Over a hundred people from the Homes of Riviera Dunes residents got together on Saturday Feb 29th, 2020 to enjoy a block party featuring international grill and foods. The cul-de-sac was transformed for the event into the party center!

Many residents from all the communities at HORD enjoyed the event that was featuring the Messenger Band and Greek pork Souvlaki with Tzatziki sauce, Lebanese Shish-Tawook Chicken with garlic paste, Turkish Kafta with hummus and tabbouleh, and beef Frankfurters with mustard and rolls.

Community members pulled together to organize this second block party event at Riviera Dunes to turn the event into a smashing hit.

"Joanna- just want to let you know, Max and I had a fabulous time yesterday. The event was set up with great taste, great food, great music and most of all the friends that were there. Thank you!" one resident wrote. 

"Thank you Joanna. It was a pleasure meeting you and the party was delightful," wrote Angela and Terry Boyaggi.

"You, your family and the other volunteers did an excellent job of organizing the party yesterday. It was fun and the food was delicious.  Thank you very much for the effort! Also if you don't mind sharing a family recipe, I would love to have the tabbouleh recipe.  It was fantastic!  Also where did you buy the pita bread? Thanks again and see you around the neighborhood! Cheers," said Kathryn Newell.

Temperatures were in the 60s the entire afternoon with winds blowing between 12-15 miles per hour. It was a bit on the cool side, but the sun and the dancing kept everyone warm outside and inside!  

The Messenger Band was fantastic! They played from 2:30 to 6:30 pm with very few interruptions.

Some of the favorite songs and bands that they played were Tennessee Whisky, Heart, Beatles and Country music which drew 2-step dancing.

They would not quit till sunset and the hardcore dancers were tired! sure made the party very special and we are very grateful to them! It was one of the best sunset evenings we have experienced.

This event would have not been as successful if it wasn't for the selfless help the organizing group received from the entire community.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Ginny W., Pam D., Emily B., Lauren P. Dory K. Karen M., Julien and Joanna F. for assisting in preparing the food and their many trips to acquire supplies and gift certificates from local vendors.

Our gratitude also goes to John and Linda Bessey for allowing the band to use their driveway and electricity. It was the perfect setting with the sun shining on their performance!

Many also helped organize the band, set up and take down the tables and chairs, including Bill and Lauren Price, ​the Besseys, the Browns, Ken Johnson and Julie Leniz. 

Thanks to Jan and Marshal Couch for assisting residents with obtaining their party tickets and name tags.

Special thanks to Mike Rankin, Mary-Ellen Patterson, David Anderson, Nabil and Nicole Freij for assisting in the grilling and serving the food and for cleaning the grills. 

The photos are compliments of Ginny Wood. There are dozens of uploaded images in the above photo gallery that you can view and download. 

Additionally, thank you to all that brought food dishes that made the party so special!

Many local individuals and ​organizations provided party prizes that were given throughout the event. They are:

1. Darwin Brewing Co.
2. Foxy Lady
3. Smugglers Golf 
4. Riviera Dunes Dockside
5. Seagrape Seafood Market and Restaurant
6. Pro Aesthetics 
7. Live Training Center
8. Gail Roberts Massages
9. Emily Brown, Massage donation
10. Painting by Drew Denick, Home of Riviera Dunes resident
11. Art by Ginny Wood and Photography, Home of Riviera Dunes resident

Thank you for your generosity!

Florida and almost all eastern States in the U.S.A. were spared the wrath of hurricane Dorian that was threatening our shores early September. By the grace of God, the hurricane made a northward turn less than 100 miles off the shores of Florida and continued on a path that minimized destruction to the U.S. mainland. 

Unfortunately, the northern Bahama islands were not as fortunate. Not only Dorian reached a category 5 level, it stalled over the Bahamas for days devastating its islands, people, homes and places of work! The destruction is catastrophic.

Some of us at Riviera Dunes had the good fortune of joining MarineMax on a Rendezvous to these islands this past June. Above are some of the pictures we took of their beautiful waters and landscape. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the people that we met and that live there. 

Donating to established groups is the immediate way to help, and giving money is the most effective support. Here are some links:
– The American Red Cross is online.
– The Salvation Army is accepting money.
– Project Hope, an international health-care organization, is accepting donations.
– Americares sends aid and medicine.
– Habitat for Humanity will be helping rebuild houses.

