L.A. TIMES Lake Ashton Community Newsletter July 2024 Independence Day in LA + Operation Show Our Colors + Annual Parade + Food & Drink Specials & Live Music at Charm City see pgs. 22 - 23 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
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NEWSLETTER STAFF Christine Wells Editor cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com 863.324.5457 Valerie LeBlanc Advertising Sales, Layout & Design valerie@lakeashtoncdd.com SUBMISSION GUIDELINES August Issue Deadline: July 15 • 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. JULY 2024 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 LACDD Community Director: Christine Wells cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com Clubhouse Activities Assistant: 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 LW Homeowners Association (HOA) Golf Club - Ron Lavoie, General Manager Ian Peterson, Head Golf Professional Eagle’s Nest - Sandra Goodwin, Manager RV & Storage Center Charm City Nik Minadakis, Owner EmpowerMe Wellness ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Polk County Sheriff: 863.298.6200 Lake Ashton Health & Fitness Center (HFC) 6052 Pebble Beach Boulevard Winter Haven, FL 33884 Phone: 863.595.1562 Fax: 863.595.1567 LAIICDD Community Director: James Margeson Phone: 863.595.1562 jmargeson@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 County Road 653 (WH): 863.318.0237 863.325.0065 directors@lakeashtonhoa.org lakeashtonhoa.com 863.326.1032 863.326.1032 rlavoie@lakeashtongc.com ipeterson@lakeashtongc.com 863.326.1085 sgoodwin@lakeashtongc.com 863.326.1304 863-662-3300 charmcityfl@gmail.com 844.502.7996 kshipley@empowerme.com In case of emergency, dial 911! Police Non-Emergency Numbers: Lake Wales: 863.678.4223 | Winter Haven: 863.291.5858
MONDAY COFFEE Meet new neighbors and to hear about local community happenings, community events and receive information on current projects within Lake Ashton. Meet local vendors personally and even snag a few free items or win services or products. Mondays at 9 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom — coffee & donuts available for $3 (please note price change). JULY 1 • Birthdays and Anniversaries • LA Woodworkers Project of the Month • Featured Speaker: Visit Central Florida • Featured Vendors: Christine Graves Insurance, ComForCare, Webb’s Family Financial Services, Inc. JULY 8 • Bite Me Monday — Donations of pet food and/or supplies for the Humane Society of Polk County • Featured Speaker: TBA • Featured Vendors: Matt Simpson - Edward Jones • Tessier Law Firm JULY 15 - NO MONDAY COFFEE - LACDD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING Peanut Butter Monday - Non-perishable food donations will go to the Lake Wales Care Center. JULY 22 • Featured Speaker: • Polk County Fire Rescue Presents "Hurricane Preparedness" • Featured Vendor: • Edward Jones - Melissa Kincaid JULY 29 • Featured Speaker: Main Street Winter Haven • Featured Vendor: Morgan Stanley - Matthew Grubb IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 5 LA LOOKS 14 SAFETY 18 MOVIES 20 EVENTS 22 MIND & BODY 26 CLUBS 30 GOLF 36 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS LAKE ASHTON (LW) CDD July 15, 9 am Clubhouse Ballroom LAKE ASHTON II (WH) CDD July 19, 9 am 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
HOURS OF OPERATION CLUBHOUSE: 6 am – 10 pm daily CLUBHOUSE & ACTIVITIES OFFICES: 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER: 5:30 am – 10 pm daily HFC OFFICES & ACTIVITIES DESK: 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday MONTHLY MARKET The Market is on hold for the summer months. Vendor recommendations and resident vendors are always welcome, please contact Caroline (clane@lakeashtoncdd.com) for more information. BAXTER’ S QUAL ITY MEATS & FRESH PRODUCE Get fresh poultry, fish, beef, fruits, and vegetables in the Clubhouse West parking lot every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm. 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, and more! OFFICES CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY The Clubhouse and HFC offices and Activities Desks will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Trash, recycling and yard waste pickup for Lake Wales residents will occur Saturday, July 6. Have a safe and happy Independence Day! 5 RESIDENT FEEDBACK Your experiences in the community are meant to be as pleasant and memorable as possible. Please take a minute to let staff know how they are doing. A Resident Feedback box can be found outside of the Community Director's Office, which is now located near the East entrance to the Clubhouse in what used to be the Conference Room. Residents noticing any areas in or around the Clubhouse in need of repair should complete a Facility Repair Request online by scanning this QR code. One person gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. These two sayings present a paradox: That we become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but why not give freely of our possessions, time, and energy. When we give, it helps us to gain the right perspective of our possessions. We realize that we are blessed to bless others. Some may ask what do we gain by giving our time or our resources? The simple answer is the joy of helping others. Make yourself available to someone today. .-Alex Fuertes, Maintenance Supervisor LACDD & LAIICDD WEBSITES lakeashtoncdd.com [below left QR code] lakeashton2cdd.com [below right QR code] Find board meeting dates, agendas, minutes, Supervisor contact information and more. You can also sign up to receive blast emails from the Clubhouse and HFC. NEW RESIDENT SOCIAL The next New Resident Social is November 1 at 2 pm in the HFC. Sign up online or at either Activities Office.
RESIDENTS TO RESIDENTS By Tom Scali The committee has made some real progress: Medicare/Medicaid: Since there are so many different insurance policies, it is strongly recommended that each family/individual contact his/her/their insurance company and find out what he/she/they are covered for, including: • In-home support both non-medical and medical • Transportation to/from doctor’s office or hospital • Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy • Food plan options Concern for our Elderly: We are trying to gather a list of elderly residents who would like to be contacted daily to ensure their safety and wellbeing. This is one area where we need help. Please help us to identify those residents who should be contacted daily. Please provide any contacts to me via email. I will be away for July and August, but I will be monitoring my emails. To start Fall 2024. Help Organization: There are a number of organization that provide this support. Please obtain the booklet Sage Aging Health and Elder Care. It has the contact information for numerous companies. This booklet was/is(?) available at the HFC and Clubhouse. This is a great resource; please get a copy. The cost per hour is much less than I thought. Some companies provide support for two people for $35/hour, minimum 3 hours per day and 9 hours per week. Transportation: The Citrus Corporation provides transportation for residents of Polk County both scheduled routes around the county and door to door if needed ($2.00 maximum charge per leg). The door to door service does require an application, and a doctor’s note. Contact Tom for application if there is a need. Meals: Several residents are volunteers for Meals on Wheels. I was somewhat reluctant to even try their food. To my surprise, it is tasty, nourishing, and plentiful. Maximum charge is $5.00 per meal. Resident Education: Both the LACDD and LAIICDD are committed to provide ongoing education opportunities. These include computer, cell phones, and health presentations. Please read the LA Times and/or attend the Monday morning coffee for additional details. Small Home Maintenance Support: We are in the process of creating a volunteer group to assist the elderly with simple repairs. We are looking at changing light bulbs, A/C filters, batteries on safety equipment. More details in the September/October timeframe. Resources List for Larger Home Project: This is a work in progress. The information will be available on Lake Aston Living website: lakeashtonliving.com. Iris Realmuto is the creator of that website. SECURITY TRANSITION UPDATE Things are moving along with the security program. Distribution of credentials (RFID tags for vehicles and Amenity Access Cards) is tentatively scheduled to take place sometime at the end of July/beginning of August. In the meantime, staff are continuing to receive training on the system to ensure a smooth distribution experience. The security company is working on installing the RFID system at the CR 653 gate (Winter Haven) as of publication deadline. These are all steps that need to be completed before distribution can occur. Please stay tuned to email blasts for more information. When distribution occurs, residents will be asked to bring a valid vehicle registration for each vehicle that will be assigned a RFID tag in addition to a government issued photo ID. An application will be completed that will ask for some of the same information that was submitted previously. This is being done to verify the information previously provided and to gather the same information from those that did not complete a form previously. If a Lake Ashton address is not listed on your Government Issued Photo ID then residency will be verified with the Polk County Clerk or Property Appraiser.
