113015 lake forester

Residential Customer Daphne, AL 36526

*****************ECRWSS****

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 1

December 2015

Volume 25, No. 12 NEIGHBORHOOD

tidbits

Golf - Saturday “Dog Fight” Saturday, December 5th

YC - Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 12th • 10am

Golf - LGA Scramble & Christmas Luncheon

Wednesday, December 16th

Stables - Barn Day Camp

Monday, December 21st • 9am-2pm

Christmas Eve!

Yacht Club Closed

Christmas Day!

All Facilities Closed 2015 Daphne Garbage & Recycling Holiday Schedule Holiday

Scheduled Day

Alternate Day

Day before Christmas

Thurs., Dec. 24

Wed., Dec. 23

Christmas

Fri., Dec 25

Wed., Dec. 23

New Year’s Day

Fri., Jan. 1

Wed., Dec. 30

There are no make-up days for trash/yard debris.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac December 2015 Temperature 49° (1° above avg.)

Precipitation 5” (avg.)

Dec 1-3: Sunny, mild Dec 4-9: Rainy periods, cool Dec 10-15: Rainy periods north, sunny south; turning mild Dec 16-21: Rain, then sunny, cold Dec 22-24: Snow north, rain south Dec 5-31: Rain, then sunny, cold PRESRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 5 Foley, ALA 36535

President’s Comments, Page 1

Presidents Comments king

Loo Up

Submitted by: Steve Sasser President

2015 has almost come and gone. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and have taken an opportunity to rest and enjoy your families. There are plenty of you whose jobs require you to work your hardest during the holidays. We are thankful for you and what you do. We’re also very thankful for our servicemen and women and the families that sacrifice their time away. Let us all take every chance we get to enjoy and love our families and one another. This is the time that we work so hard for.

Speaking of work, your Board of Directors has been hard at it trying to improve our amenities and setting a course for our Association that will lead us to be a better community with higher property values. Some key pieces have come together this year that will allow us to do just that. I’ve been on this Board for about three years, and these things have been in motion for that long and then some. In that time, there has been countless hours of discussion, deliberation, litigation, argumentation, concession, and cooperation. So, here we are.

First and foremost, the covenants of Lake Forest will not start expiring in 2021. They are now extended in perpetuity.

Secondly, an 85% vote of the property is no longer needed to amend the covenants. Now, a 75% vote of members voting is required to amend the

covenants. I cannot find the words to express how important these two monumental actions are to the success and longevity of our neighborhood. With an average annual turnout of under 15% of our members voting over the history of this Association, there has been no viable way to amend or update the covenants that are over 40 years old. With the original covenants written to begin expiring in 2021, the only restrictions would have been City of Daphne ordinance. Our property values would have begun to be threatened as a result. For all of us who love living here and

Steve Sasser want to protect our investment, this change is the greatest of news.

These two amendments to our covenants were made possible via a lawsuit with our developer, Friday Construction, successor to Purcell, successor to Lake Forest Inc., successor to our original developer, Diamondhead, who wrote our covenants in the early 1970’s. This is important to know: Due to the number of undeveloped acreage in Lake Forest, the developer has always maintained a supermajority of the votes, being able to cast one vote per lot just as you and I do. The developer owned hundreds of acres in all. There are a couple of completely

Inside Lake Forester

General Managers Report, Page 3

Lake Forest Women’s Club, Page 7

undeveloped units in Lake Forest that Friday Construction wanted to remove from Lake Forest, along with hundreds of undeveloped lots spread throughout the neighborhood.

The “to be developed” lots would not be associated with Lake Forest, ultimately not having to pay transfer fees or pay dues.

Friday Construction attempted to amend the covenants to these units (the covenants written

by Diamondhead in the 70’s that you and I are bound to) to remove all of these lots from Lake Forest. We sued Friday Construction for doing this.

We reached a settlement. This settlement has been signed and approved by the State court. We allowed Friday Construction to remove the undeveloped units under the condition that Friday Construction amend our covenants on two points: (1) our covenants do not expire - they run on to perpetuity and (2) any future amendments will be by the people, not the developer. In effect, the members will have control over the neighborhood, not an out-ofstate corporation. In the future, 75% of members voting will be required to amend the covenants.

