MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Spring has sprung!..or at least we hope it has! We have had such beautiful weather, however I am afraid to put away my sweatshirts and sweaters!!
It is that time of the year that we love but it is also sad as we see our friends and neighbors pack up to head north for the summer. We hate to see them go but it is always exciting to see them again in the fall. We have to thank Kathy Smith for updating all the information each month on the saddleoakclub.net website so that our northern friends can keep up with all of the news this summer. Don't forget our Spring Fling on April 9th; what a fun social event that is and who doesn't like hot dogs, hamburgers, and all that other good picnic food.
I am very pleased to have this opportunity to serve as the association president this year. Our new board members are Donna Frakes, Ray Tuttle and Terry Jansen who will be working with Grace Spiller, Kathryn Sitkowski, Nancy Dougherty and me as we strive to make Saddle Oak a great place to live. I want to thank my good friend, Nancy Dougherty, who is serving this year as the first vice president. She did a wonderful job last year under the stress of personal issues. I know she will be here for me as I stumble through the process of learning my duties.
I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you that have joined the Homeowner's Association this past year and for those of you still thinking about it; please think seriously about it. I think it is an important part of living here and the more members we have the more important we are.
I know that there are many of you out there who contribute to Saddle Oak and its residents in many different ways and don't always get recognized but we know who you are¯. Thanks to each and every one of you for all you do!
That is all for this month; Luther and I wish you happiness and look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood!
Tammie Hornsby
NEW YARD PICK UP DAY
Yard waste pick up day has been changed to Wednesday.
Starting March 30th the pick day is now Wednesday. So March 30th you will put out your yard waste and every Wednesday therefore.
NO MORE FRIDAY YARD WASTE PICKUP DATE AFTER MARCH 30TH.
AS OF MARCH 30TH WE NOW HAVE A NEW YARD WASTE PICK UP DAY, WEDNESDAY
Activity Forms
Since we have so many wonderful new residents who are volunteering to chair our social events, I wanted to inform them of the event guidelines:
If you would like to chair an event, please contact the First-Vice President, who is the events chairperson.
1. The first Vice President will enter the date of your event into the official calendar.
2. You, as the Chairperson, will select committee members.
3. First Vice-President can help you arrange for posters and tickets to be printed.
4. Chairperson shall fill out the below forms as requested by the Board. They are available from the first vice president. There is also a copy of these forms in the phone book.
A. Saddle Oak Club Clubhouse event Request (returned to vice-President before the event)
B. SOCHA Report to Treasurer (returned to treasurer after the event)
C. Saddle Oak Club Special events Form
(returned to vice-president after the event-this form provides information on how much food was purchased, the cost, the number of people attending, etc. Very helpful information or next year)
Thank you to all of our terrific new residents!
Nancy Dougherty - Vice-President Saddle Oak Board of Directors
Lap Robes
By Fran Fritz
For many years I have asked residents who can knit, crochet, sew, quilt and/or make in some way or even buy a small cover for those people in nursing homes who have no family or friends to buy for them to donate lap robes for me to take to the nursing homes for gifts at Christmas. It may seem early to be talking but if you are donating a hand made item or two now is the time to get started. I did not make this request last year but made eight crocheted lap robes myself. One year I requested a goal of 50 lap robes to be donated and got 70 plus. How great that was to distribute them between ten different nursing homes. I would like to try this project again this coming Christmas so if there are any crafty people who would like to help or anyone who would like to donate it any other way (not money) please just bring whatever you have made and/or bought and I will see to it that the Activities Directors in the nursing homes pass them out to someone who may not get a Christmas gift. Thank you so much for those who have helped in the past and for those who are considering helping me with this project.
Bereavement and Calling Committee
By Fran Fritz
Fran Fritz, Grace Spiller, Jeanne Kozlowski, Jean Stephens - The Calling Committee seems to be in order as of now, of course there will always be people moving out who will have to be removed from the list and new people moving in who will have to be added to the list. As far as the Bereavement Committee is concerned we will be here for anyone's family who has lost a loved one who lived in the park. We will do what we can and if a memorial service is wished we will be more than glad to accommodate them in the clubhouse. Please remember these two committees are here to voluntarily inform people of a death and to voluntarily help in any way possible.
