Volume 3, Number 6 Florida's Finest Resident,Owned Retirement Community NovemberlDecember 1986

Christmas in FloridaThe visitor sadly shook his headAs he baked in the tropical sun,"Call this Christmas?" he said to me."Well, not where I come from.Christmas needs snow and ice and cold,And the sound of sleigh bells' ring,And as for me I can't be soldOn weather that feels like spring."

We looked at him and then we smiledAs he scoffed at our awful plight,And we felt pity and were not riled'Cause he was so far from right.For no snow fell on BethlehemOn the night the star first shone.There was no blizzard or howling galeThat swept with a shriek and a moan.

The breeze was soft and, what was more,The night the Christ child came,Hibiscus bloomed near the stable doorAs Mary murmured His name.Bougainvillea of violet hue,Arched in a graceful bower;Poinsettias wet with midnight dewEnhanced that sacred hour.

The heavenly host in the starry skyProclaimed the birth ofa king,And rustling palms echoed the cryAs the whole earth seemed to sing.So we find here in our sun-drenched landUntouched by ice and snow,That the spirit of Christmas is at handAnd we feel God willed it so.

- Author Unknown

From The ...

Editor's otebookA friendship true is like pure gold. It won't wear outbecause it's old.

* * * *

A Model Railroad Club has been organized andaccepted as a part of the Program Activity Group atHawthorne. John Bramow is chairman and their dooris open to anyone interested in Railroading.

* * * * *

Women's Duplicate Bridge has been accepted as anew activity in the PAG with Pollie Spratt serving as itsinitial chairman. They meet twice a month on Wednes-day at 1 o'clock in the Lime Room. "Happy to have anyof you girls join the group."

* * * * *

Ed and Jeri Raynsford, who live here on Redbud Way,spent part of their summer in the Snowbird Mountainsin Robbinsville, North Carolina. And from there theyspent their 51st wedding anniversary white-waterrafting on the Nantahala River. The three hour trip in afive-man raft was climaxed by going over a four footfall into a pool from which they exited the river. It wassuch fun they plan to go back next year.

* * * * *

Two of our newest newcomers here are reallyreturnees and that calls for an especially warmwelcome. Henrietta and Walter Kienzel lived here onAvocado Cove for 9 years. Then last year they soldtheir house and moved back to Long Island, New Yorkto be near relatives and to watch their grandchildrengrow. After 10 months of apartment living, they cameback to Hawthorne on Sept. 22. They are at 136Jacaranda Dr. and are back to stay. Both said, "Wefeel like we came home".

* * * *

Our Newcomers' Convention on Nov. 15, was one ofthe highlights of the year at Hawthorne. We have somany activities here that this get-together is designedto aquaint all of the newcomers to what they can getinvolved in at Hawthorne. The activity groups areassigned tables to show off their work and each tableis manned by people who explain theiraccomplishments and welcome new and establishedresidents to participate. It is such a wonderful way toget acquainted with Hawthorne activities and people.

* * * * *

Do you love me or do you not? You told me once, but Iforgot.

* * * *

Helen Guthrie, who lives at 132 Azalea Trail, hasdonated to Hawthorne, the 5' x 9%' American flag thatwas given to her by the Military when her husbandNeal V. Guthrie, died. The flag will be flown at theClubhouse. Our sincerest thanks to Mrs. Guthrie.

The 100 or so invited guests were privileged to sharewith Mary and Dick Ray as they celebrated their 59thwedding anniversary with a bloody mary breakfast atthe Clubhouse on Saturday morning, Oct. 25. RebaHeintzelman set the mood playing the organ as onlyshe can do. The delicious food was prepared andserved by our own Charlie Mason and the BreakfastClub. As a surprise to Dick and Mary, the BreakfastClub presented them with a beautifully decoratedcake which was cut and served to the guests. Dick hadhis own surprise as he introduced Marvin Boatwrightwho is retired, living in Fruitland Park, and is now afull-time square dance caller and instructor. But thesecredentials are paled by this man's ability to entertain.He won every heart as he opened his part of the pro-gram by singing "Welcome To My World". Then wentright into an animated selection of comments and fun-nies a~d closed by singing directly to Dick and Maryand with a country music record accompaniment to"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You". Thatbeautiful old song has never sounded better. Dickdismissed the guests with an emotional appreciationfor their sharing this very special moment with he andMary. It was indeed special.

