Shell Point Life Mar-Apr 2021

ALSO INSIDE: A Turn at the Keyboard • Music Man • Medical Breakthroughs Mar/Apr 2021

Vol. 16 Issue 2

Bakeless Bake Sale Begins

The Arts are Blooming at Tribby Arts Center

Christ is Christ isRisen Risen Shell Point Celebrates Shell Point Easter Celebrates Easter

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

A Celebration of Easter

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Happy Easter! May this day bring you love, joy, peace and hope! As a ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, Shell Point’s mission is dedicated to the service of God and the care of His people. It is our desire to love and care for all who live and work at Shell Point and to share our faith with anyone who desires to learn more about the love of God through His son, Christ Jesus.

A Dream Achieved

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It’s the talk of Shell Point! The new Tribby Arts Center is open and residents are thrilled with the beautiful new amenity. Turn to page 4 to see photos from the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication.

The Auxiliary Needs Your Support

The Pavilion Auxiliary is hosting its annual fundraiser to provide the funds necessary to help serve the residents and staff of this important facility throughout the year. Learn more on page 32.

Residents Get Vaccinated

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After a year of masking, social distancing and reducing interaction with other people, Shell Point residents were delighted to receive their two doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Turn to page 34 to read more about this successful effort.

John 3:16-17

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, Maria Festa, Terrry Furhovden, Janine Hammond, Dee Horne, Amanda Spencer, Steve Morton, Andrew Hawkins, Jami Smith, Susan Uhleman, Michael Weiss, Peggy Zimmerman Shell Point Life is available online.

You can find this current issue, as well as back issues of Shell Point Life magazine, at www.shellpoint.org/shellpointlife.

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

13921 Shell Point Plaza • Fort Myers, FL 33908

ON THE COVER A beautiful Easter Lily reminds us of this meaningful time of year.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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

Let the Games Begin

MARCH 9 THROUGH MARCH 19 SEE BROCHURE FOR SCHEDULE Join your friends and neighbors in friendly competitions of shuffleboard, pickleball, tennis, mah-jongg, scrabble, bocce, basketball shots and much more. This signature biennial event is hosted by your Resident Programming department and celebrates the true spirit of Shell Point!

The Shell Point Games will celebrate twenty-five courts, seven neighborhoods, all joining in fun competition among friends living in one community. Through the entire two weeks, everyone is encouraged to participate, cheer others, and celebrate victories!

No matter if you are kayaking, playing billiards, pickle ball or participating in the spelling bee; all athletes will receive a Shell Point Games T-Shirt. Distribution of shirts will take place on Wednesday, March 3 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Island Commons for participants who signed up in February (sign-up is now closed).

The Shell Point Games is not only about the participants but those residents cheering them on to victory or personal success. Each event will have a limited number of chairs for audience participation.

Opening Ceremony – Tuesday, March 9 The event officially kicks off at the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, March 9 at 2 p.m. at Friendship Point on The Island. Each court will have representatives carry in and present their personally crafted court flag. After the presentation of flags, there will be a special, heart-pounding performance, followed by a court egg toss.

Closing Ceremony – Friday, March 19 The games will wrap up on Friday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Friendship Point. All medal recipients will be honored and everyone will view a week’s worth of pictures in a special presentation at the event to celebrate the efforts of all of our athletes.

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A Dream Achieved

Shell Point Celebrates Completion of Tribby Arts Center B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R

After two years of anticipation, Shell Point Retirement Community held a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication on February 10, 2021, to mark the completion and grand opening of Tribby Arts Center, a two-level, 44,000-square-foot performing arts center located in the Coastal Links neighborhood of the community.

To maintain social distancing, the ceremony was brief and included a small group

of Shell Point residents, Shell Point’s executive team and members of the development team including designers, engineers and contractors. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a guided tour of the new building. Additional tours were scheduled throughout the next several days to provide the opportunity for all of the donors to see the new building.

“Today marks a special day as we cel-

Residents and staff wore masks and practiced social distancing at the small-scale event.

Resident Marge Lee and President Martin Schappell

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Continued on page 6

Jason Smith, Martin Schappell, Maggie Tribby, Marge Lee, and Dawn Boren cut the ribbon.

The celebration included Shell Point residents, the Shell Point executive team and several members of the development team including designers, engineers and contractors.

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

ebrate this wonderful addition to the many amenities that we have at Shell Point,” said Martin Schappell, president. “The purpose of the new Tribby Arts Center is to nurture the creative spirit and engage the mind.

This building will become the new hub for creative, self-expression at Shell Point and will be a blessing to all of our residents for decades to come.”

Jone Schlackman sponsored the Sculpture Garden and the English Garden at the arts center. Here she poses with Jeff Cory in front of the Sculpture Garden.

Phyllis and Bart Sharp sponsored the Tribby Arts Center entrance walkway.

Tribby Arts Center donor, Frank Main, receives an orchid from Maria Festa of The Legacy Foundation.

Fine and Performing Arts Manager Michael Weiss addresses the group prior to their tour of the new building.

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A DREAM ACHIEVED Continued from page 4

According to Michael Weiss, fine and performing arts manager at Shell Point, Tribby Arts Center will offer visual and performing arts, educational programming through The Academy of Lifelong Learning at Shell Point, and will provide multiple spaces for artists to work.

The building includes a grand entrance and atrium gallery, full-time art gallery, practice rooms for musicians, dance and theater arts, numerous specialized studios for painting, pottery, quilting, textiles, stain glass and photography.

It also offers a literary lounge and arts library, plus, Connie Brown Hall, a stateof-the-art, 400-seat theater, which will feature concerts and live performances, many of which will be open to the public

once the pandemic has ended.

Additionally, the art gallery and shop will display and sell residents’ artworks and host a wide variety of exhibitions, and the Collectors’ Gallery will rotate art from residents’ own collections. Bonus features include a gift shop featuring artists’ works, the Tribby Café, and a sculpture garden that will surround the arts center offering delightful spots to relax, read, stroll, create Continued on page 9

Richard (Dick) Flinn sponsored the Information Desk at Tribby Arts Center where visitors will be able to receive information and purchase tickets to upcoming shows and performances.

The Quilting Studio was among several of the generous gifts made

by Marie Michelle McCarthy to Tribby Art Center. This studio features ample space to work on large-scale projects, two cutting tables, two quilt-size ironing boards, plus storage and individual lockers for members of the group. An entire wall has been designed to pin up quilts and pieces of fabric.

Maria Festa of The Legacy Foundation, resident Bill Doty, resident Deloris Wright, resident Linda Doty and Jeff Cory of The Legacy Foundation gather at the entrance.

Senior Pastor Andrew Hawkins and his wife, Jean, pose in front of the dedication wall, which was sponsored by The Village Church.

Director of Resident Programming Dawn Boren gives a tour of Tribby Arts Center to a group of resident donors.

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Project Manager Julie Nipper shows off some of the features of the Glass Studio, which will be shared by stain glass and fused glass artists. The studio includes storage closets, equipment such as grinders, wet saws, hand tools, kilns, and a large inventory of glass that will be available for purchase.

Technical Arts Manager Dan Philgreen enjoys the view from the lighting booth of Connie Brown Hall.

Fine and Performing Arts Manager Michael Weiss has already begun scheduling future concerts, performances and movie nights in the new facility.

The Grand Atrium at Tribby Arts Center features two kinetic sculptures called "Glassinators" by artist Andrew Carson.

Above: Ron Boud performed on the Steinway grand piano located on the stage of Connie Brown Hall during the tours of Tribby Arts Center.

Right: Dick Brown, and the Brown family, sponsored Connie Brown Hall in memory of Dick’s late wife, Connie.

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Above: “Creative Spirit,” the bronze sculpture in the sculpture garden, was donated by Mary Ann Sedlock and created by Florida artist Steven Dickey.

Below: Deloris Wright was excited to see the finished building.

Deloris was the generous sponsor of the Grand Atrium.

Betsy Conrad sponsored several areas including the Glass Studio and Serendipity gift shop.

Above: Marie Michelle McCarthy sponsored the Tribby Cafe, which will be opening March 1, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tribby Cafe will serve a variety of baked goods, hand-scooped ice cream, and assorted Starbucks coffee drinks. Outside the Tribby Cafe residents will find the “Engaged Mind” sculpture, which is a likeness of her late husband Robert McCarthy reading a book with his little dog, Chico, nearby.

Left: Deborah La Gorce takes a break from the action in the Literary Lounge and Library, which she sponsored.

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L-R: Beverly Hartig sponsored one of the individual music practice rooms. These rooms can hold one or two people and can be booked by resident members of the Musicians Guild. Any resident can join the guild. | Patricia and Michael Armstrong were enthusiastic supporters of the Performing Arts Studio, which will be used for dance classes, as well as other types of performing arts classes, meetings and rehearsals. The couple also named the video wall in the art gallery. | Carol and Bobby Mann sponsored the Overlook Gallery at Tribby Arts Center. Overlook Gallery is one of three galleries in the arts center and is located on the second floor overlooking the atrium below.

A DREAM ACHIEVED Continued from page 6

and enjoy art and music.

Tribby Arts Center is named in honor of Shell Point resident Maggie Tribby whose generous contribution helped launch the resident fundraising campaign for the fine and performing arts facility.

The Tribby Arts Center will join the long list of lifestyle amenities here at

Shell Point, which includes a championship 18-hole golf course with an elegantly appointed clubhouse, free boat docks with deep-water access to the Gulf of Mexico, coastal-inspired restaurants, charming outdoor cafes, luxurious salons and spas, fitness centers, tennis and pickleball, and miles of scenic walking and bike trails.

