The Official Magazine of Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay JUNE 2023 Leading the Next Generations At Plymouth Harbor, It's All About Involvement!
2 — The Harbor Light Get Involved, Stay Involved D uring the months of May and June, we celebrate and honor our mothers and our fathers – those who are still with us physically, and those whose influence and memories contine to inspire us. This is the time we remember and pay special thanks to the people who dwell in these most important places in our heart. Of course – some of us might not have experienced a good relationship with our parents, or perhaps never knew one or both. But someone more than likely took on these significant formative roles, and hopefully made a positive difference in our lives. Whoever those special people are, the secret to their contributions in our lives is obvious – "involvement." They took the time when we were young to get involved, perhaps as teachers or mentors or coaches – or just friends. They actively engaged with us and shined an important guiding light in our lives. And that can make all the difference. There's an old adage from an anonymous author: "Love your parents and treat them with loving care. For you will only know their value when you see their empty chair." Fathers and mothers who do things with us – who get involved – bring us happiness. And they also find happiness in the relationships they create. As Jesse Jackson once said, "Your children need your presence more than your presents." So get involved! Here at Plymouth Harbor, most of our residents seem to be very aware of the power of involvement. We are a community of people who are constantly doing – from our many Wellness Center classes and activities; to our almost daily events and special programs; from our amazing assortment of unique cultural offerings, to our delicious dining venues and meal choices. Our residents are clearly finding happiness through a wide variety of involved choices. Involvement in our community is something our team members are committed to help our residents achieve. One great example is found in our Wellness & Programming team, led by Summer Rentsch, Director, and propelled by Caryn Freas, Programming and Events Coordinator, plus all their devoted team members. Each of our special events begins with outreach, either from Caryn to a local group, organization or person; or to Plymouth Harbor from these entities, seeking to stage an event or performance. Eventually, our residents learn about these programs, and hopefully find a few that capture their interest. That's where Wellzesta comes in! (please see P. 10 for all the details!) Many folks obviously appreciate involvement, and we hope to continue and increase our offerings in the coming months and years. In May and June, and throughout the year, don't forget to wish those important people a Happy Mothers and Happy Fathers Day! And remember – we all need to stay involved! Jeff Weatherhead President & CEO JUNE
The Harbor Light — 3 Involvement Creates Community Plymouth Harbor residents are active, engaged, interested and involved! Participation rates in group activities have never been higher! As our community continues to evolve and mature, we expect an even greater future! Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay is a unique, vibrant example of how community evolves and improves through involvement. Our residents know in their hearts that the simple process of awaking, engaging and actively seeking interaction is vital and is the life blood of our singular corner of the universe. Our ever-changing and growing community calendar of events and activities provides the framework and the impetus for involvement. That's why we initiated the Wellzesta wellness platform that offers a range of features geared towards community connection and efficient communication (see P. 10 for details). We light the fire, and our residents keep the flame burning bright! See Page 4 Informative and occasionally provocative lectures and educational presentations keep residents on the cutting edge!
4 — The Harbor Light But, however you personally approach the summertime, you can be certain that we don't take a vacation from our responsibilities here at Plymouth Harbor to ensure our residents have all the services, support, amenities, health and other programs available 12 months a year! And if the last few months are any indication of what's to come, hold onto your hats! Plymouth Harbor is a very busy, vibrant, involved and enriching community. And the remainder of 2023 promises more of the same excitement, energy and activity. Get ready! And get involved! J une is now in full swing, and while many Plymouth Harbor residents have already headed to northern states, or off to other continents, some are preparing for the (much) warmer summer months right here in balmy Southwest Florida. If the current list of activities and events is any indication, the next couple of months will be the busiest and most energetic in Plymouth Harbor's history! There's always apprehension as we anticipate the upper 90s temps and higher than usual humidity. Perhaps the stormy season or health uncertainties following the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some concerns. Our community outreach, like this annual luncheon visit to the local fire station on St. Armands Key, keeps our residents connected! The April performance by the Sarasota Ballet (above) enthralled our residents. In May we celebrated Nurses Week (below), thanking those who provide daily, loving interaction with residents, adding to the sense of community and involvement. Wonderful performances by amazing artists at Hobson Hall routinely attract large crowds, just another example of involvement and interaction.
