It’s More Than a Community……It’s a Lifestyle Saving Our ......will be Steven Marcalus, RPh,...

November 2007

INSIDE THIS ISSUEParke Happenings .............................p. 2 General Manager’s Desk ....................p. 5 Red Hats ..........................................p.10 Recipe Corner ...................................p.11 On The Lighter Side ..........................p.11 Outside The Parke.............................p.12 Household Hints ...............................p.14Health Matters ..................................p.15Tax Tips............................................p.15 Sports & Fitness................................p.17

CLUBHOUSE HOURSMon. - Thurs. 7:30 am - 7:30 pmFriday 7:30 am - 6:00 pmSaturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pmSunday Noon - 5:00 pmPhone: 410-208-4994Fax: 410-208-4996Email: [email protected]: www.theparke.org

Mark Your CalendarCommittee Meetings

Operations November 6 1:30 pmBoard of Directors November 7 10:15 amCovenants November 7 2 pm Programs November 8 9:30 amBudget & Finance November 12 9:30 amSocial November 12 10 am Communications November 19 10 amDesign Review November 26 10 am

It’s More Than a Community……It’s a Lifestyle.

Saving Our HOA Money Did you know that our Homeowners Association may be paying a transaction fee to Legum & Norman (L&N) when you pay your monthly HOA fee? How you pay determines if there is a fee. We encourage residents to reduce these processing fees by using one of two preferred payment methods described below. Saving the HOA money is sav-ing our money!

Did you know that: • If you send your monthly HOA payment to L&N in Ocean City, or drop it off at the Clubhouse, or mail it to L&N in Virginia, L&N charges The Parke HOA a $1.00 transaction fee. This fee is being charged whether you supplied a coupon or not.• If you pay your monthly HOA fee online with a bank to L&N, L&N charges The Parke HOA a $1.00 transaction fee.• If you mail your HOA fee with your coupon to L&N in Charlotte, North Carolina, there is no transaction fee.• If you make your HOA payment through Direct Debit established with L&N, there is no transaction fee.• In 2008, homeowners will be able to pay their HOA fee online by credit card at the L&N website. Therefore, to save our HOA from paying these transaction fees every month, it’s best to use one of the following two payment methods: 1. Send your HOA fee with your coupon to L&N in Charlotte, NC, or 2. Pay your HOA fee through Direct Debit with L&N.

Delegates Mathias, Conway Speak at Parke On October 5th The Parke hosted Delegates Jim Mathias and Norm Conway during the Java Info Hour in the Club-house. Among the subjects discussed were legalizing slots, energy costs, a possible tax increase, and improvements to Route 589. During the 2008 legislative session, Mathias said, “A whole bunch of stuff is going to get run up the pole and a lot more stuff is coming. I know for certain I’m going to make some votes you’re not going to like, and I’ll make some you’ll support, but I hope overall at least you can say I tried.” Conway said there are 141 members of the Maryland House of Representatives and that 71 votes are needed for a successful vote. Of those 141, only 10 are from the Eastern Shore. “I’m one out of 141. I do my best to try and sell everybody else on positions that we take,” he said. Concerning legalizing slots, both delegates take this subject very seriously and see how the residents are so di-vided. The high cost of energy and regulating utility rates, Mathias said, will be discussed during the 2008 legislative

Continued on Page 7

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 4th. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour. This is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Budget Meeting On Saturday, November 3rd, at 9 am in the Clubhouse, there will be a presentation of the 2008 budget. All residents are encouraged to attend.

Visions for Total Health Conference ‘07 On Saturday, November 3rd, at Stephen Decatur High School, Atlantic General Hospital will present free screen-ings, breakout sessions, and health exhibits. There is no admission fee or pre-registration. For more information, call 410-641-9268 or visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/visions.

Medicare Part D Presentation On Friday, November 9th, at 10 am in the Clubhouse, there will be a one-hour presentation on recent changes to Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage. The presenter will be Steven Marcalus, RPh, MBA, Pharmacist/Owner of Coastal Drug Center in Berlin. There is no charge for this event. All are welcome.

Luigi & Guido Return as the “OHPAs” For those of you who enjoyed or missed Italian night last year, the evenings of Friday, November 9th and Saturday, November 10th, are for you. The second night’s perfor-mance was added to meet the demands of adoring fans. The characters of Luigi and Guido have reinvented themselves as the “OHPAs”. They, along with fellow Parke guest artists, will entertain once again in a cabaret atmosphere. And it’s free, as long as you BYOB and snacks. Water, cups and ice will be provided. The shows will run from 7-10 pm in the Grand Hall. Be-cause the room will be transformed into a true cabaret venue, seating will be limited and reservations are required. Call Roger Lippincott at 410-208-1433.

Flu Shots Flu shots will be given again at The Parke on November 15th starting at 10 am. Pneumonia and tetanus shots will also be available. There is no charge for Medicare B holders (bring Medicare card and another form of ID). For non-Medicare members, flu shots will cost $30 and pneumonia shots (needed only every five years) $40. Checks should be made payable to “Maxim Health Systems.” Tetanus shots will cost $45. Sign up in the Clubhouse notebook.

Scrapbooking Classes Scrapbooking will be held in the Clubhouse art room on Monday, November 19th and 26th, from 6:45 – 8:45 pm. For more information, call Lenora Urie at 410-208-6708.

