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Highland Fairways Welcomes Cher Boney ~ Office Manager and Andres Bilbao ~ Maintenance

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Highland Fairways Welcomes Cher Boney ~ Office Manager and Andres Bilbao ~ Maintenance Volume 34, Issue 2 Lakeland, Florida February 2021 Highland Fairways Welcomes Cher Boney ~ Office Manager and Andres Bilbao ~ Maintenance During the past few weeks, two new faces are in Highland Fairways. Hired as our office manager, Cher Boney, comes to us with a plethora of experience. She began her career as an Office Manager for a 55+ Condo Association in Inverness. Then she moved to Office Coordinator with Sun Communities at Ariana Villages and finally at Kings Manor in Lakeland. Due to her mom’s health, she took a two-year hiatus to become a full-time caregiver for her mother and granddaughter. When Cher was ready to return to full-time employment, Highland Fairways had a position open. Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Cher moved to Florida in 2000. She and Steve (Staley) live in Lakeland with their furry best friend Layla, a ten-and-a-half-year-old Boxer/Pit Bull mix. Cher’s two sons, Jordan and Brenden, live in Gainesville, Virginia. She has two stepchildren (children of love) Cody Staley and Ashtin Delapaz. Three amazing grandchildren – Khale, Kade, and (Princess) Jaxtyn round out the fami- ly. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Cher’s hobbies include boating, camping, photog- raphy, and collecting crystals and stones. When asked how she liked Highland Fairways, she replied, “I am enjoying being part of the HF team. I look forward to the time we can resume normal operations, and I can meet more residents.” Welcome, Cher! Another new face is Andres Bilbao, our new maintenance man. The youngest of four boys, he was born in New York but raised in Broward County, Florida. His father is from New York and his mother is from Puerto Rico. Andres and his wife Jackie have been married for five years. He has three children- Jonathon, Brittney, and Cassandra. When not working in Highland Fairways, “Andy” likes to build plastic models and race remote-control cars and trucks. He says, “I love Highland Fairways. The people are very friendly and kind.” We welcome you, and we are pleased you have become part of our community. Advertising Index 18 Finances 3 Anniversaries 11 New Feature 13 Bible Study 10 President’s Message 3 Birthdays 11 Puzzles 24-30 Calendar 16-17 Sports 31 Caring by Sharing 10 Tax Information 32 Veterans 8 PAGE 2 SCOTTISH ECHO VOLUME 34, ISSUE 2 STREET SCOTTISH ECHO ASSIGNMENTS Highland Fairways 3222 Highland Fairways Blvd. Lakeland, Florida 33810 863-859-2212 Assigned Month http://www.highlandfairways.net Editor Cathy Miles Asst. Editor Judi Rudolph Scores Lisa Guck Nothing scheduled at this From The Editor: Please Staff Mary Hegeman time! get your material to us by the Barry Morgrage th 15 of each month. Email to Linda Porter [email protected] or drop it Jo Ann Sherbine Meetings are held on 1st off in the Echo box located in Thursday of the month at the mailroom. Scores need to Caring by Sharing Diane Whitehouse be e-mailed to Lisa Guck by Marie Kalista 2 PM, two months prior th to the assigned month the 14 of the month. Photographer Bob Getman This month’s publication was Board Liaison Elaine Oblinger produced by Cathy Miles. Things to Remember Echo Staff E-Mail Address The clubhouse is locked and you Cathy Miles, editor [email protected] must wear a mask to enter when Bob Getman [email protected] checking your internal mail or picking Lisa Guck [email protected] Mary Hegeman [email protected] up forms or dropping forms in the Barry Morgrage [email protected] office door slot. Elaine Oblinger [email protected] Linda Porter [email protected] Judi Rudolph [email protected] Residents are reminded that even Jo Ann Sherbine [email protected] though the clubhouse is closed, you are Diane Whitehouse [email protected] permitted to pick up your mail from the internal mailboxes. Many boxes are jammed full. leaving no more room for additional mail. Please when entering the clubhouse, wear your mask for your protection and the protection of others. DISCLAIMER: The Highland Fairways Scottish Echo newsletter is in no way responsible or liable for any dam- The Board of Directors has approved a temporary use of ages resulting from any article or opinions, statements, advertising representation, warranties expressed or implied the tennis court for an exercise class and a Zumba class due in this publication; nor do we endorse or recommend any to the closing of the clubhouse because of the pandemic. products or services mentioned or illustrated herein. The tennis court will be reserved from 8am – 9am on Mon- Any comments or opinions herein are solely the responsi- days, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the