April 2016 Newsletter

Things are heating up...

Looks like Spring is "springing" right into summer!  The high 80's in March, what's up with that? And then there is the rain, seems like every weekend it rains, thinking it does that so the humidity will be the same as the temperature!  The air conditioners are revving up, so make sure your A/C has a new CLEAN filter, this will help to keep your electric bill in check.  Also closing your shades will help keep out some of the heat except while watching those beautiful Aripeka Sunsets, of course!

Mowing season has begun...

It is that time of year again, the grass and the weeds are growing like crazy.  If your car is parked on the grass, please move it when you hear the mower coming your way.  Additionally, please take the time to go out in your yard and pick up any hoses, dog leads, toys, shovels, rakes or whatever else you see hiding in the grass, including any trash that has somehow found its way into your yard.  Lately, we are seeing far too many take-out cups, plastic bottles and cans scattered throughout the park.  Please place you trash in the dumpster and do not throw it in roads, bushes or yards.  In order for us to mow and trim your yard, it must be cleared of all of your lawn furniture, hoses, building materials, BBQ's and toys belonging to your children or pets.  Your yard must be free of dog feces, please clean up after your dog.

If you have placed permanent or semi-permanent structures in your yard that can be damaged by the mower or the string trimmer or may cause damage to our equipment, you will be responsible for the mowing and trimming of that area.

Now is the time...

If you need to clean the outside of your Mobile Home, now is the time, before it becomes too hot to work outside.  If there is mold on your Mobile Home, a mixture of equal parts bleach and water should do the trick, if there is a lot of dirt adding some Dawn Dish Washing Detergent to the mixture of bleach and water will help you get that dirt off more easily.  Make sure to rinse your Mobile Home with water when you have finished cleaning it.  When using your hose for cleaning your Mobile Home or any other outdoor project, please do not leave it running.  Placing a spray nozzle will keep water waste to a minimum.  

The water costs for the park are very high and any help with saving water is greatly appreciated. Please repair running toilets and dripping faucets immediately and be sure that your outdoor faucet is turned completely off after each use.  Swimming Pools of any type are NOT ALLOWED in the park.

SunWest Park...

This park is conveniently located to Aripeak West and is currently open from 10 AM till 7:30 PM Daily.  Swimming is free and the only charge is for parking.  There are charges for other amenities at SunWest Park.  There is currently no charge for "parking" your bicycle at SunWest Park, so this could make for a nice "free" family outing and getting a little exercise to boot!

Gone Fishing...

One of the nicest things about living in Aripeka is being able to fish, everyday if you want.  In most cases a Florida Salt Water Fishing Permit will be required, but there are many exceptions to this rule.  The "rules" change frequently regarding size and quantity of each species of fish you may keep, so check regularly so you will be up-to-date on the rules.  Remember the old Proverb "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a 
lifetime".  Nothing beats a fresh caught fish for dinner.

Fishing in Freshwater requires a different permit than Saltwater, check to see what is required before you cast your line!  Knowing the "Rules" will make your days of fishing fun, and not result in a fine.

Some "see you soons"are coming this month...

We don't call it "Good-byes",  just "see you soon" as our Winter Guests prepare for their journey back north.  It has been a great Winter here at Aripeka West and we certainly hope all of our guests have had fun with us this season.  Hope to see everyone back in the Fall to continue the fun!

Things to do this month...

The Chasco Fiesta offers 9 days of fun for the entire family.  Starting on April 1st and continuing thru April 9th, there will be shows, music, sports, food and fun!

The Hernando County Fair kicks of at the Fairgrounds in Brooksville on April 15th and runs thru the 23rd.

The Florida Blueberry Festival will be on April 16th and 17th in downtown Brooksville.

April Fool's Day...

Although it's not a legal holiday, April Fools' Day is celebrated all around the world as a day filled with practical jokes and general silliness. You may want to be a little more cautious or skeptical on April 1, since family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even teachers may try to tickle your funny bone with a practical joke or a hoax of some kind.

So how did this tradition of craziness begin? In truth, it remains a mystery, although there are many theories about how April Fools' Day got started.

