sp-life-2025-09

ACROSS THE CALOOSAHATCHEE

FALL 2025

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | JANUARY

Caloosahatchee Conservation

What began as an Academy class suggestion from a resident grew into a volunteer community conservation effort with Calusa Waterkeeper, a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the waterways of Southwest Florida. Together, they are nurturing vertical oyster gardens at Shell Point’s shoreline—an initiative that improves water quality, creates habitat for marine life, and connects our community to the health of the Caloosahatchee River.

– Ecclesiastes 3:1 16 6 18

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Caring Connections

The bond between residents and employees is at the heart of what makes Shell Point so special. This issue highlights some of the many ways residents’ generosity shines as they show appreciation and care for employees and their families. From filling backpacks through the School Supply Fund Drive, to volunteering at Vacation Bible School, to supporting the Employee Christmas Gift Fund, these blessings reflect the spirit of kindness that defines Shell Point.

Seasons of Celebration

Autumn ushers in another wonderful season at Shell Point, with lively gatherings that bring friends and neighbors together, events that uplift and inspire, and traditions that make the season bright. Starting with the first celebrations of fall, through the cherished festivities of Christmas and beyond, you will find endless opportunities to celebrate and share in the warmth of community.

SHELL POINT FRIENDSHIP CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, November 7 • 8 a.m.

The Legacy Foundation is proud to announce the second annual Friendship Cup Golf Tournament Shell Point residents are invited to join us for a day of golf on our championship course, a wonderful lunch, a special presentation by some of our distinguished Veterans, and other surprises. All proceeds will benefit the Shell Point Friendship Fund and various Shell Point Veterans activities. $225 per player

For more information or to register, please call the Legacy office at (239) 466-8484.

ACTIVE AGING

Powered by the International Council on Active Aging, this fun week is all about celebrating the benefits of staying active, engaged, and connected. Sign up on Wellzesta, and join us for an exciting lineup of fun activities and educational events that highlight a healthy lifestyle at Shell Point!

WEEK 2025

WELLNESS ROUND-UP

Monday, October 6 | 10 a.m. | Grand Cypress Room

From Brain Fit, Chair Pilates, and Groove & Go, to Better Bones and Stress Less, come get a taste of our most popular group exercise classes—all in one fun session! Our fitness instructors will each lead a 10-minute class preview, showcasing the variety available each week at Wright Wellness Center.

URBAN POLING

Monday, October 6 | 2 p.m. | The Village Church

Discover a full-body, low-impact workout that blends walking with specially designed poles. This guided session helps improve posture, balance, and strength—all while being easy on the joints.

ACADEMY HEALTH MATTERS SYMPOSIUM

Tuesday, October 7 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Grand Cypress Room

Join us for a TED Talk-style health symposium as part of Active Aging Week. Experience a series of dynamic, 15-minute Academy presentations from Shell Point leaders and healthcare experts:

• Know Your Numbers — Dr. Michelle Candelore, Medical Director

• The Engagement Effect — McKenzie Millis, Executive Director of The Springs & Connected Living

• Effects of Hearing Loss on Your Brain — Jack Adams, Audiologist

• Cognitive Health Screening with Cognivue — Kristin Weber, Director at Cognivue

HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR

Wednesday, October 8 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Grand Cypress Room

Stop by for health screenings, learn more about Shell Point’s programs and services, and connect with community health partners. No sign-up required.

OT & PT Rehab | Home Health | Cognitive Health | Alzheimer’s Brain Bus | Lee Health | Parkinson’s Association | Apex Foot & Ankle Center | Guardant Health | Cognivue | Dietitian Julie Hill and more

BETTER BREAKFASTS FOR YOU AND YOUR BRAIN

Friday, October 10 | 10:30 a.m. | Game Room/WDL | $10

Yes, there is a gut/brain connection! Join Joyce Thomas in this Academy class as she makes a delicious, healthy plant-based breakfast that can help prevent cognitive decline.

Hands-On

RESIDENTS TAKE ACTION

Shell Point’s location on the Caloosahatchee makes it a natural partner for Calusa Waterkeeper’s Vertical Oyster Garden project and gives residents a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the environment.

The beauty of Shell Point’s natural setting flows from its connection to the waters of Southwest Florida. Protecting these waterways is the mission of Calusa Waterkeeper, a local nonprofit devoted to ensuring that future generations can enjoy clean water, thriving wildlife, and the coastal landscapes that make this region such a remarkable place to call home.

Calusa Waterkeeper is among 15 Waterkeeper Alliance Members overseeing separate water basins throughout the state of Florida. The groups joined to form the statewide coalition “Waterkeepers Florida” in 2018. The Waterkeeper Alliance has over 300 member organizations working to protect nearly six million square miles of waterways around the world.

Locally, Calusa Waterkeeper works to improve water quality, restore habitats vital to wildlife and marine life, and safeguard the rivers, estuaries, bays, and beaches that define our region. Its jurisdiction includes the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf, including Nicodemus Slough, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, parts of Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay and its tributaries, and the near-shore waters of Lee County.

Conservation

FOR A CLEANER CALOOSAHATCHEE

The group promotes public understanding of the history, condition, and future of our watersheds, while also raising awareness of how clean water directly affects our quality of life. Their efforts extend to studying the impacts of residential, commercial, and agricultural activity on water resources, monitoring water quality, quantity, and flow, and engaging with public agencies responsible for water management.

A corps of trained volunteers, known as Rangers, play a vital role in Calusa Waterkeeper’s work. They collect water samples, record data, and help track changes over time. That information is used to educate the public and give decision-makers the tools they need to protect these resources.

Reversing the deterioration of local waterways is Calusa Waterkeeper Tidal Zone Ranger Dan Carney’s passion. “Since government agencies do not provide comprehensive oversight, the organization helps fill a critical gap by identifying threats and advocating for solutions,” said Dan, who is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. “I believe with science, vigilance and accountability, we can all enjoy a healthy ecosystem in southwest Florida.”

AN IDEA WITH IMPACT

When Vickie Greenlee (Parkwood) first ar rived in Southwest Florida, she brought with her a lifelong interest in biology and a knack for organizing community projects. A former high school biology teacher from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Vickie spent years taking students on field trips and teaching them to pay attention to the natural world. “I’ve always been interested in water,” she said. After earning a master’s degree in freshwater limnology—the study of lakes and streams—she conducted stream testing and fieldwork before turning to teaching and later, volunteer work.

Last year, Vickie became a certified Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger, a volunteer role that requires hours of training in water quality monitoring and environmental reporting. As a Ranger, she learned about the Waterkeeper’s vertical oyster garden program to help restore water quality in Southwest Florida.

Using recycled oyster shells, vertical oyster gardens are suspended from docks to create surfaces for juvenile oysters to attach and develop. They also offer a habitat for fish, crabs, and shrimp. Oysters are food for wildlife, including birds and marine animals, and they create a place for mangroves to take root and protect our shorelines.

Vickie immediately saw the potential for the project at Shell Point and collaborated with Academy of Lifelong Learning

“Residents learned there is something we can do for our local waters, right here at home, that really makes a difference.”

-VICKIE GREENLEE

Manager Dave Nelson and Shell Point Dockmaster Jason Miller to introduce it on campus. They planned a hands-on Academy class in the spring for participants to construct oyster gardens to hang from Shell Point’s docks.