All households will be provided with up to two RFID tags and two Amenity Access Cards per household. A valid registration will need to be provided for each vehicle and the RFID tag will need to be placed on the vehicle in the presence of CDD staff or their designees at time of distribution. Households requiring more than two RFID tags or two Amenity Access Cards will be charged $10 for each additional credential. JOINT AMENI TY POL ICY HIGHLIGHT viii. FITNESS CENTERS 1. Fitness centers are open daily during normal operating hours. 2. Patrons are encouraged to receive training on the apparatus before utilizing equipment. 3. Each facility provides televisions for Patrons. Please be considerate when setting volume levels. 4. Individuals must be fourteen (14) years of age and older to use District Fitness Centers. Guests under eighteen (18) years of age must be supervised and accompanied by an adult Patron, parent, or guardian over twenty-one (21) 5. Food, including chewing gum, is not permitted within the District Fitness Centers. Beverages, however, are permitted in the Fitness Centers if contained in non-breakable containers with screwtop or sealed lids. 6. Appropriate attire and footwear (covering the entire foot) must be worn at all times in the District Fitness Centers. Appropriate attire includes teeshirts, tank tops, shorts, and/or athletic wear (no swimsuits). 7. Each Individual is responsible for wiping off fitness equipment after use with the antiseptic wipes provided by the Districts. 8. Use of personal trainers is permitted in the District Fitness Centers with approval from the Amenity Manager. 9. Hand chalk is not permitted to be used in the District Fitness Centers. 10. Personal audio devices are not permitted unless they are utilized with headphones. 11. No bags, gear, or jackets are permitted on the floor of the District Fitness Centers or on the fitness equipment. 12. Weights or other fitness equipment may not be removed from the District Fitness Centers. 13. Limit use of cardiovascular equipment to thirty (30) minutes and step aside between multiple sets on weight equipment if other persons are waiting. 14. Be respectful of others. Allow other Patrons and Guests to also use equipment, especially the cardiovascular equipment. 15. Replace weights to their proper location after use. 16. Free-weights are not to be dropped and should be placed only on the floor or on equipment made specifically for storage of the weights. 17. Any fitness program operated, established and run by the Amenity Manager may have priority over other users of the District Fitness Centers. TROPHY WALL Wayne and Vickie Creek installed this beautiful Trophy Wall near Ashton Lanes 3 years ago; it's a beautiful addition to the Clubhouse. Any groups that would like to display a trophy, plaque, medal, or photo please email Christine Wells at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com.
CLUBHOUSE PET PLAY PARK UPDATES Thank you to the LA Unleashed members who helped with painting the furniture during the closure and to our great facility maintenance staff and landscape maintenance crew for their hard work. The Pet Play Park looks great and we are excited for everyone to come back! Pavers were installed allowing for a solid, even surface for the humans that go to the Pet Play Park. With the installation of the new pavers, please ensure all chairs and benches stay on the pavers. This is for your safety. New umbrellas and umbrella stands were installed during the closure. Please close umbrellas when not in use. Please clean up after your dog. There are bags available at the park for use while at the park. If your dog urinates or defecates on the pavers please wash the area with water before leaving. If your dog is a digger, please use the provided sand to fill in any holes before leaving. The Pet Play Park Rules sign was moved to the entrance. Residents should adhere to all rules when using the Pet Play Park. Violation of these rules could result in termination of amenity privileges. Finally, while we always appreciate donations and love residents taking pride in their amenities, prior approval must be received from the Community Director before anything can be added to the Pet Play Park. This includes any plantings, furniture, fence decorations, dog toys, or umbrellas. If you have something you would like to donate to the Clubhouse Pet Play Park please reach out to Christine at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com. We also ask that any maintenance concerns, including broken furniture, be reported to staff as soon as possible. Residents can complete a Facility Repair Form by scanning the QR code on page 5, or emailing to mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com to have their concern addressed. Please reach out to Christine Wells at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com or Matt Fisher at mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com with any questions.
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LACDD NEWS By Christine Wells, LA (LW) CDD Community Director Long days, short nights, afternoon thunderstorms, and flowers blooming bright … summer is officially here! Many residents are taking trips to visit family and friends while others are enjoying guests at Lake Ashton. It is great to see residents proudly showing their visitors the beautiful amenities and even more enjoyable to meet those who mean so much to them. Stop by either Activities Office during operating hours to register any guests. When registering be sure to get a calendar of events so your visitors know what activities are happening during their stay. In this edition of the LA Times residents will find many options to enjoy their community. From the first ever Summer Locals Concert Series, entertainment at Charm City including karaoke and Sunday Fundays, lunch and learn events, and trivia, to a Fourth of July golf cart parade and Par 3 golf tournament, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. We hope everyone is enjoying the Summer Locals Concert Series at the Clubhouse and HFC. Staff and the Lake Ashton Activities Advisory Group are already looking at bands for next year which will feature tribute artists, so stay tuned! Lake Wales residents should have recently received a letter outlining the discussion of an increase in the operations and maintenance assessment at the July 15 Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the fee that residents see on their property tax bill that is received in October/November. The increase of $200 for the 2025 fiscal year (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025) is the most the increase will be. It will ultimately be voted on and approved at the July 15 Board of Supervisors meeting. The budget for FY2025 will also be approved at this meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend a LACDD Board of Supervisors to express any opinions concerning the budget or other LACDD matters. Any comments on posted agenda items can be discussed at the beginning of the meeting and a "Request to Speak" form should be completed. If residents have a point of discussion regarding an item not on the agenda there is a time at the end of the meeting for those comments. At the end of the meeting residents can talk about any subject. Residents are encouraged to attend Board of Supervisor's meetings to gain first hand information regarding matters that affect the community. Contact Christine Wells at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com with any questions. 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 Supervisors, Staff, and Residents would like to thank Lloyd Howison for his valued years of service to the Lake Ashton Community. He always provided a level head and voice of reason during passionate discussions and deliberations. The Community thrived under his leadership. We wish you well, Lloyd!
