People of Heritage Harbour
The people of Heritage Harbour live in Stoneybrook, Lighthouse Cove, and River Strand. We are people of all ages, ethnic groups, and backgrounds. Each person has an interesting story to tell. Because of our busy lives, we probably don’t know many of our neighbors, especially in other areas of our community.
This page of our web site will help us communicate with each other and learn more about the people of Heritage Harbour. “Reporters” in neighborhoods or areas will tell us about topics such as new residents, birthdays, anniversaries, hobbies, major accomplishments, etc. For example “Around the Loop” could report news about Stone Harbour Loop in Stoneybrook. Feature articles (“Know Your Neighbors”) will introduce us to one individual or family in more detail. Opportunities for volunteer service can be announced. The possibilities are endless. To make this page work, we will need a “People” editor and a number of volunteer reporters. Start thinking now about how you can contribute to this effort.
Chuck and Cathy Faust
While some residents sit back and enjoy Heritage Harbour, others work endless hours to help improve our community. Many of those residents happen to be married couples, who work together, supporting their partners’ endeavors. Chuck and Cathy Faust are one of those couples who moved to our community, noticed what needs were present, and selflessly acted for improvement for all of us.
The Fausts moved from Pittsburgh to Stoneybrook in September of 2004. Working together was nothing new for them, since they have done so since high school. Chuck had just retired from the superintendent’s position of Baldwin Whitehall school district, a school district of 5,000 students. Cathy left behind her librarian position at Whitehall Public Library. They were eager and ready to put their energy to work in their new home. They took different routes, but worked side-by-side to reach their goals.
In 2006 a group of residents formed to optimize the potential of our community. The original group consisted of Chuck Faust, John Larranaga, Barb and Gene Aulenbach, and Harrietta and Phil Martinetti. Phil and Chuck co-chaired this group which became our Optimization Committee. The group worked with Lennar to testify and take positions on planning commission issues. They were part of a strong unit that opposed the Cemex Plant. When Stoneybrook II was in planning stages, they suggested a larger recreation center than originally planned, resulting in that change, plus plans for a pool, cabana-like picnic area, and more storage. They are currently working to convert the craft room at our present recreation center into something more useable. The Optimization Committee meets together every other month. They then meet with Lennar for resolutions of community issues.
The Helping Hands Committee of Stoneybrook, and the Welcome Aboard Committee (which is no longer active) were both a result of the Optimization Committee. Subcommittees also developed, such as the Finance Committee, which meets regularly to help develop the budget. They also work to develop an understanding of the operations of the community and facilitate a transition in the future when the community takes over the operation from Lennar. Another subcommittee is the landscape committee which works with Lennar and TruScapes to oversee our landscaping, ponds, and lakes. Neighborhood Watch was also a result of this committee.
It’s a huge task to oversee this committee! When Chuck originally agreed to co-chair, he talked about individuals not holding their positions forever. Change is sometimes good, bringing new ideas and energy into the positions. However, he held the position of co-chair for four years.
Chuck was recently elected to Community Development District South. This is also a very demanding position, taking up time both preparing for and attending meetings. He came to the realization that he had retired to golf and travel and he was having a difficult time fitting entertainment into his volunteer work. Consequently, he stepped down from the Optimization Committee, hoping someone will pick up where he and Phil left off.
Cathy Faust and several of the ladies of Stoneybrook sat at a coffee four years ago, in February of 2006 and talked about ways that they could get to know each other better. The result was the Harbour Hatties, which is similar to Red Hats, but not part of the national organization. Betty O’Connor was the first chair. The ladies met at Friendly’s for lunch to create their group and their first outing was to Circus Sarasota. Three months later Cathy became the “chair” because she was a year round resident. The National Organization head is called the “Queen,” but Cathy claims she never wanted to be “Queen.” She may not be the queen bee, but no one will deny that she is a very busy bee. She has worked extremely hard for the Harbour Hatties, striving to provide enjoyable and varied outings for the group. The Hatties group has grown to 54 ladies, representing nine countries; Bolivia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Poland, South Korea, and the United States. I do have to admit that with Cathy’s eastern accent, I thought I was joining the Harbour “Hotties,” but that probably hasn’t influenced the high membership count.
