2008-12_Southfork_Newsletter_Color

Southfork News “For the Residents, by the Residents” Merry Christmas

December 2008

A Sunny Christmas

Mayor of Mesquite We here in Southfork are so lucky to have a “Mayor” who lives on Mesquite Dr. His Mayor sign is displayed outside his home for everyone to see and he even has a shirt that displays “Mayor of Mesquite” on it and he wears it proudly so everyone knows. Bill does his early morning “walk” to make sure everything is alright and when there is any happenings you can be sure he is the first to know and proud of it.

Every year at Christmas time there’s not a sign of snow.

Instead we spend our yuletide days in the sun's warm cheery glow.

We have the best of Christmas things, The lights, the gifts, the bells, (And "snowbirds" who arrive en masse To fill our beach hotels and homes.)

The glorious weather fits right in With our happy Christmas mood, And we can also walk and run Without having to be snow shoe’d.

So don't feel bad for your (Dade City) friends who have no snow or ice.

We think our sunny Christmas here is a holiday paradise!

We don’t have any elections and he is automatically elected on a yearly basis. So if you see him walking with his 6 pack (water) just give him a “Hi sign” and “Big hello” and he will return it with a big howdy do!!!!! ____________________________________________

Check Activities on the bulletin board in the clubhouse for anything scheduled after this newsletter is sent to print.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year From your editor Phyllis Grossi

Newsletter 1

ewsletter Information Note, any information to be placed in the newsletter, must be submitted between the 1st and 20th of every month. Please contact the editor ( Phyllis Grossi) at 567-6105 or drop off the information at 11150 Mesquite Dr. All newsletters can be viewed in color on the web site at www.floridacommunities.com. (click on Southfork at bottom of page) Please contact Jean Matala for any changes, deletions or additions to the calendar by the 20th of each month. Phone number is 523-2001 _____________________________________________________________

Christmas Carols for the Disturbed 1. Schizophrenia - Do you hear what I hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorders - We three kings disoriented ore!

3. Dementia - I think I’ll be home for Christmas!

4. Narcissistic - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - about me!

5. Manic - Deck the Halls and Wall and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and ………………

6. Paranoid - Santa Claus is coming to get me!

7. Borderline Personality Disorder - Thoughts of roasting on an open fire!

8. Personality Disorder - You better watch out, I’m gonna cry, I’m gonna pout, Maybe I’ll tell you why!

9. Attention Deficit Disorder - Silent Night, Holy oooh-look at the froggy - can I have a chocolate - why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,……

Submitted by, Mary Kuehl

David Crawford Brenda Goebel Bella Kinney

Sick List Jacqueline Bittler Harold Hartman Orville Gardner

Bill LaForest

Get well wishes to all!

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I MEMORIAM Neva Morris on loss of sister-in-law and brother Ray Witham on loss of sister Eugene Wing - resident Our condolences to the family and friends!

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Annual Association Dues The annual association dues must be paid by January 15th, 2009. In order to vote for the election of officer’s at the January member ship meeting, you must be a member in good standing and the amount owed is $15.00. Please contact, Richard Brown (treasurer) at 567-7451 or deliver to 11033 Maverick Dr. ____________________________________________________________________________________

You are Blessed If you woke up this morning with more health than illness - you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep - you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace - you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you can read - you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful - you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

Association Board Highlights Doesn’t seem possible (hectic tho it’s been) that we are now in the last newsletter of the calendar year! Seems that all we do is flip the pages and they continue to fly by.

We are anticipating a good turn out for our park wide sale on the 15th of November and hope that everyone is successful in passing on some of their “treasures” that they no longer need.

I’m still in the business of making “discoveries” here as various activities occur. I have most recently discovered that the word passed to us regarding the fact that management will no longer help us financially with our advertising for the yard sale was “wrong.” Imagine that!! Upon meeting with Norm, he told me that the statement was totally unfounded, and he did reimburse us for the advertising that we had placed in the local shoppers. Thanks, Norm, and from now on we’ll try to get our answers from the source rather then hearsay.

We also want to thank management for giving us a donation of $50 towards our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We have a good response to the signup sheet for the November 20th dinner, and hope that everyone will enjoy it.

In the meantime, the board is busy discussing plans for a possible December dinner, and because those plans are just “in the process” at this time, we don’t have any further information available. But, hopefully we can once again pull another dinner together and more information will be forthcoming!

