Central Florida Monthly Magazine: December 2017 by Central Florida Monthly

what’s

INSIDE: Lake Nona’s Eagle Creek Neighborhood and the Generosity of its Community Spirit

I LIVE HERE: real estate rental listings

Anneliesse & Gabriel Rivera

ICYMI: LAKE NONA’S ADVENTURE PARK

DECEMBER EVENTS

Because you live, work & play in the East Orlando area Publisher/Owner

STEVE FUSILIER steve@realtygroupfl.com

Editorial

Coming attractions! Read all about Nona Adventure Park on Pages 20 and 21.

EDITOR’S NOTE Hi

there, neighbors. One of the most memorable emails I’ve received from a Lake Nona resident came with a request that nearly reduced me to tears.

The resident, a single mother with several children, requested to see a more diverse spectrum of families represented in our magazine. Not all families are made up of a mom, dad and 2.5 kids. And she didn’t see herself or her family represented on our pages— and it made her feel like she and her family didn’t belong. Cue the waterworks. Since then, our editorial team has worked even harder to publish stories that reflect the diversity of families in the Central Florida community. What we’ve discovered is that, like chihuahuas, families come in every shape, size and color. And they’re all beautiful.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

That’s a real gift.

Happy Holidays,

lynnette

Photography

AMI BROWN shearosefoto@aol.com

Graphic Design

AUDREY MORAN audreymdesigns@gmail.com

MORE ABOUT YOU, PLEASE!

Connect with others who live, work and play in the East Orlando area. Meet new people, discover new places and learn new things.

As we head into the holiday season, when the family plays such a prominent role in the celebration, I want to take a minute and express my gratitude to all the families who have shared their stories with us over the past year. It has been a privilege and honor to tell your stories and share photos of your gorgeous families. And sharing your stories has helped other families like yours feel like they’re part of the Central Florida community.

LYNNETTE FUSILIER lynnette@cfmonthly.com

ON THE

COVER

Meet Eagle Creek’s Vogel family (left to right): Becky, Vivian, Max, Mikayla and Ava.

facebook.com/CFMonthly instagram.com/centralfloridamonthly

CORRECTION: November’s feature article, Lake Nona’s East Park Neighborhood is Quietly at the Center of the Action, has been updated from its original print version to reflect the following changes: Ed’s last name is Herrera, his business is located in the same building as the Tavistock Group, and he is from Costa Rica. Most importantly, the bowling alley and theater will be located in Lake Nona Town Center. We regret the errors.

twitter.com/cfmonthly plus.google.com/+CentralFloridaMonthlyOrlando linkedin.com/in/cfmonthly

Read the updated article on our website: cfmonthly.com/lake-nonas-east-parkneighborhood-is-quietly-at-the-center-ofthe-action. CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

A CUT ABOVE THE REST!

Tony Zeuli

Master Craftsman All types of custom woodworking and cabinet making.

407-908-9998 Cell 407-957-6221 Office

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

Licensed & Insured www.extremecarpentryinc.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

FEATURE PROPERTY

moss park reserve

11119 Bugenhagen Dr, Orlando FL 32832 4 BED • 4 BATH • 4238 SQ FT POND VIEW + POOL HOME Chris Pixley 352.267.4244 This Immaculate 4 Bed-4 Bath Pool home features a Movie Theatre, Game Room with Wet Bar and an Incredible Pool and Summer Kitchen. Upon entering the home, you’re greeted by 15ft Vaulted Ceilings with a Large Open Floor Plan . The highlight of the home is the incredible backyard with a Covered Lanai, Pool, Spa and Huge 18’x16’ Detached Summer Kitchen fully equipped for Family BBQ’s and Fun!

