VOL. 22 NO. 9
Community web site: http://hggcc.com
Community Channels: 901 and 902 on TV
SEPTEMBER 2024
The Importance Of Bumblebees By Kim Basile, Herons Glen If you are visiting the Butterfly Garden this summer, especially on a sunny day, notice the many bumblebees that are very busy pollinating our bushes and flowers. Bees are crucial to farmers, as they pollinate crops such as berries, peppers, and tomatoes. These fuzzy insects have a unique ability to perform “buzz pollination” when they vibrate their flight muscles, which dislodges the pollen to the plants. Many of our wildflowers and other flowering types benefit from these busy little guys. Yes, butterflies and honeybees also pollinate, but bumblebees are the hardest workers. Bumblebees are vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They even help maintain bird and mammal habitats. These hard-working bumblebees face the challenges of climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss. There has been a steady decline in the number of bumblebees for many consecutive years now. Public awareness of the importance of bumblebees is a high priority. Humans can make a difference. We humans rely on bees to pollinate our food supply. Without these
Resident Spotlight: Dale Green By Sue McCoy, Herons Glen Photos By Dale Green, Herons Glen Dale Green and his wife, Karen, have been married for 57 years and have lived in Herons Glen for over 20 years as full-time residents. They have one son, Ryan, and three grandchildren. Dale was born in Detroit and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. Besides photography, Dale enjoys golf and listening to classical music. Dale started taking photographs over 50 years ago! He currently uses a Nikon D500 with a 420mm lens, and edits using Adobe Lightroom Classic software. He does not sell his photos as he wants people to enjoy them. He does submit them to the News-Press for the “Pictures in Paradise” feature in the Tropicalia section. He has been published there over 100 times. We are very happy to feature his photographs in this month’s issue of The Heron (see page 6). We’ve included his favorite photograph of all time. It is of a very rare, male, Red-necked Phalarope taken at Siesta Key Beach. It’s a phenomenal photograph that really showcases his talent. The types of photographs that Dale enjoys taking the most are birds, butterflies, and scenic views. He notes there are over 200 nature preserves in our area and he takes advantage of that by frequenting them as sources for photo opportunities of birds and butterflies. For natural scenery, his preferred locales are the national parks in the U.S. and Canada. Dale has also extended an invitation for anyone in The Glen that has serious equipment and would like to do some nature photography to contact him at daleagreen1@gmail.com.
delicate insects, food production would certainly decline. Welcome bumblebees, butterflies and honeybees into your garden by planting flowers and flowering bushes. Enjoy the beautiful Butterfly Garden we created for all of Herons Glen residents. Sit on a bench and watch the hard-working pollinators in action.
Election Of HOA Board Members The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for three Board seats for the January 2025 to December 2027 term. Any resident interested in running for the Board should submit his/her resume to the HOA Office no later than October 1. If you need additional information, please contact one of the following Nominating Committee Members: Denise Fell, chair at (586) 488-7744; Joann Brosnan at (239) 567-0797; Mary Koenig at (239) 989-3052; Judy Philpot at (931) 446-2072 or Gary Swisher at (614) 402-8632. Meet the Candidates Night will be held in the ballroom on October 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The Herons Glen HOA Annual Meeting and Election Results will be in the ballroom on December 11, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Need Transportation? As most are aware, many of our homeowners leave Herons Glen for the summer months, including our volunteer drivers. The following is a list of volunteers who will be taking calls for assistance during the summer months from June 1 through Sept. 30. Note: This doesn’t include rides to the airport. Kathleen Colletti (239) 822-1573 Bruce Johnson (716) 472-3860 Donna Johnson (716) 450-7740 Polly Middleton (703) 407-6381 Jim Noffsinger (270) 881-7640 Mike Zarella (541) 292-2714 We are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Jack Cotter at (860) 490-2183.