Volume 9 Issue 2
Clubhouse: 3851 Hillsdale Dr., Auburn Hills MI, 48326
Phone: 248-276-1943  
Fax: 248-276-1944
Gate House: 276-1276

Association Manager: Karen Brierly
Cell: 248-722-5797

Resident Information and Notes | Karen's Corner | Events & Activities | Clubhouse Events
 Communication form Homeowners Association Board | February Calendar of Events
Odds and Ends
Special Recognition To Our Residents:
  • A very special thank you to all those that helped get the Clubhouse back into it’s every day beauty by taking down and storing all the holiday decorations in January. Special thanks goes to: Fritz & Mary Troff, Bette
    McCullough, Dick & Pat Siepielski, Frank & Rosemary Caccamo, Shirley Falk, Dave & Pat Proper and Jack & Jo Kozlowski. Your many hands and special work made the Clubhouse beautiful in it’s own splendor in the wink of an eye! Thank you for your hard work!
     
  • In January we had a very successful Karaoke social at the Clubhouse thanks to Larry DeRonne and Larry Prior. These two work very hard at getting ready for the evening with music preparation and then setting up all the equipment to make the evening totally enjoyable. Thank you Larry and Larry for an extraordinary evening of fun and music. We have such great talent in this community! It was really great hearing all the great voices! A special thanks to Dick & Sherry Kennedy, Jack & Jo Kozlowski, Mary Ann DeRonne and Lynaye Prior for sticking around and helping to clean-yup after the event. It was cleaned up beautifully! It truly was appreciated! Thank you to everyone, especially those in attendance, for a wonderful, memorable evening!



VALENTINE SOCIAL GATHERING
Celebrating Friendships
Friday, February 15th at 6:00 pm
$10/Person

Favorite Special Guest — Billy the DJ!

Join us to celebrate the spirit of the love of friendship! NOT JUST FOR COUPLES; but EVERYONE! Billy the DJ will be spinning records for your enjoyment. There will be dinner (Catering by Katherine), music, singing, dancing; just a lot of laughter and fun! Don’t miss the gaity! Be part of the memory! Celebrate with us!

Sign-up by February 8th

 



CHINESE NEW YEAR
Luncheon Celebration

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
AT 12:00 NOON
$8/PERSON

YEAR OF THE RAT

Come on over dressed in the typical Oriental RED and enjoy a Chinese Lunch of Almond Chicken, Rice, Bread and Dessert. Catering by Katherine will be cooking again! Coffee, Tea and Soda will be served. After lunch hear about some fun Chinese traditions for their New Year. Read your new Chinese Horoscope. Don’t miss the fun! Be sure to join with your friends and enjoy this festive holiday!

Sign-up by February 15

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY

Our deepest and most sincere sympathy to resident Hazel Steinmetz in the passing of her husband, Reid last month. Reid passed away while at their Florida home after being in Hospice Care after a long battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Hazel and your family during this difficult time. We will certainly miss Reid very much!

INTERESTING STATISTICS TO SHARE!


In December, Life Line Screening was here to do screenings. Out of 26 screenings for Carotid Artery Disease, there were 16 with a Moderate result and 1 with a Possible Significant result. Out of 25 screened for Peripheral Arterial Disease, one was abnormal. Out of 26 screened for Abdominal
Aortic Aneurysm, one was found with an aneurysm and out of 21 screened for Osteoporosis, 12 were at Moderate Risk and 5 were at High Risk. Just goes to show how important these screenings are! Thank you Life Line for being here and helping us!

Lighthouse Of Oakland County thanked us once again for the donation of food to their Thanksgiving Food Drive. They were able to give 1,193 families, made up of 4,199 individuals Thanksgiving Assistance! They remind us that together we are helping solve the problem of poverty - one person at a time. If you’d like to know more about Lighthouse, visit them on the web at http://www.lighthouseoakland.org. Thank you everyone for helping!

RESIDENTS IN OUR THOUGHTS …

Prayers for Continued and/or Quick Recovery To:

  • Norm Cloyd

  • Barb Eldridge

  • Marv Harms

  • Jacquie Thomas

  • Bill Steele

Ponderings From the Manager

I hope you have all noticed how wonderful the library books are organized now thanks to Jim McDonald, Al Mosesso, Sheri Kennedy, Marian Hansen, Lynaye Prior and Pat Siepielski. They have done a wonderful job! You will notice that returned books are to be placed in a basket right inside the library door. Please do not reshelf the returned books. If you are looking for something special, you will find the books in this order (while facing the books): Fiction books on the left side; Non-Fiction on right and Paper Backs in the middle section. This will make your search so much easier if you are looking for a certain book or author. When you have a chance, be sure to thank these library coordinators for their hard work!

