RiverWalk Talk

Volume 22, Issue 5-6 A Newsletter Covering Life in RiverWalk May/June 2018

In This Issue RiverWalk Board Plans for Future President’s Report...... Page 2 By Patricia Bird Treasurer's Report...... Page 5 Calendars...... Page 20-21 The Board Meeting was held on April 17. All members, with the exception Activities...... Page 28 of Director Grossman, were present, as was our General Manager, Allen Clubs/Classes...... Page 36 Hunter.

After the various Board reports were given (the President’s and Treasurer’s reports appear on pages 2 and 5, respectively), the following motions were made: HOA MEETING DATES Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. Director Wolf moved that the clock tower and dome be repaired. This Board Meeting motion was tabled to allow the Board time to do more research and get more bids. The decision to table the motion passed unanimously. Monday, May 21, 10 a.m. Architectural Control Committee Treasurer Morris moved that the Board approve the purchasing policy as presented in the Board Meeting Packet. This change will make it easier Tuesday, June 19, 7:30 p.m. for the Board to do business and is similar to the policy used in 2015. The Board Meeting motion passed unanimously.

Monday, June 25, 10 a.m. Vice President Beeber moved to accept the proposal from Lite Architectural Control Committee Maintenance Co. to install new poles and new 2000-watt light fixtures at the tennis court in the amount of $106,531.20, plus $500 incidental fence work to complete the project, plus a %10 contingency. The motion passed When You Need Help: unanimously.

In an Emergency, Call: Director Marino moved that the Board approve a holiday lighting budget of $13,000 with a contractor as yet to be selected. The motion passed unanimously. 911 Board Secretary Schack gave a PowerPoint presentation on the work that must be done for our swales and streets. Some oaks must be taken Non-Emergency down, but the Board wants to keep a shady, beautiful RiverWalk. Questions Police, Call: were answered by Matt Murphy, the arborist owner of Southern Exposure our landscape contractor, and Brian Cheguis from I Plan and Design, our 822-1900 landscape architect. The meeting was adjourned. Have a great summer! See you in July! May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 2

Most of you know that in my previous life I owned At times these games got very spirited with several businesses, comments from my staff like, “that was going to be one of which was mine,” “I already said that,” and other comments that a sporting goods I now can’t repeat. The game ended with the winner store specializing taking a bow and going home with their prized in golf in the multi-colored ski hat or boot bag, only to return the summer and skiing following night to try to win again. in the winter. My salespeople loved the excitement and Those were special challenge of the game and, of course, I loved it also! and exciting times, I knew that saying truthful, positive things about the with new and innovative changes in equipment and many products we carried meant higher sales and clothing every year: foam and plastic ski boots, plate happier customers. bindings, fiberglass skis, insulations, fabrics, aluminum and stainless steel golf shafts, toe and heel weighting, RiverWalk is kind of like that sporting goods store and on and on. I owned. It has so many positives: its architectural beauty, its landscaping, its peacefulness, its wildlife, At the beginning of each new season, I would its inner walkways and bridges, its continued have the factory representatives from all the brands maintenance and upkeep, and its special social I carried come in at night and teach my salespeople togetherness. These are all the positives that mean about the new products. After each session, my higher values for our homes and in the pride of people would sit down with their customary pizzas ownership for those of us who call RiverWalk “home.” and Cokes, and we would play a game I called “positives.” I challenge all residents to, for one month, only say, post, or print, positives about our RiverWalk. I would hold up a single product from that night, and each salesperson had to state one thing about I ask you to follow your mother’s advice, “If you that product. The rules of the game were that it had can’t say something nice about something, don’t say to be the truth, you couldn’t repeat, and it had to be anything at all.” a positive about the product, not a negative. It was So, to the few “Debby downers” posting on amazing to me how many positives my folks could our local blog, take up my challenge and keep our wring out of something as simple as a pair of Scott property values high. ski poles. Last one standing would be the winner. The winner might win a ski bag, a wool hat, a putter or Jack Charles, Board President several goodies that I would dangle in front of them to urge the game forward. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 3

The RiverWalk Talk is now on its Toward the end of March, I was awakened by a phone bimonthly schedule to give our staff call. I hate that. The Caller-ID listed a woman’s number, Editor's a bit of a break. That doesn’t mean 607 area code, so I let it go to voice mail. When I listened Note that we have stopped wanting you to the message, I had a shock. The IRS had found four to send articles and photos. Even serious violations in my tax return (I guess after sending though it will be July 1st before the the refund), and I had 24 hours to get back to the caller next issue is published, we are working before the “cops” came to arrest me. on getting the July/August issue ready. We started that the moment the May/June newsletter went to the printer. Now, I’m computer savvy; my head knows this is a scam, but my heart skipped a beat. I know I should have reported this to someone before deleting the message, It’s getting to be that time of year when we have to start but I didn’t. Don’t let any of these telephone and thinking about hurricane season. The “predictors” have computer scammers take advantage of you. Hey, just let said it will be an active season. That doesn’t make sense the cop come. He might look like Steve McGarrett. to me. It doesn’t matter how many hurricanes there are; it just matters if one of them comes over RiverWalk. But be ready and get your supplies in. I think that the -- Patricia Bird hurricane threat is the only thing that keeps our little Editor in Chief slice of paradise from being perfect.

RiverWalk Talk Mission Statement RiverWalkA newsletter covering life in RiverWalkTalk The purpose of the RiverWalk Talk newsletter is to provide community information to the RiverWalk homeowners. The newsletter also will do its best to include interesting articles and ads. However, any claims in the ads have not been investigated by the staff, and they are not endorsed in any way. Editor in Chief ...... Patricia Bird Associate Editor..Elaine Confino It is the responsibility of the reader to check the claims in the ads and whether Advertising Manager ...... Kathy Wolf the business’s licensing is current. Activities Director...... Ilissa Shannon Activities Editor...... Fran Shay Any report of the President, Treasurer, or Property Manager will be Accounts Manager ...... Ron Frano printed with no changes by the editors but for spelling and grammar thereby Calendar...... Lori Roman maintaining the integrity of the article and the author’s meaning. Minor Contributing Writers. . . . Steve Bucar, changes to an article’s length could be requested by the editors. Greg Christoph, Len Fintzy, Bea Fries, Lisa Gammon, Dianne Golder, Betty Handel, No personal attacks will be printed, and coverage of Association meetings Phyllis Kingsbury, Marianne McCann, will be reported as accurately as possible. Pat Minkler, Heather Sandarr, Steve Wolf Photo Editors...... Elaine Confino, Nancy O'Keefe, Steve Wolf Graphic Design & Layout. ..Patricia Bird

The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit all submitted copy, except for the articles mentioned in the Mission Statement, for fit and content according to policies set forth by the Board of Directors of the RiverWalk of the Palm Beaches Homeowners Association.

RiverWalk Talk will accept feature articles, news items, club reports, photos and other items that are of interest to the majority of our residents. All such pieces should be placed in the RWT box in the main office or sent to the Editor at Patricia Bird at [email protected] Articles should be in Word format, photos in .JPG or .PDF. Include your name, email address, & phone number.

All queries concerning advertising should be directed to our Advertising Manager Kathy Wolf at 242-0329. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 4

The RiverWalk Board of Directors: (L to R) Mike Marino, Director; Miles Schack, Secretary; Chip Morris, Treasurer; Jack Charles, President; Steve (Sandy) Wolf, Director; Don Grossman, Director. With the Board is the General Manager, Allen Hunter. Vice President Barry Beeber was ill and unable to attend the meeting. [Photo by Elaine Confino.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 5

The most recent financial statements completed are dated March 31, 2018, and these may be located on the HOA website at the following address:

FSR Connect>My Community>Forms and Documents>Financial Document

Our cash balances from the March 31, 2018, financials total $5,073,185. The cash balances consist of the following categories: • Operating Cash $1,355,221 • Reserve Cash $3,717,964 As of March 31, 2018, we have delinquencies totaling $75,709.11. This is comprised of the following categories: • Attorney and/or bankruptcy status . 16 accounts totaling $66,227.54 • All other past-due accounts to include active collection and reminder notice status . 57 accounts totaling $9,481.57 Please note that the second quarter 2018 assessments were due and payable as of April 1, 2018. If you have paid your assessment, thank you for doing so on a timely basis. If you are reading this report or hearing this message and have not paid your second quarter assessment, you are technically late. Let me suggest that you take one of the following actions: • Log into your account at FSR Connect>My Account>Account Balance & History, and this will display your account balance. Please note that if you paid your café assessment in full in the first quarter, then your balance as displayed on the Account Balance and History tab will be $40 less that the actual amount due. • Use “ClickPay” to pay your second quarter assessment. • Stop by the HOA office, ask the office staff to look up your account balance for you to pay. • Use your payment coupon and mail a check or take a check to the office.

