Americana Cove

`Tis the season to be jolly-

Apr 02, 2002

Prayer for December (2001)
Gracious, Loving God we celebrate the greatest gift ever given this month: Your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.
He came not as a king but as a humble babe born in a stable. Yet the world has come to know Him as the Son of God.
Unfortunately, Christmas has been exploited by the secular world leading us to think about many other commercialized products rather than His birth.
Help us to remember the reason for the season, particularly with the crucial world situation.
We pray for the Peace. He promised but we must help bring it about by our own actions. Your love for us is beyond our understanding. Help us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Always remembering that our neighbors are located worldwide.
Thank you God for all your gifts.
Amen.
John Whittredge Hill, Chaplain

SUNSHINE REPORT DECEMBER 2001
Peggy Hubrich, Sunshine Lady

NURSING HOMES
Jane Bryant Maria Manor
Bob Evans Carrington Place
Erna Wring Carrington Place
Mitzi Delzell Shore Acres
Milton Johnson Shore Acres
Anita Perrault Fountain Senior Prop.
Carl Rosenquist Westminster Shores

BIRTHDAYS
01 Janice Whitley
04 Jack Roe
Robert Fuchs
Gerri Berg
07 Barbara Fuchs
08 Alice Shults
09 Ed Sebek
10 Esther Louzon
11 Dolly Couture
14 Grace Roberts
Beverly Johnson
Maurie Fink
16 Faith Brundage
Maisie Kirk
Eva Stahl
17 Muriel Lapointe
18 Gerry Barbush
19 Carolyn Watts
Gen Van Patten
25 Cleo Janiak
28 Laurie Mello
30 Virginia Curtis
Rachel Herbert
31 Bert Couture
Earl French
Rita Lewis
Virginia Zanaglio

ANNIVERSARIES;
08 Jeanette and Edward Imbrogulio
19 Ginger and Tee Phillips 50 years
24 Alice and Cam Shults 69 years
28 Harriet and Curt Sigourney 55 years

Welcome To Our Community
By RosAnn Decola

WALLACE, J. and Joanne
7023 Mt. Georgetown
(Previously Whitcanack)

TIQUE, John and Grace
677 Mt. Lancaster
(Previously Cote)

SANDERSON, Charles and Arda
6907 Americana Drive.


How the Needs of the Business Have Changed
By Pat Ruedy
As you know some of the Mobel Americana rules and regulations have changed as the needs of the business have changed. This was covered in the August 2001 mailing to each and every shareholder and resident of Mobel Americana. The rules that we were abiding by had not been changed in seven years.
As all persons living in this gated community know, we gave up some of our own privacy when we made an application to live in this community. The Board uses the application as a tool to screen out undesirables, such as convicted felons, sexual offenders or sexual predators, from living amongst our community population. All seasonal residents must now fill out an application of credit ability to reside in our community, thus new persons coming into the community, either by way of rental, or themselves moving in, do the same. If a current resident has a rental unit, they must see that their tenant, no matter how many seasons they rented here in the past, fills out the same application that other's do. The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of $100.00 if proper papers are not submitted, and this fine is levied against the unit owner who rents out their unit. Remember some rights are given up for the benefit of living here.
Another major item that was addressed in the August 1, 2001 mailing was that pets are no longer allowed for seasonal renters or MAROA year round tenants. We have had many problems associated with allowing pets in the community. A person who buys a home may have a pet in the pet section because this is their own property, and which if damaged, is their responsibility and not that of the community.
At the swimming area, rules are posted and must be obeyed by all users. As the posted rules state - no solo swimming is allowed for safety reasons, nor will the pool be open to any person before or after the stated hours of operation, no matter what.
Vehicles without proper auto tags will not be allowed to enter the property of Mobel Americana for any reason. A proper auto tag is a current paid tag. All autos in the community must be road ready. In Florida, the State requires proof of auto insurance to obtain a tag. All vehicles stored in the community between seasonal visits must be properly tagged as well.
Within our community we have several stop signs, which were put at intersections for a purpose. That purpose is to halt, stop and/or interrupt traffic flow. This means all cars; trucks, golf carts, tractors and bicycles should come to a complete stop before proceeding into traffic again. This does not mean; slide through or disregard totally the meaning behind these stop signs. As the community is getting more congested, with people returning for the season, we must all remember that we are only human, and we break very easily if hit by motor vehicles, or scared into falling off our bikes by someone running a stop sign. Let's all try to be more compassionate of our fellow humans. We, on the Board, hope you; the residents will keep us informed of violators via incident reports filed with the business office.
I am sure some community residents think rules or laws are meant to be broken. However in this case, Mobel Americana is a private community and the rules or laws will be obeyed or violators will be dealt with. We, on the Board, mean for all to live in harmony within our gates, and we too, must obey all rules or laws, or any shareholder can vote us out, or file a letter of noncompliance against the offender.
We, on the Board, want our citizens to be safe as well as happy in our adult community. We hope you take the time to read and understand the latest rules and regulations that were mailed to you in August 2001.

