Solivita Reflections | September 2023 (Limited Version)

REFLECTIONS

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: 863-427-7157

Daily 8am-7pm, Breakfast 8am-11am

Mosaics Restaurant

Call 863-427-7150, option 2 for hours

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 (Calls Only/No Texts)

Weekdays 5pm-8pm and Weekends 12pm-5pm

Starlite Ballroom

Daily 8am-11pm

Stonegate Pro Shop: 863-427-7150, option 1

Daily 7am-5pm

The Grille at Stonegate: 863-427-7167

Daily 11am-8pm

Breakfast: Friday-Sunday, 8am-11am

Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday 2pm-5pm

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: 863-427-7000

Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday 10am -6pm

Wednesday 1pm-6pm, Sunday 12pm -6pm

ON THE COVER

The Riviera Spa & Fitness Center (RSF) has continued to impress, undergoing renovations in the indoor pool, updating and adding fitness equipment and replacing the outdoor pool furniture and trellis. This facility shines inside and out. Stop by RSF and check out the fitness classes, the wellness lectures and the programs that they offer.

CONTACT LIST

Community Manager (Association) - Rudy Bautista: 863-701-2969 or RBautista@Evergreen-LM.com

Club Manager - Sheri Wollschlager: 863-427-7129 or Sheri.Wollschlager@CastleGroup.com

Director of Security & Safety - Shanise Holmes: 689-220-8777 or ShaniceH@VitalSecurity.com

Activities: 863-427-7125 or Jana.Malik@CastleGroup.com

Communications Coordinator - Wilman De Jesus: 863-427-7137 or Wilman.DeJesus@CastleGroup.com

Evergreen Lifestyles Management (For HOA Matters) 24/7: 855-4901804 or CustomerService@Evergreen-LM.com

Taylor Morrison Customer Care: 321-397-7247 or OrlandoCustomerCare@TaylorMorrison.com. Warranty Request: taylormorrison.com/warranty/request

Architectural Review: 863-427-7022 or Compliance@SolivitaHOA.com

Catering & Banquets (Stonegate Golf Club): 863-427-7150, option 5

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

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 Mail: 863-313-1314

SEPTEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS

Newsletter Submission & Advertising Info

Department Articles

Solivita HOA Board Contacts

Community Events

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

Page 3

Pages 4-13

Page 6

Pages 14-18

Mosaics Special Nights ...................................................

Wellness Events

A Touch of Class ..........................................................

Club & Support Group Meeting Lists

Club News

Resident Kudos

Neighborhood Captains News

Advertisements ............................................................

Activities Events (back of calendar)

Page 14

Page 18

Pages 18-22

Pages 23-27

Pages 28-49

Pages 49-50

Page 50

Pages 51-84

Insert Pages E1-E3

Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) ................ Insert

Weekly Fitness Schedule

Calendar Insert

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.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

» SolivitaHOA.com: Wilman.DeJesus@CastleGroup.com

» Reflections: Reflections@SolivitaClub.com

» Channel 732: CommunityChannel@SolivitaClub.com

» Advertising: SolivitaAdvertising@SolivitaClub.com

Email submissions to Reflections@SolivitaClub.com

OCTOBER SUBMISSIONS

Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Friday, September 1st. Club insert copies are due by Thursday, September 21st, but must be approved by the Club Manager, Sheri Wollschlager (Sheri.Wollschlager@ CastleGroup.com) or the Communications Coordinator, Wilman De Jesus (Wilman.DeJesus@CastleGroup.com) before they are copied.

NOVEMBER SUBMISSIONS

Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Monday, October 2nd

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 863-4400377, or email SolivitaAdvertising@SolivitaClub.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.

HOLIDAY HOURS: LABOR DAY

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH

Administration, Activities & R2R Resource Center: Closed

Don’t Fall Behind on What’s to Come!

BY JANA MALIK DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES

By now, you are aware of the Solivita Club management transition from Evergreen Lifestyles Management to Castle Group. The Activities Team has been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that the transition is as seamless as possible from our end. Make sure you note all of our new individual emails below. At the time of writing this article, we do not have a group department email, but when it becomes available, we will let you know through community email blast.