“We are excited about the addition of Tribby Arts Center,” said Dawn Boren, director of resident programming, at the

event. “Michael Weiss, our Fine and Performing Arts Manager here at Shell Point, is already planning ways to utilize this new facility that will benefit and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents and will provide significant support to our LifeQuest programming.” n The bronze sculpture of Shell Point resident Maggie Tribby and her dog, Gracie, greets visitors to the arts center.

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MEET D O C TO R SMITH

The

Man

and His

Music

BY BARBARA HILL FREEMAN

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

Elwood Smith (Nautilus) lives and breathes music.

He studied, taught, and performed music. He directed other performers. And when he wasn’t doing any of that, he was an enthusiastic audience member. One great thing about Elwood is that, in one way or another, he still does all those things.

A

wonderful attribute of Elwood Smith is that he’s a walking, talking music encyclopedia.

During conversations, it soon becomes clear that he has a vast knowledge of the music world and the players and singers who inhabit it. He has also known and worked with a great many of them personally.

The story of Elwood’s music education is impressive, to say the very least, both in its quality and its range. “I was lucky enough to grow up where there was a great school system – Shaker Heights, Ohio, on the poorer side of a ritzy suburb of Cleveland,” he explains. His mother, Virginia (whose maiden name was also Smith), was a piano teacher and started giving Elwood lessons when he was only four years old. During his grade school and junior high years, she also taught him violin. In high school, he took up both the bassoon, which he continued to play into adulthood, and the French horn, which he played in a com-

munity-wide orchestra for high school students from Greater Cleveland.

Virginia exposed young Elwood to exceptional musical performances too.

Beginning when he was in grade school, she took him to see operas in Cleveland.

On Saturdays, he’d listen to matinee broadcasts of New York Metropolitan Opera productions.

“I still listen to them,” he says. What are his favorite operas? “Anything by Mozart. It was the major Mozart operas that I saw first.”

In 1956, Elwood earned a bachelor of music degree in music theory from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Although he wanted to specialize in conducting, the school didn’t offer it as a major. As he recalls, “They told me to major in theory and take as many conducting courses as I could, so that’s what I did.”

He stayed on at Eastman and in 1957, after just a year plus a summer, he received

a master of music degree. His focus was again on theory but, again, included as much conducting study as possible.

Prophetically, one of his professors told him, “If you want to learn how to conduct really well, conduct opera.”

It was quite a year! “It usually takes longer than that to get a masters,” he says; “and at the same time I was also directing a church choir, had a graduate assistantship as an opera coach, and taught piano lessons one morning a week at a settlement school.”

That wasn’t all. “I turned in the first draft of my thesis to my advisor on a Thursday morning and turned in the final copy the following Monday afternoon, and that evening I was the accompanist for a recital. That’s what that year was like.”

Elwood didn’t rest on his laurels. After earning his masters, he spent a summer studying choral conducting at Tanglewood, the famed music venue in western Massachusetts.

Continued on next page

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The Man and His Music Continued from page 11

Two years later, after leaving his first teaching job, he enrolled in the doctoral program at the School of Music at Indiana University. He received his doctorate in opera conducting in 1963. “I have reason to believe that I was the first person in this country to get that degree,” he says.

He was in the right place to specialize in opera. As he points out, Indiana University’s School of Music produces more operas than any other school in the country.

“In my three years there, I got to watch or take part in the production of 18 operas,” he says. “I played the bassoon for one and the celeste for another. I was the backstage conductor for five or so operas.

“Before television, the way you were a backstage conductor was you’d climb a ladder, poke a hole in the scenery at an angle so you could look down and see the conductor, and wave your free arm, relaying the beat to the people singing or playing offstage. I didn’t particularly like doing it, but it had to be done.”

A Regular at Checkpoint Charlie From 1963 to ’64, the newly minted Dr. Elwood Smith spent a year studying at the Academy of Music in Berlin, Germany, on a Fulbright Scholarship. “It was an interesting experience being in West Berlin with The Wall there. East Germany was all around us,” he explains. “I thought it was important to my education to see as many opera performances as possible. I went to one opera house in West Germany and two others in the East. Four or five times a week, I would go through Checkpoint Charlie – the most famous of the guarded areas in the Berlin Wall. The year I was in Berlin, I attended about 201 performances, including some repeats.

“Each trip to the opera, whether in the East or West, cost me four marks, which amounted to about a dollar. In East Berlin, those four marks included the rail fare to get there. The opera cost one mark, the equivalent of twenty-five cents. I’d have to change 12

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Upon retiring from Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, Dr. Smith’s friends presented him with this caricature of him conducting twenty of his favorite operas. my money going through Checkpoint Charlie because there were East German marks and West German marks.”

Contrasting the halves of the divided city, he says, “Two things I noticed were that in East Berlin the lights were always dimmer and there was a strong smell of car exhaust as soon as you’d cross over from the West because they used a lower grade of gasoline.”

On one of his trips from the West to the East, Elwood was the only civilian around.

As he got to the East side, he witnessed the East German soldiers enjoying a fast-and-furious snowball fight. “It was a quiet day at Checkpoint Charlie,” he says.

It’s evident that Elwood relishes the experiences he had in Germany. For example, he explains, “The Komische Oper, one of the opera houses in East Berlin, was run by this amazing director, Walter Felsenstein, who lived in West Berlin and commuted to his job in the East. He did something that could only have been done behind the Iron Curtain. He would rehearse a production for two or three months, and they would never change the cast. No substitutions were ever permitted. If someone got sick, they would

put on another opera.

“One of the productions I attended was an operetta about Bluebeard. In 1973, I went back to Germany during a sabbatical and saw the same operetta; and in that ten years, the cast hadn’t changed at all.”

Elwood has been back in recent years and says, “Both of those East German opera houses are still functioning, and they’re both very nice.”

Teaching Music… and Then Some Soon after earning his masters, Elwood learned that a position had unexpectedly opened at a college in Pikeville, in the eastern hills of Kentucky. He hurriedly applied, was hired, and moved to the Bluegrass State.

During two years as one of four professors on the music faculty, at one time or another he taught every music course the college offered, including choir, band, theory, counterpoint, and music appreciation.

He even taught general arts appreciation, including visual arts and literature.

He left Pikeville when it was time to begin his doctoral studies in Indiana. His next position was at Northern Illinois

University at DeKalb, where he remained until he retired, 30 years later.

Musicals by the Score Elwood had long had an interest in Broadway musicals and tells how the first show he ever saw, in Cleveland, was with the touring company of the original production of Oklahoma! He honed that interest while in Indiana, working as a musical director for summer-stock theater.

“Because I had this experience,” he explains, “one of the things I was hired for

by NIU was to be the musical director for their theater department’s productions of musicals. I was also hired to be the opera director.”

He recently did the math and found that over the course of his 35-year career, between professional summer stock and university theater, he was the musical director for more than 90 musicals. “I did Oklahoma! three times,” he says and is hardly exaggerating when he adds with a chuckle, “I know every conceivable fact about Rodgers and Hammerstein.”

When NIU’s choral conductor had to give up his position, Elwood was asked to take his place. “So, from being the musical theater and opera conductor, I was now the choral person, too,” he says. “During my 30 years at NIU, I conducted the concert choir, the madrigal singers, and the university chorus, as well as the community chorus they sponsored. I also taught conducting and a course in opera history. For about ten years, I commuted to the Chicago suburbs to direct two chamber choirs – for five years each.”

Elwood was far from idle when NIU wasn’t in session. One summer in the late 1960s, he took courses with the opera company in Minneapolis, which had developed an entirely new way to present opera to audiences. Accompanied only by piano and percussion, professional singers would create operas on the spot. At the beginning of each improvised scene, he says, “A roll of the dice would decide the theme, acting style, musical style, and who would be the

first person on stage.” It was quite a novel experience for him.

Among his favorite times was a summer tour of three different theaters with Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. “It was a lot of fun,” he says. Famed song-and-dance man Eddie Bracken played the lead in the first production. Another standout was George M! with longtime soap opera star Bill Hayes in the title role.

Elwood had an unusual realization when he directed a production of The Sound of Music at a dinner theater in Joliet, Illinois. It was the “easiest ever” for a musical director because everyone

Shining Stars The summer stock theater would normally bring a celebrity on board for each show. Hollywood luminaries Virginia Mayo and Janice Paige did star turns in productions of Hello, Dolly! and Company, respectively. One summer, Tom Poston, known for his roles as a sidekick in romantic comedy movies, starred in the theater’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, impressing Elwood with his performance after only a couple of days of rehearsal. The next year, caustic stand-up comedian Shelly Berman played the same role. “He was the only performer I ever worked with who was at all difficult,” says Elwood, who’s a fount of stories for anyone interested in musical theater.

For example, during Elwood’s first summer at the summer stock theater, a virtually unknown actor, the son of a popular stage personality, came to town to play the title role in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner. The young actor’s name was Alan Alda. His father was the multi-talented actor, singer, dancer Robert Alda, who originated the Sky Masterson role in the Broadway production of Guys and Dolls.

And that brings to mind Vivian Blaine, who owned the role of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls on both stage and screen and later performed it in a dinner theater presentation Elwood directed in Chicago.

Only twice did I just tour the opera house; in all the others, I attended 201 performances.” involved, even the children in the cast, had been in productions of the show before and didn’t have to be taught any of the music. The “orchestra” consisted of Elwood on the piano and a harpist, who was also experienced with that musical.

“I just took a red pen and circled all the parts in the piano vocal score I wanted her to play,” he says.