We look forward to the first association meeting of the season on the 24th of November and please be thinking of all the names that you can bring forth for nominations for the next year. We will offer plenty of opportunities to get involved, remember the association is only as good as you can make it!!!

Marge Morrison, Secretary

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from the Association President Since Judy and I are going home to KY for the month of Dec., here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.

There will be a Christmas Golf Cart parade on Dec 20, at 5:00pm with a rain date of Dec 21st. Dot Cady has agreed to be the chairperson. There will be prizes and refreshments at the clubhouse afterward. So, everyone start thinking about how you want to decorate your cart or scooter for this annual fun event.

Jan., 2009 will be an important month for your association. We will be electing a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and several board members. This election is important because it is local. The people you elect will represent you right here at Southfork.

Many thanks to this year’s board, which had to operate without a president and vice-president all summer. Thanks also to Marge Morrison and Dick Brown for co-chairing the turkey dinner on November 20th.

AND, a big thank you to Ruy & Joyce Moore who donated a nearly new microwave for the kitchen.

Submitted by, Ernie Sluder, President

December Activities December 6th 13th 18th 20th 22nd 25th 31st -

Women’s Club annual bazaar (8am-1pm) Pancake breakfast (8am-9am) Christmas Potluck (meat provided)- ( see sign up sheet) Golf Cart parade (5pm) - (raindate Dec 21st.)

1st day Hanukah Christmas New Year’s Eve

Check community sign and bulletin board for any additional activities or changes! ________________________________________________________________________

Recipe of the Month Recipe for Christmas All Year Long Take a heap of child like wonder, That opens up our eyes, To the unexpected gifts in life--Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation, For the people whom we know; Like festive Christmas candles, Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter, A dash of Christmas food, (Amazing how a piece of pie improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness; Wrap it up in love and peace, Decorate with optimism, and Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe, We know we will remember, To be in the Christmas spirit, Even when it’s not December. ______________________________________________________________________________

From orm’s desk Who ever brought this cold weather down here, please come to my office and let’s talk this over!!

The waste treatment plant has been working very good until recently. Someone has started flushing “Depends” and so called “Flushable” wipes down their toilet --DON”T! I have had complaints of people parking on the streets and blocking traffic. Also, the speed limit is 15 mph. Please observe the park rules. They are for the benefit of all residents--including you.

Sandie and I hope everyone had a very happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday and hope you have a very blessed Christmas. For those of you traveling to see family--watch out for those other drivers, never know what they’ll do next.

Norm & Sandie ______________________________________________________________________________

Women’s Club Bazaar

THERE’S STILL TIME …for a group of ladies to share the cost of assembling a basket with a $30.00 value for the Women’s Club BazaarDecember 6th - Raffle table. eed ideas??

Coffee (include non-refrigerated flavored creamers) Stationery (include stamps also) Breakfast (include non-refrigerated bacon) Floral or Christmas Arrangement Gift Certificates (Bealls, Walmart, Book Store, Lori-Anne’s, etc) Need someone to pick up your completed basket?

Call Doris (567-5270) or Frieda (567-0568)

Women’s Club On November 5th, 50 Ladies of the Woman’s club gathered together in the clubhouse beautifully decorated in the Fall colors for their monthly meeting. Georgia Duarte, Phyllis Grossi, Sherrie Glatfelter, Helen Stowe and Jean Sutton did the decorations and served the delicious luncheon.

Thanks to all of you.

Our Charity committee for Thanksgiving is helping 24 families with Baskets of food, and there will be a turkey in each basket and food for a complete Thanksgiving meal. The ladies were asked to bring the food and the turkeys were bought by the Charity committee. The ladies once more were very generous and brought the food requested.

The main topic of the meeting was our annual Bazaar that will be held on December 6th at 8:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Hotdogs will be sold at 11:00a.m. This year we are trying a new approach for gifts and we will have a Chinese Auction with all kinds of baskets full of goodies. We will also need bake goods and items for our White Elephant table, (we want slightly used items.)

With the help of everyone, this should be a success.

Our next meeting will be at the Golden Corral for the members that have signed up. We will meet in the front of the entrance at 11:00a.m. Don’t forget a gift for the Christmas exchange and also the secret pals. See you there……..

