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🏆 Contest #357 Winner!

Funny

Written in response to: "Include a character with an enemy, rival, or nemesis in your story." as part of Two's a Crowd with Kirsiah Depp.

Lakeview 55+ Community Postings

05/03/26

-I’m getting rid of my couch which is in perfect condition. If interested, please call 516-455-0485.

-My hairdresser died, so I need a new one. If you have a person that you love, please let Donna know at the rec center.

-Dear Mr. Henderson,

HOA Board President

I am filing a grievance against my neighbor, Mr. Arnick. He has a bird feeder and there are multiple birds that drop seeds and defecate on my lawn. The worst part is they are dive-bombing Harold, the squirrel I feed and he is not visiting me as often as he used to. Please have the birdfeeder removed as soon as possible. Thank you.

Mr. Henry Rostler

Apt: 35-12

-Join us for Bingo this Friday, May 8th at 6:00 pm in the rec center.

-May 10th is Mother’s Day. Join us for afternoon tea at 11:00 am in Vanderbuilt Hall. All are welcome to attend.

05/10/26

-Do you need help picking out the best plants for the season? Come and meet Ms. Anderson, our gardening expert for some tips on the plants that work best in our area. 05/13/26 at 2:00 pm at the rec center.

-Dear Board President Henderson,

I am filing a grievance against Mr. Rostler who lives next door to me. He has a pet squirrel, (which is an illegal pet!) and that squirrel keeps stealing seed from my bird feeder. This has caused deep distress to the birds that I feed and their nesting season is in danger. Please let me know how to remedy this awful situation. Thank you.

Mr. Ralph Arnick-Apt: 35-14

05/17/26

-My cat Andy is missing. He’s an orange tabby with a blue collar. If anyone has seen him, please call Elaine at 516-972-6834.

-Join the crocheting club! We meet every Tuesday at 12:00 pm in Aaron’s Hall. See you there.

-Dear Mr. Henderson,

HOA Board President

I am filing a grievance against my neighbor, Mr. Arnick. I walk the perimeter of my property every morning from 9:00-9:15. Mr. Arnick has a rose bush and one of the branches extends on my property. This morning, a thorn scratched my leg shortening my walk by 7 minutes. Please ask him to cut this branch so I can walk the full area of my property. Thank you!

Mr. Henry Rostler

Apt: 35-12

-Next Sunday, we are having our annual Memorial Day BBQ. Join us at the pool at 3:00 pm for a burger and a good time.

05/24/26

-Dear Board President Henderson,

I am filing a grievance against Mr. Rostler, (my neighbor). Every morning, he goes on a walk and before he goes inside, he picks up my newspaper and places it into my mailbox. I am perfectly capable of walking outside myself and picking up my own paper. Please have him cease and desist.

Mr. Ralph Arnick-Apt: 35-14

-Are you interested in Chess? A bunch of us get together on Mondays at 2:00 pm in Aaron’s Hall and we could use more players. Bring a board if you have one.

05/31/26

-Dear Mr. Henderson,

HOA Board President

I am filing a grievance against Mr. Ralph Arnick. Around 4 o’clock every day, Mr. Arnick has his television set blaring and it is disturbing my afternoon nap. I do wake up at 5:00 am every morning, so I need this daily nap (which I am entitled to!) and the television should be at a normal volume. Remember, the early bird gets the worm! Please fix this matter!

Mr. Henry Rostler

Apt: 35-12

06/07/26

-Dear Mr. Rostler,

I have hearing aids you ninny! This is the volume I will keep my television at!

Mr. Ralph Arnick-Apt: 35-14

-Water aerobics take place every Friday at 8:00 am. All supplies except bathing suits will be provided.

06/14/26

-Dear Mr. Arnick,

Are you deaf?! That is too loud for a “normal” person!

Mr. Henry Rostler

Apt: 35-12

-Popcorn and the movie “Jaws” will be played by the pool on June 19th. Bring a towel if you’re brave enough to swim during the movie.

06/21/26

-Dear Mr. Rostler,

Of course I'm partially deaf! I’m 95 years old, and you’re as old as me. How are you not? Plus, my being deaf is none of your business!

Mr. Ralph Arnick-Apt: 35-14

-Please enjoy cake and coffee from 9:00-12:00pm in Vanderbuilt Hall for our Father’s Day celebration. All are welcome to attend.

06/28/26

-Dear Mr. Rostler and Mr. Arnick,

This is Mr. Henderson. The “Community Postings Board” is NOT for grievances! Grievances can be addressed to me at bhenderson656@yahoo.com, though I have to warn you that all of the “grievances” you have mentioned are not actually grievances according to our community guidelines. These are matters you will have to discuss like civilized neighbors. In the future, please do not post on this board.

Sincerely,

Mr. Benjamin Henderson

Board President

-Chair yoga will take place on Saturday at 11:00am in Vanderbuilt Hall.

