Paradise Bay Activities Committee
Minutes of November 24, 2025
Meeting was called to Order at 10:00 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Present: Carl Kerr – Co President; Jim Gath – Co President; Lee Stephens- Vice President; Donna Matteson - Debbie Freeman – Secretary; 16+ Committee Members.
Reminder: Everyone was reminded to sign in
Co-Presidents’ Report: Jim Gath Park activities are picking up around the park. The calendar is kept up to date online and in paper, and people are showing up! Carl and Jim and working to make sure all the park activities are happening! Could do with a few more golfers on Tuesday showing up, Al J. had to play a couple times on his own ☹
Carl Kerr hot dog’s 1st and 3rd Mondays! Tom B. and Carl are thinking about adding/switching hamburgers and brats one Monday a month, maybe? A new grill has been purchased; receipts still need to be submitted to Park office for reimbursement. Sue C. is donating an extra propane tank? (think it’s propane. said “tank’) opened with welcoming our new Treasurer to the Paradise Bay Activities
(Carl & Jim) not sure if there will be Music by the Bay in December. Mary Fox made a suggestion that she has a friend that would like to join and play. He needs to contact Jim. But any person playing or wanting to play here; usually needs to have their own group established and scheduled to play.
April’s Resignation-Park Manager: the Board is handling that, April has agreed to stay until the a new park manager is trained.
Secretary’s Report: Debbie Freeman’s said copies of the last minutes are available today and in the park office and have been emailed out to everyone. Updates I have received: Debbie Greeves mentioned correct recognition should be given to Nancy Contri for handling the upcoming Terry Lee Ridley concert.
Susan Miller sent me a reminder: Blood Drive – December 6, 2025, 9 am – 2 pm; bus will be parked by the Paradise Bay Rec. Hall. Virginia Reelers now have a scheduled practice time: December 12th and 19th, at 11 a.m. SaraBay hall, and continue January, starting the 9th with the Irish Folk dance at 10 a.m. Anita Cook noted the need for the correction on Jean and Tom Colson’s last name (thank you)
Al Jauquet, Treasurer updated his email:
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 treasury report shows as of April 17th, 2025 a balance of $9012.43. Since then, we have had:
- July 4th celebration/ A couple Music By the Bay- Costs: $500 each.
- Laptop – Lee Stephens Vice President (Calendar work Park) $481.00
- Pickle Ball Court shared expense - $391.00
- We have actually spent since our last report $2376.87 and took in $119.00. Our present balance being $6754.56
- Cash reserve not in bank: $80.00
- Pledge: Anita Cook - $1000 – (Historical, pictures etc.) work
- Questions brought up by Sue Cassidy making sure Stan Hellenbrand is paid for work regarding library. This should be handled by the park office. Sue Cassidy has receipts that needs to be reimbursed by PBAC.
- Realistically taking the account into balance, it would be: $5815.88 today.
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made. Motion was made by Chris Matteson and second by Peggy Baer. All in favor, “ayes” accepted. This report will stand as read and posted.
Vice President report: Lee Stephens said as the park fills up for the season, it gets busier and Lee will try to add the additional activities. Be patient, she will see to it, best way to leave her messages or information is through her email. The groups that are up and running are merging and some groupings are “playing” well together. For example: Ukelele entertainment while you play cards!
Construction Issues and Manatee County: has been delayed three weeks, in the middle of all the permit processing, the Building Dept. decided to move their headquarters to Lakewood Ranch. Due to their moving and set up, our permits are pushed back more! But, as a reminder, when construction is scheduled in a particular area, there will be no activity allowed at the same time during construction. Lee commented that she foresees this year as a tougher year than last year in a different way; only because of the construction process, but it is a necessary evil and we need it. Activities, events may be moved, rescheduled or cancelled.
Bathrooms: For major events these bathrooms will be available and other options are being looked into for this upcoming season: Sara Bay Hall has working bathroom in the hall-billiards room and the Sara Bay Bath houses (during major events) Paradise Bay: drawings, engineering and permitting are an ongoing process, but priority is one major building at a time. Just getting the Manatee County to approve stuff is the issue. We need to be careful, what is left opened regarding bathhouses, bathrooms etc. because we do not want outsiders coming in using the restrooms etc. Discussion of “FOBS” system were brought up regarding bathrooms, by Sarah Kohler. At this time Kelli and a board member are looking into that option too. Another idea is the 3-bathroom air-conditioned trailer that can be rented for a price of $3500 a month, again this will be discussed with the Board.
