In addition to the above, we have surveyed all fountain control locations and noted that significant repairs to electrical panels must be done. We are soliciting bids for this work.
Finally, thanks to Roads Committee chairman Jay Hayes we have acquired several tons of used concrete, to be used as required to repair our lake inflow/outflow structures. These structures are inspected annually by the City of Venice and must be properly maintained.
Editor’s note: The following article was written in response to misinformed criticism of the road maintenance program.
MAINTAINING WATERFORD ROADS
JACK ROBSON
In previous years articles have been written to explain the type of roads in our community and how we maintain them on an annual basis. In order to inform recent residents it seems appropriate to describe the program again.
Waterford roads have a soil cement base and an asphalt top. Although these roads are strong and major failures will not occur they are subject to reflection cracking because of the different rates of expansion and contraction between concrete and asphalt. Therefore the cosmetic appearance of the roads is poor with the random cracking. With a road system of this type, and the temperatures encountered in this area, annual attention should be paid to the oxidation of the asphalt surfaced which would cause loosening of the stone and deterioration of the system. If allowed to continue for years without maintenance the roads would eventually require resurfacing.
Waterford has therefore established an annual maintenance program as follows:
1. All cracks that open to more than ¼ inch width are sealed once to prohibit the growth of vegetation through the surface and seepage of any water that encourages this growth. The loss of sub grade integrity due to seepage is extremely improbable because of the effect of very little water on very strong pavement. The need for crack filling is inspected annually.
2. Sealing of pavement, which is most important, is done on a four (4) year cycle. This most critical operation keeps the surface of the pavement "live" and bonds the stone securely so that heat does not damage the asphalt material.
3. During the annual inspection areas, which have shown distress or loss of grade and it has been determined, that normal pavement sealing is not sufficient, then these areas will be scheduled for patching, paving, grading or any other construction technique appropriate for repair.
In summary, the Paving Committee has developed a program of annual inspections to insure that crack filling, pavement sealing, and pavement repair are addressed regularly and work scheduled annually to preserve our roads. Our roads will never look good because the original construction technique gave us a pavement subject to cracking but our roads are strong and will not fail when attended to regularly.
I-75 RELANDSCAPE PROJECT
Christine Rufino
, CoordinatorI have received the State of Florida Department of Transportation Landscape Plans for the Waterford boundary. I am very pleased with what I have seen, and I am happy to report, our Waterford border will receive over 4,600 trees and plants according to this Landscape Plan. There will be 3,200+ plants that grow to 3-4 feet at maturity. In addition, 1,400+ trees will be planted that grow to 15-30' at maturity. This plan is in addition to the trees that have already been planted along our border.
The DOT Plan includes the following: Silver Saw Palmetto, Zania Pumila/Coontie, Southern Red Cedar, Wax Myrtle, Simpson's Stopper, South Florida Slash Pine and Sabal Palm.
The planting will occur once the Interstate 75 widening has been completed. By that time, the cedar and slash pine trees we currently have in place will have grown, and with the addition of the above plantings, in many cases there will be areas where we'll have 3-5 plantings deep. This should help to provide much needed coverage along the Waterford border.
I-75 Road Widening Project
As you know, the I-75 Road Widening Project has already begun. A copy of the DOT project plan has been posted on
the wall in the Sports Club for
Waterford residents. The DOT has the original plan, and thanks to Jack Robson, Waterford has it's very "own" color copy! Please do not remove this copy from the Sports Club.
All I-75 lanes along the Waterford border will be expanded to the EAST!
For updates on the roadwork, please go to the DOT website:
http://www.i-75otm.com
You might want to add this website to your "Favorites" and come back weekly for updates.
This Web site is designed to provide information about the I-75 widening project which has begun, from north of River Road to north of State Road 681 in the communities of Laurel, Nokomis, and Venice in Sarasota County, Florida. Information about lane closures, construction progress, safety tips and much more will be provided and updated on a regular basis.
After Interstate 75 has been widened, the State plan is to extend Honore Avenue from Sarasota South to Laurel Road, providing a much needed alternate route to Interstate 75.
