What are the rules?

1. All golf carts must be registered by the City of Dunedin.
2. Driver must possess a valid Driver License.
3. Driver must obey all rules of the road.
4. Operator Manual to be distributed with registration of vehicle.
5. Owner must possess liability insurance for golf cart.

What equipment is required?

1. Efficient brakes
2. Reliable steering
3. Horn
4. Safe tires
5. Rearview mirror
6. Red reflectorized warning devices (front/rear)
7. If driven between the hours of sunset and sunrise, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield are also required

All rules and regulations are enforceable by Pinellas County Sheriffs Office and City of Dunedin Code Enforcement Officers.
City of Dunedin Ordinance 2011-04; Article VI of Chapter 74, Sections 74-200 to 210

This time last winter we had already experienced some very cold nights and even some damage to sensitive plants in our landscapes. The National Weather Service is predicting warmer temperatures than normal for the Southeast through this winter. So, we could be spared frosts and freezes.

Even though plants in Central Florida stay green during the winter for the most part, they are still dormant. Many plants will grow very slowly or not at all during our coolest months. You will find that grass will not need to be mowed but every two to three weeks and will require less water. Grass that is allowed to grow a bit taller is less likely to suffer severe damage if there is a heavy frost or freeze. Fertilizer should not be applied during the winter months and irrigation should be set to run every two weeks instead of every week.

If a heavy frost or freeze is predicted, there are some plants that need protection by covering. Crotons, Bromeliads, Tomatoes, Peppers, Impatiens, Begonias, and Allamanda are just some of the plants that require protection. Orchids should be brought into a warmer area if temperatures are predicted to range down to 40 degrees or below.

Watering landscape plants before a freeze can help protect plants. Well watered soil can absorb more solar radiation than dry soil. Plants in containers can be moved into protective structures where it is warmer. Containers that must be left outdoors should be protected by mulches and pushed together under overhanging foliage from hedges or bushes before a freeze to reduce heat loss from container sidewalls.

Coverings protect more from frost than from freezing cold. Covers that extend to the ground and are not in contact with plant foliage can lessen cold injury by capturing heat that is radiating from the ground. Foliage in contact with the cover is often injured because of heat transfer from the foliage to the colder cover especially if the cover is plastic. Some good covers to use are: cloth sheets, quilts or purchased ‘frost cloth’.

If you do use plastic, use a form around the plant inside the plastic to keep it from touching the plant. It is necessary to remove plastic covers during the day to keep the plants from cooking in the sun. Cloth covers can remain on for several days if the temperatures are forecast to remain very cold.

With luck we will have a mild Florida winter and not have to worry about protecting cold sensitive plants. If you have questions about plants, plant care or the pests that attack plants, the Pinellas County Master Gardeners hold a plant clinic at the Palm Harbor Library every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, on the second Thursday of each month there is a speaker presenting on various gardening and landscaping topics. For information on up-coming programs in this series, to register to attend a program or to view other Pinellas County Extension landscaping programs visit: http://pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com.

Pam Brown holds a Master of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Virginia Tech and served as the University of Florida Urban Horticulture Extension Agent in Pinellas County for over eight years.  She is retired from the University of Florida and was granted the title of Extension Agent Emeritus.  Today Pam is a popular “Garden Coach”, garden writer and educator.  Visit Pam’s website for more information www.pamperedgardeners.com.

The date of the Annual Meeting has been set and the Board of Directors of the Fairway Estates Community Association invites F.E.C.A. members with a business or service to register for our second Trade Fair. You will be provided with a table to display your products, promotional items or literature, and will have a chance before and after the annual meeting to meet and talk with homeowners.  For services that require it, proof of license, insurance, bonding, etc. should be available at the fair.

It’s a win-win proposal: You might find some new customers right in your own backyard, and your neighbors will appreciate knowing a local person to call when they have need of a business or service.

Because space is limited, please contact Ina Laughton, Special Events Coordinator, at 734-5023 or events@fairwayestates.org, before January 15, 2012, to register.

Local Business and Resource Directory
In addition to the Trade Fair, we now have a Local Business and Resource Directory on our website. The cost of an annual listing is $5 for active FECA members and $20 for non-members.  If you are a business owner, and would like to be listed in the Local Business and Resource Directory, please contact Rebecca Wellborn, Webmaster, 320-5135 or webmaster@fairwayestates.org, or download the Directory Registration Form and follow the instructions.

Sporting a pink tutu, and grinning from ear to ear, Sophie V. demonstrates a ballet move that most of us can only dream about.

Sophie’s twin sister Lucy (right) is pictured on page 7 of the magazine. Both 4 year olds take youth dance classes at the Dunedin Community Center, and their teen-age brothers take tennis lessons. Mom takes advantage of Mother’s Morning Out each week.

The Community Center is a wonderful resource for exercise, cultural events and social opportunities. It offers dance, music, martial arts, and fitness classes, as well as many other classes and activities, and has a branch of the library as well. And it’s within walking or biking distance from Fairway Estates.

Stop by the Community Center to pick up a copy of the Parks and Recreation Magazine, or view it online by visiting www.dunedingov.com or by going to the Links page at www.fairwayestates.org.

This summer Alex, along with a small group of local middle school students, will get a chance to experience Japanese culture by staying with a host family for one week and by visiting important cultural sites near Nagano the second week.

Please call Alex at 238-8909 to help you with odd jobs and to help send him on his way to Nagano.

When I was fishing around for a speaker this past December, several friends suggested Vice Mayor Ron Barnette, so I asked him if he’d join us at the annual meeting. At the time I invited him, Largo and Tarpon Springs were in the news with various money woes. Yet all we ever seem to hear and see from Dunedin is how we’ve purchased gulf-front parkland, expanded our fine art center, budgeted for more recreational facilities, and so on. How can this be, I asked? We’re surrounded by cities who have no money, and yet we do. It’s more than just good fiscal management! Come to the meeting and be part of the dialogue with Ron Barnette, the City Commissioner now serving as Vice Mayor.

Margie Sigman, FECA President 474-5508

Bi-Annual 60-page directory of residents, sorted by name and by street, distributed to association members every other year. 650 copies. 

Prices quoted are for camera-ready artwork. Ad changes and graphic design services are available at additional charge.  

If you would like to buy ad space in the directory, or know of a business who might like to buy an ad, download the order form and follow the instructions. For questions please contact Margie Sigman at president@fairwayestates.org or at 727-474-5508.