Between Palms THE
A Look Inside
NINE REASONS TO EAT MORE PROTEIN CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY!
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER…
Production
Production
Michelle
Staying Connected
JANE BREISCH, EDITOR CVGOLFERS@GMAIL.COM
The Communications Committee has diligently worked on capturing and more importantly, updating, the History of Heritage Palms . There are five PowerPoint modules on our website which touch on our overall History (76 pages), Golf (76 pages), Member Activities and Volunteer Efforts (64 pages), Governance (13 pages), and Tennis and Pickleball (34 pages). Each of these modules have just been updated to reflect the latest and greatest at HP. For instance, the Member Activities and Volunteer Efforts module now highlights the Boys2Men mentoring program, the English as a Second Language program launched by HP member Ginny Tullis, and most importantly, the HP Charitable Organization (HPCO) . Joy Weiner and I worked on updates for the Tennis/ Pickleball module, including the ribbon cutting for our new pickleball courts. So,
if you haven’t viewed our history recently, why not check it out. Go to: https://www. hpgcc.com/My_Heritage_Palms/History_ of_Heritage_Palms
Happy July 4th! And Happy Canada Day! Did you realize our Canadian friends celebrate July 1st each year?
A little history … On July 1, 1867 , The British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867 ) created Canada, with its initial four provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In 1879 , a federal law made July 1 a statutory holiday as the “anniversary of Confederation,”
which was later called “ Dominion Day.” On October 27, 1982 , July 1, “Dominion Day,” officially became “Canada Day.” Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements. July 1 has become a day of celebration, with festivities held all across the country. Just as we celebrate the creation of our country in the USA, so do our comrades to the north. Have fun everybody!
creation of the United States of America national anthem? It all started back in 1812…
Speaking of history, take a gander at the article The History Behind the Star-Spangled Banner… on page 10. What inspired the
As we’re in the heart of baseball season, what better way to celebrate the sport, then to look back at some amazing feats. Please check out my article Unforgettable Moments in Baseball History on page 37.
It bears repeating: please know there’s an option for you to download this issue (or any prior issue) of BTP as a PDF (Adobe) for viewing, rather than using a web browser.
When BTP is first opened, scroll down to the bottom of page 1. When there, simply click the downward arrow icon (see sample #3 below) to download the magazine as a PDF on your laptop, iPad, or cell phone. The PDF version shows one page at a time (vs the two pages you see side by side “on line”). Plus, if you download the issue, you can print any page you like, and also store any current or prior issue on your laptop. It’s easy-peasy!
Should you have an article to submit for the August issue, my deadline is July 3. Post Cards are always welcome! Please email to cvgolfers@gmail.com.
Celebrating Memorial Day!
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
139 members came out in their red, white, and blue to play in HP’s Memorial Day Scramble under sunny skies, except for a few rain showers that blew through around 11. There were four flights, with the first through fourth places earning pro shop credit ($110, $100, $90, and $80 respectively). Teams also competed for skins in each flight, with 27 skins won.
The first-place winners per flight were:
• Flight 1: Charlotte Fennell, Cathy White, Kathy Harshman, and Bev Bailey.
• Flight 2: Gene & Sharon Hulick, and Kaye & Rich Barrick.
• Flight 3: Brian Uvena, Jeanine Petsche, and Mary & John Grill.
• Flight 4: Allyn Leake, Cathy O’Shia, and Norene & Brian McFadden.
Following golf, players gathered in the Palms Dining Room to enjoy the air conditioning and a delicious buffet.
L-R: BOB & LAURA O’FLYNN, AND LINDA & DENNIS CALHOUN.
L–R: MIKE & DIANE JANSEN, AND NANCY & BOB WITTMAN.
L-R: BRIAN UVENA, JEANINE PETSCHE, AND MARY & JOHN GRILL.
L-R: ALLYN LEAKE, CATHY O’SHIA, AND NORENE & BRIAN MCFADDEN.
L-R: GLEN & PAULA HYRE, AND PAT & BOB LAMBRIX.
L-R: TONY & JOANNE BARBETTA, AND DERAYE & STEVE HANSEN.
L-R: CHARLOTTE FENNELL, CATHY WHITE, KATHY HARSHMAN, AND BEV BAILEY.
L-R: DOUG & ELENA MULLER, AND LISA & BERNARD PATTERSON.
FOR MORE PHOTOS SEE PAGE 45 OR CLICK HERE
L-R: MAUREEN POWER, PENNY MCKENNA, CHERYL WHILES, AND ANN MIECZKOWSKI.
L-R: SAM ROBINSON, CAROLE CONDON, TUCKER LOWE, AND KAREN GACK.
L-R: CYNTHIA & JOEL COOPER, JANICE KNEBL, AND TOM FAIRCHILD.
THE ACTUAL “STAR-SPANGLED BANNER” FLAG FROM THE BATTLE OF BALTIMORE IS ON DISPLAY AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed, at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
The History Behind the Star-Spangled
COMPILED BY JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
How often have we stood at a baseball game and sung the lyrics of our national anthem? They are moving when you study each of the stanzas shown on the left, and think about their context in history.
It all began with the War of 1812…
The War of 1812 and the Burning of Washington
Although its events inspired one of our most famous national songs, the War of 1812 is itself a relatively little-known war in American history. Despite its complicated causes and inconclusive outcome, the conflict helped establish the credibility of the young United States among other nations. It also fostered a strong sense of national pride among the American people, and those patriotic feelings are reflected and preserved in the song we know today as our national anthem.
Britain’s defeat at the 1781 Battle of Yorktown marked the conclusion of the American Revolution and the beginning of new challenges for a new nation. Not even three decades after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which formalized Britain’s recognition of the United States of America, the two countries were again in conflict. Resentment for Britain’s interference with American international trade and impressment of American sailors combined with American expansionist visions led Congress to declare war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812.
In the early stages of the war, the American navy scored victories in the Atlantic and on Lake Erie while
Star-Spangled Banner…
Britain concentrated its military efforts on its ongoing war with France. But with the defeat of Emperor Napoleon’s armies in April 1814, Britain turned its full attention to the war against an ill-prepared United States. Admiral Alexander Cochrane, the British naval commander, prepared to attack U.S. coastal areas, and General Robert Ross sought to capture towns along the East Coast to create diversions while British army forces attacked along the northern boundaries of the United States.
