A Deed Restricted Community

,
VOL. 14 N O V E M B E R & D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 ISSUE 6

Happy
Thanksgiving
&
River Country Callie and Lollie Boy

Estates...
Merry Christmas, too!
President’s Message by David Bonomo, RCEOA Board President Lucky Foo Foo and Maddie

Hello, Neighbors, Meet Hemi!

Board Director
By the time you get this issue of the News Courier we will have had our annual Eileen Bernard
October General Meeting and Crime Watch Picnic in the Park. Thank you to all and husband Al
who took the time to attend these events. welcomed a new
The RCEOA has had great support from its members with the new dues amount puppy to their
of $100.00 per year. Thank you all who have mailed in or dropped off your pay- home.
ment. River Country has spent a considerable amount of money this past year try-
ing to keep the foreclosed homes mowed and looking somewhat presentable.
Many times we get this money back, but there are times when legislation such as
the Safe Harbor act and federal bankruptcy laws protect banks and delinquent
owners from paying a good share of monies owed to RCEOA.
The pond in the Park is finally low enough that we can
walk around the entire area. When the water recedes
a little more we will clean up our new dock and the
sidewalk. We will be resurfacing the tennis courts
this month as well. River Country's very own Board VP
That's all for now. Enjoy your holidays and please, Marc Carpenter at the Finish Line of
help your neighbors. the Triathlon he completed in
September. Congratulations, Marc!

See our NEW WEBSITE: www.rivercountryestates.net

2 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

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 NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 3

EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Emergency Info/ General Info...................352-754-4083
AT&T Repair Service – Residential ...........877-737-2478
AT&T Repair Service- Business.................866-620-6900
Withlacoochee River Electric ....................352-596-4000
Salvation Army...........................................352-796-1186
American Red Cross...................................352-799-3237
Hernando County Sheriff – Non-emergency.....352-754-6830
Florida – Highway Patrol ......................... 352-754-6767
Hernando County Fire Rescue ..................352-540-4353
Hernando County Animal Services...........352-796-5062
Hernando County Health Department .....352-540-6800
Hernando County Utilities Department....352-754-4037
FEMA Tele registration..............................800-621-3362
Statewide HELPLINE ................................800-227-8678
Referral Line ...............................................................211
Code Enforcement .....................................352-754-4056
Republic Services (Waste Pickup)...........(800) 282-9820
Brighthouse……… ...................……….1-888-289-8988
CUSTOMER CARE ................352- 796-3006
TECH SUPPORT ...................352- 848 2563
24 HOUR PAY BY PHONE......866 441 4378

The News Courier is published at no charge by Design Graphics

River Country Contact Information
River Country HOA ........................................................596-0740
e-mail...............................................rceoa@tampabay.rr.com
Hernando County Sheriff Police ..................................754-6830
(Emergency Only) ...................................................................911
See our NEW WEBSITE: www.rivercountryestates.net
'Like' our Facebook page www.facebook.com/rceoa
An indispensable source of current River Country Information:
Officers, phone numbers. Bylaws, Deed Restrictions, and more.
River Country Estates HOA Officer List
DAVID BONOMO .....................................President
MARC CARPENTER ........................Vice President
DOUG EDWARDS....................................Treasurer
TERI LAWSON.........................................Secretary
ROY SLAYTON ..........................................Director
BARBARA SANTORO ................................Director
EILEEN BERNARD ...................................Director
Advertising Associates, Inc. The views and opinions expressed
are those of the writers. Please include name and phone num-
ber on all correspondence with the editors. CONTACT Eileen
Bernard 596-2631 or Dara in the office 596-0740 to Submit
Articles. Articles may be edited. We welcome letters from resi-
dents—anonymous letters will NOT be printed. Questions con-
cerning the River Country Estates Homeowners Association
may be submitted to the RCEOA office 596-0740.
All advertisements are paid for and handled by Design Graphics
(727) 846-0367 and do not constitute endorsement by the
RCEOA Board. If you are interested in advertising in our newslet-
ter, please contact Design Graphics.