Festival of Trees Last year’s Festival of Trees event was so successful, the Social Committee is sponsoring it again this year. Last year 19 beautifully decorated trees were silent-auctioned for bids totaling $910! Please help us and our local charities exceed .

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News for The Parke Bench should be sent to the Editor: [email protected] by the 15th of the month.

The Parke Bench is published monthly byThe Homeowners Association of The Parke at Ocean Pines

President, Sally KohlerVice President/Secretary, Jim TrummelMember-at-large, Jim AngstadtMember-at-large, Joe MatturroMember-at-large, Paul RuskoDiane McGraw, Chair-Communications Advisory Committee

STAFFRick Rodgers, Editor ([email protected])Joyce Piatti, Recipe Corner ([email protected])Cathy Russo, Outside The Parke ([email protected])Bob Strauss, Advertising Rep ([email protected])Bridget Ketcham, General Manager ([email protected])

Parke Happeningsthose terrific results this year. Those wishing to participate are asked to buy and deco-rate a small (4 foot or shorter) Christmas tree, and bring your decorated tree to the Clubhouse on Monday, November 26th. The decorated trees will be on display throughout the Club-house and available for silent auction bidding until Wednes-day, December 12th. A tree can be provided by an individual, or can be the joint effort of any of The Parke’s many commit-tees and groups (such as the Red Hat chapters, the Romeos, card player groups, Parke Painters, line dancers, etc.) On December 12th at 11am, in the Clubhouse’s great room, we will announce the highest bidders and new owners of the decorated trees. Proceeds from the purchase of the trees will be donated to one or more local charities. Those providing the trees and those offering the highest auction bids will be asked to designate their favorite charity from a list of local charities. The charity receiving the most votes will be awarded the proceeds. Refreshments will be served and holiday entertainment provided, so plan to join us in this joyful fundraising event. If you will be able to donate a decorated tree, please sign up in the Activities Folder in the lobby. Contact Jan Nis-sen-Hawkins if you have any questions at 410-641-8217 or [email protected].

Midway Slots Trips A trip is planned for Tuesday, November 27th, 10 am - 4 pm. Note the new date/time. The new evening buffet will not open until the end of December, so this trip will be a day trip. Another trip is planned for Tuesday, December 18th, 10 am-4 pm. The cost is $16 per person and includes roundtrip transportation, tip to bus driver and a $10 free play coupon from the casino. For more information, sign up in the Clubhouse note-book or call Jack Natoli at (410) 208-6369.

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Holiday Wreaths and Swags In the past, members of The Parke have joined the Garden Club of Ocean Pines in making wreaths and swags for holiday decorating. All types of wreath forms, greenery, and cones are available for their construction on Tuesday morning, November 27th at the Ocean Pines Community Hall. A chili lunch is even provided for all helpers. Vol-unteers are needed to construct these wreaths and swags to decorate the entrances to The Parke. Signup sheets will be placed in the Mail Pavilion. Please state the location you would like to decorate with two volunteers’ names who would like to work together for each area. We also need several men to pick up the wreaths and install them. Lo-cations will be listed on each wreath or swag constructed. Let’s not be left out. We can give the Parke holiday piz-zazz. Note: A tall type of shepherd’s crook was seen in one location and would make for easy installation if anyone can suggest where to get them and the price.

Save These Dates

On Tuesday, December 4TH, the Cancer Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held at the Convention Center. More information will follow.

New Year’s Eve After-Dinner Celebration & Dance Ring in the New Year with your neighbors and friends at The Parke Clubhouse. Live music will be provided by the Pizzazz four-piece band. Clubhouse doors open at 8:30 pm; music and dancing from 9-12:30. Bring your snacks and drinks; we’ll supply napkins, glasses and ice. Cost is $10 per person. We need enough attendance to make this a go, so sign up and deposit your check in the Clubhouse signup book by November 25th. For additional details or questions, contact Lorayne Whitson at 410-641-6634 or [email protected].

Congratulations to No Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament Winners A No Limit Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament was held on October 12th in the Clubhouse. The winners were: 1st place, Dick Mullins; 2nd place, Bob Shayer; and 3rd place, John Gerety. Others at the final table included Gary Meyer, Dottie Kruger, Ann Wilson, Harry Holowach, Jim Roth, Dorothy Amenta, and Rita Tewell. There was a very good turnout. The volunteer dealers, Kathy Mullins, Linda Campanelli and Ed Tewell did an out-standing job, as did Arlene Conway who provided essential staff support throughout the entire day. We greatly appreciate the continued enthusiasm our players have for this event. The next tournament will be held in January 2008.

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In fact, I enjoy it so much that I do it several times a day.

Clubhouse Tree Trimming Party Parke Residents are invited Wednesday, November 28th at 10 am to the Tree Trimming Party at The Clubhouse. Come help decorate the Clubhouse and the tree. Enjoy punch, hot cocoa and cookies. It is a great time for social-izing. We will need volunteers to put up the Clubhouse tree. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

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Safety Alert In the past week, there were two near accidents at the corner of Fort Sumter South and Hatteras Street. At the corner of Hatteras Street and Fort Sumter South intersec-tion there is a stop sign; however, many drivers do not stop! On Monday, a car coming from Fort Sumter South and a car coming down Hatteras almost collided. The car coming down Hatteras did not stop at the stop sign. An-other time involved a bicyclist coming down Hatteras to-ward the stop sign and a car swerved around the bicyclist causing the rider to almost lose control of the bicycle. This person also went straight through the stop sign. Also, don’t forget there is a speed limit of 25 miles per hour in a residential neighborhood. Many cars are driv-ing over this speed limit. Don’t learn the hard way after someone has been injured.

