I want to start off this New Year by commenting on initiative. Taking initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious, or aggressive; however, it does mean recognizing our responsibility to make things happen. Many of us wait for something to happen or someone to take care of the "problems". Proactive people are solutions to problems, not problems themselves. They seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary, consistent with correct principles, to get the job done.

I chose to talk about initiative as a precursor to several upcoming events. Our Civic League is conducting a membership drive to get as many people in the community involved in the Civic League as possible. Additionally, we are looking for members of our community to get involved with the median cleanup and updating and publishing a new community directory. Please take the initiative to get involved in your community this year! 

 Also, there were members that had asked about CPR classes:

If you are interested in CPR classes or First Aid classes, classes may be conducted if there is a substantial interest. Class costs range from $25 - $50, but it is dependant upon the number of students and the type of class.

The following officers were elected and installed at the January meeting.
 

The pool director has already been elected.  He is HUBERT PONCHO.

    It is with a happy heart that I see our neighbors sending in their membership dues for the year 2004. Although the old song says, "All you need is love,” we know that it takes money to run the Civic League and to keep those lights burning for the median and the flag, as well as all our other neighborhood projects.

    I must congratulate those who sent in a little extra donation for the lights -- God bless you -- I am trying to telephone each one of you to say a personal "Thank You" during the month of February -- you are the "Neighborhood Sweethearts".

Ferry Plantation House Donor Bricks

Personalized donor bricks are now available for sale.  These bricks will be placed in the Ferry Plantation House landscaping in both the formal gardens and formal pathway walk leading up to the plantation house. Donor bricks may be ordered IN HONOR or IN MEMORY of a family member, relative, child, grandchild, etc.  Perhaps you would like a brick with you own name placed in the landscape of this lovely home.  It will become a part of the past, present and future.

See the insert in this months newsletter for more details.

Perhaps you have seen the sign on Haygood Road, just past MacDonald's -- "Angel Flight" -- but do you know who they are?  Pilots!!  Pilots who volunteer their own planes, their time, their expenses (very high) to fly people to treatment centers -- people, many of whom are children – who might not otherwise be able to get medical treatments.  Generous?  You bet!

They need volunteers to do interesting office stuff -- you will not feel your time is wasted!

Can you give a half-day a week --? Are you interested?  Call Loretta at 497-2130.

Police officers, firefighters, EMS, and other emergency personnel, who respond to 911 calls, say visible house numbers to identify homes can mean the difference between life and death.  Help protect your family members by making sure the address on your home is clearly visible from the street.  (Source:  Crime Prevention Chronicle) 

To sign up for median strip duty, call Jim at 499-5115 or e-mail at jdprice@Cox.net. 
 

It is time, once again, despite the cold and precipitation, to consider summer activities. Instead of bundling up against the chilling wind, think about lying poolside in a lounge chair, soaking up the sun and watching children play in the pool.

Enclosed in this months newsletter is an application for pool membership.  It is fairly self-explanatory, but any questions can be directed to Jim Price (499-5115 or JDPrice@COX.net) or Hubert Pancho (321-0658 or hpancho@usa.net).  Pool membership is a great bargain; where else can your family enjoy an entire summer of recreation for less than the cost of a weekend out of town? 

There are lots of advantages open to pool members: swim lessons, swim team (the pool is home to the Pembroke Meadows Marlins), weekend cookouts, Thursday dinner nights, a youth overnight, Fourth of July activities, a Christmas in July party, family nights and an adult social.  An itinerary of the events will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.  Join and be a part of it.  Those who join by April 30th will receive a 10% discount on the membership fee; the membership fee has been set at $375, the least expensive of any private pool in the area.

Reserve your place in the sun.  Hope to see you in the cool of the pool. 

Keep a watch out for people standing near you at retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., that have a cell phone in hand. With the new camera cell phones, they can take a picture of your credit card, which gives them your name, number, and expiration date. Identification theft is one of the fastest growing scams today, and this is just another example of the means that are being used. So ... be aware of your surroundings." 

Long overdue is the recognition of those volunteers who distribute the newsletters each month.  A special “Thank You” is due to Elaine Kane who inserts the flyers and organizes the distribution and Terri Mikulka who delivers the newsletters to the distributers.

These volunteers and the most significant part of their routes are listed below:

Paige Slayton ----------------------------Cavendish Dr
April Rosa-----------------------------------Cardiff Rd
Gerri Richter----------------------- 601-649 Abbey Dr
Jake Froelich -----------------------705-769 Abbey Dr
Brenda Harris -------------Sheffield Ct and Sheffield Dr
Valerie Davis--------------Severn Court and Severn Dr
Mary Ann Kuehne -----------------701-737 Bishop Dr
Nellie Pafford ------------------Abbey Arch, Bishop Ct 
                  605 657 Bishop Dr
Brian Neihart---------------------------Cambria Circle
Pat Cook------St James Dr, St James Cir. St James Ct
Ginger Avoli------------Temple Ct and St Clements Rd
Eileen Byman------------St Martin Dr and St Martin Ct
Susan Barnes-----------------------------St Albans Dr
John Shaedel-----------------St Mark Ct, St Mark Rd 
                    St Luke St
Belinda Nash--------------------------All Townhomes
Jim Willenbrink---------------------Business Members
Janie Travis--------------------4301-4433 Hudgins Dr
Rita Horvatic-------------------4436-4532 Hudgins Dr
                 Hudgins Ct
James/Donna Price-Hudgins Shores, Liverpool St 
               Liverpool Ct
Dan Santivasci --------------600-645 Whitechapel Dr
Paula Keys------------------648-700 Whitechapel Dr
Linda White--------------Cambria St and Cambria Ct
Loretta Watkins ----------------------------Drury Cir
Phyllis Kurewski---------------------------Chelsea St

When you see these people take time to say thanks for the service they have been providing to your neighborhood. 

Take at look at "Shop & Swap", a new section of the Pembroke Meadows Civic League web site. 

Classified Ads listed in the Newsletter, such as items For Sale, Garage & Yard Sale notices, Bazaar schedules and any ad for non-commercial  products or events will be posted on the web site for 30 days.  Inclusion is subject to space limitations and suitability. 

Our Civic League’s Building and Grounds Committee function is to help maintain our community properties.  These properties include our overall neighborhood appearance and infrastructure (streets, signs, lights, walks, sewers, parks, etc.).  In order to facilitate the accomplishment of that committee’s many and important tasks, the committee has been re-organized into three sub-committees chaired as follows:
 

The Building and Grounds committee is still seeking an overall committee chairman.  Our Second Vice President, Christina Westmont, who is responsible for that committee would be pleased to hear from anyone who would volunteer for the leadership position and those willing to serve on specific sub-committees listed above.  Please call Christina (473-1024) or one of the sub-committee chairmen to volunteer your help in keeping our community an attractive place to live.