GLN529 Choices Fall2011

8/3/2019 GLN529 Choices Fall2011

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Inside

2 Masterpiece

2 One-Man Show

4 Performance

7333 Scotland Way

Sarasota, FL 34238

941-552-5369 or

888-999-GLEN (4536)

www.TheGlenridge.com

A Not-For-ProfitCommunity governedby a SarasotaBoard of Directors

Fall 2011ChoicesChoices

For all life can be!

T h e G l e n r i d g e o n P a l m e r R a n c h ®

With maintenance-free

living at The Glenridge, the

Sayers are free to explore

the creative outlets they’ve

always loved – and to find

new ones. Bert enjoys

photography and painting,

recently adding portraiture

to his portfolio. Meanwhile,

Barbara’s passion for music

led her to join the Glenridge

Singers. “It’s a very easy-

going group,” she says.

“We have fun no matter

what we’re doing.”

Musical talent runs in

the Sayer family. Their son,

a music educator, plays the trumpet, while

daughter Cynthia is a world-renowned

4-string banjo player, whose specialty is

early jazz from the ‘20s and ‘30s. She

recently performed at The Glenridge

theater and plans to return in February.

“She got such an enthusiastic response,”

says Barbara. “But that didn’t surprise us.

The people here are so welcoming. We

didn’t know a soul when we moved in,

but we’ve made lots of friends. On many

levels, joining The Glenridge has been a

very good decision for us.”

Perfect HarmonyLike most people who move to

The Glenridge, Karl and Bonnie Ringer

found an array of opportunities for

life enrichment. And, they also found

each other.

Bonnie, a long-time member, enjoyed

performing with The Glenridge Singers.

She’d heard about Karl, a newcomer who

also liked singing. So when she spotted

him one evening at the Thistle Stop lounge,

she invited him to join.

He did. On that note, the two soon

became an item, bonding over their

shared interests and Pennsylvania roots.

“We knew we weren’t getting any younger,

W ith a community model based on

positive aging and a focus on

lifelong learning, wellness, personal

growth and enrichment, The Glenridge on

Palmer Ranch® has elevated “retirement

living” to an art form – providing

opportunities for members to stay connected,

engaged and involved. Members will tell

you that this Life Fulfilling Community®

is not just a spectacularly beautiful

place to live . . . it’s also a way of life,

a philosophy and a completely unique

approach to life’s later years.

Culture and Creativity

For Bert and Barbara Sayer, leading a

fulfilled life is both a science and an art.

Each had a successful career grounded in

the sciences (Bert was a chemical engineer

and Barbara, a nurse).

Their hobbies, on the

other hand, tend toward

more right-brained

pursuits – whether it’s

creating art themselves or

admiring the masterpieces

of others.

As avid theatergoers,

the couple appreciates

Sarasota’s many cultural

offerings, which is one

reason they came to the

area from Long Island,

New York, 11 years ago.

Their move to The

Glenridge this past year

was a proactive decision

to plan ahead for

long-term healthcare.

“We wanted to enjoy

everything the community

has to offer,” Barbara

says. “Right now we’re healthy, but who

knows? That was the point of moving

here – so our children wouldn’t have to

worry about us.”

so we didn’t want to waste time,” Karl

recalls. “I proposed, she said ‘yes’ and

within three weeks, we were married.”

Exactly how that went down is quiteanother story. As a UPS packer was

boxing up china in Bonnie’s apartment,

she showed him her engagement ring,

mentioning that she was getting married.

Adding a whole new meaning to the

mantra “What can brown do for you?”,

the man, who was a notary, offered to

perform the ceremony. Shortly thereafter,

under a tree in the parking lot of a nearby

UPS store, the Ringers said, “I do.”

“It gave everyone something to talk

about,” Karl says.

Now settling into life at The Glenridge,

the newlyweds continue to sing off thesame sheet music – taking courses at the

Academy, working out in the Fitness

Center and gathering with friends at the

Thistle Stop, where their love story began.

Finding each other’s companionship has

enriched their lives and confirmed the

wisdom of moving to the community.

“I don’t know of anywhere else I’d rather

be,” Karl says. “It’s a very positive place –

and the smartest move I ever made. For

more reasons than one!”

