March 2015 Newsletter

What a Day...

On February 21, 2015 we held our "Raise the Roof Fundraiser" for the Aripeka Community Center.  For two days before the event, the final preperations were being made. After mowing, the tables were stragically placed in the field, stages readied for our performers.  On the morning of the 21st, the food was prepped, baked beans baked, coleslaw mixed, burgers and hot dogs grilled, soft drinks iced down, sponsor board hung, yes everything was ready and then they came... they came from Aripeka, Hudson, New Port Richey, Hernando Beach, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Brooksville and all points in between.

Raffle tickets and  food and beverages were for sale... Roger Jordon was doing a brisk business selling Raffle Tickets, Desi and Crystal had the beverage concession, Rick was manning the grill while Joyce, Ruth, Dennis and Kitty were collecting cash and serving up the burger and dogs. Karl, Tom and Jim were busy parking cars and directing traffic and Tom & Karl were taking pictures to document our event.  Deuces Wild were entertaining us with their music.  Mermaid Kassia was was looking pretty and presenting us with some great photo opts, Carol was playing a music on the keyboard when Deuces Wild took a little breather from performing.  Meridy danced and sang for us and Sandy and Cathy were sharpening their sales skills at our "White Elephant Sale".  The crowd was having a good time and many even collected a few prizes along the way! When 5 PM rolled around and things were winding down, there was a tired but happy group of volunteers cleaning up and putting everything back in place.

"The Raise the Roof Fundraiser" will enable us to present Aripeka Community Club with a check for $1250 at the First Monday Pot Luck Dinner on March 2, 2015.  Hoping all our volunteers can attend!  Thanks to everyone who helped by volunteering and donating, you did a great job!



First Monday Pot Luck Dinner...

On Monday March 2nd there will be a Pot Luck Dinner at Aripeka Community Club located at 1393 Osowaw Blvd in Aripeka.  This is an every month event and it is always on the first Monday of the month.  Please plan to attend.  If you can bring a dish to share that is great, but if you cannot bring a dish, you can make a donation for you dinner, any amount you can afford will be greatly appreciated.  There is always a wide variety of food for these events, as the name Pot Luck Dinner implies, you just never know what you will be eating.  See you there!




The Luck of the Irish...

The shananagins will begin on March 16, 2015 at  2PM with music and games followed by a traditional Irish Fare Dinner including Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes, carrots and onions, Shepherds Pie and Irish Stew.  You will need to RSVP and there will be a $3 per person charge, since the price of meat has skyrocketed this year.  If you would like to bring something to the dinner, that would be great.  If you attened last year's St. Patrick's Day Dinner, you know that we had a great time, if you were not here last year, please try to make it this year.    This will be our last BIG party of the season, so put on your "green" and let's party!!



Do you know Florida?...

Florida is the flattest state in the USA. Florida's mean elevation is just 100 ft (30 meters) Britton Hill is the highest natural point in the state with a summit elevation of just 345 feet (105 meters) above mean sea level. Britton Hill is the lowest state highpoint in the United States. The lowest points of sixteen U.S. states are higher than Britton Hill.

Florida is the only state to have an "Embassy" in Washington and its called 'Florida House'.

Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name.

Florida is the only state in the nation whose Constitution is reviewed every 20 years.

Florida is the only state in the continental United States to have extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts.

Florida is the largest producer of citrus fruits in the United States and second in the world.

In 1987 the Florida legislature designated the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) the official state reptile. Long an unofficial symbol of the state, the alligator originally symbolized Florida's extensive untamed wilderness and swamps.

The largest lake in Florida is Lake Okeechobee.

DeFuniak Springs is home to one of the very few naturally round lakes in the world.

With over 1,300 courses, Florida has more golf courses than any other State in USA.

Everglades National Park in Florida is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist.

Established by the French Huguenots in 1564, Fort Caroline (present-day Jacksonville) was the first Protestant colony in North America.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida is known as the Venice of America as it contains over 300 miles of navigable inland waterways.

Six days after Easter in 1513, the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León landed near what is now the city of Saint Augustine. In honor of the holiday and the area's plant life, he named the land Florida for the Spanish phrase for the Easter season, pascua florida (“feast of flowers”). The name is the oldest surviving European place-name in the U.S.

Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in the United States whose borders encompass two national parks. You can hike through pristine Everglades National Park or ride on glass-bottom boats across Biscayne National Park.

Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.

Key West has the highest average temperature of any city in the United States.

The Saint John's River is one of the few rivers that flows north instead of south.

Among the 48 contiguous United States, Florida has the longest coastline. Official measure puts Florida's General coastline at 1,350 miles and tidal shoreline at 8,426 miles.

The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package, a bar located on the Florida-Alabama border line, is partly in Florida and partly in Alabama. Its Annual Interstate Mullet Toss features individuals competing on the beach throwing a mullet (fish) from a 10 foot circle in Florida across the state line into Alabama.

Just a Reminder...

Please "Scoop the Poop"

and the Speed Limit is 10 MPH in the park!!  

These are the RULES!!

Water Leaks...

Remember that Aripeka West PAYS for your water and that water leaks COST Aripeka West money.  While water is included in your lot rent, Pasco County does charge Aripeka West for all the water we use every month.  A small leak from a water hose, a dripping sink, a running toilet and any other form of leak causes an increase in the water bill and increases in the water bill will result in higher lot rent.  Please check around your RV or MH and if you see a problem either repair or report it immediately.  

It is that time of year again...

On March 8, 2015 at 2 AM Daylight Saving Time begins!  Don't be late, set your clock ahead 1 hour before you go to bed next Saturday Night!!  Sunrise on March 8th will be at 7:47 AM and you can watch the sunset at 7:34 PM.  Are you going to miss your mornings or will you relish your evenings?

Easter already?...

Yes, April 5th is Easter Sunday...  Happy Easter to all!!

Calendar of Events...