Regarding Laptop: at this time there is some confusion on the laptop, it had to be returned, and another ordered. Due to delivery and where it returned to there is a credit, payment, delay processing issue that will gradually resolve itself. Lee just wanted us to know that.
Positive thinking ~ soon we will have a beautiful updated park!! Keep looking forward people!
Old Business: Carl K. Bayfest March 7, 2026 Bayfest Theme: Favorite Movie If any volunteers not able to volunteer this year for Bayfest events, please let us know as soon as possible. We will need to get on the ball and solicit new volunteers. There are a lot of new residents in the park too, that we would like to get them involved, so please share these opportunities with them.
George M. is handling the Games, and we have a plan on set-up in the Pickle Ball surrounding area that will work this year, rather than within the courts. Food this year for the Bayfest? Any suggestion?
Usually we have hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches; we are open to new ideas and suggestions, as an add etc.
Bayfest Talent Show Re-Schedule: We have scheduled the talent show for a Friday evening, March 6, 2026-6:30 pm and rehearsal Wednesday, March 4th, - 4 pm at the Sara Bay Hall. Decision to have it separated from the Saturday festival would make it easier on all those torn between games, eating and volunteering. Now anyone can participate Friday evening! Now, we will have a Bayfest weekend.
Get your performance piece ready, Talent Show forms are going out first week of December.
New Business: Thanksgiving Dinner – Kim Hopkins and her sisters are volunteering to handle the cooking and preparations of the holiday dinner for the park. Kim and John Hopkins are present to update on the Thanksgiving dinner. Expected count, Chris M. said about 200, access for wheelchairs was also discussed. Setup for outside seating, weather permit was discussed. All volunteers and jobs are already organized and is a go! Sarah K. Kelli, Sue, have it posted on Team Reach, Monday, November 24, was clean up day at the hall, in preparation for the dinner and was hoping for a good turnout of volunteers.
Scheduled contact to reach PBAC members: Discussion was brought up by Carl K. and I regarding messages, emails, and phone calls through out the day and evenings. It has been decided that it would be appreciated that if you have a request or need to discuss an activity outside our regular board meeting times; that you can contact one of us during the week between 10 am and 2 pm. We will too, try to get back to you or handle the request as soon as possible.
“Bring Back” Hosting Holiday Dinners in Future: Chris Matteson, John Hopkins, Carl Kerr, Jim Gath, myself, Anita Cook, Lee Stephens, Peggy Baer, George Mullen… maybe more? It is well known that the same bigger clubs in the park manage the holiday dinners. But it is the same ones for a long time, and Chris mentioned he would like to see it rotated and that the same group should not have to do it every year. But the discussion came up that there are other clubs, that could do it in the upcoming year(s). Or on a rotational schedule. John H. mentioned it is becoming a lot of work for one club to do all this, it is a lot of work. So, if we want to keep these wonderful gatherings going, we need more groups step up. We are thankful for the great cooks, especially Kim Hopkins who has handled so many of our park dinners, and servers and volunteers that do all this for us right now, but they too have to be considered and deserve a break. We are all part of Paradise Bay and Sara Bay. So, if there are more helpers and cooks in other clubs that want to find out more about how we can work together on this idea, show up at our future meetings or send us a message.
Suggestions were offered like: A couple smaller clubs working together to handle one of the holiday dinners. Or, a smaller club work with one of the regular clubs presently doing it, this way too, they would get the recognition of what their club did. Or some of the other major clubs handle a park holiday dinner. More discussions will be needed shortly on this, but we would like to hear from all the clubs and organizations in the parks. We will also be promoting this at the Welcome Open House for discussion, to clubs and newcomers.
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. She also updated us on Share craft (Gail Crocker) First activity will be January 7th, 2026 from 10-12 pm. and Bunni believes it will be a “card making project”
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 1st of December, available in park office/SB hall and with activities meetings. Or contact me. Show us what you got! Our parks have talent!! Any questions, please contact me at
Boat & Fishing Club: George Mullen. 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. *George asked that this information be included in the Welcome packet. I informed him and all the clubs present that any information about their clubs that they would like included in the Welcome packet needs to be emailed to me soon, as I am now putting those packets together and will be contacting all the clubs to see who will be attending.
