Lifelong Learning Activities Can Affect Your Health...POSITIVELY!

by Ken Colen

In academic circles, the seventh year is often referred to as the "sabbatical year." This is a time when faculty and staff are given an opportunity to reflect, refresh, do research and come back recharged to continue the endeavor. This past year was Master the Possibilities Education Center's "sabbatical year"...the seventh year of this experiment in lifelong learning. Due to demand, we didn't have a chance to "retreat and reflect."  Instead, our "reset" was accomplished while "on the job."

 Here's what happened in 2012:

• We moved to a new trimester framework and associated catalog distribution. Quarterly catalogs were replaced with Winter/Spring (Jan-May), Summer (Jun-Aug) and Fall (Sep-Dec) issues.
• We published our catalogs two weeks earlier each term than in past years. This allowed an early registration period with more time for you to consider the offerings.
• We increased class offerings to about 1,200 annually...half of which were NEW.
• Our roster of students/users topped 7,000.
• More programs ran than ever before.
• All but one month recorded the "best ever" enrollment totals.
• Overall enrollments were 22,000+.

Our "sabbatical year" was a milestone success. With your support, enrollments, suggestions and friendship we did indeed recharge within the learning community we have formed together. 

Our new look and curriculum was inspired by you. We listen to what you want, and if we can lock in qualified instructors, we transmit the idea to reality. Our underlying objective continues to be to gain your confidence as a premier center for lifelong learning and to maintain your support. In a recent nationwide publication, Where to Retire magazine (May/Jun 2012), Master the Possibilities was described as a "stunning success." We are proud of this and challenged to continue with the best in adult education. It is a privilege.

Every time we publish a catalog (this being our 28th) it represents what we have seen as trending and what you voiced to us. We anticipate as well as respond. In this edition you'll find our largest array of presentations and 50% will be NEW. It is a combination of academic, special interest series, art and computer offerings. Our faculty is credentialed and experienced. Our fees are low...many classes are free. If you reside at On Top of the World Communities or Stone Creek, you can attend a free class every day that we are in session.

It's a great time to be a learner. This journey is, indeed, lifelong. It stimulates your mind, opens your eyes to new possibilities, and engages you with others who share your love and learning...and living; "mastering the possibilities" can enhance your life. This is a great experience...welcome to all we do.

SEE YOU IN CLASS!

Ken Colen is the President of On Top of the World Communities.

How to Shop for Your Grandkids

by: Adria Byers

You may think you know your grandkids' wants and needs but come Christmas time, their wants supersede their needs 10-fold, and they seem to change daily. Kids these days are tech-savvy, TV-watching zombies who only really listen to their friends' advice and their favorite artist's music over and over and over... So how do you get this uber intelligent and picky child a Christmas gift they will cherish rather than hide in a drawer or closet? These shopping tips will help you become the coolest gift-giving grandparent ever!

First, the age of your grandchild is very important to determining what to get them this year. If the child is a baby or toddler, just about anything you give them will be okay. They won't and can't judge you since they can't really form full sentences yet. But once your grandkid turns five, you better be on your game. Luckily, elementary-aged kids still believe in Santa...well most of them do anyway. So getting them to write a wish list to the big guy will help YOU at the stores! You may need to enlist their mom and dad's help to give you a copy of the list but that should be easy...just be persistent. Most o f the items on this list will be fairly easy to find in stores since most all of them will be from the commercials they see on TV. If you've never heard of some of the items, Google them. Google is your friend!

Now the hard part...shopping for grandkids between the ages of 11-18. Expect to spend a lot of money on just one item for this demographic! These kids are all about expensive electronics and clothing. However, finding out what they want is easier because Santa is not involved in the process...you just ask them directly. Again, if you don't know what Hollister, Aeropostale, One Direction, and Sperry shoes are, Google it. Google is your BEST friend! 

Where can you find such items without having to take out a second mortgage? eBay and Amazon, that's where. If you haven't had the chance to explore and use these websites, the holidays are the perfect time to get acquainted. Also, if you don't want to navigate crowded stores, traffic or the internet, giving money is the answer. Hard cold cash, iTunes music cards, prepaid credit cards and department store gift cards will definitely put a smile on a teenager's face. You can find most of those gift cards at Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. It's convenient since you're already going there to pick up your medicine!

Whatever you do, don't give them that sweater you knitted for hours and hours as a Christmas gift. According to kids, that's not a Christmas kind of gift. It's something you give the child on a Tuesday in January when it's really cold outside. That's when they'll appreciate your knitting, trust me!

Follow these steps, and you will be the rock-star grandparent those kids will brag about in school. Happy Holidays! :)


Adria Byers is the Social Media Coordinator for On Top of the World Communities and its entities.

COURSE CARE: GOING GREEN WITH SOLAR PANELS

by Andrew Jorgensen

Solar panels installed atop the roof of the turf care facility at
Candler Hills Golf Club in Ocala, Fla., meet all electrical needs
for maintenance activities.

