Hello everyone,
I am happy to announce that we had several reports from our volunteer watch people about traffic violations with speeding and pocket bikes and loud mufflers in addition to vehicles driving with no license and consequently no auto insurance in the past several weeks. I applaud their efforts to keep our community safe and I stand firm and support their reportings.
If any one witnesses a traffic violation or has a problem with excessively loud vehicles, please report it to the police department or let me know and I will try to get the problem addressed by our sheriffs office- that also goes for drivers running the stop signs and miniature motor bikes speeding through the neighborhood - Both are illegal.
You must be prepared to name the street and address, the approximate time and date(s) and what you perceive to be the violation and if this is a traffic violation + the license plate number. Anything else you can recall would help as well.
The same goes with properties that appear to be in violation of the county codes. If you don't know what the codes spell out just call me and I will talk with you about it. I would like to restate the county code for sitting out a refrigerator or freezer for trash collection. First, you must call the county offices and request pick-up. Next, and most important- YOU MUST REMOVE THE DOOR from the appliance to keep children from locking themselves inside and suffocating. YOU ARE LIABLE both criminally and open to Civil suits.
This neighborhood is a very nice place to live. There are changes happening here for the good of all of us. Our property values have risen to the delight of us all. Let's try to keep it safe for our families. Why not try and to keep our places neat and clean.
Very soon now I will be coming to you for a volunteer week of neighborhood watch. It will cover 4 months from April through July. Please consider helping out by taking a week. We have gone with only three weeks unprotected for the past 130 weeks. It is very important to keep our vigilance to deter crime of any sort in Treasure Beach. Please consider taking a week when I come to you.
Sincerely,
Charlie Novak
Treasure Beach
Neighborhood Watch
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Treasure Beach Property Owners Web Site
As information, to those of you who prefer the web site. Our neighbor and good volunteer who has directed our web site will be leaving this position. Keith Colvin has increased duties with his job and needs some quality time with his wife Martha and their children. We would like to personally thank Keith for his past service to our community.
You set up this site and got us running. For that, we are certainly thankful.
We have found a new director, Rusty Yates, (our neighbor) who is willing to tackle this assignment. Keith will arrange to get together with Rusty to create a seamless transfer of work. After that, Doug Martin and I will meet with Rusty to iron out the fine details of what we want to do with this site.
Sorry to see you go Keith. Welcome aboard Rusty and we thank you both.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charlie Novak
You set up this site and got us running. For that, we are certainly thankful.
We have found a new director, Rusty Yates, (our neighbor) who is willing to tackle this assignment. Keith will arrange to get together with Rusty to create a seamless transfer of work. After that, Doug Martin and I will meet with Rusty to iron out the fine details of what we want to do with this site.
Sorry to see you go Keith. Welcome aboard Rusty and we thank you both.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charlie Novak
Join The Beach Walkway Work Party
A new date has been set for the work party to replace approximately 30 to 40 boards for the walk and replace an 18-foot section of handrail that has been decaying. The date of Saturday February 4th was cancelled account of the inclement weather. For those who showed up we thank you so very much. Please come back.!!
We will be using screws so please bring your portable drills (charged up) and hammers. Joe Pelletier may be bringing a generator if it is available. Also, we will need a hand saw if Joe cannot come up with the generator because we must cut the corners of the hand rail to be installed. Someone might want to bring a portable electric saw if they have one available.
For those who do not want to lay boards down. We need volunteers to shovel out the sand from the bottom of the steps at the beach. The sand needs to be removed to keep the wood from rotting. Your pry bars and gloves will help get this job done quickly.]
New Date:
We do need your help so please come to the front entrance on Saturday February25, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. A rain date of Sunday February 26th has been set and the time @1:30 P.M. (not 10 a.m.) if necessary.
If there are any questions please contact Jim Berrier at 461-7853 or Charlie Novak at 471-1579.
One last thing, we are hoping that each one of us might take the old wood pieces back their house for hiding in their trashcans for Advance Trash Removal to take. Advanced currently does not take building materials. (Maybe 3 or 3 boards each person unless somebody has a better idea.)
