Grove Isle

October 2016 Newsletter

www.groveisle.org

President's Report

As I have many times said before, safety, particularly on our roads, is of the utmost importance. Attached to our Newsletter each month is a Safety Informational Flyer which illustrates and emphasizes some of the very important aspects to maintain a safe environment here at Grove Isle. Do we read this? I do not think all of us do. Certainly there are some who do not practice good safety on our roads.

In addition to driving carefully and slowly, we must walk facing the traffic; ride our bicycles with the traffic; wait for the entrance and exit gates to close completely before proceeding; stop our vehicles at the designated stop signs (especially the entrance); and not park our vehicles or allow our contractors and guests to park on the roads.

Regarding the latter in the above paragraph, from time to time there are vehicles parked on the roads in front of our villas and houses. Although the houses belong to their own association, the violations at both locations occur on the 'common elements'. It is a safety concern for us all on the roads.

Except under extreme exceptions, neither the villas nor the houses should have any legitimate reason for allowing vehicles of any kind to park outside their dwellings. Each of these buildings has garages, and has access to visitor parking if necessary. We have rules that address these issues, but more importantly we have residents that can be seriously hurt because of roads being compromised by unnecessarily parked vehicles. I am not referring to vehicles which are not able to park but on the roads, such as our vendors.

The Board of Directors has done its due diligences regarding safety on our roads. As I said, our rules address these safety issues, and we continually stress the need for adherence to these regulations. Should an accident occur the owner will be responsible and accountable. It is the Board’s responsibility to protect the Association and give notice to all. It is all our responsibility to follow the rules.

Our next Board of Directors Meeting is October 19, 2016. Refreshments are served at 8:30 a.m. followed by the meeting at 9 a.m. We had a good turnout at our September Board Meeting. We encourage all of you to participate in your community by attending these meetings. It is the best way to keep informed of what is happening, and a way for you to express your concerns.

Bill Sances, President

Grove Isle Condominium Association

Manager’s Report

Here are a few things we are currently working on:

·  We are nearing the end of the main clubhouse renovations.

·  The new light installation near the TV area has been completed as well as the library and ping pong room.

·  We will begin the new lighting in the main conference room and the painting of the exercise room very soon.

·  The annual palm tree trimming has been completed as well as the nature trail.

·  We have cleaned the lower half of all buildings of staining and discoloration and ask that those of you who have metal screen rooms have them cleaned. This is the unit owner’s responsibility.

·  The fire sprinkler/handrail opt out mail out paperwork sent to all owners is completed and the proper votes needed for both items was achieved.

·  The concrete deck repair on building 1 has been repaired and inspected by a structural engineer and approved.

·  As a reminder, contractors MAY NOT use the Association dumpsters. They MUST remove all materials from the property. Also contractors must be told not to back into guest spots in front of the buildings. This rule also pertains to owners and guests. When this is done exhaust fumes can enter through the front windows of the first floor units and may cause a health risk.

·  Our northern residents are starting to trickle back. As a reminder no bicycles may be stored in the atrium, all bicycles must be stored in a self-provided cement bike boot behind the car stop located by your reserve parking spot. If anyone will not be using a cement bike boot and would like to donate please call the office.

·  Atriums must be kept clear at all times. Emergency responders must be able to gain access to all units in a timely manner with no obstructions. Please limit belongings to small chairs and table.

·  We have purchased 2 different types of solar lights to be fastened to the building entrance signs but do not feel adequate lighting is being provided. We are continuing to look for ways to resolve this issue.

·  The atrium railings painting project is moving along and F and G building being worked on at this time.

Till next time, take care.

Robert Mullett,

Condominium Association Manager.

FEW News

The FEW Club meeting for October 11, 2016, is just around the corner. Breakfast snacks and coffee will be served starting at 8:30am with the meeting starting at 9:00am in the Main Club House. Everyone is welcome so be sure to mark your calendar. Committee members will be presenting updates on the happenings around Grove Isle. We hope to see you all there.

Our speaker for this meeting is Ken Gioeli (who also happens to be the nephew of our own Michael and Joanne Gioeli!). Since 1993, Ken has served on the faculty of the University of Florida as the Natural Resources Extension Agent for St. Lucie County. He specializes in natural resources management educational programs which include management of native and invasive reptiles on the Treasure Coast. Ken is a member of the Python Patrol and is permitted to capture and transport invasive constrictors. In addition, he teaches UF Florida Master Naturalist coursework and is supported by forty Florida Master Naturalist volunteers. The topic of his presentation will be “Snakes of Florida and the Treasure Coast. Don’t worry; there will be no reptiles on site, just pictures.

Veterans Day Party

The Veterans Day Party will be held on November 11, 2016, starting at 5:00pm in the Main Club House. The cost is only $10 with pulled pork topping off the menu. Tickets will go on sale November 3rd & 4th from 11:30 until 12:30 at the MCH. We hope you all will be able to attend to help salute all those who have served our great country!

Florida Bobcat

Along with the panther, the wild bobcat is one of two predatory big cats native to the Florida region. The bobcat is more common and much smaller than the panther, which is rarely sighted in the wild. Bobcats are found throughout the state from the deepest swamps to suburban backyards. The bobcat is one of several wild creatures that still call Florida home.

