Shell Point Life December 2019

December 2019 Vol. 14 Issue 12

’TIS THE SEASON

Holiday Dining and Advent Series Gifts To Treasure

Concerts, Caroling

Candlelight and

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

–Luke 1:14

Holiday Happenings

36

It’s that time of year when family and friends reunite, swapping stories over traditional holiday meals or perhaps meeting up at a destination vacation. Either way, there’s bound to be a photo taken to preserve the moment – just like the event pictures peppered throughout this issue. See you around!

Comfort and Joy

6

Although many travel during the holiday season, some adventurers like to vacation all year round. On page 36, you’ll meet Dick Davis and Carol Bischoff (Turban). This couple loves to explore the world, and recently made meaningful memories in the Land Down Under.

Another couple, Richard and Karen Todd (Cellana), share a remarkably interesting calling that also puts stamps in their passports. They serve as volunteer relief workers with Samaritan’s Purse and Worthy Endeavors, and often are deployed to life-threatening calamities around the globe. Learn more on page 6.

Gifts Galore

10 2

As each holiday rolls around, it may feel challenging to find unique gifts for all the special people in your life. While searching high and low for those perfect presents, you may want to check out the Shell Point Gift Shop on The Island. Turn to page 4 to learn about this resident-run shop and its upcoming Holiday Extravaganza.

Also, on page 10, you’ll find photos from the recent Artists and Artisans Holiday Bazaar – another highly successful “shopportunity” hosted by residents last month.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

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

Director of Marketing & Communications Lynn Schneider Editor Sarah Nadal Creative Director Rich Cerrina Senior Designer Wendy Iverson Contributors Pat Bubb, Betty Bullock, Robyn Church, Beth Crenshaw, Sue Earnhardt, Claude Emler, Christina Grochowski, Janine Hammond, Craig Handel, Wray Hiser, Tom Irwin, Gabriella Kelly, Erica May, Ginny Miller-Plaza, Wendy Perera, Don Pullen, Ashley Robbin, Emily Rose, Laura Slack, Lilli Spolar, Adam Thompson, Monica Tison, Michelle Tompkins, Dottie Tronnes, Susan Uhleman, Verla Wallace, Peggy Zimmerman Do you have story ideas or photos to share?

Contact Editor Sarah Nadal by or emailing sarahnadal@shellpoint.org Shell Point Life Available Online You can find the current issue as well as back issues of Shell Point Life magazine at www.shellpoint.org/shellpointlife.

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

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

Launching Into Advent B Y D O N P U L L E N , A S S O C I AT E PA S T O R , T H E V I L L A G E C H U R C H

The Village Church invites you and your loved ones to a series of Advent programs that include evening concerts, caroling outings and sacred services – all planned to celebrate the reason for this joyous season. For more information about any of these events, contact the church office at (239) 454-2147.

The Spirit of Christmas Featuring Marquis Laughlin Sunday, December 1

Hear the Christmas story like you’ve never experienced it before.

Marquis Laughlin is the founder of Acts of the Word Ministries, a nonprofit, non-denominational ministry dedicated to transforming people’s lives through the words of the Bible. As a performance artist, theologian and missionary to the church in America, his uniquely compelling dramatic solo Scripture presentations include seven different books of the Bible. He maintains an active touring schedule at theaters, conferences, and houses of worship, and his one-man shows have been presented all over the world. This presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Joy to the World Christmas Concert Sunday, December 8

Join The Village Church in welcoming gifted students from Evangelical Christian School (ECS) who will sing songs of the Christmas season during this free community concert. A wonderful evening of music is planned that will lift your spirit and prepare you for the Christmas holiday, presented by an amazing, talented array of young people. You’ll meet the Young Sentinel Singers, who are in fifth grade; the ECS Concert Band and Orchestra, which is comprised of middle school children; the ECS Concert Choir, also featuring middle school students; and the ECS Symphonic Orchestra, which is filled with high school talent. The performance will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Go Tell It Christmas Concert Sunday, December 15

You won’t want to miss this masterful performance of Go Tell It, performed by the Village Church Choir and guest orchestra ensemble. Written by resident Jack Schrader (Turban), this Christmas

cantata is a faithful retelling of the Christmas story, the gospel in song and narration, and a wonderful mixture of the new and the old, the traditional, and the freshness of the contemporary. The concert will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Community Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 22

Are you ready to raise your voice in song and brighten the evening of Shell Point’s assisted living and skilled nursing residents? Meet at The Village Church at 4 p.m. to divide into four groups of carolers. Groups will be transported to The Springs, Connected Living, The Arbor and King’s Crown to sing Christmas carols for 20 to 25 minutes. Then, all four groups will arrive at the Pavilion to sing carols on all four floors! Afterward, enjoy sweet Christmas goodies and hot chocolate at The Village Church.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 24 Everyone is invited to celebrate the “reason for the season” as Shell Point gathers for its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:15 p.m. The service will be filled with wonderful Christmas carols and readings that point to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. O Come All Ye Faithful, and sing Joy to the World!

Community Prayer and Communion Tuesday, December 31

This is a great opportunity to drop in for personal prayer and reflection as 2019 comes to a close and you enter 2020. Please plan to come and go at your convenience, any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The pastors and elders will be available to pray with you and share communion if desired.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

3

The Gift

B Y D O T T I E T R O N N E S , V O L U N T E E R C O O R D I N AT O R

That Keeps Giving

It’s been 30 years, and the Shell Point Gift Shop is still going strong.

First starting in the Creativity Center with a dedicated space, then moving to its present location in the lobby of the Shell Point Guest House, the Gift Shop has been an official, organized outlet for creative residents to sell their wares since 1989.

Since its humble beginning, talented, creative residents have operated all aspects of the Gift Shop with the support of Shell Point management. Today a board of resident directors, along with a framework of resident volunteers and artistic suppliers, oversee the day-to-day operation as well as the long term goals of the Gift Shop. These volunteers have brought the Gift Shop to a level of efficiency that its founding residents couldn’t have imagined.

Items brought into the Gift Shop to be sold are tagged with barcodes that allow each item to be tracked via a specialized

4

Shell Point Life | December 2019

computer system called BESS, which stands for Best Consignment Software Systems.

Reports can be run on merchandise to see how long the items have been on display, who the resident supplier is and, in the case of multiple items, what styles or colors might be the biggest sellers. This barcode system also allows for easy checkout by volunteer resident cashiers when items are purchased. The days of listing and tracking inventory with paper and pencil are long gone at the Gift Shop!

The current crop of resident artists are the most skilled and creative in the history of the Gift Shop. From beautiful and useful wood products to exquisite ceramic creations and handpainted textiles, the level of talent is at an all-time high, both on display and for sale.

One of the staples of any gift shop is, of course, a selection of greeting cards. In this arena, the Shell Point Gift Shop shines.

Besides the requisite commercially sourced greeting cards, the array of artistic cards created by Shell Point residents is astounding.

Original photographs along with prints of oils and watercolor art have been transformed into greeting cards for Christmas and everyday use. There are cards to appeal to anyone’s taste. Interestingly enough, the first items to be sold at the Gift Shop in the Creativity Center on The Island during the shop’s early years were commercial greeting cards! How this shop has evolved over 30 years is a testament to the talent, persistence and dedication of every resident who has been involved.

For these 30 years, the significant profit

made by the Gift Shop has found its way back into the tapestry of life at Shell Point in many ways. The Gift Shop retains 10 percent from the sale of each item, and these funds are set aside in the treasury.

Each year, Gift Shop board members vote to determine to which Shell Point philanthropic endeavor they would like to donate these funds. As of this year, these donations total $75,256.

These annual donations by the Gift Shop board have included everything from lecterns with sound amplification, a piano

for The Arbor, patio chairs for the Larsen Pavilion, contributions to employee scholarship funds, renovations at The Village Church to audio-visual equipment and therapy equipment for the Larsen Pavilion’s Rehabilitation Center – and more.

Also of note is that the residents supplying merchandise to the Gift Shop have received revenue from their personal sales totaling more than $750,000. For some of the residents in the earliest days of Shell Point, this supplement to their income

from their handmade creations was most welcome. Plus, pursuing fulfilling hobbies has helped keep many feeling active and engaged by being a part of a creative community of like-minded people.

Today, the Shell Point Gift Shop is always looking for new resident suppliers who make interesting, unique items.

Additionally, volunteers are a vital part of the operation and are always needed. Those who might like to supply items should contact Merchandise Manager Diane Martin (Nautilus). Those who would like to volunteer to work in the Gift Shop should call Volunteer Coordinator Dottie Tronnes for more information at (239) 454-2290.

Gift Shop Holiday Extravaganza Monday, December 2 The Shell Point Gift Shop will present its annual Holiday Extravaganza on Monday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Social Center on The Island will be transformed into a shopper’s paradise as the artists and artisans who supply the wonderful selection of handmade and

enhanced items come together to showcase their wares. Everyone attending will receive a gift and those who make purchases will be able to take advantage of a free gift wrapping service. Why not shop local and support your talented Shell Point friends and neighbors?

Shell Point Life | December 2019

5

T

in Action

he next time you turn on the evening news and shake your head in disbelief over the latest disaster in some remote area of the world, it’s possible Shell Point residents Richard and Karen Todd (Cellana) will be among the first responders. The peripatetic couple serve as globe-trotting volunteer relief workers, consultants and staffers with two well-known relief organizations, Samaritan’s Purse and Worthy Endeavors.

As Dr. Seuss might have said, “Oh, the places they’ve been!”

Richard, a native of Detroit, Michigan, caught the bug for adventure in college. He studied mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University

6

Shell Point Life | December 2019

but never finished, confessing, “Sailboat racing was far more attractive.” Hoping to make sailing a career someday, he found other ways to work in the maritime industry. For example, he worked alongside U.S. Coast Guard safety agents, where he helped to value and assess risk for an average of 400 charter boats per season for insurance purposes.

By contrast, Karen was raised in Miami in a boating family, developing a love of the high seas along the way. She worked as a paralegal, which gave her a taste for the field of law, and eventually attended the University of Miami Law School. After graduation, her law practice focused on wills, trusts and estate planning.

Karen and Richard (back row, left) worked with a South Sudanese church rebuilding team in the wake of the country’s devastating civil war.

Though they came from totally different backgrounds, the Todds met in 1996 at a Presbyterian church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where both attended and they married a year later.

Mission Motivated

where people are struggling.”

They are frequently among the first on-scene after life-threatening calamities like tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes and the destruction that happens in civil wars. When the call comes, they throw themselves wholeheartedly into efforts that can be the difference between life and death.

Sometimes they work together at a disaster site; sometimes Richard serves on his own. As a logistics expert, he’s skilled at constructing highly functional inflatable

Richard already held a deep-seated passion for relief work, birthed out of disasters he had witnessed firsthand during some of his long-distance sailboat races – particularly one in which his boat passed through an area struck by a hurricane off the coast of Brazil. “You can’t just let conditions pass, no matter how chaotic they are,” he said. “You have to do something about them.”

