bserver O
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. JUNE 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
ROB BRIDGER PRESIDENT, THE TRAILS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Hello, friends and neighbors... according to the calendar, summer has arrived. It’s sometimes hard to tell in Florida since we only have two seasons – hot and not so hot. The official arrival of summer, however, brings the Association to the mid-point of its fiscal year; so…
EVERYBODY
IN THE POOL
LET’S TALK BUSINESS FIRST
I am pleased to report that your Board of Directors is diligent with respect to its fiduciary responsibilities. In terms of our finances, the Board’s Treasurer, Troy Railsback, works closely with the Property Manager and Comptroller, scrutinizes our financial data, and reports that half way through the year our expenses are basically in line with the approved operating budget. A Budget Workshop will be planned for later this summer to begin developing the Association’s annual budget for 2016. Alliance Smart Collections is doing a great job in pursuing delinquent accounts. Collection of past due quarterly maintenance fees / dues is increasing and the number of delinquent accounts is decreasing. Our collection agency is also aggressively moving to pursue garnishing rent in instances where owners with delinquent accounts have rented their properties. As I reported last year, there is no cost to the Association for Alliance’s collection efforts and the revenues received support our
Photos by Jacque Estes
Elena Nugent, 2, was the epitome of pool-style fashion at the opening day of pool season.
Generations of Trails’ families enjoy the clubhouse pool JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
Mother Nature smiled down on The Trails for the opening day of pool season. The newly refinished pool surrounded by updated and cleaned lounges was the place to be and be seen. It was also a day of firsts for the younger set as several oneyear-old and younger poolgoers were making their pool debuts. Jeremy Imler knew exactly what to expect on opening day. He grew up in The Trails and brought SEE SPLASH PAGE 3
Opening Day at The Trails pool included a disc jockey and a magician.
SEE PRESIDENT’S PAGE 6
BOARD MEETING
WHO’S DIGGING IN YOUR YARD? FPL approved contractor F & H Contractors are upgrading sections of the underground power lines in The Trails with an expected completion date of Sept. 28, 2015. Power outages are not expected as a result of the work. If the power has to be interrupted, residents will be notified in advance. Questions, concerns or reports of damage to yards should be reported to 800693-3267 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please refer to work order number 5972472.
Board collects overdue accounts.
PAGE 7
THE TRAILS HISTORY
WALKING THE DOG
Dog owners get in the know for the summe heat. PAGE 4
GOT NEWS? Do you have a suggestion for an upcoming article for The Trails Observer? Many interesting and talented people live in The Trails and we would like to feature them in upcoming editions. Please email jacque@ormondbeachobserver.com.
Al Legg moved to The Trails in 1978 and has been researching the area.
PAGE 9
MAGICAL RESIDENT
Chris Wilken, 15, shares is talents with the community.
PAGE 2
2
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T Teen magician Chris Wilken fascinates children and adults with his sleight of hand and juggling skills. STAFF WRITER
Like many of his neighbors, Chris Wilken was at The Trails pool for opening day. But unlike them, his suit wasn’t a swimsuit. Dressed in a black, long-sleeve shirt, vest, dress slacks and shoes, Wilken walked the pool deck juggling pins and performing magic. The 15-year-old local magician quickly cast his spell over children and adults as they marveled at his sleight of hand. He’s spent his young life mastering his art; starting with the traditional child-like “tricks” when he was just a toddler. “I started tossing quarters over my shoulder when I was 3,” he said. Watching and learning from his older brother, Nick, Wilken realized he enjoyed performing and began entering the Ormond Beach Regional Library talent shows when he was in elementary school. “I started at the Ormond Beach Library and thank Ms. Dorothy and Ms. Suzan for putting on talent shows for us,” Wilken said.
“I started tossing quarters over my shoulder when I was 3.” CHRIS WILKEN, 15-year-old magician.
“Back then, Ms. Dorothy and Ms. Suzan were the librarians who made the events exciting, fun and a positive experience for the kids,” said his mother, Carrie Wilken. It wasn’t long until Chris was teaching youngsters how to juggle at the library. “I really got interested in magic and juggling and in getting better,” Chris Wilken said. At the pool, people didn’t gather to see the teen perform, he went to them as they ate lunch or sunned poolside. Performing micromagic, also referred to as table magic, Wilken was only an arms reach away from his audience “cutting” and restoring ropes, and performing card and coin tricks. It wasn’t hard to find Chris on the pool deck, you just had to listen for the sounds of amazement and looks of disbelief as coins he had just put in someone’s hand disappeared or a rope he had just cut into pieces became one. In between the magic, he juggled pins with his faithful “assistant” and biggest fan, Dominick Segreto, 6, right beside him. “Usually when I am hired I prefer to do strolling magic like this, but I do stage as well,” he said. Wilken has honed his skills at the Magic Dove Magic Shop summer camp in Cocoa Beach and joined the magic club. Throughout middle school, his folks drove him to the shop on Friday nights to meet with other magicians,
Photos by Jacque Estes
Kailey McGinniess is amazed when red foam balls, handed to her by Chris Wilken, multiply in her hands. Tiger Rugg looks on.
work on routines and learn new tricks. Wilken put on shows in the Cocoa Beach community with other members of the Society of Young Magicians and was named the Youth Magician of the year in 2012. Now in high school, Wilken is active in the school band and creating art from found objects. Despite his love for performing, Wilken would prefer to be behind the camera as a career. “I am interested in maybe becoming a film maker,” he said.