LAIICDD NEWS By James Margeson, LAIICDD Community Director LA II CDD BOARD OF SUP ERVISORS CONTA CT INF O 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, Eagle’s Nest, Facilities and Field Operation, Transportation System (roads, bridges, paths, etc.) Office Hours: Mondays 1 to 3 pm 863.325.8098, bzelazny@lakeashton2cdd.com Mary C. Clark, Assistant Secretary Public Works & Infrastructure, Including Roadways 252-503-7087, maryclark725@gmail.com Angela Littlewood, Assistant Secretary Special Projects, Landscaping Area including Pet Play Parks Office Hours: Mondays from 9 to 10:30 am 352.250.9707 alittlewoodlakeashton2cdd@gmail.com Roy Aull, Assistant Secretary Facilities/Amenity Management Office Hours: Friday 9 to 10:30 am 973-670-2709, raull@lakeashton2cdd.com We are nearing the halfway point for 2024, and we may ask ourselves, “where has the time gone?” Instead of looking backwards, why not look to the future and fill our days with activities that will create even more memories to reflect upon as time goes by. We are indeed fortunate to be living in Lake Ashton, sandwiched between two great cities, Winter Haven, known as the Chain of Lakes and Lake Wales, where both are chock full of fun things to do on any given day. To facilitate residents in knowing what, when and where activities are taking place, the Haven, a local magazine published in Winter Haven is readily available at both the HFC and Clubhouse just after the beginning of each month. Many of these events and activities are free, like Saturday markets which often feature entertainment enveloped between stalls of crafts, local produce and so much more. The Winter Haven Theatre and the Lake Wales Museum of Art, as well as Bok Tower are all a short distance away and feature ongoing events. You do not need to look any further from home though, because right here in Lake Ashton there are activities and events galore. The LA Times has a list of special events, a list of clubs to join, and a calendar of activities for both the HFC and Clubhouse. Ongoing emails from the HFC and the Clubhouse also provide updates to keep residents informed. Progress often comes with some inconvenience, and we apologize that the HFC’s indoor pool is temporarily closed from Jun 19 to August 12, but it is necessary to facilitate the replacement of the ceiling and other needed renovation projects in the pool area. Please note the HFC’s Aqua Reloaded classes that occur on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with instructors Laurie Heverly and Sandy Papineau, will take place in the outdoor pool at the Clubhouse during the HFC’s pool closure. Tickets are still available for the July 12 Pig Roast including juicy pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken, and a variety of side dishes. Josh Blevins and his band will be on hand to provide entertainment as well. You may also purchase tickets for the HFC New Year’s Eve party featuring a 12-piece band, hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight. Overall, the balance of 2024 proves to be an exciting one, and we look forward to seeing all of you during the coming months.
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L.A. LOOKS Central Native Plants of Florida By Lynn Davis The blue mistflower is a native perennial. It has purple/lavender flowers. The blooms last from summer through fall. Blue mistflower prefers full sun, but also blooms in part shade. Its great around marsh areas and helps combat erosion. This would be an excellent flower if you live around the many ponds in our community. The blue mistflower is an also a pollinator. It attracts bees and butterflies. It is especially important as a pollinator because of its later blooming season. This allows monarch butterflies to have food for its migration to Mexico. The plant grows quickly and reaches the height of 3 ft. It is a member of the Aster family. You can find this plant at Native Nurseries in Florida. LA (LW) HOA CORNER By Brenda Jackson We are happy to report we have a new HOA Board member. Please join us in welcoming Deanna (Dee) Mayne to the team. Have you ever wondered what the roles and responsibilities our Board has, well wonder no more. Below is a list outlining the many things our Board does for us. President/Treasurer: Point of contact with Attorney, Accountant, all other vendors. Stay up on all law changes around HOAs. Monthly Financials and Treasurer’s Report. Liaison - CC&R Review Committee. Develop and implement Compliance Guideline/Work Flow. Age Verification Compliance. Direct Report: IT/Website Administrator Officer Vice President: Social Director: President at meetings when President is absent. All resident related social events including but not limited to: Monday Morning Coffee, Welcome New Resident Events. Special Projects as assigned. Vice President 2: ARC Director. President at meetings when President and Vice President are absent. ARC Tracker software, ARC Review Guidelines, Attend ARC Meetings. Monthly metric Reporting to Board (or ARC Chair). Director and Chair continue to build committee/team. Direct Report: ARC Chair Officer. Secretary: Notice of Meeting & Meeting Minutes. Zoom. Elections Administration. Annual Meeting Administration. Nominating Committee. Secretary 2: Compliance Director: Initiates/ oversees CCRs, communications, changes/ updates CCR status, assigns tasks (all coordinated with IT/Website Administrator computer input and Chair). Tracking/monitoring status of Identified Issues in compliance software. Assign Chair and committee to handle preliminary investigations, meet with members concerning possible issues of violation, complaints, and concerns. Follow-up to ensure investigated issues to elevate to the Board when required. Monthly metric Reporting to Board (or Compliance Chair). Director and Chair continue to build committee/team. Direct Report: Compliance Chair Officer. Please stay informed by logging into our website at lakeashtonhoa.com. LA (LW) HOA BOARD • Marti Schmidt, President/Treasurer president@lakeashtonhoa.org • David Muller, VP & Social Director, vp@lakeashtonhoa.org • Harold Jackson VP2 & ARC Director, vp2@lakeashtonhoa.org • Tim Doyle, Secretary secretary@lakeashtonhoa.org • Dee Mayne, Secretary2 & Compliance Director, sec2@lakeashtonhoa.org • Mike Wilson, ARC Chair, arc@lakeashtonhoa.org
HAPPY SECURE YOUR LEGACY THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH EXPERT ESTATE PLANNING This 4th of July, as we celebrate the freedom and independence that our veterans (including our own Attorney, Jim Weaver) fought so hard to give us and generations to come, take a moment to think about your own legacy. At Weaver Loveless Law, Estate Planning is a priority so that your assets and wishes are protected and honored when you’re no longer here. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation 863.676.6000 welovelaw.com 15
Wildlife Corner HOW DO FERTI L I ZERS AFFECT PONDS? During the Summer months fertilizers are widely used in lawns. Excessive amount and careless The Purple Gallinule is an uncommon yearround resident of Lake Ashton. Like the Common Gallinule it is always found near water and is similar in size and shape. It has a lovely bright purplish-blue head, neck and body with a pale blue forehead shield. The legs are bright yellow with long toes to aid walking on lily pads and such. The bill resembles candy corn. It has a conspicuous white tail that it flicks as if nervous. It’s fun to see one fly with its legs hanging down. Being omnivorous it eats a wide variety of plants and animal matter including frogs, snails and fish. Previous offspring of a pair will help the parents feed the newest generation. The Purple Gallinule is subprecocial meaning chicks can walk around soon after hatching, but cannot feed themselves during the first few weeks of life. application can create problems to nearby ponds. Fertilizers are primarily made up of prosperous and nitrogen and when introduced to a nearby pond, they can increase the nutrient levels. Increase nutrient levels increase the chances of algae to bloom. The white specks in the picture above are fertilizer granules that were introduced into one of the ponds in Lake Ashton. Please remind lawn care contractors to use caution when fertilizing lawns to limit the amount of product that can potentially makes its way into the ponds, either directly or indirectly. For questions and concerns regarding aquatic maintenance in any ponds located in Lake Wales please contact Matt Fisher at mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com. SAFEGUARD STORM DRAINS Residents and lawn services are reminded to never place loose vegetation on top of storm drains. It can fall or blow into the storm drain and clog the stormwater system. LA II (WH) HOA BOARD • Dave Bishop, President presidentla2hoa@outlook.com • James Akridge, Vice President/HOA Liaison vparcla2hoa@outlook.com • Claude Browne, Secretary secretaryla2@outlook.com • Bill Martin, Vice President & Assistant Treasurer vptreasurerla2hoa@outlook.com • Connie Strassberg, Treasurer treasurerla2hoa@outlook.com • Pierre Duquette, LAII ARC Chair a6lawharc2@gmail.com • ARC requests: arctracker.com/lakeashton2
