Activities Events (back of calendar) Insert Pages E1-E3
Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) ................ Insert
Weekly Fitness Schedule Calendar Insert
ON THE COVER
Join us on Saturday, February 1st, for our first Lunar New Year celebration, a festive occasion enjoyed by many around the world. The event will feature a variety of cultural dances, performances, and wellness showcases led by professionals, as well as activities organized by Solivita clubs, recreational groups, and fitness classes. Read the Event Pages on the back of the tri-fold calendar for more information. Photos by Joe Thomas.
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. No advertisements containing politics, political affiliations or campaign materials will be accepted. For More Information: Visit the advertising website at SolivitaAdvertising.com, call 863-440-0377, or email SolivitaAdvertising@SolivitaClub. com. Contracts are available to download on the website.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Email submissions to Reflections@ SolivitaClub.com
MARCH SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and club newsletter articles are due on Friday, January 31st . Club flyer insert copies are due by Friday, February 21st , but must be approved by Sheri Wollschlager (Sheri.Wollschlager@ CastleGroup.com) or Wilman De Jesus (Wilman. DeJesus@CastleGroup.com) before they are copied.
APRIL SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Friday, February 28th
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
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT
Evergreen Lifestyles Management (ELM) and Castle Group (CG) reserve the right to use any photograph/ video taken at any event sponsored by ELM or CG and the respective community the event is happening in, without expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. ELM or CG may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by ELM or CG 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.
Let
s Get Our Hands Dirty...
COMMUNITY GARDEN SPRING PLANTER BOX RENTAL
March – August 2025
$50, includes $25 refundable deposit
$25 for renewing gardeners
Planter Box: 4’ x 6’ x 24” & 32” H
Applications available until February 10th by scanning the QR Code, go to SolivitaHOA.com under Lifestyles and then Community Garden, or come into the Activities Office. Gardeners are picked by drawing on February 20th.
SOLIVITA VOLUNTEER LOG SHEET DEADLINE
Turn in your Volunteer Log Sheets by March 4th for volunteer hours worked assisting Solivita Club Departments (hours accepted are from March 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025), to the Activities Office to finalize the 2024 - 2025 season.
A FRIEND WHO HAS LEFT US, BUT IS NOT FORGOTTEN
Jimmy Asuncion
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the resident who recently passed away.
ANNUAL CLUB PRESIDENTS’ MEETING
Monday, February 24th
Meeting is in the Ballroom at 2:30pm; Sign-in begins at 2pm
All Club Presidents or a representative and an additional member must attend. We will be making calls to all the clubs this month to review and update Clubs’ contact information for our files.
2025 RECURRING CLUB CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS
Solivita Clubs with recurring weekly/monthly meetings need to submit their meeting information in order to be included in the Reflections Calendar Insert each calendar year. Please include the complete information in your submission even if it hasn’t changed, including club name, day and date of meeting, time, and location. Be sure to note any cancellations due to holidays, etc. Send submissions to Reflections@SolivitaClub.com
SPEED ENFORCEMENT
The HOA, Security, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office receive multiple complaints of speeding each week from residents. The Sheriff’s Office has been asked for their assistance in speed enforcement. Receiving a speeding ticket is not only financially costly, but can lead to much more serious results.
Trivia
Select Mondays 4pm & 7pm Mosaics
$5 Online Reserved Table. Beverage ticket not included.
Select Tuesdays
5pm-9pm » Art Gallery
$5 Online General Admission. Beverage ticket not included.
Friday, February 14th 6pm Ballroom $77 Semi-Formal
Wednesday, February 5th 6:30pm-8:30pm By The Grille Bring Your Own Chair Food Concession & Cash Bar
StreetParty
Saturday,February1st 5pm-8pm » Village Center Complimentary Entrance Performances » New Year Luminary Wishes » Food DJ
Thursday, February 27th 4pm-7pm » Market Area in Freedom Park DJ » Cash SeatingBar
Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities
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 863-427-7125 or email SolivitaActivities@CastleGroup.com.
