From President Chris Epps—

I always look forward to this time of year when everything is blooming and we start seeing more of our neighbors as they do yard work and take family walks through the neighborhood. I would like to congratulate this quarter’s “Curb Appeal’ winners as they give us all something to aspire to.  The winners’ names are located later in the newsletter.  

 This is also the time of the year when we see more homes up for sale.  Please be mindful of the condition of your driveway, yard and overall appearance of your home so that our investments are protected and our neighborhood stays one of the best in Columbia County.  If a home is for sale next to you, make sure that you keep your yard (all sides) tidy since that can make a prospective buyer decide if they are going to be your neighbor.    

I have also received several phone calls concerning dogs attacking neighbors’ dogs.  Some of these instances have been reported to Animal Control but please remember that Columbia County does have a leash law so please DO NOT allow your pets to run free.      

Association Manager Lisa Thompson’s Annotations—

The Spring Clean Up day was enthusiastically appreciated by many and use of the dumpsters was overwhelming—too overwhelming since we had to get a fifth one in.  We’re looking forward to having a fall clean up weekend, and with your help and cooperation things will run more smoothly.  We are looking for someone to coordinate this project—heading a committee of men probably who will work short shifts at the site of the dumpster to help residents offload trash and  recyclable items and handle traffic flow.  Please let me know if you are interested.   

Summer is a great time to rid your homes of unwanted household items and we are glad to support yard sales in the neighborhood.  If you put up signs advertising a yard sale, (particularly at the neighborhood entrances) please place them no more than 24 hours before the day of the sale, and remove them at the end of the day of the sale.  All these signs (especially expired ones) really take away from the beauty of the neighborhood.  Signs of any kind are not allowed by our covenants but we try to be reasonable for short term uses such as yard sales so please support us in this request.    

Welcome New Residents

Thomas and Tracie Addyman, Jody and Rhonda Dowdy,  Johnathan and Elisa Holley, Anne Messenger, Marco and Christy Norman, Michael andd Shawna Welker

“Yard Recognition Winners”

Congratulations for maintaining a beautiful yard for yourself, our neighbors and visitors.  Drive by, enjoy, and keep in mind that lovely “curb appeal” doesn’t  just happen by itself.  Homeowners spend time selecting appropriate plants, properly planting, watering and maintaining, removing the continual debris that plants create, as well as mowing and edging grassy areas.    

Jack & Carrie Horner
Dan & Patty Pearson
Sue Lang  

If you think a yard should be recognized for its’ curb appeal, please let the Yard Recognition Committee know by contacting them at  curbappeal@springlakes.org.  There are many other beautifully manicured yards throughout Springlakes.  We would like to do a formal recognition of 3 of these each quarter (in different  areas of the subdivision) so please contact Kay Knight with your suggestions.  Let’s make ALL of our homes have the most “Curb Appeal” in Columbia County.   

Yard Sale/Clean Up Days Wrap-Up  

Our Spring Neighborhood Yard Sale was held March 14, followed by a Neighborhood Cleanup Day .  The Springlakes Association provided two dumpsters for yard waste and three for all other “trash”.  We had overwhelming positive feedback from the community, however there were some problems that must be solved before we can make this a part of our neighborhood calendar. 

The YARD WASTE dumpster was to hold ONLY yard waste that could be taken to a mulching facility.  Because some people tossed treated lumber and lattice wood into that dumpster, it couldn’t be mulched and it cost the association more money to haul off.  It was disappointing to bring debris to the neighborhood sites only to discover that all dumpsters were full, but disgusting that some people refused to accept that situation and overfilled/just left heaps of trash for someone else to contend with.  We’ll need some “on site” supervision when we have our Fall Clean Up Day, so go ahead and call the Assn Mgr now to volunteer for a couple of hours.    We want to be able to offer this service to our residents but only with the support and assistance from those that participate.  

SWIMMING POOL

The Springlakes Pool opened Saturday, May 16, 2009 for the 2009 Season.  The pool has been re-tiled and new drain covers have been installed.  If you are not a member and would like to join, the 2009 rates for residents are $285 and a special “empty nesters” rate for those that are over age 60 with no children/grandchildren living at home is $160.  Please help support the pool by becoming a member.    

SPRINGLAKES SWIM TEAM

It’s not too late to sign up for the Springlakes Swim Team.  Children 4-18 who live in the subdivision (whether or not they are proficient in swimming skills) are welcome.  It is a great summer sport.  Practice has already begun and meets begin June 1.   Meet schedule is below, so if interested, contact Marianne Petras at (706) 855 5838 or Slpool@knology.net.  

NEW!!!! JUNIOR STINGRAYS!  

 Is your child not ready for swim team but would like to learn to swim or develop their swimming skills.  Springlakes will offer swim development for pool members $30 per week for small group sessions with a Springlakes coach.  Junior Stingrays first week is June 1.  

CRIME WATCH  

We have had only one incident reported in 2009, and that was laundry stolen from an unlocked car. So “lock it or lose it …” continues to be the theme.  With school soon to be out for the summer, petty criminal activity is likely to increase, so if you see any suspicious activity, please contact the Columbia County Dispatch at 706.541.2800.  

COVENANTS  COMMITTEE —Jay Jennings

Where has the time gone? Since the last Newsletter your Covenants Committee has stayed very busy. I do want to say again, thank you to those residents who have been sending in emails to the committee, either asking questions or pointing out possible issues for the committee to investigate/resolve. Please keep those emails coming.

