What’s Happening … December 2024
|  | President's Message
I hope all our members enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends. It's now time to look forward to the many festivities of December. Whether you celebrate here in beautiful Venice or somewhere far away, I hope your holidays will be filled with joy.
This is a season of giving and I want to thank the many leaders in PPWA for giving so much of their time and creativity to make our organization as wonderful as it is. A special shout-out this month to our Around the Pointe editor, Sharon Chapman, who puts together this wonderful monthly newsletter for our enjoyment. Take some time to read about our many upcoming activities and events in this edition. We even have two new activity groups just starting up that you can join, "Afternoon E - bikers" and "Destination Dinner", and you'll find all the details further on. Both of these new groups will include husbands/partners and you can sign up on the website through your Profile.
The PPWA Foundation leaders continue the giving spirit of our membership through their good works and I hope you'll read more about their many efforts in this newsletter, including their upcoming fundraiser in February. The Foundation has received very generous donations from our membership and has great plans in the works to support and enrich our community-at-large. The Donate button on our website home page allows you to contribute any amount at any time.
May your holidays be filled with the warmth of loved ones and the spirit of giving. Have a happy and safe 2024 holiday season and I hope to see you all soon in 2025!
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Membership News
November featured additional events to assist members signing up and learning how to use the Calendar on the website. If you have a Pelican Pointe neighbor who wants to join, let her know all she has to do is go to the website and click JOIN. Follow the screens to register, select activities, and start having fun.
If you renewed but have forgotten how to sign in, just follow the steps below.
1. Go to www.ppwavenice.org
2. At the top right, click Member Login.
3. A log In box shows on the screen with fields for User Name and Password. If you forgot these, click Forgot My User Name and Password. Wait 10 minutes for the email to arrive.
4. Club Express will email you your user name and password. Write these down, and click the link in the instructions to sign on.
Our website is now the "go to" place to see the Calendar, register for Events, and access member information.
Existing or prospective members who need help can contact Membership Co-Chairs LIsa Murphy or Karen Proctor.
This month we WELCOME 14 new members!
Ann Aderman
Mary Agliardo
Linda Conant
Barbara Conway
Adrienne Floer
Patty Hannam
Judith Inglis
Debra Martz
Judy Morgenstern
Virginia Newman
Barbara Smith
Susan Szelest
Ina Valakh
Lynnea Walsh (Tausend)
To date we have 65 new ladies who have joined PPWA this year.
Currently we have 631 active members!
Lisa Murphy
Karen Proctor |  | Website Tips
This month's website tips will explain the Contacts tab on the PPWA website. There are two options under Contacts:
Committees is where you can find lists of the Board, all Activity Leaders, All Service Leaders, and Grandma's Attic. If you ever need any of our contact information or want to see who holds various leader positions you can find it all on the Committees page. If you are in a Recipe Swap Group or a Book Group you will also find your groups listed here. Click on the "subcommittees" list and find your subgroup. You'll see everyone's contact details and you can even send an email to your subgroup from here.
Membership Directory is where you can look up any individual lady or any group in PPWA. Use the text search bar to find a member. Put in her first or last name, or part of her name, and click Search. To see who is in our many activity groups, use the drop-down menu to find the group you're looking for and then click Search. You'll see how many members are in the group and all their names will be listed alphabetically.
It's really great to see so many photos with names in the Directory, please consider adding yours! And, if you ever need help using the new website, please reach out to a member of the Board and we'll be happy to guide you.
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The three most current Newsletters can be viewed on our website. Click on Members > Recent Emails >scroll to bottom of page and click on month to review.
The Newsletters from July 2016-July2024 are stored in the Documents Library. To view click Members > Documents > Newsletters >click the year>scroll up to month>click green button to download.
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To order a nametag click on link
Name Tag Form
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Art on the Run
The Create a Garden Stepping Stone Mosaic Workshop was held on November 21st at the Piece by Piece Mosaic Art Studio on Nassau Street in Downtown Venice. This year we had three sessions in order to accommodate all who wanted to attend and to provide individual assistance. Owner and Mosaic Artist, Christine Holmes, guided us through a new process of working with large, round cement stones using the direct method mosaic technique for adhering stained glass to concrete. Each and every creation was truly beautiful and included sunsets, palm trees, floral pattern, yin and yang and some of our artists even created their own unique patterns. There was great camaraderie in the room at every session with much encouragement from all involved. Many thanks to Christine for grouting our masterpieces, and for her expert guidance and instruction.
