Trails ‘N ’ TalesTrails ‘N ’ TalesTrails ‘N ’ Tales

The Myakka Valley Ranches

Improvement Association Monthly Newsletter P.O. Box 21463

Sarasota, FL 34276 www.myakkavalleyranches.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our Association now has nearly 280 Lot Owners as Members. As I have discovered, that means 280 different opinions! One that I often hear assumes the “Board” is some remote, uncaring body. Actually, the opposite is true. All the current Board Members offer their time, free of charge, because they do care about the Valley. None volun-teered for the power, but rather because we need residents to manage the common areas. The Valley was first developed over 40 years ago. The assets are old and need constant attention. And we keep the dues as low as possible; far lower than any other comparable community. If we fail to maintain the Valley, officials will step in and you will be charged accordingly! The Boards actions and decisions are open to all and are wholly transparent. Any lot owning member is welcome to attend our monthly meetings and raise any issue or speak on any matter we have on the agenda. We also want you to know what is happening and why. So the Board set up a special committee to review how we communicate with all members. Jean Brewer and her team have completed their review. The Board agreed with all they recom-mended. The key decisions are: Make the Trails ‘n’ Tales coordinator a paid position. In every issue request input and articles from residents–let you know

your input is welcome and needed. Reduce the size of business card ads for TNT so that more ads fit on a

page and we save money on printing. Increase the price of line ads. Mail TNT to those owners who do not live in the Valley. We won’t

mail to Thailand–domestic postage only! Put TNT on the website and publish in the printed TNT where it can

be found online so that you can become accustomed to using it. Continue to request and obtain your email addresses and request that

you keep us updated with any changes by emailing them to admin@mvria.com. We will not spam, send jokes, or release the addresses to anyone. We may from time to time notify you via email of lost or found animals, threats to the community, or other special matters that may concern you.

Valley Residents, the MVRIA Board Minutes are available to you on the MVRIA website

Http://MyakkaValley.pbwiki.com The read only password is: mvria (all lower case)

Residents should be notified in the TNT to call the tip line if they have lost or found pets.

Continue to publish the directory every 2 years or so and request up-dated info from members prior to publication. Include in the dues billing a request for info and permission to be included in the di-rectory and request email addresses.

Continue to maintain and enhance the website, making as much infor-mation as possible available there. Publish the website domain name(s) and info in every issue of TNT.

It’s “back to school” again! Parents and children will be relieved that life is back to normal. The Board has made one change. We have moved the school bus stop from Old Ranch Road by Myakka Valley Trail. Our reasons for promoting the change were the congestion and safety issues at this important intersection, and the damage done to the easement. The Board has repaired the easement. The new bus stop locations are actually nearer to where children live. Safety is still a concern. The Board is warning the driver of a truck who drives fast and recklessly. This is unacceptable. He will be prosecuted if he continues to behave without regard for other resi-dents. The Board has agreed to undertake some maintenance of saddle trails. Please check the state of any saddle trail easement across your Lot. We are obliged to let Lot Owners know before we undertake any maintenance on their easement. So you may yet get a ‘phone call.

David Hodgkinson

Myakka Valley Ranches Board Members

David Hodgkinson 927-5936

Jackie Vizzi 929-7165 Susan Welden 925-2693

Deb Houston 922-4788 Norma Whitler 921-2191

Richard Johnson 924-6714 Gary James 925-4722

Cynthia Pepper 724-1220 Alice Strike 927-5336

Bev Burger (Secretary) Tom Fleury (Treasurer)

Hoofbeat News August 2008 The Myakka Valley Horse Club meeting was held at Sue and Wally Kahne’s home. This meeting focused on planning future topics, speak-ers and rides. There was also an update on MVR saddle trails and on the recently formed MVRIA Saddle Trail Special Committee. Most of the time was spent on future activities and rides. Some future activities are: Animal Emergency and Disaster Activity (October), Equine Expo (Nov.), Christmas Party (December), Lippi-zaners Show, Polo Tailgate Party (Feb or March), Tack Sale (March or April). The tentative schedule for rides is: “Our Father’s Ha-ven” (September), Little Manatee River, Alafia, Suwannee River, Deer Prairie, Ross Prairie and Panther Ridge. The club is also open to sug-gestions. In order to take advantage of their special rates, the first ride, scheduled for the weekend of October 3, will be at “Our Father’s Ha-ven” in Bushnell, Florida. This ride is planned to be a three day two night but can be shortened. Please check out their website at: www.ofhbandb.com or call 352 793 7920. If interested in joining us for this ride contact Jackie at 941 929 7165. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 7 PM, at Alice Strike’s home which is located at 6355 Singletree Trail, Lot 109. Please bring a covered dish to share. Hope you can join us.

