What’s Happening … December 2025
| Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah |  |  | President's Message
“Connecting with members, technology & community.”
I encourage you to make connections with our Pelican Pointe and Venice communities.
Mark your calendars for:
All December Visit Blalock Park to see our PPWA Christmas tree. Thank you to our Garden Club for decorating our silver buttonwood tree.
December 6 Holiday Boat Parade
December 10 Healing Hearts is a new group for those coping with the loss of a loved one especially during the holidays.
December 16 Holiday Glow Ride PP Cyclers will drive/ride through Pelican Pointe neighborhoods with decorated bikes and golf carts.
January 14 PPWA Showcase Make a New Year’s resolution to try a new activity! Stop in to the Clubhouse Dining Room anytime between 10am-12 noon to meet with our PPWA Activity Leaders & Service Coordinators while enjoying a coffee and pastry. Online registration is recommended but not required. Members can bring their personal device to get assistance with their renewals, adding groups and uploading your profile photo.
PPWA has 40 activity groups, 20 book clubs and 5 services for you to learn about and possibly join. Sign up to learn pickleball. Bring a new resident.
Men will also have a sign-up area in the atrium.
Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Respectfully,
Brenda Hankard
|  | Pelican Pointe Christmas Tree in Blalock Park
L to R: Cynthia Herbrandson, Karen Banister & Kay Pierce | |
Board Member Spotlight
Lisa Murphy and Karen Proctor
Membership Co-Chairs
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I enjoy serving as Membership Co-Chair with Karen Proctor, to help current and prospective members register with ease. I joined the Board in the spring of 2024 as we instituted Club Express to manage our growing membership. It’s been great to be able to meet with so many ladies and hear what they love doing within our club. My fellow board members are inspirations who amaze me with their creativity and commitment.
My husband Ed and I bought here in 2020 and started spending half the year here in 2022. I think the opportunity PPWA provides to get people involved and meet new friends is phenomenal. I personally enjoy many of our activity groups like Euchre, Pinochle, Art on the Run, and Lunch Bunch…..and volunteer as a Book Club and Scrabble Activity leader.
We have three children and four grandkids – most in Virginia where we spend summer. Before retirement, I ran a software training company in Connecticut for 15 years. When my husband was transferred to Richmond VA, I became a corporate trainer, teaching technology and leadership. These days I can devote more volunteer time to Team Tony Cancer, Relay for Life, Habitat, and my Virginia pickleball organization. And in this new chapter - I am thrilled to be living the Pelican Pointe life.
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My husband, Jim, and I reside in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the off-season. We truly enjoy all that Michigan summers have to offer, especially spending time with family at Lake Michigan. We have two adult children—our son, who lives nearby, and our daughter, who resides in the Detroit area with her husband and our three grandsons.
After vacationing in the Sarasota and Venice areas for more than 15 years, we were fortunate to discover Pelican Pointe over seven years ago. We feel very grateful to be part of such a welcoming and vibrant community and have enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people here.
This is my second year serving as Membership Co-Chair alongside Lisa. One of the most rewarding aspects of this position is the opportunity to meet so many of the women in our community and assist new members as they become familiar with our online system. | | |
 | Activity Leader Spotlight
Martha Blandford, Diane Celie & Rebecca Senter
Co-Leaders of Current Topics
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Martha Blandford
My husband Pat and I bought in Pelican Pointe 10 years ago but became full season snowbirds when I retired three years ago. We still spend the summer months in Michigan. I am a retired CPA and spent much of my career working for financial institutions.
I enjoy reading, golfing, artistic projects and the beautiful Venice weather. Taking over the leadership of Current Topics with two good friends as co-leaders is proving to be a wonderful experience.
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Diane Celie
My husband Tom and I bought in Pelican Pointe in 2013 as snowbirds. We moved here full time in 2022. Originally from Indiana, we relocated here from Southern Michigan. As a CPA, I was a Controller for various manufacturing and distribution facilities.
In my retirement I enjoy golf, traveling, reading, mahjong and all the social activities and beautiful weather that Pelican Pointe and Venice have to offer. It’s been great getting involved as a PPWA Co-Activity Leader for the Current Topics group and has been a good way to get to know even more people.