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SAFETY BE PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON Hurricane season runs until November 30. Staff has compiled some guidelines and other important information that will be helpful when preparing for severe weather that can be found online at lakeashtoncdd.com and in the Media Center on the information wall. Remember: • Hurricane and storm shutters must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). • The official site for Florida emergency preparation is floridadisaster.org. • Register your contact information for the Alert Polk telephone and email notification system at alertpolk.com. Polk County officials use this system to inform county residents of situations that may affect their health, safety, and welfare, including severe weather alerts. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH By Fay Wood, NW Chief As many know your Neighborhood Watch (NW) Leadership Team has been busy updating and enhancing the inner- workings of NW to further improve the success of this community wide program for all residents and other stakeholders interested in Lake Ashton! I am pleased to announce, under the teamwork of our Senior & Community Advisors, the entire Deputies assigned neighborhood listing is now complete with Jim Mescics volunteering to temporarily fill in for Neighborhood #7. Thank you, Jim! If you are interested in being the Deputy for this area (see area details on contact listing inserted in this issue), please contact me, Fay Wood (contact info on the inserted NW Team Listing). Please keep this listing where you can access easily and use to report or get the information you need. Thanks to all our Deputies for their expertise and program support. We are continuing to add Block Captains across all of Lake Ashton. If you are interested in joining us as a Block Captain or would like to know more about how you can be involved with this community wide program, please call any Deputy, Senior & Community Advisor, or myself to learn more and sign up. We believe in transparency, as many of you know, so stay tuned to LA Times, NW email blasts, word of mouth and writings from several community groups! We appreciate each and every one of you as members and leaders of Neighborhood Watch! We do this for you, with you, and because of you! Questions, ideas, etc. contact: Chief Fay Wood, our Senior & Community Advisors or your Deputies in your areas. Enjoy your summer and try and stay cool! ALL IGATOR ALERT Female alligators build a mound nest of soil, vegetation, or debris and deposit an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. Incubation requires approximately 63-68 days, and hatching occurs from mid-August through early September. 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 alligator outside its natural habitat, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 1-866FWC-GATOR (392-4286). • Alligators are nocturnal — more active during the night. After dark, avoid fresh and brackish bodies of 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. • Small animals, like pets, and small children 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. Brochures about coexisting with alligators and crocodiles are available at the Clubhouse Office. The FWC has several rules that prohibit feeding wildlife, including bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and alligators.
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MOVI ES JULY 2 —3 (NO SHOWINGS JULY 4) 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM UNFROSTED 2024 | PG-13 | 1H 33MIN (Language | Suggestive References) Michigan, 1963. Kellogg's and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever. A tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen, Unfrosted stars writer/director Jerry Seinfeld. JULY 9 — 11 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM MADAME WEB 2024 | PG-13 | 1H 56MIN (Violence/Action | Language) This suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who develops the power to see the future, and realizes she can use that insight to change it. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies — if they can all survive a deadly present. JULY 16 — 18 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM OUR (ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE) LOVE STORY 2023 | R | 1H 32MIN (Strong Language) When a beautiful, tall, aging Hollywood star and a short, funny Jewish man try online dating, it's a disaster. But when they randomly meet at a bird store (what are the chances?), he is immediately smitten, but she not so much. As he pursues the woman of his dreams, his charm, sense of humor, and multiple impressions win her over in their heartwarming (almost completely true) love story. 20 JULY 23 — 25 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM THE BOYS IN THE BOAT 2023 | PG-13 | 2H 4MIN (Smoking | Language) The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama based on bestselling non-fiction novel by Daniel James Brown. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world. JULY 30 — AUGUST 1 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM MEAN GIRLS 2024 | PG-13 | 1H 52MIN (Strong Language | Sexual Material | Teen Drinking) From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls "The Plastics," ruled by conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). When Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina's ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina's crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group's apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli'i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school. CLOSED CAPTIONING: 11 AM AND ALL TUESDAY SHOWINGS CINEMA CAPACITY: 55
MAY 7 FEATURE FILM FRIDAYS — 11 AM SHOWTIME IS CLOSED CAPTIONED JULY 5 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM THE PATRIOT 2000 | R | 2H 38MIN (Strong Violence) Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) s driven to lead a Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son. JULY 12 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM ELSA & FRED 2014 | PG-13 | 1H 44MIN (Brief Strong Language) After losing his wife, Fred (Christopher Plummer) moves into a nearby apartment building where he meets Elsa (Shirley MacLaine). Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, teaching him that time is precious and that he should enjoy life — and love — to the fullest. JULY 19 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM THE LOST CITY OF Z 2017 | PG-13 | 2H 21MIN (Disturbing Images | Brief Strong Language | Some Nudity | Violence) At the dawn of the 20th century, British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) journeys into the Amazon, where he discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment, which views indigenous populations as savages, the determined Fawcett, supported by his devoted wife, son, and aide-de-camp (Robert Pattinson), returns to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case. JULY 26 11 AM, 3 PM (NO 7 PM SHOWING) ICARUS 2017 | NR | 1H 50MIN When filmmaker Bryan Fogel sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist (and Putin’s most wanted whistleblower) transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller. Dirty urine, unexplained death and Olympic gold are all part of the exposure of the biggest scandal in sports history. 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. OVATION BISTRO & BAR Locations in Winter Haven, Lakeland & Davenport ovationbistro.com Offer 1: Free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of 2 entrees/drinks Offer 2: $10 off the purchase of $60 or more Offer 3: Lake Ashton Residents get a free glass of house wine, beer or cocktail with any purchase. Bring this coupon to redeem.