Join the Myakka Valley Trail Hikers!! Come hike the trails and discover places you never knew existed!

Wear appropriate clothing, bring bug spray, water and a hiking stick. Meet your neighbors, set your own pace and have fun.

We will meet every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. (4 in the winter) at the north east side of the bridge.

For information call Paul or Liz Wolbers at 922-4606

Valley Book Club • September’s book, Silver Pigs by Lindsay Davis, is a mystery set in ancient Rome.

The dinner and discussion are at Jannie and Don’s home: 6620 Country Road on

Thursday September 25 at 7:00. Please call them at 927-7206 to confirm unless

you are on our email list. • October’s book, A Land Remembered by Patrick D.

Smith, is the story of three generations of Flor-ida Crackers. A picnic lunch and discussion

will be held at the Crowly Nature Center and

Museum on Saturday October 25 at 12:00 p.m. Please call Deb at 922-4788 to confirm.

• November’s book will be The Death in Venice.,

September Women’s Forum will be held at the home of Mary Hutchinson on

Tuesday, September 16, at 7:30. Mary’s address is 5441 Myakka Valley Trail.

Bring snacks to share. Mary is providing the drinks.

Please join us!!

October’s hostess is Stephanie Spangler.

New 4-H Club

starting in the Valley. Ages 6 and up.

Contact Peggy at 780-6981 or Sue at 925-8614 First Meeting September 4

DID YOU KNOW? Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the

little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.

If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will

stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better

for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and

better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help

pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of

spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and

then beat them up.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of

garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste

of garlic.

Reheat Pizza: Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on

top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat until warm.

This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza!

Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag.

Seal, mash till they are all broken up; Add remainder of ingre-

dients, reseal, keep mashing it up, mixing thoroughly. Cut the

tip of the baggy; squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag

away when done. Easy clean up!

Please support Fran’s Charity Run for the

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in November!! Every five minutes, someone in the United States finds our they have a

blood cancer. Your donation could mean so much to so many people.

Checks should be made out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Soci-

ety and sent to Fran Hodgkinson 7020 Myakka Valley Trail.

Telephone 927-5936; email franhodgkinson@verizon.net

Credit card donations can be made on Fran’s fundraising page

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/rnrsa08/fran

A big thank you to Board member Gary James! Gary bush hogged the 10 foot high fennel plants on Crackerhorse Trail. The weeds had grown to a size that was a hazard for riders and hikers.

Still MORE Funny Airline Comments

18. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant came on with, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screech-ing halt against the gate. Once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we’ll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.

19. Part of a flight attendant’s arrival announcement: “We’d like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a

pressurized metal tube, we hope you’ll think of U.S. Airways.” 18. Heard on a Southwest Airline flight: “Ladies and Gentlemen, if

you wish to smoke, the smoking section of this airplane is on the wing, and if you can light ‘em, you can smoke ‘em.”

If you notice a light out at the entrance to the Valley, please notify

Norma Whitler at 921-2191

Please contact Richard Johnson with building plans.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake Prep. 30 min. Bake: 65 min + cooling 3/4 cup butter, softened 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 can (15 oz.) solid pack pumpkin 1 cup (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, divided In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon; add to the creamed mixture alternately with pump-kin. Fold in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion. In a well greased 20 inch fluted tube pan, sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans. Spoon chocolate batter over pecans; top with pump-kin batter. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 325 for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before re-moving from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 12 servings.

The Little Horse Named Shoe

By Liz Wolbers

After years of toting my daughters back and forth to horse shows and taking

care of their horses, it was finally time to buy a horse for me. Just for me. Not a

jumping horse, good in the show ring, but one that liked to do what I love: going on

long trail rides, and maybe even try competitive trail.