Jim Berrier
Committee Chairman
We will be using screws so please bring your portable drills (charged up) and hammers. Joe Pelletier may be bringing a generator if it is available. Also, we will need a hand saw if Joe cannot come up with the generator because we must cut the corners of the hand rail to be installed. Someone might want to bring a portable electric saw if they have one available.
For those who do not want to lay boards down. We need volunteers to shovel out the sand from the bottom of the steps at the beach. The sand needs to be removed to keep the wood from rotting. Your pry bars and gloves will help get this job done quickly.]
New Date:
We do need your help so please come to the front entrance on Saturday February25, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. A rain date of Sunday February 26th has been set and the time @1:30 P.M. (not 10 a.m.) if necessary.
If there are any questions please contact Jim Berrier at 461-7853 or Charlie Novak at 471-1579.
One last thing, we are hoping that each one of us might take the old wood pieces back their house for hiding in their trashcans for Advance Trash Removal to take. Advanced currently does not take building materials. (Maybe 3 or 3 boards each person unless somebody has a better idea.)
Jim Berrier
Committee Chairman
Neighborhood Watch Report
Hello everyone, I just wanted to brief you on the happenings regarding our neighborhood watch here in Treasure Beach. I am happy to report that we have filled our vacancies for the time period from January 1 st thru April 29 th of 2006..Thatmsm the first 4 months of this year which means that we will only have to go through two more volunteer recruiting sessions before this year is over so there is still time to show your concern for Treasure Beach by volunteering a week of your time to patrol our streets. I will begin my request for help again probably some time the middle of April.
Recently our emergency cell phone for the neighborhood watch volunteers died. The phone was ready "to kick the bucket" - it had seen itms better times.. After making a telephone call to Sgt. Ricky Domingo in the Sheriffms office we received a new cell phone which is now back in the hands of our volunteer watch patrol. I can only thsnk Ricky for his help once again. This community owes much to Sgt. Ricky Domingoms efforts in the past as well.
I would like to welcome two of our newest volunteer members to the Neighborhood Watch- George Collins and Stephen & Phyllis Abbott who will be doing the watch for their first time. Of course, I would like to mention the names of our fine neighbors who have volunteered in the past few months - Lou Gai, Bill and Marion Libby, Peggy Berrier, Joe Fell, Doug Berndt, Ron and Michelle Harvey and Doug and Sheila Martin. Also, Bobbie Cleveland and Rick Kresge]who useto volunteer all the timebut have either sold or in the process of selling their home.I apologize to anyone whose name I may have not acknowledged. After all I am 65 years old now and my memory may not be as sharp as it once was.
There is an issue for which our committee will be addressing very soon and that is the fire-destroyed trailer located on Barco Road. Mr. Acosta of St. Johns County Code Enforcement will be contacted to have the owner of this trailer either promptly rebuild or promptly remove. This housing unit is a safety hazard and a vermin attraction. It is also an leyesoren in this community. I believe, if my mind serves me, that this trailer burnt down in the spring/summer of 2005. Time has past giving the owner time to get this straightened out but it appears that he/she has abandoned this unit and is willing to just let it stand there. If the owner reads this and would like to talk to me I would be happy to listen so I can find out his intentions. My phone is (471-1579).
Respectfully Submitted,
Charlie Novak
Neighborhood Watch
Recently our emergency cell phone for the neighborhood watch volunteers died. The phone was ready "to kick the bucket" - it had seen itms better times.. After making a telephone call to Sgt. Ricky Domingo in the Sheriffms office we received a new cell phone which is now back in the hands of our volunteer watch patrol. I can only thsnk Ricky for his help once again. This community owes much to Sgt. Ricky Domingoms efforts in the past as well.
I would like to welcome two of our newest volunteer members to the Neighborhood Watch- George Collins and Stephen & Phyllis Abbott who will be doing the watch for their first time. Of course, I would like to mention the names of our fine neighbors who have volunteered in the past few months - Lou Gai, Bill and Marion Libby, Peggy Berrier, Joe Fell, Doug Berndt, Ron and Michelle Harvey and Doug and Sheila Martin. Also, Bobbie Cleveland and Rick Kresge]who useto volunteer all the timebut have either sold or in the process of selling their home.I apologize to anyone whose name I may have not acknowledged. After all I am 65 years old now and my memory may not be as sharp as it once was.
