Americana Cove

Seen enough blizzard scenes for this Winter?

Feb 28, 2003

FEBRUARY 1, 2003, ON HIGH
Soaring to an apogee,
That was once beyond Heaven;
Traveled our Space Heroes,
The truly magnificent seven.

Unlike those who defile the earth,
With murder, bombing and killing;
They worked for the people of the earth,
For science and knowledge fulfilling.

Fulfilling answers to travel beyond,
Beyond our galaxies field;
Where someday we may all go,
As earth treasures will no longer yield.

We must remember all the names,
And help our children recall;
That there are those with noble aims,
Of better living for all.

Richard H. Fay
Feb 2, 2003.


MARCH PRAYER
This month let us set our hearts on praying for peace. We are all concerned about war and the threat of war.
Since this is the 3rd month and 3 is significant of the Trinity, let us concentrate on 3. Whether you believe in the Trinity or not, you do want peace don?’t you?
I?’m suggesting that we all set a particular time to pray at least once, that is:
03:03 03/03/03 (your choice AM or PM)
Hundreds of prayers at this moment of time would be a powerful request to our God. We?’ve all seen answers to prayer. Why not this?
And all God?’s people said, ?“Amen?”.
John Whittredge Hill, Chaplain


FROM THE MANAGER
Dawn Simmons
Valley Crest Lawn Maintenance: This new service started on property Jan. 6, 2003. They are making remarkable progress cutting foliage back. The oleander bushes in front of the parking lot have been cut way down, also on the curve of Americana Dr. and the Mt. Piney turn. The nut grass in the Rose Garden has been treated and all flowerbeds planted. The First Street fence line is also receiving a major weeding out.
We have experienced many problems with the sprinkler head situation. The first problem being, it was addressed in the Contract, for them to fix sprinklers if they broke them. (We are working on that).
The second problem is the fact that too many sprinkler heads sit above ground or are surrounded by concrete donuts. When the crew mows and hit a donut it breaks the sprinkler head. All sprinkler and donuts are to be two (2) inches below grass level.
Many residents have called me to ask why they are edging and spraying around bushes, trees, meter pedestals, transformer boxes etc. The spraying is done to kill the grass and the edging gives a line as to where the grass or weeds will die. This will make for easier line trimming and give a neater appearance to your property. Line trimming at the base of a tree or bushes only causes harm to foliage. We ask if this has been done to your property, you fill it in with mulch.
Anyone having vinyl on their home going to the ground would be advised to place bricks along that area to eliminate the line trimmers from putting holes in the vinyl.
We ask for everyone?’s patience as the property is new to them and they have to learn where all the trouble spots are.

BRUSH PICKUP
It appears not everyone has yet been informed on the schedule change of Brush Pick Up as we have several residents who have their brush out on Tue., Wed., Thur. and Fri. and pick up is not until Monday. Monday is the only day we are picking up brush now. Lawn service will be mowing Wednesday and Thursday and if the brush is on your lawn for those two days, it will have to be mowed around. Plus the fact it does not look good sitting out for five to seven days. We ask for your cooperation in placing it out on Saturday or Sunday and not before.

SWIMMING POOL
We apologize for the delay in getting the pool fixed. I know many residents were upset during the long Construction time but let?’s face it ?—no time is a Good time. In the winter, our snowbirds use it and in the summer, our year round residents use it.
We had a structural problem with the cracking of the sides and collar. We contacted the vendor in October in hopes it could be done prior to the migration, however they were running three months behind so we had to wait until January.
I have to thank Mother Nature in sending us the below normal weather during this period or I would have been tarred and feathered for sure.

GLEANERS
The Gleaners arrived by 8:00 am on Sat., Feb. 8th. They picked 2500 lbs. of fruit off 30 trees. There were 10 volunteers. This being the first venture, we think it was successful.
Next year we will organize an able-bodied resident?’s group to help. For those who didn?’t get their fruit picked we feel bad, but there was not enough help to do them all.
Thanks again to Beck Hopkins for finding us the Gleaners and for doing such a good job with organizing it.


WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS
by Frances McVay

CUMMINGS, Gerald
7217 Mt. Georgetown Drive
Previously M/A Used

FITZGIBBONS, James J.
WELCH, Lynn A.
336 Mt. Saxon Avenue 521-2166
Previously Polonis Estate

