Gator Tales January 2016
“The Park with A Heart”
Editor: Donna Barkley
Lake Hammock Village 36106 US Hwy 27 Haines City FL 33844
Volunteer of the Year…
863-421-5764
Board of Directors Clark Smith President (2015) (863)438-6929
Jim Fischer Vice President (2016) (239)248-2597
Maria Combs Secretary (2016) (863)438-6643
Marilyn Smith Director (2015) (863)421-1018
2015 was the first year that we, as a community, voted for the Volunteer of the Year. Volunteers were nominated by the community and the four finalists were voted on by Lake Hammock Village residents. The four finalists were: Eileen Lemay, Joanne Marko, Joice Smith and Richard Spiegel. The winner is…
Richard Gould Treasurer (2016) (863)422-5902
Sharon Bowden Director (2015) (863) 353-7676
Jan Baczkiewicz Director (2016) (989)889-9498
Committee Chairs Gator Tales Donna Barkley (863)232-9837 Phone Squad Florence Browning (863)353-9804 Sunshine Carol Gould (863)422-5902
Richard won a plaque, $100 and his name on a perpetual plaque to be hung at the clubhouse.
Welcome Maria Combs (863)438-6643 Marilyn Smith(863)421-1018 Memorials
Thank you, Richard, for all you do. Who will be the Volunteer of the Year for 2016?
Brin McDonald (863) 438-5241
“Gator Tales” is available online at: http://floridacommunities. com/lake-hammock-newsletter.
A message from the President... Dear Friends and Neighbors, “Happy New Year” and “Welcome 2016” from your Lake Hammock Village Homeowners Association. As we reflect back on the past year, I think we can say that in 2015, Lake Hammock Village was a fun and exciting place to be. We were able to offer an abundant array of activities to our residents, including the Summer Pool Party and the New Year's Eve Party, both which provided excellent food, refreshments, and entertainment all at no cost to our residents. The regular weekly events continued and were enjoyed by many. Both our Spring and Fall Garage Sales were hugely successful. We, as a community, owe a huge “Thank You” to all those volunteers who stepped up to the plate to host, assist, setup and cleanup at all of our many events. In 2016, we anticipate an even bigger and more exciting year. In addition to our regular weekly, monthly and yearly events, we look forward to new and fresh ideas for future events that would be of interest to our community. If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to step forward and suggest it. Finally, as a reminder, our Annual Meeting will be held January 19 th, at 7:00 PM in our clubhouse. In order to be a voting member, you must pay your 2016 HOA dues of $15.00, no later than January 9th. Here's to a great 2016...... Clark
When we can no longer maintain our home in Lake Hammock Village, what comes next? Join us on January 7th at 2:00 pm at the clubhouse. We may find the answer, Annette of Spring Haven / Holiday Retirement Homes will show us some possibilities. Please come, listen and learn. Any questions, contact Marilyn Smith.
Come join us for our Memorial Service for the Members of Our Community that we lost in 2015 Saturday, January 9th, 2016 At 2:00 p.m. Lake Hammock Village Club House
HOA Board Tuesday, January 5th 7:00 p.m. Clark Smith (863) 438-6929 The monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held in the Clubhouse. Make & Take Crafts No craft day for January 2:00 pm At the clubhouse Ladies’ Lunch Wednesday, January 13th Carpool 11:30 a.m. Dona Rawson 547-9326 Southern Dune Clubhouse Carpool at 11:30 (Deadline to sign up to attend is three days before the event). Dining By the Book Thursday, January 14th Carpool 4:30 pm Marilyn Smith 421-1018 Cham Pino’s, 6617 N. Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland Carpool at 4:30 (Deadline to sign up to attend is three days before the event). Park Breakfast Out Saturday, January 16th 8:15 a.m. R-Eatery 35510 Rt. 27, Haines City Birthday/Anniversary Celebration Sunday, January 17th 6:30 p.m. Dona Rawson & Joanne Marko 438-5011
Come celebrate January birthdays and anniversaries. This month’s celebration will be hosted by Margaret Conley and Joanne Marko.
