1 Tropicana Social Club Tropicana Topics Editor: Dick Krieg President’s Message Do you have any pet peeves? Here are a few of mine: folks who walk through an entrance doorway and STOP, thereby blocking others from entering the room; drivers who don’t use their turn signals; papers without an author or a date (month/ day/year); phone numbers without area codes. Think about it. I am learning there are many layers to the coordination of the rules and activities of such a large and diverse group of people. We all have choices. Some that come to mind are: Diet or regular soda; paper or plastic; drive or fly; holidays in Florida or back home. Those are the easy ones, but something more appropriate to being part of our community is whether to be a home owner (THA), share holder (Co-op mem- ber), or a renter. All of those options are available and offer opportunities to learn about this community, meet new friends and have the choice of how involved you want to be. I suggest balancing volunteer- ing with hobbies; exercise; and, of course, parties. I’m speaking to myself here as prescribed by my doctor. Besides the many activities sponsored by the Tropicana Social Club (TSC) which are available to everyone whether or not you are a social club member, you are in- vited to attend a FREE social time on the first Monday of the month. Social time, with refreshments, starts at 6, followed by a program at 6:30. Then stick around for a brief meeting to hear reports and gain a better understanding of TSC plans for the upcoming months. Monday, Jan. 8, at 6:30: Emily Reese from the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will provide re- sources for assistance available in this area. Many of us know someone or have a family member with “memory problems, thinking or behavior which is not a normal part of aging. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people no- tice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies”. Monday, Feb. 5, at 6:30: Tim and Nancy Perry will present a slide program showing the aftermath of hurricane Irma featuring photos collected by early responders from our community. With so many new resi- dents, it is important for us all to learn how to prepare ahead for future storms. We know that we were very fortunate that our community was spared from total disaster largely because of those volunteers who prepared homes of absentee residents be- forehand and cleaned up after. I might not remember your name, but I will remember your face. Please introduce your- self to me, and let me or another TSC offi- cer or board member know if you have a concern or suggestion for the Social Club. The executive board meets at 1 PM at the Craft House after hot dog day on the third Thursday of the month. Don’t be offended if you feel me touch the back of your neck as I am just tucking in your shirt tag. I will also tell you if you have broccoli in your teeth. May your troubles be less…. May your blessings be more…. May nothing but hap- piness come through your door. Nan Harms: text (quickest response) or talk to 517-527-4700: I don’t answer calls from “unknown callers”, but will return a voice message email: [email protected]2018 Tropicana Officers and Directors TSC President: Nancy Harms Tel. 517-526-4700 TSC 1st Vice President: TSC 2nd Vice President: Jim Hitz Tel. 309-692-1064 TSC Secretary: Jeanette Reed Tel. 239-410-8594 TSC Treasurer: Marilyn Moore Tel. 612-710-0996 TSC Directors: Judy Bonitatibus Tel. 518-378-4702 Eleanor Blake Tel. 239-466-7623 Mary Ann Pedersoli Tel. 239-433-0282 Patrice Adam Tel. 734-740-6565 Rae Ann Doolan Tel. 920-264-4842 Nancy Guetschow Tel. 920-619-4414 THA President Russell Hoy Tel. 617-947-6597 CO-OP President Tim Perry 513-518-1934
Transcript
�1Tropicana Social Club
Tropicana TopicsEditor: Dick Krieg
President’s Message
Do you have any pet peeves? Here are a few of mine: folks who walk through an entrance doorway and STOP, thereby blocking others from entering the room; drivers who don’t use their turn signals; papers without an author or a date (month/day/year); phone numbers without area codes. Think about it.
I am learning there are many layers to the coordination of the rules and activities of such a large and diverse group of people. We all have choices. Some that come to mind are: Diet or regular soda; paper or plastic; drive or fly; holidays in Florida or back home. Those are the easy ones, but something more appropriate to being part of our community is whether to be a home owner (THA), share holder (Co-op mem-ber), or a renter. All of those options are available and offer opportunities to learn about this community, meet new friends and have the choice of how involved you want to be. I suggest balancing volunteer-ing with hobbies; exercise; and, of course, parties. I’m speaking to myself here as prescribed by my doctor.
