Lake Bosse Oaks

July.August 2012

On My Front Porch, by Debi Walter

 

It was one of those news announcements that took my breath away. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Memories came flooding into my mind of the many ways this man had influenced my life for the good.

 

Andy Griffith was dead at the age of 86.

 

Just last fall we were able to visit his home town of Mt. Airy, NC. It was said to be the inspiration for Andy Taylor’s Mayberry, and from a short walk around Main Street, I think Mt. Airy took inspiration from Mayberry. 

Who wouldn’t? The Andy Griffith Show was always entertaining, encouraging and left you with a lesson to be learned. I’ve always insisted that there’s a quote from Barney or Andy or any of the other beloved characters for any situation in life. And the advice was always sound. Here are three that come to mind:

1. Lies will always backfire on you. (Aunt Bee’s pickles)
2. Sometimes your kids are telling the truth when it seems impossible. (Mr. McBeevey)
3. Explaining higher math to children can be complicated. (Poor Horatio - my personal favorite episode of all time.)

Many of us have said Lake Bosse Oaks is like Mayberry. I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s a worthwhile pursuit. Mayberry was a place of community, of family, where front porch ballads and borrowed cups of sugar were a regular occurrence. Where folks who lived there took an interest in what was happening in the lives of their neighbors whom they also called friends. 

I think I may sit on my front porch tonight and hope a neighbor will stop by for a friendly chat. 

 

R.I.P. Andy. Our world is a better place because of you.

 

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President's Corner, by Donna Kress

“There’s never enough”,” we don’t take it”,” we don’t make it”, “we don’t have it”, “it’s gone by”, “it flies”, …..….. ; I am talking about Time! As I sit to write this edition it is hard to believe that we are already in the middle of summer, July 4^th is in the past! I find it difficult to even write the month, July, yet here in the Board activities, we are planning for August, and even beginning to discuss the annual meeting, which is in November! 

First things first, I am “taking the time” to recognize and express my appreciation to all those who participated and helped to organize Lake Bosses’ 4th of July celebration; we had a small, but quaint bicycle parade, and topped the scorching day off with fireworks, (thanks to our very own, names of who we do not mention, you know who they are). Thank You for the great display! Thanks to all that marched with our little riders, as well as those neighbors who watched and cheered from their yards, and those that offered cool snacks as we passed their home. 

It is times like the 4^th of July that remind me of the reasons that make Lake Bosse a special neighborhood. Recently, the Sentinel had an article about “front porches”; it went on to say that those that do have them, don’t use them, and many homes don’t have them. Further, that most of us, enter our houses, close the doors, and into our private worlds we go, and any front porches are nowhere in our thoughts.  GUILTY.  I have a great front porch, but I never sit out there, so recently, I have taken some time to sit and quietly observe my neighborhood.

Although it may appear that the HOA is not using its front porch when it comes to a few of the foreclosed properties in our neighborhood, let me tell you that we are! The two properties on the Rinn Way side of the neighborhood are the ones that I am specifically talking about. They are unsightly to say the least; however in the foreclosure process, progress moves at a snails’ pace, and until the mortgage holder actually take possession of the properties there is little that we can do as an HOA. By law, we are not permitted to enter on to the property and perform any maintenance, BUT...  Orange County Code enforcement can, and these properties are on their report; (this too is a process and each step does take time).

I think that I have taken enough of this “newsletters time”, so I will close for now. Make sure that you read about our next event: “National Night Out”, coming soon to our neighborhood!

"ARB" Wired, by Jasmine Perris

Many homeowners have expressed concern about several properties in need of drastic attention. We want to communicate that we have been in touch with those who are responsible, and we’re seeing improvements take place. The two biggest concerns are the foreclosed homes at the entrance. We are doing all we can to get the properties mowed, but the dead trees are the responsibility of the homeowner until the foreclosure goes through. We want to see this happen as soon as possible and are working to that end. 

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Neighborhood Watch, by Mike McKee

You are invited to take part in our 3rd annual National Night Out gathering. It will take place at the lakefront where we will meet with our LBO neighbors as well as those from our neighbors in Cobblestone.

 

Please make plans to attend. 

 

We will have our local Sheriff on hand to greet us as well as representatives from A.D.T. to share with us the benefits of home security. 

In addition we’ll have ice cream and bottled water to share. It will be a good way to connect with neighbors, hear about keeping our property safe from crime and learning what more we can do to make Lake Bosse Oaks the best place to live.

