March 2008 Newsletter
FROM HOAP. Inc. PRESIDENT
Where did February go??? Even with an extra day, it seems like just a week ago we were writing January’s news note.
I know a lot of our residents will be heading North, and we wish you the best until next year. The latest report today (2/28/08) is more snow in New England and across the northern states, so…please drive carefully.
I want to THANK all Shareholders who came to the Annual Meeting for Alligator Park, and for your continued support for the Board members working to manage this Park. We all appreciate your support and thank you notes.
The future plans are to allocate specific funds for year 2008/2009 to the Reserve Fund in the amount of $21,000 from our interest income this year. We will also meet as a Board to allocate capital improvements for the sewer work between North Manatee and Trout, and the future work needed at Eagle. We are also looking at a new RO system, as the present system needs to be updated – it is 10 or 11 years old. We have done a good job maintaining it. The original life of the unit was 5-6 years. We have almost doubled the unit’s usefulness.
The Board will determine these and other issues in mid-March, and we will report the results in April, the beginning of our new fiscal year 2008/2009.
Well, to those of you who may leave early, we want you to know that the landscape and beautification committee will have installed new lights on the main entrance, and plan to install more shrubbery in front of the clubhouse.
STAY SAFE and hurry back.
Bob Fogg, HOAP Pres.
There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I’m sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.
A.P.A. MARCH NEWS
Well, February was a busy month, and I am getting back to normal now that my family has returned north. My Mom and sister had a great time and met many wonderful people. Now they know why we winter here. If you think February was busy, March is just as busy.
Lots of good entertainment: Luau; Pancake Breakfast; St. Patrick’s Day Bike/Golf Cart Parade; Fun Night; Ladies’ Luncheon, and lots more. Watch your calendar for times and dates because you won’t want to miss anything.
It is good to see Bill and Vona Moorman, also Dorothy Pulit and her sister and brother-in-law, back in the Park. We sure do miss not having Emma here. But hopefully everything will work out okay for her.
I would like to THANK ALL the guys who put the beautiful lights down Alligator Park Blvd. It is another great improvement to the Park. Also, THANKS for all those volunteers who have been clearing up around Gator Lake. Sorry that Ken and I can’t help because of the poison ivy.
The Yard Sale was a great success. Thanks to those who had sales and have donated 10% of their sales to APA.
For the Satiniques, you will be able to purchase Sloppy Joes, chips, root beer floats and sundaes at 6:00 PM. Come and enjoy supper before the show.
APA workshop meeting is at 9:30 AM on Wednesday the 3rd, and HOAP workshop on Thursday the 6th. These meetings are where you can give the concerns that you have about the Park.
Sharon Page, APA Pres.
HOMESICK?
I called home the other day to inform family and friends of our pending departure date and casually mentioned that Southwest Florida was experiencing a cold spell. I also mentioned that the winds were coming out of the north and the wind chill made it appear much colder than what the thermometer read. I said that our furnace ran constantly and that I could only imagine the amount of propane gas that I was using. The uniform of the day had also switched from shorts and tee shirts to sweat shirts and long pants, something that we were not used to. I willingly reported that it was a little too cool to bike ride, and walks were kept to a minimum. According to the weather report, the cold spell was to last for a couple of days and then back to 80 degree temperatures with warm breezes.
There was silence on the other end of the phone line, and I assumed that maybe we had a bad connection. Wanting to make sure that every word I had spoken was heard, I casually asked if they could hear what I was saying. After what seemed like an unusual amount of time, I heard the following: “Yes, I can hear you.” “How cold is it down there?” I was asked. I think I said something to the effect that it was around 60 some degrees. “And I suppose I’m supposed to feel sorry for you. We are buried under 13 tons of snow and ice, and our heating bills are running competition with the national debt. We haven’t seen the sun shine since last summer. We have worn out three snow shovels and have threatened the snow plow driver with bodily harm if he plows the snow back into our driveway again. I spend an hour in the morning getting the kids dressed for winter weather with enough clothes that would fill an average department store, only to have them tell me that they have to go to the bathroom. There is enough salt on my car to melt the Arctic Circle, and if I have one more fender bender because of the icy roads, my insurance company will raise my rates almost to the net worth of Fort Knox. Going for walks is out of the question, as we have no idea where the sidewalks are or even where the roads are.
“Yes, we too, are in a cold spell, and according to the weather reports, we will be until sometime around the 21st of June. Then winter will return. If we have a spring thaw, we’ll all have lakefront property. So I hope your cold spell doesn’t inconvenience you or cause an interruption in your outdoor activities. Have a nice day.”
So much for the phone call!!!
Art Hayek, V.P., APA
You know you are getting older when everything either dries up or leaks.
SOCIAL SCENE MARCH 2008
ä If you missed the “Multi-Cultural Carry-In Dinner” on Thursday night, February 28, you missed a great evening! The food was wonderful, enjoyed on tables beautifully decorated with articles and photographs from many countries. Our capable hosts, Bob and Annette Morden, made the occasion even more special with their humor, music and skilled planning. A few people decorated tables, but the Mordens provided extra, beautifully decorated tables so there were plenty of seats for everyone. The “fashion show” was a big hit! Marceille Wallis provided a short “musical tour” of the seven Celtic nations on her hammered dulcimer and a fascinating explanation of how the instrument works. We thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and the dinner. (The donations covered the cost of the entertainment.)
Last year we called it “March Madness” – this year it’s the “Merry Month of March.” March is another month filled with activities and we are starting off with a “bang” at the park-wide yard sale. Catch a big breath and get ready for the second week! Check your calendar for all the details, but I’ll highlight a few for you here.
