Saturday, May 31, 2014

June 2014 Newsletter

A message from BJ...


Take it easy, relax and enjoy your summer!


It is Summer...

Memorial Day marks the unofficial "beginning of Summer" and here at Aripeka West we had a great weekend.  Saturday was absolutely beautiful, a wonderful day to spend fishing or swimming. Sunday we had our Memorial Day Cook-Out, and for a while the weather was kind of touch and go, but the storm headed our way never really arrived, just a sprinkle or two and a much needed cooling of the temperature to make eating in the screenroom very enjoyable!  We had Hot Dogs with all the trimmings for Chicago Dogs, Kansas City Reuben Dogs, Sonoran Dogs, New York Cart Dogs, Taco Dogs, Pizza Dogs, Detroit Coney Dogs, Chili Dogs, Seattle Style Dogs, Dixie Cavier Dogs, slaw Dogs and good ol' all American Dogs.  We had corn on the cob (some of the best of the season so far), baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, pasta salad and chips & dip!  at Aripeka West, we are ready, "let the summer begin"!!



Important Info on "Keeping Cool"...

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Confusion
Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
Dizziness ...

Individuals with heat exhaustion tend to have symptoms such as:
Profuse sweating
Weakness
Muscle cramps ...


The warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following:
Heavy sweating
Paleness



What are the symptoms of heat stroke?
The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. But fainting may be the first sign.

Other symptoms may include: ...

Symptoms of heat stroke include:
Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
Hallucinations
Chills ...

The early symptoms of heat illness include:
Profuse sweating
Fatigue
Thirst ...
Muscle cramps ...


And remember your dog, they too can suffer from Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke just as humans can.







KIAFEST Main Street Blast...

JUNE 27 and 28, 2014

Sims Park, downtown New Port Richey

What is more fun than Apple Pie and Ice Cream, Fireworks and 4th of July???

Main Street’s annual Independence Day celebration in Sims Park, KIAFEST Main Street Blast - every year taking place on the last weekend in June BEFORE the 4th of July…..Genius.

WHAT WILL BE MORE FUN THAT LAST YEAR’S KIAFEST?????

THIS YEAR’S KIAFEST MAIN STREET BLAST!

Most of the bands are booked…the vendor slots are filling up….the friendly KIA Trolley is getting stoked – we have some great fun and surprises in store and Mr. Friendly himself is GIVING AWAY ANOTHER KIA SOUL!!!!

So – Get Ready. Get Set. GO! Go down to Friendly KIA and register to win the Soul – then mark your calendars for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 for the ride of your life…..
See the Bands and Schedule of Events


Sparklebration 2014...


Pasco County will celebrate Independence Day with it annual Sparklebration at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City on Friday July 4, 2014.  Fun for kids and adults culminating in a Fireworks Dispaly at dark.  More info coming soon for Sparklebration 2014


Aripeka West Independence Day Celebration...


On Thursday July 3rd, We will have a Pot Luck Dinner in the RV Park.  Please bring a dish and join us in our celebration!  We will eat what we bring at this event.  There will be a grill available if you need it.  Think "cool", the weather is going to be HOT!  The celebration begins at 6 PM.  We will have Iced Tea and Lemonade to drink and keep us cool and Hot Dogs to eat!

Sunflower Maze...
Open Saturday and Sundy through June 8th, last two weekends to see this!

It’s a flora, fauna and food experience out on the farm!!

Nestled just inside southern Hernando County-- Sweetfields Farm and their organic operation, complete with a six acre sunflower maze.

That’s about 700,000 plants, towering eight to 12 feet tall—skyscraper heights from the little kids!

“They don't realize on the outside how tall they are,” said farm owner Ted Kessel, “until they get into the guts of the maze and they really get a feeling for it.”

It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to find your way through the maze, depending on how well you answer nature clues at each station.

Clues like, “How many times does a bee flap its wings per second. The right answer leads you in the right direction. The wrong answers lead you to dead ends!!

