September July 2014 Vol. Vol. 99 Issue Issue 99 7
Finding Her
Family Tree DISCOVERING THE TRUTH AND REVEALING THE DETAILS OF A HIDDEN PAST
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. JOHN 8:32
LIFE’S JOURNEYS By Rochelle Cherniawski I got my first passport stamps while traveling throughout Europe during the summer before my junior year of high school. My passport gained impressive mileage during my junior year of college as I spent an entire semester circumnavigating the globe aboard a cruise ship, earning new stamps in countries like Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, South Korea, and many others. Yet, I’m sure those inked badges of entry pale in comparison to the stamps branded in Frank Main’s (Sundial) passport. Frank’s world travels began in 1989 when he joined an elite travel club, the Nomads, and toured the globe from the plush seat of a luxury jet. After flying countless miles with the Nomads, he began logging nautical miles as a passenger on the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, the Crystal Serenity. Turn to page 12 to read about Frank’s extraordinary voyages. While flipping through the pages of a well-traveled passport can feel liberating, discovering that your passport is expired can make you feel trapped. And, if you have ever tried to renew a passport, you know that the task can seem daunting – especially if you have gotten married, changed your last name, and lost all of your important documents. Yes, I am speaking from experience. The process of requesting my birth certificate took a strange turn when my hus-
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band, in an honest effort to help, accidentally checked a box on the online form that said I had been adopted. Needless to say, I received quite a confusing phone call from the records office. In the end, I got the document, the passport was renewed, and we went on our vacation. Looking back, I thought the mix up at the records office was humorous. But when Penny Modrich (Nautilus) shared the story of how she tried to get her first passport, my story stopped being funny. You see, when Penny tried to acquire her first passport at the age of 55, she couldn’t get her hands on her official birth certificate. Instead, she was handed a gold certificate including the names of her adoptive parents. Although Penny had known she was adopted since she was delivered the shocking news at the age of 10, she never tried to find her birth family. But there was something about that gold certificate – and the news that her personal files were sealed, confidential, and unobtainable – that made her set out on a quest to discover the truth of her past. The story of Penny’s journey to find her family begins on page 5. Considering Penny’s remarkable story, I’m willing to bet that her experience was more rewarding, emotional, and exhilarating than any adventure marked with a stamp in a passport book.
COVER
Penny Modrich (Nautilus) learned she was adopted at the age of 10, but waited until
Shell Point Life is published monthly for the residents of Shell Point Retirement Community. Editor Rochelle Cherniawski Director of Marketing & Comm. Rich Cerrina Senior Graphic Designer Wendy Iverson Graphic Designer Kathy Grove Contributors Mary Franklin, Robyn Church, Teri Kollath, Bev Chandley, Ginny Miller-Plaza, Melody Desilets, Jill Aalderink, Randy Woods, Glenda Stephenson, Brian Gainey, Anna Smith, Kara Minoui, Claude Emler, Inga Bredahl, McKenzie Millis, Steve Morton, Dotty Morrison, Susan Uhleman,and Marilynn Fowler Do you have story ideas or photos to share? Contact Rochelle Cherniawski, editor, by calling 239-454-2055 or e-mail: rochellecherniawski@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
15101 Shell Point Boulevard • Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 466-1131 • www.shellpoint.org Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc.
her 50s to search for her birth family. 2
Shell Point Life | September 2014
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Sunny Days Ahead for Gardeners B
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Many gardeners at Shell Point rest their gardens in summer. Those who have covered their soil with black cloth have deterred weeds and hopefully baked out the nematodes, a microscopic worm infestation of the south. This year’s summer gardening has been highly successful for some gardeners at Shell Point. An example is the 100 pounds of sweet potatoes harvested by Leland Mills (Cameo) and the shoulder-high zinnias flourishing in part of a Williamsburg-style garden of Bettie Modys (Harbor Court). Some people celebrated summer with sunflowers, and others grew a mainstay of the hot south: okra. Visit the gardens to see some showy summer successes. Cooler temperatures in October will bring us a new season for planting and the restart of our Shell Point Garden Society meetings, with our new president, Patricia Myers (Junonia). As in the past, each meeting will feature an expert gardening speaker using either slides or plants to illustrate their presentation. This year, meetings will include some new
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features. We will have a display table to share garden items, garden craft projects, some fun trivia with prizes, and a time for gardeners to share tips with each other. The Garden Society’s mission is to establish communication, cooperation, and friendship among garden lovers and to provide inspiration and education to its members in the Shell Point community. All residents, if you are a garden lover or a gardener in the dirt, please attend our meetings on the first Wednesday of every month in the Oak Room of The Woodlands at 11:00 a.m. If you enjoy gardening and would like to request a complimentary garden plot, contact Program Coordinator Bev Chandley at 454-2239. To receive a monthly newsletter, contact Susan Schmitt by email at sudischmitt@gmail. com or call 454-9232.
Shell Point Garden Society Calendar 2014-15 Meetings are held at 11 a.m. in the Oak Room of The Woodlands on the first Wednesday of every month. October 1 Patricia Myers, Lee County Master Gardener, presents Having Fun with Our Native Tillandsias (Air Plants)
November 5 Bettie Zina, Community Gardener at Lakes Park, presents What to Plant for Winter
December 3 Speaker TBA Topic: Christmas Ideas with Plants
January 7 Speaker and topic to be announced
February 4 Stephen Brown, Lee County Agent, presents Flowering Trees
March 4 Speaker TBA Topic: Bromeliads A variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental shrubs are grown in The Woodlands and Island gardens.
April 1 Nancy Kopp and Patricia Myers present The Glorious Tropical Hibiscus
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Save the Date for the Annual
Shell Point Holiday Bazaar Discover a place where you can purchase unique treasures for yourself and complete your holiday shopping for others – all in one location! This year’s highly anticipated Holiday Bazaar will take place on two floors of the Woodlands Commons on Friday and Saturday, October 31 and November 1, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This Holiday Bazaar is sure to please with new options such as folded book art, children’s items, stained glass,
holiday candy, and much more. Barbara Hilton (Lakewood), chairperson of the event, is excited to be a part of this successful annual bazaar, stating “Each year, the popularity and participation for this event grows. We are looking forward to another year full of shopping and fun!” Mark your calendars for this exciting event where you can find quality items that have been handcrafted or enhanced by talented Shell Point residents. ’Tis the season to be gifting!
October 31 & November 1
Shell Point
Golf Tournament November 14
Hit the Links in Support of the Memory Care Center at Shell Point The Legacy Foundation will host
Care Center, located in the Larsen
its annual Shell Point Open Golf
Pavilion, which offers services to
Tournament on Friday, November
residents of Shell Point and the
14, at Shell Point Golf Club. The
surrounding community.
$125 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf plus cart, player gift bag, prizes
JOIN THE FUN
and awards, breakfast, and lunch. A portion of the tournament entry
To sign up as an individual or
fee is a charitable contribution and
a team, or to learn more about
will be receipted appropriately.
the 2014 Shell Point Open Golf
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Shell Point’s Memory
Tournament, contact The Legacy Foundation at (239) 466-8484.
brought to you by
& 4
Shell Point Life | September 2014
UBS Financial Services Genesis Wealth Management David J. Moreland & Jason T. Scoggins
Finding Her Family Tree By Rochelle Cherniawski
Eleanor Wills was the youngest of 13 children. When she was just three years old, she was adopted and completely sheltered from any knowledge of her past. Then, at the age of 10, one shocking statement changed her life forever.
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who was wanted, died while I, an unwanted child, was living in her home. She gave Frank an ultimatum – it was either her or me. One of us had to leave.”
Shocking Truth
Finding Her Family Tree Continued from page 5
Penny Modrich (Nautilus) spent the first three years of her life as Eleanor Ruth Wills, the youngest of 13 children living in Chicago, Illinois. But after her father passed away and her mother could no longer support the family, the children were split up. “This was before insurance. We were on welfare. My mother didn’t have a job and there wasn’t any money to take care of us.” The seven oldest children were already living on their own. The ADC, Aid to Dependent Children, took five of the children to an orphanage. The only child split from the family was Eleanor. She was three years old. “I was adopted by a man named Frank Stack and his wife, Sophie. Sophie had a heart condition and they were unable to have children. I filled that space in their life.”
New Name
They began calling her Penny almost immediately. “Frank and Sophie owned a 6
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tavern in Chicago and their patrons knew that they were going to adopt. They had a gigantic pickle jar on the end of the bar that collected pennies for the adoption. And after they adopted me, they bought my first outfit with those pennies. That’s when they started calling me Penny. It stuck.” Although Penny’s biological family remained connected, she had no memory of them. She had no reason to question her past. Her memories begin with her adoptive parents. “I remember having a healthy fear of Frank and taking care of Sophie. Her heart was failing and she spent most of her time in bed. I would come home from school and look after her by playing the piano or heating up a can of soup – things that were easy for a sevenyear-old. I basically just kept my mom company until my dad came home from work.” Sophie passed away when Penny was eight. Frank remarried a woman named Marcella a year later. They had a baby girl. But after the baby died of viral pneumonia at just six months old, Marcella couldn’t handle having Penny in the home. “I was calling her ‘Mother’ at the time. But she couldn’t accept that her baby,
In response, Frank sent Penny to Mother of Sorrows Boarding School in Blue Island, Illinois. As he was dropping her off, Penny questioned his decision. He simply looked at her and responded, “Well, you know you were adopted.” Penny’s heart dropped to her feet. “I was 10 years old and that came as a total shock to me.” Her perspective changed in that instant. “Finding out I was adopted was a turning point for me. I used to be submissive, then I became demanding. I just felt that if they didn’t want me, I must not be any good. So, why should I be good? I became a rebel and I just always felt like an outcast.” Penny spent a year at the school before she called Frank and threatened to run away if he didn’t take her out. “I hated it there. It was run by mean Italian nuns who barely spoke English. I was bitter and belligerent and I had to get out. But, it ended up being a big mistake. He took me out and moved me in with his mother.” She lived at her grandmother’s home in Chicago throughout 7th and 8th grade. The entire time, she had the feeling that
Above: One of Penny’s first formal photos was taken with her beloved Pomeranian. Throughout her youth, she never knew she was adopted. Left: Penny with her adoptive parents, Sophie and Frank.
When Penny and Steve got married, Penny’s half sister, Pam, stood as a flower girl in the wedding. More than 40 years later, Pam reached out to Penny with a personal letter.
she wasn’t wanted there. “There wasn’t a connection. I wasn’t a part of their family. I was just a responsibility that they didn’t ask for.” Understandably, the rebellion continued. Penny ran with a rough crowd and fought back when she felt threatened. “I wasn’t open about my situation, but kids can be cruel when they know personal information.”
Perfect Partner
She continued living a defiant lifestyle until she met a young man who filled the emptiness in her life. “One of my girlfriends said she had someone she wanted me to meet. We chased him around town for three days, visiting all of his favorite restaurants and hangouts. We just missed him each time.” One snowy evening, as Penny and her friend were walking down Archer Avenue and feeling defeated, Penny felt a yank on her scarf. “She about pulled me off my feet when she spotted him sitting in a diner. There he was, eating a sandwich, looking all greasy and dirty after working on his father’s car.” Penny and Steve chatted and he invited her out that night. “I went with him to his home while he got cleaned up. I waited while his mother gave me dirty looks,” she laughed. That was November of 1957. They were engaged two months later and married in June of the next year. Penny lost contact with Frank after she got married. “Steve and I felt like we only needed each other and we drifted away from the rest of the family.” But the reminder of her adoption continued to resurface. “Every time I was at a doctor’s appointment, I was asked questions about my family history that I just couldn’t answer.” Even after Steve and Penny welcomed their own child, Cathy, the mystery of her past continued to slowly take its toll. She found temporary relief through a creative writing class she joined in her 50s after moving to Tucson, Arizona. “One of my assignments was writing a letter to my mother. I wrote six pages to her, telling her about my life. I said, ‘It must have been very
hard on both of us. It must have been difficult for my adoptive family too. Imagine a little two-year-old in a store losing sight of her mother. She would go crazy. I must have driven them crazy with my behavior. Although, of course, I don’t remember.’ It was rather cathartic.”
