July/August 2018 Newsletter
Editors
- Wen Leu: 13808 River Forest
- Bruce Squillante 13350 Island Rd
Officers and Directors
- President Jan Croson
- Vice-President Bruce Squillante
- Treasurer Bob Croson
- Secretary Robin Evans
Street Directors
- The Island Julie Squillante
- Island Rd Pam Jacobs
- Ox Bow Henry Burden
- Sleepy Hollow Gail Beals
- Lazy Lane/RF Nancy Carr
- River Forest Peninsula Dee Whelan
Don’t forget to visit our website at rifca.net
Clubhouse Improvements - Summer Installment
by Jan Croson
We have been very busy the last two months since our Snowbirds have left. Julie Burden has been working, cleaning and weeding, on the garden around the rock at the entrance. Julie Squillante has been busy cleaning and weeding around the clubhouse then adding mulch to make us pretty for the 4th of July. Keeping ahead of the weeds this summer has been terrible. I think you can literally see the weeds grow while you watch. Julie also replaced the solar landscape lights and included much needed lighting around Dona room B when it gets dark. In addition, Julie touched up the paint on the bird of paradise on the board out front of the clubhouse.
Bruce has been busy bringing file cabinets (like 26 of them) and office chairs (around 40 plus or so) to sell to help boost the rummage sale. We didn't know if they were going to sell or if we were going to be stuck with all of them to get rid of. Well right now we only have 1 file cabinet left and about 25 chairs left. Kudos to Bruce and taking the time and heavy moving of those files, and have supplemented the Rummage Sale over $2,000 so far.
Many of you know that two of the three air conditioners died in May. Since then we have had several contractors quote new air conditioners and comments on the existing duct work. We selected Livingston and they have had both air conditioners installed, working well, and inspections completed. See the pretty picture below.
Our next project is the windows. We have submitted payment for engineering services. The drafting of the walls to receive the windows is currently a work in process. In another week or so the engineering services will forward for permits. At the same time we can have a building contractor quote for the rebuild. Then we will know whether we can afford to continue with the renovation or not.
Have a good 4th of July and enjoy the rest of your summer. Stay well and safe and see you in the fall.
|
|
|
RIVER FOREST COMMUNITY ACTION PAGE
YARD WASTE DISPOSAL RULES - FROM ADVANCED DISPOSAL
Our yard waste disposal company - Advanced Disposal - has asked us to remind River Forest residents of the rules for putting yard waste out front for Friday pickup.
SPEEDING - YOUR COOPERATION COUNTS
There are only two authorized speeds in River Forest;
Speeding is the most serious safety issue in River Forest. There are a number of walkers and bicyclists at any given time every day. Despite their appearance on the roads, we have seen many cars and trucks going by at over 50 MPH. We are asking that you please watch your speed for the sake of the River Forest residents with which you share the roads.
SAFETY AND COURTESY REMINDERS
For the sake of the safety and courtesy of all River Forest residents, please remember:
CLUBHOUSE PROJECTS NEEDING ATTENTION - SUMMER
If you go into the clubhouse entry you will find a hat with a number of projects needing attention. At this time the following projects are in a need of a volunteer.
Our yard waste disposal company - Advanced Disposal - has asked us to remind River Forest residents of the rules for putting yard waste out front for Friday pickup.
- Loose branches/limbs (yard waste must be bundled and tied not longer than 6' or weighing more than 50 pounds)
- Palm fronds must be placed neatly at the curb (please arrange neatly for pick-up the next scheduled day)
- Unbundled palm fronds cannot exceed 50 pounds
- Grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, etc. must be containerized in a can that does not exceed 40 gallons or in a heavy mil bag not weighing more than 50 pounds
SPEEDING - YOUR COOPERATION COUNTS
There are only two authorized speeds in River Forest;
- Island Rd and the Island - 20 MPH
- All of the rest of River Forest - 30 MPH
Speeding is the most serious safety issue in River Forest. There are a number of walkers and bicyclists at any given time every day. Despite their appearance on the roads, we have seen many cars and trucks going by at over 50 MPH. We are asking that you please watch your speed for the sake of the River Forest residents with which you share the roads.
SAFETY AND COURTESY REMINDERS
For the sake of the safety and courtesy of all River Forest residents, please remember:
- Walk against traffic even while you are inside River Forest
- Bicycle with traffic even while you are inside River Forest
- When walking your dog, please keep him/her on a leash and bring a bag with you to clean up any messes
- Please do not leave the "doggie bag" behind
CLUBHOUSE PROJECTS NEEDING ATTENTION - SUMMER
If you go into the clubhouse entry you will find a hat with a number of projects needing attention. At this time the following projects are in a need of a volunteer.
