautiful landscape. They can be found in the yard creating special plant forms, sharing their knowledge and cuttings with their neighbors, and just making Solivita even more resplendent. Congratulations ladies! Are you the next Yard of the Month? Stay Tuned.
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Solivita University
Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities Starting on Monday, August 1st, registration for the September course will open by scanning the QR Reader or go to the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page. On the Home Page there is a Purchase 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, 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 nine 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. Check out their discussion at The Palms, no material provided, to see what it is all about at no charge.
your tablet or laptop, www.libreoffice.org, and you will need to bring your device to each class for hands on use. Course Description: Has retirement had you questioning your continued subscription to Microsoft Office? There is a free alternative that has been available for many years – LibreOffice. It is available for all platforms – Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. LibreOffice evolved from Openoffice and contains a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, database and draw component – all for FREE! This course will focus on how to use the basic tools for the various components.
September Discussion Topic: No End in Sight: A Century of Drug Wars » Tuesday, September 13th at 11am over Zoom » Wednesday, September 14th at 4pm in The Palms
Libre Office 101
Thursdays, September 15th, 22nd, 29th and October 6th Gator Room at 1pm Tuition: $25 per student Instructor: Catherine Larson Course Requirement: You should have LibreOffice installed in
FLAGS OVER SOLIVITA The Veterans Club established this project to display a 3’ x 5’ U.S. Flag in front of every home in Solivita to recognize and celebrate selected holidays throughout the year. Applications are available on SolivitaHOA.com (under Veterans Club), on veteransclubofsolivita.com, or you may pick up a copy at the Concierge Desk. Applications, along with your $25 check (made out to VCS), can be mailed to Veterans Club of Solivita, P.O. Box 581770, Poinciana, FL 34758. For more information, email flagsoversolivita@gmail.com or call 863-512-3655. 10
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Department Articles
Wood Ducks are Coming to Solivita BY SOLIVITA WILDLIFE ADVOCATES (SWA)
Solivita Wildlife Advocates (SWA) has joined forces with Evergreen Lifestyles Management (ELM) and Taylor Morrison (TM) to introduce Wood Ducks to our Solivita wildlife environment. Under the guidance of Paul Gray, Ph.D., Florida Audubon, SWA paid for, and erected, tailor-made nesting boxes for the birds, on sites adjacent to Lake Polk, with the approval of ELM and TM.
identified by their crested head and broad, long tail. Males are brightly colored, while females are brownish gray. Both males and females have a white patch around the eyes and males have a white throat and brightly colored head and bill. Florida is home to year-round and migratory wood ducks who nest in tree cavities near lakes, rivers, ponds, and other wetland areas. However, nest cavities are sometimes in short supply. Fortunately, wood ducks readily accept manmade nest boxes in place of natural cavities. Although nesting season is already over for 2022, the boxes have been prepared for the 2023 season. Hopefully we will be seeing these beautiful birds next year.
Wood Ducks are stunningly beautiful waterfowl that thrive throughout Florida. Beautiful and unique, these woodland and river swamp ducks’ only close relative is the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. They are small-to medium-sized and can be
Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty...
COMMUNITY GARDEN FALL PLANTER BOX RENTAL SEPTEMBER 2022 – FEBRUARY 2023 $50, includes $25 refundable deposit | $25 for renewing gardeners
Planter Box: 4’ x 6’ x 24” & 32” H Online Application is available by scanning the QR Reader, on the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page at the Purchase Activities Events Here icon or stop by the Activities Office. Applications and payment are due by August 15th. Gardeners are picked by drawing on August 22nd.
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Department Articles
Rise and Drink Espresso!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE Start your day out by giving your alarm a good whack in the morning. It is good for your reflexes! Getting up is never fun and requires several shots of caffeine. Once that caffeine hits, you will be ready to enjoy all the important dates and things going on in the area this month.
experts at the Home Expo. This free admission event is at the Orange County Convention Center, North Hall located at 9400 Universal Boulevard in Orlando. Visit www.occc.net for more information.
Primary Election
On Saturday, August 27th at 7:30pm, experience the National Ballet of Ukraine while offering support to Ukraine at this charity event. You can also enjoy orchestral music and attend a silent auction in the lobby prior to the event. This will feature art and cultural items from Ukraine. The ballet will take place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in the Steinmetz Hall located at 445 South Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. Visit drphillipscenter.org to purchase tickets or to view other upcoming shows and events that might interest you.
Primary Election is on Tuesday, August 23rd. Luckily your polling location is in the Starlite Ballroom located at 384 Village Drive. We can thank our wonderful Activities Department for this. When you go to vote you will be asked to show two forms of ID. You will need a photo ID and a signature ID. If you visit polkelections.com you can see a list of all acceptable identifications. You can also call the Supervisor of Elections, Lori Edwards, at 863-534-5888 and she can answer any questions regarding voting.
The Ginsburg Family Foundation Presents the Ukraine Ballet Benefit
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining
Enjoy this delicious annual event from August 26th through October 2nd. Visit magicaldining.com to view more than 100 participating restaurants in the Orlando area. They will all have magical dining menus that will feature three course meals to choose from for only $40 per person. The price does not include tax and gratuity. Please make reservations by clicking on the open table link on the website from the restaurant where you plan to dine.
