Hello Once Again Residents:

Last week I had reminded residents to attend our Board of Director’s meeting this past Monday.  I mentioned you would be entertained.   We did not disappoint. We kept everyone busy for close to three hours.  We laughed, we discussed, we ate, we fell asleep, we adjusted our clothing, and we voted on some very important issues.  It couldn’t have been better scripted!!  For those that joined us, thank you for your support.   For those that were unable to attend and regret it,  please join us in November.  Information will follow.

CAFE

Please remember that our cafe will be open on Sundays starting on November 1st.  Dinners will not be available for Sunday delivery.  Those that are leery of dining inside the restaurant, remember that pickup is available.  Use your red cards before they expire on December 31st,  2020.

The mention of Pastitsio, Beef Stew, Duck L’Orange, Chef Salad, Shrimp Stir Fry, should have your lips smacking.  These are a few of the dinner delivery items this week.

POOLS

Take a peek at the East and West Pools and see our beautiful new awnings.  We actually are beginning to look like a comfortable resort.  Another few days and the North Pool will also be completed.   The color matches the water of the pool.   How enticing for all to take a swim. 
Well, not all at one time——remember that we still have limitations on the amount of people allowed in the pool area.  Remember your masks and social distancing please.

SPRING CLEANING IN THE FALL

Many thanks to the organizations and clubs that have already or are in the middle of cleaning out cabinets and storage areas.   You are doing a wonderful job.  Should you have difficulties please advise us.

However, as of today, we still have the lockers to contend with.  There remains 42 locks in the ladies’ locker room and 19 locks on the men’s side.  Please make arrangements to have your lockers emptied.  If you are north and will not be here before the 15th of Nov.  advise someone on your phase board.  We will do our best to help you.  Those that do not respond will forfeit whatever remains.  

DIRECTORIES

For those that have yet to pick up their directories, they remain at the clubhouse.

VOTING

The arrival of November next week means several things.  Thanksgiving menus are being planned, guzzling hot chocolate is more than socially acceptable, and most importantly this year, it’s election time.  Inspire your friends and family to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election. Get everyone pumped up.  I was looking for a profound quote and traveled as far back to Ancient Greece to get advice from Plato.  “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”   You have a right to vote.  Use it.

Whether you vote by mail, early voting, or at our Clubhouse, please do so.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd in the lobby of our Clubhouse from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

We will adhere to Covid 19 rules.  All workers will have masks or shields.  All stations will have plexiglass in front of them.   Voting booths will be cleaned as soon as a voter has finished as well as all screens used by the inspectors.   Everyone will get their own pen which they can keep or throw out.

Masks must be worn in the polling place.  Social distancing will be maintained both in and outside.   Only three people will be admitted at one time and the remainder will wait in the area outside the Clubhouse doors. 

Only those voting may enter the polling place with the exception of poll inspectors.  People cannot come in to check if their mail in ballot has been received.

“If you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain.”  George Carlin

Be well, be safe, and carry your umbrellas.

Shirley

Hello Once Again Residents:

 MEETING

For those that had the stamina and endured our three hour BOD agenda meeting on Monday, kudos to you!!  You were part of some very serious issues taking place at HP.  You sat down after your lunch and the next time you stood up it was dinner time.  What an original way to spend the day. You smiled and laughed;  you got annoyed with certain comments; you were rooting for certain issues to go for vote and yelled hurray when you had your way. You listened carefully and realized how much you were not aware of.   Our meetings are learning experiences.

We had such a great response, we are having a continuation.  Please join us on Monday, October 19th at 10:00am for our monthly BOD meeting.   It’s a soap opera.  Discover who voted for A.  Who declined B.   Who was so very passionate with a motion he/she became relentless.  When the vote is 5 to 5, you bite your nails in anticipation as to whether the item will be a winner with only 2 more yeses needed.

Join us please. 

The Zoom link is: https://www.huntingtonpointe.net/live/

VOTE

Just a reminder that you may drop off your votes as of Monday, October 19th at various official stations.  The closest to HP is the Hagen Ranch Library on Hagen Ranch Rd.

If voting on premise, you will receive the detailed information shortly.

SAFETY

It is only 7:30pm but pitch black outside.  You are returning from having your weekly outing at Publix.  You are feeling relaxed and humming 60’s music.  You turn into beautiful HP with glowing lights brightening the entrance.  You make one more turn and you are in the darkness.  By some miracle, you manage to slam on your brakes and avoid hitting a neighbor who had just crossed your path.  Your heart is palpitating. You could have seriously injured someone.

