VOL. 34 NO. 11
The Villages at Country Creek, Estero, FL • www.seabreezecommunications.com
NOVEMBER 2023
An Update From The VCC Master Board From The Golf Pro By Dave Hoffman Welcome back to Country Creek. Over the Spring and Summer, the VCC Master Board and staff have been busy making changes in the way we do business here at Country Creek as well as updating some things. In case you missed them, here are just a few of the changes: Sharon Pisanchyn has taken over as our General Manager. Debra Kortea is our new Food and Beverage Manager. We have engaged a new law firm which specializes in HOA law. We have changed the employee benefits provider for our full-time employees. This change will provide excellent benefits and save VCC over $30,000 per year in costs. The bulkhead on golf hole 18 has been replaced. We put new roofs on the clubhouse and the 9th hole restroom. We installed a large new AC system in the clubhouse to replace the old one which was worn out. ICON is no longer managing our money in the banks. We have moved the banking function in-house, so we now have full control of our own money as well as immediate tracking of our bank balances.
We have consolidated our banking from eight banks to four. This will allow us to better manage our funds while keeping our money insured by the FDIC. If you are interested, look up ICS accounts to learn how this works. Our bank funds are currently being moved into higher interest paying accounts. We expect to see an increase in interest income over the next 15 months of at least $60,000. ICON is also no longer performing our accounting function. This work has moved to a new firm, GMSL Business Solutions. Troon Golf Management has been re-signed to manage our golf course maintenance for 2024. The golf pro shop has been spruced up with new paint and flooring. The downstairs has been painted by a group of volunteers and it looks great. Finally, we are all looking forward to the upcoming clubhouse refresh vote, so please, please be sure to vote; it is very important. You will be able to cast your vote in one of three ways: paper ballot which will be mailed to you, electronically with Becker Ballot if you are signed up, or in person at the members meeting which will occur near the end of the voting period. The meeting date will be announced. It has been a very busy summer for all of us, and we are not done yet.
From The Food And Beverage Manager By Debra Kortea Upcoming Events at Villages at Country Creek through 2023 (Please wait for emails in order to sign up for these events) Nov. 16 – FPL is sponsoring Coffee & Donuts for Customer Appreciation Day Nov. 17 – Bingo Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 28 – Christmas Tree Lighting with Dinner, Caroling, DJ and Dancing
Dec. 1 – Villas Christmas Party - Contact person Jane Hopson Dec. 2 – HOA 1 Party - Contact person Patti O’Connor Dec. 5 – HOA 2 Party - Contact person Carol Roberts Dec. 8 – Birthday Bash Dec. 11 – Estero Historical Society Annual Turkey Dinner Contact person Gail Langner Dec. 12 – Ladies’ Golf Luncheon Dec. 13 – Luminary Night & Golf Cart Parade Dec. 15 – Men’s Golf Luncheon Dec. 17 – Sunday Brunch
Treasurer’s Report By Pat Vavrek Remember, this Finance Committee is working for you, the members. We appreciate your continued patience in providing accurate financial reports and trust that we are working with the general manager and the accounting service providers on resolving the accounting issues. As treasurer of VCC since April 1, one of my duties is to provide accurate and timely financial reports and I take that task seriously. In September, after many years of providing VCC accounting services, ICON was terminated and GMSL Business Solutions was brought on board. GMSL has been busy becoming familiar with the VCC accounting processes and setting themselves up to provide accurate financial reports. Although GMSL is working efficiently, Villages at Country Creek
the process is slow. It is very frustrating for the general manager, the board, and the community. Again, please be patient. We are confident once the corrections are made, there should be no delays in providing timely and accurate financial reports going forward. At the August board meeting, a motion was passed to change the signers on the VCC bank accounts and the account types to ensure that all funds are FDIC insured. It was found that the signers on the accounts and access to the accounts had not been updated for many years. Before this motion, no one at VCC had access to any of the bank accounts, couldn’t make any changes to the accounts, or even talk to each bank about the accounts. In addition, the operating and reserve bank accounts were not fully FDIC protected. As of September, the general manager and the board president will now be able to access the PRSRT STD accounts, make changes and US POSTAGE sign VCC checks. Any check PAID FT MYERS FL over $5,000 will require two PERMIT 751 signatures. In addition, there is now a separate checking account for reserves. All accounts have been changed to realize a higher rate of interest and be FDIC insured, even for amounts over $250,000. For Treasurer’s Report on page 4
2023-24 Villages At Country Creek Upcoming Golf Events By John Alfuth, PGA
October 2023 7 – Elks Scramble Fundraiser 28 – Dance Team Fundraiser (Outside Event) November 2023 1 – MGA Ravis Prueitt Match Play Begins 4 – Estates Scramble 14 – LGA Luncheon 17 – MGA Luncheon December 2023 12 – LGA Red & Green Luncheon 15 – MGA Luncheon January 2024 1 – Bloody Mary Open 9 – LGA Luncheon 12 – MGA Member/Member 13 – Ryder/Solar Cup Tryouts Day 1 14 – Ryder/Solar Cup Tryouts Day 2 16 – Solar Cup Tryouts Day 3 17 – Ryder Cup Tryouts Day 3 20 – Ryder/Solar Cup Tryouts Day 4 25 – LGA/MGA Invitational February 2024 2 – MGA Elmer Rawson Match Play Begins 3 – HOA 1 Scramble 8 – LGA Guest Day 15 – LGA Charity Event 16 – MGA Luncheon 23 – Pairings Meeting 24 – Ryder/Solar Cup Day 1 25 – Ryder/Solar Cup Day 2 March 2024 2 – Ryder/Solar Cup Day 3 5 & 7 – LGA Championship 6 & 8 – MGA Championship 9 – Villas Scramble 16 – Volunteers Scramble All Day 23 – Club Championship Round 1 24 – Club Championship Round 2 26 – LGA Winter Awards April 2024 4 – Men’s Invitational Practice Round & Dinner 5 – Men’s Invitational Round 1 & 2 6 – Men’s Invitational Round 3, 4 & Shootout 11 – LGA Member/Member 12 – MGA Luncheon 13 – MGA Gala Dinner