ON THE COVER
REFLECTIONS NOVEMBER 2021 VOLUME 21 ISSUE 11
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
Our 20th annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival at Solivita is on Saturday, November 6th where we will have 130+ arts and crafts booths, entertainment all around, a new Wine, Beer & Art Garden, Kidz Zone, Photo Booth and so much more! Commemorative 20th Anniversary T-Shirts are on sale! Join us in the Village Center.
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: 800-858-5933 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)
Starlite Ballroom Daily 8am-11pm
Floralawn Irrigation Emergency After Hours: 863-225-9565 (Starting at 5pm all calls get routed directly to the on-call manager)
Stonegate Pro Shop: 863-427-7150, ext. 4710 Daily 7am-5pm
K&M Drugs: 863-496-7930 or Fax: 863-496-7931
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
Resident to Resident Resource Center: 863-236-9973 or SolivitaR2R@gmail.com
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 Waterfront Galleries Daily 8am-11pm Welcome Center or Model Park: 863-427-7000 Monday-Saturday 9:30am -5:30pm Sunday 11am -5:30pm
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Membership: 863-427-7143 or solivitamembership@evergreen-LM.com
Riviera Spa & Fitness Center: 863-427-7130 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 Solivita Sales: 863-427-7000 Stonegate Golf Club Directory: 863-427-7150 The Palms Amenity Center: 863-496-1530 or Fax: 863-496-0914 Violations & Compliance: 863-427-7151, 863-256-2897 or compliance@solivitahoa.com Visitor/Vendor Gate Access Voice Server: 863-313-1314
Solivita Information
NOVEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS Newsletter Submission & Advertising Info ............................ Page 3 Department Articles .............................................................. Pages 4-18 Solivita University ........................................................................... Page 10 Community Events .............................................................. Pages 18-22 Mosaics Special Nights ........................................................... Page 19 Wellness Events ......................................................................... Page 22 A Touch of Class ................................................................... Pages 23-26 Club & Support Group Meeting Lists ........................... Pages 26-31 Club News ............................................................................... Pages 31-49 Neighborhood News .................................................................... Page 50 Resident Kudos ............................................................................... Page 51 Advertisements ..................................................................... Pages 51-88
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Email submissions to reflections@evergreen-LM.com
DECEMBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Monday, November 1st. Club insert copies are due by Thursday, November 18th, 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.
JANUARY SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Wednesday, December 1st.
Activities Events (back of calendar) ................ Insert Pages E1-E3 Thursday Night Movies .................................................. Insert Page E1 Events You Do Not Want to Miss .............................. Insert Page E2
ADVERTISING INFO
Future Events ..................................................................... Insert Page E3
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. More Info: SolivitaAdvertising. com or contact Amanda Wright at 813-501-7220 or SolivitaAdvertising@Evergreen-LM.com.
Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) ........................ Insert
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HOURS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH: » Administration & Activities: Closed » Riviera Spa & Fitness Center and The Palms Fitness Center: Open at 6:30am and Close at 12pm on Thanksgiving » Stonegate Golf Courses: Close at 1pm on Thanksgiving » The Grille & Bistro: Closed on Thanksgiving
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. REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT 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.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SolivitaHOA.com: solivitacommunications@evergreenLM.com; Reflections: reflections@evergreen-LM.com; Channel 732: communitychannel@evergreen-LM.com 3
Department Articles
Another Big Anniversary Event! BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES In October we celebrated Solivita turning 21 and moving into “adulthood,” and what a PARTY it was! We hope that we were successful in conveying to all of you the celebration experience that we envisioned, gleaned from the party scene in the 2013 movie, The Great Gatsby. Each room was intended to give attendees a unique, but centrally themed party experience. Also, with the number of venues offered, there was enough room, variety of entertainment and plenty of seating for all who attended. Without the collaboration of ALL the Solivita departments and the MANY volunteers who helped us on multiple days setting up, working at the event and with clean up, this grandiose party would not have been possible. Thanks to all who brought this vision to life! It was truly a night to remember. Now, we are working hard on preparations to celebrate the 20th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival in Solivita. Prior to me officially joining the committee, this festival was held in the Freedom Park parking lot, and it has grown every year since. Many of those that serve on the Fall Festival Committee have been on it for 10 years or more! These committee members know the history of the festival, what worked before and what didn’t, and are open to the crazy ideas I bring to the table every year.