He also spent three summers as the opera coach on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. “It’s like a Southern Tanglewood,” he explains. “We did the impossible job of presenting six operas in six weeks.”

There’s a pattern here: When working at a summer stock theater, he says, “We did seven shows in seven weeks. We’d do eight performances a week, preparing for one show while performing another.”

Patricia Smith – a Woman of Many Talents Elwood and Patricia Smith were married in 1978 in Illinois, during a late-December blizzard. Patricia, who passed away in 2011, made her mark across two careers, alternating between the theater and travel.

In addition to working as a costume designer and the resident costumer at NIU and Northwestern University, she had her own costume rental business. She was a member of the Costumers’ Union, which Continued on next page Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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The Man and His Music Continued from page 13

had stringent entry requirements including difficult exams. She also taught theater classes, directed performances, and oversaw technical elements of productions at a community college in Illinois. Elwood and Patricia collaborated on NIU’s annual madrigal dinners.

The other side of Patricia’s working life was as a travel agent and a longtime employee of Delta Airlines.

After leaving Delta, she taught courses in travel and tourism at community colleges.

“When we got married,” says Elwood, “she was still working at Delta. We were going to take our honeymoon in Paris. We were going to fly ‘space available,’ but at the last minute it turned out that we could fly to Paris but would have less than one day there before we had to fly back, so we went to Montreal instead. Later that year, we made up for it by taking back-to-back trips to Mexico and then Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.”

What Retirement?

Elwood retired from NIU in 1996. Soon after he and Patricia moved to Fort Myers, he began an 11-year gig, commuting from Ft. Myers to Sarasota to conduct a professional chamber choir. During his tenure, he arranged for the group to take a musical tour of Italy, during which they sang for a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

He also worked for the Southwest Florida Symphony for a number of years in different capacities – as a choral director, writing program notes, and giving pre-concert lectures. It was after one of those lectures, that Shell Point resident Glenna Irwin approached him about becoming the music director at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ. He was hired to join another Shell Point resident, organist Billie Kellogg. He’s been at SCUCC for 20 years.

Elwood on the Road When asked about his travel experiences, Elwood replies, “I’ve visited 32 countries on 4 continents. In Europe, I’ve been to 21 countries and about 50 opera houses. Only twice did I just tour the opera house; in all the others, I attended performances.”

He once went on a Mediterranean cruise when the entire Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was on board.

Among other standouts were a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest and tours specifically geared to fans of opera, including trips to Eastern European countries.

“It was fascinating,” he says.

Although he usually made his transatlantic journeys via airplane, on occasion he’d arrange to sail to Europe

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on a “repositioning cruise.” That’s when ocean liners travel to a new seasonal home port and take passengers along for the ride.

Not only has Elwood planned his foreign trips around the availability of musical performances; but he also travels throughout South Florida to hear performers he admires and performances he considers worthwhile.

He’s looking forward to future visits to concert halls and opera houses in Sarasota, Naples, Miami, and Fort Myers.

Stepping Stones to Shell Point

direct view of the lagoon, he has a front-row seat to watch visiting manatees – a treat he didn’t anticipate.

While he’s had much grander grand pianos, he’s happy to now have a high-quality electric spinet that fits very well into his apartment and his life. He plays for his own enjoyment and when preparing to perform the preludes for SCUCC’s 7:45 a.m. services or accompany soloists.

books of the places he visited.

His bookshelves also contain mysteries and volumes about architecture. “If I hadn’t been a musician, I’d have been an architect,” he says. In his “spare time,” he enjoys a good crossword puzzle.

Elwood finds a lot to like about living at Shell Point. He appreciates the sense of security it provides, “If something goes wrong, you can push a button and someone will come and help you,” he said. He frequents the library on The Island and gives high marks to Shell Point’s continuing-education courses, particularly those on world history, Shakespeare, and political topics such as the history of the constitution.

Even before he moved to Shell Point, Elwood knew quite a few residents. In fact, two of Elwood and Patricia’s best friends from Illinois, Curt and Carol Johnson, moved in shortly before he did. Carol was matron of honor at the Smiths’ snowy wedding in Illinois.

Elwood has attended many concerts at Shell Point, and he’s looking forward to spending time in the new Tribby Arts Center. After all, for a man so steeped in music, the idea of having performances within a stone’s throw of home is just what this doctor ordered. n

“If I hadn’t been a musician, I’d have been an architect.”

It’s something of a rule that when people vacation in Florida, they move to The Sunshine State… eventually. That was the case for Elwood and Patricia. They started their Florida adventures with wintertime trips to escape the cold and visit friends in Fort Myers. They soon bought a condo and, upon retirement, traded up to a home in Fort Myers and became year-round Floridians. And “traded” is the operative word. “It was strange; we sold the condo to the people who sold us our home,” says Elwood.

In the fall of 2017, when he explored the idea of moving to Shell Point, Elwood learned that a unit was available immediately. The one-bedroom, first-floor unit in Nautilus on The Island was in move-in condition, and so he moved in.

Play On! Elwood’s lanai faces north, which is perfect for him since he relishes the shade and the cooler temps it provides. “My favorite sun protection is a roof,” he says. With his

Even after some downsizing before moving in, Elwood has an impressive collection of sheet music, CDs, DVDs, and LPs. He loves symphonic music, as well as opera.

In light of those preferences, it’s a surprise when he adds that he really enjoys listening to piano jazz – “not other jazz so much, just piano jazz.”

He has found great ways to remember his travel adventures. “My apartment is full of things I brought back from trips,” he says.

On his walls are framed posters and other artwork from favorite destinations. Instead of taking photos, he brought home picture

Elwood has worked with many choirs and traveled domestically and internationally with them. He is currently the music director at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ.

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Keyboard

Awaiting Her Turn

at the

BY BARBARA HILL FREEMAN

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

Music appreciation

is more than an abstract notion to Linda Huffington; it’s a keystone supporting everything else in her life.

She attends concerts whenever possible, and church music enhances her faith. Thoughts of playing and singing in ensembles, and the friendships she gained along the way elicit treasured memories.

Of the several instruments Linda Huffington (Parkwood) learned to play, the piano was a particular favorite.

Through years of lessons, she developed her innate talent and discovered a sense of joy and accomplishment. She loved performing, and she even loved practicing.

Regrettably, when life got busier and much more complicated, she stowed her music books in the piano bench and shut the cover on the keyboard. She really didn’t have a choice.

Now, the new Tribby Arts Center promises to reunite Linda with the instrument that still holds the greatest allure, even after a long absence. She’s ready and waiting for the day when the practice rooms will be open and she can prop a beloved piece on a piano’s music stand, position her fingers just so on the keys, and start to play!

Home in Pleasant Hills

“My life has been so convoluted,” Linda warns as she begins her description of people and events that shaped who she would become. Her story begins in 1939 in Gary, Indiana. Before long, though, her father took a job with U.S. Steel and she and her

parents and sister Do, four years her senior, moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They soon moved from their first house in the city to “a lovely brick home” in a relatively new suburb aptly named Pleasant Hills. It was indeed a pleasant place to grow up, with good schools and a new Presbyterian church very near home.

The church served as the center of community life and, says Linda, “It grew and grew and grew.” She sang in the youth choir and then the adult choir and participated in the church’s numerous activities. She was the first woman ever to serve as Clerk of Session.

For many years, she helped organize an annual Christmas event that provided the church with essential funds for various mission organizations.

She remained in her home until 2008, when health issues necessitated moving to a one-story house. It was nearby, she says, “out in the woods about five miles from my lifetime home. I had a beautiful garden.” She lived there until January of 2020, when she happily became a Shell Point resident.

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AWAITING HER TURN AT THE KEYBOARD Continued page 17

A Musician in the Making

organ, but I’ve never been trained. I can’t play a big fancy church organ.” As she recalls, it worked out just fine.

The piano wasn’t Linda’s only instrument, though. At Clairton High School, she played clarinet and saxophone in the band. “We were a good marching band,” she says. “We performed for all of the football games and won lots of trophies.” She also sang in the high school chorus and sometimes accompanied the singers on piano.

Linda has always made time to attend musical performances, in both Florida and Pittsburgh. “I love opera and had season tickets every year in Pittsburgh,” she says.

“I’ve watched quite a few of the musical programs on Shell Point TV and really enjoy them. I also love choral music. I’ve been to a lot of BIG ARTS concerts on Sanibel. I just like good music. Period.”

In her early years, Linda took advantage of every opportunity to make music.

At age eight, she began taking what would be ten years of weekly piano lessons from Fritz Morgan, an older gentleman who had moved to the U.S. from Germany. He would come to the family home every Saturday to teach both Linda and Do. “He was a good teacher in the Classical style; there was never any popular music,” Linda explains.

“We would have to practice, practice, pracgood company. One perk of being an essentice during the week because he would be tial member of the staff was the opportunity back the next Saturday.” She enjoyed her to travel to the company’s annual meetings daily practice sessions, as well as playing at first-class resorts all over the country. what she learned. Her favorite composers Before starting college, Linda thought were, and still are, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and Mozart.

Once she entered Allegheny College, she might transfer to the University of A highlight of every year was the recital where she earned a bachelor of arts degree, Pittsburgh after two years to study nursing, Mr. Morgan’s many students presented at Linda’s busy schedule didn’t allow time for but she decided to stay on at Allegheny. She the local elementary school. Mr. Morgan her to play the piano. She did, however, sing had never wanted to be a teacher, and never rented two grand pianos for the Huffington in the college chorus each year. “The peo- worked as one; but for seven years during the girls to play their duets. ple in the chorus became lifelong friends,” early part of her career she attended night Growing up, Linda enjoyed summers she says. “At our reunions, we always remi- school at the University of Pittsburgh, earning at her grandparents’ farm. While there, she nisce about the many fun times we shared.” a master’s degree in education.