Karen was “all in” with Richard’s philosophy of faith in action, which she calls, “traveling as Christians, Operation Christmas Child delivers gift-filled bringing help and hope into areas shoeboxes to children in third-world countries.

tent hospitals that include well-equipped operating theaters. He also knows how to organize the delivery of food, water and shelter in the fastest, most efficient way possible.

Karen often functions as an information officer, compiling data and other critical information, conveying it from the field to the incident management team at Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina.

The couple has high praise for Samaritan’s Purse, with whom they’ve now worked for 15 years. The nondenominational evangelical Christian organization mounts a variety of efforts around the world to meet the needs of those suffering from long-standing poverty and health issues or from recent disasters. Shell Point residents may already be familiar with Samaritan’s Purse through its annual Operation Christmas Child campaign, which delivers 10 million shoeboxes Continued on next page Shell Point Life | December 2019

7

FAITH IN ACTION Continued from page 7

full of gifts to poor children in more than a hundred countries.

According to Richard, immediate emergency response efforts can last thirty days or so. But assignments that put programs in place to offer long-term help can last a number of years. “In six weeks, you can do meaningful work and come home.

But these longer-time responses are more disruptive,” he said.

A peek at some of their past assignments demonstrates the variety and breadth of their work, from tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Mississippi. In 2007, their work took them to South Sudan in Africa. “It was our job to bring organization and repeatable methodology to the rebuilding of 530 churches destroyed during South Sudan’s civil war,” said Richard.

“North Sudan was intent on destroying all Christian churches in South Sudan. During a period of relative peace, Samaritan’s Purse undertook the long and extremely challenging task of rebuilding all those churches,” Richard explained.

“The churches are important to the South Sudanese as more than just houses of worship. They are symbols of community and a spirit of regrowth and renewal after the terrors of war.”

During part of that time, Karen worked in nearby Nairobi, Kenya, which served as the base of operations for Samaritan’s Purse in Kenya and Sudan. “It turns out that particular area of Kenya was far more tumultuous and dangerous than Sudan at the time,” she said.

After their joint efforts in South Sudan, Richard was deployed to a fresh roster of new crises. This included relief work after devastating floods and cyclone destruction in Myanmar, tsunamis in Samoa and Japan, and earthquakes in Haiti. Richard also supported efforts to assist displaced refugees living in tent cities located in Northern Iraq and Kurdistan.

In 2011, Karen joined Richard as part of a Samaritan’s Purse Peace Project in Ecuador, South America. Together, they worked with Worthy Endeavors to build churches near the Andes Mountains.

8

Shell Point Life | December 2019

The Todds helped build churches throughout the Andes Mountains in South America as part of a Samaritan’s Purse Peace Project in 2011. The Andes are the highest mountains outside of Asia and have a population of roughly 85 million.

Years later, Richard was called to Puerto Rico as a first responder after Hurricane Irma, arriving within twelve hours of the airport reopening. “When a storm has recently passed and everyone rallies, it’s a time when peace reigns and wonderful things happen,” said Richard. “The scale of that kind of task is overwhelming, and it’s important we stay focused. But, first, we weep with them,” he said.

Once relief efforts are well underway, those receiving aid often ask, “Why are you here? Why are you doing this?” Their ques-

After Hurricane Katrina, Richard and Todd flew to MIssissippi to assist with relief efforts.

tions provide a natural opportunity for this loving couple to share their faith and the gospel story.

While Richard and Karen are willing and more than able to share their Christian beliefs, they are sensitive to when the time is right and when it isn’t. “You don’t broadcast your faith,” Richard said. “You don’t want the people receiving assistance to perceive it as a carrot-and-stick situation, where if only you believe something, then we’ll help you. It has the potential to develop confusion and problems.”

During the couple’s trip to Ecuador, they participated in a special communion service featuring folk music and festive garb.

In addition to their 15 years’ work for relief organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, Richard and Karen have also served as contractors in the field of international development for USAID, a division of the U.S. State Department.

They’ve learned that governments, including Russia, Iraq, Syria and Sudan, don’t always welcome aid workers.

“Not all governments are happy with foreigners bringing food to their people,” Karen pointed out. “They become suspicious. If they’re terribly hostile, they won’t take help.”

The couple makes a careful distinction between what they do as relief workers and the life of missionaries. “We go many places for a short time. Missionaries go to a single place for a long time, sometimes as long as 30 years or more,” said Karen.

They also note an important difference between the biblical story of the Good Samaritan and modern-day relief workers. In the scriptures, the Good Samaritan accidentally encountered the man in need of help, while relief workers purposely seek out those in need.

Delightful Downtime

Hearing stories of the Todds’ world travels, people might assume the couple would welcome a little couch time, once they complete an assignment. But a visit to their comfortable apartment in Cellana at Shell Point, makes clear they don’t sit still for long. One side of the living room is piled high with kayaks and bicycles. The walls are graced with large framed photos of racing yachts next to shelves of books.

Downtime often means kayaking and bicycling or taking trips from one edge of the continent to another. They

once rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles all over the country and took several trips up and down the East Coast. “We outgrew it,” laughed Karen, “but it was really fun.”

Two years ago, they spent five weeks on the road in an RV, driving from their then-home in Blue Ridge, Georgia, to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and back again.

Since moving to Shell Point from Fort Lauderdale over a year ago, they’re eager to take a deep dive into all that Shell Point offers.

Karen appreciates the parklike waterfront setting across the road from their apartment and the enormous banyan tree just past their screened lanai. “We love the birds and the beauty at Shell Point. The gardens are green and lush with lots of flowers. We’re still exploring the area. Richard just had his first Meyer lemon,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be a part of The Village Church,” Karen continued. “We attend Wednesday evening prayer groups and Sunday morning Bible study and services.

We’ve made good friends here!”

They have also renewed their relationship with longtime friend Sylvia Raia (Lucina), a Shell Point resident, and friends Keith and Debbie Hughes (Junonia), who moved to Shell Point after the Todds’ arrival.

“We have nothing but praise for Shell Point. We’ve never experienced such friendliness and kindness,” added Richard. “We’re glad to get back to South Florida. The climate is wonderful. Any healthcare concerns we had were alleviated by the continuing care Shell Point offers. That was one of the foremost reasons we came here. We have no children and, without the continuing care, the cost of assisted living is huge. Besides, we love it here! We can kayak, bike and golf.”

Richard and Karen look forward to spending more time in the community, with boots on the ground, getting to know more of their Shell Point neighbors. That is, until it’s time to hit the road again. n Shell Point Life | December 2019

9

SHOPportunities B Y W E N DY P E R E R A , E V E N T S C O O R D I N AT O R

Diane Martin (Nautilus) Jean Becker (Periwinkle)

There’s no doubt that The Village Church was the place to be on November 1 and 2 for the 2019 Artists and Artisans Holiday Bazaar, if the crowds were any indication!

Expertly coordinated by Karen Hubbard (Turban), this event featured the artistic endeavors of many amazing Shell Point residents who have worked throughout the year to get ready for this show. Resident artists and artisans showcased jewelry, paintings, paper art, textile art, holiday décor, pottery, woodworking and a large variety of custom crafts.

The two-day shopping extravaganza delivered yet another opportunity to marvel at the creativity of Shell Point residents – and to take a little something home as a souvenir.

Pottery animals

Fred McAuley (Junonia)

Delicately carved birdhouses

Judy Owen (Sand Dollar)

10

Shell Point Life | December 2019

Gary Reynolds (Cellana)

Soft and cuddly baby gifts

Carved wooden birds

Linda Gardell (Periwinkle)

Judy Kaplan (Turban)

Betsy Conrad (The Estuary)

Sylvia Longaker (Oakmont)

Dennis and Barbara Staley (Lucina)

Tom Young (Turban) and Johannes Tysvaer (King’s Crown)

Karen Riecks (Eagles Preserve) with her sister

Check out the Social Scene for more great photos! www.shellpoint.net/socialscene Shell Point Life | December 2019

11

Stirring It Up at Kitchen Social B Y A S H L E Y R O B B I N , O F F S I T E P R O G R A M C O O R D I N AT O R

On October 7, a group of Shell Point residents headed to the newly opened Kitchen Social in Fort Myers.

Kitchen Social has been featured in Naples Daily News and on FOX4 as one of the most fun and easy cooking experiences, with easy-to-follow, hands-on culinary training.

During the cooking class, residents learned how to prepare a three-course meal with ease as pasta dough was made

from scratch and eggplant was breaded and baked to perfection. Residents sat back and relaxed as the chefs taught everyone how to make gourmet chocolate gelato with a recipe that can be made at home in residents’ own kitchens.

Guests not only learned how to prepare this fabulous meal, but they were also able to take home two extra leftover meals! The class had an intimate setting, with the class size limited to just 16 people.

Karla Pendexter shows off her gourmet pasta and eggplant dish.

Sign Up for December 18 Class If this piques your interest, be sure to sign up for the Kitchen Social Holiday Baking Class trip that will take place on Wednesday, December 18. Space is limited, so contact any concierge desk today to reserve your spot. Residents will not only make easy gourmet treats and tastetest them during the experience, but will also take plenty of goody bags home as holiday gifts – or a sweet treat for later!

Ready, set, taste! Easy-to-follow instructions resulted in a delicious, three-course meal.

Explore Tampa’s Channelside During Overnight Trip Informational Meeting on December 9 Reservations are still available for an exciting overnight trip that will take place January 27-28 to discover the treasures of the Channelside District in Tampa, Florida.

Sign up today by calling Offsite Program Coordinator Ashley Robbin at (239) 454-2239.

Explore a fun mix of the old and new with an itinerary that includes a hotel stay with a rooftop pool, museum tours and a special dinner in this bustling and eclectic urban area, just east of Downtown Tampa. A combination of guided educational experiences and plenty of time on your own to enjoy shops and restaurants, this 12

Shell Point Life | December 2019

trip has something for everyone.

The cost of this trip varies depending on the room arrangements you prefer. For a double occupancy room, with breakfast included, the registration fee is $266 per person, a single-occupancy room, with breakfast included, costs $332.

Dive into the Details For those who are interested or have already registered for this trip, there will be an informational meeting held on Monday, December 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sabal Room at The Woodlands.

All are welcome.

A Fashionable Year B Y W E N DY P E R E R A , E V E N T S C O O R D I N AT O R

The ninth annual Community Thrift Store Fashion Show, held on Monday, October 21, was a sold-out occasion, filled with laughter and fun. The theme? It’s a Fashionable Year.

The Banyan Grille provided a delicious catered luncheon that featured grilled chicken over a bed of greens and fresh apples. Carrot cake and ice cream completed the meal.

Residents and staff modeled a variety of outfits that proved just how fashionable life at Shell Point could be, inspired by all the various events that take place throughout

each year. Community Thrift Store Manager Erica May kicked off the show with a beautiful ensemble that represents a sample outfit that can be purchased at the thrift store – and worn stylishly to a fashion show!

The year went on from there, featuring fashions that could be worn to favorite events like Oktoberfest, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, New Year’s Eve, the Shell Point Celebration, Beach Day and community concerts. Thrift Store volunteers and Shell Point staff members had everyone smiling at their creative attire in this high energy show.

Bev Schubel (King’s Crown)

Each model came into the room with music themed to fit their event and the clothing. Many models also carried props, such as designer handbags and suitcases, golf clubs, cooking pots, picture frames and more – all items that can be purchased at the Community Thrift Store.

