January/February 2019 Newsletter
Don’t forget to visit our website at rifca.net
Bruce Squillante - Newsletter Editor
Bruce Squillante - Newsletter Editor
Newsflash - Upcoming Events
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE – JANUARY 20, 2019
Please note the new date. The Annual Meeting follows our normal social/dinner hours. Below is the list of nominees for the 2019 River Forest Community Association Board of Directors and officers.
President Bruce Squillante
Vice President Henry Burden
Treasurer Bob Croson
Secretary Julie Squillante
Street Directors and Assistants:
The Island Read Miller/Otto Bazak
Island Road Pam Jacobs/Jan Croson
OxBow Bruce Rosborough/Julie Burden
Sleepy Hollow Gail Beals/Shirley Bland
Lazy Lane Robin Evans/Camille Cromer
RF Peninsula Doris Whelan/Lucy Shepherd
A more detailed agenda for the meeting will be sent out via email and/or hand delivery.
President Bruce Squillante
Vice President Henry Burden
Treasurer Bob Croson
Secretary Julie Squillante
Street Directors and Assistants:
The Island Read Miller/Otto Bazak
Island Road Pam Jacobs/Jan Croson
OxBow Bruce Rosborough/Julie Burden
Sleepy Hollow Gail Beals/Shirley Bland
Lazy Lane Robin Evans/Camille Cromer
RF Peninsula Doris Whelan/Lucy Shepherd
A more detailed agenda for the meeting will be sent out via email and/or hand delivery.
NEW WINDOWS HAVE ARRIVED
If you have not seen them yet, our new windows and doors for the lanai finally arrived. The windows are five feet wide and can be opened with screening for protection. It was a team effort bringing the windows and doors from the truck into the lanai. The good news is that the permits have been approved and construction begins in January. It should be an exciting time to finally have the new windows in place.
RUMMAGE SALE SUCCESS
This year’s Rummage Sale occurred on November 9th and 10th and as has been the custom, it was a tremendous success. There were several features of this Rummage Sale, led by Jan Croson and Gail Beals, that made it a success. On the outside of Clubhouse Otto Bazak ran furniture sales. We had several pieces donated to us including chairs, couches, end tables, a curio, and many other items. Over in storage room A you could find mostly tools, cameras, office equipment, and games. Bruce and Julie Squillante ran that side both days.
Inside the Clubhouse was the real show. Jan and Gail ran the Clubhouse with Robin Evans in the front and Barb Lavey and Sande Kitterman caring for the clothes in the lanai. During the sale the kitchen was busy with hotdog meals for our hungry guests. Great teamwork led to a successful 2018 Rummage Sale.
Every year we wonder whether this one was as good as the year before. In the long run, the fact that the RIFCA members come together to process hundreds of donations is the critical feature. Jan and Gail did a fantastic job.
At the Rummage Sale volunteers’ dinner that followed Saturday night, RIFCA member regaled each other with our stories, some funny – some not, that we experienced during the sale. For example, on Friday morning we had guests showing up at 7:15am for the 8:00am starting time. They were not very happy when they were turned away. Some left and did not return. Julie and Bruce heard the grumblings outside. On a lighter note, we had one guest try to enter with a “service dog” – a 6 pound chihuahua. We also had someone steal a camera lens.
Inside the Clubhouse was the real show. Jan and Gail ran the Clubhouse with Robin Evans in the front and Barb Lavey and Sande Kitterman caring for the clothes in the lanai. During the sale the kitchen was busy with hotdog meals for our hungry guests. Great teamwork led to a successful 2018 Rummage Sale.
Every year we wonder whether this one was as good as the year before. In the long run, the fact that the RIFCA members come together to process hundreds of donations is the critical feature. Jan and Gail did a fantastic job.
At the Rummage Sale volunteers’ dinner that followed Saturday night, RIFCA member regaled each other with our stories, some funny – some not, that we experienced during the sale. For example, on Friday morning we had guests showing up at 7:15am for the 8:00am starting time. They were not very happy when they were turned away. Some left and did not return. Julie and Bruce heard the grumblings outside. On a lighter note, we had one guest try to enter with a “service dog” – a 6 pound chihuahua. We also had someone steal a camera lens.
