Southern Oaks is a quiet, highly desirable, walled community between Summerlin and Ferncreek Avenues (west to east), backing up to Lake Pinelock and Pershing Avenue (north to south). It has 2 entrances, the main entrance is on Pershing and the back entrance is on Summerlin.

Main Southern Oaks Entrance

The first house built in Southern Oaks was 1201 Montcalm Street, built in 1969. The second floor railing used to be New Orleans style wrought iron:

 The Weston and Agnes Thomas Family Home before the Expansion

The last house built in Southern Oaks was 1041 Ridgecrest Road, built in 2010:

 The John and Kristen Burden Family House

The first family to move into Southern Oaks was the Victor Smith Family, which still lives here:

The Victor and Janet Smith Family Home

Southern Oaks has a total of 236 homes and 4 empty lots.

The community has a Homeowners Association – The officers are Kristi Camera, President - kristi@kristiandbriancamera.com, and Sam Oswald, Treasurer - sdocpa@aol.com.

History

The property of what is now Southern Oaks started by Robert Campbell Anderson acquiring individual parcels of land as early as 1913, 1917, 1921, and 1934. I believe there was an old “grove house” on this land near 3224 Wald Road (Edgecliffe to Wald Road somewhere at the first bend where Wald Road changes from West/East to North/South).

In 1952 R. C. Anderson transferred parcels 4, 5, and 6 to Anderson Grove, Inc.

R. C. Anderson acquired parcels 1 and 2 in 1925 by means of a tax sale. He diligently kept paying the taxes on this property, when in 1965 he was sued by the heirs of Frances Foster who wanted to reclaim the property. He finally won the suit and now possessed parcels 1-6 of the land (I do not know about parcel 3), which eventually became Southern Oaks.

In 1967 Anderson Grove, Inc. secured a mortgage with the Orlando Bank & Trust Company for $400,000 to start to develop the land. Anderson also granted a trust, Southern Oaks, to Austin A Caruso, John J. Walsh and W. Russell Anderson. The trust granted the City of Orlando easements to construct sewers, drainage, and roads and thus was granted permission to start the development of the Southern Oaks Subdivision.

The covenants for Southern Oaks were recorded in 1968 and the Southern Oaks Declaration of Restrictions was recorded in 1969.

One of the most memorable times in Southern Oaks were the months of August and September in 2004.

• On 13 August 2004 about 9:30 PM, Hurricane Charlie, a category 4 storm, came right over Southern Oaks. Buckwood Drive looked as if a tornado passed right down the street. Trees were down in all directions and as the neighborhood awakened the next morning, the residents came out of their homes completely stunned. No one could believe what had happened over night.  It was a bitter/sweet time, and many of us finally met our long time neighbors as we inspected the damage. We even formed a large circle of prayer in the middle of Northglenn and Buckwood Drive while surrounded by fallen trees; after all, no one was going anywhere. Estimated damage for Florida was $14 billion and 27 people were killed.

 Drive Way is at 1119 Buckwood Drive

• On 5 September 2004, Hurricane Frances struck Orlando.  Frances was a slow moving storm and seemed to last forever. We received lots of rain and lost power; however, many of the trees were already downed by her predecessor. Estimated damage for Florida was $10 billion and 3 people were killed.
• On 15 September 2004, we received another visitor, Hurricane Ivan, a category 3 storm.  Estimated damage for Florida was $20 billion and 20 people were killed.
• Believe it or not, on 25 September 2004 we received the fourth hurricane within a 6 week period, Hurricane Jeanne, a category 3 storm.  Estimated damage for Florida was $12 billion and 6 people were killed.

As a result of the 4 storms, 400 large truck loads of tree debris were removed from Southern Oaks.

Overall, approximately one out of every five homes in Florida was damaged by the 2004 hurricane train. If you had a chance to fly over Orlando, all you could see were blue tarps covering all the damaged roofs. It was quite a sight to see!

