Shell Point Life Nov-Dec 2020

Nov/Dec 2020 Vol. 15 Issue 9

SHELL POINT BOULEVARD

Old and New

Veterans Salute

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR

ABUNDANCE Much to Be Grateful For This Thanksgiving

A Christmas to Remember

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

His love endures forever.

Top Stories November/December

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Happy holidays as we enter the months of November and December! Although 2020 is definitely a year unlike any other, we still cling to our cherished holiday traditions and look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with our Shell Point family and friends!

This month’s Shell Point Life is a gift to launch the holiday season. Inside you will find numerous positive stories that celebrate life here at Shell Point.

Two Peas in a Pod

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Meet Jim Goodale and Honey Leveen, two new residents who are already well known around Shell Point. Read how this couple is making a difference in the lives of many through their passion for plant-based eating in the article on page 6.

Playful Pups Shell Point residents stopped by with their furry four-legged friends for a quick playdate during a recent Puppy Pop-up hosted by the Resident Life Programming Team. For more playful pups, turn to the Out & About section starting on page 36.

– Psalm 136:1

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

Editor Lynn Schneider Creative Director Rich Cerrina Senior Graphic Designer Wendy Iverson Contributors Dawn Boren, Pat Bubb, Robyn Church, Claude Emler, Michelle Emmett, Janine Hammond, Jonathan High, Gabriella Kelly, Ginny MillerPlaza, Steve Morton, Don Pullen, Laura Slack, Jami Smith, Carol Sperlak, Susan Uhleman, Michael Weiss, Peggy Zimmerman 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.

Happy Veterans Day!

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Thank you for your service! Shell Point is proud of each and every one of our many residents who have served in the military. In this issue, meet resident Jeanne Fuchs as we take a look back at her interesting career in the Navy starting on page 13.

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

13921 Shell Point Plaza • Fort Myers, FL 33908

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

An Award Winning Year In Spite of Pandemic, Shell Point Continues to Excel B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R , D I R E C T O R O F M A R K E T I N G A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

It is no secret that 2020 has been a challenging year, and the pandemic has made compassionate, quality care more important than ever. Shell Point’s management team and dedicated staff have worked together to provide the very best services and facilities possible during this difficult time. This commitment to excellence and continued process improvement has led to many highlights during the past 12 months and Shell Point continues to set the standard for retirement living in this uniquely beautiful setting.

As we prepare for the year ahead, it is with gratitude that we look back on some of the achievements accomplished during 2019/2020.

Top 100 “Best of the Best” by Ideal Living For overall quality of life, there is no better recommendation than Ideal-Living Magazine, which named Shell Point one of 2020’s “Best of the Best” in its Top 100 Planned Communities.

These select communities, from across the nation, were chosen based on the top amenities requested by the national magazine’s readership, including walking trails, wellness facilities, proximity to healthcare, social clubs, swimming, cycling, racquet sports, and a sense of community.

According to Jason Smith, senior director of amenities, “It was an honor to receive this recognition. Shell Point’s beautiful campus offers the amenities found in a fivestar resort. Our multiple restaurants, two salon and spas, championship golf course, deep-water marina, tennis and pickleball facility, resident gardens and the soon-to-becomplete Tribby Arts Center, are just a few of the amenities that set Shell Point apart from most senior living communities. It is a true privilege to serve each of our residents and to provide an excellent quality of life.”

Certified Retirement Resort Shell Point’s healthy lifestyle and unparalleled setting have also been recog-

Jason Smith, Senior Director of Amenities and Ronette Icso, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

nized by Senior Hospitality International, which named Shell Point Retirement Community a Certified Retirement Resort.

“Senior Hospitality International evaluates communities in three main areas,” said Jason. “They look for healthy campus amenities, outstanding resident activities and robust community engagement. We have all that and more here in our community.

I am most proud of the resident engagement within Shell Point, which speaks to how involved our residents are, how much they participate in the programs and groups, their commitment to volunteering at Shell Point and the deeply meaningful friendships they make with one another.”

encouraging to know that our services are among the best available.”

Newsweek and global data research firm Statista Inc. evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes to establish a ranking of “Best Nursing Homes” in the United States.

Factors included overall performance ratings, staffing, reputation and health inspections, as well as quality measures of resident care.

The well known and respected U.S. News & World Report also included the Larsen Pavilion skilled nursing facility in its 20192020 Best Nursing Homes report, which is based on the community’s high performance ratings in short-term and longterm care, as well as patient satisfaction.

Best Nursing Homes by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report Another area of excellence at Shell Point is healthcare. “The Shell Point Health System received positive acknowledgement through three national recognitions that focused on the Larsen Pavilion,” said Christy Skinner, vice president of healthcare for the community. “Quality healthcare is at the heart of what we do and it was very

Five-Star Rating The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) credited The Larsen Pavilion with a five-out-of-five star rating overall, as well as five-outof-five stars in the categories of quality measures and staffing. The ratings provide potential residents and their families with an easy-to-understand assessment of nursing home quality.

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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International

Coastal Cleanup Day Shell Point Kayakers Help Keep Lee County Beautiful B Y L A U R A S L A C K , D I R E C T O R O F R E S I D E N T O P E R AT I O N S

The Island at Shell Point is surrounded by water as it is situated right along the Caloosahatchee, which flows directly to the Gulf of Mexico just a mile away. The Gulf tides that ebb and flow connect all the streams, rivers, bays and estuaries in the area.

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

T

Bart Sharp (Lakewood) and Don Fagnan (Parkwood) with about 100 lbs of trash collected.

he grounds around Shell Point are kept in pristine shape, but who makes sure all the beautiful waterways that surround us are kept clean? Believe it or not, our two kayaking groups – The Lollygaggers and the Shell Point Paddlers – clean the mangroves and waterways around Shell Point every week when they go kayaking. However, every year on the third Saturday in September, Shell Point residents and staff participate in International Coastal Cleanup Day. In partnership with our local organization, Keep Lee County Beautiful, residents join with folks all over the world who are helping to keep our coastlines pristine. A group of 17 residents and staff – including the Suzy Q and crew – spent Saturday morning, September 19, in the waterways around Shell Point. The group collected about 100 pounds of trash including buoys, fishing line, rope, hooks and lures entangled in the mangroves, as well as plastic bottles, cups, plastic, a tote with lid, half a chair, a wooden fence and much more.

The Suzy Q also participated by providing backup support to the kayakers by passing out bottled water and pulling up larger items of trash. During the event, one of the Shell Point staff kayakers actually fell out of her kayak.

Although she was not in any physical danger, the Suzy Q team used the opportunity to practice their man-overboard rescue procedures.

If you go out kayaking or on your boat and notice how clean our mangroves and waterways are – say thanks to the Shell Point kayakers. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful water wonderland!

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Two Peas in a Pod

By Verla Wallace

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

W

hen new residents move into Shell Point, they are encouraged to get involved as soon as possible during their first year. If that is the goal, then Jim Goodale and Honey Leveen may have set a new record! This energetic couple, who moved into Shell Point in February 2019, is already widely-known around Shell Point for their shared enthusiasm for plant-based eating and a concern for the environment.

Bright Lights, Big City Honey has always been an urban girl, born in New York City, raised in the suburbs; her parents were big-city entrepreneurs. She knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur too, but first, she headed off to the University of New Mexico where she earned a liberal arts bachelor’s degree, with minors in business, psychology and Portuguese. Why Portuguese?

“I liked learning languages,” Honey smiles. “I met some Brazilians and they invited me to visit them in Brazil. I took them seriously and figured I ought to know the language before I got there.”

After graduation, she worked briefly as a colorist for her father’s menswear business but quickly made the leap to a life in sales. “Very few people’s careers unfold in a straight line. I tried every form of sales you can imagine. One day I saw a tiny ad in the newspaper for a sales job with a new little company named MCI. When I applied, they told me, ‘We just spent a gazillion dollars breaking the Bell Telephone monopoly and Bell is busy appealing it, so you might not have a job in six months.’”

She rose quickly in the organization and became MCI’s top national salesperson but the stress was unrelenting. She used her MCI job to make a move to Texas.

“Manhattan is a neurotic, hectic, high maintenance place to live. Everything is

an ordeal. I needed a change.”

After leaving MCI, she sold everything from newspapers in front of Walmart, to accounts receivable services and home improvement services. She even started her own business with a partner. “It was an undercapitalized interconnect telephone business and it went belly up. You learn from your mistakes. I learned I didn’t ever want to be in a partnership again.”

Honey remembered the words of a high school teacher who told her that the two highest-paid professions were medicine and insurance sales. She says she wasn’t a good enough student to be a doctor, so she turned to insurance sales.

“In the late 80s, I got my insurance license and sold different kinds of insurance products, until an aunt suggested I investigate the newly-emerging field of long-term care insurance. A lot of people choose to live in denial and they aren’t prepared for what can happen in the final years of life. I felt I could provide a real service to my clients by preparing them for their later years. It was fun and rewarding.”

Country Boy at Heart Unlike Honey’s urban background, her laidback Midwestern husband, Jim Goodale, grew up in the tiny town of Morton, Illinois, near Peoria, where his father worked 47 years for the Hiram Walker distillery.

Early on, Jim learned he had a gift for teaching. “In the fourth grade there was an academically-challenged kid in class and the teacher asked me to help him.” Jim’s voice cracks as he remembers that pivotal moment when he realized he had a gift for explaining things and it was deeply satisfying. “Soon other people were calling me to help them and I realized I wanted to do this as a career.”

Continued on next page

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Two Peas in a Pod CONTINUED

Jim made his mark as high school class valedictorian and captain of the track team and then won a Hiram Walker scholarship to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Knowing he wanted to teach, he went straight through in five years to earn a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology.

In grad school, Jim’s gift for integrating complicated things and putting them into a simple, easy-to-understand framework, made him popular with fellow students in much the same way it had made him popular with his fourth-grade classmates back home.

“One year I was a teaching assistant for a famous visiting professor from Berkeley, California, who was teaching Psychological Statistics. He would stand at the blackboard and give his lecture with incomprehensible graphs and charts and then I was supposed to run a question and answer session afterward. I’d stand up and say to the class, ‘OK, now I’ll explain what he said.’” Jim laughs.

“Students would say, ‘Why didn’t he do that?’ And I would say, “Because he’s from Berkeley and I’m just a lowly grad student.”

After graduation in 1971, Jim was hired

by York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to teach in their business school.

“People would ask me what I taught in business school,” Jim says, “I’d say I taught the ‘annoying people’ part of business. I had a lot of geologists, geophysicists and engineers who came into my classes excelling in their career fields, but who didn’t know how to deal with people. I taught them basic management skills and how to motivate and lead employees.”

Jim quickly rose through the ranks at York to become a tenured professor and eventually associate dean. But he tired of the cold Canadian winters and felt conflicted about the publishing treadmill.

Jim gave up tenure and followed friends who moved to Houston where he took a part-time job as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston so he could have 8

Jim Goodale and Honey Leveen launched a Plant-Based Eating Group to combine healthy eating with the vibrant lifestyle found at Shell Point.

more impact on the real world by concentrating on teaching and launching a consulting practice.

“In my classes, I taught fundamentals, not the latest management trend,” Jim says.

“I would disguise my consulting clients’ situations to create real-life case studies to give students practice solving real-life business problems. Then when my students graduated, they took jobs in the corporate world and often came back to ask for my help as a consultant on work-related issues.” His combination teaching/consulting continued until he retired from teaching in 2015.

