Resident Information and Notes | Karen's Corner | Events & Activities | Clubhouse Events | Upcoming Events
Communication from Our Homeowners Association Board | Odds & Ends | February Calendar of Events

• A very special thanks to all the busy elves who undecorated the clubhouse of the holiday decorations and put it all back into storage for another year. A special thanks to Bette McCullough, Dave & Pat Proper, Dick & Sheri Kennedy, Delores Egan, Fritz & Mary Troff, Jo McDonald, Larry & Mary Ann DeRonne, Dick & Nancy Brennan and Shirley Falk. Also a special thanks to Terri Ricketts for coordinating it all! Thanks to everyone for all their hard work! The clubhouse looks “empty” but simply elegant, as usual! Thank you one and all!
   
• In February we had a fun  - Winterlicious Italian Social with 82 people in attendance. There were many who helped make this event a huge success. A special thanks to Mike Runk, Tom Rapp (and son Dan) and Domenic Ferranti for their hard work of putting up tables and chairs in unbelievable time! Thanks to Larry Prior who took them all down and put them away. A heartfelt thanks to Marian Hansen, Nancy Brennan, Claire Thornton, Mary Ann DeRonne, Linda Foltz, Adrienne Malczewski, Jo McDonald and Bette McCullough for setting up all the tables, decorations and preparing desserts. A very, very special thanks to Jo McDonald, our Pasta Queen, for cooking all that pasta and never losing her patience and to Terry Reagan for the delicious spaghetti sauce. Special thanks to all those who helped clean-up as well; too many to even list. Know that you are truly
  appreciated! It was a great event because of all those helpful hands!
   
• A couple of pictures Greg Barney took with the ice on the trees in the complex.
  (Click on the images to see larger versions in a new browser window- close the window when done to return to this page)

SUPER BOWL XLI PARTY
Sunday, February 4th at 6:00 pm
$5.00/Person
Pizza and Soda Served at 7:00 pm Plus Snacks Throughout the Game
Come watch the game with your neighbors and friends on the Big Screen at the Clubhouse

Football Squares Available at the Clubhouse for $2/Square Beginning February 1st.
Sign-up By February 3rd (12)
 

VALENTINE POT-LUCK AND
GROUP TRIVIAL PURSUIT GAME
Friday, February 16th at 6:00 pm
$5/Person Plus a Dish To Pass

Come on over to the Clubhouse for a great BBQ Beef Sandwich and an array of great potluck food while enjoying the fellowship of your neighbors and friends. After dinner we will gather together in groups to play a fun game of Trivia Pursuit. You will not be playing individually but rather with a group of people. Come see how it’s done while having a great time!

Guaranteed laughs!

Sign-up by February 12th (12)
 

ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY
Sunday, February 25th at 7:30 pm
$3.00 for Snacks and Soda

Ride on over to the Clubhouse and walk the red carpet to watch the Academy Awards on the Big Screen with your
Heritage friends. Come watch the glamour and glitz!

Sign-up by February 22nd (12).

NOTES OF THANKS … For Donations Received

The Women and Teen Crisis Pregnancy Center in Pontiac sent a note of thanks:

“We can’t thank you enough for your beautiful donation of hand-knitted and crocheted baby blankets which were delivered by your residents to us last week.. This donation came at a time of high need in our facility. We truly were completely out-of-stock and have several women with us who are expecting at any time. Your donation and blankets were truly an answer to a prayer. Please extend a very special thanks to those that donated their precious time to make them. Please tell them that they are greatly appreciated; more than you can even imagine. Please keep us in mind if you are ever looking for places to donate items again. We can always use lots of things such as hats, mittens, sweaters, blankets and care packages for mom’s and babies alike. We can’t pick out our favorite blanket from your donation. Every single one of them is beautiful. Thank you for putting a smile on a face of a mother who needs to know someone “out there” cares! Thank you and may God bless you abundantly ; as you have blessed us!

DEEPEST SYMPATHY & CONDOLENCES

Our Deepest and Heartfelt Sympathies go to resident Betty Bolda and her family on the loss of her husband, Bob. Bob suffered endlessly and is finally at peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Our Deepest Sympathies go to resident Dave Williams and his family on the loss of his mother. Dave and Kathy made it to Florida and had to turn around to come back for the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this difficult time.