The Holiday Season is Here
The day after we host the Salute Our Veterans Weekend events, the Solivita Community entrances, neighborhood markers, Administration and the Club facilities will start to look festive with holiday décor. Mid-November might seem early to most people, but due to the outsourced holiday decorator’s schedule and Solivita’s schedule, we have learned from years of experience that this time frame works best. Holiday décor remains up until January 7th.
Solivita Lifestyles Activities Committee (SLAC) – VACANT SEATS
The SLAC committee is made up of seven actively involved Solivita residents who assist in advising the Activities Program with the Solivita Activities Team. SLAC members serve a twoyear term, meeting once a month for two hours. Meeting dates are set by the majority’s calendar and around Activities events, therefore there is no set day or time each month. At this time, two seats will be vacated in January. If you are interested in discussing, brainstorming, and bouncing off ideas or thoughts relating to the Activities program, please fill out the form located in the Activities office or on SolivitaHOA.com > Lifestyles > Activities > Lifestyles Activities Committees by November 14th.
Fall Arts and Crafts Festival Important Info Saturday, November 6th
» Village Drive will be CLOSED, except to festival vendors,
A Big “Thank You”
I am so grateful and appreciate this dedicated, extremely insightful, and talented group of residents as they share their knowledge in every planning meeting. Without them, the festival would not look or be what it is today. Thank you to my cohort, Michelle Ifill in Activities, residents Matthew Hoffman, Retha Sellers, Carol and Marty Parlin, Michelle and Charlie Weisinger, Trish Serrano, Donna Claussen, Debra Wright, Gabby Thomas, and to the residents who have served on previous year’s committees. 4
» » » »
from the Ballroom to the Pro Shop from 7am-5pm as we setup for this huge event. Pets and smoking are not permitted in festival areas. This event is open to the public from 10am-4pm in the Village Center. The festival supports a Fund Drive for the St. Rose of Lima Food Pantry at entrance locations. Check out more information in the ad in this month’s Reflections on page 7. Continued on page 6
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Activities Program FOR NOVEMBER 2021 Trivia S PE C IA
L N IG H T
S
Select Monda ys 4pm & 7 pm $5 Beve rage Ticket Admiss ion
Thursda y Night Movies
Karaoke SPECIAL NIGHTS
Select Tuesdays 6pm-9pm Complimentary Entrance Cash Bar
Fall Arts iv&al Crafts Fes t
7pm » Ch. 732 except on November 18th in Ballroom Movie listing is on the back of the calendar insert
ber 6th , Novem y a d ter r u t Sa age Cen m » Vill ntrance p 4 m a 10 E entary Complim o Pets N
The Boshs ow P roject S
Salute Ou Golf Tourr Veterans
r 12th ovembe N , y a id Fr oom » Ballr OSS 7:30pm 5E eral; $2 $20 Gen
nament
Saturd ay, Nov 8:30am ember 13 Start » th Stoneg $50 » G ate Go oody B lf ag, Priz Lunch, Awards es,
m-1pm days 11a ation in Wednes ket loc Only r a M ’s r Farme » To Go m Park Freedo d ber 22n , Novem y a ’s d n n a o r M ete 0pm » V rk 4pm-7:3 dom Pa e e r F in l ia g r in Seat Memo sh Bar » DJ » Ca
Veterans D ay Service
Memo rial
& Breakfa st
Thursda y, 9am » Ve November 11th teran’s Memoria in Freed l om Park Complim » Servic entary; e Breakfa st $10
Chef's Julia Child Recipes Cooking Demo
Tuesday, November 16th 12pm » Ballroom » $12
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 BANNER. IT WILL GO TO THE ACTIVITIES EVENTS AND SOLIVITA UNIVERSITY CLASSES CALENDAR. THERE YOU GO TO THE DATE OF THE EVENT OR CLASS. FOR QUESTIONS, EMAIL OR CALL ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT AT SOLIVITAACTIVITIES@EVERGREEN-LM.COM OR 863-427-7125.
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
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Department Articles Jana’s article continued from page 4
Congratulations!
