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A NEWSLETTER FOR THE SPRINGMILL COMMUNITY MARCH, 2015Volume XIII Issue 3

Sentinel Index

Tree Task Force Update ………..……………….….….……. Pg. 1Think Spring ………………………………………………… Pg. 1Committee Reports (Property, Communications, CEC .… Pg. 3Notes From Your Board/ Activity Group, MRC ..…………. Pg. 5Clubhouse Committee/ Appo Library Programs ..………. Pg. 7The Book Page / News From Odessa…..…….……….…… Pg. 9

Middletown News/ Animal Shelter Donations .….……... Pg. 11 Notes from a Snowbird / Snowbirding in Ft. Walton ……. Pg. 13 Springmill ‘Soup”er Bowl and Potluck ……………………. Pg. 14

Quarterly Birthday Party/ Valentine’s Day Dance …..…. Pg. 15Cultural Events ……………………………………..………… Pg. 17To Your Health- John Mitchell / Health Fair ……..………. Pg. 19HVAC Replacement / Inferior Building Practices………… Pg. 21Meet Your Neighbor/ Sylvia and Marvin Fisher …….….. Pg. 23What’s Cookin’ - Lentil Soup .………………………………. Pg. 23Spring Sports and Fitness Preview ………....….………….. Pg. 25Advertiser’s Spotlight / Lawn Quenchers ……….. Pg. 26ETCETERA / Discovered on the Internet IRS.gov ..………. Pg. 26

Think Spring!Spring is the time to shake off winter’s icy grip andwelcome the return of the color green. Or as DougLarson wrote, “Spring is when you feel like whistling evenwith a shoe full of slush.” Yes, we will have some wintrydays…March does come in like a lion, but no winter lastsforever. Spring will get its turn.

To get me in the mood, I started jotting down “springthings.” See if you would come up with the samethoughts. Starting with St. Patrick’s Day, we can continueto spring training, spring break, spring flowers, springfever, spring fishing, “in the spring a young man’s fancy…,”the return of all our snowbirds, Daylight Savings, and ofcourse, Palm Sunday. See if you can think of some more. Iguarantee that even if there’s snow or rain outside yourwindow, it will put you in the mood for SPRING!June Stemmle

The Tree Task Force was formed by the BOD so that selectmembers from the Finance, Property and Maintenance andRepair Committees would work together with the BOD toimplement the 2015 Tree Program activity in Springmill. MarcLichtenfield and I will co-chair the group and we welcomeJane Kimmins and George Latsko [FC], Carolyn Bodden andChris Chappelle [PC], and Fred Bodden and Bill Altman[MRC] to the group. John Hosbach will continue in hisconsultant role for the project.

The group met in early Feb. to discuss the preparatory activitiesfor the project. These include working with our lawyer to preparethe necessary paperwork for our filing to change specific areas ofthe by-laws and declaration. The group decided that we wouldcontinue to work with the Town and Forever Green to remove justthe dead or dying trees as well as those trees that are showingsigns of lifting the sidewalks. In addition, we decided that wewould mail a packet of information to each homeowner that wouldinclude a cover letter, a blank consent form and a form thatdescribes the Mission Statement of the Task Force. Pleasecontact a Task Force member if you have any questions.The PC representatives were requested to prepare a list of trees,which would be used to seek bids and help us to set the areaswhere work will occur in 2015. The effort will be concentrated onthe “streetscape” trees but there may also be activity for somecommon areas, if the budgeted finances can cover them. We willbe working to ensure that the affected homeowners are contactedto get their consent to plant a tree on their property. The signedforms will be notarized and filed in accordance with our lawyer’sinstructions. In addition, the MRC representatives were requestedto check the sidewalks in the early spring to determine whichareas need to be replaced or repaired due to damage caused bythe weather or the lifting of sidewalks.

We anticipate fall planting activity unless Mr. Hosbach allowssome planting earlier in the year. This will improve thechances for survival for the transplanted trees. In addition,we must respect the fact that these young trees ought not bepruned or challenged during the first year or so. We lookforward to this year’s activities and we encourage you tokeep us informed in case you see a problem area.Remember to first call the Management Office with yourconcern. Don’t decide to confront the issue. Finally, if a treehas been planted on your lot, please remember yourresponsibility to water it in a responsible manner. Don’t puttoo much or too little water on the area. And if a tree wasplanted on a neighbor’s lot, please assist especially whenyou know that they will be away on vacation. Thank you.

Carl Rifino

March 8th Turn your clocks

ahead.

Tree Task Force Update

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Lauri Richardson

Tel (302) 379-9984Fax (302) 368-1060200 N. Dilwyn Rd.Newark, DE 19711Lauriscleaning1@comcast.net

Residential / Office Cleaning

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Springmill Homeowners Association801 Windmilll Lane * 376•5466

Board of Directors Carl Rifino - President

Marc Lichtenfield - Vice PresidentGlenda Schneiderman - Secretary

Gary Merrick, John Rutt - DirectorsKathy Kobus - Treasurer

Joan Gross: Board Recording SecretaryTracey Lund: Community Manager:

Tracey.Lund@mamc.com

Charity Committee: Maria CorvinoClubhouse Committee: Phyllis LichtenfieldCommunications Committee: Dick Rausch

Community Events: Beverly Strong/Peggy AndrewsFinance Committee: Larry Daigle

Maintenance & Repair Committee: George Ryor (Feb.)Property Committee: Carolyn Bodden

Anyone wishing to join a Committee should contact theChairperson of that Committee.

Please note: All committee meetings and activities usingthe Clubhouse must be coordinated with Tracey Lund.

Calendar: Tracey LundFamily Emergency Numbers: Pat Howe, JoAnn Stump

Sunshine: Mary Elizabeth Rhoads / Faith Altman

Community Reports

Property CommitteeSNOW REMOVAL-Somebody said the s—w word. Theonly good thing for our winter weather in Delaware is thatwe don't live in Massachusetts .....Some Springmill homeowners have expressed concernover the snow budget expenditures. The budget for 2015for snow removal is $70,000.00. As of Feb.16., we haveused about $23,000.00.

A BOD member and Property Chairman have theresponsibility to determine if a 2-inch snowfall or icehazard conditions warrant removal as a safety issue in ourcommunity. Another factor considered is fluctuatingtemperatures and additional impending storms.

Mother Nature does not always cooperate nicely .......

If you have a critique or comment concerning snowremoval, please, contact Tracey Lund, Property Manager,or myself. THINK SPRING ......

Carolyn Bodden, PC Chairman

Julie Hambrecht reported that there will be 46 advertisersin the March Sentinel. We have 3 new advertisers – WrightDesign HVAC, Westover Cardiovascular, and PrecisionDoor. Julie noted that we really need another person tosell ads. Please contact her if you are interested.

Joan Gross provided an overview of the editorial content ofthe March Sentinel. The front page will have a springmessage, a reminder about daylight savings time and areport from the re-formed Tree Committee. There will bearticles about the town election and the upcoming healthfair to be held in Springmill in April.

Carl Rifino said that he had taken the idea to the BOD aboutthe next Directory having pictures which would be done byLife Touch. The BOD rejected the idea as being toocommercial and possibly opening the door to other vendors.This decision is in keeping with the decisions of past Boards.

Ralph Clair said that the Mitchells would not be able tovolunteer to deliver the Sentinel, at least for a while, and thathe would be looking for someone to replace them in the PoetsWay area. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Ralph.

We discussed the possibility of another Amazon tourbecause the last one was overbooked but that mayalready be in the works.

Carl Rifino said that the new task force would have anarticle ready in time for the March Sentinel and he askedthat all reporting on any future happenings would be doneby this task force. Marc Lichtenfield has written an articleon improper building practices and is asking that anyresident who has a current builder-related problem or hashad repairs that they paid for in the past, to contact himwith the details.

Joan Gross

Community Events CommitteeOnce again the residents who prepared the food for the“POTLUCK SOCIAL” outdid themselves. Everything wassimply delicious, plentiful and what a variety. Contributionsincluded baked ham, pot roast, turkey breast, chickenparm, meatloaf, chili, vegetable tian, stuffed shells, bakedziti, meatballs, mac/cheese, all types of salad and the mostdelicious desserts. And this was only part of what wasserved. It was a feast for both the eyes and the tummy.The CEC thanks you for participating in making this such asuccess. Let’s do it again?

