An Update From The VCC Master Board
By Dave Hoffman
Welcome back to Country Creek. Over the Spring and Summer, the VCC Master Board and staff have been busy making changes in the way we do business here at Country Creek as well as updating some things. In case you missed them, here are just a few of the changes:
Sharon Pisanchyn has taken over as our General Manager.
Debra Kortea is our new Food and Beverage Manager. We have engaged a new law firm which specializes in HOA law.
We have changed the employee benefits provider for our full-time employees. This change will provide excellent benefits and save VCC over $30,000 per year in costs.
The bulkhead on golf hole 18 has been replaced.
We put new roofs on the clubhouse and the 9th hole restroom.
We installed a large new AC system in the clubhouse to replace the old one which was worn out.
ICON is no longer managing our money in the banks. We have moved the banking function in-house, so we now have full control of our own money as well as immediate tracking of our bank balances.
We have consolidated our banking from eight banks to four. This will allow us to better manage our funds while keeping our money insured by the FDIC. If you are interested, look up ICS accounts to learn how this works.
Our bank funds are currently being moved into higher interest paying accounts. We expect to see an increase in interest income over the next 15 months of at least $60,000.
ICON is also no longer performing our accounting function. This work has moved to a new firm, GMSL Business Solutions.
Troon Golf Management has been re-signed to manage our golf course maintenance for 2024.
The golf pro shop has been spruced up with new paint and flooring.
The downstairs has been painted by a group of volunteers and it looks great.
Finally, we are all looking forward to the upcoming clubhouse refresh vote, so please, please be sure to vote; it is very important. You will be able to cast your vote in one of three ways: paper ballot which will be mailed to you, electronically with Becker Ballot if you are signed up, or in person at the members meeting which will occur near the end of the voting period. The meeting date will be announced.
It has been a very busy summer for all of us, and we are not done yet.
From The Food And Beverage Manager
By Debra Kortea
Upcoming Events at Villages at Country Creek through 2023
(Please wait for emails in order to sign up for these events)
Nov. 16 – FPL is sponsoring Coffee & Donuts for Customer Appreciation Day
Nov. 17 – Bingo
Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 28 – Christmas Tree Lighting with Dinner, Caroling, DJ and Dancing
Treasurer’s Report
By Pat Vavrek
Remember, this Finance Committee is working for you, the members. We appreciate your continued patience in providing accurate financial reports and trust that we are working with the general manager and the accounting service providers on resolving the accounting issues. As treasurer of VCC since April 1, one of my duties is to provide accurate and timely financial reports and I take that task seriously.
In September, after many years of providing VCC accounting services, ICON was terminated and GMSL Business Solutions was brought on board. GMSL has been busy becoming familiar with the VCC accounting processes and setting themselves up to provide accurate financial reports. Although GMSL is working efficiently,
Dec. 1 – Villas Christmas Party - Contact person Jane Hopson
Dec. 2 – HOA 1 Party - Contact person Patti O’Connor
Dec. 5 – HOA 2 Party - Contact person Carol Roberts
Dec. 8 – Birthday Bash
Dec. 11 – Estero Historical Society Annual Turkey DinnerContact person Gail Langner
Dec. 12 – Ladies’ Golf Luncheon
Dec. 13 – Luminary Night & Golf Cart Parade
Dec. 15 – Men’s Golf Luncheon
Dec. 17 – Sunday Brunch
the process is slow. It is very frustrating for the general manager, the board, and the community. Again, please be patient. We are confident once the corrections are made, there should be no delays in providing timely and accurate financial reports going forward.
At the August board meeting, a motion was passed to change the signers on the VCC bank accounts and the account types to ensure that all funds are FDIC insured. It was found that the signers on the accounts and access to the accounts had not been updated for many years. Before this motion, no one at VCC had access to any of the bank accounts, couldn’t make any changes to the accounts, or even talk to each bank about the accounts. In addition, the operating and reserve bank accounts were not fully FDIC protected. As of September, the general manager and the board president will now be able to access the accounts, make changes and sign VCC checks. Any check over $5,000 will require two signatures. In addition, there is now a separate checking account for reserves. All accounts have been changed to realize a higher rate of interest and be FDIC insured, even for amounts over $250,000. For
NOVEMBER
From The Golf Pro
2023-24 Villages At Country Creek Upcoming Golf Events
By John Alfuth, PGA
The Villages at Country Creek, Estero, FL
Clubhouse Lower-Level Uplift
By Sharon Boos
At the May Master Board Meeting I presented a proposal to the Board. I told them I love to paint and can buy paint below cost from Sherwin Williams using my daughter’s company account. My plan was to complete room 2 and possibly room 1. The Board gave their approval that day, and immediately following the meeting, several people approached me offering to help. And, so it began.
