ON THE COVER REFLECTIONS
I scream, you scream, Solivita screams for Ice Cream! July is National Ice Cream Month.What better time than now to have a cool treat to beat the Florida heat. Photos by Joe Thomas.
JULY 2022 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 7
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
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 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
JULY TABLE OF CONTENTS Newsletter Submission & Advertising Info ............................ Page 3 Department Articles .............................................................. Pages 4-15 Community Events .............................................................. Pages 15-18 Mosaics Special Nights ........................................................... Page 16 Wellness Events ................................................................... Page 17-18 A Touch of Class ................................................................... Pages 18-22 Club & Support Group Meeting Lists ........................... Pages 22-27 Club News ............................................................................... Pages 27-49 Resident Kudos ............................................................................... Page 49 Neighborhood Captains News ................................................ Page 50 Advertisements ..................................................................... Pages 51-84 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
AUGUST SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Friday, July 1st. Club insert copies are due by Thursday, July 21st, but must be approved by Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager (email swollschlager@evergreenLM.com) or Communications Director, Doug Gilbert (email solivitacommunications@evergreen-LM.com) before they are copied.
SEPTEMBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Monday, August 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.
HOLIDAY HOURS
MONDAY, JULY 4TH: INDEPENDENCE DAY
Administration & Activities: Closed Fitness Centers: Close at 5pm July 2023 Room Reservations Open on Tuesday, July 5th at 9am since Monday is a holiday. REFLECTIONS | JULY 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
Let’s “Wine” Down, Updates BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES Since the start of the first Wine Down Concert in January 2022, hundreds of residents have been enjoying listening to live music outside in the evening air. This event is held once per month on select Wednesday evenings on the Chess Lawn by The Grille. However, during the months of July and August, it will move to the Welcome Center Courtyard. During this time, the Chess Lawn grass will be reseeded so we can return to a beautiful lawn in September.
Someone’s Been Murdered! Whodunit?
If you like mysteries, we’ve got options! Whether you like to attend a dinner or watch a live community theater play, we’ll have you guessing as to whodunit, how and why. Don’t blink as it all unfolds before your very eyes. Scan the QR Reader through QR app on your smartphone or tablet or go to SolivitaHOA. com Home Page for the Purchase Tickets icon. » Murder Mystery Dinner – Friday, July 15th at 5pm in the Ballroom - $35. Special attire is required: dress like you are attending a wedding wearing any color from the Italian flag or black.
We have had different start and end times for this event as we’ve tried to find a happy medium. In order to find a time that works the best, we took into consideration the feedback we received from a majority of attendees, the time the sun goes down behind The Grille during the Spring/Summer months in order to provide the most shade and the time that would offer the best weather year-round. After considering these factors, 6:30pm-8:30pm seems to be the best fit. As usual, bring your own chair or blanket (BYOC or B) and find a spot in the Welcome Center Courtyard or on the grass behind K&M Drugs. Solivita Catering will sell wine, along with all your other favorite drinks at the cash bar. A food concession stand offering different selections each month will also be available and is advertised in the event pages each month. Reminder, no tents, tables, pets, or golf carts are permitted in the seating areas.
» Clue: On Stage Play by Sandy Rustin – Friday, July 29th at
7pm and Saturday, July 30th at 3pm and 7pm – Matinee is $15, and the evening shows are $20 which includes meet and greet the characters and chance drawings for paintings as seen in the plays. Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, written by Sandy Rustin and produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing.
If you have not attended a Wine Down Concert, check one out that pleases your musical taste, as we are offering a mixed variety of music genres, decades, and artists to offer something for everyone.
Volunteer Log Sheets
Solivita Volunteers, turn in your Volunteer Log Sheets of hours worked assisting Solivita departments to the Activities office by Wednesday, July 6th. Hours from March 1st - July 5th are being accepted. Don’t forget to write your name and phone number on the sheet. We have a neat appreciation gift that we’d love to give you! 4
Article continued on page 6
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Trivia
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SELECT TUESDAYS COMPLIMENTARY 6PM-9PM ART GALLERY CASH BAR
Red, White & Blue Street Party
MONDA VILLAGE C Y, JULY 4TH E COMPLIM NTER » 6PM-9PM ENTARY E NTRANCE FOOD TRU C FUN, AME KS, MUSIC, KIDS RICA SA & FIREWO YS GAME RKS
Clue: lay On Stage P 7PM 29TH » H , JULY T FRIDAY DAY, JULY 30 SATUR M & 7PM 3P OOM BALLR TINEE $15 MA INGS N E V E 0 $2
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TH , Y7 M L CE U , J ROO RAN E Y T D A L SD AL EN NA UR » B ARY MO IS H T PM NT LE G HE 7 ME IN F T & N ST T I PL COR IE LI CK O SER M N P A V O I C PO MO E B R TH NDA ON ALE C
WEDNESD AYS 11AM–1 FARMER’S PM MAR LOCATION KET FREEDOM IN PA TO GO ON RK LY
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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, REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022 email or call Activities Department at SolivitaActivities@Evergreen-LM.com or 863-427-7125.