The developer will no longer be able to amend the covenants as in the past. For the first time in Lake Forest’s history, the voting membership now has control of the community and a viable means to amend our covenants in the future if necessary. We now no longer have a developer with a supermajority of votes.

That in and of itself is huge, but that’s not all. The first Board meeting I attended as I was considering filling one of three vacant seats on the Board, there was a gentlemen standing out in

The Fishing Hole, Page 6

See Looking Up, Page 3

Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Claus Page 11

2 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 3

Looking Up from Page 1 front of the 19th Hole serving papers to the then current Board members. A disgruntled former board member was making claims for various and sundry things that threatened the well-being of the community. The claims did not seem to be any merit to me, but it was ugly. I’ve asked myself why I went back for another meeting a nd , f u r t he r mo re, why I accepted an appointment for an empty seat. I reassure myself by remembering that this is my home. I have lived here in Lake Forest since my family moved here in 1979. My wife and I are raising our two children here. I have watched our amenities decline and disappear over the years. I vowed to be a part of the solution.

I’m going to do my part to take this Association in the direction it needs to go and I’m not going

to sit back and whine about the crippled state that previous boards and management have put our neighborhood in. I’m going to be a part of restoring something ugly to something beautiful. I am going to protect my investment and your investment.

This is my commitment to my family and to yours.

I will spare you the details of the lawsuit. It’s a matter of public record.

Look it up if you’re so inclined. The key points are that the Board of Directors were sued (among other things) for amending the bylaws without a vote of the membership, and raising the dues without a vote of the membership.

This lawsuit cost our membership well over $75,000.

Not only that, it cost us nearly three years of making important changes that our Association has desperately needed.

When the ruling came

out it was completely in our favor. That ruling was appealed and the appellant court upheld the key portions. #1 The Board of Directors has the authority to amend the bylaws with a majority vote of the Board. # 2 The Board of Directors has the authority to raise dues with a majority vote of the Board. This lawsuit ultimately gave the Board of Directors a declaratory judgement, backed up by the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, that the boards in the past, present, and future have and can legally amend our bylaws and raise our dues.

Without this authority, a homeowners association will deteriorate, putting the members at risk of losing value in their homes.

This issue has been one of the most detrimental to our amenities over the years. Any responsible member that has sat on

GENERAL MANAGERS

Report

Rob Wright, CCM, CAM Wow, November was way colder than I thought it would and should be. Some

said it was great football weather but what about the other days of the week, brrrr.

On the bright side, we didn’t have any weather related problems.

This is the time of year when we do the renewals for golf, tennis, social and outside memberships.

We are also looking a significant renovation to the north bathrooms at the Yacht Club. Please also feel free to ask about where your

money goes. Homeowners can view a consolidated monthly statement in the member’s only area of the web page.

The Yacht Club has many family priced oriented nights and a swing set play area for the kids. We are now doing brunch at the Yacht Club, scrambled eggs, Eggs Benedict, French toast and much more. We will open at 11:00am and close at 2:00pm. It will be

this Board quickly gains the knowledge that our dues and our revenue from use do not generate enough money to maintain our amenities.

The country club that I grew up with has been demolished because it could not be maintained.

The swim and racquet club and diving well that I grew up with suffered the same fate. Our original nine-hole golf course needed more money than we had to maintain it. So, as most people feel about paying taxes, members don’t want to pay more dues.

Previous boards have not had the confidence or support to raise dues, so they haven’t done so, at least not enough. The amenities deteriorate, and members are less supportive to raise dues.

It is a snow ball effect that has been going on for decades and it has got us to where we are.

It stops here.

2016 will be a different story. As I’m writing this

article, your Board of Directors is deliberating and discussing a strategic dues and use increase. We are tasked with taking care of the interest of our membership, and we know this means taking care of our property and amenities. We are also very aware that raising dues may not be a popular decision.

We just know it’s what we have to do, and we have not only the authority to do it, but the responsibility to do it. As members, we each own an equal share of responsibility and enjoyment of a yacht club, marina, tennis courts, pools, golf course, entrances, and more. We own this whether we use it or not. We have to maintain what we are responsible to maintain for the future protection of the community.

The Association is also responsible for enforcing the covenants, which has a cost as well.