For obvious reasons, renewable energy continues to warrant significant attention and demand in nearly every industry today. Fortunately, as technology continues to improve and greater efficiency in real-world scenarios are achieved, solar systems are becoming more practical than ever before. In this case study, the method of capturing solar energy for conversion into usable electricity is being utilized with great success at Candler Hills Golf Club in Ocala, Fla.

In 2011, a solar system comprised of 297 photovoltaic panels was constructed atop the maintenance facility at Candler Hills Golf Club. Photovoltaics are a method of generating electrical power by capturing solar radiation and converting it into usable energy. For our system, inverters are used to convert direct current (DC) solar energy captured from panels on the roof into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power building utilities and equipment and charge batteries.

The 297 solar panels combine to produce roughly 56,000 DC watts of energy and, for our location in central Florida, approximately 90,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This is more than enough to meet all of the electrical needs at our facility. Any unused power can be sold back to the energy company because our system is tied back to the power grid through a two-way meter. The system is not connected to a bank of batteries because a storage system is very expensive and not practical for our needs. So if the power goes out, we lose power as well.

Energy production varies with location and time of year. For our locale in central Florida, the peak season for solar energy production is September through April because the sun is nearly perfectly perpendicular to the rooftop panels, resulting in maximum absorption.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that energy production would be highest during the warmer months of May through August, when sun intensity and duration are greatest. The contrary is actually true for two reasons.

First, the angle of the sun is directly overhead, resulting in much of the solar radiation glancing off the panels. Second, extreme heat causes solar panels to be less efficient, which must be accounted for during the summer in southern climates like Florida.

The panels we chose have an 80% energy efficiency rating at 30 years, meaning that in 30 years they will still be producing nearly 45,000 DC watts, or 80% of their original 56,000 DC-watt capacity. The system was designed to produce 115% of our maintenance facility’s current needs, knowing that we will eventually be consuming 100% of what the panels produce as the output efficiency of the panels reduces over time and our energy use increases.

We had considered the solar panel system for some time, but the initial cost was significant, which originally caused us to opt against the project. In early 2011, however, our energy provider announced a photovoltaic rebate program that offered a refund for a portion of the cost of the system. Since it is a rebate, funding had to be provided up front to the system installer, with the rebate check from the energy supplier coming later.

The rebate was dependent on passing a review of the proposed system and building in which the system was going to be installed. Helping us capture the most solar energy is that our building faces due south and has the perfect roof pitch for solar panels. Also, the building is still quite new and the shingles should last another 15 years or more, which reduces ongoing maintenance costs associated with removing the panels for reshingling after system installation. In our case, once our energy provider inspected the system and building, we passed with flying colors and were approved for a rebate of nearly $90,000 toward the cost of the system.

This reduced the cost per watt of the system down to approximately four dollars. Today, we are also able to use the system for a 30% tax credit on our company taxes at the end of the year, further offsetting the cost of the system. So, when considering the rebate combined with the tax credit, the total cost of the system ended up being just 40% of the original estimate.

Furthermore, we recently had an energy audit performed by the energy supplier. The audit resulted in installing several additional energy-saving mechanisms, including photocells on outdoor lights, timers on motors and pumps, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, and energy-efficient air conditioning in the offices.

Looking forward, our system has a payback of roughly 12 years. This means that in 12 years, when everyone else is still being billed for power, we will no longer have to pass on these charges to our golf customers.

Clearly, it is a way for us to reduce expenses without any adverse effects to course quality. Over the 30-year life of the system, and excluding installation costs, we are looking at a total savings of roughly $200,000 in electrical costs.

Andrew Jorgensen is the Golf Course Superintendent for On Top of the World Communities and Candler Hills Golf Club.

Keep Your Shower Water Tight

by Robert Colen

A few weeks ago, an On Top of the World homeowner came to the customer service department with the concern that mold was growing in her master bedroom closet. Since On Top of the World has state licensed mold inspectors on staff, we arranged to go out and take a look. Our findings are a lesson on required routine maintenance that most homeowners seldom do.

When our inspectors visited the home, the mold-damaged drywall in the master bedroom closet had already been cut out by the homeowner. However, the mold growing on the inside wall was still visible and the floor inside the wall was still wet. How did the water get in the closet to begin with? Suddenly, it became clear...the master bathroom shower is on the other side of the closet. When we inspected the shower, the first thing we noticed were the cracks in the grout along the bottom of the wall and the corners. That's where the water was coming from! 

The shower water was leaking through the cracks in the grout, saturating the closet wall and floor behind the tile and ultimately fostering mold growth. It's known that mold needs moisture to grow so even though the closet wall can be repaired, if the cause of the leak in the shower is not fixed, mold will continue to appear.

This problem can happen in any home where tile, grout and caulk protect a sub wall. The solution to keeping your shower water tight? We recommend a bath and tile caulk be applied to the corners and base of the tile all around the shower or tub at least once per year. To properly apply new caulking, the old caulking should first be removed. Bath and tile caulking is available at Lowe's or Home Depot. 

So when you're done reading this blog, get up and check the grouting in your shower to see if it needs caulking. It will prevent mold from growing inside your home and it will also save you money!

Robert Colen is the Warranty Supervisor for On Top of the World Communities.