“After that first job, I thought, I’m not spent a lot of her time at the upright piano, After graduating, she worked for eight which she remembers had a rotating stool. years for the Allegheny Ludlum Steel sure I want to do this the rest of my life. But “Grandad just loved to hear me play Corporation in Pittsburgh, putting her col- once I got the new job at Rockwell with a his favorite hymns,” she recalls. “He asked lege minor in secretarial science to good much better salary and other advantages, I me over and over to play What a Friend We use. She later became executive assistant decided to stay there. I never used the eduHave in Jesus.” to the General Counsel for the Rockwell cation degree.”

In spite of her academic success and At the age of 10, Linda and Do, then International Corporation, where she would 14, played a duet on the Wilkins Amateur remain for 38 years. It was a good job at a employers who appreciated and rewarded her, Linda faced ever-increasHour, a popular Pittsburgh ing personal challenges. Soon TV show. They performed after she graduated from cola two-piano arrangement of lege, her father died at the age The William Tell Overture. The of 61. In the years that folsisters also played duets at lowed, Linda’s mother, Gladys, home on the family’s Baldwin kept busy. She was a substitute Acrosonic, an instrument teacher; and she and Linda Linda had until she moved traveled throughout Europe to Florida. Since then, she’s and the U.S. been piano deprived.

When Gladys was in her Linda was often asked late 70s, she had the first to play the piano at parties, of what was to be a series and in the mid-1960s a colof strokes and mini strokes lege friend coerced her into over the course of a few providing the organ music years. Linda willingly took for her daughter’s wedding on the difficult responsibilat a church in Alexandria, ity of caring for her. “My life Virginia – even though she Linda spent her formative years playing in her school band. changed,” she says. told her friend, “I played the Linda is standing third from right, on the third row back.

No Time to Play

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

While serving as caretaker for her mother, with only some help during the day, Linda commuted into downtown Pittsburgh for her job at Rockwell International.

The hours were long, and the work was demanding, but Linda managed. Gladys made it through that period. “Those were difficult times,” says Linda. “Each stroke took its toll, but through God’s grace and love, we both survived.”

During those years, there was never any time to practice the piano.

Later, after Gladys died, Linda might have been able to eke out some time to play, but that wasn’t to be. She says, “The day we buried Mom, my sister’s kids went out and bought me a kitten.

The kitten hated the piano, so I still couldn’t play. The cat lived 13 years!”

When Rockwell decided to move its headquarters to California, the company made Linda a generous offer: She would take a job on the West Coast and receive relocation expenses, both to get there and to return to Pittsburgh whenever she decided to leave the company. Instead, in 1998, after 38 years with Rockwell, she decided it was time to retire.

Soon after she retired, Linda accepted a paid position as recording secretary for the Pleasant Hills Borough Council. It was a way to serve her hometown, and she enjoyed the work. She continued in that position until she decided to become a yearround Shell Point resident.

Keeping Fit, Getting Well

From the time she first started work in Pittsburgh, Linda made it a point to exercise five days a week – a healthy habit she continues to this day. The only long-term interruption to her fitness regime came in 2011, when she underwent open-heart surgery at Allegheny General Hospital to repair two heart valves – a result of a childhood bout of rheumatic fever. Both she and her doctor attribute her ability to recover well and in good time to those years of steady exercise.

She was so grateful for, and impressed by, the medical care she received that she started an endowment for cardiac research at the hospital.

“I’ve always been interested in medicine and, in fact, wish I’d become a doctor,”

she says, adding, “Because my mother was sick for such a long time, I have an affinity for helping older people.”

She felt privileged when her interest in medicine, heightened by her own experiences, led to invitations to observe openheart surgery in the hospital. “I got to do that a couple of times. It was fascinating,” she recalls.

She put her interest to work by volunteering at a hospital in Pittsburgh. During the winters in Fort Myers, she volunteered in the same-day surgery department at Health Park Medical Center.

From Snowbird to Shell Point

About 15 years ago, Linda purchased a home in the Siesta Bay community on Summerlin Road, where her sister Do and her husband, Bob Kaiser, have long had a winter residence. Linda always looked forward to her wintertime sojourns as a snowbird; but beginning in January 2020, she happily took up year-round residence at Shell Point.

After some time on the waiting list, Linda received word that a fourth-floor apartment in Parkwood was available. She accepted it sight unseen and is delighted with her new home in The Woodlands.

“I have a gorgeous view of the river and of a fresh-water pond where roseate spoon-

bills and stilts wade; it’s beautiful,” she says. “I love where I am.”

She appreciates Shell Point’s thoughtful gestures, such as giving everyone packets of colorful notecards to enable them to stay in touch with friends. When the community scheduled a TV movie for residents, everyone found a little bucket containing popcorn and other treats on their doorknob.

Linda finds it easy to continue her fitness routine at Shell Point.

She takes two-mile walks, which she plans carefully to avoid rain during the summer months. She also uses the elliptical machines and stationary bikes in the fitness center.

Thanks to her warm and engaging personality, Linda made many friends during her winters at Siesta Bay and as a seasonal member of Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, where she participates in a number of activities.

She’s already made new friends since moving to Shell Point and says she’s delighted to find “so many nice people here from so many backgrounds.”

The last time Linda played the piano was while alone for a few moments in the community center at Siesta Bay. “I got there early to play bridge and was drawn to the piano,” she recalls. “Anytime I see a piano, I just want to sit down and play.”

When preparing to move to Shell Point from Pittsburgh, Linda anticipated a time when she might have both the time to play and access to a piano. “I had to sort through stacks of music, both books and sheet music, a lot of old-time stuff,” she says. Ultimately, she packed up and brought what was in her piano bench, “some sacred music, some classical, some show tunes, some popular. I thought maybe I could learn more of the popular music.”

Now, it appears the Arts Center truly will have a piano available for her use.

“Although I’m out of practice, I know there are still some things I can play,” she says.

She’s already planning what her first piece will be: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s You’ll Never Walk Alone, from the Broadway musical Carousel. It has great meaning for Linda, who says, “My faith has helped me through it all.” n Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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MASSAGE THERAPY: Get in Touch

with its Many Benefits

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

M

ost people are dealing with more stress in their lives over the past year than they would like. Stress is not good for our bodies, our minds and overall wellness.

Massage is generally considered part of integrative medicine, according to Mayo Clinic. It’s increasingly being offered alongside standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Beyond the benefits of specific conditions or diseases, people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection.

Some people assume that getting older means having to live with pain and discomfort. Massage therapy can help ease pain by reducing inflammation and muscle soreness to help people stay more active.

MASSAGE BENEFITS INCLUDE: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Reducing stress and increasing relaxation Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension Improving circulation, energy and alertness Lowering heart rate and blood pressure Improving immune function Speeding recovery from injury or surgery

RESEARCH STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT MASSAGE IS ALSO HELPFUL FOR TREATING: 3 Anxiety 3 Fibromyalgia 3 Headaches 3 Insomnia-related stress 3 Low back pain

3 Upper back and neck pain 3 Myofascial pain syndrome 3 Nerve pain 3 Soft tissue strains or injuries

At the Island and Seagrape Salons, our therapists take great precautions to keep you safe by thoroughly sanitizing all touch areas between each guest. We would love to help you destress or improve your golf swing. Put a little bounce in your step this Spring! Massage is available 5 days a week at one of our great locations.

Customer Appreciation!

When you have had 6 massages (within a 12 month period) your 7th massage is FREE! Call (239) 484-8400 to schedule an appointment.

Stimulating the Lymphatic System

Express Yourself! Your Hair is a Creative Expression of YOU We express a lot about ourselves through our outward appearances.

Hair cut, color, texture and style are a big part of our outward appearance. The choices we make about our hair can even give a clue to our personalities.

Whether you think you are a creative person or not, you still express something about yourself in how you wear your hair.

The right hair style for you is one that is both comfortable and compatible with your lifestyle. For example one person may prefer a conservative, balanced style, while another will choose a carefree style. A person who is very disciplined, punctual and well organized will probably choose the conservative 20

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

style, neat and symmetrical in appearance with very little drastic changes made over time. A person who is more of a free spirit or always on the run will probably choose a style that is “wash and go” or more free flowing. They may also be more willing to make periodic changes to their style.

Looking Your Best Our hair is not only an expression of our personality it impacts how we feel.

Looking good and feeling good go hand-inhand. Have you ever noticed how good you feel after a hair cut or style? Looking

our best increases our confidence and emotional outlook for the day improving our interactions with others around us because we feel our best. While a great style won’t cure arthritis, it may give us just a little more bounce in our step with an attitude ready to seize the day.

If you are considering a change or looking for a comfortable hair style compatible with your lifestyle, schedule a complimentary consultation at The Salon or consult your stylist during your next appointment. We are here to help and can answer any questions you may have.

Music

on

Mondays on

Music on Mondays airs on Shell Point TV’s Channel 12. This series presents performances by artists in classical music, jazz, opera and ballet. Tune in every other Monday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and enjoy superb performances from the best seats in the house. For a complete listing, go to the Events listing on www.shellpoint.net.

