THE BELLA TERRA TIMES Bella Terra RV Resort Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 10 | October 2017 COME SEE HOW WE CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY! Independence Day is one of the best American holidays, both for what Guests brought a few of their favorite, comfy chairs and favorite we celebrate and how we celebrate it. Bella Terra kicked off 4th of beverage. Some also wore bathing suits while they watched and July celebrations early! A fun packed week that started Friday, June listened from the pool! 30th, Our Independence Day Eve! Our complimentary chilled drinks, accompanied with our party goer’s cheerful spirits and favorite dips, Our “Red, White, and Blush” Wine Tasting kicked off our new week as resulted in our “Sip & Dip” event! It was a great turnout! Live music we headed into Monday, July 3rd! Marissa Willkins of the Squashed presented by Steel Drummer Tony Bowers added to the fun. Our very Grape in Foley, Alabama hosted this fun, on-site event. Guests came Own Phil P. offered his home made New Orleans style sno-balls on our to sample and learn about several varietals of wines. Bella Terra also pool deck, a favorite for many to help quench their thirst! provided complimentary fruit, cheese, and crackers! Our host educated our guests on a number of wine tips. Did you know there is a real term called “Legs” in the wine community? “Legs” are those streaks that trickle down the side of any wine glass after you swirl it. The way the legs fall usually has to do with the level of alcohol in the wine and the speed at which it evaporates, which means, in easier terms, that thicker and slower legs can indicate a higher alcohol level. Also, wine lovers always say it is customary to smell your drink prior to the first sip as part of the tasting experience. Some wines are too dry for the consumer’s taste due to the tannic acids so swirling the glass also draws oxygen from the air into the wine. Another topic of discussion was Cork Versus Screw Cap! Don’t judge a wine by how it’s sealed. If you’re a wine drinker, you’ve probably noticed that screw caps are no longer considered the closure just for cheap vino. Increasingly, bottles of very good wines are unscrewed, rather than uncorked!

Time to let the sparks fly with amazing holiday décor! Bella Terra owners and guests participated in a Patriotic Pride Contest! Motor homes, sites, table tops, and more were covered in Red, White, and Blue and expressing gratitude and patriotism. The contest winners were And so it arrived, Independence Day! Bella Terra provided grilled hot announced at our 4th of July Cookout and Potluck! Congratulations dogs and burgers and guests shared their favorite dishes and desserts! Emma and Madison Salaverry, nicely done! Activities were hosted both indoors and outside on our beautiful pool deck. Live music by Beave and Cleave added to the celebration! Heather and Scott are a husband and wife acoustic duo that had everyone toe-tappin’ and singing along!

Festivities continued into Saturday, July 1st with our refreshing water- melon served on the pool deck! An amazing crowd came to cool their taste buds while enjoying the refreshing pool water! Did you know that watermelon is 91% water, and it is a member of the cucumber family? Enjoying watermelon on a hot summer day in beautiful Southern Ala- bama is a tasty way to help stay hydrated but we encouraged our guests to ensure they were drinking plenty of fresh water! Ending the weekend on July 2nd, we spread the joy with coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts! A Patriotic Concert on the Pool Deck closed our Sunday evening. Our DVD offered a collection of classic American songs coupled with some of the most beautiful and inspiring pictures in America!