Crossing Paths While Jim and Honey were both active in their careers in Houston and went to the same Pilates studio (he in the morning, she in the evenings), their paths never crossed until both of them happened to sign up on the online dating site, Match.com, at the recommendation of friends.

“When she discovered our Pilates connection, she started checking me out with her friends,” Jim laughs. “I had to pay a lot of money in bribes to staff members to make sure they gave me a good recommendation!”

The relationship quickly blossomed and 52 weeks later they were married. “I have a 200-page Word document cataloging my 500 emails to Honey,” Jim says, “They’re my version of love letters. I’m the more romantic one.”

After they married, Honey continued her soaring career as the self-designated “Queen of Long-Term Care Insurance,”

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

and Jim continued his teaching and consulting, as they began to learn more about each other’s interests.

They both enjoyed civic engagement, volunteering, movies, cultural events and physical fitness activities. But there were still plenty of ways their interests diverged.

Honey, an avid swimmer and kayaker, served as Commodore at the Houston

Canoe Club. Jim, on the other hand, agrees with Woody Allen’s attitude toward swimming: “Swimming for me is about staying alive in water.”

One interest that intrigued Jim was Honey’s major involvement in a thriving plant-based healthy eating group in Houston. It had been an important step in her years-long process of overcoming an eating disorder and dealing with obesity.

“I made the choice to become a vegetarian more than 30 years ago,” Honey says, “after seeing a bootlegged video about what goes on in a slaughterhouse. But people don’t realize vegetarians still eat potato chips, Oreos, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

It isn’t always a healthy lifestyle either.

Then I saw the documentary, Forks Over Knives, and it immediately flipped me to plant-based eating.”

Jim started attending local and national plant-based events with Honey and slowly began to understand why it was so important. “Before we met I had been an omnivore but had already begun to cut down on meat in my 40s to lower my cholesterol. I wasn’t completely into plant-based healthy eating until ten years ago. Today I eat a

99% plant-based diet with an occasional cookie cheat,” Jim says, with a grin, “I feel terrific.”

Making a Smart Move Honey sees selling long-term care insurance and their decision to buy into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) like Shell Point as mutually compatible smart decisions.

“I was excited about CCRCs 25 to 30 years ago, before the market really understood what they were and before the wave of aging seniors began. I thought they both made perfect sense.”

After doing extensive research, Honey and Jim picked Shell Point. They first heard of Shell Point from residents Sally and Wendell Leimbach. Honey and Sally had been insurance colleagues and the Leimbachs had been singing Shell Point’s praises for years. Honey and Jim finally came for a visit four years ago before deciding they were ready. When the couple moved into the community, they hit the ground running.

Honey and Jim are so deeply involved at Shell Point, it’s hard to believe they’ve

Honey enjoys the opportunity to live an active lifestyle at Shell Point. She stays active in a variety of ways, but especially loves being able to launch her kayak just a short walk from her home.

been here for less than two years. Even before moving in, Honey and Jim were introduced to Jean Chandler who leads Shell Point’s environmental group, The Green Team, and Jean invited them to help launch the Shell Point Plant-Based Eating Group. The group’s initial organizational meeting was held five days after Honey and Jim officially moved to Shell Point.

The group grew rapidly. Its first year, it hosted well-attended monthly plant-based potluck dinners and popular three-course gourmet plant-based meals created by Shell Point chefs. In 2020, the pandemic forced the group to stop gathering for monthly events, but they have remained in touch.

Honey and Jim continue to serve as the group leaders and send occasional informational news and notes of encouragement through email.

“Everyone is welcome to join Shell Point’s Plant-Based Eating Group. The group is about exploring a more plant-based lifestyle and discovering delicious plantbased recipes and foods, all while enjoying fun and fellowship,” said Honey.

Jim is also involved as one of a rotating team of presenters for Inquiring Minds at Shell Point. The weekly topical discussions cover a wide range of issues, designed to inform, engage and stimulate thought. Last year, Jim presented information on water scarcity worldwide and on the effects of nutrition on overall health. Jim is looking forward to getting back to the group meetings, which are currently on hiatus until the pandemic is over.

Honey and Jim admit their days at Shell Point are full. Although they are social distancing at this time, they continue to get daily exercise throughout the Shell Point campus and waterways. The couple takes walks around The Island and enjoys kayaking and other recreational activities together.

They also explore educational information related to plant-based eating on the internet and enjoy their personal view of the Caloosahatchee River from the living room of their Royal Bonnet apartment.

Honey and Jim claim no secret to happiness other than to show love, kindness, and respect toward each other, to accept that you cannot change your spouse, and to “give back.”

Jim says, “Each day we just want to enjoy every moment we have together and to help make the world a better place.” n November/December 2020

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Over the Airwaves Two Shell Point Employees Get Licensed to Operate Ham Radio in Case of Emergencies B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R , D I R E C T O R O F M A R K E T I N G A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N S AND DAN PHILGREEN, TECHNICAL ARTS MANAGER FOR TRIBBY ARTS CENTER

The destruction that can be wrought by a hurricane sometimes includes the loss of infrastructure necessary for communications. Telephone lines can be knocked down, cell towers can be blown over or destroyed by lightning, and the internet can also be interrupted by any number of possible failures in the network.

To be assured of an uninterrupted source of communication with the outside world in the event of such an emergency, Shell Point has maintained a ham radio operation within the community for several decades.

In such cases, ham radios can bypass all of these losses and communicate across wide areas, station-to-station, with no need of any infrastructure at all except for a 12v battery power source. This capability has been formally organized within the ham radio community in the form of the ARES network which stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Service. An efficient protocol exists in the form of agreed upon frequencies for various areas, regular checkins, and situation reporting standards that make for a solid system for communicating emergency needs with first responders and other essential services.

According to Steve Ford, Shell Point’s safety director at Shell Point, “Southwest Florida is divided into five areas. Volunteers are pre-selected to man critical locations such as hospitals, fire stations, fuel depots, and shelters. In our area, the Lee County Emergency Services building is the location of the central information center.

During times of emergency, the radio is manned around the clock in shifts by volunteers. During Hurricane Irma, the system was actually used by Shell Point when other forms of communication were inoperable.”

Steve continued, “For many years, Shell Point has benefited from the efforts of Phil Jansen, a communications tech10

L-R: Dan Philgreen, formerly of Shell Point Television (SPTV) and now serving as the Technical Arts Manager for the new Tribby Arts Center, and Dave Nixon, the manager for SPTV, were asked to consider obtaining ham radio licenses by Steve Ford, Shell Point’s safety director.

Dave Nixon, the manager for Shell nician in the Technical Support Services department here at Shell Point. Phil is a Point Television (SPTV) and Dan licensed ham operator who has enjoyed Philgreen, formerly of SPTV and now using his own ham radio at home as a serving as the Technical Arts Manager hobby. However, Phil also operated the for the new Tribby Arts Center, were Shell Point ham radio making emergency asked to consider obtaining ham radio ham radio communication available for licenses in order to serve as volunteer ham radio operators in the community. Phil has the event of an emerbeen an unsung hero for gency at Shell Point. many years and we are Dave and Dan rose to grateful for his service in the challenge and began this area.” studying for the extensive With Phil’s impending licensing exams required. retirement at the end of Dan and Dave agreed this year, the community to complete the courseneeded a new operator to work and take the exams continue the service. Two for two separate levels – names were suggested and both individuals gener- Communications technician the general license and the technician level. Each ously agreed to take on this Phil Jansen on a recent hike in the mountains. level of licensure required added responsibility.

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

guys went to Punta Gorda where 40 hours of on-line coursework they both passed the first level and a 2-hour exam.

“Technician” license and the sec“The level of information that ond level “General” license in one we needed to learn came as a bit of sitting. a surprise,” said Dave. “In addition With their licenses and new to a great deal of math, there was call signs in hand, Phil was able to a lot of science and engineering.” pass the baton of ham radio capaOver a two-month period, the bility by showing the guys the setup two men completed the courseof radios in the Island Hurricane work online where they learned Shelter and in The Arbor. about electrical circuits, how to Success! Dan Philgreen, with ham radio volunteer “With ham radio equipment calculate voltage and currents, proctors, holds up his two certificates. and now manpower for both hurweather conditions, how waves ricane shelter locations here at radio operation, which is strictly regulated travel through the atmosphere Shell Point, we have the technical ability and bounce off the ionosphere, plus much by the government.

Because of Covid limitations to to communicate with the outside world if more. Additionally, they reviewed the abundance of rules and regulations for ham the testing available in Fort Myers, the necessary,” said Steve. n

Good Friends Tell Friends

Good Things!

Refer a Friend Program Helps Educate Future Residents B Y J A N C O AY, D I R E C T O R O F S A L E S

At Shell Point, it is our privilege and our passion to serve God by caring for, serving and satisfying our residents and employees. We love hearing how happy our residents are and for decades we have known that our residents have been our best source of referrals for future residents. Why? Because good friends tell their friends and family good things! And, Shell Point is definitely a good thing!

We want to help you share the good news about life at Shell Point with your friends and family. Beginning November 1, if you have a friend or family member you would like to refer to us as a prospective future Shell Point resident, please stop by our Welcome Center during our regular hours, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to pick up two free gifts – one to give and one to keep!

We have a special, reusable Shell Point cooler bag filled with Shell Point information including such items as a complete brochure with master site plan, floorplan book, price sheet, annual Community Report, Healthy Living Guide and more, plus, a

few additional small gifts your friend is sure to enjoy. These bags are for you to give your interested friend or family member as a way to educate them about Shell Point and intrigue them into learning more about our wonderful community. This bag is a nice

way to share information about Shell Point with someone who might be your new neighbor someday!

If your referral doesn’t live locally, or if it would be more convenient for you, we would be happy to mail the bag and enclosed items to your friend or family member for you. We can even include a personalized letter from you in the package.

The second gift is for you to keep.

It is a reusable insulated lunch tote – just perfect for packing a lunch for a daytrip to the beach or perhaps a quick snack to take on an outing to watch the sunset.

These small gifts are a token of our appreciation both to you and to your friends. Please help us introduce Shell Point to more individuals such as yourself who may enjoy living in our wonderful community and would benefit from the services we have to offer. We appreciate each of you – our residents – so very much and hope to see you soon!

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Epic Journeys Collection Discover New Destinations with Safety in Mind B Y J E A N N E V E L D M A N , P R E S I D E N T O F I S I N G S T R AV E L

Travel has always been a powerful tool of wellness. Over the past few months of dramatic changes in our world, this valuable tool of travel was temporarily removed as everyone physically sheltered in place. But passion for discovering new destinations and enjoying new experiences is still strong. So how do we travel now? As in every aspect of life, we have choices… and perhaps the most basic choice is to move forward… to adapt… as we use the tools available to continue to live our lives in a meaningful way.

Private Small Group Tours For 14 years, Shell Point residents have enjoyed traveling with Isings Travel, which creates experiences of the highest standards

and provides remarkable care for their guests. Isings Travel has introduced the Epic Journeys Collection of private small group tours with the implementation of enhanced travel safety measures combined with amazing new experiences and destinations. All with the goal of helping you travel again with confidence and peace of mind.

