MARCH 2011 NEWSLETTER


"Saddlebrook" Discovered - 1989
Ruth Wheeler

You've probably heard this story, "discovered by accident", or one very similar. January 1989. Driving southwest along a two lane country road lined with fields of trees and grazing cattle, we approached a horse farm on the left, and on the right a sign, "Saddlebrook" . The sign briefly described a newly developed manufactured home community. We'd better take a look. Since 1985 my husband Stan and I had spent winters in Hidden Valley in Orlando, a 1970s manufactured home community one mile from Disney. Convenient at first, until traffic became impossible. We started to visit similar communities all over Central Florida. On this winter day, we had looked around Ocala, and were about to leave when we discovered Saddlebrook, out in the country, but within easy distance from a variety of shopping, all located on the opposite, east side of I-75,near the Paddock Mall.

We drove in through the wooded entrance, past the Saddlebrook sign, and past a small unoccupied gatehouse between the entrance lane and the exit. Later we learned this was staffed by a resident volunteer after 6:00 p.m. for security through the night. At the office we were told of the three phases of development, the second currently under way. After phase three, no further expansion would be possible. Good news. We had visited megacommunities, and were totally unimpressed. We preferred a smaller, friendlier place. Unlike our present community, lot rent increases would be controlled, tied to the CPI. Our new rent here would be slightly lower than in Orlando. At the end of our first year in Orlando, our monthly rent, uncontrolled, had increased by $16.

At Saddlebrook, a homeowners association had already been formed, and members had been made aware of the advantages and protection of membership in the FMO as well as in homeowners. In Orlando we had become accustomed to constant bickering and acrimony between the resident owner/manager and the homeowners. Everything here in Saddlebrook seemed just right. The name conflicted with one already in use in Tampa, so it was eventually given a new name - Saddle Oak. We returned to Orlando to think it over. There was an incentive: the offer of a discounted price which would end on January 31. It was now mid-January. We didn't need to think much longer. We listed our present home for sale, and returned to Ocala to accept the offer.

Next step: choose a model and pick out a lot. We chose a medium sized Homes of Merit model, suited to our budget, and were given a choice of any lot on 57th Street, with two exceptions: one already occupied at the far end of the street, and one on a corner which had been chosen earlier by the Fedaks. We chose Lot 320, next to the lot on the corner of 57th St. and 56th Ave. That empty lot proved to be very convenient when later we were able to back our U-Haul right up to the door to move in furniture. Years have passed, and I'm now a renter, no longer an owner. I understand Linda and Ray Tuttle enjoy living there as much as I did for 21 years.

In 1989, phases two and three resembled a vast desert. No trees or vegetation at all, until houses gradually appeared. In the fall, when we returned after spending the summer in our Endicott, NY home, nearly all of 57th Street had become occupied with homes and landscaping. And soon a three-bedroom home appeared on the empty corner lot.

I've seen lots of changes over the years. The widening of the country road into four lanes took a long time, I believe nearly three years. What a mess! A few years later it became a six-lane highway. The horse farm across the road disappeared, replaced by the Heathbrook complex. Goodbye to a rural setting. But yes, we do find it convenient to shop at Publix, right across the street. And now that we finally have a traffic light installed at the entrance, we've learned to drive safely and cope with the busy six-lane highway. Without a red light, there were way too many serious accidents involving folks attempting to turn in and out of Saddle Oak. Then came Market Street. You know the rest. We're left with a few vacant lots hosting lonely bales of hay.

When we first arrived, Stan and I both joined the Glee Club, led by Clay Cummings, with piano accompaniment by Helen Wakefield. We practiced every Wed. morning. There were performances at various nursing homes, at the clubhouse for Christmas, and at the mall in front of Penney's. One Christmas we were invited to give a Christmas concert at Silver Springs. Only once! The rest of the time we sounded pretty good. Stan dived headfirst into sports. He played pool at pool tables in the present library room, joined the shuffleboard league, and more. He organized a horseshoe league, but only three people showed up to play. Stan lived only long enough to spend one winter in Saddle Oak, but he thoroughly enjoyed his short time here.