He had to be beautiful, dark, under six, thick mane and tail, short back, kind eyes, lots of go, and most of all, I had to look him in the eye and feel an instant con-

nection.

So, I looked on line, in horse magazines, the newspaper. I talked to numerous owners

and trainers. Early on in the search, one trainer contacted me and said "I do not have a

horse that looks like the horse you want but I have one that has a lot of energy and he

might work for you.” She mailed me a picture and oh boy. He did not look at all like

the horse I had in mind. He was chestnut, I wanted dark, he was elegant, and I prefer

stocky, warmblood-like. He was little and I am tall. This was definitely not the horse

for me!! Besides his name was Shoe. Who can take that seriously? The search contin-

ued.

My husband and friends got sick and tired of me, enough already, they did not under-

stand the importance of this endeavor. It was the beginning of a new phase in life, a

midlife crisis horse if you will. Other people divorce, or buy a Harley. All I wanted

was that horse that I could see so clearly in my mind.

Then finally, when I visited training and breeding facility, there he was: ex-

actly how I had pictured him. No matter that he was not trained and really had never

been on trail rides, this was the one. I brought him home and started riding him. Care-

ful at first, slowly introducing him to all the scary monsters hiding in the bushes. It

got to be summer and as Florida will, it got to be hot, very hot. Gradually it became

evident that my new horse could not take it. He did not sweat enough. Anhydrosis, I

learned from vet and internet, a complicated problem. Not to be deterred I sent for

miracle cures from England, and tried everything else in between. Nothing worked.

His old owner in the meantime had missed him a lot and happily agreed to take him

back. “A miracle" she said. Sad and disillusioned I almost decided to take up bike riding, when the

trainer who had called me way back when, contacted me again and told me she still

had the chestnut horse named Shoe and that I should try him. I could just take him

home and see what I could see. Try him I did. I just got on and rode. If this was going

to work, it had to be on my terms. My friends thought I was nuts when they saw me

go by on this hyper, wild- eyed little thing. He had shown saddle seat before and it

was quite obvious! But guess what? I was loving it. His antics on the trail did not

scare me; somehow I knew that it did not mean anything. We stayed out for hours

and hours, crossing creeks and winding our way through overgrown trails. This horse

who really only knew about show rings discovered a whole new way of life. His ears

were always pricked forward and he came running when I showed up in the pasture

with his halter. He enjoyed watching the chickens and playing with our other geld-

ings. We tried a completive trail ride and he took to it like a duck to water.

This little horse named Shoe, who was not at all what I wanted, turned out to

be all that I wanted!!!!!

BAYSTATE TREE SERVICE

& STUMP GRINDING

Tree Removal Clamloader / Hauling Topping Trimming Planting

Landscaping Available Demossing Deadwooding

Referred By Insurance Companies

Licensed / Insured Valley Resident OWNER Since 1982

References in the Valley Timothy A. Herter

923-2999

Palm Trees $20.00

(most palms included)

TOTAL TREE TRIMMING

Free Stump Grinding With any tree removal

10% OFF on ALL Citrus Pruning

(Citrus trees must be pruned Jan. & Feb. before

new blossoms appear)

Specializing in Low Prices

For Trimming, Removal, Demossing

Palms Oaks Pines Shrubs Bushes

CALL ANYTIME FOR

FREE ESTIMATES Bill Shawn

377-1007 371-5338

Fully insured 15 Years Experience Bucket Truck & Clam Truck Hauling Service Available

Jean Brewer Alex Krumm 925-4375 234-3597 NEW LISTING! 4991 O bar Rd. 5.4 fenced acres with gorgeous pasture, nice oaks, 1998SF 3BR/2BA home, 2-car garage, pond, and 4 stalls, $409,000. Tell your friends who would like to live in the Valley to call us! Go to www.jeanbrewer.com to search the Sarasota mls and to get helpful real estate tips. ENERGY AND EXPERIENCE TO PROVIDE REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS!

941 954-5454 (800) 450-4375 www.jeanbrewer.com email: jeanbrewer@verizon.net Nobody in the WORLD sells more real estate than RE/MAX!

