In preparation for writing a “Know Your Neighbor article”, I solicit names of people from my friends, neighbors and acquaintances that they know have an interesting or unusual background. Occasionally I meet someone who, through the course of conversation, appears to have a story that I think our neighbors would like to hear. In this particular instance, I was in the Marsh Creek 19th hole, seeking a refreshment after a particularly frustrating round of golf. There weren’t many people in the room at the minute, but there was a person seated at the bar who, for some unknown reason, seemed familiar but not identifiable. As I looked at him trying to place where we might have met, I observed that his appearance didn’t totally fit in with the other golfers. He was wearing a bright red golf shirt, which certainly wasn’t unusual and the silver-white hair and beard can be found on any number of residents. His somewhat abundant girth wasn’t

VISIT US ONLINEVisit the online version of the

Marsh Creek News Journal

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www.staugustine.com/marshcreek

UserNaMe: marsh

Password: creek

NewsJournalVOL. 11, NO. 4JANUARY 2012 Published for and distributed free to the Marsh Creek Community since 2001

In October, the MCOA’s Communications committee conducted its first e-mail based resident survey regarding demographic information and our communications tools, the News Journal, the website, and E-News bulletins. We utilized the Survey Monkey program to which the MCOA subscribes, and received almost 190 responses, or approximately 30% of the e-addresses on file. This was a good response level as it meant the results had a high degree of accuracy when applying to all residents. Our hope is that more residents will provide us with their e-addresses so they can participate in future surveys. The plan is to conduct the demographic survey annually so as to identify changes within the community and consequent needs of our residents. The results of the demographic questions were as follows:

Number of occupants per home: 90% answered 1 or 2Ages of occupants: 72% were age 60 or olderNumber working: 40% are working full or part timePet ownership: 48% have a pet of which 61% are dogsLength of ownership in Marsh Creek: 80% said 5 years or longerAnnual length of stay in Marsh Creek: 90% live here at least 6 months each year

The communications questions yielded the following:Website visit frequency: just over 50% said they visited at least monthlyNews Journal readership: 96% read itE-News readership: 100%

Over 70 respondents provided comments about our communications efforts, of which about 75% were “good job” or favorable. There were several valuable suggestions upon which we are acting, for instance: reducing the time it takes to get new residents on the E-News distribution list; providing new residents with basic information, i.e. trash days, as quickly as possible; supplying more information about new residents in the News Journal, possibly including a photo, and; more reporting in the News Journal by the various Board committees. Many thanks to those who participated, and we continue to welcome your suggestions and observations, including topics for additional surveys.

B Y P E T E R C L AY T O N

Santa Claus – Pioneer in Overnight DeliveryMARSH CREEK E-SURVEY

out of the ordinary either, but I noticed he was wearing what appeared to be snow boots instead of golf shoes. Right away, I knew this was someone special. It took me a few minutes before I realized that I was in the company of “The Man” himself - Santa Claus. There are a lot of unanswered questions about Santa and his unique mission. I decided to seize the moment and possibly find answers to the unanswerable. I introduced myself and, to my surprise, he jovially introduced himself as Kris Kringle, but said I could just call him Santa. As we began talking, I asked what brought him to

St. Augustine this time of year, given that the Holidays were still some time off. He stated that he was doing his usual pre-delivery market analysis to determine who wanted what for Christmas and this seemed as good of a place as any to meet people while taking a quick rest stop. Given the ease in which we entered this conversation, I decided to ask a few questions that have lingered with me for years.While I have always been a believer in “The Man,” I have

.

Peter Clayton

cont’d on page 3

Santa Claus

Know Your Neighbor BY Tim PALmER

often wondered about some of the finer points of his logistical efforts. Being a person with an aviation background, I have never understood how those reindeer can fly, so I hit him with the question. I was surprised at the simplicity of the answer! Santa told me that getting the reindeer to f ly was just a function of creating the dirigible effect.

.

Author’s note: this article is a repeat of an interview I wrote in 2004, but since the individual is only seen in Marsh Creek once a year, I thought residents might like to refresh their memory on his unusual accomplishments. Customarily, my articles are written about selected Marsh Creek residents who have an interesting, but sometimes not well known background. during the course of identifying my Christmas 2004 candidate, I happened upon an individual who is known by all in the community, but much detail about him remains a mystery. I decided that I would take the opportunity to provide some insight into this mystical character. I hope you are not disappointed.

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In just a couple of months we will have a new company manning our guardhouses and patrolling our streets. They are American Eagle Sentry (AES) who focus on upscale communities like ours. During the transition from Allied Barton, there are bound to be some issues and I ask you to be patient while the new company gets used to the uniqueness of our community. A number of familiar faces will still be there as AES will undoubtedly retain the services of a number of the current officers. As you know, after the intrusions of September 13th we reinstated our patrol vehicle on night shift and for some hours during the day. Once AES takes over the patrol will be offering some added value services to our community. When the patrol car is in use, officers will be available to assist in the removal of snakes and animals, assist with dead car batteries and keys locked in cars and in providing first aid, including the use of an AED Defibrillator for residents who might be having a heart attack. In addition, we will be reinstating the service whereby patrol officers will, from time to time during the day and night, check on the security of homes for residents that are out of town or homes that are vacant for other reasons.We are very excited about the arrival of AES in our community and I expect a much more consistent approach to controlling access into our community.

Marsh Creek resident Joe Lemon spoke recently at the dedication of a statue recognizing the K9 contributions to the St. Johns County Sheriff ’s office. Joe became interested in police K9 work after hearing about a school presentation from a St. Johns County deputy espousing the value of the police dogs. As a result, Joe donated the pick of the litter of his prize German Shepherd to the Sheriff and followed his accomplishments in the county K9 corps.When Sheriff Shoar was raising funds for a statue to recognize the county K9’s, Joe took up the cause and became the lead and principal donator for the project. As a result, he was a key speaker at the dedication ceremony for the K9 memorial. This is another example of our citizens getting involved in worthwhile causes that support the entire county.

B Y N E i L B E C k

B Y T i m PA L m E R

SAFETY & SECURITY

Marsh Creek Resident Supports K9 Recognition Statue

Neil Beck

B y M a r t y r o u n d

The Bespectacled Reader

Since I was unexpectedly detained in Maine, Nancy Perry was kind enough to cover the season’s second book club meeting. I am ever grateful.On Wednesday, October 5th, the book club met to hear Donna D’Amico lead a discussion of The Paris Wife by Paula McCain. Although a novel, this biography of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife was carefully researched by the author, and the group admitted it was hard to remember it was partly fiction while reading this interesting book. Donna separated the novel into three parts: 1) Hadley Richardson, 28, and Ernest Hemingway, 21, meet in Chicago; then follows a whirlwind courtship and a marriage in 1921. 2) The Hemingways sail to Paris and become the golden couple of the “Lost Generation”, which includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Picasso, etc. 3) Hadley and Ernest are ill prepared for this group, which hardly values family and monogamy. With beautiful, sophisticated women everywhere, Pauline Pfeiffer eventually comes between them, and they divorce in 1928.Members discussed various issues and came to these conclusions. Upon meeting Hemingway, Hadley was attracted to his worldly airs (he had fought in WWI) and appearance; she was already verging on spinsterhood. Hemingway was a difficult person

to live with, having had fallings out with nearly all his friends; yet, Hadley still had fond memories of him and their Paris years. We agreed that if Hadley had pursued music and her own career, the union would not have lasted as long as it did. Ernest was terribly egocentric. He was not pleased when Hadley became pregnant, though he adored their son. He seemed to revel in the new group that embraced them in Paris, while she tried to hold onto her own self and her values. In comparing this novel with another about a famous man’s muse, Loving Frank, a tale of Frank Lloyd Wright’s mistress, we agreed that Hadley Richardson was not as interesting a character as Mamah Cheney. But the great majority of us enjoyed reading The Paris Wife and would recommend it.November 2nd found a small but dedicated group gathered to discuss Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. Len Kay led the meeting but members were rather inclined to speak of their own reactions to this somewhat disjointed memoir of the author’s formative years in Africa. Len was aided by research that David Northup did about the uprisings and by first hand accounts of her own years in Rhodesia told by Linda Yerrill. She totally understood the author’s love of Africa despite the often chaotic environment. Fuller wrote this memoir through the eyes of her own self at various ages, a remarkable achievement few of us could imitate. Although I didn’t “love” this book, I found it fascinating and revealing of an area, its people, and its lifestyle I knew nothing about.The October book in Maine was one I never would have taken off the shelf, but I am glad I did. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

by Katherine Howe went back and forth between the 1690’s and the 1990’s in the locales of Salem and Marblehead, MA. A Harvard doctoral candidate is spending the summer fixing up her grandmother’s house to ready it for sale. The house, and its previous inhabitants, becomes a character of sorts in this novel. Of course, the infamous witch trials are an integral part of it, too. The author had an ancestor who was indicted in those trials. And the Physick Book was “Goody” Dane’s recipe book, not for foodstuffs, however. I think many Marsh Creek residents would enjoy this book.Of the next ten books on the BBC list, I have read five, pretty good for me. How about you?Anna Karenina Leo TolstoyDavid Copperfield Charles DickensChronicles of Narnia CS LewisEmma Jane AustenPersuasion Jane AustenThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe CS LewisThe Kite Runner Khaled HosseinCaptain Corelli’s Mandolin Louis De BernieresMemoirs of a Geisha Arthur GoldenWinnie the Pooh AA MilneOur next book, to be discussed at our annual Christmas Party which will be held at 6 PM at Nancy Perry’s home on Dec. 7th, is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This is a book I recommended to Journal readers a year or so ago. If you haven’t yet read it, please do. It is a wonderful story.

