Volume6 Number1 Florida's Finest Resident-Owned Retirement Community January/February1989

The Golden AgeThe old rocking chair is empty today,

For Grandmother's no longer in it,She's off in her car to her office or shop

And buzzes around every minute

No one shoves Grandma back on the shelf;She's versatile, forceful, dynamic.

There isn't a pie in the oven, my dears;Her baking today is ceramic.

You won't see her trundling early to bedFrom her place in a warm chimney nook,

Her typewriter clickity-clacks through the nightFor Grandma is writing a book.

Grandma never takes one backward look"', To slow down her steady advancing.

"\. She won't tend the babies for yOUanymore\ For Grandma has taken up dancing.

She isn't content with crumbs of old thoughtsWith meager and second-hand knowledge.

Don't bring your mending for Grandma to doFor Grandma has gone back to college.

From The ...

Editor's NotebookYour interpretation of what you see and hear is justthat, your interpretation. •

"*****

The new Hymn Sing group was accepted as an activityof the Program Activity Group. Irene Benward isChairman and Gunnie Johnson is co-chairman.

*****

Ethel Hounshell was appointed by the HRCA board tofinish out the term of director Eric Brady who diedOct. 16, 1988.

*****

On Nov. 28, Bill and Helen Goodwin had quite a partyin the Clubhouse at Hawthorne. On Nov. 4, theGoodwins were married 55 years and on Oct. 12, Billwas 80 years old, two good reasons for a celebration.Their three children were here. Daughter Carol Phelpsand her daughter Laura flew in from Mentor, Ohio.Their son Brig. Gen. Roy Goodwin and his wife Lindacame from Langley Air Force Base near Norfolk,Virginia. Daughter Dixie and her husband Tom Kroupa,their two children Courtney and Robbie and a littleEnglish girl, Georgina, all came from Wiltshire,England for the party.

The Goodwins met at Colorado State Universityand were married in Fort Collins on Nov. 4,1933. Helentaught school in Ohio for 21 years. Bill first worked forthe Ohio Soil Conservation Dept. then had his ownelectronics business. They moved to Hawthorne fromColumbus, Ohio in 1977. Here they shuffle, playbridge, Bill loves to fish, and they travel in thesummer, but 173 Azalea Trail is home.

*****

Drive Carefully, it's not only a car that can be recalledby its maker.

*****

One of the first programs of the holiday season herewas also one of the best- an organ and piano concertgiven by Reba Heintzelman and Charlotte Fowler. Butthis one had an unusual flair with the help of Reba'sthree very talented brothers and a friend, Dick Hallfrom Michigan who was visiting Bob Rogers and camealong to sing with the brothers and play trumpet.Billed as The Jolly Rogers, Ted who lives at CepolloBeach, FL was master of ceremonies; Bob, fromMicca, FL played keyboard, guitar, sang a solo andwith the trio. Bill, from Melbourne, FL sang with thegroup, did a solo and played saxophone. All werenatural comedians. Reba and Charlotte have neverplayed better and seemed truly inspired with theantics of the Rogers brothers. Many thanks for a trulyenjoyable evening.

A Fan Letter to Hawthorne

Florida has its own little Shangri-la tucked neatlyinto Lake County's landscape and by any other nameHawthorne still would be that little bit of heaven onearth for me.

After twelve years of visiting my mother there onceor twice yearly I still approach those entrance gateswith exhilaration. Always the happy continuation offriendships and the warmth of welcomes expressedare nourishment for the soul. It seems as if I BELONGto this special community where people have the TIMEto talk with each other, to be helpful and to share theirmany talents.

So many activities enable people to feel useful,appreciated and fulfilled. The mind is kept gainfullyoccupied, the body is kept healthfully active andthe spirit is kept young through so many forms ofenjoyment.

I love feeling a part of everything; no one makes mefeel "an outsider", - "a visitor". In fact, I tend toresent too many visitors crowding into "our" swim-ming pool at certain times of the year because I feelsuch an integral part of the community. It it's "themand us" then I feel a part of "us".

It's the PEOPLE who live at Hawthorne who add somuch quality to life there! They embody a vasttreasure store of interesting careers, travels andexperiences. For me every conversation with aresident holds a new and delightful discovery and Ilearn so much from it.Perhaps it's because of living in Great Britain (marriedto an Englishman) that I become ecstatic over Floridasunsets, the beautiful lazy little river meandering pastthe marina to the lake and balmy-warm evenings ac-companied by the concert of crickets.

