You are receiving this Community Newsletter from the
Derita-Statesville Road Community Organization
--- to inform you of local news, information from local government, issues
that may affect our neighborhoods, and upcoming events.
Feel free to share this Newsletter with your friends, co-workers and neighbors.
To Remove your name from our DSRCO Mail list, Click the Reply button and
type "Unsubscribe" in the subject box. Your name will be promptly removed.
---- Bernie Samonds, President deritarep@aol.com
Published by email the 1st & 15th of each month -- Deadline 4 days prior
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4-21-09 Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. Newsletter
DSRCO PO Box 26382 CHARLOTTE, NC 28221
Your Voluntary Annual Membership ($10 for families; $20 for businesses, groups, neighborhoods) helps make our work possible. We are grateful to the many individuals, families, neighborhoods, HOA's, businesses, churches, and groups who provided us with operating funds this past year and We invite you to renew your 2009 Membership now, as these folks have:
Don & Diane Atwell
Martin & Cindy Gardner
Michael E. Gardner
Larry J. Hall
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Grenelefe Town Homes
Home Owners Association
NOTARY SERVICES --- Offered "Anytime"
Lewis Patton
704 596-5239 704 562-2698 Cell
Local Allen Hills resident. Can come to you!
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DSRCO Community Calendar
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=149301710432&ref=mf
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Thursday, April 23rd ( Yes, THIS WEEK! )
BBQ Chicken Lunch
Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Road
The United Methodist Men’s Group are hosting a BBQ Chicken luncheon in lieu
of the usual Thursday Hot Dog Lunch, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The plate will include
1/2 chicken, baked beans and slaw. The cost is $6.50 per plate. Tea and coffee
available for dine-in. Take-outs plates available.
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Thursday, April 23rd
Dale Hillyard -- A Celebration of His Life
8pm., Puckett's Farm Equipment, West Sugar Creek Rd.
Country Music entertainer & longtime host of "Open Mike Night Thursday,"
Dale Hillyard died earlier this month. Friends & Patrons mill gather at Puckett's
this coming Thursday at Dale's usual show time for a special evening.
Hillyard, who was 68, was a former lawman, a long time "Friend of Bill" troupe
entertainer, and had recently formed his own band. Dale and his companion
Marcia Kaupish lived in the Ridgeview Neighborhood off Rumple Rd, and Dale
was both a Neighborhood Leader and community activist.
==================================
Saturday, April 25th
UMW’s Annual Attic Sale 7AM-Noon, Cole Memorial United Methodist Church
Rain or Shine in the gym --- Choose from Clothing, furniture, household furnishings,
books, toys, linens, jewelry, shoes, decorating pieces, tools and yard equipment
==================================
Saturday, April 25th
Waterhaven Neighborhood Yard Sale
This coming Saturday, 7am - 2pm with a wide selection of items in different
yards throughout our Neighborhood. Hope to see you here. Shop early for best
selection.
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Saturday, May 2nd
Poor Man's Supper & Entertainment
5:30 pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 6230 Beatties Ford Rd.
Pintos, Cabbage, Corn Bread, Stewed Potatoes, Livermush, Streaked Meat
& Desserts. ---- $6.50 Adults, $3.00 Children under 12
Proceeds goes toward Sr. Citizens activities
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Sunday, May 3rd
9-1-1 Responders Honored at Sunday Worship
Northside Baptist Church, 333 Jeremiah Blvd.
Join us for a very special First Responders' Sunday --- 10:30 am. We will honor
all public servants from emergency service departments such as Police, Fire,
Sheriff, Medic, area hospitals and others. We encourage you to come join us
in saying Thank You to those who provide daily protection and help in times of
crisis. Various elected officials, the heads of different departments as well as 9-1-1
responders will be in attendance to take part on this special day. Kids of all ages will enjoy various pieces of emergency equipment on display.
A 75 ft. ladder truck will display the American flag as people enter the property. This is Northside’s 18th year to honor all first responders. ==================================
Sunday, May 3rd
"AMAZING GRASS IN THE PARK"
3rd Annual Bluegrass Communion Service
10:55 am in Reedy Creek Park
Hosted by --- Holy Covenant United Church of Christ.
