A wish for Everybody

I would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas, and remember to put out Chocolte Chip Cookies for Santa, I heard they are his favorite..... Again Merry Christmas and have a wonderful time with your family and friends...... Dave

Have you ever thought about this

This was given to me from one of our board members, thank you Bob….

Snopes approved.
I locked my car --- as I walked away I heard my car door unlock I went back and locked my car again three times. I looked around and saw two guys sitting in a car by the fire lane next to the store. When I looked straight at them they did not unlock my car again.

How to lock your car safely

While traveling my son stopped at a roadside park He came out to his car less than 4-5 minutes later and found someone had gotten into his car, and stolen his cell phone, laptop computer, GPS navigator briefcase.....you name it ... Called the police and since there were no signs of his car being broken into- the police told him that there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device.. They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and have a few minutes to steal and run. The police officer said ...to be sure to manually lock your car door-by hitting the lock button inside the car, that way if there is someo ne sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim it will not be you. When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting...it does not send the security code, but if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain- it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be stolen, something totally new to us...and real ... Be aware of this and please pass this note on..look how many times we all lock our doors with our keys...just to be sure we remembered to lock them....and bingo someone have our code...and whate ver was in the car...can be gone.

Keep safe everyone!

Our new streets

A big "PAT ON THE BACK" should go to Bob Christiansen for all of the hard work he did to get the roads paved in Bent Oak. He was very diligent on working with all of the different people involved on this big undertaking, and you have to admit Bent Oak does look a lot better. Again, thank you Bob....... Dave

A GOOD IDEA

I never would have thought of this:

PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s Office, the check out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.


If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house an d will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is tr ying to break in your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around... After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that! And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.


This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or prevent a sexual assault. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem. P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. It would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone.
What a GREAT idea.

Prehistoric Native Americans

The first people to enter the Florida peninsula around 12,000 years ago were not explorers, adventurers, or settlers,but nomads following the big game animals upon which their survival depended. Sea level was lower and rainfall less plentiful than today. Mastodons, camels, mammoths, bison, and horses roamed vast grasslands in search of food and fresh water. Native Americans spread throughout the peninsula and into the Keys. Big game animals gradually became extinct, probably as a result of a wetter climate with forests replacing grasslands and overexploitation by human hunters. Food sources shifted to small game and shellfish. Populations increased and some groups moved inland to are as more suitable for growing corn, beans, squash, and other crops. Different styles of pottery decoration became unique to certain regions. Some groups began burying their dead along with elaborate pottery and other goods in ea rthen mounds. By A.D. 1000 the Mississippian culture, originating farther north and eventually including much of the Southeast, extended into Florida. Today the only evidence of these first Floridians is contained in those remaining archeological sites th at represent dozens of distinctive Indian cultures.

Some History of Florida

Florida HistoryIn 1513, Spaniard Juan Ponce de León discovered and named Florida while seeking the "Fountain of Youth". He claimed it for Spain but because of Indian attacks, he never establish a colony. It wasn't until over 150 years later when the first permanent European settlement was established in St. Augustine. Florida became part of the U.S. territory in the early 19th century and was admitted to the union as the twenty-seventh state in the U.S. on March 3, 1845. In the 20th century, Cape Canaveral (John F. Kennedy Space Center) was established and Florida becomes part of the Space Age. Walt Disney World was built and opened in 1971. Florida also became home to thousands of Cubans fleeing Castro. Florida has been and still is one of the fastest growing states in the country.

Do you have anything for the Blog

If anybody has anything they would like to see in the Bent Oak News and Notes please e-mail me and send it to me so I can add it. Remember this is your Bent Oak News and Notes...... mountainman98@gmail.com Thank you.... Dave

UPS VIRUS !!!!!

I am sending this out, it is very important, so please be on guard on this virus.... Dave

COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING
The newest virus circulating is the 'UPS Delivery Failure'. You will receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were un-able to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached.DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.

True per http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp

A Gift Of Nature

Build a garden your feathered friends can enjoy
For many gardeners, having songbirds visit is one of the benefits of having a garden in the first place. It's always a delight to see the variety of birds drop by for a nibble or a rest. If you want to create a bird-friendly garden, here are a few easy steps you can take to enjoy seeing birds all year long.

Feed Them WellBirds have simple needs: food, water, shelter, and protection from predators. Naturally, native birds thrive on native plants, so choose a selection of regional beauties that produce seeds, berries, or nectar. Work dead trees or old stumps into your landscape to attract insect-eaters and provide shelter. The more diverse your food supply is, the more variety of birds you'll see in your garden. Also you can help birds out by placing bird feeders in your yard filled with Scotts® Songbird Selections™ Wild Bird Food.