Grace and I would like to thank Jeanne Kozlowski and Jean Stephens for the many hours of work they have done and do to keep the callers up to date. We all (Fran, Grace, Jeanne and Jean) would like to thank the callers for their volunteered time and patience.
We all would like to thank those of you who helped in any way with Mary Davidson's Memorial that was held on March 4th. Her family, Flo and Pete Copeland, were very pleased with the outcome of the service and were grateful to those who attended and helped. I (Fran Fritz) wish to thank Donna Frakes, Jim Fritz, Jo Gearin, Tammie Hornsby, Irene and Bill Kramer, Jeanne Kozloswki, Linda Otto, Gladys Ouimette, Marge Putka, Chris Rodgers, Karen Sammons, Grace Spiller and Jean Stephens for giving me a helping hand by baking or whatever with Mary's memorial.
HOOKS & NEEDLES
If your project requires a hook of any kind (crochet, rug, etc.) or a needle (sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.), then come join us in the clubhouse library on Mondays from 1-3 PM to work on your project. We have great conversation, share ideas, see what others are working on, and sometimes get assistance on a particular technique. We need ideas for our next service project. See an organization requiring handmade items?
Let us know. Kathy Smith
SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CASINO
Is there interest in taking another trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino? I'd be happy to arrange a group to go with Lamers Bus Company. You board the bus at 8:30AM behind Advanced Auto Parts in the Walmart parking lot off of Rt. 200 and leave the casino at 4PM.
Scheduled for Tuesday, April 26th.
Let me hear from you.Kathy Smith
CRIME WATCH
SADDLE OAK CLUB
Needed: Volunteers for Crime Watch.
Volunteer for as little as 2 hours per week.
Drive around in A/C patrol car.
For more information please contact:
Jim McCourry
Bernie Kozlowski
A CHILD'S IMAGINATION
Fran Fritz
I walked on the path at night;
The thing I feared on the path at right.
It loomed ahead on an empty lot;
I would shake and get very hot.
Clouds hung over my head in the dark;
shadows began to swing and sway in the park,
It was that skeletons head on a post;
the thing I feared seeing the most.
I walked that path in the daylight;
as I approached it came into sight.
There it stood just a rotting post;
and that was what I feared most.
(Something I remember from my childhood)
SADDLE OAK SINGLES
Our next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, April 6th at 11AM in the clubhouse. Since the community pot luck dinner was so successful and many attending want another soon, let's plan another for the near future. We'll need to discuss if we will want to add an activity after the meal and arrange who will do what. Thanks to all who helped set up, take tickets, direct people to their tables, place the dishes on the service tables, sell 50/50 tickets, and especially to all who helped to clean up at the end. A special thank you to Karen Sammons for making the table centerpieces.
Our next Lunch Out on the Town is Thursday, April 28th at 11:30AM at Chili's. Please sign up on the clipboard to reserve your seat. After the vote at the last meeting the following places were selected for future lunches: Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Little Joey's, and Ruby Tuesday's.
The Monday Morning breakfast schedule for April is:
(meet in the lobby at 8:30AM)
April 4: Bob Evans
April 11:Cracker Barrel
April 18: Bob Evans
April 25: Cracker Barrel
All Saddle Oak Club residents who are single, male or female, are welcome to participate. Our purpose is to enjoy activities as a group and have a good time. Any questions or comments, call Kathy Smith
Three Bean Vegetable Salad
2 Cans 15 oz. Three Bean Salad 1 Diced Fresh Red Pepper 1 Diced Fresh Green Pepper 1 Chopped Red Onion 1/2 C. White Vinegar 1 C. Oil 1/3 C. Sugar 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper
Blend all ingredients together and refrigerate.
From the kitchen of Angie Bauman
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Pool
Well we have some good shooters showing up. Some of the old boys are still hanging in there. Here are some figures for the last month:
Bob in there with 17 wins.
Bill a hefty second with 16 wins.
Erik and Denis came in with 12 wins.
Tony came in with 9 wins.
They tell me to stay home, but I’m a fighter.
We have been getting 8 to 10 players.
