CONDO VII NEWSLETTER – April 2019

April comes from the Latin word aperio, “to open” (bud), because plants begin to grow during this month.
DATES TO REMEMBER
• April 1 – April Fools’ Day
• April 14 – Palm Sunday
• April 19 – Good Friday & the start of Passover
• April 21 – Easter Sunday
• April 22 – Earth Day

I’m writing this at the start of the second week of March looking out at what remains of the prior weekend’s snowfalls and the anticipation that the temperatures will finally start climbing out of the 20’s and 30’s. Darn if that old groundhog didn’t get it wrong again. Maybe it’s time for him to retire his shadow.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Bill Savary. Bill battled several health issues over the last few months and, unfortunately, passed away on February 27. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Patricia and family.

New Residents
 Diane White & her daughter, Kiana Purnell – 769 Hilltop Ct.
 Michelle Maresca – 828 Woodland Ct.
 Mia Vecchione – 780 Hilltop Ct.
 Suzanne Ubriaco – 754 Hilltop Ct.
 Jeffrey Herry & Katrina Spencer – 813 Woodland Ct.
 Jenna Papas – 842 Woodland Ct.
Welcome neighbors! We wish you many years of happiness in your new home.

Board News
After almost nine years as a member of Condo 7’s board, seven of them as Treasurer, Carol Wynne is stepping down. At the time Carol joined the board in June 2010, Ronaldo (Ron) Durbano was Treasurer. Carol spent two years learning from and backing up Ron. When Ron was attacked by Guillaume barre virus and became paralyzed (unfortunately later passing away), Carol stepped into the role. It wasn’t long before she was faced with navigating a financial quagmire. The winter of 2012-2013 was wicked and caused considerable damage. At least a dozen units had ceiling failures due to leaks and there were 20 sections of roof that needed repair. Our capital reserve fund dropped to $14,000. Just replacing damaged sections piecemeal was no longer a feasible option. In April 2013, with the support of the board, Carol started special assessments so the necessary funds could be raised to replace all of the roofs. It’s been a long and difficult journey, but Carol worked diligently to make the financial burden on us as easy as possible. This year will see the completion of her hard work. Her grasp and understanding of our finances will be sorely missed. She served our community well during some very difficult times. We thank her so very much for her years of service to Condo 7. Kudos Carol!

Public Service Announcement
A friend of mine brought this to my attention and I’m passing it along. Take a look at that roll of toilet paper before you go about your business in a public restroom or a porta potty. Apparently, intravenous drug users clean their needles by stabbing the dirty needle into the side of the roll of toilet paper to clean the blood off the tip. Yuck! I always carry a pack of tissues with me.

April Fools’ Day
 April Fools’ Day is an annual (primarily) Western celebration commemorated on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. Although April Fools’ Day has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery.

Palm Sunday
 Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.
 Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.

Good Friday
 Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover.
 From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting, a characteristic that finds expression in the German word Karfreitag (“Sorrowful Friday”).

Passover
 Passover, also called Pesach, is celebrated by Jews as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt & their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses.
 When the Pharaoh freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). In commemoration, for the duration of Passover, no leavened bread is eaten, for which reason Passover is called the feast of unleavened bread. Thus matzo (flat unleavened bread) is eaten during Passover and it is a tradition of the holiday.
 Passover celebrations commence with the Passover Seder.

Easter Sunday
 Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.
 Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God’s promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.

Earth Day
 Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day now includes events in more than 193 countries.

Susanna & the Condo VII Board

Thought for the month
Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible!” – Audrey Hepburn