***FROM THE OFFICE***
I would like to take this opportunity to answer some of your concerns and inform you of a few changes that have occurred in the last few days. Pete requested and has been granted a transfer and has left to be closer to family.
We are very grateful to have Gabriele, the manager from our sister property, Water Oak, lending her support and expertise to our community. Her guidance and years of experience are a boost to us all. As always, I am here and will try to answer all your questions and concerns in a timely manner. You know if I can’t, I will find out the answer for you. I will be lucky enough to be out and about in the community more, so don’t forget to say hi or flag me down if you need to!
The office hours will be changing to allow me time to do paperwork and ‘get out there’. We will be open from 8am to 9am, closed 9am to 1pm and open again from 1pm to 5pm. I have the pager (352) 690-4417 for all emergencies and will return your calls for after hours. Please use the pager and don’t call Tom or Jim as they will have to get in touch with me anyway.
I am personally grateful to our maintenance staff, Jim and Tom, Gabriele, and our new RVP Monica Slider, who also will be here to guide us. Most especially, I am thankful for residents like you. Those of you who have called or stopped in to offer you help or suggestions, thank you. You make this a great place to work. You make this home.
I am looking forward to working with you while we all wait patiently for our new leader.
Thank you,
Joanne Mickett
Acting Manager
(your OC)
Spring and Summer are here! Now is the time for us to get a jump start on our lawn and home cleanup.
In an attempt to improve your investment, the month of June will be our cleanup month.
This is the time to do your semi-annual power wash and bleach your home for mildew. Flower beds need attention and trees need trimming (if you would like to remove a tree, have us check it prior to making arrangements).
Remember that in accordance with Saddle Oak Club Prospectus “the lot must be clean and well landscaped and the exterior of the home must appear neat, clean and free of rust, chipping paint and similar conditions indicating poor maintenance.”
No large items, furniture, appliances, or general trash should be left outside your home. Trailers and unregistered cars should not be parked in your driveway or on the lawn at any time. Come to the office to fill out a storage agreement and apply for space in our storage area for these items. There is a small fee per month and only a limited number of spaces. Any structure that does not meet park requirements must be removed such as free-standing sheds, canopies, etc. No items should be stored in the back of your home.
Please help us to keep Saddle Oak Club a great place to live!
We will be around to answer questions and please note that reminder letters will be sent out to those residents who have ‘flown north for the summer!'
Letter from the president…….
It was great to see such a good turnout for our Spring Fling…we sold over 200 tickets. It would be nice if we had that turnout for all of our events. It was a “hot” day and I made many trips from the clubhouse to the picnic area and thought about jumping in the pool every time I passed!! An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of planning and preparation. I want to thank my fellow board members and all the wonderful volunteers who helped with this event. I especially want to thank Vince Andrews and Ray Tuttle for standing and grilling hot dogs and hamburgers…..it was extremely hot by those grills. Mike Dougherty worked very hard doing anything and everything we needed done!Kudos to them!! Many thanks to all of you……the cooking crew, the serving crew, and the clean-up crew.
We had a good turnout for our association meeting this month. Many of you will be gone for the May meeting which will be our last one until September. June, July and August are quiet months around here and many who are here year around travel to see family and friends during that time period. For those of you leaving, remember to stay in touch at saddleoakclub.net.
Speaking of the association, we are hoping to increase our membership. At the meeting, Bill Kramer gave aninformative breakdown of the expenses that the association incurs during the year. We will be publishing that information in the newsletter. Please consider joining the association and also the FMO. If you need additional information, please contact a board member.
That is all for this month, please stay healthy, happy and safe if you are traveling.
Tammie
Saddle Oak...."Community United"
It was Saturday, April 9th. The sky was blue with nary a cloud in sight. The temperature promised to hover around 90 degrees.
As 10 AM approached, the doors of the clubhouse opened wide and the hearty residents of Saddle Oak marched to the patio, armed with their chairs. Spring Fling had arrived! The tables were quickly loaded into a van by the strongest males in the community.
The tent flags furled in the breeze. It had been erected the day before under the watchful eye of Mike Dougherty.
