Resident Sheila Metzler, graphic designer, volunteered her time and expertise to paint tropical murals and vacation quotes on the walls of the restrooms at the pool.

The trompe l'oile murals make residents feel as though they are looking through a window when they enter. See more pictures of the updates and vacation quotes on the "What's New in Southbridge"​ page on the Website.

The library has a new storage area ... and great books! Choose from a selection of paperbacks or hard copies, arranged alphabetically on the shelves by author's last name. The library does not have room  to accept  cookbooks, travel books, reference books etc., but would welcome children's books for visiting grandchildren. When you donate or return a book, drop it in the basket by the door. Wanda Smith has volunteered to return it to the right spot on the right shelf.

The developers of Southbridge over-planted parts of the community, and as the trees mature, they pose problems. As part of a 5-year landscape renovation plan, the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Landscape Renovation Committee, hired JRL Design Studio to evaluate each of our 640 trees and recommend an appropriate course of future action.

As a result of the JRL report, the Board filed a request with the Pelican Landing Design Review Committee to seek approval to remove the recommended trees.The DRC is scheduled to review the information at its meeting, Thursday, July 9.

After the Board receives the report from the DRC, the committee will evaluate and, with residents' input, advise the Board re: which trees should be removed. The Board will decide which specific trees should be taken out, when the removal will be done, and what funds will be used to pay for it.

To see the scope of the plan, log in to the Landscape Renovation Documents page on our Website. You will find:

• Artists' map of Southbridge with tree removal highlighted by color
• Cover letter with costs
• Spreadsheet of trees with their condition and recommended priority of removal (if any) 
• PowerPoints of each street with photos of every condo and its tagged trees. The red/orange ribbons are numbered next to the picture to correspond with the spreadsheet of trees.

Look for more information after Pelican Landing DRC gives its decision.

The committee, headed by Board member Mark Weber, includes Kim Adams, Brenda Lanoway, Millie Morrison and Cyndee Perkins.

The incident with two homeless people at the Pelican Landing Tennis Center, is a serious reminder for all residents to keep alert. According to the PLCA "In the Know," the transients used a private pool, then proceeded to the Tennis Center's restrooms, where they were apprehended by the police.

Diane Winters, president of Southbridge, has frequently requested the Pelican Landing Privacy Committee to review and secure the open area by the Pelican Landing south gate; transients can easily enter and camp under the trees next to the pond at Banbridge Court. The Privacy Committee has put Southbridge security on the agenda for the next meeting.

In addition, the Southbridge Board of Directors is reviewing the installation and regulation of security cameras and key fob entry into the pool area. Key fobs are used by many local communities to ensure that only residents or authorized users (renters, maintenance supervisors, etc.) can enter the pool area through the gate; anyone climbing over the gate or fence will be recorded by the security cameras. Cameras will also survey the pool, pool deck, spa and kitchen.

Be alert: Occasionally transients approach cars at the Pelican Nest stop light asking for money, or lounge on the curbside and are vulnerable to motorists. If you see a transient, contact Pelican Landing security; the police will help the transients find local food and shelter.

With the advent of the "rainy season" and the end of drought conditions, Estate landscape crews have been planting annuals, replacing sod, and adding shrubs. And with constant prompting by our board, the CDD is keeping the creek clear of vegetation.

Year-round residents are missing the snowbirds, but enjoying the great blue herons, little blues, ducks, eagles, owls, cardinals, egrets, ibis and butterflies that are flocking to the trees, flowers, ponds and creek.

Carol Powell spotted this brazen bobcat outside her condo on Ballycastle Court on June 17. Bunnies beware!

                                                             "Make Way for Ducklings 2"

Rich Tirpak snapped these babies in late May. Hopefully they have flown away and were not lunch for a bobcat!

If you have a wild life photo from Southbridge to share, email it to [email protected]