Lido Shores: Mixing Business and Fun at the 2015 LSPOA Annual Meeting

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Mixing Business and Fun at the 2015 LSPOA Annual Meeting

Reception hour at the 2015 Annual LSPOA Dinner Meeting at Bird Key Yacht Club

Miriam Cassell, new Treasurer Elliott Himelfarb, Ramona Glanz

60 LSPOA members gathered on Monday January 19^th for the 2015 Annual Meeting and dinner at Bird Key Yacht Club. A “tradition” begun last year, popular local pianist Eddie Tobin entertained during the reception hour, while neighbors greeted each other and enjoyed unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks – another popular “tradition” begun in 2014. Lido Shorians ooohed and aaahed while watching Bob Thill’s always-creative “Year in Review” revolving slide show of 2014 LSPOA events.

Following the cocktail hour, members participated in LSPOA's yearly membership meeting and then dined on delicious Tuscan stuffed filet of beef, lemon herbed sea bass or the chef’s vegetarian specialty, followed by a chocolate trilogy. Many members lingered and chatted with friends long after the dessert had been cleared. Several proclaimed the food the best yet!

Richard LaBrie, Tom Mawn, Diane Desenberg, Judy & Fred Fiala

LSPOA President Anne Essner & new board member Lynn Carvel

LSPOA President Anne Essner called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., thanking Carol and Phil Fuoco for hosting us as Bird Key Yacht Club members, and Social Committee Chair Carol Bowen and her team for arranging the evening’s events. Carol Fuoco and Joan Reinebach helped check members in.

Anne recognized new members Cathy and Jan Voigts as well as Roberto Arguedas. As always, it was terrific to see new as well as familiar faces during the evening.

After 6 years as Treasurer, Diane Desenberg has handed over the Lido Shores books to new LSPOA Treasurer Elliott Himelfarb, who handed out copies of the budget showing income of $19,820 and expenses of $18,464 as well as a total of $65,004 in 3-separate accounts for the Legal Fund, the Beach Gate Fund, and the Pavilion fund.

Christina Landry, Kathy Edstrom, Lou Cersicimo

Social Chair Carol Bowen then announced dates for the upcoming Pot Luck dinners through 2016:

March 22, 2015
Spring Pot Luck

November 15, 2015
Fall Pot Luck

March 20, 2016
Spring Pot Luck

November 13, 2016
Fall Pot Luck

Carol Bowen, Bob Garvin, Julie Magenheim, Andrew Vac, Joan Reinebach

She also asked for volunteers to host the upcoming events.

Next, Ken Abt, Beach and Landscape Committee Chair, gave his report, noting that the committee was managing all of the improvements and keep vegetation under control. He asked anyone with suggestions to contact him or Kent Williams (a beach committee member who lives in Lido Shores full-time).

A discussion of incoming and departing board members followed. Anne thanked Andrew Vac who is leaving the board because of term limits. She then gave special “thank yous” to the following “unsung heroes” who help make LSPOA function and all of our lives work more smoothly:

Diane Desenberg for her many years as Treasurer, keeping LSPOA solvent and sound.

Janet Minker and Bob Thill for designing and updating our amazing Website, www.lido-shores.com

Larry Reinebach for tirelessly serving as “Clicker Man”.

Joan Reinebach for being LSPOA’s “Wecome Wagon”.

Bob Garvin for maintaining the Emergency Phone Tree.

Kathy Edstrom for being the Keeper of the Master List for the Directory and uncomplainingly doing the thankless job of sorting out who has moved in, moved out, changed addresses, etc.

Anne Essner thanks Diane
Desenberg for her years of service as Board Treasurer

Kathy mentioned the Directory will not be completely re-issued this year because of new laws passed by the Florida Legislature limiting information that can appear in a homeowners’ association directory.

A quorum assured all ballots for election of officers received were official and the LSPOA Board is as follows:

Anne Essner remains as Board President.

Bob Lifeso, Dan Mills (Board Secretary), and Carol Fuoco will continue their 2-year Board terms.

Ken Abt (Board Vice President), Elliot Himelfarb (Treasurer) and Howard Rooks were re-elected to the Board. Carol Bowen and Lynn Carvel were elected as new Board members.

Finally, Anne mentioned the proposed pavilion area storage shed, noting the LSPOA Board has tabled the issue for now. The Board is looking into issues regarding taxes and permitting. Stay tuned for updates! The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. and members happily dined on amazing BKYC food.

Wine continued to flow for about 2 ½ hours as members chatted and caught up with each other. Attendees were encouraged to take home the beautiful centerpieces (paid for with a grant from the City of Sarasota) and to continue to participate in all the events Lido Shores offers throughout the year, and to celebrate our wonderful and special community!

~ Carol Bowen