NOTES FROM OUR PRESIDENT
By Steve Sijansky

Well it’s news letter time once again. Sorry for the lapse in time from the last newsletter. We had a little trouble getting it out, I think we should have everything in order to keep the newsletter on track. Thanks for bearing with us.

There have been  all sorts of things going on at RiverTree. The board is still trying to get all the flood damage cleaned up. Seems like every time we get the river cleaned up it floods again. We are working on a limited budget , Hopefully we can get ever thing done by spring break.

I am trying to keep the roster as up to date as possible.  What I would like everyone to do is try to E-Mail me with your current numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses. Hopefully I can get the list out in the near future. E-mail is the cheapest way to get it out to every one. My e-mail address is sijansky@sbcglobal.net.

I have had a few people ask about the web site, the new web site is rivertreeestates.com we are trying to keep it as up-to-date as possible. Ralph Silva is in charge of the updates on this site. If you have anything you would like to see on the site let us know.

One last thing,, thanks for all the support of the members and board members. With out your help RiverTree would not be the run like it is.

Next meeting of the

Board of Directors

Saturday, February 12, 2005,

At the RiverTree Pavilion, at 10 am

If you are planning on being at RiverTree that weekend you are welcomed to come and join us.

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NOTES FROM OUR TREASURER
By Pat Brown

You will find the 2004 year end report attached in this newsletter.  If you have any questions regarding this statement please feel free to contact myself or Steve. You will find our email addresses or phone numbers on the front page of this newsletter.

Association dues are looking good, except for a few stragglers that have not paid their  dues. Please remember that no notices are sent for your dues. You alone are responsible for remembering when they are due.  Remember that there is a $9 past due fee that will need to be paid once your dues are over 10 days past your due date. If dues continue to go unpaid, a lien will be levied on your property.  If you will email me at patdbrown2@starband.net or call me at (830) 232-6355 and I will be glad to let you know when they are due.  I want to remind you that I have a full-time job here in Leakey (that retirement thing just didn’t work!) so I will call you back as soon as I can.  

Dues can be paid at $90 per quarter or annually, where a 10% discount is allowed.  The annual dues are $360  and if paid within 10 days of your due date, the 10% discount would be $330. That is a savings of $30!  

Please remember you are allowed only 6 cards per lot ! Cards are $12 each and are only sold by request.  Also, if you have your lot for sale or are having work done, it is your sole responsibility to give one of your cards to workers and then MAKE SURE YOU GET IT BACK!  If you lose your card  or damage it, please notify us ASAP so we can cancel it and you can purchase a new one.

Additionally, owners are required to have a vehicle sticker on their vehicles.  These are $1 per sticker. Also your guests are required to have a guest pass hanging from their rearview mirrors.  These are also $1 each.  Cards, stickers and guest cards can be obtained by sending your check to the Estates of RiverTree Owners Association, P.O. Box 648, Leakey, TX  78873 

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Architectural Control Committee

Mark Pendleton,  Henry Sijansky, Carl Neira & John Goldman

RiverTree, we are growing like crazy. Since our last report , several new projects have been proposed and many nearly completed. Jon and Belinda Lentz and Jimmy and Elisa Cox have completed  log cabins on Blocks IV and VII respectively, wonderful additions to our neighborhood, back in July.  Ram Elizondo sent us plans for a home on Lot I, Block II, and is all but finished with his project. Bobby Ramos has his fencing work nearly completed,, and the Iveys, Nolls, Fosters, Dopenschmidts, and Tylers have driven the last nail on their storage buildings. Recently, Keith and Gail Phillips submitted drawings for a home and storage unit on their Block VII, Lot III property. Keith and one indentured servant [brother-in-law] have nearly completed it in a matter of six weeks. Congratulations all. We know that each of these projects starts out as a personal dream. It is gratifying to see so many come true. Thanks one and all on behalf of your A .C.C.  

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 RV Storage & Registration Committee

      Ann Sijansky, Gary Hill & Mary Kay Hill

A big "Thank You" to all using the RV Storage Area.  We have continued to have good feedback on our parking area.  As you have noticed, the Board of Directors filled and smoothed out the rough areas in the Northwest part of the area.  We appreciate the pop ups utilizing the lower area, with the  shorter parking spaces. There is still some fill dirt and debris that needs to be leveled in that area.  We are hoping that we can take care of that soon.  At this time, we do have enough spaces and it seems that all have registered their RV's, except for one.  There is a tag-a-long Wilderness 600K5H that we do not have registered.  It is parked in the lower east side of the parking area.  Please help on getting this RV registered.  Please let your committee know if there are any problems with the RV parking area. 

Thanks,    Ann

If anyone has any question in regard to the parking and storing of their RV, please contact Ann Sijansky.  To contact Ann or any of the other RV Committee, please see the front page of this newsletter for phone numbers and email address. 

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FYI…...Leakey Soda Fountain

 The Leaky Soda Fountain was among the many eatery’s mentioned in the “The Dining Guide” section of the December 2004 TEXAS MONTHLY Magazine,  on page 200.  Yes, now all of Texas knows about those fabulous thick malts & shakes as well as the thick juicy Hamburgers.  Have you tried one of their generous salads?  

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RiverTree now has a new website:        

rivertreeestates.com

Please visit our site and keep informed on the happenings at RiverTree.  If you have a picture or two you would like to submit to the website for all to enjoy, please do so. Contact Ralph Silva, rivertreeestatesn83@yahoo.com or ssilva@stx.rr.com

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Facts About the Axis Deer

(The following are excerpts taken from the web pages compiled by Comanche Spring Ranch, Eden TX)

The Axis Deer can be traced to the foothills of the Indian Himalayas and island of Sri Lanka (Ceylon).  They were introduced to Texas in 1932.  In 1988, Texas Parks and Wildlife found free-ranging herds of Axis Deer in 27 counties of central and southern Texas.  The survey estimated a population of just over 39,000 Axis deer in Texas.  Free ranging populations exist in the continental US, Hawaii and Australia.  In the US, Texas by far has the largest population. Axis are said to be the most numerous and widespread of introduced deer and antelope.