If you have any questions about your billing or how to make a payment, please stop by the office or contact the office staff as they will be happy to assist you. Respectfully submitted

Arthur C. Morris, RiverWalk Treasurer May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 6 Allen Hunter – Our General Manager By Marianne McCann

May 1st is the one-year anniversary of Allen • The initiation of the restoration/ Hunter’s becoming RiverWalk’s General rebuilding of the café; Manager, and 2018 also marks his • His attendance and support of fifteenth year as a RiverWalk resident. community functions;

An Oklahoma native and • The removal of the gas pumps business owner, Allen comes to us and abandonment of the tanks; with extensive construction and • His support for and of the contract negotiation experience. committees; After migrating to Key West, he • The development of the budget; found he loved the lifestyle, but not and the limited career opportunities. His wife Nancy’s taking a job at the Palm • The cleaning of all roofs, walks, gutters Beach County Health Department brought and driveway aprons in 90 days rather than one him to West Palm Beach. year.

Allen began with Bristol Management and, after its I asked Allen what he liked most about RiverWalk. acquisition by FirstService, one of his assignments was as a Regional Director. He found the task of managing Besides having a “vested” personal interest in managers and crises not very rewarding. He also felt RiverWalk, he likes our development because of the that his personality (he’s not a corporate guy), and his amount of natural open space. He enjoys the flora, skill set were a better match for an on-site manager fauna and even “the critters.” He and Nancy like to walk position. through the community over our beautiful bridges and fish in our lakes (catch and release of course). Just some of his accomplishments in his one-year As a manager, he likes the size of the development. RiverWalk tenure have been: It is not overly large or too small. The 1,367 homes generate enough money to support its amenities • The review and implementation of the and necessities while being small enough to have an tremendous backlog of maintenance requests intimate neighborly feel. He said it is the people that from residents; make a housing development a community. “We have • The creation of a plan for street tree and street an extraordinary number of friendly, pleasant, supportive repairs; and engaged people living here.” • The oversight of the maintenance shed and Allen is most pleased with the fact that he believes maintenance in general; he has earned the trust of the Directors. He feels that • The development of a comprehensive plan for his leadership has helped them focus their collective sidewalk repairs; energy and set priorities with projects. Sometimes, • The refurbishment of the Tennis Center and the these goals are not popular, but they are necessary. In tennis court fences; keeping with his responsibilities regarding the physical and fiscal health of the HOA, some of Allen’s short-term • The refurbishment of the hog fence repair and goals include: replacement; • The initiation of improvements to the staging • Completing the restaurant and hopefully having area; it become a fine dining experience;

Allen Hunter: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 7

Allen Hunter: Continued from the previous page Recall Alert: Kidde Smoke Alarm • Replacing the poles and light fixtures on the tennis courts; A day after the April RiverWalk Talk • Refreshing the floors in both the Post Office and went to the printer, Kidde recalled Town Center; some of its PI2010 Smoke Alarms • Continuing with the street repairs; manufactured between 2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13. A yellow cap left • Continuing with the lake bank restoration; on during the manufacturing process • Painting the underside of the bridges while the can cover one of the two smoke sensors water level is low; and and compromise the smoke alarm’s ability to detect smoke, posing a risk of • Repairing the rust on the clock tower dome. consumers not being alerted to a fire in their homes. Some of Allen’s long term goals include: If you have a Kidde Smoke Alarm that • Beginning the outside painting again (a 10 to 12- you believe may be part of this recall, year cycle); you should contact Kidde at 833-551- • Resurfacing the roads while correcting the 7739 for more information. drainage problems; • Looking into a different type of lake bank restoration product; • Updating our aging irrigation systems; and • Reroofing Town Center.

Because of a decade of property management experience, Allen has developed extensive knowledge as well as relationships with vendors, suppliers, attorneys, and accountants. I have had the pleasure of working closely with him in the refurbishment of the Tennis Pro Shop. I can tell you that beneath the folksy accent and the Hawaiian shirts is a very sharp mind. Allen has the ability to ask intelligent, probing questions, and to be direct and tactful at the same time. He has great verbal and written communication skills, and once a goal has been set, he is a man “about business.”

We are in good hands with Allen Hunter at the helm. He lets us know what is transpiring with his appreciated, weekly e-mail blasts, and is accessible when not out on the property because of his open-door policy regarding residents.

[Photo of Allen Hunter on preceding page by Nancy O'Keefe.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 8 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 9

Love on a Leash By Georgene Fisher I’m sure if you are out walking the neighborhood, Trustbridge is located at 5300 East Avenue, West at some point you must have run into me and Palm Beach, FL 33407, phone: 561-227-5138, website: Channing, my bearded collie. And during these walks, (trustbridge.com/volunteers). I have not only met so many nice people, but have noticed a remarkable number of dog owners in our Joseph Hamilton can be reached by phone at 561- neighborhood. We recently moved here from Charlotte, 227-5831, mobile 561-315-0755, fax 561-273-2215, and North Carolina, and I wanted to share one of my small email ([email protected]). pleasures with you.

Channing and I have been involved in pet therapy for many years, and even though we had to leave behind some of our very rewarding volunteer work in North Carolina, we quickly found ourselves right back on the bandwagon here in Florida. One of the places at which we volunteer is Trustbridge in West Palm Beach, formerly known as Hospice of Palm Beach County. Recently, Joseph Hamilton, Trustbridge Resource Lead Volunteer Services Manager, approached me and asked if I knew of anyone who would be interested in volunteering with their dog as their hospice care is in need of more pet therapy volunteers. He also mentioned that Trustbridge would send the dog for training if needed. I immediately thought I would get the word out in RiverWalk due to seeing a lot of dog owners in our neighborhood.

It is needless to say how much pet therapy enhances the quality of life via companionship, unconditional love, and how much our hearts are touched with the emotional benefits our dogs give us. Just to mention a Georgene and her pet therapy dog, Channing. few important positive benefits: it reduces depression, anxiety, and loneliness; encourages communication; provides an uplifting break; creates a physical connection through touch; reduces blood pressure; releases calming endorphins; relieves pain; decreases stress; increases relaxation; and sparks memories of beloved family pets.

You and your dog can make a difference. Should you want to experience a small pleasure in your life by bringing comfort to hospice patients and their families, please feel free to contact Joseph Hamilton (information below), or if you just want to discuss pet therapy in a more informal way, please feel free to contact me anytime at 704-488-1888. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 10 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 11 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 12 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 13

Crazy Corner By Sandra Masters Greetings, RiverWalk friends and neighbors. This is the first, in what I hope will be an entertaining and informative ongoing series of articles. My intention is to bring a nodding chuckle, eyebrow-raising interest, and maybe even an “aha moment,” all in the spirit of no one gets out of this world alive. This first piece will be lighthearted. I am sharing some of my favorite quotes from some of my favorite notable people. I have these quotes on magnets on my fridge—doesn’t everybody? Enjoy! “Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.” – Charles Bukowski. “I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” – Vincent Van Gogh. “I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.” – Edgar Allen Poe. “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams. “… there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare (Hamlet). “From error to error, one discovers the entire truth.” – IT PAYS TO RICK L PLATZ, LUTCF (561) 684 8801 Sigmund Freud. SWITCH.

For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest 8480 OKEECHOBEE BLVD. STE 6 WEST PALM BEACH of all victories.” – Plato. [email protected] “Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull Drivers who switched to Allstate yourself together.” – Elizabeth Taylor. saved an average of $375 a year. Call me today. Until next month, Carpe Diem. Savings based on national customer-reported data for new policies in 2011. Actual savings vary. Allstate Fire And Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2012 Allstate Insurance Company May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 14 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 15

RiverWalk O ce Sta (561) 697-7712

Allen Hunter – RiverWalk General Manager: [email protected]

Lisa Gammon – Violations: [email protected]

Michelle Maiorisi – Accounting: [email protected]

Lori Roman – Gate Updates/ Resident Registrations/ Architectural Control Committee: [email protected]

Ilissa Shannon – Activities: [email protected]

Maritza Munoz – Work Orders: [email protected] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 16

On Saturday, March 24th many families gathered around to celebrate Easter. Each child posed for a photo with the Easter Bunny and received a basket full of goodies.

The children raced around the lawn and crawled under bushes looking for all different colored eggs. They hopped around like bunnies in the potato sack race, took photos at our photo booth, colored, and decorated eggs. We even had the Kona Ice Truck in which the children added their own refreshing flavors while enjoying tropical music. It was a fun and exciting day!