“I was shocked to find out that they all knew about me the entire time.” Finding Family
When Penny turned 55, she and Steve decided to take a vacation that required passports. But when she went to downtown Chicago to request a copy of her birth certificate, she was handed a gold certificate instead. “It was just a piece of paper that said I was born and that I was the child of Frank and Sophie. That was it. I didn’t even have a birth certificate! My records were totally sealed. I could not access my adoption papers, no matter how hard I tried.” That’s when Penny decided she wanted to find her family. “I told my adoptive father I needed to know my last name. He told me it was Wills.” Penny’s quest began with an appeal to the circuit court of Cook County. They appointed a confidential intermediary.
“All she had to do was open the Chicago phone book, something I would have never had the nerve to do on my own. She quickly located my sister-in-law, Loretta, and discretely let her know that she was making an inquiry for a member of the family. Loretta immediately knew it was me. Her husband, my brother, had passed away so she gave the intermediary the name of my sister Elaine, who everyone called Jake. When Jake found out I was trying to make contact, she instantly gave the approval for me to call her.” Penny will always remember the moment she received the phone call that her family had been located. “I picked up the phone and heard, ‘Eleanor, I found your family.’ I took a big, deep breath, and she gave me the name and contact number. As soon as we hung up I ran outside and told Steve the good news. I did my crying and went in and called Jake that moment. We talked, and talked, and talked.” When Penny saw her first photo of Jake, she was shocked, “It was like I was looking at myself! I knew immediately that I was looking at my sister! I cried when I saw it.” Memories of comments from her days in Chicago came rushing back. “I was told several times by people that they saw a person who looked just like me. They must have been seeing Jake. We lived so close that we could have actually passed each other anywhere.” Jake invited Penny to her home in Burbank, Illinois. “I don’t know if I packed right away, but I got there as soon as I could. I The first photo that Penny saw of her sister Jake and her husband was taken with a computer camera. With the remarkable resemblance, Penny knew instantly that she was looking at her sister. Continued next page Shell Point Life | September 2014
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The Wills Family By the time Penny connected with her birth family, only four of her 12 siblings were still living. Although she has been able to collect only a small number of photos from her family’s past, she has been successful with tracking her relatives on ancestory.com.
Mother Florence Wills
Brother Tommy Wills (left) Brother Pat Wills
Brother Sam Wills
Brother Robert Wills Sister Betty Wills
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Mother Florence Wills sitting (left) Baby Penny (right)
Shell Point Life | September 2014
Father Herman Wills
Sister Elaine “Jake” Wills
Sister Flossie Wills
FINDING HER FAMILY TREE Continued from page 7 went alone. It was something I had to do by myself. When you are adopted, you feel like nobody really belongs to you and you don’t really belong to anybody. This was mine!” Penny stayed with her sister for four days and got to meet her other siblings. “There were only five of us left.” One of the sisters had her doubts. “Right away, Betty looked at me and asked, ‘What color are your eyes?” I said they were blue. She responded, ‘They’d better be!’ Only three of us in the family had blue eyes. All the rest had brown. They knew Eleanor had blue eyes.” Betty eventually came around. “She thought I had been living the life of a little princess with my feet up on a cushion and eating bonbons all day. She was a little disappointed to learn that that wasn’t true.” During her visit, Penny was inundated with details about her forgotten past. “Everything I learned was news to me. I was shocked to find out that they all knew about me the entire time. I found out that whenever someone in the family died, they always listed my name in the obituaries, hoping I would see it. Unfortunately, even if I did see it, I would have never known because I didn’t know my real last name.” She laughed when she discovered the story behind a scar on her face. “My nose has always been out of whack and I have a deviated septum. Apparently, it’s because I walked into a baseball bat that my sister was swinging!” Most of all, she learned that she came from a very loving family. “Nobody had a bad thing to say about our parents. Not one bad word. It was all positive.” Penny introduced Steve and Cathy to the family when Jake threw her a 60th birthday party in Chicago. They even invited the confidential intermediary who made the reunion possible.
Rethinking Retirement
Eleanor Ruth “Penny” Wills
Daughter Cathy (left) Sister “Jake” (center) Penny (right)
Although Penny enjoyed visiting her hometown of Chicago to spend time with her biological family, she and Steve Continued next page
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FINDING HER FAMILY TREE Continued from page 9 were happy living in Tucson. “We never wanted to go back to the snow and ice. The weather was beautiful in Arizona. It was our perfect retirement.” One year, while visiting Cathy in Fort Myers, Penny and Steve ended up taking an impromptu tour of Shell Point. “Cathy was touring Shell Point for her mother in law, who was experiencing health issues up in Chicago. They wanted her to be close for various reasons. Since we were in town, we decided to go along for the ride.” Penny and Steve were surprised by their reaction to the community. “We loved everything about it! It was so mind boggling how beautiful it was. And then we saw all of the amenities and learned about lifecare. The pull to Shell Point was so strong.” Cathy started playfully hinting at the benefits of Shell Point. She never thought her parents would give up their ideal retirement in Arizona. But after returning to Tucson, they were still thinking about Shell Point. “We made arrangements to take a closer look. We talked to people. Everyone we spoke to said, ‘I wish I would have come sooner.’ I mean everyone. They said it’s the best thing you could do for yourself and your family. So, we made arrangements and moved as soon as we could.”
Mr. & Mrs.
Shortly after moving to Nautilus in 2004, they were dubbed the Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the community. It all started when Charlotte Hyman, the director of SPOT (Shell Point’s Own Theater), wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. “She wanted Steve to be in her Christmas play. He had absolutely no interest. But every time he tried to decline and move away, she would literally move directly in front of him and insist that he commit to a trial reading.” The reading was a letter that Santa reads to God, thanking Him for letting him be able to do his work. “It was beautiful. I
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Shortly after Steve and Penny moved to Shell Point in 2004, they became known as the Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the community.
wanted him to do it,” recalled Penny. “We got costumes, did the play, and it went over beautifully.” Word quickly spread that Mr. and Mrs. Claus were living at Shell Point. “We got invited to go to various on-site Christmas events. Then, Steve started getting calls and actually making money. It’s a very lucrative job if you can keep it up!” When they weren’t busy spreading Christmas cheer, they began getting involved in other activities. First, they started volunteering with the Stamp Ministry. Penny also got involved in the Beady Eyed Bead Club. “We create necklaces and earrings to sell at the Holiday
Bazaar. I also do a lot of repair work. I am mechanically inclined and like to figure out how to fix things.” After she discovered genealogy, she began entering her family members on ancestory.com. “I put in brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, and all the info I had. One day, a little window popped up to notify me I had reached 100 relatives. I was shocked – I went from none to 100!” Penny also found a way to share her love of technology. “I’m very involved in T3 – Technology Today & Tomorrow. I teach classes with Bruce Findley (Sundial), mostly involving iPads, our favorite device. I hold iPad walk-in clinics. I love it!” She’s currently considering a return to writing. “I am the last one left of the 13 children. I’m thinking of writing a book: The Last Wills – a Testament.”
Shaping Hair and Nails at the Shell Point Salon & Spa B
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Featured Style: Lessie Slater of Sand Dollar If you visit the Island Salon on Friday mornings, you have probably been offered coffee or juice by Lessie or have seen her making the rounds with a duster. Cut hair doesn’t remain long on the floor with Lessie manning the broom. Lessie feels right at home in the salon atmosphere, as she is a retired hair stylist. The salon team feels blessed to have Lessie volunteer; she is certainly appreciated! When Lessie is ready for her next haircut, she gets in the styling chair and says, “Do what you think would be good for me.” Lessie is a good sport and has allowed the stylists to unleash their creativity on many occasions. Her latest style is definitely one of my personal favorites. Lessie has a couple of stubborn cowlicks and a directional hair growth pattern with a mind of its own. Lessie’s trouble spots are located in the front right side of her bang area and a split in the hair at the back of her head, which many people experience. The best way to overcome this dreaded split in the hair is to use mousse or gel and style the hair in one direction to the side. If a blow dryer is used,
In addition to overcoming Lessie’s two cowlicks, her new style was inspired by the strong directional growth pattern of her hair. Lessie’s hair grows away from her face on the left side and toward her face on the right side; therefore, this is the direction utilized to create this flattering style. This left to right style is carried through the back, creating fabulous movement and fullness. The nape of her neckline is graduated slightly upward, adding to the appearance of fullness. Graduation is a process of Lessie Slater (Sand Dollar), a cutting the hair while gradually creatretired hair stylist, welcomes ing longer layers. the salon team to exercise their creativity on her self-proclaimed Lessie’s hair is lightly shaded with stubborn hair. Her new style temporary color that only lasts until works with the natural growth the next shampoo. This hint of color pattern of her hair. gives her hair a soft ash blonde hue that blends naturally with the darker shades this directional styling will be stronger and remaining in her hair. Do you have hair that has a mind of its last longer. Once the hair is in place, spray with hair spray. Difficulty with Lessie’s hair own? Are you possibly looking for a change in the bang area is overcome by retaining in your style? The Salon Team here at Shell length of the hair in that area. If the hair is Point is here to help. Bring your chaltoo short, the troubled area will be unman- lenges and questions to your favorite stylist. Consultations are always complimentary! ageable.
Go French with Gel Polish
Few images say elegance or class like a crisp, clean French manicure. There is something striking about this look, which we offer in toxin-free Zoya polish and Gelish Gel polish (shellac). Gel polish will usually outlast traditional polish by one week. Some people are able to wait three weeks between Gel
Polish manicures. Gel polish produces a high shine on the nail, maintaining the fresh look for much longer than a traditional polish. Did you know that almost all nail polishes contain formaldehyde? Some individuals are allergic to formaldehyde and experience irritation to their skin. Zoya nail polish is toxin free. There is no toluene, formaldehyde, or camphor (known carcinogens) in Zoya products. Not only is Zoya toxin free; it has remarkable staying power and will outlast most nail polish brands.
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Frank Main’s extraordinary touristic travels — via airplane and cruise ship — have consisted of stops and stays in countless cities, countries, and continents. And although he has experienced some of the best travel opportunities the world has to offer, his international journeys are far from over.
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Travelin’ Man
Exploring the World and Setting Sights on New Adventures BY JARED SCOTT TESLER & ROCHELLE CHERNIAWSKI Born in Birmingham, Michigan, and raised in Jackson, Michigan, Frank Main (Sundial) grew up in a tightknit, musical family. His father was one of the founders of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra — in which Frank played the French horn in the late ’50s and early ’60s. During the summers of his years at Jackson High School, Frank worked parttime at Main & Company, a small aerospace manufacturing corporation founded by his father. Though Frank pursued higher education at both Jackson College and Miami University, he left college prior to earning his degree. He became a full-time machinist at Main & Company, gradually learning to perform the tasks associated with a precision machinist. Shortly after joining his father’s company, Frank was notified that he would be drafted into the Army, and in 1962, he joined the National Guard. He attended the Michigan Military Academy, an Army infantry officer training school in Lansing, Michigan; and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army. Frank retired from the National Guard following
In January 2011, as a part of their around-theworld flight, the Nomads visited The Pyramids and the Great Sphinx near Cairo, Egypt. While traveling with the Nomads in January 2010, Frank visited the Treasury Building in Petra, Jordan. The structure, also known as Al Khazneh, was carved out of a sandstone rock face.
eight years of service. Returning to Main & Company, Frank worked alongside his father for a quartercentury. When his father retired in 1986, Frank bought out all the stock he had not previously owned.
