Committee Corner

from Cresswind Jul/Aug 2022

HOA Board Message

Submitted by: Louis McClure

PROJECT APPROVAL PROCESS

Please remember that any changes to the exterior of a residence requires ARC approval in advance of starting the work. This means that any modification, alteration, or addition of ornamentation of any type or size to your home that can be seen by you, a neighbor, or pedestrians, requires advance approval from the ARC. Please remember this includes our back yards, and includes statues, sculptures, bird baths, flowerpots, wind chimes, swings, benches, arbors, trellises, etc. This also includes replacement of items with an identical item, for example, outside garage lights.

So, do not start beautifying your home exterior or yard until you have submitted a request to the ARC and have received written approval from the community manager. If you don’t, you may be asked to remove the items and you may receive warning notices from the community manager. Fines can be levied if you fail to comply with the warning notices.

The ARC has up to 60 days to review and approve / deny projects. Again, please do not proceed until you have received the written approval from the community manager.

CONSTRUCTION DUMPSTERS

Dumpsters located in a resident’s driveway are NOT for personal or community use. Dumpster rental is based on the volume and weight of the dumpster when removed. Please do not deposit your yard and/or project waste into someone’s dumpster without permission. The photo below was taken by a resident of pallets and cement pieces that were dumped into their dumpster adding to their disposal fees.

MAILBOX MAINTENANCE

Proper maintenance includes maintaining the mailbox in good working order, free from debris and bird droppings, keeping numbers intact, maintaining the mailbox and post finish (powder coat satin black), and repainting periodically. The original color of the mailboxes is powder coat satin black. The approved color for repainting is Rust Oleum Black Semi-Gloss 2x UltraCover Paint & Primer. The area where your mailbox is located is part of the Cresswind common areas and

no plantings or borders of any type may be used around the base of the mailbox.

CARE COMMITTEE

(CRESSWIND ASSISTANCE RECOVERY ENCOURAGEMENT)

We have many individuals here in Cresswind that are willing to assist you in your time of need. If you need assistance, we are here for you. The CARE Committee maintains support for any of our resident’s needing assistance during a time of crisis. We can set up a Meal Train, come and visit, take and retrieve trash & recycle bins, pick up mail (especially for those in Phase III). We have a list of medical equipment which residents have and are willing to loan on a short-term basis for your recovery period (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc.) We have a list of various facilities in the greater Gainesville area that may be needed for recovery (rehab, memory care, assisted living, long term nursing care). We also have a list of organizations that provide skilled in-home care. This information is available and comes with no recommendations by the Committee.

If you need assistance or if you would like to volunteer to be part of the CARE Committee to assist our neighbors, please contact Mary Quisenberry.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Submitted by: Tim Roth

The Education Committee has been busy this year working on new and exciting events for our community. This year we have seen many of our usual attendees, a growing number of new Cresswind residents, and several who have lived here for years and are ready to start “getting out”. Regardless, everyone is welcome, and you will always end up learning something.

Along with the new content, we have also lined up some repeat events from last year based on resident’s suggestions. We have already conducted twenty-three events with over five hundred attendees. This has only been through the month of May, and we do not intend on slowing down. Cresswind Website 101, CPR Training, Brenau University Learning & Leisure, Traffic Safety & Road Use, Tugboat Trip, Boating Safety, Plan in a Can, Elachee Nature Science Center, Chattahoochee River Keepers, History of Cresswind by the Heritage Group, Advanced Care Planning, Grief 101, Mindfulness Practice, Wisdom Project 2030, and a few guided hikes kicked off 2022. If you participated in any of these events, thank you for your attendance.

We will continue to tap into the wealth of knowledge and informational content within Cresswind and our surrounding area. Look for some interesting events and activities throughout the remainder of the year. Keep updated by logging into the Cresswind website at www.cresswindatll. com and clicking on the “Our Community” dropdown menu, then “Committees” and “Education Committee” to see our upcoming events, meeting minutes, and recent presentations.

Have an idea for a program topic? Contact co-chairs Betsy Robertson (334)740-7926 betsyjrobertson@charter.net or Tim Roth (678)481-9852 doctorr4tim@gmail.com.

Welcome Committee News

By Sue Joninas

Our Cresswind Welcome Committee is still reaching out to new residents with all of them being resales. Our members are sending cards, calling, and offering their support. We let the residents know they can call us, and we will help them in any way we can. Many neighbors on their street are reaching out to make them feel welcome. We hope some new residents will accept a visit very soon. We will be holding a New Resident’s Orientation for all new residents since March 2022 followed by a Meet and Greet in the Ballroom at the Clubhouse in August 2022. The staff of Cresswind will be introduced and give a brief talk about the jobs they hold. We will also have a few speakers from various Committees and Clubs to describe what they are all about. If you do not hear from a Welcome Committee Member within four to six weeks of closing on your new home, please contact me at sjoninas@gmail.com. We do not want to miss any new residents. Welcome to Cresswind!

WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS! Ann Baldwin 3719 Cypresswood Point SW Debra White 3326 Sweet Plum Trace SW John and Jeanne Bleecker 3972 Sweet Magnolia Chase SW William and Barbara Thaler 3895 Sweet Magnolia Chase SW (Formerly of 3426 Cresswind Parkway) Laura Jacobson 3514 Golden Rain Circle SW Martin and Josephine Hadelman 3426 Cresswind Parkway SW Matt and Julie McCalley 3104 White Magnolia Chase SW Earl Roberts and Lois Porterfield 3329 Sweet Plum Trace SW Chris Gumpert 3643 Cresswind Parkway SW

LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

By: Linda Furgerson

It’s that time of year again when lawn mowers and edgers are frequently heard throughout our community. The following are some basic reminders about the busy growing/mowing season of our yards.

MOWING/EDGING SCHEDULES

• Weekly mowing and edging of turf usually start in late

March and continues through the first part of October. • Edging includes sidewalks, curbs, planting beds (soft edging). • Additional mowing and edging may be conducted through early December depending on temperatures and turf conditions.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Mowers, edgers, and trimmers cannot operate effectively or safely on wet turf. Normal weekly schedules may need to be adjusted/altered in the event of rain. Homeowners should make every attempt NOT to water their lawns (turf) if it is their normally scheduled mowing/ edging day.

A minimum space of forty-eight inches wide is required for mowers to enter a back yard. If access to the backyard is blocked either by plantings, walkways, or other temporary or permanent blockages, it the homeowner’s responsibility to remove these impediments at their expense. This includes when these impediments prevent access to neighboring private properties and/or common areas. The homeowner responsible for causing the blockage is responsible for its removal. Properties will not be mowed until the blockage is removed. Pets must be inside the home during mowing, edging, or trimming. Crews will NOT enter if pets are in the yard and/ or have free access to the yard (pet door in place). Crews will NOT enter if warning signs are in place that indicate a dog is present. All pet waste must be removed from the yard prior to mowing. MTScapes crews are not responsible for the removal of pet waste and will not mow where it exists. All objects such as pet or children’s toys must be removed prior to mowing. MTScapes crews are NOT responsible for removing these objects and they will mow around them if seen.

MTScapes makes every attempt to securely close the gates once they have completed their work. However, it is the responsibility of pet owners to verify the gates have been closed securely before allowing their pets access to the yard. If not already in place, installation of a springloaded hinge is recommended (at homeowner expense).

WATERING

Grass, shrubs, and flowers will not grow without adequate water. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring their lawns and flower beds receive adequate water. Here are some guidelines: • Begin watering lawns when the overnight temperatures are a minimum of 600 or higher. • Watering in the early morning (before the sun is out) is optimal for both lawns and flowerbeds. • As a rule of thumb – watering lawns 2-3 times a week for 10-15 minutes for rotor zone areas and 5-10 minutes for spray zone areas is recommended. • Flowerbeds and shrubs may require additional watering depending on the type of material planted. • It is suggested that you coordinate with your neighbor regarding watering of the side yards and flower beds.

Overwatering can result in mold, drainage issues, and drowning of plants or sod. • Shrubs and flowers absorb most of their moisture through their root systems. It is recommended to water the ground around the plants instead of the leaves. • Early morning is the recommended time for watering bedding plants. Watering in the heat of the day can result in leaf scorch (plant sunburn), and watering at night can cause mildew. • If you have extensive flower beds or plantings, you may want to consider the installation of a drip-watering system to provide specific hydration to these areas.

By Laurie Solomon

The Health & Fitness Committee would like to thank our new Committee member George Roughton. George has been instrumental in getting our fitness equipment back in good working order. The new vendor came out on 5/24/22 and repaired quite a few items. All pieces of equipment are numbered, and a problem issue clipboard is placed by the trainer’s office. This allows residents to report the piece of equipment and the nature of the problem. Each week this list is given to Traci for forwarding to the vendor. This procedure will expedite the repair process and keep the equipment working properly. The Fitness Center Guidelines have been relocated to a more visible location for residents and guests in order to familiarize them with the rules.

On June 15 Northeast Georgia Medical Center presented a lunch and seminar on Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Type 1 Diabetes occurs early in life and is an autoimmune reaction where your pancreas does not make insulin. Once diagnosed the patient needs to take insulin on a daily basis. Type 2 Diabetes is the preventable form and unfortunately 35 million Americans have this type. In Type 2 the body is unable to make enough insulin and properly use the insulin it does produce. It can develop over many years with no symptoms while still damaging the body. The main cause of Type 2 is being overweight and living an unhealthy lifestyle. Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal and raises your risk for Type 2, heart disease, and stroke. Many of us are grandparents and the number of teens diagnosed with Prediabetes has risen substantially. One in four adolescents have elevated blood sugar levels and are in danger of developing Diabetes. The risk factors include being overweight, physically inactive, having a family member with Diabetes, and a mother who had it when she was pregnant. Read food labels carefully and you will see that added sugar goes by many different names. Soda, sweetened tea, fruit juice, pasta sauce, alcoholic beverages, ketchup, breads, baked goods, and processed foods all have a high sugar content. Engaging in a regular exercise program can increase the ability of insulin to get sugar out of the blood and into the body’s cells for energy. A nutritionally balanced eating plan combined with a consistent pattern of moderate exercise is key to avoiding Type 2 Diabetes. Food can be your friend or your enemy, so choose what you put into your body wisely. Please continue to utilize and enjoy our Fitness Center.

