March 2002 Volume 6 Issue 6The Brauns

George and Lillian Braun will always remembermoving into Hawthorne because it was the monthin 1983 that our mortgage was burned. Georgewas raised in Jackson, MI and moved to Atlanta in1935, where he met Lillian, a secretary for theTrusion Steel Co. They married on Easter Sunday1938, and are celebrating 64 years. They raised ason and three daughters. Lillian also worked forthe IRS prior to retirement.

George has held various jobs during his lifetime,including working for Hires Root Beer, IndustrialTaoe Co as a District Rep., Chief Inspector in an~plane brake manufacturing plant, the furniturebusiness, and as owner/operator of Braun's GroupTours, which organized and took people all overthe world. The motto was, "Where In the WorldDo YouWant To Go?" After moving to Hawthorne,the Brauns organized and guided a HawthorneGroup tour to LasVegasfor nine consecutive years.When the Travel Club became an activity, theirguided tours disbanded.

The Braun's discovery of Hawthorne is veryinteresting. By reading the Elks Magazine, Georgecalled Orange Blossom Gardens (now The Villages)for information and was invited to visit. Duringtheir exploration, they met someone at a localrestaurant who suggested they go South - toHawthorne! As they say, the rest is history. Theylooked over our park and liked it much better thatall the others they had visited. Orange BlossomGardens was too pricey. Driving aroundHawthorne, they really liked the "lay-out", it wasn'tlike a sub-division; it was very neat, had lots ofl'--__./Ners, even out on US 27, and it was soimpressive when one drove into the park. Theyfound their home at 102 Chestnut, and the pricewas right. It had a big orange grove behind theirlot. Today horses are boarded on the adjoining

property. George made some changes in their newDevonshire style home, had it re-carpeted, andbrought their furniture from Atlanta.

Some of their fond memories of early activitiesin which they participated revolve aroundshuffleboard. They loved the activity. George ranmany of our tournaments. Lillian and George wonvarious prizes in many tournaments throughouttheir playing years. She even challengedSportcaster Mark Middleton, from Channel 2WESH TV, to a shuffleboard match. He took thechallenge, brought their crew and filmed thecontest. Lillian played a great game and beatMark! I was privileged to watch the tape of thiscompetition. George helped with the preparationsfor the event. They feel shuffleboard has becomemore professionally played at Hawthorne today,and more professional players have moved intothe park. "We have the best shuffleboard courtsin the State," says George.

Lillian wasn't ready to move to Florida in 1983,but looking back she is very happy that George'swishes prevailed. She finds Hawthorne cozy!George feels that if he could find a place anythinglike Hawthorne back in Georgia, they wouldconsider moving there to be near their children.'They've loved every minute of their stay here,despite the severe health problems of the pastyear.

Many changes have taken place in the Leesburgarea. George hopes local businesses will besuccessful with all the development. Both agreethe traffic is horrible.

Some unique experiences George shared wereabout his involvement in organizing the Bocceactivity Grand Opening in 1993. He was alsoinstrumental in the selection of replacement TV-

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4 cameras and helping develop their programs.He has also worked the spotlights in numerousHawthorne Players productions, and has servedthe Michigan Club, Shuffleboard, and the BreakfastClub.

As residents age, their priorities change in needsat Hawthorne. The Brauns today find Security veryimportant to their well-being. The immediateresponse when the red button is necessary hasproven a lifesaver for them.

Shuffleboard has been a big part of their liveshere, and Georgehas enjoyed Bocce and TVA duty.Lillian finds "crafts" are her thing, and enjoyscrocheting laprobes for local nursing homes andsome children's hats and scarfs for Habitat. Theonly thing George would change here is the ruleregarding "No Pets". He would like residents tobe able to have cats or lap dogs that stay inside.There are many articles and arguments for thetherapeutic value of pets.

Some words of wisdom Lillian offered to newresidents were, "Visit all the activities, and thendecide what you like to do, and do it!" Georgesays they should "get active as soon as they movein, to get acquainted with people, then you'll waveto everyone like we do".

Interview by Nancy Apsey

To be is to do - SocratesTo do is to be - PlatoDoBeDoBeDo - Sinatra

HAWTHORNE REMEMBERSA Publication of the

Hawthorne Historical Society

Editor George Wolf

Writers Nancy ApseyMarion LudlowMyrtis MaharayLee Manausa

Hawthorne's WalkersHawthorne walkers come in all sizes, styles, anc0

shapes. There are striders who step out vigorously,stretching their legs for a full 30·inch pace. Theseare the fast walkers who are envied by many.