A group of people met to decide on paint colors. Juan, our maintenance employee, started prepping rooms 1 and 2 taking down wall art, cornices, blinds and filling holes. When the volunteers arrived one Saturday morning anxious and ready,
Editor’s Comments
– Welcome To The 2023-24 Season
Welcome back to you and us! We’re pleased to report that we are again in business, following our usual summer and publishing hiatus. In this November issue, the first since June 2023, you’ll find plenty of useful and entertaining articles as activities in and around Country Creek restart for the new season. Grab your reading glasses, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Treasurer’s Report from page 1
instance, the total of May interest received was $2,007 on all accounts. If the accounts were changed to the ICS money markets and/or insured CDs being proposed, it is estimated that the interest received would have been $10,276.
Considering the additional $60,000 paid to Troon Golf this year, the 100% increase in the insurance policy, the deficits in the restaurant and golf actuals to budget, and the additional cost to fix the accounting issues, members should expect an end of 2023 assessment to cover the deficit so as not to “borrow” from the reserves again. These increases, along with cost-of-living increases in all VCC expenses, members can also expect an increase in the quarterly dues for 2024.
The Finance Committee is working with the GM and the board on the 2024 budget. It is expected that the 2024 budget will be presented to the board for approval in late November or, at the very latest, early December.
Remember, this Finance Committee is working for you, the members. Thank you for your time and interest in our community.
the walls were wiped down and the primer paint went on. Much to my surprise, all the walls and doors were primed that day. Everyone was so willing to help, so we just kept going. As passers-by noticed what we were doing, we got more volunteers. We finished rooms 1 and 2 and went on to room 3. After doing such a great job, we were asked to paint the hallway as well (FYI there are 20 doors in the hallway).
The outdated wall art was uplifted by painting the frames black and the two wall clocks are now working. In addition to painting, we cleaned windows and cabinets, and the closets were organized, trophies and plaques were relocated and the chair in the hallway was reupholstered. The blinds were cleaned in one of the volunteer’s pools. And like magic, it was completed all for less than $900 (including the paint for the pro shop) and approximately 330 manpower hours.
As you wander about this great community and you see any of the people listed below, please thank them for their time in brightening up the lower level. Pat Smoyer, Cindy Feuerbach, Ron Smoyer, Kay Drake, Tom Boos, Woodward Briggs, Mary Davis, Gene Cipriano, Ray Borg, Nancy Bosshard, BJ Snyder, and Sue Gress. Also, many thanks for Juan’s assistance.
What Happens At The Villages At Country Creek In The Summer?
By Lana Rodgers
After last year and Hurricane Ian, it was a good summer without any hurricanes hitting our area. However, during one storm this summer, lightning hit our pump house on Country Creek Drive and we needed to replace the cupola, but that was so minor compared to the damage Ian caused our community last year.
We continued to enjoy Wii bowling, card games, karaoke, birthday bashes and summer bingo, which had a $250 progressive jackpot and a $240 jackpot for the final game (won by Glen Culbertson), and, of course, golf. We had so many fun times here at our Clubhouse and in our community.
Speaking of our Clubhouse, a group of wonderful volunteers painted and cleaned up our lower level meeting rooms and hallway. What a refreshing new look for our Clubhouse.
Yes, during the summer we continue to love and appreciate all that the Villages at Country Creek has to offer. What a great place to live!
New Faces In The Office
There are some new faces in the office. Besides Sharon Pisanchyn as our new General Manager and Debra Kortea as our new Food and Beverage Manager, we have a new Office Manager and Administrative Assistant.
Jessica Bryant is our new Office Manager. She is a Native Floridian originally from Fort Lauderdale and moved to Fort Myers 12 years ago to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where she majored in History. She has been in the Hospitality Business for over 10 years. Starting her career in Hotel Recreations, she then advanced to Property Management along with managing the Owner Relations Department. Jessica enjoys the beauty that Southwest Florida has to offer and
feels blessed to call it home. She enjoys going to the beach to paddle board, scuba diving in the Keys to catch lobster, and on rainy days enjoys a nice challenging puzzle to keep her sharp.
