Page 1 - Fleet Landing

FLEET BEAT
VOL. 24 No. 4
THE FLEET LANDING RESIDENTS’ NEWSPAPER
May 2014
2014-2015 Residents’ Council Chosen
By Enith Vardaman
The Residents’ Council held its Annual
Meeting on the evening of April 23 in
Windward Hall. President Jim Lammie
began by recognizing the outstanding
service of Betty Platt, Peggy Steck, Dick
Sturtevant, and Dean Veremakis, the four
retiring council members. Those present
showed their appreciation with enthusiastic applause.
Lammie then thanked the Nominating Committee, made up of Chair
Anne Conway and members Howard
Burdick, Janice Flock, Phil Martin,
Patricia Payne, and Barbara Pieper, for
presenting an excellent slate of candidates.
Lammie turned the meeting over to
Mickey Miefert,who made the announcement everyone was waiting for. He and
his team, made up of Caroline Covin,
Beryl Hubbard, and Kay Miefert, had
tallied the votes. The winners of the
election were Gil Chirinos, Janet Kuchler,
Dottie Mann, and Jere Thompson. The
largest number of votes went to Thompson,
Front row (l to r): Janet Kuchler, Dottie Mann, Jan Hilton, Anne Leyden;
rear row: Steve Hammer, Dave Ritchie, Jere Thompson, Carl Crumpler. Not
pictured: Gil Chirinos.
who will serve a three-year term. The other newly elected council members
will each serve for two years.
The council met on April 24 and chose its officers as follows: Steve
Hammer, president; Dottie Mann, vice president; Anne Leyden, secretary.
In addition, Lammie resigned from the council. In his place, Carl
Crumpler, who was the candidate next in line by the number of resident
votes, will serve a one-year term.
Easter Extravaganza
By Chet Davis
With each passing party, it becomes harder to
describe these events, as all superlatives have already
been used. This party, dubbed “Easter Sunday
Afternoon Elegance,” was no exception. The food, which
was served identically both upstairs and down, was
excellent, and it included a variety to suit all tastes,
with exceptional presentation.
After being greeted with mimosas, guests found a
vast array of salads, smoothies, lamb, chicken, and
salmon as well as an open bar, to name just a few of
the offerings. Downstairs tables in the Atrium were
decorated with vases of flowers supported by jelly
beans and Peeps, all courtesy of Dining Room Manager
Christine Smith. Residents continued to enjoy these
unique flower arrangements in the dining room during
the days following the party.
The serving staff, working with their usual
efficiency, supplied all resident needs. When queried,
many said that they love these parties because they can
dress differently and mingle with the residents in a
more casual atmosphere. The culinary staff also enjoy
these parties, but residents should be aware of the five
days’ preparation time that precedes these events.
“Well done!” to all hands who made this an extra
special Easter celebration.
Editor’s note: See more party photos on page 10.
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FLEET BEAT
May 2014
Cookout Kickoff
A tasty menu and beautiful weather was in store
for the crowd that gathered for the first cookout of the
season on April 9. The sounds of Rhythm Trail, a steel
drum band made up of Caribbean island natives,
added to the festive atmosphere. Once again, thanks
are due Cynthia and Walter Graham for a musical
performance—in this instance, a change of pace from
the superb chamber music concerts the couple has
brought to Fleet Landing.
Advance Directives
By Enith Vardaman
The April 14 session of “Health Care News” in
Windward Hall featured Senior Director of Health
Care Services Elizabeth Sholar’s highly informative
presentation on three types of advance directives:
living will, do not resuscitate (DNR) order, and
designation of health care surrogate.
Living Will. This is a document that tells health
care providers what medical measures you do or do
not want taken if you have a terminal or end-stage
condition or are in a persistent vegetative state. For
the living will to go into effect, your physician must
have a copy and determine that you are no longer
capable of making independent health care decisions,
and your physician and another physician must have
determined that you have a terminal or end-stage
condition or that you are in a persistent vegetative
state.
DNR. This is a document indicating that you do
not wish to have life-sustaining activities such as CPR
performed if you suffer cardiac or respiratory arrest.
It must be signed by your physician and be accessible
to health care providers. In order to have a DNR, you
must have a life-threatening condition, or a physician
must decide that it is appropriate.
Designation of Health Care Surrogate. This is a
document that allows you to appoint someone else to
make medical decisions for you if you are incapable of
doing so, either permanently or temporarily. In the
latter case the health care surrogate’s authority would
end when you regain the ability to make your own
decisions. Unlike the living will, the designation of
health care surrogate covers all health care conditions.
(continued on next page)
FLEET BEAT STAFF
Production
Editor .........................................................................Enith Vardaman
Copy Editor ................................................................Adelle Williams
Copy Editor.........................................................................Tina Wolfe
Copy Editor/Reporter.......................................................Betsy Lewis
Photographer ..................................................................Ed Hollender
Phil Eckert
Pattie Loveland
Joan Carver
Judy Thompson
Diane Plame
Helen Craig
Reporters
Hunter Smith
Howard Burdick
Pat Payne
Karil Hammer
Jean Ludlow
Patti Postel
Victoria Freeman
Chet Davis (Roving Reporter)
All the news that fits…
Contributions to FLEET BEAT are welcome. Please place copy or any
comments you may have in box 1107 at the Coleman Center. Neither
letters to the editor nor anonymous submissions are published but we
are, of course, mindful of your comments. Find the latest issue of
FLEET BEAT on the Web at www.fleetlanding.com. Click on “News/
Press Releases” under“You’re Invited.” Back issues can be found in
the library.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Advance Directives
(continued from preceding page)
Be sure to provide your health care surrogate with a
copy of the document, and make sure the person knows
the choices you would want made.
Advance directives allow you to make legally valid
decisions about your future medical care. You do not
have to have these documents, but in that case, you
may receive treatment or procedures that you do not
want, and you will not be able to choose who is to make
health care decisions for you when you are unable to do
so. You can change or cancel any directive you have
implemented. Advance directives should be kept in a
safe but easily accessible place. The red envelope on
the refrigerator is an excellent place to keep them. A
copy of each of them should be supplied to appropriate
persons such as your health care providers and family
members.
Sholar also noted that changes had been made in
Florida law relating to power of attorney some three
years ago. She suggested that if a resident’s power of
attorney was more than three years old, the person
might want to have it reviewed by a legal professional.
“Health Care News” presentations take place on
the second Monday of each month at 2 pm. The topic is
announced in the WELLInspired monthly calendar, in
the weekly “News & Notes,” and on the bulletin board
in the mail room.
Editor’s note: Some topics, including advance
directives, presented in the 2013 inaugural year of
“Health Care News” are being repeated this year by
request. This article is largely a reprint of the report
that appeared in the April 2013 issue of FLEET BEAT
(page 19).
Surf Safely
By Karil Hammer
Abby Stokes, who made a return visit to Fleet
Landing on April 25 one year
after her previous visit, describes
herself on her Twitter page as
“writer, teacher, serial entertainer.” She is the author of Is
This Thing On?: A Computer
Handbook for Late Bloomers,
Technophobes and the Kicking &
Screaming. Her topic this year
was “Surf Online Safely,” and
those present in Windward Hall
(marketing prospects in the morning and residents in
the afternoon) saw her Twitter characterization
confirmed and then some. One hour of hints, short cuts,
and laughs gave them hope of turning the dreaded
computer into a helpful tool and family friend.
Stokes prefaced her knowledgable and fun-filled
talk by describing your computer as “just a plastic box
Page 3
that you control by commanding what information
comes out and what information goes in.” Understanding how you can safely control this information
exchange starts with a secure password. Ninety percent
of passwords can be broken in 20 minutes or less. She
explained a three passwords only system that should be
secure and easy to remember. Your first step is to write
your chosen core password down and then enter it for
use with e-mail. A second password—again, write it
down first—should be used for financial sites. The
purpose of writing the passwords down is so that you do
not forget what you chose, but, of course, keep them in a
secure place. The third, and last, password is merely a
version of the core password that is edited to fit each
specific website in the same way each time using the
site’s title. For example, insert the first two letters in
the title of a website between the second and third
characters of your core password. Considering that
there are now 350 million websites, this easy system to
remember makes your listing of multiple passwords
unnecessary.
Stokes had some advice about a few common
pitfalls: use a second credit card only for online
purchases; be careful that the caps lock key is not
engaged when entering passwords because you will be
typing all upper case letters, and you cannot see that
you are doing it; click on “Reply All” only if you mean it,
i.e., each of the original addressees needs to see the
reply; and understand the “bcc“ (“blind carbon copy”)
group email option, which conceals the email addresses
of everyone in the group when they do not know each
other. Stokes also reviewed some of the current spam
problems, noting that we tend to be taken in by spam
when we are afraid what would happen if we do not
respond. Her advice: Do not click on a link in an email
unless you are sure who sent it.
