Tennis News

TENNIS ASSOCIATION

The last Tennis Association Meeting of the season which was scheduled for March 22nd was not held because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The date of the first Tennis Association Meeting next season is November 22nd.

TENNIS LEAGUES WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Women’s Team – Angels

Our last match of the season happened so long ago that it seems unusual to report on it now, but here it is anyway. Our last match was an away game at Six Lakes that was played on March 12th. We won all 6 sets that day. After the match, we were invited to have lunch with the women from Six Lakes. Everyone seemed to enjoy the camaraderie. It is always nice to have a social gathering after a tennis match, as you then get to see your opponents in a different way.

Regrettably we didn’t get to enjoy our yearly Tennis Round Robin at Herons Glen (which was scheduled to be held on March 19th) or the end-ofseason banquet (which was scheduled for March 26th) because COVID-19 impacted a lot of activities. But, better to be safe than sorry… and we can look forward to both events next season.

As I noted in last month’s issue of The Columns, the Tara Woods Angels finished the season in first place. We had an impressive 16 sets advantage over the second place team, Lake Fairways. We ended the season with 75 wins and only 9 losses. That’s quite impressive!

Our women’s tennis team meeting also was cancelled because of the Coronavirus, so I don’t have much news on that, other than to say that 11 women did sign up to be on the Angels team next season.

Let’s all stay healthy, have a good summer, and hopefully we can regroup next season and be ready for more tennis. – Linda Engel

MEN’S LEAGUE

White Team – Stallions

Nothing to report this month. – Glen Fisher

Blue Team – Tigers

The Tara Woods Tigers 15th game was a home game against the Admiralty Admirals, with the Tigers and Admirals winning 3 sets each.

Our final game was expected to be against our other Tara Woods team, the Mustangs. However, it was cancelled as a result of COVID-19. We were excited to play that game, as the Mustangs were the home team and they were planning top-notch post-game refreshments!

The Tigers played very well during the season, learning individual player’s traits and they came on strong during the second half of the season. All enjoyed the competition and great camaraderie.

It is unfortunate that we were unable to finish out the season. Let’s hope we will be able to play next fall.

We wish everyone and your families to be safe. See you in the fall. – Al Dion / Mike O’Hearn

Blue Team – Mustangs

The Mustangs season ended early based on concerns over the Coronavirus. We were pleased that our team ended in third place.

At the end of the season Al Dion and I worked on balancing the teams for next year, and we were both satisfied with the final results. We tried to accommodate everyone’s request to play on a specific team.

We hope to see all of our fans next fall when the new season will start. Thanks to all our spectators who supported both teams this season. – Mike Renzulli

ROUND ROBIN

The last Round Robin of the season which was to have been held on March 22nd never happened, as the tennis courts were off limits to all residents due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

We look forward to lots of tennis playing next season. There are four Round Robin events scheduled for the 2020-2021 season. The dates are November 22nd, January 24th, February 28th, and March 28th. – Dale Holat Submitted by Linda Engel

MEET OUR GATEHOUSE ATTENDANTS

ALAN (AL) WARNER

Alan has been a Gatehouse Attendant since 2015. He works Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Alan was born on January 3rd, 1945 in Doylestown, PA. He has no brothers or sisters. He attended grammar school in Newton, NJ and high school in Middletown, NY. After graduation he attended Orange County Community College and Cornell University.

Alan is retired from Wegman’s Food & Drug in Rochester, NY where he was a Project Coordinator for Planning and Scheduling and in Human Resources for Hiring and Training. He wrote Wegman’s Training Manual for General Merchandise and Grocery Warehouse.

He served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Division where he received an award for shooting highest in his Company.

Alan married his wife Paulette and has three children and five grandchildren. He is a member of the Florida Mustang Club

Alan (Al) Warner

and has served as an Officer on the Board for Ponies of Paradise. He also participates in Pistol - Target Practicing.

His favorite singers are Cher and the Beach Boys, and his favorite movie is “Need For Speed.” His favorite saying is as follows: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and yelling WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!”

JERRY (J0J0) J. LATHAM

Jerry has been a Gatehouse Attendant since March of 2017 and is considered as our spokesperson to management. His hours are 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Jerry was born in Glenn Falls, NY on May 27th, 1948. He has four brothers and two sisters. He attended schools in Springfield, MO and Houston, TX. He received his B.S. in Accounting at Southwest Missouri College.

