...from the desk of the SOCHA president I am sitting in the "window room" today watching oak leaves fall like rain after raking them for hours on Friday. The wind is blowing them all into my neighbor’s yard today...lucky for them they moved and the house is empty!!!! Where did the winter go? By the time you read this, our annual yard sale will be over and hopefully you have sold everything you wanted to get rid of!!!! Now is it April and time for our annual "Spring Fling" ... just two of the many great events we have at Saddle Oak. Some of our friends will be leaving to head north for the summer…it is always sad to see them go but it is so easy with email and our "on line newsletter" to keep them in touch with all of the "fun things" they will miss this summer!! I know they will be enjoying their children and grandchildren while they are away from their Saddle Oak family! By now you know that Joanne is gone. She has accepted a position at Water Oak so she and Kathy will be working together again. I know that I am one of many people who will miss her ...she was so helpful to me in so many ways. Please join me in wishing her well in her new position. Stephanie has been to a couple of our Saturday morning coffee/donut hour and given us the chance to meet her and get to know her better. If you have not already done so, please stop by and introduce yourself to her.
Spring break is upon us and soon summer visitors will be coming to see us all. Please remember to register your guests at the office. Also, please remind your family and visitors of our speed limits (both cars and golf carts). The age to drive golf carts is 14 years of age but they must be accompanied by an adult/resident. Children and visitors must also be accompanied by a resident when at the swimming pool. Dogs must be on a leash and you must "pick up" after them. Please help us keep Saddle Oak a safe and clean place to live.
There was a memorial service for Tom Losiewski this week. I never saw so many people in our clubhouse which proved that Tom was well liked by everyone here. He was so helpful to so many of us and he will be missed by us all. For those friends we have lost, we remember in our hearts.
Please be kind to your friends and neighbors and take a minute to tell a Saddle Oak volunteer what a good job they are doing!!
Luther and I look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood, Tammie Hornsby
SADDLE OAK NEWS
Newsletter Committee
Donna Frakes
Nancy Dougherty
Jackie Barth
Linda Johnston
Linda Otto
Tammie Hornsby
Kathy Smith
Grace Spiller
Katherine Sitkowski
Diana Phinney
Submit articles to: socnewsletter@yahoo.com
Deadline is the 15th
TEA PARTY & FASHION SHOW
BITS AND PIECES....
VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH
Volunteers of the month for April are Tom and Bonnie Leahy. Tom and Bonnie are always on the scene to assist wherever they can. Tom helped with the Christmas decorations (packing and unpacking) and carrying them to take our and put away (no easy task). Bonnie makes the resident cards and badges and delivers them to residents. They always seem to show up when extra hands are needed. Didn’t Tom do a great job as the dresser for our models at the tea party? They have worked Saturday coffee. Bonnie has helped out with Bingo. Tom has helped in securing FMO members. They can also be seen walking Maggie. If you need to borrow a can opener you can always call on them. What a pleasure to have them as Saddle Oak residents!
A TRIBUTE TO VOLUNTEERS
For a while now a “Volunteer of the Month” has been named which is a great thing because volunteering is a wonderful act of kindness. However, I would like to give this tribute to people who volunteered from the beginning of Saddlebrook (Saddle Oak) until now and to those who have not been a Volunteer of the Month. To Clay Cummings who directed our first choir, to a woman named Norma who started our first quilting classes, to the woman who started our first Water Aerobics, to Phil Porto who was our Jimmy Durante, to Marge Banczak who also taught quilting and was our Roving Reporter, to my husband who started the 50/50, to Leo Connor and myself for starting the Newsletter and the Gourmet Club (now Dine Out), and to the many ladies who organized pot lucks, fashion shows and other things, to all the men who moved furniture (inside and out) and stood over hot grills and cleaned up after events. To those of you who have cooked meals for everyone, to all the people who have been in charge of the outside games and the yard sales and Spring Flings, the concerts, the plays and to, and to, and to. To all of us oldtimers and middletimers and newcomers and whoevers. I could go on and on, but even without any praise, hopefully volunteering will always be a wonderful and rewarding thing to do, but it is up to us to praise our volunteers, not criticize them. If there is something you can volunteer to do I urge you to try. It is self-rewarding and you will think of yourself as a better person.....Fran Fritz
THANK YOU, AND YOU AND YOU....!!!
