From the Desk of the President
by
Glenn L. Davis
There was no board of Directors meeting for the month of August, but we find it necessary to call to your attention to some laxities among a few of our residents. We have observed that some folks are putting their yard waste at the curb as much as six (6) days ahead of the normal pickup day for palm fronds, branches and other clippings. Please retain them beside your residence until the morning of the scheduled pickup. Other folks are being remiss in storing their empty or partially empty trash cans in view from the street. Our documents require waste receptacles be stored out of sight of both the street and the neighbor’s property. (See Section 9.12 of the Cedar Creek Documents.) And, some owners have stored bags of mulch near their driveway. Again, please store these materials out of sight until you can find the time to apply them to your landscaping.
For all of our residents whose property backs up to one of our six lakes, LakeMasters, the company that maintains our lakes, has made the following request. Please have your lawn mowing contractor, or if you cut your own lawn, refrain from directing the lawn clippings into the lakes. Apparently, this practice increase the amount of algae growth in the waters. This is detrimental to the quality of the lake waters, which in turn, increases the amount of algaecide needed to control the algae growth. Your cooperation with this request will be appreciated by both LakeMasters and the Association.
Since the resignation of Joe Koch was tendered for medical reasons, we wish to announce that Linda Mascali has volunteered to fill out the remaining six months of Joe’s term. Linda will serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors. We have just confirmed that Lloyd Zimmerman, who previously served on the Board for over six years, will return to the Board, effective September 15th. Finally, we will have a full complement of Board members ready to adequately handle the daily affairs of the Association. Lloyd will serve as Member-at-Large.
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Fay,” we found that the wind damage to Cedar Creek was held to a minimum. One large palm tree and a few smaller trees seemed to account for the most damage on private properties. There were several large palm fronds and small branches littering the neighborhood, but, all-in-all, we seemed to have “dodged the bullet.” Kudos to Bud Ahlbrand, Dennis Berens and Rick Hall for their efforts in securing the pool furniture in the Cabana in preparation for the advent of tropical storm Fay.
Now that “rainy” season has given us some much needed precipitation, we need to pay attention to our individual yards, especially the lawns. The drought conditions that were with us for the first six months has taken it’s toll on several Cedar Creek properties. It was a breeding ground for insects and weeds. Just a reminder to take a look around your property. The Violations Committee has resumed citing those properties that, in the opinion of the Committee, have problems that should be addressed. Is your lawn’s irrigation system working properly? Is it in need of weed, insect or disease control or, does it just need a good dose of fertilization? Does the roof need to be power/pressure cleaned? If you get a notice from the Management Company regarding a maintenance problem, please take care of the problem in a timely manner.
As of the deadline for this edition of the “Current,” there is only one property still owing both the 2007 and 2008 assessments and fees. The property at 9020 Cedar Creek has been purchased and the new owners have received letters regarding the deplorable condition of the lawn and shrubbery. Seven properties are in arrears for their 2008 annual assessment. One owner has made a partial payment and four owners paid late, but neglected to pay the late fee or the interest. These owners will continue to be billed until their accounts have been paid in full.
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., class=Section2>
Article XI, Section 11.7, the following addresses listed have not paid their required fees and/or assessments as of August 28th:
8850 Springwood Court - $904.01
8880 Springwood Court - 66.63
9521 Cedar Creek Drive - 1,183.90
25541 Inlet Way Court - 785.60
25611 Inlet Way Court - 66.63
25670 Inlet Way Court - 199.53
25681 Inlet Way Court - 1,189.90
25701 Inlet Way Court - 3,945.30
25860 Creekbend Drive - 1,183.90
25890 Creekbend Drive - 1,183.90
25949 Pebblecreek Drive - 1,183.90
25511 Springtide Court - 66.63
25600 Springtide Court - 34.38
The total of accounts receivable is $11,994.21, including late fees and interests through August 31, 2008. By now, all of the above properties have had their account turned over to the
Association attorney for collection, which will include the September interest charge plus attorney’s fees which are in excess of $300.00 just for the first letter. The attorneys’ lien fees are in excess of an additional $500.00.
As an added note, there are six properties in Cedar Creek that are in foreclosure proceedings with their individual mortgage companies, all of which are included in the above listing. On the advice of the Association attorney, we will wait until each of these properties sell and collect any outstanding debts via estoppel letters when they go to closing with new owners, or when the banks release them from their indebtedness.
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If you wish to rent a space on the Cedar Creek canoe rack, the annual fee is $100.00. Please make your check payable to C.C.P.O.A. and submit it to Glenn Davis. We have 3 remaining spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, we will pro-rate the fee for the remainder of the year.
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The Current is delivered to your mailbox every month. Also, there are extra copies at the Cabana. Please feel free to help yourself to one.
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Neighborhood Watch
We are currently looking for a new Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. We also could use a few more volunteers. Please give Glenn Davis a call at 992-2120 if you can help out with this very important program. We currently have fifteen residents who donate a few hours a month to ensure that the community is safe, check the pool and cabana areas for any after-hours activity and lock up those areas at closing time. Ideally, if we can get a total of thirty residents to participate in this program, then each member of the NWC would be asked to serve only one night a month.
Currently, some members are pulling duty two or three times each month. Again, if you are interested in volunteering for this vital program, give Glenn a call.
If you have previously served on the Neighborhood Watch patrol but are not currently serving, would you please be so kind as to turn in your keys to Glenn so we may distribute them to any new volunteers that come on line. Thanks.
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Litter Bugs
As you drive the streets of Cedar Creek, most of you have likely noticed from time-to-time, litter adorning our otherwise beautiful community. If you do happen to see empty beverage cans or bottles, fast food containers or any other item that takes away from the aesthetics of Cedar Creek, please take a moment or two to stop and pick up the litter and dispose of it properly. We certainly hope it is outsiders, and not our residents that are responsible for this blight. We all thank you!!
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GATE ACCESS CARD AVAILABLE
We have had many requests for an access code to the front gate. Since a code can easily be passed from one person to another thus reducing the security of the neighborhood, we have chosen not to issue a general access code.
The new tele-entry system, which was installed about a year ago, has the ability to work with an access card. These cards are about the size of a credit card and can be used to access the neighborhood whenever needed. Unlike a code, these cards cannot be duplicated and are associated with a homeowner's name at the tele-entry system.
