Notes from Your LHPOA President

by Tasha Golis

Good afternoon, Lake Holden!

I hope you and your family are doing well. As we enter into the second half of 2021, I wanted to take a few minutes to send out a few updates.

The Lake Holden Board held a meeting Wednesday July 28 at Cypress Grove Park. Number of issues were discussed.

There is an ongoing problem with aggressive panhandling at Michigan and I4.  I have been working with both City and County law enforcement and FDOT regarding the matter.  This intersection is the boundary between City and County and maintained by I4 Ultimate and it’s proven difficult to get an agency to take responsibility for the issue.

A Lake Holden homeowner noticed that work had begun on the SoDo House townhome project on Michigan, and that there was not a turbidity curtain installed.  I contacted the Chief Engineering Inspector. They notified the contractor that they must have the storm water BMPs in place before work can continue.  I received an update today that the project is having problems with permitting and that the site will be reinspected once work begins again.

The City has made free rain barrels available for residents.  Contact me if you would like more information.

We have been waiting for the Jernigan historical marker to be returned to our neighborhood. I have been in contact with the Neighborhood Services division for the last three years regarding this matter.  The latest update is that the Historical Center is concluding their work on the matter. And that there have been discussions about locating the sign where more people can appreciate it.

There were a dozen entries submitted in our design competition.  We will unveil the new Lake Holden flag, shirts, and other merchandise at Lake Fest Saturday August 21!  Join us for an afternoon of live music.  Local favorite Michael B Powell will be performing at the Worden Compound.  Pack a picnic, we will provide dessert!

See you on the water!

Tasha Golis

President

Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez… A Lot Is Going On…

by Tasha Golis

We are at the height of hurricane season.  Over the Labor Day weekend and the first week of this month, we prepped and watched the news and weather channels for information about Hurricane Dorian.  The Orange County Streets & Drains team removed boards from both our well systems in anticipation of heavy rains. Dorian was expected to make landfall and move up the state.  Central Florida was mostly unaffected as Hurricane Dorian stalled over the Bahamas and then moved west further up the Atlantic Coast.  Parts of the Bahamas are devastated and the coastal Carolinas were battered.  I am grateful that we were not hit. And I am proud of our community for supporting the relief efforts.

In June, after two major rain events, photos of the 39^th St  FDOT owned retention pond began to circulate on both the Lake Holden Property Owners Association (LHPOA) and the Lake Holden Yacht Club Facebook pages.  The pond was overflowing some pretty nasty looking stuff into the canal.  Water and trash from OBT drain into that pond. It was in dire need of repair and proper maintenance.  FDOT responded and sent out a team to address the situation.  Charles M. Heffinger, Orlando Operations Engineer with FDOT, attended the Water Advisory Board (WAB) meeting to discuss the issue.  County Commissioner Uribe and a representative from Senator Stewart’s office were also in attendance.  Mr. Heffinger assured the Board that FDOT would get the pond in working order and correctly maintain the retention pond moving forward.

In July, Lake Holden homeowners noticed that the street drains that lead to our lake were not protected from runoff from the I4 Ultimate construction site on Westmoreland.  The site suffered a collapse during a rain event. The EPD was notified, they contacted the contractors and were assured Best Management Practices (BMP) would be installed.

Soon after that,  a homeowner on the canal next to the 39^th St  FDOT owned pond began to document turbid milky water flowing from the pond into the canal.  The LHPOA and WAB reached out to Mr. Heffinger,  our contact at the EPD, and their contacts at I4 Ultimate.  Representatives from each party came out to inspect the retention pond and discovered that water from the I4 Ultimate construction site at OBT was somehow being pumped to that pond, resulting in the turbid water.

In August, a turbidity barrier/flocculent log system were established in the pond by the I4 Ultimate Project.  In an email I received from the COS General Engineer, ‘SWPPP inspections are ongoing, with crews focusing on proper BMP installation and maintenance. This includes monitoring the use of pumps and where the associated discharge is going.

There are a lot of moving pieces and many parties involved in getting these issues addressed. Thank you to the LHPOA and WAB and concerned homeowners.  A special thank to the City, County, State and Federal officials who responded so quickly to our requests for help.

