13 minute read
At The Hydrant
One Tank Trips
By Bette Ewing Cheney
Let’s go to Ava Maria. This is a community that has become a big kind of small town. The Catholic Cathedral is the focal point located in the center of town. Take a stroll through this impressive sanctuary. It is absolutely breath taking. The town consists of a beautiful town square surrounded by beautifully designed twostory town buildings, second story luxury condos over stores on the square, family homes in separated gated communities and numerous first class recreational facilities. Ava Maria is home to their own International College, Christian Schools, Doctors’ offices, restaurants, medical center, grocery stores, pizza parlor, clothing boutiques, specialty stores, travel agency and community realty sales center. Residents never have to leave town, although Naples is nearby and Ft. Lauderdale is only an hour away. Domino’s Pizza founder, Tom Monaghan, a devout Catholic, was instrumental in developing Ava Maria in 2006. The town and community have grown tremendously since then. It’s worth the trip. Have lunch at one of the restaurants and enjoy the afternoon sitting on the square viewing this beautiful town.
At the Hydrant
Submitted by Justine Fitzgibbons
If Dogs Could Talk
My mom just told me that the park will be opening Monday, May 4th. I must call all my friends to let them know. This is what I plan to say:
Maizie, did you hear the park is opening? Grab your master and meet me there. I can’t wait for you to run in the tunnel so I can jump on you. Do you remember how to hold the ball in your mouth so I can take it from you when we catch you? When I get it, you’ll have a hard time catching me. My mom keeps telling me I have a lot of pent up energy, whatever that means.
Rico, the park is opening. You won’t have to hold your poop for so long anymore. You’ll be able to use your favorite corner of the park. Your dad and mom will be so proud of you.
Oliver, grab your ball, jump in the car, and meet us at the dog park. Your dad will be so happy to see all his friends again. He’ll probably forget to throw your ball. Don’t worry! If you bring it to my mom, she’ll throw it for you.
Gordon, did you hear the dog park is opening? You can have your mom follow you around the park again while you contribute your six daily
piles of poop. You’ve been saving them like Rico. You’ll be able to bark again and annoy your mom and mine. Won’t that be fun?
I still have to call Zen. It will be fun stealing his ball again. Josie can’t wait to pig pile. Phoebe can’t wait to steal all our balls when we get distracted and hoard them. Katie can wrestle again. I wonder if Mylie will remember us. She’s pretty old, you know, but she’s still cute. KiKo can spring around like a rabbit. Lexi can show us how to be dignified. I’ve probably forgotten some of us, it’s been so long, but I can’t wait to see them either, whoever they are.
I think I will just go outside and do some howling. It will be quicker. My paws and tongue are getting tired writing this. Just hope my mom’s golf cart still works after so long.
I can’t wait to get there so I can jump and run after all those little dogs. I’ll bet they’ll be running pretty fast along the fence. They’ve probably been asleep all day, just like us. What else has there been to do but watch our people watch TV?
See you Monday!
If you would like to share a story about your pet please send me a story and picture (300 words) to jfitz818@aol.com
In Memory Of…
Francis Fennimore Terri Fennimore Richard Houtman Sande Donahue
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Why Should You See A Financial Advisor?
The social distancing and stay-at-home orders necessitated by the coronavirus have led many of us to feel isolated. Still, we’ve fought back through social media, “virtual” gatherings and walks in the neighborhood, where we could greet friends and neighbors (from 6 feet away). But when you’re dealing with the financial effects of the virus and you’re investing alone, you could encounter some problems that may prove costly. Of course, with so much investment-related information available online, on television and in any number of periodicals, it’s not surprising that some people feel they can invest without any assistance. But the volatility of the financial markets over the past few months has also pointed to the dangers of going solo in the investment world. And you might find that a professional financial advisor can help you in several ways, including the following: Taking emotions out of investing. During this period of market turbulence, many self-guided investors are letting their emotions drive their investment decisions. As a result, they sell investments when their price is down, “locking in” their losses. Furthermore, if they then stay out of the financial markets, they will miss out on the eventual recovery – and some of the biggest gains in market rallies usually occur right at the beginning. But if you work with a financial advisor who has helped you develop a personalized investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, you will be far less likely to react to extreme market conditions by making ill-advised decisions. Maintaining perspective. When you’re putting away money for the future and you suddenly have a lot less of it, you might start to wonder if that future is somehow in jeopardy. But if you’ve been working with a financial advisor and following your investment strategy, you’ll know that you don’t have to immediately cash out those investments that have lost value, and you may not need to liquidate them for decades if they were designed for a long-term goal, such as retirement. By the time you do need to sell them, their value may well have appreciated significantly. And if you’ve got a well-constructed portfolio, you’ll also own shorter-term, less volatile investments to help meet your current cash flow needs. Understanding the history of investing. The recent market instability is unique in the sense that its cause – a worldwide pandemic – is so highly unusual, and it hopefully will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Typically, prolonged market downturns are triggered by explainable financial or economic factors, such as the bursting of the “dot-com” bubble in 2000. However, market drops of 20 percent or more – generally referred to as bear markets – are not at all unusual and have happened every few years over the past several decades. Financial advisors are well aware of this history and share it with their clients. And for many people, the knowledge that “we’ve been here before” is reassuring and makes it easier for them to continue following their investment strategies. The road to your financial goals is a long one, with many twists and turns. So you might like to have some experienced company along the way. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, member SIPC
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Reflections…
By Dianne J. Roderick
Don’t Take Away Our Hugs!
