Sweet apple monthly

SWEET APPLE MONTHLY

September 2016 News by and for Sweet Apple Residents Barbara Lundberg, Editor

The Clubhouse code was changed recently since too many non-residents had the code. Please do not give out the code to anyone not living in your condo. This means your visiting sons, daughters and grandchildren or other guests. A few years ago a 46-inch flat panel TV was stolen. We do not want strangers entering the Clubhouse when it is not occupied.

As a reminder, only residents and their guests are allowed to use the pool. All guests must be accompanied by a resident. This means you are not permitted to give the code to a guest and not go with them to the pool. Please respect the rights of other residents and restrict the number of guests that you invite to the pool. No more than three (3) guests per unit owner are permitted. The pool will be closing on or about October 1st for the winter months and will reopen on or about May 1st of 2017.

We are again seeing a lot of dog poop not being picked up as required. If you see anyone not doing so, please report to a Board member and a violation letter and/or fine will be imposed. Also, to those who are picking up after their dogs, do not deposit in the Clubhouse trash cans. This makes a very nasty job for the person who places the trash cans out for pick up each Thursday.

At the October 17th Quarterly Open Meeting I will give a brief summary of what has taken place over the past few years to keep Sweet Apple a first class community. It will also contain a summary of what will be required in the future to keep it that way. Residents interested in serving on the Board or its various committees are urged to attend and add your name to the sign-up sheets provided.

Dave Jones, President HOA

FINANCIAL REPORT

As of the last day of August 2016, The Orchards of Sweet Apple Condominium Association has $9,259 in the community’s General Operating Account and there is a total of $518,293 in the Reserve Account that consists of $284,160 in four (4) certificates of deposits in the Gwinnett Community and State Banks, $164,572 at Morgan Stanley and $69,562 in a money market account at Union Bank.

As of the end of August, all homeowners were current with their HOA fees except for one homeowner. During the month of August, the community had a net income of $3,385 and for the year-to-date the community has a net loss of ($1,986). The only unusual operating expense for the month was the payment to Russell Landscaping for irrigation repairs.

LANDSCAPE REPORT

Between the rain and the irrigation system, the grass has stayed green and pretty.  Even though it is still hot, fall is approaching and the grass will start to lose its color. Some of the trees are already beginning to drop their leaves.

If you see new growth on the shrubs, please do not call or email me.  The landscapers are on a schedule when to trim, and it will get done.  The Lorapetalum shrubs are not supposed to be trimmed as much as they are.  The new growth should be feathery and blow in the wind. 

Thanks to so many of you who have complimented on how nice the condo area looks.

There have been many issues this month that our Care Committee members have tended to.

It is with sadness that we lost four residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of the families:

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  Neal Nunnally who had lived in Unit 406 since the time that Sweet Apple was built.
  
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  Elmer Cerny in Unit 104
  
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  Richard Skinner in Unit 304
  
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  Ken Rice, Unit 1004. Memorial service on Sept. 24 at Roswell Presbyterian at noon.
  

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  Bonnie Collart, Unit 502, fell and injured her right knee and left shoulder. She is currently in rehab at Manor Care in Marietta.
  
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  Libby Jackson, Unit 704, remains in rehab following a broken leg.
  
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  Vera O’Day, Unit 1506, suffered a heart attack and is recovering at home following her release from the hospital.
  

Vegetables in the garden boxes seem to be finished producing for the summer unless you have planted a fall crop. Most everyone had a good harvest of vegetables and some had beautiful flowers.

If you are finished growing plants for the season, please remember to clean out your garden so it is ready for next year.  There are trash cans and a wagon for hauling at the entrance for your use.

The August Coffee ‘n More was well attended. We appreciate Bitsy Huffines and Kitty Meyers hosting. The ice cream social was a “SCOOPING” success! John Condra organized the event and had every imaginable topping! He was assisted by fellow scoopers Betty Mullennix and Ralph Gilliam. The ice cream was served in sundae glasses. There were even banana split bowls! Twenty-one residents enjoyed the afternoon together.