With thanks for the support of many volunteers in putting together a successful style show, the Thrift Store Fashion Show provided great entertainment and proved that 2020 will be a very “fashionable year!”

Check out the Social Scene for more photos! www.shellpoint.net/socialscene

Wendy Perera

Lyn Reeves​(Cellana)

Valeria Velez-Ortiz with daughter Oriana

Erica May

Joyce Crawley (Harbor Court) and Lucy Skinner (Harbor Court)

Grilled chicken and apple salad

Marcia Seeland (The Estuary)

Shell Point Life | December 2019

13

Luncheons &

Laughter

BY LILLI SPOLAR, M A R K E T I N G E V E N T S C O O R D I N AT O R

The Banyan Grille was buzzing with court pride during the months of September and October after inviting residents of individual court buildings to dine together for a special meal. The venue hosted a series of 22 court-centric luncheons for approximately 600 residents, who enjoyed delicious food, fun and fellowship with their neighbors.

The catering team of the Banyan Grille provided a special lunch

Phyllis Ingalls (Eagles Preserve)

14

Shell Point Life | December 2019

menu that featured chicken Franรงaise, boneless short ribs and crab cakes. For a sweet finish to the delicious meals, Amber Ross, the pastry chef, prepared homemade red velvet cakes with vanilla ice cream.

The Banyan Grille would like to send a big thank you to all residents who attended the recent court luncheons, and hope that you will visit them again in the future. Be sure to ask about the special on your next trip to the Banyan Grille.

Check out the Social Scene for more Court Luncheon photos! www.shellpoint.net/socialscene

Tom Irwin with Louise Redmond (Cameo)

Joyce and Dick Jenkins (Lakewood)

Jeffrey Harrison serves up tea for two.

Gary and Janet Kolod (Eagles Preserve)

Jim and Jane Isebrand (Parkwood)

Chef John Horner treats each guest like family.

Congrats, gift card winner!

Patty and George Waters (Palm Acres)

Nancy Chestnutt and Philip Matthews (Rosemont)

Betty McCollum (Oakmont)

Dick Brown and Mary Buck (Parkwood) Patricia and Stokes Fishburne (The Estuary) with Emily Rose

Eileen and Lex Roulston (Parkwood)

Shell Point Life | December 2019

15

‘Tis the Season for Staying Well!

The holiday season is here and that means family, friends and festivities!

Celebrating the holidays is a joyous occasion of never-ending gatherings and parties, which often center around rich casseroles, decadent desserts and a busy social calendar. Remaining on track with your health and wellness goals can pose a challenge, especially when routines become disrupted – when socializing and indulging in seasonal delicacies becomes more of a focus than usual. The good news is, by following a few simple tips, your health and physical activity won’t need to take a back seat during this busy time of the year.

Plan ahead for exercise. You may have a few parties to attend and dishes to make to bring to each of them, but look ahead at the calendar and schedule your fitness classes, exercise routine or personal training appointments well in advance.

Write them down on your calendar; after all, they should be treated like an appointment you have with yourself.

Keep moving. Don’t stop your morning walk or afternoon lap swims just because it’s that time of year. Keep active and stick to what you normally do each

“Stay strong

during holidays

and experience vitality all year long.

– FITNESS SUPERVISOR ANNA VALLE day. “During the holidays, like every day, we need to keep consistent. Your activity can come in many forms including: bike riding, treadmill intervals or quick-paced walking in the neighborhood. If you are visiting family or taking a trip, walk with them. Stay strong during holidays and experience vitality all year long,” recommended Fitness Supervisor Anna Valle. “Keeping

BY M I C H E L L E TO M P K I N S , WELLNESS MANAGER

this consistency will help you feel great and you won’t have the mentality that you have to start all over once the New Year arrives.”

Stay hydrated. Even though it’s winter, Southwest Florida is still warm and you shouldn’t neglect your hydration.

Drinking water is important for so many reasons and consuming a glass before party or holiday meal will help you stay full and will allow you to make smart, healthful decisions.

Make “you” a priority. Whether you are hosting friends and family or spending the day in the kitchen cooking, it can be stressful to some. Making yourself a priority during this busy time, taking time for your hobbies and physical fitness, is important; you’ll feel more in a routine and less off track. “Keep working out even if you ate a few too many treats, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Keep working out and don’t spend too much time worrying about it,” urged Fitness Coordinator Silvia Villanueva.

Most of all, enjoy the season! Take time to enjoy everyone and everything around you. This is a time to reflect back on the past year and be grateful while enjoying the time with friends and loved ones.

Stay well!

Looking Ahead to LifeQuest in 2020 Special events January 6 through January 18 Mark your calendars now, because you won’t want to miss out on a twoweek series of extraordinary LifeQuest community events that will kick off the New Year.

These two, fun-filled weeks are geared toward celebrating LifeQuest, Shell Point’s positive programming philosophy that emphasizes wellness and active aging throughout all levels of care. Shell Point is committed to providing integrated programs and resources to promote a culture of wellness, enhance your daily lifestyle and offer support for your personal growth, 16

Shell Point Life | December 2019

healthy living and a positive life experience.

Events will kick off with a LifeQuest panel discussion, where you can get an intimate look at what LifeQuest truly is while meeting the staff who represent and support each dimension of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, educational, community and social, and the natural environment.

If you sign up and attend the panel discussion, you also will receive a LifeQuest 2020 T-shirt – but you must be present to receive the shirt!

Other fun programs include a threemile community wellness walk on The

Island, a dog walk and costume contest at The Woodlands (see page 19 for more details), a Beach Boys tribute concert, LifeQuest-themed Bingo, a Water’s Edge concert, a presentation about electronic recycling, and a community-wide LifeQuest Expo that features many resident-led clubs and social groups, church groups, support groups and volunteer service groups.

Keep an eye out for the January issue of Shell Point Life for all the details about the two-week series of LifeQuest events, along with information about how to register for each activity. In the meantime, stay well!

Shell Point Cares

Walk to End Alzheimer’s B Y G I N N Y M I L L E R - P L A Z A , P R O G R A M C O O R D I N AT O R

Early Saturday morning dawned cool as excited Shell Point residents boarded the bus to Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers on October 26 for the annual community Walk to End Alzheimer’s. There, the weather warmed up nicely as the riders met up with Shell Point employees and family members – a team of more than 30 Shell Point walkers who certainly stood out in their bright blue Shell Point Cares T-shirts!

Everyone enjoyed visiting the vendor tables, which included Shell Point’s own table of literature and refreshments. Dazzling wind flowers made a beautiful garden and created a perfect setting for a group photo. Program leaders jazzed up the mood with lively music followed by the flag ceremony and National Anthem. Moving testimonials from those whose lives had been changed by Alzheimer’s disease gave everyone the true feeling of why everyone showed up in force for the community walk.

Finally, it was 9 a.m. and with a few more cheers from the bandstand, the walk began! A sight to behold was the brilliant sea of colorful blue, purple, red, orange, yellow and green shirts as they streamed down the street heading toward the Edison-Ford historic homes. There, the group turned around and headed back to Centennial Park, tired but happy to have been a part of a tremendous effort to help end this debilitating disease: Alzheimer’s.

A very special thank you goes out to the Community Thrift Store for its generous donation, which covered the cost of registration and Shell Point Cares T-shirts for each Shell Point team member.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Annual Heart Walk Saturday, December 14 Last year’s walk

It’s time for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) annual Lee County Heart Walk. Residents and staff are invited to join together on Saturday, December 14 at Centennial Park while walking to support the AHA in their efforts to advocate a healthier, more active lifestyle. Whether you choose to walk the onemile or three-mile course, the day is sure to be a great time as the community comes together for this great cause.

All participants are encouraged to wear

their recognizable teal Shell Point Cares T-shirt so that you can show your Shell Point pride. Residents may ride the Shell Point bus or meet the group at Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. Sign up at any concierge desk to ride Shell Point transportation while space is still available. Bus pickups begin at 7 a.m. on The Island, 7:15 a.m. at The Woodlands, and 7:25 a.m. at Coastal Links. The walk begins at 9 a.m.

Buses will return to Shell Point at approximately noon.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

17

TRIB NOTES

What’s New with Tribby Arts Center

Most mornings I spend a few minutes in the tiki hut on The Island’s beach and gaze out at the river. The sparkles dancing on the water’s surface are mesmerizing.

Each tiny sparkle glitters, and all these sparkles merge into a wondrous sight.

One day, the symbolism of this scene struck me.

Retired at Shell Point, each one of us has leisure to learn something new, form deep friendships, enjoy the outdoors, thrill to concerts and explore our spirituality.

And, yes, many of us try our hands at being creative in the arts, often for the first time in our lives.

In short, here at Shell Point, we sparkle as never before, both individually and collectively.

This revelation inspired the theme of the year-long series of exhibitions that will open in Tribby Arts Center. In SPARKLE! 18

Shell Point Life | December 2019

Our Time to Shine, each participating artist has a chance to shine individually, and collectively these displays will dazzle you with the scope of talent they show.

The application period for this juried exhibition series opens December 1. The online process to enter is not onerous; handouts with instructions are available at the

Island, Woodlands and Coastal Commons concierge desks, and fellow residents are ready to help with your application.

If you are new at creating art in any medium, there’s a special Young at Art cat-

BY MARGE LEE (LUCINA)

egory for you. Feeling too uncertain to sparkle on your own? Then find one or more fellow artists and sparkle together, by submitting a collaborative artwork.

Meanwhile, everyone, be sure to watch the Tribby Arts Center construction updates that Vice President of Operations Adam Hinds is now presenting monthly on Shell Point Television.

These updates are your best ways to keep abreast of construction progress.

To end this month’s column, here’s a heartwarming story.

Recently, Maggie Tribby was the first resident to step inside the arts center. Her smile was literally, well, sparkling. Maggie, of course, did not arrive empty-handed. That day, all the construction workers of Tribby Arts Center enjoyed the delicious doughnuts she delivered.

Relax and Look Your Best this Holiday Season THE BARBER IS BACK!

If you are looking for a boxed neckline or a disappearing taper, Barber Linda Yau has the talent to create just what you want. Linda is available by appointment from Monday through Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Island Salon & Spa. Or, if you are in

the area, feel free to walk-in for a great cut.

The Island Salon now has a private barbering room with a separate entrance for gentlemen who prefer to stay away from the salon’s main entrance and chatty atmosphere. For those of you who enjoy a little hussle and bussle, all the stylists are well-trained to provide fantastic men’s haircuts.

BY ROBYN CHURCH, S A LO N & S PA M A N AG E R

SPECIAL OFFER!

CST is available by popular demand!

Craniosacral therapy is available on Mondays at the Island Salon & Spa from Gretchen Koontz, CST-T, who has received professional therapeut ic training from the Upledger Institute.

Beat holiday stress and relax with a one-hour session for $110 during December.

Gift Certificate Savings With all the spending that seems to occur during the holiday season, you might like to enjoy a savings on salon and spa services.

Purchasing a gift certificate is a great way to save while giving a great value to others. Many people also take this opportunity to gift savings to themselves by purchasing a gift certificate with the discount applied to the services they regularly enjoy.

