Baldwin Park Living May 2024

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

MAY 2024

THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Our team of expert financial advisors can help her plan for the future and achieve her financial goals. With our personalized approach, we’ll take the time to understand her unique financial situation and develop a customized plan.

Whether she’s looking to save for retirement, plan for her children’s education, or simply manage her finances more effectively, we have the expertise to help.

Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Let your money and Fortress work harder for you.

Fortress Wealth Group CEO John Ledford and his family are residents of Baldwin Park.

Landscape Design & Installation

 Premium Gardening Services

ARC Applications  Assistance Resolving Covenants Violations

Porch Furnishings & Design  Potted Plants & Drip Irrigation

Florida Native & Pollinator-Friendly Gardens  Raised Beds

Exterior Home Staging  Lighting Selection  Paint Color Palettes

Fence Design  Gutter & Drainage Planning  Paving & Hardscape

Mow & Blow Service  Pressure Washing  Tree Care Coordination

(321) 252-8722

MimiSimmonsDesign@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COVER

The cover photo was taken by Tonio Bianca. Bianca is a managing partner & Realtor at the Munkberg Bianca Realty Group and also an international award-winning photographer.

The Lone Sailor Navy Memorial of Central Florida is located at Blue Jacket Park in Baldwin Park, site of the former Navy/ Recruit Training Center. This Navy Memorial is a reminder of the Navy’s presence in Central Florida, as well as an expression of gratitude to those sailors who have served, are currently serving and shall serve in the U.S. Navy. For more than 30 years, Navy recruits made the transition from civilian to sailor at this site.

The Navy Memorial was dedicated April 2, 2016, and the Central Florida Navy League Council put considerable effort into bringing this

Lone Sailor Navy Memorial to Orlando.

On April 14, 2018, Bronze Woman was dedicated the Blue Jacket Recruit to the 188,000-plus women sailors who graduated RTC Orlando or served as staff from 1972 until base closure in 1998.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver.com

EDITORIAL

Design Editor — Jessica Eng, jeng@orangeobserver.com

News Editor — Annabelle Sikes, asikes@orangeobserver.com

Contributors — Brie Bernstel, Lisa Schreiber and Mimi Simmons

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@orangeobserver.com

PRODUCTION

Graphic Designer — Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@orangeobserver.com

CONTACT

To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Annabelle Sikes at asikes@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.

Baldwin Park notebook

ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

BY STACEY FRYREAR

The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official March 26, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

The board accepted, appointed and or approved the following items/work:

n Accepted 2024/2025 property insurance renewal presented by Assured Partners the Agent of Record

n Approved the 2025 Reserve Study Update as provided by Dreux Isaac & Associates LLC

n Approved the March 21, 2024, TSAC Meeting Minutes excluding Item B, along with the March TSAC Management Report

n Approved Canopy Tree Hazard Pruning and the Crepe Myrtle V Shaping proposal for the Parks/ Mews as presented by BrightView Tree Care

n Approved plants bed replacements at Fox Mews as presented by BrightView Landscape Maintenance.

COMPLETED ACTIONS

1. March carpet cleaning at Enders and Grace Hopper.

2. Eblast including information on canopy-tree pruning was sent. The eblast included some reasons to prune: clearance/ elevation, tree health, protecting structures, storm damage mitigation, crown reduction and mistletoe removal.

3. SMI sent an eblast to owners providing Hotwire Customer Communications efforts, con-

struction updates and who to contact for assistance. It also included that the covenant violation process for the adjacent right-of-way utility easement and/or yard where the work is being done is on hold until such time as the sod is replaced by Hotwire.

4. BrightView replaced the plant beds at Fernwood Park as approved.

5. SMI secured OneBlood to be on site at Grace Hopper with the Big Red Bus during the spring and fall porch sales. The OneBlood flyer was incorporated into eblast.

6. SMI secured Goodwill, BrightView (plant giveaway) and Kona Ice for the Spring Porch Sale.

7. The SMI multimedia and community coordinator supplied association event flyers to the apartment communities as needed to be added to bulletin board in their lobbies.

8. Replacement of shutters at Grace Hopper Hall.

9. Exterior painting of Grace Hopper Hall.

10. SMI provided updated Use of Common Area Agreements to Tim Weber events for use when a volunteer is involved. The SMI multimedia and community relations coordinator will also use these for her smaller events.

