November 2019 the Meadows Community News and Lifestyle Volume 37, Number 9 FREE
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T HE M E ADOWORD THE MEADOWORD November 2019 The Meadows Community News and Lifestyle Volume 37, Number 9 FREE MANASOTA, FL MANASOTA, U.S. POSTAGE PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT 61 PAID TRADITIONS Photo credit: Beth McCaa INSIDE: COMMUNITY TRADITIONS OUR BEST BUSINESS NEWS LIFESTYLE KEPT DIRECTORY Page 2–7 Page 8–10 Page 12–27 Page 16–17 Page 28–30 2 THE MEADOWORD November 2019 Communication—Cornerstone of Our Community Marilyn Maleckas—MCA Board President ur November issue’s theme proofread, and provide content and with other residents. Each committee Oof Traditions brings to the subject matter ideas and feedback. has a Board liaison that attends these forefront the importance of open, If your background is in media, meetings and provides verbal and up-to-the-minute communications communications, writing, or editing, written feedback to the board as a tradition that is the cornerstone this could be an excellent venue to and management. of our community’s culture. The contribute to community messaging. Meadows has had a long standing Expand your Network—Attend tradition of honoring its traditions Attend the Assembly of Social Gatherings—Informal and we continuously strive to provide Property Owners—Formal and informative social functions are effective, varied and up-to-date, two- community organization of property held both at the MCA and country way communications. Community owners comprised of community club, such as the Halloween Party residents, management, staff and delegates with voting rights on at MCA (October 31), Holiday Party board have worked together to hear such topics as the Board of Director (December 5) at the country club, your voice and deliver the news. candidate-selection process, the MCA monthly socials gatherings at the Open communications promotes budget, as well as attend to hear country club, the Aviva happy hours, transparency and establishes informative community speakers condo association welcome back harmony in the community. address topical issues. Mike Mazur parties at the MCA and many others. (377-2300) leads this important These provide the opportunity Here are the top 10 vehicles strategic function and meetings to socialize, enjoy great culinary and venues to achieve those are open to all residents. Meetings treats while you are expanding your objectives: are the third Wednesday of each network of new friends and sharing month at 4 p.m. at the MCA, and common ideas. Listen to Each Other—Join the schedule is published in The the Meadows Home Owners’ Meadoword. Be Proactive—Speak directly Association—a voluntary, resident to Board members—Call, email run organization of single-family Produce Meaningful Change— or visit the MCA Board president home owners. Their charter is Attend Condo Association and to share your concerns and ideas. to provide a vehicle for two-way HOA Meetings—The Meadows’ Discussions often are the basis of communication through informative condo and HOA meetings are held at new plans, articles in Constant meetings and social gatherings. the MCA throughout the year. Upon Contact, new ideas for community Input, ideas and concerns are request, MCA management and/or participation, and many others. presented to the MCA Board by Board members speak on requested Schedule with Debbie Avivi at Community News its president, Jan Lazar. Meet topics, openly take input and answer 377-2300. your neighbors, engage in topical questions about the “whys and why discussions and obtain the up-to-the- nots.” Attend and participate in what Stay Connected—Visit the minute status on topics of interest. is fun and informative. Debbie Web Site —The Meadows web site Avivi (377-2300) can schedule your www.themeadowssarasota.org Provide your suggestions— requested speaker. provides access to condominium Respond to Community and association documents, The Surveys—Conducted at least Stay Connected—Sign up for Meadows’ rules and regulations, annually, these are topic-focused Constant Contact—Popular email The Meadoword, MCA staff contact, and a very effective method to communication to all registered current calendar of activities, and provide your input and ideas. Most residents (currently over 3,000 are much more. The website is being recently Communications and registered). Topics are wide- ranging, thoroughly redesigned in response Marketing Director Tia Calomeris news and activities/amenities related to requests for greater ease of access solicited resident feedback on The and this venue is also managed by to information, requests for online Meadoword, and the feedback and Tia Calomeris. event booking, on-line payments and suggestions were published in the much more. September edition. Share Responsibilities—Join