In August 1814, General Ross and his seasoned troops landed near the nation’s capital. On August 24, at Bladensburg, Maryland, about 30 miles from Washington, his five-thousand-member British force defeated an American army twice its size. That same night, British troops entered Washington. They set fire to the United States Capitol, the President’s Mansion, and other public buildings. The local militia fled, and President James Madison and wife Dolley barely escaped.
The Battle of Baltimore
With Washington in ruins, the British next set their sights on Baltimore, then America’s third-largest city. Moving up the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the Patapsco River, they plotted a joint attack on Baltimore by land and water. On the morning of September 12, General Ross’s troops landed at North Point, Maryland, and progressed towards the city. They soon encountered the American forward line, part of an extensive network of defenses established around Baltimore in anticipation of the British assault. During the skirmish with American troops, General Ross, so successful in
the attack on Washington, was killed by a sharpshooter. Surprised by the strength of the American defenses, British forces camped on the battlefield and waited for nightfall on September 13, planning to attempt another attack under cover of darkness.
Meanwhile, Britain’s naval force, buoyed by its earlier successful attack on Alexandria, Virginia, was poised to strike Fort McHenry and enter Baltimore Harbor. At 6:30 a.m. on September 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane’s ships began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort. Rockets whistled through the air and burst into flame wherever they struck. Mortars fired 10- and 13-inch bombshells that exploded overhead in showers of fiery shrapnel. Major Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry and its defending force of 1,000 troops, ordered his men to return fire, but their guns couldn’t reach the enemy’s ships. When British ships advanced on the afternoon of the 13th, however, American gunners badly damaged them, forcing them to pull back out of range.
All through the night, Armistead’s men continued to hold the fort, refusing to surrender. That night British attempts at a diversionary attack also failed, and by dawn they
had given up hope of taking the city. At 7:30 a.m., September 14, Admiral Cochrane called an end to the bombardment, and the British fleet withdrew. The successful defense of Baltimore marked a turning point in the War of 1812. Three months later, on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war.
Because the British attack had coincided with a heavy rainstorm, Fort McHenry had flown its smaller storm flag throughout the battle. But at dawn, as the British began to retreat, Major Armistead ordered his men to lower the storm flag and replace it with the great garrison flag. As they raised the flag, the troops fired their guns and played “Yankee Doodle” in celebration of their victory. Waving proudly over the fort, the banner could be seen for miles around—as far away as a ship anchored eight miles down the river, where an American lawyer named Francis Scott Key had spent an anxious night watching and hoping for a sign that the city— and the nation—might be saved.
The Inspiration of Francis Scott Key: From Poem to Anthem
Before departing from a ravaged Washington, British soldiers had arrested Dr. William Beanes of Upper Marlboro, MD on the charge that he was responsible for the arrests of British stragglers and deserters during the campaign to attack the nation’s capital. They subsequently imprisoned him on a British warship.
Friends of Dr. Beanes asked Georgetown lawyer Francis Scott Key to join John S. Skinner, the U.S. government’s agent for dealing with British forces in the Chesapeake, and help secure the release of the civilian prisoner. They were successful; however, the British feared that Key and Skinner would divulge their plans for attacking Baltimore, and so they detained the two men aboard a truce ship for the duration of the battle. Key thus became an eyewitness to the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
When he saw “by the dawn’s early light” of September 14, 1814, that the American flag soared above the fort, Key knew that Fort McHenry had not surrendered. Moved by the sight, he began to compose a poem on the back of a letter he was carrying. On September 16, Key and his companions were taken back to Baltimore and released. Key took a room in the Indian Queen Hotel and spent the night revising and copying out the four verses he had written about America’s victory. The next day he showed the poem to his wife’s brother-in-law, Judge Joseph Nicholson, who had commanded a volunteer company at Fort McHenry. Nicholson responded enthusiastically and urged Key to have the poem printed. First titled “The Defense of Fort McHenry,” the published broadside included instructions that it be sung to the 18th-century British melody “Anacreon in Heaven”—a tune Key had in mind when he
penned his poem. Copies of the song were distributed to every man at the fort and around Baltimore. The first documented public performance of the words and music together took place at the Holliday Street Theatre in Baltimore on October 19, 1814. A music store subsequently published the words and music under the title “The StarSpangled Banner.”
During the 19th century, “The StarSpangled Banner” became one of the nation’s best-loved patriotic songs. It gained special significance during the Civil War, a time when many Americans turned to music to express their feelings for the flag and the ideals and values it represented. By the 1890s, the military had adopted the song for ceremonial purposes, requiring it to be played at the raising and lowering of the colors. In 1917, both the army and the navy designated the song the “national anthem” for ceremonial purposes. Meanwhile, patriotic organizations had launched a campaign to have Congress recognize “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the U.S. national anthem. After several decades of attempts, a bill making “The Star-Spangled Banner” our official national anthem was finally passed by Congress and signed into law by President Herbert Hoover on March 3, 1931.
The Star-Spangled Banner and the Smithsonian Sometime before his death in 1818, Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead acquired the flag that was immortalized in Key’s poem as the “Star-Spangled Banner.” While there exists no documented evidence as to how Armistead came to possess the flag, it is generally understood that he simply kept it as a memento of the triumphant battle.
At the death of Armistead’s widow in 1861, the Star-Spangled Banner was bequeathed to her daughter, Georgiana Armistead Appleton, who recognized that it held national as well as familial significance. As its owner, she permitted the flag to be publicly exhibited on several occasions. Eben Appleton, Armistead’s grandson, inherited the flag from his mother in 1878. Faced with the public’s increasing curiosity about the Star-Span gled Banner, he began to seek an appropriate repository. In 1907, Appleton lent the historic flag to the Smithsonian Institution, and in 1912 he offered the flag as a permanent gift to the nation. He later wrote, “It is always such a satisfaction to me to feel that the flag is just where it is, in possession for all time of the very best custodian, where it is beautifully displayed and can be conveniently seen by so many people.”
The flag has been on exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History since 1964.
Nine Reasons to Eat More Protein
LISA SCHNECK, CPT, CNC, TPI-2 WELLNESS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
On an average day, when I engage with members, I find myself emphasizing “protein” more than any other health and fitness intervention. Over the years, people have become increasingly aware of protein’s vital role in weight loss and muscle building. However, protein is not just about aesthetics or muscle definition; its importance extends far beyond that.
