L.A. TIMES Lake Ashton Community Newsletter April 2021 Simply the Best! Spring has Sprung! Activities Are Popping Up All AROUND Lake Ashton! 4141 Ashton Club Drive Lake Wales, FL 33859 Lake Ashton is a 55 and Older Deed Restricted Community 863.324.6032 863.324.5457 www.lakeashtoncdd.com
We Handle ALL of your Real Estate Needs: Buying, Selling, & Rentals MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE ARE THE BEST AT WHAT WE DO! • Lake Ashton Realty was involved in over 60 home closings in 2020, representing 66% of all closings. • Our next closest competitor was involved in 21 home closings – we tripled our closest competitor in transactions! • For ONLY 3% listing commission and 3% selling commission, work with the EXCLUSIVE on-site professionally staffed office to serve your needs 7 days a week. • The team is lead by Terri Mattocks, Broker, one of the initial residents who has called Lake Ashton home for over 18 years. Back Row (L to R): Sarah Lord, Anita Piasecki, Cindy Thornton Front Row: Lori Raath, Terri Mattocks
NEWSLETTER STAFF APRIL 2021 Christine Wells Editor cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com 863.324.5457 Valerie McCutcheon Advertising Sales, Layout & Design valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com 863.324.6032 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES May Issue Deadline: April 12 • Articles can be submitted on behalf of Lake Ashton clubs/ groups/organizations to promote lifestyle enhancing, opportunities, and must be approved by the group leader prior to publication • Email articles to: valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com • 150 word limit. Articles will be edited for length and clarity • Include your club contact and phone number • The writing style is third person — avoid using I, me, my, we, our, or personal pronouns Photo Specifications: • All photos must be high-res digital images in “jpeg” format and submitted via email or CD/flash drive • Space will generally allow only one photo per article • The designer and printer will make the final determination as to the print quality of photographs for publication THE LAKE ASHTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DOES NOT ENDORSE OR SUPPORT ANY PARTICULAR POLITICAL CANDIDATE, PARTY, MEASURE OR ISSUE, OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ COVER PHOTO BY DALE STEENBERG Lake Ashton employees are at your service. We want your experiences in the Clubhouse, Golf Course and HFC to be as pleasant and memorable as possible! Do not hesitate to contact any of the below with comments, questions or concerns. Lake Ashton Clubhouse 4141 Ashton Club Drive Lake Wales, FL 33859 Phone: 863.324.5457 Fax: 863.324.5829 Lake Ashton Health & Fitness Center (HFC) LACDD Community Director: Christine Wells cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Activities Desk: Caroline Lane 863.324.6032 clane@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Office Manager: Sheila Moreland 863.324.5457 smoreland@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Operations Manager: Matt Fisher 863.956.6207 mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com HOA Office (LW) Ashton Tap & Grill Annie Toth, GM Golf Club - Ron Lavoie, General Manager Assistant Pro Matt Auen Eagle’s Nest Vicki Moore - Manager RV & Storage Center 6052 Pebble Beach Boulevard Winter Haven, FL 33884 Phone: 863.595.1562 Fax: 863.595.1567 LAIICDD Community Director: Mary Bosman mbosman@lakeashton2cdd.com HFC Activities Office Manager: Krystle Funk 863.595.1562 kfunk@lakeashton2cdd.com Gate Houses & Security Officers: Thompson Nursery Rd. (LW): 863.324.7290 CR 653 (WH): 863.318.0237 863.325.0065 manager@lakeashtonhoa.org 863.324.5810 ma2077@metzcorp.com 11 am to 8 pm daily 863.326.1032 863.326.1032 rlavoie@lakeashtongc.com mauen@lakeashtongc.com 863.326.1085 vmoore@lakeashtongc.com 863.326.1304 dholmes@lakeashtongolf.com Police Non-Emergency Numbers: Lake Wales: 863.678.4223 Winter Haven: 863.291.5858 Polk County Sheriff: 863.298.6200 In case of emergency, dial 911 3
MONDAY C OFFEE In person coffee resumes! A virtual option will still be made available to those that wish to attend via Zoom. The link will be sent out via email blast. Masks will be mandatory and tables will be 6 feet apart with a maximum of 6 chairs per table. Bring your own coffee, or Cuppa Joe coffee truck will be in the parking lot at 8:45 am. APRIL 5 Birthdays and Anniversaries Organization Spotlight: Neighborhood Watch Featured Vendors - HCA - Christine Graves, The Flagpole Man APRIL 12 Featured Speaker - Polk County Roads Featured Vendors: Tessier Law Firm and Matthew Simpson with Edward Jones Bite Me Monday - donations of pet items for the Polk County Humane Society can be dropped off at the Clubhouse APRIL 19 NO MONDAY COFFEE - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING Peanut Butter Monday - donations of non-perishable food items for a local food pantry can be dropped off at the Clubhouse APRIL 26 Blast from the Past with David Harrison Spirit Week Kick-off: Mascot Monday - Wear your favorite team attire and celebrate living in Lake Ashton! Featured Vendor: Matthew Grubb with Morgan Stanley BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS LAKE ASHTON II (WH) CDD Friday, April 16 at 9 am HFC LAKE ASHTON (LW) CDD Monday, April 19 9 am Budget Workshop 10 am CDD Board Meeting 11:30 am Joint Board Meeting with LAIICDD Clubhouse Ballroom NEW RESIDENT SOCIAL May 12 at 2 pm Clubhouse Ballroom The monthly Farmers Market will be on April 14 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Clubhouse West parking lot. Residents are more than welcome to attend the Market as a vendor. Please call Caroline at the Clubhouse Activities Desk or email clane@lakeashtoncdd.com for more information. 4 SIGN UP FOR BLAS T EMAILS Visit lakeashtoncdd.com or lakeashton2cdd.com to choose your distribution lists. INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS 6 SAFETY 20 MOVIES 22 EVENTS 24 GOLF 32 CLUBS 34 MIND & BODY 38
LACDD NEWS BY CHRIS TINE WELLS, LACDD COMMUNIT Y DIREC T OR For over a year now residents have overcome many adversities and remained optimistic and resilient. Expressions of hope, gratitude, comfort, and compassion echoed throughout the community in the form of socially distant block parties, homemade cloth masks for other residents and healthcare professionals, parades to celebrate birthdays and holidays, assorted scavenger hunts, marketplace drive-thru ordering events and food drives, food trucks, and more. Many residents have become virtual experts on Zoom, using the platform to attend at-home exercise and craft classes, club meetings and other activities, including virtual Monday Coffee meetings, and Board of Supervisors meetings. The community came together to create a positive environment out of what could have quickly become a negative one, always thinking of others in Lake Ashton and surrounding communities. With vaccines being offered to residents in the Clubhouse recently, there is a great sense of accomplishment and relief among Supervisors, staff, and all of the volunteers that helped with all of these special programs. It has been our pleasure to help residents through this tough time. We are still all in this together! Supervisors and Staff would like to wish residents a Happy Passover and Happy Easter. April is also Volunteer Appreciation Month and there certainly are many volunteers here to appreciate. CDD Supervisors, HOA Directors and ARC members work hard every day to help keep the community beautiful and in compliance. CERT, CAP, and Neighborhood Watch help keep the community safe. Activities