Paradise Bay Activities Committee
Minutes of November 10, 2025
Meeting was called to Order at 10:00 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Prayer was led by Dan Smith
Present: Carl Kerr – Co President; Jim Gath – Co President; Al Jauquet – Treasurer; Lee Stephens- Vice President; Debbie Freeman – Secretary; 18+ Committee Members.
Reminder: Everyone was reminded to sign in
Co-Presidents’ Report: Jim Gath Welcomed everyone back. Jim asked about upcoming activities in the park. He mentioned FPL will be coming next week during coffee hour to update us on emergency information and what they are offering.
Jim discussed our last two gatherings for “Music by the Bay events" and how great it was. The variety of musicians, costumes, and selection of food! No Music by the Bay for November; Musicians not available that week, Marilyn’s place will be tented and Scotty offered Wednesday, but that is the same night as the popular Jam sessions in SB hall. Music by the Bay will resume in December.
Carl Kerr opened with welcoming our new Treasurer to the Paradise Bay Activities Committee, Al Jauquet. Next…Hot Dog Sales will start up on Monday, 17th of November same area as last season. He also, mentioned they did a trial run of hot dogs at our Halloween Music By the Bay and it went well. Even our neighbors the firemen got their share!
Secretary’s Report: Debbie Freeman’s said the minutes of the last meeting were previously emailed and copies passed out at the last meeting. Corrections were made for March, 2025’s report;
The minutes will stand as corrected and the new minutes will stand as posted.
A motion was made, voted on and the “ayes” accepted.
Treasurer’s report: Al Jauquet – Explained there isn’t much to report this month since our last meeting. The new accounts and signatures are being handled presently; there is $9012.43 in the Paradise Bay Activities Account. Discussion was covered on bank fee’s notifications and if we were not using an email statement and that will be handled. Carl K. also let Al know that his name is supposed to be added to the Entertainment Committee Account regarding banking. Discussion went on whether it should be “Rosie K. and Tom B. or Rosie K. and Carl K.” as signers. And again, this will all be part of the planning with future entertainment for Paradise Bay Hall.
This report will stand as read and posted.
Vice President report: Lee Stephens informed everyone of the new email address regarding calendar info and contact for her:
through April is now listed, except a few changes, and add on’s like: Terry Ridley event, Shuffleboard, The Reelers, Sarah Bay’s coffee hours.
Priority! No matter what event or activity we have going in the park, if there is construction work scheduled in that specific area or building, it will over ride your club activity or event planned that day. We are making that our primary focus to restore everything as quickly and smoothly as possible. We appreciate your understanding. Please share this with all your club members, friends and others so that they are aware, if they see sudden changes or cancellations in an activity.
Lee also updated us on Kathy Spark’s group; she will continue handling the Bayfront flowers and will keep a similar schedule. Chris Matteson brought up the topic of hosting coffee hour and “who and how” you go about getting on the list. Lee explained, there is list that has been around for a long time of the clubs that take turns handling the coffee and donuts; Sue Prieskorn and others are interested to know how a club is added to the list. Lee explained that by looking online, and if a group doesn’t want to do it this year, or wants to trade etc. any club can switch out.… Carl suggested the list of PB and SB Coffee and Donut Hosts be posted at the hall.
All this was agreed upon by Jim Gath and Carl Kerr.
Reminder to clubs hosting to share coffee and donuts for office and maintenance staff as well!
Next topic: Who to order donuts from? Bradenton, Turners, Walmart, etc. Decision was made to go back to Bradenton Donuts. Peter was seriously affected by the hurricanes, we need to support our local businesses; his donuts are a little more expensive but they are good.
Volunteers: Carl K. will meet Peter to collect the donuts, and set up the coffee early
Sue C. will continue ordering the donuts for Paradise Bay Coffee Hour
Rosie K. will collect the monies for coffee and donuts at coffee hour..
Joyce & Tom F. will continue handling the 50/50 raffles at the coffee hour
Monies for the raffles will go through Al; Joyce and Tom will need $50 ($5’s and $1’s and quarters). Al asked to be given some advanced notice if there is a request for monies etc.