Thank you to the Italian Americans and Friends Club for your donation. Also, thank you to our Social Committee and volunteers for making this event a great success. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 17

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RiverWalk Newcomers

Michael C. Barson 7851 Pine Island Way From: Wellington, FL

Giselle Crispino 7146 Grassy Bay Drive From: North Palm Beach, FL

Terry & Elizabeth Gould 7600 Red River Road From: Toronto, Canada

Diane & Alan Guerrero 7317 Deer Point Lane From: Wellington, FL

Lukasz Iwanski 7609 Pine Island Way From: Poland

Michelle & Jaime Longueira 2870 White Trout Lane From: Freehold, NJ

Peter Ninivaggi & Jaclyn Schaub 7901 Nile River Road From: Wellington, FL

Louis J. Sessa & Tina Norwood Sessa 7116 Elkhorn Drive From: Wellilngton, FL

Anne M. Smith 7664 Pine Island Way From: Bradenton, FL May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 19

Why You Should Consider Voting by Mail By Marcia De Fren

Voting, or “exercising • You can track your ballot online at www. the franchise,” is one of the pbcelections.org to verify that it was counted. cornerstones of democracy. • You can change your mind by delaying mailing Sadly, many people do not the ballot in. If you do not send it in, you can still vote for a variety of reasons. show up at the polling place to vote. This dilutes the people’s voice in our democratic process. • Mail-in ballots are especially helpful when Belgium has compulsory an election contains too many candidates, voting, and Malta does not— measures, or amendments. According to a recent but both have a 95% turnout report in the Sun Sentinel, Florida voters may at the polls. Statistics show that—by and large—only face ‘decision fatigue’ in November, because about 55% of the people in our large nation vote, even they may have to consider possibly twelve ballot in a presidential election year. Fewer numbers turn out measures and five constitutional amendments. for the smaller state and local elections. When ballots are long, lines of people waiting to vote become longer. You are not required to vote—it is a privilege— one which many people fought long and hard to get. Once you have decided to vote by mail, there is a box Initially, only propertied men could vote. Slowly, others you can check signifying that you wish to continue this gained the right. It’s just one hundred years ago that the practice. Your next ballots will show up in the mail for suffragettes earned this right for women. two election cycles.

Florida allows voters to use an absentee ballot to cast Political experts have pointed out that there is a 90% their vote without having a specific excuse or reason. chance that a voter who has chosen to do so by mail Regardless of one’s party affiliation, there are many WILL vote. Thus, you as a citizen have made a conscious reasons why voting by mail is a good idea: commitment to exercise this right.

• No waiting in line—you can vote from the Granted, for RiverWalk residents, there are two convenience of your home. downsides in this process—one being the social aspect • You do not have to set aside time to vote on a of meeting and greeting neighbors at Town Center. specific day. The other is the requirement of postage if you choose to mail in the ballot. Ballots can be hand-delivered by • You may exercise your franchise in your pajamas either you or workers in your chosen political party with a cup of Joe! who often volunteer to bring ballots to the Board of • Bad weather or work schedule conflicts will not Elections, thus obviating this problem. At the end of deter you from the act of voting. the day, the positives for mail-in ballots outweigh the negatives. • You may be fully prepared with your decision- making. Voting by mail allows you to research To sign up for your absentee ballot or for more candidates and issues, either by computer or by information, contact the Palm Beach County consulting people or organizations, such as the Supervisor of Elections: Telephone 561-656-6200, League of Women Voters who are more in the select option 2. The website is www.pbcelections.org. know. • Obviously, if you are planning to be on vacation or out-of-town, you can still vote.

May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 22 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 23 Frequently Asked Questions About Our Bocce Courts By Al Formichella When were they built? The bocce courts were built Bocce Club has been able to repair and restore the in January of 2006 after residents raised over $8,000 in surface by raking, leveling, and brooming. If the courts donations. Once the courts were completed (mostly by are severely damaged, the repair cost will have to be members of the newly-formed Bocce Club), both courts paid by our HOA, impacting every homeowner. were signed over to the RiverWalk HOA by agreement with the Board of Directors. The RiverWalk Bocce Club, and all those families and others using the bocce courts and, in fact, all our Who is responsible for their maintenance? The amenities, ask that these amenities be treated with courts are a RiverWalk amenity; therefore, the HOA is respect so that we may continue to enjoy the benefits of responsible. However, the members of the Bocce Club living in our fine community. do most of the daily maintenance.

Does RiverWalk own any sets of bocce balls? No, the balls are owned by the Bocce Club, but the club has allowed the equipment (balls and measurement devices) to be used by residents. The only rule is to return the equipment to the concrete maintenance shed before it closes at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 12:00 noon on weekends. It is suggested that those wishing to play bocce should purchase their own set of balls.

Were the courts ever rebuilt? Yes, they were rebuilt in 2016 as the original courts were rapidly deteriorating due to wood rot. The HOA Board of Directors had the courts rebuilt by a professional bocce contractor using concrete and pressure-treated lumber. The courts should last for many years, needing only minor maintenance.

Are the courts used all year round? Unfortunately, no. Due to the fact that the courts lack the required sun protection (canopies), play on the courts cannot occur from May until October. Other communities have these canopies over both ends of the courts, providing shade and thus allowing year-round play.

What surface is used for our courts? Har-Tru, the same clay surface that covers our tennis courts. Both the tennis and bocce courts have surfaces that are subject to damage due to vandalism or improper use. For example, our bocce courts have been damaged by children riding skate boards and bikes on the surface. Also, some residents have allowed dogs to run on the courts and children to dig in them. Luckily (so far), the May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 24 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 25 Last Confessions of a Mouse Girl By Patricia Bird

The RiverWalk Talk used to feature articles on Due to computer and smart phone technology, Disney World trips from the Mouse Girls. The a person with skills can make Fast Pass Mouse Girls, then all from RiverWalk, used reservations for his or her party 60 days to travel to Disney World three or four times before he or she arrives at the park. This a year, so we considered ourselves savvy Fast Pass appears in the data in your park enough to give hints to fellow RiverWalkers entrance card or on your wrist band. It gives who didn’t go to the parks as often. Time you a window of an hour to appear at the moved on. One Mouse Girl died; two others Fast Pass line and walk on in a much shorter moved out of RiverWalk. I miss going to the time than those you pass on the standby second happiest place on earth. line. This means that if you want to have any chance of getting on a popular ride without But is Disney World still the “second happiest waiting one to two hours, you had better get to place on earth”? It still is a wonderful experience, but the computer before you leave for Lake Buena Vista, things have changed and, in my mind, not for the better. maybe 59 days before. Even if you have Fast Passes, knowing that you have to be here or there at a certain The Fast Pass has just about destroyed Disney magic. time decreases the spontaneity of the trip. I didn’t like this option from the start. It gives all sort of possibility for abuse. How does one know that those My friend had downloaded the Disney World app. cards and wrist bands that one uses to access the parks This app gives you the ability to book Fast Passes and and attractions don’t contain eternal Fast Passes for restaurant reservations and to see what the wait times those with an “in”? What about Fast Passes that are just are at various rides. If you try to book the Fast Passes handed out willy-nilly to those who have had some sort when you arrive in Orlando, you will find that for the of incident at Disney, such as getting stuck on a stalled major attractions “none are available.” It makes me feel monorail so long that you miss your dinner reservation sorry for a less computer-oriented family that didn’t at Narcoosee’s? (That last one is at least a valid reason to realize that getting these things in advance could make have one.) or break the trip. People may have saved for years to take the family to wonderful Disney World only to find Disney World’s waiting line structure is pretty great. out that most of the greatest attractions are beyond the The paths are made narrow, so it is difficult to jump time they can afford to spend waiting to get on them. the line. Now, even more than before, the length of the lines is pretty well hidden on the most popular If Walt Disney was able to see what is going on in rides. If you get in the “Standby” line, there is usually an his parks today, I think he would cry. Families are no electronic sign available to tell you how long you have longer strolling merrily along, smelling the roses and to wait. They are pretty accurate. Most times they are enjoying the amazement of their children. At least one illuminated and, even on less popular weekdays, wait adult is falling over objects and stumbling into people times are almost an hour long, and sometimes more. because his face is glued to his mobile phone while he is trying to decipher how to get the Fast Pass, or where his I don’t get nearly so frustrated when it is “first party must run to get to an attraction with a 10-minute come, first served,” when I know that I am waiting the wait time. Of course, by the time the family gets to the same length of time as everyone else. What does get 10-minute wait time attraction, many others have read completely irritating is when I am standing there in about it on their mobile phones and have beaten them line and an army of people in the “Fast Pass” line walk to the line. into the ride in front of me. This is what is happening at Disney World now.

