Changing leaf colors, cooler temperatures, holidays--allpart of that amazing season of autumn. It's simply myfavorite season. Fall brings conversations around the firepit, football, and a welcome change of rhythm to life. Fallholds so many great memories for me as well.Growing up in rural Mississippi, we celebrated the harvest

with hayrides and church potlucks. Of course it also meant anabundance of leaves to rake from the numerous maple trees thatpopulated our expansive yard. Each Halloween we'd gather at mygrandparents' house for a family meal and gather around an outdoorfire before heading out to collect candy from the neighbors. Warmmemories, indeed!I'm looking forward to celebrating this fall season once again in theWoodcreek community. We love participating in and hosting get-togethers with friends and neighbors. It's always fun to put peopletogether from our various networks of relationship and see whatconnections develop and what conversations spring up.My wife, Patti, and I will be hosting another new neighbor Meet-n-Greet at our house on Saturday, October 1, at 1pm. Several peoplehavemadeWoodcreek their newhome, andwewant togive them an opportunity to meet each other and a fewother tenured residents. Some of the Woodcreek NAboard will be on hand as well. Watch Nextdoor fordetails and as always, check ourwebsite for info on thisand other events (http://woodcreekneighbors.org)So, here's wishing you a joyous Fall Seasonwith all thebeauty, fun and festivities that it brings!Carey Crawford

In This Edition...

Why I Volunteer 1

Congratulations, Al 2

Officer Elections 3

Woodcreek Crows 3

Event Calendar 4

Membership App 5

Voting Ballot 7

Why I Volunteer by Claudette Wolfe

My husband and I moved to Woodcreek in 1993 and have been members of the WoodcreekNeighborhood Association since then. Throughout the years, busy with our careers and life ingeneral, we wrote our check for dues and that was about it. I knew that when I retired I wanted todomore volunteer work but didn’t knowwhere I wanted to spend those extra hours. And then oneday we got our WNA membership renewal notice in the mail and shortly after that I became aTrustee. But it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. A lot of thought went into my decision because there were so manyvolunteer opportunities “out there” to choose from. I started to realize that it wasn’t just by chance that ourWoodcreek neighborhood continued to be a desirable place to live and that our property values increased. Some

Fall 2016Woodcreek WindThe

people behind the scenes had to be doing a lot of things tohelp it stay that way and those “behind the scenes people”were the active members of the WNA. We reaped thebenefits of their efforts and it was time to give back. A lot oflittle and not so little personal experiences entered into mydecision to volunteer. Andhereare just a fewof theways theWNA helped me and you!

For years I joggedorwalked through theneighborhoodoftenpassing the intersectionofKellyandTrinityMills. At the time,the structure behind the Shell station was vacant. That areabegan filling up with trash and unwanted furniture – even afilthyold sofa. And itwas rightbehindwhere I lived! Knowingthat Al Overholt was president of theWNA at the time, I senthim an email to ask how to get the area cleaned up. Withinthe week, all the debris was gone and I didn’t have to doanything but send Al an email!

My jogging route often took me across the bridge thatconnects north and south Woodcreek. Because I exercisedbefore the sun cameup, I always felt safe because the bridgewas lighted, courtesy of the WNA. Recently, when vandalsbrokemanyof the lights,WNAvolunteers installednewonesthat are vandal resistant. They also keep the bridge paintedand in good repair.

Everydaywhen Idrive inandoutofWoodcreeknorth I notice

that the landscaped area by the entrance is mowed, lighted,and watered. How do you think that happens? And, thestone entry ways to south Woodcreek didn’t just magicallyappear. Peoplewho cared requested a grant from theCity tohave those built. And they didn’t just go and ask. They hadto write a grant and prepare a presentation and appearbefore theNeighborhoodAdvisoryCommission. Onceagain,WNA representatives did that.

And, did you know…

* that the WNA’s input contributed to the decision to buildthe George Bush Turnpike below grade,

* that theWNA’s government liaison is making sure that cityofficialsdon’t forgetabout thepotential floodingproblems inWoodcreek during heavy rains,

* and that when there’s a problem that affects the entireneighborhood, there’s aWNA representative whowill makeevery effort possible to get it solved?

Those are just a few items on my “benefits inventory” and Ihope I’ve made my point.

I know that not everyone can or wants to be active in theWNA. But, everyone CAN be a member of this vitalassociation which represents ALL Woodcreek residents.

Congratulations Al Overholt: 2016 Neighborhood Leadership Award Nominee

Al Overholt has been serving the community for over 17 years. For 10 years he was the president ofWoodcreek Neighborhood Association where he completed over $18,000 in NeighborhoodEnhancement Matching Grant projects in the form of a walking bridge and entryway signs for theneighborhood. Al still maintains the landscaping areas, walking bridge and irrigation systems for theneighborhood. Al coordinates with theWoodcreek board, organizes volunteers, initiates action withtheCity tocorrectunsafeconditionsandnuisance items.Hehas servedontheNeighborhoodAdvisory

Commission and Property Standards Board. Al has an ability to encourage others to involvement and leadership. Al's qualityof service is outstanding, and he goes about it with grace! Thank you for your service!

