BALDWIN PARK
LIVING AUGUST 2019
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
mberley R. Gernert
l Estate Specialist
Kimberley R. Gernert Real Estate Specialist
321) 348-8825 423) 381-5701
c: (321) 348-8825 d: (423) 381-5701
ceived the Orlando 5 Star Professional ealtor by Orlando Style Magazine 2017 ne of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors nce 2015 nked in Top Producer Magazine 015, 2016 & 2017 W Winter Park dividual Realtor of the Year 2016 W Winter Park Rookie of the Year 2015 sident of Baldwin Park since 2004
Received the Orlando 5 Star Professional Realtor by Orlando Style Magazine 2017 One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors Since 2015 Ranked in Top Producer Magazine 2015, 2016 & 2017 KW Winter Park Individual Realtor of the Year 2016 KW Winter Park Rookie of the Year 2015 Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004
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CONTENTS
AUGUST 2019
INSIDE
34 DEPARTMENTS 8 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders.
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18 NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS Looking to connect? Find your perfect group here. 20 BUILDING CONFIDENCE Mighty Girls Fitness aims to empower women.
12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Denny O’Neil primes neighbors on the upcoming annual meeting.
22 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Looking for something fun in Baldwin Park? Find it here.
14 THE WAY HOME Project Bobo helps pet owners find their lost fur babies.
24 FROM THE COVER Escape Artists brings its games to Baldwin Park.
16 AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt shares tips for finding friends.
30 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE The human touch reigns supreme when marketing your home.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
PARK PICS Did you attend the star-spangled July 4 celebration?
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BALDWIN PARK
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Editor and Publisher — Michael Eng
EDITORIAL 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 Francesca Bannerman Tony Trotti
CONTACT 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.
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OrangeObserver.com
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Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRETORS MEETING
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS
TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING
BY STACEY FRYREAR
Weather stripping around your doors and windows helps lower utility bills and also prevents water intrusion and unwanted pests from entering your home.
BY MELISSA PARKER
The June 25, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting was canceled. The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official June 2019 No Meeting Notice can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n The approved pressure washing, caulking and touch-up painting of Grace Hopper Hall and Enders facility centers was completed. n The approved painting of bike racks, trash cans and benches at Grace Hopper and Enders facility centers was completed. n The approved roof cleaning at Enders facility center and garage was completed. n The approved Crepe Myrtle pruning at select ROA park spaces/mews was completed.
WATER EMERGENCY! See how to shut off the water at youtu.be/a_P44FBxgMY. You’ll find a black lid in the front or rear yard. It helps to have the right tool — a water valve shut-off tool — available at any hardware store for about $5 to $15.
n The approved 2020 Reserve Study Full Site Inspection took place in July. In preparation for the study, Sentry staff compiled all of the preliminary information needed by the analysis firm including but not limited to reserve and operating monies spent in the last two years on reserve items, additions to reserves and future reserve expenditures. n The approved plant replacements at Upper Union Park were completed. n The aeration of the Bermuda in the ROA parks was completed.
The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed at the June 20, 2019 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n It was discussed that the association will send out individual letters to the homeowners who have not complied with the request to address their air conditioning lines into the gutter system. DRS Inc. provided a report based on a reinspection which shows the majority of townhome owners have corrected the A/C drain line issue by either connecting to the gutter system or providing their own resolutions.
UPDATES n The landscape evaluation walks continue weekly with BrightView. n Remaining Townhome painting schedule: Painting Order: — Issa 28 (Finishing up) — Issa 22 — Cambridge n The City Homes No. 2 service area TSAC position remains open.
n The ROA parks/mews mulch installation was completed. n Five of the pool ladder rungs were replaced at Enders pool as the non-slip coating was wearing off. n Due to the increased complaints concerning rule breaking at the pools, weekend patrols were increased. In addition, an e-blast went out informing/ reminding residents of the rules and issues that are taking place and the patrols. n Sentry staff is in the process of checking references and conducting interviews with various roofing contractors in order to find another for the townhome roof repairs.
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS Irrigation systems in private zones are controlled by the Association. Contact Melissa Parker, Townhome Service Area Manager, by email at mparker@ baldwinparkpoa.com if you need your system turned on or off. Remember, the homeowner is responsible for maintaining his or her private zone irrigation system and area. All Association buildings that have been repainted have been painted in Dow Corning’s AllGuard — a specialized coating with a 10-year warranty for use on stucco surfaces. Do not pick, poke, rip, tear or penetrate the protective seal. Using brushes or scraping tools will harm the surface. If you pressure wash, do not use pressure higher than 1500 psi. Simple Green is the only approved cleaning product.
BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. BY ANTHONY MADDOX VILLAGE CENTER UPDATES n The vacant lot adjacent to CVS has still not been developed. A Miami-based real estate developer purchased it in 2018. The Baldwin Park Town Design Review Committee held a meeting in September of 2018 and approved the project in compliance with city of Orlando standards for a mixture of office space and 122 apartments. To date, the owner has not pulled permits and no construction timeline has been released. For additional information, please visit cityoforlando.net.
SENTRY MANAGEMENT ON-SITE STAFF CHANGES
n Mighty Girls Fitness, located at 4804 New Broad St., is opening this summer and will offer one-on-one personal training, providing a customized workout that will help fitness goals in a private environment. All personal training includes nutritional guidance and at-home workouts. Open to girls and women of all ages. For more details on their grand opening, please visit their website at mightygirlsfitness.com. n Enlive, located at 4871 New Broad St., had its grand opening during Baldwin Park’s Annual Independence Bash on July 3. Enlive specializes in IV therapy treatments, from “Vitamin B12” to aid in energy and mental function to “Pain Killer” to help ease migraines, back pain and discomfort. For a list of their services, please visit their website at enliveiv.com. GENERAL UPDATES n Landscape replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center parking lots and the Neighborhood Business District. n Staff is beginning to work on the budgets for 2020. n The Animal Hospital at Baldwin Park is working on final plans for an expansion project. HAVE A QUESTION? Email Anthony Maddox at amaddox@ baldwinparkpoa.com and your question could be answered in next month’s article. Maddox works for Sentry Management, Inc., hired by the board to manage the COA. Prior to joining Sentry, Maddox worked as the assistant manager of The Majestic Apartments in the Village Center, so he has a lot of knowledge of this area of Baldwin Park.
