Sea Pines Tidings
Vera Fields, Editor
APRIL, 1981 BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUME VI
Well, now it is time to do the first page (always last to get done). I have just completed your newsletter and my toes are cold from sitting so long at the typewriter. (It was 70 degrees yesterday and today it has gone down to 35 degrees). My dinner is ready and my stomach is ready to accept it... such "growling" I have never heard before. All the little scraps and bits and pieces of paper and shorthand jiggles have been neatly choreographed into the following 8 pages - and just a week ago I didn't know what I was going to put in it!
It has been a long long long cold and harsh winter... Sea Pines has been a very quiet and at times lonely place what with everyone traveling from one end of the world to the other. And the cold - oh such cold weather - kept even the stout at heart in the house close to the fire. Things you didn't see - folks walking in the snow all bundled up so you couldn't tell t'was man or woman; folks walking the beach; folks walking. Even poor old dog wished he could do things differently, and boy, did his master ever wish the same!
I have pictures of the cold, and you folks that don't get up here in the winter are going to be surprised at how different Sea Pines looks in the snow. But (now that I am warmer) - there is a beauty in those pictures - the snow frosting the windows, forming lacey patterns in the trees and actually sparkling like diamonds in the sun.
Anyway, I am very happy to see warm weather (all 2 days of it). I am very happy to see people around again. I am very happy to see lights (we had none in the Knoll, Hollow and Friendship for almost 2 months); I am very happy to see the beach sand again; I am very happy to see the beach; I am very happy to see April and daylight savings time (tired of groping for the keyhole in the dark - no street lights you know); I am very happy to hear the peepers; I am very happy to see the daffodils. I am happy.
Vera Fields, Editor
At last spring has arrived! The frogs are active in our bog, the beach sand is warm (at times), the forsythia is blooming, and the herring are starting to run at Stony Brook.
"Arbor Day" - a day to plant and spruce up our immediate common areas, will be Saturday, April 25, 1981. Some of our homeowners have ordered seedlings from the Cape Cod Conservation District and their seedlings are available to them for pickup on April 23 to noon April 25 off Union Street north of Route 6 in Yarmouth.
Our Board of Managers is considering the formation of a Horticultural Committee to advise Grounds and Maintenance and our Board on the advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic plantings and landscaping at Sea Pines. We are looking for several homeowners who have a background or a deep interest in landscaping - be they naturalistic or grass lovers. A balanced Committee would be real helpful. This Committee would be advisory only. Drop me a note if you are interested in serving on this Committee.
Our standing Committees such as Beach, Pool, Tennis and others also need you. If interested in serving, please call me or the particular Committee chairman.
Hope to see you all at the annual meeting of Homeowners on SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1981. Have a nice spring!
Sincerely, GEORGE MALONE
Chairman Combined Boards of Managers
April 9, 1981
P.S. Order a Sea Pines T-shirt and support your Special Events Committee.
- Friday April 24: Lee Childs at the Outrigger in Hyannis. Contact Helen Childs (896-3461) $12 for dinner & an evening of fun!
- Sat. April 25: Arbor Day. Bring your shovel, rake, workgloves and liniment to the Clubhouse 9am.
- Friday May 8: Estate Planning, Clubhouse at 7:30pm
- Sunday, May 24: ANNUAL HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION MEETING, 9am
- Sat. May 30: Yard Sale
Club House telephone: 617-896-7731
Who says good things don't come along twice in a lifetime! If you missed the fun last time, now is your time to join in. The night is Friday, April 24. A group is forming to enjoy Helen Childs' son, LEE CHILDS and his BOURBON STREET PARADERS at the Outrigger in Hyannis. The cost is $12 for dinner and an evening of clapping, singing and real ole' fashioned stompin' to the best Dixieland heard in a long time. Call Helen for details. Rides available to them that don't want to drive.
We have 100 seedlings obtained from the Conservation Commission to be planted on Arbor Day, April 25. Volunteers need only bring their shovels, rakes, workgloves and liniment to the Clubhouse at 9am. Chairman Doris Welch and her Committee Florence Tomlinson and Frances Malone are now checking the common areas to find the best spots to plant and where they are needed most and will do the most good.
