Aaron Hoff man will join our CSA team as Blue Heron Restaurant Manager next Monday. Aaron is an experienced restaurant manager from right here in Titusville. He most recently served as manager for Shiloh’s Restaurant, which closed its doors a few weeks ago. He and his family owned Hoff man’s Table in downtown Titusville from 2021-2023. Aaron also served as General Manager at Vine & Olive in recent years. He started in the restaurant business when he was 15 years old, and he comes from a restaurant family. His dad is a trained Disney chef and his mom is an experienced front-of-house manager. One of his references described him as the “Swiss army knife” of restaurants because he can lead from the kitchen, the dining room, at the host stand, or behind the bar. Please help me welcome Aaron, and please support your Blue Heron team by dining there regularly. In the process of hiring Aaron and checking his references, I learned a great deal about the state of our locally-owned restaurants. When I spoke to the former owner of Shiloh’s, he said it was not fi nancially viable for him to stay open any longer. I heard similar concerns from several other local restaurant owners. They talked about low margins, rising costs, price resistance from diners, lack of consistent business, and ongoing staffi ng challenges. Some even mentioned that if business doesn’t improve, they may be forced to close their doors, similar to Shiloh’s.
My point in sharing this is simple: restaurants like The Blue Heron depend on steady support from our community - not just on special occasions. If we want to keep a quality, locally-run restaurant right here at TGO, it takes all of us showing up, ordering dinner, bringing friends, and making it part of our routine. Aaron is here to strengthen what we already have, and with your support, we can help The Blue Heron thrive for years to come.
Another popular locally-owned business is Cosmic Creamery, our local ice cream shop in Titus Landings. Tom Wheir and I recently met with the owners, Britt and Jeff, who are creating a few custom ice cream flavors just for The Great Outdoors. At this year’s Annual Owners’ Meeting on Wednesday, February 4, we’ve invited Cosmic Creamery to provide samples of these new flavors before the meeting begins, from 1:00-2:00pm. Based on your feedback during this tasting, we may add these flavors to the Blue Heron dessert menu. I hope to see you all at the Annual Owners’ Meeting in The Manor so you can sample some ice cream and hear how we’ve improved TGO in 2025 - and how we plan to move forward in 2026 and beyond.
Based on the feedback I received, owners were pleased with the first lawn treatment from Turf Masters last week. Their next treatment will occur March 9-11. We should begin to see the results of these treatments in the Spring when our grass starts growing again.
In closing, Happy birthday to Cam Pelletier! Cam turned 104 on January 18, and the TGO Community Church turned out to help him celebrate after Sunday’s service. You’ll find a special tribute to Cam and his service to our country on page 28. The Activities Committee has also released the Concert Series lineup for 2026-2027. You can read more about the performers, and the work that goes into bringing these events to TGO, in our cover story on Linda Utz, starting on page 54.
Billy Specht CSA Manager
January 28, 5 - 6:00pm - TGO Church
Lasagna Fundraiser Dinner - Carryout
Enjoy a great dinner - Support the WIC - Page 27
January 29, 2026 - 7:30pm
The Boulevards - Order Tickets Now!
Vintage Rock & Roll from the ‘50s & ‘60s
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland
February 2 - 8 to 11:00am - Hobbyland
The Wood Carving Club Open house
All TGO Residents are invited - Demonstartions & Displays
February 4 - 2:00pm - The Manor
Annual Owners Meeting
ALL TGO OWNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
February 6 & 7 - 4:30pm - The Manor
Trivia I & II - Two Nights - Page 24
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland
February 7 - 8:00am - The Manor
Parrish Healthcare 5K Walk/Run - Page 13
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland.
February 9, 2026 - 8:45am Start - Page 7
Annual Valentine’s Cupid Tournament
Grab your sweetheart and go golfing! Sign up at the Pro Shop.
February 14 - 8am - 12pm - TGO Church
WIC Flea Market & Bake Sale - Page 29
All TGO Owners are invited to attend. First Come, First Serve.
February 16 - 3:00 to 6:00pm
4th Annual Coach Club Block Party
All TGO residents are invited - Starring Johhny Danger!
Plus Burger Rob’s and Jerry’s Ice cream. BYOB & Chair.
February 21 - 7-10:00pm - The Manor
Mardi Gras Line Dance Social - $8 - Page 24
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland.
February 21 - 7:00pm - TGO Church - Page 27
Big Band Concert - $10 Tickets go on sale in January
All TGO Owners are invited to attend. First Come, First Serve.
February 26, 2026 - 7:30pm - Page 25
Crystal Stark - Order Tickets Now!
Plus Comedian Adam Ferrara
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland.
February 28 - 8:00am - Page 14
8th Annual TGO ALS FUNraiser
Join our walk for a good cause. Great Prizes Available. For Info, contact Debbie Grondin at 603-617-0463.
March 1, 2026 - 8:45am Start - Page 7
Annual Can-Am Golf Tournament
The Canadians take on the Americans - It’s a Fun Event!
March 3, 2026 - 11:00am to 2:00pm
Mad Hatter’s Tea - The Manor - Page 16
All TGO ladies are invited - The social event of the season!
Tickets go on sale January 6. Call Cathy at 321-376-2823
March 7, 2026 - 8:00am - Page 15
Community Yard Sale - All of TGO
Here’s your chance to buy some more junk!
March 14, 2026 - 11:00am
TGO Annual Car Show - Page 15
Grab a chair and watch some old cars put on a show.
March 19, 2026 - 1:00 to 3:00pm
Shred Day - In The Manor Lot - Page 15
Start collecting your old papers now to shred.
March 19, 2026 - 7:30pm
Boy Band Evolution - Order Tickets Now!
Barber Shop Quartet to Modern Hits! - Page 25
Tickets Available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland.
March 26 & 27 - 7:00pm - The Manor
TGO Variety Show - Page 14
Come Join Our Cast! All TGO Owners are invited to attend. For more information contact, Judy Grant at 819-868-0692
State and Regional Socials - Page 13
Ohio - February 16 - 2-5:00pm - Pavilion
New England - February 28 - 5:00pm - Manor
Annual Memberships are available for Residents and Non-Residents
TGO Residents - January/ February Rates
18 Holes Before Noon
9 Holes Before Noon
18 Holes After Noon
9 Holes After Noon
First Responder/Military Receive 10% Off
$55
$29
$45
$24
Come See Our Merchandise at The Pro Shop
Golf Pro Garret Howell - Your Post Shot Routine
Why Your Post-Shot Routine Matters More Than You Think Golf instruction often focuses on the pre-shot routine - and for good reason. Preparation matters. But what you do after the shot can have an even bigger impact on how the rest of your round goes.
How you respond to each shot affects your focus, confidence, and decision-making. That’s especially true after a poor shot. Frustration is natural - but the round isn’t over. A simple post-shot routine helps you learn from the shot and move on with clarity instead of emotion.
Step One: Hold Your Finish
Hold your finish and watch the ball until it stops. This provides valuable feedback on how the ball started, curved, and landed. Don’t rush away—information matters. As shown in the photo, I’m balanced and holding my finish while watching the shot.
Step Two: Think About What the Club Did
This is the most important step - and the one most golfers skip.
The golf ball responds only to the club, not your intentions. Ball starts right? The face was likely open. Shot comes up short with a dull sound? Poor contact is the cause.
In the next photo, I’ve stepped back and thought through the shot. In this case, contact was low on the face, resulting in a thin shot that came up short.
Step Three: Decide How to Move Differently
Once you understand what the club did, choose one simple adjustment to influence it. Then make a rehearsal swing to establish the feel.
Here, I felt more arm extension through impact to improve contact.
Keep It Quick - This entire routine takes only a few seconds and can be done while clearing the area for another player.
A consistent post-shot routine reminds you that every shot has a logical cause. With the right process, you can make quick corrections and give yourself the best chance to play better golf - one shot at a time.
1. Held Finish
2. Thinking Through the Shot
3. Arms More Extended
Valentine’s Day Cupid Classic
Monday, February 9
8:45 am Shotgun Start
OPEN TO ALL TGO RESIDENTS, TGO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS
Teams consist of 2 players. Format is a Scramble. Tee assignments based on already published Guidelines for MGA and LGA play. Any deviation must be approved prior to the day of play.
Cost per person is $40 (plus applicable course fees)
$30 for Nine Holers
Fee includes prize fund and lunch in the Manor after play
Mimosas Compliments of Golf Carts Unlimited
Sign up sheets are in the golf shop
Payment is due at time of sign up
Please try to sign up as a team
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Sign-up at the Pro Shop Details to follow
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • RENTALS • ACCESSORIES
BattLite is a high-quality, safe, and reliable lithium battery designed primarily for golf carts. They utilize LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) technology, incorporating safety features such as multiple levels of protection and an intelligent Battery Management System (BMS).
They come with an Eight Year Warranty! They also include a new charger, battery meter, and receptacle.
Cost including installation is only $2,200 plus tax.
Stop by if you have any questions.
Certified Pre-Owned Club Cars - Only $8,094 - 2 Passenger
4 Passenger Only $9,084
4 Passenger Lifted $9,994
2-Year Warranty on Cart Bumper to Bumper
3-Year Warranty on Battery Custom Seats
Stop by and take a look while supplies last!
Open Mon thru Fri - 8:00am to 4:30pm • Sat - 9:00 am to Noon • Closed Sunday
$9,495
Pre-Owned, four seats forward— where value meets
y Multi-Point Factory Inspection of Steering, Brakes, Electrical, etc
y Replacement of Worn Components with New OEM Parts
y Testing to Ensure Manufacturer-Level Performance
y Warranty Coverage: 2-Year Bumper To Bumper, 3-Year Limited Battery
Linda Bouvet Tournament Chair Pam Nalley 2025 LGA Champion
Dawn England LGA President
Roy & Jennifer Brown and Diana & Bill Pa ord were all Neil Diamond fans.
January 8, 2026
A great send-off for retiring Pro Chuck Kandt! 145 players joined us for the golf tournament and just under 200 were present at Plantation Manor for the Luncheon and Special Presentations!
Flight 1
1. John Gero, Harold Gero, Susan Jensen, Coletta Gable (53.8)
2. Mike Anderson, Lynne Anderson, Lyndall Couch, Lydia Couch (54.4)
Visit TGO Activities Office Beginning January 21 for your $5 T-Shirt
Open 10:00am to 12:00 Monday - Friday
The Shirt Is Your Ticket For The Race
1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Winners in Multiple Age Groups
Breakfast Snacks Available
Parrish Wellness Fair from 8:00 to 10:30am in The Manor
Free to TGO Residents - Talk to Providers - Guest Speaker, Janet Rook
Janet Rooks holds a bachelor’s of social work degree and a master’s degree in counseling. She also has completed the training required to become a certified dementia practitioner. As coordinator of Parrish Senior Solutions, she facilitates several support groups and is the coordinator for popular senior educational programs. She is available to the medical staff, caregivers, families, seniors and other healthcare professionals in the community in need of resources or information.
Ohio residents - past, present or future are welcome. This social is for everyone...
Owners, renters and guests.
Please Bring: Casserole, salad, appetizer, a snack or dessert to share and what you would like to drink.
Bottled water will be provided
Table service will be provided
Wear something Ohio related if you have it.
Don’t forget your name tags.
Raffle tickets will be sold for a 50/50 drawing.
Let’s all bring fun facts about Ohio or anything other topic or a few jokes to share with the group.
RSVP to: Nancy Centretto by email to: gcentretto@cfl.rr.com or text or call 407-227-4711
New England State Social Saturday, February 28, 2026
We welcome residents and renters from the state of Massachusetts and their guests to our group. Our Pot Luck social will be held in the Manor starting at 5:00pm. Please bring an appetizer, main dish, salad/side or dessert to share. You will need to bring your own place setting and beverage.
Entertainment will consist of games, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and music for listening and dancing. If you would like to donate a door prize, please contact Sue Charles at sacharles517@yahoo.com or 321-243-4894.
If you are from Massachusetts and would like to join the New England State Social Committee, please let me know.
Please RSVP to Nancy Powers by February 20, 2025 by email, text or phone. Please include the number attending and the food item you intend to bring.
Looking forward to seeing you... Nancy Powers: 603-209-2544 - ncpowers46@gmail.com
Mark Your Calendars...
Exotic Wood Handcrafted Box 2 Exotic Wood Crosses
Details, Ect. 2 $125 Gift Certificates
Diane Denig Butterfly Serving Tray
Dogs R Us 3 $10 Gift Certificates
El Leoncito 4 $13 Gift Certificates
Epic Theater Movie Passes for two
Faith my Dog Remote Control Car
Ginny’s Airport Services 1 Way Airport Trip
Golf Carts Unlimited 3 $50 Gift Certificates
Health Extension Dog Food $95 Gift Basket
Hollerbach’s Restaurant $50 Gift Certificate
Home Depot $50 Cordless Drill
Joann’s Hair- Laura $20 Gift Certificate
Josie’s Floral Design $30 Floral Arrangement
Judy Sierer 2 Handcrafted Flamingo Quilts
Kathy Drugan 3 Handcrafted Bracelets
Hang 12 Tie Dye Handcrafted Stained Glass
Kennedy Space Center 4 One Day Passes
Laura Sievers Handcrafted Wooden Bowl
Linda Cavagna Beach Water Color Painting
Linda Dubey Antique Guest Towel
Long Doggers Restaurant 10 Coupons
Longhorn Restaurant 2 Gift Baskets 200 Free Appertizer/Desserts
Lynn Foster Water Color Painting
Mamma Rosa’s 2 $10 Gift Certificates
Native Bar & Grill $25 Gift Card
Pam Wheeler Handcrafted Quilt
Pat Bronson Patriotic Fleece Quilt
Paula Morelli Angel Tucked Art
Quirky Gator Studio $45 Crafted Pottery Plate
Randy’s Specialty Services 3 Services, 4 Seafood
River Lanes Bowling $50 Family Fun Pass
Robin’s Styles Unlimited $300 Gift Basket
Salty Roots Hair Salon $250 Gift Basket
Sharon Baumgarten Handcrafted Quilt
Sherwin-Williams $65 Paint Gift Bucket
Skinderella $39 Eyebrow Tint Gift Cert
Smart Plumbing T-Shirt Sponsor
Sonny’s BBQ 18 Free Meals
Starling Ford - Oliver Ruvell $460 Blackstone Grill
Starling Ford GMC Honda Coffee & Breakfast Snacks
Stellar Styling by Joan 20-$48 Gift Certificates
Stuff N Thingz 5 Handcrafted Cards
Suite Caroline Salon Spa $50 Gift Certificate
Teri Witschi Handcrafted Quilt
Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Gift Basket, Andy the Armadillo Mascot 250 Onion Blossom Appetizers
Therese Brown Massage 2 Massage Gift Cards
Top Nails - Jerry $33 Gift Certificate
TGO Golf 2 Gift Cards/4 Rounds of Golf
Towneplace Suites 2 Nights Staycation
Trimmers Hair & Nail Studio 2 Gift Cards
Valentino’s Pizzeria $25 Gift Certificate
Village Inn Restaurant 3 Meals, 4 VIP cards
Vine & Olive $50 Gift Card
Thank You to all for your support!
