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Sea Pines Tidings

Vera Fields, Editor

MARCH, 1980, Brewster, Massachusetts, Volume III

The wind is whirling about outside and the temperature is now in the low 20's with a wind-chill factor of 0 degrees, but yesterday was in the 50's and a few timorous crocuses are already peeping through the mulch - not quite sure if it is the right time. The blackbirds are back and the weeping willows now are a tender shade of pale green. The waves in the Bay are 4-5 feet high and it is hard to imagine swimming in that tumultuous churning water now such an ice cold blue.

However, if you think you have sand in your shoes after spending a weekend or vacation in the summer - you really haven't seen the Cape until you've spent the winter....the serenity of the place; the scent of wood-burning in fireplaces fills the air; the beauty of pines loaded with snow; the fun of trying to figure out who that bundle of clothes is coming down the road with only a red nose and a pair of eyes showing; the roar of the surf in the Bay and then the eerie stillness when at high tide there are no waves because it is all frozen and all that can be heard is the whistle of the wind and absolute complete awe-inspiring silence in a white world.

But the air is clear and clean, the stars shimmer - each trying to outdo the other, and spring is around the corner.

Back down to earth everyone - come on down - we missed you!

THE PRESIDENT'S PRECEPTIVES
and PERCEPTIONS

Elsewhere in this edition, our Managing Agent, Scott Jordan, and our Chairman of Maintenance and Grounds Committee, Ed Cayley, have reported on a number of important matters. May I add two more items?

  1. With regard to the increase in the maintenance fee along with a special assessment...the increase was necessary, not only to cover increased costs of just about all the materials and services we require, but it includes additional items such as lifeguard coverage this summer at the pool; re-keying of all units, garages, etc.; necessary landscaping including a heavy re-mulching program; and security such as signs, etc.

    The special assessment was deemed necessary to continue to build a reserve to cover major repairs and capital improvements on a long-range basis. Our condominium is in excellent financial condition, and your Board of Managers is striving to keep it that way.

  2. With regard to the recent high water bill situation. A number of owners have received water bills which are extremely high. It is our feeling that a great part of this was because of the heavy water usage by the developer's construction crew. The problem was exacerbated by the tripling of the water rates by the Town of Brewster.

We are attempting to obtain assistance from the developer, and we will advise you as soon as the matter can be resolved.

Please make plans to attend our annual meeting at the Brewster Community Center on SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980 at 9am. You will receive an additional special notice about this later on.

Frank W. Pease, President
Board of Managers

IN GRADITUDE

Mary C. Barrett (2H) wishes to extend her deep appreciation to all for the many letters, cards, calls and helpful offers extended to her after John S. Barrett's death on January 24, 1980. John passed away after a long illness. John and Mary were one of the pioneer families at Sea Pines, after his retirement as Detective on the Boston Police force and being an avid golfer, John enjoyed this sport on the Cape.

WELCOME to year-round residents: Hans and Claire Marum (K8) from Boston.

SEA PINES NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

It was a gala evening! Almost 60 people attended our third annual Sea Pines Association New Year's party at the Clubhouse. The festivities began at 9pm and the delicacies, desserts and hor d'oeuvres were delicious. At midnight the champagne flowed and balloons burst everywhere to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. Tears and laughter greeted 1980 at Sea Pines.

All the food was contributed and everyone agreed that 1980's party was the best yet. The Committee is to be commended on a job well done - Peggy Crosby (K13), Joe and Rosemarie Stukas (F9), Janet and Lovell Smith (H1) and Jean and Harry Kane (H4).

Plans are already under way for 1980's New Year's Eve party and a "Committee of Bob's" has been set up. Bob Shiels and Bob Eckert were elected as the 1980 New Year's Eve Party Committee by pulling the string releasing the balloons at midnight. They literally pulled some strings to get the job!

SATURDAY SOCIAL HOUR

Peggy Crosby (K13) has graciously agreed to replace former Chairman of the Saturday Social Hour, Ursula Shannon (D7). Ursula found it more and more difficult to oversee the Social Hour since she could not come down each weekend due to job commitments. She is to be commended a job well done. Janet Smith (H1) has agreed to assist Peggy, and now they need your help. Please telephone Peggy (896-7173) or Janet (896-7412) if you wish to host or sign up on the calendar above the mailboxes in the Club house. There are many empty dates and hosts/hostesses are needed!