Activities Meeting Tuesday, January 19th 2:00 p.m. If you have ideas of activities, places to eat around town or other things that you would like to see LHV do, then please join us in the clubhouse as we plan our February activities. We enjoy having new ideas to explore. HOA Annual Meeting Tuesday, January 19th 7:00 p.m. Clark Smith (863) 438-6929 We will be voting for 2016 HOA board. Dues must be paid by January 9th. The monthly HOA meeting will be in the clubhouse. Please take the time to attend the meeting to hear what is happening in your park. Early Bird Dining Tuesday, January 26th 4:30 p.m. Sharon & KZ Bowden 353-7676 Hog Haven Smokehouse 1708 6th St SE, Winter Haven Carpool at 4:30 (Deadline to sign up to attend is three days before the event). Potluck – January 29 – 5:00 pm “International Cuisine” – a little taste from our residents’ traditional dishes from their home state or ethnic heritage. If you are not a cook, get together with a friend. Also, to make things interesting, we ask if you would bring along a photo form your youth (if possible) so that other attendees can guess who’s who. Hosted by Eileen Lemay and Jane Lallier
Pancake Breakfast Saturday, February 6 Serving 8:30-10:00 a.m. Cost $3.00 Apple, blueberry and plain pancakes cooked to order, scrambled eggs, breakfast meat, juice and coffee Please sign up at the clubhouse so we know how much food to prepare. Hosts: Lee and Nanci Emery
Get Well Wishes Florence Browning - Home Don Ives – Home Marge Love - Home If you know anyone who is sick or in the hospital, please let Carol Gould (422-5902) know so she can get a card to them. If you would like to be put on the prayer chain, contact Lori Johnsen 588-1599. Thank You I would like to thank everyone for their cards, flowers, and prayers while I was ill. I really appreciate all the kindness shown to me. Florence Browning I want to thank the many residents who helped with Thanksgiving Dinner. A special thank you goes to Marilyn Smith, Joyce Wright and Lorraine Dezinski for serving. K.Z. and Sharon Bowden
David and I want to send kudos to Mrs. Combs and her helpers for the super Thanksgiving feast, fellowship and friendship extended to all. David and Mary Schnopp
Thank you to all the people who have helped us get settled in the park. Karen & Ron Wells Thank you to all that voted for me as Volunteer of the Year. Richard Spiegel We want to thank the many residents who gave of their time to set up, serve, and clean up the Christmas Dinner. Your help made the meal go smoothly. A special thanks goes to the Goulds, Loves, and Palmer’s for preparing the ham and turkeys. K.Z. and Sharon Bowden Memorials & Phone Squad I am so excited about our New Memorial Committee and Phone Squad. We have such a great group of volunteers. Our New Memorial Committee Brin McDonald 863-438-5241 If you can’t reach Brin, call: Sandy Blackman 863-353-9804 Other Committee Members: Dona Rawson 863-547-9326 Nancy Kifus 757-420-2528 Deb Bialecki 863-422-8296 Our Phone Squad Florence Browning 863-353-9804 If you can’t reach Florence, call: Marileigh Osborn 863-421-6289 Other Phone Squad Helpers: Joann Marko, Carol Gould, Mary Schnopp, Sally Phillips, Linda Martin, Marion Speigel, Deb Bialecki, Stephanie Strom, Nancy Roy, Dona Rawson, Margaret Conley, Nancy Kifus
C&D Trips are as follows: Mystery Barbara Lee Solomon’s Castle Brighton Winter Park Tony Bennett Tony Bennett Bon Appetit New Orleans Daytona 150 Daytona 500 Tarpon Springs Derby Lanes
January 6 January 11 January 19 January 27 January 29 February 6 February 10 February 12 Feb 15-19 February 18 February 21 February 24 February 27
$59.00 $25.00 $44.00 $80.00 $72.00 $55.00 $80.00 160.00 $65.00 $56.00
Activities Chairs These volunteers will not be hosting all the events, but they will be the ones finding hosts for the events and planning the dates. If you have any suggestions or need more information on these activities, please contact the following: Activities: Maria Combs 438-6643 / Joanne Marko 438-5011 Birthdays/Anniversaries: Joanne Marko 438-5011 Breakfast Out: Jane Biba 422-6531 Bus Trips: Joanne Marko 438-5011 Early Bird Dinner: Sharon & KZ Bowden 353-7676 Dining by the Book: Marilyn Smith 421-1018 Entertainment: Clark Smith 438-6929 Ladies’ Lunches: Dona Rawson 547-9326 Park Breakfast: Maria Combs 438-6643 / Karen Wilson 353-2275 Potlucks: Eileen Lemay 353-1108 January Anniversaries 10 21 21 23 26 28 30 30 30
