BALDWIN PARK
LIVING FEBRUARY 2020
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
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CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2020
FEATURES
32 DEPARTMENTS 8 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders. 12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Denny O’Neil shares inspiration from his recent trip to Australia. 16 AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Here’s how to use the five love languages this Valentine’s Day. 22 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Looking for something fun in Baldwin Park? Find it here.
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
SEEING IS BELIEVING Glenridge’s Lions Pride Fund recently supplied the school with VR tech.
25 FROM THE COVER One resident shares her cancer journey through a book of poetry. 28 GROUPS & GATHERINGS Looking to connect? Find your perfect group here. 30 PALATE PLEASER Two residents are living the good life while running their restaurant, Bem Bom. 34 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE Home décor is fun, but when is it too personal? 36 WHAT’S SELLING See two homes that sold recently in Baldwin Park.
38 SILVER SCREEN UNDER THE STARS
Baldwin Park Elementary students enjoyed a movie night on the lawn for the fifth-grade party fundraiser.
BALDWIN PARK
LIVING FEBRUARY 2020
Editor and Publisher — Michael Eng
EDITORIAL
Thinking of buying or selling?
Managing Editor — Tim Freed Design Editor — Jessica Eng Associate Editor — Danielle Hendrix Contributors Denny O’Neil Christina Rordam Becca Schmidt
ADVERTISING Advertising Executive — Terri Hope
PRODUCTION Creative Services Lindsay Cannizzaro
To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com. For advertising inquiries, call (407) 656-2121. Baldwin Park Living is a monthly publication of the Observer Media Group published in partnership with the Baldwin Park Joint Committee Inc.
Global reach | Local expertise Find your dream home today on my website JaniceCox.PremierSothebysRealty.com
JANICE COX c 407.990.5885 | c 505.920.4774 Janice.Cox@PremierSIR.com
233 West Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789 Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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CONTACT
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Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING BY STACEY FRYREAR
The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official December meeting minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n The board approved recycle cans and concrete pads for High Park, Corrine Commons, Enders and Union Park pending ARC approval. n The board approved replacing the Grace Hopper fitness room flooring.
UPDATES
LANDSCAPE REPLACEMENTS Plant replacements for Parkland Quadrangle and Bailey Square have been completed. Fox Corner Park was on the schedule for January. STREAMING ON FITNESS EQUIPMENT There has been a change in the industry recently because of security protocols from Netflix, Amazon and some others. At this time, there is no ability to offer these streaming services via apps on the console. However, the user can connect a phone or tablet device to the console via HDMI cable, and it will stream to the console’s screen.
BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. BY ANTHONY MADDOX
VILLAGE CENTER UPDATES n The restoration of the Publix mural on the side of 1501 Meeting Place has been completed. n The Indian hawthorns around the oak tree where the irrigation leak occurred behind the SunTrust building has been replaced. BrightView continues to detail plant material, treat beds for weeds and focus on leaf removal. n Reported raised sidewalks off Meeting Place and surrounding areas have been ground by the city of Orlando. n White Blossom Bridal, located at 4844 New Broad St., has completed its interior build-out and is open for business.
n BrightView technicians are in the process of repairing lateral line breaks causing low pressure in irrigation due to oak tree roots growing into the pipes. Damaged patches of sod are planning to be replaced this month now that mowing has been reduced. GENERAL UPDATES n Landscape replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. Annual tree pruning is expected to occur beginning in February provided there are no delays. The tree
trimming will consist of numerous species within the parking lots of both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District, which will include crape myrtles that are trimmed every three years. n Parking lot light replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. n Architectural Review Committee meetings take place twice a month on Tuesday for application reviews regarding commercial changes to exterior structures (roofing replacements and painting), landscaping and signage. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. Feel free to submit your Architectural Review forms to AMaddox@ BaldwinParkPOA.com.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CARRIE BLOMSTROM
FITNESS EQUIPMENT The strength equipment has been ordered for both fitness centers. Delivery is anticipated for the end of January or beginning of February. The ARC Trainer for Enders has been delivered.
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NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT UPDATES n DRS has completed repairing three different areas of sloping sidewalks, rebuilding of curbing and removal/repouring a 5-foot-by-5-foot sidewalk panel to prevent trip hazards. We will continue to survey these areas for additional repairs.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
C
arrie Blomstrom is the architectural review coordinator for the Residential Owners Association. A member of the management team since December 2017, she served as the residential covenants administrator until taking her current position with Sentry Management Inc. in January 2019. She works with homeowners to shepherd them through the approval
process for architectural changes. This can include everything from additions and swimming pools to landscape and gutters. Carrie has a large family here in Central Florida, where she grew up. She likes to spend her time outside of work with her husband and two young boys. When they are not at the parks or beaches, they are relaxing at home.
Find your way to savings.
The December Townhome Service Area Committee meeting was canceled. A copy of previous official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork. com.
UPDATES
n BrightView currently is installing plant enhancements in City Home 1, Issa 22, Cambridge and City Home 4. n BrightView’s irrigation technicians have performed monthly inspections in the City Home 1, Issa 22 and Issa 28 service areas. Irrigation inspections now are occurring in Cambridge, City Home 4, City Home 2, City Home 3 and the Live/Work service areas. n Per DRS Inc., this is the remaining townhouse painting schedule: Cambridge (finishing Osprey Lane and moving to Upper Park Road). DRS currently is planning the painting/preventative maintenance schedules for 2020. The townhome election is approaching. Information has been mailed to the service areas with upcoming vacant seats — Cambridge, City Home 1, City Home 2 and Live/ Work.
n There are many different paint colors used on the townhouse buildings throughout Baldwin Park. The Association touches up the building during the preventative maintenance once a year. If the building has been completely repainted once, the body of the building is painted in a product called AllGuard by Dow Corning. This is a silicone elastomeric coating system that has a 10-year warranty. n As the homeowner, you have some important responsibilities regarding the AllGuard, and failure to do so may void your warranty. Please note the following requirements: • Any action to pick, poke, tear or penetrate the painted surface will break the protective seal and may void the warranty. • Any pressure cleaning must be performed with pressure less than 1500 psi. • The only cleaning product specified for use is Simple Green. Most cleaning should be performed with only water and sponges. • Do not use harsh brushes or scraping tools. They will harm the surface.
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To touch up the body paint, you must be certified in the application by Dow Corning or you can void the warranty. The trim paint, door paint and concrete deck stain all can be found at the Winter Park Sherwin Williams store located at 1770 S.R. 436, Winter Park. Call the store at (407) 6770741.
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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN!