With each gift certificate purchase of $100, you will receive an $5 additional free. With a purchase of $200, you will receive an additional $15. Gift certificates are available at the Island Salon & Spa or the Seagrape Salon & Spa, either by visiting in person or by calling (239) 489-8400 to make arrangements over the phone.

Dogs

Cats

Hermit Crabs

Fish

Love Unleashed!

Shell Point is not only home to a wonderful array of people from all walks of life, but also a delightful variety of animals too.

In fact, there are more than 200 pets that live in the community, each with their own special story.

That’s why Shell Point Television (SPTV) features a special segment known as “Pet of the

Week.” Whether its dogs, cats, birds or even a crab, SPTV Host Emily Rose travels around the community to find out what makes these furry and not-so-furry family members one-of-a-kind.

If you would like your pet to be featured on Pet of the Week, please contact Emily Rose at (239) 454-8245 or by email at emilyrose@ shellpoint.org.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

19

www.shellpoint.net/events

December LifeQuest Happenings Six Dimensions: Physical • Emotional • Spiritual • Educational • Community & Social • Natural Environment For questions about upcoming events or activities, please contact any concierge desk. Unless otherwise noted in the event description, sign-up for each event will begin on the first of this month. If you are unable to attend a program that includes a fee, five business days’ notice is required to receive a refund.

2

SHELL POINT GIFT SHOP HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

3

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 4:30 P.M. THE ISLAND 4:40 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 4:50 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 9:45 APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $9 PER PERSON (DINNER ON YOUR OWN)

The Shell Point Gift Shop will transform the Social Center on The Island into a shopper’s paradise, as the artists and artisans who supply a wonderful selection of handmade and enhanced items at the Gift Shop will showcase their wares. Everyone attending will receive a gift and those that make purchases will be able to take advantage of a free gift wrapping service. Why not shop local and support our talented Shell Point residents?

2

SHELL POINT SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 7 P.M. THE VILLAGE CHURCH/IS Join the Shell Point Singers as they perform old favorites and holiday standards with a twist during this community Christmas concert, themed Rocking ‘Round the Christmas Tree! The concert is presented with love from your fellow Shell Point neighbors and there is no cost to attend.

20

Shell Point Life | December 2019

FSW CONCERT AT BARBARA B. MANN AND DINNER AT LEOPARDI’S

Join Shell Point for a night out enjoying a concert at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. The night will begin with dinner at Leopardi’s Restaurant for delicious Italian-style cuisine. Dinner entrées begin at just $12. Next, watch the students of Florida Southwestern (FSW) perform as a duo between the orchestra and choir.

4

A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE BROADWAY PALM THEATER IN FORT MYERS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 10:25 A.M. THE ISLAND 10:40 A.M. THE WOODLANDS 10:50 A.M. COASTAL LINKS 4:40 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $57 PER PERSON (LUNCH INCLUDED) The story of Ebenezer Scrooge has been reimagined and told as a 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage

Wellness Connection

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054, Coastal Links: 225-2900

commercials, live sound effects and musical underscoring. Rediscover the spirit of charity and forgiveness with Scrooge on his thrilling journey through Christmas past, present and future during this matinee performance and buffet-style lunch.

4

6

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 2 P.M. THE COVE/CL

6

Join your Shell Point friends and neighbors for the annual Shell Point Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy a talented string quartet, festive treats and Christmasthemed photo booth pictures. Then, sing-along with carolers as you count down to lighting the Christmas tree with the help of one of Shell Point’s centenarian residents and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas.

WALK WITH A DOC FRIDAYS, DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 & 27 7 A.M. MEDICAL CENTER BUS STOP/IS

FARMERS MARKET FRIDAYS, DECEMBER 6, 13 & 20 8:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ISLAND COURTYARD/IS Enjoy the beauty of the Island Courtyard while shopping for locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, honey and other great items. Finish your holiday shopping with handmade items from local small businesses and visit with your Shell Point friends and neighbors.

SHELL POINT CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 5:30 P.M. STRING QUARTET, PHOTO BOOTH & REFRESHMENTS 6:30 P.M. TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ISLAND COURTYARD & FRIENDSHIP POINT/IS

Stairs

Lace up your walking shoes and join Shell Point’s physicians in an exhilarating morning walk around The Island.

You will have the opportunity to learn more about the medical staff while getting physically fit together in a beautiful, waterfront setting. Water will be provided.

SOLO CHRISTMAS PARTY

You don’t want to miss the Shell Point Solo Christmas Party! What is a solo party? You come as a party of one to meet new people, connect with other Shell Point residents and to make new friends. Socialize and participate in Christmas-themed activities, games and brain teasers in a comfortable setting. Beverages will be served in what else? A Solo cup!

5

Walking required

9

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAND BELL ENSEMBLE MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 3 P.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS The Southwest Florida Hand Bell Ensemble is dedicated to excellence in ringing and promoting hand bell music to all audiences. Ring in the holiday with this free holiday concert, which will feature five octaves of hand bells and hand chimes.

2

6 Shell Point Life | December 2019

21

9

BLANC DINNER OUTING MONDAY DECEMBER 9 4:15 P.M. THE ISLAND 4:25 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 4:35 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 7:45 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $4 PER PERSON (DINNER ON YOUR OWN) BLANC of Fort Myers offers a wide variety of impressive flavors gathered from around the globe, drawing on French and Asian cuisine, as well as American classics.

BLANC offers “almost entrées” that are designed to share with your table – or enjoy a few just for yourself!

Small plates start at $14.

10

Entrées begin at $15. Next, depart by boat from Fishermen’s Village for a one-hour cruise tour of Punta Gorda’s residential canals to view Christmas lights, displays and decorations on homes, boats, seawalls and docks. Boats of all shapes and sizes cruise the canals during the evenings in December to enjoy this warm display of community Christmas spirit.

11

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 10:30 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS

10

12

MEDICAL LEARNING SESSION: LEE HEALTH HOSPITALIST INFORMATIONAL SESSION

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CRUISE AND DINNER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 11:30 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 3:25 P.M. THE ISLAND 3:35 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 3:45 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 10 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $28 PER PERSON (DINNER ON YOUR OWN) LOCATION: PUNTA GORDA

There is a new hospitalist arrangement for Shell Point residents admitted to Lee Health facilities. Residents now have the opportunity to choose from either a concierge-type hospitalist service provided by Dr. Sumeet Shetty’s group, or the LPG Hospitalist group staffed with physicians in the hospital at all times. If you anticipate admission to a Lee Health hospital facility, you don’t want to miss this session to learn more and ask questions! Light refreshments will be served.

This trip begins in downtown Punta Gorda with dinner in a lovely courtyard setting at Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante.

9 22

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 1:15 P.M. OSPREY ROOM/IS Whether you’re a health and fitness enthusiast or just beginning your wellness journey, you are welcome to attend this class. The goal of Living Well is to encourage a discussion on topics such as exercise, healthy eating, unique recipes and general wellness. Residents share their own input and ideas to create an active discussion. Every month is different and everyone is sure to leave with a better understanding of how wellness plays a role in daily life.

BALANCE AND MOBILITY STRATEGIES FOR YOUR ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Join Shell Point’s fitness professionals for an active, informational workshop designed to help improve stability and balance in everyday life. Those attending will be challenged to learn simple, yet effective tips to confidently improve physical function by using practical exercises to engage your mind and body.

LIVING WELL

Shell Point Life | December 2019

16

Wellness Connection

13

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054, Coastal Links: 225-2900

CAFFÉ TOSCANO LUNCHEON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 10:40 A.M. THE ISLAND 10:50 A.M. THE WOODLANDS 11 A.M. COASTAL LINKS 2:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $3 PER PERSON (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) At Caffe Toscano in Fort Myers, Chef and restaurant owner Antonio Durante and his wife Diana offer you their take on classic Tuscan dishes using only the finest imported ingredients sourced from Italy. They choose the best quality meats, produce, fish and seafood for their dishes. Many of these products are artisanal and made in small quantities by small producers throughout Italy to bring you the finest ingredients. Entrées start at $12.

16

17

Stairs

SENIOR FITNESS TEST TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 12:30 P.M. EXERCISE STUDIO/CL Physical therapists from Shell Point’s Rehabilitation Center will conduct Senior Fitness Tests (SFT) this month for residents of The Island. Would you like to know how your physical fitness compares to others your age? Those interested will be tested in strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and agility. Sign up is required by calling (239) 454-2256.

17

DRIVE-IN MOVIE: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947)

CRUISE TO USEPPA ISLAND AND LUNCHEON

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 6:30 P.M. GOLF DRIVING RANGE/CL

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 8:20 A.M. THE ISLAND 8:30 A.M. THE WOODLANDS 8:40 A.M. COASTAL LINKS 4 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $88 PER PERSON (INCLUDES LUNCH) LOCATION: CAPTIVA AND USEPPA ISLANDS

Join the Resort Services team for a special Christmas Drive-In Movie viewing of Miracle on 34th Street. Get in your golf cart and head over to the Shell Point Golf Club’s driving range for a night under the stars with this holiday movie classic. If you don’t have a golf cart, that’s okay!

Chairs will be set up for you to enjoy this classic movie. Be sure to bring your holiday guests to this fun outdoor event!

Enjoy an hour-and-a-half leisure cruise to Useppa Island, an exclusive private island club with picturesque white cottages, pink pathways and lush tropical vegetation. After a delicious lunch at the Collier Inn, spend some time discovering the island and learning at the Barbara Sumwait History Museum. The cruise, a three-course lunch, gratuity and entrance to the museum – along with audio tour, if you choose – is all included in the price.

17

Walking required

CARE OF THE AGING HAND TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 10 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS The hand is not immune from the effects of aging, and after the age of 65, hand function decreases in both men and women. Hand grip and pinch are just two areas where you could see change occur. Dr. Stephen Helgemo of the Florida Hand Center will take a look at what causes the change in hand function and will discuss conditions that contribute to these changes. Solutions and management will also be discussed.

18

HOLIDAY BAKING MAKE AND TAKE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 12:15 P.M. THE ISLAND 12:25 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 12:35 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 4 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $46 PER PERSON (GOODIES-TO-GO INCLUDED) The holidays are just around the corner! Why not make professional baked goods as gifts for your family and friends? Head to Kitchen Social in Fort Myers and let their chefs walk you through making five kinds of simple gourmet holiday treats, from truffles to cookies. Eat some there, and also take home a holiday-themed gift bag of each item. Kitchen Social has comfortable seating so you can sit back and relax while making these simple and timeless recipes.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

23

19

18

CHRISTMAS SEASON BINGO WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 2 P.M. THE COVE/CL

20

19

It’s Bingo time at The Cove in Coastal Links! Join Resort Services for Christmas Season Bingo. This is a family-friendly event, so be sure to sign up any of your Christmas visitors to join you in the Bingo fun!

19

19

WELLNESS BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. WOODLANDS COMMONS/WDL Santa Claus is coming to The Woodlands! Santa will be visiting the Woodlands Commons for a festive afternoon of Christmas music, cookies and photo opportunities. Be sure to invite your holiday guests to join you in the fun.