Marty Round

I hope by now everyone has noticed and appreciated the great job our neighbors have done in decorating the community for the holidays. We can all thank Gail Chaiken for her leadership in this effort, along with her able assistants: husband Shel, Peter Spoehr, Marilyn Draper, Bruce Strauss and John Gongla of May Management. Special people making Marsh Creek a special place!Tim

Tim Palmer

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Santa Claus – Pioneer in Overnight Delivery cont’d from the front page

He said that by feeding the “deer” a scientifically mixed diet of Alfalfa hey, caulif lower, rhubarb and Romaine lettuce, a gaseous substance is formed under their skin which enables them to f loat in a manner very similar to a blimp. In early November he starts feeding them this special food to begin the gas build up in their bodies so as to arrive at just the right level on Christmas Eve. He said that one of his helpers is charged with keeping the secret recipe and mixing the ingredients, which vary according to the weight of each animal. Santa also noted that once the delivery circuit has begun, the gas in the “deer” bodies slowly depletes, so the computations are very exacting to ensure that they stay airborne until the mission is complete. He started to tell me about an embarrassing incident that happened to Prancer while on final approach back at the North Pole, but I decided I had more information than I needed, so I proceeded to the next question.About the sleigh – “How does it get airborne?” – I asked. Santa told me that the sleigh runners are filled with a special gas, similar to helium, which enables it to f loat at the same rate as the reindeer. Again, I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t figured it out! He went on to explain that propulsion is provided by the movement of the “deer” hooves, which are aerodynamically cupped and curved in a special way so as to create an exceptional forward velocity. As well, their antlers serve as radar ref lectors to assist aircraft and ground controllers in maintaining separation during “the mission.” He also added something I found very interesting – Rudolph’s nose doesn’t really provide a landing-light capability as previously reported (a myth, he stated); it does, however, serve as a very effective anti-collision light when operating in visual meteorological conditions. It is amazing how stories get twisted as they are passed from generation to generation.As Santa was talking, I remembered another detail that has nagged me over the years: “How do you stop the reindeer and sleigh so quickly on the rooftops?” With that question, he looked down his nose at me with the “I can’t believe what I’m hearing” expression and seemed somewhat exasperated. After a deep sigh, he said “you, of all people should understand how it works – you have f lown jets from aircraft carriers

(Santa knows everything!) and you know how effective a tailhook is in stopping an airplane. Well, I have a special hook on the sleigh designed specifically to catch the eve of a house and it works every time.” I felt so stupid!I decided to move on to “the mission” itself. “Santa, how did you get started in the Overnight Delivery business, anyway?” His eyes lit up as he began to explain how he came up with the concept and made it reality. It all started with some very diminutive people who lived near him at the North Pole. He noted that there never seemed to be any joy in their lives – they worked all of the time with no reward. It was during the middle of winter that he decided to make each one of them a small gift to brighten their spirits and break up the dreary winter months. When he distributed the presents, the little people (he referred to them as “Elves”) got very excited and their attitudes toward him and each other seemed to soften and become more peaceful. It was so successful that he decided to do it again the following year and, again, the results were the same. Co-incidentally, one of the Elves mentioned to him that he had a special formula for making reindeer fly and an idea was borne. If this gift giving brought on such warmth and tranquility in his community, why not expand it to neighboring regions. With the newfound ability for the reindeer to pull his sleigh above the rough terrain, he decided to start gift delivery to neighboring Northern Canada and Alaska. As the delivery system expanded, so did the aura of happiness and compassion as more and more people’s lives were lifted by the receipt of a special gift each year. With the expansion, the Elves were brought in as assistants for manufacturing, record keeping and, of course, feeding the reindeer. His wife (he referred to her as Mrs. “C”) became Chief Operating Officer while he, Santa, oversaw global expansion as well as being the Chief Delivery Pilot. Eventually, he was able to develop a worldwide delivery schedule and he turned it into an annual event. He said that there were some pretty shaky moments in the early times but, after a few hundred years, things have smoothed out pretty well. In what seemed like an afterthought, he muttered something about “the imposters these days that advertise overnight delivery” as having a long way to go to ever match his record.One last question: “Do you really eat the milk and cookies set out for you?” “Well of course,” he answered! “They provide additional energy for the mission and, if you must know, have a similar effect as the special formula reindeer food – they produce enough gas to make me lighter for the “deer” to pull through the sky.” With that he looked at me and laughed as he recollected the spiked eggnog that I left out for him a few years ago. I guess the alcohol accelerated the effects of the cookies. He didn’t say more and I didn’t ask.As I was trying to assimilate all of this exciting information, the golf pro walked in and I turned to ask him about a tee time for the next day. While he was getting the answer, I turned back to finish the discussion with my new-found acquaintance, but he had disappeared into thin air! I asked one of the golfers seated at the bar where my friend had gone and he said “who – I didn’t see anyone.” I received similar comments from others in the room. Well, they may not have seen Santa Claus, but I did and I believe!

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Those who attended the annual Christmas luncheon were treated to a sumptuous meal and wonderful holiday program provided by the Marsh Creek Chorale and the Hand Bell Choir of Memorial Presbyterian Church. The generosity of many who bought gifts for the children of the Angel Tree helped to make the holidays merrier for the SAYS boys, the babies from St. Gerard’s, and children of the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition. We send a big thank you to all who contributed to this worthy cause. The Social Events committee has done an outstanding job of choosing a variety of activities. All of their programs have been sell-outs. Saturday, February 4, there will be a bus trip to the famous Mount Dora Art Festival. This nationally ranked fine arts festival is the largest in the state and attracts artists from all over the country. The works are displayed in the downtown streets of this quaint town overlooking beautiful Lake Dora. The cost for bus transportation and snacks is $35. Attendees will be on their own for lunch at the many fine dining spots in Mount Dora. Adult guests are welcome to attend this event. The Committee has arranged a Valentine’s Cruise for Sunday, February 12. Join us for

MARSH CREEK WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

BY SYLVIA KORIDEK

an elegant prime rib buffet dinner, luscious desserts, live music, and cash bar on the Sundancer out of Hammock Harbor Village. The cruise is limited to 80 people. We sold out within a few days last year, so PAYMENT IS REQUIRED WITH REGISTRATION. Cost is $45/person. Make checks payable to MCWA.Our next luncheon, to be held January 11, will feature Jae English, a charming and witty expert in the field of motivation education. She will illustrate ”The Power of One” by answering the questions: What is personal power and where does it come from?; How can we protect, enrich, and enhance it so that we can inspire ourselves and others toward a triumphant life?; and What about me? This will be both inspiring and uplifting, and promises to be very entertaining as well. Look for Jae’s question and answer column in the Journal. Chef Joe will prepare chicken ala champagne, rice pilaf, and vegetables, followed by chocolate mousse. Call the club at 461-1101 to reserve your spot.Wednesday, February 8, the always exciting, talented performers from Limelight Theater, directed by Beth Lambert, will present a variety of songs from past and future shows. There will be more to come in future publications.The Breeders’ Cup fundraiser was on overwhelming success and we thank all our guests and contributors. Because of all the generous donations

from our sponsors and local vendors, we were able to raise about $10,000! This money is intended primarily for our targeted charities, The Joanne Arnett Tutschek Fund and the Good Samaritan Wildflower Clinic. Our committees and board members did an outstanding job of creating a wonderful evening for all. We especially want to thank the ladies from the Woman’s Exchange and, of course, the loudest applause goes to Jim and Lesley Allegro for hosting the event. We would appreciate your support of our sponsors by visiting their establishments. (Please see the ad that accompanies this article.) Our next fundraiser will be held at the club Monday, January 23. We celebrate the Year of the Dragon, the sign of good fortune in the Chinese zodiac. Dinner includes a specially prepared buffet by Chef Joe for $35.00 per person. As you enter the club that evening, the entranceway will be adorned with luminaries that you have purchased, honoring and memorializing your loved ones. The forms for the luminaries can be picked up at the club or downloaded from our website www.marshcreekwomen.org. They cost only $5.00 each. You will also meet the President and CEO of “Artbreakers”, (another of our targeted charities) who will be offering beautiful Chinese silk fans for sale. Save the date, Friday, March 2, 2012 for our Wine/Beer Tasting and Silent Art

Auction. More information will be available soon.During the Thanksgiving holiday we delivered 21 kits to the Betty Griffin Sexual Assault Recovery program.Don’t forget to continue collecting baby item coupons, plastic bottle caps, and Box Tops for Education. You may leave these items

at clearly marked folders on the reception desk. Also, we would like to collect personal care items for the ESHC group. Travel size toiletries are best and can be deposited in the basket in the lobby of the club.The Marsh Creek Care Committee continues to offer support and services to those in need. If you

are willing to help by providing a meal, please contact Caroline Crocker at 460-9365. Additional cooks would be very welcome.Remember to visit our website www.marshcreekwomen.org for the latest information and photos from our many events.

the MCwa is hosting a very special guest at the January luncheon. Jae’ Inglish, M.a., Ph.d., red.d. is known as a leading authority on proven motivational communication technologies, techniques and strategies. Jae’s sense of humor and quick wit will entertain you while she discusses important life situations. this will be an informative program that you won’t want to miss. Her Motivational enhancement “me” Method* seminars have drawn attendees from across the United states and internationally. the goal of the Inglish “me” Method is to significantly reduce destructive beliefs, motivations, attitudes and behaviors, and to enhance behaviors that foster successful relationship development. *a non-medical, Bible based educational wellness model, not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.“Knowledge is the eye of desire and can become the pilot of the soul.” – will durantwhat follows below is an example of how Jae approaches behavioral issues:

