VIEW POINT        

The Vantage Pointe Newsletter                                                    March 11, 2009

                    
 

From the President

At last we may finally be at a point where covering our plants is over! Many homeowners are now hoping that some damaged plants may soon show signs of recovering from one of the coldest winters here in southern Florida in recent history.

Homeowners’ Meeting Notes  The association voted to spend up to $5,000 for an aluminum-covered area over a section of the pool deck to provide shade for those who should not be in the sun, but who still wish to enjoy the pool.

In an update with regard to yard watering, due to regulations of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, residents were reminded that irrigation sprinklers cannot be turned on for watering new turf unless they are replacing at least 50% of their sod.  Also, when scheduling fertilizing, please schedule it on the day or evening when you are scheduled to receive water that evening.  Please do not ask to have your sprinklers turned on to have fertilizer watered in!

Walt Becker, lighting committee chairperson, wishes to remind anyone who will be away for more than a few days to please notify him with a key holder’s name in case your yard light goes out and needs to have the circuit breaker reset. He can be reached at 863-386-5281 or by email at wcb6841@embarqmail.com

E-mail updates needed  Last chance, there is very little time left for revising and updating your information in the annual directory.  Please send any changes to either Gail Magisano or Sunny Fuller no later than March 17.  This year we will only do an update, then a full directory will be re-printed in 2010.  Gail’s e-mail is ayla177@yahoo.com   Sunny’s is: hanksun@strato.net

Sewer system update  Since the city has not completed purchase of our sewer system yet, residents should plan on paying their regular monthly fees to Landmark Enterprises at least through August.  A tentative settlement to the situation has been reached and the preliminary figures show VP residents paying $24.55 per month and about $55 per year on your annual tax bill to pay for upgrades to the current system.  ALL homeowners will receive notification from authorities before we change to the Sebring Utilities.

                                                                                                                                                Ernie Kelly, President  

 

TO THE POINT

VP Jumble Sale Saturday, March 14, 12:00 – 3:00 at the Clubhouse (no early birds please). Stuff you would like to get rid of may be donated to the sale.  Items worth more than $15 - $20 will be taken on 20% commissions. Donations of homemade brownies, cookies etc. would be most welcome from community cooks!  Deliver things to the clubhouse that morning, to Sunny or Laura anytime before the date, or call for pick-up 471-663.

 

1^st Annual Pool VP Tournament under way.  9-ball play-offs March 11th and 12th with 16 competitors will be followed by an 8-ball (doubles) event and winners will be announced next month.  Call Joe Magisano for more information, 382-1848.

ID badges  Jim Davis has instigated a program whereby anybody attending a dinner function at our clubhouse will be handed a badge with his/her name and address on it.  Jerry Syfert has made up 107 badges so far.  This should help all of us learn (and remember) the names of more of our neighbors.  The badges will be collected before you leave the clubhouse, so they will be available for the next event.

Pancake Breakfast  Sunday, March 28, 8:00 - 9:30 at the clubhouse.  $3.00 for all you can eat.  Signing up on the sheet at the clubhouse is required. 

 

St. Patrick’s Day dinner Traditional corned beef, cabbage and lots more.  Tuesday March 17, 5:00 at the clubhouse.  Tickets $6 from the Langlands, 314-8432, deadline the 11th.  BYOB and silverware, but plates will be furnished.

 

Line dancing preceded by half an hour of low-key warm-up exercises every Monday afternoon 1:30-2:30 at the clubhouse.  Everyone is welcome and no experience necessary. 

 

Bridge next Tuesday the 17^th, will be held at the Fullers’, 2117 Vantage Trace, 12:30, due to the community dinner that night.   Otherwise, on Tuesdays 12:30 to 3:30 at the clubhouse.  Call Jane Flexon, 386-4916, to check on table filling.

 

Ice Cream Social  On hiatus until next fall. 

 

Card Bingo will not be scheduled for the 17^th; it is on for Tuesday the 24^th at the clubhouse.  Generally on the first and third Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Please bring quarters.  We will be playing 12 games with the 13th free for losers.

 

An Easter Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 4, in the clubhouse.  Check the bulletin boards for details.

Irrigation  If you are having a problem with your lawn sprinklers, Jim Kolb is the neighbor to call, 471-0927, but please do not phone him before 9:00 A.M.  Make arrangements to be on hand when he arrives to help you.

 

Coffee with the neighbors, Mondays at the clubhouse at 9:00 A.M.  

 

Card games of choice at the clubhouse Monday evenings, 7:00. 

 

Reminder:  when the pool gates are locked, the pool area is closed, usually because of weather conditions below 70 degrees.  Remember, any guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a homeowner when they use the facilities here.

 

Shuffleboard After coffee on Monday, 9:00 Wednesday and Friday.  Thursday and Sunday evenings at 6:30.  All welcome.

 

 

 

Vantage Pointe and Crafts Show  In 2005 and 2007, we had excellent exhibits at the Clubhouse showcasing the VP artists and crafts-people.   It has been suggested that we should do this again, particularly since our community has gained so many new  members.  Your neighbors will enjoy another opportunity to see what you’ve been doing. 

Our third show will be scheduled for next November, so please plan to participate when fall rolls around, and display the results of your hobby.  Items may be offered for sale if

 

you want, just in time for Christmas shoppers.  It will be a one-day exhibition with a wine and cheese reception in the evening, so nobody will have to worry about leaving articles overnight at the clubhouse.  Details will be announced in the fall.

 

Want to rent your place in Vantage Pointe for part of next winter?   Contact Herm Muscato at 716-992-9146 or hmuscato@roadrunner

Please check the Bulletin Boards when you pick up your mail, for notices and information of VP activities.  Personal notices and advertisements can be posted on the boards in the clubhouse.  There are people who’d like to help do some of your yard work at reasonable rates, and after all the recent frost damage, there’s sure a lot of it to be done.

  

Polar Bear Club News  Only four people showed up for the first get-together of the Polar Bear Club on March 1^st.   In order to prevent the ready supply of hot toddies from getting cold, they decided to toast the success of the new group before jumping off the deep end.   Unfortunately, when finished nobody was able to open the gate latch to the pool fence, which may have been locked anyway because of the weather.  Since further cool days are not anticipated, the Club will start up again next winter.  

 

The deadline for newsletter items is Wednesday after the Homeowners’ meeting of each month.  Viewpoint will be edited by Don Dewey starting in April and through the summer.   He can be reached at 386-0281 or drdewey38@embarqmail.com

 

Viewpoint will be posted to anyone who provides a SASE, and e-mailed to you if we have your correct address.  Please pass the word to anyone not receiving a copy.