The Waterfall Cresswind MAY/JUNE 2025

HOA Staff

Have a question? Not sure who to ask? Call us at the Clubhouse!

770-536-3300

Community Manager

Meghan Keith

Email: manager@cresswindatll.com

Assistant Community Manager

Jennifer Finlayson

Email: assistantmanager@cresswindatll.com

Lifestyle Director

Allison Ladd

Email: lifestyle@cresswindatll.com

Guest Services

Rebecca Scutt

Peggy Seiwert

Heidi Anderson

Email: frontdesk@cresswindatll.com

Maintenance Supervisor

Bilal “B” Bennett

Email: maintenance@cresswindatll.com

Note: HOA Staff can also be contacted directly through your Community Management Associates Vantaca Portal.

Helpful Numbers:

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency: 770-536-8812

City of Gainesville Water: 770-535-6878

Liberty Utilities: 855-216-6305

Spectrum: 1-888-345-7139

Community Management Associates

After Hours: 800-522-6314

Emergency Radio: WDUN AM 550 or FM 102.9

Who to call for animal concerns:

Wildlife Animals: Call GA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when wildlife is involved, 770-535-5700. They are located at 2150 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, and generally can respond the fastest.

Domestic Animals: Call Hall County Animal Control when domestic animals are involved 770-531-6830 during business hours or 770-536-8812, ext. 8 after hours. Please visit our website at www.cresswindatll.com

The Waterfall content is provided by residents of Cresswind at Lake Lanier for no profit to ensure that the residents receive relevant and updated content about what is going on in their community.

This newsletter is provided at no cost to our community and is printed and mailed to each residence from advertising profit. Support the advertisers who make this newsletter a possibility for each resident every other month.

If you would like to contribute to its contents, please contact:

Cover was provided by Diana Thurmon

FROM THE DESK OF HOA MANAGEMENT

Meghan Keith

Retaining Wall Maintenance on Residential Properties: A Homeowner’s Guide

Retaining walls are a crucial feature in many residential landscapes, designed to hold back soil, prevent erosion, and create level areas on sloped terrain. While often built for functional purposes, they can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of a yard or garden. However, like any structural element on a property, retaining walls require regular maintenance to remain safe, functional, and attractive appearance over time.

Why Retaining Wall Maintenance Matters

Neglecting a retaining wall can lead to a range of issues, from minor cosmetic damage to serious structural failure. Water infiltration, soil pressure, freeze-thaw cycles, and plant growth can all cause deterioration over time. By proactively maintaining your retaining wall, you can avoid costly repairs, extend the lifespan, and ensure the safety of your property.

Common Types of Residential Retaining Walls

Understanding the type of retaining wall you have helps determine the appropriate maintenance routine. Common types include:

• Gravity Walls: Rely on their weight to resist soil pressure.

• Segmental Retaining Walls (SRW): Made from interlocking concrete blocks, without mortar.

• Cantilevered Walls: Use a reinforced concrete base and stem for support.

• Anchored Walls: Reinforced with cables or other support mechanisms.

Cover Artist

Each type has its own maintenance needs, but some general practices apply across all wall types.

Routine Maintenance Tips

1. Inspect Regularly

Perform a visual inspection at least twice a year and after major storms. Look for:

• Cracks or bulging

• Leaning or tilting

• Water pooling or signs of erosion

• Displaced or loose blocks

• Vegetation overgrowth

Early detection of these issues can help prevent bigger problems later.

2. Control Drainage

Proper drainage is one of the most important aspects of wall maintenance. Water buildup behind the wall creates hydrostatic pressure, which can lead to failure.

• Check and clean weep holes or drainage pipes.

• Ensure the backfill material is draining properly.

• Add gravel or install a French drain if needed.

3. Repair Minor Damage Promptly

Small cracks or loose stones may seem harmless, but they can worsen quickly. Patch cracks with appropriate sealants or mortar. For segmental walls, realign or replace loose blocks.

4. Remove Vegetation Carefully

Weeds, vines, and tree roots can cause damage if left unchecked. Remove any plants growing through or near the wall. Avoid planting trees too close, as roots can displace the structure over time.

5. Reinforce as Needed

Over time, your wall may need

reinforcement, especially if it’s older or bearing increased load. Consult a structural engineer or landscape professional for guidance on reinforcement options, such as additional anchoring or rebuilding sections.

When to Call a Professional

Some issues go beyond basic DIY repair. Seek professional help if you notice:

• Significant leaning or bowing

• Large cracks or gaps

• Wall movement or settlement

• Persistent water drainage problems

A licensed contractor or structural engineer can assess the situation and recommend appropriate solutions.

Conclusion

Maintaining a retaining wall on your residential property is a worthwhile investment in safety, functionality, and curb appeal. With regular inspections, proper drainage, and timely repairs, you can keep your wall in top condition for years to come. Whether it’s a modest garden border or a major hillside installation, a wellmaintained retaining wall supports both your landscape and your peace of mind.

The picture for the Waterfall Magazine cover was provided by Diana Thurmon. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

“I paint because I must.” That’s how Diana Thurmon feels about her artistic career. “Art has become so much a part of who I wish to be that when I am not in the midst of creating a piece, I am probably visualizing another in my mind. There’s a sign in my studio that proclaims, “This is my Happy Place” and that’s very, very true.”

A 7-year resident here at Cresswind, Diana is usually in the Arts & Crafts room Tuesdays from 9 to noon sharing her passion. The studio in her home is filled with quite an array of works and is always available to residents by appointment.

Submitted by:

Louis McClure

It’s hard to believe that CMA has been our management company for over eight months. Although we encountered some expected and unexpected challenges, the transition can finally be marked complete! External Improvement Requests (EIRs), schedule and emergency maintenance activities, required community inspections, contract management procedures, and all the other components of effectively running our community are being done. The HOA Board can now return to more of an advisory role vs. being directly involved with day-to-day community operations.

The Management Team, with oversight from the HOA Board, is progressing on all the 2025 Board Initiatives presented at the Town Hall Meeting. Here is a look at what we’ve been able to accomplish in the 1st quarter of 2025: Record Retention – Records Management is critical for an HOA because it provides a foundation for continuity, aids decision-making, and assists in navigating legal process. The goal for 2025 was to review and organize over 60 boxes of old records found in the Clubhouse attic in accordance with Policy Resolution 1-2024 Records Retention and Schedule. All records have now been thoroughly reviewed. Where

possible, documents no longer needed have been shredded. All documents requiring long-term retention are being scanned into searchable PDF files, and paper copies retained to established requirements.

Landscape Maintenance and Pine Straw – The contracts for Landscape Maintenance and Pine Straw application expire at the end of the year. An ad hoc committee is currently working to clarify the deliverables covered in both contracts and will soon be issuing an enhanced Requests for Quotes to vendors.

Trash Services – The Red Oak contract also expires at the end of the year. Our Community Management Team has successfully negotiated a contract renewal, and specifics will be announced shortly.

Renewal of Corps of Engineers Dock Permits – Per regulations established by the Army Corps of Engineers the Cresswind at Lake Lanier (CLL) dock permit must be renewed every 5 years. Our Management Team is currently navigating the required renewal process.

Waterfall Lighting – The lighting for our showcase Waterfall entrance will soon be enhanced and improved. Several bids from vendors have been received and the evaluation and approval process in underway. We hope to have the project completed by the end of May.

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Submitted by: Rich Lynt

When the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) reviews a homeowner’s External Improvement Request (EIR), we do so from the point of view of the Cresswind Rules & Regulations Documents for compliance with the HOA standards and aesthetics considerations. However, we do not review for local building code compliance with respect to the Gainesville building permit requirements. When the ARC sends out the approval letter for your EIR, we clearly state that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain the proper building permits. Most of the time the contractor will pull the required permits, however the homeowner can pull the permits for the job. I recently had the unfinished space over my garage finished and I pulled the permits for the work. When you get your permit you will receive a big yellow plastic placard to prominently place in the front window or in front of the house. This placard is displayed to let neighbors and City inspectors know that there is permitted work in progress.

THE PERMIT

Building Department at 770-531-6570.

Why is getting a permit important?

1. Permits are the law.

I was in construction for 40 years and pulled a lot of permits. It is a requirement by law and the right thing to do. The City of Gainesville is very helpful, and it is an easy and inexpensive process, most of it is done online. You can contact the Gainesville

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Submitted by: Pat Green and Debbie

Aery

Finally, it appears that Spring has sprung – we know that the pollen certainly has. With the warmer, more pleasant weather we can look forward to outdoor events again. On May 9th, we have the first outdoor concert planned. We’re thrilled that Rodney Appleby will join us for our first pool party on May 24th.

The good vibes continue in June with another outdoor concert on June 5th with Billy Buchanan & his Rock-n-Soul Tour. We can beat the heat with another pool party on June 13th and chill in the Ballroom for the Neil Diamond Tribute performance on June 17th.

You’ll want to pay close attention to the Daily Emails about the ticket availability dates for these events!

2. Failure to file for a permit can result in work stoppage, a fine, or costly rework.

3. Permits require code compliant work. The Building Code is there to protect the homeowner, abutting properties, and communities like Cresswind, from having electrical fires, structural failures, and flooding due to improper construction.

4. Permitted work will be inspected by the City Inspectors who check to see that it meets the Building Code.

5. If, and when, you as a Cresswind homeowner decide to sell your house, usually the new owner will request a home inspection. Any non-code compliant work will either need to be corrected prior to the sale, or the costs to correct noncode construction may require an adjustment to the sale price, if the buyer is still interested.