There is an issue for which our committee will be addressing very soon and that is the fire-destroyed trailer located on Barco Road. Mr. Acosta of St. Johns County Code Enforcement will be contacted to have the owner of this trailer either promptly rebuild or promptly remove. This housing unit is a safety hazard and a vermin attraction. It is also an leyesoren in this community. I believe, if my mind serves me, that this trailer burnt down in the spring/summer of 2005. Time has past giving the owner time to get this straightened out but it appears that he/she has abandoned this unit and is willing to just let it stand there. If the owner reads this and would like to talk to me I would be happy to listen so I can find out his intentions. My phone is (471-1579).
Respectfully Submitted,
Charlie Novak
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood News...
At the TBPOA meeting in January, we welcomed new members Janice (Bob) Beach, and Florence Beach, and]new full time (retirees) residents Steve & Phyllis Abbott. It was good seeing Joe Pelletier, and Bill & Marion Libby (Neighborhood Watch regulars) also in attendance.The Officers for 2006 were installed, and our new President Charlie Novak discussed activities for 2006.It sounds like a very busy and interesting year.
CONGRATULATIONS to Betty Fell who put on a great storytelling program at the Limelight Theatre, "Crocs, Docks & Salty Dogs."The morning of the show, her partner, Terri McConnell came down with the flu, and Betty scrambled around and found four other story]tellers to fill in for Terri.
The program was delightful.Betty performs at the Florida Folk Festival in White springs each year, MC's a Seasonal Christmas story telling program to benefit the Food Pantry.]The Tale Tellers also put on a Benefit for the St. Francis House.Betty is President of the Tale Tellers, and volunteers her talents in schools, libraries, teachersm retreats, civic organizations etc.A very busy lady!
ANGELS IN OUR MIDST: Jimmie & Jean Harden brought]eight young people from their homes (Homeless Coalition), to the First Coast Operams Gilbert & Sullivanms lH.M.S.Pinaforen.]I apologize for not getting pictures of Jimmie & Jean with their brood.]Dot Delaney,]Gisela Prange, Wally Richter and Nancy Gaj are also angels who are always willing to help out others who need a ride to the doctorms, or grocery store, take food to those who are ill, etc. We are fortunate to have so many Angels living in Treasure Beach.
CELEBRITIES IN OUR MIDST:]Bill & Peggy Chalmers were at the Beach Pavilion Tree give-away on Arbor Day picking up some trees when a photographer snapped their picture.]They also picked up some trees for Billms daughter, Susan, who moved into a new house.
MARCH ACTIVITIES:
The Limelight Theatre will present the musical, "Spitfire Grill" from March 16th to April 16th.
The shows are professional and you will not be disappointed.
Evenings at Whitney, a free public lecture series, will present Biology of orchids: from Ecuador to genes', by Norris Williams, Ph.D., Florida Museum of Natural History, on Thursday, March 9th.
Edie Mixon, President of the St. Augustine Genealogy Society,will have a class March 3rd on kPassenger Listsm and kNaturalization Records and Passportsm and another class on March 17th on kBritish Research and Misc. Overseas Records', at the Southeastern Branch Library.]These classes are free and open to the public.]
SURVIVING THE TEENAGE YEARS, sponsored by PACT Prevention Coalition, in cooperation with Sheriff David Shoar and the St. Johns County School District will be presented on March 16th @ Landrum Middle School, and on March 22nd at Sebastian Middle School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Florida Humanities Council presents kAnna Madgigine Jai Kingley: African Princess, Florida Slave, Plantation Slaveownerm presented by Dan Schafer at Jacksonville University on March 2nd at 7 p.m.
The Florida Humanities Council presents Zora Neale Hurston portrayed by Phyllis McEwen at the Flagler County Public Library Palm Coast on March 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
Check out kThe Compassm for other activities in St. Augustine.]There is something for everyone.