Whenever a code is presented to the card reader at the callbox, the gate will open and record the access into the neighborhood. These cards are now available for purchase. The first
card is $20 and each additional card is $10. If you would like to get a card to access the neighborhood, please contact Greg Coury at 239-949-3357. Greg also has a supply of new Genie brand garage/gate remote control openers. They are available for $40.00, which includes the programming of the openers. Greg is a resident of Cedar Creek and has helped us maintain the gates through his company Global Security.
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Directories
Requests continue to come in for copies of the Cedar Creek directories. As reported in last month’s “Current,” we have updated directories available for our residents only. The most recent updated version is current as of May 5, 2008. We still have phone numbers and/or e-mail vacancies that need to be filled. If you haven’t provided your e-mail address or phone number to either Greg Coury or me for inclusion in the directories, please take the time to do so if you want this information included.
Upon request, a directory can be transmitted to you electronically. These directories are for non-commercial use only. They are not intended to be used for mass-mailing lists. Just e-mail
me with your request to http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/43433904000642F6000072642200751090C8C89C07900E0B0409?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=GLDavis88%40comcas or drop me a line requesting a paper copy for $0.50 for either an alphabetical listing or a “by street” listing or $1.00 for both. Please enclose the required amount and, if I am home, I will get a copy to you within 48 hours. If you receive a copy of our Directory, please check it over for any typos, misinformation or missing info, such as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc. and advise Greg or me of any errors so that corrections can be made.
If you would like to be on the community e-mail list, please send your request to Greg Coury at http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/43433904000642F6000072642200751090C8C89C07900E0B0409?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=greg%40globalsecur. Occasionally, there will be items of importance that will be disseminated from the web site straight to your e-mail box. You may want to check out our web site from time-to-time. That web address is: www.OurCedarCreek.com Check it out and bookmark it.
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Effective May 1st, MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., became our management company. MMI may be reached at 949-7741. The new Property Managers will be Jennifer Waters along with Frank Coffey. They will oversee the day-to-day operations of Cedar Creek and they will be in the community on a weekly basis to identify problems, notifying any owner(s) of observed violations. If the violations are not resolved in a timely fashion, they will articulate such to the class=Section4>
Board for possible action. We believe that MMI will be very responsive to the needs of the owners as well as the Board.
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Cabana Rental
If you are planning to hold an event at the Cabana, contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., to reserve the area for your function. Keep in mind that there is a $100.00 deposit required which is fully refundable, as long as only Cedar Creek residents are in attendance and there is no damage in the Cabana, Chickee Hut or pool area. If your event involves non-Cedar Creek residents, there will be a $25.00 usage charge. In this case, $75.00 will be returned if no extra clean-up charges are incurred. Please note that even though you have reserved the Cabana for a function, the facilities, including pool & spa, still are available to residents of Cedar Creek and their guests.
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Street Lights
If you should notice a burned out street light or one that “cycles” - meaning that it comes on for a few minutes, then off for a few minutes - please take a moment to jot down the numbers that appear on the pole and call FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243). Once the menu comes on, touch 1 and then 3. You should be connected to an actual “live” person. At this
point, inform them of the problem and give them the information that they request. FPL’s repair crew should respond in 5 to 10 days.
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Your Property
Trash receptacles should be kept in your garage until trash collection day. Don’t wait until you get a phone call or a letter from the Management Company calling a violation(s) to your attention. We would like to see our community maintain the high standards that were present when you purchased your home in Cedar Creek. Remember, recycled goods are collected on Wednesdays, as is household waste. We still have a few residents who put newspapers in their recycle bin without first either securing them with twine or putting them in an empty grocery bag. A gust of wind will blow these unsecured newspapers throughout the neighborhood. Please put items by the curb on the scheduled pick-up day only. If you have boxes containing “popcorn” Styrofoam packing material, please secure the shipping container with twine or tape to prevent the wind from blowing the Styrofoam throughout the neighborhood. Yard waste is collected on Thursdays. If there is a major holiday during the week, the collections will be delayed by one day following the holiday. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th will be the next holiday that will impact Cedar Creek. Those waste collections will be on Thursday and Friday of that week. Please make a note of this. Your cooperation in taking care of your property will go a long way in keeping the property values high, and your neighbors will appreciate having community members who care.
Parking near and/or blocking access to mail boxes may result in the mail not being delivered. This is the Post Office policy for mail carriers and they will hold your mail for days before you are ever notified to pick it up.
We continue to receive complaints about some of our residents walking their dogs, allowing them to defecate, then not picking up after them. For health and cosmetic reasons,
please pick up after your pets. It also has come to our attention that dogs are being walked on private property instead of the common grounds. If you don’t want to walk your pet on your own property, please understand that your neighbor doesn’t want you walking them on their property either!! A little common sense and respect for fellow residents will go a long way. And lastly, letting your dog play off the leash in the street could result in an accident involving your cherished pet and a motorist or even a bicyclist. Please make sure your dog is on a leash. It is the law!
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The Architectural Review Committeeclass=Section5>
According to our Covenants, any visible changes to your house or grounds require approval by the Board of Directors (BOD) by means of an Architectural Change Application Form submitted to the (ARC) for review prior to transmittal to the (BOD). The forms are available from Ken Kosbab (ARC) Chairman at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) and are to be returned to same. The (ARC) will review the change request, discuss with the homeowner if necessary and transmit the request with (ARC) recommendation to the (BOD) for final review. A two to three week period is necessary for review and approval by (ARC) and submittal to (BOD) for their review and decision. Copies of the approved requests will be delivered to the
residents. Residents also will be notified of any request denied by the (BOD) and the reasons for denial. Approval or rejection of all requests is the sole responsibility of the (BOD). The (ARC) responsibility is to fully review each request and make their recommendation to the (BOD). There have been cases in the past where residents have made changes to their property,
painted, etc. without requesting approval. When this happens and the (BOD) is made aware, the homeowner will be contacted by the (BOD), Violations Committee, and/or Property Manager to obtain and transmit an Architectural Change request form to the (ARC) for processing. Take
note: there is no guarantee that the change will be approved just because it already has been completed.
As a result of recent concerns pertaining to house color changes, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has prepared the following guidelines for requests for exterior house painting.
According to the Cedar Creek Covenants, any visible property changes must be approved by the ARC and then by the Board of Directors (BOD). This must be done via a “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” which will be reviewed by the ARC prior to presentation to the BOD.
