As always, membership services has been busy, busy, busy, like little beavers, building our dam. Our dam in this case is renewing memberships in HLWA, greeting all newcomers to the lake and running events for residents to attend, thereby striking up friendships all around the lake, not just in our own neighborhood. We do this in the form of many diversified events.

On October 5, the HLWA held its semiannual cleanup day. Some 35 people ventured out around the lake and up onto Mountain Road in an effort to turn the lake “green” naturally. Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., we diligently carted bottles, cans, garbage, tires and many more trashy items to our drop-off spot on West Wakefield Boulevard at the home of Terry and Willie Platt. Jordan Cesca and his mom, Candi, assisted us again this year as in the past as part of his volunteerism program. I must say he is a strong and steady worker and reached places many of us older residents could not get to. It was a delightful marriage of talents and we thoroughly appreciated his help. Everyone gathered at the home of Donald and Patty Masucci for a hearty soup luncheon and to Teresa Maloney’s home for desserts. The day turned out beautiful, and we sat and enjoyed the views of the lake, quite happy with the work we accomplished and the comraderie of friends.

HLWA enjoys helping “Friends of Main Street” with their program, “Santa on Main” (see picture below). Residents from all nearby towns bring their children to visit Santa at Kathy’s Cupboard, where the HLWA provided hot chocolate and the Elks handed out scarves and mittens to all children who attended. This year we also helped wrap presents at the Friends of Main Street office and assisted people getting on and off the horse-drawn hayride around town. All in all, it always is a very enjoyable day.

However, our day did not end at 4:00 p.m. but continued into the evening with the HLWA annual Christmas caroling (see picture below). A dozen or so untuned voices ventured out at 5:30 p.m. to sing carols for the shut-in residents at Laurel Health Center on East Lake Street. Some residents join us in song while others just sit and listen, perhaps remembering days gone by when they, too, went out singing these songs. Christmas songs are universal and traverse many ages. We were requested to visit a couple of homes, which we fulfilled, and then it was on to the home of Jeanne Hinman on East Wakefield Boulevard for some songs, good food and a lot of Christmas love and cheer. After the end of our caroling, we gathered at the home of Jackie Mulvey and Ray Juros, where Jackie accompanied us on her piano. We called some resident shut-ins and Annmarie Janczek and Victoria Masucci serenaded them with Christmas solos.

If you remember, that day we were without electricity at the south end of the lake. So, many of us headed home to cool houses and no lights that evening, but our hearts were warmed and lit with the Christmas spirit.

Meetings, of course, are always a part of membership services, because without meetings and everyone’s input we would not come up with all these ideas. We consider ourselves a team of players with different talents, and each one of us respects and appreciates the other person’s abilities. I try to do as much as possible by email to cut down on our meeting times, but with big events, like our Golden Gala Ball, sometimes it is not possible.

As I write this, we are busily preparing for our dance on January 24. Jean Labich, Sally Fugere and I went out for raffle prizes. Although times are tight and tough for these merchants, they welcomed us warmly again this year. We could not begin to express our appreciation to all these merchants. So, residents of Highland Lake and Winchester, please support your local businesses and restaurants. They need us also as we need them. Rhonda is doing her magic with our decorations for the dance. Ann Marie Janczek painted all our road signs, Terry Platt did all our posters and invitations. Denise is in charge of all our reservations.

My committee is like a well-oiled machine with all the parts working and fitting together perfectly. However, we would love for you to join our committee. We have room for all who want to help. There must be an event for you – close your eyes and pick one – you just might surprise yourself with how much joy you get from giving.

Look for the Penguin Plunge next . . .

Back to Winter 2009 Newsletter Table of Contents

	Some of the cleanup participants at the Masucci waterfront. Left to right: Norm Southergil, Pat and Don Masucci, Dick and Jean Labich, Gerry Stevens, Sarah and John Munley, Clare Stevens, Mark and Doris Schrader, Elaine Cardillo, Annmarie Janczek, Sheryl Grant, Sally Fugere, Fran Delaney, Jackie Mulvey, Ray Juros, Sheila and Art Borla, Rhonda Marchand, Sue and Mike Peacock, Willie Platt, Ray Fugere
	Santa on Main Street
	Caroling in December