“I thought maybe five or six people would sign up,” Vickie said. “We had 24 register within three days.” Some of the participants were boaters from Jason Miller’s docking list, eager to lend a hand.

Ranger Dan arrived at Center Court in The Woodlands armed with bags of oyster shells collected from local restaurants and cleaned at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Food Forest. Residents divided into teams and quickly got to work drilling shells and stringing them on cables. Participants built two styles of oyster habitats. The standard vertical garden is made from recycled oyster shells stacked one next to another. The second design, with sections of cut PVC pipe interspersed among the shells, stemmed from Vickie’s experience from trips with her students to the University of Maryland research station on the Chesapeake Bay.

After Dan collected the oyster gardens, the group headed to the dock near Island Commons. Captain Jason had installed numbered hooks for hanging the gardens underwater, so residents could monitor them over the next three months.

Dan explained that since spring was breeding time, there

were baby oysters in the system. “They will attach to these oyster gardens that we’re making, and they will grow,” he said. “Over time, the gardens attract oyster spat, which are tiny larvae that attach to shells and filter water as they grow.” Dan told the group that once it’s established, each new oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day. He estimated that each vertical oyster garden could remove toxins and bacteria from 2,000 gallons of water. “It’s a simple but powerful way to improve water quality,” he said.

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION

Several residents from the Academy class gathered on the dock in August to check on the gardens’ progress. Vickie produced a handy field guide so participants could identify the baby oysters, bryozoans, shrimp, sea fans, barnacles, crabs, sea squirts, and sea anemones they might observe clinging to the gardens. As Captain Jason pulled the gardens up one by one, they were photographed so the results could be shared with Calusa Waterkeeper.

Dan was encouraged by the gardens’ progress, with many new oysters ranging from the size of a quarter to a silver dollar. “When you have healthy water, they grow quickly. And you can tell they’re oysters because when you pull them out of the water, they squirt!” said Dan. “We call them vertical oyster gardens, but based on what we’ve seen, we could rename them ‘vertical life gardens.’” The gardens will remain in place until they are no longer attracting oyster spat, just as natural reefs do.

Phyllis and Richard Hermann (Turban) keep their boat in the Shell Point Marina, and Phyllis was an enthusiastic Academy class participant. “I was hooked the minute I learned about this project, and it’s really exciting to see how much the gardens have grown over the past few months,” said Phyllis. “Plus, we’d rather see the oysters growing on the gardens than on our boat!” Encouraged by the experience, Phyllis is exploring becoming a Calusa Waterkeeper ranger herself.

Vickie and Dan are already planning to bring the vertical oyster garden program back to Shell Point next year. The project has also sparked Vickie’s interest in expanding Shell Point’s role in water monitoring. She’s working with Calusa Waterkeeper to establish a monthly sampling point near The Island, adding Shell Point to the list of locations contributing valuable data on local water quality.

For Vickie, the project perfectly blended her background in education and her passion for helping others connect with the natural world. It reminded her of the field trips she used to lead, only now the students are neighbors, and the classroom is the Caloosahatchee River. “This was a great way to share my interests,” she said. “Residents learned there is something we can do for our local waters, right here at home, that really makes a difference.”

Celebrate Oktoberfest

Shell Point-Style

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER

15 | THE WOODLANDS

Bavarian Buffet

4:30 – 6:30 P.M. | Palm Grill

$29 (plus gratuity)

Enjoy the rich flavors of authentic German fare, with bratwurst with apple sauerkraut, warm German potato salad, braised red cabbage, schnitzel and spaetzle, and much more! Be sure to save room for Black Forest cake, German chocolate cake, and ginger crumb cake, too. Reservations are required; call Palm Grill at (239) 454-2059.

Water’s Edge Concert

6:30 P.M. | Woodlands Back Deck Free!

Sip apple cider, savor strudel, and delight in the authentic sounds of traditional Bavarian tunes, with rousing polkas and spirited marches performed by Cape Coral’s favorite German-American band, Hafenkapelle.

FALL MISSIONS FOCUS

Ken Isaacs: Samaritan’s Purse

The Village Church | Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), Jesus tells the story of a traveler who is beaten and left alongside the road. A priest and a Levite pass by, avoiding the injured man. But a Samaritan stops to help, tending to the man’s wounds and ensuring his care. The story teaches us how being a true neighbor means showing mercy and compassion to those in need.

After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” That is the mission of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse: to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.

The Village Church welcomes Ken Isaacs, Vice President of Programs and Government Relations for Samaritan’s Purse, for

this year’s Fall Missions Focus. Ken has decades of experience helping millions who were victims of disaster, disease, famine, poverty, persecution, and war.

“Through God, Samaritan’s Purse has made an incredible impact in the world, with a breadth of ministry encompassing the intersection of Christian missions, global disaster, and government,” said Ken.

“God opens doors for us, and He has given us favor. I’m in awe of what He’s done, and I’m deeply humbled I get to be part of it. I don’t drive the bus, but I have a really good seat. I recognize prophesy in the scripture, and we are closer to the return of Jesus than we have ever been,” said Ken. “What has God called you to do?”

How did a small-town boy with no experience become the “Indiana Jones of

Global Relief” with one of the most effective humanitarian organizations in the world? Because God dreams bigger than we do! Ken has served in hot spots around the world and developed strategic initiatives to respond to dire emergencies in complex environments. Through Samaritan’s Purse, Ken envisioned and developed the idea of Emergency Field Hospitals—staffed by specially trained teams of doctors and nurses—which the organization has deployed worldwide to provide life-saving care in crisis situations. To multiply the organization’s capacity, he developed DARTs (Disaster Assistance Response Teams), supported by Incident Management Teams. Based at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, N.C., they work around the clock to provide logistical support and essential supplies. Samaritan’s Purse special-

izes in being first on the ground in emergency situations, thanks to a fleet of cargo jets that includes a Boeing 757 and a DC-8.

Ken has been on the front lines as Samaritan’s Purse became a global leader in international relief. When he deployed to drought-stricken Ethiopia in 1988 to set up a well-drilling operation, he was the first Samaritan’s Purse employee to be based overseas. Today, he oversees more than 4,000 employees serving in dozens of countries, including activities through field offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America; and affiliate offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

Ken previously served as director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) under the U.S. Agency for International Development. He has provided expert testimony for numerous congressional hearings, including the 1999 Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on hurricane relief in Honduras; the 2003 White House HIV/ AIDS Summit; the 2014 House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Ebola and most recently in May, 2025, speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa about the ongoing war in Sudan. He has dealt with heads of state and other authorities from the United States, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, and Afghanistan, to Uganda, Vietnam, Myanmar, and North Korea.

He has spoken at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Brown University, Wheaton University, Liberty University, and Biola University. During his time with OFDA, Ken developed important partnerships with the Department of Defense focused on how to incorporate humanitarian perspective into military strategy.

“Whenever we at Shell Point and The Village Church become aware of a major natural disaster or humanitarian crisis, we wonder, ‘How can we participate in a Christian response to this enormous need?’ The first organization to come to mind is Samaritan’s Purse! And sure enough, they’re on it!” said Pastor Andy Hawkins. “We are so privileged to have someone of Ken Isaac’s wealth of experience and expertise present to us the ministry of this remarkable organization.”

Ken has served on the front lines, responding to global crises for a third of a century. Notable highlights include:

2023-2024

Israel-Gaza Conflict

Provided humanitarian assistance on both sides of the conflict and replaced 14 ambulances in Israel.

