Btw…during the month of MAY
We celebrated two beautiful flowers: the pink Lily on Oaks Race Day and the red Rose on Kentucky Derby 149.
The Derby always brings about a different surprise every year. This year we were all surprised when hours before the big day began the favorite, Forte, scratched which had everybody going back to the drawing board to choose their new winning ticket. But, once again a little horse came out of nowhere named Mage (#8) and shocked everyone. He paid $32.42 on a $2.00 ticket. That’s a long shot!
Since I work at Keeneland and was there on Derby Day, it was sad to see all the faces when that race ended. You could tell most of them had not put any money on #8 because they were overcome with complete shock…again. Almost the same as last year.
But once the weekend was over, we all admitted to having a great time and already looking forward to next year.
Now…guess what has been going on at The Oaks?
Primary Election Day
The Clubhouse was set up for another election day with their handicap ramps in place for those in wheelchairs and on walkers to have the ability to VOTE on May 16th.
Pool OPENED on Friday, May 5th
The pool opened without incident and has already started filling up on sunny days. Even geese in the area made their presence known by swimming in our pool the first 3 or 4 days but since then have moved on to other watering holes.
So, put on that bathing suit, grab a towel, and come join us for an ample supply of Vitamin D and a chance to meet some of your neighbors.
Assurance Realty & Property Management
Ann reported the completion of tree trimming by TreePro but she will continue to monitor in case any were missed or are still in need of a trim.
Mosquito spray has now occurred twice on the property.
Ann is currently working on estimates for repairing some of the damaged wood and exterior painting. She is waiting on the response from the insurance adjustor regarding the roofs that were damaged by the windstorm back on March 3rd. Once she finds out what, if anything, they are willing to cover then she will move forward with what can be repaired or fixed next.
The maintenance man that is assigned to The Oaks has been very busy picking up sticks, removing dead bushes and repairing work orders pertaining to lighting.
Ann is still holding on to several capital expenditure repairs for wood replacement and exterior painting. These are above the scope of what the 20 hour per week maintenance man can repair.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
From those that attended the Oaks Race Day party all proclaimed it a big success with lots of good food, plenty of the Lily drink, Mint Julips upon request with Bourbon not provided, names drawn every 30 minutes for door prizes and, of course, pulling numbers for win, place and show horses. New friends were made and obtained new members for the Social Committee that were eager to join forces. All in all, it was a Win-Win all the way around. No pun intended.
NEXT EVENT – The Social Committee will be having their first planning meeting June 8th to discuss the 4th of July event. They still have not selected a date, time, door charge or what they will be serving. I’ll have to get back to you with more information in the Btw…for June.
FYI…if you are looking for a fun group, come join the Social Committee. You can contact either Sue Weiser at (859 )816-2293 or me (859) 619-1146 to get your name added to the text message listing for future events. We would love to have you and welcome any new ideas you may wish to share.
Monthly Fee for Trash Pickup
After the previous newsletter article about not being billed for our garbage pickup, one of our NEW owners realized that she wasn’t getting a bill either. She called LFUCG and discovered that she owed over $80.00 like I did. Therefore, I thought I ought to put this information in the newsletter once again.
In the February newsletter I informed you that if you are NOT receiving a monthly bill for $4.50 for emptying trash containers, please call LFUCG and find out why.
FUN FACTS – To jot down or put on your calendar
Calling all book lovers
The Oaks Book Club just finished reading “The Last Bookstore in London” by Madeline Martin. It was an easy read but educational at the same time. We learned a lot about England’s struggle with Hitler and what the people had to endure day after day with the bombings, food rationings but most of all having to send their children away. The characters were so very different in that there were some you could relate to and some you just admired for their courage.
Their next book selection is “The Orphan Collector” by Ellen Marie Wiseman. They will discuss this book at their June 19th meeting held in the Clubhouse at 1:00 p.m. If you would like to join in the discussion or simply attend the meeting to see if you would like to start attending, just show up. No invitation is required!
Now to the REALLY important FUN FACTS…LOL
Kentucky Baseball update…KY concludes BEST regular season since 2017 at 36-17 overall and 16-14 SEC.
UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his 7th season with a 212-146 career record. If you were able to attend a home game this season you would more than likely have seen a winning game since they’re at home record is 25-6. Since they have been playing in the Kentucky Proud Park, they have an all-time record of 97-48. That’s certainly worth the price of a ticket!
On Tuesday, 5/23/23, they will be playing in the SEC tournament being held in Hoover, Alabama. Good luck to Coach Mingione and the Kentucky baseball team. GO CATS!!!