Brian & Sue Elkington Jim & Bonnie Fischer Lester & Pat Iceman Mr & Mrs Godfrey Dick & Trish Keiger Pete & June Evans Bruce and Eileen Lemay Robert & Pat Marotti Harry & Donna Webb
(If we have missed your anniversary, please let us know!)
Newsletter Information All newsletters can be viewed in color on the web site at www.floridacommunities.com (click on Lake Hammock at bottom of page). Just a reminder, any information needs to be submitted to Donna by the 20th of every month. If you have any questions or suggestions about the Gator Tales, please contact Donna by email, phone, or drop a note in the box on her screen porch. We are always looking for ways to improve. Gator Tales Staff Donna Barkley (Editor) 172 Glen Este Blvd. 232-9837 donna.barkley@aol.com Sharon Bowden Stephanie Strom Andy & Nancy Belski Richard & Marion Speigel January Birthdays 1 4 4 7 9 10 10 11 12 14 14 15 16 16 19 20 21 22 22 22 23 24 27 28
Norm Baczkiewicz Robert Marotti Clark Smith Betty Kemp Pat Iceman Maura Cullen Don Nolan Lisa McGowen Greg Wolfinger Joan Butler Ken Hendges Judy Page Georgette Chadwick Vivian Keller Kathy Deuel Dick Williams George Palmer Tami Frech Bill Patelunas John Rounds Florence Browning Joyce Wright Charles Osborn Audrey Hertsch
(If we have missed your birthday, please let us know!)
in The Department of Economic Security. She enjoys all genres of music, cooking and hanging upside down on her inversion table! Gini also has a small herb garden, and a fish named Bubba who lives in an antique castle in a glass cookie jar. She has also read most of the books in the Lake Hammock library. Her daughter, Cesya, pronounced Sasha is staying in Gini's house until she returns to Arizona. Please take the time to get to know your neighbors. Submitted by Stephanie Strom
George Palmer has lived here since 2001, when he and his wife Georgianna moved from Illinois. George had his own plumbing business and was very active in musical theater for about 25 years. He also was a volunteer fireman until his back couldn't take it anymore. George served in our National Guard for 6 years. He must have been good because he has quite a story about getting his discharge papers! In 2000, Georgianna had a heart attack and required a triple bypass. Their daughter Dori wanted them to move here, so they met Ed Hester and toured model homes in Plant City. While they were touring the various communities, as they came through Lake Hammock’s front gates, Georgianna said "this feels like home!" They sealed the deal, returned to Illinois long enough to sell everything and return to their new home. Rather than drive to Celebration, Georgianna developed her own cardio rehab program here at Lake Hammock. Prior to her death in 2012, both of them were active in a number of activities. George served as HOA President when the residents wanted to buy out the owners and make LHV a resident owned community. He now is on the hot tub restoration committee. Gini moved here this past year from Arizona. She is George's oldest child. The family did a lot of camping. Gini graduated from Western Illinois University and has worked for the State of Arizona
Karen and Ron Wells are both from the Chicago area. They were high school sweethearts and got married in 1966. They have two adult boys and two adult girls who all live up north. They have eight grandchildren and one on the way. They also have one great-granddaughter. Ron started working for the railroad in 1966. He worked there for 36 years and then retired. Karen worked in the public school system in Michigan and retired in 2006. They started looking around in Florida for a place to live. They saw the Lake Hammock sign on Hwy 27 and came in and looked around. They liked what they saw. The park is clean and friendly. They bought 55 Sargent in February 2015. They will be snowbirds from November to April, until they decide to sell their home in Michigan and become fulltime residents. Eventually they will get involved in games and activities. When you see them about, introduce yourself and make them feel at home.