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The dinner was a great way to recharge our batteries. As the dinner ended, Jan and Gail announced that this would be their last Rummage Sale and that they were looking for a replacement. Bruce and Julie Squillante are looking for a second to pick up the great tradition Jan and Gail continued.
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THE GENTLE MUSINGS OF THE NEW WORK-FROM-HOME PROFESSIONAL
BY BRUCE SQUILLANTE
I catch myself thinking sometimes of the gentler work days of long ago….specifically 1989. I got married, found a home, and started my first professional job as a lawyer in 1989. It was oh so simpler then. I would get up at 5am and usually be the first at work by 5:45am. I had my own large office and shared a secretary with a senior partner (which is to say I got very little of my secretary’s time). When 8am came along the office of about 70 professionals would be full and bustling. While I had my own office, I had to share the air conditioning control and temperature with a partner’s office next to me. As fate would have it, the partner had recently retired and was seldom ever seen.
Back in 1989, the law firm required me to wear suits to the office and social mores suggested that I keep the jacket on while in the office. As a consequence, I kept the office at a comfortable 62 degrees. My secretary kept my door closed because she got too cold and on occasion asked me to come to her desk to dictate letters because she could not move her hands after just a few minutes in my office. One day the retired partner in the office next to mine actually came in. Within seconds I could hear him yell “why the hell is it so cold in here.” Moments later he opened my door without knocking and came into my office. He took one look at me, turned around to look at the name tag on the door, and said “This isn’t going to work son.” My secretary sat silently laughing at my predicament.
I survived that moment as well as many other vignettes of office life that followed during the next 29 years. For me all of that changed on May 31st. My employer announced that we would be closing our Fort Myers office and that my team, the last one in the office, would have to begin working from home. I would be working from home for the very first time. My home office shares company with the crafty raw materials of Julie’s scrapbooking talent. There is something so very different going on that transcends a home office. I worked on the road for over 14 years. By my calculations I have actually been away from Julie for just about 13 years (of our 29 married years). The challenge was going to be more than geography.
After being away so much, I was coming home to work. Julie and I would be in the same orbit 24 hours a day, day after day, week after week, month after freakin’ month. To be sure, we were not certain how this was going to work. However, much to our surprise, we have not had a “this isn’t going to work” moment. I still get up at 5am, but I close the door and work (instead of driving in to the office). Julie does not see me in the morning until we go out on our walk together. We still shut off the air conditioner on the side of the house with my office, but I have a fan 22 inches from me and I wear shorts and a t-shirt for work so I am comfortable (thankfully the three piece suit went away long ago). Meanwhile, Julie is doing her errands and caring for the family as if I am not there. We have peaceful co-existence.
My team meets every Thursday at the Clubhouse to work and get caught up on current events. I was not sure if they would like traveling 30 minutes to the Clubhouse, but so far everyone wants to keep the schedule. For me and Julie, it is business as usual.
Julie and I are seven months into this grand experiment and all seems well. She does like the added flexibility of not being tied to the house when repairmen are coming over. I am actually putting in more hours, but the feel is completely different….better maybe.
Thanksgiving Dinner November 22, 2018
November 22nd brought about the earliest Thanksgiving there could be and the Clubhouse was the welcome center for many RIFCA members who chose to share the day with friends. Just over 45 RIFCA members and family shared a mini-Potluck style meal. Gail Beals headed Sleepy Hollow’s Thanksgiving dinner which included a large serving of turkey and ham for the main courses while the attending members brought in the rest of the fixings.
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December 1, 2018 Potluck
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LUMINARIA NIGHT
RIVER FOREST ALL LIT UP
The River Forest tradition continues to grow. Luminaria Night on Sunday December 16 was a wonderful success. In the four years we have had our Luminaria Night, participation of River Forest residents has more than tripled and now included four families on Marquette. For the first time we extended the lights to the first few houses on Marquette.
Luminaria Night was originally scheduled for December 9, but stormy weather in the morning, followed by a mid-afternoon shower forced the delay in the festivities for one week. Everyone took the change in stride and we planned for the following Sunday. A walk around River Forest revealed just how stunning Luminaria Night has become. There were over 4,000 luminarias on the ground. Setting up the luminarias took nearly 4 hours, but it was well worth it.