Please help me in congratulating Michelle Ifill (pictured on the far left) from the Solivita Activities Department on her promotion to Activities Lead! She will take on managing the Activities office, assisting the office volunteers, and taking on more responsibility at the Activities events. I am confident in her abilities and looking forward to seeing her grow and progress in her new position. Keep it going Michelle! Happy 20th Fall Arts & Crafts Festival Anniversary, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. Let’s Keep the Party Going!
Photo by Bill Labita, GTSPhoto.com
2022 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 for each calendar year. You may start sending your submissions for 2022. Please include the complete information even if it hasn’t changed, including club name, day and date of meeting, time, and location. Double check your meeting dates and be sure to note any cancellations due to holidays, etc. If you list a meeting on a holiday, it will be included on the calendar.
Jana Malik 863-427-7125 jmalik@evergreen-LM.com
Christmas Decorations
BY YOLANDA SANTIAGO COMMUNITY STANDARDS MANAGER Holiday lighting and decorations shall be permitted to be placed upon the exterior portions of the Home and upon the Lot in a manner permitted hereunder commencing on Thanksgiving and shall be removed no later than January 15th of the following year. The ACC may establish standards for holiday lights. The ACC may require the removal of any lighting that creates a nuisance (e.g., unacceptable spillover to an adjacent Home).
Groups that made an annual submission for 2021 are NOT automatically carried over into the new year. To ensure your club meeting makes it onto the January 2022 calendar, please send submissions to reflections@evergreen-LM. com by Wednesday, December 1st.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME 2021 Daylight Saving Time officially ends on Sunday, November 7th at 2am. Don’t forget to set your clocks BACK one (1) hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, November 6th!
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Yolanda Santiago 863-427-7032 ysantiago@evergreen-LM.com
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles
Hosted by the Fall Arts & Crafts Festival Committee and Solivita Activities
Saturday, November 6th 10am-4pm Village Center Rain or Shine
Fund Drive to Benefit Local Food Pantry
Strollin g Enter ta inment: F r e nc h A r ti s t S tilt Walker a nd a O ne Ma n B a nd
130+ Arts and Crafts Booths
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION PETS & SMOKING NOT PERMITTED IN FESTIVAL AREAS
Wine, Beer & Art
Jazz Music, Bobby Tate on Guitar, Steel Drums & the Hayworth Duo Band
Garden
in the Welcome Center Courtyard
l Festiva ry te Food EaBistro i n t h e b o ut da Rou n
The Village Center will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7am-5pm, except to festival vendors. REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Complimentary
Photo Booth
with Fall, Art & Craft Props
Free Kidz Zone Kids Crafts, Balloon Animals, Popcorn, DJ Silly Nilly, Big Drawing Board, Giant Jenga, Fall Leaf Pile
20th An niversary Com memorat ive T-Shir t Sales
Photos by Linda Dombchik, Mark Herzog & Joe Thomas
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Department Articles
A Stuffed November!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE November is like a kick start to the Holiday Season. We have our Thanksgiving meal, start shopping for gifts, decorating and it all just starts coming together. This is time well spent and I just can’t get enough of the holidays. Important dates and things to do in the area this month listed below will also get you geared up for the holidays.
Veterans Day
Armistice Day was celebrated throughout the world to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I and honor veterans of that war. An armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. On June 1, 1954 Armistice Day (November 11th) was officially approved by legislation to be a national holiday and renamed Veterans Day to honor all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Thanksgiving
This year Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 25th. In 1621, the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians partook of a harvest feast. This is acknowledged as the first thanksgiving. Our forefathers continued celebrating thanksgiving in their own fashion for the next 200 years in different colonies and states. In 1861, as civil war raged, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated in November.
Black Friday
more information. See below for details, prices and dates of some of their upcoming performances. The first musical concert fundraiser, ALL TOGETHER NOW, priced at $40 for an adult ticket, will be performing Sunday, November 14th at 4pm and Monday, November 15th at 8pm. Their Christmas show, PLAID TIDINGS, will be performed December 3rd-12th. Tickets for this family-friendly musical comedy filled with Christmas songs are $30 per adult and $25 for student tickets. There is also a spring show, the 1978 Tony Award Winning Best Musical, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN, priced at $30 per adult and $25 per student. This show will be performed March 11th-21st.
