Person of Interest – Gerald Ziedenberg and The Landings’ Lecture Luncheon Series
Steamboat Bend member, Gerald Ziedenberg, believes that expanding one’s knowledge is a lifelong endeavor. Just as a healthy diet and exercise are known to extend a body’s lifetime, the expansion of knowledge keeps the brain and mind active. Have you ever heard anyone say, “I am turning off my brain now. I know everything there is to know.” Of course not. New information arises daily, and it is always personally rewarding to say to yourself, “I learned something new today.”
A retired pharmacist, Jerry learned the chain retail pharmacy business starting from the ground floor. During his career, the company began a “Lunch and Learn” program for its employees. According to Jerry, the program was extremely successful. The subjects were not always pharmacy-related but covered a wide range of topics.
Long Range Planning, Steering Committee
By Becky Ross, Co-Chair Long Range Planning Steering Committee
Whac-a-Mole can be a lot of fun at an arcade and the real life version of Whac-a-Mole can seem so fulfilling as we tackle those problems one by one and check them off our to-do list. But day-to-day problem solving can easily gobble up our time
and energy and become an obstacle to pursuing longer term opportunities or solving long-term problems. That’s why most effective leadership teams set aside dedicated time for long-range planning so they can consider the future, emerging ideas, issues, opportunities, innovations, and potential threats. As a bonus, not only does the team come away from this process with a roadmap for the future, but the process itself results in a shared understanding of how to successfully navigate through the next three to five years.
In February 2023, an audit presentation emphasized the need for The Landings to continue to upgrade our amenities. This led the Landings Board to create the Long Range Planning Steering Committee and that set the course for seeking out a professional resource to assist. While The Landings has had member surveys in the past, they have not previously engaged professional resources to gather community input using focus groups and surveys, analyzing and benchmarking the results, or leading the Board through a long-range planning process that is based on the desires and priorities of the community as identified during the research stage.
Jerry and his wife, Sheila, purchased their home in Steamboat Bend in 1983, when their children were 15, 13, and 10. At that time, they were snowbirds. The family spent its summers at their home in Toronto, Canada, and their winters in Fort Myers, enjoying all the amenities The Landings offers.
Approximately fifteen years ago, Jerry began thinking that The Landings population might benefit from brain exercise in addition to all the physical exercise opportunities enjoyed here. While he enjoyed running, cycling, and other outdoor activities, something was missing. Fondly recalling the “Lunch and Learn” program, he presented the idea to The Landings’ Board and the administration, and he received approval to begin a similar program.
Given permission, Jerry consulted with the other Landings’ members who supported the informational luncheon program.
Pickleball
Coach Pete has set his lesson and clinic schedule for the season. He can set up private, semiprivate or group lessons or has set clinic times. Private lessons are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Call Pete directly
Not only would speakers have to be recruited, but the program needed a name. Jerry didn’t want anything that sounded too academic, feeling that might conjure images of classroom study. Trawler Village member, Pat Daniels, suggested the name, “Lecture Luncheon Series,” and the name was decided. The series was off and running. Since the program began, it has run continuously for 15 years. Even when the Helm Club was remodeled several years ago, the luncheon lectures continued, meeting at a church on Cypress Lake Drive.
Over the years, about half of the speakers have been from inside The Landings, and the other half from outside the community. As we know, there is a wealth of information residing inside The Landings’ gates.
at 239-848-6943 or email him at pbpro@lygtc.com.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced clinics are also available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. You can register for them on Foretees.
Gerald Ziedenberg
Chess And Checkers Club News
By Sharyl Leifeld
As we begin a new year, our club finds itself halfway through its third year. Just coming off a successful membership drive, we continue to grow. Our members represent, as envisioned by club founder Bob Spry, all levels of abilities from total beginners to one “expert.” (We are still hoping to attract a “master.”) This unique concept is designed to encourage every Landings resident to join in the “joy” of the game. But how does this work? Come to any meeting and you will find more experienced players challenging each other, while beginners or returning players are also being coached. Naturally, games vary in length, but players often change opponents during the two-hour meeting (Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Bridge Room).
Bob Spry, our club founder, discovered chess while learning to play with his grandkids. And that inspired him to share this experience with his fellow Landings friends. Bob’s goal is to “teach beginners to play chess so they can enjoy the game with their children and grandchildren.” For most beginners, just the word “chess” is somewhat daunting, but in your first meeting you will quickly master the basic moves and have fun at the same time! Some new members played in their youth, but soon (like riding a bike) that “muscle” memory returns. They remember basic patterns and continue to learn new strategies.
This past year we hosted our first tournament during which club “expert” Tom Poulos played against ten opponents simultaneously – and he beat all of them! Tom is disarmingly shy, but don’t let your guard down! At the same time, he is one of our club’s biggest cheerleaders. He would “like to see more members of different levels, thus creating even more opportunities for all members.”
Our plans for the coming year include welcoming new visitors at our meetings and scheduling another simultaneous tournament. How many opponents do you think Tom can take on simultaneously? For more information about the club, please contact Bob Spry (239) 437-9146. And remember to protect your king!
Long Range Planning from page 1
The world has changed a lot in fifty years as have our patterns of work and play, fitness and recreation. During the Landings’ fifty plus years as a community technology has rocked our world, from the first PCs to putting a computer in everyone’s pocket or tennis bag; from shopping online to working from anywhere. From hybrid vehicles to fully electric. And one thing for certain is that change will not stop. A longterm strategic plan can set us on the path to being refreshed, renovated, and reinvented in ways that attract the new arrivals of the 20s, just as it did during the 70s, 80s and 90s. While no one can predict the future and some of us are still waiting for George Jetson’s flying car to appear at a local dealership, we can look at trends and know much about how current styles of living are evolving. And with objective member survey results we can identify challenges and opportunities within our community that can only be solved with long term thinking, planning and funding. So, thank you to the Landings Board for recognizing the need, setting aside the time and committing the resources to pursue this really important work.
Left to Right: Sharyl Leifeld, standing John Winters, Bob Lazzaro seated, Tom Poulos, Roger Schonewise, Stacey Gossmann
On to the 2024 Season!
By Bill Ferris
The Bridge Club finished the 2023 year with a great Christmas party at the Helm Club Main Deck with about 40 members in attendance. Then it was on to Monday, January 8th for the first game of the 23-24 season. Due to the anomaly of calendars, we will have just finished a 2-week lapse in our main activity—playing Duplicate Bridge. Mondays are our normal gamedays, but with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both on Mondays this season, we obviously could not play on those days. A straw vote of club members in early December showed a desire to skip the games rather than schedule substitute gamedays. So, our first game of the new season is Monday, January 8th.
By LeRoy Fleming
A few weeks ago, I was enjoying a fishing outing with Frank Coogan. We were in the Caloosahatchee River trying our luck. Live shrimp were the bait of choice. The motor was shut off, bait dropped over the side, we waited. In less than one minute Frank’s rod bent almost double from a solid strike. “Do you want the net?” I asked. “Not yet” he answered followed by a gasp, a “What is that thing?” “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Almost instantly the unmistakable sound of “ping”, the line broke. All was not lost because Frank got a very up-close look at a Smalltooth Sawfish, 3 to 4 feet in length.
There are only 5 species of Sawfish worldwide. The Smalltooth Sawfish is the only species found in Florida.
Person of Interest from page 1
Charlie McCoy is a regular featured speaker, contributing many times with the history and sounds of the music of many eras. Jerry speaks occasionally, and as he has spoken numerous times on cruise ships, he states that he enjoys speaking on dry land. Ret. General Jan Huly spoke last spring on the Iwo Jima Investigation. Outside lecturers have included Greg Longenhagen, who spoke about the Florida Rep and what makes it so successful. Bill Lauman, a retired Secret Service Agent for Bill Clinton, has also been featured. The 2024 series begins on January 16th when the topic is “Understanding Hurricanes and Heritage in Southwest Florida.” The final luncheon on March 19th, features
The new season also brings more attention to the needs of beginning and intermediate players. Wanda Jacobs, a licensed bridge instructor, is offering a Learn Bridge in a Day (LBIAD) class on Saturday, January 6th, from 1-5 p.m. for those who are now primarily playing social bridge. If too few people show interest on that day, she may push it forward.
