Because of the large numbers of wildfowl (particularly Canada Geese) which frequent our neighborhood lakes, parks, lawns and school fields, we should be alert and alarmed reference the dangers of the spreading avian flu threat. As news reports attest, ducks and geese are major carriers of the potentially catastrophic avian flu (H5N1) virus which has spread across Asia into Europe and is expected to reach our continent soon.

What can we do? One obvious precaution is not to encourage large number of waterfowl by feeding them. Did you know that one mature Canada Goose can excrete as much as three pounds of fecal matter per day? And we and our kids are playing in these “fecal mine-fields”; and some of our pets are actually eating these excretions (which, even without the H5N1 virus, contains potentially health hazardous bacteria). SICK! Yes; but we and our pets could be much sicker when the avian flu reaches our area. So PLEASE ! Heed the signs posted at the parks– don’t feed the wildfowl.

• Ladies Luncheon March 23rd, noon
• Relay for Life Yard Sale, March 25th, 8am-noon
• Easter Egg Hunt, April 15th, 1:30-2:30pm

     Thank you to everyone who has sent those kind expressions of sympathy.  It gives us much comfort to know that so many people cared about Scottt, and that he touched so many lives.  Scottt grew up in Pembroke Meadows.  We lived in the first house completed on Chelsea Street.  Scottt attended Princess Anne High School– you may remember the two talent contests he won on the love of his life, the piano. 

     He could have gone into many fields, but it was always music for him.  Scottt took a double major in piano and pedagogy, with a double minor in organ and voice, graduating Cum Laude from Eastern Carolina University.  Thanks to a strong recommendation by Jim and Jeannette Willenbrink, plus a successful audition, he was hired by Little Creek Amphibious Base Chapel as church organist/pianist.  Through his talents, enthusiasm and ambition, he rose to the rank of music director during his 17 year tenure.  Unfortunately, Scottt was forced to leave the chapel for economic reasons.  He accepted a plum position as music director in Libertyville, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), at a church with 4200 families. 

     Scottt’s musical talents, intelligence, sense of humor, compassion, but most of all his empathy and love for others, won much praise.  He seemed to excel at everything he tried.  He was a computer wiz, a natural athlete, and a savvy collector.  His personality had more facets than the diamonds he amassed, however, Scottt never thought of himself as extraordinary.  He was a humble, spiritual and gentle man.  The void created by his sudden demise will never be filled.  All who were lucky enough to know him have a piece of Scottt that will live on and make the world a better place.  Scottt was a giver– he loved to give away some of his treasured belongings with absolutely no alterior motive.  He was a complex, loving man, and truly a GREAT SCOTTT. 

      With great appreciation and affection,

P.S.- “When tomorrow starts without him, don’t think we’re apart. 
         For, every time you think of him, he is right there in your heart." 

The family of Scottt Sward asks for those who want to honor their son’s  life and wish to give to something that was an important part of his life growing up in Pembroke Meadows, please do so by contributing in Scottt’s name to:

Excellent turnout spurs the meetings to continue! Ladies make a date to attend, and come have a great time socializing with your neighbors. (Sorry guys, you are not allowed). Going Dutch!

Each year, when spring is in full swing, in preparation for the hustle and bustle of warm days, friends and neighbors gather together for the neighborhood rite known as Spring Fling.  This year, the event takes place on Saturday, April 22.  Mark your calendars.

On that date, many will meet at the neighborhood park and help with cleaning and sprucing up the park area, dam path, median and pool grounds.  This is a great opportunity to contribute your labor, improve the area’s look and have fun while doing it. This is a time to renew old acquaintances, make new friends, leave your mark, and enjoy the outdoors.  The gathering begins at 9:00am followed by a well-earned gourmet lunch in the park. More information will follow in the newsletter’s next edition; just be sure to reserve that date: April 22nd. 

If you were one of the neighbors who missed the Pot Luck Dinner, you missed a real treat. Over 55 neighbors turned out for this years gathering, social, and dinner.

This was a four star event in the new school cafeteria with white table cloths loaded down with beautiful English Ivy Greenery and many types of Camellias in bloom provided by our own Garden Club.  Thank you Jeanette Willenbrink, Bridget South, Clera Hall and Peggy Caverly. Awesome setting for the appropriate mood!

Our roving accordion player was Sid Sward on a local tour, and our Social Committee Chairman, Vivian Hance, supplied the drinks, door prizes and headed up the Karaoke contest.

We had serving tables filled with several types of Fresh Vegetables, numerous salads of mixed fruit, vegetable, potato, apple, and chicken.  Add to this the ham, meat balls, beans and rice dishes, shrimp, spaghetti, and pork barbecue that tasted like it was right off a South Carolina farm... and did I mention the various casseroles?!

Since the fine folks at King Hua Restaurant were working and could not attend, they sent a big tray of Fried Crab Meat Cream Cheese Wontons and a tray of General Tso’s Chicken.  It is great to have such fine neighbors in the community. 

The Desert table was loaded with cake, pie, cookies, brownies and eclairs.  The drink table with coffee, juice and  sodas was a treat to the palate. 

All these dishes were certified to be calorie free before the food was added.

