March 2023 BTW Newsletter

Mar 30, 2023

Btw…during the month of March

 The Oaks Board has been hard at work during the month of March due to some bad windstorms in February knocking out the electricity in a large part of our community and still following up on the ice storm damage that occurred back in January. 

  • At the March Board meeting, Earl Watts gave a stellar report on all of the positioning of our CD’s and the latest move from the money market account with keeping it at Central Bank at 4.99% instead of moving to Traditional Bank. They are no longer offering the 5% interest rate on their CDs as previously reported.  Also, he made a correction to the Balance Sheet, the money we had at Citizens Union, has been moved to Community Trust.                                      
  • Ann Wesley, our Property Manager, reported on the activation of the Reach Alert and that she had sent out a mass email (the February newsletter was included) to everyone who provided their email address on the information sheet sent when she first came on board. She also addressed the reduction in delinquent HOA fees from $29K in January to $18K in February.  She reported that the roof on E8 is complete with E7 starting on Monday (weather permitting). Due to the recent windstorm, several shingles were blown off some buildings, those roofs have been tarped and will be assessed for damage.  We have a contract to repair 29 potholes which should start next week, and the landscaper’s contract has been signed and work began on the property today. 
  • I know I have had this information in the January and February newsletters, but I think it’s important for you to hear it a third time. If you have a personal issue to bring to the Board’s attention, you can schedule an appointment to speak to the Board at its monthly Work Session by calling the President, Kris McDougall at (859) 272-9766.  You will be given 15 minutes to make a presentation, the Board will discuss your issue, and if necessary, a Board member will be assigned to gather additional information.  When a decision is made you will be notified personally and, if the Board determines your issue would be of interest to others, it will be presented at the monthly Board meeting.                                                                                                                                                             
  •  These are some of the things your Board has been involved with and has successfully accomplished during the month of March. Watch for the next Btw…for April updates around the first week of April.  You can find it listed on The Oaks website TheOaks395.com under NEWS, also it is sent in a mass email to those that have sent their correct email address to Ann Wesley at Assurance Realty, or you can pick up a paper copy on the table outside the office door in the Clubhouse.  There is a folder for each month listed for both Board minutes and Btw… newsletters.

 FUN FACTS…TO JOT DOWN OR PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR!

  • Well, UK Men’s and Women’s basketball seasons have come to an end. For those of you that submitted a bracket for the men’s side, this year’s tournament was really hard to predict with so many #1 seeds falling fast.  It was truly crazy and frustrating at the same time.  I don’t know about you but as much as I love my CATS, this year’s men’s team was so up and down, I’m kind of glad it’s over.                                                                                                                                
  •  Now let’s turn to #23 UK Baseball with a record of 19-2 as of today 3/24. They certainly have a winning record going for them right now so look up their schedule and try to catch a game or two this season.  I can tell you first hand there is nothing like a day at the ballpark and our very own Board member, Darren Headrick, calls their games.  If you are not able to attend just tune your radio to WLAP 630 AM or WNKR/106.7 FM.                                                                                                           
  • The Oaks Book Club – If you will remember from the February newsletter, I shared with you the book being read for the April meeting is called “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. It is a long book to read but you still have time to fit it in your reading schedule before the April 17th meeting in the Clubhouse at 1:30. Also, there are books you can borrow from The Oaks library located in the Clubhouse, book donations are always accepted.  When returning or donating books, please put them in the Book Return gold bucket next to the library shelves.
  • Now this is one of those dates you need to put on your calendar, May 5th, 3:00 p.m. That is the date and time for our annual Oaks Race Day Party in the Clubhouse hosted by the Social Committee.  Please sign up on the sheets posted on the door of the Clubhouse if you plan on attending for food preparation purposes.  It will be put on the outside of the door the 1st of April so you can sign up anytime.                                                                               
  •  Since this is a day of betting, the Social Committee is betting on you having fun taking a chance on the 50/50 tickets, tickets for the door prize baskets, 1 valued at $100.00 and 1 donation valued at $50.00, $5.00 pick a horse out of the hat for Win/Place/Show for The Oaks race, good race track food, Mint Julip Bar (bring your own bourbon), The Oaks specialty drink known as the “Lily” and joining old friends and making new ones.  Oh, Btw…the pool will be opening that day as well so, weather permitting, wear your swim attire and take a dip but, remember, no wet swimming attire in the Clubhouse, please.                                  
  •  A couple of other things to pass along from the Social Committee. They are considering adding a couple of new events to their calendar for you to enjoy this year, one being Bingo and the other possibly being Karaoke.  But, before they take the big plunge, they are asking for your input.  If you are in the office or in the vicinity of the office during the hours of operation, please stop by and fill out one of the slips where you can select one or both of the events in which you want to participate.  You do not have to give your name or unit number, just simply let us know of your interest in one or both.                                                      
  • Also, there are some ladies that are looking for card enthusiasts that would love to play the card game, ROOK.  If you would be interested in playing periodically there is a sign-up sheet int he Clubhouse on the table outside the office.                                                                                                                                            
  •  Watch for a monthly calendar that the Social Committee will be formulating covering all upcoming events. It will be posted on the website and in the Clubhouse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  •  I have been asked to remind everyone this month that all recyclable items need to be placed in the Big Blue Recycling Bins. Recycling does not accept plastic bags, if you need to take your recycling in a plastic bag, please empty the bag and take the bag with you.  You can dispose of the plastic bag in the green Herbies in the Eaton Trash Closets.                                                                                                                                                                                          
  •  Did you know that cleaning up after your pet is the law? All pet waste on public or unowned-private land must be sanitarily and properly disposed of in an appropriate trash receptacle. The “Pooper Scooper” ordinance is enforced by the Lexington Police Department. Let’s keep our “private land” sanitary and clean by picking up after our own pets.  If this problem continues, the Board is considering penalties to dog owners who do not comply with the rules.                 
  • Also, did you know Fayette County has a Leash Law? When outside, all dogs in Fayette County must be on a leash, behind a fence or on the dog owner’s property under the dog owner’s supervision. Dogs cannot run-at-large, even under voice command, and they must wear their current license and rabies tags at all times. Good to know, so please be sure your little darling or best buddy is always on a leash when taking those walks with you around The Oaks property.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

          Well, it feels like spring is in the air with Keeneland opening on April 7th.  So, don’t forget to catch a race or two and enjoy that wonderful Keeneland hospitality..

         Don’t forget you can find a copy of this newsletter on the website www.TheOaks395.com under NEWS, or in your email sent by Ann Wesley or pick up a paper copy in the Clubhouse on the table ouside the office in a folder marked Btw.

                    

 Cheri Buchignani                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Secretary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Oaks Board of Directors