Nineteen residents enjoyed the Pot-Luck dinner this month hosted by Bitsy Huffines and Kathy Brinson. Asian salad, baked beans, a variety of tasty sandwiches, potato salads, mac & cheese and two delicious cobblers (strawberry and blueberry) tempted our appetites.

We regret that the September 3rd Coffee ‘n More had to be canceled as no one signed up to host/hostess. In the same vein, instead of the Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas/Holiday party, the two events will be combined and catered at a date to be determined.

Please mark your calendars for October 1st for our Pancake Breakfast to be hosted by Betty Mullennix, Mildred Cowart and Ann House. Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Roz Venti & Elaine Coulter

A Special Thanks:

Kayla, my granddaughter, spent a year living with me in the Orchards of Sweet Apple. She met and touched the lives of many of my neighbors. She will be truly missed. I want to thank all of you for your support and cards during our time of loss. Your kind words were of great comfort to us.

A special thanks to the neighbors and friends who provided us with meals. They were greatly appreciated.

It is in times of sadness and grief that family, friends and neighbors are so valuable.

Sincerely,

Josetta Yanik and Camedo Family

It’s That Time Again

The Orchards of Sweet Apple is an exceptional community that has wonderful residents who participate in the various activities that keep our neighborhood vibrant. As 2017 approaches, we are seeking individuals to volunteer their time and talents as Board and Committee members.

A celebration of the Sweet Apple Reserve Study (past, present and future) will be held at our Open Board Meeting on October 17th. New and long term residents will be updated on the numerous dynamic decisions that have made our community so unique.

Please give thoughtful consideration regarding how you may become involved in continuing this very worthwhile endeavor. Two Board members (a two-year term) will need to be replaced and volunteers for committees to keep our community activities functioning are always needed. Sign-up sheets with committee tasks will be available at the Open Board Meeting. Present Board and Committee members will be happy to share the responsibilities that are involved. We are anticipating that many residents will attend the meeting and hopefully offer to participate in our 2017 activities.

Some examples of committees include:

Landscape, Architecture, Finance, Social, Welcome and Care Committees, Ladies Luncheon

Submitted by Bernie Dailey

LADIES LUNCHEON

If you are a Falcons Football fan, then you already know that the team kicked off the season on September 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here are some interesting facts about the team:

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  Rankin Smith bought the franchise in 1965 for $8.5 million, the highest price in NFL history at the time. They were allowed the first draft pick in 1966 and chose Tommy Nobis from the University of Texas, making him the first-ever Falcon!
  
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  Who named the team? A school teacher, Miss Julia Elliott, from Griffin suggested "Falcons" stating that "The falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It never drops its prey. It is deadly and has a great sporting tradition."
  
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  45,000 Atlanta fans purchased tickets that first year and watched their new team lose the first nine games before finishing the season with three wins. It wasn’t until 1971, under Coach Norm Van Brocklin, when they finally had more wins than losses.
  
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  Then in 1998 the Falcons had a great year with a 14-2 record, claimed the NFC playoff championship, and earned a trip to Super Bowl.
  
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  In 1991 the team moved from the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to the luxurious Georgia Dome, known at the time as one of the finest indoor stadiums. Only 24 years old, it will now be demolished for a parking lot for the new Mercedes Benz Stadium scheduled to open in June 1, 2017 at a cost of over $950 million dollars! Notice the roof "petals" in the picture -- they will retract to let the sunshine in or keep
  

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  The new stadium will also host the Atlanta United soccer games, the 2018 College Football National Championship Game, the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Super Bowl in 2019 and the 2020 NCAA Men's Final Four.
  
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  Falcons Hall of Famers include Norm Van Brocklin, Tommy McDonald, Eric Dickerson, Deion Sanders, Chris Doleman, Claude Humphrey and Brett Favre.
  
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  This year’s starting quarterback Matt Ryan has been called the best QB of the league. Here’s hoping he can lead our home team to a winning season!
  

“AROUND THE WORLD” SLIDE SHOW