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Department Articles
Yard of the Month
Jana’s article continued from page 4
July 4th Road & Building Closings
»
» » » »
See more information about this event on the back of the inserted monthly tri-fold calendar and in upcoming community email blasts. VILLAGE DRIVE FROM THE BALLROOM TO THE PRO SHOP ROUNDABOUT IS CLOSED TO VEHICLES FROM 3PM-10PM FOR SETUP AND EVENT. All parking behind the Bistro Café and in the Bistro roundabout will be closed all day for event setup. Golf cart parking will be closed in the Village Center all day for event setup. The Palms and the Riviera Spa & Fitness Center closes at 5pm. The Bistro and The Grille at Stonegate will be open normal hours.
We found this month’s Yard of the Month at 667 Carmel Lane in Vizcaya. Gabriel and Joe Thomas take great pride in their landscape and put in a lot of effort which really shows. Their remarkable Yard stood out when our independent judges visited the neighborhood. It was an easy decision. Congrats! Many residents have inquired how the YOTM process works. We have over 5,000 homes in 25 separate neighborhoods. Considering we choose one a month which is 12 a year. You can do the math. So be patient, take care of your yard, and maybe you will be the next Yard of the Month. Enjoy the summer.
Find out Whodunit, Let Freedom Ring and Keep The Party Going ... Jana Malik 863-427-7125 JMalik@Evergreen-LM.com
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Robert Joseph Genovese
Madaline Santangelo
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the residents who recently passed away. 6
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Department Articles
Common Non-Compliant Issues
BY YOLANDA SANTIAGO COMMUNITY STANDARDS MANAGER The Compliance Department would like to encourage everyone to keep Solivita beautiful by freshening up around your homes. There are a few non-compliant issues that we see most often that we would like to share to help everyone avoid receiving a non-compliance letter.
Pressure Washing
Pressure wash roof and pressure wash driveway/walkway are two of the more common non-compliance issues we handle. If you see that in certain areas your roof or driveway is dark, it may be time to have it cleaned. It can be difficult to see the slow buildup of dirt on these surfaces when looking at them on a day-to-day basis, so try comparing what it looks like now to a photo from years prior, if you have one. Before: Non-Compliant
Mailboxes
Mailbox notices are on the rise recently. The mailbox tends to be a forgotten detail of the home but, please look at your mailbox to determine whether it needs attention. Some of the things we see often is mold build up, fading, chipped or peeling paint, and missing or damaged decals. The vendor PIP Marketing can provide you the custom V logo, white address numbers, and new mailbox. They can be reached at 407-847-5565. You may also purchase a new mailbox from a home improvement store, just be sure that it is the same size and style as your current mailbox.
Paint on Home
Paint notices are one of the most common notices we send since every seven years homes are required to be repainted. There are a lot of homes in Solivita and a limited amount of paint vendors. Some of the vendors are booked months in advance which can cause the painting of homes to be pushed back past their deadlines. If you know that your repaint date is coming soon, try to contract with a vendor in advance to avoid missing your deadline. If you don’t know when you are due for paint again don’t hesitate to call our office to find out. We are always happy to work with our residents!
After
Before: Non-Compliant
After
Going Away for Awhile?
Lastly, if you plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time we strongly encourage you to have these things looked over before you go. It can be stressful to coordinate with vendors long distance to take care of maintenance concerns that may arise while you are away, so being proactive in this case may save some headache. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at Compliance@SolivitaHOA.com and by phone at 863-256-2897 or 863-427-7151. Yolanda Santiago 863-427-7032 YSantiago@Evergreen-LM.com
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
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Department Articles
The R2R Resource Center is Here for You! Donation/Recycle Events this Fall
Paper and Electronic Shred Day Tuesday, September 20th » Shred Your Documents: Bring your old paperwork, cancelled checks, and other confidential documents. » Shred Your Electronic Devices: Urban E Recycling will shred your devices (computers, printers, smartphones, DVD/VCR players, etc.). Donation Day Thursday, October 6th Local nonprofit agencies will be here to collect your unwanted household goods, cloths, and furniture.
