New Year Greetings from the SOCHA president,
Where did the year go?...it has been filled with new faces, new ideas and many great events chaired by all of our residents. Our events have been so well attended and it is wonderful to see everyone coming out to enjoy all the good food, meeting and visiting with new neighbors and just having fun!!!! Once again, let me thank all those who worked hard to make these events possible.
I have been in the position of president of the SOCHA for almost a year now and even though the road has been bumpy from time to time and I have made mistakes, I am proud to serve as your president. It has been a learning process for me and I would like to think that I am smarter now than I was when I accepted the position. I want to thank my fellow board members and all of the people who have supported me this year....I could not have served in this position without you.
I know you all join me in "working together" in 2012 to make Saddle Oak Club the best place to live.
My message to begin the year is simple....
A strong membership base keeps us close to the community we support. This homeowner's association does not exist without you!!! Being supported by our community is our identity and our members provide a vital connection to our governing process and we do listen to what you have to say and we use that information to improve life at Saddle Oak Club. Please remember we are here to support you and your efforts. A strong membership base helps us get the message across as to what we are trying to do for this community. As the saying goes....there is strength in numbers!!!
The board of directors, the newsletter staff and Luther and I wish you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Tammie Hornsby
MANY THANKS TO THE WYLLIE'S
Recently we lost a member of our community, Bill Wyllie. Bill and Marty have been residents for many years but in recent months Bill had been in ill health so many of our newer residents did not know Bill or many of the contributions he made to our community. He was instrumental in the renovation of our kitchen in the clubhouse. He drew up the plans and presented it to the board and then to Sun Communities and they were so impressed with the plans and agreed to pay for the purchase of the stove and refrigerator and renovate the kitchen to be what it is today. Bill and Marty were also responsible for cooking up many wonderful meals in the kitchen after its completion. We thank the Wyllie's for their contribution to our community.
SAVE THE DATE
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY -- 8:00 - ?
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 SOUP & SALAD LUNCHEON -- NOON - ?
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 ASSOCIATION MEETING -- 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 CHINESE AUCTION -- 9:30 AM - NOON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 MIDEVIL TIMES DINNER -- 3:30 PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 MEET THE CANDIDATES -- 2:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 FMO MEETING AT CLUBHOUSE
refreshments at 1:00 pm
meeting begins at 1:30 pm
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 Ham Dinner -- 4:30 PM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY
(Voting at the clubhouse)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 ASSOCIATION MEETING (Board elections)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO
(because clubhouse is closed on Tues.)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH SUPER BOWL SUNDAY -- 4:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 ROAST PORK DINNER -- 5:00 PM
BITS AND PIECES.....
JANUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Our Volunteers of the Month are Tony and Ginger Pace. Much of their help is behind the scenes. Tony collects money and sells tickets for all of our events, takes care of medical equipment, helps with events. Most often Tony is the microphone man. Ginger takes care of signing up association members. She is always offering to help whenever possible. It is a real pleasure to have such great volunteers.
THANK YOU, AND YOU AND YOU...!!!
We wish to thank everyone who attended our "first" Thanksgiving as Hosts. We prepared three different kinds of turkey -- traditional, fried and smoked. For those who never tasted a fried or smoked turkey, this was a great opportunity! All of your tables looked beautiful. Thanks to Bill Cook, Sal Borriello and Ann Sandor for jumping in and helping when we needed it! Thank you, Nancy and Joe Savel and Claudia and Dan Janis.
I would like to thank all the volunteer residents who help with the delivery of the newsletter and water notices:
Ann Tsaras & Sue Fahney - 60th St.
Tony Pace - 56th St.
Phyllis Congdon - 56th St.
Howard Parness - 56th Pl.
Donna Frakes - 57th St.
Fran Bolson - 57th Pl., 55th Ave, & 54th Ter.
Winnie Robinson - 58th St.
Sue Holbrook - 56th Ave
Jack Phinney - 58th Pl.
Al Carson - 58th Pl.
Kay Fiedler - 59th St.
Sue Whritenour - 59th St.
Margaret Carlin - 56th Ter., 56th Ct.
Marge Putka - 57th Ave.
Linda Norton - 55th Ct., 61st La., 61st Pl., 61st Ct.
