L.A. TIMES Lake Ashton Community Newsletter August 2025 Simply the Best! 4141 Ashton Club Drive Lake Wales, FL 33859 863.324.6032 863.324.5457 Lake Ashton is a 55 & Older Deed Restricted Community www.lakeashtoncdd.com
YOUR ON-SITE REAL ESTATE OFFICE NO CANCELLATION FEES for Listing Contracts HOME WARRANTY for your New Buyer - up to $650 MOVE-OUT CLEANING 863-318-9542 Lori R., Candra Terri & Sarah Not Pictured: Lori Tofanelli *On Medical Leave Lake Ashton Realty 4140 Ashton Club Drive Lake Wales, FL 33859 www.LakeAshtonRealty.com
NEWSLETTER STAFF Christine Wells Editor cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com 863.324.5457 Valerie LeBlanc Advertising Sales, Layout & Design valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com SUBMISSION GUIDELINES September Issue Deadline: August 13 • 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, clarity, and to ensure compliance with districts’ media policies • 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 CAROLE SITES AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN 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! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any comments, questions or concerns. LAKE ASHTON CLUBHOUSE 4141 Ashton Club Drive Lake Wales, FL 33859 Phone: 863-324-5457 lakeashtoncdd.com LACDD Community Director: Christine Wells cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Office Manager: Sheila Moreland smoreland@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Activities Assistant: Caroline Lane, 863-324-6032 clane@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Operations Manager: Matt Fisher, 863-956-6207 mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com LW Homeowners Association (HOA) Golf Club - Ian Peterson, Head Golf Professional Kevin Baker, GM Eagles Nest - Sandra Goodwin, Manager RV & Storage Center Office Hours Charm City Nik Minadakis, Owner EmpowerMe Wellness LAKE ASHTON HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER (HFC) 6052 Pebble Beach Boulevard Winter Haven, FL 33884 Phone: 863-595-1562 lakeashton2cdd.org LAIICDD Community Director: Karen Van Kirk kvankirk@lakeashton2cdd.com LAIICDD Assistant Community Director: Krystle Funk kfunk@lakeashton2cdd.com HFC Activities Assistant: Louise Crespin lcrespin@lakeashton2cdd.com 863-325-0065 directors@lakeashtonhoa.org lakeashtonhoa.com 863-326-1032 ipeterson@lakeashtongc.com kevin.baker@troon.com 863-326-1085 sgoodwin@lakeashtongc.com 863.326.1304 Tues & Thurs jsullivan@lakeashtonstorage.com 8 am to 4 pm 863-662-3300 charmcityfl@gmail.com 863-358-0809 kshipley@empowerme.com In case of emergency, dial 911! Lake Wales Police: 863-678-4223 Winter Haven Police: 863-291-5858 Polk County Sheriff: 863-298-6200 3 Thompson Nursery Rd. (LW) Gate House Security: 863-324-7290 County Road 653 (WH) Gate House Security: 863-318-0237 AUGUST 2025
MONDAY COFFEE Meet new neighbors and to hear about local community happenings, community events and receive information on current projects within Lake Ashton. Mondays at 9 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom — coffee & donuts available for $3. AUGUST 4 • Birthdays and Anniversaries • Featured Speaker: Sugar Barn • Featured Vendors: Christine Graves Insurance, Home Instead AUGUST 11 • Bite Me Monday — Donations of pet food and/or supplies for the Humane Society of Polk County • Featured Speaker: Main Street Winter Haven • Featured Vendors: Edward Jones - Matt Simpson, Park Avenue Hair Place Massages by Courtney AUGUST 18 - NO MONDAY COFFEE - LACDD MEETING & JOINT MEETING • Peanut Butter Monday - Non-perishable food donations will go to the Lake Wales Care Center to distribute to families in need AUGUST 25 • Featured Speaker: AdventHealth • Featured Vendors: Iceberg Home Services, Horizon Wealth Planning - Michael Kennedy The Bloodmobile will be in the Clubhouse West Parking Lot 8:30 am to 2 pm. KNIFE & SCISSORS SHARPENING The Lake Ashton Woodworkers continue to sharpen knives and scissors as a fundraiser. Contact Fred or Shelba Powell if you are in need of their services at 863-280-6546. IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 6 LA LOOKS 16 SAFETY 20 MOVIES 22 EVENTS 24 CLUBS 26 MIND & BODY 34 GOLF 36 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS LAKE ASHTON (LW) CDD Monday, August 18 9 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom JOINT MEETING WITH LA II CDD TO FOLLOW AT 11 AM LAKE ASHTON II (WH) CDD Thursday, August 21 9 am at the Health & Fitness Center CIT Y COMMISSION MEETINGS LW: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 6 pm, Commission Chambers, Municipal Administration Bldg., 201 W. Central Ave., Lake Wales WH: 2nd & 4th Mondays at 6:30 pm, John Fuller Auditorium in City Hall, 451 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven POLK COUNT Y BOCC MEETINGS 1st & 3rd Tues. , 9 am, Board Room, 330 W. Church St., Bartow
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HOURS OF OPERATION CLUBHOUSE: 6 am – 10 pm daily CLUBHOUSE OFFICES: 9 am – 5 pm Mon. – Fri. RFID/Amenity Access Card Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 10 am – 1 pm, and by appointment HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER: 5:30 am – 10 pm daily HFC OFFICES & ACTIVITIES DESK: 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday BAXTER’ S QUAL ITY MEATS Get fresh poultry, fish, and beef in the Clubhouse West parking lot Wednesdays from 9:30 am to Noon BOOKMOBILE Second & fourth Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:15) in the Clubhouse West Parking Lot. Polk County library card holders can check out and return books, movies, & more! SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE UPCOMING MONDAY COFFEE SPEAKERS! September 8: Supervisor of Elections - Melony Bell September 29: Polk County Commissioner Rick Wilson and Polk County Roads and Drainage Director Jay Jarvis November 10: Resident Author Cary Davis CARY R. DAVIS, AUTHOR Drawing on his experiences as a U.S. Army veteran and former sniper, Cary R. Davis delivers a unique and intense perspective in his debut novel, Arcturus. Set against the backdrop of the first Gulf War, the story initially unfolds as a raw war narrative before venturing into the bizarre and ultimately the terrifying. With Arcturus, Davis establishes himself as a compelling new voice in war fiction. Originally from Pittsburgh, Davis served in the United States Army where he not only jumped out of perfectly good aircraft with the 82nd Airborne, but was also one of the Army’s top snipers. A father of three, Davis now lives in Lake Ashton with his wife Lynn, and little dog Lulu where he slings words and oil paint full-time. Don’t miss his special presentation at Monday Coffee November 10 at 9 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom! SMART SOCIAL MEDIA: SHARE THOUGHTFULLY, READ CAREFULLY While social media can facilitate connections and information sharing, it also presents significant challenges to community well-being. Concerns include the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and the erosion of face-to-face interactions. Social media can exacerbate existing social divisions and contribute to mental health issues. Please be cautious when posting things on social media or using these platforms to gather information. Some things may be true while others are not. It is recommended to reach out to Staff (contact information on page 3) or Supervisors (contact information on page 5 and 6) with any concerns or questions.