Bats in the belfry “
DENNY O’NEIL FORMER BALDWIN PARK RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
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You’ve got bats in your belfry!” That was a pretty common saying when I was a kid. It was used to disparage someone. I just got back from Australia. My daughter has lived there for a while, and at two of the places she has lived in Australia, a lot of large fruit bats are evident at dusk. We saw them at her current home. But I digress. Bats, erratically flying mammals, serve a useful purpose by catching and eating a lot of insects. In Florida, they eat insects that could do real damage to agricultural products. What is a belfry? It is a bell tower, usually on top of a church. So, where did the term “bats in the belfry” originate? It seems it started in use around the year 1900, when it showed up in newspaper articles about people who were, shall we say, “three bricks short of a full load,” “whose elevator doesn’t go to the top,” etc., or just generally disliked by the newspaper. Probably the term was used mostly about a politician or businessman the newspaper didn’t like. Bats have to live somewhere. Sometimes, it is in a belfry. Unfortunately — as several years ago a few Baldwin Park residents discovered to their dismay — “somewhere” was their attic. If you had them in your attic, what would you do? Some people would say, “get them out of there, yesterday.” Hint: The bats poop. I guess the correct language is to “exclude” the bats from a building by performing an “exclusion.” You hire someone to remove the bats and close up the existing entrances for them to get into the building. One problem: According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s four-month bat maternity
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
season begins April 16 and ends Aug. 16. During the season, no one can do exclusions to remove bats from buildings, because the bats are giving birth and raising their young. After the season, young bats fly and can get their own food, so the exclusions can take place. Thirteen species of bats call Florida home. Some of the species are threatened. Many bats call home natural sites like trees with cavities and peeling bark. Some live on dead fronds left on palms. Another home can be a bat house. To help with the issue, the Urban Orlando Community Development District has purchased three bat houses to be installed at some of their pond areas here in Baldwin Park. These bat houses will shelter up to 500 bats each. Also, Baldwin Park Elementary School is doing two decorative bat houses that will be installed on CDD-maintained areas in Baldwin Park. These decorative bat houses will be upscale and exclusive. Just kidding.
FITNESS CENTERS NEWS
The two ROA fitness centers were built as neighborhood gyms and were not intended to be state-ofthe-art exercise facilities. A few years ago, the ROA Board of Directors surveyed residents about their interest in going to stateof-the-art exercise facilities. The majority did not want to do it and felt residents who wanted to have the use of such a facility should join one of the gyms available in the area. The maintenance of the fitness centers is included in the semiannual ROA assessment that residents and apartment complexes pay. Any upgrade to a stateof-the-art exercise facility would involve significant construction costs, as well as new personnel costs (for fitness instructors). The use of personal trainers by
our residents has been problematic in the past and is prohibited by the ROA Board for that reason. Most of you know that there are rules concerning use of the two ROA fitness centers. Here is a summary of the rules: n Wear appropriate attire and footwear while exercising. n Use the cleaning supplies provided to wipe off equipment when you are finished. n No food is allowed in the exercise room. n Turn off TVs when finished. n No horseplay on equipment. n No loitering. n No personal trainers permitted. The ROA has installed the following new cardio equipment: treadmills, Les Mills Virtual Bike (spin bike), recumbent bike, arc trainer and ellipticals. New strength equipment is on order and may already be installed by the time you read this: n Bicep curl (both gyms) n Chest press (Grace Hopper Fitness Center only; replaced in the Enders Fitness Center in 2019) n Lat pulldown (both gyms) n Leg press (Grace Hopper Fitness Center only; replaced in the Enders Fitness Center in 2019) n Leg extension/curl dual piece (used to be two separate pieces; both gyms) n Hip abductor/adductor (both gyms) n Dual adjustable pulley (both gyms) n Smith machine with plates (rubber weight plates; both gyms) n Dumbbells and adjustable bench (Grace Hopper only; Enders has already) n Medicine balls (both gyms) n Stability balls (both gyms) n Mats for stretching (both gyms)
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
In the month of love, try the five love languages on your neighbors Remember the 1998 self-help book called “The Five Love Languages?” Author Gary Chapman outlined five ways to show love to your partner. Well, I figured these five pieces of advice could be expanded a bit, so I took some liberties. Consider these five love languages for thy neighbor.
BECCA SCHMIDT BALDWIN PARK LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt has lived in Baldwin Park since 2005 and has the pulse on neighborhood social gatherings. Check out the Groups and Gatherings section of baldwinpark.net for a list of Baldwin Parkbased groups. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa. com if you’d like to start a new group or have questions about how you can meet your neighbors.
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WORDS OF AFFIRMATION.
Chapman writes about keeping the love tank full. The love tank, of course, is an individual thing, but one common ingredient in everyone’s tank is the words we choose to use. Years ago, my coworker reminded fellow staff members (many times a day!) to “never say hate.” If someone in the office said, “I hate Monday morning meetings,” he’d pipe in, “Never say hate.” Yes, it was annoying sometimes, but you know what? It sank in, and now that word is rarely in my vocabulary. It feels good not only to avoid using the word hate but also to be conscious about the feeling itself! The word “hate” carries negative energy. It brings
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the room down. Imagine if, instead of saying to your neighbor, “I hate chinch bugs,” try, “Those chinch bugs can sure eat. … I’m going to get them under control.” See how much more positive and powerful that is?
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QUALITY TIME. When we conducted our residential survey last year, Baldwin Park residents were asked how they meet their neighbors. Believe it or not, one of the popular responses was … at the mailbox! When you’re collecting your mail next to your neighbor, create an opportunity (quality time) to engage in a conversation. “How was your weekend?” “We just saw the new Star Wars movie and loved it! Have you seen it?” “I smell something delicious cooking, is that coming from your house?” Just this extra time at the mailbox may open the door to make a lifelong friend!
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RECEIVING GIFTS. There
are limitless ways of sharing thoughtful gifts with the people in your neighborhood! If you’re in a book club or going to a person’s house for the first time, bring a bag of coffee or small bunch of flowers in a mason
jar. Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to bake heart-shaped cookies for everyone on your street!
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ACTS OF SERVICE. I love this one. Service has a powerful snowball effect. This month, set a goal of doing 10 simple acts of service a day! Toss the newspaper up onto your neighbor’s porch, pick up litter, open the door for the person going into the gym with you (and while you’re at the gym, wipe down your treadmill!), clip diaper coupons for new parents, bring a funny cartoon to your hairdresser or dentist. Help your fitness teacher put away workout equipment. Of course, you can move on to bigger acts such as buying a meal for the family at the table next to you in a restaurant, donating clothes and food or volunteering at one of our neighborhood schools or library bookstore. Provide a cup of coffee for each of the guys mowing your lawn. And, dare I say: If you have a truck, say yes to hauling a queen-sized bed for a friend! (We used to be that truck family!)
