Americana Cove

Welcome home to a new Florida season.

Sep 30, 2002

FROM THE MANAGER ?– Dawn Simmons
Look at the beautiful painting in the Main Clubhouse of the northern lighthouse.
It was painted and donated by Lucy Hamisak of Mt. Isle. Thank you so much - we all will enjoy it hanging in that great spot.
Wait until you see the adorable cover Laurie Schuh drew for our new Dial Directory. We have such talented people living here - Don't we? Thank you Laurie, we appreciate the job you do for us each year. We are blessed!

THERMOSTATS
Once again we are having a problem with the thermostats in the Clubhouse and Atrium. By that, I mean people turning the temperature up and down. We would like to maintain all thermostats at 78 degrees. We have asked the night guards when locking up the facility to make sure they are set on 78. If you have a function with a large number of people in attendance someone from your group should call the guardhouse and request they turn it down to 76 degrees (527-3329).
This should avoid the continuing hot and cold temperatures. Thank You.

CLUBHOUSE
The interior of the Clubhouse is finished. The maintenance men did a superb job of dropping the ceiling on the stage and installing two fans and two fluorescent lights. What a difference it makes! It is so cool and light up there and the acoustics should be much better also.
Betty is having custom made drapes done, (they might already have been installed) which match with the color of the walls. The stage floor has been painted with color chips to pull the decor together. We hope you are as pleased with the final outcome as we are.

VOLUNTEERS FOR OPEN HOUSE
We would like to "Show Off" our Community and we are looking for volunteers to offer boat rides for Prospective Buyers for the big "OPEN HOUSE" Oct. 18th & 19th here at Mobel Americana.
It will be a BBQ catered affair with hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. and great door prizes.
Our Sales Staff at Choice Referral and Meadowood Homes are planning this two-day event. Please call Dawn at the office and she will put you on the volunteer list. Thanks a lot!

SURRENDER OF HOME TITLE
We are being plagued with a problem of residents surrendering their title to Mobel Americana. There is a huge expense attached to this for the company and we can no longer just accept a title back. Here is the procedure one must follow.
1. If the house does not sell you need to call the Park Manager and set up an appointment with her and the Review Board.
2. If the home is denied by the Review Board the Owner, at his own expense must have the home removed from Mobel Americana.

FROM THE MANAGER
We can no longer accept LP 20 lb. BBQ gas tanks in the dumpster area. When purchasing a new tank of gas please take the old one with you.
We have no way of disposing of them, and we were just charged $5.35 per tank at U-Haul for them to dispose of the tanks.
In accumulation they pose a hazard to the dumpster area. Thank you for your understanding.

WARNING
Anyone caught stealing belongings from another resident's property will be prosecuted. Since my hiring Jan. 1st, I have received three different reports from residents in regard to stuff stolen off their property. Recently, a fellow resident called me from Michigan. His next-door neighbor had just returned from a month's vacation only to find that someone stole 60 decorator bricks and 2 benches from his property.
Could someone need these articles bad enough they have to steal them? I am asking for your help in apprehending the culprits.
Please, if you see someone in your neighbor's yard or someone hauling things away, please contact the office or call the guardhouse. Make a note of date, time and description of person if you do not know them personally.
This type of behavior will not be tolerated. Thank You!

FIRST STREET FENCE AND ENTRANCE:
The painting of the stucco fence and entrance has been finished. The total cost for paint and rental equipment is $1030. New lights, new sprinkler systems, flowers and mulch came to $320. After the flowers were planted, we had eleven inches of rain in a four day period - prior to the beds being mulched so it will take a bit longer for the plant material to recover from the shock. We have been given an old boat by Bob Larsen, which the guys are working on, on rainy days.

MT. PINEY LAUNDRY
We hope you enjoy the interior decorating at the Mt. Piney Laundry. All the maintenance men worked so hard and quick to get it completed before our "Snowbirds" return.
We all had a great time and the self-satisfaction of seeing it all come together. We sure do have a great group of maintenance employees. Thanks fellows for another fine job well done.

BOAT SLIPS
We have put three residents on the waiting list for a boat slip. After checking with Speeler Enterprises, we find the original permits, water testing and ground borings are good until Feb. 2003 without filing for a year's extension. My suggestion to the Board and Shareholders would be to file for that extension to cut costs on further testing that would be required if we wait.
We should also require a year's boat slip rent in advance.

