Harmonson Farms Voice - Harmonson Farms Community Portal

Harmonson
Farms News
Edited by Holly Rigdon, Tel (817) 562-4964
Saturday, November 15th
at Hideaway Court
starting at 3 pm.
3-11pm-A bounce house will be set up.
3-4pm-The Keller Police & Fire Departments will make an appearance.
4:30-6pm-Hamburgers and hotdogs
will be served. (Clean up at 6:30)
5-6:30pm-Mike from Party Pets will
discuss his animals with the kids.
7:30pm-Let’s make s’mores! Bring
your lawn chairs and hang out with your
neighbors & listen to some music.
As part of our community relations
efforts, we are collecting donations for our
Luminary Night as well as canned goods,
all of which will benefit the Community
Storehouse of Keller.
Proceeds and the canned goods will be
presented to The Storehouse on behalf of
the Harmonson Farms Community a
‘Neighborhood that Cares’.
Please help us, help others!
2008
email HFnews@surf7.com
Annual Cookie Exchange
Annual Neighborhood
Night Out!
Nov
Our Annual Cookie Exchange is coming in December!
Get your favorite recipe together and be ready to bring
a plateful home for your family to decide their favorite.
All of the details will be provided in the next newsletter. But get your oven ready! It’s a lot of fun, and you
get some great holiday cookie ideas.
Dates of Interest
• Nov 2– Daylight Savings– Fall Back 1 hr.
• Nov 4—Election Day
• Nov 5– Early Release
KISD Elem/Interm/
Middle schools
• Nov 8– 5K Fun Run
for Casey’s Kids
• Nov 11– Veterans Day
BUNCO
Thursday, Nov 13th
Social Hour begins at 6:30pm
Game Time starts at 7:30pm
Calling all women— please join us!
No experience necessary!
This month the group will be playing
Bunco hosted by Heather De La Garza at
905 Homestead Dr.
• Nov 13– Bunco
• Nov 15– Neighborhood Night Out
• Nov 26– 28 KISD
Holiday –No School
• Nov 27– Thanksgiving
Day
• Nov 30– Holiday
Decorating 1pm
• Dec 1– RSVP deadline
for Progressive Dinner
Bring $5 cash.
Please RSVP! Heather (817) 562-4631 or
heather.delagarza@verizon.net
We are looking for people to host Bunco in 2009!
Please contact Laura Knowlton 214-533-9932 if
you are interested in hosting.
Daylight Savings
November 2nd
Turn your clocks
back one hour.
Luminary Night
& Christmas
Caroling Coming
December 14th!
Inside this issue:
Volunteers Needed
2
HF Voice
Monthly Recipe
2
3
Community Corner
3
School News
Welcome List
4
5
Pet Corner
6
Board Contact
Committee List
7
7
Food for Thought
7
Page 2
Harmonson Farms News
Nov 2008
The History of Veteran’s Day in America
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on
June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when the armistice between the Allied nations and
Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November
11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s
service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it
has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
In 1954 the holiday was renamed, Veterans Day, and since 1978 has been observed on November 11, regardless of
what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only
preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:
A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of
country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
Volunteers Needed
Calling Holiday Decorators!
Let’s make Harmonson Farms a neighborhood to
make others ’Oooh’ & ‘Aww’. Please sign up to volunteer to hang decorations on Sunday Nov. 30th @ 1pm.
Volunteers are needed to hang wreaths, tie garlands
on the bridges and hang a red bow on each mailbox.
Email HFnews@surf7.com or call
Steven McAlear at 817-337-5313 to sign up.
Slow as you go
We need Hosts and Helpers for the
Progressive Dinner on December 6th.
If you would like to host, co-host or be a helper
please contact Laura Knowlton at 214-533-9932
or laurasknowlton@yahoo.com.
Our community will be what we make it! This is a
great opportunity to grow the friendships you’ve
already made and make a few new friends along
the way. We look forward to hearing from you!
Harmonson Farms Voice
Each of the five board members are circulating the neighborhood to collect signatures to reduce the speed limit to
25mph. If you haven’t signed the petition already please know we need your support to get it passed. We need 75%
of current homeowners to sign the petition, so every signature helps.
Red Bows
Red bows will be put on each resident’s mailbox to decorate for the holiday. These bows will also be removed around
the new year and stored for future use. If any resident that is not interested in having this red bow on their mailbox,
please remove it and deliver it to The McAlear’s home at 309 Sunlight Ct.
Venomous Caterpillar?
If you have never heard of a dangerous caterpillar, then welcome to Texas. A venomous caterpillar known as an ASP,
Moth or Puss Caterpillar is native to Texas and the South. Grey in color, furry looking, and tear-drop shaped, this little
bug can cause quite a bit of pain for adults and especially children. They have been spotted in the neighborhood so
please do some Internet research with your children and make them aware that not all of God’s furry creatures are
pleasant to pet or play with.