Food for Thought"Your circumstance is not by chance.It's made by youBy what you say, by what you thinkAnd by the things you do.Your words are law unto yourself.What you declare will be.Words go to work to manifestWhat you talk of constantly.And the thoughts you thinkAre the seeds you sow.And surely what you plant ...Will grow.We reap a harvest every dayOf seed thoughts planted along the way.Sele,ct with care the words you say;Choose carefully your thoughts each dayAnd you will find your life will beBetter ... almost instantly!"

Hawthorne HeraldHawthorne-at-Leesburg

Post Office Drawer "T;' Leesburg, Florida 32749Telephone (904) 787-1000

Published bi-monthly by the HawthorneResidents Cooperative Association, Inc.

Editor Verna GarberAssociate Editor Bunny McCarlEditorial Staff Elnora Bolan,

Reba Heintzelman, Anna K. Merlino, Marie L.Richardson, Web Stull, Rosalind MacRaeSykes, Dewhirst W. Wade.

Photographers Nathaniel Bodinger,Don Comunale, John Tienken

Bunny McCarl, Program CoordinatorI

Christmas in Florida is a very different thing forthose of you who have come from up north. Christmasmay bring to mind snow, sleigh bells and very coldweather. For those of us who are native FloridiansChristmas means our usual warm weather, hibiscu~plants blooming alongside of our poinsettia plants,and hearing our neighbors talk about how it justdoesn't seem like Christmas. It takes some gettingused to, but Christmas in Florida is a very beautifultime.

When I was growing up in Miami, I quite often wentto the beach on Christmas Day. Last year, my sonsbrought a friend home from college for the holidays.Dan was from New Hampshire, and we took him outon the boat on Christmas Day. Of course we took pic-tures of Dan in his bathing suit to send home to all hisfriends and family in the icy cold of New Hampshire!

No matter where we are at ChristmastimeChristmas floods our minds with oceans of memo'iies:Do you remember going to the woods to help selectyour family's Christmas tree? How about the excite-ment of trimming the tree with popcorn and cran-berries or other special trimmings? Do you rememberbeing kissed under the mistletoe? Christmasmemories come back each year so that we may con-tinue to relive these very special times.

Here are some Christmas trivia questions whichwill help stimulate some of those wonderfulChristmas memories.

1. What kind of pipe did Frosty the Snowman have?2. What kind of hat did the Children put on Frosty's

head?3. What do you roast on an open fire?4. What are folks dressed up like?5. What do you dream of with every Christmas card

you write?6. From "Jingle Bells", what is it fun to ride on?7. How does Santa find out if you are naughty or

nice?8. What was special about Rudolph?9. What did the other reindeer do?

10. Who did you see Mommie kissing under theMistletoe last night?

11. All you want for Christmas is your what?12. How should all ye faithful come?

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and Iwish it would last all year long. Merry Christmas, myHawthorne friends! May your lives be full of peace,love and joy.

With Christmas love, ~

L

Luminarias"Little Lights of Christmas"

A large bag filled with tuna fish cans in our closetbolsters the twinkly charm of our luminarias thatbrighten Hawthorne's curving streets on ChristmasEve. Early on Christmas Eve day, Hawthornites opentheir AARP white bags, cuff them, and place a washed,open can in each. After pouring about 2 inches of sandin each bag, we wedge plumber's candles into thosesandfilled cans. Just before dark, neighbors all over,set the bags along their lot lines and light the candles.At dark, those lighted candles in bags transform ourtown into a fantasy of light.

