Winter Garden magazine May 2013
Shaping Our Future District 4 - Colin Sharman
Winter Garden, Florida where good things grow
2 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
a note from the publisher
F
rom all of us involved with Winter Garden Magazine and the creation of something special for Winter Garden residents: A sincere thank you! We have been humbled that so many of you took the time to express your positive reaction and suggestions for the future direction of Winter Garden Magazine. Your feedback will always be appreciated and taken constructively— just as though we’re talking over the back fence with one of our neighbors.
seeing a 300 to 400 word sample of your work. What matters most is that the piece is of interest to our readers in Winter Garden. Our contact information is within this publication. If you own or run a business and would like to share something with our extensive readership, we offer affordable advertising alternatives.
Again, thank you for your positive thoughts, and please continue to offer your insights. We truly In Central Florida, we relish the value your decision to allow us to pleasant spring weather. Even enter your home and hope you now, we long for a few more enjoy this issue. spring-like days before the summer heat takes hold. In this issue, J. Steven Stern |Publisher we are springing towards sum- Winter Garden Magazine mertime with a look at some out- 407 574-8742 of-the-ordinary summer camp Info@SternMedia.com options, a focus on the current WinterGardenMag.com trends in Real Estate, and a closer look at District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman. Winter Garden Magazine is looking for guest contributors of stimulating, positive-oriented, original thought. Whether you’re an authority in some area or just have a different view of things, if you can write (and can meet a deadline) we would be open to
“Chula” - WGM Office Manager WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 3
around the garden may 04
Second Annual Winter Garden Harvest Festival Saturday, May 4th 9 am to 4 pm Winter Garden Farmers Market A Local Folkus is partnering with the City of Winter Garden to produce the second annual Winter Garden Harvest Festival. The outdoor festival will be held in downtown Winter Garden in conjunction with the Farmers Market and will showcase West Orange County’s local producers through a Farmers Market, Farm To Table Dinner showcasing local chefs and farmers, gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations, tours, live music and more activities throughout the day! Join us in celebrating the good food movement by supporting the food and farming culture that is such a defining characteristic of Winter Garden’s heritage and charming sense of community. WinterGardenHarvestFestival.com
may 07
Free Family Seminar Asthma, Allergies & How They Relate to One Another Tuesday, May 7th 6:30p.m. Guest Speaker Dr. Daniel F. Garcia - Pediatric Pulmonologist Learn about Common Allergy Triggers, Controlling Asthma & Effective Asthma Management Techniques Refreshments Served - Seating Limited - RSVP (407) 347-6144
KidMD Pediatrics, 13848 Tilden Rd Suite 230 Winter Garden
may 11 Moonlight Movie Saturday 8:00 p.m. Bring a chair or a blanket & enjoy!
MADAGASCAR 3
Rated PG (89 min.)
At the Pavilion - Lakeview & Tremaine in in Downtown Winter Garden Presented by Florida Hospital & the City of Winter Garden 4 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
contents may 15 Shade Gardening Join Keri Leymaster of the Orange County Extension Education Center as she discusses how homeowners can change landscape to make it look its best. Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Time: 6:30- 8 pm Cost: $5.00 per person Where: Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 North Dillard St. Advance Registration Required. Call 407 254-9200.
may 16
08 12
a closer look Colin Sharman
real estate spotlight
14
simply smarter grilling
Integrated Pest ManagementHome Vegetable Garden Join Ed Thralls, Residential Horitiulture and Master Gardener Coordinator for the Orange County Master Gardener Program as he provides expertise on urban horticulture. Advanced registration required. Call 407 254-9200 Time: 6 - 7:30 pm Fee: $4 Advance/ $5 Day of Class Where: Jessie Brock Community Center 310 North Dillard St.
Winter Garden magazine is an activity of Stern Media PO Box 1506, Windermere FL 34786
WinterGardenMag.com Publisher | J. Steven Stern | 407 574-8742 Editor | Elise Carter | 407 574-8742 ECarter@SternMedia.com Copy Editor & Graphic Design Mike Cox | MCox@SternMedia.com Advertising Jon Stern | 407 574-8742 Jon.Stern@Outlook.com Jon@SternMedia.com Winter Garden Magazine/SternMedia does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of SternMedia and while every attempt is made to assure the accuracy and authenticity of information appearing in the magazine, SternMedia accepts no liability for damages caused by misinterpretation of information, expressed or implied, within the magazine. No representation is made or warranty given as to the completeness or accuracy of such information. The content of Winter Garden Magazine is copyrighted by SternMedia. It is strictly prohibited to reproduce or transmit in whole or part, any portion of our print or on-line magazine/content without the express written consent of SternMedia.
Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camp 2013 Games, sports, art, crafts, swimming, field trips, theme days and much, much more!!! A great way to spend the summer and make lifelong friends! Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camp is an awesome experience for your school aged child. Campers will experience the outdoors, friends and FUN!!! A qualified, well-trained staff will provide a safe and outstanding summer for your child. Camp is open to all children entering 1st through 9th grade. Campers must bring a packed lunch, snacks and a water bottle to camp every day. Registration is open now.
Weeks: June 10, 17 & 24 July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August 5 Time: 7 am - 6 pm Fees: 1st Camper 2nd Camper 3rd or More Campers
City Resident $95 per week $75 per week $55 per week
Non-Resident $125 per week $105 per week $85 per week
Parents MUST provide a current report card at camp registration. 407 656-4155
ARTHUR ’S
C R E AT I V E E V E N T S & C AT E R I N G
the life of the party! We’re passionate about parties —especially yours.
Contact Arthur’s today and let us bring your party to life. n
Corporate Events n
n
Rehearsal Dinners
Wedding Receptions
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Themed Parties
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Call 407.331.1993 or visit www.arthurscatering.com
6 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
Get Into a Healthier
GRove New State-of-the-Art Family Medicine Practice Now Open Family Medicine at Fowler Groves is a brand new practice, conveniently located in the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves. With a combined 50 years of experience, Amira Elsayed, MD and Andrew Dauer, DO of Family Medicine at Fowler Groves provide compassionate and comprehensive care,
Andrew Dauer, DO
Board-certified osteopathic family physician
specializing in acute and chronic illness treatment, preventive care, well-woman and well-child exams (from age 6), health screenings and testing, physical examinations and minor surgery.
Amira Elsayed, MD Board-certified family physician
3131 Daniels Road, Suite 106, Winter Garden, FL 34787 | 407.877.0616 office | 407.877.0661 fax | www.TheGroveDocs.com
Accepting New Patients from Age 6 • Early, Late and Same-Day Appointments Available
FHMG-13-12238_FMFG_WGM_Ad_4.indd 1
4/12/13 10:04 AM WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 7
people | a closer look
Shaping Our Future a closer look at Winter Garden City Commissioner, Colin Sharman By Elise Carter As residents of Winter Garden, we owe our civic leaders much graditude for stepping up to the plate. From running for office to making the everyday tough decisions, politics in general can sometimes be a thankless job.
Colin Sharman Winter Garden City Commissioner District 4
“I am a native to Central Florida;
born in Orlando and grew up in Kissimmee. My wife and I moved to Winter Garden in 1998.” “I attended Osceola High School and Valencia Community College were I studied electronic engineering.” “My wife Cyndi and I have been married 17 years, and we have a 16 year old son, Austin, who is a junior at West Orange High School.” 8 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
We caught up with Winter Garden City Commissioner Distrct 4 Colin Sharman. He was gracious enough to tell us a little bit about who he is and why he chose to serve the residents of Winter Garden.
Outside of local politics, Colin is an Account Manager for Trane, a manufacturer of commercial air conditioning controls and equipment. “I focus on bringing energy efficient solutions to commercial buildings, helping them save on their energy costs while improving the comfort of their indoor environment. Clients include property managers, asset managers, hospitals, school districts, business owners, engineers, and contractors.” “An active person who enjoys golf,
weight lifting, running, biking and roller blading -- I also helped found the first Winter Garden Community Garden were I grow fresh vegetables.” “When I was a child, the City of Kissimmee was looking at a plan to make the street I lived on a “one way only”. I went with my mother to the community meetings. The sitting mayor seemed to be in favor of this proposal. I remember one of my neighbors saying the only way to get something changed was to
have someone run against the mayor. While he did run against the mayor and not win the election, he succeeded in getting the mayor to change his vote on the proposal.”
