Safe Journies to All

There are almost 100 different people leaving the park tomorrow. Most are going to the Panama Canal, some to Central America. I will be one of them.

Hope everyone who remains behind attends the Budget Workshop on December 3, with an open mind and a healthy future for Regency Cove as a #1 priority.

The Devil and Regency Cove

I am just shocked that the December issue of the Outlook would publish an opinion from a resident who had the audacity to label neighbors “the devil and his disciples”. To date, I have never seen horns nor spiked tails on anything moving in the park, nor has any such creature(s) been registered in our pet registration.

I would love to see the religious and personal credentials of the individual who can so easily classify a neighbor with such hatred, while “praying for an answer.” Christianity doesn’t espouse such ugly and negative feelings towards one’s neighbor, in fact, we are directed towards LOVE. I think the author should start praying for a little Love to enter her heart, and replace the hatred and discontentment she demonstrated in her writing.

I spent seven hours today watching the interaction of our nice community at its semi-annual Trash and Treasures. I saw people hugging and welcoming newly returned neighbors. I witnessed people buying little items for others, and just slipping them unnoticed into their bundles. I saw volunteers bringing in baked goods, sweating half of their day in the kitchen, hauling trash, and cleaning up tables so the next diners would have a pleasant experience.

There is no infectious disease rampant in Regency Cove, and the only thing that needs to be cured is the type of thinking that allows someone to be so publicly vile to a neighbor. People can and should speak their minds at Board meetings, but nothing in this opinion warranted publication in our newsletter. Never in 50 years of our newsletter has such a negative and un-Christian item been published.

I think the Outlook editor should be reprimanded for including this opinion under the Club Regency heading, and allowing it in the Outlook at all. There have been disagreements in this community in the past, and we have managed to successfully resolve them, and make correct decisions, without the assistance of the newsletter editor. Hatred must not be published and perpetuated.

3 Redneck Tenors

The first of the Ruth Eckerd Adults at Leisure series began yesterday with a lighthearted approach to some pretty serious singing. The 3 Redneck Tenors performed their Christmas show, which improved significantly during the second half. They ceased the buffoonery of searching for their recently widowed cousin Edna Mae, and just told a few humorous stories and sang beautiful versions of our favorite Christmas carols.
I found on YouTube a version of the Beethovan's Fifth which they performed on TV. Some of you with fast service might actually be able to access it from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cib7Tk4IQ

Would love to hear other comments on the performance.

Tree Trimming Party

On Saturday December 1, the annual Tree Trimming event begins at 2pm at the clubhouse. The hall is festooned and the creche is once again lovingly displayed. Please join the group of volunteers who help to make our Christmas season so joyous and personable.

Trash and Treasures Day

On Thursday, November 29, the doors open at 9am for our semi-annual Trash and Treasures Event at Regency Cove. Vendors and registered volunteers only are allowed in at 7:30 to set up their wares. Morning coffee will be available.

Betty Warp's super sloppy joes will be served at 11:00 for the best lunch deal in town. For $3.50, you have your choice of a hot dog or sloppy joe, or a sloppy hot dog, with a choice of 2 sides: chips, potato salad, or beans. A soft drink or water is included in that price.

Bakery items will be sold.

Things usually wind up at 1:oo. Come early for the best deals.

Mystery Boat For Sale

The owner of the mystery boat which floated over from Georgetown, has been contacted by several residents. He originally offered the boat for sale at a thousand dollars. This weekend he has dropped his asking price to a mere $600. The boat needs some TLC and its bottom scraped.

If you are interested, call Larry Buttelwerth or Ed Bedore for the phone number.

Happy Thanksgiving to All Our Loyal Readers

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP,
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.

SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN,
FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE,
FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING,
FLOATING INTO THE SKY
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING
AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL
AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL –
PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

Attn: Line Dancers

Time to dust the cobwebs off your dancing shoes. Come have some fun and learn many dance steps and moves that you can enjoy at functions at Regency Cove and in the city.
Men and women are invited to learn the Electric Slide, Boot Scootin' Boogie, and Elvira (just to name a few).
Dance classes start Dec 5, 2007. Every Wednesday.
Location: Friendship Hall
Time: 10-11 am
Instructor: Cheryl Farnell
Cost: $3.00 per session

Any questions call Gail Horvath 837-9370 or Andrea Sencich 805-9172.

Monday Potluck Supper

Scarecrows Night Out is the theme for the first Club Regency potluck of the season. DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR BADGE! They will send you home to get it. Price for non-members and guests is $3.00, with a dish to share.

Our wonderful cooks Matt, Noel, and Joe are preparing turkey and dressing, and we all bring the sides, drinks, and desserts. Coffee will be provided. As usual, bring your plates, cups, and silverware. The Committee is expected at 4:30, and doors open to the general public at that time. The meal will begin at 5:30 sharp. Andrea Sencich and Sara Comley are the co-chairs who have organized the feast. There will be a short Club Regency meeting during dessert. Mary Lou Mittel has hired an entertainer with a singing saw for an after-dinner treat.

Dress like a scarecrow.

Security Issue

At today's Board meeting, resident Dee Bedore brought to light an important security issue. Late at night recently, she was awakened to a phone call demanding that she "press the button" to let the caller in. Dee was alert enough, at that wee hour, to demand identification of the caller, rather than press the number to allow their access. The caller immediately hung up.

After the meeting, other residents came forth to say that they too have received late night gate access requests. Please be advised of this dangerous situation. Do not, under any circumstances, allow access to any individuals calling from the gate that you do not know.