www.bellaterrarvresort.com page 1 BELLA TERRA CONTINUES TO ENRICH OUR 5-STAR RESORT! “At Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, we pride ourselves on creating unique The palm tree previously noted was relocated and the end goal was travel experiences for our guests. We understand that the quality of your achieved! Brad also made the width of the walkway four feet wide so trip is measured by your experiences during your stay.” Come see how that two people could walk together on the path comfortably. Each side we live; come see how we continue to enhance our property and add of the pathway is 100 feet long for a total of 200 feet of hand laid flag- even more appreciation and value! stone. Instilling the continuous care and Our story begins by introducing our project lead, Brad Conn. Brad has Eastside Pathway been with Bella Terra since July 2016. In late January 2017, Courtney upkeep of the park, Bella Terra Fox Osborne, Bella Terra’s then Operations Manager, approached Brad didn’t stop there! Several other to ask if he’d consider a project lead role with a primary goal of further projects were introduced to en- enhancing owner and guest experiences. Brad knew that Bella Terra hance our community’s outlook was already a 5-Star Class A motor coach resort but it didn’t take him and experience. Our overflow stor- long to decide to join the Bella Terra team. Brad really enjoys being age fencing was pressure washed outside and staying fit doing physical activity. When asked what the and stained ensuring even more most important attraction was to accepting this role, he said, “The sense security and organization when our of fulfillment and knowing how much people appreciate the work that’s owners and guests store dollies, done.” Brad takes pride in accomplishing things that people enjoy and boats, and trailers. Leftover dirt it shows in the work he’s completed and continues to lead! and sod from the dog park project was repurposed to fill some naturally occurring erosion around the lake Love is a Four Legged Word - Bella Terra is a pet friendly park and we as well. Several volunteers also worked with Brad on replacing black offer two enclosed, safely fenced dog parks where dogs can run freely aluminum fence posts by the pool restrooms. This project proved to off their leashes. Our Southwest park is our newer park situated in the be a challenge when it was discovered that the existing posts were corner along the South perimeter tree line. Our older, Northeast park no longer manufactured or available. Ingenious thoughts from volun- was ready for some great enhancements and on February 2nd, more teers helped create modifications to make this project successful. Sun than 12 volunteers came to help! The team, led by Brad, stained the faded wooden columns at our welcome center and bath houses were fencing, and replaced forty pickets and two posts. Screws were used to also stained back to their pristine, matching shades, thanks to the hard help ensure a longer life and to help keep the boards from popping out. work of our volunteers. Also, at our clubhouse, overgrown Jasmine Bella Terra thanks our owners for presenting the idea to add a concrete was removed from the beautiful trellis and the trellis was cleaned and walkway to mirror our Southwest park. On February 10th concrete was repainted. poured and a sidewalk emerged! Lastly, in May the front wrought iron entrance and exit gates were A stunning, unearthed flagstone walkway is completed! cleaned and repainted with a fresh, clean coat of white paint! In May, Courtney approached Brad, asking him to present some ideas on installing a new pathway to our lakeside gazebo. While grass access Our enhancement initiatives continue to strive with each passing day. was available prior to an addition, we wanted our family of owners and Currently our staff and volunteers are working on replacing the lower guests to feel a sense of tranquility walking on an actual path from one wooden trim pieces of all 20 of our 6x6 supporting posts on the pool side of the park to the other. Additionally, a palm tree was located in deck. While the weather in southern Alabama is gorgeous, the rainy the existing grassy path which resulted in confusion for those wanting to season can often times leave wood walk. The location of the palm tree made it unclear on how and where columns in need of a little atten- to access the lake gazebo and the feeling of walking on someone’s tion. Along with Brad, our expert property or site made some uncomfortable. craftsman and staff member Tony Tadlock, cut all the trim around the After researching options, Brad recommended a flagstone pathway to bases of the columns. Pressure keep the area natural with grasses, but also to keep it maintenance free. treated wood was purchased and The grass can grow naturally through the stone and lawn services can the wood is being nailed back into mow on top without the risk of spraying debris and potentially damaging place along with some adhesive nearby motor homes. While this was a great plan to enhance the area and caulking to keep the moisture of the park, one of the challenges was determining how much stone to out. Additionally the new wood buy. The flagstone is sold by the pound not by the foot! In the end, Brad bases will be installed approximately an 8th of an inch above the con- brought in over 10,000 pounds of stone! crete pool deck to keep them from standing in future water. This en- hancement will not only improve the aesthetics but it will also prevent Work for this extensive and physically demanding construction started any future rotting. Also, one of our wonderful owners donated their ex- in June and was completed in July. Before the final conclusion of the isting pergola from their site to Bella Terra. We’re having that cleaned project, there were additional challenges that required careful consid- and refinished and it will be installed on our putting green island on the eration. Each side had to be done differently with the same goal in West side of the park. This will be a great addition for our community to mind; keeping them both mirrored of one another. On the East side of use for shade, rest, and relaxation! the gazebo, the soil appeared to be different and therefore, the grass was struggling to sustain its green color. After thinking through some Brad and his team of volunteers have done an exceptional job meeting options, Brad decided to repurpose some leftover soil from a previous our goals of enhancing owner and guest experiences. Many of our site build. He shoveled in multiple carts of dirt, hand spread this over volunteers have been owners! In Brad’s communications to build the the East side area, and then layered the flagstone on top. Several ex- volunteer team, he’d reminded others that volunteering offers great tra steps were taken including adding more dirt so that the stone was rewards. Alongside the sense of accomplishment and pride comes a level, spreading grass seed, watering, and continuously checking the fringe benefit of meeting others and forming lasting friendships! For seed. On the West side of the pathway the entire area needed to be Brad, he has now gained a new golfing partner! dug out, stones sunk into grass, and leveled. Energy efficient lighting was added in the gazebo to offer safer walking conditions and a more elegant night stroll.