Talking about the Clubhouse, please remember to shut off all lights upon leaving the Clubhouse especially in the evening. When shutting the lights off; use the on/off switch, not the dimmers to turn them off. Turning the dimmers down does NOT turn the light off! If you turn the thermostat’s up; please remember to turn them back down! Your cooperation with these issues would be greatly appreciated!

With the amount of snow fall we have had already this year, the safety of parked vehicles on the streets becomes a concern. We realize that sometimes a vehicle needs to be parked in the street. Please take extra precaution that if you MUST park a vehicle in the street that it parked as safely as possible. Park as close to the curb as possible and do not park by the drive way approach’s or mailboxes! When you hear the snow plow is in your area, be a support and run and out and move the car into the driveway while the streets are being plowed. Once the street is done; move the car back so that the driveway will be assessable for plowing. I know this is asking for you to go outside when you’d rather not; but for the safety of snow removal; these steps would be greatly appreciated by
everyone!

In late January I delivered the hard work of many dedicated hands! I delivered over 50 flannel bibs to the nursing home facility right up the road on Squirrel. They were so thankful; actual tears were shed! I also delivered boxes (probably close to 100 scarves) knitted and crocheted scarves of all colors and textures to the Gilda’s Club Cancer Survivor facility in Royal Oak on Rochester Road. They are having a gala event in February and had requested scarves to be given to each registered cancer survivor. We certainly helped make that dream come true! We are now working on baby hooded towels and blankets for the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Pontiac. We are also knitting/crocheting hats for patients at Crittenton Hospital where they may get chilled due to balding. If you would like to help but are not a kinitter, sewer or crocheter, a donation of yarn or material or money is always appreciated by those that do the work. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the Clubhouse office or one of the coordinating residents: Marian Hansen, Linda Foltz or Joan Huffmaster. Your support would be greatly appreciated by these ladies! Thank you in advance for your donations!

I hear that there is some concern about the “hugging” I demonstrate to many as you visit the Clubhouse or come into an event. I personally enjoy a hug as a symbol of friendship and caring. If you would prefer not to participate in a hug, you won’t hurt my feelings; just let me know! It never was meant to annoy anyone! Have a great February ..

Love and Peace to All!


 in February
  • NEW EXERCISE CLASSES BEING OFFERED

    CC Plus, dance for fun and fitness, has been teaching dance/exercise classes for senior citizens since 1998. Their classes are designed so that all seniors, regardless of age, ability, or disability, can participate and reap the benefits of a structured, low-impact workout. We are happy to offer some new and exciting programs to you!

    LINE DANCING
    This is for the more mobile senior. Great fun, with music that will have everyone up and dancing. Our low-impact line dance class can help to improve flexibility and balance, as well as increased cardiorespiratory endurance.

    TAI CHI
    Tai Chi is especially well-suited for individuals who are looking for a non-impact exercise. Great benefits are received from the ease and safety of Tai Chi, compared to many other forms of exercise that strain muscles and put stress on arthritic joints. Tai Chi’s slow, fluid, weight-shifting movements improve bone strength, leg muscles, and balance, leading to fewer falls. This class has been requested by many.

    ZUMBA
    This is a high-energy cardio dance class that melds Hindu, Arabic, American, African and Latin beats with salsa,
    meringue, cha cha, samba, hip-hop and belly dancing, among other International favorites. Integrating slow and fast paced rhythm intervals with hip-twisting, fat-burning moves, Zumba is full-body workout that leaves everyone craving more, more, more!

    Come on over to the Clubhouse on Monday, February 18th at 1:00 pm to learn more about these classes and see them demonstrated. Come prepared to get up and try each of these classes to see if you’d like them! The instructors will tell you all you need to know about the benefits of each of these exercise programs. Wear gym shoes. Bring a towel if desired. A bottle of water is a great idea too! Sign-up by 2-14 to join us for this great fun! Classes will be scheduled to begin for a 6 weeks in mid-March. Watch for Sign-Ups!
     
  • WHAT IS CHINESE NEW YEAR?

    The Chinese New Year is the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. It falls sometime between January 21 and February 21. It lasts until 15 days later when the Lantern Festival and the Parade of the Dragon are held. Come celebrate on the 15th day with us!
     
  • BOOK CLUB CHATTERINGS

    The next meeting of the Heritage Book Club is Saturday, February 23rd at 10:00 am

    Readers can choose any non-fiction book to read. Come share your selection with us at this meeting.

