Americana Cove

Welcome back Forecaster- Fare thee well Snowbirds

Apr 01, 2002

April Prayer
Gracious God, Heavenly Father, Provider and Sustainer, we thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
Help us always to remember that we may pray to You any time, any place and that You will hear our requests. Further, that they will be answered in Your time and in your method.
Having just celebrated Your Son's victory over death brings to mind the many dear friends who have graduated to Life Eternal from Mobel Americana.
May their examples be ours to remember and to follow.
We thank You for them.
Amen.
John Whittredge Hill, Chaplain

FROM THE MANAGER
CARPOOLING:
When attending a function at the clubhouse, how many neighbors do you know that you could give a ride to the event? Parking at any activity has become a real problem. Residents are forced to park at the boat ramp and all along Americana Drive.
Let's give it a try and see how it works out.
LANDSCAPING:
Many people are wondering what we are doing pulling out plant material. Well, spring will soon be here and we are preparing for some major planting of flowers. Curb appeal is of great importance to our residents and surely our guests.
BIKE RACK:
Thank you very much! The bike racks have been very well received. We are in the process of having concrete poured in front of the clubhouse for 3 wheel bikes. Then there will be even more room for the 2 wheelers.
GOLF CART PARKING:
We have sectioned off a space in front of the clubhouse by the Memorial Rose Garden for golf cart parking. We again ask for our golf cart drivers to use the designated area to free up parking spaces.
EXERCISE ROOM HOURS:
Some requests have been made to open the exercise room at 7:00 am. We are sorry, but the maintenance men only have from 6:30 to 7.30 am to do the atrium area and opening at 7:00 am would only give them 1/2 hr. We appreciate your understanding.
SEAWALL:
The sod has been placed on Americana Ct. and Mt. Isle. You can water everyday for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening up to 30 days. Please do not let the grass die. Construction is now on Mt. Orange Dr. and then will move around to Mt. Quincy. We know it is a mess and inconvenience but we appreciate your patience.
LAUNDRY:
Someone has borrowed the laundry cart from the Mt. Pleasant Laundry ---Please Return.
DISABLED PARKING:
Since we have a limited number of disabled parking places, please use your Blue & White Disabled Parking pass by hanging on the mirror. This would ensure us that everyone who uses these parking spots, in fact, does have a permit.
NORTHERN RESIDENTS:
Before leaving us for the summer, please remember to stop in the office and fill out the form as to whom will be doing your weeding while you are away.
Also please remember to put in a change of address at the Post Office.

Welcome New Residents
By Frances McVay

POSSON, Shirley V. (WI)
7114 Mt. Arlington Drive
526-2786
Previously: Mottl

POULIN, Leo R./USHER, Janice (OR)
340 Mt. Oak Avenue
522-0028
Previously: Fleegel

HORNIS, Alexander & Rita
684 Mt. Lancaster Avenue
Previously: Johnson Estate

VIDUMSKY, John & Mary Ann (PA)
7016 Americana Drive
Previously: MacLean

SUNSHINE REPORT APRIL 2002 BY PEGGY HUBRICH

DEATHS
Ethel Pethick
Berk Waldron
Mia Booth
Woody Woodcock
Bob Boone

NURSING HOMES
Jane Bryant Maria Manor
Mitzi Delzell Shore Acres
Erna Wring Carrington Place
Carl Rosenquist Westminster Shores
Bob Evans Carrington Place

BIRTHDAYS;
01 E. Lane Whitley
02 Annette Solomon
03 Loretta Berg
04 Sil Oliveira
07 Helen Smith
08 Dick Stannard
10 Eva Pratt
Don Harris
11 Eunice Roe
12 Mary Polonis
Richard Norcross
Ted Kwiakpowski
18 Winnie LeFand
19 Peggy Hubrich
Terry Loscalzo
21 Marie Sirois
22 Barbara Magada
23 Nicole Baxter
23 Juanita Smouse
24 Pauline Macumber
25 Gilbert LeBrun
Morris Van Patten
26 Howard Brown
Linda Ward
27 Ralph Rogers
28 Lana Cote
29 Paul Ghezzi

ANNIVERSARIES
06 Leni and Pete Lambert 34 years
Bonnie and Jim Parr 05 years
07 Eleanor and Earl French 60 years
09 Marilyn and Bob Breen 30 years
10 Nancy and John Hill 54 years
12 Ruth and Paul Beauregard 58 years
14 Mary and Bill Krich 57 years
17 Virginia and Bert Zanaglio 48 years
20 Billie and Cleve Ballentine 56 years
If you wish to have your birthdays or anniversaries printed in the Forecaster please give me a call.