Honore Avenue will terminate opposite Pinebrook Road where it intersects with Laurel Road.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Lizette Lenhard
I am happy to report that, as far as I know, we have had no major security issues since March 2010. I would like to believe this is a direct result of all the extra awareness our Neighborhood Watch program has created. Many of you are much more alert to the happenings in Waterford, and have called in reports to the police and/or area Block Captains. Thank you so much. This is what makes a Neighborhood Watch successful – watching out for one another and not hesitating to call the police if something suspicious is seen.
Even with a Neighborhood Watch program in place, criminal activity is still a possibility. Therefore, we are asking everyone to be vigilant, learn what is normal for your neighborhood so you’ll know if something looks out of place, and call the Venice Police and/or a Block Captain to report anything suspicious. That’s all it takes!
If you are a victim of a crime, please let a Block Captain, me, or Dick Hale know as soon as possible. We would like to pass on any important information to all residents in Waterford through our Neighborhood Watch contact system. This has many benefits, including: passing on accurate information instead of word-of-mouth, dispersing it in a timely manner, increasing awareness of crimes so residents can better protect themselves, and possibly finding someone who saw something relating to your situation.
Dick Hale and I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all the Block Captains who have volunteered their time. Without them, this program would not be in existence. There are currently over 30 residents helping with the Neighborhood Watch. If you have not been contacted by your area Block Captain and would like to be, give me a call – my number is in the directory.
Thank you, and have a safe summer!
WATERFORD SINGLES
Pat Longson
Summertime is here and a lot of activities have slowed down. However, the Waterford Singles are getting ready to go out to dinner. Again! Seems sometimes that all we do is eat. In the summertime we usually go to a nice restaurant for dinner. In May we enjoyed the view and the food from the Gulf Grill Restaurant on Manasota Beach. In June we will be going to Morgan’s Restaurant (located in Bentley's).
Once again we invite any and all Waterford singles to join us. All you have to do is give a call to Pat Longson at 485-6424 so we can reserve enough seats.
WATERFORD TENNIS
Andrea Payne
The season is winding down as our snowbirds have fled north. Our last social hosted by Ruth and Ted Gutch was a cocktail party at the tennis courts. Everyone brought a snack. There was a good turnout, the weather was great and everyone had a good time. Later we were all invited inside by Mary Badeau to celebrate Paul's birthday with a delicious cake and coffee. Happy Birthday Paul. The socials will begin again on Wednesday October 6 with a pot luck dinner. Hope to see you all there.
We all wish Bob Milone a speedy recovery from his knee replacement surgery. We will be looking for him back on the tennis courts in the fall.
I personally wish to thank all those people who have supported our tennis programs this year. The NY lottery saying is "you have to be in it to win it" holds true for our tennis program. Winning is just a plus-it's playing and participating that really counts. A special thanks to all those who hosted our Wednesday night dinners and to Dick Hale and Tony for keeping the courts in superb shape.
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!
DUPLICATE BRIDGE
The Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening games in the Sports Club have been cancelled for the summer. The games will resume the week after Labor Day. For those interested there is a game of similar skill level at the Senior Friendship Center at 1 PM on Mondays.
BERKSHIRE COURT
Ann DeCou
As the April/May Berkshire Court column in the Waterford Watch ended with the upcoming dinner at the Waterford Clubhouse for March 26, 2010, this column will begin with thanking Dory Byers and Min Powell for hosting such an excellent event. Eighteen people attended, devoured really delicious food from the Clubhouse menu, and really enjoyed themselves.
As Mary Pappert had the "red-label" under her dinner-plate, she won the beautiful white Easter Lily! It was a very nice venue, a great new idea, and Min and Dory did a very good job. It is sad to report the death, March 26, 2010, of Lynn Koehler's mother, Angie Kertesz. She had been in Manor Care in Venice for the past 7 years. Services, on March 29th, were private.
Blue Heron Landscape Service has been working hard on our freeze- damaged plants by pruning, trimming, and fertilizing. Tom Cunneen sent an email with the "Pest and Fertilization Schedule", from January 2010 to December 2010, which was helpful for all of us. Hopefully, Berkshire Court's landscaping is on the way to better health! Speaking of plants--it is interesting to note that Rose Dickerson is on the Lakes and Drains Committee at WMOA and will be helping to plant 6,000+ aquatic plants in 19 lakes throughout Waterford. That is a wonderful contribution to the Waterford Community.