“You’ll know that you got the answer wrong and you’ll have to backtrack back to the station,” explained Kessel.

When they emerge, maze-goers are treated to animal encounters with goats, pigs, chicken and a cow named Rosie.

Feeding goats and saying hello a cow are impressive ventures for children.

“A lot of kids they don't live this way around here and they are coming from the city. Or areas that aren't agricultural related,” Kessel explained.

The farm also offers organic vegetables and fruit- fresh to pick from the fields or to pick up in the produce barn.

Right now, cucumbers, green beans and squash are waiting to be eaten.

And before departing, everyone gets a chance to plant their own sunflower seed from the previous year’s crop.

The farm uses recycled newspapers to make pots and recycled coconut husks for soil.

Sweetfields Farm is located at 17250 Benes Roush Road in Masaryktown.  
(352) 279-0977


Hurricane Season...

Hurricane season is here again and for over 90 years the Tampa has been spared a direct hit.  For this reason, Tampa is considered long over due for a storm to make landfall in or around the Tamps Bay area.  Test your Hurricane Knowledge.  Are you prepared for a storm?

Remember that Aripeka West is a MANDATORY EVACTION AREA and in the event of a Hurricane Warning you will be told to leave the Park, do you have plans for where you will go? Now is the time to make your plans, if you are disabled, you can set up in advance with the county a place where you can go and be safe.  If you have Pets, remember most shelters DO NOT allow Pets and the ones that do will fill fast, so make your plans now to keep your Pets safe in the event of a storm.



What to do if you are Disabled and will need help in case of a Hurricane Evacuation.


Check out the name for Hurricanes in 2014 and beyond.


In June...
 June 15th


It looks like every day is cause for some kind of celebrations.  From the 1st to the 30th there is something to celebrate.  Starting with National Doughnut Day and ending with National Ice Cream Soda Day, I can tell June is going to be a great month!  Check out the other fun "Holidays"!


Fathers Day...
June 15th




Father's Day is Sunday June 15th this year, iroinically the same day we will be celebrating National Lobster Day, so cover it all, take Good Ol' Dad out for Lobster on his special day!  Or you can cook the lobster at home, have a Lobster Boil with all the trimmings. There are many ways to prepare lobster tail, so which ever method of cooking you choose, just don't over cook and you will enjoy this special treat!


A little history on Father's Day... On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day.” However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.  






Display your Flag...

June 14th is Flag Day, so come on folks, show your patriotism and display your flag!

When to fly your American Flag in 2014 – Full and half-Staff flag holidays and dates to fly your flag in 2014

Ever missed a half-staff flag holiday or forgot to fly your American Flag on an important date? We’ve all been there. With busy day-to-day life, it’s easy to miss an opportunity to fly your US flag, either at full or half-staff.
We want to help make sure you never miss a flag holiday or half-staff occasion during 2014. Here is a list of important dates to remember in the upcoming year.
January 2014:
Wednesday January 1st – New Years Day (Full Staff)
Monday January 20th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Full-Staff)
February 2014
Monday February 7th – XXII Winter Olympics begin (Full-Staff)
Monday February 17th – Presidents’ Day (Full-Staff)
May 2014
Thursday May 15th – Peace Officer’s Memorial Day (Half-Staff)
Saturday May 17th – Armed Forces Day (Full-Staff)
Monday May 26th – Memorial Day (Half-Staff until Noon, then raised to Full-Staff)
June 2014
Saturday June 14 – Flag Day (Full-Staff)
July 2014
Friday July 4th – Independence Day (Full-Staff)
September 2014
Monday September 1st – Labor Day (Full-Staff)
Thursday September 11th – Patriot Day(Half-Staff)
Friday September 19th – National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Full-Staff)
October 2014
Monday October 13th – Columbus Day (Full-Staff)
November 2014
Tuesday November 4th – Election Day (Full-Staff)
Tuesday November 11th – Veterans Day (Full-Staff)
Thursday November 27th – Thanksgiving Day (Full-Staff)
December 2014
Sunday December 7th – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Half-Staff)
And don’t forget, the President can also declare the American flag be flown at half-staff for any additional occasion that arises with a Presidential Proclamation.