On various Thursday afternoons in January and February, Wanda teaches EZ-PZ Bridge, classes focused more for those who are almost ready for Duplicate on Mondays. On Saturday afternoons, for early intermediates, she instructs players in Duplicate Bridge: Lessons and Play.
Fees for LBIAD are $25, payable in advance for lessons/ materials. The other 2 series are $5 per session. For further information, or to register for the classes, call Wanda (239213-6341). Also, pick up a flyer in the Helm Club lobby or in other locations around campus.
For Monday morning Duplicate Bridge, please remember gametime begins at 8 a.m. All players must arrive promptly so that the Director, Judy Cleveland, can set up the game on the computer on time. Although we have recently placed as many as 12 tables in the Garden Room, we do not want to put pressure on our facility by having to use the Ladies Lounge for the overflow. Thus, if your pair is not on time, you may not be able to play that day.
Landings Fishing Club: “I Saw What I Saw”
They are not fish but members of the family of rays and sharks. Their gills are on the bottom of their bodies and their skeleton is cartilage. Sawfish are an endangered species and have been protected since 1992.
Smalltooth Sawfish range in size in coastal waters from 3 to 6 feet. The larger of the species are found in deeper waters and grow to 17 feet weighing 700 pounds. Feeding primarily on fishes and rays they swim through a school of Prey, slashing their snout to kill or stun their food. Reproduction is every other year and their young are born live.
Frank was indeed one of a select few who have seen a live sawfish and can say I caught it because when you bring the denizen to boat side that is classified as a legal catch and release.
TGIF Pizza Party & Monthly Membership Meetings, Tournaments, Outings, Annual Shrimp Boil and Annual Fish Dinner Email Miki Blackmon: blackmonmiki@icloud.com or pick up a Membership Application in the Marina LFC Folder
Thomas Easterwood speaking on “Female Spies.” On March 12th, Thea Rosenbaum, former war correspondent and member of the White House Press Corps under five presidents will discuss her life as a journalist as set forth in her book, “No Life for a Lady, My Normal Life.” Mary Wilson-Tauson on “A Senior Moment - Where Did I Put My Phone?” and Hugh Sims on “Viet Nam,” are two of the other featured speakers and topics.
A complete list of the 2024 Luncheon Series speakers is in the weekly Landings Life newsletter. Also look for the flyers placed in the Helm Club, and in various other buildings and bulletin boards around The Landings.
This program is a valuable piece of the amenities puzzle in The Landings. Please help support the Luncheon
Series by planning to attend some, or all the lectures. The Lecture Series is held on Tuesdays at noon, from midJanuary until mid-March, usually in the Garden Room. The cost for the luncheon is $24, including tax and tip, and it includes an entree and a dessert. Reservations must be made, and tickets may be purchased, individually or for the entire series, by calling the Administration office at 239.482.3211.
General Manager’s Report
November 22, 2023
• The gate upgrade project is finally complete, and we have sent out the notice that the gate changes will take effect on December 4. Members will not really notice any difference in the procedures for exiting the back gate or the Windjammer gate as their bar code will allow access as normal. All non-member traffic must now enter and exit through the gatehouse only.
• We have finished the repairs and painting of the maintenance compound wall, repairs to the fences on either side of the main Landings entry and the fence at the maintenance compound. This completes all fence repairs related to Hurricane Ian.
• The painting of the community perimeter wall is completed.
• We are waiting for the repairs to the Helm ramp handrails on the tennis side of the building. These were hit by debris during the hurricane and need to be re-welded. Same vendor as the fence repairs.
• Awning replacements/repairs for the marina, golf, tennis and golf course grounds are now complete, as are the awnings at the Helm building (golf, tennis, Garden Room). This completes all awning work related to Hurricane Ian.
• We have ordered replacement banquet chairs and Compass Rose bar and dining room chairs. The banquet chairs should ship out in the next week and the chairs for the dining room and Ladies Lounge will ship the following week. We are hoping to have these in by Christmas. We are
Financial Report
October 2023 Summary
The Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club for the month had revenues that exceeded budget by $3.1k and exceeded budget at GOP by $62.1k. Food and Beverage revenue was lower than budget ($10.1k) and department profit was below budget ($36.6k). Golf revenue was lower than budget by ($3.5k), and department profit/loss was better than budget $6.8k. Tennis was ($6.4k) below budgeted revenue and profit for the month was better than budget by $6.0k. The Marina experienced another good month in revenue, with revenues exceeding budget by $14.1k and profit was better than budget by $14.5k. For the current period ending October 31, 2023, total revenues came in at $972,254 versus a budget of $969,138 for a positive variance of $3,116. Gross Operating Profit for the month was $11,144 compared to a budget loss of ($50,967) for a positive variance to budget of $62,111.
Operational Departments: For the month, operational departments performance was mixed, with Food and Beverage unfavorable to budget by ($36,610) in departmental profit/(loss). Golf Department was better than budget with loss of $6,834 in departmental profit/ (loss). Tennis Department P/L beat budget for the month by $6,041. Marina Department was up to profit for the month by $14,536 in departmental profit/(loss).
Overhead Departments: Combined, overhead departments were well below budgeted expectations with a variance to budget of a combined $63,485. Administration Department was under budget by $15,862 with a marginal percentage of 8.7% to a budget of 10.3%. Community Patrol Department was under budget by $4,941 with a marginal percentage of 4.3% to a budget of 4.8%. Golf Course Maintenance Department was well under budget by $20,917 with a marginal percentage of 13.3% to a budget of 15.4%. Property Maintenance Department was also under budget by $15,862 with a marginal percentage of 9.6% to a budget of 11.2%. Utilities came in well under budget by $5,902 with a marginal percentage of 2.3% to a budget of 2.9%.
Net Income before Depreciation and Amortization: The club’s net income before depreciation and amortization
still waiting on the delivery date for the banquet chairs.
• The underground boring was completed for the electrical connection to the Driving Range ball machine, and FPL was in to allow access to the hookup and this project is now completed.
• We contracted for the study to determine what is needed to improve the Wi-Fi at the Wheelhouse and Helm buildings as the current setup needs to be better, particularly since we plan on adding server tablets to both restaurants. Our tech vendor loaded the floorplan and performed the test phase to identify the Wi-Fi needs. This is still being analyzed to determine the steps needed to permanently strengthen the building Wi-Fi as well as at the pool. Eventually, the same process will be done for the Wheelhouse building.
• The Administration lake fountain is still down, waiting on the replacement motor which is under warranty. After this repair, we will be replacing our current fountain vendor as service is not acceptable.
• We completed concrete repairs around the community, including the entrance curbing at Spanker Court and the marina. The pad for the fish station on the river was laid for the new fish station to be installed.
• We have finished the landscaping repairs/replacements at Tennis and along the buffer area by Riverside; we are finishing up landscaping work along the east marina parking lot along S. Landings Drive and are installing new
was negative ($37,426) vs. a budget of negative ($107,374), favorable to budget by $69,948.
Balance Sheet: The club’s cash position as of the month end is $606,989 in Operating Funds.
landscaping around the Administration building. We will be replacing some landscaping in the medial along Dockside Drive as well. Work coming up includes the buffer area along the canal opposite Ariel, the back-gate area, and some tree stump removals.
• Repairs were completed to the sewer line under the Helm building. However, today we announced an additional repair needed to a broken water drain pipe under the dance floor in the Helm Club which is scheduled for repair on Nov. 27 and 28.
• We completed some roadwork repairs in a number of areas along the community roadways.
• We have been working over the summer on new upgrades to our Landings website. The new site will be a new experience – visually all new. It will include an APP for your phone as well. You will be able to see the calendar of events and sign up on line and also sign up on line for dining reservations in both restaurants. It will be much easier to navigate. We had targeted the third week of December to go live, providing everything moved forward as it has been, but alas we needed to make some changes that will push that timing back a bit. We will provide further updates as we get closer to going live.