The Art of Fine Living

Bert and Barbara Sayer appreciateThe Glenridge’s many cultural offerings.

Music lovers and newlyweds Karl and Bonnie Ringer met at The Glenridge. Both belong to The Glenridge Singers.



At The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch®, the artsare always “in season.” Here, members

express their lifelong passion through painting,sketching, needlework, photography, music,theater and other art forms . . . weaving a

creative tapestry that makes this Life FulfillingCommunity® truly one of a kind.

“This is who we are,” says Lisa Snyder,

Director of Life Planning. “The arts are anintegral part of our community. From watercolorclasses to theater performances, our membersbubble over with creativity. And we have

outlets for every skill level – from beginnersto seasoned experts.”

The Glenridge Sense of StyleWith that in mind, Glenridge members have

formed an Art & Décor Committee to fosterin-house talent, schedule exhibitions

and incorporate their own sense of

style throughout the community.George Davis, who chairs the

group and is an artist in his ownright, moved to Sarasota

after a successful careerin marketing and

package design in

New York.

At The Glenridge, he continues to practiceneedlepoint, his specialty of 35 years – even

blending the craft with upholstery to createintricately decorated chairs.

George says that one of his committee’s

long-term goals is a “members only” artcollection that will showcase the diverse talentsof the people who live there. “This is our home,

and we all – members and staff alike – want itto look spectacular,” he explains.

“Tropical Cheerfulness”When it comes to a passion for art, George

Davis is in good company. Fellow Glenridge member

Renata Sawyer, a career art teacher whose workhas twice been featured in the Smithsonian’straveling exhibits, is also applying her considerable

skills toward enriching the community.Renata specializes in nature printing, which

involves applying pigment to plant material

and transferring the image to a printable surface.She describes her artistic style as “tropicalcheerfulness,” and her pieces testify to the joie

de vivre experienced by Glenridge members. Her

largest creation, “Florida” – a vibrant, imprintedsilk piece – functions as a stunning focal point inthe lobby. Two other works hang upstairs.

One of the best things about art at The

Glenridge, Renata notes, is that there’s an

opportunity for everyone to participate. “Peopleget a chance to do things they haven’t done

before, and that’s what keeps us going, because it

exercises our brains and it’s fun,” she adds. “Theemphasis here is on development and evolution.”

A microcosm of Sarasooffers its own rich and

“Freedom” by Warren Loranger

Renata Sawyer’s “Florida” is a stunning focal point in The Glenridge lobby.

Masterpiece...

PICTURES AT

AN EXHIBITION.

At The Glenridge, vibrant artwork adorns the walls.

The long-term goal is that theentire collection will compriseworks created exclusively bythe community’s members.

“Hanging Out” by Kay Pezillo

One-Man Show

George Davis, whose specialty is needlepoint, is oneof the many talented artists at The Glenridge.

In many ways during his lifetime, Warren Loranger has been a l iteral one-man show –

a self-made businessman, architectural engineer and entrepreneur whose passion was

starting companies and leading them to success.

Also a philanthropist and art aficionado, Warren completed his first painting in 1965,

“dabbled” in the medium for a few years, and gradually stopped as his life grew busier.

After moving to Florida two decades ago, he took a course at the Venice Arts Center,

where he earned the moniker “the Kool-Aid painter” for his unusual choices of materials.

When he joined The Glenridge, he met Jane Dye, who encouraged him to renew his old

passion and try acrylics for the first time.

So he did – and now he has earned recognition throughout Sarasota for his abstract

paintings, portraits and collages. Warren has also served as a member of the advisory

board of the Ringling College of Art and Design’s Englewood Art Center, which recently

displayed his work in an exhibition titled “Ageless Creativity.”

Some of Warren’s methods are unorthodox, such as applying food coloring with

brushes, credit cards or his fingers. “I don’t start out knowing what I’m going to paint,”

he explains, adding that he credits his dyslexia with enhancing his imagination. “When

you paint abstract art, you paint what comes out of your head.”