The TGO Community Wide Yard Sale Is On March 7
This is the day we all wait for - The Park Wide Yard Sale! The day TGO becomes a bargain paradise. A great time to get rid of all that stuff tucked away in the corners of your closets and garages. A good time to practice your negotiation skills. A fun way to cruise around the park with a cup of coffee (or?) and visit with your friends, scrambling from street to street looking for that special piece of junk you’ll most likely put out in next year’s sale. Have Fun... Drive Safely! The chaos starts at 8:00am.
TGO Annual Car Show
March 14
Cars meet at Cracker Barrel - 10:30
Enter Hidden Lakes at 11:00 then follows the Golf Cart Parade route.
Cars will be on display in the parking lot across from the TGO Church. Come Enjoy!
Shred Day-March 19
Mark Your Calendars!
The Annual Shred At TGO. Here Are The Details You Need To Know
1 Shred Day will take place in the Manor Parking lot on Thursday, March 19, 2026 between the hours of 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
2 We have a rain day set for Friday, March 20, 2026, if we have to cancel the 19th due to weather.
3 If people have old TGO Directories they would like to dispose of, please drop them off at the CSA Office before March 12, 2026 so we can prepare them for shredding.
4 No Early Drop-Offs! All material must be delivered by a resident at or after 1:00pm and must be dropped off before 2:50pm.
5 Material MUST be in “ready to shred” condition. This means residents should not bring file folders, paper clipped material, plastic wraps of folders, plastic bags, etc. If materials are not ready-to-shred, the resident will be asked to step out of line, prepare their materials, and return with material that is suitable for shredding. This will help to keep the line moving.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy Marini via email at clmarini@aol.com or phone 440-829-8633.
We Love It Here!
Variety Show 2026
March 26 & 27
Our emcees - Edith and Archie Bunker are taking a light-hearted look at life in TGO. Come along for a show filled with music, dance and comedy. Tickets available at the Activities Office in Hobbyland.
The Pavilion will be closed starting April 1, 2026 until November or possibly later. All reservations during that time will be cancelled or moved elsewhere if space is available.
Contact Meghan at The Manor at Manor@tgocsa.com If you have any questions about your current or future event.
TGO BBQ RIBS COMPETITION
Do you think that you can make the best ribs in TGO? This is your chance to show it. We are looking for 6-8 entrants, for a competition on March 7 at the Pavilion.
There is no entry fee, but trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 places. Judging will be by a select group of TGO officials.
Call Pat Matroniano ASAP at 585-738-0679 for more details and to confirm this event.
Newcomer Orientation Meetings
A Newcomer Orientation Meeting will be held in the Manor at 11:30 until 12:30 on March 30, 2026. Guest speakers from CSA, ARC, Courtesy Patrol, Nature Centure, Golf Shop, Activities and Firewise Committees will share important information with you. Bring your questions. We also have door prizes! Please call Sharon Sanford at 321-268-9767 to reserve your spot so we will have enough seating and handouts for everyone.
2025-2026
Owner’s Directory
Copies are for sale at the Activites Office and CSA Office for $5. A digital version of the directory is available on the CSA website under Board of Directors.
Executive
Porch
Accessory
Custom
Bath & Kitchen Remodeling
Door & Window Replacement
Hardwood Floors
Tile Floors
Concrete Work
Drywall
Custom Decks
Entertainment
Siding
Trim Work
Crown
Pictures are Susan Jensen Breast Cancer Tournament Chair, Dawn England, LGA President and Christy Rimsky, Jess Parrish Medical Foundation.
MAKE SURE TO VOTE
Election day is Monday, January 26, in the Manor - 10AM TO 4PM
Board Of Directors
These are your candidates who are running for the 2026/27 Board of Directors - District Representatives. They are responsible for the entire operation of The Great Outdoors Community Services Association.
BOD District 6
Karin Coburn 619-709-4945
106 Bowfin Court karinec70@gmail.com
BOD District 8 Leon LeBlanc 423-791-3158
258 Harmony Lane tgobear@gmail.com
ARC Representatives
These are your candidates who are running for the 2026/27 Architectural Review CommitteeDistrict Representatives. They are responsible for maintaining the standards of appearance for TGO property changes visible to the public.
ARC District 2
Bill Hill
561-676-7365
312 Club Cove Drive billhill5199@gmail.com
ARC District 4
Pete Bronson 315-263-6469
164 Greenwing Trail pete@petebronson.com
BOD District 0
Ron Wagner
607-542-6376
780 Plantation Dr. ronwagner1224@gmail.com
BOD District 8
Terry Manchik 901-603-6418
758 Baytree Drive terrymanchik@aol.com
ARC Chairman Robert (Doc) Fraser 407-491-2500
183 Plantation Drive robert@bellsouth.net
ARC District 5
Bob Robinson
717-994-2807
795 Plantation Drive rerobinson@live.com
BOD District 2
Marie Moraites 256-740-9900 172 Greenwing Trail marie.mm53@gmail.com
BOD District 8 Barbara Yeagar 508-410-0029
448 Fawn Trail Bjy19666@gmail.com
ARC Chairman Harold (Tuco) Witchi 716-998-6393
961 Grande Haven Drive witschi.ht@gmail.com
ARC District 6 Greg Mackey 219-322-5555
336 Harmony Lane akagmac@yahoo.com
BOD District 4
Lauren Clark
607-761-0092
734 Plantation Dr. clarklauren247@gmail.com
Bring your Photo ID to The Manor To Vote
Election Day is Monday, January 26, 10:00am to 4:00pm
ARC District 0 Lisa Berkis 217-547-3674
860 Plantation Drive lberkis@gmail.com
ARC District 8
Dennis Chouinard 561-329-8031
518 Twin Lakes Drive dennischouinard@gmail.com
BETTY SALTER TAKES THE HELM AS NATURE CENTER PRESIDENT
Please Join Us For Mornings Of Relaxation And Nature With Brian Grande!
Trail Maintenance - 9:00am
Please wear long pants, long sleeves, enclosed shoes/boots, insect repellant and sunscreen along with gloves and water.
January 26 - Trail Maintenance on the Betty Salter East Trail.
Meet at the trailhead at Buck Lake.
February 2 - Trail Maintenance on the Watson Trail.
home. Since then Lori has donated what time she could until she recently retired, now having more time to devote to the center.
The Nature Center at The Great Outdoors is pleased to announce Betty Salter as the center’s new president. Betty brings a wealth of knowledge, personal contacts and experience to the Nature Center, with an impressive background in education, wildlife knowledge, and groundbreaking work at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Here at TGO she dedicates tireless work as a TGO Wildlife Rescue and Nature Center Trail Guide, and spent years rescuing wildlife at TGO and the surrounding area. She has also led the Nature Center Trail hikes every Monday and Wednesday during “the season” for over 10 years.
Treasurer is a great fit for Lori. She and her husband owned their own business for over 20 years so she has experience in finance.
tours, and to re-introduce golf cart tours of the Blue Heron Water Treatment Plant. Betty realizes many of our TGO residents work during the week, and she hopes to have Saturday morning hikes and more weekend programs.
A true life-learner, Betty’s passion is to share the joy of nature with others, whether it’s knowledge of plants, wildlife, wildlife rescue and preservation, or simply the general love of being outdoors.
Lori, her husband Steve and dog Pivo love seeing the wonderful wildlife from their home on Fawn Trail and actually had an eagles nest behind them about two years ago.
Meet at the Watson trailhead next to the sign.
A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER
February 9 - Trail Maintenance on the Carlson Trail.
Meet at the Carlson trailhead behind the Library.
Guided Trail Hikes - 9:00am
Betty’s career began in education, where she was with the school board and an exceptional education teacher assistant. In 1999 she began working for Parks and Recreation, North Area Parks Operation Office, where she initiated many innovative programs. She and her late husband Cary retired in February
Enjoy a relaxing, interesting and informative hike!
Long pants, long sleeves, enclosed shoes/boots, insect repellant and sunscreen are recommended… and water! You may also want to bring binoculars and a camera. Photo of Red-shouldered Hawk by Brian Grande.
January 28 - Guided Hike on the Betty Salter East Trail.
Meet at the trailhead at Buck Lake.
February 4 - Guided Hike on the Watson Trail.
Meet at the Watson trailhead next to the sign.
February 11 - Guided Hike on the Carlson Trail.
As treasurer she hopes to help support the wonderful people on the Board and help them build a community bigger and better to not only help, but understand the nature that surrounds us.
We wish Lori much success in her new role.
Upcoming Nature Center Events
Betty has devoted over 7,000 hours of volunteer time to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. A friend at the refuge encouraged her to consider living in TGO. Betty and Cary moved to The Great Outdoors in October of 2014, and immediately became immersed with The Nature Center. Betty had known Sandy Juba for some time, as Sandy volunteered at the refuge as well. Their great friendship and desire to rescue and teach others about wildlife and nature took off from there.
February 2 - Groundhog Day Celebration - all are welcome Nature Center, 4:00pm. BYOB and heavy hors d’ouvres to share. Text Patty Smith (248) 390-0680 or Pam Phillips 508360-9584.
February 11 - Board of Directors Meeting - all are welcome Nature Center Porch, 1:00pm February 11 - Nature Center Information Meeting - all are welcome. Nature Center Conference Room, 2:00pm.
Meet at the Carlson trailhead behind the Library.
To volunteer, for questions, or for more information, contact Brian Grande at 407-766-7867 or SkinDvr2000@yahoo.com.
Nature Center At The Great Outdoors Announces
Lori Krawczuk As Treasurer
On January 6, the Nature Center Board of Directors welcomed Lori Krawczuk as Treasurer.
Betty jokes that one of the first steps to get involved with wildlife rescue, at Sandy’s insistence, was to overcome her fear of snakes. After researching snakes for many months and creating brochures about them, she overcame her fears, and has frequently rescued many of them! She also became very active with Firewise. Betty initiated the Spring Festival at the Nature Center. She previously developed large festivals for the county and wanted to develop a smaller festival here. Sandy Juba gave Betty a list of local vendors to contact, and the annual festival was launched, continues to grow and become a fund raiser for the center.
NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA
Lori replaces Loretta Anne’, who recently stepped down from her role after serving as Treasurer and Board Member for nearly 20 years. We thank Loretta for her dedication. She will continue to support The Nature Center in various other ways.
Betty’s nature expertise includes extensive studies of native Florida plants and insects. One of her many butterfly studies led to the discovery of new species not known to our area. (The Variegated Fritillary was not known to be in Brevard County and the Eastern Pygmy Blue was not expected to be west of I-95 but we have it in the marsh here!) Betty’s goals are to develop programs to get more people involved with the nature center’s
PLANS FOR THE NATURE CENTER
Lori and her husband Steve visited TGO many years ago and loved it from the very first moment. They loved the golf course view, the nature trails and the library. Every day Lori did her route from library through nature trail and to the Nature Center. She attended a festival one day and she immediately felt at
Ideas she plans to implement include nature golf cart tours in the community, Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival bird
Please join us to learn about upcoming Nature Center news and events! A special topic is discussed at each meeting. This discussion will focus on native Florida plants and information about creating butterfly-friendly habitats.
one should never touch a fawn - she was holding this one as it was just rescued from the water.)
March 4 - ANNUAL MEETING - all are welcome - Manor, 3:00pm.
Celebrate Groundhog Day At The Nature Center
Join your fellow Nature Center members on Monday, February 2 to celebrate Groundhog Day! Socialize with your nature loving friends - a few animal songs and trivia will be part of the fun! Meet at the Nature Center at 4:00pm.
BYOB, table wear and a heavy hors d’ouvres to share.
RSVP so we can plan accordingly. Text Patty Smith 248-390-0680 or Pam Phillips 508-360-9584.
Closers/Inspectors Needed!
Did you know The Nature Center is inspected every evening between 5:00 and 6:00pm by a Volunteer?
January 8, discussing a recently
The inspection takes 5 to 10 minutes, and includes making sure the windows and doors are locked, turning off the fish
Kim Mosely. Photo credit Linda Day
Photo was taken immediately after Betty rescued this fawn from drowning. The fawn was reunited with its mother shortly after. (Note: Betty says
tank light, and a few other minor, quick checks. One inspector reported a leaking toilet, saving us from a much larger and expensive problem. The usual commitment is for two weeks. However, if you sign up with a friend, you can split the responsibility whichever way you like. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Becky Gross at 561-703-9043 or jgrg1440@msn.com.
At this time we are looking to fill the following dates:
April 5-18, April 19-May 2, May 31-June 13, June 14-27
June 28-July 11
CELEBRATE GOPHER TORTOISE DAY!
Upcoming Speaker
Cheryl Mertz All are welcome!
The Nature Center at TGO will celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day with TGO NatureScape at Tortoiseville (accessible on the Doggie Walk) on Thursday, April 10 from 3 to 6 p.m.
The Eagle Watch Program
January 28, 2026 - The Manor
Doors open 6:30pm
Talk begins at 7:00pm
Last year the tortoises were very active! We will have a tent with information where you can learn all about this keystone species -one of the oldest living species on the planet!
GUIDED TRAIL HIKES / LIGHT TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Please Note For All Nature Center Speaker Series:
All talks in the series take place in the Manor. Doors open at 6:30pm, talks begin at 7:00pm
In Remembrance of Iggy
The end of March wraps up our busy season at TGO. There will be fewer scheduled trail activities, however feel free to contact Brian and he’ll be happy to take anyone for a hike. The trails are in great shape and the dry season helps immensely with mosquitos so it’s a great time of year for hikes!
May 27 is the average start to our rainy season in Florida, so the St. Johns river is very low now, opening up lots of nearby hiking and mountain biking!
To volunteer, for questions, or for more information, contact Brian Grande at 407-766-7867 or SkinDvr2000@yahoo.com.
TGO POSSUM RESCUE EFFORT
The Nature Center is saddened by the passing of Ignatius (Iggy) John Konrad, Jr. on December 20, 2026. Iggy was a dedicated volunteer at the Nature Center, and truly enjoyed being part of the our nature-loving community. Iggy brought his smile and sense of humor to the Nature Center Spring Festival and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly mentioned in his obituary that contributions in his honor could be made to the Nature Center.
