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PRESIDENT’S REPORTby Susan Whitehead

It’s hard to believe that the development of East Lake Woodlands began over 40 years ago.

We are now considered a “mature” community and the accompanying repairs and maintenance are a reality on a daily basis. Over 11 miles of roads are in constant use and must be repaved on

a rotating schedule. Trees are becoming larger and require more aggressive trimming or replacement so they don’t block roads, lighting or sight lines. Older gate equipment is reaching the end of useful life and forty-year-old drainage pipes are deteriorating at a pace that we must deal with. We have dealt with many of these items as needed over time but, we continue to age.

The ELWCA 2020 budget was approved on October 15 and included an increase to contend with these ongoing issues. In the past, in deference to hardships that faced many residents due to the recession, the board elected for many years not to include any annual assessment increase. While necessary, it left us with slim long-term resources and a growing repair list. We now anticipate that the increased revenue will set us up to be more financially stable for the next few years.

The Board has worked diligently over the last year to position our community for success with the least disruption to our residents. We have spent many hours analyzing our Reserve Study to make sure that we capture all current replacement costs of our existing capital items so that we can put aside the correct financial resources required to maintain them in the future. This includes previously omitted items such as drainage pipes. In a perfect world these items will last the amount of time that we project and for the amount of funds that we have accrued. In real life we understand that we may

have a pipe collapse at an inconvenient time but have to replace it immediately. To address that possibility, we completed all the steps required to secure a line of credit that can be used in case of emergency. If ever needed, this will allow us to roll the repayment into the regular annual assessment and not incur a special assessment.

We also have earmarked some revenue from dues to be designated as an additional contribution to Reserves. The Reserves should be thought of as the Community Association’s savings account for significant new future projects as well for older replacements. I think everyone will be excited to know that a major renovation of the SunTrust Gate is planned for the spring of next year! Many issues surround that particular gate, including tailgating, and we have determined a plan to address it. You will see significant changes including high speed lighted arm barriers, narrowing of the entrance lane, cameras, new landscaping and painting.

A condensed version of the budget is included in this Heron. You can access the full version on our website at www.eastlakewoodlands.com.

2020 BUDGET

DUES COLLECTED $ 1,894,978OTHER INCOME - FEES/INTEREST $ 129,275TOTAL INCOME $ 2,024,253

Main Contracts/Funding

MOWING CONTRACTS (LIBERTY/PSA) $ 219,240 11%SECURITY CONTRACT $ 562,800 28%MANAGEMENT CONTRACT $ 208,224 10%DRAINAGE $ 160,000 8%MANDATED RESERVES (ROADS, ETC.) $ 282,660 14%ADDITIONAL RESERVE FUNDING $ 27,435 1%TOTAL $ 1,460,359 72%

Other Expenditures

UTILITIES STREET LIGHTS/PHONES $ 107,800 5%TREE & SHRUB CUTBACKS, IRRIGATION $ 129,200 6%LEGAL $ 60,000 3%INSURANCE $ 48,400 2%SHERIFF’S PATROL $ 25,000 1%SIDEWALK REPAIR $ 30,000 1%LAKE TREATMENT $ 28,548 1%REPAIR & MAINTENANCE (lights, gates, guardhouses, street signs, trash)

$ 68,880 3%

ACCOUNTING AND TAXES $ 8,000 0%ADMIN. EXPENSE MAILINGS/COPIES $ 27,000 1%MISC. (11-LINE ITEMS) $ 31,066 2%TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES $ 563,894 28%

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 2,024,253

2019 EASTLAKE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER 19TH 6:30pm East Lake Woodlands Country Club

DECEMBER 17TH 8:00am Management & Associates

Management & Associates office is located at: 720 Brooker Creek Blvd Suite 206 Oldsmar, FL 34677

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR EAST LAKE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 11 | 2019 WWW.EASTLAKEWOODLANDS.COM

EAST LAKE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - NOVEMBER 20192

The Heron assumes no responsibility for the advertising contents of its publication. No endorsement of any product or service is made by the Heron and none should be inferred. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement that we believe would not benefit the residents of East Lake Woodlands. We do not knowingly accept objectionable or fraudulent advertising.