EVENTS COMMUNITY SOCIAL POTLUCKS The best way to meet new friends is over a good meal! Join friends and neighbors at the monthly potlucks held at the Clubhouse and HFC. Bring a dish to share! Sign up online or at either Activities Office. HFC: July 18 September 19 November 21 Clubhouse: August 14 October 9 December 11 SUMMER LOCALS CONCERT SERIES Jam out to local bands this summer at the Clubhouse & HFC. Tickets are on sale online for the Clubhouse tickets & at the HFC Activities Desk for the HFC Tickets are only $15 each for table seating with plenty of room to dance! Upcoming shows: Hwy 41 on July 26 at the Clubhouse, Two Smooth on August 9 at the HFC, Rusty Wright Band on August 30 at OPERATION LAKE ASHTON SHOW OUR COLORS & THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE Every year, the Lake Ashton Veterans Association (LAVA) places American flags at the entrances and roads leading into the community on the 4th of July. The entire community is challenged to line your property this 4th of July with U.S. flags! LAVA is also hosting our annual 4th of July parade! The parade will be marshaled at the HFC at 8:30 am, with step-off at 9. Golf carts, bicycles, and motor vehicles are all welcome. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Parade route shown above. Prior registration is not required. As always, God bless our troops, and God Bless America! Disclaimer: The cover photo opportunity was set up in advance through LAVA for this specified purpose only. Golf carts are not permitted to drive through or park in this area. the Clubhouse, Good Stuff on August 23 at the HFC, and Eklectik Haze on September 6 at the Clubhouse. Day trips and group travel are designed to experience the best of Florida. All trips include reserved round trip transportation in deluxe motorcoaches from the Clubhouse, tax, and driver gratuity. Please note that bus trips are available to residents of Lake Ashton only. Residents can sign non-resident guest(s) up on a wait list that will be drawn from just before the deadline for each trip if the trip does not sell out. Resident(s) can sign up for the trip and put their guest(s) on the wait list, or choose to be placed on the wait list with their guest. The wait list will be first come, first served. Details and pricing can be found on posters at the Clubhouse Media Center or sent out weekly via email blast. Sign up at the Clubhouse Activities Office with a check payable to Small World Tours. 22 SAVE THESE DATES - 2025 ENTERTAINMENT SERIES! The 2025 Entertainment Series shows will be held on January 8, February 6, February 21, March 20, April 3. Stay tuned to media for ticket on sale dates. Tickets are for residents only. Lake Ashton • Salvador Dali Museum July 11 • Westgate River Ranch Rodeo September 7 BusTrips • Tennessee Trip September 29 - October 7 • German American Society Oktoberfest October 4 • Winter Park Playhouse October 11 • Winter Park Festival of Trees November 20 • Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights December 2 - 4 • Dazzling Lights at Leu Gardens December 16
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LINE DANCE-A-PALOOZA! Brush up on those line dance moves (and don’t worry - they’re not just country!) for the first-ever Line Dance-A-Palooza on September 27 at 7 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom! All of the popular line dances will be featured, from the Electric Slide to the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and more. Bring your own snacks. There will be a cash bar for you to purchase your dancing juice! Tickets are on sale for $10 online and at the Clubhouse Activities Office. SAVE THE DATE: LA LOCAL AIRLINES - SEPTEMBER 28 Back by popular demand, LA Local Airlines (better known as LALA Airlines) will fly again! Destination still unknown but don’t miss the flight and a fun night of comedy with Lake Ashton residents! SQUARE DANCE PARTY - DATE CHANGE! JIM STAFFORD CONCERT Enjoy a night of music with Jim Stafford! Sing along to his iconic hits Spiders & Snakes, Swamp Witch, and Wildwood Weed on November 6 at 7 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Purchase your $20 tickets online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office. NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION 2024 is half-way through, what a whirlwind! No need to make those New Year’s Celebration plans, we’ve done that for you! Rock the year away with 99 in the Shade starting at 8 pm and cheers to the New Year with a champagne toast included in ticket price. Snacks and a cash bar will be available. Charm City will be having a New Year’s Eve dinner prior to the event. Make lasting memories at the traditional photo booth or the 360 photo booth, burn any bad vibes of 2024 in the fire on the patio, and welcome in 2025 with a fresh start! Tickets are on sale online and at the Clubhouse Activities Office for $35. Grab your partner and do-si-do down to the Clubhouse for a Square Dance Party on October 10 at 7 pm! Resident callers Keith Stevens and Dave Muller will have you promenading and bending the line throughout the night. Snacks will be provided on the tables for you to grab a quick bite between dances. Tickets are on sale for $5 online and at the Clubhouse Activities Office. SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CLUBHOUSE August 19: Next Bloodmobile October 21: Electronics Recycling November 2: Fall Block Party November 13: Home Improvement Expo November 20: Ornament Craft Class October 10!
SUMMER LOCALS CONCERT SERIES Clubhouse & HFC Jam out to these rad local bands with your friends & neighbors! 7 TO 10 PM JULY 26 HWY 41 AUGUST 30 RUSTY WRIGHT BAND SEPTEMBER 6 EKLECTIK HAZE AUGUST 9 TWO SMOOTH AUGUST 23 GOOD STUFF Purchase tickets at corresponding Activities Desks. $15 Tickets: CLUB HOUSE HFC
MIND&BODY SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE T O SIGN UP FOR EVENTS LIS TED IN THIS ISSUE. Latin ‘trivialis’ meaning ‘found everywhere, commonplace.’ All trivia is fact, but (theoretically) not all facts are trivia. Come join your Lake Ashton neighbors for a fun night of Trivia each Sunday in July at 7pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Doors open at 6 pm and tables are not reserved. Just $1 to play and all money is returned to the winners! Don’t miss the fun! LORRIE'S SUMMER LINE DANCE CLASSES Beginner Class held at 1 pm, Intermediate Class held at 2 pm Thursdays. No class on July 4. July 11 will be at the HFC and the July 18 class will be at the Clubhouse due to the Potluck at the HFC. Dance will be July 25 at the HFC. Come and join us to learn the dances for the Line Dance Palooza September 27 at 7 pm at the Clubhouse. TRIVIA Trivia Definition: Details, considerations, or pieces of information of little importance or value. Unimportant facts or details that are considered to be amusing rather than serious or useful. ‘Trivia' comes from the FREE MOBILE MEMORY ASSESSMENTS Free Mobile Memory Assessments will be conducted on July 18 from 10 am to 3 pm. Sign up online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office. TAKE CHARGE OF LIFE’S TRANSITIONS <#$3$* @4311"12 6"7"12 A('#$# 5 )"44# 6&12 A*(0 B3(* C*="/3"= @4311"12 D##*$ @(&$*/$"&1 @(&+3$* 63E* D#F$&1 >*#"=*1$ !"#"$ &'( )*+#"$* ,&( -./&0"12 !"($'34 5 6"7* 8*0"13(#9 :*;# 5 <='/3$"&134 >*#&'(/*#? Denise R. Tessier, Esq. 863.220.7927 Office | 863.225.2244 Direct Info@TessierLawFirm.com !!!"#$%%&$'()!*&'+",-+ 1375 Havendale Blvd. NW | Winter Haven, FL 33881 LUNCH & LEARN Planning Your Life Celebration Lunch & Learn. Learn how to protect your loved ones by planning your life celebration in advance on July 10 at noon in the Clubhouse Ballroom. Signup online today! All-natural Anti-imflammatories. Did you know that CBD can help with inflammation flare-ups? Learn all about it on August 7 at noon in the Clubhouse Ballroom! Sign up online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office. CPR & AED CLASS Learn life-saving techniques with Polk County Fire Rescue on September 18 at 11 am in the Clubhouse Ballroom. This class provides handsonly chest compression CPR and AED training designed to save the lives of people in sudden cardiac arrest. Residents will learn these life-saving tips with hands-on training, a presentation, and an educational video. Sign up online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office.
