Reflecting on a Few Things This Sunday

Every couple of weeks, I take the opportunity to review a few subjects that I feel you may have an interest in. Those subjects could involve something I’ve spoken to in past articles, or they may involve distinctly different items that may have come to mind.

Senior Center

A wonderful lady on the island recently reached out to me regarding her belief that one of the items she feels has not been focused on deals with “senior needs.” I do know that, in the past, some of the churches, the YMCA and others have provided some senior outreach.   

The recent pandemic and how to go about getting shots was a perfect example of that. I do know that the city made extraordinary efforts to connect folks with the outlets to help facilitate making that easier.  The Marco Patriots members stepped up and helped, not only seniors but others who were having difficulties. Other private citizens, through their churches, were also involved. It became a collaborative effort.

Seniors are a big part of our population base, and all the data shows that our average age of residents will continue to dominate that demographic. It therefore makes all the sense in the world that we might start looking at how better to serve this important segment of our population going forward.

I’ll be reaching out to her and to folks at many of the churches and other organizations to see what can be done. If we can put these wonderful folks together, I am sure we can get something started to deal with senior concerns as a community for this important segment of our resident population.

Roundabout

Well, as you are aware, the discussion regarding the Yellowbird Roundabout did pop up at the latest city council meeting. The city manager requested that Public Works Director Tim Pinter address the issue.  That was close to 10 pm. Heads were dipping, eyes were closing, and the council was given an update which resulted in a tree being planted in the middle of the structure so folks cannot simply drive across it. They also have increased directional signage and roadway painting.

It was not what I had hoped for, especially with regard to the safety of those residents and young children who live along that increasingly dangerous roadway. I don’t expect the Marco Police to put an officer there 24/7. That just is not reasonable. I do expect that city management should require the desires of past councilors to be honored and we address the greater issue of safety.

Going Down Memory Lane

When I first purchased here almost 36 years ago, we would make it a habit to drive up on a Sunday evening and enjoy the concerts at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Course. The large lawn which abutted the hotel in front of the beach bar was always packed on a Sunday evening.

You could get a drink, watch the waves gently caress the shoreline and listen to some great music while interacting with each other.

Even before moving to Florida, I was required to travel by air a considerable amount of time. As part of my travels, I’ve met some very interesting individuals. On one flight out of Boston going to Nashville, I was the first to sit in a row of three seats. I always request the aisle seat for the convenience it grants me if available. Not a lot of entertainers flew first class in those days, so you did get to rub elbows with some interesting folks.

On this one particular flight, I had the privilege to have Roy Orbison and one of his guitarists sit in my row. Due to his sight impairment, Orbison didn’t care where he sat, although he wasn’t blind. The two were both very friendly as we shared introductions. When they heard I had been a career firefighter and was now working for a large fire apparatus manufacturer, they were very inquisitive. Orbison opened up and told me the story of losing two of his children to a fire at their home when he was away on the road, and shared his respect and support for firefighters.

Fast forward to a Sunday night in 1990 or 1991, when some friends and I from Marco are walking across the lawn and pool area at the Naples Beach Hotel. While passing the stage, a man’s voice calls out, “Hey, fire truck man.”  I immediately swung around, and the gentleman I saw, Orbison, was standing there with a big grin - just one year before his tragic passing. We shared a few comments and later that evening, I bought him a drink. 

As I passed the site of the hotel this past Sunday while on a ride into Naples, I found that the once magnificent hotel was all boarded up and looking sad as it awaits the outcome of a lawsuit that is holding up the redevelopment of the premier 125-acre site on the Gulf of Mexico. I pulled over and just looked at that historic structure that had been there for 75 years. My mind drifted back to those great times there, and you could almost hear the music playing from the grand lawn area of the hotel.

This day also brought me back to thinking about having met one of the all-time greatest performers of my lifetime who was lost all too soon.