Axis bucks can be in hard horn any time of the year.  They grow and shed antlers on their own clock so in one herd there may be a newly shed buck, a hard horn buck and a buck in velvet.  Usual antlers are 22 to 27 inches.  Trophies range from 30 to 36 inches.  Axis have a typical antler structure of three points on each side consisting of a main beam, one secondary point halfway up the beam, and a brow tine.  Four points on a side are not uncommon. 

Axis Deer have a very low susceptibility to disease, worms, ticks and fleas. Texas fleas and ticks appear to be species-specific and do not bother Axis.

Axis Deer have a high fertility rate and can breed year ‘round.  A primary harvester of excess animals in the Texas Hill Country reports that they have never harvested an Axis female that was not pregnant, lactating or both. Females may fight to establish rank. Doe fights involve biting and boxing by standing on the hind legs. Males push, shove, and battle with antlers to establish rank. The looser will break off the fight and walk off the field of battle. The victor will often walk behind the looser to "escort" him off the field. Axis males can bugle like elk. Both sexes sound alarm calls that sound like sharp, high pitched, breathy barks. All Axis signal each other with barks and body movements like switching the tail. Axis are herd animals, appearing to prefer groups of 40 to 80 animals. Both sexes and various ages and antler development run together.

Axis Deer can breed year 'round. One Axis buck can service ten to forty females, maybe more. Gestation is approximately 7.5 months (210-238 days). In Texas, fawning has peaks in January-April and October-November. Researchers report that males in velvet antler can breed. Eight to twelve month old females can breed but the first fawning is usually at 23 months or later. It is generally believed that Axis does are capable of producing four fawns in three years and are productive to at least age 15. Multiple births are extremely rare but have been reported in zoo and wild populations. (We have seen twins Axis fawns right here in RiverTree).  Axis fawns may begin grazing at about 5 1/2 weeks but are not usually weaned for 4-6 months. Permanent dentition is acquired at 2 1/2 - 3 years of age and adult size is reached at 6 years for females and 4-5 years for males. Life span is generally 8 - 15 years

The primary diet of Axis Deer is grass.  Axis Deer appear incapable of putting on intramuscular fat so are very efficient grazers. They produce the leanest meat of any deer species, 0.2% fat or less, legally “fat free”.

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RiverTree's Weather and Wild Life Report

By Gale Huckaby
 

Wildlife Highlights

Deer have rubbed their velvet off their antlers and their fur has turned a grey color.  The young buck challenge each other and the sound of the clashing of the buck in battle is common on lots of nights.  We have observed deer stalking a cat in our yard. They obviously don’t like cats in their yard!  We also observed a young buck chase a turkey around and around in our yard, just for the fun of it. 

The pecans have all dropped off the trees.  The roads sound like popcorn when you drive over them,  and the smart animals hang out near the road s waiting for us to split open the pecans for them!

The cardinals, flickers, blue birds and tufted tit mouse have returned.  The robins and cedar wax wings also came through on their migration.  My many bird baths make a great stop over for them on their trip down.

No croaking frogs far or near,

nor cicadas do we hear.

The lighting bugs and butterflies have all but disappeared

but the ladybugs are very near!

KEEP YOU EYES OPEN AND ENJOY THE WILDLIFE

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Recipe Corner ....MMM Good!!

Mix dry ingredients.  Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water.  Put yeast mixture in bowl with beaten egg and oil.  Stir in dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Let rise until doubled.  Make into rolls, using enough flour to work well into rolls.  Place into greased pans. (At this point, they may be frozen for up to 3 weeks.)  Let rise and bake at 425 degrees until browned (about 10 minutes). Makes about 2 dozen.

If you have questions about this recipe, Cheryl can be reached by email at: floatndafrio@aol.com.

 
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Share your Recipe

If you would like to contribute one of your special recipes, just send it to the editor along with your name, address, phone # and your block and lot #.  I will include as many as I can, depending on how many other articles are in that months newsletter and in the order I receive them. 

To submit your recipe either mail or email it to:
Jackie Thomas
1007 Shirkmere
Houston, TX  77008
713 861-0085 home or 830 232-5692 river
Email address:  rickjackieT@aol.com
 

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Note From the Editor...

Our deepest sympathies go out to Gale and Jerry Huckaby as they mourn the passing of Gale’s mother, Laura Gains, in early December.  Their entire family was to have gathered in Mexico to celebrate her parents 60th Wedding Anniversary and Christmas. Instead they gathered to celebrate Mrs. Gains life and that she now is dancing with the angels. Our sympathies also go out to Gale’s Dad, Ray Gains, as he mourns the lost of his lifetime helpmate.  Ray will be visiting Gale and Jerry during the month of February.   

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 PLEASE REMEMBER...

Only household garbage in the dumpster!

ABSOLUTELY NO  BUILDING MATERIALS,  LAWN CHAIRS, BAR-B-QUE PITS OR LARGE METAL OF ANY KIND, ETC. , and NO GARBAGE BAGS LEFT OUTSIDE OF THE DUMPSTER                                                                

When you abuse the dumpster, not only does another RiverTree land owner have to dispose of YOUR TRASH,  but the dumpster company charges us extra for damage done to their trucks!  That is wasting YOUR dues money!!!!

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