Americana Cove

Cooler Days......Just Around The Corner-

Aug 31, 2003

PRAYER FOR SEPTEMBER
Dear God, as the "Snow Birds" begin to return (or think about returning) there will be some long time residents missing.
Their lives have been a blessing to many of us. We thank You for them and pray that we will follow their good example.
There are many ways we can serve You. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in the ways.
We will find many new people who have moved into our lovely park. Many to come to know and love as we loved those who have gone to their reward.
May we be living examples of Your love in all that we say, do and think.
This month begins with "labor Day" a National Holiday that gives many a long weekend before the fall activities begin. We pray that it will be a safe and happy one.
Near the end of the month our Jewish Brethren celebrate "Rosh Hashanah". May they strengthen their faith again.
As Tiny Tim said,"God bless us everyone".
Amen.
John Whittredge Hill, Chaplain.


THE PINK ROSE - IN REMEMBRANCE OF SEPTEMBER 11,
2001
Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn?’t wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone. But she was not afraid: she knew just what to say. what to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all. about a dad she never sees; a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called, a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say, "Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child came words incredibly unique.
My Daddy couldn?’t be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone.
?“Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right
And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far.
You see he was a fireman and died just this two past year
When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away"
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day ,
And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side
"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.


MAROA NEWS
Paul Mattina, President
I took a ride around the park this evening, wondering what I could write about during a month that brought us very high temperatures and almost daily thunderstorms, complete with huge amounts of rain. A month that saw most of us hiding from this almost hostile weather inside our air-conditioned homes, seeking respite from the heat and rain. This, together with the absence of many of our vacationing friends and neighbors, brought us a month of little activity. But this ride did give me a renewed sense of how much this park has accomplished in its lifetime, as well as a sense of what has yet to be done. We have much to be proud of here in Mobel Americana, but we also need to focus on two important areas: (1) maintenance of our existing infrastructure, such as roads, park-owned buildings, open spaces and recreational amenities, and (2) improvements, such as replacing trees, renovating our entrance or adding a solar heating system to replace the gas-powered pool heating system. Fortunately, we have an active Planning Committee, which is looking into the needs of the community and will, after consulting with the Finance Committee, prioritize and make recommendations to the Board and shareholders.
This is a good time to include a reminder that, after a three-month hiatus, we will resume our monthly meetings. First on the schedule is the Town Hall meeting, open to all residents, on Friday, September 5th, at 10:30 AM in the Clubhouse. This is a good time to learn about the things the manager and board have been doing over the summer, as well as what is planned for the future. The purpose of the Town Hall meetings is to have a good line of communication between management and residents regarding all matters of mutual concern. As always, all individual concerns should be brought to the manager. Second is the first Board Meeting, for shareholders, to be held on the third Wednesday, September 17th, at 7:00 PM in the Clubhouse. As usual, an agenda will be posted in all the usual places. In addition, in order to inform all shareholders beforehand, an explanation of each agenda item will be posted along with the agenda schedule. The Board looks forward to seeing you all at our season-opening meetings.