Brad Kirwan’s Lake Ashton Customers Discuss His Real Estate Work Excellent Experience When I decided to move for health reasons, Brad provided an excellent sales experience. His professionalism and knowledge produced a quick sale in a difficult market. Brad went above and beyond in handling all the details of the sale. I sold, closed, and was in my new place in less than one month! Thanks Brad, you are amazing! Carol Fitch 8 May 2024 Verified by RateMyAgent Curious about your home’s current market value? Call for a free Comparative Market Analysis. BRAD KIRWAN 863.280.0390 27
CARDS FOR ALL AGES Facilitators: Judy Ridpath & Marianne Morcone Join in the fun making cards on July 3. This class is for all levels. If you’ve never made cards before come try something new. All card materials to make two cards are provided for $5. Photos of July cards are shown below. Meet the first Wednesday of each month in the Clubhouse Craft Room from 2 to 4 pm. Registration required, space is limited. Contact Marianne (mkegolfer@aol.com, 860-712-9440) or Judy (judy@judyridpath, 650-678-1174). BOB ROSS OIL PAINTING Instructor: Kay Lenherr July 13 at 1 pm Clubhouse Craft Room Waves of Wonder $35 (payable at class) Sign up online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office by noon on July 12 LARGEST SELECTION OF INDOOR & OUTDOOR FANS ANYWHERE! TRADITIONAL MODERN CONTEMPORAR ANS 39999 PATRIOTIC CANDLE HOLDER Wednesday, July 10 from 6 to 8 pm at the HFC Craft Room. Come and play with red, white & blue glass in this fun workshop. You will be creating a Glass Candle Holder measuring approximately 3” high by 5” wide when completed. Then she will take your creation home and fire the glass in her studio kiln. The finished pieces will be available for pickup at the HFC in 1 to 2 weeks. Sign up at the Health & Fitness Center Activities Desk with a check made out to Jill Groves for $30. Pre-Registration is required. No previous experience is necessary. The cost includes all project supplies, use of equipment, kiln firing and art glass. For more information, contact Jill Groves, 419-902-7966 or manorridgecreations@gmail.com CREATE A CARD July 16 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. No experience needed. Cost is $12. Sign up at the HFC. Call Karen at 262-497-3272 with questions. 60 DC Mot WiFi Enabled Lighe Included Design Y an Parts & Services Aailable In-Store Warranes Winer Haen 1104A Cypr d SE (Lampligh a) wancityom (863) 299-2777 SEASONAL FLORAL FRAMES Join resident crafter and floral enthusiast Pam Klawinski for the final Floral Frames class on July 9 at 1 pm in the Clubhouse Craft Room to make your very own unique seasonal décor! In this class you will learn how to arrange seasonal colored florals on an 8x10 picture frame that will be interchangeable for every season and holiday! This month’s class will be for Summer. If you participated in the last class and received a frame, be sure to bring that frame back to the class, you’ll need it! All instructions and needed materials will be provided for $16. Sign up online or at the Clubhouse Activities Office.
BODY MIND SOUL CLUBHOUSE FREE VIRTUAL MEDITATION SESSION: MONDAYS AT 3 PM — EMAIL YOGAWINTERHAVEN@GMAIL.COM TO RECEIVE ZOOM LINK CHAIR YOGA: TUESDAYS AT 9 AM, $5/CLASS (PAYABLE AT CLASS) NO EQUIPMENT OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED HATHA YOGA: THURSDAYS 10 TO 11 AM. $5/CLASS (PAYABLE AT CLASS) A STEP UP FROM CHAIR YOGA BUT YOU MAY BRING A CHAIR IF YOU WISH ZUMBA WITH APRIL AT THE HFC COMMUNITY CENTER WEDNESDAYS, 5:25 — 6:25 PM. $5 BEGINNING CHAIR & BALANCE: MONDAYS AT 10 AM CLASSICAL STRETCH: MONDAYS & THURSDAYS AT 11 AM CARDIO SWING & YOGA COOL: TUESDAY & THURSDAYS AT 9 AM TRIPLE B (BAT WINGS, BELLIES, & BULGES): WEDNESDAYS AT 9 AM BASIC FITNESS & CARDIO: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS AT 10 AM AQUA MOTION: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS AT 4 PM BACK TO BASICS: FRIDAYS AT 9 AM 29 WATER AEROBICS: TUESDAYS — SATURDAYS AT 8:30 AM AQUA RELOADED: MON., WED., & FRIDAYS 10 TO 11 AM THROUGH AUGUST 12 AT THE OUTDOOR POOL VIBES DRUMBEAT SESSIONS WEDNESDAYS JULY 17, & AUGUST 21 FROM 10 TO 11 AM AT THE CLUBHOUSE PAVILION $5/SESSION, PAYABLE AT CLASS HFC Check out the calendar inserts in this issue for more weekly happenings at the Clubhouse and HFC! Are you strong enough to live the lifestyle you want? Many of us think we are mobile and strong, but how do we stack up to our peers who are active? Come join doctor Lakota Hillis PT,who will provide insights into how to assess your own strength and balance. Join Lakota on July 23 at 1 pm in the HFC Community Center. simply HEALTHY
CLUBS BOLLA By Linda Warden BOLLA (Blankets of Love At Lake Ashton) continues to meet throughout the summer. If you have a couple of hours to give on Monday afternoon we would appreciate your help. We are working to get blankets ready for the schools when they open this fall. There are many families and children in crisis and in need in Polk County. No need to be able to sew. Just tie knots! We have everything needed for the project. Just bring yourself. We meet every Monday 1-3 pm in the Clubhouse Craft Room. BOOKMOBILE BOOK CLUB Join the Bookmobile Book Club that meets the second Wednesday each month from 10 to 11 am in the Clubhouse Craft Room. LA BELLES By Beth Wagner It’s Christmas in July! Come join our Christmas lunch with the LA Belles on July 31 at 11 am at Mike’s Grill (1037 N Broadway Ave Bartow). Sign up online or at the Clubhouse. Hosted by Kim: 614-565-4239 and Gail: 941-545-8446 and Donna GENEALOGY CLUB By Jane Imparl In June, we had a great time learning about how to use Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps to locate homes and businesses of our ancestors. Now, some of us are ready to research the history of the homes of our families. At the July meeting, we will learn how to use the wonderful online website featuring David Rumsey's map collection. In addition, we will be looking at places to find online newspapers to help us understand our ancestors' everyday lives. Come join the fun on Wednesday, July 10 in the Craft Room at the HFC. Hope to see you there. GARDEN CLUB By Lynn Davis The LA Garden Club held its monthly meeting on June 12. The club was fortunate to have a guest speaker from UF/IFAS speak on beneficial and non-beneficial insects.This information was helpful for non-club members too. The group was provided with alternatives to heavy chemical sprays, such as horticultural soap. There were many hand-outs and members had the opportunity to ask questions. The Garden Club will go on hiatus for the months of July and August. The next meeting will be on September 11 in the Pavilion. LA REPUBLICAN CLUB By Kristy McKibben Join us on Saturday, July 13, from 1 - 3 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom for the Firecracker Candidate Jamboree. You’ll hear from 23 Republican Candidates and have the opportunity to ask your questions about their positions. Arrive early for good seating. Picnic refreshments will be served. Contact Greg Ulrich with questions: 863.969.7595 or hog19862000@gmail.com. SINGLES CLUB By Carol Corley The LA Singles Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 2 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom. At the June meeting, approximately 30 attended. The group discussed future events. Plans were made to go to lunch at The Ranch in Lake Wales in June. The Single Mingle is held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Pavilion from 4 to 6 pm. In July, that will be July 18. Bring your own drink and a snack to share. Volunteers are needed to set up for the Mingle. Contact Susan Castillo if you are able to help out. Please attend the meeting on July 7 at 2 pm to share ideas on future activities for the Singles Club. Also, join the group for Cards and games on Sundays from 2 – 4 pm in the Clubhouse Ballroom.