Did You Know?
Special thanks to Nancy Clark and Sandy Juba (Animal Rescue Committee) for their help March 19 & 20. After a concert at the Manor, Donna Pittman came upon an injured opossum who sadly was left for dead in the road. The opossum was bleeding and struggling. Donna called Nancy, who quickly came to its rescue. Nancy gave the sweet possum
In addition to smaller donations that are sold at the nature center Christmas and flea market, the Nature Center also accepts larger items which are sold over the internet.
Nature Center Board
Vice President Donna Pittman ncvp23@gmail.com
Most donations are gently used furniture, but any bigger ticket items such as kayaks are also greatly appreciated. These donations are a huge help to the center.
And Sandra needs your help! Contact Sandra if anyone is interested in helping with the sales, especially over the summer. Help is also needed to move heavier items into storage.
comfort overnight, and the next day Sandy took it to a rehabber in Christmas. The rehabber discovered the female possum had a broken jaw, with injured babies in its pouch. Sadly, the mother had to be euthanized and two babies are clinging to life. We are heartbroken about the outcome for this sweet family of opossums, but grateful for compassionate people among us who gave comfort and tried to help.
Thank you Nancy, Sandy and Donna.
Both are great ways to meet your neighbors and help with this important fundraiser for our beloved nature center!
If you have any such items, contact Sandra Miraglia at 727 483-2493. Texting preferred.
Congratulations to Nature Center New LIFE MEMBERS
Bob Taylor, Becky Gross and Pam Campbell!
A Huge Thank You!
she took several nature tours. On one tour they stopped at Tortoiseville, where a tortoise posed with her for a picture.
The Nature Center extends a huge Thank You to Jane Virgin, event organizer, and all those who volunteered (photo above), contributed items to sell, and signed up for Nature Center memberships on Saturday, January 10 for our annual Winter Flea Market. The event was a huge success!
President Betty Salter ncpresident23@gmail.com
Treasurer Lori Krawczuk nctreasurer23@gmail.com
Secretary Pat Dick ncsecretary23@gmail.com
Other Points Of Contact
Injured Animals - Please contact these specialists
Stories and Articles for The Happenings: nchappenings23@gmail.com
The Nature Center at The Great Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit self-supporting organization. Donations may be tax deductible.
NATURE CENTER AT TGO
400 Nature Center Trail Titusville, FL 32780
Open 8:00am to 5:00pm 365 days a year
www.NatureCenterAtTGO.org
Facebook - Nature Center at TGO
To schedule the use of our meeting room on M/W/F mornings or T/Th afternoons, call the Manor - 321-264-2393
To schedule the meeting room at any other time OR our beautiful enclosed porch, call Loretta Annè - 321-385-9667
Photo by Sarah Stennett
FIREWISE INFORMATION
RESIDENTS REDUCING WILDFIRE RISKS
Visit tgocsa.org to view Firewise video and brochure or TGO Firewise on Facebook
Remember, you must have written permission to remove any living shrubs or trees beyond your property line. Contact CSA if you have questions about removal and consult the Architectural Review Board before making landscape changes.
Firewise 101: Part 2- What It Is...
Once a community has decided that participation in the Firewise USA program is what is best for them, they create a committee of volunteers to represent the community. In addition, community volunteers, partners from local forestry agencies, in Florida it is the Florida Forest Service (FFS) and the fire department, which is the Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR), are invited to participate. At TGO, we also have St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD), and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as partners. The TGO Firewise Committee also has as members, the CSA Manager, and a Liaison from the CSA Board of Directors.
A resident leader is identified, who is the point of contact for the program, in our case it is the Firewise Committee Chair. The committee defines the boundaries of the site and determines the number of single-family dwelling units. The number of single-family dwelling units is used by NFPA to determine the hours of investment for each Firewise USA site. For the year 2025 the hourly value amount was $34.79 per residential property. The TGO Firewise site usually exceeds that requirement every year. It should be noted that this is a value not an actual expenditure.
Every five years the Firewise committee collaborates with the FFS, SJRWMD and BCFR to complete the Wildfire Risk Assessment. This is a community-wide view that identifies areas of successful wildfire risk reduction and areas where improvements could be made. This assessment is submitted to NFPA as a Firewise USA requirement.
The committee uses the Wildfire Risk Assessment to create a three-year Action Plan, broken down by year, which identifies and prioritizes actions to reduce ignition risk to homes and structures and, in TGO, RVs. These include community wide investments along with suggested homeowner actions and education activities that participants will strive to complete annually or over a period of multiple years. This document is required to be updated at least every three years.
The committee uses a volunteer hourly worksheet to collect information on volunteer activities in the community. The community is required to complete a minimum of one volunteer hour per dwelling unit in wildfire reduction actions. Each year the Firewise Committee compiles the data from the year and submits the required application to NFPA for renewal of the Firewise USA site certification. This is done in November of each year and usually by December we receive our certification. The Firewise USA program has grown to 2452 Firewise Communities as of 2024. California has the most with six hundred and Florida has fifty-one. Overall Firewise USA completed 2.2 million hours of volunteer hours nationwide last year.
Here at TGO, we are surrounded by wild land and the threat for a wild land fire is real. That did not go unnoticed by a group of TGO residents, and this group led an effort to establish a Firewise USA site at TGO. This group consisted of Don Payne, Mike Lavery, Ted Jankowski, Ed Brown, and John Price who were appointed to the first TGO Firewise Committee in January of 2010. Since then, the Firewise Committee has grown a bit, but Don Payne, Ed Brown and Mike Lavery are still members.
In the next article, we will talk more about how the Firewise USA program works at TGO. BE FIREWISE - BE SAFE
Firewise Committee - Contact Information
Butch Jones Chairman 804-514-4458
Christopher Miller Co-Chair 407-375-8310
Tim Graham 561-262-8833
Donald Payne 407-222-0583
Ed Brown
321-383-8253
Mike Lavery 585-315-5554
Albert McGuire 810-338-5646
Ron Peoples 407-509-0486
Betty Salter
Tony Swoope
321-223-8073
321-383-9765
Bob Taylor 571-294-3595
Joe Visconti 321-360-3877
Activities Events 2026
January 29 Thursday The Boulevards
February 6 Friday Trivia I
February 7 Saturday Trivia II
February 7 Saturday Parrish Healthcare 5K Walk/Run
February 21 Saturday Mardi Gras Line Dance Social
February 26 Thursday Crystal Stark & Adam Ferrara
March 19 Thursday Boy Band Evolution
March 26 & 27 Thur/Friday Variety Show
Concert Tickets are $20 for General Admission
Concert Dates in Bold. Other events to be added throughout the year.
Please Volunteer
The TGO Tickets & Gift Shop is always looking for volunteers to help with planned activities and become a chairperson for fun events our TGO Community loves.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 & 7
Monthly Activities Meeting
Our next meeting is February 17, 2026 at 1:00pm in the Plantation Manor. Everyone is welcome.
Activities Committee Points of Contact
Carmella Zielinski 321-289-0150 tmcmzie@gmail.com
Pat Foley 407-538-8035 patfoley441@gmail.com
Ruth Falusi 219-670-1111 falusirr@yahoo.com
Nancy Wyatt 321-474-7949 NA
NOTE: The TGO Tickets & Gift Shop in Hobbyland is Open 10-Noon, Mon-Fri
2025-2026 Concert Series Sponsors
Mackey’s Home Renovations
Atlantic Storm Protection Eagle’s Pride RV Sales & Service
Gary L Torres DMD, PA JAD Family Pharmacy
Parrish Medical Center Starling’s Auto Group, Inc TGO Realty, Inc
TICKETS
Available NOW
TGO Ticket Office In Hobbyland
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026 - 7:30 PM
Comedian and Actor ADAM FERRARA
“Hilarious” says Entertainment Weekly
BOY BAND EVOLUTION
THURSDAY MARCH 19, 2026 - 7:30 PM
Barber Shop Quartets to Modern Hits
Tight Harmonies - Queen, The Eagles
NOTE: The TGO Tickets & Gift Shop in Hobbyland is Open 10-Noon, Mon-Fri
Introducing the 2026/2027 Concert Series
Mark Your Calendars!
We have a great line up for next season! Tickets go on sale in March, 2026 for Reserve Seat Tickets - Save the dates now!
November 12, 2026
Jeff Norris and Frances Dilorinzo
Two comedians - each with their own 45 minute show
January 14, 2027
7 Bridges - An Eagles Tribute
February 4, 2027
Live From Earth - A Pat Benatar Tribute
February 18, 2027
Knights of Music
March 11, 2027
Bronx Wanderers
An Interdenominational Christian Church
Watch Bible Study and Services
Pastor David’s Bible Study is LIVESTREAMING on Thursday mornings at 10:00am on the church website: tgochurch.org. In-person bible study is 11:00am in the Fellowship Hall.
If you miss the livestream of any service, you can watch it from our website: tgochurch.org by clicking on the Resources tab at the top of the homepage, then click on Archived Videos to find the service.
Pastor Dan Zahn’s Bible Study
Year-round on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm by Zoom. Contact Pastor Dan for the link at 321-446-7966.
10:00am
Watch the LIVESTREAM on our Church Website: www.tgochurch.org
Dr. David Price
Lead Pastor J.B. Kump
Minister, Small Groups, Visitation and Retreats
Dan Zahn
Minister of Prayer & Visitation 321-383-0303
Richard Harleman Director of Music
Nancy Reinish Director of Bells
Leanne Craig Office Administrator
Georgi Zeigler
Administrative Assistant Send e-mail to: info@tgochurch.org
Ray Z’s Bible Class Mondays at 11:00am in Fellowship Hall.
Calling ALL Singles - Join us for fun events!
The SINGULARS of Great Outdoors Community Church are continuing their enjoyable schedule. Get on the email distribution list for all the events for this group. Send your email, with the subject line “Singulars Email” to: info@tgochurch.org or call the church office at 321-383-0303 to keep up on the latest news for the Singulars. Please contact our coordinator Pastor J.B. Kump at: 321-543-1608 or email: jb.kump@gmail.com.
Memory Garden Open to All TGO Residents
Interested in a Memory Walk Paver or Columbarium Niche? Inquire at The Great Outdoors Community Church - 321-383-0303. Monday 11:00am - 1:00pm, Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00 pm.
Listen to Verse by Verse
With David Price on WPIO 89.3 FM every Monday - Friday at 4:40pm and 9:13pm
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from November through April and meets in the Narthex. Contact Rosalind Zahn for more information at 321-446-7968
Great Outdoors Community Church has a ministry that provides services to TGO residents. The areas of support and their points-of-contact are as follows: Home Repairs Heidi Turner 321-514-3719 hsturner44@gmail.com
Lending Closet Jeff Craig 248-880-7462 jcraig26@protonmail.com
Temporary Meals Clariece Lewis 321-693-9864 clariece13@gmail.com County Services Bev Houghton 810-919-1629 bhoughto10@hotmail.com
Transportation Charlie Wood 847-609-1222 charliewood847@gmail.com
Fundraiser Dinner
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Carryout from Fellowship Hall 5:00-6:00 pm
Don’t miss out the 175 tickets will SELL OUT! Tickets $15
Order your tickets now in Fellowship Hall after the church service.
Happy Birthday, Cam Pelletier
Cam Pelletier just celebrated his 104th birthday on January 18, marking more than a century of memories that stretch from the Great Depression to our current Space Age - and along the way discovering The Great Outdoors.
Cam was born January 18, 1922, in Bellingham, Massachusetts, into a large and hardworking family. He was one of 15 children - part of a household where his mother gave birth to 18, though three tragically passed away as infants. His family roots trace back to France in the mid-1600s, then to Quebec, Canada, until the family eventually made its way to the United States around 1900 and put down roots in Rhode Island. French was the first language spoken at home, but English quickly became the norm once school began.
When the Depression hit, the family relocated to Vermont, where Cam’s father purchased a 500-acre farm that had been abandoned and needed rebuilding from the ground up. Determined to make it productive again, he invested in tractors and equipment, repaired the house, constructed a large barn and
silo, brought in 28 head of cattle, and built a sugar house fully outfitted for making maple syrup.
Cam still remembers the kind of childhood fun only farm kids could create - like when his brothers stripped down an old Model T Ford to its chassis, turning it into a homemade “jalopy” with a simple box for the driver and wooden seats for the rest. Five children at a time would ride it down the driveway to the road, then push it all the way back up and do it again.
One childhood moment, however, ended far differently. Around age five or six, Cam lost his left index finger after discovering dynamite caps his father kept stored away. Thinking they were harmless copper cartridges, he took two outside and hit them with a rock. The explosion cost him a finger and nearly his thumb.
By 1934, Cam left school in the sixth grade to work alongside his father, who kept the family busy during the Depression. His father ran a construction business, operated a portable sawmill, and also managed two stores selling oil burners - at a time when many
The TGO Community Church held a birthday celebration for Cam after Sunday’s service, and a wonderful crowd came out to wish him a happy 104th. One of Cam’s good friends, Lorraine Murphy, was there to share in the big day. Together, these two have been around for 193 years. That’s 1,351 Dog Years!
Cam and his wife Rita were pen pals while Cam was in the service. They married in 1945.
people were converting from coal to oil. That early experience shaped Cam’s lifelong desire to build, and later in life he completed his education through night school and home study.
Cam was 19 when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and like so many young men of his generation, he felt the pull to serve. In 1942, he joined the United States Navy, stepping into a chapter of life that would take him far from home and into the heart of World War II.
He reported first to the Seabee base in Davisville, Rhode Island - an ideal fit for someone who loved construction and working with his hands. From there, he traveled by train to Camp Bradford in Norfolk, Virginia, and then on to Camp Shelby in Mississippi for further training and assignment.
Cam served in the 33rd Construction Battalion, where carpentry was a major part of the work - but as he put it, they did whatever needed to be done. During the war he was stationed in New Caledonia, where his unit helped build an airfield and control tower. He later served in Guadalcanal, the Russell Islands, the Green Islands, and reached Peleliu in 1944. After U.S. forces took control of the island, Cam and his battalion built barracks, support buildings, and fortified the airfield.
During his early service, Cam met a fellow Rhode Island sailor who suggested he write to his niece as a pen pal. Cam did - and that pen pal, Rita Ritchotte, would become his wife. The two were married on June 16, 1945, while Cam was still in the service.
After returning home in late 1945, Cam built a successful career in Rhode Island as owner of Cam Pelletier Construction in Woonsocket. He eventually retired in 1980, but retirement didn’t slow him down. In 1989, Cam and Rita bought a motorhome and headed to Florida with plans to meet friends at River Ranch. When that destination fell through due to a large rally, their friends suggested a different storybook alternative.