Then there are those who strike out less firmly,seemingly without great effort, who manage towalk a mile in close to 15 minutes. These are thepacers who generally set the standard for the restof us to follow.

Others regard themselves as the slow walkerswho exercise with serious intent but feel morecomfortable with a leisurely pace. These seem toenjoy the slow pace more fully, for there's time forjokes and small talk.

And there are those who saunter. These walkersget in their exercise and at the same time see thewonders of Hawthorne in the early morning. Theysee "Old George," his fellow herons, and thelimpets. They spot the fish jumping in the lakeand take note of the scampering, chatteringsquirrels. They regard the lifting of the morninghaze as an unveiling of wondrous beauty.

Finally, there are the loners who hike alone; who....)meditate and do their serious thinking as theymove around Hawthorne. Forthese, group walkingis out of the question, for the group pace is toofast, too slow, too sluggish, or perhaps animpediment to orderly thinking. Among theselatter are some of our clergy, a few writers, andchess players. They walk along with head heldhigh, engrossed in a higher order of thought, bothreal and abstract.

All Hawthorne's walkers have much in common.They walk from one mile to four in their daily questof continued good health. They see the sun comeup; they commune with nature and enjoy the quietmarvels of the awakening day. One can recognizethese walkers as they pass through our Clubhouse.All seem keen of eye with a zest for living. Theywalk with a spring in the legs, and they exude anaura of self-confidence and well-being.

Many of our walkers add to their well being byundergoing stretching exercises three times weeklyin the Clubhouse after their long walks along 1Hawthorne's marked trails. <:»

Don't you think you ought to get into theHawthorne stride that fits you best?

- Joe Feol Penn Notes March 1980

Olive and Hugh Wiggins'It seems impossible for anyone to care more

'a6out and enjoy living at Hawthorne than OliveWiggins. She and Hugh were so grateful for theHickeys and Perrys of Hawthorne who introducedthem to this wonderful place. In 1984, while atHawthorne, they were "sold" immediately on livinghere and after looking at other homes, were invitedby a neighbor to look at his house at 505 PaloVerde. They bought it and furnished itimmediately. Hugh chuckled when he bought aTV at the local K-Mart and it was delivered thesame day! He was retired and spent a winter here?efore Olive retired in 1985. Hugh becameInvolved in activities, bowling, bridge and pinochle.

They had a boat and loved it. Olive rememberswhen the women wore long formal dresses to someof the dances and the Saturday night bridgeplayers utilized both the Lemon and Lime roomswit~ ~?to 24 tables. People that enjoyed bothactivities would leave their snack and drinkcontainers on a table in the hall and join the

\...-.jncers when bridge was over. But now we live in"different times".. Olive participated in Body Recall, tap dancing,

line da~clng, exercise classes, chorus, bridge,hymn sing and Nature Club. She helped organizethe Hymn Singers and brought the hymnals fromher church in Trenton, Michigan. These are stillbeing used. Her beautiful voice was heard at Vod-Vii shows and she sang with the Harmonaires, oneof her favorite activities.

~Iive has many fond memories of her years ofretirement with Hugh. He has been gone for eight~ears. T.heywere together for 52 years. Hugh isInterred In Hawthorne's Garden of Memories. Shecontinues to spend the summer months inTrenton, MI where she enjoys the families of hersix children.

The Wiggins set a trend in moving to Hawthorne.Other family in our community are the Don Hibbsand the Tom Schultes. Living alone is no problemat Hawthorne. Olive has many widows in her

i righbor hood, and she has a sense of total'security in our park.

Olive's college was interrupted by her marriagein 1942. When her two oldest daughters enteredcollege, Olive returned to complete her degree andthen entered elementary teaching in music and

Kindergarten. She remained for 25 years in theteaching field.

A city gi rl, 01ive was tra nsported to a 160 acrefarm, and at age 25 she first learned to drive - a 2Vz ton stake truck.

Olive has witnessed many changes in the areasince moving to Hawthorne. While somesupermarkets have closed and relocated, there aremore banks, churches, restaurants and TRAFFIC.

Some unique experiences have been singing inchurch choirs, playing the bells, singing in choralgroups, family excursions on the Dora Canal ontheir p~ntoon boat (Senior Citizen Play Pen),performing at Alpena's Owl Cafe, and having herown "Time for Talent" radio show at station WATZin Alpena, MI.

The advantages of living in Hawthorne are theactivities, the friendship and family atmosphere,our outstanding security, and the many availableservices both in and out of our community.