Our next excursion will be in January 2025 when we will have a docent led tour aboard Dolly the Trolley for a journey featuring the artistic architecture and history of Venice. The 90-minute Venice City Sightseeing Tour is offered by Discover Sarasota Tours in partnership with Venice Florida Tours. Details of the excursion will be sent to our group members in late December or early January when all the details are finalized.
We wish you and yours a very joyous Holiday Season!
Symphony O’Keefe
Deb Parker
|  |  |  |  | Current Topics
Donna Sweet | Pam Desruisseaux and Joan Gardner introduced MK Mueller and Tracy Rust at Current Topics. | MK Mueller shared her inspiring and positive method for promoting better relationships. | |
Tracy Rust, dance instructor led the CT group.
Many thanks to Lynne Schaeffer for face timing me for the dance session. | | Meghan Trainor dance video, Criminals as seen on the Netflix series, The Perfect Couple. | | | |
Many stayed and enjoyed the buffet dinner.
Our clubhouse staff works continuously so that we can have these events.
Million Grazies to Jessica, Franklin, Bob and the entire wait staff.
Thank you to all who attended and participated in the November 20 Current Topics activities.
| Opera
Greetings from the Opera Group
Several of our members attended the Verdi concert at Sarasota Opera House on Sunday, November 17th. It was a wonderful experience of voice and symphony combined. We enjoyed arias from Verdi's most popular operas including La Traviata and Aida. We look forward to a great winter opera season. If you have not signed up for opera, please do so and join us in February and/or March.
Blessings to all this holiday season.
Jo Shea
Mary Ann Cotroneo |  | Theater
We are learning the club express system and are happy with the efficiency of registration (at least so far). December is a busy time for holiday preparations, but it is also time for theater members to register for the following events. (In order to secure our great seats, we need to make payment far in advance of the show).
December 1—Registration opens for Crazy for You 2/27 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Fort Myers
December 16—Registration opens for Moulin Rouge 3/19 at Van Wezel in Sarasota
December 19—Registration closes for Lady Molly of Scotland Yard 2/6 at Asolo Theater in Sarasota
Best Wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Holly Frost Bryan
Diane Fischer
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Travel Club
Last month we had a hauntingly good time on the Sarasota Halloween Trolley. We learned about buildings with spirits, murders and unsolved crimes throughout Sarasota’s history. I’ve been asked for more tours so our next one is Venice Circus Secrets on February 18th.
Details for all events will be posted on the PPWA Calendar www.PPWAvenice.org
Logon/Calendar/Date/Register Full? Then add your name to the Waitlist.
Let me know if you need assistance.
Wicked Book to Movie event Thursday, December 5th 3:00PM
Let’s follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City! Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz story when Glinda and Elphaba first meet at Shiz University. Celebrate friendships at Venice Spotlight Theater.
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Saturday, January 4 “Cruising for a Change” (Menopause the Musical #2)
2:00pm show at Van Wezel. Limited to 20 seats. Carpooling can be arranged.
Price is $56.00. Preview
Thursday, January 9 3pm-4pm Escapology
Are you good at puzzles? Come join a team of 6-8 players as we solve crimes or escape from danger in themed rooms. Rooms are not locked so you can leave at any time. Click here for details
February 18, 2025 1:00PM-2:30PM Venice Circus Secrets Trolley Tour
Come run away with the circus! This is not a private tour so book directly with Discover Sarasota Tours. Payment link and details are on our website.
Brenda Hankard
| | Bridge - Couples
Interested in Couples Bridge? Sign up soon! It is a great way to meet people and play bridge. If you are interested in being part of our group please sign up soon. This is not for beginners but not experts either. It is open to women and men. We generally meet in our homes for a fun evening of bridge. We start in January on a monthly basis.
Contact Sheila MacGregor
| | | | Bunco
Ladies, our December Evening Bunco will be held at the clubhouse on Dec. 9th, starting at 6:30 P.M. You are welcome to come early and purchase a drink in the lounge if you wish. Wear your Christmas attire if you wish. Bring your $5.00 and a happy face for an evening of fun. Be sure you register ahead. Good luck and see you soon!
Mary Burgermeister
Donna Massanti
| | | | Euchre
Euchre Season is Almost Here!
Starting in January through April on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, Euchre players will continue to gather at the Pelican Pointe Library to play.
The cost will remain $2 a person to play—with winnings going to the higher scores—and yes, the lowest score gets their money back! Sign in starts at 6:45 p.m. so that play may begin promptly at 7 p.m. We will rotate players every 15 minutes. All supplies are provided at each table. A maximum of thirty-two players will be allowed to sign up with their spouse/house guests included. Since we need four players at each table, there will be a cut-off date prior to the Friday of play. This will give the leaders a chance to find more players if needed.