This year we are combining our worship in the park experience with our Bluegrass
Communion Sunday! Back by popular demand,
Our 3rd annual bluegrass service will be even more fun at Reedy Creek Park. Get
out your denim and get ready for a toe-tapping service of worship featuring service
music and hymns in down-home bluegrass style. We will be breaking out the fiddles,
wash tub bass, banjo and the like for this special service. If you play an instrument
and would like to help lead the music, please contact Judah for a music packet at
JJ20400@aol.com or call the church office at 704-599-9810.
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Thursday, May 7th
Derita Area Business & Service Providers Meet
9am, Maria's Grill, West Sugar Creek Rd. Open to Everyone.
Find out about FREE Advertising, Cost-saving Cooperative Efforts, Local Networking
Opportunities. Together we are working to help local businesses grow despite the
tough economy.
How long is this going take? We'll be done in under 60 minutes, that's the rule.
Even if you have to duck out early, it will be worth your time.
"Our Goal is to Promote Local Businesses and Service Professionals Serving Our Area."
--- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
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Saturday, May 9th
Community Blood Drive
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church Time: 9:00am - 12:00pmLocation: Fellowship HallFor Appointments, Contact Jennifer Barnette @ 704.604.5473 Deanna Mapes @ 704.562.6075
Church Office @ 704.596.4466
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Sunday, May 10th
The “Sounds of Liberty” in Concert
Northside Baptist Church, 6 pm for a Praise and Power Hour.
Come enjoy an evening of music with Liberty University’s premier singing group.
The concert is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please contact
the church music office at 704.596.4856, ext. 2291
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Thursday, May 14th
Weaver Preschool Open House & Art Festival
5pm to 7pm. at Cole Memorial United Methodist Church, 2022 W Sugar Creek Rd
Please join us for a night of fun.Weaver Preschool invites you to come meet our
teachers, view the children's fabulous art work, do some crafts with your child
and enjoy a snack. Hope to see you there!
Now accepting registration for the Fall for our 2, 3 and 4's classes. Join us.
(704) 596-2356
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NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Poplar Springs Neighborhood Org. will meet on the 3rd Saturday of each
month, May 16th thru Sept 19th at 12:15pm, corner of Granite Creek Lane &
Poplar Springs Drive
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Saturday, May 16, 2009
14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium
7:45 am. – 3:00 pm., Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College Street
Learn about Charlotte’s neighborhood policy and related implementation strategies
through a variety of workshops and a community forum. The Neighborhood Symposium is free and open to citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.Due to limited workshop and luncheon seating, pre-registration is required. Deadline for registration is May 8. To register please visit our web site at http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org and click on Neighborhood Symposium or call 704-336-2061.
==================================
Thursday, June 18th
DSRCO Neighborhood Leaders Meeting
7pm, Derita Presbyterian Church, West Sugar Creek Rd.
Moving to our Summer Schedule. there will be No Evening Meeting in May or July.
We will continue to email Newsletters as usual. Sylvia & I will continue to monitor
and respond to emails, if there is an issue that needs attention.
---- Bernie Samonds, DSRCO President. . 704 806-3813 deritarep@aol.com
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District 4 Updates --- On-Line
Here's a video update on some of the great things happening in District 4. Please
share it with your neighbors. After clicking on the link, go to "jump to" and click
on my profile.
http://charlottenc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=265
Michael Barnes
City Council, District 4
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What your Neighbors are saying:
Code Enforcement Hours Extended
The City of Charlotte's Code Enforcement Division officers have begin working longer
hours, starting this week --- designed to better address neighborhood enforcement
issues, city officials say. The officers will work from 8 am. to 8 pm. weekdays,
through September.
The enforcement categories affected by the work schedule change include commercial
vehicle parking violations; parking on lawns; sign issues; and other zoning-related
enforcement activities. It does not include housing inspections and the serving of
warrants.
Officials say the extended hours -- 5 to 8 p.m. -- will be concentrated in the areas
of greatest need. Citizens should call 311 if they have an inspection request.
--- Thomas Templeton, Royal Oaks Neighborhood
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Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Auctions
3301 Rotary Drive, off Trailer/Starita Drive
Police Unclaimed Property Auction April 25 (Details at:)
http://www.rogersrealty.com/auction_detail.php?id=20665
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Want to plan and complete a neighborhood project,
but not sure how you will fund it?
If so, join us and learn more about the Neighborhood Matching Grants
(NMG) program!
