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ACTIVITIES, ACTIVITIES ENTERTAINING NEWS

Are you experiencing “cabin fever” yet? I find the days go rather quickly. I try to assign myself a chore each day, but that mostly goes the way of my New Year’s resolutions. I am slowly cleaning out old files. It’s time to toss the records from 1993 that were passed on to me. It’s interesting and a bit nostalgic to see the names of people who have worked hard and gone on before us. In most cases, it brings back fond memories and fun times together. Those currently involved in the community events never knew these people nor will understand how our community events have evolved over the past 35 years. It’s time to create new memories and continue the magic of Tara Woods with our younger residents leading the way.

Speaking of fun times, most of the parties for next season were claimed at the Activities Planning Meeting or since. The following groups/people have volunteered to host a party: Halloween: Cindy McKay & Friends; Thanksgiving: Donna & Tom Erhardt; Caroling refreshments: Pat Dunning; New Year’s Eve: Midwest Club; Valentine’s Day, 2021: New England Club; Easter Dinner 2021: Sue & Ron Proulx; St. Patrick’s Day 2021: Sue & Ron Proulx & The St. Patrick’s Day Committee; Memorial Day 2021: The Dog Park Club; Labor Day 2021: New York/New Jersey Club. Hosts are still needed for the Christmas Party, Saturday, December 5th, and organizing the Golf Cart Parade and Caroling at the Clubhouse on Wednesday, December 9th, 2020. Please contact me if you will consider hosting one of these events. I’m especially concerned about the Christmas Party because entertainment should be obtained now.

Stay well. This pandemic is real and nothing like anything we’ve experienced before. Please heed the warnings about this virus and follow the simple guidelines for keeping yourself and those around you safe. We are all looking ahead to the opening of all our facilities and being together as soon as possible.

Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions regarding the parties and events. Janet Daly, Activities Coordinator janetdaly@yahoo.com 239-567-2285

So, Ladies and Gentlemen… never before have we been faced with the changes to our lives like we have in the past month or so. March 12th was the day, at least for the Entertainers, life as we knew it was changed. The Coronavirus reared its ugly head and will leave us eventually, but not before affecting our view of the safe life we lead before. For most of us, there will always be a “before COVID-19” and “after COVID-19”. We will eventually get to our “normal” way of life, but it will take some time. I hope that you come through this global crisis as healthy as possible. If anything good comes out of this, I hope that it is “we need each other”. From now on, don’t take for granted friendships, communication or our faith because, as we have seen, these are fragile and we must nurture them. Our friendships are what keeps us sane; our communications are what keep us connected, and our faith is what will pull us through this hard time. Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Pat Dunning, Entertainers pdunning46@gmail.com or 239-599-4490 ASK US HOW TO SAVE 20% PUZZLES AND BOOKS AVAILABLE

Since the Clubhouse is locked and our access to puzzles and books is limited, I am going to place a few large containers on my front porch with puzzles and books in them for us to exchange, like we do in the Clubhouse. Please take only one at a time so we can all enjoy. 19773 Cottonfield Rd, Lot #456—the “Hood” side. Barbara Simonson

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HOW THE VIRUS STOLE EASTER

Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school. As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king. People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned. April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed. “There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.” Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests. “Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.” Maundy

Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent. The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged. “Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming. “They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo. “That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear. And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise. But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance! The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all! It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?” “It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.” Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.” And what happened then? Well....the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night? Will you share the source of your life in this fight?

The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom. So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere. May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people. May the world see the church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that - Let it start a revival. By Kristi Bothur (With a nod to Dr. Seuss)

WRITTEN BY A 90-YEAR-OLD

This is something we should all read at least once a week. Make sure you read to the end.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio.

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:”

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short – enjoy it. 4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. 8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. 12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don’t worry, God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways. 18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’ 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do. 35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Mike Schwinn measuring the distance between Claire Schwinn and Linda Beaulieu enjoying Happy Hour.

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