Biological Age vs Chronological Age

by Cammy Dennis

Perceptions of aging are influenced by many things. Our thoughts and feelings about the aging process are impacted by our culture, societal views and the media. As we age and contemplate wellness, it is very important to remember that the concept of chronological age is not nearly as important as your biological age.

Your biological age, which reflects the state of your well being, is a comparison to other people of the same chronological or actual age. Biological age is a reflection of many health considerations. For example: disease risk factors, changes in the physical structure of the body as well as changes in the performance of motor skills and sensory awareness.

One of the most positive influences on our health, or our biological age, is our lifestyle. People who exercise regularly and make an effort to eat nutrient-rich foods are very likely to have a biological age that is lower than their chronological age. On the other hand, those who are less active or sedentary and do not eat a healthy diet might have a biological age that is higher than their chronological age.

Everyone ages, but our lifestyle can make a remarkable difference between our chronological and biological age. A 70 year-old person who is healthy, active and engaged might very well have a body and mind that is closer to a 60 year-old person. There are numerous studies supporting the relationship between a healthy physical and emotional state and longevity. Our age, or rather a number, should not define who we are or what we are capable of.

I continue to be amazed and inspired by the On Top of the World residents who are world travelers, tireless volunteers and competitive athletes. Our birthday will greet us every year, but it's never too late to lower your biological age.


Cammy Dennis is the Fitness Director for On Top of the World Communities and The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa.

Popular Resident Club Has Successful Yearly Event!

12th Annual RC Flyers Fun Fly-In • October 6, 2012
by M. Keith Nadel

The On Top of the World Communities (OTOW) resident run RC Flyers Club opened their 12th Annual Fun Fly-In not with planes but with sophisticated helicopters whose dazzling acrobatics made the spectators of this coveted event gasp with amazement. 

Thirty-three flyers and their planes arrived from all over Florida including Orlando, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Eustis, Chiefland, Newberry, Archer, Mt. Plymouth, Deland, Mateo, Morriston, The Villages, Maitland, Clermont, Trenton, as well as the Ocala Model Flying Club. Approximately 30 of the 33 actually flew their crafts, 12 were OTOW RC Flyers Club members and 21 were from other areas.

The windsock located at the OTOW RC Airplane Field was a model of decorum...no wind whatsoever. Superior flying conditions; the same for spectators. As atmospheric conditions improved, spectators arrived, the parking crew assigned spaces, planes were exposed and placed on the starting tables. 

Following their flights, 23 planes were observed by the crowd and judged for the quality of their craftsmanship. Three were chosen for prizes by pilots. The $100 first place prize went to Gary West of the Ocala Model Flying Club who presented a FW-190 (Stuka) with a 102-inch wingspan. The $50 second place award was presented to Jerry Luyck from the OTOW RC Flyers Club who flew a JU 87-DZ with a wingspan of 102 inches. Al Ward of the RC Association of Central Florida was awarded the third place prize of $25 for his Bronco (OB-10) whose wingspan was 90 inches.

The entire affair was beautifully synchronized and credited to the acumen of the event chairman, contest director and astute announcer.

M. Keith Nadel is a resident of OTOW and contributor to the OTOW World News. 

Live, Laugh and Play at On Top of the World Communities

Enjoy spacious, beautifully furnished
accommodations during your stay.

The Visitation Program is the perfect way for prospective new residents to experience life at On Top of the World Communities in Ocala, Florida.  Why settle for just a brief tour when you can LIVE the lifestyle of a resident for 3 days and 2 nights?

During your visit, you’ll stay in a comfortable and beautifully furnished two-bedroom villa, with all the comforts of home…no cramped quarters here.  Enjoy spacious accommodations; our villas range from 1,400 to almost 1,800 square feet and each has a screened lanai. 

Take your very own golf cart around the
community.

For your convenience, every guest villa has its own golf cart, the most popular form of transportation here at On Top of the World, so you may enjoy exploring the community. Take the golf cart anywhere you choose, to golf, fitness facilities, entertainment, grocery stores, restaurants, retail and more. And when you’re ready to go back to the villa, just park it in the garage and charge it up for the next day.

On Top of the World residents fill their schedules with a variety of activities and interests.  During your stay, you can do as much or as little as you like.  Play golf at Candler Hills Golf Club, tennis at the Arbor Club or card games at the Health & Recreation Center. Visit the weekly Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. Attend a life-long learning class at Master the Possibilities Education Center. Use state of the art fitness facilities. Relax with a salon or spa treatment at The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa. Dance the night away on Friday or Saturday night at The Town Square. Take in a live concert by top name entertainment at the Circle Square Cultural Center.

Our professional sales counselors will guide you through a tour of On Top of the World and our model homes, helping you determine which neighborhood and home design best suits your lifestyle.  Keeping your best interests in mind, they will assist you in finding the perfect home at a great price. 

So begin the process today of calling this award-winning, amenity-rich community your next home and make plans now to enjoy a 3-day/2-night stay for only $129* per couple. See the VISIT US page at www.OnTopoftheWorld.com for more details.