You can tell Spring is coming because of the clear sky and birds…wait – we’re in for another cold front? Well, if you can’t count on the weather for seasons, you know spring is near because the Star Wars spectacle is almost back in the barn. But then again, on that same stretch of road there are three people-size skeletons hanging out from Halloween. Since ghoul day they have been posed as turkey eaters, Santa, Elf and Rudolf, Superbowl fans, Valentines and Olympians.  Besides the obvious Drum and Fife for July Fourth, how about Leprechaun and Gold, Fools for April and a recreation of the “Luke I’m Your Father” moment (a misquote) …but that might step on the neighbor’s toes.

Speaking of skeletons, the foliage around this place took a beating (that may not be over) and the entrance décor was not immune. Luckily, we have money in the Budget for that. Where does that Budget money come from you ask? HOA Dues! And there is still time during this 2026 Annual Membership Drive to be included for the drawing. Get those $25 HOA dues in before March 15^th!

What else is in that budget? A little something for an outing to meet your neighbors, have fun, and show your strength at the hotdog-eating contest. If we had a hotdog-eating contest. What we do have is the wildly successful Neighborhood Spring Fling coming to King James Ct. on Saturday March 28 at 5:00pm – so massive we will block the street! Peer, peer, peer! We nixed the Ferris Wheel (invented by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr – along with Neo Soul) but we will have the requisite Bounce House, beverage station, live music rehearsal, activities for kids, food trucks, and booths of wide variety. If you have a business and want to set up a booth or a table, give us a heads up at WinterWoodsHOA@gmail.com or tell anyone on the HOA Board. Also, for the first time, we will have a Dog Photo Booth so pets are welcome – even Charlie Girl.

Speaking of the board, we will represent at the Neighborhood Spring Fling not just to panhandle for $25 HOA Dues but also ring the bell for any extra contributions to pay for new (and more) flowers for the entrance, the events and any damages directly caused by Charlie Girl. We also want to meet you, encourage you into participating in a Meet Your Neighbor article and listen to any concerns you may have. About the neighborhood. Maybe you are interested in a Spring article about local birds or wildlife or bats. We are open for business.

Lastly, on March 7^th we will unleash the Spring Neighborhood Garage Sale. Advertising works and if you will let us know about your sale with an email to winterwoodshoa@gmail.com , we will help.

Our next HOA Meeting is at 7:00 pm on Thursday March 12^th at South Seminole Church of Christ on Lake Howell Rd or online via zoom. And now available: The HOA Minutes! You too can read a synopsis of last months meeting, but it is not as good as the live event. Check Winter Woods Homeowners Association – Winter Park, FL or Facebook.

And since I’m Irish enough:  “As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way”.

We’ve reached that time of year where you can tell if your neighbor
is from “up north” because they love, love, love the cold weather. If
you came by way of tumbleweed and prairie dog, cold is cold. And
native Floridians, both of you, what year did it snow here again? It is
also the season of romance and big sports – which only go together
in the movies. And in these strange times, this is normal: one of the
college championship quarterbacks graduated 2 years ago (Hey,
Hey, Hey – No Class). Well, at least he’s not getting paid .

Did you get your free envelope for your reasonable $25 HOA Dues
payment transport (stamp not included)? If you did not, you are either reading online or do not treasure the value of our Winter Woods
Newsletter. Community is exactly what it sounds like, and the only
choices are when you moved here and whether you acknowledge
your inclusion by your participation. Because when we call in for
faulty streetlights, or pester the county to get new roads, track
speeders, or keep an eye out for mischief, we do it for everyone in
the neighborhood. Not just the ones who are putting in for the dues.
Thank you to everyone that used the envelope, especially the ones
who put $25 in it and sent it to us.

Because it involves pizza, it is worth mentioning that our 2026 Annual Membership Drive rewards all those who pay by March 15th
with an entry in a drawing and the two lucky winners will – well, pizza. My old boss used to try to motivate the crew with pizza. Overtime worked better.

The only replicated twice a year Spring Neighborhood Garage Sale
is coming up on March 7th! This sale promises to have pretty much
the same things as all previous sales (early birds, gold hawks, shifty
shufflers). We will help you advertise if you let us.

And finally for the young and old, Saturday March 28 is our everimpressive Neighborhood Spring Fling! We are congregating at the
same King James cul-de-sac and will begin festivities at 5:00pm.
We’re not set on the extra-curricular activities, but we welcome ideas and sponsors. Our favorite is the $25 HOA Dues baby needs
new shoes. There is a good chance of live music too unless that is
not your thing then there is a good chance of pre-recorded music
and if that’s not your thing there will be silence. No, not a chance of
silence. The kids alone and their joy of not paying taxes rings out
through the night.

If you want to get involved, contact WinterWoodsHOA@gmail.com
or anyone on the board. Everyone is invited to come to an HOA
meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 12th at South Seminole
Church of Christ on Lake Howell Rd or online via zoom. Speaking of
which, starting in February, on the website we will post the meeting
minutes of the prior month (these minutes have to be approved by
vote!) and we know this is going to create a groundswell of new attendees to the meeting because we’re fun. Simple too. Simply fun.