Fall 2023 Newsletter
Smoke Signals Fall 2023
Smoke Signals Fall 2023
Happy Fall Indian Trails Residents! We would like to welcome all of the new residents to our community. If you are brand new but have not already been greeted by our hospitality committee, please reach out to Gina Moss at gmoss31@gmail.com with your contact info. We look forward to meeting you when you are out and about in the neighborhood.
Your best source of community information is our website www.ITHOA.org. to read about us and the By-Laws.
For events, please check our Facebook page listed as “Indian Trails, Palm Harbor, FL”. https://www.facebook.com/groups/115839488658 For the Facebook page, it has to be verified that you are actually a resident of the community. Therefore, it might take a day or two before your request is approved.
Moving forward, this newsletter will be posted on the Facebook page or send a copy directly to your email if you are not on Facebook. If neither is a realistic option for you please reach out to the Board and we will gladly hand delivery you a copy.
Below is an abbreviated list of frequently requested contact information. For a full list, please visit our website. The Board Members remained the same this year, but there will be a least one opening next year. Please consider joining the Board.
Michael Clark President
president@ithoa.org
Carl Brink
Vice President
vicepresident@ithoa.org
Diane Budman
Secretary
secretary@ithoa.org
Tim Kluis
Treasurer
Susan Korabek
Hospitality Committee
susank@ithoa.org
Kelly Levey
Social Committee
social@ithoa.org
Christa Dasher, LCAM
Property Manager
manager@ithoa.org
Deed Restriction Committee
drc@ithoa.org
From the ITHOA President, Michael Clark:
I would like to extend a personal warm welcome to our newest residents and a thank you to all our residents for helping make Indian Trails one of the most desirable subdivisions for a family to reside in Pinellas County. This is a great place to raise a family and I am pleased to see young children as part of the new families moving in.
I have lived in Indian Trails for over 36 years and every time I return home from just shopping or a long trip, I am thankful for having such a nice neighborhood with great people to live in. Over these years I have served as chair of the deed restriction committee and on the board as secretary, treasurer, and now president. I believe it is important to the continued success of our subdivision for each resident to contribute time and talent to their community. When the call goes out for committee and board members, please consider volunteering your time and talent as a contribution to the success of our community.
Our homeowner’s association is responsible for maintaining the common areas and enforcing the deed restrictions, all of which helps to keep our property values high. Additionally, we have a few organized social activities each year to help promote a sense of community to all that would like to participate.
Last year we planted some new shrubbery in our Alderman Road planters and I am pleased to see that it continues to do well with a minimum of maintenance. Our common areas include the brick and vinyl walls surrounding our subdivision on Alderman Road and Omaha, planters at the subdivision entrance at Alderman Road, corner of Alderman Road and Omaha, and exit at Rolling Ridge Road and Omaha. Additionally, we agreed many years ago to maintain the area outside the fence of the Pinellas County owned retention pond adjacent to Silver Lake Drive and Rolling Ridge Road.
Due to the complexity of the many State of Florida laws concerning home owner associations we continue to engage the services of Premier Management Services, Christa Dasher, to provide management and record keeping services, including financial, to keep us in compliance.
Over the years there has been some confusion over our retention areas which are actually not considered common areas. These areas are for proper drainage of stormwater so that our properties will not be flooded in heavy rains. A portion of each retention area is owned by the property owner that has property adjacent. Check the plat on the last page of the ITHOA website to see how each property lines up. The property appraiser’s office indicates it is Wasteland/Marsh/Sand Dunes (96) with minimal value assigned to it. The four retention areas are behind properties on Indian Trail North, Indian Trail West, and Indian Oak Court. The retention areas are subject to control by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) with Pinellas County generally handling enforcement of the restrictions. No structures may be built on retention areas. Natural waterways leading to the retention areas may not be obstructed and must be properly maintained by each homeowner.
Block Captains
Block Captains connect homeowners with the Board of Directors and other neighbors. There is not a lot of time commitment in this role. Please consider filling the vacant positions.
Tree Top Drive- Wes Wingate Indian Oak Court- Jenny Butler
Rolling Ridge Rd- Sue Schramek Seneca Court- Chuck Moore
Indian Trl S- Vacant Indian Trl N- Vacant
Indian Trl E- Tommy Davis Indian Trl W- Vacant
Deed Restrictions
Our deed restrictions guidelines are on the community website.
In an effort to be in compliance with our deed restrictions, please take the time to read or re-read the expectations. At this time, the main violations that have been noted are:
· Sidewalks and driveways needing to be pressure washed, to prevent falls from slippery sidewalks due to mold.
· Pruning or clearing of shrubbery or trees hanging over sidewalks making it difficult to walk by. (especially at Holiday time when many folks walk to see the lights). Please go take a look at your sidewalk.
