Submitted by Bernadette Vespa and photos by Brenda Moody, Rita Jones , Kathy Downer, Mary Ann Gifford. Videos Betmar Video Club
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
BERNADETTE’S MESSAGE
🎤 Calling All Performers! 🎤
Activities is planning a Lip Sync Routine Contest this November and are looking for performers to join the fun!
Whether you’re a solo act, dynamic duo, or part of a group, we’d love to hear from you. Start thinking about your song, gather your friends, and get those creative ideas flowing. November will be here before you know it, and routines take time to plan and practice, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up!
If you’re interested, please contact me as soon as possible. Early sign-ups will help us finalize the event details and make this a fantastic show for everyone.
Don’t let a lack of experience stop you! If you need ideas, props, costumes, staging suggestions, or a little creative assistance, help is available. We have residents who are willing to assist performers with props, ideas, and other details to help bring your routine to life.
To sign your act up, get more information or to discuss your act, contact:
Bernadette Vespa, Activities Director
📞 978-808-5491
This is your chance to have fun, be creative, and entertain your neighbors. We know there are plenty of hidden stars in our community just waiting to be discovered!
🌟 The sooner you contact me, the more time you’ll have to plan, practice, and put together an unforgettable performance. Start preparing now and get ready to shine this November! 🎶🎭✨
NEW RESIDENTS
Welcome, Ricky and Kathy Kraus who have recently moved her from Michigan!
FUN FACT
On September 8, 1966, Star Trek premiered on television for the first time. The original series introduced the world to Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the USS Enterprise.
SHOUT OUT
A special shout-out this week goes to all the residents who have mastered the art of being “retired”… while somehow being busier than they were when they worked full-time!
Between activities, card games, coffee gatherings, volunteering, lunches with friends, and keeping up with our community events, some of you need a calendar just to remember what day it is.
And let’s be honest, a few of you are attending so many activities that we should probably start charging frequent flyer miles.
Thank you for bringing energy, laughter, and fun to our community. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and you all are doing an excellent job proving it!
ACTIVITIES
*Ice Cream Social
Our Next Ice Cream Social is Saturday, September 12th in CH2 @ 1PM. Tickets are $5 and are on sale before coffee hour and at the Office. Come for the ice cream and stay for the Bingo for a chance to win some fun prizes!
*Painting on the Rocks
Rhonda Pomerleau will be hosting the second round of “painting on the rocks “, Sept. 12th at 6pm in the annex. She will bring everything needed (rocks, paint, etc.) You bring a snack and some friends, and something to sip! The last one was wonderful, don’t miss out!
* Upcoming Blood Drive
Betmar’s next blood drive is Tuesday, September 15th from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM. OneBlood will be parking their Big Red Bus in the parking lot by the pond (near the shuffle courts)
You will also receive a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening!
Septembers Gifts: $20 eGift Card, OneBlood T-shirt
If you would like to schedule the time of your donation, you can do so by clicking the link below.
https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1753454
*Chair Yoga
Please note that Chair Yoga is canceled on September 16th due to the annual floor cleaning in CH3.
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.
*Movie/Bistro Night
Our last Movie/Bistro night of the Summer is here. Tickets are on sale before Coffee Hour and at the Betmar Office. For movie only, you pay at the door, no ticket required.
- When: Thursday, September 24th
- Time: Doors open 4PM / Bistro starts 5PM / Movie begins 6:30PM
- Movie: Going in Style with Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
- Bistro Serving: Loaded Nacho Bar
- Tickets: $7.00 movie & bistro / $2.00 movie only
- No food served after 6:00PM
*Lunch & Learn
Archwell Health is hosting a “Healthy Aging 102” class on Physical Health. This is a free event, limited to 50 participants. Tickets are on a first come, first served basis and available at the Betmar Office until gone.
- When: Friday, September 25th
- Time: 11:30am
- Location: CH2
*Betmar Travel
Attention Travelers – We have several opportunities scheduled that are in jeopardy of being canceled! Please review what has been planned and sign up for any you are interested in as soon as possible!
September 18, we have scheduled a cruise for the Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show with Coastal Cruises out of St Pete. Of course, this is in the evening so you can enjoy the light show under the Skyway Bridge. Total cost is $115
October 7 We go to Lake Panasoffkee for the Swamp Fever Airboat Adventure. Following the airboat rides, we will have lunch (on our own) at Catfish Charlies. (Other items available beside fish) $89
October 23 we have scheduled the Zubrick Magic Show in St Pete. Two of our residents attended this show and said we must schedule this for Betmar. It was the best magic show they had even seen. We have preferred seating for the evening. $85 per person
Please check with Betmar.org for a full description of these trips. Note, sign up early. We do issue refunds if you are unable to attend unless it is within several days of the trips and we have to pay them in full. Call Sandy or Bonnie with your questions.
*ONSPOT Mobile Dermatology Unit
Back by popular demand, The ONSPOT Mobile Dermatology Unit is returning to Betmar, October 6th, 8am-3:30pm. They will be parked by CH2. ONSPOT is a full service, mobile dermatology practice bringing a state-of-the-art medical clinic right to our backyard.
Call 941-444-0011or go to onspotdermatology.com/Betmar Acres to make an appointment.