LACDD NEWS What’s new at the Clubhouse? Stop by the Clubhouse Fitness Center to try out the new Smith Machine. While you are there also try out the new bench with Leg Curl and Preacher Curl attachments. By Christine Wells, LA (LW) CDD Community Director (cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com) Stop by the Clubhouse Lobby this month to check out John Moore's breadth of artistic talent. John (pictured at right) is truly a jack of all trades. He taught line dancing at Lake Ashton for over 18 years, sews, sings, and is an accomplished artist with several ribbons for his artwork. He has an infectious smile, stories for days, and is always willing to help anyone. You will often find John at Monday Coffee or sitting on his front porch enjoying the outdoors. The year is more than half over already, but there are many more fun things to come! Be sure to check out the Events section on page 24 to read more about upcoming neighborhood activities including 3 more Summer Music Series events and a Fall Festival in November. The dates have been booked for the 2026 Entertainment Series. Please take a look at page 25 for more information There is never a shortage of fun at Lake Ashton! LACDD BOARD OF SUP ERVISO RS CONTA CT INF O Brenda Van Sickle, Chair 863-324-6191 brenda.vansickle@lakeashtoncdd.com Michael Costello, Vice Chair 863-875-9228 or 732-718-7431 mcostello@lakeashtoncdd.com Debby Landgrebe, Assistant Secretary 863-268-8193 dlandgrebe@lakeashtoncdd.com Steve Realmuto, Assistant Secretary 863-949-0304, steve.lacdd@gmail.com Office Hours After Monday Coffee in the Clubhouse Ballroom Greg Ulrich, Assistant Secretary 863-969-7595 gulrich@lakeashtoncdd.com Supervisors met on June 21 to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget and attend to other Board matters. A wrap up report of actions taken was sent via email. The budget was adopted with no increase to the assessment for Lake Wales residents. The Operations and Maintenance fee ($2,569 for Lake Wales residents) will be listed on the non-ad valorem taxes section on the bottom of your tax bill which will be received in the next several months. The fiscal year 2026 meeting schedule was adopted and the dates are listed below. Please stay tuned to electronic media for any changes to the meeting schedule as voted on by the Board of Supervisors. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings in person or via Zoom. Residents can reach out to Supervisors (contact information to the left) with any questions. In addition, residents can reach out to staff members (contact information on page 3) with questions or concerns. We want to help! October 20, 2025, November 17, 2025, December 15, 2025 January 26, 2026, February 16, 2026, March 16, 2026 (also budget workshop), April 20, 2026, May 18, 2026, June 15, 2026, July 20, 2026, August 17, 2026, September 21, 2026
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LAIICDD NEWS By Karen Van Kirk, LAIICDD Community Director (kvankirk@lakeashton2cdd.com) LA II CDD BOARD OF SUP ERVISO RS Jim Mecsics, Chairman Public Safety & District Operations/Programs Office Hours: Tuesdays 9:30 am to 12 pm 863.875.4554, mecsicsj@msn.com Bob Zelazny, Vice Chairman Golf Course, Pro Shop, Eagles Nest, Facilities and Field Operation, Transportation System Office Hours: Mondays 1 to 3 pm 863.325.8098, bzelazny@lakeashton2cdd.com Bill Martin, Assistant Secretary Public Works & Infrastructure, Including Roadways Office Hours: Mondays from 10 to 11 am bmartin@lakeashton2cdd.com Duff Hill, Assistant Secretary Special Projects, Landscaping Area, Pet Play Parks Office Hours: Wednesdays from 11 am to 12 pm duffhill5429@gmail.com Roy Aull, Assistant Secretary Facilities/Amenity Management Office Hours: Friday 9 to 10:30 am 973-670-2709, raull@lakeashton2cdd.com the newest member of our fitness program. Upcoming social events including the Pig Roast featuring mouth-watering BBQ and music by Brenda James and the Smoking 45’s, on Friday, August 8th, and the HFC also welcomes back The Dukes, a popular band with Lake Ashton residents, on August 22. Watch for details about these two events featured in weekly emails or stop by the HFC activities desk to purchase tickets. The Board of Supervisors LA II CDD meeting is also taking place on Thursday, August 21. During this meeting we will be discussing the final approval of the annual budget before it is sent to the tax commissioner. We encourage Lake Ashton’s Winter Haven residents to attend, either in person or via ZOOM. An email is sent out a week in advance including how to log onto ZOOM. You can also access the minutes of the previous meeting by visiting lakeashton2cdd.org. The Joint CDD Meeting will be August 18 at the Clubhouse. You can pick up a copy of the “Home Hurricane Preparedness Checklist” at the HFC. Be prepared and stay safe, as we look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events whether you are looking to socialize with your neighbors, to learn something new, or stay informed. August is typically the hottest and wettest month of the year in Florida. Despite the heat, it can be a wonderful time to enjoy the region’s beautiful beaches, warm ocean waters, and last-minute hotel deals. With students returning to school, the latter half of the month often brings lighter crowds and a more relaxed pace. What about those dog days of summer; a saying often referenced when thinking of the month of August? It never hurts to be reminded by animal health officials of precautions pet owners should take to ensure their pets do not suffer heat exhaustion or injury during the hottest time of year. •Access to fresh, cool water and shaded areas, •Avoid exercising pets during the hottest parts of the day, especially on hot surfaces such as pavement or asphalt, which can easily burn paws. •Never leave pets in parked vehicles, even for short periods or tethered out-of-doors or in a non-airconditioned room. Be sure to take care of yourself as well. There are fun indoor activities at the HFC including a variety of crafts, sewing options and indoor games. Want to learn something new? There is a Spanish class every Tuesday or find out about your ancestors through the Genealogy class every 2nd Wednesday of each month. The HFC also offers a host of exercise programs including Pilates with
FDIC-Insured CDs With Market-Linked Growth Potential Up To: 6% 5 year term Goldman Sachs Bank USA APY as of 7/21/25, FDIC insured up to $250,000, minimum purchase of $100,000 May be subject to early withdrawal penalty. Rates subject to market fluctuation and availability. 863-340-6225 CALL TODAY Horizon Wealth Planning 1950 Cypress Gardens Blvd Suite C Winter Haven, Fl 33884 Michael.Kennedy@horizonwealthplan.com Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Horizon Wealth Planning is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. ABOUT FDIC INSURANCE Currently, the FDIC limits the insured amount (including principal and interest) for all deposits held in the same capacity to $250,000 per depositor, per insured depository institution and $250,000 for certain retirement accounts. The FDIC has permanently increased insurance coverage to $250,000 for deposits held in all ownership categories, including single accounts, joint accounts and trust accounts. Therefore, excess holdings may not be insured. IRAs and certain other retirement accounts will maintain the $250,000 insurance coverage. ABOUT LIQUIDITY Funds may not be withdrawn until the maturity date or redemption date. However, the brokered CDs are negotiable, which means that, although not obligated to do so, Raymond James and other broker/dealers presently maintain an active secondary market at current interest rates. Market value will fluctuate and, if the CD is cashed out prior to maturity, the proceeds may be more or less than the original purchase price. Holding CDs until term assures the holder of par value redemption. CDs are redeemable at par upon the death of the beneficial holder. For a detailed overview of these and other risks, refer to the Certificate of Deposit Disclosure Statement at raymondjames.com/liquid.htm. Additional information is also available on the SEC Certificates of Deposit website at investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/ investmentproducts/certificates-deposit-cds. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., is a broker-dealer, is not a bank, and is not an FDIC member. All references to FDIC insurance coverage in relation to Brokered CDs and/or Market-Linked CDs address FDIC insurance coverage, up to applicable limits, at the insured depository institution that is disclosed in the offering documents. FDIC insurance only covers the failure of FDIC-insured depository institutions, not Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC insurance coverage to apply. 11
JOINT AMENI TY FACI L I T I ES POL ICI ES HIGHLIGHT This is an excerpt from the Joint Amenity Facilities Policies. The full policy can be found by visiting http://www.lakeashtoncdd.com or http:// www.lakeashton2cdd.org. Questions regarding these policies can be directed to Christine Wells, LA (LW) CDD Community Director or Karen Van Kirk, LA (WH) CDD Community Director. Contact information can be found on page 3. xv. MEDIA 1. Districts’ Media (as defined herein) is provided for the dissemination of factual community information by the Districts to Patrons. The District hereby adopts a no commercial advertisements policy, including those related to Political Issues. This policy provides that the District will not, through its e-blast system, website, on the recreational facilities walls or grounds or through other District medium, allow commercial advertisements of any kind, regardless of content. The only commercial advertisements permitted are those that are of official District or Club events, as determined by the Amenity Manager. 2. It is the intent of the Districts to maintain Media as a non-public forum for the dissemination of factual community information by the Districts to Patrons. 3. Clubs that meet the criteria for a Club under the Policies and are properly registered with the Amenity Manager, may submit material for inclusion in Media. 4. All information included in Media shall be limited to factual information, shall not advocate passage or defeat of a candidate, party, measure or other Political Issue, and shall not support, endorse or oppose a candidate for nomination or election to a public office or office of political party or public officer. 5. The provisions hereunder regarding Media shall not be interpreted to prohibit any publications, postings, mailings or information produced, endorsed or circulated by the Supervisor of Elections, local, state, federal or other government of competent jurisdiction over the Districts or to such publications, postings, mailings or information permitted under local, state or federal law. 6. The Districts may accept paid political advertising that complies with Chapter 106, Florida Statutes, and all applicable local, state and federal laws. The advertising rates for such paid political advertising shall be the same as those rates charged to other members of the public for paid advertising. It is the sole responsibility of the party submitting the paid political advertising to ensure the advertisements compliance with all laws, including, but not limited to, those laws requiring mandatory language and/or a disclaimer within the paid political advertising. 7. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Districts reserve full editorial rights to select, exclude, modify, add or delete material submitted for inclusion in Media, including the right to edit material relating to Political Issues, and the Districts additionally reserve the right to include a disclaimer in Media noting the LA CDD and LAII CDD does not endorse or support a particular candidate, party, measure or issue.