Some believe the first association between April 1 and playing tricks can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales from 1392. In "The Nun's Priest's Tale," a fox tricks proud rooster Chauntecleer on syn March bigan thritty dayes and two.

Although Chaucer probably meant 32 days after March (May 2), many readers apparently misunderstood the line to mean March 32 — or April 1.

Others believe that April Fools' Day was the result of a desire to celebrate the turning of the seasons around springtime. In fact, many cultures have historically held such celebrations around the beginning of April.

For example, the ancient Romans had a festival named Hilaria on March 25. The Hindus celebrate Holi, and the Jews celebrate Purim around this time of year.

Still others believe April Fools' Day got its start because of the adoption of a new calendar in 1582. Many ancient cultures celebrated New Year's Day around April 1.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered the use of a new calendar, known as the Gregorian calendar, which celebrated New Year's Day on January 1. According to legend, many people refused to recognize the new calendar or simply didn't know about it. These people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.

Eventually, other people began to make fun of these backward “fools" by sending them to look for things that did not exist (called a “fool'serrand") or tricking them into believing something false.

Although we can't really pinpoint how or when April Fools' Day got its start, people the world over still celebrate it with glee year in and year out. Pranks can be quite simple, such as telling a friend his shoe is untied, or very elaborate, like some of the hoaxes described below.

Whatever the gag, it usually ends with the prankster yelling “April Fool!" when the victim falls for it. To give you a sense of how seriously some people take April Fools' Day, here are three of the greatest April Fools' Day hoaxes of all time:

• Swiss Spaghetti Trees — In 1957, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) news program Panorama announced that Swiss farmers were harvesting a record spaghetti crop thanks to the elimination of the spaghetti weevil. News footage showed Swiss peasants pulling spaghetti from trees. Thousands of viewers were fooled. The BBC reported receiving many calls inquiring how to grow spaghetti trees!

• “Taco" Liberty Bell — In 1996, Taco Bell announced that it had bought the Liberty Bell to help ease the national deficit. When the company claimed it would be renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell, thousands of citizens were fooled and called to complain. The company revealed it was a practical joke a few hours later, but not before reporters asked White House press secretary Mike McCurry about the sale. Creating a joke of his own, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would now be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial!

• “Left-Handed" Whopper — In 1998, Burger King ran an advertisement in USA Today announcing its new "Left-Handed Whopper," which was specifically designed for left-handed Americans by rotating all condiments exactly 180 degrees. Burger King revealed the hoax the next day but claimed that thousands of customers had requested the new sandwich at their restaurants!

Aripeka Community Club...

The Aripeka Community Club Dinner will be on Monday 4th at 6PM.  Bring a covered dish and join your neighbors for some great food and spirited conversation!

Tax Day April 18th...

Just another day, think again, April 18th is not just any day, it is TAX DAY in April 2016 for filing your 2015 Tax Return!  Yes, this year TAX DAY will be April 18th!!

Ask almost any American citizen when tax day is, and you're likely to hear "April 15^th". While this is normally the day that taxes are due, that isn't the case this year. With that in mind, here are the "Big Three" dates to remember this year.

April 18, 2016
No, April 15 doesn't fall on a weekend this year. So why do your taxes need to be filed -- and your outstanding balance paid -- three days later this year? Because in Washington, DC -- and DC only -- April 15^th is a holiday this year: Emancipation Day.

This celebrates the day that Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, which freed over 3,000 slaves living in the District of Colombia, well before the universally known Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Usually this falls on April 16, the day Lincoln signed the Act. But that falls on a Saturday this year, and by law, it needs to be celebrated on the nearest weekday.

Not only should you file and pay for any outstanding balance on your taxes, but if you need an extension, you must file Form 4868 before April 18.

October 17, 2016
If you were able to file for your extension in time, this is the new date by which you must file your taxes and pay any outstanding balances. Like the "normal" tax day, this usually falls on October 15, but because that is a Saturday this year, October 17 is the new date.

