President's
Message
Never a dull moment here in our lovely gated community! For
those of you following the coyote problem, the trapper we hired reported that
there are no signs of current coyotes. However, due to their migratory pattern,
we may see them again. Please do not leave food outside, for this may attract
them. Please see the Property Manager’s article for more information.
On a more pleasant note, the problems of our past paving
project have been resolved and our engineer is surveying roads to be included in
the next paving project. Additionally, you must have noticed the brighter
streets in Deerwood due to our lighting project (as well as the conduit/poles in
the ground). We are waiting for JEA to put up the new light poles and voila! We
will have more bright streets.
Our Architectural Review, Standards and Landscape Committees
do remarkable jobs keeping up and enhancing the look of our lovely neighborhood.
Our Treasurer reports that our finances are in excellent shape. Access Control
reported that speeding violations were up, largely with vendors in the
community. Please work with us to keep our streets safe.
I hope everyone is enjoying our recently arrived fall weather
and walking, jogging and biking safely in our streets. Our Cares Committee is
working on community events and our holiday lighting. Please enjoy all of your
neighbors’ contributions in this newsletter and thanks to our Communications
Chair for making it happen! We have terrific volunteers. Join us...it takes a
neighborhood...and, we have several upcoming openings on your DIA Board.
William Kight, President
Property Manager’s Report
Greetings once again from Marsh Landing Management!
I would like to take this time to address the many recent
concerns regarding coyotes in and around the community. When the issue was first
brought to my attention and the attention of the DIA, I immediately contacted a
trapper who I have used in the past at one of the other communities I manage.
The trapper is employed by the USDA Division of Wildlife Services and is an
expert in wildlife management. I met with the trapper several times in Deerwood
and he was able to survey and evaluate the community and its habitat. The
trapper was also able to tour the areas outside and around Deerwood to determine
what kind of wildlife is around the community as well. After several
inspections, the trapper was able to determine that the recent issues we have
experienced were temporary and that there are no recent signs of coyotes
entering the community.
The coyote issue may have temporarily ceased but based on the
USDA’s studies of the coyote population growth within the State of Florida, we
may experience more sightings of coyotes in the future. Please note that the
trapper did indicate that we have several other types of wildlife in the
community as well. The obvious question is what can we do about future
sightings? There is no simple answer as there is no way to control the amount
and type of wildlife that enter the community, mainly due to the location of
Deerwood. There are several hundred acres that surround the community and there
is no way to effectively control it.
This does not mean that we should lock ourselves in our homes.
There are easy and reasonable actions you as homeowners can take to help keep
you and your property safe. Remember to keep your pets inside at night or when
you are not home. Coyotes and other forms of wildlife prey on small animals that
they deem to be defenseless. Do not leave food outside to feed your pets or
wildlife as you may be feeding animals you do not want around your property. If
you see a coyote or other form of wildlife, make as much noise as possible as
this will most likely scare it away from your location.
Please understand that the wildlife in and around Deerwood has
no intention of hurting humans of any size or age. Their main goal is to capture
small animals and then move on to the next location. The coyote issue is a
concern but based on the recent migration patterns (as far south as Key West)
any sightings should be temporary and you and your property should be safe from
harm if you follow the above safety tips. If you should have any further
questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Marsh Landing Management at
273-3033.
Douglas Scott, CAM
Property Manager
Deerwood Improvement Association, Inc
Treasurer’s Report
Thanks to all who have kept your accounts current, it
continues to make the operation of our community smooth. For those still in
arrears, don’t make your neighbors cover for you - please pay what you owe or
call Marsh Landing Management or me to make arrangements to catch up and avoid
liens and legal action. Unfortunately, we have a number of homes either
abandoned or in foreclosure; in an effort to maintain Deerwood’s appearance,
the board has hired a contractor to mow those yards and do some maintenance
bi-weekly (no watering or improvements).
Aside from paying for such routine efforts as landscaping,
lake treatments, security, et al we have also completed phase 2 of the street
lighting project and are installing phase 3 and engineering phase 4 (which will
cover any of the side streets). George Harris and his committee are also getting
ready to execute the next phase of the paving project. Long term, we are looking
at how to improve / dredge/ maintain our lakes.
As we get close to the next fiscal year we are reviewing
budget needs and existing contracts for Deerwood. It is our intent to maintain
assessments at the same level as they have been for the last three years and
manage our budget accordingly. Please call if you have questions or
suggestions.
Ernie Cornehl, Treasurer
Cares Committee
The Deerwood Cares Committee has organized and we need
your help and Welcome you to join us at our monthly meetings. Please check the
reader boards at either entry gate for meeting dates and community information!