- Check water sprinkler
- Fix ballast in women's bathroom
Potluck May 5, 2018
|
|
SUMMERS HERE IN RIVER FOREST
by Dick and Carol Kennedy
by Dick and Carol Kennedy
The heat makes most residents want to pull their hair out, but I like it. (I’m pretty sure you know already this is Dick and not Carol speaking.)
Something about the high humidity, the soft air, the summer smells and the verdant beauty of summer in SW Florida, makes me ponder. This weather also evokes memories of South East Asia, while I served in the Air Force. The weather there, except for being a few degrees warmer is equivalent to our climate here. This is one of the reasons we chose SW Florida as our home in 1977.
June 21 is the first day of summer and consequently, June is the first month of the Hurricane Season. The summer heat has been with us for a while so the aforementioned date is not well timed for the Deep South; whereas, it’s almost too early for some of our Northern States. While recently visiting Michigan, the temps were in the 40's at night, and it was quite a change from the 90's of Ft Myers. But I digress, let’s talk Hurricanes.
Now is the time to order extra water and have extra storable foods around in case we have a bad one and the grocery stores are shut down. If you have a generator and everyone should, time to start it up and tune it up if needed. Sand bags are always a good idea in case we should have a 'wet' Hurricane or Tropical Storm. Sometimes a Tropical Storm can be as bad as a hurricane. We have had many wet ones that have caused a lot of concerns. Sand Bags can be found at the Big Box Hardware Stores and sometimes our local ACE Hardware Store carries them. Sand is free at our local Fire Precincts (Buckingham Rd., past The Hut, on the right) and they have traffic cones to help you fill the bags.
Also useful are the Hurricane Guides produced by Wink TV and Emergency Medical Services. These guides list emergency provisions that our households need. Advice is given for proper preparation and they also list the Emergency Evacuation Routes, and the shelters available in SW Florida. Hurricane Shutters are a worthwhile investment as is the Hurricane Film that's available for window coverings. But the best aide that we all have in River Forest is caring neighbors.
Who hasn't helped neighbors with their shutters or provided assistance with lawn furniture, getting extra gasoline, or starting generators? We are so fortunate to have RIFCA neighbors who will cover your back and be there if trouble is encountered. While we were out of town for Irma, we were so grateful for all the neighbors who texted us photos of our house and yard. Thank you to Frank and Barb, Joe and Ashley, Lee and Cloy and Doug and Faydra. What a blessing you all were to us!
To prepare for a possible future hurricane, be sure you have cell phone numbers of people close by. There is nothing like seeing a real picture of your real house and yard when mayhem is breaking out. We kept hearing horrid reports and were so overjoyed when our neighbors texted us pictures of our house and the rest of the neighborhood.
I for one will not be stocking our freezer with meat. We lost the entire contents of the deep freeze and all the food that was in the refrigerator. Think about eating all the good stuff now, and buying it as you need it.
Speaking of summer, July 4th is just around the corner. I understand we will be having another delicious barbeque. This is always such a nice holiday and our new grill should get quite a workout. Volunteers are always needed, so please give a few hours for the preparation, the serving or clean-up, at the event. Invite a neighbor to the event and let's prepare our hearts for this wonderful holiday and be grateful that we live in such an unbelievable country. Independence is what it's all about. God Bless America!
Announcement: THE BOAT HOUSE restaurant will be opening July 23rd, or so they said today.
Have a wonderful day and summer!
Dick and Carol Kennedy
www.drcarolkennedy.com
Something about the high humidity, the soft air, the summer smells and the verdant beauty of summer in SW Florida, makes me ponder. This weather also evokes memories of South East Asia, while I served in the Air Force. The weather there, except for being a few degrees warmer is equivalent to our climate here. This is one of the reasons we chose SW Florida as our home in 1977.
June 21 is the first day of summer and consequently, June is the first month of the Hurricane Season. The summer heat has been with us for a while so the aforementioned date is not well timed for the Deep South; whereas, it’s almost too early for some of our Northern States. While recently visiting Michigan, the temps were in the 40's at night, and it was quite a change from the 90's of Ft Myers. But I digress, let’s talk Hurricanes.