Stokes has a hand-holding website that includes
tutorials (www.abbyandme.com). There you can sign up
to have her newsletter “Ask Abby Stokes” delivered to
your computer. A listing of over 200 recommended
websites (available from the concierge) plus a “Grandparents’ Cheat Sheet for Staying in the Game” was
distributed to the attendees.
FLEET BEAT News
By Enith Vardaman
With this issue, we welcome new staff member
Victoria Freeman. She has contributed three articles:
Tai Chi (page 12), the Windward Commons display
case exhibit (page 4), which will be her regular beat,
and the new garden plots (page 9). A Master
Gardener, she will author a gardening column with
something for both experienced gardeners and
newbies.
We would also like to thank resident Dan Kuchta,
whom we can call upon to rescue pictures by using his
Photoshop skills to remove unwanted elements.
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FLEET BEAT
April Windward Commons Exhibit
By Victoria Freeman; photos by Dick Schlaff
According to J.E. Cirlot’s A Dictionary of Symbols,
the Easter egg represents immortality. With Lidia
Preble’s collection of hand decorated Easter eggs at Windward
Commons, the symbolism seems
to fit. The collection is timeless and
varied. As with other art forms,
different styles have developed
over the centuries. Preble’s collection of eggs contains examples of
many different types of decoration.
“I was born and grew up in
Poland,” she states. “After moving
to the US, every time I returned to
Poland, I would buy some eggs.
Friends also gave me some of
them. On our travels, I picked up whatever I could find
in the shape of an egg. The hand decorated wooden ones
were a good substitute for tourists to buy as they do not
break.”
Preble states that hand decorating Easter eggs is a
very old tradition in Central, Eastern and Southern
Europe. “Most often, the eggs are done by village people
who do not consider themselves as artists. They just
carry on tradition.”
In addition to a large goose egg with a bird
“portrait” and a whimsical mother
hen with matching chicks, Preble’s
collection contains a number of eggs
that she has painted herself. She
downplays her artistry. “You don’t
need any special equipment. You
just use your imagination and
whatever tools you find nearby. Use
paint, markers, crayons, glue. I did
these [on display] in the last couple
of weeks. ”
What a nice way to welcome
spring, a time when life bursts forth
once again!
Library Notes
By Enith Vardaman
The Library Committee thanks recent donors:
Marvin Alexander, Robert Bidwell (son of Marge and
Jack Bidwell; books mostly on naval topics), Betty
Blackwell (large donation), Matt Blakely, Carole
Carstater, Anne Conway, Bill Copley and Suzanne
Montgomery, Klara and George Csehi, Lillie Disch, Rae
Donnelly, Ann Farmer, Betsy Lewis, CeCe Lichtenstein,
Marian and Bob Mills, Janet and Herb Peeler, Natalie
Pittman, Shirley Stavridis, estate of Sally Thomas, Dave
Vaughter, Dean Veremakis, and Helen Williamson.
In conjunction with the formation of the Fleet Land-
May 2014
ing Golf Club (see article on page 17), the Library
Committee has set up a temporary exhibit of books
about golf. The books, which are on the shelf under the
windows, were generously donated by Hal Salzman.
The next book sale will be held May 21-26—just in
time for you to stock up on books for your summer
reading.
2104 National Senior League Bowling
By Art Jones; photo by Sheri Nicholson
The Fleet Landing Strikers posed for this picture with
Fitness Instructor Art Jones (front row, far right).
Fleet Landing entered three teams in the 2014 Wii
bowling National Senior League (NSL). This league
included 118 communities, 311 teams, and 1,500
bowlers from 34 states competing in 39 conferences and
seven divisions.
Our three teams, competitively known as the Fleet
Landing Strikers, competed against other senior teams
from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and
Tennessee. Each of our teams competed in an eightteam conference.
Let’s meet the Strikers:
Team #1 (Elite Division 1) members are Marge
Bidwell, Betty Foster, Dick and Karen Sturtevant, Stan
Tenenbaum, and Barbara Zamparelli. They set a new
team record of 995 pins in the first game of the season.
This score was anchored by Karen Sturtevant’s perfect
(300) games, a feat which earned her a place in the
prestigious NSL 300 Club. The team missed winning
their conference championship by two points.
Team #2 ( Master 1 Division) members are Elaine
Tenenbaum, Beth Gilson, Charlie Steck, Gene Crabtree,
Terry Philcox, and Joseph Denaro.
Team #3 (Master 2 Division) members are Helen
Hause, Millie Hatch, Jerry and Jackie Adler, Ed and
Betty Spielman, and Marilyn Heberling. This team was
awarded the Conference 37 championship.
Fitness instructors Art Jones and Sheri Nicholson
(program coordinators) would like to thank all team
members for their participation and look forward to the
start of the National Championship which will begin in
August of this year. Stay tuned for the second annual
National Senior Wii Bowling Day in mid-July.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
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Lunar Eclipse
Resident Ray Boyd captured these photos of the April 15 total lunar eclipse, which was visible at Fleet Landing.
His presentation on eclipses, summarized below, provided excellent preparation for this event.
Start of the eclipse
The total eclipse
End of the eclipse
A Timely Explanation of Eclipses
Eclipses occur only during eclipse seasons, as resident Ray Boyd explained during his presentation on April 9 in
Windward Hall. Two seasons occur each year. The seasons in 2014 are in April and October. The presentation was
scheduled to coincide with the April season, which included a total lunar eclipse on
April 15 observable all over the Western Hemisphere, and an annular eclipse (the
sun visible as a bright ring around the moon) in Australia on April 29. Boyd noted
that total solar eclipses were visible only in a very small geographic area for a
maximum of seven minutes. Lunar eclipses are visible from half the Earth facing the
Moon for up to about two hours.
Boyd explained why the frequency of solar eclipses is from two to five each year,
averaging 2.2 per year.
The entire system of solar and lunar eclipses was revealed when it was
established that very similar eclipses occur at intervals of the saros, about eighteen
years. The slight shifting of the successive similar eclipses led to recognition of series
of eclipses covering about 1,200 years in the future and past, about which
astronomers know the date, depth of eclipse, and approximate geographical location.
Personal Philanthropy
By Howard Burdick
On April 8 in Windward Hall, Senior Vice President
and Senior Trust and Fiduciary
Specialist Kenneth Thompson of
Wells Fargo Bank in Jacksonville
gave a presentation on “Philanthropic Solutions.” Thompson began
by acknowledging that philanthropy
is in the DNA of a lot of our
citizenry who wish to give back,
support a cause (including a
community such as Fleet Landing),
take care of family, set an example,
or leave a financial legacy by
passing on values. He described three types of lifetime
giving programs: charitable gift annuities (CGAs),
charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), and charitable lead
trusts (CLTs).
CGAs create a contract between a donor and a
selected charity, guaranteeing payment of an annuity
amount at a specified rate to the donor. They offer the
donor significant tax advantages, and they are generally
calculated to provide the charity with 50 percent of the
original contract value. CRTs split beneficial ownership
between a current income interest and a future
charitable interest by providing a stream of payments
to a donor or other non-charitable interests and a legacy
to a designated charity. They also offer significant tax
advantages. CLT’s split beneficial ownership between a
current charitable interest and a future non-charitable
beneficiary, such as an heir.
All of these programs have pros and cons to
consider, and all require some legal expertise to craft
appropriate documents to support the true intentions of
donors for their own personal concerns as well as for the
charities of their choice. One must be very comfortable
with choices and hire reputable legal assistance to
ensure that what is wanted will really be taken care of
under current laws. Anyone interested in following up
on these programs should visit Director of Charitable
Gift Planning Olivia Bush in the Coleman Center (ext
403).
You can’t take it all with you, but you can send it
on ahead, properly documented, to take care of you,
your heirs, and your favorite charity.
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FLEET BEAT
May 2014
Brush and Palette
I. Coleman Center Exhibit
By Betsy Lewis
Helen Craig’s “Goats of Aruba”
Hugh Wilson’s “Takin’ Out, Tenants
Harbor, ME”
Sara Hurst’s “Spring Break”
Jan Rigby’s “Mutual Admiration”
“Spring Enchantment” is the theme of the April exhibit.
Acrylics
Did Helen Craig get your goat? There is such a passel of surefooted animals in her “Goats of Aruba” that we wondered if that was
the case. A number of them have assembled on some well-textured
rocks located above a stream and abutting a house. Craig has
rendered a good color contrast in this scene.
