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Newsletter January 2015

Deercreek Owners Association
Volume XIX     Issue 1            

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In This Issue
Calendar
Reminders
Deercreek Literary Circle
Real Estate News
Meeting Highlights
Annual Association Meeting
My Appreciation of the ARB
Home and Garden Club
Women's Alliance
Ongoing Charity Drives
Tennis
New Year's Resolutions
Join Our Mailing List

CALENDAR

  

DCCOA 


Thursday, Jan. 8
Common Property 6:30 PM

Annual Association Meeting 7:00 PM

ARB Meeting 7:00 PM

BOD immediately following Annual Meeting

Wed., Jan 14
Access Contgrol 6:00 PM

Thur., Jan. 15
Covenant Enforcement 6PM
Finance 7:00 PM
 
Wed., Jan 21
Communications
10:00 AM

Thur., Jan. 22
Finance 7:00 PM

Thur., Jan. 29
BOD 7:00 PM


SOCIAL EVENTS


Monday, Jan. 19
Literary Circle 10:00 AM

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Game Day
10:30 AM

   

Reminders:

Quarterly Assessment is due by January 30. Look for Quarterly coupon / information in your annual package or e-mail reminder.  

Rules & Regulations

FISHING:
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*  Fishing is permitted in the waterways from the banks of the waterways.
*  It is to be noted that these waterways may be contaminated or polluted in specific locations from time to time, and the fish may be unfit for human consumption. While the Association uses its best efforts to maintain the waterways in healthy condition, it does not guarantee that healthy conditions exist at all times in all places.
*  Fishing shall not be permitted in areas that interfere with the playing of golf on adjacent land.
*  Trespassing on the property of a resident or crossing limited access areas of the association in order to reach waterways is prohibited.

GARBAGE and REFUSE:
*  All garbage, trash and refuse must be kept in clean containers and stored in a service court or any other enclosure approved by the ARB.
*  Collection of garbage, trash and refuse will be accomplished by authorized agencies in accordance with their schedules and requirements.
*  All garbage, trash and refuse containers should be kept out of view from the road and golf course until 6:00PM the day before collection, when it may be placed at the curb.
*  Trash and yard waste must be kept off the roadway. The penalty for violation is $25.00.
*  All yard and trash citation appeals should be referred to the Covenants Enforcement Committee. Landscape clippings should be bagged where feasible and be stacked, along with unbagged landscape trimmings, at curb for collection. Where possible, lawn contractors should be asked to remove grass clippings and landscape refuse promptly after their services are performed. Dumping of refuse anywhere within the Deercreek Country Club community, including all lakes and swamps, is strictly prohibited.

Welcome New Residents
 
Rick & Gina Garcia
10116 Deercreek Club Road East

V. Grant Engelhardt & Stephanie Chinault
10342 Cypress Lakes Drive

Srinivasa & Shalini Polineni
8216 Wallingford Hills Lane

Rajat & Alka Sharma
7925 McLaurin Road North

Jeffrey & Kimberly Dal Porto
8232 Wallingford Hills Lane
 

We Say Goodbye
 
Elizabeth Wilson

Sara McCarty

Max & Katherine Billingsley

Jody & Carol Barry

Paul & Siȃn Lawrance

Deercreek Literary Circle
By Pat Gross 



The Last Runaway
by Tracy Chevalier has been chosen for our January 2015 selection. Rita Allen will facilitate this award-winning book.

This is a period novel, circa Ohio 1850.  It describes the journey of English Quaker Honor Bright as she struggles with the conflicting beliefs of her new family and her own values with regard to helping individuals of the Underground Railroad. Chevalier's descriptions are powerful, filled with color, drama, bravery and perseverance.

Real Estate News

By B. J. Weyer, Watson Realty Corp. REALTORS®

 

BJ

Click HERE to for a quick overview of all the homes sold between 1/1/14 and 12/08/14 in Deercreek.

C'mon, share your story!

Have something interesting to share about life in Deercreek?

