March/April 2018 Newsletter
Editors
- Wen Leu: 13808 River Forest
- Bruce Squillante 13350 Island Rd
Officers and Directors
- President Jan Croson
- Vice-President Bruce Squillatne
- Treasurer Bob Croson
- Secretary Robin Evans
Street Directors
- The Island Julie Squillante
- Island Rd Pam Jacobs
- Ox Bow Julie 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
River Forest Community Garage Sales
by Bruce Squillante
The River Forest Community Garage Sale came off without a hitch on February 9-10. Did you ever wonder what goes into a successful Community garage sale? It starts off with good planning. After wrapping up Luminaria Night, we began asking River Forest residents who would be interested in having a garage sale. From that point we created a map to give visitors as they entered at the rock. We placed a box at the rock so that visitors could take a map. On Friday morning at 4:30am we placed signs at Palm Beach and Tropic and another at Palm Beach and Old Olga directing visitors toward River Forest. From there the signs at Old Olga/Caribbean and Tropic/River Forest brought our guests to the rock.
Advertising started early in the week with the typical ad in Craigslist. We had 16 residents with garage sales, the same as 2017. What was different in 2018 was that we included an ad on Nextdoor. The ad brought additional spirit into the community garage sale. Notes and questions came in throughout Fort Myers Shores on Nextdoor. These questions were a good sign that we would have a successful community garage sale.
On Friday we placed 100 garage sale maps in the box. By the end of the day all of the maps were taken. A steady flow of visitor traffic mixed with garbage and yard waste removal trucks. Yard waste came early and there was little challenges in terms of traffic. The waste collection vehicles were a bigger challenge. The frequent blowing of the waste collector's horn was annoying, but we did get our waste collected even with narrow streets.
This year we had garage sales on every street and several on the Island. During the day on Friday there were very few down times as guests arrived. As was typical in community garage sales, we had early birds stop by as early as 6:30am for the 8am start time. We had over a dozen jewelers or similar salespeople call asking to see ahead of time any gold or silver we had for sale. It was clear that River Forest's community garage sales are gaining favorable attention.
Saturday was a busy day again with many visitors. It was not quite as busy as could be seen from the maps out front. Early Saturday morning we placed 60 maps in the box and by the end of the day there were less than 10 left. A good but not great day. The country breakfast going on at the same time brought in many guests, so it was a good day for River Forest residents.
What changes are in store for the 2019 Community Garage Sale? You will have to wait and see.
Advertising started early in the week with the typical ad in Craigslist. We had 16 residents with garage sales, the same as 2017. What was different in 2018 was that we included an ad on Nextdoor. The ad brought additional spirit into the community garage sale. Notes and questions came in throughout Fort Myers Shores on Nextdoor. These questions were a good sign that we would have a successful community garage sale.
On Friday we placed 100 garage sale maps in the box. By the end of the day all of the maps were taken. A steady flow of visitor traffic mixed with garbage and yard waste removal trucks. Yard waste came early and there was little challenges in terms of traffic. The waste collection vehicles were a bigger challenge. The frequent blowing of the waste collector's horn was annoying, but we did get our waste collected even with narrow streets.
This year we had garage sales on every street and several on the Island. During the day on Friday there were very few down times as guests arrived. As was typical in community garage sales, we had early birds stop by as early as 6:30am for the 8am start time. We had over a dozen jewelers or similar salespeople call asking to see ahead of time any gold or silver we had for sale. It was clear that River Forest's community garage sales are gaining favorable attention.
Saturday was a busy day again with many visitors. It was not quite as busy as could be seen from the maps out front. Early Saturday morning we placed 60 maps in the box and by the end of the day there were less than 10 left. A good but not great day. The country breakfast going on at the same time brought in many guests, so it was a good day for River Forest residents.
What changes are in store for the 2019 Community Garage Sale? You will have to wait and see.
Happy Hour February 23, 2018
Robin Evans had a wonderful idea at a recent Board meeting. How about meeting once a month on the last Friday for an informal Happy Hour. The time was designed to bring our membership together and share stories and hors d'oeuvres. Future Happy Hours may involve some guests providing helpful information. Our first Happy Hour also saw a fond farewell to Cloy and Lee, who will be leaving River Forest soon. Enjoy the photos.
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RIVER FOREST COMMUNITY ACTION PAGE
SPEEDING
There are only two authorized speeds in River Forest;
Speeding is the most serious safety issues 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
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.
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 issues 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
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.