The Extended Impact: Why Recessions Aren’t Just About Economic Growth Recessions, defined by consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, have been a cyclical feature of market economies since their inception. While it’s tempting to quantify a recession solely in terms of GDP contraction, it’s crucial to understand that the implications stretch far beyond economic growth. To truly appreciate the encompassing impacts of a recession, one must delve into various areas that may be affected: Sociopolitical Considerations- Recessions leave a significant footprint on the socioeconomic landscape of affected nations. In severe cases, recessions may escalate social unrest. Dwindling financial resources can bring heightened competition and intensify socioeconomic issues and political instability. For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis, social movements like Occupy Wall Street emerged as a direct response to perceived corporate greed and financial mismanagement, demonstrating the profound sociopolitical ramifications of an economic recession. National and Corporate Debt- National and corporate debt levels invariably surge during recessions as nations and businesses borrow to balance their books. As revenues plummet, they borrow to cover operational costs and essential services. The increased debt can compel spending cuts, leading to fewer managed services, job losses, and other consequences. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies worldwide loaded on debt to survive, potentially setting the stage for a future debt crisis. Unemployment Rates- Recessions have a direct impact on employment rates. As businesses grapple with plummeting revenues, layoffs become an inevitable consequence. In the U.S., the Great Recession witnessed an unemployment rate peak at 10.0% in October 2009. Even after the economy recovered, the effects lingered, with increased competition for job positions and stiffened employment conditions. These elevated unemployment rates can bring about several adverse social consequences, from higher crime rates to mental health issues. Consumer Sentiment- Consumer sentiment, or the degree of optimism consumers feel regarding the state of the economy, is deeply impacted by recessions. Dwindling consumer confidence leads to decreased consumer spending, which further impacts economic troubles as consumer spending accounts for a significant f ti f i tii I h ft Contact me today! Jim Cooper Certified Financial Fiduciary P: (863) 589-6850 E: jimcooper@newinsightfinancial.com Lake Ashton Resident 99 6th St SW Suite 109 Winter Haven FL 33880 31 h f Questions? Scan this QR code to book a 15-minute appointment. Recessions aren’t just a dry measure of declining GDP growth rates; they represent complex phenomena with numerous interconnected economic, social, and political facets. To truly understand the often devastating impacts of a recession, we must look beyond simple economic indexes to comprehend the broader range of direct and indirect consequences. As we adapt to a world increasingly characterized by economic uncertainties, having a holistic understanding of recessions can help guide us toward building more resilient economies and societies. SWG 3210361-1123a The sources used to prepare this material are believed to be true, accurate and reliable, but are not guaranteed. This information is provided as general information and is not intended to be specific financial or tax guidance. When you access a link you are leaving our website and assume total responsibility for your use of the website you are linking to. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at this website. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, websites, information and programs made available through this website.
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. Advance registration is encouraged and can be done by using the Red Book in the card room or by contacting Don Fuller at dfuller627@yahoo.com to register or receive more information. May 13: North-South 1st Marian Oshinsky & Trish Kellar; 2nd Pat Foster & Judy Marine; 3rd Jim Ford & Sonny Robinson; East-West 1st Graham Littlehales & Howard Mayne; 2nd Nelda Sedlacek & Pauline Pare; 3rd Dee Mayne & Jeannine Connors May 20: North-South 1st Marian Oshinsky & Trish Kellar; 2nd Jim Ford & Sonny Robinson; 3rd Liz Smith & Keith Stevens; East-West 1st Pat Foster & Ralph Ritter; 2nd Dana Griffiths & Marge Kniat; 3rd Pauline Pare & Nelda Sedlacek June 3: North South 1st Marian Oshinsky & Trish Kellar; 2nd Graham Littlehales & Howard Mayne; 3rd Keith Stevens & Liz Smith; East-West 1st Ralph Ritter & Pat Foster; 2nd Nelda Sedlacek & Liz Leigh; 3rd Dana Griffiths & Marge Kniat June 10: 1st Marian Oshinsky & Nelda Sedlacek; 2nd Graham Littlehales & Howard Mayne; 3rd Marge Kniat & Dana Griffiths; 4th Marion Nelson & Roger Nelson LA ROCKERS By Annie Lutz LA Rockers is a wonderful group of residents that spreads acts of kindness to our LA Community. By painting and hiding rocks here at Lake Ashton we hope to provide the right message at just the right time. LA Rockers have been busy painting and hiding rocks and they will continue to do so throughout the summer. There won’t be any teaching classes until the fall. Current, experienced members will continue to meet for “Free Painting” during both of our regular meeting times. Our meeting are held in the HFC Community Room from 1 to 3 pm on the first and thrd Wednesday of the month. If you are lucky enough to find 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 where our rocks go. LAVA AUXILIARY By Chris Graves No meetings in July and August. See you in September! The LAVA Auxiliary was proud to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremonies honoring our fallen patriots. The LAVA Auxiliary also supported LAVA for their Annual Golf Tournament by providing refreshments for the golfers. The money raised by providing refreshments will go to support our veterans. SAVE THE DATE! The annual Craft Show will be held October 26 in the Clubhouse Ballroom. More information to follow in the upcoming LA Times. CALLING ALL BAKERS – donations of baked goods for the bake sale fundraiser will be needed! For more information, call Debbie Platt at 863-318-9376. LA SWIM CLUB By Sandy White DID YOU KNOW - that the summer Olympics will be in Paris from July 26 through August 11. Swimming events will be July 27 through August 4. Medal races will be shown on NBC daily at 2:30 pm, except the last day when they will be at 12:30. The USA Olympic Swim Team was selected from the top finishers out of 1007 who qualified to participate in the USA Olympic Swimming Trials in June. We encourage everyone to watch some (or all) of the Olympic Swimming (and Diving), and don't forget to cheer. If you get motivated by the Olympics to use swimming as a fitness program or a challenge, come be part of the Lake Ashton Swim Team. For more info contact sandyw1994@aol.com