Come join us at 6 PM Mondays. We start at 6:30 PM and for 50 cents we have some fun! Tony Pace
Horseshoes
Horseshoes have started up on Thursdays at 2 PM next to the Bocce court. We need more players. Please come out and join the fun! Phyllis Congdon
Water Aerobics
Everyone is invited to drop-in or join our water aerobics classes held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. at the SOC pool. The classes are lead by our SOC residents, Gee Sauvageau and Kay Fiedler. Gee has been leading water aerobics for the past 10 years. Kay is currently a certified Aquatics Instructor and has current CPR and AED certifications. Gee and Kay work together to bring you a full body workout, three times each week. They use low impact aerobic routines and aquatic exercises designed to strengthen muscles and bones, to maximize full range of movement in joints, and to build cardio endurance. These exercises, if done properly, will increase your oxygen intake and allow your body to burn more calories. Besides, it is just plain fun!!
Water shoes are recommended for good support, but are not required. Always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Please be on time for class, come relaxed and prepared for fun. If you have any difficulty or problems with the class, please let Gee or Kay know, so they can assist you in any way.
Saddle Oak Steppers
The Saddle Oak Steppers conclude a successful performance schedule with their final dance for the residents of Timberridge in April.
Starting with Paddock Mall, they entertained at Chanbrel at Pinecastle, Quiet Oaks Assisted Living, and Hampton Manor Deerwood.
During the summer months some dancers leave the group for northern homes, but the program continues under the direction of Bonnie Armitage.
Gene Seeley is among the dancers going north where he gathers all the new and current dances for the ensuing season.
The group always welcomes new people to join in the fun and great exercise of line dancing. Dancing opportunities are available Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays as listed in your newsletter calendar of events. Give it a try!
For information, call Gene Seeley at 873-2650 or Bonnie Armitage at 861-8175.
Bowling
“Spare Time” by Ginger Pace
Weeks of 2/15 - 2/22 - 3/1 - 3/8
We are coming around the home stretch with 6 weeks remaining. The first 7 teams are within 2 points of each other. The remaining are catching up.
This has been a ladies month. Fran Bolson was bowler of the week with games of 184 & 189, a 470 series, 50 pins over average.
Jeanette Presley, second bowler of the week with a 93 average bowled a 159, 66 pins over average.
Rose Robinson, third bowler of the week with a 206 game and a 499 series.
Chris McCormick with a 467 series and Ginger Pace with a 190 game.
Good going ladies.
Split conversions were:
Renaud Germaine 9-10
Jim Otto 5-7
Don Godwin 5-10
John Dawson 6-7-9-10
Tony Pace 5-7 (2x)
Rose Robinson 3-7-10
Fran Bolson 5-7, 2-7-8
Jerry Johnston 5-7
200 Games:
Don Godwin 209, 227
Dick McCormick 205
500 Series:
Hervey Hill 514
Don Godwin 537, 578
Al Carson 521
Howard Horner 515
John Deshayes 523, 539
Dick McCormick 512
Tony Pace 518
The bowling season will come to an end on April 26. Bowling banquet on April 28 at Logan’s at 11:00 AM. The new season will start first Tuesday in Oct. More info in Sept. newsletter.
P.S. Thank you to all the subs who bowled for absentees. P.S.S. Summer bowling will start Tuesday, May 3rd just for fun and bowling for dollars.
See you at the alley.
Bocce Ball
Have you heard? Only a couple of months left, if that, to learn and/or enjoy Bocce in an informal manner before the “snowbirds” leave! This has been “preparation time” for starting league competition. We will try to coordinate the time of play with other activities in the fall, starting with a planning session - choosing teams & subs.
Thursdays starting at 2 PM and continuing till approx. 4:30 PM. John Dawson
Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard will start up again on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM beginning April 6th. Jack Phinney
Golf
March Golf Scramble The winning team is:
Jim Wescott Sr.
Jim Westcott Jr.
Mike Hamlin
Jack Phinney
Closest to the pin:
#2 Rich Putka
#6 Jim Westcott Jr.
#13 Rich Putka
#17 Bill Spann
Jim Westcott Sr. had an eagle on #15.
Jack Phinney
Other Sports or Activities
Is there anyone out there that would like to start up a bridge group? See the sign-up sheet in the club house if interested.
If you have any other sports or activities you want listed in the newsletter, please contact Linda Johnston at (865) 712-5852.
