Spring is officially here and though the first few days were cooler than normal, the rain has greened up the grass and the flowers in the garden are in bloom, especially the garden by the front gate. It was a nice "welcome home" for Gene and I when we returned from our trip last week.
I would like to say that the park looks very nice and that most of you have done some Spring Cleaning. There are still a few lots that could use a little sprucing up, so if you were busy in March and didn't get the chance to take an objective look at your house, please take a minute to look and remedy any problem that you see. Your work is really appreciated.
We will be having a Bonfire and a Cook-Out in later in April. It will take place in the Mobile Home Park at the large fire pit. You will just need to bring your cooler with drinks and a chair to sit in while you eat and enjoy the fire. The exact date will be announced later in April and will be determined by the weather conditions. According to the the historical data, rainfall amounts in April are lower than any months except November and December, but 2014 has started out cooler than normal and wetter than normal, so we will have to see what April bring us here at Aripeka West. I think everyone would like it to be a little warmer and not so wet this Spring!
What's "bugging" us....
The wasps and bees are coming to life after a winter that has been very cool and left them dormant. Please take a look around your home for nests that they may be building and eliminate the problem before you or one of your guests get stung.
This is also the beginning of mosquito season at Aripeka West, so take a moment to empty any water standing in planters, buckets and other vessels around you home. Mosquitos often transmit diseases when they bite you or your pets. Pasco County Mosquito Control has visited the park several times in the last month and have sent in the helicopter to drop pellets in the swampy areas to inhibit the mosquito larve from hatching, so let's do our part to help by not providing those "skeeters" a place to hatch in our yards!
2014 Hernando County Fair....
The Hernando County Fair opens on April 4th at 5 PM and runs through April 12th. This years fair will have midway rides, including many "armband" days, live music, youth livestock shows, a demolition derby, a tracker pull and much more. Please click on the link provided for a full schedule of events. Admission is $4 for kids 4-12, $8 for those 13 and up and free for those 3 and under. Kids Day at the fair is Friday April 4th and everyone 17 and under is admitted free and Wednesday April 9th is Senior Day for those 55+ admission in only $4 and the fair will be open to Seniors Only between the hours of 3 PM and 5 PM. The Hernando County Fairground is located on US 41 (6436 Broad Street) in Brooksville.
Fishing & Boating....
As the weather warms a bit we will be thinking about doing a little fishing and boating, but remember that fishing in Florida, with only a few exceptions requires a license. There are many different rules, but even those fishing from a bridge or the shoreline, in many cases need a license. Shore licenses are FREE for Florida residents, but application must be made to get the FREE license in most cases. If you are not a Florida Resident you must have a Fishing Licence to fish. Did you know that if you are a Florida Resident and are Totally and Permenantly Disabled you can get your Fishing License for FREE? Follow the link to complete the application and see if you qualify for a FREE Fishing and/or Hunting License!
Now on to the boats, all motorized boats need to be registered, including those with only trolling motors. Safety equipment required on board your boat varies by the size of the vessel, click on the link to see what you need for your boat.
Have fun, but make sure you stay safe!
The Official Boating Handbook of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
SunWest Park....
Pasco County broke ground on the SunWest Park in February and construction bidding closed on March 20th. Everyone was hoping the park could open by the 4th of July, but it looks like it will be a bit later. Has anyone seen any progress on the park? The county has put up detour signs directing you away from Old Dixie Hwy, but not much traffic used Old Dixie in the first place. Only a handful of cars and the dump trucks carrying loads of sand and limestone out of the park were using the road and the dump trucks are still using the road daily, lots of dump trucks!
Property on Aripeka Road is now For Sale and being sold for the land value, based on the close proximity of the Gulf of Mexico fishing and the new park scheduled to open soon. This land is zoned for light commercial use, let's hope whoever buys the property is careful about what they do with it and remains true to our quiet Aripeka lifestyle. We are known for our fishing, artwork and most of all for the beautiful daily sunsets, no two are alike. Oh and let's not forget our little Post Office that we fought so hard to keep last fall!
Florida Blueberry Festival....
The Florida Blueberry Festival will be held in Brooksville on Saturday April 12th and Sunday April 13th. Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for ages 6-17 and Free for children 5 and under.
The Florida Blueberry Festival will have various amazing local musicians entertaining the crowds. With twenty (20) assorted food concessionaires, and the Fresh from Florida Market featuring Florida grown blueberries and produce, there will be plenty of delectable edibles to choose from.
Wander the streets to take in the Car Show, Street Entertainers and sixty Artisans selling their beautiful creations and participating in our Juried Art Show! One hundred Retail Exhibitors will be set up to entice you with a variety items you are sure to love.
Great family fun includes, Blueberry Patch Kids Zone with games and entertainment fun for the kids, Blueberry Theatre, Zip Line ride, a Masters Putting Challenge, the Blueberry Derby and much much more! Plenty of Parking is available.
Another Fun Winter Season....
Sadly we have had to say "Good Bye" to a few of our Winter Guests this past month. Don and Nancy Arnold, Loren Ford and Mark and LJ Krehbiel left in early March and Rick and Joyce Payette left on the 31st. Several more will be leaving in April. It is always hard to see everyone leaving their Aripeka home for their homes scattered across the US and Canada. This year we have had visitors from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Ontario, Quebec, New York, Illinois, Washington, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky and Arkansas. We have even had a few from Florida come stay for a few days.
We will miss them and look forward to their return in the Fall!
April Fool's Day....
If you are looking for some good pranks for April Fool's Day, there are some great ones at this site. Just remember to be funny, not hurtful.
Easter's almost here....
Celebrate
this Easter with a heart filled with peace, joy and cheer! Have a happy Easter!
On the first Monday of every month a Pot Luck Dinner is held at the Aripeka Community Center on Osowaw. These are great dinners and all they ask is that those who can afford it bring a dish or donate monitarily to the dinner. No one is turned away because they cannot afford to donate. Several residents of Aripeka West attend regularly, so you WILL know someone when you get there! Please join the fun and enjoy a great dinner with your neighbors and fellow Aripekans. Dinner is at 6 PM on the 1st Monday of each month.
New Bear in the area....
Have you seen the new Bear on Osowaw? He is where Shoal Line Blvd meets Osowaw at the entrance to Hernando Beach. They are renovating the entrance to Hernando Beach and there is a nice statue of a black bear. We have seen the warning signs "Bear Crossing", but many of us have not seen a bear. If you have not seen one of our elusive black bears, just keep a look out, they are out there in the woods and sometimes they just have to cross the street. Seeing one of the bears is very exciting and doesn't happen often, so try to get a picture if you can.
April 2014 Calendar....