Our current dues and revenue from use will not do enough. We’re going to fix that, and we are going to set a course not only to maintain our current amenities, but make long overdue capital improvements over time.

I’m very proud to serve on this Board of Directors. I haven’t made any of this stuff happen. It was set in motion well before my time. I walked onto a board that vowed to stop going in debt, and pay off the debt they were handed. We have done so. Lake Forest is debt free. We vow to stay that way. We actually have money in reserve. We vow to keep it there. We are being good stewards of your money. We are being responsible with your bylaws. We love Lake Forest just like it was our very own neighborhood, because just like you, it is our home.

a little breakfast and a little lunch. We will not be open in the evening on Sunday.

The BOGO burger night is huge and a great deal and great meal for Lake Forest members. Thursday night is family night, young and old alike, all you can eat buffet with salads, entrees and a dessert. The Yacht Club is also the best place for weddings, birthday parties and meetings. Many, many families and firms use the Yacht Club for their Christmas Party. While many of those nights have been taken, there are some left. We will also book the

19th Hole to accommodate our members. Have fun.

December is also when we do Breakfast with Santa.

Come join us Saturday, December 12th, where Santa will make his annual visit to Lake Forest. The breakfast is $6.00 for adults and kids eat free. It is a fantastic Kodak moment.

You don’t have to be a golf member to play the golf course. There is special pricing for Lake Forest home owners. Come out with family and friends and enjoy the best golf course in the area for a member only price. The course is in great

condition. We willingly accept comparisons to any other course in the area. It is also a great way for a parent and a child to spend quality time together while doing something healthy.

We are also very proud of our tennis program. Youth clinics, adult leagues and regular play are all up. The courts are great and with the lights, night play is available.

Have a safe Holiday season.

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4 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

LAKE FOREST DIRECTORY A Covenant Restricted Community Visit our website www.lakeforestpoa.org Office Hours........................................................................................... 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Adminstration Office ......................................................................................... 626-0788 Rob Wright, CCM, CAM, General Manager ..................................................... 626-0788 Food and Beverage Director ............................................................................ 626-9329 19th Hole .......................................................................................................... 626-4520 Golf Pro Shop ................................................................................................... 626-9324 Yacht Club ........................................................................................................ 626-9329 Marina ............................................................................................................... 680-6190 Stables ...................................................................................................... 251-210-8819 Tennis ............................................................................................................... 626-9696 Vision Management ................................................................................... 239-561-1444

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Sasser (2013-2018), President s.sasser@lakeforestpoa.org

Victoria Phelps (2015-2020), Vice President vjphelps@lakeforestpoa.org

Tonya Halterman (2015-2020), Secretary

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Mary Ann Hampton (2015-2019), Treasurer mahampton@lakeforestpoa.org

Arthur R. Anderson (2013-2018), Sergeant of Arms a.anderson@lakeforestpoa.org

Ed Kirby (2011-2016) e.kirby@lakeforestpoa.org

Richard Kersey (2011-2016) george_kersey@yahoo.com

Butch Adams (2015 -2016)

J. Ryan Turner, MD

Cornea Fellowship Trained Board Certified Ophthalmologist

www.pmg.md

butch.adams@att.net

Editor Missy Hoover ~ 626-0788 Articles should be emailed to lakeforestcc@lakeforestpoa.org.

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LAKE FORESTER A monthly newsletter for all LFPOA members NEED AN AD PLACED? ~ CALL Rebecca or Frank at 928-2321 Deadline for all articles is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

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The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 5

Lake Forest Garden Club Written By Lura Kauffman Our November meeting was held on November 5, 2015, at the Lake Forest Yacht Club with 24 members present and two visitors one of which was a past president of our organization and the other visitor became a new member.

After the meeting was called to order by President Carmen Luck,

the Inspiration was read

by Judy Baust. Dana Sawyer introduced Gloria Leeds, past President and representative of the Eastern Shore Art Association, to speak about their poppies for Veteran’s Day and the Veteran’s Day Celebration on the Bluff at 4:45 on Veteran’s Day. The hand-crafted poppies sell for $20.00 each or three for $50.00 with the

Photo by: Linda Locklin

First Vice President Janet Pruitt and speak Marilyn Mannhard

proceeds going to Veterans Organizations.

