Image Up Advertising & Design

12 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2025 | Normally, I would write about one or more of our Architectural Standards that make our community harmonious and desirable. Instead, perhaps with some tongue-in-cheek humor, I have a list of 10 things I've seen that make a home's occupants look old. Some of these things actually do violate our standards. Having an excessive number of novelty figurines, statues, or plant pots (particularly with dead plants in them) in your front yard. The Sun Lakes limit is eight. Fake hinges magnetically attached to the garage door. We have modern garage doors here. We don't need to pretend that we actually have to get out of our car and pull open the doors. A three-foot-tall wooden sign that tells you that you are HOME. A quick glance at your house number next to the garage door should confirm that you are at the correct house. Fake plants, particularly after they have begun to fade and change colors, are not allowed in Sun Lakes. Deferred maintenance. This signals that you expect to move to The Lakes before the wear and tear really becomes serious damage. Thinking that a yard of mostly gravel looks good. In the interest of water savings, Sun Lakes has reduced the amount of softscape (plants) and hardscape from 50/50 to 30/70. However, some folks seem to be leaning even more than that toward all hardscape. There are HOAs that allow an all gravel yard. Feel free to move there if that is what you would like. Having enough path lights in your front yard to provide guidance to the Mother Ship when it returns to Earth. Installing security cameras that invade the privacy of your neighbors. Security cameras (which must be approved by the MAC) need to only look into your yard, not your neighbors or common areas. Fabric gazebo covers and umbrellas in your yard that are torn, tattered, and faded. These generally are taller than the walls that surround your property. No one likes to look at raggedy fabric drooping off some sort of frame in your yard. "Forgetting" to fill out and submit an application to change the exterior of your home or front and back yard landscaping with sufficient detail, drawings, dimensions, and photos that provide enough information for the MAC to make a logical decision. Just because we may no longer look as young as we feel, let's keep up the effort to keep our yards and homes looking well maintained and in line with the standards we admired when we chose to move here. ~ Jerry Howell, member MAC, jerry.d.howell@gmail.com Master Architectural Bling, bling! Casino Night is almost here. Hope you purchased your tickets from the Recreation Department, $60 per person (check only). Maximum is two tickets per household. See you on Fri., Sept. 5! Come join us at 2 pm on Mon., Sept. 8, in the Main Clubhouse for the Ice Cream Social, as we say goodbye to the dog days of summer. For only $3 (cash only), you get three scoops of ice cream and a variety of toppings. Added bonus — what a relaxing way to spend time with friends! Activities Day is coming up on Sat., Sept. 20, 9 am to 1 pm, in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom. This annual tradition is one of the many reasons so many of us chose to live here. There is something for everyone — clubs, sports (like tennis, ping pong, pickleball) and numerous advisory committees. We are always looking for volunteers! It's a great opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with "old" friends, and get involved. Mark your calendars — it's a great community connection! Creedence Clearwater Revival is a Big Woo Hoo! They will perform Fri., Oct. 10 in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 for $15 per person (checks only made out to SLCC). Limit of four per household. Get your tickets at the Recreation Department. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Oct. 4, 11 and 18: Yard Sales (district specific dates) Oct. 10: Community Shredding Oct. 25: Halloween Doggie Parade ~ Connie Cutner, clcutner@gmail.com Recreation Advisory

• Cover