Nomadic Adventures
Frank’s parents belonged to the Nomads, an elite travel club with its own airplane. Seeing how much they enjoyed their weekend getaways, he decided to become an official member of the club in 1989.
“We took our private plane to some incredible destinations,” he said. “It was with the Nomads that I made my first two complete circumnavigations of the globe.” While in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, he stayed at the luxurious, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, and he became one of the first to scale the planet’s tallest man-made structure, Burj Khalifa. In Shanghai, he went to the top of the World Financial Center, the second tallContinued next page Shell Point Life | September 2014
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Travelin’ Man Continued from page 13
est building in the world. “While I was in Shanghai, I had the experience of being one of the first to ride on the Maglev Super High Speed Transport System. At 267 miles per hour, it is the fastest speed available on land.”
Vacation Living
In 2004, Frank began looking forward to retirement. Having vacationed on the Gulf Coast, he wished to buy a condo in southwest Florida. At the time, his parents had moved into a life-care facility back in Jackson. While looking for a place of his own, he came across Shell Point. “I started doing a little research and did some correspondence back and forth with Ted Benjamin, the director of sales,” Frank recalled. “I came down and stayed at the Guest House for several days in 2005 and decided that I would probably fit in here pretty well when I retired.” The following year, he moved into a one-bedroom garden apartment at Royal splitBonnet and began split
ting his time between his homes in Florida and Michigan. In 2007, with the successful implementation of a succession plan and the development of a qualified shareholdermanagement team, Frank stepped down from his post at Main & Company, but remained on the board of directors. When he returned to Shell Point to escape the harsh Michigan winter, Frank’s favorite thing to do was visit the pool on The Island. “I would visit every day. I started taking notice of the building next door and realized I would really love to live in one of the top-floor units that overlooked the pool.” In 2008, Frank’s wish came true and he moved to Sundial. He continued to travel and, through the years, his adventures with the Nomads took him on more than 200,000 flight miles in a 92-passenger “flying clubhouse” Boeing Super 727-200, including two around-the-world trips. “One time, we made it around the world in 28 days!”
Cruise the Globe
Unfortunately, the Nomads folded in 2012 due to the economy. With that, Frank shifted his focus toward cruising. But he certainly didn’t choose an average ship. Instead, , Egypt. iro Ca g in ur to Frank began traveling on while ride on a camel Frank hitched a luxuthe world’s most luxu rious cruise ship – the
Crystal Serenity operated by Crystal Cruises. Since then, he has set sail on three remarkable voyages. The first was a two-week cruise. The second was a 7-day World Cruise, circumnavigating South America. And the most recent trip was a 103-day world cruise traveling around the globe to 36 ports of call. “We started in Miami, made a few stops in the Caribbean, traveled through the Panama Canal, went to several ports of call up the coast of Mexico, cruised to a few destinations in the Hawaiian islands, and went on to many more incredible countries like Guam, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Sao Tome-Principe, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Portugal, and more. We ended in South Hampton, England. It was definitely my favorite trip so far.” Last year, his birthday celebration began with brunch on the white sand Copacabana Beach and an evening ending with an exotic dinner on the world-famous Ipanema Beach, ocean front in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year, he celebrated his birthday in one of his favorite ports – Singapore. “I traversed the various neighborhoods as the locals do, via public bus, river boat, subway, and trishaw. And I ended the day at the legendary Long Bar at Raffles, home of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.” Without a doubt in his mind, Frank says he prefers cruising to flying. “You have your
Frank enjoyed staying at the most luxurious hotel in the world, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2010 and in 2011.
The Nomads traveled the globe in a Boeing Super 727-A200. In addition to fine dining, the jet featured spacious comfort with 92 sumptuous leather club-class seats. 14
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From the top down: A map of the cruise Frank will experience aboard the Crystal Serenity in 2015. The 108-day journey will begin in Miami and circumnavigate the globe, including visits to 23 countries and 44 ports of call. n The Crystal Serenity, operated by Crystal Cruises, is the world’s most luxurious cruise ship. It has received more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history. n Frank stood on the deck of the ship as it passed through the Panama Canal in January, 2012. n In 2013, Frank boarded the Crystal Serenity for a 75day circumnavigation of South America, visiting 14 countries and 38 ports of call.
own stateroom, with a nice veranda. It’s just such an easy way to live.” He joked, “It’s a little bit like living at Shell Point, except there’s housekeeping service on the ship three times a day instead of once a week.” “I like the feeling of complete independence,” Frank continued. “I’m so fortunate to be able to see and experience the many countries, ports, cities, people, sights, and cultures. The food, of course, is just outstanding.”
Local Waters
When he’s not traversing the open seas on a commercial cruise ship, Frank enjoys spending time on his personal boat, a 26-foot Wellcraft Coastal that is docked right at Shell Point. Having easy access to his boat and the Gulf is just one of the amenities that Frank appreciates about the community. “Shell Point is always rebuilding and redoing — they take really good care of our campus here,” he said. “You can’t beat the Aquatic Center with the large pool, two
swimming lanes, a separate exercise pool, a hot tub, changing rooms, umbrella tables, and chaise lounges. It’s like a six-star resort right at my back door!” Frank, who volunteers one morning a week at the Larsen Pavilion skilled nursing facility, is pleased with the quality and quantity of activities available to him right on Shell Point’s campus, including continuing education courses offered through The Academy of Lifelong Learning, opportunities to work with his hands at the Wood Shop, and the accessibility of top-notch entertainment. “I’ve been impressed by the wonderful groups that have come through,
such as the Gulf Coast Symphony and The Four Freshmen.” In a recent interview on SPTV’s Shell Point Today, Frank introduced viewers to his Cadillac XLR luxury roadster, complete with power-retractable hardtop and head-up display, though the car connoisseur has already traded it in for his seventh Corvette to date. This time, he had his heart set on a silver metallic Stingray convertible, which features a red leather interior, 460 horsepower, and five-spoke chrome wheels. “It really rumbles,” he said, “and it’s pretty awesome!” While he is enjoying retirement, Frank currently serves as chairman of Main & Company, and the corporation is still going strong. “That’s the only job I’ve ever had,” he said. “Boy, it’s been a long time!” Frank says he will continue his worldwide travels as long as he is mentally and physically able to enjoy them. In 2015, he will embark on a 108-day “circumnavigation of the world” cruise that will begin and end in Miami, and journey to 23 countries and 44 ports of call. He has even signed up for a 121-day cruise in 2016 that begins in Miami and ends in San Francisco, with destinations that include Alaska, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Bali, Australia, and Fiji. Meanwhile, having experienced exceptional cuisine and first-class service on high-end cruise ships, Frank raves about his Shell Point lifestyle. “Once you’re here, Shell Point takes care of you for the rest of your life, and they do it in style!”
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www.shellpoint.net/comingsandgoings
Comings & Goings
Continuing Service While Away from the Community It’s a well-known fact that Shell Point is committed to caring for, serving, and satisfying each and every resident. But what many might not realize is that Shell Point also continues to honor that mission even when residents are away from the community. It starts with the Comings & Goings form. When a resident plans to be away from Shell Point for a given amount of time, they are asked to fill out a Comings & Goings form, available on the resident website, from a court representative, or at either service desk. The form helps inform Shell Point staff how long you plan to be away, if you have an alternate phone number where you can be reached, if you want your monthly statement forwarded to a different address, if you are on the Morning Assurance program, and if you would like to continue having your home cleaned while you are away. Paul Yacovitch, director of Facility Operations, said, “This information helps us serve residents better in all aspects of daily life here at Shell Point.” One Call Does It All Completed forms can be submitted online, turned in at either service desk, or handed to security. All forms ultimately end up at the Call Center. Keri Perkins, Call Center supervisor, shared, “We enter all of the information into our system and keep a hard copy on file. It is a good idea to call us at 454-2190 to ensure we have received and processed your form.” While residents are away from the community, the Shell Point staff works to assure the safety and security of the unit and its related contents. The first step involves periodic checks of the unit, every seven to ten days, to ensure there are no leaks,
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Filling out a Comings & Goings form will help Shell Point know when to keep an eye on your home while you are away from the community. The forms are filed at the Call Center, supervised by Keri Perkins (left). If residents plan to be away from their home for three or more weeks, staff will turn off the water and adjust the air conditioning.
floods, or major issues. Paul said, “If a residence will be empty for three or more weeks, a Shell Point technician will enter the home to turn off the water and adjust the air conditioning to 76 degrees to control humidity. The windows will also be checked to confirm they are closed and locked. Finally, the power will be turned off to all appliances, excluding the refrigerator.” Keri added, “Any time a staff member enters a resident’s home while they are away, they will leave a tag on the counter. This will occur with both maintenance and housekeeping.” Morning Assurance Residents who utilize the Morning Assurance program must let Shell Point know when they will be away from their
unit for a given period of time. The Call Center manually enters “away’ dates into the E-Call system. However, anyone who vacates their unit for an unplanned stay at the Pavilion or hospital will not be able to place a hold on their Morning Assurance program. Keri explained, “In the case of an unexpected stay at the Pavilion or hospital, Shell Point will not turn off your Morning Assurance due to liability. This is the case even if it’s requested by a family member or neighbor. We do this for your protection, because you could be released from the hospital at any time and may not be aware that your Morning Assurance has been turned off.” If you plan to be away from Shell Point for a given period of time, please remember to fill out a Comings & Goings form. If you have questions or concerns regarding the form or related procedures, please contact the Call Center at 454-2190.
LifeQuest — Exploring the
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The LifeQuest focus in September is the educational dimension. The Academy at Shell Point, which exemplifies the educational dimension, began 14 years ago as a way to offer continuing education opportunities to the community. Today, The Academy of Lifelong Learning, under the direction of Teri Kollath, has grown to a remarkably diverse series bringing a wide array of impressive course selections to Shell Point residents throughout three separate terms each year. The Academy even offers the opportunity for members of the surrounding community to enrich their minds through various courses that are open to the public. This month, The Academy announces its fall semester, with more than 90 courses offered. The Academy — By the Numbers
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The first Academy brochure, printed in the year 2000, featured 11 class offerings. The fall 2014 semester alone offers 91 different courses.
This past summer semester recorded a total attendance of 2,694 participants.
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On average, 50 resident instructors lead Academy courses each year. Many resident instructors teach for multiple semesters, especially in the areas of arts and technology.
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Approximately 25 outside instructors share their expertise at Shell Point each year.
Program Coordinator Bev Chandley hit the road with 402 participants through a total of 18 On-The-Go trips last year.
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More than 1,000 cups of coffee are served during Coffee with a Neighbor presentations each year.
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The Computer College welcomed 251 participants to 48 classes last year.
In 2013, a total 408 students engaged in 34 T3 courses.
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According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, almost half of the adult population in the United States (43%
for men, 49% for women) is enrolled in some form of lifelong learning. At Shell Point, that number is 80%!
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The Academy brochure is available online and at The Island and Woodlands service desks. Courses that are open to the public are listed on www.shellpoint.org and are promoted through monthly advertisements in local publications. For more information about The Academy of Lifelong Learning, contact Teri Kollath at 454-2254.
