It’s been a long while, but we’re happy to be back in the fold. We’re looking forward to sharing news, interests and ideas with our neighbors and Aberdeen friends.

Congratulations:

• To Dee and Lou Levy, who are celebrating the recent birth of their 4th great-grandchild, as well as the forthcoming bar mitzvah ceremonies of 2 grandsons in Israel.
• To Joan and Arnie Sinkin, who recently celebrated their daughter’s and son-in-law’s 25th wedding anniversary. Also, and to their delight, their son Joel has purchased a home in Bermuda Isle, and will be moving in this month.
• To Suzanne and Mort Thaler, whose son, Warren, won the Aberdeen Men’s Singles Tennis Championship. The family is also looking forward to celebrating Suzanne’s mother’s l02nd birthday in October.

Welcome to the Neighborhood:

canterbury offers a hearty welcome to Joyce Petach, Ellen Nessin, Beth Klar, Jeannette and Alana Kugel, and John and Elena Koopman and family. We’re delighted to have you as neighbors.

In closing, and in the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about.” We plan to do both!

Editor’s Note: Welcome new author, Dee Levy, to the Aberdeen Times. Glad to have Canterbury on board!

Spring has sprung here in Ashford. Everyone seems to be tending to their landscaping and our community is looking like a botanical garden.

We welcome our newest residents: Frederick and Frances Grossman, Sarah Levy, Marcia Feinblatt, Louise and Marilyn Gross, Seymour and Ellen Orlinsky, Gilbert and Donna Covey, Bruce and Sharon Sussman and Laurie Wohl.

Shirley Scarf’s house will be put on the market shortly. If you know anyone who would like to join us here in Ashford let me know. By the time this issue goes to print, the house will be available.

Millie Schultz became a great grandmother for the 6th time with the birth of Addison Golynsky. Two of our residents recently travelled to attend the bar mitzvah’s of their grandsons. Jane Casden and Marty Phillips, flew to Huntingdon Valley, PA and Ellen and Butch Melstein to Israel. “Mazel Tov” to all!

Our “Dancing With the Stars” Alice Jay wowed the audience with her superb performance recently. Judi Hirsh writes: “Thank you to our Ashford board for doing a great job this year. Our community has never been run better or looked better. Keep up the good work everyone! We all appreciate the time and energy you put into it.”

Neal and I will be traveling west later in May to visit our daughter and family in Scottsdale, AZ.

Please remember to send your news to me @ [email protected].

Editor’s Note: Welcome aboard Leah Keit Keitz. Leah and Sylvia Shaw shared last month’s Ashford App column. Now that Sylvia has moved to Sheffield, she and yours truly, will be sharing the Sheffield column.

The New York Times started in 1851 and for 145 years it only had its print edition. When, in 1996, something called the “internet” starts to be used by the general public and the Times realized that it needed to be there as well. So it set up a website. Over the next 10 years, the paper would see a decrease in circulation as more people got their news online. In 2006 the Times reduced the size of the paper by 6” to save $12 million per year.

After 26 years of print-only publication, the Aberdeen Times has decided it is time to launch its own web site. This will allow you to read the Aberdeen Times wherever you are whether it is on your patio over a cup of coffee, up north during the summer or half way across the world while you are traveling.

With the gracious help of Philip Levine (South Florida Web Advisors), the Aberdeen Times is ready to enter the 21st century. On our new website you will be able to browse articles by community / column, view our advertisers’ directory, find out who writes the article for your community, and submit feedback / questions and perform a myriad of functions.

Philip worked with the staff of the Aberdeen Times to make sure we have a website that shines. Some of his local clients include the Aberdeen POA, Ashford Green HOA and COBWRA in addition to many other local organizations and businesses.

We look forward to this new era for the Aberdeen Times.

Please visit the new website today at http://aberdeentimes.org/.

Aberdeen Times Board of Directors

What is it and what does it do?
The POA is the MASTER Association of Aberdeen. Aberdeen has 24 communities or villages (also referred to as Home Owners associations or HOAs) and also has the Aberdeen Golf and Country Club. The POA has a Board of Directors as does every HOA and as does the Country Club. The Aberdeen POA is one of the largest property associations in Palm Beach County. Its membership includes 2407 homes, the country club and some commercial properties that are required to pay POA dues.

There are numerous committees and an approximate $4,600,000 annual budget. A significant portion of the budget is the Comcast contract. The POA responsibilities include all common areas and all 43 Aberdeen lakes. It is responsible for all fertilization, landscaping, tree trimming, reclaimed water and Security. (The Palm Beach Sheriff has been hired by the POA.) The POA is also responsible for the Architectural Review Board (ARB), the phone directory, signage, and the management of the East Clubhouse. In the event of a hurricane, there are gates that the POA can open to allow excess water out and into the canals – with permission of the appropriate governmental authority and also since there are no sewers in Aberdeen, removal of waste is accomplished through Lift Stations which the POA maintains and for which it is responsible. The POA meets monthly, (except for July and August) and all residents are always invited to attend meetings and, of course, view the website, Aberdeenpoa.com.

