March 2005 (First Quarter 2005)

New 2005 Board of Directors

At the January 11 Springlakes Neighborhood yearly meeting the following members were elected to direct the association for 2005:

Joe White, President
Hank Beitzel
Tom Cook
Julie Inglett
Becky Sharpton
Cindy Southern
Becky Awdykowyz
John Capes
Rob MacGregor

Residents who have concerns, suggestions, or ideas to improve the neighborhood can call any of them.

Swim Team Plans Registration

Last year was an awesome year for the Stingrays as we won the Divisional Meet. Before you know it, swim team will be starting up again, and we hope to be just as successful. Any child that is a resident of Springlakes can swim on the swim team. We need all the swimmers we can get, and what a good way for your child to spend their summer vacation! We'll have morning and afternoon practices this summer.

This years swim team point of contact is Marianne Petras.

This years Sign Ups will be April 23 from 2-3:30 at the clubhouse. Please give yourself approximately 30 minutes to sign up if you are a new member.

Practices begin in May with our first swim meet May 31, 2005.

Welcome New Residents

As we reported in our annual meeting, we had approximately 45 new families move in last year. Please continue to let us know when there is a new family in your neighborhood. We will try to get by as soon as possible to welcome them to Springlakes and give them a directory. Thanks to Joy Cook for assisting in the distribution of Springlakes directories to four new families in January!

• Craig and Claire Simons
• Vince and Kristen Smart
• Bruce and Bridget Brown
• Charles & Cathy Brinson
• Jeff & Jeannie Eakin
• Alan Brosious
• Eugene & Charlotte Bickley
• Paula Jones and Bill Rhodes
• Lorna Bell- Stokes

The Lake Report

Well, winter is half over and the unusually cold weather appears to be having a positive affect on our lake. The water quality is great and the weeds are almost gone (We can probably thank the grass carp for their help with the weeds). The weather has kept boaters and fishermen from their activities, including yours truly. I imagine that will change as the days grow longer and the temperature rises. Now should be a good time for crappie fishing. No, this is not a fishing report; it’s more like a ‘wishing’ report.

Anyway, it won’t be long before the bass go on their beds and fishing really picks up. Remember, do not keep any bass caught during the months of April and May. Please return them safely back to the lake, so they can protect their beds. The other ten months of the year, we have a 14-inch minimum size for keeper bass.

"Cold weather appears to be having a positive effect on our lake."

Thanks for everyone’s patience while we had the lake level lowered to remove the sediment buildup at the footbridge. Thanks to the Cheng and Givens households for putting up with the all the noise and inconvenience of the heavy equipment in their backyard during the prolonged work activities. A special thanks to Caleb Brinkman for his repeated trips (by canoe) to operate the drain valve keeping the water level lowered so the work could continue. Also, I noticed a few residents around the lake using this opportunity to pick up some of the debris around the lakeshore. Thanks.

Oh yes, I actually saw someone raking the bottom of the lake up near the clubhouse. Boy, was he successful. He retrieved a pair of expensive sunglasses dropped into the water three months earlier. Another satisfied customer!!

Neighborhood Joins to Fight Cancer

This is a team event to fight cancer through an overnight, fun-filled activity that mobilizes communities across the country to celebrate survivorship, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and raise money to help in the fight against cancer. This is the American Cancer Society signature event. Teams come from local churches, civic organizations, schools, businesses and neighborhoods.

Our neighborhood will have its first relay team (to keep at least one walker on the track all night) but we need help to decorate our tent, to provide refreshments for our walkers , initiate fund-raisers BEFORE the relay (yardwork, bake sales, collect donations, sell yard signs, etc). We could even do some walking in the neighborhood and have our own mini relay! This is a great way to build camaraderie among our residents and is ideal for bringing all ages (children through adult) together in an effort that let’s us DO something about a disease that often leaves us bewildered as to what we can do. ALL ages and sizes are welcome.

Richmond/Columbia County Relay will be May 20—21 (7 PM until 6 AM) at the Family Y on Wheeler Road.

Contact Lynne Entrekin for more information. To register and participate (in any form) or to donate, see www.acsevents.org/relay/ga/augusta and find the Springlakes team listing.

