The Highlands Highlights

(1)

Editors: Chris Weegar, Vicki Rudegeair

“For the Residents by the Residents”

JUNE VOL 16, ISSUE 6

The Highlands Highlights

Our website is:

www.floridahighlands.com Our e-mail is :

[email protected]

June 14th - Flag Day June 21st - Father’s Day July 4th - Independence Day

Deb Riss and Colleen Anderson are hosting Live on Chit Chat

Simply log in to the Highlands Chit Chat Lounge on facebook at 1pm and play along from the safety of your own home.

(2)

Barb Geiling, Faye Broughton, Anne Traub, Joan Clapper, Betty Thibault, Barbara O’Neill, Joan & Rich Shaia, Donna Hills,

Chris Weegar, Diane Sabatine,

Nancy Meech, Lynda Chynoweth, Gloria Klotter, Sharon Proue, Terri Pawlicki, Marty Taylor, Carol McCaslin, Carolyn Fuller, Marie Garfinkel

The Sunshine Committee lends support and a helping hand to residents experiencing health challenges or dealing with grief.

We are prepared to make hospital and home visits, send cards, bring home-made soup, provide transportation for doctor visits, and help with pets in absences due to crises.

If we missed you, we’re sorry, To ensure that you are remembered, please submit your birthday and anniversary information to either [email protected] or Terry Pawlicki.

Linda & David Slekes 6/2 Mary Ann & Ray Tuday 6/7 Kathy & Tom Beckman 6/9 Phyllis & Bob Worth 6/12 Peggy Lewis & Tom Enfield 6/13 Terry & Ray Pawlicki 6/13 Diane & Ned Sponsler 6/13 Joan & Richard Shaia 6/17

Douglas Hartman 6/18

Kathy & Edward Griffin 6/20 Jo & Steve Reynolds 6/20 JoAnna & Joseph Piazza 6/21 Nancy & Bruce Allen Roshka 6/22 Sue & Gil Rousseau 6/26 Anne & Norm Lafontaine 6/28

Maureen & Perry Russo 7/8 Faye & Randy Broughton 7/11 Judy & Ed Vesely 7/11 Chris & Phil Lear 7/12 Joan & Al Rodier 7/16 Gail & Barry Berghold 7/21 Linda & Glenn Bowman 7/29

2

John Geiling 6/4

Carlos Vazquez 6/5

Chip Barlow 6/6

Diane Carey 6/9

Marie Garfinkel 6/9

Ray Pawlicki 6/9

Susan Rousseau 6/9 Leryda Vazquez 6/9 Ronald Solberg 6/11 Diane Sabatine 6/12 Sharon Schumaci 6/13

Ned Sponsler 6/13

Tafey File 6/16

Sandra Snyder 6/16

Bev Joseph 6/19

Jack Harrop 6/20

Randy Bahr 6/21

Elizabeth Brandt 6/22

Joe Dunn 6/23

Edie Minch 6/24

Dee Bruni 6/26

Kathy Beckman 6/29 * * * * * * * * *

Sherry Hadd 7/3

Gloria Klotter 7/3

John Marr 7/3

Mary Hardt 7/5

Stephanie Bettencourt 7/6

Norma Laseter 7/6

Francis Manyen 7/6

Lorie Maseda 7/6

Faye Broughton 7/7

Nancy Rine 7/7

MaryAnn Shaughnessy 7/8

Dean Cook 7/10

Lucille Kraepel 7/10 Dianne Brown 7/12 Denise Hamilton 7/14 Jim Sullivan 7/14

Susan Ellis 7/15

Colleen Anderson 7/16

Al Higgins 7/18

Gil Heiland 7/21

Pat McCaslin 7/21 Duane Slavik 7/21

Tom Suarez 7/24

Lynda Williams 7/24

Sandra Neil 7/25

Bob Wren 7/25

Chuck Davis 7/26

Andrea McDermott 7/27 Barbara Lepp 7/27 Nancy Anderson 7/27 Raymond Tuday 7/28 Lorraine Ceglia 7/29 Steve Reynolds 7/29 Bruce Allen Roshka 7/30

(3)

Fingers crossed everybody!

By July 4th we hope to be able to have this fun filled event.

We are going forward with the plans for now but if we hear anything different we will let you know VIA facebook chit chat,

and email.

We do ask that everyone keep safe, don't share food products or get closer than needed to any other people. If you don't feel well PLEASE stay home and enjoy the parade from the safety of

your windows.

With that out of the way… Get Ready For The FUN!

Make your decorating plans! Dress the part and show your love for this beautiful country we are so blessed to live in!

To keep a bit cooler than last year we will meet a little earlier.

Line up on July 4th near the Highlands entrance at 9:15

Parade starts 9:30 sharp. Get ready to make some NOISE!!!!!

