Americana Cove

Is that a Snowbird returning?

Aug 31, 2004

A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE, SEPTEMBER, 2004
Our Heavenly Father, creator and master of the universe, we come to Thee today, grateful for Your mercies and Your watch care. We are grateful that Hurricane Charley did not hit directly into the Tampa Bay area as predicted by the experts and we are grateful that damages and loss of life were not greater than it was in the storm's path through our state.
We pray especially for those of the ten thousand households which were destroyed, and the more than twenty families who lost loved ones in death. We are grateful that losses were not greater, even though we know that some lost everything. Be near all in their recovery.
LORD, we are reminded of the truth of the words of the hymn writer today: "He plants His feet upon the waves and rides on every storm." Certainly Your hands were also at the steering wheel of this storm, or damages and loss of life would have been of Biblical proportions if the experts had been correct.
We stand in awe of You and say, as another hymn writer declared: "HOW GREATTHOU ART." Amen.
J. Rex Eaton, Jr.
Chaplain, MAA


FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
submitted by Bill Stanford

Our maintenance crew and park manager did a remarkable job in getting our park ready for Hurricane Charlie. They worked hard to remove all unsecured articles and prepare our structures for the storm. We are thankful that it wasn?’t our turn and I am sure that is one experience we would all prefer to miss. Our prayers and compassion go out to those not so fortunate who were in the path of the storm. Our evacuation was done in an orderly manner. It has been reported that the shelters were well run and adequate, with hot meals and space to make your own bed, though on the floor. More storms are on the way and we all hope that Tampa Bay and Americana Cove will continue to be spared.

Progress is being made. The repair of our streets has begun. Over the next weeks as individual areas are worked on you will be informed of the areas involved. Barricades will be in place. Please do not cross them. Every effort will be made to minimize the disruption of your travel and parking but please cooperate. Our manager Dawn Simmons is in charge of coordinating the work with the paving company and will notify residents as needed.

A new board policy concerning placement of new and replacement homes has been developed by your architecture review committee. The board has approved this policy with an accompanying form. It is a formal outline of procedure and has been signed by Bill Hart and Bill Stanford for the Cove, and Nick Ferraro for his company. Strict adherence to this policy should make the placement of homes move more smoothly in the future. Sales of new homes have been outstanding with 8 new homes on vacant lots and 2 new homes as replacement homes so far this year. Six new shares have been sold bringing our shareholder total to 455. A review of unusable lots or spaces has been completed, and at the Bank of America?’s suggestion the shares attached to these lots will be retired. Our attorney and CPA are examining this action so that future inventory of unsold shares will be accurate. Nine shares are to be retired making our total shares 749. This will then match the tax assessor?’s roles. Most of these lots had been removed at the tax office but not at the Bank.

The efforts of a self directed committee, chaired by John Layner, for the establishment of an improved Veterans Memorial has been welcomed by the Board. The action of this group is to be commended. They recognized a need and decided to do something about it. With the approval of the Board a new monument will replace the old placard. Money for the approximately $1500 cost will be raised privately and a good collection start was made at the Board meeting of August 11th. If the collection falls short the Board guaranteed to make up the shortfall. It is hoped to have the new monument in place for dedication on Veterans Day, November 11th. Please join in honoring our many veterans in this memorial.

Did you know that there is a $500 reward for bringing a new resident into the community? This FINDERS FEE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS is payable to any shareholder or resident who recommends a NEW RESIDENT THAT COMPLETES A DEAL FOR A NEW HOME. It is paid by the community. The new resident also gets a reward of $100 per month in the form of 12 coupons for $100 each, to be used to pay their lot rent or co-op fee over a period of one year. Come on guys and gals, earn some extra money! Bring your friends, neighbors from up north or even strangers. We want to pay out this money!!! Direct your questions and suggested new residents to our office. Manager Dawn, or Assistant Barbara will be glad to explain.


HURRICANE: from the Office

THANK GOD, it did not come this way. I hope this will be a lesson to us all. YOU NEED A PLAN ---Establish it now. Please make sure your home is insured and you take all vital paperwork with you when you evacuate.

We have been told many people did not evacuate. How Foolish. You can?’t wait until the last minute to leave. People leaving early Friday morning had to go to Georgia to get a room. Many residents called the Business Office on Friday asking what zone we are in (Mobile Homes, evacuation Zone ?“A?”) and where the shelters are.

Please be assured we do not mind giving out that information but it was repeated and repeated on all the TV Channels.
(Ed?’s Note: It was also in the daily newspapers prior to the storm. You should keep up to date with the news, and not use the office for easily available information from other sources. And think about this, why would you think the office was open on Friday, when everyone had been told to evacuate by 6.00pm Thursday evening?)

Residents who did evacuate to Northeast High and Meadowland Middle School said it was quite a nice experience.

Follow the Girl Scout motto ?“Be Prepared?”.


FROM THE TREASURER?’S DESK:
Hubert Dorsett

First off, I need to correct my article from the last Forecaster. In the final print stage a few words were accidentally dropped which made the article not completely understandable. The correct wording for the bottom of page 6 and top of page 7 should have read as follows:
"The fourth assumption was that a modest amount of the Co-op notes would be paid off yearly, also reducing debt service.