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LIFEQUEST DISCUSSION GROUP Educational Physical With Dr. Chris Votolato Community Emotional Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. & Social Grand Cypress Natural Environment SpiritualRoom/WDL Join Director of Behavioral Health, Dr. Chris Votolato, when he leads a very powerful discussion. Dr. Votolato will be tackling the topic of the depression continuum and the pursuit to happiness in one’s life.
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A Love of Lifelong Learning September Brings a Full Roster of New Academy Class Offerings B
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with Digital Camera Prep School. Bring Are you intrigued by the uniqueness your camera’s instruction book to class and of our growing and changing language? On he will take it from there. Professor Adrian Kerr presents The Monday mornings, beginning September 8, Glorious History and come and share with friends Culture of Thailand and neighbors how words and Phuket on Tuesday, are created and how they September 9. He will influence the way we pertrace the origins of the ceive the world in which Thai people through to we live. Floyd Jamison the founding of the mag(Parkwoo d), Harold nificent early empires Greenlee (Coquina), and and capitals, which are Frank Sevier (Harbor A group of language-loving now World Heritage Court) are the residents residents will present Appreciating Sites. As we follow who bring you Appreciating Words on Monday mornings, the rise of the Chakri Words. beginning September 8. Dynasty, which has With our amazing tropical setting and everything a photographer ruled Thailand since 1782, we will learn could need for encouragement (a photo how the Thais avoided the colonialism club, a photo lab, a photo show, photogra- that overtook the rest of South East Asia. phy classes), Shell Point offers ample oppor- We will review the political turmoil that tunities to become a photographer. Painter, has befallen the country recently and the photographer, and graphic artist Herb Sklar role of the highly respected king in main(Eagles Preserve) is the perfect person to taining stability, for now. We conclude by get you started as he provides instruction reviewing the fascinating history and coloron three Tuesdays beginning September 9, ful highlights of Phuket Island and how it For the Love of Learning
Professor Adrian Kerr presents The Glorious History and Culture of Thailand and Phuket on Tuesday, September 9.
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In just two classes, held Wednesdays, September 10 and 17, Debbie Melchi (Periwinkle) can teach you how to make beautiful art from the pages of old books.
has recovered after the devastating tsunami of 2004. In a few short hours, you can complete a project that you will be proud of and will enjoy displaying in your home using only an old book that is unloved and has no monetary or sentimental value. If you love books and want to make art out of sad and lonely books, you will enjoy learning the artful and simple folding techniques taught by Deborah Melchi (Periwinkle) on Wednesdays, September 10 and 17, in Paper Book Folding. You will amaze your friends and only you will know how simple it was to make your fascinating book sculpture. On Tuesday, September 16, Professor Adrian Kerr will present The History of the Original Olympian Games in Greece. The Olympiad, repeated only every four years, is one of the greatest sporting events on the planet. We take for granted this sporting spectacle, but do we ever stop to think how it all started? The first Olympian games took place in 776 BC, in the town of Olympia in ancient Greece, and were celebrated every four years for twelve hundred years. In this class, we will trace the origins of the original games. Sadly, the fabulous Olympian stadium in Greece is mostly
ruined. However, we have extensive historical and archaeological evidence to create a picture of how the games took place. We can even trace the stories of some of the Olympian champions. On Thursday, September 18, Kristie Anders, education director for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, will present The ABCs of Birds. Little warblers flitting through trees are hard to identify, but here we have birds that stand perfectly still or are three feet tall. Twenty or so of the most common and most easily recognized birds will be the subject of the talk. We may even be able to distinguish between the six species of tall white wading birds by the end of the morning. And, if you can only think of four, then maybe you’d like to join us just to satisfy your curiosity. Come to hear Kristie’s lighthearted look at our feathered friends. A scientific background will not be needed, as this is a very basic introduction to birds! When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, world trade reached a mercantile crossroad. Driven by the desire to control the growing and lucrative spice trade, the Portuguese navigators were the first to develop trading posts in the East; but the Dutch, French, and British soon followed. In The Race For Colonial Malaya, presented by Professor Adrian Kerr on Tuesday, September 23, we will examine the lasting impact the colonial powers have had on the region, concluding with highlights of the unspoiled beautiful Malayan West coast islands of Langkawi and Pulau Pangkor. By now we have all heard mention of the new Patient Portal which will allow us to view and print certain parts of our electronic medical records from the J. Howard Wood Medical Center. On Tuesday, September 23, join Dr. Carol Clark, ARNP Shell Point Medical Center and Tara Hazard, Shell Point Informatics Specialist, for Patient Portal: EZaccess. They will facilitate a demonstration and discussion of how to gain access to your record and what features will assist you in maintaining communication with your healthcare team. On Wednesday, September 24, Herb Sklar (Eagles Preserve) will begin a nineweek master’s course, Painting A Self Portrait. In this course, you will improve your ability to paint portraits as the instructor, a master painter, will stay one step
On Thursday, September 18, Kristie Anders, education director for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, will share The ABCs of Birds.
ahead of the student with actual demonstration of tips and technique. Prior experience painting portraits will be helpful. On five Tuesdays, beginning September 30, Herb Sklar (Eagles Preserve) will teach Live Figure Drawing Using Charcoal and Pencils. In art, a figure drawing is a study of the human form in its various shapes and body postures – sitting and standing. It is a composed image of the subject in a stationary position. A life drawing is a work that has been drawn from an observation of a live model. There will be short warm-up poses of 30 and 60 seconds, longer poses of 5 and 10 minutes and an intense one-hour session. In this class we will have male and female models in costumes and with props. Most of us recall the saying, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue” and discovered America. However there are many stories that suggest that the Spanish were actually beaten to the Americas by others. Join us on Tuesday, September 30, for Did the Chinese Ming Treasure Ships Reach America 70 Years before Columbus? We will investigate the most famous alternative discovery story in history. In the C15, the Chinese Ming Dynasty was supreme. Its army was the strongest in the world, its southern capital Nanjing was the greatest city in the world and it was renowned for its stunning unparalleled porcelain ware.
Under the great Emperor Yongle, Admiral of the Sea, Zheng was commissioned to explore the seas. His well-documented seven world journeys are the basis for our talk. Did he discover the Americas 70 years before Columbus? Legacy Seminars
On Wednesday, September 24, join Michele Hoover, CPA with Alexander & Hoover CPAs, and Timothy A. Stephenson, executive director of the Legacy Foundation at Shell Point, for Tax Facts. In this presentation, they will share what Shell Point residents need to do in order to take full advantage of the medical deduction in their first year of residency and in the future. Learn the things that people might overlook for the 2% deductions, such as the Legacy Foundation bill, attorney fees, trustee fees, and IRA fees that can be paid from a person’s regMichele Hoover ular assets rather than from the IRA account. Michele will also cover some mistakes that she sees on a regular basis in various retirement plans. This seminar is a must for anyone who moved to Shell Point in 2014. Continued next page
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On Friday, September 12, Academy On The Go will travel to The Captiva Island History Museum and Gallery.
graphics from one file to another and from the Internet to a word document using word processing software. On two Tuesdays, beginning September 23, Al Kaplan (Oakmont) will present Where Did That File Go? Your hard drive is similar to the four-drawer file cabinet in your office. Do you throw loose papers in your four-drawer file cabinet or are they in manila folders and possibly filed alphabetically? Why does the documents library in your hard drive have many documents, pictures, spreadsheets, power point presentations, and downloaded A LOVE OF LIFELONG LEARNING PDF files saved without Continued from page 19 any form of organization? In this class you will explore the way to copy and save a docuAcademy On The Go On Friday, September 12, Academy On ment or photo from the Internet as well as The Go will travel to The Captiva Island those that are already on your computer, History Museum and Gallery. The Captiva or those scanned into your computer, by Island Historical Society is committed to learning to use the tools that are available the preservation and interpretation of the on your computer. Improving Your Computer Skills is history of Captiva Island, while providing education about the remarkable people designed to help you increase skills on your and events that have shaped its past. Inside home computer, including both applicathe Captiva Memorial Library the Society tion programs and stand alone apps (for has constructed a replica of the interior of Windows 8 users). Through hands-on guidthe original U.S. Postal Service Ship, The Santiva. They have essentially created a small museum gallery in a boat! This trip will be self-guided so residents may browse and explore as they wish. After about an hour-long visit to the exhibit, the group will enjoy a lunch stop at the fun and funky Island Cow restaurant. Ten dollars goes a long way for lunch at the Island Cow! Computer College
Russ Kraay (Oakmont) will teach Making Word Work For You on four Mondays, beginning September 15. In this course, you will learn how to create, edit, format, print, and save text documents or copy them to an e-mail. You will also learn to copy and paste text, pictures, and
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ance and training you should gain comfort and proficiency in modern computing techniques. Especially important will be time spent on formatting and saving documents, as well as organizing your files into folders, using external storage and flash drives, and delving deeper into more efficient use of Internet and email programs. Join instructor Jim Plummer (Rosemont) on six Tuesdays, beginning September 2, for classroom time that will be an interactive and collaborative learning experience. Technology Today and Tomorrow (T3)
Penny Modrich (Nautilus) and Bruce Findley (Sundial) bring us several iPad classes this month. First we have Apple iPad: eReader on two Mondays, beginning September 8. The sessions begin with a discussion covering the features of an iPad as an eReader. Next they will cover how iPad works as an eReader and how you purchase books, magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks for the iPad. The 2nd session will cover getting eBooks from the Lee County Library System and other remote libraries. Both eBooks and audio books will be discussed. In iWorks: Word Processing With Pages on two Tuesdays, beginning September 9, Penny Modrich introduces Apple’s answer to Word for your iPad. If you are used to using Microsoft Word on your PC, the Pages app is your answer for the iPad. There are templates already in Pages to help you get started on creating the perfect document.
On two Tuesdays, beginning September 23, Al Kaplan will take the mystery out of missing computer files with Where Did That File Go?
Learn how to ensure you have creIf you are used to using Microsoft ated safe settings (Friends-only) and Excel on your PC and need to find how to avoid annoying emails tellApple’s answer to Excel for your iPad, ing you of changes in Facebook that then Penny Modrich’s class iWorks: you don’t care to see. Learn how to Creating Spreadsheets Using find “friends” and how to disable your Numbers App on two Tuesdays, account if you want to quit. beginning September 23, is for you. For more information about these You will learn about the Numbers app, courses, including any fees and regiswhich already has templates to help Penny Modrich will teach iWorks: Creating Spreadsheets tration requirements, please refer to you get started on creating the perfect Using Numbers App on two Tuesdays, beginning the brochure for The Academy of spreadsheet. September 23. Lifelong Learning available at either Moving on to storage, Dropbox is service desk, or online at www.shellYou can learn how to use Facebook as the class that will introduce one place for all your photos, documents, videos, and much or as little as you want as an active or point.net/academy. There is also a calendar files. Anything you add to Dropbox will a passive user – in Facebook Basics on the you can print online. Please continue to automatically show up on all your com- iPad with Megs Singer (Tellidora) on three confirm your class selections in the Weekly puters, phones, and even the Dropbox Mondays, beginning September 22. You Reminder, as any last-minute changes will be website — so you can access your stuff can write your thoughts, insert your photos, posted there or on SPTV. You can register at from anywhere. It’s a great timesaver! Join and/or create links to external media. Or either service desk. I continue to welcome Penny Modrich to learn more on Thursday, you can just view photos and messages from ideas for future courses, and I look forward to your friends and family who use Facebook. seeing you at an Academy class soon! September 25.