exercise bility of the writer or advertisers and do not necessarily class. reflect the opinions or policies of the Highland Fairways The tennis court will be reserved from 8am – 9am on Scottish Echo, its officers, members or affiliates. Tuesdays for a Zumba class. This directive will remain in place until such a time that the Board of Directors feels it is To view albums of residents attending acceptable to reopen the clubhouse for all activities. community functions go to Remember that if you sell your home and have enrolled www.facebook.com/ in autopay for HOA dues, you must fill out an autopay HighlandFairwaysGolf cancellation form to avoid further collection of dues. Please “friend” and “Like” the site Contact Mary Roberts, bookkeeper, @ 863-859-2212. VOLUME 34, ISSUE 2 SCOTTISH ECHO PAGE 3 tivities successful. So, get involved, get connected, and become a re- source, contributor, leader, or whatever your desire is. Contact the office and Cher or Shannon will make sure you will be contacted by a Board Direc- tor. Joe Alessandro Highland Fairways President It is amazing we are already into February 2021. It seems like it was just yesterday we were putting up Finances with Bernie Bourdeau Christmas trees and celebrating the holidays. As we move forward into the new year, we are also moving Last year was a challenging one to say the least. On Highland Fairways forward. top of that, on the financial side, we were faced with We had our meet the candidates’ night with five implementing a previous Board decision to switch our accounting systems. It was a massive undertaking and I residents running for the Board of Directors. It was a thank heaven for THE VOLUNTEERS. Last year, the great zoom meeting with over forty-five attendees onset of COVID-19 caused the Board to cancel the annu- on the virtual meeting. Best wishes to all the nomi- al Volunteer Appreciation event usually held this nees. month. Now it’s likely this year’s will be cancelled or The Donovan fence project is underway and postponed. should be completed by the middle of February if But I don’t want another year to pass without recogniz- not sooner. ing the many volunteers who helped out last year. The tree trimming project was just completed. Thanks to them, the Finance Committee, Capital Assets Landscaping bids were sent out to five companies subcommittee, Audit Committee and others got orga- nized and are now operating seamlessly. Well, mostly and four have been returned. The Board is reviewing anyway. them now and will decide in the coming days. I was blessed with some talented Committee members Our Deed of Restrictions amended changes are in who served this community well in 2020. They were the final stage of Board approval and should be pre- Phil Austin, Kevin Brunk, Ray Doring, Mary Ann sented to the Community for their review in the Glynn, Lance Hunt, Bill Minichiello, Art Mosher, Larry coming days. We plan to have meetings with the Proctor and Dave Sumner. Given the challenges we Community to discuss the amended changes prior to faced going in to 2020, I can not imagine accomplishing putting them forward for a Community vote. what we did without their help. We are in discussions with the Polk County Health But in addition to the Committee members, we re- ceived a tremendous contribution of professional ac- Department with regards to the Covid vaccination. counting and QuickBooks expertise from two residents We are attempting to have Highland Fairways be- not on the committee. For more months than I can bet come a vaccination station for our residents. they thought possible, I had Becky Alessandro and A contract was signed to repair and upgrade the Kathy Puttick on speed dial. Fortunately, they always retention ponds so that they meet County require- answered. Today we have the tremendous in-house ac- ments. Not only will they meet these requirements, counting system that we do, thanks to them. Without but they should also be compliant and in working them, I can’t imagine where we would be. They have order for at least another ten years. Work is to begin now also integrated our golf course financial operations in April/May. into our accounting system. Until this year the records were kept manually. As you can see, the Board of Directors as well as Finally, and even though she is not directly associated the Office Staff are working diligently to make with Finance, I want to acknowledge the exceptional Highland Fairways a better place to live. But more is contribution made by Cathy Miles in 2020. We lost sev- needed. We need YOU, the residents of Highland eral of our office volunteers when COVID-19 struck and Fairways to step up and assist with making Highland then we were shorthanded of office staff for about one- Fairways a premier Community.
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