Marielle, President ______________________________________________________________________________

Memorial Committee Luncheon’s Marge Otto, the chairperson for this committee is asking all to please notify her when anyone has passed away, ASAP. Marge will then get the people ready to buy and prepare the food and sometimes it takes a day or two to prepare. Marge has a list of 5 captains for this community who take care of buying and preparing for any luncheons in case of a death of a resident. This committee is under the leadership of the Woman’s club and will service all residents soon as notified of a death. All food prepared will then be delivered to the resident of the deceased and Marge must know before hand approximately how many family members will be served.

If any questions, please contact Marge at 567-9381.

Hand and Foot Tournament The Hand and Foot women who play on Monday evening’s have decided to hold a first time “Hand and Foot” Tournament to be held January 24, 2009 which is a Saturday, and starting time will be at 11AM. This event will be played in the main hall of the clubhouse.

There will be an entry fee of ($5.00 per person plus a new deck of cards.) All the monies received for this event will be paid out to the top 2 high scoring teams. We will have tables of 4 people for each game and a limit of 2 games per each team. Winners of each table proceed to the next table to complete a set of 2 games. (Please, we ask only the people who know how to play the game to sign up because of the rules for the day with no talking across the table to help.)

Sign up sheet will be posted by December 1st and it will be , first come, first served to complete tables of 4. Deadline will be January 14, 2009 and all entry fee’s must be paid by the deadline.

Partners will draw names before the start time of the tournament on the same day.

Donations of food/snacks/refreshments will be asked for by the community and there will be sign up sheets for all set up/clean up/verifiers etc needed for that day. Please, help us because we need quite a few people to help.

Please check bulletin board for more details of this first tournament to be held in January!

This should be a great first event of the New Year and if all goes well it will be held each year as an annual tournament. If any questions on this event, please call Phyllis Grossi at 567-6105. ________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Gift Suggestions To your enemy -forgiveness, To an opponent -tolerance, To a friend -your heart, To a customer -service, To all - charity, To every child -a good example, To yourself - respect.

Game of the Month Domino’s The players meet Thursdays at 1pm at the clubhouse. This is a group of fun loving and team oriented people and whom are always eager to teach new players. This group has an average of 10 people or more on a weekly basis and of course more show when all the snowbirds are back.

The Dominoes group is all about making friends, sharpening your wits and enjoying life.

It is a very relaxing game with a lot of humor involved which makes everyone come back, week after week.

So come join the sociable folks who are a little “dotty.” Remember, winning isn’t the main goal - laughter is! _______________________________________________________________________

Correction on last month‘s Euchre game information In last month’s newsletter it incorrectly stated that Euchre was a $1.00 a game.

“WRONG” - it should of stated it was $1.00 per night and not $1.00 per game. That was an “oops” on the editor who did not catch that mistake. Thanks Marielle, we would have had the “FEDS” in here checking on the high stakes of the games. ________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Holidays Christmas and Holiday decorations sparkle the entire community. Thanks in advance to all who decorate their homes for the holiday season. It really adds to the spirit and gives a neighborhood feeling of good will and cheer. If you have a chance, take a ride through this wonderful community of homes and check out the beautiful scenes.

Buddy System General conversation recently brought up the need for a buddy system. This system should be started here in Southfork and it is a need for neighbors or friends to check up on one another.

Here is a great example: Say that a resident decides to go shopping in Tampa and states to his or her neighbor they should be back by, say 5pm. It gets to be 8pm that same evening and they are not back yet, a cell phone number should be given so that the neighbor/resident can try and contact each other to make sure they are okay. If no contact can be made then the authorities should be called to make sure they are not on some remote road here in Florida.

Another good example is for each neighbor to have a friend or neighbor look for certain signals at your home to make sure you are okay. You should have certain signals that you are up and around so that your neighbor knows you are okay, such as open/close window blinds, paper not picked up, light left on during the day, no lights on in the early evening hours etc.

Since it was made known that there are 81 homes here in the community that are single people, it should be a safety element that should be put into place.

So get to know your neighbors well and maybe give an emergency phone contact so that in cases of illness etc. they will know who to contact. Everyone of us needs someone and if we should fall or hurt our selves and can’t get to a phone, at least our buddy/neighbor/friend will know who to call first.

Think of safety first!!!!!!

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House across the street On countless days I’d seen him in the sunshine and the rain, mowing his yard, going to work or driving down his lane. Not once had I stopped to say hello or give him the time of day. The man who lived next door to me whom I saw from day to day, I knew nothing of his family, vaguely aware he had a spouse. He was only just a neighbor who lived in the white house, perhaps, someday in the future, I’d take time to greet the man who shared the block with me in the house across the street. A couple of years had come and gone, I kept thinking that I might go over and say hello to him, but the time was never right. It wasn’t until tragedy struck that I even cared to meet the man who died so suddenly in the house across the street. I said a prayer for his family as I watched them drive away, wanting to bring them comfort but not knowing what to say. So let this be a lesson, please take the time to greet the ones who live next door or in the house across the street.