“ I decided District 4 needed more representation...” C. Sharman
“In 2005, my wife and I relocated from our home off of Plant Street and moved into StoneCrest. At the time, the Winter Garden Village was an orange grove. We received a notice about plans for this site to be developed and went to the planning and zoning meeting. We found out that the initial plans where going to have the big box stores and a movie theater next to our neighborhood with limited landscaping. It appeared that the mayor and commissioners were ready to approve the project.” “I worked with several neighbors over the next six months to change the plans for the project by moving the big box stores next to SR 429, removing the movie theater, and adding increased landscaping to enhance the look of the project while minimizing noise.” “During this process, I decided that District 4 needed more representation since our commissioner at the time lived in District 1. Also, the various city advisory boards did not have representation from anyone living south of the turnpike. Initial-
ly, I ran for Mayor and did not win. However, the experience allowed me to meet many supporters which prepared me for my successful run for the District 4 commission seat the following year.” “As a District 4 Commissioner, some of the most challenging things I have worked on were requiring the city advisory boards to have one member from each district, and getting a fire station in district 4. I have made many friends along the way.’ “Currently I do not have any plans to seek higher office as I feel that I am making an impact here in Winter Garden and want to continue to make our city the best small city in Florida.” |
Winter Garden City Commission Meetings City Commission meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Thurdsay of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Winter Garden City Hall, 300 West Plant Street, Winter Garden. All residents are encouraged to attend.
WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 9
Good Old-Fashioned Summer Fun at Mead Botanical Garden If you are looking for good old-fashioned summer fun that includes creeks and critters, wildlife and wetlands, pine trees and pollinators, hikes and happy discoveries, then check out the Young Naturalist Summer Camp at Mead Botanical Garden. Mead Botanical Garden, located in the heart of Winter Park, is a true hidden treasure. This wonderful 47-acre urban oasis is so beautiful you will want to share it with absolutely everyone. And, it’s so natural and serene that you’ll be tempted to keep it a secret. This is the fantastic setting that el-
ementary-aged kids who attend the Young Naturalist Summer Day Camp at Mead Garden get to experience every day. Throughout the week, visiting experts and certified naturalists bring mammals, reptiles, insects and interesting plants for campers to learn about and see up close. Camp runs Monday to Friday, each week from June 10 through July 26 (no camp week of July 2.) Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with before and after camp supervision available between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Each camper receives a Young Naturalist Camp t-shirt and water bottle. Snacks are provided daily; lunch is provided on Fridays. Register $205 per child. Many children sign up for multiple weeks of camp. Your kids will love the adventure; you will appreciate the learning goals linked to school success. Visit www.meadgarden.org to register online or download a registration form. Mead Botanical Garden is located at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park.
en Winter Gard magazine April 2013
A community
Blooms
Reaching more than 12,000 readers in Winter Garden 34787
Thousands of readers throughout the Winter Garden area look to Winter Garden magazine to learn about the people in our community that are making a difference. Our advertisers get results with increased brand recognition, market share, leads and walk-in traffic. Let us deliver your advertising message to the residents of Winter Garden. Our goal is to help your business grow!
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Orlando - Clermont - St.Cloud Hunter’s Creek - Oviedo Ocoee - Lake Mary
Contact an Office Today
407-857-2502 www.wcorlando.com
The Women’s Center Meet Our Staff
Dr. Jeffrey H. Feld | Ocoee and Clermont Offices Dr. Feld attended college at University of Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry then received a Master of Science in physiology at Georgetown University. Dr. Feld attended medical school at The Autonomous University of Guadalajara, completed his OB/GYN residency at Providence Hospital in Washington D.C. and has been practicing in the greater Orlando area since 1990. Dr. Feld joined the Women’s Center in June 2011. His interests are urogynecology in addition to minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Feld utilizes the daVinci Robotic system for his complex surgical cases. In his spare time he enjoys cycling and going to the gym.
Jennifer Ivy, A.R.N.P. -Certified Nurse Midwife | Ocoee Office Jennifer grew up in the Orlando area where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She started working as a registered nurse in Labor & Delivery after receiving her associate’s degree in nursing from Valencia Community College in 1997. She continued working in Labor & Delivery for 10 years, during which she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UCF. She fulfilled her dream to become a nurse midwife in 2007 when she graduated from the University of Florida with a master’s in nursing and became certified in nurse midwifery. She began her nurse midwifery career with The Women’s Center in Hunter’s Creek. Her focus is enabling women to be participants in decisions about their health care. She feels especially privileged to be with women and their families during pregnancy and childbirth. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her family, jogging, and going to the movies.