Monday, March 1

Concertos

Vivaldi, Mozart, and Beethoven

Zubin Mehta conducts the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in a program of three 18th-century concertos, featuring trumpeters Ram Oren and Yigal Meltzer, clarinetist Ron Selka, and pianist Khatia Buniatishvili. (2015)

Monday, March 1

Monday, March 15

Exhibition Ma mère l ’Oye and Presented by Royal Ballet of Flanders

Exhibition, choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoul, set to Ravel’s orchestration of Mussogsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Ma mère l’Oye, choreographed by Jeroen Verbruggen, set to Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye. (2016) Monday, March 15

Monday, March 29

Monday, March 29

Verbier Festival

Celebrates Chamber Music

An outstanding lineup of top-tier musicians including Yuja Wang, piano, Leonidas Kavakos, violin, and Gautier Capuçon, cellist, performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2; violinists Leonidas Kavakos and Joshua Bell performing a Ysaÿe Duo Sonata; Denis Matsuev, Julian Rachlin, and Roby Lakatos performing Vittorio Monti’s Csardas, transcribed for two violins and piano; Brahms’ Piano Quartet featuring Evengy Kissin, piano, Vadim Repin, violin, Yuri Bashmet, viola, and Ivan Maïsky, cello; and pianists Martha Argerich and Evgeny Kissin perform Lutoslawski’s Variations sur un thème de Paganini. (2011)

Monday, April 12

Bach’s Monday, April 12

Mass in B Minor at Notre-Dame Cathedral

John Nelson conducts the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris in this performance, featuring vocalists Ruth Ziesak, Joyce DiDonato, Paul Agnew and Dietrich Henschel. (2006)

Monday, April 26

Ennio Morricone Tribute by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra Monday, April 26

Sarah Hicks conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra in a spectacular evening of music from the movies, featuring Morricone’s work from A Fistful of Dollars, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Untouchables, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. (2018) Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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Newly Formed Crafters Guild to Call Tribby Arts Center Home B Y PAT B U B B ( PA R K W O O D ) , C R A F T E R S G U I L D L E A D E R

In medieval times the word “guild” referred to an association of craftsmen formed for their mutual aid and furtherance of their interests. The new craft studio at the Tribby will allow us to do just that for the various groups and individuals who have been crafting on their own at Shell Point. The new Crafters Guild will provide a friendly and creative space for crafters of all levels to build their skills, share expertise and make connections with others who share their interests. The Guild plans to offer small-group classes as well as plenty of time for the individual crafting pursuits of our members. All who are interested in crafting are invited to join.

Please contact Jeanne Carguilo at (202) 262-5495 or jcarguilo@hotmail.com.

The Connection Between Weight Bearing Exercise and Bone Health B Y A M A N D A S P E N C E R , F I T N E S S C O O R D I N AT O R

Bone and muscle loss occurs n a t urally over the life span, but regular physical activity can help strengthen your muscles and bones at the same time. Many older Americans have been or will be diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition in which there is a loss of calcium in the bones, making the bones more susceptible to breaking.

Regular moderate exercises such as walking and low impact aerobic exercise can help reduce the rate of bone loss and also help to preserve the current bone tissues, reducing fracture risk, if you should sustain a fall. An increase in bone mineral density can be achieved by engaging in weight-bearing activities such as weight training, dancing, using resistance machine or tubing, and tennis or other racquet sports for 30 minutes or more at least four times per week.

Non-impact workouts such as swimming are not as effective in bone strength-

An increase in bone mineral density can be achieved by engaging in weight-bearing activities such as weight training, dancing, using resistance machine or tubing, and tennis or other racquet sports for 30 minutes or more at least four times per week.

ening, but do provide cardiovascular and strength benefit. Building up bone mass from exercise is “site specific” meaning that bicep exercises will strengthen the arm bones, but not those in the leg.

Nutrition and hydration are also

important components of bone health; it is essential to get enough water, calcium, and vitamin D to support bone maintenance and growth.

All Shell Point fitness coordinators are certified personal trainers and are here to create exercise programs and classes that are safe, enjoyable, and may help increase bone mineral density while increasing muscular strength, flexibility, and balance.

Please note that individuals who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis should consult a physician before starting an exercise plan, as some exercises should be contraindicated.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

SHELL POINT IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SIXTH ANNUAL

2021 HEALTHCARE SPEAKER SERIES HIGHLIGHTS LEADING-EDGE MEDICINE

SIGN-UP REQUIRED

BOLD 24PT KERNING KERNING

The Legacy Foundation is pleased to present the 2021 Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries Series, an annual healthcare speaker series designed to share updates on the latest advances in medical research and healthcare practice.

The presentations are free, but sign-up is required by contacting the Legacy Foundation at (239) 466-8484 to register. Seating is limited; masks are required.

CLINICAL TRIAL RESEARCH AT SHELL POINT Friday, March 5 at 2 p.m. • Church Auditorium

Andrew J. Cutler, MD Chief Medical Officer at Neuroscience Education Institute

Melissa Schaerf, M.S.N., A.P.R.N. Senior Clinical Liaison at Evolution Research Group

Shell Point, in collaboration with Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, is excited to have established a clinical trial research unit on our campus. This program is for both inpatient and outpatient clinical research trials for Shell Point residents. Clinical trials are how new medications are tested, developed, and approved for general use by the FDA. Andrew Cutler, M.D., and Melissa Schaerf, APRN, have over 50 years of combined research experience and will be presenting the concepts of clinical research

trials for various medical and neurologic conditions. They will introduce the clinical research team and your role as a potential volunteer participant.

Meet the Presenters Andrew J. Cutler, MD is the Chief Medical Officer at Neuroscience Education Institute in Carlsbad, CA and a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Melissa Schaerf, serves as Senior Clinical Liaison at Evolution Research Group.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR COMMON DISEASES IN SENIORS Wednesday, April 14 at 2 p.m. • Church Auditorium

DR. JOHN G. GUMS Pharm. D., FCCP Associate Dean for Clinical and Administrative Affairs University of Florida

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 23.1% of all adults over the age of 65 years in the United States have 3 or more chronic health conditions, with the percentage slightly higher in females than males. Common chronic health conditions include diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, specifically high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. This presentation will discuss some of the most recent or commonly used treatment options for many of the most common chronic health conditions. The attendee should leave the presenta-

tion with a better understanding and appreciation of the treatment options for many of the most common chronic conditions seen in seniors.

Meet the Presenter Dr. John G. Gums is a Professor of Pharmacy and Medicine in the Departments of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research and Community Health and Family Medicine at the University of Florida.

Additionally, he holds the title of Associate Dean for Clinical and Administrative Affairs in the College of Pharmacy.

The Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries Series is sponsored by:

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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MARCH/ APRIL 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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GUIDED KAYAK TOUR ON ESTERO RIVER & LUNCH AT BAHAMA BREEZE THURSDAY, MARCH 4 8:45 / 8:55 / 9:05 / 9:15 / 9:25 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:30 P.M. COST: $50 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) The first stop will be to Estero River Outfitters, a family- owned business, to venture down the beautiful Estero River on a guided kayaking tour. As we roam down the river, you’ll get to take in the sounds and sights of the natural beauty. You will need to transport yourself from the dock into the kayak, so mobility and experience is needed.

After the tour, we will head to Bahama Breeze for a tropical lunch that will take you to the Caribbean. Entrees range from $8 to $20.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

FARMERS MARKET THURSDAYS, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25 9 A.M. – 12 P.M. ADMINISTRATION COURTYARD/ IS The Farmers Market is your place to shop on Thursdays for locally grown produce, handmade baked goods, honey and other unique items. Stroll through the courtyard this month to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting and weather while helping to support a local small business!

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Mask required

8

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

Walking required

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EVERGLADES WONDER GARDEN PRESENTATION MONDAY, MARCH 8 10 A.M. – 11 A.M. BANYAN MEETING ROOM/ CC

Come set sail on the Suzy Q for an evening to remember.

Captain Russ and Michelle Emmett will be a crew of two bringing you to the St. Charles River Yacht Club where we will dock and enjoy dinner.

After finishing dinner, we will board the Suzy Q once again to cruise around the river enjoying the sunset view. Space is very limited so we will be working to schedule more dinner and sunset cruises for the future to accommodate more residents.

The restaurant does not take cash; credit cards only.

FRIENDSHIP POINT CONCERT: THE BAND TRINITY TUESDAY, MARCH 16 6 P.M. – 7 P.M. FRIENDSHIP POINT/ IS Join your resident programing team the day before St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate with The Band Trinity. The band was formed in Naples in 2007 and is comprised of Peter, Paul and Randi. Peter and Paul are both from Ireland and enjoy playing a mix of traditional music as well as contemporary music. Randi is a classically trained violinist and truly enjoys playing the Irish fiddle. This performance will really be a treat for the ears that you won’t want to miss.

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DINNER & SUNSET CRUISE TO ST. CHARLES RIVER YACHT CLUB VIA THE SUZY Q THURSDAY, MARCH 18 5:00 P.M. DEPARTURE FROM DOCK APPROXIMATE RETURN: 8:00 P.M. COST: $5 (DINNER ON YOUR OWN; CREDIT CARDS ONLY)

Founded by brothers Bill and Lester Piper in 1936, Everglades Wonder Gardens remains one of the last pillars of Old Florida. Journey back to a time of sepia toned photographs and learn about the new wonders coming to our community. This program will also feature a member of their Animal Care Team and a very special resident of Everglades Wonder Gardens.

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NAPLES ZOO AND LUNCH MONDAY, MARCH 22 8:00 / 8:10 / 8:20 / 8:30 / 8:40 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:30 P.M. COST: $24 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) Experience exotic animals surrounded by the natural beauty of this historic tropical garden founded in 1919, at the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens. Spend a leisurely self-paced day at the zoo exploring the many exhibits and shows this destination has to offer. We will make a stop at The Yard House, an upscale, casual eatery known for great American food. Prices range from $10 to $20.

