REMEMBERING MEMORIAL DAY

Today is "Traditional Memorial Day." It is Friday, May 30. All is calm here in the community.

V.W. Resident was enjoying his coffee, and the morning view of the canal, when the "nice lady" across the street rang the bell. She had something to say. It was about her Dad, and it relates to this holiday. V.W. thought he would pass this story along.

The lady showed me this modest oak display case. It hangs a wall in her house here in the community. It is in the shape of a triangle, and has a glass front. Inside the case is a folded American Flag. There is also a picture laying on top of that flag of an old merchant ship - the S.S. James W. Denver.

During WW II it was customary for merchant ships to have U.S. Navy Sailors on board to man the guns and generally protect the ship. The lady's Dad, who was 19 years old at the time, served on this ship.

The S.S. Denver became a little known causality of World War II. It was lost before V.W.R. and his lady friend were ever born. In fact it was only one of 731 merchant ships lost in the war. It is but a footnote to World War II history.

Elmer "Gerry" Cornwell, originally from the Port Huron area in Michigan served on the "Denver" in 1943. He survived the attack on "his ship" and ultimately made it home. Like a million other guys, who returned from the war, he got married, and had a family. He and his wife, Lois, had four "kids." They were Gerald, Lois, Dennis, and Mark.

The aforementioned Lois was born on July 11. She will probably use a broomstick, in a manner for which it was not intended, if I fill in the year of her birth. Today she is content to be a good neighbor here in Verona Walk. Her days are filled with many fine memories including those of her Dad.

The lady's' father, Gerry, died at the age of 48. He saw his oldest son and daughter get married; and he saw three grandchildren come into this world. He missed out on the births' of another six grandchildren. During his life he never said one word about his experience as Sailor in the Navy - not a word! Sixty some years later research shows that the S.S. James W. Denver was torpedoed on April 11, 1943 by the German "Underseeboot 195" in the North Atlantic.

Fifteen men survived. They clung to a raft as their ship sunk deep into the Atlantic Ocean. On April 24, 1943 the British Ship "Campana" found the survivors. They had been adrift for nearly two weeks.

After years of "never knowing" her fathers' war experience, the neighbor lady now has a fitting memorial to remind her of this story. She just has to take a daily glance at a simple display case on her wall. It tells the story every day.

V.W. thinks she, and her five children, and eleven grandchildren, will always have a good reason to hold their heads high on Memorial Day.

BURGERS and DOGS

Memorial Day Picnics bring back memories for many of us. This year was no exception.

The "guys" from Jersey frequently looked at the Memorial Day Picnic as the first blast of summer. It was time for "Dogs, Burgers and Brew." From that day forward it was trips to the shore and beach houses rented until Labor Day. It was a time of "Sun, Sand, and Fun."

There were many "hot spots" around Belmar, Asbury Park, and Seaside Heights. The Garden State Parkway looked like a parking lot going South on Friday night, and just the opposite heading North on Sunday night. As I recall there was no pain.

Town Centers' BBQ on the 23rd of May also had some good old "Burgers and Dogs." There was also entertainment by Kelly and Shelly. They reached back into the 50's and 60's to rock the hall with great songs. While this successful event provided a "beach front location" for Verona Walk neighbors to come together, it also brought back warm memories for this V. W. Resident.

A Day at the Naples Zoo

Well Guess where V.W.R. was on the first Saturday in May. Yeah, home in the pool.

The young lady up the street had a much different day. The Neighbor had a "date." Well I guess she can afford todays' gas prices and "run off spending money" on a good time.

She showed me some of her pictures. Personally V.W.R. thinks she is "robbing the cradle" dating this little guy. I can't believe she let him go pet this Tiger. Look how big he is.

Well when I had a few minutes to talk to her I got the facts. First Saturday of the month is "free admission" to the Naples Zoo. It is a great place to visit. Maybe V.W.R will see you there in June. Just beware of someone "lurking" just off the trail.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AT VERONA WALK

Hey Guy, "Hang Ten !"

That's ten as in ten years old today. Happy Birthday.

You sure look happy on that "thing," but where is your helmet? And that "thing" looks old and scratched from all those jumps and flips. I think I can guess what your birthday present is going to be. Enjoy it, and be safe.

Don't Forget Hurricane Seminar

Once again V. W. Residents should give thought to attending a presentation on Hurricane readiness at Town Center, June 4 at 7:00pm.

Check earlier "post" for full information.

MEMORIAL DAY BBQ

The sun seems to always be shinning on my friends and neighbors here at Verona Walk. Many of us with "Northern Roots" remember activities like The Memorial Day Picnic as a signal that summer was near. Those memories are good.

May 23 " that old picnic" or BBQ will be held at the Town Center. Music will be provided by the duo of "Kelly &, Shelly."

There is a cost of $16.00 per resident and it can be paid at Town Center's H.O.A. Office Window. This V.W. Resident will be there and following the instructions will BYOB This should be a nice event.

