9 minute read
From The Board Room
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
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.
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
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 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.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH by Sam Topping
Fridays - Shopping for you at Publix - $10 Tuesdays - Shopping for you at Bealls - $10 Wednesdays - Shopping for you at Walmart - $10 Thursdays - Shopping for you at Home Depot - $10 Mondays - Cleaning/Laundry/Preparing Meals - $25/hour Saturdays - Rides to Events - $15/hour (drop off and pick up) Sundays - Rides to Church - $20/hour (tithe to your driver) All lists must be in by the prior day
Call us 239-770-7711
BACK TO NORMAL
For weeks I have heard people saying, “I just can’t wait for things to be back to normal.” I remember even saying that a few times myself. But as I’ve thought about our current situation, I have realized how much I don’t want things to go back to the way they were. Here are a few thoughts... 1. I hope that the next time a friend grabs me and pulls me in for a hug, I actually take the time to appreciate the gift of their embrace. 2. I hope that when school resumes and we are dropping off our kids, we take the time to thank the staff for the amazing gift that they give to our families. 3. I hope that the next time I’m sitting in a crowded restaurant I take the time to look around at the smiling faces, loud voices and be more appreciative for the gift of community. 4. I hope that when I am at the grocery store that I take a moment to acknowledge the necessities of life and the amazing people who work so hard to keep us supplied. 5. I hope that I never again take for granted the ability to hop in the car and visit a friend, go to the mall, go to a movie, etc.
THANK YOU
Thank you, Lynn Porter, and others in our Tara Woods community who made masks for ones who wanted them to venture out or playing it safe. In other words, I will spell it out for you:
Hourly Care Giving in your home by a competent, background checked individual - $25/hour (3 hour minimum)
Insured and Bonded
So, truth is, I don’t want things to return to the way they once were. I hope that we take the lessons and challenges of the past few weeks and create a new normal. My goal is to appreciate more, love harder, and truly appreciate the daily abundance of blessings that were so easily overlooked just a mere few weeks ago. If someone tells you they love you, take it to heart!
Contributed by Mark Burke
T = Together we will overcome this dilemma (in a safe, secure way). H = Haven – Having a safe haven by heeding staying home, and only going out for necessities and wearing face masks. Hoard – Do you really need that much? (Toilet paper, paper towels, or meats?) A = Always keep washing your hands and keep your hands off your face.
N = Now – to realize this wasn’t our fault. K = Kindness – they say kindness helps for us to reassure our Tara Woods residents when you see them passing through with a wave of one’s hand. Y = YOU – yes, you, following the 6-foot social distancing guidelines. O = Others – be sure now you are aware how we cope with the epidemic. (Cook, sew, read, puzzles, baking, solitaire.) U = US – we usually can cope and pick ourselves up and start all over again. Like the Broadway play “Annie” song.
SPILT COFFEE
You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.
Why did you spill the coffee? “Because someone bumped into me!!!” Wrong answer.
You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup.
Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea. *Whateve is inside the cup is what will spill out.*
Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It’s easy to fake it, until you get rattled. *So we have to ask ourselves... “what’s in my cup?”*
Lorri Thomas.
When life gets tough, what spills over? Joy, gratefulness, peace and humility? Anger, bitterness, harsh words and reactions?
Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it.
Today let’s work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation; and kindness, gentleness and love for others.
STOP WAITING FOR FRIDAY
Stop waiting for friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now.
