fleet beat - Fleet Landing

FLEET BEAT
VOL. 24 No. 1
THE FLEET LANDING RESIDENTS’ NEWSPAPER
Jan./Feb. 2014
Remembering Joe Coleman
By Enith Vardaman
Rear Admiral Joseph L. Coleman, USN (Ret.), a
major figure in the history of
Fleet Landing, died on January
14. Coleman served this
community from its very
beginning in 1985, when he
was elected president of the
just-created Naval Continuing
Care Retirement Foundation,
Inc. He stepped down from the
position of President of the
Board of Directors in July 2005 after a remarkable
twenty years of leadership in the planning, construc-
tion, and operation of Fleet Landing.
In that same month, a gala party attended by
board members, staff, and residents was held in
Coleman’s honor. Guests paid tribute to him, noting
his commitment to residents and to making Fleet
Landing a premier continuing care retirement
community. The highlight of the event was the
unveiling of a sign designating a new name for the “O”
Club, which would henceforth be called “The Joe
Coleman Center” in recognition of his outstanding
service to Fleet Landing.
This community was fortunate indeed to have had
such a leader from its very inception.
Executive Director Briefs Residents
units, (exceeding last year’s record sales of 43 units) for
an occupancy rate of 96.6 percent. He praised residents
for their role in selling Fleet Landing. He also
recognized the entire marketing staff (Manager of Sales
and Marketing Jeff Bassett, senior living counselors
Kathleen vonKoschembahr and B. B. Spivak, and Sales
and Marketing Assistant Connie Wheat) for their hard
work. He also noted the role of Senior Director of
Independent Living Services Patricia Mack, who was
instrumental in Marketing’s success through her
significant involvement in strategy and execution.
In April of 2013, Fleet Landing consolidated its
fixed and variable rate debt ($34,220,000 and
$8,625,000, respectively) via a new bond issue of fixed
rate debt at an interest rate of 3.99 percent. Fitch
Ratings, having been invited to review Fleet Landing’s
financials and organization, determined that the
community was worthy of an investment grade credit
rating. Fitch rated the bond ‘BBB,’ an indication of the
quality and strength of Fleet Landing’s management
and finances. Ashby noted that fewer than 10 percent of
senior living organizations have an investment grade
credit rating. The bond issue saved over $3 million of
future interest by lowering interest payments. The
refinancing also created more flexibility for the funding
of the health care repositioning project.
Thanks to charitable giving, this long awaited
project got underway in 2013 with the construction of
the new maintenance facility, which is almost complete.
In addition, a mock room for the new memory care
facility, The Nancy House, was built, allowing for
feedback. In the fourth quarter of 2013, Elkins
Constructors was awarded the contract for building the
(continued on page 12)
By Enith Vardaman
The usual capacity crowd was on hand for Executive
Director Josh Ashby’s quarterly “Coffee and Conversation with Josh” on January 10 in Windward Hall.
Ashby began with occupancy and financial figures
as of November 30, 2013. Independent living was above
budget (92.7 percent versus 90.4 percent). Assisted
living was somewhat below budget (92.1 percent versus
93.2 percent), reflecting the natural cycle of people
moving in and out. Private pay patients are actively
sought to fill vacancies. Skilled nursing, however, was
substantially below budget (78.8 percent versus 88.5
percent). Ashby attributed this principally to the lack of
availability of private rooms, which private pay patients
prefer.
Revenue and operating income were above budget
by $573,250 and $653,692, respectively. Expenses
were $80,712 below budget.
Review of 2013
Ashby reported that this year saw record sales of 53
Page 2
FLEET BEAT
January Residents’ Council Meeting
By Howard Burdick
Residents’ Council President Jim Lammie convened the January 21 meeting in Windward Hall.
Management Summary.
Executive Director Josh Ashby said that the start
of construction on The Nancy House would result in
installation of temporary entrances to the tennis
courts and Annex as well as some temporary road
closures and redirection of traffic.
Council Reports.
Finance/Marketing. Controller Cynthia Hack noted
banner results for 2013, with strong balances as well as
debt service coverage ratio and days cash on hand well
above requirements. Resident Finance Committee
member Peggy Steck reviewed topics of the committee’s
December meeting, including Fleet Landing financials
and the October 2013 Series B bond issue. USAA
bought a good share of these bonds. The inventory of
available units at the end of 2013 was five apartments
and one patio home. Currently Marketing has
reservations for three units. Analysis of sales leads in
2013 shows these percentages for sources of sales: 19
percent each from family and friends, the Internet, and
advertising (the last named mainly from MOAA
magazine), 15 percent from resident referrals, 17 percent
from local knowledge, and 11 percent other referrals.
Resident Gift Fund for the Employees. Betty Platt
thanked all residents for the record sum of $281,326
contributed. She also thanked Bank of America Sales
and Service Specialist Timmie Byrd as well as
residents Don Kavanagh and Terry Philcox for their
special help. She also noted appreciative comments
from many employees.
Wellness. Jan Hilton reminded residents of the
Sunday church bus schedule and asked them not to
enter Windward Commons through the door to the
indoor pool. She said that the unusually early evening
program times are a result of the dining renovation and
are temporary. She also reported on the formation of the
new Wellness Committee. (See article on page 21.)
Health Center. Steve Hammer reported that the
Health Center had prepared well for the next state
inspection, which will take place sometime before April.
He also noted that the average monthly cost of health
facility residence is $8,000 nationally, but only $4,000
here at Fleet Landing. He reminded everyone that
Medicare will not pay for subsequent rehabilitation after
hospitalization if the status was “observation” rather
than “inpatient.” He also enumerated services available
in skilled nursing and Leeward Manor.
Human Resources/Resident Suggestions. Dick
Sturtevant reported a slight rise in employee turnover
for 2013. There were 775 Eagle Eye submissions. The
Dining Service With a Smile award for November and
December went to Merlita Tablada and Anthony
Jackson, respectively. Suggestions and comments fo-
Jan./Feb. 2014
cused on a DVD player for the Coleman Center for
resident shows and presentations (will be placed in the
bar TV); a complaint that the Fitness Studio is too small
for many classes (more classes already scheduled); a
scheme to identify and repair inoperative street lights;
more automatic door openers for Windward Commons;
and some dog owners not being attentive to droppings.
Safety and Security. Dean Veremakis said that
residents need to advise visitors, home health care
workers or other non-residents that parking in
numbered spaces, on sidewalks and on grass areas is not
permitted. He also enjoined residents to be alert and
report to Security vehicle speeding issues, erratic
behavior with golf carts or power chairs, and any other
unusual or suspicious activity around the campus.
Facilities. Anne Leyden noted that damage to
greenery because of recent freezes will be assessed for
further trimming at the appropriate time.
In closing, Lammie thanked Jim Kammert and all
who participated in the Salvation Army Red Kettle
Campaign. (See article on page 6.)
Editor’s note: Council minutes and reports are
available in the library.
FLEET BEAT attempts to avoid duplication of
information found elsewhere in this issue.
In Memoriam
Jack Berle
1921-2013
Joe Coleman
1922-2014
Ginnie Crosson
1919-2013
Audrey Maisenberger
1926-2013
Don McNamara
1929-2014
Jim Paulding
1927-2014
Cleo Powell
1918-2014
Wells Smith
1921-2014
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
Jack Pate
Jean Ludlow
Patty Postel
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.
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
December Board of Directors Meeting
By Enith Vardaman
The December 4 meeting was held in closed
session, Board Chairman Steve Jarecki presiding. The
information below was supplied to FLEET BEAT by
Executive Director Josh Ashby.
The board education segment focused on Fleet
Landing’s market characteristics, penetration rates,
and trends.
The board approved the 2014 meeting schedule,
which will include two socials with residents.
The board approved the amended set of bylaws.
The biggest changes dealt with conflicts of interest,
capping of board officer positions at five years per
position, and provisions for governance in the event of
an emergency such as a hurricane or other disaster
that caused a serious disruption of normal life.
The preliminary Wi-Fi design and budget plan
being prepared by ProviNET Solutions is expected by
the end of the year. The next step will be to begin
developing a strategic IT plan.
The board reviewed year-to-date financial results
and the results of the 2013 Series B bond issue.
The board discussed the availability of adjacent
property.
The board got an update on the health care
repositioning project.
How a Pair of Spectacles Saved the
Republic: A Tale of the Revolution
By Howard Burdick
Our resident historian and Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute instructor,
Dean Veremakis, detailed
some lesser appreciated facts
of our Revolutionary War
history to a gathering in
Windward Hall on January 8.
The bottom line is that nearly
two years after the British
surrender at Yorktown, the
officer corps of the Continental
Army was ready to revolt and
take control of the government because of a consistent
lack of support and shabby treatment by the Congress
—and it was only the genuine leadership of George
Washington that dissuaded them. How? And where did
the spectacles come in? Read on.
Veremakis walked us through the major events of
the American Revolution, which many historians
believe actually started at the end of the French and
Indian War in 1763, when the badly depleted Crown
treasury led to an unsuccessful attempt to impose
taxes on the colonies. Other tax measures and various
incidents, including the Boston Massacre (1770) and
the Boston Tea Party (1773), followed. At issue was
taking lawmaking out of the hands of the colonists.
Page 3
That the ragtag Continental Army was able to
function at all cohesively is a direct tribute to George
Washington, who persevered despite fractured or
nonexistent support from Congress and the geographically regionalized states. After the Yorktown surrender
in 1781, and the ratification of the Articles of
Confederation, which established the Continental Army
but no means to pay for it, George Washington twice
declined to be crowned king of the newly established
republic. General Horatio Gates, on the other hand, was
scheming to establish a military dictatorship.
As governmental conditions in Washington atrophied, the Army established headquarters in Newburgh,
NY (near the current location of West Point). The officer
corps became more restless, and called a meeting to
decide on action to be taken. George Washington
appeared in his full-dress uniform, advised them
against civil disorder, counseled patience, and then
prepared to read a letter from Congressman Joseph
Jones of Virginia written in the same vein. As he started
to read, Washington stumbled over a few words.
Pausing, he said, “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put
on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but
almost blind in the service of my country.” The meeting
dissolved shortly thereafter, with most of the officers in
tears.
Veremakis had on display four books, which he
has generously donated to the library: Bunker Hill: A
City, a Siege, a Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick,
Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hackett Fischer
(currently in the New Acquisitions/Non-Fiction
section under Military/American Revolution and
History, respectively), Valley Forge, a novel by Newt
Gingrich and William R. Forstchen (in the New
Acquisitions/Fiction section), and To Try Men’s Souls,
a novel by the same authors (unfortunately removed
from the library before being accessioned; will be in
the New Acquisitions/Fiction section when returned).
Mark your calendar for the FLiCRA
Annual Meeting in Windward Hall on
Tuesday, February 25.
Come and socialize over coffee at 9:30
am.
The meeting starts at 10 am.
Executive Director Josh Ashby, ChairElect of Leading Age Florida, will be the
featured speaker.
Don’t miss this interesting and
informative session.
Page 4
FLEET BEAT
Residents Show Their Appreciation
By Patricia Payne
Residents’ Council members serve lunch to employees.