Linda Otto and Jo Gearin shopped, chopped and cooked, with the help of Marge Putka, making our favorite picnic fare: Potato Salad (using 45 lbs of potatoes), cole slaw, fruit salad, and macaroni salad. Nancy Dougherty baked beans for 200+ in her kitchen.
Terry Jansen chopped onions and planned the condiment table. Dorothea Wiley made her famous sauerkraut.
Sam's Club provided the perfect venue for purchasing the items needed for this huge endeavor, Nancy and Mike Dougherty placed a large order. Tammie Hornsby and Katherine Sitkowski helped with pickup and delivery.
Ray Tuttle, Vince Andrews and Tom Leahy manned the grills cooking 160 hot dogs and 230 burgers.
At 1 PM, Grace Spiller collected tickets as the line grew long. Smiling, cheerful servers faced a hungry crowd of approximately 220 residents. Linda Tuttle, Marilyn Andrews, Donna Frakes, Katherine Sitkowski, Nancy Dougherty, Linda Johnston, Vi Simmes, Ann Sandor, Karen Sammons and Tammie Hornsby served fast and furious as the crowds moved through with reckless abandonment. Mike Dougherty, designated as the runner, worked up a sweat in the heat.
The area was delightfully decorated with a balloon motif by Karen Sammons and her crew. Music from the 1950's provided by Tony and Ginger Pace, floated through the air giving the patio a party atmosphere.
Meals were provided to our home-bound residents by our own Dick and Gladys Ouimette. Tammie Horsnby announced the winners of the raffle prizes. 50/50 tickets were sold by Barb Simpson and winners announced.
The Klondike bars were delivered, signally the end was near. With the same fortitude, the Saddle Oak residents marched their chairs and tables back into the clubhouse. Cleanup was accomplished quickly and efficiently. Spring Fling 2011 had come to an end. A community gathering gives a feeling of fellowship and camaraderie for those attending. Thank you to a "United Community"!
Nancy Dougherty
Board of Directors
Commitment to Accuracy
The Saddle Oak newsletter would like to promptly correct any errors in the articles we present. If you believe we have made an error in your article or have, by mistake, omitted your article, call a member of the newsletter staff. (Phone numbers appear on the front cover) and we will correct the error in our next issue.
Newsletter Committee
Wanted
Saddle Oak Newsletter Carriers. Permanent and subs. Contact Diana Phinney - 237-8384.
Remember....
Children are not allowed to drive golf carts in Saddle Oak. Drivers must be 16 years of age.
New Librarian!!
Saddle Oak has a new librarian. Her name is Claudia Janis. Drop by and say "Hi". Thank you to Claudia for volunteering to man the library.
NEW YARD PICK UP DAY
Yard waste pick up day has been changed to Wednesday.
Starting March 30th the pick-up day is now Wednesday.
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
SADDLE OAK SINGLESSADDLE OAK SINGLES
Our next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, May 4th at 11AM in the clubhouse. Our next Lunch Out on the Town is Thursday, May 26th at 11:30 AM at Outback Steakhouse. Please sign up on the clipboard to reserve your seat.
The Monday morning breakfast schedule (meeting at 8:30AM) will be:
May 2 - Bob Evans
May 9 - Cracker Barrel
May 16 - Bob Evans
May 23 - Cracker Barrel
May 30 - Bob Evans
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, contact Kathy Smith, 237-6572
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 1-3PM to work on your project. This group is open to all Saddle Oak residents. 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.
Thank you to Fran Gerken and Carolyn Miller for donating many yarns and patterns to our group.
Community Pot Luck
It¡¦s time for another community pot luck. All Saddle Oak residents are invited. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 4th at 5PM and start searching for a tasty dish serving 6-8 people to bring along. Bring your own beverage, too. Rolls and place settings will be provided. Tickets are $1 which will be uniquely raffled. 50/50 tickets will also be sold. Get your tickets from Tony Pace and sign up for a table.
Below is a beautiful poem written by Gee Sauvageau to all of her Water Aerobics class for her appreciation of the boom box gift the class gave to her:
Water Aerobics
Rocking horse and Russian dances,
Charleston knees and pool-side prances,
Exercise is much more fun
When done together by more than one.
