March 9 - Tuesday

There were 103 at the coffee hour this morning.

Following the coffee hour we had our semi-annual business meeting. Rev. Jim Jaeger opened with a prayer.

Shown here are the new board members for next year.

Gene Mathes led a group of 13 orange Acres residents on a kayak adventure today at noon. They paddled 3.6 miles in 2 hours traveling up South Creek through Oscar Sherer State Park and returning.

They are shown here getting the kayaks in the water for the trip.

Out on the water they all did quite well. Nobody fell in.

Here they are shown following their adventure. More pictures can be seen on Gene's kayak blog at www.kayakTripsOfGene.blogspot.com

March 7 - Sunday

As the weather warms, many residents gather at the gazebo in the evening for a time of fellowship and laughter.

March 4 - Thursday

Here are the servers for our Italian Night ready to do their best.

Chair person Shirley Tatlock welcomed the crowd of 146 guests.

Rev. Ed Sensenbrenner opened with prayer.

The servers did a very efficient job of getting everyone through the serving line in a short time.

We all had a great time visiting and enjoying the great catered food.

The entertainment for the evening was Jimmy Jay and Jenny Lee.

The great singing was enjoyed by all.

March 2 - Tuesday

There were 102 at coffee this morning. This was state t-shirt day and after all the counting Michigan won by a landslide.

Mary Ryman introduced Gretta Pipe who purchased 179 Jeffrey Drive.

March 1 - Monday

Gene Mathes and Ralph Haas were the only ones that showed up for the bike ride to the mall today.

The weather was beautiful, sunny and a little cool.

This wildlife was observed in the ponds by the mall.

February 23 - Tuesday

There were 103 at coffee this morning

Mary Ryman introduced Tom and Gloria Callahan who are the happy owners of 103 Loren Dr.

February 20 - Saturday

B. C. Hathaway provided the music for the Orange Acres dance tonight and did a super job.

Most of those attending were from Orange Acres.

Everyone had a great time visiting with each other.

Many wore their western clothes to go along with the western theme.

Organizers Lorraine and Joan had the drawing for the door prizes.

All three winners were from Cedar Cove.

Here are Lucille and Gene enjoying the dancing.

February 18 - Thursday

Six people from Orange Acres took the Ship & Shore bus to Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Ft. Myers today.

The food was as great as usual with all you could eat.

We had great seats for the wonderful performance.

The play was "The King And I". It was done superbly as usual for this dimmer theatre.

Ladies Luncheon

Chair persons Pat Tays and Phyllis Haas preparing for the Ladies Luncheon.

The caterers doing their thing.

Everyone enjoying the luncheon.

The husbands Ralph Hass and Reg Tays behind the scenes doing the coffee.

And the great entertainment by Steve Ditchfield.

February 16 - Tuesday

There were 100 at the coffee hour today.

Many residents volunteered to donate blood at our blood driver this morning.

February 14 - Sunday

There were 48 at the vespers service tonight at the clubhouse.

Rev. Ed Sensenbrenner organized the service and provided the message. It was enjoyed by all.

February 13 - Saturday

Before the opening of the flea market at 8 am the bake sale is being made ready.

The hall is ready for the crowd.

The large items in the driveway are also ready as organizer Jane Forrler checks it all out..

A good crowd outside in the cold are anxious to get in.

The sale went smoothly and efficiently all day.

Many large items were purchased.

The food finally ran out for lunch but not until after almost everyone had a chance to eat.

Here is the great kitchen crew that provided the great meal.

An then at 3 pm the cleanup began. Arrangements had been made for all the leftover items to be picked up at 4 pm.

February 11 - Thursday

Many people helped organize items for the flea market today in preparation for the big sale on Saturday.

The men transferred all of the items from the storage areas to the clubhouse starting at 8 am.

Many items were picked up at the homes in the community. Resident's trucks and even golf carts were used as well as the Warrington's trailer.

February 9 - Tuesday

There were 110 at coffee this morning.

This is the lamp, created by Joe Stump, that will be raffled off at Sports Day. Tickets are $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00. Thickets are on sale at the coffee hour.

February 8 - Monday

There were 26 at the men's luncheon held at Sam Seltzers today at noon.

Luncheon chairman Joe stump did a great job organizing the luncheon.

Florida native Bob Blanton entertained the group with many good stories and songs.

February 4 - Thursday

Charlie Parkes, Chairman for the pot luck tonight welcomed the people. The men were in charge tonight.

Gene Mathes asked the blessing on the meal.

There were 112 enjoying the great meal tonight. Even though the men had charge of the meal, most of the food was still prepared by the ladies.

The entertainment was Crazy Carol. She did a great job.

