Baldwin Park Living May 2020 by Orange Observer

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING MAY 2020

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

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Kimberley R. Gernert

YO!"U!” helpYOU o help re tto hehere "I'm “I’m Baldwin Park Expert Baldwin Park Resident for over 15 years Ranked in Top Producer Magazine since 2015

2366 MEETING PLACE

Keller Williams Winter Park Luxury Division Member; Gold Key Certified Orlando 5 Star Professional Realtor by Orlando Style Magazine 3 years running (2017-2019)

SOLD for

Another Happy Client!

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SOLD

“Charles and I take great pleasure in highly recommending our outstanding realtor, Kimberley Gernert. When we decided to sell our home, there was no question who we would choose to help us. Kimberley was extremely e Plac diligent, energetic professional. She was ingand Meet 2633 in constant contact, guiding us through every baths 4.2our 4 bed step of selling home. As a result of her Pool hardSalt workwater we had 3 offers in the first three or Kitche FullonOutdo days the market and n our home sold above rds and I would not Large SideYa our2 asking price! Charles consider anyone else when selling a home.

SOLD

625 Lake Baldwin Lane

1878 Meeting Place

3 bedroom 2 bath Lovely Courtyard 2 Car Garage

3 bedroom 2.5 bath Bonus Room Great Courtyard with Pool

I earted, then kind-h is simply the best! ” experienced, professional, savvy andShe "If you are looking for a Realtor who is knowledgeable, to t marke the te naviga ically strateg us helped She rt. Gerne rley Kimbe mend recom y ivocall unequ strongly and every Charles andstep JaneofB. good-natured wit alleviated stress find a home for our lifestyle. Her professionalism, enthusiasm and sailing h smoot ly certain was It . the month the way. Then, she turned around and sold our current home within genuinely cares about clients and their who ne someo with hands good such in were we ng knowi and so nice families." KMP of Winter Park / Baldwin Park, FL

Kimberley Reed Gernert Real Estate

81-5701

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Kimberleyrg@kw.com

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Kimberley R. Gernert (423) 381 - 5701 KimberleyRG@kw.com

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

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JACQUELINE HUGHES JACQUELINE HUGHES JACQUELINE HUGHES 407.247.0030 407.247.0030 407.247.0030 Jacqueline.Hughes@PremierSIR.com Jacqueline.Hughes@PremierSIR.com Jacqueline.Hughes@PremierSIR.com JacquelineHughes.PremierSothebysRealty.com JacquelineHughes.PremierSothebysRealty.com JacquelineHughes.PremierSothebysRealty.com 5977-231050 baldwin park half page copy.pdf

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CONTENTS

MAY 2020

DEPARTMENTS 8 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders. 12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Will Campbell shares ways to adapt to our new normal. 14 FROM THE COVER Mike Lynch has been playing sunset gigs from his balcony.

14 16 GROUPS & GATHERINGS Looking to connect? Find your perfect group here. 18 AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Learn how your neighbors are finding the good in each day.

THE MASK TASK

21 6

LABOR OF LOVE Residents make face masks and ear savers for those helping to fight COVID-19.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

24 READY TO RECYCLE A Glenridge Middle student’s project brings recycling bins. 27 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE What’s in store for the Orlando market as we face COVID-19? 28 WHAT’S SELLING See two homes that sold recently in Baldwin Park.

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING MAY 2020

Editor and Publisher — Michael Eng meng@orangeobserver.com

2091 Shaw Lane

EDITORIAL Design Editor — Jessica Eng jeng@orangeobserver.com Associate Editor — Danielle Hendrix dhendrix@orangeobserver.com Contributors Denny O’Neil Christina Rordam Becca Schmidt

ADVERTISING Advertising Executive — Ann Carpenter acarpenter@orangeobserver.com

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.

Under contract in 3 days! Call me for results. JANICE COX c 407.990.5885 | c 505.920.4774 Janice.Cox@PremierSIR.com JaniceCox.PremierSothebysRealty.com

233 West Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789

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CONTACT

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.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING BY STACEY FRYREAR

The March 24 regular meeting was canceled. The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month.

FACILITY UPDATES n The three playgrounds located within Baldwin Park have been closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 based upon the CDC’s guidelines on social distancing to remain 6 feet apart and in groups of fewer than 10 people.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

GREGORY BREWSTER

regory Brewster joined Sentry Management’s staff in July 2017. He is responsible for the upkeep of the Baldwin Park Neighborhood Office area, also known as MUNSA (Mixed Use Neighborhood Service Area), which comprises professional offices whose façades give the district a residential feel. His duties include parking lot maintenance, litter and trash removal, light repairs and painting, among other things, in the area that encompasses the southern portion of the community between Lake Baldwin Lane and Outer Road. Brewster received Sentry Management’s Foundation Service Award for Maintenance in 2019. “He always has a smile on his face,” Community Director Susan Comisky said. “He takes pride in his work and being a Sentry employee, he embraces the honor to serve the Baldwin Park community, and with all interactions he shows kindness, professionalism and timely resolution.” The award recognizes employees who regularly

n Gathering room/pavilion reservations have been suspended at this time. n Association offices are closed to walk-in traffic, but Sentry Management staff is still on-site managing the day-to-day operations but practicing social distancing. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call (407) 740-5838 or use the Baldwin

