A VIEW FROM THE HILL

MARCH 2005

EDITOR'S NOTE: This issue is being published a few days later than usual.
The deadline for submitting information is the 25th and I try to prepare the
newsletter immediately after that. Since I've been doing the newsletter this
month contains the smallest input from the neighborhood. During March, why
not give some thought to dropping a line or two off in the Editor's Box on
the bulletin board? Jim McCrea

SOCIAL CLUB MINUTES: Jim Rose, Co-Chair and 21 of our neighbors met in the
Club House on the 21st of the month. Our loyal treasurer reported that we
broke the $7,000 mark in our bank account. Jacky Thomas said that both the
Chinese Pot Luck (35 in attendance) and the Valentine's Day ice cream fest
were successful. Smooth waters were reported by Blaine Kalar of the
Community Relations Committee....no complaints received. The Raffle
Committee let us know that the Mother's Day Breakfast will be the time for
drawing the winner's names......so far about $200 in the pot.

New Business included: Ron Thomas reporting a sign-up sheet for the street
lights. (More on this later); Cleda Hampton requested $75.00 for new
bookcases and shelves in the craft room; Irene Repetski donated 134 talking
books and we need somewhere to display them. Ron Thomas so moved, and Alice
McClellan said it sounded fine to her, so she seconded the motion which
passed unanimously; Jim Rose introduced new neighbors, Ginny and Frank
Stout; Jacky Thomas reported on upcoming functions including the Okie
Breakfast (more later) and a St. Patrick's Day Pot Luck (more later).
Marlene Crites moved and Dick Billingham seconded a motion that the Social
Club buy the meat, cabbage, and spuds; The Easter Brunch on March 26 will be
pot-luck; The Spring Dinner is set for April 16; Left over Sunday is the
next day. Jacky suggested some people other than the cooks volunteer to set
up for these functions. Jacky also reported than if Shirley's Restaurant on
the Bay Front caters a dinner for us there would be a ten dollar per person
charge. The dinner would feature three kinds of meat, potatoes, vegetables
and probably dessert. She suggested we give it a thought and discuss it at
the next meeting. Jean Hart reminded us that Ladies Coffee was on February
22nd. Also, the March "Ladies Coffee" will be on the 29th. No invitation
necessary, all are invited (of the female persuasion). Our very capable
Recording Secretary Gloria Mazzeo reported that the meeting adjourned at
4:40PM

FEW FOR SALE SIGNS: Have you noticed a lack of signs advertising homes for
sale in our neighborhood? I spoke to Pat Barker, who knows more on this
subject than anyone else in the Western Hemisphere. She said that the sale
of real estate goes through normal cycles, as does the stock market,
business, and the tides. We live in a sixteen year old park and many of the
original residents are no longer here. Some have moved on, moved out, or are
"pushing up daisies". There was a big market in California starting about
two years ago and we are feeling it here now. When the demand exceeds the
supply for homes the prices start to creep up. Pat remembers that some homes
where we live sold for under $30,000 with the average price being in the
$40-$60,000 range. Now she sees virtually nothing coming on the market under
$60,000. She reports sales here in our neighborhood of up to $199,000! As we
all know, the ocean view homes sell for a higher price. As of this
newsletter, the only home for sale is the new home being installed on
Evergreen and the asking price for it is around $130,000. Pat reports she
has a backlog of buyers, so if you have in the back of your mind to move on,
or move out (please, no thoughts of "pushing up daisies ") this might not be
a bad time to ask Pat over for a cup of tea.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE: Jean Hart reports happily that the only card sent out
this month was to Donna Davi who had a rotator cup repaired. There were at
least three other neighbors who spent one night or more in the local
hospital. When you see one of your neighbors being chaufeured in a big van
with red lights, why not give Jean a call so that she can send a card from
all of us?

SPEAKING OF A REAL ULCER-BUILDER: Our web page contains a detailed account
of a manufactured home park that is being sold. Of particular interest is
the name of the seller, which appears to be one of the owners of our park. I
spoke to Pat Barker about this too, and her opinion is the same as mine.
Oregon law is similar to most states in that a "lease runs with the land",
meaning that if a piece of real property changes ownership any lease in
existence at the time remains in full effect under existing terms. Pat also
said that Oregon law had recently been changed giving the residents of a
park a "right of first refusal" if a park is placed on the market for sale.
What this all boils down to is that the sale of this park (or any other
park) is a non-event for people living in the park. Their lease continues
exactly as written. The caveat is however, that when you sell your home a
new lease does not necessarily have to contain the same terms for the buyer.
Pat knows a lot about this sort of stuff. If you are still concerned, at the
Senior Center in Newport you will find the names of attorneys who can put
your mind at ease for a minimal fee.

GOT A LITTLE FREE TIME? Bill and Kathy Furgason have a note on the Bulletin
Board regarding the need for helpers at Food Share. Only an hour or so a
week is all it takes. Please give it a thought.

