A display of patriotism
RETIRED U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN MELANIE FRANK GIVES VETERANS DAY ADDRESS RETIRED U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN MELANIE FRANK WITH HER HUSBAND JOEL, RETIRED U.S. NAVY COMMANDER. PHOTO BY WARD LITZENBERG
The
SUN CITY DECEMBER 23, 2025 • SECTION SCS I VOLUME 28, ISSUE 12
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Sun City Sun
December 23, 2025
“Christmas, my child, is love in action.” - Dale Evans
BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor
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And “love in action” describes the members of Town Square Upbeats. Each year, their support of the Toys for Tots program provides hundreds of gifts for area children. ANDREA HOERNER Giving these gifts also fills members with a sense of gratitude and the joy of giving back. Their mission is to support Toys for Tots, which was originally run by the Sun City Veterans Association. This is a year-round effort, with donations and fundraisers held throughout the year. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was founded in 1947 and has distributed 708 million toys to 314 million children. Locally, more than 13,000 children received toys in 2024. GySgt. John Pikuritz, coordinator for the Savannah Toys for Tots program, had this to say: “I’ve been a Marine for 12 years, and this is my second year as the Toys for Tots coordinator for Savannah and surrounding areas. I’m originally from Macedon, N.Y. This is just one way I am able to give back to the community and assist families in need during the holiday period.” Each Christmas season, Upbeats requests 45 Toys for Tots donation boxes, which are placed in various Sun City locations and area businesses. As the gifts accumulate, they are gathered weekly and stored at Citadel Storage, which generously donates a storage unit and the use of its truck to transport the gifts to the December gala. In early December, Donna Mayer, one of the members tasked with spending the $14,000 raised, goes shopping. She said the Hardeeville Walmart has been generous in alerting them to sales.
When asked why she volunteers for this role, Donna replied: “I’ve always liked to be around people, liked to volunteer and liked to shop. Upbeats gives me that opportunity with this program.”In addition, members donate gifts on their own. One group purchases bicycles, assembles them and provides helmets. Vicki Gramlich said, “It’s for children so they can have a little Christmas during the holidays. It’s so wonderful to see all the toys donated by Sun City residents who aren’t even part of the club. The Marines joining us to take all the toys is very special.” The December event is the highlight of the year, a festive dinner dance with all the donated gifts on display. Marines join the group and, at the end of the evening, load their truck. The toys are taken to the Savannah warehouse, where they are distributed to groups and individuals who have made requests. Debi Boccanfuso, who has also served as club president, has been involved since moving to Sun City six years ago. She said, “It’s a feel-good night when everything seems right. It’s all about giving back, love and gratitude.” Sun City Town Square Upbeats, a chartered club, was formed when the Del Webb community was in its infancy. At the time, there were tennis and golf activities, but the only social option available to residents was Upbeats. From those beginnings, the club has grown to nearly 500 members. Weekly meetings are casual and fun, with a variety of programs planned, including The Newlywed Game and karaoke. Guests bring their own snacks and beverages. Dinners held throughout the year provide additional fellowship, and all funds raised go toward the toy drive. The group meets every Friday in the Pinckney Hall ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m. Annual dues are $10. For more information, contact Debi Boccanfuso at debibo330@gmail.com, or attend a meeting to see what the group has to offer.
December 23, 2025
Sun City Sun
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Sun City Sun
THE SUN CITY VETERANS ASSOCIATION COLOR GUARD COMMANDED BY BILL FIELD.