FROM THE MANAGER:
Dawn Simmons
Brush pick up has been rescheduled for Tuesday and Friday pick up. Due to the volume of brush the maintenance men cannot do it all in one day, so it will be back to the days it used to be.
We still ask that bundles be tied and brush be placed in a bucket or bags. As we explained before, when the brush or branches are left to lay out a couple of days the leaves fall off causing the men to have to rake up the dead leaves. We prefer not to do this. Setting out in trash buckets is more efficient and less time consuming. Thank you for your help.
Soon our "Snowbirds" will be migrating south. The place sure is empty without them. They will be surprised when they return. Many more empty lots making ready for new. The Atrium is all fresh and clean with a new paint job, but most important a new carpet. Thanks to Betty and the Kitchen staff. It certainly will be enjoyed by anyone who uses the room.
We need to appoint ourselves head of the "Clean Up Committee". We will be leaving clean towels in the newly renovated closet for any spills that occur. We ask that the stains be blotted immediately. The carpet is supposed to be stain proof but rather than rely on that it would be most appreciated to clean up the spill right away.
The exercise room and the billiard room are also receiving a fresh coat of paint. The sales office has new carpeting and paint as well. It is especially important the sales office be attractive as it is the first room a new buyer sees.
Nick Ferraro & Co. have tentative plans for a new home placement on 134 Americana Ct., 7105 Americana Dr. and 166 Americana Ct. He is also working with three residents on new
home replacements. So there will be a lot of activity in that department.
Mary and Rosie will be staying on with Nick, they are very happy with that arrangement and we are too. They love it here and we think they both do a great job. They have been selling a lot of homes, which we are thrilled about. We are no longer in the Rental Home Business.
The Sales Office will not be doing third party rentals, ~ they have volunteered to put up a bulletin board in the sales office for any resident who wants to rent their home. Most people go to the sales office to inquire about rentals. All the information should be typed on a 3 x 5 index card for display. Remember the sales office will not be involved in the transaction, they think it would be a perfect place to advertise homes for rent.
The ice machine, as stated in the community notices is for in clubhouse and Atrium use only. User the ice machine at the Mount Piney laundry for your home use, but do not use it to fill ice chests for picnics or all day fishing trips. It is not intended for such use. There are no plans to replace this machine once it no longer works. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.


WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS
by Frances McVay

ARSENAULT, Lawrence
6831 Americana Drive
New Home

HERES, Mary (MA)
7201 Mt. Arlington Drive
MAROA Used

McGINTY, Margaret
205 Mt. Piney Avenue 527-8973
MAROA Used


SUNSHINE REPORT SEPTEMBER 2003 -
Peggy Hubrich

DEATHS:
Vic Richardson
Eleanor George
Elmer Blanken
Sophie Pennacchini

NURSING HOMES:
Margaret Hungerford - Maria Manor
Claire Mueller Grace - Health Care
Mitzi Delzell - Shore Acres
Bob Evans - Carrington Place
Bob Ortel - Carrington Place
Pauline Newman - Abby Nursing Center

BIRTHDAYS:
03 Paul Beauregard
Betty Chase
04 Gary Costanzo
10 Nora Clifford
13 Judy Moran
14 Gloria Smolick
16 Ken Bryant
Harriet Haring
17 Ruth Horncastle
21 John Bassett
23 Bill Gilfillan
25 Lillian Garrett
25 Midge Bull
27 Ron Undieme
28 Bridget Gricus
30 Albert Dion

ANNNERSARIES:
07 Marge and Bob Gamble 07 years
11 Muriel and Nical Lapointe 26 years
13 Marie and Gary Costanzo 12 years
21 Doris and Leo Laberge 63 years
25 Doris and Philip Tarpley 58 years
26 Sally and Reg Corliss 60 years


MAA NEWS
By Bob Larsen, President
Here we go into September. The June, July and August mini brown-bag luncheons
went over very well. A special "thank you" to Vivian Linville, Virginia Curtis and John Layner
and everyone else that made it work! !
By the time we receive our Forecasters we will already have had our Labor Day dinner and show.
Wednesday the 3rd is our MAA Luncheon Meeting at 12 noon. Following the meeting bingo will be played.
Our October Council Meeting will be at I0:00am on Sept.30th.


MOBEL NOTES
By Ken Hopkins

VIBRIO VULNIFICUS ?– Roger LaRochelle did something innocent. He went swimming over by Wheedon Island. Roger was attacked. Not by a shark, not by an alligator, but rather, by a microscopic germ. A tiny little bug got him. As I write this, Roger has just returned from the hospital after undergoing skin grafts on his arm to repair the damage caused by this microscopic organism. Roger suffered excruciating pain but thankfully, Roger is now out of the hospital and well on his way to complete recovery. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium of the same family that causes cholera. It is a naturally occurring organism in salt water and strongly pathogenic. That means it can aggressively attack humans. The normal route of infection is caused by eating contaminated seafood, particularly raw oysters, or through an open wound that is exposed to seawater. I?’ll bet many of you have never heard of this organism. I certainly never had until Roger?’s case but it seems like a good warning to us all. Among healthy people, ingestion of V. vulnificus can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and similar; however, in immunocompromised people, particularly those with liver disease, infection with V. vulnificus can cause a severe and life threatening illness. V. vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal in about 50% of the cases. What can you do to protect yourself from this disease? The two main sources of infection are eating contaminated seafood, particularly raw seafood (oysters, sushi) and exposing an open sore or wound to seawater. Actual disease is 80% more likely after exposure in people who are already weakened from a pre-existing medical condition. This disease is actually quite rare so no need to quit going to the beach but maybe if you have an open sore on your leg you might want to stay out of the water and fried oysters are delightful on a piece of french bread. We are all delighted that Roger fought his way through this difficult battle and hope that his experience will serve as an alert for the rest of us.