Keep Birds Safe and Warm
Birds seek shelter at different heights. You can make your garden more hospitable to them by growing vines, shrubs and trees. Evergreens provide excellent winter shelter, as well as protection from cats and other predators. If you have a dying tree, let it stand, since its cavities make great nesting spots.

Quench TheirTthirst
Putting out a birdbath, especially one with a trickle or fountain, makes your garden a very popular spot. If you have a pond or stream, place flat rocks in them for bird perches.

Sit, Watch, and Enjoy
You can lose yourself for hours watching birds fly in to eat or bathe. If you have binoculars, you can see incredible details as they visit. You'll learn a lot, and have a great time.

A Little History of Apopka

History of Apopka


Before Apopka was "The Indoor Foliage Capital of the World" or even before it was "The Fern City," it was The Lodge.

From about 7500 B.C. until about the 1st century A. D. when they disappeared for reasons unknown, Indians were believed to have lodged on the shores of Lake Apopka. Then for about 400 years the region appears to have been uninhabited.

When the Spaniards arrived in Florida in the 16th century, the Acuera tribe of the Timucua confederation was said to have lived in the Apopka area, growing crops and trading. By 1730 these natives were decimated by war and diseases brought by the Europeans and had also disappeared.

Then early in the 19th century, Indians again inhabited the area. There was a Seminole village on Lake Apopka, or Ahapopka, as they spelled and pronounced it. It remained an active village until the outbreak of the Second Seminole War in the mid 1830s. Coacoochee (Wild Cat), one of the most famous and influential War Chiefs, was born here and ruled as Chief of about 200 Indians until this village was evacuated and the natives sought refuge in the swampy areas around the St Johns.

The Armed Occupation Act of 1842 brought white settlers to the Apopka area. They received 160 acres if they would settle them.

These Pioneers and those that followed the Civil War from states to the north began converting the area into what it is today.

The settlement grew, attracting developers and settlers because of the climate and the agricultural opportunities and becoming an important trading center in the 1850s. The Masons' were particularly active. Orange Lodge #36 was organized in 1857, and The Lodge building, still standing on its original site at Alabama Avenue and Highway 441, was completed in 1859.

It was around this building that the town grew in the 1860s and 1870s and ultimately became the Town of Apopka City incorporated in 1882.

Progress continued and today Apopka is still an important hub of commerce. One of the fastest-growing cities in Orange County, it is home base to more than 45,000 citizens in the greater Apopka area.

A Fun Day at the Park

If you are looking for something to do and you don't want to travel far, well this is your day, here is some information about a concert at Wekiwa Springs State Park.... Dave

Fall Fest and Outdoor Concert at Wekiwa Springs State Park
Saturday, October 25th

Fall Fest - 9:00 to 4:00: Pumpkin painting, potato sack racing, water balloon toss.
Wildlife from the Central Florida Zoo, Avian Reconditioning Center and Gatorland.
Arts and crafts, food and interpretive programs.
Fee is standard Park admission: $3.00 for one person, $5.00 per vehicle of 2-8 people.

Outdoor Concert - 4:00 to 9:00: Folk Rock by Ben Prestage, Classic Rock by The Chosen Few. $10.00 per person. Tickets will be sold at the the Fall Fest and Park entrance.
Seating is on grass. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and bug spray. Food and drinks will be for sale.
Future concerts: November 8th and December 13th.

The events are presented by Wekiva Wilderness Trust, Inc. Proceeds will support conservation and the environment programs in the Park. For more information visit: www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings

Q & A TIME

Q: There seem to be so many lawn fertilizer products, I am confused! How do I choose the right one for my lawn?A: Don't stress about the variety of fertilizers on the market. For products designed specifically for your grass type try our Product Finder Tool. Feeding the lawn does not have to be complicated! Just know that the best thing you can do for your lawn is to feed regularly throughout the growing season with a quality, slow-release fertilizer such as Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer. Our product line does indeed contain problem-solving fertilizers such as Turf Builder® with Plus 2® Weed Control, or Turf Builder® with SummerGuard® Lawn Fertilizer with Insect Killer. If you are not sure if you need a weed or insect control, simply fertilize every 6 to 8 weeks Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer, or Scotts® Southern Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer. If bugs, weeds, or other problems start to pop up, visit our problem solving section of the site, or call us at 1-800-543-8873 for expert advice.