Shuffleboard Now that the weather is cooler and the snowbirds are returning, shuffleboard is getting into full swing!!

We urge anyone who would like to try it, please join us. It is a lot of fun!! The schedule is posted on the bulletin boards and is in the calendar of the newsletter. You don’t have to attend every time, just come when you can. Pat Grossi and Aggie Mitchell have offered to give lessons to those who have never played or if you need help with your game. They both have given a few lessons with more to do, so give them a call. Phone Pat @567-6105 or Aggie @5677473. ______________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Golf Cart Parade The Christmas Golf Cart parade will be held on December 20th, 2008 at 5:00pm.

This is such a big event each year and the community along with the Blue Jay community look forward to seeing all the decorated golf carts/scooters go through the streets.

If any questions, please contact Dot Cady at 567-6456. Come and enjoy and refreshments will be served after the parade at the clubhouse. ______________________________________________________________________________

Line Dance Instructions Monday mornings, 10:00 a.m. All welcome, beginners especially. Good for your heart, mind and soul. Come and socialize, we would love to have you. Leather soles if possible. If any questions, contact Kathy Gallick.

Volunteers eeded Ernie Sluder, our president, is pleading and asking for volunteers for all of the various committees we have here in our community.

Our number one (1) plea is for the “ACTIVITIES” committee and we need a responsible, energetic and aggressive person who can come up with some new (and old) ideas for events to be held here in Southfork. If one person can not do it maybe a few can coordinate and take turns every so often so no one gets burned out in this venture. If there are any interested people who would like to be on this committee and maybe chair it, please contact Ernie ASAP. Maybe you can come up with a schedule for each so no one person has to be in charge all the time.

This has been a very lax year with nothing special going on and most people who live in this great community are complaining that there is nothing going on. What does it take to get some volunteering done??? The complainers, usually, are the ones who do not volunteer to help with anything and we sure hope this will change.

Here listed are a few activities, events that may be a little fun to do and I am sure there are 100 more that can be thought up: Chili cook off Soup and Salad day Tour to some local community (ex: Mt Dora) Father’s day breakfast (women serve the men) Mother’s day breakfast (men serve the women) Cookie sale (everyone donates cookies to be sold for a special fun raiser event) Entertainment from outside the park to be brought in etc.

PLEASE, HELP US, TO MAKE THIS A FUN COMMUNITY!

Hotdogs & Hamburgers SOUTHFORK QUIZ Question: Where can you go on Wednesday Nights for the most wholesome but cheapest meal around?

Answer:

The Hotdog & Hamburg Fest at the pool cabana of course.

This Southfork activity is ongoing now that the hot weather has abated and will continue each Wednesday between the hours of 4:30 and 6p.m. weather permitting. We have a new revised menu and a full meal will only cost you close to $3.00. Please come, check out our delicious Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Coneys, Sloppy Joe’s and Desserts. Stay as long as you like to enjoy your meal, visit with your neighbors and of course venture on into Bingo starting at 6:50p.m.

This activity will be suspended the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s due to the close proximity to those holidays.

If you would like to become a member of one of the Hot Dog & Hamburger Fest Teams, just call Jim Morvatz @ 437-4782, Shirlynn Collier @ 521-0776, Aggie Mitchell @ 567-7473 or Bob Downs @ 5232505. If you would care to donate a favorite dessert, please contact one of the above committee members.

Thanks in advance for your support and remember all proceeds benefit the Southfork Homeowners Association. _____________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT GROWI G OLDER First -- Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start BRAGGING about it.

Second -- The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Third -- Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know why I look this way.

I’ve traveled a long way and some roads weren’t paved.

Fourth -- You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Fifth -- One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Sixth -- Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Seventh -- Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it’s called golf.

And finally-- If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you are old.

There’s More to Christmas

There’s more, much more to Christmas Than candle-light and cheer.

It’s the spirit of sweet friendship That brightens all the year.

It’s thoughtfulness and kindness It’s hope reborn again.

For peace, for understanding And for goodwill to men!! ______________________________________________________________________________

SI GLES The Singles Group is an informal way of getting together the single people in our community who have no one to attend functions with.