Confessions: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 26

Confessions: Continued from the previous page Security and Communications Report By Steve Wolf

But enough about the Fast Pass, my biggest pet From a Security standpoint, I know of nothing to peeve. Other things weren’t as bright as they were report at this time other than the continuing illegal on my last trip. There seem to be fewer cast members use of our HOA dumpsters that are reserved for trash cleaning rest rooms; used paper towel bins now dribble generated only from Town Center occupants. debris to the floor. Fewer helpful cast members were visible. Some cast members are not as pleasant as they Please make sure you are signed up and use the used to be or as knowledgeable. electronic internet access to the Micro-Gate Entry System (RiverWalk.micro-gate.com). You can directly And Disney has gotten so politically correct as to be enter or edit your guest’s information and party list. ridiculous. Pirates of the Caribbean was always one of As more of our residents are using the system by pre- my favorite rides. There is a scene in it where a pirate entering their guest’s information, it takes our guard less is auctioning off women to the other male pirates. The than 30 seconds to process that guest. The guard will no bidding men are hollering, “We want the redhead,” the longer call you when the guest entry lane is very busy prettiest girl who stood in a bright red dress showing and backed up if there is no pre-entered information. the lace of her petticoat. On our trip this March, the woman is standing in a peach-colored dress wearing a If you park your car outside, make sure it is parked gun and holster and a pirate hat, responding to far more properly, not on any grass or blocking the sidewalk. muted cries and saying, “What they really want is rum.” Lock it and make sure nothing of interest is showing, When have you ever heard of a politically correct pirate? and please use the alarm system that is installed in all our homes. These things were the less pleasant ones, but there is nothing lovelier than the Disney movie show that is Please, also remember to turn on and view Channel broadcast in the evening against Cinderella’s Castle. 63, our own HOA information broadcast channel. Disney Magic Kingdom fireworks are the best I have ever seen, and you always have a laugh on the Jungle If you see something, say something, and take a Cruise. Soarin’ at Epcot has been updated to a trip picture. Call the Police first, and then let the HOA office around the world and is something that no one should know what you reported. miss. The Beauty and the Beast show at the Hollywood Studios is so beautiful that I’m crying by the time it is over. If you are into the Animal Kingdom, the safari ride shows many wild animals, although I guess it is also now politically incorrect to mention poachers. Great things are available at each of the major parks, so be sure that you get park hopper passes!

When I’m at Disney World, I find many things that aren’t as great as they used to be. On the other hand, if someone asked me to go tomorrow, I’d be packing. Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to Disney World I would go.

Connie Tenn of Tampa and Pat Bird enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian Hotel. [Photo by the waiter. (He wasn't that good of a waiter.)] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 27

R May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 28

lk Activ “Hair Gets Lighter. Skin beverages. If you would like to attend, please call a i Gets Darker. Water Gets or email the RiverWalk Office. Booze & Bites Mingle ti W e Warmer. Drinks Get Colder. will take place on the 3rd Friday of every month. r s e Music Gets Louder. Nights Come join the fun and meet some new neighbors! v i Get Longer. Life Gets Better.” Donations Needed! The cats and dogs at Peggy

R ~ Author Unknown Adams Animal Rescue need your help. New or used items include: cat/dog food, dishes, blankets, towels, beds, leashes, toys, etc. Please drop off animal donations Stay tuned to Comcast at the RiverWalk Office. We are also collecting non- Channel 63, the Post Office perishable food items for The Oasis Compassion Agency and Town Center bulletin in Greenacres. Please drop off food donations in the boards, the RiverWalk website (RiverWalkofwpb.com) and RiverWalk Office. Please do not leave any donations in your emails for updates. Please check with the RiverWalk the RiverWalk Post Office. Thank you for your generosity! Office to make sure we have your email address!

Bingo Bash! Join us for Bingo on Friday, May 4th, Events and trips fill up quickly. Everything provided is and Friday, June 1st, in the Town Center. Bingo cards on a first-come, first-serve basis for seating, so please bring will be on sale from 6:45 pm - 7:15 pm, and we will your payment in to reserve your seat. Thank you in advance! play Bingo from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm. You may bring your own drinks and snacks. Please bring cash only to purchase your Bingo cards, $5 or $10 sets of cards. We offer rentals of the Town Center facility for We will also be selling $2 Bingo daubers to mark your your upcoming special events! Keep us in mind numbers. Sign-ups will begin on the 15th of every month when planning your next Anniversary, Birthday for the following month’s Bingo. Please call or email or Meeting. Please call or visit the office for details. the RiverWalk Office to sign up – seats fill up fast. We will have only 80 seats available; please, no walk-ins. Bingo will be held on the first Friday of every month. Please contact the RiverWalk Office with any questions or suggestions at: Movie Night! Illustrated Properties invites you to the th nd movies on Friday, May 25 , and Friday, June 22 . The Phone: (561) 697-7712 movies will be determined. Admission is FREE!! Gather on the lawn behind the RiverWalk Town Center at 7:30 pm, or inside the Town Center if it rains. The movie will start promptly at 8:00 pm; popcorn will be provided. Please bring your own chairs for outside seating. You may bring your own drinks and snacks. For more information, please check your email, the bulletin boards or you may contact the Real Estate Office. Enjoy the movie!! Paint-A-Pot! Saturday, May 26th, and Saturday, June 16th, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Pottery painting for the whole family at the Town Center! All pieces are either $5 or $10; please bring cash only. There will be cups, plates, figurines and more to choose from. Booze & Bites Mingle! Join us on Friday, May 18th, and Friday, June 15th, from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share and bring your own drinks; you may bring alcoholic May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 29 May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 30 Pets on the Street By Phyllis Kingbury

Derby Campbell is one of our younger “kids” on unexpected. Now calm down and let’s get started. Tell the block arriving on Gila Lane on Mother’s Day 2017. me your height and weight please. Banetta and Rick Campbell finally felt ready to once again enjoy the love and joy a pet brings to a home, Derby: I am 13 inches high from the bottom of my since their beloved Piccolo had passed just months paws to the top of my ears, and I weigh 6 lbs. and 2 before, leaving the house feeling empty. ounces. Although you didn’t ask, it’s important to let our readers know that I am 100% Yorkie. It was like welcoming a new baby as we neighbors Reporter: When and where were you born, and do crowded around Derby each time he ventured out to you have siblings? become acquainted with his new surroundings. We Derby: I was born on the west coast of Florida on “oohed and aahed” at his every movement, captivated February 2, 2017, and I have no canine siblings. I do have by his adorableness. In those early weeks, my husband a human brother and sister who are both adults and live said that Derby didn’t walk but rather vibrated his way outside the home, so I feel like an only child. My dog down the street like a wind-up toy moving across the grandpa was a show dog and won many ribbons, and floor. His eyes resembled the little button eyes of a my dog mom won her fair share too. I hope my saying child’s favorite teddy bear and they haven’t changed that doesn’t sound like bragging. other than becoming a little bit larger, but not by much. Reporter: Not at all. That’s impressive. Tell me about I remember standing in my driveway one early your typical day. evening and noticing Banetta outside, across the street Derby: Each morning, I am ready to leave my and one house down. She held something in her hand powder-blue crate with the matching cushion and that looked like a leash but with nothing attached get my day started. We have such fun together, just to the bottom of it. I squinted to focus my vision and us boys. When the weather isn’t too hot, daddy reads then could see a very small dark object, no bigger than the newspaper on the porch, while I entertain myself my size six shoe, hopping around only inches above watching the geckos outside of the screen. Occasionally, the top of the grass. Was it a puppy? It sure was small, I’ll bat at the newspaper, so daddy will stop reading and whatever it was. I walked over to get a closer look and play with me. Each day is different, but they all include was greeted by Derby who bounced around my ankles play time with my favorite toys (Mr. Alligator and Hairy trying to climb up into my outstretched hands as I Man), a nap or two of course, and nice walks. By the way, knelt down to pet him. He rapidly turned around in the readers might like to know that I have my very own circles and was so happy to see me, even though I was fire hydrant in our yard, which is from Willisville, Illinois. a stranger meeting him for the first time. My fascination My human grandpa was a volunteer fireman, so it’s and affection for him has only grown stronger, and it is pretty special. At the end of the evening my parents say, now my pleasure to introduce you to the delightful and “It’s time for bed, Derby,” and I go into my own room charming Derby. and snuggle in my crate with my blanket that says, “Now I lay me down to sleep.” The best part is I get to wake Reporter: Hi Derby, I am so excited that you have up the next morning and do it all over again. What a fun agreed to this interview. life! Derby: Pfft … you cannot possibly be as excited as I Reporter: I am noticing an improvement in your am; just look at me racing around this screened in patio ability to sit calmly when you and your mommy are in an attempt to impress you with my speed and agility. outside walking and she stops to chat with someone. Reporter: You are a bundle of energy and the way you just leapt straight up into my lap was quite Pets: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 31

