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Newsletter April 2012

Deercreek Owners Association
Volume XVI     Issue 4           


In This Issue
DCCOA
Common Property
Don't Forget
The View
Deercreek Tigersharks
Women's Alliance
Home and Garden Club
Literary Circle
Diaper Drive
Club News
EVENTS

DCCOA
  April 5 
Architectural Review Board

April 11
Access Control Committee

April 12
Common Property Committee

April 19
Covenants Enforcement Committee
Finance & Legal Committee

April 26
Board of Directors

 

EDGEWATER 

 

April 18
HOA Board
Community

COMMUNITY

April 7 

Registration for Tiger Sharks Swim Team


April 9  
Women's Alliance Diaper Drive Begins


April 18
Women's Alliance Diaper Drive Ends


April 26
Club Garden Club Fashion Show  

Bunco

 

Finance Committee Report   

As of March 2012

  

Revenues: 

    $127,948

 

Expenses        

$124,839

   

Balance           

$ 4,081   

Reserve Fund  

 $252,816

 

Receivables  

$109,721

 

Rec. over 90 days  

91,516

 
Join Our Mailing List

Bargain Avenue

 

 

Danny Becton reports...

 

Serves as our Deercreek

CPAC Representative

Southeast CPAC,
District 3

Chair - Growth Management and Transportation

 

Click for report >>

www.deercreekcc.com

 

Highlights of the February Meeting of the Deercreek Board of Directors

 

Submitted by Len Fritz

 

A quorum of the DCCOA Board of Directors convened February 23 for its regularly scheduled meeting.  The Board was called to order and two motions were immediately heard and passed unanimously; one for this meeting's agenda, the other for the minutes from the January 27 meeting.  


This month's meeting had a guest home owner address the Board regarding thefts within our complex.  The homeowner was imploring the board to take a proactive approach to this situation as it appears we have had an ever increasing case of thefts.  Many of these thefts have occurred by accessing automobiles left open in driveways.  The thieves go into open automobiles steeling expensive sunglasses, electronics, etc...  Those items often thought to have been misplaced.  By this method the thieves also gain access into homes through the garage door opener.  It was suggested that we organize a group of volunteers who may augment the patrols we have through our security contractor.  These volunteers could be trained by JSO.  

 
MAY Management presented the Property Managers Report.  The property manager will now be Mr. Richard Curran-Kelley.  Four properties were recommended for hearing by Covenant Enforcement.   A motion was made to accept the report and recommendations and seconded.  Additionally, there was discussion of our Board's expectation of MAY management.    


Committee reports started with Finance.  The committee has planned for the upcoming audit and discussed MAY Management controls.  The reserve account was also discussed and would like more guidance to ensure the requirements are being met.  $1,100 was sold in advertising on the website.  There are concerns with the Comcast account which is trending downward and could possibly lead to a negative impact on income in the amount of $3,552. The miscellaneous income from the T-Mobile contract, which may not reach fruition, could be a problem this year.   This amounts to a potential shortfall of $10,000.  The water bill for Dec-Jan still shows an increase of $1,200 overage problem increasing the past 5-6 months water overage totals in excess of $6,000. JEA now needs to be contacted for a report of daily usage for the past eight weeks to ensure that this is the problem. Danny Connors thinks that several of the control timer boxes are malfunctioning and at least three timers should be replaced. Rich Curran-Kelley volunteered to call JEA to check on this usage and report back to the board. The 2012 budget is trending in an approximately ($17,528) deficit given the above concerns. After the 2011 budget deficit of $6,315.80, the board needs to be vigilant of these budget issues for 2012.

Access Control reported a resident requested a house check while out of town and security found the main garage door open and the alarm went off while checking the doors.  The owner was upset that the contact person wasn't contacted.  The procedures for house checks will be reviewed.  The implementation of Gateworks technology in March was discussed.  There has been an increase in juveniles driving golf carts in the community.  

Covenant Enforcement reported that three appeals were sought by homeowners; but, no appeals were granted.  The Communications Committee had no report as this month is the off month in the every-other-month meeting cycle.  Common Properties is still searching for a Chairperson and the committee added a new member. The damaged McLaurin gate has been repaired.  