• We are working to replace the water line for the marina car wash station, and the air compressor is on order and expected to be delivered by mid-December.
• We will be scheduling painting of the marina restroom in the east parking lot as well as the pavilion at Picnic Pointe. These will then match the eventual painting color for the Wheelhouse.
$507,756 in Reserves and $588,681 in Infrastructure Funds (which includes funds from insurance claims for the Wheelhouse).
Delinquent Accounts: The club’s accounts receivable balance as of 10/31/2023 was $857,320.39 with 3 accounts being deemed delinquent for $93,576.03.
Capital Contributions: During the month, the Club had capital contribution funds of $21,000, with three sales.
LMGA: Around the Greens
By Bentley Collins
The 2023/2024 season is well underway and men’s Saturday morning golf is as popular as ever. Landings residents, whether they are homeowners or renters, can join the LMGA for an annual fee. Forms are available at the pro shop. The membership fee is a terrific value and includes a monthly brunch with all the fixings, on the first Saturday of the month.
On December 2nd. the LMGA held its annual general meeting where two board members retired and two new took their place. Outgoing are Carl Cisky and Don Schmitt and incoming are Jay Buckley and Joe Berg. We wish to thank
Carl and Don for their service and make special note of the fact that Don Schmitt has for years arrived early and helped Gary with sign-ins. And Don has agreed to continue this effort even after departing the board!
Another item presented to the annual meeting was a by-law change in format for the LMGA Championship. In the past this event was played in a match play format (hole by hole, mano a mano). But the board felt that this format diminished the field as some members simply do not enjoy it. The presentation at the meeting, while not formally changing the format, changed the by-law wording to allow a board the option to choose whichever format they desire. In all likelihood, the 2024 championship will be a regular medal play event where players will play a series of three rounds of golf with full handicaps and the flight winners will be the club champions. The schedule will probably be played on three consecutive days. The board felt that was the other
issue with getting players to sign up in the past because the schedule played out over as much as eight days.
One of the annual favorite events was played out recently. A full field of players enjoyed a beautiful day on the links for the Guys and Dolls Tournament where an LMGA player partners up with a “doll” for a Better Ball of Partners event. The winners were as follows:
Flight One
First place: Dennis and Nancy Yavorsky with a net score of 53
Tied second: Grover Moore and Annie Rabbitt and Ron and Helen Amy with net scores of 54.
Flight Two
Tied for First: Jim and Ann Murray, Jerry Post and Suzanne McGaulay with net scores of 52.
Second place: Jon and Lynn Cisky with a net score of 54 Congratulations to all the winners and thanks everyone for participating!
Fort Myers Christian Women’s Connection
What: “SAY IT WITH MUSIC” Luncheon
Where: The Helm Club/Main Deck
When: Thursday
January 4, 2024, from 12:00-2:00. Doors open 11:30. The cost is $28 inclusive. Enjoy a delicious Quiche Lorraine, with salad and specialty dessert.
The Silver Bullet
There is no single cause and there is no silver bullet when it comes to chronic complex conditions like chronic joint pain, leaky gut syndrome, neuropathy, and memory and movement disorders. This is why so many healthcare practitioners fall short when addressing their patients with these conditions. They have a reductionist mindset. A one cause, one cure approach. This approach is effective with certain health problems such as an acute infection, anaphylaxis shock, a broken bone, or a subluxated vertebrae pinching a nerve. However, applying this to a patient with a chronic condition does not work and ultimately makes the patient worse while his symptoms are being suppressed.
I’ll never forget the day I took my grandfather to the optometrist. He was in a nursing home at the time after having a stroke, and the eye doctor’s office was across the parking lot. My mother suggested I take him to the appointment. As I pushed him in his wheelchair, he was cracking jokes from the corner of his mouth. When we got to the door, he raised his good arm, and I stopped pushing.
I watched my grandfather fight with all he had pushing on the handles to get himself up out of that wheelchair so
FEATURE: “Songs from a Paper Piano” by Angela SPEAKER: Angela Dittmar, former Nightclub Singer shares
“How she found the song worth singing.” Prepaid Reservations of $28 are required and must be received by 12/28.
No cancellations after this date. Reservations guaranteed upon receipt of payment.
he could walk out the front doors on his own. I worried that he might fall, but I understood his determination. After trying and failing several times, he had to give up. That was it. He knew at that moment he was never leaving this place and I knew it too. Within a year he passed away. That moment is burned into my memory. I’m all in if I can help people avoid experiencing something like that!
We all know we’re going to die one day. If you could put measures into place to reverse, slow down and prevent chronic complex conditions so you are able to live a more robust life, wouldn’t you rather do that instead of finding yourself trapped in your own body at the end of your life? That’s my mission in life. To help people live to the fullest by making those important changes before it’s too late. Dr. Rob Davis, DC is the Best Selling Author of Breaking the Cycle, How to take control of your health when traditional medicine has failed. An Amazon #1 New Release in 3 categories. Call (239) 482-8686 to schedule an appointment.
Send check/s payable to FMWC to Barbara Shields, 9500 Mariners Cove Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
The February 1st luncheon will be the annual fundraiser for Stonecroft with an exciting quarter auction. Make your reservation early by 1/25, and bring quarters. You won’t want to miss the fun! The speaker will be Sylvia Weeks-Wedge.
The luncheons are open to all women, and you are welcome to invite your friends.
Prayer Connection: 01/25/24 - 10 AM - at Burnie Adcock’s home at 11006 Iron Horse Way, FM 33913.
For more information, call Marrikka Stockman 239-2185992, or email to Marrikka.stockman@gmail.com.
Sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries.
Artist: Andrew Libecki
Nine-Holers: Let Fall Fun and Festivities Begin
By Michele Cavanagh
Our first November event was a true Hitter Out Scramble. There was some real strategizing to determine whose ball you would take knowing that only 3 people could hit each shot, including the drives.
The following week featured our Fall Harvest Brunch and a scramble with the ability to purchase sandies and mulligans. The committee of Carol Smith, Cindy Brown, Susan Cope and Darlene Katz ensured that we had a fabulous brunch that included everyone’s favorite, French Toast. The team worked together with Cookie Smith to decorate the room. One winner at each table got to take the centrepiece home under the leadership of Carol Cisky. The 9-Holers collected food and cash donations to go towards the Gladiolus Food Pantry.
Our second event in November was a Count All Putts Scramble. In this event, anytime a player used a putter, it was added to the team’s score. Some groups had considerably more
LLGA-18 Ladies Golf Happenings!
By Mary Ann Spry
Our Wednesday golf days have been a challenge with “Mr. Weather” bringing rain and cold when we are used to warm and sun. Perhaps the New Year will be more accommodating as our schedule is filled again with much variety.
A BIG THANK YOU to Diane Giebner and Marty Roemer for all the work they put in to the “Affair,” when the sky broke open with only 6 holes completed, and the sirens called everyone in. However, the lunch was a hit with all members and “Affair” guests providing time to linger and get to know our golfer friend
Marty and Diane
Resident ladies can join our league any time during the year, and this month we welcome Lisa Cates to our Wednesday morning league. We look forward to getting to know you and the opportunity to play golf together.
Our “Blind Draw” game was most interesting, as the Pro picked our partners while we were actively playing. All the while we were hoping we would get a great scoring partner and tried to do our best for the person with whom we would be paired. The team winning “First” in this event was Cathy Carley and Judy Greenwood after a very cold and windy round.
Our neighbor golf course, “7 Lakes Country Club,” is hosting their annual invitational which has always been a tremendous tournament in the past. There are nine LLGA-18 members going to meet the challenge. Ladies from 8 to 10 different clubs will be playing together. The LEGA of the month for January will be at Six Lakes Country Club.