To sign up for January 10 Euchre play, the PPWA member must sign in at the PPWA website under her member’s login. From there, the member will go into the calendar to register with the date and event. A PPWA Euchre member is allowed to register for herself and up to three other house guests. The member will type all names of her guests to complete the registration. It is imperative that all PPWA members and guests that sign up for Euchre are familiar with the card game. No lessons will be given.
Candy Vogel and Linda Kinnikin are eagerly awaiting our first of eight nights of playing Euchre. See you on JANUARY 10, 2025!
Linda Kinnikin
Candy Vogel |  | | | | Game Night
Game Night will begin in January. We play in the clubhouse library the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Our dates for 2025 are January 21, February 18, March 18, and April 15.
We have new games and some of the old favorite games to play. We have a fun, relaxing evening. Hope to see you soon.
Rosemary Rice
Nancy Susskind | | |  | | Pinochle Players
We enjoy playing Pinochle on the first and third Fridays of every month from 7 to 9 pm in the Pelican Pointe Clubhouse Library. We met throughout the hot summer and recently weathered several hurricanes! Our resilient group is increasing in size as our Pinochle friends return from their summer travels. Please consider joining us for fun, friendship, and Pinochle. All materials are supplied. Your spouse and houseguests are welcome and we provide instruction to anyone who is new to the game or needs a refresher.
Pinochle Players is a unique group because we can accommodate three to seven people at a table, so we always have just the right number to play! You can sit with your friends and even decide how many will play at your table.
A reminder email is sent to every registered PPWA Pinochle Player member a few days before we meet. If you plan to attend, I ask that you simply reply to my email to let me know. In that way, I can set up the right amount of tables and materials.
Here are a few pictures from our Pinochle Players meeting on November 15, 2024. Because we meet only on the first and third Friday of every month, we will not meet again until Friday, December 6th. Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!
With appreciation,
Jean Bednar
| | |  | | Steve, Marlene, MaryAnn, & Jan November 15 Pinochle | | Kay, Dan, Jeff, Linda, Nancy, & Geogena playing Pinochle November 15 at the club. | | Frank, Kathleen, Peggy Sue, Debby, & Ted at Pinochle November 15. | | Beach Babes
Perfect weather and a full moon made for a great Beach Babes Sunset Happy Hour gathering at Sharkey's Beach on November 14th. Beach Babes along with some husbands enjoyed good company and great views of the setting sun over the Gulf. Regular ladies' gatherings will resume in January. Happy Holidays everyone!
Mary McKay | | |  | Afternoon E - Bikers
New PPWA Activity - Accepting Members Now!
We are happy to announce a new activity being led by Betty Ann Copley. Betty is starting a "co-ed" e-cycling group that will bike in afternoons 2-3 times per month. We will bike from Pelican Pointe on various routes around Venice, Sarasota, and Englewood lasting 1 & 1/2 to 3 hours. Members can ride e-bike or regular bike.
How do you join? You can join or remove yourself from any group at any time with 3 easy steps.
1) Log in and hover over your name in the top right corner
2) Click on Profile
2) Go to the "More Member options" box and click on "groups/additional members"
3) this is where you will see the groups you are currently in and can add any new groups using the drop- down menu.
Betty Ann Copley |  |  | | Golf
The Casual Golf group got off to a start on November 2. The group plays every other Saturday afternoon and consistently
has 6 foursomes. If interest increases, we hope to add more tee times. We are called "casual" because scoring is against yourself. Experience in golf and knowledge of golf etiquette is necessary. No games or contests but golfers enjoy our three courses and socializing in the bar afterward. It's always a fun day.
Lisa Burns
Gail Fairlie
Julie Harrington | | | Kayaking
On Dec 4 the kayak club will "jingle" through the Bill Evers Reservoir along the Braden River followed by lunch at the Linger Lodge.
Do you like to Kayak? Join these paddlers for a leisurely paddle at various locations. You can rent a kayak or bring your own.
Lisa Gorski
Belinda Stovall | | Adult Coloring
The next gathering of adult coloring will be held at Cathy Edwards’ home Mon. Dec. 9, 2024 at 1506 San Ysidro Way at 4pm. Join Cathy for relaxing coloring and great conversation. Bring your own materials or use the ones that we provide. Be sure to look for the reminder email! Janet will see you in January! Happy Holidays!
Janet Cozza
Cathy Edwards | | | Book Club
Many of our 19 Book Club groups started meeting in October and November. More will begin meeting monthly in January. It's never too late to join a Book Club! If you are a new resident, it's a great way to meet your Pelican Pointe neighbors and make new friends. Contact me if you would like to join or for more information!
Connie Felder
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Book Babes met on November 12 at Connie Felder’s home to discuss THE WAGER by David Grann.