 
The Architectural Review Board (ARB) had a request for an artesian well which was approved with the stipulation that the pressure tank be painted green.  Other requests included shutters, nature stone facing on home but his has been tabled for further review, a family room extension and sun room, a bronze enclosure, a circular driveway and a roof replacement.  Deposit refunds were approved.

New Business discussion was about Gateworks.  The monthly fee to maintain this system is $625 and commercial passes will be approximately $1,800 for 40,000.  There will be a two page letter mailed to residents regarding the switch to Gateworks and how to set up their accounts.  There will be an online tutorial available as well.  

After determining there were no more issues, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.   


Common Property Committee Update    

Submitted by Chris Phillips

  

As of the date of this writing, there still is no new chair for the committee to replace Mary Stelbring, who resigned at the February meeting.  Going forward, the Committee decided to delegate out to individual committee members responsibility for individual aspects of the Common Property, as indicated below:

Landscaping:        
Paul Davidson at [email protected]

Lakes:            
Sandy Montgomery at [email protected]

Playgrounds:         
Mark Deemer at [email protected]

Signs:             
to be assigned to a prospective new member

Fountains:        
Charlotte Johnson at fax no. 363-9884   

Sidewalks:        
Dave Peters at [email protected]

Guard House:        
Dave Noble at [email protected]

Temporary Chair:    
Chris Phillips at [email protected]

Members of the community who have comments or questions about Common Property matters should direct their inquiries to the appropriate committee member, who will handle the matter or bring it to the attention of the full committee.

Approval was given to install Bahia sod across from Orchard Hills along Vineyard Lake.  The Committee is still studying proposals about what to do with the area by the pond next to the sidewalk along Deercreek Club Rd. near Blakeford Mills.  Other proposals regarding playground fencing and staining, sidewalk repair and replacing a broken light globe are awaiting May Management to come up with competitive bids.

The next Common Property Committee meeting is scheduled for April 12 at 6pm at the clubhouse.


Don't Forget

 

TRASH
Remember, in Deercreek you may not put your trash on the curb for pick-up until after 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.   Doing so early may result in a ticket.

 

IRRIGATION & FERTILIZER    
Florida's water is running out, and Jacksonville residents, businesses and utilities must do their share to save our supply. To help with local conservation efforts, Ordinance 2008-030 states that everyone must follow these irrigation requirements after Daylight Savings Time:
*    No watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*    Odd addresses may only water Wednesday and Saturday.
*    Even addresses may only water Thursday and Sunday.
*    Apply only 1/2 inch or less of water each cycle.

 

FERTILIZER
Fertilizer runoff is polluting the St. Johns River. Ordinance 2008-028 aims to limit nitrogen pollution from fertilizers. All homeowners, retailers and commercial fertilizer applicators must follow these requirements:
*    Clean up fertilizer spills.
*    Do not apply fertilizer during flood or storm watches.
*    Do not blow lawn clippings or leaves into streets, ditches or storm drains.
*    Follow recommended fertilizer application rates.
*    Adjacent to water bodies, create a six-foot zone of landscape planting or ground cover that does not require intensive fertilizer, watering and mowing.

GATE WORKS UPDATE
Recently, the new software for gate access was installed. All residents received a letter that outlined the process.  

 

As a reminder:
For residents without a computer - your process will not change. Continue to call the guard gate, provide your existing pin number for security purposes and provide the names of your guests.
All other residents will require a one-time only security process.
Please reference your letter for detailed instructions. Please update your information as soon as possible.  All information from the old system was created on the Gate Works system, however it is important that you log on and review all information for accuracy. This is a system that allows the resident to manage their own information.

 

The sooner you log on, the sooner you can up review your data and make changes, additions as needed. Now as a resident, YOU can manage your resident and guest information.  
 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we go through the changeover process. We are confident that you will quickly become comfortable with the software. If you have any questions please contact the Gate Works Technical Support Team at 877-428-3975, Option 1.

