August 2015 Real Estate Statistics for Lake of the Woods By Pat Licata REALTOR® In the month of August, a total of 17 homes were sold. 13 were standard sale, 4 between $100-$175K, 4 between $175-250K, 3 between $250-350K, 1 between $350-500K, and 1 over $500K. There were a total of 4 foreclosures, 1 under $100k, and 3 in the $100-175K price range. There were no short sales in August. Two lots also sold, and they both closed for under $100K.
Here’s a link to real estate currently for sale in Lake of the Woods: LOW active listings It’s another beautiful day at the lake!
Locust Grove Middle School Principal Named Best in State of VA! By Pat Licata REALTOR
The Virginia Middle School Association has named Kim Crandall, Principal of Locust Grove Middle School, Master in the Middle School Educator of the Year for 2014! She became Principal in 2011 when the Middle School opened. Principal Crandall received her Bachelors in English from Anderson University and a Masters in Women’s Studies from Harvard University. She was nominated for the award by several of the teachers at LGMS.
“According to the Virginia Middle School Association, the award recognizes educators who serve in roles other than as classroom teachers who have demonstrated a devotion to working with young adolescents and have demonstrated a commitment to best middle level practices.”
Congratulations, Principal Crandall!
For the original story, click here.
Aerial Tour of Lake of the Woods! By Pat Licata REALTOR
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Both Beau and I found ourselves in a precarious situation recently. And I have my beloved Carl, the swan that adopted me and ignited my passion for wildlife and writing, to thank for my having been in that position at all. I, who have only been in the lake once in 4 years (unintentionally, I might add; but that is another story!), was at Clubhouse beach with shoes off and pant legs rolled up, ready to go into the lake on a cold, windy November day to rescue a swan named Beau. Fortunately, we were both saved by the bell…fellow resident and swan enthusiast Patty Bell, that is!
Like most swan rescue operations in which I’ve been involved, they begin with a phone call. It was Patty who called this time to tell me about her regular, Beau, who had shown up at her house sporting an unfashionable necklace of sorts. Upon further discussing Beau with Patty, I realized that her Beau was my Jaws, a name I affectionately bestowed upon him due to his recognizable underbite (see photo). After a few attempts by Patty to remove the unwanted accessory, Beau became spooked and no longer would allow her to get close to him. The following day, Beau didn’t arrive at Patty’s home at dawn, as was the customary routine. And so the “hunt” began.
Postings on facebook, emails to residents with the help of another fellow resident and swan enthusiast Marge Eales, and driving around to various locations in search of Beau didn’t produce any sightings. So Patty, with the help of her husband, John, did a sweep of the lake on their pontoon boat. Surely enough, they spotted Beau at Clubhouse beach! Upon finding him, Patty called me. And so the “fun” began.
Beau toyed with us repeatedly for a while…coming close enough to the beach for us to think we had a chance to nab him before swimming away. As I was coming to grips with the fact that I would have to go in the water after him, I thought of a way to entice him onto the beach. I ran to the Clubhouse as quickly as possible, and Joey was right there to help save the day! She gave me a dinner roll, which Beau, like the residents who frequent the Clubhouse, couldn’t resist. One bite of that roll, and Beau belonged to us! He followed the crumbs we spread far enough onto the sand that I knew I would thankfully be spared the cold water.
Surely enough, with patience, I found myself in position to lunge forward and grab his neck. Patty quickly secured his flapping wings and pulled the plastic ring up over his head! Mission accomplished!!
My co-worker, Carol, realized that Beau’s necklace was actually the hard plastic housing or casing that surrounds a light on a boat. What most likely happened is that Beau, while feeding on the bottom of the lake, picked it up over his head accidentally. This could have had tragic consequences, as Beau could have easily gotten the plastic caught on something. So please…if you see any debris in the lake, take a moment or two to remove it.
It takes a community to look after our non-human residents, too! Won’t you please help us by joining our informal “wildlife watch” group? If interested, please email me at plicata@mris.com.
The last time I rode a horse, it did not end well. And my last visit from a horse was “Charley,” alerting me to a blood clot in my calf after foot surgery! Being a determined person, however, I am making a vow to once again “horse around!” Carolyn McFarland, Manager of the Equestrian Center, doesn’t know this yet, but she will be an important participant in my overcoming a fear.