With these goals and assumptions in place, and the decision to place approximately $950,000 in the reserve fund (invested and growing by about 5% per year) in a "locked account" category,..." Please add those words to your copy so that it is complete.

With that out of the way, I will now recap for those who weren't able to attend the last board meeting, the Treasurer's Report for 11 August 2004. Our revenues to date are $1,436,328, which is approximately 2% less than we budgeted for but well within limits and no cause for concern. Our operational expenses to date are $750,914, which is approximately 3% less than we had budgeted to spend, and this trend is expected to continue, barring any surprises (and thank heavens, the Charley surprise didn't hit us!). Our interest expense to date is $411,965, again approximately 3% less than we had budgeted for, meaning our interest expense is less and this will continue as well. The reason for the reduction is due to our having paid down the mortgage by over 1/2 million dollars since 1 Jan 2004.
Our current mortgage balance is $10,679,605, down from the $11,274,297 at the beginning of the year. We currently have, in the Replacement/Reserve Account, $775,000 invested in CDs at the bank and $255,000 (approx) cash. We currently have, in the Operations Account, $188,000 cash.(approx) We have one major contract signed which will come from the Reserve Account and that is the contract for repaving and resealing the roadways on the south side of the community (including the quad aprons), putting in nine (9) new storm drains as well as repaving (as necessary) and resealing the clubhouse/atrium parking lot. The contract is for approximately $175,000 and work should have commenced by the time you read this. The remainder of the community roadway work will be accomplished in two more phases, one in 2005 and the remainder in 2006 (as you will see later in the planned Capital Budget report). We began 2004 with 449 shareholders and 218 renters. We now have 455 shareholders and 214 renters for a net change of "plus" 6 shareholders and "loss" of 4 renters (two of whom have become shareholders). In 2003 and so far in 2004, we have had 33 co-op notes paid in full, leaving us with 97 co-op notes still in force.

Also at the 11 Aug 2004 Board meeting, I was happy to inform the Board that Bank of America had agreed to release MAROA from the requirement of keeping the $275,000 CD in their bank, providing that the Board would sign an amendment to the mortgage which states that, should our Replacement/Reserve Account be drawn down below $500,000, we would begin again to replenish that fund back up to at least the $500,000 level. This freeing up of that capital ($275,000) will allow us to invest it in, we hope, more profitable ways than the one-year CDs that we have been used to.

The new FY2005 Budget that we (the Park Manager, our accountant and myself) have developed and which is still in fine-tuning stage shows our revenues to be approximately $2,537,676 with no increase in shareholder's monthly assessments and only a 2.2% increase in renter's fees. Our expenses, including our mortgage and interest, are coming in around the $2,244,445 range, which leaves us approximately $293,233 to provide to our Capital Budget account - the account which will allow us to improve the community's infrastructure items.

So what does that Capital Budget account look like for FY2005 and preliminarily for FY2006? Remember, this Capital Budget is still a part of the Replacement/Reserve Account and is only separated into a separate Budget item in order to consciously plan for the expenditure of funds on repair, maintenance and even replacement of infrastructure items. It is a flexible way to get those things accomplished. For example, if one line item comes in as being higher than expected, the Board can easily cut back on one of the other line items or even defer one of the other line items to the next year's Capital Budget, in order to fund the line item that came in over budget. The Board will prioritize these Capital Budget items and you, the shareholders will be the ones to approve them through your vote on the new FY2005 Budget in November, 2004. These numbers in the Capital Budget are not "cast in stone" but are rather, budgetary planning numbers. We think they are correct, or at least in the "ball park" but surprises can and do happen. (Note: The Capital Budget items I am listing below are not in order of importance and they have not been approved nor prioritized by the Board so they can change between now and the Budget meeting. It is provided here in order that you, the shareholders, can see the planning that is going on in developing your budget for the new year.).

FY2005 Capital Budget:
1. Shuffleboard Court (curtains) $3,500
(our portion; the shuffler's pay the
rest)
2. Pool Repair/Upkeep $4,000
3. Fences
$52,360 (2nd phase, replacement 1st
St NE)
4. Vacant Lot Cleanup $3,000
5. Sewer/Water Line Repair
$15,000 (same amt. to be allocated
each yr)
6. Road/Storm Drain Repairs $135,000
(2nd phase, NW area of community)
7. Electric Pedestals $16,440
(replace 10 pedestals per year)
8. New Boat Slips (6) $17,500
(we must complete by 11/05 per
permit)
9. Maint. Vehicles/Trailer $10,000
(need new hydraulic lift trailer)
10. Landscaping/Misc. $5,000
11. Software Maint/Update $500
12. Emergency Projects $30,933
(this funds cost overruns or
emergencies)
Total FY2005 $293,233

For illustrative purpose, the planned FY2006 Capital Budget (very preliminary):
1. Wells/Irrigation System $ 20,000
2. HVAC Clubhouse $10,000
(repair AC in clubhouse/atrium)
3. Painting of Clubhouse/Atrium
$ 12,000
(planned maintenance)
4. Road/Storm Drain Repairs $100,000
(3rd phase -remainder of park)
5. Sewer/Water Line Repairs $ 15,000
(same as last year)
6. Vacant Lot Cleanup $3,000
(same as last year)
7. Landscape/Misc. $5,000
(same as last year)
8. Electric Pedestals $16,440
(same as last year)
9. Fences $52,000
(3rd phase - north end of park)
10. Pool Repairs $4,000
(same as last year)
11. Fire Hydrant relocation $5,820
(anticipated)
12. Software Maint./Update $500
(same as last year)
13. Maint/Laundry Facilities $10,000
(replace machines)
14. Whirlpool/Spa (NEW) $23,000
(Heated Jacuzzi at the pool)
15. Emergency Projects $46,673
(this funds cost overruns or
emergencies)
Total $323,433