Susan Whitehead, PresidentChairman: Administrative CommitteeKeith Crank, Vice PresidentChairman: Controlled Access CommitteeConnie Hillman, TreasurerChairman: Finance CommitteeChuck Fairman, SecretaryChairman: Roads CommitteeJack Picker, DirectorChairman: Grounds/Irrigation CommitteeRichard Corrigan, DirectorChairman: Government Relations/Legal

Paul Burmeister, DirectorChairman: Communications CommitteeJeff Fosbrook, DirectorChairman: Lakes/Drainage CommitteeDoug Edwards, DirectorChairman: Insurance Committee Debi Hudrlik, ManagerManagement and Associates720 Brooker Creek Blvd. #206Oldsmar, FL 34677813-433-2000

Communications: [email protected]

ELWCA BOARD OF DIRECTORSHOA Publishers, Inc.

813.875.6068www.HOApub.com

The East Lake Woodlands Heron is distributed free by HOA Publishers to all East Lake

Woodlands residents, paid for through ad revenue. The Eastlake Woodlands Board of Directors welcomes all residents to submit positive and informative articles about our community.

Total Circulation: 4,500Mailed to all homes in East Lake Woodlands and available online.

www.EastLakeWoodlands.com

VEHICLE BARCODESIf you need a barcode you must provide the following:

For additional questions please contact: Mary Hunt at (813) 433-2014.

EAST LAKE WOODLANDS FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS

Location Phone NumberRover (Resident Request Number) 813-462-8971North Gate 813-749-0710South Gate 727-785-7384Country Club 727-784-8576ELW Water 727-784-6262Pinellas County Sheriff, Non-emergency 727-582-6200Management and AssociatesBarcode Information, Mary Hunt

813-433-2014

Management and AssociatesManager, Debi Hudrlik

813-433-2004

Management and AssociatesAccounting, Debbie Reith

813-433-2005

As of 08/01/2019

ELWCA MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Management & Assocs.813-433-2000AberdeenCluster 3Cluster 4Cross CreekELW Community Assn.EnclaveGreenhaven 1Greenhaven 2Greenhaven 3 & 4PinewindsPinnacleSilverthorneSt. AndrewsWoodlands EstatesWoodridge Green Worthington

First Choice Mgmt.727-785-8887Preserve

Citadel Management727-938-7730Cypress 3Woodlake Run 1, 2 & 3

Ameri-Tech Prop. Mgmt.727-726-8000CreeksideTurtle Creek 1 & 2Woods Landing

Jim Nobles727-447-8949Stonebriar

Quality Property Mgmt.727-869-9700Heatherwood/Laurel Oaks

B and C Community Management727-239-5991Hunter’s Crossing

Elite Property Mgmt.727-224-1871The Meadows Hunter’s Crossing

Progressive Mgmt.727-773-9542Cypress 1 Cluster 1Cluster 5Patio Homes

Property Group of Cent. FL727-771-7753Diamond CrestIsleworth

Resource Mgmt.727-796-5900DeerpathHunter’s Trail

Sentry Mgmt.727-799-8982KingsmillTurtle Creek 3 & 4

Holiday Isles Prop. Mgmt.727-548-9402Cross PointeMuirfield

Self-ManagedAvenelLake Shore VistaWarwick HillsThe Cove at East Lake Woodlands

Owners:• Proof of residency: Driver’s license reflecting ELW address

OR warranty deed OR closing statement

• Vehicle registration for each vehicle requiring a barcode

Renters:• Proof of residency: Copy of lease

• Driver’s license

• Vehicle registration for each vehicle requiring a barcode

Payment:

• Payment for barcodes must be made with cash or check only.

EAST LAKE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - NOVEMBER 2019 3

PLEASE HELP BE THE HOPE FOR 26,500 FAMILIES IN FLORIDAby Ernie Del Barba, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

The McCaffery Team (Bob McCaffery, Fonda Dillard, Sharon Greenfield, Joan Daly, Claudia Preisig (Bilingual) and I) at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services East Lake Woodlands Office is working with Metropolitan Ministries on their 2019

Food and Toy Drive named “Hello my name is Hope”. We are asking for help from you to give generously, and then your name can mean Hope this Holiday Season for families in the Tampa Bay Area.

Metropolitan Ministries provides food, shelter and services to these people in need in our community, and they will need to help what they estimate to be thousands of families that will come to them for a Thanksgiving meal and other necessities. Gift cards from a grocery store are welcomed and encouraged but you can also drop off non-perishable items at our East Lake Office from 10am–4pm on Thursday, November 21, and 10am–4pm on Sunday, November 24.

The Food List to choose from includes items that you would expect to serve at a holiday meal, and you can find this list on our website at www.themccafferyteam.com Our office will also have the list available by phone (727) 331-8290 or a stop-in visit. We always love meeting our neighbors. We are in the plaza with the Tennis Club and Pool.