Haven Holiday Market
On November 20th you can go to the 7th Annual Haven Holiday Market (located at 469 W. Central Avenue in Winter Haven) from 10am-4pm and knock out your shopping list. It is free to attend the Holiday Market, where you can enjoy food, more than 150 vendors, live music, and more, all while shopping with your family and pets. Please visit centralfloridaeventvendors. com/haven-holiday-market for more information. Too much good stuff this month? Never! We will carry this month with us for some time, and some of us will wonder how we packed it all in. On the bright side, we will be well insulated and there is more of us to love. Who can resist our plumpness? Stuff this month into your mind, body and soul, because the holidays are great for us in so many ways.
November 26th is Black Friday this year. Start looking for those shopping deals now!
Venardos Circus
You can go to the Venardos Circus (located at 14422 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden, FL, 34787) on November 10th-28th. Tickets for this animal free, Broadway-style Circus are $20 for a child and $30 for an adult. Please visit venardoscircus.com to purchase tickets and for more information.
TheatreWorks Florida
TheatreWorks Florida is reopening (located at the Performance Venue - Balmoral Resort Florida - Event Center, 116 Kennedy Boulevard, Haines City, FL 33844) offering uplifting family shows. Please visit theatreworksfl.org or call 407-340-0472 for 8
Community Concierge 863-427-7100 sdestefano@evergreen-LM.com
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles
Solivita Library Your Solivita volunteer Librarians hope you enjoy coming into the Library and finding excellent books. Our fearless leader, Mareline Dorfman, has recently retired. Mareline started working in the Library in 2003 and became the lead Librarian in 2006 when Rita Azukas stepped down. She spent countless hours every week making sure the Library ran smoothly. She first worked with Elaine Resnick and when Elaine moved, Jean Eldredge became Mareline’s main sidekick. Jean began working in the Library in 2005 when she put a note in a suggestion box that she’d like to help. Mareline was instrumental in the new location and expansion of the Library we have today. Thank you Mareline for your leadership throughout these years.
History of the Library
Did you know the Library was first located in the room now called the Gator Room, connected to the Bistro? We had two book shelves, about 100 books and Mary Sweet was our first Librarian. In 2003, Rita took the reins from Mary Sweet, who moved from Solivita. Rita had worked as the reference and information Librarian for the Bucks County library system in Pennsylvania. With this background, Rita was ready to organize and expand our Library.
also know there is a puzzle going on the table and we even have ones you can take home for your enjoyment? However, please don’t forget to bring them back when you are done. We now have 15 book shelves, hundreds of books, and 15 lady Librarian volunteers divided into teams. Each team spends a week each month where they take the library books that are returned or donated, and get them labeled and shelved. Most volunteers check the books each day during their week. We hope you are returning the books borrowed to the basket for “Returned Books.” All of our books are donated and we really appreciate the donations. Thankfully, we have grown and have more than two bookcases, but space is still limited. Other than large print and classics, we don’t shelve older books. The books that we don’t shelve, we donate to worthy places like the Veterans’ hospitals and the Salvation Army. Most of our books are fiction, but we have biographies and books dealing with war. We also shelve westerns and sports books.
Rita resigned as lead volunteer and then Mareline took over. Now Rita is back and co-leading with Keri Michaud. Keri started working in the Library in 2004. These two ladies are determined to keep the Library well organized.
If you haven’t taken advantage of our Library, we hope you will. We work on an honor system. You don’t have to sign a book out. Just return it when you have finished. If you are donating books, please be kind to your volunteer Librarians and on any day, just donate a few books. Sometimes our volunteers feel overwhelmed. If you would like to donate several books, please call Keri at 863-496-7217.
A few years back, an extension of the Library was added to The Palms. If you pick up a book at The Palms, thank Desi Hart, who routinely takes books over to the bookshelves there. Did you
If you have questions about the Library, please feel free to contact one of our new leaders - Keri Michaud at rnkmichaud85@ yahoo.com or Rita Azukas at razukas@cfl.rr.com.
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
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Solivita University
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 the Activities Office at 863-427-7125 or email SolivitaActivities@ Evergreen-LM.com.
Great Decision (GD) Discussions
Each year the Foreign Policy Association produces a study guide with nine of the most critical global issues facing America. Great Decisions discussions are moderated in person by Thomas Gallagher Ph.D and virtually by Mary Ellen Roberts and Len Trushkosky. 2021 Great Decision Discussions COMPLIMENTARY ENTRANCE, study material not provided for November Discussion: The End of Globalization • Tuesday, November 9th at 11am over Zoom • Wednesday, November 17th at 4pm in The Palms 2022 Great Decision Discussions Annual Pass and Book ORDER NOW The 2022 GD Annual Pass cost will be $42 (or $47 for two sharing a book). Go to the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page, click on the RSVP or Purchase Ticket banner, go to the November 1st date in the calendar to purchase this pass and book.