Pets: Continued from the previous page

Derby: Thank you for noticing; it’s a struggle to my human brother. It was so cold there that I wore it the sit still at my young age. I feel lucky to have had the entire time. benefit of a personal trainer, but I’m still working on a Reporter: That’s quite a distance for such a young few things … especially fine-tuning my pee and poop pup. It sounds like you had a great time. schedule. I think some humans have that problem too. I can sit, lie down and roll over, and high five. I’m also Derby: Yes, I did. The airline people were wonderful becoming an expert at the “head tilt” when a person to me, and I hope to go again. is talking to me which is particularly charming. Bella Reporter: Unless you have something else you would down the street is an expert at that move, so I’ve been like to share, I guess it’s time to wrap up this interview. studying her in hopes of perfecting my own tilt. It’s really hard to be calm, especially when I see you, Aunt Derby: I can’t think of anything at the moment. Gerry, or my girlfriend Annie. I feel all giddy inside, and Thanks for coming over, and here are some wet kisses that’s when the jumping and running around in circles before you go. I always have them available, so come starts. It’s a wonder I haven’t tripped someone or over anytime to get more. I hear they are good for strangled myself with my leash, as it gets quite tangled releasing endorphins, which are those things that makes in my excitement. one feel happy. Reporter: Wait a minute now, back up, you have a Reporter: Thanks Derby and here is a big hug for you. girlfriend already? Aren’t you a little young? I always have those available too. Derby: Some may say it’s “puppy love,” but I knew Annie was the gal for me the first time I laid eyes on her. Annie is much older and many times larger, weighing 65 pounds, so I understand the raised eyebrows. She sent me a Valentine, signing it “From your main girl,” so I’m sure she loves me back. Have you seen her? She’s gorgeous! Her luxurious pale cinnamon and white coat, feminine snout, and gentle personality would make any puppy swoon. I love when she is lying down and I pounce on top of her and bury my nose down into her fur. It’s wonderful. John, the groomer, comes every three weeks to see each of us on the same day so, it’s our official “date day.” I see her as often as I can, which isn’t very hard since we live across the street from one another. Reporter: Well, I can certainly understand why she is attracted to you. I’ve seen you in your red raincoat with that adorable hood that frames your face, not to mention the faux Burberry sweater that says, “Ho Ho Ho” on it. You look very dapper in those outfits. Derby: You are observant, aren’t you? The raincoat is special because mommy could not find one small enough, so a friend I’ll call “Mr. E” tailored a store- bought one to fit me. The sweater came in handy when we went to Phoenix over the Christmas holidays to see Derby Campbell. [Photo by Phyllis Kingsbury.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 32

RiverWalk Tennis Teams Celebrate Their Victories By Elaine Confino

The Palm Beach County Senior The new Level 7 Green Division women’s team, Tennis League recently hosted its captained by Linda Templeton and Naomi Mayer, won Annual Awards Luncheon at the Kravis their division and semi-final matches, earning them a Center Cohen Pavilion in West Palm spot in the finals played at Gleneagles Country Club in Beach. This event marked completion Delray Beach. Their opponents from Villaggio put up of the league’s 32nd year of providing a good fight but, in the end, RiverWalk prevailed bya friendly, competitive doubles competition for over 4,000 score of 18-0, and are division champions. senior men and women, ranging in age from 50+ for the women, and 55+ for the men. Nancy O’Keefe and I shared the responsibility of guiding our Level 6 White Division team. Our goals were RiverWalk teams have participated in the league to build a competitive team and have some fun along for nearly two decades. Our men’s and women’s teams the way. We not only met, but exceeded those goals have brought home more plaques and trophies than with a season-ending, one-point victory over our closest our newly-renovated pro shop can accommodate, and rival, Jupiter Ocean & Racquet. Although we lost in the this season was certainly no exception. playoffs to a strong Four Seasons team, we are more than delighted with the camaraderie our team enjoyed, The men’s Level 6 White Division team, captained as well as our unexpected, strong finish. by Mike Barnes and Buz Wyman, fought hard, but were outmatched by a very strong North Palm Beach team. The downside of winning is that your team moves In the end, they had to settle for a second-place finish, up one level. So, we’ll enjoy our victories, and start to and individual trophies were awarded to each of their prepare for the new challenges we’ll face next season. players. RiverWalk Level 6 Women's Team: Left to right: Natasha Bragarnik, Lois Zahn, Captain Nancy O'Keefe, Carol Fuchs, Marcia DeFren, Mary Parker, Susan Roman, Valery Roszko, Co-captain Elaine Confino, Grace Blanco, Irina Izhogina, Lucea Keller and Joan Bonin. Camera shy, Ruthie Berman. [Photo courtesy of Steve Bucar.]

RiverWalk Level 7 Women's Team: Back row - left to right: Gloria Matusiak, Irene Cicola, Linda Jacobs, Co-captain Naomi Mayer, Sandy Jennings, Martha Edmonds, Marty Johnson and Captain Linda Templeton. First row - left to right: Marion Cianci, Sandy Eiseman, Rae Martin, Francine Cote, Sue Petteruti, Monique Bilodeau, and Sue Jurkowich. [Photo courtesy of Buz Wyman.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 34 Tennis: Where Is Everybody?

Our snowbirds have started their annual trek back must also look for what the other players want and north … for the life of me, I can’t understand why they make some calls. Of course, I will always take calls from don’t stay an extra week when there are storms blowing you if you’d like some help finding someone … and I through up there! I know a couple leaving today who can tell you who is being honest on their evaluation of are planning on staying at the airport hotel because the themselves on the HITLIST! weather is so bad. For the Canadians, they have only so many days to stay in the USA, so I understand their And there are always a couple of more options: Take plight for flight. a lesson or clinic. All the pros will challenge all levels appropriately ... or you may opt for the ball machine. But For the rest of us who remain, the question is: What be careful that you don’t “perfect” a bad habit. See you do we do without our fair-weather friends? The answer on the courts! is: All our other friends are still here, and there are new friends waiting to be met. The question then becomes: Tennis Tip: Too much and too little power. Are you waiting to be met as well? I maintain that’s no way to meet someone! Every sport usually promotes control BEFORE power, as the power will come in time once you have mastered I had two ladies show up for the Sunday mixer a few your control. Here are a few tips to tame your power: weeks ago and, after waiting a few minutes and seeing that no one else had shown up, they were astounded Stand further back behind the baseline: If you are that a regular and very busy weekly event was not going hitting the ball three feet over the baseline, try making to happen. I had checked the online sign-up prior to contact from further back … maybe five feet! Choke their arrival, so I knew no one had signed up, but neither up on the racquet. The shorter leverage between your had they! My obvious question for them was: Why had hand and the racquet head will decrease your power they not registered for the event? They agreed they with the same hand speed. should have, and next week when they did, we had at least ten players. The point is, you have to register and Increase the tension in your strings. This will shrink put yourself out there in order for the events to gain the “sweet spot,” but you will keep more balls in. “momentum.” Switch to a lighter racquet: Force = Mass x The GETCOURTSIDE.COM website is the Village Acceleration … Work = Force x Distance; therefore, Work Tennis Center’s web host for all our events and activities. – Mass x Acceleration x Distance ... or to shorten it up: W In keeping with the theme of this article, I won’t go = MAD ... you must be mad to work out so hard! over every “module” it has, but for finding out “where is everybody,” click on any event or clinic and you will immediately see who else has registered ... it’s all public Call Steve Bucar, USPTA, at 689-6465 for more information. info. See you on the courts!