MAA NEWS
Paul Mattina, President
As I begin my term as new president of MAA, I would like to thank all the officers who worked very hard to make our social life here at Mobel Americana so wonderfully enjoyable. It is a tribute to our community that all our officers have been re-elected, except for the one person who will be sorely missed. I would like to thank Betty Chase, a very special person, for all she has unselfishly given. Although we have lost her leadership as MAA president, we can still look forward to having her work her magic in our kitchen.
The MAA Council will meet on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 10:00 AM in the Clubhouse. All residents are welcome, but only Council members can vote.
The MAA luncheon meeting will be held Wednesday, April 3, at 12:00 noon. All residents of Mobel Americana are invited to join us.
Please note: the monthly Saturday night cards will be held the first Saturday in April, that is, April 6, due to a scheduling problem.
On Saturday, April 13, at 5:30 PM we are having a "South American Fiesta" starring Prime Rib as the entr?©e, and featuring the group called "Maliku". Tickets will be sold at the MAA luncheon on Wednesday, April 3, for $7.00. Please buy your tickets early! This enables Betty Chase to plan and order the correct amount of food. Buying tickets at the last minute sometimes occurs after food is purchased, resulting in the risk of running out of food.
Speaking of the kitchen, I would like to thank Betty and all the volunteers who work so hard to make each dinner a success. Sometimes we forget the enormous amount of time they put in planning, shopping, cooking, setting-up and then cleaning up, often working till 10 PM the night of the dinner. They work only for Hugs and Kisses, and are a wonderfully dedicated group of people, always there for us. Incidentally, to those of you that are new in the community, be aware that this is strictly a volunteer group, always looking for new hearts and hands.
The MAA Council meeting for May will be held on Tuesday, April 30, at 10:AM and the MAA Luncheon will then fall on Wednesday, May 1.

MOBEL NOTES
By Ken Hopkins

DAMAGED BOAT DOCK - Many of you have noticed that the boat dock directly behind the Atrium is damaged and has yellow tape wrapped around it. The Board would like you to know that the dock has deteriorated to the point that it is unsafe and will have to be removed. At the March 20th Board meeting a decision was made to replace the dock.
The Board has announced that the community has a new real estate broker who will be placing new model homes on some of our empty lots to help promote sales. If you have any questions, please drop by the sales office.

AMBULANCE CALLS - It is an unfortunate fact of life that an ambulance to rush one of our residents off to the closest hospital for emergency care occasionally visits us. We'd like to encourage people to be "nosy neighbors" and report the event to the front gate who will in turn pass that information on to the front office. It is important to know which of our residents has been so affected and which hospital they have been taken to. Don't be shy about asking the paramedic where they are taking Mrs. Klein. Imagine Mrs. Klein's children calling to check up on her and getting no answer; at least they will be able to call the office and find out where she has been taken.

SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR NEIGHBOR - Hmm, yum. That's what I think whenever somebody mentions Betty Chase. I've learned to associate her name with good food and good times! Betty and her husband Jim have been part of the Mobel family for the past nine years. Originally from Bowling Green, OH, Betty operated her own beauty shop as well as a vacation resort on Lake Huron. Maybe that's where her organizational skills come from. No snowbirds, Betty and Jim live here year 'round although an occasional trip north during the summer is a welcome relief. Betty has been the president of MAA for the past two years although she confesses she is ready to step down now that her term has expired. Of course, Betty also serves as our Kitchen Manager supported by a cast of ladies and gentlemen who help with cooking, organizing, set-up, cleaning, and so forth. Betty is proud of the $50,000 worth of new equipment that has been added to the kitchen through the profits generated from the many monthly dinners and activities we all enjoy. When asked about the biggest change at Mobel during her time here, Betty commented on the "number of new homes" as well as all of the new equipment added to the kitchen. When not cooking or planning, Betty enjoys painting, sewing, and antiquing. Betty is stepping down as MAA president after two years of service; however, she will retain her position as Kitchen Manager.

CHAT & SEW - Ruth Brown, leader of this venerable group, would like to remind interested ladies that they have plenty of room for new members at their weekly sessions. With more than 35 years of history, Chat & Sew dedicates themselves to quilts, lap blankets, and other needlecrafts, which are contributed to area hospitals and nursing homes. Typically, as many as 300 items are donated during the year. Although their major activity is during the winter season, Chat & Sew is active during the summer as well. The group takes pride in the fact that all of their materials are donated, taking advantage of commonplace materials to weave their magic.