1269 Long Cove Loop, Davenport, FL 33896 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1854 SQ FT • FULL UPGRADES Eduardo Cubillan 407.756.9993

2808 Pinnacle Ct, Windermere, FL 34786 5 BED • 6 BATH • 5071 SQ FT • 1-Acre Lot Mike Stuart 407.448.6826

12542 Oulton Cir, Orlando, FL 32832 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • 2834 SQ FT • POOL HOME Lisiana Dutka 248.563.9889

1660 Marina Lake Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34774 5 BED • 3 BATH • 3676 SQ FT • Lakefront Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

11928 Yellow Fin Trl #3C, Orlando, FL 32827 5 BED • 5 BATH • 4236 SQ FT • WATERFRONT Patrick Pixley 352.516.4427

1833 Courtland St, Orlando, FL 32804 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1505 SQ FT • CORNER LOT Brenda Paetzold 407.744.4202

5331 Carson St, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 5 BED • 5 BATH • 5772 SQ FT • POOL HOME Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

111 E Monument Ave, #803, Kissimmee, FL 34741 3 BED • 3 BATH • 3052 SQ FT • PENTHOUSE Kelly Moe 407.791.9180

8020 Northlake Pkwy, #1, Orlando, FL 32827 3 BED • 2.5 BATH • 1440 SQ FT • LAKE NONA AREA Joey Guest 407.476.7660

1141 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751 4 BED • 3 BATH • 3376 SQ FT • PRIVATE LAKE ACCESS Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

1405 Hidden Oaks Bend, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 6 BED • 4/2 BATH • 4305 SQ FT • 1/2-Acre Lot Laura Alves 407.496.7616 Sabina Chincoli 407.492.2832

6778 New Hope Rd, Orlando, FL 32824 4 BED • 3 BATH • 3314 SQ FT • POOL HOME Laura Alves 407.496.7616

RESIDENTIAL 6 R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL. COM

R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL.COM

FEATURE PROPERTY conway

0 Seminole Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 4 BED • 3.5 BATH • 3800 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

10311 Henbury St, Orlando FL 32832 4 BED • 4 BATH • EAGLE CREEK • $2795 Keith Race 407.476.0476

10529 Belfry Cir, Orlando, FL 32832 4 BED • 3.5 BATH • EAGLE CREEK • $1950 Keith Race 407.476.0476

Don’t miss your chance to own this Immaculate, custom-built home on the Lake Conway Chain! Entering the home, you’re greeted with a huge open floor plan with a combined kitchen and great room overlooking the lake. The kitchen features high-end stainless steel appliances, a large Island and beautiful quartz counters. The home sits on a large peninsula lot offering tons of privacy and a huge backyard with plenty of room for family fun on the lake.

1122 Toluke Pointe, Orlando, FL 32828 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • GATED • $1800 Lourdes Valdes 407.234.1955

11962 Lorenza Ln, Orlando, FL 32827 4 BED • 3 BATH • VILLAGE WALK • $1950 Laura Alves 407.496.7616

4091 Conway Place Cir, Orlando, FL 32812 5 BED • 5.5 BATH • 3908 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Bree Buswell 407.408.4192

2414 Hoffner Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32812 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1647 SQ FT • UPDATED Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

9818 Lake District Ln, Orlando, FL 32832 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • POOL HOME • $2200 Lourdes Valdes 407.234.1955

687 Reindeer Dr, Poinciana, FL 34759 3 BED • 2 BATH • FENCED BACKYARD • $1200 Lourdes Valdes 407.234.1955

5205 Oak Island, Belle Isle, FL 32812 2 BED • 1 BATH • 1125 SQ FT • LAKE ACCESS Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

7830 Holiday Isle #302, Belle Isle, FL 32812 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1808 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

1042 Twisted Branch Ln, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 4 BED • 3 BATH • SCREENED PATIO • $1695 Ryan Smith 407.476.0476

8461 Greider Way, Orlando, FL 32827 4 BED • 3 BATH • LAUREATE PARK • $2400 Ryan Smith 407.476.0476

7902 Daetwyler Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 5 BED • 3.5 BATH • 2400 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

6806 Seminole Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 4 BED • 4.5 BATH • 3848 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244

Sold

RESIDENTIAL 8 R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL. COM

RENTALS R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.476.0476 • WWW.F MG RE ALE S T AT E .COM 9

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ON THE MAIN STAGE DECEMBER 1-17

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CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

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CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