SHEDS/UTILITY ROOMS
Please remember each home is to have one shed. Extra ones are not permitted. If you have two when your home is sold an inspection is done and the freestanding shed will have to be removed.
We would rather you add on to the existing shed then to add another shed. Safety is the biggest factor. If we were to have a storm with high wind, the freestanding shed could seriously damage your home or a neighbor.
Thank you.


WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS
By Frances McVay

BAKSIS, Lois K. (PA)
VOGLE, David W.
120 Mt. Piney Avenue
Previously Gardner

EATON, J. Rex & Susan (MO)
436 Mt. Oak Avenue NE
Previously Booth Estate

MURTHA, Ronald (TN)
6827 Mt. Quincy Drive 522-5349
Previously Wild

ROGERS, Randy & Bobbi (MA)
6911 Mt. Quincy Drive 521-0462
Moved From 7226 Mt. Georgetown
Previously Davies

SAILER, Donald L. & Theresa (WI)
6837 Mt. Pleasant Road
Previously Connor


SUNSHINE REPORT OCTOBER 2002
Peggy Hubrich, Sunshine Lady

DEATHS
Mary Higgins
Dorcie Langer

NURSING HOMES:
Bob Evans Carrington Place
Erna Wring Carrington Place
Jane Bryant Maria Manor
Mimi Edwards Maria Manor
Mitzi Delzell Shore Acres
Carl Rosenquist Westminister Shores

BIRTHDAYS:
02 Paul Mattina
04 Bill Hart
Ed Clifford
Sunny Knutson
05 Bill Krich
07 Rene Renaud
Don Delzell
08 Mary Krich
11 Doris Hodge
Irene Racette
Nicol Lapointe
14 Phyllis Jackwin
15 Arlene Elwell
17 Marge Ossenmacher
21 Vivian Dilday
22 June Best
Bobby Fuchs
23 Ed Higgins
25 Russ Steele
27 Gene Rybka
29 Jim Chase

ANNIVERSARIES:
04 Joan and Jim Mitchell 5 Years
08 Gen and Morris Van Patten 64 Years
11 Lillian and Don Harris 50 Years
12 Ellie and Sil Oliveira 43 Years
15 Delores and Rudy Ferrara 53 Years
23 Diana and Ralph Rogers 54 years


MOBEL NOTES
By Ken Hopkins
OH, CANADA - I went to a hockey game last winter (Toronto vs. Tampa Bay) and observed that the national anthems of both the U.S. and Canada were played and sung by the crowd. Reminded me of the hockey games that I have attended in the past where both songs were sung. I thought that might be a good idea for us here at Mobel Americana where we often sing an American patriotic song before meetings but rarely (never?) a Canadian one. We acknowledge our multinational composition by proudly flying both American and Canadian flags at our front entrance. Canadians were instrumental in helping raise funding for our 1994 conversion to resident owned status. With almost 20% of our population Canadian, and some of our most visible and active residents Canadian, it would be a nice show of neighborly respect to occasionally try our hand at "Oh, Canada" or similar. Hope we can do that.

SHUTTERFLY -
For those of you with a digital camera I recently discovered a nice resource on the Internet. I had taken a bunch of digital photos of our place in Wisconsin (The Camp) and needed a facility to convert the digital images. Imagine my delight to not only find such a site on the 'Net, but they offered an introductory special of 15 prints at no charge! As quickly as I could, I uploaded 15 of my digital photos to their website, gave them my shipping address, and in just a few days received my 4 x 6 prints done very nicely. The website also offers a facility to store your digital photos and invite your friends to view them. Contact me if you're interested.

BUYING A BOAT? - Here is a fascinating bit of tax lore. When you buy a boat make sure you get a bill of sale. On that bill of sale make sure you declare the value of the boat that you buy and the value of the motor separately. According to the Pinellas County Tax Collector, only the value of the boat is taxable. There is no tax charged for the value of the motor. Does government ever fail to amaze?

A NICE EMAIL TOOL - For those of you who send out emails, have you ever wondered how you could hide all of the addresses of the people you are mailing to? After all, if you send out an email to 20 people with their addresses showing, not everyone may want you to share their personal email address with all of your friends. A nice way to get around this is to set up your email program so that it allows "blind copies" (bcc). Then address the message to yourself, put all of the recipients in the blind copy column and send the message. Everyone will get the message but nobody will be able to see who else is on your distribution list. Neat, eh?

SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR NEIGHBOR - Since I have run out of interviews over the summer, I thought I would share a bit of info about your humble columnist and his lovely bride, Beck. We both hail from the Chicago area, have been married for 23 years (second time for both), and came to Mobel just two years ago. Ken (me) has six grandchildren but Beck is too young to have any. Before retiring, we both worked as sales people; Ken sold laboratory supplies and equipment for Corning. Beck sold clean room supplies. Beck is a much better sales person than Ken. Beck loves crafts and being involved. Ken loves golf, tennis, and boating on the family pontoon boat. Both are "ham" radio operators. Both enjoy Bridge although not too fond of Duplicate.
Ken spent some time down in Nicaragua and speaks fluent Spanish. Beck likes tacos. While devoted to Mobel, we do prefer to escape the summers and own a park model trailer at a campground near Janesville, Wisconsin. Both Ken and Beck are active volunteers with Red Cross. Ken was volunteer Disaster Director for Chicago area Red Cross before coming to St. Pete. Both also work as reservists with FEMA and are trained in disaster relief and similar. Beck is secretary of Crafters and also manages the community bulletin boards. Beck is proud of the fact that she was the first woman to be accepted into the wood working shop. Ken writes. We serve on the decorating committee with the Lamberts and Beck is quite active with the Crafters, Aerobics, and Pool Exercise groups

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? Email us at hopken@mindspring.com


MAA NEWS-
Paul Mattina, President
How nice to see the beginning influx of friends and neighbors returning to the Park; it means the start of more activities and greater attendance at our events. Welcome back! We missed you.
October starts off with a bang with our annual Oktoberfest, which falls on Sunday, October 6th. We start at 4 PM and celebrate till 7 with Cathy's Lorelei oompah band offering lively music, and a cold keg of beer on tap. Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM. Table set-up will begin at 10 AM Sunday morning.
This is followed by a special event Thursday, October 10th. From 7 to 10 PM in the Clubhouse we will have a "Welcome Back" night of dancing and listening to the music of the "Downtowners", courtesy of an anonymous donor who is picking up the band's fee. Betty Chase will supply free hot dogs. Your cost? Bring your own beverage and dancing shoes.
Our Halloween party will be held on Wednesday, October 30th. Starting at 6 PM we will have a parade of costumes, with judging for prizes, followed at 6:30 with a buffet dinner. The "Downtowners" will play from 7 till 10 PM for our dancing and listening pleasure. So start working on those costumes and lets give each other some real competition. Tickets will be $7.00, and will be sold Monday, October 21 St at 9 AM in the Clubhouse. Tables can be set up beginning at 10 AM, as usual. Once again, it is important to remind everyone to buy tickets for this and all our events on the scheduled ticket sales dates. It is the only way Betty and the kitchen staff can plan on the quantities of food and drink they need to purchase for the event. Last-minute ticket sales often play havoc with food quantities purchased earlier.

Help Wanted: For a number of years now, Richard and Carol Norcross have been running the Super Bowl party on January 1st. They have decided that it's time to relinquish this job and give someone else the opportunity to add new life to the event. So, if you have any interest in taking over this event, please contact Richard or Carol.

Early Announcement: The Forecaster sometimes reaches residents not early enough to plan for events that occur during the first few days of the next month, so we will try to give advance information here. The MAA Council meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of November the 5th, at 10 AM. Because it is Election Day, we will have the meeting in the Atrium, as the Clubhouse will be used for voting. On Wednesday, November 6th, we will have the MAA luncheon, followed by the MAA meeting. Note that prior to the luncheon, starting at 11:15 AM sharp, Sharon Miller will offer a slide presentation entitled "My Bike Freedom Ride".


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 November for general articles, the 19th of October, (at 5:00 pm) for last minute items, the 21st. Please note that the minimum font size is number eleven.


MONTHLY BRIDGE -
It will be on October 16th, all Bridge players are welcome to come and enjoy some fellowship with their friends and neighbors. Go to the meetings and find out the details or watch the bulletin boards.


BINGO - By Dorothy Kolb- Let's have a Friday night bingo on the October 25th for Halloween. Come in costumes. Prizes for all.


BAZAAR - by Kay Sebek - Jewelry needed for bazaar. Ladies, please look through your jewelry and see if you can find some pieces that you do not use. The jewelry girls would appreciate anything you have. Please call Maretta Dimke and she will take care of any donations. Thanks.