Living in Texas as a young girl, I owned a Welsh cross, while my best friend owned a quarter horse. If you aren’t familiar with horses, mine was like a VW Bug compared to her more powerful, larger, Cadillac SUV. The population of Pottsboro, the tiny town in which I lived, was 436, and the horse population well outnumbered the people. Riding often meant galloping through neighbors’ yards. Back then, hanging clothes out to dry was a common sight. One hot, dry Texas day, I decided to ride my friend’s horse. Not remembering that hers was much taller than mine, I ducked the clotheslines, as I had done many times prior on my little Welsh, only to be…you guessed it…clotheslined! I don’t remember anything else until waking up on the sofa in my home.
As an Air Force brat, my family moved to Florida shortly thereafter, and horses naturally became a distant thought. Fast forward 30 years, and here I am at Lake of the Woods. I must admit that the Equestrian Center wasn’t a huge draw when deciding to make the lake my home. Now, however, I am determined to take advantage of ALL of the incredible amenities we are so fortunate to have right here, right inside the gates!
In preparation for Ann Cameron Siegal’s visit to LOW to write the story on our community for the Washington Post, I decided that I should learn more about the Equestrian Center in order to be a proper resource. So I visited with Carolyn at the Center and even discussed a gorgeous trail ride (palms sweating) through the Wilderness Battlefield Park on a fall day at the peak of the leaf-changing-season. I was cautiously looking forward to it. As fate would have it, though, the microburst hit the lake, and I was “saved,’ as the number of downed trees forced the trail to be closed.
Being friends with Carolyn on facebook, and seeing how passionate she is about the Center and the horses, I decided it was time to face my fear. I decided that Carolyn was just the person to help me. I met with her again…and with the horses. Did you know that the Center offers pony rides, pony parties, horse camps, jumper shows, hunter shows, trail rides, and even held the first annual Dog Show this year?
I want to jump on this bandwagon of activity! I want to be able to tell my clients to whom I’ve sold homes first hand how great a trail ride is! So this fall, hopefully I won’t (fall)! I will pull myself up by my bootstraps and face my fear; I will “jump back up on the horse” and take a trail ride with Carolyn by my side. By the end of October, I am determined to have once again “horsed around!”
Until next time…it’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata, REALTOR Licata on the Lake
As much as I look forward to, and love, the spring and summer activities at the Lake, fall truly is my favorite season. My first introduction to four distinct seasons was living in Denver, CO, as a young girl (prior to my cowgirl experience in Texas from which I still haven’t recovered). And I’ve appreciated being able to enjoy each season ever since.
For those who think the lake sleeps when summer gives way to the cooler temperatures, shorter days, and crisp air, think again! Fall at the lake affords us a plethora of activities: Schutzenfest, Oktoberfest or trick-or-treating at Clubhouse Point; horse shows at, and trail rides from, the Equestrian Center; $5 burger night; an art show; and so much more!
In addition to fall activities, I also look forward to, and love, the spectacular shout of color from the trees along the shores of the lake and throughout the community, as well as the mums, burning bushes, and other fall flowering plants. I enjoy seeing the pumpkins adorning walkways and the scent of fireplaces having been stoked to temper the new season’s chill. I love the sight of the mist on the lake from the cooler, fall air touching the warmer water. I gladly embrace football, curling up with a “must read” in front of the fireplace, actually sleeping under the covers, and the need for wearing sweaters.
I must admit, however, that I am less than enamored with the harsh smack of the acorns and hickory nuts hitting the roof of my house and my car…and my head. The reality is that no person (or animal) is safe in my yard! The missiles do not discriminate; they are equal-opportunity attackers! Yes, most of my fall visitors joke about the need to wear a helmet. My daughter’s dog runs for her life from the front door to the street, as she, like the rest of us, has been the victim of an unwarranted attack.
Driving through the community, I feel fortunate to live here. I take in the sights, no matter how ordinary. Whether it is watching the children excitedly load the buses or swerving on countless occasions to avoid the squirrels and chipmunks playing “chicken” with my car, I can’t help but smile. These simple experiences are such a large part of what makes this place feel like home, regardless of the season.