If Olive could change anything about Hawthorneit would be to add a small restaurant. But to makeeveryone happy, "I'll go along with what theresidents prefer." Her words of wisdom to newresidents were given with a smile and giggle, "Justhang in there and Hawthorne will be your favoriteplace to be."

Interview by Nancy Apsey

Do-Re-MeSinging the familiar "In The Evening By The

Moonlight", Hawthorne's newest musical groupmade its debut recently on TV4.

The Barbershop Quartet, includes: Ed Jessen,1st .tenor; Bill Lacy, 2nd tenor; Oscar Murphey,baritone: and Clyde Clements, bass. Lendingassistance in their individual part work has beenHelen Edger.

After its debut, the group became The Quartet-Plus-One, with the addition of Jim Scullin.Eventually, they hope to become the HawthorneBarbershop Chorus.

By Rae Paxton Penn Notes March 1975

The Kitchen BandI was fortunate enough to be present when the

Kitchen Band held its first organizational meeting.The meeting had not yet started and everyone wasmilling around and giving her musical instrumenta tentative toot or a timid bang.

Sophie Marlega and Millie Sears were theorganizers. One of them had seen a similar bandperform at Tavaresand the other had participatedin such a band for seven years.

Several others had previous experience too.Doris Lee has been playing an organ for ten yearsand is now going to play horn and harmonica.Blanche Dohrmann has proven to be a greatrhythm player and now wants to lend her expertisewith cow and sheep bells. Edna Patt is an oldhand at the tambourine. She has played with theHawthorne "Fun With Music" on numerousoccasions. She's a versatile musician and willpinch hit on the kazoo when she deems itnecessary.

Doris Leewas trying out her 'spoons' while TrudySpreen tentatively tapped out her own rhythm ona large cookie can. In the background RebaHeintzelman, who has played the piano for 52years, was practicing their theme song, "When TheSaints Come Marching In.'' Slowly, the groupcaught on to the catchy tune and started to givetheir version of an accompaniment. Mary Smithtapped her glasses with a spoon but had not yethit the right notes. It takes practice.

Marge Eng was not having any difficulty. Shewas equally versatile on drum, bell, grater orspoons. Lee Thomas, another virtuoso,demonstrated her flour sifter, cookie cutter, teastrainer and kazoo.

I was particularly interested in Gladys White'swashboard and thimble. Her washboard lookedlike a well-worn antique. "It is," she declared. "Igot this when I first got married." Gina Olmsteadshowed me her thimbles and washboard too. Herwashboard was even older. It had belonged toher mother and was at least 75 years old. OnnieMahan sat quietly with her cymbals and steampot, waiting for the yet to be announced program.

Sophie Marlega, the leader, said no programhad been selected and at least the first twomeetings were needed to get fully organized. Shenoted, however,that they were short of drummers.

Any volunteers?Gladys Manolaros Penn Notes June 1978

Key WestFour busloads from Hawthorne recently toured

Key West under the expert guidance of Dick RCl\l

chairman of the Hawthorne Travel Club. On t\~way home everyone discussed his or heradventures in that picturesque city. We overheardcomments such as these.

Janet & AI Bakeman said that visiting Key Westwas like looking 400 years into the past. Charlotteand Frank Brennan liked the Conch train for thescenic tour of the entire island.

Belle & Bob Clendenning recalled thespectacular Polynesian show and the succulentappetizers at the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale. Inthe same city Rose & Paul Garrick enjoyed theresort atmosphere of the Bahia Mar Motel andYacht Club.

The farms around Belle Glade with their milesof lettuce and celery impressed Howard and JanetHumbert. The mechanization used to producehuge crops of sugar cane amazed AI & GladysCasano.

The Coral Grill buffet, piled high with sumptuousfood, lingered in the memories of Bruno andSophie Marlega. Dot and Bill Wilkinson almentioned this as well as the brilliant Parrot Jungreand the orchid show.

It seems there was a consensus that one of themost enjoyable things about the visit to Key Westwas the companionship of friends and neighborsfrom Hawthorne.

As for us, we liked all of it, especially the Conchtrain, conch chowder, and the Conchs (the natives),and just being konked out from the long ride home.

- Elnora Bolan Penn Notes Jan 1980

EDITORIAL

Today's edition is our final report to ouresteemed readers until the fall. While we cannotlive in the past, being reminded of past events ispleasant and gives us impetus to enjoy ourpresent activities. May your summer bring manypleasant days of relaxation and happiness. J

- George Wolf