As you may have guessed, music is my passion, so I must remind you to consider attending the Sunday services at 8:45 each week for an inspiring message and good music. Be sure to check out the Sunday afternoon jam sessions.
I Tuesday may not include more music than “Happy Birthday,” but you’re all invited to the party at the clubhouse for Dee Nickerson’s mom. It’s her 99th! Party’s from 2-4.
Then Wednesday afternoon, March 5, at 2:30, Steve Jeffris will be here with a “matinee performance” of his excellent variety of music. Among his peers, Steve is referred to as a “True Entertainer, The Real Deal.” He is coming as our guest and as a gift from park resident, Anita Schetter. Please come for your own enjoyment and to acknowledge this gesture of friendship from Anita. It’s free to you. (See bulletin board for description.) There will be complimentary popcorn and lemonade when you arrive.
Thursday, March 6th – are you ready for the Satiniques ? Bringing us “Malt Shoppe Memories,” the Satiniques will take us back to the 50’s and 60’s, to the great entertainment of the likes of the Beatles, Chiffons, Mamas & Papas, the Platters, the Beach Boys and the McGuire Sisters. It’s a super mix of four-part harmonies, solos, duets, and fun costume changes. It’ll be great fun…especially because our very own “Malt Shoppe” will be open at 6 p.m. and during intermission for sloppy joes, chips, ice cream treats, popcorn, and beverages. Come for supper! Seating will be at tables. Please get your tickets ($8.00) ahead of time, if possible, so we can plan space for you! See the bulletin board for more info.
FUN NIGHT happens on March 13! Please let us know right away what you’d like to do—sing, dance, skits, magic, whatever you have—so we can put you in the program. This is one of the last get-togethers of the season and a time to kick back, relax, laugh and enjoy an evening of free entertainment…starring YOU!
March 18 a group of about 50 will travel for the day to Orlando to the Holy Land Experience. The deadline for paid reservations is set for Friday, February 29. In the event of cancellations, we are keeping a waiting list. Call us if you want to be on that list. [EDITOR’S NOTE: I have been informed that due to a cancellation, there is one vacancy (possibly two). Check the clubhouse board for the sign-up sheet. Hurry!]
Enjoy the month of March. There will not be a calendar for April, so watch the bulletin board for any other announcements.
It’s been a great season! Thank you all for participating and helping!
Entertainment and Travel
Miriam and Jim Besaw
First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper….it’s worse when you forget to pull it down.
FROM THE MANAGER
I wanted to start off by thanking all the volunteers for their hard work this past season, but our editor told me that we didn’t have enough room on the page for me to list them all. If you look around the Park, you will surely notice the results of their hard work, but it doesn’t stop there. Our volunteers help with special social events as well as Park functions such as delivery of notices, setup and tear down for meetings, mail delivery, and so much more. We have security patrols, assistance in getting RVs parked, and those who serve on committees and Boards. So, I applaud the efforts, whether they are as apparent at the lights on the Blvd and the lake view to those who help clean up after an event. As long as this spirit continues, so will the good life at Alligator Park. When people compliment the Park, they all seem to rave about the great people they have met here.
As the high season ends, and our residents make plans for their journey north, shareholders, please don’t forget to make arraignments to tend to your lots. This year, we will be trimming all lots that are in need, and billing the owners. What we will not be doing is waiting for the lots to be shabby and overgrown. Once a month may not be often enough in the rainy season to keep up with the growth. If you have made plans to maintain your lot, let Marcia know who will be doing the work, and tell them to register with the office each time they come in.
RV bookings are ahead of last year. Please reserve you space as soon as you can. All it takes is a $100 deposit. Remember, money talks and you know the rest of the story.
If you would like to receive the News Letter by mail, please provide stamped self addressed envelopes to the office before your departure.
Have a safe trip home, and an enjoyable summer. We look forward to seeing you next year.
FROM A.P. BOOKKEEPING OFFICE
Beginning the first week in March, a notice from the IRS will be sent out, alerting you that you may be eligible for the “one-time stimulus payment” you have been hearing about. (When it comes, don’t throw it away!) This notice will remind you that you don’t need to do anything more than file your 2007 tax return in order to receive the stimulus payment.
However, if you are “lucky” enough not to have to file a return, you will receive a special letter in LATE March telling you that you need to file Form 1040A for this refund, if you have at least $3,000 in income. PLEASE NOTE: Write the words “Stimulus Payment” across the top of the 1040A Form.
If you need a form, see Donna.
Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it’s called GOLF.
HEALTH WATCH
WANTED: Volunteers to transport Cliff Varney (#208) to have a medical procedure, daily from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. There is a sign-up sheet on the Clubhouse Board.
Nancy Phillips (#237) is at Lee Memorial Hospital in Ft. Myers, recovering from surgery and a stroke.
Linda and Keith Kinch (x1114) were called home because their son was in a bad car accident. They flew him to an Albany Hospital, and remains in a coma.
The William Olsons have left for home for health reasons. They say they’ll return a.s.a.p.
Ruth Marcy has been in the hospital for surgery. At this writing we aren’t certain about her whereabouts.
We are told that Jack Drake is possibly facing surgery.
We remain concerned about Marv Cogan, who will undergo kidney dialysis three times a week from now on.
LAST CALL
Chuck Logan, a long-time resident of the Park, passed away on Feb. 20 in Ohio. In his 13 year residence here, he served on the Board and volunteered at everything. We send our condolences to his family.
Editor’s Note: This month our prayer list should include:
Ben DiGironimo #1202
Mae Robinson #100
Vic Oesterling #275
Leatha Deane #105
Joan Foster #155