By: George Spiro (Ashford)
ASHFORD’S GEORGE SPIRO IN WWII

In 1943, at age19, I enlisted in the Army Sig-nal Corps and at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, trained on the maintenance of radio receivers and transmitters. I shipped out to England in Jan. 1944, 6 months be-fore D-day. I was assigned to Patton’s Third Army (3rd) which was deployed on the south coast of Eng-land preparing for the assault on German-occupied Europe. The 3rd was 100% mechanized with heavy tanks and support elements; the infantry rode. The Normandy Beach landings included water drop-offs so the 3rd had to depend on dry landings. The French ports of LeHavre and Brest were sabotaged by the Germans with sunken ships and mines. D-day was June 6, 1944, my 21st birthday. The 3rd was delayed a month while barges were floated in and attached to form a pier anchored at Omaha Beach at Avranches. The 3rd landed dry. Remnants of the pier can still be seen. I was assigned to a Signal Service Company and a section for maintaining its radio receivers and transmitters and portable power generators. The mis-sion of the Company was to monitor radio transmissions to identify and locate enemy units. The moni tors were fluent with most European languages and Japanese. The Germans were expected to use foreign talkers the way the U.S. Army used Native Americans. But the Germans spoke in clear voice. The 3rd moved rapidly across France liberating villages, towns, and cities bypassing Paris, leaving that honor to the French Army. Many times the 3rd had to halt and wait for supplies. By Nov. 1944, the 3rd reached Nancy, France on the Alsace/German border. The 3rd was ordered to head North to relieve troops trapped in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The 3rd then proceeded through Germany to arrive in Pilsen, Czechoslavakia on May 7, 1945. This was the fur-thest penetration east of any U.S. troops. The next day, May 8,1945, was declared VE-day. The Russians were coming to occupy so the 3rd was ordered to move to Bavaria, Germany for occupation duty. General Patton was appointed Governor of Bavaria and he died there after an automobile “accident.” I was recently awarded a medal and title of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for my role in the liberation of France. I was discharged from the Army in Jan. 1946. I took advantage of the G.I. Bill to achieve 2 engineering degrees, attending NYU at night. I worked for the Bell Telephone System for 40 years; 12 at NY Tel, 22 at Bell Labs, and 6 at Western Electric and AT&T. I retired in 1985 and moved to Florida with my wife, Lillian, and on to Aberdeen in 1990.

By: Bob Tanenbaum

I’m starting to breathe easily again. At last, blood is flowing to my brain. The fog is lifting. In other words, baseball’s almost here.

I die every November and am resurrected on or around the eve of Opening Day. Fifteen box scores to digest almost every day. Now that’s living. How much do I love baseball?

Well, my son and I have been to every major league park and one in Italy. I own 50+ baseball ties. I have a piece of the Shea Stadium wall in my garage. I have a mascot bobble head doll for each team and use them to keep up-to-date standings throughout the season.

Also, I know everything you need to know for the upcoming season and I’m willing to share.

I’ve grouped the teams in 5 tiers – starting with the most likely to be playing into early November (and, for context, compared them to the contenders for November’s other major contest). Group 1:
The Front Runners (AKA the Clinton/Trump Division) The Chicago Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908 (some of you may remember it; if not read “Crazy ‘08” by Cait Murphy) but Vegas thinks this is their year. Chicago has wisely added quality veterans (OF Jason Heyward, 2B Ben Zobrist, SP John Lackey and P Adam Warren) to his collection of young homegrown superstars.

Yikes!
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t go on their usual spending spree even after losing ace pitcher Zach Grienke to Arizona. Sure, they bought Scott Kazmir as a rotation replacement and re-upped Howie Kendrick at $20M for two years. Why not spend more? LA has three can’t-miss rookies (SS Corey Seager, 2B Jose Peraza and SP Julio Urias, 19, who has a left eye that’s partially shut and a left arm that shuts down batters.) Double Yikes!!

The New York Mets make this group thanks to a starting rotation that carried the team to the World Series last fall and now has rookie Stephen Matz for a full season and will welcome back ace-quality starter Zach Wheeler in midseason. Re-signing September hero Yoenis Cespedes was a must. The Cuban refugee outfielder owns a collection of outlandishly expensive cars that you should watch for on 1-95 since he keeps some of them at his Bocaire CC mansion in Boca. One Yikes.

The Mets blew past the Washington Nationals in the stretch but the Nats will rebound with baseball’s best player Bryce Harper carrying the team despite the loss of quality starters, Jordan Zimmerman and Doug Fister. Management wised up and dumped dunderhead manager Matt Williams and hired a real skipper in Dusty Baker. The move is worth 5-10 wins.