The old adage “that if its worth doing, its worth doing right” applies. A permit is cheap insurance for you, your neighbors, and the Cresswind community. Permitted work helps ensure the value of each individual property and will help to maintain the desirability of Cresswind Community in the future. GET A PERMIT!

LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE

Submitted by: Betty Mastley & Julie James

Woohoo! April 15 has passed, which means it’s officially time to play in the dirt without fear of frostbite! The nurseries are bursting with color, and those plants are practically begging you to take them home. So grab your gardening gloves, maybe a hat (unless you want to look like a lobster by sunset), and get planting!

It doesn’t take much digging before you’ll work up a good sweat, so consider it your new outdoor gym— just with more flowers and fewer judgmental stares. And guess what? Houseplants can finally escape their indoor prison! But don’t just throw them outside like they’re being evicted; ease them into it like you would a guest who’s suddenly expected to sleep in a tent. Gradually acclimate them to the great outdoors unless you want them to stage a dramatic, leafy protest. Oh, and don’t forget—they’re thirstier outside, so check the soil often. Poke a finger in there (gently!) to see if it’s dry, and water accordingly.

Fertilizing Annuals: If you’re using a general fertilizer like 10-10-10, mark your calendar to do it again in 6 to 8 weeks (or set a reminder on your phone, because let’s be honest, you’ll forget). Slow-release fertilizer buys you more time—plan to reap ply in 8-10 weeks. Liquid fertilizer is like giving your plants a little energy drink—perfect for container gardens and hanging baskets that get watered more often than your average houseplant.

and fabulous.

• Staggered rows of plants are way more eye-pleasing than straight lines. Let’s keep it natural, not looking like a military drill formation.

• Odd-numbered groupings of plants look better than even-numbered ones. Why? Who knows! But trust the rule - odd is in!

The Great Deer Battle: Ah, deer. So cute, so destructive. We tried birdseed with pepper in it, and so far, it’s working (fingers crossed). Another trick? Blood meal! It doesn’t smell (to us, anyway), and if you put some in an old stocking and hang it nearby, Bambi might just take the hint. Sprays work too—but only until the next rain washes them away, so be prepared to reapply like it’s the most high-maintenance beauty routine ever.

Fertilizing Perennials: Once a year, folks! That’s it! Give them what they need, and they’ll reward you with their glorious presence year after year. Want summerlong color? Plant begonias, coleus, geraniums, petunias, and vinca. Pro tip: When picking new annuals, go for the ones that naturally thrive in your area. Less effort, more blooms—what’s not to love?

Gardening Design 101:

• Deadheading flowers (removing faded blooms) is just as important as watering and feeding. Think of it as giving your plants a spa day—it keeps them looking fresh

From the book Month by Month Gardening in Georgia by Walter Reeves and Erica Glasener: “Gardening success can be summarized in just three rules.”

• Know your plants.

• Know your site.

• Even if you ignore the first two, plant anyway.”

Basically, gardening is a bit of a gamble, but hey, you might just get lucky! Either way, you’ll have fun (and probably get dirt under your nails that won’t come out for

Sun Protection PSA: The weather is warmer here, so don’t forget your hat and sunscreen unless you want to end up resembling a boiled lobster. Protect yourself so you can keep gardening all season long!

If you love reading about gardening, check out Passalong Plants by Steve Bender (of Southern Living fame) and Felder Rushing (yes, that’s a real name, and yes, it’s awesome). This book is packed with humor and all sorts of plants that may bring back memories of grandma’s garden—or at least make you chuckle.

Finally, make time to visit some of Georgia’s beautiful gardens! The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville and Gibbs Gardens in Cherokee County are must-sees. We’re lucky to have such stunning spots nearby.

And remember: “I wasn’t all that interested in gardening, but I planted a few seeds, and it grew on me.”

HEALTH & FITNESS COMMITTEE

Submitted By: Laurie Solomon

On April 25th the Health & Fitness Committee presented Heart Health at Cresswind. Northside Hospital offered free carotid artery and blood pressure screenings. Dr. Eric Chung, a cardiologist, gave a presentation on heart health. Dr. Annambhotla, a vascular surgeon, spoke about vascular disease. Vascular disease affects the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body as well as removing waste from your tissues. Common vascular problems are caused by plaque (made of fat and cholesterol) which slows or blocks blood flow inside arteries or veins.

We would like to thank Priscilla Stockwell RN for inspecting the First Aid Kits located around our community. A well-stocked First Aid Kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. There are First Aid Kits located at the Clubhouse Front Desk, Gym, Indoor and Outdoor Pools, Pavillion and The Racquet Sport Courts. We also have Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) located in the Ballroom, Crow’s Nest, Community Garden, Library, Marina, Pavillion and Racquet Sport Courts. This is a portable medical device used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to help restore a normal heart rhythm in someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

As Spring is upon us and Summer is not far away, many people will be participating in outdoor activities. As the temperatures soar, and our body heat increases the importance of hydration cannot be

Welcome Committee

Submitted by: Angie McClure

We want to thank Sandy St George for an outstanding job in reforming the Cresswind Welcome Committee and creating a wonderful team to Welcome our new residents. We also thank the following members that are stepping down: Charlotte Stuckey, Sue DeCrescenzo, Kelly Roth, Jim Snell, and Pat Cohen. Thank you for volunteering!

On April 23rd we held our Cresswind New Resident Orientation reception in the Clubhouse Ballroom to greet all those that have moved into Cresswind since October. The event was sponsored by MTScape and the Cresswind Welcome Committee. Many of our HOA Committees and Clubs provided a brief overview of their organization and what they have available to new residents. The Cresswind New Resident Orientation will be schedule quarterly going forward.

The Welcome Committee is one of the first neighbors a new resident may meet in Cresswind. Our members visit the new homeowner and

overemphasized. Water is the most important substance the body consumes. Water regulates body temperature and carries nutrients and oxygen to cells and organs. It also washes the interior of the body to remove waste materials and toxins. Water is constantly being lost from the body through breath, skin and body secretions. Staying hydrated before during and after exercise is important. Water delivers oxygen to muscles, can prevent dehydration and increases efficiency and performance. Relying on thirst is not the best way to monitor your intake. Symptoms of dehydration can begin before thirst signals you to drink. Headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, lightheadedness, dark urine and dry mouth are symptoms of dehydration. Individuals who are on certain medications and have certain diseases such as diabetes may not have a strong sense of thirst. Caffeine and alcohol have a diuretic effect on the body. The best way to stay adequately hydrated is to drink water steadily over the course of the day.

Consuming enough water has other important health benefits. Kidney stones can be avoided and prevented from recurring. Good hydration can keep crystals from forming. Water can aid weight control; many people confuse thirst for hunger. Dental and oral health can be improved by keeping the mouth moist creating more saliva which washes away food and organisms that cause gum disease and other dental issues. Water can also help to prevent constipation and urinary-tract infections. Most mature adults lose about 2.5 to 3 liters of water each day. Replenishment is necessary for optimum health and well-being.

answer any questions they may have as well as provide them some general information about the neighborhood.

When you attend the next Cresswind event look for that neighbor that sits to themselves or looking for a place to sit and invite them to join you. Everyone wants to feel included and welcome. That’s how we Cresswind!

We’re looking for new volunteers for the Welcome Committee –come join us and meet the new neighbors. Please contact Angie McClure, mcclureac@charter.net, 678-956-0287.

Welcome to our newest residents:

Jim Johnson andAlison Evans............3401 Locust Cove Road

Russell Hunt..................................3188 Willow Creek Drive

Clete and Debra Massi......................3711 Majestic Oak Drive

Martin and Joann Matijasich................3155 Scarlet Oak Lann

Tina Seban.....................................3180 Willow Creek Drive

Stephanie Tighe................................3842 English Oak Drive

TRAILS AND PATHWAYS COMMITTEE NEWS

Submitted by: Lynn Blaylock

Spring is a great time to enjoy our six beautiful trails across both north and south sections of our property. There are plenty of flowers and fauna to see.

Take a moment to review our Committee News and updates on the Cresswind website > Our Community > Committees > Trails and Pathways Committee. You’ll find information on Committee members, responsibilities and operations, meeting agenda/minutes, report to the HOA Board, and webpage link.

Throughout the winter, the Trails and Pathways Committee has been busy making our trails more accessible by blowing leaves and removing five fallen trees. The Eagle Scout candidate and friends installed two additional benches – for a total of three new benches. This group also removed five junk tires from the woods, which were in view from the trails.

In the coming months, the bridge decking for the first and second bridges on the Cardinal trail will be replaced, and structural issues will be addressed with the second bridge. Steps will be added in two places on the Cardinal trail which have steep descents. A community group hike will be scheduled so that residents have the opportunity to explore and experience the trails.

Would you like to be a part of these efforts? New members are always welcome! For more information, please contact Committee Chair Kristin Hoyt, klhoyt1956@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE

Submitted by: Lance Haney

Spring is here and the Cresswind Community Garden is alive with brilliant color! Cresswind residents are always invited and encouraged to stroll through the Community Garden and the adjacent Serenity Garden to enjoy the colors, sounds and smells of the garden and nature! It’s therapeutic!

You may have heard that the Community Garden has changed from being a club and is now a committee. That change was made official in March. There will be some very welcome improvements soon. Autumn plans include raising some garden box heights and adjusting a few box locations!

Here are a few dates and events to be on the watch

during May and June:

• In May, the garden blooms will be at their peak. What better time to have an Open House for all Cresswind residents to come and enjoy? Date and Time TBA.