www.bellaterrarvresort.com page 2 include the theme park and the OWA dining and retail area (called the We’ve got neighbors! Bella Terra, downtown district). Other addi- owners, and guests are so excited tions include a warehouse district for a newly developed entertain- and a garden district. ment complex that just opened! The park’s name was unveiled Admission into the park, which is in November, it means “Big Wa- anchored with the Rollin’ Thun- ter” in the Muscogee Creek lan- der roller coaster, is $34.99 for a guage. The language is spoken general admission ticket. Children by the Poarch Band of Creek In- under age 3 are free. Discounted dians. The entire complex was admissions include $27.99 for a developed by the Poarch Band junior admission (children 42 inch- of Creek Indians. This is the fed- ment park, retail shops, and din- this new entertainment com- es and below in height), $27.99 erally recognized tribe’s first ma- ing! The park opened in Foley at munity is that it’s minutes from for a military admission, and jor non-gaming development in 10 a.m. Friday, July 21! In addi- Bella Terra RV Resort and close $27.99 for senior citizens ages Alabama. No gaming activity is tion to the 21 rides, The Park at enough that some may even ride 60 and up. A 12-month annual planned at the Foley complex. OWA includes a variety of midway their bicycles! pass is available for $89.99. Tick- games, quick service dining op- ets can be purchased online at The OWA entertainment complex tions, and the Parkside Gift Shop. OWA will ultimately be divided www.VisitOWA.com, or at one of includes a 21-ride themed amuse- What’s even more exciting about into four “distinct districts” that will the park’s ticket booths.

and accessible for anyone to use. SAFETY AND CARE AT BELLA TERRA Owners and staff are aware of Community Blood Drive - Bella CPR Training - Sudden cardi- sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). where these are located and with Terra is very proud to share that on ac arrest (SCA) occurs when an SCA is a condition in which the each new arriving guest, Bella July 10th we hosted a community electrical rhythm problem occurs heart suddenly and unexpected- Terra shows them on our property Blood Drive on our property with and the heart is no longer able ly stops beating. SCA can strike map where they are located. a high level of participation. Bella to pump blood effectively to the men, women, and children of any Terra coordinated with Life South, rest of the body. The chance of age and is not limited to elderly Emergency Telephone - Bella a non-profit community blood sup- surviving a sudden cardiac arrest people. Each year over 5,000 Terra doesn’t stop at first aid kits plier for more than 100 hospitals increases significantly, by more children die of cardiac arrest, sud- either! Our emergency telephone in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. than double, when CPR is started denly and without warning. Bel- is located in our fitness center and They are a community blood cen- early. We never know when we la Terra strives to be prepared it is labeled emergency exclusive. ter so the supply collected from may need this skill to save some- in case there is an emergency. Having an emergency telephone Bella Terra makes every effort to available saves time and gives care for our family and friends so us, and our community, peace of we offer an AED on our proper- mind should an emergency arise. ty. AEDs have voice instructions The best time to prepare for an that will calmly talk you through emergency is before one hap- everything you need to do, even pens, so we at Bella Terra ensure if you haven’t been trained. They that all our guests are shown on will automatically analyze the per- our property map where this is lo- son’s heart rhythm and advise cated. During an emergency we whether a shock is needed. You understand that it’s easy to be- cannot accidently shock someone come disoriented and upset. Be- their volunteer donors directly ser- one we love or to be a hero to a because the AED will only charge cause of this, we’ve ensured our vices the needs of patients in our stranger. Bella Terra coordinated to shock when it detects two life emergency telephone has explic- community. Each year nearly five efforts with our local Foley Fire threatening rhythms – ventricular it instructions on how to use the million Americans need a blood Department to help our friends fibrillation and an unstable ventric- phone and we also list the name transfusion. To meet their respon- take the time to get certified and ular