December 2014 Newsletter

We hear the bells...

It must be that wonderful time of the year again!  The Christmas Season has begun, the lights have been going up, people are humming Christmas Carols, Santa is popping up all over the place, you just never know where you will run into the that Jolly Ol' Fellow!  Christmas in Florida brings us wonderful weather, yes, even beach weather, so get out and take advantage of the cooler temps, the light breezes and the bright sunshine, it will brighten your day!  Christmas is a time of "giving", so if you have the means and/or the opportunity to make someone else a little happier this this year, please do.  There are so many in need, whether it is for food, shelter, gifts for children, or even just friendship.  Tis' the season to to jolly, so let's help make it jolly for everyone with "random acts of kindness".  The next time you are in the position to help, whether it is a friend, a co-worker or a perfect stranger, be there for them.  Remember that just your "smile" can brighten the day of others!

The Decorations...

We hope you enjoy the lights that we have put up at the entrance of the park. It is fun to decorate and to be able to enjoy the the lights at the park after watching the beautiful Aripeka Sunset.  We love to see your homes beautifully decorated for the season, so go ahead, put them up, let's make Aripeka West shine brightly this Christmas Season.

And don't forget to decorate the boats...

Dunedin

Holiday Boat Parade

December 6th, 2014 6:00pm - 9:00pm ( Always the First Saturday of December)

Beautifully decorated, lighted boats will leave Marker 1 Marina at 6pm and proceed south through the Intra-Coastal waterway to Marker 2, turn around and arrive at the Dunedin Marina at approximately 7:30pm. Presented by the Dunedin Boat Club, Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department and Marker 1 Marina. Festivities also include Holiday music, S'Mores and Santa arriving on the last boat and preside over the Tree Lighting ceremony! Free to attend. Bring lawn chairs. For boat registration, call (727) 692-6440. For general information, call (727) 812-4531 

Hernando Beach

Boat Parade

December 12th, 2014 6:00pm

The parade will start at 6 p.m., leaving from behind the yacht club, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd., then proceeding through local canals and to the public boat ramp. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Hernando County Sheriff's Office will assist. The Hernando Beach Yacht Club will host the annual Hernando Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Afterward, there will be hot dogs, chili, chips and drinks available at the club.

Entry fee is the donation of a new, unwrapped toy. Trophies will be awarded for the best original theme, best lighted boat and the funniest boat. There is no cost for spectators. For information, call Fleet Captain Arron Nangle at 352-916-0001

Homosassa

Holiday Boat Parade.

December 20th 2014, 5:30pm

Madeira Beach 

Festival Of Light

December 13th , 2014 6:30

Lighted and decorated boats will light up the waterways. The parade will begin behind the Madeira Beach recreation field at 6:30 pm and end at John's Pass. Website

Palm Harbor / New Port Richey

Lake Tarpon Holiday Boat Parade.

December 20th  2014 7:30pm 

Dockside Boat Parade will be making a come-back this year!  In a new and better location!  The Parade is scheduled for Dec. 20th at the Dockside which is now located at the Magnuson Hotel and Marina in New Port Richey.  It was formerly the Ramada.  It will take place on Saturday, December 20th and benefit Wheelchairs 4 Kids.  We are still working ot the details, but we do know that there is a beautiful Winner's Cup that will have the winning boat's name and Captain engraved on it and that will be displayed in the Dockside Sports Bar N Grill for all to admire and envy!!  I will keep you in the loop as registration fees and what they include is determined.  

Also, for those who don't have a boat of their own - they can rent one at Windsong Boat Rentals located right on site.

Check out our events page for more info. Happy Holidays! Website

Redington Beach/Indian Shores

Boat Parade

December 21st 2014, 6:00pm

Starting at Tom Stewart Causeway Docking at the Pub. 727-391-3875 Website Contact Missy Clake for more details.

