Hi Neighbors,

First and foremost, the ANNUAL MEETING of theHomeowners Association will be Monday,February 25, at 6 p.m. at the SummerbrookeClubhouse. If you do not plan to attend, pleaseconsider giving your proxy statement to aneighbor who is planning to attend, or send it tothe Board and allow us to vote for you. The onlyway an election of new board members can occuris if a quorum is established (20% of homeownersmust be present or represented by proxy). If aquorum is not established, the current boardmembers will continue to serve for another year.

The Board met on Monday, January 14, at theSummerbrooke Clubhouse. Mark Ervin, SharonElsberry, Chris Keena, and I were present. RobertMiller was unable to attend (he was in thehospital!). Marie Eddy submitted her resignationas Association Manager by email on January 2,effective February 2. The email did not provideany explanation for her departure and she did notattend the Board meeting so no furtherinformation was available. With that news, theprimary focus of the Board meeting was to ensurethat we receive all the information necessary tocontinue our operations in the interim while wesearch for a new Association Manager. If youhappen to know of an association managementcompany, feel free to let them know that we areaccepting bids for services.

The financial statement was approved along withthe minutes from our last meeting. Reports fromthe committees were as follows: ACC: There was

a complaint regarding an RV parked in thedriveway; we had previous notice from the ownerthat it was only there temporarily to load up for atrip. Landscaping: The landscaping project at theOx Bottom Manor Drive entrance has beencompleted. All of the liriope used in the beds wastransplanted from other areas; it was onlynecessary to purchase 4 trees, 3 camelliabushes, and the row of bushes planted to screenthe back yard of the first residence on the right. Itwas noted that several homeowners haverequested that we consider enhancements to theother entrances also. The committee will look intothese areas. Also, the City has agreed to providetrees for free for the Meadow Ridge holding pondarea. While they normally only provide thisservice to homeowners, they have agreed toinstall trees due to our commitment to providetemporary irrigation to ensure their survival. Onenote regarding the holiday decorations: thedecorations at the main entrance were put up bySharon Elsberry as a volunteer. While we havelights and decorations that could be placed at theother entrances, we need volunteers to make thishappen. We will try to organize and advertiseearlier next season and maybe we will be able todecorate the other entrances also. Social:Information was provided by Summerbrookeclubhouse for a potential adult social/happy hourto be held this spring for Ox Bottom residents.This is currently in the discussion phase.Communications: Derek Swartzman hasvolunteered to be editor for our e-newsletter and Iam happy to have the help! Thank you. Wewelcome submissions from homeowners, orsuggestions for information to include in

Inside This Issue:

The Ox TaleTake a minute or two…

Volume XXIV, No. 1 January, 2013

Take a minute or two 1

Sharon's Got the Dirt on Pruning 2

Cottonmouth Snakes 3

Curmudgeon's Corner 4

Security Patrol Report 4

Mailbox Info 4

OBM Marketplace 5

Continued On Page 2…

The next Annual Meeting willbe on Monday, February 25th

at 6 p.m. at theSummerbrooke Clubhouse

Volume XXIV, No. 1 Page 2

upcoming editions. Also, remember that we have set up a classifiedsection for you to advertise your services to your neighbors. Security:Since Robert was out, we did not receive a report, however, it wasnoted that the TPD officer has proposed several upcoming dates for thesecurity patrols. The owners of the small dog that was the victim of anunprovoked attack by another dog attended the meeting to inform theBoard of the circumstances of the attack. Animal control has beenalerted and is investigating. The attack occurred on Thornberg Drive inthe vicinity of Meadow Ridge and Cotillion Circle. Please use cautionand be aware of the potential danger when walking in this area. Thedog was a large, white pitbull/mix breed, approximately 50-75 lbs.

The remainder of the meeting involved plans for the associationmanagement transition: the need to develop a statement of work andlist of regular duties, keys to the post office box, keys to the storageunit, neighborhood mailing list to be transferred to Chris Keena until we

have a new manager in place, filing of our tax return and the AnnualReport with the Secretary of State.

Until further notice, you may send emails tooxbottommanor@gmail.com. Sharon Elsberry has volunteered to takephone calls from residents until we are able to hire a new AssociationManager. You may call and/or leave a message at 894-0506.

Once again, please mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting onFebruary 25th.

Thank you!

Cathy Kurtz

Continued…

Is there a general rule of thumb for when to prune floweringshrubs?To answer the question of when to prune flowering shrubs, we must first

determine the reason behind the pruning. Do you wish to rejuvenate

overgrown, neglected bushes through pruning? Or is this to be merely a

routine pruning to maintain the flowering shrubs within certain

dimensions?