What Does Travel Look Like Now? Since Isings carefully restarted their tours in mid-August, Shell Point residents have returned with stories of wonderful experiences feeling excited, thankful and safe. Now that four trips have returned successfully, the dramatic difference is that so many experiences on each trip are now

“private”― unique, specially-arranged tours, meals, visits to area attractions, and even some places opening just for the group. It feels like a very VIP experience. The level of feeling “secure” has reached new heights even in this time of such uncertainty. Every movement is carefully prepared for and planned. While Isings tours have always been at a concierge level, their tours now are even more exclusive and more customized.

Four domestic travel opportunities in 2021 have been designed specifically for Shell Point residents:

April 19, 2021 - 6 nights - Southern Charms: Charleston, Savannah and Jekyll Island

May 26, 2021 - 10 nights - Natural Wonders of Northern California and Nevada

To book your next trip or for information on the new safety innovations being taken by Isings Travel, as well as airlines, airports, and small American cruises, contact Isings Travel at 800-562-7672.

June 21, 2021 - 13 nights - Grand Alaska Land & Sea with Denali National Park 12

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

July 22, 2021 - 11 nights Canadian Rockies plus Rail Journey

Veterans Day

Salute

In 1952, Jeanne Fuchs (Oakmont) was working in the advertising department of Kellogg’s in Battle Creek, Michigan, when an opportunity to serve her country came calling.

BY BARBARA HILL FREEMAN

B

orn and raised in Gary, Indiana, Jeanne attended Carleton College in Minnesota where she received a bachelor’s degree. From Carleton, she headed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a summer program in publishing procedures at Radcliffe College. The course, which was for college grads, familiarized Jeanne with the publishing world and led to a position in the advertising department at Chicago’s legendary Marshall Field’s department store, “not writing ads, which was my dream, but as assistant to the advertising manager,” she said.

It was a little too much admin and not enough advertising. So Jeanne moved to Battle Creek, where her parents were living, and joined the team at Kellogg’s where she began her career in advertising and public relations work. At Kellogg’s, she helped teach the sales team about promotions and displays and worked on slide films meant to teach salespeople how to show products to their best advantage and gain additional shelf space, which is the be-all, end-all of cereal salesmanship.

It was at Kellogg’s that Mary Barber, former Director of Home Economics for Kellogg’s, and now chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Continued on next page

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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In 1952, Jeanne Fuchs was working in the advertising department at Kellogg’s when a Navy recruiter suggested she consider serving her country.

Veterans Day

Salute

CONTINUED

Services, met Jeanne. Barber’s committee was charged with promoting the recruitment of women into the armed services.

“What are you doing here? ” she asked.

“You should be in the service.” Jeanne, who was ready for adventure, agreed, and said “this sounded like a great way to serve my country while having a really good time.”

an officer. That December, she found herself on her way to her first posting – to the Naval Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island, where she spent four months “learning the ways of the Navy.”

In those days, women in the U.S. Navy were called WAVES – an acronym for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. Women are now an integral part of the Navy and other armed forces, serving alongside men at sea or in battle zones, but when Jeanne served,

In the Navy But Never to Sea Given a choice of which branch of the service to join, Jeanne opted for the Navy, in large part because she preferred the spiffy uniforms to the less attractive tops women wore in the other branches. “If you are going to wear the same thing every day, you might as well like it,” she said.

She submitted her application for a commission in July of 1952 and in the space of a few months traveled to Chicago for an interview, received notice that she’d been accepted, and returned to Chicago to be sworn in. Per Navy policy for women who were college grads, she was immediately commissioned as 14

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

women were recruited because they had the ability to fill roles that freed up sailors and soldiers for what was then thought of as “man’s work.” Navy nurses were the only women who served at sea.

Putting Her Skills to the Test When she received her orders after the training period, Jeanne learned that she was being sent to the Naval Photographic Center in Washington, D.C. “I was assigned to the scripts/graphics department,” she said. “They assumed because I’d been in advertising that I knew how to write, so I learned how to write in that department.

“It was a jolly time. There were about eight of us – a couple of civilians and some military. The writers did the scripts, and the graphic specialists turned them into films.

What we had available to draw on was a giant archive of Navy film that was all stored at the Photographic Center,” she said.

“The films were the history of the Navy in action. They were kept in specially cooled vaults.”

Here’s how it worked: Someone in the Navy Department at the Pentagon would decide there was a need for a film on a particular subject, get it approved, and assign the job to one or two produc-

ers, who were generally a high-ranking naval officer and/or civilian expert in the subject of the film. When Jeanne was assigned to work on a film, she would do the necessary research and write a script. The graphics department would then fit her words to film footage and add text overlay where necessary to help emphasize and clarify the subject matter for the viewer. The graphics people searched the storage vaults to find the film footage they needed to illustrate the points Jeanne had included in the script.

“I did a bit of traveling around the country, which was fun,” she said.

Jeanne Fuchs joined the Navy One trip was to a Navy test center in 1952, and was assigned to the in the desert in California for a film on Naval Photographic Center in Washington, D.C. Later, she was the Sidewinder missile; another was to appointed to the admiral’s staff Groton, Connecticut, where submarine of the Twelfth Naval District crews underwent extensive training.

(COM 12) in San Francisco.

That film was about the procedures for fueling submarines and the transfer sysseeing these action films like tems that involved a complex series of pipes within the subs. Because she hadn’t Victory at Sea, a weekly show on felt confident about how to explain the sub- NBC. We did that sort of stuff. ject in a script, the film’s producer suggested I worked on one film about she visit Groton to see the process for her- NATO, which was new at the time. That self and talk to the students. That did the was public relations.”

At any given time, several teams would trick; crawling in a submarine, she learned enough about the highly technical subject be working on different film projects. She to produce a script that would accurately recalled that while one group was making a film illustrating the history of the Navy, instruct the student submariners.

Projects assigned to Jeanne were split another was producing a piece about the about evenly between training films for sail- Navy in the Civil War, and she was workors and officers and public-relations films ing on something entirely different, like procedures for fighting a fire on a carrier meant for civilians.

The training films were short and to the deck. Her assignments also involved writpoint. They were a way to convey specific, ing scripts for the then-annual Report of the detailed information. They were also a way Navy, touting the Navy’s accomplishments to cut down on the need to assign highly during the previous twelve months. trained instructors for each class.

In writing the training film scripts, she said, “You’d tell them what you were going to tell them; tell them what they needed to learn; and tell them what you told them.

These films were as long as they needed to All in all, Jeanne spent nearly three be.” The running time could be as little as years working at the Photographic Center. ten minutes.

For her next duty station, she requested, The public relations films were meant and was accepted for, San Francisco. She for television audiences. “The ones for TV served on the admiral’s staff, administerhad to be a precise time because of the com- ing personnel and their assignments for mercials,” she said. She pointed out that TV the Twelfth Naval District (COM 12), was still a novelty in the fifties. “World War which encompassed a large geographic area II had been over just a few years, and the including Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Korean War ended in the summer of 1953,” northern California. she said. “People were really interested in The Cold War was at its height during

Go West, Young Woman

Jeanne’s time at COM 12, and one incident from that historic period left an indelible memory. While on aerial reconnaissance, a U.S. Navy plane was shot down near Taiwan by PRC fighter planes. The entire crew of 16 servicemen perished. Their wives and children were all living on a base in Japan, where the men were stationed; and the Navy wanted them sent back to the States almost immediately.

Jeanne recalls every detail of the episode. “The admiral said to my captain and me, ‘You two are in charge of taking care of these people when they arrive at Travis Air Force Base.’ I made arrangements at several hotels in San Francisco to put up these families.

We got that all set and went to Travis to meet the plane in the middle of the night to help with the transfer. There were the widows and children, emotionally and physically exhausted, within a week of the disaster. The women were stunned. I accompanied them back to the city to get them situated in their hotels. It was a tough night.”

Jeanne had been accepted in the Regular Navy after three years of service, intending to make it her life work, but that was not to happen.

In 1956, she had married her first husband, Ron Fee, a Naval officer. “It was permissible to be married while in the Navy,” said Jeanne, “but being pregnant was not, and we wanted to start a family.”

Another Chapter Both Jeanne and Ron left the Navy and “moved back and forth across the country,” she said. They had two children. During a period when she lived in Massachusetts, Jeanne wrote for a couple of local newspapers: the Lowell Sun and the Assabet Valley Beacon in Maynard, covering town affairs and selectmen’s meetings.

Continued on next page

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Veterans Day

Salute

CONTINUED

She and Ron settled in Colorado, where she volunteered for the gubernatorial campaign of Dick Lamm, who served three terms.

“They loved how fast I typed, so when he won, I was offered a job on the staff.” She stayed for seven years, first as the governor’s scheduler, then in the legislative office.

She worked in other state offices, including International Trade, for another four or five years before finally retiring.

Ron passed away in 1984. In 1986, Jeanne married Bob Fuchs. “I’d known Bob almost as long as I’d known Ron,” she said. “They were office mates as instructors at the Naval Intelligence Training Center at Alameda.”

Jeanne and Bob moved from Genesee, Colorado, to Sanibel Island about twenty years ago, after they had both retired.

They owned a condo at the lighthouse end of the island and then sold that and bought a house nearby. However charming their new home was, they eventually tired of climbing the stairs to the elevated main floors and began to look for a new place to live.

Life at Shell Point It was about five years after they transplanted to Florida that Jeanne and Bob decided to move to Shell Point. They started their residence with one of the community’s ground-level homes in Palm Acres, complete with their power boat and pool right outside the door.

Then, eleven years ago, they moved into a two-bedroom executive apartment in The Woodlands. There, they enjoy an abundance of light and space, with plenty of room for comfortable furnishings and accessories, work areas, and a piano.

She took Shell Point classes to learn mahjongg and joined a group that meets regularly. She also belongs to a book club.

For many years, she volunteered in the main library on The Island. She and Bob 16

All in all, Jeanne spent nearly three years working at the Photographic Center.

It was a creative, fast-paced job and she loved every minute.

enjoy attending concerts and have been active in several local arts and community organizations.

The Fuchs’ apartment looks out on the lake at The Woodlands from quite a height. In fact, they marvel at how they often view birds from above because the birds are flying below the level of their windows. They can see the Sanibel Lighthouse and much of the island’s “skyline” from their aerie.

A Sense of Community “My career was exactly what I expected when I joined the Navy,” said Jeanne. “I

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enjoyed every minute of it.”

Jeanne was struck by the sense of comradeship she found in the service. She compares it to Shell Point.

“We’re part of a community, we rely on each other. We need each other.” n

Thank you to all of our military veterans for your service.

The Academy Presents

OPERATION FREEDOM

The Berlin Airlift

As part of its November course schedule, The Academy of Lifelong Learning at Shell Point is pleased to present Operation Freedom, a look back in history at the Berlin Airlift. The lecture will be presented by the new Academy Coordinator, Anette Isaacs, MA, a German historian and public educator who has presented hundreds of programs on more than 30 different topics pertaining to her native country’s history, politics and culture.

“The Berlin Airlift was one of the greatest missions in American military history,” said Anette. “I have had the pleasure and privilege of presenting this particular topic to American audiences for more than a decade and it never disappoints. It is definitely an audience favorite because it is such a glorious and uplifting story.”

In 1948, Soviet troops closed all access routes to West Berlin by land, sea and rail, thus threatening the lives of two million people and provoking the first major international crisis of the Cold War. American General Lucius D. Clay proceeded to build a bold and fantastic bridge across the sky, involving 700 planes and more than 250,000 flights over a period of 14 months from June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949.

