News from the Waterfront…

By Ed Piscopo

               What great weather we have had so far this winter here in SW Florida. Warm days and cool evenings….man it just doesn’t get any better than that! Well maybe a little better - at least at the Waterfront. By the time you are reading this edition of the Voice, the Waterfront Committee along with the Boat Club, and I must also include your Board of Directors, have started checking off items on our bucket list.

               First on our list was the charcoal BBQ we installed in the picnic area. We hope you enjoy it and use it often. If we find that one is not enough then we can always add a few more.

               Next on the list was our need for lighting. Since electrical service to the waterfront is cost prohibitive at this time, we decided to install Solar Lights. Our first light was installed on the fishing pier and future lighting will follow with fixtures near the boat ramp and along the boat slips. At $1,000.00 a piece it will be a slow process at best.

               The next item is our Fire Pit. This was a relatively new item on our list but sparked a lot of interest. The Boat Club stepped up to the plate and paid for the materials and installed it in a safe place along the canal. By the time you read this edition of the Voice we are not sure if the permitting process will be completed as well as the final approval by the Board. Rules, regulations and a reservation sheet will need to be completed and implemented before we can start using it.

               And finally, a Porta-Potty will be installed at the waterfront. This should be a great benefit for those walkers in need of a “pit stop” when on that side of the village. I’m sure the boaters as well as those enjoying the waterfront area will also appreciate this amenity.

               Well that’s it for now! We will continue working on other projects to enhance this section of the village’s waterfront and I’ll keep you informed of our progress.

Again, “Thank You” all for your continued support.

BIOGRAPHIES

By Diane Cote

Our two lucky people this month are:  Marie Webster and Sammy Lipari.

Marie Webster: 

            Marie was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1922 to Aeneas and Marie Bottomley.  She had three siblings, one sister and two brothers.  She came through the Detroit School System and upon graduation she worked as a secretary in an office.

            Marie married Bill Webster on February 20, 1943 which was during the war years.  He was a coast guard radio man and she was termed a war bride.  Bill became an accountant for the American Forging and Sproket Company. He eventually became Treasurer of the Anchor and Steel Conveyor Company. 

            Bill and Marie had four children, Karen, Cheryl, Bill and Bob.  The family moved to Cedar Island Lake in Michigan and lived there for ten years.  They sold this home and moved to California but only lasted there for 6 months.  They were lake people and moved back and built a home on Bass Lake in Michigan there for 29 years.  While the children were in school Marie enrolled in Oakland Community College but found out that there was too much studying so she took up oil painting instead and also became the school secretary for the Lutheran Church for 29 years.

            On their 25^th Wedding Anniversary they made a trip to Hollywood, Florida to visit some friends.  General Development had a buying proposition and they bought two lots one on the West Coast and one on the East coast in 1983.  Rented the West Coast and sold the East Coast.  Bill retired and they started coming for the winters to VHL in 1987.  They sold the lake house in Michigan and bought a condominium in Wixom, Michigan.

            In 1990 Bill and Marie took a golfing vacation in Grand Bend, Canada and on the 15^th hole, Bill suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at the age of 68.  They had been married for 48 years when he died.  Their beautiful love relationship is what gave Marie the confidence that she needed to face life without her Bill.  In VHL she has been a street reporter, played golf, played cards and other games galore.  Worked with the Tap Dancers and assisted at the shows and has volunteered greatly for the Crop Walk.

            Marie has 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren is looking forward to her second great, great grandchild.

            Marie is a beautiful woman of faith and has a very close relationship with God and believe it or not she will be 90 this month.  What a beautiful human being!!!

Sammy Lipari:  Sammy was born in Toronto, Canada on September 3, 1928, the only child of Anthony and Jean Lipari.  He attended Grace Street Elementary and Central Technical High School.  He looked into playing football in High School but being a rough sport he decided to become a cheerleader.  When in High School Sam was also looking after softball and track.  A teacher at the high school who was an umpire in Leaside took Sammy up there in 1944.  Sam weighed only 90 pounds but began umpiring senior men and did this for 15 years.  After High School he went to work for his dad who was a building contractor.  He took over his father’s business in 1953.  He met and married Elizabeth (Betty) Cooper on October 15, 1960 at the age of 32.  They in turn, adopted a boy named Sal in 1965 and a little girl who they named Rhea in 1967.  Their children have given them 4 grandchildren.  Eric, Tara, Taylor and Keiffer.  Sammy retired at the age of 58 due to a very severe heart attack.  After recovering, Sam still maintained his great love of umpiring softball.

            In 1980 he umpired the Ladies National Pitch in Canada and in 1982 and 1983 he worked the Senior Ladies Fast Pitch and umpired all over Canada.  In 1994 he was roasted for 50 years of umpiring.  He received plaques from New York, Burlington, and Ontario and all the Canadian Leagues he had worked for.  In 2011 there were 5,000 umpires that met in Fredercikson.  Sam was one of the 31 selected into the Softball Hall of Fame of Canada.  In 2005 he was one of the four to be honored in Calgary.

            On March 13, 2007 Sam lost his beloved Betty to a massive heart attack.  In 2010, in Saskatchewan he got a standing ovation for being the oldest umpire (82) and the longest umpire in Canada.  On October 23^rd of 2011 he received an award in Catherines, Ontario for outstanding service from Softball Canada and P.W.S.A. Womens Softball Association.  In 2013 Sammy will be honored at the Umpires Blue Convention – 69 years at the age of 85.

            We at VHL enjoy his musical talents as well.  He started playing the accordion at the age of 10 and the organ at the age of 30.

            Sammy’s motto in life is Workmanship, honesty and being a good citizen.  What a man!!!