3

(4)

Our chit chat lounge is a place where residents of the Highlands share photos,

ask and receive recommendations, and remind each other of upcoming events.

While dealing with the Corona virus restrictions we have come together to

add virtual games, dance lessons and brain teasers! Virtual safe socializing

with neighbors is always fun!

Our marketplace is a interesting place to visit on a regular basis! You can post items you have to sell as well as items you are in search of!

Safe Shopping and Selling within our Highlands community!

The Helping Hands page was created to help our neighbors with any needs they have. If

you need a hand with anything please reach out to us.

Our recipe exchange is a great place to share dishes you have enjoyed and a FANTASTIC

place to find new recipes to try!

(5)

May 12, 2020 Resident Wide Email re: Opening of Pool

(reproduced here for your convenience)

Subject: Thank You for Doing Your Part, Florida Phase One of Reopening

We are excited to announce that we will be opening the community pool on Thursday, May 14, 2020 with restrictions in place. We ask that you please follow our guidelines during this staged reopening as a courtesy to your neighbors and for your safety as well as your neighbors’ safety. We ask that

you respect social distancing and stay 6’ apart from anyone not in your household at all times. Water stations will not be operational; therefore, you are encouraged to bring your own water bottles.

The pools will open with the following safety protocols:

•

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms such as feeling sick, coughing, have a fever, difficulty breathing or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive within the last two weeks, please do not enter the pool area.

•

The pool will be open 7 days a week from 9am until noon, and from 2pm until 5pm.

•

Capacity in the pool deck area will be limited to 20 residents.

•

There can only be 10 residents inside the pool itself at one time. Time in the pool itself is limited to 30 minutes. Please be mindful of those on deck waiting to get in the pool.

•

Residents are asked to limit pool area time to two hours.

•

The pool area will be deep cleaned during the mid-day closure and again at the end of the day. You are encouraged to bring your own cleaning supplies to wipe down tables, chairs, handrails, and any other areas you may touch before and after touching them.

•

Due to time and occupancy restraints, pools will be for residents only. Guests outside of Hometown America will not be permitted to use the pools until further notice.

•

Restrooms will be unlocked for your use.

•

Gates must remain closed by law. Please bring a tissue, rag, or gloves to open and shut it upon entry and exit.

•

Chairs will be paired in twos, only persons from the same household occupying those chairs grouped together. The grouped chairs must remain 6’ apart.

•

All pool group activities, such as aerobics or volleyball, are not permitted.

This is an exciting first step. We look forward to the time when it is safe to relax some of these restrictions, but until then please follow these rules. If we find the restrictions are not being followed, we reserve the right to close the pools to keep

residents safe.

The following rules remain in effect in addition to any state or local restrictions/regulations:

•

All indoor facilities remain closed, aside from laundry rooms.

•

Both Hometown and resident sponsored events are suspended until further notice (regardless of size).

•

Gatherings are not permitted at this time, including any outdoor gatherings.

•

Community and sales offices are closed but will be available if residents need cleaning supplies before and after use of amenity equipment.

(continued on the next page) 5

(6)

The Highlands speed limit applies to everyone who drives

through the Highlands. No

exceptions.

LIGHT POLES

All of the light poles along the streets are maintained by Duke Energy. If you observe a blinking light bulb or a bulb that is out, call Duke Energy at 1-800-700- 8744 or contact them at www.duke-energy.com. Click

on Customer Service. Please have the address and pole number available to report the outage.

May 12, 2020 Resident Wide Email (continued from the previous page)

We know this is not an easy time for anyone and social distancing practices can feel isolating and overwhelming. But these measures are based on state, county and city guidelines, as well as

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for preventing the spread of the virus.

To learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and our community, please visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

Additionally, health officials are recommending that everyone take the same steps to protect against COVID-19 as are taken to prevent the spread of everyday illnesses like the common cold or flu:

•

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

•

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. (Editor’s comment: CDC advises at least 60% alcohol in the sanitizer.)

•

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

•

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

•

Stay home if you are sick. If you have a fever, please stay home until you are fever-free for 72- hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

•

Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze, or use a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.

•

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using disinfectant cleaning spray or disinfectant wipes.

Thank you again for your partnership in ensuring the health and safety of our residents, team members and communities.

6

(7)

From the Highlands Recipe Exchange On facebook

EGG ROLL IN A BOWL

Low Carb - Low Cal - Keto Friendly - Won’t weigh You Down

Prepare 1 pound of cooked, ground or fork sized pieces of meat . Chicken, ground beef or pork, seared beef cut up, or small shrimp all work. If desired, mix a combination of them together, just keep the total amount at one pound. Drain any excess fat or liquid. Keep warm.

Mince 2 tsp fresh garlic . Mix with 1 tsp ground ginger , 2 chopped green onions , and 1/4 cup low- sodium soy sauce .