“Mutual Admiration” is Jan Rigby’s portrait of an 18th century
lady seated on a door stoop and clad in a flowing garment and soft
cloth cap. She holds a flower, while admiring a bird who returns her
glance as it perches in a flowering vine nearby. The colors “spell” a
beautiful spring day.
A large vessel with billowing sails is in the harbor, carrying a
throng of passengers watching a sailboat race. In “Spring Break,”
Sara Hurst has captured a festive atmosphere with bright hats and
colorful outfits as well as a mood of action and excitement—the
cheerful scene enriched by the American flag flying overhead.
Mixed Media
Barbara Zamparelli’s “Spring Rites” depicts a grass-skirted
nymph, her long tresses crowned with a wreath. Paying homage to a
waterfall, she is surrounded by a sea of exquisite, fir-like branches
showing a hint of bloom, while a gull hovers overhead.
Jim Miles takes us to “Central Park South” for a gander at a
rowboat at the foot of a stairway flanked by bare shrubs. Executed
with a thick pen point, this study is less definitive than his usual
submissions. In spite of that, we still didn’t miss the boat.
Oils
There is a very definite foreign aspect to Tod Kuchler’s “Street
Scene GOA, India.” The town’s buildings have vertically striped
facades in deep, rich tones. In the scene, a woman approaches,
shielded by an umbrella to thwart the heat.
Hugh Wilson’s “Takin’ Out, Tenants Harbor, ME” suggests
Edward Hopper’s stark realism. The work has well-defined lines. It
depicts two men, one loading containers for the ship, Backwash,
while the other stands by chatting. Motion lies in the lovely
reflections in the water.
The accomplished Dian Felder presents ten miniatures in her
“Snap Shot” series: beach scenes at varying times of day and in
different types of weather. There are sunsets, paths to the beach,
birds—in short about everything except the scent of an ocean breeze.
Watercolors
Carla Philcox’s “April Showers Clearing” is a laid-back
rendering of a hazy fog lifting from a hillside flanked here and there
with stands of pine. The colors are subtle, the tone subdued.
By contrast, Jean Ludlow employs her brightest, most brilliant
paints in her rural scene, “Down in the Valley.” A purple sky with a
splash of yellow “knocks the eyes out” and is most beautiful to see.
“Spring Bouquet,” a truly handsome work by Connie Kolster,
bursts with flowing beauty. It’s almost monochromatic—various
purples—in a wet-on-wet approach. A hint of green can be found but
it’s scarcely noticeable. In short, this painting simply “sings.”
In Betsy Lewis’s “Why did Mommy say, ‘No!”’ a disobedient,
roly-poly boy is climbing a fence into a garden. Tsk.
(Brush and Palette continued on next page)
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 7
Brush and Palette
(continued from preceding page)
II. Expressions Gallery Exhibit
By Jean Ludlow
Left: Pat Payne’s “Web of Deception”
Above: Ellen McHale Morse’s “Beach
Road”
Right: Jayu Mahajan’s “Glory in Pink”
Fleet Landing is fortunate to have Expressions,
All three of these residents also have paintings on
an ideal art studio on the second floor of Windward
display in the Coleman Center gallery. Connie
Commons. Several resident and non-resident students
Kolster, a new resident and a watercolor student, is
make good use of it by taking watercolor classes
showing one of her floral paintings there as well. (See
taught there on Tuesdays from 10 am to 1 pm by
article on preceding page.) Another new resident,
professional watercolorist Jennie Szaltis.
Patti Postel, has started her artistic journey in the
Student works on display outside the studio
watercolor class. during April included paintings by residents Patricia
The exhibit also features work of two of Szaltis’s
Payne, Helen Craig, and Jean Ludlow. Payne’s
advanced students, non-residents Ellen McHale
watercolor, “Web of Deception,” is a floral brought to
Morse and Jayu Mahajan. Morse’s penchant for
life through her unique treatment of the background,
carefully painting in great detail is beautifully shown
where she uses an intricate web-like design. The
in her landscapes, “Beach Road,” “Field of Dreams,”
quality of her work belies the fact she is quite new to
and “Maine Life,” which feature fields of flowers in
watercolor painting. Ludlow’s selections, a still life,
country settings. Mahajan is best known for her floral
“Tea Time,” and her larger painting of a parrot,
watercolors, as evidenced in her “Glory in Pink” in the
entitled “Polly,” continue to showcase her favored
exhibit, a smaller version of paintings hanging on the
approach of using bold colors and blending them
walls of her waterfront home on the St. Johns River.
through a wet-on-wet technique. Craig’s preferred
For further information about the class, contact
medium is acrylics. She often uses photographs taken
Szaltis at www.jenniesgallery.com or 904-294-3135, or
on trips as a reference for her paintings. This was the
stop by the studio on Tuesdays to observe the class in
case with her floral, “Good Morning, Sunshine.”
action.
Volunteers Feted
These views of the turnout at the April 10 “Volunteer Appreciation Cocktail Hour” in Windward Hall show that
Fleet Landing has lots of residents willing to share their time and talents for the benefit of others.
Page 8
FLEET BEAT
Meet You at the Ritz
By Patti Postel
A small group of Fleet Landing residents who were
lucky enough to have signed up for the Ritz Theatre
and Museum tour on April 24, enjoyed an exceptional
opportunity to learn about the contributions and
history of some of Jacksonville’s most talented and
resourceful African Americans. The facility, located in
the LaVilla neighborhood, serves as a resource for
artists, educators, families, researchers, and visitors.
Approximately 99 percent of the Ritz’s items were
donated by the community.
Adonnica Toler, our tour guide, offered additional
fascinating historical tidbits as we proceeded through
the exhibits. She said that during its heyday, the 1920’s
to the 1960’s, the LaVilla community was known as the
“Harlem of the South.”
The first segment of the tour featured the Johnson
brothers, James Weldon and John Rosamond. Born in
1871 and 1873, respectively, the brothers’ success
began with a song written for a birthday celebration for
Abraham Lincoln in 1900. The song, “Lift Every Voice
and Sing,” was performed by 500 children from the
Stanton school, where James Weldon was principal.
The story of the Johnson brothers unfolded in a
small theater inside the Ritz. The lights dimmed and a
figure sitting at a desk, an animatronic version of James
Weldon, began to speak about his experiences. His
brother, John Rosamond, was seated at an old upright
piano in a different room when he began to speak.
James Weldon attended Atlanta University and
became principal of Stanton, a Jacksonville school for
African-American students. He gradually expanded the
school into the first black high school in Florida. While
working at Stanton, he attended law school and was
admitted to the bar in 1897, becoming the first black
man in Duval County to seek admission to the bar.
Initially, James Weldon was a part-time songwriter, but
after leaving Florida in the early 1900’s, he joined his
brother in New York.
Rosamond’s musical talent earned him entry into
the New England Conservatory, and he also studied in
London. He sang, acted, toured, produced operettas, and
wrote music with his brother and Bob Cole. Rosamond
served as the director of the New York Music School
Settlement for Colored from 1914 to 1919, and he was
the musical director of a London production of
Blackbirds of 1936.
James Weldon worked for the election of President
Theodore Roosevelt and was appointed to diplomatic
positions in Venezuela and Nicaragua. His diplomatic
term was from 1906 until 1914. He was involved with
the NAACP, becoming the chief executive of the
organization by 1920. He published stories, poems, his
autobiography, and a fictional narrative, often receiving
awards for his efforts.
May 2014
At the conclusion of the Johnson brothers’ story, the
tour proceeded to the Eartha M. M. White exhibit. A
remarkable woman, White was renowned for completing
any endeavor she began. She developed a number of
social programs for the disadvantaged, beginning with a
soup kitchen in 1904. This expanded to include a senior
center, a TB hospital, an orphanage, employment
training, programs for delinquents, a park for the
underprivileged, an alcohol recovery program, and
housing for veterans and the homeless. She was a social
worker, realtor, black census taker, teacher, and a
soprano with the first black opera company in the US.
She owned several businesses, earning more than a
million dollars in her lifetime. All of her money was used
in the aid of those less fortunate.
James Weldon Johnson’s book of poems, God’s
Trombone: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse, served as the
inspiration for a large art exhibit at the museum.
Displays included collages, sculpture, mixed media,
paintings, jewelry, and ever-changing displays.
The visit provided a fascinating trip back in time for
the price of a five-dollar bill.
Meeting the Candidates
By Diane Plame
On April 15 and 17, residents gathered in Windward Hall for a meeting with the seven candidates for
four open positions on the Residents’ Council: Dave
Boyer, Gil Chirinos, Carl Crumpler, Janet Kuchler,
Dottie Mann, Ed Spielman, and Jere Thompson. Each
candidate was given five minutes to present his or her
agenda. After that, the audience could ask questions of
the nominees.