Subs:
Toots Lobe
Kathy Smith
Bob Bull
Evelyn Litwicki
Nancy Savel
Residents leaving in the summer, please let your carrier know. It will save excess printing of newsletters. Thank You!
Diana Phinney, Circulation of SOC Newsletter.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make our Christmas Party such a fun evening: David Anderson who helped in the kitchen carving the hams and doing most of the dishes, Toots Lobe, Jo Gearin, Ginger and Tony Pace, and Terry Jansen. I would also like to thank Diane Keach and Nancy Pollen for doing such a great job in helping set up and Tammie Hornsby for making our party such a success.
MANY THANKS TO THE WYLLIES
Recently we lost a member of our community, Bill Wyllie. Bill and Marty have been residents for many years, but in recent months Bill had been in ill health, so many of our newer residents did not know Bill or many of the contributions he made to our community. He was instrumental in the renovation of our kitchen in the clubhouse. He drew up the plans and presented them to the board and then to Sun Communities and they were so impressed with the plans and agreed to pay for the purchase of the stove and refrigerator and renovate the kitchen to be what it is today. Bill and Marty were also responsible for cooking so many wonderful meals in the kitchen after its completion. We thank the Wyllies for their contribution to our community.
Bill and I were married for 45 years. I've seen way too many of these notes in our newsletter and always felt bad for the spouse but it was never going to happen to me! But it did, and now I know exactly how you feel -- lonely, lost and what do I do next? I want to thank you all for the prayers, thoughts and many, many cards. Ken and Linda Banks, don't know what I would do without you. Jim and Denise Wessner, the Stevens, Johnny and Jean -- all of you have my heartfelt thanks. Marty Wyllie.
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.
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 notices but your own. Thanks!
IMPORTANT ! ! !
There will be an FMO meeting at the Saddle Oak Clubhouse on January 25th. Refreshments will be served at 1:00 p. m. and the meeting begins at 1:30 p. m. This is an important organization with important issues and hopefully we can have a good turnout. Please make every effort to attend. Thanks, Tammie.
A CHANGE IN BINGO
Bingo will not be held on Tuesday, January 31st because of Presidential Preference Primary voting and instead, Bingo will take place on Thursday, February 2.
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! The condiments are: mustard, catsup, relish, chopped onions sauerkraut and chili. Stay for Bingo or just enjoy a quick meal!
CLUBHOUSE -- Yes, you can book the clubhouse for a personal event through Nancy or Katherine.
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.
CLASSIFIED ADS BY RESIDENTS
Vi Simmes has a Mongoose 26" bike for sale for $50. Call her at 304-8866
LOST
A light blue Flier jacket has been lost. If found, please call Dorothea Wiley.
SUNSHINE REPORT
During the past year of 2011 we have given 50 Publix cards to residents who have been hospitalized for at least 2 nights. We have also sent 126 cards to those hospitalized or in nursing homes that were signed by the residents at Coffee hour on the first Saturday of each month. Thanks to the Association for the cost of the gift cards and to those who have donated the get-well cards that we use.
As we go to press, Diane Cool is in West Marion and Garland Boggs is hospitalized in West Virginia. Others who were hospitalized but are now at home include Eugene and Peggy Heintz, Gladys Ouimette, Kathy Kentfield, Gloria Buckley, Leo Keach, Marion Walters, Henry Webster, and Richard Clements. Darrell Lucas is in Life Care and Joy Matthews in TimberRidge, Ray and Arlene Wallace in Marion Woods. Lillian Rajewski in Memory Lane, Sandy Fedak and Bunnye Brinson in The Bridge. We hope they and you have a Happy, Healthy New Year.
BEREAVEMENT REPORT
Bill Wyllie passed away on November 18. He is survived by his wife, Marty.
LADIES LADIES LADIES
Come One!! Come All!! Come By!!
You are invited to our Ladies Luncheon, held the 3rd Thursday each month!! Check the sign-up sheet in the clubhouse for details or call Karen Sammons, 352-304-8599.
COMING SOON!!!
There will be two bus trips coming soon: in January a trip to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Kissimmee on January 19th, 2012. Call Toots Lobe for information. And later, in the month of March, will be River Ship Romance on the St. Johns River, with a small cruise and a delicious lunch. Keep your eyes open for the information in the January Newsletter.