As a youngster he worked as a shoeshine boy and as a hay hand. In 1964 he received the Missouri Golden Gloves in Boxing. At age eighteen he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force receiving Airman of the Quarter in 1967. After college, Jerry was employed by Price Waterhouse and Gulf Oil Company in Los Angeles, CA. Before his tenure

Jerry (JoJo) J. Latham

with Hometown America, he was a Manufacturing Representative for Sports Marketing South.

Jerry married his wife Renaye on October 1st, 1994. He is the father of five children, grandfather of twelve and great-grandfather of four. His hobbies are traveling and fishing.

His favorite book is Catch 22 and he enjoys listening to music from the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. His favorite sayings are “OMG” and “LOL”. Other favorites are the movie “My Cousin Vinny” and actor John Wayne.

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NOT IN MY 86 YEARS

“I ain’t seen nothing like this in all my born days.” This old expression is certainly true for this eighty-six-year old.

I was born in 1933, in the height of the Great Depression, the year in the last century with the fewest number of births. Times were tough and we lived for a time with my grandmother and later an aunt and uncle before we managed

to rent a third-floor apartment.

I was eight when World War II broke out, and I remember the rationing of gas and food and other necessities, and blackouts when my dad patrolled the streets at night making sure no lights were turned on.

Then there was the polio scare and my mother watching me like a hawk, or an eagle like

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our neighbor Harriet, to make sure that scourge didn’t get me.

The nuclear age found us school kids cowering under our desks during air raid drills.

The Cuban Missile crisis had the world teetering on the brink of disaster.

As I began, “I ain’t seen nothing like this in all my born days,” but I do know this. The Coronavirus reinforced for me the good news that we can count on our Good God to guide us through this crisis as He has all across the years. For as the old spiritual says it, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

So, God bless you, my friends and neighbors, in this tough time.

Rev. (retired) Barry Maberry

DAISY’S MISADVENTURE

This is the story of Daisy the Cat’s Dangerous Diversion. Daisy is a very affectionate orange tabby. She gets so happy and purry when you pet her, she absolutely drools. She expects and demands, with meow-yells, a high quota of pets per day, and we indulge her. This furry family member is a bit elderly, almost twenty.

We’ve tried to keep her out of the bathrooms and bedrooms, since our son-in-law is highly allergic, and when he stays with us, we want those spaces to remain fur-free zones. Daisy has the run of the rest of the house, though.

One day, after I had badly and unevenly laid down a new linoleum floor in the bathroom, my husband pulled it up, and the old linoleum under it, to start all over. (His workmanship far surpasses mine; I did not take this personally.) He was flabbergasted to find that underneath all that was a black, moldy mess! There was an unknown leak – probably for a few years. Phew. My amateur attempt and failure at new linoleum tile ended up being a blessing in disguise!

With a face mask and lots of bravery, my hubby pulled up all that horrific, decayed plywood to throw out. What remained was a large hole, consisting of exposed two-by-fours with fiberglass in between them.

While outside, my husband and his friend, Gordon, measured and sawed the new plywood to be put down. The bathroom door was left open… Curiosity got the better of Daisy, and unbeknownst to anyone, she wandered in. She reveled in the fact that she was somewhere she was never allowed to go! And oh, the softness of that fuzzy, yellow fiberglass! She walked way underneath, lowering herself down into the fluff. She meandered somewhere under the nearby bathtub to take a nap.

By this time my husband and Gordon came back inside to screw down the new plywood. It looked and smelled so nice. We were relieved to have a “healthy” plywood floor restored, ready and strong for new waterproof laminate to be installed over it (by my husband, NOT me!)

After a few hours of not hearing Daisy’s frequent meow-yells and demands for copious pets, we hunted around the house for her in all her usual hiding places. No go. She was nowhere to be found. Huh?

Oh, Lord. Could it be? Could that adventurous kitty have crawled down below the new, screwed-down plywood and discovered no way out? Mayday! Mayday! We began knocking, calling for her. Silence. In desperation, I began to unscrew it… Why was she being so quiet?

Uh-oh. Could she have…died down there? We could not abide it. She was our beloved sweetie-pie, and we knew we only had a precious window of maybe a year or two left, with her.

So, my heroic husband crawled UNDER the house and called for her there. He even made an opening in the rubber home-barrier sheet and stuck his hand through, for her to come over and sniff, if she was, please God, able, and anywhere in the vicinity!

