Aripeka West News

“Here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods”                  June 2012

A message from BJ…                             

Welcome to Summer in Aripeka West.  Warm temps, sunny skies with an occasional thunderstorm thrown in! Yes, that is how we like it!  The grass and of course the weeds are growing gangbusters, you can almost watch them grow!  We now have a large mowing deck that can be pulled by the old tractor or the Kubota, this will save some mowing time and some fuel.   Have a great summer!

We had a Good Time…                                      
We had a nice BBQ on May 24^th to kick-off the Memorial Day Weekend!  Our Grillers Tony Rudd & Karl Hosp turned out some great Hotdogs and Hamburgers. We also enjoyed potato salads, pasta salads, pepper chicken tortilla wraps, ambrosia salad, baked beans and all the good stuff to decorate those burgers and dogs!  We moved the serving area from the the grilling area to the Pavilion when we heard a little thunder, it was sunny and hot, then a little rain fell and we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow!

Our New Sign…                         

The Aripeka West sign on Aripeka Road and Elmira Avenue has been ordered and should be up in the next week or so, it has taken a little longer than expected, the company installing the sign has been very busy this past month.

Annual Hurricane and Safety Expo…      

Saturday June 2^nd  10:00am-2:00pm. WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK, 6131 Commercial Way (US19 & SR50), Weeki Wachee. An educational family event presented by Hernando County Office of Emergency Management. Topics include personal disaster preparedness, home readiness, safety products. Guest speaker: Denis Phillips, chief meteorologist with ABC Action News. Expo and Show Park free to the public. Standard ticket prices apply for admission to Buccaneer Bay Water Park. Park: 352-592-5656 Expo info: 352-754-4053 www.hernandosheriff.org/em

Sunflower Maze...                   

Saturday June 2^nd & Sunday June 3^rd   10:00am-5:00pm SWEETFIELDS FARM, 17250 Benes Roush Rd. (off US-41), Masaryktown. Maze your way through the paths of 8-10ft. tall sunflowers in search of the exit! Enjoy hay rides, picnic area, rubber duck race, animals, crafts, fresh produce and the U-Pick area! Suggest sturdy shoes (no open toe shoes, sandals, flipflops), sunscreen and a hat. Don't forget your camera! Adults: $8.50; Ages 3-11: $4.50; Age 2 & under: Free. (Note: no credit cards or checks accepted).   352-279-0977  www.sweetfieldsfarm.com                                           

Summer Potluck Picnic...                              

On Thursday June 21^st, we will celebrate the beginning of Summer, yes this is the official beginning of Summer even though the weather in Aripeka has said SUMMER for a while now! Since it will most likely be pretty darned hot on this night, let’s think Cool Foods like salads, sandwiches, snacks, deserts, well, you get the idea.

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook… 

We will try to keep our Facebook Pages fresh, with lots of pictures, but feel free to post pictures you have taken and events that you think may interest other residents. These Facebook Pages are there for everyone to use and enjoy!  Please do not post complaints on the Facebook Page, instead report them to the office where they can be immediately addressed.

Trail Blazing…                     

Chris and Jon in Lot #16 have been working on a trail in the RV Park.  I runs along the little canal in the woods behind the RV Park. They have completed the clearing and are now working on getting flowers & ferns planted along the edge of the trail and mulching the trail to make it easier to hike as well as look nice.  We have placed a couple of benches along the way if you would like to rest and enjoy the tranquility and just maybe some of our abundant wildlife will happen by.  You are welcome to walk the new trail, just be careful till it has been completely mulched and don’t forget that the mosquitoes and yellow flies are biting, so use your Skin-So-Soft or better yet, something with DEET in it.  If you like to hike trails, you should consider taking a walk through the preserve from the entrance located on Aripeka Road.  Free parking is available at the gate.  If you walk straight back to the rock formation, you will find a lake and many trails to explore.

Where can we swim???

Does anyone know a great place to swim near Aripeka West? There is of course the Gulf, but are there other places?  The park on Green Key Road has a nice little sandy beach, there is Hudson Beach, Pine Island Beach, Anclote River Park, Rogers Park, Jenkins Creek Park and last but not least Buccaneer Bay, but are there more?  Where do you go for a nice swim? Is it a public swimming area open to all?

Emergency Info Updates…           

If you have completed your Info Update, thank you, if you have not completed your paperwork, please take a minute to fill in the spaces, sign and return it to the office.  In the event of an emergency, we will have a number to reach you or a person you have chosen.  Although many of you gave the information years ago, we would like you to update it just in case there have been changes in your life.