MCWA January Guest Speaker

Sylvia Koridek

WHAT ABOUT ME? Questions and AnswersDear Jae:Q. as I get older I seem to feel lonely and isolated from family and friends. why and what can I do about it?A. Check with your doctors first and, without knowing the details of your situation, I will suggest at least one non-medical reason as to why this might be happening. as we age, we may loose touch with ourselves because our personal identity and our roles in life have changed. some of the accomplishments/capabilities wherein we functioned have (over time) dissipated. we no longer recognize “who” we are.“When one is a stranger to oneself then one is estranged from others too.” – ann Morrow Lindberghso loneliness and isolation may be the result. science can provide direction and hope. the aging process has built into it the luxury of free time. Free time to “think”. what we think (either positive or negative) is what determines the quality of our lives. scientists tell us that perception is reality. so if we can’t like our reality, we have two choices: we must either change our perception or reality. we cannot grow younger so we must change our perception of growing older. the physical body is only the package we reside in, not “who” we are. satchel Paige said “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” so what is your answer? theoretically, the mind will function according to that answer. “Young at heart” really means “Young at thought”. “the greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” – Henry James. this is science at its best! “who” we are is “who” we have always been. we just need to rediscover ourselves; not in the light of our mirrors that remind us of our age, but within the illumination of our minds that remind us of the “child” that now has the free time (once again) to think thoughts of wonder.the child within has been the keeper of our dreams and our imagination is still our best weapon against reality we cannot change (i.e.: chronological age). when we reconnect with ourselves it becomes easier to reconnect with others

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BY CHARLIE COMPTON BY TOM MULLISThe “Marsh Creek Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements”, fondly known as the “Covenants” require that reserves be maintained for the deferred maintenance and/or replacement of MCOA property. This was further detailed by a Board Policy enacted in 2004. The first reserve study was

done in 2005 by a licensed consultant specializing in this type of evaluation. The policy requires periodic review by a licensed specialist and an update review of the reserve requirements and status was completed in 2011.The first reserve study in 2005 was a Level 1 study performed according to the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Reserve Study Standards. The 2011 study was a level 2 study, meaning update. The same consultant performed both studies and is familiar with Marsh Creek. The consultant, along with being a math whiz and clairvoyant, is familiar with assets, cost of replacement and inspecting the assets for condition and the potential timing of replacement needs.The components of the MCOA Replacement Reserves are:Drainage (swales, storm drains, culverts and lakes)Irrigation (wells, pumps, clocks, pipes, etc.)Landscaping (trees, shrubs, beds, etc.)Mailboxes (painted every 3 years)Pavement (roads, sidewalks, curbs)Recreation (Community Park equipment and structures)Security (gate houses and related access equipment)Signs (painting, repairing and replacing)Thunder BridgeUninsured Perils (such as storm damage)MiscellaneousA detailed evaluation of each individual segment of the above components is maintained, updated and reviewed annually by the Finance Committee.The Replacement Reserve balance at the end of 2011 is expected to be approximately $1.2 Million which is in line with the results of the updated study. These funds are invested in Certificates of Deposit. The CDs are generally for a term of one year, renewals are staggered by date and no financial institution holds in excess of the FDIC insured limits. It is unfortunate that we are in a period of such low interest rates.The funding of the MCOA Replacement Reserves is done as a component of the Quarterly Assessment. The annual funding amount is intended to add to the reserves as indicated by the consultant’s evaluation and for items which are not part of the Replacement Reserves but needed to improve and maintain Marsh Creek common property in the coming year. An example of this is the recently installed rubber mulch in the Community Park playground. Before any project is undertaken it is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors and subject to bidding requirements established by Board Policy.The status of the Replacement Reserves should be a comfort to the members of the Association knowing that we are adequately reserved at a nearly “fully funded” level and should not quiver in fear of dreaded “special assessments”. It is also a strong selling point to potential buyers that this Association is in a very strong financial position.

We discussed the popularity of pavers for driveway use in a previous article, and recent modifications to ARB guidelines have an impact. When applying for approval to install pavers, the ARB wants to ensure that the paver colors and patterns compliment the home as well as the community as a whole.

The homeowner is thus required to either place a 4’x4’ sample of the pavers with pattern on their existing drive near the house for ARB members to inspect, or, provide an accurate computer generated photographic depiction.The Patio Home Committee and the Roads and Common Property Committee have problems with irrigation system maintenance under driveways. This is particularly common to Patio Homes as they are irrigated by the community’s irrigation system. Estate homes can have community irrigation lines under their driveways, as the irrigation system runs from Common Area to Common Area, as well as from Patio Home to Patio Home and Common Area. The problem with irrigation pipes and wiring under driveways is exacerbated by the many joints and junctions that have failed under driveways, particularly Patio Home driveways. Non-paver driveways are more difficult to fix than paver driveways, as they are not readily removed in small sections.Homeowners requesting approval to build, change or replace their driveways shall be required to: 1. Contact the MCOA irrigation contractor to have the area under the old/proposed driveway inspected to determine if there are community irrigation pipes or wires that will be located under the new driveway. Only straight, single piece pipes and wires shall be left under the new driveways. The MCOA irrigation vendor can be reached through the Community Association Manager, MAY Management. 2. Install a 4 inch Schedule-40 PVC pipe across the driveway, 8 feet back from the street pavement edge and sunk 10 inches to 12 inches deep. The location of the end of the pipe should be marked with a notch in the paver/pavement.The homeowner must certify to the ARB that these requirements have been met. The other issue regards culverts. A corrugated metal or PVC pipe is typically used and before replacement of a driveway the homeowner should have any existing pipe inspected for rusting or other forms of damage or decay. Collapse of a driveway attributable to damaged piping

MCOA REPLACEMENT RESERVES ARB ISSUES – REPLACING DRIVEWAYS

Charlie Compton Tom Mullins

is the homeowner’s responsibility. It is also important that the homeowner ensure that a natural flow of storm water occurs to the appropriate runoff point, whether a storm-drain or marsh. If culverts exist, they should be kept unclogged and free of debris. Any homeowner who has or suspects that they have a problem with their culvert should contact MAY Management for direction on how to proceed.

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B y E d C o n n o l ly

ah, Christmas! I love it! or Passover. or Kwanzaa. or, as they used to say on the seinfeld show, “Festivus for the rest of us”. But whatever you call it, the holidays are really for kids. Kids are happy and excited and this is their time of the year. so, with the economy in the pits and many of us facing tough times, the holidays are a good time to look back on what life was like when you were a kid and . . . smile. Here are a few things that made me smile . . . as a ten-year old kid growing up in the bowels of Brooklyn.Life Was SimpleMothers ruled, fathers worked and kids shuddup. doctors were Jewish, Cops were Irish; teachers were always right, and so forth. Nobody ever bothered to explain why. You were a kid and explanations would only make your head hurt, or something like that. You had only one right and that was the right to remain silent. adults made pronouncements; they talked at kids, not to them. thus, as every self-respecting ten-year old would come to understand, it was the adults that should be seen and not heard - not the kids! Learning to ignore adults helped me become a much better teenager. Pot Roast Was Kingat an early age, I realized I was a carnivore. My sainted Mother recognized this trait and

decided our family needed meat. we called it pot roast. I was amazed at how many different kinds of meat showed up on my fork looking like pot roast. Not having a lot of money, we labored under the cruel maxim that you “ate what was put in front of you.” If you did grumble that you didn’t particularly like what was being served, the standard reply was: “weLL! those poor, starving children in [wherever] would certainly appreciate what you have!” Ummm . . . perhaps, I thought, but I’m not so sure. today, I can say without hesitation, that I would rather be water boarded then eat another slice of pot roast.Retribution Was DivineIn those days, God was very busy. a major part of His job was helping keep kids in line. Kids are always getting into trouble. It’s what kids like to do best. I don’t mean real trouble; I mean

chasing-the-dog-around-the-house, making-your-sister-cry, driving-your- parents- nuts kind of trouble. You know, fun stuff. a kid’s objective was to keep doing this, and k-e-e-p d-o-i-n-g t-h-i-s, until finally their parents or whomever were ready to . . . eXPLode! It was at this exquisite moment when God was called upon to intervene and damn the kid’s behavior. the threat of divine retribution would quickly stop the aberrant behavior and tranquility would again prevail. when I was a kid, God was not only very busy, but also very useful.Girls Were Goodas a happy, largely feckless, ten-year old boy, I became acutely aware that there was a difference between boys and girls. I don’t mean the usual reproductive stuff, I mean really important things, chief among which was that girls were good and boys were not. of course, I knew that

this was not true all the time, but in my little pre-pubescent brain, it was still a very unnerving revelation. Girls didn’t yell at or punch each other. they didn’t laugh hysterically when someone used a “dirty” word. they didn’t gulp their food or make strange noises when they ate; and, since girls were smarter than boys, they could always be counted on to give the right answer in school. Boys, on the other hand, could always be counted on to do everything wrong. In later years, I realized that the “perfect” girl was the one who understood why I wasn’t . . . so I married her. It was Good to Be a Neighborhood Kidthe highest accolade you could ever receive in Brooklyn was when you were branded “a neighborhood kid”. It was like getting a permanent “Get-out-of-Jail Free” Card. Neighborhoods in Brooklyn were

sacred ground and the kids who lived in the neighborhood had the same rights and privileges found in a medieval fiefdom. everybody knew everybody, which meant that everybody knew who you were, who you belonged to and what you should (or should not) be doing at that particular moment. every kid had a nickname [mine was “trouble” like in “Here comes . . .”]. the neighborhood Cop used a “Catch and release” program with the kids, and the worst crime you could commit was giving some adult “back-talk”. I liked being a kid . . . especially a neighborhood kid!I have to go now. enjoy your holidays and remember there are millions of americans who are clever and fearless, our only trouble seems to be they are only ten years old.

Ed Connollyeverybody knew everybody, which meant that everybody knew who you were, who you belonged to and what you should (or should not) be doing at that particular moment.

everybody knew everybody, which meant that everybody knew who you were, who you belonged to and what you should (or should not) be doing at that particular moment.