Our Neighborhood Watch Team is working hard to make sure our Watch Maps are up-to-date with current contact information. Mike McKee will be contacting you for this information, and it will be kept confidential. In fact, he is the only one in the neighborhood who has your e-mail addresses. We appreciate your cooperation in helping Mike with this process. Plus, we’re having a...

Poster Contest for Kids

See Lake Bosse Kids Page for details!   

Reminder to report any criminal activity to the Orange County Sheriffs Office.  407-836-4357.

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A Thank You Letter, by Russ and Lucy Barnes

Russ and I are VERY grateful for all that our board members have done and continue to do for our neighborhood. While we are going about our lives, they are working constantly so that LBO continues to be beautiful and safe and to ensure that we are abiding by the bylaws that were in place when we moved here.

Keep in mind that this board is facing one of the toughest times of any other boards in the past as they are dealing with the issue of several foreclosed homes, abandoned properties, more rentals than ever, diseased dead trees that legally there isn't much any of us can do. The Board have exhausted every legal resource and as frustrated as we all may feel about it, they are doing all they can do within the statutory guidelines.

I also want to remind everyone that the ARB is here to help keep our neighborhood beautiful and ensure that we are all in compliance. Some of the new neighbors may not know or remember our bylaws, but those of us that have lived here for a while should do all that we can to set a good example by keeping our properties up to par, thus making our ARB representatives jobs easier. They should NEVER be put in the uncomfortable position of having to remind us about what we already should know. Remember they live here among us. They too are our neighbors.

I encourage every LBO neighbor to periodically read over the bylaws as a refresher, when you see a board member , take the time to thank them for serving us and perhaps offer to help when needed.

Russ and I are not currently serving onthe Board but if ever you need us to assist, please feel free to call on us.

Again, thank you for all that you do.

Spruce Up Your Home, from Freshhome.com

Here are 10 ideas for enlivening your front entry with touches of summer:

1.)  Bring out the color: Whether your front door could use a new coat of paint or the trim around the adjacent windows could use a fresh new color. Your front entry is the ideal place to add color and whimsy. Consider using a front door color that contrasts the rest of your home: red, yellow, green, and orange are all popular “wow” colors for your front entry.

2.)  Freshen up railings and stairs: If your front porch railings are looking drab, opt for new ones that are bolder and command more attention. If you like your current railings and stairs, decorate with spring hanging flower baskets and/or paint with a fresh coat of paint to bring freshness to the space.

3.)  Modernize your exterior: Is the front of your home starting to look dated? Consider opting for updated amenities to make it look new and revived. Simple awnings, attractive fences and gates, or sun shades can immediately boost up the curb appeal of your home.

4.)  Give your front entry attention: While this seems like an obvious one, your front entry is the most forgotten about space of your home. For once you are in your house, you forget about the space that welcomes your neighbors! Sweep up debris, dead leaves, and clean or pressure wash brick, siding or brick.

5.) Add functional lighting: Similarly to the interiors of your home, lighting fixtures can make your front entry look amazing at night, as well as keep your guest safe. Exterior lighting can range from single pendant lighting above the front door, or wall sconces that flank the sides of the door. If you have a garage, use similar lighting fixtures there as well.

6.) Plants add color and texture: Depending on how much space you have, plants will help your front entry look friendlier and it will mask much of your hardscape – sidewalks, stairs, and walkways. Consider adding plants in decorative urns along walkways, along stairs and in decorative pots at your front door.

7.) Spruce up patio furniture: For those of you, who have patio furniture at your front entrance, revive your furniture with brightly colored seat cushions to bring color and décor to your front entry. Cushions that still look good from last year can be hand washed and dried to perk up any front entrance.

8.) See what your neighbors are doing: Believe it or not, one of the best ways to get ideas and build neighborhood camaraderie is to collaborate about how they spruce up their front entries. Your neighbor may be delighted to give you pointers!

9.) Pull up a seat: Depending on the size of your front entry, consider adding colorful furniture for seating. From park benches, and cedar side tables, to wrought iron chairs or bistro style seating adjacent to a patio area. Colorful throw pillows in spring colored hues feel and look great.

10.) Create an oasis: Whether you only have space for a welcome doormat or you have a full porch to enjoy, create an oasis that you will love to come home to.  Update your front door hardware, your wall mounted mailbox and even a fresh wreath to your door!

Sprucing up your front entry can brighten up your home, and give your guests a fresh approach to your home, before they even enter.  Determine what areas of your front entry you want to enhance. It doesn’t all have to be done this weekend! Give yourself time to plan, and by the end of summer your front entry will be ready to welcome in the cooler autumn months!

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