    EVERYONE INVITED! COME JOIN US!
    BAGELS & COFFEE SERVED
     
  • BUS TRIPS IN FEBRUARY AND UPCOMING MONTHS

    If you are interested in any of these bus trips, the time to sign-up to attend is NOW! Many of the trips require purchasing tickets early, so please take extra care in noticing expiration dates for signing up. Thank you!

    Saturday, February 2nd at 10:00 am - Stitchers Knitch to Knit Michigan at Sacred Heart Academy - $10/Admission (Pay There).

    Friday, February 8th & 29th at 4:30 pm - Fish Dinner at Sacred Heart of the Hills (sponsored by Knights of Columbus) - NEW MENU; NEW CHEF - Fresh fish, fresh recipe and fresh taste! Don’t want to miss this awesome dinner! Cost is $7.50 for Seniors (pay at the door). Sign-up Immediately or by 2-22 for 2nd date. (15-$2).

    Wednesday, February 13th at 4:45 pm - Dinner out for EVERYONE! Run from the winter blues with us to Lino’s in Rochester for an authentic Italian dinner. Invite your neighbors and friends; jump on the bus and enjoy a great dinner together! Dinner will be on your own (order off menu). Sign-up by 2-8 (15-$2).

    Sunday, February 17th at Noon - Brunch at Kalloways in Oxford. Chase away those winter blues and come join us for the best breakfast buffet in town! Cost is $12.95 for Seniors and includes most everything! Won’t you join with us? Guaranteed you’ll enjoy it and find it mighty tasty! Sign-up by 2-13 (8-$3).

    Wednesday, February 20th at 11:30 am - Singles Lunch Out to the Olive Garden in Rochester Hills. Doesn’t a never-ending bowl of hot soup and an endless salad sound wonderful on these brisk cold days? Join with us for a great lunch and better fellowship! After lunch if you want to come on in to the warm clubhouse and play a game of LCR or 7-Up Cards; then let’s do it! Lunch cost will be on your own. Sign-up by 2-13 (8-$3).

    Friday, February 22nd at 9:30 am - Kensington Valley Discount Mall in Howell. Jump aboard for a fun day of shopping! We will gather for lunch and have a fun day of shopping … hittin’ all those great sales! Sign-up by 2-15 (8-$5).

    Wednesday, February 27th at 11:15 am - Biloxi Blues at Meadow Brook - The continuing story of Simon’s alter-ego, New Yorker Eugene Jerome, on his way to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi to train for WWII. This classic fish out of water story is the winner of the Tony Award for Best Play. Lunch first at O’Malleys and have a choice of lunch of Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Caesar, Retro Burger, Corned Beef & Cabbage Wrap, Chicken Club Sandwich, Shillelagh Club (corned beef, roast turkey and swiss cheese), Roast Beef Philly, or Parmesan Baked Cod. Drinks include coffee, tea, iced tea, coke, diet coke or lemonade. Tickets only $25.50 for lunch and the show! A couple tickets still available. If interested, check it out TODAY! (15-$2).

    Wednesday, March 5th at 11:00 am - Purple Rose Theatre for Vino Veritas. Lunch before the show (3:00 pm). Tickets $21; Cost of lunch on your own.
    Sign-up by 2-20 (15-$5).

    Sunday, March 9th at 1:15 pm - The Cemetery Club at Avon Players - Tickets $12 - Sign-up by 2-29 (15-$3).

    Monday, March 17th at 9:00 am - St. Patty’s Day Lunch .. Italian Style at Genitti’s Hole-In-The-Wall. Tour of historic Northville with a stop at Great Harvest Bread for free samples. Lunch and an interactive comedy show following. All for $35/Person. Sign-up by 3-1. (15-$4)

    Thursday, March 20th at Noon - St. Patrick’s Day Social - Mark your calendar now to join us for the fun and festivities! Watch for more info next month.

    Thursday, March 27 at 9:15 am - DSO & The Beat Goes On Coffee Hour Concert - Tickets $28. Sign-up by 3-12 (15-$4).

    Thursday, April 3rd at 5:15 pm - Travel to the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center to hear the U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band. This band exemplifies the best of past, present, and future in traditional and contemporary music. From light classics to country, pop, and Broadway Hits, the band features a repertoire guaranteed to please every family member. Tickets are FREE! Sign-up immediately or until tickets are gone!

    Wednesday, May 7th - All Day Trip to the Tulip Festival on a Motor Coach - $75/Person - All admission costs included plus dinner. Sign-up by 4-10 (25).

    Thursday, August 14th - DETROIT TIGER TICKETS (Vs. Toronto) - SENIOR DAY - SAVE THE DATE! MORE INFO TO FOLLOW! 
  • CARD GAME FUN - Everyone Welcome! Come Join Us!
     