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BY TERRY DUFFY

Living in a community such as ours brings with it a set of standards and guidelines meant to ensure and enhance property values. Although each owner, upon purchase, is given a copy of the covenants and guidelines, probably few have read them and fewer still are conversant with them. The Compliance committee both reminds property owners of these rules and is charged with enforcing them. Ultimately, successful compliance entails the owner’s “buy in”,and his/her agreement that doing so is in their financial best interest. It also engenders the sense of community pride that makes for good neighbors.The Architectural Review Board (ARB) is involved with compliance of a specific type – home construction or modification, including all exterior changes. A simplified distinction is that ARB reviews and approves changes the owner wishes to make, while Compliance monitors existing conditions.The monitoring process involves regular inspections whereby representatives of our property manager, MAY Management, accompanied by a member of the Compliance committee drive through the community to observe/look for common problems and inspect those which have generated a complaint. The criteria used to determine what constitutes a “problem” is a combination of common sense and informed

precedent. Among the duties of the committee is to review criteria on a regular basis to ensure consistent application and that a reasonable solution to the problem exists. Exterior items are the subject of these inspections, including roofs, driveways, mailboxes, garden ornaments, and the condition of lawns and landscaping. If a problem is observed, the owner receives a letter from MAY Management describing the nature of the problem, what needs to be done, a requested completion date of fourteen days from the date of the letter, and encouraging contact regarding questions. If no action or communication is taken after fourteen days, a second letter is sent repeating the information contained in the first and indicating that non-compliance within the allotted time will result in a request to appear before the committee. If after an additional fourteen days, no communication or corrective action is made/taken, a third letter is sent requesting the owner to be present at a compliance Hearing, stating the date, time, and location, to explain their non-compliance. The residents involved with the Hearing are independent and not on the Compliance committee. Based on the Hearing, the compliance request may be modified and/or additional time allowed for corrective action. Failure to adhere to the Hearing’s decision may result in the levying of a fine. The tone of all letters is meant to be informative and factual, versus threatening or confrontational, but people react differently to being informed about

COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Terry Duffy

something they need to do. Compliance chair, Terry Duffy, and his committee stress their desire to achieve a satisfactory solution while complying with the rules and guidelines. Communication is crucial to accomplishing this. We have a new account manager at MAY, JoAnne Shott, and assistant, Heather Elliott. Both are experienced professionals and understand the importance of clear and friendly communication, and when to get the committee involved.A reminder from the committee about waste disposal, both yard and household: Monday is the pick-up day for household waste and recycling. Recycled materials should be placed in the containers provided by Advanced Disposal, while household waste should be bagged and placed in covered containers. These containers may be placed curbside Sunday evening, and should be removed no later than 24 hours following pick-up.Tuesday is the pickup day for yard materials, so all debris should be at your curbside for pickup that morning. We ask that loose materials, such as leaves and grass, be bagged or placed in disposal bins to prevent blowing onto neighbor’s property.

Broiled Grouper Parmesan

3 pounds fresh grouper fillets3 tablespoons lemon juice3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons butter, softened1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon mayonnaise1-1/2 dashes hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven’s broiler.2. Place the grouper fillets on a greased baking tray. Brush them with lemon juice. In a small bowl, stir together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Set aside.3. Broil the fillets for 4 to 6 minutes, until they can be flaked with a fork. Remove from the oven and spread the cheese mixture on top of fillets.4. Return to the broiler for an additional 30 seconds, or until the topping is browned and bubbly

By Louise Nelson

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the function of the Marsh Creek News Journal is to serve the entire Marsh Creek Community. First priority will be given to reporting news and activities of the Marsh Creek Community, community organizations and other news and events that directly affect Marsh Creek residents. second priority will be given to articles of general interest as space permits.articles must be received by the first of the month and may be e-mailed to timpalmer95@comcast.net or sent to: editor, 213 Golden oaks Lane, st. augustine, FL, 32080. due to space limitation, all articles are subject to abridgement.Letters to the editor must be signed as well as brief and in good taste. Views expressed are those of the writer and do not express the viewpoint of the editorial staff or the Marsh Creek Property owners association or Marsh Creek residents.all advertising submitted for publication in the Marsh Creek News Journal must be received by the 10th of each month for publication the following month. all matters concerning advertising should be referred to the st. augustine record advertising sales staff. ads may be e-mailed to your sales representatvie, ads@staugustinerecord.com or sent to the st. augustine record, C/o your sale representative, one News Place, st. augustine, FL 32086.the Marsh Creek News Journal’s acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement or approval of any product or services by the Publisher, Marsh Creek Property owners association, the Marsh Creek Country Club or any Marsh Creek resident. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication.the Publisher of the Marsh Creek News Journal agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Marsh Creek residents and Property owners association and its directors, officers and members from any claims asserted against or financial liabilities incurred by them arising from commercial content of this publication or anything contained in any advertising copy, including without limitation any claims of whatever nature asserted by advertisers or potential advertisers.the Marsh Creek News Journal Is published for the residents of the Marsh Creek Community, st. augustine, Florida under the authority of the Marsh Creek owners association.

editor tim Palmer 213 Golden oaks Lane st. augustine, FL 32080 timpalmer95@comcast.net assistant editors Linda oakley Marty round

Consulting editor Mike del Galdo 331 Marshside Drive North St. Augustine, FL 32080

Produced by the st.augustine record One News Place St. Augustine, FL 32086 Publications Coordinator Cheryl Brunk One News Place St. Augustine, FL 32086

Declining and Dying Tree Ligustrum/ ligustrum licidumBY MARILYN DRAPER

At both entrances to Marsh Creek and at many of our “focal points” on street corners and around neighborhood signs you can see mature tree ligustrum (also called Chinese privet, lollipop trees or umbrella trees). They are prominent small shade trees in our Marsh Creek Common Property landscape as well as being popular for home landscaping. Many of you have noticed the decline and death of several of these trees, particularly at the Mizell Road entrance. The decline and death of these trees is being met with great concern and every effort has been made to discover the cause of their decline and if possible save them. However we must honestly inform you that the future looks grim for our tree ligustrum.It was during the spring of 2011 that we first noticed curling and browning leaves with some limb dieback. The affected branches were pruned out and removed. Additional fungicides and insecticides were applied by Lawn Ranger in an attempt to halt the decline. In July, two trees on the east side of Mizell Road near Lakeway died despite these efforts. Pinpointing the cause of the problem became critical. We sent samples at two intervals and from different areas to UNF Diagnostic Labs in Gainesville. The Reports noted the presence of diseases but suggested that the trees were susceptible to disease because of their weakened condition perhaps due to age and/or environmental stresses.The Diagnostic Reports identified Pythium Root Rot, Phytophthora Root/ Crown Rot, and Cecospora Leaf Spot. We estimated the age of the trees to be about 25 years and discovered that tree ligustrum have a life expectancy of 30 years. We also noted other factors affecting plant growth and health (stress): 1) we have had two consecutive winters with below average temperatures over longer than usual time periods (below 28 F. for more than 5 days); 2) we have had 2 years of drought; 3) we have added mulch in excess of the ½” to 1” recommended; 4) soil salt levels are elevated by drought.

Other factors we considered included: •Sunlight/full,partialshade,shade •Soil/composition,PH •Air/quality,pollution,ventilation,dryingwind, cold wind •Waterquantityfromrain(flood–drought)and irrigation (extra for new plantings/sod) •Waterqualityaswellassourcessuchasrain, dew/fog, salt spray, well, pond, gray water •Growingseason/daysofsunandtemperatures compared to average •Pests/insects •Animaldamage/smallcritters,deer,others •Fertilizer/type,timing,accompaniedby sufficient water •Groundsmaintenance/groundcoversvs.mulch, edging, size of mulch beds vs. grass •Mulch/type(pinebark,pinestraw,cypress,etc.), amount varies with type •Routinesprayingvs.problemspecificspraying for disease, fungus, bacteria, virus •Soildisturbanceduetoroadworkor construction, etc. •Diseases/fungal,bacterial,viral,pestborne,air borne, etc. •Lifeexpectancyofligustrumlucidumin various zones where it grows (Z 7-10). In Zone 7 this tree grows more slowly and may live thirty- five years. this is Zone 9B and Ligustrum Lucidum has a life expectancy of thirty years in Zone 9B.

Ligustrum

As we look forward we are trying to focus, not on the number of tree ligustrum we will lose, but, on the planting opportunities. Some of the options include hollies, oleanders, thryallis, magnolias, palms, hickory, maple, oak, crape myrtles, wax myrtles, cypress, cedar, cedar elms, bottle brush, beauty berry bushes, Simpson’s Stopper, Spanish Stopper, Buckthorn, Christmas Berry, Gallberry, Guava, Varnish leaf, Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, and Fiddlewood trees. We hope the new plantings will give neighborhoods unity and character. At the same time we hope diversifying the plant choices from one neighborhood to the next will protect us from the type of loss that can result from widespread use of any single trees species.

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Well, the Emerald Gala, celebrating the Limelight Theatre’s 20th Anniversary is almost here! The Limelight Board of Directors have been planning and talking about it for so long, it’s hard to believe that it is just around the corner!The evening promises to be one that you won’t want to miss. From the pre-show cocktail party at the beautiful Lightner Museum to the actual performances at Flagler College Auditorium, the event will be the highlight of Limelight’s year as well as its biggest fundraiser.As mentioned in several previous articles, the Emerald Gala is being held one night only, Saturday, January 14, 2012. The show, 20 Songs from 20 Seasons,

is a rollicking musical revue featuring live performances by cast members and musicians from some of Limelight’s most popular productions. In addition, the Gala will include performances from guest artists from First Coast Opera, The St. Augustine Community Orchestra, the St. John’s County Center for the Arts, local singing ensemble- Vivace, Theatre Jacksonville, and a number of others.Tickets for the evening are $75 per person and include reserved seating for the Gala Show, a 2 hour pre-show cocktail party at the historic Lightner Museum from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. featuring an open bar, hors d’ oeuvres and a light dinner, followed by the performance at Flagler College Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the pre-show party are limited to 300, so call and make your reservations as soon as possible.

