Submitted by Bernadette Vespa and photos by Brenda Moody, Rita Jones , Kathy Downer, Mary Ann Gifford. Videos Betmar Video Club
OCTOBER 20, 2026
BERNADETTE’S MESSAGE
Fall is a wonderful time to gather with friends and neighbors, and I’m excited about a new opportunity for our community to do just that.
On October 24th, we will host Betmar’s Fall Festival. The event was created with one goal in mind: bringing residents together for an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship, and a little friendly competition.
I hope you’ll come out and support this new event. If it’s successful, it could become something we look forward to for years to come. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and talents to help make it happen.
Tickets are available now at Coffee Hour and the Betmar Office. I encourage you to get yours soon and join your friends and neighbors for a memorable afternoon.
Let’s make our first Fall Festival a day to remember!
FUN FACT
On October 20, 1883, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City opened its doors for the very first performance.
VOLUNTEER SHOUT OUT
Over the weekend, we had a crew of volunteers, helping with the renovations of our Betmar Office. They removed furniture, took up old floors, scraped up the glued down residue from that old floor, cleaned the floor, hauled all of that out into a truck bed, and put down the new floor! It was hard work and they deserve our appreciation in helping to update our fabulous community!
Thank you very much, Tom Frain, Keith Rader, Mac and Michelle McKinnon, Sonny Thompson, Steve Huntley and Russ VanDam!
ACTIVITIES
*Lip Sync Routine Contest
The Lip Sync Routine Contest, originally scheduled for November 15, has been canceled due to low participation. Hopefully, we can try again next season! Thank you to those who signed up.
*Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga is held every Wednesday in CH3 at 11:30 AM (prompt start). This will continue year-round, and punch cards do not expire.
Punch cards are on sale in the office
- Newcomer Trial: 5 classes for $15
- Regular: 10 classes for $25
Important: A signed Waiver of Liability is required to participate. The office can assist if needed.
*Fall Festival
**Please note the time change for the Golf Cart Parade line up. The new time is 6:00PM.**
Join us for an afternoon filled with great food, fun activities, games, and a little friendly competition!
The festivities begin at 12:00 Noon with lunch. Choose from a hearty Bowl of Chili or two All-Beef Hot Dogs, both served with Cornbread, Hot Apple Cider or Water, and a delicious slice of apple pie for dessert.
From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, enjoy a variety of games, contests, activities, make-and-take stations, and plenty of opportunities to join in the fun.
Awards Presentation begins at 4:00 PM.
Then, get ready for our popular Halloween Golf Cart Parade! Golf carts will line up at 6:00 PM at CH2, where we’ll also crown our Best Dressed Golf Cart winners.
Think you bake the best apple pie in Betmar? Put your skills to the test by entering our Apple Pie Contest! To participate, contact Mary Spink at activitiesvc@betmar.org to enter!
Event Details
- Date: October 24
- Location: CH2 & Annex
- Tickets: $10 per person sold before Coffee Hour and at the Betmar Office
- Time: Begins at 12:00 Noon with lunch
Don’t miss this Fall Festival celebration full of food, laughter, and community fun!
*October 27th Coffee Hour
🎃👻 Coffee Hour is getting a little spooky next week!
Wear something that shows your Halloween spirit for a chance to win a prize. Whether it’s a costume, a pumpkin shirt, a witch’s hat, or just a touch of Halloween flair, you’ll be entered in the contest.
Will you bring the trick… or take home the treat? 🍬🏆
*A Friendly Reminder for Club, Department & Activity Leaders
Club, Department and Activity leaders are invited to share announcements during the last Tuesday Coffee Hour of each month. Each group is allotted two minutes to provide updates.
Because you’ll have an opportunity to speak again the following month, we ask that you focus on upcoming events, deadlines, and activities relevant to the coming month, saving longer-range announcements for a future Coffee Hour.
As our winter season gets underway and participation grows, adhering to the two-minute limit is only fair to all speakers and helps keep the program running smoothly.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support of our community activities.
*The Return of Friday Notes
Many of our Betmar Snowbirds will be returning soon, thus it is once again time to start up the weekly Friday Notes. Friday Notes are a “posted as we go” page on the Betmar Website (www.betmar.org), but once a week, a reminder with a link is emailed out on Friday at 8:00 AM.
Here’s how the coordination with Coffee News works:
The Deadline for an article in the weekly Coffee News is Sunday at 7:00 PM.
The Deadline for Friday Notes is 5:00 PM Thursday
Friday Notes are “Posted as we go”, so items that come in on Tuesday afternoon, will be posted as soon as possible, and then viewable immediately…. even though you won’t get an email reminder until Friday Morning.