April 15, 2019
Double-check that year again so you understand what we're talking about here. It's not a misprint: it's supposed to say "2019." If you go back and read over the two previous dates, you'll see that I wrote "pay for any outstanding balance." That's because if you're actually owed a refund, the Treasury gives you three more years to file your taxes in order to claim it.

Of course, the Department has good reason for doing this: by waiting three years to claim your refund, you are giving the government an interest-free loan over a very long time period. But be careful, waiting this long will only work in your favor if you are certain that you'll be owed a refund. If you calculated wrong, the penalties for being three years late can be very hefty -- and this situation should be avoided in general if you want to stay out of hot water.

Earth Day...

When is Earth Day 2016? This observance always falls on April 22. On Earth Day, enjoy the tonic of fresh air, contact with the soil, and companionship with nature! Walk through the woods in search of emerging wildflowers and green moss. Go outside, no matter what the weather!

Earth Day History

Ever wondered how Earth Day started? This observance arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues. In 1970, San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22. Millions of people participated, and today Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated with events on both dates. The most common practice of celebration is to plant new trees for Earth Day.

Calendar of Events...

March 2016 Newsletter

In like a lion, out like a lamb...

March is finally here!  Time for flowers to bloom and people to enjoy the outdoors again.  Soon we will smell the BBQ firing up cooking Ribs, Burgers, Hot Dogs and Steaks.  The grass will be green again.  The sounds of Spring will fill the air, buzzing bees, chirping birds and the breeze rustling through the new leaves on the trees.  These are the things that we look forward to all winter long.

Along with all the fun outdoor activities we do, we will notice the higher pollen counts in the air, oh yes and on our homes, cars, boats and every other thing that we store outdoors!  This pollen is sticky and hard to remove if you let it set very long, so it is a good idea to wash your car, boat, trailer and RV to keep the pollen from staining or marring the finishes.

We encourage everyone at Aripeka West to take a day this month and clean the outside of your home.  There is the mold and mildew there from the winter and now adding to the mess is the tree pollen.

While we are on the subject of flowers blooming, grass growing and exterior house cleaning, please don't forget the the mowing season will also start again in March.  In order to properly mow and maintain your lawns, please remove anything that will prohibit the mowing of your lawn. Things like hoses and dog stakes and leads are particularly bad since in many cases they cannot be seen.  These types things really take a toll on the parks lawn equipment. Anything hidden in your lawn can become a projectile if hit by the blades of the lawn mower. Additionally, please remove all toys and lawn furniture from your lawn when they are not in use.  Take a minute everyday to look around your yard for trash that may have blown in or tree limbs that might have fallen.  Place the trash in the dumpster and place the tree limbs near the road and they will be picked up.

February 2016 ...

It was cold this past month, at least by Florida standards, but at least it stayed above freezing at night with daytime temps running in the 50's and 60's.  Also last month there was more rain than usual for our area, guess we can thank "El Nino" for that part!

In February our Ground Hog Day Potluck Dinner was lots of fun, we had live music (Deuces Wild), heard lots of jokes (from our parky guests), saw a skit was very funny (put on by a previous RV Park residents Bill & Cathy Jasper and their friend), ate some good food, danced a little in the grass and otherwise enjoy a beautiful warm day with temps in the 60's.  

On the 14th, we celebrated Valentine's Day with a Wine and Cheese Party.  The party was held in early afternoon to allow everyone to enjoy a Romantic Dinner with their Sweetie after the party.

February had many not so well known "holidays" like on Monday the 22nd, National Margarita Day.  We celebrated in the Park with a Taco Dinner and bring your own Margaritas.  The weather was kind to us on this day too.

Hope the weather is as cooperative for the events we have planned for March as it was for our February events.

St. Patrick's Day...

