Lake Bosse Oaks

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November 2009

Dream On, by Debi Walter

Pretending is something we all learned to do as children, and Halloween is the perfect example of how much fun it can be to put on a mask and be whomever you wish. This year we’ll no doubt be greeted at our door by Michael Jackson wanna be’s and Presidential elites. There are sure to be dozens of fairies and princesses as well as the clearly defined superheroes ready to save the day, albeit 2 feet tall! All are willing to don the costume of their favorite personality and go door to door hoping for a handful of their favorite treat!

Pretending as a child can be harmless and fun. Actually it’s been proven to be quite helpful in establishing a child’s ability to think and reason. As adults we learn to transfer all this pretending into real life scenarios. Suddenly life becomes much more serious and there isn’t the time to pretend anymore. It makes me wonder if we aren’t missing out somehow by taking life as it comes, instead of imagining what it could be.

Walt Disney was the ultimate dreamer. He had a huge imagination limited only by time and space. He died not seeing all of his dreams become reality, yet his legacy continues inspiring millions of dreamers to become doers! He dared to believe things could be the way he imagined them to be not the way they always had been.

Looking back over my 50 years I’ve seen many dreams fulfilled, but I’m not finished; there are still great things I am praying about and hoping for. I want to continue adding to my list of wishes until I take my last breath. Only then will the final curtain be drawn on life as I know it. So, let’s continue, like one of my favorite songs penned by Aerosmith:

"Dream until your dream comes true!”

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President's Corner, by Angelo Intravaia

It happens every year around the holidays; reflections of things past. I was raised in a large family with 4 siblings and untold numbers of aunts, uncles and cousins. It was the 1950s, and in those days, at least in Italian families, everyone lived on the same block.

Our home, on Thanksgiving and Christmas day, was always filled with pungent aromas wafting from the kitchen, while we eagerly anticipated getting together with our extended family. It wasn’t at all unusual to have 15 or 20 family members seated around the dinner table, engaging in the typical holiday banter. It’s what I miss most about the season.

Today, we’re spread all across the nation and have little contact with those with whom we were so close a few decades earlier. The occasional phone call and exchanging of pleasantries just cannot replace the handshakes and hugs.

I don’t mean to sound pessimistic. On the contrary, I have reason to be optimistic because I know how it all turns out in the end, when we’ll all be together again, with no phones, no computers and no technology as we know it, but plenty of hugs to spread around.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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Your Presence Is Requested...

Annual Homeowner’s Meeting - Saturday, Nov. 7th at 11a. We will be voting for the new Board of Directors for 2010 as well as discussing current plans to continue improving our neighborhood. You won’t want to miss it! If you must, please send a proxy with a neighbor or Board Member. For questions please call our President, Angelo Intravaia: 407-925-3763.

Annual LBO Fall Festival - will take place immediately following our Annual Meeting. We’ll have lunch by the lake. Simply bring your own meat to grill (hamburgers or hot dogs only), some sides to share, and your own drinks and ice. We’ll provide the plastic ware, napkins and plates. We’ll have our regular Cupcake Walk for the kids and Cake Walk for the adults. There will be a petting zoo and maybe even a few more surprises. So, invite your family and friends to come and enjoy a beautiful fall day by the lake.

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Important Watering Changes!

Beginning Sunday, November 1st, (Standard Daylight Time) our lawn watering schedules will be reduced to only one day a week. Those homes with ODD house numbers will water on Saturday, and EVEN numbers will water on Sunday only. There is to be no watering between the hours of 10a - 4p. Please be sure to set your timers accordingly. The restriction will go back to two days a week when Daylight Savings Time returns in the Spring.
Visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions for more information.

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AROUND TOWN

Fall is in the air, and what a perfect time to make plans for picnics, festivals and anything outdoors. Here is a list of some favorites

Taste of Maitland - Come to Lake Lily Park on Monday, 11/9 from 5:30 - 8:00p. There will be lots of food and fun for all. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Over 30 food vendors will be on sight offering samples of some delicious food. Call the Chamber of Commerce for more info (407) 644-0741.

Orlando Food & Wine Fest - Nov. 14th and 15th in downtown Orlando around Lake Eola. Cost is $15 for both days, or $10 for individual days. Food and drinks available for purchase. orlandofoodandwinefest.com

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Kim and Jason

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Feral Cat Population Problem? or Solution?
by Kelly Lodde

You've seen them, crossing the street, resting under your car, walking across your fence…feral felines. Over time they become wild, and subsequently forage in our neighborhood for food, water and shelter.

These feral cats are reproducing at an astounding rate. Their unchecked reproduction is a constant source of new kittens. Some will find themselves in local shelters, where they will be euthanized after just a few days or otherwise take up badly needed space, while others will die from starvation, disease or larger prey.

