Important Changes To The Heron Newspaper
By Becky Gignac, Newspaper Coordinator, Herons Glen
Yes, changes are coming to our Herons Glen community newspaper, The Heron . The newspaper staff wanted to share with the residents the sequence of events for this change.
Our delivery coordinators, Rick and Pat Scharf, needed to retire. We have been unsuccessful in our attempts to replace them.
Our only alternative was to obtain the necessary approvals to place hard copies of the newspaper in strategic locations around the community and communicate this as soon as possible. The locations are as follows:
• HOA Office (table outside)
• HGRD Office
• Pro Shop
• Library – Card Room B
• Fitness Center
During this period, our publisher, Seabreeze, informed us that they were under new ownership and changes would be forthcoming to The Heron.
A conversation with the new owner revealed that they were in the process of moving to a new online-only,
user-friendly/interactive magazine format, not a PDF file. There is no firm start date, but Seabreeze indicated it to be sometime this fall (September – November).
Seabreeze has always provided our newspaper for free with a four-page limitation. Seabreeze profits by selling advertisements/flyer insertions. The HOA allows us to purchase extra pages for our newspaper near the end of the peak season in April and May when we have more articles than usual. However, with this new online magazine format, we will have unlimited space for free. The new 8½ x 11-inch format can be easily printed.
We will keep the community updated as we know more about this new magazine. For now, pick up a newspaper at any of the five locations to keep informed about what is going on in our community. Or go to the HOA site for an electronic copy at http://hggcc.com/ hghoa/files/newspaper.htm.
We realize some of our residents are not online, so please share this information with your neighbors and friends here in Herons Glen.
For further inquiries, please send an email to hgnewspaper@gmail.com.
Model Sailing In The Glen
By Thomas Myers, Herons Glen
Sailing in the Glen began in September 2012 when the Board approved the sailing activity with all rights. Pictured is the first class of RC boat we sailed called Victoria, sail number 37, and our most recent addition, a Dragon Flite 95, sail number 88. In the beginning, we had permission to sail and a location but no radio-controlled boats. We knew to be successful we needed to build boats for members. Few members were willing to buy a kit and build a ready-to-sail boat, so we started to build Victoria kits. We built some for inventory and some on demand for a total of 26.
The Victoria class boat is 30 inches long, weighs 4.5 pounds, and is an older design but a popular boat in the radio control sport.
The Vic kit is “bare bones,” requiring buying and building servo and holders, replacing the heavy aluminum mast and booms, and revising all the rigging. It took about 20 hours to complete the build to upgrade the sailing performance. Seven years ago, we noticed the Naples Club was building a fleet of a new class of boats called Dragon
The Dog Days Of Summer
By Candace Huetteman, Herons Glen
What and when are the Dog Days of Summer? According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Dog Days are the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the summer solstice in late June. They are usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season. Some think it’s a reference to the hot, sultry days that are “not fit for a dog,” and others suggest that it’s the time of the year when the extreme heat drives dogs mad.
Flite (DF) 95. They had a fleet of 30 boats and were adding boats each month. The DF95 is 38 inches long, weighs 5.5 pounds, and is an excellent sailing boat. We bought two DF95 kits to see how they compared to our Vics. While the Vic build was fairly extensive, the DF95 kit required only assembly, no building or buying parts, and about four hours to complete. We were impressed with the sailing performance and assembly time. We asked the club members if they would be interested in a new class of boat, and 12 said yes. We bought a dozen DF95 kits, reserved a craft room, and had a good time assembling all the boats and celebrated a new class of boats to the pond. The introduction of DF95s left some Vics idle, and the resale market was poor.
We continue to sail a few Vics, but the majority prefer the sailing performance of the DF95. New members can buy and assemble DF95 kits, or if they prefer, the club will sell assembled kits when available. Come visit us at the pond. We sail Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon. Spectators are always welcome.