PENDING ACTIONS

1. ARC Design Guideline Changes

2. The SMI community relations coordinator is writing a May Day article for the May Baldwin Park Living Magazine. To coincide with the article, the SMI multimedia and community coordinator has been attempting to meet with the manager at Publix in Baldwin Park to see if they would donate flowers for May Day. The idea is for people

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS

Any exterior change to your home — including but not limited to — painting, replacing or adding gutters, roofs, windows, plant materials/sod/trees, accessories, structural changes, etc., requires ARC approval. All applications can be found at baldwinparknetwork.com under ARC Applications. If you have questions, please call ARC Coordinator at (407) 740-5838 or email ARC@baldwinparkpoa.com.

CANOPY TREE PRUNING

There are many reasons to prune a tree. Here are some of the most common:

1. Clearance. Elevating the lower limbs on a tree provides safe clearance to pedestrians over walkways. Trees located by driveways and rights-of-way also should be elevated appropriately for traffic and signage visibility.

2. Plant health. Pruning can be used to remove or control pests and disease on parts of the trees. This may increase the opportunity to avoid unnecessary use of pesticides and prevent the problem from spreading on to healthy parts of the tree. This is a good alternative when the pest/ disease infestation is minor and limited to a few branches.

3. Protect structures. Pruning branches away from buildings helps to reduce pest access, reduces moisture, and avoids friction of limbs against walls and windows.

4. Storm-damage mitigation. Pruning selected interior branches of a tree will allow better wind flow through the canopy and produce less resistance, which will reduce the possibility of breakage in the structure of the canopy.

5. Crown reduction. Pruning can be used to give a tree the desired size and control growth in limited space.

Please keep safety in mind at all times and make sure you have the appropriate equipment, experience and knowledge for the task you want to accomplish. Accidents while doing tree work are common — mainly due to lack of experience and safety awareness. When in doubt, consult a tree care company with the expertise and equipment necessary for a successful and safe tree pruning.

to stop by Publix for flowers at a discount so they can participate in May Day. To date, she has not been able to meet with the manager at Publix. She is attempting to meet with the manager at Harry’s Flowers.

3. The SMI multimedia and community coordinator is continuing to work on the Business Directory section of the Baldwin Park Network. SMI wants to get everyone updated on there with graphics to make things more visually appealing and current.

4. SMI is working on an interim design for the display case at Grace Hopper until such time as the Historical Society replaces the materials.

5. Modernization of elevator at Grace Hopper is underway. It was scheduled to be completed by April 10, 2024.

6. SMI to obtain a proposal to replace all pool filter grids before the summer season begins.

7. SMI inspecting all park sign panels for reorder.

8. Hotwire Survey for eblast to go out as a stand-alone on March 26, 2024, and March 27, 2024, eblasts with a link to the survey.

9. March 22, 2024 Food Fare. Five food trucks, entertainment (violinist) and Hotwire all were scheduled to be in attendance.

10. SMI obtaining a price to change out high-reach bulbs to floods. This is to save money in hiring an electrician to replace the high-reach bulbs. Once done, SMI maintenance will be able to replace the bulbs. Depending on cost, this may need to be a 2025 budget item.

11. Receipt of approved weight bench for Enders fitness center.

12. Install approved Hybrid controller at Ardsdale Mews.

13. Replacement of Enders Facility Center double screen doors by Screen Walkers.

14. Proposals related to 2023/2024 reserve study update anticipated work to complete. Those include:

a. Asphalt overlay 1-inch Enders parking lot. A proposal will be obtained and brought to the board. UPDATE: SMI met with ABC Paving on site. It will provide three options for this parking lot because of the change in code concerning ADA-grade requirements/limits. ABC Paving has been unresponsive. SMI will approach another contractor.

b. Poured in Place surface at Enders and Union Park playgrounds

c. New cardio equipment in Grace Hopper Hall and Enders fitness centers

d. Enders Facility Center and NEV garage roof replacements

e. New hot water heaters at Enders gathering room (2003) and Grace Hopper upstairs (2003)

f. Trash cans, benches and bike rack replacements at Enders. SMI inspected and not all need to be replaced. Need to replace two bike racks, six benches and two trash cans.

g. NEV garage door replacement

h. Stain Enders Pool Deck

i. Pump motor for Enders kiddie pool

j. Fire alarm system at Grace Hopper Hall

k. Paint band around Grace Hopper Hall pool

l. Replace Grace Hopper Hall pool heater

m. Umbrellas at High Park

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

BY MELISSA PARKER

The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the March 21, 2024, meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork. com, once approved at the May 16, 2024, meeting.

n The TSAC approved A/R/C Associates Inc. bid recommendation of three M|G Roofing for the Cambridge roof-replacement project.

n The TSAC approved the election results for the listed resident and the additional listed residents be recommended for appointment to the TSAC by the ROA Board of Directors:

Robert Slavens: City Homes No. 1 (elected to two-year term)

Susan Stiner: City Homes No. 2 (elected to two-year term) term

Lori Pollock: Cambridge (appointed two-year term)

Jim Mark: Live/Work (appointed to two-year term)

UPDATES

n Please remember to report any landscape, building, or irrigation issues on Baldwin Park Solutions. Reporting items on Baldwin Park Solutions allows residents to share photos of the reported area(s) and receive real-time updates from management staff on corrective measures being taken. Baldwin Park Solutions can be accessed on the Baldwin Park Network.