    • BRIDGE - Mondays at 7:00 pm and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.
    • PINOCHLE - Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.
    • BINGO - Wed., February 27th at 7:00 pm - We play 10 games ($.25/card) - And 1 Cover-All Game ($1.00 Per Card). Join us!
THE RED HAT HOT HONEYS HAPPENINGS

If you have any questions call Willie Swayze at 248-475-0012

If We Could Turn Back Time …

This is quite the age to be living in, don’t you think? How did we ever manage without e-mail, cell phones, and hormone replacement therapy? We take for granted the fact that we can tune in to over 300 television channels 24 hours a day and microwave an entire meal in four minutes flat. Still, on occasion, we get a little nostalgic for the “good ol’ days” of our youth. Remember your vanity table, with its cute little gathered skirt and a mirror for primping, its top laden with those beauty products no gal should be without, like Pond’s Cold Cream, White Shoulders perfume, Ivory soap, and Tangee lipstick. Those products are still available and there’s a reason: quality stands the test of time. And that’s why we wonderful women, in this new-fangled, technologically advanced, mega-byte age, also stand the test of time. We are 99.9 percent pure, unadulterated quality. The other .1 percent is pure fun! Have a great Valentines Day and a wonderful February! See you all soon!

In Friendship, Willie Swayze

in February

Please be sure to sign-up by the dates given. The number is parentheses is how many we need to hold the event. Thank You!

  • Friday’s, February 1 and 22nd at 6:00 pm - Resident Pot Luck at the Clubhouse.
     
  • Monday, February 4 - 8 - Muffin Mania at the Clubhouse. Stop by the Clubhouse this week to enjoy a muffin and a nice hot cup of coffee or tea.
     
  • Tuesday, February 5th - All Day at the Clubhouse - Paczka Day (Until they are gone) - Stop by and enjoy your favorite with us!
     
  • Tuesday, February 5, 12, 19, & 26 at 9:00 am - Sewing Group at the Clubhouse in the Craft Room.
     
  • Thursday, February 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10:00 am - Hand Bell Practice in the Craft Room at the Clubhouse.
     
  • Thursday, February 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 1:00 pm - Mah Jongg at the Clubhouse.
     
  • Friday, February 8th at 1:00 pm - Stitchers Knitch at the Clubhouse - Join with us for our newest Charity Project of knitted/crocheted hats for patients at Crittenton Hospital.
     
  • Friday, February 8th at 6:00 pm - Resident Social at the Clubhouse followed by Poker For Everyone at 6:30 pm.
     
  • Saturday, February 9th at 6:30 pm - Movie at the Clubhouse - Movie is Waitress. Sign-up by 2-4 (8).
     
  • Wednesday, February 13th at 7:00 pm - Euchre at the Clubhouse. Sign-up by 2-8.
     
  • Friday, February 15th - All Day - Come celebrate National Gum Drop Day with us. Gum Drops available all day long.
     
  • Friday, February 15th at 6:00 pm - Valentine “Celebrating Friendship” Social - $10/Person. Come enjoy the friendships of each other! DJ Bill will be with us spinning records. There will be dinner, dancing, singing and fun! This social for everyone; not just couples! Call your friends and neighbors and come celebrate the friendship you share together! Sign-up by 2-8 (25).
     
  • Monday, February 18th at 1:00 pm - CC Plus Exercise Program Overview - New classes are going to be offered here at Heritage by CC Plus. They will be Line Dancing, Zumba and Tai Chi. Come to this little class/seminar where they will introduce each class to you and explain the advantage of it so that you will want to add it to your exercise program. These classes are loads of fun! Classes will be scheduled following this demonstration. Classes will run for a six-week session. Come find out about this brand new, guaranteed fun exercise opportunity! Sign-up by 2-14.
     
  • Wednesday, February 20th at 7:00 pm - Mexican Train - $1.00/Payable That Night. Sign-up by 2-15.
     
  • Thursday, February 21st at Noon - Chinese New Year Lunch (Year of the Rat) - $8/Person - Come enjoy a wonderful Almond Chicken and Rice luncheon and the fellowship of your friends. You’ll learn about the Chinese New Year and it’s traditions. Sign-up by 2-15 (20).
     
  • Saturday, February 23rd at 10:00 am - Book Club Meeting at the Clubhouse - Everyone invited to attend.
     
  • Saturday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm - Movie at the Clubhouse - Movie is The Game Plan. Sign-up by 2-18 (8).
     