Keeper of the American Flag: LARRY COX

The RCEOA Office is open Mon., Wed. and Fri. afternoons.
We are located in the office building across from the Chaucer Drive
mailbox station at: 5331 Commercial Way, Suite 106.
Office Phone: (352) 596-0740. Please call for directions, if needed.

Interested in Advertising? Please call 727-846-0367

4 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

Dear River Country Estates,

DONATE TO OUR VETERANS I can't thank you enough for the books. I guess Bonnie
told you that we have put out over 600 books at the local
We are continuing the collection of donated items for the vets clinic given FREE to the vets. We also gave over 500
Veterans Committee of the Winding Waters chapter of the to the James A. Haley Hospital to sell - the money goes to
Daughters of the American Revolution. send paralyzed vets to the para olympic games (the gov-
These ladies create “ditty” bags for ernment saw fit to cut funds for that).
Fisher House, a home for fami- We have vets committee meetings about 6 to 7 times
lies of veterans who are being a year and in November and December we visit Haley's
treated at Haley Hospital. The Cove (Nursing home for vets although they don't call it
bags are handmade and filled that- it is for the older vets WWII (a few) Korea and
with the above supplies. The Vietnam.) They are a wonderful group and so grateful for
ladies also make quilted lap the gift bags, quilts and visits. We also visit the oncolo-
robes and hand deliver them to gy unit and distribute 200 gift bags and Fisher House
the veterans, who greatly which has 20 rooms free to vets wives/mothers/loved ones
appreciate them. whose vet is in the hospital. These people used to live in
Items needed: their cars as they couldn't afford a motel room. We are
not talking about Generals who got hurt here - we are
• Hardcover & Paperback books in good condition talking the privates on the frontlines. We collect
• Decks of Playing Cards Kleenex and napkins as again government won't buy
• Puzzle books those and as Paula (head of Fisher House) said "There’s a
whole lotta crying going on here". We will also take 20
• Pens & Notepads knitted afghans to be passed out to each room
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, conditioner Thanksgiving Week and 20 Christmas quilts to be given
& soaps (travel size or full size) out Christmas week and of course the gift bags which
hold toothbrush, toothpaste, book, puzzle book, pen,
• Combs lotion, shampoo, cream rinse, and any other donations
• Chapstick , suntan lotion and golf gloves for the para- that our ladies bring to us. I get the Kleenex and napkins
lyzed veterans at Save N Care as they have a large box of Kleenex for $1
• Tissues and double packages. of napkins for $1.00. The rest are
from donations. We get decks of cards from the Flea
• Small flashlights Market for 50 cents apiece (the one on 19 in Port Richey)
• Cotton fabric to be used for handmade quilts to be given and Dollar General has the puzzle books for $1.00 also.
to the veterans We get lovely lavender soaps from Walgreen’s for 69 cents
Please drop your donated items for this great group at apiece when they go on sale.
We really bit off a lot this year trying to take care of
the RCEOA Office, (5331 Commercial Way, Suite 106, 300 vets plus all the books for the sale, but our ladies and
Spring Hill 34606) and we will be sure to get the items to outside help gave us the impetus to handle it. We make
them. Our office is open MWF afternoons. all the gift bags (and string them) ourselves, as well as the
For more information, please contact Bonnie of the quilts, knitted afghans which the committee purchases
DAR at: broot@tampabay.rr.com. the material and yarn out of our own pockets.
Again we are so grateful that you offered to help in
MANY THANKS TO... any way you can and I am sending some pictures of our
visit. Any questions you might have just let me know.
Eileen Bernard, Mike and Debi Lutman, Jean Hastings, Once we distribute in November and December, we start
Nancy Jones and the Bonomo’s for donating books and all over in January.
supplies to the Veteran’s Committee so far. These dona-
tions were greatly appreciated but more are always need- Patty Garrett
ed. Please see note on right: Chairman - Veterans Committee
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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 5

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6 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

Third, do not rely on the internet, television or your

brother in-law for stock advice. The information you get
from these sources is stale and useless by the time it gets
to you. Fox news, Jim Crammer, MSNBC are not reliable
sources for the average investor. They concentrate on the
performance of individual stocks, not on how to structure
a well performing portfolio. Diversify, diversify, and diver-
sify. Diversification might not provide explosive growth
but in can help limit dramatic downturns.