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING BY MELISSA PARKER

The March 19 Townhome Service Area Committee meeting was canceled. A copy of previous official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

UPDATES

go above and beyond and exemplify (Sentry Management’s) Foundations Principles) on a regular basis. Prior to joining the maintenance team, Brewster worked in the retail industry, which helped him gain many years of customer-service experience. He has always enjoyed working with and around people. Brewster was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived in Florida for 15 years. He has eight siblings: one brother and seven sisters. When he is not working, he enjoys being part of or around a variety of big events such as at Disney World, big events surrounding holidays and First Friday in Baldwin Park.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

n BrightView is continuing to remove leaves in all service areas, but this process has slowed down since the leaves falling has started to decline. n BrightView has started the annual tree trimming in all service areas. This project ran through the entire month of April. n BrightView irrigation technicians have performed monthly inspections in all service areas. n Per DRS Inc., the townhome painting schedule for 2020 is as follows: City 1, City 4 and Live/ Work. n Per DRS Inc. the townhome maintenance schedule for 2020 is as follows: City 2 (April), Mattamy (May), City 4 (June), Issa 28 (July), Live/Work (September), Issa 22 (October) and Cambridge (November).

Park Services App to report maintenance issues pertaining to common areas or townhomes. Condominium owners should contact individual management companies. Apartment dwellers should contact individual management companies. n The ROA Board will continue to keep residents updated with any changes as they might occur.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOUSE OWNERS Do you need proof of fire sprinkler protection in your townhome for your insurance company? If so, you can contact Melissa Parker at mparker@baldwinparkpoa.com requesting this certificate. Please include your property address during your request via email. The association manages the fire sprinkler systems for all service areas, except for ISSA 22 & ISSA 28. ISSA 22 & ISSA 28 service areas are maintained by the individual homeowners. In addition, if you should experience an issue or hear any type of uncommon sounds coming from the fire panel, please direct those issues to Melissa Parker so she can get in to contact with United Fire or Wayne Automatic for assistance.

BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. BY ANTHONY MADDOX

VILLAGE CENTER UPDATES n The Majesticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior repainting project of buildings located at 4828, 4884, 4815 and 4887 New Broad St. and retail on the ground floor has been placed on a temporary hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. n The re-seal and re-striping of the commercial parking lots has been postponed to an undetermined date due to restrictions and social distancing pertaining to the virus, affecting many of Atkins Globalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction projects.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT UPDATES n King & Markman, located at 941 Lake Baldwin Lane, is currently planning an interior remodel of Suite 101, which will expanding into Suite 102 with no exterior changes to the building. Scheduling for the project is pending.

n Landscape replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District.

n The Animal Hospital at Baldwin Park expansion project of 300 additional square feet to the ground floor of 946 Lake Baldwin Lane has been placed on a temporary hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. GENERAL UPDATES n Please remember to properly dispose of sanitizing wipes, masks and plastic gloves. Thank you for your help in keeping Baldwin Park beautiful! n BrightView continues to remove leaves in all commercial service areas as this is an ongoing process during the spring. n BrightView Irrigation technicians continue to locate and repair mainline breaks due to maturing oak tree roots.

n Parking lot light replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. Architectural Review Committee meetings take place twice a month on Tuesdays 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.

Now, more than ever, may your home bring you comfort, security, and peace of mind.

psgconstruction.com | 407.628.9660 See more photos and projects at psgconstruction.com BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

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PSG Construction owner Paul Gidus

n A majority of the businesses within the Village Center have closed temporarily to ensure the safety of their patrons and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants have closed their dining rooms to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people but are offering online ordering, curbside takeout, pick-up or takeaway options.

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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN!

Welcome to our new normal WILL CAMPBELL PRESIDENT, BALWIN PARK JOINT COMMITTEE

ello, neighbors! I am writing to you from some point in April. I’m not really sure what day it is anymore or where we’ll be once you read this. Whatever day it is, I think we can all agree that we’re all experiencing a #NewNormal each day. Things that we took for granted — such as going into an office each day or sitting down for a happy hour with friends at one of the restaurants in the Village Center — are gone for now and have been replaced with decisions like, “Should I shower today?” Although this new normal isn’t something any of us asked for, it’s something that we have to adjust to, because it will undoubtedly have long-lasting effects. I thought, “What better way to help each other improvise, adapt and overcome than sharing ideas and our stories?”

WORKING FROM HOME

We’ve all wondered about those calls and meetings that could have been an email, and now we know the truth: They could have! Businesses that could transition to work-from-home have and possibly could continue the

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

trend into the future after this calms down. As someone who has worked from home for years, watching people who haven’t done it is akin to watching “Survivor.” One of the hardest parts of working from home is deciding when to start and finish the day. It’s easy to get sucked into early and/or late hours, but it’s not beneficial to you or your work in the long run. Set boundaries or start-and-end rituals for the day. Start your at-home “work day” when your coffee is ready and end it at an appropriate time with a walk around the neighborhood (socially distanced, of course).

to work out well before group classes and multi-national chain gyms existed. We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood full of parks to walk around or to play ball with our kids, furry or otherwise. Although carbs don’t count during stay-at-home orders (I totally made that up, but I believe it), now would be a good time to start your personal fitness journey, whatever that entails. Staying healthy involves more than just physical fitness, but also mental. These times are hard on all of us, so don’t be afraid to connect in whatever way is best for you with friends, family or a professional.

