Lake Region Coffee News – February 17, 2022
Jayne Jones was the MC today
Attendance – 253
Kim Burch, New Residents: There were no new residents form Kim to introduce this morning. Kim had a long list of name tags. If you are waiting for one, see Kim. Kim reported that the new directory is being proofed and then it will go to the printer.
Visitors: No visitors today.
Shari Haines, Serendipity: Today we had to pay for our own pastries and coffee.
I am sorry to report the death of Victor Garritano. Victor and Joan were previous residents at LRV at 562 Hammock Trail. Victor was 87 years old. He and Joan have been residing in Brookville, FL the last few years. He is survived by his wife Joan and 3 children. Services for Victor will be held tomorrow in Dowagiac, MI.
Mary Chamberlin, Mustang, will continue to be a resident at Spring Haven in Winter Haven.
I have been doing this job since the summer of 2017. I was asked to fill in for Sally Strait who was going on a month-long vacation. When she got back, she asked me if I wanted to continue. So here I am almost 5 years later. Yesterday morning when I sat down at my computer to put together my notes for this morning, I suddenly realized that lately all I have been doing was announcing deaths of residents both present and past. Now that is important. But I was wondering just what “serendipity” means so I looked up the official meaning of “serendipity”. Webster says serendipity is a noun meaning the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. Well, I do announce birthdays and anniversaries for the week. Any day we can celebrate another year of life or another year with our spouses is “happy” and “beneficial” when we reach the years we are celebrating. But I want to announce more happy events in your lives. You all get to hear about my joys when I tell you about my trips to Illinois for family celebrations; and lately I have been boring everyone around me with pictures of my first great grandson. And just a little personal information, he (and his mom and dad) is coming to spend a week with his great grandparents in March. His first trip to Florida!! But I would love to celebrate these “happy” events of all of you. So please call, text, email me or even just put a note on my clip so I can share your “happy” events. Don’t get me wrong I still want to know when someone has been hospitalized or had an accident. And I for sure will continue to report on deaths here in the park and past residents, but we need “happy” news also.
For example, on Tuesday I heard Jack Gerros, Badger, tell Bruce about the surgery or procedure that he had earlier this month where the doctors implanted titanium butterfly valves in his lungs to help with his breathing. And now he is breathing without the use of oxygen. Fantastic “happy” and “beneficial” news.
Birthdays
Feb 17 - Betty Inman
Kim Burch
Feb 19 - Margie Downs
Jo Johnston
Paul Pitzer
Feb 20 - Jerry Whitaker
Pam Powers
Feb 21 - Sylvia Marzolf
Hazel Robbins
Sharon Winton
Sally Owens
David Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes
Feb 22 - Barb Tripp
Sonny Burton
Feb 23 - Dennis Besser
Anniversaries
Feb 20 - Bob & Donna Stapleton – 53 years
Feb 21 - Alan & Diana Meyer
Ken & Joan London – 25 years
Jim & Pat Hanneman
Marcia Besser, Out-of-Park Activities: Marcia has requests for several different trips that she does not have any space. She is trying to get in touch with Cindy to see if some spaces have opened up. Marcia will let you know as soon as she knows. The Casino trip goes out on Wednesday. Marcia does not have a departure time yet. It will be posted on the board as soon as she gets it.
Announcements
Shari announced earlier - reminded us of the Valentine Dance is on Saturday, February 19 from 7-10 pm. The music will be provided by the very wonderful, Jim & Mandy. Tickets are $5 and are on sale next week and at the door. Even if you do not dance, come and enjoy the wonderful music. Set up will be at 3 pm so you can come and decorate and reserve your table beginning at 3:15 pm
Irene Bland, Christmas Committee: Irene thanked all the people who helped with the decorating this year. She also thanks the Quilt Club and the Entertainment Committee for their monetary donations.
Barbara Swearingen: Last Saturday during the Carport Sale Barb dropped a very good bracelet. But there is an angel in the park. Sandy Cuddie, 99 Mustang, husband found it. Barbara has her bracelet back.