The Harbor Light — 5 Evolution of Our Communications Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay is a community in a constant state of evolution and change, and this will continue into the foreseeable future. This change is evident in our residents, our team members, our leaders, our buildings, our grounds and physical environment, our programs and events – even our magazine and other communication tools – including our newest tool, Wellzesta (see P. 10 for all the details!) From the very first newsletter in August 1966 (a portion of which is shown above), to the various logos and color schemes used in the marketing and branding of Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, we embody and embrace change. It's in our culture and our nature. As our name itself implies, we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look forward to our future with hope, resolve and belief in our mission, values and commitments to our purpose. True, we have a rich, vibrant heritage, and we are proud of our accomplishments and triumphs over the almost six decades since we were founded. But we are even more proud of our goals and plans for the next six decades – what a bright future we see for Plymouth Harbor as we continue to serve our residents, and future residents, with the same dedication to excellence and success that we had at the beginning of this remarkable journey.
6 — The Harbor Light The Spirit of Philanthropy Spring has arrived - the season of renewal – and many new initiatives are in full bloom in the Plymouth Harbor Foundation! Baby Birds, Blooms and Blossoming Careers By Beth Watson, Vice President of Philanthropy Plants and flowers are superfood for the brain, oxygenating the air, boosting brain cells which can improve memory, clarity and concentration. Our newly refreshed lobby desk will soon be graced with fresh floral arrangements thanks to Ricky Newkirk and some very generous residents. Ricky’s great idea appealed to many. Thank you to all those who donated “seed” money to make this happen. In addition, The Foundation will support bringing back live plants. In the not too distant future, live plants will once again fill the lobby floor common areas. Also, a beautiful new living moss wall will be added to the lobby. Not only will the moss wall compliment our new aesthetics, but will improve air quality and noise reduction. The Foundation is pleased to support these beautifying green initiatives that bring nature inside. They say patience is a virtue and it certainly goes a long way when baby birds are busy hatching! The Peninsula will have the green light to restart work as early as September 1st after the new hatchlings take flight. Bill Johnston and I thank you all for your patience as we embark on our $1,650,000 capital project to enhance the bird rookery and make the many new improvements to our 3.2 acre peninsula. Watch for major work to restart in the fall once the nesting season passes. CNA Training Initiative The Foundation is pleased to announce that our newest funding initiative in recruiting Certified Nursing Assistants is up and running! Approximately nine team members have come forward with an interest in changing career paths and joining the ranks of healthcare providers here at Plymouth Harbor. The Spirit f Philanthropy
The Harbor Light — 7 Yuvheniia Ulchuk, currently on our Housekeeping team, has her medical doctorate degree and worked as a Pediatrician in Ukraine. With an accelerated CNA prep class under her belt, she will be sitting for the Florida CNA state exam soon and be joining our staff as a CNA. The Plymouth Harbor Foundation will also support her with future scholarships so she can continue with her LPN and RN degrees. A very special thank you to the Maceikonis Family Foundation and The Fund Shop who supported this new creative initiative to help with healthcare recruitment and retention. Congratulations Yuvheniia! The Spirit f Philanthropy The first phase of the Peninsula Revitalization Project completed the replacement of the aging footbridge to the island, where numerous nesting bird species continue to flock and populate the rookery area. Work on the overall $1.65 million peninsula revitalization will restart this fall, once the current nesting season has passed, creating an incredible environmental jewel for residents to enjoy. If anyone is interested in knowing more about how to leave a Legacy Gift to The Plymouth Harbor Foundation, please notify Beth Watson at Ext. 398, or by email at [email protected]. The Foundation offers so many ways to contribute, and a full description of Planned Giving Instruments and much more is available to review at our Plymouth Harbor Foundation page on Wellzesta (https://life.wellzesta.com/plymouth-harbor/) Just click on Documents under the Resources section, then Plymouth Harbor Foundation. Wellzesta & Philanthropy