It is nice to see many of the 18 Hole League members play in other Landings tournaments throughout the year. One of the most fantastic events just held to promote and raise funds for Junior Golf is The Pro-Am. In the future, don’t be afraid to sign up to play with a Pro. These gentlemen are so much fun to play with and WOW can they hit the ball!!!! Nancy Nowak and I were paired up with LMG member Walter Duncan &
putts than others as a variety of strategies were applied. None of us could beat Mary Saenger for the closest to the pin on Hole Number One this week as she got a hole-in-one.
Congratulations!
Finally, we closed the month off with a Play Your Own Ball game. However, there was a twist in scoring as only the odd holes were counted on the front 9 and only the even holes were counted on the back 9.
did not know which holes were being scored until after
Thank you to our November
and Joan Zerolis!
Chase Marinell, a Pro who had started one of the Suncoast Jr. Golf programs. It was quite a day!!! Have A Very Happy New Year Everyone!
One of Cookie Smith’s beautiful centrepieces and the recipe for our festive drink
Fall Harvest Committee from Left to right: Cindy Brown, Cookie Smith, Darlene Katz and Susan Cope
Players
the round.
hostesses Mary Greenberg
Pro- Am
Attending the Dec. 5th Invitational at Seven Lakes are Susie Scharber, Belinda Stacey, Linda Tucker, Jo Wagner, MaryAnn Spry, Linda Francis, Liz Welsh, Nancy Nowak, and Lynne Denk.
RISE TO A NEW VIEW
SHELL POINT
Within one of their most sought-after neighborhoods, Shell Point introduces 59 new waterfront independent living residences featuring stunning coastal views of the Caloosahatchee River and Sanibel Island.
“GET TO KNOW” VISTA CAY!
Explore Vista Cay and its gracious amenities. Visit MeetVistaCay.org or call (239) 466-1131 to schedule a personal appointment with a retirement counselor.
NOW ACCEPTING PRIORITY DEPOSITS
Learn more at MeetVistCay.org or call 1-800-780-1131 or (239) 466-1131.
Shell Point is located along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida, just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
Holiday Concert And Tree Lighting Ceremony
By Kathy Striggow
another opportunity to toast the holidays. Revelers sang Christmas carols, enjoyed a scrumptious outdoor holiday buffet, donated toys and clothing for children, and ‘ooohed and aaahed’ when the tree’s lights were illuminated. Throw in free admission to the event and you have an evening of holiday spirit and community celebration here in Landings Paradise. And there wasn’t even any snow necessary for effect.
According to Doug
Marcotte, Landings General Manager, approximately 400 partygoers attended the event, jointly sponsored this year by LYGTC, LTPA, and LYC. The Landings again partnered with the Iona McGregor Fire District for the toy and clothing drive to bring some added Christmas cheer to children who are in need in our district.
Complimentary hot cider and holiday cookies were available for snackers, or if you were in the mood for something more substantial, a full-blown holiday buffet was available for purchase. Entertainment for the event was provided by Robert Holifield, The Doug Cameron Family, and the FGCU Jazz Orchestral Ensemble. The celebration of holiday music in a variety of sounds and styles added spice to the already festive atmosphere.
Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s event. Rockefeller Center has nothing on The Landings’ celebration!
MONDAY,
The Landings is the D.E.L.T.A.
Del·ta: The difference between a set of variables
The mission of Lee County High School Girls Invitational remains the same: Supporting, developing and enhancing tennis programs and athletes in Lee County & surrounding areas
The overwhelming support of The Landings community and our sponsors have enabled us to offer the D.E.L.T.A. grant in 2023 and we are poised to offer it once again in 2024.
The Landings community support is the foundation of our success and as such, the leadership is continually looking at ways to improve the tournament for maximum “fun & excitement” potential. Our goal is for all to come out and enjoy the matches and other tournament activities. This year, there will be a special guest component that will be sure to attract many of you… but we can’t get into that just yet. Maybe, by the time this is published we’ll have spilled the beans, and the buzz will be out.
We have listened and responded to feedback that the tournament lacks the competitiveness which creates the best watching atmosphere. This is where Bella found that UTR Sports is the perfect intersection of opportunity and support; we need to meet both our goals with The Landings community and players. The UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) program uses a global rating system to ensure players get true level-based play in their matches. In turn, UTR offers college recruiters a tool to help them narrow the field of players that are prospects. For these reasons, players working to be that recruit are attracted to UTR events. It’s a WIN-WIN for us. The beauty of it all is that by opening the invitational to
LDI NG
competitive players well-beyond our local public schools, the proceeds from our event will continue to be directed ONLY to the Lee County public schools’ programs. 2023 D.E.L.T.A. Grant Award Recipients: Ida Baker High School and Mariner’s High School. Both could not be more appreciative of Landings support.
If you’re interested in participating as a Business Sponsor or a Resident Patron, please contact Laurie Hamilton at lauriejhamilton@icloud.com. There will also be lots of opportunities to help at the event and of course, dig out your pom poms and get ready to cheer all athletes on.
We THANK YOU for your continued support!
Tennis Corner
By Joan Davison
It’s great to see so many tennis players back on the courts! Lee County tennis leagues are back in full swing.
Believe it or not, I actually wore leggings and a down-vest to play when the temperature hit only 50° F.
With the increase in players trying to find court time, especially in January when we get into high season, the Tennis Committee voted to make changes to alleviate difficulties associated with Feed-In and Wait-to-Play. Also, they are gathering information about court utilization. These changes will be implemented for a 60-day trial period:
Courts 1 and 2 will remain Feed-In. Players on Courts 3 to 8 may play for one hour, starting at 8:00 AM, and changing over on the hour (9:00 AM and 10:00 AM) when there are four players waiting on that court.
Some key features of this test are:
- Players need not change scorecards
- Players need not move from court to court, “Prospecting”
- Players on the courts before 8:00AM must relinquish the court to a waiting group at 8:00AM
- Courts 1 and 2 may be occupied by a foursome as Wait-toPlay, but must immediately accommodate any request to Feed-In
- The tennis staff will monitor courts to gather information during the trial period and report it to the Tennis Committee at its February and March meetings.
Over the years, the committee received numerous complaints and spent many meetings trying to figure out what to do. We appreciate everyone helping us with this experiment!
Barb Peirson received some exciting news in November about our Tennis Ball Recycling Program. She and her husband, David, started the program a few years ago and now it’s funded and run by Jeff and Debbie Coolman. The RecycleBalls Team let her know that we were approaching 25,000 balls recycled. Barb says we’re probably at 26,000 as of this writing! The average size of a tennis ball is 2.6” so 26,000 balls would stretch 12.8 miles if laid down, side by side. As the people at RecycleBalls wrote, “Your commitment to the environment and passion for tennis truly make a difference. You and your players are making a positive impact!” Way to go Landings tennis!!
As the opening of our new office draws near, the entire team is looking forward to rejoining our clients and friends on the islands and welcoming you to a beautiful new home for us all.
In the meantime, we are here to help. Call us at 239.472.8300.
Patio Event Space
Lobby
Lonza Bartlett in Concert A Celebration of Thanks and Music
By Kathy Striggow
“What a voice!” “A Fabulous Concert!” These were just some of the comments heard from the audience as they left the Main Deck Sunday, Nov. 19th. The LTPA hosted the incomparable Lonza Bartlett concert, A Celebration of Thanks and Music, benefiting the Gladiolus Food Pantry. If you missed this extraordinary event, you might want to think twice about attending if there is a next time.
Lonza Bartlett is the consummate performer. Those of us who have lived in The Landings know that fact. We are
LTPA: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Save the Date!!
Landings Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies, break out your crowns and armor, and get ready for two days of medieval fun on the Tennis, Pickleball and Bocce courts.
On January 26 we will feast and on January 27 we will play! The team composition will be determined by a Royal Draft on or about January 19 (streaming rights are still being negotiated with ESPN).
Registration details for the Feast and Games will be coming after the holidays from LTPAFUN.org. There will be separate registrations for the feast and the games.
incredibly fortunate that Lonza shares his gift with us several times each year. But beyond that, he gave us an intimate look of Lonza, beyond the performer. He introduced us to his family. He gave us an inside view of his tender years, his family life, his history, and his road to becoming lead singer of The Platters, one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock & roll era.