Besides the many activities sponsored by the Tropicana Social Club (TSC) which are available to everyone whether or not you are a social club member, you are in-vited to attend a FREE social time on the first Monday of the month. Social time, with refreshments, starts at 6, followed by a program at 6:30. Then stick around for a brief meeting to hear reports and gain a better understanding of TSC plans for the upcoming months.
Monday, Jan. 8, at 6:30: Emily Reese from the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will provide re-sources for assistance available in this area. Many of us know someone or have a family member with “memory problems, thinking or behavior which is not a normal
part of aging. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people no-tice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies”.
Monday, Feb. 5, at 6:30: Tim and Nancy Perry will present a slide program showing the aftermath of hurricane Irma featuring photos collected by early responders from our community. With so many new resi-dents, it is important for us all to learn how to prepare ahead for future storms. We know that we were very fortunate that our community was spared from total disaster largely because of those volunteers who prepared homes of absentee residents be-forehand and cleaned up after.
I might not remember your name, but I will remember your face. Please introduce your-self to me, and let me or another TSC offi-cer or board member know if you have a concern or suggestion for the Social Club. The executive board meets at 1 PM at the Craft House after hot dog day on the third Thursday of the month. Don’t be offended if you feel me touch the back of your neck as I am just tucking in your shirt tag. I will also tell you if you have broccoli in your teeth.
May your troubles be less…. May your blessings be more…. May nothing but hap-piness come through your door.
Nan Harms: text (quickest response) or talk to 517-527-4700: I don’t answer calls from “unknown callers”, but will return a voice message email: [email protected]
2018 Tropicana Officers and Directors
TSC President: Nancy HarmsTel. 517-526-4700
TSC 1st Vice President:
TSC 2nd Vice President:Jim HitzTel. 309-692-1064
TSC Secretary:Jeanette ReedTel. 239-410-8594
TSC Treasurer:Marilyn MooreTel. 612-710-0996
TSC Directors:Judy BonitatibusTel. 518-378-4702
Eleanor BlakeTel. 239-466-7623
Mary Ann PedersoliTel. 239-433-0282
Patrice AdamTel. 734-740-6565
Rae Ann DoolanTel. 920-264-4842
Nancy GuetschowTel. 920-619-4414
THA PresidentRussell HoyTel. 617-947-6597
CO-OP PresidentTim Perry513-518-1934
�2
SUNSHINE LADY Deaths Al Albert, Patti Downs, The mother of Cindy Flaherty Illnesses Phil Hiatt, Ruby Kitchen, Wayne and Judy Johnson, Karin Bennett, Bob and Joan Steinke, Sandra Locher, John Brown, Mary Hunt Report illnesses and/or deaths to; Marilyn Housemeyer 239 590 6270 or mjejhouse @aol.com
We want to thank all our Tropicana friends for all their thoughts and prayers for Patti; and once again for our 50th Anniversary Party. It was the highpoint of our year. Dick Downs and Family 239-590-6010
The Albert Family wishes to thank the community members for their prayers, cards, and thoughtfulness. We will miss Allie tremendously. Knowing you have been there for us has been a blessing and a comfort. Martha Albert 239-482-7530
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I can’t say that enough to all of the fantastic people who helped make the Christmas Open House a huge success. The setup and decorating crew, the cookie bakers, the wonderful ladies that did all the prep work
and making of trays. (I know I worked them hard.) The gals who kept the tables full and served. The beverage stations (always a hit!). Last but SO important, the clean-up crew, both in the hall and the kitchen! They just pitched in and got the job done. What wonderful people we are blessed to have here at Tropicana!! There is one more very special person that has been my ROCK for the past two weeks, my co- chair Adrienne Schneider. She is SO efficient and organized and on top of every phase of planning. Her positive attitude always made her a joy to be with. She is on the top of the list of ALL the amazing helpers. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You have given me some awesome memories. HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL and may GOD BLESS! Rae Ann Doolan 920-336-6185
We had a great time decorating the trees this year. We listened to Christmas Music, had a glass of wine or two (that Janice brought), and nibbled on my homemade cookies. I would like to thank my husband Richard, who ended up putting all 4 trees together himself. That’s a lot of work for one person but he got through it. Many, many thanks to all my Christmas tree deco-rators who did a fabulous job decorating the trees; Jan-ice Ainsworth, Phyllis Cuellar, Gerry Hipp, Nancy Per-ry, Nancy Harms, Rae Ann Doolan, Adrienne Schnei-der & Marge Kanaley. Thank you all again, Peg Queenan 239-433-2098
Tropicana Social Club will meet at the Clubhouse Monday, January 8, 2018. 6:00 Socializing and refreshments. 6:30 Speaker from Florida Alzheimer’s Association . 7:00 PM General Meeting TSC Executive Board will meet at the Craft House January 18, 2018 at 1 PM.