Margie Hoye, Fellowship Group: Margie reminded us that Church Service are held every Sunday morning at 8 am in the Card Room. On this Sunday evening February 20 in the Main Hall a gospel group from Mt Dora, the Floridians, will be here with us at 6 pm.
Jacqui Biddle, Quilt Club: Jacqui reminded us again about the Quilt Club Village Walk will be held on Tuesday, February 22, at 8 am. This is the same day of the Annual Meeting. Admission will again be a donation of either nonperishable food or cash to be given to House Blest in Haines City. If you don’t want to walk, we will appreciate any donations that you want to make. If you want to walk and can’t go all the way, there will be people in golf carts to pick you up. All donations and money are taken directly to House Blest for them to distribute.
Barbara Norsen, Potluck and Newsletter: First there will be no line dancing on Tuesday as the hall will be set up for the Annual Meeting. Potluck is March 1. Corn Hole is helping to set up and tear down, but we are not going to do that until 2:30. Do not come here until 2:30 as there is a luncheon in the main hall until 2:30. You can come in at 3 pm to bring your dishes and reserve your spot at that time. Not before 3 pm. As always, the March newsletter is not distributed till the first Thursday in March in order to get the information from the Annual Meeting in the newsletter. She will need your help to distribute it on March 3.
Tom Pomroy: The Barbershop Chorus will having their annual show. Tom asked us to save the date. The show will be on April 3 at 3 pm at the Calvary Baptist Church on Overlook Drive in Winter Haven. He will have more information as the date approaches.
Donna Williams, Craft Club: Donna announced that tomorrow the Friday Craft Club will meet in the Card Room at 1 pm. to make the “no sew” blankets for donation. They were going to make these last Friday, but they wanted to go shopping instead. The following Friday they will be making “gnome” Christmas ornaments. If you want to make a gnome, you are welcome to come. A list of supplies on LRV Friends and LRV Happenings. Donna said them to fast for me to get them included in this email.
Patsy Zumwalt, 5 @ 5 guys: Patsy explained that the wives of new people coming to the park have asked to help. She has to tell them that she will accept help from their husbands. But she made an exception, the Blincos volunteered to be the cleanup crew in the kitchen. She appreciates them so much. This Friday the 5 @ 5 guys will be serving ham sliders, cole slaw, 5 @ 5 guys potatoes and water at the Hammock at 5 @ 4. This is a new menu. If you don’t like it, keep it to yourselves as the guys are very sensitive.
Charlie Sponcil, President, Board of Directors: Charlie reported that the Clubhouse is not being locked at night. The CAPS have turned in 4 or 5 reported that when they check at 3 am the doors have not been locked. Please when you are the last ones out of the Clubhouse make sure all the doors have been secured and locked. There is a new system on the west door. That door will lock itself at 10 pm and unlock at 7 am. If you need to get in during this time, there is a key pad and use the last 4 digits of the office phone number “1623”. Also, back in the storage room behind the stage there is some file cabinets full of music. Some of the stuff has gotten wet and is smelling. If you want any of the stuff in those filing cabinets, please claim it so that this area can be cleaned up. Next Thursday there will be a table in the back with a lot of electronic that the office does not use anymore. If you want any of them, they will be there for you to take. There will be a Board of Directors Meeting right after coffee this morning.
Betty Akerman, Social Club President: Betty reported the Carport Sale went well. She gave a big “thank you” to Jim Biddle for getting his crew to man the gate. Another person that helps behind the scenes is Jerry Jurgens. He does all our printing of posters, tickets, flyers and maps and everything. On Wednesday, February 23, there will be a Haystack Dinner at 5 pm. You can come in and reserve your spots at 3 pm not before. The dinner is sold out.
We are getting ready for the Activity Fair on February 28 at 3 pm. In preparation the small room off the Card Room has been cleaned up. Several items that were left in there are in a tote in the front room. If any of these things belong to your club, please claim them or they will be trashed. If your club has not arranged with Sally Strait to have a table, please do so asap.
Community Garden is coming along. Betty and Rhonda Hoyle have begun planting and setting up the “wicking” watering system. They could use some help lifting the bags of soil.