December 23, 2025
WARD LITZENBERG
Patriotism fills Magnolia Hall on Veterans Day
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
“Our country is not just a place, but an idea and a cause worth fighting for,” retired U.S. Navy Captain Melanie Frank said, quoting the late Senator John McCain as she gave her powerful and heartfelt address during the Sun City Veterans Association’s (SCVA) Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 at Magnolia Hall. This year, residents heard from one of their own, a Sun City resident and SCVA member. Frank, who served 24 years as a Navy nurse, spoke with humility and pride as she honored all who wore the uniform. SCVA Commander Dale Dietz, introducing the speaker, noted that the federal government shutdown prevented the originally scheduled guest from attending. “We’ve been fortunate to have an extremely qualified speaker from within our own ranks,” he said before outlining Frank’s distinguished career. During her service, Frank rose to the rank of captain and held leadership roles in emergency and critical care, hospital administration, and global clinical research. She deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the USNS Comfort during Operation Desert Storm, serving as an intensive
care unit charge nurse, and today serves as president of the Palmetto Navy Nurses Corps Chapter. Frank reminded the audience that Veterans Day “is a celebration to honor American veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice to preserve our freedom.” She quoted McCain, a POW for over five years, who said, “I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s country. And I loved our country for its decency, for its faith in wisdom, justice, and goodness of people,” adding his belief that America is “not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for.” Frank reflected, “Perhaps that is why those of us who have served that calling to put on that uniform.” She also cited retired Air Force Colonel Quincy Collins, a Vietnam POW for over seven years, once asked to define the role of veterans. His answer: “Veterans are responsible for promoting and maintaining patriotism.” Frank echoed his reasoning — “If we don’t do it, who will?” — and told the audience, “That is another reason why we are here today.” The hall fell silent as attendees absorbed her words. Frank’s remarks aligned with this year’s SCVA theme honoring women in the military. She stated, “History
shows women have served in wars as far back as 1812, when a teenager, Deborah Sampson, disguised herself as a man so she could fight.” Women may not have officially served in the military in the early times, but there was a presence in all wars since those early days. Frank also highlighted the U.S. Army’s 6888th Battalion, noting that “only recently” has their story become widely known. Composed of minority women serving in World War II, the unit was sent to England to solve what she called “a very, very difficult problem”—getting the mail moving again. Warehouses were filled with undelivered letters that had sat untouched for months, and the task was expected to take more than six months to complete. Frank emphasized that these women surprised everybody by completing it in three months. She stated that as of 2023 women make up 17.7 percent of active-duty service members, a rising share even as they continue to navigate support systems originally designed for men. Adding, “There is little difference in how military service impacts both men and women.” Frank cited sobering 2024 data: more than 3,000 women veterans
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December 23, 2025
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are homeless, 3.5 percent are unemployed, and 13 percent suffer from PTSD. Frank also shared defining moments from her own career. She recalled nearly leaving the Navy at her ten-year mark until Admiral Mary Hall encouraged her to stay, telling her, “One person can make a difference. Duties were frequently not easy, balancing life with two children, the rigors of a military life, changes of duty stations, not only for me, but coordinating that with my active-duty husband’s assignments. Before closing, Frank thanked her husband for caring for their children during her deployment. “Running a household may not be at the top of a man’s skill set,” she smiled, “but Joel, you did okay, buddy.” She added that Joel, who also served in the U.S. Navy, provided “the kind of quiet service that keeps families together and makes military service possible.” The dynamic ceremony featured music from the Lowcountry Brass Quintet and the Sun City Singers, a solemn POW/MIA table, the calling of names of deceased
Sun City Sun veterans, and a service medley that brought veterans from every branch to their feet. A highlight of the morning was the Dan Sullivan Founder’s Award, presented annually to recognize a SCVA member who reflects the legacy of Sullivan, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran who founded the SCVA in 1996. Blinded after being shot in the Pacific, he never let this impede a successful career serving as Chief of Vocations and Rehabilitation Services for the state of New Jersey. The award recognizes those who embody the leadership, spirit, and dedication he displayed. This year’s recipient announced by Master of Ceremonies Carl Trovato was Jim Quirk, recognized for two decades of service ranging from communications and committee leadership to marching-unit duties and program coordination. He served as both Vice Commander in 2009 and Commander of the SCVA in 2010. Accepting the award, he said, “I began working with the Veterans Association in 2006 and I’ve never looked back. It’s a great organization. We do a lot of good,” adding “We support our local veterans organizations TOP RIGHT: BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL ARMY ROTC COLOR GUARD MEMBERS ASSISTED WITH THE VETERANS DAY PROGRAM. BOTTOM RIGHT: U.S. ARMY WORLD WAR II VETERAN SAM HOLLIS, 100 YEARS OLD, WAS IN ATTENDANCE ALONG WITH HIS DAUGHTER AT THE SUN CITY VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AND RECOGNIZED BY ALL PRESENT.