Janet Pruitt, First Vice President, introduced the speaker Marilyn Mannhard who spoke on Food for Life or the benefits of growing your own food. According to Ms Mannhard, the fresher the food the more nutrients it contains, so you should either grow your own food or purchase it from a farmer’s market for the freshest produce or meat available.

Also, remember when you buy local the money stays in the local economy.

When growing your garden use pine straw as a mulch and wire hoops which can be used to support a light cover from cold or insects.

Some of the benefits of gardening are exercise, time outside in the fresh air and sunshine, fresh delicious food and the opportunity to

share with others. There are many health benefits from fresh food and some pack more punch than others such as berries, which are rich in anti-oxidants. Other important foods are dark green leafy vegetables, red lettuces and brightly colored vegetables such as red potatoes.

After delicious refreshments, the minutes and treasurer’s reports were approved and the menu for our Christmas Luncheon was agreed upon with price to be announced.

The luncheon will be ham, broccoli, au gratin potatoes and spinach salad with raspberry dressing.

Desserts will be provided by our hostesses. Dana Sawyer, Second Vice President, led a discussion of the Christmas Decorating Contest and asked for volunteers for several positions so that all the work does not have to

Photo by: Linda Locklin

Hostesses Beth Kornmeyer, Ruth Gross and Sylvia Dowdle be done by one person. The dates for the contest will be December 16th and 17th.

Horticulture Awards were given to: First Place - Linda Locklin (plumeria); Second Place - Elaine Maxime (Hibiscis) and Third Place - Janet Pruitt (shrimp plant.)

Dottie Zimmer, Sunshine Chairman, wished happy birthday to all members with November birthdays.

50/50 and Door Prizes: The 50/50 was won by Janet Pruitt and Tomasina

Werner. Door prizes were won by Barbara Cummings, Lura Kauffman, Janet Pruitt, Judy Baust, Elaine Maxime and Dottie Zimmer.

Our December meeting will be held the first Thursday in December and will feature our Luncheon with price to be announced.

All members are invited.

New members and guests are always welcome! We look forward to seeing you there!

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6 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

The Fishing Hole

WINTER TIME FISHING

By Billy Harrell Harbor Master December is finally here and the water temperatures have dropped into the upper to mid- 60’s. November provided some great fishing and the weather was good till the strong winter fronts showed up. The bay and rivers are muddy due to the wind and rain, but the salinity of the water is about 10 ppt in some areas of the Delta. This means flounder are back down to the gulf and the redfish are all alone in the Delta. The trout are moving to the deeper channels of the creeks and rivers. What this really means is the cooler weather makes for cooler

Billy Harrell water temperatures and the fish bite becomes slower. Also, live bait becomes harder to find.

A s t he wa t e r temperatures get colder and colder the shrimp and bait that the Speckled Trout and Redfish are feeding on, will eventually move out of the Delta. The fish will start moving north and

hanging out in deeper water where they can be caught bouncing artificial baits on the bottom.

Personally, I don’t fish very much this time of year due to the holidays and weather. When I can find time I am usually doing maintenance on my boat or fishing gear.

I try to get things ready for next year and prepare for the upcoming fishing events and activities that happen at the marina.

Also, I collect Toys for Tots at the marina harbor shack till Dec. 15th.

Have a great and safe Christmas Holiday and have a Happy New Year.

Till next year, keep a tight Line.

Photo submitted by: Billy Harrell

Flounder caught in North Pass out of Lake Forest Marina.

Caught by Mandi Avinger

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Volume 18,

Tim Gressett, PGA

Your guide to life on the Alabama Gulf Coast

7

Wow, where has the year gone? It’s been a great year on the golf course. I’ve been saying the same thing for the past few months and yes, the course is in great shape. More and more golfers are finding out what I’ve been saying all along and word of mouth is bringing in the golfers.

2016 is shaping up to be an even better year!

If you haven’t played our course in a while you really need to treat yourself and come see us.

Beachin’

Number

By Tim Gressett, PGA Lake Forest Yacht & Country Club Head Golf Professional

Golf Shop Christmas Sale on Thursday, December 10th, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. This is a Special Sale with special prices just for the sale. Our staff can help and advise you on selecting just the right gift.

On behalf of my staff, I would like to thank all our Lake Forest golfers for a wonderful year and we want to wish each of you a very special, happy, healthy and Merry Christmas!

