The Giving Time of Year

FOXTALK DIGEST December 1998

The Giving Time of Year

For many of us Christmas is the favourite time of the year. A time for family and friends and an especially meaningful spiritual time.

In our overly materialistic society, we have come to think of Christmas as the gift giving and receiving time of the year. A concept fueled by seemingly never ending advertising messages surrounding us.

Gift giving does not necessarily mean material things. Gifts can be love, time, help, kindness.

Recently, we read of a family where the parents are actively encouraging the children to share some of their Christmas gifts with other, less fortunate children. This is an act of generosity, and unselfishness that is far from the all too common expectations of "gimme gimme".

Most if not all of us like to receive gifts, only human nature, but have we gone too far? Perhaps we should be concentrating on the giving, rather than the receiving, and teach the children, by our own actions, to help each other and to enjoy giving that help.

The best present that we ever received was not a present that you could buy.

We have no children, but we have a wonderful goddaughter (Amanda). When she was born some thirty-four years ago, Maurice and I were asked to be godparents and guardians. We were honoured! In recent years we have often kidded her, that she managed to reach the age of majority and we were "off-the-hook".

Our friends, Amanda's mother and father, have shared their daughter with us. This is a fantastic gift to give and we are fortunate to be the recipients.

It's still fun to get the materialistic presents but maybe we should learn to really appreciate those OTHER gifts and remember to say Thank You.

Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season

Foxboro Green Homeowners Association News Len Budden

The first meeting of the Board of Management following the inaugural meeting, was held on Nov. 16^th. The Board took the following actions:

Approved administrative procedures for the operation of the Executive and Board of Management meetings and clarified representation for each condo at Board meetings.

Established the Grounds Committee as a standing committee of the Association and appointed Bill Hall as convenor.

Appointed Russ Wilson as convenor of the Recreation Centre standing committee.

Established a common agenda format which includes a public input session for homeowners to seek clarification on issues or to bring forward ideas for the good of the community. Personal issues will continue to be directed through each condo board.

Received the financial data for the Association for Sept. 30^th, 1998.

Received reports from the Chair, Foxboro Green Inc., the Grounds Committee, and the Recreation Centre Committee.

Approved a revised Private Function User Agreement for Foxboro Centre.

Approved that a letter be sent to Wilmot Township on behalf of homeowners, requesting a grant or rebate to offset the cost of snow removal, as adjustment to the property tax rate is unlikely.

Recreation Committee Report Russ Wilson

The new User Function Agreement for the Foxboro Centre is now in place. Private parties booking the Centre are now limited to groups of 50. This is to ensure that the activity is confined to the salon and adjacent patio areas. Permission to have more people at an activity can be obtained from the Recreation Centre Committee if the function can be confined to these areas. People booking the Centre are reminded that their guests are not allowed to use the lower floor.

When a private party is using the Centre, access to the swimming pool must be restricted so that children cannot wander into the pool. For this reason the door to the pool is locked during private functions. A key is hung on the upper left-hand side of the door so that residents have access. The door must be locked again when you leave the area. The Fitness, Billiard and Craft room doors will also be kept locked on these occasions. These keys are in the main floor key box.

Many thanks to Wilma Wilkinson for her suggestions about dividing the bulletin boards into specific areas. Liane Trottier has now done this and the system seems to be working well.

Thanks also to Fred Rastel, Jack Koehler and Ralph Adsetts for building new shelves in our storage room.

The committee requests that people carrying lumber to use in the Woodworking room please bring the lumber in through the lower level, outside door. We realize that this is somewhat of an inconvenience but damage can and has occurred when some materials are carried through the front double doors and down the stairs. Your cooperation would be appreciated.

Care Committee Marg Macdonald

Our community continues to offer services to residents who have health concerns. One phone call to the care co-ordinator leads to specific help from neighbours. A drive to the hospital, some grocery shopping, keeping an eye on the house are some examples of simple actions which can make such a difference when someone is not well. Please remember to call your care co-ordinator Marg Wendland, Eileen Fairweather, Faith Mundy or Marg Macdonald. Help is a moment away.