This article was written before the “Chinese New YearParty” which is sure to be a lot of fun. Rumor has it we maybe having a visit from a well-known (not quite Chinese)gentleman from Springmill, Mr. Won Ton!!

SAVE THESE DATES:March 14 - “PATTY’S PUB” Come celebrate the wearin’ of

(CEC Continued on page 5)

Communications CommitteeThe Communications Committee met on Feb. 10th with 6members present. Carl Rifino, BOD liaison, was in attendance.The minutes of the January meeting were approved.

Diane Daigle presented the Treasurer’s Report, noting that$700.00 was deposited to the General Fund in January.

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Notes from Your Board

Maintenance and Repair CommitteeThe MRC held its meeting on February 12, 2015 at 7:00p.m. Projects waiting for contractors’ bids are: Repairs tohandrailings on the clubhouse veranda, repairing parkinglot and fixing the paths, a new short walkway from WindmillDrive to the parking lot, and the parking lot lighting.

We plan to start the sidewalk review in early April. We’ll belooking for trip hazards, blocks that need replacing, cracksthat need caulking, and any tree that is beginning to causedamage to sidewalks. We’ll review all 6.5 miles ofsidewalks. The list of trees will be turned over to theLandscaping Committee for removal.

We continue to replace damaged flags. The windmill willstay fixed until the windy weather subsides and it can beturned back on.

Joe Grippo will be chairperson for the March meeting.Everyone is welcome to attend the March 12th meeting.

George Ryor, Chairperson for February

Since being appointed to the BOD to fill a vacancy, Ifind that there is a lot that goes on to keep ourSpringmill Community running smoothly. It is a veryinteresting and challenging task working with variouscommittees to do what is best to keep Springmill abeautiful community.

The Tree Task Force has been formed with representationfrom various committees. This group will overseeimplementing arborist, John Hosbach's plan to plant treesin our community. The Task Force has already met andcurrently is making plans to go forward with this project.Residents should have received or will soon be receivingthe necessary permission forms to make this project goforward.

The BOD had an independent inspector look at the greatroom carpet and after receiving the results of his reportcontacted the installer. It was decided to close the greatroom Feb 27 and 28 in order to allow the carpet installer tosteam the carpet in an attempt to remove the ripples thatare there currently. The installer believes steaming thecarpet will remove the flaws in the carpet. The BOD ishopeful that this process will solve the problem.

I am looking forward to working with my fellow BODmembers, committee members, and residents to keepthe Springmill Community a place we can all be proud tosay is our home.

Gary Merrick the green at Patty’s Pub.Enjoy the food, the fun and the entertainment by the IrishDancers. Flyer in Sentinel.

March 25 - “THE WAY WE WORE” Luncheon andpresentation of original clothing and images reveals 200years of influences that led to the most outrageouschanges in the feminine silhouette. Flyer in Sentinel.

April 16- “HEALTH FAIR” Our first ever here at Springmill!!!

April 25- “SIR ROD” The ultimate Rod Stewart Showstarring Tommy Edward. This show will be limited to 90people so be sure to get your reservations in early toguarantee seating.

May 16- Garage Sale

The Community Events Committee meets in the Clubhouseon the first Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Our nextmeeting is March 4th please try and join us.

Peggy Andrews

(CEC Continued from page 3)

Recent Board MotionsMotion approved ( 5-0) to add Marc Lichtenfield andGlenda Schneiderman as authorized signers on theEdward Jones account.

Activity GroupWell, we did it again! The second Birthday Celebrationwas attended by about 45 people on February 13th. TheActivity Group went all out to decorate, prepare snacks,punch, coffee and of course a huge cake with ice cream.Many of the guests participated in a few fun games andpicture taking in our photo booth. Our next Celebration willbe May 15th to recognize those born in April, May andJune. Hope to see you there.

The next morning the Activity Group also hosted the CoffeeHour, which takes place on the second and fourth Saturdayof each month at 11:00. This is a great social gathering forthe residents as they partake of the never ending cup ofcoffee and sweet treats of the day. Where can you go for$1.00 and enjoy the company of so many great people?

We apologize for the cancellation of the February 24thcoffee. The Great Room rug had to be cleaned andstretched; therefore, no one was permitted into the room for

24 hours. So hope to see you the second Saturday in March.

Soup Time! We will be having another soup/coffee hourMarch 28th. Hope you can make it with your coffee cup inhand. We will provide the bowls and soup spoons. Enclosedyou will find a flyer to be dropped off at 146 Springmill Drive.

Ann Marie Burns and Claudia Garrett

Thank YouThank you so much to all our neighbors and friends in Springmillfor your overwhelming concern and support during my recentillness. Pam and I were really blessed by the many cards, phonecalls and meals that were provided.Ralph Clair

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Clubhouse CommitteeThe Clubhouse Committee held their meeting on February12, 2015. Minutes from the December meeting wereapproved. Glenda Schneiderman attended as BOD liaison.Arlene Gurnee was present as a guest.

The committee approved the following items:(1) install a single illuminated light switch within the existingpanel of light switches on the wall inside the main entrance. Itspurpose is to easily identify what switch operates the lights inthe back hallway leading to the restrooms, especially at night.(2) a new multi-speed fan switch designed to handle multiplemotors will be installed in the fitness room, so that all threeceiling fans will function at high, medium and low speeds.The current switch is light duty and can only handle onemotor, therefore only allows the fans to work at one speed.

Back in October, the town of Middletown performed aninspection of Springmill’s internal water distribution system andfound connections that could possibly contaminate the publicwater distribution system. Since we were in violation of thiscode, we were required to make these corrections by installinga 1” Double Check Backflow Preventer with a domestic waterexpansion tank on the hot water heater, and raise the existingBackflow Preventer on the irrigation system (outside) to satisfycode. This work was completed at a cost of $1,290.00.

Great Room - The inspector’s report regarding the carpetconcluded that it is a roll crush in the carpet. Most roll crushoccurs as a result of stacking a large number of carpet rolls ontop of one another, and also could occur during shipping whererolls are loaded several rolls high. Sometimes it can bealleviated in the carpet using steam or hot water extractioncleaning. At no expense to Springmill, the carpet will besteamed on Friday, Feburary 27th and the Great Room will beclosed for 24 hours. We apologize for the inconvenience but itis necessary. If for some reason the problem still exists, we willhave to go back to the manufacturer for further follow-up. We’rekeeping our fingers crossed that this will not be the case.

The proposal submitted by the Clubhouse Committee for theGreat Room accessory plan has been approved by the BOD.The Interior Designer has begun the process of ordering all of theitems for this project. A new chandelier will be installed in theGreat Room, one in the vestibule area with 4 matching sconces,and a matching pendant light fixture in the hallway opposite theGreat Room. Our plan is to install all new light fixtures first, sothat would mean closing the GR for just a few hours until the oldchandelier is taken down and the new installed. A notification willbe posted well in advance and any planned activites would beconsidered before scheduling. Artwork can take 4 - 5 weeks toreceive after order is placed, which will allow sufficient time topurchase all of the miscellaneous items. It will be necessary toclose the GR for 1 day in order to set up the room. Again, amplenotice will be given.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, March 12th at 10:00a.m. Anyone with an interest in being part of our committee,please join us at our next meeting.

Phyllis Lichtenfield

Listed below are the on-goingprograms at NCC Southern Library.Phone number for information orregistration is (302) 378-5588. Thehours at the library are: Monday 10-8, Tuesday/Wednesday 1-8,Thursday- Saturday 10-5, and closedon Sunday.March is Women’s History Month. Thelibrary will have displays and informationhighlighting famous women in history.NOTE: The library will have no closures in this month.