Pet Info Updates…                          

We must have current vaccination records for your dog on file in the office.  By law in Pasco County, dogs are required to have a current Rabies Vaccination and the park requires that your dog be current with the other vaccines.  We do live in close quarters in both the RV Park and Mobile Home Park, the wildlife is abundant, including feral and unvaccinated cats, all of which can carry rabies and transmit it to your dog.  Additionally if your dog were to bite anyone, the county could euthanize your dog to test for rabies if you cannot provide them with current rabies vaccinations records.  The other vaccines, which come as one injection, protect your dog from other diseases common to dogs.  Having you dog tested for Heartworm Disease is your decision, but Heartworm is caused by a single mosquito bite from a mosquito caring the disease and the mosquitoes are definitely here in Aripeka.  Heartworm is very expensive to treat; plus it is extremely hard on your dog to have to go through the treatment.  Prevention is definitely the best, cheapest and easiest way to ensure that your dog never has to go though Heartworm Treatment.  Untreated dogs will die from Heartworm Disease.

AripekaWest.Blogspot.com      AripekaWest@Gmail.com         AripekaWest.com

1. 727-868-9324

May 2012 Newsletter

Aripeka West News

“Here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods”                  May 2012

A message from BJ…    

Aripeka West Mobile Home and RV Park is private property and only residents, their guests and those with business at Aripeka West are allowed on the property.  Lately we have noticed many people in the park who do not appear to have any business here and in an effort to curb these unwanted visitors and the problems they cause, we are asking any visitor who enters Aripeka West by car, by bicycle, on foot or any other mode of transportation to sign in on our Daily Guest Log located under the shelter in front of the office.  The only people who do not have to sign the Daily Guest Logs are OWNERS, LEASE HOLDERS and their REGISTERED GUESTS.  If you have overnight guests, they must be REGISTERED at the office and stay 14 days or less, if you have additional people living with you they must complete our Application in person in the office.  Only the Daily Guest Log is new, everything else has been a part of the rules for quite some time.  The Daily Guest Log will allow us to stop people wandering in the park and ask them their business if they do not sign the log.  It will allow us to ask them to leave and if they do not leave, the police can be called to remove them.  You will soon see new signs directing residents straight through and Guests into the driveway by the office.  A new PRIVATE PROPERTY / NO TRESSPASSING SIGN will also be placed by the gate.  We appreciate your help with having your guest sign in before proceeding to your lot and obey the rules while they are guests here at Aripeka West.

Speaking of Signs…                         

Soon we will have a new sign on Aripeka Road.  The new sign will say Aripeka West Mobile Park & RV Park instead of the current sign which says A & W Mobile Home Park and RV Court.  When you see it, let us know what you think.  This new sign should make it much easier for new residents and guest to find us!  The new sign should be up early in May.

 Park Rules…           

Please read your copy of our Park Rules and make sure you also let your guests know about the rules.  Written Notices will be issued to you for rule violations for yourself, your family and your guests.  Written Notices could be cause for eviction from Aripeka West.   

Neighborhood Watch…      

Keep your eyes & ears open for any unusual activities in the park.  You are our eyes and ears, while we do try to watch who is entering the park, we depend on our residents to report suspicious and unusual activities to the proper authorities. Get out and meet you neighbors, make a mental note of the cars they drive.  We have new folks moving in most every month, get to know who they are and where they live.

1^stAnnualFlorida Blueberry Festival…            

The Blueberry Festival brings together all the goodness of nature's Florida Blueberry harvest for a three day event in Brooksville Florida - May 4, 5 & 6, 2012.

The 2012 Florida Blueberry Festival Committee has been hard at work for the last 18 months coordinating the fifteen Florida Counties that make up the central growing region of blueberry production; these counties will be represented at the Florida Blueberry Festival as partners of this first annual event. The committee has received over $200,000.00 from sponsor partnerships, in-kind donors, founding memberships and pledges to date. The Festival Committee is proud to announce its affiliation with the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, Fresh from Florida and its Partners.

The Friday Night Parade will feature 130 floats with representation from the 15 counties located in the central blueberry growing region of Florida. Our attendees will not only be dazzled by the floats but entertained by the marching bands, the drill teams and for those who want to party until the blueberries bloom the evening will conclude in the City Park with a Blueberry Wine stomping contest, live music, light fare and a bushel basket full of fun.