tachycardia. If someone just of our resort with our address. sibilities they need to collect from have valuable peace of mind. The passes out and still has a heart- 728 donors a day. We were very Foley Fire Department offered beat, it will not charge to shock. “Yelp” System Entrance Gates - grateful and overjoyed for the con- complimentary CPR Training at Bella Terra is a secured, gated re- sideration our Bella Terra family their facility on July 10th and we First Aid Kits - Bella Terra prides sort. Our entrance gate requires gave to such a rewarding orga- were very happy to see such a itself in the care and safety of our card access for both owners and nization. As of July 5, 2017 the large group from within the Bella family community which includes guests. To ensure that emergen- American Red Cross was facing Terra Community participate. Ad- our owners, guests, and staff cy vehicles can enter the property a blood shortage and on that day ditionally, Bella Terra staff is asked members. We have multiple first as quickly as possible, our gates they issued an emergency call for to become CPR certified and we aid kits located on our property to are equipped with a “yelp” sys- eligible individuals to donate blood cover any costs that may be asso- ensure a response when there is tem. When an emergency vehicle or platelets as soon as possible. ciated with the training. no responder. First aid kits are approaches the entrance gates, Their donations have fallen short just that, “First Aid”. Keeping a the sound of the sirens trigger the of expectations in May and June, Automated external defibrillator first aid kit available can provide “yelp” system to activate, in turn resulting in about 61,000 fewer (AED) - An AED is a portable de- extra time prior to seeking profes- opening the gates. This technolo- donations than what is needed. vice that checks the heart rhythm sional and trained medical atten- gy is tested regularly by Bella Ter- We’re hopeful that the blood that and can send an electric shock to tion. Protecting our family on our ra staff as well as our city emer- was given at Bella Terra will help the heart to try to restore a normal property is important to us; our gency and safety officials. with the shortage challenges. rhythm. AEDs are used to treat first aid kits are visibly marked

www.bellaterrarvresort.com page 3 makes them fairly universal. They gen, the chemical can settle and FIRE EXTINGUISHER SAFETY function by coating the fuel with a pack up over time. A good rec- Taking precautions ahead of time (soap works) to break the surface fine layer of chemical to separate ommendation is to turn the extin- may help avoid a disastrous event tension and separate the fuel from the fuel from the oxygen in the air. guisher upside down and whack in your motor home - a fire. If a its oxygen, allowing the water to They also do not conduct electrici- the base with a mallet every six fire begins, it won’t take much further cool down the fuel. ty, so they are safe to use on elec- months to keep the powder loose time before the RV is totally con- trical fires. However, dry chemical enough to be able to exit the ex- sumed in flames. Class-B Fires are fires from flam- extinguishers do have their draw- tinguisher when it’s needed. They mable liquids. Examples of this backs. The first is that these units also need to be regularly checked Motor homes are typically con- are gasoline, oil, grease, diesel are generally undersized. The for any pressure leaks and require structed from highly flammable fuel, and alcohol. Liquids boil, so small 5-pound extinguishers typi- servicing, although many of these materials. Additionally motor think of the word “boil” to remem- cally found in a motor home don’t units are inexpensive throwaways homes contain propane, gasoline ber what Class “B” fires are. These have very much volume. It’s rec- that are not serviceable. In this or diesel fuel. They are loaded fires don’t get extinguished with ommended that they be replaced case, it’s important to throw them with electrical systems and wiring. just plain water. The fuel floats on with a larger 10-pound unit. Also, out. the surface of the water and tends dry chemical is quite messy. The Most RV fires begin in one of two to spread to other areas, which powder safely puts out electrical In closing, motor home owners areas. Typical RV refrigerators only makes the situation worse. fires, but the chemical is toxic should consider having a fire ex- utilize evaporative cooling, which and corrosive to electrical circuits tinguisher in the front of the motor uses a