ON-GOING PROGRAMSAdult Book Discussion meets the 3rd Wednesday of the monthat 7:00 PM. This month’s selection, ”The Curious Coupling ofScience and Sex” by Mary Roach, will be discussed on March 18.E-book and E-Audio book tutoring by appointment duringlibrary hours. Call 378-5588.Spin-a-Yarn Group Chat as you knit or crochet. Meets everyTuesday at 7:00 pm, for all levels of experience and all ages.Sew Bee It Quilters meet the 2nd Saturday at 10:00 am, fornovice & experienced quilters.Delaware Money School Call 1-800-267-5002 for monthlytopic and to register.Job Center Tuesday from 2:00-5:00 pm; FREE help with jobhunting, resumes, interviewing skills, etc.New Castle County Register of Wills Tuesday, March 3,from 5 -7:45 pm.New Castle County Office of Property Assessment If youare 65+, you may be eligible for a County and school taxdiscount. A representative will be available EVERY Friday from2-4:00 pm to answer questions or help you fill out an application.

---------------------------------------------------------------------ADULT PROGRAMS…$$ and/or registration may be required

Zumba Gold Sat. 9;15-10;15; $6 drop-in fee, instructor isTeddi Zia and Gaye Council.Food Skills Food and nutrition program presented by theUniversity of DE. Tuesdays, March 10 through 31 at 6:30.Zentangle Workshop Create beautiful repetitive images;greeting card, bookmarks, decorative dishes. All suppliesincluded. Wednesday, March 4, from 6-8 pm.How to Talk to Anyone An interactive workshop presented by theJunior League of Wilmington. Saturday, March 28, at 2:00 pm

-------------------------------------------------------------------CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS…registration requested

Movers & Shakers 45 min. classes on Tues. at 10:30Rhythm, Rhyme & Story time on Fridays at 10:15 for ages 3+.Crazy 8’s Math Club Cool math experiments for ages K-2nd grade. 8sessions…come to one or all eight! Wednesday’s from 4-5 pm: March4 through April 22.Lego Club Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30, ages 5-11, registration required.Minecraft Open Play Club Drop in the 1st & 3rd Wednesdayof the month to create and explore; combines technology,gaming and LEGO. Registration Required! February March 3& 17th. Ages 8+Paws for People – Read Saturday, March 7 &21, from 11-12:00.Read aloud to a friendly, furry pet.Games to Play Games, puzzles, playing cards and activities forALL ages from 1-1:45 on Saturday, March 14.Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss…all day fun with crafts, prizes and take-home activities. All ages. Monday, March 2, from 10 am to 8 pm.June Stemmle

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The Orphan Trainby Christina Baker Kline

This historical novel is a keeper that shouldbe read and then recommended to friends.I was unfamiliar with the episode inAmerican history during the Depression,between 1854 and 1929, when “orphantrains” took abandoned children fromthe East Coast to the Midwest. As thetrain stopped in city after city, childrencould be adopted by loving families,chosen as an extra pair of hands or, if noone wanted them, returned to the orphanage.

Christina Kline’s novel is a “dual narrative format” thatstarts in present day Maine, where we are introduced toMolly Ayer, a foster child, who is part Penobscot Indian.Her story is interwoven with that of Vivian Daly, a wealthywidow, who at one time was one of those orphans. Thetwo come to know one another, when Molly is givencommunity service for stealing a book. Her boyfriend’smother, who works for Mrs. Daly, helps her secure a jobhelping Vivian sort through an attic filled with keepsakes.The characters grow closer as memories of a past longforgotten are resurrected and the two find that they havemore in common than they could have thought. As theyshare their experiences, past and present, we can see thatin many ways, the foster care system has not changedradically in over 100 years.

Vivian, an Irish immigrant, came to this country as a child.A fire in the family home rendered her an orphan. Her tripwest, the experiences on the train, and her eventualplacement in more than one home, goes from bad toworse, until as a young woman, life finally gives her achance at happiness.

Molly, too, has spent most of youth in foster care…anoutsider due to her heritage, her attitude and herexperiences (She’s been in over a dozen homes in nineyears). She develops a Goth persona and anti-socialbehavior as a means of protecting herself…until one boysees through the shell to the person underneath. Mollyalso comes to see through the assumptions she makesabout Mrs. Daly’s life.

Vivian and Molly learn each other’s stories, thanks to anassignment from Molly’s American History teacher tointerview someone about the important moments in their life.The parallels in their lives become more evident and theirbond grows. They learn to trust and rely on one another.Reading this book made me start to think about the“portages” in my own life. We all have baggage. What hadI chosen to bring from one decade to the next and whatdid I decide to leave behind? What people andexperiences shaped the person I am today?

You will be educated as much as entertained as youbecome absorbed in the story. This is a novel thatdefinitely makes you think.

June Stemmle

BOOK CLUB CHOICES FOR MARCHBook Club 1 (Deb Kupper/1st Wed.) Our group will bereading a book to be announced.

Book Club 2 (Mary-Elizabeth Rhoads/4th Tues.) Ourgroup will be reviewing Necessary Lies by DianeChamberlain (Available on Tuebl)

Book Club 3 (Lydia Olson/3rd Mon.) Our book club’sselection for March is The All Girls Filling Station’s LastReunion by Fannie Flagg.

Book Club 4 (Mary Jo Starrett/1st Wed.) We will bediscussing Saving Amelie by Kathy Gohlke.

Book Club 5 (Joan Gross/3rd Tues.) When we meet, wewill be reading Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford.

June Stemmle

News from Historic OdessaAfter a two-month winter closing, the Historic Houses ofOdessa will reopen for tours on Sunday, March 1st .Their new season will feature a special exhibit in theWilson-Warner House parlor that will highlight HistoricOdessa’s exhibit at the Delaware Antiques Show this pastNovember. This May will mark the 10th anniversary of thereopening of the Historic Houses since their closing in2003. Tour hours throughout the year are 10:00 a.m. to4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays–Saturday; Sunday hours are 1–4:30 p.m. Prices for tours: adults, $10; seniors andstudents, $8 and children under 6 free.

Special events are being planned throughout thisanniversary year. One of these will acknowledge March asWomen’s History Month with a special living historypresentation of three Odessa women of the early 19thcentury. Each represents the roles in the lives of thesewomen: one a Gentile Quaker wife, mother, and religiousactivist, another, an indentured servant, and lastly, a younggirl from a prominent Quaker family who grew up to becomeone of the 1st private historic house preservationists forOdessa. This event will take place on Thursday evening,March 12th at 7:00 p.m. in both the Corbit-Sharp Houseand Wilson-Warner Houses. For reservations, call 302-378-4119. The cost is $15 and refreshments will be servedfollowing the program.

Rita Ryor

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SPRINGMILL RESIDENT SPECIALS

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Town MeetingMayor Branner opened the meeting byreminding attendees about the upcomingelection on Monday, March 2, at TownHall, which will be opened for votersbetween the hours of 12 noon and 8 p.m.

The Mayor and Town Council approvedthe preliminary plan for the building of theVeterans Watchmaker facility onMiddletown-Warwick Road. The building will be 25,000sq.ft. and will be able to house veterans while learning thisnew trade.

Tracy Skrobot, Middletown Main St. Program Manager,announced the upcoming Fashion Show to be held onSaturday, April 4, at 3 p.m. in the Everett Theatre.

Town ElectionVote for your choice of Mayor and Town Council memberson Monday, March 2 at Town Hall from noon until 8 p.m.The following are candidates for election:For Mayor: Kenneth L. Branner, Jr., Shlok Desai andSanjay Patel.

For one-year term Council: Alton Irvin, Marc Pipari, JimRoyston and Rob Stout.

For two-year term Council: Andrew Chas, Jason Faulkner,Debbie Harrington, Kristin Linke and Howard R. Young, Jr.

Please exercise your right to vote for the above candidates.They are asking for your support.

Free Federal Tax Filing for SeniorsThe MOT Senior Center is again offering free tax service toseniors from February 4-April 8 on Wednesdays from 9-12noon. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in cooperation with theIRS, has trained and certified volunteers who will prepareand file your federal income tax return with the IRS free ofcharge. All of the returns are prepared on computers andare e-filed at no cost. The service is offered to seniors whohave simple returns.

Three Springmill residents, Heather Prall, Ed Bullock andGeorge Latsko, volunteer their services at the Center. Anappointment is necessary. The only dates available noware April 1 and 8. Call the MOT Senior Center at 378-4758 to schedule an appointment.