She was. Hallelujah! My hubby created a bigger hole, large enough to pull her down through. She was hungry; by now she had been “lost” a day and a half under there!

I immediately opened a can of tuna – a RARE treat – and Daisy came right over to the edge of the house to partake of the delectable meal. My deft husband grabbed her and brought her inside as she complained loudly about her tunafeast being temporarily disrupted!

Moral to the story: don’t leave an inquisitive cat anywhere near open flooring!

We are hugely grateful and blessed to have our Daisy back, for the minimal time she has left on this earth. And, for those of you wondering what traits to look for in a future husband, intrepid cat-rescuing illustrates good character! What a keeper that man is. God is GOOD! By Theresa Corbley Siller

BOOK REVIEW

A Map of Betrayal Novel by Ha Jin, author of Waiting and War Trash

A tale of espionage and loyalties that started during 1949 and ended in 1980.

Gary Shang was innocently recruited into the spy world by the Chinese Government looking for someone to join United States intelligence to translate important papers.

This book story’s about Lilian, his American daughter, from his second wife, Nellie. They lived with Gary in the D.C. area. Neither of them knew of his activities as a spy. In fact, he did not think of himself as a spy, he thought he was trying to join his two countries together. Lilian knows now about his being arrested as the biggest spy that America has ever convicted, and his trial and imprisonment. She has his diary and is trying to piece his life together to find out why. Why was he a spy? Why did he had two families? What possessed him to betray both his countries?

Gary’s other family lived in the countryside in China outside of Bejing. He had an arranged marriage to Yufeng Liu. She lived with his parents on their farm. When he graduated from college, he was looking for work. Since he spoke English so well, which he had learned at a missionary school, Gary was encouraged to look to the government for employment. He was recruited by U.S. intelligence which was in Taiwan at the time. He did not realize that he would never return to China nor see this family again. When he left, he did not know that his wife was pregnant. She did give birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

He finally comes to the USA with the same agency and he becomes a vital part of the translation community. He is valued by the U.S. due to his understanding of China and its way of doing business. Eventually he is given more responsibility and after being naturalized moved into the most secretive section of the intelligence community. He is awarded raises and certificates due to his hard work.

Back in China his handler is telling him that his family is doing well and the government is supporting them so not to worry. But sorry, he cannot return to see them since it could cause suspicions. What he does not know is that for a few years they did receive part of his salary from the Chinese Government, but when the famine came, his son and parents died from malnutrition. His wife and daughter were threatened by the rest of the villagers since there was not a male to protect them. The two of them moved north where her brother lived and where they struggled, almost perishing during several hard times. The government did nothing to help them, in fact, it appears that they lost track of them, which is hard to believe. For years Gary knew nothing of the hard life his family lived; his handler kept telling him that the government was taking the best care of him by helping his family. They encouraged him to start a new family to ensure he would want to stay in the USA.

After his marriage in the U.S. he settled down some but still wanted to return to his “family” in China, but his bosses still would not allow this to happen. They wanted him to stay. He had an unhappy marriage and finds another woman to share his story and his life with. She is the person he gave his diary to, and the one Lilian, his American daughter, spoke with to be able to connect some of the dots in her father’s life.

When it all falls apart almost fifty years later the Chinese Government disavows any knowledge of him and does nothing to help him. Lilian finds and meets with the other members of her Chinese family. These people enrich her and her husband’s life. They find many common bonds. Blood is thicker than water.

Good book, quick read. Interesting subject matter.

DOT DESALVO

As many of you do, when meeting someone here at Tara Woods, I ask how they like it and what brought them here to Tara Woods, instead of the many other places they could have picked from. One of the most frequent answers I get is how friendly the people are. John and I found that too –from our first Saturday Morning Coffee, where we were immediately included with a wonderful group of other new people, to meeting our neighbors here on Macon Circle. We have the best neighbors. Several of them have been here for over twenty years. Dot lives right across the street from us. She immediately helped us with so many different things, mostly just helping us feel relaxed and at home. She told us about the weather, the rainy season, the dry season, the different plants, what to plant when, when to fertilize and when not to fertilize, different places we must go to visit, what stores to shop, what vet, etc. Most of all, she became a good friend.