FOR SALE SIGNS - The Board would like to remind residents that the only "For Sale" sign permitted in the community is an 18" x 18" For Sale sign posted in the front window of a home for sale. No other signs are permitted on individual lots. This precludes putting your old bike out on the front lawn with a For Sale sign hung on it. Rather, please use the many bulletin boards provided for that purpose in the laundries and recreational buildings.

RAMA NEWS - Due to health reasons, Cleve Ballentine, long time chair of RAMA, has resigned and returned to Canada. John Dunn has accepted the position of RAMA chair with Conrad Weiser, as V.P. We'll miss Cleve. Best of luck to him.

WATERING DAYS - Dawn Simmons, Community Manager, would like to confirm that Mobel Americana has increased the watering days from one to two, consistent with the new guidelines published by the City of St. Petersburg. Please see the published notices in the office and elsewhere to see which days are designated for your zone. Exceptions are available for those with new sod plantings.

A FABLE - Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a group of surly athletes called golfers. In fact, they laughingly referred to themselves as "Par Seekers". Hah, they rarely ever actually found a par but they kept trying. Came the end of the year and the Par Seekers decided to have a feast to celebrate how poorly they had done during the year. "Let's have our banquet on Monday night", they all said. And so the vote was cast. Then one amongst them said, "uh oh, the Crafters use the Great Hall on Monday nights." "Not a problem", said Carol Dunn, Queen of the Par Seekers, "I'll just tell the Crafters we need their hall". So Carol went to Annette Solomon, Queen of the Crafters and explained their plight. Now the Crafters, mind you, were an even surlier lot than the Par Seekers. But, in the spirit of friendship, the Crafters agreed to move from the Great Hall to the Not-So-Great Hall to allow the golfer's banquet.
However, the Crafters quickly discovered that the N-S-GH was not actually empty. No, there was a group of four (4) Scrabble players using the hall. So the Crafters went to the Scrabblers and said, "hey, could we share your space for just one night?" and the Scrabblers said, "you're kidding; nobody has ever asked us before they just barge in on us." "Well, it's the New Order", said the Crafters and so they shared.
Came Monday night and the Golfers had their banquet, the Crafters had their crafts, the Scrabblers had their letters (and some of the Crafter's coffee and cookies) and they all lived happily ever after!

MAA COUNCIL MEETING
A reminder to all of the clubs and groups that are part of MAA, your participation in the monthly meeting of the MAA council would be very helpful. The monthly meeting is held on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 A.M. in the clubhouse. It is not necessary to send an officer; anyone designated as a representative of your group will suffice but it is important to have somebody at the MAA meetings to speak for your group.
While we're on the subject, congratulations to Paul Mattina who has just been elected as MAA president replacing Betty Chase who has stepped down from that position (well, really, who could replace Betty Chase?). The other council officers have all retained their positions as follows:
V.P. - Len Berg
Secretary Gail Jones
Treasurer Nancy Hubartt

MOBEL AMERICANA WEBSITE - In an embarrassment of riches, Mobel Americana actually has two websites. The main website is designed to "market" our lovely community to the outside world. There is, however, a second website designed for the use of any members of our community who are on the Internet and would like to take advantage of the communications capability that a website offers. We refer to this website as "Neighborhood Link" since it offers not only information about our community but St. Petersburg as well. Here you will find information about Mobel Americana, our history, and even our monthly calendar as well as links to many useful resources in the area. You are also encouraged to create your own "page" on the website, either for yourself or for your group. For example, the Book Club is in the process of setting up a page for their members showing which book they are currently reading and reviews. www.neighborhoodlink.com/stpetersburg/mobel is the website address.

SUGGESTIONS WELCOME Have some news from your club or group? Have an idea that you'd like to express in this column? Want your chance to be heard? Give us a call at 525-8411 or email hopken@mindspring.com

Thank you
My sincere thanks to all who visited with me your cards, flowers, cookies, sweets and soups were very much appreciated. What a nice place to live.
Gratefully, Elaine Laberge

Thank you's

By Nancy Hubartt
The Vespers Committee wishes to thank the following list of persons, who donated money in memory of their loved ones, for the purchase of the piano in the Atrium. It has added greatly to the beauty of Vesper and Memorial Services held in the Atrium.
Billie and Cleve Ballentine, Gerri Bassett, Ed and Mary Boyd, Lorraine and Howard Brown, Phyllis Conlisk, Andrew and Mary Ann Fairlie, Stanley and Edith Harmon, Dave Johnson, Dick and Gail Jones, Doc and Alice Jones, Laurie and John Mello, Dean and Vera Myers, Arda and Chuck Sanderson, Russ and Norma Steele, Adele Thomas, Edith Unverzagt, Old Timer's Club and Anonymous.