Join us for the Lake Holden Property Owners Association Annual Membership Barbecue Saturday October 26 from 1p to 4p at the home of Brenda Worden.  Come and enjoy food catered by Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q.  Bring your lawn chairs and listen to live music from local favorite Michael Brandon Powell. Behaved and leashed pets are invited to participate in our 3^rd Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest. Everyone is invited!  Your paid LHPOA annual dues get you into the event.  Guests are $5.  Please RSVP at lakeholden.org

Start planning now for our Annual Holiday Boat Parade.  Mark your calendar now: Saturday December 14.  Both the Best Decorated Boat and Best Backyard Light Display will be awarded a prize.  The competition can be fierce!  It is a wonderful Lake Holden tradition.

Watch the Lake Holden Property Owners Association Facebook page more details.  Check out Lake Holden Yacht Club on Instagram.  Visit lakeholden.org to RSVP and take a moment to look around.  It’s full of history, interesting info, government links, and other contacts.

See y’all on the water!

Tasha Golis
President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez… Summer is Here…

by Tasha Golis

Summer is here.  We hit 100 degrees this week. Memorial Day holiday weekend was a huge success.  Dozens of boats met up at the Sand Bar (the Orange County owned island on the south side of the lake) each day.  It was wonderful to meet up with old friends and new folks who have recently purchased homes on the lake.  Welcome to Lake Holden!  

We hope to have you join us at the Lake Holden Property Owners Association Board meetings.  The LHPOA Board has positions available.  Join us at the meetings and get involved!  We meet the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 7 pm at Cecil’s Texas Style BBQ on Orange Ave.   Our Water Advisory Board works in conjunction with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division and meets each month at 5:30 pm at the Orange County Training Facility at 2010 E. Michigan St.  Recently, fish were stocked in the lake to help naturally control the hydrilla.  You can learn more about that decision and other lake issues at the monthly meetings.

There has been some concern about the activities and residents at the 41^st Street compound.  There is a public hearing before a special magistrate to impose stricter fines and sanctions against the owner scheduled for July 1 at 9 am at 201 S. Rosalind Ave.  Code Enforcement Officer Chris Smith has told me that a strong public showing at the hearing will help.  We need to protect the residential quality of our community.  Lake Holden is a semi private lake with no public access. 

Please visit our website lakeholden.org for history and stats on the lake.  Check out the Lake Holden Property Owners Association Facebook page.  And find the Lake Holden Yacht Club on integral and Facebook.

See y’all on the water!

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez… It’s Spring in Florida…

by Tasha Golis

It’s Spring in Florida! Last weekend it was in the 80s and this week it was in the 40s. This weekend is going to be back in the 80s! As I write this I am in New York,  looking out over a snow covered landscape.  Wild! 

The Annual Christmas Boat Parade was a huge success! Lake Holden Property Owner Association (LHPOA) volunteers hit the streets and distributed door hangers inviting lakefront homes to participate.  More than a dozen boats cruised the lake just after sunset.  It was great seeing so many backyards decorated! We passed by dozens of parties and cheering groups out on decks and docks. Each year, this event gets bigger and better! 

We held our Annual LHPOA Member meeting in January at the Holden Heights Community Center. Both County Commissioner Uribe and City Commissioner Sheehan attended and spoke. New Orange County Sector 4 Captain Troy Pearson also came and introduced himself. Our Board would like to thank Rhea Cammenga for serving as our Secretary for the last two years. I really appreciate all that you did and continue to do, Rhea. Rick Fender was elected into this role.  If interested in serving on our Board (or just finding out more about our community), please join us at our meetings held the 3rd Wednesday of March, May, July, Sept, and November at 7pm. Join us at Cecil’s Texas Style BBQ on Orange to get involved and grab some dinner! Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. 

You may have noticed the new speed humps in the Holden Shores neighborhood on 29th Street. These “traffic calmers” were installed as a result of lots of campaigning and hard work by homeowners. We are having trouble here on 37th St, Laguna, and 39th St with cut through traffic from OBT to Michigan. I4 Ultimate big trucks are coming through, unable to make the tight turns, and running over mailboxes and fire hydrants. In one week, a car missed the turn and ran off into the woods and another car crashed into the front of a home. I have received several requests from LHPOA neighbors to get the County to address this. I spoke with Jared Marks Jr, Project Manager at Orange County Traffic Engineering and he has had more street signs installed ordered a speed study. Pending those results he will advise what can be done. 