Winners of the Carrollton Cares 2016 awards were announced at the 9th Annual Citizens' Evening at City Hall on September15.

Coming Events...New Neighbor Meet-n-Greet...................Saturday, October 1 @1pmNational Night Out/Annual Meeting.........Tuesday, October 4; 6-8pmSanta Parade/Food Drive........................Saturday, December 10; 10amParade of Lights......................................Saturday, December 17

Coming late September!

18259 Marsh Lane

Woodcreek NA BoardNominees for 2016-2017

President: Russell TetherVice President: Carey CrawfordTreasurer: DeWayne TallmonSecretary: Claudette WolfeTrustee: Angela FrohlichTrustee: Matthew MessnerTrustee: Jon OrtegaThese will be voted on at the AnnualMeeting held during National NightOut October 4.

Ballot on Page 7

The Woodcreek Crows

Earlier thisweek, as Iwalkedout to getmypaper, I sawa red tail hawk chasing a crow. Seconds later, 3 morecrowscamefromnowhereandcollectivelyattackedthehawk. The hawk left immediately and the crows “cawed”their success between each other.

We have several families of crows in the neighborhood and I’ve alwaysbeen amused, if not fascinated at these birds. When I would walk mydog each morning, it seemed they were there to greet me, or at leastgreet Ginger and the new day.

Intrigued at their behavior I researched our feathered friends and theresults are quite interesting. First, there is no clear distinction betweencrows and ravens, although ravens are accepted as being larger thancrows. A family of crows is called a “murder,” which accounts for thetitleofEdgarAllenPoe’spoem“Murders in theRueMorgue.”Crowsareamong the smartest animals on the planet and have demonstrated not

only tool use but tool construction. Crows use at least250 different calls and a distress call will bring othercrows, even if the crow is unrelated to the others.Crows mate for life, which is approximately 20 years.Crow can actually identify individuals by their facialfeatures andwill demonstrate rejectionor acceptanceof the individual (so be nice to them).

Here is another reason to care for the crows: crows aresusceptible to West Nile virus, dying within a week ofinfection. Dead crows in an area are a red flag forWestNilevirus, so if youfindonepleasereport it. Since1999,45%of thecrowpopulationhasbeenkilledbytheWestNile virus. Even so, they are not on the endangeredspecies list.

Mythology: Crows and ravens have gotten a bad rapthroughout history. Because crows eat carrion (roadkill) and because their feathers are black, they have

been associated with death and trickery. However,almost all tribes of Native Americans revere the crow.

Inmany cultures, the crow is a guide andmessengerof thegods. In theBible, crowsdefended several Prophets and Saintsfrom carnivores. The crow at SaintBenoit’s feet and in Saint Oswald’s handssymbolizes divine providence.

Carrollton, and specially Woodcreek, issurrounded by the Metroplex, yet maintains naturalareas that harbor multiple species of wildlife. Some,like the bobcats and coyotes, must be respected andviewed from a distance. Others, like the birds andrabbits, can be appreciated every day.

So on your next walk, leave the iPod behind. Look up,look around. Listen. You’ll find you have a lot ofcompany joining you.

by Russell Tether

WOODCREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

2016-2017 CALENDAR

2017JANUARY - Winter Newsletter/Membership DriveFEBRUARY– Meet-n-GreetMARCH- DirectoryAPRIL- Spring Newsletter

- Spring FlingMAY- Events to be announcedJUNE– Meet-n-Greet

2016JULY- Summer NewsletterAUGUST– Events to be announcedSEPTEMBER- Board NominationsOCTOBER– Fall Newsletter/Neighbor Meet-n-Greet/

National Night Out/Annual MeetingNOVEMBER– Set BudgetDECEMBER- Santa Parade/Food Drive

- Judge Holiday Lighting- Parade of Lights

NATIONAL NIGHT OUTIt is time again to get out and join your neighbors for National Night Out. This annual event is where neighbors cometogether to build stronger communities through crime prevention and partnershipswith law enforcement. From6 - 8 p.m.Tuesday Oct. 4, the Woodcreek Neighborhood Association will host a block party in the area of 2210 - 2215 Valley Milland all Woodcreek residents are invited. We will provide hotdogs, chips and bottled water. Neighbors are encouragedto bring cookies to share. We are looking forward to a wonderful gathering in Woodcreek.