Harmonson Farms News
Keller Community Corner
November Events
Keller Public Library hosts “Toddler Storytime” every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00
and 11:15 am and at 10:30am “Preschool Storytime”. Admission is free, No reservation required.
1st
No Frills No Bills Nov 3:30pm Seminar
Series at Keller Public Library. Free.
Public Art Show at Keller
Town Hall Nov 3rd 8:00 am – 5:00pm.
featuring the sporting dog artist, Jane
Metz also including Susan McClain,
Julie Grim and Howie Doyle
City Council Meeting at Keller Town Hall
Nov. 4th & 18th at 7:00 pm
Wine and Jazz Event at Town Hall Nov. 6th
5:30 – 9:30pm hosted by the Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce. Cost $20
per person, includes live jazz
music, wine and restaurant
tastings, as well as an auction.
For more information call 817431-2169.
Healthy Living Seminar Series, featuring Proper Food Combinations Nov. 8th 1:00 pm
at Keller Public Library. Free.
“Jazz on the Lawn”, featuring Adonis
Rose and the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra Nov. 8th
2:00pm Keller Town Hall: . Free.
Keller Town Center Visioning Project: Second Public Input Meeting at Keller Town
Hall:, Nov 19th 7:00 pm. Comments regarding this
project are also being accepted via email and fax.
Fax comments: 817-743-4195, email: towncentervision@cityofkeller.com
City of Keller’s Holiday Yard Decorating Contest deadline to enter is Nov. 28th .
This year’s theme is “Santa and his Reindeers”.
Entries may be in the house,
street, subdivision, or business categories. Best in
Theme, First, Second, and
Third place winners in each
division will have a sign
posted in their yard and will
be listed in the Keller Citizen Newspaper. For
more information call 817-743-4050.
Article by Deborah Krauser
Nov 2008
Recipe of the
Month
Special Macaroni
& Cheese
*Grating your own nutmeg is essential to achieving this very grown-up
version worthy of Thanksgiving.
Whole nutmeg can be purchased at
Central Market. I buy one at a time
because it can become stale and a
little goes a very long way! White
pepper is used for two reasons: for
the more subtle flavor and so as not
to see black grains in your dish. This
is definitely not the blue box mac,
but your kids will enjoy it, too.
1 2lb. block Velveeta cheese, cubed
2 ½ cups milk
1 ½ sticks salted butter, divided
Page 3
1 tsp nutmeg (pref. freshly ground)
1 pkg large elbow macaroni noodles
Salt and white pepper
Preheat oven to 350. Prep large casserole dish by spraying with nonstick
spray. Boil noodles in well salted water until cooked but firm. Do not
fully cook or mac will be mushy after
baking. Drain, return to pot with ½
stick butter. Toss to coat well
(prevents sticking).
In large saucepan on low heat, add
milk, cheese, butter and nutmeg.
Stir slowly until cheese fully melted.
Pour over cooked noodles. Stir to
combine. Season with salt and white
pepper to taste. Pour into prepared
casserole dish. Bake until bubbly,
about 30 minutes. If edges brown
too quickly, cover with foil until center bubbles.
Recipe submitted by Melissa Zerangue
Harmonson Farms Veterans
November 11th is Veterans' Day. Below is the list of
Harmonson Farm’s neighbors that are currently serving or that have served in our Armed Services.
We honor and thank these men and woman for
providing the ’blanket of freedom’ we all live under.
Bill Elkins, Air Force
Jason McDonald, Air Force
Mitch McDonald, Air Force
Leah McDonald, Air Force
Carlos De La Garza, Navy
Michael Beard, Air Force
Jack Krauser, Navy
Pete Srabian, Marine Corps
TJ Perreira, Air Force
Albert M. Donley, Marine Corps
Trevor Stack, Air Force
James W. Adams, US Coast Guard
Steven C. Holmes, Air Force
Harmonson Farms News
Nov 2008
Page 4
Solicit No More
If you would like to display an official ‘No Solicitors’
sticker from the City of Keller, please contact AmyBeth Mason. She has received several stickers from
the city and will gladly hand them out or place one in
your mailbox and save you a trip to the city office.
The more people displaying stickers will discourage
solicitors from disturbing our neighborhood.
Thank you Kyle and Marcia Lambert for planning
and hosting the Oktoberfest Celebration. You really
outdid yourselves, thank you so much!
The Cherry Lambic is an awesome brew!
Thank you Rachelle Hearrell for placing the ads and
putting together the neighborhood garage sale!