And so I want to thank you all
For joining me and standing tall,
As we jog and shimmy, kick and twist,
Do jumping jacks and flex our wrists,
We squeeze our gluts and hold our tummies
Always thinking of those yummies
That now we feel we can indulge in
Without a fear of extra bulging -
Thanks to the water with all that resistance
And to Billie-Jo with all her assistance.
And now we can hear her with thanks to y¡¦all
For the boom box you purchased, we¡¦ll have us a ball.
So I thank you again from the depths of my heart.
And now let¡¦s get jogging - it¡¦s time to start.
Gee Sauvagneau - 4/7/11
NEW RESIDENT....WELCOME TO SADDLE OAK CLUB
Daniel (Dan) & Claudia Janis
5517 SW 58th Place
LOT #202
Telephone: 352-509-4328
Arrived March 2011
Dan's birthday: 9/11
Claudia's: 1/1
Anniversary: 10/12
Dan was a meat cutter and Claudia has had several positions
Hobbies include woodworking, gardening, painting, books
Four Children
Five Grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren
Home State: New York
Pool
You would think I was the best pool shooter, being I run it. Well, that's wrong. The word is, "Beat Tony", and they do. We have been getting 8-9 players weekly. Nice turnout and we have fun. Even win a buck.
Top shooters:
Bill - 10 wins
Don - 9 wins
Bob - 8 wins (just installed pool table in his basement)
Erik - 6 wins
Tony - 5 wins
John - 5 wins
Ted - 4 wins
Fred - 3 wins (a sleeping giant)
These are the results of 2 weeks of play.
I do not give the last names of the players, because they are a bunch of "show offs".
Come join us at 6 PM Mondays. We start at 6:30 PM and for 50 cents we have some fun!
Tony Pace
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.
Bowling
"Spare Time" by Ginger Pace
Weeks of 3/15 - 3/22 - 3/29 - 4/5 - 4/12
On Tuesday 4/19 will be our last bowling day. The team that clinched 1st place is the "Nutcrackers": Mary Godwin, John Dawson, Jim Otto and Don Godwin Congratulations! Their names will go on the bowling trophy in the library. The rest of the teams are battling for 2nd to 14th place.
Thank you to all our bowlers and subs. We had a great season with lots of fun and exercise.
Summer bowling will start Tuesday, May 3rd. Please arrive by 9 AM.
Our fall bowling league starts Tuesday, Oct. 4th. A meeting will be held in late September. The new teams will be formed by then.
See you all in September. Have a safe summer.
Split conversions were:
Fran Bolson 5-10 2xs
Chris McCormick 2-9
Carole Cerniglia 5-8-10
Renaud Germaine 5-7
Tom Anderson 5-6
Richie Harris 6-7-10
Gene Seeley 5-10
Don Godwin 5-7
Jet Presley 3-6-7-9
Tony Pace 3-6-7-10; 4-5
John Deshayes 5-7
Charlie Parkinson 6-7
Erik Hoiaas 5-7
200 Games:
Don Deshayes 244-234-214-211-206 2xs
Don Godwin 242
Jim Otto 210
Dick McCormick 201
500 Series:
John Deshayes 631-581-579-500
Don Godwin 585-559-508
Dick McCormick 526-507
Jim Otto 543
Jerry Johnston 526
Howard Horner 511
Bocce Ball
Thursdays starting at 2 PM and continuing till approx. 4:30 PM. Newcomers are welcome to come out and learn how to play.
John Dawson
Shuffleboard
Wednesday evenings at 7 PM.
Again, newcomers are welcome to come out and learn how to play.
Jack Phinney
Horseshoes
Thursdays at 2 PM (by the Bocce court).
Phyllis Congdon
Reminder:
"Snowbirds" who wish to see the newsletter while they are gone can access it at: www.saddleoakclub.net
Golf
April Golf Scramble
The winning team was:
Mike Hamlin
Jesse Davenport
Jim Wesner
Closest to the pin:
#2 Jim Wesner
#6 Bill Spann
#13 Jesse Davenport
#17 Mike Hamlin
We had 22 golfers and everyone had a good time. Thanks guys & gals.