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Rebecca Senter
My husband, Milt, and I purchased a villa in Pelican Pointe in 2013, while also working and residing in Michigan. I retired from General Motors, as a Manufacturing Engineer, in 2017. My daughter and family moved from Michigan to Kentucky last September, so Milt and I decided to move from Michigan and become permanent Florida residents.
I enjoy visiting our daughter and family, golfing, baking, crafts, and never get tired of seeing beautiful beach sunsets. I am looking forward to another year of fun activities with the Pelican Pointe Women’s Association.
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New Name Tag Coordinator
Please welcome our new NAME TAG COORDINATOR - Susan Dolembo. You can contact her for new or replacement nametags.
A special thank you to Nanci Korman for her great job as Name Tag Coordinator for the past 6 years. You were amazing and greatly appreciated.
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To order a name tag click on link below
Name Tag Form 11-17-2025
| We have a new PPWA activity!
Intro to Pickleball
An exciting new Activity, Intro to Pickleball, has been added to our list of PPWA Activities. There will be PPWA members on hand to help introduce new players to the game and the plan is for sessions to be relaxed and fun. No previous experience is necessary, but tennis or court shoes are required. All other equipment will be provided. We will meet on Thursdays 3:00-4:00 starting on December 4th. You can sign up on the Calendar and I hope we'll have a good group.
Please remember to sign into the www.ppwavenice.org website and update your profile to include Intro to Pickleball as one of your activities so that you continue to receive notices of upcoming events ... and so you can register on the calendar each month.
Login & go to your Profile/More Member Options/Groups/Add Group/Save. Now you can go to the Calendar and register for the event.
Please contact Diane Santoianni if you would like more information. | Bike/Golf Cart Holiday Parade
The PPCyclers invite the whole community to join us in a Holiday Glow Ride through the streets of Pelican Pointe with their festively decorated golf carts and bicycles. We will start from the Clubhouse at 6:00 on December 16 for this inaugural event. We hope to start the ride through the north Sanctuary, proceed to east end of Pelican Pointe and then proceed to the south Sanctuary. If you can't participate, come out and watch the spectacle. We will conclude back at the Clubhouse where we'll gather in the Grill Room to enjoy nibbles and drinks available for purchase. We hope to get a good turn out!
Diane Santoianni
| You may now register to attend the Activity Leader & Service Coordinator Showcase. It is not required but is helpful for us to plan refreshments. You may also register a non-member guest of Pelican Pointe.
Registration for Showcase Event |
The PPWA Foundation presented the South County Food Pantry with a check for $750 prior to the Thanksgiving holidays. Board members Denise Montana (left) and Pam Miller presented the check to the pantry's Director, Rosie Schroeder. Ms. Schroeder was very grateful and said cash donations are used to buy perishables of meat, butter, eggs and produce which are always in high demand at the pantry. The Foundation thanks the many donors who have so generously contributed this year. As a reminder, there is still time to make your year-end donations in support of our Scholarship Program and other civic and charitable endeavors.
Deb Parker, Foundation President |  |
Holiday Decorations!
The Master HOA of Pelican Pointe has asked us to announce that they are seeking volunteers to help decorate our community for the holidays. Decorations are placed along the main entry roads and other points throughout Pelican Pointe before Thanksgiving and are taken down after New Years (exact dates TBD). Any Pelican Pointe residents may volunteer to help. The Master HOA hopes that volunteers from prior years will again lend their experience and expertise to the job, and that new volunteers will join the fun! All past and new volunteers willing to get in the holiday spirit and help decorate our beautiful community are very much appreciated by the HOA. Please reach out if you have any questions. Many thanks.
Lynn Bisighini
Holiday Decorations Chairperson for the Master HOA | |
The Art on the Run Activity Group kicked off the 2025 -2026 season with an incredible Art Tour and Lunch at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota on November 11th. The group of 30-plus members enjoyed an amazing and moving 90 minute tour of numerous exhibits throughout the Hotel, both indoor and outdoor, led by Cultural Curator Robyn Holl. It was fitting that we visited on Veterans Day as one of the major exhibitions was titled The Flag. This exhibition brought together works by nine artists revealing the multifaceted ways contemporary Americans relate to their flag. The Main Lobby exhibit featured prominent Afro-Caribbean Artist Picardo, a Visual Artist and Illustrator. His art is a fusion of innovation, vibrant colors, and original narratives, inviting viewers to explore a unique perspective on the world. Other exhibits included The Place of Love by Mimi Leone and Survival – A Wayfarer’s Study by John McCaskill. Outside we viewed beautiful sidewalk art and stunning sculptures. We ended our visit with a delicious lunch at Tzeva, the Hotel’s featured restaurant. Please view our Photo Album on the PPWA Website for more beautiful pictures of the exhibits.