Everywhere one looks there is beauty: the man-made "little lakes" with their fountains, the greatvariety of trees and shrubs, the flowers and the vastGREENness.

"Home is where the heart is" and thank you,Hawthorne, for being my home-from-home!

Patricia Lee Hunt(Patricia Lee Hunt's mother is Nora Murray - 101Camellia Trail.)

Hawthorne HeraldHawthorne-at-Leesburg

Post Office Box No. 1764 Leesburg, FL 32749-1764Telephone (904) 787-1000

Published bi-monthly by the HawthorneResidents Cooperative Association, Inc.

Editor VernaGarberAssociate Editor BarbaraGoodtellowEditorial Staff Elnora Bolan,

Reba Heintzelman, Anna K. Merlino Marie L.Richardson, Web Stull, Rosalind MacRaeSykes, Dewhirst W. Wade.

Photographer Nathaniel BodingerArt LorraineThomas

The Nature Club- A Profile

To describe The Nature Club, we must start withthe basics. "The Hawthorne Nature Club was formedto acquaint those interested in the 'real' Florida; tohelp us understand its early creation, its wildlife, floraand fauna, past and present, with an emphasis on con-servation of this unique environment."

Since its inception four years ago, the activitieshave developed from car-pooling day trips, to travel bybus, and now occasional 2-3 day trips arranged withthe help of a travel agency. So popular are theextended trips, it is no trouble to fill cancellationsfrom a waiting list.

The programs are a mix of in-house nature talks orfilms, often using our own considerable talent; andfield trips with professional guides. VirginiaRobinson's presentation last month, "Nature, as Seenon Three Continents" gave the arm-chair travellerswonderful vicarious experiences. This month ofFebruary, there is a sold out 3 day trip to the BigCypress Swamp and southwest Florida. Well-liked BillPartington, of the Florida Conservation Foundation,will be the professional guide throughout the tour.Generally, the physical demands of the field trips arenot strenuous. Members pace themselves accordingto their capacities. Some will choose a quiet observa-tion nook, while others take advantage of snorkelingor canoeing opportunities.

Who makes up this group? Perhaps we could call itthe "Good Nature Club" because somehow there hasevolved a comfortable, flexible, informal congenialitythat makes for relaxed enjoyment. One couple,relatively new to Hawthorne, attended several fieldtrips as self-designated "visitors". Finally, husbandsaid to wife "Let's find out how to join this group."Presto! Little did he know that by being there, hebelonged. Undoubtedly, the group attracts those whoenjoy the outdoors, and those curious about theFlorida environment which may be new to them.Officially, The Nature Club has not assumed anactivist role. However, many individual memberssupport and participate in such organizations as theAudubon Society or The Florida ConservationFoundation.

The leadership must be credited for consistenthigh quality programming. It has been a shared leader-ship with imaginative chairpeople and activelyworking steering committees. Current co-chairpersons are Bonnie and Roger Olds. Rogerclaims the Nature Club is the Hawthorne activity heenjoys most. How lucky can we get!

Luella Rampe

A lovely grouping of Live Oak trees alongside the streetleading into Hawthorne. This handsome green tree neverquite loses all of its leaves, since the new leaves appearbefore the old ones fall.

Live Oak(Quercus virginia)

(Fagacease family)

The Live Oak is predominate and the most populartree growing in Hawthorne. It is a common deciduousevergreen, a native of southeastern United States;often living to a great age of several hundred years oldbut seldom growing over 60 feet tall.

The Oak tree is striking in character for its wide-spreading habit, sometimes reaching more than a 100foot spread, with a short, stout trunk of three to fourfeet in diameter at maturity. The trees should not beallowed to grow too close together or they will resultin shaggy and straggly tall trees.

The foliage leaves are simple, evergreen, thick,leathery, oblong, smooth surface above: and pale,silvery white beneath with slightly curled edges rolledunder. Minor problems of the live oak trees areexcessive amounts of Spanish moss, along with someinsects such as scale, mealy bug and leaf miners.

The flowers are of inconspicuous catkins-brown incolor which fall from the tree in April to June. The rateof tree growth is rapid when young and it grows in awide variety of soils and sites about our park.