Upcoming Winter & Spring 2022 Courses
2022
» 2022 Art and Literary Lecture Pass on select dates throughout the year » 2022 Great Decision Discussions on select dates throughout the year » Beginning and Continuing Conversational Spanish Courses: Dates and time coming soon » Intro to Acting: 8 weeks starting on Saturday, January 15th at 10am » This Land is Your Land, My Land, and Their Land Too: 4 weeks starting on Tuesday, January 18th at 10am » Going Digital 101: Tuesday, January 25th at 5:30pm » Investing in a Covid Environment: 2 weeks starting on Tuesday, January 25th at 6:30pm » MacOs X: 4 weeks starting on Thursday, February 10th at 4pm » 110th Anniversary Memorial & Tales of the Titanic Cruise: 5 weeks starting on Thursday, March 17th at 10:30am » iMovie: 4 weeks starting on Thursday, March 17th at 4pm
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Brenda Butler
Jim Duffy
Marti Hegadore
Jimmie Hudson
Ivan Matthew Kerzner
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the residents who recently passed away. 10
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles
November 11th-13th
Salute Our Veterans Weekend is designed to celebrate Veterans and their families. We raise money for a select charity to help improve the lives of the many selfless men and women who bravely served our Nation. This year, all proceeds benefit:
Veterans Day Memorial Service & Breakfast Thursday, November 11th
Veterans Day will begin with a wonderful ceremony presented by the Veterans Club of Solivita at 9am at the Veterans Memorial in Freedom Park. After the ceremony, join us for a delicious breakfast in the Ballroom and Mosaics. The breakfast buffet menu includes: fluffy scrambled eggs; bacon; country style potatoes; biscuits and self-serve coffee, orange juice, apple juice and water. $10 per person. Guest of all ages welcome. Tickets NOW available online at SolivitaHOA.com. A limited number of tickets will also be sold by the Veterans Club.
The Boss Project Show Friday, November 12th
This Bruce Springsteen tribute band is a fantastic, unstoppable, powerhouse, ball of energy that will bring you to your feet singing, dancing and enjoying every second of it! The 7 group band of guys will transport you back in time playing some of Bruce’s greatest hits: Born in the USA, Thunder Road, Born to Run, Glory Days, My Hometown, and many more. If you are ready to get electrified then you don’t want to miss this show. Ballroom doors open 30 minutes before the show for Early Open Show Seating (EOSS) and General Admission doors open 25 minutes before the show. Show starts at 7:30pm. General Admission: $20 per person. EOSS: $25 per person. Tickets NOW available online at SolivitaHOA.com.
Golf Tournament Scramble at Stonegate Golf Club Saturday, November 13th Shotgun Start at 8:30am · Registration: 7am-8am $50 per person OR $200 for a foursome Residents and Non-Residents Welcome Golf Entry Includes: Continental Breakfast, Green & Cart Fee Waived, Range Balls Before Play, On Course Special Events, Raffles, Goody Bags and Prizes (4 Closest to the Pin, Hole in One Challenge, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place) Lunch and Awards to Follow. Register online at SolivitaHOA.com or visit the Activities office located above the Bistro Café. Registration Deadline is November 1st. *Refunds will not be accepted or given for any of the events.*
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
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Department Articles
The Great American Smoke Out: Help for Breaking the Habit
BY RITA MILIOS PSYCHOTHERAPIST & HOLISTIC WELLNESS COACH, RIVIERA SPA MASSAGE It’s just about time for the annual Great American Smokeout, a campaign that takes place on the third Thursday of November, which falls this year on November 21st. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Smokeout focuses attention on the dangers of smoking and encourages smokers to change to a “non-smoking” lifestyle. While cigarette smoking has certainly slowed down, there are still many active smokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with about 18 percent of all adults between ages 45 and 64 currently smoke, as well as about 9% of adults aged 65 and older. You are probably aware that smokers are at risk for a number of health-related problems. Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, and unfortunately, it is the elderly who face the most severe consequences. About 70% of the more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States that are related to smoking happen to people who are over age 60. Smoking tobacco increases the risk of cancer, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, problems with the immune system, dry skin and wrinkles. Smokers are also 30-40% more likely to develop diabetes, and to develop it sooner than they would if they did not smoke. Smokers who contract COVID 19 are more likely to be hospitalized and to require ICU care and/or ventilator care. So obviously, it is a good idea, no matter how long you have smoked, to call it quits on this habit. The good news is that after quitting, even in your 60’s or 70’s, you can expect your health to improve: » Your heart rate and blood pressure drop to more normal levels. » Your nerve endings begin to regenerate, so you can smell and taste better. » Your lungs, heart, and circulatory system will begin to function better. » You will cough and feel out of breath less often. » Your chance of having a heart attack or stroke will drop. » Your chance of getting cancer will be lower. 12
If you smoke and are having surgery, anesthesiologists recommend that you quit smoking as soon as possible before the procedure, preferably at least two weeks prior. But even quitting the day before your surgery can lower your risk of complications, because your body starts to heal and your heart and lungs will begin to work better immediately after the exposure to nicotine and carbon monoxide ceases. This results in improved blood flow, which reduces the likelihood of problems during and after surgery.