Our Heartfelt Sympathies go to resident Marge Allasio and her family on the loss of her brother in California last month. Marge and John traveled to California for the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

For some time now we have been missing a white linen table cloth from the clubhouse stock. We believe it is in error that someone has forgotten to bring it back. Please take the time to check your linens if you have used the clubhouse or done laundry for us over the past year. We NEED IT BACK! Thank you for taking the time to check!

HOLLAND TULIP FESTIVAL TRIP

May 8 - 9, 2007 - $295 Per Person*

INCLUDES: Round-trip Motor Coach; One night at Hotel; One Continental Breakfast; One Lunch & Dinner; Bleacher Seats at Parade in Holland; Tulip Gardens; Windmill Island; Dutch Marketplaats; Cruise on “Star of Saugatuck”; Baggage Handling and Tour Escort.

*Room rates based on double occupancy. Single cost is $354.

A non-refundable deposit of $20.00 per person is due by February 28th. Make checks payable to Pat Proper. The
balance will be due by March 25th.

If you have questions, please call Dave or Pat Proper at 248-377-8909.

MACKINA ISLAND'S LILAC FESTIVAL

June 9 - 10, 2007 - $319 Per person*

Includes: Round trip Motor Coach; One Night at
Lakeview Hotel on Mackinac Island; One Breakfast; One Lunch at the Grand Hotel; Shepler Ferry Island; Carriage Tour Narrated (ending at Grand Hotel); Lilac Festival (some of these trees are 300 years old).

* Based on double occupancy (Single rate is $365).

A non-refundable deposit of $20 due by March 9th. Make checks payable to Pat Proper. Mail to Pat at 3646 Camden Ct., Auburn Hills, MI 48326. The balance will be due by April 20th.

If you have questions regarding this trip, contact Dave or Pat Proper at 248-377-8909.

VALENTINE TRIVIA

More than two million couples tie the knot and say “I do” each year in the U.S. Approximately one billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually. The largest number of Valentine greeting cards are addressed to teachers. Consumers over the past few years have spent nearly $650 million annually on Valentine’s Day gifts of candy, flowers, wine, jewelry, and eating out. Candy comes in second next to cards in popularity for Valentine’s Day. Chocolate is the favorite. Men prefer to give or receive dark chocolate. Women favor milk chocolate. Valentine’s Day ranks number one among holidays when it comes to fresh flower purchases. The majority of roses sold on Valentine’s Day are red and sold and delivered within a three-day period. The expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from a Valentine’s Day party tradition. Young women would write their names on slips of paper to be drawn by young men. A man would then wear a woman’s name on his sleeve to claim her as his valentine. On Valentine’s Day, Japanese women give men presents, usually chocolate. On March 14, known as White Day, men give women gifts.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL !

DO YOU KNOW YOUR VALENTINE HISTORY?

The origin of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, and there are varying opinions about it. This holiday has remnants of ancient Roman and Christian traditions. The origin of Valentine’s Day likely dates to the time of the Roman Empire when the pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15.
During the festival, young Roman men and women paired off as lovers.

Valentine’s Day is believed to have been named after a 3rd-century priest who performed secret marriages in defiance of the Roman Emperor Claudius II who thought unmarried soldiers would be more likely to enlist in the army. Legend has it that Valentine was executed for his “crimes” on February 14. There is a story portraying the love affair between him and the jailer’s daughter. He left a farewell note for her, with the closing, “from your Valentine.”