Fourth, don’t try and time the market, believe me it’s not
for you. Rapid moves into an out of stocks rarely work for
individual investors. By the time you receive stock infor-
mation it could be hours or days old. Invest regularly over
months, years and decades for the best results.

Fifth and probably the best advice is a hands off approach.

Don’t look at your investments every day. Don’t panic over
short term declines. If you sell during a down market you
lock in those losses permanently allowing no chance of
recovery. Work with a investment professional you trust
who is associated with a firm you know. It is worth their
commission for their expertise. Don’t go to dinners or
lunches sponsored by investment professionals. These are
usually high pressure sales pitches similar to time share
investments. Work on a one to one basis with your bro-
ker to develop a investment strategy and portfolio that
works for you. Make sure you understand your invest-
ments completely and you are comfortable with the risk
and long term goals.

HELP, THE STOCK IS CRIME WATCH REPORT

CRASHING! by Doug Edwards, CPA As this goes out we
by Mike Lutman

The stock market has once again become extremely will be getting into
volatile prompted by concern over the slowing of China’s the holiday sea-
economy amongst over concerns. We are truly in a global sons. This means
market. Nothing causes investors to question their eco- residents leaving
nomic strategy like dramatic declines in the stock market. the community so
Don’t let fear determine what to do. Some of the best we all need to be
markets we have seen in recent years have come after vigilant and watch
severe declines in the stock market. No other investment each others house.
alternative produces the type of growth as the U.S. stock If you want your
market does over time. house watched by
crime watch please
But there are several areas you should review to ensue you call me at 200-
have an investment strategy that you can live with. 5262 and I'll get
First and foremost is having a strategy that that works for the information
you. Determine a time period for your investments and out to the Patrol.
your tolerance to risk. Don’t focus on short term returns
but look at your strategy over the long term. Where do This is also the time of year to keep our cars that are
you want to be financially in 10, 20 or 30 years? left outside locked. Also be aware of your surroundings
Second, be comfortable with your investments and the when out shopping and getting in and out of your cars.
associated risk. If you are nervous about market fluctua- Don't leave valuables in plain view in the car; put them in
tions you might not have the right investments or invest- the trunk.
ment strategy. You have to have risk to have growth. If you Have great and safe holidays!! Hope everyone had
are adverse to risk the stock market may not be for you. fun and attended the annual Crime Watch Picnic!!

Interested in Advertising? Please call 727-846-0367


DRAC REPORT 2014-2015:
A Year End Report from the RCEOA
Deed Restriction Advisory Committee
Here is the breakdown of our chronic Deed
Restriction issues:
FORECLOSED HOMES- There are currently 6
confirmed foreclosures that we know about. We
must pay an insured landscaper to mow these
lawns until the court process runs its course and
the bank takes over the maintenance. This
requires a lot of correspondence and reminding
from our Office and costs money. Unfortunately,
many of these properties also owe dues, some in
the several hundred dollar range. New legislation
protects banks from paying all that is owed to us.
And if the former owner files for bankruptcy, their
debts are forgiven under Federal law. Cost to the
association is thousands of dollars per year.
RENTAL PROPERTIES: There are at least a
dozen that we know about. Most continue to be
maintained. Problems occur when Absentee
Owners allow family members to use their house
as "guests." Lawns go unmowed, cars are left on
With Coupon, Expires 12/31/15
352-835-3052
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 7
jacks, boats are stored improperly. Most times
these violations are resolved with a phone call or
letter to the Owner. At least two of these proper-
ties are currently up for sale and we are grateful.
THE MOST COMMON VIOLATIONS ARE:
Vehicles parked on the lawn; Trailers parked in
the driveway when not in use; Overgrown lawns
and neglected landscaping; Nuisance pets;
Commercial vehicles with lettering on the sides
parked in the driveway when not servicing the
residence; and a few unapproved exterior
improvements. We have had to force a few Owners
to remove unapproved paint colors and sheds
from their properties.
Most common excuse: "The boat/trailer/com-
mercial truck belongs to my son/friend/in laws."
This is no excuse. According to our Deed
Restrictions, ALL OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE COMPLIANCE WITH OUR DEED
RESTRICTIONS OF THEIR GUESTS, RESI-
DENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, TENANTS AND
SUBCONTRACTORS.
We have had to ban at least one family from
the Park due to the Owners not paying dues and
their guests abusing wildlife in the Park.
With Coupon, Expires 12/31/15
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8 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