The “Request for Change/Addition Application Form”is to include the following information: Name of homeowner, Date of request, Address of property, Telephone number, Expected start and finish dates, Owner’s signature and Description of change: i.e. “We request
approval to repaint the exterior of our home.” The following information must be included:
1.) Paint color chips for base color and trim with manufacture’s paint number
2.) Color of garage door (base)
3.) Color of front door (base or trim color)
4.) Color of fascia, gables, gutter
5.) Flat or semi-gloss paint
A “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” is available from Ken Kosbab at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) or on line at: http://ourcedarcreek.com/docs/archreviewform.pdf and must be returned to Ken. Since it is difficult to determine from a small paint chip how the base color will appear on a large wall, it may be beneficial to the owner to try a 2' x 2' square area on a rear wall. Preferences for colors are warm, light earth tones and muted pastels. Currently, Karen DeVoll and Jim Tindal are serving on the (ARC) with Ken.
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The Board of Directors holds workshops at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Cabana. These “workshops” will be open to all property owners for observation only, as the workshops will be used for an exchange of ideas between Board members. If you have a concern, we will address it either before we open the workshop or after we have exhausted our agenda for the day. The Property Manager also will be in attendance.
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For those of you who will be out of town for extended stays, or even if you are only away for a few days, you should ask a neighbor or friend to look after your property in your absence. Quite often, newspapers, especially the Bonita Banner, will be delivered to your driveway or the “Current” will be placed by your mailbox and remain there until you return. This is one of the signs burglars look for to determine that the house is currently unoccupied. If a friend or neighbor would make sure the papers are picked up and also look for any other problem, such as class=Section6>
broken tree limbs, broken water pipes or any other damage, then you will be aware of any problems before they magnify.
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We encourage all residents to read the Current. It is an excellent source of pertinent community information. Also, a full copy of the Cedar Creek news and events that appear in these pages, will be posted on our web site on the first of each month. You can read this month’s
issue, or any of the back issues, at www.OurCedarCreek.com then click on: President’s Message. This link appears on the left side of your screen, just under the heading “Board of Directors.”
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Greg Coury spent several hours developing and designing this improved web site. All owners and residents who are connected to the internet now have access to all of the governing
documents for Cedar Creek. This includes the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Cedar Creek, the Articles of Incorporation of the CCPOA, Inc, the By-Laws of the Association, and all of the amendments to those Covenants and By-Laws that affect the operation of the Association. From time-to-time, we hear property owners say they have never received a copy of these Documents. Now, with the aid of our improved web site, www.OurCedarCreek.com these Documents can be read and/or printed out for future reference. If you are one of those owners maintaining that you have not been given a copy of the documents specific to Cedar Creek, please take time to review them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Winner Every Week
Poker players play every Thursday at the Cabana
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Call Mike Hochrun for more info at 992-3731
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GUY’S….GAL’S
BOCCE
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, 9:00 AM
ON OUR COURT
BEGINNERS & VETERANS
EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY
IT’S FUN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CEDAR CREEK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
by
Glenn L. Davis
There was no board of Directors meeting for the month of August, but we find it necessary to call to your attention to some laxities among a few of our residents. We have observed that some folks are putting their yard waste at the curb as much as six (6) days ahead of the normal pickup day for palm fronds, branches and other clippings. Please retain them beside your residence until the morning of the scheduled pickup. Other folks are being remiss in storing their empty or partially empty trash cans in view from the street. Our documents require waste receptacles be stored out of sight of both the street and the neighbor’s property. (See Section 9.12 of the Cedar Creek Documents.) And, some owners have stored bags of mulch near their driveway. Again, please store these materials out of sight until you can find the time to apply them to your landscaping.
For all of our residents whose property backs up to one of our six lakes, LakeMasters, the company that maintains our lakes, has made the following request. Please have your lawn mowing contractor, or if you cut your own lawn, refrain from directing the lawn clippings into the lakes. Apparently, this practice increase the amount of algae growth in the waters. This is detrimental to the quality of the lake waters, which in turn, increases the amount of algaecide needed to control the algae growth. Your cooperation with this request will be appreciated by both LakeMasters and the Association.
Since the resignation of Joe Koch was tendered for medical reasons, we wish to announce that Linda Mascali has volunteered to fill out the remaining six months of Joe’s term. Linda will serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors. We have just confirmed that Lloyd Zimmerman, who previously served on the Board for over six years, will return to the Board, effective September 15th. Finally, we will have a full complement of Board members ready to adequately handle the daily affairs of the Association. Lloyd will serve as Member-at-Large.
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Fay,” we found that the wind damage to Cedar Creek was held to a minimum. One large palm tree and a few smaller trees seemed to account for the most damage on private properties. There were several large palm fronds and small branches littering the neighborhood, but, all-in-all, we seemed to have “dodged the bullet.” Kudos to Bud Ahlbrand, Dennis Berens and Rick Hall for their efforts in securing the pool furniture in the Cabana in preparation for the advent of tropical storm Fay.
Now that “rainy” season has given us some much needed precipitation, we need to pay attention to our individual yards, especially the lawns. The drought conditions that were with us for the first six months has taken it’s toll on several Cedar Creek properties. It was a breeding ground for insects and weeds. Just a reminder to take a look around your property. The Violations Committee has resumed citing those properties that, in the opinion of the Committee, have problems that should be addressed. Is your lawn’s irrigation system working properly? Is it in need of weed, insect or disease control or, does it just need a good dose of fertilization? Does the roof need to be power/pressure cleaned? If you get a notice from the Management Company regarding a maintenance problem, please take care of the problem in a timely manner.
As of the deadline for this edition of the “Current,” there is only one property still owing both the 2007 and 2008 assessments and fees. The property at 9020 Cedar Creek has been purchased and the new owners have received letters regarding the deplorable condition of the lawn and shrubbery. Seven properties are in arrears for their 2008 annual assessment. One owner has made a partial payment and four owners paid late, but neglected to pay the late fee or the interest. These owners will continue to be billed until their accounts have been paid in full.
