Hello Neighbors,

After three years of writing a monthly message to the community I sometimes worry that I have nothing useful left to say. Having dutifully reported on each of the issues that have come up from month to month, and in following months reported on how they’ve been resolved, and having been careful to be both realistic and positive in exhorting our community to pursue one course of action or another, what’s left to say? Well, I decided there is something left to say: Thank You!

I want to publicly thank each one of our Directors for having given so fully and selflessly of their time and energy this year. We have deliberated over many important and thorny issues and made great progress . For example , last December, I was writing to you about our

failure to pass a new budget because we had an out-dated 60 percent quorum requirement in our documents. The Board resolved to have the community address this; the community addressed it, and this year we passed a budget on one try - with a sensible 30 percent quorum vote. Led by Director Bob Johnston, the Board drew up

this sensible, fully funded budget and helped to e x p l a i n i t t o t h e c o m m u n i t y, w h i c h supported the first s i g n i fi c a n t f u n d i n g change in five years.

Last February, when we learned that there would be no increase in income, the Board made the painful decision to

eliminate mailing the monthly newsletter. That change resulted in a $15,000 savings. Moving forward, the success in switching to an electronic format rested squarely and solely on the shoulders of one person _ Director Patrick Grady.

Last March I wrote about the series of committee meetings and special Board meetings that were giving us traction on an issue long dear to this community _ a new perimeter wall. Since then Director Bob Shakar and Director Jerry Alexandrowicz have met with scores of people in scores of meetings _ with homeowners, with designers, with lawyers, with county officials _ and as a result of their efforts by February, 2009 we should begin to see a new wall rise around the front of our community.

Last June I was writing to you about the parking problems that we were experiencing around our ever popular spring. Director Sharon Parke and the Security Committee studied and re-studied the problem and came up with a series of recommendations that led to policy changes the board adopted in July. And Director Ted Kaiser took it upon himself to explore how we could reasonably expand our parking area. As a result we have a new, natural parking lot and plenty

(continued on page 3)

A Message From the Board President

DECEMBER 2008 OUR 37TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION VOLUME 37, ISSUE 12

At Home…With Nature!

Community NewsDecember UpdateSee inside - page 3

DAVID SAYS:THANKS TO ALL

WHO CONTRIBUTE to THE SPRINGS!

THE SPRINGSCOMMUNITY

A T H O M E W I T H N A T U R E

Candidate Bios January ElectionSee Bios Inside!

The Spring Run

Community NewsEditor’s note: As we prepare for the

holidays, we count our blessings. For many of us in this community, that includes our cherished pets. Unfortunately for one of our residents, this holiday season will bring some bittersweet memories. Doris Houchins recently had to put one of her beloved dogs to sleep. She wrote a wonderful letter to her friends sharing her memories of Mr. George, and she was kind enough to agree to have it published in our newsletter. It’s OK to cry. I did while reading it. Just remember, as Doris did, the joy that our pets bring us each and every day, and how grateful we should be for each of those moments

RegardsGeorge DiazSpring Newsletter Co-Editor HI Everybody:

I'm sad today and can't just sit here and brood, so I thought I would write all of you and tell you how I feel, since you are all special people who will understand.

Today, this morning about 10 o'clock we took one of  our best friends to the doctor and we didn't bring him home.

We put Mr. George down, as they say. We didn't really put him down, we had the doctor give him a shot and then he died. I held him in my arms as he went away. He was peaceful and seemed happy to be out of pain, but oh, how I will miss him. He was such a good dog...if I could live up to my potential as he did I would be such an exceptional person.

Mr. George grew up in a happy home with quite a few other dogs. He went into college (Guide Dog School) at 14 months, and in less than a year graduated magna cum laude, as a very special dog guide. Because he was so special they put him in a graduate program where he earned his doctorate in wheelchair work.