20

CHRISTMAS MOVIE MATINEE: ELF (2003) (PG)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 11 A.M. MANATEE ROOM/IS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 2 P.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL

Join massage therapist Lyn Rowan-Wilson, of the Island Salon & Spa, for an interesting look into common areas of pain and discomfort and how massage helps improve symptoms. Lyn will also share what you can do at home to complement services and improve body mechanics. The correct stretching and exercise can help improve your gait, posture and balance along with complementing your medical, therapeutic massage for increased progress.

Head to the Grand Cypress Room for a matinee showing of the holiday movie favorite Elf. This is a family-friendly event so be sure to sign up any holiday visitors to join the fun. The Resort Services team will be serving hot chocolate, popcorn and lots of laughs!

HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. WOODLANDS COMMONS/WDL Join Resort Services for horse-drawn carriage rides through The Woodlands. Seating for the carriage rides is limited, so be sure to sign up soon. Carriage rides do require the use of stairs. After your carriage ride, continue the holiday fun with a cookie with Santa in the Woodlands Commons.

24

COOKIES WITH SANTA

Shell Point Life | December 2019

20

MUSIC WALK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 4:55 P.M. THE ISLAND 5:05 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 5:15 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 9:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $5 PER PERSON (DINNER ON YOUR OWN) The River District comes alive with music during this event in downtown Fort Myers. Over a dozen participating venues feature live music by local and regional talent.

Restaurants, art galleries and shops will be open late to showcase a wide range of music. From jazz and blues to rock and drums, you are sure to find a beat you will like.

Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the River District while listening to the talented live musicians.

Wellness Connection

23

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054, Coastal Links: 225-2900

Walking required

CHRISTMAS GOLF CART SHOW

party favors. This evening’s buffet menu will feature a seafood display on ice, salads, grilled vegetables, pasta, scallops wrapped in bacon, chicken Wellington, pork pot stickers, roast tenderloin of beef carving station and assorted desserts. Then, countdown to the New Year at 7 p.m. with the ball drop. Hats and party accessories will be provided.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 9:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M. ISLAND CIRCLE/IS Visit the Island Circle to marvel at the festively decorated golf carts. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded. If you would like to enter your cart into the show, you may pick up a registration form at any concierge desk beginning Monday, December 2. All forms must be returned by Wednesday, December 18.

26

JANUARY PREVIEW

6

COMMUNITY THRIFT STORE END OF YEAR SALE DECEMBER 26, 27, 28 & 31 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. 15501 OLD MCGREGOR BLVD., SUITE 2 Get ready for huge savings at Community Thrift Store during its progressive storewide sale, which will feature increasing discounts on each subsequent day beginning with 50% off all merchandise on Thursday, December 26.

On Friday, December 27, enjoy 60% off all items, followed by a 65% savings on Saturday, December 28. On Tuesday, December 31, all merchandise will be yours for a discount of 75%. For questions call (239) 225-6529.

31

NEW YEAR’S EVE: ROARING 20s FOR 2020

Stairs

ORIGAMI DINNER OUTING MONDAY, JANUARY 6 4 P.M. THE ISLAND 4:10 P.M. THE WOODLANDS 4:20 P.M. COASTAL LINKS 7:45 APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $4 PER PERSON (DINNER ON YOUR OWN) Origami in Fort Myers offers the very best in sushi, Korean and Japanese cuisine, and has received numerous awards including Best Japanese Restaurant by readers of the NewsPress. Entrées start at $15.

7

WATER’S EDGE CONCERT: KROSSING JORDAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIENDSHIP POINT AMPHITHEATER/IS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 5:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. COST $48 PER PERSON (ALL-INCLUSIVE) BANYAN GRILLE BANQUET ROOM/CL

This faith-based duo out of Tampa performs a wide variety of music and are known for their tributes to Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel. Sign-up is not required for this free concert, which is co-sponsored by the Legacy Foundation.

Count down to 2020 with a roaring good time! Ring in the New Year with a DJ, dance floor, delicious food and 2020

8

LIFEQUEST CHEF’S TABLE LUNCHEON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 11:45 A.M. DOORS OPEN 12 P.M. PROGRAM BEGINS COST: $22 PER PERSON (ALL INCLUSIVE) BANYAN GRILLE BANQUET ROOM/CL

31

Join professional chefs as they demonstrate how they create healthy delicious meals. You will enjoy the wonderful meal and leave with recipe cards and the knowledge of how to recreate this meal at home. Sign up by calling any concierge desk beginning December 2.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

25

DIABETES SUPPORT

Support Groups ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS THURSDAYS, DECEMBER 5, 12, 19 & 26 • 4:30 p.m.

SABAL ROOM/WDL This is a fellowship of those who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. This “open” meeting of AA welcomes those who struggle with alcohol issues. For information, call the intergroup phone number at (239) 275-5111.

CAREFREE SUPPORT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 • 1 p.m.

THE COVE/EST This Connected Living group offers caregivers and care partners with dementia an opportunity to build authentic friendships, promoting a culture of wellness, community involvement and a positive life experience. Enjoy a holiday celebration and gift exchange at The Cove while sharing snacks and favorite holiday memories.

For the white elephant gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with a funny or quirky theme, handmade or regifted, with a $10 maximum spending limit. For questions, contact Healthy Living Coordinator Alice DiFalco at (239) 433-7939.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT TUESDAYS, DECEMBER 3 & 17 • 9:15 a.m.

MEDICAL CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM/IS These therapeutic groups are aimed at helping residents deal with issues of being a caregiver for someone with a memory disorder, whether the resident is cared for in independent living, assisted living or skilled nursing. Dr. Nancy Spencer facilitates the groups and may be reached at (239) 454-2043. Sign-up is required.

COPD SUPPORT This group meets quarterly, and the next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 28. The objective of this group is to provide information and discussion that will be relevant to individuals with a range of breathing problems, as well as those dependent on supplemental oxygen. Call Ken Peterson (Oakmont) for further information at (239) 482-3779.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 • 1 p.m.

SOCIAL CENTER/IS Both insulin- and noninsulin-dependent diabetics are encouraged to attend this meeting. Each monthly meeting covers a different topic and includes open discussion. This month, you’ll enjoy a guest speaker from the Shell Point Pharmacy, Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, PharmD, RPH, CPh. He will discuss medications, insulin and new interventions. For more information, contact Vivian Ciulla, healthy living coordinator, at (239) 225-2929.

GRIEFSHARE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 & 12 • 1:30 p.m.

SABAL ROOM/WDL This is a 13-week program providing help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts, and we want to help! For additional information, call group leaders Jim and Judy Mayer (Junonia) at (239) 454-3139.

HEART HEALTHY MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 • 10 a.m.

MANATEE ROOM/IS Join the Heart Healthy support group for its December meeting with guest presenter Lex Roulston (Parkwood). Lex is a significant contributor to cardiac health initiatives throughout the Lee Health system, including donations to Health Park hospital’s cardiology department and the establishment of a Mended Hearts program here in Lee County. Lex is also a notable sponsor of the Lee Heart Walk. For more information, call Nola Mokeyane, healthy living coordinator, at (239) 433-7976.

MEMORY CARE TUESDAYS, DECEMBER 3 & 17 • 9:15 a.m.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONFERENCE ROOM/IS These groups are designed to provide education and support to residents who have some type of memory disorder. The objectives of the groups are to identify practical strategies to help residents better manage their memory loss, address long-range planning, and offer an environment that fosters a sense of purpose and heightened self-esteem. Individual assessment is required before joining a group; individual appointments are also available. Kathy Fratrick, LCSW, facilitates the group and can be reached at (239) 454-2073.

PARKINSON’S ENRICHMENT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 • 10:15 a.m.

KING’S CROWN COMMUNITY ROOM/IS The objective of this group is to provide support and educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease, such as a patient, caregiver, family member or friend. Meetings include speakers, group discussions and emotional support. For more information, call Janine Hammond, director of healthy living coordination, at (239) 454-2186.

Continued on next page

26

Shell Point Life | December 2019

SELF-CARE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 • 2:30 p.m.

OAK ROOM/WDL Stress is experienced by everyone, although it can get increasingly difficult to cope as you age. This wellness-focused group aims to provide support for individuals experiencing stress through educational opportunities and discussion with peers who are experiencing similar emotions and situations. Monthly meetings include discussion on various topics, such as recognizing the signs of stress, its effects on an individual, and effective ways to reduce and manage stress. For more information, call Channelle Bastardo, healthy living coordinator, at (239) 433-7974.

VISION ENRICHMENT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 • 2:15 p.m.

SOCIAL CENTER/IS This group provides educational opportunities and support for those individuals dealing with low vision. Monthly meetings may include learning new techniques, exploring low-vision aids or finding out more about the conditions that cause low vision among mature adults. For additional information, contact Katy Quinones, healthy living coordinator, at (239) 454-2101.

For Your Good Health B Y TA M M I E F R A S E R , M E D I C A L C E N T E R A D M I N I S T R AT O R

Healthy living starts with an emphasis on preventative care, helping residents stay active and engaged with a high quality of life. In addition to the J. Howard Wood Medical Center, which features a full-time staff of multiple physicians and nurse practitioners, the Arbor Specialty Medical Center is home to many specialty physicians who provide appointments and convenient, onsite care. These professionals, who are contracted by Shell Point as consultants, afford residents the opportunity to receive specialized care without the need to leave the community.

Welcome, Dr. Langford Shell Point is pleased to welcome Dr. Carolyn F. Langford, D.O. and her urology practice to the Arbor Specialty Medical Center. Board certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Surgeons, Dr. Langford is a cum laude graduate of Rutgers University. She is also a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of the New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she completed her urologic surgery training.

Among Dr. Langford’s special interests is the treatment of the entire pelvic floor as a whole, as many urologic problems of incontinence and prolapse coexist. She is one of a few doctors in Southwest Florida that has been chosen as a clinical instructor for other physicians by Boston Scientific. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Langford, please call (239) 333-2050.

Introducing New Hospitalist Additionally, Shell Point has arranged the services of a hospitalist for residents who experience a short-term stay at a Lee Health hospital. A hospitalist is a physician whose primary professional focus is the general care of hospitalized patients. Their responsibilities include patient care, teaching, research, leadership and coordination of care with specialists.

Shell Point residents are encouraged to request Dr. Sumeet Shetty as their preferred hospitalist upon admission to the hospital. With 20 years of experience in patient care and leadership, Dr. Shetty and his team work in the hospital every day, seeing patients, collaborating with nursing staff, following up on diagnostics and

addressing medication and treatment issues as they arise.

Once you are discharged from the hospital, Dr. Shetty’s team will collaborate closely with the Shell Point clinical team to see you when you return home. You will be provided with a well-defined plan of care in which you can actively participate.

Questions? You may reach Medical Center Administrator Tammie Fraser at (239) 433-7926.

Get Your Flu Vaccine The J. Howard Wood Medical Center on The Island will offer flu vaccines for independent living residents through the end of December.