STAYING IN TOUCH

A wise friend and mentor once said to me, “Nothing changes if nothing changes,” and that has stuck with me through all of this. No matter how things are going now or how much things change, life hasn’t been canceled — it is merely paused. Whatever you do, be kind to ALL those around you, support local when you can and above all else, remember …

Although introverts such as my husband have been waiting for the day when staying home and limiting in-person contact with people was expected and socially acceptable, we extroverts who love group dinners, parties and general hugging have struggled. We have had to find new ways to connect with our friends and families, sans hugs. Zoom and FaceTime meetups (or happy hours) have become a great way to stay in touch with those that we care about. In some cases, people have used this time to reconnect with friends they haven’t seen in years.

STAYING HEALTHY

Gyms are closed, boot camps are canceled, and people just have no idea what to do. I’ll let you in on a secret: People found ways

We will travel again. We will dine and drink inside restaurants again. We will celebrate milestones again. We will be together again. Until then, be safe and stay well!

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· Allergy remedies · Supplements for healthy skin & coat · Training & behavior aids

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Songs at SUNSET Local musician Mike Lynch has been spreading some cheer and supporting front-line workers through performances on his balcony in the Village Center. MIKE LYNCH MUSIC

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

During these times, Lynch regularly livestreams from inside his home and on his balcony. Everyone is welcome to join virtually and request songs they would like to hear. Donations are appreciated, and a portion goes to Front Line Appreciation Group. Keep up with Lynch and his gig schedule by following him on social media. FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ MLMusic3333 INSTAGRAM: @MikeLynch_Music

As a full-time musician, Mike Lynch is used to playing anywhere as many as eight gigs every week. But the coronavirus pandemic changed all of that. With every event canceled, the Baldwin Park musician hasn’t been able to play in front of a crowd. However, he’s found a different way to play music, share his talents and give back to the community — through livestreams. Lynch, who grew up in New Jersey and moved in 2005 to Florida, began playing guitar when he was 13. Three years ago, he quit his job as a restaurant server and began playing music full-time. “I work now at Disney and Universal,” he says. “My main gigs are House of Blues, Margaritaville, Tin Roof and Splitsville. I’ve done some private stuff for Universal and NBC and still have my bar gigs, but that’s my main thing. I do love what I do; I’m super grateful.” With the theme parks and concert venues — as well as restaurants — shut down for the time being, he needed to find some outlet for his love of music. It wasn’t until his girlfriend, Marie Gilmore, pushed him to play some music out on their balcony that he discovered just what that was. Lynch has lived in Baldwin Park — above CVS Pharmacy in the Vil-

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Courtesy photo

lage Center — for two years, and his balcony recently has become his stage. The first time he performed a livestreamed balcony gig, he was playing music with a friend. Ever since the stay-at-home order was enacted, he’s been the solo act. “We went out here, some people showed up, and then I just started doing it by myself,” he says. “I did like four or five by myself, and there was a good amount of people out there. I kind of give (Marie) credit for it, because I would’ve been just as fine doing it inside, but we have this beautiful sunset on our balcony — we face west and the sun sets right behind it, so it’s a beautiful setting and good-looking backdrop.” Word spread through his Facebook and Instagram pages, but Lynch says it really took off in Baldwin Park thanks to the NextDoor app. Currently, Lynch is abiding social-distancing advice and is streaming his gigs from inside his home. For any sunset gigs on the balcony, he encourages people to watch through Facebook Live for the time being. Those who tune into his streams can chat and make song requests. They also can show their appreciation by donating via Venmo, or at the very least by sharing the video. Lynch donates 10% of his proceeds to Front Line Appreciation Group, also known as FLAG. “What FLAG basically does is they’re helping the mom-and-pop places out — and the big restaurants, too,” he says. “They go buy,

say, 100 plates of spaghetti and meatballs and they bring it to a hospital. Those nurses and doctors, the janitors, everybody that’s working there gets a meal. It’s helping the restaurants, but the main goal is to help the people on the front lines.” Aside from his own streams, Lynch has been participating in Tin Roof’s 50/50 project. He’s played a few gigs there recently — sans the crowds — and half of what he makes is donated to the Tin Roof staff to help them through these tough times. He can’t wait until the day that empty room can once again be filled with people. “We’re supposed to be playing in front of crowds,” he says. “That’s what we do. I think what it comes down to is everybody got dealt a bad set of cards. We’ve just got to get out of it and figure it out. Everybody’s doing the best they can.” When it comes to his opportunity to do these livestreams, he is grateful for the opportunity to play music, bring people together and, most importantly, make a difference. “The best word I would use would be unexpected,” he says of the balcony gigs in particular. “I did it because I wanted to play music, and I have a beautiful balcony so I wanted to play. “I feel blessed that I’m able to help someone by singing a song on my balcony and getting requests,” he says. “I think it’s cool to bring people together and forget about how bad everything is right now.”

