THE CHOKOLOSKEE CHATTERBOX March 24, 2011 150 Smallwood Drive, Chokoloskee, Fl 34138

SPECIAL EDITION

BOARD NEWS

This is the final issue of the Chatterbox for this season. The copier failed so we were unable to distribute copies of the 3/24/11 edition. I was able to secure the services of a copy center to inspect and fix (at least temporarily) the copier, I decided that we should try to print the paper again with an update of news from the last meeting of the Board. Sorry for the inconvenience. Jerry Moore

JOE’S CORNER On April 2, 2011 from 9-12:00AM the County will be conducting a spring cleanup next to the Church of God on Chokoloskee Island. They will take old gas and tires; oil; batteries; paint and other items. Thanks for the excellent response to this request—it has made the work much easier for the staff. Everyone, please use barrels for yard cleanup. It is easier for the resort staff and the owner if you use barrels. The resort has numerous barrels for this purpose. Check all docks and decks for repair before you leave. The Resort has lots of high water during the summer and floating materials from docks become a hazard for boaters. Please disconnect all sewer lines when you leave and cap the sewers openings.

3-25-2011 Board Meeting Highlights Open Board Position: The Board appointed Jim Burnett, Lot 204, to the open Board position created by Mike Reese’s resignation. Welcome Jim and thanks for agreeing to serve. WI-FI: Park Wide WI-FI was approved for a one time initial cost of $2,500 and recurring costs of approximately $1,800 per month. The WI-FI system is to be in-service 10-1-2011. The contract may be canceled at any time. The costs are included in the current budget and will not cause an increase in the quarterly assessment this fiscal year. Lot Rental Issues: Late payment or no payment to owners for the rental of their lots by the rental agent was again discussed. Lot owner Vicky Wirth volunteered to begin collecting documentation of payment issues for all lot owners in case further action becomes necessary. Summer Projects List: Joe Balsis is continuing to study options and obtain costs for the following potential projects: upgrade Satellite One bath house and heat the pool, upgrade the Rec Hall, including the potential installation of a lift, and replace the sea wall on the sewer plant lot. After the alternatives are known and cost estimates obtained, the Board will consider approving these projects in view of the current budget. Surveillance Cameras: Because of recent vandalism at the Rec Hall pool, the Board approved the installation of surveillance cameras there. The cost will not exceed $1,500. The equipment will be purchased from Lee Rondenet, Lot 51, who recently upgraded the Rec Hall PA system for us.

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THE CHOKOLOSKEE CHATTERBOX March 24, 2011 150 Smallwood Drive, Chokoloskee, Fl 34138

ACTIVITIES Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour: the Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour begins at 4:00PM, Monday, March 28th in the Rec Hall. Please sign up by 6:00PM on March 24th. Book Club: The next meeting of the Book Club will be on March 29th . The club will discuss Ceremony by Silko. The book club list for next year will be posted on oragray.com/blog. Easter Dinner: Hey, all you warm weather lovers who plan to stay until May, Mike and Sarae are too!! They’re planning Easter Dinner on Sunday, April 24th at 5:30PM. It’ll be ham and pie as usual, so please sign up in the Rec Hall indicating what you will bring. The signup sheet will go up by April 8th—be sure to check it out. ANNOUNCEMENTS Thank You: I want to thank everyone who helped in any way with the St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance. There were way too many to name, you know who you are and I truly thank you. The food, weather and wonderful people made it a special night. Carolyn Caughman Thank You: While I am thanking people, I have to say a special thanks to my neighbors (and friends). They are a wonderful group of people who are always willing to help. Of course I can’t leave Don out, he is always there for me. Thanks so much. Carolyn Thank You: We wish to thank everyone who have been so helpful and considerate. Without their help our stay at Chokoloskee would not have been as enjoyable. Ed and Marilyn Adams