 



The View March 2012 

 

Submitted by Dena Grosman

 

Our wonderful spring season begins with these beautiful blooming azaleas at the home of Tom and Mervi Hamby at 10108 Vineyard Lake Road.  The bright pink and red flowers are doing great this year.  One trick to the success is "Do not shear azaleas, and feed them", according to Tom.

 


Deercreek Tigersharks

Swim Team

 

 

 It's That Time: Register for Swim Team
    Date: Saturday April 7th
    Time: 2-4 pm
    Location: Deercreek Country Club - Women's Card Room


The President of the Swim Team Heidi Lucas will be there to answer any questions you may have about registering your child for swim team. Coaches will come if available.


Meet the Coaches:
Head Coach Kelsey Lucas: This is Kelsey's 6th year coaching for Deercreek and her second year as the head coach, she swam for the Tigersharks for 14 years. She attends the University of Florida and is pursuing a Civil Engineering degree and a minor in Business Administration. 


Assistant Coach Alison Daechsel: This is Alison's 6th year coaching for Deercreek. She swam for the Tigersharks for 11 years. Alison now attends the Florida State University and is pursuing a Nursing degree. 


For more information:     
Please contact Coach Kelsey at [email protected]  or
Heidi Lucas at [email protected]


Women's Alliance  

 

Submitted by Elizabeth Curtin

 

 

The Women's Alliance got a jumpstart on celebrating St. Patrick's Day by hosting the Shamrock Scramble on March 11. It was a great day for golf and 17 teams came out to enjoy the fun, food and prizes. All sorts of green outfits brightened the scene and everyone had a good time. The Club was decorated with shamrocks and smelled like good Irish food - and beer, of course.

  

 
more photos...

 

Our annual Diaper Drive for Wolfson Children's Hospital will be held April 9-18 this year. We will have bins set out at the Guard Gate to accept any donations from anyone. And you could drop diapers (or a cash donation) at Mary Stelbrink's home 7917 McLaurin Rd N. Last year we collected over 200 packages of diapers! They can be any brand, but the packages must be new and unopened. The larger sizes (1-4 yrs) run out quickly so they need those, plus all sizes of the pull-ups. Please be generous, since these babies need an extra helping hand.


Deercreek Home and Garden Club

 

By Rita Allen   

Celebrate Spring in the Secret Garden

Deercreek Home and Garden Club welcomes you to enjoy its Secret Garden on Thursday, April 26 at Deercreek Club.
This annual Fashion Show Luncheon is the highlight of each year, with the proceeds used for projects that beautify our community.  This year we are invited to come at 11:00 A.M. for tea and scones.  While we mingle and socialize, we will have the opportunity to bid on about fifty silent auction items, featuring many of our favorite local restaurants.  


Charlotte Johnson, Chair of the Ways and Means committee which plans this event reports that the Luncheon is to be a full tea, similar to one described in the March issue of Southern Living Magazine.  Soup, salad, fruit and small sandwiches will be followed by carrot cake and beverages.  


Tickets at a cost of $30.00 have been distributed to Home and Garden Club members; additional tickets can be obtained by contacting Marie Smith at 519-8103.  


There will be a raffle with a top prize of $150, which will include the garden-themed table centerpieces which will bring spring to your home.  Members have raffle tickets for sale at $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 and you do not need to be present to win. Purchasing raffle tickets is a good way to support the work of the Deercreek Home and Garden Club if you are unable to attend.


Fashions will be provided by Dillard's, modeled by Deercreek ladies organized by Eileen Katibah.


Gather your friends and neighbors and make up tables, or come and make new friends.  Either way, you won't want to miss it.


The photos show the field trip to Sally industries enjoyed by 21 Garden Club members on March 8.  Luncheon at River City Brewing followed the tour.    more photos... 

 

 

 

"Deercreek Home and Garden Club,
where no one is a stranger for long."

Literary Circle

 

By Elizabeth Curtin  

In April, we will discuss The Tennis Partner, A Doctor's Story of Friendship and Loss, by Abraham Verghese

At our May meeting we will discuss Let the Great World Spin by Author, Colum McCann:

In the dawning light of a late-summer morning, the people of lower Manhattan stand hushed, staring up in disbelief at the Twin Towers. It is August 1974, and a mysterious tightrope walker is running, dancing, leaping between the towers, suspended a quarter mile above the ground. In the streets below, a slew of ordinary lives become extraordinary in an intricate portrait of a city and its people.