Participation in Luminaria Night went beyond purchasing a kit and setting out the lights, there were six homes with food and/or drinks and residents gathered together for the evening. Those residents that walked around, especially on the island, were able to eat cookies as well as drink hot chocolate and various spirits. Early Monday morning, Ox Bow and Sleepy Hollow residents picked up their bags. Bruce Squillante, joined by Tim and Wendy Lanham, started picking the remainder of the bags around River Forest just after 3am. By 6am the streets were clear.
We look forward to another successful Luminaria Night next year. Following many suggestions, we will move the event to the third Sunday in December in 2019.
Luminaria Night was originally scheduled for December 9, but stormy weather in the morning, followed by a mid-afternoon shower forced the delay in the festivities for one week. Everyone took the change in stride and we planned for the following Sunday. A walk around River Forest revealed just how stunning Luminaria Night has become. There were over 4,000 luminarias on the ground. Setting up the luminarias took nearly 4 hours, but it was well worth it.
Participation in Luminaria Night went beyond purchasing a kit and setting out the lights, there were six homes with food and/or drinks and residents gathered together for the evening. Those residents that walked around, especially on the island, were able to eat cookies as well as drink hot chocolate and various spirits. Early Monday morning, Ox Bow and Sleepy Hollow residents picked up their bags. Bruce Squillante, joined by Tim and Wendy Lanham, started picking the remainder of the bags around River Forest just after 3am. By 6am the streets were clear.
We look forward to another successful Luminaria Night next year. Following many suggestions, we will move the event to the third Sunday in December in 2019.
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RIFCA CHRISTMAS DINNER
GOOD FOOD, GOOD MUSIC, GOOD COMPANY
The 2018 Christmas dinner started with a bustling group of 60 RIFCA members and families. There were several guests and new neighbors joining the RIFCA members in enjoying the evening. Julie Squillante, with the help of Robin Evans, Gail Beals, and Karin Bazak, put up the Christmas trees and decorations including the miniature village in the entry.
Dinner was a mini-Potluck with ham and roast beef as the main course and a varied assortment of side-dishes that was sure to please all of our guests. After the meal and the tables were cleaned up, Millicent Francois fired up the organ and led a group of wonderful singers including Julie Burden, Gail Beals, Janet Lamonica, Janet Burch, and Bev Foster in a chorus of Christmas carols to wrap up the evening. It was truly a fun time for everyone.
Dinner was a mini-Potluck with ham and roast beef as the main course and a varied assortment of side-dishes that was sure to please all of our guests. After the meal and the tables were cleaned up, Millicent Francois fired up the organ and led a group of wonderful singers including Julie Burden, Gail Beals, Janet Lamonica, Janet Burch, and Bev Foster in a chorus of Christmas carols to wrap up the evening. It was truly a fun time for everyone.
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Board Meetings
January 7
February 4
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Potlucks
None in January
February 2
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Country Breakfast
January 12
February 9
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Annual Meeting and Dinner
January 20
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RIFCA Member Dinner
February 16
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Community Yard Sale
January 25-26
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Notice to River Forest Residents
Bees are of vital importance to our food chain, but they can be frightening
If you see a honey bee swarm, PLEASE DON'T SPRAY IT!
Doug Lints is working with an Alva Bee Removal specialist and can offer a no fee bee removal and relocation from River Forest.
Please call (239) 850-3746 or Rhinodoug@yahoo.com
Bees are of vital importance to our food chain, but they can be frightening
If you see a honey bee swarm, PLEASE DON'T SPRAY IT!
Doug Lints is working with an Alva Bee Removal specialist and can offer a no fee bee removal and relocation from River Forest.
Please call (239) 850-3746 or Rhinodoug@yahoo.com
Donations to the Ronald McDonald House - Pop Tabs
Please save the pop tabs from your cans of soda/beer. Dick Kennedy collects them to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. If you let him know when you have a bag full, he will come and pick them up.
According to the Ronald McDonald House website, Advantage Metals buys the tabs at market rate and then makes a charitable contribution on top of that. Last year the pop tab program brought in $20,000. They even had a Pop Tab Pandemonium day earlier this year.
Contact Dick Kennedy to pick up your pop tabs.
According to the Ronald McDonald House website, Advantage Metals buys the tabs at market rate and then makes a charitable contribution on top of that. Last year the pop tab program brought in $20,000. They even had a Pop Tab Pandemonium day earlier this year.
Contact Dick Kennedy to pick up your pop tabs.