The tradition of sending Valentine’s Day cards likely originated in 1415 when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent several rhymed love letters to his wife in France while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. In 1537, Valentine’s Day was declared an official holiday by England’s King Henry VIII. Over the years, people began to send Valentine’s Day love letters using poems copied from booklets of verse. The first commercial valentine appeared in the early 1800’s

RESIDENTS IN OUR THOUGHTS …

Prayers for Continued and/or Quick Recovery To:

• Bill Steele

• Art McWood

• Pam Erickson
  

Ponderings From the Manager

However, the calls regarding newspapers is another issue. I asked in an earlier issue to be sure to get out and get your newspapers when you see that it is snowing. The newspapers are a real concern to the landscape company. They can cause terrible problems to their machines if they get caught up in the blades. Some complained that the paper was “plowed up” with the snow and the paper was found in a snow pile across the street. Please understand that the snow plow driver will not stop to pick up the paper. It is your responsibility to come get your paper; preferably before they start plowing! It is suggested that you use the newspaper boxes that attach to your mailbox stand for winter month distribution.

Beginning in March I will be looking for newsletter volunteers to help with the preparation of the newsletter for distribution. Now that we have this beautiful copier; all work can be done in-house. The machine will copy and collate the newsletter. Each will need to be folded in half and then “stuffed” with any inserts. It will be a “sit-down” type job and will be done toward the end of each month. The newsletters will then be counted out and prepared for the block volunteers to distribute within the community. If you have some time and would like to volunteer to help with the newsletter, I would certainly appreciate the help! Please contact me in the office and I’ll tell you more about it. When the newsletter is ready, I will call you and let you know when they are ready and we will begin our new venture! The more hands and volunteers, the easier the job. Please consider volunteering to be a newsletter helper!

Speaking of volunteers, many have stepped forward and made suggestions for different events at the clubhouse and volunteering to coordinate the event. I’m so excited! It is great to work with all of you and I enjoy sharing new ideas! Thank you for stepping up and helping offer great things at Heritage in the Hills! Have a great February and a loving Valentine’s Day. I will be gone on vacation and out-of-the-office for about ten days. There will be someone in the office most of the time to assist you in my absence. I, personally, can’t wait! See you in mid-February!
 

 in February

• BOOK CLUB CHATTERINGS
  
  EVERYONE INVITED!
  
  On February 24th, the book selection is any book about an American President. Pick your favorite and prepare to share!
  
  The meeting on March 24th will be any of Cormac McCarthy’s many books. Then the meeting on April 28th will be Beloved by Toni Morrison which is a highly rated book.
  
  The discussions are open to all residents. Call Bruce or Joyce Sanders for more information if
  desired.
  
  Join us for book discussion, fellowship, coffee and bagels.
   
• BUS TRIPS IN FEBRUARY
  
  There will be a fee added for bus usage per trip. Please include this fee when writing your check for the events chosen. The bus fee is shown in bold after the ticket price. If no other fee is charged, the bus fee must be included in check form made out to Heritage in the Hills. If your name is on the Waiting List for an event and you’d like to drive on your own, let us know in the office and we will try to get additional tickets if possible. The number shown in at the end is the number needed to make the trip possible. If this number isn’t met by the sign-up date, the trip will be cancelled. Refunds will be made available up to 48 hours prior to the trip IF tickets have not yet been purchased. Please do not sign-up yourself on sheets where a fee is charged. Your name will be removed if it added without payment received. Thank you for your cooperation in these matters!
  
  Friday, February 9th - 7:30 pm Show - Stars on Ice at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets $15.00 (Bus $2). This “Double Exposure: The Many Lives of Figure Skaters” program is produced by Scott Hamilton. See stars such as Alexei Yagudin, Jamie Sale & David Pelletier, Todd Eldredge, Yuka Sato, Michael Weiss, Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman, Steven Cousins, Jennifer Robinson, Jason Dungjen, Angela Nikodinov and other guest stars to be announced! Great seats; don’t miss the fun! Sign-up by Feb. 4th. (15 Tickets Available).
  