Text by Chad Walsh agle Creek resident Becky Vogel doesn’t just like to travel—traveling is routine for her. When she and her husband divorced seven years ago, they decided that they should both stay in the Lake Nona area where they’d settled just a couple of years prior. And the Orlando International Airport, which is just a short drive from her front door, is one of her family’s most crucial amenities as they use it more than most Floridians. How much does she fly? Consider her partner of two years, Paul Borrud. He’s a U.S. resident but moved to Sydney, Australia, for a job a few years back. (They almost didn’t meet: Both were invited to a mutual friend’s house party in Lake Tahoe two years ago. Both tried wiggling out of attending but decided to go anyway—and they’ve been an item ever since that chance encounter.) Every couple of months, they fly to see one another or meet in an in-between state, like California. And both are heavily into philanthropy, which involves traveling to remote rural regions in places like Kenya and Guatemala to feed the elderly or build schools. Last year, they took her kids to the Central American country to

Lake Nona’s

EAGLE CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD

build such a schoolhouse. Next year, they’ll return to paint it. So it makes sense when she says, “I love being close to the airport. For me, that’s a big thing.” Eagle Creek resident Tanya Staton echos this sentiment. The mortgage loan processor who works from home will frequently travel with her family—her husband Keith and their son and daughter, KC and Kate—by plane to visit Tanya’s old stomping grounds in the wine country of upstate New York. The airport, however, doesn’t create a sense of home, both women admit. But, they say, their community does. After Becky’s divorce, she moved to Chatsworth, the little “village” at the southern end of Eagle Creek. Back then, the subdivision was practically empty, except for the Eagle Creek golf course, three new but unoccupied homes, and hundreds of undeveloped lots. So she and her four children—Mikayla, 17; Max, 15; Ava, 13; and Vivian, now 10—settled into one of those homes and waited for the neighborhood to spring to life. It didn’t take long. Where there were once just three homes, there are now about 300. And the families who live in them are close.

Meet Eagle Creek’s Vogel family (left to right) Ava, Mikayla, Becky, Max and Vivian.

and the Generosity of its Community Spirit

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

When her ex-husband has the kids on Sunday nights, her neighbors make sure she’s not alone by inviting her to their Sunday evening dinners. “And I have one neighbor who watches out for me like a dad,” she says. It’s not unusual for her to walk out her front door and see him in the front yard tinkering with and repairing her sprinkler system.

DID YOU KNOW?

CREEK

“I couldn’t ask for better neighbors,” she says—including old neighbors who’ve moved away. In fact, she’s still close with the first family to move to Chatsworth. That family eventually left for Chattanooga, Tenn., but they welcomed her and her kids to their home when they evacuated before Hurricane Irma blew its way into Central Florida. Tanya also likes the community she was welcomed into just three years ago when her family moved from Georgia to Florida to be near her parents, who’ve settled into the nearby VillageWalk. Tanya says she and her family like to attend Eagle Creek’s movie nights, as well as its food trucks nights. Most often, though, the kids are swimming and splashing around in the community pool. “They’re fish,” she says. “I can hardly get them out once they’re in.” (It might not surprise you to know that Tanya was a competitive swimmer; in fact, her swim coaches were Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s mother and father.) She also likes that she can walk her kids to school in the morning (after getting in a morning workout at the community gym), and she’s even content to let KC and Kate explore the area by bike without worry or hassle.

These small investments are worth it, she says, for a neighborhood that’s given, and continues to give, her and her children a sense of community and a home. n

18 HOLE championship golf course rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest

400+

acres of open space, lakes, wetlands and trails

SCHOOLS

Ultimately, it’s this sense of a true, welcoming and safe community that has inspired Becky to not just give back internationally, but locally as well. When she and her children are not biking through the neighborhood, heading to the beach, or just enjoying themselves around the fire pit in the backyard, Becky’s volunteering for LOVE for Nona. (LOVE stands for Ladies Organized for Voluntary Efforts.) The organization is still new, but it’s already raising funds for school supplies and the Lake Nona High School marching band.