Protein interacts with the same glucagon system as the weight loss drug Ozempic, and is crucial for muscle synthesis. The amino acids that form proteins are the fundamental building blocks of every system in our bodies. Here are some compelling reasons to prioritize this essential macronutrient:
1. Building Block of Life: Protein is vital for repairing and building tissues, including muscles, bones, skin, and hair. It serves as the primary structural component, essential for growth and development during critical life stages such as childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy.
2. Metabolic Reactions: Proteins are pivotal in driving metabolic reactions that convert food into energy, facilitating numerous bodily functions that keep you thriving.
3. Immune System Support: Adequate protein intake is crucial for producing antibodies that bolster your immune system, helping you fend off infections and diseases.
4. Weight Management: Protein is a key player in weight management; it keeps you feeling full and satisfied, which can aid in weight loss or maintenance. Moreover, it supports muscle mass, boosting your metabolism.
5. Satiety: With protein, you experience longer-lasting fullness, which can curb cravings and help you manage portion sizes effectively.
6. Hormone and Enzyme Production: Protein is responsible for producing hormones and enzymes that regulate numerous bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and cell signaling, ensuring your body operates smoothly.
7. Oxygen Transport: Proteins are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body, ensuring every cell receives the oxygen needed to perform optimally.
8. Fluid Balance: Protein plays a critical role in maintaining fluid balance, which is vital for overall health.
9. Nutrient Transport: Proteins are essential for transporting and storing nutrients, helping maintain the body’s nutrient supply chain.
By embracing the diverse benefits of protein, you can elevate your health and wellness journey to new heights. The RDA (minimum amount) of protein we should be consuming is .36 grams per pound of body weight. Ideal protein consumption is about twice that amount. Those who are sick, elderly, losing weight, or very active should aim for about one gram of protein per pound of body weight.
Meat, eggs, milk, Greek yogurt, nuts, seeds, and beans are all excellent sources of protein. While plant proteins are available, keep in mind that only about 60% of plant protein is bioavailable, and one must be mindful to consume all 26 amino acids. Animal source protein is complete and upwards of 90% bioavailable – which is to say that the body is actually able to make use of the protein. Protein shakes can be a simple “grab and go” way to get all of the protein that we need.
Between the Numbers Wait… We’re a Nonprofit That Needs
MARK CARTER, FINANCE COMMITTEE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER
MARKBCARTER@MAC.COM
In my last column, I talked about how Heritage Palms has a mission: keep this place running smoothly, beautifully, and maybe even with enough sand in the bunkers and tennis balls in the hopper. To do that, we need to be smart with money.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “Aren’t we a nonprofit? So why are we trying to make a profit?” Great question. You’ve also asked, “What does the Board even do with that money?” Another great question. Let’s break it down.
First, a little background—but don’t worry, I’ll keep this more fun than reading your HOA rules. The club posts our monthly and yearly financial reports online, so anyone curious (or just really bored during a rain delay) can check them out. At the end of each year, a group of very serious accountants reviews the numbers to make sure we didn’t accidentally pay the Board Chairman a salary.
So, how’d we do in 2024?
The Club finished the year with about $4.3 million more income than expenses. Impressive, right? But don’t go ordering gold-plated pickleballs just yet. Only $78,000 of that came from our regular operations. The rest came from special assessments (like the Oasis Tiki project) and funds set aside for future repairs and upgrades—kind of like when you save up for a new roof instead of blowing it all on margaritas on Taco Tuesday.
Still, the takeaway is: the Club ran efficiently. The lights stayed on, the grounds got mowed, and nobody had to putt around potholes. That’s a win.
But why does a nonprofit need to make a profit?
Simple. Think of it like your household budget. You want to bring in more money than you spend—or at least break even. If you spend more than you earn every year, eventually you’re going to be in trouble. (And your spouse might suggest you stop playing golf … horrifying, I know.)
Needs a Profit? Yep!
Same thing with the Club. We don’t aim to make money, but we also don’t want to lose it. If we end the year with a little left over, it gives us choices.
So, what does the Board do with that extra money? No, they’re not using it to buy monogrammed tennis socks. Usually, the extra funds help:
1. Keep dues from going up like a SpaceX rocket. (You can take that two ways.)
2. Add to our reserve fund (basically, a big piggy bank for future projects).
3. Cover upcoming costs—like maintenance, upgrades, or surprise issues (looking at your community pools).
Most of the time, it’s a mix of all three.
Now, a peek at 2025: it might be a little tougher. The Oasis Tiki will be brand new, and like any newborn, it might not “pay the rent” for a while. Add rising costs and wages, and, well, it’s not all birdies, aces, and sunshine. But the good news? The Club is in
solid financial shape. We’ve got a cushion, good planning, and people who care about keeping this community great. So, rest assured: we’re not throwing money around, and no one’s trying replace tennis courts with a dog park. The goal is simple—keep Heritage Palms thriving, fun, and financially healthy, one smart decision at a time.
Three Palms Dinner
From Karen Jensen: About 40 members from Curry, Gator, and Tiger Palm gathered in the Palms Dining Room on April 21 for a great meal with new and old friends. The food was delicious and the company even better! A big thank you to Lynn Thompson for organizing this event, and others during season.
The Transformative Benefits of Consistent Massage Therapy
WHY ROUTINE BODYWORK IS MORE THAN A LUXURY—IT’S A LIFESTYLE
In today’s high-stress, always-on world, many of us are seeking effective, sustainable ways to care for our bodies and minds. While the occasional massage may offer momentary relief, consistent massage therapy brings long-lasting, transformative benefits. Here’s how incorporating massage into your regular wellness routine can make a powerful difference:
�� 1. Chronic Pain Relief & Management
Regular massage therapy can ease conditions like back pain, arthritis, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. Techniques such as deep tissue and trigger point massage help reduce inflammation, loosen tight muscles, and improve mobility—offering a natural, non-invasive solution for pain.
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2. Improved Circulation & Detoxification
Massage stimulates blood flow and encourages lymphatic drainage, which helps deliver nutrients more efficiently and remove metabolic waste. This not only speeds recovery from injury but also supports your immune and cardiovascular systems.