Committee Meetings—Dozens We know you will stay tuned to Forge a New Endeavor— of committees meet regularly the news as we are both excited Join the Communications with schedules published in The and enthusiastic about the Committee—Meadoword—This Meadoword. These committees opportunity to continue the tradition is a voluntary committee led by Tia provide timely information on their of strong communications with our Calomeris, and it meets monthly. specific mission as well as provide the residents, our advertisers and our Key contributors write, edit, opportunity to discuss relevant topics community partners. Our Vision Our Mission To be known as a well-maintained, welcoming, To preserve the property values, ambiance safe community with up-to-date housing, and vitality of our community. activities and services designed to meet the needs of all residents. November 2019 THE MEADOWORD 3 Teamwork and Tradition Frances Rippcondi—MCA General Manager ur community was founded and take on specific assignments and foundation of our community. ultimately creating a unified, Oover 40 years ago and which assist the board in running Taylor’s vision and desire was resilient community. He built is steeped in tradition and efficiently. Hoisted atop of the to have a community, not just this foundation on the concept of teamwork. As a matter of fact, standing committees are 52 sub- sell real estate. He believed teamwork which is still the driving when Frank Taylor, our founding associations, associations, and that you should “live where you force behind The Meadows. father, envisioned The Meadows, single-family homeowners. The play.” What better way for a he strove not only to build a MCA’s tower represents a solid community to come together? The MCA is grateful that our community reflective of the structure that is a part of our We are a community that offers community has not lost sight of England he once left behind with history and the backbone of our the opportunity to play together the importance of being involved, lush, verdant landscape, large community. Much like the tiers through vehicles such as golf, volunteering and keeping us mature trees, framed views and that make up the single human tennis, swimming, fitness, as interconnected with each other curved winding roads, but also tower that the Catalans are so a community whose foundation proud of, The Meadows’ strength was built on teamwork and a lies in the community’s willingness communal lifestyle. to participate and volunteer year “The Meadows’ strength lies in after year. Teamwork is a tradition that the community’s willingness to participate is found in many cultures. The In our fast-paced society, it is easy Catalans to this day build multi- to turn our backs on traditions and volunteer year after year.” level human towers known that were once embedded into our as castells that symbolize the beliefs and culture. We desire the meaning of teamwork in their sense of community often found in society. These castells start with a small hometown, but we forget well as more passive activities through fun and hard work. a strong base of individuals that it exists because people of all and committees which connect who support the next level of backgrounds, cultures and socio- people together, reinforce Below are photos of some of our individuals on their shoulders, economic levels came together existing friendships, promote dedicated volunteers who give and repeat again until one single to support social traditions and communication and build strength endless hours of their time to casteller is on top. Many of these the community. within the community. make The Meadows the best place towers can reach up to 10 stories to live. in height. In essence, each tier of Here at The Meadows, tradition Taylor’s mission was to develop a the Catalans’ tower can be thought plays an important role in our lifestyle that promoted a common of as a building block that forms culture as it forms the structure sense of purpose and cooperation, the foundation on which another tier or block is placed. Together, this one structure is able to stand strong. The Catalans’ human tower is a paradigm that is also reflective in The Meadows’ overall organization. For instance, the community is the foundation of The Meadows upon which all other levels are built. The community elects a nine-person Board of Directors whose responsibility is to manage the affairs of the overall governing body, the MCA. From Maintenance Committee, from left: Marilyn Maleckas, Jo Evans, Hester Jeswald, Finance Committee, from left: Mike Mazur, Jan Lazar, Rick Goodman, the time the first board met, it has Martina Venz, Bob Finlay, Mary Ann Dillon Bob Howes, Lisa Compton been charged by the community’s organizational documents with the authority to make decisions in the best interest of the community, protecting