BOLA MEETING

Ladies,

Please join us Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30 P.M. for the quarterly BOLA social to be held at the home of Pat Walmsley / Paula Armstrong, 1927 Bent Oak Drive. Bring an appetizer or your favorite treat to share. Please RSVP to Sharon Jackson at 407-880-3159 before Sunday September 14th.

We hope you’ll join us, as we always have a good time together!

Be On The Lookout!!!!!!!

Hi Everybody,
I just heard on the news about a home invasion at Sweetwater Country Club Dr. that is just down the street from our entrance. Three black men busted open the front door and went in, from what the news said they probably did not know someone was home, well they tied her up and ransacked the house, the phone rang at that time and the bad guys thought it was the police and ran out the door. The cops were called, and they even sent out the blood hound, but could not find them.

So please be on the guard and BE SAFE..... Do not hesitate to call the Sheriffs office if some thing is not right, or you see some thing that needs the cops out....... Thank you, Dave

Please be careful

It is here, fireworks day, please be careful with the fireworks, remember it has been very dry and the fire potential is there.... Thank you.... Dave

Information on your lawn

Tips For Your Lawn
When you return from summer vacation you might be looking at a lawn that needs an immediate cut. However, resist the temptation to cut it all down in one mowing. Instead, mow first at the highest setting on your mower, then lower the deck and cut it again a few days later. If need be, continue lowering the deck and mowing every few days until it is back to "normal."


Many types of insects will find your lawn an inviting place to hide and eat. Most are harmless, but a few can create quite a bit of damage, while others like ticks and ants are just a nuisance. Control insects in your lawn with a product such as Ortho® Bug-B-Gon® MAX® Insect Killer For Lawns. It kills over 50 types of insects on contact and provides season-long control.


The most important principle of preventing lawn diseases is to follow proper lawn care practices (mowing, feeding, watering). A well-fed lawn will have plenty of the nutrients needed to "fight off" most turf grass diseases. Only apply a fungicide if necessary.

FIREWORKS Oh Look At That

It’s summer, and who doesn’t think of sunshine, picnics, swimming, cookouts, and FIREWORKS???!!! Of course, these days, there are fireworks stands selling for New Year’s and several other holidays, but the Fourth of July still seems the biggest time for home-based firework displays. Each year we get complaints regarding someone’s neighborhood fireworks. Most of the complaints involve Florida-illegal fireworks, i.e. the kinds that shoot off into the air. After the impressive display, the still-hot and burning shell falls back to earth…..usually not in the yard of the person shooting off the bottle rocket. At the very least, there will be debris. More seriously, hot shells damage screen enclosures, car paint, or roof shingles. Worse, if landscaping or property is very dry, a still burning shell can start a fire. And, of course, worst case scenario is that a resident or pet can be burned if the shell falls on them. If you want to have a fireworks display at home this year, please use only legal fireworks, the ones that can be purchased here in Florida. And please, pick up the spent fireworks after your celebration. Living in a neighborhood with other homes close by entails a responsibility to your neighbors’ safety and peace of mind. Please take this responsibility seriously.

In Florida we also have some pretty impressive displays of natural FIREWORKS during the summer months! The weathercasters constantly remind us we are in “the lightning capital of the USA.” Almost every summer one or more homes in Bent Oak suffers a pretty direct hit, taking out appliances, phones, garage door openers, small electronics. Although nothing can guarantee that your property will not be damaged by a direct lightning hit, surge protection on the whole house and on individual appliances can give your home an advantage. Most electrical contracting companies will be happy to explain surge protection. Progress Energy offers a surge protection service as well. We all know trees are an easy target for lightning. The electricity can travel through the tree roots into your home, causing plumbing leaks as well as electrical damage. Moreover, the tree is often irreversibly damaged and can become a hazard in itself. Again, worst case scenario is that people or pets can be hurt or killed. Personal safety tips are pretty obvious: turn off televisions, radios, etc., stay off the phone, stay indoors and away from water, windows, even concrete walls, which may be reinforced with metal rods. Be sure everyone knows to get out of the pool and come inside when the thunder starts, no matter how far away it seems. Don’t forget your pets. If they are outdoors, be sure they have a safe shelter.

A third kind of “FIREWORKS” are the ones that go off in my head when I see some of the flagrant violations of our Covenants and Restrictions!#!?#! ***PLEASE KEEP YOUR BOATS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BEHIND YOUR FENCE OR IN YOUR GARAGE, NOT IN YOUR DRIVEWAY OR ON THE STREET. **** PLEASE COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS FOR YARD WASTE SO THAT IT WILL BE PICKED UP AND DO NOT PUT IT OUT UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING. ****PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR SIDEWALKS ARE NOT SLICK FROM MILDEW GROWTH OR COVERED WITH LEAVES, DEBRIS OR TOYS.

