May News Letter 2012

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter May 2012

S U M M E R I S F I N A L L Y H E R E ! ! ! ! !
We would like to WELCOME some new residents to our community:
Lot 83 Richard & Joyce Ferrante, Lot 103 Bill & Marie Mullis
Lot 113 Willard & Donna Peterson, Lot 136 James Cox
Lot 141 Michael & Diane Wilcox, Lot 176 Lee & Loraine Hiler
Lot 183 Warren & Pamela Gardner, Lot 210 Geroge & Carol Szmall
Lot 211 Fred & Rosemary Jenne, Lot 101C Glynn Shuttleworth

FOR ALL CAMPERS, SUMMER SPECIAL !!!
We had such a great success last summer, and have had many inquires if we were going to run the same special this summer. And the answer is YES!
We will once again be running our summer on-site storage special from the beginning of May through the end of September. Bring in your rig, pick a non-prime site and storage your unit for only $50.00 plus tax per month. Then when you are ready to get away for a long needed weekend you just come on in, hook up your rig and pay only for the days that you’re here.

April News Letter

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter April 2012
Don’s Corner
Adios, Amigos! (Only Spanish words I know) Hope your summer goes well, and that you return safely to Lake Waldena next season. We had several new RV’rs join us this year and we hope all of you enjoyed the season with us.
Now for the bad news: our operating costs have gone up dramatically during the past 2 years, since we last raised the camping fees. We need to address that issue before next season. Our options are:
1. Cut back on our services, as much as possible.
2. Raise the camping fees.
3. Install electric meters at each site and charge for usage.
I personally like #3, because that allows everyone the opportunity to conserve on their costs, should they want to. Most other seasonal parks have already taken that route.
Your input would be appreciated. Thanks, Don

March Newsletter 2012

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter March 2012

Don’s Corner
Don doesn’t really have a lot to say this edition (Surprise, Surprise!!), but since the opportunity presents itself…how can I refuse?
This Chili Cookout was not very well attended, due in part to the weather, our scheduling (Ash Wed.), and our failure to post a sign-up sheet. Considerable effort by some great volunteers and staff, plus several hundred dollars was put into this project, and everyone was disappointed by the attendance. Many thanks to those who did come.
The options we will be taking a look at for next year are: 1. Not having it. 2. Having it in the Rec.Hall. 3. Making it a charity benefit (Salvation Army), and pre-selling tickets. 4. Reducing the scope of the project.
Your comments are always appreciated!

February Newsletter 2012

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter February 2012
Don’s Corner
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!
Many of you responded to our plea for not using a credit card to pay your lot rent or site rental. (You will recall our request from a previous newsletter) I don’t have exact numbers, but typically, for every $100 in credit card usage, the banks charge the business $3.00 in processing fees. Most businesses simply pass this along to their customer as a ‘cost of doing business’. I reason that if we don’t have to pay it, then we don’t have to charge for it. Thanks again for your cooperation.
We have in the past and will continue to work with our local provider to receive the most up to date speed that is offered to us. Everyone needs to understand that you are all working off a “Shared Network” not your personal modem. We are currently running a 10 MB line, and your bandwidth to 350 MB per hour per user. We are asking you to help us, help you and your neighbors. If you are not using your computer please log-off of the wi-fi system, and for those of you that are uploading video please do not do so in the peak hours.
Think about this… Uploading 1 hour of video is equivalent to sending 4 million e-mails.

January Newsletter 2012

I would like to start out the new year welcoming back all out returning residents and a special welcome to all the new residents that are now calling Lake Waldena home. We have a great community and I for one am very proud to be a part of it.

Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year and yet you never keep them? Here are some resolutions that you can actually accomplish! Enjoy!
10. Read less.
9. I want to gain weight. Put on at least 30 pounds.
8. Stop exercising.
7. Watch more TV. I’ve been missing some good stuff.
6. Procrastinate more.
5. Drink. Drink and Drink some more.
4. Start being superstitious.
3. Spend more time at work.
2. Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.
and last but not least…
1. Take up a new habit: maybe smoking!

