Grove Isle December 2012 Newsletter www.groveisle.org

President's Report

The season has gotten off to a very busy start and there are a few items that I think are worthy of mentioning.

I have been advised and have also observed that some owners are renting their units for less than six months. I must advise all owners that our Rules and Regulations are quite clear stating: “No lease shall be for a period of less than six months, nor more than a year.” It also states: “No Time-share Estates will be created with respect to the units in Grove Isle or Grove Isle East Condominiums.” Management and the Board will take what measures are necessary to see that this rule is enforced.

As I previously advised to you our monthly fee has been $344.00 per month since 2005. This is phenomenal as the Consumer Price Index shows that inflation has risen 14.56% from 2005 through 2011. If Comcast’s new contract comes in as anticipated, with no increase our monthly fee will remain at $344.00 per month. Of course if this doesn’t occur there will probably be an increase in the monthly fee.

I have made some comparison of the services we receive for our $344.00 compared to what my wife and I receive for our monthly fee of $125.00 for our summer condo.

ITEM GROVE ISLE CHERRY LANE

1 MONTHLY FEE $344.00 $125.00 LAWN CARE INCLUDED INCLUDED INSURANCE INCLUDED INCLUDED LANDSCAPING INCLUDED $20.00 CABLE TV INCLUDED $65.00 GARBAGE INCLUDED $29.00 WATER INCLUDED $32.00 SEWER INCLUDED $47.99 SECURITY INCLUDED $38.00 IRRIGATION REPAIR INCLUDED $ 9.00 RESERVES FOR ROOF, PAINT & ROADS INCLUDED $40.00 TOTAL $344.00 $405.99

As inflation continues to increase our costs it is certain that our fees will have to be increased in future years.

At our November Board Meeting there were many questions on various subjects that had been extensively discussed at our November workshop. I wish to remind everyone that the workshop is held so that everyone understands the issues and has an opportunity to give their views to the Board. The Board’s monthly meeting is where the formal Board actions are taken and since the issues have been thoroughly reviewed at the workshop it is redundant to discuss them again. I encourage everyone to attend the workshop so that the official Board Meeting progresses in an orderly and timely fashion. In an effort to increase participation in the workshop in future we will serve coffee and doughnuts.

See you at your next workshop on January 10, 2013 at the Riverside Clubhouse.

My last comment:

Have a Joyous Holiday and Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bill Ruther, Association President

Manager’s Report

2 The last month of the year is upon us, and already most winter residents have arrived back in sunny South Florida. The summer months brought over 72” of rain, and a “breeze by” from Hurricane Isaac. I only wish I could say the same for the state of New Jersey. If you were in the path of Isaac we all hope you did not suffer from the storm’s rage.

While we here in Florida received only large amounts of rain and winds, they had a profound effect on projects we were trying to accomplish here at Grove Isle. However, we have completed everything we set out to do during the summer months. Grove Isle is a very special place to live as a full time resident or to return to after a few months away; you can count on almost everything to be just as you left it or even a little better.

Over the summer we have worked on the berm, painted the roofs over the BBQ’s and shuffleboard courts, many atrium staircases, pressure washed all of the carports, walkways, and roadside gutters. Last year we had many cement repairs to landings and steps which have now taken a “back-seat” to underground breaks in wiring and water lines. I know most of you have someone looking after your unit while you are away, but if you do not, you really need to do so. If something does go wrong with your unit in your absense they might be able to mitigate some of the damages or even prevents an occurrence from taking place.

In the Board President article Bill spoke about the importance of residents attending the Board Work shop meetings, because at these meetings all projects as laid out and explained fully. Suggestions are made as to how we can improve the project or to question if we should even be doing it at all. The Board and I will always strive to give residents a detailed description of all projects before the Board votes to approve or disapprove the project. We who handle the projects work on them day after day, but residents only see the final action and sometimes we need to explain the steps a little better. Never, do we internationally try to push projects past residents just to get things done.

The committees are back in action and they have jumped in with both feet. Committee Chairpersons have assigned duties and are working on items, some of

3 which will take several years to complete. I want to thank Pete and re-Pete, better known as Pete Langlois, and Pete Jacob along with an outsider (Not a Pete) Stewart Barnes, who have inspected every atrium carpet and rated it from A to D. We will, based on this inspection, start replacing carpets in the near future. The Board is working on several options including the change from carpet to tile. We will keep you posted as we progress.

Next month is the year 2013, so if you do not like the number 13, keep your head under a pillow until the following January. Here at Grove Isle, however, the year is going to be another year of steady progression and improvement.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us.