Anthony Maddox
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e would like to welcome Anthony Maddox and Lenora Mendez to the on-site management staff. When Melissa Parker, a longtime staff member, was promoted to service area manager for the townhomes, Maddox was hired as the service area manager for the Commercial Owners Association. Maddox oversees issues with properties under the jurisdiction of the Commercial Owners Association, including architectural review/covenants. He is not new to Baldwin Park. Some of you might know him from his time working for The Majestic Apartments in the Village Center. In the eight years spent at The Majestic, he helped welcome a number of residents into the Baldwin Park community. The relationships he formed over the years working with both retail
Lenora Mendez
and residential will help him transition into his new role with ease. During his free time, Maddox enjoys traveling — having been to both Egypt and Thailand — attending art festivals and spending time at the beach. When Accounting Administrator Kathleen Dwyer-Smith retired in May, Mendez was hired to fill that position. Mendez oversees all aspects of accounts receivable/payable and back up for receptionist. She received her psychology degree from Rollins College and loves dancing, Formula One racing and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Athena. In the coming months, we will feature a little information on all of the on-site staff members, including their photos, so you can see their beautiful, smiling faces!
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN!
Actual Residential Owners Association business, yikes! T DENNY O’NEIL BALDWIN PARK RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
his month, I actually have some information concerning the ROA. The ROA Board of Directors is advocating that owners vote to amend several sections of Article 3 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws (part of the governing documents for Baldwin Park) to better the board election process. Here, briefly, are the changes the board is asking owners to approve: n The size of the ROA Board of Directors will be permanently established at seven members. (Seven is the number of board members now.)
n In addition to the use of absentee ballots, you (owners) will also be permitted to vote in person at the annual meeting, by proxy or electronically. (Many residents have asked to be able to vote electronically for ROA elections. The electronic voting must be approved by the membership. For that to happen, the majority of the membership quorum required for the meeting must approve the change.) n At the annual meeting, you will not be able to write in candidates, nor will you be able to make nominations from the floor. Instead, members who wish to be candidates must declare their candidacy for the board by the date specified. You will be only able to vote for candidates on the candidate list. (This will mean that candidates will be identified before ballots are mailed out to members. This could have saved the association some money this year when we had four members announce their candidacy for four openings, and yet we still have to go through the
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drill of having the annual meeting, paying staff overtime, etc., because there might be a nomination from the floor at the meeting. To my recollection, we have never had a nomination from the floor in the 12 years that the resident-led board has been in existence.)
n References to the declarant (Class B Member) will be removed. (In the documents, where once there were Class A and Class B Members, the trigger was reached a long time ago when the Class B Member was no longer a factor. This change just cleans up the documents so that when you are trying to cure your insomnia by reading the governing documents late at night, you won’t keep yourself awake by asking yourself, “Who is this Class B person, the declarant?”) Even though the requirement for a quorum is not that high, every year we always worry that we won’t have a quorum (30% of membership). If you do not plan to be present for the meeting, it is important that you complete and return the proxy that you will receive via snail mail so that it reaches the Residential Owners Association no later than the appointed time of the meeting so a quorum can be reached. Alternately, Sentry Management will have a booth at the First Friday event on Aug. 2, where proxies will be available for members to fill out. So, stop by and say hello to Susan and Stacey, and fill out a proxy if you won’t be attending the meeting. The 2019 annual meeting of the members of Baldwin Park ROA will be held Tuesday, Aug. 13. Coincidentally, that will be the last ROA meeting that I will attend as
a board member. I decided a while ago that 12 years as the president of the board was enough. It is time for someone else to take over. I have enjoyed every minute of my time on the board and I want to thank all of you for making it just a wonderful time in my life. I have been very fortunate to have great board members with whom to work and a great Sentry Management staff to take care of business. Together, we have managed to keep Baldwin Park a great neighborhood in which to live, play and work! Here’s some more of the story about my ACE Mobile Forces adventure in Greece that I wrote about for the Baldwin Park Living July 2019 edition. I was told that the Italian General (I can’t remember his name) — who was the commander of the ACE Mobile Forces for exercise “Hellenic Express” — during World War II was an operator of one of the three slow-course torpedoes (SLC) that penetrated the British defenses of Alexandria Harbor and sank the British battleships Queen Elizabeth and Valiant on the night of Nov. 18, 1941. The SLCs were sort-of-mini submarines with a two-man crew that were used to get up to the enemy warship hull and attach a bomb to it, after which the SLC would get out of Dodge as quickly as possible, hoping to not be detected by the enemy. In the case above, the attack commander and his deputy were captured and imprisoned in one of the two battleships. The bomb fuse was still ticking away! The attack commander messaged the ship’s captain that the ships would blow up in five minutes, which they did! Both battleships settled on the bottom of the harbor. The Italians were on deck and lived.
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Vickie Westmark still looks for Bobo daily and hopes her research can help other lost-pet parents.
Danielle Hendrix
Quest for lost pets In Baldwin Park resident Vickie Westmark’s search for her lost cat, she created Project Bobo to help others find their lost pets.
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DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
W
hen Vickie Westmark’s beloved cat, Bobo, went missing in April, she searched high and low throughout Baldwin Park for him. From sweeping the neighborhood every couple of hours and handing out flyers to paying for robocalls and scouring Facebook groups for lost-and-found pets, Westmark began a checklist of options. And while Bobo still has yet to be found, there is one good thing that has come from this difficult time for the Baldwin Park resident: Project Bobo. “What I didn’t know is how hard it is to find a pet,” Westmark says.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
“Until you lose you pet you don’t know what it takes. There’s so much misinformation and you just don’t know where to start — there’s so many resources and things to do, and every day I was learning something new. I never wanted my research to go to waste, so that’s why I created Project Bobo.” Project Bobo, she says, was born out of her hope “to spare other lostpet parents the frustration of sorting through and organizing information and resources available on the Internet.” Westmark used her background in engineering and affinity for technology to consolidate her findings about searching for lost pets in one location. When Bobo, an orange-and-white Persian cat, first went missing,
Westmark began her on-foot search immediately, having searched for 48 hours straight — two hours at a time, with half-hour breaks. She began researching more techniques and resources on finding lost pets, and her foot search continued for a month and a half. Westmark was constantly learning and trying new techniques and felt she wasted valuable time learning. It’s a feeling she never wants any other lost-pet parent to go through. “I started compiling all my data and my research elements,” she says. “People can just (go to) the (Project Bobo) site and start your search without having to go through what I went through. For the most part you really just need to blast (that) your pet’s lost out to your
Buying or Selling a Home... Bobo is an orange-andwhite Persian cat with orange eyes. He has been missing since April.