Now is the time to order extra water and have extra storable foods around in case we have a bad one and the grocery stores are shut down. If you have a generator and everyone should, time to start it up and tune it up if needed. Sand bags are always a good idea in case we should have a 'wet' Hurricane or Tropical Storm. Sometimes a Tropical Storm can be as bad as a hurricane. We have had many wet ones that have caused a lot of concerns. Sand Bags can be found at the Big Box Hardware Stores and sometimes our local ACE Hardware Store carries them. Sand is free at our local Fire Precincts (Buckingham Rd., past The Hut, on the right) and they have traffic cones to help you fill the bags.
Also useful are the Hurricane Guides produced by Wink TV and Emergency Medical Services. These guides list emergency provisions that our households need. Advice is given for proper preparation and they also list the Emergency Evacuation Routes, and the shelters available in SW Florida. Hurricane Shutters are a worthwhile investment as is the Hurricane Film that's available for window coverings. But the best aide that we all have in River Forest is caring neighbors.
Who hasn't helped neighbors with their shutters or provided assistance with lawn furniture, getting extra gasoline, or starting generators? We are so fortunate to have RIFCA neighbors who will cover your back and be there if trouble is encountered. While we were out of town for Irma, we were so grateful for all the neighbors who texted us photos of our house and yard. Thank you to Frank and Barb, Joe and Ashley, Lee and Cloy and Doug and Faydra. What a blessing you all were to us!
To prepare for a possible future hurricane, be sure you have cell phone numbers of people close by. There is nothing like seeing a real picture of your real house and yard when mayhem is breaking out. We kept hearing horrid reports and were so overjoyed when our neighbors texted us pictures of our house and the rest of the neighborhood.
I for one will not be stocking our freezer with meat. We lost the entire contents of the deep freeze and all the food that was in the refrigerator. Think about eating all the good stuff now, and buying it as you need it.
Speaking of summer, July 4th is just around the corner. I understand we will be having another delicious barbeque. This is always such a nice holiday and our new grill should get quite a workout. Volunteers are always needed, so please give a few hours for the preparation, the serving or clean-up, at the event. Invite a neighbor to the event and let's prepare our hearts for this wonderful holiday and be grateful that we live in such an unbelievable country. Independence is what it's all about. God Bless America!
Announcement: THE BOAT HOUSE restaurant will be opening July 23rd, or so they said today.
Have a wonderful day and summer!
Dick and Carol Kennedy
www.drcarolkennedy.com
Potluck April 21, 2018
|
|
RIFCA Garage Sale Announcement
What happens when you have so many donations that there is no longer space in the Clubhouse to store everything. Well, first you store some of the items in the garage of a snowbird. Eventually, though, you still run out of room.
WATCH FOR NOTICES AFTER JULY 4TH FOR A RIFCA GARAGE SALE.
We are going to have a garage sale before the Rummage sale either on August 10-11 or August 17-18. This will be a little smaller than our annual Rummage sale (we will not likely sell clothes or have food), but it will be HUUUUGE. We expect notices to go out in the next two weeks. Of course, we are looking for volunteers to help us getting set up and on the days of the sale.
Please contact Jan Croson or Bruce Squillante if you are able to help us.
WATCH FOR NOTICES AFTER JULY 4TH FOR A RIFCA GARAGE SALE.
We are going to have a garage sale before the Rummage sale either on August 10-11 or August 17-18. This will be a little smaller than our annual Rummage sale (we will not likely sell clothes or have food), but it will be HUUUUGE. We expect notices to go out in the next two weeks. Of course, we are looking for volunteers to help us getting set up and on the days of the sale.
Please contact Jan Croson or Bruce Squillante if you are able to help us.
BEWARE THE JOKER
by Gene Hamilton
by Gene Hamilton
On a clear day in September 1940, alight with the excitement and trepidation of becoming physicians, Gene Hamilton and Eleanor Fordon walked through the front doors of Loyola Medical School. They expected to become doctors . . ., but they had no idea what would befall them during the coming years. They had no idea that within two years they would become my mother and father, and that within fifteen years, they would become the parents of seven, healthy, feisty children.
Mom and Dad had many things in common: a love of family and children, a strong commitment to the ethics and practice of the Catholic Church and a belief that work, education and a strong family unit could withstand many hardships. But when it came to matters of humor, they came from different sides of the moon.
