Election Day in South Carolina

November 8 is just around the corner and the country will be selecting a new President along with several other offices.

South Carolina does not have early voting unless by absentee ballot.  Early voting by absentee applies to military service members or family members currently living overseas.

Polls open at 7 AM on November 8 and close at 7 PM.  You must bring an acceptable form of ID to vote such as Drivers License, ID card or Military ID card.

For a list of polling places and other voting information visit http://www.scvotes.org/.

Tricks or Treats This Year?

Halloween is a time for treats, sweets and lots of delicious eats!  While that is a fun and time-tested tradition there are ways to think outside the box when it comes to trick-or-treating this year.  Check out our list of unique Halloween treats!

- Stickers - Halloween themed is best!

- Temporary tattoos

- Small bags of pretzels or gummy bears

- Halloween theme pretzels or erasers

- Stamps

- Bubbles

- Bouncy balls

- Glow sticks or bracelets to wear while out trick-or-treating!

If the typical fun-size candy is more your speed, you aren't alone. The National Retail Federation anticipates $2.5 billion will be spend on Halloween candy this year. The most popular choices? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats and Butterfinger.

Fall Fun Nearby!

Enjoy the cooler weather and get outside this weekend! Here are some fun Fall activities within driving distance.  Pack a jacket and hit the road!


Steeds Dairy Farm - Grovetown, GA

- Open Saturdays from 10am-10pm
- Open Sundays from 1pm-7pm
- A real working dairy farm
- Family-friendly corn maize during the day and Haunted Maize at night
- Hay rides, jumping pillow and petting zoo


Holiday Farms - Ridgeland, SC
- Open Saturdays from 9am-Dark
- Open Sundays from 1pm-5pm
- Pumpkin patch, jump pad, hay rides
- Duck races, corn grinding, Barnyard Zoo


Clinton Sease Farms - Lexington, SC
- Open Saturdays from 10am-11pm
- Open Sundays from 2pm-7pm
- Pumpkin patch, hay rides and corn maize
- Haunted attractions available at night

Disaster Preparedness

With Hurricane Matthew baring down on Florida and the Southeast, now is the time to ensure you're prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

The most important thing to remember is to heed the words of your local government, law enforcement and emergency division. This includes knowing the latest forecasts and evacuation orders. Don't endanger your lives and the lives of others by not listening to the people around you who are trying to keep you safe.

Ensure you have a safety kit and first aid supplies on hand.  This includes:

- Water - gallons of water for consumption and hygiene
- A three-day supply of nonperishable food
- Flashlight and batteries
- Can opener
- Cell phone chargers
- Weather radio
- Extra cash

First Aid Kit

- Latex gloves
- Burn ointment
- Eyewash
- Bandages in various sizes
- Soap
- Sterile dressings
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea medicine

Ensure all prescription medicines are full and readily available.

What else do you do to prepare for a natural disaster?

Ways to Save on Utilities

Yes the weather is actually getting cooler - which means the air conditioner doesn't have to run as much - a huge money saver!  Did you realize there are other ways to save? And they won't take much sacrifice!  Check them out and see what you can do to save some money each month!

1.  Unplug your appliances. Even appliances that are not in use are using your electricity just by being plugged in.  So check on toasters, laptops, coffee makers, etc. and unplug!

2.  Change your lightbulbs to LED. LED bulbs last at least 5 years and use much less energy!

3.  Reset your water heater's default temperature. Most are set at 140 degrees.  Reduce to 120 and you can save some easy money!

4.  Plan to do several loads of laundry at one time. This way your dryer doesn't cool all the way down between loads.

5.  Let your dishes air dry and skip the heat dry cycle on your dishwasher.

6.  When your phone is fully charged, unplug the charger. It will continue to pull electricity even if the phone is fully charged.