The Luck of the Irish is soon to be with us again!  On Sunday March 13, 2016 we will have our Annual St. Paddy's Day Festival!  Beginning at 3 PM we will celebrate with music and food. Deuces Wild will be entertaining us with music that will include some traditional Irish songs.  We will be having a Traditional Irish Dinner to include Drunken Irish Stew, Beefy Shepherd's Pie, Dublin Bangers and of course there will be Corned Beef and Cabbage!  This will NOT be a Potluck, instead we will do as we did last year and charge $5.00 for residents of Aripeka West and $8.00 for invited non-residents.  RSVP's will be delivered to you door on March 1st and must be returned to the office by March 7th with the number in your party and the funds to cover the dinners.  All non residents must be invited and accompanied by a resident of Aripeka West.

Time to "Spring Forward"...

Yes, it is that time of year again.  One hour of lost sleep, not to be recovered til November!  At 
2 AM on March 13th or before you go to bed on March 12th, set your clocks forward one hour. The reasons for the time change are varied, there are those that love Daylight Saving Time and those who hate it.  Mostly it is a matter of whether you are a morning person who likes to get up early and watch the sunrise or someone who would rather play late into the evening!

Here are a few facts about Daylight Saving Time you might not know!

Bombing Thwarted

In September 1999, the West Bank was on Daylight Saving Time while Israel had just switched back to standard time. West Bank terrorists prepared time bombs and smuggled them to their Israeli counterparts, who misunderstood the time on the bombs. As the bombs were being planted, they exploded--one hour too early--killing three terrorists instead of the intended victims--two busloads of people.

Halloween Trick-or-Treaters

Through 2006, Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. ended a few days before Halloween (October 31). Children’s pedestrian deaths are four times higher on Halloween than on any other night of the year. A new law to extend DST to the first Sunday in November took effect in 2007, with the purpose of providing trick-or-treaters more light and therefore more safety from traffic accidents. For decades, candy manufacturers lobbied for a Daylight Saving Time extension to Halloween, as many of the young trick-or-treaters gathering candy are not allowed out after dark, and thus an added hour of light means a big holiday treat for the candy industry. Anecdotally, the 2007 switch may not have had much effect, as it appeared that children simply waited until dark to go trick-or-treating.

Chaos of Non-Uniform DST

Widespread confusion was created during the 1950s and 1960s when each U.S. locality could start and end Daylight Saving Time as it desired. One year, 23 different pairs of DST start and end dates were used in Iowa alone. For exactly five weeks each year, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were not on the same time as Washington D.C., Cleveland, or Baltimore--but Chicago was. And, on one Ohio to West Virginia bus route, passengers had to change their watches seven times in 35 miles! The situation led to millions of dollars in costs to several industries, especially those involving transportation and communications. Extra railroad timetables alone cost the today's equivalent of over $12 million per year.

Radio Stations

AM radio signals propagate much further at night than during the day. During daytime, more stations in neighboring areas can broadcast on the same frequency without interfering with each other. Because of this situation, there are hundreds of stations licensed to operate only in the daytime. Daylight Saving Time can affect the bottom line of these daytime-only radio stations: during parts of the year it can cause the stations to lose their most profitable time of day--the morning drive time. The gain of an hour of daylight - and thus broadcast time - in the evening does not fully compensate for the morning loss.

Voter Turnout in Elections

Through 2006, the Daylight Saving Time period has closed on the last Sunday in October, about a week before Election Day, which is held the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The extension of Daylight Saving Time into November has been proposed as a way to encourage greater voter participation, the theory being that more people would go to the polls if it was still light when they returned home from work. The U.S. law taking effect in 2007 pushes the end of Daylight Saving Time to the first Sunday in November. In some years (2010, 2021, 2027, and 2032), this will fall after Election Day, giving researchers the opportunity to gauge its effect on voter turnout.

Amtrak

To keep to their published timetables, trains cannot leave a station before the scheduled time. So, when the clocks fall back one hour in October, all Amtrak trains in the U.S. that are running on time stop at 2:00 a.m. and wait one hour before resuming. Overnight passengers are often surprised to find their train at a dead stop and their travel time an hour longer than expected. At the spring Daylight Saving Time change, trains instantaneously become an hour behind schedule at 2:00 a.m., but they just keep going and do their best to make up the time.