2022 Ukraine War

Led teams that flew 43 airlift missions of medical supplies, provided 14.5 million people with food, water, and frontline medical care (including five hospitals, two of them in front line red zones). Built a network of more than 2,000 partners to distribute over 100,000 tons of food and nearly 100 million liters of water.

2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

Set up life-saving critical-care centers in New York City, North Carolina, Mississippi, California, and Italy.

2016 ISIS Conflict

Established an Emergency Field Hospital near Mosul, which cared for 4,000 patients and provided 1,700 life-saving surgeries. The nation of Iraq awarded Isaacs a Lifetime Achievement Award for Health and Medical Outreach.

2010 Haiti Earthquake

Led a DART of 350 in a multi-sectoral response that provided 15,030 temporary shelters, fed hundreds of thousands in partnership with World Food Programme, and provided medical care, including surgeries, to thousands injured in the quake.

fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the incredible work of Samaritan’s Purse. His action-packed memoir takes us from the 1989 Ethiopian famine, to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, to the 2011 Japanese tsunami, up to today’s worldwide crises—and the countless decisions, dangers, and prayers along the way. With reflections drawn from Scripture and decades of ministry, Running to the Fire is a testimony to God’s goodness as well as a call to live boldly, love radically, and trust deeply in the God who guides us not away from the fire, but through it.

Running to the Fire is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. After Ken’s visit, copies of his book will be available for residents to borrow through The Village Church Library and the Shell Point Library.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24

Academy FLL44

Running to the Fire: Faithfulness Amid a World in Crisis

10 a.m. | Tribby Arts Center

Sign up on Wellzesta or at your Concierge Desk

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

Q&A with Ken Isaacs

9 a.m. | The Village Church

Continental breakfast served. Sign-up not required.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

Morning Worship Service Evening Worship Service

10 a.m. | The Village Church 6 p.m. | The Village Church

and Friendship

Karen and Richard Todd (Lakewood) have worked alongside Ken Isaacs in some of the most challenging places on earth throughout the past 20 years. Their long-standing friendship helped bring Ken to Shell Point for Fall Missions Focus at The Village Church.

Before turning to humanitarian work, the Todds’ professional paths were quite different: Karen spent decades practicing law, specializing in wills and estates, while Richard was a professional sailboat ocean racer and marina developer. Together, in the early 2000s, they founded Worthy Endeavors, a Florida-based nonprofit that supports post-disaster recovery efforts, often stepping in where larger relief agencies do not.

In 2005, while volunteering after Hurricane Katrina, Karen and Richard joined a disaster response team in Mississippi where Samaritan’s Purse set up a base camp. During that response, they met Ken Isaacs for the first time. “We had lunch together, and Ken shared some absolutely wonderful stories of his life working with Samaritan’s Purse,” said Karen. Following that meeting, she accepted a position with the organization, and served as Ken’s executive assistant until she and Richard were deployed to Africa. In the two decades since, the Todds have

worked closely with Samaritan’s Purse as volunteers and contractors.

“Ken has become a good friend,” said Richard. “We’ve worked with him in some unusual places, in difficult times.” The Todds’ work has taken them around the world, from Africa and Japan to Samoa and Iraq. More recently, they were involved in efforts at Al Udeid, the U.S. Air Force based in Doha, Qatar during the Afghan refugee evacuation and in Poland performing logistics for the Ukrainian war relief efforts. “We’ve seen the favor of God on Samaritan’s Purse, and we see it every time we serve with Ken,” said Richard.

He recalled a time when Ken set up an emergency field hospital in northern Iraq. “It was right on the battlefield,” Richard said. “But Samaritan’s Purse never refuses anyone. Whoever comes, they do not care which side you are on. It does not matter at all. They will treat and pray with everyone, whatever religion they are.”

The Todds describe Ken as a true leader. “He’s one of the most interesting men in the world, and he’ll mesmerize you with his real-life stories,” said Richard.

“Ken has met with presidents and heads of state, led operations in war zones, and pulled people out of rubble and then prayed

with them. And somehow, he remains humble,” said Karen. “His passion is for Jesus Christ and fulfilling the mission. Ken knows God can do anything, and he will do everything that God wants. He anticipates something wonderful, and that is what happens.”

“We wanted Ken to come here because people today are searching for meaning and inspiration. He brings a message of hope, in a deeply human way,” said Richard. “We hope people come ready to be inspired.”

LECTURES | DINNER | MUSIC

Friday, November 7

Academy FLL10—Mere Lewis

3 p.m. | Grand Cypress Room

Greet the Speaker

Buffet Dinner & Concert

5 p.m. | Grand Cypress Room

$50 (gratuity included)

Saturday, November 8

Academy FLL11—A Militant

10 a.m. | Grand Cypress Room

Academy FLL12—Mystical and Mild: A Jeu d’esprit

2 p.m. | Grand Cypress Room

Sign up on Wellzesta!

A Celebration of C.S. Lewis with James Como, PhD

Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. Lewis’ most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics in The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

The Academy welcomes James Como,

PhD, to Shell Point from New York to present three lectures on the life and work of C.S. Lewis. A highly regarded author and internationally recognized expert of Lewis, Dr. Como is a founding member of the New York C.S. Lewis Society—the first of its kind in the world.

Dr. Como’s Branches to Heaven: The Geniuses of C.S. Lewis is a groundbreaking study of Lewis as a rhetorician, and his Remembering C.S. Lewis is a benchmark biographical anthology. Oxford University Press recently published his A Very Short Introduction to C.S. Lewis. His latest book is Mystical Perelandra.

Dr. Como holds a PhD in Literature & Rhetoric from Columbia University and is Professor Emeritus at City University of New York, where he was a founder of the Department of Performing & Fine Arts. He is a Chancellor’s Access to Excellence honoree and a Salvatori Fellow with the Heritage Foundation.

A highlight of the “Greet the Speaker” buffet dinner is a musical bonus of songs, set to five poems by C.S. Lewis, performed by professional artists, The music is composed by William Dawson Jr. (Tellidora), a founding member of the New York C.S. Lewis Society. William is an alumnus of the Curtis Institute of Music, Wheaton College, and Yale University. He is a founder and Professor Emeritus at the New World School of the Arts in Miami. As a pianist, he has concertized as soloist and with orchestras throughout the United States and all over the world. He is an award-winning composer whose songs, chamber music, and orchestral works have been widely performed and celebrated.

Preparing for a new school year often stretches family budgets, but once again Shell Point residents stepped in with generosity through the School Supply Fund Drive— making a lasting difference for our employees and their children.

This year’s drive, led by Jeanne Carguilo (Turban) and Bonita Wilkins (Royal Bonnet), raised an impressive $32,548 thanks to the outpouring of resident support. Working closely with Shell Point’s Purchasing Department, the committee sourced supplies directly from local elementary school lists to ensure that every child received exactly what they needed.

The effort came to life through the hands of 75 resident volunteers who worked for two days unpacking, sorting, and organizing highlighters, markers, scissors, notebooks, and more. Their teamwork resulted in 820 fully stocked school supply bags.

The distribution took place at The Village Church, where employees picked up supply bags and expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who made it possible. For many, the support provided welcome relief during the costly back-toschool season.