And because our community is so wonderfully wooded, fall, and the winter season sure to follow, delivers new surprises. I see these surprises as gifts. Even after 4 years, my eyes still catch new sights suddenly apparent once the trees have shaken their lush green leaves of summer. I am surprised at what I hadn’t noticed and eagerly anticipate the new “find” patiently awaiting my discovery-right here, right inside the gates of LOW.
Until next time…”It’s another beautiful day at the lake!” Pat Licata REALTOR Licata on the Lake
The sounds, sights, and smells are undeniable: the lake is awake! With spring comes increased activity, and my excitement also increases as I uncover more evidence of my favorite outdoor time of the year at the lake. Although I am fortunate enough to enjoy Lake of the Woods all year, I receive droves of visitors in the spring and summer, so I share my beautiful community with family and friends most during these seasons.
Familiar sounds include the woodpecker pecking on its favorite tree, the many varieties of birds chirping, the geese honking one of their 13 calls, the owls hooting, the flapping of the swan’s immense wings in flight as they land on the lake in my cove, the quacking of the ducks, the laughter of the children as they play in the water or fish, the engines of the jetskiis and boats, the cries of the hawks, and the chatter of my cats as they watch the squirrels and birds through the screened door. What’s missing? The sounds of the frogs!
The sights are welcomed, as well: longer lines of additional cars coming through the gates, the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks at Turtle Island, the majestic blue heron’s dusk flight to its home in the tree across the cove, the swans doing the love dance or sitting on nests, the geese cruising with their quickly-growing goslings, migratory waterfowl choosing our lake as a resting spot on their way to their breeding ground, bunnies seemingly hiding in the grass, my resident chipmunk running from my front yard to the back patio to hide in the hose of the leaf blower (and I do have visions of him being catapulted out like a cannon if my husband doesn’t confirm its whereabouts prior to starting the engine), my resident squirrels playing in the yard and in the trees, flowers and trees in bloom, fresh mulch adorning residents’ landscaping, the acrobatic flight of the purple martins, people walking, running, biking, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golfing, and dining on the deck of the clubhouse.
The smells are also a sure sign: freshly laid mulch, freshly cut grass, the fragrance of the flowers, and meals being cooked on the grill.
To me, Lake of the Woods represents a community that offers amazingly varied activities for those of all ages, fantastic amenities, and the most incredible people with whom to share them both. By partaking in the community, I am enjoying wonderful experiences (while making fabulous memories in the process) simply by being a part of it. Won’t you join me in fully participating in, and appreciating, Lake of the Woods?
Growing up as a child, I looked forward to summer: longer days, staying out later than usual, no school, sleeping in, swimming at the pool, and…lightening bugs! I fell in love with the mystery of lightening bugs. I spent hours chasing and catching them; I thought of them as my own personal stars to wish upon–to capture them was to capture magic. Ashamedly, I must admit that I suffocated my fair share in jars or did irreparable damage making rings with these amazing creatures. I hadn’t given much thought to my crimes as a child until the dog I recently inherited from my daughter, Alle, began snapping them up as I watched in horror! Unfortunately, this is just one of my new friend’s bad habits that I will be spending my time correcting…
There are estimated to be more than 2000 species of lightening bugs, or fireflies, as they are often also called, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. Emanating from the abdomen/tail, the light emitted by some of these species is green, some an amber flicker, and some emit no light at all; some simply glow with a green or blue light! Typically it is the male who flies around, lighting the night as a mating call to the female, who lounges in the trees. If she is so inclined, she will light up after the male’s last emission to signify that she is a willing participant.
What causes lightening bugs to light up? The magic of two chemicals that are found in the tail/abdomen: luciferase and luciferin, which light up in the presence of ATP, the energy currency molecule of the cell that every animal possesses. When these chemicals are injected into diseased cells of humans, they detect changes in cells that are useful in studying diseases such as muscular dystrophy and cancer. Amazingly, spacecraft has also been fitted with electronic detectors built from these chemicals to detect life in outer space. On the earth, they are used to help detect bacterial contamination.