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., class=Section2>
Article XI, Section 11.7, the following addresses listed have not paid their required fees and/or assessments as of August 28th:
8850 Springwood Court - $904.01
8880 Springwood Court - 66.63
9521 Cedar Creek Drive - 1,183.90
25541 Inlet Way Court - 785.60
25611 Inlet Way Court - 66.63
25670 Inlet Way Court - 199.53
25681 Inlet Way Court - 1,189.90
25701 Inlet Way Court - 3,945.30
25860 Creekbend Drive - 1,183.90
25890 Creekbend Drive - 1,183.90
25949 Pebblecreek Drive - 1,183.90
25511 Springtide Court - 66.63
25600 Springtide Court - 34.38
The total of accounts receivable is $11,994.21, including late fees and interests through August 31, 2008. By now, all of the above properties have had their account turned over to the
Association attorney for collection, which will include the September interest charge plus attorney’s fees which are in excess of $300.00 just for the first letter. The attorneys’ lien fees are in excess of an additional $500.00.
As an added note, there are six properties in Cedar Creek that are in foreclosure proceedings with their individual mortgage companies, all of which are included in the above listing. On the advice of the Association attorney, we will wait until each of these properties sell and collect any outstanding debts via estoppel letters when they go to closing with new owners, or when the banks release them from their indebtedness.
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If you wish to rent a space on the Cedar Creek canoe rack, the annual fee is $100.00. Please make your check payable to C.C.P.O.A. and submit it to Glenn Davis. We have 3 remaining spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, we will pro-rate the fee for the remainder of the year.
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The Current is delivered to your mailbox every month. Also, there are extra copies at the Cabana. Please feel free to help yourself to one.
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Neighborhood Watch
We are currently looking for a new Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. We also could use a few more volunteers. Please give Glenn Davis a call at 992-2120 if you can help out with this very important program. We currently have fifteen residents who donate a few hours a month to ensure that the community is safe, check the pool and cabana areas for any after-hours activity and lock up those areas at closing time. Ideally, if we can get a total of thirty residents to participate in this program, then each member of the NWC would be asked to serve only one night a month.
Currently, some members are pulling duty two or three times each month. Again, if you are interested in volunteering for this vital program, give Glenn a call.
If you have previously served on the Neighborhood Watch patrol but are not currently serving, would you please be so kind as to turn in your keys to Glenn so we may distribute them to any new volunteers that come on line. Thanks.
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Litter Bugs
As you drive the streets of Cedar Creek, most of you have likely noticed from time-to-time, litter adorning our otherwise beautiful community. If you do happen to see empty beverage cans or bottles, fast food containers or any other item that takes away from the aesthetics of Cedar Creek, please take a moment or two to stop and pick up the litter and dispose of it properly. We certainly hope it is outsiders, and not our residents that are responsible for this blight. We all thank you!!
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GATE ACCESS CARD AVAILABLE
We have had many requests for an access code to the front gate. Since a code can easily be passed from one person to another thus reducing the security of the neighborhood, we have chosen not to issue a general access code.
The new tele-entry system, which was installed about a year ago, has the ability to work with an access card. These cards are about the size of a credit card and can be used to access the neighborhood whenever needed. Unlike a code, these cards cannot be duplicated and are associated with a homeowner's name at the tele-entry system.
Whenever a code is presented to the card reader at the callbox, the gate will open and record the access into the neighborhood. These cards are now available for purchase. The first
card is $20 and each additional card is $10. If you would like to get a card to access the neighborhood, please contact Greg Coury at 239-949-3357. Greg also has a supply of new Genie brand garage/gate remote control openers. They are available for $40.00, which includes the programming of the openers. Greg is a resident of Cedar Creek and has helped us maintain the gates through his company Global Security.
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Directories
Requests continue to come in for copies of the Cedar Creek directories. As reported in last month’s “Current,” we have updated directories available for our residents only. The most recent updated version is current as of May 5, 2008. We still have phone numbers and/or e-mail vacancies that need to be filled. If you haven’t provided your e-mail address or phone number to either Greg Coury or me for inclusion in the directories, please take the time to do so if you want this information included.
Upon request, a directory can be transmitted to you electronically. These directories are for non-commercial use only. They are not intended to be used for mass-mailing lists. Just e-mail
me with your request to http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/43433904000642F6000072642200751090C8C89C07900E0B0409?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=GLDavis88%40comcas or drop me a line requesting a paper copy for $0.50 for either an alphabetical listing or a “by street” listing or $1.00 for both. Please enclose the required amount and, if I am home, I will get a copy to you within 48 hours. If you receive a copy of our Directory, please check it over for any typos, misinformation or missing info, such as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc. and advise Greg or me of any errors so that corrections can be made.
If you would like to be on the community e-mail list, please send your request to Greg Coury at http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/43433904000642F6000072642200751090C8C89C07900E0B0409?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=greg%40globalsecur. Occasionally, there will be items of importance that will be disseminated from the web site straight to your e-mail box. You may want to check out our web site from time-to-time. That web address is: www.OurCedarCreek.com Check it out and bookmark it.
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Effective May 1st, MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., became our management company. MMI may be reached at 949-7741. The new Property Managers will be Jennifer Waters along with Frank Coffey. They will oversee the day-to-day operations of Cedar Creek and they will be in the community on a weekly basis to identify problems, notifying any owner(s) of observed violations. If the violations are not resolved in a timely fashion, they will articulate such to the class=Section4>
Board for possible action. We believe that MMI will be very responsive to the needs of the owners as well as the Board.
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Cabana Rental
If you are planning to hold an event at the Cabana, contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., to reserve the area for your function. Keep in mind that there is a $100.00 deposit required which is fully refundable, as long as only Cedar Creek residents are in attendance and there is no damage in the Cabana, Chickee Hut or pool area. If your event involves non-Cedar Creek residents, there will be a $25.00 usage charge. In this case, $75.00 will be returned if no extra clean-up charges are incurred. Please note that even though you have reserved the Cabana for a function, the facilities, including pool & spa, still are available to residents of Cedar Creek and their guests.
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Street Lights
If you should notice a burned out street light or one that “cycles” - meaning that it comes on for a few minutes, then off for a few minutes - please take a moment to jot down the numbers that appear on the pole and call FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243). Once the menu comes on, touch 1 and then 3. You should be connected to an actual “live” person. At this
point, inform them of the problem and give them the information that they request. FPL’s repair crew should respond in 5 to 10 days.