THANK YOU - Redecorated Laundries - From the Editor - Following is a comment representative of many I have heard about the newly renovated and redecorated laundries.
"I'd like to add my comments of appreciation to the others that have voiced their praise for the redecorating project just completed in our two park laundries. Both were given a thorough face lifting. They have achieved a significant emotional impact of brightness and cheeriness, a truly home like environment. The creative design, and the staff who implement this project deserve a heartfelt thanks from all of us who use these facilities on a regular basis".
Conrad Weiser

A big thank you to Ed Kelly for all his years on the Board of Directors. As Ed said at the September 18th board meeting, appreciate the board members, whether you agree with them or not. They have put their talents and time to our service and deserve to have our respect. Thank you again Ed.

I wish to thank all my friends and neighbors for their phone calls, prayers and visits. It has been a tough run for the last two months. I know I would not have been able to handle it as well as I did if not for your prayers. Mary Krich.

Many thanks to all my friends and neighbors for the many cards, calls and prayers during my recent illness. Gary Costanzo


ALUMINUM CANS - What more can we say. Some of you are still putting trash in with cans or cans in with the trash. There is a monthly announcement in the Forecaster detailing what to do with these cans. The volunteers who collect them have enough work collecting, without having to sort out the garbage. Please cooperate. It is a great source of funds, and is of course a great way to recycle and reduce the amount of trash.


EDITOR'S NOTE:
Now please take special note that the deadline for the December and January issues of the Forecaster will be almost a week earlier each month, that is for December the 13th of November, and for January the 13th of December.


DEAR CRAFTERS
By Annette Solomon
Greetings to all our snowbirds and Floridians! October is already here and our vacationing neighbors are returning.
The crafters meet every Mon. from 6 to 8 pm and every Thurs. from 9 to 11 am. Classes in basics are taught at every meeting. You may not need classes in any craft, so bring whatever project you are working on and just come over and join us. We enjoy new ideas. Your friends are always welcome also.
Classes in hairpin lace, Swedish weaving, latch hooking and other surprising techniques will be offered this coming year. Teachers are getting ready.

The ANNUAL CRAFT BAZAAR will be held on Saturday, November from 10 to 2 pm. This is an MAA sponsored event. I will be renting clubhouse tables to any resident for $15 cash or make out a check to MAA. If you rent a table, you display your handmade articles sell them and keep the money. You may rent half a table for $7.50. Any Mobel Americana club or organization may rent a table/tables, such as the Garden Club, the Hobby Shop, the Crafters Club, etc. There will be a resident's table/tables (rent free). At the residents table, any donated crafted item given to us by a resident, will be displayed, sold and money given to MAA. The bakery and jewelry tables will remain the same as past years.
I will have APPLICATION FORMS at every crafters meeting, at every MAA and Old Timers luncheons and even at Bingo. You may call me for more detailed information. Last Craft Bazaar in 2001 was a great success. Let's make this year 2002, a bigger success. There is a lot of talent among our residents. Hope to hear from you.

The CRAFTERS CLUB is looking for:
1. Small or large plastic or lightweight shelving to display articles at the Craft Bazaar
2. Used all-occasion greeting cards and used Christmas cards.
3. Supplies such as material, thread, yarn, needles, scissors, beads, ribbons, lace, etc.
Call me or bring them to any meeting. Thank you for your past donations. Your generosity is heartwarming.

This Craft Bazaar is the perfect time to do your Christmas shopping. You might even be able to order items and have them made in time for Christmas. There will be baby gifts, anniversary, house warming gifts and birthday gifts for you to buy and give to someone to make them happy or just to treat yourself and make yourself happy!
Looking forward to seeing and working with you!
Love to all!


DUPLICATE BRIDGE
Gerri Bassett Director

Howell Movement
Sunday September 1
1. Gerri & John Bassett
2. Jo Waldron & Tex Batchelder
3. Tie
Elaine Laberge & Mary Jane Hill
Maretta Dimke & Elizabeth Copeland
Sunday Sept. 15
1. Gerri & John Bassett
2. Tie
Jo Waldron & Elaine Laberge
Lucy & Roger LaBerge
Remember No Duplicate on October 6th due to Oktoberfest.
Thank you all for coming


SHUFFLEBOARD NEWS
By Jo Waldron
ON YOUR MARK! Now is the time to start practicing for the league games that begin in November, and most of us can hardly wait.
A note to newcomer's, everything that you need to begin playing is available in the courtside shed. If you are really a greenhorn, show up for the first shuffleboard club meeting on November 2nd at 9 a.m. in the Atrium and let one of the officers know that you are interested in learning. I'm sure there will be someone there to help you get started. We do have an instructor that usually begins lessons in late November. You'll hear of this at the meeting also.
Happy Shuffling


SLOW DANCE
Submitted by Dotty Kirby
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask, "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow?"
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say, "HI"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift...Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.


NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH- UPDATE
By Barbara Magada
Our next meeting of the Crime Prevention/Watch/Patrol will he held on Friday, October 11th, 2002 at 1:30 PM in the clubhouse.
Don't forget to mark your calendars and try to bring a friend or neighbor.
I will announce at the MAA and Old Timers Wednesday luncheons who the speaker will be. Refreshments as usual!!!
COORDINATORS - Barb Magada, Esther Louzon & Jim Chase


MEMORIAL DAY LUAU
By Jo Waldron
This will probably be my last entertainment review; by next month our winter residents will be back and will be seeing the shows in person. But I do like to share our summer events so they don't think we are melting away in the heat.
The program followed another wonderful meal by Betty and her crew. It's difficult to continue coming up with superlatives to describe our dinners; you all know how great they are.
Paul Mattina the MC, started off the show by introducing "Just Us & Company" who came in singing "Tiny Bubbles" while pouring wine for the 145 guests. "Just us" sang four songs and even did the hula; solos were done by Faith Brundage and Evelyn Dinsmore. Many of you have heard Evelyn before; she plays the guitar, harmonica and sings at the same time! Ruth Brown entertained us with an original reading of her Hawaiian trip, and the trio of Kay Jones, Betty Chase and Barbara Magada sang "Sheltering Palms and "Pennies from Heaven".
The chorus included Dorothy Kolb, Peggy Hubrich, Paul & Connie Mattina, Esther Louzon, Dotte Farren, Betty Chase and Jo Waldron.
Paul presented each performer with a carnation, and gifted Ferne Eppers, our pianist, with a plant. Ferne amazes me; she even manages to find my key and that's somewhere in the cracks.
To assure impartiality, Paul chose visitors to do the judging. They were: Laurie McIntyre, guest of Jeanette Imbrogulio; Peg Brownell, guest of Faith Brundage; and Evelyn Stewart, guest of Dorothy Kolb. Peggy Hubrich and Dotte Farren won for the best table decorations, they actually used live fish. Ruth Brown won for best ladies costume and best men's costume winner was Jim Chase.
As always, it was a fun time.


GARDEN CLUB
By Diana Rogers - The first meeting of the club will be on October 15th Doughnuts and coffee will be served from 9:30 am to 10 am. All community residents are welcome!
The guest speaker will be Randy Rogers, employed by our park as a landscaper.
On November 12th we will have our annual "welcome back Lunch" at the Colonnade in Tampa - all are welcome. Make your reservations with us.


VESPERS ?–
By Don Delzell; The talented Alys Schulz will again direct the Vespers Choir. We?’re looking for new choir members, particularly altos and men. Choir rehearsals commence Friday, October 25th at 8.45am. The first Vespers service is at 4:50pm, Sunday, November 3rd. Mark your calendars for this date and particularly the Welcome Back Dinner on Saturday, November 16th at 5:00pm.
Every one in Mobel Americana is invited. Tickets are $7.00 and are available from Vice Chairperson Faith Brundage (527 ?– 6925) or Don Delzell (526 ?– 2410)


POPOURI from the Editor's desk (additional contributions from Gerri Bassett and Lucy Laberge)
Thought - Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
Wise Sayings - Thou shall not weigh more than your refrigerator.
Things you really need to know?? - The San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile National monuments.
Words to Live By - Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.
Life's experiences - Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks (for Canadians - cheques)
Things to think about - Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
Truths - A successful marriage isn't finding the right person - it's being the right person.
Did you know? - Women invented all bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers.
Random Thoughts - Why is it that people who criticize others can't see the same faults in themselves.
Words we need - Peticulous; being very particular and careful.
You can hate me for these:
1. Two peanuts walk into a bar. One was a salted
2. Two hydrogen atoms talking in a bar. One says, "I think I've lost an electron." The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies, "yes, I'm positive".
3. I went to the butcher the other day and I bet him $50.00 that he couldn't reach the meat on the top shelf. He said, "No, the steaks are too high".


MOBEL AMERICANA HISTORY - We are looking for a group of people (Mobel Americana) residents who would be interested in compiling some of our history. We have come across many old pictures and newspaper articles on our community; Gene Seawell has the material at this time and has volunteered to make copies of it all. If anyone is interested or has anything to add to the archives, Gene will copy it for us and return it to you. We would need some people who have literary knowledge or background in writing to put this together. Computer literate would also help. Contact Gene Seawell at 112 Americana Ct. NE or call him at 526-3243.