MAA NEWS FOR DECEMBER
Everyone is invited to celebrate the birthday of Hertha Yagel on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the Atrium.
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6:00 pm we will have a "cook-out" to honor our Board Members and also meet the candidates that will be running for next year's openings. There will be hamburgers, baked beans, chips, and fruit. Plus beer and soda. We hope to see everyone there to show appreciation for this hard and thankless job!! Cost is $5.00.
MAA Council meets on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 10:00 am. All residents are welcome to attend.
Wednesday Dec. 5, at 12:00 noon is MAA Luncheon Meeting followed by an hour of bingo. This is free to all residents and guests.
The annual Boat Parade hosted by Wilma Jones will be on Saturday Dec. 8 at 6:00 pm.
On Monday, Dec. 10 get your tickets for Christmas Dinner. They will be sold at 9:00 am in the Club House. Dinner is on Christmas Day with appetizers at 2:00pm and dinner at 3:00 pm Cost is $6.00.
SURPRIZE PARTY!! On Dec. 10 in the Atrium there will be a celebration of someone's birthday. A hint to the wise!! The desserts will be chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream and chocolate covered cherries!!! This person has been very active in the park and deserves our "thanks" for the years of service. So, come at 3:00 pm and join the fun!!
At 7:00 pm on Saturday, Dec. 15 the MAA "Just Us and Company" annual Christmas Show will present a production of "The Best Loved Stories of Christmas". There is a $2.00 donation at the door. Refreshments will follow.
Tickets for New Year's Eve will be on sale Mon. Dec. 17 at 9:00 am for $10.00 per person. Music is from 8:30 pm till 12:30 am by Paul Rose. A brunch will follow at 12:30.
Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24th, is an Open House at the Club House sponsored by The Old Timers and MAA. Everyone is invited to come and wish your friends and neighbors a Happy Holiday Season. This is free and begins at 7:00 pm.