PRIME TIMERS ?– When a professional golfer reaches the age of 50, he graduates from ?“The Tour?” to the ?“Senior Tour?”. That?’s where all the older champion golfers that we remember such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and similar now play. Not surprisingly, some of these older golfers were less than enthused about being referred to as ?“seniors?” while they were still under 60 years of age and could wallop the dickens out of a golf ball. Wisely, the powers that be have now changed their venue to ?“The Champions Tour?”. That has a nicer sound to it, doesn?’t it? Wonder if maybe there is a lesson there for our Old Timers club? Maybe a new name (how about Prime Timers?) would more aptly describe that club? Just a thought.


NOTICES
FORECASTER DEADLINE
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 the original type, no photocopies please, in BLACK INK on full size 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Deadline for October for all articles, the 19th of September. Font size is number eleven.
Calendar ?– Deadline for entries will be the 17th of each month.

MONTHLY BRIDGE LUNCH -
It will be on September 17th. All Bridge players are welcome to come and enjoy some fellowship with their friends and neighbors.

FORECASTER SUBMISSIONS
The first month of sending the Forecaster by email to the publisher went very well. A couple of minor problems to solve but should be no problem. In any event it saves paper, ink etc. which is not cheap, particularly the ink cartridges. So if you can send me your items by email, either by attachment or just as part of the email, you will also save yourselves money. Thank you for cooperating.

THANK YOU ?– from Ed and Barbara Higgins. We thank all our many friends and neighbors in Mobel Americana for their kind expressions of sympathy with the loss of our son-in-law.

THANK YOU ?– My husband is now home recuperating. I wish to thank our friends and neighbors for their cards and prayers for him while he was in the hospital and nursing home. A.D. and Mary Pollock.

THANK YOU - To Virginia Curtis, Wanda Spetz, Gerri Bassett, John Layner and Nancy Hubartt for all their help with the M A A Brown Bag lunches this summer.
We didn?’t have a big crowd but we had a social get together and bingo that was fun. Gerri is a good bingo caller and John Layner makes good coffee, iced tea and also made the signs.
Thanks to all who came.

FROM THE EDITOR ?– I had a meeting with the publisher the other day and they have asked us to assist them in maintaining the integrity of our newsletter. As you know it?’s the advertisers who pay all the costs of our newsletter, and the more ads. that can be obtained, the more information that can be put in the Forecaster. In other words there is a direct correlation between the amount of space available for the Forecaster and the advertising dollars that flow in. I believe that the publisher will probably be making a direct presentation to us at one of our lunch meetings, but in the meantime we would like to get your suggestions about the quality of the merchants you deal with. Your gas station, dry cleaner, contractor whomever.
If you have any positive comments about any of the people you deal with, whether an existing advertiser or not, would you please leave me a note in the Forecaster box in the Atrium. On the other hand if you have had any sad experiences with a current advertiser we would like to know that also. I would really appreciate your help in this matter and hope you will take the time to respond.
If any of you are interested in taking part in a fuller survey please let me know.
Now on another subject. I have received some complaints that I do not allow opinion letters, only the columnist, my assistant editor and myself being the ones that can write opinion pieces. This is true, and as I have explained before, because it is only a monthly newsletter the time lag for responses would mean in practical terms that most people would have forgotten the original point by the time the reply appeared. Also I do not wish the Forecaster to become a focus for complaints about how the park is managed etc. You can go to the Manager or the Board with this type of problem. If there is unresponsiveness and the issue seems to be of general interest, then possibly something could be written. Or you can, as I have said before, submit your complaint at least ten days before the deadline so I can give time for a response. Or maybe you can interest one of us in doing a piece on the subject. But for the time being individual opinion pieces are out, unless you follow the ten day rule.
Atrium Care and Use ?– Now that the Atrium has been redecorated with new carpets etc. we would request all residents not to drag tables and chairs over the new carpet. This has a negative effect on the carpet, and damages the chairs and tables. Surely you can find someone to help carry the chairs and tables. We have had to repair the legs on a couple of tables already, particularly the card tables.
And while we?’re on this subject, some of you are using ball point pens on the card tables. Please cease immediately. Ball point pens damage the tables, particularly when carelessly used which seems to be the norm. Thank you for your cooperation.


FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
By Nora Adell Andrews
(This summer's guest columnist: Billy Bookworm)

Happy Labor Day! This is your bookworm friend, Billy telling you about some conversation overheard in this library!
When someone asked Doug Reid about books in the library he said he was "picky, very picky". He likes Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy but lately he said he was into fantasy like David Eddings and Terry Brooks. The latest book he enjoyed was the Matt Reilly books.
Then I heard Linda Fairbanks who was admiring the library organization.
Boy! That is what I like too, Linda! She reads John Patterson, John Sanford, Sue Grafton, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown and others! Wow ?–she could join our bookworm group but she would like to join the book club here that begins November 7th at 1 :00 pm. It's free and fun, so they say.
Louise Pickett likes the great orderliness on the bookshelves. Can you tell she was a teacher liking the organization of the books? She agrees that we are fortunate to have such a facility. I hear that frequently from visitors.
Adele Thomas, a member of the Friends of the Library Club, almost caught me, but not before I eavesdropped a little on Lorraine Brown who commented on the excellent selection of books here. 'Tommie' was putting books away and straightening up the shelves! The club certainly takes care of everything!
Loretta Berg enjoyed looking for good reading materials on the shelves and Nancy Paine was checking out the puzzles. Pete Lambert likes the puzzles also, but said he reads 'an awful lot, mostly hardcover adventures, instead of watching T.V.'
Unfortunately and sadly I must leave you fine people in Mobel Americana.
It is time for me to move on to other bookshelves. I hope the books are as well presented as the ones here. All I can say is "keep up the good work" and KEEP READING, Your bookworm friend, Billy.


A RED HATTERS MESSAGE
From Marilyn Waltz, Queen Mother
An outing is planned for Sunday, September 14th at St. Petersburg Little Theater to see Webb's City The Musical, at 2:00 p.m. The cost is $16.00 and there is a sign up sheet in the Club House where we are sharing a bulletin board with the Garden Club.

The Red Hat Chilies of M.A. will have dinner together at the Club House on Thursday, October 16th, at 6:00 p.m. Each member will bring her own dinner and set up. Dessert and coffee will be provided. We would like to get an idea of how many ladies will be present. Please use the sign up sheet on the bulletin board. Dinner will be followed by a UN-business meeting, raffle, games and songs.

We have received word from our Exalted Queen Mother that the 3rd Annual Red Hat Society Convention will be held in Dallas from April 15-18, 2004. The name of the convention is Red Hat Rodeo. If you are determined to attend, please check out the RHS website as there is a sign up sheet available. If you do not have a computer, please check with your buddy.

The first convention was held in the spring of 2002 in Chicago and attracted 425 Red Hatters. All who attended vowed to be back in 2003 and bring friends. I guess they did, because the second convention held in May in Nashville attracted 2,000 Red Hatters. You know what, a huge number of Nashville attendees vowed to return in 2004 and bring their friends. Holy cow! There's going to be a lot of purple and red in Dallas in April. Information will be passed along to members as it becomes available.

For membership information please call Marilyn Waltz, Q.M. at 528-2731 (qmredhatchilies@aol.com) or Jerry Regan Vice Q.M. at 522-9950 (mjjkregan@aol.com).