» Jana.Malik@CastleGroup.com - Director of Activities

» Brandon.Payne@CastleGroup.com - Activities Audio Visual Specialist

» Alexandria.Velez@CastleGroup.com - Activities Specialist

during the Wine Down Concerts! The next concert will be on Wednesday, September 13th, weather permitting, to Gilly and the Girl singing contemporary acoustic cover hits of most genres and decades. Bring your chair and check it out from 6:30pm8:30pm. Please remember NO Coolers, Tents, Tables or Golf Carts on the Chess Lawn or up to the sidewalk by the golf course lake.

Your Five Senses Will Overwhelm You at the Jazz in the Garden event

In the next few months, make sure you are not missing out on any of the upcoming events listed on the Reflections Activities Event Pages located on the back of the monthly trifold calendar insert. Speaking of not falling behind, remember that tickets for Activities’ events go on sale on the 1st business day of the month before the event date at 9am from the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page at the “Purchase Activities Event Tickets HERE” button. For example, all of the October ticketed events will go on sale starting on Friday, September 1st at 9am from the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page.

Don’t Whine, Wine Down Concerts are Back with New Improvements and Reminders

The Chess Lawn area has been improved with newly added speakers all around the chess board lawn to improve the sound

If you haven’t attended Jazz in the Garden in the past, it is difficult to describe what you will experience when you step into the Starlite Ballroom. Your five senses will be on full overload from the smell of fresh flowers and delicious food, to sounds of crickets in the trees, flowing water from the water fountain and the sweet sounds of the jazz band. Not only will your ears get a treat, but you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the tree-filled Ballroom and the unique garden themes. Due to the lush gardens in the Ballroom, we are able to seat 128 residents on Friday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 23rd. Check the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page at the Purchase Ticket HERE icon or scan the QR code for the menu, more information and ticket availability.

Trivia Karaoke

Wednesdays Farmer’s11am–1pmMarket Area in Freedom Park To Go Only Select Mondays 4pm & 7pm » $7 Reserve your table & purchase your limited drink selection online

Select Tuesdays Complimentary 5pm-9pm Cash Bar

Solivita Pub Crawl

Friday, September 8th & Saturday, September 9th Village Center 6pm $50

WineConcertDown

Wednesday, September 13th Chess Lawn by The Food6:30pm-8:30pmGrille Concession & Cash Bar Bring Your Own Chair

Thursday, September 28th Farmer’s Market Area in Freedom Park 4pm-7pm » DJ Cash Bar Seating

Jazz in Gardenthe

Friday, September 22nd & Saturday, September 23rd Ballroom 7pm » $70

Five Course Dinner within Four Unique Garden Themes

Read more information and who is permitted to attend these events on the back of the monthly newsletter calendar or go to the SolivitasHOA. com Home Page and click on the RSVP or Purchase Ticketed Events icon. For questions, email or call the Activities Department at Jana.Malik@ CastleGroup.com or 863-427-7125.

Jana’s article continued from page 4

Winner, Winners!

Game Show Olympics - Thursday, July 20th

Olympic Gold Medalists

» 4pm Game: Joanne Freeman, Joyce Sisk, Kathi Hornaday, Lisa Domroes, Lori Matthews, Carmen Boos, Patricia Lynn, Chris Janis

» 7:30pm Game: Bev Giannini, Carl Schneider, Jan Schneider, Donald O’Leary, Lisa O’Leary, Diane Davis, Ben Davis, Gail Barrone

Olympic Silver Medalists

» 4pm Game: Colleen Kozohara, Kathy Dolsay, Calvin Dolsay, Ann Marie Murphy-Heun, Craig Heun, Janet Forbes, Michael Forbes, Jeff Minner

» 7:30pm Game: John Gonzalez, Jeanne Gonzalez, Chuck Garner, Connie Garner, Karin Therien, Walter Therien, Kristi McConnell

Olympic Bronze Medalists

» 4pm Game: Alan Greenberg, Mark Surkis, Ruth Kling, Carole Surkis, Sid Mann, Marcy Brod, David Brod

