From The Master Board
By Steve Zielinski
Spring is Here!
There’s been a lot happening all season at VCC, and it seems that there have been more pool parties, block parties, and get-togethers than ever before. Let’s keep it up! Financially, VCC is now earning interest on our money, cutting fees, and simplifying the way we handle our reserves. Previously, our monies were in banks that only insured up to $250,000 (standard practice). Because there were larger amounts of money in each of several banks, the total amount was not FDIC insured. VCC money is now totally secure so that all funds are FDIC insured.
It has been a long arduous process to solidify our funds in banks that insure our funds and also provide interest accruing accounts to increase our capital. Special thanks to our present General Manager Sharon Pisanchyn, our
CCLGA News
By Karlene Reilly
This year’s CCLGA Championship tournament was one to remember.
On Thursday, March 7, the second day of our tournament, we started out on an overcast morning with rain predicted. There were three flights of 18 hole golfers and two flights of 9 hole players. The 18 holers started on the front 9 and the 9 holers on the back nine. At about 9:30, the heavens opened up. At first John Alfuth, our golf pro, told us to stay put on the course. A few minutes later he charged around to every hole and told the
outgoing Master Board (MB) members, and GSML for their efforts to produce financial stability.
ICON was terminated, and GSML (a CPA firm) was hired to get our financials in order. It has been a lengthy undertaking for them to get our monthly statements in order. The good news is that their efforts are paying off in that we now have accurate financials.
Welcome aboard to our new MB members: Lee Eisenberg, Denny Simonavice, Dawn Snodgrass, and Doug Wilson, who are joining current MB members Greg Bertke, Dave Hoffman, and Steve Zielinski. The new MB has elected as its president Denny Simonavice, Doug Wilson as its Vice President, and Greg Bertke as its Secretary. It is our focus to continue working to make VCC a wonderful, active lifestyle community which we all love and enjoy.
There are also plenty of new things going on in the Village of Estero that will make SWFL a vibrant destination over the next couple of years. Our Communication Committee will keep us updated in future Villager postings.
Don’t forget to load the Hotwire/Fision mobile phone apps so you can pick up VCC news while you are up North or traveling this summer.
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players to leave their golf balls where they were on the course and go immediately to the clubhouse. After a “pow wow” with the club officers, we were told that there would be an hour delay. We were then able to go home and change into dry clothes. The 9 holers were
CCMGA News
By Don Polulak
It has been a busy golf league season this past February and March. We just finished the Elmer Rawson Match Play Tournament, and a couple of weeks later we started to play our League Championship.
The winners of the Elmer Rawson Event were as follows:
• Blue Flight 1, Chris Migut. This was Chris’s first year playing in the Men’s League.
• Blue Flight 2, Mark Deery. Mark is a repeat winner having won in last year’s event.
• White Tee, Phil Beloin. Phil also won this event in 2022.
The winners in the Chuck Hunkins League Championship, which was a 2-day event, were as follows:
• Overall Champion with a low gross score of 132, Garry Kraemer. This was Garry’s 2nd Championship having won in 2022.
• Blue Flight 1, low net score of 116, Pete Buechner.
• Blue Flight 2, low net score of 126, Bob Maguire.
• White Flight, low gross winner with a score of 146 was Nick Neher.
• White Flight, low net with a score of 119 was John Mowrey.
Congratulations to all of you gentlemen!!
That marks the end of the MGA 2023 & 2024 tournaments. Thanks to all that participated. We hope you enjoyed the competition.
Mark your calendar for our last MGA golf and luncheon meeting on Friday, April 19.
A friendly reminder to park the golf carts on the golf path, and no golf carts are allowed on any of the par 3 fairways.
