Lake Bosse Oaks

March.April 2011

Spring Has Come, by Debi Walter

It was a beautiful day, so I decided to take a walk.  I headed west towards Lake Bosse Drive noticing the azaleas in full bloom.  I passsed an overgrown hedge not from neglect, but from the new spring growth not yet noticed by the homeowner.  As I rounded the corner I wondered how the kitchen remodel turned out in the Intravaia’s home, and then I was greeted with others enjoying the day as much as me.  Not neighbors, mind you, but birds, hundreds of birds!  They weren’t starlings.  They weren’t crows.  They looked like robins, but I wasn’t sure.  What I was certain of was their happiness.  I imagine they were singing a song of gratefulness for the clear sky and warm breeze on this March day.  I tried taking a picture, but it was impossible.  They darted from tree to tree faster than my camera could focus.  
From there I happened upon a pair of bright blue hydrangeas in two pots - beautiful.  There was a tree loaded with pink blossoms, which I’ve discovered is the Eastern Red Bud tree.  You have probably noticed them all over Central Florida as they are breathtaking, but no tree can quite compare with the Yellow Tabebuia tree.  It shines as brightly as the noon day sun, even on cloudy days.  
Heading east on Tall Tree I was greeted by the hum of roofing shingles being loaded onto a conveyor belt which ramped them up to the rooftop.  Out with the old - in with the new.  I greeted a new neighbor who has called Lake Bosse home for just under a year.  He was obviously enjoying his conversation with another neighbor, so we spoke briefly as I continued my walk.  As I approached the front of the neighborhood I met one of our Board members walking door-to-door gathering signatures in an effort to add weight to our request to the County for an upgrade with our street lights.  I added my name, first on the list.  I couldn’t miss our beautiful crepe myrtles which hybernate for the winter.  Their buds just sprouting from the trimmed trunk.  Soon they will be in full bloom, and we’ll be reminded why we love them so.  
One more lap around the block, and I met another board member trying out his leaf vacuum/mulcher.  He said it was slow, but much better than raking!  I asked when the baby was due not expecting his answer; “She’s here!  Eight days ago Amaryllis Stefanie Verdeck was born; would you like to meet her?”
How could I resist?  Looking at the miracle of this precious little girl, I realized more than ever, no matter how harsh the winter, no matter how difficult our circumstances, Spring always follows with new growth - new life.  And no matter how many times I’m a witness to it, I’m always in awe of such a miracle and quietly find myself giving thanks!  Spring has come to Lake Bosse Oaks! I’ve posted pictures below:

---

President's Corner, by Donna Kress

I would like to begin by thanking the 2010 President, Ethan McCain for his time and enthusiasm in leading the Board and the Association last year.  Among several accomplishments, I will remember Ethan for his leadership and determination to replace the perimeter fence. The new wall is one of the nicest ones that I have seen, and I believe it will serve our community for many years.

Have you ever heard the quote “No man is an island,” from John Donne?  To paraphrase, human beings do not thrive when isolated from others. Ethan’s accomplishments were achieved because he had the help of the Board and the community at large.

Like Ethan, and as we move into 2011, I will rely on fellow Board members, and residents to accomplish the goals of our community.  This past week marked the second HOA meeting of 2011 with the newly elected Board taking action on this year’s goals.

The projects that we have discussed thus far include: an audit of the street light bulb wattage; Lake cleanup of invasive plants; replacing damaged wood on the fence at the lake front, and re-establishing the Neighborhood Watch program.

I look forward to working with all of you!
                Donna

---

"ARB" Wired

At the last HOA Board meeting a new ARB Committee was elected.  The new members are:

• Jasmine Perris

• Kelly Verdeck

• Tony Gianfransico

and our newest homeowner,

• John McInerney, who just bought the corner home on Greenfern Drive closest to our front entrance.  

There will soon be a form available on our website for homeowners to use when planning a major renovation, exterior paint or structural change, including tree removal.  This is an effort to help keep our neighborhood looking it’s best.  This committee is established to serve us.  

In case you don’t know or don’t remember, ARB stands for “Architectural Review Board,” and it’s sole purpose is to help us stay within our Covenants and Restrictions as established at the start of our community.

Don’t have a copy of our Covenants and Restrictions?  You can print a copy from our website:

www.neighborhoodlink.com

---

Neighborhood Watch

(NUI) - If your home is protected with an ordinary lock, it may not do you much good, says the National Crime Prevention Council.
Thieves have caught on to an increasingly popular technique called “bumping.” It is easier than traditional lock picking, which requires manipulating the pins inside the lock with small tools.
All that is needed for bumping is a “bump key” that is spe- cially manipulated to pick the lock without other tools.
The National Crime Prevention Council wants homeowners to be aware of the prevalence of bumping, especially because there are many “how-to” videos online demonstrating how easy bumping is.
This is a huge problem because usually there are no signs of a break-in when bumping is done. This means insurance companies may not cover it because “you probably left your door open.”
Installing high-quality locks is a good defense against home burglaries, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.
“Not all locks can be bumped; consumers just need to know the differences,” says Clyde Roberson, director of technical services at Medeco Security Locks. “Consumers should consider using quality high-security locks for their home or business in order to have adequate protection from bumping and other forms of lock attack.”
The National Crime Prevention Council also recommends consulting a professional locksmith or security provider for ad- vice on which locks protect against this and other forms of lock bypass.
For more information about how to secure your home or busi- ness or to request a copy of “Locking Your Home, What To Know Before Buying Locks For Your Home” and “A Safe Workplace is Everybody’s Business,” visit the National Crime Prevention Council Web site at www.ncpc.org.
Additional information on lock bumping can be found on Medeco Security Locks’ Web site at www.medeco.com.