General admission tickets are also available for $40 per person, which will include the Gala show, and coffee and dessert at intermission in the college lobby.The Limelight Theatre offers so much to our community! Come join us and help celebrate this special anniversary by calling the theatre now, (904) 825-1164 extension 11, to reserve your tickets for this wonderful evening.

the Fall/winter season has started off with a bang. the new “willpower and Grace” class is a huge success and has been added to the schedule on Mondays at 3 PM as well. Please check your dec/Jan egret for the current schedule. the Ballroom dancing is also very successful with a “waiting list” for the Monday 5:30 class. the Monday 4pm and tuesday 5:30pm classes still have room, so stop by or call in 904-471-1617 and reserve your spot. New sessions will begin again in January. Please feel free to write (Marshcreektennis@gmail.com att:Barbara) or call 904-471-1617 with any requests or suggestions.Free weLLNess eVeNton Monday, dec 12th from 1-2:30pm, join us on the t & FC porch for a “Journey to skin wellness”. denise Navins, of Positive Healing skincare, will be discussing the latest in BotaNICaL and orGaNIC skincare products. denise will also demonstrate facial massage and make-up application. all participants will receive Free samples,discount coupons and an entry into both raffles for a free facial.Gift certificates will also be available for purchase .Mark your calendars and call Barbara at the t & FC (904-471-1617) to reserve your spot. You don’t want to miss this.tIs tHe seasoN to INdULGe Between thanksgiving and New Year’s, the average person gains between 5 to7 lbs. Let’s face it; with so many diet distractions around every corner, the holidays are a challenging time to stay mindful of the quality and type of calories we consume. resist the urge to sabotage yourself! Just say no to seconds.

Happenings at the Limelight Theater Fitness NewsBy Maureen Zygmont By Barbara Marone

Mauren Zygmont

Cut yourself some slack! the holidays are a great time to relax with family and friends. don’t aim for perfection; instead focus on two areas of your diet such as sticking to a firm workout schedule and avoiding the cheese tray or cookies if those are your weaknesses.

Barbara Marone

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BY MARY JO WILSON

The October Marsh Creek Blood Drive was a success because we had several walk-in donors and only one donor was deferred. The Fall blood drive brought in a total of sixteen units on the Blood Mobile and four units were collected at the Blood Donor Center, bringing our total number of units collected to twenty.Special thanks to Don Erion. He was generous enough to make a “Cymbal Donation” which is a double red blood cell donation which counts as two units. If you have had a difficult time donating whole blood in the past, you may be a candidate for “Double Reds” which uses a smaller needle and actually collects less total blood than a whole blood donation does but takes about 20 minutes longer to do.Joe Wilson did a double platelet donation at the Blood Center which is always in high demand as platelets have a shelf life of less than a week. Many patients who need platelets are undergoing chemotherapy or an organ transplant and have a weakened immune system. Platelet donations can be made up to 24 times a year, as the body quickly replaces them. If you have never made this type of donation, please consider doing it. Those who participated in our summer blood drive were: Jim Andersen, Shirley Bonner, Louise Coward, Bernice Cruise, Don Erion, Joan Kaiser, John Kaiser, Joseph

Lopinto, Pat Lopinto, John Murray, Bernadette Neumann, Paul Neumann, Dean Parker, Louise Parker, Gilles Renaud, Pat Richardson, Mary Jo Wilson, Joe Wilson. and Franz Zimmer.As I have said in the past, it is extremely important that you have a good breakfast before donating and be well hydrated. It seems at almost every blood drive, some people end up being deferred due to a low iron level. There are many foods one can eat to boost the iron level prior to making a donation. Clams, chicken, dried fruit, eggs, liver, molasses, oysters, raisins, spinach, tuna, wheat germ, and of course lean red meat are excellent sources of iron. Also have plenty of fluids the day before donating. Following these simple suggestions will help ensure you will be able to donate on the scheduled date. We had the pleasure of having four very personable, energetic and caring mobile unit collection specialists. They were Cheryl, Maria, John, and Tisha. They did a fine job and were quite efficient.Sixty percent of adults are medically able to donate blood, but sadly only five percent do. If you are able to donate and never have, do consider participating in our next blood drive. It is such an easy way to make a difference and reach out to those who need your donation to survive.On behalf of the Blood Alliance and those who will benefit from this precious gift, I want to thank all of those who were kind enough to participate. When you give blood, you give life!

Fall MC Blood Drive

Mary Jo Wilson

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It is a rare privilege to call “home” a town that takes community spirit as seriously as St. Augustine does. Saturday evening showed, for the 18th time, how this town does it better. Perhaps 10,000 people, residents and visitors alike, flowed into La Plaza de la Constitucion in a joyous fun-filled celebration of the Lighting of the Lights, kicking off the holiday season in America’s oldest city.Families pushing strollers mixed with hip young students in period pirate costume. Well-dressed visitors taking their Flagler College offspring out for dinner mingled alongside a large group of Arab-speaking Muslims. Sparklers and nightlights were waved by some in the darkened square, anticipating the orchestrated luminescence to follow. First, the lighting of the St. Augustine Christmas tree, and then the “3...2...1…” countdown that suddenly,

magically bathed the plaza and the city in a magnificent swath of glittering bulbs. Thousands of them, on oak limbs, on the facades of the historic Lightner Museum and the Basilica … on and on it went in a feast for the eyes.Yes, the commercialism behind this annual effort isn’t lost on this writer. Light Up boosts tourism in an otherwise quiet season and has been cited by AAA as one of its 12 Favorite Places to Catch the Holiday Spirit in the USA and Canada, and by the American Bus Association which named it among the nation’s top 100 events for the third time. But on display in the plaza was a civic pride St. Augustinians feel in this seasonal transformation of their already quaint and eye-pleasing town. People thronged into the plaza for a moment of unity and celebration, forgetting for a time their fears and worries about jobs, homes, dwindling savings, a weak economy, a dysfunctional national government. Indeed, it was a hopeful moment that in a national climate of division, distrust, and enmity, our city fathers could find and give us something bright to smile about.Note: Brian Nelson is a Marsh Creek resident and former anchor with CNN and communications executive for Boeing Aircraft Company. His website is 1565today.com.

BY BRIAN NELSON

Brian Nelson

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Spain, Portugal & MoroccoBY BILL THOMSEN

It is the same sun that shines on the gleaming modern skyscraper as on the broken

columns of the ancient temple. They are separated only by time. In every city there are reminders of what came before us, and there are harbingers of what may come. Sometimes they are the same thing, because at some deeper level that

soaring tower of glass and steel holds a fundamental connection with those antique blocks of stone -- both are testaments to human ingenuity and human aspiration. We look up at the night sky and we see the universe not as it is, but as it was. The past is inescapable. In every city, every town, every tiny remote village, there is something from the past that lingers, something survives, something even thrives at times, and sadly sometimes something somewhere reminds us of what could have been, had things not been the way they were.The amateur historian in me is always restless, always inquisitive, always anxious for that moment of discovery, of insight, and occasionally of enlightenment. Travel provides unique opportunities for reflection. Our journey through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco gave us a wonderful feast of richness and diversity.The tour began for us in Madrid. Linda and Joe Sabatella, Lois and Bob Van Zanten, and Arlene and I landed just after sunrise. The outskirts of Madrid are packed with new high rises, but as one gets closer to the central city one is struck by the grandeur and elegance of Madrid’s magnificent architecture. The older hotels, the stately apartment complexes, and the plethora of public and government buildings make the city an optical feast. There is a spaciousness to the boulevards, the

parks and the grand plazas with their beautiful fountains and massive statues. Much of Madrid is a living outdoor museum -- sculpture everywhere -- both modern and traditional. Particularly noteworthy are the Plaza Major, the Plaza de Oriente at the Palacio Real, and the Parque del Retiro. All along the Paseo de la Castellana are grandiose fountains and sculptural assemblies at each major intersection. The Museo del Prado is one of Europe’s true gems, ranking with The Uffizzi, The Hermitage, The British Museum and The Louvre to mention only a few. Madrid rewards the visitor at every turn -- its richness is to be savored.

Spain abounds in magnificence. While its great urban centers like Madrid and Barcelona seem to provide an endless bounty to the traveler, its smaller cities and towns are no less satisfying. One such gem is Segovia. The little city is steeped in Spain’s diverse and complex history. One of the best preserved Roman aqueducts straddles Segovia which is a walled city perched atop a massive rock; at its peak stands a magnificent Late-Gothic cathedral with its 100 meter tower which dominates the skyline. At the northwest corner is the Alcazar (the fortress), the foundations of which date back to Roman times. By medieval times the Alcazar had become a splendid castle for Segovia’s royal house. Its deep moat, drawbridge and turrets give the palace a fairy tale appearance. In 1474 Isabella, the Catholic, was proclaimed Queen of Castile. Among Isabella’s dubious achievements were the financing of Columbus’ voyages (which did not necessarily turn out well for Columbus and the indigenous peoples of the New World), and the Spanish Inquisition, (which did not necessarily turn out well for countless non-Catholics). Our journey now turns us south of Madrid to Toledo, situated on a high cliff, surrounded on three sides by the Rio Tajo, which in Portugal is called the Tagus and at the mouth of which lies Lisbon. The panorama of Toledo is nothing if not incredible. Few cities in the world can boast such a unique setting; if one could see only one Spanish city it would have to be Toledo. Little can prepare the visitor for the awe-inspiring sight of the ancient capital of Spain with its Moorish architecture, its well preserved walls and gates and the soaring Catedral de Toledo.After Toledo our route took us northwest toward Salamanca. We stopped for lunch in Avila, another beautiful walled-city dating from the late 11th century,