Jack Phinney
If you have any other sports or activities you want listed in the newsletter, please contact Linda Johnston at (865) 712-5852.
MAY BIRTHDAYS
1. David Anderson
1. Bill Wyllie
2. Harry Filmore
2. Louise Mousseau
2. Charles Parkinson
3, Frank Ross
4. Carol Shanok
5. Vince Andrews
5. Bob Brown
6. Lillie Johnson
6. Don Mausteller
8 Jack Donnelly
9 Darrell Lucas
9 Mary Sullivan
10. Keith Shanok
10. June Walters
11. Marge Putka
11 Virginia Clark
12 Ingrid McCourry
12. Ruth Robinson
19. Eric Hoiaas
20 Phyllis Terry
20. Eugene Linton
23 Marion Schoenberger
26 Toots Lobe
26. Jim Otto
27. Dianne Jundt
28. Jim Holbrook
28. Carlotta Wells
29. Betty Carlyle
30 Francis Blanchard
30 Charlene St.Peter
30. Chuck Tifft
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
3 Moe and Marie Jarest
10. Charles & Christine Parkinson
12. Howard and Nat Horner
14. Meridith and Jackie Barth
15. Eugene and Shirley Seeley
19 Dick and Pat Houk
21 Jim and Linda Otto
22 Richard and Marge Putka
22. William & Karen Sammons
22. Dick & Georgia Sauvageau
24 Tom and Rose Adamusik
24. Jerry & Kay Harp
27. Jim & Chandrama Hanoian
31 Robert and Paulette York
For additions and corrections to the B-day & anniversary lists, please call Terry Jansen at 304-8195
Or e-mail HJANSEN@cfl.rr.com
………..AND EVERYTHING ELSE!!!
MARCH VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
This month the volunteer is a pair. Bill and Irene Kramer. As most of you know, Bill is our Treasurer (also known as the Bean Counter) and he helps with all functions, including running the 50/50. What a great job Bill and Irene did at the yard sale! Irene has taken over a lot of kitchen duties, especially keeping track of needed supplies and getting volunteers for cakes on Bingo Night. I wonder if anyone realizes the time and effort all of this volunteering takes. Great job Bill and Irene!
SUNSHINE REPORT
Al Stacey, Joy Matthews and Alan Warneke are in the hospital as we go to press. Other residents who have been hospitalized and are now at home include Lillian Hodakowski, Diane Anderson, Gloria Buckley, Richard Clements, Bill Wyllie, John Record, Charles Johnson. Those in nursing homes include Anna Bishop, Lee Lantz, Ellie Evans, Marie Jarest and George Overman. Publix gift certificates are given to those residents who have spent at least 2 nights in the hospital and residents can only receive one gift certificate in a 12-month period.
BEREAVEMENT
JOAN MERLINO passed away on March 18. She is survived by her husband, Andrew.
WALT DOUGHERTY passed away on April 1. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine.
DELORES CABALI passed away April 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
CHUCK WILLARD passed away April 2. He is survived by his wife, Mary.
FRANCIS BLANCHARD passed away April 4.
NEEDLE WINNER
On pins and needles to know the name of the Needle Contest winner in the March Newsletter? Pat Becker ! Congratulations! Watch for the hidden needle each month and write your name on a piece of paper and place in the box in the clubhouse.