A few years later, when my long ago school friend Pete Kozak became a widower, he started visiting me here, gradually spending more time each winter until he has become recognizable to the whole community.

Activities and entertainment within our community have come and gone, with changes in the age of its residents, and their individual preferences. We've had plays, fashion shows, salad luncheons, visits to horse farms, day trips, high teas, talent shows, magicians, luaus, patio parties, ladies lunches, men's lunches, musical concerts, quilting and crafts classes, aerobics in the pool, line dancing, ballroom and square dancing, Bible studies, singles breakfast, a variety of sports and games, and of course, potlucks and special event dinners. I'm sure I have omitted others. I'll keep reading the newsletters to see who will think of something new, and who among the "young old" people moving in will volunteer to chair that event.



Hidden Needle

Find the needle hidden in the pages or your newsletter. Write your name, phone number and needle location on a piece of paper and place in the box on the wall at the clubhouse. Winners will be announced in the newsletter each month.

************************

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Author Unknown



If I Knew Then What I Know Now
What a difference information can make in our lives

Yes, information or added knowledge about any subject can be very valuable to us all as we age. Being well informed can help us make better decisions on a lot of everyday situations.

INFORMATION: this is what we at Saddle Oak Club would like to bring to our seniors! Plain and simple information about a lot of topics. Maybe health issues or income tax laws or banking problems or investment concerns, etc. How about where you might get FREE hearing aids. Please write down any suggestions and submit to: Karen Sammons (in writing please) and also would you be interested in a speaker coming to Saturday morning coffee or other scheduled meeting? Let me know.

KNOWLEDGE IS GOLDEN!



SADDLE OAK SINGLES

Our next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, March 2nd at 11AM in the clubhouse. We will be voting on the next 5 months’ locations for our Lunch Out.

The next Lunch Out date is Thursday, March 24th at 11:30AM at Red Lobster. Sign up on the clipboard to reserve your seat and a ride.

Join us for breakfast & conversation every Monday morning at 8:30 AM.

March 7 – Bob Evans
March 14 – Mimi’s Café
March 21 – Cracker Barrel
March 28 – Oasis Restaurant

Any Saddle Oak Club resident who is single, male or female, is welcome to participate in any of our activities. We are not service organization. Our purpose is to enjoy activities as a group and have a good time. Any questions or comments, feel free to call Kathy Smith



HOOKS & NEEDLES

If your project requires a hook of any kind (crochet, rug, etc.) or a needle (sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.), come join us in the library at the clubhouse 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…. Kathy Smith



Arts and Crafts

Thanks to everyone who donated their greeting cards to the craft group. We will be making regular size placemats (12 x 18). This will require 24 circles cut from your cards or you may use 3 x 5 photos.

You may see examples at our Craft meetings on Fridays from 1 to 3 PM. There are cards in the library and we have enough supplies to get your started.

There will be no Arts and Crafts display at Saturday Coffee on March 19th or March 26th.

Call if you have any questions,
Angie Bauman



Bowling

"Spare Time"¯ by Ginger Pace

Weeks of 1/18 - 1/25 - 2/1 - 2/8

S.O.B. (No name calling) is enjoying the competition as the ball goes rolling down the lane. Some strikes, some spares, some splits, and maybe one or two gutter balls, but all in all, they are all (BIG) pins.

Our top woman bowler, Rose Robinson, has a 149 average and is working hard for a 150. She had a 515 series and is great at picking up splits, especially the 5-10.

2nd high man is John Deshayes, Bowler of the Week, with a 171 average, a 211 game, a 522 series, and 5-7 split 2x's.

I also want to acknowledge Angie Bauman's 198 game, which gave her Bowler of the Week with 73 pins over average and a 481 series.

Split conversions were:

Gene Seeley 4-5
Fran Bolson 2-7-8
Tony Pace 4-5 / 3-9-10
Matt Walters 4-5 / 5-10
Renaud Germaine 5-10 / 4-5-7
Jerry Johnston 5-10
Tom Anderson 6-7-10
Chris McCormick 3-4 / 3-5-7
Don Godwin 3-7-10

500 Series:

Howard Horner 558
Tony Pace 507
Dick McCormick 510 & 513
Don Godwin 566 / 581 / 615 / 658


200 Games:

Frank Hodakowski 202
Howard Horner 212
Don Godwin 208, 209, 224, 247, 254

There is lots of interest in bowling and we're hoping for more teams next season.

