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GC Messenger
2012, vol. 2
Resorts
G rand
Crowne
Carriage
Place
Townhouses
The
A Few Words From Your Board of Directors
H
appy fall season everyone,
H
Carriage
I hope you all had a great summer.
G rand
Crowne
As we move into the end of 2012, I’m
happy to report that we had quite a
few improvements made to our
Townhouses: Wi-Fi installation, new deck
furniture, new roofs on several units, new
mattresses, and much more. But the most
exciting improvement is the completed
refurbishment of the “A” Building units,
thanks to Mark Smith and his wonderful
maintenance staff. What a great job they
did! Be sure and check the units out the
next time you’re at the resort. They are just
beautiful!
The best news though, is that there will be
no increase in our maintenance dues for
2013. But please get your dues in on time
so we can keep our improvements going.
2012 was definitely a better year than
2011, so let’s keep up the good work
and make 2013 even better. Let’s keep
moving forward. Thanks to Smith, Robin
and the resort staff as well as Trading
Places International for all they do for our
association. They are the best!
Don’t forget Owners’ Week coming up
on March 4 through March 8, 2013. Our
Owners’ Meeting is March 5th, and I hope
to see all of you there. We will have a oneyear position open on our board this year,
if you are interested in running for it. If you
have any questions, feel free to email me
at gerbar97@aol.com
Hope to see everyone at our Owners’
Meeting on March 5, 2013.
Have a safe and happy holiday
season,
Barb Eggert
President,
Surrey Townhouses
ello fellow Grand Crowne owners,
Having completed my first full year
as a member of the Board of Directors
at Grand Crowne, I would like to take
a minute or two to give you a little
information about what’s been happening
The
at your resort. Townhouses
Place
Although we still have a couple of months
to go before we reach the end of 2012,
we the owners have completed our first
year of having the power to control our
own resort. Happily, in 2012 we had no
increase in membership dues.
If you have not been to your resort this
year, you should make a point to do so.
If you have made a visit, you are well
aware of the many things that have been
accomplished.
One of the changes to your resort is the
installation of a new roof to the pool
house. There were major issues with the
roof, and simply repairing it was not in the
cards. Because of the design of the pool
house we had to remove the tennis court
on the rooftop. Consequently we had to
install a completely new roof, and we are
working on relocating the tennis court.
If you have not been to the resort, you
would not be aware of the fact that every
room now has in-room Wi-Fi. Through
negotiations with our local cable provider
we were able to also get a deal on the
Wi-Fi service. Other improvements include
a new service truck for our maintenance
department and the golf carts used by
maintenance and grounds department
have also been replaced. New grills and
benches have been provided throughout
the resort. We are also starting to replace
the old analog televisions with new flatscreen televisions. Many of the rooms now
have new commercial-grade mattresses.
continued on page 3
Manager’s Message
W
e are so pleased with our progress since March of 2012. Your boards of
directors gave us the approval to start some great new projects at your resorts.
As we continue to strive on a daily basis to make a difference, we would like to share
with you some of our GRAND accomplishments.
All resorts received enhanced grilling areas with new barbecue grills and benches. Gorgeous flowers
were planted with fresh red mulch to enhance the already beautiful grounds. We’ve taken delivery on
portable cribs, high chairs and rollaways, in addition to linen and houseware upgrades, and in case
you haven’t heard, the resorts now have Wi-Fi throughout the properties!
• At Grand Crowne, the installation of a brand new roof on the pool house was completed and the
pool, spas, walls, doors, floors, restrooms and lockers were all repainted. New pool/patio furniture
with umbrellas were set and fresh new rubberized mulch was placed in the playground area.
• At Carriage Place, the game room received a new painted floor, the outdoor pool and spa were
repainted, and the indoor pool/spa repairs were completed. A new banquet room was designed
and constructed, complete with flat-screen TVs, new banquet tables and chairs.
• At the Townhouses, we began a remodel of the master bedroom Jacuzzis in the D building.
We installed new patio furniture with umbrellas on all decks of D, E, and F buildings, and the A
building was completely refurbished with new everything!! Just wait ‘til you see it!!
Additionally, I am very delighted to report the roof replacement project was completed on all buildings
on all your properties!
“Come on down!” Are you ready to play the
game?! Owners’ Week is right around the corner
and I cannot wait to see all of you again, and to
share more good news and have some fun! Look
for your proxy the first part of February for more
details on what to pack, and exciting news on what
is coming your way. We are looking forward to a
prosperous 2013 as we continue to raise the bar
on a daily basis.
See you soon!
Smith Toussaint
General Manager
Grand Crowne Resorts
New pool/patio furniture at Grand Crowne!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR... ANNUAL MEETING
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Plan on joining your fellow owners at the annual Owners’ Meeting!
This year’s meeting will be held at:
The White House Theatre
2255 Gretna Road, Branson, Missouri 65616
Meeting times are scheduled as follows:
Grand Crowne:10:30 am
Carriage Place: 9:00 am
Townhouses:
1:30 pm
See you there!
LOG ON…
…to your new resort website at www.grandcrownebranson.com for information on upcoming events, happenings
in and around the resort, and owners-only information regarding maintenance fee payments and scheduled board and
association meetings.
All of these accomplishments have been completed by
your resort management team, led by Smith Toussaint and
Robin Neal, under the direction of your owners’ board of
directors. Credit must also be given to the leadership and
direction of Trading Places, led by RJ Jackson and his very
knowledgeable staff.