Monster Food Drive Thursday, November 3rd St. Ann’s and St. Rose of Lima food pantry volunteers will be working together to collect food for those in need.
Easy Golf Cart Maintenance Tips Provided by Performance Golf Carts
Lead-Acid Batteries (Fill With Water) » Charge Batteries Often: Keeping your batteries charged in between every use prevents premature battery failure and will reach full charge faster. This leads to less water usage and happier batteries overall. Note: if you are not using your golf cart; the batteries should be charged every 30 days. » Check the Water Level in the Batteries: Check the water 8
level on a monthly basis (if you charge batteries as listed above). Fill to an inch below the fill hole to avoid any water pushing out of the batteries during the charging process. » Keep Your Batteries Clean & Corrosion-Free: Corrosion builds up when the batteries are charging. Clean off the battery terminals as soon as possible to avoid degraded battery cables. Lithium-Ion Batteries When it’s time to replace the batteries in your golf cart, you might want to consider lithium-ion batteries; however, they do cost more. » Weigh Less: Lithium-ion battery pack will weigh roughly 90-100 lbs. total. Standard lead-acid golf cart batteries weigh 65-70 lbs. EACH (typically need six at a whopping 390-420 pounds). » Longer Life: Standard lead-acid golf cart batteries life 3-5 years; lithium-ion batteries 7-10 years. » Better Overall Performance » Check the Battery Packs: Are they bulging, getting extremely hot while charging, or venting anything from the battery? Take out of service and contact golf cart or battery professional to diagnose the battery issue. » Lithium-Ion Battery Maintenance: Only requires keeping them clean, particularly around the battery terminal connections. Clean connections and a visual inspection are the only maintenance required. Article continued on page 9
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Department Articles R2R’s article continued from page 8
Other Things » Side Mirrors: If your golf cart only has a rearview mirror consider adding side mirrors for added safety. They allow better overall visibility. » Seatbelts: Seatbelts help save lives whether you’re in a car or a golf cart; especially those grandchildren riding in the back. » Check Tire Pressure: Check the tire pressure once a month with a tire gauge and inflate to the recommended PSI (indicated on tire sidewall). Properly inflated tires provide maximum tread life, proper steering and handling, and less rolling resistance. » Watch for Leaks: Leaks can indicate a problem and should be addressed right away. They can lead to excessive heat,
wear, and ultimately premature rear end failure. » Check Your Lights: Golf carts are a vehicle; make sure they are working properly. This will keep you safe on the roads after dark. » Keep Your Cart Clean: Regular cleaning will keep the paint and upholstery looking like new, and allow you to spot potential issues faster. » Annual Maintenance Appointment: Most maintenance can be done at home; however, professionals will help catch any issues while they are still small, saving you money and frustration in the long run. R2R Resource Center 863-236-9973 SolivitaR2R@gmail.com
Staying Fit with FitWell
BY JAMAR EDGE DIRECTOR OF FITNESS & WELLNESS
Happy Independence Day!
As we have reached the halfway point of a year that is seeming to fly by, we also reach that time of year where Florida really starts to heat up. Please make sure you are holding fast to your workouts, continuing to stay active, and staying hydrated. If you have found yourself a bit sedentary, it is never too late to get up and get going!
5 Healthy Tips for July
1. Move your body each and every day of the week. Be active daily. 2. Track your food intake. If you are into apps, utilize the plethora of apps available as fitness trackers. You can also go the extra step and track your intake, sleep, activity, exercise, and weight with a wearable tracking device such as a Fitbit. 3. Make sure to add muscle-building activities to your weekly workout. We have Personal Trainers available and a Fast Track program available to help with these gains. Please reach out to our fantastic trainers Jonathan, Zena, and Ruth if you have any questions.
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
4. Shop the perimeter. Many of the healthier foods tend to be in this area. 5. Thoughts are extremely powerful. Encourage yourself by thinking positively.