Violent Crime

A study by the U.S. Law Enforcement Assistance Administration found that crime was consistently less during periods of Daylight Saving Time than during comparable standard time periods. Data showed violent crime down 10 to 13 percent. It is clear that for most crimes where darkness is a factor, such as muggings, there are many more incidents after dusk than before dawn, so light in the evening is most welcome.

Antarctica

In Antarctica, there is no daylight in the winter and months of 24-hour daylight in the summer. But many of the research stations there still observe Daylight Saving Time anyway, to synchronize with their supply stations in Chile or New Zealand.

Indiana

Indiana has long been a hotbed of Daylight Saving Time controversy. Historically, the state's two western corners, which fall in the Central Time Zone, observed DST, while the remainder of the state, in the Eastern Time zone, followed year-round Standard Time. An additional complication was that five southeastern counties near Cincinnati and Louisville unofficially observed DST to keep in sync with those cities. Because of the longstanding feuds over DST, Indiana politicians often treated the subject gingerly. In 1996, gubernatorial candidate Rex Early firmly declared, "Some of my friends are for putting all of Indiana on Daylight Saving Time. Some are against it. And I always try to support my friends."

In April 2005, Indiana legislators passed a law that implemented Daylight Saving Time statewide beginning on April 2, 2006.

Oil Conservation

Following the 1973 oil embargo, the U.S. Congress extended Daylight Saving Time to 8 months, rather than the normal six months. During that time, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that observing Daylight Saving Time in March and April saved the equivalent in energy of 10,000 barrels of oil each day - a total of 600,000 barrels in each of those two years.

Likewise, in 1986, Daylight Saving Time moved from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in April. No change was made to the ending date of the last Sunday in October. Adding the entire month of April to Daylight Saving Time is estimated to save the U.S. about 300,000 barrels of oil each year.

Beginning in 2007, Daylight Saving Time commenced on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday in November, thereby saving even more oil.

Births and Birthdays

While twins born at 11:55 p.m. and 12:05 a.m. may have different birthdays, Daylight Saving Time can change birth order -- on paper, anyway. During the time change in the fall, one baby could be born at 1:55 a.m. and the sibling born ten minutes later, at 1:05 a.m. In the spring, there is a gap when no babies are born at all: from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

In November 2007, Laura Cirioli of North Carolina gave birth to Peter at 1:32 a.m. and, 34 minutes later, to Allison. However, because Daylight Saving Time reverted to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m., Allison was born at 1:06 a.m.

Speeding in the Park...

Again it is necessary to remind everyone that the speed limit in the park is 10 MPH.  We do not want anyone to be hit by a speeding vehicle while walking on or crossing the roads in Aripeka West.  Please be courteous of your neighbors and obey the Speed Limit.  Also remember that YOU are responsible for your guests when they visit the park.  Please make sure they are aware of the park rules when they visit.

Your guests...

When you have guests at your home, you are responsible for their behavior when they visit, not just with regard to our Speed Limit, but all Aripeka West Rules.  The rules are in place to allow everyone living in the Park to enjoy and feel safe their home.  Please remember not to enter the yard of any resident uninvited.  If you walk in the Park use the roads and the fields. do not cut through the lots, even the vacant lots.

Sunwest Crab and Shrimp Festival...

32nd Annual Arts in the Park...

Tom Varn Park Brooksville, Florida

Coffee with Friends....

Our breakfasts will continue through March, weather permitting.

Aripeka Commuinity Club Potluck...

The monthly Aripeka Community Club Potluck Dinner will be on Monday March 7 at 6PM.  Please bring a dish and join in the fun!

Calendar of Events...

February 2016 Newsletter

Winter finally arrived...

We waited patiently through December, then into the New Year and still no "winter", then in January it arrived.  It was cold, wet and very windy, making it feel colder than it really was, but we could not really complain when less than 700 miles to the north, they had waist deep snow.  Yes the "winter" weather had arrived in the East.  At kick off for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday January 24th being played in Denver Colorado, the temperature was 48°F, meanwhile back at Aripeka West the thermometer was reading 47°F. Hey, doesn't seem fair!


On Monday morning January 25th if you were up early, you could see the frost on the grass in the fields, can't remember the last time there was frost here at Aripeka West.  We are so close to the Gulf of Mexico that frost rarely occurs.