Amy-Beth Mason 817-337-8767 or
amybethmason@mac.com
School News
7 Turkey facts
1. People do name turkeys according to their age
- Turkeys less than sixteen weeks old are
called 'fryers' while those between five to
seven months of age are called 'young roasters'.
2. Turkey is the only native poultry breed of the
Western Hemisphere.
3. Turkeys have great hearing skills but no ears.
4. Turkeys can see in colors, have excellent visual acuity and their field of vision spans across
about 270 degrees.
5. Turkeys have poor sense of smell but great
sense of taste.
6. Wild turkeys can fly at a speed of as much as
55 miles per hour over short distances and are
good runners with a speed of about 25 miles
per hour.
7. Turkeys are so sensitive that they can drown
by looking up while it is raining and can have
heart attacks due to sudden shocks.
School House Rocks!
Proud of our Students!
If you have a child that has received an
award or recognition (academics, boy
scouts, girl scouts, art, music, sports,
etc), please share it with us!
Contact: Kelley Banaszewski
(817)431-0290 or kelleylb@verizon.net.
KISD Early Release Day
Wednesday, Nov 5th
Elementary/Intermediate/Middle Only
KISD Thanksgiving Break
Wed-Fri, Nov 26th-28th All schools
Congratulations Davina & Leah
for Running 26.2 Miles!
Davina Nichols completed the Bank
of America Chicago Marathon on
October 12th, 2008.
Leah McDonald completed the
Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. on October 26, 2008. She
finished in 3 hrs 46 min. almost qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Way to go!
What an amazing accomplishment to each of you!
‘Best of’ by Harmonson Farms
Do you work for or know of a business or service that would be useful to a homeowner new
to the city or new to North Texas?
Our Welcome Committee would like you to
name your favorite businesses and services
that are your ’best of’’s. We all know how difficult it is to
begin looking for a hairdresser, a house cleaner, dry
cleaner, etc… Your favorites will be advertised in the
welcome baskets for new homeowners in 2009.
Please contact Any-Beth Mason for more information
amybethmason@mac.com or 817-337-8767.
Harmonson Farms News
Nov 2008
Page 5
Progressive Dinner 2008
You are invited to join your neighbors for an evening out!
Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 6pm
$15 per couple
The evening begins with cocktails , followed by
hors devours at another host’s home and
ending with desserts at the final hosting home.
For planning purposes, please let us know if you can attend
by December 1st. RSVP is mandatory, and please make
arrangements to prepay for the event by December 1st.
Start your holiday season with a night of
fun and laughter with friends.
RSVP to Laura Knowlton at (214) 533-9932
or via email laurasknowlton@yahoo.com
Harmonson Farms Babysitters
Rachel Beard (1994)
337-3737
Laura Cross (1993)
337-2324
Morgan Hearrell (1995)
846-4925
Mackenzie Henson (1995)
337-0088**
Brittany Hostman (1995)
337-5032**
Grace Kam (1993)
431-5208
Catie Perreira (1991)
431-6201**
Kaitlin Philips (1988)
431-1926
Jared Phillips (1991)
431-1926
Paige Rogers (1995)
337-9778
**Red-Cross Certified
Please Welcome
The Clark Family
920 Norma Lane
The Ashton Family
1000 Bourland Rd.
Harmonson Farms News
Nov 2008
Page 6
Warning– Whooping is a Worry
According to the Tarrant County Public Health Department, there has been a
significant increase in the number of reported Whooping Cough cases so far in 2008.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious disease marked by
severe coughing. It is named after the "whoop" sound children and
adults sometimes make when they try to breathe in during or after a
severe coughing spell.
How is it Spread?
What are the Symptoms?
It is most contagious during the first 2 to 3 weeks of infection, often before the beginning of severe coughing spells.
Whooping cough usually starts with cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as
runny nose, sneezing, fever, and a mild cough. These symptoms can
last up to 2 weeks and are followed by increasingly severe coughing
spells. Fever, if present, is usually mild.
During a classic coughing spell:
- signature "whoop" is heard as the patient struggles to
breathe
- coughs usually produce a thick, productive mucus
- vomiting may occur
- lips and nails may turn blue due to lack of oxygen
- patient is left exhausted after the coughing spell
What are Some Potential Complications?
Young infants are at highest risk for pertussis-related complications,
including seizures, encephalopathy (swelling of the brain), otitis media
(severe ear infection), anorexia (severe restriction of food intake) and
dehydration.
In adolescents and adults, whooping cough can cause severe coughing
that can make it hard to breathe, eat, or sleep, and can result in cracked
ribs, pneumonia, or hospitalization.
Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that is found in the mouth,
nose and throat of an infected person, and is spread through close contact when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs.