There is no question his voice soars above the band, and his vocals are simply magnificent. As if that wasn’t enough, Lonza brought his aunt and uncle on stage and sang with them. What phenomenal voices the family has! Between the Temptations’ songs, the Platters’ songs, and gospel music, I was immediately transported back to high school.
In the second half of the show, Lonza dressed like
Michael Jackson, and when he broke into “Billie Jean,” I could have sworn the late singer was at the microphone. The audience chair-danced, sang along, and even held back tears as the emotions emitting from the stage were so moving when Lonza sang with his family members.
Do not miss the opportunity to see Lonza when he is performing in the area. We are incredibly blessed to call him one of The Landings’ own.
Nina Burt, OD
Kate Wagner, OD Yasaira Rodriguez, MD
Lonza with his aunt and uncle
Lonza or Michael Jackson?
Village News
Ariel, Clipper Cove, Flagship, Harbortown, Lighthouse, Longboat, Mariner’s Cove, Riverside, Schooner, Steamboat Bend, Steamboat Bend East, Sunset Cove, Sunset Harbor, Trawler, Windjammer
Steamboat Bend East
“And now, let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Santa’s head Irish Elf, Jack Hester, gathered several of Santa’s helpers together to make pleasant work of decorating the SBE 4100 building. A short evening walk is a nice way to discover the dream decorations by the pool and the other buildings in our neighborhood. Many hands made short work of making SBE an inviting place to visit, whether the visit is from friends and family, or from Santa.
Carol Cummins callifleur1955@gmail.com
In early December, SBE friends and family celebrated Greg Podczaski’s 70th Birthday at the Helm Club. Greg made a presentation taking us through his 7 decades on this earth.
Sunset Cove
We have all heard the saying, “out with the old, in with the new.” A few months back, Judy Barry showed me pictures of the “old” Sunset Cove. It truly made me realize how far our village has come.
Sunset Harbor
WOW! What a Holiday Season! As I expected there were no parties anywhere and no one was drinking, singing, dancing, or carrying on! Fortunately, several residents saw an influx of no see UMMS approaching the village, but Norma & Tim have trained our resident lizards to eat them, so we avoided a major catastrophe once again.
helpers included Dianne Hester, Di and Jim Raymond, Mary Kay
David
Marie
Jim
Tim Kratz, Ian Wilson and Austin Bowis. Diane and Casey Homick, not pictured, but lent a helping hand.
More good news from Jane Johnson in North Carolina. Her granddaughter, Catherine, a meteorologist has competed in a Sprint triathlon and a 10K.
Jane Johnson and her son Wayne Johnson working on “Wayne’s Brew” and granddaughters, Catherine, Carrie and Christine.
Catherine and sister Carrie threw a surprise wedding shower for their sister, Christine, who is planning a wedding for 2025, hoping that Jane will be there to shed a few tears. Jane’s son, Wayne, will be driving Jane back home on Christmas Day and promises a sampling of “Wayne’s Brew” before leaving North Carolina.
Ron Thompson and Greg Errard have completed quite a lot of work on what our future needs will be, and we thank them for that! Change is a journey, and it can sometimes be hard. There will be financial changes for our village, but the results will be more than worth it. Some of these increases are driven solely by inflation.
As we enter this New Year, some things stay the same. Remember, Sunday Fundays at the pool every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Bring your own drinks, own meat and a dish to pass. Cleaning up after yourself is still the same. Please remember to put down any umbrellas that you put up and clean the grill after yourself. The refrigerator will be cleaned out every Thursday so please take your personal items out if you do not want them thrown away. Thanks in advance for your help keeping the pool area clean!
9900 building was built in 1992, 9901 building (pictured) was in 1993
Then there are some things that change. That includes our Sunset Cove board. The new officers are Greg Errard, President, Helen Vodicka, Vice President, Steve Osborne, Treasurer, Liz Magill, Secretary, and Roberta Nuti, Director at Large. A big shout out to Ron Thompson for his amazing four years of service to our community!
I also would like to invite all the Ladies in Sunset Cove to a “Girls Night” on January 16th at 5:00 p.m. Watch for a flyer near the elevators for details on this event! Hoping everyone can join in! Happy New Year to all!
To start the New Year off, I thought it would be helpful to remind everyone about the power of the human mind.
After several meetings with Gary Mizzi, Mike Schulte and Christy Eyre, we decided to consult Sue McGinnis, better known as the tutor extraordinaire! Sue told us to use the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) narrative. When questioned about its true meaning, Sue explained that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Pete was not convinced so he referred to a college study.
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in what order the ltteers in a word are. The only iprmoetnt thing is that the first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can still raed it wouthhit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe.
Looking back at America’s favorite pastime, Baseball, we all remember two of Yogi Berra’s famous quotes. “It ain’t over, till it’s over” and “Ninety percent of this game is half mental.” We often forget some of his other memorable words of wisdom. In 1964, while managing the Yankees, Yogi told reporters “You can observe a lot by watching.” And when Johnny Bench broke Yogi’s home run record for a catcher, he sent Johnny a telegram “I knew the record would stand until it was broken.”
Laugh, smile and have a wonder-filled, happy and healthy 2024!
Trawler
Trawler Village Celebrates
Holiday Season and Gold Medal
Thanksgiving Dinner
We all celebrated this holiday in several ways, staying home for dinner, going out to dinner, and the community dinner. This year, Trawler held its Thanksgiving celebration at poolside. According to Rick Jerr, “A family atmosphere was shared at Thanksgiving dinner held at the Trawler Pool.”
Organizers Cheryl Box, Mary Lou Longworth, and Vicki Lino provided perfectly roasted and juicy turkeys, served with Vicki Lino’s piping hot mashed potatoes. All the Thanksgiving fare was present including homemade stuffing,
and homemade
out the feast!”
Santa’s
Ohara,
DiRosa,
Giambalvo,
Kratz,
Denise Schulze sunsetcovenews@gmail.com
Sunset Cove today
Greg Podczaski celebrating 70 years, Dianne and Jack Hester, Jane and Peter Dahlin at the Helm Garden Room Celebration.
Liyi Chen and Pete Gaffney petergaffney8899@yahoo.com
Gary, Mike & Christy
Sue McGinnis powering up her coffee maker
Yogi Berra
tender green beans, cranberry sauce, creamy gravy,
pies rounding
Al & Patti Palumbo thealster6@gmail.com
Trawler Participated in Landings Chorus Holiday Concert
Trawler Village is proud that some of its own members participated in the Landings Chorus Holiday Concert held at the Helm Club 11/28 and 11/29. Thank you very much to Pat Daniels and Mary Lou Longworth. Patti and I attended the concert and our Landings Chorus put on a great show. We had a great time, as did everyone in attendance.
Granddaughter (Great Niece) wins Gold Medal for USA Patti and I had the opportunity to watch the Gran Prix in Figure Skating with my sister Annette Ziegler. Annette is the grandmother of Ava Ziegler who is a figure skater on the USA team. Ava is also our great niece, and it was sensational watching her skate on national TV. Ava was in 5th place after the short program. and remarkably, she made up all the ground in the long program and won the Gold!
According to Annette, “I am so proud and happy for my granddaughter, Ava Marie Ziegler, who recently won a gold medal in ice skating at the Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan. She is on Team U.S.A., and she works very hard at conditioning and training so that she is competition ready for these challenges. Go Ava! We hope she makes it to the 2026 Winter Olympics.”