Social Club will have an agenda meeting on Thursday, March 3 immediately following coffee. If you want something to be put on the agenda, you need to come the electronic agenda meeting or get the information that you want discussed to the secretary, Barb Norsen. The Regular Social Club Meeting will be on March 10 after coffee. We will be electing new board members at this meeting. Betty urged everyone to attend.
Betty needs more gallon milk jugs, just milk jugs. Also, half gallon jugs. You can leave them in the structure behind the fire pit in the one that does not have a lock (not at her house).
Joan London, Quilt Club: First Joan announced that the Quilt Club are selling raffle tickets. This year we are raffling off 13 table toppers, 13 table runners, and a quilt. Raffle ticket will be sold on Thursdays until our Quilt Show on March 10 when winners will be announced. They are $5 for 6 chances.
Joan reminded us of the Quilt Club’s Tea will be held on Sunday, February 27 with seatings at 1 pm and 3 pm. Ticket is $10. If you need a ticket contact Joan at 815-501-7011.
Jim Biddle, Poker: Jim announced that he will be coordinating the Poker table at the St Patrick’s Day Picnic on March 19. He has people on his list to help him and he will be contacting you. If you are new and would like to help (dealers, money takers, etc.), contact Jim. There are one hour shifts between 11 and 3.
Dave McComber: Dave volunteers every year at the “Sun and Fun”, the second largest “fly in” in the country at the Lakeland Linder Airport March 5 - 10. If anyone would like to see it and attend, see Dave. In exchange for riding around in a golf cart and selling tie downs, you get in for free, sandwich and even t-shirt. Anyone wants to volunteer, see Dave.
Bill Mulvay, Vets & Friends: Bill reminded us that on February 19 the Vets & Friends will do a flag disposal at the firepit at 11 am. If you have a flag to needs to be dispose, take it up to office and they will pick them up. Following the ceremony, they will be serving hamburgers, potato salad and water. Tickets are $5. You must have a ticket. Proceed from this event will go to the purchase and upkeep of the flags flown here in the park.
The Vets and Friends Annual Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 5 at 4 pm. Tickets are $10. The menu will be rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable, dessert and beverage. February 28 they will be making a seating chart. Just bring your ticket and you can reserve your seats.
Norma Smith, Red Hatters: Norma announced that she has made a reservation for lunch on Friday, February 18 at Southern Dunes Restaurant. We will meet up front at 12:30 am so that Norma can get everyone “loaded” before we leave. Please sign up on the Board so she can give the restaurant a number. She has secured 15 seats at the Quilter’s Tea at the 3 pm seating. Come and wear your red hat.
Jack Gerros, Entertainment Committee: Jack reported that the show last Tuesday with the Eagles was great. The April Show will be Michael D’Amore. He has been here several years ago and it highly requested entertainer by our residents. The Quilt Club made covers for the reserved seat. In the past we have had trouble getting the stickers off. We are so appreciated to the Quilt Club ladies. That’s what this park is about “everybody helping everybody. Volunteering, helping others, that is what it is all about.
Miriam Harcek, Kathy Taylor & George Worden, Boat Club: Miriam announced the St Patrick’s Day Picnic will be held on Saturday, March 19, at the Hammock. It is a really big picnic party with lots of activities. There are many, many volunteers needed to put this party on. More volunteers are need. Kathy has volunteered to be in charge of the food table which will be served from11 am until 2:30 pm. She will be available after coffee for you to volunteer. George is in charge of the who “shebang” and Jacqui Biddle has volunteered to be chairman of this day. So, she has her volunteers for all the activities and they are trying to get you to volunteer to help. It’s a great, fun day; and from now on your prayers need to include warm nice day on March 19
George expressed that volunteers are very important for this day. It takes about 150 – 200 volunteers to put this on. There are 17 different committees. Kathy is a new volunteer to take care of the food. She needs about 40-50 volunteers. This picnic is a lot of fun. We have a wheel of fortune, cake walk, poker, line dancing, bingo, corn hole, pot of gold. It is a real fun day; starting with golf cart parade.
