February 2026 Newsletter

Time passes quickly. It’s almost time for another annual meeting and celebration of our 50th anniversary! Mark your calendar and attend the annual meeting on May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Did you know that our Homeowners Corporation (HOC) was originally set to expire after 50 years? Your Board has amended the Articles of Incorporation to update them and to extend the life of the HOC indefinitely. (You can find these on our website and at the Oklahoma Secretary of State.)

The Articles of Incorporation make reference to the Bylaws and the Bylaws make reference to the Articles. So, your Board is amending the Bylaws in order to update them and properly make reference to the amended Articles of Incorporation.

The Board is also charged with enforcing the Restrictive Covenants of our neighborhood. These covenants help us be good neighbors to one another and that helps maintain the quality and value of our neighborhood. Your Board regularly addresses issues as needed.

Our entryway and common area around the lake are where you have seen significant improvements. At last year’s annual meeting, you voted to spend $10,000 for the first year of a five year plan to beautify our common areas. At the entryway, new plants and a sprinkler system have been installed. Down the entryway median and west side of the lake, trees were trimmed and plants removed by professionals whom we hired for phase 1. Many complements have been received by the Board.

The Board also purchased and placed Christmas decorations on the north side of the lake. We hope you enjoyed seeing them reflected off the lake’s surface as you drove in.

Your Board is working with the City and Airport regarding the “buffer zone” behind our houses on the north and west sides of the neighborhood. This is actually City owned property that we maintain as a buffer against wildfires and as an accessway for emergency vehicles. So, fences and structures should not be built there! The Board advertises the annual garage sale, contracts for mowing and lake maintenance, works with NRCS to mow the dam, and many more small things.

At last year’s annual meeting, the members attending voted to increase the annual dues to $250 beginning in May 2026. This is in recognition of increasing costs and continuation of the beautification (and maintenance) of the common areas that we all enjoy.

We hope to see you at the annual meeting on May 17.

Sincerely,

Notie Lansford, President; Ray Huhnke, Vice President; Board Members Theresa Bosma, Craig Edgmand, Gerald Horn, Brad Barnes; Lori Edgmand, Treasurer; Brenda Morales, Secretary

2025 Garage Sale Date

Are you ready for some fun, some decluttering, and maybe even scoring some hidden treasures? We are thrilled to announce our annual neighborhood garage sale is back this year.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 13th! We’ll be kicking things off at 8:00 am sharp, and we can’t wait to see you there.

Whether you’re a seasoned seller with a garage full of goodies or a curious shopper on the hunt for unique finds, this is the perfect event for you. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your home, meet your neighbors, and breathe new life into some pre-loved treasures.

We hope you’ll join us for a fantastic day filled with good company, great deals, and maybe even a little friendly competition to find the best bargains!

Spread the word and start gathering your unwanted items – we can’t wait to make this a huge success for our neighborhood!

See you there!

Newsletter (May 2025)

As the warmth of spring embraces our neighborhood, we hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the season in Stillwater.

Annual General Meeting Announcement

Please join us for our Annual General Meeting on May 18, 2025, at 2 PM at the neighborhood library located on the Southwest corner of the lake on State Street, just north of Kletke’s house. We value your input and look forward to discussing important matters that impact us all.

Exciting Changes Coming!

Get ready to see some exciting changes blooming in our neighborhood! Our dedicated Landscaping Committee has been hard at work developing innovative ideas to enhance our common areas and green spaces. We’ll be unveiling these preliminary plans at the Annual General Meeting, offering you a chance to provide your valuable input and help shape the future beauty of our community – your participation in this discussion is highly encouraged!

Friendly Reminder: Keeping Our Pets Safe and Respectful

As a friendly reminder to all homeowners and residents, our HOC covenants, as well as the City of Stillwater ordinances, require that all pets be kept on a leash when outside of your property. This is in place for the safety and well-being of both our residents and their beloved animals.

