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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JUNE 2024 | 9 Library Committee How is your vocabulary? Reading books can expand recognition and knowledge of words. When you come across a word you don't recognize, don't skip over it; try to figure out the word's meaning by rereading the sentence and perhaps the paragraph in which it's used. If still not sure, take the time to find the word in the dictionary or on your cell phone. I have an app on my cell that challenges me with several words a day — some known, some new. This is how I became acquainted with the word, bibliophile. A bibliophile is someone who loves all aspects of hardbound books, sometimes to the extreme. They enjoy the whole experience of books — how solid they feel in their hands, their smell, anticipating what's going to happen next when turning pages, learning the book's history as much as its content. A bibliophile likes to be surrounded by books and may have a large personal collection. There are hotels for bibliophiles with thousands of books available to people who stay there. I would guess that a bibliophile prefers hardbound books over electronic ones. I know they would really enjoy visiting our Four Seasons Library! I happen to prefer hardbound books except when traveling; an electronic reader takes up so much less space in my suitcase. No matter what type of books you read the most, enjoy them and know that you are stimulating your brain and enriching your vocabulary at the same time. The Four Seasons Library Committee is working on two special projects right now. The first one includes identifying puzzles with missing pieces and saving them for a resident whose daughter teaches special education. The puzzles help to stimulate her students' senses in many different ways. The second project involves our committee members brainstorming creative ways to highlight the library at the September 2023 20th Anniversary of Four Seasons celebration. Ideas under consideration so far include special pictorial displays and creating keepsake book marks that share the history and growth of our very special Four Seasons Library. Here's a closing reminder that all materials in our library are donated. We currently accept hardbound fiction copyrighted 2013 to the present, paperbacks dated 2019 to the present. We also carry puzzles and current magazines. Come and enjoy! ~ Betty Crase Facilities Committee It's been one year since I wrote the Facilities article for the Herald. I looked back to my article from last year and noticed it was attached to that month's Facilities agenda. When reading the agenda, I noticed a wonderful topic for me to write about; the two front fountains slated to be remodeled. On our agenda we have an item called Long- Term Projects/Wish List and the fountains were on that list to be looked at for 2023. This "wish list" is other projects that are not just "replacement or repair" items. Back then, the Facilities Committee decided we should form a subcommittee to look into the remodeling. Volunteers consisted of Glenn, Lyle and Tom with help from Tim Gross our facilities Maintenance Coordinator. They were given the task to get design ideas and costs to remodel the fountains and to report back to the committee. Not only was it hard to get any contractors interested in the project, the couple of contractors who did provide proposals must have thought they were designing the Trevi Fountain in Rome! The cost estimates the subcommittee brought back to us were extremely cost prohibitive. This, believe or not, took up most of 2023. At the end of 2023, the subcommittee came up with a great idea to look into refurbishing the fountains instead of an extensive remodel. We all agreed and asked the subcommittee to see what kind of suggestions and cost would be to refurbish. At the same time, Tim found unused boxes of tile from a previous project that could be used. The tiles greatly reduced the cost of materials needed for the refurbishing. Once again, it was next to impossible to get contractors interested in this type of project. In January, we were able to get bids and select a contractor to do the project. The Board approved the project, funding it out of Reserves and the project was completed April 24. Our fountains are once again the standout feature as you enter our Lodge. We want to thank Glenn, Lyle, Tom, and Tim as this had to be one of the most challenging projects ever. On behalf of the Facilities Committee, Robert Walker, Member

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