Day Respite At The Arbor
A New Day On-site Day Respite Benefits for Residents Needing Assistance The Arbor Day Respite program offers respite services for Shell Point residents in need of support, care, or companionship. Run by a team of caring professionals from The Arbor, the program offers stimulating activities, low-level exercises, and nutritious meals and snacks. “The recent introduction of the Day Respite program is a welcome addition to the array of services here at Shell Point,” said Dr. Chris Votolato, director of Behavioral Health. “For those who are in the role of the caretaker, having the abil-
ity to meet practical needs, such as going to their own appointments or running errands, can make each day much more manageable. Additionally, having time to pursue interests, allowing opportunities for personal time with friends, or simply providing time to just relax can be a great boost to the caregiver’s well-being. Utilizing this service can provide for a less stressful option while meeting our practical or social needs.” Day Respite rates are affordable, with half-days of care provided for $27.50 without
a meal, or for $37.50 with lunch. Full-days of care are provided for $60. The program is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Reservations are required at least one week in advance. “For the recipients of the Day Respite program, to be engaged in a caring environment has its own benefits. There are social, physical, and cognitive activities that have positive returns within all of these domains,” encouraged Dr. Votolato. Seeking Respite
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Arbor Day Respite Services, please call 454-2292 for more information.
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The Health Connection
Focus on Fitness, Engage in Exercise, Seek Heart Health, and Much More B
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The Health Connection offers a variety of group specialty classes both on land and in the water. If you are looking for one-on-one assistance, a personal trainer is sure to keep you motivated. Educational classes, such as how to use a rubber band during a workout, Fall Prevention, and Is Your Heart Healthy offer wonderful opportunities to focus on your physical LifeQuest dimension. Sign up at either service desk for these September programs.
Wellness Specialty Classes The most recent Senior Fitness Test results show the need to focus on cardiovascular endurance and conditioning. Melanie Brod, fitness coordinator, will teach you how to calculate your personal target heart rate and how to achieve that rate in a safe manner. Specifics in Cardio Conditioning is designed to increase your lung capacity and cardiovascular output by gradually training your body to improve your endurance. A variety of exercises and fitness equipment will be used to increase your scores on the two-minute step test. The class takes place in The Island Health Club every Monday and Wednesday from September 17 through October 27 at 11:30 a.m. Start your day with Bend, Breathe, and Balance each Tuesday and Thursday at 7:15 a.m. in The Island Health Club. The class will incorporate balance techniques and upper body strength exercises to enhance overall muscle tone. An emphasis is placed on proper breathing while holding and transitioning between postures. The class will commence with a relaxation period which concentrates on diaphragmatic breathing techniques. Bend, Breathe, and Balance is taught by Fitness Coordinator Melanie 22
Shell Point Life | September 2014
Not Your Ordinary Rubber Band is one of many fitness classes offered through the Health Connection to help residents reach their wellness goals.
Brod. Each class costs $5. Aqua Pilates Stretch is based on movement and techniques from the Pilates and Bend, Breathe, and Balance classes. The water is a wonderful medium for performing motions that gently improve alignment, posture, and balance. Core-specific movements focus on abdominal strength, stretching, and toning. Relaxation and rhythmic breathing techniques are incorporated to increase mind/body awareness and reduce stress. This is a very low- to non-impact, non-aerobic class suitable for all levels of fitness, including those with balance challenges on land. Complete the day with this relaxing class taught by AEA Certified Instructor Jane Fenzer at the new LifeQuest Aquatic Center every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Each class costs $5. Michelle Smith will be teaching Pilates Stretch, emphasizing the bal-
anced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. This mat-based class focuses on the Six Pilates Principles: Centering, Control, Flow, Breath, Precision, and Concentration. Participants will see improvement in flexibility, strength, and balance while enhancing posture, coordination, and mental focus. All exercises are developed with modifications that can make a workout safe and challenging for a person at any level. Exercises are performed lying flat on the back as well as on the stomach. Classes start at 3:00 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday in The Island Health Club. Each class costs $5.
Shell Point as Your Resource Fitness Coordinator Cheryl Cooper will lead a lecture-based class, Not Your
www.shellpoint.net/healthconection
Your Medical Community
Ordinary Rubber Band, to highlight the benefits of using exercise bands and tubing. Exercise bands are versatile, easy on the joints, and can be used at home, in Every 15 minutes, an older adult is the health club, or easily packed in your seen in an emergency department for a fallsuitcase for those fitness enthusiasts look- related injury. Make sure that side effects ing to keep up with their exercise routine from medications are not increasing your risk away from home. Cheryl will teach and of falling. September 23 is “Fall Prevention demonstrate upper body and lower body Awareness Day,” so stay safe with these tips: exercises. Participation is optional, but regularly review your medications with your welcome. Many exercises will be performed doctor or pharmacist, take medications only standing, so being comfortable with balance as prescribed, and pay close attention to how is required. Join Cheryl your medications affect your body. in the Social Center at Shell Point’s own Joy Darnell, 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Pharm D, and Mark Tesoro, educaSeptember 16. tor for Lee Memorial, will facilitate Shell Point Certified Fall Prevention and Medication Personal Trainers are on Tuesday, September 23, at 10:15 available to give you a a.m. in the Social Center. one-on-one workout. Is Your Heart Healthy? The trainer will focus on will be presented by Dr. specific individual needs Danehy, MD Level III Cardiac and will provide guidMR & Cardiac CT Trained ance to achieving fitness with Radiology Regional goals either in a fitness Center. The Ultrafast CT Scan center, aquatic center, Screening of the Heart is a Dr. Edward Danehy will presor at home. For per- ent Is Your Heart Healthy on quick and simple test which sonal training options assesses risk of heart attack September 26 at 2:00 p.m. and pricing, see page 34 by detecting and measurof the Health Connection brochure. Call ing the amount of calcium build-up in Michelle Smith, fitness supervisor, at 454- the coronary arteries. The test allows 2107 or email michellesmith@shellpoint. radiologists to determine whether a org to make your appointment to get help patient has a serious risk of significant getting healthy. narrowing of blood vessels to the heart. Living Healthy is a group for both More importantly, it allows physicians residents and employees that meets each to find hardened arteries early, allowing Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. in the Osprey Room. treatment with medication and lifestyle This group gathers once a week to share changes. This is a screening that can premotivation about healthy eating and exer- cede more invasive tests such as a stress cise. Group discussions will focus on new test and an angiogram. Another test, ideas about how to spice up your workouts. Multislice CT Coronary Angiography Participants also share healthy recipes, is an alternative to Conventional exercises of the week, how to stay moti- Coronary Angiography. This noninvavated, and more. sive CT study can evaluate the degree
of overall plaque by visualizing both calcified and noncalcified plaque. CCTA is a viable alternate study for evaluation of chest pain in patients with low to intermediate probability of CAD, preoperative evaluation for non-coronary surgery, evaluation of intermittent arrhythmias, alternative to invasive angiography in patients who are at high risk for conventional coronary angiography, and workup of equivocal nuclear stress test/stress echocardiogram. This informative presentation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Cypress Room of The Woodlands. The current Health Connection brochure is available online at www.shellpoint. net/healthconnection.
Suzy Q Takes a Summer Break
The Suzy Q will be dry docked for the month of September while undergoing routine maintenance and a mandatory USCG issued inspection. Stay tuned to SPTV this month for details and sign-up information for the October schedule.
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www.shellpoint.net/events To include a listing for an upcoming event or activity, please contact Mary Franklin, resort services and wellness manager, at 454-2152 or email: maryfranklin@shellpoint.org
A Crystal Labor Day Celebration
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Monday, September 1 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Crystal Room/IS Cost: $14.95 per person Labor Day festivities at the Crystal Dining Room feature a fabulous buffet selection of ribs, salmon and chicken with all the yummy sides. Music will be provided by Stan Mleczko. Bid farewell to long summer days as we pause to recognize all that makes our country great. Come celebrate with a feast of food on this great American holiday.
Friday Market Place
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Fridays, September 5, 12, 19, 26 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 12, 19, Administration Courtyard/IS 26 An explosion of colors and sweet fragrances awaits you at Friday Market Place. Stop by and stock up on farm fresh produce, local honey, fresh baked goods, personalized handbags, and much more. Although the selection changes from week to week, you’re sure to find plenty that pleases in the Administration Courtyard as you shop at the weekly Market Place.
Latincise - NEW ACTIVITY GROUP!
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Fridays, September 5, 12, 19, 26 12, 2:30 p.m. 19, 26 Health Club/IS A new activity group is coming to Shell Point! Latincise is a great way to join in the fun of dancing the cha-cha, merengue, rumba, salsa, and more – all while gaining great fitness benefits. All are welcome to move to the music during the Latincise programs held each Friday in the Island Health Club, beginning September 5. If you have questions about the new activity group, contact Carol Ashley (Coquina) at 768-5213.
Water Volleyball
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Wednesday, September 10 2:15 p.m. LifeQuest Aquatic Center/IS Let’s play water volleyball! This has the excitement and activity level of water polo with the laidback fun of volleyball. Come join the fun and camaraderie of this new Shell Point sport. Meet new friends while increasing flexibility, agility and hand/eye coordination all while cheering on your teammates. If enough interest is shown, this will become a new Shell Point activity group.
EVENTS
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PROGRAMS • PARTIES • MOVIES • OUTINGS • EXCURSIONS
Food Demonstration with Flare, and Lunch!
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Thursday, September 11 9:30 a.m. Island pickup 9:40 a.m. Woodlands pickup 9:50 a.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 1:30 p.m. approximate return Cost: $42.00 (included lunch and beverages) The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, Sanibel Island Learn easy, affordable and creative ways to prepare meals for an entire week in one afternoon. Executive Chef David Paci will prepare and cook meals for the audience. Entrées will include chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Easy to prepare side dishes will also accompany the main dishes. The demonstration will provide time for question and answers for the chef. Chef David started his culinary career when he was 14 years old in a New York restaurant. He has worked for Hard Rock Café, Adams Mark Hotels, Sanibel Steakhouse, Redfish Bluefish, and South Seas Resort.
Saturday DVD: Gravity (2013)
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Saturday, September 13 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Grand Cypress Room/WDL This heart-pounding thriller pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space. On a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes and the shuttle is destroyed, leaving two Astronauts completely alone – tethered to nothing but each other. As fear turns to panic, they realize the only way home may be to go further out into the ter-
rifying expanse of space. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock star in this Academy Award-winning adventure.
Employee Photo Show and Contest Monday, September 15 to Friday, September 26 Resident Activity Center/ IS
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Sit back, relax, and enjoy the best service, food, and view Fort Myers Beach has to offer! Indulge in a fine meal and the best service at Fresh Catch Bistro where they ensure your dining experience is simply the best. Enjoy the $29 four course meal special or other entrees ranging between $31 and $50.
Camera USA: National Photography Exhibition and Award 2014
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Saturday, September 20 12:45 p.m. Island pickup 12:55 p.m. Woodlands pickup 1:05 p.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 4:45 p.m. approximate return Cost: $18.00 (snack provided) SPECIAL Saturday opening for this group!
You see them each day, but do you really know what talent your housekeepers, health care providers, fitness instructors and other Shell Point employees really possess? You will be amazed as they display their talent through photography. This competition tends to bring out the very best in all who participate, so we need your vote to determine the winner in each of several categories. Voting will take place Monday, September 15 through Sunday, September 21. On September 22 at noon the ribbons will be hung revealing the winners! The show will be on display through September 26 so you can view the submissions and check out the winning photography.
