Click here for a printer friendly version of the Acorn.

The Acorn - Fall 2008

Oak Ridge Estates Newsletter, Fall 2008
Compiled by Wilda Meixner, Editor

Letter from the President: provided by Cleo Robinett.

I would like to wish each and every one in Oak Ridge a blessed holiday. The summer was very hot but now we are enjoying the beautiful weather that Fall brings. I look out my window and see the Fall colors across the lake. The butterflies are still plentiful and late leaving to fly to their Winter home in Mexico. I am also late writing this letter so it can go out in the Acorn.

The renovation on the bathrooms is complete and it is very nice thanks to Joel Houston and all the community that gave of their time and energy. Ruth Garrison painted and decorated. Virgil Odell took the first siding off and replaced it with new siding. Joe Toohey painted and Bill Manno did the trim. Be sure and thank them when you see them. I hope I didn't forget anyone but if I did, a big thank you as well. A big thank you, also, to Suzanne Graham and the many workers that made the community garage sale such a huge success.

The John Cruce family has moved to Austin. They sold their home to a couple that lost their home in Galveston when Ike came ashore. I am sorry I do not remember their names. Bill and Carol Vaughn that purchased the LaFon lot have nearly finished building. Raymond and Buffy Seifried have purchased a home at 3210 Oak Ridge Drive. If you have a new neighbor, please welcome them and let me know because we would like to give them a welcome package about Oak Ridge.

I look forward to seeing each of you December 4, 2008 at our Fall meeting.

Cleo Robinett

Back to Top

Board Meeting Minutes: provided by Cookie Puckett, Secretary.

Cleo Robinette called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM on September 4, 2008. Board members present were Cleo, Marion, Cheryl, Cookie and Joel. George Bowers and Gerrie Graham were not present.

Cookie Puckett read the minutes. Cheryl moved that we approve the reading of the minutes and Marion seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.

Cheryl gave a treasurer's report. We still need money for our fire protection. Many have not paid their assessment fees. There was some discussion about how to collect these dues and, also, some past due money from precious years.

New business: There was a suggestion to the board that we consider, for security reasons, concealing our bar-b-que grill and tractor that stays at the community bldg. We also had suggestions to cover the windows in the community room...not only giving us privacy for an event taking place, but also making us more energy efficient. We will discuss this again at a later date.

Joel Houston submitted a report of expenses on the new bathrooms which are completed except for a few finishing touches. Thanks to Joe Toohey, Ruth Garrison, Bill Manno, and Virgil Odell for their part in helping to finish the project. It is a great improvement to the community building.

Suzanne Graham talked to us about the "Lady Bird's Legacy" campaign to reseed Central Texas with wildflowers. We have an opportunity to help in doing that ,by reseeding specific areas in Oakridge. Suzanne has volunteered to head up a group to do that, and she would like volunteers to help.

Suzanne also gave a report on the Oakridge Community Garage Sale scheduled for October 18th at the community building. Set up will start on October 6, and donations will be accepted on October 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, in the mornings from 9AM to 1PM...and October 8th, and 15th from 6-8 in the evening. Furniture deliveries are only on Friday, the 17th. She had print-outs available with more information and stipulations about the sale. We very much appreciate Suzanne's organization of the sale this year.

A.D. Robinett gave a road maintenance report saying that roadside and vacant lot maintenance is going well. We have spent $2,817.50 to date with $5359.37 remaining. Also, the Ranchette Road drainage and improvement project has been completed at a cost of $3,740.00. A.D. also noted that the animal control person that Oak Ridge residents use has resigned...and until he is replaced, we have no one to call for stray animals.

Shelton Thibodeaux asked to make a proposal concerning commercial property that he owns in Oakridge. He would like to replat the western 60 ft. of the lot designated as "The Southwest Portion of Lot - 1". This would be rezoned from residential to commercial. He would like to build a rental storage facility on the property. He would also build, with board approval, a privacy fence to obscure the view of the buildings from Ranchette Road. There was a discussion from several residents concerning the liability of more commercial property here in Oakridge. The board agreed to take the matter under consideration at a later date, and notify Mr. Thibodeaux of their decision.

