Verandah View
Bicycle, Golf Cart And Pedestrian Safety Within Verandah
Keeping people safe and preventing accidents is even more of a priority for property managers and community boards than for typical municipalities. Keeping people safe in Verandah is a priority for all of us. As Verandah builds out, we offer the following thoughts:
• Share the road – Motorists should be aware and courteous to people riding bikes and crossing the street.
• Bicycles are allowed on all pathways and streets but not on any golf cart paths within the golf course.
• If you’re walking a pet on a sidewalk, please keep the leash short so that no one gets caught in it.
• Bicycles in the street are subject to the same rules as a vehicle. When on the road please ride with traffic, single
file, on the right side of the road; yield to pedestrians in crosswalks; obey all street signs and use hand signals when turning or stopping.
• Bicycles are very quiet, so please always announce your approach. Ring your bell or simply call out “On your left / on your right!” to avoid startling those you are approaching and possibly causing a collision.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to always be aware of your surroundings especially when talking on the phone or listening to music.
• Golf carts cannot drive on the sidewalks as it is illegal in Florida, unless it is a golf cart path.
• Golf carts are not allowed on our roadways based on
The Verandah’s Show Choir
The Swing Singers
What do you do when you have people who love to sing, have time on their hands and an interest in making friends and having fun? You form a choir!
In 2015 a group of Verandah residents came together and formed what is known as a show choir. A show choir, popularized by the American television show Glee, is a musical ensemble that combines choral singing – usually pop, jazz, or Broadway style music – with choreographed dance, comedy and an overarching theme. It’s the perfect mix of music, dance and crowd-pleasing appeal.
The original idea in Verandah was for a mixed gender group but only women came to the information session. Most had sung in church or high school choirs but rarely in a show choir, so it was new and unchartered territory. That original group of 20 women became the Verandah Swing Singers.
The group first performed at a Verandah holiday party singing a simple program of six songs with matching choreography. From that point on, the group produced bigger and more extravagant shows, adding costumes, elaborate stories and set designs to their singing and dancing. Talent in the group included choreographers, artists, writers, and comics who joined together to make the performances a true team effort. Since 2015, the Swing Singers have produced eight shows. From a simple show early on called The Girl Groups
of the ’60s to an audience participation murder-mystery called A Night at the Copa, to last year’s fun variety presentation The Ed Hullivan Show . Response from the Verandah community has been overwhelming, with shows selling out in under five minutes.
The Verandah Swing Singers take enormous pride in their productions and the camaraderie they’ve fostered over the years. They work hard with two rehearsals every week and practice time on their own. The musical arrangements they perform are high quality and complex. The choreography adds additional complexity but also elevates the performance to a standard the Swing Singers are known for. The comedy intertwined in all the shows is the secret ingredient, making the performances especially fun for the Verandah community.
a developer restriction. Such restrictions are often used by developers to protect the value of the property. Since there is a restriction, it is the responsibility of the VCA to enforce it or risk being exposed to liability. Please note that this does not apply to VCA registered LSVs, who occupy the space between a golf cart and an automobile. Using these commonsense approaches and abiding by the restrictions in our covenants will provide a safer environment for all.
Florida Highway Safety website – Bicycles and Pedestrians Florida Statute Governing Bicycles: https:// www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/bicyclepedestrian-safety/
promises to be another fun night of music, comedy, and dance, so stay tuned!
In March, the Swing Singers will present this year’s extravaganza The Swing Singers Sing the ’70s! It
For those who are interested in finding out more about the group, the Swing Singers advertise for new members as needed each year in the spring. If you are interested in auditioning for the group, further information will be available in April.
Replacement Hardwood Trees Installed On Verandah Boulevard
You may have seen a large number of new trees installed along the boulevard. These are the hardwood replacements for trees knocked down by Hurricane Ian , and failed trees that have been damaged, struck by lightning or diseased. Exposure, utilities avoidance and aesthetics were all taken into consideration for placement of the new trees.
Eighty-three trees have been installed in our communal areas and many of them are flowering trees, including: Golden Rain Tree, Oaks, Shady Lady, Yellow and Pink Tabebuia, African Tulip, Gumbo Limbo, Royal Poinciana, Bottle Brush.
We are fortunate to have had the guidance of Al O’Donnell, who worked in concert with VCA staff and VCA Landscape Committee,
to determine the optimal tree choices and placement for the new hardwoods.