By John Hill
My sincere thanks to all my friends in Mobel Americana for their prayers, get-well wishes, flowers and Happy Birthday notes. Each was a blessing to me and helped greatly in my recovery.


By Kay Jones
We are really thankful to have such wonderful people in the park. When we ask everyone to help us with the bake sale at the White Elephant, they really help. Our ladies that knocked on their neighbors' doors reminding them to bake or donate, they really came through. The wonderful part too is, if they say they are going to bake, they do. Not only do they bake and donate. They come and buy. The ladies that work on the table do a great job, and the handsome men on the door worked really hard. You all made it a terrific time with much profit for the M.A.A. Street donations were $1,436.57 and the Baked Goods made $391.75 for a total of $1,828.32.

NOTICES
Forecaster Deadlines
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 on full size 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Deadline for May (now 5pm); for general articles, the 19th of April, for last minute items, the 21st. Please note that the minimum font size is number eleven.
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 Luncheon will be held on April 17th at noon. Tickets will be sold for $5.00 each and prizes will be given. Hosts and Hostesses will be announced at the luncheons and other meetings, so get your ticket and join us.
Needlecrafters - By Annette Solomon
The Crafters are looking for lightweight metal shelving to display our crafts at the Craft Bazaar. Please call me at 527-5151. Thank you.
Come one, come all to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of Eleanor and Earl French, presented by their son Nelson. In the Atrium, on April 7 from 2.00 to 4pm. No presents please, only your presence.
For Sale notices - please note these are to be placed in the laundry rooms and there are size limitations on the notices, so that one or two notices do not take up the whole notice board. Please check with the office, but the size limit has been a 5" x 7" card. You are also required to put the date you placed the notice on the card.

GARDEN CLUB NEWS
By Diana Rogers
Annual Garden Club Picnic
On April 9th, our usual Tuesday, we will leave at 9:30 and go by carpool to Bay Pines Park, First Entrance, and Shelter 4, for our end of year picnic.
Please bring dishes, silverware, napkins, table cover, something to drink, and a dish to share. Betty Chase tells us that we will have delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken rather than hot dogs and hamburgers. There is a sign-up sheet at the clubhouse - be sure to get your names on it!
Also, Midge Bull tells us that Garden Club members might enjoy listening to "Florida Gardening" on the radio. Gil Whitton, Master Gardener, answers questions on Sunday mornings, starting at 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM on station WFLA-AM-970. This is an informative and interesting program.

Friends of the Library
By Nora Adell Andrews
"A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever." Martin Farquhar Tupper, Of Reading.

Our candy sale is over and quite a success due to all of you who participated. Rita Lewis has estimated that we will make $300 this year! We hope to replace the old brown bookcases with new ones that will match the rest of our library. Look for those in the fall, and look for some new videos that were given to us, with many newly used books that are currently on the bestseller lists. Our library is constantly growing!
Beck Hopkins and Rita Lewis are working on our web page, and presented us with initial copies that will be included in the library section of the Mobel Americana web site. If you have access to a computer you can log on and get the latest library news.
Our meeting days for next year, beginning in November 2002, will be the first Thursday of each month, at 1:00 p.m. in the library. The reading selections for the next year are as follows:
November: Things I Know Best by Lynne Hinton
December: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
January: The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
February: West With The Night by Beryl Markham
March: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur S. Golden
April: Blinded by the Right by David Brock
We hope you can join us next year in our book discussions.
Our book this month was Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher, and was reviewed by Jeanne Pavlik. It is the story of a young girl who was sent to a boarding school, her family, and her friends and their intertwined lives. Mrs. Pilcher has written ten novels as Jane Frazer and 23 novels using her name. Four novels have been made into movies. She currently lives in Scotland.
Our next meeting of the Library Club will be April 11, in the Library at 1:00 p.m.
Joan Mitchell will review the book: Dear Exile: The True Story of Two Friends
Separated by an Ocean by Kate Montgomery and Hillary Liftin. We would love to have you join us.
For more information call Rita Lewis at 527-0693.

