UPCOMING EVENTS
We have several events scheduled for the next few months. This list is in chronological order:
• Saturday, October 11 at 2pm: Medicare Q&A
With open enrollment coming up, Emmy Insurance will be available at the clubhouse again to answer questions about Medicare. There are no fees or required sign ups, just an opportunity to learn about your options.
• Saturday, November 1 at 3pm: Vaccine Clinic
Walgreens will be doing a vaccine clinic in the clubhouse for Covid and flu shots. To take advantage of this opportunity, contact the Forest Hills office (503-357-9424) no later than Wednesday, October 22 and give your permission for me to give Walgreens your phone, email, or both. If you leave me a voicemail or email, I will confirm with you that I received it. Walgreens will then reach out to you to collect your insurance information before the event. The sooner you sign up the better. Don’t forget to mark the dates on your calendar.
This will be the first time we’re using Walgreens for this event, so there will be a bit of learning how their system works.
• Saturday, November 22 at 5pm: Turkey Dinner
Our annual event will be catered by FG Amore. Please RSVP no later than November 12.
• Saturday, December 27 at 5pm: Holiday Dinner
Our annual Holiday Dinner will also be catered by FG Amore. That mouthwatering prime rib we had last year is on the menu again. Leigh Brown, the harpist who played for us a few years back, will do so again. We will also have our annual gift exchange. Details on that will be in next month’s Newsy. Please RSVP no later than December 17.
You can RSVP for both dinners at the same time. There is no form; just shoot me a quick email or call. At our last event, I had a lot of people request to attend after the RSVP had closed. Signing up in a timely manner allows us to plan so there is enough food for everyone.
The community does not endorse or back Emmy Insurance or Walgreens or any advice or services they provide.
IRRIGATION
We will be turning off the irrigation system around October 31. Once the announcement goes out that the system is off, please open your faucet to let out the last drip of water and then close it again.
Even with the system off and drained, the faucets retain a dribble. That bit of water might freeze and crack the faucet over the winter if it is left. Closing it ensures your yard doesn’t flood when we turn the system back on in the spring.
If your faucet leaks or the handle is broken, please notify the office so we can get it repaired.
NOTICE BOARD
The clubhouse now has a noticeboard in the library available for residents. Planning a yard sale? Need to sell a scooter or vehicle? Offering a service to your neighbors? You can post it there. The board is for residents, not outside businesses.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Thinking of selling your home? Commonwealth offers real estate services. I often get calls and contacts from people interested in the community. If you list with Commonwealth, I can show them your home on their initial visit. Your home also gets advertised on our website, which is where substantial interest in our community comes from.
2) County Emergency Alerts: Sign up for Washington County emergency alerts at www.publicalerts.org/sign up. If you have a cell number, the county won’t have your number unless you sign up. Alerts include local evacuations and extreme weather warnings.
3) Rent Statements: If you don’t receive your rent statement one month, I will be happy to email or give you another one. Just let me know. Because water bills fluctuate a little each month and I can only accept the exact amount to the penny, please verify your amount due.
4) Rent Payment Methods: You can pay your rent via direct withdrawal or online through a payment portal. Contact the office if you would like more information about either of these options.
Manager’s
Sticky Note:
The community has come into possession of some abandoned homes. These are being sold AS-IS at very low prices. If you or someone you know is interested in obtaining them either for themselves or to fix up and re-sell, please contact the office. I will give you information on the homes available and can keep you updated if more become available in the future. They also will be posted on our website soon. ForestHillsOR.com.
The community potluck will be on October 31 at 5pm. The main dish is mac and cheese. Please bring a dish. Costumes for Halloween are also invited but not required.
OCTOBER 2025 CALENDAR
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
INSTRUCTIONS
INGREDIENTS
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
• 1 large carrot, julienned or finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, about 2 heaping cups
• Homemade croutons, for serving, optional
1. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and several grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute, then sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the flour turns golden. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously.
2. Add the broth, broccoli, carrot, and mustard and stir to combine. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
3. Gradually add the cheese, stirring after each addition, until all the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy. Season to taste and serve with croutons, if desired.
October Trivia
1. What is the birthstone for the month of October?
2. Which U.S. holiday always falls on the second Monday in October?
3. In what year did the famous “Great Chicago Fire” occur in October?
4. Which candy was originally called “Chicken Feed” when it was introduced in the 1880s?
5. What 1968 film, released in October, is considered the first modern zombie movie?
6. Which famous magician died on Halloween in 1926?
7. October’s full moon is often called the “Hunter’s Moon.” What is the name of the full moon in September?
8. What vegetable was originally carved in Ireland before pumpkins became the American tradition?
9. In what year did the U.S. stock market crash known as “Black Tuesday” occur in October?
10. Which Peanuts character waits for the “Great Pumpkin” every Halloween?
11. Which U.S. state produces the most pumpkins?
12. What classic horror novel by Mary Shelley was published in 1818 and remains popular around Halloween?
13. The Oktoberfest celebration originated in which country?
14. What Beatles song, released in October 1962, became their first hit single?
15. Which president famously said, “October is the peculiarly American month of destiny”?