The Villages at Country Creek, Estero, FL
Left to right Chris Migut, Phil Beloin and Mark Deery Left to right Pete Buechner and Garry Kraemer
Bob Maguire
Left to right Nick Neher and John Mowrey
Left to Right: 18 Hole Flight
3 Winners Tootsie Hill, Low Gross; Lynda Waltho, Low Net
18 Hole Overall Winner Marianne Meola
Left to Right: 9 Hole Flight
1 Winners Cindy Feuerbach, Low Net; Janelle Booth Low Gross
9 Hole Flight 2 Winners Barbara Cipriano, Low Net; Not Pictured Dee Maguire, Low Gross
Left to Right: 18 Hole Flight
Winners Nancy Laser, Low Gross; Jackie Klein Low Net
Left to Right: 18 Hole Flight
2 Winners Teresa Hageman, Low Gross; Stephanie Butler, Low Net
Bocce News
By Patti O’Connor
As our VCC Bocce season was coming to an end, we had several teams trying to roll into first place. As of mid-March, the Bocce Bandits had taken the lead with 26 out of 33 games, followed by the Rascals with 24 wins. The Flamingos were in third place with 20 wins. The Delaware Destroyers, our new team with new players to the world of bocce, had done a great job, and in fourth place. With only a few games left to play, will the Bocce Bandits, who won last winter season keep their championship title another year, or will the Rascals out roll them to victory?
All VCC Bocce members want to send out a huge thank you to Jack Arvold, Dwain Hopper, Ron Williams, Jim Fischer, and Gerry Woods who would each week repair, roll and maintain the bocce courts at the park and at VCC. They ensured our courts were playable all season. Thank you so much gentlemen for taking the time to help the league and our community.
In addition, I would like to thank our captains for all their hard work during the season. You have been a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to working together again for our fall league, which will start in midOctober. A big thank you to Mike Halpin, Diana & Harry Burton, Jan Beckwith, Ron Hopkins, Tom VanDuyne, Sharon & Tom Boos, Bob Smith, Millie Willis, Mark & Sue Twombly, Wayne Canary, Ron Williams and Mary Anne and Nick Alicea.
Our award dinner to crown our champions was held on Tuesday, March 26 at our club house. Look for our champions and other pictures in the next edition.
News from page 1
instructed to finish their 9 holes and the 18 holers were told that they were to continue to play the front nine holes instead of the 18 holes.
A lively lunch with a menu consisting of chicken sandwiches, broccoli salad, fresh vegetables and chocolate chip cookies was served as we awaited the results of each flight. We then found out that the Championship had a tie and there would have to be a playoff. By the end of nine holes there was a tie between Marianne Meola and Nancy Laser. During the playoff, Marianne and Nancy had pars on Holes 1 and 2 forcing the playoff to move to Hole 3. Marianne made a beautiful putt from five feet for par to win the Championship.
Congratulations to Marianne as our League Champion!
The next event will be our Member/Member which will be held in April. The theme is “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Our chairpersons, Diana Burton and Melissa Mowrey, informed us that many games will be played on the course. There will be a Burger Bar for lunch and our “Margarita Fairy” will be waiting for us on Hole 9.
We are happy to report that our Charity Event donated $10,604 to “FK Your Diet” which helped support foster children. We thank everyone who participated and made this event so successful.
We are happy to report that Debbie Ver Way and Alison Vukojevic both had eagles and Betsy McLeod had a hole in one.
Nancy Laser, our representative to the Golf Committee, reminded us that we should use our divot repair tool while on the greens and fix our ball marks. This is important so that we continue to keep our greens in excellent condition.
Care Bears
By Karen Dougherty
Many people here at VCC have no idea where our medical equipment is stored. Take a ride down Country Barn Drive north from the back exit towards the water tower. On the left is the large maintenance area enclosed by a wall. Our storage area is part of a garage in the back. I have thanked the Volunteers previously for giving me much more space for all our medical equipment. With help from my husband, Dennis, we have rearranged and hung up items in the storage area. Please look at the photos. Years ago our medical equipment was housed in individual residents’ garages. (You know how much space there is in there!–NOT!) With the additional space, we no longer must take out lots of equipment to get to the stuff needed in the back. In the summer months when the shed is 200 degrees (at least!), that was pretty nasty. It is from the generosity of our VCC community that we have this donated equipment. Care Bears loans out to our residents the use of wheelchairs, walkers, seated walkers, knee scooters, commodes, shower chairs, bed rails, canes, and crutches. Patrick Rosselli and I, along with Dennis, will provide what we can in a timely manner. We just ask that you return it to us in clean, working condition for the next person’s use.