This newsletter is produced by TSC, Tropicana Social Club; membership is open to every resident of Tropicana who pays $3.00 yearly TSC dues, including renters. THA, Tropicana Homeowners Association, represents those residents who own homes but are not shareholders in the Co-op. The Co-op owns Tropicana Park and is made up of shareholders, most of whom are Tropicana residents. The Co-op board grants TSC the right to organize social activities, use the facilities, and governs the conditions under which those activities may take place and the facili-ties used. According to TSC bylaws, decisions on the content of the newsletter are the responsibility of its editor and TSC president, Editor
THANK YOU
THINGS TO KNOW
�3
WELCOME BACK DANCE Again, this year we are pleased to have Jerry Dycke back for your dancing and listening pleasure on Satur-day, January 13, 2018, from 7 PM. to 10 PM. Ticket Sales will be open to the public after Dues and Donuts on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Tickets are $5, BYOB. Light snacks will be provided. Buy your tickets early from Tom and Mary Jo McPherron 574-209-2124 or 574-210-5526. Tables will be assigned when tickets are purchased. Looking forward to another great season with all our friends in Tropicana. (There is a Commit-tee Meeting scheduled for the Welcome Back Dance on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at 11 AM in the Club-house Lounge) Co-Chair Nancy and John Zeto FL 239-482-1301 Gwen and Frank Bomarito 309-359-8009
NOMINATING COMMITTEE The nominating committee has been busy looking for willing people to serve on the social club board. Jan-uary will be for finding new board members, February will be for election and biography of each new candi-date and voting, March will be installation of new offi-cers. We have been pleased in the past with people willing to give of their time and talents to be a part of the social club board. We look forward to continuing our quest for new board members. Tropicana has so
many people willing to help and we look forward to our new additions to the board. Linnea Friemann, chair 437-0276
THE CHRISTMAS CAROLING Hallmark Christmas specials often include small groups of carolers dressed in warm coats, hats and mit-tens singing around a Christmas tree in the town square. I like the way it is done in Tropicana. We wear shorts but dress in every imaginable holiday get-up (Roger Pinnick’s Florida style Santa suit; Steve Moore’s Tommy Bahama palm tree shirt and Nancy Perry’s – hmm, not sure what to call that!). Approxi-mately thirty-five residents gathered at 2:00 at the clubhouse on Sat. Dec. 16, with golf carts, bikes, trikes and on foot. We traveled to specific homes in the park to sing Christmas carols to folks who have difficulty getting around in hopes of brightening their day with joy and love. The caroling lasted about one hour, fol-lowed by refreshments in the clubhouse and the an-nouncement of the decorating contest winners. Spe-cial thanks to Linda Nissly for leading the songs with her guitar. Think about joining us next year. Nan Harms 517-527-4700
THINGS TO KNOW
DUES AND DONUTS DUES AND DONUTS IS ON JANUARY 6, 2018, FROM 9AM TO 11 AM. Please join the Tropicana So-cial Club and pay your 2018 Dues. This Club is open to anyone who lives or rents in the park, full or part-time. Your dues help support many of the activities in the park. Dues are $3 for 1 person or $6 for 2 people. You will also get a discount on many of the celebra-tions that go on in the park. Fill out the form in the December newsletter and bring it with you, or fill one out when you stop by. A representative from Tropicana Homeowners Association will also be collecting mon-ey for THA dues. Start the New Year with us from 9 AM until 11 AM. Eleanor Blake 239-466-7623 Pat Adams 734-787-1603
ACTIVITIES AND CRAFT FAIR The annual Activities and Craft Fair will be January 20, from 2 - 4 PM at the clubhouse. Come and check out the various activities and crafts we offer here in Tropicana. There is something for everyone. Ice cream, cookies, lemonade and coffee will be served. It's free!!!! Come, visit and enjoy the goodies. Learn a new craft or activity. You’ll enjoy it. Linnea Friemann 437-0276 Gwen Bomarito 985-0299