�� 3. Stress & Anxiety Reduction
Massage significantly reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) while increasing feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Over time, this leads to a more balanced mood and greater emotional resilience.
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4. Enhanced Flexibility & Range of Motion
By reducing tension and increasing joint fluidity, massage can boost flexibility and help prevent injuries. Whether you’re an athlete or simply want to stay mobile, regular bodywork keeps you limber and strong.
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5. Better Sleep Quality
Struggling with sleep? Massage helps shift the body into a parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep. It’s especially helpful for those suffering from insomnia or sleep disturbances related to pain or stress.
�� 6. A Stronger Immune System
Reduced stress levels and improved lymphatic function mean your immune system can do its job more effectively. Consistent massage supports the body’s natural defense mechanisms—especially important during cold and flu season.
�� 7. Sharper Focus & Mental Clarity
Better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved circulation all contribute to improved cognitive function. Regular massage helps you feel more grounded, focused, and ready to tackle your day with a clear mind.
�� Make It a Habit, Not a Treat
True wellness comes with consistency. Whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, setting up a regular massage schedule helps your body and mind adapt and improve over time. Thankfully, there are businesses out there like Massage Envy that make your new routine both convenient and affordable! Massage therapy is not just about relaxation—it’s about restoration, resilience, and long-term health. Take the time to care for yourself consistently, and your body will thank you for years to come.
To book your next session or learn more about our discounted wellness packages, visit MassageEnvy.com or stop into one of our 6 Southwest Florida Massage Envy Locations.
This article is a paid advertisement. The content was provided by the sponsor and does not necessarily reflect the views of this community or Seabreeze Communications.
Impulse Control through Reflection
ANDREW WEINER WEINER@UKY.EDU
In my last column on impulse control, I alluded to reflection as a means of managing one’s impulses. Again, let me clarify: your impulses or feelings cannot be stopped ; have them or they will have you. Your feelings serve as information, however, what you do with them matters.
Reflection can be loosely defined as slowing down your thinking and paying attention to your intentions and feelings in an effort to obtain your objective for acting. Hopefully, your principal intention is to “ express yourself, rather than prove yourself.”
The challenge : How do we use our impulses to convert our thinking to help articulate a message that will be heard by others, and perhaps be influential in changing minds? Given the speed at which we feel things, we must find a way to slow things down .
Moments of Awareness is a method of “reflection in the moment” which I have used successfully (but not all the time) over the years. Here’s how it works.
1) You must learn to recognize your earliest sign of stress, whether it is visceral or cognitive. It’s imperative that you do not wait until your thoughts and feelings escalate into full blown anger. Think of emotions as being on a staircase that may range from mild annoyance to explosive.
2) Once you recognize the first sign of stress, get inside your head in a hurry and ask yourself, “What’s happening? What am I thinking and feeling in this moment, and why am I thinking and feeling this way?” Answer internally. (This step is often referred to as “current reality.”)
3) Once you answer the above questions, ask yourself: “What would I rather be thinking and feeling, and how can I get there? (This step is often referred to as your “vision”).
4) Lastly, you must choose either to stay stuck in your current reality, or change and do something different (your “strategy”) to help accomplish your vision or intention.
This technique must be practiced continually or it won’t be available when you need it. Why? Because allowing your stress to build and hijack your feelings will disable your pre-frontal cortex from internally managing the situation.
I used to practice Moments of Awareness every time I walked through a doorway; however, I’m not suggesting you do that as I was a problem child, and needed the practice.
LCCTA Thank You to Heritage Palms
FROM LOU BOTTITTA
On May 21, the HPGCC tennis community was sent the following thank you for its support of youth tennis in Lee County in memory of HP tennis player and organizer Gwen Berestecki:
“On behalf of the Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA), we would like to thank Gwen’s Wish for holding an outstanding fundraising event. Gwen’s Wish , as you and your committee well know, raised over $9,375, through financial donations, and auction and in-kind items, such as tennis clothing, shoes, bags, and balls. Your fundraising efforts, and generous donations, will assist LCCTA’s mission and recognize Gwen Berestecki’s wish to grow Junior Tennis throughout Lee County.
The use of the funds and donated items have already been put into use. We are offering racquets, clothing, and shoes to those juniors in need of equipment. We are also hosting a Free High School Play Day at Rutenberg Park on Saturday, May 10. Gwen’s Wish will be recognized at that event. We’re starting to receive scholarship applications, and will be using
L-R: CECIL CARTER, LCCTA PRESIDENT, SHARI FRANKO, AND PAUL D’AMICO, LCCTA MEMBER, WITH SOME OF THE DONATED TENNIS ITEMS.
the funding raised for those scholarships. We’re creating a plan to assist High School Tennis Teams and their Players, in which we’ll utilize some of the funds generated by Gwen’s Wish . We hope to implement this plan in the fall.”
CRC News
MARYANNE PRESTON, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
MARYANNE@HIRING-SOLUTIONS.COM
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SAFELY NAVIGATE A ROUNDABOUT?
In April, the CRC had Keith Robbins from FDOT present the “Safe System Approach” to proactive safety, and he left swag bags with cups, booklets, and cards detailing instructions for navigating the new intersection safety systems. If you missed the presentation, we will publish these cards all summer. We hope you find these diagrams helpful.
Post Card
From Pat Fisher: My husband, Bruce, and I attended our granddaughter’s wedding in Kansas City, MO on May 17. It was a dream wedding and great reception. The bride and groom honeymooned in Hawaii.
L-R: PAT, NIKKI (NEE PIECZKO) AND STEVEN PATTERSON, AND BRUCE.
From The Pro Shop
BOB KELLY, DIRECTOR OF GOLF BKELLY@HPGC.COM
Hello from the Golf Shop. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and spending time with friends and family. The summer heat came early this year, and we are still well below our average rainfall. As you know, in Florida, that can change at any time and rain will eventually come.
The Driving Range re-grassing project is beginning this month. While construction is going on, we’ll be relocating some of our driving range mats to the cart path on #18 of the course that’s closed for maintenance. Once most of the work is complete, we will transition back to the normal range mat location, and utilize the mats for several weeks to allow for grow-in. The putting green at the far end of the range will also be re-grassed and be closed for a few months. As part of the project, we plan to add designated lesson area with a portable shade structure.