According to Metropolitan Ministries, struggling families say “finding affordable housing is the number one barrier to overcoming homelessness. Many feel trapped and don’t know where to turn for help.” The love and compassion that goes with the meals and services is surely giving hope to these families for the future and encouragement to dream of homeownership. Imagine that your help could be making your real estate market stronger by helping these 26,500 families to have the courage to realize a

better life for themselves. As Realtors, the McCaffery Team knows the satisfaction that comes from finding affordable homes for every Buyer and helping make this dream come true for them. We’re sure you will feel the satisfaction in helping the 2019 food drive a success, and you can do it for as little as $2 in food or donations. With Christmas right around the corner we will also have a list of Toys and gifts needed to make Christmas a reality for the children.

Happy Thanksgiving from The McCaffery Team!

FALL IN LOVE WITH OUTDOOR DECOR

(eLivingtoday.com) Just because the temperatures cool doesn’t mean the amount of time and attention you spend on your outdoor spaces should. Fall is the perfect time to add seasonal touches and decorations to the exterior of your home that not only improve curb appeal, but also amplify your personal style.

Consider these seasonal ideas for decorating your patios, porches and backyards.

USE BOLD AUTUMN COLORS

Orange is a go-to fall color, but other seasonal shades, such as burgundy, can be incorporated to complement those orangey tones of pumpkins. Think blankets, throw pillows, mums and faux leaves as accent items that can add fall hues to your home.

PLANT AUTUMN VARIETALS

Potted plants are one of the quintessential elements of outdoor decor, and taking advantage of your favorite fall blooming plants - Nippon daisies, Oriental lilies, chrysanthemum and helenium, for example - can add seasonal greenery and fiery tones to your garden or planters.

Continued on page 7


and rustling leaves, there are so many decadent choices out there. Fill the dining room with an assortment to illuminate the space and make it more fragrant than ever.

Holiday decor always shows up earlier than anticipated, so your dining room needs time to thrive in fall splendor. There’s no time to waste! Call your personal decorator from Decorating Den today to get started.

HOW TO GET YOUR DINING ROOM READY FOR FALL ENTERTAININGby Sally Giar

It’s time to kiss summer goodbye, but there’s a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that fall has arrived. There are so many different sensational scenarios that make you thankful for the change of seasons. If you want to complement the way you feel when you’re outdoors inside the comfort of your home, you may consider sprucing up your dining room this time of year.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year or simply want to enhance your entertainment space, here are a few ways to get your dining room ready for fall:

TRY A SUBTLE COLOR SCHEMEIt’s easy to bust out the reds, oranges and browns in the form

of tablecloths, napkins, placemats and other decor, but that’s expected. Instead of following a traditional fall color scheme this year, why not wow your guests with a modern twist? Something as subtle as brown accents among white decor can add a refreshing touch to your living space. Add a touch of black into the scheme for bold contrast – and even a small hint of Halloween, if you will.

MAKE THE SPACE MORE COZY WITH AN AREA RUGThis time of year is when the cooler temperatures starts to roll in.

If you want to keep your guests cozy during their stay, add a large area rug to the floor of the dining area. Not only does this make the space more comfortable, but it adds another layer of design and dimension to the living space. They say an area rug has the power to complete a room, and this can be your saving grace if your dining space feels like it’s missing something.

CREATE A HARVEST CENTERPIECEIf you’re looking for a simple way to make a major statement for

fall in the dining room, opt for a harvest centerpiece. A mixture of pumpkins and gourds makes a gorgeous option that can last from the first day of fall up until the day you’re ready to decorate for Christmas. Step it up a notch with fake leaves and branches for a rustic touch.

FILL THE ROOM WITH CANDLESThere’s something so welcoming and soothing about the scent of

a fall candle. From pumpkin spice and apple orchard to autumn air

EAST LAKE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY PATROL REPORT

Tampa Road Gate 727-785-7384 or North Gate 813-749-0710

SEPTEMBER 2019

EMERGENCY CALLS 2

COMPLAINT CALLS(Noise, speeders, solicitors, domestic disputes, trespass, fireworks, suspicious persons)

26

ALARM CALLS 2

IRRIGATION CALLS 20

MOTOR VEHICLE/ PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS 1

CRIMES REPORTED(Vandalism to mailboxes, grass damage, stolenbikes, dumping, theft, assault, all other criminal activity)

5

MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER(Gates, gate collisions, pets, deer, welfare checkson residents, and all others)

22

VACATION HOMES AND VACATION VIOLATIONS 8

PARKING VIOLATIONS 20

MONITORING UNMANNED GATES (CAR/HOURS) 38/22

The Sheriff monitored 36 hours during the month of September

Vehicles stopped – 53, Citations issued – 7, Warnings issued – 48Five (5) citations were for speeding, 2 for no driver license. Warnings included 13 for stop sign violations, 33 for speeding violations, 1 for seat belt violation and 1 for improper passing.