December Newsletter

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter December 2011

Don’s Corner
HELP! HELP! HELP! Approximately 4 years ago, Lake Waldena Resort initiated a credit card payment option. It was a convenience for our RV customers to make reservations quickly, and accommodated those travelers who do not keep local checking accounts. The service fees we pay for providing that accommodation was, and is approx. 3% of the total amount charged. Our first year’s costs were less than $1,000.00. This year our direct costs will be approx. $8,000.00. The primary reason for that increase is because more people are using the plastic cards even though they could just as easily write a check or pay cash for the rent due. (Banks promote card use by offering special deals).
The only fair way to recoup our costs is to charge each card user a 3% fee. Trouble is, that’s against the law in most states, including Florida. As a result, most businesses raise their prices to compensate for the added cost. I happen to think that only those folks who use the cards ought to pay the 3%, not everyone. I’ve been fighting this battle for a long time (see attached), and will continue to do so.
So, let me ask, no encourage, each of you to stop using a card unless you absolutely need to. We will continue to monitor our costs over the next several months to see if, in fact, we can contain our losses.
Please help us help you toward this goal. Thanks, Don

It is that time of year again. The office will be doing an annual inspection of all properties. Mobile homes and campers should be clean of mold and mildew, roofs clean, and this year we will specifically be looking for concrete drives and walkways to be free of mildew. The office can provide a list of contractors, but we advise you to get your estimates in writing and DO NOT pay any contractor until the work is completed to your satisfaction.

November Newsletter

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter November 2011

Don’s Corner
Whew! It’s been a couple of hectic weeks for us; just got back last week after Trip #2 from Ohio. (It takes at least two trips back to haul all the junk that we took up to Ohio in the spring.) One new item however, was Doris’ 13 weeks old golden retriever puppy, Taffy. Taffy just had to stop at every rest stop for a potty break.
It’s going to be good to see all the old faces, plus meet our new residents as they arrive. We’re expecting a pretty full house this year.
So…kick back, relax and enjoy the good people and nice surroundings that our excellent staff has provided for you.
There will be an activities meeting on Tuesday, November 8th, at 3:00pm. We encourage Campers and Mobile Homes Residents alike to attend.
Please keep an eye on the activities board that is located by the mailboxes, for the added activities that have not yet been posted on the calendar.

October Newsletter 2011

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter October 2011

Well fall has officially arrived. Lets’ hope the weather gods are looking down on us this year for a wonderful season. “No Long Johns Needed”. The days are still a bit warm but the evening and morning air is changing just a bit to let us know that cooler weather is near. Because the days are still pretty warm we will be keeping the beach open through the month of October. So get out there and take a dip!

August Newsletter 2011

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter August 2011
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.

Tips for Camping with Your Dog
A dog is an indispensable companion on a camping trip. It will smell and hear things before you do, can help guide you through sticky underbrush, and, if well trained, find lost members of your camping crew. A dog can warm you up, devour scraps around the fire, and just be there when the full moon rises. Your pet can benefit from your safety planning just as much as you will, so take a few minutes and think of what they may need. If you’ll be camping for an extended period of time, look online for a veterinarian close to the campground and add their number to your cell phone. Make sure your pet is up to date on all shots, particularly rabies, and bring along any necessary documentation in case a trip to the vet is needed. If you don’t already have it, an ID tag with your name and phone number is also a good idea

July Newsletter

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter July 2011

Everyone should be glad to see that we have spent a great deal of time and effort this past month renovating the beach area. We hired outside contractors to spray and kill the aquatic pond grasses at the beach and swimming area with an environmentally friendly spray. We have started manually racking and dragging the aquatic pond grasses as it dies off and will continue to do so until the swimming area is clear.
So get out there and ENJOY your summer !!!