• What’s blooming in the garden? May - Iris and Gladioli. June - Daylilies and Gladioli - plus lots of others.

Get Cresswind Community Garden news and helpful tips for home gardening by becoming a Friend-of-theGarden. You can volunteer, donate and be invited to take part in all Garden activities and events. Email us at cresswindcommunitygarden@gmail.com to be added to the contact list. Want to rent a garden box at the Community Garden? Contact Susan Dodd at susan8405@comcast.net to get on the waiting list. Join us on Facebook at Cresswind at LL Community Garden.

CLL-TRAFFIC & ROAD

USE (TRU) COMMITTEE News & Updates

Submitted By: John Stevens

An Actual ‘CLL Road-Use’ Experience … as shared with the TRU Committee. I want to alert you to a dangerous practice and perhaps offer a topic for discussion when you conduct future forums with walkers. I was driving on Cresswind Parkway when I saw walkers in the street ahead of me. They were walking in the road with traffic, so their back was to me. As I approached a bit closer they did not move or turn their heads. They did nothing to acknowledge that they heard me approaching in my car. As I got closer I noticed they had earbuds in, so they were probably listening to music. They had no idea/awareness there was a car following them. Both walking with traffic and wearing hearing devices are dangerous practices but combining them could be extremely dangerous.

Please remember…if you choose to walk in the road, WALK FACING TRAFFIC and stay mindful and alert so that you will see when vehicles are coming towards you. Please adopt the habit of stepping out of the roadway to let them pass, then resume your walk. Also, when there is a vehicle parked on the roadway in front of your path, choose the safer route and step up onto the sidewalk to continue pass the vehicle.

Then, if you choose, you can resume walking on the roadway facing traffic. Pretty simple habits for those of us who are aware that walking on the road has its own set of risks…but that we can make easy choices that will minimize that risk.

AARP Smart Driver Course: The Nationally Recognized AARP Smart Driver Course was offered here at Cresswind this past March for the second time in six months. It was not only well attended and well received, our CLL friends and neighbors who participated are now eligible for a discount on their car insurance for the next three years. Following the class, participants completed a 4-question ‘5-point rating’ survey, where 0 = definitely NO to 5 = definitely YES. Based on a 69% return rate, here are the results:

Rating QUESTION

4.7 / 5.0 Did you learn anything new or useful from the class?

4.7 / 5.0 Did the presenter (Adrienne) hold your attention?

4.8 / 5.0 Do you expect to get a discount on your car insurance?

4.5 / 5.0 Do you think we should offer this class again in the FALL?

The TRU Committee is looking into bringing the AARP Smart Diving Course and Presenter Adrienne back to Cresswind again this Fall. Stay tuned…!

Dr. Ben Martin and Dr. Mike Martin

Mike Martin, dds Ben Martin, dmd

Whether you are a beginner or returning to bridge, it’s the perfect place to start.

Come with a friend — or make new ones! See why bridge is the world’s most popular card game.

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2014

Saturday, May 3, 2025

9:00 - 4:00

Time: 9:30 a.m. tp 4:30 p.m.

LDBC - 3042 McEver Rd B Gainesville, GA 30504 Behind Rock Solid Karate

Location: Monon Community Center 1235 Central Park Drive East Carmel, IN

Cost: $30 includes instructional materials and lunch

$25 includes instructional materials Bring a Lunch!

Registration:

Register / Questions: Shawn.LBIAD@gmail.com

Can be made online at: www.carmelclayparks.com, in person at the Monon Community Center or by phone at (315)573-5248.

Reference: activity #147100-01

MEAL TRAIN/MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Submitted by: Maureen Terry-Morehead and Elaine Vetter

Meal Train & Medical Equipment resources are easy to find on the Cresswind Website under the Resource tab. Residents can request a Meal Train and/or the use of Medical Equipment on a temporary basis as the need arises, i.e., sickness, hurt, following surgery, hospitalization, etc.

Meal Train

We invite Cresswind residents to volunteer to provide a meal to a neighbor in need. If you’d like to participate, but don’t cook, perhaps you would consider purchasing a carryout meal from a local restaurant. When a Meal Train is requested within your Phase or street, you will receive an email inviting you to select a date to provide a meal. If you can’t do so for any of the dates listed, no worries—perhaps the next time you’ll be available to help. In other words, our goal is to have a good number of volunteers in each section of Cresswind so

we’re not relying on the same people to provide meals every time, and to account for meal preparers on vacation, etc.

To sign up to be a meal volunteer, please call or email Maureen Terry-Morehead at 703-939-4277 or mterrymorehead@gmail.com to provide your name, email address, and phone number. If you signed up previously—no need to sign up again—we’ve got you on the list!

Medical Equipment

In addition to the Meal Train, we also have a list of Medi cal Equipment for loan to Cresswind residents, i.e., walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, ice machine, etc. Please contact Elaine Vetter at 770-605-2562 if you need to borrow something and/or if you have an item to add to the list.

New to Lifestyle!

Are you involved in outside Cresswind community events? Do you think our residents would benefit from knowing about these events? Now you have a way to share!

In an effort to keep The Daily Update Cresswind focused, Lifestyle will be starting a new newsletter called “Our City Saturday”. This email will go out on Saturday afternoons and will focus on events happening beyond our gates. To submit a request for “Our City Saturday!” please go to: www.cresswindatll.com > Resources > Request/Forms > scroll down to “Our City Saturday!” Thank you for sharing exciting local events with our community.

Ashford finished Basement 3966 Great Pine Drive

Beechwood finished Basement 3330 Sweet Plum Trace

Hickory finished Loft 3963 Great Pine Drive

Clubs AT CRESSWIND

For additional information, please visit the Cresswind website at: https://www.cresswindatll.com/clubs/.

Arts and Crafts Clubs

Advanced Pottery

Artist’s Corner

Make & Take Crafts

Needlecraft

Quilting

Book Clubs

1st Tuesday Book Club

2nd Monday Book Club

3rd Monday Book Club

ABC Men’s Book Club

Between the Stacks

Book Babes

Book Buds

Book Worms

Cover to Cover Book Club

Reading Between the Wines

Theatre Goers Book Club

Cards / Games

Bridge: Duplicate

Bridge: Education: Cards

Bridge: Education: Computer

Bridge: Friday Rubber Bridge

Hand and Foot Canasta

Ladies Bunco

Ladies Texas Hold ‘Em

Mah Jongg

Mexican Train Club

Pinochle Club

Pokeno

Poker Club

Poker, Ladies

Poker, Straight Flush

Rummikub

Samba Card Group

Dance Clubs

Ballet

Ballroom Dance Club

Choreography

Clogging, Beginner/Intermediate

Hula Dance Club

Line Dance, Beginner

Line Dance, Cardio

Line Dance, Traditional

Performing Arts Clubs

CLL Video Production Club

Cresswind Community Chorus

Cresswind Neighborhood Theater

Cresswind Performing Arts Club

Karaoke Club

Liar’s Club

Neighborhood Bands

Performing Arts Technical Team

Small Bands

Storytellers Club

Summer Hummers of CW

Ukulele Club

Variety Show Club

Video Production Club

Religious and Bible Study Clubs

Couples’ Small Group

Men’s Bible Study

Shalom Club

The Way Bible Study

Women’s Bible Study

Specialty Interest Clubs

Bourbon Cabinet Club

Bourbon Club

Brewskies

Caregivers Coming Together

Community Flag Club

Community Garden Club

Cooking Club

Cresswind LL Community Fund

Cresswind Missions Club

Dinner Club

GALGNO Club

Great Decisions

Investment Club: CIC

Investment Club: The Falls

Living Stylishly

Martini Club: Women with a Twist

Model Railroad Club

Parkinson’s Support Group

P3 (PLANT POWERED PEOPLE)

VEGAN CLUB

Photography Enthusiasts

Scotch Lovers At Cresswind(SLAC)

Seniors Mentoring Students

Shaken Not Stirred Martini Club

Social Singles

Travel Club

Twisted Tequila Club

Veterans Club (501(c)3)

Volunteer Connection

Wine Tasting

Sports and Games Clubs

Billiards: Ladies

Billiards: Men’s

Bowling League

CLL Kayak Club

CLL Tennis Club

Cresswind Hiking Club

Cresswind Ping Pong Club

Fishing Club

Golf: Men

Golf: Women

Nine & Dine

Pickleball Club

Sports & Games

Tai Chi: Advanced

Tai Chi: For Everyone

Yoga

to Ingrid Bolton for being chosen through the “Georgia for the Arts” organization to provide a beautiful painting to be displayed at the Georgia State Capitol for at least one year. On the right is a picture of Ingrid Bolton with the beautiful painting on the Capitol stairway.

HELP ME PLEASE PROJECTS

a head start on Spring with almost any indoor & outdoor projects:

• bird nest blockers

• painting of mailbox

• pressure washing

• jewelry repair

• minor household repairs

• light garden & clean up

• moving furniture

• slow down the last winter push with fireplace fan installation & checkup

• and more. . .

For information go to our website www.cwfund.org – find Help Me Please - Red Button link or contact

Bud Baker, Help Me Please Manager budbaker2@gmail.com or Linda Keck hmpkeck@gmail.com.