And then there was the rain. While we do need the rain, since spring is right around the corner and soon it will be time to plant the flowers that make the garden so pretty, winter rain is not so much fun!

Superbowl time...

Peyton Manning and his Broncos defeated Tom Brady and his Patriots in the AFC Championship, while Cam Newton and his Panthers beat Carson Palmer and his Cardinals in the NFC Championship to reach the Superbowl to be played in Santa Clara, California at Levi Stadium on February 7th at 6:30 PM local time. 

The cheapest ticket available after the match up was known was around $3800.  Sitting on the 50 yard line would cost around $10,000 and a suite would be around $300,000.  And while this sounds like a lot of money it is nothing compared to the price tag for a 30 second commercial during the game coming in at a whopping $5 million.  Just where does all this money come from anyway?  

Make sure you enjoy the game, especially the commercials, these companies that spent their $5 Million need you to pay attention! These sponsors are betting the bank on it.  So what do avocados, cars, beer, candy bars, tooth paste, soft drinks, chips, ketchup, bookkeeping & taxes, TV's, online banking & finance, computer games, website design, software design, car floor mats and tacos have in common?  You guessed it, they all have commercials to be aired during the Super Bowl. Do you think this will affect the price of Tacos with Guacamole Dip and a Soda?

Oh, and just when everyone was ready and knew that "L" was the Roman Numeral for "50", the NFL changes from Roman Numerals to Arabic Numbers, what's up with that?

Just a Reminder...

The SPEED LIMIT in Aripeka West is 10 MPH!  Please, for the safety of everyone, do not  exceed the speed limit.  There are pedestrians walking, bikers riding, children playing and AM let's not forget about the animals, those that are pets and those that are wild.  We want it to be safe for everyone here at Aripeka West.  Also remember that the speed limit applies to your visitors and that YOU are responsible for them and their actions when they are in the Park.

Valentine's Day...

At Aripeka West, we will celebrate Valentine's Day with Wine or Something & Cheese Party from 2 til 4 on Sunday February 14th.  Please bring a bottle of wine (or your drink of choice) and something to share such as candy, cookies, cheese & crackers or chips & dip.   You only need to bring a small amount of goodies so as not to spoil our appetites for dinner with our Valentines!

Weather permitting we will set up outside in the RV Park otherwise we will be in the screen room. Here's hoping for a beautiful sunny & warm day!

Mardi Gras ...

On Wednesday February 10th our "Coffee with Friends Breakfast" will be inspired by Mardi Gras!  We will have food to celebrate the occasion, like King Cake, beignets & bread pudding, along with our other Breakfast fare!  Get yourself a Mardi Gras Mask and some beads and come join the fun. Breakfast starting at our usual time around  9 AM.

Ground Hog Day Fest...

So will he or won't he see his shadow?  Doesn't really matter what Punxsutawney Phil sees, we are going to celebrate anyway!  In the RV Park beginning at 4PM on Tuesday February 2, Deuces Wild will perform for us. In between songs we are looking for a little local talent, so feel free to get up on stage and tell a joke, sing a song, do a dance, play an instrument or any other little talent you might have!  This party is not a "park sponsored event" but instead the idea of Ali & Rob James (AKA Deuces Wild) and will be a Pot Luck Dinner, so everyone will need to bring something to the table. They will supply the music, napkins, forks, spoons and knives to eat with and plates to eat from, but the rest will be up to those attending!

In the past we have had a great time with this type of party, lots of participants, good food and some great talent!  Remember to bring your talent, something for the Pot Luck Dinner and whatever you are drinking, including the ice and cups if you need them.

Our Regular Breakfasts...

Hopefully in February we can get back to our regular breakfasts beginning February 3rd and each Wednesday Morning after that continuing through Wednesday April 13th.  Our breakfasts were derailed the last 2 weeks of January due to weather, so hoping for a nice February!

National Margarita Day...

