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Residents Deck Out Isles In Holiday Splendor

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2008

CORY LAKE ISLES - Each Christmas season the guardhouses and isle entrances dazzle with twinkling lights, holiday symbols and colorful bows.

A misunderstanding with the developer this year resulted in residents taking a more active role in decking out the community for the holidays.

"We threw out a challenge to residents to show their community spirit," resident Kerri Ringhof said.

They responded with their own touches of holiday cheer.

Residents began stringing holiday lights and dressing up the isle entrances with spectacular displays shortly after Thanksgiving.

"Residents are saying they look nicer than ever before," said Ringhof, a new member of the Cory Lake Isles Community Development District.

The community effort has inspired more residents than in years past to go the extra mile to spruce up their homes and lawns.

"Some in the past didn't go all out," Ringhof said. "That changed this year."

She had doubts a month ago the 1,000-home gated community would sparkle for the holidays.

Ringhof, who is coordinating the community holiday decorating effort, said a representative in the community district manager's office asked her to return the holiday decorations she had received because they were the personal property of developer Gene Thomason and he had plans to use them.

Thomason could not be reached for comment.

Since November the community development district board has approved $3,100 to purchase holiday decorations.

About $1,000 was used to purchase holiday items for the Cross Creek Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road community entrances, the guardhouses and Beach Club, the community gathering place. The holiday committee also acquired the services of a Wesley Chapel company, We Hang Christmas Lights.

"They were really good to work with," Ringhof said. "They worked within our budget and timeframe."

Ringhof said she and a couple of friends chose the Beach Club as their personal project.

"It's amazing what residents are capable of when we are empowered," Ringhof said. "I know it sounds cheesy, but it warms my heart."

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842.

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