· Outside of homes needing TLC such as painting of front doors and exterior paint
· Trash cans left in the driveways after trash pick up.
Please feel free to contact the property manager for any violations you have noted. There is also an online form on our ithoa.org website. If you have not received a response within 48 hours, please email manager@ithoa.org directly. This is a gentle reminder to please abide by our deed restrictions. The restrictions are minimal compared to other neighborhoods, and it is a lot easier for each of the residents to self-correct issues rather than sent a notice from the Board.
The Deed Restriction Committee (DRC) meets the 3rd Monday of each month to review requests. It is best to send requests in advance of the meeting, in case additional information is needed. This way, it can be approved at the monthly meeting.
HOA Dues
Owners will receive a mailing in December 2023 for the 2024 dues. The payment is due ……. A late fee will be assessed if payment is not received by………...
Next Board Meeting
The Board meets 4 times a year for 1-1.5 hours.
Hospitality and Social
Welcome New Homeowners!!
Susan Korabek – ITHOA Board – Hospitality Liaison Gina Moss – Hospitality Chairperson
Many new families have moved into Indian Trails these past several months. Welcome to our neighborhood and we are glad you’ve chosen this wonderful community as your home.
As a reminder, stay in touch with Indian Trails via:
· Indian Trails website: ithoa.org
· Facebook group: Indian Trails, Palm Harbor, FL. If you haven't already please “like” our Facebook page to stay up to date with all the neighborhood happenings! The correct neighborhood page is Indian Trails, Palm Harbor, Fl. The page is a private page and access is granted after answering the security questions with your address to be approved!
Not-So-Gourmet Club –
The Indian Trails Not-So-Gourmet Club (affectionately known as NSG) is open to all residents of Indian Trails. The purpose is to provide an evening of good fellowship and food while becoming better acquainted with your neighbors. The comradery and friendships we all have enjoyed over the years is one of the many reasons that makes Indian Trails a highly desirable neighborhood to live in. There are usually about 5-6 parties a year which are scheduled from September to May. There is flexibility in scheduling. This group is for Adults Only, but there are plenty of babysitters in the neighborhood should you choose to join. Gina Moss is the coordinator, so contact her via email with questions and for the guidelines at gmoss31@gmail.com
Here is the NSG schedule for this year:
December 9th: Holiday party at the home of John and Arlene Banacki
February (date TBA): Valentine’s party at the home of Diane and Mitch Budman
March (date TBA): at the home of Susan and Greg Korabek
April (date TBA): Potential Family Block Party?
May (date TBA): at the home of Annie and Nick Rojas
Social and Events -
Hi Everyone! I am Kelly Levey, the social chair of the Indian Trails HOA. Here is a list of upcoming neighborhood events:
If you haven't already, please like our Facebook page to stay up to date with all the neighborhood happenings! The correct neighborhood page is Indian Trails, Palm Harbor, Fl. The page is a private page for all of our events, so please answer the security questions with your address to be approved!
*Please note these events are for the current residents and families of Indian Trails.
Halloween:Tuesday, 10/31-
5:30-5:45 pm- safety/goodie bag pick up for all neighborhood kids (1356 Indian Trail N the Levey residence)
6-9pm- Trick or treating - If you would like to continue doing contactless Trick or Treating (please set out candy on a table in your driveway to remain socially distanced from the kids). For any of the new neighbors I am sure you have heard of the craziness that takes place in our neighborhood on Halloween. Please be prepared for approx. 200-300 trick or treaters if not more!
Pictures with Santa: Sunday 11/5 - from 10:00-11:00am (Santa will leave promptly at 11am!) Location: 1356 Indian Trail N. (Kelly and Justin Levey’s house). This is a free event for families of the neighborhood only! You will get approximately 3-5 pictures from a professional photographer. Come get family pictures for the Holidays and have the kids bring their lists for their visit with Santa! Our Santa is amazing for anyone who hasn’t meet him yet!
Holiday house lighting ceremony and Potluck and BYOD Neighborhood Block party: Saturday 11/25 at 6pm Location: 1303 Indian Trail N (the Phillips residence)
Come join us for a fun neighborhood get together and help us kick off the holiday season! Thank you to the Phillips family for their amazing decorations and hospitality for this event! Please bring a dish to share, your own drinks, toys the kids might want to play with, and chairs
or a blanket to sit on if you wish. Please do not sit in the street or block the street as cars will be driving through to look at the lights.
Mid December-
Luminaries will be distributed thanks to the Landon Korabek One Love Foundation.
The luminaries will have full instructions in them to be used on Christmas Eve. The luminaries are so beautiful and very well known in the community here in Palm Harbor.
Many people have it as their family tradition to drive through our neighborhood on Christmas Eve just to see the luminaries! Thank you to Susan and Greg Korabek and their team of neighbors with the Landon Korabek One Love foundation for keeping this tradition going for our amazing neighborhood!