August 2023: On The Boulevard

On The Boulevard

AUGUST 2023

Dear Marbella Members,

Last month, The Marbella members approved the Elevator Lobby Project, which will begin later this month and is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2024. Afterward, The Marbella will begin modernizing the elevators in the North and South towers and several other projects. Thousands of details are involved in managing multiple projects inside a busy building while keeping The Marbella’s membership and Board of Directors informed. Without question, The Marbella’s Board of Directors, Building Committee, and myself are confident that Dale Kopko is the proper professional to manage Marbella’s upcoming projects. I am pleased to announce that Dale has accepted the Director of Maintenance & Projects position. While the projects will take a good part of Dale’s time, we assure you that he is working to expand his team and keep the maintenance team working for you.

Please join me in congratulating Dale on his well-deserved promotion! A brief bio follows.

Dale Kopko was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, Dale studied at Penn State for 18 months. Due to family health issues, he had to leave and went to work in the trades. He has done everything from USW District 10 Local 159 Union Chairperson to heavy equipment operator, electrical, plumbing, framing iron, and steel work. You name it; he has probably worked at it. Dale obtained a degree from Rosedale College and the Atlanta School for Electricians. He moved his wife Lorrie and daughter Carly to Florida on his birthday, August 5, in 2000. He has two daughters, Amanda and Melanie, from an earlier marriage. Since moving to Florida, he has been a maintenance manager for country clubs and Alzheimer’s care facilities. He worked on the Bayshore Memory Care building from the ground up to licensing. Dale said he found the place (The Marbella) he wishes he could have spent his whole career. The residents are amazing, kind, and caring people. For more about Dale, visit his LinkedIn profile at linkedin.com/in/dale-kopko7725a137.

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

Making Reservations For A Guest Suite

• Please make all reservations with Resident Manager, Michelle Woodman; she can be reached at 239.593.2311.

• Rates are $125/night (November 1-April 30) and $95/night (May 1-October 31).

• All reservation requests must be in writing and signed by the resident.

• If your family is traveling with young children, we would like to recommend Cabrera or Catania

• Guests must register and pick up keys at The Marbella front desk after 3:00 PM. When you check-in, a registration form will be available at the front desk. The guest’s name, address, telephone number, estimated arrival time, and vehicle information will be requested.

• Check-out is 11:00 AM.

• All beds have been changed to queen-size mattresses, which are much more comfortable when sharing.

If the guest suites are unavailable for your desired dates, we will happily extend The Marbella resident discount for a room at the Hilton DoubleTree

Please use caution around the doorways when it is rainy out. This time of year, the wind and rain blow in an open door, and even the safest of the flooring can get slippery.

Suites. For reservations and specific rates, please get in touch with Michelle.

You will be receiving the guest suite lottery forms in the middle of August. Please fill them out if your family is interested in visiting during the holidays.

Let us assist with a customized gift in the guest suite. Don’t hesitate to contact Michelle at 239.593.2311 to arrange the perfect welcome!

• Floral arrangement.

• Fruit and cheese tray with champagne or wine.

• Bottled water, sodas, chips, fruit, snacks, beach towel, and beach bag.

We LOVE our pets! Please use the proper precautions when walking them. Paws get very hot, and they need water frequently.

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

The Life Story Of Roberta & Dick Jensen

Some couples meet at church, some at bars, and some through friends or organizations, but Roberta and Dick were connected through Mimi‘s My Top Matchmaker.

Roberta knew Dick was her date for the evening because he was the only man who stood up when she walked into the restaurant. They broke all the dating service rules that night because they had so much in common and were having too much fun. The rules were not to exchange last names, phone numbers, addresses, or offer a ride home— they broke all four. The two deeply conversed when the restaurant turned off the lights at closing time. Dick had to ask the management to turn on a light so he could find the restroom. That evening Roberta insisted on giving Dick a ride home, not realizing he only lived two blocks away.

Roberta was born in Washington, D.C. but grew up in Houston after her father took a position in retail after WWII. He ultimately retired as Vice President of Sky Chefs-American Airlines.

After high school, Roberta attended Oklahoma State University before transferring and graduating from West Chester University in Philadelphia with a business administration and business law degree. Roberta worked as a paralegal for ten years in Washington before relocating to Philadelphia to work with the Colonial Penn Insurance Co. She reported to Senior Vice President Edward Malone, whom she married several years later.

In 1977, she was asked to join President Carter‘s staff as a member of his Personnel Office. Her group screened and recommended candidates for appointment to numerous presidential advisory boards and commissions, such as the National Council for the Arts and the President’s Counsel on Physical Fitness. She held this position for three years.

In 1979, Roberta reunited with Ed when he went to the White House to visit President Carter. They were married in 1981 and settled in Gladwynne/ Bryn Mawr. They soon became Naples snowbirds moving here permanently in 1984. Ed passed away in 1992. Roberta met David Patton in 1996 at church and married in 1998. Dave passed away in 2014.

Dick is a Minnesota native, growing up in Sleepyeye. His father was an engineer. After high school, Dick attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with an economics and political science degree. He ultimately earned a Charter Financial Analyst certificate (CFA).