A little Trivia...

1.    You breathe on average about 5 million times a year.
2.    Months that begin on a Sunday always have a Friday the 13th in them.
3.    You are born with 300 bones, by the time you are an adult you will have 206.
4.    The average lead pencil will write a line about 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.
5.    One fourth of the bones in your body are in your feet.
6.    The average person spends 2 weeks of their lifetime waiting for the light to change from red to green.
7.    It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it.
8.    The present population is expected to rise to 15 Billion by the year 2080.
9.    The largest recorded snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.
10.  The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that the sound it makes is actually a tiny sonic boom.
11.  Native Americans used to name their children after the first thing they saw as they left their tepees after their children were born, hence the names Sitting Bull and Running Water.
12.  The Matami Tribe of West Africa play their own version of football, instead of a normal football they use a human skull.
13.  Coca-Cola would be green if the food colorant wasn't added.
14.  During the 17th Century, the Sultan of Turkey ordered his whole harem of women to be drowned and replaced with a new one.
15.  Coffins used for cremation are usually made with plastic handles.
16.  "Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
17.  Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
18.  Cockroaches can live several weeks with their heads cut off.
19.  It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. We dare you, give it a try!
20.  A Ten Gallon Hat will only hold 3/4 of a Gallon.
21.  Of all the words in the English language, the word "SET" has the most definitions.
22.  It is against the law to burp, or sneeze inside a church in Nebraska.
23.  In 1386 a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.
24.  Earth is the only planet not named after a god.
25.  The world's oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old!
26.  Scientists have tracked butterflies travelling over 3,000 miles.
27.  The silkworm consumes 86,000 times its own weight in 56 days.
28.  If removed from the stress of the modern world, the average human would sleep about 10 hours a day.
29.  To produce a single pound of honey, a single bee would have to visit 2 million flowers.
30.  A colony of 500 bats can eat approximately 250,000 insects in an hour.
31.  One in Five adults believe that aliens are hiding in our planet disguised as humans.
32.  Travelling masseuses in ancient Japan were required by law to be blind.
33.  The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in court.
34.  James Fixx, the man who popularized jogging in America died of a heart attack while running.
35.  The average American spends about a year and a half of his or her life watching commercials on television. What are you doing?! Get out and spend that year and a half doing something productive!
36.  Ancient Greeks practiced a form (ineffective) of birth control that consisted of having a woman hold her breath, making her squat, and sneezing.
37.  The FDA permits up to 5 whole insects per 100 grams of apple butter.
38.  There are no naturally occurring blue foods, even blueberries are purple!
39.  The skeleton of Jeremy Bentham is present in all the important meetings of the University of London.
40.  The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!
41.  Just like fingerprints, everyone's tongue is different.
42.  The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds.
43.  400 Quarter Pounders can be made from a single cow.
44.  Only 38% of Americans eat breakfast every day.
45.  111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
46.  11% of the World is left handed.
47.  A "Jiffy" is the scientific name for 1/100th  of a second.
48.  A Boeing 747's wingspan is longer than the Wright brothers' first flight.
49.  A broken clock is right two times a day.
50.  A duck's quack doesn't echo anywhere, no one knows why.


Calendar of Events...


Friday, May 2, 2014

May 2014 Newsletter

A message from BJ...


The population of Aripeka West has been shrinking this month.  Many of our winter guests have left to return to their northern homes for the summer.  This is our time, the time Floridians can enjoy the state and all of the interesting places to see and things to do.  Bay News 9 gives us some ideas of just what is out there to see and do in their continuing news stories called "Florida on a Tankful".  There are many places to explore in the less crowded Spring, Summer and Fall.