18, Volume

LAKE FOREST

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 7

st Media Gulf Coa Guide.com itor GulfVis

at the ! beacacl shhops,

Lo g trendin what’s more. and

Visit us online at www.lakeforestpoa.org

Remember, Lake Forest residents receive special rates.

Call us; we are here to help.

Please remember the Golf Pro Shop when you are selecting that special gift this holiday season.

We will have our Annual

Lake Forest

Stop by the Lake Forest Pro Shop for great deals on everything you need to master the game. Balls and tees are always in stock, along with equipment you need to score a hole in one.

For more information, call 626-9324.

Women’s Club

Yacht Club with 22 members attending. The tables were beautifully Our October meeting decorated for fall with was held on October 15, pumpkins and fall leaves 2015, at the Lake Forest which had been arranged Written By Lura Kauffman

Photo by: Lura Kauffman

Fall decorations at the October of the Lake Forest Women’s Club

by one of our hostesses.

Jean Wildenhaus announced that a donation from the Women’s Club had been made to Prodisee Pantry for Women Helping Women and it was greatly appreciated as we are the only group that gives donations specifically for women’s products. She also passed around a very nice letter of thanks from Prodisee Pantry.

Happy Birthday wishes were extended to our October birthday

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Photo by: Lura Kauffman

Betty Ehlenberg, Wanda Patterson and Mary Loury at the October meeting lunch, the meeting was adjourned and our November meeting will be on November 19, 2015, at 11 a.m., at the Lake

Forest Yacht Club. All members are welcome and new members & guests are always welcome!

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members and publicity for our meeting was discussed.

It was decided to reinstitute a Women’s Club article in the monthly Forester and to request an E-Blast as publicity for new members.

Door prizes of our lovely table decorations were awarded to Lura Kauffman, Kathy Sp r i ng ma n , B e t ty Ehlenberg, Laura Snell, Alice Albright and Wanda Patterson.

After a delicious

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8 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

Sun

Mon

1

Tue

December 2015 Wed

2 YC - BOGO $8.95 Burger Special!

Thu

3 YC - Prime Rib Buffet 5pm - 8pm, $15.95

Fri

Sat

4 YC - Karaoke/ Live music 7pm - 10ish $.50 wings too!

5 Golf - Saturday “Dog Fight”

11 YC - Karaoke/ Live music 7pm - 10ish $.50 wings too!

12 YC - Breakfast with Santa 10:00am (call 626-0788 for details)

YC - Garden Club meets 10:00am 6 YC - Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm

13 YC - Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm

7 YC & Golf - Closed

14 YC & Golf - Closed

8

15

9 YC - BOGO $8.95 Burger Special!

16 YC - BOGO $8.95 Burger Special!

Golf - LGA Scramble & Christmas Luncheon

20 YC - Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm

21 YC & Golf - Closed

22 First day of Winter!

23 YC - BOGO $8.95 Burger Special!

Stables - Barn Day Camp 9:00am - 2pm call 747-8219 for details 27 YC - Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm

28 YC - Closed 29 Golf - Mobile Seniors Association Tournament Stables - Barn Day Camp 9:00am - 2pm call 747-8219 for details

30 YC - BOGO $8.95 Burger Special!

10 YC - Catfish & Chicken Buffet 5pm - 8pm, $9.95 Golf Shop Christmas Sale 4:00 - 600pm /Pro Shop LFPOA Work Session Meeting 7pm 19th Hole

Golf - MGA Membership Drive Scramble

17 YC - Chefs Choice Buffet 18 YC - Karaoke/ Live 5pm -8pm, $10.95 music 7pm - 10ish YC - Women's Club $.50 wings too! meets 11:00am LFPOA Stated Board Meeting 7pm 19th Hole

19 Golf - Saturday “Dog Fight”

24

25

Christmas Eve! Yacht Club closed

Christmas Day! All facilities closed

26 Golf - Special Christmas “Dog Fight”

31 YC - New Years Eve Dinner Party 5-8pm $24.95 (Surf & Turf menu)

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 9

Lake Forest Yacht Club DECEMBER FUN!

Submitted by: Trey Waites Food & Beverage Director

December is here and we are having a blast!

As always, Wednesday is BOGO burger night.