» 7:30pm Game: Vickie McCort, Danny McCort, Dennis Hamel, Kim Hamel, Robin Mendieta, Lisa Tashian, Gary Tashian, Antonio Mendieta

HOA CONTACT INFORMATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

» President - Larry Anson: SolivitaHOAPresident@SolivitaHOA.com

» Vice President - Marie Sepe: SolivitaVicePresident@SolivitaHOA.com

» Secretary - Jim Edge: SolivitaSecretary@SolivitaHOA.com

» Treasurer - Glenn Larson: SolivitaTreasurer@SolivitaHOA.com

» Director - Mike Luddy: SolivitaDirector@SolivitaHOA.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

» Architectural Review Committee - Yolanda Santiago: Compliance@SolivitaHOA.com

» Communications/IT - Bob Monica: CommunicationsChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Conservation & Wildlife - Bob Monica: WildlifeChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Finance - George Muller: FinanceChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Infrastructure - Jon Cameron: InfrastructureChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Maintenance - Carl Warren: MaintenanceChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Landscape - Hank Stuart: LandscapeChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Neighborhood Captains - Janet Nolan: CaptainProgam.Solivita@gmail.com

» Safety & Security - Clark Zen: SafetySecurityChair@SolivitaHOA.com

» Violations - Grace Chirco: Compliance@SolivitaHOA.com

SEPTEMBER 2024 ROOM RESERVATION DAY

September 2024 Room Reservation Day will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 9am by submitting the online Resident Event Request Form. Forms received before 9am will not be accepted.

Jana Malik 863-427-7125 Jana.Malik@CastleGroup.com

Don’t Fall Behind, Keep The Party Going!

Yard of the Month

BY GREEN THUMBS CLUB

This month’s Yard of the Month was chosen from the Alta Vista neighborhood. Rebecca and Alston Salters’ home at 622 Irvine Ranch Road is adorned with a multitude of flowering plants that they have planted and nurtured through the years. No matter what season it is, Alston is out in the yard making sure folks who come by enjoy the full palette of color in the front yard. A big shout out to them for making Solivita an even prettier place to live and play. Congratulations! Who is next?

Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities

October classes will go on sale starting on Friday, September 1st on the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page by clicking on the Purchase Ticket or Class HERE icon. No studying, tests or exams are given, just enlightening topics to keep your mind energized. All classes are 90 minutes long unless otherwise noted. Solivita University class calendar and faculty biographies can be found on SolivitaHOA.com under Get Connected. Adult guests welcome. For more information, call the Activities Office at 863-427-7125 or email Jana.Malik@CastleGroup.com.

Art Lecture – Gustav Klimt

Tuesday, October 24th

Ballroom at 1pm

Tuition: 2023 Art and Literary Lecture Pass or $5 at the door.

Lecture Passes are for Art Lectures only and are non-refundable.

Lecturer: Jan Clanton, Art Historian

Class Description: Klimt was an outrageous Austrian artist at the turn of the 20th century. He is famous for The Kiss, but that one painting just scratches the surface of his body of work. Participants will see how he went from being the darling of Vienna society to its “bad boy.”

Next Lecture: November 7th - Radical Textiles

to request phrases to use for a working vocabulary that will help when speaking to Spanish speakers.

Beginners Conversational Spanish Course

8 Classes on: Mondays, October 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th in the Gator Room and Tuesdays, October 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st in Mosaics • Classes at 9:30am

Tuition: $40 per student

Instructor : Carmen Boos

Course Description: Learn the two verbs “To & Be = Ser & Estar” and the rules which govern the use of each through dialogue. These verbs and the interrogatives will also be learned. Assorted vocabulary lists will be provided. Students will be able

A History of Comedy Across 20th Century America Through Film and Narration

Thursdays, October 19th, 26th and November 2nd Gator Room at 1pm

Tuition: $20 per student

Professor : Richard Goldsmith, Ph.D

Course Description: Laughter ... where would we be without it? We laugh at so many things: the inevitability of life, slapstick, physical comedy, situations, “making fun,” and so much more. Comedy assures our physical vitality, delight in life and the will to go on living. Comedy is a living, breathing part of all of us! We all love to laugh. We feel good and alive when we laugh.