07/05/26

-To Whom it May Concern,

We, Mr. Henry Rostler and Mr. Ralph Arnick would like to file a grievance against Board President Benjamin Henderson. Mr. Henderson does not seem to take our concerns seriously and we are well within the guidelines of the community guidelines manual, dated September 15, 1985. If there is an updated community guidelines manual, we have not received it, therefore Mr. Henderson has not done his job as Board President. However, considering we have both lived here for 40 years, we understand the guidelines much better than he does. Furthermore, while we have heard of the yahoo.com, we have never utilized it and will not start now.

Mr. Ralph Arnick-Apt:35-14 &

Mr. Henry Rostler

Apt: 35-12

07/12/26

-To Whom it May Concern,

I quit!

Sincerely,

Mr. Benjamin Henderson

Former Board President

07/19/26

-Do you want to be our Board President? Applications for the position are currently available in the rec center. Please see Donna for more information.

Posted Jun 04, 2026
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96 likes 86 comments

Stevie Burges
09:46 Jun 18, 2026

Yep I loved it too. Well done. Thanks for writing and sharing with us.

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Jay Reynolds
18:46 Jun 17, 2026

Creative, amusing, would have been better if it was a man and woman arguing to get each other attention and in the end get together. I can't figure how to change the point but i give this 8/10

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Rafael Rodrigues
23:45 Jun 16, 2026

This story Catch me off guard and suddenly I was laughing. Congratulations!

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Joe D
23:34 Jun 16, 2026

Congratulations. Well Deserved

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20:43 Jun 16, 2026

I absolutely loved it. I can see my grandfather getting involved in this kind of nonsense.

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Audrey Dimmel
20:33 Jun 16, 2026

The grievances turning into them trading barbs directly over the message board was funny enough, but their joint grievance against the board president made me laugh out loud. Thank you. This was delightful.

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Belinda Frisch
16:38 Jun 16, 2026

This is so clever! It's a unique way to tell a story with the perfect ending. Chef's kiss! Congratulations on the well-deserved win.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:34 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you

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Cassie Nicholas
16:10 Jun 16, 2026

Hilarious!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:34 Jun 16, 2026

Thanks!

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Pamela Brown
15:45 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you, Kimberley for a delightful little saga with a brilliant conclusion. The autocratic attitude of these two neighbours, whose causes for complaint are so small, makes it the humour. Very clever, especially the ending. A well deserved win!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:35 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you!

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Eric Manske
14:46 Jun 16, 2026

Wonderful! A worthy win! Congratulations!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:35 Jun 16, 2026

❤️

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K FS
14:13 Jun 16, 2026

This story was so funny. The format was unique. Great concept.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:35 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you!

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William Braden
13:48 Jun 16, 2026

This is a good laugh, and possibly close to the truth. Very enjoyable. I almost feel sorry for Donna.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:35 Jun 16, 2026

Thanks!

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11:49 Jun 16, 2026

I was hooked by the bird feeder and squirrel because my 80-year-old mom feeds the birds, which, in turn, attracts chipmunks, rabbits, and squirrels. One of her neighbors has a black pest-control box in their yard, and it recently led to the death of a chipmunk, which really upset her.

Anyway...

I could easily see a postings board like this in 55+ communities everywhere and how seemingly minor annoyances can slowly create rifts between neighbors. The format was clever because it allowed the conflict to escalate naturally while revealing each character's personality through their complaints.

One thing I especially enjoyed was watching the relationship between Mr. Rostler and Mr. Arnick evolve. At first, they felt like adversaries, but by the end, their joint grievance against Mr. Henderson suggested an unexpected alliance. That turn was funny and satisfying.

As a reader, I would have loved just a little more character development sprinkled throughout the postings. A few additional details about their lives, routines, or quirks could make the final partnership even more rewarding. You might also consider tightening a few of the community announcements so the grievance posts stand out even more and keep the momentum moving forward.

Overall, this was a creative and entertaining use of the bulletin-board format. The ending made me laugh.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:35 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you!

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Aether Vial
11:17 Jun 16, 2026

This was an interesting story! Congratulations on your win!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

❤️

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Debra Stimpson
10:59 Jun 16, 2026

What a fun, unexpected read! Loved it. Congratulations on your well-deserved win.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

❤️

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Connie Lindgreen
09:32 Jun 16, 2026

Sitting here and laughing out loud! Such a perfectly-captured story...
BRAVO!
If my 99-year-old mother is interested, she'd be a great Board President! I think I'll suggest it to her!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you!

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Moddesser Elahi
07:55 Jun 16, 2026

What??.........Is this for real!! What to say about us (human beings)!

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

❤️

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Ronaldo Chadinha
07:28 Jun 16, 2026

I was laughing hard while at work. This story lifted my spirits and I could not stop reading. The ending was amazing 👏 Well deserved win.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

Thank you!

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03:43 Jun 16, 2026

That was hilarious

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

Thanks!

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Amanda Stogsdill
16:50 Jun 13, 2026

Amusing. Be careful what you write! They were kept very busy.

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Kimberly Karcz
19:36 Jun 16, 2026

❤️

Reply

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