CUE CLUB NEWS
By Brian Birch

The 2001-2002 tournaments are now completed! The exciting final results are as follows:
For MEN'S SINGLES 1st Place- Jack Young; 2nd Place- Bob Hoey; 3rd Place- John Layner. For MEN'S DOUBLES 1st Place went to the team of Pete Lambert and Frank Girdlestone; 2nd Place to Nick Misciagna and Roger LaBerge; and 3rd Place to Tom Solomon and John Mello. For WOMEN'S SINGLES the following were winners- 1st Place to Phyllis Jackwin; 2nd Place to Louise Pickett; and 3rd Place to Carol Slade. For WOMEN'S DOUBLES 1st Place went to the team of Eva Stahl and Dotte Farren; 2nd Place to Ginger Phillips and Linda Fairbanks; and 3rd Place to Arlene Elwell and Louise Pickett. There were around 50 participants in this year's tournaments and we had some very close matches, filled with lots of suspense, a lot of laughter and high degrees of skill.
Special honorable mention goes to two of our members for being selected as our Most Improved Players. The Men's choice is John Layner, and the Women's choice is Nancy Hubartt. We offer them our sincere congratulations. We have also posted the highest averages for the season: Peggy Church for the women, and Brian Birch for the men. Great job!!! And, as a point of special interest, Roger LaBerge earned the distinction of "putting the eight (8) ball in on the break!" AND he accomplished this feat on his birthday! Way to go Roger!
Congratulations to all this year's participants, and a special "thank you" goes out to all the referees. We couldn't have done it without you. And, of course, the presence of the spectators made everyone feel important and appreciated. We hope you all enjoyed the games.
Lastly, a reminder to everyone- the mixed doubles will still be held on Sunday evenings at 7pm through the end of April. Come and join in the fun. Have a super summer and we'll see y'all in November!

EMPTY CHAIRS
By Betty Chase March 9, 2002

There's an empty chair at our table
Left by someone we held dear.
She shared her life and showed her love
By doing all that she was able.

Mia graced our lives with gentle favors.
Always there to lend a hand.
She gathered cans and waited tables,
And blessed us with her many treasures.

There are empty chairs at our tables;
Millie Berdeen, Harold Mallory, Jack Hubartt,
Roland Ayotte, Barbara Angel, June Layner,
Berk Waldron, Ruth Fay and Bill Bearley.
And all the others that we miss so dearly.

God fills empty chairs at tables.
New friend, new face, new name.
But like a stick removed from water,
The ripples will remain.

As the years go by and our hour draws near;
We will pass through those gates,
And we will not fear.
We know that God is wise and able.
He'll save us a chair at Mia's table!

In Memoriam - Berk Waldron and Mia Booth
By John Bassett
In February and March of this year we lost two of our favorite residents, Berk Waldron and Mia Booth, the jewelry lady.
Berk was one of the nicest, gentlest people I have known. Jo and family were very fortunate to have such a person, and he will be missed. His shuffleboard family and other friends remembered him with fond memories on March 3rd in the Atrium.
I remember his dry sense of humor, and the fact that I never heard him say a mean thing about anyone. He was Captain of the Forecaster delivery team on the south side of this community and did an outstanding job. I mention one small incident to show what kind of person he was. I had shortchanged him about 15 copies of the Forecaster one-month, and said I'll be right over. No, he said, I'll come and get them. He always put others first.
Mia was an exciting alive lady. She will be remembered as the Jewelry Lady for all the MAA sales, such as the White Elephant and the Bazaar, in particular.
The Obituary in the paper did not do justice to her life, and contrary to the paper, she did have a son, Walter John Manderfield, (married to Mary Anne) and the two had a close relationship.
My main involvement with Mia started when she needed someone to help her with her bankbook each month. I helped her over the last three or four years and we always enjoyed the monthly get together to balance the old checkbook. She didn't have too much money, but one thing she always insisted on, was to have her nails done. She had to cut down to once a month (occasionally she sneaked in an extra one) but the nails were a must. She never complained about life, because as she said, there are many less fortunate.
Many of us, most of us in fact who attend the Wednesday lunches, will remember her also as the lady who made sure everyone got served.
Mia was remembered at a wonderful service, with many happy memories, in the Atrium on March 12th
A delightful lady - I will miss her, as will many others.

SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB NEWS
By Jo Waldron
The final standings for our leagues are:
Blue Sky: 2nd place
Friendship 1: 5th place
Friendship 2: 2nd place
Nova Red: 2nd place
Nova Blue: 6th place
This year's winner of the Carl Agerholm trophy is Sil Oliveira.
An interesting story has developed concerning the trophy. "Someone" overheard Dorothy Kolb say they should change the name of that trophy. She had remarked, "No one knows who Carl Agerholm is!" Another "someone" said, " Well! What business is it of Dorothy Kolb's? She doesn't even shuffle." So for all those who don't already know, Carl Agerholm was her husband and was an avid shuffler. Even after he developed Myotonic Dystrophy, he continued to shuffle until he became completely incapacitated. A friend donated the trophy and the club decided at that time to award it to the winner of the Red & Black games each year. This is a unique award because technically, anyone in the community is eligible to win it. The Red & Black games are open to all; they do not have to be a member of the shuffleboard club. What Dorothy Kolb did not know, was that even though many were unaware of Carl was, his trophy has become a prestigious one. Last year, when Doreen McGrath won the honor of having her name added to the trophy, she told me "This means more to me than all my other trophies". Quite a tribute to an old shuffler.
Winners in the Friendship Doubles, Main Event were:
1st place Nick Misciagna & Sil Oliveira
4th place Doreen & Ed McGrath
Winners in the Blue Sky tournament Main Event were:
1st place Sil Oliveira
2nd place Ed McGrath
3rd place Doug Reid
Consolation "A"
2nd place Lenore Helson
Consolation "B"
1st place Bert Zanaglio
Chick & Sil want to thank everyone for their help in making this a very successful event.
Winners in the Friendship Singles are:
Main Event "A" 1st place Sil Oliveira
"B" 4th place Eva Pratt
Consolation "A" 4th place Doug Reid
"B" 3rd place Don Harris