The Brewer Team

RE/MAX PROPERTIES

SOME 85% OF ALL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

BEGIN ON THE INTERNET!

WHICH IS WHY I ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY ON

Heraldtribune.com, Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate, NY-

Times.com, Realtor.com, Floridamoves.com, Trulia.com, Zil-

low.com, LandandFarm.com, Homesandland, Frontdoor.com,

Coldwellbanker.com, AND MANY MORE!!!!

When you list your property with me, it will be featured with 10 to 25 photographs on all the important real estate web sites. All internet advertising has my direct contact information. Inquiries made on a number of websites are routed directly to my cell phone!

I also advertise in print, and send out “Just Listed” postcards

JUST LISTED: 5261 Vanderipe Rd. Concrete block 3/2/2

home with a great, open floor plan. Beautiful lot with gor-geous trees and a big pond. Fenced and cross fenced, con-crete workshop. Competitively priced at $435,000-

CALL OR E-MAIL ME TODAY IF YOU HAVE ANY REAL

ESTATE NEEDS!

Paul A. Wolbers, Ph.D., Realtor® Valley resident since 1992 Coldwell Banker Residential RE 100 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236

Cell: 350-4527 E-mail:pwolbers@verizon.net

Direct: 927-7436

Internet: www.floridamoves.com/paul.wolbers

Our Myakka Valley market is still

stronger than west of I-75.

Mortgage rates remain low. If you have been

contemplating a move, this is a good

time for an advantageous buy.

If you would like to know the value of your

property or have other real estate

questions, just give me a call

Michael S. Wallace, GRI Serving clients and community in Myakka Valley since 1988

Office: 941-366-5959 x225 Res: 941-921-1586 Email: msw-era@concentric.net or visit: michaelwallace.realtor.com Hunt Real Estate ERA 3701 S. Osprey Ave. Sarasota, FL 34239

Whispering Ranches Feed Visit our store!! 4914 Lena Road

(East of 75 off SR 70)

Beth from Hunsader Farms is continuing excellent cus-

tomer service and specializing in equine health.

Fresh, full line of Seminole and Buckeye Feeds

Quality Hay from the Hay Exchange:

Coastal, T&A, Timothy and Alfalfa

Oceolas, Sun Coast and Stampede Shavings

Select Southeast Horse Products and all horse supplies

We deliver in your neighborhood on a regular basis

(941)962-2247 Or FAX your order (941)322-0919

Switch to Seminole Feed and get 50c / bag off your first order!

Wholesale Landscape Supply Horse Bedding now in stock -Pine Shavings -Kiln Dried -Convenient size bag -Delivery available Wholesale Landscape Supply is the area’s #1 provider

of all your landscaping supply needs including:

Mulch Gravel Top Soil Sod Shell Sand

and much more!!

Wholesale Landscape Supply 6625 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota, FL 34241

(941)379-2440

www.wlsgreen.com

Trail ‘N’ Tales welcomes input and articles from

residents! Please email debhouston@juno.com or call 922-4788 with submissions.

Trail ‘N’ Tales can be found on the website. www.myakkavalleyranches.com

Lost a pet? Found one?

We have a “Lost and Found” section on the website. To place an

ad contact admin@mvria.com

Trails N’ Tales

does not endorse

any advertiser. It

is always a good

idea to ask for

references.

Trails N/ Tales

Advertising

Full page $440/year Half page $220 / year Business card $50 / year or $5 /month Classified $3.00 per 3 lines Please remit pay-ment when you drop off the ad. Deb Houston 5987 Shep’s Island Put in Trails and Tales box next to front gate or call 922-4788

Deadline is 20th

of month!

941-923-8147 Beeper 252-4317

Roberts Tractor Work

Pasture Mowing Seeding

Blade Work Bush Hog Mowing

Discing Fertilizing

“While You’re Away” Pet care and house sitting

Valley Residents for 11 years

David and Linda Willms

925-4422

Go away and have some fun

We’ll be sure the chores are done!