On April 15, a question about Fleet Landing’s
greatest need elicited these responses:
• Complete building so residents could return to a
normal, placid life.
• Avoid the idea that bigger is better.
• Slow down the expansion and have the council
listen and take action if necessary.
• Define the appropriate dress code.
• Make sure residents’ opinions on all issues are
heard and considered.
There were no questions at the April 17 session,
but former council member Dave Ward thanked the
candidates for their willingness to serve.
In Memoriam
Charlie Goyette
1923-2014
Phyllis (P. J.) Graham
1923-2014
Ginny Kelley
1917-2014
Dorothy Laird
1922-2014
Bud McGrath
1924-2014
Sally Thomas
1916-2014
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Community Garden News
Text and photo by Victoria Freeman
Robert Freeman is delighted by the new beds.
Want to test the greenness of your thumb? Fleet
Landing’s new community garden, located in front of the
Annex, offers boxes, water, and wisdom. Residents were
able to apply for a 3 foot by 10 foot plot in April, with
successful applicants chosen by lottery. A gardening
library will be available explaining how to grow the best
veggies in Florida’s challenging climate. Mini seminars
will be offered by experienced gardeners and guest
speakers.
Experiencing Contemporary Art
By Pattie Loveland; photos by Anne Leyden and
Pattie Loveland
Page 9
Laura, the street on which MOCA has been located for
ten years. The museum features works of art from 1900
to the present.
Our guided tour started with the museum’s permanent exhibition on the second floor, where we saw
different types of art, including a stone “torso” with optic
lights and Hiram Williams’s series of painted abstract
faces.
The museum is now a cultural resource of the
University of North Florida (UNF). We visited the UNF
Gallery, which presents exhibits by local artists. The
current exhibit, “Observing Objects,” runs through May
11 and features the paintings of Leigh Murphy.
“Material Transformations,” the featured exhibit on
the third floor was running until April 6. The artists used
traditional materials in very unusual ways, uncovering
symbolism in such materials as masking tape, newspapers, hat pins, construction debris, office supplies, trash
cans, and just plain old trash. For example, artist Alison
Foshee created “The Raven” with office labels on white
paper and “Douglas Fir” with staples on paper. Angela
Ellsworth created “Bonnets” with 23,234 corsage pins,
fabric and steel. Johnston Foster’s “Big Tipper” was made
with mixed media including trash cans, plastic and
screws! His message is for our consumer-oriented society,
and he likes using wasted materials of our daily life.
The Fleet Landing visitors thoroughly enjoyed
seeing some unusual art, and they think Jacksonville is
fortunate to have a museum of this quality.
Editor’s note: Resident Jean Ludlow has a special
connection to MOCA, having served as president of its
board in the 1980’s before the museum moved
downtown.
Keeping Tabs on the Ospreys
Photo by Ray Boyd
Dave Boyer and Barbara Pieper examine two of the
works on display.
On April 4, a lovely spring day, about 20 enthusiastic Fleet Landing residents visited the Museum of
Contemporary Art (MOCA), now housed in the historic
former Western Union Telegraph Building in downtown
Jacksonville. First stop was the museum’s Café Nola,
where we enjoyed a lovely lunch. “Nola” stands for North
Louise Munson uses the spotting scope.
Thanks to residents Helen Hause and Ray Boyd,
residents can now get a close-up view of the osprey nest
atop the gazebo in the lake. Hause donated a spotting
scope, and Boyd has set it up in the library for all to use.
Page 10
FLEET BEAT
May 2014
Easter Sunday Afternoon Elegance
Photos by Chet Davis, Ed Hollender, Peggy Steck, and Pamela Waldman
Ready for the party to begin
Samples of the attractive presentation
Jeremy Singleton prepares one of the delicacies.
Two of the unique Peeps
flower arrangements
Selecting delicacies
Pamela Waldman (l) and
LaVonne LaHatte
Martha Bonewitz, Cy Barry,
George Forsyth
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 11
April 12: A Beautiful Day for an Easter Egg Hunt
Photos by Ed Hollender, Brandon Levy, Kathi Rose, and Crissy Slifka
Children and grandchildren of staff and residents joined in the fun of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the
McCracken Pavilion.
Children up through age 4 hunted eggs on one side of
the pavilion.
Transportation Coordinator Brandon Levy’s son, Samuel,
(front) and nephew, Christian, had a lot of success.
Children ages 5 to 9 sought the prized eggs on the
other side of the pavilion.
Posing with the Easter Bunny, aka Administrative
Assistant of Health Care Services Bryan Burleson
I found another one!
Getting a hug from the Easter Bunny
Page 12
FLEET BEAT
May 2014
Tai Chi Graduation
By Victoria Freeman
LtoR: Instructor Art Jones with Tai Chi Part 1
graduates Virginia Mellott, Martha Marchetti, Mary
Grace Aviles-Alfaro, Victoria Freeman, and Connie
Kolster
The graduates and instructors listed above plus Betty
Lou Connell (front row, far left) perform “Wushu,” a
Chinese martial art greeting.
“Throw the baby,” “play the lute,“ and “open the
curtains.” What do these actions have to do with
arthritis? On April 1, a number of Fleet Landing
residents ascended the Windward Hall stage and dem-
Bridge News
By Dottie Mann
Bridge is a competitive game that requires
memory, thinking, planning, and communication.
All bidding, including a pass, should tell your
partner something about your hand. Do not lie to
your partner about the number of points or length
of the suit in your hand. Bridge is a game that is
based on skillful play, not fooling your opponents.
TIP: A very important part of playing bridge is for
you and your partner to be in agreement. When the
dummy is put on the table, add the dummy’s point
count to the declarer’s likely point count. Example:
Bidding has gone 1NT-3NT. Partner leads and
dummy has 10 HCP. If your opponent is playing a
15-17 no trump range, assume declarer has 16
points. Thus they have 26 points between them. You
know how many you have, so it is easy enough for you
to figure out how many your partner has. Do it! It’s
good practice! This will help you to know something
Tai Chi Part 2 graduates Cliff Rigsbee, Marilyn
Heberling, Rosemary Anthony, Mary Grace AvilesAlfaro, and Barbara Pieper with instructor Sheri
Nicholson.
onstrated these and other movements from Dr. Paul
Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis. Fitness Instructors Sheri
Nicholson and Art Jones led the group and then
informed the audience that Lam’s Tai Chi is approved
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Students can enter the classes at any time and can
modify any movements they find difficult. No special
outfits are needed. Resident Martha Marchetti, a Tai
Chi novice noted, “Tai Chi has helped me with my
posture, and I know it has stimulated my thought
processes.” Manager of Wellness Services Briana
Bledsoe agrees. She said, “Tai Chi embodies the
WELLInspired mind, body, and spirit program. It
provides a reduction in pain, increased mental
stimulation, and improved physical well-being.” The
demonstration ended with the students receiving
certificates of completion.
about your partner’s hand. Partnership agreement
and communication is an important part of the game.
At Fleet Landing, there are a number of ways to
participate in this wonderful game. There is
duplicate bridge on Monday and Thursday. There is
a social bridge game on Wednesday currently led by
Florence Bischof (372-4153) and a men’s social game
led by Bo Bohannon (241-5770) on Friday. Most of
these games are played in the Coleman Center Club
Room about noon. In addition, many folks have a
foursome in their homes morning, noon, or night.
If you are interested in playing Wednesday or
Friday, please contact the folks mentioned above, or
just show up about noon on the day. If you are
interested in the duplicate games, please contact
Janice Flock (241-6888) or Dottie Mann (249-5216) a
few days in advance.
If you want to play at home, invite others to
your place.
Good luck with your games.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Back-to-back cruises in France provided an
enormous range of emotion for Beryl and Carolyn
Hubbard, whose first trip went from Paris to the
Normandy beaches for a D-Day ceremony. A major
general, USA (retired), was sponsored by the
American Cemetery to head the proceedings, which
started with every veteran on board—the ship’s
guests were all Americans—to step forward and
receive a commemorative pin. The 70th anniversary of
the invasion was then observed, concluding with two
of the oldest veterans placing a wreath at the base of
the Memorial statue. A recording of “The Star
Spangled Banner” was followed by “Taps” on this very
solemn occasion.
At nearby La Pointe du Hoc the group examined
the German bunkers erected to thwart the troops. They
also learned about prefabricated harbor units that
were built in England, sunk in the Thames River, and
then floated across the Channel, which allowed three
roads to be built to extend to the beach. One carried the
Allies, another the supplies including armaments, and
the third permitted the trucks to return for more
equipment and such. Our sightseers also visited
Omaha and Utah beaches.