Jan./Feb. 2014
Residents’ Council President Jim Lammie
announced the record contribution of over $281,000
to the 2013 Residents’ Gift
Fund for the Employees.
The largest check given
was $5000. Lammie congratulated Council Vice
President Betty Platt, who
was in charge of the
program this year, and
resident Don Kavanagh,
who managed the production of the checks. He also
thanked resident Cynthia
Graham for her efforts
that made Sirius Court
the first section to achieve
100 percent participation.
Overall, 81 percent of
residents contributed to
the fund.
John Liucci, Staff Member of the Year
By Chet Davis
Josh Ashby with 15-year employee Tim O’Connell and
20-year employees Janet Powell (l) and Christine Smith
Promptly at 3 pm on December 5, residents packed
the remaining seats in Windward Hall to witness the
celebration of the staff members who ensure their
welfare all year long. The employees had just been
treated to an early dinner of turkey breast and Virginia
baked ham with favorite accompaniments.
The audience was treated to a slide show, assembled
by residents Ed Hollender and Dan Kuchta, that
portrayed employees participating in events such as the
Fall Follies, the cookouts, and the resident parties that
they enlivened with their imaginative costumes. The
slides drew cheers from employees and residents alike.
Executive Director Josh Ashby recognized Hollender
and Kuchta for their photographic work throughout the
year.
Ashby then recognized the Staff Safety Committee
of 2013 for helping to make and keep Fleet Landing a
safe place to live and work. Ashby went on to recognize
employment milestones of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty
years. Coleman Center Chef Tim O’Connell and Betty
Pruitt of Laundry and Housekeeping have served for
15 years while Janet Powell, Health Center Nursing
Assistant, and Christine Smith, Dining Room Manager,
have 20 years of service.
Ashby introduced the staff members of the month
for 2013 before making the eagerly awaited announcement of Staff Member of the Year. That honor went to
Coleman Center Cook John Liucci. (See article in next
column.)
After growing up helping his mom in their Italian
kitchen, John Liucci was
destined to excel in his
field. It may have taken
him a while to find his
calling, but this New
Rochelle, NY, native who
grew up in South Florida
is certainly successful at
it. In search of his career,
Josh Ashby (l) and John he traveled the Caribbean
and much of the US,
Liucci
holding different jobs
ranging from tax negotiator and bartender to a four-year
stint as a massage therapist.
Liucci holds a culinary arts and restaurant
management associate degree from Indian River State
College. He is one of its first culinary graduates. Liucci and his family live nearby just off Assisi
Lane. He and his wife, who worked at Fleet Landing
before joining the Mayo Clinic, have seven-year-old
twins and a ten-year-old (all boys). A devoted family
man, Liucci is often found at events for his children.
Liucci was surprised at being named Staff
Member of the Year, and the resident response to his
selection was more than gratifying. He is a humble
person who loves his job and loves working for Fleet
Landing residents. Asked why he he thought he was
given the award, he replied that he always tried to
put his best foot forward, that he was a people person,
and that he had a passion for Fleet Landing.
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 5
Wonderful Wooden Toys
By Enith Vardaman
Left: The exhibit (photo by Dick Schlaff)
Above (l to r): Dave Carstater, Jim Lammie, and Terry
Philcox pack toys for delivery to the daycare center.
The December issue of FLEET BEAT (page 4) carried an article about the toys made by the Woodworkers Club for
the daycare center at Naval Station Mayport. Some of these toys were put on display in Windward Commons in
December, but that exhibit had not yet been mounted when we went to press. As promised, we are now providing a
photo of the exhibit. The showcased toys, just a sample of all those the Woodworkers made, were transported to the
daycare center after the exhibit was taken down to make way for the January show. The other toys had already been
delivered in early December.
Mugged!
Bridge News
By Howard Burdick; photo by Dick Schlaff
By Dottie Mann
In January, our resident collector of note, Dean
Veremakis, displayed an impressive array of shaving
mugs, barber bottles, and related paraphernalia of old
in our Windward Commons exhibit case. These are
accompanied by brief histories of the days before
electric razors, when barbers did the slopping and
stropping to produce relatively smooth visages, since
five o’clock shadows were looked upon as socially out of
step (and these days regarded as de rigueur by most
yuppies). Of particular interest is the transition from a
barber using one mug for all until it produced the
predictable itch, to the introduction of individual
personalized mugs. Some of us will remember when
barbers still used the mug and straight razor (and
some may yet do so). 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.
A tip from Eddie Kantar’s 60 facts of Bridge Life:
“After you open 1 Heart or 1 Spade and partner
responds 1NT denying support for your major, don’t
rebid your major unless you have a 6 card suit.” Be
sure that you and your partner understand and agree
on this tip before using it.
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 and a men’s social game on
Friday. Most of these games are played in the Coleman
Center Club Room at about noon. In addition, many
folks have a foursome in their homes morning, noon, or
night.
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 possible. If you
want to play Wednesday or Friday, just show up at
about noon.
If you want to play at home, invite others to your
place.
Good luck with your games.
Page 6
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Fleet Landing Supports Red Kettle Campaign
By Enith Vardaman ; photos by Howard Burdick, Ed Hollender, and Betsy Teske
Left: Volunteers gathered in the Atrium for a group photo. Right: Louise Seely
figures from the Salvation Army, the total amount
raised was $5,617, placing Fleet Landing in fifth place
among some 88 fundraising teams.
In his memo, Kammert thanked all who were
involved, including those who provided behind the
scenes support for such matters as photography and
copying notices. He wrote, “With enthusiasm, responsiveness, and generous contributions of time and
money, we as a community were able to contribute
significantly to one of our nation’s most effective
charities.”
Stacey Bright, Kettle Campaign Coordinator/
Volunteer Recruiter, commented, “The Salvation
Army could not reach the people of Jacksonville who
are most in need without people like your community.
We cannot thank you enough for all that your
LtoR: Christine Smith, Chris Gotschall, Amanda Smith
community did to make this such a successful year.”
For the second year, Fleet Landing participated in
the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Volunteers
State of the Economy
numbered 104. Eleven staff and eighty-three residents,
By Joan Carver
including centenarian Louise Seely, served as bell
“Will Growth Accelerate in 2014?” was the timely
ringers, regardless of the weather. In addition, ten
topic of Jim Newman’s lecture about the economy on
residents were “reminders” (those who called ringers to
December 12. The talk in Windward Hall was a part of
remind them of their assignment).
the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) lecture
Resident Jim Kammert, who organized this year’s
series. Newman, who is a graduate of the Wharton
effort, cited other impressive statistics in his postSchool, a Senior Vice President of Wealth Managecampaign memo to volunteers: Over a period of 21
ment for Janney, Montgomery, Scott, LLC, and an
days (November 22 to December 24), Fleet Landing
OLLI lecturer, predicts a good year for the economy in
volunteers contributed 165 hours of ringing at the
2014 with a few cautionary notes. What a difference a
Neptune Beach Publix. Ten people contributed
year makes. Newman’s December 2012 predictions were
between five and fifteen hours; fourteen, four hours;
and fifteen, three hours. According to the latest
(continued on next page)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
State of the Economy
(continued from preceding page)
far more gloomy, with a focus on the fiscal cliff and
possible new taxes.
Newman pointed out that the stock market has been
doing very well during the past year, and while the
market is separate from the economy, it also is a leading
indicator forecasting where the economy will be in six
months. There are a number of other positive signs:
home building is again on its way up; auto sales,
personal consumption, government, and medical
spending have all increased; the real trade deficit is
contracting; and no new taxes are anticipated. Two
million new jobs are expected in 2014; the European
recession is ending; businesses are better managed with
lower costs than in past years; and the wealth effect
from the stock market rise encourages spending. All of
these factors have been great for corporate profits.
Newman cautioned, however, that there are also
variables that could have a dampening effect on the
economy. These include gasoline prices, interest rates,
geo-political risks (a red herring in his view), and
whether China returns to growth or has a debt and
consumer implosion. Other future unknowns are the
impacts of higher per capita health care costs of
Obamacare and of adjustments in lending due to new
rates and rules. It is also likely that the Federal Reserve
will begin tapering its support of the economy through
the buying of treasury bonds. Whether tapering occurs
will probably depend on whether the unemployment
rate goes down.
At the close of his remarks, Newman answered a
variety of questions related to the economy. He noted
that bonds are a safe investment as long as they are
held to maturity. He does not see an end to the
inequality of incomes in the future. Overall his talk
was both informative and optimistic about the future.
Dining Room Renovations
By Chet Davis
The extensive plans for remodeling the upstairs of
the Coleman Center and the accompanying adjustments to dining services were presented by Fleet
Landing management in three Windward Hall
sessions on December 19 and 20. Senior Director of
Independent Living Services Patricia Mack opened
the meetings by congratulating Executive Chef Chris
Gotschall and Dining Room Manager Christine Smith
for their superb handling of the Christmas party.
Jason Holder, Manager of Construction, then took
the audience through the four construction phases of
the renovation of the dining venues, with details
about new finishes, fixtures, and furnishings. In
addition, the restrooms will be renovated, the
handrails outside the dining room replaced, the office
space redesigned, and a new “to go” area created. The
renovations, estimated to take thirteen weeks, will be
Page 7
followed by a grand opening celebration.
Smith outlined changes in the dining options that
will be available. This information was to be provided
in handouts distributed to all residents. Of note, an
“early bird special” inducement will be free house
wine during the 5 pm to 5:30 pm time period to
alleviate crowding. Smith said that the vast majority
of people arrive between 6:15 pm and 7 pm, something
Dining Services will be trying to mitigate, even after
renovations are complete. During the renovation, the
podium will be located on the main floor and pagers
will be used if the crowd exceeds space. Those using
pagers are requested to stay on the main floor until
paged, as there will be little extra room upstairs. Fees
such as for home delivery and takeout will be waived
during this period.
Gotschall noted that the breakfast menu served in
the Employee Café during the renovation will be
equal to that of the Coleman Center. Since there will
be less seating in the Coleman Center dining room
during the renovations, the kitchen needs to get the
food out fast to avoid long wait times. Because of this,
lunch and dinner menus will be somewhat limited. All
the popular choices, including filet mignon, salmon,
and roasted chicken, will still be available.
During renovation no building, affinity group, or
private functions will be possible, as neither the
Atlantic Room nor the west dining room will be
available. These groups will be offered a variety of
ways to continue their routine meetings. Resident input was solicited. Expect more
communications about the project as it progresses.
FLEET BEAT News
By Enith Vardaman
Kudos to Staff Photographer Ed Hollender for his
extraordinary dedication to FLEET BEAT’s photographic
coverage of events. Thanks also are due resident Dan
Kuchta for helping out with our photographic coverage
and for employing his Photoshopping skills when
needed. (An example: removal of an extraneous object
from your reporter’s photo of Santa on page 10)
With this issue, we welcome two new FLEET BEAT
staff members.
Helen Craig is already known to our readers for
her witty golf column, “Chips & Putts.” An artist, she
has also helped out from time to time with our
coverage of art events. Now you will be able to enjoy
her talented writings on a wider variety of subjects.