He then went to work for a woman, wheelchair bound and blind. George worked for her for nearly two years. During this time, it was discovered that he had received a gene from his father's side that carried epilepsy. After three or four bouts of falling down in a seizure while w o r k i n g h i s d i s t r a u g h t o w n e r brokenheartedly called the school and they brought George back in for evaluation.

Immediately the doctors put him on a regime of phenobarbital and found a less stressful occupation for him. He became a promotional tool that the Director of Southeastern Guide Dogs School, took to any and all fund raiser events. Two years later, this too became too stressful for him. That's when we got lucky.

His original raisers who got him back,(a school policy) weren’t able to keep him because they already had five dogs. My husband Roy and I were contacted and we immediately said, "yes" when they asked if we wanted Mr. George.

He has lived with us since that time. We watched as he, so full of energy and pep and love, slowly became the "old dog" in our house.

Mr. George handled old age and death as he had handled everything else. Physically he was in very good shape, but slowly his bones began to deteriorate. Soon he was walking slower, less often, and was sleeping more and eating less.

Last night he decided it was time. He refused food, he struggled to go "out', falling three or four times, but refused to lose control even then. So we called our vet, (a loving caring man) and we took our Mr. George on his last ride.

I held him as he left for the next world, so calmly and so steady, the way he had lived.

So today I'm sad. I will be for a while. But I know that we were lucky people to have known a being of such class, our Mr. George.

Doris

Mr. George - gone, but not forgotten.

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Classic Car ShowAnd

Continental Breakfast@ The Clubhouse

Saturday, January 11Watch Your Email for More Information

A Few Photos from Santa’s special visit on December 7.President’s Message (from page 1)

of coquina boulders strategically placed to prevent the ruin of our natural grounds. Ted has also been responsible for the sharpened appearance of our front entrance, and for securing the elimination, long sought, of dozens of unsightly tree stumps around Springs Boulevard.

I think we owe our Directors a big pat on the back and I hope you will give them one when you see them.

There are certainly others equally important to thank:

George and Theresa Diaz, a big thank you for assembling and editing the newsletter. Let’s thank the members of the Wall Committee - Jerry Crews, Frank Messina, Bruno Piromelli, Ron Cohn, Suzanne Pagano, Bob Hvrabonek, Wilson Knott - and its PR adjunct - Marion Bayne, Ron Kenney and Nancy Kenney. Let’s thank the Social Committee for reviving our social life: - Linda Lopez, Mim Starr Dela Armstrong, Ann Pinel, Laura Garcia Jones, Susie Davis, Theresa Bradley, Klaudia Toohey, and Patrick Grady - and the Landscape Committee - Cynthia Lubinsky, Karen Fatizzi, Doris Houchins, Ted Kaiser and Sharon Parke - for helping us maintain and improve our grounds. Let’s thank the Election Committee - Michelle Davis, Ron and Nancy Kenney, Donna and Paul Golub, Mim Starr, Clem Gecewicz, John Doerr, Estelle Silva, Marion Bayne, and Ron Boyer - for years of glitch-free elections. Let’s thank our Security Committee _ Security Committee:  Estelle Silva, Ron Boyer, Sharon Parke, Ron Kenney, Bob Shakar, Clive Wagner, Nick Nicholau, and newest member Marsha Mueller.

Let’s thank our hard-working Asher staff members - Druel Smith, Jan Kweit, Gabi Weaver, Jose Marrera, Jimmy Jimenez - and our Community Service staff -Clive Wagner, Joanie Rhodes, David Waites, Bill Lebert, Lonnie Church, Jared Reber, and Rocco Santopietro.

And last but not least, thanks to our loyal attendees at each and every Board meeting! With apologies to anyone who may have been left out, a big THANK YOU to each one of you for helping make 2008 an exceptional year.

To each of them, and each of you, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwaanza, and a Serene Eid…..

David Forthuber

Santa Vis its The SpringsBy Patrick Grady, Newsletter Contributor

Santa paid an early visit to The Springs, showing up for a quick photo op with dozens of excited kids (and a few grownups) on December 7. He stopped by just long enough to hear about what some of our resident kids would like to get for the holidays. Santa’s all about gifts, but he considered it a treat to visit The Springs.