We also have native varieties of water, sand,willow and laurel oak growing throughout Hawthorne.Florida is the most prolific state in the union for treeflora. It has been recorded by the Florida ForestService that there are approximately 314 different treespecies growing in the state.

Hawthorne is fortunate to have a great variety ofinteresting trees.

Dewhirst W. Wade

PhilosophyHow lucky we at Hawthorne areThat, though at meetings we may sparWith one another's point of view,Real differences are very few.We want our life style to endure,And to that end we must make sure:To keep our minds open alwaysTo what the other fellow says;To change amenable to be,If change is best for you and me;To realize that both we need,Indians and the chiefs who lead;To play our roles the best we can,Side by side with our fellow man.Then, Hawthorne will be,year by year,The same great place that brought us here.

Betty Crilley

GRANVVAUGHTERThe daughter we wished for, but never had,Is dear to us - our son is her dad;To her parents she was Heaven sent,And named her Joyce, for the joy she meant.

She was a charmer from her infant days,Her eyes, her giggles, her delightful ways;How she toddled to us, whenever we'd call,But her "I wuv you!" was cutest of all.

Like a pretty bud, she blossoms and grows,Into a stunning, long-stemmed rose;Teenager, now, but determined a lass,Aspiring to be near the top of her class.

A "treasure" to dad; a "doll" to mother,She's "beauty and brains" to her big brother;And our love for her, we've always known,Could be no greater, were she our own!

George C. Maloof

Home in Hawthorne(Tune: Home On The Range)

We bought a tin home where the squirrels all roamAnd the bunnies and rattlesnakes play,Where often is heard the sweet song of a bird,Before tornados blew it away.

Home, home in HawthorneWhere it rains and it shines every dayWe may freeze or may sweat, but we never forgetWe're lucky to be here to stay.

The love bugs we love, but thank heavens above,They only mate two times a yearAnd though gnats attack, we'd never go backTo the North with its winter severe.

Home, home in HawthorneWith our cards and tennis to play,We can shuffle outdoors, play bingo for hoursAnd cavort at the pool every day.

Louise Paquette

The

Poet's World ...Bridges

Your memories are bridges strong,Supportlnq you in many ways,And changing tears into a song ...

As you cross from your yesterdays,To future plans and future hope,Your memory bridge helps you to cope ...

Ruth J. Campbell

107 Ixora WayHawthorne at Leesburg

FloridaApril the fifth is the day that's setFor the new address our mail to get.This may come as a great surpriseBut we think the decision we've made is wise.

In the many travels we have madeThoughts of a future home have been weighed;So now after all the looking aroundWith most valued possessions we're Florida bound.

We know the summer season is hotBut the cold and snow shoveling will be naught,We'll bask in the sun and rest in the shadeAnd be happy and content in the choice we havemade.

Maude and Cliff Hollister

Greetings to My ValentineNewspaper Item: The flu epidemic is spreading...

My head it aches,My hand it shakes,My nose is running away to the coast.I sniffle and sneeze,I whistle and wheeze,My throat is as dryas a piece of toast.

The pain in my backIs in constant attack,Every bone in my body is aching.I feel heavy as leadAs I lie in my bed,And these symptoms I'm truly not faking.

Will you just sneerWhen I whisper, my dear,Will you forever be mine?Or can you take this hagWho's limp as a ragFor your sweetheart and Valentine?

Marie L. Richardson

On RetirementSo what, now, are you going to doIs what they ask - as if I knewAt first I'll loaf, and if that's boringI'll rest a bit, and in the morningI'll get up when I feel I shouldAnd think a bit - I guess I couldBut there's no hurry - what's the rushI have no deadline - there's no crushThere's no alarm - no train to catchPerhaps I'll golf if I get a matchI may just read or write a bitBut that's not nearly half of itWe want to travel and that will weThere are places to go and things to seeSo we'll get around if get we canAnd I can sure advise you, manThat you do likewise and I'll sayYou do it now and don't delayBecause, of course, if you're not bustedIt's not too hard to get adjustedTo doing what so e'er you wouldInstead of what you feel you should

Web Stull(From "Ventures in Verse")

Summer Memories

Catching fireflies in a jar,Wishing on the first pale starSpinning, falling on the lawnWatching earth and sky spin on

Rhodendrons, purple torchesRainy afternoons on porchesKnitting endless chains on spools,Trading stamps and Zig-Zag jewels

Twelve jacks jingling in my pocketSkate key like a priceless locketStrung on ribbon round my throatAnd best of all, I learned to float.

