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14 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | OCTOBER 2020 | Hopefully by the time you read this article, we are past the worst of the summer heat and moving into cooler weather. This summer we have had weeks of over 100 degree temperatures, and with it comes the need to replace dead plants and reseeding of stressed or dead grass areas. Artistic Maintenance has worked diligently with our staff at The Lodge and with the Landscape Committee when problem plants or areas have been identified. You'll soon see our annual tree trimming in our common areas throughout the community. This yearly event is done to ensure the health of our trees and to identify unhealthy trees that may need to be removed. As our community ages, we are looking to be proactive in identifying trees that need immediate attention and those that will need attention down the road. At our last Committee meeting, we have begun the discussion of what trees may need to be removed and replaced over the next several years. We are fortunate to have committee members, Maria Donti, the staff and crew at Artistic Maintenance, our Board Liaisons, and you the residents who work together to keep our trees looking beautiful. This year, the chair of the committee participated in an Ad hoc Committee to look at next year's budget and projections for future landscaping needs in our community. This provided committee members an opportunity to brainstorm ideas about anticipated future needs (replacing plants and trees that have come to the end of their lifespan, addressing water and sprinkler issues, etc.). We are continuing to look at potential projects and prioritize what we may be able to implement in the next calendar year. We thank the Board and Finance Committee for their efforts in ensuring all of our volunteer committees are aware of the budgetary process and to better plan for our own committee's needs. The Landscape Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 1 pm at The Lodge. Residents are welcome to attend. Please check with the desk, if you wish to attend the Landscape Committee meeting, and the current status of accessing The Lodge. Landscape Committee Retiring had a strange side effect. I began to wonder what day it was. Not the date but the actual day. The pandemic has added a new level — what month is it? I seriously don't remember June or July and now I'm told I'm writing for October. It doesn't help that it's 114 today. Normally I would invite you to visit our library for strange and scary books to celebrate Halloween but our committee has no idea when we will be allowed to open the doors. We miss being there and talking with other book lovers. Four Seasons has done a great job in keeping us safe. The Library Committee is having lunch before our meeting to exchange books we've read and puzzles we put together. We are in the same boat that you are. We need books to read and puzzles to calm our minds. (So much better than TV.) Get on the phone, call neighbors, and trade those books/puzzles. Remember the rules, wear gloves, put the books/puzzles in a bag and let them sit a couple of days. Then enjoy! Remember the "old days" when we actually had authors speak at Four Seasons? First we had all the Four Seasons authors who we knew about speak, and then we invited authors from outside our community. Lynne Spreen was such a help with contacts. And, of course, she spoke. If you haven't read her Karen Grace/Blues series go to Amazon and buy the series! Well, what do authors do during a pandemic? What has Jim Hitt been up too? He has created a magazine devoted to Books — Film — & The Arts. Do check out his magazine "thehittlist.net." Anyone that reads the Herald knows Jim's book The Courage of Others, is one of my very favorite books. You might want to own this book for your personal library. Good old Amazon! Jim's wonderful wife, Vicki, is first up to speak when our "new normal" happens. She was scheduled to speak and just before her date the lock down happened. I saw that Howard Feigenbaum had an article in Jim's magazine. Howard is just so much fun to hear speak. His Benny Goldfarb Private Eye books will lift your spirits. And he is such a gentleman. So what has Howard been up to? Our Four Seasons author is running for City Treasurer! Look him up. Howard-feigenbaum-for-city-of- hemet-treasurer-2020.com. We have so much talent in Four Seasons. Get to know your authors! Reading brings people into your life. Open that book! Until next month… Cookie From Bionic Blair; "Reading one book is like eating one potato chip." Diane Duane, So You Want to Be a Wizard Library Committee

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