An African Adventure: Volunteering Aboard a Mercy Ship
Wednesday, March 12th • Ballroom at 1:30pm
Tuition: Complimentary entrance, registration is not required
Professor : Mary Midthun
Course Description: Have you ever dreamed of doing something amazing with this last little blip of life? At age 69, Mary Midthun did just that! She skipped her time in Solivita last winter to volunteer on a Mercy Ship for six months. Come learn what it’s like to live on a floating, state-of-the-art hospital ship on the West Coast of Africa, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.
Defense in Bridge Class
Fridays, March 28th, April 4th, 11th & 18th
RSF2 from 1pm-3pm
Tuition: $20 per student. RSVP your seat at SolivitaHOA.com at the Purchase Activities
Events and SU Classes icon, scan the QR code or call the Activities office. Bring cash or check payment to the first class.
Solivita Flags Over
Instructor : Donna McIlwain, Certified Bridge Teacher and Bronze Life Master with ACBL
Course Description: Defense is half of your game in playing bridge. This course covers communicating with your partner through the opening lead, how to respond to partners leads, and follow up by opener. It covers watching the table and particularly partner’s play to improve the number of tricks you can take on defense. This is a hands on class to play and practice these techniques. We will be utilizing the Essex bridge materials for online review and follow up. For any questions, email Donna at dmc3726@yahoo.com.
Upcoming Courses - Save the Dates
• Beyond the Basics: iPhone and iPad - 4 Classes on Thursdays, April 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th at 9:30am in the Gator Room
• The Broadway Theater: Backstage and CenterstageTuesday, April 8th at 1pm in The Palms Amenity Room
• Psychology: Lend Me Your Ear - Thursday, April 10th at 3pm in The Palms Amenity Room
Flags Over Solivita will be displaying flags in February for Presidents’ Day. Credit card donations can be easily submitted using the QR code below or visit veteransclubofsolivita.com for an electronic form.
If you prefer to pay by check, and to guarantee your flag placement for 2025, please place your completed application and $30 donation into the drop box in Memorial Park or send via U.S. Mail to the address listed on the application. Paper applications are available at the Concierge Desk or at The Palms front desk.
Thank you, Solivita for your continued patriotic support of Flags Over Solivita.
Are you interested in volunteering? We have many opportunities besides just putting up flags. Contact us for how you can help at flagsoversolivita@gmail.com or call 863-512-3655.
Hey Love Dove!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE
Why the dove? It is the symbol of Christianity; they are beautiful, affectionate loving birds that are loyal to each other. White doves look so pure, and I always think of them as symbolizing love. Let us not get carried away on the wings of a dove when we can enjoy the things going on this month.
Important Dates
» Sunday, February 2nd - Groundhog Day
» Friday, February 14th - Valentine’s Day
» Monday, February 17th - Presidents’ Day
Things To Do
From February 6th-17th, you can visit the Florida State Fair located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa. Visit www. floridastatefair.com or call 863-621-7821 for more information.
The Osceola County Fair (1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee) is February 14th-23rd. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/seniors. Visit www.ohpark.com or call 321-697-3050 for details.
Enjoy the Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow & Native American Festival from 10am-6pm on February 7th-9th and the 14th16th located at International Market World (1052 U.S. Hwy 92 West in Auburndale). At this event you can expect dance competitions, crafts, workshops and more. Please visit spiritofthebuffalopowwow.com for more information.
On February 21st from 5pm-8pm, head to Kissimmee Lakefront Park-Ruby Plaza located at 201 Lakeview Drive to experience the Taste of Kissimmee. This free entrance culinary event will also have live music. Visit www.kissimmee.gov for details.
Please visit the Concierge page on SolivitaHOA.com to see more events going on in the area. There are many things that symbolize love, but it is all in the eye of the beholder. Love has many shapes and forms but if it comes from within, then you should not change a thing.
Community Concierge 863-427-7100 Shelley.Destefano@CastleGroup.com
Protecting Your Plants from the Cold
BY ANGEL RIVERA ACCOUNT MANAGER, JUNIPER LANDSCAPING
I am proud to serve as your Account Manager and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this amazing community. With over 10 years of experience in the landscaping industry, I take great pride in my work and am committed to delivering the highest quality services. My goal is to continue to grow with Juniper and provide exceptional service to your community. I am here to support you and ensure you receive the best possible experience during our time together.