SINGLES
The Lunch Out this month will be January 26, 2012, at the Outback Steakhouse at 11:30 Sign up on the sheet on the clipboard at the Clubhouse bulletin board to reserve your seat.
HAM DINNER
Don't forget the Ham Dinner, January 28, at 4:30 p.m. See Tony Pace for tickets.
CALLING ALL GOLFERS
Interested in forming a Saddle Oak golf league? I envision playing weekly, probably Wednesdays (not on Scramble Wednesday) at different local courses each week. You would be paired up with different people (gives you a chance to meet new people). This would be open to all golfers high or low handicap, tall or short, male or female -- well, you get the idea. I know this has been tried in the past, but might be more successful with many new people moving in now. If interested, sign up in the clubhouse and I'll contact you. Dick Sauvageau 873-4301.
COMMUNITY TV FUNraisers
January 1st we are having a SOUPER New Year's Day: Soups, salad and breads, all you can eat, $5.00 per ticket, to be purchased by December 30. The time is 12-6pm at the clubhouse. A bean, a chicken, a vegetable and Danâ's Polish Grandmother's Potato Soup will be made for this event! Come hungry and leave contented.
Chinese Auction! January 14h, Saturday, right after Coffee, 9:30 til noon. Tickets will be purchased at the door, 7 for $5.00. Put a ticket that has your name and phone number on it into the bag that is taped in front of the item you wish to "purchase"; at noon we will start pulling a ticket out of each bag, then we will contact the winner, if you are not present. We have a variety of terrific items at this time, but could use more. Something that is nice but need a new home. I will be glad to come and get it -- just call me, Claudia 509-4328. Thank you in advance for your donation.
Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th. We will have a bigger screen TV for those that would like to party with others during the game! We will have game food and a pool organized for those who think their team will win. More details will be announced at January's Saturday morning Coffees.
The TV Committee would like to thank the host home for the November 30th Wine tasting. For those who did not attend you missed beautiful spreads at the homes of the Hornsbys, Fielders, Savels, Tiffts, Polloms, Jansens and Sitkowskis. Thank you for your time, talent and treasure. Claudia Janis.
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.
PHONE BOOK CHANGES
Up date for Phone Book;
Nan Gabel -- 873-0606
Lee Lantz -- 291-7555
Please call Virginia Clark with any phone book changes. 237-3425
NEWS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR!
As of next year, I will start 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
NEW RESIDENTS
Pat and Dave Wilkinson
5668 SW 58th Place
Lot #182
Telephone: 706 399-9658
Arrived September 2011
Pat's birthday: 10/10
Dave's birthday: 9/7
Anniversary: 3/25
Pat was a teacher and Dave is retired
military now in the transportation business
Pat likes crafts and they both like golf
Two children, two grandchildren
Home State: Pennsylvania/Georgia
Gloria Paige and Marvin Osborne (Mo)
5660 SW 58th Place
Lot #181
Telephone: 352-509-7717
Arrived December 2011
Gloria's birthday: 10/6
Mo's birthday: 6/30
Mo was a carpenter and Gloria
is a title officer
He enjoys his motorcycle and Gloria
enjoys crocheting and cooking
Five children and ten grandchildren
Home State: New Jersey
Hints for Newcomers
1. If you are 30 minutes early for an event, you are late! Everyone arrives early to socialize. Saturday AM Coffee starts at 9 AM, but the crowd arrives an hour early. Bingo starts at 7 PM on Tuesdays, but get there at 6 PM to get a good seat. Also, please bring singles ($1.00).
2. Garbage days are Monday and Thursday. Yard waste pickup on Wednesdays.
3. There are mailboxes in the library. "Mail" your friends their birthday cards, etc without a postage fee. Every penny counts!
4. If you would like to borrow a book from the library, go ahead! There is no sign-out procedure for books. Just bring it back when you are finished.
5. Keep your dogs on a leash, off resident lawns. Pets are a welcome addition to Saddle Oak. Please pickup after your pet. We all want to keep our public areas clean.
6. If you need furniture or household items, try the resale and thrift shops. Florida has a very transient society and we are always moving and leaving our furniture behind.
7. Saddle Oak Club office hours are 8-5 Monday thru Friday. The first and third Saturday of the month, hours are 9-1.
8. Clubhouse is open from 7:30 AM until 10 PM. It is closed for cleaning Thursday morning.
9. 50/50 tickets are sold during Saturday morning coffee. Bring a little pocket change if you would like to participate.