Ocoee Office 10000 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 395 Ocoee, FL 34761 (Inside Health Central Hospital, 3rd Floor) Clermont Office 1715 E. Hwy 50, Suite B Clermont, FL 34711
www.wcorlando.com
WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 11
real estate & lifestyle More New Listings - More Closed Sales Statewide ORLANDO, Fla., – Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, rising median prices, increased pending sales, more new listings and a reduced inventory of homes for sale in February, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. “Each month brings more positive signs for the state’s housing market,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “For example, February is the 14th month in a row that statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condo units increased year-over-year, according to Florida Realtors’ data. “Properties are selling more quickly statewide, especially at certain price points – the median days a home is on the market dropped about 15 percent for single-family homes and 10 percent for townhouse-condo units in February. Plus, sellers are receiving more than 92 percent of their original listing price in both the single-family home and townhouse-condo markets.”
“We note continueing growth of cash sales, which are now half of existing single-family closed sales statewide.” Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tucillo
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 15,666 in February, up 10.3 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written. Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 26.7 percent over the previous February. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $150,000, up 12.8 percent from the previous year. Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 8,028 units sold statewide last month, up 7 percent compared to February 2012. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhouse-condos in February increased 14.3 percent compared to the yearago figure. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $115,000, up 21.1 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in January 2013 was $169,600.
12 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.5-months’ supply in February; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 6.1-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors. “Several things are particularly striking about the February data,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “First, we note the continuing growth of cash sales, which are now half of existing single-family closed sales statewide and more than three-quarters of townhouse-condo closed sales. Second, we’re seeing more new listings and that trend is turning positive. This is the first sign that low inventories are convincing sellers to come to the market. “Third, and related to the last point, the lowest price tiers (for home listings) are just about wiped out and are moving in a direction counter to the state trend,” Tuccillo noted. “The biggest movements in listings as well as the other metrics are in the $300,000-$500,000 price tier.” According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.53 percent in February 2013, down from the 3.89 percent average during the same month a year earlier. Reprinted with permission. Florida Realtors®. All rights reserved.
Winter Garden Real Estate Spotlight 34787 03/15/13 - 04/15/13 Active Listings: 128 List Price Range: $33,000 - $1,999,900 Traditional Sales: 103 Sold: 81 Highest Resale: $552,500 4 Bdrm/3 1/2 Baths - 3564 SF Lake Hickory Nut Dr., 34787 Hickory Lake Estates Information per MidFlorida Region MLS
At Your Next Party (Family Features)
Make the Fun Last, Not the Waste!
W
hen hosting a party, the excitement is often about the guest list, invitations and the menu, but what about the amount of trash that comes out of gathering with family and friends? Actress Tiffani Thiessen and party planner, Heidi Mayne, share innovative and eco-friendly party planning ideas, so you can increase the fun, while decreasing your waste.
Thiessen and Mayne have teamed up with The Glad Products Company to go “One Bag” – working toward the ultimate goal of sending just one bag of trash to the landfill, with the rest being diverted to recycling and compost. “My goal is to inspire others to go one bag, no matter the occasion, which is why I’ve teamed up with Glad. Whether I’m hosting a cocktail party for friends or a birthday party for my daughter, it just takes a little bit of planning to cut down on waste,” said Thiessen. “When planning a party it’s important to go out of your way to make your guests feel special, even with trash diversion. Your efforts might even inspire friends to carry new waste habits into everyday living.” Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Below are a few tips Mayne suggests for keeping waste to a minimum at parties:
• Reduce - Think about future dinners when preparing your party menu. Serve items that will freeze well. If you have leftovers, this will reduce food waste and give you a head start on dinner the following week. • Reuse - If you entertain frequently, invest in the real stuff – china, flatware, glassware and napkins. Accumulate it slowly by shopping at thrift stores and the sales at your favorite stores. Select a solid color and stick to that color to build a collection you can use year round. For example, red is great for everything from Christmas to Valentine’s Day, to the 4th of July. • Recycle - Create sorting stations with proper receptacles – trash, recycling and compost – to make sorting waste easy. Then ensure sorting station signage is bright and noticeable so guests know where things go. Use colored chalk on chalkboards, have your kids draw colorful pictures of the recycling symbol, paint signs on recycled wood, or take photographs of your children holding letters that read RECYCLE. Enlarge
the photos, place them in frames, and hang them above the recycling bin station. “You don’t have to sacrifice style and individuality when introducing eco-friendly elements that promote the three R’s into your plans,” said Mayne of Red25 Events. “From 200 wedding guests to intimate backyard barbecues, you can make small changes that will make a big difference to reduce your waste.” For more helpful tips, including a helpful how-to guide on planning and executing a waste-conscious event, head to www.Glad.com/onebag.
WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 13
Simply Smarter (Family Features)
Nice weather means it’s time to fire up the
grill. To enjoy dining al fresco any time, make your kitchen grill-ready with essentials for your pantry, fridge and freezer. Stock up now on fresh meats and produce, as well as cool drinks and frozen treats to keep you outside and grilling all season long. The best part? Your backyard barbecue doesn’t have to be expensive. For inspiration, try these grilling favorites from food stylist and loyal ALDI shopper Janice Stahl, who saves up to 50 percent by shopping at ALDI: —Create a sophisticated summer dinner in no time by placing raw salmon, fresh lemon slices and a mix of chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil and red onion on a piece of aluminum foil; seal it to create a packet and throw it on the grill. —Use a teriyaki marinade to add a kick to your chicken breasts and step up your grilling game with bacon-wrapped beef filets or marinated pork loin. —Put a spin on the classic burger with Alaskan salmon or ground turkey patties. With these simple tips, you’ll be ready to show off your grilling expertise at any time. Visit www.aldi.us for more ideas.
Grilling
Hawaiian Turkey Burger
$1.86 per serving at ALDI. Recipe courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Makes 4 burgers 1 egg 1 pound ground turkey or ground chicken 1/4 cup old fashioned oats 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper 2 tablespoons parsley flakes 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 clove of garlic, minced 1/2 cup red pepper, minced 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup BBQ sauce 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch rings 1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rings 1 green pepper, cored and cut into 1/2-inch rings 4 hamburger buns 4 slices pepper Jack sliced cheese
Beat egg in a bowl. Add ground turkey or chicken, oats, crushed red pepper, parsley, salt, pepper, minced garlic and minced red pepper. Mix together until incorporated. Divide into 4 even patties, flatten and let sit in the fridge for 5 minutes. Mix together mayonnaise and BBQ sauce. Set aside. Heat grill to medium/high temperature. Place patties on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes each side until desired doneness. Brush oil on slices of pineapple, onion and green pepper, then grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Lightly grill the bun and set aside. Spread both sides of the bun with the mayonnaise BBQ sauce. When burger is almost finished cooking, place 1 slice of cheese on each patty and continue to grill until melted. To assemble the burger, layer the bottom of the bun with the patty with cheese, pineapple, onion, green pepper and top half of bun. 14 | May 2013 | WinterGardenMag.com
• Multi-Million Dollar Producers • 8 year Winter Garden Residents • Selling Winter Garden Homes since 2004 We know you have many options when it comes to selling your home. With today’s ever changing market conditions, you need to be sure that you’ll receive the best possible offers. You’ve worked hard to earn your equity. Don’t let someone who is inexperienced or uninformed sell your home short. Selling Winter Garden homes since 2004, we understand how much of your equity may have disappeared in the past few years. As Winter Garden residents with a vested interest in seeing our home values increase, let us help you receive the highest possible offers in the shortest period of time. Call or email today. No obligation!
Who better knows the real estate in Winter Garden? Someone who lives there.
Linda A. Stern
Broker | Realtor
The Stern Group
Where do you want to live?
professional real estate services 407 376.2434 Info@FlaOrlando.com www.FlaOrlando.com
WinterGardenMag.com | May 2013 | 15
Join us for MADAGASGAR 3 Saturday, May 11th - 8:00 p.m. at The Pavilion
(sw corner of Lakeview & Tremaine in Downtown Winter Garden) Bring a Chair or a Blanket & Enjoy! Presented by Florida Hospital and the City of Winter Garden.
KidMD Pediatrics, LLC Protecting the health of our future, one precious child at a time.Š
Ruben A. Gonzalez-Florin,MD,FAAP Pediatrician, Board Certified
Dedicated to the health & well-being of newborns to 18 years.
Accepting New Patients Camp and School Physicals Available *
*
Orlando Health Affiliation NewborN CirCumCisioNs up to 20 days old MWF: 8:30-3:30P T-TH: 8:30-7:00P SATurdAy SICK APPTS: 8:30 - 11:30A 24 Hr ON-CALL FOr EMErGENCIES
407 347-6144
13848 Tilden rd Suite 230 Winter Garden, FL 34787
www.kidmdpediatrics.com