The 3 day Festival Venue will be held under the shade of the iconic twisted oak trees gracing the lawn of the Courthouse on Brooksville's square. Festival attendees can stroll at their leisure indulging in festival fare, gourmet delights and fresh Florida blueberries; they can refresh themselves with a variety of assorted beverages and partake of the unique offering in the Blueberry Wine and Cheese booth.

And don't forget about the Festivals signature Blueberry Shortcakes!

Artisans from all over Florida and the Southeastern states will exhibit their original works of art for viewing and purchase.

Musical performances including headliner entertainment will appeal to people of all ages.

From parades to a blueberry stomp, from jewelry to blueberry preserves, crafters will present their wares under the Florida Sky at the Blueberry Festival.

http://www.floridablueberryfestival.org/ani.cfm

May Day Party…                                                  

At 6PM on May 1^st, we will have our 2^nd “Let’s Grill Out”.  The first one was a great success in April.  Please bring something to cook on the grill for your family, no need to bring extra, unless you invited extra guests!  We will have sides and common condiments available.

Memorial Day BBQ...                           

On Thursday May 24, we will be celebrating Memorial Day at Aripeka West.  We will start at around 6PM, but we will be grilling Hotdogs and Burgers for a while!  We will also have Chips, Baked Beans, Coleslaw and the condiments for Burgers and Hotdogs including Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions and Cheese.  If you would like to make something to bring, we will be happy to help you eat it.

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook… 

We will try to keep our Facebook Pages fresh, with lots of pictures, but feel free to post pictures you have taken and events that you think may interest other residents. These Facebook Pages are there for everyone to use and enjoy!  Please do not post complaints on the Facebook Page, instead report them to the office where they can be immediately addressed.

Working on Planting Flowers…  

In order to plant a garden by the front gate, we must build it up with soil.  Currently there is too much limestone to plant the area.  We have lots of plants and flowers; just needed the Kubota working again to move soil to the area. The Kubota is now running so now we do not have any excuse for not getting it done!

AripekaWest.Blogspot.com      AripekaWest@Gmail.com         AripekaWest.com

727-868-9324

Aripeka West News

“Here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods”                  April 2012

A message from BJ…                         

Another Winter Season is coming to an end here at Aripeka West.  I have met so many wonderful people this year and I am sorry to see them leaving and heading back north for the summer.  Aripeka West will just not be the same without them, but our quiet summer months will allow us to make some much needed improvements in the RV Park.  When our winter guests return in October and November they are sure to be happy with the improvements.  I am sure going to miss everyone, WOW what a Great Winter it has been, Great Weather, Great Guests, Great Fun!  You will still be able to receive our Newsletter, if you make sure that we have your correct mailing or email address. You may also view the Newsletter online at our blog, AripekaWest.Blogspot.com    SEE YOU ALL NEXT FALL!

Easter at Aripeka West…              

On Friday April 6^th at 6:30PM, we will have a “Let’s Grill Out” to celebrate Easter.  Please bring your favorite meat to grill, the grill will be “HOT” and the park will supply the side dishes and condiments, please join us for Easter at Aripeka West!  We will have an Easter Egg Hunt.  Looking forward to seeing you!   

This month at the park…                     

We have completed our work on #197, new paint, inside and out, new flooring, new stairs for the entry, it really does look nice! 

Work is almost complete at #164, the inside has been painted and the flooring is being replaced now, the outside will be painted in the next week and this unit will be our newest “SWAN” and be ready for someone to call it home.

The RV Park Restrooms are next on our “to do” list.  We are planning to tile the showers, floor to ceiling and also tile the lower portion of the walls in the rest of each restroom.  We will add new accessories.

Pressure washing and painting the exterior of our mobile homes will continue in the summer months and we will be coating the roofs of our units.

RV & Mobile Home Park Rules…           

Lately we have noticed that there are some who live in the park, along with their guests who are not aware of our Park Rules.  The Park Rules are in place for the benefit of all who live in Aripeka West and their guests.  The Park Rules are very simple and it should not be a problem for any resident or their guests to follow them.   In the next few days, you will receive a copy of the Park Rules, please take a moment to read the rules and if you have questions, please ask.  In addition to a copy of the rules, you will receive a form to update your records here at Aripeka West.  Please fill it out and return it to the office at your earliest convenience.    

