SEPTEMBER NEWS FROM VANTAGE POIN

Here it is September, the peak of the storm season, and hopefully everyone is well stocked up for any potential inconveniences that "mother nature" may send out way. Just a reminder to anyone who may be in need of shelter due to medical reasons, if the power goes out, you must pre-register with the county for the special needs shelter at the Ag-Civic Center.

Our pool continues to give pleasure to the many residents who use it regularly and now a new activity, water volleyball, is being played on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons at 3:00 PM. We regularly have 8 - 10 players and look forward to many more joining our ranks in the future. A reminder to all who use the restroom facilities to please remember to cleanup properly as others use the same facilities. Some people have been extremely forgetful this past month. Also, please be mindful that the clubhouse, including the restrooms, is a non-smoking facility.

Our Association will begin monthly meetings again in October. The Board will meet at 6:30 PM October 8th, while the Association will meet on October 13th at 7:00 PM.

THE LATEST ON OUR ROADS AS REPORTED BY JERRY SYFERT ON THE VANTAGE POINTE WEB SITE (www.vantagepointfl.com) .

Point West will be one of the first roads we repair after October 1st of this year. We are currently working on 08-09 fiscal year roads. Point West made next years 09-10 fiscal lists. One thing to keep in mind, we usually try and get started the middle of November or first part of December with this process, depending on the weather. I will try and remember to shoot you an email before we proceed.

Linda Taylor recently attended a meeting at the Florida Hospital on August 3rd. The keynote speaker was a specialist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Highlands County has received a substanial amount of money available only to seniors in Highlands County to assist them with money for food, formerly the food stamp program. They want seniors to know that they realize times are tough and the money is available expressly for them.

Please, if you know of anyone, family, friends, neighbors, let them know. The website is: www.myflorida.com/accessflorida or e-mail angela.hendry@hrhm.org or the telephone number is (863) 452-0638.

If this money is not used, it goes back to the government. They now have credit cards for use in the stores, so no one is aware of how you are paying. Linda Taylor has several brochures on the guidelines and a screening sheet to help you determine if you are eligible. Linda's phone number is (863) 386-0225.

Linda also reports that the regular flu shot is now available and everyone should be immunized on a yearly basis. The H1N1 flu shot will not be available until sometime in November. Medicare Part D will cover the shingles shot and it is advised that all people over the age of 60 have one.

Around 60 friends and neighbors enjoyed a chicken dinner on Labor Day at the clubhouse. For this time of year it was a great turnout!

LOVE BUGG'S GAS STATION LOCATED AT 4200 US 27 N. IS NOW OFFERING A SERVICE TO HANDICAPPED CUSTOMERS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 6 A.M. - 10 P.M. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. A CUSTOMER CAN DRIVE INTO THE GAS STATION AND PULL UP TO THE PUMP THAT HAS A HANDICAP SIGN. THERE IS A BUTTON ON THE SIGN. THE CUSTOMER JUST NEEDS TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND AN EMPLOYEE WILL COME OUT AND PUMP THE GAS. THERE IS ONE PUMP THAT CUSTOMERS CAN USE NOW, BUT THE SERVICE COULD EXPAND TO ADDITIONAL PUMPS.

FOR ALL OF THE HEARTLAND ART LEAGUE FANS, THE PURPLE HOUSE IS BECOMING GREEN. (Frankly I liked it better purple)

A NEW RESTAURANT WILL BE OPENING SOON AT 1520 LAKEVIEW DRIVE IN THE TOWNE SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER. JIMMY'S GREEK AMERICAN GRILL WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THERE WILL BE A DRIVE-THROUGH. THE RESTAURANT IS CO-OWNED BY ANDREAS ATHANASOPOULOS AND JIMMY LILOPOULOS. LILOPOULOS WAS INVOLVED IN THE LAKEVIEW RESTURANT AND LOUNGE, WHICH IS ONLY A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YARDS AWAY FROM HIS EATERY.

THE MAIN STREET AMERICA RESTAURANT IN LAKE PLACID, WHICH WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN MAY AFTER IT WAS HIT BY LIGHTNING, IS BEING REBUILT. TARGET DATE TO REOPEN IS EARLY 2010 BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT COULD REOPEN A LITTLE SOONER.

THE FIRST PANCAKE BREAKFAST OF THE NEW SEASON WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 26TH, FROM 8:00 TILL 9:30. STILL THE SAME GREAT PRICE ($3.00 PER PERSON) ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES, SAUSAGE, ORANGE JUICE AND COFFEE.