Please send in your thoughts, anecdotes and experiences for use in 'The Joys of Deercreek Living' column. Submit your contributions to the Editor at dccliving@gmail.com

We would love to have more contributing writers from within the community!

Annual Meeting:
January 8th at 7pm
at the Clubhouse

Highlights from the Board Meeting

  

November 20, 2014

The DCCOA Board of Directors assembled at Deercreek Country Club on the above date for a regularly scheduled meeting.  A quorum was established with the presence of Margie Blake , Doug Klippel, Bill Beitz, Danny Becton, Doug Matthews, George Partin, and Nick Simonic. Absent: Aaron West and Jim Lowell
Representing MAY Management:  Cathy Cox

PROPERTY MANAGER'S REPORT

Holiday lights -  3 outlets near the fountain are not working plus one at the gate. We request permission to have an electrician come out to regain power and replace one box that is falling apart. Since we do not have an estimate until they trouble shoot to find the problem, we would like for the Board to set a limit on the expense. A motion to approve the expense not to exceed $500 for the repair of the outlets. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Barcodes -
The gate house is in need of  barcodes. Request approval of the purchase of 600 barcodes at the expense of $2,727.00.  A motion to approve the expense of $2,727 for the purchase of 600 barcodes. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.Fountains- During the inspection on October 23rd, it was noted that the fountain was not working.  Innovative fountain has been contracted and will be out on Monday to inspect.

Click HERE to see full report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance
Income was $912,952 based on a budget amount of $919,713. The income shortfall was a result of not meeting expectations in accounts: Collection Fees ($6,016), Late Fees ($2,866) and ARB Review Fees ($575). Account(s) over budget: Cable Income of $2,159 and Bar Code Income of $880.
Architectural Review Board
The ARB has made several attempts to refund a total of $650 in deposits to no avail. The ARB recommends that the Board approved the forfeited deposit to be transfer to the ARB expense line item.The ARB recommendation was approved unanimously. ARB recommendation to approve trailers in place of dumpsters for a period of 72 hours for the debris removal for roof and remodels.
The ARB recommendation was approved unanimously.

Access Control
Bill Beitz made a motion to approve $1,000 for the Holiday bonus for all security personnel. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Communications
The sign board is still not fully functional to access remotely. The repair cost is currently unknown.  
A motion to approve an expense not to exceed $500 for the repair. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. It can be noted that the sign repair has taken place  with a cost of $110.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors, which will be the organizational meeting, will be immediately following the Annual Membership meeting schedule for January 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., at Deercreek Country Club.
Mark your Calendars:
Thursday January 8, 2015
At the upcoming Annual Meeting for the Deercreek Country Club Owners Association on January 8, 2015, elections for three new board members will take place. Listed below are the three new candidates that are running for the Deercreek Board, Peter Davis, Jim Giancola, and Bob Kichler. All candidates have resided in the community for over two years. Their bios are included below. Thank you to the three candidates for stepping up to serve on the Board. It is nice to know that we have residents who care about the community.

Please return your completed ballot and proxy to the Guard Gate as soon as you receive it, whether or not you are attending the meeting. It is extremely important that we have enough proxies/quorum to hold the Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the clubhouse, January 8, 2015 at 7 pm. We look forward to seeing you there. If you are new to the community this is a great opportunity for you to learn more about Deercreek.

In addition we thank the entire Board for their past service on the Board- Doug Klippel, Margie Blake, Danny Becton, Doug Matthews, George Partin, Bill Beitz , Jim Lowell and Aaron West. George Partin, Nick Simonic and Doug Klippel have completed their last term on the Board. Thank you to all for their years of service.  
         
Peter Davis       Jim Giancola      Bob Kichler

My Appreciation of the ARB - A View from the Inside
By Nicholas Simonic, CPA, MAcc, CGMA

I have been the liaison for the board of the directors to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for the past 3 years.  Prior to that time, I viewed the ARB strictly from a resident's perspective.  I thought, "Those greedy people are just looking for fees for anything I do on my own property."  I also took it upon myself to battle with the ARB on several fronts and unfortunately I lost those battles.  As a result, I do not have white rocks in some of my palm tree beds and have not taken down my oak trees.  