Heat a large wok or skillet to medium-high, then sauté 1 diced, sweet onion in 1 Tbspn Sesame Oil until onion starts to soften (2-3 minutes). Add 1 Tbspn rice vinegar and cook until onions are tender (another 2-3 minutes). Add garlic/ginger mixture and mix well. Add

one

1-lb bag of coleslaw mix and mix well. Add the prepared meat and mix well.

Continue to mix, stir and cook everything for 2-5 minutes until you reach the desired consistency of crisp or tender. Semi-crisp will take 2-3 minutes to cook.

Serve immediately from the pan or transfer to a bowl. SO EASY! And SO GOOD!

Yet another perk to living here in The Highlands of Scotland Yards is the little known fact that when the sky is clear we can observe the Space Coast’s launches from our property!

Chuck Davis usually keeps us up to date on the next Rocket launch VIA the Facebook chit chat lounge.

Some of us stand in the yard, front porch or drive up the hill and park while we anxiously await the

amazing burst of brilliant light that comes from the Rocket’s flames.

It truly is a sight to behold! ( Edgar and I pop popcorn, get comfortable in the screen porch and countdown with the clock with great anticipation, it’s so exciting)

Chuck gets his information from: https://spacecoastlaunches.com/?

fbclid=IwAR2hblGNw3u_gwApptxF06BMQ7pRB6M5hUS7lSOwczsSLxKVwTrKsFNDUgU

It’s so exciting to watch the live countdown on the site, but even better to watch the live action from our homes!

An evening rocket launch

Colleen Anderson

7

(8)

Trash Pickup and Recycling

Trash Pick-up: scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day are holidays when pickup isn’t scheduled. When there is no pickup, customers may put out double the amount of trash on the next scheduled pickup day.

Recycling (curbside program): Aluminum & metal cans, NO glass, all plastic (except #6), paper, and cardboard may be left in labeled, rigid, reusable containers at the curb very early every Wednesday morning.

Highlands recycling option for printed materials only: A recycling bin stands outside near the clubhouse kitchen for recycled paper, newspapers, phone books, catalogs, and hard cover and paperback books. Cardboard from boxes is also acceptable as long as the box is broken down so that it lies flat.

Yard refuse: Call the Highlands Management office if you wish to have HTA staff do a Monday or Friday pick up of lawn refuse you’ve created during a yard clean-up. If you’ve had professionals clean-up your yard, they should remove the refuse as part of their service. Please, do NOT put yard waste in the dumpster by the clubhouse.

The Stray Cat Project

Some Highlands residents are participating in a trap, spay/neuter and return program.

This program has proven to be the ONLY successful method of controlling feline population which is out of control.

Pasco County, in conjunction with Planned Pethood runs a low cost program aimed at reducing the number of stray cats by spaying, vaccinating, and returning the animals.

Simply removing the animals does nothing as new cats will replace the removed cats quickly.

This program creates a small, sterile, vaccinated population that KEEPS OUT NEW STRAYS and greatly reduces chances of disease and

eliminates new kittens. We have a group of volunteers who will help with trapping, vetting and return, and others who are donating the ten dollar fee for the service.

We need more help.

If you are interested in having a cat that is sheltering near your property brought in for treatment, or you wish to volunteer or donate, please contact Resident volunteers. Just $10 will sponsor dealing with one Highlands cat. Please help us get this problem in our community under control.

Contact Pauline Lambert 813-783-4131 or Julie Wegener 207-450-4857.

Together, we can make this a successful program and reduce the community cats to a small, sterile, healthy group that will prevent new strays from moving in.

This approach is quick, humane, and effective.

8

(9)

Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Contact Numbers in Pasco County For Non-Emergency Calls in Dade City ………(352) 518-5000

Toll Free……….(800) 843-2861

EMERGENCY ………… 911

9

(10)

Your neighbors hate it when you don’t pick it up!

The “Guidelines for Living” you signed when you arrived explicitly directs you to take care of it! This applies to common areas as well as your neighbors’ yards.

If you are one of the dog owners who doesn’t pick up after your dog, please change your ways or keep your dog solely in your yard!

Thanks to all of you who do consistently clean up after your pets.

Thanks go to Hometown America for sponsoring our newsletter. HTA pays for all printing and web publication charges.

Answer appears on the second to last page of the emailed

version of this newsletter.

Created by Colleen Anderson

(11)

Close Pool Umbrellas Before Exiting the Pool Area

We are moving into the height of hurricane season so we need to be diligent about protecting items left out around your home and in the pool area. If umbrellas are going to be kept by the pool for your comfort, we need your help

in protecting them. Even if you didn’t open them, please take any open umbrellas down before you exit the pool area. Our daily afternoon rains and winds can be very destructive. Thanks for your cooperation.