George thanked all the workers at the Boat Club Breakfast last Saturday. They came in early at 5:30 so that they could being serving at 7 am for those who were going to participate in the Carport Sale. There were over 30 people served by 7:30 am. Also, on the last Saturday of the month there will be a fishing tournament. All the fishermen should plan to attend. They have some great door prizes. Next Thursday will be the last day to sign up. It is a great time.
Kathy said this will be a challenge, but she would like to thank all the seasoned volunteers and the new volunteers. She still needs a few more volunteers. You do not have to work all day, there are shifts available so you can have fun also. If you can’t see me today, my phone number is 803- 687-0379. The menu will include some fantastic corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, desserts, drinks.
Miriam is asking for help on her committee to bus trays. Please be generous with your time and have a good time on that day; and don’t forget to include a request for a warm and sunny day on March 19 in your prayers.
Marilyn Mackie & Jim Eaton, Election Coordinators: Marilyn shared that her brother just had the “watchmen” implanted in the back of his heart. This stops the blood from clotting. Her brother is 77 years old and he no longer takes a blood thinner or has black and blue marks. It’s a lifesaver.
Marilyn stressed that everyone has a voting certificate that you got when you came in the park. It has to be signed by the person who is the designated voter. All information is needed – lot number, address and must be signed – not printed If they do not have your voters certificate, you do not vote. This is important that we need you to sign in and vote. We need you to sign in to make the quorum.
Jim says they are getting a lot of question about is the blue ballot. The squares are black, people think that they can mark outside the box. It tells you on the top “put your “X” in the black square. Make sure your “X” longer thru the black box. Not beside it. If you put it beside, it will not be counted. Also, the proxy – the proxy is used if you want someone else to vote for you. You sign it down at the bottom and the secretary at the Board Meeting will fill it out for you. If you are voting, you just have to put down “yes
or “no” and also put your unit number, sign it and print your name. You put these in the pink envelope. The other goes in the blue envelope. The blue envelope goes inside the one that has your name and address on it. It will not be opened until they open it on the stage. They will start opening them at 12:30. They will not begin counting them until 1 pm when the meeting starts. The pink envelope does not need to go inside the envelope. You can just drop them off on Tuesday morning after you have signed in. There will be 10 people counting for the board election and 2 people counting on the golf cart numbers. The ballots need to be signed, dated and printed or it will not be counted. Roger Miller stressed that proxy votes for the board of directors will not count. The only proxy vote that will be counted is the golf cart numbers. They have had some ballots put through the slot up at the Office. The ones for the golf cart numbers will be counted; the ones for the election of the Board of Directors will not. You have to sign in down here on the morning of the election in order for your vote for the Board of Directors to be counted. So, if you leave your ballot at the Office make sure you sign in the morning of the election. Marilyn does have “Voting Certificate” blanks with her. If you need to fill one out see Marilyn before she leaves today. (P.S. I hope I got all that information about voting correct. If you have any questions, please call the Office. Do not depend on this information)
Michael Jorgensen, Director of Village Choir: Michael reported that the Village Choir has those 3 cabinets and he will clear them out. Don’t dispose of anything, he will take care of it.
A shout out of “Thanks” goes to
Lanny Hegadorn and Chuck Holtz for the sound
Piano: Norma Smith
Alice Reed for counting heads and those wonderful muffins
Cashier: Judi Miller for taking our money
Al Granato for turning on the coffee pots
Kitchen Crew: Marianne Ortenzio, Trish Hill, Gail Granato, Trudy Nagel, Deborah Young, and Peggy Wanemacher
50/50 Crew: Wes & Linda Wilson
The 50/50 winners this week are:
$52.50 – Bill Taylor/Bob Schmitz
$104.00 – Michael Jorgensen
$5.00 - Name Tag: George Worden
Social Club Drawing winner of $5.00 from the 2022 membership list was Linda Billings. Linda was present. Next week the drawing will be $5.00.
Thought for the week
It is better to be alone than in bad company.”
― George Washington
And
“Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”
― George Washington