MURPHY, Martin & Emily (PA)
162 Americana Court 528-7669
Previously Mowry

SCOTT, James & Joanne (IL)
607 Mt. Madison Avenue
Previously Jones Estate

TANNER, James & Donna (MA)
157 Americana Court
Previously Higgins


March 2003 MAA NEWS
Paul Mattina, President
The last day of February was set-aside for setting up the Clubhouse for the White Elephant Sale, which will be held from 10 AM until 2 PM on March 1st. As you know, this is one of the few events MAA holds each year to replenish its coffers with the funds needed to pay for entertainment at our dinners and shows, coffee and paper products, free lunches for the MAA meetings and a host of other expenses that go with our park?’s recreation and entertainment programs. As usual, we will have a table with baked goods, jewelry, small appliances, small furniture and many other ?“must have?” items you never knew you needed but find you want to buy. We will also have a liquor raffle, jewelry raffle and a lunch served mid-day.
On Tuesday, March 4th at 10 AM, the MAA will hold its regular Council meeting. These meetings are open to all, however, only the representative of a sanctioned club has voting rights.
The MAA luncheon and meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5th beginning at noon. This is an important meeting as the new Council officers will be elected, and the audited treasurer?’s report given, as well as the usual agenda. Tickets for the St. Patrick?’s Day dinner will be sold at the start of the lunch. Tickets will also be sold at the start of the Old Timers lunch on March 12th.
The St. Patrick?’s dinner will be held on Saturday, March 15th. It will begin with appetizers at 5:15 PM, with a corned beef and cabbage dinner at 6 PM. At 7 PM we will be entertained by Billy Scott (see the posted flyers) with guitar music, singing, comedy routines and more. On this night everyone?’s Irish, so find something green to wear and come on out and enjoy. Tickets are priced at $7.
On March 29th, the last Saturday of the month, we will be holding our annual picnic, which celebrates the anniversary of our park becoming resident owned. This event will be held at the Picnic/Fishing Area from 2 PM until 5 PM. There will be boat rides, games, singing and dancing. There are charcoal grills at the picnic area, and ice will be provided, as well as porta-potties and a few awnings for those that need to avoid the sun. You will need to bring your own meat for grilling, table service, drinks, folding chair, and a dish to share with your neighbors. A group we all have enjoyed in the past, The Sundowners, will be providing the music. In the unlikely (I hope) event we have bad weather; we will move the event to the Clubhouse.
At this time I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to the many friends and neighbors who have helped make this past year of my presidency such a pleasure and such a success. As you know, having been elected president of MAROA makes it difficult, if not impossible, to continue in my position with MAA. But, as with any office, the ?“old?” are replaced with the ?“new?”, bringing new ideas for activities and events, which ultimately benefit the park. So, to those with whom I have worked in the last year, I give my thanks. To those to be newly elected, I give my best wishes for a very successful year to come.
Normally I would have one more newsletter to write, but Connie and I are taking a long-planned trip to Italy and will be gone for most of March. We will miss some of the events planned for the month, but the alternative is too hard to resist.


OLDTIMERS CLUB
BY Marcia Fay
Sorry no article in the February Forecaster. We had a great third honeymoon, which was cut short by a family death, but all is well now.
Thanks to all for taking a chance on the Macram?© chair. It was won by Laurie Mello and $65.00 dollars given to the can collectors. I am always looking for old, usable lawn chairs so I can make more. After the luncheon on February 12th, Dick and ?“Doc?” Jones brought over three more chairs that I can do, so will have another one to raffle next year.
I don?’t know about anyone else but I had a great time being a clown at our circus on February 8th. We hope you all had an enjoyable evening.
According to our by-laws, we need re-election of the present officers or nomination from the floor at the March 12th meeting. Shirley Wadsworth will be the interim treasurer as Pat Ruedy has resigned as of the 1st of March. Shirley has also volunteered to be treasurer for next year.
Melodears will be singing from 11:15 to 11:45 at the March 12th luncheon. They will entertain us with all Irish melodies.
If you haven?’t paid your $3.50 membership, please do so at the next luncheon. Two free lunches a month for three fifty. How can you beat that!


SUNSHINE REPORT - MARCH 2003
Peggy Hubrich Sunshine Lady

DEATHS
Fred Aubin
Doris Nemi
Murell Greene
Bill Bullington

NURSING HOMES
Bob Evans Carrington Place
Mitzi Delzell Shore Acre
Jane Levesque Shore Acre
George Campbell Park Place
Hilda Tschopp Carrington Place
Carl Rosenquist Westminister Shores
Bob Oertel Carrington Place
Carolyn Watts Grace Nursing Home

BIRTHDAYS
01 Bob Lescarbeau
02 Jerry Mussman
Bob Thomas
03 George Myers
04 Ray Macumber
06 Kay Brownsey
Dick Linville
Marjorie Dodd
07 Cecile Lescarbeau
Barbara Tumminia
Rick Tumminia
08 Lou Ayotte
09 Susanne Darowski
11 John Hill
Donald Park
Pat Wright
12 Anne Kocher
13 Helen Sikorski
14 Gladys Dunn
Bill Kocher
15 Bob Gamble
17 Pat Porretto
18 Doc. Jones
Claire Mosakowski
19 Norine Fisher
20 Bill Fullerton
21 Ed Slade
Rosemary Kegebein
22 Dick Nemi
Mary Ann Fairlie
Barbara Strehl
23 Shirley Wadsworth
23 Drew Fairlie
24 Norma MacPherson
25 Bob Larson
26 John Mello
30 Irene Goulet
31 Shirley Dunn

ANNIVERSARIES;
06 Helen and Norm Sikorski 60 years
07 Jan and Rene Renaud 60 years
18 Vivian and Dick Linville 64 years
25 Betty and Jim Chase 49 years
28 Nora and Ed Clifford 52 years
28 Barbara and Rick Tumminia 13 years


