May/June 2019 Newsletter
Don’t forget to visit our website at rifca.net
Bruce Squillante - Newsletter Editor
Bruce Squillante - Newsletter Editor
Newsflash - Clubhouse Facelift
Changes Coming in the Summer of 2019
The beginning of summer usually starts with the movement north of many of our RIFCA neighbors. However, for many of us caring for the Clubhouse and surrounding grounds, summer is just the beginning of the busy season. Our snowbirds are going to see a little different clubhouse when they get back. Our summer newsletter will give you updates as progress continues, but here are some highlights. First, the inside clubhouse hall will be painted the same color as the lanai now. We will not be touching the kitchen, but the rest of hall will have a fresh coat of “patriotic white” paint. It will be done in time, naturally, for the July 4th celebration.
The final touches to the much beautified lanai will take place when the ceiling is finished. Plans are in place to bring in drywall and a much better lighting system to give the lanai a polished look. However, there is more. A good lighting system requires a first rate electrical set up. We will have the lanai properly wired and insulated so that we can place a dimmer switch on the lights. Of course, RIFCA members will be updated as the project continues.
We could not mention ongoing work at the clubhouse without mentioning the landscape. Care will be given to properly manicure the bushes. The palm trees will be taken care of and we will make sure summer showers do not adversely affect the small sinkhole we recently filled.
In all, it will be a busy summer to be sure.
The final touches to the much beautified lanai will take place when the ceiling is finished. Plans are in place to bring in drywall and a much better lighting system to give the lanai a polished look. However, there is more. A good lighting system requires a first rate electrical set up. We will have the lanai properly wired and insulated so that we can place a dimmer switch on the lights. Of course, RIFCA members will be updated as the project continues.
We could not mention ongoing work at the clubhouse without mentioning the landscape. Care will be given to properly manicure the bushes. The palm trees will be taken care of and we will make sure summer showers do not adversely affect the small sinkhole we recently filled.
In all, it will be a busy summer to be sure.
PUTTING A SHINE ON THE WINDOWS
There has been a lot of news and stories about the work done in the lanai this last year. The stories, however, are not over. After the windows were installed, we needed to clean them and install the screens. There was some debate as to whether or not to install them. Informal discussions led to the decision to put them in.
Bruce and Julie Squillante first had to vacuum every window to get the drywall dust and debris out of each sill. Then Lisa Kata, Bruce Squillante, and Odette Kamauf first spent nearly 3 hours thoroughly cleaning each window. Most of the windows had to be double cleaned because of the accumulated dust. The effort was worth it, as the windows look beautiful.
Julie Squillante then meticulously installed the screens for the next hour. While screen installation is usually not that difficult, the size of the screens required care to make sure they were not bent. Actually, putting the screens on made the most sense because storing them for long periods was likely to cause warping. You can see Julie painting just after the windows were cleaned.
What is the result? Beautiful windows that are likely to last for a long time.
Bruce and Julie Squillante first had to vacuum every window to get the drywall dust and debris out of each sill. Then Lisa Kata, Bruce Squillante, and Odette Kamauf first spent nearly 3 hours thoroughly cleaning each window. Most of the windows had to be double cleaned because of the accumulated dust. The effort was worth it, as the windows look beautiful.
Julie Squillante then meticulously installed the screens for the next hour. While screen installation is usually not that difficult, the size of the screens required care to make sure they were not bent. Actually, putting the screens on made the most sense because storing them for long periods was likely to cause warping. You can see Julie painting just after the windows were cleaned.
What is the result? Beautiful windows that are likely to last for a long time.
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NEW COLORS - FRESH LOOK
We put the windows in the lanai, what else do we need? The walls in the clubhouse have been the same burnt orange color for many years. Do we paint the new lanai with the same color or do we go drastically different? The Board decided it was time to give a little life and sparkle to the lanai with a new color. The first stage of the clubhouse painting project started in the lanai. Julie Squillante primed and painted the lanai the first week of April. The preparation for painting took nearly as long as the painting itself.