ON TO

GREENER PASTURES

Derek Alday Equine Burial Services

Derek Alday

Myakka City, FL

Phone (941)232-5519 derekalday@gmail.com

Tipline:

724-MVIA

(6842)

Enforcement phone numbers: Suspicious vehicles:

365-TAGS Sheriff:

951-5800

Derek Alday, Farrier (941) 232-5519 P.O.Box 262

Myakka City, FL 34251 derekalday@gmail.com

Myakka Valley Grounds Maintenance

Pressure Washing, Zero turn Finish Mowing, Bush Hog, Roto-Tilling,

Bucket and grading work. Weed eating, Edging and general trimming.

Landscape Projects Property Management

Mark Sprague 915-7367 MCC Student will clean your house, do your ironing, care for

your animals! $15/hour Courtney

922-4788 or 544-0914

Healthy Sr. QH

Gelding

Needs a good

home Child-friendly and

Trail Safe. No vises

or medications

Light riding only

Call Kim

921-4043

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Support the Kiltie Band at Riverview High School by helping them raise funds for their

trip to Ireland for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Please donate your unwanted items for a ga-rage sale to be held in November. Call or

email Jared Padget for pick up of your dona-tions. 925-3175 or jpcountryboy@verizon.net.

Looking for some extra work Available Tues, Weds, or Thurs. Run errands, feeding animals, house cleaning, plant care, mow-ing $15/hr. Shari Thompson 925-3379 Valley Resident References

Valley Teen Available for WEEKEND

BABYSITTING

GRADUATE OF

“SAFE SITTER COURSE”

CALL ERIN

AT 927-1223

KIEFER

PAINTING

COMPANY

Interior-

Exterior Valley Resident

Frank 927-9176

For Rent: Lush fenced pasture 4 1/2 acres, 2 stalls, Tack room Suitable for 3 horses Miles of safe maintained riding trails

941-724-1831

Alisha’s Babysitting Service

Valley girl with babysitting experience

available week-ends and some weeknights. 924-3976

Total Technology Solutions Computer & Networking,

Multi-Media, Video/Audio, Telephone, Wireless, Security Design, Installation, Problem Resolution

20 years Technology Experience BICSI Low Voltage Certified

Mark A. Sprague RCDD

915-7367

Tom Bannerman Home 924-2691

Cell 302-3564 Pager 252-8597

BUSH HOG MOWING

BOBCAT WORK

Yard Waste Removal

FOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALE Top soil, sandy

loam,

compost mix,

shell, washed

shell

B. Crofut

371-2132

P.C.’s P.C.’s P.C.’s P.C.’s Pet Sitting Pet Sitting Pet Sitting Pet Sitting

ServiceServiceServiceService Experienced and

Dependable Caring for small or

large animals

Peggy Creadon

780-6981

I always hav e something for sale. Pressure tank and well pump like new $150.00 OBO, dryer $50 Also will feed and care for your HORSES and other animals.

GUNNAR NIELSEN

Call 921-6221

18 Year Valley Resident / References

TRACTOR

WORK

Mowing,

fertilizing,

disking, grading

Call Gary

923-8147

Valley Resident

Local Honey for sale

$5.00/1 lb. Call Jackie or Victor

929-7165

Tom Scheve Handyman Service

Carpentry, Light Welding

Light Remodeling Valley resident 923-1793

FREE! Side-by-side Refrigerator.

Works well—needs cleaning. 232-1164

FOR RENT

2 rooms with full kitchen and bath, cable, washer/dryer,

private entrance, friendly pets ok.

$650 mo. + 1/2 electric 915-2819

Clean Your

Home

$8/hr. $50/day

Peg Kolb

921-2611

KAT-MAN-DO

Handyman 30 years exp., marble, tile, stone, fence work,

pond cleaning, painting, drywall, texturing,

pressure washing, electrical, plumbing.

No job too big or too small.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Labor Day

2 3 Horse Club 7:00 Strike

4 5 6

7 Hiking Group 5:00

8 MVRIA Board Meeting

9

10 11 12 13

14 Hiking Group 5:00

15 16 Women’s Forum 7:30 Hutchinson

17 18 19 20

21 Hiking Group 5:00

22

23 24 25 Book Club 7:00 Maitz

26 27

28 Hiking Group 5:00

29 30

September 2008September 2008September 2008September 2008