Did you know the first luminarias were small bon-fires of crossed pine boughs that lit the roads in Spainon Christmas Eve? And then, when colored wrappingpaper came into Spain from the Orient, people startedmaking lanterns instead of bonfires.

As Spaniards emigrated to Mexico, they broughtalong their tradition of twinkly lights. But they found ithandy to use the paper bags that Yankee tradersbrought them.

On Christmas Eve throughout New Mexico, entirevillages are lit up only with luminarias. Every adobehut, hacienda, sidewalk, and street is outlined with thefestive lights, and every other light in town is turnedoff.

I'm told the City of Albuquerque, is so spectacularon Christmas Eve that visitors to the city are picked upat their hotels to be driven on tours of the holidayfairyland.

In Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, our two-block-longstreet recreated that same custom during our familyyears. However, large, heavy grocery bags, with lots ofsand, were needed to protect those candles from thewinter winds, snow and ice. And setting up the lightsmeant we all clumped around in boots, coats and!lloves! But, the same warm neighborly feeling glowedthrough it all just as we experience it here inHawthorne.

The little lights of ChristmasTwinkle in my heart.They light the Christ Birth Glory,Glowi ng at its start.

-Rosalind MacRae Sykes

.:> , ..l...........I

Santa came to Hawthorne's annual "Christmas Pudding"program in the person of Walter Smoyer, HRCA president.This is a program of our own talents and some turn out to bevery professional and all are fun to do and enjoy. Below: Funwith Music group entertains on the Christmas Puddingshow. From left to right: Marshall Brown on the banjo, JohnNoonan (Violin), Horace Weston (Viola) and Charlotte Fowleron Piano. In back is Clemens Kirchgeorg on the drums andEdna Patt (Tambourine) and she also sings and does themaster of ceremony chores.

Our camera caughtpart of the crowd for theNew Years Eve dance lastyear in the Great Hall atHawthorne. The decora-tions were most festive,the music excellent andeveryone joined in for atruly enjoyable evening toclose out the Christmasseason. (Nat Bodingerphoto)

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Dorothy Balsan (left) and her sister Ruth Holleman, whoboth live in Hawthorne, show off their wares at theChristmas Bazaar. Ruth makes these charming little clownsand Dorothy helps her sell them at this annual happening.The event, sponsored by the Crafts group, is a real oldfashioned, honest-to-goodness Bazaar where the people selltheir hand crafted items. It's a delightful source for veryspecial gifts.

000 ,

This Nativity scene is flanked by two beautiful polnset-tias that frame the front door of Frank &Rae Parks home onHawthorne Blvd. There is a large spot-light to afford aglorious night time viewing as well. Just one of the beautifulspots in Hawthorne at Christmastime.

-

Clowning around at th~ Peanut Carnival are RalphahdDorothy Pyle, watchlnq Stan Beaves try to walk the chalk Ihielooking thru binoculars. This was all a part of the annualevent held at Christmastime here primarily for the childrenwho visit during the holidays but, as you can see, the adultshave fun to,o-and it is all paid for with peanuts. -

A Christmas bouquetfrom the

Hawthorne Herald Staff

-~ -~-----

Christmas at HawthorneChristmas is a spirit in your heart.It unites us in a sharing brotherhoodOf caring friends and neighbors,All active for our common good.

We came from all directions-From snowy climes in northern lands;Atlantic and Pacific bordersBrought together these willing hands.

We have no' need for Santa's sleighHis bounty continues along with the PsalmsWhere once we looked for a rotund snowmanColorful lights blossom on bushes and palms.

But here at Hawthorne we all rememberAs our affectionate wishes chime out to you-That Christmas is not just in DecemberBut in your heart-the whole year through.

-Anna K. Merlino

Alice Hambleton modeled this pink chenille sports outfitat the annual Christmas Style Show at Hawthorne. Alice andher Jim have lived on Aspen Circle in Hawthorne for 12 years.

"Dare To BeAware!"What is that?

What do you do?