Then there is the “HITLIST” tab at the top of the homepage. This will give you information about players’ phone, email, level, availability, what type of game (singles, doubles, mixed), as well as a comment section for notes, such as if they only want to rally and drill vs. playing points. You, too, can sign up for the HITLIST. If you keep your information current and are clear about what you’re looking for, you will get calls … but you May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 35

Birds of RiverWalk: Limpkin Text and photographs by Greg Christoph Limpkins are moderately large wading birds with a snails, but they usually go elsewhere when the supply length of about 25 inches and a wingspan of 40 inches. of apple snails is exhausted. It is the presence of apple They have dark brown feathers interspersed with white snails in the lakes at RiverWalk that brings limpkins ones. If you want to see a limpkin in the United States, to our shores. Although the snails are present in the you pretty much have to be in Florida. They are year- lakes all the time, we are more likely to see limpkins at long residents of tropical and neo-tropical regions of RiverWalk when the water level in the lakes is high. The the New World and, except for rare sightings as far snails attach themselves to submerged aquatic plants, north as Georgia, southern Florida is the northernmost and when the water level is high enough to cover the extent of their distribution. From a distance, they are grasses at the water’s edge, the snails will invade the easily confused with the slightly smaller glossy ibis. grasses. The depth of the water over the grasses is just The glossy ibis, however, is black with a greenish tinge, right for wading at these times, and these areas become lacks the white flecks, and has a pronounced downward very attractive for limpkins. curve to its bill. The limpkin’s bill is shorter and has only Limpkins are tactile feeders. Their bills are sensitive a slight downward curve. Furthermore, ibises are not to touch, and they find food by blindly probing among even closely related to limpkins. Taxonomically, limpkins the submerged grasses until the bill makes contact with constitute a monotypic family, which means that there a snail. They then take the snail to land and repeatedly are no other close living relatives in the same family and hammer it with forceful blows of the bill until the genus. Its closest distant relatives are cranes, who reside unfortunate gastropod relinquishes its shell. The meaty in an entirely separate family of birds. morsel is swallowed whole. It is not at all unusual to see empty snail or bivalve shells in the grass near our shorelines. These are likely the inedible debris from previous limpkin meals.

Limpkin Portrait. Limpkin wading in shallow water.

The call of the limpkin is fairly loud, and it sounds a Limpkins have rather selective dietary habits. Their bit eerie. Bird calls are often represented by a string of preferred food is the apple snail, and the population letters, but seldom really sound like a pronunciation of of limpkins in any given area is directly proportional to the availability of apple snails. They will sometimes eat Limpkins: Continued on page 44 bivalves, like clams and mussels, if there are no apple May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 36 RiverWalk Clubs ‘n Classes [Ed. Note: Each month we will summarize the learning and participation opportunities here in RiverWalk . All clubs & classes meet in Town Center except as noted. Club contact people may notify the Activities Editor, Fran Shay, [email protected], by the 15th of the month prior to publication with new information.]

Aqua Aerobics: Morning classes are held CERT (Community Emergency Response Team): every Monday through Friday at 9:00 am at the For information, contact Len Fintzy at 561-686- Resort Pool, weather permitting. This class uses 6668 or Barry Beeber at 561-712-0141. Volunteers Remind for last-minute cancellations and other are ALWAYS needed. CERT officers meet the fourth updates. See Remind information below. A Monday of odd months at 7:30 pm (downstairs waiver must be signed before joining the class. at the Town Center), and general membership meetings are the fourth Monday of even months Aqua Aerobics (Evening Class): Evening classes (upstairs at the Town Center), except for December. are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Resort Pool, weather permitting. Please bring your COP (Citizens Observer Patrol): Meets the own equipment. Make sure to sign a waiver with the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm (downstairs instructor, Annette, before joining the class. Please at the Town Center). New volunteers ALWAYS contact Annette at 561-951-7410 with any questions. needed and welcomed. Contact Terry Lehman This class also uses Remind for last-minute cancellations at 561-684-1807 or Buz Wyman at 401-316-9924. and other updates. See Remind Information below. Crafters and Knitters: Are you feeling creative? Bocce (Men’s): Contact Al Formichella at 561- Join them Tuesdays at 10:00 am downstairs at the Town 697-9807 to play bocce or join Team RiverWalk. Center. Contact Dolores Castilonia at 561-478-8293. Bocce (Women’s): We welcome all women to play. Duplicate Bridge: Meets at 7:00 pm promptly Experience or knowledge of game rules is not required. each Thursday evening downstairs at the Town Center. It’s a fun and easy “learn as you play” game. If you are All players, intermediate to advanced, are welcome. interested, just show up at the bocce court on Saturday Cost: $1. If you need more information or if you need mornings at 9:00 am. The games last about an hour a partner, contact Marilyn Glasser at 561-681-9228. and a half, and are a great way to start your weekend. Golf (Ladies): Ladies who are interested in Book and Film Club: Book and film discussion social golf Thursday mornings, please call Annette meetings are held the second Thursday of each Caccamise at 561-683-0829 for more information. month downstairs at the Town Center. The May 10th Golf (Men’s League): Golfers play every Wednesday book discussion meeting begins at 1:00 pm: Before at 7:45 am at Okeeheelee Golf Course. Teams and We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. The June 14th book handicaps are assigned. After golf, most members stay discussion meeting begins at 1:00 pm: Chemistry by for lunch and enjoy the Nineteenth Hole. If you are Weike Weng. Contact: Fran Shay at 561-685-2354. interested or would like more information, contact Andy Bowling League: The Summer League will begin Braica at 561-478-9480 or Bob Adams at 561-712-1458. on Tuesday, May 8th. Meets every Tuesday at 9:30 Grief and Loss: If someone is in need, please contact am, all year round, at Verdes Tropicana Lanes on LeAnna Collier at 561-684-6563 for a private discussion. Florida Mango Road off Belvedere Road (near PBI Airport). The Summer cost: $10/per week. Contact Italian/Americans and Friends Club (IAFC): Walter Carney at 561-644-1005. Everyone is welcome! Membership renewals are due, $35 per person. Bunco: A dice game that is easy to learn and Karate: Meets Wednesdays from 6:00 lots of fun! Both games are held downstairs at the pm - 8:30 pm, upstairs at the Town Center. Town Center the 3rd Wednesday of each month A waiver must be signed before joining the from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, and the 4th Friday of each class. Contact: Joel Cohen at 561-712-0554. month from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Contact: LeAnna Line Dancing: Are you looking for something fun Collier at 561-684-6563 to join either game. to do? Are you tired of the treadmill? Then this is the

Clubs 'n Classes: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 37

Clubs 'n Classes: Continued from previous page class for you. Have fun while exercising your body and If you are interested in the Tennis Mixed Doubles brain. We dance to country, oldies, and contemporary and Hitting Frenzy call 561-689-6465 or email music. No partner is needed. The dances are taught [email protected], or visit usptaplayer.com. before the music is played and steps are called out during the dance. Classes are held on Wednesdays at Walking Group: Join other RiverWalk residents 10:00 am upstairs at the Town Center. Sunday line dance for a walk around RiverWalk. The group meets 7 classes have been postponed until further notice. A days a week at 6:20 pm near the stop sign by the waiver must be signed before joining the class. $5/class. Tennis Courts. Everyone is welcome. If you need Pilates: Pilates classes are held every Tuesday more information, contact Donna at 561-801-2583. and Thursday at 9:30 am and every Saturday at Yoga: Multi-level yoga classes are held upstairs 10:15 am upstairs at the Town Center. This class uses at the Town Center Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm for Remind for last-minute cancellations and other a gentle/candlelight class, and Saturday mornings updates, and sometimes to determine if a sufficient at 9:00 am for a more active class. Chair yoga is number of students plan to attend an upcoming held on Thursdays at 10:45 am. These classes use class. See Remind information below. A waiver Remind for last-minute cancellations and other must be signed before joining the class. $5/class. updates, and sometimes to determine if a sufficient Ping Pong: Meets upstairs in the Town Center number of students plan to attend an upcoming Monday evenings from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Monday class. See Remind information below. A waiver must evening ping pong will not meet on the fourth Monday be signed before attending any yoga class. $5/class. of even months, except for December), and Thursday Remind App/Website Information evenings from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (upstairs). Bring your own paddle. If you are interested in attending, Prospective and current students of the listed please contact Richard Zuccaro at 561-683-2516. classes below: Please download the “Remind: School Singles Mingle: Please look for monthly events Communication” (white cloud in a blue sky background on the bulletin boards, your email, and Channel 63. icon) app on a smartphone and/or tablet, or visit www. remind.com on a computer to join the following classes Social Committee/Tour & Travel: The Social using the respective class codes below. You will be Committee meetings are on the first Wednesday of notified of class cancellations and, for some classes, every month at 3:30 pm. The meeting will take place you may receive requests for intentions to attend in the Conference Room to plan social functions, class to ensure an adequate number of students. Call excursions and fun events. Please contact the Fran Shay at 685-2354 if you need help using Remind. HOA Office at 561-697-7712 if you are interested in helping decorate, set up and/or clean-up for events. Aqua Aerobics (name: R/W Aqua Aerobics) Class Code: aquaa. Stone Sculpting: Stone Sculpting classes are full, but Pilates (name: RW Pilates) Class Code: rwpilat. if interested or would like to see what is being done, you Yoga/Tues. Evening (name: RiverWalk are more than welcome to visit the LakeView Room at Candlelight Yoga) Class Code: rvwcan. the Town Center every Wednesday at 9:30 am. Contact Yoga/Thurs. Morning Chair Yoga (name: Joan Porter at 561-616-9020 for more information. RiverWalk Chair Yoga) Class Code: rvwcha. Tennis: Tennis Mixed Doubles are at the Village Yoga/Sat. Morning (name: RiverWalk Yoga) Class Tennis Center every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 Code: RiverWalky. pm and every Sunday at 8:30 am and 10:00 am. It is free and all levels can register today. Also, there is While classes are in session, please refrain from a Hitting Frenzy at the Village Tennis Center every using the rooms until the classes are finished. Thank Saturday at 10:00 am. All levels are welcome. The you! cost for the Hitting Frenzy is $15/$12 with a series. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 38 Celebrating My Father By Heather Sandarr