A button is conveniently located on the Friday Notes page to submit your article right there. Your article will need to be submitted each week….no “please run this for 3 weeks”.
*Creative Writers
WANTED: Old Folks with Great Stories
Creative Writers is interviewing residents living in Betmar for 20 years or more.
There’s no such thing as “I don’t have anything to say.” or “My life isn’t interesting enough.” EVERYONE has a story to tell.
Tell us about your life, your life in Betmar and your hopes for Betmar’s future.
If you’re interested, call or text Debbie Archibald 216.337.8985 and she will set up your interview
*Hobby
This afternoon, hobby will be meeting in clubhouse 2 instead of the Annex. We will be working on a quilt that was donated unfinished. We will be tying it up today. If you are interested in helping out, everyone is welcome! We are not sewing, only tying. We meet at 1:00 today and every Tues. Hope to see you there!
*Karaoke
Karaoke is back! Whether you are a star in the spotlight or cheering from the audience, it should be a fun evening for everyone.
Tickets are on sale before Coffee Hour, at the Main Office, or you can pay at the door.
We will also have Share the Wealth!
- Date: Tuesday, November 3
- Time: 7pm – 10pm, doors open at 6:30pm
- Place: CH2
- Tickets: $5.00
Remember this, you don’t have to sing well…. you just have to sing!
*Betmar Bandstand
Betmar Bandstand will open this season on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 pm in Clubhouse 2 when the JAM BANDITS take the stage for 2 hours offering up an amazing selection of songs and vocals. There is a $2.00 donation at the door and you will have the opportunity to listen (and sing along if you wish) to some very talented musicians with lots of room for dancing You can buy Share the Wealth tickets and maybe go home with some money in your pocket. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase and that includes fresh popcorn. As a welcome back we are happily offering FREE POPCORN that night to help us celebrate the new season.
We have an awesome audience and we have a lot of fun. Mark your calendar and please regularly visit our BETMAR BANDSTAND group page on Facebook for more information and updates. See you soon.
*Women’s Bible Study
It’s never too late to join Women’s Bible Study. Every Monday at 10am in The Maple Room of Apache Clubhouse. Call Lisa Peters if you’d like more information. 615-824-8025
EVENTS
*Betmar Craft Fair
- Where: CH2 & Annex
- When: November 6th from 12:00pm – 4:00pm and November 7 from 8:00am – 1:00pm
Come and check out the crafty creations our vendors work on all year! There is something for everyone so stop by and bring a friend or two.
*What-Not Barn
What-Not Holiday Sale will be upon us before you know it.
The What-Not Christmas Sale will be held Saturday, November 21st from 9am to 1pm. Now is a great time to clean out your unused decorations.
WANTED: Christmas Trees and wreaths for the sale. Please drop them off at the What-Not Barn any Friday morning.
CLUBS
*Carport Concerts
Carport Concerts Club News
CCC MEETINGS are held the week PRIOR the concert on LOCATION to discuss club business and upcoming concert logistics. Club board members and concert hosts are required to attend. Meetings are open to members, helpers, and stray cats.
October CCC MEETING:
- When: THIS Thursday 10/22
- Where: 5121 Betmar Dr (Roberge residence)
- Time: 4:00PM
*Dance
Line dance classes are still held on Mondays only until November. Monday, November 2 is the first ultra/low beginner class. There is No class on Tuesday, November 3, due to it being Election Day. The Beginner/Improver class will begin November 10.
Please contact Joyce Smith, Line Dance Director, if you have any questions regarding the classes.
Our first Saturday night dance is the Halloween Dance on October 31st! Start thinking about your costume or come as an energetic Betmarian! Doors open at 6pm. Dance from 7pm-10pm to the music of Karl Sapp.
*Game
For anyone interested in learning the game of MahJongg, I will be doing a 3-week class beginning on Monday, October 26th, at 12:00 – 2:30. It will be for three week and held in the Red Room at CH 4. Please contact me by phone or text to register. The only thing you need to bring is a name tag and you must be a Game Club member to participate. It is highly recommended that you attend all three classes for the most benefit of learning the game.
The dates are:
- Monday, October 26th, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, Red Room @ CH4
- Monday, November 2nd, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, Red Room @ CH4
- Monday, November 9th, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, Red Room @ CH4
Karen Emery
989-329-6450
*Shuffle Club
Notice of upcoming Tournaments hosted by Betmar Shuffleboard Club!