This is nowhere near everything that has been done so far.
We have a long way to go to keep our resort a five-star
resort. Beginning in 2013, improvements to the rooms
will begin. Starting with Building 1, every room on the top
(continued from front)
three floors will be completely remodeled. Remember, all of
this work was completed without an increase to your 2012
maintenance fees or a special assessment. And, to make things even better, your maintenance fees for 2013 will not be
raised either!
A Few Words From Your Board of Directors
Would you like to help your maintenance fees go even further and be more efficiently used for the resort? Let me ask you
this: What form of payment did you use to pay your 2012 maintenance fees? Did you know that our association paid the
large banks over $160,000 in merchant fees for those who used credit cards to pay their 2012 maintenance dues? Just
think of how much more we could have done at your resort with that additional investment. Perhaps we could have used it
for a reserve fund to start our clubhouse. Just a thought…Why not consider alternate means for making your maintenance
fee payments and help your association at the same time?
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns through our management company,
Trading Places, attention Tricia Ciaccio. Her e-mail address is tricia.ciaccio@tradingplaces.com. She can also be
reached by phone at 866-219-7873 ext 7622.
Stephen Beckler
Secretary/Treasurer, Grand Crowne Resort Board of Directors
_______________________
• _______________________ • _______________________ • _______________________
Want the latest news on
your resort & association?
We Need Your Email!
For timely communication
and in order to save our
association substantial
monies, the board of directors will
frequently communicate important
information via e-blasts.
It is important for us to have your
most current e-mail address, which
can be updated online at
www.grandcrownebranson.com/
changeofaddress
We will keep you up-to-date with
important notices, special offers, and
general communication from your
board. We do not give or sell your
information to any third party.
Meet Mark Smith, Director of Facilities!
Mark Smith joined Grand Crowne Resorts operations
management team in 2010, bringing with him more than
25 years of management and leadership experience.
His prior supervisory positions in sales and construction served to hone
Mark’s expertise in the following areas: inventory control, payroll,
advertising, customer service, materials expediter, product merchandising,
accounts payable, guest services, personnel records, and public relations.
He has received numerous honors and awards during the course of his
career because he promotes ethical working standards and develops
positive employer/employee relations.
In college, Mark’s course of study was architecture and design with a
focus on construction. Other professional development training has
included team building, quality assurance, and program design and
implementation.
An organized, enthusiastic communicator, Mark is skilled at cultivating
excellent relationships with both clients and colleagues. He is a dedicated,
goal-oriented leader as well as a team player, adept at supporting team
members to achieve their potential while working toward common goals.
Mark is active in various community organizations and athletic activities.
His solid record of professional accomplishments, excellent organizational
ability and exceptional communications skills make him an asset to the
Grand Crowne Resorts Team.
PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
BELLINGHAM, WA
PERMIT No. 114
23807 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 100
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
www.tradingplaces.com
Write to board members c/o TPI at the above address.
GC
Resorts
Towne Center
Front Desk Phone:
417-332-8330
E-mail: gcr@tradingplaces.com
Website:
www.grandcrownebranson.com
Owners’ Association Board Members
Townhouses
President
Barb Eggert
Carriage Place
President
Tom Barlow
Grand Crowne
President
Tom Barlow
Secretary
Carlos
Camarena
Vice President
Maxine Powell
Vice President
Bonnie
Nannen
Secretary/
Treasurer
Lee Doss
Secretary/
Treasurer
Steve Beckler
SPECIAL EVENTS ON-SITE AT GRAND CROWNE
• SUNDAY
Complimentary Sundae Social
in the Hospitality Room at Grand
Crowne. Learn what is going on in
Branson and at the resort!
• MONDAY
Complimentary Coffee & Donuts
Orientation in the Owners’ Lounge
at Carriage Place.
Hospitality Party at the White
House dinner theater. Buffet dinner
and over two hours of entertainment
by some of Branson’s brightest stars!
•TUESDAY
Complimentary Mary Kay
Makeovers at both the Owners’
Lounge at Carriage Place and in the
Hospitality Room at Grand Crowne.
• WEDNESDAY
Pizza & Bingo in the Banquet
Room at Carriage Place.
• THURSDAY
Complimentary Wine & Cheese
Tasting in the Hospitality Room at
Grand Crowne
•FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Free Live Entertainment in the
Banquet Room at Carriage Place.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
• Art & Crafts
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Everything from tie dye t-shirts to
making a wood sign: makes a
wonderful souvenir!
• Specialty Classes
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Our classes range from chair
aerobics to scrapbooking
techniques. Make sure to sign up
early as our seating is limited!
Branson area events
November
• Drive-through light tour at Shepherd
of the Hills
• An Old Time Christmas at Silver
Dollar City
• Branson Area Festival of Lights
• Nov. 1: Christmas Shows
• Nov. 5-11: Veterans Week
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day Parade in
downtown Branson on the “11th hour,
of the 11th day of the 11th month”
• Nov. 11: Grand Crowne Resort will be hosting an
annual Veterans Day celebration, including a special
guest speaker
• Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day Brunch at the Keeter Center
(College of the Ozarks) 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
December
• Dec. 2: 64th Annual Adoration Parade & Lighting
Ceremony
• New Year’s Eve celebrations with Hamner-Barber at the
Keeter Center (College of the Ozarks), as well as other
theaters in Branson
January
• Jan. 12: Masters Trout Championship at Lilleys Landing
Grand Crowne Resorts is professionally managed by