“Summertime, and the living is easy….” Stay safe, be responsible and enjoy!

I would like to add, that with it being so dry, please, PLEASE, be carefull with the Fireworks, all it takes is one Spark and off the fire goes!!!!!!!

IT TAKES TWO

Remember - It Takes Two

It has been estimated that 50% or more of the water used goes on lawns and landscaping. On March 1, 2006, the St. Johns River Water Management District initiated the Water Conservation Rule that states irrigation can occur only up to two days per week. If your property has an even-numbered address or is a common area, you may irrigate on Thursday and Sunday. If your property has an odd-numbered address, you may irrigate on Wednesday and Saturday.

You should never water your lawn or landscaping between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is the hottest part of the day, and the majority of the water will evaporate. Remember to check your irrigation system regularly to ensure it is working efficiently and that water is not being distributed on paved surfaces. You should check that your rain sensor is also functioning appropriately, and be sure to insert a fresh battery in your irrigation timer when necessary. During the rainy season, turn off your sprinkler system; your lawn will continue to look lush and green.

Here is a good web site to look at concerning our water... http://www.sjrwmd.com/

Is it Crabgrass?

If you walk out on your lawn and see some ugly grass you don't want, don't think "ah, that must be crabgrass."

Chances are, at this time of year, it isn't. Crabgrass dies every fall, and at that time it drops seeds in the soil that germinate the next year. Those seeds won't germinate until the soil reaches a certain temperature...much like your "good" grass coming out of dormancy, or spring bulbs like dafodils blooming when the temp is right.

You may have heard, as a rule of thumb crabgrass starts germinating when the forsythia blooms. Well, that just started last week in my area. My neighbors have a forsythia shrub in their front yard so I see it right out the window.

I just now applied Turf Builder with Halts, so don't think you don't have time to do it this spring. In fact, it is probably more important than a weed n feed, such as Turf Builder with Plus 2. You can always apply that one 6 weeks after you apply Turf Builder with Halts. Or, if you have the dandelions now, just spot treat them with Ortho Weed B Gon MAX.

For the area above the transition zone, crabgrass usually will germinate up through the end of May. So, you have definitely have time to put down that important first application of Turf Builder with Halts.

As for that ugly grass you see now, it's probably just tall fescue.

eeeegads a bug!!!!!

Here is some information on just a few good bugs that can be found in the yard and gardens.....

Solution
Don't let all bugs bug you. Find out which ones are good for your garden.
If you're like many gardeners, the first thing you say when you see a bug is, "Where's the bug spray?" While some bugs cause damage to your garden, Mother Nature has a way of taking care of them. She sends in other bugs. Lady Bugs, Ground Beetles, and Praying Mantises are just a few of the many insects that can help you control real pests in your garden. Make them feel at home by planting nectar-producing flowers, spreading some mulch, and putting out some water for your little helpers.

Prevention and Maintenance
Beneficial bugs that hunt
Hunting bugs are the ones that stalk, kill, and gobble up the pests that attack your plants. Some specialize: Lady Bugs love aphids and scaly bugs. Other hunters aren't very picky: Praying Mantises will eat anything. Still others attack the gooey, slimy, slithery pests in your garden. For instance, Ground Beetles attack slugs, caterpillars, and maggots.
Beneficial parasitic bugs
These beneficial bugs don't kill as quickly as the hunter types do, but they're very effective. They plant their eggs in pests that act as hosts. When the eggs hatch, they eat the innards of their hosts. It's gross, but it works. Tachinid flies are a good example of a parasitic bug, and they make great use of caterpillars. Braconid wasps use caterpillars, aphids, flies, and other pests.
Beneficial pollinating bugs
If you didn't have pollinating bugs in your garden, you wouldn't have a garden. Bumble Bees and Honey Bees bounce from one flower to the next, seeking nectar. While they do it, they pollinate the plants they visit. In fact, Honey Bees are so good at this job that farmers and orchard-keepers pay lots of money for their services.

Received from OCSO on CPR

Thought you might be interested in this.... Dave

Participants
WANTED
60 people Needed to train FREE in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster.
I just wanted to send you information that you could share with your contacts regarding a grant that we’ve received at Red Cross to train 60 people in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster. This grant will allow us to offer our normally $300 emergency responder course for free to people who are willing to become Red Cross volunteers and make a commitment to respond to work in one of our shelters or other places as required should we have a major disaster. Please call me or email with any questions you might have. I’ve attached the schedule for training. Our March class has already started but there is still a class in April and another one in May. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Ann Russell
Volunteer Manager
American Red Cross of Central Florida
407-894-4141, ext. 5639
maryannr@centralfl-redcross.org

Emergency Responder and Professional Rescuer CPR Class

BOHA MEETING

March 10th. is the annual meeting at Clay Springs, please plan on attending.