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NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY POP UP

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25 9 A.M. – 10 A.M. THE CRYSTAL PATIO/ IS COST: $5 Join your Resident Programming team as we celebrate National Waffle Day at The Crystal Patio! Step right up for a delicious waffle complete with all the best toppings.

We will be cooking them right on the spot! This is a tasty event you won’t want to miss.

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VETERANS PRESENTATION MONDAY, MARCH 29 11 A.M. – 12 P.M. THE VILLAGE CHURCH/ IS The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designates every March 29th as national Vietnam War Veterans Day. Shell Point is a registered commemorative partner and will recognize Shell Point Vietnam Veterans for their service, valor, and sacrifice. Join us in The Village Church as we recognize more than 60 Veterans who served on active military duty during the period of 1955 to 1975.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE CRYSTAL TUESDAY, MARCH 30 4 P.M. SPTV CH. 12 Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at The Crystal here at Shell Point. Follow Event Coordinator Jami Smith and Executive Chef Shaun Smith as they walk you through the inner workings of one of your favorite restaurants at Shell Point. Take a peek inside the various prep kitchens, coolers, and other off-limit areas that make the restaurant work.

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FARMERS MARKET THURSDAYS, APRIL 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 9 A.M. – 12 P.M. ADMINISTRATION COURTYARD/ IS The Farmers Market is your place to shop on Thursdays for locally grown produce, handmade baked goods, honey and other unique items. Stroll through the courtyard this month to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting and weather while helping to support a local small business!

Mask required

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

Walking required

Stairs

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NAME THAT TUNE TUESDAY, APRIL 6 11 A.M. – 12 P.M. BANYAN MEETING ROOM/ CC

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9 11:10 / 11:20 / 11:30 / 11:40 / 11:45 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:00 P.M. COST: $3 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

Join your Resident Programming team for a fun game of Name That Tune! Sign up with your team of 4 and come ready to guess famous hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s! The winning team will walk away with a prize! It may not be $10,000, it will be something sweet. If you like a friendly competition and good music, you won’t want to miss this round of Name That Tune, Shell Point style!

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DINNER & SUNSET CRUISE TO ST. CHARLES RIVER YACHT CLUB VIA THE SUZY Q THURSDAY, APRIL 8 5:00 P.M. DEPARTURE FROM DOCK APPROXIMATE RETURN: 8:00 P.M. COST: $5 (DINNER ON YOUR OWN; CREDIT CARDS ONLY) Come set sail on the Suzy Q for a delightful evening on the water. Captain Russ and Michelle Emmett will be a crew of two bringing you to the St. Charles River Yacht Club where we will dock up and enjoy dinner. After dinner, we will hop aboard the Suzy Q again to cruise around enjoying the beautiful sunset view. Space is very limited so we will be working to schedule more dinner and sunset cruises for the future to accommodate more residents. The restaurant does not take cash; credit cards only.

LUNCH OUTING TO CRISTOF’S ON MCGREGOR

Come along as we head down the street to Cristof’s on McGregor for a delicious lunch outing. Cristof Danzi, the owner, was born in Sicily and has received training all over the world to develop his own unique cooking style that will be sure to impress. The menu at Cristof’s has a little bit of everything including mouthwatering burgers, quiches of the day and scrumptious sandwiches and salads. Make sure to get the decadent chocolate cake (a favorite) for a perfect way to end your lunch. Prices range from $10 to $25.

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TASTE OF SHELL POINT MONDAY, APRIL 12 2 P.M. – 4 P.M. ADMINISTRATION COURTYARD/ IS COST: $10 Join our incredible dining outlets for this can’tmiss Taste of Shell Point!

Have you never made it over to The Woodlands to try the Blend or maybe you’ve been curious about what the Island Café has to offer? If so, this is the event for you! Shell Point’s dining outlets will be in one spot for an unforgettable sampling of incredible food.

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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BEACH DAY THURSDAY, APRIL 15 8:20 / 8:30 / 8:40 / 8:50 / 9:00 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:30 P.M. COST: $18 (ICE CREAM ON YOUR OWN)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 20 2 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. FRIENDSHIP POINT/IS Join Shy Wolf Sanctuary from Naples as they share the message of the importance of wolves in natural ecosystems and respect for the wild and captive-bred exotics.

Providing homes for injured, abandoned or neglected animals since its inception in 1993. To date, Shy Wolf has rescued over 1,260 animals. This presentation will help you to understand the responsibility necessary for caring for and conserving our natural environments. An animal ambassador may also make an appearance at Shell Point.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

EVERGLADES WONDER GARDENS TOUR THURSDAY, APRIL 22 8:20 / 8:30 / 8:40 / 8:50 / 9:00 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:30 P.M. $25 (LUNCH ON YOUR OWN)

It’s time for some fun in the sun! The beach outing is a classic favorite of our residents, so grab your beach chair, sunscreen, and shades as we spend the day at DelnorWiggins Pass State Park. There will be a boxed lunch given out at the beach, so please contact Michelle Emmett (239) 454-2046 to place your order. What’s a beach day without ice cream? We will be making a pit-stop on the way home at the famous Royal Scoop.

SHY WOLF SANCTUARY PRESENTATION

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The Everglades Wonder Gardens is home to a diverse family! From Florida alligators and flamingos to beautiful macaws, pythons, turtles, tortoises and even Chinese golden pheasants, it has something for everyone.

Additionally, the Wonder Gardens has a growing, vibrant botanical collection. We will enjoy a guided tour as well as an educational interactive program learning about prehistoric Florida. Lunch will follow at Buffalo Chips in Bonita Springs, which serves everything from buffalo wings, to salads, to a blooming onion. Prices range from $9 to $15.

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BBQ FAVORITES AT THE CRYSTAL THURSDAY, APRIL 22 5 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. THE CRYSTAL/ IS $20 ALL INCLUSIVE Join Resident Programming for an evening of good ole’ BBQ and fun at The Crystal. The chefs will be cooking up all of your favorites: ribs, chicken, beans, potato salad, corn bread and a delicious bread pudding! Enjoy live music as you dine on the delicious menu the Crystal has created just for you.

Mask required

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

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FRIENDSHIP POINT CONCERT: RANDY AND LORI THOMAS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 6 P.M. – 7 P.M. FRIENDSHIP POINT/ IS Back by popular demand, Grammy Award winning songwriter Randy Thomas leads this duo act with his wife, Lori. They have performed for years all over the Fort Myers area. You may know some of Randy’s hit songs, “Butterfly Kisses and “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That?” Randy has written several songs and has toured with international acts like Shania Twain while Lori helped run the business and doubled as a studio vocalist. This is a concert you won’t want to miss!

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Walking required

SHOPPING EXCURSION TO SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET FRIDAY, APRIL 30 1:00 / 1:10 / 1:20 / 1:30 / 1:40 P.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 4:30 P.M. $6 (NO MEAL STOP) Sprouts Farmers Market, located in Estero, offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods, including fresh produce, bulk foods and vitamins. Due to the time away from Shell Point and lack of refrigeration, it is recommended that residents do not purchase frozen or perishable items that will not last on this excursion. Purchases are limited to what you can carry at one time.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft, Fraud and Cyber Threats Wednesday, April 21 at 11 a.m.

The Village Church/IS

Presented by Carrie Kerskie, president, Kerskie Group Co-hosted by The Legacy Foundation and FineMark National Bank & Trust Every day thousands of Americans become a victim to identity theft, fraud and cyber-attacks. Learn tips from Carrie Kerskie to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Carrie is a highly sought-after national speaker, author of the book “Protect Your Identity” and consultant on the topics of identity theft, fraud and data privacy. She appears regularly on various news programs such as NBC, ABC and WINK news.

Sign-up required by calling the Legacy Foundation at (239) 466-8484.

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DIABETES SUPPORT FRIDAYS, MARCH 5; APRIL 2 1:00 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS Anyone impacted by Diabetes or looking to learn more including spouses or family members are invited to attend the Diabetes Support Group. Each monthly meeting covers a different topic and includes an open discussion and an opportunity to share.

Call Vivian Ciulla (239) 225-2929 for more information.

Support Groups ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS THURSDAYS, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25 APRIL 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 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.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17; APRIL 21 10:00 A.M. IN GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL This group offers support for residents or family members that are caregivers for someone with dementia. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow caregivers, share ideas and discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards of providing care for a loved one. Contact your Healthy Living Coordinator or call (239) 454-2299 if you’re interested in attending this group.

COPD SUPPORT TUESDAY, APRIL 27 1:30 P.M. IN SABAL ROOM/WDL 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.

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FAMILY GRACE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MONDAYS, MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 APRIL 5, 12, 19 3:00 P.M. IN MANATEE ROOM/IS This group is for the spouse or family member of someone with a mental health issue. The 14-week class includes topic of communication skills, cycles and triggers, boundaries to rebuild and empowering vs enabling. For more information, contact resident facilitator: Bob Barger (630) 335-4077 or bbarger220@aol.com

GRIEFSHARE THURSDAYS, MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25; APRIL 1, 8 1:00 P.M. IN SABAL ROOM/WDL 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 them at (239) 454-3139 for additional information.

HEARING ENRICHMENT WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 24; APRIL 28 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, MARCH 1; APRIL 5 10:00 A.M. IN MANATEE ROOM/IS 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

SELF-CARE

MONDAYS, MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 APRIL 5, 12, 19 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.

PARKINSON’S ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, MARCH 2; APRIL 6 10:15 A.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS The Parkinson’s Enrichment Group aims to provide support and educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend.

Meetings include speakers, group discussions, and emotional support. For more information, call healthy living coordination at (239) 454-2299.

