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VOL. 17 NO. 2
FEBRUARY 2024
Report from Your Master POA Happy New Year! Our weather for the start of the new year has not been the best with many clouds, cold temps (by Florida standards) and rain … but still much better than the blizzards impacting many of our home states! It was enjoyable watching the Kansas City and Buffalo football weather from the comfort of our lanais. Knowing that we would not have to shovel the next day! Stay tuned to the news coming from Tallahassee where our Florida legislature has convened its 60-day biennial meeting which requires that laws be introduced and disposed of within 60 days. It is interesting that the governing body of the 3rd largest state can accomplish so much in a two-month period while our national Congress meets essentially the entire year and often seems to accomplish less. But perhaps after seeing what Washington approves we are better off with less new laws, etc. The Florida legislature has proposed several new laws that could impact the many HOA and COAs in the state. Some relate to the types of roof repair materials that can be required and others specify that the Property Managers cannot charge for providing estoppel information. Our property management
firm will keep track of these major changes and we will respond if we feel it is necessary. With the very limited time of the session many bills do not become law so we will wait to see what seems to be happening with the various bills. Another advantage of the short period is that usually the legislative action gets good news coverage. I thought that we would be able to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the Corkscrew Road expansion contract in this letter. It is not completed yet…but getting close! It appears that the heavy work on the western end of the road is completed except for the final asphalt layer. The Village landscaping of the walking/bike path is not a part of the contract and the work on that improvement will start after the Phase 1 road contract is completed. Perhaps the new traffic lanes will be open in February? I understand the new Publix grocery (about 7 miles east of Grandezza) is expected to open around the middle of February so perhaps a joint celebration for the new roadway and grocery store? When you receive this February Gazzette edition, the United Way Committee work will be winding down with the traditional fun golf events and golf ball drop. The Grandezza Committee has
a very ambitious goal this year and we know that our residents will again wholeheartedly assist in meeting it! By the time we prepare our March letter, we should have the 2023 completed house report for the developments east on Corkscrew. We have no doubt that they have had a good year. The large builders in this market have enough strength to get at least their share of limited building supplies. The Grandezza house sales (which are comparably priced) have been brisk which confirms that the mature landscaping, well maintained homes and “attractive curb appearance” provide a good competitive environment against the new developments to the east. We hope that you have a wonderful “Season” here in “Paradise”. Enjoy our weather and watch for our children and grandchildren who will be enjoying it too! By the way, don’t forget to watch for rocket launches during the winter when our skies are pretty clear. Look to the northeast and you will see yellow rocket tracks in the low sky. I believe that they had over 70 launches in 2023 so there is a good chance that there will be some during “the season”. Fred Thompson
Grandezza Girlfriends By Cindy Fitzpatrick All you need is love, Norman Love chocolate that is! In January, acclaimed chocolatier, pastry chef, CEO and Founder of Norman Love Confections, shared his interesting history and how his company became one of the top chocolate shops in the world. Norman and his wife Mary started the company in Fort Myers 22 years ago, growing it into a globally recognized brand. His chocolates are free of preservatives and artificial flavors and each one is hand crafted. They truly are a work of art! It doesn’t end there, Norman and Mary support more than 250 charities in Southwest Florida. Each girlfriend in attendance took home a sample of two of Norman’s favorites, Key Lime Pie and Tahitian Carmel. What a sweet treat for the sell out crowd! We celebrated the birthdays of Patty Accavallo, Lillian Bennett, Wendy Cohen, Suzanne Goldberg, Betty
Harper, Pat Hazelton, Jill McRae, Hilary Moleski, Freda Moore, Joanne Oslosky, Nancy Ta y l o r a n d E l l e n Webster. Janet Doll was the lucky winner of the bracelet. In case you missed it, we have a private Facebook Group under Grandezza Girlfriends Inc. Request to join to see the latest photos and upcoming announcements. If you have any photos from your GG Grandezza Girlfriends on page 3
Mending Broken Relationships By Yvette Bernosky, B.Ms., Director of Fitness & Wellness, The Club at Grandézza
This holiday season I had reached my limit. I was no longer going to try to spend the holidays with people who couldn’t take the time to spend quality time with me. This is how I felt after spending the holidays without my sister. I was disappointed and saddened that my sister didn’t seem interested in spending time with me. Growing up, we got along; however, she had her life and I had mine. With the loss of our parents, it seemed we might naturally come together more, fulfilling a desire and need in each other’s lives for
companionship and family bonds. Yet, despite my hopes, we had drifted apart more and I decided it was time to move on. We have all heard or even maybe experienced this first-hand, where we are so tired of not seeing eye to eye that we choose to walk away. These broken relationships, unfortunately, can last a lifetime, leaving behind what could have been the seeds of a warm, supportive bond. Now, filled with wounds too deep for reconciliation and both sides stand firmly in opposition. In one final effort, I wrote my sister a letter expressing my disappointment. I wanted her to be able to sit with my words and understand my pain. It was apparent we disagreed, but I could at least express myself before quitting. As I began to write, I inhaled deeply, centering myself in a place of compassion. I didn’t want to be harsh or throw blame. I knew that this type of communication would only reinforce the barrier between us. My hope was for her to be receptive to my emotions. And, regardless of the outcome, I knew I couldn’t go wrong if I humbly spoke from my heart, even if it didn’t work out. In the days after my letter, my sister reached out. She wanted to talk and clear the air. She said that she had always wanted to spend time with me, too, and that her disappointment didn’t lie in the holidays but throughout the year. She felt I was too immersed in work, and when I did have time off, I spent it with other friends, leaving her feeling neglected.
I sure didn’t see that response coming although she was right. I was caught up in my life. I didn’t make the effort. The holidays were the times I had set aside for us to be together and share that family bond. This was eye-opening as I had no Mending Broken Relationships on page 3
Quote & Comments from the Editor At the Town Hall meeting with Heritage in January for members of our Grandezza community; management and teams were officially recognized. In the Q&A portion of the meeting in my remarks, I specifically acknowledged and thanked the awesome workers, servers and bartenders because without them our community would not be what it is. This month I share this quote for those who we appreciate: A Great Employee Is Like a Four Leaf Clover Hard To Find & Lucky To Have -Tammy Cohen Susan D. Baker PhD, suzbakgranmb@gmail.com