Also, as mentioned in the June, 1980 "Tidings" ACER CANEDIDUS CAYLIUS will be planted in an appropriate spot. You'll remember we said we would plant this lovely silver maple to perpetuate Ed Cayley's fine work as Grounds and Maintenance Chairman. So Ed, wherever you are in Toronto, you now have to get back down here in the fall and rake them leaves!
In conjunction with Arbor Day, a permanent Garden Club is now established, Chairman Doris Welch. Their aim is to assist the monumental task of maintaining and beautifying the common areas at Sea Pines for as little cost as possible. Doris and her Committee need help though - call her.
This is the program formerly scheduled for February 13, 1981 which had to be cancelled. Now, on FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1981, Christopher Flanagan, Trust Representative of the First National Bank of Boston located on the lower Cape, will speak on a very pertinent subject to all of us: estate planning, and related concerns such as probate; estate taxes (problems involving joint ownership); trusts and investments. Refreshments will be served, beginning at 7:30pm.
Sunday, May 24, 1981 at 9:00 a.m. at the Brewster Community Center. Coffee and donuts will be served.
The T-shirt craze has hit Sea Pines. Now you can wear your favorite place on your chest. T-shirts will be on sale at a table near the entrance (and near the coffee) at our Annual meeting. They are navy blue with the Sea Pines logo and crest across the front. Price is $6 each, and they are 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Also available IZOD shirts, by order, $15 each. Personal checks welcome and so is cash. Proceeds to go to Special Events Committee. Sales girls (and models) Liz Antonez and Lynn Malone will be happy to serve you.
The time has come. Clean out your basement, garage, attic, storeroom. It is GA$AGE/YA$D SALE time again. Sponsored by your Special Events Committee. Florence Tomlinson has again volunteered to oversee the collection of collectibles to be stored in her basement (or Evelyn Donnelly's garage). If you can't make it on May 30, bring your sale items to Florence - PROPERLY TAGGED WITH YOUR NAME, UNIT NUMBER, PRICE. On a separate list, state the lowest price you will accept. Ten per cent (10%) of the sale price will be "donated" to the Special Events committee.
How about a Boat Club? More and more owners have a boat, and last year's boat race was a lot of fun. About 6 Sea Piners forged forth from our beach headed out to the target ship and the race was going well, with Jack Cartier way out front. However, the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray, and the wind stopped...the winner was Dean Keuch because he was the first one who walked his boat in (low tide) and got home. The other race participants all went back the next day and retrieved their boats.
However, the Sea Pines Yacht Club (the only requirement to join is that you have a boat that floats) is now formed, and Chairman Jack Cartier will want to hear from you if you wish to join. Dean Keuch is his Co-chairman...and they have already ordered feisty winds for the next sailathon. Call Jack at 896-7487. Now we will all wear our Sea Pines T-shirts - avast there!
Sea Pines has a history, and Helen Childs is waiting to hear from you. She is going to set up our "History Scrapbook". What is needed are snapshots - all kinds of all events - not only just history. We want pictures taken of events that occurred from the day the first resident moved in... scenic, people shots, any kind. Each snapshot should be labeled as to date, names of persons, etc. Please contact Helen and let's get this on the way because our bookcase is ready!
Have you noticed the bookcases are installed in the Clubhouse and Sea Pines now has a "library". However, shelves do not a library make - books do - so bring in your magazines, books, puzzles, games, etc. that you wish to "donate" for use by other residents. Anything borrowed should be returned, or taken on an exchange basis - take a book, donate a book. Allen is the person who performed such wonders with the wood, and we thank him. Eventually, we hope to have our scrapbook history in our Library, as well as up-to-date Rules and Regulations of Sea Pines, etc.
Sea Piners are becoming more and more a boating community, and may we remind you, however, of the existing Rule of the Association as to storage, which states: "Surface parking spaces other than carports shall not be used for any purpose other than to park automobiles, excluding, specifically, trucks...boats. Any vehicle parked in a carport shall not exceed the length of the carport." Please, let's not have Sea Pines looking like a boatyard! Temporary parking for about a week is allowed in the parking area by the Clubhouse...at least until the tide is right to allow an owner to get the boat in the water. Here's to good boating!
