The Willows Newsletter

We are grateful to San Clemente Boy Scout Troop 731 for removing decayed sections of The Willows split rail fence and replacing them with new fencing. Andrew Boyd, a member of Troop 731, is a lifelong Scout working on becoming an Eagle, along with Scout Gary Hansen. Other members of the troop were recruited to assist. In all, nine Scouts and six parents participated in this work.

The fence project is part of the dozen badges that must be earned to reach Eagle status. Andrew is following in the footsteps of his brother, Nicholas, who spearheaded a similar project in 2009 when another section of fencing was removed and replaced. Each Scout received credit toward the service hours needed for their advancement in Scouting. Andrew, along with Monte Hansen, completed all their projects and are now Eagle Scouts!

The Willows community is very pleased to be the recipient of this excellent example of good Scout citizenship in action.

Several contributed to this item including Dave Johnson, Sandy Toner, Jean Paige

One of our residents, Bill Romaine, has been a busy Santa this year. He has the tools, the workshop, the skills, and the heart to create toys from scratch. These are pull toys that wobble – of interest to the very young who might receive nothing at Christmas. Bill has made them colorful and in shapes that represent a fish, alligator, cow, pig, camel, duck, kangaroo and elephant. He starts with blocks of wood and cuts out the pieces with jig saws and circle cutters – then sands, paints and assembles them.

The recipient of these toys is the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. This program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes the toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

Dave Johnson

What would this joyous time be without music? The Laguna Community Concert Band is adding its own charm to the festivities by presenting a concert to the surrounding community on Sunday, December 12. The concert will be held at the Laguna Beach High School at 3:00 pm.

If you wish to join our happy group on the bus, please sign up in the red binder on the desk in the foyer as soon as possible. The Willows' bus will leave from the front of the Administration Building at 2:15 sharp. Please be there 10 minutes early.

Jackie Alexander

 

 

Did you ever wonder who would show up at your door to address your maintenance request? Whether it is for your refrigerator, washer, dryer, air conditioner, or the fan in your home, you can count on “Charlie’s Angels.” Just as in the popular long-running TV series of the same name, our Charlie is elusive, not wanting to be interviewed. You will recognize him as the very friendly, outgoing guy riding around on the golf cart with a big straw hat and denim shirt, assisting Sandy, his teammates, and the residents when he can. Charlie’s team is a cohesive group: Carlos Contreras, Rafael (Ralph) Galeana, and Hector Sanchez.

Besides overseeing the maintenance department, Charlie is Sandy’s "de facto assistant." She told me, “I couldn't manage The Willows without his help. He came back here six years ago. I actually hired him before I started full-time myself. The best thing I ever did. He is truly a treasure. I know he is appreciated by everyone here.”

Jane Morton