Members and Non-Member Cresswind Residents Welcome! 2nd Quarter Meeting! Wednesday June 25th, Ballroom 3:00 – 4:30

Business 2025 Update – Guest Speakers Give Their Perspective - Refreshments-Social, Sponsor Raffle……And Always a Few Surprises! Thank You Member-Donors / Volunteers / Sponsors You are The Spirit of Cresswind! We Help Local Seniors in Need www.cwcfund.org

Board Directors/Officers: Mark Nestle, President / Wilton Rooks, Vice President / John Ulam, Treasurer / Cathy Jeffrey, Secretary / Bud Baker / Darla Eden / Lois Ehlers / Bill Papciak

Board Advisors: Tom Alexandris / Glenn Beranek / Sue Garcia / Susie Holbrook / Arnie McCleese / Rose Micuch / Brian Olson / Ron Stowe / Ann Sutlive / Russ Williams / Elaine Wood

Cresswind Community Fund Mission: to enhance the lives of adults primarily 55 and older through charitable, educational, medical health related, and cultural opportunities exclusively in Gainesville & Hall County

The Cresswind LL Community Fund is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Donations can be General or Restricted to a specific program and are tax deductible by law and in compliance with IRS policy.

*The Spirit of Cresswind, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, HELP THE HUNGRY, Help Me Please, CompanionCare, and Cresswind LL Community Fund are service marks of Cresswind LL Community Fund, Inc.

Copyright © 2025 The Cresswind LL Community Fund, Inc. All rights reserved.

BIBLE STUDY CLUBS

The Bible is a love letter from God to you. What makes the Bible so exciting is not the book itself, but the fact that through it we encounter the person we love. The whole Bible is about Jesus. The New Testament is obviously about Jesus. However, Jesus said of the Scriptures that were available in His lifetime (that is, the Old Testament): “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me”, John 5:39. We should approach the Bible with a heart that seeks to know and love Jesus more fully, allowing His Word to transform us from the inside out. The Bible challenges us to go beyond surface-level reading and truly seek to encounter the person of Jesus in the pages of Scripture.

If you feel led to learn more about the Bible or if there is a desire to know Jesus more personally, there are many opportunities here in Cresswind.

The Women’s Bible Study meets Thursdays from 4-5 pm in the Arts & Crafts Room. The first Thursday of the month is devoted to Intercessory Prayer. Diane Denniston DianeDenniston222@ gmail.com and/or Jami Dittmeier SJDittmeier@ gmail.com.

The Men’s Bible Study meets Fridays from 10-11 am in the Georgia Room. They begin with a time of prayer from 9:30-10:00 am. Dave Dittmeier DaDittmeier@gmail.com.

Couples Bible Studies meet in private homes throughout the community. Joanne Randall joran1088@gmail.com.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”, James 5:16 NIV

BOOK CLUBS

2ND MONDAY BOOK CLUB

Hello Cresswind Book lovers! The 2nd Monday book club meets in the library at 11:00 am once a month. We’ve been discussing books for about 10 years now!! We are open to all genres but seem to enjoy historical fiction the most. We enjoy learning about the authors, as well. However, our current book is non-fiction… ’Being Dead Is No Excuse’… a hilarious look at Southern etiquette when dealing with anything ‘funeral-related’! The authors also include many yummy traditional Southern recipes. Future books include: The River We Remember (William Kent Krueger); Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade (Janet S. Charles); The Reading List (Sara N. Adam’s). For additional information: Ann Causey antan@ bellsouth.net. Come join us sometime!! And, keep reading, Cresswind!

3RD MONDAY BOOK CLUB

Joyce Allen jallen8734@gmail.com

1ST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB

Lynne Tryon lynnetryon@gmail.com

ABC MEN’S BOOK CLUB

Our club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm in the clubhouse library. We only read and discuss non-fiction books. The ABC Book Club is open to any Cresswind male who may be interested in reading and discussing nonfiction books. Want more info? Please contact Dave Dittmeier at DaDittmeier@gmail.com. (PS: ABC stands for Annuitants, Bibliophiles and Curmudgeons).

BOOK BABES BOOK CLUB

Pat Hilger patricia.hilger@outlook.com

BOOK BUDS BOOK CLUB

Our book club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the homes of our members. There are no meetings in July and January. For additional information: Zona Buchen zbuchen51@ charter.net.

BOOK WORMS BOOK CLUB

Cathy Koenig kckl110@gmail.com

COVER-TO-COVER BOOK CLUB

Donna Brown donnabrownga@comcast.net

IN THE STACKS BOOK CLUB

Carol Malarney carolmalarney@gmail.com

READING BETWEEN THE WINES BOOK CLUB

Janet Nelson jnotesto87@gmail.com

THEATRE GOERS BOOK CLUB

Marilyn Young mayoung517@gmail.com

CARD CLUBS

BRIDGE EDUCATION –COMPUTER CLUB

Submitted by: John Kelley

Attention Cresswind Bridge Players - all levels welcome!

Bridge Bidding Exercises Mondays at 1:001:50ish Crow’s Nest or Billiards Room starting April 14th. We will look at computer generated bridge hands on the big screen, count our points, bid the hand while discussing what each player may mean by their bids, then “check” our interpretation of the bids the computer made or play the interesting hands.

All levels of bridge players are welcome from those just learning to count their points to experienced players who will help us with play of the hand. If you are interested please send John Kelley an email to get on the email list at Dr.JohnKelley@gmail.com.

MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOS

Submitted by: Mary Ann Hoyle

Come join the fun playing Mexican Train Dominos with us on the 2nd Thursday night of each month from 7-9 pm. It’s an easy game, no sign up or experience needed. We meet at the

poker tables in the Billiards Room. This is a mixed group, men and women. It’s a great way to make new friends! We provide the Mexican Train sets. See you there!

PINOCHLE CLUB

Submitted by: Sue & Alex Ford

The Pinochle Club meets every Saturday in the Card Room at 1:00 pm to play Double Deck Pinochle. If you’re new to the game or haven’t played in a long time we are glad to teach you in a “no stress/noncompetitive environment”. It is a great opportunity to spend some time with your fellow Cresswinders. If you have any questions feel free to email me at fordnj@msn.com.

POKENO CLUB

Submitted by: Sheran Connolly

Pokeno is played every Sunday night at 5:30 pm. It is played on a card similar to bingo using pennies. For more information please contact Sheran 678-858-3431

STRAIGHT FLUSH POKER CLUB

Submitted by: Dave Dittmeier

Interested in playing some poker and a time of fellowship? The Straight Flush Poker Club plays a variety of poker games Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm in the Billiards Room of the Clubhouse. Both female and males are welcome to play. For more information contact Dave Wilson wils23@me.com or Dave Dittmeier DaDittmeier@ gmail.com.

LADIES POKER

Submitted by: Denise Skeels

Ladies Poker is inviting you to join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. We play in the Crow’s Nest from 6:30-8:30 pm. We play Dealer’s Choice of game. If you don’t know any games, it doesn’t matter. They are easy to learn, and you’ll get lots of help. A reminder goes out via email a few days before and you come when you can. We usually skip December because everyone is so busy. We’d love to have you join us! Contact Denise Skeels at skeelsdenise@ gmail.com or Linda Lubeck at cleaburnlubeck@ yahoo.com if you have questions.

THE POKER CLUB

Submitted by: Jerry Worlock

Texas Hold’em Tournament every Tuesday night from 6 to 9 pm at the tables located at the end of the gym area. The Poker Club will furnish dealers for each table. Cresswind residents are welcome to just show up or for more info email me at jerryworlock@gmail.com. Thank you, The Poker Club.

RUMMIKUB CLUB

Submitted by: Laura Martin

All residents are invited to come play RUMMIKUB every Friday at 12:30 pm in the Crow’s Nest. Rummikub is an easy tile game based on the card game Rummy. If you know how

to play Rummy or Gin Rummy, you’re halfway there. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play because we are happy to teach you! So, come join us for a couple hours of fun and socialize with your neighbors! Please contact Laura Martin for additional information, qnmartin118@gmail.com.

SAMBA CARD CLUB

Submitted by: Mary Ann Hoyle

Come play Samba with us on Fridays at 12:15 pm. It’s similar to Canasta and Hand and Foot. We will be happy to teach you how to play. It’s a relaxed group, and there are no signups needed. We play on the tables in the Billiards Room. If you have questions you can email CherylWoodall@ gmail.com.

CAREGIVERS COMING TOGETHER

Submitted by: Suzanne Connor

Come and gather with others within our community, who may also be overwhelmed and isolated in the daily care of their loved one. The focus of this club will be on the caregiver and their need for some respite, fun, and fellowship. Any questions please contact Suzanne Connor, 404626-5616, Suz5con@gmail.com.

CRESSWIND INVESTMENT CLUB (CIC)

Submitted By: Louise Dunn

The seasons go round and round, and the stock market goes up and down. A common strategy is to sell in May and go away. When might one return to investing this year?

Inflation is tempering, yet the effects on the economy and the stock market will likely continue throughout the year. Talk of recession continues as businesses struggle with growth and earnings. Predictions about the economy and stocks abound, often fueled by social media. How and when does one decide which stocks to buy, hold, or sell?

As a service to the entire community, the Cresswind Investment Club provided a financial presentation by Mitsy Mangum from Bison Wealth on April 16th. As a seasoned financial advisor, Mitsy Mangum shared information about assessing potential investments, diversifying allocations, and adjusting the portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation as market conditions change. She promoted and responded well to questions related to portfolio management and RMDs.

We invite you to join us as a guest to learn more about the Cresswind Investment Club. Meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Clubhouse Kitchen. If you want to attend, contact Jack George at jgeorge263@gmail. com or Bill Doyle at wrdoyle2147@gmail.com.