Alternatives to Cigarettes: Are They any Better?
Many people turn to alternatives to cigarettes to try to reduce their risk. Some people think smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and snuff), pipes, hookahs (oriental devices where smoke is drawn through water in a bowl before being inhaled), cigars and vaping (the use of e-cigarettes) are safer alternatives. But they usually are not. Smokeless tobacco and smoke from pipe use can cause cancers of the mouth, mouth, lip, larynx, esophagus, bladder or pancreas and these types of smoking lead to nicotine addiction just like smoking cigarettes does. Smoking via a hookah has been shown to subject the lungs to the same effects from chemicals as smoking cigarettes, and respiratory problems are similar for both. E-cigarettes, or those “vaping” devices that produce a large cloud of steam around the head of the user, work by vaporizing a liquid nicotine solution, plus vegetable glycerin and flavoring that is inhaled into the lungs, and then released on exhalation. Since an e-cigarette vaporizes but does not burn nicotine, it does not contain the harmful chemicals that are found in smoke, and in theory, should be safer than smoking regular cigarettes. However, some studies indicate that the vaping technology may even be a more harmful way to deliver nicotine than smoking tobacco cigarettes. The vaping delivery system delivers more nicotine directly into the bloodstream than do nicotine patches and gum, which have been long used by people trying to wean off cigarettes. E-cigarettes also deliver microscopic particles of Continued on page 13
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles Riviera Spa Massage article continued from page 12
heavy metals (tin, nickel, lead, chromium) in significantly higher proportions than tobacco cigarettes, and they leave an oily residue in the lungs. Success rates in quitting cigarettes using vaping to “wean off” have not been good, either. Users tend to continue using these devices longer than the twelve weeks recommended for such efforts, and so often become just as- or more- addicted to vaping than they were to cigarettes.
Best Resources for Quitting
Your best bet to stop smoking appears to be from use of nicotine patches and nicotine gum, that can incrementally reduce the amount of nicotine in your system and help with the physical addiction. To deal with the psychological addiction, you need to find support (friends, family support group) and identify and use alternatives to the rewards that smoking offers—usually a paradoxical combination of relaxation and stress reduction along with increased energy at the same time. Hypnosis can be helpful in identifying and re-programming these psychological effects.
Do you want to quit smoking? You are welcome to attend a FREE Stop Smoking Hypnosis Session on Wednesday, November 17th at 2pm in RSF2, led by this author, Rita Milios, who has practiced hypnosis since the mid-1980’s. Bring pen and paper to use in an awareness exercise as part of the session. Riviera Spa Massage 407-914-9168 info@rivieraspamassage.com
Yard of the Month Our judges went out to the latest completed neighborhood to find this month’s Yard of the Month. They chose the home of Roger and Mary Ann Bull at 354 Vestrella Drive. The Bulls have planted a very lovely landscape to complement their new home. Congratulations to Mary Ann and Roger for making Solivita more attractive. The autumn weather has come to Central Florida, and it is a great time to get out and spruce up the yard. Will you be our next Yard or the Month winner?