Cypress SentinelsAlong the river banks they stand,At timeless attention, like silent soldiers - tall.Roots immersed in waters deep,Harbor friends that come to call

Turtles, 'gators, small fish and fowlSwim in and out of cypress roots -Gnarled and anchored in the river bedProtecting little pals in their pursuits.

The trunks rise straight and statelySupporting green summits grown high.Lush, leafy branches cap these troopsTo house eagles that rule the sky.

Anna K. Merlino

VolunteersHawthorne has them by the dozens,They are helping friends and cousins,And the thanks they get from othersMay be none.

But they start out in the morningsFully dressed, and plagued with warningsThat they never wi II be ableTo suc.ceed.

Some are headed for the schoolsWhere they struggle with the rules,And they hope to help the small onesLearn to read.

Others to the sick rooms sally,Where they hope the ill will rallyAs they help the busy nursesWith their work.

Some will go forth to the food bankWhere the clients sometimes smell rankBut pathetic are the others, ,And so poor.

The rewards are not in money,But often things are funny,And to keep in touch with othersIs so good.

It does broaden one's horizonTo know others, and enlivenOnes own life, by helping othersTo survive.

Ernestine F. Johnson

B.J. The Hobo Clown (our own Bill Jones) when he led thegolf cart competition parade here on July 4th. B.J. does avery special kind of volunteer work, performing at our PeanutCarnival when lots of children visit Hawthorne and the AARPChristmas party held each year for nursing home residents.He reaches all ages with balloon sculpturings, puppetry andpantomiming with music as well as delightful ad libbing.(Nat Bodinger photo)

Coming Back HomeFor twelve couples who lived at Hawthorne, moved

away and returned, it is like coming back home for alife of security, activity and fun-filled days with theirfriends.

Some moved away to experience what theythought was "greener pastures". Others looked forfull-care establishments and many were not sureabout mobile home living and others moved to variousparts of the country to be near families.

For Bob and Helena Zieger, who had lived inHawthorne for a year, moving away was a necessity.Bob's brother became seriously ill so they sold theirhome here to go back to Ohio to help take care of hisbrother's family. That was nine years ago.

All this time the Ziegers dreamed of returning toHawthorne and the one year they had lived here was"like what good hors d'oeuvres are to a great party".Now they are once again tasting the real thing withfriends in their home on Bougainvillea Drive.

Orvel and Jane Schmidt came to Hawthorne in1975 and left to go live at Harbor Oaks. They hated toleave Hawthorne but they wanted to have theirpontoon, canoe and small fishing boat docked right infront of their home. Also they wanted to own their ownproperty, so the very day that Hawthorne became acooperative residential community (Jan. 1, 1983), theSchmidts moved back to Hawthorne. In the meantimethey sold their boating equipment when they decidedto do some traveling. But Hawthorne will always betheir home because of "the wonderful friendships theyhave acquired."

Stan and Evelyn Gins lived here for two yearsbefore deciding to move back to Columbus, Ohio to benear their five children and grandchildren. "We sawmore of our kids when we lived in Hawthorne than wedid in an apartment near them in Ohio", Evelyn said.After a little more than a year they decided that livingin a cramped apartment was not for them so theycame back to Hawthorne.

Henry and Lois Garske, another couple whowanted a trial living outside Hawthorne, choseTop-O-The-World near Ocala. They tried life in a Villacommunity, but after four years they decided to moveback to Hawthorne. They, too, missed friends and theactivity here. Security was another reason they gavefor their return.

For the last four years, Snowbirds Faye and JohnKerns commuted to their original home in Canadaduring the summer months then back to Hawthornefor the winter. John passed away last summer inCanada and Faye moved back to Hawthorne to be nearher ailing parents in Leesburg, the Lester Hadmans.

. Loretta Burns came her? from Pontiac, Michiganwith her husband Edward In 1976. After he passedaway, Loretta decided to move into a luxury full-carehotel near Jacksonville. Although the food was goodand the services were adequate, she didn't care for thehotel atmosphere and, after two years, Loretta cameback and said "It feels good to be back where there ispl~nty to do if you feel like it and if you don't, that'salright too."

