
*ONE OF THOSE*

This morning my thoughts went on and on about a Five Oaks neighbor. There was so much going through my mind, that I had to get a pad and pen, and make notes ~~ and here’s what I scribbled down:
** Spearheads our Community’s Neighborhood Watch program;
**. Attends Durham Police meetings;
** Responsible for our annual National Night Out (a Neighborhood Watch evening);
** Always volunteers to drive;
** Visits and assists our older folk, our sick and troubled neighbors;
** Walks the neighborhood for signatures & donations;
** Builds our Community snowmen;
** Helps with shoveling snow;
** Organizes the Five Oaks Island Garage Sale;
** Plans for neighborhood baby showers;
** Takes beautiful Community photos;
** Always has a smile;
** Always there to help;
** Attends all our Community events;
** Always brings something delicious to share;
** Has put Five Oaks Island (Pin Oak) on the map
** We are unofficially voting her in as head of our *Sunshine Committee*.
And with all that, she still finds time to be her adventuress self:
** Travels the World;
** The NC Beach & our Community Pool is her happy places;
** Always the first one up (& down) our Inflatable slide (not just once but many times);
** Always at the Pool to get her laps in and socialize;
** Last but certainly not least, don ‘t look for her on Sundays. She will be in her beloved Church!
I would only hope that all neighborhoods would be blessed with *one of those* ~~ an amazing woman. You all know who this lovely lady is….right? Scroll down, leave a *Comment*, and say “hello” to Rita.

Update b/Ellen 9/18/2018:
Rita accepted an Award from the Mayor of Durham for her tireless effort in creating and keeping our Neighborhood Watch program up and running. See her photo HERE!
What a very nice tribute to Rita! She is an awesome neighbor!!! I can’t thank her enough for all she does to bring our community together and make it a very special place to live.
EXCITING NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS:
Our Pin Oak neighbor, and Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Rita Vanags, has been selected by the City of Durham, to be awarded Durham’s *Neighbor Spotlight*. The purpose of this Durham program is to recognize residents who have gone above and beyond (1) the normal responsibilities to improve our Five Oaks Community; (2) increases involvement of other Five Oaks neighbors; (3) work to improve the safety and security of our Community; and (4) improve the quality of life within our Community. Rita will be presented with the Neighbor Spotlight Certificate by the Mayor of Durham during a City Council meeting. She will receive a sign that will display her Neighbor Spotlight selection; and she will be highlighted on the Durham Neighbor Spotlight website. Congratulations Rita for a job well done ~ the Five Oaks Community is appreciative of all you do, and we are so very proud of you! (dated 9/1/2018)