B r a i n

WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 10; APRIL 14 1:00 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS 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. Monthly meetings include discussion of various topics, such as recognizing the signs of stress, the effects of stress on the individual, and promoting effective ways to reduce and manage stress. For more information, call Channelle Bastardo, healthy living coordinator at (239) 433-7974.

VISION ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, MARCH 9, APRIL 13 2:15 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS This group provides educational opportunities and support for those individuals dealing with low vision. Discussions may include the emotional aspects of vision loss, investigating solutions, helpful tools, and sharing resources. 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.

H e a l t h

Can Exercise Benefit My Brain?

B Y J A N I N E H A M M O N D , D I R E C T O R O F C O G N I T I V E A N D B E H AV I O R A L H E A LT H

We’ve all heard that physical exercise is important to improve our physical fitness and various aspects of our health. Being physically active can improve your strength and balance, prevent or delay heart disease and diabetes, boost your mood and overall leave you feeling more energetic.

Did you know that physical exercise is also linked to better brain health and cognition? Research shows that physical exercise is one of the best ways to keep our brains healthy and reduce the risk of developing dementia. Exercise promotes cardiovascular health, improves blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation and lowers levels of stress hormones all of which affect our brain functioning.

Physical activity makes your heart pump faster bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells. This can have

an immediate effect on your mental abilities. You may feel more alert, better able to focus your attention and solve problems.

Exercise also lowers levels of stress hormones and increases endorphins, the feel-good hormones. People who engage in regular physical activity report

You may feel more alert, better able to focus your attention and solve problems. increased energy levels, improved sleep, enhanced mood, overall emotional well-being and fewer feelings of depression and stress. Maintaining a good mood has been shown to improve cognitive performance and is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.

If this information has you motivated to add exercise to your daily routine, here are a few tips to get you started: Make exercise fun. Find an activity you enjoy and look forward to, like taking a walk, dancing, swimming or gardening. Schedule exercise when you feel most energetic - for some that may be the morning and for others, later in the day. Our brains like variety so try different activities periodically. Get outdoors. Enjoy the beautiful weather, scenery and explore our beautiful campus. Set goals to help motivate you or get competitive with yourself or others. Try to improve your time or distance. For some people wearing a pedometer to count steps can be a great motivator.

Whether you visit the fitness center, tune-in for a televised fitness class or take a walk, the most important step is the one you take today!

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Bakeless A N N U A L

F U N D R A I S E R

F O R

T H E

Bake Sale

L A R S E N

P A V I L I O N

Why Give to the Bakeless Bake Sale?

Here is one resident’s personal experience.

BY TERRY FURHOVDEN (THE ESTUARY)

One of the main reasons my wife Ruthie and I chose Shell Point for our retirement was the medical facilities available on campus. These facilities were far superior to those in the other seven area CCRCs that we evaluated, so when we moved here in 2017 we knew what medical support was available. We did not expect, however, that I would become very familiar with the rehab portion of the Larsen Pavilion within a year!

I arrived at the Pavilion after 10 p.m. on a Saturday night from Gulf Coast Hospital and was pleasantly surprised that both an RN and a CNA were waiting to perform a medical exam upon my arrival.

Early the next morning a physical therapist came in right after breakfast to take me to physical therapy. I explained that I had a hip revision and could not put any weight on my right leg for a month so there must be a mistake; he explained that there was no mistake; I was to have an hour each of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) seven days a week. So it went for the five weeks I was a patient.

My first roommate was an ex-NFL football player who had one of his many knee operations. Both of us are large people and when you add in the wheelchairs (which are customized for each patient) the rooms are pretty tight, especially with family, neighbors and the Auxiliary Volunteers visiting frequently. We enjoyed each other’s company which made up for the tight quarters!

It is interesting that my roommate, who was not a Shell Point resident, commented that whenever he goes to rehab after an 32

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

Terry and Ruth Furhovden (The Estuary)

operation he requests the Pavilion because the care and the service are far superior to other facilities in the area.

Excellent Staff Most of us have stayed in hospitals and been cared for by nurses and CNAs. When I came to the Pavilion with my repaired hip, I also had an infection that was difficult to identify. The Pavilion medical staff pinpointed the problem and the specific medicine necessary and had it expedited to Shell Point. The CNAs were extremely helpful getting me in and out of bed to take showers and make me look presentable. My wife, Ruthie, was very confident and pleased with the care I was

receiving from both the medical and physical therapy staff. They even came to our home to help her prepare the house for my return!

The days get very long when you are limited to a bed, recliner and wheelchair so we are fortunate to have volunteers who spend time with the patients at the Pavilion. Every day several volunteers would stop in to offer snacks, books or conversation. One of my favorites was a fellow veteran who had been stationed in some of the same overseas locations as I had been.

We traded many stories over the weeks and I am sure some of them became better by the telling! Sunny Torres or a Volunteer Chaplain also stopped in to keep my spirits up and to pray with me. Since this was

during the Christmas season, we normally had a volunteer playing Christmas music during our lunch and dinner meals. These members of the Pavilion Auxiliary do their utmost to make the rehab experience as pleasant as possible.

After a month of wheeling my wheelchair around, the staff took me back to the surgeon who was happy with the healing of the hip and said I could now go back to full weight bearing. This really energized the

therapy staff. I will not go into the hours of “Yes, you can do this” and “Let’s try it again,” but after they finished with me, I was walking perfectly and playing golf!

Support the Auxiliary I hope I never have to go into rehab again, but if I do, I thank God that the Pavilion staff and the Auxiliary are available for Ruthie and me. One of the ways

we can help is to contribute to the annual Bakeless Bake Sale. These contributions are used to update furniture and electronics in the common areas, purchase new wheelchairs, pay for magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and countless other projects which make our recovery from an accident or illness more pleasant. You will soon get a letter asking you to contribute; please join Ruthie and me by sending a donation in the enclosed envelope provided.

March 8-22 Enhancing lives at The Larsen Pavilion

Please Contribute Today Look for a letter in your mailbox Alice Wertz, incoming Pavilion Auxiliary president and Ann Erickson, outgoing president, at Pavilion Auxiliary Annual Meeting held in January.

Thank you

My Experience with the Larsen Pavilion

BY DEE HORNE (HARBOR COURT)

I hope you’ll take time to read this little story because I am reminded today just how valuable the Pavilion is to our life here at Shell Point. You see, I talked to my brother about moving here after his wife died and he was alone and lonely. I heard all the excuses about the expense and leaving his friends and family. Downsizing is HARD and going from the known to the unknown is never easy. But one day the unthinkable happened… he fell in his garage and broke his knee, femur and hip!

Oh! Life turned upside down!

Fast forward to five months in a very inferior nursing home in Michigan… inferior therapy… now he’s out of insurance, he can’t get out of bed, he can’t walk and he’s in pain and just doesn’t know what to do. Can you even imagine how thankful I am to live here – knowing what a valuable jewel we have in our Pavilion? When we need help – the help is right here – ready!

the Pavilion, but, he has lived Thirty years ago my on Four South for several years. parents Betsy and Clarence He has wonderful compassionSteinbach, moved to Shell ate care. The caregivers know Point. My mom became him and treat him with respect a volunteer in the newly and love. I visited daily up to formed auxiliary. She loved the middle of March when her job in the Pavilion! everything was closed to proWhen my dad became a tect the most vulnerable. I am resident on 3rd floor, she grateful every day for the care was able to visit him by just he is given and the support I walking over from “home.” Betsy and Clarence have from the staff. This has Eventually, Mom moved Steinbach been a hard time for everyone, to the Pavilion and lived there for three years. Every day my little dog, but the staff has done everything possiSnickers, and I would go and visit her. Just ble to care for, entertain, listen to, feed, like Mom, I have volunteered for many years clean, medically treat, and keep safe those and have served as a board member of the under their care.

It is a huge blessing to live in this comAuxiliary. I value the extras that we as friends and neighbors provide year after year to make munity and have the security the Pavilion gives to each of us. We all believe that we the Pavilion such a special place.

I could never have imagined that my will not need their services BUT if we do, husband would eventually be a resident of our Pavilion staff is ready to care for us.

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Shell Point Residents Receive Vaccinations B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R

After almost a year of masking, practicing safe distancing, and reducing interaction with other people, Shell Point residents were delighted to receive their two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in January and February.

“It will just be nice to get back to a normal life. Nobody’s had a normal life this past year,” said Carmen Lemma of Cameo after receiving his first dose.

As Florida prepared for the availability of the new vaccine, the Governor prioritized the population into groups to deter- Staff members from Walgreens handled the mine the order of who vaccination clinics for would get the vaccine. residents of skilled nursing Residents in skilled and assisted living, as nursing homes, assisted well as the Shell Point healthcare team. living facilities and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) were among those placed in the first category, as well as essential medical professionals throughout the state.

Shell Point selected Walgreens as their partner to provide the Pfizer vaccine for the skilled nursing residents, assisted living residents, and medical staff.

The Walgreens team came to Shell Point to administer the first and second doses of the vaccine to the residents of the Larsen Pavilion and the medical staff in January. The three assisted living facilities followed soon after.

Due to the large supply of vaccines that would be required for the number of independent living residents, the Florida Department of Health allocated the necessary doses and the Department of Emergency Management Services administered the vaccine. To prepare for the clinic, Rachel Zellers, Director of Longterm Care, Jason Smith, Senior Director of Amenities, and Laura Slack, Director of Resident Operations, joined forces to organize the logistics required to vaccinate 1,668 residents over the two-day period.