The Florida wild bobcat is immediately identifiable by its short tail (or bob) and the fringes of fur that outline the sides of its head. It weighs between 13 and 30 pounds and has a tail with white on its underside and black markings on its top side. The Florida bobcat has spots of white fur on all parts of its fur, which can range in color from reddish-brown to grey. The adult bobcat can grow to about 50 inches in length and stands 21 inches tall on average. With a maximum adult weight of 35 pounds, the bobcat is similar in size to a young Florida panther for which it is sometimes mistaken.

The wild bobcat is found in wildernesses everywhere from Canada to Central America, but the Florida bobcat is present even in the most densely populated areas. The female bobcat needs about 5 square miles of range while the male requires 15-30. The range will include enough unpopulated land for a den and sufficient food supplies. They live for up to 14 years in the wild and can coexist with the panther, as the two do not share prey. The Florida bobcat lives in a den that consists of a hollow tree, cave, rock outcropping or other open shelter.

Bobcats are somewhat opportunistic in what they eat, which varies from small rodents and birds to carrion. They are mainly nocturnal hunters. During the summer they will eat mostly local fauna including squirrels, opossums, rabbits and raccoons. During the winter months, they shift attention to the many species of migrating birds that pass through Florida to escape the cold climates to the north.

The male has a range that touches several females with whom he mates. They have a litter of one or two kittens after a gestation period of 50 to 60 days. The mating season runs from August to March when food is most plentiful, and babies are born in the early spring. A single male may sire several litters at one time.

Bobcats may have more than one home, with spare dens spread around the range in case of need. They are seen in all types of habitats including suburban yards, and even city streets from time to time. Typically, they do not approach humans but will do so if fed or taught to associate people with access to food. Bobcats can swim and climb trees with ease, two factors that prevent them from falling to natural enemies besides human hunters. The Florida bobcat is not endangered. Bobcats have been seen on the outskirts of Grove Isle and Visa Royale.

This is my last article on wildlife of Florida until May 2017. If there is something you would like to know more about, please let me know.

Marlene Alder,

Secretary

Social News

Welcome Snowbirds! While you were away the Social Committee have been taking a course in sand sculpture. Didn't we do well?

Our first meeting of the new season will be Wednesday 5th October. We welcome all new and existing residents and hope that you use this opportunity to get to know more of your neighbors. Please join us in the MCH at 8:30am for coffee and donuts and the meeting is to start at 9:00am. We suggest a $1 donation to cover costs.

The speaker at this meeting will be a representative from the Alzheimer's Association. It will be an interesting topic and we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK

Blood pressure check is every second Tuesday of the month (this month 11th October) and it is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the MCH.

Movies

Ann Rawling and Joyce Costello would like to welcome you all to the Wednesday Night Ice Cream Social at 6:30 p.m. until 6.45 p.m. followed by a good movie starting at 7:00p.m. Please be sure to arrive early if you would like ice cream as we will stop serving at 6.45 p.m. so we can be all cleaned up and ready to start the movie at 7:00pm prompt. Thank you for your co-operation.

·  October 5: The Man Who Would Be King starring Sean Connery and Michael Cain

·  October 12: Emperor starring Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones

·  October 19: Luther starring Joseph Fiennes and Alfred Molina

·  October 26: Mary Queen of Scots starring Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson

FALL FEST

Please mark your calendars for our FALL FEST that will be held on Sunday October 30th starting at 5 pm in the MCH. Tickets will be available on Thursday October 13th and Friday October 14th between 11:30 and 12:30 in the main clubhouse. We will have 'signup sheets' for those of you who are willing to help.

The Menu will be: Festive Roast Pork Loin with chipper cheesy potatoes and rosy red cabbage followed by delightful dessert!

We will have Road Fever here to entertain you. It's going to be a lot of fun. Don't miss it!

SHOO THE FLU

Friday October 14th is the date of our SHOO THE FLU clinic in the MCH. The time to put on your calendars is 9am through to 11am. There may be a reward if you're brave!!!!

YOGA

We are so happy to announce the return of SHANNON SIMS our Yoga teacher. Our first class will resume on Monday October 24th at 10:00am. Please join us. Classes are $5 each and there is no club to join. You simply turn up at the MCH by 10:00am and enjoy the practice. New and existing members are all welcome. We look forward to seeing you all there again.

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are postures (a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility) and breathing.

LOOKING AHEAD

COOKIES AND CAROLS

If anyone has a special 'Christmas' reading that they would like to contribute to this particular evening please let me know as early as possible. Kelly will provide you with my email. - Helen McLean

We will have some festive singing and readings for you to enjoy. There are no tickets required for this event.

An early reminder - The Grove Isle Social Club Committee will be once again collecting toys for the Hibiscus Children’s Center. Any resident interested in donating a new boxed unwrapped toy or gift (for a boy or girl) may do so on the evening of our Carols and Cookies night.

NOTE: Thinking ahead.... if you are getting your suitcases out ready to travel south for the winter, you may want to pack something special to wear for NYE and our Murder Mystery night in March which will be 'WW2 era'. Have you saved anything from the 1940's in your wardrobe?

Please keep an eye on the sheet at the back of the newsletter... EVENTS INFORMATION. Some small details may change periodically and therefore the document will be updated from time to time.

Sincerely....Helen, Betsy, Rose, Jan, Christine, Nancy, Linda, Joanne, Lynn, Michael, Dottie and Kathy.

Sunshine Lady

Elaine Fantozzi is our Sunshine person. If you know of anyone who is unwell or has passed, please contact her on 794-7727.