Mom, the eldest of four children and the daughter of a successful Polish grocer grew up on the near South side of Chicago. Dad, the third of seven boys, grew up in the shale and coal dust of Pittsburgh. His Hungarian father made do as a machinist for the Pennsylvania Railroad. When the “War to end Wars” ended he was ten years old. Money was tight and “the boys “devised various schemes to make a dime. Some “ran numbers for the Greek.” Others ran moonshine. If Mom grew up in a tidy, edged and sheltered garden, Dad grew up in an open field where survival of the fittest was the rule of the day.
Mom’s sense of humor came from the Reader’s Digest and the Jack Benny show. Dad’s was more self-taught, more ribald and more physical. Mom was serious. She did not tell jokes, nor did she joke. Dad had a new joke for almost every day and he delighted in telling them. Given the chance, he never declined from pulling someone’s leg. On their first date, after boarding the streetcar and settling down, Mom opened her purse, pulled out her Reader’s Digest and began to read it. Dad looked over saying, “What’s that?”
She replied, “It’s my Reader’s Digest.” Dad came back, “I don’t know about your other friends, but when you are with me, you won’t need that. Put it back.” And she did, and he was right, she didn’t need it.
Dad’s love of practical jokes was almost my undoing. One of their classmates was wearing his new suit to class. Dad, both mischievous and playful, wrote something in chalk on the back of his coat. Maybe, “kick me.” I don’t know, but Mom learned about it. She spoke clearly, “It was off.” She did not want to have anything to do with a juvenile buffoon acting in such a silly and hurtful manner. Her words were loud, her silence was deafening. I’m overjoyed that Dad mended his ways, or I would not be here, and you wouldn’t be reading this story.
When Dad’s brothers came to visit, usually for an overnight on their way to Las Vegas, we could expect the unexpected. I remember two jokes in particular. One was called, “wipe up the puddle.” One of us would sit on the floor, legs out stretched with a puddle of water between our legs and a towel in our hands. The wager would be who could wipe up the puddle first, the subject with the towel or Uncle Joe with nothing. On the count of “one, two, three,” Uncle Joe would grab both ankles, pulling the unknowing child across the floor, resulting in a big wet spot on the seat of the pants and a red, embarrassed face. “That’s not fair.” But it was and we learned to deal with it. The second began with, “I bet I can make a match burn even when it is out.” The expected reply was, “No you can’t.” And the clincher, “Let me show you.”
So, Uncle Joe casually struck the match, it flared and its sulphorous aroma saturated the air, then he blew it out. Suddenly, before the mark had a chance to pull away, the still hot match head was placed against exposed skin and the innocent learned to his shock that a blown-out match can still burn and to prove it, a small, hurtful, red spot remained. Now we would call this child abuse, then it was just a good joke.
Things got a little too close to the bone one July afternoon when I was about ten and we were visiting my paternal grandmother in Pittsburgh. The afternoon was hot and sweat was glistening on all of us; Mom, Dad, my four brothers and sisters and my uncles. Mom was getting tired and a little testy. Then just as we were getting ready to pull away in our maroon DeSoto, Dad turned the key and a loud whistling sound shrieked from the engine compartment. Billows of acrid smoke erupted from all around the hood, followed by a loud KA-BOOM. The kids were wide eyed in surprise and amazement, Dad tried to get us out of the car as quickly as possible and Mom erupted with a cry as if there is no end to her suffering, “What, now!? Did the engine explode? Do we have to stay in this hell another day?” Uncle Joe knew. He had wired a smoke bomb to the ignition switch. When things settled down and we finally drove away, a great silence settled on the car and it lasted until we finally returned to Chicago two days later.
My wife, Sumi, has a sense of humor that is very similar to my Mom’s. She doesn’t tell jokes and, if she makes a joke, I wonder if she is really her evil twin sister. Many years ago, after watching “Ghostbusters” with Dan Akroyd and Sigourny Weaver, a movie I thought imaginative, entertaining and even funny. She explained why she thought Japan was so far ahead of the U.S. I asked, “Why is that?” She explained very sincerely, “They would never make a movie as silly as that.”
So, I guess that humor is like beauty. It lies in the eye of the beholder. And that even though I am a bit cynical and jaded, once in a while, I can still find something that makes me laugh out loud, even if it is as silly as “Ghostbusters”.
Mom and Dad had many things in common: a love of family and children, a strong commitment to the ethics and practice of the Catholic Church and a belief that work, education and a strong family unit could withstand many hardships. But when it came to matters of humor, they came from different sides of the moon.
