Issue 6, June 2024, Volume 3
đ Itâs Officially Summer, Neighbor!
Of course, here in Central Florida, itâs felt like summer for quite some time! But now kids are out of school, itâs officially hurricane season, and the sun feels extra toasty, and you may be wondering what to do with yourself. This newsletterâs got ideas ranging from swimming to raising kittens!
We must preface that info with the usual reminder that weâre a voluntary organization. Thereâs no forced participation, fees, fines, et cetera. Weâre just looking to foster a feeling of community, safety, and fun among neighbors!
đ Pool Time!
The College Park Pool now offers open-swim hours throughout June and July. Residents can visit the pool for freeâjust show up that first time with a valid ID. The pool is also hiring lifeguards for the summerâcall 407-245-0478 for details.
Keep in mind the Cady Way Pool is open year-round. Winter Park residents pay $3/visit while non-residents pay $6/visit, although punch passes are available for discounted prices.
If you have your own pool, make it safer by adding a door alarm, free of charge courtesy of Orange County Fire Rescue. Door alarm installations are on a first-come-first-served basis. Schedule your installation by completing the safety request form.
đ Summer at the Library
The nearby Fairview Shores Library is offering plenty of things to do for children and adults alike this summer. Take a look at the calendars for whatâs in store for June, and sign up for an event (for free!) here.
Remember: Signing up for a library card is free, and late fees are a thing of the past. Pop into the library to learn more!
đ˝ď¸ Summer Dinner Nights
Picture this: Itâs another sweltering summer evening in Florida, and the last thing you feel like doing is roasting in front of the stove while you cook dinner. St. Paulâs Presbyterian Church on Eli Street has a solution for you in the form of its annual summer dinner nights! On June 19, June 26, July 10, and July 17, you can purchase a volunteer-prepared homemade meal for $5/person or $20/family. Signups will begin soon, so check back for more info!
đď¸ Around the Neighborhood
Did your four-legged buddy eat a whole houseplant just as your regular vet closed for the night? Good news: The emergency vet clinic on Fairbanks Avenue is now open! Veterinary Emergency Group is located at 1490 W Fairbanks Ave. and offers emergency pet care 24/7. Learn more here.
Speaking of animals, our neighborhood is already rich with our cat friends, but Orange County Animal Services needs more foster parents for kittens as the shelter prepares for the arrival of Kitten Season. For more information about fostering, kitten season and what to do if you find kittens, visit Kitten Season Wait 'til 8.
If youâd like information on the Trap-Neuter-Return approach to feral cats, look into the Spay N Save Animal Clinic in Longwood, which offers discounted health care and spaying/neutering services for cats, as well as dogs. For a slightly higher fee, you can get your pet care as well.
For those considering home renovations, you may be able to receive tax credits by making energy-efficient choices. For example, you could save up to 30 percent on the cost of a rooftop solar, geothermal, or battery storage installations via a tax credit. With rising costs of pretty much everything, every bit helps!
Our list of neighbor-approved recommendations for a variety of different services is accessible via the neighborhood Facebook group. (St. Paulâs also has its own services recommendation list.) Have a recommendation? Send us a message so we can include your suggestion or your own business.
If you have news for this newsletter, let us know! Send your photos and info to SunshineGardensNA@gmail.com or post in the Facebook group! (If youâre suggesting someone for a neighbor spotlight, please also share their contact info with us so we can reach out to them.)
đď¸ Event Schedule
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday â Saturday, June 1, to Saturday, June 14
Lee Road Safe Neighborhood Association Meeting â Tuesday, June 11, 6 PM at the Fairview Shores Library (Event link, register here) (Topic: Whatâs On Your Ballot?)
âđż Contact Info
Join the Sunshine Gardens group on Facebook to stay in the know and share whatâs on your mind, or send us an email if you have a question, concern, project, or event in mind. You can also comment on these newsletter posts!
đ§ Subscribe!
If you havenât already, be sure to subscribe to this newsletter to stay informed about whatâs going on in Sunshine Gardens and Fairbanks Shores, and share it with a fellow neighbor!