Winter temperatures in Florida are unpredictable; keep an eye on the weather so you can protect your plants. During a hard freeze, you can protect plants by covering them, but remember to drape the covers so that they completely touch the soil, allowing ground heat to be trapped beneath. Consider adding an electric light bulb beneath the cover for additional heat. If your cold-sensitive plant is too large to cover completely, wrap the trunk with several layers of cloth or newspaper. Remove
covers once the temperature rises above freezing. Gardeners use many methods to protect plants from the cold, but some aren’t practical and could even be hazardous.
You’ve probably heard about using overhead irrigation during a freeze. Running irrigation like this works on farms where the irrigation systems are designed for this purpose. The water has to run continuously from before the freeze to several hours after temperatures rise for this method to protect plants. With home irrigation systems, you are simply wasting water. Additionally, the amount of water that home irrigation puts out can turn into the heavy ice, which can damage plants.
If—despite your efforts—your plants are damaged by cold, don’t be too hasty to prune away the damage; just wait for spring. Coldinjured plants will sprout below the damage so you can accurately assess exactly where to prune. Visit us at www.junipercares.com.
New Solivita Wildlife Information Website
BY BOB MONICA CHAIR, HOA CONSERVATION & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE
We are fortunate to live in a community that is abundantly populated with a diverse spectrum of exciting and beautiful wildlife. Our wildlife is considered a physical asset, like our beautiful landscaping and must be supported and protected.
Although there has been wildlife-related information previously available on our HOA website, there has long been a need for a single source of easily accessible, up-to-date information about wildlife, including matters pertaining to rescue and rehabilitation. Now, the community’s primary wildlife club – Solivita Wildlife Advocates – has launched a colorful and information-filled website designed to provide useful information to all Solivita
residents. Although intended primarily for club member users, the site provides information on Central Florida species, including downloadable safety brochures pertaining to alligators, bears and other wild creatures. The site is available to everyone and includes a calendar that publishes community events pertaining to wildlife and conservation that are open to all Solivita residents. The first event occurs on February 20th at 10am in the Starlite Ballroom with a presentation on Living Safely with Snakes in Florida by Jenna Noel Palmisano. Mark your calendar. Solivita Wildlife invites everyone to visit their site and take advantage of all of the free interesting information provided.
Congratulations Holiday Parade Winners!
Photos by Joe Thomas
BEST GROUP Latin Ladies of Solivita
BEST HOLIDAY THEME (GOLF CART): We Love Solivita - Kim Zuelsdorf
BEST HOLIDAY THEME (NON-GOLF CART): Herbert Little
MOST WHIMSICAL Gingerbread House - Melinda Boone
MOST FROZEN : Solivita Belly Dancers
MOST ILLUMINATED : Dave & Melissa Anderson
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
SUBMITTED BY ERIC LARSON TEAM LEADER OF SOLIVITA CERT
Annual Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement Program Registration
Smoke alarms can save your life and that of your family and pets. Smoke detector batteries should be replaced annually As we have since 2006, your Solivita Community Emergency Response Team is again offering to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. We offer this to Solivita residents who can’t or shouldn’t go up on ladders.
Before you call to have your batteries replaced, consider how old your smoke detectors are. If you are wondering why, it is because smoke detectors only work for about eight years. Then their detection sensors degrade to the point that they may no longer be able to detect smoke. If your detectors are too old, consider replacing them as Solivita CERT cannot replace batteries in expired smoke detectors. We can answer any questions you may have about replacing your smoke detectors. Call Solivita CERT for guidance or assistance.
To register for the 2025 Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement Program, please email SCSABRP@gmail.com (which stands for S olivita C ERT S moke A larm B attery Replacement P rogram) or call 863-514-6728. Please remember to include your full name, address and phone number, along with the Solivita neighborhood where your home is located. You must register before the end of February 2025.
HOA CONTACT INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
» President - Larry Anson: SolivitaHOAPresident@SolivitaHOA.com
» Vice President - Jim Edge: SolivitaVicePresident@SolivitaHOA.com
CERT will offer this service in March and April ONLY – this is your only chance this year! If you want to have your batteries changed (with your batteries or ours), register now by contacting CERT before the end of February to be placed on our list for this year. Please note, this complimentary service does not include moving furniture.