Dick Hale, WMOA's Board of Director's Recreation and Security Director, and a Berkshire Court resident, has been doing an excellent job keeping all of us informed and up-to-date on recent developments on bogus companies and vehicle vandalism, as well as programs to help keep Waterford safer. It is a good feeling to enter the Berkshire Place gate and see the new WARNING: Neighborhood Watch sign indicating that our street is part of the Neighborhood Watch program.
As we were informed that the Berkshire Court pool will be closed on or about May 26, 2010, for approximately 7-10 days for marcite and tile work ( kindness of Mary Cunneen, Secretary), it was nice to have a little Cinco de Mayo celebration ( kindness of Carolyn Lockett). Everybody at the pool that day enjoyed chilled Margaritas and appetizers while enjoying the pool before it closes. How cooling!
It was good to get the May 13th email from Diane Hale about the Loveland Follies, giving information about Loveland as an "organization that teaches/works with mentally challenged adults. They put on a show every year and have been doing so for 15 years". The show is June 5, 2010, at 7:00 PM, and June 6, 2010, at 2:00PM., at the Venice Theater. Diane Hale and Sharon Rugh continue to serve as volunteers for this worthy and wonderful cause.
Serving as President of Berkshire Court, Brad Hayes has helped form and educate a Paint Committee for our upcoming (future) house-painting. As it has been 10 years since the houses have been painted this should prove to be an interesting endeavor! The committee members are: Linda Moretti, Marie Jennings, Ruth Flocker and Ann DeCou. Members have been working hard, along with Argus Management, to study paint companies, paint schemes, paint methods, paint bids, and all that goes along with such items!! Committee members attended the monthly Board of Directors meeting, May 19,2010 at 3:00PM,at the Waterford Sport Center, where Linda Moretti presented the status report It is interesting to note that Linda is also serving in her second-year of a four-year term on the Sarasota Opera Board of Trustees.
Speaking of volunteers--there are four women in the "greater" Waterford Community that received the Presidential Bronze Award pin, along with a letter from President Barack Obama, for 100-249 Hours of Service for the Hospice-Tidewell Organization. Those women are: Julie Osborne and Jean Rock from Windsor, and Diane Hale and Ann DeCou from Berkshire Court. The 2010 Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event was held April 19, 2010, at the Jacaranda West Country Club.
On a personal note--this will be the last column I will write for the Waterford Watch. I have enjoyed the writing experience, but feel it is time to have another writer submit an article (especially as I "looked up" the date of my first column--Jan./Feb. 2004). My thanks to those kind-hearted souls who let me know they enjoyed and appreciated my small endeavor.
My thanks and deep appreciation to them!
KILRUSS DRIVE
Bobbie Cohen Nolan
By now most of our neighborhood snowbirds have ‘flown’ up north again. We wish them a safe and enjoyable summer. We will be looking forward to seeing them again in the fall.
Meanwhile, my husband, Jim and I have just returned from ‘chilly’ springtime South Hadley, MA visiting and helping out with our FIRST grandchild, Avery Grace. She is now two months old and changing everyday. I’m sure you remember your first child or grandchild and the special attention that they need.
In mid-May many of our neighbors of Kilruss, Ardry Way, and Cartina Way gathered for a Bloc Party at the Waterford Sports Club. Everyone joined in to bring an appetizer or snack to share. It was an enjoyable evening hosted by Jeane & Dick Rock, Barb & Bill Boehm, and Bobbie & Dick Huibregtse. Some of our new neighbors were unable to attend but we look forward to seeing them at our future events. We hear that Lee Waldron was unable to attend due to a health issue and we wish her a speedy recovery. Also, was that a ‘rent-a-husband’ she calls Ron that Jan Garrison had by her side?
Jeane & Dick Rock want to remind everyone that the Monday bridge group will shut down beginning the month of August and will reopen the Monday after Labor Day.
Our own neighbor, Charlie Thayer was recently called by our Venice Mayor Ed Martin to see if Charlie would consider being nominated for a seat on Venice’s planning commission. From Charlie’s past experience of owning eleven newspapers with his brother in New Hampshire he has often written his own opinionated editorials in our Venice Gondolier to include sharing some of the same ideas on Venice’s growth with our mayor. Charlie knew this was a very important agency to our town and gave it lots of thought and finally decided to be nominated and now occupies a position.