HOT DOG DAY Hot dog day will be Thursday, January 18, 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Please be certain to sign up by Tuesday, Jan-uary 16. Include the number of hot dogs you will pur-chase on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the club house. Many thanks to all the volunteers who continue to make this event possible for all of us at Tropicana. Larry Philippi 952-412-5687
�4
UPPER MIDWEST PARTY (FORMERLY WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA PARTY) We have had the good fortune to welcome many new people to our park. It became apparent that we needed to revise the makeup of our annual party to include people from neighboring northern states. This year’s party will include residents of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Tickets will be sold from 10 AM until noon on Saturday, Jan-uary 13, for the January 27 party, at a cost $5 each. If you are interested in planning or helping with the fes-tivities, let us know. Hope to see you there! Chris Spring 715-891-1351 and Teresa Fredrickson 218-206-5505
COUNTRY KARAOKE Join us on Tuesday, January 9, from 6-8 PM at the Club House, for a Country Music Party! Appearances by Waylon, Willie and other favorites. Wear your cow-boy hats and kick up your heels for a great time!Tim & Nancy Perry 513-460-8921
DIRECTORY 2017-18 We have copies of the new directory in the office for you to pick up. For corrections/changes contact me at: Sue Begg 614-315-4598 or e-mail [email protected]. Adjustments: Jackie Abbott add ph 239-275-0345 Pam Walker 12553 Sp. Meadow Angelo Caracci 12510 Banyan NY Victor Chaltain Sr. 12590 Tropic NY John Asaro 12556 Palmetto Dawn Priestley 12579 Pine Chris Sunberg 12611 Plumosa Mike/Kathy Fetterer 16620 Camelia FL Bill/Lou Spelich 12528 Jasmine ILL Tom/Mary Thomas 12533 Coconut IA Bruce McNaughton ph to 230-310-6953 Pat McNaughton ph to 616-206-1706 Thomas Reilly 12578 Palm NEB Marvin/TomLynn Moore 12554 Flam. OH Leo/Kathryn Grosjean 12617 Plumosa IA Cynthia Gray 16629 Lantana IA Steven/Gail Lee 16608 Lantana IA Fran Atripaldi ph to 207-712-4245 Sue Begg 614-315-4598 or [email protected]
THINGS TO KNOW
TRASH AND TREASURE Our annual Tropicana Trash and Treasure sale will be Saturday, February 3, 2018, from 8 AM to noon in the clubhouse. Tables are $5. Those who had tables last year can call Jim Hitz at 309-692-1064 to reserve your tables early. Any tables not re-
served by last year’s sellers will be available to park residents at Dues and Donuts on a first come first served basis. One week after Dues and Donuts, any re-maining tables will be available to non-park residents. Since Tropicana does not allow individual yard sales, the Social Club sponsors this event to give you a place to sell your wonderful articles. If you don’t have enough of your own, get a group together and reserve a table. Any questions, call me, Jim Hitz (309) 692-1064
VALENTINE’S DAY The Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance will be Saturday, Feb.10, 2018. We are pleased to have DAZ for your listening and danc-ing pleasure. Happy Hour is 5:30
PM with dinner at 6 PM and dance at 7. Tickets will be on sale Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 from 9-11 AM in front of the club house. Tickets are $10 per person for TSC members and $11 for non-members. If you wish to sit as a group, tickets must be pur-chased at the same time. The menu will be fried chicken, dinner rolls and dessert and coffee to be pro-vided. Each couple is asked to bring a side dish to share with your table. If you have any further ques-tions, please call: Pat Adam 734-740-6565
�5
2018 STYLE SHOW AND LUNCHEON CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES! Thursday, January 25, 2018. Lunch: 11:30 at Tropicana Clubhouse. Tickets: $6 will go on sale Saturday January 6, 13, and 20 from 9 to 11. Fashions by Anthony’s. We still need many people to help. Please call: Nancy Guetschow 920 664-4424 Rae Ann Doolan 920 217-2531
WELCOME TO THE TROPICANA LIBRARY The HONOR SYSTEM is used for taking out books and other items. Please return items borrowed in a timely manner so everyone has a chance to use them. Leave all items in the return book container or