Again, the preliminary FY2006 Budget projections do not raise shareholder's assessments and assumes a modest 3% in Rental fees. It also has a built in 3% increase in most budgetary items (except 10% for insurance and 5% for taxes). It is also based on the premise that we will sell 10 new shares during the year (of which 2 will be renters buying a share) and a modest payoff of more co-op notes.

Reiterating once again, the reason for developing this budget model and the Capital Budget:
A. To make much needed capital improvements in the park - other than the seawall replacement, there really hadn't been a concerted effort to make the needed repairs/renovations and improvements.
B. To cap the Reserve/Replacement Fund in a "locked position" and keep those funds invested earning solid revenues and growing in value.
C. Provide the flexibility to prioritize and then shift priorities in the repair, replacement and improvement of the infrastructure of the park within the parameters approved by the shareholders. Shareholder approval is obtained once each year with the approval of that year's budget.


MANAGER'S REPORT
Dawn Simmons

NOTIFY GATE HOUSE:
Due to some recent problems at the pool and clubhouse it has become necessary to implement a couple of safety issues.
We have unsupervised children using the facilities, including the swimming pool, the exercise room and the billiard room. If you see any of these situations occurring and it is during business hours, please call the office at 526-9141. If it is after 4:00 pm weekdays or occurs on the weekend you need to call the gatehouse at 527-3329. They will be glad to investigate the problem, take names and address and report it.
However, if you as a resident observe any of these incidents and are aware of whom these children are visiting, please write it up in report form and turn it into the business office.
(Ed. Note: I received a note from a resident who stated that many people are still using the swimming pool, without first taking a shower. Residents should know the rules, so one assumes it is visitors or guests, particularly young people, who are either not being made familiar with the rules for using the pool, or are ignoring them. I don?’t know why, because the rules are posted at the pool. I would not be surprised if this ignorant behavior continues, to see the Board slap on additional restrictions on the use of the pool. So to those of you who have guests, inform them, and to those who simply ignore common sense hygiene, please start to use common sense and follow the pool usage rules.)

BOAT SLIP LEASE:
In the Lease Agreement, which all our slip renters have signed, it states, the office should have a key to the vessel. Many have questioned the need for that. Emergency reasons ?– storm and fire are the main ones. They would be kept in your resident file, which is in a locked fireproof file cabinet.

Recently added to the lease, is that the vessel must have a current license. Storage containers are not permitted on the walkway. No fuel containers either full or empty are permitted. Hook or hangers are not permitted on the slip or walkway.

EXERCISE ROOM:
Only residents are permitted to use the exercise room. That rule eliminates children.

TRASH COMPACTOR:
Only raw garbage and broken down cardboard is permitted in the trash compactor. Cardboard is not permitted in the open container as it takes up too much room.
Contractors are not permitted to use either the compactor or the open container.

OTHER NEWS:
The fence along Woodrow Wilson has been completed. One hundred and eighty six oleander and sod have been planted. The maintenance men tore down the old fence and did all planting, saving the Association approx. $7000. We thank them for that.
The compound fence at the RV Storage has been partially installed. The roll gate and fence in front of the dumpster is done. We are waiting for a portion in front of the RV?’s to be black topped before installing the remaining portions.


COVE CORNER
By Ken Hopkins

WE DODGED A BULLET! ?– Wow, that was scary. I know Hurricane Charley must have been terribly scary for those of you who summer in the Cove and had to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Charley but, believe me, it was equally scary for those of us ?“sunbirds?” who had to sit glued to our TV wondering if our homes would survive the storm and helpless to do anything but check our last insurance payment. Thanks to Conrad Weiser for keeping us informed through the listbot. I feel awful for the poor people in Punta Gorda who lost their lives and I feel guilty that I willed the storm to go anywhere but to my house. If only those poor people in Punta Gorda who chose to ride out the storm and paid with their lives had wisely listened to the authorities and moved to safer ground. A lesson for all of us I hope. Rumor has it that about 100 people chose not to follow the mandatory evacuation and stayed in the Cove during Charley. If the path of the storm had taken a different track, we would now be mourning the loss of some of our friends and neighbors. The mobile home park in Punta Gorda that was hit by Charley suffered 100% damage. Every home was destroyed and 16 died. If you would like to prepare for the next event, no charge copies of ?“Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness?” is available through the FEMA Publications warehouse (1.800.480.2520).