  Sunday, February 11th - 3:00 Matinee - She Loves Me at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian - $20 (Bus $4) . This is a heart-warming musical that opened on Broadway in 1963, with songs by Bock and Harnick (the songwriting team for Fiddler on the Roof), received five Tony Award nominations and was revived on Broadway in 1993, capturing another nine Tony Award nominations. This intimate show is considered by many the most charming musical ever written and is perfectly suited for the Croswell’s “Valentine’s Day” production. Georg and Amalia are two feuding clerks in an European parfumerie during the 1930’s who secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, little knowing their respective correspondents are none other than each other. SHE LOVES ME is a romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance and nostalgia, yet as universal and relevant as ever in this age of Internet romances. The Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film “You’ve Got Mail” was based on this musical. We will have dinner at The Hathaway House in Blissfield following the performance. Dinner cost is on your own. Sign-up immediately. (15 Total Tickets Available)
  
  Thursday, February 15th at 6:30 pm - Singles and Ladies Mystery Dinner Out. Come along to travel to a great restaurant not to far from home. Dinner cost is on your own. Bus: $2. Sign-up by Feb. 12th.
  
  Sunday, February 18th at 2 pm - Longhorn Rodeo at the Palace of Auburn Hills - Tickets $11.50. Come along for the fun on a wintry afternoon! This trip will be car-pooling from the clubhouse parking lot. Sign-up by 2-14. (15 Tickets Available)
  
  Sunday, February 18th at 1:45 pm - Mancini at the Movies at The Max Fisher (DSO) - $35 ($3/Bus). Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Days of Wine and Roses, Pink Panther, The Thorn Birds - all classics whose character was defined by the beloved music of Henry Mancini. Now, his daughter Monica performs his greatest melodies, illustrated with clips from the movies. Sign-up immediately.
  
  Thursday, February 22nd at 6:30 pm - Matinee movie with dinner following on the bus. Movie, time and location will be announced February 19th. Cost of all is on your own. Bus: $2. Sign-up by Feb. 21st.
  
  Saturday, February 24th at 9:00 am - Singles/Ladies Breakfast Out. Location to be announced. Don’t hesitate; come join us!
  
  Tuesday, February 27th for Noon Show - Las Vegas Style Dinner Show with Michael Curluccio at Kalloways in Oxford. Tickets $26 which includes the who and a delicious buffet including roasted maple pork loin w/apple stuffing, baked atlantic salmon w/lemon dill sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh mixed vegetables, tossed salad, hot rolls, and is finished on a sweet note with a mouthwatering homemade dessert. Also included is your choice of a non-alcoholic beverage. Cash bar is also available. Prizes and raffles on-going during the afternoon. Sign-up by Feb. 13. (15)
  
  Be sure to check out all the upcoming bus trips coming up later in this newsletter. Don’t hesitate!
  The time to sign-up for these trips and events is now! Find the sheets under “other” in the book!
   
• CARD GAME FUN - Everyone Welcome! Come Join Us!
   
  • BRIDGE - Mondays at 7:00 pm and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
  • DUPLICATE BRIDGE - Thursday, February 8th and 22nd  at 7:15 pm
  • PINOCHLE - Tuesdays at 7:30 pm
  • EUCHRE - Wednesday, February 7th at 7:15 pm.
  • BINGO - Wed., February 28th at 7:00 pm - We play 10 games ($.25/card) - And 1 Cover-All Game ($1.00 Per Card). Join us!
  • MEXICAN TRAIN - At the clubhouse. Wed. February 21st at 7:00 PM. Everyone is invited to play! We will teach you how if you’ve never played before. Cost is $1.00/Person Payable Night of Play
  • TEXAS HOLD ‘EM  - Always the Last Friday of the Month. Always BEGINS play at 6:00 pm. (This means you should be here and ready to start play at 6:00 pm). Cost is $20/person payable the evening of play
    Always a lot of fun! Come join us!
    
    Sign Up Immediately!
     
• SINGLES NEWS AND EVENTS
  
  Thursday, February 15th at 6:30 pm - Mystery Dinner Out for Singles and Ladies. Jump on the bus and see where it takes you! It won’t be REAL far, won’t be THAT expensive; but WILL BE a lot of fun and laughs. Come chase away those winter blues and come along for dinner. Dinner cost on your own. Bus: $2. Sign-up by
  February 12th.
  
  Saturday, February 24th at 9:00 am - Have some ideas for breakfast, will share them with you and you can pick! Maybe we’ll even make a stop or two on the way home to make it even more exciting! Bus: $2. Sign-up
  by February 20th.
   