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PHONE: (321) 277-9919 WEBSITE: findbobo. com/projectbobo FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Project-Bobo DETAILS: Project Bobo is Westmark’s endeavor under the umbrella of Find Bobo, her quest to find her beloved Persian cat. The mission of Project Bobo is to help local communities find their lost pets. You can find a list of missing pets, a lost-pet checklist, list of local veterinarians and more on the Project Bobo website. You can also read more about Bobo and Westmark’s Find Bobo endeavor at findbobo.com.
Baldwin Park resident since 2015
Janice Cox 407.990.5885 janice.cox@premiersir.com janicecox.premiersothebysrealty.com
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community as soon as possible. You just don’t know what will … be the catalyst for someone to call you or identify your pet.” On the Project Bobo website — which evolves almost daily with new resources and information — Westmark has listed a plethora of things for people with lost pets to try. The “Lost Pet Checklist” includes tips and tricks for on-foot searches, notifying neighbors, passing out flyers and business cards, putting up signs, and contacting local animal shelters and veterinarians. She also has a list of more than 15 lost-pet Facebook pages and more than 20 lost-and-found websites. Additionally, there is an interactive spreadsheet with more than 160 Orlando-area groomers, sitters and veterinarians that pet owners can reach out to. Although Bobo has not yet been found, Westmark says she has gotten the most leads with hitting the streets and getting her flyers and signs out there. “You really need to create a presence for your pet in your neighborhood,” she says. “All the while between (when Bobo went missing) and the current time period, we’ve handed out over 3,000 flyers by foot, door to door. I’m really passionate about finding my pet. I’ve had him for eight years and adopted him when he was 8 weeks old. He’s just a family member and that’s what happens when you have a pet. “That’s why I created Project Bobo — it doesn’t matter what your pet is, you just get attached to the animals you take care of,” she says. “I still search every day, I post on Facebook and promote ads within Facebook. You do what you can to try to get the word out about your pet.” Most people Westmark has met in her search for Bobo have been kind and helpful, she said, with only a few bad apples in the bunch. And she still gets calls daily from people who either think they’ve seen Bobo or who just want to check in with her search for him. “I’m grateful that people even call, because that means people are thinking about him and looking and trying to help,” she says. “It’s been an amazing experience as far as how gracious people have been. My quest for Bobo probably won’t stop for a very long time. I don’t think I’ll ever stop looking for him. Part of my process is to give back to the community, because you just don’t want anyone to go through that.”
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Back to school means new friends — for grown-ups, too! S chool. The very word conjures up excitement, nervous energy and big dreams. School is the place where kids make lifelong friends. Kids make friends so easily, don’t they? All they have to do is share a box of crayons, stand next to each other in the lunch line or play on the jungle gym together. Pow. Instant friendship. Once you grow out of crayons and playgrounds (assuming you have!), making friends can feel laborious. But be assured that if your kids can make friends at school, so can you! Here are a couple of ways to connect with other adults this school year:
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By far the easiest opportunity to meet moms, dads, guardians and grandparents is to attend events planned by the school. My favorite school event of all time was the Tears and Tissues Coffee offered to parents of kindergartners on the first day of school. You can BET you have something in common with the adults at this sob-fest! Parents — lump in throat — swallow a few sips of coffee, chew on bagels, and commiserate with other parents about their babies jumping out into the big world.
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Put all the festivals, parent nights and open houses on your calendar as soon as they are announced. Meet the Teacher night offers the rare opportunity to squeeze into your child’s tiny desk. Believe me, it is comedic to everyone in the room and is thus a perfect conversation starter. Knowing that you’re sitting next to the parent of a
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previous years and tend to congregate. That doesn’t mean they won’t welcome a friendly face. If it’s your first year at the school, ask about neighborhood parks or after-school activities available for the kids. Most parents are excited to share!
BECCA SCHMIDT BALDWIN PARK LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR child that your kid will see every day (and whom will potentially become a good buddy) should allow you to let your guard down and start chatting.
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Volunteer! Volunteering at your child’s school is one of the best ways to meet parents or grandparents with common interests. Imagine sitting in front of a giant heap of donated clothing, working together to sort and bag items for charity. By the time the project is through, volunteers are fabulous friends! Schools require a visitor name tag for on-site volunteers, so you can skip some of the formalities of introducing yourself.
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Become a classroom mom, dad or grandparent. Often, parents will find themselves coordinating over the phone, or working side by side in the classroom or decorating for the holidays. These are perfect opportunities to share your artistic flare and sense of humor with other adults.
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School drop-off and pickup. This one can be tricky, because often there are parents who know each other from
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Once you’ve opened the door to a budding friendship, make an open-ended offer. Share the day of the week you and your child go to a particular playground or ice-cream shop. If you have a flexible daytime schedule, take the kiddos after school to Kelly’s Ice Cream (Corrine Drive) or Planet Smoothie in the Village Center. Cool snacks after school make for an easy, non-intimidating outing. If you work during school pick-up hours, an outing after dinner may be feasible. Ask your kids to initiate the invitation with their budding buddy.
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Parents of older kids in middle and high school will find it much more challenging to connect. Kids need much less school-related time and support from parents. That’s where the PTA comes in! The Parent Teacher Association at each school provides regular opportunities to raise funds, host teacher thank you events, discuss school issues and throw parties. Often, the PTA group will have subcommittees where parents work together on a common project. Jump in at the beginning of the school year. Now you need some tools: A calling card. Yes, it seems a bit Victorian, but it’s not. Look online at the cards avail-
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able on Shutterfly, Vistaprint and even Etsy. You’ll see dozens of samples of calling cards (also called social cards or parent cards). These cards typically include an art element, cell phone number, personal email and social media contact info. For the playdate crowd, a card might also include a reference to the child, such as “Emily’s Mom.” A calling card is useful for working parents who don’t want to give out their business card loaded with work-related information. They’re perfect for a casual invite: “Text me next time you go to the playground and we’ll meet you up there.”