“This drive shows the incredible spirit of community at Shell Point. Residents, volunteers, and staff all worked together to make sure children are ready for the school year,” said Jeanne.

School Supply Fund Drive

Supports Employees

A Personal and Financial Crossroads

For many, one of the most meaningful questions to consider is Should we begin giving money to our children now, or wait and leave it to them as an inheritance? At FineMark, we hear this question from clients who have built successful businesses, invested wisely, and now find themselves in a position to give. The right answer depends on your values, goals, and unique family dynamics.

THE CASE FOR GIVING DURING YOUR LIFETIME

Giving while you’re alive and able to see the impact can be incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s helping a child buy their first home, pursue an advanced degree, or launch a new venture, lifetime giving offers the emotional benefit of watching your support shape their lives. There are financial benefits as well. In 2025, individuals can gift up to $19,000 per recipient (or $38,000 per couple) annually without triggering gift taxes. Giving during your lifetime also removes those assets—and their potential future growth—from your taxable estate, which can be a strategic estate planning move. If your assets are expected to grow significantly, shifting them out of your estate sooner could reduce the overall tax burden when it’s eventually passed on.

THE CASE FOR WAITING

Delaying giving may offer greater peace of mind. Retaining your assets during retirement ensures flexibility to handle unexpected medical expenses, changes in the market, or lifestyle shifts. It also allows you to maintain control over how and when your wealth is transferred. Through tools like trusts, you can set clear parameters that protect your legacy and support your intentions, addressing concerns such as a child’s spending habits, risks from divorce, or legal disputes. It can also offer phased distributions based on age, milestones, or other conditions, giving you a tailored way to pass on wealth.

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE

Ultimately, this decision is about more than numbers. It’s about what feels right for your life and your legacy. Some questions to consider might include: Do we have enough to live the rest of our lives comfortably, no matter what? Would we find joy in seeing our children benefit now? Are our children prepared to handle large financial gifts responsibly? Would a structured plan give us more peace of mind?

At FineMark, we help clients explore both the financial and emotional aspects of giving. Through analysis and thoughtful discussions, we can help you weigh the pros and cons of your options and create a plan that reflects your goals and values. Whether you choose to give now or later, what matters most is that your decision is made with intention and with the confidence that your legacy will be one of both generosity and wisdom.

INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLES

Join the FineMark experts for discussions on market trends, financial news, and investment strategies. Register with Anna Smith at (239) 461-5930 or asmith@finemarkbank.com.

Tuesday, October 7 | Game Room/WDL | 9 – 10 a.m.

Tuesday, November 18 | Grand Cypress Room/WDL | 9 – 10 a.m.

Tuesday, December 16 | Grand Cypress Room/WDL | 9 – 10 a.m. Open Monday through Friday • 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Closed from noon to 1 p.m.

If you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by to see us on The Island. We are always happy to help.

BY ANNA SMITH, VP MANAGING EXECUTIVE

THE PATH POINTING

THE PATH POINTING

This summer, findings from the Alzheimer Association’s U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk—shortened to U.S. POINTER—demonstrated that lifestyle interventions can improve global cognition in older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia.

The study’s intervention design incorporated a holistic mix of diet, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social engagement,

and cardiovascular health. One group of participants received a more structured level of support, allowing researchers to compare outcomes across different levels of lifestyle guidance. Participants receiving the most support in accountability through meetings and follow up demonstrated greater cognitive improvement than the self-guided group. Encouragingly, both groups showed cognitive benefits, underscoring the power of lifestyle participation regardless of intensity.

The U.S. POINTER study is the latest in a significant accumulation of research results demonstrating positive impact of what are considered brain healthy lifestyle habits.

For Shell Point, these findings affirm a long-standing commitment to proactive brain health. The results echo the philosophy behind Shell Point’s Connections programs and broader wellness initiatives, which emphasize lifestyle as a key driver of cognitive vitality. When lifestyle choices are made

Join Us! 2025 Walk to End Alzheimers

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Information Fair | 8 a.m.

Opening Ceremony and Walk | 8:45 a.m. Florida Southwestern College

Support awareness for Alzheimers and learn timely information about diagnosis, treatment and caregiver options from local community resources. Transportation available. Sign up on Wellzesta!

TO BRAIN HEALTH

TO BRAIN HEALTH

intentionally and consistently, they can have a significant impact on brain health.

As aging populations seek ways to preserve cognitive function and quality of life, studies like POINTER offer hope and direction. At Shell Point, that direction is already part of the daily rhythm in programs and services that support brain health.

Shell Point’s Connections programs are both proactive and supportive. Built on a foundation of lifestyle-based brain health, classes are designed to sharpen the mind, reduce risk of cognitive decline, and support cognitive wellness across all ability levels. Whether residents are looking to maintain mental agility or navigate cognitive changes,

we provide the tools and the community to support every stage of the journey.

To learn more about the study, visit alz.org/uspointer. For more information on Connections programs, contact connections@shellpoint.org or Connections Program Coordinator Emily Reese at (239) 454-2134.

Creativity and Quilting,

Community

Celebrating the Artistry of Shell Point’s Quilters

For years, the talents of Shell Point’s resident quilters have been highlighted during the Celebration of Quilts, a biennial event in The Woodlands attended by residents and guests alike. The 2025 Celebration featured beautiful quilts, wall hangings, table runners, and other expertly crafted textiles illustrating a variety of techniques, from machine piecing and hand quilting, to applique, paper piecing, and embellishment. Visitors cast their vote for their favorites among the Quilters’ Challenge selections, and Carol St. Clair’s (Palm Acres) quilt “Koi Pond” received top honors.

Carol, who has been quilting for 8 years, volunteers as leader of the Quilting Studio. She said the Celebration of Quilts is the group’s signature event, adding that it is biennial due to the immense amount of time it takes to produce the number of quilts the group prefers to include in each show.

“We’re a small but passionate group who share a love of all things quilting. Whether we’re pursuing our own individual projects, making lap quilts for our friends at the Larsen Health Center, or sharing our knowledge on a group project, we are reminded that above all, it’s the connections we make and the fellowship we enjoy the most,” said Carol. “It is such a privilege to quilt alongside these ladies.”

In addition to a bright new space to meet with other quilters, learn more about the craft, and work on new pieces, the opening of Tribby Arts Center in 2022 afforded Shell Point quilters a new venue to showcase their artistry multiple times a year. Most recently, the Down by the Shore exhibition, open through October 18, features more than 40 quilts and textile works. It is the biggest rep-

resentation of quilts contributed by all members of the Tribby’s Quilting Studio, and, charting new territory, it is also the first exhibition of any kind to be extended into the Tribby’s new Corridor 2 Gallery. Quilt studio members’ works were also featured in Handmade for the Holidays, a December 2022 – February 2023 exhibition.

Several Legacy Exhibitions honoring the contributions of resident artists have also featured quilts. Pat Meredith: Art of the Quilt in 2023 filled both the Legacy and Overlook galleries, and in 2024, Marie Michelle McCarthy’s quilts and textiles were featured in the exhibition she shared with Tom Young called In Fabric and Wood. This season, In Glass & Fabric will spotlight the works of quilter and textile artist Carol Mann and glass artist Michael Armstrong. “Quilting and textile works have been featured in nearly every all-resident, all medium exhibition in the Tribby,” said Marge Lee, Resident Tribby Curator (Lucina). “They were also well represented in the delightful 2023 group exhibition Fanciful.”