CANCER UPDATE from John Hopkins, information circulated by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.(1)No plastic containers in microwave.(2)No plastic bottles in the freezer.(3) No plastic wrap in the microwave.]Dioxin chemicals causes cancer as they are highly poisonous to the cells of our body.Instead, use glass, Corning Ware or ceramic containers for heating food
SYMPATHY is extended to the family of JOSEPHINE REED (Majorca Road) who passed away in Flagler Hospital on January 23rd.Sympathy is also extended to the family of MARIE OWEN (Treasure Beach Road) who passed away January 29th from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.Cards were sent to both families.
The residents of Treasure Beach are very interesting people, and are involved in many interesting activities. Please call or email me with your new and pictures of your activities..Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS to Betty Fell who put on a great storytelling program at the Limelight Theatre, "Crocs, Docks & Salty Dogs."The morning of the show, her partner, Terri McConnell came down with the flu, and Betty scrambled around and found four other story]tellers to fill in for Terri.
The program was delightful.Betty performs at the Florida Folk Festival in White springs each year, MC's a Seasonal Christmas story telling program to benefit the Food Pantry.]The Tale Tellers also put on a Benefit for the St. Francis House.Betty is President of the Tale Tellers, and volunteers her talents in schools, libraries, teachersm retreats, civic organizations etc.A very busy lady!
ANGELS IN OUR MIDST: Jimmie & Jean Harden brought]eight young people from their homes (Homeless Coalition), to the First Coast Operams Gilbert & Sullivanms lH.M.S.Pinaforen.]I apologize for not getting pictures of Jimmie & Jean with their brood.]Dot Delaney,]Gisela Prange, Wally Richter and Nancy Gaj are also angels who are always willing to help out others who need a ride to the doctorms, or grocery store, take food to those who are ill, etc. We are fortunate to have so many Angels living in Treasure Beach.
CELEBRITIES IN OUR MIDST:]Bill & Peggy Chalmers were at the Beach Pavilion Tree give-away on Arbor Day picking up some trees when a photographer snapped their picture.]They also picked up some trees for Billms daughter, Susan, who moved into a new house.
MARCH ACTIVITIES:
The Limelight Theatre will present the musical, "Spitfire Grill" from March 16th to April 16th.
The shows are professional and you will not be disappointed.
Evenings at Whitney, a free public lecture series, will present Biology of orchids: from Ecuador to genes', by Norris Williams, Ph.D., Florida Museum of Natural History, on Thursday, March 9th.
Edie Mixon, President of the St. Augustine Genealogy Society,will have a class March 3rd on kPassenger Listsm and kNaturalization Records and Passportsm and another class on March 17th on kBritish Research and Misc. Overseas Records', at the Southeastern Branch Library.]These classes are free and open to the public.]
SURVIVING THE TEENAGE YEARS, sponsored by PACT Prevention Coalition, in cooperation with Sheriff David Shoar and the St. Johns County School District will be presented on March 16th @ Landrum Middle School, and on March 22nd at Sebastian Middle School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Florida Humanities Council presents kAnna Madgigine Jai Kingley: African Princess, Florida Slave, Plantation Slaveownerm presented by Dan Schafer at Jacksonville University on March 2nd at 7 p.m.
The Florida Humanities Council presents Zora Neale Hurston portrayed by Phyllis McEwen at the Flagler County Public Library Palm Coast on March 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
Check out kThe Compassm for other activities in St. Augustine.]There is something for everyone.
CANCER UPDATE from John Hopkins, information circulated by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.(1)No plastic containers in microwave.(2)No plastic bottles in the freezer.(3) No plastic wrap in the microwave.]Dioxin chemicals causes cancer as they are highly poisonous to the cells of our body.Instead, use glass, Corning Ware or ceramic containers for heating food
SYMPATHY is extended to the family of JOSEPHINE REED (Majorca Road) who passed away in Flagler Hospital on January 23rd.Sympathy is also extended to the family of MARIE OWEN (Treasure Beach Road) who passed away January 29th from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.Cards were sent to both families.