A second change request was made: To change the cost of coffee and donuts to $2.00. We have not had an increase in a long time; the cost of coffee and donuts has gone up too!
All in favor was called by Carl K., everyone agreed…A motion was carried out…
Old Business: Carl K. went over “Rule Changes” and updated us on one of the original rules. We have gone back to one Vice President; Lee Stephens and she will also be our Calendar person. Discussion was covered too, regarding what can be discussed during Lee’s Park Office Hours regarding “The Board etc. questions etc…” and Carl and Lee said it looks like that is going to be manageable.
New Business: Thanksgiving Dinner – Kim Hopkins and her sisters are volunteering to handle the cooking and preparations of the holiday dinner for the park. Chris Matteson said the Park always covers the “Meat” for the dinner. He also said, because we are limited on space with the smaller hall, we are asking for $500 from the Activities Committee and Club to help with the “side-dishes/vegetables etc”. It was
asked if SaraBay Activities would share half the costs, since both SB/PB attend the dinner. Cindy Bogen (SB-Co-Captain) was present and agreed upon the request. Their team will be back in town in December and can manage reimbursement then. The deadline for signup for the dinner is the week before
Thanksgiving, and depends on capacity too. Decorations were discussed for the hall for Thanksgiving, (who/what and where) and available...
Chris M. the motion for Activities to approve the cost of $500 for the Thanksgiving dinner. Joyce F. second the motion. All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Committee Reports:
Art: Bunni Carroll Art classes: Tuesdays and Thursday ~ 9 am-Noon, Helm House. Bunni gave us an update on the remodeled Art room that they now have. Much work was done to accomplish a great start up for this club; by all the hard-working volunteers. But, at this time Bunni says it is functional, but there is still work to be done in there. (Painting, flooring, base cabinet, cutting board, drying rails etc.) Bunni would like a certain table and chairs layout set up for the Helm house too… which Lee let her know to submit a drawing of what would work. Then they can move forward with a plan.
Bayfest Talent Show: Debbie Freeman March 6, 2026~ Friday evening, 6:30 pm-Sara Bay Hall; A Talent Show sign-up application will be available December 1, 2025. It will also be posted in the hall, and offices for anyone or groups wanting to be in the show. So, we can have an idea of how many acts there will be, props, set up, music etc. needed and also, so I can “kind of” screen the acts for line up (?) and more; please start getting your “stuff” together, submit your application. The Talent Show information will be going out in December, by email blast, Team Reach, coffee hour and our newsletter. Show us what you got! Our parks have talent!! Any questions, please contact me at
Boat & Fishing Club: George Mullen One day contest on Thursday, weather permitting. January 1, 2026 starts all regular fishing contests. Next meeting: December 2, 2025, Tuesday, 9 am, (1st Tuesday of the month) free donuts and coffee! You do not have to have a boat or be a fisherman to come to our meetings! Lots of fun things always going on, birthday antics, jokes, story yarns, spankings, exaggerated fisherman tales?? We can connect you if interested with boating, getting out on the water and kayaking. Just come to the club meetings... We host a Fish Fry, Chili Cookout, Beans and Franks dinner ….
Cards & Games: Joyce Farrington Hand & Foot -Tuesday/6 pm/SB,
Dominoes-Thursday’s/SB, Mahjong-Friday’s/SB,
Fun cards-Thursday/1 pm/SB (.75 cents to play);
Pinochle-Wednesday/6 pm/H, ($1.00 to play),
Nickle Nickle/Friday’s/6 pm/ (2 quarters & $1.10 in nickels)
Euchre-Monday’s & Friday’s/6:30 pm/SB
Coffee Hours-Activities Meetings: Coffee hour every Monday except the 5th Monday of the month at 9 a.m. and will rotate hosting by Paradise Bay Activities groups and Sarasota Bay Activities groups.
Constitution Alive: Kathy Harris Starts Monday, January 12, 2026, 6 weeks, Helm House, 6:30-8 pm ~ the Constitution Video Series... 2nd Topic: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday Program ~ Focus will be the history as Americans; dances, songs, narrations on a timeline from the beginning of our history of America. January 31, 2026, 6:30 pm ~ Sara Bay Hall and free. Comments were shared of the Patriotic
program Kathy ran last year and how well it was done and such a great honorary program! Well done!