EAGLE

FIVE MINUTES

Lake Nona’s Eagle Creek neighborhood is dotted by satellite lakes and anchored by the Eagle Creek golf club. The community is an active one that offers yoga, zumba and cycling classes and it’s unusual when you don’t see families pedaling their bikes around the neighborhood or playing on its many lakes. There are community movie nights in the park and food cart nights and if you’re looking to stay active and fit, you can always swing by Eagle Creek’s community gym or swim a few laps in its community pool. Because of its central location, it’s also just a short drive to Lake Nona Town Center where you can dine out or take in a movie in nearby Lee Vista. And while the drive is a little longer to downtown Orlando, it’s still a relatively short trip to Disney World and all the nightlife in one of the state’s most dazzling cities. But more than anything, what draws people to Eagle Creek is the sense of community. It’s the kind of place where your neighbors check in on you and where your children will band together—on foot or bike—making lifelong friends.

minutes to SHOPPING CENTERS

to Orlando International Airport

Five minutes to the United States Tennis Association’s National Campus with more than 100 courts and state-of-the-art training facilities Say hello to the Staton family: (back left) Tanya, (back right) Keith, (front left) Kate and (front right) KC.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

ZIP CODE 32832 TOTAL HOMES SOLD in 2016

$319,990 M E D I A N H O M E P R I C E 2 016

$316,106 AVERAGE HOME PRICE 2 016

amenities:

Two-story clubhouse with pro shop, lounge and restaurant, new family recreation clubhouse with fitness center and gathering room, children’s pool and a resort-style pool for adults with expansive sundeck, tennis and basketball courts, covered playground and multi-purpose ball field. CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

happy holidays May peace, happiness and prosperity be yours during this holiday season and throughout the new year.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

i live here.

Say hello to the Rivera family (left to right): Gabriel, Gianna, Anneliesse and Elysse

THE

Name and age: Anneliesse Rivera, 34; Gabriel Rivera, 36 Hometown: Humacao, Puerto Rico; Ponce, Puerto Rico Current neighborhood: North Pointe How do you pay the bills? Court reporter; UPS driver How did you land in Orlando? Family/Disney vacation Do you hold an annual pass? No What is the last book you read? The Secret Name your favorite tattoo: Eternal love Last thing you ate a food truck? Arepa Rellena What is your favorite farmers’ market? Downtown Kissimmee Butterbeer, Dole whip, or ____? Dole whip Springs, lakes or oceans? Oceans Only in Orlando moment? A Frozen holiday at Magic Kingdom Dog person or cat person? Dog person If you could change one thing about Orlando, what would it be? Traffic n

How you can participate: There are three simple rules to participate in CFM’s I Live Here Project. You must: 1. answer all of the questions. 2. be willing to be photographed in your neighborhood.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

Riveras

3. live, work or play in one of the zip codes we cover: 32812, 32827, 32829, 32832, 34741, 34771 or 34773. Sound good? Great. Send us an email (lynnette@cfmonthly.com) and we’ll send you the questions. After you return your answers to us, we’ll schedule your photo shoot and put you in the queue for publication. And, of course, we’ll give you the heads up when we publish your Q&A in the magazine or online. Because #InternetFamous.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

ICYMI

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Information provided by Tavistock Development Company Conveniently located in Orlando—the worldwide water sports capital—Nona Adventure Park is designed with the whole family in mind, offering all ages and skill sets high quality, action activities throughout the year. Owned and operated by seasoned water sports entrepreneur Kai Fusser and business partner Real Bergevin, Nona Adventure Park will be located on Adventure Lake adjacent to the City of Orlando’s Laureate City Park, in Lake Nona’s Laureate Park neighborhood along Centerline Drive. The park will be interconnected with Lake Nona’s 44 miles of trails, and discounts will be offered to guests who elect not to drive and rather walk, bike or skate to the park. The park will be open throughout the year for visitors and spectators, and will be designed to host competitions as well as group, corporate teambuilding and special events. Different passes will be available so that guests can access individual amenities or the whole park. Through the WakeSys control system, park guests will receive an RFID wristband to access the park’s amenities. The system will also allow guests to check in online, review wait times and see if friends are onsite. n

Climbing Tower Photo: Tavistock Development

Inflatable Aqua Park Photos (top and bottom): Tavistock Development

INFLATABLE AQUA PARK: Nona Adventure Park will also feature a largescale, customized, open water Wibit aqua park with multiple, interconnected inflatables and obstacles for hours of endless fun. Orlando’s first inflatable aqua park will feature a series of floating pathways, climbing obstacles, slides and trampolines. CABLE PARK: The Rixen cable system will offer two tracks around the lake.

The main track is a full-size, six-tower cable that runs 2,500 feet in length at speeds up to 36 mph, and can accommodate up to 10 riders at a time with a selection of wakeboard features for beginner and advanced riders. The second track is a two-tower cable that runs 320 feet long, which is ideal for beginner and intermediate riders. A floating dock will encircle the lake so that riders can easily return to the starting dock no matter where they may fall in the course.