FEE FOR SERVICE ?– Here?’s a subject which has come up often and seems to still need some resolution. The MAROA bylaws prohibit business activity in the park. Makes perfect sense. We wouldn?’t want someone repairing cars on their front lawn or selling hot dogs off their back porch. However, there does exist some level of ?“fee for service?” activity in the park. We have people who provide extra landscape services to their grateful or absent clients. We have people who provide beauty care services to shut-ins who would otherwise have no ability to get out and have these same services performed outside the Covian walls. We have people, some residents, some not, who conduct a variety of classes and charge a small fee to the attendees of those classes. Does that constitute business activity? I don?’t know. But I do have some concerns. My instincts are that as a community, we should all share what knowledge and skills we have, willingly with our fellow residents. That's why we all chose to live in a community. I think it was right for me to teach a Spanish class without charge just the same as Annette Solomon conducts the weekly Craft group without charge, Russ Steele and Conrad Weiser conduct the computer group without charge, and Mike Regan and Pete Lambert conduct the Par Seekers without charge. Heaven help us if Betty Chase decided she wanted to get paid for her cooking skills. I think it is a dangerous and a bad precedent to encourage ?“fee for service,?” especially, when our common facilities (clubhouse, swimming pool, etc.) are being used to help provide the fee. If the community decides a bunch of residents would like to learn Russian and they go outside the walls to hire a tutor, clearly that serves the needs of the community and does not break our rules. However, what about when one of our own residents sets him/her self up as instructor, then decides to use the Atrium three days a week for class. How about that? I have posed these questions to the Board and hope to see the Rules Review committee tackle this issue as well. Hope this will get you to thinking about what we want as a community and what the best answer is.

SEEPAGE ?– I once again find myself working for FEMA and fighting the forces of evil (that?’s the insurance industry to you). I am in Detroit, Michigan as I write this. In May, the Detroit area suffered severe storms. I am now working with applicants who have suffered from water in their basement. Now, let me ask you a question. If there?’s a big storm and water comes into your basement is that flooding? Well, if you have homeowner?’s insurance, they say ?“yes,?” that?’s flooding and your homeowner?’s insurance doesn?’t cover flooding. So you come to your flood insurance company and they say ?“no,?” that?’s not flooding. It?’s SEEPAGE, defined as water that seeps through your floors and walls and your flood insurance doesn?’t cover seepage. So you come to FEMA. You see where I?’m going with this. I even had one guy from FEMA advise me that if I ever suffered water damage from a storm, that I break a window before the insurance adjuster came and then I could at least claim that the water came in through the broken window and that IS covered by homeowner?’s insurance. Did you know you can buy a rider on your homeowner?’s policy that does cover seepage? Same for your flood insurance although flood insurance probably will pay, even on seepage, if there is a flood in the area and the flood is deemed to be the cause of the seepage. If I haven?’t scared you enough, let me mention that typically both homeowners and flood policies will deny a claim that results from sewer backup. That?’s right, if the water in your house comes from outside, there?’s a chance you?’re covered one way or another. If it comes up through your toilet, you are probably not. Better check your policies. I know I will.

MORE INSURANCE ?– If I haven?’t scared you enough, let me try this story on you. One of my FEMA colleagues was in California last year when they had the wild fires out there. She said insurance companies would call homeowners in the affected area, sometimes while the flames were literally racing up the hill toward their house, and CANCEL THEIR POLICY. What do you think? Should we categorize them with car salesmen and telemarketers?


WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS
by Frances McVay

BRESKO, George & Linda (MI)
7104 Mt. Deleon Road 522-1714
Previously Goldsworthy
Moved from 107 Americana Court


SUNSHINE REPORT--September - 2004
By Gerri Bassett

Deaths
Barbara Taylor
Irene Wilmarth
Sandy (Ellen) Ripley
Dottie Kircher (Former Resident)

Nursing Homes
Bob Ortel Carrington Place
Mitzi Delzell Shore Acres
Kay Brownsey Integrated Health Service
Dorothy Goldsworthy Fountains of Boca Ciego Bay
Doris Bolesta Freedom Inn at Bay Pines
Cameron Shults The Abbey

Hospitals
None known at time of going to press

September Birthdays
03 Paul Beauregard
Betty Chase
04 Gary Costanzo
05 Bill Logan
10 Nora Clifford
13 Judy Moran
14 Gloria Smolick
16 Ken Bryant
Harriet Haring
17 Cathe Golf
21 John Bassett
23 Bill Gilfillan
Frank Geiger
25 Lillian Garrett
Midge Bull
26 Adele Seaman
27 Ron Undieme
28 Bridget Gricus
30 Albert Dion

September Anniversaries
04 Donna & Jim Turner 21 years
05 Claire & Ed Mosakowski 49 years
Marj & Bill Logan 23 years
13 Marie & Gary Costanzo 13 years
15 Lillian & Roger LaRochelle 59 years
17 Joan & Frank Geiger 49 years
21 Doris & Leo Laberge 64 years
Lois & Dave Vogle 02 years
25 Doris & Philip Tarpley 59 years
26 Sally & Reg Corliss 51 years

Would you like your Birthday or Anniversary in the Forecaster? Let me know, Gerri Bassett 525-6806 or E-mail me at Lyonsbassett @ Juno.com. Thank You!

In Memory of Sandy Ripley
Dear Sandy, may you forever bask in the light of God's glory. And won't
you please put in a good word for me? I, as will many others, will miss your
presence here. And we know how much you loved being at the Cove.
With love, your friend. Joan Mitchell.