Could hardly believe it, but it is true, must be it says so right there on the calendar!  Monday February 22nd is National Margarita Day!!  So in honor of such a momentous occasion, Aripeka West will again celebrate!  Everything goes good with Margaritas, but we are going to serve Tacos at our celebration. We are asking each family to bring a dish that compliments Tacos and their margaritas and join us in the RV Park on Monday February 22nd at 5PM for some fun and good food!  We could really use a head count for this one since we don't want leftover Tacos for a week!  There will be a sign up sheet on the board located by the laundry room, so if you plan to attend, please sign the sheet with your name and the number of guests.  We will have ice, salt for the rim and  limes available, but we won't have Margarita Glasses, Tequila, Triple Sec or Margarita Mix, these items you must bring for yourself.  Remember you can make Margaritas without liquor for those of you who do not drink alcohol, but here are a few Margarita Recipes that call for alcohol.

Deuces Wild...

Our very own Ali & Rob AKA Deuces Wild have a busy schedule for the month of February.  In addition to performing at Aripeka West on Groundhog Day, they have several performances this month.
  
February 6th from 6 PM - 9 PM  at American Legion Paradise Post #79 located at 5329 Legion Pl, New Port Richey, FL 34652  Not a member?  You can come as Deuces Wild Guests.


February 7th from 1 PM - 5 PM at Get Hooked Grill located at 14333 Crab Trap Court, Hudson, FL 34667

February 10th from 5 PM - 8 PM at Bolton Eagles located at 8517 Bolton Avenue Hudson, Florida 34667 

February 12th from 6 PM - 9 PM at Leisure Beach Moose Lodge located at 6825 Beach Blvd, Hudson, FL 34667

February 26th from 7 PM - 10 PM at Weeki Wachee Eagles located at 8263 Cortez Blvd, Weeki Wachee, FL 34607  

February 27th from 1 PM - 5 PM at Get Hooked Grill located at 14333 Crab Trap Court, Hudson, FL 34667

February 28th from 2 PM - 5 PM at Bolton Eagles located at 8517 Bolton Avenue Hudson, Florida 34667  This event is a Benefit for Ovarian Cancer, so please try to attend and wear your TEAL Ribbon!

Aripeka Community Club Potluck Dinner...

This month the Potluck Dinner will be on Monday February 1st.  The dinners start at around 6 PM at the Aripeka Community Club located at 1393 Osowaw Blvd.  Please bring a dish to share and meet your neighbors for some great food and conversation!

Pasco County Fair...

The Pasco County Fair will run February 15th through February 21st.  Discount tickets are available at all area Walgreen's through February 14th.  Fun for all ages!!

Florida Bluegrass Classic...

Florida Bluegrass Classic, 5 days of music and fun!  February 24 - 28, 2016!

Florida State Fair...

The Florida State Fair begins on February 4th and runs through February 15th at the Florida State Fairgrounds.  discount tickets are available at all area Walgreen's.

"Leaplings"...

Did you know that people born on February 29th, Leap Day, are called "leaplings"?  Leap Days occur only nearly every four years, but Leap Day babies still get to celebrate their birthdays in common years. As far as birthday presents and cakes are concerned, there are no set rules – some celebrate on February 28, some prefer March 1.

However, many countries have laws defining which date a person born on February 29 comes of age in legal terms. In some countries such as New Zealand, the official birthday falls on February 28 in common years; in other countries like the United Kingdom, Leap Year babies have to wait until March 1.

Calendar of Events... 

January 2016 Newsletter

On a sad note...
On December 22nd Aripeka West lost a long time resident and friend.  Mike Hohimer died in a tragic automobile accident.  Please keep his family in your prayers.

Warm & Wet 2015...

At Aripeka West we will remember 2015 as"warm" and "wet"!  Our normally dry "winter" was wet and our normally wet summer was even worse than normal.  For a while in July and August, we thought the rain would never end, but finally it did and our fall and early "winter" was a bit drier but unseasonably warm, with the last week of December high's in the mid 80's setting and tying records everyday!

As we begin a "New Year"...