Talking with her I have found out some of her life history. She has great stories to tell. Dot and her husband, Cliff, lived in a suburb of New York City, in Crestwood. They moved to New Jersey from there, until they moved here to Tara Woods twenty-three years ago. Upon first arriving, Dot was very active but has slowed down in recent years. Now she spends time with her good friend Helen, who visits her every day, at least until the COVID-19 appeared. Betty, Dot’s sister, moved across the street from her over a year ago. They walk Cody, Dot’s Shih Tzu, together and go to the library together, as they

are both avid readers. Dot loves to take care of her flowers and keeps the neighborhood laughing when we see her out and about.

Dot and Cliff have three sons. One recently moved to Tennesee and another one to Rhode Island. All would visit on holidays and birthdays, bringing wives, girlfriends, kids, and their dogs. It got to be quite a houseful.

Cliff’s name is still on the nameplate outside their house, but Cliff left this earth about seven years ago. Dot has one son, Chris, who she sees every day. Chris and his partner, Dan, moved just a block away about a year ago too. Chris owned and ran a flower shop that his parents helped with. Chris still loves to decorate. Dot’s and Betty’s houses were full of Christmas decorations, thanks to Chris. Chris is the one who surprised her with the birthday sign in front of her house. There was a big party planned that had to be postponed with the COVID-19. It will be held, as many other events will be, when this is all over.

Dot and several other friends I have made here who are in their mid-80’s to 90’s have changed my mind about what is old. So many of them still enjoy life to the fullest as much as they can. They inspire me to be that same way and not ever really grow old.

Happy Belated 90th Birthday, Dottie DeSalvo. You will now be invited to the 2nd Annual 90th Birthday Celebration on Friday, November 6th this year. You will again be recognized for the amazing person you are.

MEMORIAL DAY TRIVIA QUIZ

Test your knowledge of Memorial Day facts with this interesting Memorial Day trivia quiz. There are a total of 12 trivia questions. Answers can be found at the end of the quiz.

1. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of which month of the year? a) April; b) May; c) June; d) July; e) a or b interchangeably

2. Why do Americans celebrate Memorial Day? a) To mark the end of the American Civil War; b) To honor military veterans for their service; c) To protest against all wars; d) To commemorate U.S. war dead

3. Memorial Day was formerly known as: a) Veterans Day; b) Armistice Day; c) Military Day; d) Flag Day; e) Decoration Day

4. The first Memorial Day was celebrated by South Carolinians in: a) 1815; b) 1865; c) 1905; d) 1945; e) 1975

5. What is the most popular Memorial Day activity? a) Watch fireworks; b) Enjoy family dinner; c) Take part in carnivals and parades; d) Visit cemeteries and memorials; e) Attend church services

6. Which major sporting event coincides with the Memorial Day weekend? a) The Memorial golf tournament; b) The Preakness Stakes; c) The Indianapolis 500; d) The Coca Cola 600; e) Both c and d

7. Memorial Day was originally established to commemorate which U.S. war: a) The Revolutionary War; b) The Civil War; c) World War 1; d) Vietnam War; e) Iraq War

8. The flower that is most associated with Memorial Day is a) White Lilies; b) Carnation; c) Chrysanthemums; d) Poppies; e) White roses

9. True or False: Memorial Day is generally perceived as less important than Veterans Day.

10. Leaving a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns is one of Memorial Day’s most cherished traditions. Where is this famous tomb located” a) Washington D.C.; b) New York, NY; c) Marble, Colorado; d) Arlington County, Virginia; e) Austin, Texas

11. The National Memorial Day Concert is held each year over the holiday weekend. The event is televised live on which TV network. a) ABC; b) NBC; c) CBS; d) PBS; e) There’s no TV broadcast

12. True or False: It is a long-standing tradition that the sitting U.S. president would lay a presidential wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day.

Classification: Expert - more than 10 correct Intermediate - 8 to 10 correct Novice - less than 8 correct Janet Daly

GOINNUTZ

The license plate on Janet & Freddie Kossen’s golf cart sums up, the feelings we’ve all had on lockdown here at Tara Woods!! Dorothy Andrus

SHILOH SPEAKS

This segment of Shiloh Speaks will be a short one to tell all of you who have the patter of a four-legged furry companion – a dog or a cat. I’d like to share the following with you.

Some of the media reports have shown that the Coronavirus can infect our companion animals – and more exotic species such as tigers and lions, but cases are rare. It appears that transmission of the disease from human to animal is low, and there’s no reason to think you might catch the disease from a feline friend who has been wandering the neighborhood. The World Health Organization states there is “no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19”.