SANTA PARADE AND FOOD DRIVEThis year's Santa Parade and food drive will be on Saturday, December 10th at 10 a.m. Santa and his elves will collectnon-perishable food for Metrocrest Social Services along the parade route. Please let us know if you'd like to join theparade on foot, or on wheels. We always need help picking up the food donations along the way. Woodcreek residentshave been very generous in the past, and we hope to provide a full truckload of food to Metrocrest again this year. Afterthe parade, visit with Santa and get a free professional photo taken with him. This is also a great opportunity to meet yourneighbors andenjoy some refreshments. Theparade route andmoredetailswill beprovided in a flyer comingsoon.Pleasecontact Jon Ortega at 972-417-8840 or by email at j.e.o@mac.com if you'd like to be part of the parade, or if you can helpwith set up.

WOODCREEK CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTESTThe Woodcreek Neighborhood Association will be giving prizes for homes that show exceptional holiday spirit.Commemorative Christmas ornamentswill be given to the top 2 homes on both the north and south side of the creek. Thejudging will take place on the evening of December 17th. We are looking forward to another beautiful Christmas inWoodcreek!

WOODCREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

RETURN FORM & CHECK TO: Woodcreek Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 110776, Carrollton, Texas 75011-0776

Name include partner/spouse:

Email:

Will not be shared. For member communication only

Do not Publish Name in Directory �

Do not Publish Phone Number �

Address: Carrollton, TX 75006 � Own � Rent

Mailing address (if different): State: Zip Code:

Phone:

Will not be shared w/o permission above. For member communication only.

Contact me about Volunteer Opportunities? � Yes � No

MembershipVoluntary with Annual Donation

� Unable to Join at this Time

1-YEAR Member Dues

� $25 Owner � $15 Renter � $50 Sustaining Member

ABOUT US Our Association exists to serve the needs of our community, share information among members,

advocate for our community with the city and to enhance the value of the neighborhood.

Our neighborhood, with more than 300 homes, consists of two parts divided by a lovely creek with a walking bridge joining us together. The Woodcreek Neighborhood Association is coordinated by volunteer officers who serve a one-year term. The annual meeting is held in September where we gather as a community, discuss topics of interest and hold elections. Guest speakers are featured on topics of concern as needed.

Your membership is VERY important to our ongoing efforts on behalf of our neighborhood. A strong, vibrant, safe and beautiful community benefits each owner by supporting the value of our homes.

Eligibility Anyone who is a homeowner or a resident of the Woodcreek community.

Member Benefits 1. Member Directory and Resource Guide

Yearly printed directory of members organized by name and by street. It also includes copies of the bylaws, neighborhood deed restrictions, and City of Carrollton contact information.

2. Beautiful entries into the neighborhood-maintenance of landscaping of the entry areas to the neighborhood.3. Social events including Annual Meeting, National Night Out, Holiday events, and other social activities.4. Volunteer Board members who work effectively with the City of Carrollton to facilitate neighborhood improvements

and advocate for you and our community with the City.5. Matching City funding for neighborhood improvements.6. Online community, website, newsletter and flyers to share information.

STAY CONNECTED WWW.WOODCREEKNEIGHBORS.ORG AND WWW.NEXTDOOR.COM

Sustaining members show a deeper commitment to our community through a more generous donation. It is an opportunity to invest in our neighborhood’s success. Sustaining members are recognized in the Member Directory, website, newsletter and at social events.

2540 N. Josey Ln,Carrollton, TX 75006

(SE corner of Josey and Trinity Mills/BushTurnpike)

972-986-6339

Pies and Lunch Monday - Friday 10:00 – 6:00Saturday Brunch 8:00 – 2:00

Dessert Pies and Savory Pies

Local Business Spotlight

A raffle will be held for certificates for a pie (flavor of your choice) fromBeth's at theNational Night Out!! Two certificates will be available.

A raffle will be held for Fall potted plant arrangements fromRuibal's at theNational Night Out!! Two arrangements will be available.

BallotWoodcreekNeighborhoodAssociation

2016-2017BoardofTrustees

President RussellTether or

Vice-President CareyCrawford or

Secretary ClaudetteWolfe or

Treasurer DeWayneTallmon or

Trustee* MatthewMessner or

Trustee* JonOrtega or

Trustee* AngelaFrohlich or *ThreewhoreceivethemostvotesshallbeelectedasTrustees.

If you cannot attend National Night Out/Annual Meeting, below is anabsentee ballot to vote for the slate of Officers and Trustees of theWoodcreek Neighborhood Association for 2016-2017. If you have othernominations, please print out this page, write your nominee's name in theblank to the right of the office, then mail the ballot in. Send to:

Woodcreek Neighborhood AssociationP.O. Box 110776Carrollton, TX 75011-0776

Voting will be held at the National Night Out/Annual Meeting, October4.

Woodcreek Board 2015-2016President- Russell TetherVice-President- Carey CrawfordSecretary- Ted BellahTreasurer-Mark NeillTrustee- Claudette WolfeTrustee- Matthew MessnerTrustee- Jon Ortega

JOIN US ON NEXTDOOR!