COOKING CLUB AND COOKING SCHOOL

Submitted by: Robin Foster

The Mardi Gras Event held March 1st was a sell-out! Thank you to Peter Bertasi for organizing and hosting this event along with his team of 60 volunteers. Guests attended outfitted with their

best Mardi Gras themed apparel and accessories. The table decorations were over the top, thank you to Sandra Nelson and her team, and the ballroom was a sea of magical Mardi Gras colors. The Bourbon Brothers Jazz Band entertained the guests with their Frank Sinatra style music and enticed guests to kick up their heels. Thank you to Tim Roth, as our club MC, for keeping the agenda running smoothly. The menu included gumbo, rice, muffalettas, and King cake, all delicious. Thank you to all the volunteers who prepared and served the meal and to the many who stayed to cleanup. Also thank you to Help Me Please for the setup and teardown. Hope to see you all at the next event.

The Fish Fry will be held on Saturday, June 14th at 5:30 pm. The Regulators Band will be coming to entertain us. Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for ticket sales as the date approaches.

Cooking School recently offered a class using Instapots. Resident chefs demonstrated recipes prepared with this kitchen appliance.

Another field trip to the Green Box Mushroom Farm was attended in early March, this a popular trip.

The Four Guys and a Gal brunch provided a Thai-themed brunch on March 23rd, and it was another hit for this resident cooking crew as well as the guests. Jacquie Waldron, and volunteers, will be hosting a Salad in a Jar class on April 23rd. There will be a field trip to the Dairy Farm on June 11th and a Charcuterie Board class on June 17th. Many opportunities to get involved, stay tuned for tickets sales.

Please consider volunteering for one of your club’s events or cooking school class. They cannot happen without you.

CPAC

CLL VIDEO PRODUCTION CLUB

Submitted by: Karen Ruhala

Lots of good things are happening with the CLL Video Production Club! Our Video Services Team have been busy videoing CPAC events including Always Patsy Cline, Liar’s Club, and the Christmas Chorus. If you have an interest in being part of this team, please contact us via the Red “Contact Video Productions” button on our Video Production Club website. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided.

The “Movie Production” portion of the Club has also been very busy gearing up for filming our first movie “Kiss April Goodbye” by securing filming locations, finding props as needed, practicing shooting and editing with the camera, lighting and sound equipment and finally gearing up for auditions (to begin in May.) We are currently planning for filming to begin in early June. Keep an eye out for additional information and a release date for our film, which will be shown to a Cresswind audience upon completion! As always, if you have any additional questions, please contact Karen Ruhala at vpc.production. coordinator@gmail.com.

CRESSWIND CHORUS

Submitted by: Chuck Bridwell

BROADWAY IS COMING YOUR WAY – On May 1-3 the Cresswind Community Chorus will be presenting an All-Broadway extravaganza featuring songs from your favorite Broadway Musicals of all time.

You’ll hear songs from The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Mama Mia, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Peter Pan, Carousel, Forty-Second Street, Annie Get Your Gun, The Lion King, South Pacific, Anything Goes, Les Misérables, Wicked and many more.

Featured guest performers will be our own Cresswind Community Management stars Jennifer Finlayson and Allison Ladd. Both have extensive musical theatre backgrounds. They will each have a solo number and then will perform a show-stopping duet.

As usual, songs will be presented by not only the full Chorus, but also the Chorale, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Three’s a Charm trio, a four-hand piano duet, a Lisa Phifer solo, and the ever-popular UpChucks. Tickets are $15 and available at www.cresswindpa.com/upcomingevents.

CRESSWIND NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE

Submitted by: Richard St George

The Cresswind Neighborhood Theatre has been busy having a murderously good time during rehearsals for TIL DEATH DO US PART

Leo and Lotus are getting married!! Everyone is invited to the wedding of the season, where murder takes center stage, and all the guests

are suspects. (We tried to warn you.) Neither the groom’s parents nor the bride’s former boyfriend want the marriage to happen. The family lawyer has a little something up his sleeve and it might involve an enigmatic guest that no one knows. Amateur sleuth Miss Peabody conducts an investigation punctuated by the traditional wedding events in which the audience can also participate, such as throwing the bouquet, cutting of the cake, and dancing...a LOT of dancing. Each moment brings Miss Peabody a step closer to the identity of a ruthless killer(s?) consumed by greed. With the audience’s help in finding clues during intermission, all but the killer(s?) will live happily ever after…we hope!

This is a murder mystery dessert theatre presented May 14-17 at 7:00 PM. During intermission we will be serving dessert along with light refreshments. All attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the nuptials while conserving Mother Earths precious resources.

The bride requests no gifts. In lieu, please make a donation to help save the screaming hairy armadillos. Their link is http://www. savethescreamingharryarmadillos.com.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.cresswindpa.com/upcoming-events. Any questions? We can be contacted at cresswindtheatre@gmail.com. Come on out and have a bloody good time with us!

CRESSWIND STORYTELLING CLUB

Submitted by: Bert Emma

Cresswind Storytelling Club tells all kinds of stories. One kind of story is Folk Stories, also known as Folktales. These are traditional narratives passed down orally through generations, often reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences of a particular culture or community. They can include fairy tales, legends, myths, tall tales, and fables serving as entertainment and a way to preserve cultural heritage.

Folktales are stories that are part of a culture’s oral tradition, meaning they are told rather than written down. These stories often teach lessons, explain natural phenomena, or explore human experiences. Common themes of folktales include heroes, mythical creatures, tricksters, and moral dilemmas.

Folktales are important because they help to

preserve cultural identity and traditions; transmit knowledge and values from one generation to the next; and offer entertainment and a sense of community.

Here is a Folk Story that was told at one of our Storytelling Sessions. This Folk Story is told around the world in many different languages This is the American version – maybe from New Jersey…

The Man, The Boy, and The Donkey

A man kissed his wife goodbye and he and his son went with their donkey to the market. As they were walking along with the donkey by his side a countryman passed them and said, “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?” So, the man put the boy on the donkey, and they went on their way.

But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said, “See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.”

So, the man ordered his boy to get off and got on himself. But they hadn’t gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other, “Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along.”

Well, the man didn’t know what to do, but at last, he took his boy up before him on the donkey. By this time, they had come to the town, and the passersby began to jeer and point at them. The man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at.

The men said, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours — you and your hulking son?”

The man and boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, until at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey’s feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them until they came to a bridge, when the donkey getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle, the donkey fell over the bridge, and with his forefeet being tied together, he drowned

The man didn’t know what to do. So, he and his son walked home, and he told his wife all that happened. Now, being the wise woman that she was, she said “As you can see, everyone has opinions, and if you try to please everyone you can kiss your ass goodbye!”

Come to the Next Cresswind Storyteller’s

meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm in the Ballroom. You can tell a story or just come listen – you will enjoy it and have fun!

SAVE THE DATE: Every year the Cresswind Storytellers present a Showcase of stories for all to enjoy. Please save the date for the October 23-24, Storytelling Showcase – Once Upon a Time VII.

If you are interested in telling a story at this year’s Storytelling Showcase, please contact Bert Emma at bemmajr@gmail.com. We will help you with presenting your story and you will accomplish another thing you never thought of before and enjoy the new experience. www. cresswindpa.com/storytelling

KARAOKE CLUB

Submitted by: Heidi Anderson

The Karaoke Club had a great 2024 year. We ended the year with a big holiday bash. The board members put together a 30-minute show for all those attending. It was very well received and our way of saying thank you to everyone for your support. The rest of the evening was filled with everyone singing their favorite tunes. The Karaoke Club meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:00 pm in the Ballroom. All are welcome, there is no fee to attend. It is always an evening of fun and often unexpected surprise visitors. We look forward to 2025 and another great year of Karaoke!

OUT PAST NINE

Submitted by: Richard St George

Your favorite neighborhood band, OUT PAST NINE, has been busy singing, dancing and learning a whole bunch of new songs! We recently played a Lifestyle event in Cresswind to a sold-out crowd and what a night it was! The dance floor was packed from the opening song till the last notes three hours later!

Along with the dancing there was a lot of singing, boogying (not the same as dancing) and FUN, FUN, FUN by everyone that attended. Thanks also to our guest artists that joined us this time. (Our ZZ TOP guitarists were outstanding!! You never know what surprises the band will bring to a show!) We really appreciate the support that the community gives every time we play.

The band has a few shows outside the community but DO NOT FRET as we will be

WHAT’S HAPPENING

back at Cresswind on October 17th for a CPAC PRESENTS show.

Don’t forget that we have a website: www. cresswindpa.com/op9. You can visit this site to find out why there is a cat always hanging from the keyboard stand! We can also be contacted at outpastnine@gmail.com. Thanks for everything Cresswind and we will see you in October.

PERFORMING ARTS TECHNICAL TEAM (PATT)

Submitted By: Mike Beuke

The PATT is comprised of several groups that join to support nearly all of the performances we enjoy at Cresswind – both Cresswind Performing Arts Club (CPAC) and HOA Lifestyle. This is accomplished through delivering on the technical aspects of each event:

• Sound

o Microphones, speakers, monitors, etc.

o Sound effects

• Lighting and Special Effects

o All theater/stage lighting, special lighting for distinctive applications, etc.

o Special effects such as fog, snow, pyro technics (the safe kind), etc.

• Set Design

o Primarily for play productions

I happen to be the lead for the Lighting and Special Effects Team (more commonly referred to as simply the Lighting Team), and I am always on the lookout for new team members who are interested in participating in and learning the ropes to be able to coordinate events within the team.

Even though we are referred to as a technical team, technical ability is actually not a requirement. I am living proof of that. Going into it I knew absolutely nothing about lighting, and even though I know more than what I did, I still often wing-it to produce the desire effects. That’s what makes it so much fun! AND… that’s the main reason we do it!