Chris Wilken, accompanied by his biggest fan, Dominick Segreto, 6, strolls the pool deck on opening day.
386 257-5692 386 257-5692
174460
JACQUE ESTES
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
3
Photos by Jacque Estes
Amelia Imler, 8 months, with her dad, Jeremy, who also grew up in The Trails.
FROM PAGE 1
his 8-month-old daughter, Amelia, to start her poolside childhood memories. “I was once a kid at this pool,” Imler said. “It was a great place for a kid to spend time. Now, I bring my own children.” The day provided more than water activities. There was music provided by a DJ and a strolling magician and juggler. Outside the pool area, food concessions and a bounce house were set up. Ariel Pisarczyk had three more weeks left to wear the cast that encased her right arm, but that wasn’t keeping her from her friends and fun. Between a plastic bag and strategically holding her arm above her head, Ariel kept the cast dry as she stayed cool in the shallow end of the pool. “We wouldn’t miss opening day at the pool,” said Erin Zimmet as she watched her son, Finn, 4, splashing around with a big smile. “We are here every weekend. This is more of a family oriented community than we are used to live.”
SPLASH
SUMMER CALENDAR
YOUR CALENDAR
MAKING A
Ayva Hinkle, 1, was one of several making her pool debut, with Stefanie Caccacarro.
n MOVIE NIGHTS: Nextdoor. com participants will help select the movies for July 24 and August 14. Movies are free and sponsored by Ted Rugg & Associates. n HOA BOARD MEETINGS: July 9, August 13 and Sept. 10 at 6:30; homeowners welcome. n MAHJONG: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Brandie Hayes at 673-0855. n BRIDGE: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Verla Kontz at 492-3701. n YOGA: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. $5. Bring yoga accessories. Call Tara at 882-2412. n HAND & FOOT CARD CLUB: Thursdays, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Call Brandie Hayes at 673-0855 n END-OF-THE-YEAR POOL PARTY: Sunday, Sept. 13.
Please call to verify times. All events are held at The Trails Clubhouse, 201 Main Trail.
Residents enjoyed the newly refinished pool on a day made for swimming.
Finn Zimmet, 4, may look like he is on his own in the water but mom Erin was keeping watch. Jasmine Downing, 1, decides it’s time to get out of the pool.
A broken arm wasn’t keeping Ariel Pisarczyk out of the fun. A plastic bag shielded her cast from the water.
4
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
WALKING THE DOG The dog days of summer are quickly approaching and the dog owners in the know get their walks in early in The Trails. JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
Walk along any path and you are likely to see all types of dogs and their owners enjoying their start to the day. One morning, Rocky decided not to wait for his owner to walk him and escaped from his yard.
It’s a morning event for Charlie and his walker Alfred Guffenberg.
But he was quickly apprehended by the alert and caring duo of Michael Pluskota and Ron Rowell, better known as The Trails maintenance staff. While the two are often seen in their maintenance cart picking up trash, that day they became animal control officers. Secured in Pluskota’s lap, Rocky was headed for The Trails office and a description of him would soon to be added onto nextdoor.com. Before the men could pull back onto Main Trail, Dylan O’Keefe, dressed for work, was seen walking down the sidewalk with a leash in his hand. It didn’t take long to put one and one together – literally. Kay Galloway was being pulled by an energetic Brittany spaniel named Tess. The 8-month-old puppy enjoys her time out exploring safely at the end of Galloway’s leash. “We walk every day, ten times a day up and down the street,” laughed Galloway as Tess walked her down the street. A quieter walker, Charlie, strolled down the tree-covered street by his home with his owner Alfred Guffenberg. Walks during the summer are best during the early morning hours and at sunset. Owners that want or have to walk at different times during the day should
Photos by Jacque Estes
always carry some extra water if they are planning to walk any distance and check the pavement with the back of their hand before allowing their dog to walk. If it’s hot on your hand, it’s going to be hot on those tender paws. Many dogs do not like loud noises and with the Fourth of July just around the corner, there are going to be a lot of firework displays. It is best to keep dogs inside and under supervision when outside. If you lose a dog or cat in The Trails, check out nextdoor.com and see if anyone has found him.
Rocky took himself for a walk and was quickly apprehended by Michael Pluskota and Ron Rowell, The Trails maintenance staff. Young Tess likes her walks early in the morning and just about any other time of day.
• Trails residents since 1985 • Proud sponsor of all 2015 Trails pool parties! Amy Rugg, 386.527.1220 amyrugg1014@yahoo.com
Your Trails Tupperware Representative
Bonus Item with your purchase of $50 or more!
(ONLY when you PHONE in your order to Amy!)
my.tupperware.com/amytupperware123
174504
•Containers for crayons & crafts •Lunch kits for kids & adults
174514
BACK TO SCHOOL ESSENTIALS
Full time Real Estate agent for over 15 years!
PICK UP & DELIVERY SERVICE COMING SOON!
I look forward to working with you.
Carol Monachese Realtor, GRI, PA
Carolmona357@yahoo.com Cell: 386 986-6696
174511
Please remember that a real estate purchase or sale is one of the most important decisions you can make in your lifetime. You need to make the right one. Call me today for a free Comparative Market Analysis of your home.