After planning an outing a month for the last four years, Cathy claims to have eaten a lot of food, traveled a lot of miles, shared a lot of laughs, and raised a lot of money with the Harbour Hatties. The philosophy of the national organization is to just have fun and go to lunch. Cathy’s philosophy has been that “even though we are older, we have a lot of energy, time, and money, so why not do something good for others?” To add enjoyment for the younger members of our community, Breakfast with Santa has become an annual event of the Hatties. They also run a bake sale at the annual community garage sale with profits going to Feed the Hungry. Other favorite activities have been the Mount Dora bus trip, and many, many lunches! The group has collected over 100 used cell phones for Hope Family Services that have been given to families for emergency help.
Cathy has published “News Around the Neighborhood” for Harbour Hatties on a monthly basis and planned six community bus trips to statewide events.
Recently Cathy also decided it was time for somebody with new ideas to take over her position as chair. She will be “heartsick” if no one volunteers to take over the leadership. She will not be stepping back and doing less for our community however. Cathy helps with several of the potluck planning committees, is an extremely active member of Helping Hands, and continues to plan community bus trips.
The community wishes many relaxing times for both Chuck and Cathy as they work as hard at relaxing as they do helping our community. Thanks for all you have both done for us and continue to do!
OFF TO THE MAJORS
by Lou Brodersen
After several seasons as the closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, one of the National League’s top relief pitchers, will be wearing a different uniform come this spring.
Stoneybrook homeowner Matt Capps has been signed to be the closer for the Washington Nationals. The 26-year-old Georgia native signed the night before Christmas for $3.5M with a $425,000 performance bonus. He had been non-tendered by the Pirates, opening the doors to many teams, including the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.
Over the past three years, Capps racked up 66 saves and a 3.05 ERA. In 2007-08, he was ranked among the Top 5 NL closers. Last year, he did have some pitching woes, however, that’s all behind him now.
“It’s going to be an exciting year,” said Capps. “I am looking forward to playing with the Nationals “.
“When I saw that Matt was available, I couldn’t believe it,’ said Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo. “I definitely, definitely wanted him.”
A major leaguer since 2005 (all with the Pirates), the Nationals will also assign his old Pirates’ number (55) to him.
The 6-2, 240-pound righty, who throws in the high 90’s, will report to spring training this month in Melbourne, FL. His first Major League game will be Apr. 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Nationals will play against the Marlins several times in Florida (Miami) during the season.
So, some Stoneybrook residents are probably saying: “I saw him on TV, but he was in uniform. Does he really live here?” Like Patti and I, who are more recognized by people as our Golden Retriever Beau’s “parents”, Matt and his wife, Jenn, are the couple you see walking or over in the dog park with their Golden Retrievers, Piper and Hudson. They do really live here and will be back at season’s end. We wish you all the best, Matt and Jenn. (Picture is Matt Capps and Zack Brodersen)
Lou Brodersen spent 33 years as a newspaper sports journalist in Connecticut. He is past chairman of the Associated Press Sports Editors (Northeast) and Connecticut Sports Writers and Broadcasters.
Meet Your Neighbor, Kathryn West
Perhaps our oldest resident of Stoneybrook, and definitely one of the most interesting residents is Kathryn West. Born in Brooklyn, New York in May of 1914, Kathryn today is a very energetic and lively 95 year old.
Kathryn met her first husband, Ronald West in 1925. She was just 11 years old when he moved to the United States from England. The couple enjoyed ice skating and roller skating together as children. They were married in 1934, when Kathryn was 20 and had four children, Ronald Jr., Kenneth, Gordon, and Heather during their twenty-three years of marriage. Ronald died of lung cancer in 1957, which left Kathryn alone to raise her children.
Worrying about how she would care for children on her own, Kathyrn called the local school and inquired about employment. The elementary principal hired her as the school secretary. Anyone who has ever known an elementary secretary knows that they are the heart of the school. The teachers, parents, and children adore them! Kathryn was no exception. She loved her job and worked at the school until she retired to move to Florida. “The party they gave me when I left was unbelievable! Everyone came to say good-by.”
Six years after Ronald’s death, Kathryn met John Gursky at an Elk’s Club dance. Always a lover of dancing, Kathryn was dancing a “whistle dance” when she turned to become John’s partner. He told her he was really glad to be her partner, because the woman he had been dancing with was a “terrible dancer and had been stepping all over his feet.” They later took a ride in his sporty MG. Nine months later they were married. He was a widower with no children, but was willing to become a father to Kathryn’s four children who ranged in age from 13-21. Kathryn describes John as a very loving, kind man, who was a very good father to her children.