An important point to make at this time is that we are working to improve the equipment we have, which in turn will make our processes even easier on both the technical and physical aspects of our tasks.

So if you are inclined to investigating what lighting has to offer in terms of self-growth, contribution to the community and having a considerable amount of fun, please feel free to

contact me at beuke.mike@gmail.com.

SUMMER HUMMERS INVITE

Submitted by: Richard Petty

The Summer Hummers Invite New and Former Members to Sing Together!

As summer approaches, it’s that time again for the Summer Hummers to perform, a men’s vocal group here in Cresswind. We invite all former members and new singers in the community to join us this summer for our fourth concert season. We enjoy the camaraderie of singing together, and a chance to reconnect, make music, and build friendships.

This season, we will feature a new band with talented musicians from Cresswind to enhance our sound and to support our vocal efforts. Band members are Rob Demcheck on lead guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Kevin Clevenger on drums. We’re also excited to feature John Kelly on the banjo, Bill Parsons on piano, and Rich St George on keys.

Our rehearsals are on Monday from 3:00 – 4:30 pm, beginning on June 9th, with performances scheduled for August 21st and August 22nd. Interested singers can reach out to a Summer Hummer member for more information or contact Richard Petty directly at 678-316-5557rrpettybb@gmail.com or Dick Osborne, Production Manager at 703-244-4695 - osborne.dick@gmail. com.

We look forward to seeing both familiar faces and hearing new voices join together for a fantastic fourth season of the Summer Hummers. See you June 9th.

VARIETY SHOW 2025 – COMING IN SEPTEMBER

Submitted by: Nancy Evans, Variety Show Lead

Do you have a hidden talent or one that is completely visible to everyone you meet? We are looking for singers, dancers, actors, comedians, instrumentalists (Sorry---no dog acts), and more who would like to join this every growing group of friends and neighbors who get together to “PUT ON A SHOW”. We had over 80 participants last year. Our show dates are September 18, 19, and 20. However, we will need to know if you are interested in late May and then your full commitment in late June. Those details will be released at a later date, please watch the Daily

Update for more information. If you don’t have a specific act in mind, but would like to possibly join a group act, please let me know. You may contact me at naevans50@gmail.com.

CRESSWIND HERITAGE WORKGROUP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Workgroup is making plans for Volume 3 of the Cresswind Heritage book series. This is open to any residents who are interested in participating in the project. Participate might involve designing the volume organizing the writing process, drafting or revising a chapter or section (Volume 3 will cover 2015 – 2019), reviewing draft materials or proofreading. The creation of Volume 2 was a lot of fun and very interesting! If you are interested or need more details, please contact Bert Emma at bemmajr@ gmail.com.

CRESSWIND MODEL RAILROAD CLUB

Submitted by: Brian Olson

The Cresswind Model Railroad Club set up our display at a real train station last month. The club was part of the NE Georgia Science Symposium in Flowery Branch. HUNDREDS of folks visited the club’s modular layout over 5 days at the historic train depot. There were real trains running outside and model trains running inside. And the club thanks our friend and neighbor Angie McClure for introducing us to the event.

Is Model Railroading a science? You bet. And today’s modern model railroading technology was on full display. The kids were fascinated. So were the grownups. The club also debuted a Scavenger Hunt. Visitors all got a checklist to find certain sites and scenes on the layout. Look for the hunt the next time the club sets up at our Clubhouse. Most of all, our club members had great fun sharing our hobby and the fun went both ways. The Science Symposium has already asked the club to return next year.

CRESSWIND PARKINSONS SUPPORT GROUP

Submitted by: Pete Lyons

The Cresswind Parkinsons Support Group is a functional support group formed to help educate and update those diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease as well as those that are caretakers. The

group meets every second Thursday of each month in the Ballroom at 1:00 pm. The meetings usually include specialist in a variety of disciplines in Parkinsons, including doctors in the area of Neurology and other specialties. Meetings are open to anyone interested in seeing what we do or interested in supporting the group. If you would like to learn more about the support group please contact Pete Lyons, Dan Skills, or Jerry Cox.

DANCING CLUBS

BALLET CLASS

Submitted by: Cheryl Vassiliadis

Dancers in the Ballet Class have been working on several new divertissements out in the center of the floor. The first is a dramatic movement to a section of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. The second is three short movements to a musical selection from the opera Carmen. Those who study ballet have been shown to have improved posture, balance and flexibility. Our class meets on Mondays at noon in the Lanier Room.

CLOGGERCIZE CLASSES

Submitted by: Mary Woulf

Cloggercize classes are great exercise and a fun way to dance. The classes are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Lanier Room. This class is for cloggers of all skill levels. Clogging shoes, tap shoes, dance shoes, or sneakers are required.

BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASS

Submitted by: Kim Miller

Beginner Line Dance class is set to start May 1st from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Georgia Room. If you wish to join the class please text Kim Miller at 860-912-9362 to be added to the mailing list for information about the class. The dance steps, the newly introduced dances, and any other pertinent information will be emailed out to the participants and instructors a week in advance to give all a heads-up. So, come dance with us!

HULU DANCE CLUB

Submitted by: Mary Ramatowski

Hula dancing is relaxing and fun as well as a great way to maintain flexibility and fitness. And,

NO - we don’t use hula hoops. Hula is a dance that tells stories using hand motions while your feet keep the beat of the music and give the story motion. It is a smooth, fluid dance so it is not tough on our joints.

We meet for an hour on Wednesdays in the Lanier Room starting at 3:15 pm. The dances are taught by Mary Ramatowski who has been involved with Hawaiian dancing for 10 years. We start each lesson reviewing basic hula steps and then move on to dance routines of varying difficulty. We review the dances each week, so if you miss a class or two, you will be able to “catch up” when you return. Come check us out! Aloha!

GAINESVILLE! WHO KNEW!

Submitted by: Lauren Price

Hey Y’all, you can listen to episodes of Gainesville! Who Knew? on our website gainesvillewhonew.com. If you subscribe, we will let you know when new episodes become available … and more. Hope you enjoy these episodes. We’d love your feedback and would welcome any ideas for stories you think we should be talking about. “Drop Us A Line” on the website or join our Facebook groupgainesvillewhoknew.

LIVING STYLISHLY

Submitted by: Abby Saccomanno

Living Stylishly Club is up and running for 2025 with new and returning members. Below is a list of 2025 Board members:

President: Abby Saccamono

Vice President: Sandra Nelson

Treasurer: Martha Priescorn

Secretary: Janis Power

Webmaster: Deena Demchak

Members at Large: Heidi Anderson, Zona Buchen, Debbie Cox, Sue Gorham, Diane Jaseckas, Janet Johnson, Becky Lyons, Carol Malarney, Diane Santiago-Norman.

The Board hosted their annual kickoff event, a “Meet Greet,” on February 25th at the Boot Barn in Gainesville. Members enjoyed socializing over heavy appetizers and a choice of their preferred “adult beverage.” It was a great time to reconnect with old friends and meet new neighbors!

Wow, if you’re a member of Living Stylishly you’re in for a treat! May 20th is our fashion

show extravaganza at Boot Barn, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it! Doors swing open at 11:00 am. Get your fashion juices flowing at the cash bars serving wine, champagne, mimosas, margaritas, other mixed drinks, as well as a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. We’ll be enjoying some delicious food – think chicken strips, mashed potatoes and gravy, plus two awesome salads. After lunch the main event will kick off with our fashion show courtesy of Belk. Get ready for a dazzling display of clothes, jewelry, and makeup that will make your head spin. This is going to be a spectacular event, so don’t miss out!

This summer, there will be another fun Living Stylishly Bowling Event. Look for Living Stylishly emails for more information about the date and time.

On October 14th, Living Stylishly will host a Women’s Health and Empowerment event providing information on how to stay healthy. More information on how to purchase your tickets for the Living Stylishly events will be provided in the Daily Updates and by email. Please join us in a great year of Living Stylishly!

MISSIONS CLUB

Submitted by: Julie Philpott

Thank you Cresswind for blessing Helping Hands of Hall County with our March 30th bingo and silent auction fundraising event. We received your generous outpour of donations to support this local 501c3 charity and had a fun evening of bingo and prizes! The Silent Auction offered many fun and generous items for bidding, and we thank all of our donors. At the end of March, we gave over $15,000 to Helping Hands of Hall County so they can continue to provide aid to the people in the local homeless camps. Go to their website www.hhofhc.org to see the ways they are helping in Hall County.

Our next event will be Hot Dogs for Honduras in mid-June 2025. Join us for a hot dog lunch and donate to Saint Benedict Joseph Medical Center www.sbjhonduras.com in Comayagua Honduras. This ministry provides surgical, dental, and postsurgical therapies for children and adults. Look for more details on the lunch event in the Daily Update in late May.

We hope you will join us in the future for another FUNdraising event (that is always full of

FUN). To find out about all of the Missions Club events and ways to get involved in missions in our community and abroad email us and become a free member of the Missions Club at missions. club.cll@gmail.com.

P3 (PLANT POWERED PEOPLE) VEGAN CLUB

Submitted by: Michael Lipsitt

The new P3 Vegan Club met in February, March, and April and have monthly meetings planned for the second Wednesday of the month in the Clubhouse Kitchen. We have 20 energized members. At the inaugural meeting in February, members described their vegan journey to date, reasons for joining the club, and suggestions for meeting structure. At the March & April meetings, we enjoyed vegan dishes, as well as presentations. Jill Schulze gave a review of good vegan information sources, while Trudy Miller discussed oils in a plant-based diet. Anyone interested in learning more about plant-based diet is welcome to join us. Contact Mary McDonald maryofhats@gmail.com or Michael Lipsitt michael. lipsitt@gmail.com for more information.