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Your Property
Trash receptacles should be kept in your garage until trash collection day. Don’t wait until you get a phone call or a letter from the Management Company calling a violation(s) to your attention. We would like to see our community maintain the high standards that were present when you purchased your home in Cedar Creek. Remember, recycled goods are collected on Wednesdays, as is household waste. We still have a few residents who put newspapers in their recycle bin without first either securing them with twine or putting them in an empty grocery bag. A gust of wind will blow these unsecured newspapers throughout the neighborhood. Please put items by the curb on the scheduled pick-up day only. If you have boxes containing “popcorn” Styrofoam packing material, please secure the shipping container with twine or tape to prevent the wind from blowing the Styrofoam throughout the neighborhood. Yard waste is collected on Thursdays. If there is a major holiday during the week, the collections will be delayed by one day following the holiday. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th will be the next holiday that will impact Cedar Creek. Those waste collections will be on Thursday and Friday of that week. Please make a note of this. Your cooperation in taking care of your property will go a long way in keeping the property values high, and your neighbors will appreciate having community members who care.
Parking near and/or blocking access to mail boxes may result in the mail not being delivered. This is the Post Office policy for mail carriers and they will hold your mail for days before you are ever notified to pick it up.
We continue to receive complaints about some of our residents walking their dogs, allowing them to defecate, then not picking up after them. For health and cosmetic reasons,
please pick up after your pets. It also has come to our attention that dogs are being walked on private property instead of the common grounds. If you don’t want to walk your pet on your own property, please understand that your neighbor doesn’t want you walking them on their property either!! A little common sense and respect for fellow residents will go a long way. And lastly, letting your dog play off the leash in the street could result in an accident involving your cherished pet and a motorist or even a bicyclist. Please make sure your dog is on a leash. It is the law!
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The Architectural Review Committeeclass=Section5>
According to our Covenants, any visible changes to your house or grounds require approval by the Board of Directors (BOD) by means of an Architectural Change Application Form submitted to the (ARC) for review prior to transmittal to the (BOD). The forms are available from Ken Kosbab (ARC) Chairman at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) and are to be returned to same. The (ARC) will review the change request, discuss with the homeowner if necessary and transmit the request with (ARC) recommendation to the (BOD) for final review. A two to three week period is necessary for review and approval by (ARC) and submittal to (BOD) for their review and decision. Copies of the approved requests will be delivered to the
residents. Residents also will be notified of any request denied by the (BOD) and the reasons for denial. Approval or rejection of all requests is the sole responsibility of the (BOD). The (ARC) responsibility is to fully review each request and make their recommendation to the (BOD). There have been cases in the past where residents have made changes to their property,
painted, etc. without requesting approval. When this happens and the (BOD) is made aware, the homeowner will be contacted by the (BOD), Violations Committee, and/or Property Manager to obtain and transmit an Architectural Change request form to the (ARC) for processing. Take
note: there is no guarantee that the change will be approved just because it already has been completed.
As a result of recent concerns pertaining to house color changes, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has prepared the following guidelines for requests for exterior house painting.
According to the Cedar Creek Covenants, any visible property changes must be approved by the ARC and then by the Board of Directors (BOD). This must be done via a “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” which will be reviewed by the ARC prior to presentation to the BOD.
The “Request for Change/Addition Application Form”is to include the following information: Name of homeowner, Date of request, Address of property, Telephone number, Expected start and finish dates, Owner’s signature and Description of change: i.e. “We request
approval to repaint the exterior of our home.” The following information must be included:
1.) Paint color chips for base color and trim with manufacture’s paint number
2.) Color of garage door (base)
3.) Color of front door (base or trim color)
4.) Color of fascia, gables, gutter
5.) Flat or semi-gloss paint
A “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” is available from Ken Kosbab at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) or on line at: http://ourcedarcreek.com/docs/archreviewform.pdf and must be returned to Ken. Since it is difficult to determine from a small paint chip how the base color will appear on a large wall, it may be beneficial to the owner to try a 2' x 2' square area on a rear wall. Preferences for colors are warm, light earth tones and muted pastels. Currently, Karen DeVoll and Jim Tindal are serving on the (ARC) with Ken.
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The Board of Directors holds workshops at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Cabana. These “workshops” will be open to all property owners for observation only, as the workshops will be used for an exchange of ideas between Board members. If you have a concern, we will address it either before we open the workshop or after we have exhausted our agenda for the day. The Property Manager also will be in attendance.
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For those of you who will be out of town for extended stays, or even if you are only away for a few days, you should ask a neighbor or friend to look after your property in your absence. Quite often, newspapers, especially the Bonita Banner, will be delivered to your driveway or the “Current” will be placed by your mailbox and remain there until you return. This is one of the signs burglars look for to determine that the house is currently unoccupied. If a friend or neighbor would make sure the papers are picked up and also look for any other problem, such as class=Section6>
broken tree limbs, broken water pipes or any other damage, then you will be aware of any problems before they magnify.
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We encourage all residents to read the Current. It is an excellent source of pertinent community information. Also, a full copy of the Cedar Creek news and events that appear in these pages, will be posted on our web site on the first of each month. You can read this month’s
issue, or any of the back issues, at www.OurCedarCreek.com then click on: President’s Message. This link appears on the left side of your screen, just under the heading “Board of Directors.”
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Greg Coury spent several hours developing and designing this improved web site. All owners and residents who are connected to the internet now have access to all of the governing
documents for Cedar Creek. This includes the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Cedar Creek, the Articles of Incorporation of the CCPOA, Inc, the By-Laws of the Association, and all of the amendments to those Covenants and By-Laws that affect the operation of the Association. From time-to-time, we hear property owners say they have never received a copy of these Documents. Now, with the aid of our improved web site, www.OurCedarCreek.com these Documents can be read and/or printed out for future reference. If you are one of those owners maintaining that you have not been given a copy of the documents specific to Cedar Creek, please take time to review them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Winner Every Week
Poker players play every Thursday at the Cabana
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Call Mike Hochrun for more info at 992-3731
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GUY’S….GAL’S
BOCCE
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, 9:00 AM
ON OUR COURT
BEGINNERS & VETERANS
EQUIPMENT NOT NECESSARY
IT’S FUN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CEDAR CREEK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
Would you like to learn how to play hand & foot canasta? It's fun and easy. We meet at the cabana every Monday at 1:00 p.m. If interested, please contact Marlene Ciani at 992-9395 or email mciani15@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you.