Make a note on your calendars for Sunday and Monday August 24 – 25. Both courses will be closed for our Curfew application for control of Nematodes. Please reach out to the Golf Shop if you would like to make reservations for these days at any of the Reciprocal clubs we have.
Sign-up will be coming out soon for the Labor Day Scramble on Monday September 1. Also, starting September 1, sign-ups will open for the Annual Heritage Palm Veterans Association Tournament that will be held on Sunday, October 26. More event details to follow.
Now all we need to do is dodge any potential hurricane threats, and we’ll be good to go, fingers crossed! We’re all excited for the upcoming season, and hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the summer. See you all soon!
Do You Know the Rules?
DAVE KRAFT DKRAFT_SR@YAHOO.COM
You are on the fourth hole of a match. You hit your driver off the tee and the head of the driver falls off the shaft. The club is unplayable. At the fifth tee are you allowed to use a driver from one of the other players in your foursome? NO
Rule 4.1b(2) No Sharing of Clubs
A player is limited to those clubs they started with.
• The player must not make a stroke with a club being used by anyone else who is playing on the course (even if the other player is playing in a different group or competition).
• When the player becomes aware that they have breached this Rule by making a stroke with another player’s club, the player must take that club out of play before making another stroke.
If a club taken out of play is another player’s club, that other player may continue to use the club.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 4.1b: The penalty applies based on when the player becomes aware of the breach:
• Player Becomes Aware of Breach While Playing the Hole. The penalty is applied at the end of the hole being played. In match play, the player must complete the hole,
apply the result of the hole to the match score and then apply the penalty to adjust the match score.
• Player Becomes Aware of Breach Between Two Holes. The penalty is applied as of the end of the hole just completed, not the next hole.
Penalty in Match Play – Match Score Revised by Deducting Hole, Maximum of Two Holes:
• This is a match adjustment penalty – it is not the same as a loss of hole penalty.
• At the end of the hole being played or just completed, the match score is revised by deducting one hole for each hole where a breach happened, with a maximum deduction of two holes in the round.
Penalty in Stroke Play – Two Penalty Strokes, Maximum of Four Strokes: The player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes) for each hole where a breach happened, with a maximum of four penalty strokes in the round (adding two penalty strokes at each of the first two holes where a breach happened).
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: The driver of the cart must be aware of the low areas on the course, especially during the rainy season. Please avoid these wet low areas.
Fort Myers Theatres Announce 2025-26 Season Plays
JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
Two Fort Myers regional theatres have announced their robust 2025-26 offerings! Contact these venues now for the best seats and pricing.
Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay Street, Fort Myers. The FL Rep is celebrating their 28th season as “one of America’s top repertory theatres” according to the Wall Street Journal . Check their website at https://www. floridarep.org for tickets for the following shows:
• The Rat Pack Lounge By James Hindman and Ray Roderick
October 3 - November 9, 2025; previews
September 30 - October 2
ArtStage Studio Theatre
This fresh and funny musical revue celebrates the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. In the magical story the famous “rat pack” trio, now in heaven, returns to earth for one special night to treat audiences to over 30 hit songs.
• Doubt, a Parable By John Patrick Shanley
October 31 - November 16, 2025; previews October 28 - 30
Historic Arcade Theatre
The fireworks begin as the exacting principal of a Bronx Catholic school— feared by students and colleagues alike— suspects improper relations between a charismatic priest and a student. She’s forced to wrestle with what’s fact, what’s fiction, and just how far she’ll go to expose what she sees as the truth.
• The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge By Mark Brown
December 5 - 21, 2025; previews December 2 - 4
Historic Arcade Theatre
This spirited twist on the classic holiday tale is set a year after Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. Now back to his old ways, Scrooge is suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future for breakingand-entering, kidnapping, slander, pain and suffering, attempted murder, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Advice By Brent Askari
December 12 - January 11, 2026; previews December 9 - 11
ArtStage Studio Theatre
A hilarious new comedy follows a married couple, Joy and Ron, who on the eve of their wedding anniversary learn that their idiot friend Gary has written a self-help book … and it’s getting published! As they muse on the possible topic, Gary turns up, and invites them to try out some of his “couple exercises.”
• Always … Patsy Cline Created by Ted Swindley and based on a true story.
January 9 - 26, 2026; previews January 6 - 8
Historic Arcade Theatre
The heartfelt musical follows the powerful true story celebrating the most popular female country singer in recording history. Patsy Cline’s legendary voice and rise to stardom took America by storm, and this loving tribute is told through the eyes of her biggest fan and unlikely friend, Louise Seger.
• Tuesdays with Morrie By Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom
January 30 - March 1, 2026; previews January 27 - 29
ArtStage Studio Theatre
The best-selling book comes to life in this moving autobiographical story following Mitch Albom’s visits to his old professor,
Morrie Schwartz, as he battles Lou Gehrig’s Disease. What begins as a simple visit by the career-driven journalist turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class on the meaning of life.
• The Play That Goes Wrong By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields
February 13 - March 6, 2026; previews
February 10 - 12
Historic Arcade Theatre
This hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes follows a fictitious theatre company’s opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things quickly go from bad to utterly disastrous. Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hysterical consequences!
• Little Shop of Horrors By Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
March 20 - April 12, 2026; previews March 17 -19
Historic Arcade Theatre
The musical is based on the 1960s B-movie by Roger Corman and features book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. The story is packed with laughs, thrills, chills, and Motown and doo-wop-inspired hit songs and follows down-on-his-luck Seymour who pines for his beautiful co-worker at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florist.
• Denise Fennell’s The Bride: Or, Does This Dress Make Me Look Married?
By Rick Pasqualone
April 10 - May 10, 2026; previews April 7 - 9
ArtStage Studio Theatre
Tour-de-force actress Denise Fennel, the scrappy Sister from last summer’s Late Nite Catechism , tackles the meaning of love, life, and the ritual of marriage. Drawing inspiration from her own life –and the advice of the audience –“The Bride” tackles the decision of a lifetime: Will she, or won’t she?
Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers (only about 20 minutes from HP!).
Started by FL Repertory Theatre founders Bob Cacioppo and Carrie Lund, Players Circle is in its eighth season. Check their website at https://www.playerscircle.org for tickets for the following shows:
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winnfield
July 4 - 13, 2025; previews July 1 - 3. See 37 Shakespeare plays in just 97 minutes, in this irreverent and irresistible comedy.
