CONTACT INFO Superintendent:

Glen Polegato 613-228-9867

Property Manager:

Shebel Farah

613-727-5378

September 2015

The Crystelle News

OUR VOLUNTEER GARDENERS

Left to right, back: Vi Sutherland, Vi Wilkie, Rhea Leonov Front: Doreen Barnes, Monika Gupta

The Gardening Report Doreen Barnes

The gardening committee has been kept busy this spring and summer. After a fun field trip to Richie's, flowers, both annual and perennial, were added to our beds. FloraFusion planted our varieties with the expert advice of Rhea Leonov, Monica Gupta, Vi Sutherland and Vi Wilkie. Thank you to Glen for watering our plants!

This fall the perennials will be put to bed, dahlias will be labeled by color and stored for the winter. Bulbs will be suitably placed in the beds to give some early spring cheer (daffodils, tulips). Thank you to a loyal committee who take great pride in our property– Rhea, Monika, Vi, Vi and Doreen.

We would welcome volunteers to join us!

History of the Gardening Committee

Susan Carter on the board of Directors approached Vi Wilkie to form a committee to improve the gardens at the Crystelle. After two years of occupancy, only a few flowers were evident on the grounds. The committee, negotiating initially with landscape companies, finally agreed upon a plan. Each year the committee has planted, groomed, weeded and deadhead the gardens adding bushes, shrubs, annuals and perennials. This year, due to health issues of our long standing members, the board has hired FloraFusion to do the “heavy work.” The committee continues to weed, deadhead and do general low care maintenance. Other members who have volunteered their services over the years include: Laurie Campbell, Susan Carter, Rita Moore, Joanne Boulton, Judy Lein, Judy Henry and Catherine Yensen.

The Crystelle News Page 2

A Financial Snapshot Laurier Trottier, Treasurer

Our Finances are in good shape, we are in line with our 2015 budget and expecting to do all the work we had planned to do.

Some good news: Claridge has paid us $6,520 for cleaning the exterior windows, pressure washing the parking garage, and spring cleaning the parking lot.

The Reserve Fund is as per schedule, and we should have over $900,000 at the end of December 2015, with $900,000 invested in GIC’s insured by the Government of Canada and cashable when needed.

I`m completing my three years term next May, and expecting to transfer the finances to the new Treasurer in good order. Thank you to all the owners who have given me the privilege to serve on the Board.

The Toilets that were originally installed in the Crystelle developed problems with leaking water after only a few years. Our water usage has gone up considerably and we all pay for it.

To find out if your toilet is wasting water, remove the tank lid of your toilet and follow these simple steps:

1. Drop - Put several drops of food colouring into the toilet tank and wait 20 minutes. If you don’t have food colouring in your cupboard, Glen will provide some.

2. Peek - Look in the bowl.

3. Repair - If the water changes colour, your toilet is leaking and needs repair. Some people are able to replace the flapper themselves, or you can call the plumber, or ask your favourite handyman to fix it for you.

WATER CONSERVATION

Enjoying the Strawberry Social

Since Laurier is finishing his term as Treasurer in May, we are actively searching for someone to replace him. The Treasurer is responsible for the finances, including making sure that the financial statements are accurate, the budget is done in a timely fashion, and the reserve fund is sufficient. Laurier has already provided a sound plan for the investment of funds. He is willing to assist to ensure a smooth transition for the new Treasurer.

Contact Shebel if you are willing to serve.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

For service requests Call Glen: 613-228-9867 or Email Glen: thecrystelle@primus.ca or Email Apollo: service@apollomgt.com or fill out a request for service form*

Corporation-related emergency only Call the 24-hour emergency number 613-239-4805

For questions relating to condo fees: Jessie Smith 613-225-7969 ext 227

For comments or suggestions Write a letter or fill out a suggestion form*

*forms are on line at thecrystelle.com or in the binder in the mail room and can be left in the mail slot in the office.

THE DECTRON UNIT

The Crystelle News Page 3

Cereal and cracker boxes (no liners)

Gift wrapping paper, greeting cards

Frozen dinner boxes

Clean pizza boxes only

Hidden away in a mechanical room off the parking garage is the Dectron Unit. The Dectron Unit is a mechanical dehumidification system to control humidity, and at the same time, use the same energy by-products to increase comfort by controlling both pool and air temperature within the enclosure. The unit has been in the building for 10 years but had never been set up completely. Reconfiguring the Dectron Unit has improved temperature and humidity in the pool area and lessened the smell of chlorine in the hallways and staircases. The efflorescence on the outside brick should not recur.

WHAT CAN WE RECYCLE? Please remember, absolutely no plastic bags or clear wrap

PAPERS AND CARDBOARD IN THE “BLACK” BOX

PLASTICS, GLASS & METAL IN THE BLUE BOX

Bottles and jars, jar lids, metal cans, soft drink cans

Aluminum containers and foil (clean or food soiled)

Empty paint cans with lids removed

Aerosol cans (empty hairspray, paint, whipping cream)

Spiral-wound canisters with metal ends

All food and household plastics containers # 1 to 7

Take-out containers, bakery and produce containers

Pails (remove metal handle), planting trays, flower pots

Single serve yogurt containers, clear plastic egg cartons

Plastic bottles, jars and jugs

Tubs and tub lids (yogurt, margarine, ice cream, etc)

Milk and juice cartons, drink boxes, soup boxes

Newspaper and flyers

Magazines and catalogues

Corrugated cardboard

Telephone books

Paper towel rolls

Paper packaging

Paper pads, advertising mail

Hard and soft cover books

Paper egg cartons, toilet paper

Shoe and laundry detergent boxes

Writing and computer paper

Clean paper shopping bags

The Crystelle News Page 4

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Coffee and Donut Saturdays: On the first

Saturday of the month from 10 am to noon in the

Party Room. Get together with old friends, and meet new ones.

Happy Hour: On the third Thursday of every month from 4:30 pm to 6 pm in the Party Room. Just bring your favourite beverage, and a glass.

Pizza Lunch: Enjoy pizza, cake and coffee at noon on the last Thursday of each month. A notice will be posted on the bulletin board, and sign up in the binder. The cost is $7.00.

Special Dinners: May resume if the Social Committee finds an appropriate caterer.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Monday Night Bridge: Every Monday evening from 7:30 pm to 9 or 9:30 pm in the party room. Players of all levels are welcome, with or without a partner.

Tuesday & Thursday Morning Social: Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10 am to noon, get together for crafts, coffee or just socializing in the Party Room.

Friday Morning Yoga: Every Friday morning at 9 am in the Party Room.

Tuesday Morning Aquafit: Shallow and Deep at 8:45 am in the pool. The cost is $26 for four sessions, payable to the Instructor, Emma. If you’d like to try it out once, there is no charge.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Bus trips or outings are posted on the Bulletin Board in the lobby. Sign up sheet is in the binder in the mail room.

Information?

The binder in the mail room has information about group activities in the building, a calendar of party room bookings, information sheets, request for service forms, and party room reservation forms. Check out the website, http://www.thecrystelle.com for monthly board minutes, documents and other information.

The Crystelle Social Committee

INFORMATION

MEETING

Thursday, October 22

7:00 pm in the Party Room

Guest speaker: Andrew Noble

from smoke-free housing Ontario

Andrew will inform owners about how condos in Ontario have developed smoke-free policies, and why, and

answer any questions you may have.

The Board of Directors will also answer questions from owners about issues that

concern them.

Vi Sutherland, Monika Gupta, Barb Osgoode, Laurie Campbell (not in the photo is Doreen Barnes)