Instructor Spotlight
I would like to take this opportunity to spotlight the newest addition to our FitWell Instructor team, Yadira Pacheco. Yadira was born and raised on the enchanting island of Puerto Rico. She has been married for 17 years to her high school sweetheart and Army Veteran husband. She also has a beautiful daughter that is her shining star. Yadira has been a Zumba instructor for 10 years and states, “Zumba has been a great addition to my life. I get to meet so many people, release stress and be fit while dancing.” Yadira is excited to help our Solivita residents in their fitness journey and is ready to share her energy with you. Welcome to the team, Yadira! Jamar Edge 863-496-3522 jedge@evergreen-LM.com
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Department Articles
Summer Has Arrived!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE Do you ever feel like you are walking around wearing a heated blanket? I mean it is always nice to be cuddled, but summer has wrapped its arms around me a little too tight. There is always a silver lining; at least we are soaking up vitamin D and may even get a nice summer glow. Enough chit chatting though because we have important dates and events in the area to cover now!
Independence Day: Monday, July 4th
Happy Birthday America! We are so grateful for this wonderful country we call home. Come to the Village in Solivita and enjoy a fantastic July 4th celebration with family, friends, and neighbors!
Antique Fair Along Main Street
If you enjoy antiquing and browsing other mid-century items, you might enjoy this fair. This is a reoccurring event held on the second Saturday of every month from 8am-2pm. Please visit mainstreetbartowfl.com for more information. The dates for the Antique Fair this year are listed below: » Saturday, July 9th » Saturday, August 13th » Saturday, September 10th » Saturday, October 8th » Saturday, November 12th » Saturday, December 10th Would you like a list of antique stores in the area? If so, I have a list and I can send it via email.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
The festival this year runs from July 14th through November 19th. Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com for more information.
SharkCon 2022
Parents’ Day: Sunday, July 24th Show your parents a little love on this day!
UBU Expo
The UBU Expo (located at the Orange County Convention Center in the West Concourse at 9800 International Drive, in Orlando) will take place on Saturday, July 2nd from 8am-9pm. The basic expo tickets are $29.99 for adults and $13.04 for children (ages 6-12). Basic tickets do not include seats to the NPC & IFBB Show. At this event you will be able to sample and purchase healthy snacks, energy drinks, apparel, supplements, vitamins, and anti-aging products. You will also be able to participate in obstacle courses and play free games for all ages. If you would like a seat to watch the NPC & IFBB Fitness Shows, the tickets are $60 per person, which includes general admission to the expo. Please visit ubuexpo.com for more information and to purchase tickets. 10
Head to the Florida State Fairgrounds (located at 4800 U.S. 301 in Tampa) to experience SharkCon. Ticket prices range from $5.95 to $34.95, and the event will be held Saturday, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th from 9am-5pm. Enjoy over 150 vendors, celebrities, scientists, touch tanks, a scuba pool and more. Visit shark-con.com or call 941-539-0833 for more information.
31st Annual Caladium Festival
The Caladium Festival & Plant Extravaganza will be going on from July 29th-31st and is located at 113 E. Interlake Boulevard in Lake Placid. The event will run from 9am-4pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10am-3pm on Sunday. Admission, parking, and entertainment are FREE. You can buy bulbs and plants, enjoy food booths, arts and crafts vendors, and take bus tours to the fields. Saturday, July 30th is the only day that they will have the car and bike show. Visit caladiumfestival.org or call 863-465-4331 for more information. Of course, you will have more options of things to do in the area coming your way in your monthly email blast. Community Concierge 863-427-7100 sdestefano@evergreen-LM.com
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Department Articles
Committee Roundup
SOLIVITA LIFESTYLES ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE (SLAC) Please welcome Adam Miclette to the 2022-2023 SLAC Committee. Adam is taking Karla Wisinski’s seat as she has decided to step down. Below are some of the topics we’ve discussed in the last few months.
LASER LIGHTS & LIVE CONCERT SHOW The first ever Laser Lights and Live Concert Show held in January was a unique event that ended up being a big success. Because we don’t know the future plans for the model park lawn, this event will move to the Freedom Park parking lot facing the Softball Field.
CHEF’S COOKING DEMO Possible future topic ideas: Fast and Healthy Dinners, Soups and Salads, Ethnic Rice, Pastas, BBQ. If you have any Chef’s Cooking Demo topic ideas, that can be about a food region, food ingredient, a season, a kitchen tool, a well-known Chef or etc., email them to the SLAC email listed below.
NYC3 SHOW The NYC3 show held in March gave us a gauge of interest in more current music. While the 5pm show was cancelled, the 7:30pm show was sold out and the response heard before, and after the show, was of an overwhelming desire to see more of these types of shows.