Eligible organizations are organized neighborhood associations, business associations and CDCs located and operating in NSAs with a median household income up to $64,219
Funding up to $25,000 is available in matching funds (matches may be made by cash, volunteer hours, and/or in-kind donations)
NMG funding is to support neighborhood projects, as opposed to paying for operational expenses or items that are simply purchases of equipment or supplies
Application deadline is Monday, June 15
Interested in learning more? Attend one of our upcoming informational
sessions. To view workshop dates, locations, and other NMG details, click here.
Pre-registration for pre-application workshops is not required. All workshops
are FREE.
Jean Love City of Charlotte Neighborhood & Business Services 600 East Trade Street Charlotte, NC 28202 (o) 704-336-4161 / (f) 704-336-3959http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org
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Working To Keep Us Connected (On-Line)
We now have a Google Blog-site which will archive the most current
DSRCO Email Newsletters.
http://derita-statesvilleroadcommunityorg.blogspot.com/
We also have a FACEBOOK Page, which will update important information
between our Email Newsletter (which go out on the 1st & 15th of each month)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=149301710432&ref=mf
Most importantly, please invite your friends and neighbors
to receive our Email Newsletter. It's free. We send it automatically and
they don't have to go looking for a webpage or a link. Write: deritarep@aol.com
Derita-Statesville Road Community Organization Homepage (Under Construction)
https://sites.google.com/site/deritastatesvillecommunityorg/Home
Derita Community History (Under Construction)
http://deritahistoricalarchive.blogspot.com/
Also available:
( FREE! ) Bargains Galore --- Buy, Sell, Swap Newsletter
You can list up to 8 items free every week.
( FREE! ) Crime Watch Alert --- organized by neighborhood.
Reports received from CMPD and observant neighbors
( FREE! ) Business & Service Providers Newsletter --- News
and Notes for local merchants & growing businesses.
"Local" Sites managed by Others:
Derita Demons Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62450135238
Derita Reporter Newspaper Back Issues
(To be posted shortly & will be under construction)
Derita Reporter Photos (Under Construction)
http://community.webshots.com/user/DeritaReporterArchive
Derita Scouting Photos (Under Construction)
http://community.webshots.com/user/1970sDeritaScouts
I Am A Native Charlottean
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46339680324
I Grew Up in Derita
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46188964711
Man, I Loved Allen Hills Swim Club
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46188964711
North Meck (High School) Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1083365047
RibbonWalk Forest photos
http://community.webshots.com/user/deritadsrco
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The Derita Lions Club
meets the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month
Visitors & New Members Welcome
6:30 - 8 pm Maria’s Grill in Derita 2801 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Computer Eye Strain
Eyestrain occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as driving a car
for extended periods, reading or working at the computer.
Although eyestrain can be annoying, it usually isn't serious and goes away once
you rest your eyes. In some cases, signs and symptoms of eyestrain are a sign
of an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. Although you may not be able
to change the nature of your job or all the factors that can cause eyestrain, you can
take steps to reduce eyestrain.
CVS Drugstore offers ten tips that may help you and 50 to 90 percent of the other
folks who use computers at work ease your eye problem.
Click On: http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/irritated.htm
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Planning for Summer for Kids…
Derita Presbyterian Church Summer Camp
2430 West Sugar Creek Rd. For details, call 704 597-
June 11 - August 24th
---- Ages 5 - 13, $60 Registration Fee includes swimming fee, major field trips,
insurance, supplies and transportation.
---- Weekly tuition: one child $85, two children $140., three children $180
---- Hot Breakfast and Lunch
---- Field Trips: NASCAR Speed Park (all), Lazy 5 Ranch (younger),
Zuma Fun Center (all), LazerQuest (older)
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University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of West Sugar Creek Rd.). 704-369-8000
www.ucumc.org
Winshape Camp June 29 - July 3
Mon. - Thu. - 7:45AM - 5:00PM
Fri. - 7:45AM - 12:45PM
Rising 2nd - 7th Grade Cost: $169 per camper
Register: www.winshapecamps.org
Vacation Bible School
July 20 - 24, 9:00AM - Noon
Rising 4-year-olds - 5th Grade
Cost: $10 per child Registration begins May 17
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Local Memories from Our Readers
As I Recall . . . .
Reading all of the memories that folks share about their days in Derita certainly
takes me back to my youth. My parents lived in the little gray house on the corner
of Derita Avenue and Hewitt. My Grandfather Owen R Miller lived next door in
the yellow house next to the rail road tracks. I spent many a days exploring the
area as a child.