Like most things, there are numerous theories and superstitions surrounding the Dog Days. In Ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, war, disaster, and unrest. It was when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat. This period of sweltering weather coincides with when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at sunrise. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris. Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, not including our sun. The rising of super-bright Sirius and our sun was thought to be the cause of these extreme temperatures. The name “Sirius” even stems from the Ancient Greek seirios, meaning “scorching.”
But, unlike the Greeks who dreaded Sirius’ appearance, the ancient Egyptians welcomed the dawn rising of Sirius (to them known as Sothis). Each year the Nile flooded, usually beginning in late June. The people welcomed this event, called “Inundation,” because the floodwaters brought rich soil needed to grow crops in what was otherwise a desert.
Of course, we know today that the dawn rising of Sirius does not actually affect weather here on Earth, but its appearance during the hottest time of the year ensures that the myths surrounding the star live on today.
Scanning the globe and seeing all of the wildfires, tornadoes, floods, droughts, and earthquakes that we are experiencing worldwide, should we anticipate a time when we will no longer refer to “The Days of Summer,” but to “The Dog Days of Climate Change”?
Article Deadlines For The Heron
Issue Month/Year Date Due To The Heron
August 2024 Sunday, July 20
September 2024 Saturday, August 17
Articles should be sent to HGNewspaper@gmail.com
Editorial Staff Volunteers
Becky Gignac Newspaper Coordinator
The HOA Communications Committee serves as the supervisory body for The Heron per Article IX of our by-laws.
Christine Kozak is the committee liasion from the HOA Board of Directors.
The Heron Editorial Policy is on file in the HOA office. Articles for The Heron may be dropped off or mailed to The HOA Office, 2250 Herons Glen Blvd., N. Fort Myers, FL 33917 or emailed to hgnewspaper@gmail.com.
Transportation
By Jack Cotter, Herons Glen
The Veterans of the Glen Outreach Committee and Friends Helping Friends Transportation Committee have joined in a partnership to help Herons Glen residents who are in need of transportation for medical appointments, prescription pickup, grocery shopping or some other essential transportation need. Please do not call for rides to/from airport.
Beginning in May, residents may call a volunteer from the following list (Note: A 24-hour advanced notice would be very helpful.)
Jack Cotter (860) 490-2183 (Committee Chair)
Kathleen Colletti (239) 822-1573
Trish Chesnov (631) 334-1315
Nick Dinoto (301) 807-4580
Bruce Johnson (716) 472-3860
Jim Noffsinger (270) 881-7640
Dave Wingert (573) 552-2030
Mike Zarella (541) 292-2714
Community News
Coming Soon
7/10 Singles
Activities Room “A”
7/11 Farmers’ Market Parking Lot
7/11 Ron Lorenzo Restaurant
7/13 Pool Party Pool
7/18 Farmers’ Market Parking Lot
7/18 Double Dare
7/20 Trivia
7/21 Scoops Ice Cream
7/25 Farmers’ Market
7/25 Jay Smith
8/1 Farmers’ Market
8/1 Sunset Duo
8/8 Farmers’ Market
8/8
8/14 Singles
8/15
8/15
8/20 Primary Election
8/22
8/22 Jay Smith
8/24 Trivia
8/29 Farmers’ Market
Lot
Lot
Lot
Lot
Room “A”
Lot
8/29 Cahlua & Cream Restaurant
Welcome
Kim Kitko and Michael Brown
Marcy and Richard Dion
Gregory Good
John Harbour
Karma Cardin and Bruce Legan
Jean Mott
Wendy Murray and Phillip Bondi
Lin Sutter
Mary Jo Weier and Robert Weier
In Memoriam
Vivian Gomez
HOA And HGRD Schedule Of Meetings
The following is a listing of HOA and HGRD meetings known at the time of publication. As these dates are subject to change, please check the Herons Glen website calendar and the community channel for updates.
Calendar Of HOA Meetings In July
All committee meetings are via Zoom/HOA Conference Room unless noted otherwise.
7/9 Architectural Review Committee, 9 a.m.
7/10 Board Meeting, 5 p.m.