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A club page on the Baldwin Park website. If you are in one of Baldwin Park’s many book clubs, dining groups, Bunco or single dads’ group, invite new friends (Baldwin Park residents) to join you at your next group meeting. Clubs are listed on the home page of baldwinparknetwork.com. Look for the “Groups & Gatherings” drop-down menu. Relax, jump in, and don’t let the fear of making friends this school year give you the middle-school jitters. 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. 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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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Groups and gatherings Connect with like-minded neighbors. Choose from dozens of activities every month. For a complete list of groups, visit baldwinparknetwork.com. BALDWIN PARK ART A mixture of art classes, studio tours and gallery openings for art lovers. Activities and classes are open to teens and adults. For a full list of activities or to sign up for a class, contact Pat at plremingt@gmail.com. BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB Activities for children ages up to 5 years old. Parents and kids enjoy a variety of casual get-togethers, including story time, play dates, park picnics, moms nights out and more. Contact Piper at bpkidsclub1@gmail. com.
NEW! MIGHTY MOMS STROLLER WALKS
COOKING AROUND THE WORLD Take a virtual trip around the world every other month when this group makes a meal from various countries and regions. Group leader Dianne is a cooking instructor, eager to share her talent with neighbors. Each participant brings one ingredient for the recipes. The next cooking class is Aug. 25. For more information about this group, and to reserve your seat at the table, contact Dianne at dianne. brownmorin@gmail.com.
The mission of this group is to get Baldwin Park moms together doing something good for themselves while building new friendships. The group will meet twice a week (9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays) for walks around the neighborhood. Children must be willing to sit in a stroller or be worn for the duration of the walk. Contact Dana at dana@drobinfitness.com. CRUISE AND TRAVEL CLUB Hear guest speakers, share travel tips and plan group travel with this very popular Baldwin Park group. Contact Kathleen at kmpeters2009@gmail.com. ETHNIC FOOD ENTHUSIASTS Cultured? Curious? Craving global cuisine? Explore an exceptional epicurean eatery every month. Contact Shannon at sfaith14@gmail.com.
BALDWIN PARK JAM SESSIONS Play guitar? Banjo? Keyboards, or any other electric or acoustic instrument? Get together once a month or so with other Baldwin Park musicians and play till your heart’s content! All ages, life stages and music backgrounds are encouraged to jump in and jam! For the location of the August session, contact Fred at backesf@bellsouth.net.
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
BOOK CLUBS LABS & FRIENDS PLAYTIME Saturday morning means “big friendly dog” playtime at Blue Jacket Park. Dogs should be on a leash. Bring Labradors, Goldens, Labradoodles and other large dogs for playtime. Contact Linda at lmichalisin@ 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 every Wednesday at Harbor Park at 6:29 a.m. Contact Dyani at novemberprojectorlando@gmail.com.
MEET & MINGLE Join us for a bi-monthly program of guest speakers including authors, artists, filmmakers and local visionaries. Event is free for Baldwin Park residents and includes themed refreshments and a question-and-answer segment. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.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.
NIFTY FIFTIES Socials for active couples and singles, age 50 and up, meet several times a month for a selection of social activities including ladies coffee, happy hour, luncheons, parties and more. Contact Dianne at niftyfiftiesplus@gmail.com.
NEW! MAHJONG Long awaited! A Baldwin Park Mahjong group is currently forming and looking for players. Mahjong is a tile-based game played by four people at a time. Contact Christopher at cfc106@gmail.com.
PICKLEBALL GAMES Grab your paddle and whiffle ball for a friendly game of pickleball. Find out about the next gathering. Contact Craig at cgile@cfl.rr.com. NEW! WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? Novice tennis group forming this fall to learn the game, practice hitting and serving. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com. YARN CIRCLE FOR A CAUSE Share knitting and crocheting ideas and work on projects for charitable causes. Yarn Circle meets once a month and the next meeting is Saturday, Aug. 3, at a member’s home. For details about time and location, contact Dawn at finddawn@gmail.com.
All book clubs listed below welcome new members! Find the day of the week and type of book that suits you best. Book clubs meet once a month at a member’s home.
August book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Kathy at klhgibbons@gmail.com. n BOOKS & COOKS
n BOOK WORMS FICTION BOOK CLUB This is a new book group and welcomes new members. This group will meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. For the August book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Audean at audean63@gmail.com. n HOOKED ON BOOKS This book group recently launched and is welcoming new members who love fiction. They’ll meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, then monthly at various members’ homes. For August book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Melissa at melissajay522@gmail.com. n REAL DEAL NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB Be on the ground floor of this new book group that will read and discuss biographies, memoirs, business books and contemporary non-fiction. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. For
This group is now forming. If you salivated while reading “Fried Green Tomatoes” or drooled during “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake,” then Books & Cooks is the group for you. Readers will gather to discuss the book and enjoy fare featured in the book. This group’s first meeting will be in September, but an email list is starting now. Contact lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com. n PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB This group 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 August meeting by contacting Genie at bsrocky@hotmail.com.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
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GIRL POWER Baldwin Park resident Kaci
Line is opening her boutique fitness studio, Mighty Girls Fitness, in the Village Center. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
F
orget flower power: At Mighty Girls Fitness, it’s all about the girl power. The boutique fitness studio, located on New Broad Street in the Village Center, is slated to open Aug. 19. It’s the brainchild of Baldwin Park resident Kaci Line, and the concept has been five years in the making. Line herself is a huge fan of fitness and working out, and she estimates she has tried almost every workout in Orlando over the last 20 years — from kickboxing, CrossFit and yoga to ultrarunning, barre and boot camps. But the concept for Mighty Girls came to be when Line attended a fitness retreat a few years ago and came back inspired. “I came back so empowered and (with) so much confidence that I thought to myself, ‘What if teen girls had the confidence that I had? Wouldn’t that be so amazing as a teen to have confidence? How powerful would that be?’” she says. “I got that confidence by just my physical activity — working so hard at a physical feat broke me down enough to build me up. I want to work with teens and build confidence in women because I feel awesome and I want others to feel this awesome.” Line, a certified personal trainer, has an extensive background in law. She has been a law professor, an attorney and assistant dean of
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
Danielle Hendrix
Kaci Line, a longtime Baldwin Park resident, started Mighty Girls Fitness to help boost women’s confidence.
