L.A. LOOKS Wildlife Corner Photo & Article By Barbara Ann Comer The Boat-tailed Grackle is a common year-round resident of Lake Ashton that cannot be missed! This large, gregarious blackbird is loud! The male (right) is an iridescent blue-black with a long, keel-shaped tail. The female (top left) leads most observers to believe they are seeing a completely different species. She is tawny-brown with slightly darker wings and tail and is smaller than the male. Their vocalizations sound like noisy, nonsensical chatter. Usually found near the water or at bird feeders their flamboyant demeanor calls attention to themselves. An interesting fact is that the ones south of Gainesville have dark eyes while those farther north have yellow eyes. The male Boattailed Grackles strut around boldly on long legs with their tails cocked up. Males (often in small groups) point their bills straight up into the air attempting to attract the ladies. Bird Watching with Barbara Monday November 23 at 8 am Please meet at 8 am at the Clubhouse West Parking Lot in your golf cart for an 8:10 am departure. We plan to tour the east course via golf carts in search of birds. “Cart-pooling” is encouraged. Please bring binoculars, water, hats and sunglasses. Be prepared and wear sunscreen or clothing that will protect you from the sun. We plan to bird for about 1 to 2 hours maximum. 16 LA (LW) HOA CORNER By Charles Roland A spirit of “THANKS” and “GIVING” is in the air as we welcome back familiar faces, reconnect with friends we’ve made along the way, and greet new residents. The co-sponsored Good Neighbors Day offered some much-needed camaraderie. The HOA Board extends a special thank-you to everyone who participates and shares feedback to help keep our community beautiful, friendly and compliant. There are several opportunities to get involved with the HOA Board, committees and subcommittees, helping provide continuity and improve communication throughout our beautiful community. As mentioned, two Board members’ terms are set to expire in 2027, and we are looking for a nominating committee. Your vote and your voice count, and community participation is essential to keeping our association strong. We are also working on the 2027 budget and continually reviewing guidelines and new technologies that homeowners may find useful, while remaining mindful of the natural beauty of our homes. The guidelines are posted on the HOA website at https://stambaugh.cincwebaxis.com/account/ loginmodernthemes as soon as they are available. New homeowners will receive a copy in their welcome packet at the Clubhouse. Any exterior changes to your home will likely require an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) request through the ARC Tracker. If you need assistance with the ARC Tracker software, our dedicated ARC Committee members are ready to help. Please also check your email regularly, as additional information or questions may be sent regarding your request. A reminder that a suggestion box is located next to the bulletin board near the bowling alley for residents who prefer to share their thoughts in writing. To receive email notifications from the Lake Ashton HOA, residents must submit a completed email authorization form to the management company, Stambaugh. For assistance, call 863-324-5100. Finally, please remember to say “thank you” to the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to our association. Their efforts help make Lake Ashton the wonderful community we all enjoy.
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