POTPOURRI ?– compiled at the Editor?’s desk with additional contributions from many, including Lucy LaBerge, Conrad Weiser et al)
Thought ?– Life is not holding a good hand. Life is playing a poor hand well.
Word Definitions ?– Yawn: The only time some men get to open their mouth.
Words to Live By ?– A bad start does as much harm as all the later mistakes put together.-Aristotle
Things to think About ?– If you harbor bitterness, will happiness dock somewhere else?
Truths ?– The biggest lie on the planet: ?“ When I get what I want, I will be happy.?”
Old Times ?– Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won?’t be long before $2000.00 will only buy a used one!
For the ladies ?– If the world were a logical place, men would ride sidesaddle.
Humor ?– Excerpts from actual court cases. The lawyers wish to remain anonymous. I wonder why!
a) Were you present when your picture was taken? And were you alone or by yourself?
b) Did he kill you?
c) How far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?
d) So the date of conception was August 8th. Yes. And what were you doing at the time?
e) Are you qualified to give a urine sample? I have been since childhood.
f) Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people? All my autopsies have been performed on dead people.
Did you hear ?– about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal operation? He wanted to transcend dental medication!
OPEN HOUSE
Betty & Jim Chase invite everyone in Mobel Americana to their home for an evening of fun! On
Saturday Sept. 20th at 4:00pm the party will begin. Just bring your own beverage and a big smile!! It's a great time to meet people and get acquainted with neighbors as everyone crowds in and mingles. We live at 7216 Mt. Georgetown drive. This has become an annual affair and we entertained over 125 guests last year!! We call it our party for all our friends that we never sent get-well cards, birthday cards, anniversary cards, Christmas cards to over the year. Please come and enjoy the camaraderie.

DEAR CRAFTERS
from Annette Solomon
Labor Day is here already! Hope everyone had a great summer! Soon our craft corner will be filled with happy faces and busy hands.
Our first business meeting will be held on Monday, October 6th, 2003 in the Clubhouse. This short meeting is held only on the 1st Monday of every month until May. Special events, luncheons and activities are planned and committee reports are given. Please keep up to date by attending this important meeting.
We gather every Monday from 6 to 9 pm and every Thursday from 9 to 11 am. Lessons and demonstrations will be available in crochet, knitting, counted cross stitch, embroidery, plastic work, Swedish weaving, chicken scratching, etc. Teachers in these techniques are on hand so make sure your wishes known to them. Lessons and supplies are free.
New ideas will be introduced, such as decoupage, painting and woodworking. Wouldn?’t an arts and craft room be wonderful?
The MAA Craft Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 15th, 2003, from 10-2. Look for more information in coming issues.
Looking forward to being with you! See you there!


WAYS OF LIFE FADE IN TIME
?– by Gerri Bassett
St. Petersburg in the early years only had one TV station, which was WSUN channel 38, perched at the Million Dollar Pier (now called just the Pier). Blacks and whites drank from separate fountains and many of the hotels and restaurants closed in the summer due to lack of business. Then there was WEBB City, and the famous Kapok restaurant in Clearwater where everyone took company to eat and enjoy the surrounding. Not to mention Busch Gardens, which was free at that time, and Cypress gardens.
Mirror Lake Shuffle Club had a lot of members and the hotels downtown were packed in the winter season. There were the green benches where people would sit and enjoy each other's company. Life in the 60s and 70s and 80s in St. Pete?’s had everything to offer and mobile home living was cheap and wonderful and affordable. There were lots of mobile home dealers on 4th Street and at that time 4th Street was the main street to get to St. Pete before the interstate was built.
Mobile homes offered a new way of life for people that were going to retire. They could relax and meet new people and they came from so many states. Like the song went ?“Come to St. Pete where the Northerns?’ and Southerns?’ meet, away from the cold here in this sunshine of gold, and come while you are still on your feet?”. And they did come. Bought a mobile home with a little land to plant some flowers, and a clubhouse for activities, craft classes and shuffleboard courts. The activity director planned bus trips to dinner shows or places of interest around the state.
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner was planned so no one had to be alone. It was simple, carefree and comfortable. This was the old "Florida". But the world today is much different and it has affected mobile home living because unfortunately most park residents do not own the land on which their homes sit.
Times change and here come the developers to buy the land and build condos and high rise apartments, wealthy people trying to get wealthier. Where will these elderly people move to? What happened to their mobile home living? This is our world today - more sophisticated, more moneyed, and more aloof. The old Florida always had a "homey" feel to it. Life seemed simple and uncomplicated. It was a way of life never to be seen again.
However memories remain in the minds of those like me who experienced it, and we are richer for the gentleness of that period in Florida's history. I myself liked the old St. Petersburg but nothing stays the same forever ...