This is also a great time to take a last minute Mini Vacation.  The rates are lower at hotels, many cruises lines offer rock bottom pricing for the summer months, especially if you can travel on short notice.  The beaches in Florida are beautiful, there are many springs to explore and keep you cool. There are campgrounds with many open sites, for both tents and RV's.  Florida has lots of state parks to visit and every county has their parks for your enjoyment.  Also watch for festivals, art shows and music events this summer in the Tampa Bay area.

Everybody knows about Disney and all of their attractions, but there are other smaller attractions in our area that can be a lot of fun without spending a lot of money!  If you know of an upcoming event that may be of interest to the other residents and guests of Aripeka West, please let us know.

And don't forget about our very own little"Aripeka Events", like watching the sunsets, fishing from the bridges and our 1st Monday of the Month Pot Luck Dinner at the Aripeka Community Center!

Spring Cleaning...


Your efforts to clean up your lots are going well.  To the many of you who work hard to keep your lot and home looking good year round, thanks so much.  To those of your who have made great strides in the last couple of months, thanks, your efforts have not gone unnoticed and are very much appreciated.  If you still have work to do, go ahead and finish before it gets too hot!

More "See you Soon's"...


The last of our winter guests will be departing in the next few weeks.  While we are sorry to see them go, we know they will be welcomed home by their friends and relatives in the north!  I think the snow is almost melted and no new snow is expected till later, much later this year!

Get Well Soon...


Tom Reed is back in the hospital with heart problems.  He had an incident a couple of weeks ago and went to the emergency room, they did some testing, but did not put in a stint, then on Saturday April 26th he went to get a Pizza and had another bout of extreme weakness and chest pain and was transported from the restaurant by ambulance to Bayonet Point, the same hospital he was in the last time, but will be coming home in the next couple of days.  On Monday April 28th, they placed a stint in a 90% block artery and sent him home on Tuesday April 29th to recover.  At 9:30 PM Tuesday April 29th the ambulance was again called for Tom, he was experiencing the same problems as in the past weakness and chest pain.  he is currently again at Bayonet Point and we have not heard anything new at this time.

Charlie Truxell was in Bayonet Point this past week with pneumonia, complicated by another infection.  He is currently at home and feeling somewhat better.

Mother's Day...


On Sunday May 11th please remember your Mother on her "special day" Send her a card, call her on the phone, "text" her, however you want to do it, just make sure to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.  The best gift you can give her is some of your time, so if possible make sure to pay her a visit and say it in person,  "Happy Mother's Day"!

Armed Forces Day...


Remember to say "Thanks" to those serving in our military on Saturday May 17th, it is Armed Forces Day!  These men and women work hard every day to protect us, the very least we can do is say Thank You!

Memorial Day...


Memorial Day 2014 is on Monday May 26th.  We use this holiday to celebrate with picnics and beach outings, but let's not forget what it is really all about.  It is a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their life, for the United States and what we believe in.  So while you are enjoying your holiday please remember these men and women.  It is a great day to take a little road trip to Bushnell and watch the ceremony at the National Cemetery.  Other ceremonies will be held in the area by the local VFW and  American Legion Posts and possibly other fraternal organizations.

Our Dumpster...


Please do not place anything in our dumpster except regular household (kitchen) garbage.  Our dumpster is NOT for your old furniture, carpet, carpet padding, mattresses, building materials, insulation, TV, yard waste, oh well, you get the picture.  We only have so much space in the dumpster and it is intended for garbage and garbage only.  If you have other items to dispose of please take them to the dump located at 14230 Hays Road in Hudson.  You will be charged by the pound, just the same way the park is charged by the county for having our dumpster emptied and taken to the dump.  We pay a monthly fee to the company we hire to empty the dumpster and haul the garbage to the dump and then the county sends us a bill for that company to dump the garbage at the solid waste facility. (The very same dump you would go to with your trash on Hays Road.) Our Dumpster has been completely full each Monday for several weeks, so you might ask why don't we just get a bigger dumpster, well, a bigger dumpster will cost more money and there are no extra funds for that without a lot rent increase.   Please be advised that the dumpster will be monitored for abuse.


The Facts of Spring...

