Between The Palms VOL. 22 NO. 5
www.hpgcc.com
Another Seabreeze Publication
www.seabreezecommunications.com
MAY 2024
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Annual Tent Party
Article and photos by Jane Breisch, Editor cvgolfers@gmail.com Clear skies and a sea of green greeted 500+ residents as they gathered in the HP parking lot for our annual St. Patrick’s Day party. Delicious fare was offered, drinks flowed and many, many front-of-the-house and kitchen staff ensured we were happy revelers. The Mirage Band provided wonderful music, and HP members donned in a myriad of green demonstrated their moves on the macadam dance “floor.”
By Jane Breisch, Editor What would have been… had the weather cooperated! Unfortunately, due to heavy rains on Friday, March 22, and into the following day, our Annual Meeting Scramble was cancelled. Our tent party was postponed to Sunday evening, March 24, and the weather was perfect. Over 850 members partied under the high-top tents. Double Dare provided great dance music, and there were fireworks at dusk to celebrate our 26th Anniversary! Special thanks to our hard-working staff who kept us well supplied with drinks and vittles galore!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on page 4
L-R: Ed & Lynda Dechert, Clark Broden, Barb Haberer, Jane & Bob Breisch, and Roger Haberer.
L-R: Emily Sue Chambers, Debbie Edwards, Doris Orff, Patt Rice, and Mary Locher.
L-R: Bob O’Flynn, Paul Luchau, Jim Hewitt, Jim Reid, and Dan Aas.
L-R: Barry & Marilyn Guinn, Jim & Jeanne Clement, Kevin & Kathy Tarsiewicz, Rosemary & Rod Passarelli, Jim & Diane Wenke, Sherry Molath, Judy Dinehart, Tom Grooms, and Dan Pilarski.
Chapter 2 and The Next Chapter By Jolynn Lauzon jolynnlhicks@gmail.com Chapter 2 is a group of nine widows here at Heritage Palms which was started in 2018 by Trudy Cleary. Having been recently widowed, she and two other widowed friends were meeting for drinks. Realizing how much they had in common with the support and encouragement that they gave each other, they started meeting every Saturday evening for dinner and inviting other widows to join them. After dinner, they would visit one another’s homes for dessert and share their broken hearts, their families, happy memories, and life in general. As these dinners progressed, Trudy decided that the group should have a name. Trudy Cleary, our She thought Chapter 2 was perfect founder. since they were beginning a new chapter in their lives. Everyone agreed. When 2020 came with the COVID pandemic, the now nine members of Chapter 2 found creative ways to get together, fullymasked and spaced. As the year progressed, the group bonded and melded together becoming faithful friends. They traveled together, shared holidays, birthdays, and special events. When I asked Trudy, who is always upbeat and smiling, what makes her happy, she said “All the Chapter 2 ladies. We will always be friends because we know too much about each other.” When the pandemic ended in 2021, the numbers began to grow by word-of-mouth invitation. Realizing how difficult it was to get dinner reservations at a restaurant for these large Between The Palms
Chapter 2 members. Standing (L-R): Jolynn Lauzon, Beverly Kjos, Eileen Blair, Cheryl Dolenc, Stasia Arcarese, Evelyn Comer, Jeanette Fiske, and Melenia Munday. Seated: Trudy Cleary numbers, we decided to create a new group. This group is called The Next Chapter. What a success! The Next Chapter now has 100+ members on the mailing list. Members meet once a month in the Palms Room for a social hour and dinner. The Next Chapter Journeys have beginnings and endings; we can’t predict the in-between. Our memory is the only thing that doesn’t change when everything else does. So, we hold them more tightly as we walk through the long days with deep pain in a vacuum of loneliness. In this work of memories, you are forever linked together through winter storms, the fresh bloom of spring, the long hot summer. And when the autumn wind whispers, your bond in life remains. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to find something good in every day. You are not a sparrow alone on a roof top. Don’t linger in the rearview of your life. Grief will change… PRSRT STD You will be alright…You are US POSTAGE not alone. PAID FT MYERS FL We invite you to come PERMIT 751 into this world that we know, where pain and heartbreak, dreams, knowledge, holidays, adventures, smiles, and yes, laughter are shared. We are The Next Chapter. If you are a widow and would like to join us, contact: Eileen Blair at eileenb195@aol.com.
Party revelers hamming it up! L--R: Jane Breisch, Willy Hewitt, Ellen Foy, Karen MacMillan, Laura O’Flynn, Linda Calhoun (hiding), Ann Mieczkowski, Mary Lou Reid, Cheryl Whiles, Carol Anello, Char Wingert, Maureen Power, and Susan Klimas. Annual Tent Party on page 4
Newly Elected HP Master Board
Seated L-R: Jim Wesoloski, Treasurer; Ron Assise, Vice President; Carol Jablonski. President; and Marcia Probasco, Secretary. Standing L-R: George Smothers; Patricia Wernet; Dave Slovak; Gordon Hodgson; and Alyse Grohowski.