REMEMBERING WHEN - FRAN FRITZ
The first of January 1987 we arrived in Florida with our travel trailer in tow. Jim had been doing research and had found an article in a magazine for a manufactured home community in Ocala called Saddlebrook and had been talking to a woman in the office named Peg Coons (she lived here and still does). He was convinced this was just the place for us. Saddlebrook was a quiet little community off of a two lane paved country road with horse farms and fields of cattle grazing in the grass west of the city. It was nestled beside and behind a small wooded area. There was a sign in front and a small guard shack. There was a row of model homes, many empty lots and a few residents already living here. We went to the office and a salesman took us around. We found a house we liked and a lot and waited to pick out our colors, carpet, etc. While waiting we walked around and found what was listed as a spec model on 59th Street. We fell in love with it, bought it and moved in. There was a large field area behind us which we were told would be a nine hole golf course. A little over a year later the field was cleared and roads were put in. So much for our golf course huh? The community already had a pool and a clubhouse which was great. For the first year or two it was like being on a long vacation. At that time it seemed we could count on it raining every afternoon between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. every afternoon. We'd go to the pool after lunch, go home while it rained and had our dinner and go back to the pool in the evening. It was during those pool times that we came up with the idea of having a community newsletter. Leo Connor would be the editor and I would gather articles and type them up. Jim went out and got advertisements to help with the cost of it. A few residents would meet us in the office the last of each month where we would run copies, put them together, staple and deliver them to the residents living here at that time.
Jim had to stop helping and get a job as he had been a policeman for thirty years and had not paid into Social Security and did not have enough S.S. quarters to get Medicare. Leo, I and the others carried on until we got enough money to have the newsletter printed.
It was also during one of those pool meetings that we decided to start a "Gourmet Club". We got 12 couples or 24 people together (some of the singles wanted to join) and every month a couple or two single people would be in charge. At first we started going to the charge persons house and have a drink and then all go to a restaurant of the charge peoples choice. After a while we stopped meeting at the charge person's home and just went to the restaurant of their choice and they would buy the wine or non-alcoholic drink for all of us. When someone dropped out we would invite someone new to join in. Jim and I dropped out after a couple of years as we would go back to Michigan for a couple of months in the summer in our travel trailer to visit family. I understand that the club is still going but is now called the "Dine Out Club".
A "Home Owners Association" had already been organized before we moved here and so had the Saturday morning coffee hour. We had little money to have parties or to buy new equipment with. Everything we had were things the residents donated. Pots, pans, grills, dishes, utensils, etc. so Jim came up with the idea of having a 50/50 drawing every Saturday morning at coffee to raise money. However, until we had built up a bank account we had fun having a pot luck each month. Between pot lucks there was always an activity going on to attend even if it was sitting around talking and laughing.
We had a bocce ball court and a shuffle board court and people would gather around those and watch the games. One day a man we called "Music John" showed up with a record player he donated so a lot of us donated records and we would gather in the clubhouse and listen to music and sometimes have a dance.
Jim was very involved in the community playing pool, bowling and golfing and became a Saddlebrook Board Member and even represented the community at a Marion County Meeting concerning the wooded property up front which did not belong to us. I was involved in putting on fashion shows, helping with activities, spending time at the pool and other things. One day we learned that Saddlebrook was being sued as there was a resort somewhere around Tampa with the same name so we became Saddle Oak.
After ten years of living here I suggested to Leo Connor and his wife that we have anniversary party and call it the "Old-timers" since some people had moved and new residents were arriving. Later Leo and Jackie moved but Jim and I have carried on the tradition of the "Old-timers) only now we call it the "Old" "Old-timers". Not just because we have gotten older but also because some of us have lived here so long.
As time went by Jim ran for the Board again and became president for two years and that was a very busy time. I was at one time head of the "Bereavement Committee" and after three years of Jim having health problems we are starting to get back into things and I am again in charge of the "Bereavement Committee" and the "Calling Committee. It feels good to be involved again.
Time has flown by and one thing we really miss is sitting on our side porch and looking out across the road watching the horses graze and the ponies play in the farm field. We have seen many things happen, like our guard shack be replaced with gates, the trees cut down out front and medical buildings appear, our two lane country road become a six lane highway, and the horse farms and cow pastures turned into a hospital, a large restaurant, shopping centers, apartment buildings, housing communities and other complexes. We have seen many people come and go (either by death, moving where they think the grass is greener, or going back "home" to be with family). We have met many nice people and had many good times. It wasn't utopia here but we thought it was close to it and we enjoyed doing small things and going different places. It was sort of the saying "all for one and one for all".