Christa Burris is our new Administrative Assistant. She is originally from Indianapolis, IN and moved to Lehigh Acres 2 years ago. She has been in the hospitality and customer service industry for 20 years. She started her career working for Marriott hotels and managed the Conch Key Fishing Lodge in the Keys and the Captiva Island Inn. Christa is currently working on earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Southern New Hampshire University.
Updated Pro Shop
Painted Hallway
Cindy Feuerbach, Mary Davis, Sharon Boos Cindy Feuerbach
Christa Burris
Jessica Bryant
CCMGA News
By Dan Chelenza
Welcome back to our returning league members, and to all new members. We hope you enjoy our Men’s League. I hope everyone had a great summer: Wednesday is the Low Net league. You will play with members close to your handicap so you will be playing with other members just like you. On Fridays we have a Games Day where you can make up your own foursome, or the Pro Shop will create a team for you. Once a month we do an 8am shotgun start
CCLGA News
By Lynn Polulak
I would like to welcome back all CCLGA returning members along with any new members to the CCLGA 202324 Season. I hope you all had a nice summer. Registration was open for this season in the Pro Shop as of October 1, 2023. If you still need to register, please do so with the Pro Shop prior to playing in the league.
Annual Dues can now be paid by check, member card or credit card. Please be sure to review the registration forms and make sure all the contact information is correct.
On another note, the CCLGA is doing something different for the 2023-24 Season. John Alfuth has agreed to add the White Tees for any CCLGA 18 Hole Member who would like to play from the White Tees. Let the Pro Shop know your preference. The CCLGA official 2023-24 Season started Tuesday, November 7, 2023; however, anyone can join throughout the Season.
Tennis Report
By Larry Brush
The VCC tennis community is gearing up for league and social tennis for the fall season. Condo courts 3 and 4 were recently deep resurfaced with new material, lines, and nets.
To review the sign-up protocol for social tennis, a sign-up sheet is posted at the condo court bulletin board for men’s and ladies’ social play. Sign up by Saturday for the next week’s play. Check the schedule on Sunday to see when and where you are scheduled to play on the four clay courts.
Women are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30. Men are scheduled Tuesday,
followed by a luncheon meeting. As a council we like to keep all our members informed about league news and events. We offer a newsletter (Chip Shots) along with email blasts, The Villager, and Hotwire TV on the Country Creek site, and a monthly calendar of events to keep you up to speed.
Starting on November 1, we have our first tournament of the year – The Ravis Prueitt Match Play. This match play has a twist to it where it’s a two-man team match play event. The entry fee is $20. Our goal is to have this tournament wrapped up before Thanksgiving.
Note to all returning members: when you pay your league dues ($30) and handicap fee ($25), please check that your email and phone number is correct to ensure we can keep you informed. New members, please fill out the membership form.
See you on the course!
Important Dates:
Golf/Luncheon Scrambles Tuesday:11/14, 12/12/2023; 1/9, 3/26/2024
Charity Event Golf/Luncheon Thursday: 2/15/2024
Member/Member Golf/Luncheon Scramble Thursday: 4/11/2024
CCLGA League Championship Tuesday: 3/5 and Thursday: 3/7/2024
New Member Breakfast Monday: 1/15/2024
Ladies’/Men’s Invitational Thursday: 1/25/2024
Executive Board Members:
Lynn Polulak, President
Alison Vukojevic, Vice President
Nancy Eisenberg, Secretary
Sara Moskal, Treasurer
Joyce Hussey, Parliamentarian
All of the Board, along with Committee Members, are looking forward to working with all of you to have another memorable season. There are lots of fun events and games planned. The Board is always open to any suggestions and/or input any member has to offer, so please feel free to contact any of us.
Thursday and Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30. See the bulletin board for full details and other information.
The VCC ladies are participating in the Sunshine League starting early in November. See the bulletin board for match schedule.
Please review the Tennis Roster for changes or corrections. Forward changes to a member of the tennis committee and they will be compiled and updated by the office staff. Tennis committee contact information is in the roster and available on the bulletin board. The roster is available on the member section of the VCC website, Tennis section.
