Miscellaneous Info
Entrance Gate
Remote controls can be ordered from AAA Remotes at (800) 349-8313 or from their web site at http://www.aaaremotes.com/mdt1megacode.html. The model number to order is MDT-1 - Current pricing is $28.50 per unit. Buddy Barrett will add your name to the directory and program your unit so that it will open the gate. Buddy can be reached at (706) 635-8691.
Propane Purchases
MCH belongs to a consortium with other N GA communities where residents can opt-in to purchase their propane thru Blossman Gas. You are not required to purchase your propane from Blossman but a few advantages include:
· Group buying power - lowers the per gallon cost of propane for members - Blossman services Big Canoe (1,600 homes) and Sharp Mountain (100 homes)
· Homeowner control - each homeowner is responsible for their own account; you manage your own delivery while still getting the discounted pricing by joining the consortium
There are 2 delivery options:
· Worry Free - Blossman will monitor your tank and deliver as needed.
· Advance Call - homeowner will contact Blossman to request a delivery.
You must complete these 3 documents on the website (under Members Only - Propane Documents) and return them to Blossman. Some of these forms are pdf so you may have to fill them out by hand or you may be able to contact Blossman for a document that you can type in.
· Member Pricing Agreement for MCH
· Customer Information Service Agreement (our delivery day is Monday)
· Declaration of Ownership (only the highlighted fields) - you must own your tank
After you join, expect Blossman to contact you within 7 days, to schedule an initial site visit to conduct a leak and safety check. You must be home so they can also identify your appliances that use propane.
You will remain a member of the consortium unless you opt-out.
You cannot work with another supplier during your contract period.
If you currently rent your tank, reach out to Blossman to see if/how you can join the consortium.
In June we publish the new propane price effective July 1. If there’s an increase, you will have a few weeks to top off your tank at the lower price.
If you have any questions, email Roberta Withrow @ rtwithrow@gmail.com or reach out to Blossman at 770-386-6268.
Reserving the Pavilion
Reserving the pavilion is on a first-come basis and should be done by signing up on the calendar at the pavilion.
Deer Resistant Landscaping
Landscaping your property can be a bit discouraging when all your time and money spent creating your dream garden get eaten up by deer. As entertaining to watch as they are, deer don't belong as a feature in your landscaping. In addition to damaging your lawn and plantings, they also carry ticks that spread Lyme disease. The April 2007 issue of This Old House has some helpful suggestions on planning a garden that will resist becoming lunch for our four legged friends. To review the article, click on this web address: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1608040,00.html
Homemade Repellents
Some gardeners and landscape lovers choose to take on their deer problem using a homemade deer repellent. If you’re one of those do-it-yourself type of people you might like to try one of these deterrents.
Sprays can get expensive if you’ve got plenty of plants to protect. Most commercial or store bought deer repellent sprays have a foul taste or bad smell to them. Effective deer repellents usually will have both. You can simulate the effects of commercial deer repellent by making your own homemade deer repellent.
The advantages of using a homemade deer repellent include:
Less expensive.
Household items can be used
No chemicals to worry about when using on vegetables
While the disadvantages of homemade deer repellent range from:
Must be frequently reapplied especially after rains
Homemade deer repellent must be mixed before every use - not ready-made
Does not include substance, which helps it stick to plants
Deer are intelligent animals and staying one step ahead of them requires an arsenal of tactics. We hope the homemade deer repellents below prove to be a successful tactic for you.
Recipe #1
Things You’ll Need:
Cooking Oil
Eggs
Milk
Liquid soap
Hot chili oil (optional)
Small spray bottle
Blender
Combine in a blender; one whole egg, one cup of milk (skim or regular), a few tablespoons of cooking oil and one tablespoon of liquid soap with one quart of water. Add one teaspoon of hot chili oil if you have it on hand. Set the blender on low to mix all the ingredients together. Pour the mixture into a small spray bottle. Spray the homemade deer repellent onto susceptible garden plants every five to seven days.
Recipe #2
Things You’ll Need:
One gallon of water
5 eggs (Blend them thoroughly if you’ll be using a sprayer to avoid any clumps. You’ll probably need to strain the mixture before using)
1 cup of buttermilk, milk, or yogurt (think stink!)
2 Tablespoons of hot sauce
1 Teaspoon of liquid dish soap
1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil
15 drops of cinnamon oil - optional
2 Teaspoons of finely crushed garlic - optional
Mix the ingredients in a blender with a quart of water first. Then combine the mixture with additional water. It will help keep your sprayer from plugging. This homemade deterrent is most effective when sprayed just before your buds appear, but can be used throughout the growing season. You’ll want to change the ingredients occasionally. You can begin without the cinnamon oil and garlic in the mix. Add it later. Randomizing the bad tastes will help confuse the deer. Start in a small area to determine if the repellent is working before making large quantities is recommended.
Recipe #3
Things You’ll Need:
4 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup peeled garlic
1 cup clear ammonia
1 cup Murphy’s oil soap
1 bar Ivory hand soap (optional)
Boil the cayenne in the vinegar for one minute, and then strain it through a coffee filter. In a blender, purée the garlic in two cups of water, and then strain that mixture through another filter. Combine the two filtered liquids with the ammonia and oil soap in a 3-gallon garden sprayer. Fill the sprayer to the maximum level with water, and spray this concoction around all of the areas you want to protect. For extra stickiness, float a bar of Ivory soap in the sprayer and let it slowly dissolve over several fillings. For maximum effectiveness, reapply weekly, as well as immediately after every rainstorm. More frequent spraying may be warranted if deer browsing is intense.
Recipe #4
Things You’ll Need:
One gallon of water
One quart of Texas Pete
6 Eggs
Mix the Texas Pete and eggs in a blender, and then add with water to fill a 1-gallon sprayer. Leave any unused portion in the sprayer until it all gets used. Stays on after rains, though a refresher pass after a month or so may be necessary.