Newsletter
GLENLAKE, THEN AND NOW
When we moved here in January 2000, Glenlake was a very quiet neighborhood, resembling a retirement community. There were lots of fully retired folks, some in the late stages of second careers, a few with children approaching college age, and less than a handful of little folks. There were quite a few undeveloped lots, and most developed lots had immature landscaping. Oh, how things have changed! We have only one undeveloped lot left, landscaping has matured, and many of the original owners have left to be replaced by younger families. I applaud past Glenlake Board Members for their dedication to maintaining the character of our community, and encourage future Board Members to do likewise.
I encourage all Glenlake homeowners to read and comply with our covenants in order to continue maintaining the character and quality of our neighborhood. Now let me address the biggest change in Glenlake… demographics.
There are now many young children and grandchildren residing in and visiting Glenlake. You see them going and coming to the school bus, playing in their yards, and in the common area. They ride their bicycles and skate boards, play ball, fish in our lake, etc. They are so preoccupied with their activities that they sometimes run out into the road without looking for traffic. I ask all drivers to obey the speed limit (20 mph) and be prepared to stop on very short notice. If you see a ball roll into the street, hit your brakes, because there may be a child running behind it. Our young folks are precious and deserve the safest environment we can give them. There have been several occasions when drivers have exceeded the posted speed limit in Glenlake. Please, Slow Down.
One last thought… I frequently hear children playing in our neighborhood. The noise they make is a joyful sound, not something to complain about. Be glad they are playing where you can see them and supervise them.
Be good neighbors.
Norm Klausutis
PS. Welcome to our new neighbors, Rob and Wendy Bradley and family, 1513 Glenlake Circle. We are glad you are here.
From the Editor:
Children
In addition to what Norm said about slowing down for kids in the neighborhood, we also request that there be adult supervision when young children are playing by the lake.
Golf Course
I wrote a letter to the editor of the Bay Beacon last week asking all of us to “Chip-In” and purchase a Bluewater Bay Golf Course Gold Card. You probably have received a letter or two from the BWB Resort General Manager, Tom Hanks, asking for your participation. The resort needs the support of us residents to keep the Golf Course healthy and viable. About a year ago the resort closed the Magnolia Golf Course, and the prospect of future closures has been a concern of residents. The biggest worry is the negative impact on property values that a golf course closure causes. The resort is addressing the issue by making the current marketing push to sell Gold Cards and Memberships to our community to enhance the Golf Course business. All Homeowners (Golfers, Duffers, & Non-Golfers; Property on the Golf Course or NOT on the Golf Course) are asked to purchase Gold Cards to keep the Golf Courses operating in the black. Hopefully, the resort can preclude future drastic measures (ie. closing another course). Please consider supporting the Golf Course by purchasing a Gold Card ($160 + tax). Because in our beautiful Bluewater Bay, it’s a fact: WE NEED the Golf Course, and THEY NEED US!
MSBU
The new sidewalk going in on Southwind drive is a result of infrastructure improvements initiated by the
Bluewater Bay Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU). Every year we each contribute $60 (via Okaloosa County Tax Collector) to the MSBU to carry on it’s duties to the community. The board has new leadership, and, in the next few years, we will see a more engaged MSBU with the many HOAs/POAs of Bluewater Bay. In addition to the Southwind sidewalk some other current projects are: 1. More sidewalks planned in the next few years; 2. Improvements to Lighting and Signage in the Community; 3. A Fitness Park at the area where the Troon “U” shape meets Bluewater Blvd; 4. A Children’s Park in the Woodlands recreation area; 5. Spring plants at main entrances to Bluewater and tree trimming along Bluewater Blvd. MSBU has a good Website at: bluewaterbay.org
Glenlake website
Speaking of Websites, our glenlakehoa.com site is alive and well. Web honcho Darby Proctor (Cort and Lona’s daughter) informed me we had the following hits: Dec: 314; Jan: 362; Feb: 260.
Spruce up Glenlake Day
COMING SOON… On Saturday, April 12, We’re going to have a good old fashioned neighborhood cleanup day. Come and join us at the Glenlake Sign starting at 8:30 am for the fun (and work!). A few projects (these and others) to be tackled are:
1. Pressure Wash the Glenlake signs
2. Straighten and Clean the Common area benches
3. Straighten and Clean the Lake-Common area benches and tables
4. Prep and Paint the 20 mph sign posts
5. Put up the “Go Slow Signs” signs (on the 20 mph posts)
6. Hedge/Trim the bushes in front of the Glenlake signs
7. Brainstorm the front area landscaping for types of flowers or bushes
8. Pressure Wash the sidewalk in the Common area
9. Straighten the leaning Stop sign
Tools needed: Buckets, brushes, hedgers, extension chords, hoses, pressure washers, brooms, rakes, white paint, paint brushes, battery charged drill, rope, post hole digger, and willing hands. We will need a few neighbors to lend water for the pressure washers or electricity for the hedgers.
We hope to finish the work by around noon, because we are planning a…
Glenlake Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 12 at 4 pm (helpers needed at 3), with an adult Happy Hour (BYOB and appetizer). Lisa has sent around the neighborhood flyers and has e-mailed the information about the Egg Roll and Happy Hour. See you all there!
Yard Sale
April 26 will be our Spring Yard Sale day. Scour the attic, cleanse the closets, and purge the garage for those valuable items that others will love to have. Our Tradition here in Glenlake is to have this event twice per year, with as many households participating as desired.
Reminders
The big storm that blew through here last Friday provides an opportunity to review a few things about clean-up and repair:
If a street light malfunctions or is damaged, call Chelco and report the situation: 892-2111.
If you want to change your house structure in any way: paint a new color, put up something new, or take down something old, the Covenants say you need to run that through the Architectural committee (the Board of Directors). That also includes taking down trees (exception: Chinese Talo “popcorn” trees). Thanks.
The big-green-bin trash pick-ups are Wed and Sat, usually late morning or early afternoon; However on Saturday, they have started to come earlier, 9-10 am. Recycle stuff in the little green box early (7-7:30am) Friday. Tree branches, bundles, or leaf/grass bags are picked up on Wed morning; please don’t put the tree branches/bags down to the street before Tuesday afternoon. Large volumes of tree limbs, etc. may require a call to Waste Management, 862-7141,and may require a couple of weeks notice to get done.
Other big trash to pick up (too big for the green-bin); call Waste Management for a Friday street pick up.
Services
If you have a good experience with a repairman or service in town, please let me know and I’ll put it in the next newsletter. The following are from old newsletters, but I include a few for all of us, especially the newcomers.
TV Repair: EletraScan; Tony Rowan; Tel: 689-3311 (Crestview). A neighbor used this man’s services to repair a flat screen TV. He is former AF electronics tech, and has been recommended before. He came to the house and did a good job finding an intermittent connector, spent two hours and charged $100. (electrascantv.com)
Auto Repair: Twin Cities Transmission, 610 Elm St. Niceville (behind the Magic Castle Laundry; turn right on Partin, then a quick left after the laundry); Tel: 729-6629. While the business name says “Transmission” they do a bit of every thing. The business is owned by Adam and Brandi. Adam is the head mechanic and Brandi runs the front desk. They take appointments.
House Painting: Russell Painting, Niceville; Tel: 897-5632
Glenlake Board of Directors
Norm Klausutis
Jess Parnell
Lisa Parnell
Phil Carpenter
Lynne Whittemore
Larry Blameuser
Happy Spring and Easter! Let me, or one of the above, know if you have questions, comments, or suggestions.
See you around the neighborhood.
Larry Blameuser @ 1536
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