Desk and Media Center Volunteers ensure the amenities at the Clubhouse are organized, assist staff, and help residents with getting the information they need in an efficient manner. Finally club, group, organization, and special event volunteers help to ensure the community remains active and fun! Thank you for all you do. Take a look at the back cover for ways LACDD and LAIICDD Supervisors and Staff will be saying “Thank You” during Volunteer Appreciation Week. 260.820.0389, rplummer@lakeashtoncdd.com Michael Costello, Vice Chairman Clubhouse Facilities including Outdoor Amenities (Dog Park, Pool, Sports Courts) 863.875.9228 or 732.718.7431, mcostello@lakeashtoncdd.com Lloyd Howison, Assistant Secretary - Golf Cart Paths, Bridges and all Ponds 704.302.6555, lhowison@lakeashtoncdd.com Harry Krumrie, Assistant Secretary - Restaurant 407.766.9237, hkrumrie@lakeashtoncdd.com Steve Realmuto, Assistant Secretary - Budget, Finance, Reserve Study 863.949.0304, steve.lacdd@gmail.com Office Hours: Mondays, 10 am to Noon, Clubhouse Conference Room 6 At the March 15 Board of Supervisors meeting Supervisors voted to increase capacities at the Clubhouse amenities while continuing to require masks at all indoor amenities and enforce 6 feet social distance. The updated capacity levels are included on page 10 and have been sent out via email blast to residents. Masks are still required in addition to 6 feet social distancing when utilizing the amenities. Capital improvement projects were also presented and will be reevaluated at the April Budget Workshop. Please mark April 19 on your calendar for the LACDD Budget Workshop at 9 am, the LACDD Board of Supervisors meeting at 10:30 and a Joint CDD Meeting at 11:30. All residents are encouraged to attend in person or via Zoom. A wrap-up report of additional actions taken at this meeting has been sent out via email blast. If you did not receive this please send an email request to cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com. LACDD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTA C T INFO Robert (Bob) Plummer, Chairman - Security, Operations and Staff
LAIICDD NEWS BY MAR Y BOSMAN, LAIICDD COMMUNIT Y DIREC T OR You will hear the words “herd immunity” frequently in the next few months. This relates of course, to the people that have received both of their vaccines for COVID – 19. Florida has lowered the age requirement to 60 plus at the time of this writing. We’re excited to be looking at a potential July full open for the HFC, but the LA II CDD is committed to resident safety, so will do so cautiously. Get your scheduling requests in if you are wanting to plan a party this summer or an ongoing activity reservation. Of course, staff is planning a great herd party for all of Lake Ashton residents. April is the month for giving special thanks to our volunteers. Lake Ashton is fortunate to have many great folks who give of their time and efforts. The LA II CDD Board of Supervisors are elected and can legally choose to be compensated, but they donate their time and efforts instead. HOA and ARC leaders serve also in a volunteer capacity. CERT, CAP, Neighborhood Watch, the Swim Team coach, chairpersons for Pickleball, Tennis, and Basketball, along with a multitude of chairpersons of the groups that meet regularly. Not to be thought of as last by any means, the HFC office volunteers and the HFC Media Center volunteers are included as well. There are so many good people at Lake Ashton, I hope I haven’t forgotten any. There’s always a kind person willing to give of their time and expertise when needed. For these wonderful people we say, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING A VOLUNTEER! National Volunteer Week is April 18th through the 24th so if you see a volunteer in action, please thank them. The HFC and the Clubhouse are working together on some fun events/surprises for our volunteers. LAIICDD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTAC T INFO By the time this publication gets out, the repairs on the HFC porte-cochère will be completed. The structure will be structurally safe, and more easily cleaned, as well as being more aesthetically pleasing. The ball finials and posts on the entrance fence are all freshly painted (all 140 plus of them!) and are looking good thanks to many hard hours of work by our HFC Maintenance team of James and Karen. Good work, team! Jim Mecsics, Chairman - Public Safety, Security, Amenities and District Support Office Hours: Tuesdays 9:30 am to 12 pm, 863.875.4554, mecsicsj@msn.com Bob Zelazny, Vice Chairman - Golf Course, Pro Shop, Eagle’s Nest, Facilities and Field Operation Office Hours: Mondays from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, 863.325.8098, bzelazny@lakeashton2cdd.com Duff Hill, Assistant Secretary - Public Works & Budget Office Hours: Mondays at 10:30 am to 12 pm, 863.875.4216, duffhill5429@gmail.com Angela Littlewood, Assistant Secretary Office Hours: Thursdays at 9 to 10:30 am, 352.250.9707, alittlewoodlakeashton2cdd@gmail.com Colette McKie, Assistant Secretary - Grounds and Landscaping, Planning, and Transportation System Office Hours: Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm, 443.994.2939, cmckie@lakeashton2cdd.com 8
NEWS HOURS OF OPERATION CLUBHOUSE: 6 am – 10 pm, 7 days a week CLUBHOUSE OFFICES & ACTIVITIES DESK: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday RESIDENT PHOTO ID HOURS New hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 am to 4 pm or other times by appointment. HFC OFFICES & ACTIVITIES DESK: 8 am – 10 pm Monday through Friday Fitness Room, Spas and Pool: 6 am to 10 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am – 1 pm Saturdays. Closed Sundays. The Clubhouse has entered Phase IV of COVID-19 protocols. Many Phase III guidelines are still in effect and can be viewed on lakeashtoncdd.com. Even though many have received a COVID-19 vaccine, masks are still required when using any indoor Clubhouse amenities. The Clubhouse amenities have the following capacity limits: Ballroom: 400 people Tables must be 6 feet apart, maximum of 6 people per table Media Center: 8 people Avoid using the computers labeled “Not Available for Use” Cinema: 40 people Chairs, railings and door handles will be sanitized between showings. Avoid the chairs labeled “Not Available for Use” COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting the amenities, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Conference Room: 6 people Card Room: 16 people Tables must be 6 feet apart, maximum of 4 people per table Game Room: 16 people Tables must be 6 feet apart, maximum of 4 people per table Craft Room: 20 people Maximum of 6 people per table Fitness Center: 12 people Wipe down machines before and after use, masks must be worn at all times Bowling Alley: 20 people Outdoor Pool and Spa: 75 people in the Pool, 4 people in the Spa. Maintain 6 feet social distancing when around those not in your household Shuffleboard Courts/Tennis Courts/Bocce Courts: Sanitize equipment after each use 10 Pavilion: 40 people Sanitize all tables and chairs using the provided sanitizer after use. Pet Play Park: Open sunrise to sunset, Maintain 6 feet social distancing when around those not in your household. Residents should notify Amenity Management staff if diagnosed with COVID-19 and have used the amenities in the past 7 days. Affected amenity/amenities and nearby restrooms will be shut down if needed for cleaning and sanitization. The community will be notified if any resident testing positive visited the amenities in the past 7 days. Identities of residents who test positive will never be disclosed.
