April 2024

April 2024

Hacienda South-West Women’s Club Newsletter
website: hswwclub.com

This newsletter is being circulated to both member and non-member ladies living in our neighborhood.  Please share this newsletter with any who are new or do not use a computer.  

 Next Meeting Information

Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 9th at 9:30 am, at Pimlico Recreation Center (Churchill Down Room) – 530 Belvedere Blvd.  Make sure to reach out to any new Ladies in our neighborhood and bring them along with you!  We will have a beginner’s line dancing class with Loretta Easton, of Hacienda South after the business session.

 President's WELCOME

The Club is experiencing a challenging time with declining membership, lack of volunteers to initiate activities or support them, plus dissatisfaction from a few members that say that HSWWC is not inclusive enough.  

The following are some of the comments: 

“Everything we do is very consistent and technically correct.  We follow Roberts Rules, we tighten up the by-law language, we make sure that the club works best for its members.  We are a very well-run and organized club.  But I don't want a club.  I want a community.   I don't want to worry that my neighbor can’t play golf w/ me on Fri cuz she’s not a member - especially when it’s a no cost event.  I don't want membership to overshadow fellowship.  I want the club to be the vehicle, not the end result.”

The above expressions are shared by a number of people in both neighborhoods. As we have a declining number of members, the time has come to deal with the issue and determine whether or not there is a need for a “club”.  In the Fall, when most of the members have returned to the Villages, the Board proposes to take a vote on whether or not to continue as a club. Of course continuation will also be determined if members volunteer to serve on a new Board.

Also, I would like to welcome Lenore Hansen to the website committee.  Lenore will support Evelyn as backup.  We are very appreciative that Lenore has agreed to help. Some of the Board members have agreed to help with some work.

COMMITTEES

Upcoming Events:

April:

4/13/24  Silver Springs Glass Bottom Boat, Silver Springs State Park is located at 5656 East Silver Springs Blvd. (which is on state road 40)  Use your GPS to navigate.  It is 25.3 miles from our Hacienda neighborhoods.  It will take approximately 40 minutes so it would be wise to leave prior to 10:00 am to meet at the entrance of the park by 10:45 so the tickets can be disbursed.

When you enter the park, there is a large parking lot on the left. We will meet at the ticket booth just past the parking lot. We need to meet at 10:45 to be admitted together as a group for our private 90 minute tour.  Our entrance fee has been waived as our HSWWC president, Maria Guerrera approved our admission fee which was also discounted from $2.00 per person to $1.40 per person. Everyone will receive a wristband which serves as your ticket for admission.  We will also provide name tags.

We will then go to our boat and begin our tour at 11:30am. 

Following our boat tour, we can meet just past the boat dock to have a picnic lunch.  There is a small restaurant, a snack bar, and restrooms.  You may also want to pack a lunch.  There are picnic tables close by, as well as hiking trails, and kayak rental. It is a beautiful park with much to explore.  You may want to arrange carpools for the trip.  If you have any questions, please email or text Joanbeeman48@gmail.com or call Joan at 217-529-9047.

4/27/24 Afternoon Tea, Cheers at Stonecrest, 11560 SE 176th St, Summerfield. 

 April 27th, noon, $31.75 (includes tax and gratuity), due by April 21st; transportation not provided. See the flier on our website under 2024 events.  Sign up at the meeting or online. 

Make checks payable to HSWWC.  Member Event.

May:

5/15/24 Sunset Wine & Cheese – 6:30 PM at Sumter Landing Viewing Area – Cheese and fruit trays provided by the Club, BYOB and finger food to share.  This is back on because that area we use is open to the public. 

June: TBD Ski Beach on Lake Harris and luncheon

July: 7/21/24 First Responders Games & Potluck

August: 8/25/24 Annual Potluck Dinner, Chula Vista Rec Center

September: TBD Tour & luncheon of Cassadaga Camp

October: TBD  Shopping trip 

TBD Charter School Luncheon

November: 11/10/24 Annual BBQ Dinner

December: 12/1/24 Annual Tree Lighting – Hacienda West

12/10/24 Annual Ladies Holiday Luncheon

LADIES GOLF:
Club members meet every Friday year round for a fun morning of golf and breakfast.  It’s a non-competitive group with both experienced and beginners.   If interested please contact Barb DiLaura, at 954-263-8080, bdilaura@bellshouth.net .  If you don’t or can’t play golf, you can still join the crew after their game for breakfast.  Just notify the scheduler for the month, and they will advise on where the group is meeting for breakfast so you can join in!

Membership:  
The $10 dues for our 2024 season are due now. Deadline was March 31st to remain on the roster. Please reach out to any new neighbors and offer to bring them to our next meeting.  It is a very good way to welcome them into the neighborhood and increase our membership for fun and companionship!  Please contact our Membership Chair, Barb Hatch (352-978-1470, baj43@comcast.net) with any questions.

Charity:

Robyn Giles is the Charity Chair. If you know of a local charity that we should consider, please contact Robyn Giles (678-576-0078, robyn_sunshine@yahoo.com).

Directory & Website: 
Please notify Maria Guerrera (703-623-1379,  mguerrera93@gmail.com) about any directory changes (email address, phone number, etc.).  We can also update your photo any time you wish.  The web page is a great reference to put a face with a name.

Prayer Chain:
Terry Lastowka is available (352-255-1155,  tlastowka1069@gmail.com) when you find that prayers are needed for you, your family, or friends.

Sunshine:
If anyone is unwell or if any new neighbors have moved in, please let us know.           

WEST:  Cathy Smith (352-750-3524, wks1013@aol.com)
SOUTH: Helen Miles (440-666-1473, miles.helen7@gmail.com.)  Also, let Maria Guerrera (703-623-1379, mguerrera93@gmail.com) know if any new neighbors have moved in.

Name Tags:

Please wear your name tags to our meetings and activities. 

To order a magnetic name tag, please contact Barb DiLaura at (954-263-8080, bdilaura@bellshouth.net) ($7.49 in advance).  Paper name tags are always available at meetings.

Upcoming meeting events:

April: Beginner’s line dancing – Loretta Easton, Hacienda South

May: TBD

June: Pinch pottery demonstration 

Sept : PotLuck luncheon

Oct: Halloween themed event 

Nov: Cupcake decorating – fun holiday themed decorating - Nina Scerbo, Hacienda South

Other

One of our members is a Jigsaw puzzle aficionado and would like to do a Jigsaw puzzle exchange at our meeting.  If you have any puzzles that you would like to swap for another, please bring them and we will have a table set-up whereby you swap your puzzles. 

Respectfully,

Maria Guerrera
HSWWC President