The Tribby has also presented the works of guest quilters. The 2024 Artist as Muse: The 20th Anniversary Exhibition of Art Quilters Unlimited was so well received that the group is returning in 2026 for a new show called All the Buzz!

“There’s nothing like the colors, patterns, and textures of quilts and other textiles to enliven an exhibition. Quilts speak two languages concurrently, on the one hand being beautiful art objects, and on the other articles that instantly evoke feelings of warmth and home,” said Marge. “Down by the Shore, along with all past exhibitions featuring the quilting genre, is a perfect example of the invaluable contribution the Shell Point quilters make to Tribby exhibitions.”

OPEN TUESDAY – SATURDAY

10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

Through

Saturday, October 18

FACES IN THE SAND

Anna Chan Sculpture and Grace Berge Photography

The Shell Point Gallery

The exhibition pairs the sculptural work of Anna Chan of New York with the impressionistic photography of Grace Berge of St. Petersburg, Florida. Chan’s intricate animal portraits, shaped from shells and sand, astonish with their lifelike detail, while Berge’s large-scale, ethereal images invite a sense of calm and serenity.

DOWN BY THE SHORE & SUMMER BY THE SEA

The Legacy, Overlook, and Corridor 1 & 2 Galleries

In Summer by the Sea in the first-floor Corridor 1 Gallery, Shell Point painters and photographers explore subjects ranging from serene sunsets to a puppy napping on the sand. In the Tribby’s second-floor galleries, Down by the Shore displays more than 40 quilts and textile works by members of the Tribby Quilt Studio. Works by members of the Tribby Glass and Pottery Studios and Wood Shop further enhance this large beach-themed exhibition.

Join Us! Season Opening Exhibitions Celebration

Saturday November 1 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | 5:30 – 7 p.m. Reception

You Have My Attention, Barbara Stanton

Saturday, November 1, 2025 –January 17, 2026

MINUTE MASTERPIECES

Fine Art Presented in Partnership with the Miniature Art Society of Florida & Urbanscapes by Alberto Chailosky

The Shell Point Gallery Sponsored by Guys Who Give

In Tribby Art Center’s first-time partnership with the Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF), Minute Masterpieces will display more than 140 miniature paintings from leading artists of the genre across the United States, paired with miniature depictions of urban landscape icons created for this exhibition by Alberto Chailosky of Fort Myers.

Headquartered in Dunedin, Florida, MASF has more than 150 members who live across the United States and other countries. In January of this year, its 50th Annual International Miniature Art Exhibition at Creative Pinellas, Florida, attracted more than 800 applicants. Many of the artists showing works in Minute Masterpieces were award winners in that prestigious and highly competitive international exhibition.

Directed and defined by a specific scale, miniature art typically requires magnification to appreciate its details. For that reason, Minute Masterpieces will provide magnifying glasses for the use of all viewers in the exhibition.

Also for this exhibition, Fort Myers resident Alberto Chailosky created miniatures of The Century Hotel, Miami Beach; Tabanero Cigars, Ybor City, Florida; Captain Tony’s, Key West, Florida; and the Columbus Circle Newsstand, New York. Also included is Chailosky’s Sinclair Gas Station, which previously was displayed in the Tribby’s Styled Steel exhibition. Originally a set designer in New York City, Chailosky’s passion is creating these miniature “urbanscapes.” All display fascinating detail and tell a story in which the artist’s own history is linked.

IN GLASS & FABRIC

Michael Armstrong & Carol Mann

The Legacy, Overlook, and Corridor 2 Galleries

Two Shell Point residents are honored as the 2025 Tribby Arts Center Legacy Artists in this retrospective exhibition.

Michael Armstrong (Estuary) combines artistry with a knowledge of physics and chemistry to fashion beautiful glass works, many that seem to define gravity. He helped guide the development of the Tribby Glass Studio and in 2021 was awarded Best of Show in the Tribby’s Inaugural SPARKLE! exhibition series.

Known for meticulous sewing skills and boundless creativity, Carol Mann (Sundial) creates whimsical art quilts, artful fashions and accessories, and other original textile and fiber works. Also a Tribby exhibition award-winner, Carol has been a long-time member and supporter of the Shell Point Quilters and Quilt Show.

Michael Armstrong and Carol Mann are not only superb artists who have served their studios well but also, with their spouses, Patricia and Bobby, are generous financial donors of Tribby Art Center. Their contributions of time, talent, and treasure exemplify why Tribby Arts Center is so indebted to its Legacy Artists.

Academy FLL02 … Sign up on Wellzesta! MINUTE MASTERPIECES:

The History and Significance of Miniature Art

Monday, November 3 | 10 a.m. | Connie Brown Hall

The beauty and details of paintings in the exhibition Minute Masterpieces will make you gasp. This lecture by Dr. Julie J. McGowan, President of the Miniature Art Society of Florida, will explore the history and criteria of this fine art in miniature. Following the lecture, Dr. McGowan and Alberto Chailosky, who is displaying his miniature “urbanscapes” in the exhibition, will be in the Shell Point Gallery until noon to greet residents. Dr. McGowan has master’s degrees in art history and museology, a Ph.D. with a cognate in Art, and has presented lectures and gallery talks across this country and in several museums in Europe. Al Chailosky, having begun his career as a set designer in New York City and now working in the fashion industry, is known throughout Southwest Florida for his evocative miniature depictions of urban icons.

The Serendipity Holiday Shop

Grand Opening: Saturday, November 1

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Tuesday – Saturday | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

It’s back! Once again, the Serendipity Holiday Shop will offer special gifts this festive shopping season. Among the new items offered are unique greeting cards featuring pop-up animals made by the late June Lockhart, a leading figure in the early history of the Shell Point Pottery Program. The shop also will offer exquisite, hand-beaded miniature boxes for rings or special messages, holidaythemed items, and more. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Tribby Christmas Tree

Lighting and Reception

Friday, December 5 | 6 p.m.

You’re invited to the lighting of the Tribby’s magical tree, decked out by members of the Tribby Crafts Studio with favorite ornaments from seasons past, as well as some new designs and Celtic touches. Each beautiful ornament was handmade by an artisan working in a Tribby studio or the Shell Point Woodshop. Enjoy holiday treats and admire the intricate designs adorning the tree as we kick off a wonderful Christmas season at the Tribby!

Opening Preview Reception | Tuesday, January 27

RHYTHM & BLOOMS

Watercolors by Stephanie Trick with Haiku by Shell Point Writers

The Corridor 2 Gallery

Wednesday, January 28 – Saturday, March 21, 2026

ABOVE & BEYOND Works

by Sun Smith-Forêt

The Shell Point, Legacy, Overlook, and Corridor 1 Galleries Sponsored by Marie Michelle McCarthy

This massive exhibition will display a monumental textile, more than 60 spectacular basketry works, 36 small paintings, and a large sculptural installation, Comma, Black

Living in the St. Louis area, Smith-Forêt creates textural works with symbolic meanings. The exhibition will feature Riverwork, a panoramic textile that references human and water resources. In its entirety, the work is 300 feet of pliable sections of sewn, layered, hand-quilted, hand-stenciled, and painted cloth that incorporates the work of more than 70 artists. Designed to be displayed in its entirety or sections, in the Tribby the work will extend across 220 feet of wall space. Read more about this phenomenal exhibition in the next issue of Shell Point Life.

