Shell Point Life August 2016

August 2016 Vol. 11 Issue 8

A Fine Landing ESTUARY RESIDENTS FIND DELIGHT IN THEIR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

“A sweet friendship

refreshes the soul.”

Family Comes First

By Mary Kay Grimaldi When we showcase the bene-

five successful children with his

fits of Shell Point for prospective

wife Barb, upgraded a hospital’s

residents and others, one of the

windows during a missionary trip

most important features to highlight

to Cameroon, and is a dedicated

is the nature of the residents who

husband, golfer, and bicyclist?

live here, and the relationships they form

Wouldn’t you like to cross paths with

with each other. They welcome new

Patricia and Stokes Fishburne (pages

neighbors, embrace harmony, build

12-17), who each applied their PhD

bonds, and lend a hand when needed.

degrees to take “one small step for all man-

They are more than a community, they

kind,” then spent seven years on the road

become a family.

photographing America’s beauty before

We learn how each Shell Point resident

settling in at Shell Point?

has an interesting contribution, accomplish-

Music hath charms, as do the musi-

ment, or skill, and we proudly spotlight a few

cians in the Jazz ‘n Stuff clan; read why

in each issue of this magazine. Even more

they have such a loyal following (pages

enticing than our prime location with its

28-30). Learn about the “black olive cho-

championship 18-hole golf course, 75-slip

rus” on the back cover, and join a Shell

marina, “Creativity” Tunnel, Academy of

Point choir family to sing to your heart’s

Lifelong Learning, and guaranteed lifecare,

content (page 39).

is the opportunity to meet and live among such extraordinary people.

Smiling residents come together, and their friendly faces say it all at the

This month we introduce you to some

Independence Day celebration (pages

residents in our newest neighborhood,

36-37), and at the assisted living “love our

The Estuary. Who wouldn’t want to live

oceans” programs (page 32). Just be sure

next door to Wayland Jensen (pages

to save the dates for more must-see events

6-10), who built his own company, raised

during the coming season (page 3).

On

the

Shell Point Life is published monthly for the residents of Shell Point Retirement Community.

Editor Mary Kay Grimaldi Director of Marketing & Comm. Rich Cerrina Art Director Brad Blackburn Senior Graphic Designer Wendy Iverson Graphic Designer Kathy Grove Contributors Teri Kollath, Laura Slack, Beth Crenshaw, Robyn Church, Debbie Brewer, Bev Chandley, Katelyn Van Scoy, Ginny Miller-Plaza, Tom Frackenpohl, Melody Desilets, McKenzie Millis, Randy Woods, Morgan Clayman, Matt Whelan, Sarah Nadal, Anna Smith, Claude Emler, Tom Irwin, Juliana Metzner, Steve Morton, Janine Hammond, Jan Boud, Dorothy Erickson, Dotty Morrison, Susan Uhleman, Ann Erickson, and Peggy Zimmerman Do you have story ideas or photos to share?

Contact Mary Kay Grimaldi, editor, by calling (239) 454-2055 or emailing marykaygrimaldi@shellpoint.org Back Issues Available Online Is there an issue of Shell Point Life that you just have to have? Was your friend or family member in a recent issue but you lost it?

You can find the current issue as well as back issues of the magazine at www.shellpoint.org/shellpointlife.

Cover

Patricia and Stokes Fishburne, new residents of The Estuary, believe strongly in the continuing care retirement community concept. “We all live better, longer lives when we are more active and involved, compared to those who age in place,” said Pat. Read about their journey that led them to Shell Point (pages 12-17).

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–P roverbs 27:9

Shell Point Life | August 2016

15101 Shell Point Boulevard • Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 466-1131 • www.shellpoint.org Shell Point is a nonprofit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc.

Calendar of Events

Concerts, Programs, Shows & Celebrations The season seems to fills up quickly with personal appointments, vacation trips, and family gatherings.

As you plan ahead, be sure to note the following special dates coming up at Shell Point.

Please note: all events are subject to change.

Updates will be posted on shellpoint.net and confirmed on SPTV.

Save the Dates For the 2016-2017 Season!

September 2016 15 ������� Summer Concert Series: Gulfshore Trio 30 ������� Trinkets & Treasures Sale

October 2016 11 ������� Shell Point Singers Kaleidoscope Fall Concert 2016: A Celebration of the Arts 13 ������� Fall Dance 24 ������� Community Thrift Store Fashion Show 29 ������� Shell Point Cares: Walk to End Alzheimer’s

November 2016 4–5 �������Holiday Bazaar 5 ����������Shell Point Cares: Walk to Defeat ALS 8 ����������General Election 11 ��������Shell Point Open Charity Golf Tournament 12 ��������Fine and Performing Arts: The Four Freshmen 13 ��������Season of Praise: Fort Myers Mastersingers 16 ��������Resident Life Signature Community Event 21 ��������Concerts and Conversations: William and Beth Larsen, Flutists 23 ��������The Village Church Thanksgiving Eve Service

December 2016 1 ��������� Tree Lighting and Shell Point Singers Concert 6 ��������� Gift Shop Extravaganza 6 ��������� Fine and Performing Arts: Cantus 10 ������� Shell Point Cares: American Heart Walk 11 ������� Christmas Celebration with The Village Church Choir and Orchestra 12 ������� Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops 24 ������� The Village Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 25 ������� Christmas Day Cantata

January 2017 5 ��������� Concerts & Conversations: You Ju Lee, Classical Pianist 8 ��������� Season of Praise: Tim Zimmerman & The King’s Brass 10 ������� LifeQuest Wellness Expo 12 ������� Fine and Performing Arts: Dallas Brass 15–22 �� The Village Church Global Impact Week 27 ������ Shell Point Resident Gala

February 2017 1–2 ����� Annual Library Book & Media Sale 2 ��������� Season of Praise: Ballet Magnificat presents Deliver Us 3–21 ���� Ageless Creativity Exhibition at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 9 ��������� Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra: Gloria 16 ������� Fine and Performing Arts: River City Brass 24 ������� Concerts & Conversations: Fred Moyer Jazz Trio 28 ������� Concert Series Bonus: Barbary Coast Dixieland Band

March 2017 4–6 ������ Quilt Show 9 ��������� Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra: Concierto de Aranjuez 12 ������� Season of Praise: Of Wardrobes and Rings 20 ������� Fine and Performing Arts: Jive Aces 23 ������� Volunteer Appreciation Event 30 ������� Spring Dance

April 2017 3 ��������� Concerts & Conversations: Danut Muresan, Violinist 3–17 ���� Photo Show 4 ��������� Photo Show Gala Awards Evening 6 ��������� Shell Point Singers Spring Concert 14 ������� The Village Church Good Friday Service 16 ������� The Village Church Easter Sunrise Service Shell Point Life | August 2016

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

Commonalities Call New Residents to The Estuary at Shell Point The idiom, “great minds think alike,” can be applied to residents throughout Shell Point, and it is especially true of the newest neighbors adjusting to life in The Estuary this past year. Many have found similarities among each other as they settled into these single-family and twin-villa homes.

As is true throughout Shell Point, these retirees have met new friends with shared experiences in diverse fields, from the arts, theology, and medicine, to business and education. Many have made the move to The Estuary at Shell Point from previous retirement homes in Southwest Florida, some as nearby as Sanibel Island and Bonita Springs.

These new Winding Way addresses are accessed from On Par Boulevard, a short block away from the entrance to the Shell Point Clubhouse (scheduled to open mid-October) and the Shell Point Golf Course. The Estuary’s entrance bekons to a timeless “old Florida” lifestyle, with a native panther sculpture lolling atop the flagstone wall, and large live oaks growing to shade the pathways.

The open-air chapel and centrally situated community building, called The Cove, are welcome places of respite. Come to meet for a chat, enjoy a cup of tea, a game of chess, or a good read.

Take a refreshing sunny swim in the neighborhood pool, or drop a line to fish in the four-acre lake.

More new homes are coming to The Estuary. A sales initiative will launch this fall as construction on additional units begins. For those who have been hesitating, now is the time to take action and plan to move to Shell Point to find newfound friendships and relax in the calming lifestyle of “old Florida.”

Quality of life relates directly to quality of relationships, and life at The Estuary offers a comfortable, familiar way of life with opportunities for meaningful connections.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

5

Wayland Jensen’s welcoming personality is a perfect fit for the informal Estuary neighborhood committee that schedules regular gatherings of residents to their new Shell Point home (see LifeQuest story on page 20).

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

Opening a

Window on Life at The Estuary B Y M A R Y K AY G R I M A L D I

E

stuary resident Wayland Jensen projects the kind of “chamber of commerce” personality that reflects a lifetime of reaching out and making things click. He recalled several “star” traumas in his life, but values how he worked to make them better. “More than 99% of the time life has been a great joy,” said this former real-life president of the Orland Park chamber in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago.

Wayland describes a Cinderella story of meeting his wife Barb during their high school days; she was two years younger, and they attended the same Baptist church on Chicago’s south side. They married and raised five children, while Wayland amassed his business acumen.

He learned about managing a staff of 30 while responsible for converting business customers’ records to digital format at Illinois Bell, a division of AT&T. Then in a virtual leap of faith at the introduction by his pastor, Wayland bought into a small home improvement business with a congregant who wished to retire.

Wanting to grow and modernize services, Wayland shifted his focus to commercial windows, eventually leaving his co-owners, and hence Jensen Window Corporation was established. “We replaced old wood frames with aluminum. One of our largest customers was the Chicago Public Schools system,” Wayland said.

With a strong Christian background as a longtime member and leader on many

boards and committees of Elim Baptist Church, Wayland’s life was considerably influenced by the pastor, who became president of Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

All the Jensen children attended Bethel University, and Wayland eventually became a member of the Board of Trustees. Daughter Linda earned a degree in social work, and later a master’s degree; daughter Sandy applies her elementary education degree to helping inner-city children at Trinity Christian Community in New Orleans.