Both walk-ins and appointments are accepted through the end of December. Vaccines are available on weekdays, Monday through Friday, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The nominal fee for the vaccine is typically covered by health insurance. For specific questions, please contact Medical Center Administrator Tammie Fraser at (239) 433-7926.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

27

Fellowship, Food & Fun B Y L I L L I A N N ATA L Z I A , KING’S CROWN ACTIVITIES LEADER

Earlier this fall, residents from The Arbor, King’s Crown and The Springs headed to Center Court for an Assisted Living Fall Festival.

This popular event had a great turnout on a beautiful October day in Southwest Florida.

Fall decorations that lined the walkways of Center Court set the tone for the occasion, as musician Tommy Barr played guitar and sang many crowd favorites.

It wasn’t long before Misty and Majik, a pair of majestic miniature horses, made their grand entrance.

The well-behaved animals greeted residents and posed politely for photographs.

But that’s not all! Many residents praised the food, organized

by The Arbor’s culinary team led by Chef Joseph Knapp. The team prepared a menu of roast chicken with dried cranberries and artichoke, poached stuffed flounder, roasted peppers, lobster sauce, wild rice Arbor Chef and mushrooms, caramelized pearl Joseph Knapp onions, roasted butternut squash, and a delicious dessert of pecan trifle, berries and custard, and chocolate mousse.

The assisted living team wants to say thank you to all who attended and made this year’s fall festival so special.

Maryann Thompson (King’s Crown), center, with sisters Trish Hickey and Janice Snyder

28

Shell Point Life | December 2019

Bobbie Phillips (The Springs)

Chef Jordan Marsh and Chuck Devonshire (The Arbor)

The picnic shelter at Center Court is the perfect gathering place.

Sue Moore (The Arbor)

Catherine Armstrong (The Arbor)

Dick and Maralu Gregg (The Arbor)

Amanda Pendergrast and Beulah Johnson (The Springs)

Jeanne Wolf (The Springs)

Shell Point Life | December 2019

29

A Peek Behind the Curtain B Y W E N DY P E R E R A , E V E N T S C O O R D I N AT O R

Broadway Night at the Banyan Grille, held on Thursday, October 10, transported diners for a night to the theatre district of Manhattan. An elegant table set the mood for a three-course, plated meal of Caesar salad, prime rib, twice-baked potatoes wand vegetables. After a relaxing coffee and triple chocolate cake, everyone turned their attention to the stage for the second act of this dramatic affair.

In perfect harmony, husband and wife team The Martin Duo took the stage and wowed residents with their amazing voices. Tristan and Anne Martin performed classic songs from popular musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Sound of Music. The Martin Duo asked for audience participation with several well-known songs and everyone enjoyed singing along to classics from their favorite shows.

The marvelous food, incredible talent and a room filled to the brim with friends made this production into an unforgettable evening – a real showstopper!

Check out the Social Scene for more photos! www.shellpoint.net/socialscene

Signature Formalities B Y A N N A S M I T H , M A N A G I N G E X E C U T I V E O F F I N E M A R K N AT I O N A L B A N K & T R U S T

How often do we sign our names on credit card receipts, letters, and emails without thinking much about it? I regularly sign credit card receipts as quickly as possible to avoid holding up the line in the grocery store or at restaurants. My signature rarely is the same each time I sign, especially at places where I sign on an electronic pad.

While I generally do not think much about the formality of signing such documents, when executing estate planning documents the signature formalities are the difference between having an enforceable or unenforceable estate plan. This point was recently driven home by a Court of Appeal in Florida.

In Bitetzakis v. Bitetzakis, 264 So. 3d 297 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019), the court found the testator improperly executed his will because he did not sign his entire name. In Florida, when signing a will, the testator 30

Shell Point Life | December 2019

must strictly comply with §732.502, which provides, in part, that the testator “must sign the will at the end” and the testator’s signing “must be in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses.”

In Bitetzakis, after both witnesses signed the will, and the testator had signed his first name, his wife erroneously told him to stop signing because he needed to sign in front of a notary. The next day the testator and his wife went to a notary, where the testator signed a self-proof affidavit in front of the

notary, but never signed his last name on his will. The Court found that the testator’s signing of only his first name on the will was not his full customary signature as required by § 732.502 and thus his will was unenforceable.

While the example above is from Florida, each state has its own will signature formalities that have subtle differences from each other. Just in FineMark’s footprint states of Arizona, Florida and South Carolina, each state has different signature requirements. To avoid having an unenforceable will, we recommend always having a competent attorney prepare your will and other estate planning documents and having your attorney oversee the execution of your documents.

Member FDIC. An Equal Housing Lender. Trust and investment services are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed by the bank and may lose value. This material is in summary form, and should not be relied upon as complete.

2019 •2020 FINE & PERFORMING ARTS SERIES CO N TAC T T H E B OX O F F I C E FO R T I C K E TS AT ( 239 ) 4 5 4 -20 67.

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS SERIES

DUO BEAUX ARTS Tuesday, December 3 at 7 p.m. • Grand Cypress Room/WDL Duo Beaux Arts was formed in 2008 by internationally renowned husbandand-wife concert pianists Dr. Catherine Lan and Steinway Artist Tao Lin. Recent performances include concerts in France, Switzerland, Spain, Estonia, Netherlands, Finland, Asia and the United States. Duo Beaux Arts specializes in music from the Baroque era to the Contemporary period, including tango and ragtime. The duo is well-known for their four-handed and solo pieces. You will enjoy their mix of semiclassical and fun popular tunes.

TICKET PRICE: $25 RESIDENT OR $30 GENERAL PUBLIC

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY SERIES

HOLIDAY POPS:

Christmas in Paradise

Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m.

The Village Church/IS Maestro Nir Kabaretti will conduct the Southwest Florida Symphony’s sparkling Holiday Pops program with a sophisticated twist. Have yourself a swingin’ little Christmas with the anticipated return of featured guest artist Tony DeSare. This post-modern crooner and dazzling pianist will give Rat Pack flair to all your traditional holiday favorites as you celebrate Christmas in Paradise.

TICKET PRICE: $35

Shell Point Life | December 2019

31

Christmas & New Year’s Dining Preview You are invited to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and ring in the New Year at one of Shell Point’s gracious dining locations, where this festive season promises to be a joyous one. Traditional Family Feasts are also available to provide you with the opportunity to dine in the warm comfort of your own home.

B Y PA U L T I S O N , D I R E C TO R O F R E S O R T D I N I N G

The Crystal A Christmas Day buffet in The Crystal will feature a cold buffet of poached Gulf shrimp, winter butternut squash and farrow salad, grilled asparagus salad and a wild field greens salad bar. The hot buffet choices are sautéed winter vegetables, au gratin potatoes, Florentine eggs Benedict, holiday maple ham, roast pork tenderloin in an apple cider demi-glaze, grilled swordfish with an apple fennel relish and carved herb-roasted prime rib.

Be sure to save room for the holiday dessert buffet! The price of the Christmas Day buffet is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents, plus 18 percent gratuity. Reservations are requested by calling (239) 454-2199.

The Crystal will also offer a New Year’s Day buffet with culinary selections that include watermelon arugula salad, tomato corn salad, cornbread and sweet rolls, pan-seared grouper, orange Dijon chicken, southern greens, black-eyed peas, sauerkraut, scalloped apples, mashed potatoes with carved pork tenderloin and an impressive dessert spread. The price for dining at The Crystal on New Year’s Day is $17 for residents and $20 for non-residents, plus 18 percent gratuity. Reservations are requested by calling (239) 454-2199.

32

Shell Point Life | December 2019

A Palm Grill Christmas For full-waited service in a smaller, formal atmosphere, the Palm Grill is the place to dine. Chef Todd Glaesmer and the rest of the Palm Grill staff will be serving a special Christmas Dinner from 3 p.m. till 7 p.m. Start with a creamy lobster bisque or a North Pole Gulf shrimp cocktail; entrée choices will be the popular filet mignon, Scottish salmon, Florida red snapper with Gulf shrimp scampi, and slow-roasted turkey. Entrée prices range from $23 to $30 plus gratuity. The Palm Grill will also feature some festive Christmas desserts. Reservations are recommended by calling 454-2059.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at Banyan Grille The Banyan Grille will be open Christmas Eve for a lunch buffet. Chef John Horner and his culinary team will offer such items as mixed baby greens with assorted toppings, Waldorf apple salad, deviled eggs, glazed baby carrots with green beans, sautéed chicken with figs and dried cranberries, baked ziti with mini meatballs, carved bone-in Virginia ham and a selection of holiday desserts. The price is $23, plus gratuity, and includes beverages. Reservations are recommended by calling (239) 225-2953.

For New Year’s Eve at the Banyan Grille, Chef John and his

Christmas Family Feast A Shell Point Tradition

Holiday Hours CHRISTMAS EVE Do you prefer to host guests at home, but don’t want to do all the cooking? Save time by ordering a Christmas Family Feast, which serves 6-8 people. Place your order with The Crystal by Friday, December 20, by calling 454-2199.

culinary team will be joined by the Resort Services team to offer a culinary evening with a live DJ and even New Year’s ball drop at 7 p.m.! Banyan Grille will feature food stations that include a raw bar with ice cold oysters on the half shell and Gulf of Mexico shrimp cocktail, along with an assorted salad station, imported and domestic cheese selection, chef-carved beef tenderloin, grilled assorted vegetables, diver scallops wrapped in smoked bacon, a cooked-to-order pasta primavera station and a selection of special New Year’s Eve desserts. Plan on ringing in 2020 at the Banyan Grille with this special New Year’s Eve dinner and entertainment. The cost is $48, including gratuity, and reservations can be made by calling any concierge desk.

Please note that the Banyan Grille will also serve lunch on New Year’s Eve.

Order a Family Feast for Christmas If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home for Christmas Day, let Shell Point do the cooking on your behalf. A fully cooked, ready-to-serve dinner, designed to serve 4 to 6 people, can be prepared for pick-up on Christmas Day. Choose from a 12-14 pound whole-roasted turkey or six-pound baked, honey-glazed ham. The turkey dinner includes dressing, whipped potatoes, a vegetable medley, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. The baked ham dinner selection comes with raisin sauce, candied sweet potatoes and a vegetable medley. Freshly baked dinner rolls and a choice of pumpkin or apple pie will also be included in your purchase of either dinner.

Extra sides are also available for a small fee. Dinner rolls are available for $5 per dozen; you may add pumpkin or apple pie for $13, or purchase an additional ham or turkey for $45. For an extra side of vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce or potatoes, the cost is $6 for a pint or $9 per quart.

These delicious Family Feasts can be purchased for $70, plus 18 percent gratuity, by calling The Crystal at (239) 454-2199. Orders must be placed by noon on Friday, December 20. Pickup will take place in the Social Center on The Island from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Island Café..............................7 a.m.–7 p.m.

The Crystal..............................11 a.m.–2 p.m.

4 p.m.–7 p.m.

Blend.......................................8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Palm Grill................................CLOSED Breezeway Café......................7 a.m.–11 a.m.

Banyan Grille...........................11 a.m.–2 p.m.

CHRISTMAS DAY Island Café.............................7 a.m.–2 p.m.

The Crystal.............................10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Blend.......................................CLOSED Palm Grill...............................3 p.m.–7 p.m.