A personal note to my shuffleboard club buddies; "Thank you" seems so inadequate in expressing my gratitude for the beautiful memorial service you did for Berk. There is a depth of feeling that words cannot reach; I'm at that level. I love you all.
Happy Shuffling

Dear Crafters
By Annette Solomon
At a recent meeting, election of officers was held. Annette Solomon, President, Beck Hopkins, Secretary and Helen Bzowski, Treasurer. Congratulations!
Thank you to the gifted crafters and rug-braiding ladies who displayed their beautiful handmade treasures at the MAA luncheon. Thank you to all the residents who admired our work and encouraged our efforts.
Soon many of us will be going north for the summer and will be coming back in the fall with new crafty items for the Craft Bazaar. There is still time to join us on Monday at 6-8 p.m. and Thursday at 9-11 a.m. Basics are taught at every session. Lessons are free and most supplies are provided.
See you there.

PAR SEEKERS GOLF
By Russ Steele
The Par Seekers celebrated the 2002 season with their annual banquet on Monday, March 25. There were 76 members listed at the close of regular play. Open play will continue in April as long as enough players sign up each week.
Events coordinator Pete Lambert announced the winners of the club championship at the banquet. The winner of the A division was Bill Ervin, while Ed Higgins was first in the B division and John Mello first in the C group. Reeda Ervin was the winner of the women's title.
The first place winner in the U.S. Open on Feb. 14 was Ed McGrath (72-15) with a score of 57. Second was Conrad Weisner (80-22) with 58 and third was Bill Ervin (68-9) with a 59. The low gross award went to Al Wingrove (67-3).
Announced as leaders for the group for the 2003 season were: chairperson - Mike Regan, vice-chair - Leni Lambert, secretary - Marcia Fay, treasurer - Roger LaBerge, and events coordinator, Pete Lambert.

APRIL COMPUTER MEETING
Russ Steele & Conrad Weiser
The April meeting of the computer interest group will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 in the atrium.
The group will decide whether or not to have meetings during the summer months and will discuss and vote on a meeting time for the next winter season. Whether or not to apply for club status with MAA will also be on the agenda.
Some 30 persons attended an interesting presentation by Dale Wiley, Webmaster for the MOBELAMERICANA.COM site and by freelance photographer Al Allen at the March 16 meeting of the group. Pat Ruedy serves as park coordinator for the web site.
Residents were urged to take advantage of the 'party line' service offered by Yahoo Groups by Conrad Weiser, gatekeeper for the service. Prospects are asked to call him or e-mail to MAOA1999@aol.com for information or to join.

Neighborhood Crime Watch
UPDATE
By Barbara Magada
Our next meeting of the Crime Watch/Crime Prevention/Crime Patrol will be held at the Clubhouse on Friday, April 12th. a 1:30 P.M. I hope to have our new radios there and explain the purpose of this new equipment that we have been able to purchase through a Federal Grant of the Forfeiture Funds, which I applied for last October. As you can see we have to be patient for giveaways. So, please mark your calendars and bring* a friend or a new resident. I know we all can't attend everything that goes on. REFRESHMENTS - Of Course.
See you on April 12th.
Coordinators - Barb Magada, Esther Louzon & Jim Chase

MOBEL AMERICANA DAY ON SUNSET LAKE
Dick & Gail Jones invite residents to attend their annual picnic at their cottage Wednesday, August 28, 2002. Come as early as you can. We will eat about 12:00 noon. The meat, beverage, utensils and plates furnished. You may bring one casserole, salad or dessert. Directions from Alton Bay, New Hampshire. From Alton Bay blinker light, Up Rand Hill Road .7 mile turn left on to Alton Mountain Rd. 1.9 mile to Avery Hill Rd. turn left 2.7 to Places Mill Rd. Turn Right .9 mile to Levitt Rd. turn Right, follow the signs on the trees to the cottage. Phone: 603-364-6310. Looking forward to having a nice outing.