“Sandy’s rigorous efforts with some Christian Southern colleges resulted in nine young people being admitted, and some Continued on next page

A Bethel University Connection Originating in the fall of 1871 in Chicago as a seminary for Baptist immigrants from Sweden, Scandinavian theological students studied in the basement of First Swedish Baptist Church. The seminary merged with Bethel Academy in St. Paul in 1914, and later, with the addition of a fouryear liberal arts program, the institution came to be known as Bethel University.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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OPENING A WINDOW ON LIFE AT THE ESTUARY Continued from page 7

recently graduated,” Wayland said. “This is a huge accomplishment for those African American young people who were raised in the very poor areas of New Orleans.”

Overlooking Africa

After daughter Debbie graduated from Bethel University and then nursing school, she joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) mission, located on the edge of the African bush territory in the Republic of Cameroon, where she worked for 15 years; she has now returned and is studying to become a nurse practitioner.

To help make a bigger difference for the patients in Debbie’s village in Cameroon, Wayland coordinated a joint effort of Jensen Window Corporation and Elim Baptist Church in 1998. While the village surgical building was somewhat insulated, the perimeter outbuildings simply had open-air windows.

“As is typical, families would bring the patients and provide care, fetching water from the spring to do laundry, and staying together in the center of the hospital grounds by the fire,” Wayland explained. “The patient buildings’ window openings had no glass or screens, so cold and bugs would get inside, causing more problems and discomfort.”

He arranged to collect measurements for the windows, then shipped them in a container along with other donations to the village.

A group of women from the ELCA had made quilts and blankets for the patients, which were used to buffer the load of windows on the road to their intended purpose.

The volunteers from Wayland’s church anxiously awaited word of the container’s arrival at Debbie’s village, Garoua-Boulaï. “We finally decided to just pick a day, and trust in God that it would work out,” Wayland said. After landing in the capital city, Yaoundé, the seven

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

The open-air window frames in the African hospital outbuildings in Garoua-Boulaï, Cameroon, represented a challenging construction project that Wayland, with Jensen Window Corporation, and his missionary team from Elim Baptist Church were willing to tackle to assist his nursing daughter Debbie in 1998.

helpers, including a carpenter, drove all day and through pitch darkness on unbelievably rough roads to the village on the eastern edge of Cameroon.

“Debbie had helped deliver hundreds of babies and knew everybody there. They

welcomed us with refreshing smoothies to end our journey, and arranged comfortable beds with netting to protect against malaria-carrying mosquitos. Miraculously, we awoke the next morning to the noise of the truck bringing our container of windows,” said Wayland.

“That was a God-given miracle, but it was so large it wouldn’t fit through the gates.

So we all started to disassemble the contents, and found refrigerators, sewing machines, computers all turned upside down and dented. But thanks to sturdy packaging, not one of our windows was broken. Some tools were missing, likely taken at one of the checkpoints, but we improvised and started to work.”

The team taught the local maintenance staff how to help replace the rotted, woodframed windows with a sturdy aluminum version. Many of the nationals were HIV-positive, so the team was careful to wear gloves and avoid blood contamination.

Sadly, Africans continued dying at the hospital almost every day, mourned with

wails by their loved ones as they carried the bodies in a stretcher over their shoulders many miles back to their homes. But life goes on, and Barb helped her daughter Debbie deliver a few babies during the visit.

“At the end of our three weeks there, we gave away all our equipment and even our own clothing, going home with whatever we had on our backs,” Wayland said.

“They held a ceremony to honor us for our support, bestowing brightly colored Cameroon outfits for us to keep.

“Debbie’s letters described how the Africans would cry in appreciation of this gift of windows and screens, and when she

visited the marketplace, she would often see someone wearing her dad’s shirts or shoes.”

A New View

“Windows were fun, but at 60, I decided to start transitioning to leave the business to my two wonderful sons, Jeff and Keith. So Barb and I gradually increased the time we spent away in Bonita Bay at Bonita Springs, Florida.”

For their 50th wedding anniversary, Wayland and Barb took their five children and their spouses to Sweden, which is where their grandparents were born. “We wanted

to introduce the next generation to their cultural heritage to keep the connections going,” Wayland said.

Flying to Gothenburg to pick up a new Volvo, and renting an additional SUV, the family took a road trip all across Sweden, visiting many sites. One of the stops included a visit with Barb’s second cousin, whose husband was a nuclear physicist at the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant, which was the first outside the Soviet Union to detect the elevated radiation levels resulting from the Chernobyl disaster.

Continued on next page

Family get-togethers were a regular occurrence for Wayland and Barb Jensen, enjoying time at their primary home in the Chicago area or at vacation property in Michigan. Raising five children, adding spouses and grandchildren, the Jensen’s often had a full house.

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A special 50th anniversary trip to their ancestral country of Sweden introduced Wayland and Barb’s grown children to their roots and relatives, and reinforced their religious convictions and reliance on family.

OPENING A WINDOW ON LIFE AT THE ESTUARY Continued from page 9

For the special anniversary celebration, the family invited their Swedish relatives to join them in Old Stockholm. They dined at a five-star, 17th century cellar restaurant called Fem Sma Hus, where ships’ provisions were historically stored. It was on this trip together in 2008 that the family noticed the beginning of Barb’s dementia.

“It was a wonderful time to celebrate with family. Each of our children played their role; for example, Jeff was the joker,” said Wayland.

“At dinner with our Swedish relatives, all five of our children shared what knowing Jesus has brought to their lives. For our Swedish relatives, religion was more about holidays, funerals, and wedding practices.”

Back at home, Wayland reminisced about these good times. “We have had a wonderful life, but caring for someone with dementia has radically changed things the last eight years,” he said. “However, God is still blessing me.” The lifecare services offered at Shell Point were quite an attraction for Wayland.

“Listening to radio broadcasts by the Moody Bible Institute on WMBI-FM, sometimes preachers from Shell Point shared such positive things about how people just tend to gravitate here,” Wayland said. Barb is now living on the second floor of the 10

Shell Point Life | August 2016

As Barb’s dementia worsened, she moved to the Memory Care unit at the Larsen Pavilion (pictured right). Wayland (on right above) found support and companionship with a group of fellow Shell Point residents who experienced similar caregiving challenges with their loved ones.

Larsen Pavilion, while Wayland settles into their Estuary home.

Having to relinquish his regular golf group of about 40 men during the past 20 years at their previous Bonita Bay home, Wayland has enthusiastically launched some new traditions here, playing each Monday and Saturday at the Shell Point Golf Club, and taking long bicycle rides across the causeway to Sanibel Island. He is also active in the Estuary neighborhood’s monthly get-togethers.

“I give credit to God’s hand in our lives,” Wayland said. “Life the last couple of years

has shifted around, but I’m connecting with my new neighborhood and with The Village Church, and have made many friends.” n

When one door closes, God opens a window.

“…my

favorite thing…

a sense of community

.”

– Patricia Armstrong

Healthy, Enriched,

Rewarding Life at The Estuary

M

eet Patricia and Michael Armstrong, residents who moved to The Estuary a year ago. They lived on Sanibel Island for 15 years, where they loved the weather and had established a comfortable lifestyle. “But I didn’t want to continue with landscaping, house repairs, or worry about where aging might take us,” said Michael.

The couple appreciate that the lifecare aspect of Shell Point is a practical solution. “I wouldn’t want to end up making Patricia my primary caregiver, or that I would end up being her primary caregiver, in a situation if our health were to deteriorate,” Michael said.

The couple still maintains an active lifestyle, attending art classes and working in the glass studio, but they are assured of aging in place. “The primary reason I moved to

Shell Point was for the safety and security,” Patricia said, “but my favorite thing about Shell Point is its sense of community. There is a wonderful neighborhood feel here; the people are warm and friendly.”

Shell Point has many selling features – the residents, the staff, and especially the variety and style of neighborhoods. “Our Estuary neighborhood is beautiful, with attention to the details of living – providing avenues for healthy living, enriched living, and rewarding living,” she said.

“I tell my friends that they don’t know what they’re missing, and they should seriously consider looking at Shell Point. Don’t wait; do it now while you are still young enough to enjoy all of the amenities and lifestyle that Shell Point provides.” n Shell Point Life | August 2016

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Life’s Roads Lead to The Estuary

By Mary Kay Grimaldi

Q

uoting a Johnny Cash song seems fitting to open a story of the road Stokes and Patricia Fishburne trekked before calling The Estuary at Shell Point home:

“I’ve been everywhere, man, crossed the deserts bare, man.

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man, Travel, I’ve had my share, man.”

Who wouldn’t want to look back at their life, and even the time ahead, with enthusiastic appreciation for travel and

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

adventure? The Fishburnes moved into their new home in May 2016, and continue to eagerly plan the next several phases of their active retirement journey.

This free-wheeling couple spent seven years on a cross-country motorhome “odyssey,” sending detailed accounts and artistic photos of their destinations along the way to family and friends via their appropriately descriptive email address: “WeAreFancyFree@...com.”

“That’s really how we felt – fancy free,” said Pat. “Having sold our house with all our furniture in it, we really were free – no

permanent address … just the road in front of us.” The couple traded in the home they built on Sanibel Island in 1995 for a 42-foot motorhome with a big diesel engine.

“We were 65 feet long going down the roads out west, towing our Jeep Grand Cherokee,” Pat said. “We made a commitment to spend three years, but it extended to seven. They were the best years of life.” (Read more about this escapade on pages 16-17.)

Continued on page 14

After a seven-year motorhome “odyssey” across America, Patricia and Stokes Fishburne parked their Jeep at their new home at The Estuary. It is decorated with framed photographs they took of their favorite subjects – birds and landscapes.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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LIFE’S ROADS LEAD TO THE ESTUARY Continued from page 12

Family Life Both coming from what Pat calls “humble” beginnings, the couple met on a double date arranged by her mother.