Do you believe in God?

Come on along and listen to .

Invitation to see .

to be a part of .

Come on in the water's fine.

That in it'self is the essence of "Dare To Be Aware" .

Stepping out on your Faith .

Daring to be aware in all things .. known and unknown.

Always starting with your source .

(the God of your own understanding) .

becoming centered, ..... quiet, meditating, still .

As we become receptive, responsive, attuned, .

aware THEN .

springing forth into all sorts of imaginable things .

exploring, stretching, learning, growing, delighting in.

joyfully, . lovingly, . with great care. and deep caring!

And we ..... those of like mind ..... sharing .....

in a deep and fulfilling way .... an adventure together!

Towards understanding enjoying the savor, the flavor,

....... the curiosity tingling, the imagination soaring,

the research, the search absorbing, .

rippling of memories, knowledge (old and new) .

your positive input .... discovering facts and fantasy,

being flexible, alive, open minded .

Receivers, interceptors, responding to senses,

intellect, spirit, input, impact, discovery!

And sharing it all with those surrounding you .

in a climate and atmosphere of warmth and love.

"The Essence of the Universe!"

Gleaming vibrations ascend .

The electricity crackles, ... and in your awareness .

you catch a star a bit of heaven is held .

and passed from soul to soul. spirit to spirit enhanced,

expanded, expounded, enlightened ... And shared ...

"Love!"

Words of Wonder.

Would you like to join us in this scintilating adventure?

No RSVP required!

Just a loving, inquiring, sharing kind of positive

searching attitude of caring and sharing Coming Alive!

You're invited to "Dare To Be Aware".

-Anne Cass

A Gala Thanksgiving . . .One lovely sunny Thanksgiving Day at Hawthorne,

(What, no snow!) many people assembled to celebratethe holiday.

John and Phyllis, invited us to have the celebrationat the Marino. Guests got the red carpet treatmententering on a Bigelow provided by Dorothy. We paidNichols at the door to Gwen, and O'Neil, while Phylliscollected Pence.

We almost had the party in Katherine's Barnes, butCharles and Millie Barred the door. Then AI and Dotwanted to go to a deLux hotel but it was voted down.

Evelyn, arrived first riding on her Mare, followed byRobert and John with their wives in their Olds. ThenEleanor sped up in her Pierce-arrow. After that Irv andFaye came in a Volk(s) Wagon, and Dr. Francis drovehis Carr. Jack had a Vliet of Vans ready to make sureeveryone had a ride.

It was just like "My Fair Lady" every duke and peerand earl was there. Duke Lamore, also Nelda attended,and other Nobles (Lelsle and Virginia). It was fitting forThanksgiving to have Bishops, Martin, Jo, Helen, andPopes too, Ed and Eleanor. Even the Gouveneur camewith Nell.

The food was wonderful; a sumptuous Thanks-giving pot-luck. Foster and Naoma brought Rice andchicken, Don and Jane caught fish in the Dorn-brook.Clax and all the Shepards fixed mutton. Bill and Marycooked and Armor ham, and Phil and Dot roasted aHaug. Mildred made hamBergers. Marguerite andVelma prepared Sage dressing, and a Bakeman (AI)made plenty of bread. Edna supplied Patts of butter.Helen's Gardner provided the vegetables.

Desserts were plentiful: Hastings pudding whichHelen made, Borden's ice cream served by Gordonand Lou, Sweets from Mary and Clyde, and Margaretbaked a pie with Graham cracker crust. Then wewashed it all down with Irene's mellow Boudreauxwine. Everyone felt thankful for all this bounty, andJohn and Emily gave the Grace.

Everyone took part in the entertainment. Hile andOpal played a Fyffe with Ruth giving a roll on her Drumto get us started. Then Peg, who is a Wag(g) told jokes.We played "Simon Says" with Ginny and Bill, Gordondid his Bogart act, Ruth and Jim had a Lague show.After that Ruth had some Penn and paper games forwhich John and Polly Talleyed up the scores. Wefinished with a "Bunny hop" led by Mrs. McCarl.

