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About The Starlight Express

The very First Issue of  Starlight Express Newsletter was created by the Editor and Chief Pat Ifft on February 29, 1992 and since then is maintained and produced monthly by her for 17 years! All Starlighter's owe immense gratitude to Pat in keeping them informed with all happenings good and bad. 

Thank You Pat

April 1, 2008
Editor: Pat Ifft

Telephone: 367-2189

Email: eifft@tampabay.rr.com

Web site: www.starlight-tower.com

Resource Property Management (727)864-0004

(Carol Shier, Starlight Manager)

It seems that our two big springtime events happened very early this year. The Shuffleboard Tourney and dinner, spread over two weekends due to weather concerns, and Easter are happy memories. And so, this issue will contain a conglomeration of small news items, in anticipation of the big happening…..the beginning of the restoration project!

Most of you know, but I’ll repeat here President Marlene Reid’s notice just in case, the start date for the restoration project has been pushed back to April 7. The City of St. Pete Beach has a new building inspector, who took office March 17. So he will need the extra time to familiarize himself with his office and duties. If you have an available parking spot or an empty garage or an on-street parking permit which could be used by the contractors’ crews, please let Marlene or any Board member know.

The Design Committee chaired by Lynn Dopp has met several times and is performing due diligence in coming up with ideas for paint schemes and railing styles for our building. All air conditioner grills will be uniform, which will go a long way towards improving our east face. The bottom line is that we want to have a final look that is elegant and yet functional for a building directly on the Gulf.

Pool News
The Board has approved putting a lock on the pool gate (ready in a couple of days), initialized because of ongoing problems with non-residents coming off the beach and using the pool. You will use your Miwa key (front door key) for this lock. And while we’re on the subject of the pool, which is one of the nicest on the beach, this is a good place to remind you that our house rules prohibit food on the pool deck, as well as beverages in glass bottles; cover your lounge chair with a towel, and please don’t leave your articles on a chair to “reserve” it for more than 30 minutes. If everyone is courteous and observes the rules, the pool will continue to be a lovely recreation asset. Owners are responsible for their guests’ behavior.
 

Many thanks to Louisa Simos, our talented webmaster. If you need to know anything about Starlight, you most certainly will find it on our website: www.starlight-tower.com. You can also read the Express online, AND you can print out a CORBOD for submitting requests to the Board. In fact, you can fill out the CORBOD online and submit it, and never have to leave your desk! The CORBOD is the only means of communication with the Board for having a problem or request taken care of, and/or to inform them of the arrival of guests in your apartment. Printed forms are also available in the mailroom.

The BEACH GROINS have taken a hard hit. Vandals have slashed some part of all three Upham Beach groin installations. According to Nicole Elko, Pinellas County Coastal Coordinator, this breach is what has caused the extensive erosion on the south corner of Starlight’s beach. She is presently getting bids for repair/replacement. Replacement may be more economical, but be assured all efforts are being made to shore up the groins before the hurricane season.
 

On this past Sunday, about a dozen Starlighters strolled up the beach to Envoy Point for a picnic to honor their resident, Luther Cooke, who envisioned and then brought to reality the lovely garden on the Beach in front of Envoy. Kevin Hing designed the plaque which was presented to Luther by Marlene Reid on behalf of Starlight. We also gave Envoy a check for $150 to help the cost of maintaining the Beach Garden which is open to the public and can be enjoyed by all who walk that way.

This year the Shuffleboard Dinner preceded the tournament….by a week! More than 60 people enjoyed a superb meal and an evening of fellowship, door prizes and singing. Every time we get together, we all wish it could happen oftener. And it is always nice to see our former Starlighters come back to visit. The theme this year was “Our 50th Anniversary” and former Board Presidents Hugh McGuigan, Lorraine Smith, Bill Isaacs, and Pat Ifft were honored at the cutting of the anniversary cake, as well as current President Marlene Reid. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this an evening to remember.

The Shuffleboard Tournament, although wiped out by the weather on the original date, was a huge success the following week. The undefeated Grand Champions were Verna Murphy (405) and Jack Sargent (301). The Consolation winners were former Starlighter Marge Whitty and Don Thorpe (906); and Runners-up to the Champions were Anne Prokop and Don Schneider. The shuffleboard committee under the able leadership of Marlene and Dan Reid were Sophie Bryk; Jack & Joan Carlock; Gail Dolphin; Betty Gibson; Bill & Sharon Isaacs; John & Gina Machado; Jim & Verna Murphy; Denis & Ursula O’Connor; Chuck & Anne Prokop; Mary Quinn; Don & Edith Schneider; Al Stucko; and Marcia Thorpe. Marlene’s words, “The world’s greatest and most efficient shuffleboard committee.”

Here are the merchants who were so generous with their gifts:

Please patronize these merchants and thank them for their generosity.

Some more thank you’s to these folks who gave of their time and talents to make Starlight safer and more beautiful…..
Bill Isaacs, John Machado and Ric Garland for spending an afternoon replacing the worn out lock on the front entry door.
Sophie Bryk and Frank Gulia for the lovely plantings on the grounds.

These folks are recuperating after hospital bouts:
Tammy Layman, (804) had a long siege at Tampa General is doing well at home.
Anne Hiller, (606) ,doing very well and is out and about after surgery at Palms.

Our very best wishes to Peg and Roy Gearhart, (602) as they leave Starlight for the Allegro in South St. Pete. Peg has been hospitalized at the Springs for several weeks, and will be going to their new home when she is able. We surely will miss this wonderful couple who always have smiles and a kind word for all of us.

We’ve had some good news from Montreal….former Starlighter Barbara Walter has received word that her recent tests have shown her to be completely healthy. Husband Art remains hospitalized, and our prayers are with them both.

And thought you’d like to know: our new mailperson is Dave Kanich. Give him a “Hi, Dave” when you see him. Candi has been given a promotion and a new route. And I thought the Starlight Route was about as high as anyone could aspire to!

Shower your Happy Birthday wishes on: Jim Brennan on the 3rd;
Mary Quinn on the 15th; and Alice Hartmann on the 27th.