VIEW POINT

Message from the President

A nice crowd was in attendance for the reading of the 2010 Bud-get. Fifty-four homes produced a quorum which enabled a vote by the association to approve the Budget. For this year all seven members of the Board participated in setting the budget for 2010. In that five of the members were brand new, I was very pleased with the results. They all pitched in with their views and it all went together very nicely.

We also were able to introduce the new sound system and everyone seemed pleased with the outcome. As a whole the meeting went well. We are hoping for another good crowd in April.

Dick Vanderlaan, Pres.

Homeowners are cordially invited to observe at any Board meetings if interested. Meeting times are posted on the bulletin boards. Please contact Pres. Vanderlaan ahead of time if you have a topic to discuss. The next Homeowners meeting will be Tuesday, April 13, at 7:00.

Traditional corned beef and cabbage, Sunday, March 14, 5:00, BYOB. Now sold out. Take-out by prior request.

Easter dinner Wednesday, April 7. Watch the bulletin boards for details and ticket information.

Former VP resident Clarence “Doc” Fox, DDS, passed away on February 28 at age 88 after a very brief illness at his home in Pennsylvania. He and his wife, who pre-deceased him, wintered on Vantage Circle and will be fondly remembered by older residents here.

Is your lamplight lit? It must be on at night at each home. Please keep an eye on yours – and your neighbor’s – in case you need a new bulb, starter, etc. Walt Becker will fix the problem, but you have to let him know about it. Call him at 386-5281.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

About post-dated VPHA checks: It has become too burdensome for the Treasurer to accept post-dated checks for monthly homeowner fees, and to manage a tickler file for their deposit. Beginning April 1, all homeowners will need to arrange to mail checks before due date to VPHA, 1325 Pointe East, Sebring, FL, 33872, or deposit them in the slot in the clubhouse. The deadline is still the 10^th of each month. Checks for one or any number of months in advance of due date will be accepted, credited and de-posited.

Remembering how very important and time-consuming the Treasurer’s responsibilities are, we can all cheerfully relieve her of this extra, unnecessary bookkeeping.

We have a newly reorganized Social Committee, and Don Dewey will be the Chairman, Sue Her-riman Treasurer. All Vantage Pointe residents are cordially invited to participate in this group to help plan and work on activities, dinners and events.

Coffee klatch and doughnuts at the clubhouse every Monday morning at 9:00, all welcome.

Ladies’ bridge, at the clubhouse on Tuesdays, 12:30 till 3:30. Call Jane Flexon, 386-4916, to check on table filling.

Card Bingo at the clubhouse the first and third Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M. Please bring quarters, exact change appreciated. We will be playing 12 games with the 13th free for losers.

Double Pinochle at the clubhouse Thursday even-ings at 6:30. Call Sue Kelly for information, 471-0249.

Shuffleboard Monday (after coffee), Wed. and Fri. at 9:00, Thurs. and Sun. evenings at 6:30. Newcomers welcome.

Men’s Golf group playing at Harder Hall every Wednesday morning, tee time 11:00, $23/person. Call Joe Magisano for information, 382-1848.

Bocce Ball - At the homeowners’ meeting this month it was voted to authorize Joe Magisano to investigate construction of a bocce ball court in Vantage Pointe. He will get information re. costs, site location and prepa-ration, etc., and present it at the April meeting.

Directory Information – If your name, address, phone number or e-mail changes, please inform Gayle Magisano, 382-1848.

At this time, please make the following changes in your copy of the Directory:

Baudo, 4121 Vantage Circle, rented to Tim and Ginny Doley.

Cromwell e-mail:

Forester, phone 863-385-6561

Gottleber, Millie, delete outside address. Cell number 863-273-3837 (Remove Doley)

(Directory cont.)

Griffin, 4108 Vantage Circle, add renters Brenda Snyder and Marty Kalish, phone 382-6689, email skinny49014@yahoo.com

Add Haubner, Reinhold, 4600 Vantage Cir., cell 305-725-3533, work 863-655-7202

Herriman, add phone 863-402-9154

McBRIDE, email jmcbride@embarqmail.com
McCutchen, Bruce and Jeannie , 4525 Vantage Circle, Sebring, FL Bruce 502-320-6512, Jeannie 502-320-6516 email: bmccutch@aol.com also 122 Stonehedge, Frankfort, KY 40601

McDonald e-mail robst@embarqmail.com

Podvia, remove phone # 863-314-8404

Seymour, correct e-mail goldengirlsfl@live.com

Shilling, correct e-mail larrynkay@comcast.net

Snapp, correct address 2212 Vantage Trace

Tiger, correct address 4526 Vantage Circle

Reminders: When the pool gates are locked, the pool area is closed, usually because of weather conditions and insurance requirements. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a homeowner, adult tenant, or overnight adult guest.

OH, CANADA! What a super job Vancouver did last month with the Olympic games, and the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies. Congratulations to our dear neighbors, with extra kudoes for that exciting USA-Canada hockey game! Didn’t all those pictures of the beautiful scenery make you want to visit British Columbia?

Viewpoint will be posted to anyone who provides a SASE, and e-mailed to you if we have your correct address.

The Sebring track opened in 1950 and is a road racing course styled after those used in European Grand Prix motor racing. Now considered one of the premier endurance races in the U.S., it is famous for its "once around the clock" action, starting during the day and finishing at night.

The race has a rich history, as legendary drivers such as Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Stirling Moss and Lake Underwood have all been victorious. Actor Steve McQueen placed first in his class and placed 2nd Overall, driving with a broken foot.

It is considered an excellent preparation for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the track's ex-tremely bumpy surface, combined with Florida's usual hot weather, is a test of a car's reliability. In recent years, six victories have been achieved by the Audi R8, one less than the overall record of seven wins by the Porsche 935.

Tickets purchased online at discount are $70 one day, $90 four days; parking is $25/day. A four-day pit box single ticket includes parking, three meals on Saturday, open bar and snacks, and costs only $500.

Devoted readers lost a dear friend last month when British author Dick Francis died at age 89. Over his long career he produced dozens of entertaining, interesting, stimulating books, mostly mysteries and often revolving around horse racing. Rarely did his books neglect to educate the reader about some particular business or industry. Profanity and graphic sex were never intruded on the plot and character development. A gentleman of the old school, his heroes reflected his own character: intrepid, honorable and modest.