We have been focused on the safety of our pools, cars and bicycle riders. We have totally omitted safety tips for walking and especially at night.  Walking at night is more social.  It reduces stress after a long day of doing nothing.  Because of limited light, you will need to take extra precautions while enjoying your walking workout.

Wear something that keeps you visible such as reflective clothing (pants, shoes, wrist bands.)  Drag a friend with you. Bribe them with a favorite cookie.  It will be more enjoyable and it will be safer.   Walk facing traffic so you can react quickly.  Choose well lit areas. Keep your head up looking for hazards.    Be aware of your surroundings.  THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL IS DO NOT WALK ON THE ROADS.  Our drivers may not see you.  Do not take the chance.  Crossing the streets without looking both ways should be a “time out.”   As children it was one of the first rules taught us.  My sister still has a hand print on her “tush” because she ran into a very busy road.  She was fine, but my father cried because he had given her a smack on the butt.  Years ago it was part of discipline.   Today we verbally scold and teach in hope the lessons are learned.

Wear your masks and keep your social distance.

CAFE

Continue to support our cafe please.  It’s a convenience we would hate to lose.  Keep in mind that if you still have balances on your red cards, they expire December 31st, 2020.

Enjoy the week.

Be safe and be well,

Shirley

Hello Once Again Residents:

It is October 9th and we are thinking that soon we will be “in season” here in South Florida and our very own Huntington Pointe.

This year it is far more stressful for those further north.   Decisions have to be made as to whether you are even venturing south. You have to make up your mind. Proceed south.   Change your positions and at least enjoy the warm weather while still doing nothing.   I do not know what it will take to rouse and persuade you to depart from your current homes and make a change.

Once you know you are transferring your bodies, there are other questions to address.  When will you come?  When will travel be best?   How long will you stay?   How will you travel?   It’ s long distance. You want to be as safe as possible.  This all leads to more words that brings us upset stomachs:  packing, organizing and MOVING.

If not sure when you are arriving, do you bring sweaters and jackets?   If here 6 weeks or 6 months, how much do you bring?  Do you need extra bathing attire?  How packed will your car be?  It is an extremely casual atmosphere these days.  Getting dressed up means putting on a pair of earrings for the ladies and a colored T-shirt for the men.     JUST COME ON DOWN!!   WARM YOUR BONES. DON’T OVERTHINK IT.  JOIN US.

SPEAKING OF MOVING…….

IMPORTANT

Several months ago I mentioned that residents had to remove items from the clubhouse.  For residents, this refers to those using the lockers for personal storage.    Many have nonetheless left items in lockers, closets, and cabinets.  IT IS TIME.   All personal, organization, and club objects have until November 15th to find other space.   You will be given access into the clubhouse.  It is a task no one wants but must be done.

If you are north and have left items in lockers, have a friend remove them.  I will remind you once again as the date gets closer. Organizations, committees, and clubs will probably need more than two individuals to start the job.  You have items in the kitchen cabinets.   There is a dumpster on premise.   You will need your own boxes and bags for packing purposes.    Take a deep breath.    It’s a good thing.   We are starting some of the necessary clean up work.  You have already had ample time and still have a month.

Good luck!!

VOTING

Remember that elections are November 3rd and we are an official polling station.  Details will follow. Should you need a drop-off station for your ballot, the Hagen Ranch Library will be available as of Monday, October 16th.

SAVE THE DATE

Once again, the Social Club is inviting all of Huntington Pointe to join them on Sunday, November 15th to a live Zoom show featuring Arlen Mathewz, man of 100 voices.

As a professional singer and entertainer he impersonates over 100 different vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Paul Anka, Barry Manilow and more.

As we get closer, details will follow.

MEETINGS

Our monthly BOD agenda meeting is on Tuesday, October 13th at 2:00pm.

The link is: https://www.huntingtonpointe.net/live/

Enjoy your week.   Continue the guidelines for Covid from PBC and HP.

Let’s keep right on moving along!!

Be safe and be well,

Shirley

Dear Residents:

It’s October.   Autumn is here.  It’s the season that hosts cider, pumpkin spice, baked apples, cider mimosas, stunning foliage, football, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  It’s the transition from summer to winter.   Daylight is shorter.   People become more somber and reclusive.  The evenings become a little brisker.

What am I thinking?   We are not north.  We are in Florida, the sunshine state. We do not need jackets or long pants.  We don’t travel through the seasons.   It’s one long paradise. We still look forward to football, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  The special days will be different for us again, but we are resilient and know just how to handle the circumstances.  The leaves, sparked with color, fall from the trees up north.  We remain stable, consistent.   Our palm trees sway to small breezes.  We go outside without shivering.  The sun warms our hearts.  Think about how fortunate we truly are.   Happy Fall.