You can read about the impressive background of
Jean Ludlow, an October arrival, in the December issue
of FLEET BEAT (page15). She has already become active
in our community, exhibiting paintings and taking art
classes. We are glad that she has also decided to share
her considerable writing talent with us.
We will welcome more new staff members in our
next issue.
Page 8
FLEET BEAT
Leeward Manor Residents Present Gift to
Staff
By Enith Vardaman
Jan./Feb. 2014
The group includes resident Charlene Kurth.
The performance of such songs as “Sing We Now of
Christmas,” “White Christmas,” a “Merry Christmas
Medley,” and the amusing novelty number, “Not
Another Fruit Cake, Please, in December” created a
spirit of Christmas in the air.
This was also an occasion to thank individuals
and organizations that provide services to Fleet
Landing, including Baptist Medical Center Beaches,
travel advisor Kayla McEvoy, and Ginny Roemhild,
who gives video travel talks.
Chanukah Holiday Dinner
By Stan Tenenbaum
Judging by the smiles, the performance was a big
success.
For the second year, Leeward Manor residents
have prepared a special gift for staff: a performance of
“The Twelve Days of Christmas.” On December 17,
the 12 volunteer singers gathered around the table in
the Leeward Manor Activities Room, each with a copy
of the lyrics. Activities Coordinator Kathi Rose, who
had rehearsed them beforehand, cued each singer in
at the appropriate moment in a performance that was
greeted with enthusiastic applause.
This gift to staff is rapidly becoming a tradition.
Look for an interesting twist next year.
Holiday Tea
By Diane Plame
A sea of red—red holiday sweaters, red glittering
vests, red centerpieces of sparkling balls, pine cones
and miniature tree branches—was the setting for the
Holiday Tea on December 18 in Windward Hall.
The tea table was laden with chocolate eclairs,
chocolate covered strawberries, sandwiches, cream
puffs, and more for all to savor as they listened to the
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Joyful Voices.
Top: Listening to the reading of the Chanukah story
Bottom, left and center: Mary Lou Boyer and Karen
Schlamm participated in the lighting of the Menorah
as George Ginsburg looked on.
Bottom right: Stan and Elaine Tenenbaum, organizers
of the dinner
Fleet Landing’s annual Chanukah dinner was
held in the Atlantic Room on December 3.
Coincidentally this year, the first full day of
Chanukah fell on the same day as Thanksgiving
(November 28). This has not happened since the late
19th century and will not happen again in our lifetime.
The story of Chanukah, read by several participants, was followed by the lighting of the Menorah.
The blessings for the lighting of the candles were
recited and seven candles were lit, as this was the
seventh night of Chanukah.
A sumptuous special holiday meal prepared by
our kitchen staff followed. Gifts were exchanged after
dinner, as is the custom for Chanukah.
It was very nice to share the Festival of Chanukah
with our friends and neighbors at Fleet Landing.
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 9
an inside animal requires, including toys. “Holly”
immediately found Ann’s lap, and she is most happily
settled in her new digs.
☃
Suzanne Phillips was in Chicago in November for
two auspicious events held for her daughter, Susan
Hanes. Susan, who has been named the first female
president in the history of the Caxton Club, a society
for bibliophiles founded in 1895, was honored at a
party attended by 110 guests. On a different occasion,
intimate friends and family feted her for having
completed another book, this one of photographs. It is
entitled Hearts. The pictures were taken around the
world over a period of decades. Susan discovered
hearts on such surfaces as tiles, brick, stone, plaster
walls, wood, clothing, and human beings. They
appeared on gravestones and cathedrals, and they
were painted, carved, engraved, cut from stone, and
forged from iron. All in all, hers is an interesting
study of an iconic symbol.
☃
Marvin Alexander is still basking in the glow of
the holidays spent with his family. It began with the
arrival here of his daughter, Linda, and her fiancé,
Pete Barton. They come from Poughquag, NY, where
they run a roadside fruit stand, the produce coming
from acreage Pete owns. Nothing is simple anymore,
according to the couple. “We have to throw in
entertainment. It’s the only way these days.” Thus,
customers get tickets for a corn maze, various rides,
or whatever, in addition to buying some great apples
or cherries for which the region is known.
Linda and Pete then drove Marvin to the countryside surrounding Micanopy, where his two sons have
homes. Another daughter came in from Tampa. The
group, along with spouses, had feasts of southern
cooking—the heck with a turkey—and especially
relished the oysters from Texas prepared on a grill
outdoors.
☃
It was a bit of Old World ambiance and charm for
Bob and Joan Hall at Christmas. They enjoyed the
festivities and lovely decorations at the Jekyll Island
Club Hotel, a place they “hang their hat” three or four
times a year.
☃
Ann Farmer wasn’t sure what she would find
when she answered an ad in The Beaches Leader
regarding a kitten up for adoption. She fell in love
with the small animal and thus “bought a Christmas
present for myself.” As it developed, the former owner
had taken care of the paperwork required, and on top
of that, she provided Ann with all the accouterments
The best part? “We won!” said Dick Schlaff upon
his return from California,
where he cheered on the
Michigan State University
Spartans to a 24-20 victory
over the favored Stanford
University Cardinal at the
Rose Bowl on New Year’s
Day. Dick was attending his
second Rose Bowl game, the
first having been in 1956
when he was still a student at Michigan State. On
this trip he met up with family and friends from
Lansing and took part in a multitude of events
associated with the game and the holiday. He even
“celebrated New Year’s Eve at the same fashionable
hour as Fleet Landing, i.e., 9 pm” because he had to
get up at 4 am the next day to catch a bus for the
Tournament of Roses Parade, pep rally, and game.
☃
The entire family, including the matriarch in the
person of Tina Wolfe, assembled in Medina, NY, for
Christmas holiday festivities. Also present: six horses
and a dog. Tina reported, “We experienced cold
weather and hot. No matter, I’m celebrating Christmas
in 2014 on July 21, my 95th birthday.” Way to go, Tina!
☃
We don’t know if Pat Peterson’s granddaughter,
Claire Murphy, recently here on a break, can run as
fast as Pat, but suspect that she can outrank most
residents in her scientific knowledge. Claire is a Nuclear
Reactor Division Officer aboard the aircraft carrier
Eisenhower.
☃
A change of pace left Enith Vardaman “exhausted” after a holiday shared with her brothers, Bill and
Bob, in Port Orange, followed by a larger family
gathering in Gainesville at a niece’s home.
Diane Plame—her daughter, Valerie, and family
having just returned from Fleet Landing to their home
in Santa Fe—inquired in commiseration, “Are you
recovered yet? You don’t realize how quiet your life is
here.”
The conversation took place while the ladies were
carrying out their library duties. The “exhausted”
Enith heads the library and FLEET BEAT, serves on
FLiCRA’s state board, and plays an active role in
several computer groups. Need we say more?
Diane recently joined the FLEET BEAT staff,
volunteers at a local nonprofit, heads a book club, and
—well you get the idea.
(continued on next page)
Page 10
FLEET BEAT
Around and About
(continued from preceding page)
Speaking of volunteers, we must mention two
projects of the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry
(BEAM). Fran and Pat Patterson are volunteering at
BEAM Thrift, which opened recently on Shetter
Avenue in Jacksonville Beach. In addition, Jill
Trengove, our sometime concierge and a Master
Gardener, has set up a demonstration garden in
conjunction with the larger garden already established
at BEAM. The latter has grown and distributed
hundreds of pounds of food to the needy. The two
projects receive this reporter’s vote as the local story of
the year.
Jan./Feb. 2014
After the show, the children were treated to
Christmas cookies and beverages. They had given us
their voices and smiles, and all of us left Windward Hall
on December 10 with a special smile and joy in our
hearts.
Holiday Musical Traditions
By Jean Ludlow
The holidays were ushered into Fleet Landing with
the sound of music, including a lively performance by
the Singers by the Sea and a concert by the Mallory
EpiscoBells, both groups having Fleet Landing
connections.
Singers by the Sea
Very Young Carolers
By Pattie Loveland
Parents help their children with the gestures
accompanying a song.
Singers by the Sea sang Christmas favorites to a
capacity crowd on December 10 in Windward Hall.
Adding their voices to the chorus were residents Ray
Boyd, Andrea and Chet Davis, Carolyn Evans,
Charlene Kurth, Phil Martin, Andy Owens, Pat
Peterson, Bill Query, and Jean Welch. Director Becky
Schumann led the choir, which sang a happy mix of
familiar and not-so-familiar Christmas carols,
beginning with a blended rendition of “It’s Beginning
To Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Pine Cones and
Holly Berries” and ending with “It’s the Most
Wonderful Time of the Year.” The audience showed its
appreciation and joined in during the sing-along
portions of the program.
EpiscoBells
Left: Yorkie Casey accompanies Santa. Right: The
children line up for their after-performance treats.
Kindergarteners and first graders from Neptune
Beach Elementary made the holiday season extra
special with their charming and entertaining Christmas
program. Their director, a kindergarten teacher, had as
much fun as the children. In addition, she and her
mother, a retired teacher, sang two beautiful duets. The
role of Mrs. Claus, the narrator, was played by another
retired teacher.
What a delightful show the children presented,
singing everything from “Up on the Housetop” to “The
Twelve Days of Christmas” to “Jingle Bells.” They even
sang “Silent Night” while signing the words. During
their finale, “Here Comes Santa Claus,” our own Santa
(aka Bill Query, with his Yorkie, Casey) came in to meet
them, and they assured him they had been good this
year!
There’s something about bells that add to the
season, and on December 12 the Mallory EpiscoBells
returned to bring their sweet sounds of Christmas to
the residents gathered in Windward Hall. This bell
choir from Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra
Beach was made possible by a grant from the
Mallory Foundation, established by resident Bill
Mallory. The foundation underwrote the cost of the
bells. Directed by Tim Root, the bell ringers
presented a mix of famous carols, folk tunes, and
classics to the audience, which happily joined the
choir in singing some holiday favorites.
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 11
Scenes of the Holiday Season
The beautiful Crafty Ladies’ Coleman Center
Christmas tree
On the evening of December 19, residents had another
opportunity to celebrate in song: They gathered in the
Atrium to sing holiday music, accompanied on the
keyboard by popular entertainer Steve Chapman.
Dansations
By Pattie Loveland
As word spread, many residents made their way to the
second floor of the 4000 building to see Ann DeVane’s
carolers. (photo by Ray Boyd)
Fleet Landing had live carolers as well: On December
19, The Rev. Linda Miller, Wellness Staff, and
residents sang for their neighbors at several places on
campus, including Leeward Manor and at the Atrium
(pictured above).
Students from Dansations Studio entertained
residents and lots of parents at Windward Hall on
December 9. Thirty-two dancers, ages 8-18, performed
to both Christmas music and other songs, including
“America the Beautiful.”
Kim McDonough, founder and director of
Dansations, is also a teacher at LaVilla School of Arts
(a middle school). She said these students enjoy
coming to Fleet Landing, where they have performed
since 2007. They come from way across town, as they
are located near Baptist Medical Center South.
The students were enthusiastic as they danced
tap, ballet, and modern dance numbers, and the
audience had a good time watching these budding
dancers perform.