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veterans, the names of almost 3200 American military killed in Iraq and the names of 1500 veterans inscribed in the bricks and pavers at the Memorial will be read over a 3-hour period by members of the Veterans Foundation Board of Directors, area veterans, and civic officials. The ceremony will conclude at 6 pm with a candlelight ceremony and the sounding of “Taps” by Charles Rummell of the Sinepuxent Chapter of the American Legion in Ocean City. Also entertaining during the service will be the Del-marva Chorus under the direction of Carole Ludwig, and Ocean Pines Director Bill Rakow, a retired Marine colonel, will reflect on the meaning of Veterans Day. The public is invited to participate in the event; please bring lawn chairs. Inscribed bricks and pavers at the Memo-rial are still available, and may be ordered now for Christmas giving. Please call Roseann Bridgman at 410-641-7243 for further information.

The third annual commem-oration of Veterans Day will be celebrated at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial on Sunday, November 11th, beginning at 2 pm at the site along Route 589 in Ocean Pines. Along with proclama-tions, patriotic music, and reflections by local

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From the General Manager’s Desk:

Recently, there have been a few instances where items have been moved around and or missing in the storage closets and shed. As a result, beginning on November 1st, the Grand Hall storage closet and Art Room storage closet will

be locked at all times. In order to access these areas, a Clubhouse employee or CRR will have to lock and unlock the closet for you, monitoring what is taken from these areas. This procedure will also be followed for the stor-age shed. Please be reminded that only service animals are al-lowed in the Mail Pavilion. You may secure your pet to the bench outside while you go in to check your mail. All lampposts in the front of your homes must be functioning. The neighborhood watch group is trying hard to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and when a lamp is not lit, it makes their task harder. Please be safe and keep your lamppost in good working condition. It’s the perfect time of year to replace any plants that may have died in your yard. Don’t forget that the ornamental tree in your front yard is the homeowner’s responsibility if it dies.

A homeowner asked me the other day to remind residents to obey stop signs here in The Parke. There are many residents who ride bicycles in The Parke and it becomes very dangerous when drivers fail to stop for stop signs. Please be reminded that you should avoid parking your cars along the street in the grass. It is damaging the grass. I have had complaints from a few homeowners about owners who curb their pets in other people’s yards. Please be courteous of your neighbors and curb your pet in your own yard, not on other homeowners’ lawns. And now the good news: Legum & Norman will soon be accepting credit card payments for Homeowner As-sociation fees. I will let you know the minute that this method of payment is available to The Parke. For those of you who are not interested in credit card payment as an option, we suggest signing up for Direct Debit. Direct Debit is available through Legum & Norman. Your HOA fee would automatically be deducted from your checking or savings account on the 5th of each month. You might ask yourself, “How does this help me?” You would no longer have to remember every month to make your pay-ment. And, you would never incur a late fee because we remember to debit your account for you. Direct Debit forms are available at the Clubhouse.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Programs Advisory Committee By Rita Tewell, Chair

Whazzup from Communications? By Diane McGraw, Chair

• Java Info Hour – Our next meeting will be held on January 4, 2008, at 10 am. Planned speakers are Steve Ash-craft from the Eastern Shore Gas Company and John Ross of Worcester County Water. We will be collecting your ques-tions for these speakers in advance of this day. • New Subcommittees – Three new working commit-tees, “Computer, Newsletter, Website,” have been established to focus on improvements and training. • Disposal of the Old Business Center Computers – We, with the help of the Computer Subcommittee, will be donating one computer to Diakonia in West Ocean City, one will be utilized as a “future activities” display in the Mail Pa-vilion, and the “flakey” one will be disassembled for parts. • Board and Employee Displays – Photo displays will be installed at the Clubhouse and Mail Pavilion to acquaint residents with our Board of Directors and staff. • Newsletter Rack – A two-shelf wire rack is being pur-chased to house The Parke Bench at the Mail Pavilion. Editor Rick Rodgers wants a suggestion box installed with the rack so that residents can provide input to the newsletter. • Discussion Forum – The Board is currently testing the applicability of a forum with discussion topics on our website www.theparke.org. At this time, this capability has been set up for their review only. • Introduction to The Parke – A handbook for Parke residents will be published by the end of December. This handbook will serve to welcome new residents and to help familiarize them with their new community. It will provide a description of the wide variety of services, activities and volunteer opportunities.

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One of our projects is improving the appearance of the Bulletin Boards both in the Clubhouse and the Mail Pavil-ion. The Guidelines for Posting information on the Bulle-tin Boards was posted and sent to the residents and activity heads and we appreciate the time and effort some residents have taken to follow these guidelines. Porcelain instructor, Jayne Collinge, is writing rules and operational procedures for using the kiln in the Art Room. This Kiln was purchased and installed last year and we expect with Jayne living full-time in The Parke usage of the kiln will increase substantially. If you are interested in learning to operate the kiln, please contact Jayne. As a direct result of a suggestion by one of our resi-dents, we are also looking into expanding the lending li-brary to include VHS tapes, DVDs and audio tapes. A re-quest to purchase a cabinet to house these materials is being forwarded to Budget and Finance for approval. Our meetings are open to all residents and we welcome your attendance.