THANK YOU, AND YOU AND YOU….!!! Thanks to everyone who worked in the kitchen and dining room on the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and the Yard Sale. John is laid up from back surgery and you all came and helped to make sure that the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and the breakfast and lunch at the Yard Sale were ready and served. March has been our big month to make money for the Association. Thanks to all for contributing and attending these events. Joan and John Record
We want to thank everyone who pitched in to make the Yard Sale a big success. From picking up donations to loading the Habitat for Humanity truck. It was great having the help of so many new residents. Many thanks to all the great bakers for the assorted baked goods for Joan Ford, Marge Gordon and Marge Putka to sell. Max and Sandy Russell were able to sell many hot dogs. Joan Record’s kitchen crew made a lot of good food, along with Bonnie running the hot food and coffee out to the residents. Barb Simpson and Sue Dewatcher even went outside to boost the sale of 50/50 tickets. For the two days of hard work with set up, clean up and sales, thanks to Frank Ruck, Linda and Ray Hilty, Mary Sitkowski, Donna Frakes, David and Diane Anderson, Carley and John Wells. We couldn’t have done it without you! It takes a lot of volunteers to make the Yard Sale a success. If we omitted anyone we apologize; and last but not least, our thanks to Jim McCourry and his shuttle crew for bringing the shoppers in and out of the sale area. Bill Kramer & John Phinney
CRIME WATCH Thanks to all the people that made the Garage Sale shuttle a success, and to Crime Watch personnel Jim Otto, Gene Seeley and Bernie Kozlowski for help in the parking lots. To all the volunteer drivers, Linda Banks, Mike Dougherty, Jack McCague, Bob Gearin, Tom Losiewski, Larry Gaubatz, Vince Andrews, Dick Ouimette, Roger Pelchat, Frank Miller, Eugene Linton and Renaud Germain. And to the people who let us use their carts, Sue Tumelty, Leo Keach, Mike Buckley Tom Dennehy, Joan Ford and Jim Holbrook. Many thanks to all. STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR CRIME WATCH; IF INTERESTED CALL JIM McCOURRY 509-4634 OR BERNIE KOZLOWSKIE 854-5578
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I want to thank everyone for the cards and the Association for their gift received during my recovery. Thanks, John Record
For Terry Janson – Our sincerest thanks to you for all that you did for Derek and me during my three hospital stays in Jacksonville and one at West Marion Hospital. Not only driving us to Mayo and home again, but also insisting on staying in Jacksonville so that you could be with us during the surgery and looking after Derek. You are indeed my Special Angel. Lots of Love, Mumsy.
To all out wonderful friends and Neighbors – Your caring thoughts, prayers, cards, meals, gift from Publix (the list goes on and on) will never be forgotten. You will never know how much this has meant to me. To Carlotta and John for taking care of our two dogs and for checking on us. To Fred and Phyllis Foster, Kevin Towle, our neighbor who offered to be there for us, Fran Bolson, Terry, and to all the wonderful people who signed not one but two get-well cards for me. These I have kept. And to all the wonderful friends that kept checking with Phyliss and Terry, as to how I was doing. And to new residents Bob and Sue Brandt who heard about my illness and came to offer to help us in any way and even brought home-made potato soup, which was delicious. Thanks for being so thoughtful. Love to you all and God Bless, Sincerely, Norma D. Shackleton.
To Dorothea Wiley, a great big thank you for making our meals for the month of February. The meals were always hot and delicious. I got spoiled! Thank you again for being so thoughtful and for the love you have for Derek and me. With love, your friend, Norma.
SPECIAL THANKS To Suzanne May for helping set up for Bingo, helping to clean the Clubhouse after events, help in decorating, and by the way, she loves to do Line Dancing!
BLOOD DRIVE The Blood Drive was a huge success! We had 13 donors appear on April 8. 15 pints of blood were received. Two of our donors donated thru the ALEX machine which takes blood form each arm, giving us extra pints of blood. I wish to thank all who came to donate. You are truly heroes to all in our Saddle Oak community who are in need of this blood and to the hospitals in Marion County. Thanks again, Marge Putka
WHERE HAVE ALL THE CARD PLAYERS GONE???? We have gone from 14 tables of Bridge and Pinochle to one table of Pinochle, Thursday evenings at 6:45. If you are interested in playing, call Fran Bolson 873-3480. We play single deck and pass 4 cards to the winning bidder.
SNOWBIRD ALERT! While you are gone you can keep up with Saddle Oak by visiting the website: http://saddleoakclub.net.
LADIES LUNCHEON Our ladies have a fun time at lunch the 3rd Thursday of every month, each time at a different, exciting restaurant. Sign up in the clubhouse for a delicious time of fellowship. Questions? Call Karen Sammons 352-304-8599
MAILBOXES Do you check your mailbox in the clubhouse regularly? Don’t know where it is? In the library! You may have some interesting mail there!
WHEN WALKING AT NIGHT Please carry a flashlight and wear light-colored clothing for your safety. If walking a pet, please clean up after it!
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