HPA COVID UPDATE  

Now is not the time to let our guard down and relax.   We have been cautious and diligent in the wearing of masks, and  keeping social distancing.   We do not want to fall back.  Many countries and cities are experiencing a second wave.   We must remain committed.  Florida is still one of the hardest hit by the virus with over 205,000 dead in the country.

Palm Beach County may open its restaurants and bars to 100% capacity.   It has no bearing on us.

Please do not ask us again.   The clubhouse will remain closed until further notice.   The safety of our residents remains the priority.   Remember to wear your masks and keep your distance.   Thank you.

VOTING

Many have asked whether our clubhouse will be open for voting in November.  YES, we are an official polling station.   All details will follow when closer.

The closest early voting location to us is the Hagen Ranch Rd. Branch Library at 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach. This commences as of Monday, October 19th.

STORM SEASON PRESENTS MOSQUITO CHALLENGE

Due to the multitude of storms we have had, it brings above average rainfalls.  This causes a major problem with mosquitoes.  Aerial spraying is being conducted.  PBC uses industry-standard products for use.    After dark, PBC recommends you use insect repellent containing DEET.  Long pants and long sleeve shirts are encouraged.

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY ISSUES

I have received several inquiries from residents as to why their names were eliminated from the directory.   All were asked a few months ago to check that information was current on our web site and in our files.    Many unsubscribe in error just by the press of a simple tab.  We cannot reprint the directories nor can we list all those omitted with their information.   What you can do is go onto the HP website and go to the phone directory (phone561) and make sure you are listed correctly. It is a quick way for residents to find you, your address, and telephone connection.  We realize it is frustrating and inconvenient.   You must make sure to check every year that all is up to date.
http://bit.ly/HPPhoneBook

JEWISH HOLIDAY, SUKKOT

Sukkot is a week long Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur.  It celebrates the gathering of the harvest and the protection G-d provided when the Israelites left Egypt.  Our residents at  6036 Kings Gate Circle have been gracious, thoughtful, and kind enough to offer those interested, a visit to their Sukkah on Sunday, October 4th between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm.   Go directly to the back of their villa.   You MUST wear your mask and be Covid responsible.   Only two people at a time will be permitted inside.  It will give you the opportunity for a prayer. 

Please note that this offer is being made independently and is not sponsored by HPA.

IMPORTANT RENOVATION NEWS

Below is a current status report written by Sue Loeser, Chairman of the Steering Group (Enid Friedman, Shirley Kafka, Susan Levine, Phyllis Sandler.)

“When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Have a good week and be well.

Shirley
===========================================

Dear HPA Residents,

It has been a while since I have sent a Clubhouse Renovation update.  Let me fill you in on what has been going on.

If you have been following our community Zoom meetings you know that we hired a construction attorney whose specialty is advising communities on renovations.  He explained to us that we cannot renovate in a design/build manner as we had hoped.  Instead we need to follow a design/bid/build procedure.  

When we passed on this information to Dutch Bliss, the contractor the board had approved for the design/build approach, Mr. Bliss replied that he was not interested in the project if there is a bid process involved.  So, Bliss Construction will not be the GC on the job.  

In our research when we first began the renovation project Susan Levine contacted over 20 communities that recently renovated their clubhouses.  In those interviews and visits Susan also noted who the GCs were for the projects.  So, we know several other local GCs who have experience with clubhouse renovation projects.  Additionally, our architect Jose Fernandez (from Slattery) may know other GCs who could be invited to bid on our job.  MDS will be one bidder and if possible, we will invite two others to do so as well.  

At the same time as our conversations with the lawyers, Jose and his team have been working on the design documents that are to form the basis of the bid documents and the permit request documents.  We also know that Jose has had conversations and meetings with Susan Welzien from Wells Design Group (WDG) and her team throughout this process.

Jose is hoping that the design documents will be sufficiently completed by early/mid-November so that the bid documents can be created.

While Jose and his team are working on the design documents, the WDG has also been busy.  The next step for the WDG is to create multiple colored renderings for us so that we can all see what our new facilities will look like.  

Our residents provided input to these details by making all their suggestions via the Focus Groups and by selecting the basic color scheme from the color boards displayed in the Ballroom on January 22, 2020.  Our five-person Steering Group has been meeting weekly with the WDG as together we work out the rest of the details needed for the colored renderings.