Enjoying Your Community! Are you new to Lake Ashton Community, or unsure how to get involved with a group or activity? By taking part in your community, you can create a strong support group of those who share your common interests and values. Being an active member of your community is key to creating lasting bonds and friendships. If you’d like to get involved but aren’t quite sure where to start, here are some ideas: 1. Read Up: Check the monthly LA Times newsletter, calendars, and email blasts. Extra copies of the newsletter and calendars are located at both Activities Desks and are also sent out via email blast. These are the easiest ways to see the available groups and activities that Lake Ashton has to offer. 2. Ask Around: Don’t be afraid to ask any residents you run into throughout the day about something you see they are involved in. You can also stop at either Activities Desk and staff will be happy to help you connect with group leaders or suggest a fun activity to try. 3. Attend Monday Coffee: Join staff and residents in the Clubhouse Ballroom every Monday (except holidays and CDD Meeting days) at 9 a.m. to discuss updates on activities, facility maintenance, and other community news. Enjoy coffee and refreshments for $3 with your neighbors. 4. Ease into It: Start small. You don’t have to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to community groups and activities. Create small goals that are attainable, such as finding one or two activities per month. 5. Do Your Part: Dedicate time towards volunteering and contributing to Lake Ashton groups and activities in addition to other community non-profit groups. Volunteer opportunities are often listed in the LA Times Monthly Newsletter and sent out in email blasts. This is a fantastic way to meet those in the area and give back. 6. Your Turn: If you don’t find something that you love, create your own group or activity! If you have the time, this is a great way to display your originality and creativity. The key is to find what you are passionate about and share it with others. The Clubhouse and HFC Activities Desks are more than willing to help! Clubhouse Activities Desk: 863.324.6032 HFC Activities Desk: 863.595.1562 Facilitator volunteer opportunities are available for the following groups: 1. Caregivers Support Group 2. Recycling Cans for Literacy 3. Widows and Widowers Connection These groups are no longer active due to needing a facilitator to coordinate meetings and activities. To get more information regarding these opportunities please reach out to LACDD Community Director Christine Wells at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com.
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT By Marianne Zak Lynda Hadley of Dunmore Drive, joined the Army at eighteen, "to make more out of my life". As a Signal Communications Specialist, she was tasked with setting up communication in military field tactical operations. She realized her duties would place her at a high risk of becoming "one of the first targets!". The Army taught her decision-making skills and the confidence to think on her feet. The extreme physical demands of her assignment as a Wire Systems Operator caused repeated injury to her neck and back. This eventually led to degenerative damage to her spine and she was diagnosed with Myofacial Pain Syndrome. Lynda is now a disabled veteran who is determined to live a full life in spite of her chronic pain and physical limitations. While visiting her father in Lake Wales, Lynda discovered Lake Ashton, and she "fell in love with the small town atmosphere". Known as a giver, "whatever it is, I want to make it better". Lynda became an HOA Board Member and volunteered at the Activities Desk. As a talented woodworker and designer, she has built sets for LA parties (The Pirate, Valentines, Octoberfest, etc.), as well as volunteering for the Activities Committee and LAPAC for the Haunted House and Talent Show sets. As the 2024 president of The Black Heritage Club, Ly n d a s u c c e s s f u l l y spearheaded the first Juneteenth event. She diligently worked building the decorations for what may become a tradition here in Lake Ashton! Lynda earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from CALU in Sports Management and was a Personal Fitness Trainer and Health Coach for over twenty years. She has written articles on health and fitness for the "LA Times", sharing her knowledge and inspiring residents to stay healthy. Lynda enjoys visiting her hometown of Philadelphia, visiting with her son and other family and friends. !"#$%#$& '()*#+(, -.()(/ ! #$%&'$()&*+ ,-)$.&/. ! #$%&'$()&*+ 0()$.&/. ! 1/22$.3&*+ ,-)$.&/. ! 1/22$.3&*+ 0()$.&/. !"## %&'()*'#& %%%0",'(-./"&,-/&.01"2 0($*() 2"345) !"#$%&'( )'&*'(+",'(-./"&,-/&.01"2 34567 9:;#5<=: 67,%#$ 2"345) !"#$%&'( >?@./&+",'(-./"&,-/&.01"2 39<=7 =4A#99:< Veteran Owned & Operated Family Owned
L.A. LOOKS Wildlife Corner Photo & Article By Barbara Ann Comer The Sandhill Crane, the original yearround resident of Lake Ashton, is a species that one cannot overlook. Because the Cranes in Central Florida are non-migratory, residents can enjoy their life cycle. It begins with elaborate courtship displays involving spreading of wings, leaps and loud rattles. Things quiet down when the nest mound is built, usually in a marshy area and two eggs (typically) are laid and incubated by both parents for about a month. Since colts (baby cranes) are precocious, they parade after their parents the day after hatching. The parents feed them a diet of insects and aquatic plants, supplemented with yummy delicacies such as rodents, snails, frogs, lizards and snakes. Feeding Sandhill Cranes is against the law, gives them rickets (causing drooping bills and deformed legs) and makes them aggressive. It's best to just observe their life cycle from a distance, and not interfere. KEEPING YOUR PLANTS THRIVING By Lynn Davis Keeping your plants thriving can be mind boggling in Central Florida, but not impossible. This is the debut of a monthly tip and suggestion article for those wishing to conquer. When you arrived from outside of Florida, especially up North, you quickly learned some things that don’t thrive here. Don’t fret. A great place to start is to choose Native Plants. One of the most tried and true Native is blue daze. Another variety is called blue my mind. This plant is great for low maintenance and instant color. Its showy blue flowers mound and bloom all year-round. It can be pruned back to keep it from getting leggy. I pull it up and clip to make it look natural. It also can be placed in containers and looks wonderful matched with the silvery foliage of dusty millers. One bit of caution! Rabbits seem to love to feast on the newly planted plants. I have had success placing a cage made from chicken wire or spraying a mixture of mouthwash, dish liquid and a splash of water around new plants. Rabbits don’t like the smell but remember to reapply after heavy rain for best results. Blue daze are a great plant to start your Florida garden experience. LA (LW) HOA We still have a board position that needs to be filled and need volunteers to help with the ARC committees. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated - even an hour a week would be welcomed! Contact directors@lakeashtonhoa.org Stay Informed – register today for your HOA account with Stambaugh, our HOA Management Company. To register for online access to your account, visit https:// www.lakeashtonhoa.org. Once registered, you can access your HOA documents, stay informed with email blasts, and see the HOA calendar of upcoming meetings. If you have trouble registering, or have any other questions, please contact Stambaugh at 863-324-5100 or email admin@stambaughinc.com. Please remember that the current websites and remittance information are no longer being used. Check your Bank BillPay and update the payment address to 500 Orchid Springs Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884. Also, it has come to the attention of the HOA that homeowners are not filing ARC requests for changes to home exteriors. These include stone facades, new coach lights, and roofs. All changes to home exteriors must have ARC approval before work can commence. If a home is not in compliance because of failure to follow ARC guidelines, the homeowner may need to remove the unauthorized features.