Raising two daughters, Pat became a career role model as the women’s movement was just starting. “In 1970, none of the other mothers on my street on Long Island worked,” she explained, “and they were aghast that I traveled into New York City every day.”

Managing family life and college courses was a 13-year endeavor, but having earned a PhD degree in sociology from New York University, Pat became vice president of research at Response Analysis, working on a national drug study; her dissertation was a case study on the use of heroin for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

With encouragement from both parents, the eldest daughter became an international trade lawyer; the younger daughter is a computer wiz with Cisco Systems. The Fishburne’s 15-year-old granddaughter Alexis already claims two patents to her name for lifesaving devices.

“She has her grandfather’s genes,” Pat said, describing the two inventions:

• The inexpensive bamboo Rescue Travois, designed like the Native American sled dragged behind horses or dogs, was modified with wheels and a waist belt. It can be built easily by village carpenters or air-dropped onto dirt roads, and was designed for use by African women to transport their children to refugee camps.

• The football-shaped, emergency mask pod is produced with a 3-D printer, and tossed by fire fighters to upper floors to aid victims during rescues. Inside the pod is an Xcaper Smoke Mask that protects people for up to 15 minutes against carbon dioxide, toxins, and particulates to minimize dangers of smoke inhalation. This was an award-winning project of the Smithsonian’s Invent It Challenge in 2014.

Left: The Fishburnes’ granddaughter Alexis has a patent for a bamboo Rescue Travois, designed to assist African women when transporting their children to refugee camps.

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

Innovative Solutions Pat is a perfect intellectual complement to her husband of 60 years, come December.

Stokes is an aeronautical and astronautical engineer with a PhD from Ohio State University. After teaching graduate courses in rocket propulsion and high-temperature chemistry, Stokes went to work on engineering projects for Grumman Aerospace Corporation.

One of Stokes’ prominent career contributions was resolving a sticky problem with the lunar module that allowed NASA’s Apollo 13 astronauts to return safely to earth.

Three quarters of the way to the moon, an explosion in a fuel cell damaged a vital source of electrical power to the command module.

Pat captured on camera the Antelope Slot Canyons on the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona. Sculpted by underground streams, the canyons are illuminated by shafts of light from above to reveal dramatic colors.

Stokes demonstrates how his engineering idea was used to separate the command module from the lunar module during the Apollo 13 rescue in space.

To get the crew home alive, Stokes and his partner had to figure out how to separate the modules for reentry. “We needed some type of force so they wouldn’t collide in the earth’s atmosphere,” Stokes said during an interview on public radio program SciWorks for WFDD, affiliated with Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

“Whatever process we developed could not employ any rockets or electrical power that was needed for maneuvering during reentry,” said Stokes. “The only force available was that which would be generated by the air in the lunar module.”

Stokes innovative solution? Picture what happens when you let go of the open end of an inflated balloon. It flies out of your hand at a speed determined by the amount of air in the balloon.

Applying scientist Isaac Newton’s third law of motion, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” the astronauts were instructed by the Houston mission control center how to apply the right amount of air pressure and when to release the lunar module latch to achieve optimal separation.

“The command module weighs about 13,000 pounds, and the lunar module weighs about 32,000 pounds,” Stokes said. “It’s not a trivial thing to send these in opposite directions with the required velocity.

“What we had to do was get the pressure in the lunar module to 2.7 pounds per square inch, which is much less than the pressure we experience on the surface of the earth. That was enough to separate the two spacecraft with about 2,000 pounds of force.”

The rest is history. The reentry vehicle settled into its planned return orbit, reaching the impact area safely and on schedule.

The crew returned to earth on April 17, 1970 – a mere 5 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds after it had departed.

“It was a little tricky, but it can be done with simple equations,” said Stokes. “It was the culmination of the old principle: if you’ve got a job to do, do it right the first time. Thousands of engineers worked many problems in this whole Apollo 13 episode, and they did it right the first time.”

Since Stokes is partially color-blind, one of his favorite photographic techniques is using an infrared camera, which captures scenery with an almost photo-negative quality. In this image of “Dark Hedges” in Northern Ireland, the road and sky become black, and greenery is white as snow.

Continued on page 17

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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T R A V E L O G U E

THE FISHBURNES’ 7-YEAR ROAD TRIP A seven-year motorhome “odyssey” took Stokes and Pat Fishburne to some of North America’s natural wonders. “We’ve had such a life; we are so lucky,” Pat said. Below are highlights from some favorite stops, where they captured works of art with their cameras.

May 2005 Joined an Arizona Highways photo workshop to capture the Antelope Slot Canyons on the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona. Sculpted by underground streams, the canyons display fantastic colors when illuminated by “pinhole” shafts from above.

The most famous is Upper Antelope Canyon, with walls 130 feet high. With limited light underground, it is necessary to take long camera exposures. The canyon can be dangerous; during rainstorms, flash floods fill them instantly with raging water.

To reach Lower Antelope Canyon, you climb a series of ladders to the floor. It is so narrow with hardly enough room to put your foot down.

On a windy day, it can literally “rain sand.”

June 2007 The amazing waterfalls of Havasu Canyon are known as the Grand Canyon’s “secret oasis.” A sacred part of the Havasupai Reservation (which means “people of the blue-green water”), packhorses took the gear down the 2,000-foot descent, while Stokes arrived by helicopter.

The “solar shower” (fancy name for a plastic bag with water warmed by the sun) was better than the alternative – a dip in the rather chilly Havasu Creek! This Shangri-La in the middle of nowhere appears at the end of a dry and dusty, red desert, two-mile trail. The sunset view was like a precious jewel.

The area around the falls is filled with a fine spray, actually a microscopically fine layer of travertine, which coats the camera lenses.

Over time, the minerals have collected on the cliff walls, creating craggy, red “draperies” of travertine rock (shown on either side of the falls).

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

T R A V E L O G U E The abandoned, old barns and vehicles in Palouse were a photographer’s dream.

May 2015 A five-day photo tour of the agricultural area of Palouse in Washington state, with rolling fields of grain and lentils. It is the world’s largest producer of soft white winter wheat; the rich, loamy soil holds moisture from spring rains, so no irrigation is needed.

Palouse Falls State Park has a 198-foot drop to the canyon below, with no protective railings. Pat is afraid of heights and was “scared to death” taking these images. It was without a doubt one of the most frightening photo sessions she ever had; even Stokes found the cliff edges a little unnerving!

LIFE’S ROADS LEAD TO THE ESTUARY Continued from page 15

Calculating Retirement The Fishburnes’ journey meandered, across America, through Italy and Ireland, before finding a respite here at Shell Point.

“Longevity runs in my family,” Pat said, “so we wanted to prepare for the future. As a sociologist, I believe strongly in the continuing care retirement community concept. We all live better, longer lives when we are more active and involved, compared to those who age in place.

Canola and Dijon mustard grow in the fields with a bright yellow hue.

“We investigated three CCRCs in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where we lived for a time, but they felt institutional.

They were on small pieces of property, and there was not enough room to meet the assisted living needs of residents.

“Friends from Sanibel suggested Shell Point, and we were so impressed with the property; people aren’t living on top of each other. The organization has been in business a long time, and they know what they’re doing.”

The couple sold their motorhome in 2011. “Stokes realizes now how much managing a house on your own is a burden,” Pat said. “We attended an Estuary dinner on move-in day, and met 31 of our new neighbors

the very first night.” (See the LifeQuest story on pages 20-21.)

Stokes and Pat are interested in the Shell Point Photo Club, water aerobics classes, and the Academy of Lifelong Learning programs. Future travel plans include exploring Florida from the Everglades to St. Augustine to focus on bird photography. n

Southwest Florida Symphony Chamber Orchestra Featuring Pianist Noah Waddell

Thursday

The Southwest Florida Symphony is Lee County’s only professional

August 25

Kabaretti as the orchestra’s music director pm and conductor occurred at the end of the 53rd orchestra, and one of the oldest symseason in 2014. Since Maestro Kabaretti’s Village Church Auditorium phony orchestras on Florida’s Gulf coast. appointment, symphony attendance has Tickets: $25 As this area began to grow, attracting soared as a result of his forward-thinking residents from major metropolises of the artistic leadership and warm personality that north, many of whom were accustomed to radiates from the stage. regular access to symphonic performances, local piano Since its inception more than a half century ago, the teacher Arlo Diebler identified a need and desire for Southwest Florida Symphony has grown to a roster of 65 symphonic music here. world-class musicians. In addition to expanding its chamDiebler established the Fort Myers Symphony as ber concert series, which is now called the Small Stage a community orchestra in April 1961, consisting of Symphonies Series, the symphony has begun performing in 24 volunteer musicians. The Fort Myers Symphony other cities throughout the state. spent its first year performing a handful of concerts Please join the Southwest Florida Symphony and at community centers and schools, building a followMaestro Nir Kabaretti, featuring Mozart’s Eine Klein Maestro Nir Kabaretti ing throughout the region. A year later, a symphony Nachtmusik (A Little Serenade) and other light, popular, chorus was established, and the orchestra became known as The classical pieces selected for your summertime enjoyment.

Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Association.

Maestro Diebler led the orchestra for 25 years, then passed the baton to Maestro Joseph Eger, who led the orchestra for the next four seasons. In 1990, Maestro Paul Nadler, a staff conductor with the New York Metropolitan Opera and founder of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, was appointed as music director and conductor. Nadler launched the Sanibel Series in 1993 to expand the orchestra’s community reach.

The appointment of internationally renowned Maestro Nir

7:30 . .

Residents can purchase tickets at either service desk or via the resident website. The general public may purchase tickets online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by calling the box office at (239) 454-2067.