PLEASE SEE OUR

WEBSITE FOR THE
2014-2015
ANNUAL REPORT:
www.rivercountryestates.net

GENERAL MEETING
NEWS
Results of the October 13, 2015
NED TO
General Meeting:
RET UR
!!!
OWNER Board Directors elected:
Roy Slayton
LOST DOG UPDATE Teri Lawson
Many of you saw the lost dog flyer posted on our mail sta- Barbara Santoro
tions back in September for a lost dog named May. After
several sightings, the timid Rotweiller was finally brought The vast majority of Owners present in person and by proxy
home by her owner. A small group of pet lovers organized were in favor of seeing the motion to allow Detached Storage
by River Country owner Rich Vena helped the owner Buildings on the April 2016 ballot. 97-7.
locate her and catch the elusive lost pet.
All owners whose dues are paid will be eligible to vote on this
Thank you, Rich and all who helped May. important issue in April 2016.

We encourage you to chip your dogs and send a photo

with your pet’s name and age to our Office. River Country
loves our pets!
ATTENTION:
RCEOA, 5331 Commercial Way, Suite 106, Spring Hill, FL
34606 HOLIDAY DECORATORS
Email to: rceoa@tampabay.rr.com
Due to several complaints regarding decorations that
have remained up for too long, the Board of Directors has
issued the following policy resolution:

Board Policy #0009-15

The Board advises homeowners and renters that the fol-
lowing deadlines shall be adhered to with regard to the
exhibition of exterior decorations. Only federally recog-
nized holiday decorations are permitted:

Federal Holidays: 2 weeks

EXCEPTION: Christmas Holidays:

TURTLES CROSS OUR Thanksgiving through New Years Day

STREETS DAILY. DRIVE The RCEOA Board of Directors thanks you in advance for
your compliance.

CAREFULLY! DATE OF APPROVAL: September 8, 2015

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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 9

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10 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

Due to Popular Demand, It’s Back!

THE RIVER COUNTRY
COMMUNITY YARD SALE
River Country Estates Owners Association

COMING IN JANUARY 2016

Advertised Times Are 9AM – 2PM
Participate any or all days: Friday, Saturday and/or
Sunday.
No permit required.
Your Yard, Your Signs,
Your Stuff
RCEOA will post a
sign at the entrance
and advertise this
community event to
the public
Please take your signs
down on the last day of your sale.
Thank you.
Interested in Advertising? Please call 727-846-0367
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 11