NOTICES
There is, at the maintenance shed on Mt. Piney Avenue, an air pump, which you may use 24 hours a day to pump up your bicycle tires. Please replace the air hose on the hanger.
Forecaster
All items and other information for the Forecaster may be placed in the box just inside the entry doors to the Atrium. All items to be in BLACK INK. Deadline for January (now 5:00 PM) for general articles, the 11th of December; for last minute items, the 12th. Please note that the minimum font size is number eleven.
Koffee Klatch - Shirley Wadsworth - Once again we are having Koffee Klatch the second Thursday of every month. Please come and mingle with your neighbors, new and old.
From the Editor - In November we tried a new system with the publisher to proofread the Forecaster before it went to print. I believe it worked very well. Unfortunately, this new system cannot include the calendar, so the occasional error can creep in, and of course it can still happen with the rest of the Forecaster. But the new way of doing it should reduce the number of gremlins that occur. So I hope you will bear with us, and let me know if you find any errors, so that I can try to find ways to reduce them to a minimum.
Old Phone Books - Place old phone books in the aluminum can shed at the Americana Drive storage area, not in the newspaper or magazine bins.
Monthly Bridge - It will be on December 19 at noon. Go to the meetings to find out more about it. There will be prizes, so you all come and we welcome all of our winter residents.
Cue Club News - by Brian Birch
December is here again, and our league has started, with the usual Men's, Women's and Mixed Doubles nights. We will play weekly now, through mid-February, then begin our exciting tournaments. That should give us plenty of time to prepare for our awards banquet scheduled for late March 2002. Until the next Cue Club news, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Line Dancing News by Noreen Fisher
Teaching will begin on Monday, January 7th, 2002 at 1:00 pm and every Monday thereafter. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Club House.
Blood Drive - Date Correction; The blood drive will take place on December 15th from 8:30 am until noon.
Garden Club by Gail Jones
The garden club will host their Christmas program December 1. Donations of canned goods and new unopened toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, soaps etc. to CASA, an organization that helps victims of spousal abuse. Each member is asked to bring a plate of finger food specialty for the members' brunch. Please save your last member tag, and when you pay the 2002 dues of $3.00, the year 2002 will be added. The Cypress Gardens light tour will be December 20th See bulletin board for details and sign-up sheet.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
By Wilma Jones
The holidays are here once again. The boat parade is scheduled for December 8th at 6:00 P.M. and a rain date of December 22nd. I sincerely hope more boats will participate this year whether you decorate your boat or not, please join us behind the clubhouse at 5:45 P.M. for our procession through the canals. Refreshments at the clubhouse after the parade. Let us show all the new people who have moved into the park why Mobel Americana is such a great place to live. Happy Holidays to all.

PAR SEEKERS GOLF
By Russ Steele
December tournaments for the Par Seekers will consist of a 4-club event on Dec. 6 and a blind draw competition Dec. 20. Regular play will be held on Dec. 13 and 27.
The first meeting of the season was held in the clubhouse Atrium Nov. 5, with Mike Regan presiding. A motion was passed to change the tournament fee from $1 to $2. This will allow the officers to give more recognition to the best gross scores for the various divisions, as well as for low net (by handicap) scores.
A sign up sheet and other information is posted on the golf bulletin board on the north wall of the clubhouse. Play is at 11:45 a.m. each Thursday at the Mainlands Golf Club in Pinellas Park.
Players meet at the clubhouse at 10:45 to sign in, get playing assignments, pay any tournament fees, and make car pool arrangements.
It was agreed that new members should play in three Thursday events before they are eligible for prizes in club tournaments. Guests may be included on Thursdays, if the maximum of 50 players is not filled up by members, although guests are not eligible for tournament prizes.
Marcia Fay was introduced as a new member of the group.
Officers for the 2002 season are Carol Dunn, chairman; Mike Regan, vice chairman and events chairman; Pete Lambert, secretary, and Roger LaBerge, treasurer. Lennie Lambert will assist with lineups, event scoring, handicaps, and season summaries.

SHUFFLEBOARD NEWS
By Jo Waldron
This is our line-up of officers and captains for the beginning of the 2001-2002 season:
President: Shirley Penrod
Vice President: Tom Solomon
Treasurer: Hazel Misciagna
Secretary: Jo Waldron
Blue Skies: Captain: Chick Kageyama
Co-Captain: Sil Oliveira
Friendship 1: Captain: Laurie Mello
Co-Captain: Carol Slade
Friendship 2: Captain: Pat McCarthy
Co-Captain: Tom Solomon
Nova Blue: Captain: Ruth Healy
Co-Captain: Gene Latreille
Nova Red: Captain: Ellie Oliveira
Co-Captain: Hazel Misciagna
If you are interested in learning to shuffle, we encourage you to call any of the officers or Nova captains for more information or just show up on the courts, Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and begin your lessons with Chick Kageyama. All the equipment you will need is furnished.
At our first meeting of the new season, held November 3rd, Lillian Harris nominated Bert Zanaglio for a lifetime membership, all approved. Bert's contribution to our club has been invaluable and he offered to continue helping in anyway possible.
The fun games followed the meeting and the winners were:
High Score: Shirley Penrod
1st place: Laurie Mello & Don Harris
2nd place: Doreen McGrath & Shirley Wadsworth
3rd place: Nick Misciagna & Doug Reid
Booby: Pat Van Patten & Ellie Oliveira
Tom Solomon & Pro Grant Boshart took 4th in the main event in a Pro-Am tournament at Mirror Lake.
Don't forget the pancake breakfast, all the pancakes you can eat, plus sausages, orange juice and coffee, all for only $3.00. This will be held December 8th from 8 to 11 a.m. No reservations needed! Come and see old friends and meet new friends, while you enjoy the best pancakes in St. Pete.
Happy Shuffling