Continued on page 10

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS

This is a reminder that the association does not maintain or make any repairs, on behalf of the townhome owners, to any balconies and/ or sundecks within Baldwin Park.

Tile floors on exterior porches or balconies may require grout sealing to prevent water damage. The grout may need to be touched up from time to time as the flooring ages. Likewise, remember to re-caulk around any window or door areas where caulking has shrunken due to sun or weather exposure. Sundecks should be examined annually to make sure everything is “water tight” and that no leaks are occurring at either your townhome or to the townhome located next to you.

Baldwin Park notebook

Townhome Meeting from page 9

n City Homes No. 1 is receiving roof replacements. The project has been divided into two phases. Townhome buildings within City Homes No. 1 will receive roof replacements and new gutters. Townhome owners will receive notices on their front doors advising on the construction start date prior to the project beginning.

n The Cambridge service area will be receiving roof replacements soon. There are 26 buildings located within the Cambridge service area. More information will be provided to the community as it becomes available.

n New sod that was installed in March/April has been treated with a fungicide.

n BrightView has continued to make multiple irrigation repairs throughout the townhome service areas. Any plants that have suffered from a lack of irrigation will be removed and replaced if they do not recover. BrightView also corrects any irrigation following the installation/replacement of plant material.

n BrightView will be reviewing all of the hedges within the service areas to ensure they are at the appropriate height(s) and following community standards.

n Per DRS Inc., here is the townhome maintenance scheduled for 2024: Mattamy, areas of Cambridge and areas of Issa 22: April/May; Painting — Mattamy: 2042-2060 Brink Alley, 2040-2058 Prospect Ave. and 2004-2034 Prospect Ave.

Schedules will be projected one to two months out to anticipate any possible future changes or delays. Notices are still being left on townhome front doors one to two weeks in advance to inform residents of any upcoming projects beginning in their address range.

BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC.

BY BILL PATTERSON

It’s going to be May, so May the Fourth be with you! As the temperature starts heating up and the humidity rolls in, stop in one of the Village Center’s great restaurants or bars to cool off with a refreshing drink. The shops at Baldwin Park have an amazing selection for your Mother’s Day presents and cards.

THINGS TO KNOW

n Seal Coating. The COA and CDD are working together to schedule the Neighborhood Business District (Unit 7), which includes Outer Road, Halder Lane and the parking lot, to be seal-coated sometime this year. Please be on the look out for notices concerning this project, because it will create sections of these roads and parking lot to be temporarily closed.

n Village Center Dumpsters. We are working on major repairs to the dumpster enclosures. This will be brought to our May board meeting, and if approved, the work should start sometime in late May or early June.

n Trash Talk. The dumpsters in the commercial lots are for use of commercial tenants and apartment residents. Apartment residents are encouraged to throw their trash all the way down the chute on the side. When the door is closed, it will compact. Commercial tenants are not to use the trash chute for discarding trash. Instead, they are to go inside the enclosure and throw directly in the dumpster. Apartment residents are welcome to do this as well, if the chute is blocked. Please do not leave trash bags in front of or around the dumpster; this attracts bugs and

rodents. If the dumpster is not working, please go to one of the other parking lot dumpsters and contact the office so OUC can be notified for repairs.

n Bulk Pick-up. The dumpsters in the commercial lots are meant for trash bags and small items only. For all large items, please use OUC bulk pick-up. Stuffing these items in the dumpster or leaving them causes multiple issues, including dumpster break down and rodents. Visit orlando.gov/ Trash-Recycling for more information and to schedule future pick-ups.

n ARC. An architectural review is required for all exterior — and some interior — changes, including roof replacement, painting, signs and landscaping changes. For the city to approve permits, the Commercial Owners Association must sign off on the project. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. For questions and application submission, please feel free to email Bill at BPatterson@BaldwinParkPOA.com.

n Baldwin Park Solutions. Commercial owners, tenants, and managers can submit work requests through our new Baldwin Park Solutions system. It is located on the Baldwin Park Network. Simply click “Resident Home” at the top right, and you will find the link in the middle of the page. If you do not have a Baldwin Park Network account, you can request one from that page, as well. Visit baldwinparknetwork.com to start.