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

Focused on Fun & Games Introducing Laura Slack, Director of Resident Life With a finger on the pulse of Shell Point residents’ interests and lifestyle activities, the new Director of Resident Life, Laura Slack, is gearing up for a lively season of interesting happenings.

“A robust approach to daily interactions and activities contributes to the health and wellbeing of older adults,” said Laura. “Our ongoing commitment is to promote active aging programs at Shell Point that enrich quality of life and help individuals continue to live independently.”

Laura comes to Shell Point with more than 25 years of experience in continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), with three-quarters of her career in a leadership role. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and started working in senior living as an activities director.

Laura rose to the position of associate executive director of Resident Services at the local Gulf Coast Village, where she managed a number of operational departments. Her next step was a CCRC

Reminder:

in Gulfport Mississippi as the chief of Resident Services.

Laura re-opened the Armed Forces Retirement Home after the community

had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As a military veteran, Laura was sad to leave that community, but returning to Florida moved her closer to family.

In her role at Shell Point, Laura will

lead the team that focuses on the organization’s LifeQuest initiative and its six dimensions of fitness, health, and wellness.

She also oversees the Academy of Lifelong Learning, Transportation, the Community Thrift Store, the fall/winter and summer concert series performances, and volunteer engagement.

“Laura’s devotion to people’s wellbeing is evident in everything she does,” said Scott Moore, chief operating officer.

“She is open to new ideas, and her goal is to make each day the best that it can be for our residents. Laura has already embraced and applied Shell Point’s core values of caring, serving, and satisfying, and I am sure she will continue to build that mission in her new role.”

Please stop by Laura’s office in the Woodlands Commons so she can meet you personally.

Laura Slack is an avid kayaker, who will share her experiences along the Great Calusa Blueway at a LifeQuest discussion session on Saturday, August 27 (see page 21).

Summer Dining Schedule at Shell Point THE CRYSTAL ROOM on The Island will close Monday, August 15, and reopen on Sunday, September 4; however, it will be open for brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 and August 28.

THE CAFÉ PROMENADE in the Woodlands Commons is closed until Tuesday, September 6.

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LifeQuest: Community/Social

A New “Family” is Born at The Estuary B

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Do you remember what it was like moving into a new home…especially a completely new neighborhood where you were among the earliest residents?

That’s how it was for Wayland Jensen when his furniture first arrived at The Estuary in February 2015. Since then, Shell Point’s newest independent living neighborhood has truly embraced the meaning of “family.” Today, it seems like everyone who lives in The Estuary wants to be part of that growing family.

It started with a simple visit from one resident “ambassador” to another, welcoming the newest kids to the block. “It’s a good feeling to be greeted by your neigh-

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i f e

bors,” said Wayland, “and that’s just the way we’re made.”

Before the first year had passed, a group of Estuary residents decided they needed a larger venue for everyone to get to know one another. They went door to door collecting e-mail addresses, and learned that everyone at the Estuary has one! They started sending dinner invitations to all, with the first event held last fall at the Crystal Dining Room on The Island; 18 people came.

A recent dinner at The Cove in the Estuary featured homemade soup night; next, residents brought their favorite hors d’oeuvres, and even had food catered at another event. At one dinner, Kenneth Saccaro and Leander Othon discovered that they had graduated from NYU Dental School just a few years apart. At The Estuary, Leander was reunited with fellow resident Bill Colehower, a classmate and

friend from his undergraduate alma mater, Dartmouth!

“Everyone has a story, and we all love hearing about them,” said Jan Boud, who has been elected the unofficial historian of this informal group. “Once people get a taste, they want to be part of it.” She maintains statistics about each dinner – how many attended, where it was held, and the theme.

The group learned that this summer approximately 60% of The Estuary residents are out of town, and they laughed at the e-mail responses from some who are away. “Wish we were there!” they said.

As more neighbors moved in, attendance has grown to as many as 53, and they are filling up the Cove location. The group now occasionally schedules these monthly dinners at local restaurants, especially now during the off-season when it’s much easier to get reservations.

Laura Slack

LifeQuest Discussion Group: Natural Environment

Kayaking the Great Calusa Blueway Eighteen Estuary residents gathered to get acquainted at their first social dinner at the Crystal Dining Room last fall. Coordinating these ongoing get-togethers are an informal committee, including (L-R) Jan Boud, Carol Krafft, Wayland Jensen, Patricia Armstrong, and Ken Saccaro.

Estuary residents have found other ways to bond too. A golf group meets every Tuesday and Thursday, and some attend water aerobics class together Monday through Friday at the LifeQuest Aquatic Center on The Island.

One night, the group enjoyed a theater organ concert at The Woodlands, performed by Estuary resident Ron Boud. After the performance, which featured a special military dedication, they dined together at the Palm Grill.

More than 57 residents replied to a survey asking for suggestions for future gatherings where they can have fun and get to know each other better. Together, this group has investigated, shared, and embraced the breadth of lifestyle amenities that Shell Point has to offer, and they enjoy activities as a group – or “family,” as they say.

Presented by: Laura Slack, Director of Resident Life Saturday, August 27, 10:00 a.m.

Grand Cypress Room/WDL Kayaking in Southwest Florida can be extremely rewarding and stress reducing.

The Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail was developed by Lee County Parks and Recreation, and funded with tourist development tax dollars specifically dedicated to beach and shoreline enhancement projects.

The Great Calusa Blueway encompasses three distinct regions of the Gulf of Mexico coast. The first portion of the trail meanders through Estero Bay, while the second segment centers on Pine Island and Matlacha Pass. A third leg of the trail takes paddlers inland to the Caloosahatchee and its tributaries.

Join the new Director of Resident Life Laura Slack for this presentation, as she takes you on a short journey of the Great Calusa Blueway on Pine Island and Matlacha Pass. Even if you don’t kayak now, you might want to try it after coming to this LifeQuest event.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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www.shellpoint.net/events

August LifeQuest Happenings

Six Dimensions: Physical • Emotional • Spiritual • Educational • Community & Social • Natural Environment For questions about these and upcoming events or activities, please contact Michelle Tompkins, Resort Services and Wellness Manager, at 454-2152, or email: michelletompkins@shellpoint.org

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ANNE FRANK’S DIARY: A CELEBRATION OF HER VOICE

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MONDAY, AUGUST 1 • 1:00 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL Anne Frank is one of the most identifiable “voices” of the Holocaust because of her iconic diary. However, she was just one of thousands of young people to secretly keep a journal during those trying years. To mark the anniversary of the last entry in Anne Frank’s famous diary in 1944, Amy Snyder will share the teenager’s experience while hiding during World War II, and discuss other records kept throughout that time. Amy Snyder is the executive director of the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, located in Naples.

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TRAVEL WITH US IN 2016-2017!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 • 10:00-11:00 A.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL

NUTRITION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 • 2:00 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL When your immune system cannot adequately defend against disease-causing micro-organisms, germs can successfully invade and make you sick. Join Carrie Bloemers, RDN/LDN, from Lee Memorial Health System, to learn how the immune system works, what lifestyle factors may cause us to get sick, and tips to avoid illness.

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FRIDAY MARKET PLACE AUGUST 5, 12, 19 & 26 8:30-11:30 A.M. ADMINISTRATION COURTYARD/IS Summer is in full swing, and so is the Friday Market Place!

The friendly vendors are happy to help you choose from a large selection of handmade items, produce, and more!

Take time to visit with friends in the courtyard, or enjoy some much-needed shade. Along with the hustle and bustle of the market, you might also hear a Spanish guitar (bi-monthly) lifting the mood at this outdoor event.

Enjoy a presentation of the upcoming travel program by Jeanne Veldman from Isings Travel. New trips and exciting destinations have been added to those previously advertised. See beautiful photographs from around the world. Light refreshments will be served, with plenty of time for questions and answers.

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Health Connection

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Call service desk to sign up.

Island: (454-2282), Woodlands: (454-2054)

LUNCH: SALTWATER SMOKEHOUSE SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 10:15 A.M. ISLAND 10:25 A.M. WOODLANDS 10:35 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 1:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $7 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

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Stairs

BRAIN BOOT CAMP MONDAY, AUGUST 8 • 10:15 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS Test your reasoning and memory. Come see the latest challenges that await you.

Neat stacks of split logs line the northern wall of Saltwater Smokehouse in St. James City. They use mainly oak smoke, supplemented with mesquite for that extra “something special” flavor. They say that combination works well with everything. This Pine Island BBQ establishment is unpretentious, but they serve some great food! Prices range from $6-17, with plenty of non-BBQ menu options to choose from as well.

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Walking required

ISLAND: GET CHIC AT CHICO’S, 11SANIBEL SHOP AT PERIWINKLE PLACE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 8:30 A.M. ISLAND 8:40 A.M. WOODLANDS 8:50 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 2:00 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $7 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) It’s time to do a little island shopping! Chico’s will be the first store on this visit to Periwinkle Place. The staff will greet us and allow our group to shop before their regular hours for a relaxed experience with plenty of help. There will be a drawing for a hostess gift and a demonstration of “slim secrets.” The trip will allow plenty of time for visiting other shops, with lunch at your leisure at the Blue Giraffe (lunch selections typically run between $10 and $15).

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MILITARY MUSEUM MONDAY, AUGUST 8 9:00 A.M. ISLAND 9:10 A.M. WOODLANDS 9:20 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 1:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $15 (LUNCH AT THE MESS HALL INCLUDED) At the Southwest Florida Military Museum they strive to research and present as much U.S. military history as possible. Displays range from the Revolutionary War through the Afghanistan conflict. All artifacts were donated or loaned by the military, government, and individuals.

Volunteers and directors have spent several thousand hours the last few years, collecting, repairing, and cleaning military items for viewing by the public. The group will eat at the mess hall, which is bound to be a treat.

