January 2012
Could 2012 Be The Best Year of Your Life?
If it is, it will likely be up to you to a large extent. In real estate they say, “location, location, location”, because that is a huge factor in making real estate a profitable investment. In life, perhaps we should say, “outlook, outlook, outlook”. How do you see your life and world? January 1st is traditionally a time of looking back at the year we have had and also a time of looking forward to what lies ahead. Without a doubt, we have some challenges before us. Our economy continues to struggle and we are feeling the effects of that all around us. 2012 is also an election year, with critical choices to make and a lot of political “junk” to sort out along the way. Historically, trying times have caused us to stop and examine the things that are truly the most important in life. Somehow, when we do that our outlook changes! When our focus is on our families, our relationship with God and making the most of the opportunities we enjoy just because we live in America, we tend to make better decisions. Do we have some major challenges ahead? We sure do! Probably more than we are aware of at this moment. But our greatest challenge may be in how we choose to face them. If we properly focus our outlook, the rest will be easier, because our decisions will be guided by purpose and not circumstance. If you want 2012 to be the best year of your life, take a moment to re-examine your priorities. Make sure they are made of the things that are most important. Then, take time each day to be thankful for all you have been blessed with and you might just be surprised at how much better the future looks! Happy New Year!
Wagoner County Assessors Plan Visit to Area
On January 25th and 26th, representatives from the Assessors Office in Wagoner County will be on hand in Forest Ridge to help anyone needing to register their home, file for Homestead Exemption, or just to answer tax related questions. Mark your calendar so you can visit with them without having to drive to Wagoner, if you need to do so. In past years, they visited with us, but apparently could not get us on their schedule for this year, but they are still close by.
Neighbor News
Resident referrals continue to pay off! Scott and Kathy Clayton are getting free rent in January and Carole Whiten will enjoy rent on us in February! We are grateful for all the help in spreading the word about our community. For all of our new residents: Welcome! No matter how you came to join the Johanna Woods Community we are glad you are here!
OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE
“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.” John Adams, Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1765
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“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” James Madison, Federalist No. 51, February, 1788
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“Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” Samuel Adams, Signor of the Declaration of Independence in an essay in the Public Advertiser, 1749
City and Community Improvements
By now, everyone should have noticed the new fences around the community. They look very nice and we appreciate the opportunity to make these improvements to Johanna Woods. After the first of the year, weather permitting, we hope to begin to continue with more concrete replacement. There are also major improvements being made by the City of Broken Arrow, that will affect us and you might not have noticed these. At the south end of the community, there are some materials being staged as the City works on upgrading the sanitary sewer system and the lift stations that serve our community. Most of the actual construction is going on across the creek, but we still want to advise parents to make sure that children are not playing in or around this area. The area in our community where materials are being stored is at the south end of Johanna Blvd., across from the storm shelter. While kids might think this looks like a fun and exciting place to play, it should be considered a working construction site and NOT a play area.
New Year’s Eve Cook’s Corner
Pecan Cheese Roll
Ingredients:
16 oz. Mild cheddar cheese, grated
8 oz Cream cheese, broken up
1 minced onion – OR – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Chili powder – to taste
Directions:
Place cheddar cheese and cream cheese in a large bowl, cover and set out at room temperature to soften. When the cheeses can be easily mixed, add the onion or garlic powder and pecans to the cheeses and combine, shaping into a thick roll. Sprinkle chili powder on plastic wrap and roll the cheese mixture on the wrap, to the desired size. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and overwrap with aluminum foil. Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, slice and serve with crackers. This is a great appetizer or snack for game-time, parties or anytime. Enjoy!
Community Calendar
January 1st – New Years Day!
January 1st – Rent is Due.
January 2nd – The office will be closed for the New Years Holiday
January 6th – Unpaid rent is late and subject to a $25.00 late fee.
From all of us in the Johanna Woods Office, Have a Happy and Safe New Year!