The crowd became uproarious, during which Artand Ed made too much Noyes. Cleta yelled, "Oh,Heck, I can't concentrate on my Bridge." Sophia saidwith disgust, "P Shaw". Even Bill and Jo sighed, "Ohme"!

It was exciting when the lights went out. Chuckoffered to check the Watts, however, it was gettinglate so the party disbanded. The guests left saying ithad really been a gala Thanksgiving.

-Elnora Bolan

Hospitality - Hawthorne StyleThe dictionary defines the word hospitality thus:

the reception and entertainment of guests orstrangers with liberality and kindness. What a perfectway to describe Hawthorne's Hospitality Committee,its 58 present members, and their endeavors!

Each weekday four members of this busy commit-tee, under the chairmanship of Emma Dennis, serve ashosts and hostesses in the Orange Room, two in themorning and two in the afternoon. Their daily choresinclude seeing that the lounge/television room isalways in order, the coffee maker clean and working,and a supply of water, ice, and napkins are on hand.

"Hospitality" is also responsible for the five pleas-ant and well-patronized Newcomers' Teas held eachyear. The committee co-chairman (at present JulieNewman) is in charge of the teas, assisted bymembers who gather names of newcomers, issue anddeliver invitations, make name tags, and donate sand-wiches, cookies, and beverages as well as their time.

Committee members are asked to serverefreshments at many program events throughout theyear. They celebrate birthdays with traditional cake(July 4 and Channel 4 TV), are on hand at theNovember Newcomers Convention, the Apri ICommunity-wide Program Conference, and otherregular and special events.

In February the Hospitality Committee runs aValentine luncheon for residents, with a catered mealand the opportunity to play cards or other games after-wards. Members organize the affair, plan and executethe decorations, and serve the 300-350 persons attend-ing. It is definitely not a money-raising event; profit in1986 amounted to $79, and $75 of this was given awayin 15, $5 door prizes. The objective is a day of fun andpleasure for a good many residents.

And the objective of the Hospitality Committee isto give service to Hawthorne. The calendar of events isdiscussed at the monthly meeting, and sheets are

Our Silver PoetCongratulations to Dorothy Koch Singer, a winner

of the Silver Poets Award for her poems at the SecondAnnual Poetry Convention of World of Poetry, held inOrlando the Labor Day weekend of 1986.

The World of Poetry was founded and organized inSacramento, California by John Campbell, theShakespearian actor. Membership includes poetsfrom 27 countries, every province of Canada and everystate in the United States, with a total of 689,000poets.

The weekend was highlighted by workshopshosted by many well known professionals. At thesesmaller meetings the writers read and discussed theirworks, exchanging views and marketing techniques.Maya Angelou delivered the keynote address.

On Saturday evening, August 30th, the Silver PoetAwards banquet took place; 2600 attended and 400poets received a Silver award. We are proud that aHawthornite was honored.

Dorothy had a brilliant career teaching dancing atthe Sargent College of Boston University. She also

Members of the Hospitality committee, from left to right,Dorothy Brachmann, Emma Dennis (Chairman), JeriRaynsford, Louise Fagan and Ann Skelding, show off theChannel TV 4 birthday cake before serving it. (Nat Bodingerphoto)

passed around for members to sign up for whicheveractivity they wish to take part in. Emma Dennis is inher sixth year as a Hospitality member. "It is a wonder-ful volunteer group," she says, adding that she cannotrecall any occasion since she has been on the com-mittee when there was a lack of volunteers for aparticular event.

Large donations of time and work form the basis ofthe Hospitality Committee volunteers' ongoing serv-ice to residents. Emma Dennis declares that themembers' reward lies in the very real pleasure theygain in serving Hawthorne "with liberality and kind-ness".

Hospitality Committee meetings are held monthly.Any interested residents are most welcome to attendand investigate the opportunity of joiningHawthorne's hard-working Hospitality staff.