10% OFF 160 S. NOVA RD. | ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174 | 386.673.4611 In the Rivergate shopping center at the corner of Granada Boulevard and Nova R oad
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
5
JUNE 2015
OF DAYTONA BEACH
2015 Jetta
2015 Tiguan
$1,999 due at signing
$2,499 due at signing
$159/month for 36 months
$179/month for 36 months
CENTRAL FLORIDA’S HOME FOR NO-HAGGLE & ONE-PRICE VW DEALS. ONE. AND. DONE. ONE PRICE BEST PRICE FIRST TIME EVERY TIME NO HAGGLE NO NEGOTIATING
Fields VW of Daytona 1270 N Tomoka Farms Rd., Daytona Beach, FL 32124 1.386.523.0500 www.fieldsvwofdaytona.com Offers*Based on MSRP of $27,120 (including destination charges) for a new, unused 2015 Tiguan 2.0T S with automatic transmission, excluding title, tax, options and dealer fees. Monthly payments total $6,444. Acquisition fee of $625 included in amount due at signing. No security deposit required. Requires dealer contribution of $3,536.05, which could affect final negotiated transaction. Purchase option at lease end for $15,458.40. Based on MSRP of $18,145 (including destination charges) for a new, unused 2015 Jetta S 2.0L with manual transmission, excluding title, tax, options and dealer fees. Excludes TDI® Clean Diesel and Hybrid models. Monthly payments total $5,724. Acquisition fee of $625 included in amount due at signing. No security deposit required. Requires dealer contribution of $1,416.81, which could affect final negotiated transaction. Purchase option at lease end for $9,798.30. Excludes TDI® Clean Diesel and Hybrid models. At lease end lessees responsible for $0.20/mile over 36,000 miles and excessive wear and tear. Dealer sets actual prices. Lessee responsible for insurance. Closed-end lease offered to highly qualified lessees on approved credit by Volkswagen Credit through participating dealers. U.S. cars only. Excludes Puerto Rico. Additional charges may apply at lease end, including a disposition fee ($350). See your Volkswagen dealer for details or for general product information call 1-800-374-8389. ©2015 Volkswagen of America, Inc. Photos used for illustration purposes only. Offers expire June 30, 2015.
174474
Easy to find - Just off I-95 at Exit #265 in the Daytona Auto-Mall
6
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
President’s message budget. To assist in determining whether or not The Trails HOA is adequately insured, your Board has engaged Cooksey and Associates to conduct a commercial appraisal of the value of the Association’s holdings. This formal property appraisal is in progress. Martin, Klayer & Associates PL has conducted the requisite annual audit of our Association. Their draft report indicates a “clean” audit with no material findings. The audit report is currently being reviewed by board members and our comptroller; the audit will be finalized and approved at the Board’s regular July meeting. Once approved, the audit will be posted to the Aegis website. Interested homeowners may also view or pick up a copy at the Association’s office after July 10. Owners not in residence may request that a copy be mailed to them. GOVERNANCE
During the Directors meeting held on May 14, a motion was presented and passed unanimously by the directors present, authorizing the president to appoint a Governance Committee. While our Association is currently in compliance with the Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) the governing documents re-certified and filed with the State of Florida in 2004 were
not updated. The Committee will be tasked with revising and amending the Covenants and Restrictions of the Trails HOA. First, this committee will focus on updating (and/or adding) articles to the master covenants that would bring our documents in line with the current Florida Statutes, Chapter 720, and provide more specificity. The committee will consider: n Creating rules and regulations and adding covenants that run with state statues to allow for covenant enforcement by property management. Currently, if a homeowner fails to respond to Property Management’s inspection notice of a deficiency there is no recourse for the Association. Such new covenants would include provisions for levying fines for noncompliance after notice, and/or amenity restrictions for noncompliant homeowners. n Changing the annual meeting date from the first Saturday of October, to a weekday that will allow all homeowners to participate. Currently, the annual meeting falls on the Jewish Sabbath and prevents a large number of members from attending the meeting. n Revising the documents to ensure that annual elections and recall election procedures are clearly defined and consistent with the provisions of Florida Statute 720. Additionally, the Committee will be considering the sugges-
FROM PAGE 1
“It’s much more than our handsome homes and beautiful natural environment that make The Trails such a great place to live – it’s the quality and character of our residents.” ROB BRIDGER, President, The Trails Homeowners Association
tion that the directors seated have staggered terms to prevent the entire Board from potentially turning over on an annual basis. This will allow for consistency and orderly transition. The items enumerated above will provide a starting point for a comprehensive review, revision, clarification and strengthening of our Covenants and Restrictions. In coordination with our property manager, I have reached out to a number of homeowners who possess the knowledge, skills and abilities that the committee will need to undertake this task in an objective and professional manner. My goal is to have a committee that is diverse and representative of the community as a whole. In addition to the President and Property Manager, to date, eleven (11) homeowners have accepted their appointment and committed themselves to the completion of this project. Committee members include:
Rob Bridger, Ed Sparks, Kay Shoemate, Ken Artin, Ed Green, Al Legg, Scott Snead, Gwen Helmintoller, Cheryl Housker, Wayne Reither, Trudy Ward, Ryan Ochipa and Brandie Hayes. One or two additional appointments are pending. Three consultants, Troy Railsback, David Burman and Scott Newsome, have also volunteered their services to the Committee. The Committee’s first organizational meeting occurred June 24. The Committee’s final work product draft will be reviewed by the Association’s General Counsel and submitted to you, the members/homeowners for adoption. For the Board of Directors, nothing is more important than the success of The Trails Homeowners Association, and its legal documents are our foundation. ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD
It may be hard to believe, but summer also brings us to the point where we need to begin our Association’s process for conducting its election. While your currently seated Directors enjoy the opportunity to serve our community, I’m not sure that we want to have our service evolve into a long-term career. So, I’m encouraging interested homeowners to consider running for election to the board. On or about June 29, Aegis
property management will be mailing all homeowners the “Call for Board of Directors Candidates” document. The deadline for filing your intent to run for the board is Aug. 14. Please note this deadline and timely file if you are so interested. During its regular meeting on June 11, the Board unanimously passed a resolution providing that nominations not be taken from the floor at the Associations annual meeting. So again, please note the filing deadline. NOW THE FUN STUFF
New signage has been installed in a number of areas to designate our walking and biking pathways. In some areas where paths open onto heavily trafficked roadways, a cautionary “YIELD” has been imprinted on the path. Last March in The Trails Observer, I reported to you that April Fool’s notwithstanding, our community pool would be opening April 1. Well, I was wrong and I apologize to homeowners for any inconvenience. While frequent rains in March contributed in part to the delay in completion of the pool resurfacing project, the major culprit was detection of problems beyond the original scope of work. As work began, multiple areas with remnants of fiberglass from a previous lining were uncovered and required removal. We needed to have this job done right. Use of our amenities, especially our pool, is increasing. There are lots of “frequent flyer” regular users of the pool, and lots of new faces too. Whether you’re longtime poolgoers or new to the community, Carl Harrell and our property management ask that you bring and be prepared to present your pool pass and guest pass if applicable. Yes, I take my pass too. The season opening com-
Joe Palmer, Broker/Assoc. ADAMS, CAMERON & COMPANY, REALTORS 759 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL. 32174
Call me today for a free current market value report. Let my years of experience and network of inspectors, appraisers, handymen, roofers, home services, staging services and buyer home warranty work for you!
LD
SO
ALSO SOLD • 50 CHOCTAW TRAIL • PENDING SALE
7 CHOCTAW TRAIL
Trails Summer
TENNIS CAMP! AGES 6 - 14 • 10AM - 4PM DAILY SESSIONS ALL SUMMER LONG! Come for a day, stay for the week
CAMP INCLUDES:
Catered meals from Panera Bread, Firehouse, Boston Market & other local spots. Camp T-Shirt. Mid-afternoon pool break.
INSTRUCTORS:
Tim Pleasant, head coach of Bethune Cookman University; Gary Heatwole, USPTA/PTR certified coach; Jan Buenner, Owner & GM
W: www.johnmcgriskin.com
10% EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT
for those who register & pay 2 weeks prior
FOR MORE INFO: Call us or email Jan@trailsracquetclub.com 174513
300 Main Trail • Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386.677.8081 • www.trailsracquetclub.com
174531
174463
Successfully selling the “real” Trails since 1985. 386.675.2044 voice/text • visit www.joepalmerrealtor.com
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
munity pool party on May 3 was thoroughly enjoyed by both the adults and kids. I want to especially thank our corporate sponsors for this event, Alliance Smart Collections and Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. Sharon Brown and Alliance donated $250 to enable our food vendors, The Mobile Chef and Kona Ice, to reduce their prices. Shannon Finley and Florida Hospital donated bottles of water, lots of water. The bounce house, karaoke DJ, and our neighborhood’s own magician – Chris Wilken – were hits! Our Board, its Amenities Committee, and Property Manager are already planning for the season closing pool party to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. So, mark the date. The summer big-screen “movie nights” at the pool are also underway this year. On June 19, residents attending enjoyed viewing Paddington Bear. Although the event was moved indoors, the thunderstorm didn’t dampen the spirits of the 75+ children and adults who braved the weather. Special thanks go to our resident Amy Rugg and sponsor Ted Rugg and Associates for providing pizza, Cracker Jacks and party favors to make this a festive, fun event. Thanks also goes to TrustCo Bank for the bounce house and to La’s Bistro for the delicious fruit, cheese and crackers. Two more “movie nights” will be held this summer, on July 24 and Aug. 14, so
please note these dates too. It’s my understanding that Ted Rugg and Associates will again sponsor these community events, and Amy has more surprises in store! The movies to be shown in July and August have not yet been determined, but residents can vote for their preferences on Nextdoor.com. Speaking of nextdoor.com, our community’s social networking site, we now have 315 residents enrolled and participating. This is an excellent way for property management and residents to share information, such as the June 13 bear sighting on Rio Pinar Trail. Upcoming community event information is also posted. Residents can post information of community interest, advertise their garage sales, alert folks about missing pets, seek recommendations for service vendors, etc. The site can even be used somewhat like email to send private messages. Participation costs you, the resident, and the Association nothing. Please consider joining us via this link: https://nextdoor.com/ invite/yskjfdsprktksmzmsctt. It’s much more than our handsome homes and beautiful natural environment that make The Trails such a great place to live – it’s the quality and character of our residents. Best regards, always … I’m looking forward to hearing from you on nextdoor.com and to seeing many of you at the pool this summer.