Government To Help Residents at the Gas Pumps

Hey - Uncle Sam, I thought you said in 1974 that we should become less dependent on foreign oil.

If I remember correctly (It has been 34 years) "you" demanded that our car makers produce vehicles that get better mileage. What happened?

Finally you guy's in Washington DC are doing something right - the REBATE. V.W. will soon be getting a "one time monthly" rebate to pay for the gas; and if he lives to 2012 He can expect a fleet average on all cars to be 29 mpg. Wow!

This cartoon was recently found in the Naples News. V.W. thought it was cute and on target. Hope you appreciate it.

V. W. is very glad to have a bike and VeronaWalk Blvd.

Just A Fact

There are Ten (10) Divosta Communities in S.W.Florida.

They are situated between the Caloosahatchee River and Collier Blvd. All are West of Highway 29.

That means they are V.W. Cousin's

Taking a Good Look at Our Community

This young lady works as a Business Consultant. Her parents live here, and are your V. W. Neighbors.

Her work assignments have taken her across the Country. She is known for extending the "helping hand" when not working. On the ground she has participated in a 500 mile bike ride in California to raise funds for Aids Research; and also "peddled" from New York to Washington DC to raise money for 9-11 victims. She did that when not helping the Navy out down in Virginia.

VeronaWalk is her home away from home. She frequently "drops in" for a visit, and has taught her Mom that "Geronimo" has more meaning than remembering the famous Indian.

Recently the young lady took on a "classified mission." Your publisher, with help from a very proud neighbor, got this "special agent" to check out our "Rivers and Lake." A "top to bottom" report was requested, and has been received.

While the full report is "Top Secret," we can say that we did get a hefty smile and a "thumbs up" from the young lady pictured above.

V.W.R. appreciates the help of his neighbor in putting this post together. They are very proud parents. Hope you enjoy it.

Good Old Dance

Friday Night, and bring your "Dancin shoes" to Town Center.

May 9 was the date. Music, dancing, and good wine. That was the mix for a very nice night here in the community. V.W. Resident was able to attend this event and had a great time.

With many of our neighbors up North the numbers that attended this $7.00 dance was down. That in no way diminished the fun we had. As usual this was a great event.

WINK NEWS TO PRESENT HURRICANE SEMINAR

Important, Important, Important

While many of you have already headed North for the summer, there are a few of us here "holding the fort." This "post" is for those "V. W. Neighbors" still in attendance at Verona Walk.

WINK News will make a very important presentation regarding hurricane preparedness on June 4 at Town Center. If you can make it register by June 2nd - 774 0026

Neighbors are also requested to start thinking about getting involved in a community response team. This concept would have at its core the concept of neighbor helping neighbor in a time of need. Give this some thought. If interested contact your Safety Committee, Street Representative, or Town Manager.

The time for the WINK presentation is 7:00pm. Be there.

Resident's Horse In Derby

Hold the Presses. That V. W. Neighbor of mine just told me this breaking news.

With all his money he just might be telling the truth here. Then again this might "just be a story" from one of those animals that "likes matadors."

The neighbor claims he owns a race horse, and brought his granddaughter in to ride it in the up coming Derby. The picture is the proof.

From your publisher's point of view it looks like a cute kid, on an "Old Budweiser Stallion," in the middle of some forest. This is definitely not Churchill Downs. Another thing: The Derby was two days ago.! Guess this was just plain old fiction. Trust you kids and neighbors enjoy it.

Big Brown Wins Kentucky Derby

First Saturday in May means Kentucky Derby. It also coincides nicely with the pension hitting the bank. What a combination "horses and dollars."

Well I didn't win any money or even get to the gate to "lay my money down." Still it was a great day.

I did get to watch the race from the clubhouse. Of course I am not talking about the one in Church Hill Downs. I mean the one in Verona Walk. I can still hear the bugle and the call to: "Drink your wine!"

At the end of the evening Big Brown won the race. He paid $6.80. Not bad, but nothing compared to the good time by our friends and neighbors. If the kids were here they too would have had a fabulous time. Considering everything this writer thinks the real winner was V. W. Resident.

Town Center to Host Hurricane Seminar

Do any of my V.W. Neighbors remember a girl named WILMA ?

V.W. Resident had the pleasure of living on Marco Island when this "lady" visited the Island. My home was ready. All shutters were closed. The House secure. The next thing I did was run, and run as far away as possible. When V. W. returned the house was ok. The Lanai was a different story as well as the landscape. The pictures reveal torn screens, damage to the cage, and downed tree.

We moved to be safe. We chose Verona Walk. Many of you did too. In a hurricane you really are never "safe enough." The more information one has the better off he/she is.

Make a note that there will be a Hurricane Preparedness Seminar at Town Center on Wednesday, June 4 at 7:00pm. - Call 774-0414 by June 2 inorder to register for this seminar.

Drinking Water Safe

Our water is now safe for drinking and other uses.