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LA(LW) COMPLIANCE & ARC The Lake Ashton Compliance and Architectural Review Committees hold regular office hours on the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm in the Clubhouse Card Room. This is a great opportunity for residents to come and discuss any questions or concerns you might have related to ARC requests or Compliance issues. Whether you have general questions or simply want to meet our teams, we are here to help. Both Committees are in need of additional members. Please consider volunteering to assist your community and fellow residents. LA II (WH) HOA NEWS The heat is on and the snowbirds are gone. Keep cool by drinking plenty of water - and make sure your lawn has enough water too. If your lawn is developing brown patches, check with your lawn or sprinkler company about sprinkler settings. If you take care of your own sprinklers, make sure they are set to give your lawn just enough water to keep it healthy and beautiful. If you see a lawn that looks neglected, please contact the homeowner - they may be completely unaware of a broken sprinkler head or an area that is not getting enough water. If that doesn't resolve the problem, please contact the ARC. The ARC will try to contact the owner and resolve the issue or pass it to the HOA if they can't. Let's all pitch in and do what it takes to protect our little piece of Paradise. In Florida, to be considered age-restricted, a 55+ community must comply with the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA). To maintain HOPA status, the community must conduct age verification every two years. Every home in Lake Ashton West has received a copy of the Age Verification form from our management company, Stambaugh. Many have returned theirs, but not enough for us to maintain our status. If you need another form you can pick one up from our flyer slots at the HFC. Fill out the form according to the directions and return it to Stambaugh as quickly as possible by mail or drop into the white HOA mailbox at the HFC. If we don't make the cut off of 80%, we will no longer be able to stop the sale of homes in our community to young families. We have currently received a response from only about 60% of our homes. To assure that you are getting email notifications from the LA2 HOA, submit an Email Authorization Form to Stambaugh. Pick up the form from our flyer slot; fill out and either mail back to Stambaugh or put it into the white HOA mailbox at the HFC. Without the authorization, privacy laws prevent us from contacting you. By Florida law, as of July 2024, lakeashtonliving.com can no longer give all its users access to our private documents. When someone using that site tries to access our Minutes or Financials, they will be directed to the sign-in/sign-up page of LA2 HOA's website https://stambaugh.cincwebaxis.com. To have access to announcements, posted documents, our directory, and our calendar, or pay dues online, please sign up. This is your website — please use it. The LA2 HOA Board of Directors meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the HFC (please check at the front desk for location). Our next meeting is scheduled for August 19. The agenda along with the time of the meeting will be emailed to all who are signed up to receive emails. The ARC (Architectural Review Committee), an arm of the HOA, meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 1 pm at the HFC (please check at the front desk for the location). To contact the ARC, follow instructions in the ARC Tracker at arctracker.com; area: Lake Ashton 2. PONDS AND THE EFFECTS OF GRASS CL IPPINGS The majority of homeowners use a lawn care provider to keep their lawns in good condition. During the hot summer months, contractors are in a hurry to beat the heat and mow homes that border ponds with less caution. When grass clippings are added to a pond, the nitrogen levels rise, increasing the likelihood of algae blooming. Please remind lawn care contractors to mow with the chute closed or in a direction that does not blow clippings into the pond. If you have any questions about aquatic maintenance in Lake Wales ponds, please email Operations Manager Matt Fisher at mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com.
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SAFETY DRIVE SAFELY ! NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) CORNER By Fay Wood, NW Chief Most Polk County Schools start back August 12. Please use caution when traveling CR 653 during school opening and closing times. Remember, there may be longer than normal wait times in these areas during drop off and pick up times. At left is a reminder of how Florida traffic laws apply to stopping when a bus is displaying a stop signal. LIGHTNING SAFETY Lake Ashton has a lightning detection system to alert golfers to get off the course, and notify all residents to go indoors when the potential for a lightning strike is in the area. When the system senses a lightning danger, a high-pitched siren sounds and strobe lights turn on and stay on until the danger passes. These strobe lights are at various locations including on top of the Clubhouse, the backside of the HFC and the boat dock on Lake Ashton. A low-pitched horn will sound all clear and the strobe lights will turn off when lightning has passed. Lightning strikes may occur far away from a visible storm. Get out of pools, do not stand under trees, and get indoors when the siren sounds. Golf carts are not safe from lightning. STORM SEASON Storm season runs through November 30. Residents who will be spending the summer months in Florida should prepare for severe weather. A detailed list of storm tips can be found at lakeashtoncdd.com or in the Murray Zacharia Media Center at the Clubhouse. Simple Refresher Course for all: What is YOUR Neighborhood Watch (NW) Program? Vision: "Crime-free Community with Zero Tolerance For Crime" Mission: ”To Observe and Report - Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Neighborhood Watch is a total community program that considers every resident as well as others interested in the safety and security of Lake Ashton to be a vital part of the program. NW was launched as Lake Ashton's first total community "neighbors helping neighbors" crime watch program. It was designed to include all residents and all others who had a vested interest and a stake in Lake Ashton. NW is about residents doing what they are already doing - looking out for their friends and neighbors. The NW provides a total community centralized communications system to ensure that residents and their homes have added eyes and ears watching out for them. It is that simple! The program's official launch was in August 2008. Over 220 residents came to a Monday Coffee Meeting to meet Law Enforcement Officials, our community leaders, and to get specific details of the program. We continue to be blessed to have the total support of the HOA, CDD, Management, City Commissioners, Law Enforcement (Lake Wales and Winter Haven Police and the Polk County Sheriff's Office), CAP (Citizens Assisted Patrol), CERT and so many businesses in and around Lake Ashton. Couple all that muscle with the great folks residing in Lake Ashton and you cannot help but have a winner! Thanks to all those that have helped to make this the total success it continues to be. We are keeping it simple and it obviously is working. Please let us know how we can make Neighborhood Watch even better for the overall community. We value your support!
