ANNIVERSERY CELEBRATION - FIVE YEARS

VeronaWalk is not limited to the front gate, or the protective wall that surrounds our homes. The gate and wall are only physical barriers.

Beyond the wall we are all connected to special people, such as friends, kids, and grand children. They may be far away, but they are connected to us. We call them. They call us. We take turns visiting. We enjoy each other.

V.W. Resident has a ton of connections beyond our community. One of those connections lives 'Up North.' She calls almost every day to make sure this 'old guy' isn't getting in trouble. She lights up the day when she puts her little girl on the phone to say: "Hi Grandma or Hello Poppy." She is a good Mom, and a good daughter. V.W. is very proud of her, and the young man she married. This joy is reflected in the above pictures of: "Three Generations," and the "Honored Anniversary Couple."

Today is their fifth anniversary. They will celebrate for sure, but not alone. They have added one to their household, and this little one makes every day special. The tyke is growing quickly, and for sure will help her 'mom & dad' celebrate this marking of time.

The glasses will touch here in "The Walk" as the proud parents (and Grand Parents) toast this day too. V.W. will limit his words in this post, only to say: "Enjoy this Day of Happiness, that we share with you.

SPECIAL MEETING IN "OUR TOWN"

Owners of property in VeronaWalk have been given notice that PULTE is considering four amendments to the existing rules that govern daily life here in our community.

On July 1 a "Q & A" session will be held at Town Center. The starting time for all concerned is 6:00pm.

Voting on the proposed four issues will take place on July 8, 2008. Voting will commence at 6:00pm. Participation by owners is encouraged.

The issues relate to: Maintaining privacy walls; Authorization for parking personal "family use" trucks in driveways; Time frame for "Seasonal Lighting"; and, Proof of insurance for Golf Cart owners. One should read the information sent to them for the official explanation as to these proposals. One should also ask questions and get opinions from your neighbors prior to voting.

V. W. Resident plans to be at both meetings, and will bring his old hearing aid, so he can gather the necessary information to cast an intelligent well informed vote. Just to be safe V. W. hosed down his privacy wall, smiled at that nice neighbor Lady, and made plans to continue being a good neighbor here in the "Walk."

WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S DAY AT PHYSCIANS REGIONAL

Here is a bit of news that V.W.Resident just received from a neighbor who is expecting to have a baby (wishing for a girl) soon. She thought readers might know someone with an interest in the seminar at Physicians Regional Hospital on June 28th between 10:00am & 2:00pm.

It will be held in the Women's Center and will offer an opportunity "to come as our guest" to learn about what the hospital provides in line of maternal medicine.

What V.W. found particularly interesting is children are invited and will be able to have free fingerprinting and photo IDs completed. This is well worth consideration.

MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

It should be a matter of "common sense" that one pulls over or yields to an emergency vehicle on our roads and highways. The sirens and flashing lights are in use for a reason. Apparently our emergency responders are not getting sufficient cooperation from drivers in our State. To address this matter the State will conduct a week long project aimed at educating drivers to "Move Over."

The Naples news has reported: Beginning June 23, and running to June 29, that: "Collier County sheriff's deputies say they will participate in a statewide Move Over Florida campaign!"

This effort is to educate drivers to act in a manner that protects emergency responders and law enforcement officers. V.W. Resident would like to let neighbors know of this campaign.

DIGITAL CONVERTOR BOX REBATE

You may have heard that those of us with a TV using an analog signal may be without a TV effective February 17,009. At that time all "analog" transmissions are to cease. That includes Verona Walk and the greater USA. It is possible we will not need to take any action, but it is good to be aware of these situations. If there are questions check with your cable/satellite TV provider.

While many of us have HDTV, we may also have a second or third TV that is of the "analog" variety. If you do, you may need to get a "converter box." They are on sale now in many stores, with a cost of $50 to $60.

Better news is that you can go to the link below, and get a "rebate form" for $40 from Uncle Sam should you have to buy such gizmo's.

www.dtv2009.gov

C.E.R.T. MEETING AT TOWN CENTER

Town Center will host a meeting on June 24, 2008 at 7:00pm for the purpose of organizing a VeronaWalk Civilian Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.).

C.E.R.T. exist in many communities around the country. They use "neighbors" who are trained to assist in an emergency. These teams are not a replacement for professional police and fire rescue units. They are a civilian extension of our paid professionals, and a most valuable asset to the communities they serve.

VeronaWalk hopes to create their own C.E.R.T. team. Your participation is encouraged. Mark the calendar - TUESDAY - JUNE 24.

FATHERS DAY

Today was Fathers Day here in VeronaWalk. There were celebrations all over the community. There was one at Town Center, and one in my neighborhood. V.W. Resident has observed a lot of these "days of honor" over the course of his life.

As a boy this "special day" was just another reason to go visit the grandparents or take a trip to the park. There are many wonderful memories of "back then."

"Now" the importance of the day is to get out and make new memories. One such memory was made with my young friend Zachary. The Kid belongs to that neighbor lady across the street. She is always bringing him over to "play" with me. If nobody is looking we both get our skate boards out to see who is the better jumper. Take a look at this "kid." He is ready to go! Me, I'm still looking for "my" skate board.

I know I am not as good as this kid. I swear he can jump over my neighbors' house. Well that's not quite true, but the young man does love doing jumps on that skate board. I am often reminding him that the speed limit is 25 MPH.