SILENT DANCE PARTY This event, where attendees can listen to three different music channels through headphones, is misunderstood by many who haven’t given it a try. An idea was brought up to have a demo area set up at a street party event for no charge so people can really see what it is all about. Stay tuned to the Event Pages for more information.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES Due to the overwhelming request for another dinner venue at the New Year’s Eve Parties, the Welcome Center lobby will be added as another location. This location will add approximately 72 more residents to enjoy a catered dinner that will include admittance into the street party. Plans are being made to have this room available at a price point lower than The Grille and more casual dining such as buffet or family style.
To give feedback, suggestions, ideas, or comments on any Activities event, we’d love to hear from you by emailing us at LifestylesAdvisoryCommittee@SolivitaHOA.com. REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
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Department Articles
Safety After a Major Storm BY SOLIVITA CERT
After the storm subsides and the rains stop (and the second eyewall, if a hurricane), assess how your home has fared. Look around inside for signs of leaks around/under windows. You won’t want the dampness to turn into mold. Be careful of debris in your yard and do a walk-around outside. While looking at your home for possible damage, keep an eye on the ground for debris that may have sharp edges. Wear shoes with firm soles (not flip-flops) so you don’t cut your feet. Watch for slippery muddy areas. Also keep an eye out for critters. Just as you experienced some unsettling hours, so have all the animals. Natural habitat may be disturbed causing animals to relocate or seek dry ground. They aren’t watching for you, so you have to watch out for them. They may be belligerent. Be especially careful with your pets and keep them on a short leash until you have checked for debris. While walking in the street, notice if there is fluid bubbling out of the manholes. DO NOT APPROACH—this is sewage. Keep your pets away as well. Toho will be restoring the lift stations. 12
If you spot damage to your home, be sure to photograph or video the damage BEFORE straightening up. Your insurance company likes photos of damage to verify it--downed trees or tree limbs or items now embedded in your screens may be unsteady. Be careful! While doing this, think of your neighbors, especially those who can’t or shouldn’t be out in their yards doing a walk-around (or maybe away up north). Ask them if you can do this for them. Clear their sidewalk or driveway for them to help their eventual access. Follow administration recommendations for what to do with the inevitable yard waste that has resulted. Special locations may be designated for this waste. Landscaper teams may come through clearing downed branches and trees. This information has been prepared by your Solivita Community Emergency Response Team. For more information, attend a meeting (see club listing in Reflections) or check out SolivitaHOA.com > Get Connected > C > CERT > Documents. REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Department Articles
Reclaim Your Independence Through Forgiveness
BY RITA MILIOS PSYCHOTHERAPIST & HOLISTIC WELLNESS COACH, C3 WELLNESS SPA As we celebrate Independence Day, maybe we should also think about how we can claim our independence from any old hostilities that we have so far been unwilling to release. Are you clinging to resentment or anger toward someone whom you feel has wronged you or hurt you? Are you allowing a longheld grudge to continue festering inside you? Perhaps it’s time to forgive …. for your own wellbeing.
proud of yourself, and more loving toward yourself, as well. Finally, if it really bothers you to think about forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply, remember this: they never have to know! You forgive mainly for yourself. You forgive for the good that it does for you. Perhaps later on you will have a change of attitude and decide to “mend fences” with this other person. But till then, you would be wise to forgive them without telling them, for your own health and peace of mind.