8 — The Harbor Light As we move forward into June and the summer months, the days are getting warmer and longer. I think we should take a moment and reflect on some of the things that happened in May. Our Smith Care Center went through their annual survey. It is a survey conducted annually for all nursing facilities to ensure that all residents are receiving the quality of care that is required to maintain their license. This year, the Smith Care Center received a deficiency free survey. This means that during the inspection, surveyors found zero deficiencies in care services, the environment, or operations. This is quite an achievement, and it is not easy to accomplish. This was a full team effort from Ashley Cummings' leadership and the leadership of Iwona Waliczek, Director of Nursing, Katatrina “Kat” Anderson, Assistant Director of Nursing, and all the team members. Nurses, CNAs, dining team, housekeepers, activities, social services, admissions and support team members all had an important part in achieving the deficiency free results. Everyone worked together to achieve this recognition. Well done! You help improve the lives of our residents! We also celebrated national Nurses Week, where we recognized and thanked all the nurses for their hard work in providing comfort, care and support to all our residents. We held the Blessing of The Hands service to help consecrate the work all team members do for the residents. We blessed the hands of the nurses, CNAs, care partners, support team, dining team, housekeepers, security and Administration. It was meaningful and powerful as many participants were moved to tears acknowledging the role they have in the wellness ministry. During the month of May, we remembered and honored our mothers, grandmothers and great- grandmothers. This day can be especially hard for some and we recognize their struggles and walk with them. We provide comfort, support and encouragement. Here at Plymouth Harbor we are like one big family. And with all families we deal with many dynamics and differences, but in the end, as with any family, we are stronger We bring great comfort to those we touch By Thomas Matthews, Interim Chaplain
when we work together, support each other, and comfort each other. Our light shines through the dark moments and the love and joy can be felt by all who are around us. As we head into June, we celebrate and honor our Fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers. We also recognize that some people struggle with this day, but as a family we embrace each other, walk with them, and help them feel welcomed, loved and supported. Did you know that Father’s Day started as a religious holiday? Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died during childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, which at the time was becoming established as a holiday. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the birthday month of Dodd’s father. In 1924, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when Thomas Matthews started as our interim Chaplain at Plymouth Harbor in December 2022. His column for The Harbor Light entitled Beacon of Hope runs bi-monthly, focusing on all non-denominational faith-based programs and spiritual events at Plymouth Harbor. Please feel free to call him with questions or comments at Ext. 587. President Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. As we remember and honor our fathers, mothers, our team members and each other, we all play a significant role in the wellness ministry. We all have a part in the wellbeing of each other. May our light bring joy, comfort and hope. Look at your hands. Take a moment right now to hold them out, palms up, and appreciate all the ways your hands help, hold, touch, and heal. Now imagine oil with myrrh touching them and hear the blessing. May the work of your hands bring comfort, dignity, and mercy to all the people your hands touch. The Harbor Light — 9 As we remember and honor our fathers, mothers, our team members and each other, we all play a significant role in the wellness ministry.