We begin 2016 with hopes that the new year will bring peace and happiness in the world.  We look forward to many new and exciting experiences, to meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones, to sharing meals and great conversations and above all good health.  Wishing everyone a very happy and health new year! 

Aripeka Community Club...

Pot Luck Dinner on Monday January 4th at 6PM.   Bring a dish and join your neighbors for some great food and conversation!


To do in Pasco...

11th Annual Suncoast Arts Fest

January 16, 2016 | 10am-6pm and January 17, 2016 | 11am-6pm

At The Shops at Wiregrass; 28211 Paseo Drive • Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543

Suncoast Arts Fest is free to the public and features:

125+ Fine Artists and Craftsmen displaying their artwork along Paseo Drive

Live music and dance all weekend, including performances by local favorite, the De Lei’ed Parrots

“Emerging Artist” Exhibit featuring the work of talented high school artists

Chalk art sponsored by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts

Art Maker Space where art, technology and education collide!

Duncan McClellan Glass Etching Experience, Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 5pm

Hands-on Kid’s Art Garden will provide interactive arts for youth on both days

Phoneography Competition sponsored by Rasmussen College; a competition for anyone who can take a picture on their phone.

Annual Kumquat Festival®

Eastern Pasco County's, Biggest Most Distinctive Event
January 30, 2016 • 9am-5pm 

As many as 40,000 people attend our one day event every year, with over 425 vendors and 40 sponsors participating, filling our historic Downtown core. Here, visitors can enjoy all kinds of tasty kumquat treats, from kumquat pie to kumquat cookies, smoothies, ice cream, marmalade, and even kumquat salsa.

DadeCity's Annual Kumquat Festival®, held the last Saturday in January each year, (Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 9am to 5pm) has become extremely popular for its homegrown, family-friendly entertainment. Visitors can listen to local entertainment, get their face painted, look at antique cars, and shop for arts and crafts.

Fun Activities to SEE & DO at the festival include:Arts & Crafts, Delicious Food, Car & Truck Show, Health & Wellness Area, Live Local Entertainment, Farmer's Market, Kumquat Kids Corral, Kumquats, Kumquat Pie & Products, Quilt Challenge and our wonderful Sponsors.

Admission is FREE, transportation from the satellite parking areas is FREE, city owned public parking downtown if FREE and the experience of a unique, authentic and fun filled festival is unforgettable.

Brooksville Raid 2016

New Year Resolutions...

If your New Year's resolutions from last year have gone unresolved, you're not alone. Now a new year offers another opportunity to achieve your goals, and these nine tips should help you keep to your New Year's resolutions.

1. Make it something you really want. Don't make it a resolution that you "should" want or what other people tell you to want. It has to fit with your own values.

"Put some thought into it," says Richard O'Connor, author of "Happy at Last: The Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy." And avoid knee-jerk New Year's resolutions, he says. "I encourage people not to make cheap resolutions, but to save it for something meaningful."

2. Limit your list to a number you can handle. "It's probably best to make two or three resolutions that you intend to keep," says O'Connor. That way, you're focusing your efforts on the goals you truly want.

3. Be specific. "To be effective, resolutions and goals need to be pretty specific," says O'Connor. Jettison the amorphous "exercise more," in favor of "I'm working out at the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m."

4. Automate. Automating financial goals can maximize your odds for success without you having to do anything, says Keith Ernst, director of research for the Center for Responsible Lending in Durham, N.C.

If your goal is to save $3,000 this year, calculate the amount out of each check, then arrange to have it automatically deposited into your savings account each time you get paid, says Ernst.

5. Make a plan. Rather than stating one daunting goal, create a series of smaller steps to reach it.

"Have an action plan," O'Connor says. "Figure out exactly what you want to do."

If you need immediate rewards, here's a suggestion. "Ask yourself: What are the short-term goodies?" says Susan Wilson, co-author of "Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals."

For example, if you want to exercise regularly and love spending time with your friends, getting the group together to walk regularly could give you a short-term payoff 

Deuces Wild...

Rob and Ali, AKA Deuces Wild have several shows scheduled for January.  If you would like more info on when and where they are performing this month, please call the office.

Calendar of Events...