It was much earlier than usual. There was the cool of wonders, that our two-week vacation was forever, brightness of morning that comes even before the sun and that he, too, was forever. has grazed the horizon. My mother, shaking me gently awake, was saying, “Surprise … we’re going to New York He was a great body surfer long before it became City!” popular. He would brave the breakers and “ride the waves” better than anyone I’ve seen before or since. Magic time…magic city. Little did I know as a child of People along the beach would gather and point, and 10 that I would spend a good portion of my life building boys half Daddy’s age would ask him to teach them. My my career in that city. Anticipation built as I sat up in brothers learned; I never could. My head would stick out bed, instantly awake. Already I could feel the swaying of above the foam looking a bit like a wet retriever, and the train along the dilapidated track, the city pavement everyone would laugh. So, I surfed on a raft, mastering beneath my feet, the exhilaration of looking up at that at an early age. As more and more people learned buildings rising so high above me I could scarcely see to body surf, Daddy still rode the farthest, sometimes where they stopped and the sky began. We were going scraping his chest on the sand in the shallow water. Our there on a school day, a Friday, for the whole weekend. family was in love with the ocean. My older brother’s This was one of the many times we rose before dawn family and our parents built a summer home on and took the four-hour train ride into New York City Martha’s Vineyard long before it was a popular vacation … the train ride which was almost, but not quite, as destination. We had some wonderful times there until exciting as the hotel, the restaurant for dinner, the play his last summer when his illness had taken its toll. He afterward, a weekend filled with continuous joy and couldn’t do all the things he once could. He fought intense excitement. Just walking to the front of the train valiantly to stay with us, but the odds just weren’t with car and filling my little cone cup with ice cold water was us. exciting for me. Nothing is forever. And we lost him when he was far Two decades later, I lived in New York City for 18 too young. But nothing could destroy all he had done, years. The train didn’t go all the way home anymore, everything he had been or, most of all, the impact he and the city lost much of its luster. I grew to yearn for had on every life he touched. That remains with such the wet, green grass under my bare feet, the sound of intensity that there are times I feel I can reach out and the car crunching up the gravel drive, the silence of the touch him. He was handsome, stubborn, intelligent, country. You can take the girl out of the country, but …. strong, and the most wonderful father anyone could ever want. Most summers we spent a week or two on Cape Cod. It seemed like such a long time to me. My father He seemed to possess every skill imaginable. We taught us to pile wet sand in a mound by the water’s had an old farmhouse in the country, and he fixed edge, creating a mote around the base of what would everything that broke down. There was nothing he become the most beautiful drip sand castle in the world. could not do. I remember him tackling the frozen pipes Passers-by would stop, enthralled, and take pictures. in the winter with a blow torch, and shoveling coal into Nobody was better than Daddy at scooping up the the furnace in the cellar that heated our home. He even dripping sand in his hands and letting it trickle through sewed, making skirts out of trousers for my Mom when his fingers reaching higher and higher, forming the they were first married, by turning the pants upside towers and spires of the castle. Often, the tiniest breeze down, ripping out the old seams, adding a zipper, and would topple them over and Daddy would build them so on. up again … patiently, slowly, and magnificently. I was sure as I sat there in the warm sun, the ocean stretching My Father: Continued on the next page endlessly before me, watching him create this wonder May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 39

My Father: Continued from the previous page

He could upholster a chair or sew up a slipcover as well as a professional, and he did so many times. He had an old Singer model called a Spartan that had belonged to my grandmother. It doesn’t zigzag or buttonhole, but it does the job. After he died, Mom suggested I take the machine, and I have it to this day.

It had the blue thread on the bobbin from the last time my father used it. For years, I left it there. And one day I realized that in all the times I saw him work on that sewing machine, an old model that no one knows about anymore, I never asked him how to rewind the bobbin with another color thread … I just never thought about it.

An oversight … trivial, insignificant, yet somehow important because it made me so aware of how often we let time slip by, never anticipating its end. So many things were left unsaid and went unanswered, but I did figure out how to rewind that bobbin and I truly do believe that somehow he had a hand in that. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 40

Brightline Train Station. [Photo by Dianne Golder.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 41

Euro-Style Train Travel Comes to West Palm Beach By Dianne Golder Everything about the Brightline trains currently and there is a bus terminal directly opposite the running from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale is station. However, to get to the most frequently-visited bright—from the bright canary-yellow paint used on destinations, like the Riverside Arts & Entertainment the trains’ exteriors and buildings to the bright smiles District, Las Olas Boulevard with its many shops and on the faces of the employees. restaurants, and the beach, the Sun Trolley is the best bet. It stops immediately in front of the station and I read stories, both good and bad, about the new costs $1. Its farthest point north on A1A is the beach express train service to Fort Lauderdale and, ultimately, near the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a wonderful to Miami and Orlando. So, one Sunday, my husband, place to visit to get the flavor of old-time Florida. It then friends, and I decided to try it out to find out whether loops back to the station. There is also a connecting Sun or not it was a big, expensive mistake. We came away Trolley Line that goes south to the cruise ship terminal very impressed. It is a first-class operation from start to and beyond. finish; the trains and stations are beautifully designed, immaculate, and state-of-the-art. If Fort Lauderdale is on your list of places to go, Brightline is a great way to get there. Hopefully, the The trip started at the ten-story, free parking future of the line will be as bright as its name. garage off Rosemary Avenue between Datura and Evernia Streets. A short walk across the street took us The West Palm Beach Brightline station is located into the lower part of the terminal where assistants at 501 Evernia Street, a few blocks south of Clematis helped us “first-timers” with purchasing tickets from Street; but you can access it from 524 Datura Street. For a computerized terminal, but tickets can also be a limited time, Brightline is offering introductory free purchased online. Smart Coach tickets are currently parking to all its guests at its parking garage located at $10 for a one-way trip, or $9 for seniors—but that is the 511 Evernia Street. introductory rate, and no one I asked knew when that Tickets can be purchased at the train station or would change. There is also Select Coach, which costs ordered online (www.gobrightline.com). $15 and includes refreshments. One-way ticket prices range from $10 for Smart We then took the escalator to the second floor Coach seating to $15 for Select Coach seating. Active waiting room after going through a security check. The military, veterans, National Association of Railroad sleek, stylish, glassed-in room features both a self-serve Passengers (NARP) members, seniors age 65+, as well coffee and snack bar, as well as a café where sandwiches as groups of ten or more will receive a 10% discount. and bakery products are available. The waiting room Children under the age of 2 years old ride free, and is divided into two sections: one for Smart Coach children up to the age of 13 years old receive a 50% customers and the other for Select Coach customers. discount. [See photo on the previous page.] The Select Coach waiting room is stocked with snacks and beverages, which are also available on the train. Select Coach also includes one cocktail on the train available all day on weekends, and after 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. After a 40-minute trip on a very comfortable train, with reclining leather seats and a table between us equipped with WIFI outlets, we arrived at the Fort Lauderdale station, nearly twice as large as the station in West Palm Beach. There are a number of transportation options from the Fort Lauderdale station. Taxis are available, May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 42 Meet Your RiverWalk Committees By Fran Shay RiverWalk is fortunate to include homeowners in violation. If the many residents who volunteer their violation is not cured within 14 days time and talent to our community— of notification, the homeowner may they do so through working in the attend a hearing and speak before various committees whose goals are the committee members, who will to keep RiverWalk beautiful, safe, vote to either accept or reject the fine and a pleasant place to call home. recommended by the Board. Hearings Three of the committees are required are held bi-monthly in the Town and run according to our HOA’s Governing Documents. Center’s LakeView Room and are not open to the public. Other committees have been created by the HOA At this time, there are no open seats on this committee, President or the Board of Directors as permitted by the but if you have any questions or would like to express Documents, and the members of those committees are an interest in being a future committee member, please appointed by the President or Board as well. Below is a contact Lisa Gammon at the HOA Office. brief description of RiverWalk’s committees, along with The Election Committee is annually created and contact information for each if you have any questions, functions as delineated in the Bylaws of our Governing suggestions, or to express an interest in becoming a Documents. For each Board of Directors election, the committee member. committee consists of a Board-member Chair, and at The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) least two Board-appointed resident members who are was created and functions as delineated in our HOA’s selected no later than 60 days prior to each HOA Annual Governing Documents. The committee meets monthly Meeting. Neither committee members nor any of their and consists of Board-appointed residents. Its function family may be candidates for a vacant Board position. is to review, guide, and approve residents’ requested The members review the Board candidates’ applications changes to the outside appearance of their homes to determine and certify their eligibility to serve as a and gardens by determining if the proposed changes Director. Anyone wishing to become a member should are in compliance with the accepted community express their interest to the President of the Board standards and the rules contained within our Governing several months prior to each Annual Meeting, typically Documents. At present, meetings are held the last held during the month of March. Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Although ACC The Facilities Committee is an advisory committee meetings are open to any homeowner (for monitoring to the Board, chaired by Director Don Grossman, and purposes only), they are mostly attended by owners composed of Board-appointed residents. Along with whose applications for change are being heard at that the Property Manager, committee members regularly time. For questions about the ACC, please contact Ron inspect RiverWalk’s facilities, and at the meetings Boudrieau at [email protected]. discuss existing facilities and the feasibility of items The Covenants Committee was created and that were placed on their “wish list.” Ultimately, the functions as described in the Bylaws of our Governing committee submits to the Board a written report of its Documents, where it is known as the Enforcement findings, issues and recommendations. The committee Committee. The role of the committee is to enforce meets in the Conference Room, usually the second the rules and regulations of our association and is vital Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. and, although to maintain the aesthetically-pleasing appearance they do welcome residents who attend as guests, due of RiverWalk. This committee of Board-appointed to time constraints guests are requested to observe, members is chaired by Len Goldberg, who ensures that listen and learn only. Residents who desire to support everyone is treated fairly and uniformly. It is the job of the committee’s actions, provide feedback, or serve on our covenants coordinator, Lisa Gammon, to perform visual inspections and communicate in writing with Committees: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 43