HOLIDAY SEASON AT SEA PINES

The holiday season at Sea Pines was like living on a Christmas card! The entrance glowed as our first outside Christmas tree twinkled in the frosty air giving Sea Pines a truly festive air. Inside the Clubhouse another tree glowed with the many decorations contributed by residents. The tree was donated by Ed and Marjorie Fearns and many of the decorations were hand crafted. Our Sea Pines photographer's camera clicked away and the photographs will be added to the Scrapbook to be started shortly.

Sea Piners who have a service to offer, a product to sell:

JORDAN'S JOURNAL

More insurance coverage at a lower price was the result of your Board of Manager's Insurance committee's work in re-bidding our master insurance policy. Three years ago, the Rogers and Gray Agency, using Hanover Insurance, beat all competition, including Travelers Insurance. Now Travelers Insurance has come in with the winning bid through The Hart Insurance Agency, Inc., 20 Perry Avenue, P.O. Box L, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532. Their bid was almost $5,000 per year below our old carrier's bid, making a $15,000 saving over a three-year period... especially good news in these inflationary times.

Our basic policy is guaranteed at the same cost rate even though our coverage will be increased each quarter from $5,500,000 to $6,800,000 or 2 per cent per quarter.

Christopher J. O'Donnell, Sr. of The Hart Agency, will be account executive for Sea Pines. Claims will be handled by Ms. Arlene Clauson and she can be reached daily from 9 to 5 at 759-7326. On nights and weekends and in an emergency, Mr. O'Donnell can be reached at his home 759-2498.

Your Board of Managers has also voted to re-key all of Sea Pines for everyone's protection. It is a big job, but should be well worth the $4,100 cost. There is no reflection intended upon builders, subcontractors or employees, but past experience has shown that during the building process, in one way or another, more keys get into various strange hands and somehow are never returned.

Each area (Hollow, Friendship, Knoll, Overlook, etc.) will now each have one master key. Each unit owner will receive two new keys to his unit and two new keys for utility rooms, the Clubhouse, Pool, Beach House, etc. At present, garages are not master-keyed, and in case of fire, it is impossible to enter a garage. All garages will now be re-keyed and master-keyed. Owners adding shed and garage doors in the future must be sure that their new doors are also master-keyed.

Re-keying will be a long process and with many owners coming and going at odd intervals, we will do our best to be sure no one is locked out inadvertently. Bradford Hardware in Hyannis has the contract and they will post notice in the Club House announcing each week which area and which unit they expect to be working on. When your unit has been re-keyed, you will either be handed the keys or one key will be mailed to you and the other left in your unit. Keys to the Pool, Clubhouse, etc. will be left in your unit in an envelope in the kitchen cabinet over the sink.

Should you arrive without your new key, we will post names of Board members who can let you into your unit during the re-keying process. Once inside, we know you will then have a key. The front door to the Club House will not be re-keyed until one week after all units have been completed. We feel the additional measure of security for you and yours will more than offset any inconvenience.

A pay telephone will be installed in the Club House in the very near future for your convenience as well as for the use of your guests or service people who may need to call you before coming to your unit. It was also felt by your Board of Managers that a pay telephone is a necessity in case of an emergency.

Spring is not far away, and we trust we will be seeing more of you at Sea Pines.

SCOTT JORDAN, Managing Agent

CONGRATULATIONS

DOROTHY PENDERGAST was elected as a member of the Brewster Town Democratic Committee on March 4. She has been a Committee member for the past few months and wishes to thank all who showed their confidence by voting for her. Dorothy is also busy as Vice President of the Friends of Brewster Elders (F.O.B.E.), which is the "money-raising" arm of the Brewster Council on Aging. A luncheon and card party will be held on Monday, April 28 at the Brewster Community Center. Please call Dorothy for reservations at 896-3318.

GROUNDS AND MAINTENANCE

Your editor has requested a brief report - this is a quiet time for the Committee because of so few requests for improvements or alterations. However, the pace will soon accelerate, and we wish to remind residents, particularly those who are new to Sea Pines, that any structural change which alters the looks of a unit, or any construction in an attic space, must have the approval of the Committee, acting on behalf of all homeowners. In most cases, these alterations also need the approval of the Brewster Building Inspector. May we also remind you that the Sea Pines Homeowner's Association master insurance policy does not cover damage to or caused by such alterations and these, therefore, need to be looked after by your own insurance policy.