on the library book table. Our reading material is kept current by the donations of new or gently used books and other reading material by our generous patrons. Other items available are Large Print Books, Puzzles, Games, Audio Books on Tapes or on DVDs. A big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful patrons for their generous donations of books, audio tapes, puzzles, DVDs, VCR tapes. Everyone enjoys new material to read and use. TAKE A BREAK TODAY! READ A BOOK!Pat McNaughton, Librarian 616-206-1706
NEW ENGLAND / CANADA PARTY Anyone interested in helping to plan the New England/ Canada Party please join us on January 2, 2018, 1-3 PM in the Lounge. The theme this year is the 1960’s. We have a lot of work to do to be as successful as last year’s wedding and we all miss Tony and Maria! Sandy and Ron Balboni 432-0352
CHRISTMAS HOME DECORATING CONTEST Lovely lights and favorite Christmas scenes decorated our community beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Some folks went all out to compete in the annual con-test (Dec 4 – 15). A total of 41 homes were nominated and 34 ballots cast. The winners were announced after the Christmas Caroling on Dec. 16. The best decorated street was Avocado. The home with the most votes was awarded to 12526 Coconut (Tim and Nancy Perry, Ohio), a treat for the eyes from front to back. Second place was given to 12583 Flamingo (Frank and Elaine Bourret, Maine), spectacular from every angle. Third place to 16605 Gardenia (Rick and Susie Fryman, Ohio), a clever use of a variety of lights and space. Thanks to all who helped make our community so beautiful and those who took the time to tour the streets and cast ballots. Note: Some ballots were dis-qualified due to non-existent street numbers. Next year be sure of your selections so your vote counts. A spe-cial thanks to Dave and Linda Nissly for being the bal-lot counters. Nan Harms 517-526-4700
LENDING CLOSET When you are lucky enough to have young grandchil-dren visit, and you need the basics...call us! We have portable cribs, car seats and strollers you are welcome to borrow. Just call us to reserve the items and dates. Nancy & Tim Perry 513-460-8921
RECYCLING Our recycling depot is behind the Craft Building. We have a trailer which is for aluminum cans only. Money from this collection goes to the Social Club. Another trailer is for paper and cardboard. On trash day, we see a great deal of cardboard going out with the trash. This is a financial loss to the Social Club. Please break down your large boxes to make more space for others. There are two smaller bins for miscellaneous recy-clables. Along the fence is a red container for recycling rechargeable batteries that have expired. Alkaline bat-teries, including hearing aid batteries, are not recy-clable and can go into your trash. Thank you for being environmentally friendly. John Barber 239-985-0391
THINGS TO KNOW
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY The St. Patrick's Day party will be March 17 at the clubhouse. Watch the February Newsletter for more information. We need volunteers! Call Mary Ann. Mary Ann Pedersoli 239-433-0282
�6
THYMELY TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR It’s TIME to get serious about what we choose to grow or buy, to put into our bodies. * Call it “giving back” to yourself because You deserve Nutritious foods, & snacks! *Consider carefully your own Food Safety by reading all labels and source of products. *Recognize that “psychology” plays an important part in the foods we choose to eat, because of our moods, time of day (blood sugar levels), frustration, anxiety, and the use of food/snacks, as a SUBSTITUTE for recreation/fun. THE ETHNIC GROUP STUDY One healthy reliable way to have many of the benefits of the above information, is to study and experiment with the herbs, spices, and vegetables that various Eth-nic groups have found to be especially healthy. HUMMUS is just one simple example of a delicious, nutrition-packed, inexpensive food that also contains fiber, low carbohydrates, “good “oil, herbs, and vita-mins; and is packed with flavor. Even better, besides being healthier than so many other rich, cheesy appe-tizers, it’s a good keeper, and has many variations to tantalize your taste buds even more. If in the past you tried HUMMUS from a store, or one poorly made, you really should try making your own which takes 15-20 min. max. You will be pleasantly surprised at the DIF-FERENCE!!! If you are curious, or have suggestions, come see us at the ACTIVITIES FAIR, JANUARY 20, 2-4 in the Club house, for registration, and full information. You may also call me at the phone number at the end of this article. Gwen Bomarito 239-985-0299