SUN CITY VETERANS ASSOCIATION DAN SULLIVAN FOUNDER’S AWARD WINNER JIM QUIRK WITH HIS WIFE CHERYL. PHOTOS BY WARD LITZENBERG
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Sun City Sun
December 23, 2025
Innovation in home lending
NEW MORTGAGE IDEAS HIT THE HEADLINES BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor As housing affordability continues to challenge buyers nationwide, the home-lending industry is once again exploring new ideas aimed at easing the path to homeownership. GARY SMYTHE Rising interest rates, elevated home prices, and limited inventory have sparked renewed discussion around alternative mortgage structures. Two concepts gaining recent attention are the proposed 50-year mortgage and the idea of portable mortgages. A 50-year mortgage extends the tradi-
tional repayment term well beyond the standard 30 years. By spreading payments over a longer period, monthly costs would be lower, potentially allowing more buyers to qualify for a loan or manage their cash flow more comfortably. For some households, especially in higher-priced markets, this could offer short-term relief and expanded access to ownership. However, the trade-off is significant. Borrowers would pay far more interest over the life of the loan and build equity much more slowly, which could limit flexibility if they want to sell, refinance, or tap into home equity. Carrying mortgage debt deep into retirement also raises longterm financial planning concerns. Critics argue that while a longer loan term may improve affordability on paper, it does little to address the underlying issue of limited housing supply and could even contribute to higher prices if demand in-
creases without more homes being built. Portable mortgages represent a different kind of innovation. Common in countries like Canada, this concept would allow homeowners to transfer their existing mortgage — including the interest rate — to a new home when they move. In today’s environment, many homeowners feel “locked in” to historically low rates and are reluctant to sell because buying again would mean taking on a much higher mortgage rate. Portability could encourage more mobility, potentially increasing housing inventory and making it easier for people to move for lifestyle changes, downsizing, or job relocation. The downside is that portable mortgages primarily benefit current homeowners rather than first-time buyers, and implementing them within the U.S. mortgage system would require major changes to how loans are struc-
tured, sold, and serviced. Both ideas highlight the industry’s effort to adapt to changing market conditions. While innovative mortgage products may help certain buyers and sellers, they are not a cure-all. True affordability will still depend on increased housing supply, thoughtful development, and sound financial decision-making. As these concepts continue to be debated, buyers and homeowners should stay informed and seek professional guidance to understand how new lending tools might affect their long-term goals. Gary Smythe is a local Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate specializing in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. Gary@ GarySmythe.com. www.WilliamRaveis.com/GarySmythe
December 23, 2025
Sun City Sun
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Sweat and fog
BY CHRIS ROOSA Contributor
Men’s “change of life” is retirement. The start of a new chapter in their lives. A fun-loving time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Women’s “change of life” is menopause. The start of nightly sweats, fogged-up glasses and bloating. Life can be rewarding, exciting, even challenging for a young woman. College, a great career and marriage. The birth of a much-wanted child. Or mastering both motherhood and a fulfilling career. In our youth, we are fit, trim and active. Constantly on the go. Dating handsome young men. Taking time to pamper ourselves with mani-pedis and facials. We may even treat ourselves to sleeping in on the weekends. But the years creep by, and “menopause” takes over, consuming our once-youthful bodies and our sanity. Our spirit oftentimes changes from happy to irritable. Our tummy appears constantly bloated no matter how much we exercise. Then there’s the lovely weight gain. We used to scarf down burgers and pizza while never gaining an ounce. Now we suck Jell-O through a straw and watch ourselves swell up a size before leaving the kitchen table. Our skin begins to look like a prune. And our hormones totally disappear, only to be replaced by “temperamental crabbiness.” Sleep? Well, that’s a thing of the past. Sleep evades you permanently. But if you do happen to doze, you awaken to your sweaty body soaked in soggy clothing stuck to your skin. Sheets are wet and clammy, the pillow is saturated and your dripping hair is plastered to your
face. It’s like you’re lying in a sauna with the temperature jacked up to 104 degrees. In the meantime, Mr. Happy Retired Fellow is snoring the night away. You begin to think life will never be the same again. But wait, it gets worse. Before you know it, you’ve acquired the “day sweats.” A daily shower, or two, is a must. Yet after showering, you can never blow your hair dry because you can’t quit sweating long enough to accomplish the task. I even had a fan installed in my bathroom to cool me down during my hair challenge. The powerful blades just about blew me into my neighbor’s bathroom, but I was still sweating. As I try putting on makeup, I continue dripping so profusely that I end up with sweat lines running from my hairline to my décolletage. Eyebrows slide off. Lipstick smears. Blush has several sweat stripes through it like a zebra. Mascara is running down my face. I sit there with tissue, blotting my face as I try to look human. I finally put on my glasses to critique this sloppy creation, and my lenses immediately fog up. It’s so bad that when folks go to hug me, I feel a need to warn them that I’m sweaty. I feel clammy all the time. The AC in the car is set at the lowest setting. Fans throughout the house are on high. And then, let’s not forget this part, when you quit sweating, your clothing is now so damp that you’re freezing in the air conditioning. In conclusion, it’s probably best to fix a margarita and lie on a comfy raft while floating around a pool for the next five years — or until your “sweating/fog stage” passes.
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Sun City Sun
December 23, 2025
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