7/11 Newspaper Meeting, 10 a.m.
7/11 Grounds Committee, 1 p.m.
7/17 Communications Committee, 1 p.m.
7/23 Architectural Review Committee, 9 a.m.
7/25 Finance Committee, 1:30 p.m.
Calendar Of HGRD Meetings In July And August
All committee meetings are via Zoom/Card Room C unless noted otherwise.
7/15 Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m
8/5 Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.
8/6 Golf Committee, 9 a.m.
8/15 Finance Committee, 10 a.m.
Community Interests
Our Changing Butterfly Garden
By Duane Parkinson, Herons Glen
How was the beautiful Butterfly Garden created? First, our HG Recreation District gave us (Butterfly Society) this little earthly piece of heaven to make the garden. The society and garden are not funded by the HGRD or HOA; we are funded by annual club membership dues and fundraising opportunities. Please join us in October for our season opener as we have many things planned to celebrate. Contact Kim Basile at (443) 253-5062 for more information about the society, garden, and upcoming events.
The Butterfly Garden is used by many people for a myriad of purposes. Lots of people just go to the garden to relax, chill out, think, meditate, pray, be close to nature, whatever. The garden is an extremely relaxing place to do just that. How can you be uptight when you are surrounded by the serenity of nature?
Others go to the garden because they enjoy butterflies and the plants they utilize for food and protection for their eggs. The garden is verdant with its rich colors from the vegetation. And the plants are much larger than just a few months ago – this is the growth-rich climate of Southwest Florida, after all. The garden looks amazing, thanks to a group of very dedicated volunteers in the Garden Society. They have done a tremendous amount of work in weeding the beds, trimming the vegetation, keeping the garden neat, replacing needed plant life, etc., for your enjoyment.
Have you gone there and seen a butterfly and wondered, “What is the name of that beautiful creature? I wish I knew….” When I was there this morning, I saw at least a dozen different butterfly species, ranging from the very common monarch to skippers, fritillaries, sulfurs, swallowtails, and our Florida state butterfly, the Zebra Heliconian (shown in the attached photograph). However, the society has added something to help all of us – a very large identification plaque showing different kinds of butterflies native to Lee County, complete with photographs and some information about
Photos by Dick Muller
Karen Jessop - Editor Linda Lynch - Editor
Pam Scheid - Editor
Rick and Pat Scharf Delivery Coordinators
Jack Nelson - Editor
Sue McCoy - Editor Denise Johnson - Editor
Zebra Heliconian butterfly
Butterfly Garden on page 3
Sandhill Crane metal sculptures
Butterfly Garden from page 2
each of them. So now, you can go to the garden and know the name of that butterfly. Additionally, the volunteers have added name labels to many of the plants in the garden.
To entice the artistic residents of the Glen to visit the garden, the Butterfly Society has added two Sandhill Crane metal sculptures. The society members are enabling us to be encouraged about many different kinds of nature and art. Thank you, Butterfly Society members.
If you’ve not visited the garden lately, please take a few minutes to come to the garden soon. The serenity of the garden will influence you as the butterflies and other kinds of insects flit around looking for food and shelter. Take some time to sit on the garden benches. Enjoy. Smile. Relax.
New signage
Pet Profile
By Sue McCoy, Herons Glen
Callie and April are a mother-daughter duo recently adopted by Bob and Sue McCoy. Callie is ten years old and weighs ten pounds, and April is eight years old and weighs 16 pounds.
April was born deaf and therefore kept with her mother, who lets her know what’s going on. They were previously owned by a breeder who surrendered them to Cavalier Rescue USA in January of this year.
and April
Cavalier Rescue USA is a nationwide rescue effort staffed by volunteers who specialize in the rescue and rehoming of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cavvies, as they are affectionately known, are a British breed of toy dog of spaniel type. They are known for their smaller size, silky coat, and loving nature. Four colors are recognized: Blenheim, tricolor, black and tan, and ruby. Callie and April are Blenheim. Since Callie and April were surrendered in Nashville and the McCoys were in Florida, the rescue organization
contacted Pilots n’ Paws to request transport. On February 18, 2024, Callie and April were flown from Nashville to Macon, GA by one volunteer pilot. The second leg of their journey was from Macon to Ocala, FL by another volunteer pilot. Finally, they flew from Ocala to Page Field in Ft. Myers. At each stop, they were exercised, watered, and given a snack. The pilots all reported they flew without distress and seemed to sleep most of the way.