Chairman Lloyd MacDonald and his Committee are to be highly commended for a most difficult task well done. Pro rating a water rate for usage for common area watering and construction purposes during 1979-1980 in order to refund owners with excessive water bills was the most difficult and time consuming job to come down the pike in a long time. It was a long weekend as the Committee buried themselves literally in a deluge of charts, graphs and numbers at the same time taking into consideration how many persons reside in a unit, was the owner a full-time resident, weekend only, summer only, ad finitum. Therefore, if you have not received a reimbursement as of this date on your water bill, it probably indicates that your bill did not exceed the minimum established by the Committee as an average for Sea Pines. This minimum is greater than that set by the Town.
First-a welcome to Bob and Margaret Sheils (Friendship #3) who are now full-time residents of Sea Pines. Welcome! As promised, Bob has stepped right into his commitment regarding Security. He reports as follows:
Happy to finally be living permanently at Sea Pines and to assume Chairmanship of your Security Committee. Had a nice meeting the other day with Brewster Police Chief James Erhart who incidentally, is currently Acting Fire Chief also. I hope to publish some tips in future articles on maintaining your personal security as well as Sea Pines security in general.
We must all realize that Sea Pines is completely vulnerable to trespassers from all four sides and that prevention from this intrusion is next to impossible without "Stalag" type fencing, which none of us would like to see. Therefore, it is in the best interests for all of us to report any suspicious trespassers to the Brewster Police Department (896-7011). They have assured me that they desire prompt reporting of any suspicious movements.
I will appreciate any suggestions or comments you may have and can be contacted at F3 (896-7819), But for now, please exercise diligence as to strange goings-on and report same to the Brewster Police Department.
Welcome to Alice and Lloyd McDonald (F17) and Peggy and Bob Sheils (F3) - two more families who will be living here year round, Glad to have you aboard.
Legal consolidation of the four condominiums at Sea Pines: At the meeting of April 18, 1981, the combined Boards of Managers voted to proceed with the consolidation plan whereby a master operating board would be created, with elected representatives from each of the four Phases. Under the proposal, which requires approval in each Phase by 2/3 of unit owners, each Phase would retain its autonomy and maintain its own Board. However, the overall operating budget and maintenance of all common facilities would be controlled by the new Facility Management Board. John Lobingier, Chairman of the Consolidation Committee, said that our method of operation would not visibly change from what it is now. The proposal would simply give legal status to this method of operation. Details of the proposed changes will soon be sent to all unit owners and they will be asked to vote.
Monday, May 11, 1981 at 7pm is the time for the Annual Brewster Town Meeting, in the new elementary school off Underpass Road. Several controversial proposals are in the Warrant, including one to decrease density in future Planned Unit Developments. There are other proposals for changes in ground rules of the Historic District Commission, as well as areas of town that would be subject to its jurisdiction.
John Lobingier
Boy, we do have fun! This was our fourth annual Sea Pines New Year's celebration held at the Clubhouse and the delicacies, desserts and hor d'oeuvres would delight the most finicky gourmet. At midnight the champagne flowed midst hugs and tears and the haunting refrain of Auld Lang Syne.
The Committee consisting of Bob and Peggy Sheils and Sue and Julius Goldblatt truly did a wonderful job. The Goldblatt's only arrived at Sea Pines around 5pm and we can appreciate how hard the Committee worked. We also wish to thank the Brewster Package Store (on Rte. 6A) for their donation of two bottles of champagne. Here's to next year!
We must thank our small silent Committee for a job well done all year - Peggy Crosby, Dot Riether, Mary Barrett and Jan Smith get hostesses/hosts lined up each week, make sure the refrigerator is full (that's a job in itself) and that we have glasses, set-ups and ice. It has come to pass lately that no hostess/host could be lassoed. So if there is no organized party, come on ahead and bring your own snacks and set up the tables... voila! A Saturday Social Hour! (Everyone then pitches in to clean up).
Speaking of pitching in - how about all us guys and gals getting together and getting our "sitting log" back. It is only about 1/2 mile down the beach, and if a bunch got together at high tide and rolled it to the water, floated it back to Sea Pines and then rolled it up the beach - not impossible. Should be done real soon though before the summer folks get here.
"Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!" So the saying goes. We have been greatly concerned with water damage since Christmas time, due to freeze-ups, leaks occurring when roofs blew off, getting frozen underground piping back in service and getting water reimbursement checks out as directed by your Water Committee.