ASHTON? VISITING LAKE LAKE ASHTON? Anyone using amenities at the Clubhouse or HFC should have a Lake Ashton Resident Identification card or facilities Guest Pass. Please visit either Activities Desk for more information. • Golf carts only be driven by those 14 years and up in Lake Wales, and 16 and up in Winter Haven. • Fishing is permitted but anyone over 16 years of age must have a valid Florida fishing license (exemptions listed on myfwc.com), and there is a catch and release policy for District-owned lake/ retention ponds. POOL AND SPA FRIENDLY REMINDERS Please shower before entering Lake Ashton pools or spas. Only those aged 13 years and older should enjoy the spas. Do not eat or drink while in the pool or spa, including sitting on the side of pool or spa. Florida health codes do not allow for any beverages (even bottled water) to be in the wet pool deck (the 4” perimeter around the entire pool and spa). At this time all water fountains are unavailable for use. Residents must bring their own water bottles for use while at the facilities. RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT WHEN BRINGING GUESTS TO THE CLUBHOUSE AND THE HFC, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE CAPACITY LIMITS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE. RESIDENTS WILL HAVE FIRST PRIORITY TO USE ALL AMENITIES. GUESTS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF CAPACITY LIMITATIONS PREVENT A RESIDENT FROM GAINING ACCESS TO ANY AMENITY. Enjoy Your Stay! WILDLIFE ALERT: WATCH FOR ALLIGATORS Alligators and crocodiles are an important part of Florida's heritage and play a valuable role in the ecosystems where they live. Those who live near lakes and ponds should expect to see alligators from time to time but they should never be fed or approached. If you see an alligator: • Always give these reptiles a respectful distance — at least 10 feet — and always leave them alone. • If you encounter an aggressive alligator, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286). • Alligators are nocturnal animals, more active during the night. After dark, avoid fresh and brackish bodies of water, though alligators sometimes lurk in salt water. Unprovoked bites will often occur at the edge of the water. • Never feed alligators; it encourages them to lose their natural fear of people. It is also illegal. • Small children and small animals like pets are generally more at risk than large adults. • Female alligators protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths; this does not mean they are preparing to attack. • Alligators under 4 feet in length are not considered a threat to humans. As long as residents have a healthy respect for wildlife, including alligators, there are opportunities to live and let live. 12
MUNICIPAL ELEC TION APRIL 6 FOR CITY OF LAKE WALES The Regular Municipal Election for the City of Lake Wales will be held Tuesday, April 6. There are two seats up for election: Seat 2, District 19 (currently held by Commissioner Curtis Gibson) and Seat 4, District 27 (currently held by Commissioner Allen Goldstein). Lake Ashton residents living in Lake Wales can vote in person in the Clubhouse Ballroom on Election Day or contact the Supervi sor of Elect ions at 863.534.5888 to request an absentee ballot. The polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm. Contact the City of Lake Wales City Clerk at 863.678,4182, or visit polkelections.com for a sample ballot. There will be no activities in the Ballroom and no movies shown on this day. The Activities Desk will remain open from 9 am — 5 pm. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Residents do not plan on an emergency to occur while enjoying themselves at Lake Ashton but just in case, there are various emergency assistance items at the Clubhouse that can help. As always, in case of an emergency, immediately call 911. Every second counts. There is an outdoor emergency phone near the East pool entrance gate at the Clubhouse, next to the large pool rules sign. This can be used in case of any emergency requiring 911 responders. The phone has a single push button and an attendant will answer the call within 30 seconds or sooner to dispatch 911. All dispatchers are CPR certified to assist with emergencies while responders are on their way. The emergency phone allows for automatic identification of the Clubhouse address. There is also an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and a first aid kit located next to the restrooms across from the Restaurant in the Clubhouse as well as on the roving patrol cart. It is important to receive training on use of an AED in the event of an emergency. AED and CPR training will be offered in the fall and all residents 13 STO P B A R S Recently multiple stop lines (also known as stop bars) were relocated at various places in the Lake Wales portion of Lake Ashton. Residents will notice some stop lines are after stop signs. According to the Official Florida Driver's License Handbook "stop lines (bars) show where you must stop for a stop sign or red light. You must stop your vehicle before any part of it crosses the line...". The stop sign provides the instruction to stop and the stop bar is the location to stop. are encouraged to take advantage of this lifesaving training. Residents needing help locating these life-saving items can see Clubhouse staff Monday — Friday, 9 am -— 5 pm. PA R K I N G I N F O R M AT I O N Parking can become scarce during high attendance events at Lake Ashton. Please consider carpooling (or cartpooling) to popular activities. When driving a golf cart to the amenities, please save spaces by parking at least two carts in parking spaces designed for cars. When parking along the curb in front of the Clubhouse or HFC, please pull up with both front tires to the curb to maximize designated golf cart parking. Please remember cars should not be left unattended in the circular drives in front of the Clubhouse and HFC.
LAKE ASHTON TRIVIA How many lakes (not ponds) are in Lake Ashton? Can you name all of them? The answer will be at the bottom of the Mind and Body section of this newsletter (page 38). CON S E RVAT I O N A R E A S The conservation areas adjacent to some homes in Lake Ashton are protected by a permit with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). The clearing or trimming of any trees or vegetation beyond rear property lines is prohibited as these conservation areas lie within the District’s property. The permit identifies the District as the sole manager of these areas, and as such, the District is responsible for maintaining them in the natural state in perpetuity per the permit. These areas were part of the original integral design of the community and cannot be altered from their native state. In addition to trimming and clearing of trees or vegetation, please be sure there is no yard art, garden furniture, bird feeders, or plant trimmings in these areas. Any encroachment into this conservation area that requires remediation may necessitate correction at homeowner’s expense. No maintenance in these areas should be conducted without first contacting staff. If you are unsure if any area near your home is a conservation area or if you have concerns or questions please contact Christine at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com. Thank you for your assistance in keeping Lake Ashton beautiful and in compliance with SWFWMD. FEEDING SANDHILL CRANES • Cranes fed by humans can become aggressive toward people. In several instances, children have been attacked by cranes. • Cranes also have been known to cause property damage. • Cranes attracted to people's yards for feed are put at risk as they walk across roads. Many sandhill cranes are killed each year on Florida roads. • Cranes' diets, which normally are quite diverse, are disrupted when they eat one food item (such as corn), consistently. • Heavy pesticide use in urban lawns also is of concern. Young sandhill cranes have died from pesticide poisoning. People may inadvertently put sandhill cranes at risk when they attract them with feed. This includes "accidental feeding," such as when bird seed is spilled from bird feeders onto the ground below. In 2002, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made it illegal to intentionally feed sandhill cranes (Florida Administrative Code 68A-4.001(6)). It's never a good idea to feed wildlife. Florida sandhill cranes have an abundance of natural foods (insects and small animals) and they do not need handouts from humans. More information can be found on the myfwc.com website. SHREDDING EVENT Tessier Law Firm is sponsoring a mobile shredding service on May 8. Bring any papers in a bag to the Clubhouse lobby on this day from 9 am to noon. Please remove all clips and rubber bands before dropping off (staples are ok to keep). 14