The residents of Treasure Beach are very interesting people, and are involved in many interesting activities. Please call or email me with your new and pictures of your activities..Thank you.
From the President's Dock...
Hello Neighbors,
This is my first report from the post of President - TBPOA. I am honored (and I think- crazy) to take this position. Attempting to fill the shoes of the many folks who have held this post during the past 35-year history of Treasure Beach is certainly a challenge; however, I see it as an opportunity to increase our association membership in both time and talent. With a greater membership we can expect a larger treasury for a possible future battle with our county leaders about the canals. We also need additional volunteers to support the front entrance decoration/beautification project, our TBPOA Welcome Wagon committee needs a hand. Of course, we]will need helping hands with the Treasure Beach yard sale planned for May of this year and one in the Fall. We also need volunteers for our (your) neighborhood watch and help with an Appreciation Picnic for all volunteers this Spring. Can you donate baked goods for our bake sale? I do hope you will consider coming out this year to help us out with these projects because itms all about you.
We all can look forward to fun times ahead this year, as a group, with put-put golf, bowling, our community yard sales, covered dish suppers and possibly a group boat trip. With the help of our very capable Board of Directors and your in-put we can continue the above and even add more to this list 2006. Activities like these help make our community a desirable and pleasant place to call home.
Our own Doug Martin had a special style of leadership over the past two years. He has brought our treasury to a higher level and maintained cohesiveness among the TBPOA Board of Directors as well as our community members. I hope I can be an integral part of the continued growth and prosperity of Treasure Beach as well. I fear not because the Lord will help guide me to do the right thing.]Also, Doug promised he would be there to help lift me up when I tripped.
There will be 9 community meetings in the year 2006. It would really be nice to see more of you all at our meetings to come. We will attempt to get some interesting speakers to join us so we can all learn a bit more about our St. Augustine as well as ourselves- From History to Health to Wealth and Happiness. It is my hope we can keep your interest. We already have 2 speakers lined up for February( our Lighthouse) and March ( Hurricane emergency management ) . April will concentrate on our canal issues and May will see our meeting at Whitney Laboratories in Marineland with a guest speaker to accompany our "Pot Luck Dinner".
If you ever need a ride to the meetings just call any one on the Board and we will get you to and from the meeting. Keep that in mind. We want you to attend. We want you to learn whatms going on in your neighborhood. We want you to meet your neighbors. We want you to enjoy yourself.
This January Taunnie and I traveled Pennsylvania to visit friends and relatives in the Baltimore region, Gettysburg and Pittsburgh. For those who grew up in the northeast you may recall those wintry days when the humidity was 1 percent with very low temperatures. Kinda dries your skin so it feels like leather and itchy. Oh yes, getting zapped each time you touched your car door when getting out. I really like our Florida weather (except for Hurricane season). Taunnie and I had a special treat to meet our newest addition to carry on the Novak name. Our Son Vincent and his wife Faye had a child that they named lJacksonn born on December 27th. I have a photo I would like to share with you of him only hours old. He is really a handsome boy and healthy too!!]Momma and son are doing fine. Unfortunately Taunnie brought back a sneezy wheezy cold donated to her by our granddaughter Emma in Pittsburgh.
I also want to thank our Neighborhood watch for looking in on our house while we were away. You know, you donmt have to be President to ask for an extra watch if you are going to be away for an extended stay. All you have to do is ask any one of the Board Members and they will get word back to the coordinator of TBPOA Neighborhood Watch. We have many special folks who volunteer for this duty q yearlong. We are truly blessed.
I do not want to be winded on this my first message from "THE PRESIDENT'S DOCK" so I will end with a wish for a healthy and peaceful New Year in 2006. I promise you my BEST.