10 — The Harbor Light They say time flies and this year has been no different! In fact, 2023 is moving so quickly, as we find ourselves already at the half-way mark. The only thing I can think of that progresses as fast as time does is technology. Plymouth Harbor is embracing this progression with the implementation of Wellzesta Life into our Independent Living community. Wellzesta Life is a comprehensive wellness platform that offers a range of features geared towards community connection and efficient communication. By integrating this platform, residents have access to a variety of tools and resources that can help them stay connected, active and healthy. In early April, a group of resident volunteers were the first to be introduced to this technology platform. The goal of this Ambassador group was to provide user feedback to the administration in effort to tailor Wellzesta to Plymouth Harbor’s specific needs. In addition, they would become subject-matter-experts and offer support to their fellow friends and neighbors once community-wide training began. The Ambassador group, made up of 13 residents, attended multiple training sessions and participated in discussion around how to ensure the best user experience, an invaluable resource to the Plymouth Harbor administration when implementing such a major community-wide change. By mid-April, the official roll-out began as we welcomed Wellzesta team members to our campus for training. Colonies were assigned specific training session(s) and Independent Living residents were officially introduced to Wellzesta. The launch has been very positive, and despite some growing pains and hiccups, the community seems to be embracing Wellzesta! One of the key benefits of Wellzesta Life is its ability to promote social engagement and connection. Residents learned they can now view past, current, and future events scheduled to take place with the click of a button, and also have the ability to view a live list of friends planning to attend. Communication across campus can Wellzesta Life: A New, Robust Communication Tool Is Here! Your Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle By Summer Rentsch, Director of Wellness & Programming
The Harbor Light — 11 be streamlined within Wellzesta so that residents now receive updates, messages, alerts, and announcements pertaining to the community in real-time. In doing so, we are significantly decreasing the amount of paper used each day on campus. Dining menus are accessible for all venues and residents can initiate online reservations on an updated platform. Plymouth Harbor’s Resident and Team Member Directory is also housed within Wellzesta, and includes an extensive "Search" feature that will allow residents and team members alike to find friends and neighbors with common interests – you can even search for residents that may have attended the same college you did or lived in the same state/ town at one time or another. We are currently populating the directory information with resident biographies that previously appeared in issues of The Harbor Light. This will be a comprehensive and time-consuming process, but very important to help our community become even more connected and engaged. In the meantime, residents can always add this biographical information to their profile. We will be staging "Profile Parties" soon, where Ambassadors and staff members can assist residents in the process. Wellzesta’s Concierge section also gives residents the ability to request services from various Plymouth Harbor departments, and access valuable information pertaining to areas of interest. We have also uploaded several years of issues of The Harbor Light magazine, our in-house publication, for both informational and entertainment reading. The Resource section is a veritable treasure chest of valuable documents, and it will continue to grow and evolve to suit the needs of our residents. Following the initial roll-out, subsequent training sessions will continue to be held on a regular basis, open to any and all residents who may have questions or would like to walk through the app features with a guide. Our team members are also continuing to be trained on Wellzesta, so we can better serve the needs of our residents. Eventually, the goal is to phase out most printed materials for both conservation and efficiencies. The living digital platform of Wellzesta is helping achieve this important goal, and so much more!
12 — The Harbor Light Post-COVID: Fueling Optimism By Elyse M. Rogers, R.N., B.S., M.A. BREAKING NEWS— As of May 5, 2023, WHO (the World Health Organization) has declared the official end to the COVID global health emergency! SOoooo.....Take a deep breath and repeat: “We made it through COVID!” “We made it through COVID!” “We’ve actually made it through COVID!” And then grin, dance a jig, throw your hat in the air, or do whatever makes you feel happy and free! Whew! It certainly IS good news that the COVID epidemic is behind us, and that we can celebrate a life that is getting “back to normal.” Well – but then we wonder what “normal” actually means today? Does it mean that we’re going back to a time before we had the automobile and jet travel? “Oh no – not that far!” Okay—how about back to those days just prior to the COVID