7.  Regularly change your air filters according to the manufacturers specifications - either every month or 3 months.

8.  Keep interior doors open to allow cooled air to flow through the home.

9.  Check all door and refrigerator seals to ensure there are no leaks.

10.  When shopping for new appliances or electronics, try to buy Energy Star rated equipment.

Budget Decorating Ideas

Decorating for Fall doesn't mean spending a fortune on new seasonal knick-knacks or expensive pre-made arrangements. You may have items around your home that just need a little touch to make them Autumn ready!  Here are some ideas.






Mason jar vases - just add some paint in using Fall hues!







Glue or tie some sticks to a plain votive vase to make an awesome Autumn candle holder!







Incorporate plaid scarves into your Fall decor - until it gets cold enough to use them of course!




Don't forget to set the season by incorporating smells!  Make some homemade potpourri by simmering apple, orange, cloves and cinnamon!

Setting Up a Home Workspace

Whether you work from home full time or just need space to get away and write out your thoughts in peace and quiet, a home office is a great addition to any home. A home office can be a designated extra bedroom or a corner of the upstairs loft.  No matter how big your space there are a few things to keep in mind when planning a workspace.

1. Think about your primary activities - will a desktop or laptop computer be necessary? Do you need a landline? Will you need a printer, router, or other space-taking equipment?

2. Ensure there is plenty of lighting - both overhead and lamp light. Take advantage of any and all natural light.

3. Sketch out your room before moving any furniture in. Include windows, electrical outlets, cables and doors or closets. It's much easier to sketch before moving furniture in or out! Try to position your desk where you have a view - near the windows!

4.  Use vertical space to your advantage.  You don't need a lot of square footage for a good office space - take advantage of your walls for filing or storage with bookcases and floating shelves.

5.  Add your own unique touches! Yes an office is for work but it doesn't have to be cold and sterile. Decorate with photos of loved ones, inspirational quotes and plants or fresh flowers.  Make the space somewhere you want to be!

Fall Home Maintenance

A new season is a great time for change - new clothes, new decor, and new ways to prepare your home for the upcoming Fall and Winter weather.  It may seem hard to believe now but the temperatures will drop, the humidity will dissipate and your home will need to adjust to the colder months of the year.  The moderate temperatures make Fall a perfect time to get outside and do some prep work for the following year.

1.  Examine the outside of your home for any visible cracks along the foundation or where piping goes in and out of the home. Use caulk to fill in those cracks where possible.

2.  Check all exterior doors to ensure weather stripping is still in place and creates a tight seal when closed.

3.  When it's time to turn on the heat inside, change the direction of your ceiling fan to pull heat upwards.

4.  It's important to change the batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. The change of seasons is a good time to do this and easy to remember.

5. When you are done with mowing the lawn for the year, drain the gas from your mower and trimmer before storing for the winter.

These 5 steps can prepare your home and yard for Winter's chill and protect the investment you've made in your home.

What else is on your Fall maintenance list?

Planning for Football, Family and Friends

The countdown is over! It's football season! Whether you cheer for the local team, your home team, or just any team that's playing - football season is a great time to get together with family and friends.

All a party really needs is the fellowship of family and friends but if you do want to get a little more involved there are so many great ideas for football theme food and decor.

A little green and white icing can go along way to making cupcakes into game day dessert fun!

Set up some cheese, crackers and pepperoni in a strategic football shape for a little fun!

Shop at the local party story for football theme decor and plates.

Construction paper and glue can make regular paper bags into fun party favors.

Guest Room Decor

Entertaining is one of the great benefits of being a homeowner. Whether you have good friends from across the country or family visiting for the holidays - a guest room is an essential part of your home. Here's how to extend your hospitality through your accommodations in the best way possible.

Guest Room Essentials:

• Fresh bedding and extra blankets
• Lighting and alarm clock close to the bed
• Trash can
• Fluffy towels
• Space for suitcases or hanging clothes

Nice Extras:

• A creatively display with the wi-fi network and password information
• Candles and matches
• Bottled water
• A luggage rack
• Magazines or books
• Tissues
• Fresh flowers or plant

What do you have in your guest room? Any ways to make them feel extra welcome?