See you at the alley.



Bocce Ball

Weather has interfered with our outside activities, but consider adding Bocce, Shuffleboard or Horseshoes to your "resolution"¯ to get some physical activity in your life.

It's a "fun way"¯ to exercise your minds & body. Remember the slogan:¯Sound mind, sound body!¯

Thursdays starting at 2 PM and continuing till approx. 4:30 PM. John & Loretta Dawson



Horseshoes

There has been an interest to start up horseshoes, which is located next to the Bocce court.

The sign-up sheet is in the clubhouse if you are interested.

Please contact Phyllis Congdon for further information.



Golf

February Golf Scramble
The winning team is:

Rex Baker
Hervey Hill
Denis Dubuque


They shot a -5 under par. Nice going guys. Thanks to all the golfers.

Jack Phinney



Other Sports or Activities

Is there anyone out there that would like to start up a bridge group?

If you have any other sports or activities you want listed in the newsletter, please contact Linda Johnston

NEW RESIDENTS

Diane and Leo Keach
5581 SW 57th Place
LOT # 367
Telephone: 352-509-7311
Arrived February 2011
Leo's birthday: 12/19
Diane's birthday: 7/30
Anniversary: 9/3

Leo was a body shop owner and Diane worked in the purhcasing dept of the Marion County Sherrif's department
Kathy enjoys quilting, beading, sewing and Leo's enjoys motorcycles and stained glass windows
Three children
Two grandchildren
Home State is Connecticut but have lived in Florida for many years


Harry & Kathy Simmes
5541 SW 58th Place
LOT #205
Telephone: 518-681-2537
Arrived February 2011
Harry's birthday: 7/31
Kathy's birthday: 12/16
Anniversary: 12/30

Harry is a retired electrician, Kathy was the town supervisor in Bolton, NY
They enjoy camping and Kathy likes reading and crafts
Four children
Five grandchildren
Home State: New York


Bob and Linda McCague
5690 SW 57th Avenue
LOT #289
Not listing a telephone number at this time
Arrived February 2010
Bob's birthday: 4/20
Linda's birthday: 1/8
Anniversary: 6/22
Bob was director of store operations and Linda works with an interior plant company
Bob's hobbies are antique cars, coy fish and Linda's is plants and landscaping
One child
One grandchild
Home State: Ohio


MARCH BIRTHDAYS

01. Janet Stacy
01. Deborah Callahan
01. Mike Cady
03. Peter Mascaro
03. Dewey Stovall
04. Rose Robinson
05. Dorothy Prucnel
05. Kathy Kentfield
05. Tom Leahy
06. Robert Evers
07. Dorothea Wiley
07. Bob Lobe
07. Karen Bissette
07. Pat Hill
08. Nancy Dougherty
08. Tony Pace
08. Rowena Wilson
09. Nancy Dorner
09. Kristine Hamilton
11. Ray Tuttle
12. Franklin Ruck
12. Georgia Sauvageau(Gee)
13. Ruth Graber
13. Sabrina Koester
15. Dick Houk
15. Tom Leahy
15. Nola Douglas
15. Roberta (Bobbie) Teem
19. Fran Hall
19. Tom Losiewski
20. Ian (Mac) McKenzie
21. Bill Evans
21. David Koester
22. James Wessner
22. Marilyn (Joan) Hansen
23. Nancy Hoiaas
24. Angela Mott
25. Alan Warneke
27. Helen Lucas
27. Carol Ranieri
27. Amos Kentfield
28. Lucy Baisch
29. Linda Born
29. Ron Anderson


MARCH ANNIVERSARIES

03. Vince & Marilyn Andrews
03. Ed and Bonnie Armitage
16. Jim & Fran Fritz
17. Larry and Jeanenne Gaubatz
21 John and Diana Phinney
21. Roger and Sandra Pelchat
24. Bill and Ann-Marie Stanley

For additions or corrections to the B-day or Anniversary lists, please call Bertha Hendrickson