New England Night
By Tom Solomon
The Great State of New Hampshire will sponsor New England Night on February 22, 2003. Rita Varney and Joan Belanger will co-host this gala event. An active committee has been formed and plans are moving ahead. Look for more information in later issues of your forecaster. Have a healthy and happy summer.

FROM THE WALDRON FAMILY
I remember part of a poem from long ago,
"If trouble never happened
Or sorrow never came,
The only thing you'd know about
A neighbor is his name.
And then one day..." You know the rest.
I wish I could thank each of you personally, as I have thanked those who I know spent the better part of the whole week planning the memorial, the music, and the food.
For the rest of you, I may or may not, know your name but I do know that LOVE brought you to the memorial, to say goodbye to one we all loved and to tell me that I need never be alone.
I know more than your name - I know your heart. And from the bottom of my families, and mine thank you all.

Duplicate Bridge
Gerri Bassett & Shirley Beauchamp
Sunday February 11
North & South
1. Maretta Dimke & Elizabeth Copeland
2. Roger & Lucy LaBerge
3. Esther Louzon & Shirley Beauchamp
East & West
1. Helen & Walter Smith
2. Jo Waldron & Linda Cook
3. Gerri & John Bassett
Sunday February 17
North & South
1. Esther Louzon & Shirley Beauchamp
2. Joan Dell'Angelo & Esther Israel
4. Lucy & Roger LaBerge
East & West
1. Helen & Walter Smith
2. Gerri & John Bassett
3. Milene & Al Wingrove
Sunday February 24
Howell Movement
1. Helen & Walter Smith
2. Anne Kocher & Anne La Flamme
3. Shirley Beauchamp & Esther Israel
Sunday March 3
Mitchell Movement
North & South
1. Esther Israel & Tex Batchelder
2. Esther Louzon & Shirley Beauchamp
East & West
1. Gerri & John Bassett
2. Helen & Walter Smith
Sunday March 10
North & South
1. Helen & Walter Smith
2. Al & Milene Wingrove
3. Lucy & Roger LaBerge
Easy & West
1. Tie
Audrey & Hubert Purdy
Linda Cook & Jo Waldron
2. Gerri & John Bassett
Soon it will be time for the snowbirds to leave us, we will miss them and hope they return happy and healthy, and ready to play bridge. Have a great summer!

LINE DANCE UPDATE
By Norine Fisher
Well, it seems this winter season has gone by for us snow birds and also those year 'rounders.
For those who enjoy line dancing, I really enjoyed being with you. There have been 12 sessions this year. I hope to be with all of you again. We all enjoy the fun of dancing and its fellowship. Thanks to all who attended. March 25 was our last line dance lesson.
See you next season and wish you all a good summer.

Olympic Torch
By Ruth Horncastle
Mariana Howard of Geneva, New York, great granddaughter of Ruth Horncastle, a long time resident of Mobel Americana, carried the Olympic Torch from Rochester, N. Y. to Seneca Falls N. Y. It was then handed it over to Chris Ritter of the Finger Lakes region, who in turn handed it over to a Central New York bearer to take the torch on its way to Salt Lake City. It took 65 days and 13,500 miles to complete the trip. The torch also passed through the Finger Lakes Region in the 1996 relay.
Mariana nominated herself through the Coca Cola Web site during the summer. Her parents did not know until they were notified that she had been chosen. This is awesome, said her parents, and we are proud of her.
Mariana is 15 years old and is President of the Freshman Class. She has also served in the Community Service of Geneva.
Some 2002 Olympic Torch Facts - Each carrier takes the torch for two-tenths of a mile. Each bearer has their own torch and only the flame is passed on. There are more than 11,500 torchbearers, who were selected from 200,000 applicants. There is enough fuel in each torch tank to last twenty minutes.

Potpourri - from the Editor's desk (additional contributions from Gerri Bassett, Lucy Laberge and Nancy Hubartt)
Thought - The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow.
Remember when - (from John Stewart). When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. And you didn't pay for air.
Translations - I heard you. Translated: I haven't the foggiest clue what you just said, and am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so you don't spend the next three days yelling at me. (Amen)
Truths: If you think no one cares if you are alive or not, try missing a couple of car payments.
Simple Signs On a plumber's truck. "We repair what your husband just fixed."
Wise Sayings - Words are windows to the heart. Crises bring out the best in the best of us... and the worst in the worst of us. Ed's note, not sure I agree with this one, but it makes you think.
Things you really need to know?? - No NFL team, which plays its home games in a domed stadium, has ever won a Super Bowl. (St. Louis, are you listening?)
Words to Live By - For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never put back.
Really? - If you must pick between two evils, choose the one you've never tried before!
Things to think About - I'm not into working out. My philosophy: no pain, no pain.
Random Thoughts - I wonder what kind of anesthetic a tree is given before a tree surgeon operates!
To Dotty Kirby on Mt. Lancaster - Sorry Dotty, I had your Sound Of Music parody all set to go, but Dear Abby beat us to it, see Times, March 10. Maybe in a few months.