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MOVI ES AUGUST 12 — 14 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM MADEA'S DESTINATION WEDDING CLOSED CAPTIONING: 11 AM DAILY AND ALL TUESDAY SHOWINGS CINEMA CAPACITY: 55 AUGUST 5 — 7 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM LAST BREATH 2025 | PG-13 | 1H 33MIN (Brief Strong Language) A heartpounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. Based on a true story, LAST BREATH is an electrifying story about teamwork, resilience, and a race against time to do the impossible. Stars Woody Harrellson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole. keep their secrets buried. 2025 | PG-13 | 1H 42MIN Brian and his ex-wife Debrah are shocked to learn their daughter Tiffany is engaged to a rapper she met on a yacht--and the wedding is in two weeks. Madea and her crew head to the Bahamas, stirring up chaos and heartwarming fun. AUGUST 19 — 21 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM THE ACTOR 2025 | R | 1H 38MIN (Language) Based on the novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Paul Cole (André Holland) is stranded in a mysterious small town with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Without a sense of identity or purpose, he starts from scratch and begins courting a local costume designer Edna (Gemma Chan). As bits and pieces of his past slowly emerge, he attempts to find his way home, but time is slippery, appearances can't be trusted, and it's unclear which of his identities is real. AUGUST 26 — 28 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM HEADS OF STATE 2025 | PG-13 | 1H 53MIN In this action-comedy, UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) have a public rivalry that jeopardizes their countries' "special relationship." But when they become targets of a ruthless foreign adversary, they must set aside their differences and begrudgingly rely on each other. After being shot down in Air Force One, Clarke and Derringer are forced to go on a dangerous, multinational run pursued by enemies intent on killing them. With the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), they must work together to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the free world. 22
FEATURE FILM FRIDAYS — CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST FILMS 11 AM SHOWTIME IS CLOSED CAPTIONED AUGUST 1 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM A MINECRAFT MOVIE 2025 | PG | 1H 41MIN Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn't just help you craft, it's essential to one's survival! Four misfits--Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)-find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative... the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world. AUGUST 8 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM THE RON CLARK STORY 2006 | PG | 1H, 36MIN In his small North Carolina hometown, Ron Clark (Matthew Perry) leads a comfortable life as a successful elementary school teacher, earning the respect of the community. However, he knows there are students elsewhere who need him more. Following his inner calling, Clark uproots to New York City, hoping to make a difference for the disenfranchised youths the school system has left behind. Clark makes it his mission to turn around the worst students, even though he knows his job is on the line. AUGUST 15 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM BOSS LEVEL 2020 | PG-13 | 1H 40MIN Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, former special forces agent Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) uncovers clues about a secret government project that could unlock the mystery behind his untimely death. In a race against the clock, Pulver must hunt down Colonel Ventor (Mel Gibson), the powerful head of the government program, while outrunning skilled ruthless assassins determined to keep him from the truth in order to break out of the loop, save his family and live once again for tomorrow. AUGUST 22 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM REEF BUILDERS 2025 | PG | 1H 16MIN Facing the loss of an ent i re ecosystem in a single generation, a team of coastal communities and marine biologists has restored a vibrant coral reef in Indonesia. Can their efforts pay off on a global scale? Narrated by Auli'i Cravalho. AUGUST 29 11 AM, 3 PM (NO 7 PM SHOWING) BLOW THE MAN DOWN 2019 | R | 1H 40MIN Welcome to Easter Cove, a salty fishing village on the far reaches of Maine's rocky coast. Grieving the loss of their mother and facing an uncertain future, Mary Beth & Priscilla Connolly cover up a gruesome run-in with a dangerous man. To conceal their crime, the sisters must go deeper into Easter Cove's underbelly and uncover the town matriarchs' darkest secrets.
EVENTS JUNETEENTH BLOCK PARTY AND CELEBRATION By Pamela June The Lake Ashton Black Heritage Club recently hosted a spectacular Juneteenth Block Party and Celebration on June 21, and it was a resounding success! The event, held in the Clubhouse Parking Lot, brought together community members, friends and family for an afternoon that was not only filled with a sense of unity, celebration and joy, but also provided an opportunity for reflection and education. The block party featured a variety of activities that kept attendees engaged and entertained. From raffles and dancing to music and games, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The atmosphere was vibrant, with people of all ages coming together to commemorate the significance of Juneteenth and celebrate freedom, community and heritage. We are grateful for the overwhelming support and participation from residents and guests alike. See back cover for pictures! FALL FESTIVAL It’s already time to prepare for the Clubhouse’s annual Fall Festival on November 1 from 2 to 5 pm in the west parking lot. The Festival will raise money for Alzheimer’s Awareness in partnership with Team Sam, LA resident Judy Puntuieri’s team. If you are interested in volunteering for the dunk tank, email Caroline at clane@lakeashtoncdd.com. We need 3 more volunteers! CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE By Debby Landgrebe Here’s hoping everyone has been enjoying the summer and while it’s still hot outside, let’s start thinking of cooler temperatures and ‘that wonderful time of the year.’ Please be sure you mark the calendar for the upcoming Christmas Dinner Dance planned for Friday, December 12 in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Final preparations are being made and will be revealed soon, but we can assure you the Christmas Dinner Dance on December 12, 2025, will be a superb evening of fabulous live music and delicious food & a cash bar, so get your holiday clothing and dancing shoes ready. This year, reservations can be made starting September 22 by contacting Debby Landgrebe. To reserve and buy a table, the full amount and all names will be needed along with a check (no cash or credit cards). All checks are to be made out to LA Christmas Dinner Dance. The amounts are: $45 per person, table of 8 $320, or $450for a table of 10 (limited tables of ten). Tickets will be on sale in person in the Clubhouse Ballroom before and after Monday Coffee. Looking forward to a festive, decked-out crowd and a wonderful, fun time, so plan on coming! For additional information contact Debby. MORE UPCOMING EVENTS October 30 & 31: LAPAC’s Haunted House - The Wicked Tales of Lake Ashton November 14: Friendsgiving December 3: Home Improvement Expo
2026 ENTERTAINMENT SERIES Show Dates: FEBRUARY 6, 2026 FEBRUARY 24, 2026 MARCH 5, 2026 MARCH 21, 2026 APRIL 15, 2026 Current Season Ticket Renewals: OCT. 1 — 31, 2025 Current Season Ticket Holder Upgrade/Exchange Period: NOV. 5 — 7, 2025 New Season Ticket Sales: NOV. 12 — DEC. 5, 2025 THE LINEUP: SUMMER MUSIC SERIES Purchase Clubhouse Show tickets at the Clubhouse Activities Office or online for $15 each. See on sale dates below for HFC shows. AUGUST 29 – clubhouse Beach Party Bash with DJ ItSY ROC Celebrate summer at the Clubhouse and enjoy great vibes at the beach party bash featuring DJ Itsy Roc playing a wide variety of music for everyone! August 22 - The Dukes at the hFc The Dukes keep the music of the 50's & 60's alive by singing their unique blend of Doo Wop and Rock & Roll. Tickets on sale at the HFC. September 12 - Josh Blevins at the hfc Josh Blevins started singing as a young boy and his voice carries a traditional yet current county sound! Get ready for an energetic and unforgettable night of live music. Tickets on sale August 1 at the HFC.