Back then in the late 70’s early 80’s as a child you could ride your bike all over
without much fear of the traffic nor the predators that seem to be in abundance
today. My parents farmed a large field behind our home, the Conley’s farmed half
and my parents and Grandfather farmed the other half. This was not a small garden
either this was a field that had every vegetable known to man. I spent many
summers helping my family pick the fruits of their labor, it seemed my mother
canned tomatoes every night of the week in the summer.
Today in 2009 the once thriving garden is now just a grassy field. The gray house
appears to change occupants every six months, and my grandfathers home
appears to be part home and part drug testing facility based on a sign out front.
While my parents worked I would spend my summers with my grandfather in that
yellow house (what folks back then called "The Mustard House") and after school
in the afternoons. My grandfather really had no concerns over the area as he’d
allow me to ride my bike to friend’s houses in Allen Hills.
I spent countless hours in Dorthy Robinson’s big front yard next to the post office.
Due my love of baseball her front yard provided the most excellent space that I
needed to hit a baseball constantly. She was always so gracious to me as a child.
My grandfather would send me once a week next door to the post office to
purchase a stamp, if I recall back then the most he would give me was a nickel
or dime.
The traffic on Sugar Creek was nothing back then like it is today. I’d walk
across the street to what was Mullis’s grocery and then later Gibson’s. My
baseball card collection that I still have today in an old trunk came mainly
from that grocery store as every day my grandfather would give me fifteen
cents to buy a pack of Topps card.
Another old haunt was the Chilly Moose which looks nothing today like it did
back in 82, that was about the time that video games started their true rise.
The Chilly Moose had a small arcade in the back of the store and I remember
packman and digdug were the favorites of the neighborhood kids.
Derita elementary school was a really good school back in the late 70’s early
80’s, I was there during the last year that the “old” building stood. In past issues
of this newsletter people have mentioned the old Derita School, I can officially
say I was there during its last couple years before they tore it down. Though my
kindergarten through third grade classes was in the newer building, but I did get
the opportunity on many days to go into that old building for specials in the
auditorium and other things.
Derita had a thriving sports program back then, as we played and practiced at
the fields in Allen Hills, Cheshire, and behind Derita elementary. Our basketball
teams played in the old gym that still stands over on Rumple Road.
Reading in the last issue the volunteer fire department was brought up back then
there was no call via phone about a fire, you came to the fire house when that
loud siren sounded. The best way to describe it is to liking it to a air raid siren
used in the military, you could hear that siren for miles. My father was a volunteer
for the fire department back then and I recall many times him having to leave the
dinner table to fight a fire. He was also a policeman for Mecklenburg County
and the neighbors took comfort in the fact that he was able to drive his patrol car
home.
It was truly a different time and world back then, a time that I’m glad I was able
to spend my childhood in Derita. After college and marriage (to a Derita/Statesville
Rd native) Nancy Henderson we bought three acres of land from the Griffin's just
above what was the entrance to their fish camp and is now a street called Enoch Dr.
With the exception of going to Derita Presbyterian on Sunday’s my wife and I try
to avoid that area of Derita today due to the awful traffic on that stretch of Sugar
Creek Rd.. My how times have changed in what could be considered a relatively
short time. --- Rick Scercy, Derita
Re: "The Mustard House"
If anyone knows anything about that Mustard House it’s me and Dorthy Robinson
who lives in the big white house next door. She owed both the grey house and the
yellow house as back in the 70’s early 80’s my parents and grandfather rented those
homes from her.
In regards to the yellow house I remember distinctly the features inside that home.
Back then it had hardwood floors some of which had been carpeted. I remember the
door knobs were glass back then, the walls plaster. The deck that is currently on the
front of that house was added on to it around 1982. The thing I never understood,
and did not ask back then because I was a child, is why that deck was added to
the front of the house. That deck was built over a solid concrete veranda which by
today’s taste would be highly regarded feature on a home like that. I can’t be
certain ,but with the research I’ve done those two homes were built on those sites
sometime in the early 1940’s though Dorthy Robinson would have exact dates
I’m sure.
Also, I just confirmed from my mother that the hardwood floors in the dining room
of that yellow house was wood that was salvaged from the stage of the old auditorium
at Derita School. Apparently the stage needed to be replaced sometime in the 40’s
and the wood that was taken out of the auditorium was salvaged and used in the dining
room of the yellow house. --- Rick Scercy, Derita
Why did the owners originally paint it that brilliant shade of yellow? We're
still looking for the answer.