(863) 551-3411 *Premium Yearly Maintenance Specials *Expert Service by Certified Technicians * Top quality installations * 10 Year & Warranty on new units parts labor * Special January & February pricing (typically our slower months) Winner Free Estimates & Free 2nd Opinions Goodman • Bryant • Franklin • Grandaire • Trane • Carrier • Lennox- etc We service all makes and models 15
JOINT AMENITIES POLIC Y This month outlines the policy regarding use of the swimming pools at Lake Ashton. There is an outdoor pool at the Clubhouse and an indoor pool at the Health and Fitness Center (HFC). The full policy can be found at lakeashtoncdd.com or lakeashton2cdd.com under "Additional District Documents". Questions can be directed to Christine Wells, LA (LW) CDD Community Director (cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com) or Mary Bosman, LAII (WH) CDD Community Director. 1. The Swimming pool is open for free swim unless restricted due to the scheduling of swim lessons and aquatic/recreational programs approved by the Amenity Manager. 2. There is no lifeguard on duty. Patrons and Guests swim at their own risk and must adhere to swimming pool rules at all times. 3. All Patrons must present proper identification or Guest Passes when requested by Staff. As a rule, a Resident may allow up to four (4) Guests to the swimming pool areas. 4. Use of the swimming pools is permitted only during designated hours. 5. Pool and spa availability may be limited or rotated in order to facilitate maintenance of the facility and to maintain health code regulations. 6. Any person swimming during non-posted swimming hours will be subject to suspension and termination policy. 7. Guests under eighteen (18) years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times 8. Proper swim attire (no cutoffs) must be worn in the pool. 9. Children under three (3) years of age, and those who are not reliably toilet trained, must wear rubber-lined swim diapers, as well as a swimsuit over the swim diaper, to reduce the health risks associated with human waste in the swimming pool/deck area. 10. Adults with bladder control issues or incontinence must wear appropriate attire. 11. The changing of diapers or clothes is not allowed poolside. 12. Showers are required before entering the pool. 13. No one shall pollute the pool. Anyone who pollutes the pool is liable for any costs incurred in treating and reopening the pool. 14. Loud, profane, or abusive language is absolutely prohibited; no physical or verbal abuse will be tolerated. 15. Diving is prohibited; no diving, jumping, pushing, running, throwing any item or other horseplay is allowed in the pool or on the pool deck area. 16. No pets (except service animals), bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters and golf carts are permitted on the pool deck area. 17. Radios, tape players, CD players, MP3 players and televisions are not permitted unless they are personal units equipped with headphones or for scheduled activities such as aqua fitness classes. 18. Play equipment, such as floats, rafts, snorkels, flotation devices and other recreational items must meet with Staff approval. Radio controlled water craft are not allowed at any time in the pool area. The facility reserves the right to discontinue usage of such play equipment during times of peak or scheduled activity at the pool, or if the equipment causes a safety concern. 19. Pool entrances must be kept clear at all times. 20. No swinging on ladders, fences, or railings is allowed. 21. Pool furniture is not to be removed from the pool area. 22. No food or drink are allowed within the area of the wet pool deck (which is defined as the area within four (4) feet of the pool). 23. Food and drinks are permitted outside the wet pool deck area. Glass containers, dishes, and drinking cups are prohibited. Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought to the pool area for personal use. 24. No chewing gum is permitted in the pool or spa or on the surrounding deck areas. 25. The Districts are not responsible for lost or stolen items. 26. Chemicals used in the pool/spa may affect certain hair or fabric colors. The Districts are not responsible for these effects. 27. The Amenity Manager will control whether swimming is permitted in inclement weather, and the pool facility may be closed or opened at their discretion. While at the Clubhouse outdoor Pool, if the lightning alarm sounds, all Patrons must evacuate the pool immediately. 16
FOCUS 2025 By Iris Realmuto The Lake Ashton Focus 2025 Group, comprised of residents from the entire community, has developed a survey to assess the needs of the community over the next 5 years. Your participation is important to ensure the survey results are representative of the whole community. All residents of Lake Ashton are encouraged to complete the survey online (sent via email blast). Each person in a household should complete their own survey. Each resident should complete only one survey. The information provided will be analyzed by members of the LA Focus 2025 group and included in a report to help CDD supervisors understand residents’ needs and assist in developing future plans and budgets for their districts. Completing it electronically is preferred. If necessary, paper copies are available at both the Clubhouse and HFC Activities Desks. All online and paper surveys must be submitted no later than April 8. Questions? Call Debby Landgrebe (863-268-8193), Iris Para (330.352.5042), or Iris Realmuto (603.759.3513). LO C AT I O N C H A N G E FOR HOA & RV STO R A G E DROPBOXES IN THE CLUBHOUSE Please note that the Lake Wales and Winter Haven HOA drop boxes have been moved from outside the Club Office in the Clubhouse to the signup wall in the Clubhouse Ballroom next to the kitchen, across from the Activities Desk. The Winter Haven HOA box also serves as a place to drop off RV storage/boat slip payments.
SAFET Y LA CER T MEMBERS V OLUNTEER AT LAKE ASHTON V A C CINATION POD By Gary Bishop, LA CERT A vaccination event was held at the Clubhouse on March 16. The CERT volunteers who helped with the process were: Ernie Harben, James Schuppe, Jim Carlin, Claude Brown, Monty Formby, Walt Shearin, Louis Crognale, Debby Landgrebe, Stuart Neuberger, David Neuner, Sil Wells and Gary Bishop. Residents will receive their second vaccine on April 9. Anyone still in need of their first shot can get vaccinated as well.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH By Fay Wood, NW Chief Summer is just around the corner. These tips are pertinent all year long. It’s never too early to start sprucing up crime prevention activities at home. • Trim trees and bushes around your home (windows and doors should be clear and visible from the street). Lock pet doors unless in use by your pet (this convenient open door can let burglars have access to your home). • Consider purchasing a heavy safe for cash and jewelry (only give location to trusted people). • Avoid home-improvement scams (door-to-door solicitors should never be let inside your home). Ask for identification and check references before agreeing to repairs. • Don’t announce vacation plans on social media (post pictures after you return). • Let a neighbor friend and your area NW Coordinator know you will be away so they can keep extra eyes and ears on your property. Always better safe than sorry!
MOVIES PLEASE NOTE NEW SHOWTIMES: 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM. TUESDAY SHOWINGS ARE CLOSED CAPTIONED. CAPACITY: 40 CINEMA IS SANITIZED AFTER EACH SHOWING MARCH 30 - APRIL 1 NEWS OF THE WORLD 2020 | PG-13 | 1h 58min Some language, disturbing images, thematic Material, violence. Five years after the end of the Civil War, Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl taken by the Kiowa people. Forced to return to her aunt and uncle, Kidd agrees to escort the child across the harsh and unforgiving plains of Texas. The long journey soon turns into a fight for survival as the traveling companions encounter danger at every turn — both human and natural. APRIL 7 — 8 (NO MOVIES APRIL 6) COMING 2 AMERICA 2021 | PG-13 | 1h 49min Crude and sexual content, language, drug content. Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure traversing the globe from their great African nation to Queens, New York. APRIL 13 — 15 THUNDER FORCE 2021 | PG-13 | 1h 45min Some action/violence, language. Two estranged childhood best friends (Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer) reunite after one devises a treatment that gives them powers to protect their city from supervillains. APRIL 20 — 22 (NO 11 AM MOVIE APRIL 21) THE INFORMER 2020 | R | 1h 53min Strong violence, language. Pete Koslow (Joel Kinnaman) is a former special operations soldier working as an informant for the FBI to help dismantle the Polish mafia's drug trade in New York. But when the operation goes wrong, Pete is coerced into returning to the prison he previously served time for manslaughter in, to help take down the cartel. APRIL 27 — 29 (NO 7 PM MOVIE APRIL 28 & 29) SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER 2020 | NR | 1h 31min Thematic elements, some sexual references. After his son Michael left over a game of Scrabble, Alan (Bill Nighy) and his family barely spoke to each other. But when a mysterious online player emerges who might be their prodigal son, Alan must find the right words before he loses everything. 22 22