During this time of quarantine, we have had many hours /days/months to think about how different life will be following this Pandemic. Maybe some things will be for the better but we have to agree, life will certainly not be the same as it was before Covid-19! It’s true, social distancing has been a safe answer for us, and thankfully due to the advances in technology we have been able to communicate with our loved ones and dear friends in a variety of ways. Computer screens and cell phones are appreciated but, they’ll never take the place of that much needed HUG!
Everyone needs a hug now and then –some more than others, and for many different reasons. I am a firm believer of the “hug theory”…well some of you reading this already know that. I was brought up with the idea hugs are more powerful than words and it will be difficult for many of us to not be able to embrace someone that needs a reassuring hug.
You know sometimes people don’t say, “Hey, come hug me”, but you know that they need one. We all need them even when we try to convince ourselves of the idea that it’s not necessary. Are we really being truthful with ourselves?
Many of us are finding it very hard right now thinking about our families and how they are coping with a time in their lives that should be filled with happiness and lots & lots of hugs! Our grandchildren, or other dear family members after many years of hard work, are not being able to experience all the pomp and circumstance of their high school and college graduations. Nor will they experience the wonderful, well –deserved, exciting pregraduating festivities they should be celebrating at this time of their lives. `I just want to take them in my arms and give them a hug that sends a soothing, hopeful message. It just doesn’t have the same effect over the phone. We need to reassure them that it will get better! `I think I just read something that said, “I wish I could make it a better world for my grandchildren…” I’m sure all of us wish this with all our hearts!
Hugs are important to us for many reasons. The positive benefits of hugging have been proven both physically and mentally. They make us happy as well as healthy. There
are many physical benefits. Research shows that when we hug our bodies we release Oxytocin, also known as the “love drug.” `Some of the positive results mentioned stated that hugs lead to a calmer nervous system which helps to lower blood pressure. In addition, many studies show that hugs with the people and pets in our lives can help with depression, reduce pain, and cause less sleepless nights.
There are so many benefits of a hug… so many great vibes… From our very first hug our message was… you are loved… it says I care… you belong… you are special… who can deny that hugs are a real confidence booster.
What happens to these benefits if we can no longer physically hug? Let’s face it we are a society that needs to be connected to others socially and mentally. If we don’t keep ourselves occupied we become anxious and allow ourselves to become depressed. What can we do for ourselves to give us the healthy benefits of a hug without physical contact? Do we close our eyes and visually try to feel the benefits of the hug? It’s worth a try –we can’t embrace but we are definitely capable of creating the mental images needed to feel the benefits.
Everyone will find their own way of coping. The Huggers of the world, that would include me, will learn to express their happiness and fondness for others through the use of mental images, or other gestures to communicate their feelings. For now though, think about giving yourself some self love and give yourself a welldeserved hug every day. It will take practice but we can do it!
Inspirational Quotes
“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives” - John F. Kennedy
“The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” - John F. Kennedy
“When I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.” - Ronald Reagan
“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination and wonder” - Ronald Reagan
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SECOND ANNUAL STATE CHRISTMAS WREATH CHALLENGE
Guidelines:
36” wreath - LED lights (no battery operated) - standard plugin - decorate to represent your State - turn in at clubhouse - Monday November 16, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Voting - Tuesday November 17 through 9:00 a.m. Tuesday November 24. Christmas tree or yard ornaments to be donated call Leon Buss at 612-718-9572 or Dan Larson at 763-360-3193. The following residents/states have committed to Christmas Wreaths Challenge - please contact these residents if you want to help in any way.
If you want to do an unclaimed State, please contact Leon Buss at 612-718-7878 or 612-718-9572. California - Patty Large 559-285-2389
Florida - Tracy Ayer 207-660-5540 Indiana - Robin Peters 941-465-8998 Kentucky - Lyndalle Barnes 270-963-2706 Maine - Cindy Baron 603-398-8001 Minnesota - Jeff Meeham 651-398-6564 New Brunswick - Maurice Dodbout New Hampshire - Sandy Grove 603-397-5550 New Jersey - Sue Smith 201-232-4777; Ohio - Gay Dye 614-861-0007 Oklahoma - Sue Hooper 405-623-2397 Ontario - Donna Roberts 239-599-4170
Oregon - Deb Ault 541-973-9395 Texas - Michelle Reese 239-565-8944. Good luck to all!
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