There are a few areas that we need to discuss that need each resident’s attention. Our neighborhood is getting older as each year goes by. This is a given. With that comes repairs that need to be made. For example, we have quite a few Fences within the neighborhood. Wood becomes rotten, boards get loose and the wood gets to the point that it requires cleaning. Before, we (your covenants committee) has to bring this to your attention for action, we ask that everyone who has a fence takes some time and give their particular fence a good inspection. Next, we need to look/inspect our Garage doors. We have seen quite a few that first require a good cleaning/painting and there are also a number of doors that need to have wood replaced. Again, please take a moment and inspect your own garage door and take the necessary corrective action. Next, we need some of you to inspect some of the Wood on your main structure. There are a number of homes that we have observed that require rotten wood to be replaced. Next, I need everyone to take a hard look at the Shingles on your main structure. Over the years, shingles become dirty and/or get a build up of fungus on them. Roofs can be cleaned without doing damage to the shingles themselves. There are a number of companies that do this at a reasonable cost. Finally, some of our Yards are beginning to look horrible. Weeds are more prevalent than grass and/or grass has totally gone away and only dirt remains. Much more attention needs to be paid to our lawns. The Board of Directors has asked that we (Covenants) take a very hard look at this area.

Are there advantages to making these improvements? Of course. First, it does wonders for the overall appearance of Springlakes. Second and probably the most important benefit is the monetary property value added.

One final request. Recently, we have had a few residents writing anonymous letters to other residents complaining about the appearance of their property. These letters in some cases have been very rude in nature. I would ask that this stops. If you have an issue with your neighbor and don’t want to discuss it with them personally, then please let us know and we’ll handle it. Your name will never be mentioned.

Let me now talk a little about a continual problem we seem to have across the neighborhood. It deals with utility trailers. You are certainly allowed to have them, but under covenants they cannot be visible from the street.

I strongly encourage anyone, if you have questions or maybe you are not sure about something, please pick up your phone and call and/or email us. Most issues can be easily resolved just by talking. We are easy to work with and we are here for your benefit. We do not put restrictions just to be putting out restrictions. We follow what is written and approved within the covenants governing our neighborhood. And when an issue does arise that we are not sure of the answer, we discuss it with the association lawyer for his guidance prior to us making any decisions.

Your Covenants Committee is here for your benefit. We are happy to answer any and all questions residents might have. You have our email, so please use it.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE– Need New Chairperson  

We are so sad that Kristi Baker is going to be stepping down after 10 wonderful years of service.  She has done an outstanding job with all the Social events in our neighborhood.  We are going to miss her dearly in this position but we have a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys planning to step up and assume her position.  Kristi will plan the annual Picnic this year as her last event and we would like to have her replacement in by that time so that they can work with her on this.  Please call or email  the Association Manager or Kristi if you are interested.  

GROUNDS COMMITTEE—Tom Cook  

Grounds, entries, parks, streets—this is all part of “the grounds.”  Parking on the streets in the neighborhood deserves a mention in the newsletter because summer always brings more visitors, traffic and parked cars.  Please be aware that when you park in the street directly across from someone’s driveway, you stand a good chance of being backed into by someone exiting the driveway.  If you must park a vehicle on the street for a temporary time, position it away from others’ driveways to avoid a mishap.  Also be mindful of the danger in parking on a curve (one of the infamous Springlakes curves) - another potential hazard for cars and pedestrians.   

LAKE REPORT—Terry Bland  

The other day I witnessed a fisherman catch a ten pound bass from the clubhouse board walk!  (Yes, he did release it back into the lake)  No, I haven’t caught it yet, but I’m trying.  I also witnessed a cute little five year old girl catch her first sun fish.  She was more excited than the guy who caught the trophy bass.  The little girl’s grin was priceless—and so is she, because she’s my granddaughter.  As you can guess, the fishing has been good this spring.   The lake is in as good a condition as it has been in the past five years and our goal is to keep it that way.  Please help us maintain it.  Pick up any trash and debris you can reach and don’t throw yard waste in the water or drains that feed into the lake.  

I don’t get over to Cofield Pond too often, but whenever I have, it appears to be doing as well as Springlakes.  Thanks to those who have taken charge over there!  Well, that’s all I have for this period—Go out and enjoy one of our neighborhood’s prime assets.  I am.  

CLUBHOUSE—Cindy Hennigan

The Springlakes Clubhouse has been very busy this spring and is being used by many residents.  Rental agreement forms are available on the Association web page as is information about fees.   If an event is planned and supervised by a Springlakes resident, and everyone in Springlakes is invited, there is no fee.   Call Cindy for more details.                     

Plans are being made to replace the wooden decking at the back of the clubhouse in June.  This will really “dress up” the setting and make your party cookouts nicer.  The grassy area leading down to the lake, the convenience of the clubhouse amenities and this nice outside sitting area make it an ideal venue for a party a little too large for your back yard.  It’s here for your use, so give it a try.  

TENNIS COMMITTEE— Ron Renn  

The Tennis Courts seem to be doing well.  Thanks for keeping the courts free of litter and making sure the door is locked and the lights turned off prior to leaving the courts.  

Yard Checklist:  

Walk out to the road and turn around to face your house.  Honestly answer these questions:  

Is there debris and just overall junk in your driveway or elsewhere in your yard?
Is your grass cut?
Do you have weeds growing in your flowerbeds?
Do you have a utility trailer, boat, golf cart, camper, etc. visible from the street?
Do you have grass growing over your curb or on the street?
Is the area in front of the curb filled with leaves and other yard waste?
Do you have signs saying ‘no trespassing’ or ‘beware of dog’?  

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please take time to take care of the situation or hire a teenager to do so for you.  (There are Teen Volunteers in the phone book and on the Springlakes website). Keeping our neighborhood beautiful involves all of us!!  

Upcoming Events

June 26 - Winetasting at Clubhouse
August 15 – Neighborhood Picnic
October 3 – Fall Yard Sale
October 10 – Fall Cleanup Day
October 17 – Spooky to be Hungry Drive