Southmoor Gardens Neighborhood Association

January 2008

Jan 23, 2008

A Note From the President

First things first, a great debt of gratitude is owed to Joan Wagstaff for her undying dedication to Southmoor Gardens. If not for her and her previous board members, we wouldn't have the foundation we have today. I would like to thank her, those that served with, and those that served before for keeping the spirit of the neighborhood alive. Thank you.

For those of you who may not know, my name is Jason Schnurr. My family and I live at 6911 68th street. We relocated from the historic district in Savannah, GA. My wife, Brooke, is from Overland Park, a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School and Pittsburgh State University. I am from north Georgia and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Brooke and I both have degrees in Construction Management. We have two boys. Jensen our oldest is 3, and Mason is 6 months. We have lived in Southmoor since 2004; our front yard has been ground zero for the previous two street parties.

As the new chairman of Southmoor Gardens, along side tenured co-chairman Steve Langton, a new secretary Dave Hanson, and a new treasurer John Huey, our main goal is to increase the participation levels and make sure all portions of the neighborhood feel involved. We have 331 homes in our area and our goal is to get everyone excited and involved. We intend to fill the street at the street parties, run out of ice cream at the ice cream socials, run out of turkey at the holiday party, and fill all the seats at the bi-monthly meetings. We are all committed to this goal and need you as a resident to share the same interest.

Southmoor Gardens is poised to become a premier neighborhood in north Overland Park and all of the newly elected volunteers and other committee volunteers want to seize the energy. We have a number of new ideas never attempted before in Southmoor Gardens and we would like your input. Help us make your Southmoor Gardens a stronger neighborhood intent on preserving our rich history while striving for a vibrant future.

Current Board Members

Jason Schnurr:jason@johnrohrercontracting.com Chairman
Steve Langton:sflangtonl@yahoo.com Co-Chairman
Dave Hanson:hansopks@yahoo.com Secretary
John Huey:jhuey@kc. rr. com Treasurer

Snow and Ice Removal

The Public Works Department is responsible for clearing snow and ice from 1,603 lane miles of streets in the city. With the exception of emergency requests from police dispatchers, individual requests for snow removal cannot be taken until after major operations have been completed.
To report snow and ice problems: E-mail or call the appropriate Maintenance Division with a description, location of the problem and any other pertinent information. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Maintenance Facility

North of College Blvd. 913/327-6650
Matt Ross Community Center The Matt Ross Community Center is now open. The 80,000 sq. ft. center has several amenities, including:

?» Four Pools
?• A 1/10th mile track
?• A game room
?• A child play area
?• A child watch area
?• Two gymnasiums
?• A large weight and cardio room
?• Men's, women's and family locker rooms.

Hours of Operation:
Monday -Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.

Membership and Rental Fees:
Memberships purchased for the Matt Ross facility, also are valid at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 119th and Lowell. A list of Fees is available online at the City of Overland Park's website.

We will continue to bring you information regarding Overland Park's policies, services and fun things to do. You may find this information yourself by visiting: www. opkansas.org

Information on this page has been taken from the OPkansas.org site.

Do you Yahoo??

Register now for the neighborhood online group through Yahoo. Simply go to Yahoo.com and look for groups. Southmoor Gardens is registered as: Southmoor-OP-KS Ask to join the group and you will be added as soon as possible. We are excited to have this technology available to keep in touch with current information quickly and efficiently. Ask questions, tell about upcoming events, you can even ask for a recipe or good babysitter!

This is an essential tool in developing a
cohesive and active community, we look forward to seeing your name!!

RECIPE CORNER AND EXCHANGE

A place to ask, a place to share. Have you ever had the "BEST" salad ever or the tastiest apple pie at the neighborhood picnic? Now is your chance to ask for recipes and share special family favorites.

To get us started, I would love to share a family favorite that I was asked about after the fall street party. If you have a family favorite or would like to ask for someone in the neighborhoods recipe, just email Christina Jonas at cjonas65@mac.com..

Happy Cooking!

Trudy Mae's Sweet Potato Pie
40 oz Sweet Potato (1 can)
1 tsp Vanilla
1 C Sugar
3 Eggs
l/2CMilk
3/4 Stick Butter

Heat and mash potatoes. Combine remaining ingredients and mix. Pour into greased casserole.
Bake at 350 degrees about 20-25 minutes.

Topping:
1 C Brown Sugar 1/3C Melted Butter 1 C Chopped Pecans 1/3C Flour

Mix and scatter on top of casserole and bake another 10-15 minutes.

This is so yummy that I usually double the recipe for potlucks! Enjoy!

JANUARY GARDEN CALENDAR VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

?• Pick up and discard fallen fruit before spring arrives.
?• As nursery catalogs begin to arrive, look for plants with improved insect and disease resistance.
?• Order fruit trees.

Flowers
?• Peruse seed catalogs and prepare your seed order.
?• Things you can start:
?• For spring flowers, get unplanted spring bulbs in the ground as soon as possible.
?• Start seeds throughout winter, depending on growing requirements.
?• Water fall planted perennials to prevent dry soil conditions.
?• Watch for signs of frost heaving and cover tender roots.
?• Replace mulch layers.
?• Check bulbs in storage for rot and decay. Discard damaged ones.
?• Curl up with a good book and learn more about gardening.

Lawns
?• Avoid walking on frozen lawns. It may injure the grass.
?• Rake fallen leaves that pile up on the lawn to prevent suffocation of grass.
?• Scatter snow instead of piling it up on the lawn next to drives and walks.

Trees and Shrubs
?• Snow and ice on limbs:
?• Gently brush heavy snow from tree and shrub limbs to reduce damage.
?• Allow ice to melt naturally from limbs. Do not use water to melt the ice or attempt to knock it off.
?• Pruning:
?• Prune storm damaged limbs quickly to reduce damage and prevent tearing of the bark.
?• Avoid the temptation to prune on warm winter day. You'll prevent further damage.
?• Bring twigs of flowering trees and shrubs indoors to force blossoms.
?• Water fall planted trees and shrubs when soil is dry but not frozen.
?• Watch out for rabbit damage to the bark of trees and shrubs.

Miscellaneous
?• Clean and repair garden tools during the winter.
?• Sand and seal tool handles to prevent splinters. Apply brightly colored paint to handles. It makes them easier to spot in the garden.
?• Keep bird feeders and water supplies filled for the feathered friends.
?• Evaluate the garden and make notes to assist in next year's planning.
?• Take photos of the garden and analyze for year-round interest.

This great information is from the K State Research and Extension Service Johnson County.

New phone: 913-715-7000
New fax: 913-715-7005
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.