In fact, Santa said “The Springs is one of my very favorite places to visit each Christmas. There’s no place else quite like it! I must say, though, with all these majestic trees… it can be hard to navigate the rooftops! And some of the chimneys here… well, they’re small! Ho, ho ho,” he laughed. Santa likes to laugh at his own jokes, it seems.

When asked i f he’s ready for Christmas, Santa said “Ho, ho, ho… you betcha. In fact, I’ve got elves working three shifts just to make sure everything is finished in time! And afterward? I’m going to the Bahamas! Merry Christmas and Happy Ho Ho Holidays!”

Babysitting and Pet Sitting AvailableUpdated September 2008

NAME PHONE KIDS? PETS?

David Bloom (Red Cross Cert.) 407.772.0938 Y Y

Emily Davis 407.774.1930 Y Y

Jessica Davis (Red Cross Cert.) 407.767.8676 Y Y

Crystal DiPisa 407.869.7552C407.782.3748

Y Y

Ravem Epps (Red Cross Cert.) 407.924.9508 Y N

Paige Fink 407.862.3446 Y Y

Spencer Fitzgerald 407.862.0427 Y Y

Allison Craig 407.754.2700 Y N

Keira Hennessy 407.682.6656 Y Y

Katari Matichak (Red Cross Cert.) 407.865.7404 Y Y

Carly Musselwhite 407.682.5739 N Y

Melissa Nelson 407.341.8354 Y Y

Christie & Carrie Robinson 407.869.6784 Y Y

Maddy Wapow 407.925.5120 Y Y

Neighborhood KidsWho Want to Help!

This listing is provided as a resource to residents and features fellow residents and their children who may be available to babysit or pet sit. We can’t recommend specific individuals and encourage you to seek referrals and other information so that you can make an informed decision.

The Springs Community

SOCIAL CALENDAR Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 11Classic Car Show and

Continental Breakfast! Meet More Neighbors -

and see what they keep hidden in their garage!

Additional Info will be On The Web

Every Thursday at 10 a.m.Ladies Bridge

10 a.m.

3rd Wednesday of every monthBook Club

1:00 p.m

ROOFINGMAILBOX

LANDSCAPINGFENCE INSTALLATION

FENCE REPAIRTREE REMOVAL

DRIVEWAY WORKPAINTING

SATELLITE DISH INSTALLVisit our website for information on

ACC meetings, submission forms, and how to gain approval for home improvements.

N OT E : A c c o r d i n g t o o u r documents, and to help reduce animal destruct ion - TRASH IS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE CURB at 7 a.m. on DAYS OF PICKUP.

Architectural Control CommitteeApprovals, November, 2008

APPROVALS

Whispering Pines Village

200 Hummingbird Lane

Extension for painting and wood replacement

117 Raintree Drive Painting to match second floor per village specs

140 Raintree Drive Replace fencing with cedar fencing; paint per village specs.

157 Raintree Drive Extension for roofing and painting, per village specs.

General

111 Little Wekiva Court

Fix portion of driveway that is cracked.

1906 Lost Spring Court

Replace privacy fence and paint per samples submitted. Install hot tub per specs. Replace and enlarge current deck with hardi-plank and treated pine; stain per sample.

206 Riverbend Court Replace driveway with pavers per sample

201 Springside Road Remove dead pine tree.

94 Wisteria Drive Re-roof using matching shingles

128 Wisteria Drive Extension for pavers on driveway; dumpster for 30 days

130 Wisteria Drive Pave driveway per sample submitted

REMEMBER: Submit ACC

Application for any exterior renovations -

including, but not limited to:

Note: A security deposit may be required. Log on or call the office for ACC Form.

Village Board Meetings

Dates and Times and Locations for these meetings can be found by

visiting the website.