“The mere scale of the operation is just mind boggling! Imagine the logistics alone,” she said. “When the airlift started, the Americans had 70 planes at their disposal. However, they

Essential items such as milk, flour and coal were loaded into airplanes as part of an emergency mission to assist millions of people in West Berlin who were cut off from the outside world by the Soviets during the early years of the Cold War.

needed more than 700 for this to work. Thus, a huge mobilization effort started. In addition to hundreds of C54s and C47s, more than 10,000 members of the Air Force, including pilots, technicians, radio men and other staff, were leaving their posts all over the world to make their way to Germany.

And this was happening a mere three years after the end of World War II. It is an amazing story and I am always thrilled when I get the chance to tell it.”

This Academy presentation on the Berlin Airlift will be held on Tuesday, November 10, at 10 a.m. in the Grand Cypress Room. Sign up at the Island or Woodlands concierge desk or register online at shellpoint.net.

Join German historian and your new Academy Coordinator Anette Isaacs for a fascinating discussion of this exciting time in her native country’s postwar history.

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It’s Time to

Raise the Curtain

on the Tribby Arts Center B Y J E F F C O R Y, C F P , C T F A L E G A C Y F O U N D A T I O N E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

Just three short years ago, a group of residents presented the concept of an arts center on campus here at Shell Point. Under the leadership of President Martin Schappell, Shell Point Retirement Community set aside a parcel of land and made a significant financial commitment to build and operate an arts center for the ongoing benefit of all Shell Point residents.

However, it was recognized that this project would not be financially possible without resident involvement and financial support.

Working together, the residents of the community joined Shell Point management in the effort and the project was announced.

Resident reaction to the proposed project was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and as Shell Point began the process of appointing an architect and preparing the 18

site for future construction, a resident committee, led by resident Marge Lee, was formed to participate in the design process as well as work with The Legacy Foundation to help raise funds toward the construction of the building.

Maggie Tribby was the first to come forward and, with breathtaking generosity, provided a major gift to help launch the project. Her gift inspired and encouraged many others to donate to the exciting project, which was named Tribby Arts Center. As construction began, residents throughout the community were even more excited to learn of the many programs that were being discussed for the enjoyment of all residents. In all, hundreds of residents supported this arts center with contributions.

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

Today, we stand poised to open a 44,000 square foot state-of-the-art building with 9 studios, specialty rooms/areas, a gallery, a 400-seat auditorium and more.

Thank you to those who have been so gracious and generous with your donations.

Imagine Before the doors open, there is one last opportunity to contribute to this amazing new amenity in our community. Imagine attending a concert in Connie Brown Hall. A hush falls over the audience as the nationally known pianist walks out onto the stage and sits down at the Steinway Concert Grand Piano to perform. YOU are there, in the third row, waiting in anticipation of that first note.

Art is

Something

To Share with

Everyone.

Or, picture your next door neighbor, who has enjoyed teaching others how to quilt her entire adult life. Imagine her spreading out her next creation on the professional quilting table in the new Quilting Studio. Other neighbors down the hall are setting up their easels by the windows in the new well-lit painting studio. In another area of the building, a group of singers is warming up for their next performance.

Just across the hall, a lively debate is occurring in the Literary Lounge as two dozen residents discuss the merits of the latest book they have enjoyed in their book club. And, now—most importantly—imagine YOURSELF, stepping into one of the studios for an introductory class in pottery, or stained glass, or beading, or writing your memoir. Yes, the arts center is for everyone. The arts center is for YOU. The building is almost ready. What will make it shine are the final touches needed to support the programming that is already being planned. I am excited to share with you a special fundraising opportunity for the Tribby Arts Center entitled, Raise the Curtain! This is our final initiative to offer specific gifting opportunities for the naming of some important rooms and spaces, as well as equipment needed for the auditorium and studios.

Now, before the doors open, Raise the Curtain! invites residents and friends to play a role in this extraordinary milestone event. In so doing, Raise the Curtain! also hopes to attract the financial support for unfunded needs.

A new era for the arts is about to begin at Shell Point. If you are passionate about the ability of the arts to enrich our lives, we invite you to step forward now and help us achieve the final needs for Tribby Arts Center. Please contact Maria Festa, or myself, at the Legacy Foundation at (239) 466-8484 if you have any questions or to receive more details about Raise the Curtain.

Aerial as of September 2020.

Acoustical ceiling treatments being installed in Connie Brown Hall.

Bistro cabinetry installation in progress.

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Inspired to Write?

The Writers Guild Prepares for the Opening of Tribby Arts Center B Y T A N YA H O C H S C H I L D , P A R K W O O D

“If we didn’t have stories we would no longer have last week.” I can’t remember who said that, but it is true. Life is the stories we tell one other – or write about. The Writers Guild committee is eager for the Tribby Arts Center to open, so we can offer our members at Shell Point the literary choices they have indicated they are interested in pursuing. Our recent survey revealed memoir, fiction, author events, poetry and non-fiction topped the choices. This list included genealogy, writing for children, travel, mystery, comedy, self-publishing and much more.

The Guild has compiled data from the questionnaire and is finding teachers/ presenters and workshop leaders. They will cater to both experienced writers and to those who are just beginning to put pen to paper.

More of This

What do you need to bring to the writing table? Much of what follows I learned from John DuFresne and other writers and writing teachers.

Passion – a sense of wonder and assertive curiosity of the world. Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” He indicated that what you don’t know is more important than what you do know, because imagination presents you with questions.

Humility – writing is not about ego.

Samuel Beckett said, “Fail, try again, fail again, fail better.”

Less of That

A WRITER’S EDITING AND POLISHING CHECK LIST:

Some teachers speak of the three sins of writing.

The first is sentimentality, don’t overindulge your feelings, this makes for a cloying, melodramatic story.

Secondly: frigidity. This is failing to give the material what it demands, keeping a distance from the plot and the characters.

Thirdly: mannerisms, or showing-off, stylistic exaggerations. Mannerisms detract from the writing.

4 Challenge every adverb 4 Use adjectives for color 4 Avoid the passive voice 4 Challenge your first paragraph 4 Challenge the last paragraph 4 Challenge every sentence 4 Eliminate the non-essential 4 Be wary of exclamation marks 4 Avoid clichés

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Refinement Process We will learn how inspired writing takes the path of most resistance. We will come to understand that fiction has to make sense. Writing a story is archeology. What does that mean? It means sifting through every element of the story, the place, the plot, the characters. Every fact may not make it onto the page but the author must know all the facts. This is important to move the story along.

John Irving and Toni Morrison wrote their endings first so they knew how the

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

story is going to end. Dan Brown also prefers to write the last paragraph first. He may not use it but he writes it. Other writers prefer different structures, but all writers agree writing must include re-writing. They all revise, revise and revise again. Never expect too much from your first draft.

Create an editing and polishing check list. When reviewing the day’s output, challenge every adverb. Mark Twain said, “The adverb is the enemy of the verb.” He added, “as to the adjective, when in doubt strike it out.”

Yet your story needs color, a job for adjectives. When you write of a person’s eyes, describe them, not just as blue, but as teal blue.

Avoid the passive voice. For example, “The men played tennis every Saturday” rather than “tennis was played by the men every Saturday.” *Challenge your first paragraph.

Perhaps this is not where the story really begins. *Challenge the last paragraph for a similar reason. *Challenge every sentence you love. It might be clever but not essential to the story.

Be wary of exclamation marks! Someone said an exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke.

Avoid clichés. Only in dialogue are they acceptable.

You may not be surprised to have read writers face endless hurdles. If writing were easier, many more people would be writers.

This article has given you a taste of what you will be learning in the Writer’s Guild when the Tribby opens. Come for the camaraderie, stay for the creativity.

Writing is an act of discovery.

TRIB NOTES

BY MICHAEL WEISS, FINE & PERFORMING ARTS MANAGER

There is a lot going on as we prepare for Tribby Arts Center to open its doors! In this article we look at some opportunities for artists and crafts persons, writers, and volunteers!

Exhibitions Invite Artists, Crafters and Woodworkers to Participate in a Theme During the Tribby’s inaugural year there will be a series of eight exhibitions in the second-floor Overlook and Legacy Galleries, showing the range of Shell Point’s creative community.

These exhibitions will not be juried.

Every resident who wishes to participate may do so, and residents may participate in as many exhibitions as they wish. Each show in the series has a different theme and/or criteria for submitted works: LITTLE BY LITTLE Small-scale paintings and drawings

SMALL FORTUNES Written works, witty and/or profound, in the style of fortune cookie fortunes TINY TEXTILES Quilting and other textile arts in a 12” x 12” format ROUND AND FOUND Artworks that are glass or incorporate glass, are circular in shape or incorporate one or more circular elements, and incorporate found material BIRDS OF A FEATHER Three-dimensional artworks by crafters that evoke or are inspired by birds

ALL IN THE DETAILS Photos focusing on a detail of a larger subject

MOVING FORWARD Kinetic sculptures by woodworkers

ABOUT FACE Pottery that incorporates or suggests a face – human, animals, abstract, etc.

For full details on the eight themes and submission criteria, please pick up a Call for Entries booklet which includes a

registration form (registration is required).

Call for Entries booklets are available at either Concierge Desks, Kings Crown, The Arbor, The Springs, in the Fitness Centers at Coastal Commons and Eagles Preserve, and in the arts studios.

Author! Author!

Have you written a published book? If so, please consider donating one copy of your book to the Arts Library at the Tribby Arts Center. Your book will become part of the Arts Library’s collection, and placed in a special “Shell Point Authors” section in the Tribby’s Literary Lounge.

If you are interested in having your published book(s) included at the Tribby, please deliver them to the Island Commons Concierge Desk by December 1.

At this time we are only accepting books for the Shell Point Authors Collection.

New Volunteer Opportunities at Tribby Arts Center!

There will be numerous volunteer opportunities at the Tribby when it opens. Here are just a few: Box Office Volunteers Located in the lobby, the box office will be the heart of the Tribby. These volunteers will greet visitors, answer questions about programs, exhibitions and performances and handle ticket sales. Volunteers should be comfortable processing ticket sales on a computerized system.

Communications and Promotions Volunteers With a full schedule of events and activities, these volunteers will help with calendar and event listings; create and distribute flyers and promotional materials; maintain our Facebook page and other social media support; and promote Tribby Arts Center at events in the community. We are looking for volunteers with any of the following skills: writing, graphic design, public relations, social media, and/or event planning.

Stage Crew / Tech Crew Volunteers Help prepare for shows, work backstage during performances (curtains, scenery, props, etc.), operate a spotlight, run lights or sound. Past experience helpful but not required.

Ticket Takers & Ushers Greeting guests, taking tickets, handing out programs, helping guests find their seats.

For more information or to sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Carol Sperlak at (239) 454-2290 or email carolsperlak@shellpoint.org or Fine and Performing Arts Manager Michael Weiss at (239) 225-2919 or email michaelweiss@shellpoint.org.

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Shell Point Walkers Explore Lakes Regional Park B Y J I M P L U M M E R ( PA R K WO O D )

Thirty-five members of the Shell Point Walking Club kicked off the 2020 – 2021 season on a very warm, but beautiful, sunny October morning recently at Lakes Regional Park. We split into two groups with one resident leading the way in each group.

Participants chose either the 3-mile route or the 4½-mile route, with 19 people in one group and 16 in the other.

The club has walked Lakes Park before, and we always enjoy this site so close to home – large scenic lakes, varied species of local birds, a train ride (not open yet this season), bikes to rent, playgrounds, picnic areas, and very nice gardens maintained by volunteers. It’s definitely a family park, and there were 22

The Walking Club is excited to kick off the season with monthly excursions to local pathways to stay fit.

many families, walkers and runners enjoying the setting and amenities with us.

