News Archives
Mr. Rivera’s 105th Birthday
Eustacio Rivera birth was recorded in Puerto Rico April 5, 1919 and from that day forward April 5 has always been a reason for celebration in the Rivera family.
This year to celebrate Mr. Rivera’s 105th birthday we have requested the Statham’s Landing community to participate in a birthday card shower. If you would like to participate, please mail a birthday card to the following before April 5:
Mr. Eustacio Rivera
108 Forest Mill Drive
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Life was somewhat different when Eustacio came into the world. There were many firsts in 1919 such as the end of the first World War, the Treaty of Versailles, the World Series, short wave radio, radio stations, women’s suffrage and commercial airlines.
He was first generation American. His family settled in Puerto Rico from Spain and the Canary Islands. In this new land his parents continued the traditions of generations before them. This included nourishing their children with the food that they grew from the land, hunted and fished. Meals occasionally included beef or chicken also raised by the family.
Eustacio has always been thin and short in stature. Apart from genetics, his healthy longevity could be due to him eating like a bird and very rarely eating dairy products. His rare exception is a bowl of ice cream. He detests fried foods and never developed a taste for or enjoyed the convenience of processed foods. This has never been his prescribed diet. It just comes naturally and a way of life for him.
For young Eustacio life was a beach. With radio stations hitting Puerto Rico in 1922. Eustacio’s youth included listening to music blasting over the airwaves, partying in the streets like a Bohemian and learning to play guitar. Baseball was a favorite pastime in Puerto Rico as with the rest of America. He was (and still is) a huge baseball fan. On a more serious note, he learned the trade of woodworking and furniture making and eventually owned a small grocery store in Puerto Rico.
Despite the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazi Germany became imminent. At the age of 25, Eustacio was on the beaches of Normandy in a fight for his life and for the survival of the free world. This stoical member of the Silent Great Generation survived as did the free world. Like other men and women from that era, he never complains and rarely talks about the war unless he has had a few drinks. Even then he is tight lipped and keeps his feelings close to his heart.
Eustacio is known in his family as Uncle Sam’s right-hand man. He did not merely suggest that his children should serve. He strongly urged them to serve and above all always be loyal to Old Glory. As it turned out all his children, four boys and two girls, served in the military. They never questioned walking in the footsteps of their American hero father.
As life goes Eustacio has endured grief, sorrow and experienced great joy. He was widowed a few times and continues to miss family and friends he has lost. One of his greatest joys, bore from angst grief, was having his two prisoner of war sons return home alive and unscathed from Viet Nam.
These days don’t picture Eustacio as an old man lying around in a hospital bed. He is feisty, funny and quick witted. When we asked him to join us in a game of dominoes at a neighbor’s Fourth of July party, he seemed somewhat reluctant.
“Why? Do you want to take advantage of a deaf and legally blind old man?” But before we knew it, it was game on. As he entertained (sidetracked) us with his bilingual skills, counting uno, two, tres, four cinco and chuckling at his and our jokes, he laid out his hard-to-beat strategy.
Eustacio doesn’t sit still for long. His son Tony, uses a paraphrase to describe his dad. “He doesn’t have ants in his pants. My dad has fire ants in his pants!”
Eustacio, who goes by the nickname Taso, resides with his son Antonio and daughter in-law Sandra Rivera in the Woodfield neighborhood of Statham’s Landing. Often you can see Taso walking around the neighborhood or raking leaves in their front yard.
Statham’s Landing Spring Clean-Up – March 16, 2024
Hello,
Please mark March 16, 2024 as our annual “Statham’s Landing Spring Clean-Up” day! We’ll meet at the Southern Landings Club parking lot at 8:30AM.
Plastic bags and water will be provided; however, bring gloves and of course be aware of the weather and dress appropriately.
We’ll pick-up trash/litter on the islands on Stathams Way, the front entrance and the surrounding area, remove debris from curbing and whatever else we can reasonably do with a goal of finishing by 11:00-12:00! We live in a great neighborhood and appreciate your help to keep it great!
Please forward to your neighbors, and if you have questions or suggestions, give me a call; otherwise, hope to see you on Saturday, March 16!
John
478.319.9228
P.S. In the event of rain, we’ll slip it a week to March 23.
Egg Hunt – March 24, 2024
Tentative dates for food truck events:
Tentative dates for food truck events:
March 3/28 Thursday
April 4/24 Wednesday
May 5/22 Wednesday
June 6/19 Wednesday *This is a holiday but is not expected to impact the event*
July 7/24 Wednesday
August 8/21 Wednesday
SELF-NOMINATION CANDIDATE CALL
STATHAM’S LANDING
MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (SLM&IA)
SELF-NOMINATION CANDIDATE CALL
***WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TO KEEP THE SLM&IA VIABLE***
PART 1: Where is help needed? Both elected and non-elected volunteers are needed for leadership and support positions. Elected positions include directors for each of the 17 neighborhoods, seven directors at large, and eight standing committees. Other committees are formed as needed, and may be led by elected or non-elected individuals. All property owners and spouses in good standing within the Statham’s Landing neighborhoods are eligible to volunteer. Some volunteer positions require more time than others; activity descriptions are posted on www.stathamslanding.org.
PART 2: How do I volunteer for an elected position? Election will be held within the 30 days prior to the 20 May 24 Annual Homeowners’ Meeting. Please fill out the information below describing the elected position for which you would like to be considered and fill out a short resume based on the questions below. If you choose a subdivision director, you may only sign up for the subdivision in which you reside. If you want to nominate another person for an elected position, please ensure that person is willing to take on that responsibility.