The Columns | 3 www.TWHOA.net • 941.349.0194 • June / July 2020 • Island Visitor Publishing, LLC
FROM THE BOARD ROOM by Lou First and foremost, I trust that you and your family are safe and healthy. Sometimes I just take a bunch of stuff for granted. This pandemic has actually helped me to refocus on what is important and helped me put things into perspective. I am thankful for that. Things continue to change at a quick rate. The best way to stay up-to-date with what is happening is our www.twhoa.net website. The Board has decided to open the classified ads section of the website to ALL registered residents during this unprecedented pandemic. Registration is free; just sign on to the website. Thank you to the residents who have reached out to say how useful and valuable the website has become to them by our postings of the latest up-to-date Tara Woods information. Looking for a bike, golf cart, furniture, a place to rent, good food, special services, and more, check the website Classified Ads and Services. Up north, check The Columns on our website. Our hope is that this will make our shared journey a little easier. Just a reminder, that while the coronavirus knows no boundaries, the same can be said for hurricanes. June through November is our hurricane season. Please refer to the All Hazards Guide from Lee County that was included with your April issue of The Columns. It is an excellent source of information. If you need a copy, please contact Sue Cook at 239-634-8485. If you have special medical needs or want to know more about special needs, contact Lee County Special Needs Program online or call 239-533-0640, or contact Sue Cook at 239-634-8485. Now is a very
good time to have a plan and be prepared in the event of a hurricane. Remember the Clubhouse will not be opened in a hurricane. It has been my experience since living in Tara Woods that when things get tough, the normal everyday neighbor helping neighbor kicks into high gear. I am continually impressed how generous and caring people are in this community. Thank you for what you do every day for your neighbors and our community. We are fortunate to live here. As we hopefully continue to safely move by phases to reopen, I am more than ready. Let’s remember to practice social distancing and follow the CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of this invisible virus. Your safety and your neighbors’ safety are paramount. As of this writing, the Clubhouse is closed, but we are including in this June/July issue of The Columns the ‘Entertainment around Tara Woods’ page. The events happening will be contingent on the Clubhouse being opened and the ability to adhere to Hometown and the CDC’s guidelines. HEADS UP – If you find yourself spending more time at home, perhaps you are also enjoying more beverages. That is quite alright. If the beverages come in aluminum cans, you can help the Homeowners Association and the environment by putting the cans out to the curb the first and third Saturday of each month for pickup by our dedicated volunteers. Thanks! Lou Dunning, President loudunning2@gmail.com 239-240-5847
PERSPECTIVE For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900. On your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends when you are 18. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%; the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. And don’t try to catch your breath. On your 41st
birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII until you are 45. At 50, the Korean War starts. At 55 the Vietnam War begins. When you are 62 the Cuban Missile Crisis threatens to end life on our planet as we know it. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Perspective is amazing. Yes, we are in a challenging time nowadays. Try to remember everything that those born in 1900 endured and accomplished, and have faith that we will endure as well. Let’s be smart and help each other out – we will get through all of this.
COLUMNS STAFF EDITOR: Linda Beaulieu 239-560-0768 (lindabluetw@gmail.com)
ASSISTANT: Linda Engel PHOTOGRAPHY: Lou Dunning, Donna Erhardt CALENDAR: Judy Lanpher CIRCULATION: Linda Hoos, Manager COMMUNITY DIRECTORY: Haywood Gandy, Manager COORDINATORS: Stu & Belle Berman, Agatha Breen, Pat & Lou Dunning, Peggy Gamble, Lloyd & Carolyn Kelsey, Sharie & Norm Libby, Diane & Bob Nunn, Ed Simko, Nancy Schoeppner, Julia Wehrung, Linda Harju, Anthony Harju, and Sue Van Sickle. STUFFERS: Barb Simonson, Gene Dickie, Jackie Nadean, Donna Phillips, Pam Harrington, Linda Janis, Claire Schwinn, and Lorraine & Bill Milligan. ALTERNATES: Frank Millette, Mike & Sheila Harris, Lorraine & Bill Milligan, Dave Lindon, Angie D’Alessandro, Victoria Sharps, Al Dion, and Barb Simonson. REPORTERS: Reporters will be noted by their bylines at the end of each article. Chris Olson, Tara Woods Homeowners Association Liaison To advertise in print, contact: Bob or Emy Stein at 941-349-0194 or email us at islandvp@verizon.net. Contributing writers are acknowledged with bylines accompanying their submissions. Attribution for photos are not included unless supplied. We sincerely thank everyone for their contributions. Your articles help showcase the strong and diverse community that makes up Tara Woods. The Columns is published monthly from October through May. Summer issues are condensed: June/July and August/September. All ads are subject to the approval of the publisher. It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in The Columns to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town, county and state codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property. DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that when you hire an unlicensed/uninsured person to do work at your home, you accept the liability. Island Visitor Publishing is not responsible for claims made by advertisers
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH by Sam Topping
“There are no mistakes, no coincidences; all events are blessings given to us to learn from.”