THE QUILTING CLUB

Submitted by: Flo Swartz

The Quilt Club is buzzing with activity as 18 dedicated members come together every Thursday to work on their latest projects - the fall raffle quilt and the Quilt of Valor. These beautiful quilts not only showcase the talents of our members but will also serve a greater purpose in our community.

In addition to the raffle quilt and Quilt of Valor, our club has been hard at work creating quilts that will be donated to Meals on Wheels. These quilts will be distributed in December as part of the Meals on Wheels “Warmth Program.” We have completed 17 in the first quarter alone, so with nine months to go . . . .

If you have a passion for sewing/quilting or simply want to learn, we warmly welcome you to join our club. Look for us in the Arts & Crafts room on Thursdays starting at 1:00 pm.

THE SHALOM CLUB

Submitted by: Miriam Rosenberg

We all enjoyed our annual hamantaschen

baking to kick off the holiday of Purim in March. Later in the month we had a happy hour in the Crow’s Nest to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Thanks to all who participated. In April, as we celebrate the holiday of Passover, the Shalom Club provided an informational table in the lobby to share a Passover message and provide some samples of Passover foods.

Please join us for our next event, our annual Shavuot brunch on Sunday, June 8th at 11:00 am in the Kitchen. Shavuot is the holiday commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount Sinai as the Jewish people wandered through the desert on their journey to the Promised Land.

If you would like to join the Shalom Club or want more information about the club, please reach out to Miriam Rosenberg at grammycooks 716@gmail.com, 954-501-9249 or Karen Walters at karsuew@gmail.com, 301-461-1900.

CRESSWIND SOCIAL SINGLES

Submitted by: Babara Hillick

As flowers are popping out, Cresswind’s Social Singles are revving up for an adventurepacked day trip. How about a jaunt through vineyards, tasting exquisite wines, and sharing belly laughs with new friends? That’s the Wine Tasting Tour on May 1, folks! The fun doesn’t stop there. We’re talking about theater performances, concerts, walks, and bowling outings.

But wait, there’s more! Pop-up lunches will catch you off guard and game nights will have you plotting and scheming. Planned or spur-of-themoment events, the Social Singles are experts at squeezing out every drop of fun.

The recent Social Singles Chili Cookoff had culinary geniuses whipping up 12 pots of magic chili, homemade corn breads, and offering ice cream as dessert. Jo McDonald’s winning chili was a highlight with Linda Keck’s a close second. The true magic lay in raising over $1100 from ticket sales and donations for the Good Samaritan Food Ministry. They supply food, clothes, personal toiletries, diapers, baby formulas, cleaning supplies, and much more. The real prize was the heartfelt contribution to those in need. We thank Nancy Gladwell, Donna Fox, and all the other volunteers for making this successful.

“Taco Me Out to the Ballgame” was a night filled with laughter, a cloud of Mexican cuisine aromas, and people munching tacos like there’s no tomorrow. Thanks to Donna Reed’s generosity in paying for the catering, the event was a smash hit. Since Donna paid, the proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Community Fund. Who knew tacos could taste kind? Thank you to the ‘team’ who organized the event - Larry Goldberger (our Boomer Trivia MC), Dianne Wood, Angie Caudill, Patty Church, and many other volunteers.

Ready to join or just want more information? Access the link for Social Singles on the Cresswind website and share your contact information. Someone from the group will reach out to you. Please let us know if you are new to the neighborhood or if you have lived here a while and are just ready to join us for the fun. We can’t wait to meet you!

SPORTS & GAMES

BILLIARDS – LADIES

Submitted by: Mary Bruce

Open play for ladies interested in honing your billiard skills, learning the game or simply spending time laughing over the tables. Tuesdays at 12:30 – 2:30 pm in the Billiards Room, 3rd Floor of Clubhouse.

CRESSWIND BOWLING LEAGUE

Submitted by: Paul Capal

The Cresswind Bowling League will complete the 2024/25 season on April 16th with a roll off between the first and second half winners. All other league bowlers are invited to participate in an 8/9 pin tournament on April 16th. There is no charge for this last week of bowling. Congratulations to all our bowlers on a fine season. We look forward to everyone coming back for the 2025/26 season that will begin September 3rd, we will have more information as we get closer to September.

The Cresswind Bowling League will hold the 2024/25 season wrap up meeting on Wednesday April 23rd in the Clubhouse Ballroom at 10:00 am. At this meeting we will pass out the individual and team prizes for the season. Please have at least one representative from your team attend this meeting.

Also, at the April 23rd meeting we will be forming the teams for a summer league. The summer session will be for 10 weeks beginning May 28th and ending July 30th. We are a handicap league and invite anyone in or outside of Cresswind to come out and enjoy a fun time with friends and neighbors. We currently have 7 teams of 3 per team for a total of 21 bowlers committed to the summer league and we can always add to this total. The summer league will be held on the same day, time and place as the regular season - Wednesdays, 10:00 am at Stars and Strikes in Buford. If you have an interest in bowling as a substitute or full-time on a team, please contact any of the Bowling League Board Members. The Bowling League Board contact and league rules can be found using the link on the Cresswindatll. com website under Clubs.

CRESSWIND LADIES GOLF

Submitted by: Linda Loye

The Cresswind Ladies Golf group had a spring planning meeting at the Crow’s Nest on March 13th. The early morning Mimosa Mamas on Tuesdays will start at 07:30 am April 1st. There are two other golf groups, Janet Power’s group is currently full and Mary Ann Amick’s group currently has one opening.

If someone wants to take over making reservations at Royal Oaks please contact me for contact info. Nine and Dine also needs a person to head it up this group as Rita Mesimer has too many trips planned this year. We are going on a ladies golf outing to Kingwood in May. For more information please contact Linda Loye at Lmloye1@aol.com or text 505-321-9763.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

KAYAK CLUB

Submitted By: Sherri Heckt- Boguski, President Cresswind Kayak Club

Are you looking forward to warmer weather and sunny days for kayaking? On March 22nd, we participated in the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Sweep the Hootch – Cresswind Sweep the Cove and Trails. It was a chilly morning, but we had about 10 people walking around the shore and trails picking up trash. It was good exercise and a way to help the environment! Thank you to all that participated.

We are still in the planning stages for this year. Possible events include:

• Weekly Group Paddles

• First time Kayaker’s Day

• Kayaking and Picnics around the lake

• Sunset Kayaking

• Kayak Club Member Dinners

The annual dues are $5 to become a member.

PICKLEBALL CLUB NEWS

Submitted by: Cassie Caton

Welcome to Spring in Cresswind. We are all thankful to have the drab winter and colder temperatures behind us. Looking forward, there are numerous pickleball activities planned to keep you involved in everything pickleball. Here is a rundown of some of our past events and the upcoming pickleball calendar.

By the time this Waterfall is distributed, we will have held the very popular annual Clay Myers tournament on April 12th. This year’s tournament was sponsored by North Georgia Health System (NGHS), who provided lunch for all players and volunteers. We especially want to thank all those who participated this year as well as a big shout out to all our amazing volunteers and to NGHS who make this a popular annual tournament. The Polar Express scramble was held on March 1st on an exceptionally nice, non-polar temperature day and was sponsored by the team at Specialty Orthopedics who were in attendance and gave us a nice presentation of their services.

On April 4th and 5th the Cresswind Cup was held at CRESSWIND TWIN LAKES hosted by Kolter Homes. Our pickleball club had 42 players in competition with eight other Kolter communities. If the tournament goes as planned the next WATERFALL will feature photos from the Cresswind Cup as well as the Clay Myers.

Your Pickleball Board strives to create exciting

and fun events to keep you involved and enjoying this game. Spearheaded by Jim Snell, advanced and intermediate round robins will start in April and run through June. Jim and Wendy Warder conducted the very popular novice clinics on Wednesdays in March through April 9th. Sep Khameneh will resume the weekly drill sessions that help everyone hone their skills. The annual Reed Financial Tournament is scheduled for September 20th.

All level players are encouraged to come out and play with your fellow picklers during the morning and afternoon open play hours. After conducting an interest survey, the Board voted not to bring back the Mark Price Pro Pickleball Camp which was scheduled for October 17th – 19th. The Board met with Kyle Johnson, certified pickleball instructor, to discuss his fee-based instruction services for private and group lessons, clinics, skill development, pro demonstrations, etc. His information was provided to the membership in an email on March 9th.

It is important for members and non-members to visit the website, www.Cresswindpickleball. com for “the latest from the kitchen”, to reserve courts, pay dues, see the rules, and more. As the Board adds events and programs to the pickleball calendar stay in the know by reading club emails, visiting the website and following the Facebook group CRESSWIND AT LL PICKLEBALL GROUP. To avoid e-newsletters from going to your spam or junk folders, add cwll.pickleball@gmail.com to your contacts.

Pro advice, “START HITTING AND START AIMING THE BALL”. Aim for space, aim for your opponent’s feet, or aim towards the sideline. This is as the opponents get closer to the NVZ/kitchen. Otherwise, get the ball deep as in the return of serves.

CRESSWIND PING PONG CLUB

Submitted By: Gregg Pike

The Cresswind Ping Pong Club continues Open Play on Tuesdays from 3:00-6:00 pm and Thursdays from 3:00-5:30 pm in the Lanier Room. We also have a time slot on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 pm for people who are still working. Everyone is invited to come try your hand at Ping Pong. There are no fees required to become a member of the Ping Pong Club. Tables are stored in the Lanier Room and paddles and balls are kept in the back closet in a storage bin. Contact Gregg

Pike or Kim Miller for information or questions about the Ping Pong Club.