I hope everyone enjoyed the Pork Roast Dinner and Dale Anderson (the ventriloquist). Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible. Thanks to the ladies who cooked the roasts: Ginger Pace, Toots Lobe, Diane Germaine, Joan Record, Diane Anderson and Sue Whritenour. Great job, ladies! A big thanks to John and Joan Record for all their assistance in the kitchen. Thank you Jo Gearin for all your hard work, and also Tony and Ginger Pace, Karen Sammons, Tammie Hornsby, Nancy and Mike Dougherty and Donna Frakes. Hopefully I have not forgotten anyone. It takes a great amount of people to put together a dinner and I want to thank all of you who helped, as no one could do this without a lot of help.
Yea, Yelp, Yes – Another fun-filled day at Saddle Oak Clubhouse......
Where we put on another, yes, I said ANOTHER, terrific, magnificent, great, fun-filled Tea Party and Fashion Show!!!!
Our volunteers for this successful day are:
Linda Otto, Jo Gearin, Nancy Dougherty, Suzanne May, Diane Keach, Kathy Smith, Bonnie Leahy, Joan Record, Ingrid McCourry, Donna Frakes, Dennis Dubuque, Jim Otto, Harry Simmes, Bob Gearing, Leo Keach, Jim Westcott, Tom Leahy, Dick Savageau, Jim Crouch, Gene Seeley, and for all the numerous ladies who baked all those wonderful, scrumptious pastries, not to forget the great clean-up people – THANKS!!!!.....Sincerely, Karen Sammons
SINGLES
The Lunch Out this month will be at the Ocean Buffet on Rt. 200 on April 26th They serve all types of cuisine, not just seafood items. Sign up on the clipboard at the Clubhouse to reserve your spot. Thank you, Katherine, for handling the day for me while I'm away.
Singles Breakfast will be held the first Monday of every month at Cracker Barrel at 8:30. Hope to see you there!
SNOWBIRD ALERT!!!!!
Don't forget that you can find the Saddle Oak Newsletter online while you're away. Web site address: saddleoakclub.net
ATTENTION ALL VACATIONERS AND SNOWBIRDS:
Please remember to let Diana Phinney know when you are leaving so she can tell your newsletter carrier not to deliver your newsletter. Printing is expensive, so we don’t want them laying in carports this summer. You should also let the office know if you are leaving for the summer.
LADIES LADIES LADIES
Come One!! Come All!! Come By!!
You are invited to our Ladies Luncheon, held each month!! Check the sign-up sheet in the clubhouse for details or call Karen Sammons, 352-304-8599.
SPRING FLING
Put on annually by the Board of Directors, it will be April 14th this year. We expect it to be a really fun event.
THE NOTE – ABLES Formerly known as the Saddle Oak Chorus
Yes, our chorus now has a great name!
If you can carry a tune in a bucket and want to have fun, show up Thursdays at 10:00 am in the clubhouse or call Joanne Barber at 304-8579 for more information.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Crafters are needed for this event, July 14th 8:00 am till noon. Please contact Joanne Barber at 304-8579.
By the time you are reading this newsletter Judy Marks will be working for Sun Communities. Judy was offered Joanne’s position and accepted. She can no longer be the treasurer of our homeowner’s association. We, the board of directors, are very happy for Judy and Sun Communities is very lucky to have her as their employee.
We are now looking for a replacement for Judy. It is a very important job and we need to fill the position as soon as possible.
If you think it is something you might be interested in, please feel free to call me and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks, Tammie Hornsby
We are looking for bingo callers. Some of our bingo callers are snowbirds and will be leaving to go north. We need callers to help for the summer. Please contact Claudia Janis, Tony Pace or me if you think you can help out. Thanks, Tammie
Also, if you are interested in working the bingo table and selling bingo cards and help with counting the money, please contact Kathy Simms or Diane Anderson. We also need someone to back up Phyllis Congdon. She will be out for a while and we need someone to call back the bingo numbers.