Page 12
FLEET BEAT
Executive Director Briefs Residents
(continued from page 1)
Nancy House and renovating the John and Marian
Derfer Health Care Pavilion.
In 2013, over $4 million was spent on campus
enhancement projects, including renovation of the
common spaces of the 2000 Building, development of a
plan to renovate and modernize the dining environments, continuation of the installation of the new key
system to improve security, and refurbishment of the
gazebo and replacement and addition of lake fountains.
Fleet Landing continues to be successful in raising
charitable gifts. In October, the health center was
renamed The John and Marian Derfer Health Care
Pavilion in honor of a very generous gift from resident
Marian Derfer. The change of signage is in process.
Over 100 residents are members of the Spinnaker
Society, which recognizes those who have made
financial contributions to Fleet Landing. Such gifts
are making it possible either to accelerate projects or
to enable ones that would not otherwise be realized.
Ashby also noted the strengthening of the
management team in 2013, with the addition of people
with integrity, a passion for their work, and compassion
for residents.
To the accompaniment of much laughter, Ashby
concluded his review of significant events of 2013 by
displaying this photo showing his role in the
demolition of the Waffle House.
Preview of 2014
Ashby described projects planned for this year:
• Changes to the dining venues, which will be
called Lake View and the Compass Grill. Ashby
expects that the latter, which is to feature a chef
preparing dishes in the center of the buffet line,
will offer a better buffet experience and higher
quality of food. Menus for the two locales will be
differentiated by logos and font types.
• The Nancy House. Construction will start in the
next month or two. By the end of 2014, the building
is expected to be substantially complete, with the
Jan./Feb. 2014
process of moving in residents underway.
• Renovation of the common spaces of the 3000
and 4000 buildings, to begin in February and the
fourth quarter, respectively.
• Construction of a porte cochère at the 1000, 3000,
and 4000 buildings. Ashby expects them to both
enhance curb appeal and to be functional, helping to
keep residents dry during inclement weather.
• Medicare-certified home health agency. Fleet
Landing will begin seeking certification in July. The
hope is that Fleet Landing’s home health agency
will be able to provide aging in place services to
residents by early 2015. Currently such services
must be supplied by an outside agency.
• Technology enhancements. Preliminary figures
for the cost of turning the entire campus into a
wireless hotspot were expected the week after this
briefing. Fleet Landing is also developing a strategic
plan for upgrading all of its business systems.
Health Care Repositioning Project
Ashby reviewed the four goals of the project:
• Increase the number of private rooms to meet
resident preferences.
• Improve the memory care component of our
health care continuum through the creation of a
more homelike setting.
• Develop a distinct space for inpatient residents to
receive short-term rehabilitative services under the
Medicare program.
• Mitigate the financial impact of the anticipated
future loss of the Certificate of Need, which allows
Fleet Landing to serve people who are not residents.
Ashby then outlined the phases and timeline of
the project:
• Acquire an adjacent two-acre parcel of land.
This was done in September 2012.
• Relocate Facility Operations to this new parcel.
The new maintenance building will be completed
around the end of January.
• Groundbreaking for The Nancy House is
anticipated in March. The facility is expected to be
open by the end of this year.
• Renovation of The John and Marian Derfer
Health Care Pavilion will begin in early 2015. This
complete modernization will include doubling the
number of private rooms, with each having its own
bathroom.
Ashby outlined some additional changes:
• The road that leads past the tennis courts to
Leeward Manor will be moved further east, allowing
for a circular drop-off away from thru traffic for the
Annex and The Nancy House and providing a prime
view of The Nancy House when turning off Fleet
Landing Boulevard. Some parking will be added
closer to the two buildings.
• In order to give the Annex more prominence, an
(continued on next page)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Executive Director Briefs Residents
(continued from preceding page)
entrance facing the road will be added. Plans call for
a refurbishment of the interior of the Annex in 2015.
• The garden plots will be moved from the area
near the current maintenance facility to the space
between the Annex and the tennis courts. The plots
will be raised.
Ashby then described how the project was being
financed:
• In October, Series B bonds were issued in the
amount of $17,600,000 to pay for the cost of the
project.
• Fitch also assigned a ‘BBB”rating to these bonds
and confirmed a stable outlook on Fleet Landing.
• The interest rate of 5.875 percent was a higher
rate than that of the April bond issue, reflecting the
bond market and rising interest rates. Ashby noted
that since the 30-year ‘BBB’-rated senior living
interest rate averages 6.5 percent, this was an
attractive rate. The blended Series A and B bond
interest rate is about 4.8 percent. Fleet Landing now
has fully fixed debt and a healthy capital structure.
• Charitable gifts are being utilized towards some
of the construction costs.
Dining Renovations
Ashby’s review of this project included the
following details:
• In December, three informational meetings were
held for residents. The presentation was taped and is
being shown on in-house television so that those who
missed the meetings can gain a better understanding
of the project.
• The project will have four phases, each one
closing a section that encompasses about a quarter of
the dining space.
• Demolition work on the lounge and adjacent
areas, the first of the four phases, was to begin on
January 13.
• As each phase is complete, that section will reopen
with new ceilings, flooring, and wall finishes. When
this work is finished in all four sections, the dining
room will be closed for a few days to allow for moving
in the new furniture, installing fixtures, and taking
care of other final details. Plans are being developed
for handling dining service during the shutdown.
• The completion of the project, expected to be
sometime in April, will be celebrated with a Grand
Reopening.
Miscellaneous
Ashby concluded his presentation with information
about these initiatives:
• Replacement of the fire alarm system for the
apartment buildings is in progress.
• The Selva entrance monument sign is under
construction.
• The Eagle Eye employee recognition program will
Page 13
be renamed “Lobster Tales” in commemoration of an
event reported in the October 22 “Rants and Raves”
column of The Florida Times-Union. The 97-year-old
mother of the writer was the beneficiary of an
extraordinary act of caring on the part of Health
Center staff. Having been asked what she would want
to eat if she could have anything she wanted, the
patient, who had lost interest in life and often refused
food, replied that she would choose lobster. Since this
item is not on the menu in the Health Center, the staff
set about purchasing, and cooking a lobster for her.
The renamed program, which is a way to recognize
and nurture the culture of caring at Fleet Landing,
was to be kicked off at a lobster-themed staff
luncheon.
• Returning the homestead tax exemption form that
has been placed in social boxes is important. If
everyone completed the form, Fleet Landing’s
property taxes would be reduced by about $170,000
annually.
• A new edition of the Resident Handbook will be
issued in February.
• Foundation for the Future, a newsletter to be
published twice a year by the Office of Charitable Gift
Planning, will be sent to families of residents in skilled
nursing and assisted living. Independent living
residents will also receive a copy. The newsletter will
cover ways of giving both to Fleet Landing and to
other organizations.
• The Coleman Center floor at the entrance is being
redesigned. An inlaid mat may replace the current
mat, which is a trip hazard.
Responses to comments and questions included the
following: The entire campus will be re-mulched
sometime in the spring. The cost is $60,000.
Landscaping of the Mayport Gate sign, which is on city
property, is permissible and is being studied. Fleet
Landing is exploring opportunities for funding from
outside sources, but since we are not a social cause
charity such as the United Way, the opportunities are
limited. The sale of resident excess belongings does not
represent enough return on investment to justify the
use of staff time. In 2014, all the light poles will be
painted with 10-year marine-type paint and the light
kits replaced. Fleet Landing is working with a firm
that specializes in senior living technology to develop a
three to five year technology plan that is much broader
than Wi-Fi. The goal is to help people stay in their
home or apartment as long as it is possible and safe to
do so. The cost of the dining renovation will be about $1
million. Painting and replacement of flooring is done
free of charge for longer term residents.
Considerable concern was expressed by several
residents about the rumored closing of the Coleman
Center dining room for breakfast except on Saturdays,
when the Employee Café is closed. Ashby said that the
matter is under consideration, but no decision has yet
been made.
Page 14
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Smiles Abounded at the Annual Resident Christmas Party
Photos by Ed Hollender and Betsy Teske
Betty and Reuel Platt (l), Dottie Rose
and Randy Gilliam
L toR: Joanne Ragans, Alice Shumer,
Von Jones
Barney and Kathy McGee
(foreground), Dan and Tillie Kuchta
Barbara and John Zamparelli
Louise and Lyle Munson
Jean and Bob Ballow
John and Beverly Johnson
Fran Kinne, Louise Magner
Janet and Herb Peeler
Hunter Smith
Dottie Meadows, Betty Burnham, Pat
Bross
Jim and Letha Woolbright
Carla and Terry Philcox
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 15
Annual Resident Christmas Party
By Helen Craig
It took a lot of hard work on the part of staff to make the party a success.
‘Twas a very merry Christmas party, indeed, this
pot in the little one!” (For those unfamiliar with this
festive celebration on December 13. By 5 pm, the entire
regional saying, it means outdoing oneself in
Coleman Center was transformed into a continuous
entertaining.) Among the specialties were tempura
spiral of elegant and tempting feeding stations on both
prawns with ponzu and sweet chili dipping sauce;
the first and second floors. Ample seating was
Swedish meatballs with porcini mushrooms; smoked
strategically placed, so all could walk around and
salmon display with cream cheese, capers, diced
ponder the savory offerings, select a few, then sit with
onions, dill sprigs and crostini; sautéed mussels;
friends to enjoy. Then select again, and again, and
seared scallops with bacon crumble; carved New
again! Meanwhile, our most helpful and cheerful
York strip au jus, with horseradish cream; and lamb
servers were busy passing around the bubbly
chops with mint jelly. And more! An Assorted
champagne and assuring that everyone was comfortDesserts & Coffee Station held a wide variety of
able. Adding to the ambiance was a delightful musical
colorful morsels, mini-cakes, and chocolate-laced
duo, who wandered from room to room with violin, flute,
tidbits—the perfect culinary ending to a special
and lilting tunes in tow.
evening.
Our new Executive Chef, Chris Gotschall, Dining
Just as icing on a more proverbial cake, photogRoom Manager Christine Smith, and our Dining
rapher Joey Glass was stationed in the hallway
Services staff produced and arranged a magnificent and
towards the 4000 Building, taking photos of residents
delectable display. As someone noted, “They put the big
who wished to remember this event.
Health Care Services Celebration
By Enith Vardaman (photos by Betsy Teske)
Tib Wheeler and Dave Vaughter
Elizabeth Sholar serves a table of guests.
Health care services staff at the buffet
The “Fleet Landing Health Care Services Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Family Night” was an early event
in this year’s holiday observances. Volunteers, together with Leeward Manor and skilled nursing residents and their
families, gathered in Windward Hall on December 4. A festive atmosphere prevailed as health care services staff
brought the guests tasty dinner selections from a buffet, and a strolling violinist provided holiday music.
“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just
have the heart.” Those were but two of the sayings about volunteerism on a sheet distributed to guests. Clearly
volunteers are appreciated.
This event was a lovely way to celebrate the season.
Page 16
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
(5518)
Martha and Mike Marchetti
(June)
Fleet Landing experienced a sudden surge of energy
when Captain Michael
and Martha Marchetti
moved onto Rigel Court.