CLIMBING TOWER: For those that prefer to stay

above ground, Nona Adventure Park will offer a 60-foot KristallTurm® climbing tower with ropes and different climbing elements for all levels, including three 50-foot climbing walls with various difficulties and two 60-foot climbing ropes. The tower will also include a kids’ ropes course for ages 5-10. All climbers will be secured by a double harness and belay systems.

PRO SHOP: Equipment rentals and sales will be available for all levels onsite in the main pavilion. The WiFi-enabled main entrance will also feature an upscale café with food and beverages and a dry seating area for spectators to watch. 20

CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

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9161 Narcoossee Road Ste 108 Orlando FL

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CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY

LAKE NONA SATURDAY MARKET

9AM-1PM • Valencia College: 12350 Narcoossee Rd facebook.com/LakeNonaFarmersFreshMarket

(AND DEC 8, 15, 22 & 29) ART AFTER DARK Lake Nona Town Center • FREE 6900 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard

SATURDAY

Enjoy special exhibitions, art displays, live demonstrations and music of Central Florida’s bustling art scene.

LAKE NONA CARS & COFFEE 8-11AM • FREE 9681 Lake Nona Village Place

facebook.com/lakenonacarsandcoffee

WEDNESDAY

Free event for car buffs of all ages. Auto enthusiasts will see exotics, classics, hot rods, muscle cars; show, race, and euro cars. And there’s coffee to start your engines!

MAGI

7-9PM • FREE Crosspointe Church, 11002 Lake Hart Drive eventbrite.com/e/magi-crosspointe-church-i-lake-nonafl-tickets-39235834437?aff=es2

Come experience Word of Life’s spectacular Christmas production – Magi. Cast and crew from our Bible Institutes in New York and Florida travel throughout the US presenting the true meaning of Christmas through creative use of music, drama and multimedia

sundays

Tai Chi at Lakehouse 4PM • Lakehouse 13623 Sachs Ave.

lakenona.com/live/community/ events-venues/events

YOGA NONA Sponsored by Lake Nona Life Project

9AM • Crescent Park in Laureate Park: 8374 Upper Perse Cir. lakenona.com/live/community/events-venues/events

WEDNESDAY

saturdays

1 2 6

FRIDAY

6PM • Crescent Park in Laureate Park 8374 Upper Perse Cir. lakenona.com/live/community/ events-venues/events

BREAKFAST CONNECTIONS by Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce

8-9:30AM • Tickets: $10-$30 Lakehouse, 13623 Sachs Avenue, Orlando eventbrite.com/e/december-2017-breakfast-connections-by-lake-nona-regionalchamber-of-commerce-tickets-38954554120?aff=es2 Designed to promote strong connections, provide B2B networking & business-matching opportunities, uplift & educate, and keep you “in the know” of the developments of local government and community. Professional, yet welcoming, atmosphere for you to gain the connections, tools, and experience to grow and maintain your business.

THURSDAY

facebook.com/Lakenona ymcafarmersmarket

LAKE NONA NIGHTS: LIVE + LOCAL

COFFEE CLUB NONA

8:30-9:30AM Lakehouse, 13623 Sachs Avenue, Orlando

eocc.org/content.aspx?Id=78

You might think the draw of Coffee Club Nona is 1) good coffee or 2) cool location. But actually, it’s 3) GREAT people. On the second Thursday of every month, connect with other local business owners and grow your business. The second Thursday is dedicated to high-octane networking activities and the fourth Thursday is reserved for high-caliber speakers.

THURSDAY

4-9PM • Lake Nona YMCA

thursdays

FARMERS MARKET at the YMCA

mondays

ON THE REGULAR

9145 Narcoossee Road, Suite 102, Orlando, FL 32827 407-259-2363 | www.CFMonthly.com

NIGHT AMONG THE STARS 5:30-8:30PM Orlando Airport Marriott-Lakeside, 7499 Augusta National Drive

eocc.chambermaster.com/events/details/ night-among-the-stars-6447

A holiday extravaganza with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and carving station. Awards Ceremony recognizing the most outstanding Chamber Members.