UK Basketball has a NEW Assistant Coach
Coach Cal reached out to the NBA to find his new assistant coach. Longtime NBA assistant coach, John Welch will join the men’s basketball staff in 2023-24. Welch has served as an assistant coach in the NBA for nearly 20 years and spent almost 10 years on a collegiate staff prior to moving to the professional ranks. You can read all about his career on the UK Athletics website.
One and Done Players
If you follow the UK basketball players and get frustrated every year like I do when players play one year and leave, I thought I would pass along this little bit of information.
Did you know that “KY leads the nation with total players appearing in the 2023 NBA Playoffs and the most NBA All-Stars of any collegiate program in the country for the 2022-23 season. Since 2015, KY has had eight players earn 14 All-NBA honors.” WOW!
Once again Kentucky is being recognized as leading the pack. Only this time it’s in the NBA which should be an excellent recruiting tool in Coach Cal’s toolbox. Now that he has an NBA coach to go along with this information, he should have everything he needs to recruit the best players and have the #1 recruiting class year after year.
The question in my mind is – NOW can he win us another NCAA championship? I really liked leading the pack in that category the best.
If there are any other sports at UK you would like me to highlight just let me know. I’m happy to research them too.
Just a few reminders…
Don’t forget that you can pay your monthly HOA fees on our website www.TheOaks395.com
You can still drop off your check at the office M-F between 8-12 or put it in the box outside the Clubhouse doors too.
- The monthly Board meeting held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month is now being provided on a ZOOM platform. Ann Wesley sends out an email several days prior to the meeting giving the link you need to use with steps to follow for you to attend the meeting from anywhere.
IF you have not been receiving this email, check your spam folder and, if it’s not there, please call the office to make sure your correct email address is on file.
The office phone number is back to its original number – 859-272-2113. You can reach Chrystal in the office Monday-Friday between 8:00-12:00 p.m.
If you are still having issues with the Visitor access at the front gate, be sure and contact Chrystal in the office to get this corrected.
Doggy cleanup – This is just another reminder for everyone to help in keeping the grounds free and clear of what our dog(s) are leaving behind. It will keep the landscaping and the mulch looking pretty and getting rid of the odor it leaves behind too. Please, please, please don’t forget to clean up their little messes they make.
First Summer Holiday
Memorial Day is Monday, May 29th. I recently heard it mentioned that we should put “Memory” back in Memorial just as some are trying to put Christ back into Christmas. That stuck with me as something I wanted to share with my neighbors. I’m told that at 3:00 p.m. on the 29th there will be 60 seconds of silence across the country to pay homage to those we wish to remember.
I’m sure, for the most part, each of us have someone to share a memory about on this holiday. For me, my dad served in the US Army and fought in Korea. My mother was a member of the DAR and worked very hard to contribute and provide wherever she could.
This Memorial Day don’t be shy about sharing your “Memory” with a neighbor. Who knows, they may have one to share with you!
I would like to end my letter this month with what I thought was a perfect description of the one special event that ONLY Kentuckians know the meaning of, so here goes.
My sister-in-law who is originally from England but received her American citizenship this past year, posted this on Facebook for all of her non-Kentuckiana friends who didn’t understand why all the fuss about this KY Derby?
“The Kentucky Derby is the most exciting 2 minutes of sports preceded by 2 weeks of food, festivals and fun. It’s the Super Bowl of horse racing. Add a dash of Milan fashion week and Bachelor Night in Vegas. Stir in a pinch of Red Carpet and a teaspoon of Food Network. Blend well with Bourbon and garnish with a sprig of mint.
When you’re local, you don’t go to Churchill Downs on Derby Day. You have parties at home with all the best foods and bet on horses by drawing names from a cup. The Friday before (Oaks Race Day) and Saturday (Derby Day) aren’t just races. They’re holidays in Kentucky.
And when they play My Old Kentucky Home and Run for the Roses just before the big Kentucky Derby race, you get just a little choked up watching the new foal run in the field with his mother.”
What a perfect description through the eyes of a Britain/American who has always found joy in working in the thoroughbred indust
I share this with you because I was on the phone just the other day with a T-mobile representative who lives in Michigan. I mentioned the Ky. Derby and he asked me “what is that?” I couldn’t believe it.
He thought it had something to do with car racing???? LOL!
Have a wonderful Holiday weekend everybody!
Your friend and neighbor,
Cheri Buchignani
HOA Board Secretary