Although coming from
Portsmouth, RI, they had
been considering Fleet
Landing for ten years,
prompted by Mayport
Navy friends who joined the Atlantic Club at the same
time. In the 1970’s, Mike was Executive Officer on the
USS Edward McDonnell out of Mayport, and both Mike
and Martha became captivated by this area.
Martha is a true Newport, RI, native, proudly
born and reared there. She graduated from Mount
Saint Mary College, NH, majoring in elementary
education, then taught both in elementary and special
education. She met Mike in Newport, marrying him in
1968 after a six-month courtship. Following his
retirement from the Navy, they returned to Newport,
and Martha got an M.A. in holistic counseling from
Salve Regina University. She became Director of
Religious Education at St. Barnabas Church, working
with “fabulous teenagers,” teachers, and parents.
Mike grew up in Chevy Chase, MD, graduating
from Georgetown University, with a B.S. in biology. He
was commissioned at the Officer Candidate School in
Newport, then earned an M.S. in meteorology from the
Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He had
tours of duty on both coasts and overseas (two with
NATO), commanded the frigate Aylwin out of
Charleston, SC, and was Commanding Officer of Naval
Station Guam, and Naval Station Ingleside, TX.
Both Marchettis like to eat out and to cook
(especially Mayport shrimp). Martha enjoys tai chi,
walking, working out, and reading, while Mike is into
“Rise and Shine,” birding at Hanna Park, golfing and
“anything outdoors.” Both are enthusiastic about
Fleet Landing, and the feeling is bound to be mutual.
—Helen Craig
5118
Will Snell
(November)
Will joined the Fleet Landing community in
November, and we watched in
awe as his very large RV came
down the street. Although it is
now in storage and he doesn’t
travel with it much anymore,
previously he spent six summers
in North Carolina, where he
stayed in an RV park and worked
in the office there.
Will grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and attended Pennsylvania State Uni-
Jan./Feb. 2014
versity, graduating with a degree in agricultural
economics. He then joined the Air Force and spent his
career as a fighter pilot. During his 21 years in the
Air Force, he was stationed in Thailand (flying
frequently to North Vietnam), Europe, the Pacific,
and the US. After retiring from the Air Force, he
worked in corporate aviation for ten years, flying to
many locales and demonstrating airplanes for sales
purposes. He then went back to the Philadelphia area,
where he was general manager and chief pilot for US
Healthcare, flying large corporate planes. When he
retired again, he moved to Destin, FL, but spent the
summers in North Carolina.
Will’s three children live in Virginia, Nevada, and
Pennsylvania.
Will has been very busy getting settled and has
been spending a lot of time working on updating his
computer. He hopes to try out the Computer Club in
the future. He likes Fleet Landing and finds the
neighbors to be very friendly. We are happy to
welcome Will to the community.
—Pattie Loveland
3213
Carol Conklin
(December)
Carol has been a resident for only a few weeks but
has settled in and is ready to
begin all the new experiences
Fleet Landing has to offer.
Carol grew up in the Washington, DC, area and then moved to
Long Island, NY, back to Maryland, and finally to Ponte Vedra,
where she lived for 20 years.
She married young, raised four
children—one daughter and three sons—and in
between completed her undergraduate and graduate
degrees. She was then able to achieve her “longed for”
goal of being a teacher. (At four years old she would line
up her stuffed animals and instruct her class.) All this
led to 20 years as a special education teacher in the
seventh and eighth grades.
Carol’s love of travel took her and her husband to
faraway places such as China, Singapore, Australia,
and Europe. Closer to home, she traveled to most of
the 50 states.
For relaxation she has enjoyed cross-stitching,
reading, playing mahjong, and dining in interesting
restaurants.
As a volunteer for 20 years at the Tournament
Players Championship (TPC), she was in charge of 25
office volunteers—though she doesn’t golf!
Fleet Landing is fortunate in having this
charming, lively, and interesting newcomer!
—Diane Plame
(Welcome Aboard continued on next page)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
(continued from preceding page)
4306
Linda Reed
(October)
Bringing with her a most fascinating hobby, and
leaving behind a most unique
profession, Linda Reed arrived in
Building 4000 on Halloween Day
2013. Following an internet search
of continuing care retirement
communities and a visit to Fleet
Landing last summer, she quickly
moved here from San Antonio, TX
—encouraged by our active and
friendly lifestyle and by her
daughter in Jacksonville.
Linda was born in San Francisco, but moved a lot,
as her dad was in the service. She went to high school
and a year of college in Texas, then married and “ran
away to be a hippy.” She later graduated with a B.A. in
20th century thought and expression from California
State, Dominguez Hills, then earned an M.Ed. from the
University of Arizona, specializing in the visually
impaired. She worked for 37 years in the Arizona State
Schools for the Deaf and Blind, driving all over the state
to visit the homes of visually impaired infants and
toddlers. In one job of special interest, she and an
anthropologist travelled for three years throughout the
huge Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona,
helping families with newly identified blind babies. They
produced a book and video for teacher training programs
on how to work with these Navajo families in a
culturally sensitive way, including information on
customs, traditions, witchcraft, and the medicine man.
A “hobby groupie,” Linda’s favorite is making “art
dolls,” both cloth and sculpted, and she has taken classes
from the well-known artist, E. J. Taylor. She also
collects dolls—about 700 to date. Other hobbies include
fitness, marathon running, biking, needlework, and
jewelry making. She will be busy at Fleet Landing!
—Helen Craig
3109
Dick Pritchard
(October)
Dick came to us all the way from Jacksonville’s
Mandarin neighborhood, where he and his late wife had
lived since 2006, and he is still
getting connected with us. He grew
up in upstate New York. After high
school graduation, and a year of
technical school, he joined the Navy
where he was an aerographer’s
mate (weatherman), advancing to
the exalted status of chief petty
officer at age 25. He then attended
Officer Candidate School and
was commissioned as a limited duty officer. His Navy
Page 17
duties were aboard ships, aircraft, and on shore stations,
primarily forecasting ice movements and locations, and
doing hurricane forecasting and locating. Shore duties
were in Newfoundland, Bermuda, Midway Island,
Washington, DC, and Antarctica.
Following Navy retirement in 1974, he went back
to college at the State University of New York. He
then formed a company to support the oil industry in
developing wells, fields, and pipelines in Alaska
through ice forecasting and seismic/drilling support.
He has two sons who live in the area, and he is an
avid stock watcher. He is still assessing the opportunities here and hopes to get more involved in
exercise and other programs.
Welcome Dick!
—Howard Burdick
(5833)
Joan and Jerry Carey
(September)
The Careys came to us after some 32 years in the
Atlanta, GA, area, where Jerry was Director of the
Georgia Tech Research Institute, performing advanced
research for various agencies and businesses, and Joan
was an English and history teacher. They have a
daughter and three sons—one
in the local area. They have
been longtime friends and
associates of resident Nancy
Maxson and her late husband,
Bill. Jerry is a graduate of
West Point, the Air Force
Institute of Technology,
various service schools, Texas
A & M (M.S.), and the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Joan graduated
from the University of Notre Dame, Maryland, and has
an M.A. from the University of Maryland.
Jerry’s varied career included serving as flight
instructor, assistant air attaché at the US Embassy in
Tokyo, fighter pilot (F4’s), and aeronautical engineer
and technical assistant to the chief scientist with the
Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base,
MD. He held various high-level positions with the
Tactical Air Force during deployments to Korea and
Vietnam and at Air Force Headquarters in Washington,
DC. He was also commander of the Air Force Tactical
Air Warfare Center, Eglin Air Force Base, FL. When
the Careys lived in Tokyo, Joan was a teacher at The
American School in Japan. In other locales, she taught
English and history in grammar and high schools.
They are both still assessing the scope of activities
here, but both like to read and travel. Jerry is keen on
various exercise programs, while Joan likes bridge.
Welcome to both! —Howard Burdick
(Welcome Aboard continued on next page)
Page 18
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
(continued from preceding page)
4317
Linda Wilkinson
(May)
When someone from the Jacksonville area
mentions the name “Linda Wilkinson,” the first word
that comes to mind is “service.” A native of Jacksonville, she
has served the community in a
variety of ways but always with
dedication and passion. The list of
her causes is long: the League of
Women Voters, her earlier work on
Jacksonville Consolidation and
with the Duval County Taxpayers
Association for reevaluation of
property taxes, the Mayor’s Health Advisory Board, the
Community Relations Commission (now Human
Rights Commission), which she chaired and for which
she wrote the first fair housing ordinance. In addition,
she has been active with Riverside Fine Arts and the
American Cancer Society, where she served on the
state childhood cancer committee. Her community
service continues to the present with her involvement
in Youth Leadership Jacksonville, the Women’s Giving
Alliance, and the Reed Center for Achievement. Linda graduated from Robert E. Lee High School
in Jacksonville, Vassar College, and the University of
Chicago School of Social Work.
Her professional career included work as a
pediatric oncology social worker at Wolfson Children’s
Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic. She was also
camp director for 17 years at the American Cancer
Society’s children’s camp.
She married the late Dr. Albert Wilkinson Jr., and
they had four children. She is the proud grandmother
of nine grandchildren and is looking forward to
welcoming her first great-grandchild in April.
We are indeed fortunate to have Linda in our
community.
—Jean Ludlow
(1305)
Victoria and Robert Freeman (December)
It says something about Fleet Landing when the
proprietors of a well-known bed and breakfast in the
Riverside area of Jacksonville choose our community
as their home. Robert and
Victoria Freeman owned and
ran the House on Cherry
Street—featured in such
publications as Southern
Living and The New York
Times—for ten years after
retiring from their professions.
Robert had a long legal career. Specializing in taxexempt finance (municipal bonds), he represented local
Jan./Feb. 2014
governments, utility authorities, and school districts.
His lengthy list of civic activities include Leadership
Jacksonville, Class of 1979, and serving as president
of the Mental Health Association of Jacksonville and
Gateway Community Services. He was also president
of the North Florida Princeton and University of
Georgia Law School alumni associations and a board
trustee of the Darlington School in Rome, GA—all the
schools where he was educated.
After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in English, speech, and journalism from the
University of Florida, Victoria moved to Jacksonville
and began her teaching career at Episcopal High
School soon after it opened. She taught English,
headed the middle school, did marketing, and was
assistant cross-country coach in her years at the
school, retiring in 2003. She began feature writing
during those years, publishing in McCalls and
Newsweek, among others. In 2004, she published a
book, Love Stories From the Bible.
The Freemans have two sons, three grandchildren
—and another due at any moment. Robert has many
interests from outdoor adventures to personal growth
activities. Victoria has a passion for organic gardening
and is exploring possible opportunities for planting
vegetable gardens in and near Fleet Landing. Fleet Landing appealed to the Freemans as their
next step because of the friendliness of its staff and
residents, its sound financial condition, and its active
community life. They bring to Fleet Landing their
enthusiasm, experience, and energy, and they are
sure to be active participants in the life here.
—Jean Ludlow
(1112)
Barb and Drew Brennan
(October)
When Drew and Barb lived in Minnesota in the
early years of their marriage, they lived “on acreage”
in the country. They raised
sheep and allowed a neighbor to grow vegetables on
their land for a share of the
crop. They started that
country life because they
wanted horses. What a
healthy lifestyle!