The Gursky’s were married for fourteen years when they came to Bradenton to visit a friend. They immediately fell in love with the Manatee River and the surrounding area. They purchased a house on the river, down the street from their friend, retired, and moved to Florida in 1975. They continued to follow their love of dancing. They were active in ballroom, square, round, and swing dancing. Kathryn confides that she will still swing dance when she hears the right music today.
In 1978 John died suddenly of a heart attack, which made Kathryn a widow once again. This time her children were all grown and living their lives on their own.
Two years later she met Sam Plotsky, a farmer from the Catskill Mountains and a hotel worker, who shared her love of dancing. Sam had come to Sarasota for a three month vacation and never returned to New York. He dated Kathryn for five years before he convinced her to remarry in 1985 when she was 70 years old. They were married for four years when he died of cancer in 1989.
Kathryn never remarried. She has been very independent for the last twenty one years. When her house on the river became too much to care for she sold it and moved to Stoneybrook. Although she keeps in close touch with her dear friends on the river, she claims “you can’t have better neighbors” than the ones she has in Stoneybrook.
Besides her love of dancing, Kathryn was once a very active member of the Bradenton Shuffleboard Club and traveled to tournaments around the state. She claims she was good, but never as good as her husband, Sam, who had several trophies. It was not unusual for Kathryn and Sam to bicycle from downtown Sarasota to Lido beach and back, then play shuffleboard all afternoon, go to Bradenton Beach afterward, then go dancing into the evening! She remembers working hard all weekend getting chores done at home so she could dance and play shuffleboard all week long. All of this for a woman in her 70’s!
Kathryn also loves to travel. When she was 74 years young she went on a safari in Kenya where she took a hot air balloon ride. When the balloon landed they had a champagne brunch with zebras and wild animals surrounding them. She also has taken a cruise to Monaco, traveled to Belgium, Holland, France, Switzerland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Austria where her eldest son, Ronald lives. Although her travel has slowed down the last few years, her travel tales are wonderful tales of adventure.
Today Kathryn spends most of her days at home, cleaning her own house and visiting with neighbors. Recently, she is suffering from macular degeneration. With the use of a video magnifier she is able to read the newspaper everyday and read her recipes so she can continue to bake, which she finds enjoyable.
When asked about her “secret” to a long life, Kathryn just shrugs her shoulders. “My mother lived to be 106. I guess the secret is just to have good genes.” She claims that she never really was a healthy eater until the last few years, but she was never a smoker. However, lots of exercise and an enjoyment of people certainly hasn’t hurt her health! If you get the chance, get to know Kathryn! She has some wonderful stories to share! Story written by Stoneybrook resident Jan Lane.
The Last Good Pitch
When you get to a certain age, in my case, 70, you would rather forget birthdays.
I can remember those times when presents were usually a blue button-down shirt, stripe tie and argyle socks. Later came cans and cans of tennis balls (I was a player then). Can’t forget those tee shirts: You are the Greatest Grandpa.
Finally, my lovely wife Patti would always throw a surprise party on those decade birthdays, beginning at age 40. It had to be the free food and drinks because I didn’t think I had that many friends.
As I said, No. 70 came on June 27, 2009. Three weeks before, I was told what my birthday gift would be: Throwing Out the First Pitch at the Rays-Marlins’ Game on June 27th.
Patti and our two sons, Rob & Jeff, put it together, although I think the younger one (Rob) was the real force behind it. Oh, Rob is VP of Champs Sports. Strict orders from the trio: You throw from the mound.
Twenty-one days to think about it. I was a jock and did 
pitch four years in high school and was good enough to attract an offer from the Boston Red Sox (Class D in Iowa). Also, I am in the Slow pitch Hall of Fame. So, what’s the big deal! One pitch and it’s over.
Now, 50 years later, the body has changed. The arm isn’t what it use to be and 60 feet, 6 inches seems like a long ways from the rubber to the plate. Don’t panic, I told myself. But, I did.
First thing I did, was call son Rob and asked him if he could get me a date at Pirate City and let me try and throw. Once there and 20 minutes of throwing, I knew I could do it. I did go the following week to double make sure.