10. Saturday Morning Coffee offers a lot of information on events, upcoming meetings and topics of interest. If you want to be "in the know" attend Coffee at the clubhouse.
11. Have something to sell? Use the bulletin board in the clubhouse or the "Bits & Pieces" section of the newsletter for free small resident ads. Business ads are not allowed on the bulletin board. They can be placed in the newsletter if you buy ad space.
12. Crime/Citizen's Watch will keep an eye on your home if you are gone for a period of time. Fill out a form from the clubhouse and return to the manager's office.
If you have a hint for our "newcomers" please let us know, we will print more next month if we get additional ideas.
Nancy Dougherty
QUIZ FOR BRIGHT PEOPLE
Each month we will ask a question in the newsletter. If you know the answer (or if you just have a good guess), place your answer, name and phone number on a sheet of paper. Deposit your answer in the box on the wall of the club house. You may win a prize!
This month's question is:
Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.
(The answer will appear in next month's newsletter as well as the "bright person" who answered the question)
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Saddle Oak! It's Your Community!
By Nancy Dougherty
Having lived in this community for 4+ years, I've learned as a volunteer and Board Member, that the park does not run itself. It is dependent on volunteers. Volunteers for all of the various activities. Activities are the glue that holds us together and gives us the comradery we need as a community.
Also needed is a Board of Directors to supervise and advise. At this time we are seeking new members for that Board. Election will be held at the February 1st Annual Association meeting. Time is running out!
Too often, community residents take activities for granted, as part of their lives in a 55+ park. But it is not that simple. Someone must plan activities and volunteer their time to make things happen.
Our Board needs new members and new ideas. This is a chance to offer your services. It's a chance to be involved in the decision making. Won't you offer to run for the Board? We need your ideas and assistance.
Ladies Luncheon!
We are starting off 2012 with our luncheon being held at the "beautiful" Stone Creek Grille:
Thursday, January 19th
11:30 AM
9676 SW 62nd Loop
34481
352-291-2140
Please use sign up sheet in the club house or call Karen Sammons: 352-304-8599.
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Veteran's Picture Board
There is still time to get your veteran's picture on our board in the clubhouse. We have room for expansion. If you have a photo to display, please call Nancy Dougherty at 237-4626 or Donna Frakes at 509-4162.
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Needle Winner!
The Needle Contest winner this month was Fran Bolson. Thanks to all that entered. Watch for the needle in each issue of the Saddle Oak newsletter. If you find the needle, submit your entry in the box at the clubhouse.
New Social Clubs
Residents of Saddle Oak have long suggested the we create social clubs consisting of residents from the different states. For instance, all residents from Ohio would belong to the Ohio Club.
During the November Board meeting, the suggestion was discussed and was accepted with enthusiasm. After a discussion at the November Association meeting, it was decided that we would have clubs determined by regions rather than states. For instance, we could have a Northeast , Southeast, Midwest, and a Southwest Club.
In January, we will be posting a sign up sheet for each region.
Once the Clubs are formed, they would each decide their individual activities such as dinner once a month, etc.
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On the Ballot
During the February 2012 Association meeting, the membership will be asked to vote on:
1. New Board Members 2. The Budget for the year 3. Approve or Disapprove the use of HOA funds to purchase a large screen TV or projector system for the clubhouse
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Golf
The Dec. 14th Saddle Oak Best Ball Scramble results:
Closest to the Pin on Par 3:
Hole #2 - Hervey Hill Jr.
Hole #11 - Tom Leahy
Winning Team with 4 under Par:
Jim Westcott Jr., Denis Dubuque,
Gerry Golub & Nancy Pollom
2nd Place Team with a 2 under Par:
Hervey Hill Jr., Gary Bouchard,
Grace Newman & John Deshayes
Next tournament will be January 11th
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Cost: $27.00
Place: Pine Oaks
Hervey Hill (802) 598-2017
Saddle Oak Garden Club
We are attempting to form a new Garden Club. Everyone who is enthusiastic about gardening and keeping our park beautiful is invited.
A sign-up sheet will be in the clubhouse or you may call me at 237-6515.
Thanks!....Gladys Ouimette
Shuffleboard
Thursdays at 3 P.M.
Come out and have some fun!