- Patio furniture clean and paint
- Wheel brush metal table and chairs on patio - Julie Squillante will be completing once the Dona rooms open
- Tree in front, remove stump - Bruce Squillante is getting an estimate
- Chainsaw tree on side off patio
- Clean slider door and tracks
- Clean storage room - Bruce and Julie Squillante will compete
- Fix lights in front of garden
- Check water sprinkler
- Fix ballast in women's bathroom
Potluck - January 6, 2018
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Great Talent in River Forest - Grace Ryan Honored
Any RIFCA member who has eaten at our Country Breakfast or attended the Christmas dinner last year knows Grace Ryan, who volunteers to wait tables at the Country Breakfast and sung/danced for the members at our 2017 Christmas dinner. Twelve-year-old Grace Ryan, a lifelong River Forest resident, was recently recognized at the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) in Atlanta. The festival, which helps young actors in community theater groups hone their skills, drew 6,000 attendees from 30 states and 6 counties. Grace participated with Sanibel-based Creative Theater Workshop which performed scenes from the musical Elf, Jr. Grace was named a 2018 Performance All-Star and also recognized as a Broadway Junior SLAM winner. She’s been invited to submit a video audition to casting agents in New York. If selected, Grace will be part of a professional video production this summer.
Before competing at the Junior Theater Festival, Grace danced in the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the B.B. Mann Performing Arts Center for her 4th consecutive year. She was dual cast as a party guest and Spanish doll. Currently, Grace is making her professional (paid) debut in Miracle Worker at the Florida Rep Theater downtown. She plays Laura, a student at the School for the Blind. Despite 24 shows in 3 weeks, she’s maintaining straight A’s, staying active as Student Council Secretary, representing her school on the Student Advisory Council with the School Board, and getting ready for golf season! Lastly, Grace just learned she’s been cast as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins at the Center for the Arts in Bonita. Shows are May 18-20. While Grace’s heart is in the theater, she loves waitressing at RIFCA breakfasts and hopes to see you soon!
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Annual Meeting January 20, 2018
On January 20, 2018 Rifca members gathered together again to enjoy a nice meal prepared by Island Rd and to vote in our new Board. Returning officers from the prior year were Jan Croson as President, Bob Croson as Treasurer, and Robin Evans as Secretary. New to the Officers was Bruce Squillante, rejoining after a year away.
After dinner members enjoyed the soothing sounds of Woody and Vonnie Wright. It was indeed an enjoyable night for all who attended.
After dinner members enjoyed the soothing sounds of Woody and Vonnie Wright. It was indeed an enjoyable night for all who attended.
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Dick and Carol's Corner
by Dick and Carol Kennedy
Hi Neighbors,
Did you know that River Forest is known to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department as the best kept secret in Lee County?
Our natural beauty, low crime rate and supportive neighbors add to the appeal of the community.
We say this as our hearts go out to the Parkland community on the other side of the state, and others suffering from this horrific tragedy.
As the blame is discussed and meted out, we feel America needs to be proactive and introspective to examine causes and solutions. We are sure you have heard the various comments from the media and fellow friends and neighbors. We believe the solution begins at home.
In most of the school shootings, the shooter was a confused, angry person from a broken family. Many were recipients of psychotropic drugs, anti-depressants, and anti-ADHD meds. Prevalent home environments were mostly single- parent homes, with little supervision. Parents were uninvolved in their children’s lives.
Perhaps we cannot fully return to the times when we were growing up, but nothing says we cannot revisit some of the characteristics that made our neighborhoods and cities safe.
Here are a few suggestions: We Can
Carol’s been hired recently to speak to groups and churches on the subject of strengthening families and assisting parents, utilizing her first book:
The Encyclopedia of Parenting from A to Z, so help me God! (2000)(Now in its 6th printing)
Did you know that River Forest is known to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department as the best kept secret in Lee County?
Our natural beauty, low crime rate and supportive neighbors add to the appeal of the community.
We say this as our hearts go out to the Parkland community on the other side of the state, and others suffering from this horrific tragedy.
As the blame is discussed and meted out, we feel America needs to be proactive and introspective to examine causes and solutions. We are sure you have heard the various comments from the media and fellow friends and neighbors. We believe the solution begins at home.
In most of the school shootings, the shooter was a confused, angry person from a broken family. Many were recipients of psychotropic drugs, anti-depressants, and anti-ADHD meds. Prevalent home environments were mostly single- parent homes, with little supervision. Parents were uninvolved in their children’s lives.
Perhaps we cannot fully return to the times when we were growing up, but nothing says we cannot revisit some of the characteristics that made our neighborhoods and cities safe.
Here are a few suggestions: We Can
- Encourage parents to stay together, love each other, and share that with their children
- Pray together
- Attend church, support the effort to bring prayer back to the schools
Carol’s been hired recently to speak to groups and churches on the subject of strengthening families and assisting parents, utilizing her first book:
The Encyclopedia of Parenting from A to Z, so help me God! (2000)(Now in its 6th printing)
If you have a copy of this book, check out page 47, “It’s My Room” and page 59, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. If you don’t have one, Carol has a few on hand. Call 239.898.8363. We might be GRAND-parents, but who says we can’t help.
Love and hugs to you all,
Dick and Carol
Love and hugs to you all,
Dick and Carol
Potluck - February 3, 2018
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Potlucks
March 3
April 21
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Board Meetings
March 5
April 2
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Member Dinner
March 17
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Easter Dinner
April 1
Dinner February 17, 2018
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