That unexpected change in plans led Cam to TGO - and decades later, the community is still fortunate to call him one of its own.
At 104 years old, Cam Pelletier represents a group of Americans who are becoming incredibly rare.
Today, it’s estimated that fewer than 50,000 World War II veterans are still living in the United States, and that number grows smaller every year. Many of those men and women are now 100 years old or older - making Cam’s 104th birthday not just a personal milestone, but a reminder of living history.
Cam didn’t just witness a defining chapter of our countryhe helped build it, both in uniform and afterward. He answered the call during a time of worldwide danger, served in the U.S. Navy, and did the hard, demanding work that helped keep the war effort moving forward. His service reflects courage, grit, and love of country, and we are proud to honor him as both a veteran and an American.
Roy Houtby
From Ontario to TGO - A Story of Golf and Friendship
Roy Houtby has been part of the fabric of The Great Outdoors for more than two decades, and for many residents, his name is synonymous with organized, competitive, and well-run golf. A lifelong educator, longtime golf administrator, and current TGO Golf Tournament Chair, Roy brings experience, pride, and a deep respect for the game to everything he does. Whether coordinating tournaments, mentoring fellow golfers, or simply enjoying time on the course, Roy’s steady leadership and passion for golf have helped shape the strong golf culture that our TGO residents enjoy today.
Roy, let’s start from the beginning. Where were you born?
I was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, and I have lived there my entire life. St. Catharines is about 10 miles from Niagara Falls, and lots of people seem to know where that is. The city is about 145,000 people, and we’re on the south shore of Lake Ontario - straight across from Toronto, which is on the north shore. We’re also about 40 minutes from Buffalo, so when we fly or travel, we usually go through Buffalo rather than Toronto, because Toronto’s like New York. It’s a big, big city.
Did you do all your schooling there too?
I did. Back in the ’60s, we had a Grade 13, which was the equivalent of a first-year university program, and it was publicly funded by the provincial government. After Grade 13, I really hoped to get into journalism school, and I had been accepted, but there wasn’t a lot of money in my family at that time to go to university.
So what did you do instead?
My second option was teachers’ college. Through Brock University in St. Catharines, I got my teaching certification and began teaching. I was one of very few that got a job in those days, and I began teaching for the local board in September of 1970.
How long were you in education?
I worked 31 years for the local Board of Education, and the last 18 of them as a principal.
From what we’ve heard, you hold some other impressive credentials - tell us about them?
In addition to earning my teacher’s certification at Brock
University, I also completed my BA degree at Brock, and then my Masters of Science in Education at Niagara University.
We know golf is a big part of your life. Did that start when you were young?
Not really. Through high school, I played lots of sports. Every Canadian kid played hockey, but I also played baseball, basketball, and I played football in high school as well. Golf didn’t come into it in a big way until much later.
What brought golf into your life?
My dad was a golfer, so I had a little bit of an interest there. But really, a bunch of us who used to play ball togetherfastball, which was kind of like fast-pitch softball and very big in our area - we decided to go one night a week to a men’s program at a golf course near St. Catharines. We played in a nine-hole men’s league on Wednesday nights, just for yuckles and to do something different. That’s how I got into golf, and it’s been a big deal ever since.
Since you’re here at TGO about five months a year, how much can you play back home in Canada?
There is a misconception that everybody thinks Canada’s got snow all year round, and that’s not true. We have wonderful weather from May to October every year. I belong to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, and our course opens roughly in the middle of April for play and continues until the middle of November. The earlier and later part of that season can have cool days, but the reality is it’s pretty good. From June to the end of September, it’s fantastic
- great weather, great temperatures, and the golf courses are fantastic.
So how did you and Linda find The Great Outdoors?
When I retired in June of 2001, we had a couple of fellow principals who had properties down here on Lake Drive. We were fortunate for the first number of years that we came to The Great Outdoors. Linda and I would come down for six weeks in the fall, from basically the first of November until the middle of December, and then we would go home, because we have four children, and spend Christmas with the kids.
Did you look at other places before deciding on TGO?
Yes. For many years, we tried all kinds of different places, wondering where we wanted to settle when we retired. We went to places in California from Palm Springs to San Diego. We were in Arizona - Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tucson. We tried all kinds of areas on the Gulf side of Florida. But we just kept coming back to The Great Outdoors and saying, “This is a pretty good place here.”
There is a misconception that everybody thinks Canada’s got snow all year round...
What made TGO stand out from those other places?
Comparatively, we wanted to go for dinner and we weren’t standing in line at a restaurant. The golf was relatively inexpensive compared to other areas. And we loved the people here. We just kept coming back.
When did you start spending the full winter season here? Probably about 15 years ago, we started spending the entire winter here - five months of our time.
So your first year at TGO was over 20 years ago? Yes, 2001, so 24, 25 years ago.
Over that time, you’ve made lots of friends here, haven’t you?
We have. We have wonderful friends here. Other Canadians that we didn’t know until we got here, which is interesting. Lots of great American friends as well, and we feel very good about the whole community. We love it here.
Tell us a little about your family. You mentioned four children - how did that come together?
Linda and I - this is both of our second marriages. We’ve been together for a long time. I think we’re now married 38 years, something in that range, and we were together for a number of years before that. I had two girls and Linda had two boys. Kind of like the Brady Bunch, I guess. They were
very young at the time when we got together, and bottom line is they’re all grown up now.
How old are your kids now?
They’re all in their late 40s and into their 50s.
And how many grandchildren do you have?
We have nine grandchildren that we’re very proud of.
Where is everyone located?
We have one son who lives in Northern Kentucky. He came down to play on a golf scholarship at West Virginia way back in the day and never returned to Canada, but he still has dual citizenship. He has three children. We have another daughter in British Columbia, and we have a granddaughter there. And we have two who are closer to us at home - one daughter and her family with two grandsons, and another son with his family and three grandkids - and they live in the St. Catharines area. So nine all together.
That’s a big crew. Holidays must be busy. It does keep you busy, but everybody’s doing their own thing, of course.
Besides playing golf, what else keeps you busy during the season at TGO?
Down here, I’m happy to play four or five times a week if I can. And I’ve been involved for many years with the Men’s Golf Association, doing organizational and administrative work. I do it up north as well at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club. I’m a former president there, and I run several of the big leagues up there, as well as down here. That keeps me busy, but I enjoy it.
Have you ever served as President of the Men’s Golf Association here at TGO?
No, I’ve never been president of the MGA. They just keep re-electing me as the Tournament Chairman.
Are you involved with major events back home?
Yes. At our country club up north, I was president and I’ve been involved in running a number of major events. I was chairman or co-chairman when we hosted the Canadian PGA Championships at St. Catharines - around 2009 or 2010. We hosted a number of very prestigious events there as well.
You were here when the TGO golf course renovation happened - what was your perspective on that?
We missed one year during COVID, but we were here just before and after the renovation. I’ve been through a number of those renovations up north, and I thought they bit off a huge chunk to accomplish in six months. In the end, it was amazing they got it done in nine months.
Roy Houtby
The club didn’t open until January, so we were arranging golf games through Chuck and everywhere else - playing at different clubs around the area.
And overall, your thoughts on the the renovation?
The golf course is fantastic. The change is tremendous. Shane is fantastic at the job he does, and Chuck was a tremendous pro to work with. Everything about it is positive, positive, positive.
It must have been a big change from back when you first arrived?
Oh yes... When I first came down here back in the early 2000s, even though I lived here, we played most of our golf off property because this place wasn’t in very good shape in those days.
Where did you play back then?
We played a lot at Royal Oak, which was owned by the Canadian PGA at the time. A lot of professional golfers from Canada would be down here, including some who were on tour. I got to know and meet Moe Norman and people like Lorie Kane, who was one of the big players on the LPGA. We played some at Walkabout too, which I think is now The Preserve.
Have you met many famous golfers back home in Canada?
Maybe casually, but nothing significant. The most interesting opportunity was seeing Moe Norman. He was a wonderful player and an interesting character, for sure.
Outside of golf, what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Most everybody knows this one too - I have, for 53 years, had a hobby business where we sell stamps to collectors. We’ve now turned that into one of the larger companies in Canada of that nature. They call us the leading stamp show dealer.
That’s impressive. How active are you with the stamp business today?
I still do somewhere in the neighborhood of about 20 to 25 trade shows every year, and we travel extensively for that - even when I’m here. For example, in November we flew up and did a major show in Chicago. This weekend I’ll be in Sarasota for a major show there. We did another one down here in December. So we are constantly doing shows, and I have a strong mail order business as well.
Does Linda help with the business too?
Linda is a very, very big help on that as well.
After you came to TGO, did you ever want to own an RV? No, sir. Never.
So what was it that drew you here originally?
We didn’t come here because of an RV. It was the destination and weather. Golfing. Absolutely - somewhere warm where we could play golf.
Any closing comments?
I’ve been coming to The Great Outdoors for a long time now, and it’s been a big part of our lives. We’ve made great friends here, we love the community, and we’re proud to be a part of the golf program. It’s a special place, and we’re very fortunate to have it.
Roy is not only the Tournament Chair but was also on the 2025 MGA Championship winning team. Roy plays an instrumental role with all our MGA golfers.
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Welcome to TGO...
Meghan Johnson, Our New Recreation Manager
The Great Outdoors is pleased to welcome Meghan Johnson as our new Recreation Manager. Meghan brings a strong and well-rounded professional background as a dynamic, results-driven leader with more than 16 years of progressive experience in health and wellness operations, customer service, and program development. Known for her proactive, hands-on leadership style, Meghan has built a reputation for creating high-performing teams, improving organizational outcomes, and strengthening client and community engagement through thoughtful planning and consistent follow-through.
In her new role at TGO, Meghan will oversee the scheduling and coordination of recreation activities and events throughout the community. This includes programs and events held at the Manor, the Pavilion, Hobbyland, the Library, the Conference Room, the Jukebox Rec Room, and the many outdoor recreational areas residents enjoy. She will also help manage and support activity scheduling for the Fitness Center and Recreation Courts, including Shuffleboard, Cornhole, Tennis, and Pickleball, along with maintaining and managing the CSA website, which plays an important part in keeping residents informed and connected.
Meghan joins TGO after serving as Health and Wellness Supervisor at Parrish Medical Group in Titusville, where she was selected for the position based on her extensive experience across multiple departments within the fitness and aquatics industry. In that role, she supervised and supported transitional programming that helped individuals successfully move from a hospital-based rehabilitation setting into gym-based wellness and fitness routines - an area requiring both skillful planning and a high degree of care and communication.
Prior to Parrish Medical Group, Meghan served as the Wellness Coordinator at the Dr. Phillips YMCA in Dr. Phillips, Florida. There she oversaw a team of trainers and wellness coaches while also directing the design and implementation of customized fitness programs for clients of various ages, fitness levels, and medical considerations. Her ability to adapt programming for a wide range of needs - and maintain a welcoming, encouraging environment - reflects the kind of leadership and service that makes her an excellent fit for a diverse and active community like TGO.
Meghan holds several respected professional certifications, including Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, Certified Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, and Certified Nutrition Coach through the American Council on Exercise. She also maintains Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association, and is trained in first aid for opioid overdose through the American Red Cross. In addition, Meghan brings a unique and interesting range of experience as a PADI SCUBA Diver, and has specialized training and involvement in Rock Steady Boxing, as well as certification as a Pedaling for Parkinson’s Cycle Instructor through YMCA programs.
Her professional affiliations and memberships include the Association of Aquatic Professionals, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Red Cross, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and the National Safety Council. Meghan earned her Master of Science in Sport Science and Rehabilitation from Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri, where she was recognized on the Dean’s List in Spring, Summer and Fall 2025, in her last year of the program. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University in Alabama.
With Meghan’s experience, energy, and commitment to excellence, TGO residents can look forward to strong organization, expanded opportunities, and a recreation schedule designed to support both fun and community connection. She’s looking forward to implementing new programs and recreation activities for all to participate in.
Please join us in welcoming Meghan Johnson - we are excited to have her on board and wish her great success in her new role here at TGO.
Meet the Team
Looking to buy or sell in The Great Outdoors? TGO Realty is the only full-service real estate company with offices inside the resort - serving the community for over 32 years. Our team of Licensed Sales Associates has extensive knowledge of all properties within The Great Outdoors, from well-appointed paved RV sites to custom-built resort homes. In fact, almost all our agents are residents here, with years of experience and ready to assist you with any questions. Please contact any of our agents - they’ll be happy to help you.
Stephanie and Darrin Huggins Brokers Owners stephanieh@tgoresort.com darrinh@tgoresort.com
Please feel free to contact any of our TGO Realty, Inc. Licensed Sales Associates
Nancy Merchant 321-243-5335 nancym@tgoresort.com
Paul Shimski 321-704-3111 pauls@tgoresort.com
Ann Henn 321-432-4350 tgoann@aol.com
Mike Zeigler 321-349-4123 mikerzeigler@gmail.com
Tammy DeVries 321-537-1170 tammyd@tgoresort.com
Lou Costanza 813-777-4186 LJCostanza@gmail.com
Terry MacDonald 516-383-3704 tmacdonald1255@gmail.com
Marc Lundeberg 321-423-1388 marcl@tgoresort.com
Brenda Cullen 561-281-9382 brendac@tgoresort.com
Nancy Kuzma 321-269-5004 TGO Office Manager
TGO Resort Homes and Villas
NEW LISTING
658 Plantation Drive - $489,900
Immaculate and beautifully furnished, this 2BR/2.5BA resort home offers 1,879 sq. ft. with a loft bonus room for guests or a home office. Enjoy an open great room with nature views, granite kitchen with stainless appliances, screened patio, and two primary suites. Includes impact windows, whole-house water filtration, and an enclosed RV garage with A/C.
712 Baytree Drive - $479,000
Outstanding spacious resort home on Baytree Drive featuring three bedrooms, two with ensuite baths, and three full bathrooms. Approximately 2,698 sq. ft. under air with an enclosed, air-conditioned Florida Room. Built in 2000. Includes RV and car garages, storm shutters, large laundry room, RV garage 40’ deep and 13’ tall, roof 2017, HVAC 2021.
Furnished Evergreen villa with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a loft—perfect for easy TGO living. Enjoy a 10’x 21’ screened porch with privacy shades overlooking a huge backyard, plus a concrete grilling patio. Updated appliances, newer HVAC, great storage, golf cart shed, and a painted driveway with ample parking make this a standout entertaining home.