CLUBS GARDEN CLUB By Pam Klawinski The Lake Ashton Garden Club hosted a Camp Lake Aston’s activity in July with creating mini terrariums. We had a great time putting together these mini ecosystems. A fun time was had by all. Also in July the Garden Club did some trimming and repotted some plants in the HFC pool area as our ongoing community project. The Garden Club will still be on hiatus for the month of August but will be back to regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 am in the Pavilion starting in September. All are welcome. No green thumb necessary. LA BLACK HERITAGE CLUB By Pamela June Commemorating the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for what was the largest civil rights demonstration in U.S. history. A peaceful protest for jobs, justice, civil rights and racial equality, Lifetime Limited Warranty Guaranteed Low Pricing 12 Months No Interest1 Free No-obligation In-home Quotes 863-400-5082 • WindowWorldPolkCounty.com 101 Industrial Blvd. West, Winter Haven, FL This Window World® franchise is independently owned and operated by Window World of Polk County Inc. d/b/a Window World of Lakeland under license from Window World Inc. Fully licensed & insured. License No. CBC1257854 Previous sales are excluded and offers cannot be combined. Minimum 10% down required when ordering. ¹No interest if paid in full within 12 months with regular monthly payments. Bank approval needed. Must qualify. Ask for details. demonstrators heard passionate speeches, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The demonstration accelerated the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 that outlawed racial and gender discrimination, ended segregation and made discriminatory voting practices illegal. Reflecting on this history resonates with current movements concerning racial justice, social inequality, healthcare access, environment concerns, and economic disparity. A reminder that peaceful protest and collective action can change the course of history. And that progress is not a moment, but a movement. Its legacy lives through every voice that continues to speak up for justice and equality. LA BELLES By Gail Guenther The Belles invite all ladies to join them for lunch at Azteca d’Oro on Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven at noon on August 27. New residents are especially welcome to come out and get acquainted with neighbors. Contact Gail at 941-545-8446 with questions. Mexican Train Dominoes Come Join the Fun Thursdays and Sundays 1 to 3 pm in the Clubhouse Game Room. Arrive by 12:50. Lessons given as needed. Sense of humor necessary. Questions? Text Joanne McKinley at 304-261-6905. OPEN play mah jongg We are looking for both men & women to join us in a fun, friendly game of Mah Jongg. Some experience is required. We would love to have you stop in and say hello Wednesdays from 2 to 4 pm at the HFC Card Room. Questions? Contact Carolyn Neuberger at nachuma@mail.com or 516-317-0120. Chess club Friendly games on Thursdays at 1:30 pm in the Poker Room at the HFC. Some members play each other online. Players of all levels are welcome. Informal lessons can also be arranged for those who want them. Questions? Contact Howard Mayne at 603-285-5640.
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LA PICKLEBALL By Coach Dennis Santino Some members swim for fitness. Others have used competition as motivation and have participated in local, regional, state, &/or national Senior Games competitions. Whatever your interest level, our club offers that, so grab your suit, towel, and goggles and come swim with us on Mondays at 1 pm, Wednesdays at 1 pm, and/or Saturdays at 10 am. FRIENDLY BOCCE GROUP By Stephanie Iszak We would like to invite all Lake Ashton residents to As we navigate through the summer weather, LAPA members continue to enjoy the fun, exercise and camaraderie of pickleball play. Our 4th of July mixer and hotdog barbecue was another fun filled event. Congratulations to everyone who participated and especially to our winners, Deborah and Chuck. Join LAPA and be part of the fun! Membership forms can be found in the HFC at the Clubs bulletin board location. Place your completed form and dues (only $12 per year) in the drop box provided. Coaches Corner: Reduce Unforced Errors The safest placement of a ball return is soft and low in the middle of the court between your two opponents. This placement may cause both players to hesitate, thinking that his partner will hit the ball. Additionally, the soft hit gives your opponents no pace to work with. And remember my #1 Rule: Have Fun! LA SWIM CLUB By Sandy White Do you need or want good, regular, safe exercise? Do you like to swim, but don't like to swim alone? Do you know that the Lake Ashton Swim Club has reserved time in the indoor pool 3 times a week? Have you challenged yourself by swimming with a kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, fins, or a drag shoot? Our coach, who has taught and coached all ages and levels of swimming, offers tips on how to swim more efficiently. Club members do their own workouts or use ones provided by the coach. come out on Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm to play some fun games of Bocce Ball. No experience is required. Anyone who is playing would be more than happy to teach you and go over the Lake Ashton Friendly Bocce Ball rules and regulations. Friendly Bocce Tailgate parties for 2025 have ended and will resume in January 2026. Contact Stephanie Iszak (609-980-9505, siszak@comcast.net) or Tammy Shields (863-632-2024, tammy.shields1221@gmail.com) with questions. Looking forward to having many new Friendly Bocce players. LA ROCKERS By Annie Lutz One message at just the right moment can change someone's entire day, outlook, life. This is the mission of the LA Rockers and why we have been busy painting rocks and hiding them throughout the community to spread kindness. One of the events of Camp Lake Ashton 2025 was a class the LA Rockers held for a chance to learn how to paint rocks. As you can see in the picture, it was a huge success! Have you been lucky and found a rock? Please post a photo of your rock on Talk of Lake Ashton’s (TOLA) Facebook page. It means a lot for us to see that our rock was found, and it may bring a smile to those that see your post. Remember you can keep your rock or re-hide it to share it with others. We will continue our summer hiatus through August, and we'll resume meeting in September. If you’re interested in joining us, contact MJ Richards (mjmrichards517@gmail.com) for more information.
LA SINGLES By Carol Corley Last month’s meeting of the Lake Ashton singles club was well attended. We discussed our enjoyment of Camp Lake Ashton as well as final touches for Christmas in July for needy local senior orphans. The group meets the first Sunday of every month at 2 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. This month we also planned a monthly dinner at Catfish Country in Lakeland. Recently we enjoyed a lunch at L’Incontro in Lake Wales. We are also looking into activities that can be done as a group, like movies, or trips to places such as the Aquarium in Tampa. On weekends when we are not meeting, we still get together at 2 pm in the Ballroom for cards. Following the meeting, members enjoyed playing Five Crown, a fun card game. We are open to other options as well. And after cards, we had dinner at Ruby Tuesday. Different restaurants are chosen for each Sunday. Our club is open to Lake Ashton single residents. LAVA AUXILIARY By Chris Graves Our next meeting is September 21 (no meeting in August — enjoy the summer)! Save the Date for the Craft Fair on October 25 — all Vendor Tables have been sold which means that you will once again have the Ballroom filled with handcrafted items like quilts, custom pens, cards, jewelry, handmade chocolate, wreaths and other hand-crafted items. We have vendors from previous years as well as new vendors. The Craft Show will benefit K9 Partners for Patriots. BAKERS FOR THE CRAFT SHOW NEEDED! The Craft Show Bake Shop continues to be a big draw for attendees. Last year’s Bake Shop sold more than $1,000 in home-baked goods. The top items sold were cookies, banana bread (sold out last year), pies and cakes. Please help us again by signing up to donate baked goods. Call Debbie Platt 863-318-9376. More details to follow in September’s newsletter. WWW.BROCKSWINDOWCLEANING.COM 29
LA COMMUNITY GARDEN By Lynn Davis and Karen McLemore Exciting things are sprouting in the Community Garden! Join us for a quick meeting on Wednesday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the HFC, where we’ll explore UF/IFAS fall planting tips to set us up for seasonal success. We’ve also consulted with Jason of Cody Coves to share his local expertise on what grows best this time of year. We’ll need all available members to help with seed starting, so roll up your sleeves and come ready to get your hands dirty! Our regular monthly meetings will resume on Tuesday, September 17 at 1:30 p.m., also at the HFC. As you pass the west entrance, check out the new numbered beds and plant ID markers—small improvements that are already making a big difference. We’ve recently added luffa (loofah), Mexican spinach, mulberry, and lime, all chosen for their ability to thrive in Florida’s summer heat. The garden is evolving beautifully—come be part of the growth! Thank you to member Carole Sites for her butterfly picture on the front cover! LA GETAWAYS By Shelley Brodka Do you love to travel, but hate the hassle of planning and booking your trips? Are you a solo traveler, or does your spouse hate to travel? Do you like to travel with friends or family? Would you be interested in being part of a Lake Ashton travel club with a membership fee of $10 per person, and getting special deals specific for our community? If so, the LA Getaways travel club membership might be the perfect solution for you. Travel clubs offer a variety of benefits, including discounts on hotels, flights, and other travel expenses. They can also provide access to exclusive travel experiences, such as tours and cruises, unique experiences and expert advice and support. There will be an email blast coming out to all Lake Ashton residents about this new club and the anticipated Kickoff meeting will be September 30 from 6:30 to 8 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Day trips with Small World Tours for 2026 will be presented at that time as well. LA DEMOCRATIC CLUB By Howard Mayne The Lake Ashton Democratic Club will hold its monthly meeting on August 7. The speaker is yet to be determined. For further information contact lakeashtondemocraticclub@gmail.com SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION 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, 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: Mon - Thurs 11:30 am-8 pm; Fri & Sat 11:30 am-9 pm; Sun 12-7 pm We serve delicious Seafood, Steaks (including Prime Rib), Burgers, Pizza, Salads, Chicken, Pork Chops, Pasta, Wings, AYCE Specials & a Full Liquor Bar. SIZZLING GRILL - STEAK & SEAFOOD 21400 US 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 676-4898, sizzlinggrillfl.com $5 OFF the purchase of $50 or more Lake Ashton: Get a Free Mini dessert with purchase of $30. Bring this coupon to redeem.