Respectfully,
Charlie Novak
This is my first report from the post of President - TBPOA. I am honored (and I think- crazy) to take this position. Attempting to fill the shoes of the many folks who have held this post during the past 35-year history of Treasure Beach is certainly a challenge; however, I see it as an opportunity to increase our association membership in both time and talent. With a greater membership we can expect a larger treasury for a possible future battle with our county leaders about the canals. We also need additional volunteers to support the front entrance decoration/beautification project, our TBPOA Welcome Wagon committee needs a hand. Of course, we]will need helping hands with the Treasure Beach yard sale planned for May of this year and one in the Fall. We also need volunteers for our (your) neighborhood watch and help with an Appreciation Picnic for all volunteers this Spring. Can you donate baked goods for our bake sale? I do hope you will consider coming out this year to help us out with these projects because itms all about you.
We all can look forward to fun times ahead this year, as a group, with put-put golf, bowling, our community yard sales, covered dish suppers and possibly a group boat trip. With the help of our very capable Board of Directors and your in-put we can continue the above and even add more to this list 2006. Activities like these help make our community a desirable and pleasant place to call home.
Our own Doug Martin had a special style of leadership over the past two years. He has brought our treasury to a higher level and maintained cohesiveness among the TBPOA Board of Directors as well as our community members. I hope I can be an integral part of the continued growth and prosperity of Treasure Beach as well. I fear not because the Lord will help guide me to do the right thing.]Also, Doug promised he would be there to help lift me up when I tripped.
There will be 9 community meetings in the year 2006. It would really be nice to see more of you all at our meetings to come. We will attempt to get some interesting speakers to join us so we can all learn a bit more about our St. Augustine as well as ourselves- From History to Health to Wealth and Happiness. It is my hope we can keep your interest. We already have 2 speakers lined up for February( our Lighthouse) and March ( Hurricane emergency management ) . April will concentrate on our canal issues and May will see our meeting at Whitney Laboratories in Marineland with a guest speaker to accompany our "Pot Luck Dinner".
If you ever need a ride to the meetings just call any one on the Board and we will get you to and from the meeting. Keep that in mind. We want you to attend. We want you to learn whatms going on in your neighborhood. We want you to meet your neighbors. We want you to enjoy yourself.
This January Taunnie and I traveled Pennsylvania to visit friends and relatives in the Baltimore region, Gettysburg and Pittsburgh. For those who grew up in the northeast you may recall those wintry days when the humidity was 1 percent with very low temperatures. Kinda dries your skin so it feels like leather and itchy. Oh yes, getting zapped each time you touched your car door when getting out. I really like our Florida weather (except for Hurricane season). Taunnie and I had a special treat to meet our newest addition to carry on the Novak name. Our Son Vincent and his wife Faye had a child that they named lJacksonn born on December 27th. I have a photo I would like to share with you of him only hours old. He is really a handsome boy and healthy too!!]Momma and son are doing fine. Unfortunately Taunnie brought back a sneezy wheezy cold donated to her by our granddaughter Emma in Pittsburgh.
I also want to thank our Neighborhood watch for looking in on our house while we were away. You know, you donmt have to be President to ask for an extra watch if you are going to be away for an extended stay. All you have to do is ask any one of the Board Members and they will get word back to the coordinator of TBPOA Neighborhood Watch. We have many special folks who volunteer for this duty q yearlong. We are truly blessed.
I do not want to be winded on this my first message from "THE PRESIDENT'S DOCK" so I will end with a wish for a healthy and peaceful New Year in 2006. I promise you my BEST.
Respectfully,
Charlie Novak
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Guiding the guide puppies
Love 'em and leave 'em -- that's the tale of Dakota, an 18-month old "goldadore" who is a puppy in training in the Southeastern Guide Dogs program. Dakota (a mixed golden retriever and Labrador retriever) has been in residence at the Treasure Beach home of Charlie and Taunnie Novak since the dog was 9 weeks old and will soon leave the Novaks to go to K-9 college at the Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. training center in Palmetto.
It is the only guide dog school in the southeastern United States.
The Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. is an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization that relies on private contributions and volunteers to fulfill its purpose of providing the "gift of mobility" to blind persons with the aide of trained dogs. The facility maintains its own breeding program.