Stephanie Trick and her husband, Paolo Alderighi, travel around the world to present concerts in which they play together on one piano. Our Tribby 2025 Artists in Residence, the duo has dazzled Shell Point audiences with their performances in Connie Brown Hall. Few residents know, however, that the multi-talented Trick relaxes by painting exquisite floral watercolors. This exhibition places this artist’s work on first-time display in the United States, and Stephanie and Paolo are presenting a concert in the Tribby’s Connie Brown Hall on Tuesday, January 27, which is the Opening Preview for this exhibition.

The exhibition will include ten Haiku—a traditional style of Japanese poetry characterized by a specific syllabic, rhythmic pattern—by members of the Tribby Writers Guild.

BLOOMING FLOWERS IN THE LITERARY LOUNGE

To celebrate the exhibition Rhythm & Blooms: Watercolors by Stephanie Trick, the Tribby Arts Library invites you to stop by the Literary Lounge at the end of the second floor Corridor 2 Gallery to view Blooming Flowers with Haiku by Shell Point Writers. This time-lapsed presentation on the lounge’s large video screen marries beautiful photography with classical music. Whether you watch it for a few minutes or for its entire hour, you will walk away refreshed and relaxed. The video will play continuously throughout the day.

Encore!

FGCU WIND ORCHESTRA

Monday, October 20 • 7 p.m.

$25 Resident | $35 Public

This powerful and dynamic performance by the FGCU Wind Orchestra features the finest student musicians from the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Shell Point’s Spring, Summer, and Fall concert season

THE UNDERCOVERS

Thursday, October 9 • 7 p.m.

$40 Resident | $50 Public

The Undercovers present Rogers, Richie & Robinson – Celebrating Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and Smokey Robinson. You’ve heard these songs before. But not like this. Enjoy beloved hits like Kenny’s The Gambler, Lionel’s Hello, and Smokey’s Cruisin’, reinterpreted with The Undercovers’ signature touch. According to Smokey Robinson, theirs is the “…Best version of Ooh Baby Baby, ever.”

A BRAND NEW SEASON OF MUSIC AT SHELL POINT!

STEVE LESLIE: HOW SWEET IT IS! CELEBRATING

THE MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR

Saturday, November 1 • 7 p.m.

Sold Out

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by The Rockin’ Sisters

Kick off an unforgettable season at The Tribby with How Sweet It Is!—a spellbinding concert event celebrating the legendary music of James Taylor! Grammy Award-winning songwriter Steve Leslie takes the stage with his warm baritone, masterful guitar work, and remarkable likeness to Taylor himself. Get ready to sing along to timeless favorites like Carolina In My Mind, Shower the People, You’ve Got a Friend, Fire and Rain, Up On the Roof, and many more. This heartfelt, authentic tribute showcases Steve Leslie’s extraordinary talent and deep connection to James Taylor’s iconic catalog.

concludes with a dynamic selection of performances from an impressive array of talented artists.

JODIE DESALVO & TOM CIMARUSTI

Tuesday, October 14 • 7 p.m.

$25 Resident | $35 Public

Spend “A Night at the Movies” with Jodie on piano and Tom on accordion as they present the greatest movie themes from the last 80 years—including classics like The Godfather, Dr. Zhivago, Star Wars, Love Story, Phantom of the Opera, and many more!

JAVOR BRAČIĆ

Tuesday, October 21 • 7 p.m.

$25 Resident | $35 Public

Taking listeners on a journey through Frédéric Chopin’s most beloved works, with a stunning selection of waltzes, mazurkas, fantasies, nocturnes, and scherzo, acclaimed pianist Javor Bračić showcases the composer’s extraordinary ability to blend lyricism, dance rhythms, and virtuosity.

HAYDE BLUEGRASS ORCHESTRA

Friday, November 7 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Friends of the Tribby

Straight from Norway and winning hearts around the world, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra brings a fresh, exhilarating energy to the American roots tradition. With rich vocal harmonies, masterful musicianship, and a style that blends bluegrass, folk, and Americana, this eight-piece ensemble delivers an unforgettable live experience. Performing original songs alongside creative takes on classics, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra captures the soul of Appalachian music while giving it a vibrant, contemporary edge. Their soaring fiddle and driving banjo have earned them international acclaim and a rapidly growing fanbase. Warm, joyful, and deeply authentic, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra is bluegrass like you’ve never heard it before. 2025

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE –A PIRATE'S LIFE

Monday, November 10 • 7 p.m.

$40 Resident | $50 Public Sponsored by Guys Who Give

Dive into the world of underwater archaeology and real-life pirate treasures. Pirates might be reduced to a Halloween costume for some people, but they are a year-round fascination for archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Lisa Briggs. Follow her to the Mediterranean Sea to explore how pirating shaped the Roman Empire, meet the Pirate Queen of China, and then head into the lab with Lisa to follow the most famous renegade, Blackbeard.

MURIEL ANDERSON & JOHN MCEUEN

Tuesday, November 18 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Emily and Jeff Hawley and Deborah La Gorce

ALISA WEILERSTEIN & INON BARNATAN

Friday, November 14 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Classical Circle

Experience an unforgettable evening with two of the classical world’s most celebrated performers: cellist Alisa Weilerstein and pianist Inon Barnatan. Known for her passionate interpretations and technical prowess, Grammy Award-winning Weilerstein pairs seamlessly with Barnatan’s expressive, elegant pianism. Together, they bring deep emotion, breathtaking virtuosity, and dynamic chemistry to a program featuring some of the most powerful works in the cello and piano repertoire. Praised individually and together by audiences and critics worldwide, Weilerstein and Barnatan promise a performance of classical music at its finest—and a must-see event for music lovers of all kinds.

Grammy Award-winner John McEuen, a founding member of the iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and world-renowned guitarist and harp-guitarist Muriel Anderson come together for an exceptional performance blending bluegrass, folk, classical, and beyond. With decades of artistry between them, McEuen and Anderson create a rich, intimate evening filled with impressive instrumentals. Their unmatched musicianship and easygoing charm promise a joyfully entertaining concert experience. Celebrate two of the finest string players of our time in a night that bridges tradition and innovation with pure musical magic.

ZACH BARTHOLOMEW TRIO

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 5 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Mary Buck

Back by popular demand, the acclaimed Zach Bartholomew Trio returns to Shell Point with the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi. Featuring all-new arrangements of classic favorites, this concert promises to bring joy, nostalgia, and holiday cheer to listeners of all ages. Celebrate the season with an enchanting night of the beloved music that has made Charlie Brown Christmas a timeless holiday tradition. Before the concert, join us for the annual Tribby Arts Center Christmas Tree Lighting event and admire the tree’s beautifully crafted ornaments, created by the Tribby studios’ talented artists.

CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY

Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Friends of The Tribby

Step into a magical world of holiday cheer with Christmas in Killarney, and experience the joy and spirit of a Celtic Christmas through dazzling dance and festive music. This high-energy production brings the sights and sounds of Ireland to life, blending traditional holiday favorites with world-class choreography and live musicianship. Celebrate the season in grand Irish style at the Tribby!

ANTHEM LIGHTS

Monday, December 8 • 7 p.m.

