MAY NEWS FROM VANTAGE POINTE
 
Please note, this version of the newsletter is the generic version and contains no pictures or animations.
 
 
 
President's View
 
A smaller crowd of 44 residents representing 30 homes gathered at the final meeting for the summer on Tuesday, May 10th.  As a result, no motions were voted on  and the meeting became more of an informational session.  The final numbers on the vote taken in April to allow the board to move to step 2 were read.  Of 194 homes, 153 votes were returned.  Yes votes totaled 112.  No votes totaled 41.  There were 39 abstentions and 2 letters were returned undeliverable.  Having more than the 2/3 needed we proceeded to file for the variance.
 
The zoning board for the county informed us that the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th at 3:00 PM at the new county building, downtown, in the county commissioner's chambers.  That's the same building where you pay your property taxes and renew your car plates.  All home owners in Vantage Pointe will receive notification of the hearing allowing time for correspondence of your thoughts on this matter.  Following approval of the variance we will send out the bids and gather information on financing.  When we have it all together we will notify all homeowners with the facts that we have completed in step 2 and ask for approval to start construction.
 
In other news, the board accepted the resignation of board member Tom McDonald who will be moving out of Vantage Pointe and after consulting with the total remaining members,  appointed Charlie Hallerbach to fill the chair until the next election in Febuary when a general election will be held for the remaining 1 year of Tom's term.  We will all miss Tom and Diane's smiling faces.
 
 
 
Dick Vanderlaan
President, VPHA
 
 
   
  
AROUND THE POINTE
 
       
 
The Vantage Pointe web site www.vantagepointfl.com  is currently under construction and Jerry is hoping to have it back up soon.
For information please direct your e-mail to Jerry@VantagePointFl.com  
 
        THE DREADED LOVE BUGS ARE  BACK AND SWARMING IN DROVES!  WE SURE WISHED THAT OUR NORTHERN FRIENDS COULD HAVE TAKEN SOME BACK NORTH WITH THEM.  THEY WILL HOPEFULLY  BE GONE SOON BUT WILL BE BACK IN SEPTEMBER.
 
 
 
        SOME GOOD NEWS!
 
JERRY SYFERT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PAMELA ROEBUCK, THE ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR FOR THE COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT.
 
PAM SAYS GREAT NEWS!!!!  VANTAGE TRACE MADE THE 2011/2012 LIST.  THIS MEANS THAT VANTAGE TRACE COULD BE REPAVED  ANYTIME AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND BEFORE OCTOBER, 2012. 
 
HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T DO IT DURING THE SEASON, BUT WE WILL TAKE WHATEVER WE CAN GET.......
 
       
 
The last Pancake Breakfast of the season was held on Saturday, April 30th.  Many thanks to all who participated through out the season.  We served 447 breakfasts during the period from September through April.  Hope to see you all back in the fall.
 
               
 
The Easter Dinner on Saturday, April 16th was well attended and a good time was had by all.  We even had a visit from the Easter Bunny!
 
 
 
 
 
 
A GREAT MOTHERS' DAY BRUNCH WAS PREPARED & SERVED BY A GREAT COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF LARRY MARTIN, GARY RATHBUN, TOM MC DONALD. GLEN MYERS, AND WALT BECKER.
 
 
                     
 
IT WAS ENJOYED BY ALL.
 
 
 
    
 
Our Art League Reporter John Lasco reports that the next 2nd Friday Reception will be on May 13th from 5pm-8pm at the Art League in conjunction with the Downtown Gallery Walk.
 
The theme is 'Five Objects'...the Highland Art League artists will put on a show with their interpretations of a still life (or not) of a hurricane lamp, giant stopwatch, Spanish style fan, brass shoe and stone vase.  As always, refreshments will be served.
 
 
Around  Town
 
 
 
The new Dollar General Store on US27 at the entrance to Tanglewood is open and doing a good business.
 
 
 
 
The former Sweety Pyes' restaurant on US27 is now THE HOT ROD GRILL.
Just opened but I haven't tried it yet.
 
 
                                                                     
 
                     
 
 
FINAL TIDBITS
 
 
During the summer, if anyone has any changes or additions for the directory, PLEASE let Gayle Magisano know at ayla177@yahoo.com
When sending resident information, please include Names, V.P. Address, Away address, Telephone numbers and e-mail address. 
 
 Coffee hour is still on Monday mornings from 8:30 until 9:30. 
 
 Card Bingo has been suspended for the summer
 
  Pool volleyball is played on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 till 4:00 when we have enough people to play. 
 
  
Parting shot       
 
Important names to remember for contact purposes when away
 
Lighting        Walt Becker        (863) 386-5281
 
Irrigation        Jim Kolp            (863) 471-0927
 
 
Please keep all of our friends and neighbors who are experiencing trials and tribulations and health problems of any kind in your thoughts and prayers.
      
 
 
A Memorial Day Picnic will be held on Monday. May 30th. 
 
The memu will consist of Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Vegetable Salad & Apple Dumplings for dessert.  Tickets are $3.00 each and are available from Mike Langland - 1224 Point East - 314-8432.  Cocktails & appetizers at 12:00 noon, Flag ceremony & dedications at 12:30 with lunch at 1:00.  B.Y.O.B.
 
 
 
NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
 
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
 
I heard the sounds of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
 
(copyright in 1981 by CDR Kelly Strong, USCG (ret)
 
 
                                                                                                                               
        THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, LET'S ALL REMEMBER TO BE KIND TO EACH OTHER!
 
DON DEWEY