Windjammer
New Year – Exciting Hobbies
Sharyl Leifeld & Stacey Gossmann staceygossmann@comcast.net
Happy New Year to all Windjammers, guests, family members, visitors…we look forward to meeting you all soon at one of our Gazebo parties! As of this writing we are preparing our traditional chili cookout party held during our December meetings. Windjammer has many transplants from northern and Midwestern states, also many Canadians and even some Europeans. What do these members have in common? Many have discovered The Landings, an oasis in our region, but specifically its location in Florida, a southern and warmer state! Ask almost any Windjammer and they will share their enthusiasm for our warm (and not too warm) climate. And then there are those notable exceptions…
As I made my round of tables at our November meeting as usual, I always ask about news, especially birthdays,
since 2010 (licensed, bonded and
anniversaries, personal and family milestones, trips, cruises, etc. Imagine my amazement at meeting Hans Lang – who loves cold weather and is headed this March to Austria. Of course Austria is a history rich country, full of art and museums, and a popular European destination. Yet Hans is headed to this central European country not for its culture (although he’ll be experiencing much of that too!), but rather for its climate and most of all for its SNOW. Hans is a member of Southwest Florida’s Naples Ski Club – the largest club in Florida! That’s right – a ski club in Florida. And this is an exceptional club. They are a part of the Florida Ski Council, with 15 member clubs and opportunities to meet many other skiers from Florida on their FSC trips.
Hans Lang
Where do Floridians ski? Anywhere they want to! The Naples Ski Club is also an active social club, based in Naples and serving all of Southwest Florida; from Marco Island to Bonita Springs, Estero, Ft. Myers, and beyond! When they’re not hitting the slopes, they keep busy kayaking, boating, golfing, biking, bowling, partying, and doing all they can to stay active and have fun.
So there you have it – skiing in Florida!
Ariel
Welcome and Happy New Year 2024 to Landings Residents!
as it was supposed to be created. I love what Cathy does for us. She is amazing and can do almost anything.
Come to Ariel and view all these wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah and Holiday decorations. It certainly will be memorable.
Kudos to Susie Duca, Cathy Kimble, Manager J.T., Maintenance Staff, and all those who helped!
Clipper Cove
On The Water
Al and Teri Fansler cruised on the Journey with the Baysdens (Longboat Village) aboard the Sapphire to
Marathon Key for Thanksgiving. They traveled through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and Jupiter before cutting across the state along Lake Okeechobee and returning to the Landings. The couples spent two nights at Marathon Key where they enjoyed a wonderful seafood Thanksgiving dinner at Florida Steak and Lobster. In Miami, their anchorage had a beautiful view of the Miami skyline, and they were treated to a fireworks display. Great friends, great fun, and great memories.
BIRTH
Angie and Jeff Leonard have a new grandson, Pierce Hayes Bonser. He was ten days late and had quite the arrival. He is adorable, healthy, and perfect in every way.
ANNIVERSARY
Dennis and Dana Hahn recently celebrated 42 years!
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
This is a New Year and a New Day for us all to find “Peace, Love, Friendship, and Kindness.” Over 22 Ariel women, owners, friends, and family, led by Susie Duca, have all been hard at work since November--sorting, cleaning, and fixing our old decorations of the past, buying new ones to add for this season, and creating a wonderful setting for now and our future holiday seasons.
Ariel’s Lobby and Atrium is shining “Bright” with all of our new, saved and repaired holiday decorations from many years.
Chris Erwin cerwin.home@gmail.com
Ariel’s husbands are getting into the Holiday spirit. Gary Helyer and Skip Messinger provided over two dozen large poinsettias to our 1st floor lobby and 2nd floor Atrium. All are beautiful and perfectly placed, reaching out to visitors as they enter the 1st floor with our Koi Pond, and 2nd floor Atrium, to view the holiday decorations around the Sail Fountain and Flying Frigates.
Prancing Illuminated Reindeer in the midst of Illuminated Trees, sparkle in the night with an Elf keeping watch.
“On Dasher, on Dancer on…. Oh, we only have one reindeer? However, the Ariel reindeer is beautiful, and spectacular! Children (and adults) get chill bumps seeing these special illuminated trees and reindeer and especially the elf who is the “Reindeer Guardian.”
The newest addition to Ariel’s Holiday Decorations is a Beautiful Winter Wonderland Village, donated for display by Mark and Tracie Ratay. Amazing and Truly Wonderful.
The most amazing feat of this holiday decoration is only one person is responsible for searching through the boxes of village pieces and assembling the entire village. Cathy Kimble spent hours going through each and every small part of this village collection and setting it up
Bill and Donna Dowdney decorated our village with multicolored lights. Thanks for brightening our Christmas. SEASON OF GIVING
Clipper Cove residents are supporting The Landings United Way campaign which benefits thousands of people in our community. Landings has a goal of $50,000. Please join us as we step up to the challenge. Any questions call Ann Hedges at 585-737-8065.
Flagship
New Year, new reporter! Pattie Parrett is taking over the news desk for Flagship. Many thanks to Jean Hokana and Chicky Longobardi for their excellence in reporting our news over the years.
Our residents did a phenomenal job brightening up everyone’s holiday season with a spectacular light show and sparkling decorations. Kudos to our electrician, John Fusinetti, who performed miracles with our neverending electrical challenges, and a huge THANK YOU to all those who worked tirelessly to create a fabulous display of holiday magic.
We all enjoyed a scrumptious meal and camaraderie at our Flagship Christmas Party at the Helm Club on December 2nd.
Marlyn Teeter graced us with a Christmas blessing and beautiful rendition of “O Holy Night.” A good time was had by all!
our
This month we
and
Maisie Seiverling maisieseiverling@yahoo.com
Patti Parrett
Naples Ski Club
celebrate
residents from around the world. James
Nicola Dearman (4600) hail from “across the pond.” They were both raised in England, and homestead Villages on page 13
The beautiful Sapphire
Angie Leonard and Baby Pierce
Clipper Cove Lights
Flagship Christmas Party
Villages from page 12
What a thoughtful act. Thank you, Dorothy, we all appreciate your kindness.
James and Nicola Dearman
and Pat
in the Putney area of London, site of the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat races. Nicola grew up spending her summers at the historic Bamburgh Castle, and both she and James would stay there over the years with their two boys. Both boys were born in Sotogrande, Spain, where the family lived for 7 years, and where James and Nicola worked in financial services in Gibraltar. As avid tennis enthusiasts, they enjoy attending the Wimbledon tennis tournament, which is just a stone’s throw away from home. Here at The Landings, you will see them on the pickleball courts and golf course. While Nicola also enjoys tennis, James prefers to stay in shape swimming laps at the Helm pool. Some of you seasoned residents might remember Nicola’s mum, Pam Callings, one of the original owners here at Flagship! They say, “love will find a way.” Tony and Pat Beliso (4604) also came from halfway around the world. Tony was born and raised in the Philippines. Pat was born in Guam and moved to the Philippines shortly after. They met through a family friend and dated in high school. After graduation, they went their separate ways, Tony to Vancouver, Canada, to pursue a career as a union negotiator for hospital employees, Pat to California, to work in management for Del Monte Foods. It wasn’t until 35-40 years later that they re-connected through a mutual friend. After a long-distance relationship, Pat moved to Vancouver, and they were married in 2006. In 2011, Pat came to The Landings to care for her mom, Luisa “Tita” Lippincott, and the couple moved permanently to The Landings in 2014. They both enjoy tennis, are perfecting their golf game and spend summers at their second home in Hawaii.
Longboat
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had wonderful holidays and safe travels.
Meet your Longboat Board Members: Michele Steudte, Director, who has been a member of Longboat since 2006. Alan Power, VP/Treasurer, has been a member of Longboat since 2021.
Missing from the photo is Werner Diersch
John Naifeh, who has been a member of Longboat since 2015, is President. Secretary, Joe Teale, has been a member of Longboat since 2021. Finally, Werner Diersch is also a Director. Werner has been a member since 2022.
A hearty thanks to all condo Board members for all their hard work on behalf of our village. Kudos to you for not raising our maintenance fees this year.
Hole in One: On November 7, Peggy Gilbert, who has played golf for many years, got a hole in one on Hole #11. Peggy was delighted that she was able to share that experience with visiting friends, and with our own Lindy Worrell, who graciously took the picture.