Craft Shows: Kathy Mullen was checking to see what parts of the SB halls were available for use that day (particularly the stage). Confirmation was given that they could use the stage too, for the Craft Show. Just a reminder….there is no railing at the stage…
Dances & Entertainers : Carl Kerr and George Rogalski covered the topic of our future Entertainment, entertainers, dances, present hall and the future of Paradise Bay Hall. Also, who was on the entertainer team: Carl K., Rosie K., Tom and Dee?
George discussed how the dance programs are set up:
Debbie Greeves – Terry Lee Ridley Concert – February 19, 2026
Ron Prieskorn – DJ Dance – December 13, 2025
Debbie Greeves - Eric Von & Wendall Ray – February 10, 2026 = $15.00 tickets each
Al/Gloria Young/SB – New Year’s Eve Dance – December 31, 2025
PB/Rogalski – Lisa Key – January 23, 2026
PB/Rogalski – The Boomers – February 28, 2026
PB/Rogalski - Eric Von – March 20, 2026
Al/Gloria Young -Valentine’s Dance – February 14, 2026
George and Marjorie said tickets will be sold the beginning of January for the January dance. More info to come. We are not going with “seasonal tickets” at this time. Dance tickets are going up in price, they will be $15.00 per ticket.
The New Year’s Eve dance tickets are presently available through Al and Gloria Young, there are some still available.
Golden Celebration 50+ Years: Debbie Freeman (for Mary Fox) Paradise Bay residents celebrating 50+ years. February 16, 2026~9 am, after coffee hour Sara bay hall; Mary Fox, Peggy Baer, Kathy Mullen and myself are organizing a super cool celebration for the Paradise Bay residents. Thank you to Veronica for getting the information out there for us too, If anyone knows of couples married 50+ years in the park, please have them contact Debbie at
Golf League: Jim Gath Golf league has started, almost identical to the past 20 years! Pinebrook Ironwood, 11:30 meet-up, choose teams randomly. We need golfers, spread the word for Tuesday’s league, so Pinebrook recognizes us a league. 2nd: Email Blasts: Jim will still be handling all of that. If you need an instant “blanket the park information” send an email (preferably) or call to
Irish Folk Dance: Debbie Freeman (Me again) Starts January 9, 2026, Friday’s, 10 am-11:30 ish. Combination of what some know as square dance, country dance, ceili dance and simple Irish dance steps.
Learn enough, laugh a lot, maybe even show your stuff at the Talent Show, or the St. Patrick’s dinner event??? A group is already organized that I will be teaching them their first steps for the Virginia Reel
for another club event, so hopefully I can merge both.
Ladies Friendship Club: George Mullen speaking for Kathy Mullen-LFC meets every month, 2nd Wednesday, except April. All ladies welcome, dues $5.00 annually, old news and new news, pot luck lunch served. Upcoming events: Craft Show – Dec. 6, 2025, Craft show, Luncheon, Bake sale and Raffle
Library: Susan Cassidy the library as you can see is finished. The 4 chairs were discussed, could they be removed? Several members, reasoned why it was good to keep the chairs at the Helm house. It was decided they may be a comfortable use for some of the other clubs. Decision to keep the chairs was settled. Susan would love to see donations of audio books, limited on them at the moment. Carl asked if Susan needed donations for the library, at this time they are good. She let us know Diane Gill, Mary Hellenbrand and herself are the team handling the library. The library is coming along nicely; duplicates will be sent elsewhere.
Name Badges: If anyone needs their name badge, please see Sue for the form to fill out, also available in both offices, and she will process the order as it accumulates.
Newsletter; Veronica McManus Thanked everyone for the well wishes, and the good reviews regarding the Newsletters. Following up with that, she reminded everyone of how to reach her with their events, notifications etc. The usual deadline date for submittals will be around the 20th of the month. Look for reminders in your emails, email blasts and/or Team Reach for Newsletter deadline changes. Veronica explained to us the life-threatening, experience the lightening was and all the injuries she has had to go through and she is still slowly recovering.