You never know when it’ll be your turn. Stay safe and healthy!
Tennis News
By Kristen Salerno
Billie Jean King is known for her famous quote, “Pressure is a privilege. It only comes to those who earn it.” Pressure turns into an opportunity when we step out of our comfort zone and grow by trying new things. We face challenges daily…how will we react? We can utilize this concept both on and off the court!
Ladies’ Update:
The Sunshine League (3.0) handled the pressure well. They were fighting for first place with two matches left to play. However, at the time of this printing, the winner had not yet been decided.
Our BonEro League took on a whole new kind of pressure. They were asked to move up to a combined 3.0 and 3.5 league. The team has played together for the past four years and found the new competition was challenging, but enjoyed some great tennis. They completed their season in fifth place. Team members included: Joan Blaschke, Roe Brush, Jody Egan, Margaret Farmar, Fran Houseman, Marion
Malone, Marge Piorkowski, Daphne Cole and Denise Sahly. Both teams would like to thank all of those involved in VCC tennis for their support. Congratulations to both teams for their continued drive and determination!
Men’s Update:
The men’s 70+ 6.0 division put up a great fight. They won all three matches against Rapallo. The men missed first place by one set!
In the 3.0 open division, the men took fifth place out of 12 teams.
The men’s 2.5 team had its strongest season to date, finishing just out of the playoffs in fourth place. They struggled in the beginning of the season losing the first three matches in a 10-point tiebreaker. They won the fourth match, but lost the fifth in a 10-point tiebreaker. They won the next three matches, then lost the ninth match to the number two team. Juergen Molsen finished with the best record at seven wins and two losses, Bill Zakarow finished with six wins and two losses. Rod Cameron and Paul Neatrour finished with five wins and four losses. The men handled a variety of pressure and kept on fighting. Congrats to all who played! Spring brings new teams and many players returning up North. The key is to remain active and enjoy your time on the court.
Tennis And Pickleball 16th Annual Dinner Dance
By Kristen Salerno
A fun Night off the Court!
80 Tennis and Pickleball enthusiasts attended the 16th Annual Dinner Dance on March 12. A special shout out to committee members and all their hard work.
• Ron Wicks and Phil Riskin–Event Co-Chairs
• Michelle Suarez— Decorations and Centerpieces
• Margaret Farmar & Maureen Bieling–Registration
• Rocky (Gary) Blaschke & Betty Sayad–50/50 Raffle
• Patti Immonen–Place Cards
• Barb Wilson–IT support
The night was made extra special by the delicious food Chef Bill prepared and to the all-star servers we have at VCC!
Culvers also provided Value Basket certificates that many enjoyed as a prize!
CCLGA
Alison Vukojevic
Debbie Ver Wey
Both had Eagles on Hole #1
Villagers You Should Know
Meet Karen Dougherty, Community Service Award Recipient
By Susan D’Alessandro
At the Annual Members Meeting on March 20, Karen Dougherty was awarded the VCC Annual Community Service Award.
Karen has been involved in helping VCC residents for many years. She has overseen Care Bears, which provides medical equipment to any VCC resident in need, as well as arranging medical transportation. She is Secretary to the Wii Bowling Committee providing the community with information about this fun activity. She also takes the time to welcome new neighbors of VCC through Neighbors Welcoming Neighbors, among so many other things. You can often see many of her articles providing information to the community in the Villager each month.
Congratulations to Karen on an award well deserved!
Meet Lori Fayhee, Estero City Council Board Member And VCC Resident
By Margaret Farmar
I met Lori Fayhee when she was looking for volunteers for the VCC Communication Committee in 2022. At that time she was the editor of The Villager. After serving a two-year term on the Communications Committee, Lori moved on from that position to fill the vacancy on the Village of Estero City Council Board for District 4.