HORSESHOES
By Ginger Phillips
The horseshoe club started playing on November 7th from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. and every Wednesday thereafter.
Please contact Richard Norcross if you would like to join us. The initiation fee is $2.00 and dues are $3.00.
Tournaments will be held during the winter.
We had about 40 people starting this new club and we would like you to join these men and women.

Dear Needlecrafters
By Annette Solomon
W 0 W!!! What a wonderful Craft Fair we had on Nov. 10!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the crafters who donated beautiful creative items.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the workers.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the shoppers who made this a very successful event.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
May God bless each and everyone.
P. S. Classes will resume in basic crochet, counted cross-stitch, embroidery,
Plastic work and much more, every Mon 6 to 8 P.M. and Thurs. 9 to 11 AM
Supplies and instructions are FREE!!!
See You There

Duplicate Bridge
Gerri Bassett, Director
Howell Movement
Sunday October 21, 2001
1. Maretta Dimke & Elizabeth Copeland
2.Esther Louzon & Joan Dell Angelo
Sunday October 28, 2001
1. Jo Waldron & Pat McCarthy
2. Maretta Dimke & Elizabeth Copeland
Sunday November 4, 2001
1. Lucy & Roger LaBerge
2. Maretta Dimke & Elizabeth Copeland
3. Shirley Beauchamp & Joan Dell Angelo
Nice to see some of you back and I will thank Shirley in advance for all her help she gives me during the season....
Be sure to Celebrate God's gift of Love, Merry Christmas to everyone from the Bassett's.

Thank you's
From the Editor - Just to make it clear, I was thanking all the contributors, not just the ones mentioned in the September Forecaster. Without all the contributors, there wouldn't be much to print. And for those of you who are tempted to send in items, but have not done so yet, why not give it a try.
And at this time I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope that the New Year will see the end of the worst of these trying times. We have a strong country and it has rebounded before, many times, from adversity. The future will be good if we remain calm and steadfast.
From Doris M. Hodges - I wish to thank all the many thoughtful residents of Mobel Americana for their prayers and beautiful cards, sent to me following the death of my son John.
I know he will hear your prayers.


Gopher Walks
Submitted by Gerri Bassett
Back in the good old days people had to walk to the river to do the laundry, bathe and haul water. Sometimes they had to catch supper and sometimes they had to run to avoid becoming supper. They got a lot of exercise, whether they wanted it or not. Over the years, people invented faucets for their box-houses so they didn't need to walk to the river. No more chasing supper either. They got cars [a car is a noisy, fast moving, dangerous thing with large yellow eyes] to take them to supermarkets. [A supermarket is a huge storage-place with more food than anyone could ever eat.] They'd find the closest parking place. [A parking place is a place for cars to rest. Every time cars go anywhere, they have to stop and rest. It's because they go so gall-darn fast.] They could walk right in, grab supper, walk back to their cars and ride home. Folks didn't have to do much exercise anymore and they didn't look very good. They were moving kind of slow and their middles looked soft. Now I think things are changing again. A lot of people have started walking to exercise their bodies. They're walking everywhere for miles and miles to make up for the lack of exercise, they seem to perk right up and look good again

Tribute to the United States
Submitted by Rene Renaud.
The following are excerpts from a well known Canadian television commentator, Gordon Sinclair, many years ago (Mr. Sinclair died in 1984), but the words he spoke are as relevant today as they were then. And these words are certainly shared by this editor, and I'm positive represent the views of the vast majority of Canadians.
"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous, and possibly the least appreciated people on the earth.
Germany, Japan and to a lesser extent Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today even paying the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.
When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.
I can name you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble?
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damn tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles, I hope Canada is not one of those."