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LAKE ASHTON FRIENDS OF MEALS ON WHEELS By Marcia Santino Do you have as little as an occasional 2-3 hours to spare? Have you ever worked in retail or shopped in any kind of store? Are you looking for a sense of purpose or a way to give back / contribute to the local community? Meals on Wheels of Polk County is looking for able-bodied volunteers to help in their Thrift Store. As a volunteer you set your own schedule - any day, any time. Volunteer assignments include straightening, organizing and putting out new merchandise as the donations are processed or assisting the cashier with bagging items as they are sold. That’s it. Nothing strenuous. Nothing complicated. The store is located in Winter Haven just outside historic downtown at 620 6th Street NW behind the main MOW building. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Proceeds from the thrift store represent 40% of the non-profit’s revenue. The more efficiently they can process donations for sale the more income they make. Your help can make a difference and is greatly appreciated. Please sign up to volunteer in the thrift store, as a meal delivery driver or assisting with meal preparation at MOWpolk.org. It all starts with donating! Lake Ashton’s next “Second Chance” donation day is Thursday, July 18. Your quality donations of clothing, accessories, shoes, small household items and appliances will be gratefully accepted at the Clubhouse or HFC from 9 am to 3 pm. To become a club member or for more information, please email lafomow@gmail.com FRIENDLY BOCCE GROUP By Stephanie Iszak The Friendly Bocce Group would like to invite all Lake Ashton residents to 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 Bocce Ball rules and regulations. The group also has the Bocce courts reserved for the first and third Fridays for the 2024
season from 4 to 6 pm for our tailgate parties. Bring your drinks and an appetizer to share. This is a great opportunity to socialize and play some games. Any questions please contact Stephanie at 609-980-9505 or at siszak@comcast.net or Tammy Shields at 863-632-2024 or at tammy.shields1221@gmail.com. Looking forward to having many new Friendly Bocce players. LA PICKLEBALL By Chuck Caesar Pickleball is in full swing here at Lake Ashton. We kicked-off the unofficial start of summer with a pickleball mixer over the Memorial Day weekend. We began the morning with a moment of silence to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, followed by some pickleball and popsicles. Lisa Savala and Dianne Holman were the women’s champions and Earl Schley and JP Thomas were champions of the men. As we moved into June we began a mixed double league. Fourteen teams are participating in the league which will run through the end of July. Our social and fundraising teams have planned several other events for the beginning of July. On Tuesday, July 2, we will be sponsoring a dance at the HFC with DJ Wayne. The dance is open to the entire Lake Ashton Community with all the profits going to support the up coming expansion of the pickleball courts. We will wrap up the 4th of July week with a members’ mixer and cookout on Friday, July 5. The Newbie Clinics are on hold for the summer but will return once the weather is a bit cooler. In the meantime, If you are interested in learning to play, come join us at open play on Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 11 am. There are always people who can help you learn the game. We even have paddles if you need one.
GOLF LAMGA By David Kubissa One key to enjoying a LAMGA game is the pace of play. A round of four hours or more can ruin a good round. So how do you keep a reasonable pace? Ready golf can help. But here is another technique: pick up rather than holing out if your score doesn’t matter on a hole. The USGA code of conduct calls for prompt play, and one rule helps with that. USGA Handicap Rule 3.3 says you do not have to hole out to post a legitimate score when playing best ball – such as the typical LAMGA game. If your partner or partners have already scored on a hole, you may pick up and post “a most likely score or net double bogey, whichever is lower,” according to the rule. The graphic here explains how many strokes you should add if you pick up. For example, suppose your team already has acceptable scores on a hole and you are putting for a bogey or worse. If you are within 5 feet of the hole, you can pick up, add one stroke, and move on. For how to score pickups over 5 feet, check out the graphic. To ensure a brisk pace, keep rule 3.3 in mind. Your fellow golfers will appreciate it. New board member: Jim Shillito has been appointed by the directors to fill a board vacancy. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2025. Sponsor salute: Thanks to the following remodeling and service providers: AIS Shower Doors, Inc.; Central Door Company; D&D Painting & Home Repairs; Hawkins Home Repair; Shutters and Shades; Sun Protection of Florida; Southwood Garage Doors; The Groutsmith; Window Concepts by Annalisa; Flooring of Lake Hamilton. LA NINERS By Sandy Hockenberry Finally, the rains have started and the ponds are starting to fill. Some of those rains come in the form of thunder and lightning storms. Golfers are at high risk of lightning strikes if playing during a storm. Please remember to exit the golf course when the warning siren sounds or if you hear nearby thunder. If you are caught on the course and there is no shelter near, the PGA suggests the following: • Do not stand under tall trees or sit in a golf cart. Do not stand under a lone tree, even a small one. • Get away from your cart and away from your golf clubs quickly.
• Stay away from water. • If you are old-school and have metal spikes on, take them off. • If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley, or the lowest spot you can find. The National Weather Service advises: “If a substantial building is not available, enclosed motor vehicles can provide shelter as long as patrons do not touch the metal framework during a thunderstorm (golf carts are not safe vehicles). No place outside is safe. If no safe shelter is available…stay away from the tallest objects (trees, light poles, flag poles), metal objects (fences or golf clubs), standing pools of water, and fields.” Tuesday, July 2 is the Niners/Blue Man Tournament – 18 Hole Par 3 Tournament with a 9 am shotgun start. Lunch following will include flat bread pizza, wings, salad and make-your-own-ice-cream-sundae. July 9th game will be Individual Low Putts, July 16th is a Scramble – 2 Best Nets and July 23rd is Convert 2 Holes to Par. At the end of the month, there will be a Four-Person Scramble on July 30, followed by Lunch with Friends. Don’t forget to sign up! LALGA By Beverly Hines The Red Hoagland Challenge winners, who won the most prize money during the season, were announced after the last season league play in June. Pictured left to right are the winners: first place $80 – Liz Leigh, 2nd place $60 – Bev Hines, 3rd place $40 – Kathy Reed, and 4th place $20 – Char Walter. Congratulations, ladies and a big thank you to Red Hoagland Hyundai of Winter Haven for their support! There's good news and some bad news for golfers in Florida when it comes to the 2024 summer forecast. The bad news is, yes, it will be hot. However, the good news is that LALGA members won’t let that deter them from playing golf. Some of the fun events on the schedule is a Flag Tournament (July 2) where players place a flag in the ground when they reach their total strokes (handicap plus par); a two-day, Let the Sunshine In, tournament (July 8 & 9) with a pick your partner scramble format with lunch to follow on the second day at the Eagles Nest; Individual Flighted Ringer (July 16), where players play the same 9 holes twice and take the better gross and net scores; 4-Person Team Scramble (July 23); and Team Play (July 30) with 1-2-3 best nets on certain holes. July promises to be a great month for some fun golf! LALGA encourages women whose handicap is 40 or less to sign up to play with the league on Tuesdays. Women may play a two-round maximum trial period without joining. Also, during the summer months, LALGA members have the option of playing nine holes. So, if you aren’t a member, come out and give it a try. We will assign you a mentor to get you acclimated to the group. We love new members! 38
ICE CREAM SOCIAL TREAT YOURSELF! STAY COOL! July 30 1 pm Tickets: $6 includes 2 scoops of ice cream, toppings, sauces, whipped cream, and peanuts Ice cream will be served out of the Restaurant with residents being able to sit on the outdoor patio, pool deck, or inside the Restaurant. Purchase tickets at the Clubhouse Activities Office or online.
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