STATE MOTTOES:
(submitted by Jony Walker)
Alabama: Hell Yes, We Have Electricity
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can't Be Wrong!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arizona: But It's A Dry Heat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
California: By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Colorado: If You Don't Ski, Don't Bother
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Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only The Kennedy's Don't Own It Yet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delaware: We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids
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Georgia: We Put The "Fun" In Fundamentalist Extremism
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes . Well Okay, We're Not, But The Potatoes Are Real Good
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Illinois: Please Don't Pronounce the "S"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iowa: We Do Amazing Things With Corn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States
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Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names
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Maine: We're Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster
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Maryland: If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It!
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Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's (For Most Tax Brackets)
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Michigan: First Line Of Defense From The Canadians
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Minnesota: 10,000 Lakes... And 10,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes
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Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars At Work
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Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest
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New Hampshire: Go Away And Leave Us Alone
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New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent pets
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New York: You Have The Right To Remain Silent, You Have The Right To an Attorney
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North Carolina: Tobacco Is A Vegetable
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North Dakota: We Really Are One Of The 50 States!
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Ohio: At Least We're Not Michigan
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Oklahoma: Like The Play, Only No Singing
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Oregon: Spotted Owl... It's What's For Dinner
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Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal
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Rhode Island: We're Not REALLY An Island
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South Carolina: Remember The Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender
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South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota
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Texas: Si Hablo Ingles (Yes, I Speak English)
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Vermont: Yep
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Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?
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Washington: Help! We're Overrun By Nerds And Slackers!
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Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?
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West Virginia: One Big Happy Family... Really!
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Wisconsin: Come Cut The Cheese
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Wyoming: Where Men Are Men. and the sheep are scared ...


SUBJECT: I'M NOT ASHAMED
submitted by Howard Roush
> Yesterdays' news! The Supreme Court is to decide if Virginia's "Minute of Silence" in public schools is unconstitutional. It seems seven families object on the grounds that a moment of silence is the same as prayer!
> Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools, because the word "God" is mentioned a kid in Arizona wrote the attached.
>
NEW School Prayer:
Now I sit me down in school
> Where praying is against the rule
> For this great nation under God
> Finds mention of Him very odd.
>
> If Scripture now the class recites,
> It violates the Bill of Rights.
> And anytime my head I bow
> Becomes a Federal matter now.
>
> Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
> That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
> The law is specific, the law is precise.
> Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
>
> For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
> God's name is prohibited by the state.
>
> We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
> And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
> They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
> To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
>
> We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
> And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
> It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
> We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.
>
> We can get our condoms and birth controls,
> Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
> But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
> No word of God must reach this crowd.
>
> It's scary here I must confess,
> When chaos reigns the schools a mess.
> So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
> Should I be shot; My soul please take!
> Amen