MOBEL NOTES
By Ken Hopkins
WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD ?— Congratulations to our new Board of Directors, both those newly elected and those returning to serve for another term. We residents appreciate your stepping forward to serve our community with your time, energy, ability, and enthusiasm. In the spirit of ?“a new broom sweeps clean?”, I thought I might presume to voice some of my personal hopes for the Board during the coming year with the thought that possibly some of my goals for the Board might coincide with your own.
For example, our by-laws allow for committees to be formed by the Board for a variety of purposes. Clearly, we have a wealth of knowledge within our community. Why don?’t we utilize that strength by forming committees that include both residents and Board members? So let?’s say that shareholder involvement might be a goal.
We are all pretty aware of the 60+ empty lots that plague our community. They all represent lost opportunity and lost income. For us to progress as a community, we need to solve this dilemma. I hope the Board will set this issue as a priority. We shareholders have every right to expect that they will. The Board, in turn, has every right to call upon the rest of us to help solve the problem. Maybe some of our residents with experience in finance or real estate could step forward with some ideas that could help the Board. Let?’s find out.
There are some basic assumptions about the nature of our community that seem to be in dispute. We have heard that our renters are very important to our cash flow. Others feel that we should limit renters and force everyone to buy a share when they come to Mobel. Do we need five layers of maintenance fees? How about three? Why not one uniform fee for all? What IS the right price for a share? Should waterfront shares sell at a premium? Well, you get the idea. No, I don?’t have the answers but I think it important that we, as a community, start to address some of these once and for all. Wouldn?’t it be nice to have a planning committee, formed as a combination of Board members and residents at large, who could explore answers to these perplexing issues and present options to the Board and shareholders?
So what is the real answer? We need an environment that promotes open conversation and dialogue between the Board and shareholders. We need a teamwork approach to problem solving instead of an ?“us against them?” attitude. We need to be proactive instead of reactive by planning and anticipating. There are no simple solutions and the nine people graciously serving on the Board do not suddenly achieve the Wisdom of Solomon once they are elected. We all sink or swim together. Let?’s make sure we all work together. Right at this point I would like to congratulate our new Board President, Paul Mattina, and the new Board for taking an important first step with the ?“Town Hall Meeting?” initiative as well as the open interim board meetings previously referred to as ?“workshops?”. Great! Exactly the kind of approach that will promote the kind of dialogue and open environment that we need. Kudos to Paul and The Board for the right start.

SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR NEIGHBOR ?— ?“I?’m quite enthused; RAMA is in good shape!?” That?’s what Cleve Ballentine told me when we chatted about his six years as RAMA chair. Turns out that Cleve comes by his organizational and negotiation skills quite naturally. Cleve spent 14 years as business manager for the Toronto Building and Trades Council after first joining the union as a bricklayer. His reputation as an aggressive, in-your-face champion of his membership was proven in Toronto and proven again in St. Petersburg. Although Cleve and his wife, Billie, still return to his native Toronto, he has proven his love for Mobel with his many years of service to the community. Cleve first came to Mobel in 1992 and not only served as RAMA?’s chair but also served as chair of Par Seekers. In addition, he has been our FMO representative and speaks highly of that organization. Although golf is his first love, Cleve also swims and enjoys boating. While Cleve had to leave Mobel for a while due to some health issues, we are delighted to see him back with us and challenging Mainlands golf course once again. Cleve speaks highly of the amenities we have here but would like to see lot renters more supportive of RAMA and attend more meetings. I asked Cleve if he would once again be involved with RAMA and he indicated he was planning on spending more time with his 11 grand children and 4 great grand children! Great to see you back, Cleve.

AUTOMATIC DOORS ?— Yeah! We now have a new set of doors at the entrance to the clubhouse, which can be operated automatically and will be user friendly to those who are physically challenged. Thanks to Dick Nemi and Management for this progressive move.

BOAT CLUB ?— There are over 50 boaters at Mobel. An initial planning meeting to explore the possibility of a Boat Club for residents will be held in the Atrium on Tuesday, March 11th at 1:00 P.M. If you have any boating interest, whether you own a boat or not, please come and share your thoughts.

STORM READY SEMINAR VIDEO ?— On January 24th, we had a presentation from FMO on hurricane preparedness and similar. It was a very interesting seminar with discussions concerning proper tie-downs for your home, storm insurance issues, and emergency preparedness. FMO left us a 30-minute video on this subject, which is now available in our library. Please feel free to check out this informative video. It will answer some questions and maybe save you some trouble.

MARCH COMPUTER CLUB MEETING ?— Come to our next meeting and learn all about graphic file formats. Learn the difference between JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and similar formats and the advantages of each. All residents are welcome; you don?’t have to be a member of the Computer Club to participate. The Computer Club is now an official MAA club and has a list of mentors available for anyone needing help with their computer. Contact any computer club member.

MAA COUNCIL ?— The March meeting of MAA will feature the annual election of officers. Also, the Kitchen Crew has formally been accepted by MAA as an official club. Congratulations to this hard working group. Betty Chase, manager of the newly formed club, announced the purchase of new card tables to replace those presently wearing out and breaking down.

The Agony of Defeat ?— Yes, it is true. Paul Line beat me at golf the other day with an outstanding 73. Bad enough that he beat me, but he beat Tom Fielhauer also. Of course, it will never happen again!

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? Call 525-8411 or email me at hopken@mindspring.com.


MAROA NEWS
Paul Mattina, President
On Friday, February 7th, the Board of Directors and Manager held its first Town Hall meeting. From all the anecdotal reports, the meeting was a success, with a number of issues brought to the Board?’s attention by residents, as well as allowing management to bring residents up to date on its activities. As we expected, some issues raised at the meeting were included in the February MAROA meeting agenda. It is hoped that future Town Hall meetings will attract an ever-larger attendance. These meetings will be held on a regular schedule at 10:30 AM on the first Friday of every month.
One sometimes wonders at the degree of volunteerism of folks in our park. I had mentioned to Beck Hopkins that it would be nice to have a sign for impromptu or emergency meetings that could be put up in an obvious place for all to see. Beck quickly designed a sign with interchangeable months, dates and days of the week, and had all the necessary parts laminated. Leo LaBerge, using our woodshop equipment, crafted a beautifully built and finished frame with metal legs to house the sign. Thanks, Beck for your workable idea, and to you, Leo, for your fine craftsmanship. It?’s tempting to call a meeting just as an excuse to put up the sign for all to see.


MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU
John & Louisa Layner
Yes, all of you made our day so very special. Exchanging vows, even with that ?“for better or worse?” was a delight. Not all of you were able to attend, and yet, to us, you all were there. Even those who were unable to be there, they remembered to wish us well. Be it a hand shake with a kind word, shedding a tear (was that for Louisa?), whatever, all of you, in so many ways proved that the people in Mobel Americana are so very special
A special THANK YOU to the beautiful music that Ferne had to offer, the delightful buffet that was prepared by our Famous Kitchen Krew, Joe, the bartender, Sally Madden, who paid little attention to me (JOHN) when I requested that Louisa?’s portion would consist of an additional (to love honor and obey). Thank you, Sally for all you had done. Then there was our Master of Ceremonies, Betty Chase. She did a fantabulous performance. Thanks to Ted Latreille and Betty singing THE LORD?’S PRAYER...Thanks to my Grandson Christopher?’s rendition of ?“I WILL BE HERE?”.
Yes, a big Thank You Mobel Americana, where everybody is your friend.


MERRY OLDE ENGLAND
Next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn?’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be.... Here are some facts about the 1500?’s:
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children - last of all the babies.
By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it - hence the saying: ?“Don?’t throw the baby out with the bath water.?”
Houses had thatched roofs - thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.
It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the dogs, cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained, it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof - hence the saying: ?“It?’s raining cats and dogs.?”
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That?’s how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, hence the saying: ?“dirt poor.?”
The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing.
As the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway - hence, a ?“threshold.?”
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while - hence the rhyme: ?“Peas porridge hot, peas?’ porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.?”
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man ?“could bring home the bacon.?” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and ?“chew the fat.?”
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with a high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning and death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Most people did not have pewter plates, but had trenchers, a piece of wood with the middle scooped out like a bowl. Often trenchers were made from stale bread that was so old and hard that they could be used for quite some time. Trenchers were never washed and a lot of times, worms and mold got into the wood and old bread. After eating off wormy, moldy trenchers, one would get ?“trench mouth.?”
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or ?“upper crust.?”
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock them out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up-hence the custom of holding a ?“wake.?”
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a ?“bone-house?” and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they thought they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the ?“graveyard shift?”) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be ?“saved by the bell,?” or was considered a ?“dead ringer.?”
And that?’s the truth...and whoever said that History was boring????


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 the original type, no photocopies please, in BLACK INK on full size 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Deadline for April for general articles, the 19th of March (at 5 pm), for last minute items, the 21st. Please note that the minimum font size is number eleven.

Monthly Bridge Lunch ?— It will be on March 19th. All Bridge players are welcome to come and enjoy some fellowship with their friends and neighbors. The Hostesses, Mary Jane Hill, Maretta Dimke, Elaine Laberge and Virginia Curtis, will be selling tickets for $5.00. Come have a nice lunch and enjoy the game, prizes will be given also.

Visiting Pastors for March
2nd ?— Rev. Phillip Germaine. Retired Presbyterian Pastor
9th ?— Bob Russo. Allendale United Methodist Church
16th ?— Rev. Curtis Hess. Retired Central Christian Church.
23rd- Rev. J. R. Carrell. North East Christian Church.
30th - Rev. Rick Thompson. Riviera Methodist Church.

Koffee Klatch by Shirley Wadsworth ?— One do-nut and coffee free, and seconds too for coffee. Every second Thursday of each month. Come out and enjoy meeting new people and the regulars, for a social hour.

Phone Use - Warning ?— If you get a call from someone who purports to be an A T & T (or any phone company) technician and he/she requests you to dial 90#, do not do so. This gives access to the caller to use your phone number for all their long distance calls. It is a scam, pure and simple.

Bank Scam ?— Along similar lines, never listen to or follow any phone instructions from people purporting to be bank examiners/inspectors. This is one of the oldest scams in existence and is out and out fraud. If you get a call like this, phone the police at once. If possible, get the phone number of the caller. You can get this by dialing *69 immediately after you hang up. There is a nominal charge by the phone company for using this service but it will certainly help if you can do this. It may not work, but it?’s worth a try. If you have any other questions call Barbara Magada and attend crime watch meetings.

From Annette Novotka ?— For women only - If anyone is interested in joining the Red Hat Society Club and/or finding out more details about this club please call me at 526-6100. If you watched the ?‘Price is Right?’ special on February 13th you would have noticed a group of them.

Thank you ?— From Rene and Jan Renaud ?— We want to thank each and everyone of you who attended Jan?’s birthday and our 60th wedding anniversary celebration and for all the cards we received. We were thrilled beyond expectations. Thanks again. Rene and Jan.

Thank you ?— Ken Bryant and his family wish to thank each of you for your cards and prayers in the passing of his wife Jane.

From Richard Norcross ?— Each week a group of us go down to the Pier for dancing on alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays. Admission is free so if you are interested in joining us give me a call. Additional information will be placed on the bulletin boards.