Al O’Donnell is an award-winning landscape architect who was responsible for much of the original Verandah landscape design, including the preservation and relocation of the majestic Live Oaks that grace our main entrance gate and other areas in the community.
The trees will probably not be in full flower this year, but be patient, a beautiful display is on the way.
Royal Poinciana Tree
Pink Tabebuia Tree
Yellow Tabebuia Tree
Golden Rain Tree
African Tulip Tree
Verandah Fitness And Court Sports News – March
By Leslie Larson, Director of Wellness and Lifestyle
Hours Of Operation:
(Season Hours through April)
Monday To Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday And Sunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Key Card Access: 5 To 8 p.m., daily
2024 Tennis And Pickleball Singles Club Championships Tournament
Congratulations to the 2024 Tennis and first-timeever Pickleball Singles Club Champions!
The weather was not in our favor with all the unexpected rain this season, but Mother Nature came through with gorgeous cool, sunny days when the final matches were held.
In the Ladies’ Tennis Singles, Susan DesJardine, who has won the event numerous times in the past, took the win again this year, against the great Julie LeVan. Relative newcomers to Verandah Tennis, Chad Carithers and Dave Marston, battled it out in the finals for the men’s division, where Carithers took the overall win.
The first Verandah Pickleball Singles Tournament consisted of only a men’s division. A duel ensued between Ray Lucchetti and Jim Yurchuk in the finals, with Lucchetti taking home the gold.
Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to the doubles and mixed doubles tournaments in the upcoming months. Thank you to all the participants and supporters!
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Upcoming Events
Verandah Tennis And Pickleball Mixed Doubles Club Championships
Pickleball Tournament: Friday, March 22
Tennis Tournament:
Thursday, March 21 to Saturday, March 23
Mixed Doubles Knockout Tournament with a consolation draw
Flighted: A (4.0 and up), B (4.0 - 3.5), C (3.0 and down)
$15 Per Person | Free for spectators
Register on www.VerandahLife.com under the event calendar.
Registration deadline is March 15 at 9 a.m.
Court Sports End Of Season Dinner Party And Ceremony
Tuesday, March 26, Dinner And Drinks Is In The River House From 5 To 8 p.m.
This year we decided to have one big end-of-season party for all the court sports all at once. Come enjoy dinner and drinks with your fellow tennis, pickleball, and bocce players as we also re-announce the winners from this year’s Verandah tournaments. This includes Tennis and Pickleball singles, doubles, and mixed doubles tournaments, as well as the winners of this year’s Bocce League season. For more information and to R.S.V.P. please go to the event calendar on www.verandahlife.com You must R.S.V.P. by March 24. Limited to 225 reservations.
Contact Leslie Larson for questions: LeslieL@ Verandah.com
Al Ullio • Margo Williams • Joe Yapello
Bonnie Yapello • Becky Pruitt Mailing Operations Director Selina Koehler
Production Manager Lee Nostrant
Production Department
Elaine Donholt • Ruth Nekoranec • Katie Heystek Sherry Whalon • Dianne Strout • Karen Kalisz www.seabreezecommunications.com
Ladies’ Tennis Singles: From left to right, (runner-up) Julie LeVan and (winner) Susan DesJardine
Men’s Tennis Singles: From left to right, (runner-up) Dave Marston and (winner) Chad Carithers
Men’s Pickleball Singles: From left to right, Jim Yurchuk (runner-up) with (winner) Ray Lucchetti
All About Verandah
An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other living organisms, along with the weather and landscape, work together to form a “bubble of life.” The wide variety of climate conditions in Florida create more than 80 different ecosystems.
Fort Myers has a unique and thriving natural environment. Southwest Florida’s ecosystem includes freshwater and landbased systems such as ponds and sloughs, sawgrass marshes and wet prairies. Visit our nearby Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, consisting of 3,400 acres of wetlands populated by a diversity of plant and animals, some of which are on the endangered list.
Southwest Florida also has coastal ecosystems, e.g., bays, mangroves and saline marshes, beaches and dunes. In Verandah we have nearly 80 lakes and ponds and the Orange River, a tributary of the Caloosahatchee River that meanders around Verandah’s towering oak trees and other greenery.