propane burner or electric Class-C Fires are electrical fires once heated, so once used, re- home, as well as having one in the element to provide that heat. If the caused by energized circuits. placement is needed on most, or back bed room area. propane burner on the back of the If it’s plugged in, consider it a all, electrical components. They refrigerator overheats, it can easi- Class-C fire. Note that the wire it- are of minimal benefit on Class-A With a little better understanding ly start a fire. self doesn’t burn-it’s the insulation fires, and most motor homes are of fire extinguishers, and fires, and any surrounding components. filled with the combustible ma- motor home owners can take ex- On a rear-engine diesel pusher Once the circuit is de-energized, terials that make up that classifi- tra measures to help protect their there is also the potential for an you can treat it as a Class-A fire. cation. These extinguishers also motor home against small fires engine bay fire. Diesel engines The Class-C designation only de- tend to stagnate over time. Even that begin inside the coach. are turbocharged and the turbo- scribes energized circuits, where though they are filled with nitro- charger gets very hot during op- water-type extinguishers could eration, especially when climbing create an electrical shock hazard. grades. If a hydraulic line or fuel Electrical wires conduct current, line were to leak, it can easily so associate the word “current” BELLA TERRA INTRODUCES spray fuel over the engine com- with a Class “C” fire. partment. Once ignited by the hot “ROCK”in FEEL GOOD turbocharger, it can quickly get out Class-D Fires are fires from of control. burning metal. Not too many met- TUESDAYS! als burn, but these fires are not Kindness is Contagious! Bella then placed around the resort Under the NFPA (National Fire typically found in motor homes. Terra offers multiple crafting for unsuspecting folks to find Protection Association) code, mo- These fires are almost impossible opportunities within our community them! Bella Terra provides all the tor homes will come with a fire ex- to extinguish. throughout the year. Our recent supplies but if you have someone tinguisher. However, these only introduction of “Rock”in Feel Good special you’d like to take a rock meet the minimum requirements Fire Extinguisher Types Tuesdays has been a big hit and home to, we encourage painters set by law. Generally, motor home Fire extinguishers come in many we look forward to bringing it back to BYOR….bring your own rock! fire extinguishers may be under- types and sizes, just like fires. on a regular basis. The goal of sized and may not adequately ex- There are a wide variety of ex- our community project is to bring One message at just the right time tinguish a fire in your coach. tinguishers, each designed for a surprise smiles to our Bella Terra can change someone’s outlook, specific application. Following is residents. Friends in our resort someone’s day, or someone’s Before we can understand the a brief description of the various are coming together to paint life. These are just a few recent various types of fire extinguishers, types of extinguishers and fire rocks with encouraging, kind, and samples of rocks our talented we first need to understand fire fighting agents used in them. happy messages. The rocks are family of friends completed! itself. The three elements in any fire are fuel, heat, and oxygen. Dry chemical extinguishers need Remove any one of these to ex- to be regularly serviced to main- tinguish a fire. tain pressure and prevent pack- ing. Aqueous film forming foam Class-A Fires are created from (AFFF) extinguishers appear do solid combustible fuels (other a better job of protecting a motor than metals). Examples of this are home. wood, paper, cloth, and plastics. Class-A fires leave ash, so think of The most popular fire extinguish- the word “ash” to help remember ers available for consumer use what an “A” fire is. today are the dry chemical va- riety. The dry chemical, which To extinguish a Class-A fire, you resembles baking soda, is a fine Please watch for our next newsletter can either separate it from its oxy- powder that fills the extinguisher introducing our new gen or cool it down below its flash and is pressurized with nitrogen. point. This is the easiest fire to put The biggest reason for their pop- Business Operations Manager! out, and plain water works. Ideally, ularity is you can use them on you’d add an element to the water Class-A, -B, and -C fires, which

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