Finally spring time is here! What better way to get out of the winter blues than to plant beautiful, colorful flowers.

We wanted to share with you our favorite and easiest flowers to grow in both shade and the sun.

 Shade loving flower: Impatiens...sounds like impatience but that is how it is spelled. Impatiens is called America's favorite shade flower. It is easy in the shade or part shade.  They come in all colors except blue and yellow and grow to between 1 and 2 feet high and wide. Because they flower all summer long they need to be fertilized and watered regularly. Great flower to attract hummingbirds!

Heat and sun loving flower: Vinca or Periwinkle. The same flower that just happens to have two names. Most flower nurseries call them Vinca now. This is the best flower we have found that takes the heat and direct sun very well. Would not live in the shade. Blooms all summer long but needs soil with excellent drainage. Blooms are white, pink, lavender and red. Grows to 10-12 inches tall. If you have noticed the flowers at the park office in the summer....this is what we plant.

As with any flower or plant.....they will get off to a great start if you mix in miracle grow potting soil or some kind of enriched dirt. They usually come with plant food mixed in!

If you need a ride around this area you can call the Walker County Transit @ 706-375-0803. If you call before noon they will pick you up and bring you home for $2.00 per trip. You must be a resident of Walker County for this service. Call for details.

21st Mortgage Corporation has offered our residents here at Mountain View Estates an offer to possibly refinance your home at a lower interest rate. I'm sure you are aware of the drop in interest rates nationwide to banks and lenders. Maybe this will help you also.

Some of their guidelines include the following:

1. Refinance single and double wide homes.

2. Home only - no foundation required.

3. Loans based on equity.

4. Minimum 625 credit score.

5. Interest rates range from 8.5% - 14.5%.  This is depending on the age of your home, equity, credit score, single or double wide.

There are other guidelines also. Please stop by the office for more details such as the phone number of who to call. You may be able to save some on you home payment.

Home Insurance: We have found a local company that insures homes and autos that may be able to save you money on your property. Many times we just assume that our rates are what they are and that we cannot do better. It's not a bad idea to get quotes every few years and see if you can save some money on home insurance.

Having a security system could save you also on you insurance premiums. Also be sure to tell them we have fire hydrants every 600 feet in this park. This may help if they don't know.

Insurance quotes are free and you are not obligated to anyone on a quote.

The company we have found and are using ourselves knows our community. They are aware of who we are.

Call or come by and we can share the company and their number with you. You've got nothing to lose.

We really do want to hear from you with your ideas and suggestions. Please email or call us with anything you would like for us to add to our e newsletter!