Answer: We sometimes wish to prune flowering shrubs in order to

shape them or keep them within certain bounds. But we worry that we'll

miss out on this year's blossoms if we prune at the incorrect time. Here's

the general rule of thumb to know when to prune a particular plant.

If you are undertaking a routine pruning, observe the shrubs' blooming

habits. For shrubs that bloom in summer or fall on the current year's

growth, such as beautyberry (picture), prune in late winter or early

spring. For shrubs that bloom in spring on last year's growth (forsythia),

prune after their blooms begin to die. Forsythia are early bloomers and

sport the vibrant yellow flowers that

have become a fixture of our spring

dreams. Their flowers precede their

leaves.

Forsythia plants grow best in full

sun and a well-drained soil.

If you are pruning flowering shrubs

to rejuvenate them, the best time to

prune is late winter or early spring.

True, pruning early-flowering shrubs at this time will reduce or eliminate

blossoming in spring that year, but the trade-off is in gaining healthier,

more vigorous flowering shrubs for the long run.

Trimming evergreen bushes is a different matter. In general, prune

needle-bearing evergreen shrubs in early spring, toward the end of

dormancy and prior to emergence of new growth. Pruning evergreen

shrubs at this time allows plenty of

time for new growth to emerge, as

well as plenty of time for these new

shoots to harden off before the

following winter. But you'll often

wish to treat broadleaf evergreen

shrubs (and some needle-bearing

varieties) differently.…

Answer: While, technically speaking, you may treat broadleaf

evergreen shrubs in the manner described above, there are often

reasons not to treat them as you would needle-bearing evergreen

shrubs. For instance, if they are flowering shrubs, you'll want to wait until

after the flowering period to prune. Otherwise, you'll miss that year's

blooms.

Moreover, for evergreen shrubs (whether broadleaf or needle-bearing)

that comprise hedges, you may want to prune after their new growth has

emerged in spring. It is, after all, mainly the new growth that affords

opportunity for shaping (assuming, of course, that you've been

maintaining the hedge all along). Among needle-bearing evergreen

shrubs, hemlock is a popular choice for hedges, because it's amenable

to pruning.

Happy Pruning,Sharon Elsberry

Sharon’s got the dirt on… Pruning

Photo of beautyberry

bush with berries in fall.

Nothing lights up the spring

landscape like forsythia.

We have received information from a resident on Whittondale Drive regarding Cottonmouthsnakes. Please read on:

The three pictures included are of a cottonmouth snake we found in our front yard inDecember, literally about 4 feet from our front door, right along our front stoop, on WhittondaleDrive. I want to alert you to this because this is the second cottonmouth we have had in ouryard in 6 months. There is a dried up pond behind some of the homes on Whittondale Drive.The trapper (who removed and destroyed this snake) says that, because the pond is dried up,

these snakes are moving out in search of morewater and food. The trapper's name is Ward Waff,850-519-7417. He truly looks and acts likeCrocodile Dundee. We highly recommend him ifanyone else has snake issues. He recommends thatanyone with fallen logs or thickets of fallen branchesin or near their yard or on the edge of the preservepays the money it costs to get the debris removedsince this is where frogs and other food sources arelocated that are attractive to these cottonmouths.Anyone needing log removal can call Mr. Stump

(Mike Nissley) as well at 850-509-8530. I met both these guys this summer after finding thefirst cottonmouth in our side yard along a fallen log and I highly recommend their services. Ifyou would like other referrals, you can call Florida Fish and Wildlife.

There are dogs and small children that live along the preserve. The shock with this last snakeis that he was located so close to our front door, warming himself on leaves, and he blended inamazingly. Had my dog not run near him, which made the snake mad so he showed his whitemouth, I may not have seen him, and who knows where he could have ended up. Plus, thiswas not in our back or side yard...but our front yard! The trapper's concern is that thesesnakes travel under the leaves and only stick their head up so as to remain disguised. It isimpossible to see them when they are under (or even on top of) the leaves since they blend inso well. The trapper said if you don't see the snake and then step on it, it will absolutely bite.He also said cottonmouths are very aggressive, particularly when they molt, and they areknown to chase people and dogs. This time of year they are usually dormant but because ourweather has been so mild, they are still out and about. I have now been within just a few feetof two of these poisonous snakes in just about 6 months. If two have made their way into ouryard, there are probably more in the preserve and I feel people living around it need to beaware of this. And, they need to keep small children and pets away from the preserve. Youshould also have tree leaves and fallen debris removed so you can see the ground you arewalking on and to reduce food sources. These are very poisonous snakes and a bite willcertainly cause tissue loss and can cause death, particularly in animals and children.

The shock with thislast snake is thathe was located soclose to our frontdoor, warminghimself on leaves,and he blended inamazingly.