The Von Liebig Center sponsors this annual competition and features recent work by photographers who reside and shoot in the United States. A single award of $5,000 will go to one photographer. This exhibition has proven to be well-received and highly representative of a variety of photographic styles. From collages and digitally-enhanced images to purist black and white images and casual snapshots, this exhibit attracts large preview reception crowds, strong media attention and creatively daring art talent.
Sunday Matinee: The Pink Panther (1963)
Fresh Catch Bistro
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Tuesday September 16 4:30 p.m. Island pickup 4:40 p.m. Woodlands pickup 4:50 p.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 8:00 p.m. approximate return Cost: $7.00 (dinner on your own)
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Sunday, September 21 2:30 p.m. Grand Cypress Room/WDL Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers), an inept French detective, tries to prevent a princess from having her large diamond, known as the Pink Panther, stolen by the infamous jewel thief “the Phantom” (David Niven). His bungling of the job leads to many hilarious moments. Will the clumsy inspector stop the theft, or will the Phantom steal the gem? Shell Point Life | September 2014
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HAPPENINGS PLACES
TO GO,
The Magic of Small Spaces
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Monday, September 22 2:15 p.m. Social Center/IS Certified Aging In Place Designer Diane Torrisi will join us from Miromar Design Center for this enlightening and informative presentation. She will share tips and techniques to help you embrace the joys of living smaller and make the most of every square foot of your living space. Begin the emotional process of de-cluttering by evaluating your wants versus your needs, become more organized, and manage your living space more effectively. Diane will join us for light refreshment following the presentation.
Brew Babies Garden Bistro for Lunch
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PEOPLE
TO
Library Book Talk
MEET, & THINGS
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Tuesday, September 23 2:15 p.m. Social Center/IS Harriet Furton Reece (Junonia) will review Walden. Often thought of as an environmentalist, author Henry David Thoreau wrote: “I went to the woods because I wished to live – deliberately.” His philosophy on life penetrates every chapter of this American classic and goes far beyond ponds, trees; and bean-fields. Discussion will follow the review, and refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, September 23 10:15 a.m. Island pickup 10:25 a.m. Woodlands pickup 10:35 a.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 1:30 p.m. approximate return Cost: $7.00 (lunch on your own)
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Trinkets and Treasures
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Friday, September 26 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grand Cypress Room/WDL Take a friend and explore the unique selection of items for sale at this year’s Trinkets and Treasures Bazaar! Books, DVDs, purses, jewelry, handicrafts – each year brings out a new and different variety for purchase from your neighbors. You won’t want to miss the opportunity for great deals throughout this day.
Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai
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Friday, September 26 2:45 p.m. Island pickup 2:55 p.m. Woodlands pickup 3:05 p.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 7:00 p.m. approximate return Cost: $61.00 (snacks on your own)
September Singles Supper and Exploring Fort Myers Beach
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Brew Babies is one the loveliest of resident discoveries of quaint eateries in Southwest Florida. If not only has delicious food, but it also has a lush and relaxed courtyard to welcome patrons. This place is so inviting that it makes you smile and want to stay for a while. Just sign up to go and see for yourself, or check them out at mybrewbabies.com. Most entree selections are under $15. 26
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Thursday, September 25 3:30 p.m. Island pickup 3:40 p.m. Woodlands pickup 3:50 p.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 8:00 p.m. approximate return Cost: $7.00 (dinner on your own) Fort Myers Beach Enjoy a lovely stroll on the beach at Bowditch Point with some of your single friends here at Shell Point. After approximately 45 minutes exploring, looking for gopher tortoises, or watching those silly little crabs, the group will head out to a mystery dinner location for a fun-filled social evening. Dress will be casual and expect to pay $15-$30 for your entree. Bring proper beach walking attire and sunscreen.
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world – a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai. From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered. Sign up for an enchanting evening that promises to be amazing. Please note: Arena navigation and stair climbing are a necessity for this trip.
Sign-up required for this activity. Call Island (454-2282) or Woodlands (454-2054)
Movie Night: On Moonlight Bay (1951)
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Monday, September 29 6:45 p.m. Social Center/IS This lighthearted musical tells the story of the Winfield family at the turn of the 20th century. When tomboy Marjorie Winfield (Doris Day) moves into a new house in a small town a romance with the boy next door (Gordon MacRay) ensues. However, she quickly realizes it is time to learn to dance and behave like a proper young lady. You will spoon, croon and even swoon as you enjoy On Moonlight Bay.
Beach Day
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Monday, September 29 8:30 a.m. Island pickup 8:40 a.m. Woodlands pickup 8:50 a.m. Eagles Preserve pickup 3:00 p.m. approximate return Cost: $16.00 (ice cream on your own) Early fall is a perfect time to go on our monthly Beach Day trip! A little less heat and cooler water make this beach day at Delnor Wiggins State Park Beach an outing you won’t want to miss. Bring your chair and personal beach supplies but your picnic lunch will be provided. The bus will make an ice cream parlor stop at Royal Scoop Ice Creamery on the way home.
Special event bus will be running
It’s International Coffee Day!
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Tuesday, September 30 10:15 a.m. Social Center/IS It’s a celebration of all things coffee! Did you know that coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, second only to oil? Laugh, learn, and sip away on your personally created cuppa joe as we gather in our very own bistro and celebrate all things coffee! Treats will be served, prizes will be given and, best of all, coffee will abound! Come start your day with a jolt!
SAVE THE DATE Shell Point Garden Society Meeting
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Wednesday, October 1 11:00 a.m. Oak Room/WDLS Join Patricia Myers, Lee County Master Gardener, as she presents the first Garden Society meeting of the season: Having Fun with Our Native Tillandsias (Air Plants).
S.P.O.T. PLAYREADERS BEGINS 10th SEASON Under the direction of Ruth Deuber (Periwinkle), Shell Point’s Own Theatre (SP.O.T.) begins its 10th season! Everyone is welcome to join the play readers group. The group gathers twice a month to read plays for an hour. The plays range from new authors to the old classics. You may come and read a part or just enjoy listening to others. One of the SPOT regulars states “It’s an hour where I can be somebody else. I’ve read the part of a murderer and also a sweet young girl!”
Walking required
Walking up and down stairs
PREPARING FOR SEASON
Temporary Closing at the Palm Grill The Palm Grill will be closed throughout the month of September to allow the Shell Point hospitality services and dining staff members time to perform necessary cleaning projects and various updates. During this time, all other Shell Point dining venues will be open for service.
The Palm Grill will reopen on Wednesday, October 1.
S H E L L P O I N T ’S
SPOT O W N T H E AT E R Mark your calendar The group meets on the first and third Thursday of the month, starting October 2, at 1:15 p.m. in the Osprey Room on The Island. For information, call Ruth Deuber, at 433-9520.
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SUPPORT GROUPS Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18, & 25 4:30 p.m. Sabal Room/WDL Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. This “open” meeting of AA welcomes those who struggle with alcohol as well as those who support them. For more information, contact the intergroup phone number 275-5111.
Cancer Support 1-on-1 Mentoring The goal of this resident-led program is to establish group mentoring connections between newly diagnosed cancer patients and cancer survivors. Contact Barbara Maruchi (Lakewood) at 433–9488.
Caregiver Support Group Tuesdays, September 2 & 16 Group 1: 9:15 a.m. Group 2: 10:30 a.m. 2nd Floor Educational Room #2 Pavilion Rehabilitation Building/IS This therapeutic group is aimed at helping residents deal with issues of being a caregiver for someone with a memory disorder. The resident with a memory disorder may be cared for in independent living, assisted living, or skilled nursing. Dr. Nancy Spencer facilitates the group and can be reached at 454-2043. Sign-up is required.
Diabetes Group Appointment Friday, September 5 1:00 p.m. Social Center/IS Both insulin and non-insulin diabetics are encouraged to attend. Each monthly meeting covers a different topic and includes open discussion. 28
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Healing Journey Grief Support This series of sessions examines the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual effects of grief. The group is currently on a break, but anyone who is seeking grief support can call Dotty Morrison (Cellana) at 337-4015 or the church office at 454-2147.
Memory Care Support Groups Note - Individual assessment is required before joining one of the following groups: Tuesdays, September 2, 8 & 16 Group 1: 9:15 a.m. or Group 2: 10:30 a.m. 2nd Floor Educational Room #1 Pavilion Rehabilitation Building/IS Wednesdays, September 3, 10 & 17 3:00 p.m. Behavioral Health Office 2nd Floor Medical Center/IS These therapeutic groups are designed to provide education and support to residents who have some type of memory disorder. The objectives of the groups are to identify practical strategies to help residents better manage their memory loss, address longrange planning, and offer an environment that fosters a sense of purpose and heightened self-esteem. The last Wednesday of every month will be facilitated for the caregiver who already has a loved one attending the Wednesday meetings. Kathy Fratrick, LCSW, facilitates the group and can be reached at 454-2073. Individual appointments are also available.
Neuropathy Support Group Wednesday, September 17 11:00 a.m. Oak Room/WDL This group provides support and education opportunities for those dealing with neuropathy. Contact Lenny Wodarczyk (Parkwood) at 443-4769.
Parkinson’s Enrichment Group Monday, September 8 10:15 a.m. Social Center/IS The goal of this group is to provide support and educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend. Each meeting includes a speaker covering topics related to Parkinson’s, as well as group discussion and opportunities for emotional support. For more information, contact Janine Hammond, resident support services manager, at 454-2186.
Shell Point C.O.P.D. Support Group Jack Hubbard (Lakewood) leads this informative group to share information and knowledge among individuals who are oxygen dependent. The group meets quarterly and the next meeting is October 28.
The Vision Enrichment Group This group is currently on summer break. When it returns, all are welcome to network and to share stories and information. Florence Putman (Eagles Preserve) is the chairperson. For more information, contact Angie Prichard at 454-2134.
Fond Memories of Summers on the Lake B
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The sumemr home that Bill Redeker’s great-grandfather built in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in 1878 remains in the family to this day, and Bill and Carol continue to visit every summer. Below: Bill and Carol today. The couple fishing on Lake Geneva in 1942.
How many of you remember having a special place that you went to during the summer months? Many people would visit family in other cities, some would head off to a summer camp, and then there were those who would head north for the cooler temperatures and quieter lifestyle. Only 70 miles from Chicago is a place called Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where many people from the city have summer homes. The lake is known for its gorgeous shoreline, well-stocked fishing waters, and great opportunities for boating. In 1874, long before it became a popular destination, ia group of men from Elgin, Illinois, bought 16 acres of lakeshore property for $200 and sold off 20 lots. The greatgrandfather of King’s Crown resident Bill Redeker bought one of the lots and built a summer home for his family in 1878, and it has remained in the family for 136 years... and counting. Lake Geneva became known as the Newport (RI) of the West. Visitors included
Mary Todd Lincoln and Generals Sherman and Sheridan. The Chicago Fire of 1871 caused many Chicago families to move to their summer homes on the lake while the city was rebuilt. Bill was just 2 ½ months old when he was carried in his mother’s arms the first time he went to their lake home. Since then, the only time Bill has not been at the
home in the summer months was when he was in the service from 1942-1945. Bill remembers fondly how much he loved spending time on the lake fishing for hours on end, playing tennis, and swimming in the deep, clear lake. When Bill began dating Carol, he brought her up to see the lake home to “test” her and see if she was of good stock and could handle the outdoors. Bill decided to take Carol out on a canoe and paddle to the other side of the lake, with the secret plan of purposely flipping the canoe into the cold lake water. It was his hope that Carol would react just as she did… with laughter. (Especially when Bill was unable to flip the canoe upright, and they both had to push the canoe the rest of the way home.) This was a window into Carol’s adventurous spirit and was one of the many things he came to love about her. They soon married and continued the tradition of spending summers at Lake Geneva with their two daughters and eventually their grandchildren, enjoying the same activiactivi ties that Bill enjoyed as a young boy. This year, Bill and Carol celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, and visited their family home in Lake Geneva once again. They enjoyed the cool quiet evenings as they sat on the front porch overlooking the lake, and reminisced about the fond memories they have had through the many joyous years of spending summers on the lake. Shell Point Life | September 2014
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Shell Point Healthcare Enhancements
Announcing Assisted Living Enhanced Healthcare Services and Added Medical Center Coverage B
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With more than 36 years of experience, ARNP, Kimberley Hogan is honored to be able to serve residents within the comfort of their own homes.