Clubs

• Garden Club – Please send information to Evelyne Mitchell, EvelyneMitchell@yahoo.com, and/or Crystal Eisen, crystaleisen@aol.com.
• Wine Club – Women of Southern Oaks Wine Club  - Anyone interested in hosting the next gathering?   Please contact Crystal Eisen 407-312-2982 crystaleisen@aol.com or Susan Howard 407-273-1292 sghoward@cfl.rr.com  FRIDAY September 12, 2014 AT 7:00 PM.  HOSTED BY Rebecca Bedell  1060 Buckwood Dr. 
• Walking/Biking Club - So many of us walk each morning for exercise, walk the dog... is there anyone who would like to start a walking group...or do we have one that would like to invite other residence to join?   How about you bikers? Please send us your suggestions.                 

Activities

• Green Up Day  - Saturday, October 4, 2014, 8:30 am - 12:00 Noon.  Contact Crystal Eisen for volunteer details. 

• Community Garage Sale – There is a community garage sale in February of each year (1st Saturday after Super Bowl Sunday). Adam and Crystal Eisen, 407-312-2982, crystaleisen@aol.com or adamkeisen@aol.com.  Flyers will be distributed several weeks before the sale. 

 If you are participating in SO Annual Community Garage Sale and plan to donate your unsold items or if you do not want to participate in the Garage Sale and just want to donate unwanted items we have arranged for 2 organizations to pick up on Saturday, February 8, 2014.

 YOU MUST CALL THE ORIGANIZATION AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU WANT YOUR ITEMS PICKED UP.  THEY WILL NOT JUST DRIVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOOK FOR ITEMS AT YOUR DOOR.

Mustard Seed

Alexandra Jones 407-875-2040 ext. 116

Cathy Baldwin 407-342-8437  - Alternate phone number

info@mustardseedfla.org

www.mustardseedfla.org

Salvation Army

Jeff Backus  407-295-9311 x 215  

WWW.salvationarmy.org

• SO Egg-Stravaganza (Easter Egg Hunt) – 2015 Date TBD- East End of Sweetbriar. 

• Halloween Party – October 31, 2014.    Annual Southern Oaks Halloween Block Party - Hosted by Rob and Wendy Thomson, 1254 Wald Road.  Click on the above calendar page for Ghoulish Party Details.
• Christmas Caroling/Hayride – The community used to have a Hayride hosted by Kathy Berlinsky, 1389 Campbell Street, for 10 years. If anyone is interested to revive this activity please contact Kristi Camera at kristi@kristiandbriancamera.com.

 Welcome New Residents

The residents of Southern Oaks welcome

• Brett & Michelle Anderson - 908 Wald Rd.
• Bill and Darla Talley - 1322 Sweetbriar Rd.
• Valeie and Chuck Read - 1206 Sweetbriar Rd.

Please submit any new resident information to Crystal Eisen, 407-312-2982, crystaleisen@aol.com.

Southern Oaks Residents Directory

NEW DIRECTORY Now available to HOA participants 

PLEASE CONTACT EVELYNE MITCHELL NO LATER IF YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION. 407-855-8364 or  evelynemitchell@yahoo.com.

SO Green Up Committee

Need volunteers for a landscape committee to oversee the condition of our yards, and to send out friendly notices to owners who do not maintain them properly. It is important to keep our community in top notch condition to maintain our property values.

The landscape committe could also post a "Yard of the Month" sign in the appropriate yard every month.

Southern Oaks’ List

This section will be our “Angie’s List”. We would like our residents to recommend businesses they could recommend such as carpenters, dentist, garage repairman, house cleaners, landscapers, painters, plumbers, primary care physicians, roofers, and more!

Another part of this list could be information of any young people who would like to baby sit, walk dogs, pick up mail, etc.

Baby Sitters:

Carmen Ramiz - Southern Oaks resident, 1022 Ridgecrest Road, 407-812-9632 has a 20 year old daughter, living at home, commuting to UCF, is available to baby sit. She has worked with kids as a camp counselor (Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas) and teaches Sunday School at Church.