• AMERICA’S MOST SCENIC DRIVES
  
  Reader’s Digest Classic Collection
  
  You can see American from the open road and enjoy spectacular scenery in these DVD’s. Interesting commentary draws you into the places you visit.
  
  Thursday, February 1st at 7:15 PM at the clubhouse
  
  Scenic Drive #2 : Cruise through ten states from the Bridges of Madison County in Iowa to Yellowstone
  National Park in Wyoming to Montana’s Big Sky Country and on to San Juan Parkway in Colorado.
  
  DON’T MISS THE FUN! JOIN US!
   
• TRIP TO EASTERN EUROPE SCHEDULED!
  
  If you are interested in joining our travel group for a trip to Eastern Europe next May (2007), then call Dave and Pat Proper NOW! Give them a call to receive more information at (248) 377-8909
   
• COME SING WITH US!
  
  Heart of the Hills Barbershop Chorus
  Every Thursday at 7:30 pm at University Presbyterian Church in the Choir Room (On Adams Just Past Avon Road) For Information Call Dave Pearcy at 248-652-4618S

• Yoga - Every Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Clubhouse. $13 / Month.
   
• Resident Pot Luck - Friday, February 2nd at 6:00 pm - Bring your favorite dish to pass and join your neighbors and friends for an evening of fun! No need to sign-up; just come one and all!
   
• Resident Social & Poker for Everyone - Friday, February 9th - Social begins at 6:00 pm and Poker begins at 6:30 pm. Come on over and perhaps bring an appetizer or snack to share. Bring your own beverages and enjoy the company of your neighbors at Heritage. No need to sign-up; everyone invited!
   
• Wednesday, February 7th at 7:15 pm - Euchre at the Clubhouse. Come on over and play a game or two with your neighbors and friends. Need at least 4 to play!
   
• Friday, February 4th - 6:00 pm - Super Bowl Party at the Clubhouse - $5.00 - Come on over to the Clubhouse to watch the big game with your neighbors and friends. Pizza will be served around 7:00. Soda will be available. BYOB (or beer or liquor) if interested. Be sure to watch for the Football Pool at the clubhouse beginning February 1st. Squares available for $2/each. Sign-up by Feb.3rd. (12)
   
• Tuesday, February 13th at 1:00 pm - Red Hat Bunko Party - Don’t need to know how to play; we will teach you. Snacks will be served. See the Red Hat Article to see who to call to RSVP. Come for lots of laughs!
   
• Wednesday, February 14th at 2:00 pm - Quilted Heart Pin Class - Come on over to the clubhouse and make one of these non-sew hearts that you will proudly wear or want to make one for all your friends! Cost is $3.00 payable the day of the craft. Sign-up by Feb. 12th.
   
• Friday, February 16th at 6:00 pm - Valentine Pot Luck with Group Trivia Pursuit - $5.00/person and a dish to pass - Come on over to enjoy a BBQ Beef Sandwich. Bring a dish to pass to go along with the sandwiches. After a delicious dinner we will break into groups to play a fun game of Trivia Pursuit. This way of playing this game is a lot of fun; don’t miss it! Coffee, tea and soda will be served. BYOB (beer or bottle) if desired. Sign-up by Feb. 12th. (12)
   
• Saturday, February 17th at 6:30 pm - Movie at the Clubhouse. Come on over to watch a new release movie on the big screen. Popcorn and soda is served for $1.00. The movie will be announced on Feb. 12th. (8)
   
• Monday and Tuesday, February 19th and 20th at 10:00 am - The Sewing Group meets in the craft room at the clubhouse. If you’d like to join the group, you must bring your own portable sewing machine. All kinds of projects are done. If you’d like more information as to what project they are currently working on, call the clubhouse. Don’t need to sign-up; just come if you’d like. Classes are $5/each.
   
• Tuesday, February 20th - Paczki Day at the Clubhouse - Come and celebrate Fat Tuesday with your neighbors and friends. There will be an assortment of Paczki’s to enjoy. Have a cup of coffee and a this Fat Tuesday traditional treat. No need to sign-up. They will be out for your enjoyment as long as they last!
   