LAKE ASHTON FRIENDS OF MEALS ON WHEELS By Marcia Santino This month we shine a spotlight on Lake Ashton residents and Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers, Tonya and Flip (aka “Coach”) Farinella. Married for 30 years, the Farinellas are both lifelong Polk County residents. They have lived in Lake Ashton for 7 years and have been delivering for MOWPolk the past 6 years after learning about the organization’s need through their church. Tonya and Flip deliver the same Winter Haven route every Friday and have 14-20 stops on any given week. It takes them 60-90 minutes roundtrip to complete their route. When asked why they have remained volunteers all these years, Tonya said “We love serving the community and helping others.” Flip added, “We have met so many wonderful people and MOW is like our extended family.” To become a Meals on Wheels meal recipient or volunteer please call 863-299-1616. To join the Lake Ashton Friends of Meals on Wheels Club please email lafomow@gmail.com. Next Second Chance Donations Day is August 21. SHUFFLIN’ SQUARES By Keith Stevens Shufflin’ Squares dance club is looking forward to welcoming more than a square of new dancers to the Lake Ashton club. The prospective new club members have been attending weekly ninety-minute long lessons on Thursdays at 4 pm in the Lake Ashton Ballroom. The summer series of lessons will conclude at the end of this month. The newer dancers will be joining the current members of Shufflin’ Squares who dance every Thursday night at 7 pm in the Ballroom . We welcome additional new dancers for whom Shufflin’ Squares will schedule a new round of ten lessons after of the current series. Adding new dancers at this stage of the lesson series is not possible. Square Dancing is an almost perfect activity. It’s healthful for both body and mind. It is low impact physical activity with a mental component for keeping minds sharp, and has a social aspect with fun and entertaining social events sprinkled here and there. If you would consider participating in the hobby of square dancing, please contact Dave Muller (davecaller@gmail.com) to let him know your interest and your availability for the next series of square dance lessons from Shufflin’ Squares. Hope to see you on the dance floor. DUPLICATE BRIDGE By Don Fuller & Liz Leigh Duplicate bridge is played on Monday at 12:45 pm in the Clubhouse Card Room. The game is open to all residents regardless of skill level. Participants should have some experience playing bridge plus a partner is required. We have approximately 60 players in the group and can assist new players in finding a partner. Registering in advance is suggested by signing up in the red book in the Clubhouse Card Room, or by emailing Don at dfuller627@yahoo.com. June 23: North-South: 1st Don Fuller & Jim Ford; 2nd Pat Foster & Liz Smith; 3rd Nelda Sedlacek & Maureen Ziegler East-West: 1st Marian Oshinsky & Marge Kniat; 2nd Graham Littlehales & Howard Mayne; 3rd Sally Bonkoski & Alex Lukacs June 30: North-South: 1st Marian Oshinsky & Marge Kniat; 2nd Roger Nelson & Marian Nelson; 3rd Don Fuller & Jim Ford; East-West: 1st Graham Littlehales & Pat Collins; 2nd Sally Bonkoski & Alex Lukacs; 3rd Chris Verges & Chip Inman July 7: A Group: 1st Jim Ford & Don Fuller; 2nd Graham Littlehales & Pat Foster; 3rd Maureen Ziegler & Nelda Sedlacek; B Group: 1st Chris Verges & Chip Inman; 2nd Marian Oshinsky & Marge Kniat; 3rd Nancy Gray & Jeannine Connors July 14: 1st Marian Oshinsky & Trish Kellar; 2nd Graham Littlehales & Pat Foster; 3rd Nelda Sedlacek & Maureen Ziegler
In Recognition of my Real Estate Work Curious about your home’s current market value? Call for a free Comparative Market Analysis. BRAD KIRWAN 863-280-0390 33
MIND&BODY LORRIE’S LINE DANCING Thursdays at the HFC 1 pm Beginner Class, 2 pm Improver YOGA SHARE Wednesdays, 8:45 to 9:45 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom. This is a video presentation. Join your friends and neighbors for stretching, strengthening, and relaxing. Questions? Call Sally Winfrey 316-516-2815 or Annette Comeau 863-221-2394 LUNCH & LEARN Dignity Memorial: August 20 at 11:30 am Learn about pre-planning, the emotional and financial benefits of prearranging, how to protect funeral and cemetery arrangements from inflation, how Veterans can access their benefits, and pre-planning with a local funeral home vs. final expense insurance. Sign up online. TRIVIA IN THE BALLROOM Sundays in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Maximum of eight players per table, but no minimum. Bring $1/ person to play. All money is returned to the winning tables. Trivia starts at 7 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. CHARM CITY TRIVIA Tuesday nights in the Restaurant beginning at 6 pm. You can have a group or just come and play. Each group can have up to eight players. Charm City Gift cards will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Reserve your table. Come early, have dinner, a few drinks, socialize, and have fun! We look forward to seeing everyone. Your guests are welcome! CARDS FOR ALL AGES FRED’S GUNSMITHING, LLC Veteran Owned Business FREDERICK J. STONE Certified Firearms Appraiser AGI Appraiser Certification: 823393 4333 Heath Land Lane Lake Wales, FL 33859 fjs1023@aol.com | 315-345-2798 SERVICES PROVIDED: Certified Firearms Appraisals | Firearms Cleaning | Boresighting | Glass Bedding Rifle & Handgun Sights/Scope Mounting | Minor Firearms Repair THIS IS WHERE NEW MEMORIES ARE MADE CRUISE & LAND VACATIONS Join us August 6 from 2 to 4 pm in the Clubhouse Craft Room. This class is for all levels. If you’ve never made cards before come try something new. All card materials to make two cards (shown - one of the cards will be offered in choice of color scheme) are provided for $5. Bring scissors and your favorite adhesive. Adhesive is also sold at a very discounted price of $4. Register to attend as space is limited. If you sign up please do your best to attend as we often have a waiting list. Contact Marianne Morcone (mkegolfer@aol.com, 860-712-9440) or Judy Ridpath (judy@judyridpath.com, 650-678-1174). CREATE A CARD Sally & Ear l Schle y 863-308-295 0 | earl.schley@cruiseplanners.co m www.SandEtravelplanners.co m sally.schley@cruiseplanners.co m August 19 at 10 am in the HFC Sports Court. A guest expert will provide instruction, from beginner to expert, all supplies and equipment, and three beautiful cards to take home for $12. No experience needed. Sign up at the HFC. Call Karen at 262-497-3272 with questions. FLST # 3906 8 • CST # 2034468-5 0 • HST # TAR-705 8 • WAST # 603-399-50 4 SCAN WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE TO SIGN UP FOR CLASSES & EVENTS AT THE CLUBHOUSE!
