JEWISH FEDERATION
Federation Star
December 2023
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
11
www.wcanaples.org / 518-852-3440
WCA, friends and me — we are family By Rhonda Brazina
C
an you imagine being bound and gagged and driven to a new home 1,181 miles away? I was leaving my lifetime home for the unknown. That’s what happened to me in 2009. Well, not quite that dramatic, but it was quite traumatic!
years vacationing there and he always dreamed of living in Florida. Way back, when he asked for my hand in marriage, I immediately said, “Yes.” When he asked me to move to Naples, I said, “No way!” Heated negotiations lasted a full year with bribes offered. Finally, the deal was sealed with a written declaration stating that after a one-year trial, he would return me to my beloved Columbus if I was not completely satisfied! (Call it a moneyback guarantee!) I was fortunate to have made one good friend during my visits to Florida, Sandy Levine. She became my link to life in Naples. I was busy every day. Rhonda Brazina and her first A wise person once Naples friend, Sandy Levine said, “If you have one I had lived the first five decades of my good friend, you will be fine in your life in Columbus, Ohio. I believed my new home.” life was more perfect than an episode of We joined WCA. What did I know? “The Brady Bunch.” When Steve Brazina It sounded like a good idea and cost less moved to Ohio from Philadelphia, than dinner in a Fifth Avenue restaurant. my life was even better for 30-some I signed up for every luncheon offered, years, until he decided that he found a a Spanish class with Paulette, a Foodie new love — Naples, Florida. We spent group, a New Yorker group (even though
KATZ
New York Deli has arrived in Southwest Florida
By popular demand, we now have a physical location!
We have joined Gourmet Mama
2063 Pine Ridge Road, next to Chinatown restaurant
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – 3pm All of your favorites are there for dining in or takeout. Delivery remains available.
In addition to our regular menu, we now have
Bagels & Lox • Baked Salmon • Whitefish Salad • Katz Hot Dogs Catering & platters available See our full menu and order online at
KatzNYDeli.com
I was from Ohio), canasta, and more. I can still remember the New Member Coffee and the friendly newcomers I met. I was even inspired to host a coffee at my house! Currently, I am especially enjoying the WCA Creative Writing group led by volunteer Iris Shur. I am appreciative of the opportunity it provides to practice my writing skills. I had found my new home and I loved my new life in Naples. The diverse group of women that I met in WCA
provided a network of very close friendships as well as cadre of acquaintances. I run into WCA women everywhere I go. Since my husband passed away in 2022, these friends have been here to help me through the greatest loss of my life. No, I am not going back to Ohio — other than for visits. Naples is now my home, and I cherish the friends I have found here. They are my family now. WCA, friends and me. We are family.
WCA is a Community of Friendship Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be with other wonderful women!
Not a member? Join today! You will be glad you did. Visit our website: WCAnaples.org and click on Membership. QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Chair Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com
OUR 31ST YEAR!
NAPLES COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA 2024 SEASON January 13, 2024 Light Classics Around the World February 24, 2024 Viennese Classics March 23, 2024 Romantic Classics April 13, 2024 Spring Classics All concerts will be held at Moorings Presbyterian Church 791 Harbour Drive, Naples at 3:00pm
Artistic Director Alvin Ho
TICKETS ON SALE SOON! www.naplescommunityorchestra.org $40/Single ticket • $130/Series • Students free of charge