OKIE BREAKFAST: It's still on, albeit a week later. Seems like there was a
"bug" going around and the chefs and chef's helpers were all under the
weather last week. Please be advised that this Saturday, promptly at 9:00AM
(March 5), we'll give it another go. Sounds good. (note Okie Breakfast will be April 2nd)

HERE KITTY-KITTY: Don Newman advises us that there is a black and white cat
running freely through the neighborhood. Don, a bird lover who likes to feed
our feathered friends finds that this cat also likes to participate in the
meals, although not the way Don anticipated. Seems like our friend the cat
has assumed that Don is inviting the birds in to be the cat's meal. Don, on
the other hand wishes that the owner of the cat would conform to park policy
and keep the cat under control. If Solomon was given this dilemma to solve
he might resort to the old "chop 'em both in half" solution. Methinks
however, that a more simple solution would be for the Sylvester-like cat to
be given a "non-'Tweety" diet by his owner. Besides, Solomon might want to
use a shot gun.

A GARAGE SALE BY ANY OTHER NAME: is still a garage sale. What ever we call
our "second time around" sale on Labor Day the date should be changed in the
mind of one of our neighbors. I received a card suggesting that we change
the date to October 8th, which is a Saturday. The card said that in October
there are no vacations to contend with, no Fair, and the kids are all in
school, which means there is nothing else to do except to come to our sale.
What do you think about changing the date? Why not bring up your ideas at
the next meeting of the Social Club, or put your thoughts in the Editor's
Box?

OOPS!!!!!!! Leonard and Vivian ("Rusty") Johnson really do live here, and
have for a long time. Some how their name was omitted when the last edition
of our directory was published. Get your Christmas Card list out now and put
their information in: 618 N.E. 59th Street (Lot #40), phone 574-0282. Sorry,
folks.

AND ANOTHER TWO CENTS HEARD FROM: The topic of gate closure prompted the
following reply from one of our neighbors: "Do not close the gate at 5:00PM.
Pretty soon it will be light out until 9:30PM. We do not want to stop on the
hill coming up to put the gate open at 5:00PM. After all, we have over 200
people living here. Some of the people have lived here for a number of years
and have no trouble with the hours as they now stand. It would also be a
problem for people who come to LVH during the day hours to look for a home
to buy. Don't lock them out! If any changes are made it should be by a vote
of all of the people who live here." 'nuff said?

'NURSE DONNA TALARSKI: tells us that placing a dab of honey on a skin
blemish and covering it with a band-aid will kill the bacteria and speed
healing overnight. (How does she always know what to do?).

YOU KNEW IT WAS COMING, SO HERE IT IS: Bill Parks says there is a three
letter word that is one syllable that, when a single letter is added to it,
becomes a four letter word that has three syllables. He dares you to find
the two words. Give up? Okay, here it is. ARE (1 syllable, 3 letters). When
you add the letter A, it makes the word AREA (3 syllables, 4 letters). I'm
tellin' ya, it's that keen military mind that never rests that keeps this
flow of information coming. Thanks, Bill. Oh, wait a minute...there's more.
While having coffee at the Club House a question was tossed on the table for
conversation. Someone wondered if it was legal in Oregon for a man to marry
his widow's sister? After much discussion with no answer Bill cleverly
answered it by saying "Heck no, the man would be dead". Think about it.

AMONG OTHER THINGS: The Newport Senior Activity Center (265-9617) offers:
Bingo; Scrabble; Square Dancing; Foot Care Clinic; Party Bridge; Duplicate
Bridge; Aerobics; Pinochle; Line Dancing; Amateur Radio; AA; TOPS; Bridge
Classes; Movie Night; Tai Chi; and LUNCH!!!

STREET LIGHTS: Ron Thomas (a really good soul), will install an emergency
warning light on the globe in front of your house that is operated by a
remote control "clicker". In the event of an emergency your globe will turn
a bright red, thereby assisting any Emergency Crew in locating your house.
For seven bucks you can't go wrong. Call him at 265-5546. (Ron says Nope Flashing red lights cannot be bought for such a low price.... However we will put your house number on your globe for that kind of money... all proceeds to the Social Club)

MARCH BIRTHDAYS:

Sue Enge 01

Gladys Weaver 03

Jim Rose 08

Lee Watkins 08

Jim Gamb 10

Mel Hayes 11

Loretta Annala 14

Donna Hudson 14

Roy Teichert 14

Kathy Smith 15

Ben Davi 21

JoAnn Weitschat 22

Ruth Rohde 24

Anna Marie Ridel 24

Jim Wimber 24

Jim Dunlap 26

Ernie Fisher 27

Vera Lund 27

George Samel 28

Betty Scott 30

Sue Braguy 31

Hope no one was overlooked. If for some reason you were missed, please drop
a line and put it in the Editor's Box. As usual, it is a well known fact
that any cake eaten on one's birthday is treated like a diet soda by your
body.....in other words, no calories. So have another piece, and be sure all
the candles don't catch the drapery on fire.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY POTLUCK: Is on Wednesday, March 16th in the Club House.
Social Hour is 5:00, with dinner at 6:00. Hope to see you there. It's an
annual affair and a great time to visit with your neighbors.