• Friday, February 23rd at 1:00 pm - Stitchers Knitch at the Clubhouse - Come on over and enjoy sitting in front of the fire while chatting and sharing with your neighbors and friends. The knitsters are working on hand protectors for kids in Crittenton Hospital. These easy yet great protectors cover the hand where an IV would be inserted. It helps the kids forget that it is there! Join with us and knit some up quickly! If you’d like a pattern, see Karen in the office. Better yet .. come join us! You are welcome to bring any project you are working on! Doesn’t have to be knitting .. can be any craft! Come have some fellowship and fun!
   
• Friday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm - Texas Hold ‘Em at the Clubhouse - $20 payable that night. Come on over to the clubhouse and join in with us to play! We will teach you how to play if you don’t know how! Don’t miss the fun; come try it!
   
• Saturday, February 24th at 10:00 am - Book Club Meeting at the Clubhouse - Come on over and join with us to share any book about an American President. Bagels and coffee will be served. Everyone welcome to join us! No need to sign-up; just be sure to come!
   
• Sunday, February 25th at 7:30 pm - 79th Academy Awards Party at the Clubhouse - $3.00 - Come on over to the clubhouse to watch the Academy Awards on the BIG SCREEN. Snacks and soda will be served. Sign-up by Feb. 22nd. (12)
   
• Wednesday, February 28th at 7:00 pm - BINGO at the Clubhouse - Bring your dollars and your luck! Sign-up by Feb. 23rd. (8).

 (Sign-Up Now!)

These events have already been scheduled. Some of these events require purchasing tickets and so signing-up must occur now. Be sure to check out these trips and events and make your plans now to attend! Sign-up sheets are located under “Other” in the book.

• Thursday, March 1st at 7:15 pm - Singles Meeting and Activity at the Clubhouse. Bring a dessert/snack to share. Sign-up by Feb. 26th.
   
• Saturday, March 3rd for 8 pm show - The Irish Rovers at the Ford Performing Center in Dearborn. Tickets $31.00. Enjoy Celtic-inspired traditional, folk, and popular music sung by the Irish Rovers, who have been international ambassadors of Irish music for more than 40 years. They are known for their timeless ability to deliver a rollicking performance of good cheer that will have you singing an clapping along during this pre-St. Patty’s Day celebration.! Tickets have to be ordered soon - Sign-up by Feb. 15.
   
• Sunday, March 4th for 2 pm show - The Subject was Roses at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea. Tickets $26. This play is a subtle portrait of a family in the wake of WWII. A son who left as a pampered boy returns from the war as a man in his own right. His parents compete for his affection while trying to mask the tension in their marriage. Finally, both mother and father must face the choice between clinging to their child or recognizing the man he’s become. We will have dinner following the show in Chelsea. Sign-up by Feb. 16th. (15)
   
• Wednesday, March 7th at 6:45 pm (for 7:30 show) - Village Players in Birmingham for W;t. Free Tickets to first 14 to sign-up. No extra tickets available. The story line is this: Vivian Bearing is an expert on the poems of John Dunne, but her professional wisdom proves ineffective when she is diagnosed with cancer. The New York Times called this Pulitzer Prize winning drama a “beautifully layered play .. you feel both enlightened and, in a strange way, enormously comforted.” Sign-up immediately or by March 1st. Bus: $2.
   
• Sunday, March 11th for 2 pm show - Neil Simon’s Chapter Two by the Avon Players. Tickets $12.00. It’s not supposed to happen twice in your life, but it can. George is an author whose wife has just died after 12 years of marriage. Jennie is an actress and recent divorcee. Encouraged by their dysfunctional confidantes, the two “single again” adults eventually meet and begin the awkward and sometimes painful yet often hilarious
  process of re-entering the word of dating later in one’s life. Just when things are moving right along .. It’s like starting over. Sign-up by Feb. 25.
   