After hurricane Ian, she worked for the Department of Homeland Security as a FEMA SWFL Private Sector Specialist in 2023, and participated as a census field supervisor for the 2020 census in 2019-20.
In 2023, there was a City Council seat vacancy for our District 4. Lori stepped up to the challenge. Her term is 20232027. As a board, the Village of Estero Council is responsible for establishing policy, approving the Village’s budget, setting the Village tax rate, advocating for and planning for the future of our community, and meeting with Village residents to listen to their concerns, among other duties. She said her favorite role is as a community advocate–meeting with her constituents, hearing their concerns, and helping to find solutions. Her personal focus is on preserving green space and increasing water quality.
In her spare time, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, adult children, and grandchildren; kayaking, relaxing at the beach, and loving on her kittens. She also enjoys working on automotive and home improvement projects with her son Sam.
Below you will find a list of major projects that are of special interest to Country Creek due to our proximity. You can find a more in depth explanation on the Village of Estero web page: www.estero-fl.gov where you can also sign up for emails from the Village.
1. Purchase of the 72-acre site on Three Oaks Parkway: this eliminates the potential of the previously planned K-8 school, which would have had a negative impact on traffic and flooding for VCC
2. Build-out of the Sports Entertainment District: providing a pickleball facility
3. Planned improvements at River Oaks Preserve: purchase of this 10 acre site as a low intensity “preserve” avoided the build-out of 36 condos
4. The Village, doing what it can to preserve open space and limit development, included the acquisition of 62.5 acres of Estero-on-the-river (Corkscrew and 41)
If you have any issues in which you think a councilmember can be of help, you can contact her at fayhee@estero-fl.gov.
Our VCC Dead Headers
By Margaret Farmar
Mary Marrone is the chair of the group known as the Dead Headers. She and her husband, Lenny, moved to The Villages at Country Creek 12 years ago. They’re from Utica in upstate New York where they still own a place. Their two daughters have given them five granddaughters. They looked long and hard to find a place in Florida that felt right with friendly neighbors. Like so many of us, they found that place here in Country Creek.
The Country Creek Volunteers
By Margaret Farmar
The Volunteers are a group of retirees, with an average age of 80, who still enjoy a day of hard labor, working with their hands and not minding getting a bit dirty. You see them everywhere around Country Creek donning bright chartreuse tee shirts, driving their golf carts with their tools ready to repair, paint, or rebuild. These wonderful, generous men have been saving VCC lots and lots of money. The chair of this group is Lenny Marrone.
Here is a brief synopsis of the beginnings of The Volunteers written by Robert Hintz and forwarded by Lenny Marrone:
“Early in 2000 Hillard Crowell, William Crabtree, and Ron Hahn started what would eventually become The Country Creek Volunteers, Inc. Their mission was stated as follows:
Lori moved to Florida from Antioch, Illinois. She has been a resident in The Villages at Country Creek since 2004, where she and her husband Ron, raised their son, Sam. At that time across the nation, state mandated testing (known as the FCAT and then FSA in Florida) seemed to be the driving force in education. Schools and teachers everywhere were trying to find more time to prepare their students to pass these standardized tests, so with that in mind recess was eliminated! Lori founded the group Teaching Not Testing, and they successfully petitioned the Lee County School Board to mandate recess for K-5 students; ultimately leading the charge to convince State Legislators to mandate recess for all Florida K-5 students. Governor DeSantis signed SB 1048 to eliminate the FSA in 2022. So began her involvement as an advocate.