Vaccine protection against whooping cough does not last forever. The
vaccination most people received as children wears off, typically by adolescence. Therefore, adolescents and adults are at risk for whooping
cough and can spread the infection to infants and young children in the
household.
How Do You Treat It?
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics and patients are advised to
take all prescribed medication and avoid contact with anyone, particularly small infants and children.
Ask your health care provider for treatment options if you think you or
your child may have whooping cough.
How Do You Prevent It?
While there is no lifelong protection against whooping cough, immunization is the best preventive measure. There is a vaccine to help protect
you and your child against whooping cough.
Article submitted by Kelley Banazewski
Pet Corner
Chocolate and Pets; Not a Good Combo
We have all heard the sayings “Don’t give your dog chocolate, it will kill him!” or “Even a small amount of chocolate
will kill a dog.” Let’s explore the truth behind chocolate and
dogs, and what to do if your dog has a sweet tooth.
know if the package was already open and about how
much was left inside.
Examine the type of chocolate. Unsweetened bakers
chocolate is considered Theobromine dense. Milk chocolate has the least amount of Theobromine, while semiChocolate is usually associated with being bad for dogs,
but it can be bad for any pet. It’s important to know that it is sweet chocolate falls in the middle of the chocolate road.
not the actual chocolate that will harm your pet, but the
Consider your pet’s weight. A large Great Dane will not be
toxic ingredient “Theobromine”. The amount of Theobroas affected by the Theobromine as a small Maltese dog.
mine varies from chocolate to chocolate and affects the
central nervous system in pets.
Assess how your pet is reacting. Did you notice the chocolate had been eaten because they acted funny? Are they
What to do if your pet gets into your secret stash: vomiting, do they have diarrhea? Increased urination is anIt might not be necessary to run out to the emergency vet- other side effect. Call your vet if your pet experiences any
erinary clinic if your pet decides on a new snack. As soon
of these symptoms.
as you realize your pet got into the goodies, asses the
situation. If your pet snatched a stray M&M that the children Like humans, dogs who have tasted chocolate can actually
dropped on their way through the house, you can relax and crave more of it. Never give in to your pet that keeps eyemove on. If the entire box of chocolate candy bars is gone, balling that chocolate chip cookie from under the table. Letting your pet have a taste of chocolate will leave them lookstart gathering information to give to the vet.
ing for more.
Look at the packaging and see how much chocolate your
Article submitted by Marcia Lambert
pet ate by noting the contents weight. Hopefully you will
Harmonson Farms News
Nov 2008
Harmonson Farms Board
Contact Information
President- Holly Rigdon
817-562-4964
hfnews@surf7.com
Vice President- TJ Perreira
817-431-6201
perrx5@verizon.net
Secretary- Rachelle Hearrell
817-337-5558
chelly2000@yahoo.com
Page 7
FOOD FOR
THOUGHT
It’s not what we say
about our blessings,
but how we use them,
is the true measure of
our thanksgiving.
- W T Purkiser
Treasurer- TJ Stack
817-913-0405
stackfamus@hotmail.com
Member-At-Large- Laura Knowlton
214-533-9932
laurasknowlton@yahoo.com
Please contact any member
with neighborhood comments
Any Noise, dust or landscape complaints from the gas wells’ operation
should be reported to the Keller nonemergency dispatch phone number.
Candy Recalled
Several candies have been recalled
because they were made in China
and may contain melamine. Please
view the Web Site below to get the
latest information.
http://www.usrecallnews.com/
index.php?s=candy
817-743-4522
Harmonson Farms Committees
Thank you to everyone that has volunteered to be a
part of our committees. Your time and effort is greatly
appreciated.
However, we still need more support from our community, please contact Laura Knowlton and she will answer your questions and help find you a committee.
Laurasknowlton@yahoo.com or 214-533-9932
Committee
Committee Chair
COMMUNICATIONS
Holly Rigdon
LANDSCAPE
Joe Fuller
ADULT SOCIAL
Laura Knowlton
FAMILY SOCIAL
Cathy Hostman
SPORTS ACTIVITY
Rick Sleeper
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
SCHOOL NEWS
Deborah Krauser
Kelley Banazewski
SAFETY
Still available
SEASONAL DECORATION
Steven McAlear
Harvesting your Vote:
It’s an American Tradition
Americans vote on the Tuesday following the first
Monday in November. The reason is that the
United States began as a largely agricultural nation, so November was a good time for elections
because farmers would have already harvested
their crops. With little work left to do for the year,
the farmers were able to travel the long distance
from their homes to polling places without interfering with their farming. Though some people have
suggested changing election day to Saturday or
making elections take place over several days, the
traditional election day is still observed.
www.enotes.com/history-fact-finder/holidays-observances/
when-lection-day-held-united-states>