The first function was the October Potluck. Two tables were reserved for this group, so that they may dine together and become acquainted. They were given name tags and a list of the park activities.

The idea is to help those that haven’t become a part of the social life here and would like to, and will have a chance to become acquainted and to choose the activities that they like. We had several new people attend the October potluck and are looking forward to more at the next one.

Please keep in mind that if there is a sign-up sheet, you will have to sign up, but we will still arrange for the singles to sit together.

If you have any questions, please call one of the members of our Singles Committee; Dot Cady, Claire Cox, Colombe Remick, Jim Morvatz, Shirlynn Collier or Aggie Mitchell.

Hopefully in the near future we will be able to plan some outside activities as well for those who are interested. We will welcome any ideas and any volunteers to help with the activities.

Submitted by, Aggie Mitchell

DATE:

12/06/2008

TIME:

8AM TO 1p.m.

December Sun

Mon

2008 Tue

2 Shuffleboard 9 am Line dancing 10am Exercise 1 0 am Nickel/dime poker Sequence 1 pm 12:30pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6:00 pm Cards 6 pm Euchre 6:30 pm

1 Coffee 8 am

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

3 WomensClub9:30a Mens golf Bridge 12:30 pm Horseshoes 1 pm Burger/dogs4:30-6 Bingo 6:50 pm

4 Ladies Golf 2 pm WatrArobics9:45a BibleStudy 12:30pm Dominoes 1 pm Horseshoes 3 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6 pm Yarn Hookers 6:30 11 Ladies Golf 2 pm WatrArobics9:45a BibleStudy 12:30pm Dominoes 1 pm Horseshoes 3 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6 pm Yarn Hookers 6:30 18 Ladies Golf 2 pm WatrArobics9:45a Dominoes 1 pm Horseshoes 3 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm POTLUCK Cards 6 pm YarnHookers 6:30p Bible Study 12:30 25

5 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 10 am Nickel/dime Pokr 12:30pm

6 WOMENS CLUB BAZAAR 8:00 - 2p

TRASH PICK UP 7

Church of your choice

8 Coffee 8 am Line dancing 10am Nickel/dime poker 12:30 pm Cards 6:00 pm Euchre 6:30 pm

9 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 10am Sequence 1 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6 pm

10 Mens Golf Quilting 9 - 12 Bridge 12:30 pm Horseshoes 1 pm Burger/dogs4:30-6 Bingo 6:50 pm TRASH PICK UP

14 Church of your choice

15 Coffee 8 am Board Mtg 9 am Line dancing 10am Nickel/dime poker 12:30 pm Cards 6:00 pm Euchre 6:30 pm

16 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 10 am Sequence 1 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6 pm

17 Mens Golf Quilting 9- 12 Bridge 12:30 pm Horseshoes 1 pm Burger/dogs4:30-6 Bingo 6:50 pm TRASH PICK UP

21 Church of your choice ALTERNATE GOLF CART PARADE (IN

22 23 Coffee 8 am Shuffleboard 9 am Line dancing 10am Exercise 10am Sequence 1 pm Nickel/dime poker LadiesShuffle 3pm 12:30 pm Cards Cards 6 pm 6:00 pm Euchre 6:30 pm

24 Mens Golf Quilting 9- 12 Bridge 12:30 pm Horseshoes 1 pm Burger/dogs4:30-6

29 Coffee 8 am Line dancing 10am Nickel/dime poker 12:30pm Cards 6:00 pm Euchre 6:30 pm

31 CLUB HOUSE RESERVED 7pm-?

CASE OF RAIN) 28

Church of your choice

30 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 10am Sequence 1 pm LadiesShuffle 3pm Cards 6 pm

TRASH PICK UP

TRASH PICKUP

New Year’s Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS

3:00 pm Set up for TRASH PICK UP Bazaar "RECYCLE" 12 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 1 0 am Nickel/dime Pokr 12:30 pm Bid Euchre 7 pm

13 PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8 - 9 Cards 6 pm

"65" 7 pm 19 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 10 am Nickel/dime Pokr 12:30pm Bid Euchre 7 pm

20 GOLF CART PARADE 5:00 PM Cards 6 pm "65" 7 pm TRASH PICK UP "RECYCLE"

26 Shuffleboard 9 am Exercise 1 0 am Nickel/dime Pokr 12:30 pm Bid Euchre 7 pm

27 Cards 6 pm "65" 7 pm TRASH PICK UP