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PHYSICAL TOUCH. Have
you ever met a person who, when you reach out to shake their hand, says, “I don’t shake hands, I’m a hugger!” The act of hugging releases oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone.” A hug builds trust and a sense of safety. It lowers anxiety levels and healing for someone who is hurting. Plain and simple, a hug feels good. There is a quote from family therapist Virginia Satir who says, “We need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth.” Go hug someone. And happy Valentine’s Day!
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Community calendar FEB. 1
PARK LIFE FALCON 5K RUN/WALK 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Audubon Park K-8 School, 1500 Falcon Drive, Orlando. This annual community event, hosted by Park Life Orlando, will benefit the school. The race will begin and end at the campus and will weave through the Audubon Park neighborhoods. The race will be professionally timed, and award medals will be given out to the top winner in each age group. Event highlights include a race T-shirt while supplies last, finishers medal and swag bag. The event also includes a kids’ fun run. For more information, visit bit. ly/2TrIQ1v.
FEB. 5
PILATES FUSION 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Enders Park Gathering Room. Pilates Method Alliance-certified Baldwin Park resident Adriana Duarte Pontual is offering something new for Baldwin Park residents — a fusion of Pilates, yoga and ballet to work the body, mind and spirit and help build strength, increase flexibility and improve balance and coordination. Beginners are welcome. Take a mat. If you are interested in signing up for stretching classes, contact Adriana directly at adriana.tmrj@ gmail.com.
WALK AND ROLL SCHOOL BUS 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. This event is for Baldwin Park Elementary School students and their families. Tie up those laces for the next Walk ’n’ Roll, when the entire school community is encouraged to walk or bike to school. There will be participation prizes, a coffee bar and other fun surprises. Students and parents are encouraged to walk and roll on their own or join the “Walking School Bus,” where children and parents meet up at a designated stop and walk to school with volunteer chaperones. The walking school buses leave from Upper Union playground and Prospect park at 8:20 a.m., and from Enders Field at 8:10 a.m. For more information, visit bit.ly/2FP9IAN.
FEB. 7
BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY 9:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7. This event takes place through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/BaldwinPark-Kids-Club. FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in the Baldwin Park Village Center. First Friday is a monthly event where patrons can shop, stroll and sip their way through Baldwin Park’s beautiful Village Center. With
FEB. 1: OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, around Lake Baldwin. This event supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and proceeds will benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs. On-site registration will be held across from 2420 Lakemont Ave. at 7:30 a.m. on day of the walk. The opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m., and the walk will begin immediately after. Free parking is available behind the Traveler’s Building. This is a dog-friendly event. To register, donate or to learn more, visit outofthedarkness.org, contact walk coordinator Vicki Long at vlong. afsp@yahoo.com, or call her at (407) 646-2227.
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live music, free samples, food and drink specials (plus much more), there’s something for everyone at First Fridays. This free monthly event is open to the public and is both family- and pet-friendly. For more information on the First Friday series, please visit baldwinparkevents.com.
FRIDAY MORNING YOGA 8:30 a.m. Fridays, in the upstairs gathering room at Grace Hopper Hall. Focus on strength, balance, stability and endurance. This 50-minute class is for yoga enthusiasts of all fitness levels. Instructor Becca Schmidt has more than 15 years of teaching experience teaching group classes, workshops and private sessions. Classes are $7. Go to bluemoon.yoga or text (407) 276-3478 to reserve a spot in class.
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AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the American Lung Association’s Baldwin Park office, 851 Outer Road, Orlando. Those who are affected by lung cancer can come together; support topics range from educational to inspiriting. Dinner is available. For more, call (407) 425-5864 or email central@lungfla.org.
FEB. 12
THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE PARKS Meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The Rotary Club of the Parks is a diverse group of working professionals and neighbors that like to have fun while doing good in their community and the world. Visitors and guests are welcome. For more information and the current meeting location, email RotaryClubOfTheParks@gmail.com or
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visit our Facebook page for the latest events at facebook.com/ RotaryClubOfTheParksOrlando.
ORLANDO MARGARITA MADNESS 5K 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin. The Margarita Madness 5K Run/Walk is a unique, nighttime 5K fun run focused less on speed and more on margarita fun with friends and family. Participants must be 21 or older. For more, visit bit.ly/30oE1aH.
FEB. 15
QUACK ATTACK ON POVERTY 5K 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin. Looking for a fun and memorable way to make an impact in Central Florida? Join friends and neighbors to run, jog, stroll or roll 3.1 miles, all while wearing an inflatable, duck-shaped pool float around your waist. The goal of this one-of-a-kind 5K is to raise funds and awareness for the nonprofit United Against Poverty, whose mission is to inspire and empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency. For more information, visit quackattack.org.
PET FAIR-APY 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Blue Jacket Park. This event benefits the pet therapy program at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. There will be vendors, games, a DJ, a costume contest and more. Talia’s Legacy Pet Fair for Childhood Cancer is raising awareness for childhood cancer and bringing joy through the pet therapy program. To register, visit bit. ly/2RihMzm.
FEB. 20
TASTE OF BALDWIN PARK 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Baldwin Park Village Center. Taste of Baldwin Park makes an amazing, fun night out with friends, a date night or girls’ night happening in beautiful downtown Baldwin Park. All tickets include all-inclusive unlimited food and drink from 35 top vendors plus live music. This event benefits Caring By Sharing United. Tickets start at $37. For tickets and more information, visit bit.ly/357pRfS or email events@bebestevent.com.
SIXTH ANNUAL OCBA LAW DAY 5K 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Orlando Veteran’s Memorial Park, 2380 Lake Baldwin Lane. Orange County Bar Association, Inc.’s Law Day 5K Run/Walk is an event that supports free civil legal aid programs and attracts runners and walkers from the Orange County and Central Florida legal community. For more information, visit runsignup.com/ocbalawday5k.
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Spend $150 on your loved ones at Winter Park Village between February 10—13 and present your receipts at Soma, from 10AM—9PM *Purchases totaling at least $150 must be made at our shops and restaurants between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 13, 2020. Receipts must be presented on the above dates.
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NICK G I OVA N E T T I
Andrea Malinsky Mason loves sharing her story with others in hopes that it will resonate with and encourage them.
Danielle Hendrix
Spreading her wings Baldwin Park resident Andrea Malinsky Mason’s book ‘Chemical Butterfly’ contains her original collages and poems she inspired by her battle with Stage III metastatic breast cancer. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A
ndrea Malinsky Mason has been dealt a difficult hand of cards in life — one that would cause many to fold. Mason has battled multiple sclerosis, Stage III metastatic breast cancer and depression. She has weathered abusive relationships, an alcoholic spouse and divorce. But rather than letting her circumstances dictate her outlook on
life, Mason chose positivity. She grappled with obstacles but never let them stand in her way. Instead, she decided to share her story with others in the form of her own book, “Chemical Butterfly.”