Think for a moment about what goes on inside your body as you hold on to resentment and anger. As you hold tight onto negative feelings between yourself and the person whom you will not forgive, you maintain an emotional tie between yourself and that person…a tie that binds you together like no other can. By not forgiving the person, you have, in essence, committed yourself to holding this person’s energy inside your heart like a stone. Yet, for most of us, when we resent someone, our heart is the last place we would want to have them. Non–forgiveness affects your well–being, not theirs. A non– forgiving, non–trusting, hostile attitude has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to get rid of such negative emotions? Forgiveness is not only vital to your physical well–being; however, it is essential to your happiness. Forgiveness leads to self–respect and self–acceptance, and a positive, optimistic attitude. By forgiving, you release from yourself a large amount of negative energy. This creates a “void” in your subconscious that you can then fill with more loving, positive energy. When you do this, you feel a sense of freedom from the negative emotional bond you had with the other person, and you feel at peace with yourself for having “done the right thing.” You feel
Is there someone you need to forgive? It could even be yourself – your present self, or your past self. Consider letting go of the resentment and negative energy that hurts you more than anyone else. To help you take this positive step, I invite you to join me at my C3 Wellness Presentation on Wednesday, July 20 in RSF2, where you can explore Forgiving to Reclaim Your Independence and take part in a powerful Forgiveness Visualization exercise. C3 Wellness Spa 407-914-9168 info@rivieraspamassage.com
SPEED ENFORCEMENT The HOA, Security, and the 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. Check out the stats in previous months airing on Community Channel 732. Receiving a speeding ticket is not only financially costly, but can lead to much more serious results. A driver is six times more likely to have an accident when traveling at 25% above the posted speed limit. Speeding reduces the amount of time to avoid a crash and increases the severity of a crash once it occurs. REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
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Department Articles
Watching for Pests and Storms in July! BY BRAD THOMPSON BRANCH MANAGER, FLORALAWN It’s July, which means we’re squarely into summer with rain, humidity, and crazy-fast grass growth. (Have you noticed that grass mowed one minute needs mowing again two minutes later?) Our lawn care crews stay very busy during growing season!
Summer Pest Monitoring
I talked a lot about bugs last month. I especially talked about chinch bugs and the threat they are to St. Augustine grass, which is the turfgrass that grows throughout Solivita. These little bugs are capable of quickly destroying great swaths of grass, and they resist pesticides, so we really have to be on our game with these guys. We continue to vigilantly check for new infestations and re-treat affected areas until the bugs are gone.
Pests like aphids and whiteflies secrete a substance called honeydew onto the plants they inhabit. Black mold grows on the honeydew. Sometimes this black mold completely covers a plant. Sunlight can’t get to the leaves, and this can cause a plant to struggle. Enough about bugs.
Hurricane Preparation
We’re one month into official hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to December 1st. Most of our preparation has been done. We’ve trimmed tree limbs back from roofs and walls. We’ve also trimmed trees around the community, thinning canopies and removing dead branches and fronds. We’re in good shape should a hurricane come through.
July Coffee Talk: Location Change
Our Coffee Talk date this month is Friday, July 29th. It’ll be in the Gator Room from 9am-10:30am. (Mosaics, where we usually meet, is being renovated.) Can’t make it? Drop by our office in the Admin Building and have a chat. Or give us a call at 863-225-9565. We’ll do our best to give you the information you need! Have a great July and stay cool!
Whiteflies and aphids are two more pests that we’re on the lookout for this month. They’re especially active in the summer. They’re soft-bodied bugs, usually found on the undersides of leaves. They suck the juice out of the plant and cause it to lose its vigor. Aphids are small, pear-shaped, and white, clear, green, yellow, brown, red, or black. They stick to leaves until washed off or until they die and fall off. Whiteflies, in their mature form, are like tiny moths. If you brush up against a plant with mature whiteflies, they’ll fly up in clouds, and you’ll definitely know there’s an infestation! 14
Floralawn 863-225-9565 floralawn.com
REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
Department Articles
COMMUNITY EVENTS CHRISTMAS IN JULY POTLUCK
Monday, July 18th • 11:30am-1:30pm • Ballroom Sponsored by Green Thumbs Club. Join us for a POTLUCK LUNCHEON. Members are FREE and non-members are $5. ALL attendees are to bring a favorite HOLIDAY dish to share (8-10 servings) - appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, or dessert. Electricity will be available, if needed, for crockpots to keep food hot. Call Retha Sellers at 863-4273317 to sign up. Please let Retha know what dish you will be bringing. For information about upcoming Green Thumbs Club events, call Retha Sellers.
CRAZY PARROT DANCE & PARTY
Saturday, July 9th • 6pm • Ballroom Sponsored by PALS Club. Everyone is invited!!! Another PALS fun dance night and event. Come on out for the Crazy Parrot Dance & Party. It’s summer, it’s time to dance the night away. This will be a wing flapping night with DJ Irwin keeping the dance floor packed. Lots of fun things to do – dance, games, raffles, photo opps, popcorn, videos, and a cash bar. We will keep the A/C running, so when things heat up you can stay cool. Tickets are $10. Easy ticket delivery, just text 407-414-5750. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. Never been to a PALS event? Now is the time to try one, you won’t be disappointed!
COMMUNITY EVENTS Club events submitted for the Community Events section must be open to the entire community. Events can be displayed the month prior and the month of the event. REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022
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REFLECTIONS | JULY 2022