Out in the rural grasslands and woods of Palm Coast along the inter coastal waterway live the Vogelers along with the alligators, herons and other creatures of Florida. It was here that we had our July meeting of the Sunshine Chapter BCIS.

Vogeler’s House in Palm Coast.

President’s Corner

Here we are again in the midst of a hot summer. We are met this last week in Palm Coast at the home of Lois and Mike Vogeler I don’t know if many of you have visited Palm Coast, but it is a lovely setting and the Vogeler’s home is in a particularly pretty section right on the waterway and almost in sight of the ocean beyond. This area has been developed in a way that preserves much of the surrounding wilderness, and each home is placed in a setting that protects the privacy of its residents. The Vogelers live surrounded by antiques they have collected as well as their select collection of all black mark Belleek. My only regret is that so many people were away on vacation, escaping from hot Florida to hotter points north. For the first time in our history, we failed of a quorum.

Despite our disappointment at not having a larger group, there’s still something comforting about meeting with old friends, even if it’s in a smaller group. The main topic of conversation throughout luncheon was the upcoming convention next April. We are still looking to have at least four couples and possibly as many as six in Ireland. Pat and I haven’t registered yet, so we don’t have convention materials, but Vicki and Bob, who visited Ireland this summer and stay in touch with friends there, say that the convention will be spread out rather than located in a single venue. The plan is to operate shuttle buses to collect attendees and move them to the proper location for the various events. At least one event will take place in the pottery itself.

D79 Straw Basket. A new addition to the Vogeler’s collection.

One development that might encourage people from this area to reconsider attending is a new service air connection just announced linking the Sanford airport directly with Belfast. For those interested, the web site for reservations is flyglobespan.com. Pat and I signed up immediately and will travel for the amazing sum of $1,178 round trip for the two of us. We understand since writing this note that the fares have increased owing to higher petroleum prices. I don’t believe we’ve ever made an overseas flight for anything approaching that low figure. They also offer service to Glasgow which suggests we may want to consider returning to Scotland one of these days. Since we live less than five miles from this airport, it is particularly nice to get something besides noise from it.

The October meeting will be held at Okeefe’s in Tavares on the 7^th. This will be a very special meeting because Vicki and Bob’s house guests will be Maggie and Jerry, old friends from Ireland who worked in the Belleek Pottery. Bob plans to ask them to speak about their work in the pottery. It might also be a good opportunity to bring any piece you would like to speak to them about. This is an opportunity that comes up only once in a lifetime, so make the most of it. October is also the time for our annual meeting that includes election of officers. If you would like to serve a term, and perhaps inspire some new ideas in our group, this is your chance! Have a good summer, and we’ll all look for you on October 7.

Kitty Harwood celebrates her 86^th Birthday

On July 11^th Kitty celebrated her birthday amongst friends and family. Her daughter Ann came to Lakeland from St. Ignatius, Montana to be with her. Her son Bill who lives in Lakeland was there also along with many of her friends. Dot and Paul Morin and Vicki and Bob Pearce were there from the Sunshine Chapter. Kitty has been a member of the Sunshine Chapter since it’s inception in January, 2000.

Ann Harwood at Kitty’s Birthday table.

There was even a clown there played by one of Kitty’s earlier years neighbors.

Do you remember me?

Cupcakes and Iced Tea for all to enjoy.

Marti and Mickey celebrate 50 years together

Do you know this couple?

Mickey and Marti Kusel were married August 8^th, 1956. On the 5^th of August their children surprised them with a weekend at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and a party Saturday evening.

Cutting the cake for the second time.

Nestled in the vegetation of Florida’s A1A up against the Atlantic Ocean is Disney’s Vero Beach Vacation Resort. In a setting of smiling and friendly Disney employees about 64 family members and friends gathered to celebrate Mickey and Marti’s 50^th wedding anniversary. There was a slide show of pictures of the couple from their childhood days to the present.

Tasty hors d'oeuvres were served and a buffet dinner was set up with a choice of fish, meat or fowl as the main dish. After the dinner we all received a piece of “wedding cake” (50 years old?)

There was dancing.

The first couple.

and games.

The first one to reach the MC, wins!

To top off the evening five of their grandsons got together as a quintet and played “In the Mood.” Instruments included a marimba, saxophone, trumpet, tuba and drums.

The Grandsons Five.

John and Pat Miller, Charlie and Ann Belmont, Dot and Paul Morin and Bob and Vicki Pearce were there from the Sunshine Chapter to wish the happy couple well.

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Bob, Vicki, Pat and John had decided to make a full weekend of the opportunity and on Saturday afternoon drove north on A1A up to Sebastian Inlet and were fortunate to see 10 manatees coming through the inlet to the Indian river.

The white slices on their backs are the scars from boat propellers.

More pictures around WDVR.

The beach behind the resort.

What to do with a towel?