• Grease By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
August 1 - 10, 2025
It’s high school in 1959. Time to enjoy –“Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning,” and “We Go Together.” Starring our area’s most talented, duck-tailed, and bobby-soxed young adults.
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
August 22 - September 7, 2025; previews August 19 - 21.
This riotous Broadway musical follows an eclectic group of awkward teens as they vie for the spelling championship. Six spellers enter: only one speller leaves champion
• Peter and the Starcatcher
By Rick Elise
October 24 - November 16; previews October 21 - 23
Set sail on an enchanting trip to the Neverland you never knew, as this production invades the entire theater. Filled with playful puns and pure imagination, this action-packed adventure is destined to delight the child in all of us.
• Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas Show
Created by Robert Cacioppo
December 5 - 21, 2025; previews December 2 - 4
A favorite holiday tradition is back and better than ever! Come celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this original musical revue brimming with love, laughter, and all your favorite holiday songs.
• Little Women Based on Louisa May Alcott’s Classic Novel
January 9 - February 1; previews January 6 - 8
A story that swept the nation is brought
to life in this epic musical! Full of showstopping melodies and uplifting spirit. This timeless tale about the enduring power of family is guaranteed to capture your heart and astonish!
• Over the Tavern By Tom Dudzick
February 13 - March 8; previews February 10 - 12
A beguiling family comedy set in Buffalo in the Eisenhower 1950s. The Pazinski family has a lot going on in their cramped apartment over Dad’s bar. But all hell breaks loose, when 12-year-old, wisecracking Rudy questions being Catholic.
• 4,000 Miles By Amy Herzog
March 20 - April 5; previews March 17 - 19
A Pulitzer Prize Finalist! After a crosscountry bike trip, young Leo makes an unplanned visit to his feisty 91-year-old grand-mother Vera in her Greenwich Village apartment. Over the course of a single month these unlikely roommates, infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other in this charming dramedy.
• I
Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti
By Guilia Melucci
April 17 - May 3; previews April 14 - 16
This tasty comedy invites you into Giulia’s kitchen as she recounts a string of botched romances and failed love affairs while preparing a home cooked meal.
Sound Advice from N.Y. Times Readers
COMPILED BY JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
• “We are all juggling so many balls. Differentiate between glass balls and rubber balls — and don’t be afraid to drop the rubber balls.” For whatever reason, picturing the messy, ungovernable realm of worries and “to-dos” as rubber and glass balls helps one think more clearly in times of stress.
• Do something today your tomorrow self will thank you for.
• The real game doesn’t start until the fourth quarter. I take it to mean that you are never out of time, and it is never too late to make a comeback.
• Use up everything in your freezer.
• The world is run by those who show up.
• Retire as soon as you can. Time will always be your most valuable asset.
• If you’re unhappy, do something about it. If you are happy, do something about it.
• People who avoid their own feelings will neglect yours.
• Even one step a day gets you 365 steps farther in a year.
• Attend funerals for relatives of people you don’t know really well. It is the kindest thing you can do for an acquaintance.
• Stop thinking about your problems and make someone else happy.
• If you’re worried about something that really doesn’t matter, and you know eventually you’ll say, “Who cares?” – why not just go straight to “Who cares?”
• Instead of trying harder, try softer.
• Everything is better after you stretch.
• It’s never too late to have a good day.
• The only time you should look in someone else’s bowl is to see if they have enough.
• Love shows up.
• Some seasons you produce fruit, some seasons you prune, and some seasons you let your roots grow deep.
• When someone is interpreting your behavior or actions without a spirit of openness, de-escalate the conflict by saying, “I would appreciate it if you could be more generous with me.” It really works and leads to conversation, not argument.
• There’s a connection between novelty and joy.
• Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me, now?
• Don’t look at your medical test reports before the doctor has a chance to explain them to you.
• Nothing is ever as good as you think it will be, or as bad as you fear.
• Does your houseplant make you feel happy? If you’re just keeping it alive out of a sense of obligation, let it go!
• Don’t be the one to tell yourself no.
• Sometimes the greatest act of kindness is to pretend you haven’t already heard that story before.
Unforgettable Moments in Baseball History
COMPILED FROM HISTORY FACTS BY JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
Since the sport’s first professional game was played in 1869, the history of baseball has been filled with memorable moments both triumphant and tragic. Often, these moments reflect the history and spirit of America itself: Lou Gehrig’s heartfelt retirement speech has become a symbol of grace and humility in the face of tragedy, while Jackie Robinson’s courageous breaking of baseball’s color barrier presaged the national fight against racial segregation. Though baseball has gone through many incarnations over the years, one thing that has remained constant is the game’s capacity to generate great stories. From the rigging of the World Series to Willie Mays’ unforgettable catch, here are seven major moments in the history of baseball.
The Chicago “Black Sox” Throw the World Series
Even before the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago White Sox in the 1919 World Series, rumors had been circulating that the losing team was planning to deliberately underperform in order to throw the World Series and allow the Reds to win. A grand jury convened in 1920 discovered that eight White Sox players had been involved in a gambling conspiracy to corrupt the series in the Reds’ favor, and three players admitted to the grand jury that they had accepted money from gamblers. The plot to throw the 1919 World Series became known as the “Black Sox scandal,” and it remains one of the most significant controversies in the history of baseball. Eight players, including the legendary outfielder “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, were permanently banned from Major League Baseball, and in order to prevent future corruption, the role of commissioner was established and strict laws against gambling were instituted that remain in place today.
Babe Ruth Calls His Shot
One of the most famous home runs in baseball history occurred in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. At the top of the fifth inning, Yankees slugger Babe Ruth, often considered the greatest baseball player of all time, faced off against Cubs pitcher Charlie Root with two balls and two strikes. Just before the pitch, Ruth pointed toward the outfield, and when the pitch came, he hit a towering home run to center field. In the newspapers the next day, ecstatic reporters announced that Ruth had “called his shot,” and that his gesture toward the bleachers was a prediction of the home run he would hit on the next pitch. Thus, was born one of the greatest legends in baseball history. Although the exact details of where exactly Ruth was pointing and why are disputed, the home run that became known as the “called shot” has nevertheless become an immortal part of the Great Bambino’s legacy.