Bob Dees, Condominium Association Manager.

Garden Homes

On November 14th 20 Garden Homeowners attended our monthly meeting at the Riversedge Clubhouse. Our Committee Chairman gave their reports. Replanting by Floridascapes will start in December; we were reminded to water new plants and protect them from freezing when necessary. If any homeowner does not want a new standard size mailbox a request form MUST be signed; contact Nancy Skarlis.

At this time there are three houses that are for sale and there are no rentals available at the present time. The berm is finished, new driveways in the cul-de- sac are finished and we are waiting for further information on progress of the drainage problems.

We will be power washing the driveways and sidewalks of the Garden Homes and a notice will be sent to let you know the date and time so you can move your vehicles from the driveway. Any extra power washing required may be done at the owner's expense.

4 Anyone interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the 2013 year please contact one of your Board members or Kay Wallace, Nominating Committee Chairman. A list of candidates will be presented at the December meeting for our January elections.

Our next regular meeting will be held, Wednesday December 19th at 9 AM at Riversedge Clubhouse.

Happy Holiday wishes to all!! Alan Hager, Liaison

Grove Isle Communication

 If you would prefer to have the directory telephone numbers on your computer Adrienne now has them available as an excel spreadsheet or Adobe PDF file. Please email her and she will send it to you.

 As members return to Grove Isle please alert the office of your return. Although Adrienne has an incredible memory for faces she may not see you or remember to forward the information to the database person. It is very important that our Annual Meeting mailings reach you in as effectively a manner as possible. The First Notice of Meeting will be mailed the week of December 24, 2012.

 We also produce a full color high quality version of our newsletter which is available via email. If you would like to receive a copy please get yourself added to the distribution list by emailing Adrienne.

FEW Club

5 Our first major event of the 2012-13 season was the Veteran's Day salute on Saturday, November 10 when about 135 residents and guests attended. Many thanks to the volunteers and to chairpersons Sylvia and Kurt Swanson for making this event a success. The proceeds from the 50/50 drawings, in the form of eight $25 gift cards, were given to needy veterans in the area.

The regular meeting of the FEW Club was held on Tuesday, November 13 at the Riverside Clubhouse where coffee and breakfast delights, provided by Barbara Fickinger and Marge Argyropoulos, were enjoyed by all.

The nature trail to the Intracoastal Waterway received significant damage from the storms that brushed the Florida coast this summer. Most of the problem was flooding from the high water. The trail is drying out and the club will be replacing mulch as soon as practicable. Our trail boss, Bill DeNoncour is recovering from a recent shoulder operation and we are looking forward to having him and the full trail crew back in action soon.

The next regular FEW meeting will be held on December 11 at the Riveredge Clubhouse. The meeting starts at 9 am but please come early and enjoy coffee and breakfast refreshments at 8:30 am. Please also mark your calendars for the January 8th meeting. We have arranged to have a speaker and PowerPoint presentation on the Elephant Sanctuary located at Fellsmere/Melbourne.

All Grove Isle residents are welcome to join the FEW Club. For those of you wondering; FEW stands for Fish, Environmental and Wildlife. Come join us at any of our regular meetings held on the Second Tuesday of each month and at our special events throughout the year. Dues are only $8/year.

Rolly Marsh, Secretary.

Social Club News

6 The next Social Club meeting will be on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 9:00 AM in the MCH. Coffee and refreshments are available at 8:30 AM and we suggest a $1.00 donation to help defray costs.

Following the meeting, Len Rykaczewski will entertain us with “Christmas Carols”

Social Club Committee Openings

Effective April, 2013 there will be 2 openings on the Social Club Committee. The members of this committee perform important functions that are necessary to insure that social events throughout the year are successful.

Any resident of Grove Isle interested in serving for a two (2) year term should contact Elaine Fantozzi, Committee Chair. Thank You

Future Dates To Keep In Mind - Many events are planned for the upcoming season so……..please , mark your calendars

Sunday, December 2nd – Cookies & Caroling at 6:00 P.M. in the M.C.H. Please come join in the fun. We will be serving Cocoa, homemade cookies and hot apple cider. Music by Len Rykaczewski. No tickets necessary.

Sunday December 9th – Christmas Gala Cocktail Party 4 to 7 p.m. in the M.C.H. Hot and cold hors’ d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda . Tickets will be sold on Wednesday and Thursday November 28th and 29th from 11 to 12 in the M.C.H. @$12.00.