On Tuesday afternoon we need someone to set up the area for the residents who come to have a hot dog or sandwich on Tuesday evening. We call it our Bingo Café ….it is for those who come to eat and not play bingo. We need volunteers to help set that area up on Tuesday afternoon. Please contact Dan or Claudia Janis or me if you are willing to help with this. Thanks, Tammie
Volunteering is an important part of life at Saddle Oak. Please help us continue to make this a great place to live!
NEW RESIDENTS
Nick and Julie Saputo & Trooper
5581 SW 58th Place
Lot #210
Telephone: 616-566-2410
Arrived January 2012
Nick's birthday: 6/13
Julie's birthday: 6/16
Anniversary: 3/1
Nick was in construction and Julie works in produce market's
Nick enjoys golf
Four children, six grandchildren
Home State: Michigan
Martha Smith and Peggy Pennybaker
5965 SW 57th Avenue
Lot #98
Telephone: 352-509-7444
Arrived January 2012
Martha' birthday: 9/30
Peggy's birthday: 11/25
Martha was a school teacher and recently in real estate
They both enjoy reading
Martha as 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren
Peggy has 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren
Home State: Ohio
Bob and Carole Lyman & (Kassie)
5530 SW 61st Lane
Lot #22
Telephone: 352-509-4489
Arrived: December 2011
Bob's birthday: 5/29
Carole's birthday: 12/23
Anniversary: 2/14
Bob is a retired truck driver and Carole was an office manager
Bob enjoys riding his motorcycle
One child, two grandchildren
Home State: New York
Catherine and Dennis Rezmer
5645 SW 60th Street
Lot # 103
Telephone: 989-751-0332
Arrived January 2012
Catherine's birthday: 6/4
Dennis's birthday: 1/2
Anniversary: 10/3
Dennis was a truck driver and Catherine is a restaurant manager
They enjoys golf and Dennis likes to fish
Two children, Two grandchildren
Home State: Michigan
Suzie Wolf and John Francis
5650 SW 55th Avenue
LOT # 375
Telephone: 847-609-0910
Arrived January 2012
John's birthday: 1/25
Suzie's birthday: 8/31
John was a printer before retirement
Suzie enjoys singing and crafts and John enjoys riding his motorcycle
Three children
One grandchild
Home State; Illinois
Scott Traxler & Ruh Berg
5630 SW 55th Avenue
LOT 376
Telephone: 352-509-4927
Arrived February 2012
Scott's birthday: 5/2
Ruh's birthday: 5/12
Anniverwary: 6/11
Scott is retired Army and college professor and Ruh was a physician's assistant
They enjoy reading, travel & motorcycles
Two children
Three grandchildren
Home State: New York and Colorado
BULLETIN BOARD
Please remember, notices for the bulletin board must be on a 3 x 5 card and dated. Cards will be removed if there is no date. Please do not remove anyone’s cards but your own. Thanks!
TOM LOSIEWSKI'S MEMORIAL
Shock – that is what went through Saddle Oak community the morning of Monday, March 6, 2012 when the news of Tom Losiewski's death got around. "Thank you, thank you, thank you" is what I heard when I called on Tom's children, Matt, Angela, Andrea, Crystal and her husband Jeremy. They were very gracious and so happy when they heard that our Bereavement Committee would put on a memorial service for their father if they wished. The memorial for Tom was held on Thursday, March 8th. There were approximately 120 people in attendance.
I would like to thank my co-workers on the Bereavement Committee, Co-Chair Grace Spiller, and Jeanne Kozolowski, greeter and handler of the guest book. Another committee member, Jean Stephens, who usually takes care of the table for family members, could not attend. Thanks to Joanne Barber for playing the organ, Mike Dougherty for picking up the cakes and all the other jobs he did. Thanks to all of you who set up, worked and cleaned up afterward – Joan Ford, Jo Gearing, Suzanne May, Linda Otto, Marge Putka and Katherine Sitkowski. A special thanks to Joanne, Saddle Oak Office Coordinator, who handled the microphone and Ann Marie Stanley for praying. It was a nice farewell to Tom. He will be missed especially by Donna, Tom’s lady friend. Hang in there, Donna. It was so nice for you and the children to be at the memorial together. Just a reminder – this service is available to the families of all Saddle Oak residents. Fran Fritz
PINOCHLE PEOPLE
Pinochle is back! Come on Thursdays at 6:45 if you are interested.