It is no secret that Riviera Dunes is one of the prime locations in Florida for boating. But did you know that it is also a runner's, jogger's and walker's paradise? The private roads and walkways in this water-front community create the best conditions for a casual or brisk jog or walk, morning or evening, most days of the year. ​

Spring is perhaps the best time to be here due to the flowers' bloom! Blessed with moderate temperatures all throughout the year, residents of the Homes of Rivera Dunes enjoy the outdoors twelve months a year. Yes, summers can be on the humid side, but eight months of the year have ideal weather. Even in the summer, early mornings and late evenings are often pleasant enough for a walk or a jog.

Many areas in Palmetto and Manatee County are bird sanctuaries. Birds are protected and thrive here like nowhere else. If you are a bird lover, you will thoroughly enjoy walking the Rivera Dunes grounds all year around. Above are some of the birds observed in our community.

These pictures are courtesy of our resident Ginny Wood, who was a finalist in the 2019 Photography Challenge for Manatee County’s Parks, Preserves, and Beaches.

You can hence walk as little as half a mile or as long as you wish by adding more loops around the hammocks and cul-de-sacs.

Also, if you are a slip licensee, consider also strolling on your community dock. It will further diversify the scenery. It is also always great to have more licensees on the docks keeping an eye on the boats in our harbor and making sure they are all secure.

Walking and jogging are considered some of the best cardio activities for most ages. In addition to strengthening your heart, you can loose weight, tone up your muscles and get healthier. 

The community also is very friendly. By being out there, you will have more of a chance to meet others and better know your neighbors. This atmosphere or friendliness adds tremendous comfort and reduces stress. 

The Riviera Dunes community has recently held its first Block Party and Pig Roast which was a great event that brought many of the residents together. 

If you live in the Riviera Dunes community, you should take advantage of the amazing facilities that surround you by getting out more often.

If you are interested in living in the Homes of Riviera Dunes, you can contact us using the form here. 

See you all out on a walk soon! 

Over a hundred people from the Homes of Riviera Dunes residents got together on Saturday April 13th, 2019 to enjoy a block party and pig roast hosted by the 12th Ave E residents. The cul-de-sac was transformed for the event into the party center!

Many residents from all the communities at HORD enjoyed the event that was featuring the Billy Rice Band and a smoked pig roast that slowly cooked over 14 hours.

Community members pulled together to organize this first block party event at Riviera Dunes to turn the event into a smashing hit.

​"Mom really put a lot of efforts into bringing the community together for this wonderful event," said Julien Freij. "I was very proud to see her hard work pay off so beautifully. I got to have a lot of fun, meet many wonderful neighbors and better know my community," Julien added!

"Thank you so much for all the work you had done to make the Pig Roast a definite success !! I know how much work it takes to pull an event like that off and it came off beautifully… Please thank Jen (and Terry)  also and everyone else involved (I don’t know the names of the others)…. Julie for the ‘main food event’… Bob and I really enjoyed ourselves and got to meet a couple more neighbors and catch up with the others…I loved, loved, LOVED the band…" one resident wrote. 

"What a great event! Elena and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and meeting some of our RD neighbors. Everything was right, great band, way too much good food. Can we keep the beer tap as a neighborhood feature... operating 24/7?... would make a nice stopover on our walks! Perhaps it will happen again... we will help next time..." wrote Tom and Elena B.

The weather, although a bit on the warm side, was pleasant due to a thin cloud layer in the sky that cut down the sun rays, and a southern breeze that brought with it the citric scents from Tropicana.  

Billy Rice and his band were fantastic! They played from 3:30 to 7:30 pm with very few interruptions.

Some of the favorite songs that they played were My Girl, Tennessee Whisky and Ride Sally Ride, which all drew heavy dancing crowds.

They sure made the party very special and we are very grateful to them! It was one of the best sunset evenings we have experienced.

This event would have not been as successful if it wasn't for the selfless help the organizing group received from the entire community.

Special thanks go to Julie and Jay L. for their relentless oversight of acquiring and cooking the pig, which included pulling an all-nighter on the cul-de-sac to monitor the proper temperature and smoking process. 