I sure enjoy it when my lady friend brings the lad over to see me. Looking at him makes me recall when I was a boy. We had no skateboards or computers back then. We had to find other ways to have fun. Playing ball at the local parks was my favorite activity.

Well I enjoyed the day with my friend Zachary. I never found "my" skate board. When we sat down to rest I told him about my Dad. He was a Police Officer, and worked the "job" for 37 years.

My Dad is no longer here for Fathers Day. What is sad, is not that he can't share the Day with his two sons; but that he has missed the opportunity to just say "hello" to his grandchildren, and quite a handful of great grandchildren. I know he would be quite proud to see them all enjoying "His Day. "

DADS DAY AT TOWN CENTER

June 15th. That's the date for Fathers Day. Our VeronaWalk Activities Staff has had this date marked on their calendar for weeks. You see they had a special event planned for "Dads."

Town Center was the location for a very special Breakfast that featured coffee, juice, and pastries.

This "Old Guy" and his Lady attended and really enjoyed the event. It was mostly "Us" parents and "Grandparents" in the room. Naturally the subject matter that we discussed was "KIDS, and that is they way it should be." This was a day to make a memory.

COLLIER MEDICAL HOSPITAL WORKSHOP

Mark your calendar. VeronaWalk will have another informative meeting for residents. This one will be on June 26th at 7:00pm.

The price, free, is right. this V.W. Resident will be there. A cardiologist and a general surgeon are scheduled to address our neighbors. They are Dr. Werres and Dr. Swiacki of Naples.

It is important that homeowners register at the H.O.A. office, or call 774 0026.

The RSVP date is June 23rd.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

"NO! Absolutely not."

Those were the words from V.W.Resident to that lady across the street. You see her daughter's birthday is today - June 11. It seems they were tasting something other than "good old Bud" when they had the idea of doing some celebratory "laps" around Verona Walk Circle.

No need to worry. The race car belongs to someone else so there won't be any "laps " around the track today. None the less the little lady qualifies for a checkered flag, and "Birthday Wishes" that will always be there.

A HARD ROCK DAY

It's was a "Hard Rock" Day for a bus load of residents here in VeronaWalk.

Your publisher went on this day trip with that lady he is always talking about. And, why not. It was a fun time, we met new neighbors, and that lady has money (plus she likes me).

V.W.R. is glad this woman takes a liking to him, because those "machines" sure didn't. After losing the money on the voucher, it was like the pockets just got cleaned out by that guy on TV in that vacuum cleaner commercial. Whoosh and it's gone!

Included in this trip was a coupon for a lunch at the food court. There were several choices. V.W. didn't starve. His neighbor found time to try a 'hot dog' at "Hooters', and even got his picture taken." Yes, this was a good day in paradise.

SEMINAR A "CATEGORY FIVE" SUCCESS

GET THOSE STORM SHUTTERS READY, AND BE PREPARED ! The season is upon us. V.W. RESIDENT is prepared. Are you?.

June 1st marked the start of the 2008 Hurricane Season. In order to get residents through another year a seminar was held at Verona Walks' Town Center. Coffee and cake was served, and approximately 100 residents attended. The objective of this seminar was to make residents aware of the "Do's and Don'ts" of the Tropical Storm Season.

Speakers were provided by the Naples Fire Department and WINK News. Awareness and PREPARATION was the theme in this presentation which covered Hurricanes and other emergencies.

Greg Speers, of the East Naples Fire Control & Rescue District, and Frank Barner, of the North Naples Fire District, spoke from the Fire Departments' viewpoint regarding Hurricanes and other Emergent events. They stressed the need for neighbors to help each other, and to support the effort to establish a Certified Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) in VeronaWalk.

AMANDA McDONALD presented information regarding WINK News' radar and storm watch capabilities. WINKS' ability to project a storms path is considered by many to be the best in SW Florida. This news station should be considered a valuable informational tool during a storm situation.

Flyer's were handed out at the seminar. Extra copies are available at Town Center for those who could not attend.

Respect all tropical storms. Get your shutters up early. Buy supplies well in advance of bad weather. Above all have a plan.

TRIPLE CROWN WINNER ON CAROUSEL

Well this really isn't Belmont Race Track. It isn't even Verona Walk Circle.

This "track" is a thousand miles North. Round and round they go. Smiles at every turn. Around the last turn heading for the stretch they gallop. Then a final dash, and this cute little doll crosses the finish line first.

No need for a photo finish here. She wins by a "good old country mile."

You can bet your bottom dollar that V. W. Resident had the winning ticket in this race. He wins a ton of hugs and kisses, only to be collected at a later date.

SHOCKING

Oh Boy, this is electrifying news!

V. W. Resident saw a notice in the local paper that Florida Power &  Light will petition for a rate increase of 16%. The reason given is higher fuel costs and the Utility's' need to "pass these costs along to its' consumers."

Petitioning for a rate increase doesn't mean that FP&L will get that amount. It does mean one can count on paying more to our electric utility in the months ahead.

LAST CALL FOR SEMINAR

Three Strikes and you are out! Well that is true in baseball, but not so here in "The Walk."

This posting is the third to advise residents that there will be an important Seminar at 7:00pm on June 4 at our Town Center. Call Activities (774 0026) to register no later than June 2.

Wink news will be conducting the seminar. Naples Fire Department will also make an important presentation to Verona Walks' most important resident - YOU.