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Pool, Spa, Bocce and Tennis Court
Please remember, hours for pool, spa, bocce and tennis court usage are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For the concern and respect of your neighbors, please abide by these posted times. If you open an umbrella, please make sure you wind it down before you leave to avoid damage
should a windstorm arise. To show consideration of others, and for the cleanliness of the pool area, please refrain from smoking in the pool and spa areas.
The Cedar Creek Bocce court has been installed behind the tennis court. The game is great fun and easy to play. This is not a game for men only. The ladies who have been playing love it. Rules for the use of the court are posted on the tennis court fence. Rules for playing the game are posted on the bulletin board in the cabana. There is no shortage of Bocce ball sets in the neighborhood so it is not necessary to have your own set to play. For more information feel free to call one of the following: Dan Durante 498-9982; or Bill Schwessinger 992-4539. These numbers also will be posted in the cabana.
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Please contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., at 949-7741 if you have intentions of using your property for rental purposes. They will provide you with a rental agreement form. If you have questions about the protocol for rental procedures, please refer to Amendment 8 of the Declaration of Covenants.
We encourage you to submit articles of either a humorous nature or of community interest, to be printed in The Current at Cedar Creek. We request that all articles be approved before submission. After review, any articles submitted will be forwarded to the publisher for inclusion in the next Current issue. Deadline for October submissions will be September 27th.
We would like to see as much community involvement as possible. If you would like to contribute something toward community service, please contact me or any one of the other Board members.
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CEDAR CREEK LADIES’ COFFEE - MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
The September Coffee will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 12 noon. We will have a Salad Luncheon at the Pool House. Everyone attending is asked to bring a salad or desert. Please call LaVerne Stein at 498-9647 by Sunday, September 14, to advise as to what you will bring if attending. Beverages and tableware will be provided. We are in need of Coffee volunteers for 2009. Any questions or to volunteer for a Coffee, please call LaVerne Stein at 498-9647.
Remember, your Coffee can be kept as simple as you would like (Coffee or iced tea and cookies are fine--it's just a pleasant get-together). Any questions or to volunteer for a Coffee, please call LaVerne. Let's keep our Coffees and pleasant times together going.
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NEWSLETTER #5
ON THE ROAD with Bill, Anita and Hunter
I am starting this letter on Saturday, August 2nd, in a campsite in the city park of Buena Vista, Virginia, but probably will not be able to send it for several days as we are leaving tomorrow morning for the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are now in the Shenandoah Valley and the weather forecast for the next several days is that temperatures will reach the mid to high nineties, with high humidity (Florida weather). We are now at about 1800 feet above sea level and the Parkway is from 3500 to 5000 feet, so it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler up there. The only problem is the campgrounds offer no electricity, water or sewer, but the temp, serenity and scenery difference is worth it. We are able to run our generator for power anytime from 8 AM to 7 PM, after that the batteries take over…so we are self contained.
To date we have driven only 1406 miles in the RV, 2610 miles in the car and 92 miles on our bikes.
In our last letter, I said we were enjoying our stay in Unicoi, TN, so much, we decided to stay another week. Before we left home Anita heard from a relative that her ancestors were homesteaders in the Jonesborough, TN, area. We spent some time visiting old cemeteries looking for her relatives, one was Col. Leeroy Taylor, a Revolutionary War Hero, but to no avail. Some gravestones dated back to the early class=Section9>
1800’s. We did find a road and a little community named after her family (Hair). Also, we found a three story stone and log home built in 1784 which was originally built by a relative as a fort to protect a few families from hostile Indians.
Anita’s relative’s home built in 1784 Wild ponies on Wilburn Ridge near A.Trail
We took several drives into the high mountains for hikes through the woods and on one occasion we came across the famous Appalachian Trail. We met a couple, Tony and Lauren, who were hiking the trail and spent some time talking with them. His back pack weighed 40 pounds and hers 25. The trail is nothing but a small foot path, and as you probably know, it starts in Maine and ends in Georgia, 2575 miles long. We also found a small café where we both had delicious cheese mushroom burgers for only $3.95 each. On several evenings we drove on hilly, curving mountain roads to find our new found love, mountain music, which differs from bluegrass. Mountain music is led by a fiddler and supported with banjos, mandolins and guitars and they all play together, never a solo. Bluegrass is led by string instruments, even on occasions there is a fiddle player, and they take turns playing solo. We drove 20 miles one way twice to hear mountain music in the square in Jonesborough. Last night we drove 25 miles one way just to hear this great music and watch the cloggers dance. Once again, we heard a great story teller in Jonesborough, at the Story Telling Center. Gene Tagabam, the storyteller, is an Alaskan native, and he did a fabulous Indian dance of the raven after telling great humorous stories of his ancestors. We both enjoy these performers very much. There is a storytelling festival the first week of October in Jonesborough, which we hope to attend on the way home. The week had absolutely perfect weather, low 70’s during the day and high 50’s at night.
On Monday, the 27th, we drove 80 miles north to Abingdon, a historical city in Virginia. Anita took many pictures of the 250 year old homes which are all occupied. We had a nice lunch at the Martha Washington Inn on top of a huge hill and the next day we had a delicious dinner at The Tavern, built in 1764. During the Civil War, it was a hospital, and on the second floor, we saw marking’s etched by the wounded soldiers marking their bunks. In the afternoon we attended the 300 seat Barter Theater, the official state theater of Virginia, and thoroughly enjoyed watching a cast of 30 people with a live orchestra in the production of the musical, Evita. We met a nice couple there and once again at The Tavern, and they invited us to spend a couple of days at their Smith Mountain Lake home nearby. Unfortunately, the class=Section10>
day before we were to go, the woman’s sister had a stroke and our visit was cancelled, but they want us to stop by on our return in a couple of weeks.
On Thursday, the 24th, we drove 71 miles to camp at Grayson-Highland State Park in the mountains. The camp site was at 3800 feet and heavily wooded and very private, with no TV, Internet or phone. We hiked all four days in the 70 degree temperatures, and once again came upon the Appalachian Trail a couple of times. Anita took a long hike to find wild horses up a mountain, and was even able to pet a couple of them. On one trip, we climbed to 5,089 feet to the top of a mountain…what a view! We had a bon fire every night and the last night we were there, I heard a mandolin at the next campsite. I invited the woman to come over to our fire and play it for us. She not only obliged, but brought her husband, a guitar player. For two hours they played their instruments and sang bluegrass and mountain songs. What a delightful evening. She had a masters degree in music, is a music teacher and a member of several bands. She said she also played the banjo, guitar and piano.