1. The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox. What does that stand for you ask? ‘Vernal’ is Latin for spring while ‘equinox’ is Latin for ‘equal night’.
2. The idea that the first day of spring is exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness rarely works. There is always a time when it is exact, but experts say it usually occurs before the vernal equinox.
3. If you stand on the equator today, you would see the sun pass directly overhead. It only happens twice a year in spring time and autumn.
4. Can you really stand a raw egg on its end today? Well, yes. But, most experts say if you are patient enough, you can stand an egg on its end any day.
5. The first day of spring in the southern hemisphere is the date of the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, usually in September.
6. The reason there is more daylight during the spring is the earth’s axis tilts toward the sun at this time of year.
7. Another reason for more daylight? Daylight Saving Time. The United States begins saving daylight on the second Sunday in March. The practice started in 2005.
8. Benjamin Franklin first proposed Daylight Saving Time in 1784.
9. The first spring flowers are typically daffodils, dandelions, lilies, tulips, iris and lilacs to name a few.
10. Spring fever is not just a saying. Experts say the body’s makeup changes due to different diets, hormone production and temperature.
Take the Spring Trivia Test

First Monday Potluck Dinner...


Remember to attend the First Monday Potluck Dinner at the Aripeka Community Center on Monday May 5th at 6 PM.  Bring a dish to share if you can and meet some nice folks!

Taco Tuesday...


We will celebrate Cinco de Mayo here at Aripeka West with Tacos on Tuesday May 6th, so we do not interfere with the First Monday Potluck Dinner on the 5th.  The fun brings at 5 PM.  Bring your drinks and a dish if you like, we will have the tacos and the fixin's!

Breakfast Wednesday...


On Wednesday May 14th at 9 AM we will have Breakfast in the RV Park.  We enjoyed our Breakfast so much this past Winter, so it seems appropriate to have them once in a while in the summer months!

B-B-Q Sunday...


On Sunday May 25th we will have a B-B-Q in the RV Park to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. Please bring a dish and join us at 5 PM.

May 2014 Events...

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

April 2014 Newsletter

A message from BJ....


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!


First Monday Potluck Dinners....


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....



Sunday, March 2, 2014

March 2014 Newsletter

 A message from BJ...


We will be dedicating the month of March to Spring Cleaning here at Aripeka West.  The Park will do its' best to get the place looking nice.  We will be working to clean and do minor repairs to the vacant mobile homes in the park, we will be mowing and trimming to get the grounds looking their best, we will be removing things that have accumulated on the vacant lots and around the vacant trailers.  We are asking you to do the same on your lot.  Please remove any trash or unwanted items you have stored on your lot and under your decks and mobile homes. If you are unable to do this, please contact the Park, we may be able to help.

Over the winter, many "things" just seem to have landed in Aripeka West that simply don't belong stored outside.  Remember that it is time to start the mowing season and if you have items on the grass in your yard we will not be able to mow and you will have to take care of lawn maintenance yourself.

Furniture specifically designed for outdoor use and in usable condition, grills and free standing fire pits in working condition and bicycles in working condition are allowed, but we will not move them to mow, mowing around these items will be you responsibility.  Dog tie outs, stakes, toys, chews, balls and food and water dishes must be removed from your yard when not in use.  The same applies to children's toys and pools.  Hoses may not be left on the grass when not in use and clothes lines are limited to the Umbrella lines, please do not string clothes lines between trees or otherwise install regular lines, these types of lines pose a danger.

Think of your neighbors, please take an objective look around your lot and make sure that it "says" what you want your neighbors to think of you.  Spring begins on March 20th, let's get ready for it!

From "Butts" to "Poops"...