So, continue enjoying your walks with your four-footed companions and remember to pick up after us to keep our Tara Woods community clean and healthy. Practice your six-foot social distancing, the twenty-second Happy Birthday hand washing routine, and keep your hands off your face.

So, my time is up for Shiloh Speaks for this month. Remember the three “S’s”:

Stay Strong – which means stay healthy and don’t panic.

Stay Safe – which means sixfoot social distance. Go out only for essential needs – if not, stay home.

Stay Smart – know your limitations.

Now it’s time to practice what we are preaching.

HAPPY TAILS! SHILHO

Let Us Help You Buy or Sell a Home in Lee, Collier, Charlotte or Sarasota Counties on Owned Land

Kenneth & Patricia Bracher and

Heather Todd Licensed Real Estate Agents and Broker Associate 239-910-2290 We do not sell in Del Tura or Tara Woods. Del Tura Residents 14 years.

Compliments of John & Chris Olsen Lot #236 ART SHOW NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY CLUB

Mark your calendar for the two upcoming NY/NJ events, Saturday, April 13th, and Saturday, April 27th.

The first date is our regular meeting, hosted by Mary & Bill Nothnagel and friends. The theme is “Welcome to spring and play ball”, so wear your team’s colors. The second date is our end of the year luncheon, hosted by Joan & Bill Powers, to be held at Herons Glen.

So, make sure you sign up in the Clubhouse for these two festive occasions and don’t miss out on the fun and good eats.

Any new NY/NJ residents are more than welcome to come and join in the fun. Bill Nothnagel

As stated above, the luncheon will be at Herons Glen on Saturday, April 27th, between 12:00 - 2:00 PM. The cost is $12.00 per person. The three menu choices being offered are: Herons Nest Salad – Grilled Chicken, candied pecans, craisins, blue cheese crumbles, and sliced apples on a field of greens with raspberry vinaigrette. Big Fish Sandwich – white fish fillet, choice of battered, grilled or blackened, and served on a hoagie roll with choice of side.

Reuben Sandwich. Iced tea, coffee and water are included; other beverages or cocktails are the responsibility of the guests. I will need a total count and your choice a week before, and, of course, your money preferably in cash or a check made out to me or cash. Joan Powers 239-731-0168

GATORS NEW ENGLAND CLUB

Photo by Lynn Lessmiller

The New England Club closed out their season on March 30th with a sports themed party. There was an abundance of Red Sox, Patriots, and Yankee fan gear on parade. Awesome food was enjoyed by everyone as well as baseball, football, frisbee and golf competitions.

Officers for the 2020-2022 season were announced and they are: Co-Presidents: Dawn Benjamin and Judy Machnicz, Vice-President: Barbara Gilfillan, Treasurer: Lee Beliveau; and Secretary; Carol Malatesta. Dawn, Judy, and Carol welcome our new officers with open arms and look forward to working with you!

To all our snowbirds who will be taking flight: Be safe, happy & healthy. To all our summer survivors: Be safe, happy, healthy & hurricane free!! Judy Machnicz

MID-ATLANTIC CLUB

In March, the Chili Cookoff was a great event with lots of eating and voting.

As the social year progresses, Sunday, April 7th, has been designated for the Brunch at the Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda. The brunch is the only meeting for April.

The event for the Sunday, May 19th, meeting is still being discussed. Details will be passed on through the Club newsletter and emails.

Barb Pollitt, Secretary

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Think about the possibilities! With $500, you could go on a cruise for two, use it toward a shopping spree, or buy a flat screen TV – just to name a few.

Invite your friends to live at Tara Woods, and you could earn up to $500* when they purchase a new home. Call 239-731-1011 for details!