Our freshwater and terrestrial systems are greatly influenced by the amount and frequency of rainfall. We average 60 inches of rainfall/year. Our higher areas are seldom flooded and support pine forests, hardwood hammock forests, and grasslands. Low areas that are flooded part of the year are wetlands and swamp systems. Many of the plants and animals in Verandah are adapted to and dependent on the seasonal fluctuations of freshwater levels. During our wet season (June to September) aquatic plants flourish. Small crustaceans and fish feed on the growing and decaying plants. This biomass becomes a rich source of food for larger fish, alligators, snakes, birds, and mammals.
The Fort Myers area is home to an abundance of wildlife, including a wide variety of birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals. The Atlantic Flyway stretches from Maine to Florida and from the eastern seaboard to the Appalachian Mountains, making Southwest Florida home for over 500 species of birds. The largest groups of resident birds belong to the heron, egret, gull, and tern species groups. Examples of other common birds in Verandah include osprey, anhinga, and double-crested cormorant. If birding is high on your list of things to do, check out the Scavenger Hunt on the VCA webpage under Things/ Fun things to Do. It shows the common birds, and animals as well, that live amongst us and identifies them for you.
Alligators are reptiles that Verandah residents have come to know well. Alligators are an ancient species, more than 150 million years old, who managed to avoid extinction 65 million years ago when their prehistoric contemporaries, the dinosaurs, died off. They are carnivores and eat only meat. They are common in rivers and lakes, sunning themselves on shorelines or hidden below the surface with only their eyes exposed. They appear lazy and slow but can exhibit incredible bursts of speed. Keep your distance.
Another common Florida reptile are snakes. The Southern Black Racer is the most common snake in Southwest Florida. It averages between 2 and 4 feet and is known to move with extraordinary quickness. These nonvenomous snakes are basically harmless, although they have been known to bite when cornered.
We would be remiss if we did not mention our large and graceful manatees. These massive mammals play a critical role maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. To learn more about these fascinating creatures, visit the nearby Manatee Park, a warm water refuge for the Florida Manatee. Optimum viewing months are late December, January, and February when the gulf temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
An ecosystem’s health depends on a delicate balance among all its members and the environment. If something disturbs the balance, the ecosystem and all its members may suffer. For example, the introduction of exotic plants and animals in Southwest Florida has altered parts of our natural systems. Exotic species often compete with and ultimately replace native ones and thus will drastically change ecosystems. Perhaps the most dramatic invasion is the rapid spread of cajeput, Australian pine
and Brazilian pepper – which is found throughout Verandah. The populations of many of south Florida’s wildlife species have declined. Currently, Florida has over 100 plant and animal species listed as either Threatened or Endangered.
forget that we are part of the
that we
A Fun Night At Denim And Diamonds
The VWSC Welcomes Back New York Times And Internationally
Bestselling Author, Speaker And Coach Sarah Penner
Thursday, March 28
5 To 7:30 p.m., The River House
Last year Sarah Penner had us spellbound as she described the journey of writing her first bestseller The Lost Apothecary
Sarah returns with her newest and instant bestseller The London Séance Society.
Taking place in 1873 in an abandoned chateau on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place. Join us as Sarah takes us inside the story and shares her inspiration.
Whether you’ve read the book or not, you will enjoy Sarah’s passion, humor, and engaging personality.
Sarah will be signing copies of The London Séance Society
There will be a very limited number of books available to purchase at the event. You are highly encouraged to pick up a copy of your own before the event and bring it along.
More details are available on the VWSC.club or Verandah.com website.
This is a ladies only event sponsored by the Verandah Women’s Social Club.
Welcome Back Verandah Neighbors!
15th
Verandah Garage Sale
Friday, March 15, 8 a.m. To 2 p.m. And Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. To Noon, Furniture Sold March 11 To 14, 10 a.m. To 3 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Social Center, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd.
(Between
Verandah’s Two Gates)
Donated items accepted Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from March 5 to 13.
We accept clean and marketable items in good condition such as: furniture, lamps, rugs, toys, clothing in perfect condition, bikes, kitchen supplies, dishes, linens and bedding, tools, lawn care items, golf and sports equipment, shoes, etc. Only collectible books such as coffee table books or cookbooks can be accepted. Mattresses are only accepted with donated beds, and if they are like new. Direct questions to sharoncoburn@comcast.net.
