A VIEW FROM THE HILL
FEBRUARY 2005
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Edna Wilson’s name was included in the new park residents list last month by mistake. Edna has lived at the corner of Evergreen and Windmill for many years. Her home is the one with the boy and girl on the park bench we all enjoy so much. Sorry, Edna. Jim McCrea, Editor
RECAP OF SOCIAL CLUB MINUTES:
The January meeting was attended by 25 LVH neighbors. Ed Simon, a member of the Board of Directors of Partnership Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (PAADA) made a presentation on the severity of teenage drinking. He solicited volunteers for this very worth while program and asked interested persons to call Barbara at 265-6611, ext. 2527.
Expenses were almost the same as income and the Treasurer reported we have about $6700 in the sugar bowl.
Jacky Thomas, Activities Director announced an Asian Pot Luck on January 29 to celebrate Chinese New Year. Please bring your favorite Asian dish to the club house. Cocktails at 5:00, Dinner at 6:00 Don Newman will chair the golf tournament this year on August 19.
Old Business included a report from the Raffle Committee. So far the Cash raffle has raised about $175. It was decided to give it a few more months to reach to goal of $500.
Marlene Crites reported that our Christmas families both had the best holiday ever. Everything on the "tree" was provided. Sadly, the grandmother in one of the families passed away on January 9.
The revision of the By-Laws was approved.
Blaine Kalar reported the Community Relations Committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month to discuss forms that have been submitted. The forms are available in the Club House.
New Business: A meeting of the Neighborhood Watch Captains was discussed, however no action was taken.
Ben Davi discussed forming a committee to escort new residents to their first Pot Luck. He asked for volunteers to contact him.
A new directory will be out shortly. Look for it in the Club House.
Ed Simon suggested that we watch the local paper for classes at the Hatfield Marine Science Center regarding disaster preparedness.
Gloria Mazzeo, Recording Secretary, reported that around 5:30 we wound things up until next month.
HELP, I’VE FALLEN AND CAN’T GET UP:
Jackie Memoli wants to remind us that if we have an emergency we should call 911, not the Block Captains, or the Block Captain Coordinator. If you see a prowler, smell smoke, hear a car crash, hear a gun shot, or ANYTHING that creates a feeling of fear or danger there are trained professionals at the other end of the line when you dial 911. Don’t waste time looking for the number of the Police Department or Fire Department, or the Hospital. Dial 911 as fast as you can!!!.
LIKE CHOCOLATE???
Sue Wilson wants all of the chocoholics in LVH to know about the Chocolate Classics which will be held at Salishan in Gleneden Beach, February 13, from 2:00 to 5:00. She reports that: "I have a place for you, if you enjoy a nice plate of healthy appetizers, a glass of good wine, and then all the most delicious sensual chocolate desserts that one person can have in one short afternoon". She adds that not only do you get to eat some of the best chocolate along the coast, but also you will have a chance to bid on some very special items donated for the silent auction. It’s the Lincoln Council On Aging fund raiser for RSVP, Chocolate Classics, "Here’s lookin’ at you kid!" and many stores and companies throughout the county have donated some very beautiful one of a kind items for the event. Admission is twenty bucks at the door and Sue said: "See you there!"
LET’S HEAR IT FOR JACK SCHERER:
Good old Jack, always on the ball solicited a one year contract with Englund Marine for advertising in our newsletter. Thanks, Jack.
SPEAKING OF JACK:
The Welcome Committee (Ginny and Jack Scherer, Buzzy Byerrum, and Bob Abbott) welcomed one more new neighbor before their year on the committee came to an end. Vivian Johnson is now in her new home on the lake at 549 NE 60th Ct. Her phone number is 574-4459. Vivian is a retired Data Processor for the State of California and joined her sister Lois Billingham here in LVH. Vivian and Lois have one more sister they are hoping will join them and make her home here some day. Vivian is from Redding, California and will probably not miss the 110 degree summer days. Welcome, Vivian.
ALRIGHT NOW, LOOK IN YOUR CUPBOARDS
: Jean Hart reminds us that way back when a complete set of food containers was purchased for use in the kitchen at the club house. Well, with taking left overs home and all........it appears as though there are several containers missing. Please double check your inventory and return any strange containers promptly. Thanks.
THE NEW WELCOMING COMMITTEE:
Nancy Lee Moore, Jacky Thomas, and Buzzy Byerrum started 2005 off on a friendly foot by welcoming Sue Hayes to LVH. Sue lives at 5707 Windmill Drive, phone 574-1612. Sue, who lived in Corvallis years ago moved here from California. Glad to have you back in Oregon Sue, or maybe it’s better said "Welcome Home".
