July 2007 Newsletter

Hope you are enjoying your summer. Once again the community meetings are on hold until September 2007 at the Beachers Lodge. I believe that we will sponsor an "Ice Cream Social" that evening. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor -- we have a special deal but you will find out later in this newsletter .All I can say is that there may be some cash in it for you. This is not an early meeting -- regular time, 7:30 P.M.

Even your Board of Directors took off for July for a well-deserved break. We will start back in August.

I am sure that Doug, our Vice President in charge of Neighborhood Watch, has had his hands full with the reports of summer mischief going on. Remember, if your property is vandalized or property is missing --CALL the sheriffs office and make a report. One of my neighbors down the street stopped by and told me of what had occurred on our street and another across the canal from us. I asked -- did you report it? (Answer =yes). Next- did you report it to Doug Berndt? (No but he will). REPORT _ REPORT _ REPORT. You know that phrase from the Sheriffs office. They can't attempt to help unless you let them know what's happening here in our community.

Doug Berndt (461-6943) always needs volunteers for the neighborhood watch. He is just asking for just one (1) week of your personal time. Once again, if just half of our property owners participated, you wouldn't have to do it again for 4 years later. Yes, that's right --once every 4 years. Come on, help us help you. Sign up for a week today.

We had a wonderful time last month when all our children and their children spent some time with us. It's been three years since we were able to do this back in 2004. Taunnie and I also had to opportunity to watch our youngest grandchild -- Jackson- while his brother Adam and sister Emma took a trip with their Mom and Dad (Faye and Vince) to the Curacao Islands in the Caribbean. Our other children are Kimberly who has a daughter Sierra and Mike and Jocelyn who also have a daughter Jessica. Taunnie and I are truly blessed with a lovely family. Vince and Faye make their home in Ashville, N.C and Mike and Jocelyn live here in St Augustine at the Shores while Kimberly and Sierra live in Mandarin.

On another note:

It seems that the majority of us were spared damage from the big storm that passed through a month ago. We had some photos taken by Doug Berndt of the damages to some of our neighbor's property. George Pascucci told me that winds were clocked at 120 mph on the 206 Bridge.

I know that we all have some kind of tale about the storm we had a month ago. I thought that I would share our story. We live on Pizarro Road. Our electric power went out at 11:30 a.m. and was not restored until 12 hours later. The electric was restored about 12:30 midnight so I went ahead and re-set all the clocks and timers in the house and went to bed. No big deal.

At 1:00 A.M there was a knock on the front door. Answering the door I was greeted by one of our Deputies who knew me by name (from the Neighborhood Watch) .He said, Mr. Novak I wanted to tell you that your little car parked out front of your house is being showered by sparks from the electric wires above. I just did not want your car to burn up. You may want to consider moving it to another place. Looking up at the wires I saw what he was talking about. It looked like the 4th of July celebrations with flames and sparks reining down on my Honda.

I promptly moved my car and return to talk with him. The deputy had already called our Fire Department. Within a half hour the fire truck came. I watched the firemen crew and the deputy assess the problem with sparks flying and my tree branches burning. The branches were shorting out on the main overhead FPL wires. The head fireman then told me that they would have to call FPL for emergency tree cutting. At 2:00 a.m. along came FPL and a tree cutting company and they proceeded to cut the limbs over the wires but not before the electric was cut off for safety. Once again Pizarro Road was without power.

By 3A.M. the limbs were removed and power restored once again. The next day the tree cutters cut additional limbs and removed the entire cuttings, which was a lot.

Needless to say I didn't get much sleep however I am thankful for the courtesy of the Deputy who initially saw the problem. Heck, our car could have caught fire.

Last week my son Vincent and I took my boat out for a spin in the inter-coastal after my neighbor Brian Stephenson got my motor cranking after a year of non-use. Brian is in the business of servicing boat motors locally and has his own business. He is a professional who sure knows what he is doing. He's been in business for 35 years and will come to your house if you need him (377-5900). Brian quickly diagnosed the problem and got my motor running. So if you ever need a boat mechanic just call Brian .He lives right here in Treasure Beach on Pizarro. His company name is Island Boat Sales. Brian is just a down to earth nice guy.

Well as I was saying, Vince and I took out for the inter-coastal and the motor stopped. I called Brian on his cell and he offered to come bring me back to my dock. With Brian's

Prompting Vince and I crippled our boat to Treasure Beach's main canal that runs parallel to the inter-coastal and the engine died again. We tied up to someone's dock off.

I check my fuel gauge and it showed "FULL" ...Guess what - the fuel gauge was wrong as we discovered later. My tank was empty.

Along came one our neighbors Larry Hunt with his boat who lives on Basque. Larry was very kind to tow us back to my dock. Larry I thank you so much.

You know, we have some really nice folks here in Treasure Beach and Larry is just one of those considerate people who would come to your need at a drop of a hat.

Enough of me-

The construction of our Front Entrance has been completed. Looks like the final figures hit $5,000. I have submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement. Steve Abbott has just placed the "Hospitality Pineapples" up on the top caps as a finishing touch. The electric has been installed and working. Doug Berndt our Vice President is preparing to get some fill dirt in the planter boxes for Jill Ziebell (our Chairperson of the Front Entrance Beautification Committee). She will be attending to the beautification portion shortly. She is just waiting for the dirt to arrive.

I want to take this time to thank Nancy Gaj who turned over the chairperson duties to Jill Ziebell. Nancy, I would like to say that you have done a wonderful job and your efforts have not gone without notice by the Treasure Beach Community. You are truly a great neighbor and a dedicated member of this association.

Jill we look forward to your award winning ideas and designs that was recently noted by the Florida Horticultural Society. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time and efforts. By the way, if anyone would like to assist Jill in her efforts with our front entrance just give her a call at home (471-7239). She will gladly accept your assistance.

Regarding the Canals:

There is nothing new to report at this time. The county has advertised bids for the assessment of the canals by marine professionals as reported last month.

Regarding the Ocean boardwalk:

This subject will resume at our August Board Meeting. My June message in the newsletter said we were quite concerned about Seychelles's showing no desire to work with this community. We are considering legal council.

Finally, your Board of Directors are continuing to look for a replacement to the soon to be vacant position of President of TBPOA. My job duties will end the first week of January 2008. Anyone who would like to be considered for this position and make a difference in Treasure Beach please contact any one of the Board members whose phone numbers are shown in this newsletter. You will have a lot of support from your Board including myself who will stay on as an adviser for 2008. So, step forward -- Don't be shy. Be the leader that you know you are! - You can do it! We can help.

Respectfully Submitted,

Charlie Novak

President TBPOA