Another round, please!

Baldwin Park residents Vincent and Dawn Vasquez are expanding their successful small-event bartending business in New Jersey to Florida.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

After nearly 30 years in finance and accounting, Vincent Vasquez was ready for a change.

In 2019, Vasquez decided to make the transition from finance and accounting to bartending with his business: V&V Bartending. The choice paid off. What started in New Jersey with

just Vasquez and his wife, Dawn, has grown to more than 20 bartenders on staff.

Since its first year, the business has continued to be recognized as the top revenue producing bartending company on “The Bash,” a premier party-planning service where people can look for vendors and entertainers to help celebrate their special occasion.

Now, the Baldwin Park residents are working to continue to spread their passion for creating memories through event service with their expanding business in Florida.

“As much as a negative review hurts me — although that’s something we rarely receive — when we get a five-star review and I read how happy people are with our services, it really fills me up with joy,” Vincent Vasquez says. “That’s

what we shoot for every time. I love that feeling for our business and I love it for our staff.”

MAKE IT A DOUBLE

V&V Bartending is a small-event, local bartending business serving a multitude of special occasions, including weddings, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, graduations and backyard events.

The business provides personal attention to clients with drinks, shopping list guides, customized menus and portable bar rentals.

The company will travel up to a 60-mile radius for events.

The partners met in New York where they both worked at H&R Block. The pair hit it off immediately and have been together since 2012.

V&V Bartending launched in 2019, but Vincent Vasquez says he

Vincent and Dawn Vasquez are the proud owners of V&V Bartending.

Annabelle Sikes

formed the idea in his head even before.

“I got a little tired of the rat race, and I wanted to do something different,” he says. “When I was leaving H&R Block, Dawn had asked me what I wanted to do (because) I was planning on retiring. I decided I wanted to start a bartending business.”

The pair enjoyed hanging out at bars, and Vincent Vasquez was fascinated by the skill and movement of bartenders.

“I wanted to be a bartender to learn, but I also had interest in putting together our own business where we could visit people’s homes and create memories,” he says. “That was the vision I had. I knew I had the personality to do it, but first I had to develop the confidence and the skill set. I had to learn how to make drinks. I went to a bartending school that really helped me in a lot of different ways.”

V&V Bartending joined The Bash in 2021.

The couple was married the same year in Key Largo, which is when they knew they wanted to make a move to Florida in the future.

The two were working on a fewyear plan to make the move when Dawn Vasquez’s job offered her a promotion to come to Florida.

She stumbled upon Baldwin Park by chance and instantly felt at-home in the area.

She made the move by herself in July 2022. Vincent Vasquez finished organizing the bartending business in New Jersey before joining her in October 2022.

I’LL HAVE THE USUAL

Vincent and Dawn Vasquez currently are working on expanding their business in Florida.

Although having and developing a small business is a lot of work, Vincent Vasquez says it also has its perks in terms of the high level of customer service the company can offer.

He speaks to each client individually and tailors every party to what the client desires.

If a client happens to have a bad experience, Vincent Vasquez takes it to heart. He always tries to make it up to the client by going above and beyond.

In terms of his staff, Vincent Vasquez says he pays his employees more than the average bartender would make. He wants good, personable, quality people who can connect with clients. He looks for skill when hiring, but says personality matters more than anything.

With the staff continuing to expand, the business is able to handle larger parties.

Some of Vincent Vasquez’s earlier staff members now bartend parties on their own or receive special requests through the business, and he is more than happy to help them build their craft.

“It warms my heart to see them grow,” he says. “I will never hold anyone back. If they make an impact on a client and the client loves them, I encourage them to do it. They deserve it. If they earn it, then it’s all theirs. That’s the type of team and culture that I want to create. … We appreciate our team back home in New Jersey so much. They’ve helped us to get where we are today.”

Vincent and Dawn Vasquez both recognize each other’s strengths as they pertain to the business.

“I would not be as successful in this business without everything Dawn does,” Vincent Vasquez says. “She takes everything to the next level with design, planning and aesthetics. I don’t think either of us could do it without each other. … We always have such a good time when we get the opportunity to work together.”

Dawn Vasquez is known for never saying, “No,” and taking on any challenge that comes her way.

She says they have been developing new skills with the business that they are continuing to refine.