Thank You: Thanks to Dave and Sherri and Roger and Vicki for sanding and staining the wood tables at the Chickee Hut--a big job well done and on the hottest day of the season. Moe and Valerie Ice Cream: Sunday March 20th will probably be our last Sundae Sunday of the season. Many thanks to everyone who helped with ice cream, you did a wonderful job. Thanks to George the announcer, the Bingo crew and Hope my backup delivery person. A huge special thanks to Jane who scooped all the ice cream every Sunday AND Wednesday! That is over 1000 scoops of ice cream! You made my job super easy. Joe, thanks to you and your crew for the much needed and appreciated facelift to the ice cream room. It looks much nicer. Thanks also to all our wonderful customers! I look forward to seeing everyone again next year!!! Kris Kudos: Kudos to Donna and Friends for another wonderful St. Patrick’s dinner. I had occasion to be in the kitchen Wednesday morning, Donna and her girls were very busy preparing 160 pounds of corned beef and 50 pounds of potatoes. Late Thursday afternoon, I had to run an errand to the kitchen and there were the girls still working very hard cooking potatoes, preparing a mountain of cabbage, a load of carrots, and biscuits. It takes a lot of hardworking volunteers to put these events together and the activity committee could always use more. Moe and Valerie Rug Cleaner: The park has a new rug cleaner you may want to try before you leave for the North (the old one finally failed.) It’s kept on Lot 40, call 695-9167, and costs $3 per cup of fluid.

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THE CHOKOLOSKEE CHATTERBOX March 24, 2011 150 Smallwood Drive, Chokoloskee, Fl 34138

Mardi Gras Pictures: E-mail your best Mardi Gras pictures to Mary Studer, [email protected], to post on the ORA Facebook page. Also if you have any video, Mary can upload it and burn it to a CD. Call her at 695-2254 Thank You: Thank you to the crew who worked so hard to provide the tasty breakfast last Saturday. Phone Books: The ORA phone books are here! They are available from Mary Studer, Lot 133 until the end of March. After that Marilyn Adams, Lot 185 will have the books. When Marilyn leaves the phone books will available from Jane Nixon, Lot 180. Mary apologizes for failing to include Sunset Cove’s information, but a separate directory will be available to tuck inside your copy. Thanks: Jerry took the copier to Naples and had it serviced by the company that serviced our last copier. The Activities Committee is considering purchasing a commercial, heavy duty copier for the park. Jerry will work with the committee on this project. I will keep everyone posted. Rich Weigold

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ORA ACTIVITIES CALENDAR 2011-12 SEASON DATE

EVENT

HOSTS

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

Linda Rolfes Mike and Sarae Homick

Wednesday, December 7

Welcome Back Potluck

Joyce Laeser, Marlene Sonderfan

Thursday, December 15

Cookie Exchange

Pat Coutinhou

Thursday, December 22

Chili Mixer

Jim & Marian Kaiser

Sunday, December 25

Christmas Dinner

Mike & Sarae Homick

Saturday, December 31

New Year’s Eve Party Music by Mark Wesley

Carolyn Caughman, Dora Reese

January 19, 2011

Booth Around Pool Event Music by Made in Brooklyn

Activity Committee

Thursday, February 2

Talent Night

Judy Smith

Tuesday, February 7

Style Show and Lunch

Sherri Parsons Pat Patten

Tuesday, February 14

Valentine’s Dinner Dance Music by DJ Randy Ray

Moe & Val Bureau

Saturday, February 18

ORA Annual Bazaar

Dave & Sherri Parsons Carolyn Caughman

Tuesday, February 21

Michigan Night

Carol & Jack Connell

Saturday, February 25

Annual Meeting and Meal

Catered, Pat Coutinho, Janet Berry, Kathy Flay

Saturday, March 3

Fish Fry

Mike & Kris Mol

Saturday, March 17

St Patrick’s Dinner Dance Music by Mark Wesley

Carolyn Caughman Donna Kostens & Crew

March 18 or 19

Volunteer Appreciation

Activity Committee

Sunday, April 8

Easter Dinner

Mike & Sarae Homick

Roger Brown & Vicki Wirth

Saturday Breakfasts, Zumba Classes, and more to be announced