As with all great events, some one had to set it up and man the clean up committee.  Here we give thank to our Civic League President Don Sanders and our Treasurer Jim Hall.

AS WE WOULD SAY BACK ON THE FARM, IT WAS A  HULLAVA  FEED !!!

Submitted by:      John Sheadel                                   Don’t miss this event next year!

I would like to thank all residents that are doing their part to maintain our community as a desirable place to live.  We understand there are some homeowners that are simply not able to perform the upkeep of their residence due to work schedule, illness, physical disabilities etc.  In many of these cases, we want to assist those in need.  For those that are able and not in compliance please take note of Virginia Beach City Codes.

CODE ENFORCEMENT (Weeds & Litter) Section 23-50 of the City Code.
This covers overgrown grass or weeds in excess of 10 inches in height.
The ordinance applies to private property including resident premises and vacant lots. Trash and litter can also be cited under this ordinance.  Violations are normally found through patrol or response to complaints, and notice is sent to the owner or occupant allowing 7 days to correct the violations.

The lighted flag is undoubtedly the highlight of our entrance way.  Did you know that it takes a special “metal halide” light bulb to shine all the way up from the ground to the flag at night?...three of them, in fact...and they are almost $60 each.  When you send in your dues, please consider adding a little extra for upkeep of the median flagpole.  God Bless the USA..

Take at look at "Shop & Swap", a special 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. 

Please be considerate of others and avoid parking cars over sidewalk pathways (city ordinance Section 21-364 (B) (1) states that it is also a violation of city code). Remember that the sidewalks are for walkers, runners, and people using wheelchairs. . 

At the March meeting our speaker will be Dr.James Maggio, D.C.  He will conduct a health and wellness workshop based on the Seven Steps To Peak Energy.  Please plan to attend.  The program will be very informative and benefit the overall  health of your  family.

We are still in need of everyone to return their Neighborhood Directory information and their yearly dues for 2006.  Though the dues are not a big sum of money ( only $10 ), what they provide for maintaining such a nice neighborhood is priceless. PLEASE TAKE  THE TIME TO SEND THESE ITEMS IN.  Envelopes and forms were provided last month in the newsletter and can also be printed from our web site: Click Here for the Directory Form.. If you still need help with getting the forms please call our membership coordinator Jana Sias at 493-2990, or e-mail her at  janatova@hamptonroads.com .

For Directory questions: contact Robert Westmont  at 473-1024 or e-mail him at  odcwa@ncdesigns.net.

We need a coordinator for the Directory Update for the Meadows homes.  Please contact Don Sanders at 499-7987.

The Civic League is looking for a few community minded student to join our depleted Teen Committee to assist with special projects, holiday events and to provide input to other committees. This is a wonderful opportunity for teens to get involved with their neighborhood while also accumulating volunteer hours for High School in preparation for College applications. If you are interested in getting involved or know someone that would, please contact: 

Neighborhood Watch is a simple program that involves neighborhood concern and awareness, along with police cooperation. All residents should practice these simple steps:

1. Be alert to things happening on your street and in your neighborhood.
2. Watch for the unusual– if you suspect ANYTHING out of the ordinary– Call the police at 427-5000 ( Non-emergency number ) or  911 for Emergencies.

Submitted by:  Marjorie Brotman, PMCL Neighborhood Watch / Block Security

To sign up for median strip duty, email Travis Little @ littlhom@yahoo.com or Jim Price at 499-5115 or e-mail at jdprice@Cox.net. Thanks for your support!

Annually, one of the most exciting days at Pembroke Meadows Elementary is Kindergarten Registration Day.  This year kindergarteners will be registering on April 25th.  Registration will begin, with an overview of the kindergarten program, at 9:00 AM, in the school’s (new) cafetorium.  Soon-to-be kindergarteners are invited to attend and will be treated to a tour of the school and a bus ride!

 Parents should bring the following items to registration:  the child’s birth certificate and social security card and proof of residency. They may bring shot records and physicals with them, or at a later date. 

For all who attend, a drawing will be held for a bookbag containing all of the supplies a kindergartener will need to start school! 

 Please apprise your friends and neighbors of this citywide registration day, for all children who will be five, on or before Sept. 30, 2006. We are looking forward to a big turnout and don’t want any child to miss out on this important milestone!  For questions, call the school at 473-5020

The First National Bank of Virginia has received preliminary approval for the construction of a new “community” bank on the long vacant lot(s) on Professional Circle at the corner of Whitechapel and Pembroke Blvd.  This will be the third planned development for that property in the last four years and is an apparent outgrowth of the “Liberty Capital Bank” proposal of 2004.

Our Civic League will form an ad hoc committee to meet with the new bank’s president and agents to discuss and review the proposed plans; and we plan to schedule a Civic League information session about the plans later this year. For more information on this development call Jim Willenbrink at 497-0700.

The bulletin board on the brick wall on Pembroke Boulevard is ever-changing, thanks to our good neighbor, Loretta Watkins (great job)!  Please slow down and read her messages. 

Tax Relief for Qualified Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities: The City of Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessor’s Office is accepting applications through June 30th. 
For qualifying requirements call them at 385-8847 or on-line @  www.VBgov.com/realestate.

AARP offers tax assistance at the Central Library location.