Photos by Sharon Bowden Sheryl Nykaza is Karen Wells’ sister. She came from Chicago. Sheryl worked for 12 years at a bank and 15 years at Fed. Signal Corp. They make light bars for police cars, emergency vehicles and outdoor warning signs. Sheryl’s position was in the finance department. She has three adult sons, two grandchildren. Her granddaughter works in Orlando and her grandson is a freshman at St. Joseph College in Indiana. Two of her sons are in the Chicago area and one son is in China. He teaches English in a Chinese school. Sheryl was with her sister and brother-in-law when they were looking for a place. She found her house at 126 Silvercrest in February 2015. She went back home to get some of her stuff. Sheryl enjoys shopping and like to play dominos. She has a 3-1/2 year old dog named Sophia. When you see Sheryl and Sophia riding around on their golf cart, introduce yourself and make her feel at home. Submitted by Marion Spiegel
Tick Tock I’m writing this in a state of shock, Watching the clock—tick tock, tick tock, Advancing, approaching, relentlessly, A brand new year; Oh, can it be? The calendar says the same thing, too; Time races, vanishes for me; Boo hoo! No, wait! If time flies, I’m having fun! A year of fun! It’s gone! It’s done! I now embrace the blur of time, Because it simply means that I’m Too busy with pleasure, joy, delight To mourn the passing days’ swift flight. So I’m wishing you fast, happy days, Pleasuring you in myriad ways, Filled with happiness and cheer, Oh Happy, Happy Bright New Year! By Joanna Fuchs
LAKE HAMMOCK VILLAGE RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM 2016 DATE SAVERS: (All activities will be held at the Clubhouse.) January 13, 9:30 AM: We will be making cancer bracelets to sell. If you can, bring jewelry elastic, beads, scissors, rulers and jewelry glue. If not, just come to help!
January 18, 6PM: Next Meeting. Please join our team. February 7, 2PM: Ladies Pampering Event. Cost is $10.00. Tickets are available from Donna Barkley and Dawn Maluchnick. Includes mini-manicures, chair massages, hors d’oeuvers, desserts, giveaways, and more surprises.
March 5: Spaghetti Dinner, Games, Silent Auction and Items for sale: Cost – Free Will Offering for Dinner. Game prices TBD. Games will begin at 10 AM. Spaghetti Dinner will be from 11:00 AM – 2 PM. We are looking to collect very nice new or slightly used items for the Silent Auction. Please see Dawn Maluchnick or any other team member if you can help.
March 19, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Pancake and Sausage Breakfast. Cost-Free Will Offering. PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM! www.relayforlife.org/hainescityfl
Choose the Lake Hammock Village Team The Relay for Life is April 2, 12PM to 12AM at Lake Eva!
