National Night Out Plans are being made
for Goldenwood West’s third
annual NNO party at 7
pm on Tuesday, October 7, at the
GWW pavilion.The purpose of this event is to help neighbors meet and get to
know who lives nearby, and
to familiarize folks with the Neighborhood Watch program. Our VFD’s
new Chief has asked us to consider hosting a joint party with Goldenwood and
Radiance this year, and GWW has extended the invitation to these neighborhoods.
Once again, our party will be a potluck social, with iced tea, plates and napkins
provided. Residents are asked to bring whatever food they care to share: appetizers,
casserole or other main dish, vegetable, side dish, salad or dessert.
All residents (and friends) who are musicians are encouraged to bring their
instruments and share their music. Come enjoy a delightful evening of good
food and neighborly visiting.
Contact Rick Bondurant (rbond@iiat.org) or the editor for more information
. • Editor
 |
Building Community: Driftwood Heritage Evening
Celebrate six decades of hospitality
“A good place to live,” wrote Minnie Lea Rogers in her 1970 book, Driftwood
Heritage. The recent explosion of growth in the Driftwood area is testament
to her sentiment. Ranches, once its lifeblood, are being replaced by housing
developments. As the young move away and the older generations find their
eternal rest in the peaceful little cemetery, the once slower pace of country
life
is giving way to the demands of modern living. A celebration of days gone
by was the annual Driftwood Heritage Day, begun in 1986 for the Texas Sesquicentennial
by the Driftwood Community Improvement Club. As the club members have aged,
organizing Heritage Day has become more onerous. So, this year we decided
to
host a barbecue supper on Saturday
October 4th from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Community
Center as a break from the day-long event.
Although land grants were made from 1826 by the Mexican government and shingles
were cut from the majestic cypresses along Onion Creek after Austin became
the capital of Texas, the first real upsurge in the community, then known
as Liberty Hill, came after the Civil War. Its original name caused a problem
when it was decided to open a post office in 1886 since there already was
a
Liberty Hill in Texas. Spotting a piece of driftwood from an Onion Creek
flood near the prospective post office, someone suggested “Driftwood” as
a name. The postmaster agreed as driftwood had been used in building the
post office.
In its heyday, Driftwood was home to two stores, a cotton gin, a barber’s
shop, and a smithy, as well as two churches. In 1911 the Baptists decided
to change the site of their church. But, on the eve of the move, a fierce
wind
blew the unsecured church to bits. With truly ecumenical community spirit,
the Methodists graciously allowed the Baptists to share their church. This
arrangement continued for almost a century, with Methodist services on the
first and third Sundays, Baptist on the second and fourth, and alternating
fifth Sundays. The Baptists once again have their own church, but still join
their fellow Methodist church-goers and other local residents at the community
center behind Driftwood Methodist Church on the first Saturday of the month
(except July) for a covered-dish supper.
The Driftwood Community Center building, at the intersection of FM 150 and
CR 170, dates to 1920 when it replaced a barn-like structure used as the
local school from 1905. It was when Driftwood joined the Buda school system
in the
1940s that the former school became a community center. At the time, many
local young men were off serving their country in World War II. When they
returned
in 1946, a thanksgiving supper was held in the center to welcome them home.
Out of this grew a monthly tradition that was formalized into the Driftwood
Community Improvement Club in 1956.
Membership dues are $20 a year per family.
Extra funds for maintaining the Community Center come largely from the raffle
of a quilt, handmade by the ladies of the community, and a hunting rifle.
This year the drawing will take place at the supper on October 4th to which
all
the Driftwood area is invited. There will be no charge for the meal, but
donations will be welcomed. Please visit our website at www.driftwoodtx.org
• © 2008
J. Marie Bassett
 |
|
Monarch butterfly (Danaus
plexippus) on a Frostweed flower (Verbesina
virginica), its nectar source on the migration south to the Mexican
mountains in September and October.--J. Marie Bassett. |
| deJ.
Marie Bassett |
Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead Fall Fest and Artists
of Dripping Springs Harvest of the Arts The Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead in Founders Park will host its
Fall Fest this Saturday, September 27, from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $5
for adults, and children 4 and under will be admitted free of charge. Attractions
will include great art, great food, great music, old-fashioned games and
crafts for all ages, demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a silent
auction.
Founders Park is on FF12 in Dripping Springs, just a short distance north
of the intersection with Hwy 290. • Editor
Native plants for sale The Wildflower Center Fall Plant sale is the weekend
of October 18-19. • Editor and J. Marie Bassett
Dropping responsibilities Our Administrator has received complaints
from a number of residents who are concerned about dog owners not cleaning
up after
their pets when they are out walking. Residents are kindly requested
to be courteous to their neighbors and not leave an unpleasant task
for
someone
other than a pet’s owner. • Editor and Nova Birchfield
A new trash collection service Mary Buchanan, the community manager in
Radiance, has informed us that a new trash company is allegedly offering
much cheaper
rates than TDS. She has forwarded her research to us and to Goldenwood
in the hope that many of our neighbors will switch over. Here is her message:
A new trash/recycle collection company out of Dripping Springs is now
serving our area and I have researched and compared their services with
our current provider, TDS. I found a considerable savings with the new
company, CDS, $140 per year and, with the support of the Radiance POA Board,
contacted the other developments about switching. For new folks, the three
developments years back agreed to use the same disposal company for environmental
reasons and to cut down on road wear. [Editor’s note: This agreement
was non-binding, and some GWW residents have chosen to use a third provider.]