Its primary breed is the Labrador retriever. It also includes in its breeds golden retriever, Australian shepherd, smooth coat collie, Hungarian Vizsla and German shepherd. The breeds are selected for their temperament, friendliness, physical characteristics and intelligence. All dogs used in the training are either neutered or spayed.The Novaks bred and showed dogs for more than 20 years. In fact, Taunnie was a show judge. They gave up the show dog business in 1985 but never lost their love of dogs. A few years ago the Novaks were on a plane to Baltimore and ran across an article in the airline's magazine about the Southeastern Guide Dogs program. After investigating the requirements as a puppy raiser, they began attending the required training meetings and soon after had their first puppy.
Being a puppy raiser in the program has its rewards and its challenges. Taunnie is the official trainer since the dogs are expected to become one-on-one companions. Dakota is the third puppy Taunnie has raised in the program and as such will soon be the third mature puppy to leave the household.
About the Southeastern Guide Dogs and program:
Puppies are placed with puppy raisers at nine weeks of age and begin basic training.
At approximately 20 months they return to the Palmetto site for additional training where they learn to execute 40 commands. This takes from four to six months.
Once trained they are paired with their selected blind companion where they co-train for 26 days at the Palmetto campus.
The guide dogs usually continue to work for about eight years. As they slow down and their response is not as sharp as it should be, the dogs are retired--usually placed with a family that does not require guide services.
Not everyone is in a position to raise a puppy and provide the required preliminary training. Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. offer a sponsorship program. A donation of $1,750 covers the cost of medical care, transportation and staff visits while the pup is in its basic training adoptive home.
St. Augustine resident Ursula O'Connor recently sponsored her second puppy by handing over a check payable to the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. to Taunnie Novak Feb. 26. With that sponsorship, O'Connor gets to name her sponsored pup and get updates on its progress.
To learn more
Call Southeastern Guide Dogs area coordinator, Thresa Shaver at (904) 266-4011 or Taunnie Novak at 471-2579. If you'd like to pledge to the Walk-a-Thon on Taunnie's behalf, you may send checks made payable to Southeastern Guide Dogs, and mail to: Taunnie Novak, 243 Pizarro Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080.
Additional information is available online at: www.guidedogs.org.
While in the household, Dakota has learned basic skills and responds to commands like find the stairs, find the door, find the chair, find the elevator, find the car, find the sidewalk, left, right and forward. To accomplish the training, Dakota goes on daily family outings --"he goes everywhere that we go," Taunnie said, including to grocery and department stores, to church, even to the movies. "We took him to the I-Max movie at World Golf Village last week," Charlie said. "Dakota was so entranced with the big screen. He seemed to really enjoy it."
While training, the dogs are given the same privileges as fully trained guide dogs in public establishments.
When Dakota's not in training, he's a regular playful puppy, but put on his blue vest, the dog becomes "another person" and is ready to work. The vest is the preliminary step to more formal training when harnesses are used and the mission then becomes "Love 'em and lead 'em."
Dakota will go on to K-9 college in Palmetto in May for four to six months of advanced training. Then he will meet his matched blind person. There they will co-exist and train for approximately 26 days. The new owner will learn to feed and care for Dakota and be co-trained in the commands. The dog will also be trained to develop the skill of "intelligent disobedience," to disobey commands that would put the guide dog team in danger.
Each guide dog "team" (one dog, one student) costs up to $30,000 to train and graduate. Southeastern raises almost $3 million annually through gifts from individuals, foundations, service clubs, bequests and fund-raising events.
The Novaks participated in the programs 19th Annual Walk-a-Thon on March 5 in Palmetto. Last year Taunnie collected more than $2,300 in pledges for the program. This year's pledge total was more than $2,600.
While the puppy raisers receive no payment or reimbursement for expenses in raising the dogs, the Novaks are gratified with their experience, except when it's time to say goodbye.
"I'm not looking forward to that," Taunnie said as she accepted a snuggle from Dakota. "It gets harder and harder to say goodbye," Taunnie said. "It's like giving away one of our children."
http://staugustine.com/stories/031305/com_2896628.shtml
It is the only guide dog school in the southeastern United States.
The Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. is an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization that relies on private contributions and volunteers to fulfill its purpose of providing the "gift of mobility" to blind persons with the aide of trained dogs. The facility maintains its own breeding program.
