LAKE ASHTON AND MASTERCRAFT HOMES IS RECOGNIZED WITH A 2012 ENERGY STAR® LEADERSHIP IN HOUSING AWARD

Mastercraft Homes, LLC at Lake Ashton earns award for new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency

Lake Wales, Florida – Mastercraft Homes, LLC at Lake Ashton is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2012 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution Master Craft has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 30 ENERGY STAR certified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $13,410 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR certified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

• Eliminating the emissions from 15 vehicles;

• Saving 88,920 lbs of coal;

• Planting 24 acres of trees; or

• Saving the environment 174,390 pounds of C02 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.

ENERGY STAR certified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“ENERGY STAR builder partners offer new homes that are designed and built to standards well above most others on the market today” said Jonathan Passe, Director of EPS’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Because ENERGY STAR certified homes undergo rigorous independent inspections and testing, homebuyers who choose ENERGY STAR can be confident that their new home will offer real energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for years to come.”

Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved nearly$400 million on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 510,000 vehicles. More than 1.3 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.

About CRF COMMUNITIES

CRF Communities is the parents company of both Lake Ashton and Master Craft Homes. CRF is one of the best Florida retirement communities that you will find in Central Florida. CRF communities are a company that believes in quality and has been recognized NATIONALLY among the “Top 50 outstanding Master-Planned Residential Developments for adults. “ They are known for:

• Integrity in business since the beginning-Family owned and managed.

• Assisted over 30,000 folks just like you in making their dreams a reality.

• Excellent financial relationships with Florida's largest banks.

• Professional staff of capable, loyal and experienced employees eager to serve you.

• Offers a full line of services including home financing, insurance and an exceptional homeowner's warranty.

• A proven track record and experienced development and management teams that understand your needs.

• A level of workmanship and service unsurpassed in the industry.

• A tradition of excellence for Florida retirement communities!

• Owns and operates apartment complexes, health care and assisted living centers, commercial, properties, and active-adult communities throughout the southeast and Midwest.

• Has a variety of purchase and investment programs to conform to your specific needs.

They are a premier developer of affordable, award winning, 55+ active adult living for Florida retirement communities. Why wait? Call 1—800-234-1581 to inquire about our guest visitation. Each location offers an opportunity to enjoy the facilities and learn how you can become a seasonal or year round resident.

Look to CFR Communities for the Best Florida Retirement Communities in Central Florida!



About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers business and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 127,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2011, by partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).


Florida retirement communities

Florida Retirement Communities New Video Series

Wecome to HGLA the new home and garden video series from Lake Ashton. Each week John Journey will look at ways to improve your home or garden. In the first video we show how easy it is to maintain and care for granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Florida retirement communities

Florida Retirement Communities St. Patricks Day Dinner

On March 17, the Lake Ashton Bocce Associationheld its famous Wearing of the Green dinner dance in the ballrrom.The doors opened at 6 p.m. and soon after a wonderful meal of corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, rolls and dessert was served and savored by all in attenance. Free beer was served throughout the night compliments of our sponser Karim S. Premji of Merrill Lynch.

Florida Retirement Communities Sandhill Cranes

Florida Retirement Communities Love the Sandhill Cranes

Why feeding them is so harmful
Anyone living at Lake Ashton or who has visited Florida retirement communities has seen the Sandhill Cranes in its entire splendor. Although there are many birds that call Lake Ashton home, none stands out like the Sandhill Crane. The have a very distinct call and are very large, but like all wild birds and or animals you should not feed them.

In a recent meeting with Dr. Tom Schotman, MS, DVM at Lake Wales Veterinary Hospital, he shared enlightening information as to why it is imperative people stop feeding Sandhill Cranes. Sandhill Cranes have an abundance of natural foods, bugs, grubs, insects, and even small animals. They do not need handouts! We put them in harm ways if we attract these birds to our yards with feed or seed of any kind. Cranes can become dependent on humans and ultimately stop seeking their natural diet, thus endangering their health even further.

It is critical to the health of Sandhill Cranes that their diet have on protein and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorous. This is particularly important for the growth and development of their unborn offspring, as well as new chicks. If this balance is missing, or if their diet is supplemented with carbohydrates, the risk to these birds is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, more commonly known as osteodystrophy or rickets. Growth plates in the legs become inflamed, curvature of bones can occur, and natural development is thwarted. Ever notice a Crane limping or one with bowed or splayed leg? They have rickets caused from a poor diet, most likely what humans fed them. While carbohydrates are horrible for them, even seeds do not provide the balance diet they require, and are detrimental as well. Only nature can give them what they need.

When you’re looking at Florida retirement communities, Lake Ashton has so much to offer including plenty of nature. Lake Ashton is set on over 1,200 acres with two 18-championship golf courses, a 26,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse with Movie Theater, ballroom, bowling alley and so much more. A new 30,000 sq. ft. Health & Fitness center is open with everything for your health including an indoor swimming pool.
Florida retirement communities has so much to offer the active adult looking for and exciting fun filled lifestyle and Lake Ashton is the Florida retirement community that makes all other Florida retirement communities pale in comparison.

A special thanks to Patty Wallner a Lake Ashton resident who wrote most of this blog regarding Sandhill Cranes.