APRIL NEWS FROM VANTAGE POINTE

By the time everyone gets this month's newsletter, the VPHA full timers will begin to settle in to the slower pace of late spring and summer on the roads and in the local restaurants, as well as the golf courses. I sincerely wish everyone who left for an enjoyable summer in the north had a safe trip home and we'll try to keep things running smoothly until everyone returns in October-December.

The construction on the new shaded area over the southwest corner of the pool has begun. James West is the designated contractor. Now everyone can enjoy the pool!!

The board is actively seeking bids from local nurseries for the replacement of shrubs lost over the winter. Only one bid has been received so far.

The audit committee reported that our treasurer, Flo Goode continues to do an outstanding job managing our finances. The committee found all records to be in order and properly handled. Thanks to Dale Craft, Duane Baggerly and Dennis Fitzgerald for a fine job in completing their work in a timely manner.

The 2009 Directory corrections & addendum lists were passed out at the meeting and can be e-mailed to anyone wishing to receive the new updates by contacting Don Dewey or the President.

One last reminder, from our treasurer, please mail all monthly payments to: VPHA, 1325 Pointe East, Sebring, FL 33872.

IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE HAVE LOST THREE OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. JIM KOEBELIN, PAUL FLEXON AND GLORIA WALTERS. I KNOW YOU JOIN US IN EXPRESSING OUR DEAPEST SYMPATHY TO THEIR FAMILIES. WE WILL MISS THEM DEARLY.

Vantage Pointe has just completed its First Annual Billiards Tournament. The tournament consisted of a Singles, 9-ball division and a Doubles, 8-ball division. Sixteen men competed in our first tournament. Plaques for both the 9-ball and 8-ball tournament winners will be on display in the clubhouse. The plaques that the brass plates will be attached to were made by Joe Lucia (thanks Joe).

The Singles, 9-ball division was a single elimination match determined by the winner of two out of three games. Sixteen men participated and after the elimination games were played, Glenn Myers and Gary Rathbun competed for the championship. Match play was very competitive and after each had won a game, Gary was able to hold Glenn off for the championship. Congratulations to Gary Rathbun as the First Annual 9-ball Singles Champion!

The Doubles 8-ball division was a single elimination match, again determined by the winner of two out of three games. Eight two man teams competed. It came down to a final match between the teams of Gary Rathbun and Bill Taylor against Jerry Hunter and Uly LeBeouf. As in the Singles Tournament, the match took three games to determine a winner. Jerry Hunter and Uly LeBeouf are the First Annual 8-ball Doubles Champions!

for their participation. Thanks to Gayle Magisano for the notices and tournament brackets, Jerry Syfert for the web site work, Uly LeBeouf and Bonnie Brown for photos, Dianne LeBeouf for substitute work and any one else who helped that I've unintentionally forgotten. Thanks also to VPHA for paying for the brass plates that the winners names will be engraved on.

MAKE NOTE: WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT 7 PM HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS BILLIARDS PLAY. Anyone interested, male or female is invited to come to the clubhouse and play a match or two.

THE LAST PANCAKE BREAKFAST OF THE SEASON WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH FROM 8:00 TILL 9:30. SIGN-UP SHEET IS IN THE CLUBHOUSE. ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES, SAUSAGE, ORANGE OR TOMATO JUICE AND COFFEE FOR ONLY $3.00. WHAT A DEAL!

COFFEE HOUR IS ON MONDAY MORNINGS FROM 8:30 UNTIL 9:30. JOIN YOUR FRIENDS AND FIND OUT ALL OF THE NEWS.

JUST A REMINDER CARD BINGO IS STILL BEING PLAYED ON THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAYS AT 7:00 PM.

A BELATED HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE. A GREAT EASTER DINNER WAS SERVED ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH AT THE CLUBHOUSE. PICTURES FROM THE DINNER CAN BE SEEN ON THE VANTAGE POINTE WEB SITE www.vantagepointfl.com

Many thanks to all the generous residents who donated a great variety of items to our recent fund-raiser at the clubhouse; to the Fullers, Podvias, Sherwoods and Stenkes who worked on it; and to the folks who shopped. $238.65 was raised, surpassing results from the past sales. Everything left over fir into the truck of a car and was donated to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. The money will be used to help replace plants lost to frost at the Trace entrance.

THE NEXT SOCIAL EVENT WILL BE A MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH COOKED AND SERVED ON MOTHER'S DAY, MAY 10 BY A GROUP OF GUYS. LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON ON THE BOARDS.

If any of you like CARIBBEAN food, a new resaturant has opened across from the Home Depot called MARVELOUS RUSH specializing in Cuban and Caribbean food.

During the summer, if anyone has any changes or additions for the new directory, PLEASE let Gayle Magisano know at ayla177@yahoo.com. She is working to have a new directory ready for February 2010. We need everyones help to do this.