The Dead Headers began with just five women, Alice VanDuyne, Andrea Ronca, Barb McNally, Jane Hopson and Mary Marrone. They went to the general manager at the time and asked how they could help. With pink tee shirts originally made by Mary’s daughter, they took it upon themselves to begin a long and successful project of grounds’ beautification! Now nine years later there is a group of 37 friends who meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to noon. They do whatever needs to be done to keep our surroundings looking good. Occasionally they gather on the clubhouse patio to share food, drink, and laughs. Mary had this to say, “You don’t have to come to help every week, come when you have the time, or energy, frequently or infrequently, as you wish.” These women enjoy the opportunity of getting to know so many other fellow “gardeners.” They have lots of fun while they plant and weed! They maintain the flower beds at the entrance to VCC, the stairs to the Clubhouse, and the flowers you see planted everywhere around the community and golf course.
The Dead Headers are always looking for additional help, so if you would like to join them, a green thumb is not a requirement, contact Mary Marrone at 315-723-4768. In addition they would like you to know they are happy to accept your donations of any garden supplies you no longer use, such as hand spades, clippers, gloves, extra top or potting soil, different kinds of fertilizers, even your used pots.
The group is also supported by The Volunteers, those very busy guys you see everywhere wearing the bright neon shirts. They lend a hand if there is some heavy lifting to be done, barrels of debris to be dumped, a cart to loan, or some money to purchase flowers or other supplies. The Dead Headers also work in conjunction with Common Grounds. We owe these industrious women a big thank you because without them our grounds would not be looking as good as they do.
‘The Volunteers will clean-up and beautify The Villages at Country Creek, Estero, Fl., and provide a mobile neighborhood watch for the community. The Volunteers will organize to clean up the kitchen of the community clubhouse. The Volunteers will organize to repair the walk bridge across the Estero River. The Volunteers will organize to plant flowers for the beautification of the community.”
On June 14, 2001 the group filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Florida.
In January 2016, Annual Incorporation records were filed with the State of Florida and lists the following officers: President Leonard Marrone, Vice President Jim Fischer, Treasurer Clancy Wilder, Secretary Phil Beloin. They have remained in those positions to the present day with the exception of Clancy Wilder.
Over the last 24 years, The Volunteers have completed so many projects it would be difficult to name them all. There have been more than 125 residents who have worked to enhance our community. After Hurricane Ian they were essential to getting our property back in shape quickly. They have built and rebuilt the bridges across the creek, repaired walls and roofs, painted, and most recently created stable concrete bases for the bike racks around the clubhouse and golf course.
Here are a few more of the projects they have completed over the years: designed and built a new gated entrance way on Three Oaks Parkway, built golf course retaining walls on eight of the holes, staircases to tee boxes throughout the course as requested by the golf committee, worked on the cart paths, sided and reroofed the pump houses on holes #5 and #9, built a Bocce court, new golf practice swing cages, and the list keeps going! A special thanks to Jim Luzzi for providing the photos accompanying this article.
“Historically budget money for project materials has been approved by the master board. Tools and equipment have always been purchased by The Volunteers from donation dollars. In 2012, the golf outing, the contributions from the Holiday Boutique committee, the golf leagues and individual and other donations totaled almost $10,000, and the expenses for that same period were $9,800. The Country Creek Volunteer’s, Inc. remains a non-profit, licensed, State Villagers You Should Know on page 8
Since 2013, she has advocated for parents, students, and teachers within the Lee County public education system. She served on the Lee County School District Finance and Curriculum Advisory Committees, the District Advisory Council, and the School Advisory Committee.
Lori Fayhee
Lori with City Council
Our VCC Dead Headers
Dead Headers Beautifying Our Community
Karen Proudly Displaying Her Certificate Ron Smoyer Presenting the Award
WII Bowling
By Karen Dougherty
Way back in January, we started this season’s Wii bowling league. It’s been a great year, and we thank everyone for their consideration. I thought everyone should know who makes up this Wii Committee so that the community can enjoy this great social event. This is fun for 224 bowlers plus some great substitutes. Our committee is captained by Jess Rott, our chairperson, plus the following: Jean Adkins, Mary Berzak, Sue Carl, Elaine Cockroft, Sue D’Alessandro, Karen Dougherty, Kay Drake, Ava Fleisher, Nancy Grube,
Villagers You Should Know from page 5
of Florida corporation. They are required to file annually for a State of Florida corporation license, and also a federal income tax return for nonprofit organizations.