Garbage trucks are very heavy and each trip inflicts considerable damage. By
the way, CDS uses the TDS landfill which is environmentally the best in the area. |
Some folks in Goldenwood expressed concern that CDS does not pick up
glass in their recycling service. Currently, Mary Buchanan, Rob Baxter
of Goldenwood
and Nova Birchfield, our Administrator, are gathering further information
from the two companies. GWW residents will be kept informed of developments
on this
issue via email and the newsletter. • Editor and Nova Birchfield
Warm welcome Mindy Russell and Beth Blanchard are working together
on the welcome committee and could use volunteers as bakers, who provide
baked
goods, or as
greeters, who bring the baked goods and an information packet on welcome
visits to new residents. aWe have had four new families join our neighborhood
in the
last few months. Residents interested in helping Mindy and Beth are
encouraged to contact the editor or Nova, our administrator. • Editor
and Nova Birchfield
Board of Trustees News
Pool and tennis court security code change The new code for the locks
was in the September statements which went out on 1 September. In
keeping with
the
BOT’s decision this year, this code will remain in effect through the
off months until spring. If incidents of abuse of pool and tennis court priviledges
are reported, the BOT may reconsider this policy. Protection of our common
facilities for the enjoyment of residents is the BOT’s primary
concern. Members who are current in payment of dues receive the security
code in
their statements.
New pool service The BOT has hired
Todd Swearingen and G & S Pools as our
new pool company. We have hired Todd to help us with ongoing issues
with the pool including removing the black algae once and for all,
maximizing our filter
system, repairing the pool light and keeping the pool safe and fun
for the neighborhood. In order to remedy the black algae situation,
the Board has agreed
to drain the pool after this year’s swim season slows down
and we are no longer in a Stage 1 Drought situation. Our new company
will
aggressively
treat the algae and once the pool is refilled we will adhere to stringent
maintenance which will include closing the pool one day a week to
properly clean and treat
it. The day will probably be Monday except on holidays when it will
move to Tuesday. More info will be coming from the Board along with
signs
to notify
property owners when the pool is closed
Election of officers Three Trustee positions are up for election
on November 19, to serve full two-year terms ending December 31,
2010.
The following
BOT members’ terms are expiring: John Anderson, Sue Ponder
and Audrey Pudder. Audrey will not be seeking reelection. Anyone
interested in serving on the Board
is encouraged to contact our Aministrator for more information.
Emailed billing In the next statements, property owners will be given
the option to sign up for emailed statements. We will not be accepting
electronic
payments;
payments will remain the same - POA box or mail. But if property
owners would prefer to receive their monthly statements through email
the
administration will offer that option. This will reduce some of the
POA mailing costs,
be
more environmentally responsible and also serve the requests of some
of our property owners.
The Annual POA General Meeting will be held on Wednesday,
19 November, at 8 pm at the Wizard
Academy’s Tuscan Hall. Visit www.tuscanhall.com for directions.
The next meeting of the BOT will be on Tuesday, 11 November, at 7
pm at the pavilion.
News from the APC
Changes in Committee membership Members Jake Bradley and Brandon
Nichols completed serving their two year terms on the Committee.
Their generosity
in giving so
many hours in volunteer service to GWW is appreciated.
The BOT has appointed David Deming and Ruben Guzman as new members
to the APC to fill the two vacant positions. They will serve with
current member
Paul
Laird. Board member John Anderson is the BOT’s Liaison to the APC,
and attends meetings of the Committee in an advisory capacity. Thanks
are extended
to these members for their willingness to serve their neighbors in this
critical and challenging task. POA members (property owners in good standing)
who
have an interest in the activities of the APC are encouraged to attend
APC meetings,
and may also consider serving as subcommittee members.
Yard of the Month The APC’s recognition for Yard of the Month for
September goes to Claudio and Juanita Chavez at 16800 Westview Trail.
Recognition in
the month of August went to Charles and Janet Greening at 8308 Scenic
Oaks Drive and in July Shawn and Stacy Dane at 8113 Forest View Drive
received
this recognition. Thanks to these residents for helping to make our neighborhood
more beautiful.
The next meeting of the APC will be on Wednesday, 8 October, at
6:30 pm at the pavilion. Residents with questions for the APC are
always
welcome
to attend
the meetings. POA members and visitors may speak during the public
forum at the beginning of the meeting.
News from the GWW Water Board
The next meeting of the GWW Water Board will be on Monday, 29 September,
at 7:30 pm at the GWW water plant facilities (our water treatment
area on Westview
Trail).
 |
| Lace Cactus (Echinocereus Reichenbachii).
Visit our website’s Flora
and Fauna page for more views of
local plant and animal life. |
|
| Tom Watson |
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Helpful Information
For useful reference information, such as a listing of area churches and telephone
numbers for important local contacts, please go to our neighborhood web site
at www.goldenwoodwestpoa.org or contact
the webmaster.
This newsletter published for:
Goldenwood West
Property Owners’ Association
16200 Westview Trail
Austin, TX 78737-9068
(512) 858-9528 office
Administrator@GoldenwoodWestPOA.org
www.GoldenwoodWestPOA.org
Please direct comments,
articles, email subscriptions
and inquiries regarding
advertisements to the above address.
|