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
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Department Articles
The R2R Resource Center is Here for You! Workshop: Never Give Up – How to Deal with Health Challenges Tuesday, November 16th • 10am • The Palms We all face struggles with our health at some point in our life. Whether we are having knee replacement surgery, dealing with cancer, COPD, or had an accident, it’s how we deal with these difficulties that’s most important. Not only physically, but emotionally, and spiritually. Steven King will share his story about an accident that left him paralyzed and tools he used to move forward to live a rewarding life. In addition, experts will share strategies, ideas, and coping mechanisms to help you through your recovery process. All R2R Workshops are free to residents, but advance registration is requested. Call 863236-9973 or email SolivitaR2R@gmail.com to reserve your spot (limited capacity).
Meet More of Our Volunteers Nancy Latham
Nancy and her husband of 48 years, moved to Solivita in 2008 to be closer to family, particularly their five grandchildren. They also loved the added bonus of living in a community where
the grounds are so well maintained. Before retiring Nancy worked as an RN in intensive care, coronary care, hospice, and as a school nurse. She is enjoying retirement by playing cards, birding, singing in the church choir, and walking. She loves meeting new people and helping the residents.
Barbara Cereghino
Barbara and her husband decided a change of scenery and warm weather was just what they needed after living for more than 25 years in Long Island, NY. Solivita fit the bill, as Disney enthusiasts, they like living close to Disney and love that they don’t have to do any more yard work! Barbara enjoys singing with Guys and Dolls, working out, and most of all hanging out with friends. Along with volunteering at the Resource Center, Barbara and her husband find it very rewarding volunteering for Give Kids the World.
Interested in Volunteering at the Resource Center?
Stop by or give us a call at 863-236-9973; we’d love to have you join the team! R2R Resource Center 863-236-9973 SolivitaR2R@gmail.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. 14
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles
Under a Hurricane Watch: It is Approaching Us! BY THE SOLIVITA COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)
We are over halfway into Hurricane Season and it officially lasts until December 1st. Keep abreast of the weather. If the weather reports indicate a hurricane is likely to hit our area (we are in the watch area), you should plan to DO THE FOLLOWING and not wait until the last minute when many others will also be scrambling: » Top off the gas tank in your car so you won’t run short of gas. » Get a few hundred dollars cash in case credit cards can’t be used due to power outage. » Police your yard and bring inside all decorative items that can become missiles in 100+ mph winds. This includes patio furniture on your lanai, even gas grilles. » Put up your hurricane protection (shutters, plywood, etc.) 48 hours before arrival – you must also plan to take it back down after the storm passes (72 hours). Check with administration for additional guidelines. » Pull out your disaster supply kit and see that all items are in good order (extra batteries?). » Check out your emergency food supplies—and make sure you have enough for at least 3 days (goes for your pet as well). And a manual can opener! Check your supply of fuel for cooking (your grill?). » Stock up on water (1 gallon per day, per person just for drinking) - buy jugs/bottles, fill your own jugs/bottles, fill REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
a bathtub for flushing toilets and washing up. Tap water may be unusable after the storm passes. » Make extra ice and ice cubes; turn your refrigerator temperature lower to keep it cool longer. Filling your refrigerator space will help everything stay cold longer. » HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS do these things too! Of course, you also need to have prepared a disaster kit with essentials (flashlights, batteries, weather radio, tarps, rope, trash bags, etc.). Part of that is emergency food supplies we wrote about earlier. And don’t forget safeguarding important papers and contact information (insurance, doctors, bank accounts, etc.). You may rely on your cell phone contacts, but what happens when its battery runs down and there is no power for recharging? Also photograph or video all your belongings room-by-room for insurance confirmation (prior to any potential damage). For more recommendations, see CERT’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), planning Considerations and Supplies that are available on SolivitaHOA.com as documents under Get Connected > Clubs > CERT > Documents or at the Concierge Desk. A lot more information is there too. To learn more about CERT, come to a meeting on the fourth Monday each month (see Calendar in Reflections). 15
Department Articles
November in Solivita
BY BRAD THOMPSON BRANCH MANAGER, FLORALAWN Floralawn has completed five full years at Solivita as your landscaping and lawncare provider. We continue to enjoy working in this amazing community!
