VIEWPOINT                

The Vantage Pointe Newsletter          February 11, 2009

               Please  Be My Valentine       

President’s View

            Happy Birthday, Presidents Lincoln & Washington and Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone else!  The VPHA board is in the process of reviewing the cost of the pool heating for the current season.   We will keep monitoring usage and costs at least through July so that we can use the first year as a bench mark and make some comparisons to the “old pool”.  After deciding to forego further consideration of a shade area over a section of the pool deck in January, the residents voted to reconsider the possibility.  A new committee will investigate different possibilities and report back at a future meeting.

            Welcome back to former board member Mike Langland and re-elected board member Glenn Myers.  Both were overwhelmingly elected at the meeting this month.  Several other members of the community received write in votes.  Thanks go to Fred Cooley and Linda Taylor for serving as tellers along with board member Don Hull.

            The members of the board would like to thank Don Hull for the many years of service he has given as a board member. 

            The 2009 budget was presented and passed after discussion. Anticipated income for the year based on 192 homes is $172, 800, and expected disbursements total $171,398.   The board also wishes to remind residents that monthly amenities are due by the 10^th of each month and are subject to late fees.

            Jim Davis reported that Raymond McIntyre, the county property assessor, gave a talk about how property values are determined at this month’s Highlands County Homeowners Association meeting.  It seems that most residential property is assessed by nearby sales of similar properties.  Jim is willing to answer questions about this if anyone has questions.

            It’s time to pass on some safety concerns that we all need to address in the community.   Last month I mentioned some concerns about the walkers and bicyclists, so this month I would like to address the driving situation. All residents are expected to come to a complete stop at all the STOP signs in our community and that includes bicyclists, also.  Also, the posted speed limit is 25 mph for all the streets in our subdivision.

        A new homeowner’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 P.M. at the clubhouse.  This will be an opportunity for new homeowner’s and renters to ask questions and to become more familiar with the rules and regulations of Vantage Pointe.                                                                                

Looking for a new place to visit here in Sebring?  Try the Sea Museum which is dedicated to all our service men who served on the seas.  Admission is only $3.00 and even better, it’s only $2.00 if you are a senior citizen.                                                                                                                              

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 February.  The city’s purchase offer is set to expire February 20, but will be extended.  There appear to be some legal issues between DEP, Highlands County, and the city of Sebring to be worked out yet.

                                                                                                                        Ernie Kelly, President, VPHA

To the Point

VPHA wishes to express its appreciation to Don Hull on his retirement from many years of service to the community as a Board member.

Thank you to Dave and Jan Davis, Hank Fuller, Ernie Kelly, Uley LeBoeuf, Gayle Magisano, Bonnie Myers, and Dick and Alice Vanderlaan, for their time and efforts preparing and delivering ballots for the Board election.   It’s a big job and their help was much appreciated.

Hello Folks from Jim Curtis:  “Just an update on my progress.  Have to tell you all, the care given to the veterans with spinal cord injuries is world renowned at the Haley VA Hospital in Tampa.  PT and OT classes are heavy and I can now take a few steps.  The VA helps you re-settle in your home and I hope to be discharged and return home in a month or so.     Thank you all for your get-well wishes and prayers.  Hope to see you all soon, and my best to everyone.”

Meatloaf Dinner at the Clubhouse Saturday Feb. 14, (sold out) Cocktails 3:30, dinner 4:00.  BYOB, table settings furnished.

Ice Cream Social  Sunday Feb. 22, 3:00.  Still only $1.00, and free if your birthday is in February.  Cake and sundaes with home-made sauces for your indulgence.  Sign-up sheet in the clubhouse.

Pancake Breakfast  Saturday, February 28, 8:00 – 9:30 at the Clubhouse.  Sign-up required on sheet at the clubhouse.  All you can eat as usual, and only $3.00.

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. 

Brand New Polar Bear Club forming.  For all rugged individualists interested in proving it.  Scheduling 4:00 PM meetings at the pool any day temperatures drop below 45 degrees F.  We’ll jump all together into the deep end and do three laps, then enjoy back-slapping over a hot toddy inside.  Free.  Sign-up sheet in the clubhouse.