*Referral reward restricted to Hometown America residents. Customer must register the resident who referred them at time of their initial visit. Residents whose referral purchases a new or special-order home will receive up to $500. Residents whose referral purchases a Hometown America-owned inventory home will receive up to $300. Residents whose referral purchases a brokered home will receive up to $100. Residents who refer will receive money after closing of escrow. Other terms and conditions may apply. Call 239-731-1011 for more details.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

TALENTS NEEDED: • Good Inter-Personal Skills • Solid Reliable Computer Skills • Time Management Skills • Willingness to Contribute to The Community • Work from Home CLUBHOUSE SCHEDULER DESCRIPTION: Co-Ordinates with Residents

Scheduling Events in and

Around the Clubhouse INTERESTED? WANT TO LEAN MORE? Contact Lou Dunning at 239-240-5847 loudunning2@gmail.com or Sue Cook At 239-634-8485 cook19621@comcast.net

ANOTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Hurricane Season is quickly approaching. We are looking for someone to coordinate the “Special Needs Program” – description: • Communicate with Lee County Special Needs coordinator. • Form a small committee (already have several interested). • Collect and review “Resident Surveys” that are handed out during New Resident Orientation. • Provide information to all residents and have applications available. • Help with applications when needed. Interested or want to know more? Contact Sue Cook – VP at 239-634-8485 or cook19621@comcast.net.

LOANER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes, Potty chairs, Shower seats and Crutches are available for community residents.

Call one of the following: Frank Millette 239-543-2954,

Joan Musso 856-498-0261, or Lorraine Milligan 239-731-0346

Please remember to return the items you borrow clean when you are finished, so that other residents may have use of them also.

We will gratefully accept donations of equipment in good working condition.

Thank you.

JOKES

A man was walking down the street when he was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless man who asked him for a couple of dollars for dinner.

The man took out his wallet, extracted ten dollars and asked, “If I give you this money, will you buy some beer with it instead of dinner?”

“No, I had to stop drinking years ago,” the homeless man replied.

“Will you use it to go fishing instead of buying food?” the man asked.

“No, I don’t waste time fishing,” the homeless man said. “I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.”

“Will you spend this on greens fees at a golf course instead of food?” the man asked.

“Are you NUTS!” replied the homeless man. “I haven’t played golf in 20 years!”

“Will you spend the money on a woman in the red light district instead of food?” the man asked.

“What disease would I get for ten lousy bucks?” exclaimed the homeless man.

“Well,” said the man, “I’m not going to give you the money. Instead, I’m going to take you home for a terrific dinner cooked by my wife.”

The homeless man was astounded. “Won’t your wife be furious with you for doing that? I know I’m dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.”

The man replied, “That’s okay. It’s important for her to see what a man looks like after he has given up beer, fishing, golf, and sex.”

HOMELESS

I wanted to share this article with you that appeared in the Manchester Newspaper. I have been a volunteer with the New Horizons homeless shelter for seven years. New Horizons has served homeless clients in the city since 1973. Last year, the agency merged with Families in Transition; the combined organization runs an adult homeless shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry and women’s shelter.

The mission of Families in Transition was to provide housing for the needy. Many of the volunteers have found that the current transition was not working, and we saw an increase in the volume of homeless that were hanging out on the streets and hurting the businesses downtown, especially the restaurants. We have also noticed an increase in the number of young people that are homeless. The article below describes a meeting that the residents and volunteers had to brainstorm potential solutions to help solve the problem and offer a better atmosphere for the homeless.

City residents offer solutions to the city’s homeless challenges By Shawne K. Wickham

Families in Transition – New Horizons is seeking the public’s input on its plans to redevelop its Manchester Street facility. The first step was a “charrette” run this weekend by Plan NH, a nonprofit group whose volunteer members include architects, engineers and planners.

“Our objective is to create a place at the site to make it more appealing, welcoming and efficient, and to create a cohesive and coordinated neighborhood where New Horizons is a good neighbor and an element of the neighborhood that brings pride,” he said.

The plan the group came up with in just twenty-four hours would use the existing shelter building as a “dry,” or abstinence-based, dormitory for men and women as well as a dining area and a balcony for outdoor dining. The current food pantry would be replaced with a new, separate market where folks could shop and attend culinary classes.

Another new building would house a “wet” shelter – where clients are not required to abstain from alcohol – with separate floors for men and women and space for medical services.

Another goal, planners said, is to make the campus more a part of the surrounding neighborhood. They envisioned opening a barber shop and salon in street-level storefronts, installing artwork and murals, and planting trees with benches underneath along the city streets.

Local business owners, residents, storekeepers and clients of the shelter weighed in. And while many offered positive suggestions, some complained about the impact of the shelter on their businesses.

And that’s what they tried to do, Sturtevant said Saturday. “We thought big,” he said. “Don’t get scared of that. There’s a way to break this down and look at it strategically, so that over time this larger vision can be realized.”