Committees: Continued from the previous page the committee may send an email to Don Grossman at writers and invite anyone who wishes to volunteer on a [email protected]. regular basis to contact Pat Bird at [email protected]. The Finance Committee consists of two Board The Security Committee consists of a few Board- members (Barry Beeber and Chip Morris) and Board- appointed residents and one or two Directors who meet appointed residents, all of whom are working in or to discuss security or safety issues as they may arise. have retired from careers in finance and/or business The purpose of this advisory committee is to serve as management. They meet on an ad hoc basis to a brainstorming forum to better inform the Board on review and approve the following banking needs of community problems pertaining to security and safety. the HOA: checking and money market accounts to Although meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday optimize earnings, safety and security of the HOA’s of each month at 7:30 p.m., the committee meets only funds; the allocation of funds to ensure adequate when there is a specific issue to discuss. Therefore, liquidity for current and near term cash demands; the although meetings are open to any resident who wishes HOA’s investment policy for reserve funds, including to observe, please contact Len Goldberg at clairelen@ certificates of deposit rates and terms; and any aol.com to find out when and where meetings will additional banking services that may be available to the take place, and for any other information about this HOA. The committee welcomes residents’ questions committee. and comments, which may be directed to Arthur “Chip” The Social Committee, led by Ilissa Shannon and Morris at his email address cmorrisdirector@outlook. Marianne Martone, is comprised of volunteers who com or his cell phone 828-575-3970. meet in the Conference Room at 3:30 p.m. the first The Landscape Committee is comprised of Board- Wednesday of each month to discuss and plan social appointed residents who meet with the Property events that are open to all RiverWalk residents. Each Manager and, on occasion, with the HOA’s landscaping committee member then actively works on preparing, company, Southern Exposure. They discuss landscaping setting up, breaking down, and everything involved ideas to enhance the beauty of the RiverWalk in ensuring the success of the various events, which community, such as cleaning out the guardhouse area, recently has included monthly Bingo and Booze & removing dead or dying shrubs and trees, assisting Bite Mingles, Christmas and Easter parties for the in the landscape design of the community entrance, children, and occasional pool parties for the adults. The and planting orchids on a tree near the formal pool. Committee welcomes new members who are willing The committee usually meets in the Conference to actively work on planned events, as well as residents Room at 5:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. who occasionally wish to help out during any specific Residents are always permitted to attend, but not to events. Please contact either Ilissa at the HOA Office or participate until the end of the meeting when they may Marianne Martone at [email protected]. ask questions or submit suggestions. For information, The Tennis Committee, currently chaired by contact Tony Roman at [email protected]. Marianne McCann, is an advisory committee dedicated The RiverWalk Talk Staff led by Pat Bird, the Editor to the betterment of the RiverWalk tennis community, in Chief, consists of a staff of volunteer residents who with a written history, annual goals, and a mission write and edit articles and manage the advertising statement recognizing the tennis facility as a valuable and finances of the publication. The names of the staff amenity. The committee is comprised of members who members are listed in the masthead of the RiverWalk are elected to serve two-year terms to work closely Talk, which appears within the first few pages of each with the Board, the Property Manager, and the Tennis issue. They meet at 11:00 a.m. the first Thursday of each Professional. The committee meets the second Saturday month in the Conference Room, and work throughout of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Town Center, and the month to pull together each upcoming issue. The RiverWalk Talk staff is always seeking contributing Committees: Continued on the next page May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 44

Committees: Continued from the previous page Limpkins: Continued from page 35 residents are welcome to attend. For more information, the string. For what it’s worth, the call is usually written contact Marianne McCann at [email protected]. as kwEEEeeer or klAAAar. Limpkins roost and breed in The Welcome to RiverWalk Committee, led by nearby natural areas, and their calls drifting over the June Beeber, has been recently formed for the purpose glades at night contribute to giving those places an of ensuring that our newest residents are provided otherworldly feel. Indeed, a limpkin’s call has been used with relevant information about living in our RiverWalk as jungle sound effects in some Tarzan movies. Also, in community, have an opportunity to meet the Board Harry Potter films, its call was the voice of the hippogriff, of Directors, and have their questions answered. The a magical creature with the body and rear legs of a committee members work with the HOA Office staff horse and the head, front legs, and wings of an eagle. to compile the names and contact information of new As the water level in our lakes is rather low at this residents, mail invitations, make follow-up RSVP phone time, sightings of limpkins are not so common, but they calls, set up/break down and speak at the events, still visit RiverWalk from time to time. If you see one, which are held about three to four times per year. The take a moment to observe and appreciate this unusual members hold meetings on an ad hoc basis to plan each and interesting bird. And listen for the hippogriff! event. Please contact June Beeber at jbeeber@gmail. com for information about this committee. Now that you know how the wheels of RiverWalk turn, you may wish to step up and express your interest to join a committee so that you, too, can be part of the drive to make RiverWalk even better than it already is. May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 45

The RiverWalk Book Club attendees viewed the documentary film, Iris, about Iris Apfel, during the Club's Annual Luncheon on April 12th. [Photos by Fran Shay.] May/June 2018 RiverWalk Talk Page 46

IAFC News By Annette Caccamise

The IAFC meeting in April was groups are still performing during different from anything we have ever season in South Florida. Check out seen in RiverWalk. The entertainment the local entertainment guides! was provided by a duo called Pink Slip, who specialize in “education Our May meeting is the last meeting of entertainment.” The program they the season. It is our annual Bagel Bash brought to us was called the British and we do exactly what it is called. Invasion, which was the cultural Be sure to reserve your spot early. movement that took place in the The food is always amazing, and it is a 1960s when a majority of the music and the styles of great opportunity for us all to get together one last time clothing were imported from England. Bill Bowen and before summer travel sends many of our “snowbirds” Joan Friedenberg were educators in the truest sense, North. See you there. as they interspersed information about the groups while singing the music of the group. We all know the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Herman’s Hermits, but did you remember The Yardbirds, The Zombies, or Gerry and the Pacemakers? Their stories were interesting, and their harmony brought back many memories. Videos of The Ed Sullivan Show, the screaming fans, and the words of all the songs, encouraged us to sing along. We all had to sing “Downtown” as Pink Slip sang Petula Clark’s signature song, and “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals. Many of the smaller

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