Corrigan, a radical young Irish monk, struggles with his own demons as he lives among the prostitutes in the middle of the burning Bronx . A group of mothers gather in a Park Avenue apartment to mourn their sons who died in Vietnam, only to discover just how much divides them even in grief. A young artist finds herself at the scene of a hit-and-run that sends her own life careening sideways. Tillie, a thirty-eight-year-old grandmother, turns tricks alongside her teenage daughter, determined not only to take care of her family but to prove her own worth.

The Literary Circle is a vibrant group of Deercreek readers who meet monthly to exchange thoughts and insights about the books they are reading.  For more information contact Elizabeth Curtin, 519-7937, [email protected]


 

Deercreek Women's Alliance Sponsored

Wolfson Children's Diaper Drive

2012 Diaper Drive

April 9 - April 18

   

Submitted by Mary Stelbrink

 

Background

The Wolfson Children's Hospital Women's Boards started collecting diapers for the hospital on a regular basis in 1995, the year that the new facility opened. Our drive is always in the spring and the Women's Board members usually donate around 400 packages of diapers. Kitty Davis has headed this committee from its inception. The Deercreek community donated over 200 packages of diapers last year.

 

The Purpose

Wolfson Children's Hospital does not turn anyone away. Because of this many migrant workers, families without insurance, etc. bring their children to us for care that they would otherwise not receive. Often times the babies and toddlers have severe diaper rashes due to not being kept as clean as they should be. Once the Women's board found this out we decided to have diapers available at the hospital to be given to anyone needing them.   We also recommend that the parents come back for more diapers if the diaper related problem persists.

 

Diaper Requirements

We usually run out of the larger size diapers (1-4 years) first. We also need all sizes of the pull up type of diapers. They can be any brand, but must be unopened. If you do not have time to purchase the diapers, I would be glad to do that for you. Just drop off your money donation to me at my home.

 

Drop off the diapers at the Guard House or at Mary Stelbrink's home at 7917 McLaurin Road North.

 

Thank you from all the little ones who will benefit
from your generosity.

 

 


CLUB NEWS

 

The Deercreek Country Club is a private club. For membership information, go to our web site, www.deercreekcc.com and click on the Deercreek Club tab.

  

  

 

DLGA Diamonds and Pearls

Member-Guest Invitational

 

Submitted by Carol D'Onofrio

 

It was a sparkling day at the golf course .....

Diamonds and Pearls was the theme of the DLGA's recent member guest invitational on February 21. The day was perfect and 72 ladies teed off at 9 am following a continental breakfast!

 

It was an interesting format that challenged all the ladies and provided for interesting results in each flight. Proximities in jewelry boxes kept the suspense going. Each recipient received a commemorative Tervis tumbler. After a fabulous buffet lunch, prizes were awarded and the ladies relaxed the afternoon away.

Interested in joining the Deercreek Ladies Golf Association and sharing in this fun - all levels are open. Contact Debbie Grosnick 519-0924

 

 

Graduation Celebrations
at Deercreek Country Club

Submitted by Julie Bennett,

Private Events & Tournament Sales Director

 

End-of-year banquets and ceremonies can be amongst the most important events in a young adult's life. Deercreek Country Club is the perfect venue to host an event to highlight the achievements of someone in your life!

 

Here are some Graduation Party ideas:

  • Make invitations into little diplomas. Use a calligraphy pen to script the invitation, roll the paper up and tie with a colored ribbon.
  • Although the overall theme will be graduation, have a theme for the party! Some popular themes include Hawaiian Luaus, Casino Night, Country Western Night, and 80's Night! Come up with games that coordinate with your theme!
  • Choose the decorations in colors to match the school colors.
  • Have a memory note station. Set up "note boxes" for each guest, and paper and pens to write notes to each other. Your guests can write their memories of the other person down and stick it in their friend's box.

 

We would love to create the perfect Graduation party for you here at the Club or cater your event in your home!

Call me at 363.1604 or email me at [email protected] for more information and to check available dates!