Attending were Lisa Murphy (leader), Connie Locascio, Inez Bowes, Liz Heston, Marcia Brady, Nancy Dixon, Mary Jane Ritacco, Cathy Brigham and Pat Cerefice. |  | Teresa Postema hosted the Bookends meeting on November 14 and facilitated discussion of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray.
Attending were Patricia Schultz, Susy Johnson, Beth Hoyle (co-leader), Lori Stanfa, Lisa Murphy, Peggy Gereke (co-leader), and Connie Felder (photographer.) | | |
| Creative Crafts
In keeping with the autumn theme, in November our crafty ladies made autumn gnome wall hangings. Every gnome was a unique expression of its creator and no two gnomes were alike. Tons of fun were had by all.
Amy Desiderio
Susan Roberts Brennan
| | |  | Garden Club
From the garden...
Thank you so much to all 233 members who are currently signed up for Garden Club. It was great seeing both old and new faces at the Startup meeting November 6th and we look forward to seeing as many as we can at our January 8, 2025 monthly meeting. There are two events I want to bring to your attention.
1. The second annual Holiday Glow Party December 11th from 7-10pm at the Clubhouse. Come in your own version of holiday attire and join in on holiday music, very creative games with prizes, a signature drink and dessert bar all for $8.95 per person. This event is now open to all PPWA members. Bring your spouse, your friends and neighbors and enjoy the evening with us.
2. Garden Club has arranged a special tour to Echo Global Farm in North Fort Myers on Wednesday January 22, 2025. This guided tour will feature innovations developed by them to fight hunger worldwide. A farm to table lunch will follow at Buckingham Farms. Registration for this event is already open to Garden Club members and will open to all PPWA members December 1, 2024. Sign up is in the Club Express Calendar.
For more detailed information about these two events and other events happening in Garden Club, please go into Club Express, select Activities and Services, and then select Garden Club. There you will find the 2024-2025 Garden Club Program Schedule and the details of all of our meetings and field trips.
Further Questions? Please contact us.
Cynthia Herbrandson
Mary Jane Bergman | | The November Garden Club featured Forest Hector, Community Educator from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County to discuss Florida Friendly Landscaping. Pictured on left is Fran Jenness and Forest. | | Pictured left to right: Laura Robinson, Mary-Jane Bergman, Cynthia Herbrandson, Chris Slater-Vohs, & Fran Jenness Garden Club Committee. | | Genealogy Club
I am so looking forward to seeing you all in January! Before then, if you don’t have a Family Search account, it would be helpful if you make one. Keep on the lookout for an email from me soon about how to do that and other things that you can do to help prepare for our first meeting on January 8th. Happy Holidays to all!
Janet Cozza | | | |
Scholarship Program (PPWA Foundation, Inc)
Deb Parker |  | Destination Dinner
New PPWA Activity - Accepting Members Now!
This group will meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month beginning in January.
Description - A monthly group of couples and singles meet at a host's home to enjoy appetizers and drinks from 5:30 - 6::30. Then the host announces the surprise name of the restaurant she has chosen. The host is responsible for choosing the restaurant and making the reservations as well as the drink and appetizer menu. A maximum of 12 can sign up for a monthly dinner. Everyone who signs up for this activity is expected to host on a rotating basis.
How do you join? You can join or remove yourself from any group at any time with 3 easy steps.
1) Log in and hover over your name in the top right corner
2) Click on Profile
2) Go to the "More Member options" box and click on "groups/additional members"
3) this is where you will see the groups you are currently in and can add any new groups using the drop- down menu.
Inez Bowes
|  | | Kitchen Divas
Kitchen Divas enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Chef Rolf on Casey Key Wednesday November 13.
We are looking forward to our next event on January 24. It is a combined event with the Olive Oil Company and Made in Italy.
Anne Wolcott
Janet Roess | | | Michele Smith is assisting Chef Rolf. | Wine Tasting
The Wine Tasing Group opened their 24/25 season with a Welcome Back Cocktail Party at the Clubhouse. Such a fun get together where we all enjoyed a selection of delicious small plates accompanied by specially selected wines. There was also an olive oil tasting which proved a popular table! The evening was made even more entertaining with music by Joseph Orchulli.
Now, we are looking forward to our next event which will be a Wine Dinner at the clubhouse on January 30th. Franklin and the Chef are working on the menu and wine selection and as soon as we have the details we will send out the invitations. Again reservations will be made using the PPWA Website calendar starting January 2nd.
Enjoy the holiday season and we are looking forward to seeing everyone on January 30th!
Diane, Susan, and the Wine Committee | |