Sonya Comstock

Middletown News

Sonya Comstock

Springmill Activity ContactsBook Clubs - See Book Club Selections for contactsBocce – Ann LucasBowling – Larry DaigleBridge (Thursday Afternoon) - Joan GrossBunco – Looking for a CoordinatorComputer Resources – Dick RauschDoll Sewing - Carolyn RifinoGolf - Fred Wendt - MSML / -SMGL Paul Weber Spring ArborGourmet Club – Debra KupperHand and Foot - TBDJazzercise – Gail RouillerLibrary – Julia Hambrecht & Eileen BengerminoMahjongg – Barbara AbramsMen’s Hearts – Len BrusseeMen’s Poker – Tom FerraraMen’s Pool – Lenny BrusseePickleball – Jane KimminsRed Hat Society – TBDRomeos - Nick CiranniRummikub - Jo Verni/Jane KimminsSocial Singles - Cathy Cioffi / Bridget McGrathTennis -Bill GurneeTexas Holdem – Janet GeftmanThe Timeless Travel Group - Glenda SchneidermanWater Aerobics – Ann Raymond/Sandy CorroziWelcoming Committee - Peggy AndrewsYoga - June Stemmle

Please note: All committee meetings and activities using aClubhouse room, must be scheduled by Tracey Lund.

Animal Shelter DonationsA huge thank you for all the donations that were made inJanuary for the animal shelters in Delaware. Melinda Corkadeland I delivered them to the Bay Animal Hospital in Townsend.I will have to say they were pleasantly surprised and shockedat the amount of linens, towels, blankets, toys and food thatSpringmill donated. The car trunk and back seat werecompletely full. There have been inquiries about being able tostill donate. If anyone wishes to do so, you can leave theitems in the book donation basket in the library.

Again, many thanks to all the wonderful people at Springmillwho always come through for anyone (including animals).Below is a thank you note that was delivered to us.

Julie Hambrecht

To the Residents of Springmill:Thank you so much for the towels, blankets, food and toys. Agood client of Bay Animal Hospital houses feral kitties at herboarding kennel and was grateful for the food and fleeceblankets. The shelter in Camden can always use linens; thecans of food went to the local rescues.Thanks again (on behalf of Square Dog Ranch Kitties and theFirst State Animal Center and SPCA.)

Have a happy SaintPatrick’s Day

Coffee in theClubhouse

Bring your favorite Kuerig coffeepod to the Clubhouse to enjoy agood cup of coffee with youractivities. Thanks to theClubhouse Committee and BODfor sponsoring this. Cups,sweetener and lightener areavailable.

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FOR SALE“CAP” weight plates: Size Original Asking PriceFor 1” diameter bar 2 – 25 lb. $21.00 $10.00 2 – 10lb. 9.00 4.50 6 – 5 lb. 5.00 2.50Exercise ball – Valeo burst-resistant body ball..55 cm. $16.50 Fair OfferTable Pad – custom 47” dia. ½” thick $120.00 $60.00 or fair offerChildren’s ABC 26 volume, hard cover set for ages 2 thru 5 Excellent condition $20.00Contact June or Joe Stemmle (phone number in directory)

Classified AdsSubmit Ads to Joan Gross by the middle of the month.

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Notes from a SnowbirdThe community in which we stay in Florida is one of eight builtin the 1980s by Hovnanian. It is in Greenacres on the southside of the state, about 10-12 miles from the ocean. Thereare 40 2-story, garden style buildings with eight condos ineach. We are in a ground floor 2 BR/2 bath unit. Thecommunity has a lake with a walking path around it,shuffleboard, tennis/pickleball and bocce courts. The pool isheated and has a large deck with two covered areas forshaded seating for those who want to avoid the sun. Theclubhouse has tables that can be configured in different waysto accommodate various numbers of people who attendevents. There is a full kitchen and every Saturday, the men ofPine Ridge Chefs prepare lunch-soup and sandwiches thatare for sale at a reasonable price.

This year, within 24 hours ofarriving, I was in the pool with mycousin. The temperatures in earlyJanuary were in the 80s. Sincethen, we have had a good bit ofmuch needed rain, and severaldays of cooler, think 60s and 70s,weather. I enjoy walking aroundthe lake, and there are two of theother communities with which we are connected by a path, soI can walk around their lakes as well. It is about a 2 mile walkaround all three lakes. I often see wading birds like limpkins,egrets, ibises and herons as I walk. A few miles away is theWakodahatchee Wetlands, a rookery that has all kinds ofnesting birds along with turtles, fish, iguanas and alligators. Itis a beautiful place and free to visit. Oh, yeah, there are alsoseagulls and turkey vultures flying overhead. One other bird isthe Muscovy duck, which has a very mottled red head and isquite beautiful to other ducks!

On a typical week, I play bridge on Mondays, bocce onTuesdays and shuffleboard on Fridays. Lee plays pickleballon Wednesdays and bowls and plays shuffleboard onFridays. As of this writing, end of January, we have seenthree movies, three outdoor free shows and two cabaretshows at a theatre in Delray. We have tickets for many moreperformances and are also looking forward to additionaloutdoor concerts in the weeks to come. We also enjoy goingto a six-week series of talks by one of the columnists for thePalm Beach Post newspaper at the West Palm Beach library.They are free, entertaining and informative.

As this is our fifth winter here, we have made many friends inthe community. Like Springmill in the summer, we meet andsit around the pool with them. Sometimes, I play bridge orRummicubes. We also have other friends who live nearbythat we get to see. Recently, we even had dinner with Tonyand Joanne Giantonio. We also get together with friends fromNew York whom we knew before we moved to Delaware.Several of my close friends from high school in Wilmingtonhave lived in South Florida for many years and it is so nice tomeet up with them. I also have family here and Lee’s sistervisits each year and we see her for lunch. My cousin and herhusband from Pittsburgh winter in the same community as wedo. She and I grew up together, so it is a real treat to be able

to spend so much time together. Her brother also livesnearby and we have had some memorable bridgegames together.

Within 30-40 minutes are dozens of restaurants of everyethnicity you could want. There is shopping and movietheaters close by. The price for seniors is $6.00, excepton Tuesday, when it is $5.00. Hard to beat, and theyget all the latest films, including foreign andindependent.

We truly enjoy our time here, and have already signedup for next winter. See you in April!

Ilene Lipstein

For the past few years we have been snowbirds inFlorida's Panhandle. After looking for awhile, we choseFort Walton Beach. It is about an eighteen hour drivewhich we break up into three segments. The first, aleisurely six hour drive to Creedmore, NC. Then it’sabout eight hours to Roswell, Georgia where we stay afew days with our kids and grandchildren. From there it'sonly six hours to Fort Walton Beach and the condo thatwe rent on Okaloosa Island.

Many people have asked us why we spend thewinter in the panhandle, rather than SouthFlorida. Well, there are several great reasons toluxuriate on the Emerald Coast.ü The white sugar sands and emerald waters are

the most beautiful that we have experienced inall of our travels.

ü The cost of a 2-3 bedroom unit right on theocean, is substantially less than comparable unitsin South Florida. Often half to two thirds less.

ü Traffic is nonexistent. A busy day in the area isdefined as more than three cars at a stop light.

ü Excellent fresh-caught seafood restaurants featuringgrouper, snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish.

ü 10 minutes from Destin Harborwalk whereactivities abound, an active nightlife as well astrendy shops and restaurants

ü 3 snowbird clubs that offer golf tournaments,card games, day trips to Casinos, shows andovernights to New Orleans. In addition there isorganized mahjongg, cribbage, pickle ball,crafts, quilting, etc. The list is endless. Each clubgives at least 50 door prizes away at everyweekly meeting along with entertainment, andvendors with giveaways and food at everymeeting. The prizes range from restaurantdiscounts of $10-$30 to fishing trips and roundsof golf, art lessons and much more.

ü The community is very friendly, offeringdiscounts for snowbirds and active duty militarypersonnel as well as veterans. Veterans Dayboasts free meals, haircuts and activities.

ü Great shopping at the malls and outlets.

(Continued on page 25)

Snowbirding in Ft. Walton

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Springmill ‘Soup’er Bowl and Pot LuckThe Activities Group decided to add soup to their bi-monthlycoffee event in the Clubhouse on Jan. 24th. Ann Marie Burnssaid that she had to turn residents away as they did not havethe ability to serve over sixty residents. Springmill chefs KathyKobus made vegetable beef soup, Bob Flynn prepared potatosoup and Carolyn Fausnaugh made lentil sausage soup.Carolyn received so many positive comments that she

Kathy Kobus checks out thenew Keurig brewing system.