PICK IT UPby Keith Crank

Now that the summer humidity is broken, I’ve had the pleasure of riding my bicycle on a daily basis and generally travel about 10 miles cycling throughout the community. Unfortunately, while I enjoy the ride I have to admit being very disappointed with the amount of trash I see on our streets.

Ranging from fast food bags, beer cans, soft drink containers and cigarette packs, I can’t imagine where it comes from? Why anyone would think littering is acceptable behavior and why people don’t care more about what their surroundings look like is unfathomable to me. I personally don’t think it all comes from our residents as I am sure there are vendors who work in our community who probably share the blame.

Based on my experience, East Lake Woodlands Parkway is by far the worst for litter with Sunflower Drive being the cleanest. The reason Sunflower Drive is the cleanest is because Mr. Howard Jackson picks up the trash constantly. Thank you Howard. Additionally, I’d also like to thank the men and women throughout our community who also take it upon themselves to pick up trash along our streets. Unfortunately, while I don’t know everyone’s names I will hopefully find out soon and can

recognize them formally. I can only relate to our residents so please don’t throw your trash out your car windows and just take it home with you and put in your trash receptacles.

On a different topic, I was recently approached by concerned residents who on a daily basis see residents walking on our streets early in the morning before sun-up wearing dark clothing. Additionally, some are walking with vehiclular traffic, which is not a good idea. Please for your own sake wear light colored or reflective clothing so you can be easily seen and ALWAYS walk against oncoming traffic. Best of all, if there is sidewalk available please use it. Another idea that could be useful would be to carry or wear some type of light.

One other thing I noticed on my daily bike ride is that many drivers pass bicyclists on curves that they cannot see around. I can only imagine what would happen if a vehicle comes around the corner while the vehicle is passing a bicyclist. There could be a head-on collision or the driver of the passing car would pull hard to the right and probably hit the bicyclist. All I would ask of those drivers who pass bicyclists on curves, please make sure you can see around the corner and not put everyone concerned in danger to save a few seconds.

In case of an emergency always call 911 first. The phone number for the controlled access patrol officer is (813) 462-8971. The non-emergency number for the sheriff deputies is (727) 582-6200. Enjoy the cooler weather.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR ELWCA MANAGERby Debi Hudrlik, AMS, CMCA

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. It seems just like yesterday that we were bringing in 2019! The next few months are going to fly by with all of the upcoming holidays. This is also a very busy time for the Association, as we will be mailing out

assessment coupon books and/or statements for the New Year, copies of the recently approved rules and regulations, as well as getting ready for our upcoming annual meeting in March.

Last month someone hit the railing near the sidewalk at the end of the clubhouse parking lot. It looks like damages were done by a golf cart. No one has fessed up to this, and unfortunately this incident has cost the Association $1750 in repairs. Work should be completed soon. We continue to receive concerns from homeowners regarding reckless driving by people in cars, golf carts and even on bicycles. The safety of our residents is of utmost importance. We therefore have asked the Pinellas County Sheriff to beef up their patrol for these infractions.

On October 15 the Board met to approve the 2020 operating budget. In addition to the budget, we also looked at the fees currently in force and effect for the purchase and replacement of bar codes, as well as for gate damages. We have decided that these fees will be reviewed annually by the Board, adjusted as deemed appropriate, and the fees will appear within the operating budget. You can review an approved copy of the budget by visiting our website at www.eastlakewoodlands.com. Click on ELWCA, then on documents. If you have not visited the website in some time, we ask that you do so,

as we recently launched the new updated version. It has a wealth of information for both current and future members of the Association.

I would like to thank those homeowners who have recently called to thank us for a job well done or for resolving an issue in a satisfactory or timely manner. It is not often that we receive that type of phone call, and when we do it makes our day. We are here to assist you the best we can. Sometimes we run into challenges and obstacles that we did not anticipate, which may slow our response time. We recently were able to resolve an issue for a homeowner that took 10 months! Thank goodness the homeowner had a lot of patience and was a true joy to work with. Serving the community as best we can has always been and will continue to be our utmost priority.