Mom, the eldest of four children and the daughter of a successful Polish grocer grew up on the near South side of Chicago. Dad, the third of seven boys, grew up in the shale and coal dust of Pittsburgh. His Hungarian father made do as a machinist for the Pennsylvania Railroad. When the “War to end Wars” ended he was ten years old. Money was tight and “the boys “devised various schemes to make a dime. Some “ran numbers for the Greek.” Others ran moonshine. If Mom grew up in a tidy, edged and sheltered garden, Dad grew up in an open field where survival of the fittest was the rule of the day.
Mom’s sense of humor came from the Reader’s Digest and the Jack Benny show. Dad’s was more self-taught, more ribald and more physical. Mom was serious. She did not tell jokes, nor did she joke. Dad had a new joke for almost every day and he delighted in telling them. Given the chance, he never declined from pulling someone’s leg. On their first date, after boarding the streetcar and settling down, Mom opened her purse, pulled out her Reader’s Digest and began to read it. Dad looked over saying, “What’s that?”
She replied, “It’s my Reader’s Digest.” Dad came back, “I don’t know about your other friends, but when you are with me, you won’t need that. Put it back.” And she did, and he was right, she didn’t need it.
Dad’s love of practical jokes was almost my undoing. One of their classmates was wearing his new suit to class. Dad, both mischievous and playful, wrote something in chalk on the back of his coat. Maybe, “kick me.” I don’t know, but Mom learned about it. She spoke clearly, “It was off.” She did not want to have anything to do with a juvenile buffoon acting in such a silly and hurtful manner. Her words were loud, her silence was deafening. I’m overjoyed that Dad mended his ways, or I would not be here, and you wouldn’t be reading this story.
When Dad’s brothers came to visit, usually for an overnight on their way to Las Vegas, we could expect the unexpected. I remember two jokes in particular. One was called, “wipe up the puddle.” One of us would sit on the floor, legs out stretched with a puddle of water between our legs and a towel in our hands. The wager would be who could wipe up the puddle first, the subject with the towel or Uncle Joe with nothing. On the count of “one, two, three,” Uncle Joe would grab both ankles, pulling the unknowing child across the floor, resulting in a big wet spot on the seat of the pants and a red, embarrassed face. “That’s not fair.” But it was and we learned to deal with it. The second began with, “I bet I can make a match burn even when it is out.” The expected reply was, “No you can’t.” And the clincher, “Let me show you.”
So, Uncle Joe casually struck the match, it flared and its sulphorous aroma saturated the air, then he blew it out. Suddenly, before the mark had a chance to pull away, the still hot match head was placed against exposed skin and the innocent learned to his shock that a blown-out match can still burn and to prove it, a small, hurtful, red spot remained. Now we would call this child abuse, then it was just a good joke.
Things got a little too close to the bone one July afternoon when I was about ten and we were visiting my paternal grandmother in Pittsburgh. The afternoon was hot and sweat was glistening on all of us; Mom, Dad, my four brothers and sisters and my uncles. Mom was getting tired and a little testy. Then just as we were getting ready to pull away in our maroon DeSoto, Dad turned the key and a loud whistling sound shrieked from the engine compartment. Billows of acrid smoke erupted from all around the hood, followed by a loud KA-BOOM. The kids were wide eyed in surprise and amazement, Dad tried to get us out of the car as quickly as possible and Mom erupted with a cry as if there is no end to her suffering, “What, now!? Did the engine explode? Do we have to stay in this hell another day?” Uncle Joe knew. He had wired a smoke bomb to the ignition switch. When things settled down and we finally drove away, a great silence settled on the car and it lasted until we finally returned to Chicago two days later.
My wife, Sumi, has a sense of humor that is very similar to my Mom’s. She doesn’t tell jokes and, if she makes a joke, I wonder if she is really her evil twin sister. Many years ago, after watching “Ghostbusters” with Dan Akroyd and Sigourny Weaver, a movie I thought imaginative, entertaining and even funny. She explained why she thought Japan was so far ahead of the U.S. I asked, “Why is that?” She explained very sincerely, “They would never make a movie as silly as that.”
So, I guess that humor is like beauty. It lies in the eye of the beholder. And that even though I am a bit cynical and jaded, once in a while, I can still find something that makes me laugh out loud, even if it is as silly as “Ghostbusters”.
Independence Day Cookout
July 4
---------------------------------
Potlucks
August 4
----------------------------------
RIFCA Garage Sale
August 10-11 or 17-18 (TBD)
----------------------------------
Board Meeting
October 1
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.