A bullet train took the Hubbards from Paris to
Dijon, where they embarked on a second ten-day cruise
on the Soane and Rhone rivers to Provence.
While Carolyn claims she knows but a few words of
French, she certainly learned her history, having
provided most of the foregoing information. Beryl states
that she is now making a scrapbook, possibly recalling
another trip to France made 35 years ago. He said,
”Spring in France was gorgeous and beautiful; beautiful,
just bursting out all over.”
Old-timers here recall that Betty Burnham danced
on Broadway in such productions as Carousel and
Oklahoma, but like any coin there is another side to
her personality, aptly described by Barbara Blair as “a
dedicated volunteer.”
About four years ago Betty started working for the
USO on Mayport Road, helping to serve dinner on a
monthly basis to active military personnel and their
families—a festive situation with young parents and
cavorting small children thrilling to an evening on the
town.
Betty asked the manager, Pam Coates, if it would
be better if she helped in the kitchen, having noted
the need. Thus she joined the kitchen crew, cutting and
dicing and slicing produce, helping make casseroles, pre-
Page 13
paring meats for the oven, and on and on.
Barbara Blair learned that occasionally there was a
need for dessert. As Betty explained, the $500 monthly
budget for a meal for 300 or 400 people sometimes
doesn’t go that far.
Enter Barbara and a crew of a baker’s dozen.
Besides Barbara, the group includes Pat Bross, Betty
Burnham, Caroline Covin, Beth Cueroni, Andrea Davis,
Janice Flock, Judy Foppiano, Gene Lewis, Louise
Magner, Kay Miefert, Suzanne Phillips, Sally Reinhart,
Jean Welch, and Sueanna Wilson. “We usually make
sheet cakes when the menu calls for it. Betty picks
them up, takes them to the USO, then stays for the day
preparing food that is provided by various vendors.”
At a certain hour, the crew cries, “Let ’em eat cake!”
Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is an
exquisite, lightly scented, subtropical and tropical
plant. Nonetheless, it is grown here by Jane Burdick,
whose garden is her passion.
Jane has any number of very large pots of the shrub
—which actually resembles a tree and may grow to 20
feet tall. During the cold weather, she gave them the
attention of a mother tending her children, to protect
them. Covering and moving them was a mammoth job,
managed with Howard’s help.
The good news: wisps of green are beginning to
emerge. “Quite possibly there will be some blooms,”
Jane opined. Flower lovers might make a point of
driving by her home for a look-see in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, don’t miss the wisteria in her backyard,
viewed as you enter the Selva gate and turn slightly to
the right. Twined around a stately pine tree, it has
“almost reached the sky.”
Anchorage, AK: March 27, 1964 — Churchgoers
had returned from Good Friday services. Diane
Plame, whose late husband, Sam, was on duty in
Seattle, was preparing dinner in their home at
Elmendorf Air Force Base, when she felt the two-story
building begin to rock. Bob, Sam’s son, hastily turned
on the radio, which was broadcasting a message
repeated again and again, “Take high ground! Take
high ground!” Diane swooped up her infant, Valerie,
as the cabinet doors flung open, and with her motherin-law and Bob ran outdoors. A loud roaring noise
filled the air. Neighbors had gathered, many holding
on to fixed objects for stability, wondering what to do.
Diane later learned that at Turnagain, a nearby
neighborhood, a boy ran into his home to get his brother,
and both perished as the building slid into the bay. A
few miles away in Anchorage, another youngster on a
similar mission met his fate as houses simply
disappeared. Another watched the earth swallow his
car.
Somehow the residents of the military base came
(continued on next page)
Page 14
FLEET BEAT
Around and About
(continued from preceding page)
through unscathed but Diane said that she experienced
“90 tremors a day” for quite a period after that. A tray
on her wall was the giveaway as it began to hit the
surface repeatedly.
This was the strongest earthquake ever recorded
in North America.
Annie, a standard poodle, once a familiar figure
here, recently went to doggie heaven, leaving Bill
Copley and Suzanne Montgomery bereft. As of midApril, the couple has Carly, a near-white poodle with
the same bearing. Acquiring her from a breeder who
lives in Virginia was unusual in that the owner came
here to interview Bill and Suzanne to be assured that
they would be suitable owners. They passed muster
and the rest is history.
Editor’s note: When this item was first written, the
poodle was called Charley, which allowed our columnist
to make this clever pop culture reference to the TV
series Charlie’s Angels: “You might say that Charley,
her given name, has now found two angels.” We hate to
waste a good line, so we are including it here.
San Marco Chamber Music Society
By Helen Craig
A delightful treat was in store for all who attended
the April 14 concert of the San Marco Chamber Music
Society in Windward Hall. Not only did we hear
outstanding performances by the five musicians—all
members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra—but
we also enjoyed an original composition by Lynne
Radcliffe, in honor of Ellen and Eric Olson, Music
Directors for the Chamber Music Society. Radcliffe, who
was also present for the concert, is the Director of Music
at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea, a teacher of piano at First
Coast Community Music School, and also plays harpsichord with this San Marco group. The composition,
entitled “E” (after Ellen and Eric), has “e” as the tone
center and also has an “e” in every measure of the piece.
It was first on the program, a duet by Eric Olson on
oboe and Ellen Olson on viola, and was a lovely cheerful
melody, setting the tone for more to come. Each piece
May 2014
that followed was introduced by one of the musicians,
who highlighted interesting details.
Second on the program was “Tafelmusik in e
minor,” literally “tablemusic,” composed by Georg
Philipp Telemann in the late Baroque period. The piece
moved from soulful to spritely, with a lively interplay
between flute and oboe, cello and harp. Next was
Mozart’s “Adagio and Rondo, K 617,” originally written
for a solo flute and glass harmonica. Eric Olson informed
us that this “armonica” was invented by Benjamin
Franklin in 1761, using multiple glass bowls and wet
fingers in a treadle-operated version of earlier attempts
to create music from wine goblets filled with water. The
invention worked, but its popularity was impacted by
rumors that it caused both musicians and listeners to go
mad, plunging them into deep melancholy or depression.
For this concert, however, the armonica was replaced by
a lilting harp. No melancholy ensued! The fourth piece
was Claude Debussy’s “Sonata for Flute, Viola, & Harp,”
a haunting rendition, beginning with a pastorale. The
finale was “Tri Chairde” (Three Friends), a brief
composition by Ian Krouse, currently a professor at
UCLA. The three friends (flute, viola, and harp)
alternated between instrumental solos, duets, and some
humorous “chatting”—all at once. Indeed a charming
conclusion.
This concert was the third this season in a classical
music series here at Fleet Landing, underwritten in
part by residents Cynthia and Walter Graham, in
cooperation with our Wellness Department. We are
very grateful to the Grahams and to the fine musicians
who enlightened our day: Les Roettges, flute; Kayo
Ishimaru, harp; Betsy Federman, cello; and the Olsons.
Three more chamber music concerts in this series
are scheduled for 2014: Prelude Chamber Music Camp
on June 15, Bella Voce Concert on August 15, and
Synergy Ensemble on September 8. Stay tuned and
enjoy!
First Residents of the New Property
FLEET BEAT Staff Photographer Ed Hollender captured
this photo of an osprey nest atop a light pole at the
Atlantic Beach Commons shopping center, which will
soon be acquired by Fleet Landing.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
4316
Barbara and John Dorian
(February)
The British are here! Americans, too. Both of these
newcomers were born in the United Kingdom—Barbara
in Peterborough, and John in London. Barbara was
educated mainly in the
UK, and she has been a
volunteer in various
hospitals. At an early age,
John joined the British
Merchant Navy, plying the
Australia route before
finding his way to the
American Embassy and
joining the US Air Force.
He met and married Barbara during his career, which
was in the field of navigational aids. Besides the UK,
they have lived in Spain and at several locations in the
US. They have dual US and UK citizenship. Following
his Air Force career, during which John served two
years in Vietnam, he earned master’s degrees in
statistics and in business administration from Florida
State University. In his second career, John was a very
successful stock portfolio manager for First Quadrant,
Inc—mostly in St Louis. The Dorians found their way here courtesy of
daughters living in Jacksonville, who did admirable
search work for them. They have another daughter in
California and six grandchildren. Barbara likes to
read and garden, while John is still hooked on stocks.
They are still in the search and discover mode as far
as activities here, and they are happy to be among us.
—Howard Burdick
5215
Rita and Nick Malie
(December)
Nick and Rita Malie are Ohio natives who share a
love of sunshine. It was
the desire to trade the
clouds and gloom of the
Rust Belt for sunny skies
that led them to leave
Ohio when Nick retired
from General Motors, and
a professional opportunity
with Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Florida became
available to Rita. They
moved first to Orlando in 1989 and subsequently to
Jacksonville.