Loose pets can unfortunately lead to unintended incidents and can cause concern for other residents. We kindly ask everyone to be diligent in adhering to the leash law and to ensure that family members and renters are also aware of and abide by this rule. Your cooperation in this matter helps us maintain a safe and harmonious environment for all. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our neighborhood a pleasant place for everyone, including our furry friends.

Annual HOA Dues Reminder

Please remember that the annual HOA dues of $200 are due by May 31, 2025. These funds are vital for maintaining our common area. Please make a check payment by using the payment voucher attached with the letter sent to via USPS mail. 

Board Accomplishments (2024-2025)

The HOC Board has been actively working to enhance and maintain our community in several key areas:

Lake Management:

  • Constructed and painted backing for six new “Private Lake / No Trespassing / No Fishing” signs. Mounted signs to steel posts and placed them at strategic locations around the lake.   
  • Provided regular communications with TurnPro Aquatics regarding management of nutrient load and prevention of algae blooms in our lake to keep it aesthetically pleasing and safe.   
  • Worked to assure the lake dam is mowed regularly to prevent overgrowth of vegetation, decrease the mosquito population, decrease wildfire risk to the neighborhood and provide a more pleasant view and overall experience for those who walk around the lake and across the dam.   

Maintaining Our Community Standards:

  • Upholding Guidelines: The board addressed specific covenant issues, such as parking violations, unmowed lawns, fence placements, and concerns related to dogs roaming off-leash, to ensure a safe and orderly environment. 
  • Responsive Approach: We carefully considered homeowner feedback on various matters, from property maintenance and Halloween decorations, demonstrating a commitment to addressing community concerns.
  • Community Focus: The board focused on solutions that benefit the broader community, including discussions and actions related to buffer zone maintenance and lake area preservation.    

Articles of Incorporation:

The Board has been actively working to renew our Articles of Incorporation, which is essential for maintaining the legal standing of our Homeowners Corporation. This process involves updating the document to align with current Oklahoma statutes, specifically the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, which now governs our corporation. A key part of this update is clarifying the document’s content by removing redundancies with the Bylaws and ensuring that the Certificate of Incorporation (formerly Articles of Incorporation) focuses on core organizational elements. We are working to finalize these amendments and will keep the community informed as we move forward.

Pictures of Birds on Our Lake by George A. Gilland

We’re delighted to share these wonderful pictures of the birds frequenting our lake. These were captured by George A. Gilland using his telephoto lens, and they offer a stunning glimpse of the wildlife in our community. We’d like to extend a special thank you to George for generously allowing us to showcase his beautiful work on our website.

© Two Mountains Photography; used with permission provided by George A. Gilland.

2024 Garage Sale Date

Are you ready for some fun, some decluttering, and maybe even scoring some hidden treasures? We are thrilled to announce our annual neighborhood garage sale is back this year.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14th! We’ll be kicking things off at 8:00 am sharp, and we can’t wait to see you there.

Whether you’re a seasoned seller with a garage full of goodies or a curious shopper on the hunt for unique finds, this is the perfect event for you. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your home, meet your neighbors, and breathe new life into some pre-loved treasures.

We hope you’ll join us for a fantastic day filled with good company, great deals, and maybe even a little friendly competition to find the best bargains!

Spread the word and start gathering your unwanted items – we can’t wait to make this a huge success for our neighborhood!

See you there!

Newsletter

Spring is in full swing, and we’re pleased to bring you important updates and timely reminders to ensure our community remains a wonderful place to live.

Street Lighting Update

The city has installed new LED streetlights in our area. These modern lights enhance night-time safety and reflect our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.

Annual HOA Dues Reminder

Please remember that the annual HOA dues of $200 are due by May 31, 2024. These funds are vital for maintaining our common area.

Annual General Meeting Announcement

Please join us for our Annual General Meeting on May 19, 2024, at 2 PM at the neighborhood library located on the Southwest corner of the lake on State Street, just north of Kletke’s house. We value your input and look forward to discussing important matters that impact us all.