Deb Parker
Symphony O’Keefe
|  | | Art Ovation Hotel Art Tour | | Picardo - The Sound of Yesteryear | | Sidewalk Art - Andy Warhol, Salvadore Dali, Frida Khola | |
We are pleased to announce that we have finalized our 2025/2026 speaker schedule. Our next event is highlighted below:
Sunday January 11 – 12:30 pm
Professional actress Sheryl Faye will return to join us on January 11 at 12:30 pm for a presentation of Abigail Adams.
Abigail Adams (1744–1818) was the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. She is considered one of the most influential First Ladies in American history and an early voice for gender equality and education for women. This event is part of our ongoing commemoration leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Attendance will be limited to 100 participants, and advanced registration is required. Please note that the Sheryl Faye event “sold out” last year so we encourage you to register as soon as possible.
The remaining events for the season are as follows:
Wednesday February 25 at 4 pm - Peggy Williams – First Female Clown in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Wednesday March 25 at 4 pm - Joanne McCree presents Grace Kelly - Chicago socialite, successful businesswoman, developer in Sarasota County
Wednesday April 29 at 4 pm - Jenny Steindam - Hope in the Hardest Places: Faith and Transformation in Sierra Leone
More details about each event are available on the PPWA website.
Thank you for your interest in Current Topics. Registration is open online for the events listed above. We look forward to seeing you at all of the upcoming events.
Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for future speakers.
Diane Celie
Martha Blandford
Becky Senter
| | Judy Lindauer, Nancy Foley and Mary Ann Cotroneo at this month's wonderful performance of Cosi Fan Tutti. | |
If you have not yet reserved your tickets, we still have reserved orchestra and balcony seats for these upcoming shows for the Winter Opera Season at the Sarasota Opera House. Sign up for the Opera Group and join us.
Pricing is indicated alongside the opera, as shows are priced differently. Please email Mary Ann Cotroneo or Michele Ginieczki with your selection. Tickets must be reserved by December 15th; and paid for by January 2nd, 2026.
Sunday - February 22nd at 1:30 p.m. - LA BOHEME - Opera in four acts. Orchestra $90.00 Balcony $60.00
Sunday - March 8th - 1:30 pm THE MERRY WIDOW Opera in three acts (sung in English). Orchestra $80.00. Balcony $50.00
Sunday March 15 1:30 pm - IL TROVATORE - Opera in four acts. Orchestra $90.00 Balcony $60.00
Mary Ann Cotroneo
Nancy Foley
Michele Ginieczki | Theater Club is looking forward to our first show, the hit musical based on the true story of airline passengers stranded in Gander Newfoundland in the aftermath of 9/11, Come From Away, on December 17 at Asolo Theater.
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Thursday, February 12
Bus transportation from Pelican Point 4:10, Dinner at 6pm, Show at 7:30pm
Theater Club members may Register themselves plus a guest for our Dinner Theater Event, Fiddler on the Roof, at Broadway Palm Theater in Fort Myers starting December 10.
This beloved classic has delighted audiences across the globe for over six decades. Tevye, the village milkman, is trying to provide his wife and their five daughters with a life filled with prosperity, faith, and tradition. But a revolution is on the horizon and everything they have come to cherish hangs in the balance. Cost for bus transportation from Pelican Pointe, Buffet Dinner and tickets for the show in Section B including gratuities is $142.50 each.
Diane Fischer
Holly Bryan
| April 10, 2026 Amsterdam River Cruise | |
Come experience tulips, windmills, Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank’s House, Belgian chocolates, Stella Artois beer and Gouda cheese as we sail along in the Netherlands and Belgium via Amawaterways. Contact Keidrie Savelle at AAA Sarasota & mention that you are part of the Pelican Pointe group.