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FRONT PORCH TRAVELS: BALTIMORE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 • 2:15 P.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS Learn more about one of Maryland’s major cities, Baltimore, which has a long history as an important seaport. Fort McHenry, birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. You don’t have to be a native of Baltimore to enjoy conversation about this great city, saturated with American history. Everyone is welcome to attend this social event to share memories and meaningful conversations with Shell Point neighbors. Light refreshments will be served.

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SATURDAY DVD: RACE (2016)

Jesse Owens (Stephan James) becomes a track and field sensation while attending Ohio State University in the 1930s. With guidance from his coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), Owens gains national recognition for breaking numerous records. After many heated debates, the United States decides not to boycott the Olympics in Nazi Germany. Overcoming racism at home and abroad, Owens seizes the opportunity to show Berlin and the world that he’s the fastest man alive.

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after cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing with quality G.M. Collins products, and learn interesting tips along the way. This will be a hands-on class.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 • 2:00 P.M. & 7:00 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL

RINGLING CIRCUS MUSEUM AND MUSEUM OF ART, SARASOTA MONDAY, AUGUST 15 8:00 A.M. ISLAND 8:10 A.M. WOODLANDS 8:20 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 5:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $30 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 • 1:00 P.M. OAK ROOM/WDL Join the staff from the Shell Point Salon & Spa as they walk you through steps for great skin care. Leave refreshed

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LEGENDS & LEGACIES: THE WOMEN IN FORT MYERS HISTORY THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 • 10:00 A.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL The self-interests of cattlemen, merchants, railroad men, industrialists, and inventors gave birth to Fort Myers. But the Fort Myers of today is also the legacy of civic-minded and philanthropic women who fought for our first school, library, hospital, and performing arts center. Many of Fort Myers’ streets, buildings, gardens, and art centers carry the names of these remarkable women. Come meet them in an intriguing presentation.

and Art Museums are included with your admission. At

SKIN THAT GLOWS AT ANY AGE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 • 1:15 P.M. • SOCIAL CENTER/IS What would summer be without a friendly game of BINGO? Come enjoy this classic game with your Shell Point friends and neighbors. This will be a fun afternoon, filled with laughter and competition. Light refreshments will be served.

Take this trip to get a hands-on feel for the Ringling Bros.

Complex, so popular with visitors of all ages. This is one of the most requested trips by residents, and it is always fun to feel a part of the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Tours of both the Circus the Art Museum, you will have a chance to wander through 31 galleries filled with treasures: old masters, contemporary art, and exhibitions from around the world. At the Circus Museum, you can walk the wire, squeeze into a clown car, and snap photos with a ferocious (faux) tiger. You will see parade wagons, posters, glittering costumes, and the cannon that shot daring performers through the air. Stroll the Bayfront Gardens and explore the first floor of the Ca’d’Zan mansion.

Lunch is on your own at either the Banyan Café or The Muse.

SUMMERTIME BINGO

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BEACH DAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 8:30 A.M. ISLAND 8:40 A.M. WOODLANDS 8:50 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 3:00 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $16 (ICE CREAM ON YOUR OWN) A favorite outing for many residents, beach day gets us out in the sun, shade, and surf! Bring your personal beach supplies and a lightweight chair. The group will head to DelnorWiggins Pass State Park for fun, food, and friendship. A picnic lunch will be served, with a traditional stop for ice cream on the trip back to Shell Point.

Fulfilled Living Through Wellness

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A TRIP TO WHOLE FOODS IN NAPLES

DINING IN PUNTA GORDA: LEROY’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 9:45 A.M. ISLAND 9:55 A.M. WOODLANDS 10:05 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 2:00 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN $8 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

MONDAY, AUGUST 22 4:00 P.M. ISLAND 4:10 P.M. WOODLANDS 4:20 P.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 8:00 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $8 (DINNER ON YOUR OWN)

Whole Foods is an eco-minded chain with natural and organic grocery items, housewares, and other products.

Selections from their shelves ensure you are purchasing items that are not genetically engineered or full of harmful ingredients. After arrival, residents are welcome to enjoy their lunch at the amazing Whole Foods buffet. Remember to purchase only the amount of items you can carry, and avoid foods that may defrost or spoil on the bus ride home.

What happens when you slow cook the ingredients of local entrepreneurs and caterers Lee Richardson and Bob Mulroy? You get smokin’ hot culinary creativity that breaks the mold of mundane, and infuses the Punta Gorda dining scene with a unique blend of relaxed elegance, unprecedented comfort, and soulful Southern hospitality.

Leroy’s has a menu and ambiance unlike any other establishment in this area, where “Southern food is not just food, it’s also an experience.” From the strum of blues in the background to the warm ambience, you’ll appreciate the culture and life behind the food. Entrees typically run between $10 and $30.

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SUNDAY MATINEE: AMISTAD (1997) (RATED: R) SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 • 2:00 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL Amistad, a slave ship traveling from Cuba to the U.S. in 1839, is carrying Africans who have been sold into slavery in Cuba, taken aboard, and chained in the cargo hold of the ship. During the journey, Cinque, a tribal leader in Africa, leads a mutiny and takes over the ship. They continue to sail, hoping to find help, but instead, they are imprisoned as runaway slaves when they reach U.S. soil. They know not a word of English, and it seems they are doomed to die for killing their captors. But an abolitionist lawyer decides to take their case, arguing that they were free citizens of another country and not slaves at all. (Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity.)

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LIBRARY BOOK TALK TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 • 2:15 P.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS Joy Ellyn Ryan (Junonia) will review Susan Casey’s book entitled Voices in the Ocean, a journey into the wild, wonderful, and fascinating world of dolphins. The presentation is followed by discussion and refreshments.

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CELEBRATING HARRY WARREN TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 • 7:00 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL Returning husband and wife duo, Marlene and Chet Solender, will dazzle you with their infectious personalities. Climb aboard the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and the “Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe” to visit Harry Warren’s famous songs in this exciting performance. With Chet playing the piano and Marlene’s vocal talent, you’re sure to have an enjoyable time singing along to these familiar tunes.

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Fulfilled Living Through Wellness

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ORGANIZING MY DOCUMENTS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 • 10:15 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS What would happen if someone had to unexpectedly coordinate your finances or health care? Would they have the information they need to step in and do the job? Join Resident Support Services Manager Janine Hammond for a presentation filled with helpful suggestions to create an organized emergency file so this information can be easily accessed if an unexpected event occurs.

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“THE BOOK OF LIZ” PRESENTED BY THE THEATER CONSPIRACY, LOCATED AT THE ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS

MOVIE NIGHT: THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER (1947) MONDAY, AUGUST 29 • 6:45 P.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS Artist playboy Dickie Nugent (Cary Grant) appears before beautiful judge Margaret Turner (Myrna Loy) for fighting at a nightclub, and charms her into dismissing the charge.

That same day, Dickie happens to lecture at a high school, where Margaret’s teenage sister, Susan (Shirley Temple), falls head over heels for him. Things get complicated when Susan sneaks away and is found in Dickie’s apartment; it’s downright zany as he is court-ordered to date the teen as a way of easing her attraction.

REGISTER EARLY FOR THIS DECEMBER HOLIDAY TRIP

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 7:00 P.M. ISLAND 7:10 P.M. WOODLANDS 7:20 P.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 10:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $25 “It’s a cheesy comedy that’s really gouda!” Sister Elizabeth Donderstock is squeamish, and has been her whole life.

She makes cheese balls (traditional and smoky) that sustain the existence of her entire religious community, Clusterhaven. However, she feels unappreciated among her squeamish brethren, and she decides to try her luck in the outside world. Along the way, she meets a Cockneyspeaking Ukrainian immigrant couple, who find her a job waiting tables at Plymouth Crock. If you enjoy a good laugh, sign up today.

FORT LAUDERDALE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 9:00 A.M. ISLAND 9:15 A.M. WOODLANDS 9:30 A.M. EAGLES PRESERVE/ESTUARY 10:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $146 (INCLUDES A PICNIC LUNCH, SHOW, SIT-DOWN DINNER, AND TIPS)

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

The legendary Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant has been presented each holiday season for more than 30 years!

Shell Point has teamed up with Trendy Tours to charter our own trip to Fort Lauderdale for this fantastic rendition of the Nativity and life of Christ, enhanced by a mega music/ dance production with 300 cast members and live animals.

The chartered bus is well equipped, and a picnic lunch will be served at a comfort stop on the way to the matineé performance. After the show, the group will enjoy a sit-down dinner on Florida’s east coast, before riding safely home to Shell Point. Please note the duration of this trip, and be sure you are prepared to be away from Shell Point more than 12 hours.

FINDING JOY (FOR CAREGIVERS)

Support Groups ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS THURSDAYS, AUGUST 4, 11, 18 & 25 4:30 P.M. • SABAL ROOM/WDL This is a fellowship of those who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. This “open” meeting of AA welcomes those who struggle with alcohol issues. For information, call the intergroup phone number, 275-5111.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 & 16 GROUP 1: 9:15 A.M. • GROUP 2: 10:30 A.M. MEDICAL CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM/IS These therapeutic groups are aimed at helping residents deal with issues of being a caregiver for someone with a memory disorder, whether the resident is cared for in independent living, assisted living, or skilled nursing. Dr. Nancy Spencer facilitates the groups and can be reached at 454-2043. Sign-up is required.

COPD SUPPORT THIS GROUP MEETS QUARTERLY; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 • 1:30 P.M. • OAK ROOM/WDL The objective of the group is to provide information and discussions that will be relevant to individuals with a range of breathing problems, as well as those dependent on supplemental oxygen. For additional information, call Ken Peterson (Oakmont) at 482-3779.

CPAP SUPPORT

THIS GROUP IS ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13.

The focus of this program is you, the caregiver or former caregiver. We will explore ways to identify and reduce stress, improve communication skills, and understand and handle difficult feelings. Contact Jane Johnston (Lucina) at 464-5903 or jjejjohnston@gmail.com.

HEARING ENRICHMENT THIS GROUP IS ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26.