BUYING TICKETS
This is VERY IMPORTANT! Remember to buy your tickets EARLY for any event you wish to attend. We can no longer sell tickets at the door. We must have an early count of attendees in order to purchase sufficient food for each event. Thank you for your cooperation.
REMINDER
Your guests must be registered with the office. They need to know the names of your visitors and the length of time they expect to stay. This is necessary for your guests to have full use of Saddle Oak Club facilities.
DINNER SHOW ! ! ! ! !
On Thursday, April 19th, we will have a bus trip to Orlando's best dinner show deal. It is called Capone's Dinner and Show. The food is plentiful and delicious and the show is a lot of fun. The cost is $54.10 per person. The bus will be at the clubhouse at 4:00 pm, maybe 4:30pm. Money is due no later then April 10th. The sign-up sheet is in the clubhouse or you can call me at 861-0178. Thanks – hope to see you there. Toots Lobe
P. S. It was the winner of AOL’s Best of City Themed Restaurants.
HOT DOGS AT TUESDAY BINGO!
Between the hours of 5 and 6:30 pm, hot dogs are being served at Tuesday Bingo. A Sabrett Hot Dog Meal consists of the dog, chips and beverage for $2.25! Stay for Bingo or just enjoy a quick meal!
CLUBHOUSE
Yes, you can book the Clubhouse for a personal event through Nancy Savel. Please clean up and leave the clubhouse as you found it. If you move tables and chairs, please put them back as you found them.
Just a reminder that no pets are allowed in the Clubhouse.
KITCHEN
If you are planning an event, private or public,
Please call Claudia Janis at 509-4328, and I will open the refrigerator and freezer for your use, if you need them.
NEWS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR
In 2012 I will be adding the year of marriage to the anniversary calendar. People with email, would you (-if you want it added-) email me your month and year of marriage? No email? No problem – you can call me or leave a message on my answering machine. Thanks, Terry Jansen 304-8195
SUNSHINE REPORT - Fran Bolson
Garland Boggs is in the hospital and Linda Johnston had knee surgery and is at home. Others who were hospitalized this past month include Janet Koechley, Ken MacIntosh, Marge Gordon, Dorothea Wiley, Rich Putka, Marge Glass, and Norma Shackleton. The homes of Sandy Fedak and Bunnye Brinson have been sold, so their names will be coming off our Sunshine Board, but please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Others in nursing homes include Ellie Evans in TimberRidge, Lillian Rajewski in Memory Lane and Ray & Arlene Wallace in Marion Woods.
The following was received from Joy Matthews:
Hi from Key West! It was very kind, gathering all those residents' signatures on the card you mailed (especially since I wasn't well known in the Community). I want you to know it was much appreciated - please let the signers know how much it meant to me.
I didn't want to move, but it was the most sensible solution - either being a live-alone widow or check into a nursing home that wants EVERYTHING money-wise to care for me 'til I pass away. So I'm very lucky to have my son and his fiancé to talk me into living with them. They are great caretakers and very nice to live with.
Key West is awesome - beautiful scenery and many activities to attend - so I am very well and blessed. My address is: Joy Matthews c/o Mary Wingate - 30425 Poinciana Rd., Big Pine Key, FL 33043.
Bowling
Bowling news for weeks of:
2/14-2/21-2/28-3/6-3/13
We are going into our 24th week , with four more weeks to go. Everyone is having fun and hoping to have a great finish. The positions are so tight that anything could happen. Some great scores this month.