Bill Thomasen

CORDOBA - LA mESQUiTA

THE WESTERN TiP OF EUROPE

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whose city walls are the best-preserved in Spain and maybe in much of Europe as well. To see these walls is to see Spain as it must have looked a thousand years ago.The late afternoon saw our arrival in Salamanca, an ancient university town. To this day it is a mecca for students wishing to become fluent is Spanish. Many American teachers of Spanish at both the high school and college level have studied there. One of the magnificent gems of Salamanca is the Plaza Major, a huge open space surrounded on all sides by a three-storied edifice dating back to the 18th century. It is truly one of Europe’s quintessential plazas.From Salamanca, we made our way southeast toward Lisbon, Portugal’s delightful capital. Portugal, like Spain, played a major role in the exploration of the New World. On the shore of the Tagus is an impressive monument to the discoverers -- the Pradao dos Descobrimentos -- situated near the beautiful Belem Tower which was once part of Lisbon’s defense system Within easy walking distance, and worth a visit, is the Mosteiro (monastery) Jeronimos, an architectural masterpiece, considered to be one of Lisbon’s most significant buildings. The next morning we visited the Aflama, the old quarter of Lisbon with its maze of narrow winding alleys and passageways accessible mainly by foot or cycle. Lisbon in general and the Alfama in particular retain a quaintness and charm of bygone eras. Older neighborhoods such as the Alfama give Lisbon a unique character, particularly as they are hilly with streets often very steep -- much like San Francisco. Our afternoon took us westward along the river toward the coast to Cascais. In many ways, this southwest corner of Europe is frozen in time. Many of the little coastal towns like Cascais are laid-back, almost sleepy. From here, we drove northward to the western most tip of Europe and then inland and up into the mountains to Sintra -- one of the most unique towns in Portugal, a place where 19th century aristocrats built palaces in the cool elevations to avoid summer’s heat in the city.Early the next day our tour was back on the bus headed to Seville, a city embodying the beauty, the grace, the elegant charm of old world Spain. The capital of Andalusia, not surprisingly, boasts a magnificent cathedral, noted not only for its size and importance, but as the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Part of the cathedral complex is the Patio de los Naranjas. its air redolent with orange blossoms. Seville is also famous as the setting for several major operas, and though far inland, is a port city. The Plaza de Espana is another SEViLLE - PALACiO CENTRALE

SEGOViA - ROmAN AQUEDUCTAViLA

quintessential space -- a huge area embraced by the Palacio Centrale and dedicated to the Spanish provinces as part of the 1929-1930 Ibero-American Exhibition. The old saying, “If you have not seen Seville you have missed a marvel” is as true today as it ever was.One enters Cordoba over a Roman bridge built in the time of Augustus. The most important reason to visit Cordoba is La Mezquita-Catedral -- one of the most impressive and fascinating buildings anywhere in Spain. It is believed to have been the site of a Rome temple. After the Moorish conquest in 711 C.E. a Visogothic church occupied the site and was shared by Christians and Moors. The growing population, however, rendered the church too small so the Moorish king bought the Christian portion and began the present day structure using Roman and Visogothic columns and architectural elements, incorporating them into the Moorish style. After the Reconquest, a decision was made to build a cathedral in the middle of the Muslim prayer hall. This amazing building is dazzling on a grand scale and it embodies in one place the history of Spain for the last 2000 years. If there were a top ten of architectural landmarks in Spain this edifice would definitely be on the list -- truly incredible.Gibraltar (from the Arabic -- Jebel al Tariq) guards the entrance to the Mediterranean. The massive rock itself has evolved through time into an immense fortress complex. In ancient times it was part of what the Greeks

and Romans called the pillars of Hercules. The belief was that beyond this strait was the end of the world; go too far and you fall off. Today Gibraltar holds strategic importance as one of the world’s major choke-points. Britain (who has held it since 1704) and Spain still debate who has the legal rights to control the territory. There are many fascinating things about Gibraltar, but the most fascinating is the prospect of a bridge to North Africa which right now rests in the dreams of architects and engineers. Who knows? Everywhere we go there is evidence of things that were once mere dreams.The ferry to Tangier pulled out in late afternoon. The waters were relatively calm and light breeze was blowing. There are few places in the world where one can engage in intercontinental travel on a ferry. One can cross by bridge from North America to South America across the Panama Canal and cross from Europe into Asia in Istanbul. There are bridges across the Suez Canal connecting Asia and Africa, which obviously were once connected, and there must be some small ferries, but one can almost throw a rock across Suez Canal, so how impressive can the ferries be? Unless you are interested in going to another continent by ferry -- which we were. To be continued.

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BY LINDA OAKLEY

Linda Oakley

On a sunny day in mid-November, thirty-four fine dogs, their owners and fifty other excited onlookers met on the patio of the Club for an all-winners dog show. Linda Sabatella, Reggie Smith and a professional dog trainer, Sherri Keshner, judged the dogs. Suzanne Burkett

was there to take 108 pictures of dogs, owners and audience. Jake Connors helped with the registration and Linda Yerrill tied yellow ribbons on the necks of the 13 rescue dogs that participated. These thirteen much loved pets had been adopted from pet shelters and rescue organizations. Sandy Brown provided the Award Certificates that she created on her computer. Those certificates attest the Fido that was judged Cutest, Curliest, Friendliest, Most Glamorous, Most Talented, etc. Every dog was a positive winner.Seldom have so many smiles been seen at one place. I don’t know who smiled more, the humans or the dogs who were getting lots of extra petting and attention. Responsible for creating all this fun, with a lot of behind the scenes work, were Scottie Brownsberger, Debbie Long, Marilyn Murray, Linda Oakley and Kathy Sampson. Proceeds from the show were donated to S.A.F.E. (Saving Animals from Euthanasia).

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The Niners are always “movin and shakin”, both on and off the course! After four plus years of writing about our escapades for the MCNJ, Linda Oakley is “movin” on and is passing her pad and pencil to Pat Wittmeyer and Camille Kay. Kudos to Linda for her entertaining articles – in fact it takes a team of two of us to fill her spot! Pat will keep an eye ever-open for Niner News tidbits and Camille will be ready with the pen to

record. Please, all Niners, share with us the joys and woes of golf as well as the stories and anecdotes of our events that bind us together as a great group.Fall Golf presented a host of entertaining events and some outstanding scores by our members. The interclub with Queen’s Harbor commemorated the I Love Lucy show with costumes, decorations, and games. In the midst of all the frivolity, Suzanne Beck’s foursome came

in first and the group of Sue Barton, Gina Wilson and Carol Toman came in second. Gina’s amazing feat was a “game antic” ball toss which landed in the hole! We also had a good showing at the interclub event at The Plantation Golf Course where Carol Toman’s group came in first. October 20 was Marsh Creek’s turn to host an interclub event with a Fall Harvest Picnic as our theme. Many thanks to Suzanne Burkett and her

BY CAMILLE KAY AND PAT WITTMEYER

NinerNews

9 HO LE R N EWs Decorating Committee who brought this “outdoor picnic” into our Dining Room with red-checkered table cloths, baskets of apples, and ketchup and mustard flower containers. Warm cider and fried chicken was enjoyed by all after a great morning of Fall weather golf. Gina Wilson and Marjorie Dardenne were the overall event winners. Gina was also closest to the line and Louise Parker won the longest putt.Birdies have been flying over our golf course this fall – not the fine feathered ones – but rather the ones that make us chirp out “I shot one less than par!” Our record keeping “Birdie Tree” in the Ladies Lounge has a flock of 23 Birdies which were made since opening day. Kathy Sampson has scored four of them while Suzanne Beck, Marcia Andersen and Pat Wittmeyer have made two

each. In fact, on November 8, Kathy and Pat were paired together, and Kathy got a Birdie on holes #6 and #7 while Pat finished #8 with a Birdie chip-in as well….certainly a sign of the good team spirit and encouragement that Niners generate.

Once a month Niners play Sunday Couples Golf which has an enthusiastically large group in attendance. Some of our Niners are also up to the challenge of playing 18 holes. Recently Ann Simmons played 18 and shot a most impressive score of 88! Way to go, Ann!It is certainly obvious that as Niners, we enjoy Golf as fun, as a challenge and as exercise, but just as importantly, we enjoy each other as friends. This Thanksgiving we welcomed back our Snowbirds as well as Lucy Williamson and Linda Yerrill who were recuperating all Fall. This Christmas our luncheon was all decked out in pink and lime green as we celebrated a “Pink Christmas on the Beach”. All Niners were wished Peace and Joy.

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Having just received our property tax bill I feel it timely to analyze a couple of the line items that add significantly to the total owed. Just call it the “eternal optimists” approach to justifying the check as it’s written.The Millage Rate for our schools of 8.069 is used to qualify for state funding, day to day operation and maintenance/construction. If you ask me that sounds like a lot of money! On the other hand I took a look at how those dollars are spent. The 2011 enrollment reflects our district serves 31,000 students with more than 2,600 students in Career Academies. What we seldom see are the unfunded mandates established by our State or Federal Government and the enormous financial burden it places on the budget. I asked a few questions and learned the following interesting facts:Revenue received per student - $6838. Are all students’ needs the same?Out of the approx. 31,000 students: 4260 are disabled students who have learning or intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavioral or autism spectrum disorders, speech/language or sensory impairments and developmental delays.7400 Students require medical aid/assistance which must be provided by a school nurse or a properly trained teacher. Our district elected to hire school nurses to assure the teachers remained focused on the learning needs of the children while nurses provide for the medical needs.7359 Students qualify for free/reduced meal service. This reflects the challenges to learning in the most fundamental way.