252 Harmony - $799,000
Beautiful expanded Oakwood Model in Hidden Lakes with approximately 2,605 sq. ft., featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a sun porch overlooking Camp Lake. A private en suite bedroom over the garage adds flexibility. Upgraded granite kitchen, bay windows, tray ceilings, abundant storage, and garages for cars, golf cart, and RV. New roof 2025, HVAC 2024.
50 Sunset 274,900 67 x 24 Furnished Nancy Merchant 321-243-5335
130 Windsong 279,000 .09 Acres 1,190 sq ft Suite Ann Henn 321-432-4350
455 Oak Cove 279,900 Shed, Paver Drive, Lake/Golf View Terry MacDonald 516-383-3704
321 Oak Cove 279,900 40 x 60 524 sq ft Suite Brenda Cullen 561-281-9382
122 Windsong 295,000 .09 Acres 1,250 sq ft Suite, Furnished Ann Henn 321-432-4350
509 Oak Cove 295,000 Furnished, Lake & Golf View Mike Zeigler 321-349-4123
TGO RV Sites
ADDRESS PRICE LOT SIZE FEATURES
LISTING AGENT
483 Fawn Trail 99,999 40 x 80 Lot Only Mike Zeigler 321-349-4123 371 Oak Cove 109,000 40 x 80 224 sq ft Florida Rm, Shed Tammy DeVries 321-537-1770 382 Oak Cove 114,000 40 x 80 Shed, Nature View Brenda Cullen 561-281-9382 184 Plantation
40 x 80 Shed w/Shower, W&D hookups Ann Henn 321-432-4350 13 Sunset 119,000 40 x 80 180 sq ft Florida Rm/Shed Terry MacDonald 516-383-3704
429 Oak Cove 125,000 40 x 80 Shed
Terry MacDonald 516-383-3704
Café Hours - 8:00am to 11:00am Blue Heron Hours - 11:00am to 8:00pm
BREAKFAST
BREAKFAST
Early Birdie Classics
Hole in One - One egg any style, with bacon, one slice of toast, and hashbrowns 8.99
The Birdie - Two eggs any style, with meat, two slices of toast, and hashbrowns 12.99
The Sand Trap - Biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, with one egg any style Half - 6.99 Full - 12.99
The Caddy Stack - A stack of one, two, or three homemade pancakes or french toast 1 - 3.99, 2 - 6.99, 3 - 9.99
Add blueberries or strawberries 1.99
Blue Heron Nest - Two poached eggs nested in Canadian bacon on top of hashbrowns, smothered in hollandaise sauce 14.99
Build Your Own
The 9-Iron (Sandwich or Wrap) 12.99
Bread: White, wheat, rye, English muffin, croissant, tortilla
Meat: Bacon, Canadian bacon, ham, or sausage
Cheese: American, Swiss, jack-cheddar, or provolone
Veggie: Tomatoes, onion, or green pepper
Wrapped around 2 eggs any style
McDuffer’s Cheese Omelette - Egg omelet with jack-cheddar cheese, served with toast and hashbrowns 2 Eggs - 8.99, 3 Eggs - 10.99
Omelette Add Ons - Green peppers, red onions, diced tomatoes, mushroom, spinach, black olives, cilantro, basil, Jalapenos .99 each
Omelette Add Ons - Ham, Canadian bacon, sausage, pepperoni, grilled chicken, fried chicken 1.99 each
Sides
Fruit - ala carte 4.99
Oatmeal - ala carte 4.99
Hashbrowns/Home Fries - ala carte 3.99 onions/peppers 1.00
Ala Carte
Side of toast - white, wheat, or rye 2.99 English muffin, Croissant, or Biscuit
APPETIZERS
APPETIZERS
Basket of Fries - choice of two sauces 4.99
Quesadilla - 12” flour tortilla filled with sautéed onions, peppers and shredded cheese 10.99
Add chicken - 3.00 Add shrimp - 4.00
Spicy Quesadilla - 12” flour tortilla filled with onions, peppers, jalapeños, tomatoes, and buffalo chicken 13.99
Substitute Fried Shrimp - 1.00
Pretzel - Served with nacho cheese dip 9.99
Pierogi - Served with a choice of sauerkraut and horsey sauce or sautéed onions and sour cream 9.99
Potato Skins - Loaded with shredded cheese and bacon, topped with green onions 9.99
Fried Okra - Served with ranch 8.99
Onion Rings - Beer battered, served with a choice of dipping sauces 8.99
Fried Pickles - Served with Sriracha Ranch 9.99
Potstickers - Pork potstickers, sweet Thai chili sauce 10.99
CONSUMER ADVISORY - Consuming undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or seafood may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Please inform your server of any special dietary needs.
Caesar Salad - Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, side of Caesar dressing 9.99
Gazpacho - Chilled Spanish blended soup, served with croutons or crackers 8.99
Ask your server about our Gazpacho special of the day!
Spaghetti and Meatballs - Meatballs over spaghetti with marinara sauce, garlic bread Half 9.99 Full 14.99
Dinner Salmon - Choice of grilled or baked, regular or blackened, salmon, served with vegetable of the day 21.99
Chicken Alfredo - Grilled chicken over fettuccine alfredo, served with garlic bread Half 10.99 Full 15.99
BURGERS & SANDWICHES
BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Cheese options - American, Swiss, Provolone, Pepper Jack Vegetarian Burger - 3.99 Gluten Free Bun Option - 2.99
Blue Heron Burger - Angus beef with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, served with fries 12.99 Add cheese 1.00
MOAB Burger - Mother Of All Burgers. Angus beef with American cheese, onion rings, bacon and BBQ sauce, served with fries 15.99
Chicken Sandwich - Grilled or fried chicken breast with lettuce and tomato, served with fries 12.99
Chicken Parm Sub - Fried chicken, marinara and cheese, served with fries
Half 10.99 Full 14.99
Cheesesteak - Steak or chicken, sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms, topped with provolone cheese, served with fries
Half 10.99 Full 14.99
Heron Club - Sliced turkey or ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on your choice of bread, served with fries 14.99
On The Green Burger - Angus beef with provolone cheese, spinach, avocado and house aioli, served with fries 15.99
J&B’s Patty Melt - Angus beef smothered with caramelized onions, on marbled rye bread with Swiss cheese, served with fries 13.99
Meatloaf Sandwich - House meatloaf with gravy, lettuce and tomato, served with fries
Half 8.99 Full 13.99
Eggplant Parm Sub - Fried eggplant, marinara and cheese, served with fries
Half 10.99 Full 15.99
Meatball Sub - Meatballs, marinara, provolone cheese on a toasted sub, served with fries
Half 10.99 Full 14.99
The Reuben - Thinly sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye, served with fries 14.99
Albatross Pasta - Creamy marinara, penne, basil, Parmesan, and garlic bread - chicken or meatballs Half 10.99 Full 15.99
SIDES
Replacement options require an up charge. Ask your server for more information.
French Fries Sweet Potato Fries Onion Rings Side Salad Side of Fruit Coleslaw
FLATBREADS
FLATBREADS
Build Your Own - starts at 12.99, with marinara and cheese Cheese - Pizza or cheddar-jack Alfredo Sauce 1.00
Toppings 1.00 each
Jalapeno, green pepper, red onion, cilantro, basil, diced or sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives, roasted garlic, pineapple Meats 2.00 each
Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, meatballs, grilled or fried chicken, ham
Ask your server about our Dessert of the day!
Sunday & Monday! - 99¢ Chicken Wings!
Thursday - $3.50 Tacos
Music at The Blue Heron
Friday, January 23 Sammy
Friday, January 30 Tiki Duo Band
ENTREES & PASTAS
ENTREES & PASTA
Potatoes and vegetable of the day are subject to change. Ask your server what we have today.
Chicken Tenders - Served with fries and choice of dipping sauce 11.99
Fish and Chips - Beer battered white fish, served with fries and coleslaw 14.99
Friday, February 6 Sammy
Friday, February 13 Sammy
Friday, February 20 Tiki Duo
Friday, February 27 Mike Johnson
Medicare Won’t Pay for Long-Term Care.
When we think about the future, retirement, travel, recreation, and time with family are usually top of mind. What’s often overlooked is planning for a time when some level of care or assistance may be needed.
Medicare DOES NOT pay for long-term care (LTC). Long-term care includes services for individuals who are physically or mentally unable to perform at least two of the six basic activities of daily living - bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, or continence. These services may be provided AT HOME, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility.
Traditional long-term care insurance works much like auto or homeowners insurance: You pay premiums, and you may or may not ever use the coverage. If you don’t, the insurance company keeps ALL the premiums.
An alternative is asset-based long-term care planning. This approach offers greater flexibility and control. Care can often be provided at home for as long as possible, based on a simple certification from your physician. In many cases, benefits are available with minimal or no underwriting - even if you’ve been DECLINED in the past. Existing assets may be repositioned into more tax-advantaged strategies, and planning options are available for both individuals and couples.
One of the greatest advantages is ownership. The funds remain yours. If care is never needed, the assets grow on a guaranteed basis and pass to your beneficiaries.
Call, text, or email for a complimentary review of your options.
Funny Thing Is… 70 Degrees or More!
Since I passed 70, I’ve learned some undeniable truths. Gravity can weigh you down. Knees are like hair gel, useful when you’re young and useless when you’re old, and third, the cold can be chilling, especially in January in Florida.
The Farmer’s Almanac says winter starts around December 21. For me winter starts when the temperature drops below 70 degrees. When I lived in Cleveland, winter started in early September which also coincided with the start of the NFL season. So up there the most depressing season coincides with the most depressing professional sport season start - which causes guys like Sammy to also start, moving south! Go Bucs, Dolphins and Jags.
In Florida, in January, the thermometer dips into the 40s, sometimes even the 30s, and suddenly everything that has a joint needs lubrication to stop making noise. My knees, my back, my screen door, folding chairs, the car door, etc.
January is also the only month when it bothers me that I can’t find a state any further south to move to. They say the average high for Central Florida in January is between 71-73. I’m good with that. Can we just have that for the next month? But no, we have to have “Yankee Clippers.” Now a guy from Cleveland has enough problems with anything called “Yankee,” but do they have to name the weather system everyone hates after a team that outside of the NY city limits everyone hates?
In January, in Florida, you find iguanas falling out of trees because of the cold but the other 11 months you only have humans falling out of chairs because there’s too much tequila in their margaritas. But take heart, Florida. We’re only a couple of weeks away from rushing home with our Valentine’s chocolates in a race to get them indoors before they melt in the car. We send Northerners videos of us driving on the beach in January while they are abandoning cars on the highway that won’t be found until baseball season. In January, in Florida, the golf courses remain open with happy, shirtsleeved golfers. Up north you can’t play golf without a handheld snowblower and the parkas they wear make them look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy with a putter. If at this point you’re not happy you’re in Florida, then WHY are you in Florida? Just chill because cold can have a chilling effect. Dr. Sammy
Aquacize Manor Pool
Mon - Fri - 10:00am Weather Permitting. Call CSA Manor Office to ask about any cancellations. Aquacize, or water aerobics, is a fun and easy workout for all ages. It increases cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and muscle tone. Diana Araujo-Fernandez - 321-264-2393
Bingo Plantation Manor Tues - 6:00pm Cards Go On Sale at 4:45pm. TGO Owners, Renters, and Guests Only. All present during play must be 18 years of age or older. Age verification via government ID may be required.
Bike Group Plantation Manor - Thur 9:00am TGO Bike Group does group rides every Thursday. We go on bike trails or lightly traveled urban streets, no major roads, between 10 to 20 miles at 8 to 10 miles per hour. E-bikes and recumbents are welcome. Meet in the Manor parking lot at 9:00am on a Thursday. Ed Swan - Text 321-536-0572
Bocce The Bocce Court
The Bocce ball set can be borrowed from the cabinet outside the Fitness Center, Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 3:00pm. For weekend play, pick up the Bocce set on Friday.
Bowling River Lanes (SR50) - Titusville
TGO bowling League - 2026 Season - 12-week league starts 1/7/26 - first day at Noon (for meeting), then 1:00pm for all other Wednesdays. $10 per week for 3 games with tax & free shoe rental. Teams comprised of 4 bowlers per team. Single bowlers welcome - we will find you a team. League is a handicap system, so everyone has a chance to win. To confirm your place or join, TEXT Ruby Logan at 321-749-8642 or email: Ruby@lakesagency.com
Bridge Club Manor Porch
Mon - 1:00pm, Thurs - 1:00pm
For intermediate and advanced level players. Bridge sign-up sheets are on clipboards on the Plantation Manor office door by the stage. Players must sign up by Friday noon to play Monday afternoon and must sign up by Tuesday noon to play Thursday afternoon. For more info, call: John Comeau – 321-269-5525
Bunco Library
Every other Thursday 6:00pm. January 29, February 5 & 26, March 5 & 26, April 2. $4.00 - $1 Bunco and $3 for Left, Right, Center Text Cathy Costello 321-376-2823
Bunco Manor Porch
Every other Tuesday 1:00pm. February 3 & 17, March 3, 17 & 31, April 7 all games are at 1pm. All of the dates are two weeks apart with the exception of April which is one week. $1.00 to play. Call or text Lillian VanDuyne at 607-316-4910 for more info.
Chess The Library
If you are interested in playing chess one-on-one or would like to reactivate scheduled group play, please contact Bill Severance-207-317-1365 or bill@westnetdesigns.com. Join the TGO Chess Players Facebook group.
Cigar Club Windsong Pavilion 2nd & 4th Tuesdays – 3:30pm. Enjoy a cigar with fellow smokers, swap cigars, share cigar knowledge, join field trips. (Bring a beverage) Bob Hazlett – 937-545-7446; or email: rlhazlett999@gmail.com
Clown Alley The Library
Meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 3:00pm. For more information call: Pam Campbell Taylor 571-217-0444
Coloring Group Windsong Pavilion
All Year Long - First and third Tuesdays 1:00 to 3:00pm and/or Wednesdays 5:30 to 7:30pm. $10 - Colored pencil supplies provided. Start with a coloring lesson, color at your own pace. Reservations required by the Monday before class. Text or call Tracy Lewis - 425-478-6078 or email tgocolor@stuffnthingz.com
Cornhole The Cornhole Courts
Sunday 3:00pm, Wednesday 5:30 - 7:00pm Practice starts a half hour before play. Randy Sanford - 321-505-8353
Croquet Club
Front of Driving Range - Sun - 2:00pm No experience needed. Equipment provided. Bring your own chair and beverage. It’s a great way to get outside and have fun with friends and neighbors. Joe DiGuilio 321-398-1816 or Frank Valenza - 407-223-5196
Diamond Painting Library - Mon - 1:30pm Try this new craft hobby that’s a mix between Cross Stitch and Paint by Numbers. Tiny resin “diamonds” are applied to a color-coded canvas creating a vibrant mosaic painting.