OBSERVATIONS: Last month I mused about having time in retirement to think of
things not previously considered in much detail. As I was walking down to
get the mail the other day I wondered how long a person would have to study
goose doo-doo before they were able to predict the weather. It seems as
though we have a family of geese who visit our lake and leave behind
evidence of their presence. I imagined that to the American Indians the
doo-doo would have been a clue as to what to expect from the weather gods.

I just got back from Brigham City, Utah where I visited my son for a few
days. He invited me to join in on a Friday ritual which consisted of lunch
at Pizza Hut with a group of locals. One of the locals was a man named
Chuck. He was a rather imposing sort of guy, topping the scales at somewhere
around 400 pounds. A man in his middle 70's he sported several gold chains
and tattoos. He was making the most of the pizza bar (all you can eat) and
consumed prodigious amounts of the baked goods. While he was pausing between
trips he made a few remarks that made me think of Sister Mary Frances, my
second grade teacher. The good Sister told us that God loves us all, no
matter how different we are. As I sat there looking at Chuck I knew that God
loved him too, because he was really different.

It wasn't his ability to eat that made him different in my mind, it was
something he said. It turns out that good old Chuck has had SEVEN heart
attacks and two by-pass operations. He had a very interesting slant on
health care. As near as I can remember he said: "Being a doctor is no
different than being an auto mechanic. I drive an old car and when something
goes wrong it is the mechanic's job to fix it. He doesn't tell me how to
drive or how to take care of my car. If I have a heart attack it is the
doctor's job to fix it, not give me advice on how to live or how to eat."
With that, Chuck decided on about twenty cinnamon/sugar mini rolls he dipped
into a container of white frosting. I thought about Sister Mary Frances
then, and how different people are. I wonder if God ever tried Pizza Hut?

American Literature to 1914 was my college major, so I like to do stuff like
this. I never took one clerical class, and have never been a secretary. When
people put stuff in the Editor's Box for the Newsletter I try my best to
convey their thoughts and put it in print. Recently I was in a local
restaurant enjoying my dinner when a contributor to the Newsletter let me
know that my secretarial skills were seriously deficient. Turns out the
person in question had submitted an article written in the first
person-singular (I think this, I think that, etc.). Well, when I write,
unless I use quotation marks it is in the first person singular. If you
submit an article it is correct for me to change the tense to third person.
What this all boils down to is that this is a fun thing to do and I do the
best I can. If you want people to read EXACTLY what your message is, please
type it up yourself and post it on the bulletin board. They won't let guys
my age into secretarial class.

Jim Hart is doing one heck of a good job in charge of advertising in this
Newsletter. He takes his responsibilities seriously and we are making money.
Next time you see him, why not give him a big "atta-boy, Jim".

For now the local Board of Education has decided to not ask for more tax
money via a voter approved bond. Now what am I going to do with all of the
soap boxes I prepared to argue against more taxes? (No, Jackie
Memoli......they won't fit).

We are leaving shortly to take a trip to California to see Aunt Betty. If
you'd like me to bring back some smog, please give me a couple of plastic
bags. Isn't the air here great? We're a little behind in rain fall this year
and may be asked to conserve water later on this year. I think they call
that having a drink "neat".

There's going to be a poker tournament here soon. Start getting ready by
watching the World Series of Poker on TV. It'll cost you ten bucks to get in
and that's all! The idea is to have a few laughs without going broke. Poker
corrupts. Chris Moneymaker (the accountant that won $2.5 million last year)
has already dumped his wife and kids, quit his job, and has a new "fiancé".
He is also going into business with his own brand of poker chips.

If you are ever in The Dalles around dinner time, try the Baldwin Saloon.
The building was built in the 1870's and the food is absolutely great. In
addition to having all of the decorations you'd expect in a place called
"Saloon" they have a piano player who climbs a 15 foot ladder and entertains
you with honkey-tonk music from a platform over the kitchen.

Don't know if you are in on this, but the largest wood structure in the
world is in Tillamook county. That's right....there's a blimp hanger there
that lays claim to that amazing fact. There used to be two of them. I lived
in Tillamook when the other one burned down. The remaining hanger is now an
air museum with a very nominal entry charge. Lots of interesting things to
see. Maybe it might be a fun outing. While you are there, the tours of the
Tillamook Creamery are free. You can see how cheese is made. They have a
restaurant there if you want to make a day of it. Nothing fancy, but the ice
cream is made on the premises and it is very good. Remember the rules. If
you're going to eat the ice cream, do it on your birthday....it's like the
cake rule. See you next month!!!