The reigning-champion Kansas City Royals are too solid and complete a franchise to underrate. Their key move was re-signing OF Alex Gordon. They have a knack at rehabbing pitchers and will try again with SP Ian Kennedy and RP Joachim Soria. One Yikes plus.

Last, and least of this group, is the New York Yankees. While swearing off on big-time contracts, they couldn’t resist adding a third closer – legally challenged (domestic violence) 100 MPH thrower Aroldis Chapman — to their overcrowded bullpen and almost All-Star quality infielder Starlin Castro to the lineup. The key could be a rookie outfielder named Aaron Judge. He’s about 6-foot-7 and drawing comparisons to Dave Winfield. If that happens and A-Rod continues to cheat without getting caught, give ‘em a half-Yikes.

Group 2:
The Secondary Contenders (AKA The Sanders/Cruz/Rubio Division)

The Toronto Blue Jays because they are the best-hitting team in baseball.

The St. Louis Cardinals because they always rebuild into a better team with an amazing farm system and clever trades — this time former Padre 2B Jedd Gyorko.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been knocking on the door for a half-decade now in the NL Central and now they’ll have two doors to blow down: Cubs and Cards. But don’t say it can’t happen. Phenom rookie starter Tyler Glasnow could be the catalyst.

Count the San Francisco Giants in this group, if only because of history. The Giants have won it all in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Get the pattern? Injuries have blown apart a solid rotation so they brought in starters Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to return to glory.

No person has had a greater impact on the game over the past 25 years than Tony LaRussa. The former manager now pulls strings as the Chief Baseball Officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks. LaRussa pushed the mostly homegrown Snakes to sign the winter’s No.1 free agent SP Zack Greinke from LA. They’d be a favorite for the NL West crown if not for LA and SF.

Based on a strong starting rotation you’ve heard little about (2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar) the Cleveland Indians will be this season’s dark horses du jour.

Group 3
“So You’re Saying There’s A Chance?” (AKA the Carson/Kasich Division)

Last place; last place; World Series Champions; last place. That’s what the Boston Red Sox have accomplished the last four years. Based on offseason moves that equal or surpass the Cubs, Beantown could be rocking again. Arriving is ace starter David Price and baseball’s most consistent closer Craig Kimbrel. If offensive and defensive inconsistencies are solved, we may have to give them a Yikes!

The Detroit Tigers have a solid offensive nucleus and have added SP Jordan Zimmermann and OF Justin Upton.

The surprising Minnesota Twins missed the playoffs by only three games last year. They could make up the difference if rookies OF Bryon Buxton and SP Jose Berrios live up to expectations.

The Houston Astros, last season’s division champs, are loaded with young talent, suspect starters and a possible black hole at first base.

The annually underachieving Los Angeles Angels surprised by not spending big on free agents but brought in Andrelton Simmons, a defensive genius at shortstop, to bring cohesion to a star-dotted lineup that’s lost its way. The Texas Rangers could be the surprise of the bunch based on rookies 3B Joey Gallo and OF Nomar Mazara.

Group 4:
Never Taken Seriously (AKA the Jeb/Christie/Fiorina/Huckabee Division)

This group of teams has little chance at a playoff spot, but they might have hope for relevance. Not the Chicago White Sox despite adding slugger Todd Frazier. Not the Miami Marlins despite the league’s No.1 slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, and arguably No.1 young starter, Jose Fernandez; not the Baltimore Orioles despite re-signing stars 1B Chris Davis, C Matt Weiters and RP Darren O’Day. Not the Seattle Mariners despite pitching ace “King” Felix Hernandez; not the Tampa Bay Rays, who have sold or traded almost all their young stars; not the San Diego Padres, who spent a fortune last season and are left with a manager and players we’ve never heard of.

Group 5:
Why even show up? (AKA the Pataki/Chaffee/Jindal/O’Malley Division)

These teams are worse than the Padres. They have no shot at a .500 season. If you root for them, you can starting waiting for next year now. Philadelphia Phillies; Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds.

Final Predictions:
So what will happen? I want what I wanted last year. Blue Jays vs. Mets in the World Series. Best hitting vs. best pitching with lots of errors when the ball’s in play and not blasted into the seats. Mets in seven.

Submitted By: Luis A. Torres (Ashford)

Pilates:
Why it’s good: Done on a floor mat or machine, Pilates stretches the spine and strengthens muscles.

Do it Safely: Try a one-on-one session with a certified teacher or find a class that addresses arthritis needs. Always move within a pain-free range, and work at your own pace. Cautions: If you have osteoporosis, don’t bend forward with a curved back as it could up your risk of fracture, says Rebekah Rotstein, a Pilates instructor in New York City who offers classes specifically for people with bone and joint issues.

