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The 19th annual Bill Owen Classic golf charity event, sponsored by Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc. and held at Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club on January 14th, was a huge success with 248 players participating. The charity has gifted $1,220,000, over the 19 years, to students at local high schools for college scholarships and in support of high school golf programs, as well as to local individuals and organizations in need of financial support. Money has also been given to support local Title One Elementary and Middle schools, and golf and tennis camp for those students. An additional $45,000 has been provided through matching fund programs, which raises the total amount that has been gifted to $1,265,000.

Southwest Florida Golf Charities is one of the most financially successful golf charity organizations in Collier County and the Bill Owen Classic is the longest consecutively held golf event. The popular golf tournament held at Eagle Creek has been made possible through the support of the Club, the community, and players and sponsors from the surrounding communities.

Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc. is organized as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so contributions are tax deductible under those guidelines, and it is managed exclusively by volunteers so only the direct costs of holding the events are incurred. Mike Ward, Ken Venturi, Joe Klimas, and the late Bill Owen were instrumental in starting the charity in 1989. In 1996, Irv Sherwood became President and he has served in that capacity since that time.

Ken Venturi hosted the event on January 14th of this year. Ken Venturi managed Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club in the 1980’s for approximately eight years, and in 1988 and 1989, he assisted in the redesign of the golf course. Ken is honored as Eagle Creek’s Golf Professional Emeritus. He won the 1964 PGA Player of the year and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for his U.S. Open performance. Ken retired at the age of 33 and became a golf analyst with CBS Sports for 35 years.

The 20th annual Bill Owen Classic will be held at Eagle on January 26, 2009.

Jim Lackey

Eagle Creek Community
Thank You Reception and Fundraiser
for
Donna Fiala
Support her re-election as
Collier County Commissioner District #1
5 to 6:30 pm Wednesday April 9 in the Clubhouse
complimentary refreshments and cash bar
contributions should be made payable to Donna Fiala Campaign Fund

** Bocce players - stop by on your way to the Bocce Dinner **

Donna Fiala supported our community in many ways over the years:

She had FDOT install a traffic light at intersection of US 41 Price Street;

She had FDOT redesign 951 along the Wal-Mart development so that the drainage culvert was moved to the Wal-Mart side, thus preserving the right-of-way and trees adjacent to our property;

She was instrumental in having the Collier Regional Medical Center and auxiliary buildings be located in our community;

She ensured that the funding for the South County Library remain in the Collier County budget during the current budgetary restraints, while insisting the East Naples Library on US 41 remained open after the new library construction is completed;

She was instrumental in obtaining funds to have the US 41 median landscaped;

She was instrumental in forcing Kite Realty Group and Lowe’s to enter into an agreement with Eagle Creek on the conditions of the construction of Lowe’s store; and

She recently formed a Strategic Planning Committee of concerned East Naples residents to develop a Master Plan for the US 41 corridor between Airport Road and CR 92, which will encourage planned growth, both commercial and residential that is compatible with the unique natural resources of the area, resulting in an enhanced quality of life for all residents.

Co-sponsored by Marietta & Bill Hipskind, Sally & Jim Lackey,
Sally & Lowell Lam and Lee & Irv Sherwood

Jim Lackey

EAGLE CREEK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.
c/o Platinum Property Management
12272 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 403

Naples, Florida 34113
239-774-5966 * Fax 239-775-1031

Second Notice of the Annual Meeting of Members

March 9, 2008

TO ALL MEMBERS: Eagle Creek Community Association, Inc.
    Eagle Creek Estate Homes No. 1 Neighborhood Association, Inc.
    Eagle Creek Villa Homes No. 1 Neighborhood Association, Inc.
    Eagle Creek of Naples Condominium No. One Association
    Eagle Creek of Naples Condominium No. Two Association
    Eagle Creek of Naples Condominium No. Three Association
    Eagle Creek of Naples Condominium No. Four Association
    Eagle Creek of Naples Condominium No. Five Association
    Stonegate of Eagle Creek Condominium No. One Association
    Waterford Place Condominium Association, Inc.

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Association, Section 718.112(2)(d), Florida Statutes, Section 720.306, Florida Statutes, Rule 61-20, Florida Administrative Code, and rule 61B-23.0021 Florida Administrative Code, you are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of the Members will be held at the following date, time, and place:

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club
11 Cypress View Drive
Naples, FL 34113

Agenda

The purpose of this meeting is to conduct business as may properly come before the members of the association. The agenda for this meeting is incorporated into the notice and listed below.

a. Call of the roll and certification of quorum and proxies.
b. Proof of Notice of meeting
c. Introduction of Directors, Property Manager, and Special Guests
a. Reading and disposal of any unapproved minutes.
b. Reports of Officers.
c. Reports of Committees.
d. Election of Directors
e. Unfinished Business
f. New business
g. Adjournment

A majority of all Association Members (a “quorum”) must be present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting in order for business to be conducted, excluding election of Directors. It is therefore VERY IMPORTANT that you either attend or provide a limited proxy.

The Eagle Creek Community Association is the “umbrella” association in Eagle Creek under which the Estate Homes, Villa Homes, and Condominium associations operate. The Community Association Board is comprised of elected homeowner Directors from each of the nine associations. This year we will be electing 14 directors, one from each of the seven condominium associations, three from the Villas and four from the Estate Homes. A ballot, envelope for the ballot, self-addressed envelope to mail it back to us, and instructions for electing a director(s) for your Association is enclosed with this letter, along with the Candidate Information Sheet(s). Please see the enclosed ballot for your association, listing in alphabetical order, those candidates. Please cast your vote(s) and return the ballot before the meeting, if it is possible for you to do so.