For more information: Calvin and Dawn Maluchnick / Bob and Brin McDonald / Jerry and Joan Butler / KZ and Sharon Bowden / Debra Kemp / Joe and Nancy Kifus / Donna Barkley
Golf Cart Parade and Christmas Caroling
1st Place: Hacy and Joyce Wright; 2nd Place Maria Combs; 3rd Place: Richard and Carol Gould
Photos by Sharon Bowden
Chiropractic Care for Children & Adults Activator Methods Proficiency Rated Doctors Participating Providers with Medicare and Other Insurances www.heartoffloridachiropractic.com Carys Felton, D.C. Douglas C. Gagnon, Jr., D.C. 350 S. 10th Street Haines City, FL 33844 863-422-4575
SUNCREST SALES CORPORATION At Lake Hammock Village 36106 U.S. Highway 27 Haines City, Florida (863) 421-5764 or (866) 741-1239 www.lakehammock.com Email: phil@lakehammock.com
Lake Hammock Village Residents – Bring us a buying customer and receive $100.00
Office Hours
Monday thru Friday * 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday * 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday by Appointment Closed Holidays
Sales Staff
Phil Nespeca * Cell (863) 307-9686
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 1:00 PM Pokeno 7:00 PM CLR Game
3 7:00 PM Euchre
10 7:00 PM Euchre
17
4 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 1:00 PM Hand & Foot 1:00 PM Scrabble 2:00 PM Billiards
5
11 9:30 AM
12
Water Aerobics 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 1:00 PM Hand & Foot 1:00 PM Scrabble 2:00 PM Billiards
18
6:30 PM Birthday Anniversary Celebration
24
9:30 AM Water Aerobics 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 1:00 PM Hand & Foot 1:00 PM Scrabble 2:00 PM Billiards 6:00 PM Relay for Life Meeting
25
7:00 PM Euchre
31 7:00 PM Euchre
9:30 AM Water Aerobics 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 1:00 PM Hand & Foot 1:00 PM Scrabble 2:00 PM Billiards
6 7:00 PM HOA Board Meeting
AARP Safe Driving Class 8:00-3:30
8:15 AM Coffee 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 7:00 PM Bingo
7
8:00 AM Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM
Shuffleboard 2:00 PM Billiards 2:00 PM Spring Haven 7:00 PM Dominoes
Saturday 2 6:30 PM Ladies’ Poker
8
9
9:30 AM Water Aerobics 1:00 PM Pokeno 7:00 PM CLR Game
2:00 PM Memorial Service 6:30 PM Ladies’ Poker
13
14 8:00 AM
15
16
8:15 AM Coffee 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 11:30 AM Ladies Lunch 7:00 PM Bingo
Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 2:00 PM Billiards
9:30 AM Water Aerobics 1:00 PM Pokeno 7:00 PM CLR Game
8:15 AM Breakfast Out R-Eatery 6:30 PM Ladies’ Poker
22 9:30 AM
23
4:30 PM Dining by the Book
7:00 PM Dominoes
19 2:00 PM Activities Mtg 7:00 PM HOA Annual Meeting Gator Tales Submissions Due Tomorrow
26 4:30 PM Early Bird Dining
20 8:15 AM Coffee 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 7:00 PM Bingo
21 8:00 AM Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 2:00 PM Billiards 4:30 PM Dining by the Book
Water Aerobics 1:00 PM Pokeno 7:00 PM CLR Game
6:30 PM Ladies’ Poker
7:00 PM Dominoes
27 8:15 AM Coffee 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 7:00 PM Bingo
28 8:00 AM Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM Shuffleboard 2:00 PM Billiards 4:30 PM Dining by the Book
7:00 PM
29 9:30 AM Water Aerobics 1:00 PM Pokeno 5:00 PM Potluck 7:00 PM CLR Game
Dominoes
Thursday, January 14th – Dining by the Book – Cham Pino’s, 6617 N. Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland Meet at the clubhouse at 4:30 (Deadline to sign up is three days before the date of the event). Wednesday, January 13th – Ladies Lunch – Southern Dunes Clubhouse Meet at clubhouse at 11:30 (Deadline to sign up is three days before the date of the event). Tuesday, January 26th - Early Bird – Hog Haven Smokehouse, 1708 6th St SE, Winter Haven Meet at clubhouse at 4:30 (Deadline to sign up is three days before the date of the event).
30 6:30 PM Ladies’ Poker