Disclaimer : Some language in videos.

Gustav Klimt, an Austrian symbolist painter, Madame Tussauds wax museum in Vienna. Editorial credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com.

November 10th-12th

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:

Golf Tournament Scramble at Stonegate Golf Club

Friday, November 10th

Shotgun Start at 8:30am · Registration: 7am-8am

$65 per person or $260 for a foursome (before October 1st) | $70 per person or $280 for a foursome (starting October 1st) | 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 (Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt, 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 beginning Friday, September 1st at 9am.

Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony & Breakfast

Saturday, November 11th

$15 per person. Guest of all ages welcome.

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. The breakfast buffet menu includes fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese; bacon; country style potatoes; warm croissants; self-serve coffee, orange juice, cranberry juice and water.

Tickets available online at SolivitaHOA.com beginning Friday, September 1st at 9am. A limited number of tickets will also be sold by the Veterans Club.

Foreigners Journey - A Tribute to Foreigner & Journey

Sunday, November 12th

Shows at 5pm and 7:30pm. General Admission—$20 per person. EOSS—$25 per person.

The music and energy of two legendary stadium rock bands come together in one electrifying tribute show! Their repertoire of classic hits by Foreigner and Journey provide a crowd-pleasing night of unforgettable music. Ballroom doors open 30 minutes before the show for Early Open Show Seating (EOSS) and General Admission doors open 25 minutes before the show.

Tickets available online at SolivitaHOA.com beginning Friday, September 1st at 9am.

*Refunds will not be accepted or given for any of the events.*

The R2R Resource

Smartphone Basics

Basic Android: September 12th & 13th (2-Day Session)

Basic iPhone: September 18th & 19th (2-Day Session)

9am-12pm • The Palms

Are you having trouble figuring out how to use your smartphone, know very little about the features, or wish you could do more? Then this training is for you. Please bring your Smartphone fully charged. Advanced registration requested; class size is limited to 15.

Center is Here for You!

Presentation - Who Does What in Solivita?

Tuesday, September 26th • 10am • The Palms

Are you confused about what Solivita Club and Solivita HOA are responsible for? Do you have questions about who to contact if you lose your ID badge, need to book an amenity room or buy tickets for events? You’ll hear from Club Manager – Sheri Wollschlager. Please bring your questions as this will be a question and answer format. If you have specific questions that pertain to your home only, please reserve those for an individual discussion at the end.

Technology Clinic – Help with Your Devices

Wednesday, September 13th • 2pm-4pm • Magnolia Room

Bring your device and we’ll help you with your questions. Advanced registration is requested; limited timeslots available every ½ hour between 2pm-4pm.

Register for these sessions by calling the Resource Center at 863-236-9973 or emailing SolivitaR2R@gmail.com.

SPEED ENFORCEMENT

Limited seating is available; advanced registration is requested by calling the Resource Center at 863-236-9973 or emailing SolivitaR2R@gmail.com

October Happenings

» 10/3 - How to Use Alexa Class

» 10/11 - Tech Help Session

» 10/16 - Apple Watch Class

» 10/19 - Donation Day

» 10/24 - Scams Impacting Seniors Presentation

R2R Resource Center 863-236-9973 SolivitaR2R@gmail.com

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. 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.

Happy Fall to All!

BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE

For those of you who still work, I hope you enjoy relaxing on Labor Day, Monday, September 4th. National Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, September 10th. Hopefully we will get slightly cooler temperatures this month making it nicer to get out and enjoy things going on in the area.

India Fest

The Apopka Amphitheater (located at 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway in Apopka) is having an Indian Festival on September 2nd from 2pm-10pm. At this event you can enjoy music, dancing, fashion show, Indian food, jewelry, Henna and vendors. It is $20 for the admission fee and $15 for parking. Please visit lifeinlake.com/event-lake-county/india-fest-apopka for more information.