So, although it may seem that nothing much is going on regarding our renovation project, you can see that we are certainly moving forward. The next deliverables are the design documents from Slattery and the renderings from the Wells Design Group. We will keep everyone informed when either of these two are complete and/or when we have more details about our project.

For the HP Clubhouse Renovation Steering Group

Sue Loeser, Chair

Hello Residents:

We are now approaching Yom Kippur.  It is the holiest day of the year  It is the day of atonement whereby we ask to be forgiven for things we have done wrong.  Even nonobservant Jews refrain from work and attend services.

I recall all the “Yahrzeit (Memorial) Glasses” lined up on our kitchen counter and my parents crying.  I did not understand.   The candles represented all those who had died before the war and the millions who  succumbed to the atrocities of the Holocaust.  They were lit for those that survived, had decent second lives, and believed they were the chosen ones.

I remember the first time I fasted.   I was eleven years of age and had no difficulty at all. My parents were quite surprised that I attempted it and succeeded.   What I had remembered was that immediately following the fast my family would gather at our home.  There was “schnapps” and hot tea on the table and wonderful sponge and honey cakes for all.   The anticipation of cake was the driving force behind my managing to keep my mouth closed for the day.

Within an hour after breaking the fast, we sat down to a wonderful HOT meal and reflected on how we managed that day.  “My headache started at 11:00am and had to suffer all day.”  “My stomach growled at noon so it proved to others it was empty.”  “It took me two hours to walk to temple in my old sneakers.”  “Mrs.  Z popped candies into her mouth and didn’t share.”   The men were more somber.   They were starting another year and were grateful they had lived and managed to make a living for their families.

I married and moved from Toronto to New York. My first break the fast did not give me the same feelings of comfort.   There was no hot tea and cake.  There was no hot meal.  It was these round chewy things New Yorkers referred to as bagels.  There were variations of fishes I was unfamiliar with.   I couldn’t even deal with the smells.   I was unaccustomed to this new way.  I managed and after only a couple of years, learned to love a different tradition.

Here we are once again.  Many are feeling the changes of traditional holiday ways.  This year, we have no choice but to adjust.  The food is not the important component. It doesn’t matter if it is hot or cold.  It is the lack of being with family and friends that moves us.

To those that are not Jewish or those that do not observe,  we share our culture, religion and experiences with you.   The following is a Yom Kippur forgiveness message.  It pertains to all.

“To those I may have wronged, I ask for your forgiveness.  For those I may have helped, I wish I could have done more.   For the many I neglected to help, I am truly sorry.  To those who helped me, I am deeply grateful.”

Have an easy fast to those that do so.

TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES

The new directories are available for pickup.   The schedule is as follows:

Phase 1        Mon. and Wed. from 10:00am to noon.
Phase  3       Mon. and Wed. from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Phase 2        Tues. and Thurs. from 10:00am to noon.
Phase 4        Tues. and Thurs. from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

CAFE

Support, support, support………………….

FLU SHOTS

The Flu Shot Clinic will be held on Thursday, October 1st from 9:00am to noon in the lobby of the Clubhouse.   We are giving the Senior dose shot and it will be administered by a pharmacist from CVS.   There are no appointments.

Residents must bring their Medicare Card.   Everyone must wear a mask and bring their own pen if possible.   Should you have any further questions, contact Karen Bleier at 561 638 5456.

EMAIL ISSUES

Residents, I get countless calls and emails indicating you are having problems getting our emails.   Once again, I do not have access to any personal information of the residents.   I cannot make any computer changes.   Many of you unsubscribe in error.   Please contact the office and they will gladly help you.  

SURPRISE CHANGES AS OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th,  2020

Not everything need be sad as we approach Yom Kippur. 

IMPORTANT:    New Clubhouse Front Desk and Pool Hours

The Clubhouse front desk will now be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm instead of 9:00am to 7:00pm.

What will we do with the extra daily hours? 

DRUM ROLL PLEASE:      We add them to the pool hours.   All pool hours will now be 9:00am to 6:pm.     We thank you for complying with the rules.   WEAR MASKS AND ADHERE TO SIX FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING.   Please also remember to keep your ID cards with you.

Again:  Starting Monday, September 28th

Clubhouse front desk:        9:00am to 5:00pm

All pools:                              9:00am to 6:00pm

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

“Whatever community organization, whether it’s  a women’s organization or fighting for racial justice—-you will get satisfaction out of doing something to give back to the community that you never get in any other way.”

Be safe and be well.

Shirley