The park encompasses 280 acres – half of which is covered by water – and we walked almost all the well-maintained trails. The 4½-mile walkers even went up

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

to the far north end of the park, walking by filtering marshes, all the way to the very large lily ponds.

It is a wonderful feeling to get out in nature and walk with friends as a group, enjoying the beauty of Southwest Florida. We invite all of you to join us on November 14 for our next Walking Club event. Watch the Weekly Reminder for more information as we are still working out the details.

In the meantime – stay strong, healthy and happy!

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

This Thanksgiving the Shell Point dining team is excited to offer a delicious three-course meal for you and your favorite guests. To provide the safest dine-in experience, and to allow for proper distancing, we will be serving Thanksgiving from our two largest dining venues — The Crystal on The Island and Banyan Grille at Coastal Commons. Dining staff from the other venues will join the two teams at each of these locations to help deliver a special holiday dining experience. In lieu of a buffet, we are pleased to offer an endless turkey carving option. We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you throughout the year and look forward to seeing you this Thanksgiving!

The Crystal 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Banyan Grille 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year, choose to dine at The Crystal or Banyan Grille, each location will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crystal Chef Shaun Smith and Crystal Manager Joseph Knapp will host the holiday meal service on The Island while Palm Grill Chef Todd Glaesmer and Palm Grill Dining Manager Tom Irwin will host the holiday meal at Coastal Commons.

Each location will offer an identical three-course, all-inclusive meal, served tableside. For your appetizer, choose from the Fall Salad of mixed greens, dried cranberries, heirloom tomatoes, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese or try the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with candied pecans.

For the main course, choose from Citrus Herb Turkey, Atlantic Scottish Salmon, or a Fall Harvest Bowl. The endless Turkey dinner will be served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and homemade gravy; the Salmon dinner will be served with roasted pumpkin risotto and grilled asparagus; and the Harvest Bowl will feature butternut squash, cranberries, spinach, tomato and goat cheese.

Finally, for dessert choose a slice of homemade Pumpkin Patch Pie with whipped sweet cream topping or try a slice of the hot Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

The price for this three-course meal is $28, including beverage and gratuity. Reservations are required at each location by calling: The Crystal at (239) 454-2199 or Banyan Grille at (239) 454-2059.

During your meal you can be confident that all safety protocols and standards for social distancing and masks will be the norm during your visit.

Order a Family Feast If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, let Shell Point chefs do the cooking for you! A complete Thanksgiving meal can be prepared for you in advance and made ready for pick-up on Thanksgiving Day. Choose turkey or ham for your family feast. The turkey dinner features a whole-cooked, 12 to 14-pound turkey with dressing, whipped potatoes, a vegetable medley, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, freshly baked dinner rolls and a selection of apple pie or pumpkin pie. The ham dinner will include a six-pound, baked honey-glazed ham with raisin sauce, candied sweet potatoes, a vegetable medley, freshly baked rolls and a selection of apple or pumpkin pie.

Designed to serve four to six people, these delicious dinners can be purchased for $70, plus 18 percent gratuity.

To reserve your Family Feast call The Crystal at (239) 433-7949. Orders must be placed by noon on Sunday, November 22. Each meal is fully cooked and ready to serve.

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

Family Feast orders will be available for pickup on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Social Center on The Island.

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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER LifeQuest Happenings Six Dimensions: Physical • Emotional • Spiritual • Educational • Community & Social • Natural Environment CHECK THE WEEKLY REMINDER FOR UPDATES ON ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMS LISTED IN THIS CALENDAR AS THINGS MAY CHANGE. For questions about upcoming events or activities, please contact any concierge desk. Unless otherwise noted, sign-up for each event will begin on the first business day of the month. If you are unable to attend a program that includes a fee, five business days’ notice is required to receive a refund.

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BABCOCK RANCH LUNCH & ECOLOGICAL TOUR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 BUS PICKUP TIMES: 9:40 / 9:50 / 10:00 / 10:10 / 10:20 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP 4:30 APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $35 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) LOCATION: BABCOCK RANCH Take a step back in time and discover old Florida at Babcock Ranch. The first stop will be Slater’s Goods & Provisions in Babcock Ranch which offers a farm-fresh, organic menu as well as a convenient marketplace for all staple ingredients to prepare fresh meals at home. Entrees start at $7 and range up to $18 with varied seating inside and outside.

Following the farmto-table lunch we will board a swamp buggy for a 90-minute narrated tour through the natural environment to see wildlife and travel through four distinct Florida ecosystems.

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BEACH DAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 BUS PICKUP TIMES: 8:20 / 8:30 / 8:40 / 8:50 / 9:00 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP 3:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $18 (ICE CREAM ON YOUR OWN) Grab your beach chair and sunscreen and join us for a relaxing day at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park! Shell Point staff will serve beverages and a picnic lunch for you.

On the way home there will be a traditional stop for ice cream at the Royal Scoop! Please be sure to have a mask and wear it inside any buildings.

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Mask required

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

Walking required

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VETERANS DAY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 11A.M. THE VILLAGE CHURCH/IS A brief Veterans Day Program is planned at The Village Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11. The program will follow the Academy session being presented by Seth Mendell (Tellidora). Seth’s lecture is about the InterWar Years (1918-1939) and will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those who arrive at 11 a.m. will be seated for just the Veterans Day portion of the program. Following the presentation, all are invited to enjoy a Veterans Day lunch special at The Crystal. Veterans will receive a 50% discount off their meal.

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LET THE SHOWS BEGIN! BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATER PRESENTS: MAMMA MIA!

DECORATOR’S DELIGHT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 10 A.M. GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL Do you love the Christmas season and all that comes with it? Join Volunteer Coordinator Carol Sperlak and on-site coordinator Jami Smith as they show you how to transform a room into a winter wonderland.

Decorating for the seasons isn’t always an easy task so they will partner with the Thrift Store to show you helpful tips and tricks to really turn your home into a decorator’s delight!

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ECHO GLOBAL FARM TOUR & LUNCH AT CRACKER BARREL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 BUS PICKUP TIMES: 8:20 / 8:30 / 8:40 / 8:50 / 9:00 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP 3:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $17 LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 BUS PICKUP TIMES: 9:50 / 10:05 / 10:15 / 10:25 /10:35 A.M. ISL/ WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP 4:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $69 Get ready to sing along to some of ABBA’s greatest hits as MAMMA MIA! tells the story of Sophie, a brideto-be, and her search for her birth father on a beautiful Greek island. The Broadway Palm Theater is thrilled to have raised their curtain again to provide a delicious meal and exceptional entertainment in a safe and socially distanced manner. Guests are required to wear masks while not eating or drinking. A temperature check will be performed on everyone who enters the building.

ECHO gathers solutions from around the world that help solve hunger problems. These solutions promote sustainable farming techniques and improve the nutritional qualities of plants. Plus, enjoy a delicious stop at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for lunch. This will be a walking tour so be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, sunscreen and bug repellent.

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Stairs

FAMILY FEUD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 2 P.M. BANQUET ROOM/COASTAL COMMONS Survey says: It’s time to play Family Feud! Participate in one of America’s top TV games right here at Shell Point!

Watch as your friends and neighbors guess the most popular answers to survey questions just like you see on TV. You can cheer from the audience or sign up to be a contestant on a team of five. To participate as a contestant, call the Concierge Desk. Registration is needed to be an audience member.

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FRIENDSHIP POINT CONCERT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. FRIENDSHIP POINT AMPHITHEATER/IS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 9:45 / 9:55 / 10:05 / 10:15 / 10:25 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP 3:30 P.M. APPROXIMATE RETURN COST: $6 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

Shell Point is excited to welcome back Krossing Jordan!

This musical duo has been entertaining crowds for almost a decade, pleasing audiences with their wide array of music, superb vocal harmonies and onstage chemistry. Krossing Jordan released a contemporary Christian album two years ago. They now bring original compositions to the mix of cover songs, spanning over seven decades of music, including Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel. (Space is limited so be sure to sign up at any Concierge Desk.)

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TREE LIGHTING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 6:00 P.M. WELCOME REMARKS AND PRAYER 6:15 P.M. TREE LIGHTING COUNT DOWN 6:30 P.M. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Mark your calendar and join us as we celebrate Shell Point’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Friendship Point on The Island. The Naples Brass Band will be on hand playing holiday favorites. Social Distancing practices will be in place, including “safety zones” at Friendship Point and around parts of the Lagoon. Come enjoy time with your Shell Point neighbors, enjoy a sweet treat and sing along to your favorite Christmas songs, while honoring the true meaning of Christmas. Sign-up is required. (Please note if event needs to be cancelled for weather or any other reason, the ceremony will be virtual on Shell Point TV)

SHOPPING TRIP TO MIROMAR OUTLETS

Come along for a trip to Miromar Outlets in Estero to get all your Christmas gift necessities. The outlet mall features name brand stores like Vera Bradley, Coach, Cole Haan, The Loft, Van Heusen and many more. Enjoy strolling through the beautifully decorated outlet mall and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurant spots.

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GINGER BREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 10 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS COST: $20 This will truly be a nostalgic and fun workshop! Your Resort Programming team will be on hand to help you build the ginger bread house of your dreams. It is said that gingerbread houses can be traced as far back as Ancient Greece and Egypt. Join us for this age old tradition while listening to festive Christmas music and enjoying delightful treats.

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LET THE SHOW BEGIN! THE BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATER PRESENTS: THE HOLIDAY INN FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 4:00 / 4:10 / 4:20 / 4:30 / 4:40 P.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 9:30 PM COST: $79 Get into the holiday spirit while watching the heart-warming story based on the 1942 film starring Bing Crosby

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Mask required

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

and Fred Astaire. Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business to settle down in a country farmhouse in Connecticut, meets a spirited schoolteacher with a hidden talent. Together they turn a farmhouse into an incredible inn that is only open on the holidays. Enjoy Irving Berlin classics like Shaking the Blues Away, Blue Skies, and White Christmas. Dinner will be served before the show. Guests are required to wear masks while not eating or drinking. A temperature check is required for everyone entering the building.

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EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES HOLIDAY NIGHTS

Walking required

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Stairs

FIRST DAY OF WINTER SNOBALLS MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 1 P.M. TO 2 P.M. ADMIN COURTYARD/IS 2:15 P.M. TO 3:15 P.M. PICKLEBALL COURTS/WDL The first day of winter may not bring any snow to Florida, but it will bring a delicious and local treat! Stop by the Pelicans SnoBalls truck to enjoy this New Orleans favorite of smooth fluffy “snow” combined with delicious flavors.

They will be in the Administration Courtyard from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the Woodlands by the Pickleball Courts from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Fun Competition

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 BUS PICKUP TIMES: 5:20 / 5:30 / 5:40 / 5:50 / 6:00 P.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENCLAVE / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 9:30 P.M. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will be celebrating its 45th Holiday Nights. Come and enjoy the dazzling display of thousands of Christmas lights and decorations as we stroll down McGregor Boulevard. Stay tuned for more information in the Weekly Reminder and Shell Point TV.

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HOLIDAY TRIVIA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 2 P.M. – 3 P.M. THE COVE/ESTUARY Join your Resort Programming team for a fun-filled afternoon of traditional paper and pen trivia and laughs. Come with a team or come by yourself and test your knowledge of all things holiday! There will be prizes for the top team.