Village meetings are held in the clubhouse, the conference room, and occasionally at the tennis facility. Please check the web for your meeting location and updates to time and date.

Board & Committee Meetings

Our board is made up of 7 volunteer resident homeowners who are elected by the community to 3 year terms. Every year we elect 2 board positions, and every three years we elect a third.

Meeting Descriptions, Dates, and Times can be Found on our Website.

Manager’s Report-December 11, 2008

Clubhouse: Replaced paper holder in women’s rest room. Additional shelves were installed in one of the closets.

Tennis Court: Numerous light bulbs were replaced in order to assure excellent visibility on the tennis courts. A ceiling leak was repaired in the women’s rest room.

Wisteria Drive Area: Repaired hole in street near 150 Wisteria with asphalt cold patch. The creek areas were cleaned.

The Stables: The sprinklers were replaced in order to assure maximum efficiency. The arena was raked. Sign repaired at the stables.

Spas: Repaired some wooden garment hangers in the men’s spa which were loosened by visitors.

Spring: The maintenance crew continues to clean the hydrilla in the spring twice a week.

Recreation Area: All of the plastic/resin picnic tables have been painted including the metal bases.

Recreational Vehicle Storage Lot: Arrangements have been made for bush hogging by Valley Crest.

Island on Spring Run Circle: This area was cleaned up and some new plant material and mulch installed in order to enhance the appearance of the island. Plants requiring a minimum of water were selected and neighbors have volunteered to water during the initial phase of plant growth.

Woodbridge/Springs Boulevard corner: Boulders were installed at the school bus stop in order to prevent residents from parking on grass areas.

Parking Lots: The Maintenance Supervisor continues to rake the parking lots near the clubhouse and the spas in order to assure a level appearance.

Guardhouse: The roof was cleaned. Palms were trimmed. Air conditioning/heat unit repaired. Tree topped off near the resident gate to remove dead branches which could present a potential safety hazard.

Roadways/Walkways/Waterways: Asphalt cold patch was applied to several pot holes and undulations in the street surface along Springs Boulevard in order to prevent puddles of water along the edges of the roadway. The 4 x 4 posts near the pump house/clubhouse and the playground were painted dark green and reflectors installed to increase the nighttime visibility in the area. Several stop signs were repaired. Discarded debris tossed into the waterways were removed.

Property Inspection: Inspections continue to be performed on a routine basis in order to assure compliance.

Irrigation: Continue to inspect and repair the sprinklers as needed. Repaired sprinklers at the entrance and at the clubhouse.

__________________________________

MEMBERS MEETING and BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

PROPOSED ANNUAL ASSESSMENT INCREASEThe Springs Community Association, Inc.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

To Be Approved by BOD at November 19, 2008 meeting.

The Board of Directors of the Springs Community Association, Inc. met at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse on Wednesday, October 18, 2008 to discuss a proposed for an annual assessment increase. Board members present were: David Forthuber, President; Jerry Alexandrowicz, Vice-President; Bob Johnston, Treasurer; Sharon Parke, Secretary; and Directors Ted Kaiser and Bob Shakar. Druel Smith, Property Manager, and Jan Kweit, Assistant Property Manager, were also present. Director Patrick Grady was absent.

Call to Order and Welcome: President David Forthuber called the Members Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Proof of Notice and Mailing: Proof of Notice for the Board of Directors Meeting and Proof of Mailing for the Members Meeting were confirmed by management.

Vice-President Jerry Alexandrowicz conducted the meeting because President Forthuber was called away to sign proxies.

• No report.

• A motion was made by Sharon Parke and seconded by Jerry Alexandrowicz that the minutes of the BOD Meeting of September 17, 2008 be approved with one change noted by Ted Kaiser. The motion was approved unanimously.

• Bob Johnston presented the Treasurer’s Report. He reported that we have $187,059 in our Operating Account, $364,866 in our Reserve Account, and $79,398 in a CD account. Our accounts receivable total $114,785. He mentioned that approximately $90,000 per month is needed to operate The Springs.