After their long journey to their forever home, Callie and April settled in very easily. Despite being owned by a breeder, they are house-trained and walk well on a leash. They are friendly to all dogs and people. Bob and Sue are very happy to have them as part of their family.
If you have a pet you would like featured in a future issue of The Heron, please contact Sue McCoy at sumac61021@gmail.com.
In Case You Missed It … Highlights From The HOA Weekly Bulletins
From Your HOA Communications Committee
This listing highlights important articles covered in recent HOA Herons Glen Weekly Bulletins distributed by email to residents listed with the HOA Office. These issues affect every property owner, their renters, vendors and guests.
The articles are intended to help residents better understand the actual requirements for our restricted community and may also include safety information. Reading about and understanding these issues could eliminate an escalation of problems that may result in potential fines.
If you have questions about a subject, you can locate the full article from the bottom left link on the HOA website at http://hggcc.com/hghoa/files/office_news. html, then Click the link titled HOA News Bulletins, EXTRA! EXTRA! Or you can see the issues listed by date in the middle of the web page under HG HOA News from Management.
June 14 – Important Notice about Where to Get Copies of HG Newspaper (No Longer Being Delivered to Residences); Summer Safety Tips from SSEP
June 7 – Herons Glen HOA 4th Quarter Assessment Fees; Securing Your Garage Door; Fiber Optics Installation by CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber
May 31 – Hurricane Preparedness Information and Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays; New Herons Glen HOA Text Messaging Service
May 24 – HOA Volunteer Information
May 17 – Post Light Maintenance Standards and Owner Responsibilities; Emergency Contact Information for the HOA
May 10 – Hurricane Preparedness Information from SSEP; HGRD Community Lot Irrigation System (CLIS) Information; Links to Architectural Design & Development Guidelines and Related Standards and to Grounds Community Wide Landscape Standards and Related Standards
Please keep this reference guide in a location that’s easy for you to find when needed.
It’s Back!
The Herons Glen Craft Fair is returning on Nov. 2. Mark your calendars. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to shop for gifts, decor, jewelry and more.
The Nelson-Wright Hotel
By Jack Nelson, Herons Glen
Keith Wright was my best friend all through junior and senior high school. We sat next to each other in our classes. We fished together on the banks of the Erie Canal. We rode our bikes to local villages to see movies, go to the ice cream parlors, and watch firemen’s parades. We were inseparable.
It was late May in 1949, and Keith and I were finishing our junior year. On a balmy Saturday afternoon, we were traipsing through a clover patch not more than a quarter of a mile from our village, a small community in the middle of the fruit belt in western New York. We were hunting woodchucks with our trusty .22-caliber rifles.
As we made our way along the edge of the patch, our attention was captured by a gigantic maple tree. We judged its height to be at least 75 feet. It was a beautiful creation by Mother Nature. Then Keith came up with the idea of building a tree house in this giant maple. As soon as we returned to our abodes, we drew up a plan. The hut would be constructed on the lowest branches, which
were large enough to support a sizable structure, fifteen feet above the ground. We’d be plenty safe from lions and tigers and bears. We used a rope ladder to reach our construction site.
We formed out the floor, framed by 2x4s that we acquired from neighbors. The floor was four feet wide and seven feet long. Next came the flooring, which consisted of tongue-and-groove boards that we “borrowed” from an abandoned warehouse that belonged to the New York Central Railroad. We used two doors for the sides and more tongue-and-groove boards for the ceiling, which was four feet from the floor, plenty of room to sit up.