Poor hearing can affect many aspects of one’s life. This group seeks to help residents cope with hearing loss, share information, learn about services and products that may help, and offer support to each other. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Katalin Carrow, case manager, at 225-2929.

JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF THE VILLAGE CHURCH This is a seven-week program that runs several times throughout the year. Participants have the opportunity to share feelings, or just listen and learn to navigate the process of grieving a loss, whether recent or long ago. Led by Jim and Judy Mayer (Junonia); call 454-3139 if you are interested.

MEMORY CARE TUESDAYS, AUGUST 2 & 16 GROUP 1: 9:15 A.M. • GROUP 2: 10:30 A.M. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONFERENCE ROOM/IS These groups are designed to provide education and support to residents who have some type of memory disorder. The objectives are to identify practical strategies to help residents better manage their memory loss, address long-range planning, and offer an environment that fosters a sense of purpose and heightened self-esteem.

Note: Individual assessment is required before joining a group. Call Kathy Fratrick, LCSW, at 454-2073. Individual appointments are also available.

THIS GROUP MEETS EVERY FOUR MONTHS; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and use a CPAP device, consistent use can make a tremendous difference in helping you feel more energetic and healthy during the day. Education and support for CPAP users has shown to increase compliance with use of the device. For more information, contact Larry Chrouch (Eagles Preserve) at 481-7188.

PARKINSON’S ENRICHMENT

DIABETES SUPPORT

VISION ENRICHMENT

THIS GROUP IS ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 • 1:00 P.M. • SOCIAL CENTER/IS All diabetics are encouraged to attend this meeting, which covers various topics and includes open discussion. For more information, contact Stephanie Devlin, case manager, at 454-8246.

THIS GROUP IS ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER; THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11.

This group provides educational opportunities and support for those dealing with low vision. Florence Putman (Turban) is the chairperson. For additional information, contact Angie Prichard, case manager, at 454-2134.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1 • 10:15 A.M. KING’S CROWN COMMUNITY ROOM/IS This group aims to provide support and educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend. Meetings include speakers, group discussions, and emotional support. For more information, call Janine Hammond, case manager, at 454-2186.

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Jazz ‘n Stuff

Jam Session Toasts Music Fans

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It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy for a loyal audience of almost 80 who tune in each week to the

lively performances by Shell Point’s impromptu Jazz ‘n Stuff musicians. The hour-long jam session, held live at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday (returning August 17 after a short summer recess) in the Grand Cypress Room at the Woodlands Commons, spotlights the individual talents of each artist.

Bill Johns (Lakewood), a founding member of the group from its 2003 launch, currently organizes the show, with

Jim

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

help from his wife Lela, who prepares the weekly two-sided playbill. Years ago, Lela had been a disc jockey for a nighttime jazz radio show in Louisville, Kentucky.

Relying on old favorites from The Ultimate Jazz Fakebook and individual sheet music, each pianist selects a weekly list of songs. The players then determine which pieces they plan for their solo, combining individual efforts for the final program.

“Our audience is very forgiving musically,” said Bill, who plays the bass guitar, “and they keep coming back.” Many arrive

Chuck

early to hear the cacophonic tuning rehearsal, and get a prime spot near the front. Bob Benjamin (Eagles Preserve) is among those who wouldn’t miss a week of Jazz ‘n Stuff.

Jerry Ingalls (Eagles Preserve), who joined the band after purchasing his trumpet at a local pawn shop, opened the June 1 show with “Mame,” then coaxed the blues right out of his horn to play “More” than you’ll ever know (Latin style), cha-cha-cha.

The entire band performed in “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” as spectator Donald McGregor (Rosemont) cheered along,

Yvonne

Jack

enjoying this good hour of live jazz. We all listened intently as Art Sherrill (Nautilus) serenaded about the “Paper Doll” that he could call his own.

“It’s the highlight of my week,” said Carol DeLucia (Oakmont), who grew up with these tunes. She picks the same seat each week to be close enough to cheer and hear her friend, Chuck Durrell (Oakmont) on the recorder. Chuck is a charter member of Jazz ‘n Stuff, performing a peppy, “Crazy Rhythm” and instructional “Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.”

Another founding jazz enthusiast is pianist Pat Specht (Lakewood). “It keeps people going, listening to all the songs we knew when we were younger,” she said.

Her vocal rendition of “Fever” was sizzling – an ideal way to feel the heat during the summer in Southwest Florida!

Tune Up Members come and flow as schedules permit, and on any given week, you might hear a vocal solo like “Summertime” by Yvonne Schneff (Sundial), who also crooned Billie Holiday’s “Solitude” like a pro. “My husband tricked me into learning each of these songs,” she said, happily performing when the song key is within her range.

Art

Don

As a pastor in Orlando for 37 years, Navy veteran Don Schneff (Sundial) now trumpets Christmas carols with others at the annual Shell Point tree lighting ceremony and at other neighborhood performances.

His rendition of “Oh! What It Seemed To Be” had Don breathing out, as he blew his own horn … and the ‘wolf whistle’ to compliment his wife Yvonne’s soulful vocals: “It was just a wedding in June,

that’s all that it was.

But, oh, what it seemed to be.

It was like a royal affair, with everyone there, ‘cause you said ‘Yes, I do’ to me.”

Phil Hilton (Lakewood) found that the accordion was the answer to his parents’ suggestion that, as a seven-year-old, he should expand his interests beyond cops and robbers to focus on culture through music. He grudgingly learned the basics on an accordion, which he played through his school years, also playing an organ for home entertainment.

Now Phil has a Roland electronic accordion, which generates a wide variety of sounds to complement the band ensemble. Tunes like the romantic, melodic Spanish “Ramona” and “Green Eyes” spot-

Phil

lighted his talents. Phil also plays for Shell Point assisted living residents; watch for his Oktoberfest polkas.

Tom Lasier (Lakewood) plays the piano as a hobby for enjoyment. “I’ve never been paid for it,” he claimed, describing his preference for popular show tunes from 1900 to the 1960s.

The beguiling melody and advanced harmonic structure of “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads” showcased Tom’s talent, as his solo glittered and gleamed so, making everybody dream so they jing, jinga-linga and sing, singa-linga.

Tune In Jim Holbrook (Harbor Court) is one of the newest members of the group, playing sultry alto saxophone with tunes like “There’s a Small Hotel … with a wishing well, I wish that we were there together.”

This longtime pastor at nearby McGregor Baptist Church was encouraged by his dad, who had a band, to play his trumpet loud and brassy.

“But I have a romance with my sax,” Jim said, specializing in bluesy notes. “Rather than jumpy, I like soft, sweet-sounding Continued on next page

Pat

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Jazz ‘n Stuff Continued from page 29

music now; that’s … ‘When I Fall in Love’.”

You’ll feel that way too, and it will be forever, hearing another sentimental featured solo.

Sadly, some of the Jazz ‘n Stuff regulars missed this particular performance, but will be back in tune by mid-August: Cas Obie (Parkwood) on trumpet; Mary McJoynt (Eagles Preserve), tenor sax; Beth Steen (Coquina) on French horn; Paul Goodwin (Royal Bonnet), clarinet; and John Bendall (Coquina) on piano.

Howard Wilson (Nautilus) once played guitar alongside music greats Les Paul and Chet Atkins. During performances, he strums the melody, building depth while harmonizing with the group; his only rehearsal is in front of this large, live, lenient audience.

Each week is, in fact, a practice session, where some in the group improvise as each tune unfolds. Jack Frayer (Periwinkle) on clarinet and Don Schneff on trumpet took time for a key of “C” sound check. They immediately launched into a raucous round of “Chicago,” which is certainly my kind of town.

Cheering in the audience, Jack’s wife Marilyn explained that as a little kid off the farm in Holt, Michigan, Jack loved jazz.

Learning from a music teacher in fourth grade, he played most of his life, through high school then with the Army Air Force Band, traveling to Japan.

Among the many group traditions, the first half ends with “Bill Bailey,” and it ain’t a shame, allowing drummer Fritz Knox (Lakewood) to bring it all home – performing his flashy solo wearing a slick leather vest and classic dark ‘shades’ (sunglasses). Likewise, the second half wraps up with a trumpet fanfare by Don Schneff, and vocals by Phil Hilton, “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Oh, Lord, I want to be in that number, as not a minute past the 3:30 mark, the show concludes with a unanimous and thunderous standing ovation.

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“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just a guitar player, and my job is to go out there and play and entertain and do my thing.”

– Les Paul, legendary musician and guitar designer

Tom

rd a w o H

Fritz

Bill

Prepped & Ready

Students Supplied for a Year of School B

y

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o r o t h y

E

r i c k s o n

(N

a u t i l u s

)

In less than two weeks, the local schools will open for a new year of learning, and the children and grandchildren of Shell Point employees will be able to start well equipped. Thanks to generous residents, more than $11,000 was contributed for the tenth annual School Supply Fund Drive, held in April.

The money was used to buy, at bulk discount, most of the items schools request each student to furnish, and Shell Point employees appreciate the gift. Packs are provided for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade. Marco Office Supply once again provided a discount for the supplies and furnished the backpacks imprinted with the Shell Point logo.

July 13 and 14 were busy days in the Manatee Room as 35 residents volunteered to unpack the boxes of supplies and fill the backpacks. Although individual schools or grades require unique items, each backpack was filled with an equal amount of supplies common to every grade at most of the Lee County schools – notebooks, folders, glue, pencils, crayons, scissors, markers, and many other useful tools used throughout the school year.

On July 15, resident volunteers distributed the backpacks as employees gathered at various locations at scheduled times. Some brought their children or grandchildren with them to extend a hearty thank you with broad smiles and heartfelt words of appreciation.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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Water World B

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, A

ss i s t e d

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A

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S

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Ocean cover s of ear 70% t surfach’s e

Restoring the oceans could feed a billion people each day with a healthy seafood meal.