We hope to develop a network of volunteers through our Deerwood Districts to
enable us to know which of our neighbors may need our help, comfort or
encouragement during times of family illness and stress.
Please become a part of this very important and vitally
necessary network. We hope many of you will become involved in the Deerwood
Cares Committee. Your suggestions and participation will make Deerwood an even
more wonderful place to call home. With your help, we can move forward to
provide more service to our community and develop lasting friendships with one
another.
I wish you all of the joy and happiness this season brings.
May your hearts know peace and gratitude for all of our blessings as we look
toward the New Year!
Miffy Calhoun
Cares Committee Chairman
Holiday Food Drive
As we enter the Holiday Season of joy and thankfulness, our
thoughts go to those who are less fortunate. The Deerwood Club and the Deerwood
Cares Committee are supporting our Jacksonville community through the Mandarin
Food Bank this holiday season. The clubhouse is the drop-off point for your
canned goods, non-perishable food items and disposable diapers. Please bring
them to the clubhouse anytime between November 1st and November 17th. Checks and
donations can be addressed to the Mandarin Food Bank and can be dropped
to our club office.
Deerwood Holiday Luminary Night
Sunday, December 19th
Join your friends and neighbors to “ILLUMINATE”
Deerwood for the holidays! Our 2nd annual “Luminary Night” is Sunday,
December 19th and you remember how great it was when the Garden Club organized
it? We are purchasing the luminary kits again this year from a local group, Pine
Castle, who employs adults with disabilities and provides them with a safe
living and working environment that emphasizes a job well done! Luminary kits
contain 12, ten hour votive candles, 12 white bags, and 2 bags of sand all for
$7.00 per kit! To order your kit, please fill out the attached order form with a
check made payable to Pine Castle, Inc. Mail or drop the order to Miffy
Calhoun at 8231 Shady Grove Ct. Jacksonville, FL 32256. Place your order by
November 30th, and support a wonderful group! Pick-up will be Wednesday,
December 15th at the clubhouse between 5-7pm. The club will provide holiday
refreshments and we look forward to seeing you share in the Holiday Spirit!
Printable Order form on page 3 of
the PDF
Standards Committee
The Standards Committee would like to take this time to
acknowledge all the hard work that residents have completed over the past few
months. We realize we had a very cold winter and a very hot summer which made it
difficult to maintain your yards. During our past few inspections with the
Property Manager, we noticed that the landscape and yard maintenance has greatly
improved. Please remember that if you replace your sod, check the JEA website at
www.JEA.com regarding watering restrictions for
new sod.
As the cooler weather approaches, the Standards Committee will
be focusing on non-landscape issues within the community. Some of the issues we
will be focusing on are, but not limited to roofs, driveways, and fences. These
items will be evaluated on condition and appearance. We will also be continuing
to notify and enforce the parking of boats, trailers and other vehicles that are
not permitted on the resident property. Please remember that we have a boatyard
with plenty of vacant space. If you are interested in leasing a space, please
call Marsh Landing Management at 273-3033 for more information.
It is the Standards Committees obligation to maintain the
esthetic beauty of Deerwood while adhering to the Covenants and Restrictions of
Deerwood. During these tough economic times, the Standards Committee understands
the benefit of maintaining the standards expected by the homeowners of Deerwood.
We greatly appreciate everyone’s support and kind words regarding the efforts
of this committee.
Tom Genest
Standards Committee Chairman
Printable form on page 4 of the
PDF
The ARC
The Architectural Review Committee. Do those words scare you?
Some residents believe that we are here to say no to any changes in the
community. Actually, the Committee is made up of dedicated volunteers who take a
lot of time to work with residents submittals. Don’t be afraid of us, we are
here to help maintain the character of Deerwood, which is why we all moved in
here.
Don’t forget you need to submit an application to the ARC
for:
Any outside changes to your home;
Tree removal;
Pools;
Playhouses or playscapes;
Fences;
Major changes to your landscaping Changes to your driveway, including
pavers;
Repainting your house;
New roofs;
Please, if you are unsure call and ask our coordinator, Tobé
Budner, if you need to submit. She may be able to work with you over the phone.
If you don’t submit and were supposed to, you could be subject to fines or
other legal action. No one wants that so: Send us your applications before
you do the work!!
| Flag Etiquette
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by
an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather unless the flag is
designated for inclement weather use.
The flag should be flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used for any decoration purpose, not
as part of a costume or athletic uniform except as a flag
patch on a uniform for military, firemen, policemen and
patriotic organizations.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
The flag should be lowered to waiting hands and arms, so that
no part touches the ground or any other object.