|
JUNE 2015
7
BOARD MEETING Board shows it is serious about collecting overdue Trails accounts. JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
The Board of Directors for the Trails Homeowners Association Inc. held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trails Clubhouse. COLLECTING ON DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
At the May meeting, Sharon Brown from Alliance Smart Collection gave the collection report for the first quarter of the year to the board. She reported that more than $7,000 in legal fees had been saved and the collection balance of past due fees was just over $2,000. The policy is that properties on the collection list without bank action, delinquent more than two quarters, will be foreclosed on if there is no mortgage on the property. “I want the board to send the message that this board has been serious about it’s fiduciary responsibilities,” said President Rob Bridger. “So if we need to go down that road we will.” ANNUAL AUDIT
The audit is being finalized and will be sent out to homeowners
Jacque Estes
The board meets at the clubhouse on Main Trail.
for review. MOVIE NIGHTS
The three movie nights at the pool are being sponsored by Tedd Rugg and Associates. The company has added more features and activities for the families to enjoy. Manager Brandie Hayes announced that she has already been contacted by other realtors interested in sponsoring the 2016 movie night.
of June. If the number of intents exceeds the number of seats on the board, an election committee may be formed. MANAGER’S REPORT
A motion was requested to increase the original amount for the property appraisal after receiving proposals from two vendors. The motion was passed 6-0 to amend the amount not to exceed $500 to $800.
ELECTIONS
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Elections are coming up and residents will be mailed information on running for office the end
Flo McNelly reported a need to repair the washout area by the pool at a cost of $2,933.04.
Call Chris Meyer now for your high efficiency air conditioning system estimate.
386-233-0223
* Complete warranty details available from your local dealer or at www.goodman.com. To receive the Liftime Compressor Limited warranty (good for as long as you own your home), online registration must be completed within 60 days of installation. Online registration not required in California or Quebec.
> Free Home Energy Survey! <
The D.G. Meyer Guarantee. One year warranty on the labor for all installation. Equipment is warranted by the individual manufacturers. These warranties will vary and can be discussed with you by a sales representative at the time of purchase.
Trained, NATE Certified, Background Checked, Drug Screened, Friendly & Professional Drug Free Workplace. Our employees are drug tested as a condition of employment. We subscribe to a zero tolerance policy and a drug-free work environment in order to promote the safety of our customers and employees.
www.dgmeyer.com
Office: 345 Madison Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 | Phone: Daytona: (386) 253 - 7774 DeLand: (386) 738 - 3888 Flagler: (386) 446 - 8658
174467
LICENSE #CMC057027
REAL ESTATE
8
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
What’s a sub association?
HOME SWEET HOME JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
C
heck out the top properties that sold in The Trails in March, April and May.
JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
The home at 6 River Ridge Trail sold for $183,000.
Patrice Stoves, of Ormond Beach, sold 12 Indian Trail to David and Sophia Geiger, of Ormond Beach for $156,500. Built in 1982, the house has two bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace and 1,439 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $250,000. Courtesy photos
The home at 4 Navajo Trail sold for $282,350.
Richard and Michelle Sothen, of San Diego, California, sold 4 Navajo Trail to Cynthia Bailey, of Ormond Beach, for $282,350. Built in 1979, the house has five bedrooms, three baths, a fireplace, swimming pool and 2,820 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $252,450.
Wayne Jensen Real Estate Investment LLC, of Wasilla, Alaska sold 6 River Ridge Trail to John and Susan Flaherty, of St. Petersburg, for $183,000. Built in 1976, the house has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,041 square feet. It sold in 2001 for $134,900.
Delmer and Carolyn Goodrich, of Jonesboro, Tennessee sold 3 Setting Sun Trail to Matthew Flaton, of Ormond Beach, for $138,000. Built in 1979, the house has two bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace and 1,265 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $184,000.
Living in The Trails can be confusing at times. Not on the roads, but in the understanding of the relationship between the Master Homeowners Association and the 16 sub associations. “The Trails community has 990 homes. Two-thirds are in sub associations,” said Ed Sparks, president of the Arrowhead III sub association. Sparks is one of two sub association presidents who also sits on the Master Homeowners Association. Kay Shomate, president of Arrowhead I sub association, is the other dual board member. How did the sub associations begin? When The Trails was initially constructed, the homes sold faster than expected. The developer wanted to ensure quality so sub associations were created for each new development. Which sections are sub associations? Sub association neighborhoods are made up of duplex and quadruplex homes. Single family homes are under The Trails HOA only. What are the advantages of being in a sub association? Residents who don’t want the demands of a large home often choose a sub association. They own their home, but not the
land. The property belongs to the sub association, which takes care of the property, mowing, irrigation and any other issues. For a big project, like driveway replacements, the cost would be assessed equally among the homeowners. “I own my house, the footprint or foundation, but the lawn is owned by my sub association,” Sparks said. “Irrigation is owned and controlled by my association.” What’s the financial advantage? The homeowner pays fees to both the sub association and the Master HOA, but he only pays property tax on the home, not the land. Homeowners do not have to pay for lawn service or irrigation maintenance. The Trails HOA takes care of common areas including the ponds and fountains. Homeowners also have access to the pool and clubhouse facilities. GOVERNING BODIES
Each of the 16 sub associations and the Master Homeowners Association has an elected board of directors. All are under The Trails HOA umbrella. “We are unique in the sense we are a community inside of a community, inside of a city,” Sparks said.
IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME Hire our
info@palmcoastlaw.com
Real Estate Attorneys at
174508
NO additional cost.
Personal Injury
Divorce
Real Estate “YOUR LEGAL TEAM FOR LIFE SINCE 1973”
Elder
Criminal
Wills & Trust
1414 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 4 Ormond Beach 145 City Place, Suite 301, Palm Coast
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
TRAILS OF HISTORY STAFF WRITER
The Trails – 385 acres of forest – but what do you know about its history? Do you know who’s buried near one of the entrances? Where was the coquina quarry? Why were there upside down oak trees? Al Legg and his wife, Judy, purchased their home in The Trails and moved in Labor Day weekend of 1979. In collaboration with the landscaping committee and with help from Wanda Upson, the wife of the late developer Gerald Upson, Legg has been going through records and gathering history. In 1974-1975, Gerald Upson was building the Tomoka Oakwood Condominium, adjacent to the Tomoka Oaks Country Club. It was here he met and teamed up with Luke Browning, the manager of the country club, and the impe-
tus for the development began. The two became aware of the acreage that was once a “Coontie Fern Farm” and a “Coquina Stone Quarry” and started the process to build a planned unit development, while preserving as much of the forest feel as possible. Much of Upson’s inspiration for the development came from Hilton Head. His vision was to build a smaller version of the South Carolina project. During the early construction of The Trails, Luke Browning had a dog named Brownie. Brownie passed away during construction and it is he who is buried under a coquina rock at the Nova Road entrance. Old photos may disorient current owners. The pool seems to be on the wrong side of Main Trail. When the initial racquet club was built, it included a swimming pool. The entire facility was revamped and the pool removed.
“When The Trails was built and opened up, it was just an absolute picture.”
Photos by Jacque Estes
Photo courtesy of Al Legg
An aerial view of Main Trail near Nova Road. The pool was initially part of the tennis courts. The wooded area across the street is where The Trails Clubhouse and pool now stands.
The area of the current Trails Clubhouse and pool was wooded in the initial drawings and photos. The Trails is one of several subdivisions developed by Upson in the area, but The Trails was the first planned unit development in Ormond Beach. “Gerald Upson loved his trees and he wanted to keep as many as possible within the community when building the houses,” Legg said. Two large oak trees that had to be removed during the construction of the entrance off Granada
were “recycled.” “Gerry turned them upside down and used them to mark the entrance to The Trails,” Legg said. The bridge that goes over Misners branch connected the old and the new and was, in keeping with the rustic atmosphere, wooden planks. Complaints from neighbors about the sound of cars going over the bridge resulted in the planks being paved over. Many may question why the roads are narrow and winding and sometimes a bit tricky to navigate.
SAVE
✃
AL LEGG, a resident since 1979.
9
JUNE 2015
Misner’s Branch travels beneath the bridge that connects the Nova Road and Granada Boulevard entrances to The Trails.
Local resident recalls The Trails developer, upsidedown trees, a wooden bridge and Brownie. JACQUE ESTES
|
Al Legg has lived in The Trails since 1978.
“Solid waste trucks were smaller than today and the initial roads were built to accommodate them,” Legg explained. Legg plans on continuing his research on The Trails and is appreciative of any old photographs or news clippings others may want to share.
2,058 INSTANTLY!
$
THEN SAVE ON YOUR $50 OFF Duct Cleaning Service A/C BILL EVERY MONTH!
Clean ducts mean fewer allergies, a cleaner home, and a more efficient AC
174505
Expiration Date: 7/15/2015
•Up to $1500 in Carrier Rebates on Home Comfort System Up Carrier to $458 FPL Rebate •Up to $458 FPL Rebate Cunningham Rebate •$100 $100 Cunningham Rebate
It doesn’t matter if you saved money in 15 minutes.
It doesn’t matter if your neighbor has the same insurance you do. What matters right now is that you get to enjoy the little things in life - feeling completely at ease - because your independent insurance agent and the company that stands behind them have you and your entire family covered. Call or visit us:
Ask about our Carrier Rebates Family Owned & Operated Since 1928
Family Owned & Operated Since 1928
Your Local Independent Insurance Agency
1400 Hand Avenue, Suite D, Ormond Beach
386-677-4761 www.mitchellnoel.com
Property Insurance is not available in the state of Florida from Auto-Owners Insurance.
CAC1815644
CAC1815644
CALL TODAY:
(386)253-7621 12799 (7-12)
www.CunninghamOil.com
174461
In this moment . . .
•0% 0% FINANCING for 60 months FINANCING for 60 months •24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE 24on HOUR ALLEMERGENCY MAKES & SERVICE MODELS on ALL MAKES & MODELS
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
Here to Serve
“This doesn’t feel like work. I haven’t gone to work in 12 years.”
The Racquet Club is locally owned and operated. JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
Jan Buenner, owner of The Trails Racquet Club, is living his life in paradise. He owns his own business, loves what he does and lives within walking distance of work. Born in Germany, Buenner’s parents owned a tennis club before moving to the United States in 1993. “I grew up around tennis,” Buenner said. In New York, Buenner worked in the financial district in a job he enjoyed but kept him away from his family, so he began the search for a racquet club to run. “I wanted to spend more time with my kids and have a less stressful job,” he said. He wasn’t going to “settle” on a club. He knew what he was looking for and started looking up and down the east coast from North Carolina to South Miami for the next three years.