We cannot accept armoires, phones, tube-type TVs, custom draperies, light fixtures, chandeliers, liquids, or paperback or random books (only cookbooks or collectibles).
Electronics must be current, power on, and have appropriate remote.
New eBay: This year we are putting smaller valuables on ebay before the sale to maximize the amount of your donation. If you have small items of value that you are donating, we can take them now. Collectibles like Lladro, Lenox, Waterford, Hummel, Precious Moments, and similar, as well as sets of books like Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc., will sell. Send a picture and a description to sharoncoburn@comcast.net , and our expert will determine if it is appropriate for eBay.
To Volunteer: Men and women are needed March 5 to 8 and 11 to 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sale days are March 15 and 16 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Consider giving an hour or a full day of your time for this great cause. Email gsvolunteer@icloud.com Teens’ service hours awarded.
Furniture pickup. Please send a photo with description and dimensions to Debby at pivad@icloud.com. We appreciate donations of gently used furniture. We will arrange pickup, if needed, on or about March 6.
All proceeds go to charity. This event is cosponsored with St. Vincent de Paul, who share the proceeds with our designated charities: local food pantries, Blessings in a Backpack (who provide food for neighboring elementary school children on the weekends when they might otherwise go hungry), St. Martin de Porres, etc. Any donated items that do not sell are given to St. Matthew’s House, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Immokalee Pregnancy Center, Labelle Kiwanis, and others.
Come and shop! Mark your calendar to shop for bargains at the sale. We price to sell!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Bromeliads In The Landscape
By Barbara Watson, Florida Master Gardener, Member, VCA Landscape Committee
Bromeliads, adding beauty and variety, have become a staple in the South Florida landscape. Most bromeliads are tropical or subtropical in origin and thrive on warmth and humidity, making them a perfect fit for the Florida garden. They can be grouped in mass, grown singularly as an accent, or vertically attached to a tree. They pair attractively with other tropical plants such as crotons, philodendrons, palms, and succulents.
There are over a thousand different varieties of bromeliads ranging in size, shape, color, and texture. Sixteen native varieties, the familiar Pineapple and Spanish Moss are all included in the Bromeliad family.
When choosing your bromeliad, select one that matches the amount of light your plant location will receive. The incorrect amount of light can affect the color, leaf shape and growth rate of your bromeliad. The light requirement for bromeliads ranges from full sun to full shade and there is a variety of choices.
Moisture is another important consideration. Bromeliads absorb water and nutrients through their leaves and the cup at the base of their leaves. The roots of the plant function as an anchor only. Root rot can occur if the soil becomes soggy and does not drain properly.
Our sandy soil provides good drainage and is an excellent medium for growing bromeliads.
Bromeliads are relatively pest-free. Snails can sometimes be a problem, hiding in the base of the leaves or in the cup. Also, during our hot summers, water in the bromeliad’s cup can provide a breeding spot for mosquitoes. This can be controlled by flushing the cup out periodically to get rid of the mosquito larvae.
Bromeliads only bloom once, followed by a 1 to 2 year slow death. However, during this time pups will continue to be produced. Remove the pups when they are about onethird the size of the parent plant. Plant the pups for continued bromeliad enjoyment or share with a friend or neighbor.
Stacey Deffenbaugh Meyer spoke at a Verandah Community University event on Jan. 22 about her life as broadcast journalist, restauranteur and charity circuit emcee. Her riveting talk to a crowd of over 85 people was fascinating and inspiring. Two attendees won gift cards to Stacey’s restaurant, F.M. Don’s in Punta Gorda.
Let’s Go To Dinner
Burntwood Tavern
Well, Let’s Go To Happy Hour
We had dinner at The Bell Tower location a few times before we figured out what the draw was. Happy Hour (every day 3 to 6 p.m.) is the deal. All appetizers are $8 and they have some great ones. I can recommend Calamari which is served with both a Pomodoro sauce and a lemon Aioli, (skip the Pomodoro, and go for the Aioli). The Crispy Shrimp Tacos are a must have. They are lightly seasoned with a Cajun dust and combined with slaw, queso fresco, crispy jalapeno, pico de gallo and a cilantro lime crema. I also like the flatbreads. The Margherita and Pepperoni are worth trying, skip the Buffalo chicken.