- Marie L. Richardson

taught, for many years, at the State University Collegeat Buffalo, New York. Over a period of 43 years, shehad a wide impact on many students.

She came to Hawthorne in July 1977 and initiatedTap dancing classes, creating the choreography foreach class and all the variety shows ever since. Herhusband, Roy is the much appreciated able-bodiedpartner, supporting all her activities by taking chargeof the record player, records and props. In addition,she has presented programs at Brown Bag, The OhioClub, AARP and several other state clubs. On ourChannel 4 TV program she gave a comprehensivehistory of tap dance.

In the neighboring community, she has givengenerously of her talent, directing a dance group toperform for the Leesburg Triangle Club. In 1981 sheworked as a member of the Lake-Sumter CommunityCollege to prepare the "Olde Time Variety Show" bypresenting "The Rhythm Tappers" and "Top Hats andCanes of Hawthorne".

Surely she is to be commended for heraccomplishments and sharing her rich talents.

-Anna K. Merlino

"H bbi "o res byReba

When Hawthorne's Estelle Karpel ordered twelvenude Kewpie dolls from the Ben Franklin store a fewmonths ago, the surprised clerk was curious as to whythe 87 year old lady wanted so many at one time.

Estelle wanted to do something special for twofriends, Mary Truitt and Helen Jones who live togetherin Tavares. The two women have been visiting Estelletwice a week to do her shopping and see that she istaken care of.

Although Estelle is confined to her home now withpainful osteoarthritis and is almost blind, she hasbeen crocheting clothes for dolls as gifts to herfriends and relatives for almost all of her life and haslost count of the number of finished dolls she hasmade. "I must have made hundreds," she commented.

As a little girl, Estelle was facinated watchingher mother crochet doll clothes and because therewas not much to do in those days, she too, becamehighly skilled in the art of crocheting.

"Children were different then," she said. "Theywere not glued to television sets, but had to find otherentertaining activities."

Her two Tavares friends like to change the decora-tion on their living room table every month, and that'swhere Estelle got the ideaof dressing the Kewpie dollsin clothes symbolic of each month of the year, andgive them as apprecaition gifts to her friends.

Estelle's twelve Kewpie dolls stand posed above a host offriends.

There's the January doll all dressed in pure whitefor winter's snowtime. Miss February is dressed in redand white with a heart on the pocket for Valentine'sday. The March doll is in green and white for St.Patrick's Day, and of course shamrocks are woveninto the skirt.

The delightfully charming Estelle Karpel, smothered in armsfull of her creations. (Reba took the photos, too)

A tiny umbrella is held by the April Kewpie, sym-bolic of April showers, and next to her is a two-tonedpink doll for Easter in May. The June bride wears aflimsy white veil and carries a colorful bridal bouquet.The July creation is red, white and blue for the fourth'scelebration and this little doll has a minature flag thatwaves.

For hot weather August there is a little nudieKewpie in a yellow polka dot bikini with the tiniest brapossible and she carries a bag for her swim suit.

Warm fall colors cover the September doll andorange and black are featured on the October-Halloween doll, who carries a little purse shaped like apumpkin.

For the November-Thanksgiving event, there is awhite apron covering the pale grey and white costumeof the Pilgrim doll. And the December-ChristmasKewpie is red and green. When all twelve dolls arelined up they make a beautiful sight. Each doll has adifferent type of hat and booties and not one has thesame color or patterned costume.

Ever since she came to Hawthorne seven yearsago, Estelle has been getting her yarn for the dollclothes from scraps left over from the Arts & CraftsClub. In return, she contributed fifteen dolls of allkinds to the Doll Club's annual show held last monthin the Great Hall here.

The sad note to Estelle's story is that with the com-pletion of the twelve Kewpie dolls attire, she has hadto stop crocheting because other arthritis and failingeyesight. But throughout the years she has made hun-dreds of little and big people happy with her beautifuland unusual creations.

- Reba: Heintzelman