(Incidently, the Welcoming Committee is looking for volunteers to serve as Alternates on this worthwhile community effort. Please call Jacky (265-5546), Buzzy (265-5004), or Nancy Lee (265-7228) if you’d like to donate an hour or so each month.
THE HISTORIAN SPEAKS!!!!!!
Joy Newman, who has been the LVH historian "for as long as I can remember" wants to remind us that the big book on the top shelf in the back corner of the library is our official LVH Historian book. She takes care of the comings and goings as well as park activities and wants us to know she is ready for more additions to the book. If you see an article or picture of any LVH residents (new or old) in the newspaper, or it you take any pictures of activities in the Club House, please put them in BOX 58 and she will attend to them promptly. She reminds us that these are YOUR books.....take a look and see what has gone on before in our neighborhood. Thanks to Joy for her good work!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU........
February birthdays include:
2/2 Freda Holt
2/4 Margaret Watkins
2/5 Bonnie Rose
2/6 Jack Sherer
2/9 Ed Perkins
2/11 Ginny Sherer
2/13 Lee Scott
2/14 Gloria Edison
2/16 Celia Samel
2/18 Leo Lolley
2/19 Doris Feltner
2/19 John Wilson
Remember, it’s your birthday and you can have all the cake you want. It has been a scientific fact long established that your body does not absorb calories on the anniversary of your birth.
Thanks to Betty Scott for keeping track of the birthdays.
BEFORE I FORGET:
Prior to WWII Twinkies were banana flavored. The war caused a banana shortage, hence the switch to vanilla. Why am I telling you this, especially since you already knew it? Just thought you might have forgotten, that’s all.
ALSO, DID YOU REMEMBER
that "Big Guys Restaurant (owned by Hizzoner the Mayor, Mark Jones) used to be across the street where Barbara’s Blossom shop is now?
BILL PARKS
still has some questions he is pondering.......Why is the sky blue; Why are flies called flies instead of lands; And finally, if pants are referred to as a pair because there are two legs, he wants to know why aren’t shirts referred to as a pair (they DO have two arms, don’t they?).
A CHEAP LUNCH:
Fred Meyer sells soup or chili by the bowl. For $2.99 you can dish up your own lunch, take a seat, and watch the town shop through the vegetable department. Who knows, you might see someone you know. If you are really hungry, the 16 oz. Bowl is $3.49.
SPEAKING OF FREDDIES:
With my hand on the Bible I swear that I saw a roast in the butcher’s department there for the princely sum of $97.79. I looked for an armed guard when I saw the price, but couldn’t find one any where. Then I noticed him down in the Vegetable Department guarding the $3.59 per pound TOMATOES!!!!
THE FISHING CLUB (
No, it’s not called the "Liars Club" anymore) is having two meetings in February. On February 3, at 9:00 an Enforcement Officer from the State Police (Either Doug Canfield or "Swede" Pearson) will discuss all of the relevant changes in regulations vital to this sport. This is a special meeting in addition to the regular meeting on the 17th.
JACKY (BLESS HER HEART) THOMAS:
Is our Activities Director, and she recently chaired the meeting which resulted in a schedule of an entire year of activities here in LVH. She provided lunch while some 15 or so neighbors gave their input for upcoming activities. Some of the things scheduled were "Okie Breakfast", Saint Patrick’s day corned beef and cabbage (On the day before Saint Patrick’s day), Easter Brunch and Potluck, Spring Dinner and left-over Sunday, Mexican Pot Luck, Casino Night, a Poker Tournament, a Chile Cook-Off, an Ice Cream Social-Picnic-BBQ, Wine Tasting, Golf BBQ, Italian Pot Luck, Second Time Around Sale, Octoberfest, Pretzel Making, Thanksgiving Pot Luck, Truffles and Candy Making, Christmas Decorating, Christmas Pot Luck, and several Saturday breakfasts.
We will be discussing each of these activities at the Social Club meetings through out the year. Notices will be placed on the Bulletin Board, and will be featured in the monthly Newsletter. (Please remember that the scientific principles mentioned earlier regarding birthday cake apply as well to activities related to eating at the various Social Club functions).
RAFFLE-RAFFLE-RAFFLE:
Do you have a "lucky bone" in your body. If so, at each of the upcoming Social Club functions there will be a raffle for your favorite prize
---CASH—. It’s too complicated to go into here, but suffice it to say that you can win big bucks and risk only pennies. We are talking about big bucks, not coffee money. Be sure to look for the raffle jar at our next function. Who knows, it could be you that wins $$.