Lou Gehrig Gives a Retirement Speech for the Ages
When Yankees slugger Lou Gehrig announced his retirement in 1939, it shocked the baseball world. During his career, Gehrig’s seemingly endless endurance had allowed him to play in 2,130 consecutive games (a record that stood for nearly 60 years), earning him the nickname “the Iron Horse.” However, in 1939, when Gehrig was diagnosed with
the neurodegenerative disease ALS (which became commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), the Iron Horse was finally forced to end his baseball career. In the retirement speech he delivered at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, Gehrig told the crowd that despite his “bad break,” he considered himself “the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.” This iconic phrase, emblematic of Gehrig’s grace and humility, remains famous today, and his speech is often recognized as one of the greatest in sports history.
Joe DiMaggio Sets an “Unbreakable” Record
On May 15, 1941, Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio hit a modest single that marked the start of one of the most legendary records in baseball history: the 56-game hitting streak. For two months, the baseball world watched in awe as DiMaggio got at least one hit in game after game. By the time DiMaggio’s streak ended two months and 55 games later, he had set a record that many baseball experts consider to be unbreakable. So far, they have yet to be proved wrong. While DiMaggio himself said that he believed that someone would one day surpass his 56-game hitting streak, in the 80 years since he set the record, nobody has even come close. The longest hitting streak since, achieved by Hall of Famer Paul Molitor in 1987, was just 39 games long, a full two weeks shy of Joltin’ Joe’s seemingly immortal record.
Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball’s Color Barrier
Before Jackie Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, professional baseball was a racially segregated sport in the United States. Robinson’s historic debut at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field broke the so-called “color barrier” that had kept black and white players in separate leagues. Robinson faced great challenges during his MLB career, but his courage and talent opened the door for future generations of baseball legends. His abilities on the field earned him a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and in recognition of his trailblazing career, his number, 42, was retired league-wide in 1997. He remains the only player to ever receive such an honor.
Willie Mays Makes “the Catch”
Willie Mays is one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the sport, and one of the most enduring parts of his legacy is the stunning play he made in the 1954 World Series — known to history simply as “the Catch.” Mays made the play in the eighth inning of Game 1, with the score tied 2-2 between Mays’ New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland slugger Vic Wertz hit a long fly ball toward Mays in center field. Mays turned and sprinted backward, making a miraculous over-the-shoulder catch 425 feet from home plate. As if that wasn’t a stunningenough achievement, Mays completed the
play by spinning around and making an incredible throw from the outfield to prevent Cleveland’s baserunners from getting home. The play saved the game for the Giants, who went on to sweep Cleveland in four games to become World Series champions.
Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth’s Career Home Run Record
For nearly four decades after his retirement, Babe Ruth was hailed as the undisputed home run king. His 714 career home runs stood as a monument to his unrivaled power at the plate. Then Hank Aaron arrived. Since his MLB debut in 1954, Aaron had been an extremely consistent slugger, and he led the league in home runs four separate times. The years of steady power hitting paid off on April 8, 1974, when Aaron hit his 715th career home run and surpassed Ruth to inherit one of baseball’s most hallowed records. Aaron’s historic career continued for another three seasons, during which time he added 40 homers to his career total, retiring with a staggering 755 home runs. This record was eventually surpassed by Barry Bonds in 2007, but to this day Aaron remains celebrated as the first player to surpass the Sultan of Swat as the home run champion.
How Children Perceive their Grandparents
CONTRIBUTED BY LOU BOTTITTA
• A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s laptop. She told him she was writing a story. “What’s it about?” he asked. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read.”
• My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 68. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, “Did you start at 1?”
• A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog’s duties. “They use him to keep crowds back,” said one child. “No,” said another. “He’s just for good luck.” A third child brought the argument to a close. “They use the dogs,” she said firmly, “to find the fire hydrants.”
• A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. “Oh,” he said, “she lives at the airport, and whenever we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
• Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don’t get to see him enough to get as smart as him!
• After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, “Who was THAT?”
• A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. “We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.” The little girl was wideeyed, taking this all in. At last, she said, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!”
• My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, “Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?” I mentally polished my halo and I said, “No, how are we alike?” “You’re both old,” he replied.
• I was in the bathroom, putting on my makeup, under the watchful eyes of my young granddaughter, as I’d done many times before. After I applied my lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, “But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!” I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye....
• I didn’t know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and she was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, “Grandma, I really think you should try to figure out some of these colors yourself!”
• When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, “It’s no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.”
• When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, “I’m not sure.” “Look in your underwear, Grandpa,” he advised, “Mine says I’m 4 to 6.” (WOW! I really like this one – it says I’m only 38!)
• Children’s logic: “Give me a sentence about a public servant,” said a teacher. The small boy wrote: “The fireman came down the ladder pregnant.” The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. “Don’t you know what pregnant means?” she asked. “Sure,” said the young boy confidently. “It means carrying a child.”
Six Chicken Facts to Cluck About
COMPILED FROM
HISTORY FACTS BY JANE BREISCH, EDITOR
It’s true: Chickens really are descendants of dinosaurs, walking the Earth as one of the closest living relatives to the Tyrannosaurus Rex. But that’s not the only impressive thing about these fowl. Chickens are incredibly adaptive creatures found in nearly every part of the world — barring Antarctica and the Vatican City — and are able to fly short distances, swim, and even communicate with the outside world before hatching from their shells. Read on for six more facts about these curious, clucking egg-layers.
Some Early Chickens Were Considered Sacred Animals
Scientists aren’t exactly sure when humans first domesticated chickens. Some research had estimated that humans first became flock-keepers around 8,000 years ago or more, perhaps somewhere in China, India, or Southeast Asia. But more recent research shows the first clear evidence for domestic chickens in the archaeological record is only about 3,500 years ago, from a site in Thailand. And some archaeological evidence supports an idea that the earliest humanraised chickens may not have been eaten, but instead revered. Archaeologists have unearthed the bones of whole chickens at dig sites in Britain and Europe, which researchers have carbon dated to the Iron Age. None of the birds had been butchered, they were primarily older in age when
they died, and one had a healed leg fracture, possibly from the help of a human caretaker. On occasion, the birds were buried alongside humans, possibly used as psychopomps, a/k/a animals tasked with leading the deceased to the afterlife. Writings from Julius Caesar indicate the earliest Britons didn’t eat chickens, and instead raised the birds for “their own amusement or pleasure,” a practice that remained until Romans introduced eating the birds around 43 CE.