This restaurant has seasonal specials. Last summer, the first time we tried this restaurant, I was looking for a new place to dine and their special was Soft Shell Crabs. “Get dressed, we are going to Burntwood Tavern.” I love Soft Shell Crabs! They did not disappoint. If you want more than appetizers, there are two I can recommend. The French Dip Sandwich is one I can recommend. The meat is roasted in house with Swiss cheese, horseradish sauce and au jus. Make sure you get
Recipe Corner
Ginger Snap’s Robust Italian
Beef Stew
Serves 8.
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 pounds chuck roast trimmed, boned, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large onions, finely minced
1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 1/4 cups beef stock
4 (14 1/2-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes, with juices
3/4 cup Nicoise olives pitted and chopped
4 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
4 red bell pepper cut into 1/4 inch wide strips
1 cup dry red wine
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1/6th of beef and brown on all sides, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer beef to bowl using a slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining olive oil and beef in 5 more batches. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and Italian parsley to Dutch oven and cook until onion is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Stir in chopped garlic, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon and allspice. Return beef to Dutch oven and stir to coat with onion and spice mixture. Add red wine and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer mixture for 15 minutes. Add beef stock and simmer 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, mix in olives
the fries, they are some of the best I have ever had, and being an Irish girl, I know my potatoes. Another dinner featured is the Chicken Milanese. This dish is served with spinach, capers, tomatoes and is topped with a beurre blanc sauce. This entree comes with crispy Yukon potatoes, substitute those for those yummy fries.
Burntwood Tavern has two locations, Bell Tower Mall at 13499 South Cleveland Ave., No. 241, Fort Myers and Gulf Coast Town Center at 10035 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers. Cheers, from Ginger Snap
and rosemary. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until beef is tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 1/2 hours. Add bell pepper, cover and cook until just tender, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared l day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Serve over polenta, orzo or buttered noodles.
St. Patty’s Day Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe
Ingredients
3 large avocados (I recommend California Hass avocados.)
2 large cucumbers
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (with the “Mother”)
Salt and pepper
Instructions
1. Cut the avocados in quarters lengthwise. The pit should fall out or easily twist out. Score it into dice and scoop out with a spoon into a medium bowl.
2. Peel cucumbers and dice. Add to bowl.
3. Toss salad with apple cider vinegar and
and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Anita O’Reilly, Jim Ringstrom and Diane
Many
for a raffle. Proceeds from the raffle totaled almost $1,700 and went to support
Verandah Pets Of The Month
These are The Citrus Creek Biewer Terrier buddies. Winfield (on the right) is the first Biewer Terrier on Citrus Creek. Owned by Cindi Dodenhoff, he is 1 1/2 years old and weighs in at a whopping 8 pounds! Then came Millie, owned by Kathie Krainak. He is one and weighs only 4.9 pounds. These babies attract attention everywhere they go since they’re so rare. They are energetic, sweet, smart, friendly, sit-in-your-lap dogs ranging from 4 to 8 pounds.
The breed began in Germany in the 1980s when Werner and Gertrude Biewer started producing Tricolor Yorkies mixed with the dominant traits of Havanese/Bichon Frise and Maltese. Fun fact: This is the first breed in history recognized as a purebred as a result of a genetic study. They were added to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2021.
A beloved pet’s photo, whether dog, cat, horse, bird, or fish, will be featured in the Verandah View Pet of the Month. Resident owners can send in a photo with a pet’s name, owner’s name, type of pet, and one sentence about their pet, by texting Shamey at (724) 355-2478. Pet photos will be randomly chosen from all entries – big or small. All our pets are beautiful to their owners.
The Verandah Art Gala was a huge success, despite the terrible weather, the River House was packed. The Art Gala included a variety of artwork; painting, sculpture, mixed-media, and photography. Participating artists, all Verandah residents, included Alice Borowsky, Janice Cywin, Rich Dobuski, Beverly Drucker, Anne Harrison, Joe Kobinsky, Mary McCarthy, Charlotte Mertz,
Young.
of the artists donated artwork
the Verandah Sew & Sews.
BUY BEFORE BYE!
Heading back north for the summer? Well, tour Neal's model homes now, choose a new home and we'll have it ready when you come back next season! That's right, work with our expert team of Verandah Sales Associates now to choose your homesite, floorplan & options and we'll keep you updated on the progress of your home along the way. Come back next season to a fresh new home in the same community you love, Verandah!