OBSERVATIONS: Some times I wonder if it’s just me or do you also spend time thinking about things...dumb things....that you hadn’t thought about for a long time. Is it just because retirement gives you time to reflect, or does it mean like my kids say....."Dad, you’re starting to lose it". I found myself wondering the other day: When did they start putting holding tanks on trains? When I was a boy I remember looking down through the toilet and seeing the rails when I flushed. The items being flushed went on the tracks and presumably became part of the environment. I was never a hobo (now they are called "homeless"), but I got to thinking about an old saying "He was faster than a passenger train passing a bum". This led me to imagine seeing a bum with tattered clothing walking along the rail road tracks, meandering through life seemingly without a care in the world. Then I remembered the toilet thing I mentioned and all of a sudden I imagined this carefree soul having to be cautious where he stepped and cursing a blue streak if he failed to avoid a passenger’s flushed material. I guess there’s a moral to this story......something like "Life sure gets complicated, doesn’t it?"
Another thing I got to thinking about was how sheltered a life a boy can have. When I was in the eighth grade I played football on the "C" team (too young for Junior Varsity). We had four games, three of which were at our home field. The big event of the season was an "away" game to the school on the south part of town. We went on the School Bus, and took our uniforms and pads with us, intending to change before the game. The game was on a Saturday and the coach told us we were going to change in the Girls Locker Room. This was indeed quite exciting because I had no concept of what to expect.......did they have pink walls?
What other unknowns were to be answered? You can imagine my surprise when I saw that the Girls Locker Room was just like the Boys, except for one detail. I remembered wondering if I was the only one that noticed that the Girls Locker Room had no urinals! It wasn’t until my seventeenth birthday that I found out the answer to where the missing urinals were. I was being inducted into the Army on that day and overheard a conversation between a couple of "old timers" (they must have been at least 19) talking about why girls couldn’t write their name in the snow like boys could. It was at that moment that I remembered something my Grand Father had taught me: "If you live long enough, you’ll know everything".
I was seventeen and learned something.......and I’m still learning.
Here’s a good one. Five Tips for a Woman: 1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job. 2. It is important that a man makes you laugh. 3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn’t lie to you. 4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you. 5. It is important that these four men don’t know each other!!!!!
Ron Gibbs told me one the other day about two elderly people (who shall remain nameless) who sat across from each other at a recent Pot Luck. They were both widowed and seemed to enjoy each other’s company. As the meal progressed the man made admiring glances at the woman and finally gathered up his courage to ask her, "Will you marry me?". After about six seconds of careful consideration she answered. "Yes, Yes, I will." The meal ended and each of the two went to their own homes. The next morning the man was troubled. He couldn’t remember if the woman had said "yes" or "no". Not knowing what else he could do, he called her and with difficulty explained how his memory wasn’t what it once was. After a few moments he summoned up the courage to ask her "When I asked if you would marry me, did you say yes, or did you say no?" He was delighted to hear her say, "Why, I said, ‘Yes, yes I will’ and I meant it with all my heart." Then she continued, "And I am so glad that you called, because I couldn’t remember who asked me."
One of the things talked about at the planning meeting for the Social Calendar was the possibility of having a catered dinner on Valentines Day, or within a few days thereof. The thinking was that we have the money in the treasury and maybe we should start thinking about spending some of it. This would be a big step and it would make a much more enjoyable time if it wasn’t just a few people who did the deciding. There are about 165 spaces in LVH, only a few of which are vacant. This would indicate a population of over 200 souls. I have lived here for a little over two years and have never seen more than 20 or 30 people come to the meetings. I have seen a bigger turn out at meal functions. Does this mean that more of us like to eat than to plan the eating? I dunno, but if there isn’t more input from the neighborhood then the same few people that have been doing all the work will do all the planning also. Maybe you could jot your thoughts down and put them in the Editor’s Box. Maybe you could drop a note to the Social Club Board of Directors by placing it in the locked slot under the mail boxes. Maybe you could get the address of a Board member from the directory and mail them a letter with your ideas. Maybe you could write an anonymous note on the board in the club house. The point I am trying to make is that the Social Club IS going to do something with the money we’ve amassed........wouldn’t it be nice if you took the time to put your two cents worth in?
If you rent a movie from BlockBuster for $3.29 you can have another one for a buck. Also, they have a sign up thing and it will give you a monthly freebie.