Nancy Morrison - 207-577-0161
Carol Renaudette - 610-334-2654
Euchre The Library Sat - 7:00 - 9:00pm Euchre is for all who love the game! Cost is $1. Theresa Crosby - 740-548-0140
Friendly Hobbies Hobbyland
Wed - 9:30am - 12:00 noon, all year
Bring your knitting, cross stitch, crocheting, and other needle creations.
Theresa Sansoucie - 603-491-4515 or Mary Jane Smith - 810-853-8188
Exercise With Charlotte
Manor (M) or Pavilion (P)
Mon (M) 8:00 -9:00am Strength Training
Mon (P) 9:00 - 9:30am Low Impact
Tue (M) 8:00 - 9:00am PiYo Live
Tue (M) 9:00 - 9:30am Pilates
Wed (M) 8:00 - 9:00am Medicine Ball
Wed (P) 9:00 - 9:30am Total Body Toning
Thur (M) 8:00 - 9:00am Low Impact
Thur (M) 9:00 - 9:30am Total Body Stretch
Fri (M) 8:00 - 9:00am Strength Training
Fri (P) 9:00 - 9:30am People’s Choice
FMCA - Ambassadors Chapter Manor
4th Monday (October - April) - 4:30pm
Seasonal meetings are monthly. Come share your latest RV adventures and get updates on our rally schedule and chapter activities. After our business meeting, we provide a light meal for our members and guests. Please bring your own beverage of choice. If you will be attending, you must send an email to Bob Nebel by the Monday before the meeting so we know how much food to purchase. Bob Nebel at 321-626-1290 or Email: renebeljr@gmail.com
Visit our website at www.TGOAMB.com
FTTA - Fun Time Travel Association Manor
3rd Monday (October - April) - 4:30pm
The FTTA is a rally group open to all owners and renters in TGO. Join our monthly meeting for information about rallies and socializing. We will serve food at this meeting. Those who plan to attend, send an e-mail to Monica Fierro by the Friday before the Monday meeting so we know how many chairs to set up and how much food to purchase.
Monica Fierro - 321-604-0011
Email: tgomonica@yahoo.com
Put “FTTA” in the subject line.
Game Night The Library
Sun - 6:00pm, Tue - 6:00pm
This fun-loving group plays many types of games. Carol Hall - 321-383-3544 or Kathy Smith - 401-742-9766
Hand Knee And Foot Card Game The Library
Wed and Sat - 11:30am - 4:00pm
Much more challenging and fun than original Hand and Foot, this is still similar to Canasta. Both days meet all year.
Marie Zeigler - 518-805-8569
Karaoke Plantation Manor - 6:00pm
January 22 - Then off for the season
Join in the fun or listen to your friends. Bring snacks and beverages. Don Wheeler - 407-401-3655
Line Dancing Plantation Manor
Tue - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Beginner class starts at 10:00am
No dance experience - basic steps taught. Improver class starts at 11:00am. Michelle Neese - Instructor
Machine Embroidery Club Hobbyland
Fri - 12:00 - 5:00pm
Join us in this fascinating hobby. Bring your embroidery machine. Bring your door key for the craft room. Diana Spahn - 207-432-2107
Mad Hatters Plantation Manor
1st Tuesday (November - April) - 11:30am
All TGO ladies are invited. Lunch is $20.00, cash or check, advance reservations are required. Contact Susan Bonneau at madhatlunch@gmail.com. For any other information contact: Cathy Costello at 321-376-2823 or cathy.costello@gmail.com
Fridays, Feb 20, Mar 5, Apr 3 & 23 at 6:00pm. Bring snacks for your table/BYOB. Bring a roll of nickels and $1, per person, for donation to three charities. Bev Moquin - 508-317-0295
Page Turners The Library
1st Wednesday of each month - 6:30pm Wine is welcome! Please consider joining the fun! The book selection and more information can be found on FACEBOOK at TGO Page Turners.
Photo Club Check website for meeting location: tgophotoclub.com
1st and 3rd Fridays. If you enjoy taking pictures and want to learn more, join us. Use your phone or a mirrorless camera, new faces welcome. David Spahn - 207-468-6760
• Organized Tournaments • Clinics to Improve Member Skills
• Open Club Play 9:00am - 1:00pm Daily and Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00pm
• Private Games in the Afternoon Equipment available at the Manor CSA Office Mon- Fri 8:00am to 3:00pm. For more information: tgopickleballclubboard@gmail.com. Lessons will be offered every Wednesday from 2-4pm. No reservations necessary. Show up ready to learn. If lessons are cancelled it will be posted on the gate at the courts. Pam Howland at 678-570-7625
Quilters Hobbyland
Thur - 9:30am- 5:00pm, all year
Weekly meetings are held at 1:00pm November through April. TGO Owners, please bring your door key for the craft room. Debbi Walling - 925-708-3599
Radio Controlled Aircraft
Experience the “high” of flying R/C aircraft. FREE training. The airfield is less than a mile from TGO. We fly all year and are usually at the airfield by about 8:00am. Bob Netherton - 321-269-3016
Rug Hooking Hobbyland
Tues (October - April) - 9:00am
The TGO Traditional Rug Hooking Group invites all “Hookers and Lookers”
Terri Strack - 603-540-5921
Shuffleboard Shuffleboard Courts
Thurs - October - April - 1:00pm
Discs and Cues are on the Fitness Center front wall. Return equipment when done. After dark, there is a light switch timer by the Tennis Court fenced door nearest the shuffleboard courts. Doug Jensen - 401-885-9731
Sawdust Club The Pavilion
Members meeting - 2nd Tuesday (October-April) - 9:00am. The club building is near the CSA maintenance yard and open to members 24/7/365. Members may pursue their wood and/or metalworking hobby. Loaner tools are available for any member. Membership is open to all TGO property owners.
Laura Sievers 630-408-6461 tgosawdustclub.wordpress.com
Singles At Tgo The Café Wed - 11:30am
Join us for lunch every week. Men and women can spend an hour or two in fellowship. Meet old friends and make new ones.
Sammye Madden - 321-383-8530 or Cam Pelletier - 321-264-0691
Stampin’ Up Card Making Class Hobbyland 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:00 pm and 2nd and 4th Fridays at 9:30 am. Make 3 cards for $15. All supplies provided. Reservations Required. E-mail: bdaniels@cfl.rr.com by Monday before classes or call
Carol Hall - 321-289-7380
Stitching From The Heart Hobbyland Thurs - 9:30 am - 12 noon, all year. Come join in the fun of stitching your projects while you enjoy a cup of tea. Bring your key to the craft room. Teri Alexander - 321-961-1393 or Theresa Sansoucie - 603-491-4515
Swedish Weavers Hobbyland Monday - 1:00 - 3:00pm
Relax with this fun, needlecraft fabric decorating style. The simple technique can be mastered and enjoyed by all ages.
Carmella Zielinski - 321-289-0150
Tai Chi Windsong Pavilion
Monday and Wednesday 9:30 - 10:30am
Classes start Monday, Jan 5. For more info call or text Dan Tracy at 608-658-4465
Tennis Club Tennis Courts
Tennis Club Members Match Play: Mon - Wed - Fri - 9:00am to Noon
All Tennis Players - Round-Robin - All Skill Levels: Tue - Thu - Sat - 9:00am to Noon. Open Play
Mon-Sat noon-8:00pm, Sundays 8:00am-8:00pm
Join the TGO Tennis Club. Contact any Tennis Club Board Member on court.
Belle Maropis - 770-695-8266
Texas Hold’em Juke Box
Tournaments on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6:00pm in the Jukebox Recreation Room. Doyle Wilson - 502-751-4657
Texas Hold’em Mixed Groups Juke Box
Tournaments on Thur at 6:00pm in the Jukebox Recreation Room.
Andy Martenson - 321-246-0033
Texas Hold’em Women’s Poker Club
Juke Box - Sunday evenings in the game room from 6:00 - 9:00pm. HEY GALS! Interested in playing Texas Hold ‘em? Here’s your opportunity to get in on a low-stakes limit game.
Megan Westbrook at 407- 878-8854
Miracle-Ear® is looking for qualified people to test their latest product with speech isolation and background noise reduction for FREE! Here’s the catch: You must have difficulty hearing and understanding in background noise, and your hearing must fall in the range of the hearing aid. Those selected will evaluate Miracle-Ear’s latest advanced digital hearing solution. You will be able to walk out of our office with your hearing!
For a limited time, we are offering a 100% FREE Trial*. Take our hearing aids home for free with no money down and no obligation. Call to schedule your FREE Hearing Evaluation.
Early Hearing Loss Treatment is Essential
FREE CHARGER WITH PURCHASE
The tide is turning and more and more people are recognizing the value of treating even mild hearing loss. Yet, people still wait an average of seven years to treat their hearing loss. Why get tested and treated if you’re still able to get by?
Hassle Free! Eliminates the need to change batteries.
• Better hearing may protect you from dementia, raise your income, guard against depression and help you stay socially active.
• Hearing aids today are so advanced they make it possible for most people to hear in very crowded, noisy situations.
• Early intervention “trains” your ears when they are most able, setting you up for more effective treatment and better hearing.
• The hearing checkup is free and painless.
For a limited time, we are offering a 100% FREE Trial*. Take our hearing aids home for FREE with no money down and no obligation. Call to schedule your FREE Hearing Evaluation.
TGO Dance Group The Pavilion
Thurs - 6:00 - 7:00pm
Fun, safe class learning newest trending dances from social media. FREE CLASS, but tips appreciated Join on FB page: TGO Dance Group
Ukulele Group Nature Center
Tuesdays - 1:00 - 3:00pm Join us!
All levels of players welcome. Pam Campbell Taylor - 571-217-0444
Angie Woznick 321-269-6609 or Sally MacNevin 508-944-0082
Wood Carving Hobbyland Monday - 8:00am - 12 noon
All skill levels welcome. Join us for whittling or relief, chip, and carving-in-the-round styles. Charlie Wing - 321-474-1952
Zumba Plantation Manor
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 9:00am
Fun fusion of body sculpting and dance movements to lively Latin rhythms that tone your body. Instructor: Diana-Arujo-Fernandez
• Loaner Lot Available While Yours is Being Coated
• Industrial Grade Concrete Sealer
• Rust, Oil, and Mildew Resistant
If you are in charge and have any changes to your Hobbies or Recreation Notice, please email them to Happenings@tgocsa.com
• Simulated Tile and Textured Coatings
NOTICE: To All Managers of Recreational Clubs, Hobbies and Events
• Many Colors and Designs
Just because items are listed in The Happenings they still need to be approved with the Recreation Department and scheduled onto the calendar for facility use.
• Extremely Durable
• Industrial Paver Sealer Protects Pavers
Please check the TGOCSA website calendar for all scheduled activities. Many past activities have expired and have not been renewed through proper procedures. Once expired, other activities fill those dates and times quickly. Space is very limited. Our community facilities need to be shared equally.
Check out some of our work at The Great Outdoors:
FOR SALE: 233 HARMONY LANE $610,000
Coach Club Drive 172 184 203
Plantation Drive 262 390 844
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, One Story UNDER CONTRACT PRICE IMPROVEMENT!
FOR SALE: 538 TWIN LAKES DR $339,000 1Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath with Loft Open House Tues 1-4
If you have any questions about scheduling your activity or event at the Manor, the Pavilion, Hobbyland, the Library, the Conference Room, Jukebox Rec Room and Recreation Courts (Shuffl e, Corn, Tennis and Pickleball) please reach out to the Recreation Manager at Manor@tgocsa.com
Wake up to peaceful nature views and end your day with cool breezes from the comfort of your own screened porch. This Grand Davidia home offers the kind of space and flexibility that’s hard to find in TGO, perfect for full-time living, hosting family, or simply spreading out and enjoying resort life your way. The open layout, loft bonus area, and oversized indoor utility space give you room to live, work and relax without feeling cramped. Whether you’re arriving with an RV and travel plans, or settling in for the season, this property delivers comfort, practicality, and a setting that feels like a private retreat.
at $408,000
Chrissy’s Catering Corner:
Grand Davidia Model with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Plus Loft
• Unfurnished with appliances
• Built in 1997
• Total living area 1,747 Sq. Ft.
• Central vacuum system
• 12 ’x 25’ laundry room / work shop with AC
• 12’ x 35’ screened porch overlooks Bob Pond
• RV port is 43’ long with 12’ x 13’ garage door
• Generator installed in 2021
• Roof replaced 2015
Listed by Heith Mohler Brokered by Property Marketers, LLC
Did you know? Ricotta Cheese, typically considered an Italian cheese, is made from cow’s or goat’s milk – but it can be made from water buffalo milk! It is used in both sweet and savory dishes (lasagna and cannolis).
Facts: Ricotta is made from whey and milk and is high in protien, B12 and a great source for calcium which contributes to healthy bone formation and maintenance. Age groups over 50 years should consume 1,000mg of calcium per day and over 70 years should consume 1,200mg per day. If you are looking for a healthy mayo substitute – try Ricotta. This recipe is only 155 calories per serving/9g protien.
TODAY’S RECIPE: Baked Ricotta with Tomato Vinaigrette
• 2 lemons
• 32oz part-skim ricotta cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 plum tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 bag baby greens
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. From lemons, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice. Set aside. Spray 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
In medium bowl, stir lemon peel, ricotta, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper until blended. Spread ricotta mixture evenly in prepared pie plate (No pie crust needed). Bake 1 hour or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes to allow cheese to set. Slice into 12 wedges. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, Dijon, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Whisk in olive oil in slow steady stream until blended. Stir in chopped tomatoes.
To serve, place one ricotta slice along with some greens. Top with tomato vinaigrette and bacon if desired.
Health sources: Very Well Fit, Facts.net Healthnetwork Recipe source: Chrissy Elwonger
The Woman Behind the Curtain Linda Utz
Linda Utz is just one of the driving forces behind our Concert Series put on in The Manor. But with her lifelong background in accounting and business, Linda brings a smart, organized, no-nonsense approach to everything she takes on - especially when it comes to booking quality entertainment for our resort. Since becoming involved with the Activities Committee, she’s helped our concert series grow from a small, simple program into some of the most anticipated events in the community. It’s no easy task, but working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, she’s proud to be part of the group that makes every concert possible - from the first contract to the final applause.
Linda, let’s start from the very beginning. Where were you born - what city and state?
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Six Superbowls!
Ahhh... the, Steelers! How long did you stay in Pittsburgh? Did you go through school there?
Yes my schooling was in Pittsburg, I lived there for 29 years.
Back in high school, what were you interested in? What kind of activities did you do?