Dinner Shows

Solivita residents can enjoy a 25% discount at the dinner shows located at 6400 Carrier Drive in Orlando by using the code SOLIVITA25 throughout the rest of 2023. For more information about the shows see below:

» Pirates Dinner Adventure: 407-206-5102, piratesdinneradventure.com/orlando

» Country Nights Live: 407-206-5102, countrynightslive.com

» Teatro Martini: 407-206-5100, teatromartinifl.com

The 25% discount does not include Jewel Orlando (321-4445306, jewelorlando.com) that is at the same location. Jewel Orlando is a lounge bar that is open Thursday through Saturday offering dueling piano entertainment. If you were to use the 25% off your ticket for Teatro Martini, then Jewel would be included in your ticket, so you could stay in Jewel after the show.

Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights (located at 6000 Universal Boulevard in Orlando) will be going on from September 1st through November 4th. This scary event is not for kids under 13 years old. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit universalorlando.com

Dogtoberfest

On September 9th from 12pm-8pm you can experience Dogtoberfest located at Krush Brau Park (2198 Four Winds Boulevard in Kissimmee). There is no admission fee for this dog friendly event featuring pet vendors, beer, and dog races. Please visit krushbraupark.com for more information.

Cigar & Wine Festival

Haines City will have their 1st Cigar & Wine Festival on September 23rd from 11am-8pm located at Railroad Park (620 East Main Street in Haines City). The event will include tastings, food, market vendors and live entertainment. Please call 863-438-4761 or email hainescityquarters@gmail.com for more information.

You can always visit the Concierge page on SolivitaHOA.com for more things to do in the nearby area.

The best thing about fall is pumpkin and spice which makes everything nice. You should also be a sweet tater to everyone making it a great fall for all!

Community Concierge 863-427-7100

Shelley.Destefano@CastleGroup.com

Fall Is Back!

BY BRAD THOMPSON BRANCH MANAGER, FLORALAWN

Here we are again, looking toward fall and the coming holiday season. Does anyone else wonder where the year went?

Summer Tasks

At Floralawn, the advent of this autumn means we’ve completed our seventh summer as Solivita’s landscaping and lawn care provider. We’ve learned a lot over the past years and continue to enjoy working in this beautiful community. Making residents happy by keeping turf, plants, and trees maintained and healthy gives us joy and satisfaction.

As usual, our summer tasks were dominated by keeping turf and shrub growth under control. Our mowing and detail crews worked very hard.

Florida’s crazy weather dynamics keep us on our toes. Summertime rains can result in soggy ground that stresses the grass. Summer days without rain can result in dry ground that stresses the grass. Our crews stay vigilant to weather fluctuations, running irrigation when it’s dry and turning irrigation off when there are prolonged days of rain.

Watching for Fungal Turf Diseases

Besides monitoring grass for dryness or overwatering, we also keep an eye out for fungal diseases. Heat and humidity combine to create environments that fungi thrive in. We watch out for occurrences of Brown Patch, Gray Leaf Spot, Fairy Ring Fungus,

and Take All Root Rot. These are all fungal diseases that attack turfgrass (especially St. Augustine grass, which grows throughout Solivita). We use cultural controls (proper mowing and irrigation practices) and chemical controls (fungicides and herbicides).

September Tasks

September tasks are mostly a continuation of summer tasks since the heat hasn’t let up yet. Summer rains will be slowing down this month, so we’ll continue to adjust the watering schedules as necessary. Mowing and detail crews are still providing weekly service.

September Love Bugs

This month we will endure the second love bug season of the year. If you’ve lived in Florida for a while, you know that love bugs come out in swarms every May and September. Try a wet dryer sheet to remove them from your windshield.

Coffee Talk

My Coffee Talk this month is September 15th at 9am in Mosaics. Got questions related to landscaping or Floralawn services? Bring them, and we’ll do our best to get them answered. If you can’t make it to the Coffee Talk, feel free to call us at 863-2259565 or email us at hello@floralawn.com.

Happy fall!