2685 Younger students require extended hours through before & after school care. In some cases, additional funds are supplied by the parents to offset the expense but funds collected fall short of actual costs.The class size amendment is a topic by its own merit but I can assure you the costs associated with this law is high.Of course, we all want to justify the checks when written so I decided to research this and realized the effect of great schools on home values. After reading volumes of data, I was particularly interested in the research conducted by Thomas J. Kane & Stephanie K Riegg of UCLA with Douglas O Staiger of Dartmouth College, published in April 16, 2004. It states “that mean test scores are significantly related to property values”. In one of their tables, “a sharp increase in housing prices at the boundary, with prices being roughly 12% higher for houses just inside the high-scoring district” was reflected. Armed with that info I compared values in the mainland golf neighborhoods of St. Augustine (The Shores and Royal St. Augustine) to the values of homes within golf course communities in Clay County. I looked at 2011 sales of 3 bedroom 2 bath homes typical of the neighborhoods with 2000-2250 sq. ft. The price range within the Shores was 198,000 to 256,000. The price range within Royal St. Augustine was 245,000-290,000. Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club reflected a price range of 149,900-228,000 while Fleming Island prices ranged from 160,000-200,000. Clay County was selected due to its proximity to Jacksonville and

job base similarities to St. Johns County. It isn’t uncommon for families to move to St. Johns County yet commute to their jobs in Jacksonville. The biggest reason according to most Realtors is the quality of the schools. St. Johns County ranks first overall out of 67 counties on the FCAT. Our Graduation Rate is 92.63%, higher than the state average of 80.7%. SAT scores of 1578 are above the state average of 1473 and a national average of 1509. Congratulations to our schools & their leadership! Well, I don’t know about you but I feel better just knowing that the school portion of my property taxes actually does have an affect on the value of my home. I started the same research on crime and it’s parallel on home values. Not surprisingly, I found the same thing. Property values go down as crime goes up. What surprised me most was that the study conducted by Stephen Gibbons and Stephen Machin in December, 2007 suggested criminal damage to personal property and vandalism/graffiti has the biggest affect. Based on our most recent neighborhood experience, I encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings and support the efforts of your community watch captain. Strong schools and low crime are crucial to maintaining our property values.

In the 1980’s when Marsh Creek was first developed, membership in the Club to play golf was the primary attraction to buy a lot and build. However the developers decided not to require membership of lot owners because it was a very competitive realty market. In fact, initially memberships were given away, i.e. the Founders lots, to entice purchases. during the early years, just about every lot

owner became a Club member because it was the community’s social and entertainment hub.during the last decade, the ratio of residents who were members began to decline for a variety of reasons, mainly financial and health. the Great recession exacerbated the trend to the point that now, barely 50% of residents are members, and since January of 2010, less than 25% of new residents have joined the Club. From the Club’s perspective, that’s not good, but what effect does it have on residents? Property values figure prominently in answering that question.Marsh Creek values are helped by its proximity to the beach, quality of area schools, security/gated community, and having the Club within the gates. Quantifying the latter is difficult, but important. area realtors consider it to have a positive effect in the 10-15% range, or, put another way, approximately $25 per square foot.the Club is the only full service private country club on anastasia Island, a position that is unlikely to change due to land constraints. the next closest such facility is 30-45 minutes north or south. the Club has weathered the economic storms of the past few years, and remains financially successful. the golf course continues to be ranked among the top three in Ne Florida, and the tennis, fitness and dining facilities round out a very solid base for entertainment activities. In addition to the activities mentioned above, the advantage of membership for residents is that the Club serves as a “community center”, i.e. a meeting place where you socialize with neighbors. the women’s association, the Book Club, the bridge group, and the Mah Jongg group are examples of Club-related social organizations. New activities often grow out of these groups, i.e. an art group and the recent dog show.If the Club presents all these attributes, why is the percentage of resident members declining? this question has been the focus of much discussion within the Club’s membership committee. It is understood that as residents age, health issues become a factor. also, the Great recession has negatively impacted many in terms of property and investment values and cash flow. therefore, offering an attractive Club membership category for non-member residents is vital in attracting and retaining them. the Club needs the input of non-member residents to best determine how to structure such a new member package for them, and hope to survey them accordingly.

STRAIGHT TALK – IT’S TAx TIME AGAIN

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTS AND CLUB MEMBERSHIP

BY PEGGY GACHET

BY MARIANNE MESSLER

Peggy Gachet

Marianne Messler

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remember making an apron in “Home ec?” remember “Home ec?” If I have to explain, you may want to stop reading this. I don’t have the energy anymore. I don’t think our kids know what an apron is. the principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few and because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons required less material. But, along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children s tears and, on occasion, was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fuzzy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. when company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids and, when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms. those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden it carried all sorts of vegetables. after the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. when unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture

B Y M A R Y J O W I L S O N B Y M A R Y J O W I L S O N

Gamble, Matthew & Susan816 summer Bay Drive206-423-1991 matthew@matthewgamble.comfrom New Haven Connecticut

Pikur, John & Billie340 Marshside Drive Northcell: 248-892-3261bpikur02@gmail.com from st Augustine Florida

TeBockhorst, Orville & Dorene402 Misty Morning Lane520-577-0417tebock@comcast.net from Tuscon, Arizona

Mary Jo Wilson

that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. when dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that “old-time apron” that served so many purposes. share this with all those who would know and love the story about “Grandma’s aprons.”remember: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sills to cool. Her grand-daughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.they would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don’t think anyone caught anything from an apron – but love.

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B y B r u C E S t r a u S S

In October, the MCOA Board of Directors approved the R&CP committee proposal for the installation of rubber mulch in the playground. Installation was completed in early November. The new application is the same color as pine mulch, a medium brown, and is approximately 4-6 inches deep. A weed shield fabric underlies the mulch to allow for drainage while limiting plant growth. A raised border runs along the perimeter of the area under the fence to keep the new mulch in the playground. There will be some long term financial gain to the association as a result of the change from bark mulch because of the projected 10-12 year usable life span of the rubber. But the committee’s primary focus was on the enhanced safety and comfort for the

children and adults using the playground. Our playground has served as a welcome activity center for children and grandchildren of our residents. The committee constantly strives to improve our community’s facilities.ROAD ISLANDS Throughout our community, the roads are occasionally divided by landscaped islands which serve aesthetic and safety/speed reduction purposes. Over time, the landscaping on these has presented challenges, mainly tree size and how to irrigate. Many of the trees have developed root structures that have begun to, or soon will, damage the curbing around the island and surrounding road pavement. Also, some of the tree foliage/limbs have been damaged by large trucks. The committee has engaged the noted arborist, Chuck Lippi, to asses the condition of each island tree. He has given us a number of alternatives, which we are now considering. Since almost none of the islands are irrigated, successful planting

Bruce Strauss

COMMUNITY PARK PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS:

requires even more careful selection of both trees and other plantings for compatibility and water requirements than for our irrigated areas.The committee is working with the Safety and Security committee to ensure that our solutions enhance safe, unobstructed driving, prevent any deterioration of our roadways, and provide a pleasing visual experience. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.RAIN, RAIN – WELCOMEAt last we’ve had some real relief from the severe dry spell, the result being filled lakes, greener lawns, and plantings which are

less stressed. It has also allowed the committee to move forward with the usual seasonal changes of flowers. Now that the time has changed and the temperatures are getting cooler, irrigation should be reduced to once a week (Sunday for even numbered homes and Saturday for odd).

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MONth YtD MONth YtD % Change 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 90 yr 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 90 yr vs. last yearJAN 4 4 7 4 4 7 6 4.2 3.5 3.5 4.2 3.5 3.5 2.5 0%

FEB 4 7 4 8 11 11 6 2.8 4.0 4.2 7.0 7.5 7.7 3.1 3%

MAR 6 11 5 14 22 16 6 3.6 9.8 2.5 10.6 17.3 10.2 3.4 -41%

APR 4 4 3 18 26 19 6 6.4 1.7 0.8 17.0 19.0 11.0 2.9 -42%

MAY 9 4 3 27 30 22 6 18.2 5.5 1.2 35.2 24.5 12.2 3.3 -50%

JUN 9 4 8 36 34 30 8 8.4 1.7 3.0 43.6 26.2 15.2 5.2 -42%

JUL 13 4 8 49 38 38 9 6.1 4.6 3.1 49.7 30.8 18.3 5.8 -41%

AUG 8 10 9 57 48 47 8 5.1 4.5 6.5 54.8 35.3 24.8 5.7 -30%

SEP 5 3 9 62 51 56 10 5.3 1.8 6.0 60.1 37.1 30.8 7 -17%

OCt 2 1 8 64 52 64 8 0.5 0.7 4.4 60.6 37.8 35.2 5.5 -7%

NOV 5 2 6 69 54 70 4 1.4 0.3 2.2 62.0 38.1 37.4 2.3 -2%

DEC 9 3 78 57 6 6.0 0.6 67.9 38.7 2.8

tOtAL 78 57 70 83 67.9 38.7 37.4 49.5

Rain Amounts (in inches)Rain Days

Note: rainfall is measured by the MCoa Patio Homes Committee 10/1/11

we had 2.2 inches of rainfall in November spread over 6 days. November rainfall was more than the last 2 Novembers and about even with the 90 year average. rainfall total for this year is about even with last year’s and 9 inches less than the 90 year average. this report is also available on our Community web site (MCoa.us). two additional columns have been added to the report showing the 90 year averages of days of rain and monthly rain amounts. they are labeled 90 Yr.

Attention Owners of Patio/Villa homes Please note any lawn problems at your home or that of an out of town neighbor. report it to May Management or via a stressed Grass form on our web site (MCoa.us).