Ann Marie Burns Claudia Garrett and GailRouiller serve soup.

Residents flock to the first soup brunch.

Betty and Guy Freeman Enjoying good food andconversation

Enjoying good food andconversation

Claudia Garrett, Marge Flynn Enjoying good food andconversation

provided the recipe for this issue of the Sentinel on page 23.Nine gallons of soup were served with crackers, bread andbutter and cookies and hot and cold drinks.Where else can you get a home made lunch for $2.00? A coldwinter day, good food and a friendly atmosphere make winterseem bearable.Joan Gross Photos by Chris Chappelle

Dick Belber, Pat FrailJerry and Noreen RyanAnne Currie

Carolyn and MerleFausnaugh

Cathy McNeil,John Oppelt

A large display of delicious foodready to be enjoyed.

Helen JacksonEd and Becky BullockAnn Raymond

Mark HernerShirley and Gene Smith

Rick and Jean Mullen Jean SweeneyCarol Wagner

Pot Luck DinnerPeggy Andrews and the CEC hosted a Pot Luck Dinner onSaturday evening, January 24th.  Over sixty residentsattended and everyone contributed to the dinner.  Thedishes were varied and simply delicious.  The cooks outdidthemselves.  There were beef, chicken, ham, stew, sausage

and sauerkraut dishes and many others along with desserts. Many said the food was so good that the CEC should do itagain soon!!  The 50-50 was won by Judy Graff.

Photos and story Joe Grippo

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Tom Smith, Ann Marie Burns,Marion Smith

Photo Booth Mystery People

Well, we did it again! The second Birthday Celebration wasattended by about 45 people on February 13th. The ActivityGroup went all out to decorate, prepare snacks, punch,coffee and of course a huge cake with ice cream. Many ofthe guests participated in a few fun games and picture

taking in our photo booth. Our next Celebration will be May15st to recognize those born in April, May and June. Hopeto see you there.

Anne Marie Burns Photos Sonya Comstock

Group celebrating birthdays inthe 1st quarter of 2015

Rita & George Ryor Photo Booth Mystery People

Jean Sweeney, Carol Wagner,Lois Baker, Helene Silverman

Roe Lamb, Eileen Bengermino,Ann Marie Burns, Carol Shaffer

Group Dance - Bobbie Kauffman, MarionSmith, Ida Nelson, Tony Silva, Sandy Maguire

Tony Silva, Marion & Tom Smith, Linda& Gary Fry, Barbara Yeatman, Joe Burr

Bill & Cathy Uranko, Janet &Mark Herner

Tony Silva, Sandy Maguire,Tom & Marion Smith

Rob & Ruth Bishop, Marc Lichtenfield, Bruce Rudilosso,Phyllis Lichtenfield, Mary Rudilosso

Carl Rifino, Bill Noyes, Bobbie Kauffman,Carolyn Rifino, Ida & Joe Nelson

Cupid was in the air at the Valentine’s Day dance party withlaughter, fun and dancing the night away. Love songsgreeted the dancers with funny valentine cards scatteredon the tables. The dance floor was vibrant in the color red,

since Valentine’s Day is associated with the color red – aday to give and to love.

Photos and story Sandy Maguire

Line Dancing

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WilmingtonGrand Opera House, 818 North Market Street, 302-652-5577Sun. March 1 – 3 p.m. – “Mnozil Brass” – brass ensembles –group’s 20th anniversary – Tickets - $30-$39Sun. March 1 – 7 p.m. (Baby Grand) – “Kat Edmonson” –singer on American Idol – Tickets - $26Thurs. March 5 – 8 p.m. – “One Night of Queen performedby Gary Mullen and The Works” – recreating the sound ofQueen. Tickets - $32-$38Fri. March 6 – 8 p.m. – “Gaelic Storm Featuring We Benjo 3”– Irish music – 4th concert – Tickets - $31-$38Sat. March 7 – 8 p.m. – “Flying Karamazov Brothers” –Juggling & Outrageous comedy – Tickets - $31-$39Tues. March 10 – 8 p.m. – “George Thorogood & theDestroyers Featuring the Daniel Nicole Band” – rock music –Tickets - $45-$51Wed. March 11 – 8 p.m. – “Diana Krall” – vocalist – Tickets$67-$78Thurs. March 12 – 7:30 p.m. – “Smart Talk: Delilah” – get toknow the woman behind the voice on radio – Tickets - $45-$75Sat. March 14 – 8 p.m. – “Mike Super – Grand Theft” – onTV show Phenomenon – Tickets - $31-$39Wed. March 18 – 8 p.m. (Baby Grand) – “Dervish” – sextetof traditional Irish musicians – Tickets - $29Thurs. March 19 – 8 p.m. (Baby Grand) – “Tom Rush” – folkmusic singer – Tickets - $38Sat. March 21 – 3 p.m. – “Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre” –performing cats and dogs – Tickets - $29Fri. March 27 – 8 p.m. – “Herb Alpert & Lani Hall” – famoustrumpet player of the 60’s/70’s & wife – Tickets - $37-$45Sat. March 28 – 8 p.m. – “Swingtime – Jive Aces” – top jiveand swing band – Tickets - $30-$38

NewarkChapel Theater, 27 N. Chapel St.,302-368-2041 / 368-2248March 5, 6, 7 @ 8 p.m.“Seeing Stars in Dixie” - “Raintree County” is being filmed inNatchez, MI in 1957. A small part for a local woman opensup and the competition is fierce between local ladies.Possible movie stardom changes the lives of several at thelocal tea room. Laughs, dreams and hopes are expressed bymany. Tickets - $10University of Delaware, 17 W Main St , 302-831-2204Pre-Theater / Early DiningEnjoy a three-course dinner at the Vita Nova Restaurant(Darden Bistro) Wed-Fri – beginning at 5:30 p.m. for just $25pp. Includes appetizer, choice of five entrees & threedesserts. No reservations are necessary.March 5-March 22 - “Juno and The Paycock” – modernclassic of drama, pathos and robust humor in a vivid depictionof Irish working class life during a civil war. Tickets - $22

Sonya Comstock

Cultural EventsMiddletownEverett TheatreFri/Sat. March 5&6 – Movie – TBAFri/Sat/Sun. March 20-22 – 7:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. (Sat/Sun)– “Mary Poppins” – presented by God’s Power & Light Co. –For tickets, call 302-602-1638 – Tickets - $12 – Student - $8Townsend Fire Hall, 107 Main St., Townsend, DEThurs. March 5 – 3–7 p.m. – “Seventh Annual SpringExpo” – The Middletown Area Chamber of Commerceinvites the public to attend this event celebrating Arts &Entertainment as vendors promote their business to theMOT community. Enjoy food and beverages from localrestaurants and wineries plus a chance to win an iPad Air.FREEAppoquinimink High SchoolThurs/Fri/Sat – March 26, 27, 28 – 7 p.m. – “Beauty andthe Beast” – Tickets - $10Middletown High SchoolThurs/Fri/Sat – March 5,6,7 – 7:30 p.m. - “How toSucceed in Business Without Really Trying” – Tickets - $8

OdessaCorbit-Calloway Memorial Library115 High St.302-378-8838Sunday, March 22 – 2 p.m.Pablo Picasso: An Artist for all Seasons with SandraDenney. Focuses on portion of the life and the majorinnovative styles of Picasso. Influence of various womenon his life will be emphasized. Free

SmyrnaSmyrna Opera House, 7 W. South Street ,302-653-4236Sat. March 28 – “2nd Annual Trends, Tulips and Tea” –fundraiser for women includes a fashion show, springbazaar, tea and more. Enjoy tea sandwiches & sweets.Fun day for women of all ages. Tickets - $35.