The HOA Board Updates is a new article that will appear as a regular article in the Waterfall going forward. The intent of this article is to provide a recap of the most recent Townhall Meeting that was held on April 27. The Board responded to both questions submitted before the meeting, as well as questions from the audience. The following is a recap of some of the items discussed.

BROWNS BRIDGE ENTRANCE –The large Cresswind sign at the entrance is due to be repainted in June. Signage on the guardhouse indicating Resident and Vendor lanes will be replaced with larger type/font for easier reading and appropriate placement is being evaluated. In addition, the guardhouse will be repainted in the fall.

NEW TRAILS – The Trails Club will be evaluating and identifying potential areas for new trails. Once their recommendations are received, the Board will thoroughly evaluate the proposed locations, including potential impact on residents.

SECTIONS 3B AND 3C MAILBOX KIOSK – The initial efforts to install the kiosks were delayed in part by the Covid 19 pandemic. But more significantly by increased costs required to meet standards and requirements established by both the City of Gainesville and the United States Postal Service. This project continues undergo evaluation and planning.

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE – The Board has established an ad hoc (short-term) committee to review our current Landscape Maintenance contract. The committee will clarify our requirements and develop a Request for Quote (RFQ) that will be sent to multiple vendors to solicit bids for services. Once these bids are received, they will be evaluated, and the Board will select a vendor.

PINE STRAW – Numerous questions and concerns were raised regarding pine straw. Pine straw is a significant portion of our annual budget, and prices have continued to increase, including a significant increase in November 2021. The Board has adopted a new pine straw distribution and application procedure that will be implemented in 2023.

TREE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT – Recent storms have played havoc on existing trees, both on common area property as well as residential property. Per our Charter, trees on residential property are the responsibility of the individual homeowner for removal and/or replacement. The Board will be working with a certified arborist to evaluate the existing trees on common property. The goal is to define and implement an effective remediation and/or removal and replacement plan that will provide long-term health and safety of these trees.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD USE (TSRU)

PLANS – Implementation of several of the proposed improvements suggested by the TSRU work group was delayed due to the recent repaving of Cresswind Parkway. Now that the paving is completed, the Board has approved some of the suggested improvements. However, it is important to remember that safety on the roads is the responsibility of all residents, both drivers and pedestrians.

MONTGOMERY GATE ENTRANCE – The Montgomery Gate has been a concern for a long time. Traffic safety in this area concerns not only residents of Cresswind, but anyone who uses Montgomery Drive. Therefore, decisions regarding use of the Montgomery Gate must be thoroughly evaluated. The Board asks for your patience as we continue to consider the most appropriate solution for safety and resident convenience.

DEAD PLANTS – Unfortunately there are numerous dead or dying plants throughout Cresswind, both on common and residential property. Residents are responsible for removal and replacement of dead plants on their property, including Kolter installed plants. Residents will receive communication from the Community Manager notifying them of their responsibilities if they do not remove and replace dead or dying plants in a timely manner. Dead plants on common property are replaced as quickly as possible given availability and appropriate planting times.

SIGN AND LAMP POST MAINTENANCE – Numerous signposts and light posts throughout the community need painting or other maintenance. The Community Manager will contract to have the repair and painting done in the near future.

The Heart of the Problem: Why a Blue Ribbon is Not Always First Place

As we conclude Men’s Health Month, our thoughts typically include the blue ribbons that bring awareness to prostate cancer. Blue ribbons honor those currently battling and those who have survived prostate cancer. Since cancer is the #2, cause of death for all men, recognizing blue ribbons is important. However, as a cardiologist, we know that the causes of death in men vary depending on age and that the #1 cause of death in men (and women) is heart disease. According to the most recent national vital statistics report from 2018, by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease and stroke account for 28.4% of deaths in men followed by cancer at 22.5%. Not surprisingly, in the “machoman” age range of less than 45, the #1 cause of death is accidents. Just as accidents are preventable, so too are early deaths from heart disease. The major risk factors for developing heart disease include male gender, age, family history, smoking, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, being overweight or obese, and diabetes mellitus. We are born with the first three of these risk factors and they cannot be changed. Importantly, the remaining risk factors are modifiable with lifestyle changes. Simply put, stop smoking, eat a low-fat low-cholesterol diet, get daily exercise, achieve your ideal body weight, and stay on your medicines. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of heart disease. So while we honor the blue ribbons let us not forget that the #1 cause of death in men is heart disease and stroke and let’s all vow to do something about it!

Allison Dupont, MD Mark E. Leimbach, MD J. Jeffrey Marshall, MD

Cindy L. Grines, MD Heather Westmoreland, MD