THE DIAGNOSES
Mason has been a writer ever since she was young. She always was fascinated with literature, and her mother instilled in her a respect and appreciation for proper gram-
mar, spelling and penmanship. Those carried her through college, and it led to a career in corporate writing. “I worked for Revlon in New York City,” she says. “I started writing press releases and announcements, and eventually, I worked my way up to annual reports and writing speeches and presentations for Fortune 100 Continued on page 26 BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
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“
“It’s my desire that when people view my collages or read my poems, they realize they’re not alone in their struggles.” — ANDREA MALINSKY MASON
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Continued from page 25 CEOs. I always had a reverence for accurate, clear and compelling information.” Soon after her career took off, she experienced her first health crisis — a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at age 24. It came as a shock for Mason, who considers herself a health-conscious person. At the time, she thought it was easier to just push the symptoms to the side and hide them. “At that time, the world wasn’t as accommodating of people with disabilities,” she says. “I was working, traveling, well on my way to throwing the world off its axis, and then I got this surprise diagnosis, and I thought my life was over. The medication wasn’t very good then, and I ended up hiding it for fear of being ostracized. I hid it from everybody except my family and managed it for a long time.” After her stint in New York City she moved to Boston to work for TJX Companies. At age 31, she was diagnosed with Stage III metastatic breast cancer. “When you’re doing everything ‘right,’ and what everyone is telling you to do, and then you get handed these major health challenges, you just kind of have perpetual feelings of injustice,” she says. “(But) my life was never driven by fear. I always had the perspective of, ‘OK, what are we going to do? We can beat this.’” After learning she was a writer, many people Mason met during her grueling treatments told her she should write about her experience. But Mason had no desire to write about the long road she was traveling. Her feelings were complex and profound, and it was difficult to translate them into words on a page. That’s when she found collages. “I had never made a collage before in my life,” she says. “Like a madwoman, I was sitting on my floor ripping apart magazines and assembling shapes and colors, and for me, it was just an easier and quicker way to consolidate a very complex situation. After I finished them, I was relieved, and then I
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
“CHEMICAL BUTTERFLY” Andrea Malinsky Mason’s book, “Chemical Butterfly,” comprises a collection of her original poems and collages depicting her battle as a cancer survivor. She believes sharing her experiences and knowledge — as well as others sharing theirs — helps elevate awareness and their ability to be a positive influence for those also on the journey. Proceeds of sales from “Chemical Butterfly” merchandise support cancer survivor initiatives. For more information, visit andreamalinskymason.com or facebook.com/thetruechemicalbutterfly.
didn’t know what to do with them, so I put them in a file cabinet and never thought about them again.”
LIFE AFTER CANCER
Shortly after beating cancer, Mason found herself thrown back into what felt like a different version of reality than the one she had known before. After spending the bulk of two years in a cancer treatment center, she realized she was expected to go back to her previous life. But for Mason, her previous life no longer existed. “Everything in the world has changed and you have changed after battling cancer for so long,” she says. “Your innocence is gone, and it’s hard to fit back in. It is life-changing, and there are obstacles that cancer fighters face after their treatment is complete. First of all, you constantly live with this cloud over your head that, ‘I had cancer, and will I ever get it again?’ Plus, you’re marginalized for important things like employment, health insurance and life insurance. “It’s isolating and very lonely,” she says. “That’s when I had even more feelings of unfairness and betrayal, which caused me to re-
visit my collages and start writing poetry.” Mason describes her poems as honest, realistic, somewhat raw and reflective of the emotions she felt at the time. As her friends and family read the poems and saw the collages, they told her she should try to get them published. Her big break came when pediatric surgeon Dr. Bernie Siegel, who was writing a book, read one of her poems and asked if he could include it in the book. After joining him for some book signings, she decided to pull all of her collages and poems together into one unit. Between the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019, “Chemical Butterfly” was born. The poems and collages in the book are honest, in-depth evaluations of Mason and her journey. Some question her beliefs and self worth, while others highlight both her achievements and her failures. But out of the cocoon of cancer treatment emerged a butterfly. “I call it ‘Chemical Butterfly,’ because I was overwhelmed by how driven treatment was by the numbers of everything — your red blood cell count, your white blood cell count, how many treatments you have left, what’s your weight, what’s your height — everything was numbers,” she says. “I felt like I was just swimming in a sea of numbers. In addition, I felt like this lovely thing that’s being dissected and saturated in all these chemicals.” Mason enjoys speaking to groups and helping other people through her own experiences. She wants to expand upon “Chemical Butterfly” with more speaking opportunities and book signings. “I feel really good that I’m helping people,” she says. “In the end of all of this, I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything in the world. It made my heart grow bigger; it made me more aware of people’s struggles and challenges. … (Cancer is) a crushing blow can happen to anybody. Life doesn’t discriminate, but it’s not the challenges you’re faced with that define you. It’s how you respond to those challenges.”
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Groups & gatherings
Connect with like-minded neighbors. Choose from dozens of activities every month. For a complete list of groups, visit baldwinparknetwork.com. WRITERS’ BLOCK WRITING GROUP A group gathering for bloggers, writers, authors, poets and aspiring authors. This group will discuss many topics to help writers, like thinking outside the box, preventing stagnation, practicing new vocabulary words, research and more! You don’t have to be a published writer, but come with a desire to meet other writers and learn to hone your writing skills. Contact Rich at powerofselfentertainment@gmail.com.
BALDWIN PARK ART Baldwin Park’s art club is a mixture of art classes, studio tours and gallery openings for art lovers. It’s open to everyone; see what’s happening in February! Contact Pat at plremingt@gmail. com. BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB Activities for children ages infant to 5 years old. Parents and kids enjoy a variety of casual get-togethers, including story time, play dates, park picnics, mom’s night out and more. Join the Valentine’s Day party in Union Park on Friday, Feb. 7, with food and crafts! For details, contact bpkidsclub1@gmail.com. COOKING AROUND THE WORLD Learn the artful craft of cooking ethnic foods and much more! Every meeting features edible, hands-on demonstrations. Free for all members, but space is limited. Contact Dianne at dianne. brownmorin@gmail.com.
NEW! WOMEN INNOVATORS NETWORK
WIN! This brand-new group is for Baldwin Park women who operated their own business, big or small. Come for lunch to exchange ideas, support each other and hear guest speakers. Reservations can be made by contacting Bekah at beautifiedby28bekah@gmail.com. BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
NEW! GUYS NIGHT OUT
This is a brand-new, sports bar guys’ group. Come out to Tactical Brewing for the playoff games and a friendly chili-making competition! Three prizes will be awarded for the most unusual ingredients (elk, anyone?), the hottest chili and overall favorite. For February’s game night schedule, contact Craig at cgile@cfl.rr.com.