Ben and Nellie Thorne got married here inHawthorne in 1975. Each had lost their spouse. For nospecial reason, the couple thought they would like totry full-care living in a syndicated community so they

Two of the people who left Hawthorne and are extremelyglad to be back. Faye Kerns (left) and Loretta Burns (right)join Breakfast Club chairman Dick Johnson in a cup ofcoffee at the Hawthorne community breakfast on Saturday.You can see the hat Dick was wearing at the breakfast, buthe is a/so the President of the HRCA board of directors.(Reba took the picture)

moved to a condo. They understood that all meals,transportation, recreation programs, maid service andmedical services would be covered for their very largedown payment for a deluxe condo. However, thingsdidn't work out that way. The food was not up to par,and nothing was the way it was promised to them. So,after 18 months of one disappointment after another,the couple could hardly wait to get back to Hawthorne- and that's right where they are today. They too likethe security here. "These people are just wonderful inresponding to calls and are really concerned abouteach individual," Ben said.

Walter and Henrietta Kienzle lived in Hawthornefor nine years before deciding they wanted to go backto Long Island to be closer to their son and two grand-children, so they sold their Hawthorne home and left,but found, after living in a rented apartment for a shorttime, that maybe Hawthorne was the right place to beafter all.

"We found that we appreciate the closer commun-ity spirit here in Hawthorne," Walter explained. "It'snot like a city where your next door neighbor is acomplete stranger for years. It is certainly a differentstory here and we love it", he concluded.

Mary Shirra and George had lived in Leesburg for19 years but when their big house and yard becametoo much for them to take care of, they moved toHawthorne in 1974. George just could not get used toliving in a mobile home and, since he was a builder,they built another home in Leesburg where they livedfor four years before George became ill and passedaway and Mary moved back. For the past three years,Mary has been partiCipating in everything Hawthornehas to offer and said "I love it here. I really do. I havemade so many friends."

There are several more people who have leftHawthorne and returned. Some preferred not to beinterviewed at this time, they're just happy to be home.

Jane Schmidt summed it all up about peoplecoming and going. "People come back because theyprobably didn't like where they went."

Reba Heintzelman

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HawthorneNeighbors

Fred Blackmore's Program forEnrichment Through

Conservation

Retired engineer Fred Blackmoreworked seven-day work weeks forfour months, recently, to promote theuse of scrap waste products to enrichour world.

He designed and built a machinethat will plant tomato seeds at therate of a quarter million an hour intoplastic cups-far faster than everbefore possible! These little plasticcups are familiar to all of us who havebought nursery vegetables or flowersto plant in our gardens.

Fred Blackmore studies a work sheet in his workshop in Belleville, Michigan, ashis new seeder begins to take shape. (Photo by Dar Sykes)

For a quarter of a century, Fred's family business,the Blackmore Company, has utilized high impactpolystyrene waste products, such as food containeroverflows. They grind them into little chips that are fedinto an extruder and come out as plastic sheets. Thesesheets are molded into 48 or 72 cup bedding flats forthe production of small tomato and pepper plants, aswell as impatiens and petunias, etc.

The sheet cuttings are then re-molded into newsheets and re-used. Almost every kind of scrap usedgoes out the door ready for a new life. Bedding plantgrowers across the world buy these planter flats to fillwith seedlings and soil. Waste not, want not!

As a sideline product, Fred had designedmachines that fill these sheets of plastic cups withseedlings and soil faster than human hands can fillthem. Large nursery growers, as far away as Hollandand Australia, are enthusiastic users of Fred's seedermachines.

Since Fred Blackmore retired in 1983, theBlackmore Company has continued to grow.Nurserymen who have utilized the seeder machinesare now interested in even faster plantings of theirlettuce, celery, rice, petunias and impatiens, etc. Fredwas recruited to design a new, higher-speed seeder.

In June, 1988, Fred pulled his Airstream housetrailer from Hawthorne to Belleville, Michigan andsettled it beside his son's home. From there, Freddrove to work at the Blackmore plant on BlackmoreAvenue seven days a week to meet a Septemberdeadline for showing the new seeder at an OpenHouse for this newly enlarged company.

