We live in one of the most pristine subdivisions in Charlotte County. There are over 10,000 lots  between Sections 20 and 23 and most of our neighbors have a good relationship. However,  unfortunately, there are a few that do not. As some of you already know there have been several break-ins in both sections. The neighborhood watch committee is doing a wonderful job but they need our help. I would like to encourage you to get to know your neighbor. We need  to be more vigilant and watch out for each other. Also, please remember to keep your car  doors locked and when not home, lock your house doors. This includes all patio doors.

Section 20 would like to begin a new program. If you have a neighbor who is unable to maintain their property, pay them a visit and ask if you could be of help. If you know of a resident  who is unable to maintain their property and you are unable to help them, please let Section  20 know and maybe we can help them. If you would like to be a volunteer for this new program, please stop by the office to sign up. We are now working closely with the Deep Creek Civic Association trying to increase their  membership. They would like to have a meet and greet with our neighbors as well as more  social activities for all of Deep Creek property owners. If you are not a member of the Association and would like to be, please call their office and someone will be more than happy to help  you.

Most conflicts between the POA’s and the residents is not understanding the Deed Restrictions.  If you do not have a copy of the restrictions, please stop by either Section 20 or Section 23 office and pick up a copy.

John Mansur
President Section20

In addition there is a brief trend in vehicle burglaries near Valdiva, Madre de Dios and Campinas St. The police  are asking all residents to be sure to lock all vehicles,  leave garage doors closed, secure your sliders, and  do not leave valuables in your car even when they are locked. They also advise that you keep a list of  the serial numbers of TVs, laptops and other electronics. Please keep watch over your neighborhood  and report any suspicious activities immediately to  the Sheriff’s office at 639-2101.

Then the club enjoyed something we have never done before. We had a Christmas Home Tour. Members opened their homes for us to see their decorations. There were 7 homes to visit and at the 7th. home, there was food and drink and a good time had by all.

Now for some garden news. I was just browsing through my garden journal the other day, I’ve kept one since 2005, and went back to December, 2010. It read something like this ―TOO COLD, TOO SOON Here we go again. Temps dropping. Dec. 25th. 8:30 AM and 51*. Another cold front coming and temps will drop some more soon.‖ I won’t even tell you what I wrote about our 2009 winter.

Today, December 21st., I’m writing this and it has been in the 60’s in the evening and mornings and in the 80’s during the day. Is it me or has our beautiful Florida winter weather returned to us? Good for us if it has.
I have even divided some of my more mature plants that are able to be divided and planted them around to fill in spots in my landscape. This also slows down my visits to nurseries, but not by much. Sometimes just walking through nurseries is fun. I have also noticed how my landscape in general is happy with these cooler nights and warm days, like I’ve mentioned before. But some plants do look like they are ready for their winter nap. Jasmines, Hibiscus, Day lilies, Gardenia, Jatropha and others, will loose their leaves or they will turn yellow. But that’s normal at this time of year. But my palms, both large and small are doing great. I’m thinking those October feedings are working like a charm by keeping plants healthy to withstand a little temperature change.

I know all the Garden Club members are experiencing the same thing I am, sitting back and enjoying our labors of love. Even pulling a weed or two now and then is no problem. But we can sit and enjoy just so much because we have lots to do in 2012. Planning our Spring Plant Sale, arranging field trips like the Naples Botanical Garden, Rege Malone, a horticulturist friend of the clubs that has acres of tropical plants and flowers, and a trip to Epcot and the International Flower Expo. And of course caring for the three entryways to Deep Creek, our pet projects. We always plan a revamping and mulching for them every spring. So if Mother Nature is kind to us this winter, keeping up the entries will be a piece of cake.

Your Deep Creek Garden Club wishes you and your family a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2012!!!!!!!

Happy Gardening, Ilona Newman

PLEASE NOTE: For January only, our meeting has been changed to Jan. 16th.

Our meeting was combined with a wine and cheese “meet and greet” at the Elks on Capricorn.  We had a nice time meeting all the Deep Creek residents who attended.

After our first year as the new Board Treasurer, Sylvia Kelsey, was glad to report a profit in 2011.  DCCA President, Fred Neuman, presented Mable Scott, Membership Acquisition Coordinator, with The Distinquished Service Award.

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Please join us for a “Wine and Cheese Meet and Greet” where you can meet all of our new board members as well as meet your new neighbors who have joined the civic association.

We are anxious to hear any ideas you may have concerning future events. As you know, we consider ourselves to be the “fun” group and we are looking forward to reacquainting ourselves with those that we have known in the past and to get to know those new to Deep Creek.

Mark it on your calendar and we will see you then!

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It’s also a time when we can look at our landscape and lawns and thank Mother Nature for her welcomed afternoon showers that helped them stay healthy and green. Not having to fill our pools so often is also a plus. I think water meters click too, don’t they? The Garden Club is already planning its fall and holiday activities and looking forward to decorating the entry ways again.

One of our scheduled activities is the Charlotte County Museum Society’s 21st Annual Symphony of Trees. It is held at the Charlotte Cultural Center on November 19, 2011. The club will be creating three items for the event. The categories are: a wreath, a centerpiece and a tree. We have formed three committees, one for each item and you can feel the creativity in the air when we meet.

There will be a sale through a bid process and People’s Choice Awards will also be presented. It will be the first time our club has participated and we are very excited. Wish us luck.

But with all that ahead of us, the Garden Club would like to take this time to thank a very special group of residents. To those of you that have taken part in two of the Garden Club’s on-going projects, Landscape of the Month” and “We’re here to help!”, we thank you very much. These two projects have been very successful to the club and we hope they have been helpful to the residents.

Through these projects we have met some wonderful people. Residents of Deep Creek have come to Florida from all over the world. Each and every one of you had wonderful stories to share; stories about your military past, your fascinating hobbies, your careers prior to retirement, your community involvement in your home town, the greatest achievements in your life, even your 15 minutes of fame and so many more.

My personal favorite was realizing that the delightful couple I was talking to was the owners of a luncheonette that I frequented every morning for breakfast some 40 yrs. ago where I vacationed every year with my friends in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. It really is a very small world.

Again, we thank you, thank you for your time, your conversations,
and for the donations you so generously give.
Next Garden Club Meeting is October 10th. 7:00 PM at the POA
Sec. 23 Bldg., 26217 Rampart Blvd

Happy Gardening and get your fertilizer ready. We all have one more feeding to do in the fall.
Happy Gardening,
Ilona Neuman

The DCCA Garden Club has a new cook book out!

Filled with personal recipes from our members, and some very helpful hints on growing herbs in Florida and their uses, also creative ideas such as “Napkin Folding’ and more.

The cost is only $8.00.  All proceeds go to the Garden Club to help keep Deep Creek beautiful.    If you wish to help with this fund raiser, the cookbooks are available at:

• Section 20 and Section 23 POA offices
• Genesis Hair Salon at Rio De Janeiro and Rampart
• Rosey’s Hair Salon on Sandhill Blvd
• Compass Rose Pottery & Gifts on Rte 41 North
• Garden Club Members by calling 941-625-2163 or 941-625-6733