, a fancy photo sharing thing.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Serious Fun
We are a people inspired to help others in need. No matter the cause, especially, when those in need are among us. It tugs at your heart. The Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) Golf Outing was an example of this. We found a group in need and our members responded in kind, and had great fun doing it.
This golf event, which this year, 2009, had a sellout of 116 golfers at Olde Cypress CC, originally started as a reward and respite for our Realtor members, but has evolved into the dual role of also supporting a local charity.
In the worst economy we have faced in many years, our event raised a record $21,272 for our chosen charity, The Naples Equestrian Challenge, Inc. (www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org/). Our sponsors also opened their hearts and checkbooks to help.
There are so many causes, and they are hard to choose from. Every cause is great to those who live it. NEC uses equine therapy for clients with mobility problems, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Head Trauma, Brain Injury, Spina Bifida and more.
Zach Rosenberg, a lively red-haired second grader has Apraxia, a disease which affects his non-speech and speech movement. The three dimensional motion of the horse stimulates his nerves and improves his posture and confidence so he can be mainstreamed with other children his age, helping him to become a 'typical kid,' according to his mother.
Tiffany Billings, a sophomore at Naples High, could not walk in 1999 before coming to NEC. now Tiffany is, as she says in her personal bio, "running around campus and making A's & B's."
Steve Nolan, a 41 year old rider with Cerebral Palsy who has not been able to ride since the first of the year, 2009, due to safety reasons of mounting the horses. He will benefit directly, by being the first to use the portable ramp and electric lift, which will be purchased using the money we raised. These stories and more, made it real for all of us.
Using a golf term, Zack, Tiffany and Steve all got a 'bad bounce' in life. NEC and the NABOR Golf Committee are giving them a 'mulligan' of sorts. Our committee was proud to help. We came for the fun but our hearts made us dig down deep for a good cause.
This outing and response is emblematic of the people on the Naples Area Board of Realtors, their committees, members, employees, and their supporting sponsors and contributors to the NABOR Charity Golf Outing. We thank you for your participation and generosity, NEC thanks you, and Zack, Tiffany and Steve thank you too.
This golf event, which this year, 2009, had a sellout of 116 golfers at Olde Cypress CC, originally started as a reward and respite for our Realtor members, but has evolved into the dual role of also supporting a local charity.
In the worst economy we have faced in many years, our event raised a record $21,272 for our chosen charity, The Naples Equestrian Challenge, Inc. (www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org/). Our sponsors also opened their hearts and checkbooks to help.
There are so many causes, and they are hard to choose from. Every cause is great to those who live it. NEC uses equine therapy for clients with mobility problems, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Head Trauma, Brain Injury, Spina Bifida and more.
Zach Rosenberg, a lively red-haired second grader has Apraxia, a disease which affects his non-speech and speech movement. The three dimensional motion of the horse stimulates his nerves and improves his posture and confidence so he can be mainstreamed with other children his age, helping him to become a 'typical kid,' according to his mother.
Tiffany Billings, a sophomore at Naples High, could not walk in 1999 before coming to NEC. now Tiffany is, as she says in her personal bio, "running around campus and making A's & B's."
Steve Nolan, a 41 year old rider with Cerebral Palsy who has not been able to ride since the first of the year, 2009, due to safety reasons of mounting the horses. He will benefit directly, by being the first to use the portable ramp and electric lift, which will be purchased using the money we raised. These stories and more, made it real for all of us.
Using a golf term, Zack, Tiffany and Steve all got a 'bad bounce' in life. NEC and the NABOR Golf Committee are giving them a 'mulligan' of sorts. Our committee was proud to help. We came for the fun but our hearts made us dig down deep for a good cause.
This outing and response is emblematic of the people on the Naples Area Board of Realtors, their committees, members, employees, and their supporting sponsors and contributors to the NABOR Charity Golf Outing. We thank you for your participation and generosity, NEC thanks you, and Zack, Tiffany and Steve thank you too.
How to have fun in Paradise
If you are here for fun and sun, we hope you enjoy yourself, but remember there are thorns on roses. We have some things to know about our little slice of paradise in SW Florida before you venture out.