Rita and Nick met in high school and married
shortly thereafter. They continued their education while
married, she at Case Western Reserve University and
for graduate study, at Baldwin Wallace University, and
he at Youngstown State University. Rita pursued a
career in nursing and administration. Nick served six
years in the Navy and 25 in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Page 15
He worked for General Motors in labor relations and
human resources.
Rita had always wanted to write. Upon retirement,
she authored two books, Good-Bye America, a memoir of
her mother’s childhood, and Supreme Sacrifice inspired
by the legacy of growing up in an alcoholic home. Rita
was a guest of the American Embassy in the Slovak
Republic when she toured the country in 2011. Good-Bye
America is currently used in Slovakia’s grade schools
and displayed and sold at the Ellis Island Museum.
Before moving to Fleet Landing Rita was a guest
speaker here discussing her book Supreme Sacrifice.
Both Rita and Nick have been involved in
community volunteer activities. Nick’s interests include
the Citizen Police Academy in Atlantic Beach and Tom
Coughlin’s Jay Fund. Rita is currently involved with
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and
previously with Hubbard House. Their son lives in
Atlantic Beach and their daughter in St. Augustine.
Fleet Landing is fortunate to count this interesting
and public-spirited couple among its new residents.
—Joan Carver
2204
Bebe Buck (December)
Speaking of a military family: New resident Bebe
Buck cannot think of anyone in her
immediate family who doesn’t have
a military—almost exclusively Navy
—connection. Her direct family’s
naval involvement encompasses
four generations: father, husband,
sons, and grandson.
With a father in the Navy, she
was able to live in many interesting
places, including Annapolis, MD,
where she was born. When she
married Guy, a naval aviator captain, the chance to live
in a variety of interesting locations continued. When
Guy retired after 30 years in the service, they moved to
Indianapolis, IN, and Dallas, TX (where she worked at
the Dallas Market Center), before settling in Sarasota,
FL, where they lived for 17 years. While there, they
were avid golfers and Bebe helped form a 28-member
canasta group.
When her husband died last year, Bebe remembered hearing good things about Fleet Landing, so she
chose to relocate here. Fortunately, she has a grandson
stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, so she gets
to see him often. A son, Sean, a two-star admiral, was
stationed there before being assigned to the Pentagon.
Her oldest son, who spent time in the Navy, lives in
Houston, TX.
Bebe had a difficult start at Fleet Landing. As she
was settling into her apartment, she took a fall, resulting
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Page 16
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
(continued from preceding page)
in her spending a month in the Health Center. While
not a happy start, she is grateful for the wonderful staff
and the good food there. Now she is truly feeling at
home. One of her close friends from Sarasota, Elaine
Rutter, has moved to Fleet Landing, and they are able to
get together often. Bebe looks forward to the time when
she can get more involved in the social life of our
community.
—Jean Ludlow
5706
Elaine Rutter (March)
Elaine Rutter grew up on the Jersey shore and has
been drawn to ocean shorelines ever since. That’s one
good reason she’s here at Fleet Landing! During her
teen years in New Jersey, she
participated in a new program
(later to become known as the
“candy stripers”) that influenced
her life forever. With medical
personnel leaving town to serve in
WWII, local hospitals desperately
needed volunteers to serve as
nurse’s aides, and high school
girls were asked to assist. Elaine
stepped up, helping to feed
patients and change beds—and learned the joys of
volunteering. After high school, she went to Endicott
College in Beverly, MA, then to Hobart & William
Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, majoring in sociology so
that she could “save the world.”
After college, Elaine went to work as a human
resources coordinator for her family business,
Conhagen Industries, which specializes in maritime
repair. After she married Bob Rutter, the couple moved
to Piscataway, NJ, where they lived for 30-some years
and had four children—twins who now live in
Maryland, one son now in Texas, and one son who has
run Bob’s Limo and Travel Service here in Jacksonville
since 1985.
Elaine and her husband started “snowbirding” to
Florida’s west coast, and Elaine eventually moved to a
TPC golf course community in Sarasota. There she
volunteered as a peer counselor for eight years with the
Sarasota County Women’s Resource Center, one of the
highlights of her life. She was trained to listen to women
with problems, then refer them to special programs at
the center—computer and work-skill classes, help in
anger management, divorce counseling, job seeking
skills—all taught by volunteer professionals. Fantastic
results, and very rewarding.
Now Elaine looks forward to finding new volunteer
activities—and also to playing golf and bridge, as well
as enjoying all the many opportunities for learning and
interacting here. We’re happy that she has joined us!
—Helen Craig
May 2014
102
Jan and Stu Smith
(June 2013)
Stu and Jan have known each other since they
were in high school in
Cleveland Heights, OH. In
fact, they were high school
sweethearts. A long time for
a couple to be together? Not
necessarily: After high
school, Stu and Jan each
attended a different college
and married different
people. Stu graduated from Allegheny College and Jan
attended Ohio Wesleyan and graduated from Ohio
State. Each has a son and a daughter by their previous
marriages. They reconnected after 40 years at a high
school reunion and eventually married each other.
Together they have 11 grandchildren.
Jan was a teacher in New York State for 27 years
before she retired. Stu joined the family business—
founded by his grandfather—and together with his
brother, purchased the New Horizons learning center in
California. They developed that business into the
international IT and management training resource
that it is today.
Before moving to Fleet Landing, the Smiths lived
for 15 years at the Amelia Island Plantation. Both of
them love it here. Jan enjoys the social life the most.
She also participates in the balance class. It’s too
early in the morning, she says, but it is worth the
effort to attend. Stu enjoys the tennis group, where no
one worries about playing perfectly. He is also
interested in the Sailing Club. The Smiths started in
a small apartment and moved to a larger one in the
1000 Building before getting their current home. They
particularly appreciate the help they are receiving
from James Hall, Manager of Remodeling Services,
and Design 55, whose staff will hang their paintings.
We welcome this warm and delightful couple to
Fleet Landing.
—Patricia Payne
Woodworkers Club News
By Jim Lammie
The Woodworkers Club continued to upgrade its list
of available tools for use by members with the purchase
of a new Rikon 14-inch Band Saw. The saw, purchased
with club funds, was assembled by Shop Foreman Jim
Freeman and is already in heavy use by the team cutting out and assembling Christmas toys for distribution
in December. Terry Philcox is organizing the toy effort.
The “Help Your Neighbor” program also continues, with
emphasis on repair of items damaged in the many
recent new resident move-ins. Usage of the shop has
tapered off because of the difficulty of access to it from
the Nancy House detours. Temporarily, the monthly meetings on the first Thursday at 8 pm are held in the
Coleman Center Conference Room. Prospective
members are invited to attend.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
World Affairs Council Concludes Season
By Joan Carver
The closing program of the World Affairs Council’s
Global Issues Evenings 2013-2014 season was an
insightful presentation on terrorism and the Middle
East by Peter Bergen. It was, like the preceding six
lectures, sold out. Bergen, an award-winning author, is
director of the national security studies program at the
New America Foundation and CNN’s terrorism expert.
His latest book is Manhunt: The Ten Year Search for
Bin Laden. The volatility of the situation in the Middle
East was reflected in the fact that the title of Bergen’s
talk was changed from the earlier announced “The
Awakening: How Revolutionaries, Barack Obama, and
Ordinary Muslims Are Remaking the Middle East” to
“From Arab Spring to Arab Winter.”
Bergen, who in March 1997 was the first Western
journalist to interview Osama Bin Laden, opened his
presentation talking about Bin Laden He found Bin
Laden very paranoid. Bin Laden explained that he was
at war with the United States because of our support of
Israel and autocratic states in the Middle East such as
Saudi Arabia. His assumption was that since we had
pulled out of Vietnam, we would follow a similar path
when faced with problems in the Middle East. In fact,
we became more involved.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East Bergen
explained that the Arab Spring reflected the desire for
regime change in the Middle East. People had been
living under authoritarian regimes with torture and
brutality for decades. They had had enough. They
wanted government to be accountable with free elections
and free speech. The Arab Revolution began in Tunisia
and spread to Libya and to Egypt, the most important
Arab state in culture and power. In Bergen’s judgment,
the goals of democratic change have been thwarted by
the events in Egypt: a low-grade civil war, the
sentencing of 500 members of the Muslim Brotherhood
to death, and a democratically elected government
effectively criminalized by the military. The treatment
of the Muslim Brotherhood allows al Qaeda to argue
that the only solution in the Middle East is violent
revolution. Groups are energized by these developments
to the benefit of al Qaeda.