As Thanksgiving falls late this year, there are only 26 shopping days until Christmas, and our security officers are gearing up for the influx of Fed Ex, UPS and Amazon deliveries! Per our post orders, please understand that although all vehicles are logged in, we do not ask those drivers for a destination address as they will be delivering to multiple homes. We therefore will be unable to answer any questions as to whether or not a particular truck made a delivery to a specific home on any specific date.

On behalf of Management & Associates, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, as we all certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Although our office will be closed beginning late Wednesday afternoon, November 27, and will reopen on Monday, December 2, staff will be available to assist in the event of an emergency. Please call the main office at 813-433-2000 and the answering service will assist you.


ANIMAL OF THE MONTHCAPYBARAby Jake Jacoby, ELW Resident

I saw my first Capybara while on a photographic workshop in the Brazilian Pantanal with www.naturescapes.net in 2018. The Pantanal is part national park and part a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition,

it is the largest tropical wetland in the world, covering over 70,000 square miles; an area the size of the State of Washington. It is 10 times larger than the Florida Everglades, and lies almost in the center of South America.

The Capybara is a mammal native to South America and is the largest living rodent in the world. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large as 100 individuals, but usually lives in groups of 10 to 20. It is hunted for its meat and hide and also for grease from its thick fatty skin, which is used in the pharmaceutical trade.

The Capybara has a heavy, barrel-shaped body and a short head. Its sweat glands are found in the surface of the hairy portions of its skin, which is an unusual trait among rodents. Adult Capybaras grow to over 4-feet in length, 2-feet tall, and typically weigh 77 to 146 pounds. Females are slightly heavier than males. They have webbed feet and vestigial (small remnant of something much larger) tails. Their hind legs are slightly longer than their forelegs; and, they have 3 toes on their rear feet and 4 toes on their front feet. They have something in common with the Hippopotamus in that their eyes, ears, and nostrils are all found near the top of their head. So, they can lift just those parts out of the water to observe their surroundings while the rest of their body remains hidden under the water.

Capybaras are semiaquatic mammals found throughout all countries of South America except Chile. The live in densely forested areas near bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, swamps,

ponds, and marshes and along rivers in the tropical rainforest. They are superb swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes which helps them to avoid predators. They can also sleep in the water while keeping only their noses out of the water.

Capybaras are herbivores, grazing mainly on grasses and aquatic plants, as well as fruit and tree bark. Their jaw hinge is not perpendicular, so they chew food by grinding back-and-forth rather than side-to-side. They can have a life span of 8 to 10 years but normally live less than 4 years in the wild. They have a rather short life span because they are the favorite food of Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Eagle, and Caiman. They are also the preferred prey of the Anaconda (the heaviest snake in the world weighing 100 to 150 pounds and almost the longest at over 20 feet). In addition, they are ranched for meat in Venezuela and Columbia.

When in estrus, the female’s scent changes subtly and nearby males begin pursuit. Also, a female will alert the males that she is in estrus by whistling through her nose. During mating, the female has the advantage and mating choice. Capybaras mate only in water, and if a female does not want to mate with a certain male, she either submerges or leaves the water.

Capybara gestation is 130 to 150 days and produces a litter of 4 pups on average but may produce between 1 and 8 in a single litter. Birth is on land and the female rejoins the group within a few hours of delivering the newborns. Within a week, the pups can eat grass, but continue to suckle, from any female in the group, until weened at around 16 weeks.

Capybara with Cattle Tyrant on head

Adult with Pup

Adult on riverbank

Capybara Family

www.eastlakewoodlands.com


EAST LAKE WOODLANDS NEW WEB SITEby Paul Burmeister, Editor

As Chairman of the ELWCA Communications Committee I was asked by the Board of Directors to take the lead re-designing the community association’s web site. Today, I am very pleased to

announce that with the exception of some “tweaks” the web site is complete. Please be aware that there were two objectives associated with re-designing the site.

The primary purpose of re-designing the web site was to ensure our residents can readily find and access pertinent community association information both on a timely basis and in a “user friendly” manner. Unfortunately the previous web site’s format only contained a limited scope of information for our residents to access and behind the scenes the platform the site was built on was also very time consuming to update which in turn inhibited our ability to effectively communicate time sensitive information.

The second reason for the re-design and one I believe is extremely important was to ensure prospective home buyers considering East Lake Woodlands verses other locations in the area view our community in a very positive light and get a true sense of life style and proximity we offer. As noted, while the previous format contained information for our residents to access it didn’t effectively market our community and communicate a true sense of the outstanding life style we offer along with the close proximity we have to virtually any interest a home buyer moving to the area may have associated with their purchase decision.