Closing of Ballot Boxes: At 7:30 pm, President David Forthuber announced that Ballot Boxes were to be closed.

HOMEOWNERS FORUMWhile the ballots for the assessment increase were being

counted, homeowners asked questions and discussed the following:

• Robert Kelly – shared concerns regarding management salaries and staff requirements

• Tracy Gore – Creek at Willow Run• Heidi Bailey – Wisteria Drive drainage issues• Cynthia Lubinsky – Wisteria issues• Barbara McMellon – Reserves her right to speak when

stables issue is discussed (column continues on next page)

Continued from prior page

RESULTS OF VOTE ON ASSESSMENT INCREASE

Establishment of Quorum: David Forthuber stated that 264 proxies or 30 percent of the homeowners would be needed to establish a quorum.

Voting Results: A quorum was established with 313 votes (corrected and verified). David Forthuber announced the voting results for a proposed assessment increase:

Yes – 178 No – 135

Therefore, effective January 1, 2009, the yearly assessment for The Springs Community Association, Inc. will be $1,470.00 per residence.

(15-minute recess)

The Board of Directors Meeting continued as follows with President Forthuber presiding:

• Property Manager’s Report: Dru Smith, Property Manager, presented highlights of a report that was previously distributed to the Board members, and available to all those attending the meeting. The report is also available in the newsletter.

Dru Smith presented an estimate from Double “T” Bobcat, Inc. for replenishing 200 feet of shoreline of the spring to a depth of 3 inches. This will require three truckloads of beach sand. Cost: $1,800. Scoop out sand bar in St. John’s River, deposited as a result of Tropical Storm Fay, to improve stream flow. Cost $1,200.

Ted Kaiser made a motion that we accept the above bids from Double “T” Bobcat. This was seconded by Jerry Alexandrowicz. After discussion, Bob Johnston suggested that we proceed with the first part of this project only, i.e., the beach sand replenishment. Ted Kaiser amended his motion, seconded by Bob Johnson, to accept the beach replenishment of sand from Double “T” Bobcat for a cost of $1,800. The motion was passed unanimously.

Committee Reports were as follows:

• Architectural Control – Darel Taylor. No report.• Audit/Finance – Robert Johnston. The Audit/Finance

meeting will take place on October 20th.• Buildings, Roads and Grounds – No report.• Landscaping – Cynthia Lubinsky. Flowers for entrance

have been ordered.• Newsletter – George Diaz/Theresa Bradley. No report.• R.V. Parking – Ron Boyer. No report.• Security – Estelle Silva. No meeting held in October due

to lack of quorum.

• Social – Patrick Grady. No report.• Stables – Judy Morse. She reported that there was a

vote of 3-1 of stables renters to close common pastures.• Tennis – Tobie Stitt. No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Perimeter Wall – Status and Action (Bob Shakar) – Mr. Shakar reported that the wall project is working toward a goal to have front wall installed by the end of the first quarter of 2009. The wall will start from the silver railing on Wekiva Springs Road to the front along SR-434 to the river. We will have an additional wall along Markham Woods Road. The total length is approximately 3,500 lineal feet. Our goal is to have the wall 7 feet tall with an allowance for the column extension a little over the top of the wall.

A motion was made by Ted Kaiser that we authorize $20,000 for the wall project to go forward with surveys, permits, and design drawings. A special meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 to continue the wall discussion. Sharon Parke seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

• Repaving of Wild Olive and River Bend (Ted

Kaiser) –Tabled until the November BOD meeting.

• Speed Bump at 119 Wisteria (David Forthuber) – The speed bump at 119 Wisteria is in the process of being removed by property owner at 119 Wisteria.

• Problems at Stables (David Forthuber) – David Forthuber made a motion, seconded by Bob Johnston, to allow a period of two weeks for stable renters to resolve their problems. The motion failed. Tabled until the November BOD meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Date for Bio Submission for Vacant BOD Seats (Sharon Parke) – It was agreed by consensus that the date for bio submissions for three vacant BOD seats would be November 15th. A notice will be put on the reader board to that effect.