Rack ‘em up.  We have a nice new pool table at the clubhouse.  Please observe regulations posted nearby when using it.  For those who have never played very much and would like to learn how, Chuck White of Cue Time is an expert and available to give lessons at any level of skill.  Contact him at Cue Time, Fairmont Square Plaza; 471-2202 or online at www.chuckscuetime.com.

Bridge, at the clubhouse on Tuesdays, 12:30 till 3:30.  Call Jane Flexon, 386-4916, to check on table filling.  So far this is a women’s group.  If any men or couples want to schedule a game, please call and we’ll do it.

www.vantagepointfl.com is the Web site to check for neighborhood pictures, scheduled events, links to newspapers, weather, and lots of other helpful information.  The e-mail address to Jerry Syfert for including your news items and pictures is aj6@juno.com

Card Bingo at the clubhouse on the first and third Tuesdays at 7:00.  Please bring quarters.  We will be playing 12 games with the 13th free for losers.

Shuffleboard  Monday (after coffee), Wednesday and Friday at 9:00, Thursday and Sunday evenings at 6:30.  All welcome.

Social Club   About 18 volunteers met with Mike and Mabel Langland in January to start organizing activities at the clubhouse.  The Committee consists of any homeowners who want to participate in it.  Volunteers organizing monthly dinners will be soliciting their neighbors to help out.   If you have never worked on this sort of thing, don’t hesitate to lend a hand – it’s fun and easy.  Let Mabel know if you’re available (314-8432).

Irrigation  If you are having a problem with your lawn sprinklers, Jim Kolp 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.

Hazardous waste collection  If you would like to have an old computer, paints, batteries, etc., disposed of properly, please call Tom Glaze, 314-9269, and he will take care of it for you on Saturday, March 7. 

Jumble Sale coming up at the clubhouse on Saturday, March 14.  The last one was three years ago! Heads up on putting aside stuff you would like to get rid of as you tackle spring cleaning, and donate it to this, our third, neighborhood jumble sale.  Items worth more than $20 will be taken on 20% commission, other stuff sold will benefit the community coffers.  (No clothing; but accessories welcome.)   Watch the bulletin boards for more information. 

Corned beef & cabbage dinner scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, at the clubhouse.  Stand by for further details.

Some new poolside furniture will be arriving soon.  Regarding suntan and other lotions:  of course you wash them off before going into the pool.  And of course you don’t sit in the sun without protecting your skin with them.  As they tend to stain the furniture, please place a towel on chairs and lounges when sunbathing. 

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.

The Vantage Pointe Directory is kept up-to-date by Gayle Magisano, ayla177@yahoo.com.  If your phone number or e-mail address changes, please let her or Sunny Fuller (471-6631) know.  Also, if you have renters or new neighbors, remind them so they will be included to receive notices and the newsletter. 

Attention please, again:  Pedestrians, including pet walkers, should stay on the LEFT side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.  All bicyclists should be on the right side of the road, riding with the normal traffic flow.  Please remember to carry a visible light or wear reflective clothing if you’re out after dark or early in the morning before sunrise.  And watch your step on uneven road surfaces.

 Beside the Point

Highlands Art League is sponsoring a national competition of juried original art which will be on display from February 20 through March 26.   Of 125 entries submitted from local artists and other talented from California, New York, and many other states, only 40 were selected for the chance to win a prize of $300, $700, or $1000.  A reception will be held at the Art League Friday, Feb. 20, from 5:00 – 8:00, and the public is cordially invited.

Planning a trip to Tokyo?  You might not want to stay very long.  In a country noted for seismic instability (200,000 people were killed in one earthquake there in 1923) the city is built on the meeting point of three tectonic plates.  Strain has been building below the surface for 86 years, and eventually it will snap.  Tokyo now has a population of 35 million (!), so the potential cost in human life and economy is beyond imagination.   Yellowstone National Park is on top of a huge volcanic hotspot, also considered to be overdue for a cataclysmic explosion, and when that happens you’ll want to be several states away.

Viewpoint is published the day after the monthly Homeowners’ meeting.  It will be posted to anyone who provides a SASE, and e-mailed to you if we have your correct address. News items, events and information for inclusion should be given to Sunny Fuller, 2117 Vantage Trace,  hanksun@strato.net