2024 is an election year for the tennis committee. A nominating committee will be put together and the committee can be contacted by anyone who is interested in being on the Tennis Committee. See the bulletin board for details.
By Gail Langner
The following events are being held at Villages at Country Creek for the Estero Historical Society:
• November 18
Speaker Series: Historic Rehabilitation 9:30 to 11am with special guest speaker Elaine L. Reed, MPA, President & CEO of the Naples Historical Society. Register www.EsteroHistoricalSociety. com $10 members, $15 non-members, Continental Breakfast included.
• December 11 Annual Turkey Lunch: Noon to 1:30 with special guest speaker Ken Weeks from Weeks Fish Camp. Register www.EsteroHistoricalSociety.com $35 member, $45 non-member.
• January 13 Speaker Series: Prehistoric Florida 9:30 to 11am with local historian Jacob Winge. Register www. EsteroHistoricalSociety.com $10 members, $15 nonmembers, Continental Breakfast included.
• January 19 Annual Meeting 1pm
Estero Historical Society Bocce News
By Patti O’Connor
The VCC fall Bocce season kicked off on Tuesday, October 24 and will run to November 17. The fall season will have eight (8) teams playing.
They are:
Team 1 the Ball Busters with Captain Millie Willis
Team 2 the Goombas with Captains Sharon & Tom Boos Team 3 the Forgers with Captain Patti O’Connor Team 4 the Bocce Bandits with Captain Bob Smith Team 5 the Blazers with Captains Bob & Linda Varing Team 6 the Rascals with Captain Mike Halpin Team 7 the Rock & Rollers with Captain Ron Hopkins Team 8 is a mix of the Pallinos and CC 8 Balls with Captain Ron Williams
The games are played on the courts located at the Estero Community Park and our VCC bocce court on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 2:30.
Our winter bocce league will start mid-January and run through the end of March ending with our Bocce Award Dinner. Anyone interested in playing in the winter league, please send an email to Patti O’Connor at Buka@comcast.net.
Something To Chuckle About Community Information
At Your Fingertips
By Judy Lieske
Did you know you can find out what’s going on in the VCC Community simply by turning on your TV? You can see upcoming events, rules, regulations, golf schedules, GM Weekly Happenings, Master and HOA Boards, Committee Chairmen, and Creekside Menus. All golf and clubhouse events, important messages from the Board and Office on your TV! It’s that simple!
For Community information at your fingertips, just follow these steps!
1. Press MENU or the LEFT ARROW on your Fision remote.
2. Scroll down with your ARROW buttons and make a selection from the left menu,
Press OK/SELECT • HOME
CLUBHOUSE
• GOVERNANCE
• RECREATION
• SOCIAL GROUPS
• Messages
• Calendar
3. Press OK/SELECT
To access the SUB TITLES across the top of the main category use the top of the Small Black Circle around the “OK” button. Press OK when the subtitle is underlined in red and navigate through that section. Use the right side of the Small Black Circle to move forward and the left side to move backward. To return to regular TV, push the exit button twice under the menu button.
To download the Fision App on your phone, get the directions at VCChotwiretv@gmail.com or pick up a flyer in the mail slots outside the administration office.
For more information, suggestions, or something you would like to see on the TV, email VCChotwiretv@gmail.com.
Written by a third grader, on What His Grandparents Do. After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following: We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Arizona (or Texas) . Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles, and wear name tags, because they don’t know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on. At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night – early birds. Some of the people can’t get out past the man in the dollhouse. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for potluck. My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the dollhouse. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.
I Love Lily
By Barbara Stone
One of the benefits of being a volunteer for a wonderful nonprofit, Haven on Earth Animal League (HEAL) at PetSmart at Coconut Point allows me to give a little time and attention once weekly to the cats/kittens that are there to be adopted. HEAL is dedicated to providing care and permanent placement into homes for cats and dogs at risk of danger due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. HEAL supports the concept of a no-kill millennium by including the cost of spaying and neutering in the adoption fee. That brings me to Lily.