Continued next page 34

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

Medical staff were among the first to be vaccinated. Here, Dr. David Nesselroade received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

A Walgreens staff member gives Pat Ekdahl, R.N. of The Pavilion her vaccine.

Left: Residents checked in and were given a numbered ticket.

Below: A waiting area was set up under the portecochere.

Residents had their temperatures taken upon arrival.

Members of the National Guard accompanied the Department of Emergency Services in order to provide directional support.

On Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27, the Department of Health and the Department of Emergency Management Services arrived along with members of the National Guard to run the clinic for the first dose and the second dose clinic was held on Tuesday, February 16, and Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

The Village Church was selected as the site and was divided into sections to accommodate the process. Each neighborhood was scheduled to attend the Vaccine Clinic at a specific time. Upon arrival, residents checked in, had their temperatures

taken, and were seated in a waiting area under the porte-cochere where they were given a numbered ticket. Ticket numbers were quickly called and the residents then moved into the church where they were seated at a table with staff who received their paperwork and discussed the vaccine process and answered questions. Next the residents were guided to another area where they received the vaccine. Following their vaccination, residents were moved to the final observation area where they waited for 15 to 30 minutes to ensure they did not experience a reaction to the vaccine.

New residents Doug and Joan Wicks (Lucina) have appreciated being at Shell Point during the pandemic and were glad to receive their vaccine.

Members of the National Guard accompanied the Department of Emergency Services in order to provide directional support. It was impressive to see these young men and women in uniform throughout the auditorium. Many residents thanked them for their service to our country, as well as for being at Shell Point for the clinic.

“We’re so thankful for the Department of Emergency Management and The National Guard for being out here to assist us,” said Rachel Zeller, Director of Assisted Continued on next page Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

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Joan and Ron Edman of The Estuary

Honey Leveen and Jim Goodale Rachel Zellers, Director of Longterm Care and Kayla Carrilio, Admissions Director for The Pavilion

John Small of Tellidora was one of the very first independent residents to receive the vaccine. “I was excited. I’m glad Shell Point put it together and they’re doing a great job.”

Shell Point residents received their vaccinations in The Village Church.

Trice Van Groesbeck (Lucina) and Ann Erickson (Lucina) were interviewed by reporters from WINK-TV about receiving their vaccinations.

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

Davis and Jill Bugby of Harbor Court are new residents who just moved into Shell Point in November 2020.

“We’re glad we got the vaccine,” said Davis. “Things are going fine. We’re amazed, this was a lot of effort. A lot of planning. The arrows, the seating, the preparations, the forms. It was all well executed.”

SHELL POINT RESIDENTS RECEIVE VACCINATIONS Continued from page 35

Living and Long Term Care. I don’t know where we’d be without their support. We organized the logistics in advance, setting up the site in the Village Church, making sure residents knew where to go, and to have their forms with them. We are managing the process outside, transportation, and preregistration, but the Department of Emergency Management Services and the National Guard are handling everything from the time they walk through the doors of the church, until the time they walk out. They are doing the vaccination cards, registration, they’re preparing the vaccines, and they are administering the

vaccine itself. Afterward, they’re monitoring the residents to make sure they’re ready to go and have not had any side-effects. So, they’re doing it all.”

There was an atmosphere of grateful enthusiasm throughout the day as residents attended the clinic. Many commented on how efficiently the process was handled and how quickly they were able to get through, and everyone in attendance was happy to receive the highly-anticipated vaccine.

“It really meant everything to us,” said Linda Nickerson with her husband Dean of Cameo. “We’re so grateful that we could get our vaccine here at Shell Point.”

Ann Wharton, also a resident of Cameo, agreed with a laugh, “It’s the first time I ever wanted to get a shot!”

According to Trice Van Groesbeck

(Lucina), the virus took a lot away from a lot of people, but it was the limited human contact that made the biggest impact. Trice just wants to be able to hug people. “We can’t go and hug our good friends. It’s such a void because we need physical contact.”

“The management and residents of Shell Point would like to thank the staff of Walgreens, the Florida Department of Health, the Department of Emergency Management Services, and the National Guard, for providing and administering the Covid-19 Vaccine at Shell Point,” said Christy Skinner, Vice President of Healthcare for the community. “We are grateful for their quick response and support in helping to keep our residents safe and healthy. n

Don and Nancy Sloan of Tellidora were also very happy with the process. “I think Shell Point did a super job,” said Nancy. “They passed us through very quickly.”

It was impressive to see these young men and women in uniform throughout the auditorium.

Jim and Carolyn Stapleton of Harbor Court were impressed by the efficiency of the clinic. “I was in the Army for 30 years,” said Jim Stapleton. “I’ve had more shots than most people, but this is one of the best operations I’ve ever seen.”

Ben Crump (Junonia) and Jason Smith.

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Life After...

R E V. A N D R E W H A W K I N S , P H . D . , S E N I O R PA S TO R T H E V I L L AG E C H U R C H

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Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

I would love to have been a fly on the wall. Or a bird on a branch. Or a squirrel in a tree. Anything to have witnessed this conversation.

It was one of the most awkward conversations recorded in the New Testament.

Jesus was telling his disciples that “he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”

(Matthew 16.21, NASB)

Then “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’” (Matthew 16.22, NASB) Imagine – Jesus, whom Peter had just identified as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is rebuked by Peter! Seriously, Peter, do you really know to whom you’re talking?

Jesus then turns the tables: “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Now that’s a rebuke!

It was a rough lesson for Peter to learn.

Jesus had to suffer before His triumph. The cross before the resurrection. The grave before glory.

We can’t wait for life after Covid. It’s been rough. We all want this to be in our rear-view mirror. And yet our ordeal was not a surprise to God. Our suffering – illness, isolation, loss – was not lost on the “Man of sorrows” who was “acquainted with grief.”

Jesus’ suffering had purpose. An extraordinary purpose – the redemption of all those who would ever believe in Him. Could it be that our Covid suffering had purpose as well? What has God taught you during this extraordinary time?

As you read this it’s likely that you are approaching the season of the church year we know as Holy Week. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, we recall the events of Jesus’ tumultuous passion week. The institution of the Lord’s supper. The agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The arrest. The trials.

The crucifixion. All before the glory of the resurrection.

May this be a season in which we reflect on the purpose of Jesus’ suffering, and how His suffering led to glory. And may it also remind us that God has a purpose for us in our suffering, even during Covid.

Life after Covid will be treasured. Even more, life after death because of Jesus’ suffering for us.

Christ the Lord is

Risen

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the vict’ry won, Alleluia!

Jesus’ agony is o’er, Alleluia!

Darkness veils the earth no more, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today An original hymn by Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

Alleluia!

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

Dreamtime

In the opening scene, the helicopter flew over the craggy peak straight at me as I cocked my ear toward the speaker straining to hear the hypnotic music. It was a strange sort of humming or trilling sound that I had never heard before. Some stanzas sounded like the angry growl of a beast, while other sections were as if a contented kitten purred in my lap.

I ignored the video of Crocodile Dundee and instead listened, in a heightened state, to the music.

Australian Aboriginals believe that in the very beginning of time, the entire world was made by their ancestors. The creation period known as “Dreamtime” was not a distinct and separate time, but rather ongoing. The living people today are accountable to their ancestors who remain unseen, continually creating and improving the present.

The length of the instrument is variable and can be as short as three feet, or as long as ten feet. Traditionally, the pipe was fashioned from a branch of Eucalyptus tree which was hollowed out by termites.

Capped on the end with a doughnut of wax, the mouth piece would naturally seal to the contours of the player’s mouth. To play the Didgeridoo, the musician places his lips inside the mouthpiece and slowly exhales while allowing his lips to vibrate.

The sound can be described as a drone and perhaps similar to bagpipes.

Callistemon citrinus was the first native Australian tree to be grown outside the country. The English botanist, Sir Joseph Banks brought a specimen back from Captain Cook’s Voyage of Discovery in 1770. I can certainly understand what attracted Banks to the tree. Bright vermillion stamens burst out of hundreds of

pea-sized buds, which are attached around the circumference of the terminal shoot.

The length of the flower can be as long as 9 inches of which the total diameter is at least three inches. The shape and form is that of a bottlebrush and is how Callistemon earned its common name. I believe Banks brought back much more than just a plant to England, with the Bottlebrush he snatched a little bit of Dreamtime.

Perhaps the Aboriginals, when listening to the rapturing sounds of the Didgeridoo, can slip past the gossamer veil that separates this world from Dreamtime

and walk among their ancestors. In my surrealistic vision, nature is a partner and the Bottlebrush flower is employed to clean out actual bottles. In this alliterative, alternate reality, Southern Snowball bushes provide a cold, icy treat and the ammunition for a friendly, frosty war, while, Blue Bonnets are sky-colored human headwear. In this Dreamtime, newborns exhale tiny, white flowers as Baby’s Breath.

Visiting the southeast side of the Village Church and focusing on the bottlebrush flowers I can hear in my minds’ ear the repetitive hum of a Didgeridoo. Remaining perfectly still in Dreamtime, I begin to observe the nature that I have not seen before.

A Florida native, green anole lizard perches over a flower like a diminutive Grinch, flaunting his dewlap in a show of disdain for Whoville. A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flits in and out of the flower like a nectar pilot roaring away at Mach speed with the good stuff.

A bumbling bee approaches too fast at an acute angle, bouncing off the stiff stamens and somersaulting into oblivion.

You too are invited for a little peek into the wonders of Australia’s Dreamtime. Circumnavigate to the Church’s southeast corner and search for the small tree with rough dark bark and thin lance-shaped leaves. Look for the magnificent bottlebrush shaped flowers, but see so much more. Sweet Dreams.