On Monday, the 28th, we drove 40 miles up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and once there, we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center and listened to a great mountain music band for three hours. Attendance was very light so we could talk to the performers, and that was another experience in learning more about their music. The next 60 mile drive was so beautiful, the traffic was light, so we set the cruise control at 30 miles an hour and just went up and down and around the hills enjoying the views of other mountains, the forests and the valleys. Deer are so plentiful you have to be very careful not to hit them. We stopped at the well known Mabry Mill, and other areas, and walked through the old 200 year old log cabins. We camped that night in a remote camping ground with no facilities..it was so quiet!
The next day we left the Parkway and drove 61 miles to Roanoke, a bustling city to do our laundry. We spent a day there looking at the sights. The highlight being lunch at the Corned Beef & Co. restaurant, where I had the best Rueben sandwich I ever had…and I have had many! It reminded me of my experience in Milwaukee, when as the co- owner of an ad agency, I pitched for the largest kraut packer (Frank’s Kraut) in the Midwest. After getting the account, they suggested I drive to Chicago and spend a day with the director of the sauerkraut institute. He took me to lunch at a nearby restaurant and ordered us a Rueben sandwich, which I never heard of. That was in the early 1960’s. After returning to Milwaukee I personally visited over 50 restaurants and gave them the recipe for a Rueben sandwich made with Frank’s Kraut, which of course they never heard of. Today, the Rueben can be found everywhere! While in Roanoke we also toured the lovely Roanoke Hotel, a masterpiece of architecture and the bustling open produce market.
On Thursday, the 31st, we were glad to return to the mountains where we spent the night at Natural Bridge, an area featuring a natural rock bridge. But after visiting the Arches National Park in Utah last summer, with over 200 of them, we passed up a tour. And that brings us to Buena Vista where we arrived yesterday. It is a small town with a sign saying, “Welcome to Buena Vista, with 6002 happy residents and 3 old grouches”. It is such a friendly town. We were here only 2 hours, when Anita and I stopped into the only beauty salon in town so I could get a haircut. As we walked in a customer sitting in a chair said “You’re the couple with the RV” and another said “and they have the convertible with the bikes on the back”. Anita asked where we could hear some mountain music, and a woman, other than the owner, called all over town to find where we could hear it. Then she gave us detailed directions on how to find it, 25 miles away!
As I have said in a previous letter, so many people are thankful to veterans in this area. I bought gas one day and the female clerk said, “Are you a veteran”. When I said yes, of the big war, she clasped my hand and said, “thank you so very much”. I had the same reaction at a bike shop, when the owner asked the same question. After my answer, he thanked me and said my purchase was discounted 50%. At a couple of RV resorts they ask if you are a veteran and they give you an additional 10 to 20% off. At some of the music events they ask veterans to stand, and the audience applauds. At one they gave me a musical salute because of WW2. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and so genuine…I only wish I could understand some of them with their mountain accents! We really like it up here! I guess that’s no secret!
Thanx again for traveling with us. We are looking forward to your emails!
Please remember, hours for pool, spa, bocce and tennis court usage are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For the concern and respect of your neighbors, please abide by these posted times. If you open an umbrella, please make sure you wind it down before you leave to avoid damage
should a windstorm arise. To show consideration of others, and for the cleanliness of the pool area, please refrain from smoking in the pool and spa areas.
The Cedar Creek Bocce court has been installed behind the tennis court. The game is great fun and easy to play. This is not a game for men only. The ladies who have been playing love it. Rules for the use of the court are posted on the tennis court fence. Rules for playing the game are posted on the bulletin board in the cabana. There is no shortage of Bocce ball sets in the neighborhood so it is not necessary to have your own set to play. For more information feel free to call one of the following: Dan Durante 498-9982; or Bill Schwessinger 992-4539. These numbers also will be posted in the cabana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., at 949-7741 if you have intentions of using your property for rental purposes. They will provide you with a rental agreement form. If you have questions about the protocol for rental procedures, please refer to Amendment 8 of the Declaration of Covenants.
We encourage you to submit articles of either a humorous nature or of community interest, to be printed in The Current at Cedar Creek. We request that all articles be approved before submission. After review, any articles submitted will be forwarded to the publisher for inclusion in the next Current issue. Deadline for October submissions will be September 27th.
We would like to see as much community involvement as possible. If you would like to contribute something toward community service, please contact me or any one of the other Board members.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CEDAR CREEK LADIES’ COFFEE - MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
The September Coffee will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 12 noon. We will have a Salad Luncheon at the Pool House. Everyone attending is asked to bring a salad or desert. Please call LaVerne Stein at 498-9647 by Sunday, September 14, to advise as to what you will bring if attending. Beverages and tableware will be provided. We are in need of Coffee volunteers for 2009. Any questions or to volunteer for a Coffee, please call LaVerne Stein at 498-9647.
Remember, your Coffee can be kept as simple as you would like (Coffee or iced tea and cookies are fine--it's just a pleasant get-together). Any questions or to volunteer for a Coffee, please call LaVerne. Let's keep our Coffees and pleasant times together going.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWSLETTER #5
ON THE ROAD with Bill, Anita and Hunter
I am starting this letter on Saturday, August 2nd, in a campsite in the city park of Buena Vista, Virginia, but probably will not be able to send it for several days as we are leaving tomorrow morning for the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are now in the Shenandoah Valley and the weather forecast for the next several days is that temperatures will reach the mid to high nineties, with high humidity (Florida weather). We are now at about 1800 feet above sea level and the Parkway is from 3500 to 5000 feet, so it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler up there. The only problem is the campgrounds offer no electricity, water or sewer, but the temp, serenity and scenery difference is worth it. We are able to run our generator for power anytime from 8 AM to 7 PM, after that the batteries take over…so we are self contained.
To date we have driven only 1406 miles in the RV, 2610 miles in the car and 92 miles on our bikes.
In our last letter, I said we were enjoying our stay in Unicoi, TN, so much, we decided to stay another week. Before we left home Anita heard from a relative that her ancestors were homesteaders in the Jonesborough, TN, area. We spent some time visiting old cemeteries looking for her relatives, one was Col. Leeroy Taylor, a Revolutionary War Hero, but to no avail. Some gravestones dated back to the early class=Section9>
1800’s. We did find a road and a little community named after her family (Hair). Also, we found a three story stone and log home built in 1784 which was originally built by a relative as a fort to protect a few families from hostile Indians.