Grounds Report

After many voiced concerns about the condition of the perimeter fence at the lake public play area, the Springlakes Grounds Committee has elected to have it replaced. The current fence is old, in a deteriorating condition and cannot be repaired. Presently, replacement is the most cost effective and feasible course of action. The new selected fence is an attractive, versatile and creative wood fence system that will fit nicely into the rustic setting. The fence’s natural wood color and design will improve the appearance and the aesthetic value of Springlakes proper and add another feature of beauty to an already beautiful subdivision. The fence will be one that can be easily maintained and repaired, and is extra strong to withstand the rigors of those using the parking area.

Additionally, the parking area requires expansion to accommodate vehicle maneuvering. Minor alteration to widen the parking area will solve some of the backing problems and vehicle movement within the parking area. The houses adjacent to both sides of the park have elected to install privacy fences while agreeing to pay the additional cost associated with this construction. Lets all do our part to keep Springlakes the most beautiful and desired subdivision in the CSRA.

Social News

Once again, the residents of Springlakes did a great job in decorating their homes for Christmas. My children enjoy riding through the neighborhood looking at the new decorations each year. It is amazing that they recognize which are new, and are thrilled when MORE lights have been added to some of their favorite houses. Residents continue to comment on the wonderful displays at the homes of the LeJeunes on Springlakes Drive, the McCulloughs on Quail Springs Circle and the Masters on Kestwick Drive East. Thank you!!

And a thank you is due to Cindy Hennigan for coordinating the Children’s Christmas Party for 2004. The Jay Jennings helped, as well, and the children have said it was a wonderful event.

Next up is the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Party. Remember to bring cameras and baskets, and to RSVP to Kristi Baker.
When: Sunday, March 20, 2005
Time: 2:00—The egg hunt will begin at 2:05.
Where: The neighborhood park on Springlakes

B-I-N-G-O

If you’re a BINGO fan, join us at the Clubhouse on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for an evening of fun. We generally enjoy pizza followed by gaming. Contact Melanie Villemain and find out about the prizes.

Springlakes Winetasters

We meet monthly at the clubhouse or a neighborhood home to share food, drink and camaraderie. This is a social event- everyone (adults only, please) is welcome! For more information, please contact Jeanne Freibert.

Neighborhood Etiquette

From our Neighborhood Covenants -

“The Springlakes Covenants and Columbia county’s leash law require that dogs and cats not be allowed to roam freely. They must be on your property and under your control, or a leash when off your property. Pet owners are asked to pick up any pet waste that occurs on others property when walking their pet.”

As the spring comes upon us and there are festivities and parties, please respect your neighbors. Remember that there are children and adults who go to bed by 9:00. Please keep the noise down at night and early in the morning. Also remember that continuing loud noises bother the pets in our neighborhood. Finally, make sure that all your trash is picked up. With the spring winds trash can quickly blow into neighbors yards.

As the weather warms up, more folks are out early in the morning and after dusk in the evening when the to- and- from work traffic is greatest. Pedestrians—remember to wear something reflective and to run/jog/walk facing oncoming cars. Drivers—be alert to the possibility of increased foot traffic in our beautiful neighborhood.

Annual Assessment

DON’T FORGET THAT YOUR 2005 ASSESSMENT IS DUE NOW. IF NOT PAID BY MARCH 15, YOU WILL BE CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $20 LATE FEE.

SWIMMING POOL

We are eagerly awaiting the beginning of this year’s pool season. Plans are already being made and the cleaning has begun. This year we will be starting three trial programs. They are as follows:

• Are you over 60? Would you and/or your spouse like to go to the pool? Now a Senior resident or couple may join the pool for $150. We are calling this membership the "Empty Nest over 60 Membership".
• We would like to have an Adult Swim on Tuesday mornings from 10:30- 12:00. Come and enjoy adult company, meet other neighbors, and enjoy swimming in peace and quiet.
• When Labor day comes would you still like to swim? This year the pool will be open Saturdays and Sundays in September!
• Pool invoices will be sent out the first of April. If you are not a member and would like more information or would like to become a member, please call the Association at 855-7987.