RACQUET CLUB FACTS n Summer Camp offered June through August n For information, call 677-8081 or email jan@ trailsracquetclub.com
“There were three clubs I looked at, one in North Carolina, one in South Miami and this one,” he said. “I never saw anything I liked until I found this club.” While the club size was exactly what he had been searching for, the Ormond Beach community and specifically, The Trails played a big part in his decision. “This is such a good neighborhood and such a great town,” he said. After owning the club for 12 years, Buenner moved his family to The Trails. “It is such a great neighborhood and I get to be closer to my children,” he said. “The Trails is so centrally located to everything.” The first year he owned the club, he established a summer camp for children, The Trails Racquet Club Junior Tennis Summer Camp. Children 6-14 years old are kept busy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays as they learn and improve their tennis skills, enjoy the swimming pool across the street and socialize over a game of pool, foosball, ping pong and air hockey. Each day, a catered lunch is ordered for all from different area restaurants. “It fills up the courts when people are playing less and it’s a safe and controlled environment for the children,” Buenner said. Wanting for the neighborhood children what he wants for his own, Buenner is particular about instructors and camp counselors. The instructors, Tim Pleasant, the head coach of Bethune
JAN BUENNER, owner of The Trails Racquet Club
Various sizes and densities of tennis balls are used at summer camp for all skill levels. Photos by Jacque Estes
Jan Buenner has owned The Trails Racquet Club for 12 years and now lives in The Trails.
Cookman University men’s and women’s tennis teams, and Gary Heatwole, a USPTA/PTR certified coach, help Buenner with the camp. “We also have select high school and college players,” he said. “Most are the children of members, so we know them.” For Buenner, owning the club is an opportunity to provide a service to the community he is a part of and have fun doing it.
Inside the racquet club, there are games including foosball, pool and ping pong.
Home Solutions AFTER
Over 20 Years Experience in the Trails!
Check out our work on homes in your community: Wildwood Villas, Tuscany Trail, Ramblewood Villas, Lake Walden Villas, Arrowhead and Many Single Family Homes, With More to Come!
Richard Smith 386-852-7518 License Number: 13020502 FC 11013
174507
BEFORE
Services include: Interior & Exterior Paint, Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels, Siding, Windows, & Door.
LOOKING TO BUY, SELL OR RENT IN THE TRAILS?
Let us take care of all your real estate needs! Family Owned & Operated • Trails Residents since 1985
Open 7 days a week- including holidays! • Established in Ormond Beach since 1957
FREE Tupperware with every home purchase! • Licensed Florida Notary Proud sponsor of all 2015 Trails pool parties! Ted Rugg & Associates Realtors
Amy Rugg, Owner-Broker
386.527.1220 amyrugg@tedruggrealty.com
NEW LOCATION! 555 W. Granada Ave., Ste. D10 Ormond Beach, FL 32174
We have moved to a new office to suit our clients’ needs. Ample parking.
Rick Rugg, Owner-Broker
386.677.6560 rickrugg@tedruggrealty.com
174502
10
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
11
Online at Home Not all residents take advantage of community website. JACQUE ESTES STAFF WRITER
At 6:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of the month, The Trails Master Homeowners Association meets on the second floor of the clubhouse. The meetings are open to residents, but rarely are the seats filled. Conflicting schedules, lack of child care, or being just too tired, are all possible reasons residents do not attend. Residents can stay informed and stay at home. Access to important information about what is going on in the community is available by signing up on aegiscms.com. “We want to make it as convenient as possible for the owner to get information and pay fees online,” said Brandie Hayes, the licensed community association manager for The Trails. HOMEOWNER ACCESS
Each homeowner should have been provided information about the online benefits when Aegis became The Trails property management agent, or when they moved in. “Everyone is sent a welcome letter with information about logging in and how to pay maintenance fees, obtain documents and read the minutes of the last board meeting,” Hayes said.
CROSSWORD
“Currently, we have about 200 emails registered out of 990 homes. We need more.” PART-TIME RESIDENTS
Snowbirds who only live in their homes in The Trails part of the year are also able to stay in touch and up-to-date on residential information. GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
A new Governance Committee of board members, residents and management will be updating and amending existing covenants. Homeowners can access their progress online and also participate. USE THE SITE YOUR WAY
Homeowners are not tied into a single method of using the site. The extent that they want to be visible is up to them. “The homeowners can fill in the blanks to the point of the information they want us to have,” Hayes said. “You can use it, but not allow emails.” Keeping basic information, which is never shared and always kept in-house, can be helpful for both the homeowner and the management, according to Hayes. “More than one time I have received a payment where they have forgotten to sign the check,”
Jacque Estes
Brandie Hayes demonstrates how easy it is to access information on The Trails’ website.
Hayes said. “It would be so much easier and faster to be able to call them than to have to mail the whole thing back to them.” Residents having any issues or questions can call Hayes during business hours for assistance. “It’s better for them if they can call me when they are in front of their computer and I can talk them through it,” she said.
nOnline access: aegiscms.com nOnline help: 673-0855 nPrivacy – Information given stays in-house. nControl – Homeowners regulate how much
information is provided.