Thursday is our buffet night. This month’s buffets will be: December 3: Prime Rib, $15.95 December 10: Catfish and Chicken, $9.95 December 17: Chef’s Choice, $ 10.95 December 31: New Year’s, $24.95

Trey Waites

Bring your tone deaf friends! Just kidding.

We also have a beautiful deck for sunsets, great 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. happy hour specials and a spacious event room for your special occasion.

If you need anything, you can reach me after 2:00 p.m. at 626-9329. Give me a call so we can plan your special occasion today.

Dealing

DIVAS

Members of PALS (People with Active Lifestyles who are Single) enjoy a monthly card party at the 19th Hole, in Lake Forest. Pictured: L-R Pat Hanks, Joan Miller, Barbara Echols, Theda Eurick. Martha Lawzarini, Marcia Newton and Bonnie Matchey.

Photo taken and Submitted by: Frankie Hyde

“Dealing Divas” Card Party

We will be closed Christmas Eve and Day and we will reopen Saturday the 26th. We will also have a Surf and Turf New Year’s buffet.

Don’t forget Friday is fifty cent wings and Karaoke.

11 N. Section St. Fairhope, AL 36532

Bernice Price, CRS Senior Sales Associate Lake Forest Resident

Cell: 251-455-3788 eFax: 251-888.767-7756 bprice29@bellsouth.net www.Bernice.FairhopeHomeSearch.com

Elite Real Estate Solutions

1203 Highway 98 Suite 2H Daphne AL 36526

251-545-5215

“Thank you Lake Forest for choosing Elite Real Estate for your buying and selling needs!”

Rachel Romash – Broker Amie Combs - Realtor Jessica Mott – Realtor Donna Savage – Realtor Rebecca Romash - Realtor

10 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

YOU’VE GOT

mail!

We appreciate the efforts of our residents to improve the image of Lake Forest. One way this can be done is by replacing old and dilapidated maiboxes. If for any reason you would like to purchase a mailbox like the one pictured above, or have a leaning Vandalet Mailbox straightened, please email tomasinawerner@gmail.com or call 626-0227. This service provides removal of the old post and box, installation of the cast iron post in concrete and placement of the house number on the mailbox.

The 2015 Annual Christmas Decorating Contest will be held on December 16th and 17th. Lights should be left on from 6 to 9 p.m. both nights for judging. Categories will include Multiple Lights - House, Multiple Lights – Lawn, Door Decoration, Religious, Most Creative and Honorable Mention.

Please plan your decorations now and make this holiday special for our neighborhood!

Winners receive a cash prize, have a sign placed in their yard and have a picture in the Lake Forester. More news to come. Plan now for a beautiful and happy holiday!

Massage F PEACE I T H

Karen Bryars, LMT 4290 EST 2375 1203 Hwy 98, Upstairs Unit 2-G Daphne, AL 36578

251-597-5735

1 Hour Swedish Massage $35 1/2 Hour Massage $25

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 11

Registered Investment Advisor since 1982

HOW LIKELY IS A “SANTA CLAUS” MARKET RALLY FOR THE END OF 2015?

By Wendy Nelson Bailey, CFP®

Quite often at the end of a calendar year the market will experience what is known as a “Santa Claus” rally because of increased consumer spending around the holidays. Let’s now look at the factors for and against a year-end market rally.

First, on the positive side, there is still much money being created around the world. Japan, China, and the European Union are each stimulating their economies by creating large amounts of money. Here in the United States, our central bank has stopped creating money, but the $3.5 trillion they did create between 2009 and 2014 is still in the system with no plan for its withdrawal. All of this money has to go somewhere, and we feel that the equity markets are the most likely outcome given the low yields currently offered on cash, bonds, and other asset classes.

Next, the U.S. economy is still expanding, however slowly. While annual growth is only in the 2% range, it is still positive. At the same time, interest rates remain at historic lows. Even if our central bank increases them by .25% in December, it will not have a significant short-term impact. Meanwhile energy prices remain low and should serve to boost consumer spending during the Christmas season. Less spent on gas could mean more spent on gifts. Finally, from a world perspective, the U.S. economy is the strongest in the world at the moment, and this draws money from around the world into our markets.