Pickleball, Tennis, Shuffleboard, Croquet, Bocce, Table Tennis, Samba, Bridge, Model Yacht Sailboat Racing just to name a few… also a Spelling Bee

SAVE THE DATE 16

January 12-22, 2021 Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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COPD SUPPORT MEETINGS WILL RESUME IN JANUARY The objective of this group is to provide information and discussions that will be relevant to individuals with a range of breathing problems as well as those dependent on supplemental oxygen.

Call Ken Peterson for further information at (239) 482-3779.

DIABETES SUPPORT

Support Groups

FRIDAYS, NOVEMBER 6 & DECEMBER 4 1:00 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS Anyone impacted by diabetes or looking to learn more, including spouses or family members, may attend the Diabetes Support Group. Each monthly meeting covers a different topic and includes an open discussion. Call Vivian Ciulla (239) 225-2929 for information.

FAMILY GRACE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS THURSDAYS, NOVEMBER 5, 12, 19, 26; AND THURSDAYS, DECEMBER 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 4:30 P.M. IN SABAL ROOM/WDL This is a fellowship of those who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. This meeting of AA welcomes those who struggle with alcohol issues. For information, call the intergroup phone number, (239) 275-5111 or Janine Hammond, director of healthy living coordination at (239) 454-2186.

CARE FREE CONNECTIONS DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Look for updates in the Weekly Reminder.

Care Free Connections offers caregivers and care partners with dementia an opportunity to build and maintain authentic friendships in the community while promoting a culture of wellness, community involvement and a positive life experience for couples. For additional information, contact Healthy Living Coordinators Emily Reese (239) 454-2134 or Andrea Gutierrez (239) 454-8246.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Look for updates in the Weekly Reminder.

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. For additional information, contact Dr. Chris Votolato at (239) 489-8441 or Kathy Fratrick, LCSW at (239) 454-2073.

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MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 DECEMBER 7, 14, 21, 28 3:00 P.M. VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM This group is for the spouse or family member of someone with a mental health issue. There are 14 weeks of material including: communication skills, cycles and triggers, boundaries to rebuild, an empowering vs enabling. For information, contact resident facilitator: Bob Barger (630) 335-4077 or bbarger220@aol.com.

GRIEFSHARE MEETINGS WILL RESUME IN JANUARY This is a thirteen-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. Led by Jim and Judy Mayer (Junonia). Call (239) 454-3139 for information.

HEARING ENRICHMENT WEDNESDAYS, NOVEMBER 25 & DECEMBER 23 1:15 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS Poor hearing can affect many aspects of one’s life. This group seeks to help residents cope with hearing loss, share information, learn about services and products that may help and offer support to each other. This is a great opportunity to try out the assisted listening devices available in the Social Center.

For information, call Robert Torres, healthy living coordinator at (239) 433-7975.

HEART HEALTHY MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 2 & DECEMBER 7 10:00 A.M. IN MANATEE ROOM/IS Welcome back, residents! The Heart Healthy group aims to provide support and educational information to individuals living with heart disease. The goal of the group is to allow members to share their experience, fears and solutions in an effort to help

everyone from the newly diagnosed to those managing heart disease for many years. For more information, please contact healthy living coordinator, Nola Mokeyane at (239) 433-7976.

LIVING GRACE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 DECEMBER 7, 14, 21, 28 1:00 P.M. VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM This group is for people living with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. We always remind attendees each time that what is said in the room stays in the room. There are 14 weeks of material including managing stressors, cycles and triggers, safe and healthy relationships, and staying resilient. Each week’s lesson stands alone. There is a Bible verse in each chapter and a time for prayer at the end for those who are interested.

For additional information, please contact resident Bob Barger (630) 335-4077 or bbarger220@aol.com.

MEMORY CARE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Look for updates in the Weekly Reminder.

These groups are designed to provide education and support to residents who have some type of memory disorder. The objectives is to identify practical strategies to help manage memory loss, address long-range planning, and offer an environment that fosters a sense of purpose and self-esteem. Kathy Fratrick, LCSW, facilitates the group and can be reached at (239) 4542073. Individual appointments are also available.

PARKINSON’S ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, NOVEMBER 3 & DECEMBER 1 10:15 A.M. IN MANATEE ROOM/IS This group provides educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend. For information, call Janine Hammond, director of healthy living coordination at (239) 454-2186.

SELF-CARE WEDNESDAYS, NOVEMBER 11 & DECEMBER 9 2:30 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/WDL Stress is experienced by everyone, although it can get increasingly difficult to cope with as you age. This wellness-focused group aims to provide support for individuals experiencing stress, through educational opportunities and discussion with peers experiencing similar emotions and situations. Discussion includes recognizing the signs of stress and promoting effective ways to reduce and manage stress. For information, call Channelle Bastardo, healthy living coordinator at (239) 433-7974.

VISION ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, NOVEMBER 10 & DECEMBER 8 2:15 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS This group provides educational opportunities and support for individuals dealing with low vision. At every session, you will learn a “quick eye exercise” that you can utilize at home and share with others. Please join us to share your story, your knowledge, as well as your experiences with other residents.

For additional information, contact Katy Quinones, healthy living coordinator at (239) 454-2101.

Improving Patient Care with Shell Point’s Preferred Hospitalist

Dr. Sumeet Shetty

Shell Point has arranged the services of a concierge-type hospitalist for residents who experience a short-term stay at a Lee Health hospital.

A hospitalist is a physician whose primary focus is managing patient care throughout hospitalization – from the emergency room to critical care to collaborating on discharge plans. Their responsibilities include patient care, teaching, research, leadership and coordination of care with specialists. Hospitalists have a unique view of the continuum of care in the hospital setting and thus, can greatly improve your hospital experience.

Shell Point residents are encouraged to request Dr. Sumeet Shetty 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, Dr. Shetty’s team will collaborate closely with the Shell Point clinical team to provide a well-defined plan of care.

Please contact Tammie Fraser, Director of Outpatient Services at (239) 433-7926 or talk with your Healthy Living Coordinator for additional information (239) 454-2299.

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Shell Point Golf Club Finishes Re-Grass Project B Y PA U L F I T Z PAT R I C K , G O L F P R O

Over the past two summers we have seen a tremendous transformation at the Shell Point Golf Club. The Shell Point Golf Maintenance team has concluded this work by re-grassing the back nine and landing area of the driving range. The conversion these past two summers turning the old grass into a plush green golf course has been amazing to watch.

The hard work and dedication is on display when you drive around the golf course.

When the team embarked in this process almost two years ago, we were extremely excited about the future and the appearance of the golf course. The seashore platinum paspalum has proven to be everything that we expected. It has given us a vibrant green course that is eye catching and goes well with the surrounding landscape. This project has taken some time, and we are grateful to all of the residents and members for their patience during this process. It was definitely worth the wait.

Shell Point has a beautiful golf course that truly embodies the Shell Point lifestyle and other amenities. We hope that you will take the time to test out this new grass and golf course. To schedule a tee time, call the golf shop at (239) 433-9790.

Members Lol Barton, Nelson Bond (Periwinkle), Gif Fischer (Parkwood) and Bart Harrold (Lakewood)

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Director of the Legacy Foundation Jeff Cory and Golf Professional Paul Fitzpatrick kicked off the morning

Director of Amenities Jason Smith, Golf Professional Paul Fitzpatrick and Assistant Golf Professional Sean Balliet

Co-chairs Dede D’Arcy, Sue Stranahan and Judy Kinsinger

Grateful Hearts FOR CARING, SERVING HANDS

BY T H E 2 0 2 0 E M P LOY E E C H R I S T M A S F U N D CO M M I T T E E

Every year Shell Point residents have an opportunity to say “thank you” to the dedicated Shell Point staff who have worked so hard to serve and satisfy our needs. Particularly this last year with the Covid restrictions, many employees have gone above and beyond what has been required or asked of them in past years.

Please take this time to share the Christmas Spirit by showing our gratitude and donating to the 2020 Employee Christmas Fund.

As we know, there is a no-tipping policy at Shell Point. However, the Christmas Fund is a tangible way we can show our appreciation for all the employees who help us throughout the year. There are those we see each day and there are those who work behind the scenes to make our lives pleasant, cared for and safe. Their individual and combined efforts give us the kind of excellence we all expect and enjoy from Shell Point. The gift each Shell Point

employee receives is based on the length of time they have worked here and the hours of their job.

The last day to give is November 25.

Please give because you are grateful for the wonderful caring, serving hands of our employees. We would love to see 100% participation by residents. Please give at whatever level you are able to donate to this fund. This gift is greatly appreciated by our employees.

Three easy ways to give: A check made out to Shell Point with “Employee Christmas Fund” in the memo An automatic deduction set up by emailing chrisferrell@shellpoint.org A one-time or recurring donation online at www.shellpoint.net/christmasfund

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Paving The Way Shell Point Boulevard Resurfaced Overnight B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R

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very day, thousands of residents, employees, visitors, delivery trucks and construction vehicles come and go along Shell Point Boulevard. However, back in the mid-1960s, when construction of Shell Point began, there was not even a road leading to the undeveloped property, which made it very difficult to reach.

The land was rugged, and the terrain did not give a hint of the beauty to come, but the project’s supporters remained undaunted and used whatever method necessary to reach the property.

Visitors to the property often had trouble driving down the original twisting, turning two-mile dirt road. They occasionally got stuck along the way, where they had to be pulled out by one of the bulldozers that were being used to clear the property. Some visi-

tors chose to visit the property by boat just to avoid the road altogether. In October 1967, construction finally began on an official road. In April of 1968, the same month that the first residents moved into Tellidora, Shell Point Boulevard opened in a primitive state with two fairly straight double lanes of shell-covered sand roadway.

Additional sand and fill dirt still had to be Continued on next page

In the early days of building on The Island, visitors to the property often had trouble driving down the original twisting, turning two-mile dirt road.

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PAVING THE WAY

the community grew, Shell Point paid for the construction of additional entrances Continued leading into each of the new neighborhauled in before the road could eventually hoods that were built along the boulevard, including The Woodlands, Coastal Links be blacktopped.

Blacktopping is the most common form and Waterside. Meanwhile, Lee County of road surface in America. The asphalt occasionally patched a few holes here and industry began in the late 1800s and not a there, but, by 2020, this two-mile stretch lot has changed since its early development. of asphalt road was getting a bit bumpy.

Asphalt pavements are composed of two Adam Hinds, vice president of operations materials: asphalt and aggregate, which is for Shell Point, contacted Lee County’s made up of loose rock. Asphalt impacts vir- Department of Transportation to request tually every person’s daily life because it is getting the road’s surface repaved.

“One of the things that makes Shell the dominant paving product used for highways, roads, streets, parking lots, driveways, Point so private and secure is that there is only one main access road,” bicycle ways, golf cart paths, playsaid Adam. “Although there is ground surfaces, tennis courts and another road that could be used more. It is used on 92 percent of in an emergency through Coastal America’s surfaced roads.

Links and Eagles Preserve, Shell Shell Point Boulevard was Point Boulevard is our main way eventually paved by Shell Point in and out of the community. It’s and then turned over to Lee critical for Shell Point and Palm County, which became responAcres residents.” sible for its maintenance. As Adam Hinds

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

When the project was approved, Lee County assigned it to OHL/Community Asphalt. OHL has an ongoing contract with the county to repave multiple roadways in Lee County including Shell Point Boulevard.