Scheduled October tournaments are as follows:
For the following District tournaments, registration starts at 8:00 and play starts at 9:00 – $8 entry fee
- October 22-23 – Thursday & Friday – District all Amateur Draw Doubles
- October 22-23 – Thursday & Friday – District Pro Only Draw Doubles
For the following State tournament, registration starts at 8:00 and play starts at 9:00 – $10 entry fee
- October 26-28 – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – State Doubles M/L
SHUFFLE LUNCHES ARE BACK
- Thursday/Friday October 22 & 23 serving Macaroni and Beef soup and Sloppy Joe’s
- Monday/Tuesday October 26 & 27 serving Chicken Noodle soup and Pulled Pork sandwiches
- Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm each day of the tournament except if on a Wednesday, NO lunch on Wednesdays
- There will be hotdogs, assorted sandwiches, tossed salad and desserts available with all lunches
***We need pies and cakes from all of our great bakers, please. ***
Contact Ann and Jim Conzone at 315-591-3102 if you have any questions.
*Tennis/Pickleball
Betmar Christmas Home Tour
It is with heartfelt disappointment that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Betmar Christmas Home Tour.
For many years, this event has brought neighbors together to celebrate the beauty, creativity, and spirit of Christmas throughout our community. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we were unable to secure enough homes to make this year’s tour possible.
We sincerely thank the homeowners who graciously volunteered to open their doors and share their holiday decorations. Your generosity and willingness to participate are truly appreciated.
Our hope is that this is simply a pause in a cherished Betmar tradition, not the end of it.
Looking ahead, we would love to see the Christmas Home Tour return. Perhaps you’ve thought about participating but weren’t quite sure what was involved. Please know that your home doesn’t have to be elaborate or professionally decorated. Sometimes the most memorable homes are those filled with simple decorations, treasured family ornaments, and the warmth of the holiday season.
We hope more residents will consider sharing a little of their Christmas spirit with their neighbors in the future. After all, it’s not about having the biggest or most beautifully decorated home — it’s about the joy of sharing the season together.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this event over the years. The Betmar Tennis and Pickleball Club wish all our Betmar neighbors a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, friendship, and holiday cheer.
Sincerely,
Sharon Wyatt
Colleen King
*Travel
Reminder the bus for Friday’s trip to the Zubrick Magic Show leaves at 5pm, please arrive early. There is still room, if you are interested reach out to Sandy!
There is also a short cruise planned for March 4-8, 2027. If you have wanted to try cruising for the first time or are just looking for a short getaway, this is the perfect cruise for you! Flyers are in the CH2 rack.
DEPARTMENTS
*Bingo Bistro
October 26th Bingo Bistro is Taco Salad!
*Communications
Our communication office has made the bylaws and articles of incorporation available for all residents in good standing to pick up from the Betmar Office.
Reminder that the winter hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 8:30-12:30.
*Library
“Developing a good work ethic is key. Apply yourself at whatever you do,
whether you’re a janitor or taking your first summer job, because that work ethic will be reflected in everything you do in life.” — Tyler Perry
I’m not sure you know but Tyler Perry does a whole lot of good. That is something that you might want to investigate it.
Crazy weather. Sunday it was in the 60’s. It is no wonder that respiratory issues are everywhere.
The library is running full force. We are open full-time from 10 to 3. We look forward to seeing you. Come in and get your bingo card. The prizes will be great!
Only 11 days until Halloween. Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Everyone has so much to be thankful for.
Toni
JOKE OF THE DAY
Four men are sitting in a hospital waiting room while their wives are having babies.
A nurse approaches the first man and says, “Congratulations! You’re the father of twins!”
“That’s amazing!” he replies. “I work for the Minnesota Twins!”
A few minutes later, another nurse walks up to the second man and says, “Congratulations! You’re the father of triplets!”
“Wow, that’s really strange,” he says. “I work for the 3M Company!”
Soon, a third nurse approaches another man and announces, “Congratulations! You’re the father of quadruplets!”
“How funny,” he replies. “I work for the Four Seasons Hotel!”
Suddenly, the fourth man starts groaning and banging his head against the wall.
“What’s wrong?” the others ask.
The man looks up and says,
“I work for 7-Up!”
COMMUNITY CARE & CELEBRATIONS
*Birthdays
Patricia Baird turns 86 today!
George Hefner will celebrate his birthday on October 21!
Tom Brown turns 80 on October 22, proving that age is just a number! Here’s wishing him a fantastic birthday!
Linda Rood is celebrating her birthday on October 24
Jan Tjepkema will celebrate her birthday on October 25th
*Sick Bay
Ann Brown is home from the hospital but is still not feeling very well. Please send her healing thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Visitors
Parris LaFleur will be visiting his mother Marion LaFleur from Maryland this week.
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