TRICK OR TREAT BINGO
By Jo Waldron
Thanks to Dorothy Kolb's planning the Halloween bingo was fun for all. Casper, AKA Paul Ghezzi, pulled out the numbers for the free pies, which Roger Girard faithfully delivers from the Village Inn each week. We were treated to an extra grab bag prize if we bingoed on a "special" and were in costume. And on the last two specials, Annette Solomon, the caller, insisted we yell" trick or treat" instead of bingo.
A couple of the outfits were a little risqu?©, they gave us all something to "tee-hee" about, but if you missed the party, you'll never know who wore what 'cause these ghost and goblins aren't talking (now that's a first!).
Dorothy got a round of applause for getting the party together. We all thank you Dorothy, not just for this party but for being there week after week after week.

ESCAPADE (Part 2)
Don Delzell
Rome began with a night-lights tour and dinner at Milno's with strolling flute, accordion and singing waiters who gave Italian bacios (a kiss on the neck and a pinch on the bottom) to all the women and one bald man who they wigged before the kiss/pinch. A guided tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's was awesome. It took Michelangelo 4 1/2 years (age 33-38) to paint the ceiling biblical scenes, including "The Creation", and another 6 years (age 60-66) to paint the "Last Judgment" wall. More recently, SONY, the Japanese company, paid for the cleaning of the murals, which took 14 years. Michelangelo was also the chief architect for St. Peter's for 23 years, which included the building of the 360 ft, dome, world's highest dome on the largest church. Michelangelo's "La Pieta"(Mary holding the dying Christ) and" St. Peter" statues are strikingly bold and lifelike. The visit to the Roman Forum, Coliseum (held 70,000 people and emptied in 20 minutes), Arch of Constantine and Catacombs was capped with a 5-course dinner accompanied by 4 young glorious voiced operatic singers.
Piazzale Michelangelo provided a sweeping vista of Florence and a copy of "David." A walking tour included a leather factory, Duomo (world's 3rd longest church), Baptistery (Ghiberti's biblical scenes "Golden Doors"), Palazzo Vecchio (home of the ruling Medici's) and Santa Croce (Westminster Abbey of Italy) whose tombs include Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and 267 other famous Italians.
Monaco provided a visit to Monte Carlo (gambling casino) and dinner over looking the yacht filled harbor, Prince Ranier's palace and old wealth homes on "The Rock." A beautiful hotel on Nice's Cote D Azur (blue coast) Riviera provided a base for trips to: (1) St. Paul de Vence a beautiful old walled city which was an artist colony for many famous French painters, including Marc Chagal 1 (1887-1985) who is buried in the cemetery; and (2) a Cornish Road curving mountain drive ending in a lunch in Ville Franche Sur a quaint fishing village on a harbor next to city walls/fortification built in 1400. We coffeed in the beautiful Riviera site of the famous French film festival whose harbor held huge worldwide named yachts including mine named "Don Juan". (I'm still waiting for the ownership papers).
Lunched in the city square of Avignon (home of the Popes 1307-77) with canopied sidewalk cafes and the typical children's carousel. Toured Fragonard perfume factory - fascinating how they use oils steam - distilled from flowers, plants and trees from all over the world. Formerly using animal fats for the extraction, they now almost exclusively use alcohol and solvents. It takes 120 gallons of solution to make 1 gallon of perfume.
Stayed at Lyon. A major Roman Empire crossroads and Julius Caesar's capital for France. Coffeed in Beaune, the capital of the province of Burgundy, one of 3 major French wine producing areas, and viewed the vast grape harvesting, which was underway.
In Paris, the "city of lights," took two city night light tours, which included a boat ride on the Seine, a ride up the Eiffel Tower, and had a cabaret dinner at Nouvelle Eve in Pigalle. Visited Note Dame Cathedral, Napoleon's Tomb, the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus De Milo), Opera House, The Madeleine, and Versailles Palace (largest palace in Europe and built by Louis XVI" The Sun King") including the King/Queen's apartments and the Hall of Mirrors where the WWI armistice was signed. Had crepes in Montmarte, the artists' area and visited Le Sacre-Coeur.
With the exception of Belgium and The Netherlands, the tour covered most of the same places I visited 45 years ago when I was in the US Army in Germany. The major differences are so many cars and hordes of people in tour buses. Although our private tours aided viewing things, the mobs and particularly Japanese tourists would plant themselves directly in front of the objects for a posed picture. The Louvre and St. Peter's have accommodated this growth with underground bus parking. Venice is so inundated with people from cruise ships that when the Adriatic Sea tides flood St. Mark's Square, people are forced on elevated walkways, which move at a snail's pace.
The September 11 tragedy had a dramatic affect on tourism. One third of Great Britain's visitors are U. S. and other countries are probably similarly affected. For natural beauty, good food and friendliness, Switzerland and Austria are my favorites. The picturesque, neat, efficient farms of Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France contrast to the poorly maintained farms of Italy. London, Paris and Rome are fascinating cities, but they're so jammed with cars that they detract from their beauty. Our hotels were adequate (Italy) to luxurious (London, Vienna, Nice & Paris) 2 king sized beds (for a single), ironing board (never used), TV, hairdryer, personal safe, bathrooms with mirrored walls, heated marble floors, 7 ft bathtubs, terry cloth robes and slippers. Daily breakfast buffets ranged from adequate (cold- juice, cereals, cheese, meat, bread, fresh fruit) to sumptuous cold and hot (eggs, sausage, bacon, omelets, crepes, mushrooms, toast, muffins and bagels.) Included/optional lunches/dinners were outstanding both in food, service and atmosphere. The Rosenberger food courts (like Buddy Freddy's) were fantastic in selection and how the cashier could figure the prices was amazing! Hotel, restaurant and shop employees were very friendly and helpful, even in France where it can be touch and go. In my heart, I'd like to believe that the September 11 US tragedy may have had some affect, but I think it was mainly their desire to foster goodwill for repeat business from Trafalgar tours.
Airport security in Paris's DeGaulle Airport was very tight. Anyone with non-US passports was given extra screening; particularly those with middle-eastern passports and those who were dark skinned and dressed in native costumes. The Paris-Miami flight was only 1/3 full, so I was able to stretch out and sleep in the 3 middle seats. Customs in Miami was reasonable, but rechecking luggage was a nightmare. It took 3 counter personnel 40 minutes to check in several South American passengers with excessive luggage. Security check of my hand luggage resulted in confiscation of scissors; nail clippers and tweezers - a small price to pay for security.
Thank goodness for luxuriously comfortable chauffeured buses with informed guides who know their way around. Ta Ta, Auf Wiedersehen, Arrivederci, Au Revoir and S Long for now. I'm ready to go somewhere else soon!