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hell Point residents enjoy the benefit of having access to a wide variety of medical services provided throughout the community. The on-site team of full-time physicians, nurse practitioners, and specialty physicians is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to patients at all levels within the continuum of care. Recently, the Shell Point medical team, led by Vice President of Medical Services Dr. Roger Hirchak, identified that there was an opportunity to make a few changes in order
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to expand healthcare services offered to residents. The changes were based on the challenge by President Peter Dys to “bring providers to the patient versus the patient to the provider.”
Expanded Services The first round of improvements started with the idea of providing in-home healthcare services to assisted living residents. Dr. Hirchak said, “We know that getting to
Dr. Roger Hirchak,V.P. of Medical Services
the medical center requires a considerable amount of effort for those residing in assisted living. We also know that, due to that challenge, some assisted living residents avoid coming to the medical center. With that, we decided to test an opportunity to provide care to assisted living residents within the comfort of their own homes.”
The Springs
The Arbor
King’s Crown
more time spent dedicated to her The pilot program was such a sucpersonal passion of providing palcess that Shell Point elected to conliative care in the hospice setting,” tinue offering this new healthcare explained Dr. Hirchak. service by hiring an additional fullThe addition of the new, fulltime ARNP, Kimberley Hogan. “With In-home appointments offered in assisted time ARNP presented an opportumore than 36 years of living are beneficial for a wide nity to shift schedules for optimal experience, Kim has coverage at the Medical Center. proven to be a great range of healthcare needs, such Dr. Hirchak said, “We started by asset to the Shell as wound care, illness, blood moving Dr. Chien to cover hosPoint medical team,” pressure issues, medication pice and skilled nursing on Fridays, said Dr. Hirchak. Saturdays, and Sundays. We will Kim is honored and prescription management, schedule Dr. Chien in the Medical to be able to serve injury assessment, and more. Center on most Mondays, as she is residents within the highly respected and appreciated comfort of their own The expanded service will not by her patients, and they will cerhomes. “This service provide wound suturing, IV fluid tainly want to continue to benefit enhances both the administration, or intensive care from her compassionate care.” level of care and the By keeping Dr. Chien on the continuity of care,” for critical emergencies or other Kimberley Hogan, ARNP Monday schedule, the Medical she said. “There are services that can only be proCenter is now covered by three so many Shell Point vided by a doctor. medical doctors and one ARNP on residents who, for the busiest day of the week, resultnumerous reasons, just can’t make it ing in reduced wait times for resito the medical center. It gives them dent appointments. the opportunity to receive personalhealth record,” explained Kim. “By using Mr. Dys said, “It’s a blessing to ized care in the comfort of their own home when they otherwise couldn’t get the same record for each patient, all medi- have a medical team that looks for opporout. It also eases the load in the medical cal providers are kept in the know. It pro- tunities to improve a system that is already vides seamless care.” operating successfully. While it would be center.” Residents of The Arbor, King’s Crown, easy to continue with the status-quo, they In-home appointments offered in assisted living are beneficial for a wide and The Springs can make appointments for recognized an area that could benefit from range of healthcare needs, such as wound this new healthcare service by notifying their a new model of care and also embraced the chance to make a positive impact on covercare, illness, blood pressure issues, medica- nurse manager. age by adjusting staff schedtion and prescription management, injury ules. In turn, each change assessment, and more. The expanded serImproved Medical has ultimately made our vice will not provide wound suturing, IV Center Coverage comprehensive healthcare fluid administration, or intensive care for The next change to the services even better for the critical emergencies or other services that delivery of healthcare services residents of Shell Point.” can only be provided by a doctor. involved staff schedules. “The For more information With each in-home appointment, the reorganization of staff schedabout Shell Point’s team of continuity of care is made possible through ules was initially considered in medical staff and our specialty the use of electronic health records for response to a request by Dr. Wui providers, please visit www. each patient. “Each time I see a resident, I Chien to transition to a partshellpoint.net/medicalstaff document everything into their electronic time, 30-hour work week, with Dr. Wui Chien
Assisted Living In-Home Medical Visits
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Shell Point
Concert Series
2014-2015
Sponsored in part by
Support the Arts Today! Join the growing number of residents who are becoming a “Friends of the Arts” supporter. D
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This is an exciting time of year as we roll out the Shell Point Concert Series lineup for the coming season. The Fine & Performing Arts Series sets the stage for fine artists, including Behind the Mask with singers Teri Dale Hansen & Nat Chandler, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Lettermen, The Freddy Cole Quartet, and David Osborne Trio. The Concerts & Conversations series will feature classical artists in the intimate setting of the Grand Cypress Room, including Mary Elizabeth Bowden, Evan Drachman, Richard Dowling, Thomas Pandolfi, and Anna Tsukervanik. The Southwest Florida Symphony will present three concerts this season, including their annual Holiday Pops program. They will also perform Simply Classics,
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including the works of Hayden, Mozart, and Beethoven; as well as an impressive multimedia presentation titled Dvorak: From The New World. To round out the 2014-2015 concert series, we welcome back a fan favorite – the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band.
Cost Conscious
Our goal each year is to continue offering a diverse lineup of artists through a quality series which all music lovers can enjoy. With that, we are sensitive to maintaining a fair ticket price that allows many of our par residents and friends the opportunity to participate. We strive to assure that our overall series is financially sound and all expense obligations are covered for that particular concert season.
Throughout the past ten seasons, we have only adjusted our ticket price once, which was reflective of an increase in expenses. Overall, the Shell Point Concert Series continues to be the best value in town. While the ticket sales assure we can pay for the artists and their related expenses, there are many hidden costs associated with hosting a concert series. Some of those expenses include marketing and printing costs, box office operations, administrative duties, set-up fees, audio visual and technical support, equipment rental, additional transportation and security, heating/cooling, housekeeping, and a total of 600 man hours. One of the ways we counteract the extra expenses each year is through donor
support. By becoming a “Friend of the Arts” at Shell Point, you can help offset the additional fees incurred throughout the season. We have come to rely on these donations to assure the success and continuation of the popular concert series.
Loyal Supporters
Carol DeLucia (Oakmont), gives in memory of her husband. “Mike and I could not have imagined living in a world without music. Though together we enjoyed all kinds of music, including Dixieland, big band, and jazz, our favorite was classical. I am especially grateful that I make a contribution each year in his memory to the Friends of the Arts. For the past eight years, the concerts have given me great pleasure. I look forward to many more years of listening.” Preston and Patricia Haglin (Nautilus) shared their perspective on the Concert Series and their support of the Friends of the Arts. “As the Shell Point population continues to expand, interest in the quality and variety of entertainment and artis-
tic offerings grows with it. We have been delighted to support the effort to bring such a broad range of talent to our community’s stage. It requires both dedication and effort to book and assemble a program that is supported by many residents while keeping the admission cost at a level possible for all residents to attend. We are proud to offer our support.” Gloria Roberts (Eagles Preserve) has served on the Fine & Performing Arts Advisory Board for the past two years. She and her husband, Alan, have also supported the concert series by being Friends of the Arts patrons. “It is a privilege and a joy to be a Friends of the Arts supporter at Shell point. Alan and I appreciate the importance of music and culture and so desire other residents to have the opportunity of experiencing the variety and excellent talents of the performers. We reap enjoy-
ment and inspiration through the creative expression of music.”
Become a Friend of the Arts
Besides gaining the satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause, all Friends of the Arts donors will also be recognized in the concert program and receive special invitations to attend a “meet and greet” with featured artists. Plus, all financial gifts are tax deductable. The success of this coming concert series depends on the generosity of new and repeat donors. We thank you for your generosity.
KEEP GREAT PROGRAMS COMING TO SHELL POINT
Become a Friend of the Arts I/We wish to contribute a gift (tax deductible), as a Friend of the Arts, in the amount of $_____________________________. Maestros $2,500 or more • Composers $1,000-2,499 • Conductors $500-999 • Soloists $300-499 • Chorus $100-299
Optional: (check one) I wish to make my contribution in honor of:______________________________
I wish to make my contribution in memory of: ___________________________
Donor name:_____________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip:_________________ Phone (optional): _________________
To make a contribution, please fill out this form and mail, along with your payment, to: Dawn Boren, c/o Friends of the Arts • 15000 Shell Point Blvd., Suite 110 • Fort Myers, FL 33908 • Please make checks payable to Shell Point.
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Tech Tip: The Importance of Updates B
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One of the most common questions I receive is about understanding what requires an update and what doesn’t. First, let me explain why updates are needed. If you view computer security as a pie chart, a good anti-virus/anti-malware program takes up about 40% of it, making securityconscious decisions makes up about 30%, and keeping your computer programs up to date makes up the final 30%. With this image in mind, you can see that updates are
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an important part of keeping your computer and personal information safe. The most important updates are things like Windows, virus protection, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari updates. The next updates on the list should include Adobe Flash, Java, and Silverlight updates. The least important updates are programs that not everyone has on their computers, such as printer, mouse, and keyboard software.
Honorable Recognition
An important rule of thumb is to complete a routine update if you know what the program is. If you are unfamiliar with a program that is requesting an update, do a quick internet search and click on the first few links to review the general consensus about the program. As always, if you need any technology help, just call 454-2190 and place a work order.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS ELECT SHELL POINT AS
BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY For the second year in a row, Shell Point was named the “Best Retirement Community” by Gulfshore Business magazine’s Best of Business Awards. The award is especially meaningful, as it is selected by readers’ votes. This year, nearly 5,000 responses were received and tallied to reveal the top three fan favorites across 45 different categories.
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“It is exciting to receive this recognition for our community,” said Rich Cerrina, director of marketing and communications. “The Best of Business award affirms that not only do our residents appreciate the quality and excellence found here, but that the general public in this area understands what makes this community so very special.”
5 YEARS
Great Service Adds Up
Celebrating Five Years of Banking at Shell Point FineMark clients and friends are invited to the Bank’s Five Year
Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday, September 24 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. In the Bank Courtyard on The Island This month, FineMark National Bank & Trust is celebrating five years of service to the Shell Point community. In honor of the milestone anniversary, FineMark is inviting all clients and friends to a celebration event on Wednesday, September 24, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the courtyard in front of the bank. Joe Catti, FineMark President and CEO, along with Anna Smith, Tiffany Williams, Susan Chicone, and other familiar faces from FineMark, will attend the event to share their thanks and appreciation. Light refreshments will be served.
Tax Facts
Finding Deductions and Avoiding Common Mistakes BY TIM STEPHENSON, CHFC, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE
LEGACY FOUNDATION
Join Michele Hoover from Alexander & Hoover CPAs as she talks about what Shell Point residents need to do in order to take full advantage of the medical deduction in their first year of residency and in the future. Learn the things that people might overlook for the 2% deductions, such as the Legacy Foundation bill, attorney fees, trustee fees, and IRA fees that can be paid from a person’s regular assets rather than from the IRA account. Michele will also cover some mistakes that she sees on a regular basis in various retirement plans. This seminar is a must for anyone who moved to Shell Point in 2014. Sign up at either service desk.