Current Directory in Our Format Available On our Website or Via E-Mail

The Hometown America supplied annual Highlands directory, distributed with the 2019 November newsletter, and referred to on the last page of this emailed June 2020 newsletter as the “2019 Fall Directory”, is based on data maintained by Terry Pawlicki and supplied to Hometown America in mid-September. A spring 2020 version of the same data, containing all updates posted to date on the last page of newsletters is now available in our formats -

which is one alphabetic listing and one street order listing on 8-1/2 x 11).

A copy of this new spring directory has been emailed to every resident for whom we have a valid email address.

The new directory is downloadable from a secure section of our website. The URL is specific and appears on the last page of this emailed version of June’s newsletter.

or

Call Chris Weegar with a working email address and she will email a copy to you.

Mahjongg Players

When the clubhouse is open to all residents there is normally open organized mahjongg play on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Players meet at 1:00 PM on Monday and Friday and at 9:30 AM on Tuesday. On the first Monday of each month a marathon is held. All mahjongg players are welcome. If you are interested in learning to play mahjongg, contact Nancy Meech.

Since the closure of the clubhouse, over a dozen of our regular players have moved on-line to play with one

another at

realmahjongg.com

. When they start a game, they search for each other’s pseudonyms in the "Active Games" section (or they can search for you if you are playing). By simply pressing on their name and asking to join you could be playing with some of our mahjongg players. It's that simple!

You can play with up to 3 other friends at the same time, or mix and match with computer players, or simply play against computer players only. If a game is in progress, others can jump in and replace a computer player, and if somebody leaves, the computer will take over. There's also a chat feature so you can message other players at your table while you are playing by simply pressing the chat icon on the bottom right of the screen.

RealMahjongg offers a two week free trial which provides an opportunity to discover whether you are

comfortable playing in an on-line environment. Currently you can play with either the 2019 or 2020 cards. If you choose to continue to play beyond the free two weeks, there is a monthly fee of less than $10. If you decide you want to learn the pseudonyms of Highlands players, give Chris Weegar a call and she’ll direct you to some of those who are playing.

Marathon’s are suspended as long as the clubhouse remains closed. A sign-up sheet will be posted to resume play on the first Monday of the month after the clubhouse is open once again.

11

(12)

1

Trash Pickup

2 3

Recyclables Pickup

4

Trash Pickup

“Name that Tune”

On ChitChat 1:00 Lounge

5 6

7 8

Trash Pickup

9 10

Recyclables Pickup

11

Trash Pickup

12 13

14 15

Trash Pickup

16 17

Recyclables Pickup

18

Trash Pickup

19 20

21 22

Trash Pickup

23 24

Recyclables Pickup

25

Trash Pickup

26 27

28 29

Trash Pickup

30

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Recyclables Pickup

2

Trash Pickup

3 4

5 6

Trash Pickup

7 8

Recyclables Pickup

9

Trash Pickup

10 11

12 13

Trash Pickup

14 15

Recyclables Pickup

16

Trash Pickup

17 18

19 20

Trash Pickup

21 22

Recyclables Pickup

23

Trash Pickup

24 25

26 27

Trash Pickup

28 29

Recyclables Pickup

30

Trash Pickup

31

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

(13)

13

(14)

June 2020 Additions and Corrections to HTA 2019 Fall Directory

(please contact Terry Pawlicki [email protected] or text 352-457-0899 with corrections)

Robert & Lisa Bioski Cell Phone 203-768-0986 (Robert)

Cell Phone 203-768-1240 (Lisa)

Email [email protected] (Richard)

Email [email protected](Lisa)

Scott & Laurie Daniels New Residents 9032 Fairway Loop

Cell Phone 860-986-8468 (Scott)

Cell Phone 860-294-6626 (Laurie)

Email [email protected] (Scott)

Email [email protected] (Laurie)

Rev. Dewey Brown Email [email protected]

Pauline Lambert Cell Phone 813-783-4131

Email [email protected]

Save this page if you keep track of changes to our directories.

This page contains ONLY corrections received during May 2020. The following additions and corrections apply to the 2019-2020 directories and will NOT be relisted in future newsletters.

14

Missing Answer to Two Truths and A Lie Brain Games in May’s newsletter First story - Joan Rodier: Never walked on a glacier.

FYI: Informative Articles About Pandemic Issues

During my nightly “get out of the house” walks, I have mentioned various articles from respected sources that particularly struck me as straight forward, clear headed discussions of statistics and the wide mix of

Covid-19 information. They have been a great help in guiding me through the maze of information with which we’re being bombarded. Because of the feedback and interest shown in these articles I have created

a reference page on our website floridahighlands.com of what I consider the best and still timely articles.

Should you wish to read any of them, there is a new link on the home page “Covid-19” to take you to them.

Brief topic summaries are included to help you choose. I will add and remove articles as appropriate.

Chris Weegar, Editor