One such piece, a watercolor titled “Freedom,” hangs in The Glenridge lobby and

intrigues the eye with its ambiguous subject matter. Some viewers speculate that it’s a

sailboat; others see a bird or fish. Warren doesn’t offer an answer either way, simply

stating that his inspiration included the colors in the lobby and nearby aquarium.

Warren’s newest piece, “Bonsoir Mon Cherie,” features a man and woman socializing

in a bar, setting the perfect atmosphere for the Thistle Stop, a popular place to mingle and

enjoy a drink. “People really like it; they think it’s apropos,” he says. “It does depart from

my usual style, in that it’s much larger and more complex than anything I’ve done before.”

Then again, that’s not a surprise, coming from Warren. “My whole life has been

exploring in one way or another,” he says, “so trying something new in painting is totally

in character for me.”

Member Warren Loranger – who is both an art collector and a painter – recently held a one-man show of his artwork, the first of a planned semi-annual series of one-person shows at The Glenridge. Above, the painting to his left ishis original art; the one behind him is part of his collection.



Picture PerfectThat message also resonates with Dr. Phil

Nelson, a retired OB-GYN whose passion for

art and photography has spanned his entirelife. After retiring in 2003, he served as aphotographer for Selby Botanical Gardens inSarasota, where he snapped 33,000 photos of

more than 6,500 different plants. Now, 19 of those photos – featuring exquisite shots of orchids and bromeliads – are on display in a

grouping called “Floral Portraits” in theGlenridge mezzanine.

“I’m proud of these pieces and happy to

share them,” he says. “I’ve met a lot of marvelous

artists here whose talents I wasn’t aware of untiltheir pieces were hanging on the walls. It isn’tthe bricks and mortar – it’s the members and

staff who make The Glenridge extraordinary.”

Exploring New MediumsPhyllis Montmeat agrees. “Here at

The Glenridge, I paint more than I everhave!” she says. “I feel encouraged to do it.”

She recently completed a painting in theHawthorne Room, The Glenridge’s formal

dining area. The semi-circular piece, whichhangs above the fireplace, features renderingsof hydrangea, magnolia and morning glory

flowers. Upstairs, three of her watercolorsbeautify the mezzanine and hallway areas.She’s now studying acrylic painting,

continuing to further her skills throughdedicated practice. “We have very high-quality artists here,” Phyllis acknowledges.“I feel very proud and thankful

to be part of it.”

A Wealth of InspirationNearly 25 years after she took her first art

class and began painting, Jane Dye’s enthusiasm

for creating hasn’t lessened one bit. “Art is mypassion,” she says. “I can’t imagine myself without it.” Jane uses several mediums –acrylic, watercolor and collage – but she

consistently finds inspiration in places that areclose to her heart, such as the city of Sarasotaand The Glenridge itself.

The Glenridge is equally happy to show-case her talent, which is why they recentlycommissioned her to create two trios of paintings

for the dining room in The Highlands assisted

living neighborhood. The result is “City of theArts,” two triptychs that evoke the many culturaland recreational facets of life in Sarasota. One

features a view of the bayfront, including sailing,the circus, dancing, film and charming courtyards.The other depicts sundrenched beaches and local

wildlife. Composed of thousands of minutedetails, the paintings take careful observation tofully appreciate – and then it’s clear that they’re

nothing short of stunning.“It’s very gratifying to see my work on

display,” says Jane, who describes her style as“whimsical and contemporary,” adding, “I’ve

never had a chance to do large pieces before, so

being here at The Glenridge has given me anopportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

It’s just a whole new level of growth.”

Catching the LightPersonal and artistic evolution is a recurring

theme at The Glenridge. Grace Greene hasguided many of these transformations herself inthe stained-glass course she’s taught for the past

year and a half. “At first, students are hesitantto work with glass and afraid of breaking it,but it doesn’t take long before they startmastering it, instead of it mastering them,”

she says. “By the end of the sessions, theyhave created their own angels, nightlights,sun-catchers, stars or votive candleholders.”