So I sat down with Charlie and asked what is involved with his duties for the planning commission. As the local planning agency, the commission makes the final decision to approve or deny site and development plans plus special exceptions and variances. Commissioners provide recommendations to our City Council for annexations, subdivision development and amendments to the zoning code. Applicants may appeal commission decisions to City Council.
There are seven commissioners on this volunteer committee with the City Attorney, a City Council Member (who cannot vote), plus other interested attorneys for each issue. Each commissioner’s term is for three years and they meet the first & third Tuesday per month.
Charlie realizes that his commissioner position could be overwhelming at times but he’s ready for the ongoing tasks with the help of his past expertise. We want to wish him well on his new responsibilities.
Again, PLEASE don’t be shy about contacting me with your news or interesting tidbits to share with your neighbors. Feel free to call or email me at
STLDANZLDY@aol.com. Wishing all a Happy & Safe Summer!
Waterford Drive
Hugh Laubis
Besides the news that our neighbor Jim Morris (1529) is recovering well from his 4 way by-pass and that Jane Brodt (1517) is home safe after visiting her sister in Chile and was fortunate enough to not be effected by the large devastating earthquake there, there is not too much new information on Waterford Drive this month.
Lynn and I were away for half the month visiting back home in NY while the last of our migrant neighbors were heading back north. There has been however, some goings on at the ‘south/main’ entrance gate worth talking about. You all may have noticed that my house (1507) was without any grass between the street and sidewalk for about 6 weeks. Across the street on the WMOA common property side along the street was also ripped up for some time. As a result, the whole entry on both sides for the period looked pretty shabby. The issue was cinch bug damage. We decided to rip ours all out and with Barbara Boehm’s committee’s cooperation, the WMOA side was all replaced as well. Theirs was replaced with traditional St. Augustine grass while I decided to do mine with a new strain of St Augustine, called Captiva. The difference is that Captiva roots straight down as traditional grasses and St. Augustine roots sideways with runners making them delectable and easy to reach for the cinch bugs. Captiva is supposedly cinch bug proof but only time will tell. When passing by, take a look. We all seem to experience the same issues sooner or later and this may be a new approach to solving that cinch bug problem. You may like it. So far it looks healthy and almost identical to the St. Augustine. There are two very competent contractors serving us who know all about it, Scott of ‘Peterson & sons’ and Mark Patrick of ‘Eden Rock Lawn Care’, who replaced mine. Both are from North Port. In addition, WMOA has updated and beautified the entrance to Colony Place off Waterford Drive making it an enhanced drive by experience as long as you are passing along slow enough to see it.
This thought brings me to an on-going ‘quality of life’ issue also happening at the main south entrance area as well. It affects both the security of all of us inside Windsor Park as well as the safety of those of us who live in that up front entry way stretch. The subject can be generalized as being ‘the somewhat inconsiderate speed and impatience’ exhibited by some residents as they enter and exit between the main gate and roughly the area of the golf crossing. This may all be attributed to just a bit of day dreaming but when we who live in that stretch get horns blown at us while backing out of our driveways, it is a little more than just that. The ‘security’ part of the issue relates to the buzzing in of strangers and contractors who just sit at the gate waiting for the impatient behind them to buzz them in. These folks must be forced to turn away from the entrance. As a result of these issues, I have been working with Dick Hale of the WMOA board on getting the adjustment of the gate opening sensitivity reduced to the point that it is necessary to almost stop in order to buzz the gate open and also so the gate cannot be opened from multiple car lengths back. Hopefully you will not look at this as a personal inconvenience but rather your contribution to the quality of life and security of all of us inside the Windsor Park gate. Please monitor your driving speed on Waterford Drive, 20 MPH is respectable. We all thank you for that.
Finally, here is some other interesting news. While sharing a golf cart with another Waterford Drive resident, we got on the subject of property taxes. He told me how he protested and won a reduction of his bill by using comparative data of other Waterford Drive residents as the argument. I decided to look into my own situation and perhaps you might like to do the same. It is very interesting about some of significant differences that exist. There are of course varieties of different situations based on square footage and some various exemptions that exist but even considering those, there are some neighbors with the same houses and conditions with sizable spreads in tax billing. This information is all in public records and you can see them for yourself on-line at the Sarasota County Tax Collectors site. I am working up an analysis for my own use in preparation for a timely visit to Sarasota. More on this in the future.