CRUISE AND TRAVEL Hear guest speakers, share travel tips and plan group travel in this popular Baldwin Park group. Contact Kathleen at kmpeters2009@gmail.com. ETHNIC FOOD ENTHUSIASTS Craving global cuisine? Explore an epicurean eatery every month. Experience a chef talk or food flights and bites at local restaurants. Singles and residents new to the area are encouraged to jump in and enjoy food and conversation. Contact Shannon at sfaith14@gmail.com. NEW! GAMES GALORE Adults are invited to play a variety of games on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Grace Hopper Hall. Try some new games like Settlers of Catan, Scattegories, King of Tokyo and some of the old favorites like Pictionary and trivia contests. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Contact Robyn at rhzgrodin@gmail.com. MAHJONG Ready, set, play Mahjong. Mahjong is a tile-based game played by four people at a time. New players at all levels are welcome. Contact Christopher at cfc106@ gmail.com.
MIGHTY MOMS STROLLER WALKS The mission of this group is to get Baldwin Park moms together doing something good for themselves while building friendships. The group meets at the flagpole in the Village Center on various days for walks around the lake. Children must be willing to sit in a stroller or be worn for the duration of the walk. Contact Dana at dana@drobinfitness.com. NIFTY FIFTIES PLUS Socials for active couples and singles, age 50 and up, meet several times a month for a variety of social activities including ladies coffee, happy hour, luncheons, parties and more. Reach out to niftyfiftiesplus@ gmail.com. NOVEMBER PROJECT Unlike the name, this group meets all year round. Run, squat, plank and laugh while you work out with this all-levels fitness group. Meets at 6:29 a.m. every Wednesday at Harbor Park. Contact Dyani at novemberprojectorlando@gmail.com. PICKUP BASKETBALL Basketball enthusiasts meet at Blue Jacket Park basketball courts at 8:15 a.m. Saturdays for five-on-five play. Contact Rick at rickschreiber2@gmail.com. WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? Novice tennis players are seeking other beginner level tennis players to practicing hitting, serving and improving their game without keeping score. Amateur players are encouraged to come out to Glenridge Middle School and get some exercise in a non-competitive atmosphere. Tennis balls and drinks are provided, but players should have their own racquet. As the group expands, a tennis coach will come out and provide free lessons. Contact Ceci at crmdesign@yahoo.com.
BOOK CLUBS
All book clubs listed below welcome new members! Find the day of the week and type of book that best suits you. Book Clubs meet once a month at a member’s home. BOOK BUDS This fiction book club welcomes new members. This group will meet on Feb. 18 to discuss the book “The Perfect Couple.” Book Buds meet at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at various members’ homes. Contact Audean at audean63@gmail.com. HOOKED ON BOOKS This club is welcoming new members who love fiction. It meets on Mondays at various members’ homes. For February’s book selection and location for its gathering, contact
YARN CIRCLE FOR A CAUSE This month, the Yarn Circle is knitting and crocheting pouches for kangaroos and koalas to help in the rescue effort of the animals of Australia. Throughout the year, the club works on projects for charitable causes. Yarn Circle meets at various members’ homes. For details about February’s time and location, contact Dawn at finddawn@gmail.com.
Melissa at melissajay522@ gmail.com. REAL DEAL NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB This group reads and discusses biographies, memoirs, business books and contemporary non-fiction. For February’s book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Kathy at klhgibbons@gmail. com. PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB This club meets on the second Monday of each month to discuss a variety of books. New participants are always welcome! Ask about the next book selection and the location of the February meeting by contacting Genie at bsrocky@ hotmail.com.
What kind of Baldwin Park residents’ group would you like to join? Community service? Golf? Single moms and dads? Empty nesters? Sailing? Cigar club? Optimist club? Speakers round table? Wine tasting? Frisbee football? Friends of animals? If you don’t see your interests reflected in the groups listed here, consider spearheading a new group. Contact Becca Schmidt at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com for directions on how to get started.
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Danielle Hendrix
Baldwin Park residents AJ Campofiore and Francisco ‘Chico’ Mendonça brought Bem Bom’s brick-and-mortar location to life in late 2018.
The ‘good good’ life Over the years, Baldwin Park alleyway neighbors AJ Campofiore and Francisco ‘Chico’ Mendonça’s friendship allowed them to cultivate a vision for their Corrine Drive restaurant, Bem Bom. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
W
hen two Baldwin Park residents first met in the alley between their homes years ago, they had no idea their budding friendship would lead to them becoming restaurateurs. AJ Campofiore and Francisco “Chico” Mendonça are the business partners behind Bem Bom, a Mexican and Portuguese restaurant on Corrine Drive. They also
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
happen to be neighbors connected by an alleyway between their homes. Campofiore and Mendonça both moved their families to Baldwin Park in 2011. Campofiore, Bem Bom’s managing partner, is originally from Connecticut. Mendonça, Bem Bom’s chef and founder, was raised in Portugal but moved to Baldwin Park from Dallas, Texas. Mendonça, a classically trained French chef with more than 25 years of experience in culinary arts, moved to the Orlando area to
help open another local restaurant. He soon realized he was meant to create his own concept. That’s when Bem Bom — which means “good good” in Portuguese — was born. “I said, ‘I want to do something that I can depend on myself and don’t have to answer to anybody,’” he says. “I’m just going to serve what I want to serve and let the customer dictate whether they like it or not. Food trucks were just starting in Orlando. … I was looking at them and saying, ‘What kind of business could I do for myself?’ People seemed to have fun with the food trucks. I said, ‘That’s really amazing.’ It was only its infancy in Orlando.” He and his wife bought their first food truck soon, and Bem Bom
quickly grew a large base of loyal customers. Drawing on his culinary training, Mendonça decided to offer both Mexican and Portuguese cuisine inspired by both countries’ fresh, traditional fare. The food truck was a huge success, and many customers who visit Bem Bom’s brick-and-mortar location today began eating Mendonça’s cuisine when he first introduced his food truck. But little did he know that some of the most exciting — and some of the most grueling — chapters in Bem Bom’s book were yet to come.