*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
Betmar Gardners
A bit of history about our Betmar gardens. The Betmar garden club was formed in 1997 and that is when the gardens started to take shape. They are now 29 years old. Over the years there have been many volunteers to care for these gardens. Without volunteers, we would not be able to keep the gardens going.
The garden group members work hard all year long to keep the gardens looking their best. We are always looking for volunteers to help with all the garden duties. The summer months are the worst time of the year not only because of the heat, but the weeds are relentless. There are currently only three gardeners working in the summer months to care for 18 gardens. This can be difficult and very time-consuming for only three people. If you have ever thought about volunteering for something that you may enjoy or if you just want to help. We would be so happy to have you do anything you can to help. So please consider volunteering.
The garden members meet in the fall and winter months on the first Monday of each month beginning in November and ending in April. They also meet on Wednesday at the Apache junction to work together where needed. Helping with the garden work does not require you to work on Wednesday; you are welcome to work when it best suits you, no pressure. We really need help so we can keep the gardens looking beautiful. Again, please consider volunteering to work in the gardens. Thank you.
COMMUNICATIONS
*Printing Requests Reminder
To all residents, whether you’re currently in Betmar or away for the summer:
If you need membership cards, scorecards, schedules of events, or other materials printed, please email your requests to communications@betmar.org no later than September 15.
Submitting your requests before this date will allow us to complete printing before the busy November season.
*Attention Superintendents & Club Leaders
The annual floor cleaning service will begin on September 14. Each clubhouse will be closed for approximately five days during the cleaning process. Please review the schedule below and plan your activities accordingly.
Clubhouse Closure Schedule
Clubhouse 3: Closed September 14 – 18
Clubhouse 2: Closed September 15 – 19
Clubhouse 4: Closed September 16 – 20
Please post notices on clubhouse doors and ensure all doors remain locked during the closure periods.
*Betmar Pictorial Photos
Hi to all! It looks like you had a great Labor Day picnic on Saturday.
I am back again to remind you of the Betmar pictorial. I am not sure you all know that this is a community project and no certain club makes any money off of the pictorial like in the past. I see that many of you have signed up and I am so excited that you have taken the time to do so. I would like for all of you that have signed up to please contact your friends and neighbors and remind them to sign up soon. I am looking forward to viewing the Betmar Pictorial with pictures of the beautiful people that make up this great community. If anyone needs assistance in signing up, please call me at 937-844-9458.
Thank you from Ohio,
Holly Hefner
BINGO BISTRO
Bingo Bistro will serve Loaded Baked Potatoes on September 14th!
LIBRARY
Don’t shrink yourself to fit into places where you weren’t meant to be.
Good morning. Whew. Supposed to be a hot week.
Come in and visit our library. It is cool inside. We have a computer and a printer that you can use. Copies only cost 25 cents per page.
We have a new Patricia Cornwell book that is about her life. It is a wonderful and enlightening story. We have some new Patterson books, a Kate Wiley, and a new William Kent Krueger book as well.
If you are not a patron and want to be, come in. We will sign you up. It’s fast and easy.
Remember, we are only open from 10 to 12 until the second week of October.
Stay safe and enjoy life.
Toni
DANCE CLUB
No Line Dance lessons next week, Monday, September 14th due to the annual floor cleaning!
Tennis/Pickleball
Christmas will be here sooner than we think. We are looking for 3 more homes to showcase for our Christmas Home Tour Tuesday, December 8, 2026. If you love decorating for Christmas, please think about joining us. You may have a special Christmas theme or collection you would like to showcase. Perhaps your decorated home brings you joy and the spirit of Christmas that you would like to share with others. We would love to showcase your home. If you would like to help us, please contact Colleen King at 716-450-1633 or email colleenking223@yahoo.com or Sharon Wyatt at 656-900-1436 or email Sharonkwyatt0530@Icloud.com. We hope to hear from you soon.
JOKE OF THE DAY
A pirate walked into a bar and the bartender said, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible.
The Pirate says, “What do you mean?” I feel fine. The bartender says well what about that wooden leg? You didn’t have that before. The pirate says, “Well, we were in a battle, and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I’m fine now.
The bartender responds, but what about that hook? What happened to your hand? The pirate says we were in another battle. I boarded a ship and got into a sword fight. My hand was cut off but I got fitted with a hook, I’m fine really.
The bartender says, “What about your eye patch? The pirate sighed arrrr, one day we were at sea, and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up and one of them pooped in my eye! The bartender says you’re kidding me; you lost an eye from bird poop? The pirate says no; it was the first day with the hook.
COMMUNITY CARE & CELEBRATIONS
Anniversaries
Roger and Judy Harding are celebrating their 47th Wedding anniversary today!
Birthdays
Sandy Bedingfield celebrates her birthday on September 10th!
90 Cards for 90 Years
Many of you know Dean Baumgartner as a longtime Betmar resident and valued member of our community. Dean will be celebrating his 90th birthday on September 21st, and his family is hoping to make this milestone birthday extra special.
The goal is simple: 90 birthday cards for 90 wonderful years!
Although Dean will not be in Betmar for his birthday, we can still help make his day memorable by sending him a birthday card. Let’s come together as a community and help fill his mailbox with birthday greetings.
Please mail cards to:
Dean Baumgartner
54880 Orchard Lane
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Thank you for helping us celebrate Dean’s special day and show him how much he means to the Betmar family.
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