Paradise Bay Activities Committee
Minutes of December 8, 2025
Meeting was called to Order at 10:00 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Prayer: Lead by Donna M.
Present: Carl Kerr – Co President; Jim Gath – Co President; Lee Stephens- Vice President; Debbie Freeman – Secretary; Donna Matteson, Assistant Board Member; 12+ Committee Members.
Reminder: Everyone was reminded to sign in
Co-Presidents’ Report: Jim Gath Could do with a few more golfers on Tuesday showing up, it could of course be because not everyone is here or coming back? But as Jim says “you only need 8” to get a round going for the league. We discussed how much it costs “walking, a round of 9 holes and Pinewood’s club membership $200 package. But, Jim also, he will consider looking at a couple other clubs this upcoming year and see what they have to offer Paradise Bay as a league, and see if it is time for a change. Some of us said we would join if it weren’t so expensive, even if it meant travelling a little further.
Jim discussed Music by the Bay, December 18th, Scotty Yates at 4 pm for our Christmas music by the bay.!! There was one formal complaint in letter form to the office regarding 4 pm and music. The Board has decided that one person does not dictate the policy for 620 people. Music By the Bay stays!
Carl Kerr No hot dogs on the 3rd Monday of December due to there not being enough people in the park yet. Tom Billings is possibly questioning whether we will have Hot Dog Monday on January 5th too. But that has not changed as of this time.
Upcoming Dances! Ron Prieskorn’s DJ event, Friday December 12, 2025 first dance of the season in the hall. Also, Ron said money collected from tickets sold, is to be donated to the Paradise Bay Activities for future activities. Thank you very much, Ron Prieskorn from the Paradise Bay Activities Committee and Sara Bay Activities for your music and contribution. Next, will be the New Year’s Eve dance in Sara Bay Hall! See Gloria and Al Young for tickets, hurry. This is a great night too!!
Secretary’s Report: Debbie Freeman’s report: error was caught in time in my report and updated (Reelers) regarding an upcoming schedule event myself. Cathy M. and I discussed the “new residents and the Welcome gifts” and how to get that going. Looking for a team of volunteers to handle “welcoming our new residents” in the park. If interested, please contact Donna Matteson, Peggy Baer first; or attend the Open House January 16, 2026 Sarabay Hall and see me to discuss the plans for that day. We will have a “Welcome New Residents table” set up.
A sign-up sheet for all clubs, organizations or groups in Paradise Bay and Sara Bay wanting a table at the Paradise Bay and Sara Bay Open House was available at the meeting today. I will be contacting all of you, plus Jim’s email blast!
Funding, coffee and refreshments were discussed and handled. We will have all tables attending bring a “treat to share” for the Open House.
The minutes will stand as corrected and the new minutes will stand as posted.
A motion was made to approve by Chris M. and Donna, voted on and the “ayes” accepted.
Treasurer’s report: Carl spoke for Al, as he is not present today. There are no new changes reported yet as of last month. We did have donations from the Thanksgiving dinner and Ladies Friendship Craft Show, but they will be reported by each.
Vice President report: Lee Stephens -Construction - Electrical is working on being scheduled for the Helm house. They will be getting under the house and working on the electrical thoroughly, and the same is ongoing with the Sara Bay Hall. Ricky Baer brought up information that some permits for Sara Bay Hall were being issued today. Bathrooms in the SB hall are an ongoing project that is being taken care of, had planned on it being a 2-day job, but it’s turning into weeks’ worth of work. The digging and more that has to be done.
Regarding Laptop: Laptop has been released and returned and refund received. But the price has gone up $200 on the one needed. Lee is holding off watching prices of laptops and sales.
Tickets-Christmas Dinner-Hosting: Discussion was brought up by Lee S. on which group was hosting the Christmas dinner, added to that whether a sign-up sheet for the dinner could be made available in the Park office as well for the whole park residents interested in tickets for the dinner. But there are only 150 ticket reservations being allowed for Christmas Dinner in the park. (So, order your tickets ASAP!) A suggestion was made and an inquiry was brought up by Tom Billings of why charge $7.00, when the Park and the PBAC would pay for or donate to the holiday dinner and the monies would be given to Sara Bay since they are hosting it. At the time of this meeting, Kathy O, and Sarah K. said they would let the committee know, once they discussed it with Vi Bonnema. Further discussions from Ricky, Chris, and the Board were made on the concern of how the residents and guests in the past have attended free holiday dinners and why this year there was a $7.00 cost. Chris explained how it worked at Thanksgiving, with the cost of everything being over $700 higher than expected. And just by asking for donations on Thanksgiving Day, they ended up collecting $500. People will give if asked, Chris was trying to explain how asking for donations would possibly be a better way to do the dinner funding. We all know it isn’t a significant amount; it’s just each park’s version of their tradition or what could be best at this time for everyone; again, since there is one hall that we all share, and ideas need to be shared too.
Christmas a time of joy, happiness, love, sharing and peace..we have been through a lot since last year, let us not forget that!
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.
residents in the park too, that we would like to get them involved, so please share these opportunities with them. 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.
New Business:
Chris Matteson: Boat & Fishing Club:
Covering for Ron P. at their last Fishing & Boat Club meeting a decision was made regarding the Beans and Franks dinner; menu has changed! It will be Taco’s, more info to come, specifics have to be finely “scrunched” but it is still January 24, 2026.
Committee Reports:
Bayfest Talent Show: Debbie Freeman: March 6, 2026~ Friday evening, 6:30 pm-Sara Bay Hall; A Talent Show sign-up application is available as of December 1, 2025. The Talent Show information available in park office/SB hall and with activities meetings, etc. Or contact me. Show us what you got! Our parks have talent!! Any questions, please contact me at
Craft Shows: Dee Majewski discussed the overall turnout of the craft show and bazaar and the comparison of other bazaars. Paradise Bays Ladies Friendship Club had a great turnout and made it out fairly well. But, as far as vendors, Dee said she had only vendor make a complaint. The rest she had spoken with, told her the average cost they pay elsewhere is $40-$45 for an 8-foot table, whereas, here they pay either $15-$20 for a table. Dee also informed the committee that she had $355 in monies to turn in reimbursements to the PBAC. Next craft fair, confirmed with Lee S. is February 7, 2026
Basket raffle: At this time, Donna M. also let us know that all winning baskets were collected from the Craft show, except one! Still waiting on an orange ticket holder to respond.
Irish Folk Dance: Debbie Freeman (Me again) Starts January 9, 2026, Friday’s 10 a.m.-11:30. The Reelers will start Friday, December 12, at 11 a.m. and overlap with the Irish Country Dance in January to continue practices. All at the SB Hall.
Ladies Friendship Club: Peggy Baer speaking for -LFC meets every month, 2nd Wednesday, next meeting December 10th from 1-3 pm. $5.00 membership and a luncheon.
PB/SB 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.
Sara Bay Activities: Sarah Kohler let us know all are welcome to attend the upcoming Sarabay activities meeting December 15th, at 3:30 pm. in the SB hall.
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. December 22, 2025 at the Helm House.
Respectively submitted by Debbie Freeman
Secretary for Paradise Bay Activities Committee 12/12/2025