$30 Resident | $40 Public Sponsored by Resident Programming

Get into the spirit of the season with a special bonus concert featuring the sensational vocal group Anthem Lights, live at The Village Church! Known for their dynamic harmonies, infectious energy, and uplifting arrangements, Anthem Lights has won the hearts of fans worldwide with their unique blend of pop, inspirational, and holiday favorites. The perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family, this festive performance promises an evening of joyfully spectacular music.

BACHELORS OF BROADWAY

Tuesday, January 6 • 7 p.m.

Sold Out

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Maddy Hanlon & Deborah La Gorce

Get ready for a dazzling night of music, charm, and pure Broadway magic! Bachelors of Broadway brings together a trio of dashing leading men performing beloved hits from the world’s greatest stage and screen productions, all delivered with thrilling, contemporary three-part vocal harmony. With songs from Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera to Jersey Boys, 42nd Street, Hamilton, and many more, this unforgettable performance captures the spirit and style of Broadway at its best. Bachelors of Broadway promises an elegant and exhilarating concert experience!

NEW YORK VOICES

Saturday, January 17 • 7 p.m.

SISTER SADIE

Thursday, January 8 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Tom & Barb Dunham

Sister Sadie, the Grammy-nominated, IBMA award-winning supergroup, brings their electrifying bluegrass sound to the Tribby in a powerhouse performance! Known for their stunning harmonies, fiery instrumental work, and undeniable energy, these six extraordinary women are reshaping the bluegrass landscape with a style that’s both deeply rooted and boldly fresh. Their performances combine clever reinterpretations and the kind of musical chemistry that can only come from seasoned musicians. Sister Sadie plays from the heart.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Penny Wilkinson & Dick Boehning

Celebrate the magic of vocal jazz with the Grammy Award-winning New York Voices, renowned for their breathtaking harmonies and dynamic performances. Blending jazz, Brazilian R&B, pop, and classical influences, New York Voices redefines vocal ensemble singing with a style that is both timeless and fresh. Their rich, intricate sound and effortless artistry have made them a favorite on concert stages around the world. From beloved jazz standards to innovative original works, New York Voices delivers a performance full of passion and musical brilliance.

TIME FOR THREE

Thursday, January 22 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Guys Who Give

Defying traditional boundaries, the dynamic trio Time for Three— featuring two violins and double bass—creates a sound all their own, blending classical finesse with the energy of pop, folk, and jazz. With their charismatic stage presence and genre-bending style, Time for Three has won international acclaim, thrilling audiences from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. Their performances are a joyful collision of styles, showcasing everything from Bach and the Beatles to bluegrass and beyond. Join us for an electrifying evening with Time for Three, where musical brilliance takes center stage!

TRIPLE ESPRESSO

Friday, January 23 • 7 p.m.

$30 Resident | $40 Public Sponsored by Resident Programming

Triple Espresso tells the story of three guys whose bid for showbiz fame and fortune ended in four minutes of magnificent failure on national television. Hugh Butternut, Buzz Maxwell, and Bobby Bean tell their rags-to-rags story earnestly, with hysterical results. Butternut is a musician, a vulnerable soul with a lounge lizard smile; Maxwell is an uncertain magician with an attitude; and Bean is an irrepressible, all-over-the-map entertainer with big dreams. Weaving together elements of slapstick, vaudeville, and a touch of audience involvement, Triple Espresso’s comedy appeals to everyone from first graders to grandparents!

STEPHANIE TRICK & PAOLO ALDERIGHI

Tuesday, January 27 • 7 p.m.

$50 Resident | $60 Public Sponsored by Dick Brown & Ken Saccaro

Back by popular demand, internationally acclaimed pianists Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi return to Shell Point, bringing their extraordinary four-hands piano artistry to the Tribby stage with an all-new show! Known for their dazzling blend of stride, ragtime, jazz, and classical influences, this dynamic husband-and-wife team delivers performances filled with infectious energy, breathtaking technique, and irresistible charm. Their new program promises fresh arrangements and the same joyous spirit that has made them audience favorites around the world. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magical virtuosity of this dazzling duo.

Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | The Village Church

Discover one-of-a-kind treasures handcrafted by Shell Point resident artisans. From original artwork, photography, pottery, and woodworking, to fabric creations, jewelry, children’s gifts, Christmas décor and more—every piece is made with care and creativity. Join us for two festive days of shopping, strolling, and finding that perfect gift!

A Cherished Shell Point Tradition!

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 4 | 6:30 p.m. Woodlands Boardwalk

Step into the magic of the season as Shell Point celebrates the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The Woodlands Boardwalk will glow with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the cheerful spirit of the holidays. Enjoy sweet seasonal treats and the timeless sounds of Christmas favorites performed live by Herb Bruce. Gather with friends and neighbors for an evening that marks the joyful beginning of Christmastime at Shell Point.

Give Joyfully

CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF THE

SEASON

Each year, the Employee Christmas Gift Fund gives us the chance to reflect on what makes Shell Point so special: our dedicated employees. Their efforts make this community more than just a place to live—they make it home. This year’s theme, Give Joyfully: Celebrating the Spirit of the Season, invites us to embrace the joy that comes from giving back.

The 2025 campaign continues through Wednesday, November 26. There are three easy ways to participate:

♦ Write a check to Shell Point with “Employee Christmas Fund” on the memo line and return to the Finance Department.

♦ Make a one-time or recurring gift through Wellzesta’s Concierge section.

♦ Call the Finance Department at (239) 454-2075 to set up a personalized giving arrangement.

We hope you will join us in giving joyfully and sharing this Christmas blessing with our Shell Point staff members!

Bob and Jeanne Lindman

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS

Bob and Jeanne Lindman (Enclave) were born just weeks apart at the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. In eighth grade, Bob asked Jeanne to be his gym class square dance partner, and their friendship turned into a lifelong partnership when they married after high school graduation in 1958. Seven years later, they opened Lindman’s Carpet Manor, which grew into one of the largest flooring businesses in Illinois.

Alongside raising four children, they made time for service. Jeanne gave her energy to community and church organizations, while Bob served on civic boards and in local government. Together, they also helped establish Kids Around the World, a nonprofit that builds playgrounds and supports children through meals and ministry projects worldwide. Today, their family includes 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, many of whom have joined them on mission trips.

At Shell Point, the Lindmans stay involved in church and community life. This year, they’ve volunteered to serve as chairs of the Employee Christmas Gift Fund.

“It’s a great way to thank the employees who make Shell Point such a special place,” said Bob. “They care for us in countless ways every day, and this is one way we can show how much that means.” Jeanne added, “For us, it’s about giving back with joy and celebrating the spirit of Christmas by showing appreciation to those who brighten our days throughout the year.”

Savor the Season

Delight in Holiday Dining at Shell Point

Celebrate the gratitude of Thanksgiving, the joy of Christmas, and the sparkle of the New Year at Shell Point. Make your reservations early to enjoy holiday dining at its best!

Palm Grill (239) 454-2059 | Vue (239) 225-2953

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27

Buffets at the Grand Cypress Room and Vue | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | $45 for Residents

Island Café | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Christmas Eve Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 24

Palm Grill | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Island Café | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Blend | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

New Year’s Eve

Wednesday, December 31

Palm Grill | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Island Café | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Blend | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursday, December 25

Vue | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Island Café | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Blend | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

New Year’s Day

Thursday, January 1

Vue | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Island Café | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Blend | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Family Feasts

If you are enjoying the holiday at home, let us do all the cooking! Choose a 12- to 14-pound turkey or six-pound honey-glazed ham with all the trimmings and your choice of pumpkin or apple pie. Call Vue or Palm Grill to order by November 23 for Thanksgiving, and by December 19 for Christmas. Family Feasts serve four to six people.