THE TENNIS CLUB

Submitted by: Jane Erkes

The weather is great, and folks are going out to play. Of course, our courts are pretty yellow with the pollen but that doesn’t deter our tennis players.

LEAGUE PLAY

The Men’s Silverball league is underway for the spring. Silverball play is on Mondays. Contact Danny Brown at dannybrown58@comcast.net for Silverball, John Ulam at john.ulam@yahoo.com for Team Play, and contact Danny Brown or Bill Papciak at billpapciak@gmail.com for USTA or ALTA leagues.

OPEN PLAY

The Men’s Wednesday morning Doubles is led by Roger Otto, contact him at raotto1@ yahoo.com to be included in the email. Women’s group play on Tuesday mornings also continue, interested women should reach out to Pat Bigard at p_bigard@yahoo.com. A new Thursday mixed group play opportunity will be at 9:30 am each Thursday morning. All levels are welcome, and we will mix up the teams, so everyone has fun!!

BOARD NEWS

Members of the Board and Committees will meet monthly and are currently working on a 2025 Plan. Information coming soon on Socials, an Open Forum Member input meeting, and a social will be held with a survey about what you want out of your tennis club. Feel free to contact any Board Member: Bill Papciak - President, Nancy Stockwell - VP, Kathy Williamson - Secretary, and Ed Erkes - Treasurer.

TENNIS CLINICS

The Cresswind Tennis Clinics continue every Saturday (if Saturday conflicts, then a weekday). This is a great way to get back into tennis or meet others at Cresswind who love to play. The Clinic Schedules are emailed weekly to all Tennis Club members and promoted in the Daily Update for the entire community. This is the eighth year that Free Tennis Clinics have been offered at Cresswind. Instructors are Cresswind residents,

Payment Deadline:

$300 deposit with reservation

Final Payment Due: May 23, 2025

Charleston

“I’m going back to dignity & grace. I’m going to Charleston where I belong”

— Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)

What’s included:

• Charleston Historic City Market

• Gullah/ City Tour

• Fort Sumpter/ Fort Moultrie Tour

• Guided Charleston Harbor Tour

• Boone Hall Plantation and Garden

Tour which includes:

• Private guided tour of the first floor of the plantation

• See the Gin House, visitor center, museum, and gift shop

• Covered wagon tours across the entire property (if weather and road conditions allow)

• Unique one-of-a-kind “Exploring the Gullah Culture” live presentations

• Black History in America Exhibit on display in nine original brick cabins that housed the enslaved

• Stroll through the outdoor gardens which are a showcase of color

• Butterfly garden

• 2 Nights Accommodations

• 2 Dinners, 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches

• Luxury Motor Coach from Gainesville

• Wine Reception

• All Gratuities

All Inclusive Price Only: $1,495pp

Tour includes many walking events. Must be 21 years old to participate. Alcohol extra except as noted.

PROCEEDS TO FUND COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT OR FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Go The Times website at www.gainesvilletimes.com and click on “Travel” • bit.ly/travelwba Or Call Lori Maxim at 770-535-6301 or email Lorimaxim@worldsbestadventures.com

/Worldsbestadventures2025 /worldsbestadventures

WHAT’S HAPPENING

experienced - competitive players; Bill Papciak, John Ulam, TC Hoe, Nancy Stockwell, Cathy Claire. Each clinic has instruction-drills followed by doubles play with players at your level. The three levels of play are: Level 1 - Rusty Returnees/Beginners, Level 2 - Intermediate, and Level 3 - More Advanced. Information is always on the Tennis Club website for the monthly schedule, check your email, or contact Bill Papciak billpapciak@gmail.com.

For more information or questions about the Tennis Club events, be sure to check out our website at https://cresswindll.wixsite.com/ cwtennis.

COMMUNITY TRAVEL CLUB

Submitted by: Laurie Homa

The Community Travel Club (CTC) just keeps rolling those buses month after month and trip after trip. What a fun way to experience new venues and make lasting memories with friends! Each month, our adventures take us to great destinations, offering unique experiences and captivating sights. From scenic countryside retreats to bustling city excursions, the CTC ensures that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

We finally got the Cartersville trip done on March 27th. Yeah! The Savoy Automobile Museum and Booth Western Museum sites were REALLY GOOD. Our docent-led tours were fun and very informative.

If you missed the ”Hello Dolly” performance at the beautiful Focal Theatre you missed a wonderful play with amazingly talented actors and actresses. It definitely had us all singing. The costumes were amazing, the directing and choreography incredible. The evening concluded with dinner at Jim and Nick’s with lots of food choices.

On the 16th of April we traveled to the Atlanta Zoo. Hopefully we will have pictures of the “monkeys” on the trip and those in their natural habitat for the next Waterfall.

May 4th finds us back at the Bayer Theatre in Sandy Springs to see Beautiful, the story of Carol King. This trip is full, we have started a waitlist. Dinner will be at Ippolito’s after the show. Contact Mike McWhortor for more info at mcwmike@hotmail.com.

On June 2nd, we leave for the Shenandoah Valley. This 4-night, 5-day trip will be hosted by

Daniels Discoery Tours. We will explore the valley, seeing the enchanting landscapes and historical landmarks that define this region. Each journey promises not only breathtaking views but also a deeper understanding of the rich cultural tapestry that weaves through this area. Whether it’s the serene beauty of nature, Monticello, Harpers Ferry, our Historic Hotel, or train trips with lunch, your Community Travel Club brings you closer to the heart and soul of every place we visit. Pack your curiosity and spirit of adventure as we embark on these unforgettable excursions together. Please check with Laurie Homa at m2old4this@aol.com to see if this trip still has availability.

Mark your calendars. We will announce our July Trip to the Federal Reserve and the C. Williams Museum of Paper Making at the May 1st meeting. This promises to be a fun, informative and hands-on experience. We will have lunch on our own at the Varsity. Contact Terry Frey at teryl@gmail.com for more information.

We will be returning to the Atlanta Braves Stadium on September 9th to watch the Braves play the Chicago Cubs. Check out our great new seats this year. We have reserved a SUITE with inside (air conditioned) and outside (warm and cozy) seating and ALL YOU CAN EAT FREE FOOD. GO BRAVES! This trip was announced at the April 3rd meeting. Contact Robin Dickson at rmcickson@mindspring.com for more information and availability.

All Cresswind residents are invited to join the Travel Club. Our meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. Our dues are $10.00 per person annually. COME TRAVEL WITH US!!!!

CLL VETERANS CLUB NEWS

Submitted by: Rosemarie Bower

We held our quarterly general membership meeting on April 15. We had the opportunity to hear from Pablo Cruz who shared what is available to our veterans at our local VA Clinic here in Oakwood. We also had Richard Bosten who is the Drug and Veterans Court Coordination and Jason Smith who works for the local PTSD Foundation share with our members how we can be involved in mentoring veterans. We continue to find ways to help all veterans in our area.

A group of us had the opportunity to attend the Military Awards Ceremony that was held

March 27th at the UNG – Dahlonega campus. We presented a scholarship to c/SSG Joshua Mitchell. What a fine young man.

I want to thank Tom and Rob plus their spouses Carol and Joyce for joining me and having a great “road trip” together. Thank you.

We are working on having a special ceremony at our clubhouse by the flagpole on Memorial Day, May 26th. This event will be for ALL of us. As we finalize plans, watch for information in our Daily Update.

Our next quarterly general membership meeting will be held July15th. More details to follow as we get closer. Thank you to all who continue to support us. Helping, caring and sharing.

VOLUNTEER CONNECTION

Submitted by: Lisa Giblin

The Family Connection Organization’s stated mission is to collaborate with individuals and organizations to ensure children and families in our community reach their full potential. They sponsored Resiliency Extravaganza 2025 on March 29th. This event along with 30 vendor booths, gave information regarding housing, health insurance, education and much more. Ferst Readers attended this event and registered children for monthly free age-appropriate books ages birth until five.

Gainesville Exploratory Academy (GEA) contacted us regarding books they were recycling from their library. We were able to collect them and deliver them to the YMCA library to be used in their daycare locations as well as all their summer programs. There were approximately 1,000 books, and when the back of the SUV opened up the books poured out. Thank you, GEA!!!

SAVE THE DATE FOR SEPTEMBER 9th from 2:00-3:30 pm in our Ballroom. Volunteer Connections is partnering with the Education Committee to offer a presentation on human trafficking. Street Grace will provide a basic overview of the issues as well as practical action steps for how to recognize, report and respond. Georgia Festival of Trees whose fundraising efforts support Street Grace, will discuss their volunteer needs. Their event is scheduled this year from November 22 - 30 at Gas South Convention Center. Last year we donated 18 auction items. We hope to do that again.

WALK-IN CLINIC

IN GAINESVILLE

ORTHOPEDIC WALK-IN CLINIC IN GAINESVILLE

Injuries happen when you least expect it. Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine now offers a Walk-In Clinic. Monday - Friday. No Appointment Necessary.

ngpg.org/walkin

Medical Park 1

1315 Jesse Jewell Pkwy SE

Gainesville, GA 30501

Injuries happen when you least expect it. Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine now offers a Walk-In Clinic. Monday - Friday. No Appointment Necessary.

ngpg.org/walkin

Medical Park 1

1315 Jesse Jewell Pkwy SE

Gainesville, GA 30501