The couple married while Drew was in medical
school at the St. Louis University. Barb had
graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College (the
nation’s oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women)
and taught school before their four children were
born. After graduation, Drew became a resident at the
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he eventually
joined the staff, specializing in the treatment of
kidney disease. The Brennans moved to Atlantic
Beach in 1986 when the local Mayo Clinic opened.
The family has an ongoing interest in long distance
(Welcome Aboard continued on next page)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Welcome Aboard
(continued from preceding page)
walking. Drew has completed four 200-mile walks on the
Appalachian Trail, as well as four 500-mile trips on the
Camino De Santiago trail in Spain. For each walk he
has taken one of his grandchildren. His daughter Ann, a
nurse at Mayo Clinic, accompanied them on two of the
walks.
At Fleet Landing, Drew and Barb continue to live
a healthy life. They have joined the Croquet Club.
Barb is in Sheri Nicholson’s swim class and Drew has
taken up pickle ball. Drew is interested in radiocontrolled sailboats, and he tutors children in reading
at Habitat. They learned about Fleet Landing from
resident Marilyn Heberling, as the three of them
attended Christian meditation classes together.
We welcome this warm and delightful couple to
Fleet Landing.
—Patricia Payne
Safety Seminar
By Pattie Loveland
On January 14 in Windward Hall, Manager of
Safety and Security Gretchen Sorensen presented the
first of the safety talks she will give in
2014.
In her presentation, “Check Yourself,” Sorensen suggested several areas
for review—with examples under each
—as we start the new year:
•Traveling (insurance not lapsed, expiration dates for driver’s license, car
registration, and passport)
•Documents (up-to-date advance
directives and wills)
• Home (expiration dates on foods and cosmetics as
well as on cleaning chemicals, which can start to
break down)
• Health (expiration dates on first aid kit supplies,
out-of-date over-the-counter medications, old or
changed prescriptions)
• Wellness (timing of annual doctor visits and
tests, balance and stability checks, mental wellness)
• Miscellaneous (debit and credit card statements,
credit report, voter registration card legibility).
Sorensen stressed that the purpose of all of these
reviews is to keep us safe and secure.
She also distributed three handouts with useful
information:
• A driving skills self-assessment questionnaire
prepared by Florida GrandDriver, a state agency
(www.flhsmv.gov/FloridaGrandDriver/).
• A Neptune Beach Police Department press release
about its prescription drug drop box for unwanted
prescription and over-the-counter medications. Anoth-
Page 19
er option for disposing of such medications is to
remove them from their container, mix them with an
undesirable substance such as coffee grinds or kitty
litter, and then put them in a sealed container.
• A list of foods and the safe storage times
depending upon whether they are kept in a pantry,
a refrigerator, or a freezer. This information was
compiled by Gourmet Sleuth (gourmetsleuth.com).
Sorensen welcomes ideas for future safety seminars.
Suggestions can be sent to gsorensen@fleetlanding.com
Library Notes
By Betsy Lewis and Enith Vardaman
We thank our recent donors: Bea Beshany, Betty
Blackwell, Lew Connell, Phil and Bob Eckert, Sue
English, Judy Foppiano, Ralph Cogswell, Tillie and Dan
Kuchta, Art Overfelt, Jack Pate, estate of Cleo Powell,
Ruthwood Samek, Nancy Siddons, Dick Stratton,
Shirley Stavridis, Dean Veremakis (see article on page
3), and Charlie Williamson.
A large donation from Helen Hause included several
novels by Carl Hiaasen (shelved in the Fiction section)
and a book of his selected columns from the Miami
Herald (shelved in the Soc. Sci. section).
A large donation from Jean and Ray Wehrmeister
included books on CD. They can be found in the AudioVisual section.
Bill Rodriguez generously donated a three-volume
set of recordings on CD (with a bonus fourth CD) of the
piano music of his great-great-grandfather Julian
Fontana.We place the works of relatives of Fleet
Landing residents on the Fleet Landing Authors shelf to
give them a more prominent location in our collection.
(For more information about Fontana and his
relationship with Chopin see FLEET BEAT, April 2013,
page 12; and December 2013, page 10.)
We thank Sandy and John Pawek for our gift
subscription to Reader’s Digest.
We have also received a gift subscription to The New
Yorker. Unfortunately, contrary to usual practice, the
magazine did not inform us of the name of the donor.
Sidney Mickler’s book, As I Remember It, coauthored with his daughter, Julie Mickler Bhatia, is a
tale of life in Palm Valley during the Great Depression
and beyond. The son of hard-working, enterprising
parents, Mickler enjoyed an adventurous childhood. By
the time he was seven or eight he was helping the family
earn a living, with his imagination, creativity, and
gumption as helpful assets. Cutting palm buds, seining,
hunting, trapping, and fishing number among the
activities in which he engaged. When he was nine, he
worked with his father building the Mickler Pier. All
this with a love of God thrown in. A library purchase,
the book is written as if this kind, appreciative,
unschooled (in the traditional sense) man is speaking
directly to you. It can be found under History in the
library’s Florida collection.
Page 20
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Decorating for the Holidays
Seven residents graciously volunteered to open their homes for the Holiday House tour on December 18. Below
is a small sample of the elegant decorations at each stop on the tour.
Helen Craig
Judy Thompson
Janet Rigby
Susan Veremakis
Bob Woodward Speaks on the Presidency
By Joan Carver and Jean Ludlow
Francesca DioGuardi
Bob Woodward, prize-winning journalist, author,
and consummate Washington insider, spoke on
“Presidential Leadership and the Price of Politics” on
January 21 as part of the World Affairs Council Global
Issues Evening Speaker Series. The large audience at
the University of North Florida Arena included a
number of Fleet Landing residents, who enjoyed special
seating because of Fleet Landing’s World Affairs
Council sponsorship.
President Obama and how he has used or failed to
use his power was a focus of Woodward’s remarks.
While Woodward blamed both political parties for the
problems in Washington, he suggested it was up to
Obama to use the enormous powers of the presidency to
run the government. He criticized the president for his
failure to recognize the scope of his powers. Woodward
sees Obama as a paradox, someone who realizes how
unlikely it was that he became president, yet fails to
use fully the power of the presidency to achieve his
goals. Citing Obama’s call in his second inaugural
address for greater opportunity for the poor, he also
sees Obama as an idealist, but one who has found it
difficult to achieve those ideals.
Woodward suggested that Obama had been
weakened by his aloofness, his tendency to keep people
at arm’s length. He noted that Paul Ryan, Republican
congressman and vice presidential nominee, said, “I
don’t think he likes us very much.” Another example is
seen in the comment by former defense secretary Robert
Judy Calcagni
JoAn Tetrick
Gates, in his recent memoir, Duty, that the president
said to him a number of times, “Let’s have a martini,”
but it never happened. Woodward feels that Obama
needs to heed the “Hillary Rule,” where you “fake it
until you make it.” Woodward also believes Obama
could have closed the gap between and within the
parties if he had spent more time with people.
Woodward interspersed his remarks about the
presidency with interesting and sometimes amusing
inside-the-beltway stories. He admitted to misjudging
the motives behind Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard
Nixon. He had initially felt it was part of a deal to
enable Ford to become president, but after later
interviews with Ford, he came to believe that Ford was
simply trying to bring closure for the country. Ford felt
a trial and imprisonment of Nixon would be wrong for
the country. Woodward termed this a “gutsy” move. The
Kennedy Library later gave Ford the Profile in Courage
award for his decision.
Looking to the future, Woodward believes that the
country is poised for another great century, but to
realize that potential both parties have to resolve the
internal battles that prevent them from being
effective and from compromising to get things done.
He believes Hillary Clinton will run for president in
2016, and that she is maximizing her influence by
hesitating in announcing her candidacy.
Other observations by Woodward included the
following: he was surprised by Gates’s belief that Obama
supported the troops but not the mission in Afghanistan;
(continued on next page)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Bob Woodward Speaks on the Presidency
(continued from preceding page)
this is a very dangerous complicated world with 15 to 20
countries that could explode at any time; and mistakes
can be made by leaders, but most have the national
interest at heart.
Woodward’s initial fame came from his investigation
of Watergate for The Washington Post and the
subsequent book, All the President’s Men, coauthored
with fellow reporter Carl Bernstein. Woodward has
written a total of 17 books on politics. The most recent,
The Price of Politics, is about the Obama administration
and Congress. Woodward is currently an associate
editor at The Washington Post.
Services Showcase
By Pattie Loveland
Page 21
• Audiology services provided by Dr. Burns include
hearing aids and hearing tests. Fleet Landing
participates in Lend An Ear Outreach, which takes
used hearing aids and refurbishes them for needy
recipients. Donated hearing aids are eligible for a tax
deduction.
• Podiatry services are provided by Dr. Makoff
every Thursday afternoon in the Clinic.
• Massage therapist Guy Kiely offers all types of
therapy, including therapeutic, relaxation, and moist
heat treatments on Wednesday, Friday, and
Saturday in the Windward Commons massage room.
For audiology, podiatry, and massage therapy
services, call ext 400 for an appointment .
• Home Health and Handy Helpers, which are both
staffed by Fleet Landing employees who have passed
background checks, provide such services as health
care from a certified nursing assistant, supplemental
housekeeping, and pet walking, to name but a few. For
more information, call ext 437.
• Residents Helping Residents program. If you
wish to be a helper or if you need help, contact
Resident Support Coordinator Pamela EcclesWakefield at ext 116.
• Salon PS employees operate the full-service
Windward Commons beauty salon, which is open
Tuesday to Friday. For appointments, call ext 115.
Services are also offered in Leeward Manor (ext 438).
• Don’s Jewelry Service offers repair services one
day a month. Check the monthly WELLInspired
calendar for the specific day.
Wellness Committee Formed
By Pattie Loveland
Top: Trying out an exercise class
Middle left: Raquel Miranda at the Home Health/
Handy Helpers table
Bottom left: The staff of Salon PS
Bottom right: Don’s Jewelry Service
The “Fleet Landing Services Showcase” held in
Windward Hall on January 7 highlighted the range of
fitness classes and services available on campus.
Fitness classes: Fitness instructors Art Jones
and Sheri Nicholson presented a brief demonstration
of the various classes, giving those in attendance a
chance to try out the options. Each resident’s fitness
level is taken into account in these classes. See the
monthly WELLInspired calendar for all the choices.
Services:
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are
available. A written prescription from a doctor is
required.
The inaugural meeting of the newly formed
Wellness Committee was held on January 8. Manager of
Wellness Services Briana Bledsoe chairs the group.
Senior Director of Independent Living Services Patricia
Mack will also be a member. Jan Hilton will be the
Residents’ Council representative. Resident members
are Stephanie Kuhling, Pattie Loveland, Dottie Mann,
Ann Patton, Helen Rose, Stan Tenenbaum, and Judy
Thompson.
The Wellness Committee will meet quarterly and
will be the eyes and ears of the residents and bring
suggestions and ideas for consideration. The Wellness
staff wants to keep the old traditions but also look for
new ideas to make their programs more popular and
relevant. One suggestion, which will be implemented, is
to insert into the monthly WELLInspired calendar a
sheet listing of all resident run activities and clubs with
date, time, place, and contact person. This should make
it easier for new residents to get involved.