Busy June, July, August and September SEVENDAY WORK WEEKS ended in accomplishment: thenew seeder machine was ready for field tests that willbe held in Michigan, Europe and, possibly, Australia.The new seeder will seed 648 pocket sheets at the rateof 250,000 seeds an hour. The sheets are germinatedand then seedlings transplanted from those sheets tothe 48 or 72 cup flats in which the plants are grown tosale size.

Can you imagine a busy machine automaticallyfeeding tiny seeds, one at a time, into tiny pockets tostart new life at the rate of a quarter of a million anhour! And those pockets were created out of scrapthat would have been clogging junk heaps all over thecountry!

Fred Blackmore started the Blackmore Companymaking useful products out of scrap material some 22years ago. He has watched it grow through his effortsand enlarge through his son, Fred M. Blackmore, Jr.(Skip's) energetic drive. He also enjoys watching hisgrandson train for future management.

But, that wasn't all! President Skip Blackmoreasked his father to return to Michigan to build twomore seeders during December and January. He evenpromised to cook Christmas dinner for the entirefamily at his house to sweeten the deal! Fredreluctantly packed up and drove north to Michigan towork in an unheated plant- true dedication! The lastword from the Frozen North is that mision isaccomplished and he will return the early part ofFebruary.

All in all, how's that for a few month's activity for aretired engineer?

Rosalind MacRae Sykes

in trying to escape. Have Jeri tell of her amusingefforts to locate the owners. Another cat had kittensunder the Maharay house, prompting the Channel 4announcer to say the former hospital administratorhad a maternity ward on Jacaranda Drive.

Environmental concern prevailed on Tamarisk Waywhen Amos Henley roped off a section to protect aplover's nest on the ground.

Peanuts, a fox tamed from birth by a youngmaintenance worker who lived nearby, helped patrolat night. Later fox pups found the "basement" of AliceHerman's house a suitable den.

At a beautiful buffet dinner on Dec. 19 in theclubhouse to introduce Earl and Mary Kauffman, eachlady was presented with a red rose. Dr. K was the firstprogram director.

Bonnie Robinson's family was invited to see herlovingly decorated Christmas tree. All set to hearOohs and Ahs as she turned the switch for the lights,she belatedly remembered, no electricity.

Since the Clubhouse was still being completedand services were not wholly established, newcomerspaid no rent until Feb. 1974 and only 50% then and therest in March. In January, programs were being set upby Dr. Kauffman and were being eagerly participatedin by the residents.

These were just a few of the stories as the groupreminisced and enjoyed the evening.

Those attending this first Trailblazers dinner wereanxious to have it become an annual event.

Kay Lewis and Cleta Heck had help from othercommittee members Myrle Padden, Betty Perry,Jeri Raynsford and Emil Hartzer.

Pictured here are 40 of the Trailblazers of Hawthorne who attended their dinner on December 8, 1988. (Nat Bodinger photo)

The TrailblazersProbably none of the 42 guests at a dinner at the

clubhouse on Dec. 8 ever expected to be called atrailblazer. But that was the name Co-Chairmen KayLewis and Cleta Heck chose for those who moved toHawthorne between Oct. 26 and Dec. 31, 1973. Thiswas a dinner for them.

Master of Ceremonies Claude Hazen reminiscedabout the early days at Hawthorne and called onothers to contribute anecdotes or to pay tribute to ourcommunity.

Cleta Heck was the earliest pioneer on Sept. 26,1973 as she was taking a position at a local hospital,but the lack of electricity made other homesinaccessible until Oct. 26. Even then there were nostreet lights, concrete doorsteps, lawns, mail boxes orgarbage containers or telephones in homes. Twobooths were adjacent to the gate house. Newcomersmet when they went to the sales office for mail or laterto 105 Parkway, office of Buster Sink, park servicemanager.

Security patrolled constantly. If residents put onoutdoor lights to welcome guests, solicitous guardsknocked on doors to see if they were needed. Evendoing a laundry at night in a shed prompted a call. Oneeager young guard, investigating a light, stayed tochat, saying he had been trained to talk to old folkswho might be lonesome.

There had been no time to fence in all the property,so there were four-legged intruders. A cat slippedunseen into Eddie and Jeri Raynsford's house as theywere leaving for the day and shredded all the curtains Myrtis Maharay