Era when we happily got together in crowded groups, kissed friends on the cheeks every time we met, and shared coffee cups or wine glasses with spouses or very dear friends? Well – “maybe,… kind-of,… sort-of,…” Hmmm—why is it so hard to define what we’ve gone through, and then to move casually into tomorrow? What’s happened to that automatic, ever-present, philosophical nonchalance and joie de vivre we Americans have always known? Interesting question. Moving On – Again Perhaps it’s difficult to automatically “move on” because we’ve believed the good news before (even believed it more than once) and ended up being disappointed. So, the new cautious question is—is the “really over news” actually true? Bottom line – has COVID-19 really been conquered? Or not? Well, the easy answer is “yes and no.” If you mean do we now understand more about the disease, how it works, how to better protect citizens from it and to competently take care of those who have it (or had it?) – then the answer is an unqualified “yes!’ On the other hand, if you mean have we learned how to get rid of COVID, and make sure it never comes back into the world (and to our USA), then the answer has to be “no.” Before getting defeatist, let’s look at why living with COVID can become its own “normal” just like other conditions we don’t really like but have learned to live with—think our now, annual flu-season. And think about our pretty-effective flu vaccines and flu-prevention protocols. Not perfect but getting better and better. The Power of Optimism We don’t have to look very far back in our history to remember that FDR reminded us when he became President during The Great Depression in 1933, that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” And, although times are different today, his words still hold true. No amount of worry has ever solved any problem. So, knowing and believing that we can learn how to live with COVID, will in itself help us maintain an optimistic point of view. And there certainly is a lot to be optimistic about. Saying that COVID is becoming epidemic (like flu and bronchitis) is pretty awesome when you think about it. Again, not that we love that we could get the flu or bronchitis during those most vulnerable times of the year, but we shrug and know that we’ll deal with it when and if it comes. Hopefully, too, knowledge of COVID will insure that we figure out and accept what it takes to keep us as protected as possible. Most are tolerant of helpful protocol like yearly vaccinations, protective devises when needed, (such as masks and/or extra hand washing, sanitizer bottles at the ready, etc.) and even
The Harbor Light — 13 Fiction City on Fire, by Don Winslow (LP) Covenant of Water ,by Abraham Verghese Dark Angel, by John Sandford (LP)* Daughters of Nantucket, by Julie Gerstenblatt Death and Croissants, by Ian Moore Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano Her Deadly Game, by Robert Dugoni Hidden in Plain Sight, by Jeffrey Arecher* A House in the Pines, by Ana Reyes I Will Find You, by Harlan Coben In Memoriam, by Alice Winn Jamie MacGillivray, by John Sayles Loyalty, by Lisa Scottoline (LP) Mastering the Art of French Murder, by Colleen Cambridge Musical Chairs, by Amy Poeppel* Next in Line, by Jeffrey Archer* Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng* Pineapple Street, by Jenny Jackson Queen of Dirt Island, by Donal Ryan Red Queen, by Juan Gomez-Jurado Small Mercies, by Dennis Lehane Someone Else's Shoes, by Jojo Moyes* Non-Fiction Courage to be Free, by Ron DeSantis Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan, by Timothy Eagan Fire Island, by Jack Parlett Good Life, by Robert Waldinger Poverty, by America, by Mathew Desmond Biography Morganthau: Power, Privilege and the Rise of an American Dynasty Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora Macdonald, by Flora Fraser* Ringmaster:Vince McMahon, by Abraham Riesman * Donated Book LP = Large Print some more stringent practices when/if necessary, such as avoiding large crowds or even postponing close-packed family or friend events. We can and will adapt and thrive. Sort of like living near railroad tracks. No need to constantly worry about being hit by a train, because we can learn to stay away from the tracks when possible, heed the necessary warning bells and whistles when caution is needed, and accept that some situations always do deserve routine, careful awareness. Time is a help and healer! So, how do we apply all this to “getting normal with COVID still around?” First of all, “time” really helps. As the COVID-related hype and actual medical worries diminish and fade, so will our over-the-top worry and stress. And that’s actually happening right now. We aren’t hearing much about new COVID cases, seeing charts about COVIDmortality rates, or hearing experts expound about COVID threats and dangers. That’s great! And getting back to just everyday living—you know, working, taking care of ourselves and the family—is a healing process of its own. Stealing , by Margaret Verble Storm Watch, by C.J. Box (LP) Take What You Need, by Idra Novey Up with the Sun, by Thomas Mallon Violetta, by Isabel Allende (LP) Wager, by Davic Grann Worthy Opponents, by Danielle Steel (LP) Gifts of Knowledge What's New in the Library?