During our 24 years we have had 3 golf carts, lost the cat that we brought down with us after her living 18 years, lost 2 small poodles and have 2 other poodles, seen Jim get bit by a fox (that's another story). We are the only original buyers on our block and amongst the few old timers. Once we were one of the youngest here and now we are amongst the oldest. We're not sure how much longer we will live here but we will cherish every minute, day, month and/or year we have left.
Granny's Macaroni & Cheese in the Crockpot
1 7oz. pkg macaroni, cooked and drained
1 12oz. can evaporated milk, undiluted
1 Stick margarine, melted
3 eggs beaten
3 cups of grated cheese, either sharp or medium your preference,
salt&pepper to taste
Mix milk, eggs, melted margarine together and add salt and pepper. Add drained macaroni and only two cups of grated cheese and stir well. Pour into crockpot and sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Do not lift lid until ready to serve. This is a very moist macaroni & cheese dish. You will never fix it any other way once you have eaten this version. Very good. Enjoy!
(submitted by Tammie Hornsby)
SADDLE OAK AND FRIENDS CRUISING AGAIN
Feb 11-18,2012
7 nights 8 days Eastern Caribbean
Carnival "Dream"
Contact Ginger Pace for details
NEW RESIDENTS
Linda Pinkerton
5605 SW 58th Street
Lot #304
Telephone: 352-509-4307
Arrived December 2010
Linda's birthday: 11/9
Linda and her husband were self employed in the retail business of vitamins and minerals prior to retirement
Linda enjoys music, interior decorating and is an Elvis fan
Two children
Two grandchildren
Home State is Indiana
Mike Philip
5528 SW 59th Street
Lot #121
Telephone: 352-509-7367
Arrived March 2011
Mike's birthday: 7/12
Mike retired from banking, estate trusts
He enjoys reading
Home State: New York
Joe and Nancy Savel
5621 SW 57th Street
Lot # 322
Telephone: 352-854-7877
Arrived March 2011 Joe's birthday: 10/12
Nancy's birthday: 12/3
Anniversary: 12/12
Joe worked for TrueTemper Corp and University of Florida ground crew
Nancy was a realtor
They enjoy reading, traveling, art
11 children
26 grandchildren
Home State: Ohio
Harry Fillmore - Jean Frank
5641 SW 56th Place
LOT #342
Telephone: 352-304-8893
Arrived January 2011 Harry's birthday: 2/5
Jean's birthday: 1/2
Anniversary: 8/26
Harry was a retail store manager and Jean was a bookkeeper
They enjoy golf, riding bicycles and travel
Five children
Eleven grandchildren
Home State: New Jersey
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
03 Rich Putka
04 Marie Darrow
04. Kay Harp
05. Jerry Harp
06 Carlene Andreu
06 John Kennedy
06. Carl (Bud) Hooper
07 Dolly Crowder
08 Linda Otto
09 Sallee Swahn
09. Robert Hansen
10 Jeanene Gaubatz
10 Paul Cool
11. Jill Evensen
12 Evon Simpson
13 Derek Shackleton
14. Kay Fiedler
15 Eugene Heintz
15 Larry Gaubatz
17. Norm Johnson
18 Don Baisch
20 Debra Ross
21 Bertha Hendrickson
21 Marte Moyer
22 Jerry Johnston
23. Eugene Seeley
24. Rita Johnson
24. Gary Mott
28. Christine Parkinson
28. Sue Johnson
29 Dan Sitkowski
29. Ann-Marie Stanley
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
02. Bill and Marlene Wyllie
03. George and Betty Overman
09. Walter & Jeannette Presley
13. James and Denise Wessner
21 Matthew and Marion Walters
22. Bob & Kay Fiedler
23. Jim & Sue Holbrook
23. Eric & Nancy Hoiaas
23. Carl & Debra Fleming
25. Derek & Norma Shackleton
28. Mike and Sandra Cady
30. Bernie and Jeanne Kozlowski
Terry Jansen has agreed to take over the Birthday and Anniversaries for the newsletter beginning with the May issue. If you know of any changes such as someone moving out of SOC etc: please call her and let her know.