Monday December 31st- New Years Eve Game Night (Champagne Toast at Midnight)

7 Sneak Preview

Saturday January 12th Arts and Crafts Show. All residents are encouraged to bring their special crafts to share with others

Saturday January 19th- Disco Nights Entertainment by Nick Correa, “Rockin Bobbin Heads Videos”

Menu for this event: Nino’s pizza, garden salad, beer, and ice cream for dessert! Tickets will be $10 per person and sales will be on Thursday and Friday, January 3 and 4 from 11 to 12 in the M.C.H.

Thursday January 24, there will be a Mah Jongg Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with lunch to be included. Please check the bulletin board for the menu and further details.

Saturday February 9th – Indian Bingo with lunch of Ham and Turkey sandwiches, chips, cookies, soda and coffee. More details to follow.

Saturday February 23rd - Luau (Few and Social Club )

Saturday March 9th - Red Carpet Night with Music by Tony Martin

Saturday March 16th “Tag Sale” Come have some fun at our community “Tag Sale” and do an early spring clear out. There will be long tables at a cost of $10.00 and small tables at a cost of $5.00. The cost of the tables will go to the Social Club and the rest of the proceeds will go to the table owners. Tables will go on sale Wednesday, February 13th and Friday February 15th in the M.C.H. from 11 to 12 p.m. Tables will be sold on a first come first serve basis. This event will take place on March 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the M.C.H. Tables should be set up the day of the event by 9:00 a.m. Items to be sold must fit on the table. No large items, please.

8 For more information, contact Barbara Campanella @ 257-5490 or Fran Lovejoy @ 567-0182

Attention bridge players

Just a reminder. We are looking for bridge players to join a special group of players which combines seasoned with newer players. Sign-up sheets are posted in both club houses. Also, if interested in taking bridge lessons; please sign-up on a separate sheet located in both club houses. Thanks, Gil Clavette Tel: 226-7769

Second Tuesday of each month from 12 - 1 P.M.

Come have your blood pressure checked for free by the VNA at the MCH.

Regular Activities

Aerobic Exercises in Main Clubhouse - 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday

Pool Exercises – 9:30 AM Monday through Friday

Mah Jongg - Monday at 6:30 PM at MCH

Line Dancing or Dance Aerobics - just for fun (no lessons) - 9:00 AM Thursday

Poker - Tuesdays beginning at 6:00 P.M. at REC

Game Night - 7:00 PM Tuesday at MCH (come and play various board games)

Movies - Wednesday at 7:00 PM Check the board near kitchen to see what movie is being shown. Come at 6:30 and make your own ice cream sundae (only $1.00)

Mah Jongg - Thursday at 12:30 PM at MCH

Bingo - 7:00 PM Thursday

9 Bridge- Tuesday and Wednesday - 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the M.C.H.

Shuffleboard – Saturday at 9:00 AM

Thinking of you Get-Well Cards were sent to: Phyllis Taylor, Frank Neher, John Griffith, Bill Denoncour, Jackie Stefanacci and Roberta Jankowski.

A Sympathy Card was sent to: Linda and Mack Shieder.

Blanche Forsberg is our Sunshine person. Please contact her at 563-2215

The Social Club Committee hopes this coming season will be a great success! Many “Thanks” to all who volunteer their time.

Kathy Albertson 802-310-1449, Elaine Fantozzi 794-7727, Judeann Langlois 778-9999, Cecelia McDonough 978-0434, Phyllis Taylor 569-6501, Lynn Telenko 1-440537-4167, Katie Hartling 299-3823 and Ellen Shelton 564-7064

Shoot Nine & Dine

Our annual 9 hole afternoon golf has started on Wednesday afternoons at approx. 2 pm at Meadowood Country Club in Ft. Pierce. Singles and couples are most welcome. Prices vary from time to time due to season rates. An extensive choice of restaurants awaits us after a round of golf. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the main clubhouse. For more information, call Yvette Champagne, 778 - 1509 Save the Date!

January 12, 2013

10 The 1st Annual Grove Isle Arts & Crafts Show featuring Florida Wines & Tasty Treats prepared by Grove Isle Residents

Sign-up sheets have been posted at the Social Club bulletin board area. We are looking forward to a large turnout of our friends & neighbors. All residents: new, old, seasonal, full time are encouraged to come out and participate.

Please be sure to sign up – we would like to prepare the appropriate number of tables, easels, warming trays, and other display items. Tennis Club

Our tennis club members have always been a difficult bunch to organise but that's part of what makes them so much fun to be with!

Stuart has taken on the task of getting things started and is having great success ensuring our courts are filled with the sound of ball on racket and friendly banter. I look forward to joining in when I return in early December.

Ian McLean President in Exile

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