Mary Kearby and Martha Hutchinson (The Springs)

During June, assisted living residents attended a series of ocean conservation seminars, trips, and themed events, to commemorate World Oceans Day. Celebrated globally on June 8, it reflects an appreciation for the earth’s stunning seas and conservation collaborations to create a better future for our marine habitats.

The theme this year, “Healthy Oceans,

Arbor residents Marjorie Erickson, Merna Johannessen, and Beth Watt

Healthy Planet,” encouraged organizations and individuals to prevent plastic pollution. In support, Birgie Miller, Executive Director at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, showed the renowned Canadian documentary, “Addicted to Plastic,” which explored the negative effects of excessive worldwide production.

A trip to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island provided

Source: Oceana.org

education about the barrier islands’ ocean ecosystems. Local marine biologist, Stefanie Wolf, led a live mollusk lecture and presented information about the lifecycles and threats to Florida’s native sea life.

Residents also enjoyed an under-thesea themed dinner, made nautical jewelry and aquatic creature magnets, and read maritime stories to young students from the local Gladiolus Learning Center.

Mil Anderson (King’s Crown) and Bob Anderson (Turban)

“I “I find find this this all all so so fascinating. fascinating. II enjoyed enjoyed learning learning about about the the vast vast number number of of creatures creatures right right off off the the shore shore of of my my home.” home.”

–Richard –Richard Gordon, Gordon, King’s King’s Crown Crown 32

Shell Point Life | August 2016

A Safe Place

Provides a Little Space B y M c K e n z i e M i ll i Healthcare Marke

s

At The Arbor

,

t i n g

S

p e c i a l i s t

It all started when the Arbor Day Respite program first opened in July 2014. “I knew this was exactly what we were looking for,” said Lynne Hoden (Harbor Court). “As a full-time caregiver for my husband, Peter, for the last three years, I knew the importance of caring for both him and myself. The Day Respite program has helped me make that a reality and so much more.”

The Arbor Day Respite program provides a safe place for residents suffering with mild cognitive impairment or dementia to be able to participate in supervised activities and programs with their interests and passions in mind. The Lynne and Peter Hoden small group setting provides hands-on support and promotes socialization and engagement among participants.

The daily schedule varies, and includes LifeQuest activities based on all six dimensions of wellness, including Wii bowling, board games, stretch and tone exercises, baking activities, art therapy, vespers, pet

Tuesday, August 23

Day Respite

therapy, trivia games, and more. “The Day Respite leader really gets to know the participants and interacts with each person based on their individual skill level,” said Lynne.

Designed to be a flexible program offering both half- and full-day options, caregivers can bring their loved one to participate when it works best for them. “The program is extremely flexible for me, and fun and interesting for him,” Lynne said. “The daily activity log lets me know what great things have occurred during my husband’s day.

“His care is my top priority, and I feel confident that Peter is in good hands when he is there. I know and trust the medical team; they take responsibility for his care and wellbeing when I am not there, providing great supervision. They will even administer his medications as needed throughout the day.”

This service is available free to all Shell Point lifecare residents living in both independent living and assisted living.

Recently, Peter transitioned from living at home with his wife to live at the King’s Crown assisted living at Shell Point. In

addition to making new friends there and participating in activities, Peter continues to attend the Arbor Day Respite program a few days a week. He looks forward to going, and enjoys participating in a structured day of activities.

“I encourage all Shell Point caregivers to give this program a try,” said Lynn.

“It has helped me be able to keep Peter at home as long as possible, and now is helping him bridge his transition to assisted living. I am experiencing the continuum of care first hand!”

The Arbor Day Respite program is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required at least one week in advance. Lunch can be provided for $10 per meal. If you or someone you know could benefit from the Arbor Day Respite program, please call 454-2292 for more information.

Get the Sweet Scoop on the Larsen Pavilion

Please join us at the Larsen Pavilion on Tuesday, August 23, at 2 p.m. for an ice cream social, including a presentation and tour of the Rehabilitation Center. Enjoy a delicious scoop of Love Boat ice cream while listening to information shared by Larsen Pavilion Administrator Doug Potts, director of Long Term Care.

This is the perfect opportunity to get answers to your rehab and skilled nursing questions before touring the Pavilion. Learn more about the range of services and what you can expect during a short-term rehab stay.

To RSVP or obtain more information, please call Rhanda Lee at 415-5432.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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Sun Protection for All Your Outdoor Activities B

y

R

o b y n

C

h u r c h

, S

a l o n

& S

p a

M

a n a g e r

(239) 489-8400

broad-spectrum sun protection cream to protect your skin from both UVB and UVA rays.

G.M. Collin offers two new sunscreen creams with different formulas of broad-spectrum sun protection. The 60 Mineral Sunscreen is 100% mineral (chemical free) with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These two mineral filters are extremely effective in reflecting the UV rays from the skin’s surface. The 50+ Dry Touch Sunscreen uses chemicals to prevent the UV rays from hitting the skin by absorbing them.

f 10% ofin

60 MINERAL

G.M. Coll n Sun Protgeucsttio in Au

For appointments, call

SUNSCREEN

The days of reflective blankets and lathering with baby oil to lie in the sun are over. A small amount of UV rays are required to produce vitamin D to help keep bones and muscles strong and healthy. But too much UV ray exposure will damage skin cells. When the cells are unable to repair themselves, a visit to the dermatologist is certainly in the future.

Sun protection is vital all year long to prevent damage to our skin, especially in Southwest Florida. Too many UVB rays will result in sunburn and visible signs of premature aging. Always use a

50+

DRY TOUCH

Enjoy lots of fun in the summer sun with sun protection for all your outdoor activities.

New Skin Services Coming Soon to the Seagrape Salon & Spa LED (light-emitting diode) therapy stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen. The loss of collagen due to sun damage and aging is what causes fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. This procedure can be given alone or to complement one of our clinical treatments.

CIT (collagen-induction therapy), or micro-needling, is a procedure using a device with fine needles to slightly puncture the skin. These punctures trigger the body to fill the microscopic wounds by producing more collagen and elastin. Through this process, there is improvement in skin 34

Shell Point Life | August 2016

Above: Fractional Collagen Induction Therapy SystemTM Left: LED (light-emitting diode) therapy

texture and firmness, as well as a reduction in scars and pore size. This process can even be used to diminish stretch marks.

Stay tuned for more information about great new offerings at Seagrape Salon & Spa at the Clubhouse.

Q&A

FineMark National Bank & Trust Answers Your Personal Banking Questions

By Anna Smith,

managing

executive

of

finemark

national

bank

&

trust

Question: I like the convenience of using my debit card, but I’m worried about security. Are there places I should avoid using it?

Answer: Debit cards are considered a riskier form of payment because the card is directly linked to your bank account. Card skimming devices have become more prevalent in recent years, allowing fraudsters to pull money directly from an unsuspecting consumer’s bank account. If fraudulent activity is detected on a debit card, it could take weeks, if not longer, to get your money back.

FineMark encourages its clients to avoid using a debit card, and instead use another form of payment, especially when visiting the following locations: • Online – Avoid using your debit card online. Hackers have become sophisticated in creating phony sites and selling goods they don’t intend to deliver.

Consider using a credit card to make online purchases. If you must use your

debit card online, always look for the markings of a secure site, like the green lock icon and the letters “https” in the URL. • Restaurants – Although most wait staff may be trustworthy, there have been reports of servers bringing handheld card skimmers to work. Try not to let your card out of your sight. In many cases, the server will take your card away from the table to finalize your bill. We suggest using cash or a credit card in these establishments.

• Big-Ticket Items – When purchasing expensive items, such as electronics, vacation rentals, entertainment tickets, etc., it’s recommended to use a credit card in case you need to dispute the charges after a purchase. With a debit card, the money comes directly out of

your checking account, and options are limited if the seller does not deliver the goods as promised.

• Gas Stations – Fuel pumps are notorious for card-skimming devices. Thieves often target gas pumps because they are easily accessible, do a high volume of transactions, and skimming devices can be difficult to spot.

• Suspicious-Looking ATMs – Skimmers can also be attached to an ATM machine, so it’s important to take a good look at the ATM before you use it. If the ATM looks like it doesn’t get maintained on a regular basis, or if anything else looks suspicious, just walk away and find another machine location.

If you have any questions about using your debit card, give us a call at 461-5999, or stop in the bank, and we’ll be happy to help.

Finding the Right Battery for Your Home Phone B

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The cordless phone has been around since 1980, and has improved a great deal since it was first introduced to the commercial marketplace. Early cordless phones sent the calls over a radio signal frequency of 900 MHz. Modern cordless phones use 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies, and also send phone calls using digital signals. This improves the security and clarity of the call signal.

These cordless models make it possible for people to talk on the phone while walking freely throughout their home.

This is convenient and helpful for those who need to simultaneously accomplish other tasks in the home. For instance,

e c h n i c a l

S

u p p o r t

S

p e c i a l i s t

people calling tech support about a computer problem often need to be seated at the computer to follow instructions provided over the phone.

Most cordless home phones use batteries to power the handset, which needs its own source of power to communicate with the base station that is connected to the phone line. Batteries are essential for operating the handset, even though it can be recharged in its cradle. You may also need to replace phone batteries that are old or damaged, and can no longer hold a charge.

The phone manufacturer and model number are helpful sources to confirm the battery type and cell type needed for your

model. Home phone batteries are available in electronics and retail stores, from internet electronics and phone retailers, and through internet marketplace sites, such as eBay. You can use the search engine on the computer to locate a battery for a specific model and brand of home phone. Just enter keywords into the browser, such as “AT&T VTECH phone battery,” then click the “search” button. The browser will display results in a summary page listing items relevant for that search term.