The latest activity offered is a CPR course. Forty-one residents have signed up for certification in Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. A St John's Ambulance instructor will come to our recreation centre. The course is 6 hours of video, lecture and then practice with a nearly real person so that each person becomes competent in dealing with an emergency. If anyone missed the sign-up there are a few spaces left in the January classes. Please call Marg Macdonald at 634-5633 if you wish to join in. Cost $36 for the full day's program. We will have a sign-up in the spring for any snowbirds interested in becoming certified. Next year we will offer recertification which is a 4 hour program. Indeed this enthusiastic response reflects, yet again, a caring community!

Please Make Sure

That You Take

Your Own Copy of Fox Talk

Not Another's in Error, Thank You

Food for Thought contributed by Helga Stamm

Some Signs and Symptoms of Inner Peace

A tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than on fears based on past experience.

An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

A loss of interest in judging other people.

A loss of interest interpreting the actions of others.

A loss of interest in conflict.

A loss of the ability to worry.

Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

Contented feeling of connectedness with others and nature.

Frequent attacks of smiling.

An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

by Peace Pilgrim

Meet Your Neighbours The Frasers

Our FIRST Resale Owners

Helen and Don (Donald) Fraser moved into 135 Golf Links Drive on November 18^th. They are the first to buy one of the resale homes in Foxboro Green. Mind you, we don't have many of these (resales) around our fair community. They discovered Foxboro Green by word-of-mouth. Shows how popular we have become.

The Frasers originally hail from Glasgow, Scotland and most recently from Brampton, where they resided for some 41 years.

Helen was a medical secretary for 18 years and Don was a Service Representative for Ryder Machinery for 35 years and has been self-employed for the last 10 (Don Fraser Machine Tool Service).

They have two daughters and one son, all of whom are in their early forties and they are the proud grandparents of a two-year old grandson, Eric.

Their interests lie in golf, curling, dancing and card games of all sorts. In fact, Don is looking for anyone who is interested in starting a bimonthly poker club. Nickel and dime, not the kind where you have to mortgage the house. Helen is keen to try out our water aerobic classes. So move over, there will be one more in the pool.

Last but not least is their dog, Bonnie. She's a real cutie!!

Speeding Foxboro Police Department

Most of our residents drive at the speed of 30k or slower, however, a few residents always seem to be in a big hurry. This is dangerous to the walkers. One way of controlling speeding is with speed bumps.

We don't want this!!

please slow down

Keeping In Touch Joan Beveridge – Jessie Brown

A Get Well card has been sent to Brenda Sinclair and a card and flowers sent to Marg and Graham Macdonald on the passing of Graham's father.

A Sympathy card was sent to Eileen Fairweather on the loss of her brother.

A donation went to the Kidney Foundation on the passing of Franz Linnemann.

Welcome cards were given to William & Madeline Wallace and Mike & Sandra Doyle.

Computer Interest Group Marg Macdonald

Our most successful meeting ever, held on November 23rd, featured Dan Congdon, a consultant with Microsoft and the son of Flora & Bill Congdon. Thirty enthusiasts gathered to hear about the Internet; its history, shopping on the net and security when purchasing on the net. Dan, so relaxed, spoke regular English, listened carefully to the many questions asked and answered in lay lingo. Few computer experts are able to relate to the neophyte computer user but Dan certainly can. We have asked him to return this spring so that our snowbirds will have the opportunity to hear him. By spring we'll all have more questions ready as we develop our own expertise. Let's surf our net in the computer room!

Thank you all for renewing your memberships so promptly! We have paid for our 1998-1999 Internet Service with Golden Triangle. A reminder to residents who are arranging to have Internet at home. If you decide on Golden Triangle please mention our Foxboro Green Computer Interest Group so that we can get one month of service free.

From the Copy Cat Bob Price

There were 1266 copies made at 5 cents each, (a few short of the machine count). The $63.30 will go towards paper and toner. Please note that we only supply 8x11 paper for the 5 cent charge.

Shelves will be installed to better organize the area.

Please make sure the machine is turned off and the room is left tidy.