• Garage Sale (Sharon Parke) – It was agreed by consensus of the BOD that a garage sale for The Springs residents will be held the weekend of November l and 2nd. A notice will be put on the reader board to that effect. (continues on next page)

• Open House Day for Residents and Realtors (David Forthuber) – After discussion, the BOD, by consensus, agreed that there would be no open house this year for residents and realtors.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.

On the following pages appear bios from residents who have

expressed an interest in serving on the board of directors for The Springs Community

Association, Inc. from January 2009 through January 2012.

Voting materials and additional information will be mailed to

your address of record.

13th

Annual Springs Holiday Fund

Happy Holidays

Now is a wonderful opportunity to say “Thank You” and to

show our appreciation to the Springs Security and Staff.

Please mail your donation to the address shown below or drop it into

one of our designated Holiday Fund Boxes.

Springs Holiday Fund

200 Red Bud Lane

Longwood, FL 32779

Resident’s Name: ______________________________________________

Gift Amount: __________________________________________________

THANK YOU

FROM THE SPRINGS HOLIDAY FUND COMMITTEE

Wilson Knott 407-774-9127

John Connin 321-214-9220

Estelle Silva 407-774-2207

David Cox 407-862-5168

The Springs Holiday Fun is totally independent. It does not represent “The Springs Community

Association, Inc.” The money contributed is distributed equitably to the Springs employees. A copy of

this distribution will be available in January 2009, by calling one of the committee members listed above.

Please Patronize Our Advertisers!

Wanted: Short Term Rental

Honest, reliable, and clean grandparents looking for a

furnished rental in The Springs or close by so that we can visit our grandson from January 16th to

February 16th.

Please contact Mia: 407/595-5899 or e-mail:

MiaDiercks@cfl.rr.com

For Sale by Owner 

Beautiful 3/2 home in Shadowood Village.

 Open floor plan, 1800+ square

feet. 

Updated throughout! 

$309,000.00 

109 Starling Lane 

Call 407 862-5162 for appointment

Experience this groovy outdoor concert tradition ... 60s style ... as we pay homage to the “fab four”

in a tribute to the Beatles

The Premier Beatles Tribute Band

Saturday, May 9, 2009 - 8:00 PMThe Springs Community / SR 434 - 1 mile west of I-4 in Longwood

Andrew Lane, conductor

Call (407) 770-0071 or visit

www.OrlandoPhil.orgTickets: $30 in Advance / $35 Day of / $110 VIP*

*VIP includes catering, beer & wine, special seating & parking

SAVE THE DATE!

BOARD & COMMITTEES

To provide feedback on the newsletter or the website, visit the web or email

news@thespringsconnection.com

SCA Board of DirectorsPresident David ForthuberVice President Jerry AlexandrowiczTreasurer Bob JohnstonSecretary Sharon ParkeDirector Patrick GradyDirector Ted KaiserDirector Bob Shakar

Committee ChairsArchitecture Control Darel TaylorAudit/Fiance Bob JohnstonBuilding, Roads & Grounds Wilson Knott & Jerry CrewsNewsletter Theresa Bradley & George DiazSecurity Estelle SilvaSocial Patrick GradyStables Judy MorseTennis Tobie StittR.V. Ron BoyerLandscaping Cynthia Lubinsky

The Springs Community

Staff

Office Hours 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday

General Manager Druel SmithAssistant Manager Jan Kweit Chief of Security Clive WagnerTennis Pro John Rountree

CONTACTSOffice Phone 407.862.3881Office Fax 407.862.5574

Gatehouse Fax 407.772.0560Tennis Pro Shop 407.682.2420

VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.thespringsconnection.com

THE SPRINGSCOMMUNITY

A T H O M E W I T H N A T U R E