CLASSIC & SPECIAL INTEREST MOVIES ARE SHOWN IN THE CLUBHOUSE CINEMA ON FRIDAYS AT 11 AM (CLOSED CAPTIONED) & 3 PM (PLEASE NOTE NEW SHOWTIMES) APRIL 30 BIG FISH APRIL 2 EASTER PARADE 1918 | NR | 1h 43min Judy Garland and Fred Astaire sing and trip the light fantastic to 17 Irving Berlin tunes in this romantic classic. The simple plot concerns a hoofer (Astaire) who teams with an inexperienced chorus girl (Garland) in order to show up his former dance partner, Nadine (Ann Miller). Berlin's tunes, which include "We're a Couple of Swells" and "Happy Easter," sparkle in Astaire and Garland's able hands (and feet). APRIL 9 - NO MOVIE APRIL 16 THE LIGHTKEEPERS 2009 | PG | 1h 36min Richard Dreyfuss stars as solitary lighthouse keeper Seth Atkins, who no longer thinks he needs women until well-kept Ruth (Mamie Gummer) and her housekeeper, Mrs. Bascom (Blythe Danner), arrive. An unexpected romance is rekindled when Seth is forced to confront a past love. Daniel Adams writes and directs this period drama set on the shores of Cape Cod, 1912. APRIL 23 GOODFELLAS 1990 | R | 2h 25min Director Martin Scorsese's gripping gangster opus recounts three decades in the life of mobster Henry Hill, who dreamed of becoming a big-time wise guy but landed in the Witness Protection Program instead. 2003 | PG-13 | 2h 5min When Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) becomes ill, his son, William (Billy Crudup), travels to be with him. They have a strained relationship because his father has always told exaggerated stories about his life. Even on his deathbed, Edward recounts fantastical anecdotes. When William, who is a journalist, starts to investigate his father's tales, he begins to understand the man and his penchant for storytelling. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OPEN Now If you would like to be listed here, contact valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com. ALL STAR GRILL 2019 SR 60 E., Lake Wales, FL 33898 (833) 679-9689, allstargrillfl.com Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11 am - 10 pm Friday & Saturday 11 am - 12 pm Happy Hour 2 - 7 pm Two time champions for best wings! Dine in or take out. Full bar with TVs, NFL Ticket, pool tables, darts, games. CHERRY POCKET STEAK N SEAFOOD SHAK 3100 Canal Rd., Lake Wales FL 33898 (863) 439-2031, www.cherrypocket.com Hours: Sun-Thurs 11 am-9 pm, Fri & Sat 11 am-10 pm We offer Indoor & Outdoor Seating, Pick-Up, & Delivery THE CROOKED BASS GRILL & TAVERN 1010 N. Scenic Hwy., Babson Park, FL 33827 (863) 589-5887, crookedbass.com Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:30 am-8 pm; Friday & Saturday 11:30 am-9 pm We serve delicious Seafood, Steaks, Burgers, Salads, Chicken, Pork Chops, Pasta, Wings, AYCE Specials & a Full Liquor Bar. Ask about karaoke & live music. 23
EVENTS EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE By Debby Landgrebe Rejoice and celebrate the blessing of Resurrection Sunday on Easter, April 4. Bring your golf carts, blankets, family, friends and neighbors. Most of all bring your heart prepared to sing praises to the Risen Lord and be filled with abundant joy! Service will begin promptly at 7 am at the Clubhouse garden/lawn overlooking Lake Ashton. Gather to hear a local pastor and sing wonderful Easter hymns. For those planning to attend their own church service, the Sunrise Service will conclude by 8 am. Socially distant eating will be available. An offering will be taken. Everyone is welcome, regardless of belief. This year in particular we certainly have many reasons to be thankful. Hope to see you Easter Sunday. Any questions, contact Debby Landgrebe. RON SEGGI’S TRIBUTE TO DICK CLARK'S CARAVAN OF STARS Radio, tv personality, entertainer, and two-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Seggi and his turbocharged orchestra perform the great songs from the top singers from the ‘50s to today in Tribute to his longtime friend, Dick Clark and his legendary “CARAVAN OF STARS." This show was rescheduled from 2020. If you purchased tickets last year they will still be valid for the 8 pm show, and additional tickets can be purchased at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. The show will be on April 10 at 8 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Tickets are $25. Purchase tickets with a check payable to LACDD, Visa, or MasterCard. SPRING BREAK K ARAOKE By Karen Nelson Join your friends and neighbors in celebrating Spring at Karaoke on, April 17 from 7 to 9:30 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Enjoy lots of singing, some prize drawings, dancing, and a cash bar. Tickets $10 per person on sale at the Activities Desk with checks payable to LAPAC. MAD TEA PAR TY Bring your best décor for a Mad Tea Party at the Clubhouse April 21 at 12 pm. Tickets are $15 each. Go mad decorating with whatever tickles your fancy, but don’t forget your teacups! Ashton Tap & Grill will provide a tea time lunch of petite sandwiches (chicken salad, cucumber cream cheese, ham salad), almond bacon crostini, hummus with veggies, and petite desserts, along with hot tea, iced tea, and water. Prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places so decorate like you need to impress the Queen of Hearts. Don’t be late for this very important date! Tickets are on sale at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. 24
Enjoy Spring Fling activities at the Clubhouse! During the month of April, there will be one activity each week leading up to Spirit Week and Senior Prom. The first activity is a Pool Party on April 1 from 2 to 6 pm. Ashton Tap & Grill will be offering a $14.99 cook-out special consisting of a hamburger, a hot dog, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and ice cream. Rock Painting with the LA Rockers will take place in the Ballroom at 3 pm on April 8. Search for Ashton Tap & Grill “free item” coupons and candy-filled eggs at the Egg Hunt April 15 at 11 am (residents can only take part in the hunt if they participate in at least two other activities). Finally, the LA Garden Club will be celebrating both Spring and Earth Day by teaching how to make seed bombs on April 22 at 3 pm in the Ballroom. These activities are free for all residents to enjoy thanks to these sponsors: Nick Toadvine of Guardian Wealth, Performance Plus, Christine Graves Insurance, Inc., and Gessler Clinic. Please sign up at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS SENIOR PROM Come reminisce at Lake Ashton's very own Senior Prom in the Clubhouse Ballroom April 30 at 7 pm. $25 tickets include light hors d’oeuvres, dessert, a beverage (spiked rum or virgin punch, bottled domestic beer, or house wine), a commemorative photo keepsake, and live entertainment by the AV Project and the Franchise Players. Singles table available. A special thanks to sponsors Miller Central Air and All About Aging for helping make this memorable night possible! Don’t forget about sPIRIT WEEK before prom! April 26 – Mascot Monday: Wear your favorite team regalia or the colors of your alma mater to Monday Coffee for a Lake Ashton pep rally. April 27 – Tacky Tuesday: Come on down to Happy Hour on the Ashton Tap & Grill patio in your tackiest get-up! One person will be crowned the tackiest of the tacky! April 28 – Way-Back Wednesday: Dress up in clothing that represents your favorite decade and dance away at a Decades Dance in the Ballroom from 7 pm to 9 pm. This is a free event thanks to our sponsor's Arts Golf Cars and Spring Haven Retirement, so stop by the Activities Desk to reserve your table and pick up your tickets! Don’t forget to grab your drinks from the cash bar! April 29 – Tropical Thursday: Guys, pull out that Hawaiian shirt your wife hates. Gals, put some hibiscus in your hair, and come on down to the luau! Enjoy tasty tropical fare from Ashton Tap & Grill. A live DJ, sponsored by Kevin Wetlin of State Farm and Matt Simpson of Edward Jones, will set the tropical vibes with great tunes from 5 to 8 pm on the outside patio! Tickets are $18 per person. (Menu: slow-cooked Kahlua pork, Hawaiian chicken kebabs, glazed carrots, green salad with pineapple vinaigrette, Hawaiian rolls, and coconut iced cake with mango whipped cream.) April 30 — Fancy Friday: Take a break and relax during the day so you can get dressed in your finest and dance the night away at Prom! 25