Sports were my thing. In our yearbook we had a Hall of Fame, and every year they chose a male and a female. I was the female sports person for the year when I graduated in 1962.
What sports did you play?
We played softball, basketball, volleyball - and we even did archery. That’s what we did back then.
After high school, what was next?
I graduated on a Thursday and went to work full-time on Monday for an accountant. I had been working for him part-time while I was still in high school, and I stayed with him for about two years.
Then I took a job in downtown Pittsburgh at Crucible Steel Company, in the corporate accounting department.
After that, I got an offer to take a job in New Jersey, and I picked up with my son and moved to New Jersey. I was there for 33 years, and then retired to Florida in 1996.
Did you start a family during those years?
I have one child who was born in 1965, but that union didn’t last. Later, I met my husband Charlie, and I went to work for him in 1975. We eventually got married in 1983, and he had two children - so we raised three children together. Unfortunately, Charlie passed away in 2012.
So your background was mostly accounting work?
Yes - my background is in accounting. At Crucible Steel, I started doing simple accounting work. I worked in an office with nine men, as a secretary and assistant. They were kind enough to let me get more involved in the accounting side of the business, and I just grew from there.
I ended up being asked to go to New Jersey to work in a small business there. I wasn’t only the accountant - I got involved in other things too, as office manager and production. We ran the business for 25 years, and we did very well. That’s what’s allowed me to live the life I’m living now.
So how did you find The Great Outdoors?
After we retired, I thought it would be nice to have an RV. We were boaters - we had a sailboat for a few years, and then a power fishing boat. We enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake Bay for many years, but when we moved from New Jersey, it just wasn’t the same. So I said to Charlie, “I think we need to get an RV,” and he said, “Fine.” I wanted to travel and see the country.
What year was this?
We bought our first RV in May of 1996. And we really did enjoy traveling all around the country.
Did you get to visit most of the states?
Yes, we’ve been in every state. We never went to Alaska with the coach - we went there on a cruise - but we’ve been everywhere else.
You mentioned something happened while you were traveling - what was that?
We had our first coach for about two-and-a-half years. While we were traveling across the country, the coach caught on fire - and we lost the coach, our car, and everything.
We got in the coach that day and started heading towards Denver, on the way to Seattle - and while crossing Kansas, the coach caught fire. We lost everything.
At the same time, there was a huge fire back where we lived - we weren’t sure we would have a home either!
When we came home in a U-Haul truck, we found our house was still there, but over 160 homes were lost in that fire. We were on one side of the street, and the other side of the street was burned. In our section, only two houses were left. It was an awful time.
After all that, what happened next?
We decided we had to buy a new coach. Charlie always wanted a Prevost, and I told him, “We can’t afford a Prevost.” But after the fire, I said, “Life is short - get what you want.”
We weren’t allowed to keep it at our house though, so we had to figure out where to put it.
We first came to TGO through the Monaco Coach Club. Back then this whole area was wooded, It was used as a rally lot, and there was a building you could use. These rallies would bring in 60 to 80 coaches.
So the Monaco Coach Club is really what introduced you to TGO? Yes. They had been coming here for years, especially over Christmas, and they would go to the New Year’s Eve party.
What do you remember about your first time here?
The first year we came down, I loved this place. I met quite a few people also. That’s when I met Sandy Perry, who worked for the realty company.
When we came home in a U-Haul truck, we found our house was still there, but over 160 homes were lost in that fire.
And is that what led to you buying here at TGO?
Yes. When we lost our coach, I told Charlie, “I’m not parking a coach out in an open lot. I want it inside.” So we came down here and Sandy took us on a tour to look for a place.
Originally we were going to buy a lot, but that wasn’t going to work. So we looked at houses, and we walked into the house I live in now, over on Pine Ridge, looking out on the golf course - Hole Number 9. The view was spectacular... so we bought it.
We had to buy a house, a new coach, and a new car - all in about three weeks. That was in 1998
Once you moved here, how did you get involved with the Activities Committee?
I’ve always enjoyed being involved. I was looking for things to do, and the activities group at that time was extremely busy. They did so many different things.
I started going to dances and different activities. Pat Hopper was the president at the time, and they were looking for
volunteers. So I volunteered to run events. Things were a little different then - they were simpler - but there was always something going on.
Then I was asked to be vice president, then secretary, and in 2005, I was asked to be president of activities.
Is that when you became involved with Concert Series?
Yes, at the time we had a gentleman here by the name of RogerBeaupre - he didn’t live in the park, he was a part-time, hired employee of the CSA. Roger would go out and look for different acts to bring in here.
Back then our budget was only a few thousand dollars, so the shows were very simple.
What do you remember about how it worked back then - buying tickets, reserving seats, all of that?
I can tell you, when I wanted to buy a ticket or reserve a seat, I went into the little office - which was where the massage therapist office is now. That was the Activities Office back then. Just a little room.
You could buy a ticket or reserve seats.There was only one row of A’s, one row of B’s, and one row of C’s.
Back then, we used to advertise outside the park in a little local paper to try and bring people in. So it has grown considerably from what it was back then to what it is now.
Once you started getting involved, what did the process look like for finding acts?
I would go to the showcases. We had two different agents that we worked with. One is in South Florida, which is the William Clare Company, whom we still work with. There was another one called Entertainment Design.
When you go to these showcases, do you watch videos of the acts - or do you actually see them live?
They bring in usually eight to nine live acts, and you see them for approximatey 15 to 18 minutes each. They’ll also have an MC for the shows.
We go to the afternoon session because it’s almost a two- to three-hour drive down there. So we’ll drive down for the afternoon show, see the acts, and then head back.
How often are those showcases held?
It’s always the first Wednesday in November, and the first Wednesday in December.
They also sometimes have another showcase in January over in the Lakeland area. It depends on whether we’ve seen enough to pick four or five concerts. If we already have enough, we don’t always go in January.
Back when I first started, we also had Entertainment Design, and that was over in Sebring. That one was a two-day event. We would go there and stay overnight. We would see a total of 40 to 45 acts. Continued...
The Woman Behind the Curtain Linda Utz
Tell us a little more about the process it takes to put on one of these shows. There must be a lot of volunteers who help. There really are - and that’s what makes it so special. A concert doesn’t happen because of one person. It happens because an entire team of dedicated volunteers steps up and works together.
It starts with a committee of about four or five people who attend showcases in South Florida every year. We watch the acts live, we take notes, we talk things through, and we ultimately select the entertainers we feel will be the best fit for our audience here at The Great Outdoors.
Once we choose the acts, the real work begins. Someone has to handle contracts and get everything secured and confirmed. Someone needs to contact sponsors - which right now is just me. We also have volunteers who prepare posters, and another person who prints the tickets.
Then we have our wonderful Activities Office staff - usually about 12 to 14 people - who help with the ticket sales. They deal with questions, reservations, and all the details that come along with running ticketing smoothly.
On the day of the concert, we have a sound crew of about three to four people who start setting up around 1:00pm and often don’t finish until around 10:00 that night. We also have a lighting crew of two to three volunteers who make sure the performers look and sound professional and the show feels like a real concert experience.
Behind the scenes, we also have two ladies who take care of setting up dressing facilities on the porch for the entertainers,
along with tables and providing a light dinner for the performers and the band. And that doesn’t even count the husband who makes the run to Publix to pick up the food!
During the show, we have about ten ushers helping people find their seats, keeping things organized, and making sure everyone has a great experience. We also have someone setting up snacks and selling them during intermission. And finally, we have a treasurer making sure contracts get paid on time and everything is handled properly.
When you add it all up, it takes about 40 plus people to plan and present one Showcase concert here in the Manor. And honestly, that’s something to be proud of.
Well, I’m worn out just listening to all the work that goes into one of these shows - it must take a toll.
It definitely does - but don’t get me wrong - overall, it’s actually a lot of fun and rewarding to see the shows become successful.
But right now, we have a lot of people in their 80s working in many of these positions, and they’re starting to age out. We need some of the younger people in the resort to step up if they want this type of entertainment to continue. The Concerts are one of the things that makes this community so special, and it takes all of us working together to keep it going.
Well, Linda... it may go unsaid, but I know there are a lot of residents who truly appreciate the effort that goes into producing one of these shows. Volunteers are important. Any last words? It’s it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of work. I think that we have provided great entertainment here at TGO, considering the size of the community and the budget we have to work with. And I’m very proud of all the people and the staff who work with me to pull this off. I’m very proud and thankful for everything they’ve done. Let’s hope we can keep it going.
Introducing the 2026/27 Concert Series - Mark Your Calendars Now!
Linda and her team have already booked the 2026/27 Concert Series. See page 25 for the complete schedule.
Board Of Directors Meeting
Plantation Manor • Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 3:00pm
The CSA Board of Directors are responsible for the entire operation of The Great Outdoors Community Services Association. The following list shows the current Board of Directors:
Chairman Tom Wheir 253-632-2105 chairman@tgocsa.org
District 0 Ron Wagner 607-542-6376 district0@tgocsa.org
District 1 Doug Matz 516-903-3145 district1@tgocsa.org
District 2 Dan Barnes 570-905-4906 district2@tgocsa.org
District 3 Robert Fraser 407-491-2500 district3@tgocsa.org
District 4 Lauren Clark 607-761-0092 district4@tgocsa.org
District 5 Colleen Marigliano 845-656-8394 district5@tgocsa.org
District 6 Matt Willey 518-321-1134 district6@tgocsa.org
District 7 John Comeau 321-269-5525 district7@tgocsa.org
District 8 Terry Manchik 901-603-6418 district8@tgocsa.org
District 9 Drew Proulx 207-751-9268 district9@tgocsa.org
Also part of the Board of Directors Organization are CSA Manager Billy Specht, Architectural Review Committee Temp-Chairman, Harold Witschi, and CSA Secretary Sharon Sanford. The CSA website at www.tgocsa.org has individual biographies and contact information for each director.
President’s Council Meetings
Owners are encouraged to attend all the Board of Direc tor meetings . Green speaker cards are available if an owner wishes to address the board for three minutes about any issue. An informational packet with the meeting agenda is given to each household that attends. Prior to the meeting, the agenda is posted on official bulletin boards. The board meeting is televised LIVE on channel 732.
CSA Board of Directors meetings are held on the third Wednesday from October through May. Planning meetings to set the agenda for the Board of Directors meetings are scheduled October to May on the second Wednesday of the month in the CSA Conference Room at 3:00pm. They are open to attend for any TGO owner.
District Meetings
There are ten CSA voting districts at The Great Outdoors. The District Meetings are held monthly from October through May in the Pavilion. The districts are determined by the last digit of your property’s street address: Districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 are held the first Tuesday of the month. Districts 0, 1, 4, 7, 9 are held the second Thursday of the month.
President Council Meetings are at the CSA Pavilion on the third (3rd) Tuesday of each month at 10:00am. Chuck Benoit is the Chairman of the Council and Ron Young is the Vice Chairperson. Owners are invited to attend.
2024 Condominium/HOA Presidents
Condo President Phone# Email
I Pat Dick 321-848-2813 tgo.condo1@gmail.com
II Kay Dennison 505-350-4340 tgo.condoii@gmail.com
III Ron Young 540-294-4044 tgo.condo3president@gmail.com
IV Blaine Littlefield 207-798-2279 tgo.condo4pres@gmail.com
V Chuck Johnson 978-729-6248 tgo.condo5@gmail.com
VI Penny Harlow 808-561-8559 tgo.condo6@gmail.com
VII Len Perkins 757-651-0582 tgo.condo7pres@gmail.com
VIII Dot Raab 407-968-4795 tgocondo8@yahoo.com
IX Stephen Sohles 804-824-8180 tgo.condo9pres@gmail.com
X Cindy Marini 440-829-8633 tgocondo10@gmail.com
Condo President Phone# Email
XI Leonard Caton 321-567-3009 tgo.condo11board@gmail.com
XII Megan Westbrook 407-878-8854 tgo.condo12.president@gmail.com
FHOA Ken Birtwistle 401-580-5071 tgofairways@gmail.com
XIV Jay Fetner 307-409-1407 tgo.condo14@gmail.com
XV David Spahn 207-468-6760 tgocondo15@gmail.com
XVI Chuck Benoit 978-314-9945 tgo.condo16@gmail.com
XVII Pete Bronson 315-263-6469 tgo.condo17pres@gmail.com
XVIII Dave Legrow 954-701-5770 tgo.condo18pres@gmail.com
XIX Carl Rosner 516-241-1877 pres@tgocondo19.com
APHOA Cammy Miller 407-592-4059 tgoaddison@gmail.com
ARC Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Closed from Noon to 1:00pm for lunch.
Architectural Review Committee (ARC) Members - Contact Information
Chairman - Harold Witschi* 716-998-6393
District 0 - Lisa Berkis 267-549-3674
District 1 - Harold Witschi 716-998-6393
District 2 - Scott Lancaster 505-269-4851
District 3 - James Alonzo
518-577-7666
District 4 - Pete Bronson 315-263-6469
District 5 - Open for Election
District 6 - Greg Mackey 219-322-5555
District 7 - Doug Jensen 401-885-9731
District 8 - Bill Flatt 321-626-5594
District 9 - Lisa Babcock 903-372-8849
* Temporary until elections in January
Our annual TGO elections will be held January 26, 2026. The Architectural Review Committee will have candidates for a new Chairman and District Representatives for 0, 2, 4, 5, 6 & 8.
Architectural Review Committee
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the next ARC Meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 10:00am on the Manor Porch.
The Architectural Review Committee meets for planning purposes on the Plantation Manor Porch at 10:00am on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Application Review Agenda: Approve field approvals, old business, non-compliance violations, new business, adjorn. All changes to your property that are visible on the outside require advance approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Application forms and ARC Guidelines may be obtained from the Community Services Association office or printed from The Great Outdoors Community Services Association website at www.tgocsa.org. All completed ARC forms must be submitted to the CSA office by Noon on the Wednesday before the next Wednesday meeting. Results will be available to pick up after the ARC meeting or from the CSA Office.
Be sure ALL necessary paperwork is included with your ARC application. No approval will be given without having all the required data available at the ARC Meeting for review.
The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) will provide owners with a clear understanding of what is allowed and when ARC approval is needed. Gaining ARC approval is facilitated through a responsive process that is easy to use.
The ARC Guidelines and Application Form are available for download at TGOCSA.org or you can also pick up an application in the CSA Office Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Applications must be submitted to the CSA Office by 12:00 Noon on the Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday meeting date to be considered at that meeting.
The ARC is elected by property owners. ARC has eleven members, ten elected from representative districts and one elected by the whole membership to serve as chairman. Each ARC term is two years. Districts are determined by the last number of each address (ex: 324 Plantation would be District 4).
