…with apologies to Dave Barry, the TWRT presents the highlights and lowlights of Tanglewood from 2024.  Starting in…

JANUARY – The Quest for the Missing Medallion opened the year, with scores of residents looking for the $200 prize.  Sponsored by the TWRT, it was a shameless ploy to increase readership.  And it worked.  The TMAC Elections were held on the 15th.  Gary Braun was re-elected President of this prestigious group. The Welcome Committee sponsored its now-annual Gala for new residents on the 26th, and Diversions entertained a roomful of hopeful smarties at its Trivia Night.

FEBRUARY –  The Medallion was finally found and the $200 prize claimed by Ann and Dave

Conner on the 6th.  Pot Luck Dinners resumed, and the Variety Show packed the house.  Kendra Sloan and the Special Meals Committee gave us a Golden Wedding Anniversary party, complete with a slide show, period music (from 1974) and a great meal.  Which carried us over to…

MARCH – Diversions brought us an original two-act play, “Moving On” to open the month.  Management sponsored the semi-traditional Resident Appreciation Days, although fewer and fewer Committees ran events.  And Barbara VanDick won the Spelling Bee again, taking home $50, plus bragging rights and a monster chocolate chip cookie.  The Library Committee ran its Edible Books contest, featuring some very ingenious creations.

APRIL –  Activities start slowing down as the Snowbirds return to their northern

nests.Those of us remaining were entertained by Special Events’ ABBA show on the 14th.  The World Series Bean Bag Baseball tournament wound down their season with some exciting games.

MAY –  Things took a dark turn in our fair park when Hometown America ruled that non-residents were no longer welcome at our Special Events shows or Dances.  Attendance at these functions took a nose dive.  The Outdoor Decorating

Committee held a sell-out Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, and Jan Nicoline organized a Memorial Day Picnic.  For residents only, of course.  And the weather heated up, big-time.

JUNE – Chair Volleyball gets popular, as we look for ways to amuse ourselves without actually being outside.  The Party Dance Crew cancels all its dances and fundraisers.

JULY – Our wonderful Billie leaves us and moves to Orlando.

  …sigh…  Billie was the force behind the calendar where we could see the    schedule and book our activities ourselves.   …double sigh…

AUGUST – In these dog days, the TWRTimes committee started researching a new look.  This would take a couple of months.  Meanwhile, we were treated to the Summer Art Walk and the Staff-

Resident Water Volleyball tournament.  That’s about it.  Until…

SEPTEMBER –  In no particular order, AnneMarie was promoted to Activities Director, Bean Bag Baseball resumed, and the Clubhouse AND Activities Buildings were closed at the same time for major upkeeps.  Oh, and Tropical Storm Helene blew through Highlands County, but we were ready.  We had cleaned out Walmart’s entire stock of toilet paper and bread.

OCTOBER – Good thing we had a practice run with Helene, because her big brother Milton came into Tanglewood on the 9th.  Although it entered the state as a strong Category 4, it

was down to a Cat 1 by the time it came calling here.  Power was out for about 18 – 24 hours, depending on which part of the park you’re in, and there was some structural and tree damage.  Pam Batey and friends took charge of the Clubhouse (Hurray hurray) and we got through the week.  All indoor activities were canceled for the duration the Clubhouse was      used as a shelter.

NOVEMBER – We start getting back to normal, or what passes as normal in any senior

community.  The seasonal residents are trickling back and Publix is busier than ever.  We celebrate by having a Craft Fair on the 9th, a Garage Sale on the 22 and 23rd, and Special Events returns, albeit to a very small audience.

And a cold snap shivered our timbers.

DECEMBER – 

The Outdoor Decorating Committee struts their stuff with the Light Up Tanglewood festivities,     although the dance part was moved indoors due to cold weather.  The TMAC fundraiser raffle calendar sales start, with the first winner to be drawn in February with the new fiscal year.   Diversions put on another Decorated Golf Cart parade and a Christmas party afterward.

Here’s where a pithy summary or wrap-up would be if I could come up with one.  Stay tuned, maybe next year.  In the meantime, Smile and Wave.