If you are a resident with a non-working gate clicker, please go to the office and talk to Peggy for a replacement clicker. Never, under any circumstances, allow a caller into the park unless you are certain of their identification. The security of this park is dependent on every member. We are in this together! Let's take care of eachother!

How to Make a Change in the Park Rules

Two days ago, a very unobtrusive question came into the comments under another post and was quickly buried under a flurry of other comments. An anonymous resident wrote in to ask "How does one go about making a change in the rules of this park?"
My computer sevice was down so I couldn't respond after reading this honest and simple question on my cell phone. You gotta understand, folks, I am certainly not an expert. As of today, I am the SECOND newest member of the Board, with a desire to communicate and respond to all/ most/some of your comments.
This one, I feel, needs to be addressed.
I have been studying the FL statutes for the last few months, and I learn something new everytime I open the book. Its a tough read.
To Anonymous, Here are my suggestions:
Attend the Board meetings. Speak out when the time is right. Request acknowledgement from the Chairperson (Ellen). We try to follow Robert's Rules of Order. There is a right way to present at the meeting. If Ed or Chet are wandering around with a microphone, that is the time to present.
If you are like me, uncomfortable speaking at assemblies, write out your concerns and submit them to a Board member. (Throw it in my mailbox, 15-28, or any other Board member you trust.) Ask that it be addressed at the next Board meeting. Today Ed Bedore presented a request from an individual for a public pier. It WAS addressed, and hopefully will be brought up again in the future, after Ed investigates the cost. I want to investigate federal grants on that topic.

Changes to Official Rules and Regs Documents occur at our March Shareholder meeting. Things are voted by the shareholders at that meeting. Changes to our documents require correct postings and a majority vote. These things are delineated in the FL statutes, and we are trying to stay current with all the regulations. The first step is making your intentions clear. Don't wait too long. Remember that every rule affects every shareholder in the park, and this is nothing to be taken lightly.

New Board Member Announced

At the Board meeting today, it was announced that Marie Avant (13-24) was selected by a blind vote of the members of the Board to fill the recent vacancy. Marie is well known by members of the Yacht Club for her ability to organize events, and get people involved. We look forward to working with her as a member of our team. Her position will run til the March elections, when she will become a candidate in the 2008 elections. Welcome aboard, Marie.

Service Interrupted

Sorry about the delay in responding to and posting comments on the blog. We lost our Brighthouse service 2-3 days ago: no phone, no computers, no front gate controls. Sometimes I can access your comments on my Blackberry phone, and publish them. Sometimes it doesn't work.

When we called the company we were informed that there were major Brighthouse interruptions all over Hillsborough County. Sounded like a major city-wide terminal meltdown. Just after the Board meeting today we waited for the technician to arrive to tell us that it was a minor repair right around the house. What a crock!

We would have waited for another 4-5 days had we not bitched about our inability to control the front gate, the fact that we are senior citizens who need access to telephone for our health and well-being, yadda-yadda.

It was just after the Board meeting last month that we waited for the technician to come to trade off to the correct modem that would actually control the front gate from our phone. It is a well-known fact that the older modems don't work on the phones in our park, and yet Brighthouse continues to install them to keep up with their work schedule. Or something like that.

If you have a telephone issue, and they stall your repairs to 6-7 days, rely on your delicate age and conditions to demand quicker service. We are senior citizens with health concerns. It is time to hold these utilities accountable for their promises to us.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

CLUB REGENCY HAS JUST ANNOUNCED ITS 2 SPONSERED FUND RAISER TRIPS FOR 2008...

1. HOLY LAND .... 10 DAYS..NOV.9 TO NOV. 19...FROM TAMPA

2. ALASKA........15 DAYS..JUNE 5 TO JUNE 20..FROM TAMPA

FULL DETAILS ON THE TRAVEL BOARD OR CONTACT DEE:
813-830-6776.........EMAIL: SALTYDG@AOL.COM

LIMITED SPACE. CLUB REGENCY APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT.

Seawall Consultant To Report at Board Meeting

Reuben H. Clarson, the consultant who was hired to evaluate our seawall this summer, will be present to speak and answer questions at the Board meeting this Saturday November 17, 2007, at 10 am.

Maintenance Fee Increase Causes Resident Reaction

The proposed budget that was recently mailed to all shareholders increases the maintenence fee to all residences $20 across the board. There are two budget meetings proposed on Dec 3, one in the afternoon, and another in the evening. Mark your calendar for one of these events.

Group Exercise Begins Tuesday Nov.13

How about a nice aerobic workout?

Join the group at 9 am in the clubhouse, for a safe and gentle exercise program designed to keep you up and moving. The group meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. Everyone is welcome. Wear comfortable clothing.

Gail Horvath is the group leader. Contact her for info.

A Recovering American Soldier

A suggestion...when you're making out your Christmas card list this year....please include the following: A Recovering American Soldier
% Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Av.NW
Washington DC 20307-5001
Thank You..........and they will too!

Junglelandia....

Thanks to Ed Scobie and "the boys", Junglelandia has been really brought up to date. There are 3 new picnic tables, and 2 new gas and 2 new charcoal grills. New crushed shell has been placed in the walkways also. We can again be proud of Junglelandia.........use it with pride..........keep it clean.

Halloween Pictures

The photos of the Halloween party are now available for viewing. Look to the right under the LINKS and find the Halloween blog.

Remember, you can print any picture by clicking on it to enlarge it, and then hit your CTRL (control) button, and the P key. This link will also get you there.

www.RCHalloween.blogspot.com