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES "The Blind Side." A heartwarming story of a homeless teen who is taken in by a wealthy family, as he at-tempts to get an education and play football. This is an inspiring, true story. Join us at 7 PM on January 12. As always, the movie and the popcorn are free!Nancy Perry 513-460-8921 Linda Nissly 239-297-3464
2018 CRAFT/HOBBY PLANS We hope you have enjoyed practicing what you have learned in our Craft/Hobby Classes these past years. We thank the many volunteers (too numerous to men-tion but you know who they have been) for their un-selfish gifts of time and talents. Now it’s time for you to do your share by volunteering your ideas, talents and skills gathered over the years (or a new idea from the internet!) so we can continue to enjoy the quality and variety of classes we have all enjoyed. Consider being responsible for one class during this 2018 season, Jan-uary through April, or find a partner. Help keep this program going strong by signing up with Chris Spring (715-891-1351) as soon as possible so we can be sure to continue having new and interesting Craft/Hobby classes this year. Volunteer and help lead! Other volun-teers are needed to “refresh” the Craft/Hobby display case in the lounge of the Clubhouse. PREVIEW OF CLASS PLANS FOR 2018. Group meets the 1st Thursday afternoon of the month at the Craft House (more depending on volunteer leaders). Chris Spring 715-891-1351
BALLROOM DANCING Ballroom Dancing will start on Monday, January 8, 2018; and will be held each Monday from 2 PM to 4 PM in the Clubhouse. There will be no Ballroom Dancing on Monday, March 19, 2018. Nancy and John Zeto FL 239-482-1301NY 518-785-9321
YOGA Come join us and see what’s new! From 9–9:30 on Fridays at the Clubhouse, gentle yoga will be intro-duced to those of you who would like to improve your balance and flexibility. We’ll continue from 9:30–10:30 with beginner’s yoga. Come, join in the fun and get healthy at the same time. Any questions, please call; Janice Ainsworth 239-437-8459
THINGS TO DO
THINGS TO KNOW
�7
LINE DANCE ACTIVITY There will be a line dance get together on Tuesday mornings starting on No-vember 28 from 10 to 11:30 AM at the clubhouse. This will be a time to relax and have fun...a place where we can
dance our favorite dances and possibly learn a couple of new ones along the way as well. If this is something you think you would enjoy doing, then grab your danc-ing shoes and meet us at the clubhouse. For safety purposes, please wear the proper shoes. You can wear sneakers or a regular sandal. Flip flops and wedges will not be permitted. If you are new to line dancing and would like to learn the steps please give me a call and we can meet at the clubhouse at 9:30 (1/2 hour be-fore class starts). Any questions please call; Peg Queenan 433-2098
HAND AND FOOT Hand and Foot is a spin-off of Canas-ta. If you don't know our game we will teach you. It is easy. We will meet in the Craft House on Tuesdays at 7 PM. All are welcome to join us, to meet your neighbors, and have two
hours of fun. John Barber 239-985-0391
WOMEN’S POKER NIGHT Ladies, are you ready for a fun night playing poker? Well, gather up your loose change. We play nickel and dime poker, and wild cards count, too. So, come and enjoy a laugh or two with your
neighbors and friends. We will be playing at the club-house on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 7-9 PM starting January 8. Any questions, contact Peg Queenan 433-2098 Gerry Hipp 437-1124