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Got a memory you'd like to share? Doesn't have to be a whole long story.
Folks enjoy reading about Derita, Local Folks, and The Way It Was Back
Then. Send your thoughts to deritarep@aol.com
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Need Extra Tables & Chairs for Family Gatherings & Yard Sales?
Contact Bernie Samonds (704 806-3813 deritarep@aol.com ). 8ft. folding tables,
$5 available to rent. Folding metal chairs, 50 cents each. Call now to reserve them.
Liberal pickup and return availability.
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Your Questions and Some Answers
Q. Have you heard anything about a Bar Fight in Derita last week where two
people were taken to the hospital? I thought that Bar was closed.
The San Bucco Bar & Grill at the corner of North Graham & West Sugar Creek Rds
closed shortly after losing it's alcohol permits some time ago. Last Saturday night,
according to Sgt. Jim Wilson -- CMPD, North Division, the building was rented out
for a "Sweet 16" Party. It was attended largely by Latinos and alcoholic beverages
were "given out," not sold. A disagreement inside spilled into the parking lot and
one person suffered a broken leg when he was struck or run over by a car.
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Q. I don't understand. If we stopped an XXX-rated Book Store from opening
in our neighborhood, how can they come back and open an Adult Lounge?
That's far worse than a book store?
First of all, CMPD Officers from the North Division have confirmed that beverage &
other permits are being sought to open an Adult Lounge and that a Zoning Officer
has made measurements and found that no school, church, playground, or daycare
facility is located within the 1000 ft. perimeter of the proposed site. (1500 ft. was
required for opening a XXX-bookstore.)
Second, while the designation "XXX Bookstore" in regulations is clearly different
from a Barnes & Noble, there's not much distinction between Joe's Bar & Grill
or a "Twin Peaks." That distinction is left to permits dealing with mixed drinks,
Live Entertainment, etc. Because the building is in an Industrial area, this would
be an acceptable use.
While not what you or I might like in our neighborhood, we can take comfort in the
location being "under the watchful eyes of 400 Sheriff's deputies" 24/7 and under
surveillance by North Division officers with experience in quickly closing down
other businesses that have become a "public nuisance."
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Q. Who do I call to report a pot hole?
Potholes can occur anywhere on Charlotte's 2,300 miles of streets. The City's goal
is to repair dangerous potholes, those that create property damage, within 24 hours
and repair all other potholes within 10 days of identification. Contact 311.
However, many Charlotte area roads are the responsibility of the NC Department of
Transportation (NCDOT). Typically these are state numbered routes and include
North Tryon St., Mallard Creek Rd., West Sugar Creek Rd,. Statesville Rd., Gibbon
Rd., etc). Potholes on state roads can be reported to NCDOT at 704-596-6900.
If you are not sure if it is a City or state maintained road, call 311 to have your
report routed to the appropriate agency. The more specific location information, the
easier it is for repair crews to find and fill the pothole. The road name and block
number as well as the nearest cross street make it easier to locate the pothole.
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Q. I frequently see kids roaming our neighborhood when they should be in school. Can't something be done about this?
"Yes, it can, if you will call 911 and let us know. In my opinion, this is one of themost important calls that we can receive. Kids that are skipping school (other thana doctor's appointment, home-schooled, etc.) maybe trouble. Many of our homebreak-ins occur during school hours and solved cases have been traced back to juvenile offenders . . .
"We WANT to know when you see kids skipping school. It's important that theyget a good education, learn how to make a living, and be where we know theyare not in the neighborhoods creating problems." ---- Capt. Andy Leonard, CMPD
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Today's Funny: (From our FREE Friday Funny E-Mail
Send us an email if you'd like to receive it.
Nyah Nyah!
Finding one of her students making faces at others on the playground,
Ms. Smith stopped to gently correct the child.
Smiling sweetly, the Sunday School teacher said, "Bobby, when I was
a child, I was told if that I made ugly faces, it would freeze and I would
stay like that."
Bobby looked up and replied,
"Well, Ms Smith, you can't say you weren't warned."
--- submitted by Deborah Rowe
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Be a Good Neighbor!
Print a copy of this Newsletter for a neighbor who is not on-line,
and forward it to friends who are.