Last week I met with Commissioner Uribe. It was great to sit down with her a discuss some of the issues that affect Lake Holden. She is very interested in our community and indicated she will be  attending our bi-monthly LHPOA meetings. I look forward to continuing to  develop this working relationship. 

The Annual Fish Fry will be hosted, once again by The Jones! Join us Saturday April 13 for a great day with your neighbors and incredible food! Please RSVP at our website LakeHolden.org.  Your paid annual LHPOA membership gets you into the party. Guests are welcome and $5 per head. 

We will be working WITH Central Florida RECON on Sunday April 14 for the 2nd Annual Lake Holden Clean Up. RECON is a small volunteer group cleans up local waterways. We invited them to our lake last year and Lake Holden folks showed up in kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, jet ski, pontoons, and ski boats to pick up trash. Pounds were removed! RECON has a limited number of kayaks available to use, please look for the Facebook event page and RSVP.

Portions of the black aeration tubing that was installed on the lake bottom in the 1980s has been surfacing. Keep a keen eye out while boating. A big thank you to all of you that have been pulling it out and removing it. 

See you out on the water! 

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez… End of a Long Hot Summer…

by Tasha Golis

It’s the end of a long hot summer.  The lake level is dropping and we’ve had a few cooler days.  Plans are being made for another fabulous Florida winter.  

The annual Lake Holden Property Owners Association (LHPOA) Holiday Boat Parade will be held Saturday December 15.  Boats will meet at sunset behind our house (you can’t miss it!  Look for the Santa in a helicopter on the roof!) on the peninsula. We will head west and cruise around the lake and view the backyard light displays.  Prizes will be awarded for both the best decorated boat and backyard.   There were some pretty impressive decorations last year.  It was wonderful to see more homeowners participate.  The parade is a beautiful sight.  Make sure to hoot and holler if you are watching from your dock.  Join us after the parade at our home.  We will have holiday food and drinks.  Please bring your own adult beverages.   Kindly RSVP at lakeholden.org 

Mark you calendar now for the annual LHPOA meeting.  We are meeting at 6 pm Jan 16, 2019  at the Holden Heights Community Center.  We will be electing our Board of Directors.  I have been on the Board for 6 years and President since 2016 and encourage your involvement.  City and County Commissioners have been invited to attend.  

Our Board meetings are held the 3^rd Wednesday of every other month: March, May, July, Sept, and November at Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q at 7 pm.

Our annual Membership BBQ was a big success.   A huge thank you to Brenda Worden.  Her gorgeous backyard is a great place to throw a party. What a view!  We had a great turnout and a number of new folks attended.  Cecil’s generously provided all the sides and smoked the chicken, ribs, and brisket…  for free!  The LHPOA is grateful for the relationship we have with this local business.  Support them.

This was the second year of our Howl-O-Ween pet costume contest.     Congratulations to the winner:  Petey.    He received a dog treat gift basket. Susan and Terre brought him dressed as a sailor. His costume included a sailor cap and muscular tattooed arms. We also had dogs dressed as hippies, pirates, sunflowers, a dia de los muertos senorita, a security guard, and superheroes.  

Take a moment to like our Lake Holden Property Owners Association Facebook page.  And check out lakeholdenyachtclub on Instagram.

Happy Holidays from our home to yours.  Have fun! And stay safe.

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez… It’s Officially Fall… by Tasha Golis

It is Officially Fall in Florida. That means MORE heat, humidity, rain, and the possibility of hurricanes.  Labor Day marks the date that rest of the Country celebrates the changing of the Seasons with pumpkin spice lattes, flannels shirts, and bonfires.  Meanwhile, Lake Holden homeowners are standing around gas grills in shorts and flip-flops.

It has rained almost every day for the last two months and the lake water levels approached historic high water marks.  I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to our community.  Boaters refrained from hitting the water.  Many seawalls, decks and docks were underwater.  Repeated wave action of any source causes damage.  Our Lake Holden Yacht Club Facebook page is a great resource for info, data, and questions from our residents.  Thankfully, we have not and hopefully, will not be hit by a big tropical storm or hurricane.  Some homes are still repairing damage from Hurricane Irma (Sept 11, 2017).

