Meridian Park Monthly Newsletter & Calendar

July 2010 - Happy Fourth of July!
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Please make a selection or scroll down to view:

Notes & News - Early Bird; Dogs on the Loose; Maintenance Moment, Summer Heat!
Highlights - Happy Birthday America, Fireworks, Seasonal Selections, Little Actions Have Big Impact, Pool Rules
Trivia Whiz - Easy as Pie
One Minute Chef - Watermelon Berry Star Cake
Consumer Tips - Minding Money Matters
Life Styles - Summer Concert Survival Guide
Feature - Trashing Food: What a Waste

Calendar:

July 1 - Rent is Due, Pest Control
July 2 - Dog Days of Summer (July 3-Aug. 11)
July 4 - Independence Day
July 5 - Independence Day (Federal Holiday), Last Day to Pay Rent
July 6 - Late Fees Applied
July 8 - Pest Control
July 15 - Pest Control
July 17 - Cow Appreciation Day
July 19 - National Get Out of the Doghouse Day
July 21 - Pest Control
July 23 - Gorgeous Grandma Day
July 26 - Walk on Stilts Day
July 29 - Pest Control

Notes & News

Early Bird Winner
Congratulations to Edward Crump for being the Early Bird prize winner for June. You can also be eligible to win this monthly prize if you pay your rent on or before the 1st of the month, or by taking advantage of our convenient draft program!

Dogs on the Loose
Please remember that by local ordinance, all dogs must be leashed when outside the home. We appreciate your care and consideration

Maintenance Moment, Summer Heat!
Keep cool this summer with these tips:
- Use fans to circulate air; this keeps rooms cooler longer and reduces the time you’re A/C runs.
- Keep blinds or curtains closed; this helps keep cool air in and warm air out.
- Set the thermostat at 78° F; raise it to 80-82 when not home. Don't turn the A/C off when you leave-your home will store up the heat and you're likely to make the air conditioner run for hours, just to feel comfortable.

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HighLights

Happy Birthday America
It’s the party of the year! Across the country, in every city and small town, people are celebrating with parties, fun and get-togethers. Celebrate your liberty! Display the flag; wear red, white and blue; sing patriotic songs. Enjoy your Fourth of July however you celebrate!

Fireworks
The staff wishes everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. Please remember that we do not allow fireworks of any kind on the property for safety reasons!

Seasonal Selections
Take some red, white and blue(ish) favorites to your family reunion or Fourth of
July celebration this month:
Red: bell peppers, cherries, radishes, raspberries.
White: Crenshaw melon, garlic, white grapes, white sweet corn.
Blue: blueberries, eggplant, olallieberries, plums.

Little Actions Have Big Impact
Smile at people as you pass them ... you'll be surprised at how many people smile back.

Pool Rules
Our pool is for you-our residents. Please remember that guests must be accompanied by an adult resident at all times. Thanks for following the rules!

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Trivia Whiz

Easy as Pie

Whether it comes a la mode or right out of grandma's oven, apple pie serves as a slice of Americana.

  • The expression "as American as apple pie" isn't too farfetched. Though the origins of the dessert predate American times, colonists prepared many apple dishes such as pies and fritters.
  • In the 19th century, apple pie was a breakfast staple in many homes.
  • Vermont designated apple pie as its official state pie in 1999.
  • Pie Town, N.M., got its name in the 1920s when Clyde Norman made dried apple pies that attracted people to the unincorporated settlement. The annual Pie Town Festival is scheduled for Sept. 11 this year.
  • The practice of serving cheese, fruits and nuts together dates back to ancient times. Many areas of the country serve apple pie with a thick slice of cheddar cheese on top.
  • Actor Robert De Niro ordered apple pie with cheese in the blockbuster movie "Taxi Driver" in 1976.
  • Although many types of apples exist, Bobby Flay's Food Network recipe for apple pie calls for the Northern Spy variety.

As American as…

In 1974, an advertisement reinforced apple pie as red, white and blue. The "baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet" jingle ranks as one of the best commercials ever, according to Car and Driver magazine. The ad was updated more than 30 years later to include words such as "frozen yogurt" and "skyboxes."