photo: Dennis Krupinski Living lakeside has its benefits; seeing beautiful Florida wildlife, those nice breezes, and watching seaplanes land in the water! Enjoy a Seaplane Splash-In on May 1 from 11 to noon at Ashton Tap & Grill. Keep an eye on email blasts for a restaurant special. Make your reservations by calling 863.324.5810. PIZZA AND A MOVIE What better way to enjoy a Friday night than with a pizza, beer, and a great classic movie? For $10, residents can en j o y wa t c h i ng Blues Brothers on May 21 in the Ballroom while chowing down on two large slices of pizza from Ashton Tap & Grill. Tickets include a domestic beer, glass of house wine, or non-alcoholic beverage. Doors open at 5 pm and the movie will begin at 5:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 13 at 10 am at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. SWEET & SENSATIONAL WOMEN'S LUNCHEON Enjoy an afternoon of friendship, fellowship, and food at our Sweet & Sensational luncheon on May 13 at 11:30 am. A variety of wonderful local shops and businesses will be in attendance for you to peruse before lunch. Ashton Tap & Grill will serve a plated lunch of chicken salad on a croissant with a spring spinach salad and of course something sweet. Tickets go on sale for $15 on Monday, April 5 at 10 am at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. 26 18
Missing the Best Days Long-term investing is relatively simple, but it isn’t always easy. Volatile markets tend to make investors nervous, particularly because, when the stock market drops, it receives much more attention than when it rises. We believe the best asset allocation policy in the world won’t matter much if you don’t stick to your long-term investment strategy. We don’t view stock market declines as a reason to sell quality investments. Rather, declines present an opportunity for investors with long-term goals to purchase additional investments at attractive prices. You want to be invested on the “best” days. The problem is that no one knows when these days will occur. We believe buying investments when you have the money available and staying invested gives you the best potential to achieve success. Below is an example of how your return can be impacted if you miss some of the best days to be invested. Investor Behavior Drives Investment Performance Value of a $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 $800,000 $900,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 11.62% Average Annual Return $394,617 $229,087 9.43% 7.98% $142,897 6.74% Buy and Hold Missed 10 Days Missed 20 Days Missed 30 Days $93,475 5.63% Missed 40 Days $63,129 4.62% Missed 50 Days Source: Ned Davis Research, Edward Jones calculations. 1/1/1980-10/2/2020. These calculations assume the best days, as defined as the top percentage gains for the S&P 500, including dividends, for the time period designated. These calculations do not include any commissions or transaction fees that an investor may have incurred. If these fees were included, it would have a negative impact on the return. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index and is not available for direct investment. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Dividends can be increased, decreased or eliminated at any point without notice. Dollar values rounded to the nearest $1,000. © 2019 Ned Davis Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Further distribution prohibited without prior permission. $883,952 Michael Kennedy Financial Advisor edwardjones.com Member SIPC 7100 Cypress Gardens Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33884 863-324-2486 RES-4736L-A EXP 30 APR 2021 © 2020 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 27
fiesta time 5/5 at 5 pm Clubhouse Ballroom Tickets: $15 on sale April 7 at 10 am at the Clubhouse Activities Desk (check payable to LACDD, Visa, or Master Card) full taco bar choice of beef or chicken, chips, salsa, black beans, Spanish rice, and all of the toppings, with churros for dessert Cash bar margaritas station, beer, wine, and well drinks for purchase live music and dancing 28 18
Bus Trips are back with safety precautions in place such as special air purifiers installed on all motor coaches to thoroughly clean and disinfect them before and after trips. A Waiver of Liability must be signed by each passenger in order to go on the trip. All trips include reserved round trip transportation in deluxe motor coaches from the Clubhouse. Sign up for any of the below trips at the Clubhouse Activities Desk with a check payable to Small World Tours. Lake Ashton Bus Trips Remaining 2021 Trips: APRIL 15 SPACE COAST BOAT TOUR & DIXIE CROSSROADS $89/PERSON (LAST DAY TO SIGN UP IS APRIL 12) MAY 19 GULFPORT FOODIE TOUR $99/PERSON JUNE 10 ED FLETCHER'S EARLY BIRD DINNER THEATER $78/PERSON JULY 13 PLANET HOLLYWOOD & DISNEY SPRINGS $69/PERSON AUGUST 11 SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CASINO $55/PERSON SEPTEMBER 17 KINGFISHERS CRUISE & FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE $69/PERSON OCTOBER 27 THE PRICE IS RIGHT: LIVE! $78/PERSON DECEMBER 5 - 12 NASHVILLE & MEMPHIS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOUR $2199/ PERSON (ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT! TRIP MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY OCTOBER 5) 29 18
June 4: Wine & Cheese Night June 25: It's the Beatles! w/ Liverpool Live July 4: Lake Ashton's 4th of July Weekend Celebration July 20: 1969 Moon Landing Party August 23-27: Camp Lake Ashton September 29: Oktoberfest October 30: Fall Festival November 20: LA Cruise-In Mardi Gras Parade February 19 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND CAME OUT TO WATCH! 30
GOLF LALGA By Lydia Fichtman Congratulations to the Red Team for winning the 2021 Solheim Cup! What a great two-day tournament even though the extreme winds and cooler temperatures made it challenging. All in all, it was a great event with a wonderfully well-attended luncheon at the Nest. A special shout out to Colleen Lynch and the Solheim committee for a job well done! This year is quickly coming to a close and the closing luncheon will be April 13. Please plan on attending and don’t forget that voting will soon take place for next year’s treasurer and vice president. Spotlight on Rita Lee Rita grew up in Easton PA, attended West Chester University as an undergraduate and Lehigh University for graduate school. She specialized in Elementary Education with an emphasis on reading. She had been set up, by a mutual friend, on a blind date with Michael and several years later married him and a year later moved to West Chester PA. They have been married for 43 years. Rita and Michael have two children and two grandsons. After teaching for a few years, Rita decided to stay home after having their children. Later, as the kids were older, she joined Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals and then Shire Pharmaceuticals creating training programs for those in the company that ran the clinical trials. Rita and Michael retired six years ago and had spent many of their winters in Kissimmee in their timeshare, as Rita “hates the cold, snow and winter.” She and Michael took an online survey created by PGA professionals to find the best 55+ 32 golf communities in Central Florida for them. After meeting with a realtor, also a PGA professional, he reviewed the top 6 communities and highly suggested Lake Ashton as one to consider as the best-matched community. They came to Lake Ashton on Valentine’s Day 2020 and met with the Lori at the sales office. Because many of the prime lots were selling quickly, they decided they would build a home here in LA on 8 West. They moved in several months ago. You can’t miss Rita out on the course, as her golf cart is kelly green. Rita enjoys the LALGA because of the “friendly ladies.” Many of Rita’s hobbies include playing golf, traveling, reading, knitting for charities and playing Mah Jongg. Besides her many hobbies Rita is a lifelong Girl Scout and serves on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Eastern, PA. Welcome Rita Lee! Your personality is bubbly and infectious! LALGA is so happy that you chose Lake Ashton. HOLE-IN-ONE RECOGNITION If you make a hole-in-one on either course, email a picture including the date, course, hole number, and type of club used, to valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com to be featured in the next edition of the LA Times! LA NINERS By Diane Struble Where did the season go? This month brings the end of the winter schedule. Closing luncheon is April 6. A delicious lunch along with end-of-the-year gifts, a raffle, and a few surprises will make for a good time. Niners, be sure to wear your name tags! The summer schedule will begin April 13 with heatsensitive games to allow the group to play when the temperature soars. Remember ladies — continue to meet before golf on Tuesdays in the parking lot, wear your mask, hear the latest news, and catch up with friends. Two positions on the board will be filled: Vice President & Treasurer. Outgoing President Cindy Mendez, and Treasurer Elizabeth Meigel did a fantastic job and will be sorely missed. New members are always welcomed! Contact Mary Lopez at 615.796.3184 or sisterlopez1@yahoo.com.