14 — The Harbor Light Friends and Neighbors Never have two people been more meant to be a couple than Linda and Dan Roche. But at first it wouldn’t have seemed so… Linda’s roots were Polish and Canadian French, while Dan’s were 100% Irish. When Linda and Dan met at ages 12 and 14, Dan “instantly knew” that Linda and he would spend life together. Parental consternation turned into blessings, and marriage followed high school graduation. After attending Union Plumbing School, Dan opened his own Master Plumbing & Construction Co. At 26, Dan built a lake house on Otisco Lake, where the Roches raised 3 children and helped raise their niece, who came to them when she was 4. Dan volunteered in Boy Scouts and the Community Center, while Linda volunteered in Girl Scouts and served as president of the Community Center. These two busy parents and philanthropic souls were never idle! In 1977, to help put their children through college, Linda went to work for a real estate company. She soon became a partner of her mentor, Raymond Paul, who taught her the world of business and financing. In 1991, the Roches moved to Skaneateles, NY in the Finger Lakes to a village waterfront home that Dan renovated. Here Linda grew her own brand and business — Linda Roche Real Estate. The Roches’ secret to success was blending their complementary careers. When real estate inspections revealed problems, Linda relied on Dan to work his plumbing and construction magic. Presto! Their resources and talents were blended. There was no problem the two, working together, couldn’t figure out. In 1982, Dan and Linda bought the 1850-built Green Gate Inn in Upstate NY. They and their family restored it to a beautiful upscale bed & breakfast with a full-service restaurant. Rave reviews from local food critics brought weddings, local business events, and neighbors to enjoy this unique venue. The Roches sold it in 1991. In 1987, Linda and Dan discovered Siesta Key. They bought a condo on the beach in the Palm Bay Club Tower. Their daughter, Kim, a nurse, encouraged them to sign up at Plymouth Harbor 5 years ago. Renovating is in their blood, so it is not surprising that Dan and Linda, who moved into T-1403 in 2021, will be moving again next Fall into T-2205. The Roches look forward to involvement at PH when they return from Skaneateles to begin their “new chapter” here. Dan and Linda Roche A p t . T- 1 4 0 3 , E x t . 3 5 4 By Pam Baran — Biography Committee WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!
The Harbor Light — 15 Seymour and Linda Sherr Apt. NW-219 and N-315; Ext. 8789 and Ext. 183 Fortune brings the most interesting people to Plymouth Harbor. Interesting – and even more. And, so it is with Linda and Sy Sherr. At age 18, Linda, a charming Floridian, married a handsome young law student from Brooklyn, whom she met at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Married now almost 63 years, they got an early start on a life of service to the community. Sy was admitted to the bar in 1962 with specialties in Environmental and Land Use Law, Real Property, Probate and Trust. Later on, he also taught a course in real estate law at what was then called Manatee Junior College, now the State College of Florida. When Sy began to practice law in Sarasota, Southgate was turning from an orange grove to a sub-division, there was no Van Wezel, and Sy was only the 60th lawyer in town. Now there are thousands. Find a need and fill it. The very definition of service. And that’s our Linda. Between her ongoing active psychotherapy practice and her seminal work on behalf of kidney patients in our region, Linda has much to be proud of. Nevertheless, she says, the greatest thing in her life so far is watching her three beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren grow up and contribute in meaningful ways to their communities. Their youngest daughter, Meredith, developed kidney issues at an early age, having five surgeries before the age of five. But, she was cured! At that time there were very few services available in Sarasota for kidney patients. That experience motivated Linda’s campaign for the organ donor designation on Florida driver’s licenses and led to the establishment of the Kidney Foundation of Southwest Florida. In 1977, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recognized her achievements by proclamation. For her impact upon the lives of the people in the southeastern region of the United States, Linda also received a “Service to Mankind Award” from SERTOMA. All three of Sy and Linda’s daughters graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota, mirroring their father’s footsteps. Sy was a graduate of the renowned Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan for gifted students. Healthcare professions seem to run in the family: all three daughters are licensed therapists. Paula (now deceased) was a speech pathologist, Erica is a licensed occupational therapist and Meredith is an international autism specialist and therapist. Sy was active in the early years of the local Chamber of Commerce, but was also an avid traveler, so the couple spent as much time as possible exploring the manifold cultures and countries of our world. Linda is a second-generation resident of Plymouth Harbor, her mother lived in the Tower and then later in assisted living. Interviewed in her lovely North Garden apartment, beautifully decorated in shades of shimmering silver, white and gray, Linda cites the care and kindness of the team members here as a hallmark of life in Plymouth Harbor. We most heartily agree! By Joy McIntyre — Biography Committee WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!