An organizational meeting of the Board of Directors will be held immediately upon the adjournment of the annual meeting for electing officers and such other business as may lawfully be conducted.

If you cannot attend the annual meeting, please be sure to fill out, sign, and return the proxy by March 20, 2008, to Platinum Property Management, 12272 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 403, Naples, FL 34113 or you can drop it off at the management office, or fax your proxy to 239-775-1031.

It is very important to return the proxy, if you cannot attend the meeting. A proxy is used to certify a quorum so we are able to hold the meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      ___________________________
      Ann E. Berger
      Community Association Manager

Jim Lackey

Gail came through her surgery with flying colors and she is now in recovery and resting well.

Who knew 7 months ago when I opened creekchat that I would be using it to be giving an update on how Gail is doing in surgery. When you let go of your most precious possession and turn her over to the surgeon’s hands, you find out about trust and you connect with God right away asking him to bless his hands and protect your wife.

She went in at 06:30 and the operation will start about 08:30. This will take 3 hours on the table and then on to ICU for the rest of the day. Just got a call from the OR everything so far going great.

At our age these are the kinds of things we all face sooner or later. Since Friday I have received phone calls from all my dear friends here at EC and also up north. This is what we are about here in our second home. Love and compassion is the Cable that pulls us and holds us together.

Sometimes we all get caught up in our daily struggles and miss the simple things that we take for granted. So I guess we all need to stop and listen to the quiet within us and have that peace, that no matter how important or trivial the issue is everything will turn out like it’s suppose to. I guess it’s about dropping you draws and sliding on the ice.

So in closing if you have any personal posting in time like these that you want your Eagle Creek friends to know let me know and I will be available to post them as soon as I can.

Admiral C. Edwin Bell Jr.

Retired Navy Vice Adm. C. Edwin Bell Jr., 91, of Norfolk, Va., died March 5 in his home.

Vice Adm. Bell was born July 25, 1916, in Hamlet, N.C., to the late Mr. and Mrs. C. Edwin Bell Sr. He graduated from Western High School in Washington, attended the University of Maryland and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939.

During World War II, he served on submarines in the Pacific. He made seven war patrols against Japan, serving as executive officer, and was awarded two Silver Stars.

He was selected for flag rank in 1964, and as a rear admiral he commanded Amphibious Group Four; as a vice admiral, he was Director, Navy Program Planning, where he worked closely with then-Secretary of the Navy John Warner, and then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles A. Bowsher. He retired in 1973. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Vice Adm. Bell managed Norfolk's Convention and Cultural Center, including the 11,000 seat Scope Coliseum and 2,400 seat Chrysler Hall, and was impresario of the facilities until 1987.

A member of the Naval Academy golf team, he enjoyed golf for most of his life. He was a longtime Washington Redskins fan who rarely missed a home game. He was also a member of the Princess Anne Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ellen M. Bell, who died in 1991; and two brothers, retired Army Col. Olin Lee Bell and Air Force 1st Lt. William John Bell, who died in the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Rachael C. Bell; three daughters, Cynthia B. Doster of Annapolis, Susan B. Moos of Naples, Fla., and Fairfax, Va., and Gail B. Calfee of Shaker Heights, Ohio; four stepdaughters; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were be held Thursday March 6 at the Naval Academy Chapel.

Jim Lackey

If you opened your eyes this morning and your feet hit the floor, no matter how long it takes you get the chance to make a decision about how you’re going to face the day. What do I have to look forward to? What am I thankful for? Who am I going to call and visit for a few minutes so at least someone knows I made it through another night?

Isn’t that why we’re here at Eagle Creek, where we can look out on our neighborhood and make sure all is right with our world and the lights are on next door, they got their paper. At the same time we know they're checking on me.

Easter is just a few weeks away and even though it’s early this year, it signals that the seasons is coming to an end. We start to think about our summer friends and start looking forward to seeing them again. Children and Grandchildren visiting and giving us hugs and kisses. This is our reward for coming home after the long winter. We are the breath of spring to our family.

Being missed, it’s one of the blessings we have for having a life well lived so far. We do no damage and stand ready to reach out and help one another every day.

That is what I think brings us together in our small world here at EC. This is the Eagle Creek experience. We are Eagle Creek and we take this with us wherever we go.

Everyday everything is ready for us to enjoy, all the wonderful things happening here. It all comes from the hard work of our staff and the dedication to please and deliver service, and this is the thread that runs though all of the EC staff.

When you start your plan to return home, take a moment and say thank you for what you have received, with a little extra gift or a note of thanks and even a letter to management about how well they did.

I feel like the luckiest man in the world. My wife loves me and I love her. We are blessed with good health and we have wonderful friends here at EC. It only keeps getting better and better. I don’t think I have the vocabulary or enough paper to list all the blessing that I have.

The decision I made today is to go out and try to bring some peace to anyone that I am fortunate to run into. Let my friends and staff knows that I appreciate their kindness everyday and just say thank you.

Additional information regarding Donna Fiala's Town Hall Meeting at 7 pm Thursday March 6 in the Edison College Auditorium on Lely Cultural Blvd.

During the Town Hall Meeting the Collier County staff members will give updates on the current water restriction, status of the road construction projects (including the design modifications to the US 41/CR 951 intersection), and updates on the construction of both the South Regional Library building and the Collier County Emergency Operations Center building.

Collier County Manager, Jim Mudd, will discuss budget issues, and the East Naples Civic Association will also present information on a strategic plan that they are developing for the US 41 East corridor, from Rattlesnake Hammock Road to SR 92 (road to Goodland/Marco Island).

The Town Hall meeting is an opportunity to be informed on the various developments that are either being considered for our community or in the process of being built.

Jim Lackey