---

Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt

If you have never experienced this annual event, make plans to attend this year.  It’s a great time with delicious pancakes, hot coffee, and orange juice.  After everyone has had their fill, we’ll hide the eggs for the children to hunt.

When:      Saturday, April 16th

Where:     Lakefront Park

Time:        9a. - 10:30a.

Bring:        1 dozen eggs to hide
                  chairs

Cost:        $1 per person
                (to cover the cost of food and drink.)

---

Yard Of The Season

It’s time to start sprucing up our yards.  Remember one home is awarded the coveted “Yard of the Season” title, which includes a Home Depot gift card.  Don’t delay - start planning your spring garden now.  Here are some tips for spring gardening:

• Replace high maintenance plants with ones that require less work. Florida native plants are always a good choice!

• Fertilize Azaleas, camellias and other acid loving plants with fertilizer labeled for Azaleas or acid type fertilizer or compost. Remember regular fertilizer will damage Azalea roots.

• Prune Azaleas when they finish blooming.

• Fertilize palm and Sagos with special fertilizer for palms that contains magnesium.

• Let your Paperwhites and Daffodils die back naturally the foliage should be almost a brown color before you cut them down. This allows the bulb to build energy for next years blooms.

• When your lawn starts to green up at the end of the month apply a slow release fertilizer.

• Trim ornamental grasses to about 12” and fertilize lightly. Do not cut the growing points off.

• Rejuvenate your Liriope (Monkey Grass) and Aztec grass by cutting with the highest blade setting on your mower. Do not cut too close or you may kill it. Fertilize and water.

DO NOT PUT YOUR TENDER BEDDING PLANTS OUT YET...We usually have another damaging freeze before Easter.
Nights should be a above 55 degrees before you plant your caladiums.

---

You Just Never Know What A Day Will Bring, by Bonnie Anderson

I started my day out as usual – got up, started the coffee, got dressed, brought in the paper and looked to see what was going on in the house behind me, which belongs to our son and his family.  You know, just another day in the neighborhood.  Only this time it wasn’t……..

At approximately 0925 hours this morning (that’s 9:25 am for you civilians) I saw the top of a head of dark hair on our son’s porch.  (That’s all the view I get from the vantage point of my kitchen.)  I watched a minute, thinking that it didn’t look like a familiar head, and then I saw another head of dark hair.  Knowing it was highly unlikely that our daughter-in-law was entertaining this particular morning, I called her.  She had just left home a few minutes before to run an errand.  We wondered if maybe the exterminator was servicing their home, but these two heads were staying in one area far too long.  I began to be suspicious.

While on the phone with her I went out back and opened the gate between our yards only to discover two men trying to break into their house.  I yelled at them, hung up on Dacia and called 911.  They took off through the breezeway, and I ran behind them (quite a bit behind them, I’m afraid I’m not very fast anymore, yet I seem to be quite intimating).  They headed down Greenfern Drive.  Alert neighbor - Chris Walker gave pursuit in his truck.

These two were dressed in jeans and dark shirts and had red bandanas around their necks.  When I addressed them, they immediately pulled the bandanas over their mouths and noses and took off, for which I am very thankful.  They did not gain entry to the house, but it was not for lack of effort.  Chris and I were able to give our statements to the police and hope our information will be helpful when it comes time to finger the perps (identify the alleged thieves).  The good news this time is that the police, who were so helpful, think they may have caught the two guys.

It’s always a thrill to work together as neighbors!  My adrenaline is still pumping as I write this.  We live in a great neighborhood.  We do watch out for each other and that’s essential in this present day and age.  The police officer who was first on the scene gave us some suggestions that I’ll list here to serve as reminders for us all.  We must remain diligent when it comes to the safety of our homes.

1.    Do not assume that someone wearing a red bandana over his mouth and nose is suffering from allergies, especially if they are running down the street.
2.    Call the non-emergency number 407.836.HELP (4357) whenever you are unsettled about anything, including strangers walking the neighborhood, solicitors, or even people just leaving something at your door.
3.    If one person comes to your door and another person is waiting by the driveway or in a car, don’t answer the door.  Call the above number.
4.    Lock your doors and windows.
5.    Keep your garage doors closed whenever possible.
6.    Consider a security system and if you have one keep it monitored.
7.    Look out for each other.
8.    If in doubt as to if the suspicion is really an emergency, err on the side of caution and call 911.

Editor’s Note:  A big THANK YOU to Bonnie and Chris for being willing to go the distance in watching out for our safety!  We’re glad you’re ok.

---

KUDOS

Gail Byrd is our HOA Treasurer and has been for the past few years.  She has done an excellent job with our money.  Case in point:  Our original loan for the new wall was $191,684.00.  In just short of two years this loan has been reduced to $60,022.65.   Way to go Gail!  We are grateful you are willing to serve us in such an excellent way!

---