FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR...
Greetings Friends,
A great year is planned for you! I hope you get as much
enjoyment from the wide array of programs offered as I did
in creating them for you. But of course, I didn’t do this by
myself.
The Board of Directors of Friends is instrumental in program
planning. From the creative brainstorming sessions that
cook up ideas they are sure you will like, to reaching out
to friends and family as resources to make the programs
happen – this Board is the ultimate example of linked in!
2015 - 2016
COMMUNITY
CENTER HOURS
FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Closed
Closed
LEE COUNTY PARKS &
RECREATION OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday
Closed
FITNESS CENTER HOURS
Monday - Friday
Saturday
Sunday
7:00am - 6:00pm
9:00am - 3:00pm
Closed
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
2015
Veteran’s Day:
Thanksgiving:
Christmas:
New Year’s:
2016
November 11
November 26 & 27
December 24 & 25
December 31
New Year’s:
January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 18
Memorial Day:
May 30
Independence Day:
July 4
Labor Day:
September 5
THE MISSION OF
FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE
IS TO CREATE THE BEST
CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS FOR BOCA GRANDE.
Cover photo by: David Doubilet
2 THE HAPPENINGS/BGCC
There is a mountain of details involved in transforming an idea
into a program. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you
to our creative and dedicated staff that does just that. Many of
you met Debbie Frank last year as she was thrown into “season”
on February 1st when she started the Program Director job.
Debbie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and brings over 13
years of administrative experience to the Community Center. Her
background includes event planning, marketing, and providing
operations support, research, and management in the field of
education, the home service industry, and the entertainment arena. You will
experience her attention to detail and organizational skills in everything that we
have planned this year.
Kyle Rich was well on his way to developing a career as a DJ
when he decided to settle down a little and move back home to
Englewood. He responded to my advertisement for a sound and
lighting technician last year and showed us all his knowledge
and confidence in the sound booth. Kyle graduated from Full Sail
University in Orlando with a Recording Arts B.S. in 2011. In
addition to his technical skills, Kyle has a wonderfully creative
eye, marketing savvy and excellent customer service skills.
Notice Kyle’s touch in our email blasts and posters, as well as in
our web presence on the community calendar, and on Facebook. And you will
certainly notice an improvement in the sound and lighting of our programs!
D.J. Keisling completes the team, wearing a variety of different
hats. But first, did you know that D.J. is a full-time physical
education teacher at L.A. Ainger Middle School? When that day
is done, D.J. dons the hat of my executive assistant and keeps the
office running by maintaining all of our business systems, like
bookkeeping, donor management, and fulfilling local, state and
federal reporting requirements. Then he dons his “coach” hat,
and becomes Coach D.J. to lead our Boca Bunch group of kids in
a variety of wholesome activities. You may not even be aware of
the fourth hat the D.J. dons, because that happens when the programs are done and
everyone has gone home. D.J. is there with a mop and broom cleaning up after us.
Does the man ever sleep?
That completes the Friends staff team, but it doesn’t complete the team that makes
things happen here at the Community Center. Because, of course, Joe Wier and the
Lee County Parks and Recreation Department team enable us to deliver programs at
the Community Center. It is Lee County’s responsibility to maintain the buildings and
grounds, and support all of the groups that use the Community Center.
Please join me in thanking each and every one of these people who make it
“Our Community Center . . . Where Boca Grande Comes Together.”
Marta B. Howell
FALL 2015 | VOL 11