16 — The Harbor Light Peter and Mary Ruggles have been familiar with Plymouth Harbor for a number of years. Mary’s parents were in independent living and Peter’s mother was in Smith Care. Peter was born in Goffstown, NH. Mary was born in Staten Island, NY. They were married in 1966 – the same year Plymouth Harbor opened. Prior to their marriage, Peter was a student at Villanova University and worked for the U.S. Trust Company. Mary was a student at American University and a flight attendant for Pan American World Airways. They raised two lovely daughters in Massachusetts. They have five (like all grandparents say) perfect grandchildren. After the U.S. Trust Company, Peter spent the early years of his career as an analyst. Following, he spent most of his career until retirement, at The Boston Company where he was a portfolio manager investing the equity portions of pension plans. While Peter spent a lot of time traveling, Mary was involved with their daughters’ activities, Hospice, and “A Better Chance” program sponsoring minority high school students from the N.Y.C. area for four years to Masconomet Regional High School where their daughters attended in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Relaxation for Peter was golf, and setting out lobster traps in the summer. Golf and bridge Peter and Mary Ruggles Apt. N-206, Ext. 173 for Mary. In the winter they would bring their daughters and their friends up to Vermont to ski. In the summer, family and friends would go boating and journey to the beach. Peter semi-retired in 1998. He worked out of their condo on Longboat Key in the winter and his office at The Boston Company in the summer. Five years later he retired. In retirement, Peter played golf and fished. He also volunteered at St. Armand’s Key Lutheran Church, Selby Library, and St. Martha’s Catholic Church. Mary played golf until her back problems forced her to stop. She continues to be an active bridge player. They look forward to making many more friends at Plymouth Harbor and to enjoying their new home! WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS! By Kay Perrin — Biography Committee
By Pam Baran — Biography Committee The Harbor Light — 17 WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS! Kay Perrin Apt. E-112, Ext. 528 If Kay Perrin, PhD, is exemplary of Baby Boomers heading to PH, then the Silent Generation here will be truly blessed to have them in the fold! Born and raised in Denver, Kay completed her nursing degree in Santa Barbara. Her first marriage of 27 years produced a son, a physician at SMH, and an adopted second son, an engineer/conductor at CSX Railroad. Kay has five grandchildren: four in Sarasota and one in Tampa. How lucky is she! While in her 40’s, Kay juggled working full time as a nurse, raising two sons, and attaining Masters and PhD degrees from USF’s College of Public Health (COPH). Recognizing a go-getter, USF hired her. Kay spent 26 years on the USF faculty. As the Assistant Dean of Public Health, her crowning achievement was starting the first undergraduate Public Health degree in Florida. Remarried in 2001, Kay and her husband enjoyed 14 years of exciting travel adventures before his passing. In 2009, she and her husband lived 6 months in Pune, India. As a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, Kay taught nursing at a university and supervised student hospital rotations. She found private hospitals were equal to those in the U.S. She met several U.S.-trained Indian physicians who returned to India to practice “the art and science of medicine by getting to know their patients and families,” rather than focusing on billable services, meeting quotas, ordering tests, and trying to obtain insurance payments. India has free public hospitals and fee-for-service private hospitals. Near the end of her career, while Kay served as Associate Dean, she managed to write four public health textbooks for Jones and Bartlett Publisher. Since retiring in 2021, she has completed her 5th textbook. The content of her books mirrors the courses she taught. After retiring, Kay obtained employment as a geriatric nurse case manager. This dynamo also squeezes in volunteering at SMH in Interventional Radiology, and on the Bioethics Committee, and serves on the Senior Advisory Sub-Committee for Sarasota City Council. We at PH are benefitting from Kay’s joining our Biography and Health Committees. What does Kay do for fun? She helps with the grandkids, travels, and enrolls in classes at McCurdy’s Comedy Club and Florida Studio Theater, both culminating in onstage performances! Here’s to the exuberance and effervescence of Kay Perrin, Baby Boomer Extraordinaire! Welcome to Plymouth Harbor!