MAA NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER
Ken Hopkins, President

Before anything, I would like to offer a prayer of thanks for the almost miraculous survival of our community in the face of Hurricane Charley as well as a prayer for those who lost so much in Punta Gorda. (and throughout central Florida) There but for the grace of God go I. As concerned citizens of Florida, the MAA has agreed to donate $400.00 to the relief effort. I?’m sure all residents of Americana Cove will agree with this decision.

MAA activity will be starting up in September as the summer draws to a close. Like many of our residents, I will not be able to return to the Cove yet but our able Vice- President; Joan Mitchell will be there. I encourage any representative of our organized groups to attend the first lunch meeting on September 1st. There are many issues that MAA will be working on during the coming season. Here are some you might want to start considering. Should we change our name from MAA to ACA to reflect the new name of our community? Our by-laws are in poor shape. We need to clean them up and possibly re-write some of them. How do we feel about ?“fee for service??” See my comments in this month?’s Cove Corner. Clearly an issue for the Board but one in which MAA can provide some guidance. How about allowing private use of our facilities? Some busy times ahead.

A reminder to all official clubs who are part of MAA. The MAA by-laws require you to submit your annual financial statement to the executive committee by November. This would be a good time to start working on your financial statement so that your club can meet this requirement.

See you in October?….


LABOR DAY LUAU
by Betty Chase
On Monday September 6th at 4.30pm we lick off the new season with a luau. To begin the luau we have ?“MAITAIS?” and ?“MIMOSAS?” and a snack table. At 5.30pm; dinner of Island Ham and Hawaiian Chicken Breast with sides and dessert. All this is followed at 6.30pm by the Florida Beach Girls?’ variety Hawaiian Show.
Tables may be set up after 10.00am on the 6th. There will be two prizes of $10.00 for the best ?“luau theme?” decorated tables. Also $10.00 each for the best man?’s and the best woman?’s outfit. So, get on your thinking caps and join in the fun.
Cut-off time for sales is Thursday, September 2nd. Please, please, if you want tickets and can?’t find time to pick them up, call Barbara Magada or me and we will make arrangements for you. There will be no extension of this deadline, as we have to know how much food etc. to order.
All this work is performed by volunteers and all proceeds go to the benefit of the MAA, and from there, to you, the residents, in improvements to the clubhouse and other activities. It is a group of hard working people who give of their time and efforts to please and entertain you.
Sunday, October 6th will be Oktoberfest. The ?“Lorelie Band?” will entertain from 4.00pm until 7.00pm. There will be beer, snacks, salads and German dinner. Tickets will be on sale preceding the Old Timers Lunch on Wednesday, September 22nd. NO TICKETS will be sold after September 30th!! Be sure to get your tickets on time this year as we are going to stick to the deadlines and don?’t wish to turn anyone down.


OLD TIMERS
by Dorothy Kolb
Hi! Everyone?… mark your calendars for the first meeting on September 8th at the clubhouse. We meet at noon with lunch and a short meeting, with Bingo to follow.
In October we will be collecting membership dues for the new season.
Hope everyone had a good summer. We missed you all.


COVE CRIME WATCH PRAISED
by Conrad Weiser.

The nationwide observance of National Night Out, (8/3/04), focused this year on the volunteer efforts of our Neighborhood Crime Watch (NCW) teams. The local celebration was hosted at the Sunshine Senior Center. Our Mayor Rick Baker and Police Chief Chuck Harmon praised our neighborhood teams as the Eyes and Ears of the city. Feted that evening were 12 of your neighbors from Americana Cove, Ruth Brown, Jim & Betty Chase, Dorothy Farren, Len & Mary Randazzo, Ralph & Diana Rogers, Laurie Schuh, Pat Vargas, Conrad Weiser, and our Coordinator, Barbara Magada. [Barbara currently has 50+ active team members and a long list of former participants.]
After an impressive spread of finger foods, we viewed a video compiled by a city television crew. Featured were interviews with several veteran Coordinators each of whom has served more than 20 years. Barbara?’s taped interview was from our Citizens On Patrol Golf Cart, marked just like city police cars, parked on our south boat ramp with an attractive view of our waterfront properties in the background.
Following the video program, the Mayor and Chief Harmon presented 20 year service plaques to each of the Senior Coordinators present.
We hope each of you will have an opportunity to see this video and the photos made during this award ceremony.


A NEW VETERANS MEMORIAL
By John Layner

Can you find it? Our Veterans Memorial? Yes, it is there, somewhere?….but it?’s hard to see. Guess What? We are getting a brand new one, larger and more beautiful, that will stand just as proudly as the many devoted service people stood up for you and I. And yes, you too will be proud.
We must never ever forget the sacrifices made for all of us. They gave so very much. Some gave their lives, some gave their limbs, and all gave up prime of lifetime for all of us.
Members of the Veterans Memorial Committee are Wanda Spetz, Ed Nos, Dotte Farren, Nick Misciagna, Jo Waldron and John Layner. The Board of Directors and management has been made aware of our goal and has given us the ?“go ahead?” for this project. No monument is worthy of the many sacrifices made in war, but we want a memorial large enough to make you want to stop..read..and remember.
Contact is being made with the various clubs and organizations in the park in regard to getting financial aid. We plan to set up a table at Wednesday luncheons to take donations. You can also send your contribution to John Layner, 301 Mt. Piney Av. NE. Please make checks payable to The Veterans Memorial Fund?”. Many thanks from all of us.