Bowling
Weeks of 11/29 - 12/6 - 12/13:
We just completed our 11th week. Time is really flying and we are having fun bowling. Lots of great scores to report.
High Game Achievements:
Larry Gaubatz 215
Bob Glass 201 / 202
Hervey Hill 201
500 Series:
Tony Pace 506 / 608 / 533
Marge Glass 521
Bob Glass 533 / 502
Renaud Germaine 521
Eric Hoiass 507
John Deshayes 556
Hervey Hill 506
Best of All Split Conversions
Al Carson 5-7 / 5-10
Fran Bolson 3-9-10
Tony Pace 4-7-10 / 2-4-10
Pat Hill 2-4-6-10 / 4-5-7 WOW
Eric Hoiass 6-7-10
Mirta Harris 5-6-10
Richie Harris 5-6-10
Hervey Hill 2-10
Dick McCormick 5-6
Congrats to all split conversions!
Bowlers of weeks past:
Marge Glass + 103 pins over average
Renaud Germaine + 89 pins over average
Bob Glass + 84 pins over average
We had a wonderful Christmas party.
Thanks to all for the delicious food.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
See you in the alley.
Ginger Pace, Secretary
Pool
Here are the pool results for the last 3 weeks. The regulars still come up and give their all. No last names given, but they know who they are.
John with the most wins 11
2nd - Erik with 8 wins
3rd - Tony with 6 wins
4th - Gene (new kid) with 5 wins
5th - Tie with Tom & John D. with 4 wins
Pool is fun and not an all night thing. Everyone plays 6 games and pay the 3 top winners. It only costs 50 cents. Come and join us on Monday nights at 6 PM and don't forget the 50 cents. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.
Tony Pace
Horseshoes
Looking for someone interested in taking over the horseshoes. Please contact Phyllis Congdon at (352) 291-4946.
Line Dancing
Beginners - Mondays at 10 a.m.
Intermediate - Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
Intermediate - Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Gene Seeley
Water Aerobics
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 10 a.m.
Nothing to report.
Gee Sauvageau
Yoga
Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Nothing to report.
ChandraMa Hanioan 509-4370
Bocce Ball
Bocce ball will be on Thursdays at 3 PM.
Nothing to report.
John & Loretta Dawson
Darts
For an informal game, Saturdays at 2 PM.
Darts are in the white middle cupboard under the bulletin board.
Other Sports:
If you have any other sports or activities you want listed in the newsletter, contact Linda Johnston at (865) 712-5852.
January Birthdays
01. Nat Horner
01. John Paglia
01. Claudia Janis
02. Richard Keach
02. Mary Ann O'Connell
02. Jean Frank
02. Gene Vrooman
03. Evelyn Litwicki
05. Corinne Ray
07. B.J. Kimble
07. Edwin Born
07. Kelly Losiewski
08. Linda Mc Cague
08. John Wells
09. Sandra Pelchat
09. George (Bill) Stanley
10. Dave Moore
10. Lucille Couture
10. Elizabeth Cariello
11. Harold (Ed) Henderson
12. Donna Frakes
14. Harold Whritenour
14. James McCourry
14. Bob Fiedler
15. Neville Johnson
16. Rick Wren
17. Ginger Pace
18. Roger Pelchat
19. Rose Adamusik
19. Stanley Brion
21. Bonnie Leahy
21. Rosemarie Alton
22. Lou Wickstrom
23. Nellie Senft
23. Dorothy Doherty
24. Foster Gunther
24. Ken Carlyle
26. Terry Jansen
27. Mary Moore
27. Janet Koechley
28. Marion Donnelly
28. Mary Willard
28. Mirta Harris
29. Rich Harris
29. Ed Raczka
30. Sue Brant
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
01. Bill & Jennie Sjoblom
01. Carl & Joyce Hooper
03. James & Sandra Preisch
10. Ken & Joan Bottom
12. John & Irene Deshayes
13. Gil & Simone Moreeuw
17. Bill & Jo-An Boardman
19. Jim & Charlene St. Peter
20. Ken & Joan Kopinski-1951
21. Richard & Joyce Simpson
27. Dick & Chris McCormick
31. Paul & Diane Cool
For additions or corrections to the B-day or anniversary lists, please call Terry Jansen @ 304-8195 or e-mail HJANSEN@cfl.rr.com