In closing, I am happy again to be a part of the traveling Waterford golf groups for the summer. We are fortunate that our good Waterford neighbors, John Twigg (Brenner Park) and Ted Hornback (Devonshire) take time to manage the Monday group and Wednesday groups respectively. Thanks fellas, you help make Waterford a great place to live.
WESLEY PLACE
Lynn Talbot
Happy spring to everyone! After the winter we had, it seemed a long time coming!
Wesley Place celebrated spring with their Annual Picnic at the Sports Club on April 10th. It was a beautiful evening and everyone took advantage of being able to sit outside and enjoy the pool view. A big thank you to Marty Peters for again organizing the event, and to the men who provided the grills for a real picnic atmosphere. What a nice way to see everyone, and wish those snowbirds a safe journey North.
Our Wesley Place streets are looking great after a recent paving! Speaking of great, the Sampson’s gardenia tree is in full bloom at the end of Slate Court, and the air is full of fragrances from the many other flowering trees around Wesley. A group of Wesley residents including the LaCava’s, Siderski’s, Boebert’s, Edith Stinson and Gene Kapusta traveled by bus up to the Hard Rock Casino. While no one came home winning a million, the good food and friendly company made for a good time.
Many thanks to Renata Boebert who organized our monthly Thursday card night for many years. Pam Siderski is taking charge of this activity, and would appreciate input on whether to change this to a "Game" night -so think of any games you would like to share for the fall.
We all bid a fond farewell to Jill Shaw who recently sold her home on Moon drive, but she assures us she will be back to visit or rent!
In case you missed the announcements, the Venice Theater is hosting an International Festival in June, and Bob Peters will be back to participate in it, and also host a group of international thespians.
While many of our residents volunteer at a number of local agencies, Pam Siderski can be found at the Mote Marine Aquarium working in the Mammal Center. She is enjoying getting to know the dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles!
Enjoy this warm weather!!
TURNBERRY PLACEJanet Lawlor
On April 15th we had our Sunset Beach Party down at the Jetty to say goodbye to our neighbors that were leaving for the summer.
Someone must have a connection with the weatherman. We could not have asked for a better day.
We had 55 residents attend. Dinner was served by Affordable Custom Catering. We had dinner rolls, southern potato salad, marinated pasta salad, corn, baked beans, applesauce, grilled chicken and chef carved honey baked ham, for dessert we had strawberry short cake with cream on top.
We were all given song sheets with around 30 songs listed, however we only sang about 9.
We all put on our party hats and sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Turnberry. We celebrated our 20th year with a large delicious birthday cake. We had candles on the cake but they kept blowing out due to the breeze.
Fran Hill was the lucky winner of the 50/50. She won $62.50.
We still have a few people here that will be gone up North by the time you read this article. We may have 20 families here for the summer out of 50.
With several of our neighbors gone the Neighborhood Watch Committee will be doing their best to keep our street safe. We hope the residents that went north for the summer will feel confident that the committee will be doing their job.
This past December Evelyn D’Andrea celebrated her 90th birthday. On April 25th Emil D’Andrea celebrated his 90th birthday at Mission Valley Golf and Country Club with several of his friends. Evelyn had some pictures of Emil when he was in the Air Force on display. BOY OH BOY Evelyn is one lucky lady…Emil was a STUD in his uniform. We also saw some pictures of Evelyn in her modeling days she was and still is a beauty. What a handsome couple they make. When they go out for dinner if there is music playing they are always on the dance floor. What an inspiration they are to us younger people.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Margaret Sloan on the passing of her mother.
BRENNER PARK
Diane Pople
Well, I think we saw spring, but it seems like we’ve just sped into summer. We’re already experiencing the heat and humidity! No complaining though! This is the reason we come to Florida - to enjoy these lazy days with the warm breeze in the pool after a fun day on the golf course, tennis court or after a relaxed ride on our bicycles. The flowers are just beautiful and kudos to those neighbors who have added such vibrant color to the block with their front yard plantings!