“We were concerned about how construction on this roadway would impact the flow of traffic into and out of the neighborhoods,” said Adam. “Shell Point Boulevard is obviously very important to the community and it is extremely busy during the day; however, traffic drops off dramatically in the evening,” said Adam.

To make it more convenient for the residents and staff of Shell Point, and safer for the construction workers who would be doing the work, it was decided by the county and the contractor that the work would be performed at night to repave the road.

“This was suggested by the county and the contractor,” he said. “In many cases like this, the contractor would rather work at night because there is less traffic and less risk to the workers and to the motorists.”

Construction began on the road on Tuesday, July 18. Throughout the day, very large construction vehicles were delivered to the site and parked along the side of Shell Point Boulevard. Around 6 p.m., the first workers began arriving and by sundown the process began.

The first step in the process was to remove the existing asphalt to a desired thickness and grade, which was done by a milling machine. Once the top layer of asphalt from the old road had been ground away, cleanup equipment followed the milling machine. This included broom tractors that cleaned the debris from the roadway and skid steers that were used to pick up piles and for milling around manholes and water valve risers.

The next machine was a distributor, which applied a hot tack coat. This acts like a glue to bond the existing surface to the new layer of asphalt that would be added later. After the tack coat was applied, the paving machine distributed the top layer of asphalt to the appropriate

An overnight paving crew got the job done with minimal disruption to the daily traffic on Shell Point Boulevard.

thickness and grade.

Once the asphalt was laid, it was compacted by a break-down roller. A vibratory roller was the first in a series of three rollers used in the compaction process. The greatest percentage of compaction occurs during the initial break-down pass.

A rubber tire roller then follows the break down roller, which mimics the

impact of multiple tires to help knead the asphalt together. This provides a more uniform degree of compaction than just a steel wheel and improves the seal near the surface. It also decreases the permeability of the layer and orients the aggregate particle for greatest stability. Finish rolling is done to further improve the surface before the final and last step, which is the striping of the roadway.

“It is hard to believe that all of this was done over the course of just two evenings, but by Thursday morning, the roadway was perfectly smooth and completely restriped,” said Adam. “We’re very pleased with the way this the project turned out and I think our residents were very impressed by the speed and professionalism of the workers involved.

The team from OHL did an excellent job.

We are all very grateful to Lee County and to OHL for this excellent outcome.” n

LIBRARY BOOK TALK

When Breath Becomes Air P A N E L

D I S C U S S I O N

Tuesday, November 24 • 2:15 pm • Social Center/ISL

Jon High

Dr. Gary Goforth

Carol Clark, APRN

Dr. Linda Forcey

The November book talk will be a panel discussion of When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi, a young Neurosurgeon, who was facing his own mortality.

Members of the panel will be: Dr. Gary Goforth, Carol Clark, APRN, Jonathan High, Wellness and Education Manager.

Dr. Linda Forcey of Parkwood will be the moderator. The audience will be limited to 40 people. Call the Library at (239) 454-2180 to make a reservation. Discussion will follow the presentation and refreshments will be served.

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Out & About

Resident Jo Roughen with Lola of The Island stopped by.

Paw Pop-up!

Shell Point residents stopped by with their furry four-legged friends for a quick play date!

Applesauce flavored treats were a big hit!

My name is Cooper!

Vicki Waterstrad’s dog, Trixie, showing off for a delicious treat.

This puppy is a cutie pie!

Dorothy Larsen (Junonia)

Irene and Marvin Ball (Macoma)

Volunteers Pack PPE Shell Point residents are always eager to volunteer for a good cause. Recently, Carol Sperlak, volunteer coordinator approached United Way seeking ways Shell Point volunteers can get involved with the community. It turned out that United Way had been tasked by Lee County to pack 20,000 individual PPE packets of masks and hand-sanitizer to be distributed to Lee County residents. 144 volunteers signed up for 2 hour shifts spanning over 3 days, totaling a total of 384 volunteer hours! Not only did we meet our initial commitment of 4,000 PPE kits that were done by the first day, with a second delivery of supplies our volunteers crushed it by making a total of 9,600 kits. That is almost half of all of the kits that were distributed at various locations throughout Lee County. Thank you volunteers!

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

1,500 & Still Sewing Strong!

Barbara Hilton (The Springs) was one of Shell Point’s original group of volunteer mask makers who began sewing masks back in early spring when Covid 19 was just beginning. The group sewed well over 700 masks, which were primarily distributed to Shell Point healthcare employees. Barbara enjoyed sewing the masks in her residence and continued to sew them as residents began spending more time indoors and observing social distancing.

“Sewing these masks gave me something productive to do and it kept me sane,” said Barbara with a chuckle. During the early summer, Barbara passed her own personal milestone when she sewed her 1,000th mask and recently, she passed the 1,500 mark. Barbara continues to sew her masks, which have been donated to many organizations in addition to Shell Point, including the Salvation Army and The Children’s Learning Center at Harlem Heights.

Barbara Hilton (The Springs)

Pretty Purse Pastime What perfect timing! Just weeks before the pandemic began earlier this year, Barbara Hunter (Parkwood) learned a new craft project from her sweet neighbor, Nancy Helmreich. Nancy showed Barbara how to create charming little “purses” out of craft paper to use as small gift containers.

She even gave her the craft paper to get started. Each purse that Barbara constructs is embellished with leftover bits of jewelry from old earrings that her neighbors pass along. Since Barbara got started, she has made 48 of the purses, which she plans to sell in the gift shop and donate the proceeds to the Village Church.

Barbara, who is 95 and still lives independently, was delighted to learn a new skill at her age and enjoys working on her new hobby.

Barbara Hunter (Parkwood)

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Out & About Ice Cream Truck Brings Sweet Smiles

B Y A M A N D A P E N D E R G R A S T, S P R I N G S A C T I V I T Y L E A D E R

This summer The Springs kept things cool with a motorized ice cream truck that brought frozen treats door-to-door. The ice cream truck played “Turkey in the Straw,” to announce its arrival. When residents came to their doors, their faces lit up. For many residents it brought back childhood memories of hearing the ice cream truck music and being so excited to run out of the house. Did you have a favorite ice cream novelty? Drumsticks are a big favorite at The Springs. The event was so much fun for the residents and the staff that they plan on doing it again soon!

Dolores Serra

Anne Barbazette

Activities leaders Amanda Pendergrast And Tiffany Keene plan a variety of programs at The Springs.

Barbara McClure

Fresh Hot Pizza

Resident Harry Landbo of The Island stopped by for a slice of veggie pizza.

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The Crystal has reopened for indoor dining and residents are excited to be able to order Blue Fire Oven Pizza every day during the restaurant’s regular hours.

Recently, the Crystal chefs and members of the resident programming team served up tasty slices of the homemade pizza at a Pizza Parlor Pop-up to celebrate the re-opening!

All pizzas are prepared onsite with fresh dough, homemade sauce and fresh mozzarella.

Residents Ruth and Terry Create your own combinaFurhovden of The Estuary tion of toppings or choose from such popular favorites as Cheese, Veggie, Pepperoni, Residents Dick and Mary Waters of The Woodlands Hawaiian, Philly Steak pizza, and White Pizza.

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

Fashion Show Televised To provide appropriate social distancing, the tenth annual Community Thrift Store Fashion Show, was recently videotaped (without an audience) so that residents could see the show on SPTV-Channel 12.

“The fashion show is an annual event and our volunteers look forward to it every year,” said Community Thrift Store Manager Erica May. “We didn’t want to disappoint them so we decided to do a ‘virtual’ fashion show instead.”

The theme of this year’s show was A Day in the Life at Shell Point and featured resident and staff models wearing outfits that represent some of the activities enjoyed at Shell Point throughout the year.

Erica May kicked off the show with an attractive ensemble that represents a sample outfit that can be purchased at the thrift store. In addition to Erica, models included several thrift store volunteers and Shell Point staff. This event will re-air on SPTV-Channel 12 on November 3 at 4 p.m. and on November 10 at 4 p.m.

Erica May

Jami Smith

Michelle Emmett

Don Fagnan

Laura Slack

Judy Owen and Buster

Friendship 10:

Reconnecting Neighbors

B Y J A M I S M I T H , E V E N T S C O O R D I N AT O R

With the pandemic in the background, root beer floats, fresh smoothies and coffee were the very things that brought us back together (with safe social distancing, of course). The Resident Life Programing team put together a unique experience to allow residents and staff alike the chance to reconnect with one another in a safe way. The very first Friendship 10 Pop-up event featured a delicious cup of fresh coffee and a homemade pastry. More than 60 residents popped in to say a quick hello and pick up a tasty treat. Shell Point pulled out all of the safety stops. Masks, gloves, social distancing—you name it, Shell Point did it. After the success of the first Friendship 10 Pop-up, many more followed with nostalgic root beer floats, refreshing lemonade, and delicious fruit smoothies.

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Benefits of a Body Scrub B Y R O B Y N C H U R C H , S A LO N & S PA M A N AG E R

Just like your face, your body needs exfoliation to stay soft, smooth and healthy. If your current body care is limited to a loofah and a bar of soap, it’s time to step up your game.

Body scrubs are physical exfoliants that mechanically slough away dead skin cells.

The feel of a scrub typically comes from a combination of sugar and/or salt and sugar particles. Higher quality varieties are formulated with fine, premium particles that polish skin without being abrasive.

Skin is in a state of constant turnover; dead skin rises to the surface, sheds naturally and reveals the soft skin underneath. This process slows over time, contributing to a buildup of dead cells on the surface. Add pollution and other forms of environmental stress to the mix and you have a recipe for dull, rough and itchy skin.

The goal of a body scrub is to remove

dead skin cells and encourage the healthy production of new cells. Mechanical and/ or enzyme exfoliation not only smooths and polishes the skin but also draws out impurities.

In the Spas at Shell Point we use a quality exfoliant with enzymes to release toxins and decrease oxidative stress. The sugar exfoliant particles used are fine, round and less abrasive than many scrubs available. Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid (an AHA), and breaks down layers of dead skin and smooths the skin’s surface.

Sugar scrubs are a fantastic choice for dry and dehydrated skin types. If skin is highly congested we will incorporate some salt scrub to draw out pore-clogging toxins. Great care is taken as salt is more abrasive.

A body scrub at the Spa is a very relaxing treatment. Once your skin is exfoliated,

oils such as coconut oil or lotions are massaged into your skin leaving you baby soft and smooth! Of course, home care for your body is just as important as home care for your face. Visit the Island or Seagrape Salon & Spa for recommendations. We are here to help!

How To Use A Body Scrub • Use lukewarm water in the shower and allow it to run for 5-10 minutes to soften the skin.

• Pause the running water and apply the scrub in small circular motions; start at your feet and move upwards towards your heart to enhance circulation.

• Maintain gentle pressure so that you will not irritate the skin.

• Rinse thoroughly.

• Apply your favorite body oil or lotion while you skin is still damp.

Give the Gift of Self Care Gift Card Savings!

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A Gift forYou

DINING GOLF

!

Give the gift of Salon & Spa Services and Treatments or Products this Christmas!

With every $100 gift card purchased at The Island Salon & Spa or Seagrape Salon & Spa receive a salon certificate for $10 FREE to use on services or your favorite products. Many people take this opportunity to purchase gift cards for themselves for the special savings on services they enjoy.

ACADEMY CONCERTS SALON & SPA TRIPS

Everyone needs a little pampering once in a while!

The salon staff would like to thank all of you for the wonderful conversations throughout the year and the opportunity to know you. We truly appreciate you!