200 GAMES ROLLED BY:
Hervey Hill- 203,211,212,224,237
Bob Glass -205,209
Paul Saeva 207,221
Eric Hoiaas-201,215
John Deshayes - 200,246
Jerry Johnston - 223
Tony Pace - 201,204
Dennis Dubuque 202
500 SERIES:
Hervey Hill - 629,589,551
Bob Glass - 519,531,595
Paul Saeva - 531,549
Dick McCormick - 531
Tony Pace - 528,564
Howard Horner - 528
Eric Hoiaas - 509,519,536
John Deshayes - 517/618
Frank Hodakowski - 507
Jerry Johnston - 562
Jim Otto - 512
Harry Simmes - 517
SPLIT CONVERSIONS:
Larry Gaubautz -5-6
Charlie Parkinson - 5-8-10
Fran Bolson - 4-5-10/ 5-10
Ginger Pace - 5-6/5-7
Tony Pace - 3-6-7-10
Dick McCormick - 4-5-7
Richie Harris - 4-7-9-10
Mirta Harris - 5-6-10
Dennis Dubuque - 4-5-7/5-7/3-7-10/5-10
(You are mastering all the splits)
Achievements for bowler of the week:
They are awarded 3 free games from AMF.
Most pins over their average:
Paul Saeva 87 pins over
Chris McCormich 115 pins over
Jerry Johnston 118 pins over
Irene Deshayes 50 pins over
Hervey Hill 64 pins over
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.
See you in the alley!
Secretary, Ginger Pace
352-237-2758
Pool
Another four weeks of Championship Pool...
The leaders this set are:
Frank ... 15 wins
Tony ... 11 wins
Bob ... 10 wins
Denis ... 9 wins
Erik ... 6 wins
Tom ... 6 wins
John W ... 6 wins
Harry ... 6 wins
Jim ... 6 wins
Come join us on Monday evenings..
It's not a late night..
Cost 50 cents. (Ask Momma)
We start at 6:30 PM and finish around 8....Tony Pace
Golf
RESULTS - SADDLE OAK 4 PERSON SCRAMBLE
1ST Place Team @ - 6 under Par
1. Jim Cropper
2. Rich Putka
3. Dave Stout
4. Grace Newman
2nd Place Team @ - 4 Under Par
1. Bill Spann
2. Jim Wessner
3. Dick Sauvageau
Next tournament will be April 11th
Same Time 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Same Place - Pine Oaks
Jack Phinney and John Deshayes will be taking over golf tournament.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone here at Saddle Oak, for the kindness and neighborly atmosphere that is given through out the community. My wife (Patricia) and myself are moving to Silver Springs...Hervey Hill Jr
SOC Golf League
The SOC golf league has played golf every Wednesday for the last month with no rain outs! We have played at Ocala Palms, Silver Springs Shores, Pine Oaks, Marion Oaks and El Diablo. We will continue to play at different courses each week.
Players of all abilities are welcome. We play weekly on Wednesdays around 11:00 AM (except for the Scramble Wednesday) at various local courses. Our objective is simply to play golf with different people each week and to have fun. We're non-competitive.
Anyone wishing to join is welcome. Call me at 873-4301, and I'll put you on the list.....Dick Sauvageau
Move-It – Move-It
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
At 8 AM – Upstairs in Club House
Joann Barber (352) 304-8579
Shuffleboard
Thursdays at 3 PM
Quilting
Wednesdays at 9 AM
Judy Miller (352) 304-8301
Line Dancing
Beginners – Mondays at 10 am
Intermediate – Sundays 6:30 pm
Intermediate – Thursdays at 1 pm
Water Aerobics
Water Aerobics are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-11AM (weather permitting*) in the SOC pool.
The class consists of a combination of low impact aerobic exercises and stretching/toning exercises.
It's open to all SOC residents and their teenage or adult guests.
The class is usually led by either Kay Fiedler or Gee Sauvageau:
Kay (generally early May – mid October) 509-4161
Gee (generally mid October – early May) 873-4301
* Rain, serious threat of thunderstorms, or 9:30AM temps below 50o qualify as weather NOT permitting. Drizzle is iffy.