Meetings are held at 9:30 am on the second Thursday of the month in the Card Room. The committee members for this year are: Chair Rita Tewell, Jayne Collinge, Rosalie Harris, Gail Reese, Joan Scrudato, Judy Tangredi and Pat Trovinger.

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Landscaping, Clubhouse ImprovementsDominate Ops Committee Meeting By Vickie McCormick, Chair The Operations Committee’s October agenda focused again on landscaping in The Parke and improvements in the Clubhouse. The committee reviewed a Moore Company proposal for improvements to outlot areas but decided to seek fur-ther proposals before making formal recommendations to the Board of Directors. Ops is specifically interested in low maintenance improvements and is anticipating two additional proposals within the next two months. It also is awaiting the results of some small scale test landscape im-provements. Ops anticipates making recommendations to the Board before the end of the year. As an interim measure, the committee is recommending that money be allocated in the 2008 budget specifically for outlot improvements. The replacement of dead and dying plant materials has been delayed due to the extreme dry weather, but improve-ments previously agreed to with The Moore Company are expected to be underway in the near future. Other projects still in process include wood chips on nature trails and in-stallation of new Forest Retention signs. General Manager Bridget Ketchum and the committee are working closely together on a number of Clubhouse issues. The GM has advised that an improved public ad-dress system will be installed this month, a proposal from Aluteck for an awning on the back patio has been received, new bike seats and exercise mats are now in the Fitness Center, exterior painting of the Clubhouse is progressing well, insulation has been added to some attic areas, research is underway to evaluate a liner for the indoor pool, and con-sideration is being given to Ocean Pines Public Works tak-ing over pool maintenance. More details are included in the meeting minutes posted in the Mail Pavilion and on The Parke website. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 6th at 1:30 pm. Meetings are open to all residents.

Budget and Finance Committee By Howard Webb

The Budget and Finance Committee has had a busy year working with the General Manager analyzing the budget, reviewing committee requests and recommending actions to the Board of Directors. There is still an ongoing concern about propane, electric and water for the Clubhouse and the Mail Pavilion. Lack of rain has made water a particularly serious issue this year. As the community ages, upkeep costs of the common grounds are increasing as we plan for preventative mea-sures to keep a pleasant and viable environment. Because of these and other issues, the monthly assessment has to be on residents minds. The Budget and Finance Committee, the General Manager and the board are reviewing each line item in the budget to find savings that can be passed on to the residents. The Board meets in the Grand Hall at the Clubhouse. The format of the meeting allows questions from the resi-dents at the start of the meeting and again at the end of the meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend and provide inputs into the budget process.

MATHIAS, CONWAY Continued from Page 1

session. Both delegates emphasized that it’s important to look at alternative energy sources. Regarding a tax increase, expected in Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget, Conway said the state budget can’t continue to be balanced by transferring funds. Mathias said even if slots are approved, income won’t be realized for a year or two and a tax increase still might be necessary. On improving Route 589, Conway said Maryland’s secretary of transportation will meet with the Worcester County Commissioners to discuss, but it is likely dualiza-tion of Route 113 will be completed before work begins on Route 589. “If slots are approved, it will happen faster. It will have to,” he said, because slots at Ocean Downs racetrack on Route 589 will increase traffic.

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Jo Ann Pessagno Jo Ann Pessagno is our brand new Club- house Coordinator/Administrative As- sistant to the General Manager at The Parke, having come onboard October 15th. Though she is the newest presence, she in fact has more experience with com-munity groups of all kinds than anyone else in The Parke, dat-ing back to 1975 and with communities as small as 40 or so residents and as large as some 6,000 homes. Although those communities included some in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Connecticut, Jo Ann was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She graduated with a BS degree in Education from Frostburg State University. After many years of working in marketing, guest services and managerial positions at various resorts and communities on the East coast, she returned to Maryland to be closer to her family in April of this year. She now lives in Ocean City; most recently worked with the Harrison Group at Holiday Inn Oceanfront on 67th St, and is associated with Coldwell Banker on 57th St. as a licensed real estate agent. Her hobbies include long distance bicycling, 5K running, weight training, Chinese Wand Exercise, calligraphy, inspira-tional writing and performing wedding and renewal of vows ceremonies as a minister. She looks forward to sharing her experiences and meeting the homeowners at The Parke. You can see her at the office she shares with Bridget Ketcham, our General Manager.

At Legum & Norman, “I managed multiple properties plus the Parke, and after about 3 years, I finally came on as the GM at The Parke and I love it. It is nice to be able to concentrate on one property and to really get to know all of the people here. It’s like having a second family here at The Parke. “I am C.E.R.T. trained—Certified Emergency Response Team—with Worcester County. I would be one of the first people called if they needed volunteers for a disaster such as a hurricane or flood. I can perform Search and Rescue, First Aid and I’m CPR/AED Certified, plus a Certified Pool Operator.” That career development continues. She has taken three accredited courses from the Community Association Institute.