Plans are underway for activities, and the committee will welcome your ideas and suggestions.
Page 22
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Luminary Remembrance
Text and photos by Ed Hollender
On December 6, residents gathered poolside for the “Luminary Remembrance” organized by Resident Support
Coordinator Pamela Eccles-Wakefield. The program, a new addition to Fleet Landing’s annual holiday events,
consisted of a prayer by Eccles-Wakefield, Christmas carols sung by a 12-member choir from the Family Bible
Church of Ponte Vedra, the naming by the audience of loved ones lost during the year, and the lighting of candles in
their memory. At the conclusion of the ceremony, those present had their choice of bottled water, coffee, hot apple
cider, or hot chocolate.
Broadway A La Carte
By Joan Carver
simple props such as a shawl for Banks and a cap for
Hawkes.
The program concluded, appropriately, with songs
for the New Year: “Count Your Blessings,” “What Are
You Doing New Year’s Eve?” and “The Prayer.”
The large turnout of residents reflected the
popularity of Broadway A La Carte, which was
making its third appearance at Fleet Landing.
Endowment Fund News
By Larry Magner
Broadway A La Carte, a three-person ensemble,
presented their 2013 holiday program to a large and
responsive Fleet Landing audience on January 30 in
Windward Hall. The vocalists, Carole Banks and Guy
Hawkes, were accompanied by pianist Stephen
Fennell.
The program got off to a rousing start when Fleet
Landing residents were brought in as participants in
the singing of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The
performers followed this with the parody, “The Twelve
Days After Christmas”; a medley of songs related to
snow; and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Ave Maria,”
and “The Secret of Christmas.”
The singers then performed five songs from
Fiddler on the Roof, demonstrating their acting skills,
and transforming themselves into Russian Jews with
At the Endowment Fund board meeting held on
January 15, the following votes were taken:
• Election of Larry Magner as president, Carolyn
Evans as vice president, and Mickey Miefert as
secretary/treasurer
• Acceptance of the resignations of Helen Craig,
Chet Davis, Roland Downing, and Susan Veremakis
and approval of new members Jim Freeman, Bill
Gardner, John Hedge, Nancy Maxson, and Bill
Rodriquez
• Approval of an increase of the maximum
scholarship amount to $2,000
Other members of the board are Executive
Director Josh Ashby, Director of Charitable Gift
Planning Olivia Bush, and residents Steve Hammer,
Tom Hilton, Anne Leyden, and Carla Philcox.
Significant events planned for 2014 include a
fundraising drive in April/May, the scholarship award
ceremony in May, and the dinner/silent auction/golf
tournament in October.
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 23
December 3: A Beautiful Day for the Annual Jingle Bell Walk
Above: Staff, residents, and canines pause for a group photo before setting
out.
Top right: Carolyn Madden (l) and Betsy McClenaghan wave as they walk
with Dick Vook.
Bottom right: Walkers approachWindward Commons, where hot chocolate
and cookies awaited. (Photo by Betsy Teske)
Unusual Science: Half-Life
By Richard Conway
The concept of half-life is useful to us. Consider
caffeine: it takes five hours for half of it to be
metabolized in the body. Metabolism slows down, since
its rate depends on the concentration of caffeine left.
Less left, slower metabolism rate. That is called a firstorder reaction, which is exponential.
Another habit beverage is alcohol, which has a
different kind of decay rate. It is first metabolized to an
aldehyde, which is poisonous and needs to be metabolized
before it builds up. So alcohol is metabolized at a constant
rate (straight-line, zero-order reaction). A normal person
can process 0.7 drinks per hour, but can face some
psychological problems.
A medicine introduced to the body takes four halflives to reach a steady state. The doctor may ask that a
double dose be given at the start to speed up reaching
steady state. When stopping the medicine, the doctor
may ask you to taper off as the medicine may have
caused some glands to “go on vacation.” The half-life for
ibuprofen is about two hours. After one day, 12 halflives are used, leaving practically none left in your
system. Some medicines have a long half-life.
Another example of decay concerns radioactive
isotopes. Archeologists are interested in the age of
artifacts they find and use carbon dating on wood and
other biological matter. As soon as a living organism dies,
it stops taking in new carbon, which has a set ratio of
carbon-12 and carbon-14, isotopes of different atomic
weights. The stable carbon-12 stays the same over time,
but the unstable carbon-14 changes to nitrogen-14 with
a half-life of about 6,000 years. So the age of the wood
or body can be determined by the amount of carbon-14.
The less carbon-14, the older the artifact is.
Even the fortunes you have built up that allow
you to live in Fleet Landing have a predictable life
span. To paraphrase Andrew Carnegie: the first
generation builds up the fortune, the second
generation secures it, and the third generation spends
it!
A Pelican Drops By
This visitor found a sunny spot between the 3000
Building and the Coleman Center on one of our recent
cold days. Resident Ray Boyd captured this shot.
Page 24
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Brush and Palette: December
By Betsy Lewis
Helen Craig’s “Main Street in
Scotty Thornton’s Old St. Augustine
Corcelles, Switzerland”
Tod Kuchler’s “Peace on Earth”
“Holiday Times” is the theme of the December
ployed massive forms, suggests Thomas Hart Benson
show. The questions today: “What emotion did a
and Nature’s power; her “Falling Leaves” yields a sense
painting evoke in you? Does an unwritten message
of contentment. Two studies by Betsy Lewis include
come across? Do you believe that is what the artist
“The Children’s Home,” where some little girls unwrap
had in mind?”
gifts while a boy stands nearby bathed in sorrow. In
Acrylics
“Once Upon a Time,” an abandoned building is flanked
Helen Craig’s “Main Street in Corcelles, Switzerby life in the form of flowers continuing to grace its
land” registers happiness, with three little girls gathered
exterior, conveying hope at this season of the year.
perhaps for a song, while her “Snow Time in
Pastel
Pennsylvania” suggests the comfort found in a warm
“Mom and Babe,” also by Felder, registers the
house, the field work completed for the season.
piety associated with the season, as a woman looks
In Scotty Thornton’s “Old St. Augustine,” we
heavenward, her babe in tow.
sense that history is being preserved in this Florida
Mixed Media
town. The tranquility we often associate with the
Jan Rigby’s “Follow the Star” is a whimsical picture
gentle Japanese we meet is powerfully contradicted in
created of cutouts of angels floating in a swirl of clouds.
Jan Rigby’s “Japanese Christmas,” for the colors are
Sumi-e
bold rather than subtle. Jack Pate’s “Red Barn” has
The “Last Mums in Autumn,” a lovely work by
the simplicity of a Wyeth and the pristine quality of a
Thornton, expresses grace and beauty.
new snow. “Creation 6” by Jean Ballow, first viewed
Etching
in the evening, seemed mysterious, with flowers and
Jim Miles portrays “Hillsboro Inlet, Florida” as a
body forms gradually coming into focus.
navigating challenge presented by a higher order than
Oils
mankind.
Ballow’s “Creation, Reflecting Gold” speaks of the
vigor of the world. Tod Kuchler’s “Peace on Earth”
Fleet Landing in the News
tells of a family that keeps its well-manicured home
By Enith Vardaman
and land with loving care. Dian Felder’s “After the
Storm” suggests that Nature has many moods and we
The “Business Briefs” section of the December 12
humans must succumb to her.
edition of The Beaches Leader carried an article, with
The majesty of the world comes across in Barbara
accompanying photo, about newly hired Executive Chef
Zamparelli’s “Winter Wonderland,” and a feeling of
Chris Gotschall. A notice about this also appeared twice
tranquility in her “Cozy Cottage.”
in The Florida Times-Union: in the “Career Track”
Watercolors
column on December 10 and the “Shorelines” section on
Humor comes across in Pat Payne’s flicker
January 4.
“Shopping for the Holiday Dinner,” as he zeroes in on
The December 12 edition of The Beaches Leader also
some trees in their winter dress. Another season comes
had a photo of Fleet Landing Salvation Army bell
into focus in Jean Ludlow’s “La Campagna,” where a
ringers Jane and Howard Burdick and Carolyn and
farmer seems very content with life as he goes about his
Beryl Hubbard, with accompanying information about
daily chores. Two submissions by Helen Latta Berle,
Fleet Landing’s participation in the Red Kettle
“Winter’s Greeting” and “Winter in the Rockies” exude a
Campaign. (See article on page 6.) The same photo
sense of tranquility and beauty in our surroundings.
with similar information appeared in the News & Notes”
Sara Hurst’s “Hay Bales,” in which she has em(continued on page 27)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 25
Brush and Palette: January
By Helen Craig
Barbara Zamparelli’s “It’s
Cold Out There”
Sara Hurst’s “House After First
Snow”
Jean Ballow’s “Changing
Weather”
The theme for January’s exhibit was “Artist’s Choice,” and the artists, in turn,
chose a wide variety of subjects and sites, from wintry vistas to the tropics, from
Provence to Australia.
Sara Hurst takes us up North with two watercolors, “Snow Scene” and “House
After First Snow.” The first is a lovely and chilly rendition of two bare trees, a wet
snow clinging to the branches and more snow banked against the trunks, with
lavender reflections and golden skies softening the scene. In the second, a bit of
luminous green still graces the trees, but it appears that the house’s residents
may have left the mountains behind and headed south. The third Hurst painting,
“Man’s Best Friend,” effectively uses pastel on watercolor to portray an appealing
young Labrador retriever with dark, soulful eyes. In Jean Ludlow’s watercolor,
“Bird of a Feather,” we go from white to bright, as a brilliantly colored tropical
bird flaunts his orange and blue finery. Then we find a “Scene in Provence,” a
watercolor by Betsy Lewis, depicting a typical French water trough alongside the
house, flanked with cheerful red and yellow flowers. How Continental!
Now to a far-off continent, with Tod Kuchler’s “Australia Outback,” in oil.
Amidst the pale flaxen grasses and clear blue skies, Kuchler captures a lonely
mood, focusing on a roomy but abandoned farmhouse and a broken down fence.
Also in oil is Barbara Zamparelli’s “It’s Cold Out There.” A frozen creek shimmers
amidst stark, dark rocks, with leafless trees silhouetted in the frosty background.
Using mixed media, Jean Ballow creates the feeling of “Changing Weather,”
as four strollers—one with a dog—encounter a mixture of snow and rain and sleet,
holding umbrellas tightly against the swirling elements. Ballow then uses pastels
to create “Foot Bridge, Hanna Park”—with shimmering reflections beneath the
bridge, muted greens, pinks, and lavenders above, and capped by striking white
branches to add drama.
Three painters use acrylics to portray their scenes. In Scotty Thornton’s “Let’s
Go Out,” a parent and child set out from their pink lakeside home, to enjoy a
stunning pink sky reflecting both in the water and along the path. Cozy details
add to the picture—clothes hanging on the porch to dry and a watering hose
wound up beside the house. Jan Rigby paints a “Backyard Surprise,” a crimson
column of red ginger emerging amidst a mass of green leaves and vines and
purple shadows, for an interesting display. Then Helen Craig takes us back
overseas, with “Farm Building in the Alps,” inspired by photos from her daughter
in Switzerland. Multiple farm tools are lined up along the building, competing for
space with multiple flowers and garden vegetables, the Alpine peaks rising in the
distance.