a law school, so teaching has always come naturally to her. She combined her passion for physical fitness with her passion for teaching, and she also is a group fitness instructor and certified RRCA run coach. “I just said, ‘Now is the time to do
it — let’s go make this happen,’” she says. “I went back and got all my certifications and spent time learning and training. I started personal training, I started the fitness classes out of Dance360, and that’s how I started classes here.” After deciding to make the leap
“
I got that confidence by just my physical activity — working so hard at a physical feat broke me down enough to build me up.” — KACI LINE
and open her own fitness studio, Line began looking for the perfect space. She knew she wanted to offer many different types of workouts, too — she had been paying for different packages and memberships at multiple fitness locations herself, and she knew it was important to be able to offer multiple modalities under one roof. “If you can change it up and do something different every day, you’re more likely to stick with some sort of physical activity,” she says. “That’s why we are going to offer multiple classes, and not just for one age group. There is something for everyone.” She came across the space on New Broad Street late last year and has spent much of 2019 going through the permitting process and getting paperwork done to take over the space. Now that she
is in it, it’s all about renovations and preparing for the grand opening. Mighty Girls Fitness will offer more than 15 different classes for girls and women ages 8 and up. There are classes that cater specifically to “tweens,” or ages 8 to 12; classes that cater to teenagers; classes for women 55 and older; and offerings for every age in between. Some of these classes include different forms of yoga, Core and More (55+), teen and tween fitness, barre, HIIT, boot camp, CardioDance and BBG (Bellies, Buns and Guns). Line currently has six instructors on board, all of whom will be helping teach different classes. Additionally, each class is limited to 10 people in order to keep it small and individualized. “I’ve been so lucky to have amaz-
ing instructors, which is super exciting,” Line says. “Every single one brings something awesome to the table.” Mighty Girls Fitness offers several different price levels for the group fitness classes. Clients can drop in on a class for $20 or buy five-, 10- or 20-class packages. There also is an option for 30 days of unlimited classes. Additionally, Mighty Girls offers personal training and running coaching. “Seeing women have that confidence is so rewarding and that’s what I wanted to focus on then, just picking up someone’s confidence,” Line says. “We are building a community — I want this to be your place to go where you feel comfortable. It’s women supporting women. ... This is my home, this is my town, this is my community and I really couldn’t be anywhere else.”
MIGHTY GIRLS FITNESS 4804 New Broad St., Orlando DETAILS: MGF is currently set to open for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 19. More information, including class offerings and pricing, can be found on Mighty Girls Fitness’ website or Facebook page. The grand-opening special, valid only in August and September, is three months of unlimited classes for $300 or 10 group-fitness classes for $100. WEBSITE: mightgirlsfitness.com FACEBOOK: bit.ly/30Gy5sv INSTAGRAM: @mightygirlsfitness
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Community calendar AUG. 2 FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, along New Broad Street in the Village Center. First Friday Festival, presented by Consult Boom, will feature more than 70 local artisans of all genres, as well as many Central Florida-based small businesses and nonprofit organizations with products and offerings ranging from health and fitness to beauty and fashion, as well as community-service opportunities. This free sidewalk festival is held the first Friday of every month and is both family- and pet-friendly. Sponsored by Westminster Communities of Central Florida. For more information, visit baldwinparkevents.com.
YOGA FRIDAYS 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Fridays in July upstairs in the community room at Grace Hopper Hall, 1913 Meeting Place. Sizzlin’ Summer Yoga Camp is open to students of all levels and ages. Come explore the many M’s of yoga — each week is a new topic, including mindfulness, meditation, mudras, malas, mantras, muscles and even music for yoga! Classes are taught by Becca Schmidt, E-RYT500/YACEP, who has more than 15 years of teaching experience. The class is for Baldwin Park residents. Cost is $7, with a special rate for active school teachers, who may enjoy class for $5. Contact Becca at Becca@ bluemoon.yoga for details.
AUG. 3 PICKUP BASKETBALL 8:15 a.m. each Saturday at the Blue Jacket Park basketball courts. Basketball enthusiasts meet for 5-on-5 play. For more information, contact Rick at rschreiber2@gmail.com.
AUG. 16: ART WORKSHOP 10 to 11 a.m. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/ Baldwin-Park-Kids-Club.
AUG. 5 STRETCHING CLASS 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Enders Park Gathering Room. Professional ballerina/ teacher and Baldwin Park resident Adriana Duarte Pontual is offering relaxing stretching classes to tone and stretch your muscles. Class is for adults only. Please take a mat. Cost is $10 per class. If you are interested in signing up for stretching classes,
contact Adriana directly at adriana.tmrj@gmail.com For more information on Adriana, visit adrianaduartepontual.com.br.
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AUG. 9 SUMMER STORYTIME AT ORLANDO FORE MUSEUM 10 to 11:30 a.m. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/BaldwinPark-Kids-Club. AUG. 13 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 inspiring. Dinner is available. For more, call (407) 425-5864 or email central@lungfla.org. ROA ANNUAL MEETING/ELECTION Meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Grace Hopper Hall.
AUG. 16 MOMS MORNING OUT 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup.com/BaldwinPark-Kids-Club. AUG. 24 BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DESTRUCTION 5K RUN/WALK 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Harbor Park in the Village Center. Breaking the cycle of destruction is the purpose of this run. Since 2007, New Beginnings Outreach Ministries has helped hundreds of men, women and families to overcome their habits of drugs, alcohol, depression, co-dependency and other obstacles that stood in their way of having a positive, productive life. The proceeds from this race provide the funds needed in keeping the home for women open, as well as funds for helping others with life coaching, wise counsel and hands up in getting started with their new beginning in life. For more information, visit bit. ly/2GbADqU.
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AUG. 8 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Grace Hopper Hall, Gathering Room 1913.
AUG. 14 THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE PARKS Meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Although still meeting in Baldwin Park, the Rotary Club has changed its name to include more members from Audubon Park and Winter Park. The Rotary Club of the Parks is a diverse group of working professionals and neighbors who like to have fun while doing good in our community and the world. Visitors and guests are welcome. For more information and the current meeting location, email RotaryClubOfTheParks@gmail. com or visit our Facebook page for the latest events at facebook.com/RotaryClubOfTheParksOrlando.