For one end, we used an old card table. We left the other end open for our entrance.
Keith’s next-door neighbor was kind enough to donate a twin-sized mattress, and our deluxe “hotel” was complete. But we weren’t satisfied with only our new abode. We wanted to expand our carpentry skills. We got daring as we climbed to within five feet of the very top of our maple, and the view was stunning. We could see the lift bridge and its adjoining tower, the church steeple, and the roof of our two-room schoolhouse where Keith and I attended grades one through six. Within two hours, we had constructed a four-foot-square platform; it was our lookout, like a crow’s nest on a ship. We estimated our platform to be sixty-five feet above the ground.
We put our hotel to good use. We played card games, drew pictures with crayons, and read books. We slept overnight on numerous occasions, using a kerosene lantern for our source of light. We ate lunches, and when we needed to use the bathroom, we did our business in nearby bushes. We invited friends to join us in our cozy hut, and they were very impressed with the quality of our construction.
We made frequent use of our hotel throughout our senior year, but after graduation, everything changed. Not unexpectedly, Keith and I went our separate ways, and sadly, our tree house became an empty nest. Fast forward to the 1970s. I was living in Pennsylvania now. My parents were still living in the same community
Callie
The McCoys picking up the dogs at the airport.
next to the Erie Canal. I visited them frequently, and I never failed to hike to that famous tree where Keith and I had so many fond memories. On a Saturday afternoon in mid-August 1974, I hiked to the site of the famous hotel. To my dismay, the tree was dying; only a few lower branches were showing green, and our house was gone. Only a few rotting boards were lying on the ground under the tree.
Fast forward again, this time to the early 1990s. The school was now being used for township nurses’ headquarters. The lift bridge was still busy rising to allow boats to pass under, and the warehouse that provided so much lumber for our tree house was torn down. I made my usual hike to the famous maple that housed the greatest tree home in history… and it was gone, vanished, nowhere in sight.
And the lumber that lay on the ground rotting away was also gone. I nearly cried.
So, the Nelson-Wright Hotel was history, an idea from the past, but the memories of that pastoral and idyllic place will live on, to be cherished by my dear buddy and me for eternity.
Paws Parade Raffle Winner
Paws Parade Pet Portrait Raffle Winner Margie Luttrell with Mia, her new portrait, and Herons Glen artist Sue McCoy
Hints For Writing A Newspaper Article
By Linda Lynch, Herons Glen
You may be assigned the writing of an article for the Herons Glen newspaper about your organization’s event or activity, and you aren’t sure where to start. This article will give beginners, as well as more seasoned writers, some helpful tips.
First you need to gather notes with the who, what, when, where, why and how of the topic. If you are able to obtain some quotes from organizers or participants about the topic, that can add interest to your article. Once you have assembled all the information:
• Write an opening (lead) sentence for the article designed to grab the reader’s attention. This sentence
should provide a preview or teaser for the article, covering the basic facts without lots of elaboration.
• Add sentences/paragraphs with details about your story. Proceeding in chronological order is often the best approach. Elaborating on the who, what, when, where, why and how will give the reader a clear picture of all aspects of your story.
• Insert several quotes to summarize or emphasize key points of your story.
• Write a closing sentence or paragraph that wraps everything up and/or provides instructions on how to obtain additional information (contact name, phone and/ or email, Internet link, etc.). Sometimes a quote can be helpful in the closing.
• Create an informative and engaging headline. Where possible, relate to some key item in the article.
It might be helpful to know that some writers don’t start at the beginning and proceed through these steps as outlined above. Sometimes you can’t figure out how to start, so you can begin in the middle with the details about the story. That often helps you figure out what the opening should be and how to wrap the article up. In some instances, you can write the closing first and work backwards. Different topics and your own mindset may lend themselves to different approaches. Just keep in mind that when you’re done, you should have covered all the items listed above.