Cruising’ – January is LYC’s “Love Boat” Celebrity Apex cruise. Longboat has several couples joining this cruise. I look forward to sharing their experiences on this 7-day Caribbean cruise in the March Happy Landings’ issue.
Mark your Calendars – The first Longboat pool party of the new year will be on January 22, 2024, at the Longboat pool. Most of our snowbirds should have returned by then, and it will be an exciting time to mingle and share holiday stories.
A Final Farewell to Barry Burns
On November 17th, a former longtime resident of Longboat, Barry Burns, passed away peacefully at the age of 84. Barry and wife Jane lived in Longboat for twenty years before relocating to Cypress Cove. They remained social members at The Landings and continued to enjoy their many friends here.
their power boat, “Moon Dance,” and they were regular attendees at lunch bunch LYC outings. He also loved sailing and was a member of the Ft. Myers Sailing Club.
Barry’s passions extended beyond the amenities. He and Jane have been members of The Landings Chorus for more than a decade, and Barry regularly baked cookies for everyone at rehearsals. He was an avid reader, photographer, and cook, and he coordinated a men’s gourmet cooking club with several couples in various villages. If you didn’t know Barry in one of these roles, you couldn’t miss him walking with one of the Burns’ beloved golden retrievers.
Our sympathies go out to his family including Jane, his devoted wife of 58 years, son, Geoffrey, daughter Jennifer, and 3 grandchildren. We look forward to Jane’s continued presence in The Landings as she is choosing to remain in Florida rather than heading north to Massachusetts. Rest in peace, Barry.
Please remember that everyone in Longboat has a story. If you would like to share personal experiences, family news, travel plans or recaps, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or if you have a story that you would like to share, please reach out to me.
Mariner’s Cove
Ginny Minarchi with her lovely daughter, Julie
The Minarchi’s beautiful daughter, Julie, was married November 5th in Long Beach Island, NJ.
Pat Benner patharben@aol.com
Christy and Wes Fitz are proud to announce that Ziggy Fitz graduated from Beginner School! Betty & Tom Marshall moved to Mariner’s Cove Village December 2001 from Sabal Springs where they had lived for 3 years. They also lived in Cape Coral 2 years, and 12 ½ years in St. James City. They moved to Florida in 1986 from Huntsville, AL
Mark Bornstein, a Landings resident from Ariel, reached out to me and asked that I share a kindness that really touched him. He walked to Publix and thought that he could make it there and back without a problem. When he got to the main gate of The Landings, he started to struggle with his groceries. Many people just passed him by before an angel, Dorothea Bastian, a longtime Longboat resident, saw him, stopped, and asked him if he needed a ride.
Ann Power annpower103@gmail.com
Barry was tall in stature, spirit, service, and influence, and was youthful right to the end. His professional career was in human relations, he was a naval officer, and he travelled to Europe, Italy, and Japan. In The Landings, he was known as President of the Longboat Board. As President of the Landings Board, he guided it through a tumultuous period in the administration.
Barry participated in and contributed to all The Landings amenities. He played golf, was on a tennis team, and supported the Bush Tournament summer program. He and Jane enjoyed
Christy and Ziggy Fitz
Betty worked as a hair stylist for 15 ½ years and then, for 15 ½ years, joined Tom to work as the first female at Pittsburg Plate Glass where they made aircraft windshields. Tom, who worked there for 17 years, ran a machine to defrost and defog windshields.
The Marshalls married in Newport, KY on March 9, 1960; right after Tom coached his last basketball game for the Cincinnati Royals. He played for 5 years, 2 in the military, and was a player/coach for half a year and a coach for 1 year. Tom was the number 1 draft choice for the Rochester Royals in 1954, moved with them when they became the Cincinnati Royals, was traded to the Detroit Pistons, and then back to Cincinnati.
After the Marshalls married, they bought a bar in Newport, KY which they ran for 3 ½ years. They moved to Ardmore, TN to care for Tom’s mother and father for 5 ½ years and then moved to Huntsville.
Betty and Tom were boaters and fishermen in St. James City
Timothy & Andrea Egan, 9509
Cove Lane, 303885-5763 & 303-347-0033
Rachel & Jeffrey Goldberg, 9509 Mariners Cove Lane, 954-609-0432 & 954-662-8348
• John & Celinda Jackson, 4446 Crossjack Court #11A, 410493-4595 & 443-867-0517
• Paul Marsan & Maria Alvelo, 4478 W. Mainmast Court, 617-605-7285 & 975-758-2803
• Kevin McDermott, 4386 Jib Boom Court #1D, 217-416-0460
• John Mokarzel, 4379 Jib Boom Court #2B, 207-807-2242
Tony
Beliso in Sausalito, California
Michele Steudte, Alan Power, John Naifeh, Joe Teale.
Peggy Gilbert at Hole #11
Villages on page 14
The Cookie Man, Barry Burns
Villages from page 13
and in MCV. They both took up golf. Betty sold 57 of her oil paintings and Tom discovered the art of Intarsia, making many beautiful pieces of woodworking and continues to work on jigsaw puzzles up to 1,000 pieces.
This couple has been a delight in our community, all the way back to the days when Tom had a keg of beer in his front room where all would congregate after golf.
Riverside
Of course, that means that many of us here are “growing up” and some are sadly leaving the Village to live near family in the north. Most recently we bid fond farewell to Tom and Mary Ann McGuigan as they headed to their home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois.
Linda Tucker added some very colorful ornaments to the pool house, as well as two handmade soldiers at the entrance of Schooner.
Did you know Riverside has more participants in the Landings Chorus than any other village? The Landings Chorus presented its annual Christmas Concert Nov. 28 & 29 in the Main Deck. This year’s concert, “A Very Merry Christmas,” included Riverside pianists Joe Labuta and Diana Mitchell, and singers, Joan Davison, Craig & Karen Reitan, Tom & Beverly Sheehan, Kelli Vestal, Mary Pat Willis, and Sherry & John Winters.
Kathleen Striggow kathleensstriggow@gmail.com
Attendees were “wowed” by the talents of Joe and Diana as they played two pianos in tandem for several selections, and by the quality and range of the vocalists. Many holiday favorites were included in the selections including Breath of Heaven, Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, and the Hallelujah Chorus. Our chorus members appreciated the number of Riversiders present, supporting and enjoying the talent of their neighbors.
Anne Rabbitt demonstrated her driving prowess with her hole-in-one on Nov. 21st at hole No. 1. Congratulations Anne!
The annual Riverside Holiday Party was held Dec. 4th in the Main Deck. Eighty-five Riversiders attended the gala, dressed in their holiday finery. As guests arrived, they mixed and mingled while enjoying cocktails and appetizers. Riverside President, Don Simon, welcomed the group with opening remarks before passing the microphone to Fred Garner, who offered the blessing. A delicious dinner prepared by Head Chef, Richard Schultz, was followed by peppermint cheesecake.
The party’s theme, Christmas in Paradise, was carried throughout the room and the decorations. Rather than the traditional red and green Christmas colors, Marilee Simon and her creative social committee “flocked” the room in pink flamingos wearing Santa hats. The table centerpieces were stunning feathery flamingos holding flamingo Christmas tree ornaments for each person at the table.
Music was provided by local group, Just for Fun. Marilee Simon announced the door prize winners and four 50/50 drawing winners of $100 each. Following closing remarks, the party continued with after-dinner drinks and dancing to tunes ranging from slow, romantic to the Beatles. A fun time was had by all!
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and joyous New Year!
Schooner
Ric & Mary Wilson-Tauson rooesq@juno.com
As of December first, most of our snowbirds have returned and Schooner is once again a thriving, lively community. Thanks to Margie and Dennis Nahnsen and newcomers, Deb and Gus Gustafson, our first pool party was held to celebrate Thanksgiving early. Jackie Wagner keeps the monthly ladies’ birthday luncheons going with the November gathering marking Shirley Rasmussen’s 98th birthday!
A book club in the village held its first meeting of the season at Mary Wilson-Tauson’s and decided to expand its size to 18 interested folks! Family and friends have also been visiting and it is a particular joy for those of us who have been in the village for a long time to watch our neighbors’ children and their children growing up and visiting.