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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. We’re also now on Facebook! Find Baldwin Park Groups and Gatherings and ask to join today. Even though groups are not currently meeting face-to-face because of social distancing, many of Baldwin Park’s clubs are meeting online, via Zoom and through email. Now is a good time to reach out to the group you’ve been wanting to connect with and find out more about what they do! 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! 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. Contact bpkidsclub1@gmail. com. COOKING AROUND THE WORLD Learn the artful craft of cooking ethnic foods with hands-on cooking demonstrations. Contact Dianne at dianne.brownmorin@gmail.com.

ETHNIC FOOD ENTHUSIASTS Explore exceptional epicurean dishes 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 incredible food and conversation. Contact Shannon at sfaith14@gmail.com. GAMES GALORE! Adults are invited to play a variety of games on various Saturdays. Learn new games like Settlers of Catan or play the classics. Contact Robyn at rhzgrodin@gmail.com. MAHJONG Ready, set, play Mahjong. Mahjong is a tile-based game played by four people at a time. All levels are welcome. Contact Christopher at cfc106@gmail. com. MIGHTY MOMS STROLLER WALKS Baldwin Park moms doing something good for themselves while building friendships. 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.

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BOOK CLUBS 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 WIN! WOMEN INNOVATORS NETWORK This new group is for Baldwin Park women who own or manage a business – big or small. Come for lunch to exchange ideas and hear guest speakers. Reservations can be made by contacting Bekah at beautifiedbybekah@gmail.com. WRITERS’ BLOCK WRITING GROUP For bloggers, 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! Come with a desire to meet other writers and learn to hone your writing skills. Contact Rich at powerofselfentertainment@gmail.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.

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. Book Buds meet at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at various members’ homes. For May’s selection, contact Audean at audean63@gmail.com. HOOKED ON BOOKS This club is welcoming new members who love fiction. They meet on Mondays at various members’ homes. For May’s book selection and location for their gathering, contact 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 May’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 May meeting by contacting Genie at bsrocky@hotmail. com.

VIRTUAL FITNESS So many people find friendships at the gym. Baldwin Park-area fitness and yoga studios are continuing the connection with live Zoom classes, Instagram feeds and Facebook Live. n BLUE MOON YOGA — Live Zoom yoga classes at 8:30 a.m. Friday mornings. Meditation classes are available to whoever needs a one-on-one session! Classes are 100% donation based. Contact Becca Schmidt at becca@bluemoon. yoga.

n CHAMPION MARTIAL ARTS — Zoom classes take place directly from the studio so kids don’t miss a thing! Visit championshipmartialarts.com/baldwin-park. n MIGHTY GIRLS FITNESS — 32 live classes a week are offered on Zoom, Facebook Live and Instagram. Classes include Go With the Flow Yoga, Pilates, Barre and Burn, Cardio Hip Hop Fit, Core and Cardio, Restorative Yoga, Self Care and Mighty Mobility. Classes cost $7 per drop in. Newcomers welcome! Sign up for classes at mightygirlsfitness.com or on the Mindbody app.

n 9ROUND FITNESS — Online workouts are being offered on Instagram and more. For information, visit facebook. com/9RoundOrlandoJakeSt/. n NOVEMBER PROJECT — This group is offering free weekly workouts online. Visit november-project.com. n ORLANDO METRO GYMNASTICS — Current students are being accommodated with 30-minute online instruction. For more information, visit facebook.com/orlandometrogymnastics.

n ROCK HARD FITNESS — Daily Zoom fitness classes are available. Visit rockhardfitnessorlando.com. n SPECTRUM PERFORMANCE & PHYSICAL THERAPY — Spectrum offers three virtual workouts each day. Visit spectrumsp.com. n WARRIOR ONE YOGA — The studio offers 75 virtual classes each week. Choose classes on the Mindbody app or online at wearewarriorone.com.

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10:41 AM17 BALDWIN PARK LIVING |3/16/20 MAY 2020 3/16/20 10:41 AM

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

In tough times, there will always be beauty 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 Park-based groups. You can also find Baldwin Park Groups and Gatherings on Facebook. 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.