DoverSchwartz Center for the Arts, 226 S. State St., (302) 678-5152Sat. March 7 – 7 p.m. – “The Minstrel Boy” - Educationalprogram will explore life of noted Irish Tenor JohnMcCormack accompanied by original recordings of the artistplayed on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Concert withIrish Tenor Matt Macis – Tickets - $20Patchwork Playhouse, Kent County Theatre Guild, 140E. Roosevelt Ave.,302-674-3568Sun. March 8 2 p.m. – “Doubt” – Set in 1964 in a Catholicschool in the Bronx, Doubt centers on the relationship of thestrict principal of the school and her personal crusade tounearth the truth about Father Flynn. – Tickets - $16-$18

ArdentownNew Candlelight Theater, 2208 Millers Rd., 302-475-2313Matinee & Evening ShowsMarch 14 – April 19 Matinee & Evening Shows“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” -Tickets - $59 pp includes dinner buffet

CondolencesThe Springmill Community extends its deepest sympathy toMary Lou Kobosco on the sudden death of her oldest son,

Chuck. May he rest in peace.

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To Your HealthJohn Mitchell at HealthSouth

As the first Springmill resident to become a patient atHealthSouth, John calls the experience almost “enjoyable”and the “best place to recuperate from a stroke.” Of course,there is no place like home, but when circumstances changedrastically in your health, the next best place would beHealthSouth. He entered HealthSouth on December 29 andwas released on January 15.

From the bright private room andbath to the wonderful exceptionalcare by the entire staff, John said hisentire stay was made as comfortableas possible. Nurses and othermedical staff tended to every needwhich included putting on his sockswhen needed. To making his time atthis facility beneficial to a speedyrecovery, nurses are on duty 24/7along with a physician. Thefriendliness of the staff cannot beoverlooked as many would just stop in his room to say helloand ask how he was doing. The day would pass quickly withthree to four therapy sessions of one hour each –occupational, physical and speech. While these sessions arestrenuous and exhausting, their intention is to heal the patientas quickly as possible so that going home is definitely on thehorizon. Therapy teaches the patient how to gauge oneselfand escape further injury. Because John had suffered a fall,he was placed into the “fall” category requiring assistancewhen getting out of bed, using the bathroom or even walkingdown the hall. In his room, he was equipped with awheelchair. As he progressed, a walker and cane wereadded. All rooms have a large picture window which adds tothe comfort of the patient.

The meals served were generally good, and some were“very good.” A menu card is given to patients to fill out forthe next day’s meals. A nice variety of food is available forall, and John said tasting turkey sausage was a first for him,but he enjoyed it.

The cleanliness of HealthSouth is noteworthy. All patientrooms are cleaned everyday with bedding changed andfresh towels added to the bathroom.

Because John’s room was in the front of the building, hecould see Freda entering the parking area as she came tovisit every day. Freda expressed her satisfaction with theway John was treated and said the staff treated her specialtoo. She escorted John to some of his therapy sessions andsaw the determination of the therapists in bringing Johnback to his normal self.

Going home requires a panel’s evaluation of the patient’sprogress on a daily basis. Care does not end when the patientis released, as home therapy is arranged with Bayada HomeHealth Service for five days a week. This will continue untilthey are satisfied that John has fully recovered.

Upon leaving HealthSouth and knowing that having a canewould be beneficial to John, they stopped at CVS topurchase one. Not available was the special cane Johnused at HealthSouth. A phone call to HealthSouth solvedthe problem when told this cane could be purchased fromAmazon and gave them the information. The kind words bythe staff to Freda were “if you have any questions, just comeback. We are always here for you.” These words madeFreda and John realize how caring the staff was for itspatients even after they left.

While there is no place like home, HealthSouth makes ahuge effort so that patients feel at home while recuperatingfrom their illness. The convenience of having such a facilityclose by makes it easier for family and friends to visit, andJohn thanks all who stopped by to see him.

Sonya Comstock

First Health Fair at SpringmillThe long-awaited Health Fair at Springmill is now a reality.The date is Thursday, April 16, in the Clubhouse. AnnNewswanger is in charge of this function and is busy liningup health providers to participate. Come see what you cando to keep yourself healthy. These providers will bedemonstrating what you should be doing for a longer,healthier life. Learn about new approaches and techniquesthat can improve your life. Booths will be set up in theGreat Room, Card Room and Craft Room. Put on yourwalking shoes and be prepared to learn more aboutkeeping active and healthy. Bring a neighbor with you.Look for more information on providers in the April Sentinel.Mark your calendar for this important event.

Sonya Comstock

Springmill Sentinel StaffEditor: Dick RauschTreasurer: Diane DaigleSecretary: Janet GeftmanLayout and Production: Joan Gross, Dick RauschBusiness Manager: Julia HambrechtAdvertising: Carol Geiger, Janet Herner, Jerry Ryan, PatSteskal,Staff: Mary Jo Starrett, June Stemmle , Sonya Comstock,Directory: Joe Grippo, Julie HambrechtDistribution: Ralph and Pamela ClairCalendar: Tracey Lund

Please forward all articles & inquiries to:springmillnews@hotmail.com

SpringmillSnowbirds

Enjoying Dinnertogether in Florida. TheSapps, Rutolos,Burneys and Corrozis.

Sandy Corrozisubmitted photo

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All types of Glass & Screens - Sales & Repairs

Springmill Discount: $2.75 off every car wash!

$2 Off

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This article is a follow-up on last month’s article writtenby June Stemmle which discussed an actual installation.

A few months ago I was having a conversation with a goodfriend and we started talking about the fact that someneighbors had already replaced their gas furnaces and airconditioners. We thought it would be prudent to investigatewhat the options were and especially the cost of doing thistype of renovation. We wanted to know how many dollars youneed to spend and what the new technology brings.

I called the contractor who does the maintenance on my system.He stated that the cost depends on many variables – theefficiency of the new system, the quality of the chosen productand the type of installation that was originally done in the home.The warranty on the products would also affect the price. I calleda popular contractor but was referred to their website.

I contacted a local business, Wright Design, located within afew miles of Springmill. Jerry Wright, who has over thirtyyears experience in this field, made an appointment to meetwith me and friends to explain the type of systems availableand what the varied efficiency levels provide as far as comfortand energy savings. He spent two and a half hours with usand I never felt any pressure to purchase from him. His finalstep was to measure my home. He left me brochures andrecommendations from former customers. His is a familybusiness so he is on site for installation and tuning the system.The proposal I received from Wright Design is just under$9,000.00 for a 97% efficient system with a limited lifetimewarranty on the heat exchanger and a 10 year warranty onparts. It also includes a 2-year installation labor warranty.Other items included in the proposal are too numerous to listhere.

I checked with a few neighbors who have had new HVACsystems installed due to problems with their current system. Allhave chosen high efficiency systems. That means that thesystem that was installed when the home was built was mostlikely an 80% efficient system and was replaced with a systemthat would be between 95% - 97% efficient. If the original systemwas 80%, new piping or venting is required. Prices to replaceyour system will vary based on the choices you make. Theneighbors I contacted spent between $10,000.00 - $12,000.00 toreplace their gas furnace and air conditioning unit.

Another neighbor told me that she had replaced her gasfurnace last September. After the installation was completedshe had a knowledgeable friend take a look at the installation.He found that one of the air flow pipes was incorrectly installedand was drawing combustion air from inside the house insteadof from the attic. The installer said that it was done accordingto code. However, while it may have met code, it was not themost efficient use of the furnace. The installer had to berecalled to correct the problem.

Since replacing your HVAC system represents a significantoutlay of money, it would make sense to get more than oneproposal to replace the system. And, let’s hope that whenYou do have your system replaced it will be seventy twodegrees and sunny.

Joan Gross

Planning Ahead:HVAC Replacement After living in the community for more than 2 years, and

coming from the construction industry, several matters havecome to my attention, both by word from communityresidents and problems found in my own home. It seems asthough McKee was very liberal with building codes andmanufactures’ installation instructions. I would like to sharesome of this information with you and if you have had issuesof a similar fashion, please share these problems with me indetail through email. Even if you had renovations andobserved issues, please respond, as well.

The first thing I’ve heard and noticed were tubs and showerswith improper support. When standing, a noticeablemovement was felt with the lower structure. In fact, therehave been numerous situations where the floor has cracked.As of now, McKee has come back when notified and maderepairs. I have done some investigative work and found thatthese fixtures were not installed per manufacturers’installation instructions. These instructions require a bed ofmortar mix or industrial plaster to be placed on the floorbefore the fixture is put in place. The material will thenconform to the floor of the fixture and when dry, will provide asolid foundation.