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12 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015
HERNANDO PERFORMING ARTS
2015-2016 SEASON
Music and dance in the Hernando County Performing Art
Center continues to a great source for an evening of witnessing
and experiencing incredible talent from around the area while
supporting the youth of Hernando County as the proceeds are
dedicated to scholarships to HC seniors who are pursuing their
education in the performing arts.
The lineup we’re announcing is diverse in its appeal from
Simply Streisand and Almost Manilow to Music, Magic and
Comedy and Rock n Roll. The Performing Arts Guild has given
consideration to what is available to our community and have
put together a season of shows that will delight and entertain.
November 14, 2015 – Saturday, 7PM – Simply Streisand
– “Looking and sounding uncannily like the real deal…Carla
Delvillaggio delivers a show that’s probably the next best thing
to seeing Streisand herself “ The New York Post Review. As a
MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING Tribute Artist, Carla has enter-
tained across the country. Recreating the excitement and high
energy vocals of Streisand’s most powerful numbers and at the
same time singing with a beauty and purity of sound essential
for the ballads so closely associated with this greatest of all
singing actresses.
*December 6, 2015 – Sunday, 2PM – Divas by D.A.W.N.
- A tribute to Diana, Aretha, Whitney and Natalie. “Divas by
D.A.W.N. is a stunning 90 minute show staring Carlene Mitchell
as she plays tribute to the four great Divas. Carlene has
received numerous awards at The Reel Awards and Artist Choice
Awards in Las Vegas for her production and performance. As
an entertainer, Carlene strongly believes in performing with,
not just for, her audience. – “Performing is a conversation with
the audience. We all communicate; we all get involved”.
presents
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Book & Lyrics by Howard
Ashman; Music by Alan
Menken.
Meek flower shop assistant
Seymour pines for co-worker
Audrey. During a total eclipse,
he discovers an unusual plant
he names Audrey II, which
feeds only on human flesh
and blood. The growing plant
attracts a great deal of busi-
ness for the previously strug-
gling store. Therefore,
Seymour must come up with
more bodies for the increas-
ingly bloodthirsty plant. This musical has developed a cult fol-
lowing, and there have been two movies made based on it.
Weekends November 12-22, 2015
Thursdays, Fridays, & the first Saturday 7:30 p.m.
The second Sat, is a matinee at 2 p.m., Sundays 2:00 p.m.
• Tickets $20 Adult and $10 Student up to 18 yrs
Interested in Advertising? Please call 727-846-0367
January 16, 2016 – Saturday, 7PM – Julian Bond –
Music, Magic & Comedy. Julian will delight and entertain
the audience with his musical repertoire from classical to jazz,
stand-up comedy and his world of magic. Funny humorous
comical effects. Audience participation.
February 20, 2016 – Saturday, 7PM – Bobby Brooks
Wilson. He is a talented entertainer who received high criti-
cal acclaim for his recreation of the legendary Jackie Wilson – a
stage persona he undertook long before learning that he was the
rightful heir to the legacy. It wasn’t until long after he had
begun performing in his own right that Bobby realized the true
source of his musical legacy – the talent flowed naturally
because he was actually the son of Jackie Wilson. Bobby is now
on the Ballot for The Grammys 2015 for the hit single, “I Can’t
Love You Anymore” that peaked #10 in the AC chart.
March 19, 2016– Saturday, 7PM – Almost Manilow.
The premier tribute to Barry Manilow, Charlie Vee recreates the
Barry Manilow concert experience! Vee performs a montage of
Barry Manilow hits, the audience will hear about Barry’s life, get
interesting trivia and of course sing along with all the hit
songs. Top notch musicianship make every show a special
event! Almost Manilow is always true to the original Barry
Manilow sound.
Reserved Seating. Tickets are $25.00 per person/per perform-
ance. DISCOUNT FOR SEASON TICKET PURCHASE.
For information and reservations call: 352-799-5577 or email:
hpagshows@gmail.com
Performances held at:
Hernando County Performing Arts Center, 790 Howell Avenue –
Brooksville, Florida • www.hpag.org
*Special time and date for the December Performance.
Susan Rupe, Board Member
Hernando Performing Arts Center Guild
Box Office Open: Tue - Wed - Thurs - Sat 10AM-
2PM and one hour before showtime.
8390 Forest Oaks Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34606
352- 683- 5113
HIGH SOCIETY
Book by Arthur Kopit; Music
& Lyrics by Cole Porter;
Additional Lyrics by Susan
Birkenhead
C.K. Dexter Haven is still
hung up on his ex-wife,
socialite Tracy Samantha
Lord, however Tracy is
engaged to another man.. Matters are complicated even
further when a magazine reporter, in town to cover Tracy's
wedding, also winds up falling for the beautiful bride-to-be.
As Tracy tries to decide on the ideal husband, each suitor
works hard to convince her he is the best choice. "True
Love" and "Well Did You Ever," are only two of the great
songs from the show, which is based on The Philadelphia
Story.
Weekends January 14-24, 2016
Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday 7:30 p.m.
The second Sat. is now a matinee at 2 p.m.,
Sundays are at 2 p.m.
$20 Adult and $10 Student up to 18 yrs
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 13

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14 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 15

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