his past month, I’ve could sit out on their balcobeen doing a lot of nies or open up their winpeople-watching dows for a few Beatles songs here in Baldwin Park, and even an emotional renand the hundreds of dition of Jeff Buckley’s vergestures I’ve seen among sion of “Hallelujah.” Lynch’s neighbors have moved Facebook concerts are held me beyond words. to raise awareness and funds What I’ve noticed in for the Front Line Appreciathis period of “social tion Group, whose mission distancing” is that is to purchase food from Baldwin Park neighbors local restaurants and provide have diligently pledged meals to first responders to stay physically apart. and medical teams. However, they are finding Several Baldwin Park unique ways to continue seamstresses have been important connections. busy cranking out fabric I’ve witnessed countless face masks and sharing neighbors doing grocery them — many of them at runs for one another, no cost — to friends and pulling in trash cans, neighbors. Way to go! walking dogs for one Meanwhile, Baldwin Park another, checking on older businesses are shifting gears residents who are practo serve their customers in ticing quarantine, sharing innovative ways. Customers Courtesy photo are responding by supbirthday celebrations by This cool bear rocked his shades in the window of Baldwin video and lots of friendly porting their downtown Park Eye Care in the Village Center. waves and smiles — all merchants by purchasing from at least 6 feet away! food to go, gift cards, In tough times, there will windows, on balconies and even and online services and prodalways be beauty. Look at the in the trees! Bears were in scrubs, ucts. Let’s keep that going! happy chalk-art drawings and in glasses, hats and even in This month, we launched a messages on our sidewalks, workout attire! Baldwin Park busi- new Facebook group just for the teachers’ parade, the flags nesses Mighty Girl Fitness, Saor residents who want to connect — and the bears. The bears Boutique, Baldwin Park Eye Care with clubs and gatherings here have been a highlight for me! and Huntington Learning Center in the neighborhood. If you are The bear project launched after showed off their bear spirit! Bears a Facebook user, go to Baldwin two residents reached out via were everywhere, and dozens Park Groups And Gatherings, tell email asking us to coordinate a of Baldwin Park kiddos filled out me your street name to join the neighborhood project based on their Bear Hunt Bingo cards for group, and follow the activities the book “We’re Going on a Bear a special bear-themed prize. posted on the page. Find cooking Hunt” by Michael Rosen. Before And, finally, residents who demonstrations by the cooking we knew it, the “hunting for a live in the townhomes and club, photos around the parks, bear” project evolved into a giant apartments on Meeting Place bears in windows, book sugges“Bear Hunt Bingo” scavenger hunt were treated to several acoustic tions by our book clubs, gardenwith hundreds of residents showconcerts by local musician, Mike ing ideas and much, much more. ing support for our kids. Stuffed Lynch, who was performing on Keep connecting! bears of every size and color Facebook Live from his balcony started appearing on porches, in above CVS Pharmacy. Residents

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UNSUNG HEROES Some creative Baldwin Park residents have been creating fabric face masks and plastic ‘ear savers’ for those in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Called to action DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

n the front lines, health care workers and first responders are among those risking their health daily to ensure others are taken care of during the coronavirus pandemic. But behind the scenes, there are other heroes doing their part to help protect those essential workers who cannot stay home. In Baldwin Park, residents are making fabric face masks and plastic “ear saver” pieces for their friends, neighbors and community at large.

MASK MAKER

Dr. Ester Lincourt has been putting her sewing skills to good use lately. A retired obstetrics and gynecology doctor of 25 years, she also has been sewing since she was a little girl. “I was making clothes for my Barbie dolls from scraps of fabric (left from when) my mom had made clothes (for me) so we’d be matching,” Lincourt says. “Going into retirement, I picked up making quilts and was always sewing.” Lincourt also takes yoga classes from Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt. During one particular yoga class, her fellow classmates discovered she could sew. “Becca made some kind of comment at one point during yoga when they found out that I sewed, and I go, ‘Of course, I’m a surgeon, I have to know how to sew!’” Lincourt says, laughing. The idea to use her skills to sew masks came from a friend in West Virginia, who in March posted a photo of her sewing machine and mask-making process. The friend couldn’t get surgical masks for her office and wanted to have some fabric ones on hand for her staff. Lincourt learned there also was demand for the masks locally. Us-

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Courtesy of Jason Chapman

Jason Chapman used a 3D printer to create hundreds of plastic ear savers.

ing donations of fabric and elastic, along with what she already had on hand, she began making masks for former colleagues at Women’s Care Florida. “I made masks for our office, and they started handing it out to family members, and then neighbors got word of it,” Lincourt says. “I said, ‘You know, as many people as I can, I want to cover and protect because even though they’re not N95 makes, it’s still a barrier.’ You can actually make the barrier even better with making a filter in between (the fabric pieces), whether it’s a coffee filter or an A/C filter. The higher MERV index it has, it actually blocks particles holding viruses and bacteria.” Lincourt’s masks are made with a slit to slide in a piece of filter paper, as well as a wire at the top to bend over the nose for a better fit. So far, she has made nearly 300 masks. Her masks have gone to staff and patients at her husband’s doctor’s office, friends, neighbors and various health care organizations. She even gave one to her Shipt grocery delivery shopper. “They’re overwhelmed; they can’t believe we’re thinking of them to make these and help,” Lincourt says. “I’ve gotten a lot of positivity

out of it. Since we’ve been on house arrest, I’ve used Shipt to do my Costco shopping. … I had this idea. I thought, ‘I’m going to give this one mask to the girl delivering my groceries.’ I put it in an envelope outside the garage door where she was going to drop off my groceries. She was literally in tears, and she had taken a picture and sent it to me on her phone and she said she’d already gotten compliments from her next customer.” Lincourt isn’t charging anything for the masks; rather, she is doing it to help protect the community. There still are many people who need masks, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, Lincourt says, she has started to pray over her masks, asking God to protect those wearing them. “We all have God-given talent, and sometimes we don’t know what those talents are,” she says. “Who’d have imagined I would be able to use my surgeon skills and apply it to this pandemic we’ve been having? The fact that I’m sewing and am creative and can put this together … that’s a God-given talent, and he will tell you when to use them. My job is to embrace it and take it and run with it.”