There also have been homes with various heating issues.One factor has been excessive runs of flexible ductwork, withsome runs being 30 to 40 feet long, causing excessiveresistance of a flow, and in many cases making it impossibleto properly heat areas of the house because of the lack of airflow from the ceiling diffusers.

There has been improper application of Tyvek placed on theexterior wall, especially around windows causing unnecessarydrafts. An engineering report was done in 2007 by Duffield, inwhich core samples were taken from different areas of thecommunity to test the pouring of the concrete sidewalks. Thereport indicated that both the application and the mixture weredone improperly and recommended the builder replace thesidewalks. We all know the issues with the trees planted onthe street causing sidewalk lifting and spreading of expansionjoints, allowing moisture to form below the bed, and withfreezing and thawing crack the sidewalks.

This list of items mentioned is not to say there are no otherproblems. It is an indication of improper building practicesset forth by the builder. By writing this article andrepresenting the Board of Directors of Springmill Association,we are interested in your feedback. If there is sufficientresponse, we are considering our options. First being,scheduling time with the Mayor of Middletown and presentingour concerns to him. McKee has not completed Spring Arborand that may give us some leverage.

The Board of Directors feels that this issue should beaddressed. We have no idea to what extent action can betaken, but as representatives of the community, we will pursuethe improper building practices and see if it will yield somefruit. As always, we will keep you informed of our progress.

Marc Lichtenfield, VP Springmill BOD

Inferior Building Practices

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Meet Your NeighborSylvia and Marvin Fisher reside at 555 Whispering Trail.They hold the distinct honor of being among the “first wave” ofresidents in Springmill. Sylvia, a native Delawarean, lived inNew Castle until she was eight- year’s old. Then, due to herfather’s job in the oil industry, the family relocated to Louisiana.When her father passed away at the early age of 42, the familymoved back to New Castle, DE, because all the family livedhere. Sylvia remained in the area through high school andnurse’s training, graduating as an RN. Once in a workingenvironment, a friend arranged a blind date on Halloween. Thatdate was with Marvin. Would he be a prince or a dud? Thecouples dated for two years and were married on Feb. 6, 1960.This past February, the couple celebrated their 55th weddinganniversary, so I guess he was more “princely” on thatHalloween match-up (Though Sylviasays her nickname for him is MessyMarvin.). He looked very tidy to me, so Iguess marriage has made someimprovements over those 55 years.

Marvin, also a Delaware native, wasborn in Elsmere and remained thereuntil he was married. After high school,he began working for the DuPontcompany as a shipping clerk. Then, in1953, he decided to make a career inthe service and joined the United StatesAir Force. He was on active duty for four years beforetransferring to the Air National Guard, where he worked for thenext 36 years. He was in the Guard when he was introducedto, and married, Sylvia.

After marrying, the couple lived in the Wilmington area forseven years, before moving back to New Castle, where theyremained for the next 36 years. When it was time to makeanother change, they decided on Springmill, moving here in2002. Marvin said it was time to downsize after the childrenmoved out. He was tired of maintaining the house and yard.Marvin did concede that he still misses his tomato plants…hesaid he grew great tomatoes, and it’s just not the same in pots.

Having looked north of the canal first, the features that drew theFisher’s south were the single-family detached houses, the two-car garages, the fact that everything was on one level, and thatthe outside was maintained.Having lived here since the beginning years, Sylvia andMarvin have come to love their friendly neighbors, appreciatethat the well-maintained community has stayed beautiful for allthose 13 years, and the quiet, open surroundings.Sylvia and Marvin have been retired for many years. Listingthings she enjoys doing, Sylvia said #1 would be shopping and#2 would be “overnight” tripping to Atlantic City. She likesgetting a comp for an overnight stay and free meals as much asthe gambling. She also likes to read, do puzzles and watchfavorite TV shows and movies. Marvin likes heading to AC withSylvia, and doing puzzles as well. He didn’t mention shoppingon his list. But he does enjoy walking, playing cards, and“football, football, football.” He also takes pleasure in lookingafter the garden.

A dream vacation for Sylvia would be a river cruise in Europe ormaybe on the Mississippi. Marvin said he’d like to travel more,and since he was in the Air Force, can even travel free on one of

the Air Force transports, but Sylvia is just not interested. Maybe hecan change her mind for that river cruise. That water-state-of mind,must have reminded Sylvia of previous vacations, because she added,“We also enjoyed our log cabin in the woods on the Choptank River.”

When asked about pets, the couple mentioned that they don’tpresently own a pet, but for 16 years they had the “cat from hell.”Sylvia shared, “Ellie May was the most beautiful cat on theoutside, but on the inside she was a devil. She was always bitingand scratching me…Ellie only liked Marvin.”

Marvin and Sylvia have two daughters, Gwen and Lisa. Gwen ismarried to Sean O’Hanlon. They live in Wilmington and have twogrown children, Caitlin (25) and Brian (22). Caitlin has alsoblessed the Fishers with their first great-grandchild, Aria (15months). Their other child, Lisa and her husband, David Dodd,are nearby as well, residing in Milton.

After their long tenure together, Sylvia would like you toremember to “enjoy what you’re doing and do what you enjoy.”Marvin mentioned that “he doesn’t believe in worrying aboutanything.” Sylvia revealed that “after all these years with Marvin,she’s picked up on his way of thinking. She used to worry abouteverything and finally stopped because it didn’t do a darn bit ofgood.” Life in finite…just savor each day. I think we can allagree with that.

June Stemmle

What’s Cookin’For the Activity Group’s January 24 Coffee and Soup hour I preparedLentil Soup.  I had many compliments.  Several people said they had noteaten Lentil soup since their mother or even their grandmother hadcooked it.  It is not a hard soup to make.  I've even had a few e-mailsasking for the recipe.  So, I thought I'd submit it to the Sentinel.Carolyn Fausnaugh

Carrabba's Spicy Sausage Lentil SoupIngredients:2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup minced onion3/4 cup grated and minced carrot1 tablespoon minced garlic1 pound uncooked hot Italian sausage (I use 1/2 lb Bob EvansOriginal and ½ lb Bob Evans Italian Sausage.)2 ounces diced ham (about 1/2 cup, cut from a ham steak) - I omit this.7 cups water, 5 cups chicken broth1 pound dry lentils1 medium tomato, diced (I use 1/2 can diced tomatoes.)2 tablespoons vinegar1 tablespoon minced fresh basil1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (I use 1/4 teaspoon.)

Preparation:1. Heat up olive oil in a Dutch oven or large sauce pot overmedium heat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic. Remove sausagefrom casing, and add it to the pan. Saute for 8 minutes, stirringoften. Break up the sausage into bite-size bits as it cooks. Addham, and cook for an additional minute.2. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, thenreduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.3. Serve 1 cup for a "cup" portion, or serve 2 cups for a "bowl"serving.Makes 12 to 13 cups.

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Spring Sports and Fitness PreviewIt is time to think about spring especially while we are stillreeling from the effects of one of the coldest winters inDelaware history. Many of us are looking forward to getting offour couches and enjoying outdoor activities next month. Weresume providing information about the outdoor sporting andfitness scene at Springmill.

Bocce: Anne Lucas, Bocce coordinator reports that theBocce season will be starting in early May. Information andleague signup sheets will be enclosed with the AprilSentinel. Hopefully, we can entice some new players tojoin us, especially those who are newcomers to Springmill.No experience is necessary. We will have practicesessions for new players. Schedules and dates will begiven to all individuals or couples who sign-up. We will endthe season by Labor Day and our annual party or luncheonwill follow. Any ideas will be welcomed for the type andformat of the season end party.

Golf: Fred Wendt reports: The MSML, which started withjust about 25 golfers from Springmill almost ten years ago,has grown over the years to 130 members fromsurrounding areas, (including a few from New Jersey) andthere are currently about 30 seniors on a waiting list.The MSML was started by Bob Gross, Jim Crisfield BobLhulier and Fred Wendt and Fred is currently the onlyremaining person from the original four.