“Sometimes, we get new requests for events that we’ve never received before,” she says. “There have been times where we’ve gotten these types of requests, and I’ve just decided I would figure out how to do it. I learn, and I research. For example, we had a party that requested an oyster shucker for a wedding, as well as help serving. We went to the store and brought some oysters home to help practice. … We ended up making people really happy and receiving an excellent review.”

V&V Bartending is a local bartending business for special events.

DON’T LET ME GET DRY

Although the business is doing well, Vincent Vasquez says it’s not yet at the level he aspires it to be.

He flies back to New Jersey every few months for meetings and to help out the staff.

In addition, he works at a local Hilton hotel pool bar part-time during the spring and summer season, while Dawn Vasquez works in marketing and sales.

The pair says the holiday and summer seasons are generally the busiest times for the business.

Vincent Vasquez says his ultimate goal is to have a presence in different markets while still maintaining the individualized, high-quality experience for clients. Dawn Vasquez hopes the couple can turn the business into a fulltime gig and continue to pour their passion into it.

“Seeing people during the event just having a blast and having fun with different creations we’ve come up with is so rewarding to us,”she says. “We love adding to somebody else’s already special occasion.”

As far as drinks that would describe their personalities, Vincent Vasquez says he would be a smoked old fashioned, while Dawn Vasquez says she would be an empress gin and tonic. These were the couple’s “his and her drinks” at their wedding.

When they’re not busy working, the Vasquezes enjoy visiting the local theme parks and the beach.

V&V BARTENDING

Booking: thebash.com/bartender/v-v-bartending-fl Instagram: @vvbartending Facebook: facebook.com/ vvbartending1

Annabelle Sikes

HAVING A BALL!

According to its players, the Baldwin Park Co-Ed Softball League is a place for meeting new friends and building community.

LISA SCHREIBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Play ball!”

These words are commonly heard at Blue Jacket Park during the fall and spring. Typically, the ballfields are surrounded by the players’ parents and family members, who enthusiastically cheer on their “little sluggers.”

It is the norm to see boys and girls lugging baseball equipment and decked out in uniforms touting professional baseball teams. All of this action provides life and energy to the public park situated on the outskirts of fair Baldwin Park.

But now, the Little Leaguers have company.

Now, it is quite common to see moms, dads, neighbors and business owners swinging bats and giving high-fives. On Sunday afternoons, during the fall and spring, kids are watching their parents engage in friendly games of softball, thanks to two dad-coaches whose daughters played on the same T-ball team.

After noticing one of the fields was unoccupied week after week, Marcus Moffatt, a real-estate broker who moved in 2016 to Baldwin Park, half-heartedly suggested they play softball with the other baseball dads in the community. Playing baseball as a kid was special for him, because of the time he spent with his dad and family.

Those memories fueled his desire to make it happen. Soon enough, a Baldwin Park co-ed softball team became a serious consideration.

“I started asking around and realized there was a big need for it,” he says. “A lot of people said they would play.”

One such person was Moffatt’s co-coach Nick Kikuchi. “When Marcus asked me, I told him I would totally play,” said Nick, who moved to Baldwin Park in December 2020 with his family.

Kikuchi was on-board to meet other families and find connections through the community. He also was eager to reconnect to the game itself. Having played slow-pitch softball in college and then in local leagues, his days on the diamond came to an end when he became a dad.

In March 2023, with four teams and 60 players, the Baldwin Park Co-Ed Softball League was born. In addition to recruiting Little League dads, word spread through Baldwin Park Living and the weekly newsletters.

“It was a fun atmosphere, and people began telling their friends about it,” Nick says.

The next season, the fall of 2023, the league grew. To help support the league, eight sponsors from the local community were established. The sponsors donated team jerseys, provided player representation and, in some cases, hosted social gatherings.

One such sponsor, Tactical Brewing on New Broad Street, opens up the brewery/restaurant for players and their families each Sunday.

“It was at these hangouts after the games that I truly began to meet people,” says Meghan Crawford, a customer care manager at an orthopedic company who recently moved to Florida from Charlotte, North Carolina. “I moved here by myself for a job and knew no one. After joining the league, all of that changed.”

Bringing the community together was definitely among Marcus’ and Nick’s list of goals for the softball league.

“It is such a great community, and weekly softball encourages us to get outside with our families, friends, and neighbors and get to know one another,” Moffatt says.

Courtesy photo

Baldwin Cares chairperson and softball player Amy Rodriguez enjoyed the day with her son and PTA President Terri Poulos.