A MEMORY BY MY MOTHER

As written by my Mother, Maisie Johnston, in 1940, (we left for Canada in either very late October or early November as we arrived in Halifax in November, 1940 ?– John Bassett)

One day, previous to sailing to Canada, I went shopping in downtown Birmingham and as is the usual way with we ladies', stayed just dawdling around the shops and stores, probably looking for bargains but not expecting to buy them, and came eventually to a store with a huge notice on its brick wall -practically covering the side of a huge four storey building, it read -"FIRE-SALVAGE-SALE---the "Don" of New Street".

Now the "Don" was a huge gentlemen's outfitters in the best part of the City, and it also included in it's stock travelling goods, etc;
Wel1 I, with the true huntress's instinct for a bargain, had a good look at the now departed "Don's" leftovers', not bad at all, some just a little waterlogged, and some a little battered, but what really caught my eye, in view of the fact, that I was sailing for Canada, was, my ideal of a trunk, just a little battered at one corner, which with the bumping I expected it would receive meant nothing. And so, came the crucial moment when I discovered that I had not enough money with me to cover the purchase, but with the vow that I would return tomorrow and buy it, of course, hoping no one else had the same idea in view.

And so tomorrow came, and as we had a "War Weapons' Week" drive and with it a collection of trophies of War on show in the huge grounds, surrounding Birmingham's Mosque like War memorial, I suggested to my neighbour, Mrs. Phillip's that her son Anthony aged 8 should come with me and my son John, aged 5. That day we three went into town on the big double decker 'bus, prepared to see what a twin engined Heinkel looked like, grounded.

We looked well around, and much to my puzzlement, floating in the air -not too high, was a balloon barrage, with a large black swastika blazoning forth on it's side, this puzzle of mine has no right to be in this story, but I'm still trying to find out where we got it from, my imagination could not go so far as to see one of our planes' towing it home from enemy territory, more like the boot on the other foot. Maybe I will get an answer to that now.. ,

And there was the Heinkel with it's under carriage burnt away, and I might say I had a decidedly queer feeling when I imagined a number of these dropping big eggs over my sweet little head every night, as they were doing.

Well we passed on to the shopping centre meanwhile gazing at the badly damaged "Don", and eventually to my trunk, that wasn?’t there, no, it wasn?’t there and neither was anything else except some blackened ruins and one brick wall, bearing the notice, "FIRE SALVAGE SALE".

Home we decided to go, and as our way lay through the grounds of the City's Cathedral, we stopped to admire men working on a big hole, you know how one does, as a matter of fact there were three of these big holes around waiting to get filled up again, these men must have a full time job filling in holes' during the "morning after the night before". ,

While we were interestedly gazing at "holes'" we heard the sweet sound of the sirens' call, as a matter of fact, it is no sweet sound at all even under ordinary circumstances, the sound would give one the 'willie's" and we followed the Yellow arrow which eventually brought us into the Cathedral vaults. I don't like vaults, most people don't, but they don?’t have much choice, we didn?’t.

Nothing very exciting happened whilst there, and so we made our way to the 'bus stop.
Up we climbed to the top, in order to see the changed landmarks on our way home. Now my hometown has a system of traffic control known to few, fortunately, and among these is one where all traffic lands up at the same Red light and then goes it's own diverse way.
As we were rolling along I noticed an Army truck passing us and as it fell into the foreground I noticed on the back chalked on in rough letters -"Danger Live Bomb". Well, I couldn?’t see any bomb but I could see some nice cheery looking soldiers sitting around the side of the truck. We came alongside them when all the traffic was held up, at the Red light, and sure enough they did have a bomb in the truck, a huge thing, covered in parts with clay where they had dug it out of the ground, no doubt. By this time, rather a lot of the passengers were crowding to the side of the bus, in order to get a better look, and so, with a great deal of flourish, the soldier boys stated to auction it off, "who'd like it. Ah, isn?’t she nice", meanwhile stroking it as if it were their pet dog, and generally giving all the passengers something to laugh at, I hesitate to think what would have happened if it had gone off then, it was a "time bomb", you see, but the traffic started to move, and our laughing soldiers went in another direction.

In conclusion, that evening, my mother reading the local paper, exclaimed, "Oh, what a shame, they were just dropping a time bomb into the detonating pit, and the darned thing went off, and all the men were killed!


DUPLICATE BRIDGE
Gerri Bassett

Sunday July 26, 2004
1.)Lucy & Roger LaBerge
2.)Joy & Bill Slepin

Sunday August 15, 2004
1.) Joy & Bill Slepin
2.) Tie
Lucy & Roger LaBerge
Gerri & John Bassett


NOTICES
FORECASTER DEALINES
All items and other information for the Americana Cove Forecaster may be placed in the box just inside the entry doors to the Atrium, or sent electronically. All items to be in the original type, no photocopies please, in BLACK INK on full size 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Deadline for October for all articles, the 19th of September. Font size is number twelve.

Forecaster Submissions ?– If you can send me your items by email, either by attachment, or just as part of the email, you will save yourselves money. (ink and paper) Thank you for cooperating.
Emails to the Editor ?– If you are sending me an email for the first time please let me know by phone what your email name is. I get so much spam that I simply delete all unknown senders and have lost a couple of items this way. It is unfortunate, but once I know your sign on I will have a reference for the future. My apologies to the senders.