And now to close off this section (and why football teams lose) A guy took his blonde date to a football game. After the game he asked her how she liked the game. "Oh", she said, " I really liked it", "but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other for 25 cents". "What on earth do you mean?" "Well, I saw them flip a coin and one team got it and then for the rest of the game all they kept screaming was: Get the quarter back, get the quarter back".


STEREOTYPES
Submitted by Keith Mann
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. Descending a bit more he shouted, "Excuse me, can you help? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am"
The woman below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 ft above the ground, between 40 and 41 degrees North latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude"
"You must be in technology," said the balloonist.
"I am" replied the woman, "but how did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you've told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you have not been much help so far."
The woman below responded, "You must be in management."
"I am" replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well" said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise and you have no idea of how to keep it, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault. Therefore, you MUST be in management!"


NEWS FROM THE POOL EXERCISE GROUP
Jo Waldron
You seldom see five generations together, anywhere, these days, but the pool exercise group was blessed with this event recently.
The five generations, all ladies, live in St Petersburg; two of the group live here in Mobel Americana. The great-great grandmother is Lucille Osfar, Mt Orange; the great grandmother is Sharon Regan, Mt Quincy; visiting and joining in the exercise was grandmother, Mickey Schwegal. Watching from the sidelines was Aunt Rhenna Schwegal, sitting in for the mom Nicole Schwegal, and the newest star was 9 months old Haley Schwegal.
We all had a wonderful session that morning, their good-humor and camaraderie was contagious. Congratulations.
In other news, about a dozen ladies from the exercise group enjoyed a luncheon at the Fourth Street Shrimp Store. They had a good gab session and all said the food was delicious. Last year they were doing this on a regular basis, visiting a different restaurant each week. When more of our winter residents return they will probably continue this custom.


A BLONDE FROM CALIFORNIA
Submitted by Ron Gunderman
A trucker stops for a red light, and a blonde pulls up behind him.
She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door.
The trucker lowers the window, and she says, "Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load." The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.
When the truck stops for another red light, the girl again catches up.
She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, "Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!" Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street.
At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, and knocks on the truck door.
The trucker lowers the window. Again she says, "Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!"
When the light turns green, the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde's car.
He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it, he says... "Hi, my name is Kevin, it's winter in Minnesota and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK!"


FROM THE EDITOR-
Guidelines and Instructions for Forecaster Contributions
Please follow the instructions shown here for items to be published in the Forecaster. The instructions will be updated periodically as the need arises. Content guidelines will be in the November issue. Odd size type and tiny type, nor different size type on the same page is acceptable. All submissions must be on full size 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Nothing else but the item for publication can be on the submission page - no instructions, no comments, absolutely nothing.
The items you want published are read by computer, which must handle material of a standard size and format, so we must give the publisher material in the standardized format. Clarity is also important, so those of you, whose typewriter ribbons have seen better days, please take note.
If using a computer, copy must be at least 11-point type and at least one and a half spaced. With a typewriter, double spacing is required. This means a blank line between lines of type. If you don't have a typewriter, try to find someone who can do it for you. However if your item is about an upcoming event, short and to the point, or is simply a calendar of events, and you can't find someone to type it, submit it and I'll see what I can do (don't try this too often). But please note articles of general interest must meet the guidelines. All items, except thank-yous, must have a title and the author's name at the beginning of each item or article. And for those of you who refer to the M A A, type with this spacing. The scanner will otherwise read it as MM.
Next month I'll give you the guidelines on what type of items, articles etc. may be submitted for publication. I will also require your address and phone number if you are not listed in the Park phone book so I can contact you if necessary. If you have an unpublished phone number please say so. Additionally, articles on upcoming events must be restricted to the following month, but may include the first fifteen days of the following month. For example, your December item may include events up to January 15th, and similar for other months. Submission dates in the future are as follows;
a) for items of a general nature, the 19th of each month,
b) for birthdays, anniversaries etc. the 19th
c) for last minute items which include details of events, the 21st,
d) calendar of events, submit to Ruth Brown by the 17th
e) any item which may be controversial in nature, e.g., opinions on park activities must be submitted by the 14th - no exceptions. This will give me time to review with the writer and obtain a rebuttal for publication in the same issue.
Now for the bad news, the deadlines for the December 2001 and January 2002 issues will be the 14th of the preceding month.
And if you're a Canadian, have a happy Thanksgiving.


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.

NEWSPAPER & 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.