If you have questions regarding ARC, please call the ARC Chairman, your ARC representative, or the CSA Office at 321-268-9767.
TGO Committees - And Their Contact Information
The Great Outdoors is home to several resident-led committees that help keep our community running smoothly and looking its best. These committees occasionally seek new members, and volunteering is a great way to contribute your time and talents. If you have experience or interest in any of the areas listed below, feel free to reach out to the committee chairman to ask about current openings. Your involvement makes a difference!
ARC Committee
Harold “Tuco” Witschi arcchair@tgocsa.com
Elections Committee
Vicki Littlefield vickilynnl@prodigy.net
Finance Committee
Matthew Willey district6@tgocsa.org
Firewise Committee
Butch Jones butch_jones2001@yahoo.com
Human Resources Committee
Lauren Clark district4@tgocsa.org
Infrastructure & Natural Resources Committee
Drew Proulx district9@tgocsa.org
Landscaping and Beautification Committee
Tim Graham dancingcracker@gmail.com
Planning & Building Committee
Ron Wagner district0@tgocsa.org
Rules & Regulations Committee
Lynn Jacobs jjacobs120@aol.com
Safety & Security Committee
John Comeau district7@tgocsa.org
Traffic Infractions Committee
Cindy Marini clmarini@aol.com
Black Cat Coffee
Coffee Shop and Roastery
3355 Foley Road - Behind Starling Ford
Open Monday - Friday 6am to 3pm Sat - 7am to 3pm Sun - 8am to 3pm
The Freshest Coffee in Titusville
Automated Door App & Fob
CSA now provides an App that goes on your cell phone or a Fob and allows afterhour entry into the Gym and Recreation Room outside of regular business hours. Call the CSA office to make an appointment to receive yours - 321-268-9767
Automated Visitor Call-In 321-383-8802
To call in a visitor at the gate, you must call in No More than 24 hours prior to your visitor’s arrival. You will have two options - you may request a one day pass or a two day pass. The phone number you use must already be registered with the CSA Office for the access request to be accepted. This system can not confirm that your request was received and can not respond to any additional messages.
Contractor Restrictions
Contractors employed for repairs, construction, renovation, or installation at residences that are in The Great Outdoors are allowed to work Monday - Saturday and not allowed to work on Sunday, except in an emergency or with the advance permission of the CSA. Contractors must leave TGO by 6:00pm from November 1 to April 30 and by 7:00pm from May 1 to September 30. Call the CSA Office at 321-268-9767 during regular weekday office hours to request any exceptions to these contractor work restrictions.
CSA Office - 321-268-9767
100 D Plantation Drive
Open: Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm
CSA Trouble Calls
If you have questions about lawn spraying, getting sprinklers adjusted, or any other services provided by the Community Services Association, residents should contact the CSA Office by email at service@tgocsa.org or call 321-268-9767 to mention your concerns.
Daily Dog Hours
Small 12 lbs or less 11am - 12pm
Medium 35 lbs or less 3pm - 4pm
Large 35 lbs or more 4pm-5pm
All other times are open play.
Emergency Vehicle Protocol
Florida and TGO share the same vehicle and traffic laws as the rest of the US: Everyone must yield to emergency vehicles. If there’s no shoulder on the road, simply stop to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Please, when you see emergency vehicles coming in with lights flashing, pull over and let them pass!
Golf Cart Gas
Monday - Friday 9:00 - 11:00am
The Community Services Association offers unleaded gasoline. Fill-up times are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 11:00am, at the CSA Maintenance Area. The Maintenance Area no longer accepts cash; please go to the CSA Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (closed for lunch 12 to 1:00pm) to purchase a fuel card. Cash and credit card payments are accepted. The price per gallon is $4, subject to change.
Guard Gate - 321-383-2004
Call to alert Courtesy Patrol about any community problem or to request assistance from CSA for on-site maintenance.
Living in TGO Reference Guide
Great information for the homeowner or renter. Pick up your FREE copy at the CSA Office.
The Manor - 321-264-2393
To schedule events at The Manor or The Pavilion, check with the manager in the Plantation Manor Office. 145 Plantation Drive - manor@tgocsa.com
Lorraine Murphy Historic Center
Located in the CSA Conference Room next to Trimmer’s Salon.
Available to tour:
Monday - Friday • 3:00 - 5:00pm
Visit the CSA Office to borrow the key. The Historic Center can be shown on weekends and holidays.
Call for an appointment:
Lorraine Murphy at 321-431-4526
Plantation Manor Pool & Spa
OPEN Every Day: 8:00am - Dusk “Dusk” is different throughout the year. Please check the chart in the pool area. Please lower umbrellas after use so they’re not damaged by wind gusts.
Oak Cove Pool & Spa OPEN: 7:00am - 11:00pm
Daily cleaning from 6-7:00am. Wear or have in your possession a Pool Wristband. They are FREE and can be obtained from the Plantation Manor CSA Office. Residents use lime green bands. Visitors use bands that are red, white and blue.
Propane For Sale
Mon - Fri - 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30am
Appointment Only - TGO Commercial Area - West of the CSA Building. CSA offers LP Gas for your convenience and is currently $4.00/gallon, plus 7% sales tax! Cash, Credit Cards or Checks accepted. Call the CSA Office at 321-268-9767 for an appointment or visit during office hours. .
Vehicle Barcodes
If your vehicle needs a barcode installed, call the CSA Office at 321-268-9767 to schedule a REQUIRED appointment. Barcodes are $10 - new or replacement. They install them everyday, but will not do “walk-in” applications.
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CSA Trash Pick Up Rules
The CSA crew picks up household trash 364 days of the year (off for Christmas). You’ll see them in a big truck pulling one or more green hoppers behind it. The guy crouching on the hopper grabs your trash bag as they pass by. To make the process efficient, please follow these rules:
• Trash must be placed in plastic bags that are tied closed. Lightweight bags should be tied together. Trash that is not in plastic bags may not be picked up.
• Break down all boxes and put all packing material in a closed bag.
• Place trash within one foot of the road so it’s within easy reach.
• Dispose of your pet’s waste inside the closed trash bag.
• Put trash out at the curb by 10:00am - Pick-up time varies within the park.
• Do not mix household trash with organic yard debris or construction materials.
• Do not put trash out at night because by morning it will have been scattered by wild animals.
• Also, be aware that if you place your trash out on the street too early, the vultures think you have prepared them a sack lunch!
CSA Yard Debris Pick-Up Rules
The CSA crew picks up organic yard debris at least once per week. Tree trimmings should be cut down to a maximum of 4 feet long, weigh less than 50 pounds, and be stacked uniformly at the curb. Loose material such as pine needles, leaves and small twigs must be collected in untied plastic bags or open containers. The CSA will not pick up sod, dirt, tree stumps, construction material (e.g., concrete, wood, drywall, metal), chemicals (e.g., paint, oil), major appliances, or tires. DO NOT bring these items to the CSA Maintenance Yard yourself. They may be dropped off, without charge, at the Brevard County Mockingbird Mulching Facility - 321-264-5009. Most other waste items such as carpet, porcelain plumbing fixtures, etc., that are not mentioned above can be dropped off at the Brevard County Transfer Station321-264-5048.
Clearing Vegetation on CSA Property
Our Declaration of Covenants states that “No CSA land may be cleared of any vegetation without prior written permission from the Board of Directors or its designee. Unauthorized clearing of CSA property will result in a hearing, with possible fines and ordered replanting.” This only makes sense, as you would not cut vegetation on someone else’s property without permission first. In order to track this better, we will require anyone seeking permission to cut vegetation on CSA property to fill out an ARC permit. An approved permit must include the CSA manager’s signature, and a copy of the permit will be filed in your ARC file for documentation purposes.
Thank You
From
the
CSA Full Time Employees at TGO
e Lawn Crew, Recreation Services, Golf Maintenance, Infrastructure, CSA and Blue Heron sta wish to thank those who contributed to the Employees Holiday Fund.
We greatly appreciate every donation and wish to thank each and every one of you for your generosity.
Traffic Infraction Committee Opening
They are looking for a committee member. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm to hear any appeals involving traffic violations that have been written during the previous month by the CSA Patrol. Go to www.tgocsa.org then click on CSA documents/ forms/application for committee assignment. Fill out the form and deliver to the office. Or ask for an application at the CSA office.
Service and Set-Up Calls - 833-697-7328
The CSA has a contract with Spectrum that includes Spectrum TV Select and Spectrum Internet services. If you are experiencing problems with their service or need to set up a new service, call the number above. Tell them your community at The Great Outdoors has a bulk agreement known as the Bronze Package.
TGO Community Channel 732
Our television channel of the Community Services Association will be active for broadcasting board meetings. Your TV must be equipped with a Spectrum TV cable box or digital adapter.
Turf Masters regularly applies spray applications to our lawns and common areas that includes an herbicide for weed control, a liquid fertilizer, a granular nitrogen fertilizer and an insecticide to kill chinch bugs, and other turf-damaging insects.
Turf Masters is also offering “service-call” visits to TGO. If you are still having problems with lawn pests or weeds, call the CSA Office at 321-268-9767, and we will put your address on the Turf Masters list. Application dates are scheduled for March 9-11.
Turf Masters advises all TGO residents to stay off treated areas of your lawn, and to keep your pets off treated areas, until the application has thoroughly dried.
Guide to Living With Alligators in TGO
There are 32 lakes in The Great Outdoors and all of them are home to alligators. Please keep these points in mind to be safe when alligators could be nearby:
• It is illegal to feed, taunt or harass an alligator.
• Do not swim or wade in any of our lakes.
• Do not walk near the shorelines and do not walk your pets near the shoreline.
• Do not allow your pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near our lakes.
• While alligators can be active at any time, they are most active between dusk and dawn and move during the night to different water sources.
• Please give our alligators the respect and space they deserve. NOTE: If you come across an aggressive alligator, please contact the CSA Office prior to SNAP and allow us to handle any situation.
AED Basics
(Automated External Defibrillator) Have Someone Call 9-1-1 While You Operate AED
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that diagnoses incorrect heart rhythm patterns that could potentially be life threatening. The device treats the condition with electrical shocks.
AED use requires minimal training because an electronic voice prompts the user through each step. If you are helping a person who collapsed and you’re unsure if a heart attack is the reason, don’t hesitate to use the AED. Every minute counts.
The device determines if the patient needs an electrical shock or not. Simply place the AED pads on the patient’s bare skin, one on the right upper chest and the other on their lower left side. No one else should be touching the patient because false readings could result. The AED will advise you, the device operator, what to do next.
TGO Has Eight AEDs Located at CSA buildings.
1. Blue Heron - Outside Ramp 137 Plantation Drive
2. CSA Office - Outside 100-D Plantation Drive
3. Fitness Center 145 Plantation Drive
4. Hidden Lakes Clubhouse 461 Ambleside Drive
5. Library Kitchen 385 Plantation Drive
6. Oak Cove Pool Bathhouse 434 Oak Cove Road
7. Plantation Manor 145 Plantation Way
8. Windsong Bathhouse 155 Windsong Way
THE HAPPENINGS
Open Monday - Friday • 8:00am - 5:00pm
The Great Outdoors Community Services Association (CSA) publishes The Happenings 24 issues a year (one issue only in July and August). This magazine is for the information and enjoyment of the TGO community and their guests. The CSA assumes no liability for any information, omission or inadvertent error contained herein; or injury or damage resulting from the use of this information. The ideas, opinions, suggestions, classified ads, and commercial ads are to be used at the reader’s discretion. The CSA and group or individual contributors do not signify any approval, authentication, or endorsement by inclusion in this publication.
Contributors must provide information ten days prior to publication date.
For advertising rates or editorial information, contact: Happenings@tgocsa.com
SUDOKU puzzles have one solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row, column, and 3x3 square must contain one of each digit.
Sudoku originated in the late 20th century, evolving from earlier number-placement puzzles and gaining worldwide popularity after being published in Japanese newspapers in the 1980s. Its name, meaning “single number,” reflects the game’s simple but elegant logic-based challenge. Beyond entertainment, Sudoku is widely valued for its benefits to brain health: it engages memory, concentration, and logical reasoning, helping to keep the mind active and sharp. Regularly solving Sudoku puzzles can support cognitive function, improve problem-solving skills, and may help slow age-related mental decline by encouraging sustained mental exercise.
TGO MarketPlace
Randy’s Specialty Services
•
• Do-It-Yourself
• Backflow Testing & Repair
• Sewer & Drain Cleaning
• Shower Pan
• Mobile Homes
• Electronic Hidden Leak Detection
• Gas Piping
• Bath and Kitchen Remodeling
• Sewer & Water Lines Repaired or Replaced
• Domestic Water Line Re-Piping
• Epoxy & Drainage Line Re-Lining
• Drainage Issues
• High Pressure Jet Sewer Cleaning
• Drywall and Tile Repairs
• Faucet Repair & Replacing
• Camera/Video for Drainage Lines
Classified Ads
FOR SALE : 441 Oak Cove Road and a 2014 30 ft. Newmar Baystar RV - Call/Text 919-414-3305 (exp 01/23)
FOR SALE: 538 Oak Cove Road. 2 BR, 2 Bath RV Port. New roof, gutters and paint in 2025. LVP flooring, repipe with PEX in 2021, New AC & water heater. Lease option available. $238,500. Call 386-290-9105 (exp 01/23)
TGO MAIL CENTER
TGO Mail Center News...
We want everyone in TGO to know that we are implementing a new labeling and tracking number system for all Priority and Ground Advantage packages.
The good news for using this system is discounted prices for mailing all packages.
We will have a laptop computer on the counter so we can enter the information needed to create a label.
We Will Need:
1. Your name, address and e-mail address as the shipper.
2. Name, address, zip code and e-mail address of recipient so they get the tracking number.
3. If you don’t have an e-mail address, you can take a picture on your cell phone or write the number down when you are here.
This will take more time to enter all this information so please be patient with us. You will be very pleased with the new prices.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Keep Your Wheels Turning
Whether it’s back pain, joint stiffness, or nagging injuries, Chiropractic Care helps you move better, play longer, and feel your best - every day and every ride.
At Active Spine Center, we offer personalized therapies and techniques designed to make your journey to pain relief, recovery, and total-body wellness effective and rewarding. We provide an array of specialized services to help get you back on your feet and and keep you moving forward with confidence and ease.
Whether you need routine checkups, diagnostic testing or specialized treatment, Parrish Healthcare’s experienced team of cardiologists offer personalized treatment plans and compassionate care to keep your heart healthy!
Heart Attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction)
Electrophysiology (Arrythmia, Atrial Fibrillation and Irregular Heartbeat)