To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol
of our country, it should be destroyed by burning it in a
dignified manner.
For more info visit these sources: www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shml
or www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtig.html
|
Landscape Committee
Please watch for the Cares Committee’s beautiful, new
Holiday lights displays at our entrances! Our front entrance ligustrums will be
trimmed by Nanak with care in hopes that our neighbors will arrive home with
stares. Magic and twinkling lights should warm all our hearts. Pansies,
snapdragons, and alyssum will be planted in our beds. The wreaths will be hung
by Herman with care. Consider planting petunias and flowering purple, pink, and
white cabbage and kale. The festive plantings and lights will greet you after
Thanksgiving.
The DIA Landscape Committee will be completing the following
area improvements. Acorn Ridge will be freshly landscaped with more sod, Jack
Frost ligustrums, flax lilies, and relocated Aztec Grass. Our many walkers love
to stroll down Acorn Ridge. Other improved areas are Summit Ridge, Green Glade,
Oak Hammock, Sable Oak Lane, and Wekiva Way. If you notice any DIA islands that
need our special touch please call Doug at 273-3033.
Nanak will soon begin their eighty hours of winter clean up.
Some leggy crapes and ligustrums will be trimmed and shaped. Berms and other DIA
areas will be spruced up. If you notice any area that needs attention please
call Doug.
Herman has been busy adding plants to spruce up areas on
Summit Ridge, the Courtyards, Woodsdale and Hunter’s Grove, and Sabal Oaks
Lane. He has also been freshly painting the deer and fire hydrants.
Please cut down your dead trees. Unlike Frankenstein they are
not coming back to life. If you see any dead trees please call Doug. The DIA has
over eighty irrigation areas on islands by the lakes and on common property.
They are all on battery powered valve boxes. Now, Nanak’s irrigation expert
can come to an island, hit a button and all the sprinklers pop up. This makes it
easier to trouble shoot if a head is inoperable. It also is simpler for Nanak to
turn the irrigation off every time the temperatures go below freezing. If you
see any sprinkler problems, please call Doug.
If your damaged or old mailbox needs to be replaced, please
call Doug and Herman will replace it at DIA expense. The DIA Landscape Committee
meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5PM at the Deerwood County Club.
Please join us with your suggestions and hopefully compliments. Enjoy the
season!
Landscape Committee:
Committee Chair:
Holly Kartsonis
Members:
Jan Beadling
Judy Brown
Barbara Callaghan
Joanne Gebbia
Alice Henderson
Karen Merrell
Herb Monroe
Linda Ranes
Darlene Register
Martha Smith
Bob Still
Nanak Lawn and Garden Tips for November and December
November
- Buy spring bulbs such as tulips and refrigerate them for
eight weeks. This will help meet their chilling requirements to produce
blooms in spring.
- Watch for brown patch fungus disease in lawns if the
weather is rainy.
- Plant strawberries before mid-November.
- In dry weather, water the lawn to keep it healthy during
the winter. During cool or cold weather, a lawn needs to be watered no more
than once per week with 3/4 inch of water and shrubs every two to three
weeks. New water guidelines for one day a week irrigation start the first
Sunday in November. Odd-numbered addresses and no addresses can water on
Saturday, even addresses on Sunday and non-residential on Tuesday. If
rainfall is sufficient, cut the system off.
- Plan how you will protect lawns and landscape plants from
cold temperatures. Lawns and shrubbery should be watered 24 to 48 hours
before the freeze occurs for best cold protection.
Vegetables to Plant: Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots,
Collards, Kohlrabi, Spinach, Radishes, Chinese Cabbage, Bulbing and Bunching
Onions
Annuals to Plant: Pansies, Petunias, Shasta Daisies,
Snapdragons, Violas , Flowering Kale
December
- If rainfall amounts are high and temperatures are mild,
watch for brown patch fungus disease in lawns.
- Late December is the ideal time to begin transplanting
plants if the weather has turned cool. If there hasn’t been much cold
weather, do not begin transplanting until the plants are dormant.
- During dry weather even if lawns are dormant, water may be
needed prior to a freeze if the weather is dry. (See November for cool
season irrigation rates.)
Vegetables to Plant: Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots,
Radishes, Chinese Cabbage, Bulbing and Bunching Onions
Annuals to Plant: Pansies, Petunias, Shasta Daisies,
Snapdragons
Hollie S. Anderson, Regional Vice President Nanak’s
Landscaping
| GARDENING TIPS:
To keep snakes at bay, shred 2 lemon skins
and mix them with a box of mothballs. Make a band of this mixture around
the area you want to protect.