I went to war with the ARB after they did not approve white rocks in some of my palm beds, and they insisted that our covenants state "natural rocks," which the covenants do.  However, I thought white rocks looked better for my yard.   Also, I wanted to take down 2 oak trees in the front of my house.  They called the oak trees "beautiful" and refused to let me take them down.  I thought, "how dare these people tell me what do."  

Shortly after, I was elected to the board of Deercreek Homeowners' Association.  The chairman of the board asked if I would be liaison to the ARB.  I felt, "this is my chance to get even!"   Click HERE to read more>>.
Deercreek Home and Garden Club
By Patty Tomka

Tuesday, January 20, 10:30 am- Game Day

Tuesday, January 27, 10:00 am - Meeting with Peterbrooke Chocolatier

GAME DAY is almost here!  Have you put your team together and sent in your registration? Look for the flyer in the newsletter to make sure you have a spot reserved.  You bring whatever game you and your friends will be playing and we will provide the snacks and lunch. We begin at 10:30 AM when everyone finds their table and sets up their game. Last year we had Bridge, Mah Jongg, Scrabble, Bunco and Left/Right/Center, but bring whatever interests you. You could even play one game in the morning and a different one after lunch. We finish up at 3:30 pm. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a Dessert Table filled by the Home and Garden Club members!  Both of these were wonderful last year! Registration cut-off date is January 13, so fill out the form, collect $25 a person and submit them to Faye Hyken at 10077 Heather Lake Court W. Our Game Day is open to anyone, not just members of Deercreek or the Garden Club. The more ladies involved, the better the 50/50 payout!  

Click HERE for the Game Day Registration Form!

PETERBROOKE CHOCOLATIER PROGRAM: Our regular Home and Garden Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 27 at 10 am at the Club.  We have invited Peterbrooke Chocolatiers to give a demonstration and talk about their creations.  Looking through their website at www.peterbrooke.com is enough to make you swoon.  Oh my, what a wonderful selection of chocolate art!  Besides their signature chocolate popcorn, they hand dip all sorts of wonderful things - pretzels, Oreos, potato chips, fruits, Rice Krispy bars. And the novelty items are really fun - baby booties, chocolate cigars, red roses for Valentine's Day, chocolate covered cherries and blueberries and nuts. The gift baskets range from $26 - $200 and are filled with all sorts of wonderful things. Consider these for new mothers, get-well wishes, divorce recovery, hostess gifts or simply to brighten someone's day.  I guarantee that it will!  I was impressed with their Wedding ideas, Specialty Items and Corporate gifts.  They will make custom molds for you and fill them with your choice of Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, 72% Dark Chocolate, Sugar Free or White Chocolate.  And if it's not enough to become a regular customer at our local shop on Southside - between Longhorn Steaks and Newk's - you can buy your own franchise!  They are committed to giving back to the community, sustainability and global responsibility.  Peterbrookepromise   
All in all, this should be a great meeting to start the new year.  By then, you will probably have forgotten your New Year's resolutions and can joyfully indulge in some really good chocolate creations. Since Valentine's Day will be coming up fast, this will give you all sorts of great gift ideas, should you choose to share with your loved ones!
Contact Anne Klueppel 519-5368 or Lee Ann Phillips 519-6931 if you have any questions about the Home and Garden Club.  We are always happy to welcome new members.



Deercreek Home and Garden Club - where no one is a stranger for long.
Deercreek Women's Alliance
By Natalie Jackson

                              
Happy New Year Deercreek!
2015

The DWA wants to thank our wonderful Deercreek community for helping to make 2014 a great year for the local charities that we support. We are so grateful for your generous participation throughout 2014 in our annual charity drives for books, clothing, diapers and food.   Kudos to our many incredible DWA members who worked tirelessly as volunteers at our charity sites doing whatever job was needed. Attendance in last year's Shamrock Scramble and the "Fun and Fabulous" fashion show was amazing! Our New Year resolution is to continue to work hard to provide needed funds for charities and to have fun doing it!
The DWA Board will be selecting its 2015 charities soon.   If you would like to nominate a charity for consideration, please contact Donna Bernard at 464-0910.
               