“

We all have God-given talent, and sometimes we don’t know what those talents are. Who’d have imagined I would be able to use my surgeon skills and apply it to this pandemic we’ve been having?” — DR. ESTER LINCOURT

Facebook and thought it was interesting, but then I actually had a neighbor who owns Lombardi’s Seafood request 40 of them for their staff,” Chapman says. “I wrapped those up. Then, I’ve got a friend who has the same printer as me, and he has a couple of nursing friends who started requesting them, so he was printing a bunch for them. I reached out to a couple hospitals and … I put a post on NextDoor, and it’s kind of gone crazy.” As of mid-April, Chapman has made about 1,300 ear savers. He’s also printing a different variation of the product that uses less material. So far, he’s only used up two spools of filament to create 1,000 ear savers. “I have accumulated a pretty good supply of various colors over the years, so I have probably 15 or 20 rolls of (filament),” he says. “I’ve got many more to go before I run out.” Chapman is donating every ear saver he makes. Some have gone to AdventHealth locations, some to the UF Health Cancer Center and

others to Publix, as well as various health care organizations in Central Florida. He even placed some in a Tupperware container on his front porch for any neighbor who needs one. “I have one doctor made the comment, ‘It’s really a need for something that no one knew was a problem until now,’” Chapman says. “It was one of those things people didn’t really think about until they started wearing masks for a long period of time. It’s something that will help alleviate the discomfort. Everybody’s been very appreciative, and it’s something I can do for the cause while I’m stuck at home myself.”

Dr. Ester Lincourt is using her sewing skills to create fabric face masks. Photo courtesy of Lincourt.

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Also in the neighborhood, Jason Chapman has kept himself and his 3D printer busy by creating what many are referring to as “ear savers.” These small pieces are made of PLA plastic, the most widely used plastic filament material in 3D printing. Their main purpose is to help protect the ears from chafing while wearing a medical face mask — a common problem thousands of health care workers and first responders have been facing these last few weeks. Wearing a mask with elastic straps for hours can cause irritation behind the ears. The ear savers act as a place for the straps to hook onto, usually at the back of the head. Chapman has an engineering background and has owned his 3D printer for nearly three years. Although he’s used to creating knickknacks and functional parts to replace things around the house, he switched over to printing about 100 to 150 ear savers per day. “I saw an article about them on

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PRINTING RELIEF

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Earth ambassador DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ll it took for 14-year-old Jackson Fu to come up with an idea for a school service project was a simple glance at the Union Park playground. The Glenridge Middle School eighth-grader was enjoying some time at the park with his parents in August when he noticed some plastic water bottles and bits of cardboard scattered on the ground. Some simple recyclable items people had failed to properly dispose of suddenly were the inspiration behind a school community project he is required to complete as an IB student. “It was just really obvious,” Jackson says. “People are just throwing away all this plastic, and also when I was seeing stuff, I had my school community project in mind. I thought maybe I could do something about this, because there’s so much that could be recycled. We could help out the ecosystem.” Eighth-grade students in Glenridge’s IB program must decide on a community-service project in order to receive their IB diploma. Many students choose to complete volunteer hours with a charity or other organization of their choice. Jackson, however, thought outside the box. As a scholar athlete, he juggles maintaining a straight-A grade average at school while dedicating a good amount of time to playing with the Orlando City Youth Soccer Club. Free time for him can be scarce. “Jackson doesn’t have a lot of time,” says his mother, Leah Fu. “Many students with the project have to go find hours, and this is a more large-scale project that, instead of putting in hours regularly, he could manage and check in and make a big impact overall.” He and his family make it a point whenever they’re out and about to

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

Glenridge Middle eighth-grader Jackson Fu was instrumental in helping to get recycling bins installed in three ROA parks. RECYCLING 101

The recycling bins at High Park, Union Park and Enders Park are meant for plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans. For those who recycle at home, did you know that one non-recyclable item in a recycling bin contaminates the whole batch? Here’s what you can and cannot place in your recycling bin. For more information on what you can and cannot recycle, visit orlando.gov/ trash-recycling.

DO n Cardboard: Flattened boxes n Glass: Bottles and jars; remove lids or caps n Metal: Tin, aluminum, steel and empty aerosol cans n Paper: Newspapers, junk mail, sheets of paper and drink cartons n Plastic: Bottles and containers labeled No. 1 through No. 5. Lids or caps can stay on.

DON’T

Courtesy Kai Fu

Jackson Fu is happy to have played a part in helping the environment around him.

pick up any recyclables they see on the ground and bring them home to place in their own recycling bin. Jackson noticed that although there

were trash cans at the park, there weren’t any recycling bins. “First, there was no option to recycle around here,” Jackson says.

n Aluminum food pans n Food waste n Garbage n Plastic bags n Polyestrene foam cups and containers Source: City of Orlando Solid Waste Division