On Sunday July 15 we worked with Central Florida RECON to organize a Clean Up Lake Holden event.  CFRECON is a group of friends and concerned citizens protecting Central Florida’s surface waters and natural environment by removing trash and debris from lake, rivers and streams. Their team reached out to our Water Advisory Board to see if Lake Holden was interested in a clean up.  The turnout was amazing!  People turned up by car, truck, Jet Ski, kayak, paddleboard, ski boat, and pontoon to participate.  CFRECON provided kayaks and we spread out around the lake and picked up all sorts of nastiness: plastic bags, firework platforms, rafts, Styrofoam of all sorts, tin and aluminum cans, straws, water bottles, chip bags, plywood, and buckets.  We found some especially polluted spots and have notified officials at both the City of Orlando and Orange County to see what can be done about suspected ineffective runoff/drainage spots.  One of their members lives in our community and we are already planning another Clean Up.

The 2018 Primary election was held Tuesday August 28.  It was great to see so many residents support the candidate or their choice.  Many worked at campaign headquarters, hosted fund raising events, put campaign signs on their property, held signs on corners, and talked to the media.  It was reported that voter turn out was high:  27% of eligible voters (by one account).   Orange County voted Sheriff Demings as Mayor Elect.

County Commissioner Pete Clarke will be missed.  We was a great supporter of Lake Holden and ran an admirable campaign to be County Mayor.   

The County Commissioner for our District 3 will be decided in November.  Pete Crotty is running against Maya Yaribe.  I support Pete Crotty.  I believe he will preserve Pete Clarke’s stewardship for Lake Holden’s interests.  Rick and Lucy Fender are hosting an event Wednesday September 26 from 6 pm to 8 pm to support Pete Crotty’s campaign.  All interested parties are invited to attend.  Get involved!

The Annual Lake Holden Membership BBQ will be held Sunday October 21. (Some of our homeowners let us know that they would be able to attend more of our LHPOA functions if they were held on Sundays. We are happy to accommodate requests!)  Brenda Worden is hosting this event for the third consecutive year on her incredible lake front property. Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q will be preparing the food.  They always supply a generous spread of chicken, brisket, ribs, coleslaw and beans.  Hope to see you all there.  Grab a neighbor and head on over.   Paid LHPOA members enter the event free; guests are welcome for a $5 fee.

Check out our website lakeholden.org to RSVP. You can also click the Pay Pal link to pay your annual membership dues.

Lake Holden Property Owners Association (LHPOA) Board meeting are held the 3^rd Wednesday of every other month.  Join us Sept 19 at 7 pm at Cecil’s on Orange Ave.  

The Water Advisory Board meets the 3^rd Wednesday of every month at the Orange County Training Room on Michigan Ave at 5:30.  All residents and invited and encouraged to attend.

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez…. Hello Summer …..by Tasha Golis

We are at the halfway point of 2018.  This year has been an exciting year for the Lake Holden Property Owners Association.  New relationships are being made with our community and cherished traditions are continuing.  We are looking forward to the rest of the year.

The LHPOA Board meets the 3^rd Wednesday every other month (Jan, March, May, July, Sept, Nov) at Cecil’s Texas Style BBQ on Orange Ave at 7pm.  All homeowners are invited and encouraged to attend to learn about our wonderful lake.

In March, Kristen Sims, the Public Awareness Specialist for the Streets & Storm water Division for the City of Orlando attended our meeting.   She was very informative and has become a valuable source of information regarding curb drains, street sweeping, water quality, and best practicing for protecting the lake.   For example did you know the City recommends that you do NOT fertilize within 10 feet of the water.  In Orange County the rule is 20 feet.   The City also recommends that you bag your leaves. Not blow them into the street. City residents can receive a free composter.  She hopes to get the curb drain plaques that read “Only Rain down the Drain. And drains to Lake Holden” installed on the City side.  The County side plaques were installed last year.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jones once again hosted the Annual Fish Fry on April 21^st.  It was a fabulous day with great weather.  The food was epic.  We had a big turnout with several new homeowners in attendance.  Mayoral candidate Pete Clarke joined us.  As did two District 3 Commissioner candidates: Bobby Lance and Eric Rollins.  I appreciated these gentlemen coming out to meet us and hear our concerns about the lake.  We all need to stay informed and get out and vote!