Turkey Feast is $105; Ham $95 (plus 18% gratuity).

Connections

WhoAuthors

YourStory?

Navigating the Challenging Chapters of Life

Thursday, October 9 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

The Village Church Auditorium Register on Wellzesta or call the church office at (239) 454-2147.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Bless a Child This Christmas

BY DON PULLEN, ASSOCIATE PASTOR, THE VILLAGE CHURCH

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about how you can fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. Each year, thanks to the support of Shell Point residents, The Village Church contributes hundreds of shoeboxes toward this worthwhile effort.

A ministry of international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child collects gift-filled shoeboxes that are delivered to children who have been affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, and other crises in third-world countries. Packed with toys, games, school supplies, and per-

sonal care items, each box is an unexpected gift that delights and sparks hope in the life of a child as they hear of Jesus’ love for them. Are you ready to bless a child at Christmastime? Whether it’s a theme box or a collection of miscellaneous items, you can brighten the day for little boys and girls across the world! Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will be available in The Village Church lobby beginning Friday, October 10 and should be returned to the church by Sunday, November 16. Visit samaritanspurse.org /occ to learn more, or call The Village Church office at (239) 454-2147.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2025

Building Faith Through Multi-Generational Connections

This summer, Shell Point welcomed 50 elementary school-age children and grandchildren of team members for Vacation Bible School at The Village Church. The week reflected Shell Point’s mission—the service of God and the care of His people— by bringing resident volunteers and staff together with the children for fun, new friendships, and meaningful lessons about faith.

The schedule was full, with an excursion on the Suzy Q, activities in Fort Myers, special guest visits, and plenty of games. The children also connected with residents from The Springs, The Arbor, and Larsen Health Center through collaborative art projects. The week concluded with a joyful musical worship performance for residents and families.

“It’s a huge team effort to join together and show God’s love to each one of these children,” said Jim Clark, Director of Employee Ministry. “It’s a blessing to share Shell Point with them and watch their faith grow.”

Thanksgiving Eve Service at the Village Church

Wednesday, November 26 at 10 a.m.

All are invited to join in celebrating God's faithfulness and thanking Him for His wonderful protection and provision. Both residents and employees will have an opportunity to express their gratitude. Transportation will be provided for Assisted Living residents.

Christmas Season at The Village Church

The Village Church invites residents, family, and friends to come together in celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. December will be filled with music, worship, and fellowship that reflect the true meaning of Christmas.

The Village Church Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 7 | 6 p.m.

Featuring The Village Church Choir and Orchestral Ensemble

Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 14 | 4 p.m.

Meet at The Village Church for Christmas caroling at King’s Crown, The Arbor, The Springs, Connected Living, and Larsen Health Center

Christmas Sing-Along

Sunday, December 21 | 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Wednesday, December 24 | 6 p.m.

“We are building a community of forgiveness, purpose and hope in Jesus Christ.”

The Village Church Mission

WHY?

A Community of Purpose

BY REV. ANDREW HAWKINS, PH.D., SENIOR PASTOR, THE VILLAGE CHURCH

Forever etched in my memory. Three block letters followed by a question mark. Boldly planted on the chalkboard in my eighth grade geography classroom by Mrs. Menzies.

It was the most annoying thing that my annoying eighth grade geography teacher did.

Now, in eighth grade, you should know that it was easy for me to be annoyed. Schoolwork was not high on my priority list. I was mostly interested in playing ball. Basketball mainly, but if it involved a ball, I was in. We didn’t play ball in geography class.

Mrs. Menzies was really a fine teacher, I would later discover. In spite of myself, I learned a good bit of geography. I could handle facts and details about nations and peoples and landscapes and natural resources and maps and political divisions. Stuff I could remember—at least through the next test.

But Mrs. Menzies wasn’t satisfied with the facts. She always wanted us to know WHY? Why did this happen? Why did these people do these things? She wanted us to know why stuff happened.

The problem was, answering the Why?

question is hard work. You actually have to think. Now, I didn’t have any problem with thinking, as long as it was about basketball. So, when, at the end of nearly every lesson, she planted WHY? on the blackboard, it was annoying. I didn’t want to think that hard. Why? is a question about purpose. That’s also usually a hard question to answer at nearly every stage of life. What is our purpose? Why are we here? What gives us meaning at this season of life?

It’s a very relevant question in a retirement community. Most of us probably feel like we had purpose. And then came retirement. What got us out of bed in the morning for decades fades in our rear-view mirrors. We get to a community like Shell Point and we wonder, “Now what?” “Who am I now?” We find that we need to re-imagine our purpose. What will get us out of bed today?

The issue of purpose is central to who we are at The Village Church. “Purpose” is a central virtue in the TVC mission statement: We are building a community of forgiveness, purpose and hope in Jesus Christ. Most of us find that we need to have a new vision of our purpose once we land in a new community like this.

At The Village Church, we find that our

purpose needs to be defined in the person of Jesus Christ. The one who lived the life of righteousness we could never live, who died on the cross in our place, taking on himself the penalty for the sins of all those who would ever believe in him, who rose from the dead affirming his identity as the Son of God, and who ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father—He is the one who calls us to a life of genuine purpose. When we act purposefully in devotion to Jesus, our lives become infused with meaning.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.

Amen. (1 Peter 4.10-11, ESV)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

May this be a season when you find real, eternal purpose in your life at Shell Point.

Tuesday, January 20 Tribby Arts Center

Lectures 10 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.

Concert 7 p.m.

Spend the day at the Tribby exploring the latest from Florida Gulf Coast University. Distinguished FGCU faculty members will present engaging lectures on current research and initiatives, while staff and students host an information fair highlighting programs and opportunities. The day concludes with a special concert featuring talented performers from FGCU’s Bower School of Music.

Sign up on Wellzesta!

The Legacy Foundation, with the generous support of Florida Trust Wealth Management, is proud to present Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries, an educational series featuring specialists from leading medical centers sharing the latest research on cardiology, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and beyond.

STROKE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Friday, January 30 | 10 a.m. | Tribby Arts Center

Amre Nouh, MD, MBA, FAHA, FAAN

Regional Chair, Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Florida Neurologic Institute

Presentations are free. Sign up on Wellzesta. Contact the Legacy Foundation office at (239) 466-8484 for more information.

Get Inspired

Save the date for a pair of exciting opportunities that highlight what Shell Point is all about— building connections, embracing new opportunities, and finding joy! at Shell Point

GROWING BOLDER DAY WITH MARC MIDDLETON

Tuesday, February 3 | Tribby Arts Center

Marc Middleton, Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and founder of Growing Bolder, shares the keys to happy and healthy aging during this interactive, multi-session event. Through a fresh perspective, Marc challenges outdated stereotypes and shows how we can celebrate life’s possibilities.

LIFESTYLE EXPO 2026

Wednesday, February 4 | The Village Church

Discover a day of fun and surprises! Step into the Lifestyle Expo and experience everything that makes Shell Point such a vibrant place to live. Explore dozens of booths featuring clubs, groups, and activities that offer new ways to learn, connect, and thrive! Join us and enjoy music, food, games, and prizes, too.