BOCCE BALL If you are interested in a mildly physical sport and hav-ing a lot of fun and surprises, we play on the grass by the shuffleboard courts. Call me so that we can set up a schedule. All are welcome. John Barber 239-985-0391
WANT TO HAVE FUN? TRY HORSESHOES! If you like to pitch, come on down to the pits located at the rear of the Craft House on Tuesday and Friday at 9 AM. You will have a good time with the "Backyard Boys.” Any questions, call Bruce McNaughton 239-410-6953
SHUFFLEBOARD Tis the time for park residents to get off their couches and head to the shuffleboard courts. All are wel-come. If you want to join the team or just play for fun come, on down. We play M-F at 1 PM and SAT at 9:15 AM. Good way to meet people
in an active, fun environment. Here are a few Apho-risms that can be used for many occasions. Shuffle-board-It's not whether you win or lose, but how you place the blame. General uses-(1) You are not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on. (2) We have enough "youth". How about a fountain of "smart”? (3) The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wes-son. (4) When blondes have more fun, do they know it? and (5) If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. No offense intended, Nancy. Ted Skrypak President 502-525-9828
CRIBBAGE Cribbage is played on Thursday evening at 7 in the Craft Building. All are welcome. John Barber 239-985-0391
THINGS TO DO
�8
PAINT WITH LISA For the first time I am offering weekly classes! Now you can paint every week or choose the subjects that appeal to you. Clip and save this schedule. All classes are taught using acrylics, and are held Mondays 9 – noon; $15 class fee with additional charge if using instructor’s supplies (advance notice, please). Supply list is posted in the Craft House. Just show up, or call to sign up. Lisa Grinter 239-481-2531 January 8 Poppy, 9x12 15 Spring Stream, 9x12 22 Barn Birch Trees, oval mat 29 Sunny Sea Oats, 12x16 February 5 Snowy Egret, oval mat 12 Cardinal/snow, 12x16 19 Mt. Tranquility,12x16 26 Sleigh Ride, 12x16 March 5 Moonlit Ocean, 12x16 12 Patio Garden, 16x20 19 Flamingoes, 9x12 26 Lighthouse, oval mat Lisa Grinter 239-481-2531
ART THERAPY CLASSES Art Therapy Classes with Judith MacLaren. New tech-niques will be taught each week. If you want to build your confidence, learn and apply the basics, this class is for you. Watercolor: Every Friday at the Craft house,1- 4 PM BULLETIN BOARDS HAVE CLASS SUBJECTS. Watch the bulletin boards for dates! Please arrive 15 minutes before class starts. This class is a paint-a-long class where you are instructed step by step in creating a nice painting of which you will be proud. Cost is $25 or $20 if you supply all of your own watercolor sup-plies. PLEASE SIGN UP SO I WILL HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLIES Judy MacLaren 239-242-0495 Betty Bainbridge 415-640-1806
THINGS TO DO
�9
PAINT WITH PAT SMELKOFF I will have use of the craft house every Sat. this season. If a class runs from 9:30 - 1, I will be available from 1:30 to 4 for individual help with your painting projects. Just call 843-340-1888 to set up a date. Longer classes will run from 9:30 - 4 with a lunch break. I will have photos posted in the craft house for Jan. projects. Call 843-340-1888 to reserve a spot. Sat. Jan. 6 9:30 - 1 Hungarian Glider Butterfly $20 9x12" canvas board Supplies included. Sat. Jan. 13 9:30 - 1 Hydrangea with Dragonfly $25 9x12 Masonite board Supplies included. Sat. Jan. 20 9:30 - 1 Monarch Butterfly $20 9x12" canvas board Supplies included. Sat. Jan. 27 9:30 - 4:30 Schools of Fish Batik on Rice Paper $55 supplies included Limit 4 students.
Sat. March 10 9:30 - 4:30 BATIK SEA TURTLE OR PELICANS $55 Supplies included Limit 4 students. Sat. March 17 9:30 - 1 PANSY 9x12 canvas board $20 Supplies included. Sat. March 24 9:30 - 4:30 FOR MEN ONLY OILS $45 Supplies included. I am still working on the project. Sat. March 31 9:30 - 3 Lunch break MR. FROG WELCOME 9x12 stretched canvas $30. Supplies included. In APRIL, I will be teaching in North Carolina. I will be back the 14th for private lessons. Pat Smelkoff 843-340-1880
THINGS TO DO
YOU MUST CALL 843-340-1888 BY WED. FOR SHORT CLASSES AND FOR BATIK BY JAN. 17.