BALDWIN PARK TO BEM BOM Growing up as neighbors in Baldwin Park, Campofiore and Mendonça’s children played together frequently. It was only natural that their parents became good friends, too. “The husbands and wives would hang out when Chico wasn’t working and I wasn’t traveling for work,” Campofiore says. “We’d socialize and have cocktails. We’d throw these big back alley parties; we’d have live music and the food truck. It was fun times.” Campofiore, an entrepreneur at heart, had previously owned concepts, while Mendonça had the restaurant experience. Soon, Campofiore and Mendonça began formulating a plan to expand Bem Bom’s reach in the community. On New Year’s Day in 2016, Campofiore signed the lease for the restaurant’s location on Corrine Drive. Things were moving along, but little did the two know what was in store for them. It began with circulating through a few different contractors for various reasons. There were many roadblocks along the way. “We were coming across all this stuff; it was crazy,” Campofiore says. “The clock kept ticking, and the worst thing for us was we didn’t own the building. We paid rent, lights, insurance, everything. … Everything that could happen did happen.” Between acquiring all the proper permitting, hiccups with contractors and the overall extensive
BEM BOM 3101 Corrine Drive, Orlando PHONE: (407) 960-5101 HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays WEBSITE: bembomfood.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ bembononcorrine INSTAGRAM: @bembomoncorrine TWITTER: @bembomfood
THREE TO TRY n Piri-piri chicken — Marinated for 24 to 48 hours in Bem Bom’s piri-piri marinade and served with fries and a small salad. Comes with choice of sauce. n Smoked chicken enchiladas — Apple, smoked chicken, onion and Monterrey Jack on a corn tortilla. Served with daily rice and black beans, and topped with one or two sauces: tomatillo or guajillo. n Mango painted fish tacos — Two tacos served with Bem Bom slaw, avocado, mango paint, serrano, piri-piri and radish.
renovation, Bem Bom’s timeline to opening kept stretching longer and longer. Additionally, the building it’s housed in previously was a bank — thick, solid steel and cement that once served the purpose of security were part of the construction woes to be worked around. In August 2018, it finally was time to open. “We open the doors to a great crowd of people, full house, buzz and excitement,” Campofiore says. Then, they ran into issues with the point-of-sales system that forced them to close within two hours of opening. They fixed the system that night and were ready to reopen the next day. “Fortunately for us we had a strong friendship, because the pitfalls we hit trying to open this place was the Titanic hitting the iceberg multiple times — but it didn’t sink,”
Campofiore says. “We just kept persevering. …We had help from people along the way. Those at our core never gave up on us — people believed in us.”
COMPLEMENTARY COMBINATION Those who visit or are familiar with Bem Bom know it radiates a vibrant and lively atmosphere. One wall is a collage, handmade by Mendonça, of various wine boxes. Another features Mexican ceramic tiles arranged in meticulous patterns. There’s a pink wall, a marbled kitchen counter and an outdoor patio with string lights. But the driving factor, Campofiore says, always will be Mendonça’s food. Bem Bom’s menu sources from local farmers and fishermen and imports flavor-packed ingredients. The menu offers everything from piri-piri chicken, enchiladas and lamb burgers to quesadillas, tacos and various sandwiches. “Knowing him and the way he cooked and the kind of chef he is, I wanted people to experience what he does outside of that food-truck environment, because he’s very talented,” he says. “A lot of food trucks are built by successful, seasoned chefs. When it came time to talk about a brick-and-mortar store … from a business standpoint, it’s a no-brainer. “I couldn’t be happier for him,” Campofiore says. “He’s very talented, and I like when people appreciate what he does. … I knew they needed to see what this guy could do, and here we are a year-and-ahalf later, and they love what he does.” Mendonça says he and Campofiore complement one another with their respective knowledge and talents. Mendonça likes to cook and is glad Campofiore takes care of the logistics. “We wanted to open a restaurant, do business, have fun … and serve the community,” Mendonça says. “The best part for me was opening the doors. That was the happiest day. The community around here knew our struggles … and they stuck by us.”
“
We wanted to open a restaurant, do business, have fun … and serve the community. The best part for me was opening the doors. That was the happiest day.” — FRANCISCO “CHICO” MENDONÇA
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
31
Danielle Hendrix
Glenridge Middle students are thrilled to have access to virtual reality headsets.
Funding excellence Glenridge Middle Lions Pride Fund
co-chairs are celebrating this school year’s accomplishments and hope to ramp up fundraising momentum in 2020. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
T
he ability to offer the latest technology and rigorous academic and arts programs comes at a cost. At Glenridge Middle, that cost can be hefty — especially considering the thousands of dollars in International Baccalaureate program dues paid each year. But for those involved with the
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
Lions Pride Fund — and the Glenridge community at large — their children are worth every penny invested. The fund’s main purpose is to ensure an exceptional educational experience for all students at Glenridge Middle School by raising funds from parents and local businesses to make improvements to the school. At the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, Baldwin Park residents Robyn Bowers and Wendi Moses took on the task of co-chairing the fund with the intent of helping make the school the best it can be. This school year alone, Glenridge students and teachers have enjoyed the fruits of the labor poured into the Lions Pride Fund. From new, state-of-the-art pieces of technology to instruments and bandstands, everything helps teachers equip their students for success. And although the duo says the fund has gained traction this year, there is still a long way to go to hit the fund’s $65,000 end-of-year goal. To date, that number is about $37,000. After all, the physical education
department is in need of a new volleyball net. The current one being used was purchased in 2003. Additionally, there always is something the school can use that might not necessarily be funded by the district. “We are a public school and … we are one of the biggest middle schools in the county,” says Bowers, who works as the 504 and testing coordinator at Glenridge. “But middle school, it’s those crucial years. It’s the years where you find yourself, but parents tend to back away a little bit (after elementary school), and they forget we have so many students of different ethnicities and ages. We’re an IB school, (so) we also offer foreign language and the arts, so those funds that we get can help fund all those extracurricular activities and electives that we have and make it better.” “Everybody loves that Glenridge is an IB school, and the truth is we couldn’t be an IB school without the Lions Pride Fund,” Moses says. “I think the community loves that we’re an IB school but doesn’t necessarily always know that it’s because we’re paying for this.”
the best technology and equipment possible for Glenridge students. The volleyball net currently is the most urgent need, and every dollar makes a difference. Donors who give $500 or more for the 2019-20 school year will be recognized in a donor list published in Principal Dr. Chris Camacho’s e-newsletter, as well as on the fund’s Facebook page, Instagram and on the school marquee. “I want to make Glenridge the best it could possibly be,” Bowers says. “I really decided to take this job because I love the school, I love working there. I live in Baldwin Park, my kids are going to go to Glenridge, so I really decided to do this so it could be the best school it could possibly be. Whether somebody gives 50 cents or $100, every little thing makes a difference. “When the teachers are happy, the kids are happy,” Bowers says. “When the teachers feel respected and appreciated and you give them what they really need, it makes their life easier.”