Plane ride
Submitted by Gerri Bassett
A plane is on its way to Montreal when a blonde in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down. The flight attendant sees her do this and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde that she paid for Economy and that she will have to sit in Economy.
The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Montreal and I'm staying right here."
The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and co-pilot that there is some blonde bimbo sitting in First Class, that belongs in Economy, and won't move back to her seat.
The co-pilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy she will have to return to her assigned seat.
The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Montreal and I'm staying right here!"
The co-pilot tells the pilot that he should probably have the police waiting when they land to deal with this blonde that won't listen to reason.
The pilot says, "You say she's a blonde? I'll handle this. I'm married to a blonde. I SPEAK blonde."
He goes back to the blonde, whispers in her ear, and she says, "Oh, I'm sorry" and gets up and moves back to her seat in Economy.
The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss.
"I told her First Class isn't going to Montreal."

GREAT IDEAS
Submitted by Lucy Laberge
1. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
2. Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you'll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
3. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
4. To prevent eggshells from cracking add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
5. Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
6. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
7. To easily remove burnt on food. From your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.
8. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
9. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
10. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."
11. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
12. Brush some beaten egg white over piecrust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
13. Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it.
14. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
15. To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
16. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
17. Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
18. If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
19. Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
20. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
21. Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
22. Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
23. When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Mall Of America
Gerri Bassett
To some shoppers this large Mall is a dream; to others it seems to be a nightmare. It's located in Minnesota just in case you do not know, to be exact in Bloomington, just outside of Minneapolis. Shopping is America's favorite pastime and the Mall of America is a monument to the American dream. The Mall averages 180,000 people a day, all kinds of people.
How big is Mall Of America? It's so big it has 3 food courts. It's so big it has more than 400 stores.
It's sooooo big it has a seven-acre amusement park in the middle of its four story high, one-mile circumference. Brothers and Sisters, be glad you didn't make that winter trip to Bloomington, save your airfare for other times. I was there a few years ago in the summer. Here is what I missed if I had gone in the winter. Traffic to the mall is backed up for blocks. You can park across the street, walk for a mile and brave eight lanes of crazed drivers in ice and snow, at 20 degrees below zero, or wait in line to enter the world's largest parking ramp. Chances are, you don't have a choice. In your driving confusion, you wind up in a lane from which other confused drivers won't let you escape. The cars in front of you ascend a concrete ramp, so you follow; each level of the seven level parking garage is named for a state. There's a green Gator symbolizing Florida, but if you are from New York there is the Statue of Liberty. How to actually get inside the mall is your next challenge. Clapping your frozen hands over your frost bitten ears, you follow everyone else who seems to know where they are going, they won't tell you but they are following you. After rounding a few corners you finally make it through the East Broadway entrance where smiling youngsters are waiting to serve you. Where to go? Information, messages, lost and found, gift certificates, the list is long. The line is so long you just grab a map from the counter. Too bad they don't rent compasses because you could have used one.
Here is what you have missed by not going; you can hardly hear the music over all the noise. And finally you see the escalators carrying hundreds of shoppers up and down each of the four levels and then you realize you have entered shopping Heaven. Then you see a guy dressed as Daffy Duck and you get to the amusement park and see there's a Knott's Camp Snoopy. It's got a Peanuts theme as you might have guessed. And there is the inflated Snoopy and kids everywhere hopping inside the moon walk belly. There's a roller coaster, one of those flying swing things and souvenir booths. Now you decide to eat and the lines are backed up further than the traffic outside. Trying to get a place to sit down is another challenge. Than you venture on past the comedy clubs and nightclubs, and finally find the 14 Cinema Theatres. You are overwhelmed by so much stuff, so little substance. This whole experience is too bizarre, to HUGE to be real. It looks like a nightmare, or a movie of a nightmare. Would I go back? I don't think so, not unless I had some kids. But I wonder what it is like today after being open for years? I would like to see the big Mall in Edmonton, Canada, and the underground city in Montreal. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing about it as I am from Minneapolis.

Community Notices
There is located at the maintenance shed on Mount Piney Avenue an air pump that 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 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.