We wish you a holiday season and Christmas filled with joy and laughter.

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Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

Legacy Foundation Academy Seminars Sign up at either concierge desk.

Looking Ahead to 2021 Post-Election Market Outlook

December 3 • 10 a.m.

Grand Cypress Room/WDL Presented by: Paul Weinstein and Nadine Wilkes of Weinstein Wilkes Wealth Financial Group • Key economic projections for 2021 • Market expectations moving forward • Economic policy changes and market impact • How will this affect me and my financial plan?

• How to weather well beyond 2020

End of Year Tax Planning Answering Common Tax Questions December 7 • 10 a.m.

Grand Cypress Room/WDL Presented by: Michele Hoover of Solomon and Hoover CPA’s The tax law is constantly changing but the most commonly asked questions remain the same. We will discuss these frequently asked questions.

• What is new in 2020 for Medical expenses?

• What medical deductions are you missing?

• What are the advantages of donating stock?

• What happens if you gift more than $15,000 and what counts as a gift?

• How can you decrease the tax you pay on your Required Minimum Distribution?

• Why could your social security benefits decrease?

A Pondering Heart

WOMEN’S CONNECTIONS

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19 Women’s Connections invites our Shell Point friends and neighbors to join us at The Village Church on Wednesday, December 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., as we consider all the things Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered in her heart.

Also, two Shell Point residents and a Shell Point Chaplain will share what they have been pondering in their hearts and what God has been teaching them during this pandemic. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to be encouraged as we sing Christmas carols and hear from these ladies. Mark your calendars and watch the Weekly Reminder for additional details.

Call the church office (239) 454-2147 if you have any questions.

Wednesday, December 9 • 2:00 p.m. • The Village Church Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

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Are There Blessings in Isolation?

Finding the Good in Every Season

BY RONETTE ICSO, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING

We have all heard the phrase, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”

I thought it might be a good idea to take a moment and reflect on some of the good that can come out of a situation that feels like a real lemon. It isn’t enjoyable to think about the impact of Covid in 2020 and the requirement of isolation. Regularly, we hear about the benefits of socialization and the negative impacts of isolation. If we remain teachable, we discover that there are some silver linings and helpful lessons that take place in our lives through the practice of isolation.

This year, the majority of people in the world have practiced the exercise of isolation. When looking up the meaning of the word “isolation,” we find that it is a time without relation to other people or things. It is a time when we physically separate ourselves from all others. When we practice physical isolation from others, we have extra time to reflect on our own lives. We have newfound moments that are now available to count our blessings. We also have extra time on our hands to think of ways to bless others.

In times of isolation, we can reflect on the former things in our lives or look forward to what is in store for the future. One of the blessings that comes in a time of isolation is the ability to soak in and meditate on what God is doing in your life right now.

Isolation or times of solitude offer us the quiet time to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and discover what He wants to do in our lives today.

Isolation removes distractions and allows us opportunities to journal, take pictures or look through old ones, try new things that we always wanted to explore, listen to beautiful music, take on projects we have been putting off, clean out drawers or discover treasured memories that have been hidden away in the midst of all of our “stuff.” When we are isolated, we have 42

the opportunity to call an old friend or write a letter we have been meaning to write. When distractions are removed from our lives, we discover new opportunities and ideas for the moments we are in.

While the majority of us did not plan on spending 2020 in a state of isolation, we find ourselves in this new daily pattern. The good news is that isolating actually gives us the opportunity to reflect on all that God has done in our lives. It gives us the opportunity to appreciate good memories and plan for new ones that will take place in the future.

Sometimes solitude or isolation allows us the opportunity to recharge our emotional

or spiritual lives in order to prepare for what God has in store. Times of isolation also allow us the opportunity to focus on prayer and scripture memorization. Filling our minds and hearts with scripture ensures that we are ready for whatever God has in store for us next.

The Bible tells us that Jesus withdrew at times so that he could pray and seek the will of His Father. We all need time to re-fuel and re-energize ourselves. We are all finding that we must embrace the era that we are in. I believe it is important for us to use the remainder of this year to purposefully look back on all of the good things in our lives and plan some new and different ways to bless others. Times of isolation give us opportunities to be purposeful in this area.

What I Have Learned This Year My Answers to Four Questions 1) What has been the biggest adjustment in your life in this season?

The biggest adjustment for me has been a very good one – slowing down and spending more time with my family. With fewer social obligations, I have gained the treasure of spending more time with my children.

2) What has been your favorite or most helpful self-care practice?

The most helpful self-care practice has been spending time alone in The Word each morning before starting the day — my perspective throughout the day is significantly better.

3) What do you think God has been teaching you?

God has been reminding me about His sovereignty. He will allow whatever needs to take place for people’s salvation.

Many people are turning back to Christ

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

and focusing on what is truly important during this time.

He has also reminded me that this is just a season and all seasons come to an end. In each difficult season, God can sharpen us and mold us. Just like swords are made by constant folding and intense heat under fire, each difficult season folds us making us stronger and sharper. God will use each difficult season for our good if we will seek Him during that season.

4) Has there been a Scripture verse or something inspirational that has been encouraging to you?

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

–Lamentations 3:22-24

Living With

Abandon

BY REV. ANDREW HAWKINS, PH . D. , S E N I OR PASTOR, T H E V I LLAG E CH URCH

Let’s face it – we are all kind of shell-shocked. 2020 is to blame.

(Something is always to blame!) With the pandemic, the economic impacts of the shut-downs, the political atmosphere – our heads are spinning. We’re not sure what will happen next. We hope for the best, but expect the worst.

The result is we’ve learned to live tentatively. Recommendations from the experts and from our governing authorities have continued to flow, but they seem to change every week. And when something reopens, it’s always with the caveat, “We can do this unless...” Unless the numbers get worse, unless there’s a spike in cases, unless... unless....

We long for the days when we can throw off restraint, plunge wholeheartedly into an activity that we took for granted for so long, and live life with abandon.

But the good news is that even in the midst of these uncertain times, we can live life with abandon. There are some things

that are not restrained. There are some things in which we can engage without holding back, without reservation.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–18 (ESV) — And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I’m struck by the universals in this passage: “be patient with them all...” “See that

no one repays anyone evil...” “do good ... to everyone...” “Rejoice always...” “pray without ceasing”... “give thanks in all circumstances...”

Whether people, or circumstances, or time – there is no limit to our patience, doing good, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. We can do all those things with abandon. Even in times of confusion, upheaval, and uncertainty.

We’re entering the holiday season.

Perhaps it is with some apprehension. It certainly is with us at The Village Church.

Our special holiday activities will not be the same. We plan, but what would have been Plan A is now Plan B, and we always have to have Plan C ready to go.

But however we do it, let’s enter this holiday season with abandon. With unreserved thanksgiving (in all circumstances) as the season begins. With unreserved anticipation as Advent unfolds. And with unreserved celebration as we rejoice in the incarnation, “Emmanuel,” God with us.

ALPHA 2021 January 12th – March 16th

BY KEITH HUGHES (JUNONIA)

Are “life’s big questions” on your mind since the pandemic started?

You are not alone! Join us for a time of discovery as we explore the 2021 Alpha course to seek the answers to the big questions with which we all struggle.

Fast-moving video presentations provide a natural lead-in to the small-group conversations which focus on discovery rather than dogma. You will find that there are no dumb questions!

Alpha is sponsored by The Village Church and the Academy of Lifelong

Learning. In its 18th consecutive year, Alpha presents the basics of the Christian faith and is an ideal complement to the spiritual component of LifeQuest. The course is free to participants; the cost is underwritten by The Village Church.

Whether you attend church or not, Alpha will provide refreshing insights and answers to Life’s Big Questions. Join us as we gather together for ten evenings beginning in January 2021 to share experiences and opinions, to learn from each other and to form new friendships.

Each session will begin with a complimentary dinner catered by the Palm Grill and will be followed by a video and small group discussions. Sessions start at 4:30 p.m. and end by 6:45 p.m. and will take place in The Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands.

Registration for Alpha begins on Tuesday, November 2. To sign up, call the church office at (239) 454-2147. Space is limited to 50 participants.

For additional information visit Alpha USA at: https://alphausa.org

Shell Point Life | November/December 2020

43

Natu re’s Noteb ook

BY STEVE MORTON, DIRECTOR O F L A N D S C A P E O P E R AT I O N S

Toyland The holiday meal was finished. Without speaking, the two sisters meticulously cleaned the

remaining carcass. The wishbone was skillfully extracted and dried for a later ritual. The drumsticks were placed into Tupperware along with the remaining dark meat. My grandfather began putting on his coat and Sunday fedora. Following his lead, I was dressed in a flash, my coat on, hood up, and gloves in each pocket.

There was no dawdling today, tradition required that we drive downtown.

John Bartram was a Quaker farmer in mid-18th century Pennsylvania. His love for American native plants transformed from hobby to business as he traded seeds with European botanists. Bartram’s garden on the Schuylkill River is considered the first true botanic collection in North America. As Bartram’s reputation as “The American Botanist” grew, Thomas Jefferson sent him a very special plant specimen from France.

St. Louis had decorated the mercantile district with sparkling garland and giant, silver bells. As we drove from the suburbs to the city, my mother and her younger sister began singing together along with the car radio Petula Clark’s new song.

The lights are much brighter there You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares So go downtown, things’ll be great when you’re Downtown, no finer place for sure Downtown everything’s waiting for you

emanating from above the window.

Doris Day released a new Christmas album and she was slowly singing, almost melancholy, with a warning that only adults could hear.

Toyland, toyland Little girl and boy land While you dwell within it You are ever happy there

What was waiting for me downtown was, the unveiling of Famous-Barr’s Christmas window model train display.

Stumbling out of the red Cadillac, Sleigh de Ville, o’er the curb we go, laughing all the way. Pressing my nose up against the cold glass, I stared, mouth agape in wonder.

This was a train set of dreams. There were mountains and waterfalls, tunnels and trestles, crossings and switches.

The provenance of Jefferson’s plant was somewhat convoluted, but after correspondence, it became clear that this specimen had been obtained in South Africa near the Cape by French collectors. It flowered with a petite five-petal lavender floret held erect over the pale green foliage upon a stiff stalk. Bartram had not seen anything like it before and he was nearly giddy as he tried to imagine these flowers planted in a mass bed.

At the Stix, Baer, and Fuller store there were huge red and white striped candy canes lining a gum-drop-paved-way. At path’s end was the real Santa on his throne, surrounded by a phalanx of uniformed nutcrackers. Amid the din of excitement, I gradually became aware of the music

Childhood’s joy land Mystic merry toyland Once you pass its borders You can ne’er return again

The plant that Bartram received from a future president, looks nothing like what we know today. It has been hybridized relentlessly for the past two hundred years. The flowers are now huge pompoms of color in shades not limited to just lavender. While the geranium has become the ubiquitous summer flower for most of America, in South Florida, we plant it in the fall and winter season.

Staring at the entrance to The Woodlands, I blinked in disbelief. Was I actually seeing precise rows of Nutcrackers?

It seemed as if there were a division of them in full military dress. I rubbed my eyes and looked around for “Clarence” to determine if I were trapped in some type of “It’s a Wonderful Life” loop. Casually, my mind wandered back to that perfect Thanksgiving Day in downtown St. Louis.

By simply observing the formation of geraniums in the flower bed, I was drawn into that nexus of joy. With just a little imagination during the holiday season, you too can return to Toyland.