The senior golfers play every Tuesday at one of the threelocal courses (Back Creek, Frog Hollow and OdessaNational).  The MSML is a competitive handicap leaguesplit into four flights depending on the range of eachgolfer’s handicap (established by the Delaware State GolfAssociation, based on scores registered by each player).Presently there are only about 15 players from Springmill,since many of our residents play with a non-handicapuncompetitive Springmill/Spring Arbor seniors group onThursdays.  Some of our residents who are more avidgolfers belong to both leagues.

If you wish to be put on the MSML waiting list, please callFred Wendt and he will arrange this for you. Meanwhile,any senior man may sign up with the ThursdayLeague and play with your neighbors and friends fromSpring Arbor. The MSML 2015 season will begin on April6th; there will be an open general meeting on March 31stat Back Creek, if you would like to obtain more informationand meet the current Board of Directors.

Springmill/Spring Arbor Men's Golf League (SMGL).Paul Weber of Spring Arbor is coordinating activities for theleague for 2015. The League will begin playing in April. Theseason runs from April to October. More news next month.

Tennis:Bill Gurnee reports: Tennis ended mid-November as itbecame too cold to play.  Some of us headed to Floridaclimates such as Gil Royal and Ralph Skrable.  Others likeFred Kastli and Ed Mazuros continued play at Elkton Indooroff Route 40.  Weather permitting we hope to all be back on

the outdoor courts this month with 45 to 50 degrees beingour cutoff.  Hats and gloves are recommended.  In additionto our Fall Classic end of season tournament this year weare looking into introducing “inter-community matches”.    Wehave been approached by residents at Odessa Nationallooking to play us for one.  Other opportunities may arise.

As always we look for new players to join our ranks.  I admitit’s not an easy game but I encourage anyone who hasexperience but who has not played for a while to come up andgive it a try.  We always have someone to “hit” with you andgive you a quick evaluation.  Two folks have emerged overthe winter and have indicated they’d give it a try. The generallevel of our players is termed “low to high intermediate”.

Tennis is played Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays andThursdays.  There is open tennis on the weekends.Tuesday and Thursday there is previously scheduled playon Court 1 and open tennis on Court 2.  To start theseason time is 9:30 AM.  As the season gets warmer wewill play earlier in the day.

Pickleball:Jane Kimmins the new Pickleball coordinator will beginreporting on Pickeball activities in April.

Horseshoes: Rob Bishop is coordinating Horseshoeactivities. He would like to find players so that a leaguecan be started. More news in April.

Fitness: Staying fit should be a goal which will help all ofus to age gracefully. Springmill offers several ways to helpeveryone stay fit, once the clubhouse reopens. WithJazzercise, Yoga, Meditation, the Walking Club, the Gym,Water Aerobics, and miles of scenic paths and streets forsafe walking and bicycling, it is easy to get out and helpstay fit at your own pace and ability.

Compiled by Dick RauschüBeautiful weather ranging from

the high 50s to mid-70s with very low humidity.ü Most condos have snowbird activities like coffees,

pot lucks, bingo and movies.ü 2 libraries where current movies and independent

films are shown free and only for snowbirds.ü We are within an hour or so drive to Pensacola,

Panama City, and charming communities like AlyceBeach, Rosemary Beach and Scenic Route 30A.Lots to see and do.

Most of the snowbirds come from the Midwest, Minnesota,Michigan, and Canada. Everyone tells us they never metanyone from Delaware. How strange! The folks that winterhere return year after year, so it's great to reconnect withold friends and make new ones.

We love the quiet pace and endless beaches, beautifulsunsets and sunrises. We have found a perfect winter homehere on the Emerald Coast.

Herb and Cynthia Frank

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Lawn QuenchersRich Hindt, owner of Lawn Quenchers, for 24 years, saysworking outdoors has always been part of his life. Many yearsago he took classes at school to learn how to repair smallengines. From this training, he progressed to cutting lawns ashe could make repairs on hisequipment and then steppedinto landscaping andhardscaping. In a shortperiod of time, he beganinstallation of automatic lawnsprinklers in homes.When the housing industrybrought new communities toDelaware, he found residentswere in need of his services.Not only did he install sprinkler systems, he also maintainedthem by starting them up in the spring and turning them off forthe winter season. Residents wanted a green lawn without thecontinued maintenance of setting up hoses around theirresidence. So much easier to set a programmabletimer/controller that would turn on and off automatically. Inworking with Springmill residents, he discovered and welcomednew customers by word of mouth. Residents were pleased withhis excellent service, quality system and his quick response tophone calls. He does believe in the saying “never forget yourcustomers” and “never let your customers forget you.”

As new communities are being built, developers are addinglawn sprinkler systems to the new homes, and prospectivehomebuyers like this added feature. Having an attractivegreen lawn without the responsibility of watering adds value tothe home and neighborhood. He looks forward to offering acomplete package to new builders with landscaping andsprinkler systems. Lawn Quenchers is a middle-sizebusiness, and Rich does not extend himself beyond what hecan support completely.

What he wants residents to realize is that it is necessary to have aprofessional open and close the system. Problems that could ariseotherwise would be water leakage and freezing up the system. Propermaintenance will keep the system running efficiently for many years.

As he is the father of two young men, his teenage son accompanieshim during the summer months. The younger son waits his turn.

Rich stresses that customer service is foremost. It has adomino effect on his business as it continues to grow.Springmill residents see the Lawn Quenchers truck throughoutthe community and know that Rich is on the job keepingSpringmill green and residents happy.

For inquiries, call Rich Hindt at 302-293-8427, and your call isforwarded to his cell service where you will receive live serviceMonday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. However, shouldSaturday be the only day you can call, Rich will be happy tohelp you. Spring is just around the corner, and thoughts willonce again turn to having a green lawn in one’s yard.

Sonya Comstock

Discovered on The Internet!: www.irs.gov andwww.irs.gov/2014-Annual Report

I'll admit that not all of our readers will be excited about this site!But, we cannot escape tax time and this site has relevance tous all as taxpayers and as citizens. First let me tell you thatwhen I use this site, I often do not understand everything it tellsme. However, I do not let my lack of understanding intimidateme. I use the site to help me speak more intelligently and to askbetter questions of my tax advisor.

The home page at www.irs.gov is the starting point for exploration.Here are three of my favorite ways to proceed from this page:

Number 1: At the very top of the home page on the right,notice the drop down box for Subscriptions. Each item in thedrop down box is a free service. I particularly like IRS TaxTips and IRS Newswire.

Number 2: Just below Subscriptions is a search box. If youhave a question about a tax topic, try using the search box.Anything on the site will show up. And, if nothing shows up,then you are probably using an incorrect term. Try re-wordingand search again. If the search produces reference to a Form- then proceed to Number 3.

Number 3: IRS Forms and their instructions are often helpful.But to use this feature you need to know what form you areseeking. Notice the ribbon of topics across the top of the homepage. The topic third from the right is Forms & Pubs. Explorethis a bit. Just about any form the IRS has developed isavailable here - with its instructions as a separate document.And, should you have a prior year problem, forms andinstructions back to about 2012 are available as prior forms.

While we are talking taxes, I also want to bring to yourattention the 2014 Annual Report of the National TaxpayerAdvocate and the role of this report - a report which does notmake the nightly news on either FOX or MSNBC. "TheNational Taxpayer Advocate's Annual Report” creates adialogue within the IRS and the highest levels of governmentto address taxpayers' problems, protect taxpayers' rights, andease taxpayers' burdens." The number 1 burden identified by2015 report is declining quality of service.

The IRS receives more than 100 million telephone calls, 10million letters, and 5 million in-person visits from taxpayerseach year. These contacts represent people trying to complywith the laws as written and/or provide answers to inquiries bythe IRS. More than half these calls are expected to gounanswered and hold times are expected to exceed 30minutes on average (longer during peak times). And, if youhire an accountant to handle your tax work, you are billed bythem for the time they spend waiting for the IRS to answer thephone. Tax Practitioners may have separate lines from thegeneral public, but they, too, are waiting. This is not a goodthing. It should be easy for people to comply with the tax laws.

I promise the April pick for this column will be more fun! If youknow of an interesting site that you would like to nominate forthis article - send me the link. Thanks.Carolyn Fausnaugh - cfausnaugh@verizon.net

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Springmill SudokuMedium difficulty

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