Jean Mosshart

Sometimes even I have a hard time realizing the scope of HOA involvement. Some activities are very visible; some are more behind the scenes.  I would like to take some time to enumerate many of these.

Publication of Smoke Signals is prominent in the long list of HOA responsibilities.  However, we leave that in the very capable hands of the Executive Editor, Chuck Gordon, and the Managing Editor. The Managing Editor for the last four years has been John Shivers and we have watched the paper grow and change under the tutelage of Chuck and John. Now we are embarking on a new era with the selection of Ann Dickerson as Managing Editor and are very excited about what she will bring to Smoke Signals.

Other publications in the HOA basket are also important to life in Big Canoe.  There is the annual directory we all depend on, the new Big Canoe Atlas and wall map that we are so proud of, and the Residents Information Manual.  Responsibility for the directory fell to George Thurman and he relied on the very capable work of sub committee chairperson, Jean Dominik.  We are very grateful for the unbelievable expertise of Steve Pohlman in the creation of the new maps.  We also are most appreciative of the untold hours given by Ray Bowyer, Stacy Guidice, and Bill Wilson in researching all of the information needed to be able to generate the maps.  Ray Bowyer also kept the Residents Information Manual up to date.

Ray has served this year as treasurer and done a superb job.  This is Ray's last year as a director, having served the last three years in various capacities. Jack Foster has done such a good job as secretary and has been so willing to help in any way with our many activities. John Seferian has served this year as vice president and has offered been such strong support. We hated to lose him to the POA but know his skills are needed there.

The committee chairmen have given so generously of their time and talents.  A mere thank you is not enough for each of them.  Steve Moranos, as Activities chairman, has worked hard to provide such things as youth soccer, adult softball, Trunk or Treat, and many other community activities. He also is responsible for acquiring the new air pump which you will read about in another article. 

Community Betterment, headed by George Thurman, has a daunting list of responsibilities but he has managed to successfully manage it all. His duties included the publication of the directory, managing the highly successful propane consortium, maintaining the post office facility and doing a badly needed complete overhaul of the signage in it, conducting Trash and Bash (clean-up of Steve Tate Highway) and managing to make it a lot of fun, and devoting many hours to support for the proposed Dawson County Community Center. His has been a never-ending job. Thank you, George.

Helen Buckelew has brought so much concern and wonderful planning to the Community Health and Wellness Committee sponsoring CPR clinics, community blood drives, flu and pneumonia inoculation clinics, audiology and blood pressure screenings, and various health related seminars. She has also contributed so much to the Pandemic Preparedness Committee, serving as an HOA representative.       

Most of you are aware of the many events that Carolyn Littell has headed up as chairman of the Cultural Programs Committee. Hers has been a very active year including Return of the Beetles, a jazz concert by The Kayla Taylor Trio with Jim van Voorheis and another by Joe Grandsen, a piano concert by Joe Chapman, and a concert by the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Of course the crown jewel is the always fantastic Symphony on the Green by the Dekalb Symphony.  Add to this a reading by three members of the Writer's Group and the showing of the classic movie Song of the South and you can see what a busy lady she has been.

She is also instrumental in planning for our annual meeting, featuring lunch catered by the Varsity. To top it all off she has done the research needed for the purchase of a new outdoor stage for the community to use for future productions. This stage was inaugurated at the Amazing Rhythm Aces concert.

Ben Collins as Education Committee chairman conducted a number of very interesting seminars on such topics as digital photography, fire sprinkler systems, get out the vote campaign, financial strategies and global security threats along with three AARP Defensive Driving classes.         

The Liaison Committee, chaired by Tom Alexander, provided contact with and brought back information from the Safety and Security Services, including fire services. And Laura Morris has worked tirelessly to promote membership in the HOA and keep tabs on our over 1,300 members.  Her job also includes welcoming new residents and providing them with information to make their introduction to Big Canoe a very pleasant one.

Pat Connelly has been our Public Relations and Communication Chairman and has been responsible for keeping you informed. The bi-weekly "Round the Mountain" is part of her job as are the various e-blasts that let you know about special and important events. She coordinates articles submitted to Smoke Signals, keeps the Community Calendar updated and monitors the HOA web site.

Whew!!! We have been busy haven't we?  And always we have been vigilant in watching out for the homeowners. We monitor events of all descriptions, striving to determine what is in the best interest of every homeowner in Big Canoe and taking the necessary action if needed.

I want to say a special thank you to the directors who are completing their terms - Steve Moranos, Pat Connelly, and Ray Bowyer. John Seferian also is resigning because he is now serving as a POA elected director.  Welcome to the four new directors serving a three-year term - Kay Born, Carl Dean, Sue Hauseman and Ron James - and to Tom Almy who will be serving the remaining year of John Seferian's term.

nd now it is time to turn things over to a very capable new set of officers. Helen Buckelew has been elected president for the 2007-08 year.  Serving with her will be George Thurman, vice-president, and Ben Collins, treasurer.  Helen will be appointing a secretary from the newly elected directors.  I know the good work of the HOA will thrive with this leadership.