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Glenridge Middle School and the Lions Pride Fund need your support to help them reach their $65,000 fundraising goal for the 2019-20 school year. The fund’s current priority is a new volleyball net. Funds also will be used for teachers’ IB trainings, volleyball and track uniforms, STEM equipment and other necessities for the arts and sports. To learn more or to contribute, visit bit. ly/35SyCde. Facebook: facebook.com/GlenridgeLionsPride Instagram: @LionsPrideFund Email: GMSLionsPrideFund@gmail. com
2020 is all about keeping the momentum going for the Lions Pride Fund. “This year is new, and the Lions Pride Fund is not new, but we’re trying to revamp it,” Bowers says. “Every year, we hope that it gets better and better. We want to try to get parents more involved. … The donations that are collected, 100% goes back into the school for whatever we need.” Moses added she and Bowers, along with the parents who serve on the Lions Pride Fund’s board, make a great team. “We complement each other well,” she says. “Robyn reached out to the whole staff to find out what was needed and that’s how we chose our goals, based on what was needed. … (The fund) has purchased a variety of 3-D printer filaments, LEGO Mindstorm robots, coding robots, and we just purchased not too long ago badminton sets for P.E. We’re pretty much focusing on technology, IB dues, training and the arts, including music and P.E.” The duo hopes to be able to recruit more sponsors to help provide
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Aside from paying the annual IB dues in August, the Lions Pride Fund was able to purchase 32 virtual reality headsets. That also included the purchase of a special course code, which allowed for the creation of a brand-new class focused on virtual reality technology. The virtual reality lab and new curriculum allow students to create virtual reality games, among other things. That alone cost more than $10,000, Bowers said. “We ordered all those and took care of that during the summer, so the first week of school, those were already able to be in place,” Bowers says. “It’s been wonderful. I know one of my friends’ kids who just started (the class) on Tuesday, she said on Wednesday the teacher did this underwater thing with the virtual reality headsets and she loved it.” Bowers added the fund has purchased 75 bandstands, two 3-D printers, three violins and some strings to go along with them this school year. But with the holidays and the season of giving now in the rearview,
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KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE
Dr. Phil or Dr. No? How much personalization is too much? R
ecently, a property owned by TV’s Dr. Phil McGraw hit the market, and it caused quite a stir on social media. Standout features within the home include vines … on the staircase, in the chandelier, at the gate. Not real vines, of course, but dramatic nonetheless. EclecCHRISTINA RORDAM tic modern art can be found in FLORIDA REALTY every room, and the dining area INVESTMENTS showcases a wall of guns and Christina Rordam is a local black flooring. Did I mention the Realtor and a member of bar in the entryway, complete ORRAs Top Producer Club. with stools fashioned to look For more, visit christilike tree stumps? The home is nasellsorlando.com. said to be occupied by McGraw’s son Jordan and definitely has a distinctive aesthetic. Seeing the very polarized reactions online made me wonder, “How much personalization is too much?” The McGraw estate I mentioned is a multimillion-dollar home, listed at time of writing at $5.75 million by Billy Dolan of Hilton and Hyland. Customization is a key criteria for luxury real estate, and chances are good the next owner of the estate will renovate the home to their own specifications regardless of the current finishes. And although I’ve never personally had the urge to redecorate my home to resemble a mashup of “Lord of the Rings” and “Pulp Fiction,” I say, “More power to you, Jordan McGraw!” So, how many vine-themed — or anything-themed — items in a home is too many? Is too much never enough? Certainly one design type will not suit all potential buyers. And a whole house painted beige and lacking personality may not appeal to those without a vision, so in ideal scenarios, some interior
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flair is helpful. But where do sellers draw the line when preparing their homes to sell?
GOING VIRAL?
With the increase in digital marketing, some owners and Realtors have sought to take advantage of the viral potential of photos on the internet. In recent years, I’ve seen listing photos featuring mannequins in every room and hanging from the ceiling, a person dressed as Ghostface from the “Scream movies” and other bizarre themes. The idea behind this is that the photos are so unique that they will be shared thousands of times or more, thereby creating a viral spread of the listing on social media. Mannequins and a person in a costume are not permanent, but how about a brightly colored ’90s-style manse? Rather than update their home, some owners placed their peak ’90s decorated property online just as it was and it, too, went viral. Sales — in many regards — is a numbers game, so the more people who know about the listing, the better. Hyper-personalized homes and marketing will
At the end of the day, you have to live in the home, and only you and your family can determine if personalizing the home is worth it for you.
undoubtedly shock some potential owners a bit too much and deter them, but when everyone on Twitter is talking about your home, you probably don’t care.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Ultimately, it all comes down to supply and demand. Are homes in your location highly sought after, or do they languish on the market if not move-in ready? If necessary, would you have the resources to de-personalize your property to sell it? If you are hoping to use your home as an Airbnb, keeping that ’90s theme could increase bookings, and the sale of that home could be marketed to those hoping to rent it out in that way. Properties that are hyper-specific in their features may take longer to sell in some cases, so the speed that you need to move the home should be considered as well. Is that mural of dogs playing poker in your game room important enough that you are willing to have it painted over when you move? At the end of the day, you have to live in the home, and only you and your family can determine if personalizing the home is worth it for you. One thing I would caution against — unless you are in an area of very high demand or are willing to fix later — are structural customizations such as removing bedrooms, closets and other useful parts of the home. If most homes in your neighborhood feature three to four bedrooms and you combine rooms — making it a two-bedroom home — you could decrease its usefulness or value for the next owner.
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WHAT’S SELLING 1631 LAKEMONT AVE., ORLANDO SALE PRICE: $375,000 SQUARE FEET: 1,990 BEDROOMS: Three BATHS: 3.5
DETAILS: This three-story townhouse is located in the heart of Baldwin Park. The downstairs bedroom and full bath are perfect for a teenager, guests or home office. There are hardwood floors throughout the main floor and a custom wood-and-iron staircase, as well as cherry cabinets with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen. The master bedroom and an additional bedroom are on the third floor. Upgraded features include plantation shutters, crown molding and taller baseboards.
Alan Fraebel
LISTING AGENT: Lisa Fleming, Fannie Hillman and Associates SELLING AGENT: Gina Carbonetti, Home Again Realty LLC
1831 MEETING PLACE, ORLANDO SALE PRICE: $429,775 SQUARE FEET: 1,932 BEDROOMS: Three BATHS: 3.5
AO Photos
LISTING AGENT: Justin Yvonne Wiechart LLC, Starlink Realty SELLING AGENT: Devonna Craner, Robles Realty
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DETAILS: This Spanish-Mediterranean-style townhouse is in a central location overlooking Corrine Commons. The upgraded, three-story David Weekley home has high ceilings throughout with an open floor plan, ideal for entertaining with double front porches. Each bedroom suite features a walk-in closet and attached full bathroom, as well as a powder room off the kitchen. The bright and airy kitchen, dining and living room combo is located on the second floor with tile in wet areas, cabinetry and wood floors.
• ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY SUPPORT • SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION
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Interior & exterior repairs
ASSISTED LIVING
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DOORS KITCHENS ROTTEN WOOD BATHROOMS DRYWALL REPAIRS
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Gracious hospitality within comfortable and elegant surroundings at two conveniently located communities. Offering a full range of supportive services. Call today to arrange a visit!