Bridget Ketcham

firm of Legum & Norman, Bridget Ketcham. For Bridget, it meant the opportunity to focus on one com-munity instead of having ten other clients plus The Parke. For our community, it has meant not only that she is no lon-ger a faceless voice on the phone we call to deal with prob-lems but also that many of those problems are now handled quickly and much more efficiently than possible from her old office on Coastal Highway. “I’m really enjoying having my own property,” she says. “It’s not that I’m not busy, just look at my desk.” She can remember some vivid experiences at previous communities. One was in an apartment complex, “We had a fire that gutted a two-story townhouse.” With help from volunteers and a nearby church, residents were relocated to another unit in the middle of the night. Bridget recommends Oxyclean for doing the best job on smoke-damaged articles. Another situation in Ocean City involved chemicals that had no business being stored together in a locker. “They cleared two city blocks in the middle of the season. Not a good experience.” Surprises after coming to The Parke: “How nice people are. I think it’s because people get to know you and they know you are doing the best you can do. I really feel ap-preciated.” Her new role here is not the only major change for Bridget, who goes from her desk to being Mom to a child about to be a highly mobile two-year old. “I can’t wait until the day they’re self-entertained,” she says. Bridget’s background includes two college degrees and years spent teaching 5th graders, working for car rental and jewelry manufacturers, then a move into property manage-ment with another firm, followed by the shift to Legum & Norman that matched her to our community when it was still only half-built.

Getting To Know Them…By Jim Young

When it became apparent that The Parke needed a full-time onsite general manager, it was no surprise that the suc-cessful candidate was the person who had been handling the community’saccount with the property management

9

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Although it is getting late, fall is the time to seed a thin lawn. We will offer seeding for one more time in November. This will help develop root growth in cold weather. The weather is cooler now, but conditions are still very dry. We recommend that you continue to water plants and lawns.

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Red HatsActivities

Red Hats #1 (Les Chapeaux Rouges Du Parke) Wednesday, November 7th. Next outing will be a day “on the boards”. The Ocean City Lifesaving Museum on the Boardwalk will open especially for our group and will pro-vide a guided tour of the building. Following the museum, we will have lunch at The Frog, where in addition to good food, we will enjoy the beautiful views of the Ocean, Bay and Assateague. Come and enjoy the day on the Boardwalk now that the crowds are gone! Please sign up for this out-ing by November 1st. Call Princesses Diane McGraw or Emily Black if you have questions.

Red Hats #3 (Le Capelli Rossi del Parko)Wednesday, November 14th. A Greek Festival is planned for members of I Cappelli Rossi del Parko by Sylvia Ang-stadt and Carol Wilson at the Clubhouse. Please check the Red Book in a few weeks for all the information.

Members of Le Cappelli Rossi del Parko had a wonderful day at the Inn On The Ocean in September enjoying the cocktails and appetiz-ers on the porch of the Victorian inn and then experienced a wonder-ful lunch in the dining room.

Red Hats #4 (Scarlet O’Hatters)Wednesday, November 14th, lunch at the Royal Zephyr. More details will be posted on the Red Hats Bulletin Board.

Red Hats #5 (The Parke Red Hattitudes)Friday, November 16th, at 12:30. Lunch at The Buttery in Lewes, DE. We will carpool from the parking lot at 11:15 am. Cost is $20 per person for entree, beverage, dessert, tax & tip. See menu and sign up in the Clubhouse book. If questions, call Kathy Shayer at 410-641-7073.

In October, The Red Hattitudes enjoyed a wonderful four-course lunch at The Inn on the Ocean on the boardwalk and 10th street.

Red Hats #6 (Crimson Parkettes)Tuesday, November 13th, luncheon. Place and time to be determined.

The Crimson Parkettes celebrated their 2nd birthday at the Club-house on September 15th. Singing Happy Birthday to themselves accompanied by kazoos (the official Red Hat musical instrument) are: first row left to right: Anna Willey (seated), Elsie Walsh (stand-ing), Pat Addy (kneeling); second row: Donna Seigel, Janet Raab, Janice Spieler (partially obscured by Janet Raab), Judy Thost, and Marie Pinder; last row: Kathy Hall, Chris Dailey, Donna Mc-Cracken, Sue Kuntz, and Lin Dugan (with arm around Marie)

One member was heard to say as she was leaving: “I can’t wait until we’re 3!”

Red Hats #7 (Red cHatters)Thursday, November 15th, 11:30 am, a happening at Queen Nancy Jarvis’s house. Will plan for exciting 2008 activi-ties. Lunch will be served along with fun, games and priz-es. Our group has a few openings for membership. Call Queen Nancy Jarvis at 301-538-6221 with any questions.

Parke Red Hats Holiday Brunch for all 7 groups JOIN THE FUN: Monday, December 3rd, at 11 am. The Parke Red Hats will be celebrating the holidays with our first off-site holiday brunch at The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound. The cost is $22.50 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Menu: Spinach & Swiss Quiche, Honey Glazed Ham served with Biscuits, Potatoes O’Brien, Fresh Fruit Salad, As-sorted Bagels & Pastries served w/cream cheese and jam, Coffee, Tea & Soda included (with cash bar). Please sign up and include your check in the activity book in the Clubhouse.

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Recipe CornerBy Joyce Piatti [email protected]

JEWISH APPLE CAKE3 cups flour unsifted 1/2 tsp salt2 1/2 cups suga 3 tsp baking powder1 cup salad oil 2 1/2 tsp vanilla4 eggs juice of 1 orange (about 1/2 cup)4 large apples 5 tbsp sugar2 tsp cinnamon Mix cinnamon and sugar together in bowl. Slice apples.