St Petersburg

27th Annual Illuminated Boat Parade

December 13th, 2014 6:00 pm ( Second Saturday of december)

Organized by the Rotary Club of St Petersburg, the annual Bruce Watters Jewelers Holiday Festival and Illuminated Boat Parade returns to downtown St. Petersburg this December 13, 2014. The Holiday Festival begins at 3:00pm with great live entertainment, plenty of food and drinks(including beer & wine), a variety of children’s activities and the spectacular 27th Annual Illuminated Boat Parade at 6:00pm. Proceeds from the Holiday Festival and Illuminated Boat Parade benefit local charities through the Rotary Club of St Petersburg Charitable Trust, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

The parade travels from Bayboro, passing in front of the Pier, near the shoreline in and around the Vinoy Basin and back out into Tampa Bay. For more information or to enter your boat in the parade, please visitwww.stpeteboatparade.org, email us at info@stpeteboatparade.org or call 727-822-3277

Tampa

Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade

December 7th, 2014 6:00 ( Free)

Paddlers & Boaters alike are welcome and needed for this magical boat parade on the beautiful Hillsborough - anything that floats qualifies! Decorate your boat and put in at Lowry Park boat ramp at 6:00pm to be part of the parade that goes upriver with an incoming tide to the Sulphur Springs City Pool Park off Nebraska Ave. To ensure safety of all participants, paddlers lead this parade, followed by powerboats.Spectators may enjoy the parade of lights over the water -6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at: Lowry Park, from their riverfront docks (riverfront residents are encouraged to decorate their docks and enter their boats in the parade) or at Sulphur Springs City Pool Park - Nebraska Avenue south of Bird St., where there’s plenty of parking, room for viewing the parade.

Twinkle In Tampa Bay: A Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Channelside Boat Parade

December 20th 2014

The Holiday Lighted Boat Parade takes place on the 20th of December at 6:30pm along the water at the by Davis Island, Harbour Island and the Channelside District. Come watch these festively decorated boats illuminate the sky and spread holiday cheer. Come down to Channelside Bay Plaza and enjoy the parade from the open wharf! You will be able to see the parade along the a great stretch of land from Davis Island to Channelside. Channelside Bay Plaza, located in the Channelside district of Tampa, is near downtown Tampa and easily accessible from the Selmon Expressway as well at I-4 and I-275 and a great place to enjoy yourself before or after the parade. Parking is available at several public parking lots. At Channelside you can find a wide variety of restaurants from Hooters to Bennigan’s and everything in between. Across the street from Channelside is a multi-level parking structure.

Tarpon Springs

Boat Parade

December 12th, 2014 4:00pm -9:00pm

We now combine it with a new event (this year, our 3rd annual!) Snow Place Like Tarpon.  The boat parade comes into Spring Bayou around 8:00 pm, as always, but we now have live reindeer, falling snow, food, vendors, carriage and hay rides and about 30,000 people!  I have never seen a more successful first-time event!!!  We have expanded it a block this year, going the full three blocks from Ring Avenue to Spring Bayou and down Safford Street.  The kids' area will also have Christmas movies, as well as inflatables, games, food and a lot of fun!

Treasure Island

Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade

December 20th, 2014 

Treasure Island's Holiday Boat Parade is like Las Vegas on the water - dazzlingly decorated boats of all kinds circle the city on one special night, Saturday, December 20, 2014, in friendly competition for top prizes awarded that evening at the Treasure Island Yacht & Tennis Club.
Residents with Treasure Island waterfront homes host humungous boat parade parties but if you haven't received an invitation, not to worry - there are plenty of prime viewing spots on the island. Website

The Treasure Island Causeway Bridge will close to vehicular traffic at 7pm on December 20, 2014 for approximately 30 to 45 minutes to allow the boat parade to pass through.

Weeki Wachee

Weeki Wachee River Lighted Christmas Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 13 2014 at 6:30 p.m

The parade, open to all boat owners, starts at the Weeki Wachee Marina and travels past Rogers Park to the Bayport Pier.

Price: Entry fee is an unwrapped toy or cash donation, to be donated to the Dawn Center; no cost for spectators.