Floralawn 863-225-9565 hello@floralawn.com

A Celebration of Grandparenting

BY RITA MILIOS PSYCHOTHERAPIST (RET.) & HOLISTIC WELLNESS COACH, C3 WELLNESS SPA

Grandparent’s Day, Sunday, September 10th, is a day to recognize the important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, and to appreciate the joy and wisdom that grandparents bring to all our lives.

The first national Grandparent’s Day was initiated by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, and it was decided to be observed the first Sunday after Labor Day. Each year, the current President issues a Proclamation to keep the tradition of Grandparent’s Day going.

Intergenerational relationships are very important for children. Children who have involved grandparents are more resilient. Grandparents are often more available to listen to children and help them work through problems, because they are often no longer working, and have more time–and possibly more patience. If children are faced with a major life challenge, for instance if their parents are divorcing, their connection to their grandparents can help them cope with this difficult upheaval

Rita’s article continued from page 12

in their lives. It can provide them with a sense of continuity to assure them that many important things in their lives will remain the same, even as major changes are happening.

While Grandparent’s Day is for the senior generation, ironically, you may have to initiate the celebration. This holiday is not as well-known as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and your own kids may not even be aware that it exists. But that should not stop you from commemorating your grandparent-grandchild connection. Encourage your grown children to start a tradition of a celebrating Grandparent’s Day. Suggest ways that they can do this without too much disruption to their own lives.

Today, it’s not always easy to visit with grandchildren, as many families live far apart, or have other reasons that make it difficult to get together in person. If it’s not possible to get together in person with your grandchildren, consider a Zoom or FaceTime video chat. Being able to see your grandchildren’s smiles on

Save a Life - YOURS

BY ERIC LARSON TEAM LEADER OF SOLIVITA CERT

We’ve talked, in the past, about how to help your fellow residents through: Check, Call, Compress and AED classes; Stop the Bleed classes; Hurricane Preparedness; and CERT’s role in a large-scale disaster. Now, lets talk about how you can help save your own life. It’s very simple, just put together what’s known as a “Vial of Life.”

During the hysteria which can arise from a mass disaster (hurricane, tornado, etc.) or even from serious personal injury from an accident or medical emergency, critical information about you may not be readily available. You may be unconscious, delirious, or not be able to communicate to emergency response personnel. Furthermore, your spouse/roommate may be too emotional to adequately inform the emergency responders of your medical conditions. This is where the Vial of Life is important.

What is a Vial of Life?

It’s a listing of your: Emergency Contacts; Medical Conditions; Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medicines; and Your Primary Care Doctor. Placing this information in a convenient

screen always beats a simple phone call. Ask their parents to have them ready with a “show and tell” activity, such as sharing details of a school project or a sports activity.

Consider using Grandparent’s Day to forge a deeper connection with your grandkids. But if you don’t have grandkids, or they’re not available, you can still “grandparent” a child who would benefit from your attention–and you’d benefit from your connection with them. You can become a “surrogate grandparent.” The Facebook group, Surrogate Grandparents, started in 2015. If you’d like to find out more, email surrogate.gp.usa@gmail.com or go to facebook.com/groups/ SurrogateGrandparentsNorthAmerica

Join me for my Wellness Workshop “Passing on Family Values,” on Wednesday, September 13th from 2pm-3pm in RSF2 and I’ll share more grandparent/grandchild connection tips.

C3 Wellness Spa 407-914-9168 info@c3wellness.com

place (ideally the top shelf of your refrigerator in a sealed container or zipper bag help emergency responders to provide the best care for you if you become injured or ill.

The Solivita Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) along with the Solivita Resident to Resident Resource Center (R2R) and Polk County Sheriff’s Office distributes medical information forms along with the containers. The information called for on this form can be invaluable to emergency response personnel or our CERT members and its rapid collection would be a benefit for both pre-hospital and hospital care.

Pre-printed forms along with stickers to put on your refrigerator are available at R2R, located above the Bistro. If you already have a vial and need to update the information, you can download a form from the CERT webpage on SolivitaHOA.com

If you have questions regarding these forms or need more forms, please contact CERT at 863-514-6728, R2R at 863-236-9973, or ask any CERT member.