Also, our deepest gratitude goes to Ginny W., Pam D., Emily B. for their many trips to acquire supplies and gift certificates from local vendors.

Thanks to Ken M. and Dave W. for assisting residents with obtaining their party tickets and name tags.

The photos are compliments of Ginny W. and Rick S. There are 204 uploaded images in the above photo gallery that you can view and download. If you need high-res copies, contact us using the form here. Specify which image you would like to receive.

Additionally, thank you to all that brought food dishes, tents, chairs, tables, toys and all else that made the party so special!

Many local individuals and ​organizations provided party prizes that were given throughout the event. They are:

1. Smugglers Golf 
2. Riviera Dunes Dockside
3. Seagrape Seafood Market and Restaurant
4. Pro Aesthetics 
5. Diana Fava
6. Power Meals By Dawn
7. SCGO Apparel and Manicure 
8. Massage
9. Ginny Wood

Thank you for your generosity!

After a short break at the park, we all headed back and worked up our heart rates with some really nice sprints along the way.

Everyone made it back safely for a photo opp by an old Scooby-Doo  van in the marina parking.

The trip was a little over 21 miles and we run it at an average of 11.5 miles per hour.

The group rides 3 or 4 times a week, often to Emerson Point.

If interested in joining this group, submit your name and tel/text number on the contact form.

The Riviera Dunes Yoga classes taking place at the Amenity Center on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9-10 are off to a good start.

They quickly grew in attendance and popularity and many participants have become familiar faces at the gym.  

Riviera Dunes Home Owners have been enjoying Sharon's Yoga classes thoroughly and it is wonderful to have a great turnout each and every week! 

"Participating in the new yoga classes at the Amenity Center has been a great opportunity for me to meet other Riviera Dunes residents and provide a new "twist"  to a healthier me," said Janice Davis, who frequently attends the classes.

"Having yoga classes available in the neighborhood sure is easy and convenient," John Bessey said. "Sharon is a great instructor keeping it interesting and fun as we are all getting more flexible each week", he added. 

Generally, this is supposed to be a great beginner yoga class. Taught by Sharon Donnell, a Rivera Dunes resident, who has 200+ hours of experience. But participants are finding out that it is also good at any level because Sharon shows everyone how to modify each pose. Those who like to take it easy can get into a child's pose while others are attempting the more challenging planks!  

Everyone gets something from each and every class!

Any feedback that you would like to share about the class should be sent to Sharon. Also, make sure to reserve your place for each class by e-mailing Sharon at sharond519@sdonco.com before noon the preceding day.

​Donations are accepted, but no more than $5 per class.

This year the hospitality committee organized the Autumn Gathering which took place this past Sunday at the Amenity Center in the Homes of Riviera Dunes. 

Many of our community members participated and brought with them a variety of delicious dishes for everyone to sample. With over 60 people showing up, there were not much food left for anyone to take home!

We all socialized, ate, drunk and watched a beautiful autumn sunset materialize right before our eyes by the poolside.

It was a cool evening and a beautiful event that everyone enjoyed.

Thank you Emely B. and Carleen J. for your efforts in organizing this special evening. We look forward to be part of your future events.

After Spectrum discontinued broadcasting analog TV signals over their cable network, the three TVs in the amenity center stopped working. 

With the leadership of the board and Bill Dianni, all TVs are now back in operation. They all now support HDTV signals with added channels and crisp resolutions.

The two remote controls that controlled the three TVs have been replaced to operate the invisible cable box behind each TV and TV power. 

The board would like to thank Bill for his help and the patience of all our amenity center regulars for allowing the necessary time to get the cable service restored.

Bill Dianni has also been very graceful in allowing the dock committee store pedestals, boxes and crates in his home garage. He has the board's gratitude and appreciation.

Our Home Owners' Association Board and Dock Committee are to be congratulated for not only getting the job done, but also for doing it with as little funds as possible. First, they negotiated a great deal on the new pedestals. Then by purchasing and shipping them in bulk, using residents' vehicles and garages to store them, and doing much of the installation work themselves, they saved over 50% on individual replacement costs!

Thanks to the dynamic duo, Ken & Ken, to Don the electrician and to everyone else that assisted in the process, Riviera Dunes slip owners and licensees will enjoy the new pedestals for many years to come!