Potpourri - from the Editor's desk (additional contributions from Gerri Bassett, Lucy Laberge and Nancy Hubartt)
Thought - Some marriages are made in Heaven, but they all have to be maintained on Earth.
Dilbert' rules of order - When you don't know what to do, walk fast and look worried.
You're getting marvelously mature when - The twinkle in your eye is merely a reflection in your bifocals.
Fun definitions - Wrinkles: Something other people have, you have character lines.
Remember when - (from John Stewart) reaching into a muddy gutter for a penny.
Translations it would take too long to explain: translated - I have no idea how it works.
Simple Signs - On a maternity room door: push, push, push.
Random Thoughts Turtles only make progress when they stick out their necks.
Ever Wonder Why... Frogs have it easy. They eat what bugs them!
Integrity - If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
Forecaster Deadlines for January 2002, the 11th December.
Aluminum Cans - It has been noted that someone is stealing the aluminum cans when they are put out Monday night for the Tuesday pickup. Whoever is stealing them, you should know better, and won't you feel embarrassed when you are found out?
Re MAROA - Pat Ruedy has written an article that should be read and absorbed by all. I would like to add one thing, when exiting the park, do not block the sidewalk. Many school children (and adults too) use this sidewalk, particularly at this time of year. They have the right of way. Be courteous and considerate.