She made us laugh with lots of skits, songs and jokes.

She is a great entertainer with lots of impressions of people.

She also impersonated Elvis and here as Willy Nelson.

She ended the show with her "Yakatty Sax" routine.

February 2 - Tuesday

There were 103 at coffee this morning.

January 31 - Sunday

The fiftieth anniversary party was held in the community center tonight at 7 pm. The stage was decorated nicely for the honorees.

The hall was full and everyone socialized before the festivities began.

Those celebrating their fiftieth anniversary this year are Otis & Theresa Browning, Ken & Joan Russell and Hugh & Faye Spinney.

Otis & Theresa Browning were unable to attend because of sickness in the family.

Marti Gauthier welcomed the people and introduced the couples.

The interviews of the couples were read and a toast was given.

Here are Ken & Joan Russell.

And here are Hugh & Faye Spinney.

Rev. Joe Stump had the invocation.

Singer Toni Dale provided the music for the evening.

January 29 - Friday

Bob Beauregard did a great job of organizing the whist party tonight. There were 72 in attendance.

Everyone had a great time and got better acquainted with their neighbors.

It was a fun time for all and the refreshments were enjoyed.

The 10 winners were, from left, Lucille Ouellet, Bill Hammond, Charlie Parkes, Erin Richards, Ralph Haas, Adele Beauregard, Virty Schadt Dan Champagne, Karen Rasske and highest score Phyllis Haas.

January 26 - Tuesday

There were 115 at coffee this morning.

Following the coffee hour there was a Home Owners meeting led by current president Caroline Turner.

There was an election of officers and the current board is now, from left to right, Greg Ferritto, Ray Bergeron, Phyllis Haas, Hugh Spinney, Marge Phelan, Reuel Detweiler, Wayne Steinbaugh and Marj Dunn. President Caroline Turner standing.

January 25 - Monday

The weather was too cold for a beach party so we assembled at the clubhouse for a lunch and games.

The main food today was soups of many varieties. And were they ever good.

And of course hot dogs on the grill as usual. Organizer Peggy Killinger had many great games with lots of prizes.

January 23 - Saturday

There was a full house at the dance tonight sponsored by Cedar Cove. Here are some of the Orange Acres attendees.

Lucille and Gene enjoying the evening.

The dance floor was filled most of the evening.

Larry Williams did a great job providing the music.

Here is some of the Cedar Cove crowd.

Charlie Johnson from Cedar Cove also did some great songs on his instrument.

More of the Orange Acres guests.

Here are the prize winners for the evening. Everyone had a great time dancing and listening to the beautiful music.

January 21 - Thursday

There were about 170 at the Ice Cream Social & Movie in the clubhouse tonight.

There was plenty for everyone and the serving crew did a great job.

It was as good as it looks.

Most stayed for the Disney movie following the social.

January 19 - Tuesday

There were 118 at the coffee hour this morning.

New residents Jim McDonald and Kathleen Estabrook were introduced by Mary Ryman

Gail Kittsen was with us this morning educating us on blood donation and talked about having a blood drive at Orange Acres.

Faye Thompson from Cedar Cove was with us to tell us about the Cedar Cove dance in aour hall Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 pm. She was also selling tickets.

Ed Marian presented the results of the 8:00 am vs 9:00 am coffee hour vote. The 8:00 am coffee hour prevailed.

January 18 - Monday

The first Kayak Adventure took place today at Turtle Beach. Here is the path that the 11 Orange Acres kayakers took around the islands in Little Sarasota Bay.

Here are some of the kayakers launching the kayaks.

We went out through the channel into the Little Sarasota Bay.

We passed this island loaded with pelicans.

We took a break at Midnight pass and saw the large waves breaking on shore.

How colorful the kayaks are lined up on the shore. For more pictures of this great trip go to www.kayaktripsofgene.blogspot.com

January 12 - Tuesday

We had 120 at the pancake breakfast this morning.

January 10 - Sunday

Today at 2:00 pm we hauled flea market items from the home on lot 211 which has just been sold. Many thanks to Gil & Jane Forrler, Mike Delany, Ed Marian, Phil Albarano and Bob Work who all donated about 1 1/2 hours of their time to the task of storing the items for our coming flea market on February 13. Also thanks to the Works for space to store many of the items in their shed.

January 7 - Thursday

There were 121 people at the cookout tonight at the clubhouse.

Shirley Tatlock greeted the hungry crowd.

Everyone had a great time and the servers did a great job.

The food was delicious and plentiful.

Singer, Callie Chappelle pleased the audience with lots of old songs done very well.

January 5 - Tuesday

There were 104 at coffee today.

Our fearless leader, Ed Marian, was back with us this morning.