Lily was a feral cat, who was fortunate enough to be “caught” and brought to a foster home provided by HEAL where she had her kittens. Once her kittens were adopted, and she was spayed, vaccinated and chipped, she was brought to PetSmart for adoption. We who volunteer have the opportunity to “meet and greet,” get acquainted, and most importantly play with all the cats. Lily made sure I knew who she was by coming when called and constantly
Pistachio Salad Recipe
By Kandi Vancura
Stir together one 8 oz. container of fat-free or Lite Cool Whip, one 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple (undrained), and one small box of pistachio pudding mix. Depending on the number of servings needed, add 6 to 8 cored and coarsely chopped green apples. Mix, chill and serve.
Contacting The Staff
Sharon Pisanchyn - gm@vccgolfclub.com
Jessica Bryant - om@vccgolfclub.com
Debra Kortea - fbmanager@vccgolfclub.com
Christa Burris - admin@vccgolfclub.com
John Alfuth - johna@vccgolfclub.com
Contacting the Master Board vccmasterboard@vccgolfclub.com
talking to anyone who listened. I “listened” for two months.
With Hurricane Ian imminent last September, all the cats and kittens had to vacate PetSmart, and I volunteered to take Lily home for a while. You can guess the rest of the story. Lily decided not to leave, or maybe I decided not to let her. She had managed to take over our household. Lily
In Memoriam
William J. “Bill” McWade
William J. “Bill” McWade, 84, of Estero, FL passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, surrounded by his loving family. Formerly of Tappan, NY he had been a resident of Estero since 2000. He was born July 16, 1938 in the Bronx, NY a son of the late Christopher and Cecilia (Bradley) McWade.
His career was spent working as an architectural and ornamental iron worker for the Ironworkers Local 580 Union in New York City, retiring in 1998.
Bill cherished the time spent traveling the world with his wife Jean and could often be found on a beach in Hawaii. Bill also enjoyed watching movies and socializing with friends and neighbors, but the time he spent with his family was most important.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Jean C. (Pichette) McWade; loving children, William “Scott” (Kathleen) McWade of the Township of Washington, NJ, Kimberly McWade of Coral Springs, FL and Lynn (Damian) Reynolds of Blauvelt, NY; brother, Frank (Janet) McWade of Narragansett, RI; sister, Kathleen Pizzuti of Wallingford, CT; and cherished grandchildren, Grace, Megan, Tyler and Mikaela. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Cecilia Murray, Mary Engel, Bernadette Blumenfeld, Christopher McWade and Peter McWade. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, July 14, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be made to Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www. ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
Haven on Earth Animal League has a great website, with lots of info about what it does, its mission statement, how to adopt, and pictures of the cats/kittens that are ready to be adopted. Take a minute to check it out. And if you’re really interested in adoption, visit PetSmart on Saturdays and Sundays 11a.m. to 2p.m. A HEAL volunteer is there to assist with questions and information. Or if you don’t want to adopt, just visit. Maybe you’ll fall in love with a cat or kitten. Or maybe one will fall in love with you. And Lily? She’s still learning how to “fetch”, (not doing so well), loves hide and seek, calls me “Ma”, and never shuts up. Yes, she owns us.
Isham William Van Keuren
April 13, 1933 ~ September 16, 2023
Isham William Van Keuren “Van” of Wallkill, NY passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023, at home. He was 90 years old. The son of Richard and Edith Armstrong Van Keuren he was born on April 13, 1933 in Liberty, New York.
As a young man, Van served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. That is where he married Agnes Louise “Louise”, also from Liberty, and had their first child. Van received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in education at SUNY Oswego. He worked his entire career of 35 years at Wallkill Central School District teaching and chairing its Industrial Arts Department. Also, he and Louise operated a real estate venture for many years. In addition to residing in their Wallkill home for 60 years, they spent 20 years wintering in The Villages at Country Creek in Estero, FL.
Van’s pastimes included golfing, fishing, antiquing, gardening and home repair projects. He volunteered on the Town of Shawangunk Planning Board from 1978 through 1988, serving as its chairman for 5 years.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Agnes Louise (Delamater) Van Keuren. Their children are Kim Van Keuren (Tim Murphy), Richard Van Keuren (Lindsay), Pamela Van Keuren (Diane Wormser), Paul Van Keuren (deceased) and Donna Egan (Joseph). He and Louise are also the grandparents of Brendan, Niall, Connor, Anna, Grace, Devin and Clare.
A funeral service and military honors was held on September 22, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hudson Valley Hospice.