JOYCE’S COOKING HINTS

• Keep your meringue from deflating: Add sugar slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, after the beaten egg whites have begun to form peaks.• Low-fat cakes with high fat texture: Substitute fat-free sour cream for some of the butter, and use cake flour, not all-purpose, to get a more tender crumb.• Keep onions fresher longer: Keep them away from potatoes, which give off moisture and cause onions to rot!

Mix batter in order given and spread a layer on the bottom of a greased tube pan. Add a layer of the apples that have been rolled in the cinnamon sugar mixture; then add another layer of batter, layer of apples, etc., ending with a layer of apples. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 13⁄4 hours. Provided by Mary Chaney.

Platinum ElectricPEResidential . Commercial

Structured WiringRon WaughMaster Electrician, President5 Harlan Trace, Berlin, MD 21811

Office: 410-641-5005Cell: 443-880-7594Fax: 410-641-8311Fax: 410-641-8726

On The Lighter Side

What do you call a receptionist ina beauty salon?

A hair traffic controller.

Only in America .......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America .......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America .......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America .......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America .......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

Only in America .......do we use the word ‘politics’ to de-scribe the process so well: ‘Poli’ in Latin meaning ‘many’ and ‘tics’ meaning ‘bloodsucking creatures’.

Only in America .......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVERWONDER ...

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? Why women can’t put on mascara with their mouth closed? Why don’t you ever see the headline “Psychic Wins Lottery”? Why is “abbreviated” such a long word?Why is it that doctors call what they do “practice”? Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food? Why didn’t Noah swat those two mosquitoes? Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don’t they make the whole plane out of that stuff?! Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains? Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

Continued on Page 17

12

Outside The ParkeBy Cathy Russo [email protected]

11/07-11 Rehoboth Beach- Independent Film Festival. For more info go to www.rehobothfilm.com.11/11 Ocean Pines-Ravens Bus Trip. Don’t miss this op-portunity to see the Baltimore Ravens take on their Division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Bus will leave White Horse Park at 12 noon. Game time is 4:05 pm. Cost is $160 and includes ticket and transportation. For info call 410-641-7717.11/15 Ocean City-Winterfest of Lights. Dazzling lights on cold winter nights put everyone in the holiday spirit. Ocean City’s award-winning light displays begin with the tunnel of lights at the inlet where you find the beach filled with lights boasting a nautical theme. Travel the avenues of Ocean City to see the old-fashioned lighted wreaths; then it’s on to Northside Park to see hundreds of animated light-ed displays. Enjoy a hot chocolate in the heated, decorated tent while you wait to board the Winterfest Express to tour the lights. Small fee to ride train. Sun-Thurs 5:30-9:30 pm, Fri-Sat. 5:30-10:30 pm. Inlet lot and Northside Park.11/15-12/31 Ocean City-Winter Wonderland. Dazzling holiday decoration, indoor ice skating open to the public. Admission to the ice rink includes skates. Call 800-641-0011. Carousel Resort Hotel 118th St.11/18 Eagle’s Landing-Turkey Trot. One of the last chances for a great golf tournament before cold weather. Four-player scramble for adults, includes a turkey feast af-ter play. Contact Bob Croll at 800-283-3846.11/23-25 Ocean City-Holiday Shoppers Fair. Shopping extravaganza with quality crafts, photography, florals, wrought iron, jewelry, Nascar items, toys and more. For more info call 410-723-8605. Convention Center.

As I sit here writing my lead-in for the November column trying to conjure up thoughts of turkeys, falling leaves, crackling fireplaces and crisp winter mornings, I have to stop and turn up the air-conditioning. I don’t want to go on about global warming or climate changes so let’s just enjoy what nature has given us. More time to enjoy walks on the beaches, riding our bikes, long walks with our dogs and lower heating bills. We can see this as a sign of the times or a fluke of nature; either way, since we are retired we can take advantage of this great temperate climate and maybe enjoy some of the events listed below.11/02 Ocean City-Starving Artist Supper. Annual supper presented by the Art League of Ocean City. Soups, desserts, & bread. Admission fee. 4-7 pm. For info call 410-524-9433. 94th St. Bayside.11/3-4 Ocean City-Fallfest of Fine Art. Juried show features fine art painters, sculptors & mixed medium high crafts. Admission. Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm. Info: 410-524-9177. Convention Center.11/3-4 Ocean City-Christmas Craft Fair. Great opportu-nity to pick up that gift for the special person.11/03 Bridgeville-Delaware Punkin Chunkin. Annual event with entertainment, food and games. Free for-all pun-kin chunkin at 2:30 pm. For more info call 302-684-8196.11/04 Ocean Pines-”Coffee, Tea and ‘Fishy Scale Har-mony.” The Delmarva Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines will perform at the Ocean Pines Community Center at 7 pm. Cost is $10. Call Carol Kastner for ticket availability at 410-641-5091.

Here are two websites you may want to visit: www.donotcall.gov – This is the National Do Not Call Registry which gives you advice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. You can add your-self to the “do not call list” for five years. www.recalls.gov – At this site you can learn the lat-est recall information, report a dangerous product, and learn important safety tips.