Three and a half-world cruises. That is just one aspect of the wonderful life that Charles, (called “Chuck”) Hill and Mariana Judge Hill have enjoyed before arriving at Plymouth Harbor. Between them, they have had five children and five grandchildren, several busy careers, a history of public service and active volunteer positions, a very full and varied social life, a love of several sports, and even artistic endeavors! Chuck, who was born in Pennsylvania, is a Cornell graduate. He did his medical studies at Cornell, the University of Virginia, the Kansas Medical Center, and the Indiana University Medical Center. His specialty is Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he served as Head of Plastic Surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, as Chief of Medical Staff at Doctor's Hospital here, and was President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. He says he loved plastic surgery because those surgeries were "planned", and "planned" is a word that comes up often when he talks, always very modestly, about his professional life. The child of two doctors, he served as general surgeon to the Cherokee Indians in the Public Health Service. He remembers making house calls here at Plymouth Harbor before there was Smith Care. Mariana, who hails from New Jersey, has had, in the way that is true of many women in our generation, several careers. Wife and mother first, she managed a shopping center, owned a fine jewelry shop on St. Armand’s, and handled commercial real estate, in addition to assuming numerous volunteer responsibilities and, for a time, running Chuck's office. Charles and Mariana Hill Apt. N-207, Ext. 174 By Catha Abrahams — Biography Committee Both are active people, Marianna a competitive tennis player, Chuck a medal-winning, middledistance runner before he entered private practice. And both have been the kind of people who give to others. She taught swimming to kids in Newtown and Chuck has served on the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church. They look forward to their life here at Plymouth Harbor, where Chuck, who has done some sculpture in the past, is eagerly awaiting a space in the Art Studio for his sketching and painting. They already know several people here, but it will be our pleasure to get to know them better! 18 — The Harbor Light WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!
The Harbor Light — 19 New resident Jorie Friedman is making the Plymouth Harbor campus an even more interesting place to live. She moved here with her husband Richard; sadly, he passed away soon after their move. Among other things, he was a balloonist, prospected for uranium in Colorado and New Mexico, and ran for mayor of Chicago (alas, he lost). In her own sphere, Jorie is at least as accomplished as he was. She once led a circus parade through the streets of New York City while riding for the first time on an elephant. She was the first woman to write feature stories for the Associated Press. From there, she moved to NBC TV, and in a time when women had little presence on television, she was a pathbreaker who quickly earned her own talk show. And that’s how she and Richard met: she interviewed him. She will divide her time between Plymouth Harbor, where she loves living, and her 70-acre farm in Wisconsin. Located deep in remote woods, the farm has over the years hosted a menagerie which included a herd of beloved goats, and a pair of llamas acquired to protect Jorie Friedman A p t . T- 3 0 5 , E x t . 4 0 4 the goats from coyotes. Although the animal population is smaller now, the farm currently has an adopted stray cat and two miniature burros. Jorie’s apartment is filled with items from her world travels, which she is happy to talk about. Ask her about the nearly life-size stuffed and very lifelike llama! WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS! By Lynne Woodman — Biography Committee So many of your Plymouth Harbor neighbors have led fascinating and amazing lives, and these stories are shared not only in the pages of The Harbor Light, but also in Wellzesta, our community's digital platform for all things Plymouth Harbor! Just visit life.wellzesta.com, sign in and begin enjoying their stories in the Directory section. If you haven't added your own story yet, please note that our communications team is busy uploading the biographies that have been written for the magazine in prior editions. If you have new information to share, let us know and we'd be glad to help you tell your story! Friends and Neighbors - Online Editions
Harbor Light Contributors Jeff Weatherhead Beth Watson Summer Rentsch Chaplain Thomas Matthews Ray Porter Margaret Melun Gretchen Dawson Kay Perrin Pam Baran Catha Abrahams Joy McIntyre Elyse M. Rogers Lynne Woodman Jeff Charlotte Chair, Plymouth Harbor, Inc. Board of Trustees Jeff Weatherhead President & CEO @PlymouthHarbor facebook.com/PlymouthHarbor life.wellzesta.com/plymouth-harbor/ CONGRATULATIONS! This year, the Smith Care Center received a deficiency free survey. This means that during the inspection, surveyors found zero deficiencies in care services, the environment, or operations. This is quite an achievement! See more details on P. 8!