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AUG. 6 WALKY TALKY 7:30 to 8 a.m. every Tuesday. Walking and talking is good for the brain! Perfect for newcomers who want to meet new people in the neighborhood. Walkers gather Tuesday mornings at the corner of Common Way and Lower Park Road for a 30-minute power walk to the lake and back. Led by Baldwin Park Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt, who will prompt discussion with fun facts about the neighborhood. An evening group is starting soon. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@ baldwinparkpoa.com.
Baldwin Park Adult Swim Lessons
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Brian Bechtel and Nancy Philips are the masterminds behind both Escape Artists Orlando and Sanford.
Danielle Hendrix
The great escape Escape Artists Orlando is bringing its second location — and two brand-new escape games — to Baldwin Park. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
W
ith sixty minutes on the clock ticking away, the clues and puzzles set before you and your teammates taunt you — after all, solving them is your ticket to escape. This is the concept of an escape room, and Escape Artists is bringing its second such location to the Village Center this month. In an escape-room game, ac-
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
cording to Escape Artists, “teams of two to six players are locked in a room and will have to work together in order to solve puzzles, decode cyphers and find secret passages in order to escape within the 60-minute time limit.” Escape Artists founders and co-owners Nancy Philips and Brian Bechtel opened their first location in Sanford in 2016. They got hooked on the escape games about a year and a half prior, when Philips won tickets to play an es-
cape game elsewhere. “We really had no idea what we were getting into, but when we went and played we fell in love with it,” Bechtel says. “We ended up playing every game in the region available at the time.” The two started playing escape games all the time, and they met an escape-room owner on the west coast of Florida who was having trouble getting one of her games up and running. Bechtel is a handyman and Philips is great with interior design, so the two offered to help her out. “We’d go out there and help her, Continued on page 26
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“
It’s been a labor of love … it’s a monumental effort, so when we see people come in and appreciate that effort and have fun, that to me is the biggest reward out of it.”
— BRIAN BECHTEL
Continued from page 24 (and) around that time I kept telling Brian, ‘We should do this for ourselves,’” Philips says. “We had been talking about potentially doing a business, but after we helped her out we were like, ‘OK, maybe we can do this.’” The two always had ideas for how a game could be done better or differently, and what they realized is that they had many ideas that other people enjoyed exploring, too. They opened the Escape Artists Sanford location in 2016 with two games, and it has since expanded to four. “We spend a long time in developing our games, but in addition to that, our games in Sanford had received such high critical reviews
— there are review websites that people really hardcore into the industry (use) — and our games got high praise from these review sites,” Bechtel says. “That’s kind of what we’re known for, is doing things that are kind of unlike our competition. We run our own race.” The positive reviews led to sales of duplicates of their games, and eventually the two got to the point where they were able to quit their full-time jobs and be in the escape-room industry for a living. “To be able to sell games, it was confirmation that we were doing well,” Philips says. “What we created was well-received.” The Sanford location does not have any more room for expansion, so they began their search for the second Escape Artists location
last year. The space they’re in now at Baldwin Park’s Village Center, Philips said, is a perfect location because they’re now able to cater to more of the Orlando area. They finished construction on the Baldwin Park location in midMay and now are spending time testing and fine-tuning the games they’ve installed. Each game has its own plot, and those who play the games are there to possibly find something, steal something, or another activity along those lines. “You’ll be solving puzzles and finding hidden compartments and rooms,” Philips says. “It’s definitely going to require a team effort. Everyone will end up having to participate. We have people that come and say, ‘I’m going to be terrible at this, I don’t know why I’m here,’ but then the 60 minutes starts and they’re so involved that they forgot they said that.” Bechtel and Philips want people to know that the games are fun for everyone, and no outside knowledge is required. “Everything we design, the No. 1 thing is that everything you need
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ESCAPE ARTISTS ORLANDO
Courtesy of Escape Artists Orlando
One of the escape games takes place in what looks like an old manor on a stormy night.
to escape is in the room,” Bechtel says. “We’ve had groups that have children like 8 years old playing and were able to solve things, and we’ve had a team of 75-year-olds play.” Philips said that they hope to be able to officially open Escape Artists Orlando — the name of the Baldwin Park location — sometime in August. Anyone interested can follow Escape Artists on social me-
dia, as Philips and Bechtel hope to post soon regarding when bookings for the games will be available. “It really is very rewarding, because the whole time we’ve been looking for a location I’ve been working on building out these games and we’ve been building out these puzzles,” Bechtel says. “It’s been a labor of love … it’s a monumental effort, so when we see people come in and
appreciate that effort and have fun, that to me is the biggest reward out of it. It’s almost like an art. “We just want to make sure that once we’re open … the experience they’re getting is the experience we want them to get,” Bechtel says. “We hope to get everybody hooked on escape games like we are.”
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KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE
The human touch still matters D
igital marketing techniques continue to grow each year, facilitating home sales and streamlining the buying and selling process for all parties. Most buyers search online for their home prior to looking in person, and many in real estate embrace social media ads to great success. Have you ever clicked on an ad for a home and it then “followed” you around the web, popping up on the other sites you viewed? Perhaps you glimpsed an Instagram ad for a pool home that caught your eye due to the animation of the water in the picture. That’s digital marketing hard at work. Without a doubt we are in the internet age, and if you believe some of the thought leaders out there, we are heading toward a time when robots will make all of our
future at least, real estate is a relationship-centered business and “people skills” still matter. Let’s brush up on some steps buyers and sellers can take to make sales happen and keep things moving smoothly until closing.