Jim Miles adds two dramatic etchings to the show. In “Palm Beach Inlet,” a
small sloop, under full sail, passes a bouncing buoy to portside, as roiling waves
tip both the buoy and the boat. The entire painting is a study in movement, both
in water and sky. “Colorado Gold Mine” achieves its drama from the striking
patterns of color. “There’s gold in them there hills”—but also oranges, reds and
purples, blues and greens. Very effective.
Do You Have Questions About State
Government?
By Enith Vardaman
On January 13, residents had an opportunity to
ask such questions, when Joseph Zimmerman, who
handles constituent relations for our state representative, Janet Adkins, came to Fleet Landing.
Zimmerman continues to be available to answer
questions. He is at Jacksonville Beach City Hall on
Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm. He can also be reached by
email at joseph.zimmerman@myfloridahouse.gov and
by telephone at 904-491-3664 or 727-858-2091 (cell).
Zimmerman said that he could help with any
kind of state issue. He particularly mentioned those
related to elder care and to such state bodies as the
Agency for Health Care Administration and the
Department of Elder Affairs. He can also respond to
questions about the Affordable Care Act, but he
may have to do some research before providing an
answer,
Page 26
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Mallets and Wickets
Fleet Landing Croquet Championship
By Betsy Lewis
Fleet Landing Hosts Cypress Village
Photos by Carla Philcox
Photos by Ed Hollender
Top: The participants.
Bottom left: Marilyn Herberling (l) and Peggy Steck
Bottom right: Lee Markley presents the trophy to Peggy
Steck.
Peggy Steck won the Fleet Landing Croquet
Championship over the reigning champion Marilyn
Heberling on December 11 on our Greens. The match
was carefully and thoughtfully played by both
contestants, who were almost flawless in their shots.
The score: 17-13.
Heberling almost had Steck in her clutches but
missed what some might call “a gimme,” but that is
not part of this game. Subsequently she found her ball
caught in the jaws—another blow for her.
Steck previously eliminated Jean Cashin, 18-15, in a
head-to-head encounter, and afterwards she knocked out
Terry Philcox, 17-12. Heberling defeated Betsy Lewis
and Lee Markley to reach the finals. Philcox placed
third, based on the number of wickets he scored.
Concentrating on their games, the players seemed
unaware that the spectators were huddled in towels,
blankets, and in one case, a fur coat, while history
was being made nearby.
Top:The participants, with Fleet Landing residents on
the left and Cypress Village residents on the right
Middle and bottom: Scenes from the courts
Bundled in layers of white garments, many with
hoods attached, the Fleet Landing Croquet Club
hosted guests from Cypress Village on January 18 in
a “no-prize” golf croquet event. Arrangements were
made by Marilyn Heberling and the club’s president
Lee Markley. All told, ten players from each group
participated, with various spouses and friends on
hand to swell the audience. At play’s conclusion, all
enjoyed a lovely feast provided by our kitchen and
those residents who attended this happy winter
program. Thanks go to Ed Hollender who always
keeps posterity in mind with his trusty camera.
N.B. Jean Cashin’s pots of tulips graced the
tables, suggesting that spring is on its way.
An Overview of Medicare Benefits
By Patricia Payne
On January 13, Senior Director of Health Care
Services Elizabeth Sholar kicked off the 2014 “Health
Care News” series with an update to her 2013 slide
presentation about Medicare parts A and B. Sessions
in the series are held on the second Monday of each
month at 2 pm inWindward Hall. The topic is
announced in the WELLInspired monthly calendar.
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps cover
inpatient care in the hospital and in skilled nursing
facilities post hospitalization. It also helps cover hospice
(continued on page 27)
Jan./Feb. 2014
FLEET BEAT
Page 27
Fleet Landing in the News
An Overview of Medicare Benefits
(continued from page 24)
column in “Shorelines” on December 21.
Manager of Sales and Marketing Jeff Bassett and
Sales and Marketing Assistant Connie Wheat appeared
in a photo in the “People & Places” section of the
December 19 edition of The Beaches Leader. They are
pictured at a Windward Commons Christmas tree with
non-perishable food donated by guests at a Marketing
holiday party. The food was given to Beaches
Emergency Assistance Ministry.
The “Art Scene” section in both the December 19
and 26 editions of The Beaches Leader carried a notice
about a December Salt Air Society art exhibit at
Seahorse Florist. Resident Jean Ballow was among the
artists named.
Fleet Landing figured in several other items in the
December 26 edition of The Beaches Leader: Photos in
the “Holiday Performers” section showed the Neptune
Beach Elementary carolers and Santa Claus (aka
resident Bill Query) with his Yorkie, Casey (see article
on page 10), as well as the choir that performed at the
Luminary Remembrance (see article on page 22). In the
“Eye on Health” section, the Rev. Linda Miller and the
Wellness team were pictured caroling in the Atrium (see
page 11).
The “Around the Region” section of the January
11 edition of The Florida Times-Union noted the
planned visit to Fleet Landing of Joseph Zimmerman,
assistant to state Representative Janet Adkins. (See
article on page 25.)
Besides the item in the obituary section of The
Florida Times-Union on January 17, there was an
article on the military and civilian accomplishments
of Rear Admiral Joe Coleman (see article on page 1)
on the front page of the “Metro”section of the January
19 edition. An item on jacksonville.com that can be
found by searching under “Joe Coleman” covers the
tributes paid at his January 19 memorial service.
There were two items concerning Fleet Landing
in the “Rooney Bin” column of the “Shorelines”
section of the January 18 edition of The Florida
Times-Union. One item, about Fleet Landing’s
participation in the Red Kettle Campaign, was
accompanied by a photo of the manager of Publix
with Resident Support Coordinator Pamela EcclesWakefield and resident Louise Seely. Seely’s status
as a centenarian was noted. The other item was
about the January 13 Windward Hall World Affairs
Council/Spinnaker Society event with the British
diplomat, The Honorable Kevin McGurgan. (See
article on page 28.) The accompanying photo pictured
McGurgan with Executive Director Josh Ashby and
Director of Charitable Gift Planning Olivia Bush as
well as World Affairs Council representatives.
(continued from page 26)
services, which require physician certification of
terminal illness with less than six months to live and
patient acceptance of palliative care instead of care to
cure an illness. Hospice care can be provided at home
or in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Room
and board in a long term care facility are the
responsibility of the patient.
Medicare Part B helps cover medically necessary
services, such as physician services (including those
received while in the hospital), diagnostic tests (fully
or 80 percent covered depending upon the test),
outpatient care (including occupational, physical,
and speech therapy with a physician’s orders;
financial caps apply), and 80 percent of durable
medical equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs,used in the home. Medicare does not pay for
durable medical equipment for an individual who is
living in a skilled nursing facility on a permanent
basis.
Medicare does not cover custodial care, i.e., care
that can be provided safely by someone without
professional skills or training.
Home health services may be provided for the
homebound (unable to leave home without assistance)
under Part A and/or Part B for certain defined needs
such as intermittent skilled nursing care and occupational, speech, or physical therapy. Your physician must
decide that you need medical care at home and make a
plan for this care.
Sholar specified that a patient must spend three
midnights in the hospital in order to have Medicare
cover subsequent skilled nursing. In addition, Sholar
strongly recommended asking your social worker/
case manager whether you are hospitalized under
“inpatient” or “observation” status. The designation
is critical because the “observation” category is not
recognized by Medicare Part A as meeting the
criteria for utilizing skilled nursing under Medicare
benefits.
Medicare Part B covers one flu shot per flu season in
the fall or winter. It also covers the pneumococcal
vaccination, which helps prevent certain types of
pneumonia.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) is
available to all Medicare recipients either as an
addition to original Medicare or through Medicare
advantage plans.
Copies of the slide presentation are available from
Manager of Outpatient Services Raquel Miranda (ext
390). If you have additional questions about your
Medicare coverage, you can call 1-800-633-4227 or
visit www.medicare.gov.
Page 28
FLEET BEAT
Jan./Feb. 2014
Club Expo 2014
More than 20 resident organizations were represented at the Club Expo held in Windward Hall on January 16.
Attendance was light, but those who did come showed a lot of interest in the wealth of activities available. As
resident Chet Davis noted, these activities offer an opportunity to “take part in the wonderful lifestyle that is Fleet
Landing.”
Jim Lammie and Maureen Gall with the impressive
display at the Woodworkers’ table
Jan Rigby is flanked by some of the works of our very
active Art group.
British Diplomat Speaks at Fleet Landing
role of the UK and the UK’s partnership with the US.
However, secrecy and direct conversations are still
necessary. He cited the recent progress with Iran that
resulted from confidence-building secret conversations
between the US and Iran over a long period of time.
McGurgan then turned to his second theme, some
challenges of 2014. He believes that the role of the US in
the world will come under increasing scrutiny. US
domestic difficulties could encourage confrontational
behavior on the part of other governments, but with the
lack of a credible alternative, the US will still remain
the preponderant power for maintaining global stability.
He remarked that the US has a great capacity for
renewal.
McGurgan sees a second challenge in East Asia. The
Korean peninsula, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan
Straits make this area one of the world’s most
dangerous flash points. One issue is that China’s
behavior could become more unpredictable as it deals
with potential problems in maintaining social and
political control.
McGurgan stated that the extent and credibility of
Iran’s outreach would be the strategic issue of 2014 in
the Middle East. Obstacles to broader détente than
Iran’s compliance with the interim agreement on its
nuclear program include opposition from Saudi Arabia
and Israel. He also believes that unless Russia and Iran
decide otherwise, Assad will remain in power in Syria
and that the governments of Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia
will continue to face challenges to their legitimacy.
McGurgan, a keen observer of international affairs,
provided those present insight into the challenges
facing modern diplomats.
By Enith Vardaman; photo by Dan Kuchta
On January 13, Windward Hall was the scene of a
joint World Affairs Council of Jacksonville and Fleet
Landing Spinnaker Society Event. The evening began
with a cocktail reception
with heavy hors d’oeuvres.
The featured speaker
was The Honorable Kevin
McGurgan, British ConsulGeneral for Florida, Puerto
Rico, and the US Virgin
Islands. During his distinguished diplomatic career,
McGurgan has been posted to the British Foreign Office,
the United Nations, and a long list of countries,
including Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Sweden, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. His next posting, to
begin this summer, is as Consul-General for Toronto. He
will be in charge of all British trade and investment in
Canada.
One of the two themes of McGurgan’s talk was why
diplomats matter in an age of mass communication, when
people get so much of their information and opinions
from Google, Twitter, and the like. Describing diplomacy
as “Darwinian,” i.e., able to evolve, he said that
diplomats now must maintain their traditional skills in
such areas as analysis and languages, while adding
digital skills, ranging from the use of smartphones to
mastering social media. His comment that an earlier
generation of diplomats had it easier drew laughter. He
believes that diplomacy must be as public as possible
and views it as necessary to use the media to explain the