LAMGA By Paul Fichtman LAMGA’s March was highlighted by the very popular 4-day Member/Guest tournament March 4 — 6. The tournament kicked off with a Pretournament Party consisting of Pizza, Hors d’oeuvres and beer, sponsored by Chris Bruser, Reverse Mortgage Specialist – Mutual of Omaha. 42 two-man teams competed through 5 nine-hole rounds of match play for $840 in prize money. The top three teams in each of seven flights won $120, $80 and $40 in Pro Shop credits per team for finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. On Thursday and Friday each team that was closest to pin won $10 in Pro Shop credits. The tournament included breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday and a closing Awards Luncheon on Saturday. Thursday’s breakfast was sponsored by Burris Warner of Amerity Financial. Additionally, Art’s Golf Cars, Red Hoagland Hyundai and Snowbird Heating and Cooling went above and beyond the normal hole sponsorship by contributing a number of special prizes. WELCOME Dr Steven Reddick has been serving Lake Wales and surrounding areas for 35+ years. Our office offers services that included implants, crowns/ bridges, veneers, dentures/partials, root canal therapy, extractions, periodontal treatment, fillings and whitening. “ Gentle and kind. We have been patients for many years and highly recommend Dr Reddick. Ted and Louise Price Residents of Lake Aston OFFICE HOURS Monday - Wednesday: 7-5 Thursday: 7-4 OFFICE: (863)676-6507 FAX: (863)678-0424 Dr. Steven Reddick 440 South Buckmoore Rd Lake Wales, Fl 33853 reddickdentistry@aol.com www.reddickdentistry.com Cash, Check, and all major credit cards accepted. Snowbird Heating and Cooling sponsored a hole-in one-contest for which the prize was a new, installed A/C unit plus a tent with free beer, snacks and beverages and a raffle for 48 golf balls and a $100 Pro Shop gift certificate. Art’s Golf Cars sponsored Friday’s closest to the pin on all 4 par 3s: the prizes included a new set of Trojan batteries, installed; two $100 and one $200 gift certificates for merchandise in the Eagle’s Nest or Pro Shop. Finally, Red Hoagland Hyundai sponsored a shootout for closest to the pin following Thursday’s round with seven $25 gift certificates to the Eagle’s Nest or Pro Shop for the winner of each flight. A list of all the sponsors, sorted by category, is posted on the LAMGA web site on lakeashtonliving.com and the Talk of Lake Ashton site, as well as on the bulletin board in the Pro Shop. Please support these generous sponsors with your business when you are in need of one of their products or services. Special thanks are also extended to all the wives who volunteered to help with the tournament registration and the entire Pro Shop and Eagle’s Nest staffs for helping to run the smoothest tournament possible. SPECIAL NEW PATIENT For Patients Without Insurance $ ” 82 Includes: Panoramic X-Ray (D0330) Bitewing X-Rays (D0274) Examination by Dr. Reddick (D0150) Regular Cleaning by Hygienist (D1110) Cleaning not guaranteed the same day. Additional charges may apply if gum disease and/or tarter build up are present. Patients with Dental Insurance: Our office will file services to your primary insurance provider and will accept the insurance payment only. You will not be billed for the difference for the services mentioned above, for this special promotion only. Dental Insurance accepted: Our office accepts and works with most major dental insurance companies. We will file your primary insurance claim, and answer any questions you have about your plan. We offer Implant consultatons at no charge. The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment. Fees may vary due to complexity of case. This special does not apply to those patients with current dental plans. Fees are minimal. Prices are subject to change. 33
CLUBS BLANKETS OF LOVE (BOLLA) By Pat Neaves WOW! Trash to Treasure 2021 was a big hit! It was well attended by residents and the general public. Everyone at the sign-in was appreciative of the COVID protocol in place. Blankets of Love could not have experienced this success without the support from the residents of Lake Ashton. Many were generous in donating items and participating in the Friday Resident Only evening. Thank you to all the men who so willingly provided helping hands. Without them there would be no Trash to Treasure. Although the event is sponsored by Blankets of Love, it is truly a community success. The BOLLA ladies thank all of you for giving them the opportunity to continue making blankets for children in crisis in Polk County. With teamwork, anything is possible. Thank you for being part of this team! There are many special people in Lake Ashton; however, to the BOLLA group there are two in particular. Without Dan and Carol Begy Trash to Treasure 2021 would not have been possible. The Begys allowed the group to store donated items in their RV garage last March. When COVID shut everything down, these wonderful people allowed the items to remain stored for an additional year. Their kindness will never be forgotten. TUESDAY BRIDGE By George Rogers Tuesday noon bridge restarted March 2. Winners: Pauline Pare, Nancy Golding, Graham Littlehales March 9: Nancy Golding, Graham Littlehales, Maureen Ziegler. A good time was had by all. Anyone wanting to play in April please contact George Rogers 419.708.3320, georgerogers4321@gmail.com. 34 LA DEMOCRATIC CLUB By Shelley Miller The Lake Ashton Democratic Club will hold their April monthly meeting April 1 at 4 pm via Zoom. The speaker for this meeting is Karen Welzel, Polk County Democratic Party State Committeewoman. Karen will discuss the Florida State Executive Committee status. Also on the agenda will be a presentation describing club committees and information on how to become involved in the LA Democratic Club. For mor e information, please email lakeashtondemocraticclub@gmail.com. SINGLES GROUP By Maureen Ziegler The LA Singles group plans activities for Lake Ashton residents who are single. The group meets on the first Sunday of the month at 2 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. If you would like to join in activities with other single individuals, attend the meeting on April 11 (a week later because the first Sunday of April falls on Easter). At the March meeting, plans were made to provide the senior orphans with gifts in July. Several outdoor upcoming events were discussed including the Water Ski show at Lake Silver on March 24. DUPLIC ATE BRIDGE By Don Fuller – ACBL Certified Director Duplicate Bridge returns to Lake Ashton on April 5. Challenge your brain and take pride as you watch your skills improve while participating in this competitive form of the game. The Lake Ashton group consists of players of all skill levels. The only requirement: know the basics of bridge. Games are every Monday in the Ballroom beginning at 12:45 pm and last approximately 2.5 hours. A sign-up sheet is available in the Clubhouse. You will need a partner, however singles are encouraged to sign up as they can usually be matched with a partner. For more information, please email Dfuller627@yahoo.com or call 863. 324.2255