SIGN UP FOR MARCH 10 BATIK BY FEB. 22
�10Kelly’s Corner The month of January is upon us, and with the New Year you will be seeing a lot of new and exciting things happening in Tropicana. I am excited to tell you about our new and improved front gate system. Its in-stallation will begin on January 4, 2018. In anticipa-tion of the gate installation, I want to explain how things will work once the gate is up and running. It is a simple bar code scanner system, similar to the scanners that Sun pass uses when driving in the lane without stopping for the toll. You can purchase a $10 barcode sticker that can be placed on your left front headlight, and when you pull up to the entry area the gate will open. It is that simple. If you do not purchase the bar code, you can pull up to the entry call box and enter a personal code. Each resident in Tropicana will have a personal code assigned to use for entry. This will be the code you give to your family or friends when they need to gain entry to our community. The beauty of this system is that all activity can be easily tracked ei-ther with the bar code stickers or by use of the code. Stay tuned for more information and the dates that the bar code stickers will be sold. It is very important that I have the most up-to-date phone numbers for everyone who resides in Tropicana. This will be for the entry call box as well; there may be times when you do not want to share your personal entry code with someone. Maybe a one-time delivery, someone who you do not know so well, whatever the reason may be, you only want to share your personal entry code with trusted individuals. The phone numbers are needed as the third form of entry. Your visitors pulls up to the entry call box, scroll through the names on the screen to find your first initial, last name. After your name there will be a scrambler code. (K. Latham #4321) Visitors will enter the scrambler code which will in turn dial your phone number. You will answer the phone and screen your visitor to make sure it is someone you want to be able to enter Tropicana. You will then push the “9” on your phone, the gate will open. It is that simple. Please do not take too long when you have the call from the gate as the system will only allow a 45 second call. An example of a call from the gate may go like this: (Me) Hello?” (Guest) “Hi, Kelly, it’s the UPS driver with a delivery to the community office”. (Me) “Okay, hold on a second, the gate will open now”. Before I hang up, I press the number 9 on my phone and the system will end the call by itself. That is it!
To summarize; we will have three ways to enter Tropi-cana after the new gate system is installed.
1. Bar code, purchased by the resident, $10 each, placed on your left front headlight. 2. Entering a personal code on the entry call box which will be given to each resident for personal use and shared only with trusted friends and family. 3. Use of the entry call box scrambler code, which is easily accessed by scrolling through the call box and entering the scrambler code after your name, which will call your phone, then you press 9 from the phone and it will open the gate. We recommend the use of the bar code as it is the quickest and easiest way to enter. If too many people are lined up waiting to enter their code in to the entry call box, it could cause too much traffic at the entrance and we want to avoid that. So the bar code is the way to go! We will be setting up times and dates for the purchase of the bar code stickers and to update any in-formation regarding your phone number. You will be told what your personal code will be as well. Do not fret, good things are coming. This is a great improve-ment for Tropicana and I am happy and grateful to the Board for allowing me to help facilitate such change.
Please remember, January is when you need to register to keep your space in the vehicle storage lot or to ob-tain a space. You need a copy of your current registra-tion for whatever type of vehicle that will be in the lot. The vehicles, trailers, etc., need to be properly tagged. The form that needs to be filled out and the policy in place regarding the lot is on our Tropicana website, www.tropicanacoop.com password: Tropicana...The fee is $240 and a refundable key deposit is $25. Checks made payable to Tropicana Co-op and note in the memo line of your check “Lot Rental 2018” please.
For everyone in Tropicana, we are all responsible for the upkeep of our property. That includes yards, car-ports, and the outside of your home. If it needs to be trimmed or cleaned up, please do so. Tropicana works best when we all do our part. With so many improve-ments being made, we want all of Tropicana to look its best. Please work together to help us accomplish that goal!
Kelly A. Latham, 239-243-0822
Happy2018
Tropicana!
(On the west side, 2nd Business North of Publix on the corner of San Carlos and Summerlin)
$139
Fax: 239-466-3433Tel: 239-466-6776CAC043928Ft Myers, FL 3390811620 Chitwood Dr. Unit #4Bruce Miller Air Conditioning
Since 1960“Licensed to Cool”
Rusty Miller - President / OwnerServing South Ft. Myers & Ft. Myers Beach Since 1960