Park, basically where all the playgrounds are and the hot spots.” DRS Construction of Central Florida completed the installation of the new recycling bins, each of which sits on a concrete pad. Accepted recyclables include glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. For the school project, Jackson had to put together a presentation and present it in front of a random classroom. His classmates and teacher enjoyed hearing about it, and he received a 100%. “He seemed really impressed and he told me that he really liked what I did and that it was going to help the ecosystem,” Jackson says of his teacher’s reaction. “It’s just a great project overall. It’s a great feeling because over a long time this will help out the ecosystem a lot, and it will help make it even better.” His parents — and the ROA board — were impressed with his drive and passion behind the project. “Jackson decided to tackle it, and he learned a lot about how the pro-

cess and presentations on an idea eventually become a reality, which was a great experience for him,” Leah Fu says. “He learned … when he started the initial inquisitions in August, he had to present (the idea) and was denied, and then continued working on a solution. It’s wonderful, it’s really wonderful. We’re very proud of him.” Jackson said it’s important for people to realize the value of recycling, and they should take the time to place their trash or recyclables in the appropriate bins rather than discarding them on the ground. After seeing some bags of dog feces in one of the bins, Jackson added that he wants people to know only recyclables belong in them. “A recycling can is completely full of bottles and if one person puts in dog poop, the whole thing is contaminated and nothing can be recycled,” Jackson says. “We only get one Earth, and it just shows that the ecosystem will get better if people are into recycling and making the world a better place.”

“

We only get one Earth, and it just shows that the ecosystem will get better if people are into recycling and making the world a better place.” — JACKSON FU

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“Mainly, the whole idea is to get recycling bins out there near the trash cans and make them pretty obvious.” He decided to reach out to the Baldwin Park Residential Owners Association to tell them about his idea for implementing recycling bins. The ROA later followed up and invited him to give a short presentation at their meeting. “I went to a board meeting and gave a little presentation, and they agreed,” Jackson says. “They did a lot of research and they came up with this design. … The design got sent over to the (Architectural Review Committee), and they denied it.” Jackson had some help from his parents in finding a new design that would meet the ARC’s requirements, and he coordinated with the ROA board throughout the process. “We went back and we picked a new design that looked a lot like the trash cans but that was completely blue, and they approved it,” Jackson says. “They’re going to be located at High Park, Union Park and Enders

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KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE

Orlando real estate in the time of COVID-19: What now? T

he Orlando real-estate market was off to an auspicious start in 2020. Record growth continued, and interest rates remained low. Overall, the economic outlook was good, and buyer confidence was strong. Then, the coronavirus came barreling onto the scene, shifting everyone and everything across the globe. Uncertainty looms over many aspects of our daily lives, and some are experiencing a loss of employment. For those fighting for their own wellness — as well as our health heroes on the front lines — there are more immediate concerns than economic conditions. So, what happens to Orlando-area real estate? How do buyers and sellers navigate the world of social distancing and virtual workplaces? Is it possible to transact safely, and can borrowers still obtain home loans at reasonable terms?

hospitality, in retail and more who have been laid off. For many of those people, buying a home will have to wait. But the Florida real estate market still has many things going for it. People will continue to buy and to sell. To stay safe, Realtors are using gloves and masks, conducting video and FaceTime property tours and adopting no-touch policies when showing homes. Video has been on the rise in real estate for many years, and virtual tours and floorplans are widely used. Some buyers are comfortable purchasing a home without actually entering it. For those who are not, sellers can allow buyers to view the property by themselves with their Realtor, as well as request gloves be worn, shoes be off and touching kept to a minimum with surfaces disinfected afterward. Don’t be afraid to be diligent in your requests for safer home showings.

SAFETY FIRST

As mentioned, those temporarily furloughed or out of work won’t qualify for home loans until they are back at their jobs. For those in essential services or with other occupations not directly impacted, there are still options. I spoke with Joe Onofre, loan originator with Caliber Home Loans of Central Florida, about what changes we are already starting to see and what to expect. One change many borrowers are experiencing is that “Non-QM” loan programs — otherwise known as Non-Qualified Loan programs — have mostly been suspended. Onofre clarified that

Real estate has been deemed an essential service in tFlorida, but that doesn’t mean Realtors and their customers should be any less diligent about flattening the curve and being responsible. Luckily for our industry, remote work and virtual everything are already well-known and used frequently. If you are planning to sell your home, you should know there are still many buyers actively buying and closing on homes with no sign of any changes to this activity any time soon. Yes, there is a large section of people in Central Florida who work at the theme parks or in

WHAT ABOUT MORTGAGES?

chasing a property. Speak with a mortgage lender — and possibly more than one — to know your purchasing power for certain.

WHAT ABOUT IBUYERS?

CHRISTINA RORDAM FLORIDA REALTY INVESTMENTS Christina Rordam is a local Realtor and a member of ORRA’s Top Producer Club. For more, visit christinasellsorlando.com.