Reaffirming the Good Neighbor Mindset

Attached to this newsletter and available on our website is the “Good Neighbor Mindset” document. This guide reinforces the core values of our community. If you notice someone may not be aware of these community values, sharing this document can be a friendly and polite way to remind each other of our shared commitments to being good neighbors.

Update on Animal Shelter

Members of our HOC board recently participated in a city meeting about the proposed new location for the animal shelter near our neighborhood. We expressed concerns regarding potential noise, effects on home values, and other nuisances. The city is actively gathering feedback and appears committed to ensuring that all concerns are addressed to achieve a solution that benefits everyone involved.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and dedication to our community. Your active participation makes all the difference in maintaining the high standard of living we enjoy.

Proposal for New Stillwater Animal Welfare Facility

On March 12th, we were informed by the city about the upcoming Stillwater Animal Welfare facility. We’re seeking input from our community to ensure we’re fully prepared for the upcoming meeting. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking the Let’s Talk button button on our website, emailing us at universityestateswoodcrest@gmail.com, or posting a comment directly on this site.


Good morning,

The current Stillwater Animal Welfare facility is insufficient and overall does not meet the needs of our growing community. Our staff and community action committee are in the process of identifying a new location and identifying needs for a new facility.

The property identified to best meet the needs of a future Animal Welfare facility is located at Hargis/Airport Road and near Sanborn Lake, north side of the Waste Management facility. This location is more than 1,000 feet from a neighborhood.

We have an upcoming meeting at the Stillwater Community Center on Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m. A virtual/online meeting will be Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. Past presentations and information are available online at: stillwaterok.gov/animalwelfare.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Dawn

Dawn R. Dodson

Director of Communications

Office of Communications


Halloween Themed Movie Night

On the delightful evening of October 20, our neighborhood came together for a magical experience under the stars – a neighborhood movie night by the lake! It was heartwarming to see so many of our fellow residents gather by the water’s edge, creating a charming outdoor cinema right in our own community.

The flickering glow of the screen was complemented by the warm camaraderie that filled the air. Families, friends, and neighbors alike gathered with blankets and snacks, creating a cozy atmosphere that truly embodied the spirit of togetherness.

The laughter, shared popcorn, and the collective enjoyment of the film created memories that will linger in our hearts. It was a testament to the strong sense of community we have here, where we not only share space but also the joy of simple pleasures.

As we reflect on that wonderful night, we can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the bonds that tie us together. The success of our neighborhood movie night has left us eager for more such gatherings in the future. Imagine the possibilities – themed movie nights, potlucks, or even live music by the lake. The potential for building an even stronger sense of community is limitless.

So, let’s keep the momentum going! If you have ideas for future events or if you’d like to volunteer to help organize them, we welcome your input and involvement. Our neighborhood is not just a collection of houses; it’s a vibrant community made stronger by each of you.

Here’s to more shared moments, more laughter, and more community events that make our neighborhood the wonderful place it is. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming gatherings, and let’s continue to make our community a place we’re proud to call home.

Amendments to Covenants

Based on the tabulation of results from the special meeting held on October 15, 2023 and the ballots received by mail, the members of the HOC voted in favor of the proposed amendements. The newly amended document is available on our Governing Documents Page. Thank you for your particiation in this important matter.

University Estates/Woodcrest HOC Special Meeting

Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Southwest corner of the lake on State street just north of the Kletke’s house

Purpose of the Meeting: The special meeting is called to vote on the amendment to the Declaration of Protective Covenants of University Estates–Woodcrest. If the amendment is passed by majority (majority from the sum of valid votes cast at the meeting and the valid votes cast by mail-in-ballot) it will prohibit short-term rentals in areas of the HOC zoned RSS (Residential Small Lot Single-Family). If the amendment fails, the covenants remain as currently written. No discussion or debate about the amendment will be held since such discussions were held during the May 21, 2023 annual meeting.