Things to Think About
Submitted by Lucy Laberge
Living on Earth is expensive but it does include a free trip around the sun.
Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.
Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors... but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.
Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today!

History Quiz
Match each historical figure with the correct nickname:
A B
1.Abe 1The Terrible
2. Catherine 2.Queen of Scots
3. Andy Jackson 3. The Navigator
4. Cal 4. Honest
5. Eric 5. The Conqueror
6. Ivan 6. The Lionhearted
7.Mary 7. Old Hickory
8. Prince Henry 8. The Red
9. Richard 9. Silent
10 William 10. The Great

Mother
By Gerri Bassett
Just think, my Mom's first Christmas in Heaven,
What a glorious, wonderful day!
She can sing with the Heavenly choir, she can
Sing songs of 'How Jesus came to Bethlehem'.
And how they called his name Jesus that we might be saved.
What a joy it will be for her when all her loved ones are with her.
To share in the glories she sees.
She is probably holding hands today
With my Dad whom she loved dearly...
Merry Christmas Mom.

The Collector
By Ion
Ben Dover and his sister Eileen Dover were an odd couple, at least until Eileen went to Niagara Falls. Sad, her tragic fall as Eileen Dover looked down to see the bottom of the Falls from the sightseeing walk above.
Ben soldiered on by himself. Naturally he had an aversion to being called by name. It sounded so much like an invitation, so people just got to calling him 'Ole Ben'. Ben had made his money in oil, and now to keep occupied he had taken to collecting birds, live ones that is. All types and sizes, the rarer the better. None of your ordinary run of the mill variety like crows or robins, and the bigger the better. He had a special license to keep all these birds, the exotic, the rare, the big and the small ones. Well in fact any bird that took his fancy.
You could hardly name a country from which a bird hadn't come. But one bird had always eluded him. The RARY bird from deepest Africa. Where I can't say exactly, because they were so rare they had to be protected. Now this was a giant bird amongst birds, weighing up to 200 lbs. couldn't really fly, but sort of ambled along with the odd short leap now and then.
Now one day 'Ole Ben', he got a call from one of his contacts that he just might be able to put him in touch with a seller. Now this was pretty secret stuff, because - well you know, 'Ole Ben' liked to do most everything legal, but this, well this would be, let's face it, illegal. But so great was his passion to have this bird, this one final trophy winner that 'Ole Ben' was prepared to bend the rules. Just this once, mind you.
So 'Ole Ben' and the owner (well, he had possession) finally got together and made a deal. I'm not saying how they got the bird into the country. Let's just say for someone with money, it's not too difficult.
Now another thing about the Rary bird, it needed to be near or in water all the time. Ben didn't have time to build a proper facility, and in any event he could hardly put it in plain view, seeing as how he shouldn't have one in the first place. So he decided he would keep it in the house. Fortunately the Rary bird is very friendly, after all who's going to disagree with a 200lb bird, so into the house he was brought. But the next problem was where in the house. It had to be near water, so Ben called one of his good buddies and between them they managed to get the Rary bird up the stairs and into the master bathroom. Very large and suited the bird just so. However this presented another problem. Of course there was another bathroom in the house, but well, Ben liked his master bathroom. So he set to work and remodeled the downstairs to include a new large room with water an all for his bird. This would also allow Ben to take his bird outside once in a while for some exercise as well.
Now the problem was, how to get the Rary bird back down the stairs. He got a buddy over and they discussed it but couldn't come up with any easy solution. Finally they pushed and shoved the Rary to the top of the stairs. Now what? What else! They tipped the Rary over and down he went. Boy said Ben's pal, "it's a long way to tip a Rary, it's a long way to go, it's a long long way to tip a Rary ......!