“a ‘Non-Qualified’ mortgage is simply a mortgage loan that does not meet the standards spelled out in the qualified mortgage rule adopted by the CFPB in 2014. This means a borrower that doesn’t meet qualified mortgage rules — such as someone who has only been self employed a year or perhaps has a recent foreclosure — may be in a holding pattern until things get back to normal. Certain types of loans, such as bank statement loans and/or loans for foreign nationals, fall into this category and also have been suspended in some instances. Although Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac haven’t yet changed their credit score requirements for borrowers, many lenders have adjusted their overlays. This means many lenders are simply making it their own requirement that borrowers have higher scores to qualify for loan products. In addition to higher credit score requirements, lenders are looking for better debt-to-income ratios. This doesn’t mean if you think your credit score is bad you should give up hope of pur-

Almost immediately, iBuyers such as Zillow, Opendoor and Offerpad stopped purchasing homes — in some cases notifying sellers via email mere days prior to closing that they would not be proceeding as planned. iBuyers who touted themselves as disruptors to the real-estate industry have been found to be the cause of disruption for many families as of late. Sellers who chose to sell to iBuyers — frequently at sales prices under market value while also paying them fees as high 8% and 12% — thought their transactions were sure things and guaranteed to close. Many homeowners feel let down and disappointed by the swift way the iBuyers discarded them. Of course, it makes perfect sense for these corporations to drop these investment purchases and wait out the market. I anticipate we will see many of these platforms pivot to a referral-based model where they continue to fish for prospective buyers and sellers online and then sell the leads to real estate agents for a fee. Bottom line: When the going got tough, iBuyers bowed out, at least temporarily. Realtors, however, continue to find ways to serve their local communities. We rise and fall alongside our cities and neighborhoods and will be here for you in good markets and bad. We will make it to the other side of this coronavirus crisis together.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

WHAT’S SELLING 4397 NEW BROAD ST., ORLANDO SALE PRICE: $1,812,500 SQUARE FEET: 6,475 BEDROOMS: Five BATHS: Five baths, one half-bath

DETAILS: Built by Goehring & Morgan, this home features formal living and dining areas, a walk-in wine vault with glass floors, a great room with panoramic views of the outdoor living space, a true chef’s kitchen and master suite. The kitchen has a Miele espresso machine, two full-size refrigerators, warming drawers and wine coolers. On the first floor, you will find the master retreat complete with coffee bar, spa bath and walk-in closet, as well as a guest suite. The upstairs features three bedrooms, two baths, bonus room and laundry room. Outdoors is a pool, hot tub area, outdoor kitchen and wraparound balcony.

Photographer: Rickie Agapito

LISTING AGENT: Kelly L. Price, Kelly Price & Company SELLING AGENT: Kelly L. Price, Kelly Price & Company

1664 CHATFIELD PLACE, ORLANDO SALE PRICE: $439,000 SQUARE FEET: 2,344 BEDROOMS: Four BATHS: Three baths, two half-baths

Photographer: Alan Fraebel

LISTING AGENT: Lisa Fleming, Fannie Hillman & Associates SELLING AGENT: Brian Cirillo, Baldwin Park Realty

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

DETAILS: This four-story townhouse is located in the heart of Baldwin Park. The downstairs bedroom with full bath is the perfect spot for your teenager, guests or home office. The open-floor plan features wood flooring throughout the living and dining rooms, as well as a large private balcony. The kitchen features cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, a breakfast bar and an island. The master bedroom and an additional guest bedroom are both located on the third floor with a bonus room on the fourth floor. The home is a short walk to Baldwin Park’s restaurants, shopping, pool/fitness center and schools.

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2018 Award Winner of “Real Estate Agency Neighborhood Favorite” by Nextdoor Baldwin Park

Fabulous four-story townhome located in the heart of Baldwin Park! This 4 bedrooms/3 full baths + 2 half baths is one of the largest floor plans offered today. The downstairs bedroom with a full bath and a custom walk-in closet is the perfect spot for your teenager, guests, or home office. Spacious open floor plan featuring beautiful wood flooring throughout the living and dining rooms, as well as, a large private balcony, really make this a great home for entertaining. Gorgeous kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar and an island. Custom built-in bookcases in the dining room allow for even more storage. Master bedroom and an additional guest bedroom, are both located on the third floor, as well as the laundry room for easy access. Fourth floor bonus room can be an additional bedroom with its own half bath and walk-in closet. Just a short walk to Baldwin Park’s restaurants, shopping, pool/fitness center, and schools.

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 • Highest Sales Volume in Townhomes in 2015 • Highest Sales Volume in New Construction in 2013

Sold for $439,000

• Ranked Top Producer since 2002

A Charleston single style home located in one of the few quiet cul-de-sacs within the neighborhood. This 3/3.5 home offers a spacious and open floor plan that is perfect for entertaining. The foyer opens to a large formal living/dining room combo w/gorgeous hardwood floors throughout. The kitchen is appointed with custom white cabinets, beautiful tile backsplash, granite countertops, and new stainless steel appliances. New side deck and pergola. Downstairs master suite w/crown molding & two walk-in closets. Upstairs features 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, plus a bonus room that could easily be converted into a 4th bedroom. Plenty of closets and storage for all your needs. Rear access two car garage with long driveway that is a rare find. Amazing location to schools, neighborhood parks, playground, pool/fitness center, as well as, downtown Baldwin Park and all it has to offer!

• Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004

Sold for $674,000

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 walk-in closet. Nice fenced in backyard area with pavers. Within walking distance to one of the neighborhood’s pools and playgrounds.

Lisa Fleming

407.644.1234 321.228.8341 cell Lisa@fanniehillman.com

Sold for $615,000

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“The Right Representation Makes AllLIVING the Difference” BALDWIN PARK | MAY 2020 31

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020

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Baldwin Park Living May 2020

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