• NEW TRIP ADDED - THURSDAY, MARCH 29TH - TIME TBA - MEIJER GARDENS AND GERALD R FORD MUSEUM TRIP - The butterflies are coming to Meijer Gardens! You can plan on seeing over 40 different species and over 6,000 butterflies flying free in the 15,000-square-foot Conservatory. There will be a guided tour indoors and an automated tram tour of the outside gardens and sculpture park included. The museum contains displays that will give you insights into the private and public life of the Fords. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the Oval Office along with a holographic tour of the White House. You will also have an opportunity to view a full size reproduction of the cabinet room and see how foreign policy procedures were handled in the White House Situation Room. All of this, with a coach bus (lunch will be on your own and not included in the price) for only $59/person. You must commit now and sign-up by Feb. 15th (need 20). Don’t miss this fabulous trip!
   
• NEW TRIP ADDED - SATURDAY, APRIL 21ST FOR 1:00 MATINEE - CAMELOT AT THE FISHER THEATRE - British stage and film legend Michael York stars in this magnificent new production of Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece. King Arthur’s enchanted kingdom, Camelot, is a place where honor and chivalry reign. But can this idyllic land survive when Queen Guenevere falls in love with Sir Lancelot? Ticket and coach (20 people) only $69. Sign-up by February 25th.
   
• Sunday, April 29th for 2:30 show - Tarandot at The Michigan Opera Theatre. Tickets $45. A brave, brilliant & determined suitor can warm the flesh of even the most cold-hearted beauty. The Imperial Palace in ancient China is the setting for the legend of the Princess Turandot—a woman who is determined that no man shall ever possess her. But one suitor is up for the challenge: the mysterious Prince Calaf risks everything on the chance that the first of love burns within the icy princess. In the end, his tireless persistence saves him from certain death in so doing; saves the princess from herself. 15 Tickets. Sign-up by 4-1.
   
• Thursday, May 31st at 10:30 am - RESPECT at the Gem Theatre. Tickets $89 which includes lunch at the Century Grille, ticket for the performance and motor coach. This musical journey is a funny, exuberant look at the lives of women as reflected in music. From “Someone to Watch Over Me” to “I Will Survive!” This musical will have you dancing out of the theatre and singing all the way home! It’s Detroit’s Newest Ultimate Girls’ Day Out at the Gem. A minimum of 20; 29 Total. Sign-up by 4-15.
   
• Thursday, July 12th - WICKED at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts in Lansing. Tickets $119.
  Ticket price includes the performance and motor coach. Lunch will be on your own. Come enjoy this
  Beautiful musical long before Dorothy dropped in! Minimum of 20; Max of 29. Sign-up by 6-15.

REMEMBER .. SIGN-UP NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THESE TRIPS! IF YOU WAIT; IT MAY BE TOO LATE!.
 

(From the January, 2007 Board Meeting)

To increase communications about Board activities we are placing a brief overview of some of the
topics discussed at each month’s Board meeting in the Monthly newsletter. Here are some topics from last month:

Association News:

Our resident Picture Directory is at the printer’s and will be available shortly. There will be one directory per home and will be free of charge. You will be notified when it is ready for distribution.

Clubhouse:

The Board has approved the purchase of new chairs for the game room and the chairs have been ordered. They will be here in 10-12 weeks. The chair is very similar to the  sample chair which is in the game room. We believe this will make a very attractive  addition to our clubhouse.

The Board is discussing the disposition of the old chairs. A decision will be made as soon as we receive a firm date for delivery of the new chairs.

The preliminary year-end budget figures were reviewed and the Board is pleased to report that we met our budget goals for 2006.

Architectural Review Committee:

Tree Removal: Removal of dead trees on Association and resident properties will be started shortly. Please take care when you see the workers in your area.

DISTRIBUTION OF SOLICITATION MATERIALS IN THE COMMUNITY

At the end of January there were two items that were delivered to your mailbox without permission from the Association. The first was a flyer for house cleaning. This couple came in on a Sunday evening and used the name of a resident where they are presently cleaning to get into the community. A board member responded to this situation. A day later a mailing was put into mailboxes by a resident after he was told it was against policy to do so. Although measures will be taken for the violation of the homeowner, we would like to apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We will, once again, state the Board of Directors Policy which was reported in the September, 2006 Heritage Headlines newsletter. Please remember, no solicitation of any kind is permitted in the community. Only the Association has written permission from the Post Master to distribute business material/newsletters into the mailboxes. If you see someone else making a distribution, especially into the mailboxes (which is a federal offense); please let the office or guards know. If the manager or a board member is available; they will respond. Remember, the guard cannot leave their post to do anything about it. They can, however, identify them when they leave the community if they are in a vehicle. The policy states:

THE HERITAGE IN THE HILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION HAS ESTABLISHED A POLICY OF NO SOLICITATION ON THE PREMISES OF THE COMMUNITY BY NON-RESIDENTS OR RESIDENTS. THIS MEANS THAT DOOR-TO-DOOR CALLING OR DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE, FLYERS, NOTICES OR INVITATIONS PLACED IN OR ON MAILBOXES, OR DOORWAYS IS NOT PERMITTED. THIS APPLIES TO ALL COMMERCIAL, POLITICAL, CHARITABLE OR PERSONAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION.
 

FURNACE PROBLEMS

You wake up in the morning and its freezing cold in your house. Your furnace has quit. What do you do next? Calling a service technician to come out and check your furnace can cost upwards of $100 or more depending on the time of day and the extent of the problem. There are a few things you as a homeowner can do first to determine if you need to call a service technician. First you need to check the circuit breaker in your fuse box to see if the breaker to the furnace has tripped. If it has tripped you may only need to reset the tripped breaker. If the breaker trips again you will likely have to call the service technician to determine the cause of the malfunction.

You however can easily diagnose the more common problems if you understand a little about how your furnace works. To fully understand this process you need to first turn up the wall thermostat then go downstairs to observe the furnace by looking through the upper air-grilled door panels. When the wall thermostat upstairs calls for heat, the furnace first begins by performing a self-check. Next the “Inducer Motor” (a small fan like device) starts up and purges the furnace compartment of any accumulated gas. This process takes about 15 seconds after which the “Igniter Assembly” (a small, 3 inch, charcoal like filament) gradually begins a 17 second warm up cycle that appears very similar to that of a toaster filament when it gradually turns red hot. When the Igniter warm up period is complete, the “Gas Valve” is energized and it opens up allowing gas to flow into one of the “Burners”. As the gas flows over and through the red hot Igniter Assembly, the gas ignites and the furnace fires up. You will visually see and hear when the flame fires up in the four Burners. After the Burners fire up a short metal like probe similar to that of meat thermometer, which is located in one of the Burner compartments called a “Flame Sensor”, senses if a flame is present. If a flame is present, the Burners will continue to burn until they reach a certain temperature after which they will shut down and the “Blower Fan” at the bottom of the furnace then kicks on and forces hot air throughout the duct work in the house. Once the temperature in the firebox drops to a specified level, the blower motor will shut down and the whole process starts over.

The two most common problems that may occur resulting in the furnace failing to fire up is a
defective Igniter Assembly or a defective Flame Sensor. The Igniter Assembly costs about $45 and a Flame Sensor costs about $25 from your local Bryant dealer. If the Igniter Assembly is defective, the Igniter will not turn red hot and a flame will not fire up when gas is introduced into the Burners. You may also smell a slight amount of gas as the gas dissipates from the Burners. If the Flame
Sensor is defective you will observe the Igniter Assembly turn red hot, the gas valve will open
allowing gas to flow into the Burners, the gas will ignite in the Burners however the system will shut down immediately after the Burners fire up.

Both the Igniter Assembly and the Flame Sensor can be installed with a screwdriver and a little skill and patience. If you do not feel comfortable in replacing these parts when needed, you may still need to call a service technician but at least you will have a better understanding as to how the system works. Remember to always trip the circuit breaker before performing any work on your furnace.

IF YOU SMELL GAS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO ANYTHING TO YOUR FURNACE, CALL THE GAS COMPANY IMMEDIATELY AT (1 800 477-5050)

A VALENTINE THOUGHT TO SHARE …

A man walks into a post office one day and sees a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter methodically
placing “Love” stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying scent all over them. His curiosity gets the better of him, and he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says, “I’m sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed ‘Guess Who?’”

“But why?” asks the man.

“I’m a divorce lawyer,” the man replies