Calendar ?– Deadline for entries will be the 17th of each month. Please note that all calendar submissions must come from, or be approved by the MAA.

MONTHLY BRIDGE LUNCH - It will be on September 15th. All Bridge players are welcome to come and enjoy some fellowship with their friends and neighbors.

FRUIT RATS ?– I have received a request to rerun the article on fruit rats that appeared several months ago. If there is interest in running this, I will discuss with the winter Editor and see if we can run it in December or January. Let me know by placing a note in the Forecaster box. In the meantime if you want a copy, give me a call and I?’ll print one for you.

ERRATA ?– In the August issue, a couple of key sentences were left out of the Treasurer?’s article in the final preparation for printing. Hubert has already noted this in his article, but this is in case you overlooked it. Our apologies to Hubert and you, the readers. If you still have the August issue, simply reread the article with these two sentences added. The Editor
Treasurer's article, at the bottom of page 6 and top of page 7 which should have read "...would be paid off yearly, also reducing debt service.

With these goals and assumptions in place, and the decision to place approximately $950,000 in the reserve fund (invested and growing by about 5% per year) in a..." "locked account".


BICYCLE REGISTRATIONS
By Barbara Magada

For several years I have been licensing NEW bikes at my home in my carport at 7176 Mt. Georgetown Dr. N.E. You must have your Bill of Sale, and especially for USED bikes that have been painted and the serial number is no longer legible. Please call me at 526 ?– 7027, and we will set up a date and time.
Please lock up your bikes securely to prevent theft wherever you take them, and at your home especially.
After your bike has been registered, it is entered into the St. Petersburg Police Computer.
Any questions -call me and leave your phone number and I'll get back to you soon as I return. THANKS


More Church Humor--- submitted by Conrad Weiser
1. There was a church that had problems with
outsiders parking in its parking lots, so they
put up a sign:CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS
ONLY Trespassers will be baptized!
2. "No God - No Peace. Know God - Know Peace."
3. "Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"
4. "Try our Sundays. They are better than
Baskin Robbins."
5. "Searching for a new look? Have your faith
lifted here!"
6. An ad for one Church has a picture of two
hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten
Commandments are inscribed and a headline
that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief,
take two tablets."
7. When the restaurant next to another Church
put out a big sign with red letters that said,
"Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with
its own message: "We are open on Sundays,
too."
8. "People are like tea bags - you have to put
them in hot water before you know how strong
they are."
9. "Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."
10. "How will you spend eternity - Smoking or
Nonsmoking?"
11. "Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"
12. "Come work for the Lord. The work is hard,
the hours are long and the pay is low. But
the retirement benefits are out of this
world."
13. "It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in
the wages of sin."
14. "Do not wait for the hearse to take you to
church."
15. "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God
allows U-turns."
16. "If you don't like the way you were born, try
being born again."
17. "Looking at the way some people live, they
ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."
18. "This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing?"
(U R)
19. "In the dark? Follow the Son."
20. "Running low on faith? Step in for a fill
up."
21. "If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.
Talk to the Shepherd."


POTPOURRI ?– compiled at the Editor?’s desk with additional contributions from many, including Lucy LaBerge, Conrad Weiser, Marilyn Waltz, Kay Sebek et al)
Thought ?– How can there be an expression ?“colder than Hell?”? Since when is Hell cold?
Word Definitions ?– Miser; a person who lives poor, so he can die rich.
Words to Live By ?– Everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
Things to think About ?– Now, the instant you are reading this; the Past, before you read this, and there is nothing you can do about it; the Future, what you make of it is up to you.
Truths ?– No one is ever completely worthless. They can at least be used as a bad example!
Groaners ?–I tried working in a muffler factory, but it was so exhausting.
With apologies to all blondes, but I couldn?’t resist this one. A blonde was recently hired at an office. Her first task was to go out for coffee. Eager to do well her first day on the job, she grabbed a large thermos and hurried to a nearby coffee shop.
She held up the thermos and the coffee shop worker quickly came over to take her order. She asked, "Is this big enough to hold six cups of coffee?"
The coffee shop worker looked at the thermos, hesitated a few seconds, then finally replied, "Yeah. It looks like about six cups to me."
"Oh good!" the blonde sighed in relief. "Then give me two regular, two black and two decaf."

The kindergarten class had a homework assignment to find out about something exciting and relate it to the class the next day.
When the time came for the little kids to give their reports, the teacher was calling on them one at a time. She was reluctant to call on little Johnny, knowing that he sometimes could be a bit crude.
Eventually, his turn came... Little Johnny walked up to the front of the class and with a piece of chalk made a small white dot on the blackboard, then sat back down. Well, the teacher couldn't figure out what Johnny had in mind for his report on something exciting so she asked him just what that was.
"It's a period," reported Johnny.
"Well, I can see that." she said, "What is so exciting about a period?"
"I don't know," said Johnny. "This morning, my sister said she missed one.
Then Dad had a heart attack, Mom fainted and the man next door shot himself."

Did you know that a resident, who shall remain anonymous, reported a large dog standing guard over the canal, in the north part of the park?
Upon investigation it turned out that the dog was a statue. ?‘Pause?’ for reflection!!