Bocce Ball
Thursdays at 3 PM
Darts
An informal game, Saturdays 2 pm
Darts are in the white middle cupboard under the bulletin board.
Yoga
Tuesdays at 9:00 am
ChandraMa Hanioan
Looking for someone interested in taking over the horseshoes.
Phyllis Congdon (352) 291-4946
Bingo
Bingos are on Tuesdays 7 pm
Tickets sold 5:30 pm – 6:40 pm
Chorus
Thursdays at 10 am
Joann Barber 352-304-8579
Other Sports/Activities:
If you have any other sports or activities you want listed in the newsletter,
contact Linda Johnston at (865) 712-5852.
Quiz for Bright People
This month's question is:
Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S"
Last month's question was:
Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?
The answer: Asparagus and Rhubarb
These bright people answered the question correctly:
Jeanne Kozlowski, John Record, Joann Barber, Fran Bolson, Tony Pace, Claudia Janis, Martha Smith, Sammi Koester, Mary Conroy.
Please submit your answers in the box in the clubhouse by the 10th of the month.
*************************************************************
Needle Contest Winners!
The following people discovered the missing needle was on the "Quiz for Bright People" page:
Peggy Pennylake, Tony Pace, Jeanne Kozlowski, Fran Bolson, Claudia Janis, Loretta Dawson, Mary Conroy, Joann Barber, Marion Walters, Sue Holbrook, Sammi Koester, Dorothy Stout, Shirlee Lectka, John Record and Norma Shackleton
This months winner is Marion Walters. Please pick up your prize in your mailbox at the clubhouse.
Please submit your answers in the box in the clubhouse by the 10th of the month.
REMINDER
To residents leaving. Let your newsletter carrier know the months you will be gone or call the newsletter committee.
Ann Tsaras/Sue Fahrney 60th St
Tony Pace 56th St
Phyllis Congdon 56th St
Howard Parness 56th Pl
Donna Frakes 57th St
Fran Bolson 57th Pl, 55th Ave, and 54th Terrace
Winnie Robinson 58th St
Sue Holbrook 56th Av
Jack Phinney 58th Pl
Al Carson 58th Pl
Kay Fiedler 59th St
Sue Whritenour 57th St
Margaret Carlin 56th Ter, 56th Ct
Marge Putka 57th Av
Linda Norton 55th Ct, 61st La, 61st Pl, 61st Ct
Bucket List
Do you have a "Bucket List" of goals and achievements which you wanted to achieve during your lifetime? Let us know... If you never had an official "Bucket List" but achieved a lofty goal which you worked hard to attain. Let us know.....
GOODBYE TO GRUMPINESS
We all know that people with a sunny disposition are easier to be around. But new studies show that antagonistic people--especially those who are competitive and aggressive--may have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. A study reported in the Journal of the American Heart Association found people who scored in the bottom 10 percent of agreeableness had a 40 percent increased risk for arterial wall thickness. To practice daily stress-relief, try this deep breathing exercise from the American Heart Association:
1. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
2. Visualize a peaceful picture or place in your mind. Slowly and deeply inhale and exhale.
3. Continue breathing in this same manner for 10 minutes.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
03. Rich Putka
04. Marie Darrow
04. Kay Harp
05. Jerry Harp
06. Carlene Andreu
06. Carl (Bud) Hooper
07. Dolly Crowder
08. Linda Otto
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
20. Bob Mc Cague
21. Bertha Hendrickson
22. Jerry Johnston
23. Eugene Seeley
24. Gary Mott
28. Christine Parkinson
28. Sue Johnson
29. Dan Sitkowski
29. Ann-Marie Stanley
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
09. Walter & Jeannette Presley
13. James & Denise Wessner
15 Bill & Pam Rawnsley
21. Matthew & Marion Walters
22. Bob & Kay Fiedler
23. Jim & Sue Holbrook
23. Eric & Nancy Hoiaas
25. Derek & Norma Shackleton
30. Bernie & Jeanne Kozlowski 1960
For additions or changes please call Terry Jansen @ 304-8195 or e-mail HJANSEN@cfl.rr.com
Want your year of marriage on the calendar? Let me know.