Yoga:
Why it’s good: A slow-paced class that emphasizes proper form, as Iyengar yoga does, improves flexibility, strengthens muscles and reduces stress.

Do it Safely: Learn a comfortable resting pose to do in lieu of those that might cause discomfort. If you have severe arthritis, consider a chair yoga class.

Cautions: Certain moves can strain affected joints; if you feel discomfort, modify the pose or assume a resting pose.

Tai Chi:
Why it’s good: This mind-body martial art improves balance and reduces stress and arthritis pain.

Do it Safely: Wear comfortable footwear with support. If your range of motion is limited, ask the instructor for modified moves.

Cautions: Although tai chi is suitable for almost everyone, doing the moves while standing might not be best for people with severe arthritis or balance issues

Strength Training:
Why it’s good: Gentle strength training builds bone and strengthens muscles around joints, improving your stability.

Do it Safely: Consult a personal trainer or physical therapist to learn the proper way to lift free weights or use resistance machines, and to learn how much to start with. If you strain muscles easily, try resistance bands or simply contracting and then relaxing different muscles.

Cautions: Using the wrong technique or too much weight can worsen arthritis pain or cause injury.

Elliptical Machine:
Why it’s good: Because part of the work is done by the machine and because your joints go through a fluid, circular motion, there’s less stress and strain on your lower body.

Do it Safely: Start with 10 minute sessions for the first few weeks, increasing time by five or ten minutes a week. Begin at the lowest (easiest) slope and resistance settings.

Cautions: If you have balance or coordination issues, this might not be the machine for you.

Cycling:
Why it’s Good: Indoors or out, cycling works all the muscles in your lower body – even your feet.

Do it Safely: Adjust the seat height so that your extended leg is slightly bent. If you ride outside, wear padded cycling gloves to absorb shock, and avoid handlebars that cause you to hunch over, which increases stress on your hand, wrists and elbows.

Cautions: Upright stationary and outdoor bikes can aggravate back or knee problems. The solution might be a recumbent bike, which supports your back with your legs extended.

Published by: The Arthritis Foundation – Arthritis Today, Sept./Oct. 2011 Issue Author: Catherine Winters, a freelance writer in NYC.

Submitted By: Toby Wolberg (Oxford Place)

Three men are playing in a golf tournament: one is an eye surgeon, one is a priest and the other is an engineer. The club captain comes through checking the field and asks if everything is going alright.

“No”, they say. “Those men ahead are dreadfully slow and holding up the field.” “Oh, be patient with them,” says the captain. “They’re blind.”

“That’s terrible,” says the eye surgeon, “Send them to me and I’ll see if there’s anything I can do for them.” The priest says, “I’ll pray for them.” The engineer says, “Why can’t they play at night?”

By: Jerry Finkel (Sterling)

The following is in response to last month’s article “Spice Rack Remedies”, which stated, without reservation, that “Taking less than a half teaspoon (of cinnamon) daily can decrease blood sugar by 25 percent”.

The article below is from WebMD, which provides a more complete and accurate account of the effect of cinnamon on reducing blood sugar level.

Does Cinnamon Help Diabetes?
It’s fine to sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or use it in baking. Go ahead and enjoy it if you like its taste. But if you hope that it will help you manage your diabetes, you might want to pause before you head to your spice rack.

It’s not yet clear if cinnamon is good for diabetes. Research findings have been mixed, and the American Diabetes Association dismisses cinnamon’s use in diabetes treatment.

Several small studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels. Some of this work shows it may curb blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance.

In one study, volunteers ate from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days. (One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon.) The researchers found that cinnamon cut cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%. But in other studies, the spice did not lower blood sugar or cholesterol levels.

March was a busy month for the Hamptons! We started off with the community luncheon on Mar. 12th. Forty-seven residents, as of this date, enjoyed a lovely afternoon of socializing, eating and winning prizes. My thanks and appreciation go out to our so-cial committee whose effort and hard work helped to make the day a huge success. – JANET FRIEDMAN, JOYCE HIRSCHMAN, CORINNE SCHLEIFMAN, ALYCE SIMONS.

Mar. 15th, gave Hampton residents an opportunity to meet the candidates running for board positions. Mar. 22nd. was our annual community meeting and election of board directors. Election results will be posted at the pool as well as in the May edition of the Aberdeen Times. Thank you to the nominating committee who gave of their time to interview all potential candidates. – JOE ROSZKOWSKI, CON-NIE LAMENDOLA, GERRI GLAZER.

On a very sad note we regret to inform you of the passing of Lawrence Greene on Friday, February 12, 2016. Larry was a longtime resident (1987-2016) and former Board Director of the Hampton HOA. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. Our condolences are sent to Selma and the entire Greene family.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all a most joyous Easter and a happy Passover.