13

of exhaust gases from an attached garage or carport. Move the car out and away from the house right after the engine is started. It is also generally recommended that at least one CO de-tector be installed in every house. Placement guidelines vary, but it is generally recommended that the first unit be placed in the sleeping areas; additional units can be located on other floor levels or in other areas of the house. All units should be tested monthly using the built-in tester. Be aware, however, that the built-in test button on the unit only confirms that the detector is energized and the alarm is functional, not its ability to pick up CO. If you have questions concerning carbon monoxide or other home maintenance issues, contact Alan Hoffman at [email protected] or call 410-208-9656 or 1-888-296-9656.

11202 Racetrack RoadBerlin, MD

The Pavilions

410-208-3999

www.arboratoceanpines.com

Carbon Monoxide In Your Home By Alan Hoffman, Area Director, HouseMaster

As the heating season is now upon us, one important is-sue not considered by many homeowners is the illness or life-threatening conditions presented by carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and tasteless poisonous gas. When inhaled it readily enters the bloodstream and ultimately deprives the heart and brain of oxygen. Initial signs of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms, such as fa-tigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and irritability. The skin may also take on a pink or red appearance as blood pressure increases. Infants, small children and the elderly are especially susceptible to CO poisoning. CO is a byproduct of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural or liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, gaso-line, kerosene, oil, wood and coal. Common sources of CO in the home include heating systems, kitchen ranges and ovens, clothes dryers, and water heaters, as well as fireplaces and stoves. Other, often indirect, sources include gas or charcoal grills and motor vehicles. In fact, elevated levels of CO can regularly occur in the home due to the exhaust gas from a car that is started up in the garage. Levels may only be elevated for a short time but the repeated exposure on a daily basis can be a significant hazard. When fuel burners are properly adjusted and maintained, air for combustion is adequate and suitable venting provi-sions for the exhaust gases exist, the likelihood of excessive CO production or buildup is diminished. But the type of fuel burning unit, as well as its method of use, will have a bearing on the potential for a future CO concern due to changed condi-tions. For example, most people would not consider a kitchen gas oven a primary cause of excessive CO. But if the burner is poorly adjusted and/or operated for an extended time in a tightly sealed house, lethal levels can develop. To help minimize CO concerns, the HouseMaster techni-cal staff recommends that all fuel burning systems and vent-ing provisions be checked annually, or if any signs of system damage or other potential concerns are observed. Do not use any unvented fuel burning items, such as a charcoal grill, in a house or even beneath an overhang that could funnel gases into the house. Also, be careful of the potential infiltration

14

Household Hints(This column will feature fix-it hints from our residents. Please submit yours to the editor.)

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From Kathy Mullins:“I was doing some research for my mom today. Did you know that Verizon wireless has a plan for people over the age of 65? For $29.99 you get 200 anytime and 500 night and weekend minutes every month. I thought you might want to pass this info along to the rest of the community. I also wanted to pass along the discovery Dick and I made when we replaced our light bulbs in our lamp post. The energy efficient florescent bulbs do fit.”

From Diane McGraw:“Have you tried Comet Bathroom Cleaner (Dissolves Soap Scum & Hard Water Film)? Wow, this takes care of mold in the corners without much effort.”

From John Robinson:John says if you plan to punch up a room with a fresh coat of paint, why not brush insulation onto the walls at the same time? Mix a nontoxic ceramic powder into your paint to reduce the amount of heat passing through your walls to the out-side. The ceramic particles in the additive create a radiant barrier that reflects heat back into the room. And once you put it on, the walls are insulated for good.

From Joyce Piatti:• Don’t use soap on your coffee pot! Soap leaves a residue that makes coffee taste rancid. Instead, use baking soda mixed with water.

• Remove burned-on stains on your favorite pan: Douse the burnt stuff with fabric stain remover.

• Best Cutting Board for faster work: Wood is steadier, faster, and safer then plastic.

15

Health Matters pear to affect the antioxidant levels. Important: Most of the research linking coffee to reduced disease rates is based on epidemiological studies, in which scientists have analyzed the past dietary habits of large groups of people. This type of research helps to develop hypotheses that deserve further study, but definitive answers won’t be possible until scien-tists conduct more large-scale clinical studies in which fac-tors such as coffee consumption are tightly controlled (rather than merely self-reported by test subjects).

What the newest research on coffee consumption tells us:

* GOOD FOR THE ARTERIES – Norwegian research-ers found that postmenopausal women who drink one to three cups of coffee daily are 24% less likely to de-velop cardiovascular disease than non-coffee drinkers.* BLOOD PRESSURE STABILIZER- A February 2007 analysis found that older adults (aged 65 and older) who have four or more daily servings of caffeine (in the form of coffee, soft drinks, etc.) have less than half the risk of dying of heart disease than those who consume smaller amounts.* BETTER BRAIN HEALTH – Coffee appears to slow the rate of cognitive decline in elderly adults. In an August 2006 European study researchers found that non-coffee drinkers had four times more cognitive decline than men who drank three cups of coffee a day.

Caution: Caffeine interacts with certain medications, causing some to become more potent or increasing the amount of time caffeine remains in the body. Caffeine also may interact with the herbal dietary supplement ephedra. In addition, consumption of more than five cups of coffee daily has been linked to higher risk for bone fractures in postmeno-pausal women.

(The following article appeared in Bottom Line Secrets.)