After you’ve written your first draft, go back and read it carefully to correct any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors. Check your article for specific and clear language, and avoid using the same words too many times. Be sure you haven’t included any inappropriate
biases. Try reading your article aloud to yourself as this can help you identify parts that are unclear or have excessive words or convoluted logic in your sentence structure. You can also ask a friend to review your copy before finalizing and submitting the article.
Some writers like to consult style manuals while writing. Popular ones include The Careful Writer by Theodore Bernstein, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer, The Chicago Manual of Style , and The New York Public Library Writer’s Guide to Style and Usage
Once you’ve submitted your article, don’t be offended if the editor makes revisions or changes. You’re focusing only on your article, while the editor is looking at the newspaper issue in its entirety with regard to content, article length and point of view.
No matter what, don’t let writing intimidate you. Just jump in and get started somewhere. With more experience, the process gets easier and more enjoyable. In fact, as you become a more experienced writer, your articles may deviate from the formula and display more creativity and more of your individual writing personality.
June Safety Tip 2024 –Summer Safety
By Craig J Woolley, Herons Glen
Stay Hydrated—Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out.
Protect Your Skin—Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade whenever possible.
Water Safety —Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the seashore, having someone who can help them – should an emergency arise – is essential.
Eye Safety—The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of year. Choose shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light.
Herons Glen
Official Sources For Information
Herons Glen Golf and Country Club website: http://hggcc.com
Herons Glen Homeowners Association website: http://heronsglenhoa.org
Herons Glen Recreation District website: https://heronsglencc.com
Herons Glen Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HeronsGlen
HOA weekly bulletin emails and online: http://www.hggcc.com/hghoa/files/office_news.html HGRD weekly newsletter emails and online: https://heronsglencc.com/group/pages/communications The Heron newspaper online: http://hggcc.com/hghoa/files/newspaper.htm Community TV Channels 901 and 902
Community Activities
Alpha Delta Mu Sorority Honors Al Marino
By Candace Huetteman, Herons Glen
Everybody knew Al. What a fun guy with endless stories to tell. Anyone who played bocce certainly will miss him. Al Marino was scheduled to go on the Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. on April 27 but due to illness he was unable to go and he died on May 2. Al served in the Marine Corps in Korea. In appreciation of his service, Alpha Delta Mu Sorority recently made a donation to The Collier County Honor Flight in Al’s name. This is only one example of how ADM reaches out to many local organizations. At the risk of sounding like that friend or relative who writes the Christmas letter and brags and brags and goes on and on, this family of sisters supports over 15 charities and organizations. These charities are Veteran-based, health-based, familybased, and youth based: Hearts and Homes, The Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Harry Chapin, Partners in Breast Cancer, ALS, All Souls Out Reach Program, Littleton School, The Military Heritage Museum and Island Coast School to mention only a few. We are proud to join our fellow sisters here in the Glen as Beta Sigma Phi continues to do so much to help the needy in our community and beyond. How can we be so generous and prosperous? Joy Venker collects, advertises, and sells furniture and household items that you, the residents of Herons Glen donate. The money goes directly to our charities. In addition, several sisters volunteer on site at the Veterans Hospital, All Souls, and The Community Co-op as well as at other locations in Lee County. While our sorority is service-based, we have plenty of time for fun. Seasonal celebrations, pool parties, community outings, luncheons and cultural trips can be found on our calendar.
Donation to Heritage Military Museum
Birds Of Herons Glen By Heidi Price
June 28 - August 10
Everyone’s favorite nanny is back! Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she helps teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of an irresistible story, breathtaking dance numbers and unforgettable songs such as Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Dates may be subject to change.
Rising above the shores of the Caloosahatchee River is Vista Cay, a collection of sophisticated waterfront residences featuring awe-inspiring vistas. For a limited time, future residents can choose their views and enjoy Shell Point’s resort amenities and award-winning lifecare while building is underway. This rare opportunity to select a new construction residence in Shell Point’s most renowned neighborhood won’t last long. Take a virtual tour, register for a seminar, or request an appointment by visiting MeetVistaCay.org.