#941-536-0441 ksavelle@acg.aaa.com
Video Preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s619jltDYqE | THANKSGIVING CRUISE NEXT YEAR
It’s never too early to plan a holiday cruise since they book up fast.
We will sail on the Celebrity Apex (sister ship to Beyond & Ascent) which will depart from Port Canaveral on November 21st for 7 days visiting Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Nevis & St. Kitts. Contact Keidrie Savelle (AAA Sarasota) #941-536-0441 ksavelle@acg.aaa.com or me for more information.
Brenda Hankard | Duplicate Bridge - Monday Evening | |
Members of the group meet on the first and third Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Pelican Pointe Club.
Please contact Donna Sweet or Pauline Newman if you are interested in joining this group.
Pauline Newman
Donna Sweet |  | |
Important Notice - Change of Meeting Time to 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Starting Friday 11/21/25
Pinochle Players meet year-round in the Pelican Pointe Library on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month. We now meet from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to get an earlier start. All materials are supplied and we have a wonderful group! Many spouses and house guests join us on a regular basis and it is very casual play with no money involved! Many of us have been playing Pinochle for a long time, but we are always happy to welcome those new to the game of Pinochle and we provide instruction as needed.
Join us and we will teach you the game of Pinochle using printed materials that you can take home with you. We play single and double deck and accommodate up to 32 people. Once you sign-up for Pinochle Players, you will receive an email reminder on Monday of the week we play. Because space is limited, we ask that you respond to the email if you plan to attend, so we know how many to expect. You do not need to reply on the PPWA website. If you have any questions, just contact me, Jean Bednar.
Thank you!
See you for friendship, fun, and Pinochle!
Jean Bednar
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The Scrabble group will meet Thursday December 11 for casual play. Sign up on the PPWA calendar for the 9:30 – 11:30 session. We play with 8 tiles and can use the Scrabble Dictionary before placing a word. Winners from each table rotate after the first game.
Lisa Murphy | |
Beach Babes enjoy a lovely morning of sunshine and good conversation every month. During the winter season we meet from 11am - 1pm. Whether you like shelling, swimming, or just basking in the sun you are welcome to join the fun. Look on the PPWA web calendar for our meeting dates & location. We hope to see you soon at one of our beautiful Venice area beaches!
Mary McKay
| Pelican Pointe Cyclers (PPcyclers) | Great weather & great morning on the Legacy Trail
Mary Gorman, Cynthia Herbrandson, Chris Slater-Vohs, Gina Sangmeister, Jo Braun, Debby Stumphauser and Marie Browne | PP Cyclers ride Halloween eve day. Cold & windy for Florida standards yet a Beautiful waterway ride with a stop at Sharky’s Pier. Marie Browne, Diane Santoianni, Sue Ostoin, Jo Braun , Pam L’Italien, Gina Sangmeister, Cynthia Herbrandson, Peggy Selvey(rider & photographer).
Cynthia Herbrandson
Sue Ostoin
Monaca Stathers
| Casey Key ride on Nov 14
Dawn, Pam L, Mary G, Jo B., Diane, Cynthia
| PP Cyclers ride to Englewood Farmers Market on Thursday November 20. Beautiful weather, beautiful 34 mile ride.
Cynthia Herbrandson, Mary Gorman, Chris Slater Vohs, Jo Braun, Diane Santoianni, Monica Stathers
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The next Adult Coloring Activity will be on Monday, December 8th at 4 pm in Cathy Edward’s home. There will be supplies available if you don’t have your own. Join Cathy for this relaxing activity and the friendship of fellow group members! Be sure to look for the reminder email with Cathy’s address.
Cathy Edwards
Janet Cozza | |
We began Creative Crafts 2025-2026 Season with “A Stack Of Pumpkins”. Susan and I showed our individuality in our creations. This individuality was continued with our crafters, as both the coastal style and traditional styles were created. A great time was had by all. Check out the January newsletter to see our Christmas tree creations!
We have slotted the craft for the first Tuesday of the month, and try to keep to this, but occasional changes occur. Registration is usually 2 weeks before the event, with an email notice of time, date, cost and a photo of the project. Due to room and supply constraints, we limit the size of each craft to 15 ladies. There is a waitlist available, and will update wait-listers if a opening occurs.
You can register on the website calendar or by the email sent out when sign up starts. You must be signed up for Creative Crafts on Club Express.