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The One Minute Chef

Watermelon Berry Star Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 seedless watermelon (at least 10 pounds)
  • 3/4 cup whipped cream or frosting
  • 1 1/2 cups blueberries
  • 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • Powdered sugar

Directions:

Cut a three-inch thick slice from the center of an oblong, seedless watermelon. Place flat on a cutting board and use an oversized, approximately 7-inch-wide starshaped cookie cutter (or sharp kitchen knife) to cut a star shape. Wash the watermelon and pat dry. Set on a paper towel to drain excess water.

Place on a serving dish or cake stand. Pipe whipped cream or a light frosting between the bottom edge of the star and the plate. Dot with blueberries. Frost the top of the star.
Arrange blueberries, strawberries and raspberries on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

For more refreshing, summertime recipes, visit www.Watermelon.org.

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Life Styles

Summer Concert Survival Guide

Whether it's an all-day event or an evening under the stars, outdoor concerts draw millions of music lovers to see their favorite performers.  Being prepared for the occasion will ensure an optimal summer concert experience, so follow these tips for a stress-free, toe-tappin' good time:

Know the rules. Find out beforehand if you can bring cameras, water bottles and other items into the concert site. Most venues post restricted items on their web site.

Dress for success. With lots of walking and being on your feet, wearing comfortable shoes should be a no-brainer. Also wear light-colored, breathable clothing during the day and sunglasses to prevent headaches. Bring a light jacket for cool nights.

Drink plenty of water. Most venues charge a pretty penny for bottled water, but it's essential to stay hydrated. Buy one and refill it for free at the drinking fountains.

Wear sunblock. Avoid getting scorched by the sun by wearing sunscreen and reapplying it several times throughout the day.

Stash some cash. Avoid long lines and high ATM fees by bringing enough money to the event.
Remember your manners. When pushing your way throughcrowds, a smile and an "excuse me"go a long way.

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Consumer Tips

Minding Money Matters

Few topics can make otherwise friendly conversations go awry like money. Here's a look at some common currency encounters and the polite ways to handle them.

1) A nosy friend asks how much you make, how much you spent on your car, clothes and other items. How do you respond? Rather than replying with vague answers such as "too much" or "not enough," say something to end the inquisition. Try: "I'm sorry, I don't share financial information with friends."

2) You're at a restaurant with a group of friends and the server is unable to split the bill. If someone suggests to divide it evenly when you only had a salad, throw a reasonable amount to cover your meal, tax and tip on the table. Then say, "This should more than cover my cost. I'll put this in and let you split the rest." It becomes obvious that you owe less.

3) You lent money to a friend and notice him or her with a new, expensive item but you haven't received payment. Should you say something? Yes. Try: "I noticed you have a new purse, but you haven't paid me back yet. Did you forget?"

4) You found a cute top at a discount store, then someone asks where you got it. Do you admit the bargain or lie? While there's no shame in bargain shopping, you don't have to be entirely upfront. Say you can't remember, or that it was a gift.

Learn ways to avoid uncomfortable conversations about money with friends

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Feature

Trashing Food: What a Waste

The amount of food Americans throwaway each year is hard to swallow. A study from the University of Arizona indicates that the average U.S. family of four discards $590 annually in meats, fruits, vegetables and grain products. Not only is this wasteful, it also creates serious environmental issues.

When food enters landfills, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in our atmosphere. No wonder cities are taking action. A compost center opened in 2009 in Wilmington, Del. It turns tons of food waste into compost to help farmers grow crops. Eight cities in California joined forces to see how much food waste they can prevent from reaching landfills.

You can do your part to reduce food waste, too. Start by buying only sensible amounts of food you know you can consume. Then, learn ways to use up your leftovers. Here are some tips from www.PlanetGreen.Discovery.com :

Soup's on. Freeze trimmed ends from onions, carrots, celery and peppers until you have a reasonable amount to boil and make homemade vegetable broth.

Toaster time. If you make too many pancakes or waffles, freeze them and then pop in the toaster for a fast breakfast.

Salad topper. Bake day-old bread to use as salad croutons.

Fun and fruity. Use any fruit that needs to be eaten quickly by whirling up a batch of smoothies.

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 **The Meridian Park monthly newsletter is developed by Uhlig Communications via hardcopy and adapted electronically for this web site.**

2707 Meridian Dr. Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: 252-321-1948 FAX: 252-321-9206 E-mail: leasing@meridianpark.net