HAVE A DRINK by Wesley Holman 119 Type of collision 123 Baton wielder 127 Brittle, transparent candy 129 Little cupid 130 It starts with “sacro” 131 Hedgehog feature 132 It doesn’t require union membership 133 Bumper sticker word 134 English exam finale, perhaps
DOWN
©2015 Universal Uclick
ACROSS
QUICK FACTS
38 Slacken up 40 Snake that bit Cleopa1 Kind of training tra 6 Broods 43 Valueless 11 Approached hostilely 45 Has the power to 19 Model wood 46 Like some fence wire 20 Put a coat on the house 48 One taking orders 21 Artistic honoree 51 Oolong, for one 22 Many an early aviator 52 “Fidelio” solo 24 Uncivilized 54 Medical advice, often 25 Single, e.g. 55 Trade association? 26 “___ say more?” 57 Part-time employees, 28 “___ Ha’i” for short 29 Air Force heroes 59 Italian lawn bowling 30 The “Evita of Evita” 62 “Much ___ About 32 Barber’s motion Nothing” 35 Sacred beetle of 63 Explorer ___ de Leon ancient Egypt
1 Good grades 2 Great grades 3 Camera shop products, briefly 4 “The end ___!” 5 Game show with a host that drove 6 They may be before your eyes 7 Egypt and Syria, once (Abbr.) 8 Depict by drawing 9 Bit of football gear 10 What a driveway leads to 11 Pie ___ mode 12 Low-___ diet 13 Havana’s home 14 Certain exams 15 Small finch 16 ___ chi (martial art) 17 Pilot’s announcement, briefly 18 Cub-scout unit 23 Clasp worn by men 24 High school class, for short 95 In the earth, now 64 Gawks 27 Attracted 96 Computer keyboard 66 Flightless birds 31 Water nymph, in 68 Book of biblical songs key 97 Sheltered from the sun mythology 70 It clinks in drinks 33 Criminal trial concern 99 Like some auto trim 71 Infertile stretches of 34 President Franklin 101 Fleur-de-___ (symbol land 35 Does some jazzy on Quebec’s flag) 74 Feel feverish, e.g. 102 Prefix meaning “new” improvisations 75 Manual worker 36 Proofreader’s inverted 103 1,051, once 79 Gooseflesh-raising “v” mark 80 Established the validity 104 Lower in esteem 37 The Jungian inner self 106 Ready for a commitof 38 What sponges do 84 Sky blue ment? 39 “You ___!” (“Abso85 Relative of 66-Across 108 Cookout intruders 88 Move to the music 111 Unit of weight for gems lutely!”) 90 Derogatory, as remarks 113 Full of hackberry trees 41 Razor-sharpening 91 Male opera roles 114 Freight-train stowaway leather 42 Resident animal 93 Yanks 117 Third canonical hour 44 Word with “pointer” or
“printer” 47 Civil War soldier, briefly 49 Grp. of lawyers 50 Patches 53 Not supported by experience 56 Spray alternatives 58 Confidential matters 60 Parrot’s beak part 61 Dog-___ (like some book pages) 65 “Understand?” 67 “Buona ___” (Italian greeting) 69 Tree product 72 There are three in a third 73 Comfortable in one’s own skin 75 Father-in-law of Jacob 76 Plant with fragrant flowers 77 Levar or Richard 78 Kidney-related 81 String quartet instrument 82 Astronomer Hubble 83 Slow on the uptake 86 Battlefield doc 87 “___ it or lose it” 89 It’s a matter of pride 92 Electrical unit 94 :-) 98 Call one’s bluff 99 Jeer 100 All together 105 Best-selling doll 107 Pancake toppers 109 Bush protector 110 Achy areas 112 Did dinner 113 At attention 115 “Little Women” woman 116 “Beetle Bailey” dog 118 Lake, city or canal 120 Armor plate that protects the chest (var.) 121 “Peter Pan” pet 122 Squirrel’s nest 123 Longtime Chinese chairman 124 Volume-boosting equipment 125 Football great Namath 126 “Opt” anagram 128 Resinous secretion
CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a Tony award winner. Using the hints X=E and H=N, decipher the clues to name the entertainer.
1. J U H F U H 2. Y I Y X 3. V R X X H X D L U F F 4. P X V V A B I W J X L B G X S 5. S U V X This entertainer won a Tony multiple times, including one for their work in Blithe Spirit:
SUDOKU
Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box.
06-18-15
THE TRAILS OBSERVER
|
JUNE 2015
Customize Your Life
Ready for a Change? With thousands of quality, custom homes built in some of Florida’s finest communities over the last 35 years, it’s no wonder ICI Homes is recognized as Florida’s Custom Home Builder. ICI Homes offers an extensive selection of award-winning custom plans ranging from 2,000 - 4,350 sqft and is nationally ranked as a Top 100 Homebuilder by Builder Magazine.
Chelsea Place
Plantation Bay
Breakaway Trails
Homes/Lot Packages from the upper $200s
Homes/Lot Packages from the mid $200s
Homes/Lot Packages from the upper $300s
Visit an ICI Homes community today and tour our four new furnished model homes.
386.401.4863 l www.ICIHomes.com Intervest Construction, Inc. 2379 Beville Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32119 / CGC1517573 Photos of Model Homes may not be actual Model Home in that community. 174459
12