Residents were reminded of neighbors that are ill: Gerrie Graham recovering from a fall, Bill Terrill has kidney stones, and Jennie Thibodeaux recovering from surgery.

Cheryl moved to adjourn and Marion seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Back to Top

Coming Events

Happy Thanksgiving from Ruth Engel and Cheryl Mann.

Just wanted to remind everyone that our Thanksgiving Luncheon this year will be held on Thursday, November 20th, at 12:00 noon, at the Community Center. As in the past, this luncheon is open to everyone in the Community. We will be providing the turkey and gravy, ham, and drinks. Contact Cheryl either by email (cheryl.mann@nctv.com) or phone (830) 598-5205 if you have questions about what to bring.

Thanks in advance - hope to see everyone at the luncheon on the 20th!!

Next scheduled Board meeting is December 4th.

Back to Top

Report on October's Garage Sale - Suzanne Graham

There was another beautiful day for this year's POA neighborhood garage sale. There was some apprehension this year as to how it would go due to the problems with the economy. Would those who usually attend have no money to come? Would there be new people looking to garage sales because of the tight economy? Once again we seemed to offer a service to many: Neighbors were able to share items they no longer needed or wanted, and many customers were able to find items that they needed and/or wanted! Proceeds from this year's sale were over $3,000.00!

If you are interested in chairing next year's sale, please let me or one of the board members know of your interest. It's fun, it's easy, and it's rewarding because it's always a success. And you'll have the greatest group of volunteers ever!

Thanks to everyone who assisted in any way to make this event a success: the donors, the neighbors who sifted through everything and organized it, and those who were there helping during the sale. You make a great team.

The items that we had left were donated to a new ministry called Joseph's Storehouse. It is housed in the First Baptist Church in Granite Shoals. A couple has started a food pantry and clothing store in some space at the church. Sales of the clothing support the food pantry. They recently received a freezer donated by the Capital Area Food Bank, and much of the food is obtained from the Bank. Our donations were going to be sorted into the clothes that they could sell, a desk and printer were going to their small office, and other items were being sold with proceeds being used to obtain additional food. The area they are serving is depressed; they were also one of the areas hardest hit by the June 2007 flood. Roy and Mary Lou Guerrerra deserve a huge thanks for their efforts in trying to help their neighbors and friends. And they are extremely thankful to have received your donations.

Back to Top

Report on bluebonnet project - Suzanne Graham

Bluebonnets Are on Their Way (Cross your fingers!)
During the last week of October, a few of us worked on trying to get the Bluebonnets that once graced our neighborhood to return.

After watering selected areas twice and having Bill Manno help pick up the aerator, Les Fenter, Dick Heilman, and Tom Graham spent three afternoons with the aerator loosening the soil (rock) at both entrances to Oak Ridge as well as at several intersections. The areas were raked, and then Ivy Parizek, Brenda Crews, and Ruth Garrison sowed the seeds and raked them into the top bit of dirt that we loosened. With weekly waterings and Mother Nature smiling on them in January with a little rain, maybe we'll have a Bluebonnet spring in Oak Ridge this year! Thanks to all who helped and are still watering areas near their homes!

Alert for the Master Gardeners! After discussing flowers around the Community Center and the removal of the restroom slab with A.D., I think we'll be able to use the area, once it's uncovered, for a landscaped bed. Realizing that there is a short list of plants that the deer won't devour, let's get some ideas together on how we can beautify the grounds of our center with a little color.

Back to Top

Report on illnesses in the community

Back to Top

Financial Statements: provided by Cheryl Mann, Treasurer

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Balance Sheet
As of September 3, 2008

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Profit & Loss
May 1 - Sept. 3, 2008

Back to Top