To get rid of raccoons, sprinkle a few
tablespoons of epson salt around your garden and garbage cans. Both
raccoons and woodchucks find the epson salt distasteful. Repeat after each
rain. Epson salt is good for your plants.
To help keep snails away, sprinkle a
little sand around your hostas, coleus, and other tender plants. Submitted
by Barbara Callaghan |
Access Control, First Coast Security Services
The holidays are rapidly approaching and 2011 is right around
the corner. Young people and college students will be having some time off and
will be out and about, going to parties and having fun. Those circumstances
sometimes lead to trouble. Not to mention the criminals are also planning their
busy time of year. We thought it was important to remind you some common sense
safety tips, to keep you and your property safe.
- Remove valuables and keep your cars locked,
especially at night.
- Avoid leaving your garage doors open and double
check to make sure they are down prior to going to bed.
- Consider installing some motion lights around the outside
of your home.
- Lock your doors and check them before you go to
bed.
- If you don’t recognize someone at your door, don’t open
it.
- Report suspicious people or cars in the area.
- If you plan to leave home for the holidays, stop by the
Baymeadows Gate, update your information, emergency contact information and
place your home on a house check list. The property will be normally checked
3 times per day while you are out of town.
- Utilize your home alarm system.
Sometimes we tend to get relaxed and let our guard down. We
can all become vulnerable to criminal activity in our day to day lives. Just by
taking a steps, might make a difference. Have a great holiday season!
Joe Holliday, Deerwood Account Manager,
First Coast Security Services, 642-1633
Glynn Thomas, Access Control Committee Chairman
Common Grounds Committee
The Common Grounds Committee would like to take a few minutes
and update everyone on a couple of projects we are working on.
As I’m sure you have noticed, the 3rd phase of the
streetlight project is well underway. Most of the conduit has been laid and at
the time this article was written, C&C Powerline was installing the wires
and junction boxes. The actual streetlight poles should be installed shortly by
JEA. We are excited about the progress we have made so far within the community.
We are also working on drawing up the plans for the Phase 4 lighting project and
we anticipate starting it within a few weeks after the completion of Phase 3. We
have received several suggestions for paving and we are taking each request into
consideration.
We are currently working with an engineer who is helping us
develop an action plan and specifications for the paving project. At this time
we are fine tuning the next paving project and we hope to start paving after
Thanksgiving and for it to be completed before Christmas. We hope that everyone
has a wonderful Holiday Season!
Information and Notices
It occurs to me there is some confusion over who DIA is
(Deerwood Improvement Association) and how it is separate from Deerwood Country
Club and which one to call for what problem.
THE DIFFERENCE:
Deerwood Country Club has a board of unpaid fellow equity club members to govern
the club. The DIA has an elected board of unpaid fellow Deerwood residents who
meet once a month to discuss problems in Deerwood, go over the budget from the
dues collected from us every January and allocate those funds to Deerwoods
needs. We use a paid management company, Marsh Landing Management Co., to
facilitate our work which is why you often see their name on the reader boards
to call them for this or that. A rule of thumb on who to call for which problem:
ONLY if it has something to do with the Clubhouse itself, or the golf course, or
tennis courts would you call Deerwood Country Club because you are a member
there. If you see something wrong in the NEIGHBORHOOD for instance, broken water
pipe on the street, need a new mailbox, a problem on the play grounds or the
common areas or want to discuss your homeowners account, then you would call
Marsh Landing Management Co. whose phone number is printed in every one of these
newsletters. So maybe now you won’t call the clubhouse and complain about the
neighbors sprinkler system flooding your petunias, because that would fall into
what category? Right, DIA so you need to call Doug Scott 273-3033 at Marsh
Landing Management Co. Deerwood Country Club will thank you. And, you know who
you should thank? Any past or present board member who has served on the DIA’s
board or the Deerwood Country Club board, it is often a lot of work from a lot
of giving folks.
Diane Law
DIA newsletter
Email questions for the newsletter to:
estatemarketantiques@yahoo.com
NOTICES:
The following DIA Board positions will be open in 2011:
District 3, 5, 8 and an At Large position. Ballots will be mailed to residents
in February 2011 and the term begins April 2011. Please contact Doug Scott at
Marsh Landing Management Co. 273-3033 for an application and further
information.
DIA Board Meetings will be: Dec. 6, 2010 • Jan. 10, 2011
• Feb. 7, 2011 • Mar. 7, 2011 • Apr. 9, 2011
Spring Annual Garage Sale: April 9, 2011
Spaces are available for boat, RV and trailer storage in
our boatyard. Call 273-3033.
Want to have a party at the playground pavilion? Call
273-3033.
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