Anita’s relative’s home built in 1784 Wild ponies on Wilburn Ridge near A.Trail
We took several drives into the high mountains for hikes through the woods and on one occasion we came across the famous Appalachian Trail. We met a couple, Tony and Lauren, who were hiking the trail and spent some time talking with them. His back pack weighed 40 pounds and hers 25. The trail is nothing but a small foot path, and as you probably know, it starts in Maine and ends in Georgia, 2575 miles long. We also found a small café where we both had delicious cheese mushroom burgers for only $3.95 each. On several evenings we drove on hilly, curving mountain roads to find our new found love, mountain music, which differs from bluegrass. Mountain music is led by a fiddler and supported with banjos, mandolins and guitars and they all play together, never a solo. Bluegrass is led by string instruments, even on occasions there is a fiddle player, and they take turns playing solo. We drove 20 miles one way twice to hear mountain music in the square in Jonesborough. Last night we drove 25 miles one way just to hear this great music and watch the cloggers dance. Once again, we heard a great story teller in Jonesborough, at the Story Telling Center. Gene Tagabam, the storyteller, is an Alaskan native, and he did a fabulous Indian dance of the raven after telling great humorous stories of his ancestors. We both enjoy these performers very much. There is a storytelling festival the first week of October in Jonesborough, which we hope to attend on the way home. The week had absolutely perfect weather, low 70’s during the day and high 50’s at night.
On Monday, the 27th, we drove 80 miles north to Abingdon, a historical city in Virginia. Anita took many pictures of the 250 year old homes which are all occupied. We had a nice lunch at the Martha Washington Inn on top of a huge hill and the next day we had a delicious dinner at The Tavern, built in 1764. During the Civil War, it was a hospital, and on the second floor, we saw marking’s etched by the wounded soldiers marking their bunks. In the afternoon we attended the 300 seat Barter Theater, the official state theater of Virginia, and thoroughly enjoyed watching a cast of 30 people with a live orchestra in the production of the musical, Evita. We met a nice couple there and once again at The Tavern, and they invited us to spend a couple of days at their Smith Mountain Lake home nearby. Unfortunately, the class=Section10>
day before we were to go, the woman’s sister had a stroke and our visit was cancelled, but they want us to stop by on our return in a couple of weeks.
On Thursday, the 24th, we drove 71 miles to camp at Grayson-Highland State Park in the mountains. The camp site was at 3800 feet and heavily wooded and very private, with no TV, Internet or phone. We hiked all four days in the 70 degree temperatures, and once again came upon the Appalachian Trail a couple of times. Anita took a long hike to find wild horses up a mountain, and was even able to pet a couple of them. On one trip, we climbed to 5,089 feet to the top of a mountain…what a view! We had a bon fire every night and the last night we were there, I heard a mandolin at the next campsite. I invited the woman to come over to our fire and play it for us. She not only obliged, but brought her husband, a guitar player. For two hours they played their instruments and sang bluegrass and mountain songs. What a delightful evening. She had a masters degree in music, is a music teacher and a member of several bands. She said she also played the banjo, guitar and piano.
On Monday, the 28th, we drove 40 miles up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and once there, we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center and listened to a great mountain music band for three hours. Attendance was very light so we could talk to the performers, and that was another experience in learning more about their music. The next 60 mile drive was so beautiful, the traffic was light, so we set the cruise control at 30 miles an hour and just went up and down and around the hills enjoying the views of other mountains, the forests and the valleys. Deer are so plentiful you have to be very careful not to hit them. We stopped at the well known Mabry Mill, and other areas, and walked through the old 200 year old log cabins. We camped that night in a remote camping ground with no facilities..it was so quiet!
The next day we left the Parkway and drove 61 miles to Roanoke, a bustling city to do our laundry. We spent a day there looking at the sights. The highlight being lunch at the Corned Beef & Co. restaurant, where I had the best Rueben sandwich I ever had…and I have had many! It reminded me of my experience in Milwaukee, when as the co- owner of an ad agency, I pitched for the largest kraut packer (Frank’s Kraut) in the Midwest. After getting the account, they suggested I drive to Chicago and spend a day with the director of the sauerkraut institute. He took me to lunch at a nearby restaurant and ordered us a Rueben sandwich, which I never heard of. That was in the early 1960’s. After returning to Milwaukee I personally visited over 50 restaurants and gave them the recipe for a Rueben sandwich made with Frank’s Kraut, which of course they never heard of. Today, the Rueben can be found everywhere! While in Roanoke we also toured the lovely Roanoke Hotel, a masterpiece of architecture and the bustling open produce market.
On Thursday, the 31st, we were glad to return to the mountains where we spent the night at Natural Bridge, an area featuring a natural rock bridge. But after visiting the Arches National Park in Utah last summer, with over 200 of them, we passed up a tour. And that brings us to Buena Vista where we arrived yesterday. It is a small town with a sign saying, “Welcome to Buena Vista, with 6002 happy residents and 3 old grouches”. It is such a friendly town. We were here only 2 hours, when Anita and I stopped into the only beauty salon in town so I could get a haircut. As we walked in a customer sitting in a chair said “You’re the couple with the RV” and another said “and they have the convertible with the bikes on the back”. Anita asked where we could hear some mountain music, and a woman, other than the owner, called all over town to find where we could hear it. Then she gave us detailed directions on how to find it, 25 miles away!
As I have said in a previous letter, so many people are thankful to veterans in this area. I bought gas one day and the female clerk said, “Are you a veteran”. When I said yes, of the big war, she clasped my hand and said, “thank you so very much”. I had the same reaction at a bike shop, when the owner asked the same question. After my answer, he thanked me and said my purchase was discounted 50%. At a couple of RV resorts they ask if you are a veteran and they give you an additional 10 to 20% off. At some of the music events they ask veterans to stand, and the audience applauds. At one they gave me a musical salute because of WW2. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and so genuine…I only wish I could understand some of them with their mountain accents! We really like it up here! I guess that’s no secret!
Thanx again for traveling with us. We are looking forward to your emails!
Bill, Anita and Hunter
Southern Virginia U. in Buena Vista
Southern Virginia U. in Buena Vista