Breezeway Café......................CLOSED Banyan Grille..........................CLOSED

NEW YEAR’S EVE Island Café.............................7 a.m.–7 p.m.

The Crystal..............................11 a.m.–2 p.m.

4 p.m.–7 p.m.

Blend.......................................8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Palm Grill...............................CLOSED Breezeway Café......................7 a.m.–11 a.m.

Banyan Grille..........................11 a.m.–2 p.m.

5 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S DAY Island Café.............................7 a.m.–7 p.m.

The Crystal.............................10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Blend......................................8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Palm Grill...............................11 a.m.–2 p.m.

4 p.m.–8 p.m.

Breezeway Café......................7 a.m.–11 a.m.

Banyan Grille..........................11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

33

Island Café Reopens with Fresh Look 34

Shell Point Life | December 2019

One of Shell Point’s favorite dining spots, the Island Café, has re-opened its doors after a total makeover. The new look includes booth seating, updated lighting and accents, new flooring, fresh trim and paint. Diners will also notice the restructured, improved flow of traffic to make it easy to order off the menu, which will provide an enhanced customer experience during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Open Daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (239) 454-2286

Vision 2020: The Future of Healthcare at Shell Point B Y J E F F C O R Y, C F P , C H F C , A E P , E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R O F T H E L E G A C Y F O U N D A T I O N

Have you taken the opportunity to think about what Shell Point will be like when the new Larsen Health Center opens in the fall of 2021? The Larsen Health Center will surely become the crown jewel of Shell Point; a 200,000-square-foot facility dedicated to providing extraordinary healthcare, wellness services and programs to residents. The brand-new, 180-bed skilled nursing facility will include 162 private rooms, an expansive 35,000-squarefoot medical center, memory care, hospice, a beautiful chapel, pharmacy, bistro and so much more – designed especially with Shell Point residents in mind.

Vision 2020 is our campaign to raise $20 million toward the construction of the Larsen Health Center. This is our most ambitious and important fundraising effort in Shell Point’s more than 50 year history.

Launched on Thursday, November 14, with a picnic at Serenity Cove attended by more than 1,000 residents, the Vision 2020 campaign embodies the goal of fulfilling a vision of excellence for the future of healthcare at Shell Point.

To date, over $12 million has been given and pledged by generous donors to the campaign. Several people have already made significant “once-in-a-lifetime” gifts, some have contributed appreciated securi-

ties or made a tax-wise gift from their IRA and others have contributed to Vision 2020 to remember or honor the life of a loved one or spouse. The reasons “why” people have contributed to the state-of-the-art Larsen Health Center vary, but each person’s goal is the same: to bring the best and most innovative healthcare, wellness care services and programming to Shell Point for each and every resident we serve today and in the future.

In order for us to achieve our campaign goal of $20 million, we need the support of many more like-minded visionaries, who believe in the mission of Vision 2020 to enrich the lives of Shell Point residents.

Gifts and pledges may be structured to be payable though December 31, 2022. Won’t you please consider the role you might play in helping us turn this unprecedented opportunity into a reality?

There are several ways you can give to support the campaign.

1. Gifts of Cash. The most common type of gift is cash – and with good reason.

It is simple, straight-forward, and as easy as writing a check. And, because gifts to Shell Point qualify for a federal tax deduction, the real out-of-pocket cost of a cash donation is usually less than its face value.

2. Gifts of Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds. Gifts to the Vision 2020 campaign of appreciated stocks, bonds and mutual funds can provide even greater tax benefits than a cash gift of equal value. You may take a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the security, while avoiding capital gains taxes.

3. Gifts of Real Estate. Gifts of real estate, including a home, vacation property, vacant land, commercial or investment property can make a wonderful gift to the campaign. Significant income tax benefits may apply. Please contact the Legacy Foundation for more specific information.

4. Gifts from Your IRA. Gifts from your IRA directly to Shell Point, known as a qualified charitable distribution, can provide a great tax-wise gift strategy. You may transfer up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to charity, and your gift can be used toward your required minimum distribution.

5. Future Gifts in Your Estate Plan.

Want to make a gift to the Larsen Health Center and leave a legacy at Shell Point?

Consider naming Shell Point as a beneficiary in your will or trust, as a beneficiary of your IRA, or as a beneficiary of your brokerage account (transfer on death) or bank account (payable on death).

Your 2019 year-end gift to the Larsen Health Center helps fulfill our mission.

To learn about ways to make the most of your gift giving, or available named giving opportunities, please contact Jeff Cory or Maria Festa at The Legacy Foundation by calling (239) 466-8484. Gift and pledge commitment cards are located at the Legacy Foundation office on The Island. Please stop by any time, or contact the office from Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please consult your tax professional for specific tax benefits before making a gift to the Vision 2020 campaign.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

35

Southern

S OJOURN Adventurous Couple Explores Australia and New Zealand

36

Shell Point Life | December 2019

Carol and Dick fondly remember a previous trip around the world, which included stops in Thailand and India. The journey exposed the couple to the sights, sounds, culture and flavors of these Southeast Asian countries.

T

ravel is a favorite off-campus activity for many Shell Point residents. But Dick Davis and Carol Bischoff (Turban) like to take travel to a whole new level in a buckle-your-seatbelt kind of way.

Forget the idea of a leisurely ride in a motor coach across some foreign landscape, followed by a gourmet meal. How about luging down a mountain in a go-kart style ride? Or how about jet boating, parasailing, flying in small planes to remote areas and even climbing the famed Sydney Harbor Bridge, which stands 440 feet above water at its highest point?

Dick and Carol have done it all. In 2012, they spent 104 days traveling around the world by ship. But this year, they decided to focus

four weeks exclusively on exploring New Zealand and Australia.

The couple admits that when they first met, Carol was the more adventurous of the two in more ways than one.

Dick loved health food while Carol loved chocolate…lots of chocolate. Carol loved travel that pushes her out of her comfort zone. “I’ll take a calculated risk like parasailing,” said Carol.

Today, however, Dick shares Carol’s enthusiasm for adventure travel. “Now, I’m a bigger chocoholic than she is,” he joked.

Their extended month-long trip Down Under was Carol’s idea. “I had taken this trip before,” she said, “but I wanted Dick to see New Zealand.

He’s a sailor, a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and loves the

America’s Cup.” Carol, who worked in housing and dining at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), once accompanied a group of senior citizens to New Zealand and vowed to someday return. It was one of 25 groups that she escorted abroad during her career at UNH. During this year’s trip, the couple took 13 flights while traveling within the two countries. “We were told we’d see more if we went by plane,” said Carol. “It was so easy to fly over there.”

Three weeks of their trip was spent touring New Zealand. They toured the country’s North Island where they met the Maoris, an indigenous people that originated from Eastern Polynesia and are still part of that culture. They were Continued on next page Shell Point Life | December 2019

37

SOUTHERN SOJOURN Continued from page 37

intrigued by the different Maori arts: whakairo (carving), raranga (weaving), kapa haka (group performance), whaikorero (oratory) and ta (tattoo).

“We saw a dramatic performance by the Maoris,” Carol remembered. “The music was so melodic and the harmony was woven together very well.”

They toured Milford Sound, a fjord carved by glaciers during the Ice Age. It’s a place Rudyard Kipling called “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” located in the bay southwest of South Island.

Carol remembered Milford Sound from her first trip to New Zealand and was shocked by how much had changed. “The glaciers have receded by about a mile,” said Carol. “We used to be able to walk on the glaciers. Now we can’t. If somebody doesn’t believe there’s climate change, they should see what I saw. It was dramatic.”

Christchurch, one of New Zealand’s largest cities located on the country’s South Island, was a major stop on the itinerary.

The ancient city was settled around 1250 A.D. and enjoys a fascinating history.

Construction of its famous Christchurch Cathedral began 14 years after the city was settled and took 40 years to build.

After its nearly 800-year history, the iconic landmark has fallen on hard times.

“Unfortunately, there was a series of earthquakes from 2010 to 2012 that damaged a lot of the city, including the cathedral,” explained Carol. “The city had to decide whether to tear it down or renovate it, along with many other buildings. When

Dick and Carol’s itinerary included a jet boat ride that allowed them to experience New Zealand from the water.

38

Shell Point Life | December 2019

New Zealand’s volcanic mountains offer breathtaking backdrops and the opportunity for a true exploration of nature.

Dick and Carol hiked around the forest-lined, steaming Rotorua Hot Springs, which is fed by a thermal vent located within Kuirau Park in New Zealand.

The scenic Franz Josef Glacier, located in New Zealand’s Westlands Tai Poutini National Park, is surrounded by native forests, wildlife and waterfalls.

While visiting Australia, the couple climbed the Harbour Bridge for a bird’s eye view of the famed Sydney Opera House.

they eventually decided to take it down, citizens were very upset. Now they’re going to rebuild it instead!”

The most exciting stop of the New Zealand portion of their trip was Queenstown, where they took the scenic Skyline Gondola, the steepest gondola in the Southern Hemisphere, to the top of Bob’s Peak and rode down on the Queenstown Luge. Carol and Dick each

A View from the Bridge

raced their own toboggan-style go kart down the mountain more than once. “I might have made a wrong turn – but only once!” laughed Dick.

Then, on to Australia! Highlights of their week in Australia included snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and climbing to the top of Sydney Bridge. “It’s a 1,332-step, three-hour process,” Dick said. “We had a guide and they set you

When Shell Point’s Director of Resident Life Operations Laura Slack learned about Carol Bischoff and Dick Davis’ wonderful trip, it brought back memories of her own climb to the top of Sydney Bridge in May 2003.

“I had been in Brisbane for the Rotary International Conference, where I was to be installed as President of the Gold Coast Rotary Club in Cape Coral,” said Laura. “After the conference, I flew from Brisbane to Sydney with my husband and son, along with a good friend and her two sons, to vacation together.

Sydney was cool and beautiful that time of year because their seasons are the opposite of ours.”

Laura’s group of six was tethered to others who were also making the climb.

up with everything. They train you. You couldn’t take anything with you that could be dropped, not even a handkerchief. Everything was attached.”

As Dick and Carol reflected on their month-long adventure to the bottom of the world and the long 28-hour flight home, “The trip was great – very enlightening,” said Dick.

Southern hemisphere? Check.

“We each had to put on a cover over our clothes, like a flight suit,” she said. “Each suit had a belt with a hook that attached to the bridge bar, extending the entire length of the bridge.”

No one in Laura’s family felt afraid of the height, because the scenery was so riveting. “It took a while to get to the top because we were all hooked together and we kept stopping to take pictures,” she remembered. “The view was spectacular. We could see the Sydney Opera House, and it seemed like we could see for miles.”

Would she go again? “Yes, yes and yes!” gushed Laura, “and I’d recommend it to others.”

What’s next on her bucket list? A trip to see the Northern Lights in Finland.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

39

A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

Jack Schrader (Turban) has fused his former career, spent arranging and publishing choral settings, with his current volunteer role as interim choir director for The Village Church.

The result? Go Tell It, a Christmas concert that combines the voices of The Village Church with an orchestral ensemble, piano accompaniment and narration of the Gospel story.