While the al Qaeda brand was in trouble in the
Muslim world after its earlier involvement in Iraq, it
is enjoying a renaissance in Syria where it is opposing
a dictatorial leader. The most effective fighting forces
in Syria are al Qaeda connected, The Syrian war may
go on for years because for the insurgents not losing is
winning. Not only is al Qaeda the strongest force in
the Syrian civil war, it is also driving the violence
occurring now in Iraq.
While a strengthened al Qaeda poses problems for
the Middle East and perhaps Europe, Bergen does not
believe it is a threat to the United States. Bergen
suggested that we have much better cooperation between
Page 17
our intelligence and military agencies than in pre-9/11
days. We are also far stronger than any other world
power. We are at a point when we don’t have to be in a
permanent state of war. Should there be a random
terrorist attack here, there would be political costs, but
the President has the power to deal with the terrorists.
During the 2013-2014 season, Fleet Landing was for
the first time a World Affairs Council of Jacksonville
sponsor. Asked about the new relationship, Executive
Director Josh Ashby said, “Our partnership with the
World Affairs Council has exceeded our expectations.
The relationship has enhanced our brand and expanded
awareness of our organization within the Jacksonville
community. I hope we have a strong partnership for
many years to come.” Fleet Landing provided residents
bus transportation to each of the programs, where
reserved seating was available for them.
Chips & Putts & More
By Helen Craig
More than chips & putts will highlight this
month’s golf news! Resident golfers have initiated a
Fleet Landing Golf Club, whose primary purpose is to
hold a monthly golf tournament and dinner to follow.
“Hasn’t there always been a golf club here?” you
may ask. No, not really. In prior years, the monthly
tournament and dinner were organized by a single
resident with some volunteer help. This tournament
was started when Fleet Landing was a much smaller
place and most resident golfers played at Selva
Marina Country Club. It was later moved to Naval
Station Mayport’s Windy Harbor golf course, its
location today. Current residents who have been in
charge include Al Phillips, Howard Flock, and, most
recently, Terry Philcox—each for about 5 years. At no
time was it officially a golf “club.” Now, with 40 plus
golfers at Fleet Landing, the organizing task has
become too onerous for one person.
Not wanting to see the tradition end, a number of
golfers, led by Howard Flock, decided to formalize the
group into a club, organized to help take care of the
administrative tasks of the tournament and dinner. A
meeting of interested residents was held in the
Coleman Center billiard room on March 24, and all
agreed to start such a club. Several volunteered to
serve for the initial year, and were unanimously voted
in: Howard Flock, president; John Hedge and Mike
Marchetti, vice presidents; and Art Blair, secretary. It
was also decided to move the monthly date for the
tournament and dinner from the third Thursday to
the second Thursday of the month, offering less
overlap with month-end holidays. Sign-up sheets for
each month’s tournament will continue to be included
in the Fleet Landing Event Book in the Coleman
Center mail room. Do remember to sign up by Monday
morning before the tournament day.
(continued on next page)
Page 18
FLEET BEAT
Chips & Putts & More
(continued from preceding page)
On March 27, three days after the planning
meeting, the first official Fleet Landing Golf Club
tournament was held at Windy Harbor, starting at 9
am. Because of the very recent changes, there were
only three foursomes, so only one winning team. That
team included Mike Marchetti (captain), Howard
Flock, Rick Cueroni, and Howard Parks. Closest to
the pin on the par-3 hole #7 was Mike Marchetti, and
closest to the line on hole #12 were Howard Flock for
the men and Helen Craig for the ladies. Small group,
but good weather and good fun.
Next, on April 10, the new golf club turned out in
full force, with four foursomes, one threesome, and
oodles of high hopes! The venue: Mayport’s Windy
Harbor golf course; the time: 9 am; the weather:
fantastic. Eighteen holes, golfing adventures, and a
brief respite later, the golfers reunited at the
Windward Commons Café for a BYOB social hour and
supper to follow. Then it was time for results and
special accomplishments. This was a very, very close
match, with only one par hole separating the winning
team from the second team; and then two teams tied
for second place, with only a 0.125 difference in
handicap separating second and third place. The three
winning teams each had one birdie and one double
bogie, and neither of the two losing teams had either a
birdie or a double bogie. It was the ratio of pars to
bogies that made all the differences. Miniscule
differences. The first place team was Art Blair
(captain), Jim Freeman, Evelyn Williams, and Al
Phillips. In second place were Nick Malie (captain),
Terry Philcox, Ann Milligan, and Mike McCann; and
in third place were Rick Cueroni (captain), Jim
Kolster, Helen Craig, and Howard Parks. Closest to
the pin on hole #7 were Rick Cueroni for the men, at
14 feet, and Ann Milligan for the ladies, at 23 feet.
Then closest to the line on hole #12 were Billy
Williams for the men and Helen Craig for the ladies.
There were also individual accomplishments of note:
Mike McCann sank a 20-foot par putt, allowing his
team to take second place, while Truman Hermansen
(96 years young) sank two par putts. A delightful
beginning for the Fleet Landing Golf Club.
May 2014
tion of cellphones and microwave ovens. He concentrated on the impetus and personalities, rather than on
the technical aspects.
While some radio signals were used to guide
German pilots in WWI, real progress in what came to be
known as radar was made just prior to WWII by British
scientists and Air Marshall Dowding of the RAF. They
were responding to an inquiry by Winston Churchill,
who was actually interested in developing a death ray—
a particle beam or radio beam that could destroy an
airplane.
The initial effort was directed toward the creation of
a radio direction finding and locating system. It was
installed along the southern and eastern coastlines of
England to give warning of German attacking aircraft to
a central plotting map, allowing the RAF Fighter
Command to scramble interceptors. From this
beginning, actual airborne intercept radars were
developed and installed to allow fighters to locate and
intercept on their own, especially at night or in
conditions of visual obscurity.
Following WWII, a Raytheon engineer almost
accidentally discovered how the technology of short
waves could be applied to cooking. Initial development
resulted in a microwave range costing some $52,000!
Subsequent applications included satellite links and cell
phones. While a death ray has never been developed, an
“active denial system” that inflicts pain without injury
has been. It uses a focused microwave beam to
incapacitate troops (or rioting crowds) by inflicting high
heat on them (not actually used, as far as is known).
Refurbishments
Death Rays, Radar, and Microwave Ovens
By Howard Burdick
On April 10 in Windward Hall, the monthly Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) lecture was
delivered by James Taylor, a retired Army and Air
Force officer who spent his career in air defense and
as a research and development engineer. His presentation, entitled “Death Rays and Microwave Ovens:
The Story of Radar,” was a general history of the
development of radar detection of aircraft from the
mid-1930’s through WWII, and of the subsequent evolu-
Resident Ray Boyd captured these photos of work on
the Coleman Center roof and the pool deck.
May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 19
Singers by the Sea
By Karil Hammer
FLEET BEAT Staff Photographer Ed Hollender was able to take these photos focusing on Fleet
Landing residents who are members of Singers by the Sea.
First, second, third, and fifth from
Second and third from left: Bill Query
left: Charlene Kurth, Jean Welch,
First and second from left: Ray Boyd
and Phil Martin
Andrea Davis, Pat Peterson
and Chet Davis
On the beautiful spring afternoon of April 22, the Singers by the Sea entertained in Windward Hall, which was
filled with both independent and assisted living residents. Decked out with sparkling bright royal blue rosettes and
bow ties, the chorus presented a program of 15 musical selections grouped in similarly themed sets of three. Becky
Schumann, who is celebrating her 25th year as director, requested that everyone “clap really loud after each one.”
The groups included folk songs, patriotic tunes, Broadway show melodies, and familiar popular songs. On a lighter
note, Schumann announced that “Joy to the World” was not the hymnal version, but rather the rock group Three
Dog Night version starting with “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.”
Current and former members of the chorus who are Fleet Landing residents were asked to stand and be
recognized. The pianist, John Whitaker, was occasionally joined by chorus members—including resident Phil Martin
—playing the string bass, snare drum, djembe, harmonica, tambourine, guitar, or flute. The musical selections were
sung in four-part harmony and, at times, a cappella. “Scarlet Ribbons” was sung by the women only while the men
presented “Get Me to the Church on Time.”
The one-hour program was perfect for smiles, toe tapping, and applause. The Fleet Landing community gave the
Singers by the Sea a hearty farewell and is looking forward to their return visit in the fall.
Mallets and Wickets
By Betsy Lewis; photos by Carla Philcox and Charlie Steck
LtoR: Lee Markley, Marilyn Heberling, Terry Philcox,
Marilyn Heberling has just
Peggy Steck concentrates
Peggy Steck
made her move.
on her next move.