Orlando Boat Show
The show runs on August 12th, 13th, and 14th starting at 10am. If you enjoy the water, you might like going to a boat show, where you can purchase boats, boat accessories, fishing gear and test your fishing skills with a virtual saltwater fishing simulator. Kids 12 and under can catch a live trout in the trout pond along with other activities. Tickets are $10 per person and kids 12 and under are free. This event is at the Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B located at 9400 Universal Boulevard in Orlando. Visit www.occc.net or orlandoboatshow. com for more information.
Central Florida Home Expo
On Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th at 9am, get the latest home improvement information directly from the 12
I will also be sending out your monthly email blast offering you more options of things to do in the area this month. Luckily, most of you are past the alarm phase in life and that is a blessing! I am a happy go lucky, content individual once I am fully awake and caffeinated. Entertain yourselves by amusing others with your sense of humor and spread smiles for miles. You can also get the jitters with the shivers by drinking yummy iced coffee. Community Concierge 863-427-7100 SDestefano@Evergreen-LM.com
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Department Articles
Don’t Let Your Guard Down
BY BILL GROSS TEAM LEADER OF SOLIVITA CERT
Thank You Wayne!
Greetings, Solivita. My name is Bill Gross and I am the new Team Leader for the Solivita Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). I have taken on the roll after our former (and only) Team Leader, Wayne Schoeffel, stepped down. I know that I have large shoes to fill and I, as well as all the members of Solivita CERT, thank Wayne for his many years of dedicated service to the CERT organization.
Hurricane Season is Still Upon Us
As the title mentions, now is not the time to let our guard down when it comes to hurricanes. Data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the peak of hurricanes and tropical storms occur around September 10th.
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Are You Prepared?
Now is the time to double check your disaster plan. After reviewing the Polk County Hurricane Preparedness website, polk-county.net/hurricane-preparedness, below are a few items you might not have thought would be important: • Register for Alert Polk (alertpolk.com) to receive texts and emails about approaching storms. • Do you need a wheelchair, portable oxygen, or other special assistance to weather the storm? Call Polk County REFLECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
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Emergency Management Special Needs Program at 863298-7027 to register. We all know we need to stockpile water for a disaster. Now is a good time to buy enough water to last each person in the household for 1 week (1 gallon/per person/per day). Speaking of that, include powdered or squeeze in drink mix. Water enhancers that contain electrolytes as well as flavor can help keep you going. Designate a family member or friend outside the area as a clearing house for your status during the disaster. That way, if power does go out, you are not wasting the battery on your cell phone answering the “Are you all right?” question over and over. Remember, we all live in block houses. Recent advice from the experts says that we, in Solivita, should shelter-inplace during hurricanes and tropical storms. Remember to designate a spot in the center of your house, away from windows, as your shelter spot. Don’t forget to stock up on flashlight batteries!
This information was prepared by your Solivita Community Emergency Response Team. For more information, attend a meeting (see the Club Meeting List in Reflections) or check out our club webpage on SolivitaHOA.com. 13
Department Articles
Hot August Nights in Solivita (And Days) BY BRAD THOMPSON BRANCH MANAGER, FLORALAWN Summer in Florida means warm, humid mornings and predictable afternoon thunderstorms. The rain slows our Floralawn crews a little, but not much. Summer sunshine and Mother Nature’s irrigation make everything grow like crazy, and our crews must keep a steady pace in order to keep Solivita looking great.
Keeping Our Crews Safe
If you wonder how our lawn and detail crews can work all day in the heat, I assure you that their safety is important to us. We hold training sessions on heat stress and heat exhaustion, making sure our crews know the importance of hydration and taking rest periods to cool down. Crew leaders help workers watch for and respond to signs of heat sickness.
metamorphosed stage of the webworm. The moths don’t damage turf, but they carry eggs and deposit them on grass blades. In this way, sod webworm colonies get spread across a lawn. Chemical controls are the most effective way to manage sod webworms in their caterpillar form.
Watching Out for Other Pests
Floralawn crews also keep an eye out for whiteflies and scale. These are soft-bodied, sap-sucking pests found on shrubs, palms, and some trees. They excrete a substance called honeydew which attracts black sooty mold. Plants covered in black sooty mold typically have whitefly or scale infestations. Our crews watch for these pests and work to eliminate them before their excretions can lead to unsightly layers of mold. Chemical applications are usually effective.
Lawn and shrub care throughout Solivita occupy most of our crews’ time during the summer, but they also allocate time to managing landscaping pest populations. Warm-season turf pests such as sod webworms and shrub pests such as whiteflies and aphids cause problems and must be monitored and controlled.
September is Love Bug season, so be prepared for that upcoming event.
Managing Sod Webworms
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
If you have any questions about Floralawn or our Solivita services, call us at 863-225-9565, or stop by our office in the Admin Building.
The sod webworm is a little caterpillar that makes its home in turfgrass like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and zoysia. Young sod webworms eat the upper portion of grass blades while mature sod webworms devour the whole thing. Wherever there is an infestation, the turf looks like it’s sporting a military haircut. If you’ve ever walked through the grass and seen small moths flying up from the turf, you know you’re looking at the
Floralawn 863-225-9565 floralawn.com
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN Nancy Downes
Ottoline H. Michaliszyn
James Zayechek
Nancy Downes Ottoline H. Michaliszyn James Zayechek Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the residents who recently passed away.
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