Upcoming Events

Looking for ways to add some fun to your calendar? Now that summer is ending and vacation season is over, many fun programs and activities are back on track!   Here are some fun options that are close by to LongCreek - so mark your calendars!

Starting in September, the Village at Sandhills holds weekly concerts on Friday nights. For more information check out this LINK


Go to a Firefly's game! Here is the Fall schedule.

Farmer's Market from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays near Town Hall on Langford Road.

Big Grab Yardsale September 9th-10th all day! Over 85 miles of deals! Click here.

Back to School!

Goodbye summer and hello new school year! It seems to sneak up on us faster and faster each year but it's time to put the flip flops away and get out the backpacks.  You've survived the tax-free shopping frenzy and are ready to build a new routine to help your kids do their best this Fall.

There are ways you can organize and prepare your home to help with the transition back to school. Here are just a few ideas to make the new school year a stress-free and fun time for the whole family!

1. Use closet space wisely by choosing all your child's outfits for the week on Sunday and hanging them up in a separate area of the closet. This will make picking out clothes for the day one less battle that needs to be fought on those busy mornings.

2. Set up a command center with room for all the school papers, homework assignments and reminders as they come in the house.  

3. Use hooks and baskets to store backpacks and misc school items when your kids first come in the door. Keeping everything in one place will make it easier to find on the way out the door.

4.  Create a homework station somewhere quiet with all the necessary supplies including paper, pens, sticky notes and snack tray!

5.  Pack up lunch snacks and drinks in advance the weekend before.  Use baskets to organize sweets, snacks, utensils and drinks.  The only night before prep needed will be the sandwich!

What do you do to help your child prepare for back to school?

Make Your Home a Healthy Place

Your home is your oasis - keep it healthy and clean with these simple steps.  You'll improve your family's health while saving money and living better!

1. Use door mats on both sides of your exterior doors. This helps to trap bacteria, allergens, and chemicals before they enter your home.
2. Filter your drinking water and be sure to regularly replace those filters.
3. When cooking be sure to use your range hood fan. This will help lower the humidity that mold and bacteria love to grow in.  Similarly run the bathroom fan for 20 minutes after showering for the same purpose.
4. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to pick up more dust and allergens.
5. Potted plants are a natural way to filter the air and remove toxins. Look for Spider Plants, Aloe Vera, English Ivy or Bamboo Palms.
6. Sanitize bacteria hot spots such as door knobs, children's toys, phones, remotes and computer keyboards.
7. Dust with a microfiber or wet cloth in order to trap particles and keep them from spreading.
8. Purchase washable shower curtains instead of curtains made with vinyl that can contain harmful chemicals.
9. Opt for natural cleaning products whenever possible - such as vinegar and water.
10. Open the windows on a nice day. Outside air is much cleaner and will get rid of some inside toxins that float around.

What do you do to keep your home healthy and clean?

Save on Taxes!

The weekly forecast shows triple digit highs as far as the eye can see but the Halloween decorations are already out! It's the awkward transition to fall which also means - Back to School!

Tax free weekends are right around the corner and are a time to take advantage of the tax savings on qualified purchases.

For South Carolina residents the tax free weekend is August 5th through 7th.  For Georgia residents, tax free is THIS WEEKEND, July 30th and 31st.

Visit the links below for a full list of qualified items. Here are a few of the highlights:

- Clothing
- Computers
- Computer Equipment
- School Supplies
- Bath Towels
- Footwear

Does not apply to jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear or items on layaway

For more information click HERE

Blythewood Park

Looking for somewhere to get outside in the cool of the morning or evening?

Try Blythewood Park! Only a short distance from LongCreek, Blythewood Park offers a variety of family-friendly amenities.

The 21 acre recreation facility is located on Boney Road.

The rec complex includes a gym, game room, weight room, arts and crafts room and kitchen.