Hopefully, we will see you in the future!
Amy Desiderio
Susan Roberts Brennan |  |  |  |  
From the garden...
Thank you all so much for coming to our first Fall 2025 Garden Club meeting. My heart was so blessed hearing Pat Cartwright, our first Garden Club President deliver the opening welcome and, deliver she did! Her stories were historical and woven with the fun of the activities that built Garden Club. And, the storybooks she has authored for children affirmed again the value Pat brought to the table both then and now.
The Punta Gorda Garden Club team of Vinita and Dorrit presented crafts and demonstrations for decorating for the Holidays. Our December field trip is Holly Days House Tour “Christmas Around the World”. If you were not able to buy your tickets at our November meeting, tickets will be available in Punta Gorda. Friday Dec 5th and Sat Dec 6th from 10-4pm. Tickets are $25.00 and can be used either day. Carpooling is suggested.
Our Blalock Park little tree will be all decorated for Christmas and ready for you all to take a holiday stroll by November 26. Come see the beauty of the season and visit our Pelican Pointe tree!
I hope to see all of you at our January 7, 2026 Garden Club meeting at the clubhouse. Our program will be presented by Venice Area Beautification Inc. (VABI).
Cynthia Herbrandson
Mary-Jane Bergman
| Hello Genealogy Researchers! Although our first meeting is not until January, I wanted to give you a heads up about a time change. Our first meeting on January 14th is in conflict with the PPWA Open House. Therefore our meeting time only that day will be from 12-2 pm. I will be at the open house representing my activities and I could not be in two places at once! Keep your eyes out for an informative email prior to our first meeting.
Janet Cozza
| New Activity! Healing Hearts | | We had twelve women attend our first meeting and welcome more members to join. Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 10th 4-6pm at the home of Cynthia Herbrandson. We will also be sharing a meal on Sunday, December 14th at the home of Linda Caromile. Please add yourself to the group by editing your profile and then register for each event on the Calendar.
Cynthia Herbrandson
Linda Caromile
| | | Guests started the evening at the home of Linda and Rich Becker for drinks and appetizers. Their dining room table displayed an assortment of local restaurant menus. The Destination Dinner Reveal was to Allegro Bistro. Ten guests enjoyed an assortment of items including wine, pizza, salmon, seafood and chicken entrees. The owner warmly greeted us and later sang in a nearby room. It was a pleasant night of getting to know each other and we anticipate our next event. Thanks to Linda and Rich for the gracious hospitality!
Inez Bowes | If you would like to meet new people living in Pelican Pointe, why not consider joining Not So Gourmet? As you can tell by the name you don't have to be a great cook, but you will enjoy some wonderful meals! We are groups of 4 couples (PPWA member and spouse/partner) who share food and friendship. The host couple prepares the main course and provides beverages, while the other three couples bring an appetizer, salad and dessert. The hosts rotate each month. Please join by December 10, 2025 so that dinner schedules can be set up for the season.
Jan McKeon | On Thursday, October 30th fifty-eight members attended the welcome back party at the clubhouse. A good time was had by everyone. Some added a little Halloween flair to their outfits which were great. The food pairings were perfect, and the wine was excellent.
We have two events coming up in January. On Wednesday, January 7th we will be having a tasting event at BellaVino Wine Bar for the ladies and on Monday, January 19th a wine dinner at Chaz 51.
Kelley Gaffney
Shawn Grimes | | Symphony O'Keefe and Nanci Korman | | Julie Harrington, Kris Kennedy, Chris Creswell | | Kelly Gaffney, Shawn Grimes | | NEW ACTIVITY!
WOMEN & WINE
We have a new PPWA activity! Come join a group of women once a month for Happy Hour at a home in Pelican Pointe. It’s held the 3rd Monday of the month 5:00PM-6:30PM. Please contact Peggy Selvey or Chris Creswell if you would like more information.
Please remember to sign into the www.ppwavenice.org website and update your profile to include Women & Wine as one of your activities so that you continue to receive notices of upcoming events ... and so you can register on the calendar each month.
Login & go to your Profile/More Member Options/Groups/Add Group/Save. Now you can go to the Calendar and register for the event.
Peggy Selvey
Chris Creswell
| | | Pelican Pointe Women's Association
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