Our Winter Project...

This winter we are planning to do a Fundraiser to help support the Aripeka Community Center.  We are just in the planning stage right now, but there will be live music, food, raffles and more.  As we get everything organized we will keep you posted.  Date and time are still to be determined.  Be prepared for some fun!  If you are interested in helping in some way or have ideas to share, please let us know.

We will be looking for a few Sponsors who would like to donate prizes and other items needed to make this event successful.  We will also need some help with set up, cooking, clean up, etc.  Let's get together and celebrate Aripeka!

Pearl Harbor Day...

President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Congress of the United States: 

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Soups On for Christmas...

Aripeka West's Annual Christmas Soup Party is set to kick off the week before Christmas!!  On Wednesday December 17th at 6 PM, come one, come all to the RV Park to enjoy some tasty soups, breads, salads and deserts.  Please bring a pot of soup to put on our grill above a bed of embers to keep it warm. 

In the past we have had many varieties of soups, so anything from Asparagus to Zucchini and everything in between will be fine.  Remember to place your soup in a pan that can sit on the grill about 2 feet above the embers, there will be no flaming fire so most metal pans will work fine!  If you do not have a suitable pan, try the "thrift " stores in the area, they have lots of pans that will work for very little money!

We are also planning our "White Elephant Gift Exchange".  We will draw to see who picks first and so on and then the fun begins!  These are our Rules for the exchange.

Aripeka West’s White Elephant Gift Exchange 2014

THE GIFTS:

1. There is no theme for gifts, any gift you pick out will be fine
2. The gift should be valued as close to $10.00 as is reasonable.
3. The gift should be something someone would actually want or use. It should be in new         condition.
4. The gift should be wrapped or in an envelope before arriving to the party. Gift bags are OK but must be completely sealed.

5. No Gift Certificates allowed.

6. Please place your gift under our Christmas tree when you arrive at the party.

THE GAME:

1. Each guest who wishes to participate must contribute a gift. Everyone gathers around the Christmas tree.
2. Choose a number on a paper slip from our bowl of numbers.  On the first turn, the guest with paper slip #1 chooses a gift, opens it, and all admire it.
4. On the second turn, the guest with paper slip #2 gets the choice of "stealing" any unwrapped gift (#1's) or choosing a wrapped one. If #2 steals #1's gift, then #1 must open a wrapped gift.
5. On the third turn, the guest with paper slip #3 gets the choice of "stealing" any unwrapped gift (#1's or #2's) or choosing a wrapped one.

The game continues based on the following:

1. If a gift is stolen from you, you can steal a gift (within limits, described below), or open a wrapped one.
2. The turn proceeds until a wrapped gift is chosen.
3. A gift cannot be immediately stolen back from the guest who just stole it.
4. The fourth "owner" of a gift gets to keep it. The gift is "dead" after it has been stolen three times.
5. "Owners" of "live" gifts must keep them visible and hold them up when requested.
6. The gift exchange ends when the last wrapped gift is opened. Usually, guests are encouraged to perpetuate the gift stealing as long as there are "live" gifts, but no one is obligated to do this.

Please Take lots and lots of pictures for post on Facebook for all to see!

This year's "Contest" will be decorating your Christmas Hat!  Whatever type of "hat" you choose, just throw on the decorations!  Your hat might be a Santa hat, then again it might be Reindeer Antlers or a Wreath or a Christmas Tree, oh just let you imagination run wild, pick your headgear and decorate!  Everyone has a vote, and we will announce the winner right before the White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Please vote for your favorite "hat" and drop it in the box provided.

Please use our "Photo Booth" and take a few shots, there may even be some "props" available!

Wishing everyone at Aripeka West 

a very Merry Christmas and 

a Happy New Year!!

Food & Football Party...

On New Year's Day to start 2015 off right, we will be serving some "Lucky" foods and watching some football in the RV Park.  Please join us around 1 PM.

Calander of Events...