Volume XXIV, No. 1 Page 3

Cottonmouth Snakes in the Neighborhood

““

Volume XXIV, No. 1 Page 4

Curmudgeon’s Corner

Dear Mr. Curmudgeon,

Are there any requirements for yard maintenance?

Yes, the requirements for lawn maintenance are listed below:

� Lawns must be maintained and cut on a regular basis.

� Beds must be weeded and mulched as needed.

� Bushes must be kept trimmed and not overgrown.

� Fallen trees, limbs, bushes and debris must be removed from yard.

� Driveways and sidewalks must be edged.

� Trash must be placed in provided garbage bins or in designated bulk pick-up areas.

� Easements must be maintained (e.g. if your lot has a ditch, you are required to maintain that area).

Security Patrol Report§ by Officer Richard A. Jenkins – December 21, 22

Friday, December 21, 2012, 3:30 – 6:30 pm:

While driving through the neighborhood, I made contact withthe homeowner at Milestone and Quail Ridge, in reference toher decoration display in the yard had been tampered with.She said someone had toppled her displays, and she had topick them up. I informed her that I would be in theneighborhood until 6:30 pm, and I would keep an eye out forany problems. She was appreciative of my efforts. I thendrove around the neighborhood doing crime prevention efforts.

Saturday, December 22, 2012, 3:30 – 6:30 pm:

While patrolling the neighborhood, I was stopped and informedby the day shift officer working that area that a mailbox onThornburg Drive had a non-explosive (chemical) bottle bombplaced in it. The bottle exploded, causing damage to themailbox. The officer stated she thinks this was a targeteddamage, in which the residents were targeted. There were noinjuries as a result of this action, but the mailbox was damaged.I then drove around the neighborhood doing crime preventionefforts.

First Impression Home Improvements, LLC, is the new Tallahassee area dealer for Imperial Mailboxes. After many years of excellentservice, Jerry Sanders of Classic Accents has retired from the mailbox business.

The Imperial 211K is the standard mailbox for the Ox Bottom Manor community. Our first shipment of mailboxes should be arriving nextweek, and we will strive to keep a couple of the 211K units as well as most parts in stock. There will be no changes at this time in thepricing that you have listed on your website. My contact information is listed below.

We look forward to serving the mailbox needs of your community!

Thanks,Frank Richardson

Phone: 850-491-8475Email: firstimpressionhi@gmail.com

Update: New Mailbox Distributor

THE FINE PRINT: Ads should be no more than 100 characters and spaces. Ads will run only for one issue and mustbe resubmitted for each subsequent issue. The Ox Bottom Manor Community Association and Board do not endorseany submissions and residents should be aware that they publish at their own risk. Parents should submit entries forservices offered by their children (e.g. babysitting, dog walking). We reserve the right not to publish any submissionthat does not meet our criteria, publishing deadline, or space constraints. Send submissions to the Association officeat office@myhomeowners.net or ckurtz.for.oxbottom@gmail.com.

Vision

Volume XXIV, No. 1 January, 2013Volume XXIV, No. 1 Page 5

OBM Marketplaceyour neighborhood classifieds

Volunteer with Bob Miller. Civil AirPatrol. USAF/AUX Search &Rescue. Age 12+.

www.GOCIVILAIRPATROL.COM

We envision a community of neighbors

working together in private, voluntary

association to achieve a higher quality of life

and increasing property values. We envision

a neighborhood that is considered by

residents and non-residents alike to be a

desirable place in which to live and enjoy the

benefits of family, friends and community.

MissionOur mission is to enhance the quality of life in

our neighborhood through management and

enhancement of common areas,

enforcement of covenants and rules, support

of initiatives that strengthen bonds among

residents, and investment in capital

improvements that bene-fit the greater good

ValuesIn fulfilling our mission and achieving our

vision, we value honesty, fairness, firmness,

equity, common sense, participation, respect,

cooperation, and neighborliness in all our

actions.

Post Office Box 15456Tallahassee, FL 32317

Phone: 850-841-4681Fax: 850-894-0799

Email: oxbottommanor@gmail.com

Web: oxbottommanor.com

Services offered by our neighbors, for our neighbors

Taco Tuesday – every Tuesday

Wing Night – every Thursday

Pot of Gold Dinner on the following Fridays: January 25,

February 8, February 22

Super Bowl Scramble and Party – February 3, 1 pm

Valentine Brunch and Valentine Shamble 4– February 10

Movie Night – February 15

Couples Golf – February 16 and February 23, 4 pm

*All events, other than golf, are the same price for members and residents

(this includes Ox Bottom Manor residents). Golf prices for Ox Bottom

Manor residents are the same as public use prices.

FYI: Pot of Gold Dinner features a special menu item and a $50 drawing

for one lucky patron.

Upcoming Events at the Summerbrooke Clubhouse