The week of (27th was a Saturday), ESPN decided to do a blooper program on people throwing out first pitches. Only one person threw off the mound. All the others, in front of it. In all cases, nobody got it to the plate, even on a roll.
Friday night, Patti had about 60 people over at Stoneybrook Restaurant for a pre celebration. More mound jokes. That night, I shot up in bed, woke Patti up, and said: “My sneakers are dirty and 34,000 people will be watching me. Maybe, I should wear loafers? However, the grounds people wet down the mound and what happens if I slip and fall?
Patti got out of bed, turned on the closet light and came out with a pair of sparkling white tennis sneakers, which have been sitting there for years, untouched.
The big day began at 2:30 when in walked my two sons (lawyer son Jeff flew in from Connecticut) to take me to Tropicana Field. I was able to watch batting practice on the field and meet Mgr. Joe Maddon and players Carlos Pena and David Price.
Also, I had a bird’s eye view of the stands starting to fill up. Forgot to tell you that besides the Battle of Florida baseball game, singer Pat Benatar was performing after the game.
Now I was getting nervous.
Three hours later, the Rays handed me a game jersey with Brodersen 70 on the back and a ceremonial ball. It was time. As I started out to the mound, I glanced at the big scoreboard and saw myself on the screen. The PA announcer gave a little Brodersen intro along with a happy birthday.
On the mound, I looked at my catcher. It was Rays’ rookie pitcher Jeff Nieman. What a target! He’s 6-9.
Well, I did it. Not a strike, but if you were Nieman in the batters’ box, maybe it was. The festivities continued with another party at the field with more family and friends. Now, any ideas for my 80th?
Lou Brodersen spent 33 years as a newspaper sports journalist in Connecticut. He is past chairman of the Associated Press Sports Editors (Northeast) and Connecticut Sports Writers and Broadcasters.
What is Retirement?
One definition of the word retirement is given as - removal or withdrawal from service, office, or business.
Another definition is: 1) to withdraw, as for rest or seclusion 2) to move back or away; recede 3) to withdraw from one's occupation, business or office; stop working 4) to fall back or retreat, as from battle.
We moved to Heritage Harbour five years ago and were determined to be “retired” but we had no idea what that stage in our lives had in store for us. We both had just “retired from full time jobs which we loved because of their versatility and challenge and we were ready to step into our new roles. We had the blessings of our children – Go, they told us, enjoy yourselves – you both worked hard and deserve this “retirement”. How many of you have heard those same words!
Now we were “retired” in a brand new State, a brand new home with brand new furniture and NO friends. The neighbors were strangers. The stores had strange names. We heard cows mooing in the near distance and it was really warm in December! It took a few weeks to gather ourselves and then bravely venture to COFFEE on a Monday morning. Suddenly, our neighbors were no longer strangers! So many of us had the same story traveling from near and far – we embraced each other in this beautiful community and became acquaintances and friends – the circle every widening – no longer the newcomers but now the welcoming committee.
The children now have to track us down. They laugh and tell us we are more social than they are. Our northern friends call and leave messages wondering where we are and what we are doing. Relatives and friends visit and meet our “family of friends” here in Heritage Harbour and are amazed at the way we have found each other and how much we enjoy each other – how we know we can depend on each other during periods of need and how we can laugh and play and reach out and help others in and outside the community.
It is not strange that the definition of “retirement” does not truly pertain to the folks we know here in Heritage Harbour. We may have withdrawn from our careers but we have taken on new purposes in life. The definitions cited above seem “negative” and there is absolutely nothing but “positive” going on in this community.
To those of you who have not yet come to COFFEE, please do come and meet your neighbors. Come to Pot Luck and feel the camaraderie of your neighbors. Come taste the delicious offerings from the great cooks who live next door or down the block. Spend $10 and join the monthly Bingo games – your may win the jackpot. Go bowing with the “boys”. Join the Harbour Hatties who truly know how to have fun. Become a Helping Hand – reach out to those who are in need. Attend Optimization Meetings – get to know what is going on and what is needed in YOUR neighborhood.
If you are “retired” – revitalize your body and mind – share your experience. If you are still far from “retirement” –your energy, your zest for life, your ideas, and your presence is needed – and appreciated.
Withdrawal, removal, falling back and stopping – sorry, negative words.
Joining, loving, friendship, embracing life – good, positive feelings