The Amazing Healing Power of Coffee Fight heart disease, diabetes, memory loss and more…with coffee. When most people think of a healthful diet, fresh fruits and vegetables typically top the list. Surprising: An eight-ounce cup of caffeinated or decaf-feinated coffee contains more disease-fighting antioxidants than a typical serving of fresh blueberries or oranges. Although coffee does not contain some of the other nutri-ents found in healthful foods, it is the main source of antioxi-dants in the American diet (followed by tea and chocolate, respectively). Of course, the stimulating effects of coffee’s caffeine are not always desirable—some people experience nervousness, insomnia or even spikes in blood pressure. But most people who drink moderate amounts of coffee (typi-cally defined as one to three cups daily) seem to have a lower risk for a number of chronic conditions, including heart dis-ease, diabetes, and age-related cognitive declines.

WHAT’S IN A CUP? The amount of caffeine that is found in coffee varies, depending on how the coffee is prepared. For example, one ounce of espresso contains about 50 milligrams, an eight-ounce cup of instant coffee has 95 mg, and eight ounces of plain, brewed coffee has 150 mg. A serving of espresso, instant or brewed coffee each contains roughly the same amount of antioxidants. In fact, coffee contains hundreds of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols – plant compounds that can inhibit cell damageor inflammation, two of the main causes of many chronicdiseases. The addition of milk and/or sugar does not ap-

Tax Tips By Rick Rodgers [email protected]

State sales tax deduction. This tax break applies to those of us who still itemize deductions and deduct medical expenses, taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, etc. It especially applies to those snowbirds whose residency is in Florida and pay no state income tax. In 2007, you can deduct from your federal income any state sales taxes you paid, rather than taking the more typical deduction of state income taxes you paid, if this move will produce a larger tax savings. This break helps those who live in states with no income tax, or with low state income tax rates, or who make “big ticket” purchases, such as an automobile or boat. If using the sales tax deduction makes sense to you, consider making these “big ticket” purchases before the year ends. A note about charity deductions: Deductible charitable contributions can be made as late as December 31st. But take care to protect these deductions since IRS has toughened up on documentation rules.

Continued on Page 17

As we approach the end of another year in The Parke, I’d like to point out several ways to cut your 2007 tax bill. These tax breaks expire at the end of 2007, so action must be taken by December 31st. Residential energy tax credit. This chops up to $500 off your taxes for purchases of energy-saving home improve-ments, such as insulation, energy-saving windows and doors, and energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning equipment. Qualifying equipment must be in service before year-end in your main home. IRA transfers to charity. If you are age 70 1⁄2 or older, you can make a direct transfer from your IRA to charity of up to $100,000. The transfer will count against your required annual minimum distribution (good) but will not be included in your taxable income (even better). Therefore, your ad-justed gross income (AGI) will not be increased, and other deductions and tax breaks that are affected by AGI won’t be reduced by this distribution/transfer from your IRA.

17

Sports & Fitness

player’s clubs and explaining the day’s pin positions, cart path rules, and a myriad of other details pertaining to not one, but two, 18-hole championship courses keep the retired Department of Defense procurement analyst hop-ping, but he enjoys the experience. “Especially greeting and joking with the customers,” he says. Those customers frequently include The Parke Tuesday/Thursday men’s golf outing group and about a dozen regulars or club members from The Parke. Dan says his interest in golf was as a sporadic player during his working years, but when he retired he wanted a part-time job with a connection to golf, “Something to get me out of the house and offer me the benefits of free golf,” he recalls. His job pays minimum wage, but it provides un-limited free rounds of golf and reduced fees for any guests he brings to the courses. “Back in 1998, The Bay Club was the first course I applied to. Fortunately, they were hiring, and I have been there ever since. I feel that I was really lucky to land the job I wanted.” Dan isn’t the only one who benefits from his getting out of the house. Wife Marge, retired from the General Services Administration, has plenty of time to pursue her own ath-letic activities, including exercising, rollerblading, kayak-ing, and surfing. “She is the really active member of the household,” Dan confesses. They have lived in their Parke household on Federal Hill since Thanksgiving weekend 2001 when they moved from Ocean City. As a veteran starter, Dan offers the following advice to all golfers: “Come to the course early and check in with the starter so we know you’re on the grounds. Be ready to play at least five minutes prior to your tee time. And, please, pay attention when the starter explains the day’s rules. Of-ten golfers are distracted or thinking about their round, or worse, just ignore our instructions. I’m happiest when they treat me like they want me to treat them.”

by Jim Van Loozen

Dan’s the Man to Get ThingsStarted at the Bay Club

It’s one thing to be a self-starter, but The Parke’s Dan DeMarall has the unique re-sponsibility of getting the many members and visitors to Ber-lin’s The Bay Club started on their rounds of golf a couple of days a week. Keeping everyone on schedule, dispensing range balls, assuring that golf carts are available and loaded with each

TAX TIPS Continued from Page 15

All donations, including small cash donations, must be documented by a bank record (such as your statement) or let-ter from the recipient. Formerly, donations of less than $250 could be documented by a diary or log. Donations of used clothing and household goods are subject to strict rules, including that they be in “good used” condition or better and that appraisals be obtained for dona-tions valued at more than $500. I recommend that you consult with your tax advisor or visit IRS.gov or the numerous other websites to clarify any issues affecting your own personal tax situation.

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Now that you’ve smiled at least once, it’s your turn to spread the stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even a chuckle)...in other words, send it to everyone. We all need to smile every once in a while.

LIGHTER SIDE Continued from Page 11

18

RaceDeck® Flooring Systems

Wall Systems

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