Forecaster Articles ?— I was under the impression that everyone knew that commercial messages of any type are not allowed in Forecaster articles. Any such advertising, even if referring to events or activities in this community, are considered as commercials. All such messages are to be directed to the publisher who will quote you a rate for the advertisement. The Forecaster is published FREE because advertisers pay for the privilege of appearing in our publication. So to those of you who have not understood this message previously please take note. In future any such articles will be returned to the author for correction, and will not be edited by myself. Thank you for your cooperation.

New Officers ?— The inside cover of the Forecaster will be up dated with the April issue, after all the new officers are known. So please don?’t call me to tell me it?’s not up to date.

Visitors ?— It?’s that time of year again when March break visitors start arriving. Please remind all of them, the younger ones particularly, that skateboarding, inline skates etc. are not allowed on our streets.

Boat Club ?— An inaugural meeting of those interested in forming a boat club will be held on March 11th at 1 pm in the Atrium.

Crime Watch ?— The Crime watch meeting will be held on the second Friday of March, the 14th as usual at 1:30 pm. Officer Bob Ortiz of the Attorney General?’s office will be in attendance to discuss scams against seniors.

Flower Arrangements ?— Ruth Healy goes to a great deal of time and trouble to prepare flower arrangements for our residents, or former residents, who are either permanently or temporarily confined to a hospital or nursing home, for delivery to them. These arrangements are left in the main hail near the side door entrance. Someone has been absconding with these special flower arrangements. This person, or persons, should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for such disgraceful conduct, yes, let?’s call it what it is ?— stealing. The only excuse possible for such behavior is a complete lack of common sense in perhaps not knowing whom the flowers are for. If you see something that is clearly not yours, do not touch it, let alone take it. Obviously it does not belong to you.

Birthdays and Anniversaries ?— please give this information to the Sunshine Lady as early as possible. By the time I open the Forecaster box it may be too late to be included in her report for the appropriate month.


THANK YOU FROM THE REIDS
To everyone who sent cards, called, thought about us or prayed, Pauline and Ray Macomber for arranging the memorial mass, Pat McCarthy for her reading, the shuffle club for the lovely flowers and all who attended mass. Thank you for your expressions of sympathy. Hilary was a loving daughter and will remain forever in our hearts.
Douglas & Ray Reid


ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE
Tom Priestley, Chairman
Our blood drive will be held on Saturday, March 8th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. So lets all turn out and thanks to everyone who participates in the drive.
Read on, a letter from a grateful parent.
Please tell everyone that blood donations are urgently needed! I am a regular blood donor, and while I personally do not mind needles, I have great admiration for those who are ?“needle phobic,?” yet continue to give regularly.
This year, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our oldest son?’s bone marrow transplant for aplastic anemia. Andrew was only 4 years old when it was diagnosed. He required twice-weekly platelet transfusions, as well as regular packed cell transfusions before and after his transplant. We are thrilled to report that Andrew sailed through the transplant from his little brother?’s marrow. However, without blood from countless volunteers, he would not be with us today.
To all that have never donated, please do. You will not regret it. To those of you who donate regularly, keep up the good work. You are truly God?’s angels on earth.


LINE DANCE UPDATE
Norine Fisher
My oh my! How time flies when you?’re having so much fun. I can?’t believe it, March already. We sure have been getting in step, waltzes, polkas, cha chas and the good old electric slide.
I sure hope that you folks were able to see the circus at the clubhouse. Some of the line dancers were in the show known as the Five Steppers.
My thanks to Gene Latreille, Jean Birtcher, Mary Lou Priestly and Cathy Thomas for a great performance. Until next time, let?’s keep dancing.


BOWLING LEAGUE
By Diane E. Turner
Our bowling league is growing in numbers and enthusiasm. We have quite a few visitors from the North join in our weekly game of bowling. We play ten pins and all enjoy the camaraderie that brings us all together Tuesday mornings at 0900 A.M. Our bowling banquet will be held at Kissin?’ Cuzzins Restaurant on March 26th, 2003. Please sign registration sheet for reservation. Come along and join us. Bring a friend. Many are doing so. For further information please call 521-4317.


CUE CLUB NEWS
By Brian Birch
It hardly seems possible it is the time of year again when we begin thinking about and planning our upcoming Cue Club tournaments. By the time you read this, both the Men?’s and Women?’s League will have wrapped up regular season play and the Singles and Doubles competitions will be starting. The SINGLES TOURNAMENT will begin first-the men will begin play on Monday March 3rd at 7 pm and will play again on Thursday evening the 6th if needed, to declare a winner. The women will begin their play on Wednesday March 5th at 7 pm and will also play until a winner is declared. Unlike the Doubles Tournament, anyone can enter the Singles competition, with the following stipulations: you MUST be a Cue Club member (dues are $3 yearly or $30 for a lifetime) and you MUST sign up to play by March 2nd The Singles Tournament is a double elimination process.
After the Singles competition is completed we will go right into the DOUBLES TOURNAMENT, and will continue play until winners in this category are declared as well. For the Men, play is on Monday and Thursday evenings, and for the Women, play is on Wednesday evenings. There is a $2 entrance fee for each tournament, due at the time you begin your competition. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the billiards room.
Please make sure to submit your name by March 2nd! BEST OF LUCK TO ALL

WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURNAMENTS!!!
Last month I had the opportunity to observe our pool tables as they were professionally covered and refurbished. It was an interesting process and the tables look great. Everyone is glad to have them looking like new for the tournaments. Come on in and take a look! And lastly, we will be celebrating the end of our season with our Annual Awards Banquet on March 2th?” at 5:30 pm. Tickets will be available at our monthly meeting on Monday March 3rd at 11 am, for $7 per person, or from Brian or Linda (522-0891). Entertainment will be provided by Lee Southard. (he played for New England Night last year) Guests are cordially invited to attend.