Our April Social was hosted by Jack and Marilyn Mitchell and Dave and Sharron Morton. Spring was the theme, as neighbors were challenged to a fun game of "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" We won’t be naming any names but I’m sure all attending found out just how smart they are!! It’s great to see how imaginative our hosts are each month as we are always entertained and have a great time. Not to mention the tasty delights that we always look forward to! The May get-together was an early Memorial Day Celebration hosted by Hans and Tilly Mooyman. There was a great turn out with a variety of delicious food. As an additional treat, we were able to view Han’s collection of photos that are on display this month at the Sports Center. Hans is an avid bird and nature lover. Many of the photos were taken at the Carlton Preserve, as well as the Rookery and our own Waterford Golf Course. Congratulations, Hans, on an impressive display!
Our ladies monthly Bunko group continues to go strong. We have twelve regular players and a good size substitute list. Each month we meet at a different neighbor’s home for an entertaining night of bunko, great conversation and delicious snacking. It really has been a fun addition to our street’s social network. If you would like to get on the substitute list, it’s never too late. Just call me or Oma Petrine and we would be glad to add your name.
Thanks to Dawn Finnerty and Sharron Morton for volunteering to be our Block Captains for the Waterford Neighborhood Watch Program. They will be forwarding important community information to us given to them regarding any crime or suspicious activity in the area. We can forward any information that we have as well to Dawn or Sharron regarding crime or any concerns you may have regarding safety on our block. Thanks Dawn and Sharron for helping to keep Brenner Park a safe place to live! And of course, we should thank Pat Jandacek also for keeping us updated on any personal news that neighbors want shared. Thanks for keeping us all informed Pat! A fun, healthy, safe summer season to all!
COLONY PLACE
Jim Cranfield
My uncle has proposed a new club for the Waterford Community. Called the Waterford Procrastinator’s Club, the group will have no meetings and no dues. Their motto will be "Tomorrow we organize!!" You may sign up when you get around to it. The success of this club is virtually guaranteed and is likely to be around for a long time.
As advertised, the Second Wurst Pool Party was an enjoyable social event. Because of the big turnout, the event was held in the Sports Center. Tim and Bonnie Pierie hosted and everyone brought a dish to share. We are looking forward to the Third edition.
The final Golf and Dinner event of the season was held on April 28th and consisted of a nine-hole scramble followed by dinner at Captain Eddie’s. First place in the scramble went to Janet Butts, Bonnie Pierie and the Cranfields. Dinner was attended by about 20 residents and their guests.
Several roofs have been replaced or sealed with an Elastomeric product in anticipation of the rainy season. If the hurricane prognosticators are correct we could be getting a lot of rain this summer to test these new applications. Other improvements around the neighborhood include the replacement of sod in several areas.
My uncle said the food was so bad at his house that they prayed AFTER they ate.
CLUBSIDE
Marcia Bickmore
Hello and goodbye for the summer from the Clubside Waterford Watch. Most of the snow birds have flown and it’s the time of year when many of the rest of us ‘vacate’ for a little northern respite from the hectic pace of retirement and socializing here in paradise. It IS hot in June. But, there are benefits for those who stay. I don’t know how the rest of you feel, but for me it is a joy to be able to walk into our favorite restaurants and be seated immediately, or easily find a parking space pretty much wherever we go.
That being said, it’s nice to travel to interesting places, as the Parlettes will be doing. For their 50th wedding anniversary they will be headed to Scandinavia with Waterford friends Bobbie and Richard Gilbert. Sounds lovely! And, happy anniversary from your Clubside neighbors.
Other happy news is that Helen Rich has returned home after a stint at Harbor Chase while recuperating from a fall. Good to have you back, Helen. Tom Rich is not yet home following multiple health concerns, but is "chomping at the bit" and feeling much better. Our best to both of you.
Much of the neighborhood celebrated our reinstated Block Party April 17 in the cul de sac. Rain threatened, so our hosts, Mel and Charlotte Van Dyke set up buffet tables in their pristine garage. What can I say? The food was fab, brats and burgers were cooked to perfection, there were desserts galore and fun people to consume it all. Doesn’t get any better except to note that Van Dykes’ preparations warded off the rain and it turned out to be a beautiful evening! Let’s do it again in the fall.
Sad news to report is that Gene Lehman passed away early in May after many months of severe kidney disease. Eloise, your Clubside neighbors send you our sincere condolences. We hope to see you in the fall.
Waterford friends, if you are traveling, peaceful journeys and happy landings. If not, I hope you have the summer of your dreams.
Tootles, All!