Pickleball: Sue Prieskorn November 1, 2025 was Pickle Ball’s start up and already we have 30 members signed up! Club play in the mornings, courts can be reserved 11:30 – 5:30 pm, then there is Open evening play. Sue mentioned to everyone, that if you see new people interested, to have them stop by any mornings. Sue is usually present then, since it is the busiest time for the courts. We have brand new nets and the wind screens have been ordered. The agreed shared payment plan was discussed; of Paradise Bay, Sara Bay and the Pickle Ball Club splitting the costs three ways. That still stands and will be paid and finalized. Sue P. submitted the receipt, Paradise Bay Activities Committee’s needs to make a check out to the Paradise Bay Pickleball Club for $391.62.
Shuffleboard Courts: Chris Matteson Courts are ready. No official start data. Come over, open all the time! Friday will be their try out “Playing Under the Stars”, if you decide to go ~bring a dish to share.
St. Patrick’s Day Program: Debbie Freeman This one is in the makings! March 17, 2026 Sara Bay Hall, 4 p.m. - ? Looking to have somewhat traditional Irish dishes, and entertainment. Need to work with activities on plans and help. More information coming,
Water Aerobics: Jean Olson with Tom Olson, Joyce and Tom Farrington as backup is announcing the 9 am class at this time. No class if the temperature is below 65 degrees. Jean discussed how the pool and aerobics works, setup and music; the situation with her health and they are moving, which changes the
long-time dedication and commitment Jean has made to keeping this great program going. A committed, possibly year-round volunteer resident will be needed to take over the Water Aerobics Program. For Jean this, the speech was quite emotional and she will be sorely missed
Waterfront Services: Dan Smith brought up the electrical storm we had here in August that blew out some to the transformers; and how it seriously effected one of our residents and member (which happened to be Veronica McManus, our Newsletter reporter) A lightning bolt that could have ended her life, and that she had ended up in the hospital because of it. Prayers were offered up, thankful that she was safe and those around us that work and live here too are all safe.
Dan said their Waterfront worship has over 100-200 people at times; and they are in their 6th year here. Dan would now like to move the Waterfront Service back to it’s original setting, being the areas are clear of debris! And of course, the hall is reserved every Sunday as well as needed. His services will start up January 4, 2026.
Welcome Open House Debbie Freeman January 16, 2026, Friday 1-3 pm, Sara Bay Hall. Great way to communicate info regarding clubs and organizations within Paradise Bay Estates and Sara Bay RV Park. Meet the representatives, get everyone involved in activities, sign up for clubs etc. Please help our new residents and visitors, make sure they come, make them feel welcome! I will be contacting all the clubs, groups to see who will be needing a table at the 2026 Open House, in the meantime, please feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or just want to sign up.
Wood Shop: Meeting Monday, November 10, 2025 ~ 1 pm Sara Bay hall. There was some confusion whether there was a meeting or if it was cancelled. Meeting confirmed for today.
Other News: Carl Kerr mentioned the lawsuit regarding the boat docks, 6th street “friend” has been settled. They will be replacing the dock, also widening the ramp and Billy will have the right to use the Boat dock for loading and unloading his boat. “Trial and Error situation” Jim Gath mentioned that once this is finished everyone will be able to use this ramp.
Paradise Bay Website Photo Collection: Debbie Freeman We are thinking of all the events and good times we have had together, and especially some of our Bayfest events (Golf Cart Rodeo, Parade etc) those pictures should be included on our website. There is an area on there, where pictures were collected over the years. Lee, and several members thought it was a good idea, further discussion on this topic is needed. But, please keep your most interesting pics, in case we figure out how we are going to do this!
The Bayfest festival will be discussed at our next meeting. The theme as a reminder is “Favorite Movie”
Some discussion was started on setup of Bayfest games and props etc. near Pickle Ball area for next year.
Meeting ended - Motion to adjourn was adjourn….by Carl Kerr
2nd by Jim Gath Motion passed
Next meeting will be Monday, at 10:00 a.m. November 24, 2025 at the Helm House.
Respectively submitted by Debbie Freeman
Secretary for Paradise Bay Activities Committee 11/17/2025