If you need assistance, call (239) 4542190 to place a work order for a Shell Point Technical Support member to assist you.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

35

Enjoying a Patriotic Day in Perfect Harmony b y

K

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The lively festivities at this year’s

4th of July celebration in The Village Church, decorated with traditional American flair, was an opportunity for more than 700 residents to join together in one voice, as one community, to commemorate our Independence Day. A red, white, and blue color scheme prevailed, from the flagthemed shirts and balloons to the icing on the cake.

Residents were greeted by staff and served a generous portion of double-layered sweetness, before

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

r o g r a m

C

o o r d i n a t o r

taking their seats for the 1:15 p.m. concert, featuring the Ditchfield Family Singers from Sarasota, Florida. Spirits were high with patriotic pride as this family of nine sang in perfect harmony, taking us on a melodic journey tracing the birth of our nation.

From colonial days to the Roaring ‘20s, the Ditchfields performed an exciting show, filled with music from the Broadway stage, uplifting spirituals, inspirational favorites, and some classic anthems.

Shell Point residents sang along and listened intently as the Ditchfields recounted stories and facts about our nation’s history.

A special military tribute featured a medley of songs for each branch of service, and Shell Point veterans were asked to stand to be acknowledged by thunderous applause. The atmosphere was joyful and uplifting as residents stood for the grand finale – “God Bless America.”

Shell Point Life | August 2016

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Employee Christmas Fund B

y

J

a n

B

When it comes to family, words just aren’t enough o u d

(E

s t u a r y

)

E

very day since moving to Shell Point just a little over a year ago, my husband Ron and I have been impressed with the feeling of “family” that we have encountered – not just with wonderful new friends in The Estuary and other neighborhoods, but also with the people who work here.

Almost 1,000 of these folks share work responsibilities, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, with the commitment of caring for, serving, and satisfying us. How often I have wanted to say a special thanks to Shell Point employees who do so much for us. Words are always good – but sometimes, they just don’t seem adequate.

Thanks to a resident initiative started many years ago, we have the opportunity to say more than words of thanks through the Employee Christmas Fund.

The best part of this gift is knowing how much it is appreciated by the employees. When I visited recently with managers Stacey Daniels-Dattilo, Kevin May, and Tony Arias, along with some of their staff, they couldn’t say enough about what the Christmas gift means to them and their families. They have never worked for an organization that did anything like it!

One employee commented that the gift makes her feel special, because it shows someone really cares about her at work.

Thanks to residents’ generosity, the anticipation is wonderful, and the timely gift takes away a lot of the holiday stress. It truly is “the icing on the cake” for many employees.

Jan Boud interviewed several Shell Point staff members to ask what the Employee Christmas Gift means to them: (L-R) Tony Arias, Environmental Services manager; Francia Rivett, Island Housekeeping supervisor; Aeelene Fernandez, Larsen Pavilion Housekeeping; Josette Bontemps, Larsen Pavilion Housekeeping lead; Gloria Williams, Island Laundry; and Kevin Peltier, Island Laundry Delivery tech.

I also heard some unexpected and amazing responses in my conversations.

Little did I know that almost everyone uses the money they receive not for themselves but to help others – a unique present for a child, an extra special dinner for family, a gift to a charity, sending the gift to family overseas.

It’s quite clear to me that the joy we find in giving to Shell Point employees is shared through their kindness to others.

Hopefully you will join us this year in honoring our employee “family” members.

We have done our best to make sure residents have ample opportunity to give at the

“You are part of our family, and we are part of yours.”

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Shell Point Life | August 2016

most convenient time – even spreading a gift over several months. Many have already responded to this year’s campaign, and on behalf of the Employee Christmas Fund Committee, let me say, “Thank you!”

The deadline for giving this year is Friday, December 2. But please don’t wait until then to respond. We’ve made it easier than ever to give online at www.shell point.net/christmasfund, where you can follow the prompts to give your gift; or give by check made payable to Shell Point. Just put “Employee Christmas Fund” on the memo line, and send it via campus mail to Cashier/Administration.

One employee summed it up by saying, “You’re part of our family, and we are part of yours.” So please join us this year in “Giving Thanks” to our wonderful Shell Point employee “family” through the Employee Christmas Fund!

The Joy of

Singing at Shell Point

It’s time for more musical celebration and inspiration as The Village Church Choir and the Shell Point Singers begin a new season of Randy Woods, song. Whether you enjoy singing the best of traditional and conMinister of a sacred anthem or a popular tune temporary sacred music as it Worship & Music, from the Great American Songbook, regularly shares in the worship The Village there is a place for everyone to join services and holiday concerts in Church their voices and share in the joy of the church. choral music at Shell Point.

The Shell Point Singers is our commuThere are two distinct singing oppor- nity choir, which provides the opportunity tunities in our community to consider: to sing a variety of music styles. This group the Shell Point Singers and The Village will begin weekly rehearsals on Monday, Church Choir, which are both directed by September 12, at 3:15 p.m. All interested Randy Woods. residents are welcome. Register by attendThe Village Church Choir will ing the first rehearsal in the Choir Room resume weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, (located behind the stage) at The Village August 24, at 5:45 p.m. This choir sings Church; there is a $10 registration fee to

Connecting in Uruguay

Through Kids and Soccer B

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cover the cost of music.

All singers are encouraged to attend the rehearsals as we prepare to perform in the first major event of the fall season, Kaleidoscope 2016, to be presented on Tuesday, October 11, at 7:15 p.m. This concert celebration of the arts will feature both choir groups, along with pianist Ronald Boud (Estuary) and special guest artists Samuel Metzger, organist, and Terri Theil, soprano.

It’s always good to welcome new singers, so don’t hesitate to join us as we begin a new season of song!

GLOBAL OUTREACH

)

Holding three-year-old Lilly’s hand, Timbrel Hull spends most afternoons outside her children’s school, along with the other moms who are waiting for the final bell. As she waits, she chats about homework, upcoming events, teachers – all the things moms in the United States discuss outside schools. But Timbel isn’t in the States; she’s in Montivideo, Uruguay!

Three years ago, Timbrel and Jimmie Hull moved their family to Uruguay, the most secular country in South America.

Their goal is to get to know people in their neighborhood and around the city to develop relationships that might eventually include talks about spiritual topics.

Being involved in the school that her children Madeline, Kayden, and Micah attend has provided the most opportunities. Just as in the States, moms of school friends often become her friends. Jimmie also builds relationships with local men through a dads’ soccer team connected to the school.

Because most Uruguayans want to learn English, the Hulls have started an English Camp for kids, which meets during school breaks. They also invite their neighbors and new friends to American events, like the Thanksgiving feast.

Join the Hulls at our monthly Global Outreach meeting on Wednesday, August

The Hull Family

3, as they talk about their family and work in Uruguay. The meeting begins at 10:15 a.m., with refreshments at 10 a.m., in the Hospitality Room of The Village Church.

Shell Point Life | August 2016

39

Nature’s Notebook

By Steve Morton,

landscape

manager

The

Black Olive Chorus

T

he sound permeated me like a jolt of electricity. It seemed as if 50,000 volts were humming across a transformer. I was standing under the black olive trees in the canopy road at The Woodlands, and the sound seemed infinite as it enveloped me like a warm blanket.

Yet, the resonance was so sublimely subtle that I focused intently for variations in tone and pitch. No, this was not the mechanical and monotonous hum of electricity, it was something more. The music was a rich soup of vibrato, which was not like that produced by man with his machines.

I must have appeared odd indeed standing alone on the sidewalk, staring slack jawed into the treetops. Listening carefully, I recognized individual musicians in the chorus, and it felt as if my body came into a complementary tune with this glorious rhythm.

My fingertips vibrated sympathetically, and I floated weightlessly as if being raptured into the trees to meet the Great Spirit. At the exact moment of divine communion, a loud car drove past me on Woodsong Lane, and I fell to earth like a broken butterfly. Now bitterly rational, I systematically searched for the source of the mysterious sound.

More than a million honeybees were feeding on the inconspicuous flowers at the top of the black olive trees. Their gossamer wings beat at a manic pace, allowing each individual bee to hover about the flower of choice. These bees were doing their job, gathering nectar from the flowers to create honey for the brood of their Queen to feed upon.

However, the sound of these simple creatures made while performing their daily chores was inspirational. I had the opportunity to see a live performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah oratorio, and during the “Hallelujah Chorus” of this classic, I was spiritually transfixed no more than during this unique, accidental concert of the black olive bees at The Woodlands.

Take the Good with the Not At Shell Point, we often have a mixed relationship with black olive trees. While they create beautiful, dense shade, they are also the source of hideous, brown staining on our sidewalks and streets (or the occasional car parked beneath it). In late spring this year, tiny worm-like caterpillars were harmlessly hanging by silken threads from the trees at approximately head height.

It is hard to love this tree after getting a worm in the face! Like all creatures great and small, however, the black olive has its role in nature. Luckily for us, black olives produce a bounty of nectar to sustain honeybees. If you love to eat fruits and vegetables, thank a honeybee. Without these important pollinators, we would not have tomatoes, broccoli, watermelon, and many more of our summertime favorites.

Without black olive trees, we would have fewer honeybees.

Like our relationship with the tree, the visual appearance is as dichotomous as our opinions of this species. Some black olive

trees are large specimens with plum-shaped leaves, whereas another variety is smaller with diminutive, fingernail-sized leaves.

Interestingly, at The Woodlands, the two different varieties are planted next to each other for comparison. A horticulturist with a sense of humor named the smaller variety of black olive Shady Lady, and it is easy to see why that name has prevailed. Each branch is semi-pendulous, and it overlaps the branch below giving an appearance of the perfect feathers of a bird in a gilded cage.

The black olive trees at The Woodlands have matured to create a shaded tunnel that gracefully arcs over the road. With the heavenly duet of the honeybees and the black olive trees themselves, Woodsong Lane has achieved its name in a way that perhaps even the planners could not have envisioned.