Neighborhood Watch…                 

While we do not have a sanctioned Neighborhood Watch Program in place yet, please be aware of what is going on around the park and around your lot.  If you see something that does not look right, it probably is not right!  We are still working on setting up our official Neighborhood Watch, it is a little harder than first expected.  We do ask that you watch out for your property and for the property of your neighbor.  Please call the proper authorities to report suspicious activity and make the office aware of any police reports.

  

Do you want to have a Yard Sale???                    

The Spring Yard Sale scheduled for March 31, 2012 was cancelled due to lack of interest.  We must have at least 10 households participating to make a Community Yard Sale successful.  We will await you input before trying to reschedule the Yard Sale.

Summer Events...                            

Summer is the quiet time here at Aripeka West.  We will continue to have Pot Luck Dinners and other events throughout the summer. We have games we can play including Darts, Cornhole Toss, Horseshoes, Croquet, Dominoes, Chess, Poker and other Card Games.  Tony in Lot #30 is currently looking for card players, if you are interested in playing cards; there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board on the Pavilion.  We also have Karaoke Equipment we can set up for a party if anyone is interested.  If you have an idea for an event, please let us know.

Have you “Liked” our Facebook Pages???   

We have two Facebook Pages here at Aripeka West.  Just do a search for Aripeka West MH & RV Park or The Dogs, Cats & Critters of Aripeka West and you will find us.  We have some great pictures posted on these pages.  There will be more pictures posted soon.  Please take a minute to “like” our pages and feel free to post Aripeka West information and pictures to the pages.

Good Morning Aripeka West…          

Our Wednesday Morning Coffee and Breakfasts will be on off season break after Wednesday April 11.  We have certainly enjoyed our Good Morning Aripeka West Breakfast Events!  They will begin again in October.

Welcoming Gardens…                         

We are going to be planting gardens with flowers in April.  One of the gardens will be at the front gate.  It will offer residents and their guests a warm welcome when they enter the park.  Other gardens will be planted under the murals painted on the sheds near the Pavilion. We also want to do some planting on the trail behind the RV Park.  Anyone who enjoys gardening is welcome to help.

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Aripeka West News
“Here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods” December 2011
A Message from BJ...
First, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! November was busy month here at Aripeka West, our Veteran’s Day Hot-Dog Roast was a lot of fun and our Thanksgiving Dinner turned out great. So many people are participating this year and having a good time. December will be another month with some fun events, got to love the holidays, they al-ways bring people and families together!
The time to decorate is here, we will be decorating Aripeka West for the Holi-days and you are invited to decorate too. So many lights to display, we are only limited by the number of electrical outlets avail-able to us.

We have done some work on the Pavilion by the Campfire, painted, decked and added lights that will make getting together for a fire even more fun.

The walking path behind the RV Park has been leveled and mulched, so take a short walk and enjoy our “wilderness” and maybe even see some of our wildlife!

The Office Mobile Home has been painted white and it looks so nice with the hunter green win-dow shutters.

We hope to have our Neighborhood Watch Pro-gram completely setup by the end of January.
On Friday December 2 nd we will have a Fish Fry at 6PM. The fish is courtesy of Grant and Linda Weller, so many thanks to Linda and Grant! Vic Larson will be frying the fish. Along with the fish, we will have fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and cheese grits. This is a great chance to eat fish caught in local wa-ters without going fish-ing! We will also have live music by Deuces Wild after dinner. Rob and Ali James have graciously agree to perform for us, so please stay and enjoy the music, in-cluding an original by Rob titled “Aripeka Sunset”. Oh and please don’t forget to say “thanks” to Rob and Ali!
Aripeka West Fish Fry...
Decking the Halls ...