Santa’s helpers were out in force on the morning of November 25th. Though we didn’t get a photo, the gals who helped included Deb Gustafson, Annie Fox, Linda Tucker, Nancy Sims, Mary Wilson, Jan Perkett, Sheila Remillard, Michele Shepherd and Deb Lawrie. This group fluffed garland and bows and positioned them on 52 lamp posts. The beautiful new bows were courtesy of Trish Thomas, who made them all.
Hugh Sims helps Perkins’ grandsons rig their fishing poles.
The guys had a job to do, too. Doug Nelson, John Thomas and Hank Lawrie were quite a team as they wrapped the trees with light strands throughout the village. Hank and Deb were grateful to each and every person who helped, as well as others who offered.
Jonnie Ockerlund, Shirley Rasmussen, Mary WilsonTauson, Nancy Sims, Sharen Schornstein and Donna Riggs bidding farewell to Mary Ann McGuigan.
Great job and a fun way to kick off the holiday season!
As we celebrate the season, we are mindful of the wonderful village we live in welcoming new residents and cherishing memories of those who have moved north due to increasing challenges of health and age such as Ken and Elaine Willis and Tom and Mary Ann McGuigan.
Betty and Tom Marshall
Kelli Vestal
Table Centerpieces
November Birthdays
Dear friend,
“I Just Don’t Believe That…”
When I meet people in town, they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re that doctor with the beard on TV.” Well, perhaps I should tell you a little more about myself, the picture from television and why I use it in my ads.
Let’s start with me, the guy with the beard. Ten years ago I was living here in Florida. At that time my mother was down visiting from New Jersey for the season when she showed up in my clinic with a frozen shoulder. She was desperate and in pain having lost practically all use of her dominant arm. She could hardly fix her hair, reach for a coffee cup or even fasten her brassiere. Basic hygiene had become extremely difficult for her. She was afraid, because the two orthopedic surgeons that she had consulted told her, “Your only option is to have your shoulder replaced.” I remember saying to my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
Now at that time I was a chiropractor who worked primarily on the spine. Frankly… I didn’t know how I was going to help her. I just knew there was a nonsurgical solution out there and I was going to find it.
And boy did I find it! I found the answer to my mother’s shoulder problem and much, much more. And where did I find it? Of all places, I found it at the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi. Immediately I hopped on a plane and flew into Memphis, rented a car and drove out to a chiropractic neurologist who was willing to teach me how to fix my mother’s frozen shoulder. I spent three days in his clinic shadowing him, learning a new technique I had never even heard about before. Eager to help my mother, I developed this new skill set quickly. When I returned to Florida I wanted to be able to immediately fix my mother’s shoulder.
And that’s exactly what happened. After I performed the first Non-Surgical Operation on her shoulder, her pain went away significantly and she recovered to nearly full range of motion. She was so happy that she avoided surgery and got her life back.
It’s strange how life is, because that same doctor who showed me how to fix my mother’s shoulder opened up his treasure chest of knowledge and showed me how to help people with chronic knee, neck, low back pain and those suffering with neuropathy in their hands and feet, all without the use of Drugs, Surgery or Injections.
I spent the next several months flying back and forth to Mississippi learning all that I could.
Many years later we now have over one thousand successful patient testimonials. Many of them were told by their doctors that their only option was to have their knee or shoulder replaced or to take toxic drugs for the rest of their lives to mask their neuropathy symptoms.
Al was one of those patients who was told he had ‘bone on bone’ degeneration. His knee stopped unlocking properly, similar to what I’m describing in the photo, and he was facing knee replacement surgery. He was suffering from chronic degenerative knee pain, couldn’t walk properly and was easily holding onto 60 pounds of excess body weight. His doctors would have eagerly scheduled him for a knee replacement surgery had he decided to go in that direction.
Immediately after the Non-Surgical Operation I performed on Al’s knee, he was squatting and walking up and down the stairs normally without pain.
Al is now in his early 70s touring Alaska in his RV. He has dropped over 60 pounds and is biking 15 - 20 miles per day and loving life. He regularly sends me great pictures from his adventures.
Joyce was told by her oncologist, “There’s nothing that can be done.” She would have to live with the chemo-induced neuropathy in her hands and feet. Hot and cold were indistinguishable and the numbness and tingling made it impossible for her to walk any distance.
Joyce was a cancer survivor only to have come out on the other side with another debilitating condition. She and her husband showed up in my clinic and told me what their medical doctor had said. I told her the same thing I told my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
After a thorough neurological examination and report of findings she trusted me enough to follow my protocols. Within two weeks her numbness and tingling in her feet subsided and the feeling was coming back.. After 12 weeks she was feeling the sand between her toes as she walked along the beach again. At her one year checkup Joyce’s sensory loss had improved over 80% overall to within the normal range… She is all smiles these days!
You should know that I don’t heal anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific non-surgical operation that resets the communication between the brain and knee or shoulder, instantly decreasing pain and inflammation, increasing strength and flexibility and helping with tissue healing. For our neuropathy patients we have a 4 step, proven approach that heals your nerves and reverses your symptoms. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!
Today in the United States medical doctors are prescribing more drugs than ever before. These drugs are designed to cover up symptoms as your condition gets worse underneath the surface. The toxicity from the daily use of these chemicals ultimately leads to nasty side-effects and more drugs to treat the new symptoms. The current “healthcare” system was built to maintain your condition, not fix it. It’s a brilliant business model for the pharmaceutical industry and the hospitals, but a horrible strategy to follow if one is looking to age gracefully.
That’s where my practice comes in. I have found a way so that more people are able to afford the treatment they need, even those on a fixed income with or without health insurance coverage. One Non-Surgical Operation in my clinic could cost what you’d pay for just the deductible of a joint replacement surgery.
You Benefit from a Unique Offer…When you bring in this article, you will receive a FREE CONSULTATION with me to determine whether you are a good candidate for our Non-Surgical Knee or Shoulder Operation. If you’re being seen for Neuropathy we will take a thermal image of your feet at no charge to you. This will give me enough information to know whether I can help you. Once we determine you’re a good candidate and you feel comfortable in my clinic the complete examination is only $197. That’s it, for the entire neurological examination & report of findings. This examination & report could cost you over $500 elsewhere. But, please
call right away because this offer expires on January 1, 2024, and I don’t want you to miss out. By the way, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that the non-surgical, drug free therapies and procedures performed in my clinic can cost as little as $300 per month. You see, I’m not trying to seduce you to come see me with this low start up fee, then to only make it up with high fees after that. Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor because higher costs can add up very quickly.
“You shouldn’t be forced to choose drugs and surgery just because that’s the only treatment medicare and your insurance company will cover.”
You should know a little about my qualifications. That’s important so that there’s no misunderstanding about the quality of care. I’m the bestselling author of Breaking The Cycle - how to take control of your life when traditional medicine has failed. An amazon #1 new release in three categories. I’m a graduate of Life University School of Chiropractic practicing since 1998. I am a licensed chiropractic physician certified in functional neurology. I’ve been entrusted to take care of avid morning walkers, pro-athletes and business tycoons you may have heard of.
My office is called Active Health Brain & Body and it is located at 6710 Winkler Road, Suite #1. It’s the gray Key West-style building at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Winkler Road behind the Bank of America. The phone number is 239-482-8686. Please call my wonderful assistants Megan or Silvia today to make an appointment.
I wish you the Very Best in Health and Life!
Dr. Rob Davis, DC
P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $97.
P.P.S. Your time is as valuable to you as mine is to me. That’s why I have a “no wait” policy. It is highly unusual to wait more than a few minutes in my office.
My mother and I featured in a local publication for nonsurgical shoulder solutions.
his story of how he avoided a total knee replacement surgery. Joyce is all smiles at her one year checkup. No more neuropathy!
Steamboat
Clipper Cove
3 Bed, awesome marina view. under bldg parking.
$599,000