CAM E R A C L U B By Larry Hillock The weather has been ideal and hopefully many of you have been getting some great photographs. The Camera Club is a great place to share your photos with others that enjoy the same hobby. Next meeting will be April 12 at 10:30 am in the Cinema. Bring along some of your pictures on a USB drive to share. The club is open to all Lake Ashton residents. LA GENEALOGY CLUB By Jane Imparl The next meeting is April 14 at 2 pm in the HFC Craft Room. Come join and continue the journey looking for our ancestors. All levels of expertise are welcome. Social distancing and masks are used so that all stay safe. Call Jane at 815.545.6655 for more information. LA V A A UXILIAR Y By Chris Graves Next meeting: April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse near the stage. Members can bring to the meeting the suggestions for events and other ideas to let veterans know that they are not forgotten. During the meeting the ideas are discussed and plans are made to bring smiles to the veterans and those serving in the military. All are welcome! Save the Date for the Craft Fair Fundraiser on October 23. More than 40 vendors will be participating. In addition, there will be three Lotto Scratch Off Raffle trees (red, white and blue). The raffle and proceeds from the Craft Fair will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s Polk County Tiny Home Community. LA REPUBLICAN CLUB By Brenda Bush-Sayre The Lake Ashton Republican Club will hold their monthly meeting April 28 at the Clubhouse Ballroom. Social time begins at 3:30 pm and the meeting will be from 4 to 5 pm. All Lake Ashton residents are welcome to attend. Contact: Brenda Bush-Sayre, bbs1954@icloud.com, 813.313.9911. 36 Patrick Smith APRN, FNP-C, OWNER 863-800-9657 veteransholisticcare@gmail.com Kelley Maxwell EMT, Manager LA NIGHT & WEEKEND WA R R I O R S By Denise Tessier The Lake Ashton Night & Weekend Warriors group held their fun first meet & greet social on February 16. The group was created to help those still working, or who have other daytime commitments, meet up on “off-hours.” Many creative ideas for future events were exchanged. April will likely feature a Sunday night pool party/cookout in the HFC Rose Garden, and a bowling or bocce night. All are welcome. For more information, contact Denise Tessier at GraDeeRV@gmail.com or 413.219.4525. LA PICKLEBALL By Valerie Metzner Each time a player approaches the pickleball courts a few things happen. The sun shines a little brighter. The birds sing a little sweeter and the floating clouds look just a little fluffier. It's not common knowledge, but rose colored glasses are standard equipment for playing pickleball. After all, with a name like "pickleball" it's hard not to approach it with a smile. Playing a fun game that's easy to learn and can be played for many years is a rare find. One must take advantage of these opportunities as they come along. And wowie-zowie, the friendships that develop are the unsung benefit of playing! Oh sure, running around and smacking a plastic ball is fun all by itself, but mix in friendly neighbors playing along, and that is a winning recipe. Take a chance on making new friends while challenging yourself to learn a new sport.
SASSY LASSIES By Mary Ranheim Hooray! The Sassy Lassie Ladies are back after one year in isolation! Through this past one year apart, everyone is now ready to celebrate continuing friendships! Getting “feet wet,” six of the Lassies were able to meet for lunch at the Clubhouse in February. Honored guest was Ann Gramme, Honorary Member Judy Gramme’s daughter. It was wonderful to meet her and hear loving words and memories about her mom who passed away recently. Starting in March, the Lassies will be meeting for lunch at Ashton Tap and Grill every second Wednesday of the month until further notice! Queen Mum Debby Landgrebe will keep us all informed and will ask for reservations to be made every month. LA SWIM CLUB By Sandy White Congratulations to Carol Myatt, Cathy Liska, Sharon Swanson, Kathy Reed, and Sandy Papineau (pictured below) who not only represented the community at the Lee County Senior Games on March 6 but also had a good experience, improved their times, and brought home 15 medals. The LA Swim Club continues to grow and provides fun, fellowship, fitness, and competition for Lake Ashton residents. The focus of the club is encouraging and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the competition part is learning new things, improving fitness, and having the opportunity to compete at the local, state, and national levels. The current competitive members enjoy working out with friends and helping new members learn to improve swimming technique. LASC o f f e r s s ome t h i ng f o r everyone. Some members lap swim on their own. Some come to one or more of the scheduled clinics & practices (Mondays at 6 pm, Wednesdays at 1:45 pm, and Saturdays at 10 am) in which some do the planned workout and some modify it to fit their swim level or interest; and most think the favorite part of the clinic is the warm-down in the hot tub. To find out more or get involved contact volunteer coach Sandy White at sandyw1994@aol.com.
THINK & MIND&BODY BOB ROSS OIL PA I N T I N G Instructor: Kay Lenherr April 10 at 1 pm, Clubhouse Craft Room Topic: Eddie the Egret Cost $35 — payable at class CERAMIC CHICKS Chairperson: Joan DiBattista Wednesdays, 8 am to 1 pm, HFC Craft Room Bring your ceramics or purchase in the room. A kiln is available to fire your ceramics. CBD CLASS A CBD educational class will be held April 7 at 11 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Learn about the benefits of CBD and how it can better your health Q&A and free samples will be available. Please sign up at the Activities Desk or on the online form. YO G A S H A R E R E S U M I N G Wednesdays at 8:45 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom, beginning April 7. Sign up in advance at the Clubhouse Activities Desk as the first class will be limited to 12. The numbers will change at a later date as determined. Questions? Call Sally Winfrey at 863.875.8134 or 316.516.2815. LAKE ASHTON TRIVIA ANSWER There are 3 lakes in Lake Ashton. Lake Hart - 73 acres (about half of the lake is located in Lake Ashton) Rattlesnake Lake - 120 acres, and Lake Ashton - 413 acres. DRINK: THE MAN WHO MAKES THE TOW E R S I N G Join Geert D'hollander, the carillonneur of Bok Tower, on May 7 at 6:30 pm. Geert will be speaking on his career as a carillonneur and how he came to Bok Tower. He will also be sharing some of the secrets of the Tower as well. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions at the end of the presentation. Sign up for this exciting Think & Drink at the Clubhouse Activities Desk or on the online form! CHECK OUT THESE CLASSES AT THE HFC! AQ U A R E L OAD E D Instructor: Laurie Heverly Monday at noon, Wednesday & Friday at 10 am Water aerobics class supports the body, putting less stress on your joints and muscles. It helps build strength. TRIPLE B: BAT WINGS, BELLIES & BULGES Instructor: Laurie Heverly Wednesdays 9 am These are three main areas of the body that both women and men need more exercise to tone. It is a fun class that you won’t realize that you are actually working out! CLASSIC AL S TRETCH Instructor: Laurie Heverly Mondays & Thursdays at 11 am This class will help rebalance your body, increase mobility and flexibility, while keeping all 650 muscles and 360 joints healthy and pain-free. SEE THE HFC CALENDAR INSER T FOR MORE CLASS OFFERINGS
VOLUNTEERS MAKE LAKE ASHTON GO ‘ROUND! Stop by the Clubhouse and put a note of thanks on the Volunteer Wall of Thanks and Praise during the month of April. Monday, April 19: We “Donut” Know What We Would Do Without You! Volunteers can enjoy free donuts and coffee BETWEEN 7:30 & 8:30 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom Tuesday, April 20: The HFC is giving out carnations TO VOLUNTEERS BETWEEN 1 & 4 PM Wednesday, April 21: Lake Ashton has “Fun”-tastical Volunteers! Grab a bag of “PUNNY” treats in the Clubhouse Ballroom BETWEEN 10 am & 4 pm Thursday, April 22: VOLUNTEERS CAN Get a candy bar at the HFC BETWEEN 1 & 4 PM Friday, April 23: Our Volunteers are the Sweetest! Volunteers can enjoy free ice cream BETWEEN noon & 2 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom, and get annuals AT THE HFC BETWEEN 2 & 4 PM To obtain an accurate count please sign up for these free events and giveaways at the corresponding location.
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