Much of their funding comes from the charity golf outing they hold every March. This annual event raises money needed to purchase the equipment used for new projects, and the supplies needed to make repairs on old projects. This charity event would not be so successful if it were not for the efforts of Jack Arvold and The Volunteers, past and present. So when you see them working around the grounds, let’s all stop, show our gratitude, and thank them for all they do!
Volunteers
If you have skills, used tools you no longer want, or some extra time, and you want to participate, contact Lenny Marrone. I’m sure he can find something that needs doing!
Villager Staff
Editorial Staff: Lois Christensen, Susan D’Alessandro, Margaret Farmar, Judy Lieske
Contact/Submissions: VCCVillager@gmail.com
The Villager welcomes resident memoriams and article submissions describing Country Creek life. News of social and sporting activities are welcome, and accompanying photos are encouraged. The Villager does not publish articles with a religious or political theme or opinion pieces that demonstrate a particular bias.
Thank you, The House Committee
Judy Lieske, Ron Jones, Rose Ramirez and Pat Smoyer. Each Tuesday after bowling, a group of members meet to input all the bowling statistics into the computer program.
This year three Wii bowlers have scored perfect 300 games. Gary Burris
They were Gary Burris, Dana Prange and Lana Rodgers. Their photos can be seen with this article. It’s so much fun to see the entire clubhouse get so excited when this happens! Also, a big thanks to the clubhouse staff that move the TV’s into position each week for the committee. And also appreciation for the volunteers that have rewired them this year so the TV’s can be lowered safely into their cabinets. Our league year will end with our annual banquet on April 8 with awards and prize money presented. All teams are awarded prize money! As a reminder, if you or a representative of your team is not present at the banquet, your team’s prize money will be held by Jess Rott until May 7. Past this date, any prize money will be returned to the Wii account. Lots of sportsmanship is seen in this sport, and while there is some money involved, it’s really all about the fun competition.
Summer bowling will begin on June 12 with play times being 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00. If needed, we can add additional times for play. As in past summers, bowling will be on an individual basis with sign ups in a book in the clubhouse lobby. There is a fee of $2 per game per person. There does not have to be a team of any kind, and all money received each night is returned to the winning bowlers. The winners are chosen from two secret scores (one high and one low score), chosen by office staff. The bowlers closest to those scores receive the money from that night. Happy Bowling!
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance
By The House Committee
Our St. Patrick’s Day dinner dance had over 100 of our members attending for the traditional Irish food, music and dancing. The dining room was a vision of green and white with the tables decorated, and our members were in true Irish green attire. The buffet prepared by Chef Bill and his staff had a steady line of party goers keeping the kitchen busy refilling the chafers with excellent corned beef and cabbage!! Raphael and his wait staff were, as always, making everyone’s evening a very enjoyable event.
Al’s Lemon* Dream Pie
By Al Graff, a Country Creek Resident
• 2 envelopes (1 box)
DREAM WHIP Whipped
Topping Mix
• 2 ¾ cups cold milk divided
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each)
JELL-O Lemon* Flavor Instant Pudding
• 1 baked pie crust (cooled), or graham cracker pie crust
BEAT whipped topping mixes, 1 cup milk and vanilla in large bowl with mixer on high speed for 6 minutes or until soft peaks form.
ADD remaining milk and dry pudding mixes; beat on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes stopping occasionally to scrape the side and bottom of the bowl.
SPOON into pie crust
REFRIGERATE 4 hrs. or until firm.
* Variation–Chocolate
It’s that time of year again when we will be losing some of our great neighbors, as they head back north. Don’t forget our Food Share Program. Over-stocked pantries? Bring your extra items to the clubhouse lower level to help those less fortunate.
Volunteers Build New Shed For Bocce Courts
Repair Fence Damaged by Hurricane Ian
The Volunteers on #5
Dana Prange
Lana Rodgers
VCC 300 Bowlers