Additionally, at the time the current site was built it was created using a platform more conducive to a single home owners association vs. a community like ours with @ 3900 homes and 53 independent subdivisions. Recognizing that our community is competing with new home construction in all of the surrounding counties, using our web site as a marketing tool enhances our ability to ensure East Lake Woodlands is a relevant purchase choice for home buyers. In that light, I also believe that as the pre-eminent gated community in Pinellas County if we didn’t take the lead marketing the life style our community offers and the proximity we have to everything in Pinellas as well as Hillsborough County who would?

Last but not least, I would be extremely remiss if the efforts of Alex Nazario with Management & Associates along with East Lake Woodlands residents John Kuch and Ethel Tijerino with Global Aerial Imaging weren’t recognized. Somehow and some way, Alex didn’t flinch a bit when I told him we were going to build a web site like no other he had done before and without fail demonstrated he was up to the challenge. John and Ethel approached our community association with the suggestion of adding a video to our web site as a point of differentiation and donated their time and professional services to make it happen. Without the unselfish contributions of all 3 individuals as well as the support of President Susan Whitehead and the ELWCA Board of Directors, who collectively understood the importance of using our website as a marketing vehicle, I wouldn’t have been given the leeway to create a website completely different from what they might otherwise have expected.

Respectfully,

PAUL BURMEISTER ELWCA Board Member

Chairman Communications Committee

FALL IN LOVE WITH OUTDOOR DECOR ... continued from page 3

BRING THE INDOORS OUT

You can create beautifully designed spaces that you’ll enjoy year-round by bringing the indoors outside. Coffee tables, weather-proof area rugs, throw pillows, hanging lighting and wicker furniture can be staples of fall outdoor living spaces that provide the same cozy feel as your living room.

WARM UP WITH A FIRE PIT

Calming and on-trend, creating a DIY firepit - either in a safe spot in your yard or simply on a tabletop - using concrete blocks, a ceramic pot or copper bowl and some logs can serve as a perfect gathering place for fall nights.

STRING SOME LIGHTS AROUND YOUR SPACE

If you have an outdoor space that could use some ambience, a string or two of clear party lights or strategically hung lanterns can improve the look and feel of your patio or yard. Of course, you can also opt to light candles or repurpose leftover outdoor torches.

WELCOME GUESTS WITH A PERSONALIZED DOORMAT

Adding a personalized, seasonal welcome mat can add some personality to your porch as a simple way to supplement function with a touch of style. With a range of options typically available, swapping it out seasonally can keep your front door fresh.

HANG A LEAFY WREATH

While lush green wreaths work many months out of the year, autumn is an opportunity to string together red, orange and gold hues that can often be found in yards as well. Simply pick up some faux leaves at a craft store - or pick them up from your yard for an even more natural look - and attach to a wooden or metal wreath frame then hang with some fall-themed ribbon or rustic twine.

Find more ideas for decorating your home at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images #14870Source: eLivingtoday.com


POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF INVASIVE PLANTSby Shelby Oesterreicher

ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INVASIVE PLANTS• Clog drainage canals• Increase potential flooding• Increase erosion• Cost the state of Florida about $100 million a year to man-

age.• Reduce recreational opportunities• Negatively impact crop production• Reduce property values.• Accelerate the process of sedimentation or the settling of

particles in water.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INVASIVE PLANTS• Produce a large amount of seeds.• Begin producing seeds early in the growing season.• Grow rapidly.• Lack natural predators

causing growth to go un-checked.

• Resist management efforts.• Tolerate a wide range of

environmental conditions.

ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF INVASIVE PLANTS• Compete with native plants for resources.• Alter naturally occurring fire patterns.• Alter the movement of water bodies.• Change natural habitat composition.• Reduce biodiversity.• Potential to create monocultures or single organism ecosys-

tems.• Accelerate the process of sedimentation or the settling of

particles in water.For more information on protecting Florida from non-native

invasive plants, take a look at “Help Protect Florida’s Natural Areas from Non-native Invasive Plants” (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag108 ) .

For more information about the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants please visit https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu. Be sure to follow us on social @UFIFASCAIP.

Author: Shelby Oesterreicher - communications manager at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Contributor: Lara Colley, UF/IFAS CAIP Education Coordinator


FLOWERING PLANTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Pam Brown (ELW resident)

The most common flowering plant for fall and the Thanksgiving holiday is Chrysanthemum, but I have seen some lovely baskets of hybrid Black-eyed Susan’s with very large yellow blooms that would make a great display in the landscape or on the front porch or lanai. Also for outdoors, you might consider the containers planted with several blooming plants that are sold at the box stores. They usually contain perennials that will last from fall into winter.