In May I attended a lunch organized by Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Robbins.  Members of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) were invited to meet with myself and other LHPOA Board Members in order to develop a better relationship.  Our lake is home to several Water Sports professionals and this was an opportunity to meet with them, to learn more about their sports, and for both sides too voice some concerns about the use of the lake.  The prevailing take away for the meeting was the need for more communication and education.  Home owners need to insure that guest drivers extend courtesy to other boats on the water, respect lake front residents property i.e. moored boats, shorelines and structures, regulate music levels and keep passes to a minimum in the same line.  Since that meeting Wake Responsibly sign have posted on the ramps and on the South Island.  I also learned that planning all of our LHPOA events on Saturdays was preventing a large population from attending because of their work schedules!  Brenda Worden will host the Annual Fall BBQ this Fall on a SUNDAY afternoon (date TBA).    I was a great lunch that opened some doors on a relationship between lake residents and water sports professional residents.

Nina Yon the Director of Development with United Against Poverty attended our May meeting.  Mr. Todd Carr suggested she be invited to speak with our group.  United Against Poverty is that group of buildings on Michigan right by the railroad track.  She came to talk to us about their charity work.  They are working to “give a hand up, not a hand out”.  She provided us with literature about their enrichment, education and employment programing.    They are working to break the cycle of poverty.  Stop by and check out what they are doing in and for our community.

Mark you calendars now for our July 15 Lake Cleanup.  Central Florida Recon is a group  “to protecting Central Florida’s environment by removing human pollution out of waterways”.  I spoke with Aimee and her crew will be parking at the South ramp with kayaks, grabbers, and buckets to pick up any trash they find in the lake.  They plan on hitting the water from 9 am to 11am.  She said everyone is welcome; arrive by car, boat, canoe, kayak, SUP or jet ski.  Let’s all  show up as a community and participate.  What a great way to spend a morning!  This is a simple way to keep Lake Holden awesome.

Check out both our Lake Holden Property Owners Association and Lake Holden Yacht Club Facebook page.  You can also find the Lake Holden Yacht Club on Instagram.

See you on the water!

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association

Notes from the Prez…. It’s Spring in Florida …..by Tasha Golis

The azaleas and golden trumpet trees are in bloom around the lake. The pollen count is HIGH. It is great to see boats out on the water, the numbers growing each weekend.

Dock and seawall repair and construction continue around our lake. Hurricane Irma left behind a lot of damage.

Our annual General Membership meeting was held Wednesday January 17 at the Holden Heights Community Center. We elected the volunteer board. Thank you to Brenda Worden for acting as Vice President last year. She has stepped down, but will remain active on the board.

City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Officer Rosado, and County Commissioner Pete Clarke spoke at our meeting. They support our community and have been helpful with issues that have popped up over the past years. I recently reached out to Commissioner Clarke about the undeveloped property on Westmoreland near Pineloch Elementary. The area has become a dumping ground for household waste and construction debris, with increased transient traffic. His office has been instrumental getting code enforcement and the Sheriff Office to act.

I recently saw a Lake Holden Yacht Club Facebook post by Kyle D. thanking Commissioner Sheehan for the improvements at the railway crossing on Pineloch.

Reach out to your commissioner:
City Commissioner Sheehan patty.sheehan@cityoforlando
County Commissioner Clarke: district3@ocfl.net

Consider attending the Lake Holden Property Owners Association meeting Wednesday March 21 at 7 pm. The LHPOA Board meets every other month at Cecil’s Texas Style BBQ on Orange Ave to get updates from the Water Advisory Board and discuss issues that affect the health of our lake front community.

You can find out more by attending a Water Advisory Board meeting on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm at the Facilities Training Center: 2010 East Michigan St.

Larry and Jeanne Jones will host the Annual Fish Fry on Saturday April 21 from 1 to 5. They always throw an amazing party. It’s another wonderful tradition on Lake Holden: fresh fried fish with all the fixins’! Bring a covered dish to share, your favorite adult beverage, and a lawn chair. This event is free with your paid LHPOA dues and guests are just $5.

Check out lakeholden.org it has a ton of history and information about our lake. You can RSVP for the Fish Fry and click on the PayPal link to pay your $30 annual dues. Have you found and liked the Lake Holden Property Owners Association Facebook page? Get to know your more of your neighbors. Get involved.

Tasha Golis

President Lake Holden Property Owners Association