Jack Schrader, a resident of Turban, is a gifted choral director who is definitely able to elicit joyful sounds from his choir. Currently he is serving as the interim choir director at The Village Church, working with the 80-voice choir to prepare the annual Christmas choir concert, which will be performed on Sunday, December 15 at 6:15 p.m. This is a free event and is always anticipated with great joy.

Jack’s career in church music has involved arranging, composing and editing choral and instrumental music for local churches, and in so doing he stresses the need for every church musician to remain humble as they offer their musical gifts back to the Lord.

The choir concert will be a window 40

Shell Point Life | December 2019

into Jack’s creative offerings. It is a compelling rendition of the Christmas story in song and narration entitled, Go Tell It. The musical will conclude with an exuberant, rollicking new composition combined with the well-known spiritual, Go Tell It on the Mountain. The idea is that everyone will be overflowing with eagerness to tell others that Jesus Christ is born!

After high school, Jack went to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to study church music, specifically voice and organ. “I owe quite a debt to Moody for my musical training in many phases of music, both sacred and secular. It was a hotbed, an incubator, for young people to experience opportunities for music ministry, along with hearing the well-known artists who came to per-

form there,” said Jack. “One aspect was the radio studio; for example, a program called Telephone Requests. Callers would ask the studio musicians to sing or play their favorite hymns and songs. Sometimes I played piano, sometimes I sang in the ensemble.”

Moody was where Jack formed most of his networking contacts, but after Moody, he also received a degree in music education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

While in Lincoln, in 1968, Jack received a call from his wife Karen’s home church in Wheaton, Illinois, to be their first full-time minister of music. “In the 1960’s there weren’t that many megachurches who could pay a fulltime musician, and, of course, my wife was delighted to be going home,” said Jack.

The 70-plus voices of the Village Church choir will fill the rafters with joyous, worshipful celebration during the concert on December 15.

Returning to the Chicago area paved the way for Jack’s next major career move.

His former music theory teacher was the executive editor of Hope Publishing Company and invited Jack on board as an associate editor, where he worked for 30 years.

It was at Hope that Jack began arranging choral settings in earnest. “Adapting hymns and compositions for choir requires understanding that music functions as a powerful entity—a gift from God. I remind myself not to write to impress my peers, but to create ‘moments’ that will evoke an emotional response from both the performers and the listeners to the message of the piece,” explained Jack.

“Author Calvin Johansson (Cameo)

says that music is a language in and of itself, with which I completely agree. And I believe the words of a song – its message – propel the creative aspect of the melody, the harmony, the form, the climax and so forth. The weaving together of all components should produce a satisfying, even thrilling result, and in a worship setting, be an excellent offering to God,” he added.

Go Tell It was written and arranged in 2008, just before Jack retired from the position of executive editor of Hope Publishing Company, in Carol Stream, Illinois. The concert is comprised of eight pieces, including two originals and narration, and has been orchestrated for full orchestra. The Village Church Choir will be accompanied by an orchestral ensemble of ten: flute,

oboe, clarinet, French horn, two violins, viola, cello and double bass, plus Dr. Ron Boud (The Estuary) on piano. The musical lasts about 45 minutes. Narrators for the evening are Associate Pastor David Pavey and Sunny Torres.

Jack said, “The reverence and sense of awe at the presence of the Christ Child are central to the concert and its message. After all, we are dealing with the Incarnation of the Son of God.” “Rather than simple nostalgia or entertainment, the evening should captivate the congregation with many changes of mood and four opportunities for carol singalongs,” continued Jack with a smile. “Talk about a celebration! It’s going to be quite a gathering.”

Shell Point Life | December 2019

41

Ready, Set, Create!

Each year, the Shell Point management team and Human Resources department host a series of catered Christmas luncheons for all Shell Point employees. In addition to food and fellowship, a highlight of the event is the annual centerpiece competition.

Employees from each department work together to craft creative centerpieces on a theme, which rotates from year to year. Popular themes from recent years include gingerbread houses, Christmas trees, wreaths and nativity scenes.

The submissions are used to decorate the luncheon tables at The Village Church for all to admire. During the program, prizes are awarded for best overall creation, best department representation and best Christmas theme.

After this year’s luncheon, on December 12, the silver bells -themed centerpieces will be on display at the Island Commons near the Shell Point Library.

It’s certainly a spirited competition, and full of Christmas cheer!

Styrofoam balls formed the basis of one year’s competition, and the Arbor Dietary department submitted this snowman creation.

One year, employees were provided with Christmas trees to decorate.

The Crystal cooked up this creative representation of its department – Christmas tree-style.

42

Shell Point Life | December 2019

When the centerpiece challenge called for gingerbread houses, the Resort Services team redefined home sweet home.

A Christmas Legacy

B Y R E V. A N D R E W H A W K I N S , P H . D . , S E N I O R P A S T O R , T H E V I L L A G E C H U R C H

This is the time of life when we think a lot about legacy.

Leaving something behind for others. For our children. For our grandchildren. Yes, even for our great-grandchildren. Or leaving something behind for our community, or for our nation – even for our broken world.

My mother left a legacy to me.

It wasn’t money. It wasn’t even material in nature. She was the kind of person who was inquisitive, curious and thoughtful. She was one of those “inquiring minds” of which we have many here in Shell Point. She cared about other people, always considering how our actions affected others. She had a strong moral compass. I believe and hope that to some degree she passed on those values to me. It was a special legacy. I wouldn’t trade that legacy for a million bucks!

It’s often best if we’re not even aware of the special legacies we leave behind. When we try to leave a special legacy, it’s often tainted. We end up caring more about how we’re remembered than how our gifts to others might be useful. I’m sure my mother had no idea she was leaving a legacy to me merely by the way she lived, by her attitudes and actions.

Register for Alpha Registration for the Alpha course offered by The Village Church ends on Monday, January 6 or when fully subscribed. The course will be offered in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands and will run from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. on ten consecutive Tuesdays, starting January 14. A complimentary hot meal is followed by a movie and small group conversation.

Questions? Contact Assistant Pastor David Pavey (Coquina), available in the mornings only, by calling (239) 454-2147.

That’s what happened with Jesse.

Probably not any Jesse you know personally.

This Jesse lived before they used surnames.

He didn’t have a last name.

But this Jesse is famous. His name shows up in the Bible more than 40 times.

But he’s not famous for doing anything in particular or out of the ordinary. He didn’t leave millions of denarii to his community.

They didn’t name any buildings after him.

He wasn’t even famous when he was alive.

But his legacy was extraordinary. His legacy surpassed any other kind of legacy imaginable. And I doubt he had any idea that he was leaving a legacy.

Isaiah wrote about Jesse: “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a

branch from his roots will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1, NASB).

Jesse was the father of David.

Jesse knew about David. Maybe Jesse thought that bringing King David into the world was his legacy. But Isaiah wasn’t talking about King David. He was talking about an even greater legacy; he was talking about “David’s greater son.” He was talking about the Messiah. He was talking about Jesus.

Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ – was humanly descended from David, and hence from Jesse.

Oh, what a legacy! Isaiah goes on to describe it – wisdom, understanding, knowledge, righteousness, faithfulness, justice – just of a few of the elements of this legacy that the world would enjoy are all listed in Isaiah 11.

This Advent season at The Village Church, I’ll be exploring this legacy in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The series will unpack Isaiah 11, one of the great Messianic passages often mentioned during Advent.

The title of the series is “Jesse’s Gospel.”

Gospel means “good news.”

And good news it is! I hope you’ll join us for an encouraging month. It is sure to make your Advent and Christmas season very special.

Special Gifts at Christmas Tickets Available Through December 3 Women’s Connections invites all woman and men to this very special Christmas program showcasing Trailways Camps, which will be held on December 11 at 2:15 p.m. in The Village Church.

Trailways Camps was founded and is run by Shell Point’s own residents Sharon and Jerry Miller (Harbor Court) in honor of two of their four children, Robert and Benjamin, who both received special needs diagnoses.

Come and learn specifics about the camp, see some of the campers in video and in person, hear motivating stories and be encouraged by the joy you’ll see on everyone’s faces.

Tickets for this Women’s Connections program are $10 and are available through December 3 at The Village Church. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Trailways Camp and used for scholarships for campers.

Shell Point Life | December 2019

43

Natu re’s Noteb ook

BY ST E V E M O RTO N , D I R E C TO R O F L A N D S C A P E O P E R AT I O N S

There’s No PlaceLike Home It was bone chilling cold as I trudged up the sidewalk to our tiny suburban, post-war home. I was exhausted from a long day of high school exams and my early shift behind the broiler at Bonanza Sirloin Pit. The heater had stopped working in my old Ford, and I was underdressed for the mid-December weather. Standing on the porch fumbling with the door, I was shivering wildly as I managed to slip the key into the lock.

Opening the door was like slipping into an alternate dimension. Cheery, colored lights overwhelmed my eyes, and I sharply inhaled the scent of the balsam fir tree in the corner. The bounty of wrapped packages under the tree was overwhelming. My mother smiled at me while carefully pushing the threaded needle through the center of the popped corn kernel. Her Scottish terrier barely noticed me and readjusted herself on my mom’s fuzzy slippers. Despite the parallax shift at the threshold, everything seemed exactly as it should be.

I collapsed onto the sofa, drawing the Davenport quilt onto my chest as if a life preserver. My numbness was beyond being chilled, perhaps instead, world-weary. I slowly became aware of the television program my mother was watching. Perry Como was singing and dancing with Karen Carpenter. Then ice skaters appeared with Peggy Fleming gliding gracefully within a palace of ice, as only could be designed in Hollywood. During the commercial break, my mother paused work on the popcorn strand and left for the kitchen. The terrier, deprived of soft, pink slippers jumped onto my lap, licking my face and finally settling next to my leg.

My father surfaced from his basement

domain and rested while asking about my day. I explained the intricacies of cooking steaks in a fast food restaurant. Genuinely interested, he asked questions about my job. My mother brought us hot cocoa from the kitchen with tiny marshmallows floating on top. The Scotty sacrificed the opportunity for cozy slippers and remained snuggled next to me. Perry Como began to perform the encore solo of his Christmas Special as we sang along.

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam If you want to be happy in a million ways For the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home!

The wee Scottish Tam ‘o Shanter has gone on to play fetch with Robbie Burns, and my parents too have passed on from this mortal coil. Our little Christmas house on the appropriately named street of Holly Hills has a new family to comfort. But yet, being home for the holidays remains important.

As I stroll the grounds at Shell Point, I have the East Palatka holly tree to remind me of the place I once called home. With its bright red berries appearing at Christmastime, the naturally occurring hybrid is certainly a home for wildlife. Mockingbirds and

cedar waxwings feast on the berries like roasted chestnuts. I watched a squirrel pack his furry cheeks like a child gathering sugar plums.

I have roamed, and I have roamed far away. But even now, surrounded by family and friends in Southwest Florida, I still enjoy a brisk solitary walk on a blustery winters’ day. I would suggest visiting the back of the Woodlands Commons area to discover Florida’s holly trees this winter.

Planted like a row of red and green nutcrackers, they stand as authoritative sentries to the lake.

Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to hear the flock of birds that I heard singing:

There is no place like home for the holidays.