Although Alan and Paul are not as visible as during the summer, you may be assured that under the "iron fist" of Scott Jordan, they are as busy as ever. Winter is the time to get caught up with the painting of storm doors, tree work, patio fence repair, machinery maintenance - and snow removal - you can see they are "kept hopping". They are also involved with the replacement or repair of wooden gutters in Clusters 1-9, and their handiwork can already be seen in the steps constructed to the Beach area. The Committee is pleased with the way things are going and feel that Scott and CMA are doing the best job possible to keep Sea Pines beautiful on a limited budget. Alan and Paul deserve our thanks for their hard work, cheerfulness and willingness to help at all times.

EDWARD CAYLEY, Chairman

HORTICULTURISTS TAKE NOTE

The flowers that bloom in the spring - tra la (should have been planted last fall). AND SO, the Horticulture Group will hold its first meeting on SATURDAY, March 15 at 11am at the Club House. Tentative plans of this group are to supplement the Grounds and Maintenance Committee in beautification projects around Sea Pines. Chairman George Malone is planning to have speakers come in to discuss the foliage and plantings peculiar to this area. George hopes the Horticulture Group can initially assist the Grounds and Maintenance Committee in a general spring cleanup of Sea Pines. The following are known members of this Group. If your name is missing, call George:

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group has gotten off to a flying start and meetings have been held every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm at the Club House. At least 3-4 tables are filled each Tuesday and more are expected as vacationers return to Sea Pines. Nellie Peterson (H11) is the one to call for more information (896-3532).

BICYCLING

The weather is getting warmer and it is time to get your rusty trusty 10-speed, 3-speed, 3-wheeler or whatever out of mothballs - clean it up, oil it, fill up the tires and LET'S GO. The following expressed an interest in such a group - so "let 'em roll"!

CAMERA BUFFS: Helen Childs and Fred and Edna Elder

FISHING TRIPS: Report on this group next month.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN BREWSTER

TOWN MEETING Monday, May 12, 1980 beginning at 7pm. This is a most important date for Sea Pines owners and all should attend this meeting at the new Brewster elementary school. A record 114 Articles are on the warrant, including many that could have a serious impact on the tax rate as well as the future well being of town government.

One Article, for example, speaks to the question of whether Brewster needs a full-time professional administrator, either an executive secretary or a town manager. The Article would authorize a special Government Study Committee. Another Article would establish a Water Resource District in Brewster "to protect the public health by preventing contamination of the ground and surface water resources." Yet another Article puts before the voters three options for further expansion of the town water system and methods of paying for that expansion.

Attending Town Meeting is a citizen's obligation. More than that - it is entertaining and on May 12, it will surely be the 'best show in town".

JOHN LOBINGIER

AROUND THE PINES

With so many Sea Piners traveling to Bermuda, we may have an auxiliary down there. Dorothy Pendergast, Edna Burow, Marg and John Lobingier just returned as well as Dorothy Riether, Florence Mitchell and Mary Earley - the latter three also participated in a golf tournament. Bud and Jo Huck tootled up and down the east coast dropping by their children en route to Florida. Bet they wish they were still there! Peg and Fred Crosby and Fred Elder again are to be thanked for their assistance as "expert wood pilers... scuttlebutt says we have an "unofficial Mayor of Sea Pines" in Fred Crosby... keep up the good work, Fred. Frances Malone and daughter Lynne "toured" the Brewster town dump recently and were rescued by a "knight in shining armor" (a bulldozer) when they were trying to retrieve a gold bracelet inadvertently discarded with the family trash. Everything came up roses though, and the errant bracelet was recovered. Thanks to the following from Chairman Peg Crosby for host-hostessing Saturday night socials:

GA$AGE SALE/YA$D SALE this spring - save your collectibles

ANNUAL HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION MEETING - May 25 at 9am

Congratulations to Mary Carten on her engagement to Shawn Driscoll, Christmas Day, 1979. No wedding date has been set. Also, Alan Campbell and wife Karen welcomed their new son Ryan John born on December 5.