If you have any problems refer to the manual or call Bob Price or Tom Nairn.

Snooker Tournament

First week of January

See sign-up sheet in Mail Room

Call Bob Price

Craft Corner

There will be no regular Craft Session in December.

Thanks to Pat Nairn for the floral arrangement demonstration. Great ideas!

Date: Thurs. December 10^th – 7:00 p.m.

Ladies!

Get out your favourite cookie recipes and come out to the Cookie Exchange evening.

It should be a great social night and you'll be able to take home a great variety of cookies. Please wrap them in packages of 6 each.

Bring four extra cookies for refreshments and social.

For further information, please call Rosanna, 634-9780.

Aquafit The Big Meet Marg Macdonald

On October 29th, we held the second semi-annual meeting of all swimmers. Thirty five residents attended. Many excellent suggestions were made to improve conditions at our pool. Action has been taken by the Recreation Centre Committee, on issues such as deposits of minerals on pool tiles, storage of pool noodles and showering. Friday, November 27^th, pool professionals came in and removed the deposits! The pool looks great.

Everyone present expressed satisfaction with the 6 Aquafit sessions, the 2 water aerobics sessions and daily aquatone. Swimmers asked Mary Wright when her next swim classes would be held. Great improvement can be seen in swimmers who took Mary's classes and many continue to practice regularly. Gord & Janet Gardner, Pat Tibbles and Wendy Wilson are stellar examples of the value of practice in improving effective movement in the water. Mary has promised another series of classes in the spring. The next series will be divided into 2, 30 minute sessions; the first for beginners, the second for the more advanced so that Mary can provide more intense individual attention to each student. In her latest sessions Mary used video so that each swimmer could see their progress and analyse their strokes!

A special thank you to Wilma Wilkinson, Flora Congdon and Brenda Sinclair who took their tough leader Marg "Bounce the Ball" Macdonald out for lunch at Angies. We had a great time!

Thanks to Pat Tibbles, super secretary and to Mary Wright for her follow-up with the Rec. Centre Committee.

Community Calendar

December 1998

Thurs. 10^th 7:00 p.m. Cookie Exchange

Fri. 18^th 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour

7:00 p.m. Christmas Dinner

Sat. 19^th 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour

7:00 p.m. Christmas Dinner

Tues. 29^th Travel Club to Casinorama

Thurs. 31^st New Year's Eve Cocktail Party

January 1999

Wed. 6^th 9:30 a.m. Social Committee Mtg.

Mon. 11^th 7:00 p.m. F.G. Homeowners Assoc.

Special Events Marg Macdonald

Lights are springing up all over Foxboro Green. Reindeer are dancing in the wind. Sunday December 6^th, the heart of Foxboro will be decorated by all residents. Hope you will be there to share in the fun!

The highlight of our Christmas will be the Christmas dinners Friday & Saturday December 18 & 19^th. Everyone has rushed to pick up their tickets and for that the ticket distributors are very happy. If you have not heard from someone about your tickets please phone Marg Macdonald at 634-5633. What an evening we are going to share!

For the first time we are gathering gifts for the children of Wilmot. Toys, books, games – all are welcome. Place them under our tree by December 14^th and make a child happy!

Watch for the sign-up for our New Year's Eve gala. Music arranged by Dave Crawford will set our feet a'tapping. The poster with sign-up will be up by December 10^th. Save your Christmas leftovers for our New Years snacks. We will be phoning. Last year we had a feast and hopefully this year will be as terrific. Residents' guests are also welcome. Sign them up.

Horse Racing Evening Ernie Whitlock

Again our thanks to George Jones for an evening of horse racing and fun, also to Bob Price and the bevy of helpers, handicappers, money takers, payers, and ladies handing out chicken wings etc. We thank you all for a very entertaining and amusing time. The horse trailer outside the Centre was an added attraction.

A total of $142 was raised for the recreation fund.

Statistics for Finger Food:

8 lbs. Cheese – Crackers 10 lbs. Cocktail Wieners

20 lbs. Chicken Wings PHEW!!!

Ed. note: Our Thanks to Ernie for all HIS hard work

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