Grace enjoys sharing her longtime passion –originally sparked by visiting cathedrals duringher European travels – and making new friends

in the process. “My students are very proudof their accomplishments,” she says. “It givesme the opportunity to get to know manywonderful people.”

a, where the arts are celebrated, The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch®

iverse culture in an environment where the creative spirit thrives

“Homage To Leona” by Jane Dye“Looking For Gold”

by Warren Loranger

“Daffodils and Pansies” by Jeanette Jennings

Dr. Phil Nelson’s photos of orchids and bromeliads grace the hallways of The Glenridge.

The Hawthorne Room at The Glenridgefeatures artwork by Phyllis Montmeat.

Photo: Loren Mayo/The Sarasota Observer

Grace Greene, who teaches a stained-glass class at The Glenridge,holds a panel she created for her husband, featuring a mortar and

pestle to commemorate his years in the pharmaceutical industry.

Jane Dye’s “City of the Arts” was commissioned

for The Glenridge art collection.



7333 Scotland Way

Sarasota, FL 34238

A Not-For-Profit Community

governed by a Sarasota

Board of Directors

NON-PROFIT ORG.

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For all life can be!

A jewel…a pièce de résistance…a cultural

treasure…the Glenridge Performing Arts

Center (GPAC) has earned many accolades

during its seven-year history. But one of the most

remarkable aspects of the multi-million-dollar,

260-seat theater is its far-reaching impact on the

Sarasota arts scene.

“We’ve seen a

change from beingthe new kid on the

block to becoming

a force in the

community,” says

Ben Turoff, GPAC

manager. “People

who come for the

first time say, ‘Wow,

this is beautiful. I

had no idea this was

here,’ and they keep

coming back.”

Indeed, the mix of

member performances

and outside shows

has captured the

attention of many.

Some even come to

The Glenridge for a performance and then join

after seeing the wealth of cultural offerings.

“There’s something for everyone here, whether

you like classical music, jazz or live theater,” Ben

says. “We love one-man or one-woman shows

that delve into the lives of celebrated people like

Charles Lindbergh, Harry Truman or Georgia

O’Keeffe.” GPAC also partners with the

Glenridge Academy throughout the year, offering

opportunities for members to study acting and

then take the stage themselves.

“We’ve had a number of people

who never acted in their lives, and they get

involved and find out they enjoy it,” Ben says.

Each performance takes advantage of

state-of-the-art equipment such as a Dolby

surround sound system and Shure wireless

microphones – brands that are highly regarded

in the theater industry.

“People are amazed when they come totheir first show here. They tell me that GPAC

is an intimate ‘Van Wezel,’” says Ben, referring

to the city’s biggest and most well-known

arts venue. “We’re just as well-appointed and

just as able to host incredible performances.

The bonus is that you don’t have to go

downtown and fight the traffic and pay for

parking to see a great show.”

GPAC has hosted a number of prominent

performers and has established partnerships

with many local performing arts groups,

including Sarasota Concert Band, whose

November 19 concert is the first of three

performances

this year.

In addition,

Cynthia Sayer,daughter of

Glenridge

members Bert

and Barbara

Sayer and a

world-renowned

banjo player,

will play a

selection of

jazz and Great

American

songbook tunes

on February 12.

Performance Now in its 7th Year, the GlenridgePerforming Arts Center Continuesto Get Rave Reviews

Maria Wirries, a 14-year-old powerhouse of a singer, thrilled the GPAC audience during arecent concert.

The award-winning “Bowery Boys” have mademany appearances at GPAC. Sarasota’s barbershopensemble, “Chorus of the Keys,” is always very

popular.

Roberta MacDonald, a veteranBroadway actress, performs aone-woman show with help fromRobert Plunket, a Sarasota celebrityknown as “Mr. Chatterbox.”

Members of The Glenridge Harmonaires, directed by AlanCorey, frequently stage rousing performances at GPAC.

• “Holiday Harmonies” with the Chorus of the Keys,December 4, 2 p.m.

• “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry,” a one-man show performed byJack Rabito, January 15, 2 p.m.

• “Music, Magic and Pizzazz” with William Garron andJ.D. Stanton, January 18, 8 p.m.

• Michael Lasser and Friends in concert, January 28, 8 p.m.

For more information, contact GPAC at

941-552-5325.See the full season at www.GPACtix.com

Upcoming Performances

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GLN529 Choices Fall2011