While poinsettias are the most purchased plant for the December holidays, you might also consider amaryllis, holiday cactus, cyclamen, kalanchoe, red or white begonias and impatiens, or even some bright red Geraniums.

When choosing plants with blooms, look for those with only a few blooms open and plenty of buds (on poinsettias the blooms are the small yellow center flowers), healthy foliage and a compact form. For amaryllis, look for plants with the bloom stalk just emerging from the bulb and the bud well formed. Beware of amaryllis in the pre-packaged boxes. The bulb may have already sprouted a bloom stalk that is twisted inside the box. These stalks will not straighten, so open the box and only choose those with bulbs that are just beginning to sprout.

The most crucial tip for keeping these plants looking good is proper watering. The pot containing the plant must have bottom drainage holes. Plants can dry out quickly whether they are located outside or inside, so check them daily. Water if the top inch of soil is dry. Over watering is just as bad. Plants do not like to sit in water. Remove any decorative foil or plastic wrappers covering the pot or punch holes in the bottom of them. Let water drain well before placing plants on a water proof container to protect where they are setting. High temperatures and drying out can cause buds and flowers to drop on holiday cactus.

Cooler temperatures will preserve blooms longer. Cyclamen especially prefer very cool temperatures, so if you place them in a protected area outside over night when no frost is predicted, the blooms will last longer. Bring plants inside in the morning before any sun reaches them. Poinsettias and holiday cactus prefer to have a constant temperature, so don’t move them outside. All of these plants listed appreciate being near windows with high levels of bright light but no direct sun. Also, keep plants out of drafts.

After the holidays, all of the mentioned plants except cyclamen can be maintained in pots or added to your landscape. Chrysanthemums and Black-eyed Susans usually decline when the weather warms and it is hard to get a good bloom display the next fall, so I consider them annuals. I call amaryllis the Florida tulip; the bulbs will thrive and multiply in well drained soil in a site with morning sun and some dappled afternoon shade. Bulbs forced to bloom at Christmas will not bloom the first spring after planting but should reward you in March or April for years afterwards. For more information about growing Amaryllis, see the University of Florida publication on the Internet at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep060

Begonias and impatiens do very well in our fall and winter landscapes. Impatiens need some frost protection and can become deer candy, so protected pots may be the best option. Kalanchoe is perennial in our area and enjoys full sun and well drained soil. Holiday cactus can be grown as a house plant or on a protected lanai for years. Place it outside in a non-lighted area that is deer proof in the fall as the nights begin to cool and bring it back inside when you see buds forming. Keep soil barely moist. Shriveled, limp stems are a sign that the cactus is too dry.

While poinsettias can be planted outside after the holidays, I find that they are very prone to insects and disease and you must provide 14 – 16 hours of absolute darkness from October 1 to December 1 in order to get them to bloom again. They are not overly expensive, so I personally prefer to buy new ones each year. If you want to try planting them in the landscape after the holidays, this University of Florida web site has lots of information: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep349NOVEMBER LANDSCAPE CHORES:

Now is the time to control winter weeds in the lawn. Watch for night time temperatures that are 55 – 60 degrees for several nights in a row, and then apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Be sure that the herbicide you choose is labeled for your type of grass. For more information consult Weed Management in Home Lawns on the Internet at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep141

The fall and winter months are also good for growing herbs. Many herbs that succumb to our hot steamy summers will thrive during the cooler months. If you don’t have a lot of space, herbs grow well in containers. More information on growing herbs in Florida is available on the Internet: Herbs in the Florida Garden http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/herbs.html

Now is a good time to add bulbs to your landscape. Amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum spp.) were discussed earlier. They make a striking bloom show in the spring when planted in groups of 10 or more in landscape beds. You might also consider planting Crinum or Swamp Lily bulbs (Crinum americanum) for spring and summer bloom. They are well suited to hot, dry, locations and grow from what are among the largest true bulbs. Some bulbs weigh over 40-pounds and the plants are very large, so give them plenty of room. Crinums will recover quickly from killing frosts in our area. For more information on growing bulbs in Florida, visit these University of Florida publications on the Internet at: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/bulbs.shtml and https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FP/FP15500.pdf

Geranium

Amaryllis

Hydrangea and Verbena

Speckled Poinsettia

Crinum Lily


BACK TO COLLECTING

ON SECOND THOUGHT

by Paul J.H Leaser, ELW Resident

We all make mistakes!

