I start this month’s article sunburned and bruised, but happy for the warmer weather. It’s currently raining out and everyone seems to be in agreement that winter is behind us. I tend to be in agreement as well, but experience has taught me to “plan for the worst and hope for the best.”
As we prepare for spring, we still have the plows and salt readily accessible just in case. Last week, I went for a walk along the North Shore and spent most of the day walking on rocks and exploring the jetties. By mid-afternoon, I realized my head was hot and I was sweating, which is a clear sign to me that spring is approaching.
I hope that April will be a great month for us all and lead us into the outdoor amenity season seamlessly. We will be underway shortly preparing our bocce, tennis, and shuffleboard courts for everyone to enjoy. As we try every year to improve, this year will be no different. As always, please inform us immediately if you notice anything that needs to be addressed.
The golf course has been looked after all year by Greg Fox and his team. I speak with him throughout the year and we feel optimistic that we will have another successful season, especially since some drainage issues and other maintenance items were addressed over the winter. As with the other amenities, please inform us immediately if anything requires our attention.
I remember when I was first hired at Bretton Woods, which seems to be a lifetime ago. Every spring is the anniversary of that initial hire date and it always makes me reflect. I have spent nearly a quarter of a century working or volunteering for the community. I don’t know where the years have gone or if I have been a good steward of my time.
I know that I have always put the community before everything else in my life and continue to do so—whether that is admirable or misguided is a question I struggle with daily. We all make choices in our lives and are free to do anything we choose.
I listen to people say things all the time about how they have “no choice.” Two of my favorite ones are, “Well, you do what you have to do” or “Life isn’t fair.” Although I do agree with both to a certain degree, the reality is that anything can be done. The question is, what are you willing to sacrifice?
I certainly feel very blessed that I have spent so many years in one place and have grown alongside so many others. I run into people all the time who I met when they were young kids and now have families of their own. Many people who I knew as acquaintances are now dear friends. Then, of course, I have the people who say that we are friends, but only come around when they need something.
I don’t know if I have another quarter of a century in me, but I do feel optimistic that I have many more years ahead of me. I hope that we can continue to improve the community and build long and lasting relationships, whether that be with staff, contractors, vendors, residents, or guests. Nobody knows what the future holds for any of us, but we can always do our best to make a plan.
As the staff, landscapers, and contractors start their spring work, please remain cognizant of them. With the time change, we now have more light in the evenings, but it’s dark in the morning. Many contractors start work early in the morning and are not always visible. Please take your time on your morning commute to look out for them.
As stated often, we have several kids in the community who take the bus to and from school. Many of these bus stops are directly on the road and are not always easy to see in the dark. When people speed and run stop signs, this only makes matters worse. Be considerate of our children, as that’s the decent thing to do. Following traffic rules is not a choice, it’s the law. Failure to do so will result in prosecution to the full extent of the law.
I look forward to seeing all of our snowbirds return and the residents who aren’t snowbirds, but hibernate in the winter. Always feel free to approach me or ask a question when you see me out and about around the community. I work hard to make myself available to everyone and will continue to do so. If you would like to sit down and discuss something in private, please e-mail me and I will make arrangements to do so. Many times, people approach me to talk about something that requires more time and attention. To ensure I allocate the necessary time, an appointment is always best.
I truly hope that this April is a month that provides me with the wisdom and clarity to make some tough choices. I know that I am walking towards something great, but nothing worth having is ever obtained easily. I just hope that those close to me understand that we all have to follow the path that leads to the destination that is waiting for us.
Sometimes in life, you have to disappoint those around you to fulfill your purpose. I have seen way too many people sacrifice their happiness and well-being for others, only to find that after they have done so when they need something, they are left alone.
April brings us the following holidays and days of significance: April Fool’s Day, Passover, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Earth Day, Administrative Professionals Day, and Arbor Day.
Craig Pessin- HOA Administrator
Always help others and be selfless in your choices and actions when possible. Remember, if you give everything that you have, then nothing is left for anyone else. No one person is more valuable than another. The value of one’s life is not determined by the things that you do, but rather, by what you do for others.