"INTERCESSIONS FOR ALL"
Oh, loving Father we commend thy gracious keeping to all those for whom we pray or ought to pray, especially those near and dear to us. Pray especially for those who are sick and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety or sorrow. Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young at heart and in health, that they may give strength to Thee. Comfort the aged and infirm that thy peace may rest upon them. Hallow the ties of Godly fellowship that we may not hinder one another in all such good work that thou hath prepared for us to walk in and fill our hearts. Of all of us with our trust in thee that by night and by day, all times, all seasons, we may, without fear, commit those who are dear to us thy never failing love for this life and the life to come. Be ready when God's kingdom will be done.
Submitted by Al Nosek

Newspapers and Magazine Recycling
All newspapers are to be placed in the newspaper bins. Please do not put brown paper or plastic bags in the newspaper bins. The bins are only for newspapers.
A magazine bin is located at the storage compound on Americana Drive. Please take all your magazines to this bin.
Aluminum Cans and Scrap Metal
Please put these out on Tuesdays only or take to one of the Old-timers Aluminum sheds. Do not put in the garbage compactor. It is for household garbage only.
Yard Brush and Tree Trimmings
Place all yard brush and tree trimmings at the side of the road separate from the garbage and it will be picked up. Do not put it with the regular garbage. This only increases the amount we must pay to have hauled away.
Help the Park - There is a shed at the Americana Drive compound where you can place your old phone books. By keeping as much as possible of all these materials out of the garbage we save on garbage hauling costs as well as generating some funds, not only for us, but also for a school that turns these in for recycling to raise school funds.
Bertram Zanaglio, MAROA Board member.

PHYLLIS BURG
621 MT. NEW CASTLE NE
ST. PETERSBURG, DL. 33702
CALL-727-528-81 19

DECEMBER 2001
DEC. 1, SAT. - MOUNT DORA CHRISTMAS PARADE with Reserved Seat. . .$27
DEC. 2, SUN. - "HO, HO, HO THE CHRISTMAS SHOW" at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, matinee. . .$50
DEC. 4, TUES. - OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY, on board the Starlite Majesty out of Clearwater . . .$48
DEC. 8 or 19, SAT. Or WED. - HOLYLAND PARK with Special Christmas Events throughout the day. . .$37
DEC. 6, 13 or 17, THURS., THURS. Or MON. - DISNEY CHRISTMAS DINNER at Polynesian Hotel. . .$48
DEC. 7 or 14, FRI. Or FRI. - SILVER SPRINGS LIGHTS and Meal. . .$42
DEC. 15, SAT. - VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS STROLL at The University of Tampa, with meal...$40
DEC. 20, THURS. - ROCK CRUSHER CANYON CHRISTMAS SHOW with meal...$42
JANUARY 2002
JAN. 3, THURS. - SHOPPING with GAIL at ELLENTON PRIME OUTLETS...$18
JAN. 5, SAT. - "MUSIC MAN" at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, matinee, good mezzanine seats, NO meal...$67
JAN. 7, MON. - WEBSTER FLEA MARKET...$19
JAN. 8, TUES. - STERLING CASINO, 5 hour Gambling Cruise from Cape Canaveral with meal, entertainment & beverage/cocktail service while gambling included. . .$20
JAN. 10, THURS. - LUNCH BUNCH, Food, Fun & Friendship...$TBA
JAN. 11, FRI. - LAS VEGAS LIVE in Clearwater, featuring Vegas performers: Gary Edwards, Barry St. Ives, Jerry Adler & Kate Hefner plus lunch is included...$47
JAN. 11, FRI. - "The Lippizan Stallions" at the Ice Palace, come see these magnificent animals. . . . $36
JAN. 17, THURS. - MYSTERY TRIP with Meal, NEW, Travel Is Fun has not been here before...$45
JAN. 18, FRI. - TAMPA BAY DOWNS Horse Racing with a buffet meal. . .$37
JAN. 20, SUN. - "Renninger's Antique Extravaganza" at Mount Dora. . .$22
JAN 21, MON. - YBOR CITY and TAMPA TOUR with meal included. . .$32
JAN. 25, FRI. - IMAX FILM, "Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic Adventure" with lunch at Carrabba's. . .$39
JAN. 31, THURS. - "CRAZY FOR YOU" matinee at the Show Palace Dinner Theater...$53
FEB. 2, SAT. - GASPARILLA reserved parade seat and meal. . .$49