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JANUARY 2016
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus By Marti Maxim, Landings resident As the original 1897 story goes, there was a little girl named Virginia. She was 8 years old. Some of her friends said there wasn’t a Santa Claus. Her Dad had always said that if the New York Sun Newspaper published something, it was true. So, she wrote to the Editor asking if there was a Santa Claus. He published an article appearing on the front page of his newspaper telling her, yes, there is a Santa Clause, saying he exists the way love and generosity exist. It’s this love and generosity shown by so many of The Landings Community that has proven to 20 families including 43 children that Yes, there is a Santa Claus. Many elves too. This story unfolds through a connection Henry Rhodes has with Andrea Feldmar of JFCS. She works with families who have children struggling with cancer. Last year Andrea mentioned to Henry about a family in such a situation and that the Holiday Season would be pretty bleak for them. Henry was so touched that he asked if she knew of any other families like that. When the answer was “Yes”, HOLIDAY CHEER FOR CANCER KIDS was born. Henry reached out to Jim Goldman and last year 7 families had a Holiday to remember. This year our community supported 20 families buying Christmas presents for 43 children. These children are in active treatment at All Children’s Hospital with support services provided by JFCS. Their stories are all so incredibly special and heart wrenching. This time of year offers even more challenges for these families who don’t have time or the resources to be out holiday shopping. So The Landings elves got excellent direction from
Santa Claus and went out and fulfilled the dreams of 43 young children. Some of the children are siblings who are struggling too, worrying about their family and not wanting to complain. So now all the children in these 20 families will have bright smiles Christmas morning as they open the presents the Landings elves lovingly and caringly bought and wrapped. When talking with some of these elves as they dropped off their gifts, it was so special to hear their thoughts. Elf Lenora Jost said, “When adults deal with cancer, it’s so hard; but when children do, it’s heart breaking. Being an elf was a very little thing we can do to help them make the pain a little less.” Karl and Ann Maggard said, “This experience brought more joy to us knowing that 20 families would have a joyous Christmas.” And, Ann added, “I wanted to feel that I helped the parents in this stressful time by saving them the time it would take to go out and buy these presents.” Heidi and Karina Bodor made this a family experience showing their daughter, Karina, how important it is to do kind things at this special time of year. Heidi said, “Having experienced cancer in our family last year, we feel so strongly that it’s so important to share love. These families are going through so much, we wanted to spread some joy. That’s what Christmas is all about.” And Korina said she looks forward to thinking of these kids on Christmas morning and knowing that they will be excited to have gifts to open. Gwen Cooper put it so well, “This is a small gesture by each of us that when multiplied by all of us, becomes a wonderful thing.” Continued on page 18
Next Presidents Council meeting set
The Presidents Council meets three times a year in October, January and April. Our October meeting was well attended with Attorney Chad Mc McClenathen as our guest to discuss changes in homeowner and condo association statutes and regulations. During the January meeting you will have the opportunity to meet the 2016 candidates for the LMA board. The January Presidents Council
Meeting is scheduled to take place January 20 at 7 p.m. As you know, election of LMA members to the board is the most important responsibility of association presidents. The election will take place during the February 4 board meeting. The meeting will last no longer than 1.5 hours. Please plan to attend, Henry Rhodes and Terry Black, Meeting Co-coordinators.
LANDINGS HISTORY - PAGE 24
THE LANDINGS HOLIDAY PARTY PHOTOS ON PAGE 27 Jean and Harvey Greller sharing a tender moment at the Holiday Party. Photo by Bob Manteiga
President’s Column By Don McMurray As we approach the end of the calendar and fiscal year I am pleased to state that LMA is doing well. We will end the year with a small surplus and we will begin the year with a solid budget for FY 2016. I would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday and new year! Enjoy the family, the social events, and be safe.
As the year end approaches LMA begins to gear up for the election of new board members. A nominating committee has been meeting to identify potential candidates - meet with them, explain the role expectation and time commitment and solicit their interest to be a candidate. Continued on page 5
In the Neighborhood: By Roger Drouin profiles of communities in The Landings
|In the Trees The mid-rise Eagles Point buildings in The Landings offer a wide range of units, from twobedroom and two baths to three bedrooms and three baths at 3,000 square feet. But the most elegant feature that draws potential residents is the setting and the views of mangroves and waterways. “People who have never been here say ‘I didn’t know this was back here,’ and ‘it is beautiful!” said Karl Maggard, who has lived
at 5420 Eagles Point Circle, known as Eagle Point Building One, for 12 years. For Maggard, the most unique aspect of the community is the “serenity and the beauty.” “We have herons, egrets, osprey, spoonbills, night herons. We saw an otter the other day,” Maggard said. “The wildlife and birdlife are spectacular.” Continued on page 33