It is not easy to stay neutral, there is a lot to consider on all sides. Dominance is surprised by the underrated and many believe in an inflated sense of power. But I think I’ll stick with the Orlando Magic, our hometown team. Playoffs? And for all those who do not care for the refs, rules are rules.

Before I begin to predict the future, let’s travel back to the Spring Fling. What a successful event! Attendance count was said to be teetering toward 150 people with no ruckus except for Jerry’s Charlie Girl trying to shortcut the margarita line and getting some special juice in the splash zone. Gerty did not notice because she was too busy playing catcher in the rye with the dozens of kids making Charlie look well behaved. Thank you, Gerty.

There were indeed 4 food trucks, Apizzamia sold 50 pizzas! We had free Kona for the first hour (thank you Will Vega) and live music and more fun than 5 large yard bags could hold! Thank you to Deb and Ed for hosting the HOA Meet and Greet. Thank you to Greg and all the families on King James for use of property. And special thanks to James for facilitating with participation the favorite tent on the street. And thank you for coming out, it was great to see you all.

We had some special guests for this event also. I invited Tom Wellons, the president of the HOA next door – Casa Aloma. Tom could not attend but he sent representatives from their board, and I was able to meet them. They were long-time residents and knew people in our neighborhood. We may do a shared event in the future to build on cross communication for our Neighborhood Watch Program to strengthen visibility in both neighborhoods.

We will be doing a similar event in the Fall with our Neighborhood Night Out involving local law enforcement and fire safety (if available) and our own lunar simulator aka bounce house. We could use some monetary help with this event, maybe this time we can get a faux dirigible that holds more than two kids at a time. The easiest way to do that is to pay the highly reasonable $25 Dues. I know – you already did. Anything extra helps. Please be sure your check or PayPal payment shows “DONATION“ if you’re sending anything additional. Maybe this is the year we employ the mime ventriloquist! Look for further details closer to the fall.

It appears the construction on the Force Main has moved out of the neighborhood, but they will be back to restore sidewalks and do the final piece which would include testing from the source on Nottingham. Testing volunteers need not apply.

I received notice last week that Seminole County contracted a tree trimming service to return overhanging limbs to 17’ for emergency vehicles and 9’ over sidewalks. I did not see any activity, but they may have come through. I have a phone number if there are any questions.

And as always, you are welcome to attend a board meeting. We meet at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of every month at South Seminole Church of Christ on Lake Howell Rd or online via zoom. That’s May 8th this month. To get the Zoom link, send an email to: WinterWoodsHOA@gmail.com.

Well, I woke up last Monday with a green lederhosen wee thing wearing a buckled shoe standing on my neck because last month I did not say anything about the pesky lucky Leprechauns and the joy they bring St. Patrick’s Day. I hope everyone had a great time and may the luck as they say. 

This month we have one of my favorite national holidays on the 1^st, when we all get to convince our subject of choice that the burning sack on their porch should be put out with their foot or whatever other hijinks you come up with. April is for Jesters.

Construction on the Force Main is under way and hopefully we can get through this without major problems, inconveniences or mental breakdowns. Everyone directly involved should have received notification with information about who to contact with issues. If anyone needs assistance contact me or Greg Phister.

Also happening – You’ve Been Egged! Look for a neighbor to drop off a goodies basket and give you the chance to pass it forward. Post those pictures on Facebook so everyone is jealous that you participated.

The HOA Dues are flying in! We are fastly (a word now considered archaic) approaching last year’s mark. Special thanks to everyone who pitched in and paid your affordable $25 HOA Dues. And pizza for everyone, especially our contest winners. We are aiming to reach over 50%, that would be more than half the neighborhood if math serves me well.

The following extravaganza occurs in the near future but will be glorious history by the time of this reading. We must invoke the Marty McFly magic on occasion…How about that SPRING FLING! We had multiple food trucks, live music, jugglers, beverages, a karaoke fight, free Kona ice, and a good time for all. I want to give a special shout out to William Vega, one of our newer board members, for wrangling the food trucks, the handy tents, the chocolate fountain and whatever else he managed to bring to the event. Thank you – and thank you neighbors for attending.

Speaking of the future, we have the seasonal planting of the entrance flowers on both ends of the neighborhood, the conclusion of the annoying (but highly necessary) Force Main project and maybe something special for the summer.

If you would like to help us plan and make these things happen, consider attending a board meeting. We meet at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of every month at South Seminole Church of Christ on Lake Howell Rd or online via zoom. Coming up on April 10th this month. To get the Zoom link, send a note to WinterWoodsHOA@gmail.com.

In like a lion, out like a lamb. All this wind. But it’s all bluster up until the Oz moment. Auntie Em! Auntie Em! You were there too.

This is the last time I lead with Why Haven’t You Paid Your Dues? As I’ve said before, I think the kind folks who take the time to peruse this periodical pay their dues. And they also appreciate all the behind-the-scenes activity that helps keep this neighborhood on the right track. Which simply means we are a community that cares about safety and aesthetic standards that maintain the high property value we enjoy.

I hope everyone picked up something special at the Spring Garage Sale or sold enough for that European cruise. Back in my days of poverty – when I called garage sales “shopping” – I happened upon an electric can opener in fairly good shape that was miles ahead of the hand twister I used. As I was paying, the proprietors told me they bought a brand new one…and since they had another opener dedicated just for dog food, the dog got a “new” one too – hand-me-down style. Hmm. I had just bought the dog’s old can opener. Worked great for years.

Now for the fun. Coming at the end of the month is our Winter Woods Spring Fling on Saturday March 29th. This is a celebration of good neighbors, good times and good streets and lighting as maintained by this board. We will have doo dads for kids and doo dads for the adults in the form of beverages concocted with elements that elicit cruise ships and island sand. And for soothing sounds, we will have a tasteful combo playing some familiar melodies and some finger snapping grooves all guaranteed to contain the same notes as the greats Bach, Beethoven and Bacharach. If anyone would like to sit in, dust off that horn because these guys can fake any slow roll needed. There will also be a food truck or two and all the neighbors with businesses are invited to set up a booth, table or dunk tank to let everyone know what you have to offer. We are shutting down the cul-de-sac at King James Ct, where Poinciana ends. Come on out, it will be pleasant and surprising! Show time is 6:00pm. No reservations required.

We at the board would love to get more people involved with all the fun we have. The easiest way is to come to a Board meeting and see what is happening. We meet at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of every month at South Seminole Church of Christ on Lake Howell Rd or online via zoom. That is March 13^th this month. To get the Zoom link, send a note to WinterWoodsHOA@gmail.com.