While attending a university football game, he noticed a pretty girl walking up the steps. He found out her name and phone number and called her for a date the following Monday. They were married before his senior year. Dick and Dale had a son Scott in Santa Rosa, CA, a daughter Wendy in Boston, and four wonderful grandchildren. Dale passed away in 2013.

After college, Dick worked for three years on Wall Street. He and Dale eventually returned to Minneapolis, where he was one of the founders of the investment management operation for U.S. Bank Corporation. He left the bank after 30 years and formed Woodland Partners, an investment management firm, in 1996.

Roberta gets involved! She is a past president of Imperial Golf Club’s Women’s Golf and of the Pelican Bay Women’s League and is now very involved in competitive ballroom dance.

Their beautiful apartment in The Marbella was renovated by Henry Westforth and decorated by Wendy Field. They have their beach house in Old Naples and treehouse at The Marbella.

Roberta and Dick enjoy biking, walking, reading, and traveling.

–Don Dussard

AUGUST ACTIVITIES

Elder Affairs Presentation

Wednesday, August 2

1:00 PM

Barcelona Room

Angela from the Collier County Sheriff's Office will speak on elder affairs, cyber safety, phone/computer scams, the grandparent scam, travel safety, and more. RSVP in the mail room.

Bridge

Every Monday

4:00 PM

Card Room

Join us for cards followed by dinner—it’s fun and only costs $1. RSVP in the mail room, or call Bev Smith at 596-8627.

Violinist Laura Leary

Tuesday, August 8

1:00-2:00 PM

The Cove

Laura will play her violin while strolling from room to room in The Cove. She is a master of all music genres, including Broadway show tunes. Make a song request or join a singalong.

Afternoon Movie The Outlaw

Friday, August 4 at 2:00 PM in Barcelona Room

Sip & Chat

Every Tuesday

5:00-6:00 PM

Grand Salon

RSVP in the mail room.

Golden PAWS

Wednesday, August 9

Wednesday, August 23

11:00 AM

Join us in The Cove to meet the newest Golden Retrievers training to become service animals. They arrive at 11:00 AM, visit The Cove residents, and go to the Grand Salon. Volunteers are available to answer any questions.

Social Hour

Thursday, August 10

5:30-6:30 PM

Barcelona Room

Join vocalist Martina Long as she takes you through one of the greatest eras—1960s. RSVP in the mail room.

Ladies' Lunch

Wednesday, August 16

Men's Lunch

Wednesday, August 23 11:30 AM

Shula's Steakhouse RSVP in the mail room; indicate if you are able to drive (Yes/No).

Birthday Social

Thursday, August 17

5:30-6:30 PM

Barcelona Room

Join piano player Chuck Jobes at our Birthday Social. RSVP in the mail room.

Bingo Night

Friday, August 18 5:00-6:00 PM

Barcelona Room

Don’t miss your chance to win big! Buy one card for $10 or three cards for $20.

Social Hour

Thursday, August 24

5:30-6:30 PM

Barcelona Room

Join us as Susie & Ricky entertain.

Chef's Table

Saturday, August 26 6:30 PM

Dining Room

Please be prompt. RSVP in the mail room.

Harpist Christian Bell

Tuesday, August 29 2:00 PM

The Cove

Join us for soothing harp music with Christian in comfy chairs fireside in The Cove.

PHOTOS

Resident Birthdays

David Lohri – August 2

Jim O’Connor – August 7

Zaki Abdum-Nabi – August 7

Paul Brown – August 15

Dorothy Roberts – August 27

Staff Birthdays

Don Eslami-Novin – August 2

Dale Kopko – August 5

Jennifer Halliday – August 9

Panoria Magnuson – August 12

Karen Faiola – August 19

Pammie Binkley – August 25

Gena Ross – August 25

Ermicile Prudhomme – August 29

Staff Anniversaries

Veronica Lamas – 1 Year

Viktoras Mitrofanovas – 8 Years

Vania Toussaint – 8 Years

David Rondinelli – 10 Years

(1) Elaine & Lynne at the Patriotic Piano Event (2) Helle & Nan (3) Carolyn & Milt at the July Social (4) Pablo & Nancy

(5) Ricky Howard Sings to the Audience (6) Jill at the July Social (7) Judy dazzles at the Patriotic Piano Event

(8) Jackie & Laura

New Alzheimer’s Medication

News recently broke about a new Alzheimer’s medication. Lecanemab (LEQEMBI®) has shown promise in reducing brain plaques that cause Alzheimer’s dementia. This drug was also noted to slow down cognitive decline; it did not reverse or stop memory loss. The FDA has given full approval. It must be administered intravenously as an infusion every two weeks over one hour. It is approved for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early Alzheimer’s dementia. The drug has significant side effects of brain swelling (edema) and micro-bleeding in the brain. People taking a blood thinner must be very cautious when taking this medication. This drug is a product of Eisai-Biogen and costs $26,500 per year. We will wait to see if Medicare will give its blessing. As with any new medicine, I usually wait at least six months to monitor post-marketing events.

–Obayedur Khan, MD, FACP

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