A FUN DAY AT THE PARK

Have you ever wondered what to do on a pretty day? Here is something that the whole family can go to, and it is very close, with the gas prices the way they are, every little bit helps. Wekiwa Springs State Park.



RiverFest 2008: You're Invited!

WHAT? 3rd Annual RiverFest: Music, wildlife displays, children’s nature crafts, book signings, pontoon boat rides, wildlife artists from the 2nd annual Wekiva Plein Air Paint-Out.

Food available.

Canoe/Kayak races the next day.

WHO? Public invited. Sponsors: Friends of the Wekiva River, Inc., along with other area environmental organizations

WHEN? March 8: 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Canoe Races: Wekiva Marina March 9, 8:30a.m. registration.

WHERE? Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, off Wekiva Springs Road . Free parking and shuttles available at First Baptist Church of Sweetwater,
3800 Wekiva Springs Road , Longwood. Park admission free on the day of RiverFest.

Canoe/Kayak Races launch at Wekiva Marina in Longwood.

WHY? For residents and visitors to see, enjoy and learn more about Central Florida ’s unique water resources and wildlife, and the urgent need for protection.

QUESTIONS? Call Deede Sharpe, FOWR Publicity, at 407-647-7487

BOHA Meeting

Next month we will be having our annual Bent Oak Homeowners meeting at Clay Springs. It is very important that we have a good turn out for this meeting because if we do not have a quorum we will have to reschedule the meeting again, and it is not cheap. If you are not able to attend please use your proxy, they do count toward the quorum. So mark it on your calendar MARCH 10TH, see you there..... Dave S.

Bent Oak Morning Walk

The Bent Oak ImageBy

Rebekah McReynolds


“……Here we are with live coverage of the newest extreme sport: morning walking.

Today’s competition is in Bent Oak and the course conditions couldn't be more perfect. The neighborhood has wonderful families with children, pets, and cars. Last night’s shower has left wet, heavy landscape plants and perfectly slick sidewalks. The competitors are warming up now. Most are dressed in conventional walking attire: shorts, t-shirts, walking shoes. Several are sporting headphones and dark glasses. There are some team and some solo entrants. Let’s review the rules and procedures. Walkers are to walk the entire neighborhood, staying on the sidewalks. Penalties result from leaving the sidewalk, falling, cussing, or giving up prior to the finish line.

“……And the starter gives the signal to begin. Our first leader looks to be a young woman pushing a baby carriage. Oops! She just hit the toys left in the sidewalk by children playing last night. Dodging that skateboard sure did make the carriage rock precariously. Gaining quickly on her is a man wearing headphones deep into his thoughts. Look out! He was watching the dog chase the cat and he didn’t see the car parked in that driveway extending over the sidewalk until he bumped right into it. Looks like he may be out of the walking. This lady looks like a real competitor…no headphones; dark glasses so that she can look straight ahead. What lousy luck! She just got caught up in that shrub growing out over the walk and now she’s becoming tangled in the grass runners growing over the pavement. This caused her to look down and she was unaware of the low hanging tree branch, made even heavier by the recent rain, until it hit her in the head. Really can’t blame her for cussing like that, but the penalties are mounting. The pack is thinning with only a few serious contenders. Oh no! What a pile-up! Careful as they were rounding that curve, one by one they have hit those slick algae-covered sidewalks and they are sliding and falling. As the paramedics rush onto the course, the remaining contestants are simply giving up and returning to their homes. I see treadmills being delivered to several houses. Wait…there is one more contestant. He (or she—it’s hard to tell) is wearing a fully padded, water proof body suit, crash helmet, safety goggles, and has been carefully testing each sidewalk and using a pressure washer when necessary before proceeding I think this contestant will finish the course! What a champion!


Sadly, the above scenario is all too real. We are fortunate to have sidewalks throughout our neighborhood. Each homeowner is responsible for the walkway between his property lines. Please check your sidewalks and driveways today. Almost every sidewalk with overhanging trees will haveheavy algae growth. Furthermore, many of these trees have very low-hanging limbs that need trimming. Growth of landscape plants and weeds has outpaced the most avid gardeners. Please do not wait for someone to fall in front of your home. Walking our quiet neighborhood is one of the greatest pleasures of living in Bent Oak. Let’s all do our part for safety.