When I started caring for a third litter of feral kittens in my yard in a one year period (and with two dogs, my yard is not a hospitable location for cats), I knew I had to do more than provide food and water. By spaying and neutering the cats I feed, I can prevent the deaths and suffering of many more.

Are you feeding homeless cats?

Trap-Neuter-Release (“TNR”) is the preferred method by most communities and animal advocacy groups. TNR has many proven advantages including permanent reduction of feral and stray cat populations, elimination of nuisance behaviors like spraying and fighting. In addition, by returning the ferals to their territory, TNR allows the neutered and vaccinated cats to provide benefits of rat and mouse abatement and protection against rabies transmission from wildlife species.

The most humane and effective strategy for managing the feral cat population is the Trap – Neuter – Release program.

How you can help.

First and foremost, if you have a cat that is permitted outside, please have your pet spayed or neutered immediately.

Several organizations in Orlando and Orange County provide free or low cost spay and neuter services, but volunteers are needed to trap and bring in the animals. This is where we come in.

If you are feeding one or more feral cats, please join me in a coordinated effort to trap, alter and release these animals.

Please contact me, Kelly Lodde (4129 Tall Tree), at gklodde@comcast.net, to help or
if you would like more information about low cost spay and neuter programs in our area.

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Veteran's Day Quiz

How much do you know about this National Holiday? Find out by taking this quiz.
Answers are located at the end of this newsletter:
Q: When is Veterans' Day?
Nov. 1st Nov. 11th Nov. 15th

Q: In 1918, the 'war to end all wars' ended. Which war was this?
WW I WW II Civil War

Q: What was the original name for Veterans' Day?
Army Day 11th Day Armistice Day

Q: What year did Congress vote Armistice Day a federal holiday?
1918 1938 1968

Q: The congressman from what state introduced a bill to change the name to Veterans' Day?
Kansas Arkansas Washington

Q: At what time on Veterans' Day do Americans stop to remember and pray?
9:00a 11:00a 1:00p

Q: What flower became a symbol of World War I?
Carnations Roses Poppies

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Restaurant Reviews
by Debi Walter

Andrea’s Quality Cheesecake & Cafe
6020 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, Fl. 32810

“Andrea has always had a passion for baking and creating deserts. She fell in love with the idea at a very young age, and always baked cakes for family gatherings. As the family grew, so did the cakes and she began her creativity. It was a childhood dream to one day own her own bakery, and in 1983 her Dad had the idea that Orlan

do needed a good Cheesecake. Without hesitation, he shared his dream with Andrea, and she began the experimental stages of creating the Andrea Quality Cheesecake. After testing over 40 recipes the Andrea Quality Cheesecake was perfect, and our company slogan “ A Taste To Remember” has always held true to the product. Andrea’s dream had finally come true with tremendous support from family, friends, customers and employees. Thank you Orlando for knowing a quality cheesecake when you taste one! You are the reason for our success! And it truly is “A TASTE TO REMEMBER.” Today in the bakery, Andrea features over 20 varieties of cheesecakes, fresh baked daily; as a full service cheesecake bakery, cakes are always in the oven. She features over 50 varieties on the special request menu. Anything you can dream up she can make, so be creative; we love a challenge. Stop in for lunch, and enjoy a complimentary mini cheesecake with every entrée, a cup of espresso, cappuccino or even a cheesecake milkshake.” Taken from their website: www.andreacheesecake.com

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Pumpkin Cheesecake with Walnut-Ginger Crust

Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 120 minutes

    * 2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs
    * 2/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
    * 3 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar
    * 6 tablespoons butter, melted
    * 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
    * 3/4 cup brown sugar
    * 5 large eggs
    * 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
    * 1/4 cup whipping cream
    * 1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice*
    * Caramel Sauce (see recipe)
    * Garnish: toasted walnut halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cookie crumbs, walnuts, and 3 tablespoons sugar in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times until combined; add butter and pulse 4 or 5 times, or until crumbly. Wrap the outside of a 10-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, then press cookie mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool crust completely on a wire rack. Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees.

Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed 3 minutes, or until creamy. Gradually add brown sugar and the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, beating 4 minutes, or until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Add pumpkin, whipping cream, and pumpkin-pie spice. Beat on low speed of an electric mixer just until blended. Do not overbeat. Pour batter over prepared crust.

Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until almost set (it will still jiggle in the center). Remove from oven; run a knife around edge of pan. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Chill 8 hours or overnight. Garnish with walnut halves and serve with Caramel Sauce.

    * 1/2 cup butter
    * 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    * 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    * 1/2 cup whipping cream

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; add brown sugar and corn syrup, then cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Gradually add cream, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.

Yield: 1-1/2 cups   (Recipe from The Old Farmer’s Almanac)