There are negative factors at play also, that could work against a year-end market rally. One is that there are conflicts and potential conflicts around the world that threaten global instability. Some examples are the war in Syria, the immigration crisis in Europe, and China’s posturing for control over vital Pacific shipping lanes. These hot spots, along with a slow global economy, make it difficult for international investing.

Another negative factor is the strong U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. A strong dollar makes it tougher for U.S. companies to export because our goods are more expensive overseas.

Contributing factors to a strong dollar are the gradually strengthening U.S. economy, money coming to the U.S. from other countries as a safer place to invest, and the expectation of rising interest rates here.

Finally, the U.S. currently has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, and as you might have seen in recent news, some companies are trying to merge or relocate overseas. While changes to tax law are a current hot topic of debate in the run up to the presidential primaries, no changes will be made prior to the end of the year.

What does all of this mean? Our view is that the positive factors slightly outweigh the negative and that we might well be poised for a year-end market rally. This is provided, of course, that there is no unforeseen global event like a major escalation of some of the lowlevel conflicts. Looking ahead, presidential election years in general have been good ones in the market since whichever party is in power wants to keep the economy going in order to get re-elected.

Wendy Nelson Bailey is an Investment Advisor Representative at Southern Capital Services, located just outside the D’Olive entrance to Lake Forest, and can be reached at 251-626-1140 or www.southerncapitalservices.com.

12 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

Celebrating the Reason for the Season

251-621-9413 6890 US Highway 90 Daphne, AL 36526

251-340-3933 3952-D Airport Boulevard Mobile, AL 36608

From our Family to Yours

Edible Arrangements®, the Fruit Basket Logo, and other marks mentioned herein are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements, LLC. © 2014 Edible Arrangements, LLC. All rights reserved.

STOREWI DE SALE 10-50% OF F!

All Around The House, Inc. Fine Furniture & Home Accessories

Consignment, Painted Furniture 6729 Spanish Fort Blvd. • Spanish Fort, AL 36527 251-626-3990 Rachel and Lou Irwin, Owners allaroundthehouse@comcast.net

We Sell Furniture & Decorative Paint Products Open 7 Days a Week

Daphne Al 251-621-5890 hughesfh.com

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 13

Experience…….

Sunday Brunch at its FINEST

You’re invited to join us for a delicious

Brunch each Sunday at the Yacht Club!

11:00am - 2:00pm Only $9.95

NEED STORAGE? Need a Place to Park your Boat, Car or RV?

COLONIAL SELF STORAGE • Video Surveillance • Monthly & Annual Rentals • Gate Controlled Entry • Climate Controlled & Garage Units • Moving & Packing Supplies • Access 7 Days A Week CR 64 TARGET

US DAPHNE POLICE 98 Colonial Self Storage

MOVE I SPECIAN L

ONLY

29 95

$

PLUS TA

X

Firs Include t Month s In Any Siz surance e Unit

Colonial Self Storage 1412 Highway 98 Daphne, AL

251-625-1221

www. mycolonialstorage.com

14 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

BREAKFAST WITH Mr. & Mrs. Claus!!

SATURDAY, December 12th Begins at 10:00 am Yacht Club Eggs, Bacon, Toast, Pancakes, Juice, & Coffee.

Call 626-0788 for details!

Only $6 pp Kids 10 & Under eat FREE!

The Lake Forester •December 2015 • 15

New Years Eve Dinner Party Spinach Salad w/ Mandarin Orange slices, served w/ a warm bacon vinaigrette Surf (4 oz. Maine Lobster Tail w/Clarified Butter) and Turf (7 oz. Tri-Tip Steak w/Dijon Hollandaise Sauce) Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Haricot Vert Traditional Black Eyed Peas Dinner Rolls Chocolate Thunder Layer Cake $24.95 Total Price

Drink Specials Club Hours 4pm-9pm Dinner Served 5pm-8:00pm Kids Menu available for children 10 years old and under RSVP by 12/25/2014

16 • The Lake Forester •December 2015

Want to learn more? Here are a few links for more information: U.S. Department of Energy http://www1.eere.energy.gov/building/applianc_standards/product.aspx/productid/24 AG Smith http://www.hotwater.com/naeca American Water Heaters http://americanwaterheater.com/NAECA State Water Heaters http://www.statewaterheaters.com/NAECA

www.affplumbing.com