May’s Pet of the Month is Sadie, a 6-year-old Maltipoo and 12.5 pounds of the “Best dog ever!” She’s social, friendly, has lots of energy and is a blessing to her hooman! Pet of the Month is selected randomly from the Pet of The Week in the Baldwin Park weekly newsletter. Email a photo and a short bio of your pet for consideration to stapy@ baldwinparkpoa.com.

Making a case for planters

SIMMONS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Igrew up attending an elementary school where I was required to wear a uniform, which consisted of a navy and forest green plaid jumper with a compulsory pressed white collared shirt. For excitement — wait for it — the tartan pattern on the jumper had a faint yellow line running through its grid. Can you imagine wearing the same thing each and every day? Self-expression was limited to a single wardrobe element: socks. Officially, as long as the style came up to the knee, anything was allowed, including solids, stripes, argyle and even tube socks. Socks became status symbols and conversation pieces that could make or break one’s tenuous pre-teen social standing. Some see living in Baldwin Park as tantamount to a private school’s wardrobe directives when it comes

to home exteriors and yards. On the surface, there appears to be a “uniformity” to the community fabric defined by our distinctive architecture and landscape styles. Indeed, there are rules to be followed. As a property owner, the key to required conformity is to educate yourself on Baldwin Park’s design policies and review procedures. Within the rules, however, you can find plenty of opportunities to express your personality.

PLANT PALETTE

For instance, Baldwin Park’s plant palette sets our community apart from the surrounding neighborhoods of Winter Park Pines, Audubon Park and others. Within just a short drive, a variety of vegetative varieties can be seen that are not so common in our own front yards, including Autograph Plant, Duranta, Copperleaf,

Plumeria, Crown of Thorns and Bromeliads. So, be forewarned: When contemplating a change or an upgrade to your landscape, a visit to your local garden or home improvement center might be a great way to get inspired, but not everything sold in stores is approved for planting here.

GUIDED BY THE LIGHT

The founders of this community (aka “The Declarant”), assembled architects, planners, urban designers and landscape architects to cooperatively craft a future vision for the community called, “Baldwin Park Residential Design Guidelines.” Every property owner should be aware of this document available through the Residential Owner’s Association’s portal or linked through the city of Orlando’s website.

THE A-LIST

Section 3.4 of the guidelines contains a list of plants that The Declarant and its consultants deemed appropriate for Baldwin Park divided into categories according to plant type and size: trees (canopy and accent); shrubs (large, medium, small and accent); ground covers; and turf. The list includes both scientific and common names, minimum plant sizes required for installation, size at maturity and recommended spacing. Although it is a helpful starting point citing many of our commonly specified plants, this section was never meant to be fully inclusive of all species that are likely to thrive here.

GATORS TO THE RESCUE

The University of Florida created recently a statewide resource called the “Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Guide” that is available online and downloadable as an app. This handy tool offers a considerably larger list of plants that work in Florida backed by the opinion of educators and professional experts. Rather than categorizing plants by

MIMI

Anything goes when it comes to plants in pots in Baldwin Park.

Once permitted in the plant list, Gold Mound Duranta no longer makes the cut.

Photos by Mimi Simmons If your plant didn’t make the cut, pot it!

USDA Hardiness Zone (Central Florida is now Zone 10A), the app employs a more user-friendly ZIP code filter. According to the staff that created and now manages this program, it also is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of every plant that flourishes in Florida. However, it packs a wealth of information for citizens of the state and fans of its flora.

DOES IT MAKE THE CUT?

So, what are you allowed to plant in Baldwin Park? Ultimately, that is up to the ROA and its Architecture Review Committee. As of the writing of this article, the proposed plant list that is part of your Application for Landscape Changes will be evaluated according to each plant’s inclusion in either the guidelines or the Florida-Friendly Guide (filtered for ZIP code 32814). If not on either of these lists, the plant may not be approved.

Mimi Simmons is the owner of Mimi Simmons Design.

THE EXCEPTION OF POTS

And what about that proverbial knee sock? Where can you fully express yourself without limitation? The good news is anything goes in pots! Check out these local retailers to get your pot fix.

PALMER’S GARDEN & GOODS. Located on Corinne Drive in nearby Winter Park/ Audubon Park. In addition to a great plant and pot selection, this place has an amazing gift section curated by co-owner Allison Palmer.

CITY OASIS. Situated close by on Mills Avenue. The sign says, “Orchards & Bonsai,” but there is so much more!

PLUMERIA GARDENS. This mail-order business was started during the pandemic by owner Jessica Germaine. She doesn’t have a website, but reach out to her personally on social media to arrange a tour of her property. Yes, Plumeria can be potted!