A REMINDER FOR CUE CLUB MEMBERS: Nominations for 2003-2004 officers will be entertained at our meeting on March 3rd. It?’s important all members try to make this meeting and participate in this important process.


EXERCISE
Your life depends on it!
Sharon S. Miller
Dieting ads include, perhaps in too small print, ?“and with exercise.?” Help conquer bone loss with weight bearing exercise. Take care of one?’s heart by exercising aerobically.
Translated this means increasing one?’s more efficient use of oxygen by running, walking, or just plain moving. Aging well includes ?“and exercise.?” Use it or loose it is not a myth. I should add ?“regularly?” to all of these!
If convenience is wanted, we have it right here. A highly qualified fitness instructor leads a well-balanced exercise class on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 8:15 AM in the Atrium in warm-ups, aerobics, weight use, strengthening, and cool down exercises, leaving the class applauding their efforts at the end. All ages (51-101) are encouraged to participate AND at their own pace. No monthly money commitment is required.
Any questions, please call me at 527-8150.


FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
By Nora Adell Andrews
?“Books are keys to wisdom?’s treasure;
Books are gates to lands of pleasure.?”
Emilie Poulsson
Our candy sale has been going well! Thank you for participating! During our candy sales it was noted that materials used to mark our books had been removed from the library. Since our candy profits need to be stretched to fit our needs for the year, we were disheartened realizing that the materials had to be replaced as soon as possible, a cost we did not anticipate! However, a kind ?‘patron?’ of our library community donated a sum to help eradicate our loss. Thank you!!!

We now have available all of the ?‘Big Stone Gap?’ series by Adrian Trigiana. These books are about a small community in Virginia.
Many of our library group have read them and have recommended the series.
Our library members are in the process of choosing books for our discussions beginning in November and running until April 2004. We like to include fiction and non-fiction, such as biography, history, and inner conflicts of the central character.
Our book in February was Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur S. Golden. Rita Varney and Joan Belanger gave us some pertinent information about the author, and their interpretation of the book. The story is about a young girl who at a very young age was taken away from her family and made into a geisha.
The book for March is West With the Night by Beryl Markham, and Susie Doyle will lead the discussion. The meeting will be on March 6, at 1:00 p.m. in the library section of the clubhouse. Come join us. For more information, please call Rita Lewis at 527-0693.


GARDEN CLUB NEWS
By Jerry Regan
You?’re going to love what the Garden Club has planned for this month! The speaker we had planned for the March 11th meeting cannot make it due to some surgery she had, but happily, she recommended a lady by the name of Freda Ward. Ms. Ward, she said, was the best speaker they ever had at their Horticulture Garden Club. It seems that when Ms. Ward retired, she searched around for something to occupy her time and started jotting down funny things that were happening. Since then, she has written books with such tempting titles as, ?“Serving Gravy With a Slotted Spoon,?” ?“Can You Tell Me Where I?’m Going??” ?“It?’s 10:00, Do You Know Where Your Keys Are??” We looking forward to having a very entertaining and fun time.

If that?’s not enough to whet your appetite to come join our group, we have a super fantastic trip planned for March 25th, but, you?’ll have to come to our March 11th meeting to find out what it is.

The subject for our meeting on February 11th was ?“Butterflies and Butterfly Gardening.?” Ms. Cindy Peacock, of the Pinellas County Extension Service, conducted a very interesting lecture on the stages in the life of a butterfly, and recommended the flowers and plants that attract butterflies. She invited us to come again to the Extension Service.

Gardens to learn more about the horticulture and wildlife of Pinellas County. We are looking into a repeat trip to the Gardens for next year.
Our bus trip on February 25th took us to the Lakeridge Winery where we learned about how the grapes were grown and then made into wine. We then went to the Mission Inn Resort for lunch and a boat ride on Lake Harris. We had a marvelous time as usual.
We?’ll see you all at the March 11th meeting of the Garden Club.


CRAFTER?’S CLUB
By Annette Solomon
Dear Crafters and Friends of the Crafters,
Have you visited our Crafters Corner? Our Craft Corner is an exciting spot to visit before and after each and every luncheon, 3 times a month. We are located in the library area of the clubhouse. We display different articles every Wednesday. Come see us soon! We thank you for your generous support!

FREE classes in basic crochet, knitting, counted cross-stitch, plastic work, etc. are given free at every Monday gathering from 6 to 9 p.m. If you wish to learn any basic technique, please notify Annette. Many teachers are available. Have you seen Phyllis Conlisk teaching us how to crochet the scrubbies? Thanks Phyllis!
Please check the Bulletin board in the clubhouse for up-dated information regarding monthly breakfasts or luncheons. Also, exciting guest speakers are scheduled for March and April.
At the monthly business meeting on Monday, March 3rd, the Nominating Committee, headed by Isobel Colby and Phyllis Conlisk, will present a slate of nominees and elections will be held.
If you don?’t need lessons and are working on a project, bring it along and join us for fellowship. We are very friendly! Try us! You will like us!
See you soon!


SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB NEWS
By Jo Waldron
First of all, a change in plans, THERE WILL BE A PANCAKE BREAKFAST THIS MONTH! Mark your calendar for March 8th ~ Serving from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all you can eat delicious pancakes, with sausage, orange juice and coffee. Be sure to get a 50/50 ticket, John Bassett won $88.50 in the February drawing. Congratulations John.
The league standings in mid-February are:
Blue Sky: 3rd place, just 2 games out of 2nd
Friendship 1: still near the middle.
Friendship 2: 1st place
Nova: Learning a lot and having a good time.

MARCH TOURNAMENTS
Red & Black will be held March 3rd, be there at 8 a.m. to sign up.
Blue Sky Tournament at Mirror Lake March 6th & 7th
Friendship Doubles at Regency Cove March 10th, 11th & 12th
Friendship Singles here on March 17th, 18th & 19th
The Nova League tournament was held here February 27th & 28th, too late for this Forecaster, I?’ll let you know how they made out next month.

WINNERS IN THE PARK DOUBLES

MAIN EVENT
1st Place: Lillian Harris & Shirley Penrod
2nd Place: Phyllis Conlisk & Ed McGrath
3rd Place: Cleve Ballentine & Carol Slade
4th Place: Eva Pratt & Willy Williams
CONSOLATION
1st Place: Lorraine Boshek & Sil Oliveira
2nd Place: Norma Lafleur & Nick Misciagna
3 Place: Gene Latreille & Maria Pereira
4th Place: John Foley & Laurie Mello

WINNERS IN THE PARK SINGLES

MAIN EVENT
1st Place: Sil Oliveira
2nd Place: Don Willett
3rd Place: Jo Waldron
4th Place: Doreen McGrath

CONSOLATION
1st Place: Ed McGrath
2nd Place: Nick Misciagna
3rd Place: Roger Laberge
4th Place: Roger Beauchamp
At their February meeting the club members thanked Ellie Oliveira and Tom Solomon, who did an outstanding job in their first attempt as tournament directors.
Tom Solomon is investigating the possibility of adding a new league to our Park. It?’s called the ?“Jubilee?” and is an ?“A?” league, which even allows pros to play. If all goes according to plan, they will play on Wednesdays, beginning in November.
John Mello presented an extensive list of dinner choices for our trophy banquet, which will be held on Saturday, March 22nd. The charge is $7, cocktails are at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Trophy presentation immediately following. Hope to see you all there.
Happy Shuffling


POTPOURRI?—from the Editor?’s desk (additional contributions from Gerri Bassett, Lucy LaBerge) Thought ?— Many problems can be resolved by to talking to just one person. The one who faces you in the bathroom mirror each morning.
Wise Sayings ?— The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.
Words to Live By ?— Junk is something you?’ve kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it. (or have just given it to the White Elephant Sale)
Things to think About ?— You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive.
Truths ?— Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
For your amusement ?— As a senior citizen was driving down the highway his car phone rang. Answering he heard his wife urgently warning him, ?“Herman, there?’s a car going the wrong way on the Interstate. Please be careful.?” ?“It?’s not just one car?”, said Herman, ?“there?’s hundreds of them?”.
A little old lady said to a friend of mine while standing in line one day that all she wanted in life was four animals. ?“Oh?”, said the friend, ?“what kind of animals??” To which she replied, ?“a mink on my back, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in bed, and a jackass to pay for all of it?”.
For the ladies:
Q. What should you do if you see your ex husband rolling around in pain on the ground?
A. Shoot him again.
Q. How many men does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A. One.. He just holds it there and waits for the world to revolve around him (I wouldn?’t dare print the alternative answer).
Q. What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath?
A. You didn?’t hold the pillow down long enough.
Q. How do you keep your husband from reading your emails?
A. By renaming the mail folder ?‘instruction manuals?’.
Q. What do you call a handcuffed man?
A. Trustworthy.
Submitted by Helen Smith ?— A rather fussy housewife (are there any other kind?) returned home to find her husband in the living room with the fly swatter in hand. ?“What are you doing,?” she screamed at him? Why I?’m trying to catch the three male flies and the two female flies?” he replied. ?“You?’re crazy,?” she said. ?“You can?’t tell the sex of flies?”. ?“Oh yes I can,?” he responded. ?“The three males are on the beer bottles and the two females are fighting over the phone?”.
From the Editor ?—According to the manager?’s article in the February Forecaster there was to be no work done at or near the planters that individual homeowners might have, only around the trees or signage. So why have lines been cut in the grass near planters and spraying done to kill the grass, similar to the rings around the trees? Is this now park policy, and if so, when and where was it announced? Or has the new landscaper simply goofed? Many homeowners look after their planters and surrounding area themselves, so some notification of a landscaping policy change should have been given, if this is the case.


ETERNAL TRUTHS
submitted by Ronald Gunderman
1. Once over the hill, you pick up speed.
2. I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I
even put it in the food.
3. If it weren?’t for STRESS I?’d have no
energy at all.
4. Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly
distributed.
5. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some
just don?’t have film.
6. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.
7. If the shoe fits buy it in every color.
8. If you?’re too open minded, your brains
will fall out.
9. Going to church doesn?’t make you a
Christian any more than standing in a
garage makes you a car.
10. If you look like your passport picture,
you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice
the speed of checks.
12. Some days are a total waste of makeup.
13. Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth.
Deal with it.
14. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
15. Middle age is when broadness of the mind
and narrowness of the waist change places.
16. Opportunities always look bigger going
than coming.
17. Experience is a wonderful thing. It
enables you to recognize a mistake when
you make it again.
18. By the time you can make ends meet, they
move the ends.
19. Learn from the mistakes of others. You
can?’t live long enough to make them all
yourself!