Megan Campbell - Southern Oaks resident, 1020 Montcalm St. 678-523-1660 or vintagechickmegan@aol.com.  Megan says "Hi I'm Megan Campbell and I am an experienced Babysitter and Dog Walker!  I am looking for new kids to babysit, so ifyou are looking for someone, I am available.  I live in Southern Oaks neighborhood and it would be my pleasure to babysit your kids to walk your dog! 

Dog Walker

Megan Campbell - Southern Oaks resident - 1020 Montcalm St. 678-523-1660 or vintagechickmegan@aol.com. 

Pressure Washing Services

Tom Howard,18 year-old Southern Oaks Resident, 407-704-9451.  Has had a pressure washing business for three years.  He’d love to give you a quote on your driveway, sidewalk and patio area.  Quality service at a fair price!

House Cleaning:

A Reliable House Cleaning - 407-719-1695, Yadira Reinoza. She is reliable, has worked for Adam & Crystal Eisen for about 9 years, and is highly recommended.

 Roofing:

1. L&L Roofing - Office 407-855-9204, Fax 407-858-9888, Cell 407-435-2848. This company was established in 1967, has lot of great references, second generation ownership of L & L Roofing. The owner is Rob Lloyd, he grew up in Southern Oaks and his mother still lives on Buckwood Drive. Southern Oaks resident who recommended him was happy with his work and he responded quickly in an emergency.
2.  
   Robert Batson - Office 407-423-7570, Cell 407-761-0045. Owner lives close to Southern Oaks. Southern Oaks resident who recommended him was happy with his work, feels like he is more reasonable than others contacted, responded quickly in an emergency.
3. Roger Facemire - Office 407-416-0306. Southern Oaks resident who recommended him said he is a great roofer.
4. Edgar Quintin - Office 407-857-0098 or 407-402-4631. Southern Oaks resident who recommended him said he is reasonable, responsive, and honest. He and his son have used him in the past.

Tree Service:

Southern Oaks resident recommended  Jim Phillips at "TreeWorkNow". They are extremely professional, insured, and bonded. The work crew was very good, and cleaned up everything. They were also considerate of our lawn and yard accessories. They were recommended by 2 of my neighbors. The price was very reasonable for the work done.

Contact Angela at angela@treeworknow.com, 386 747 5330.  

Please submit your recommendations with a short review to Evelyne Mitchell, EvelyneMitchell@yahoo.com, or Crystal Eisen, crystaleisen@aol.com.

Announcements/Current News

 Schools

• Boone (High School) – 407-893-7200
• Conway (Middle School) – 407-249-6420
• Pershing (Elementary) – 407-858-3160

Utilities/Services

• Electric – Orlando Utilities Commission – 407- 423-9018
• Water -  Orlando Utilities Commission – 407- 423-9018
• Recycling  – City of Orlando – 407- 246-2314
• Trash (Tuesday & Friday every other week) – City of Orlando – 407- 246-2314
• Yard Waste (Wednesday) – City of Orlando – 407-246-2314

Elected Officials

• Orlando Mayor – Buddy Dyer – 407-246-2221
• City Commissioner, District 4 - Patty Sheehan – 407-246-2004
• County Commissioner – Jennifer Thompson – 407-836-7350
• State Governor – Rick Scott – 850-488-7146
• State Representative – Eric Eisnaugle – 850-488-9770 (Tallahassee) or 407-893-3141 (Orlando)
• State Senate – Andy Gardiner – 850-487-5047 (Tallahassee) or 407-428-5800 (Orlando)
• US Representative – Daniel Webster - 202-225-2176 (Washington, DC) or 407-654-5705 (Winter Garden)
• US Senate – Marco Rubio – 202-224-3041 (Washington, DC) or 407-254-2573 (Orlando)

                       Bill Nelson – 202-224-5274 (Washington, DC) or 407-872-7165 (Orlando)

Interesting Statistics

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Southern-Oaks-Orlando-FL.html