As I take over authorship of our Flagship news, I’d like to thank Pattie Parrett for her mentoring me and for her willingness to assist me while I am in Massachusetts. You can imagine getting news from you all while I am that far away for eight months is quite a stretch. Since I am a snowflake (not a typo), I melt once it gets too hot, Pattie has volunteered to be my Lois Lane! News could go to Pattie, but I would also encourage you to reach out to me personally with any special news you would like posted – special milestones, reasons for congratulations, wonderful vacations or a short but interesting vignette about something you have done. Pictures are particularly useful for creating interesting postings i.e., a picture of you in a special outfit, your excitement after a hole in one, a special passion, Flagship’s/Fort Myers’ beauty (see below) or you and your grandchild/ren on vacation here in The Landings. You can reach me at [email protected].
Also, I may post special requests on our Flagship Facebook page. I hope you check it on occasion. If you aren’t already a member of our Facebook page, send Colleen Gallagher an email: [email protected] and she will invite you to join.
Please be aware that our Facebook page is for informational purposes that are specifically related to Flagship Village events or members, items to buy and sell or Landing events. It is not for political commentary or any political events. Also, our Facebook page is not a place to complain. Complaints go directly to Suitor Middleton & Cox.
Did you know we have a decorating elf in 4616/4612? This sprite keeps the holiday or special occasion spirit visible by festooning our mailbox/elevator area with seasonal accoutrements. We thank our elf for providing a warm glow to our days.
In January several of us attended a Scam and Fraud program presented by Lee County Sheriff’s Officer, Corinthia LoSauro, Crime Prevention Practitioner. We were updated on the ubiquitous scam and fraud problems that plague us all. We must be diligent.
Key protective pointers were given. For example, always check and double check sources. Don’t just assume the phone call or email from the IRS, Social Security or Apple is real. Don’t respond if you don’t recognize a phone number or email address. Don’t respond to a voice message or an embedded phone number. Call the secure source of the supposed source. But beware if you google, for example Apple’s number. If you aren’t savvy enough to avoid the first listing or the ones that say sponsored result of your search, you may just get the fake number and fake website created by the scammer. Then when you call that number, you go right into their web. For the most part, IRS or Social Security will not email or call you.
I got false information from a social security “advisor” because I naively used a sponsored website. Sadly, I based some financial decisions on that advice.
You can be tricked by a call from your “granddaughter” that sounds just like her thanks to AI. If “she” asks for money to get out of trouble, ask her a question that only she would know the answer, or ask her for her uncle’s name when you know she doesn’t have an uncle. Then hang up and call you granddaughter! She’ll love to hear from you and wonder what’s the fuss.
Another pointer, if you ever have to freeze your credit, be sure to keep your freeze code. Know where you recorded it and put it where you can easily find it. Without it you can’t unfreeze your credit and then apply for new credit.
By now you’ve experienced our closed pool. Some of you may have noticed the last year how the pool was not as bright and “clean” looking as we would like. We were scheduled to update the pool last year but put it off. The county did an inspection and said it needed to be scheduled ASAP. The pool needs to be resurfaced with new tile and caps installed. With any luck it will be opened by the end of March! We will have to celebrate our sparkling new pool when we can once again dive in.
Due to inclement (understatement) weather, our February 1 brunch at the pool had to be cancelled. Although we might still be able to use the deck for our gatherings, our bathroom facilities and grills, the Thursday and Sunday night Casual “Happy Hour” might be in 4616/4612’s courtyard. If this alternative has changed, I hope you found all the fun!
A group of us attend the dedication of Picnic Pointe to Charlie McCoy – now the Charlie McCoy Pavilion. Charlie sang for us the song he wrote after Hurricane Ian. He had walked down to Picnic Pointe and as he turned to return, he saw our protective owls used to keep away birds from leaving their calling card. They had survived! He wrote the song celebrating the resiliency of the birds and of The Landings. With the renovations, new birds were installed, and Charlie was presented with one of the original owls! What beautiful people, what beautiful music we have at The Landings. The Landings is where the wise, talented owls do land.