Update ?– remember a couple of years ago the fellow who tried to blow up a plane with a device in his shoe. Well he was recently sentence by a federal judge to 110 years in prison, no parole, and a $2 million fine. And now he?’s complaining about his treatment in federal prison. What?’s he complaining about? He?’s wouldn?’t even be here if his plan had worked, not to mention many others!!

What?’s in a Name? Driving and walking around the community these last months, I see many bunny rabbits. Maybe we should call ourselves Hop-A-Long Cove. I?’ve also noticed some free roaming cats on the south side, some with tags. Just a reminder that this is not allowed, although I suppose no one has actually told the cats. In any event rabies is not unknown in Pinellas County, and letting your pets run free could lead to unfortunate consequences, health wise, for us and the cats. If you love your animals, keep them inside.

TODAY'S USELESS FACT - Why do we give names to hurricanes?
By Gerri Bassett

The world is a big place and at any one time there can be more than one tropical storm or hurricane brewing. Obviously, it is important that the folks reporting storms from around the world have accurate data.
In order to reduce the chance of confusing one storm with another, meteorologists decided to give each reported hurricane its own name. Before that they were referred to by their latitude and longitude positions, which were constantly changing. Names are easier to remember and less boring than simply assigning numbers.
Since hurricanes were first reported via radio, during World War II, the names they were given were from the phonetic alphabet?—Abel, Baker, Charlie, etc. Later, in 1953, hurricanes began being named after women, much to the later chagrin of the feminists! In 1979, the World Meteorological
Association began using both women's and men's names, so as not to slight either gender. Hurricane names are now assigned alphabetically at the beginning of the year, alternating between male and female names.
Every five or six years the names are recycled and used again. However, a storm of great notoriety, such as Andrew, which ravaged southern Florida in 1992, has had its name retired. Andrew was previously used in 1986, for a tropical depression that left 300,000 homeless in Jamaica and Haiti.
-source used: "Thoughts for the Throne"

TOMORROW'S USELESS FACT-
What do tornadoes have against trailer parks? Submitted by Gerri Bassett

A There's a lot of conventional wisdom about where tornadoes will and will not go, and virtually all of it is false. You'll hear that they do not cross rivers. You'll hear that they avoid cities and refuse to climb hills. The reality? Twisters have crossed the Mississippi and the Ohio, to name just two rivers. They've struck in Denver, St. Louis, Lubbock, Topeka, and Kalamazoo, among other cities. One resolute funnel in 1989 climbed the continental divide into Grand Teton National Park, devastating a forest along a sixty-mile path. It's hard to predict where they'll go.

As for trailer parks: when you really look into it you find that the trailer park-tornado connection is only a misconstrued impression. Studies show that tornadoes, aimless wanderers that they are, don't hit trailer parks any more than they hit anything else. It's just that when they do, the death toll is nearly always high, because mobile homes are so dangerously . . . mobile. In 1994, 40 percent of all Americans killed by tornadoes lived in trailers, though trailers accounted for only 6 percent of U.S. housing. Homes with good sturdy foundations stand at least a fighting chance of enduring a twister?—all the more reason to build your existence on solid ground.


DEAR CRAFTERS:
By Annette Solomon

Hope everyone is having a great summer! I have been so busy relaxing
(crafting) that I almost forgot to write.
I heard many of you are busy making items for the November 13th Craft Bazaar. I will have reservation forms ($20.00 per table) available in October. Spaces will be limited ?… so reserve early. We are always looking for handmade
items to display and sell.
See you in Florida in about three weeks.
Happy Crafting

AIRBORNE
submitted by Graham Mann

The following are accounts of actual exchanges between airline pilots and control towers around the world.

"Southwest 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees."
"Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"
"Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

==================================================

A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down. San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadeloupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."

==================================================

Taxiing down the tarmac, a DC-10 abruptly stopped, turned around and returned to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off. A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, "What, exactly, was the problem?"
"The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," explained the flight attendant. "It took us a while to find a new pilot."

==================================================

Tower: "Delta 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"
Delta 702: "Tower, Delta 702 switching to Departure. By the way, after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Delta 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Delta 702?"
Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Delta ... we've already notified our caterers."

==================================================

One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee.
Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?"
The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough parts for another one."


DOGS
submitted by Conrad Weiser

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made.
-M. Acklam

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.
-Sigmund Freud

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
-Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley

Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events.
The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard.
-Dave Barry

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
-James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
-Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow.
They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
--Groucho Marx

Speak softly and own a big, mean Doberman.
--Dave Miliman

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man
--Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
--Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
--Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.
--Phil Pastoret

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.
--Unknown


FAVORITE SAYINGS
submitted by Marilyn Waltz

I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: "No good in a bed, but fine up against a wall". Eleanor Roosevelt.

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. Mark Twain.

What would men be without women? Scarce, sir ... mighty scarce. Mark Twain.

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. Socrates.

My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. Jimmy Durante.

The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things. Jilly Cooper.

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. Mark Twain.

My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying. Ed Furgol.

Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was 'shut up'. Joe Namath.

The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good -spit it out. Unknown.

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere. Unknown.

And to close, there was a gentleman in the hospital bed next to me. He was covered with bandages from head to toe. I said to him, ?“ What do you do for a living??”
He said, ?“Well I used to be a window washer.?” I asked, ?“When did you give it up??”
He replied, ?“About half way down.?”