Four members of the Fleet Landing Croquet Club played in the 14th Annual Dorthy Fosse Croquet Tournament at
Hammock Dunes, April 24-27: Marilyn Heberling, Lee Markley, Terry Philcox, and Peggy Steck.
For a number of years, Fleet Landing has placed somewhere in the winner’s circle, but this year it was “no good
news,” per Heberling. Nonetheless, the players had a fine time, with “fantastic” weather, and the pleasure of seeing old
friends. A cheering squad of club members included Carla Philcox, Irene Markley, Charlie Steck, and on Friday, Helen
Hause and Drew and Barbara Brennan.
The club welcomes new members Connie and Jim Kolster and notes the passing of P. J. Graham, who once served in
various offices and was an outstanding croquet player.
Page 20
FLEET BEAT
May 2014
Passover Seder
By Stan Tenenbaum
Stan Tenenbaum lights the
candles
Because of a lack of space caused by the
ongoing dining room renovation project, only a
small group of Jewish residents attended a
Passover Seder in the Coleman Center dining
room on Tuesday evening, April 15.
The Seder began with the candle lighting
and blessings over the wine and matzohs
followed by the retelling of the Passover story
and singing of several Passover songs.
A sumptuous meal followed.
We look forward to being able to accom- Marcia Peck holds the plate with
modate more of our neighbors next year after
the symbolic foods.
renovations are complete.
Are You Safely Medicated?
By Patricia Payne
How can you be sure that the medications that you
take are effective and safe? That’s what Keith
Schissler, Director of Pharmacy at Baptist Medical
Center Beaches, talked about during his lively
“Pharmacy 101” presentation on April 29 in Windward
Hall. The residents peppered Schissler with questions
during his presentation, and he readily provided
thoughtful and comprehensive answers—with humor.
Schissler reminded his audience that there are
two pharmacy environments that seek to provide safe
and effective medication: the retail environment
(provide medications taken over a period of time) and
the hospital environment (provide medications needed
right now).
Schissler described the barcode medication
administration project that has been implemented at
his hospital. Medications for each patient are
barcoded, and at the time of administration, both the
patient’s wristband and the medication barcode are
scanned to ensure that the right patient is receiving
the right medication at the right time. This safety
practice is becoming more prevalent because the
Affordable Care Act has allocated funds to health care
organizations for implementation.
As pharmacy director, Schissler spends much of his
time ensuring that policies and procedures truly maxi-
mize the health of the patients. Does he feel overregulated? “Sometimes,” he admits, but he feels that,
overall, regulations make patients safer and are
worth the effort.
What did attendees take away from the presentation? Here are some highlights:
• It is safer to limit the number of sources for your
medications because a pharmacist who does not
know what other drugs you are taking cannot check
for drug interactions.
• There is currently a big push for health
information exchanges to facilitate access to patient
information across institutions, once the patient has
given permission.
• Generic drugs are safe and effective.
• He recommends keeping an up-to-date medication
list on your person at all times, especially if
medications are procured from multiple sources. Be
sure to record deletions as well as additions.
• Multivitamins are generally beneficial. Take
them with plenty of water.
• He is wary of herbal supplements because most
lack drug interaction information and proven
efficacy and safety.
• Zinc is required to support metabolic processes
but zinc taken as a dietary supplement may not be
absorbed by the body. It is not harmful to take small
amounts in a supplement. May 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 21
New Fleet Landing Arrivals
By Enith Vardaman
Nine of the eleven eggs hatched. Photo
by Ray Boyd
Photo by Dick Schlaff
Photo by Betsy Teske
New Fleet Landing resident Marjorie Price and her
made this all the more fun was the behavior of the
daughter, Danielle Brunon, had an early experience that
various ducklings. Some were “gutsy,” following their
few, if any, other new residents will ever be able to top.
mother without hesitation through the three leaps, but
The two arrived on April 28, and on May 1, they
others, while they eventually made the jumps, were
were on their way to breakfast in the Coleman
not at all convinced that this was a wise thing to do.
Center, approaching from the deck side. What they
Interestingly, resident Ray Boyd came along some
witnessed had their full attention for some 15
15 minutes later, and observing all the broken eggs in
minutes. First, they saw the newly hatched ducklings
the nest (see photo above), thought a predator had
emerging from under the mother duck that had been
attacked it.
nesting in a planter outside the Coleman Center. But
The ducklings had another lesson to learn: how to
that was only the beginning of a fascinating scene.
get out of the lake. Fleet Landing photographers are
They watched as the ducklings, following their
often in the right place at the right time. Less than an
mother, jumped from the planter to the deck. Next
hour after the events described above, Executive
came a jump from the deck down to the dock—no
Assistant Betsy Teske and resident Dick Schlaff
using the ramp as one resident supposed they would. A
captured photos showing that the ducklings had
final leap took them from the dock into the lake. What
mastered this too.
Therapy Department Enhanced
By Enith Vardaman
The Therapy Department “Meet and
Greet” in Windward Hall on April 29 had
a celebratory air as residents had the
opportunity to become better acquainted
with members of this recently expanded
department. Most in the audience,
including your reporter, knew firsthand
about the excellent treatment they or a
spouse could receive in that department,
and they were looking forward to learning
more about how it will become even better.
Manager of Outpatient Services Raquel
Miranda described the April 1 transition
Therapy team members with Raquel Miranda (far right)
from having physical, occupational, and speech therapy services provided by a firm under contract to Fleet Landing
to having therapy services be an in-house operation. A substantial increase in staff, including supplemental staff
who will be available when needed, accompanied this change. Miranda said that in July, Fleet Landing would begin
the process of becoming Medicare certified under its home health license. This would allow for providing
independent living in-home skilled care and therapy services that would be billable to Medicare. Completion of the
process can take six to twelve months, but the intention is to work to keep it to the shorter period. Other envisioned
enhancements include developing programming in conjunction with the Wellness Department.
Not all of the new therapy team were able to attend, but those who could be present introduced themselves,
noting their specialty. Both continuing and new staff were enthusiastic about being members of the Fleet Landing
community. Recent hires spoke of the warm welcome they had received.
After the formal part of the event, residents had the opportunity to mingle with Therapy Department members,
renewing acquaintance with continuing staff and welcoming new employees.
Page 22
FLEET BEAT
Fleet Landing in the News
By Enith Vardaman
The “Business Briefs” section of the April 14 edition
of The Beaches Leader had an item about Resident
Support Coordinator Pamela Eccles-Wakefield’s
Student Social Worker of the Year award from the
Northeast Unit of the NASW (National Association of
Social Workers) Florida Chapter. It was accompanied
by the same photo that appeared in the April FLEET
BEAT article (page 24) about the luncheon at which
Eccles-Wakefield received her award.
An article about the completion of the first phase of
the health care repositioning project marked by the
move of Facility Operations to its newly constructed
headquarters and by the dedication of Covin Crossing
appeared in the April 12 edition of the “Shorelines”
section of The Florida Times-Union for the second time.
The “Shorelines” section of the April 19 edition of
The Florida Times-Union had an item about Florida
Archaeology Month, which was being celebrated by the
Archaeological Institute of America—Jacksonville
Society with a book fair at a Books-a-Million bookstore.
Resident Karl Price was pictured in the accompanying
photo.
The “Beach Life” section of the May 1 edition of The
Beaches Leader had a photo of resident and Jacksonville
Beach Woman’s Club member Carla Philcox presenting
a youth leadership award to a Fletcher High School
student.
Preview of a Coming Attraction
By Chet Davis
While Fleet Landing residents have been patiently
waiting for the completion of the dining renovation
project, Executive Chef Chris Gotschall and his souschefs have been working on the new menu for both
the Compass Grill (the casual dining area) and Lake
View (the main dining room). Since his arrival, he has
introduced us to many local products, and this trend
will continue and grow. As an example, our produce
company provides a weekly listing of available local
Florida and South Georgia products. Because Fleet
Landing has residents with varied backgrounds,
Gotschall wishes to introduce a variety of flavors to meet
residents’ different tastes and experiences. He is
focusing on upgrading our menu and presentation to
meet the expectations in a world-class facility while still
retaining the institutional memory about resident likes
and dislikes. The new menu for Lake View will provide for
everything to be cooked to order by the chefs, while
giving them the opportunity to express themselves in
preparing specific items. In its present form, the new
menu will include five options for appetizers, six salads,
soups, and selections in categories such as a Farm,
Flames, Pasta, Docks, and Classics. (The last named is
the place for meatloaf and roasted chicken!). Each menu
May 2014
item will have suggested accompanying items to
enhance the culinary experience. The menu for the
Compass Grill is still under development but will
feature pizza (see photo above), a daily carvery, and
accompanying items. Delivery of the Pizza Oven—A Delicate
Operation
Photos by Betsy Teske