I’m Back!

It’s been a long time since I’ve written a column, but my friends within the Coastal Breeze have been in my heart and on my mind constantly, so I thought I would write to say it’s been a long and difficult journey, but “someone” up above was there and guiding me back to better health and friends were there to hold me up during the journey. That’s about as serious as I’ll get right now; the rest will be fun as we move forward. I’m living in a senior facility until my strength improves, then watch out everyone!!! There’s fun to be had coming right along, especially at this facility! They have fun activities just about every day. On Fridays, they have live music and lots of fun and laughs, and some might even break into dance! This is every Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM and guests are invited as well as neighbors - no entry fee. Efforts such as this encourage people to meet each other instead of staying in their own room alone. There are a couple of libraries within the three floors of apartments, so there is always something to read. I find myself playing cards a couple of evenings a week also. Then, if you feel like shooting pool or playing Poker, the tables are just waiting for you! There are exercise classes, and Tai Chi classes, and activity rooms (Recently, we watched the Belmont Race from the second floor, and some of the ladies and MEN created derby hats to wear while watching the popular horse races). 

But as I’ve grown stronger and felt a lot better, some of my friends and I have dropped by to eat lunch or dinner at a favorite place or two. I always choose Monday at Sam Sneads because they only make their famous mushroom soup on Monday but then we have Alice Sweetwater’s close to home and waiting for us. It’s always a favorite as well! Oh, there are many other places, but these are my two favorites.

If you’ve been involved with Firefighters in East Naples, then I’m sure you knew Chief Leo Davis, one of the greatest Chiefs we ever had, and respected and loved by all! We just lost Leo, and we’re all mourning his loss and trying to huddle close to Angie, his devoted wife. She’ll need us now as she struggles through this time in her life. 

The other day, I heard about a woman who insisted on calling East Naples “South Naples.” She had no idea how hard we fought for our name, and realtors tried to change the name. The Governor named East Naples the County Seat; I have the very newspaper where it was announced after a devastating hurricane destroyed Everglades City. The East Naples Civic & Commerce Association has worked for many years to overcome the aggravating change in the place we live after working for years to bring it up in class and respect. We LOVE where we live and continue to improve everything about our location right here in East Naples.