The light emitted by the lightening bug is considered “cold light” because it doesn’t produce any heat. It is exceptionally efficient, as 100% of the energy is emitted as light. Compare this to an incandescent bulb, which emits only 10% of its energy as light and the rest as heat. No wonder incandescent bulbs are no longer produced!
After mating, the female deposits eggs onto the ground, typically under tree bark and/or in a moist place. The larvae then feed on snails, slugs, and earthworms. They are able to do this because of the chemical they inject into their prey, which paralyzes it and aids in digestion. The adults may feed on pollen and plant nectar, or may not eat at all, as they only live long enough to mate and lay eggs. Some females are quite the actresses, as they trick males of another species into thinking they want to mate. As soon as he lands, he becomes a meal. Best case scenario is that a lightening bug will live for a year.
Sadly, lightening bugs appear to be disappearing! Most likely this is due to light pollution and loss of habitat. Our forests and fields are diminishing because of development, and as our population grows, so does our need for electricity. Too much light at night interrupts the mating ritual of flickering or flashing. Both of these factors are having a negative impact on our population of lightening bugs.
At Lake of the Woods, we are fortunate to provide the perfect environment for these “stars of summer” to continue to shine. My wish is that our future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy the magic and mystery of the “flying lights.”
Until next time…It’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata, REALTOR Licata on the Lake
If you have ever visited a home with wooden eaves, most likely you have seen and heard the massive bees hovering around and softly buzzing. I happen to live in a home with wooden eaves at Lake of the Woods, so I am quite familiar with these pests that bore perfectly round holes in my eaves with such precision that you would have thought they were made by a drill! Initially afraid of these invasive bees-on-steroids, I decided to investigate.
Similar in size to bumblebees that nest underground, carpenter bees nest in wood, preferably at least 2 inches thick, or in tree trunks. The initial entryway they excavate is about an inch long, and then tunnels are made at right angles inside the wood. Carpenter bees, while a pain in the wood, shouldn’t be a pain in the neck, back, or shoulder! The male does not have a stinger, and the female is docile and typically stings only if handled. Even though I know this information, I must admit that I’m still run for cover if approached!
The real problem here is that these bees are capable of causing substantial damage. The small ½ round hole that’s visible is only the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.” The single hole made by a female is easily correctable; the issue is that the subsequent brood will enlarge the tunnel, causing more damage that you can’t see. The bees don’t eat the wood; they simply drill through it to make room for themselves, the chambers they construct, and their nests.
They winter in these tunnels, emerging in spring to mate. Then the female lays her eggs in the chambers, where she has deposited pollen on which her larvae feed. The new brood emerges as adult bees in the summer, and then it’s back to the chamber for winter hibernation.
Getting rid of these pesky critters isn’t easy. Based on my research, a dust pesticide applied inside the hole works best. However, precautions must be taken with pesticides. It may be advisable to have a professional exterminator do it. Or, another approach is to fill the hole with a wood putty and re-seal or re-paint. OR…you can try, as I have, lying in wait for them to come close enough to “hit” with a wasp and hornet jet-stream foam. Of course, it’s just my luck that cedar is their preferred wood type. I live in a cedar home.
I happen to find this comical: Their only predators are woodpeckers (which I really don’t care to welcome at my cedar home), and the Green Lynx Spider. Hmm…which do I prefer?
So here I stand, watching the squirrels continue to dig up my yard and the bees drilling holes in my eaves. The bees are good pollinators of flowers and plants, so perhaps they will assist with my landscaping that the squirrels haven’t yet destroyed. Instead of adding bees to the growing list of creatures outwitting me, I think I’ll just go jump in the lake… and hope that a turtle doesn’t get me!
Until next time…It’s another beautiful day at the lake! Pat Licata REALTOR Licata on the Lake
Sources: Answers.com; ento.psu.edu;en.wikipedia.org;buzzaboutbees.net
In the month of August, a total of 17 homes were sold. 13 were standard sale, 4 between $100-$175K, 4 between $175-250K, 3 between $250-350K, 1 between $350-500K, and 1 over $500K. There were a total of 4 foreclosures, 1 under $100k, and 3 in the $100-175K price range. There were no short sales in August. Two lots also sold, and they both closed for under $100K.