SAVE THE DATE


2015 SHAMROCK SCRAMBLE
Sunday, March 15
        *The registration form for the Shamrock Scramble will be in next month's newsletter.


DWA Outreach to PACE Students 

Thanks to the generous support of our members and the Deercreek community, the DWA was able to illuminate the holidays for the PACE girls. In November, the DWA provided girls from the neediest families with gift cards to Winn Dixie. The December jewelry drive enabled the DWA to present each young lady with a piece of bling. We are so grateful for your help in making the season brighter for the PACE students!
DWA Ongoing Charity Drives

PACE School for Girls:  Clothing of all sizes for teenage girls is needed. Donated items can be dropped off at Vicki Khan's house at 10148 Deercreek Club Road. To contact Vicki, call
519-7722.
Jacksonville Humane Society:
The JHS can always use bags of dried cat and dog food, blankets, towels, pet toys, bowls, flee killing soap and pet beds. Donations can be dropped off at 10042 Chester Lake Road East, the home of Pam Overbay (363-6483).

Mandarin Food Bank: 
Any non-perishable food item can be dropped off at Carmen Kelly's home at 10139 Bishop Lake Road West. Carmen may be reached at 519-0622.

Books-A-Go Go:  Used or new books for children Pre-K through 5th grade can be dropped off at Natalie Jackson's house at 10135 Deercreek Club Road East. Natalie's phone number is 519-5802.
DWA Membership

graphic-heart.gif Your Deercreek Women's Alliance is open to all ladies who reside in the Deercreek neighborhood.   You do not have to be a member of the Deercreek Country Club to enjoy a membership with the DWA. 

If you are not yet a "part of the heart of Deercreek" and would like to join the DWA, please contact membership chairperson Mary Stelbrink at 363-2360.   Membership is $20 a year.

The Joys of Deercreek Living

Ladies Tennis C-Team: Party time!



In early December 2014, the Ladies Tennis C-Team held their yearly Christmas Party at the lovely home of Melinda Woodruff.

It was a most wonderful and fun event with about seventeen ladies present! Thanks to Mike and Janet from the Tennis Pro-shop for honoring the team's invitation and dropping by briefly during the party despite their busy schedule. The food was great and the gift exchange game was oh so much fun. A big thanks to Mindy for hosting us; and to our Team Captains, Rania Saikali and Suma Gopal for all their hard work all season long.

Ladies Tennis C-Team sure knows how to have fun!
New Year's Resolutions
By B. J. Weyer,
Watson Realty Corp. REALTORS®
BJ
We all make personal New Year's resolutions - lose 20 pounds, exercise more, etc. Now is a perfect time to make resolutions for your home. Create an ongoing maintenance schedule, review safety issues and identify home-related savings.

Establish an ongoing maintenance schedule. Create a chart, which lists items in a home to be maintained periodically. It could be as simple as changing the HVAC filter monthly, or a periodic service call on major appliances. On the chart, note the date the maintenance or service was done and what was done if a problem was found. This simple chart will assist you in keeping your home maintained.

The second resolution is to review safety issues.  Replace batteries in smoke detectors to ensure they are operating properly.  Check fire extinguishers in the kitchen and master bedroom. You may never need them, but you want them working if you do.  Do you have issues with electrical outlets?  Call an electrician to check and repair.  Also, check for tripping hazards.  Loose rugs and electrical cords are common types of hazards, but sunken or elevated floors also pose a problem. Keeping everyone safe should be a top priority.

Lastly, identify savings related to your home. Check with your insurance agent to see if savings are available on your homeowner's policy. If you have replaced your roof, you may meet newer hurricane codes. This may provide savings. Other opportunities to save include ensuring windows and doors are sealed, or plumbing leaks are fixed. JEA will also conduct an energy audit.  

Now it is time to implement your resolutions. While you are improving yourself with personal resolutions, you can also be maintaining your largest investment and keeping it healthy for years to come. Happy New Year to all!