CHRISTINA RORDAM FLORIDA REALTY INVESTMENTS
Christina Rordam is a local Realtor with 12 years experience and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. For more, visit christinasellsorlando.com.
jobs obsolete, even if that time is still decades away. With all the attention our online business and networking get, it can be easy to forget that, for the foreseeable
n Courtesy goes a long way. A good friend of mine sells in both Florida and New York. She remarked to me recently how different agents are here versus in the Big Apple. New York agents are all business and straight to the point. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Part of me loves the thought of not having to worry about all of the niceties we are used to here in the South. But selling in Central Florida means dealing
with Central Floridians, and even though sometimes it may feel as though society has become coarser (it has), politeness can go a long way in helping a buyer and their agent win a bidding war on a house, or enable a seller to request an extension on the closing date if needed. So just remember when you are negotiating a contract, if the buyer’s requests are reasonable, try to accommodate when you can. Share as much information as you have on the home and its service providers even prior to close. Buyers feel less inclined to pick apart a property in inspections when they are made aware of the maintenance you have conducted. Be polite and timely in all communications and make sure to hire an agent who will do the same.
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n Maintain the home in the same condition as when the buyer went under contract. This can certainly fall under the umbrella of courtesy, as well as common sense, but more importantly — depending on the contract you signed with the buyer — it’s likely a requirement. Recently I brought buyers to a home they had under contract to measure the rooms for furniture and we discovered a small leak. I quickly phoned the other agent to inform them of the issue so it could be resolved before more damage was done. The other agent shared with me that while the seller was resolving this issue, they were not happy about it and felt that this was a repair request made out of the inspection period — why didn’t the buyer handle this themselves? The fact is if the buyer signed an agreement to buy the home without leaks, the home should be delivered to them in that same condition based on the contract ratified by both parties. Not to mention the yard had clearly not been mowed since the contract execution, as well. Stay the course and deliver the home in the same shape it was in to begin with. If you are a seller who is feeling frustrated, keep it to yourself and your agent and do the right thing. Karma is real, and if a buyer discovers you knew about a leak or any other damage that occurred after they signed the contract, they may have legal recourse to recoup funds spent fixing said issue.
n The little things still matter. When I sold new construction in Baldwin Park, one of the duties the builder required of us was to use this little toaster oven to make fresh chocolate chip cookies each morning. That way, when buyers walked in they smelled the baked goods and hopefully felt more at home. Although this may seem quaint to some, small gestures like this can help your home stand out in the crowd. The higher the price of your home, the more you stiff the competition to win buyers. After all, a buyer of means will have discerning tastes to match their checkbook, and more options than the average entry-level buyer. Attention to detail and small but welcoming gestures still matter. Now, will putting cookies out sell your house if it’s overpriced? Absolutely not. But if you and your agent make your home easy to view, easy to submit an offer on and easy to access for inspections and the like, you are more likely to enjoy better offers and a smoother process. Witness the iBuyers’ foray into real estate. Oftentimes their listings will have signage throughout the home and a keypad door lock to make getting facts about the home, as well as entry, simple. While I wouldn’t recommend giving everyone access to your home this way, consider marketing that highlights the highlights of your home and makes it easy to discover. Another new home lesson: Home purchases are often an emotionally driven thing. Although as a buyers agent I always recommend buyers to look at things objectively, the reality is they sometimes don’t. Some new studies show that millennials actually prefer working with a trusted professional due to the personal attention and expert advice they receive. Hiring an agent who will utilize innovative technologies — as well as ensure that prospective buyers feel good placing an offer — can give sellers an edge in getting that top-dollar price point they desire.
A Family Event Series at Winter Park Village Sponsored by
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Register & Purchase Tickets Here: PlaygroundMagazine.com/SummerOfPlay Limited capacity on all events
Winter Park Village 510 Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407.571.2700 BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
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Buyers should prioritize any requests and take steps not to “nickel and dime” the seller to death over small repairs. I have seen more than one case where the buyer spares no small request and then ends up needing something from the seller post close or right before closing and the seller is worn out and not willing to do any more for that buyer. Respecting the other party’s time and checkbook are key and help win you favor in case you need help down the road.
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Brandon Smith made an awesome Uncle Sam.
BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE BASH Storms might have put a slight damper on the opening festivities for Baldwin Park’s Independence Bash on Wednesday, July 3, but the skies cleared in time for the rest of the star-spangled celebration. Hundreds roamed New Broad Street and Harbor Park as they checked out the food trucks and vendors, enjoyed live music and awaited the much-anticipated fireworks show. Three bands — Raising Cadence, Run Raquel and Triple Play — duked it out in the battle of the bands, with Triple Play rising as the winner.
— DANIELLE HENDRIX
Harlow Sisco was adorable in her patriotic outfit.
Baldwin Park residents of all ages had a blast taking photos and dancing to music played by the battling bands.
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Members of the band Triple Play hit the stage as soon as lightning cleared out of the area.
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871 OUTER ROAD, BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL PROPERTY | $899,000
Property Highlights
KellyPriceandCompany.com 407.645.4321
Kelly L. Price 407.252.7207
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• Double-pane windows • Suites A, B & D with blinds • Approx. interior square • Ample parking in front footage is 2,933 SF & back of building • Condo dues of $2,796 due on quarterly basis • Minutes to Downtown Orlando, Executive • Spacious individual Airport, great shops & offices dining • 3 private baths
Kelly@KellyPriceAndCompany.com BALDWIN PARK LIVING | AUGUST 2019
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ADVERTORIAL
Strength training at any age can help improve muscle mass and bone density knows the challenges his clients face. After 33 years in the fitness industry, the former strength coach for the Charlotte Hornets retired in 2007, only to come out of retirement a few years ago to join Elite because, he said, he saw the value in what they offered their clients. “The equipment here is top of the line and the techniques produce results like no other,” Rinehart said. At Elite, education is as important as the equipment. Before clients spend anytime working out, they share their medical history, goals and concerns with trainers who develop a plan that covers time inside and outside of the gym. “Clients’ needs are evaluated and we give them a detailed analysis of what they need to do, especially at home, to accomplish their goals,” said owner Monte Mitchell. Homework might include keeping food and exercise journals to learn more about their habits, especially if weight loss is a goal. The gym also offers a 12-week group nutrition workshop to their members, guaranteeing results for their clients, provided they follow all the recommendations made during their consultation.