Senior Discounts I Licensed & Insured SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION
1301 W. Maitland Boulevard
407.645.3990
www.SavannahCourtMaitland.com Assisted Living Facility License No. 8367, 10704 Skilled Nursing Facility License No. 16290951 ©2019, SLM Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
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740 N. Wymore Road
(407) 310-1967 allhomerepairsfl.com
407.628.0123
www.SavannahGrandMaitland.com Community
HANDYMAN TAKES ALL THE HOUSE PAIN AWAY!
3 LOTS ON ANZLE DRIVE| WINTER PARK
PRICED INDIVIDUALLY OR IN COMBINATION, TOTALING 20,044 SF
Winter Park Hospital
LOU SUPOWITZ, GKC 243 West Park Avenue Winter Park, Florida 32789 www.KellyPriceandCompany.com
REALTOR | TOP 10 PRODUCER DIRECT: 407.415.0338 OFFICE: 407.645.4321 BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
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Left: Ainsley Barrows, Katherine Brown, Madelyn Barrows, and Valentina and Isabella De Liz sold snacks for the fifth-grade fundraiser. Below: Eloah and Bennah Macedo were happy to have some popcorn to munch on.
BALDWIN PARK ELEMENTARY’S MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LAWN Lawn chairs, blankets and glow sticks were scattered around the field at Baldwin Park Elementary School Friday, Jan. 10, for a movie night on the lawn. The event served as a fundraiser for the fifth-grade party. Dozens of children and their families were excited to see “Toy Story 4” projected on a large outdoor screen. Fifth-graders sold popcorn, candy and water as part of their fundraising efforts.
— DANIELLE HENDRIX
Above: Tyler Rowan, Jude Conner and Liam Orlowski were ready to volunteer. Left: Leann Kwong brought her son, Jaden, out for a fun movie night. PTA members Brie Sands, Ashley Brown and Jessica Barrows helped make the night a success.
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FEATURED PROPERTIES This Charleston single style home is located inside the Baldwin Park neighborhood and sits on one of the few quiet cul-de-sacs within the neighborhood. A 3/3.5 home offering a spacious and open floor plan perfect for entertaining. The foyer opens to a large formal living/dining room combo with gorgeous hardwood floors throughout. The kitchen is appointed with custom white cabinets, beautiful tile backsplash, granite countertops, and new stainless steel appliances plus a breakfast bar, all overlooking the family room and flooded with natural light. New side deck and pergola. Downstairs master suite with crown molding and 2 walk in closets. Upstairs features 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a bonus room that could easily be converted into a 4th bedroom. Great loft area for a home office space or exercise area and leads to the outdoor covered porch. Plenty of closets and storage for all your needs. Rear access 2 car garage with long driveway that is a rare find. Amazing location to schools, neighborhood parks, playground, pool and fitness center, as well as downtown Baldwin Park and all it has to offer!
2018 Award Winner of “Real Estate Agency Neighborhood Favorite” by Nextdoor Baldwin Park 2017 Ovations Award Winner for “Best Real Estate Agency” by the Winter Park/ Maitland Observer Readers
• One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors in 2019
Asking $689,000
W
E
Two story David Weekley home overlooks one of Baldwin Park’s private mews parks. The 4 bed/3.5 bath home features beautiful hardwood floors throughout the downstairs and a light and bright kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances and a large center island. All bedrooms are upstairs plus a bonus room/loft area and the upstairs laundry room. Master bedroom suite includes a gorgeous spacious bath and large walkin closet. Nice fenced in backyard area with pavers. Within walking distance to one of the neighborhood’s pools and playgrounds.
• Highest Sales Volume in New Construction in 2013 • Ranked Top Producer since 2002 • Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004
Asking $624,000
WHAT’S SELLING Traditional David Weekley Amina floor plan offers a beautiful brick front porch and open floor plan. This 4/3.5 home features wood floors and plantation shutters throughout, as well as upgraded cabinetry in the kitchen and master bath. Open kitchen overlooking a great room with two story high ceilings. Downstairs master suite and 3 additional bedrooms are upstairs plus a nice sized loft area, making this home perfect for any family. Large upstairs front balcony off of two of the three upstairs guest bedrooms. The backyard is perfect for entertaining with its oversized brick patio and lush landscape and just steps away from Blue Jacket Park.
Sold for $750,000
This Baldwin Park beauty was custom built by Rex-Tibbs and sits on an oversized corner lot, overlooking a beautiful park setting that is one of the best in the neighborhood. With 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths, this home boosts almost 6200 SF of living space with a spacious floor plan featuring refinished wood floors, beautiful ceilings, trim and moldings. Gorgeous chef’s kitchen with Wolf appliances and custom cabinetry with a large island and wine refrigerator. Enormous downstairs master suite overlooks the custom built resort like saltwater pool and spa. Downstairs is another bedroom, that would make a great office, nursery or guest bedroom with its beautiful built-ins and full bath nearby. Upstairs are 3 full bedrooms, each with a walkin closet and private bath. Large playroom area is perfect for the family’s needs as well as the fully equipped theater room that seats six. 1 bed/1 bath apartment over the 2 car garage. Lovely covered porches and summer kitchen plus separate pool house with full bath is perfect for your home gym.
Sold for $1,476,870
Lisa Fleming
407.644.1234 321.228.8341 cell Lisa@fanniehillman.com “The Right Representation All| the Difference” BALDWINMakes PARK LIVING FEBRUARY 2020 39
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• Highest Sales Volume in Townhomes in 2015
EX PL ORE
YO U R
NEXT
DESTINATION Announcing Bristol Landing at The Mayflower: WHERE YOUR LIFE PLAN COMES WITH ITS OWN CLUB HOUSE Architect's rendering, subject to change.
The Mayflower has long been Winter Park’s premier senior-living destination. And now, the best is getting even better! We’ll soon be breaking ground for a brand-new neighborhood with spacious waterview residences, a state-of-the-art Health Center and a stunning Club House with an open-kitchen concept, lounge area and bar, game room, video room and al fresco dining. Oh, and did we mention: brick-oven pizza and beer on tap? Discover The NEW Mayflower – where you’ll find worlds of opportunity and still have the assurance of onsite, quality long-term care. Call us at 407.672.1620 to learn more. Only a limited number of residences are going to be built – and they will go quickly. Don’t miss the boat!
VOTED “BEST SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY” — Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
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407.672.1620
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THEMAYFLOWER.COM 88141 PRAD BPL 2/2020
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1620 MAYFLOWER COURT | WINTER PARK, FL 32792 40 BALDWIN PARK LIVING | FEBRUARY 2020