*Carl K. mentioned the Fishing club just bought a new ice machine, located behind the maintenance shed. There are also bags for the ice available.
Cards & Games: Mary Fox Euchre-Monday’s /6:30 pm/SB Mary just confirmed that Euchre will start in January, and Carl K. suggested as a backup, if the hall has construction going, please use the Helm House if it is not booked. It has adequate room and is set up to accommodate games as well and much work has been done on this building.
Christmas Luminaires-PB: Anita Cook will need volunteers this year, Christmas Eve (Wednesday) and it might be the last year for jugs, so everyone will either need to come up with jugs or start using the paper bags, and there would be the issue of where to store the jugs. Anita thanked the PBAC for the purchases last year of battery candles and supplies. She is also able to keep those supplies and bags in a storage area in the office. Carl K. let her know too, any additional supplies Luminaires needs to let PBAC know and we can order them in time.
*Last year, Peggy and Ricky Baer and Carl Sheddan and Rita Foley handle the lighting around the entrance areas. We need volunteers to help with the whole park this year too. *Mention of the Drone picture last year was amazing and having it again would be awesome?? *Getting info out on the Facebook,
email, news showing how wonderful the Luminaires contribution to Christmas is (or a replay of the drone view-not sure how to word this.) Get others involved!
Christmas Luminaires-SB: Sarah Kohler will continue the same starting at 5:30 pm., putting out the Luminaires out along the Sara Bay streets in the park. Along with that at 6:30 pm. Anyone from both parks, friends and neighbors join us caroling. We can make it through three streets, that’s as far as their voices can hold up, makes sense!
Afterwards – we have a little corner where we can gather in the hall and have some Christmas cookies etc. please join us.
Carl K. and Sarah K. information regarding the sharing of the costs of the Christmas dinner between both parks was confirmed. Sarah understands, and assured the PBAC that Cindy had discussed it with the captains and it is agreed.
Coffee Hours-Activities Meetings:
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. Also the Constitution Alive class has been said to be well worth attending, so much to learn, very knowledgeable.
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 : George and Margie Rogalski
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. 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. 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 a.m.-11:30. The Reelers will start 2nd Friday in December at 11 a.m. and overlap in January to continue practices. All at the SB Hall.
Ladies Friendship Club: Peggy Baer speaking for -LFC meets every month, 2nd Wednesday, except April. Upcoming events: Craft Show – Dec. 6, 2025, Craft show, Luncheon – Chicken salad/pulled pork sandwiches, bake sale and Raffle; doors open from 9-2 p.m. and donuts and coffee available from 8 – 9 a.m. Dee has coordinated set up with office and maintenance, hall is closed the day before for setup. Sue Miller will have the Blood Mobile same time as Craft Show again.
Library: Susan Cassidy the library as you can see is finished.
Newsletter; Veronica McManus
Shuffleboard Courts: Chris Matteson Courts are ready. Shuffleboard has started, daily 12:30, Sundays at 2 pm. And it’s “Open” Make sure to check which court is “beaded” see sign on door. Friday “Shuffling Under the Stars”, at 6:30 pm. if you decide to go ~bring a dish to share.
Travelog: Sarah K. will be holding their first session on December 6th at 6:30 in the SB Hall. They will be covering the South Pacific Islands. December 20th, they will be covering the minority Villages of Southern China. Sarah is looking for a good source of popcorn, if anyone knows?
Welcome Open House Debbie Freeman January 16, 2026, Friday 1-3 pm, Sara Bay Hall. I will be contacting all the clubs, groups to see who will be needing a table at the 2026 Open House, the first week of December. Also, please send me any information regarding your club, contact, time and place so that I can include that in the Welcome packet. Bayfest Talent Show form for performers is available as of December 1, 2025, park office, SB hall and through myself and at activities meetings.
Other News: Carl Kerr and Jim Gath mentioned giving Karen Rimatzki a position of “Ombudsman” not sure if that is the correct title. But one that will keep them in line regarding rules and regulations for all the clubs. Because Karen is very wise on all that. She also helped Lee get the Calendar program/activities prepared for this season. Thankful for all her help.
Meeting ended - Motion to adjourn was called….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 11/24/2025