THE HEAVY. Have you ever passed by a large building off Orlando Avenue in Winter Park with a big Lombardi’s Seafood mural sign on it? Since 2018, this female-owned and -operated establishment has been selling plants, decorative pots, home accessories and gifts. It also offers floral arrangements and hosts events.

TOWN’S WINTER PARK GARDEN CENTER. Head north on Lakemont Avenue. Near the corner of Lake Howell and Howell Branch roads, you will see pallets of beautiful ceramic pots. Garden Center Manager Mary Ann Shofstall says she has one of the largest pot selections in the area.

LUKAS NURSERY. Take a 20-minute trip on Aloma Avenue towards Oviedo. Lukas specializes in the experience of plant shopping. Bring the kids to find statues of Florida animals and visit their Butterfly Encounter. This business gets fresh sod deliveries every Thursday.

OLD TIME POTTERY. If you are looking for a bargain, shop this home decor store in Casselberry with many pot options.

MIMI SIMMONS DESIGN. We not only design and plant pots in Baldwin Park, we install drip irrigation and style front porches and lanai, including furnishings and accessories.

Send pics of your pots to MimiSimmonsDesign@gmail. com!

LAKE BALDWIN CHURCH

WORD PLAY

MAY WORD PLAY

MAY WORD PLAY

MAY WORD PLAY

Down: Across:

1. Latin for Spring 2. When day and night are the same length

Down: Across:

1. Latin for Spring

3. Natural disasters most common in Spring 5. A long, loose raincoat 4. Succeeding winter and known as rebirth 7. A young tree

1. Latin for Spring

Down:

2. When day and night are the same length

2. When day and night are the same length

3. Natural disasters most common in Spring 5. A long, loose raincoat

6. A sport often associated with Spring 11. They germinate, flower, set seed & die all in 8. They are donating 250 new cherry trees to one season Washington DC

4. Succeeding winter and known as rebirth 7. A young tree

13. A plot of ground where fruits and veggies

Across:

9. To make a dramatic change are grown

3. Natural disasters most common in Spring 5. A long, loose raincoat 4. Succeeding winter and known as rebirth 7. A young tree 6. A sport often associated with Spring 11. They germinate, flower, set seed & die all in 8. They are donating 250 new cherry trees to one season Washington DC

6. A sport often associated with Spring 11. They germinate, flower, set seed & die all in 8. They are donating 250 new cherry trees to one season

13. A plot of ground where fruits and veggies

Latin for Spring 2. When day and night are the same length

9. To make a dramatic change are grown

Natural disasters most common in Spring 5. A long, loose raincoat

10. The halfway point in the year 14. A bird will sit on her eggs to incubate and 12. This tree is known for its prominent, pink do this blossoms

Washington DC

13. A plot of ground where fruits and veggies

9. To make a dramatic change are grown

15. This rises mid-year, especially in Florida

Succeeding winter and known as rebirth 7. A young tree

10. The halfway point in the year 14. A bird will sit on her eggs to incubate and 12. This tree is known for its prominent, pink do this blossoms

10. The halfway point in the year 14. A bird will sit on her eggs to incubate and 12. This tree is known for its prominent, pink do this blossoms

15. This rises mid-year, especially in Florida

16. Celebrated the second Sunday in May 18. An arrangement of flowers in an attractive 17. One of the first Spring flowers way

A sport often associated with Spring 11. They germinate, flower, set seed & die all They are donating 250 new cherry trees to one season Washington DC

16. Celebrated the second Sunday in May 18. An arrangement of flowers in an attractive 17. One of the first Spring flowers way

19. Converting materials into something reusable

15. This rises mid-year, especially in Florida 16. Celebrated the second Sunday in May 18. An arrangement of flowers in an attractive 17. One of the first Spring flowers way

19. Converting materials into something reusable

13. A plot of ground where fruits and veggies

To make a dramatic change are grown

20. To cut off parts of a tree that are dead 21. To produce new leaves, buds

Answers can be found on page 20.

20. To cut off parts of a tree that are dead

19. Converting materials into something reusable

21. To produce new leaves, buds

20. To cut off parts of a tree that are dead

21. To produce new leaves, buds

The halfway point in the year 14. A bird will sit on her eggs to incubate and This tree is known for its prominent, pink do this blossoms

15. This rises mid-year, especially in Florida

Celebrated the second Sunday in May 18. An arrangement of flowers in an attractive One of the first Spring flowers

19. Converting materials into something

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

FRIDAY, MAY 3

FIRST FRIDAY EVENT

Community Calendar

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, on New Broad Street. Stroll down New Broad Street for shopping, live music and even snag some dinner. Find the full vendor list by searching “BP Community Market Day” on Facebook.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, virtually. Because of the current high volume of Residential ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications will be

held for the next scheduled ARC meeting. The ARC meets twice a month. More information can be found in your weekly newsletter.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

COMMUNITY MARKET DAY

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, on New Broad Street. Shop 40-plus vendors, eat local food and sip fresh-pressed juices. It is the perfect way to spend a lovely day in Baldwin Park.