The complaints continue! Almost every day we receive complaints from residents about "Butts" and "Poop".  Please take a moment to pick up after your dog, it is the rule and any responsible dog owner should not have to be told over and over to obey this rule.  Dog feces creates pollution and effects our streams, canals, rivers and the Gulf of Mexico, it has a negative effect on our future quality of life. And to those of you who smoke, cigarette butts are "litter" and the rules also state that you do not throw litter anywhere in the park.  Cigarette butts do not decompose, they are the litter our children will have to deal with in the future.  Do you want your Children and Grandchildren to have as good or better quality of life than the one you enjoy?  Please "Scoop the Poop" and "Snub the Butts" then place them both in the dumpster where they belong!!

Your gardens...

This is the time of year to start taking care of your gardens.  For those of you who have small gardens on your lot, please remember that it is your responsibility to care for these gardens and to keep them looking nice.  You will be asked to remove these gardens if they are not maintained to facilitate grounds maintenance. Please do not plant anything on your lot that is not in some type of garden planter to protect it. You will be responsible for mowing and trimming around any plants you put in your yard, whether a ground planter or a regular potted plant.  Plants are not to be left in their garden center pot just sitting in your yard, so if you buy them, be prepared to plant them right away in an appropriate planter. 

Did you know...

Mardi Gras


The feast before the fast

by Holly Hartman and Chris Frantz
March 4, 2014
In the United States, Mardi Gras draws millions of fun-seekers to New Orleans every year. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans on a grand scale, with masked balls and colorful parades, since French settlers arrived in the early 1700s. Hidden behind masks, people behaved so raucously that for decades in the early 19th century masks were deemed illegal in that party-loving city."Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Traditionally, it is the last day for Catholics to indulge—and often overindulge—before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent. Formally known as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras has long been a time of extravagant fun for European Christians. In fact, some people think Mardi Gras celebrations have their source in the wild springtime orgies of the ancient Romans.

Masks, Music, and Mayhem

French royals, feather-covered showgirls, Energizer bunnies, painted clowns, masked lions—you can find them all (and countless others) in the streets of New Orleans at Mardi Gras. By dawn on that most famous Tuesday, people have claimed the best spots on the streets to watch fabulous floats, outrageous performers, and visiting celebrities go by. Many travel hundreds of miles to be a part of the excitement.
Marching bands, some of them founded more than a century ago, also take to the streets with music and festive dress. They open the day by spreading jazz music through the city before the more than 350 floats and 15,000 costumed paraders take over the scene. Crazy costumes and wild make-up are the order of the day for paraders and parade-watchers alike. The most lavish get-ups can be seen at the cross-dressing beauty pageants in the French Quarter, where bawdy costuming may reach new heights (over seven feet, in heels).

Krewes: New Orleans Royalty

Mardi Gras has long combined wild street activities open to everyone with events organized by private clubs known as krewes. Today, thousands of people belong to about 60 krewes that plan the parades and balls of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The oldest krewe, the Krewe of Comus, was founded in 1857 by men who feared the outrageous antics of Mardi Gras would lead to the holiday being outlawed. They hoped that secret societies could keep the celebrations alive. The Krewe of Comus withdrew from the parade schedule in 1992 when it refused to sign an ordinance prohibiting racial discrimination.
In 1872 the Russian grand duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans at Mardi Gras. A group of businessmen organized the Krewe of Rex to host a parade for the occasion, and appointed a "king for the day" so that the grand duke could have a royal reception. Naming kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a tradition of the krewes ever since. Another tradition began with that royal visit: the Romanoff house colors—purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power—became the official colors of Mardi Gras.

Catch as Catch Can

The millions of colorful beaded necklaces thrown from floats are the most visible symbols and souvenirs of Mardi Gras. In addition, millions of cups and toy coins known as "doubloons" are decorated with krewe logos and thrown to parade-watchers. Some "throws" are especially prized: only the luckiest folks manage to take home the hand-decorated coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu.
People do outrageous things to catch the most throws. Some dress as priests, hoping the many Catholics on the floats will shower them with goodies. Others dress their children in eye-catching costumes and seat them, holding baskets to catch the loot, on ladders that tower over the crowds. Others give up on the costume ploy altogether, finding that taking clothes off can be the quickest attention-getter.