Outside there are basketball and tennis courts, a playground, lighted softball field and picnic area with shelter.

To find out more visit www.blythewoodnet.net

Summer Lawn Care

With the hot sun blazing down and temperatures not scheduled to dip for many more weeks - it's important to adapt your lawn maintenance plans to accommodate the summer!  Following these tips can help prevent damage and save you money on maintenance.

Watering
- Lawns need at least one inch of water a week during extreme heat
- Water less frequently but for longer amounts of time to encourage roots to grow deeper
- Water early in the day to beat evaporation but not at night which could encourage disease

Mowing
- Don't cut your lawn too short - longer lawns are more resistant to the damaging effects of heat
- Make sure your blades are sharp so the grass is cut and not torn
- Mulch the clippings to create a moisture barrier

MISC
- Don't fertilize in the summer - even if your lawn looks brown - it can burn the lawn
- Place stepping stones in high traffic areas to minimize damage
- Pick up outdoor toys after playing to keep dead spots from popping up

Summer Newsletter Available Online

The LongCreek Plantation Summer Newsletter is now available on the POA website.

Information in this edition includes:

- Lake Management
- Information on the Windermere Club Event
- Cobblestone Park Golf Club
- Incident Reports
- New LongCreek Sign Design

To see the full newsletter login to the POA website and go to Resources - Documents and then Newsletters.

Patriotic Treats and Sweets!

Celebrate Independence Day with flair! Take a look at these simple to make but amazingly patriotic dessert options!  Stay safe and enjoy the holiday!

Berry Trifle

Strawberry, blueberry and delicious angel food cake make this patriotic trifle a sure be winner!

Star Brownies

Use cookie cutters to cut up brownies and then decorate with icing and red, white and blue sprinkles!

Independence Day Kabobs

A simple no-bake dessert requiring just blueberries, strawberries and bananas!

Summer Get-Aways

Getting out of town is a much needed escape for all of us. Sometimes taking that week long summer vacation isn't always possible.  Here are a few ways to get away if even just for the weekend!

Beach Locales:

Beaufort, South Carolina

Located just south of busy Hilton Head Island, Beaufort packs in true southern charm and lowcountry appeal.  Visit historic downtown and spend the day walking into local shops and art galleries.  For more information visit http://www.beaufortsc.org/

Tybee Island, Georgia

Known as Savannah's beach, Tybee Island is a quiet beach town free from the hustle and bustle of most beach vacation spots.  See the famous lighthouse and take a dolphin tour! To find out more visit http://tybeeisland.com/

Mountain Adventures:

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Just a half hour from trendy Asheville, Hendersonville is a quieter cousin to the artsy city. Visit the quaint downtown and find all of the Hendersonville Bears that decorate the space.  Enjoy beautiful views and local farmers markets. For more information visit http://visithendersonvillenc.org/

Blue Ridge, Georgia

90 miles north of Atlanta is the mountain town of Blue Ridge.  Blue Ridge is packed with outdoor adventure including hiking, waterfalls and trout fishing. For a more relaxing source of fun ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.  Find out more at http://www.blueridgemountains.com/

Windermere Club Event

Longcreek Plantation POA is pleased to announce a free event offered by The Windermere Club! 

Saturday, June 18th with a few different activities: 

• 12 noon to 1:00 Meet at the Windermere Golf Clubhouse for a taste of the Club - a sampling of food, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided while you socialize at the Club.
• 1:00-2:00 The Windermere Tennis Pro will offer beginner tennis clinics for kids and adults.If you have played before, join some of the Tennis Club Members for some social tennis games!
• 2:00-4:00 Tennis activities for the kids, more pointers and court action for the adults.
• 4:00-7:00 - Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the Windermere swimming pool adjacent to the tennis courts.Life guards will be on duty. So come to the club in tennis attire, but pack your swim suit and towel!

Please reply to LCPOA@Yahoo.com to register for this free event!

All registered participants will be given a free round of golf at a later date.