  • Wednesday, February 27th at 7:00 pm - BINGO at the Clubhouse. Sign-up by 2-22.
     
  • Thursday, February 28th at 7:30 pm - Game Night at the Clubhouse - Jump on over and stay cozy and comfy with us while enjoying a game of Rummikub (Fast Moving Rummy Tile Game) or Yahtzee (Dice Game). Sign-up by 2-22 (8).
     
  • Friday, February 29th at 6:00 pm - Texas Hold ‘Em at the Clubhouse - $20/Payable There. Sign-up by 2-22.
     
  • Friday, March 7th at 1:00 pm - Stitchers Knitch at the Clubhouse.
     
  • Friday, March 7th at 3:00 pm - Monopoly at the Clubhouse - Come on over and enjoy a great game of Monopoly. Sign-up by 2-29 (6).
     
  • Thursday, March 13th at 1:00 pm - BUNCKO Party - $5.00/Person - Sign-up by 3-6 (20).
     
  • Sunday, March 16th from 11:00 - 1:00 pm - Pancake/Waffle Breakfast - $5/Person. Sign-up by 3-10 (20).


(From the January, 2007 Board Meeting)


It has come to our attention that a few residents have questioned the Board’s decision to implement the $10 increase in the monthly assessment after the State of Michigan repealed the “tax on services.” Several reasons support the Board’s decision to do so:

First, the recommended increase was driven by increases in labor costs for snow and lawn maintenance, utility costs and other general increases in addition to the Services Tax.

Second, as was explained at the October Annual Meeting, the Board would move forward with the 2008 budget as stated, if the State failed to make a timely decision. This is because preparations had to be made by Michigan Condominium Inc., for the new budget year. Coupons had to be ordered, printed and mailed, banks had to be notified for automatic withdrawals, computers had to be re-programmed for bookkeeping purposes, etc. Unfortunately, the State did not finalize it’s decision in time, and, has yet to announce a “replacement” tax which could, in fact, still effect us. Re-doing the budget with a smaller increase, after the fact, would be time consuming, costly and risky.

Third, the $10 increase represents only a 4.5% increase. As was shown in the October Annual Meeting, inflationary increases over the last 2 years (while the assessment was held at $220 per month) totaled 6.63% and its reasonable to assume that the inflation for 2008 will be an additional 3% or more .. A total of nearly 10%. The Board has worked hard to offset these increases while continuing to meet the normal operating budget.

Fourth, a portion of the new budget increase will direct additional money to Appropriated Reserves as recommended by the 2004 Reserve Study. Last year (2007), was a year of significant improvements in the community. The Reserve Fund provided $84,000 toward these improvements and the new budget increase will partially replenish the fund.

Finally, barring any unforeseen economic pressure, the State’s veto of the “tax on services” presents an opportunity to finish 2008 with a surplus in the Operating Budget, which may eliminate the need to increase dues in 2009.

Clearly, the most prudent and efficient decision was to proceed as planned.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors


ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE UPDATES

You may have noticed Lonnie’s Tree Service working in our community to remove dead trees in the common areas and  pathways. We have contracted with Lonnie’s to service our community this winter and spring. If you any tree concerns on your property contact the Clubhouse office for information on how to proceed. Remember that the cost of a tree removal is the  responsibility of the resident. Also an ARC application is required for any tree removal.

ODDS AND ENDS

COMMON YEARS AND LEAP YEARS

HERE ARE THE RULES:

A common year (any year that is not a leap year) comprises an exact number of weeks (52) plus one day. That extra day means that if a given date of the year falls on a Monday in one common year, it will fall on a Tuesday the next common year, and so on, so it is one extra day per year in the common years. The rule changes for leap years. A leap year is 52 weeks plus two days. If a given date falls on a Wednesday in one common year and the next year is a leap year, the date will fall on a Friday. It’s leaped over a day of the week. That is why the year is called a leap year. The leap occurs throughout the period from March 1 (after Leap Day, February 29) through February 28 the next year. Did you know that?

LENTEN THOUGHTS
By Sandra Martyres

A time to reflect on our lives
A time to deflect attention from mundane things
A time to repent for all our misdeeds
A time to make peace with our misguided friends
A time to abstain from food and wine
A time to pray for those in pain
A time to thank God for all that we have
A time to pledge ourselves to doing good whenever we can!

TATERS

Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work. They are called Comment Taters. Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don’t want to soil their own hands. They are called Dick Taters. Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or two sweet. They are called Agie Taters. There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help. They are called Hezzie
Taters. Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not. They are called Emma Taters. Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others. They are called Sweet Po’taters. Which Tater are you?

Pictures for when you are hot in July and August!
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