All of the Rummage sale items around the edges had to be moved out or towards the middle of the room. The storage area on the south side of the lanai containing our holiday decorations and center pieces had to be moved out (along with all of the folding chairs). Julie started the painting by contorting herself into the small storage space to give that area fresh paint. The paneling was also nicely covered.
It took 2 gallons of paint and many hours to complete painting the lanai walls. Then Julie decided that the base boards could use some freshening up with white paint. Julie Squillante deftly did not spill a drop, except on herself.
All of the Rummage sale items around the edges had to be moved out or towards the middle of the room. The storage area on the south side of the lanai containing our holiday decorations and center pieces had to be moved out (along with all of the folding chairs). Julie started the painting by contorting herself into the small storage space to give that area fresh paint. The paneling was also nicely covered.
It took 2 gallons of paint and many hours to complete painting the lanai walls. Then Julie decided that the base boards could use some freshening up with white paint. Julie Squillante deftly did not spill a drop, except on herself.
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Kennedy's Corner
by Dick Kennedy
Hey River Forest Residents,
What a beautiful Spring we are experiencing; beautiful sunny days, cool temperatures with just the right amount of rain to keep the grass green and the flowers blooming. If you remember, the grass is normally burnt and brown this time of year. It's almost enough to make us forget the Doomsday forecasters who are constantly predicting the end of Planet Earth. First it was Overpopulation, then holes in the Ozone Layer (it's been a few years since those have been bandied about); then Global Warning, but because of un-believable cold and snowy winters, that has been changed to Climate Change.
They are right on that one though, since the climate is always changing but not necessarily in a bad way: Greenland. It seems now the focus is on the defenseless cow and their climate destroying Fa--t's. I think it's now time to get over the Tree Hugging and start Cow-Hugging, to save the cattle and the planet ( ha-ha).
Seriously now, regardless of your preference in theorists, there are a few measures we can take to preserve our limited resources, which God has so selflessly granted us. I have lived in a preservation mode most of my life, first because of necessity out of poverty and then secondly because 'Waste not, Want not' was imposed on me by my parents. I am happy to maintain this lifestyle, since I am not one to waste.
The first measure we can take is to donate our extra food stuffs, instead of throwing them out when you go back up North. River Forest Residents have responded quite readily when Jan, Bruce and others have asked you all to donate to the Harry Chapin Food Distribution at the Grace Methodist Church. Emptying your shelves and pantries and recently Jan and Gail and their estate donations have been greatly appreciated by the church and especially the poor of the Ft Myers Shores Community. We have been serving upwards of 100+ persons monthly from Grace Church food pantry.
If you would like to donate but haven't, please drop off your extra food stuffs at the Clubhouse. I thank you and the hungry families of East Lee County especially thank you for your generosity.
Previously, I had encouraged our residents to take their old newspapers to the St Vincent Catholic Church Dumpster for recycling. The church in turn, donated the proceeds to the Boy Scouts. But now because of the mandated recycling imposed by the county, the private profit enterprise has been eliminated. But please don't put your papers in the trash, put them in the Blue Recycling Bin.
Most of you know that I collect pull tabs from Soda Cans and other Adult Beverages. I give these to my Vietnam Brotherhood Club which amasses those given by River Forest and many other groups. We donate these to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation for their perusal. Last year the Vietnam Brotherhood led all donations in SW Florida. So come on and join the movement.
You can give these to President Bruce or myself or drop them off at the Clubhouse. A very worthy cause!!!
If anyone knows of any organization that collects aluminum cans themselves, please contact me. Next time we will investigate measures to help save on your AC, Watering, or electric.
Peace.
What a beautiful Spring we are experiencing; beautiful sunny days, cool temperatures with just the right amount of rain to keep the grass green and the flowers blooming. If you remember, the grass is normally burnt and brown this time of year. It's almost enough to make us forget the Doomsday forecasters who are constantly predicting the end of Planet Earth. First it was Overpopulation, then holes in the Ozone Layer (it's been a few years since those have been bandied about); then Global Warning, but because of un-believable cold and snowy winters, that has been changed to Climate Change.
