Bonnie Bozzo Mesmerizes Seniors with Portrayal of Ruth Bryan Owen

Allyson Richards welcomed the large gathering of seniors and informed everyone that if they felt safer and more comfortable wearing a mask, they have plenty available.

According to Pastor Tom Boeck of the Marco Lutheran Church, one of his favorite things to do is to welcome everybody’s smiling faces to the monthly luncheon. Marco Lutheran has been very welcoming to the senior group; they love hosting the monthly luncheon and the seniors love 

being there. Pastor Tom reminded the group that if you don’t have a home church, Marco Lutheran is happy to be your home church, and you can also view the services on Television via www.marcolutheran.org.

Bowing their heads in prayer, the gathering asked for God’s blessing for the food they are about to receive and for continued protection through these challenging times.

Bonnie Bozzo’s Portrayal of Ruth Bryan Owen – born in Illinois in 1885, Ruth was a woman of many FIRSTS. Ruth had a famous father, William Jennings Bryan. Though he was a Presidential candidate three times, he was known for the Scopes Monkey Trial. In July 1925, (96 years ago) Scopes was accused of violating Tennessee’s Butler Act, which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in a state-funded school.

William Jennings Bryan was 65 years old as a member of the prosecution team and Clarence Darrow was 68 when he was Scopes’ defense attorney. Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. 

Bonnie Bozzo’s performance brought to life Ruth Bryan Owen’s life of many firsts: Her mother was Nebraska’s first woman lawyer; Ruth represented Florida’s Fourth District from Key West to Jacksonville as the first female Congresswoman and the first from the South; she introduced legislation to set aside thousands of acres of the Everglades as a national park – 

a measure that failed but was the basis of a future successful designation for the Everglades.

Ruth Bryan Owen was the first U.S. woman Ambassador to Denmark where she met and married dashing Captain Borge Rohde of the Danish Royal Guard. She lost her citizenship not by choice but by a system of laws that treated woman’s citizenship differently than that of a man. For this Ruth had to resign her diplomatic post.

Bonnie Bozzo was masterful in portraying Ruth Bryan Owen’s lifetime of activism. Ruth died in 1954 at the age of 65, while returning to Denmark to receive an award from King Frederick.  Ruth was an exceptional modern woman!

Colleen Long, Director of Sales and Marketing for Tuscany Villa of Naples provided a brief narrative on services at Tuscany Villa. Did you know that is it the closest Assisted Living facility to Marco Island? They offer respite care and short stays (if your kitchen was flooded and need a place to stay for a few days or if you need a place to stay during a hurricane).

Tuscany Villa is the only Assisted Living in the Naples area that give 5% discount to all Veterans.  If you are a wartime veteran or a spouse of a wartime veteran, there is a program based on income that the government will actually help you with assisted living payments. If interested, please feel free to contact Colleen Long at: 239-775-2233.

The Lunch with Friends is a collaboration between the YMCA of South Collier, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry and co-sponsored by Marco Lutheran Church. Luncheon is free of charge to all area residents, “60 or better”. Onsite grocery pickup was provided for those guests in need.

Thanks to Tuscany Villa of Naples, the generous benefactor for August’s luncheon. Many thanks to all the volunteers; thanks to Stonewalls Restaurant who catered the lunch with delicious chicken salad on fresh baked croissants with fresh fruits; the “angels who baked the delicious cookies;” Knights of Columbus; Condee Cooling and Electric; and to the door prize donors.

Please save the date:  September 15, 2021. Please RSVP to Nancy Kot at: 706-566-8532 or email lunchwithfriendsmarco@gmail.com.