Albert Einstein regarded his letter to

president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 as, “the single greatest

mistake” of his life.

The letter set off a chain resulting in the Manhattan Project - the

“imposible” effort to create the first atomic bomb.

The realization of the fearful and destruction and loss of life

haunted Einstein. He then wrote another letter to F.D.R., asking

him to reconsider the construction of the bomb. F.D.R. died

before he could read it.

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EAST LAKE COMMUNITY LIBRARY NOVEMBER 2019 SPECIAL EVENTSby Patty Ann Wieczorek, Reference & Marketing Librarian

MURDER, MAESTRO, PLEASE! - A LIBRARY MURDER MYSTERY

Saturday, November 23, 7:00-9:30pm

Lotta Librarian, the Director at ELCL, needs some help in solving an “accidental” murder at the library’s radio station, KILR. Join us for a hilarious night of murder, mayhem, and laughs, to celebrate 20 years of our library with a Roaring 20’s themed mystery. Part of the proceeds of this fundraiser will be donated to East Lake Fire Rescue, our community partner, to purchase some necessary equipment. This is an adults-only event - tickets are $20 each and include the show as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments. Space is limited! Tickets will be sold at the library, beginning Oct 1 (cash, check, or credit card accepted). Guests certainly have the option of getting into the mood by dressing in 1920’s styles!

MEMBER COMMUNICATION TO ASSOCIATION

I just finished reading the October edition of the Heron. I want to thank you for your comments and information about the “weeds in the ponds”. We are “new” to East Lake Woodlands having moved here in November 2018. One of the main attractions for us was the setting—the woods, the ponds, the wildlife. We love it. We are lucky enough to have a pond near our home and we thoroughly enjoy seeing the Egrets, Herons and Limpkins in the aquatic plants! We appreciate these plants for filtering the water and for providing habitat for wildlife. Thank you again for explaining that to the readers. Keep up the great work!


3 HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES TO ENGAGE WITH LOVED ONES

(Family Features) Any time can be the right time to enjoy memorable moments with family members, but the holidays present a special opportunity to have meaningful conversations and interactions with loved ones.

One of the best ways to spark creativity and generate memories is through activities that get the conversation started, whether it’s remembering favorite moments from the past or simply sharing notes of appreciation. This holiday season, consider these activity ideas from the Funeral and Memorial Information Council, which created the “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” initiative to encourage families to facilitate conversations that become invaluable when the time comes to honor a loved one.

While these conversations can be difficult to engage in and even harder to begin, the natural bonding moments that stem from activities like these can help make the process easier.

GRATITUDE TREEStart a new tradition by creating a gratitude tree, a simple

decoration you can look forward to using each year as a reminder of what you and your family are thankful for.

To make a gratitude tree, collect twigs or branches, dry them out and cut them to the desired lengths. Put the branches in a vase or decorative container. Punch holes at the tops of fall-colored paper to be used as tags then instruct guests to write what they’re grateful for on each tag.

Take turns reading the tags and tie them to the branches then keep the handwritten tags in a safe place until they can be read again each holiday season. Over the years, as the tree fills up, you’ll have a lifetime of memories to share.

TIME CAPSULEMaking a holiday-inspired time capsule can help strengthen

family bonds while preserving treasured memories and creating opportunities for future holidays when it’s time to reopen the contents.

Use a sealed container or plastic bag to protect items from moisture and mold then place the container in a box that can be decorated and stored in a safe place with related holiday decorations. Mark on the container the date it was created for future reference, and pack it with items like family-favorite recipes; notes about significant events from that year like births, weddings, graduations and more; copies of newspapers detailing high-profile happenings; and pictures, drawings and notes from the year.

If you’re patient enough to wait, try leaving the contents undisturbed at least five years to give the memories even more meaning when the time comes to relive those special moments.

MEMORIES TABLECLOTHTo help keep important family footnotes front and center during

future celebrations, a memorial tablecloth provides each person an opportunity to personalize a piece of popular decor. As you gather around the table for holiday meals, ask each family member to jot down a favorite memory or something he or she is thankful for along with a signature and date.

You can make it an annual event by using the same tablecloth each year and, before long, it will be filled with personal memories as a way to cherish relationships as time goes on. Just use an appropriately sized, inexpensive white canvas drop cloth. Place fabric markers in the center of the table before inviting guests to participate, and to help distinguish each year, try using different colored markers.

Find more ways to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones at talkofalifetime.org.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images #14949Source: Funeral and Memorial Information Council


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