FROM HOAP, Inc. PRES.

 

Here we are again at the end of another month that seems like it was only one week long. Where has the summer gone?

I had reported last month that the forward loan agreement with Bank of America was well on its way to completion, which will fix our mortgage so that no one has to worry about 2011 when our present mortgage balloon payment of 2.15 million dollars comes due. Hopefully by September, the final paperwork will be to the Board of Directors to lock in a rate never to exceed 6.99% until 2021 when the present mortgage will be paid off.

We are in the process of a move to settle the issue with WTI and this will complete our outstanding issues at Alligator Park.

It is time to move forward with our wishes for a better park with more activities, more enjoyable facilities, and less unrest.

I had the opportunity to be in Florida a couple of weeks ago and was very pleased to meet with the Taylor Center Group, and to see their progress. They feel that by the New Year, two of their buildings will be up and CO'd.  This will mean a lot of improvement, and even Lippazan Trail will be getting completed to the end of West Manatee. This in itself will give us a secondary access to the Park and the Lakes property, all very positive for the Park. Walmart is coming along very fast and will be up and running this fall, making shopping very close.

We can all see positive improvement in South Punta Gorda, and we should be pleased to have an updated Park and local facilities around us to serve our needs.
            Many of our friends have weathered illnesses and some are doing better than others. We need to keep all of our friends in our thoughts and prayers for a safe and healthy return to Alligator Park.

 

Carol and I add our deepest sympathies to Miriam Besaw and her family on the passing of her father, Harry Fox this past Thursday. Our Prayers are with her and family.
            Please keep safe and travel back to Alligator Park so that we can all enjoy each others company this year.
                                                BOB

 

 

 

 

NEWS from APA PRES.

 

Hello, Folks,

            We are into September already!  One has to wonder where the summer has gone to.  The gardens are beginning to look bare, except for those who also plant fall gardens.  Before we know it, we all will be back at Alligator Park again, with winter just around the corner.

            I talked with Marcia, and she said the Park looks great.  They have had some rain, and all trees, shrubs and flowers are doing great.

            The reunion at Hamburg, New York hosted 17 people.  Some of us had a picnic supper at the Weller’s on Wednesday night so that Don and Elaine Johnson could see us.  On Thursday night we went to the Boston Hotel for supper and then for ice cream for dessert.

            On our prayer list:  Virgil Zuspan; Joe Stone; Gary Woodard; Marilyn and Dearl Woodard; Marv Cogan; Emma Pulit; Sheila Brown; Bill Moorman; and Bev Hayek’s sister.  I talked with MoAnn Milici, Emma’s daughter, and she is in rehab and coming along very, very slowly.  She appreciates all the cards, so keep on sending them.  Anita Schetter had both her knees replaced and is in rehab.  She has an e-mail address: neneschetter@gmail.com. Her address at rehab is:  2001 W. 86^th St., Indianapolis, IN  46260.

            Marv Cogan’s son, Mike, said his father came through surgery just fine.  I talked with Dee today, and he should come home Monday, Aug. 27 if everything goes okay.

We wish all a speedy recovery.

Our sympathy goes out to Gayle Thornton in the loss of her son-in-law to cancer.

Ladies, and Men, don’t forget your recipes for the Park cookbook.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and see everyone soon.

            Sharon Page, APA Pres.

 

From APA VP.

 

Now that summer is winding down, I would imagine that thoughts are starting to turn to our return trip to Florida and with great expectations for another great season.

Before the season gets underway I would like to touch on a couple of issues that seem to cause a little concern for some of our snow birds and for some of the full time residents.  It is surprising to me, the amount of  folks that do not know the difference between the H.O.A.P. board and the A.P.A. board, why we have two sets of directors and what their responsibilities are.

The H.O.A.P. board is the governing authority in the park and is responsible for such areas as finances, park rules and improvements. The board is elected by the SHARE HOLDERS even though their decisions affect shareholders and non-shareholders alike.  The regular scheduled meetings or special meetings called are open to all persons within the park to attend. Voting is, as stated above, a shareholder option to be exercised at the Annual Shareholders Meeting.

The A.P.A. board with its own separate set of directors has the responsibility to provide quality entertainment for ALL persons at the park, either in the form of outside entertainers or from talent from within the park.  All revenues generated from any of the activities sponsored by the A.P.A. board are specifically used for the betterment of the park.  The meetings are open to all residents of the park and voting on any issue is open to shareholders and non shareholders.