THE COUNTY COPS ARRIVED
By Joseph Michael Gerhard
Turns out my partner and I were glad about that. Here's the tale, yet another Traphill, NC recollection. I've done others on the Listbot, but now my words will go to a larger audience.
It was a dark and stormy night some 18 years ago. My pal Ray and I had just received our Wilkes Co. certification as First Responders for the Traphill VFD, the first pair to do so at that very rural department. We each had two-way radios programmed for the EMS, police, and fire frequencies. The emergency medical call paging us out was about a domestic situation. Seems a man knifed a woman inside their abode at the end of a long dirt road. Spooky. When we got to the house in our privately owned vehicle we decided it would be foolish to approach the actual scene. I had no bullet proofing or sharp knife protection. Nor did stalwart Ray. The gendarmes showed, and after we were summoned into the bloody kitchen, the EMS crew arrived from the nearest town of N. Wilkesboro, at least a 20 minute travel time, even running hot with flashing lights and siren going full blast. We are talking narrow, two lanes with many sharp curves.
So, we did not get much experience on that call, but did help the woman with the neck wound onto the stretcher. She had to be belted down and did not even want to go into the ambulance. Despite all the gore, it was not a real deep gash. I remember how amazed I was to note that the long cut had stopped bleeding and looked almost white. A year later the same man shot and killed her. He was convicted of murder and went to prison.
We had many experiences on calls after that including doing CPR in a swaying ambulance careening along to the ER. Ray and I took turns doing chest compressions. When we switched places the one not doing compressions kept the other steady to keep the rhythm, which does require stability. Other calls after the first involved vehicle wrecks, shootings, dopers, some DOA cases, and people just plain sick. I was always wound up and somewhat fearful when we went to a medical emergency. We got there (usually) 15 to 20 minutes before the EMS. This shortening of response time is one of the main values of volunteer community First Responders.


WHAT A MOTHER WANTS
submitted by Conrad Weiser
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts that they were able to give to their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks.
She wrote the first son, "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
She wrote the second son, "Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
She wrote the third son, "Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious".


THOUGHTS FOR TODAY - submitted by Lucy Laberge
1. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.
2. Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
3. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
4. Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days, no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to.
5. According to a recent survey, men say the first thing they notice about a woman are their eyes, and women say the first thing they notice about men is they're a bunch of liars.
6. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
7. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
8. Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?
9. In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
10. Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.
11. How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
12. AND THE #1 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
You read about all these terrorists--most of them came here legally, but they hung around on these expired visas, some for as long as 10-15 years. Now, compare that to Blockbuster; you are two days late with a video and those people are all over you. Let's put Blockbuster in charge of immigration!


THE FOUR CANDLES
submitted by Lucy Laberge
The Four Candles burned slowly.
Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...

The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit."
Then Peace's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second candle says, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable."
Then Faith's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer."
"People put me aside and don?’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.

Suddenly..a child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning.
The child begins to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end."

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope,and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles."

With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.

Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life.

With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are...Peace, Faith and Love can Shine
Brightly in our lives.


CHILDREN ARE LIKE KITES
submitted by Lucy Laberge
You spend years trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you are both breathless. They crash ... they hit the roof ... you patch, comfort and assure them that
someday they will fly.
Finally, they are airborne. They need more string, and you keep letting it out.
They tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy.

The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as meant to soar ... free and alone.

Only then do you know that you have done your job.


COMMUNITY NOTICES
There is located at the maintenance shed on Mount Piney Avenue an air pump which you may use to inflate your bicycle tires.

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/Can TOPS and Scrap Metal
Please put these out on Tuesdays only, or late Monday evening for very early Tuesday pick-up, or take to one of the Oldtimers Aluminum sheds. Do not put in the garbage compactor. It is for household garbage only. As the sale of aluminum contributes money to our social activities, please take the effort to segregate the cans from the regular trash. Aluminum can tops/tabs can be placed in a container in the clubhouse.

Yard Brush and Tree Trimmings
Place all yard brush and tree trimmings at the side of the road separate from the garbage for Monday morning pick-up and it will be collected. Place it in trash bags or plastic containers.
Do not put it with the regular garbage. This only increases the amount we must pay to have it hauled away.

Dumpster
The dumpster at the Mount Piney location is for the use of residents who have scrap materials from work that they themselves have done. Contractors doing renovations or repairs to your property are to remove any such materials from the community and dispose of it at their cost.

Help the Park
Place your old phone books in the dumpster at the Mount Piney location. Do not
place them in with the regular trash.

Kitchen Krewe .Ice Machines -
To all residents and guests. Do not use ice from the kitchen supply for your personal home use. Use ice from the ice machine in the Mt. Piney Avenue laundry. Ice in the kitchen is required for activities in the Hall and Atrium. Traffic through the kitchen area creates sanitary problems.
Betty Chase -Kitchen Manager