Michele Hoover
P R E S E N T S
Tax Facts Wednesday September 24 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Grand Cypress Room/WDL Presenters: Michele Hoover, CPA Alexander & Hoover CPAs PA and Timothy A. Stephenson, ChFC, Executive Director of the Legacy Foundation at Shell Point
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Goes Ape B
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eral months volunteering at an ape rehabilitation center in Borneo. While caring for a group of infant orphan orangutans, she fell in love with their gentle nature. It almost made her sick to find out they were being saved to be sold to a circus. She disliked the idea of apes living out their lives in cages, repeating their tricks over and
What is the first thing the curious Academy On The Go group learned on the recent trip to The Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida? Apes are not monkeys!
Defining Primates
Primates are grouped into monkeys, apes, and hominids. The easiest way to distinguish monkeys from the others is to look for a tail. Most monkey species have tails, but not a single ape or hominid has the rear appendage. Monkeys are much more like other mammals than apes are. For example, most monkeys cannot swing from branch to branch, as apes can, because their shoulder bones have a different structure. Instead, monkeys run along the tops of branches. Their skeletal structure is similar to a cat, dog, or other
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PHOTO BY JOHN IPPENSEN (ROYAL BONNET)
The Academy
Shell Point Life | September 2014
four-footed animal, and they move in the same sort of way.
Great Ape Rescue
The Center for Great Apes is the only facility of its kind that cares for orphaned or abused orangutans and chimpanzees. The idea for the sanctuCenter: These two former actors Jonah and Jacob, ary can be traced back to 1989, when a adult male chimps, are the epitome of physical woman named Patti Ragan spent sev- strength and assertiveness, as well as playfulness.
Left: A nutritious diet for the residents of the sanctuary includes a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to primate biscuits, all of the apes eat a daily diet of three to four fresh fruits, nine to ten different vegetables, plus various leafy greens. Center: Radcliff the orangutan loves lettuce. Right: A volunteer holds freshly harvested lettuce grown at the on-site plant nursery.
fascinating. We quickly realover, and often being subject to ized that we have seen many abuse or neglect. of their behaviors in chilShe found herself wishing dren on playgrounds and in there was a refuge for orangour own homes! Some of us utans in the United States. even received a playful squirt Little did she know, she would of water from the mouth of be the woman to make it hapone of those little rascals – pen. It took years to formulate the chimps thought it was an official plan, and even lonhilarious. ger to find the property. And, The Center pairs up in 1997, Patti officially opened groups of apes much like The Center for Great Apes. humans pair up. Basically, What started as a 15-acre natuif they get along, they are ral sanctuary has grown to more designated roommates. They than 100 acres that provide a even have indoor sleeping safe, loving home for more than quarters. The chimps are 40 great apes. loud, busy, and mischievous, Most of the apes at The whereas the orangutans Center came from the enterAlong a trail within the sanctuary, a photo board displays past and present are quiet and relaxed. We tainment industry and are acturesidents of The Center for Great Apes. were amazed at lunch time ally quite famous. For example, to watch as the apes genMichael Jackson’s famed chimpanzee, Bubbles, was sent to The Center tions. And the dedicated volunteer staff is tly rolled open their paper lunch bags to retrieve the meals found inside. for Great Apes – with no support funding vital to the daily operation. While we toured the facility, we offered – after he grew too large to be carobserved that each guide had a favorite ape, ried around. Privileged Access The financial obligations are remarkThe Center is not open to the public. but they usually referred to more than one able, especially considering that the cost to It is only open to pre-arranged group educa- as their favorite. Of course, only the profescare for just one chimpanzee is more than tional tours and for membership days. Even sionals are permitted to enter the structures $20,000 per year, and some will live well members can only go a couple of times a with the apes, as the apes do not know their beyond middle age. year. The Shell Point group was treated own strength. Overall, this Academy on The Go trip To afford the cost of housing the apes, to a delightful walk through the sanctuThe Center is supported through fundrais- ary. Observing the apes in their elaborate was nothing short of fantastic and is sure to ers, private grants, and membership dona- living, playing, and sleeping quarters was be repeated in the future.
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Renewed, Refreshed, and
Rejoicing in Song All singers are invited to unite their voices through two distinct singing opportunities, The Shell Point Singers and The Village Church Choir. Both are directed by Randy Woods, minister of worship and music. The Village Church Choir sings the best of traditional and contemporary sacred music as it regularly shares in the worship services and holiday concerts. This choir will resume weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, October 1, at 5:45 p.m. The Shell Point Singers is the community choir which provides an opportunity to sing a variety of music styles. This group will resume weekly rehearsals on Monday, October 6, at 3:15 p.m. All residents interested in singing with either choir are welcome. Simply register by attending the first rehearsal in the Choir Room at The Village Church. There is a $10 registration fee to join the Shell Point Singers, which covers the cost of music. It’s always good to welcome new singers as we begin the season renewed, refreshed, and rejoicing in song!
Mark Your Calendar
Fantasy Flight of
November 17 - 21
Spread your wings and soar to new heights as Shell Point celebrates all things airy during the Shell Point Signature Week from November 17 through 21. The atmospheric enjoyment will begin on Monday with a “Celebration of Flight” and continue through the week with a variety of entertaining, educational and interactive events. Be sure to attend the closing event on Friday, which is sure to be an “uplifting” event!
An Uplifting Event
The Smiles of Shell Point Whether they are shining in the spotlight or working behind the scenes, the employees of Shell Point warm the entire community with their beautiful smiles. Please take a moment to show your appreciation by making a contribution to the 2014 Employee Christmas Gift. For more information, contact Campaign Chairman Dick Wright (Eagles Preserve) at 226-1011.
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Shell Point Life | September 2014
T H E
V I L L A G E
C H U R C H
P R E S E N T S
Remember Nhu
Save the Date Oct. 19-22
A Ministry to Women at Risk
Schedule of events Sunday, 10/19 at 10:15 a.m. ..........The Story of Remember Nhu Church Auditorium/IS Sunday, 10/19 at 6:15 p.m. ............What’s Happening Now? Church Auditorium/IS Monday, 10/20 at 1:00 p.m. ..........Academy Class: Intervention vs. Prevention Grand Cypress Rm/WDL Tuesday, 10/21at 7:15 p.m.............Justice vs. Mercy Church Auditorium/IS Wednesday, 10/22 at 10:15 a.m.....Global Outreach: Nhu’s Testimony Church Auditorium/IS Wednesday, 10/22 at 11:30 a.m.....Global Outreach Luncheon Church Auditorium/IS
Mystery Ministry Kids B
Y
D
O T T Y
M
O R R I S O N
(C
E L L A N A
)
Chances are, you’ve heard some of the generalities associated with “preacher’s kids” and “missionary kids.” Preacher’s kids, also known as PKs, grew up in the church as their parents led the congregation. Missionary kids, commonly called MKs, often grew up in worlds far away from the comforts of the United States. Perhaps you can relate to some of these commonalities about PKs and MKs. YOU KNOW YOU WERE A PREACHER’S KID (PK) IF:
• Your family was the first to arrive and the last to leave church on Sunday morning. • By age 4, you knew the answer to any question in Sunday School was either Jesus, God, or the Bible. • When no one else in Sunday school knew the answer, the teacher automatically called on you. • Although grown, people still come up to you and tell you embarrassing things you did when they cared for you in the nursery.
YOU KNOW YOU WERE A MISSIONARY KID (MK) IF YOU:
• Flew before you could walk. • Had a passport, but no driver’s license. • Know measurements in grams, meters, and liters. • Argue that football is played with a round ball and the goal has a net. • Get homesick while looking at National Geographic.
Whether you related to those statements or found them to be confusing, you will certainly enjoy the Global Outreach meeting on Wednesday, September 17. All are welcome to join us in the Social Center on The Island at 10:15 a.m. to hear from our Mystery Ministry Kids. Invite a friend and come early for refreshments.
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Standing in the
Shadows
I distinctly remember the Saturday afternoon of July 1, 1967, because of the buzz of energy and excitement around our home that day. In ritual fashion, my father had taken the cover off the barbecue grill. He was carefully stacking the charcoal briquettes in a precise geometrical design inspired by the architects of the Giza Plateau. Leaning over the lawn mower, I placed the knot into the notch on the top of the engine flywheel. Wrapping the cord around the pulley, I yanked the wooden handle until an internal combustion hurricane roared into life. My mother was in the kitchen preparing the meat for the meal. A staple of St. Louisstyle barbecue, she seasoned pork steaks with salt and pepper, and placed the large glass jug of Maull’s brand barbecue sauce on the counter within easy reach of the back door. After making the yard presentable for guests, I went to the kitchen and found my mother softly singing as she worked. The cabinet lid of the RCA Victor Model SHF-5 was open and I could see a stack of 45 RPM records in waiting. The blonde wood finish of the Hi-Fi was already out of fashion, but that day we were more interested in the soul, rhythm, and blues music emanating from the twelve-inch speaker in glorious high fidelity. The previous record was sung and I could hear the clicking sounds as the chubby spindle dropped another record from the stack onto the turntable. The song was by The Four Tops, and it was one of our favorite Motown pop hits from the top twenty countdown. I turned up the volume on the RCA to just below the level that would antagonize the pyramid builder, and my mom and I began to sing the refrain in unison:
Standing in the shadows of love I’m getting ready for the heartaches to come Can’t you see me standing in the shadows of love I’m getting ready for the heartaches to come
B
Y S T E V E M O R T O N , L A N D S C A P E M A N A G E R
Nature’s Notebook
On an Independence Day weekend in 1967, I knew little about love and heartache, but on the subject of shadows, I considered myself to be an expert. I recognized that the lengthening shadows were a harbinger of the professional fireworks display at the park next to our home. My best friend and his family were invited for the party, and shadows gave him and me the opportunity to avoid detection as we lit our firecrackers and ran. While studying horticulture, my knowledge of shadows began to evolve. Shadows became a place that marginalized plant growth from reduced photosynthesis. Plant destroying insects lurk in the shadows, protected from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Annual flowers do poorly in the shade, limiting our ability to provide color in the shadowed landscape. Ten years ago, sunlight still penetrated the canopy of Live Oak trees at the Administrative Courtyard and then we were able to plant flowering annuals. As the oaks have matured, the available sunlight has dwindled from dappled sun to full shade. Accepting that change was inevitable, we established a strategy of incremental plant replacement. We sought to emulate nature by selecting tropical and sub-tropical plant species that When the Shell Point thrive in the understory of forests. We Landscaping team was chose plants with vibrant color when tasked with refreshing possible, selecting for interesting and the Administration Courtyard, they planted a variety of complementary plant textures, and tropical and sub-tropical species that thrive in low-light environments. utilizing the oak trees themselves Our goal was to slowly transition the as planting platforms for epiphytic plants. Stepping out of the shadows, one of the most Administrative Courtyard into a shade garinteresting plants is the Red Button Ginger den without disrupting the daily use of the with its waxy red flower. Upright Hawaiian TI area by incrementally removing plants and plants illuminate the green background like a replacing them with shade-tolerant species. torch of maroon and pink shades. Pendulous Now, rather than standing in the shadows of Orchids hang from the trees like Japanese lan- love, our courtyard plants are standing with love in the shadows. terns, lighting the shadows with color.