Quite often at the A.P.A. meetings, residents will ask questions that are strictly a matter of park policy.  All questions regarding any of the park rules or policies must be directed to the H.O.A.P. board and not the A.P.A. board.

Sometimes both sets of directors will make decisions that will have an effect on everyone in the park and invariably there will be some who may not agree with a certain decision.  When that happens, your course of action is to address either set of board members and get first hand information as to why a certain decision was made.

Rumors have a unique way of generating a lot of false information.  If you have a concern, contacting the respective board member should help you resolve your concern or give you a better understanding as to why a decision was made.

Finally, our park is only as good as the people that support and attend the various functions that are provided.  Attending the various meetings whether they are for informational purposes or for policy change will give you a better understanding of the internal workings of the park.

Respectfully submitted,

Art Hayek - Vice President - A.P.A.

 

SUMMER SOCIAL SCENE

 

            Although August is commonly known as “the Dog Days of Summer,” the residents of Alligator Park were doing their best to ignore the conditions.  On August 18 a group of 25 gathered at the clubhouse for food and conversation.  The food table was as inviting as ever, and the desserts were especially delectable.

            Since Labor Day seemed to follow so soon, we have instead scheduled our next potluck on Saturday, Sept. 15.  We call it the SUMMER’S END POTLUCK.  Be sure to put it on your calendar, and watch the mail room board for the sign-up sheet. 

            On August 23^rd, ten ladies from the Park gathered at Fisherman’s Village Oyster Bar for a very pleasant waterfront luncheon.  Several of the regulars were unable to be there for health reasons.  We hope they will all have recovered in time for the next luncheon.  Watch the board for the notice.

 

 

HEALTH WATCH

 

            In addition to the Health News contributed by Sharon Page, we want to add that Emma Pulit’ present address at her rehab center is: 

            Milford Health Care Center

            195 Platt St.

            Milford, CT  06460

She sends thanks for all the cards and good wishes and hopes you will continue to keep in touch with her.

            As many of you know, Marv Cogan had surgery on Wednesday, August 29.  He came home on Monday after coming through the operation well.  But on Saturday morning, Sept. 1, the ambulance was called to take him back to the hospital.  His condition is stable at this time, but he and Dee both need our prayers and good wishes.  He is at Charlotte Regional Health Center in Punta Gorda.

            Our sympathies go out to both Miriam Besaw and Gail Thornton who have lost loved ones recently.

           

THE LIGHTER SIDE

 

A lot have asked me to have an exercise page so here is the 1st one.

I just came across this exercise suggested for older adults, to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It seems so easy I thought I'd have it for the first exercise for the Newsletter.  The article suggested doing it three days a week.

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5 lb. potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try 50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level) After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks......

 

From the MANAGER’S DESK

 

How time flies. The summer officially ends this week, but someone forgot to tell the weatherman. It’s still quite warm down here, and we look forward to days that only get into the 80’s.  The summer rains have done their job, the grass is green and the lake is rising.

We have completed the re-striping of the parking lots and the replacement of the broken concrete curb stops. We have added additional stops as needed. This has added to the finished appearance of the parking areas, and to the safety of our residents. I had met with Bob Fogg and the Taylor Center Group a few weeks ago, prior to the beginning of the clearing of the 10 Acre property. Within days, not a tree stood, stumps were being pulled, and heavy machinery was everywhere. Earlier today, I met again with Magnus who assured me that the noise level would drop soon as they were to finish grinding up the stumps within the next few days. After that, it would be a lot of trucks coming and going and earth movers working. When the actual building begins, it will be much quieter. He continues to set his sites on completion of two buildings by the first of the year. He requested that, should anyone have any concerns regarding the project, they go through me to bring the concerns to him. I ask that you bring any concerns to me or a member of the Board and let us handle them.  He will be making site plans available for our review sometime in October.

For those who are wondering, the clock on the Clubhouse, visible from the pool, is being repaired and will be back in place soon.

RV sites are filling up fast, so tell your friends to call Marcia and get their reservations in. They can request info by emailing alligatorpark@comcast.net .

We are still working on WiFi, security cameras, fencing for Taylor Rd, naming the Lake property, and so on…..

We will have updated 10 Acre (Taylor Center) and Wal-Mart photos on line soon. At this rate, it looks like you may be able to do your Christmas shopping there.

 

                        Ken Martin, CAM