Spruce Creek Trails Association, Inc. April - May 2008 Newsletter www.sprucecreektrails.com

IT’S TIME FOR POTLUCKS!

The first potluck of 2008 is Saturday night, March 29 at 6:30 P.M. Central Daylight time.  Potlucks are held the last Saturday evening of each month from April through October.

 WORK DAY

Meet at the Pavilion on Saturday, April 5 at 9 A.M. Central Daylight Time.  Bring your own lunch, gloves, tools, etc.

 THE NEW TRAILHEAD IS GREAT

The new Troxel-Wood Trailhead (Yellowcliff) on Oby Blevins Road is finished and is being used.  Thank you for all of your hard work and donations.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO……

A special thank you to Fulton and Chris Johns, Keith and Tammie Holly, Mike and Sandy Gough for clearing trails including Yellowcliff (formerly Yellowface),  and Salt Pine.

MARCH 22 BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Submitted by Roy Sillman, Secretary-Treasurer

 The Board of Directors' Meeting for March, 2008 was held at the Pavilion on March 22.

New Business

Tom Pickard was nominated for President, and

Sharon Vaughn for Vice President for 2008. Mike Smith agreed to continue as President until the May meeting.

Two new Board member positions must be filled. It was decided to talk to Ron Brinkerhoff & Beverly Chase to determine if they are interested  in serving on the Board.

Election of Officers will be held at the  May 31 Annual Meeting & Potluck instead of mailing out ballots.

A motion was made by Tom Jancek and seconded to read the water meter every time we have a Potluck.  This needs done to detect possible leaks and avoid a huge water bill.

A motion was made and seconded to discontinue the security light at the Pavilion.

Discussion was held outlining the continuing construction of the Pavilion. A new concrete pad was completed in December.  The Pavilion roof will be extended over the new pad.  Some picnic tables will be relocated so that a new serving line can be installed.  This will allow 2 food lines to be used which will cut down on the time it takes for food to be served.

Treasurer's Report.

We started out January 1, 2008 with   $50.34 in the checking account. This was done on purpose to minimize taxes.

As of April 22, we have a total of $3,629.24 in the checking account.  This income was from Membership Dues and Contributions. Checks continue to dribble in.  A total of 80 memberships for 2008 have come in.  However, there are still

forty 2007 members who have not renewed their memberships.

IMPROVEMENTS ON TRAIL

Several improvements have been made on the trail across from the Pavilion that goes to Cumberland Valley Trailhead.  We now have a wonderful picnic shelter, two tie rails, a stop sign and road sign. 

This is what you will see from the trail:       

HELLO AND GOODBYE

Welcome, too, to Mary Warren who has moved here from California and settled into her new home at 529 Evergreen Drive.  

Judy Ashley has moved back to her house on Taft Story Road.

Brenda Lawson has moved to 117 Saddle Drive.

Gale and Gerry Beckett have moved to their new home at 728 Deer Haven.  They previously lived in Florida.

THANK YOU TO….

Leslie Helm for all of her contributions to the newsletters.  You have probably ridden past Ned and Leslie’s home at the intersection of Trailhead lane and the horse trail.  They have a wonderful watering trough next to the trail and keep it filled for thirsty critters.  If you have not met these two, make a point of meeting them.  They have a mail order business called Wingset, www.wingset.com.

The Helms’ moved their business from Vermont to Florida to Tennessee.  Leslie says Tennessee reminds her of Vermont in so many ways except the snow and cold.

 Items in their online catalog include Barbour waxed cotton clothing, dog gear, personal safety products, equestrian items and gifts.

 SPRING CLEANING TIP 

Use baking soda to scrub out water buckets, feed tubs and troughs. It removes accumulated gunk and you won't have to deal with soapy residue.

    Product Review

If you do a lot of horse camping or traveling with your horse, consider putting a small “pet tag” on your horse’s halter so that, in the event of a loose or lost horse, his contact information is available.  Go to www.terrificpet.com and order the large tag for $4.95. It comes in black so it will be unobtrusive. Spend an extra dollar and have it engraved DOUBLE SIDED. Put your horse’s name as well as your name, address, home and cell numbers on one side and your tow vehicle/trailer description on the other side so people can locate you quickly once they have your horse in hand!

MYHORSE.COM WEBSITE

     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WALK

Ron and Linda Brinkerhoff’s daughter, Kim Wesner, is training to participate in the Breast Cancer three day walk which covers 60 miles
over three days.  She will be walking and camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking part in this adventure.  There are several locations participating in the walk, but Kim will be walking in Dallas, TX on November 7-9.

Breast cancer strikes one in eight women as well as men.  If you would like more information or wish to make a donation, visit www.The3Day.org

 NEW TAX ON HORSE FEED

You may have heard that the State of Tennessee has imposed a new tax on hay sold in the state.  It is not a new tax; rather, the new rules that went into effect on January 1, 2008 adjusted the method for identifying those who qualify for a farming tax exemption.

Confusion over a “new tax” on Tennessee hay was fueled earlier this year by televised news reports and information circulated on the internet.  Tennessee Department of Revenue spokesperson, Sophie Moery, explained that sales tax is applied across the board, just as it was last year and that farmers were, and still are, exempt from the state and local sales taxes on certain items used in agriculture, such as feed and hay.  Prior to January 1^st, Tennessee merchants determined who was a farmer and who, therefore, qualified for an exemption.  The state is now assuming responsibility by requiring that customers have an official Agriculture Sales and use Tax Certificate of Exemption issued by the state.

 Applications will be processed within a matter of days.  If approved, a small card is provided that may be carried or can be copied and kept on file with various merchants.

 There are a number of ways to qualify for an exemption.  Individual horse owners who live on a certain type of property may qualify.  Owners of boarding barns may qualify and anyone who earns $1,000 or more per year from agriculture may qualify. Additional information and applications can be found at www.tennessee.gov/revenue.

 The certificate must be renewed every four years.

   MISC ITEMS

Blue Rhino Propane Bottle for sale. You can let yours run dry and still be able to barbecue when you have a full spare! $10.  Ned Helm 752-8102.

Mobile Home for Rent 2BR mobile home available for month to month rental.   Horses welcome.   Doreen Mendola.  (931) 752 8201.

Bush hogging, post holes dug and light grading.  Tom Jancek. (931) 879-8660.

Cabin for Rent - Sleeps 6-10, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, fireplace, Jacuzzi, etc. www.kickingbackcabin.

Barns, buildings and garages built.  Bobcat work.  Brian Matchette.  (931)  879-5312.

Pet Adoption – Donna Drochak is a volunteer for Best Friends Sanctuary and fosters dogs.  If you are looking for a new pet, call Donna at (931) 752-8388.

Sewing by Joan. Embroidery, slipcovers, curtains, trailer accessories.  (931) 752-7643.

Spruce Creek Trail Association