Now and Ahead
This month we start our off-season mowing schedule. Because the grass grows more slowly in the cooler weather, we don’t need to mow as often. Until the end of March 2022, mowing will be done every two weeks instead of weekly. The detail schedule stays the same, however. You can view our winter schedules on the Solivita HOA website, or you may stop by our office in the Solivita admin building or call us at 863-225-9565. We continue to work on pruning the native grasses throughout Solivita. As mentioned last month, Fakahatchee is the grass that grows in large mounds in the center median on Solivita Boulevard and in Solivita’s common areas. This is the time of year when we significantly prune those clumps of grass.
Watching Out for Brown Patch and Gray Leaf Spot
We’re continuing to keep an eye out for Brown Patch Fungus, which is an ongoing concern during the cooler months. Brown Patch Fungus affects St. Augustine grass, which grows throughout Solivita, as well as Bermuda, Bahia, Centipede, and other turf grasses. It affects grass that stays moist for long
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periods of time. This condition is often present during our cooler months, and when days are overcast, or heavy fog stays around until late morning. Brown Patch Fungus disease attacks the base of grass blades. It causes that section of the blade to deteriorate until the blade can be pulled out easily. Grass with Brown Patch Fungus disease turns yellow and then brown. It spreads in a circular pattern. We monitor the turf throughout Solivita for this disease, applying chemical controls to manage it. Gray leaf spot disease is also caused by a fungus. Florida’s humid summers provide a moist environment that gray leaf spot fungus thrives in. Even though we’re into November, weather conditions still make central Florida’s turfgrasses vulnerable to disease. So, we watch out for gray leaf spot, too.
Questions?
Do you have questions or concerns? Call us at 863-225-9565 or stop by the Floralawn office in the Admin building in downtown Solivita.
Next Coffee Talk
My next Coffee Talk is scheduled for November 19th at 9am in Mosaics. Please stop by. All of us at Floralawn wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
Department Articles
Fish For Trash/Day of Caring Event BY GENE BURCH SOLIVITA FISHING CLUB
The Solivita Fishing Club recently teamed up with Clarke for a Day of Caring event. Clarke is the company who performs weed and insect control for our ponds in Solivita. Every year, Clark does a Day of Caring event with their staff at different locations, so when Sheri asked if the Fishing Club would be interested in doing a project with them here in Solivita, we said “absolutely.”
A Little History
Before we get into the actual event, we want to give you a little history of our club’s “Fish For Trash” events. Ten years ago while I was fishing the little pond next to the cart path leading to Venezia, I noticed a large bird sitting on the overflow box. The bird had a nylon rope tangled on the end of it’s beak. It was struggling to remove it so I attempted to hook onto it with my fishing pole, but to no avail. The bird flew off but was back the next day, looking weak and still attempting to remove it. I did not see it after that and I am still not sure if it survived. I told this story to Terry Cochran who was our Club President at the time. I said, “We need to do something as a club to clean up some of our ponds.” Along with Terry and Jim Zwingler, we formed “Fish For Trash” as a club event. Over the years we’ve had a few others step up to run this event, such as John Snook and currently Bob Tecau have organized our monthly events. REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021
The Event
Thirty one people participated for the Day of Caring event - 12 club members and 19 Clarke employees, headed by Crystal Challencombe and Cherie Jackson. They brought the Clarke crew to Solivita to combine their “Clarke Day of Caring,” with our 10 year “Fish For Trash” anniversary. A complete table spread of food, snacks, drinks and five special gift bags were awarded at the end of the event. A total of 270 pounds was collected, making a grand total of 1,022 pounds so far this year. In the 10 years since inception, we have collected an astonishing 5,091 pounds (2.54 TONS)!
Thank You
The club would like to thank Solivita Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager, who helped initiate and supported this event from day one (May 24, 2011) and also helped with providing eight Stonegate Golf Club carts, which were critical in meeting our logistical challenges! Special thanks to club team members Gary Davidson, Anthony and Kathrine Rizzo, Carl Cone, Dan Goulet, Ralph Voyta, Steve Anderson, Steve Tolle, Linda Walkowiak, President Mark Kroger, and all of the other club members who worked the event. Our supporting sponsors included The Grille at Stonegate, LongHorn Steakhouse at ChampionsGate, K&M Pharmacy, Dunkin Donuts, Walgreens, and the Rizzo’s for gifts. 17
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REFLECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021