After Katrina

Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans at the end of August 2005, but within a few months the city decided that Mardi Gras would go on. Many of the krewes had safely stored their parade floats before the hurricane. Some of the most popular parade routes, including St. Charles and Magazine Streets, were spared in the storm. For after-parade decadence, the French Quarter also emerged relatively unscathed.
Spring forward...

Get ready...Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9th at 2AM!  Get those clocks set, don't want to be late for your Sunday Morning things to do!  The sunrise will be later as will the sunset, it means Spring is here and the days will soon be longer.  Hopefully we will enjoy some wonderful Spring Time weather before the beginning of Summer.  Looking forward to a little kayaking, boating and swimming.


Ever been to Colorama...

Our RV Park Resident Henry on the Sax!
He plays many Wednesday Nights!

Even know what Colorama is?  Colorama is located a 9302 Denton Avenue Hudson, Florida between US 19 and Little Road.  Colorama is a Music Persormance Experience, Colorama is an Experience!  Every Wednesday at 7:30PM they have Casual Jam Night, the House Band Performs and anyone with musical talent can sign in to play with the band.  There are singers, drummers, strummers and yes, even Herny Sax on occassion, who stop in on Wednesday to play for fun.  They also have feature shows, singers and comedy acts.  You can have dinner at Colorama, Show Tickets include a Buffet Dinner, but you can buy tickets for just the show without dinner, on Wednesday you can order off the menu and admission is FREE!  Bar service is available and their prices are reasonable.  Call for shows 727-863-7539

St. Patrick's Day...


In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday similar to Christmas and Easter.
Erin go Bragh translates to “Ireland forever.”
The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.
The largest parade in the US, held since 1762, is in New York City, and draws more than one million spectators each year.
Over 100 US cities hold a parade every year. Some of the other biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades are in Chicago, Illinois and Savannah, Georgia.
In 1948 President Truman became the first president to attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The city of Chicago goes so far to celebrate that they dye their river green.
Green is associated with Saint Patrick’s Day because it is the color of spring, of Ireland, and of the shamrock.
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, 110 million people will celebrate the day by wearing green, making an Irish-inspired meal, or going out to celebrate.
There are 33.7 million U.S. residents who are of Irish ancestry. That number is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself.
15 million cards are exchanged on St. Patrick’s Day. 10% of all St Patrick’s Day cards are sold in New York.
19 Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage—including our first President, George Washington.

St. Patrick is a hero in Ireland. And there are about 60 churches and cathedrals named for him in Ireland alone. One of the most famous cathedrals is St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. These grounds bear the mark of the place where St. Patrick baptized his converts.
Aripeka West St. Patrick's Day Party...
The celebration will begin on Sunday March 16, 2014 at 3 PM in the RV Park.  The Park will prepare the food, with Traditional Corned Beef  & Cabbage, Drunkin Irish Stew and Shepperd's Pie and all the Irish accompaniments.  Coffee and tea will be provided.  There will be a $5/person charge for dinner this year due to the huge increases at the grocery store especially the price of BEEF. You do not need to bring a dish, the park will supply the food. You must RSVP for this dinner.  You will receive your RSVP on March 3rd.  Please RSVP no later than March 10th so we will be able to take advantage of any Sale Ads.  Please include $5/person when you return your RSVP in the envelope provided. Live music by Ali & Rob and Henry on the Sax!  Remember, think "green" as in "the wearing of the green"!

Clean up Bonfire...
While the date of the Bonfire is still up in the air, the planning is not.  We will have us a really big bonfire, hot dogs with all the fixins'and when we say "all the fixin's", we mean it, there will be chili, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, slaw, peppers, onions, cheese. letuce, tomato, relish and anything else that we think just might be good on a "Dog"!  There will be plenty of chips and dip and of course marshmallows to roast!  So what will you need to bring?  Well, a cooler with you favorite beverage and a chair to make yourself comfortable beside the fire! 

Calendar of Events...
Remember our Bonfire coming at the end of March, the date to be announced!