Ancient Chickens May Have Had Teeth
Like most birds, chickens are toothless, equipped instead with gizzards (muscles in the digestive tract) that help break down their food for digestion. Their omnivore diet first enters their crop, a pouch-like organ
that stores and softens food, before it moves to their digestive system. From there, food moves to the gizzard. While this system allows chickens to forage and feast without teeth, scientists believe poultry of the past may have eaten differently — with teeth. That’s because the earliest known birds had teeth, though the feature began to disappear more than 100 million years ago in place of developing beaks. However, some researchers believe it’s still possible for chickens to grow teeth, since their DNA contains the genetic code (which stuck around to help modern chickens grow feathers). In 2006, scientists were able to make small genetic modifications that enabled chicken embryos to develop teeth, which looked similar to reptile teeth — though the chickens were ultimately prevented from hatching.
Chickens Can Recognize One Another … and Humans
Chickens aren’t often considered to be especially bright animals, though there’s evidence they’re smarter than we once believed. Scientists have long studied chickens, with the first research into chicken intelligence emerging around the 1920s thanks to observation of their pecking order (a/k/a how the birds establish social hierarchies in their flock). In the 100 years since, researchers have determined that chickens have a wide
range of communication skills, able to produce 24 different vocalizations that alert their fellow fowl about predators, food, and an interest in mating. Chickens are also capable of differentiating between numbers and can identify patterns and shapes. Those memory skills help chickens recognize up to 30 other birds, a process that starts within 36 hours after hatching, when chicks imprint on their mother hen. Chickens can also recognize human faces, and even have preferences for who they find attractive. A 2002 study found chickens preferred looking at humans with more symmetrical faces (just like humans do).
A Chicken Named Peanut Was in Guinness World Records
Backyard chickens are often considered food-producing pets, providing companionship and entertainment while also laying eggs. Most hens live for between six and eight years, and typically lay eggs for the first three to four years of their lives. Sometimes, they even become record holders, like Peanut, who was the world’s oldest living chicken until her death on Christmas Day, 2023. Born in southeastern Michigan in 2002, Peanut was 21 years and 238 days old when she passed. Initially believed to be a dud egg, Peanut was nearly abandoned as a chick before her owner heard the bird pipping from inside her shell; with some assistance, Peanut successfully hatched
and became an inside-dwelling pet for the first few years of her life. Peanut laid eggs until age 8 — some of which produced her living grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, who reside in the same backyard she roams. The world’s oldest known chicken ever was a bird named Muffy, who was born in 1989 and reached 23 years and 152 days old (she died in 2012).
There Are More Chickens on Earth Than People
Our planet is home to a lot of humans. There are more of us now than at any other point in known history, yet we’re still outnumbered by chickens. In November 2022, the global human population hit 8 billion, with projections showing there may be 9.7 billion of us by 2050. But even then, there will probably be more chickens, considering that at last count, in 2021, their population clocked in at 25.8 billion, largely thanks to commercial poultry farming. In some regions, the ratio is particularly evident; Delaware residents are reportedly outnumbered by 200 chickens to every one human.
A Rooster Once Crashed a President’s Inaugural Ball
Chicken is common fare at even the fanciest of dinners, though in 1973, a rooster who wasn’t on the menu still found its way into one of the country’s most upscale parties: the presidential inaugural ball. Following his successful reelection campaign, President Richard Nixon held an extravagant inaugural celebration at the Smithsonian’s Museum of History and Technology (now called the American History Museum). One of the gallery’s exhibits on farm life included real, living chickens — including a rooster who escaped from its pen and into the party. The bird caused a minor commotion as it mingled among guests, but was promptly captured and returned to its display by S. Dillion Ripley, an ornithologist who served as the Smithsonian’s eighth secretary.
MIKE & ELLEN WHITTEN, AND KATHY & DAN DAMIANO.
L-R:
L-R: RAY & KIM MILLER, AND KERRI & KEVIN THEISEN.
L-R: CHRIS DUTOIT, TIM JOHNSON, AND STEVE & LINDA SERGESKETTER.
L-R: BARB BARLOW, MARCIA LEADBETTER, MELANIE ROETTING, AND JANE JONES.
L-R: GARY FRANDY, MELISSA SCULLY, AND JOHN & JULIA WHITNEY.
L-R: DOUG & CATHY DEAN, AND LUCINDA & BILL JORDAN.
L-R: JEFF & LESLIE WILLIAMS, AND ANN MARIE & TOM O’DEA.
L-R: SCOTT & HOLLY OSLER, CHRISTINE MARTI, AND RICH FIREBAUGH.
L-R: DAN BARDEN, BUD JASON, FRED COOK, AND JOHN MACKAY.
L-R: JOHN & KELLY VECERE, AND GAILE & KEVIN SHEEHAN.
L-R: ROGER & DONNA LUSSIER, AND SUE & STU DRAPER.
L-R: KAREN LONGBRAKE, ANN & ARTHUR MANN, AND TIM CORNETT.
L-R: PAT GORMAN, AND SUE & KIRK LUX.
L-R: ROD & BETTY RUPPEL, SHARON PATALINO, AND ANTHONY PLEVNIAK.
L-R: PEARSON TIMMONS, SCOTT DAVIS, JACOB DAVIS, AND SAMUEL DAVIS.
L-R: JON & LORI SWANELL, AND BECKY & CARROLL MAJORS.
L-R: GARY & ANNIE KAJANDER, AND DENISE & JIMMY JOHNSTON.
L-R: GENE & SHARON HULICK, AND KAYE & RICH BARRICK.
L-R: JERRY & SUE SAURO, AND STEPHANIE & KEN LEHMAN.
L-R: JOHN & KITTY JEDD AND PAT & JIM COLLETTE.
L–R: DAVE LIONETT, DANNY QUAST, GORDON CRATER, AND GREG CRATER.
L-R: JUDY & DICK HOYE, AND DENNIS & MARY LUBOZYNSKI.
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L-R: SUSAN STANTON, MARI LOU MCCANN, AND GINNY & GLEN TUCKER.
L-R: LINDA BARNAS, JAMIE UNGER, AND ROSE & KEITH BAUER.