1. If you are playing golf or boating the back waters, remember we have four venomous snakes in these parts. Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth and the Coral Snake. When searching for a golf ball off the fairways, I always tell my guests to carry a 'snake stick.' I use a five or six iron as it gives me length and weight. Snakes are generally private creatures and will try to get out of your way, but if you root around in their territory, you might not give them advance warning to do so. Slap the bushes ahead of you as you are looking. Better for them to go after your snake stick than any part of you. If your ball is visible deep in a big bush, use your ball retriever rather than crawling in after it.
2. If you hit a golf ball in or around the water, remember that we have lots of alligators in our swampy area. They keep themselves fed by grabbing prey by the water's edge. Use your retriever, not your hand. Never stick your hand in or near the water for any reason. If your golf ball is easily reachable, you will be too when you bend over to pick it up.
3. We have ticks in our trees. Never lean against a tree while out and about in the wild. They are silent, and can be deadly. If you get seriously ill after being out, ask someone to check you for ticks.
4. Pay attention to lightening. If you see lightening, it is time to come inside. 2000 people have been killed in Florida by lightning since 1960. Our thunderstorms come and go very quickly. Head to the cart barn, grab a sandwich in the grill and the danger will have passed before you finish.
5. Golf Carts are a real convenience, but they can be dangerous and costly to repair. Be extra careful when driving on slopes and down inclines. I have seen them flip over in those situations. You do not want one on top of you. Also A friend I was with recently tried to squeeze between a fence and a large decorative rock. He hit the rock with the front wheel. It bent the wheel sideways and the club eventually charged his credit card $1300 for the repair. Another friend tried to squeeze between a maintenance truck and a tree. He caught the divot sand box on the back fender and ripped it off. They did not charge him because of the maintenance truck.
6. Fire Ants – Very small but very aggressive. When a mound is disturbed, ants emerge aggressively. When they sting, a white sore usually appears the next day at the site of the sting, and can scar you for life. They will attach to your skin using their mandibles and will subsequently inject the stinger. So you see, fire ants bite and sting, but only the sting hurts. I suggest that when you are walking around outside, that you pay attention to where you are standing. If you step on a mound and keep walking then you should be okay, but if you stop, you will discover quickly why they call them fire ants.
Have fun, and remember there was even a snake in Eden. Expect no less here in Paradise.
1. If you are playing golf or boating the back waters, remember we have four venomous snakes in these parts. Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth and the Coral Snake. When searching for a golf ball off the fairways, I always tell my guests to carry a 'snake stick.' I use a five or six iron as it gives me length and weight. Snakes are generally private creatures and will try to get out of your way, but if you root around in their territory, you might not give them advance warning to do so. Slap the bushes ahead of you as you are looking. Better for them to go after your snake stick than any part of you. If your ball is visible deep in a big bush, use your ball retriever rather than crawling in after it.
2. If you hit a golf ball in or around the water, remember that we have lots of alligators in our swampy area. They keep themselves fed by grabbing prey by the water's edge. Use your retriever, not your hand. Never stick your hand in or near the water for any reason. If your golf ball is easily reachable, you will be too when you bend over to pick it up.
3. We have ticks in our trees. Never lean against a tree while out and about in the wild. They are silent, and can be deadly. If you get seriously ill after being out, ask someone to check you for ticks.
4. Pay attention to lightening. If you see lightening, it is time to come inside. 2000 people have been killed in Florida by lightning since 1960. Our thunderstorms come and go very quickly. Head to the cart barn, grab a sandwich in the grill and the danger will have passed before you finish.
5. Golf Carts are a real convenience, but they can be dangerous and costly to repair. Be extra careful when driving on slopes and down inclines. I have seen them flip over in those situations. You do not want one on top of you. Also A friend I was with recently tried to squeeze between a fence and a large decorative rock. He hit the rock with the front wheel. It bent the wheel sideways and the club eventually charged his credit card $1300 for the repair. Another friend tried to squeeze between a maintenance truck and a tree. He caught the divot sand box on the back fender and ripped it off. They did not charge him because of the maintenance truck.
6. Fire Ants – Very small but very aggressive. When a mound is disturbed, ants emerge aggressively. When they sting, a white sore usually appears the next day at the site of the sting, and can scar you for life. They will attach to your skin using their mandibles and will subsequently inject the stinger. So you see, fire ants bite and sting, but only the sting hurts. I suggest that when you are walking around outside, that you pay attention to where you are standing. If you step on a mound and keep walking then you should be okay, but if you stop, you will discover quickly why they call them fire ants.
Have fun, and remember there was even a snake in Eden. Expect no less here in Paradise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