Its primary breed is the Labrador retriever. It also includes in its breeds golden retriever, Australian shepherd, smooth coat collie, Hungarian Vizsla and German shepherd. The breeds are selected for their temperament, friendliness, physical characteristics and intelligence. All dogs used in the training are either neutered or spayed.The Novaks bred and showed dogs for more than 20 years. In fact, Taunnie was a show judge. They gave up the show dog business in 1985 but never lost their love of dogs. A few years ago the Novaks were on a plane to Baltimore and ran across an article in the airline's magazine about the Southeastern Guide Dogs program. After investigating the requirements as a puppy raiser, they began attending the required training meetings and soon after had their first puppy.
Being a puppy raiser in the program has its rewards and its challenges. Taunnie is the official trainer since the dogs are expected to become one-on-one companions. Dakota is the third puppy Taunnie has raised in the program and as such will soon be the third mature puppy to leave the household.
About the Southeastern Guide Dogs and program:
Puppies are placed with puppy raisers at nine weeks of age and begin basic training.
At approximately 20 months they return to the Palmetto site for additional training where they learn to execute 40 commands. This takes from four to six months.
Once trained they are paired with their selected blind companion where they co-train for 26 days at the Palmetto campus.
The guide dogs usually continue to work for about eight years. As they slow down and their response is not as sharp as it should be, the dogs are retired--usually placed with a family that does not require guide services.
Not everyone is in a position to raise a puppy and provide the required preliminary training. Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. offer a sponsorship program. A donation of $1,750 covers the cost of medical care, transportation and staff visits while the pup is in its basic training adoptive home.
St. Augustine resident Ursula O'Connor recently sponsored her second puppy by handing over a check payable to the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. to Taunnie Novak Feb. 26. With that sponsorship, O'Connor gets to name her sponsored pup and get updates on its progress.
To learn more
Call Southeastern Guide Dogs area coordinator, Thresa Shaver at (904) 266-4011 or Taunnie Novak at 471-2579. If you'd like to pledge to the Walk-a-Thon on Taunnie's behalf, you may send checks made payable to Southeastern Guide Dogs, and mail to: Taunnie Novak, 243 Pizarro Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080.
Additional information is available online at: www.guidedogs.org.
While in the household, Dakota has learned basic skills and responds to commands like find the stairs, find the door, find the chair, find the elevator, find the car, find the sidewalk, left, right and forward. To accomplish the training, Dakota goes on daily family outings --"he goes everywhere that we go," Taunnie said, including to grocery and department stores, to church, even to the movies. "We took him to the I-Max movie at World Golf Village last week," Charlie said. "Dakota was so entranced with the big screen. He seemed to really enjoy it."
While training, the dogs are given the same privileges as fully trained guide dogs in public establishments.
When Dakota's not in training, he's a regular playful puppy, but put on his blue vest, the dog becomes "another person" and is ready to work. The vest is the preliminary step to more formal training when harnesses are used and the mission then becomes "Love 'em and lead 'em."
Dakota will go on to K-9 college in Palmetto in May for four to six months of advanced training. Then he will meet his matched blind person. There they will co-exist and train for approximately 26 days. The new owner will learn to feed and care for Dakota and be co-trained in the commands. The dog will also be trained to develop the skill of "intelligent disobedience," to disobey commands that would put the guide dog team in danger.
Each guide dog "team" (one dog, one student) costs up to $30,000 to train and graduate. Southeastern raises almost $3 million annually through gifts from individuals, foundations, service clubs, bequests and fund-raising events.
The Novaks participated in the programs 19th Annual Walk-a-Thon on March 5 in Palmetto. Last year Taunnie collected more than $2,300 in pledges for the program. This year's pledge total was more than $2,600.
While the puppy raisers receive no payment or reimbursement for expenses in raising the dogs, the Novaks are gratified with their experience, except when it's time to say goodbye.
"I'm not looking forward to that," Taunnie said as she accepted a snuggle from Dakota. "It gets harder and harder to say goodbye," Taunnie said. "It's like giving away one of our children."
http://staugustine.com/stories/031305/com_2896628.shtml
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