Again this month, you are welcome to watch Monday Night Football in the Screen Room, please remember if you are the last to leave to turn off the light and the TV. Games begin at 8:30 PM every Monday this month.
Monday Night Football...
To Enter: You let the office know that you want to participate and then decorate your yard for the Holi-days. Please notify the office by De-cember 15 th , if you plan to partici-pate.
The Judging: On December 16th during our Christmas Party we will tour the park. We will provide you with a ballot and you just pick your favorite 2.
The Voting: Drop your ballots in the ballot box when we arrive back at the campfire. The WINNERS will be announced during the party.
1 st Prize: $25 off January 2012 Rent
2 nd Prize: $15 off January 2012 Rent
3 rd Prize: $10 off January 2012 Rent
Come on everybody, let’s get in the Holiday Spirit and do some awesome decorating! Use your imagination; this will be a lot of fun!
Holiday Decorating Contest...
Bicycling Fun...
The Aripeka Angels ride starting at 4:30PM Wednesdays. Meet in front of the office for a leisurely ride around Aripeka. Even if you have not been on a bike in years, it is something you never forget, so come on, give it a try, we promise you will have fun !
Like Playing Cards?
We have been asked about playing cards in the Screen Room. If you are interested in playing Poker or other card games, please let us know and we will schedule some Card Nights after the Holidays. For now, if you can put together a group, everything you need to play is located in the cabinet, there are chips, cards, even a Poker Table topper. Plus lots of other game too.
About Bingo…
We had to cancel BINGO in November because we did not had the correct supplies, but it seemed there was very little enthusiasm for BINGO at Aripeka West. We are hesitant to reschedule BINGO if there are so few who want to play. If you would like to play BINGO here at Aripeka West please tell us.

There are many places to play BINGO in Pasco and Hernando Counties, we will be happy to provide a list to any-one interested.
Going to the Dogs...
Bark Island at Pine Island
From 7:30-9:30AM Pine Island Beach!! Bring your “Furry Pal” for a great morning of romping in the sand and surf! Please remember to bring proof of current vaccinations, just in case they get rowdy… and please clean up after your pet. Admission is $7/car or walk up patron. 352-7540-4031

Aripeka West will host a Christmas Party on Friday December 16th by the Campfire. For this Party will are doing something a little dif-ferent, we are having a “Soup Party”. We are asking everyone to bring a pot of soup to share. It can be any kind of soup that you like or like to make. Please bring it in a pan and we will keep it warm over glowing coals. We will have bread, salad & desert to go along with the Soup Dinner. We are hoping for a wide variety of soups, so bring out your original best! Also that night we will tour the park
enjoying and judging the Holiday Decorations. When we return from our tour, we will vote for the winners. Each person will have two votes. WINNERS will be announced during the party!
Christmas at Aripeka West...
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Kryptic Trivia…
Can you figure them out?
Answers Page 4
WAY
The Hernando Beach Yacht Club will be sponsoring their an-nual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday December 17th. There is a great place to view the Boat Parade on Gulfview Drive, if you are interesting in joining us, please contact the office for more details. There are usually quite a few boats dis-played in the Parade and it is fun to watch, we can take our chairs, drinks and snacks and just enjoy the evening. The Boat Parade usually starts a little after 6PM, but we will have more details soon.
A Little Ol’ Parade...
Our Thanksgiving Dinner was a great success, we had 50 people there for dinner! Turkey was great, “thank you”
Vic Larson for cooking the bird! Thanks to Karl Hosp for cooking the equally delicious ham. We had everything a Thanksgiving Dinner should have, great food, great friends, great weather and so very much to be thankful for this year. Hope everyone had a great time at the at the dinner and a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!
What A Thanksgiving Dinner...
Can Can

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is proud to announce its annual holiday festival, Winter Waterland. The event will take place De-cember 9 & 10 from 6-10 p.m. each night. Admission to the event is only $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6-12. Kids five and under are free. Activities will in-clude... ~ A Mermaid Christmas underwater show ~ Adventures in Candyland stage show ~ AK Dance Away presents "A Rockin' Christmas" stage show ~ Live Nativity scene ~ Photo opportunity with Santa ~ Christmas Lights
Winter Waterland Festival
Does your Dog have a Problem???
Ask yourself the following questions.
1. Does your dog know the spelling, Latin root and French translation of the word "walk," yet is unable to grasp the meaning of the word "come"?
2. Does your dog immediately leap on a cat, bunny rabbit, or child upon hearing the words "Don't worry he LOVES cats, bunny rabbits and children"?
3. Is your dog shameless, graceless, without dignity and extremely in touch with his inner puppy?
4. Does he wake you up in the middle of the night to warn you of the dangers of a kitchen chair, then sleep through the theft of all your valuable possessions?
5. Does he develop a tragic and profound deaf-ness at the sound of "It's time to go home," yet possess bionic hearing at the sound of a can opener? If you answered "yes" to most of these ques-tions.

Don’t worry, your dog is normal!!
Kryptic Trivia Answers
1. End over End 2. Belly Up 3. Toucan
4. Open and Shut Case 5. Tea for Two
6. Paradise 7. Way Over The Line
Aripeka West 727-868-9324
AripekaWest@Gmail.com
AripekaWest.Blogspot.com