DUPLICATE BRIDGE
Gerri Bassett & Shirley Beauchamp
Directors

Sunday February 2
Mitchell Movement
North & South
1. Bev Hamel & Joan Dell?’Angelo
2. Milene & Al Wingrove
3. Claire Bator & Anne Kocher
East & West
1. Jo Waldron & Linda Cook
2. Daphne & Dick Gunton
3. Agnes & Jerry Howland

Sunday February 9
North & South
1. Esther Louzon & Joan Dell?’ Angelo
2. Daphne & Dick Gunton
3. Lucy & Roger LaBerge
East & West
1. Doris Gibson & John Bassett
2. Jerry & Agnes Howland
3. Jo Waldron & Linda Cook

Sunday February 16
North & South
1. Esther Louzon & Shirley Beauchamp Claire Bator & Anne Kocher
2. Helen & Walter Smith

East & West
1. Mary Jane Hill & Doris Gibson
2. Daphne & Dick Gunton

3. Agnes & Jerry Howland
Happy St. Patrick?’s Day To Everyone!


YOU KNOW YOU?’RE LIVING IN THE YEAR 2003 WHEN:
Submitted by Lucy Laberge
1. Your reason for not staying in touch with family is because they do not have an e-mail address.
2. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
3. Your grandmother asks you to send her a JPEG file of your newborn so she can create a screen saver.
4. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.
5. Every commercial on television has a web site address at the bottom of the screen.
6. You buy a computer and 3 months later it is out of date and now sells for half the price you paid.
7. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn?’t have the first 20 or 30 years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go get it.
8. Using real money, instead of credit or debit, to make a purchase would be a hassle and take planning.
9. You just tried to enter your password on the microwave.
10. You consider second-day air delivery painfully slow.
11. Your dining room table is now your flat filing cabinet.
12. Your idea of being organized is multiple-colored Post-it notes.
13. You hear most of your jokes via e-mail instead of in person.
14. You get an extra phone line so you can get phone calls.
15. You disconnect from the Internet and get this awful feeling, as if you just pulled the plug on a loved one.
16. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
17. You wake up at 2 AM to go to the bathroom and check your E-mail on your way back to bed.
18. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.


Editorial
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
by John Bassett
There are a few things I believe the shareholders should consider with respect to the operations of MAROA.
First, there are five members in the present executive and one of the problems that this creates is that when the executive meets it constitutes a quorum of the Board and a quorum requires a Board meeting. This in turn necessitates a 48-hour notice to the shareholders of the meeting. The work of managing the community would be simplified if the Executive was reduced to three or four as allowed by the bylaws. Then we would be in accordance with the Sunshine Laws. On the other hand business matters would not be revealed to the membership at large until a Board meeting was held. So I guess it depends on what is considered more practical by the membership.
Second, the Board has over the last two years selected a new manager and a new attorney.
My query with respect to the attorney, is why from Sarasota? In my experience loyalty resides first with the home area and if there is any time left over it goes to the rest. I do not question the competency of the attorney, but are we getting the priority service we expect? Are we that short of competent attorneys in St. Petersburg?
Third, as we have replaced all the original professional staff except the auditor/accountant, has anybody reviewed his performance? I note the contract is renewed every year although my understanding is that all contracts over $5000.00 are to go out for bids. One question is, why has this contract not been put out for bids?
And finally I want to thank the members of the board who were responsible for the installation of automatic doors to the hall. This shows that we have come of age and that all residents are being treated as equally as is feasibly possible.
In closing I simply want to repeat that the Board cannot do it alone. They need the input and support of every shareholder ?— and lessee/renter too ?— to manage this community effectively. They are volunteers just like everyone who runs or helps to run the social activities, and they need as much help and input as is given to the social organizations. Let?’s give them our help. Attend Board and Town Hall meetings. This will aid our hardworking Board members.


READER SURVEY
John Bassett
It would be of interest to me to know which features in the Forecaster are of most interest to you, the residents. So I would appreciate it if you would give me your written comments and place them in the Forecaster box just inside the Atrium doors up until March 10th, 2003.
I will need your name, but if you wish to remain anonymous just put your comments in an envelope and have the envelope signed by another resident. In this way I will be assured that I am getting legitimate comments. Just state what you like and don?’t like.
One area that interests me is whether or not you wish me and the columnist to continue with our comments on how the community is managed and operated. Judging by the many comments I have received on my article in the last edition I seem to have hit a nerve amongst many of you. Naturally it would be much better if you made these comments directly to the Board at either a Board meeting or a Town hall meeting, but I can understand the reluctance of some to appear overly critical.
The last thing I intend to do is second-guess Board decisions because they have a difficult enough time as it is. However there may be some issues that some of you might think are isolated and by bringing them to light might help the Board in its policy and decision making. One example is the look of the park entrance. So let me have your likes and dislikes please.


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 late Monday evening for very early Tuesday pick-up, or take to one of the Oldtimers aluminum collection 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 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.

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.
Bertram Zanaglio, MAROA Board member.

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. Additionally traffic through the kitchen area creates sanitary problems, which is unnecessary given that ice is readily available at the laundry. Betty Chase ?—Kitchen Manager