70-year-old physician Dr. Maria Bors hasbeen a client of Elite for seven years and finds that training there fits quite nicely into her busy lifestyle. “The 20-minute workouts are easy for me to fit in and I find them easy to commit to,” Bors said. Rather than working out with sweaty, bulked-up gym rats, Elite’s clients find an almost Zen-like atmosphere, with trainers attentive to their every motion. Speaking in tones of calm assurance, trainers offer equal parts encouragement and challenge, pushing clients to new levels. The workouts are physically demanding, but not in the way one might expect. Motions are slow and intensely controlled, demanding maximum effort from muscles while barely breaking a sweat. “Many clients don’t even change out of office clothes,” Rinehart said. “They simply don’t need to.” Before beginning with Elite, Bors suffered
from daily back pain, but after just a few months in the gym, she experienced a noticeable change in pain levels and now rarely suffers at all. “It’s been remarkable for me,” she said. “I can feel how strong I am, especially when I am traveling carrying luggage. I have a strength I never had before.” “The strength training is very good for preventing bone loss,” said Bors, “which is something we all need as we age.”
407-740-7750 • 1312 Palmetto Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789 • www.elitestrengthandfitness.com Mention this ad for a free consultation. You can schedule this consultation by calling Elite Strength & Fitness at 407-740-7750
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Allison Olcsvay Three years ago, the client was facing the same prognosis that she has watched her mother suffer with for de-cades. The progressive osteopenia would someday develop into osteoporosis, bringing on devastating broken bones and pain. “My mother is 93 now, and I’ve watched her suffer so much; I just don’t want that to happen to me,” she said. Medication to strengthen her bones never produced significant results, and after years of taking them, she decided to try a new course of action. Following the recommendation of a friend she signed on with Elite Strength and Fitness of Winter Park and began following a twice-weekly strength-training regimen designed to increase her muscle mass and bone density. At her next DEXA scan to measure density, the client’s doctor noticed a big change and she was able to stop taking her medication. Success stories like hers don’t come easy though; it took months of intense workouts with the guidance of personal trainers to get there. At 64, Les Rinehart, one of Elite’s train-ers,
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FEATURED PROPERTIES NE
W
P
E RIC
This exceptional Baldwin Park beauty was custom built by RexTibbs and sits on an oversized corner lot, overlooking a beautiful park setting that is one of the best in the neighborhood. With 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths, this home boosts almost 6200 SF of living space w/a spacious floor plan featuring refinished wood floors, beautiful ceilings, trim and moldings. Gorgeous chef’s kitchen with Wolf appliances and custom cabinetry w/a large island and wine refrigerator. Enormous downstairs master suite overlooks the custom built resort like saltwater pool and spa. Also downstairs is another bedroom, currently being used as an office, that would make a great nursery/guest bedroom with its beautiful built-ins and a full bath nearby. Upstairs are 3 full bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet and private bath. Large playroom area is perfect for the family’s needs and the fully equipped theater room that seats six. 1 bed/1 bath apartment over the 2 car garage. Plenty of covered areas and an outdoor summer kitchen for all your entertaining needs. Separate pool house with full bath is perfect for your home gym.
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 2018
Asking $1,695,000
• Highest Sales Volume in Townhomes in 2015
WHAT’S SELLING
• Highest Sales Volume in New Construction in 2013
Highly sought after park front location makes this ISSA townhome a rare find. Meticulously maintained this 3/2.5 shows like a model with its beautiful cherry hardwood floors throughout the first floor and brand new upgraded carpeting on the stairs and upstairs. Separate open living and dining room PLUS open kitchen that overlooks the family room and eat-in breakfast area makes it perfect for entertaining. Light and bright kitchen features white cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and overlooks the lovely paver patio. Custom plantation shutters, moldings and trims throughout really make this townhome stand out. Detached two car garage with high ceiling and plenty of overhead storage plus an epoxy floor. All bedrooms are located upstairs, as well as, the inside laundry area. Spacious master suite with sweeping park views and includes a walk-in closet, dual sinks, separate shower and large soaking tub. Dropdown stairs to attic with oversized air-conditioned storage space is unique to this builder and provides even more storage for all your storage needs. A fenced in private paver courtyard with landscape lighting leads to the detached two car garage with rear alley entrance. Conveniently located in Baldwin Park to parks, playgrounds, Blue Jacket Park and easy access to downtown Orlando and Winter Park. This truly is a must see!
• Ranked Top Producer since 2002 • Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004
Sold for $462,000 This single story home on a wonderful street is completely ready for you to move in! From the welcoming front porch as you enter the home to the light and bright rooms with designer paint colors, wood porcelain tile floors, and crown molding this home doesn’t disappoint. The front room is a formal dining room with gorgeous modern light fixture. As you enter the large family room overlooking the updated kitchen with light granite countertops, subway tile backsplash, huge island perfect for casual meals and eat in kitchen flooded with natural light. This home lives much larger than square footage. The master retreat complete with large soaking tub, double vanities, separate shower recently updated with subway tile and walk in closet. A wonderful wooden deck off the back of this home provides a perfect space for entertaining! The location of this home makes it easy to walk to pools, playgrounds, schools or restaurants.
Sold for $447,500
Beautiful move-in ready ISSA townhome located across from Blue Jacket Park. This 3/2.5 has gorgeous wood floors throughout the entire first floor and brand-new carpet throughout the upstairs. Freshly painted throughout gives it a light and bright feel. Open kitchen has been beautifully upgraded with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, and overlooks the spacious family room and dining room area. Separate formal living room would make a great office/den space, or playroom. All bedrooms are located upstairs as well as the inside laundry room. Conveniently located within Baldwin Park to schools and parks, as
Lisa Fleming
407.644.1234 321.228.8341 cell Lisa@fanniehillman.com
well as, easy access to downtown Orlando and Winter Park.
Sold for $400,000
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T H E MTAHYEFM LO WFELR R EE RT IARTE M MRMK U N I T Y AY OW WE I NNTTE RC O PA
“It was time to simplify my life and plan ahead. The Mayf lower lifestyle enables me to do that.”
WHY WAIT?
A strong sense of community. Friendly neighbors. A commitment to health and wellness. And a host of elegant amenities, including a heated pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and restaurant-style dining. This is The Mayflower. And residents like Dr. Catherine Lamprecht say living here is like being on a permanent vacation at a luxury retirement resort – with one other very big perk: the guarantee of onsite quality long-term care. Learn why Catherine and so many others say there’s no good reason to wait. Call us today!
88141 PRAD BPL 8/2019
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1620 MAYFLOWER COURT | WINTER PARK, FL 32792 | 407.672.1620 | THEMAYFLOWER.COM