I would like to make the following observations: Locate the water shut-off to your unit and make regular use of it. If it does not turn easily, have your plumber make it turn easily. Even though you had no problems during the winter, this does not assure you that something might not happen during the summer.
Sea Pines' claims for damages this winter will probably exceed insurance premiums paid. If more care isn't used in shutting water off when no one is at home, Sea Pines could be due for sizeable insurance premium increases.
The Water Committee at Sea Pines had a tough assignment, but have completed their job. Checks for reimbursement for 1979 and 1980 water usage on common areas have all been sent out. You may still feel you are owed something for water used by construction or as a result of pro-rated usage due to your having moved in partway through either 1979 or 1980. However, it is not up to the Association to collect such charges for you. Consequently, you should not wait any longer to collect whatever you feel you are owed by others.
The new common area watering systems will require hoses to run across driveways in some areas. The cost of permanent underground piping is too much for our current operating budget and your patience and understanding of this slight inconvenience will be appreciated.
You will notice that stone replaces mulch in areas close to the beach. In those areas, the wind swept mulch into the grass, making it difficult to keep those lawns in good shape. Most areas that didn't get mulch last year have been spruced up this year. There are still areas that could stand more attention, but will have to wait for another budget!
The two oldest tennis courts will be resurfaced by early June. The contractor will try not to tie up these courts for more than a week.
As you can see, work is in progress toward having Sea Pines ready and waiting for your summer pleasure. We look forward. to seeing you all enjoying the Cape for another season.
Scott Jordan, Managing Agent
April 20, 1981
Sea Piners are the traveling-est folk! Bermuda was blessed with a visit from Dot Riether, Edna Burows, Dot Pendergast and Mary Earley. They spent days at Elbow Beach golfing, shopping and sunning. Nellie Peterson spent the holidays with her daughter in Minnesota where it was warmer than on the Cape and folks there were complaining because of the lack of snow - can't ski without snow! In February, our Nellie visited Florida and met with our Florida contingent down there - Harry and Jean Kane, Ed and Marjorie Fearns. It's a long way to travel for dinner, but Hubie and Barbara Kelley met with the Fearns and Nellie for dinner in Fort Myers. Then the Kelleys scouted the Red Sox at Winter Haven and assure us that in spite of the loss of Line and Fiske, the Red Sox are still a hustling team. Then our own Lovell and Jan Smith visited with the Kanes, Wolfes and Joe and Bud Hack. Fran Parke didn't go "round the world in 30 days" - she took 32 - and after leaving from Seattle, they stopped at Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, India, the Taj Mahal in Agra. Then a visit to the Sphinx, a boat trip up the Nile, a peek at the pyramids topped by a camel ride and an elephant ride. From Egypt, via Cairo, Aswan and Luxor - to London and home. Joe and Rosemarie Stukas were in California for the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, and toured the Huntington Gardens, and yours truly, your Editor, will be attending her niece, Wendy Haesloop's wedding in Dana Point, California! Jake and Kate Antonez's sons John, Albert, Bob and David were all on the Western Connecticut Conference Championship golfing team, and Albert (20) was also a member of the State Championship team. Albert is now working with Jim McKay's TV crew. John (21) is a senior at Rollins College and in September will be the Assistant Golf Pro at the Palm Beach Country Club in Florida. Golf anyone??
Dot Pendergast, Vice President of FOBE states they are forming an auxiliary membership and need as many people as possible to join and participate to offset the effects of Prop 2 1/2. Volunteers are needed to fill in on clerical work, preparing the newsletter, and whatever else needs to be done. Call Dot if you want to help.
Bridge lessons are given every Thursday afternoon 1-4pm and the Hobby Show planned by the FOBE has been postponed from June 6 to later in the fall.
There is talent hidden in them thar' Pines, and your Special Events Committee is trying to roust it out...just look at the paragraph above and visualize all the travelogues we could enjoy (if they could stay home long enough to show them!) We have a talented artist in Helen Childs; Joe Stukas is a fantastic pianist; Mary Barrett does needlework that's hard to beat; Jan Smith can hook a mean rug; and Colleen Scalley can cook up a storm...now how is that for starters. Fill in the form below and tell us what you do and when you want to share it - send or give it to me and let's get a program going!
Name: _________________________________
I can: _____________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________