BY ALEx BECkER

Alex Becker

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MONth YtD MONth YtD % Change 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 90 yr 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 90 yr vs. last yearJAN 4 4 7 4 4 7 6 4.2 3.5 3.5 4.2 3.5 3.5 2.5 0%

FEB 4 7 4 8 11 11 6 2.8 4.0 4.2 7.0 7.5 7.7 3.1 3%

MAR 6 11 5 14 22 16 6 3.6 9.8 2.5 10.6 17.3 10.2 3.4 -41%

APR 4 4 3 18 26 19 6 6.4 1.7 0.8 17.0 19.0 11.0 2.9 -42%

MAY 9 4 3 27 30 22 6 18.2 5.5 1.2 35.2 24.5 12.2 3.3 -50%

JUN 9 4 8 36 34 30 8 8.4 1.7 3.0 43.6 26.2 15.2 5.2 -42%

JUL 13 4 8 49 38 38 9 6.1 4.6 3.1 49.7 30.8 18.3 5.8 -41%

AUG 8 10 9 57 48 47 8 5.1 4.5 6.5 54.8 35.3 24.8 5.7 -30%

SEP 5 3 9 62 51 56 10 5.3 1.8 6.0 60.1 37.1 30.8 7 -17%

OCt 2 1 8 64 52 64 8 0.5 0.7 4.4 60.6 37.8 35.2 5.5 -7%

NOV 5 2 6 69 54 70 4 1.4 0.3 2.2 62.0 38.1 37.4 2.3 -2%

DEC 9 3 78 57 6 6.0 0.6 67.9 38.7 2.8

tOtAL 78 57 70 83 67.9 38.7 37.4 49.5

Lee Weaver, a friend of many residents of Marsh Creek, has a new production at The Limelight Theatre. His new project, Piercing The Darkness, is a one-man tour de force presenting the exciting history of our Nationally Treasured St. Augustine Lighthouse. In this original production, he portrays three lighthouse keepers, each from a different era. Piercing The Darkness brings to life, from Ponce De Leon in 1513 to the present day, the colorful trials and triumphs of our Beloved Beacon, culminating with the dramatic rescue by The Junior Service League. Theatergoers will learn of the search for the Fountain of Youth, the pirate threat, the burning of St. Augustine, the Minorcans, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Civil Rights Struggle and more. How is all of this history a part of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and The First Light Maritime Museum? Weaver will answer that and other questions in his inimitable storytelling style. When he has finished you will want to be one of the over 250,000 visitors to our National Landmark this year.Weaver, who wrote and produced the one-man show for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary celebration, says “it is the most challenging theatrical production” on which he has ever worked.Four performances only, at The Limelight Theatre; 11 Old Mission Ave., January 5,6,7 at 7:30 pm, and a Sunday matinee, January 8, at 2 pm. Admission is $20.

B y B a r B a r a o ’ C o n n o r

Piercing The Darkness

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year ……” We’re fortunate enough to be living in St. Augustine playing golf and enjoying the beautiful weather during this special season! Here are some of the more recent results of the LGA.The second Stableford play day was held on November 10. Stableford coordinator, Esther Kuhns, announced the results that the Ravishing Roseates had a total score of 498 and the Beguiling Blue Herons had a score of 402 after two months of play. The third round of Stableford

was held on Thursday, December 1st; temperature and wind made it feel like the first day of winter! The results were as follows: the Ravishing Roseates have a score of 1506 as compared to the Blue Herons who have 1342 points; the Herons have closed the gap. Some individual performances of note were closest to the pin by Barbara Davis, longest putt by Margaret Fiducia and two chip-ins by Kathy Burlew and Sandy Brokmeyer. Barbara OConnor took 1st place with 39 points for the Roseates, followed

very closely for 2nd place, Margaret Fiducia with 38 points for the Herons, and a four-way tie for 3rd with 37 points, Liz Kiffney, Ann Kivi, Eileen Scheid, and Jackie Piontek.The third meeting of the ten club league of Seagals was held on December 12th at Oceanside playing against the home team. After last month’s competition, the Marsh Creek Seagal’s team moved up significantly and hopefully will continue that trend after the results are in with December’s play.

A MCLGA invitational was held on November 28th which was organized by Phyllis Bucsko; it was a beautiful blustery day with temperatures in the upper 70’s. Golfers from the surrounding area golf courses participated in the event and enjoyed a delicious lunch to follow. To close out the year of 2011, the LGA played in a Holiday Shamble/Scramble with a lunch/meeting to follow. Hard to believe the year has come to an end. See you in the New Year with more details from the LGA.

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The marsh Creek Connectors sponsored three “meet the Docs” presentations this fall for members of our community. Objectives of the marsh Creek Connectors Council are: (1) To increase financial support for Flagler Hospitals Emergency Care Center, and (2) To strengthen health care connections between marsh Creek Residents and the Flagler Health Care System. The purpose of the “meet the Docs” series of meetings is to reinforce the knowledge that Flagler Hospital and its Emergency Care Center are very important facilities for marsh Creek residents.On September 27 the Connectors hosted 32 Doctors at a reception in the clubhouse (marsh Creek News Journal, October edition) where residents were given an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the medical staff that practice at Flagler Hospital. The increased group attendance at this second year event by

both doctors and residents underscores the success of the Connectors’goal to ‘strengthen connections’The title of the presentation on October 18 was “Oh, my Creaking knees” by Dr. Douglas Dew, m.D. of the St. Johns Shoulder, knee and Joint Clinic. Dr. Dew explained various aspects of knee problems and indicated the symptoms that can occur from cartilage wear. At least twenty seven million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, which rivals cardiovascular disease for the leading cause of disability among the elderly. Women are more likely to have knee pain and over 550 thousand knee replacement surgeries are performed each year. Various treatments, including exercise, diet, physical therapy and joint injections can avoid surgical treatments. Temporary pain relief from aspirin-free pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, disease modifiers and sleep aids can help.Dr. Dew answered the question: “When Should You Consider Surgery?” by responding that “...when simple everyday tasks are painful, when pain prevents sleep, when non-surgical treatments don’t relieve pain,

B Y P E T E R O RV i S

Marsh Creek Connectors pain medications are not tolerated or a knee deformity exists”. The success rate of knee surgery is extremely high, and Flagler Hospital statistics indicate a very low need for readmissions, one reason why Flagler is rated among America’s best 50 hospitals! Dr. Dew concluded: “Don’t live in pain...You have options”The November 17th meeting featured Dr. Anis Ahmadi of Gi Associates of St. Augustine. He presented a very interesting talk about various gastroenterological symptoms and conditions that were little known to the attending audience of 75 marsh Creek residents. The general topic, known as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), is a condition affecting more than 40 percent of the general population. The doctor described differences between physiologic and pathologic conditions which included reflux considered ‘normal’ versus that which causes ‘mucosal’ injury. The most serious condition associated with GERD is Barrett’s esophagus which is precancerous. Very graphic slides were shown that clearly demonstrated the differences between normal and affected esophagus appearances. Doctor Ahmadi explained

Peter Orvis

the differences between various prescription and over the counter medicines generally classified as H2 Receptor Antagonists and Proton Pump inhibitors (PPi) which are often considered superior for treatment of GERD. Diagnostic procedures include upper endoscopy, which can identify esophageal injury, and

can determine the need for corrective treatment of GERD. Even wireless Catheter-free continuous monitoring is available - known as pH BRAVO.Several Lifestyle modifications such as avoidance of irritative foods including citrus, tomato, onion and spicy foods, and avoidance of foods that relax the Lower

Esophageal Sphincter, including caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, and tobacco are remedial steps to be considered. The next “What’s Up Doc” lecture by Dr. John Stark is titled “The Hands Have it” and is scheduled for Thursday February 9, 2012.

Dr. Ahmadi and Bill Kopf Dr. Ahmadi and Sue Foley

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B Y T E D PA P PA S

“The Byers Choice” - A Collection Hobby turned Addiction Back in the late 70s my wife Joan received a Byers Choice - Cries of London Caroler. Little did we realize that it was a life changing moment. What started out as a collection turned into an obsession, then an addiction and Christmas would never be the same. Regardless of where we were, if she spotted a gift shop she had to see if they had any Byers Choice. it was not unusual to come back from a vacation with several more to add to the collection. When we hit the hundred mark, a long time ago, i stopped counting.These are Christmas Season items that only come out during the holiday season. We put them on display from Thanksgiving through

January. The rest of the time they are in storage. Originally we would wrap them in tissue paper and pack them back in the original cartons and store them in a closet. That was time consuming. We found a very large curio cabinet that we placed in a spare bedroom. We could store them standing upright. This was a real time saver and was easier on the Carolers.When we are ready to set them out, we turn on the stereo and play Christmas music to wake them up. it take us about four hours to put everything in place and turn the house over to the Carolers.This last summer we took a road trip to visit neighbors at their summer abodes in Connecticut and Rhode island. Byers

Choice manufacturing is in Chalfont Pennsylvania, which is northwest of Philadelphia, a very short distance (sort of) for a ‘Pilgrimage’.We plugged Chalfont into the GPS and managed to find our way there with a few recalculatings. Their campus is a park like setting, and we were greeted by life size bronze artwork and banners lining the road. We walked into the museum and it was as if we were in a Dickens Victorian Village surrounded by Christmas music. i was sure that Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim would greet us.We wandered through the shops admiring the thousands of Carolers and ended up on the observation platform

where we could observe the artisans at work. There were not any conveyor belts or robotics. Everything was done by hand and it appeared to be a labor of love. We ended up in the showroom where Joan purchased a caroler and had it signed by Joyce Byers, chief designer and owner who turned a hobby into a multi-million dollar business.During the Christmas Season the campus is

decorated with lights and the entire complex comes alive. in order to accommodate the crowds, they provide off campus parking and use shuttle buses for the visitors. if you are in the area during the holidays it is a must see.When Joan’s Carolers are out, i wake up during the night and swear i can hear them singing and dancing. i can imagine what takes place in

Chalfont. it reminds me of the 2006 movie ‘Night at the museum’, where all the characters come to life. Joan insists it’s my tinnitus but i know better.Ted is an avid photographer and his work can be seen at his web site. www.tedpappas.comByers Choice is located in Chalfont PA their web site is http://www.byerschoice.com/

Joyce Byers with Joan Factory Displays

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