SUNDAY, MAY 12

MOTHER’S DAY

THURSDAY, MAY 16

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, virtually. All information for the meeting also can be found on the Baldwin Park Network, along with the link to join the meeting.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

ORLANDO BALLOON FESTIVAL

Noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Blue Jacket Park. This festival will feature hot air balloons (weather permitting), food

JBH Boutique Care

trucks, retail vendors and activities for the

THURSDAY, MAY 23

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23 virtually. Because of the current high volume of Residential ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications will be held for the next scheduled ARC meeting. The ARC meets twice a month. More information can be found in your weekly newsletter.

#BEAUTIFULBALDWINPARK

Celebrating Mom in Baldwin Park!

BRIE BERNSTEL MULTIMEDIA & COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

Moms deserve the world year-round, but during the month of May, the weather is beautiful, and there are a ton of ways to show your appreciation for the moms or mom-like people in your lives.

Until May 5, you can use code “May Day” to save 20% on flowers at Harry’s Famous Flowers, located just outside Baldwin Park. You should already know about May Day from the April edition of the magazine, but the code is good until May 5 to give you plenty of time to get some fresh, gorgeous flowers for your home that will be sure to last. We love teaming up with local businesses and are always thankful for the ones who offer something special and exclusive to Baldwin Park residents!

Aside from floral arrange -

ments, treat mom to something unique this year. Head to the Baldwin Park Neighbors Facebook page and support your fellow residents who own their own small business. Small Business Saturday is when local businesses post about what they have to offer. The listings range from house cleaners, car detailers, estheticians located in the Live/ Work district who specialize in facials, massages and everything in-between, and even vetted babysitters who can give you a much-needed night off to relax at one of Baldwin’s award-winning restaurants.

If you are looking to keep it lowkey this year but equally special, plan a picnic in one of the parks or down by the lake. Make your own spread or get some takeout,

as long as you and the family are together, nothing else matters.

Check out our Instagram (@ VisitBaldwinPark) to see what other local businesses have going on. Most restaurants have special events, tasting menus or discounts leading up to Mother’s Day, and all local shops will have specialty gifts that are hand-selected to make mom’s eyes pop. #ShopLocal

You also can find the perfect gift at the 70’s Themed First Friday event May 3. If you attended the Reggae Night, you know how lively and fun these events have bloomed into. Shop over 40-plus local vendors, start the month off with live music and good vibes. Mother’s Day doesn’t need to be celebrated in just one single day! Happy Mother’s Day moms!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Esau Osorio

Sentry Management, your on-site management team for the Baldwin Park Residential Owner’s Association Inc., Commercial Owner’s Association Inc., Joint Committee Inc. and the agent for the Urban Orlando Community Development District, is made up of an experienced group of licensed Community Association Managers and individuals. Our team talks with homeowners, meets with board members, supervises contractors and maintenance personnel and provides leadership to the association’s Board of Directors. The staff is crosstrained to accommodate peaks and valleys in the workload, and encourages you to take the time to visit the offices at

1913 Meeting Place to meet the team! At Sentry, people are the difference.

Senior Maintenance Technician, Esau Osorio, has been a part of Baldwin Park’s maintenance team since 2016. Originally from Puerto Rico, he moved to the Sunshine State about 16 years ago. He has worked at a local resort, Clean First Time (construction cleaning), and has utilized his organizational and cleaning skills detailing automobiles and at IKEA, where he built and installed furniture and accessories.

Esau, known by the team as “E,” has enjoyed boxing since he was 13 years old, representing Puerto Rico and traveling

to New York and New Jersey. He won three major competitions (two by knockouts and one by decision) and received a silver medal in his weight class. He has been married to his

wife, Greysmarie, for 12 years, and they have three beautiful children (two girls and one boy) ages 12, 10 and 6. He enjoys taking the family on outings and going to church.

In his free time, Esau does home DIY projects and cleans (yes, you read that right!). This makes him the perfect candidate for cleaning and fixing things in our community facilities.

He enjoys working in Baldwin Park because it is such a scenic and beautiful property. He also likes working outside and meeting the many friendly people with whom he interacts on a daily basis. Be sure to say hello to Esau if you see him out and about!