DEVONSHIRE PARK
Gayle Fazzalaro
Sixty years ago in Columbia Pennsylvania, on Saturday May 20, 1950, high school sweethearts wed and became Mr. and Mrs. Dale Greider. Last Sunday their three children and their families congregated on Gleneagles Drive to celebrate the happy occasion of their 60th anniversary. When one of their daughters, an elementary school teacher in Chicago explained her impending absence to the class, there was silence. Finally one youngster raised his hand and said, "They sure must have liked each other". That sums it up very well. The family enjoyed a wonderful reunion and celebrated with close friends at Rosebuds. The residents of Devonshire Park wish Thelma and Dale all the best at this joyous time.
It is time to mark your calendars. Ruth Gutch has informed me that she and her committee of neighbors has scheduled a Welcome Back Party. It will be held on Saturday November 6, 2010. This will be our first party of the year so I am sure it will be fun to see everyone again. Many of our snowbirds will be returning and we will have a chance to catch up with them and their news. Betty Trumpey and I will be hosting our Christmas Party on Saturday, December 4th at the Sports Club. We will do something similar to last year’s event which was very well received. Be sure to save these dates.
Recently I spoke with Carole Litt. She asked me to convey her thanks to her many friends and neighbors who lent their support after Archie’s passing. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness. Unfortunately I have a similar message from Jackie Accardo who lost John after a long battle. She has been warmed by the many acts of thoughtfulness, visits and remembrances. We extend our sympathy to these two fine ladies in their time of sorrow.
This is a reminder about our Friday lunches open to all Waterford residents and their guests. We meet every Friday at 11:45. The first Friday is our "field trip" where we explore some new and different venues. The third Friday we meet at the Crossroads Restaurant. Any other Friday is at the Waterford Golf Club. Reservations are not required although it might be a good idea to call 483-4904 to confirm the location for any given week.
Finally I would like to welcome the Wilkins family back to Trune Way. I have not had a chance to see them for an interview but promise to catch up with them before the next issue of the Watch.
Life has been winding down slowly. The neighborhood has become much quieter as we begin to prepare for the hot days of summer ahead. If you have vacation plans-enjoy. If you are staying here in paradise-enjoy that too.
Devonshire North
Barbara Griffin
Such a pretty time of year! Our yards are looking good with their new sod. The extra watering is great for all the plants as well. When our children send us pictures of the lilacs, lupines, tulips, iris and red ornamental lace-leaf maples, we admire and enjoy the memories. The rush of spring in the North is certainly beautiful. Then we send back photos of bougainvillea, ixora, allamanda, orchids, gardenias, palms, magnolias, etc.
Neighbors continue on their spring exodus to the North. While we will be missing them and keeping a strong neighborhood watch, we do enjoy the lighter traffic and availability of restaurant tables. Besides the regular migration, we have a few neighbors relocating to other areas. It is hard to see them go. Ed and Catherine Shannon will be moving to a retirement facility north of Baltimore, Md. Catherine says its lovely and it offers assisted living and nursing facilities as well. They will be near family and have several friends living in the same facility. John Yeager has sold his house and will be leaving soon to settle closer to his family on the East coast of Florida. We surely do wish them well in their new homes. (You may contact me if you would like their new addresses.)
We also have a new couple to welcome to the neighborhood. Bob Bego and Simone Gadoury have recently moved into Jim McCord’s house. It is so nice to have someone there again.
Ken Schultz is taking Reni Cohen’s place as secretary of Devno while she is in rehab after her ankle reconstruction. She is making good progress. Shirley Thompson and Barbara Sorrentino seem to be on a stint of participating in out-of-the-ordinary activities. This time it’s parasailing! Yes, the photos show them high up above the water with big smiles on their faces.
Keep your eyes open for Shayne and her big dog, Dallas, cruising around the neighborhood in her little vintage convertible. I’ve heard it’s quite a sight, one guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Very refreshing.
Remember my mentioning that Andy Weil shot his age (89)? Well, he’s growing younger by the day, for just recently he shot an 87! We have many champions in our neighborhood. Joan Altvater and Pat Johnson have continued their great golf records, and I tied for first place in my flight one day. Our newest champ is Reni Cohen who won a first place medal in a competition at the rehab facility. Not so easy with your leg straight out in a cast. Also, a big golf welcome back to Kay Schultz. It’s good to see her on the golf course again. Congratulations to all.
Have a wonderful summer.