CRAFTING WITH CARMEN Carmen is back with a great Halloween craft! Get crafty in the Ballroom on September 19 at 3 pm. All instructions and supplies are provided for $10. Sign up online today! NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN DAY SEPTEMBER 26 View Florida Native American artifacts and take part in a vivid presentation by Bartholomew Delcamp of the Polk History Museum and Michael Ferguson from the Florida Pioneer Museum & Village of Dade City in the Clubhouse Ballroom at 6:30 pm. Learn about the indigenous peoples who inhabited Florida, and their cultural past as well as their impact on Florida today. Sign up online to attend this first-of-its-kind event! LA WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY The LA Women's Bible Study will resume once again this fall on October 8 at the HFC Community Center, 10 am to noon on Wednesdays. This year's study is on the Gospel of Matthew and it looks to be a wonderful year of delving into familiar parables and stories about Jesus and His life. Come join us in study, songs, and prayer as we spend time in God's Word - no matter what your Bible knowledge may be. All women are invited to come and bring a friend. Workbook for the class is available on opening day, or in advance (after September 15) by contacting Louise Gilla at lgilla4071@yahoo.com. We look forward to your presence at this popular class! Don't miss out!
GOLF UPD A TES FROM THE PRO SHOP By Kevin Baker, General Manager Greetings! Over the past two months, it has been a true pleasure getting to know many of you—especially through the great conversations we’ve shared at the Eagle’s Nest. I’d like to take a moment to highlight the ongoing programming at the Eagle’s Nest. We offer lunch daily and feature themed dinners throughout the month, paired with fun social events like Pasta Night, Karaoke, and Trivia. Weekly updates are sent out with all the latest happenings, so be sure to keep an eye out. We also welcome the opportunity to help you host private celebrations, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or other special event. Looking ahead, I’ll be working closely with our team and gathering input from residents to shape new menu and evening concepts launching in October alongside the club’s new membership program. Stop by the Eagle’s Nest, say hello, and share your ideas. We’d love to hear from you! LALGA By Beverly Hines Viva Las Vegas themed summer tournament was held on July 7 and 8. Carolyn Alvaro and Mary O'Donnell volunteered as Tournament Committee Chairs with Deb Giannattassio and Debbie Nettleton assisting as Advisors. Twenty-eight members played the two-day tournament with a casino theme format. On day one the 4-player team played a “Step-aSide” scramble and day two the group played a Las Vegas style scramble where a roll of the dice determined whose ball the team used after they teed off. This really made for some interesting play. Lunch was served at the Eagles Nest after play on the second day. A big shout-out to Sandra, Eagles Nest Manager, for providing the decorations and adding her special touch to the casino theme. Door 36 prizes were given out to the lucky ladies that received a Payday candy bar in their gift bag. Everyone seemed to enjoy the games and having their team pictures taken in front of the casino banner background at the Eagles Nest. Both day’s scores were combined with low net payouts. Results were: 1st place – Bev Hines, Shearly Simpson, Pam Pagel, Jane Fuller; 2nd place – Liz Leigh, Tami Donnelly, Char Walter, Nancy Zografos; 3rd place – Debbie Nettleton, Carolyn Alvaro, Deb Giannattasio, Mary O’Donnell and 4th place – T Utting, Mafie Walker, Joanne McKinley, Dixie Kite. Closest to the pin: Day 1 – Carolyn Alvaro (Hole 2E), Nancy Zografos (Hole 8E), Pam Pagel (Hole 13E), Deb Nettleton (Hole 17E) & Day 2 – Pam Pagel (Hole 3W), Monnie Guinn (Hole 7W), T Utting (Hole 12W), Mafie Walker (Hole 14W). Congratulations, ladies! League play in August promises to be fun. Game formats are sent out via email to members, and they are also posted on the LALGA bulletin board in the Pro Shop. Sign up is available online at https:// lakeashtonliving.com/community/golf/lalga-golfregistration or members can sign up on the LALGA bulletin board the week prior to the event. Tournament Committee Chairs - Mary O'Donnell & Carolyn Alvaro (left) 1st place: Shearly Simpson, Pam Pagel, Bev Hines, Jane Fuller (below left) 2nd place: Nancy Zografos, Liz Leigh, Char Walter, Tami Donnelly (below right) 3rd place: Deb Giannattasio, Mary O'Donnell, Carolyn Alvaro, & Deb Nettleton (below left) 4th place: T Utting, Mafie Walker, Dixie Kite, Joanne McKinley (below right)
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LAMGA By David Kubissa LA NINERS By Sandy Hockenberry This is the first of two conversations with the Lake Ashton golf pros who assist LAMGA throughout the year. PGA pro Ian Peterson joined the Lake Ashton Golf Club staff in 2022. He was named head professional in 2023. He plays a key role in supporting LAMGA’s tournaments and merchandise decisions. Where did you play your first round of golf? How old were you and with whom did you play? Hmm, probably Parkway Par 3 in Fremont, California. The course isn’t there anymore. I was about 5 years old and played with my dad. What motivated you to become a PGA professional, and what do you like most about the job? When my time trying to play professionally came to an end, it was the natural move for me. I love golf. I enjoy teaching/coaching and still getting an opportunity to play tournaments from time to time. Where did you work before coming to the Lake Ashton Golf Club? I spent a year and a half in the mortgage business before Lake Ashton, but before that, I spent seven years as the tournament coordinator for Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green. When you get a chance to practice, what are your favorite drills? For my game personally, I hit a lot of balls with a long towel under both armpits. This helps my arms and body stay in sync and gives my golf swing a nice three-quarters feel. I also use the circle drill when putting from 4, 5 and 6 feet. Red Hoagland Challenge update: Through June, the leaderboard is: 1. Jim Salb, $132.40; 2. Steve Kettells, $120.50; 3. Mike Krigelski, $116.50; 4. Denis Mulhearn, $110.50. Sponsor salute: LAMGA thanks the following businesses and professional services for their support: Amerity Financial (Burris Warner); Bates Capital; Chris Bruser, Mutual of Omaha; Christine Graves Insurance Inc.; Citizens Bank & Trust; Dan Mann Insurance, State Farm; Edward Jones, Melissa Kincaid; Karen Bryan Insurance Agency; Zinsmeister Insurance; Weaver Loveless Law; Theresa Yoder, D.V.M. 38 On July 1st, the Niners and Blue Man played a FourPerson Par-3 Scramble on the East course. Congratulations to the winners: Flight #1 – 1st Place – Clive Greeff, Deborah Waldrip, Liz Meigel, and Lee Holman; 2nd Place – Nolan Hake, Linda Reardon, and Pamela June; 3rd Place (tie) – Larry Griffin, Sharron Murphy, Cyndy Berry and Jay Schwartz; 3rd Place (tie) – Bruce Bellemeur, Marge Schwartz, Marilyn Consorto, and Jim Wagner; Flight #2 – 1st Place – Bill Testa, Donna Butch, Karen Farrande, David Neuner; 2nd Place – Randall Carpenter, Jan Wagner, Terry Moskalik, and Anthony Bowden 3rd Place – Dana Ferrande, Janice Serencko, MaryLou Jameson and Jim Gawrych Congratulations to all the winners!! Welcome back to returning past members: Betty McDonnell and Marilyn Consorto. The Niners look forward to playing with you ladies again. If you are interested in joining a fun group of women on Tuesday mornings to play 9 holes of golf, please stop by the Pro Shop and fill out an application. Everyone is welcome. August games will be: August 5: Throw Out Two – Throw out the two worst holes at the end of the round. Low Gross/Low Net scores win. (individual game) August 12: Tee It Up Scramble – 2 Person Scramble. Each person gets to hit ONE shot from a tee anywhere on the way to the green ONE time during the round. (team game) August 19: 1 Best Net Even/2 Best Nets Odd – Playing your own ball, take the best net on even numbered holes and 2 best nets on odd numbered holes. (individual game) August 26: 4-Person Scramble Furthest Putt – Four person scramble, on the Par 3 holes, you must pick the shot on the green that is FURTHEST away from the pin and play from there. Followed by Lunch with Friends. (team game)
JuneteenthBLOCK PARTY & Celebration June 21, 2025
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