They are right on that one though, since the climate is always changing but not necessarily in a bad way: Greenland. It seems now the focus is on the defenseless cow and their climate destroying Fa--t's. I think it's now time to get over the Tree Hugging and start Cow-Hugging, to save the cattle and the planet ( ha-ha).
Seriously now, regardless of your preference in theorists, there are a few measures we can take to preserve our limited resources, which God has so selflessly granted us. I have lived in a preservation mode most of my life, first because of necessity out of poverty and then secondly because 'Waste not, Want not' was imposed on me by my parents. I am happy to maintain this lifestyle, since I am not one to waste.
The first measure we can take is to donate our extra food stuffs, instead of throwing them out when you go back up North. River Forest Residents have responded quite readily when Jan, Bruce and others have asked you all to donate to the Harry Chapin Food Distribution at the Grace Methodist Church. Emptying your shelves and pantries and recently Jan and Gail and their estate donations have been greatly appreciated by the church and especially the poor of the Ft Myers Shores Community. We have been serving upwards of 100+ persons monthly from Grace Church food pantry.
If you would like to donate but haven't, please drop off your extra food stuffs at the Clubhouse. I thank you and the hungry families of East Lee County especially thank you for your generosity.
Previously, I had encouraged our residents to take their old newspapers to the St Vincent Catholic Church Dumpster for recycling. The church in turn, donated the proceeds to the Boy Scouts. But now because of the mandated recycling imposed by the county, the private profit enterprise has been eliminated. But please don't put your papers in the trash, put them in the Blue Recycling Bin.
Most of you know that I collect pull tabs from Soda Cans and other Adult Beverages. I give these to my Vietnam Brotherhood Club which amasses those given by River Forest and many other groups. We donate these to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation for their perusal. Last year the Vietnam Brotherhood led all donations in SW Florida. So come on and join the movement.
You can give these to President Bruce or myself or drop them off at the Clubhouse. A very worthy cause!!!
If anyone knows of any organization that collects aluminum cans themselves, please contact me. Next time we will investigate measures to help save on your AC, Watering, or electric.
Peace.
RIFCA NIGHT OUT AT GUYS AND DOLLS
On March 29th a group of 24 RIFCA members joined together for a wonderful dinner and show at the Broadway Palm Theater. We attended the very last showing at the Broadway Palm of Guys and Dolls. If you have never experienced dinner theater there, it can really be a lot of fun. Dinner and dessert is provided buffet style and the choices are excellent. There was beef and fish along a with several choices of side dishes. Desserts included many different pies and an ice cream bar. It is hard to leave hungry there.
Before the show started, two of the show’s actors came on stage and gave a shout out to the RIFCA group in attendance. It was a nice touch by the Broadway Palm managers. It was a fun evening for all us.
RIFCA Nights Out will continue this summer. RIFCA members are encouraged to watch for notices in their email (and/or Newsletter, phone calls, etc.). We are considering a RIFCA Night Out at an upcoming baseball game or possibly Beauty and the Beast at the Broadway Palm in August. If you have an idea or preference for a RIFCA Night Out, let Bruce Squillante know.
Before the show started, two of the show’s actors came on stage and gave a shout out to the RIFCA group in attendance. It was a nice touch by the Broadway Palm managers. It was a fun evening for all us.
RIFCA Nights Out will continue this summer. RIFCA members are encouraged to watch for notices in their email (and/or Newsletter, phone calls, etc.). We are considering a RIFCA Night Out at an upcoming baseball game or possibly Beauty and the Beast at the Broadway Palm in August. If you have an idea or preference for a RIFCA Night Out, let Bruce Squillante know.
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April 6, 2019 Potluck
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Board Meetings
None further until October 7
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Potlucks
June 1
August 3
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Independence Day Cookout
July 4
Easter Dinner - April 21, 2019
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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.
