Nothing Could Be Finer.....

Pelican Inn at Pawleys Island

We've been taking it easy in Carolinas.  The weather has been cold, sometimes rainy and very windy.  We're currently sitting next to the beach at Cape Hatteras. 

Cape Hatteras Shore

I was hoping to meet with some residents at the new Carefree Cove community near Asheville, NC, but my email contact was delayed.  We were already at the coast when I got a response. There is still a chance to connect with some residents via a friend so will try that next.  FYI Asheville is a wonderful city with lots of great restaurants, art galleries and good music.  Last night we were able to get PBS with our RV antenna and caught a wonderful documentary on North Carolina bluegrass history and bluegrass festivals that are so popular here.  

I'm planning to gather data in the following states:  Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington.  Originally, I was going to do interviews in North Carolina so am willing to take on another state on the trip, just need some suggestions.  If you have any states you think should be a part of the research, let me know.  Pennsylvania (particularly the Philadelphia area) is a possibility.  

I've also heard that people are having trouble making comments on my blog.  Not sure what is going on.  To make a comment, click on the "No Comments" at the end of the post and a text box should appear.  If you can't enter comments in the comment box, let me know by sending me an email at:  sandiegogals@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and feel free to comment, ask questions and make suggestions!

On the road in the Carolina mountains

Older Adults in Tampa Bay

When it comes to breadth of services and activities for LGBT seniors, the Tampa Bay area is fortunate to have the Metro Wellness and Community Centers.   Joseph (Joe) Smith works as a volunteer with senior programs at the St Pete Center.  During our interview, Joe provided some background on the Center and how it has developed programs for "older adults" over the last couple of years.  The Metro Center in St. Pete is housed in a large office type building that seems well designed for their needs.  There are many meeting rooms, a technology space and a multi-purpose Community Center room, where Joe, an athletic trainer, teaches classes.  

Joe lived in the Tampa/St. Pete area for a number of years then decided to move to Philadelphia to decide his future housing options.  He got involved in the LGBT community  and the Senior Summit of providers of services to seniors on LGBT issues, which eventuated in the LGBT Elder Initiative of the Delaware Valley (LGBTEI.org).   Joe returned to Florida partially for health reasons and warm weather, but mostly based on financial need.  He started working at Metro and seems quite happy with his job there. He said, "I'm a firm believer that older adults should volunteer in life-giving ways to serve the community and utilize their best talents/skills/experience.  I encourage others to recognize their talent and "carve a niche" which allows them to do so."

After our interview, Joe invited Jane and me to his Tuesday morning "Mature Men's Group" so I could introduce them to my research project and encourage them to take my on-line survey.  About 25 guys from their 50's to their 70's showed up for the meeting, evidence that Joe has got some draw.  What a great group they were!  They asked good questions and provided some leads for senior communities in the Tampa area that they thought might be worth considering for interviews.   

Joe is such a great guy.  I liked him immediately.  His openness and honesty, easy laugh and direct approach to difficult questions resulted in a great interview.  Did I mention, he used to be a Catholic priest?  And yes, his hair was dyed green.  Our interview was the day after St. Patrick's Day.

Florida Herstory

The Tampa area has some excellent resources for LGBT seniors.  Yesterday Jane and I had a wonderful conversation with Edie Daly and Jackie Mirkin who live in Gulfport, a small town near St. Petersburg, known to be a haven for lesbians.  I found Edie through a notice she had placed in the Lesbian Connection, inviting other older adult lesbians to join her and her partner in a senior housing community in St. Petersburg.  We connected quickly via email and Edie invited us to visit them.  She and Jackie no longer live at that senior facility (that story will be told later) but they do have a lovely top floor condo in Gulfport that overlooks the ocean on one side and the boat harbor on the other.  I'm still replaying our conversation in my head and thinking about how fortunate I was to hook up with this two amazing women.  I can't possibly detail here all that I learned in our time together and prefer to save those rich stories for later.  Check this website at the University of South Florida to get an idea of the amazing things Edie has accomplished over the last 30+ years.  Edie and Jackie continue to work for equality here in Florida. 

http://guides.lib.usf.edu/content.php?pid=70908&sid=537786

Jackie and Edie

The Carefree Life

Bahia Honda Key

The Gulf Coast of Florida has always been one of my favorite places on earth.  The beaches of fine white sand and the warm turquoise water pulls me in like a magnet.  We've been spending three days in the Fort Myers area and have been warmly welcomed at a women's community that was on our "must see" list.  Jane and I agree that this is a great place to live if you are seeking a friendly lesbian community in a subtropical climate.  Imagine beautifully kept park model homes or newer motorhomes parked on large lots surrounded by  well-established landscaping.  The most common mode of transportation in the community is the golf cart.  Many of the women here are very active.  Cycling, pickle ball and kayaking seem popular.  In the clubhouse there is a list of daily classes and activities.  And of course, a lovely pool is at the center of the clubhouse. 

We took a tour of the community on a golf cart with our new friend, Sharon, who has lived in the community since it began in the late 1990's.  She holds the history of the community and was once very active as a board member.  Now she seems content managing rental homes and lots and helping women like us get to know all of the attributes of the community.  Sharon showed us the places that had sold recently or were for sale.  The real estate bust a couple of years ago didn't seem to phase this community.  There aren't many places for sale right now and only a handful are available to rent.  Many women seem to divide their time between Florida and another home in a state that has more favorable weather in the spring, summer and fall.  License plates indicated most residents are from east of the Mississippi.  

Sunrise from our RV lot

Biking down the streets you get at least a wave and more often a hearty "Hi there!" and a smile.  On our first night here, we attended an art show.  Members of the community displayed their beautiful original artwork and had many of their pieces for sale.  Sales were brisk!  There is no shortage of musical talent here either.  Jane and I enjoyed listening to three different music groups perform on the patio, everything from a classical woodwind ensemble to a polka band with three accordions.  The second night we attended a performance by a lesbian comedian from Texas.  The clubhouse was packed for the show and the place was rocking with laughter for the entire performance.  Before the show, a woman behind me tapped my shoulder and said, "We're wondering who you are."  I explained that we were visitors and doing research on housing for LGBT seniors.  She and her partner had lived in the community for 15 years but they added that they were going to be leaving the community permanently in a couple of days and moving to a state in the northeast.  When I asked why they were leaving, she said, "We're getting old!  I want to be closer to my children."  Decisions.  We all must make them at some point. 

At Mile 0

Sorry I haven't posted for a while.  Vacationing has been interfering with my work!  We've been to Tampa and Orlando, and are now enjoying beautiful Key West.  While in Tampa, we had a great visit with some friends from Whidbey Island who winter down here.  Beth is a jeweler and is making Jane's wedding band.  Check out her web site.  She does beautiful work!  karthia.com  We hope to go back to Tampa St. Pete and do some research when we head north after spending some time in Ft. Myers to check out the senior scene there.

Key West has been great!  The weather has been terrific, hot and humid but the ocean breeze make it bearable.  There are plenty of us here of all ages.   Yesterday I stopped by the LGBT Center and discovered that the center doesn't exist anymore, although the sign is still posted.  The Key West LGBT Business Guild is housed at that location and provides lots of information on things to do and see here.  When I asked the friendly staff member about senior housing for LGBT in Key West, I learned that most members of the community move off island for independent and assisted living.  In fact, the owner of a popular gay resort here recent retired, sold his business, and is moving to an LGBT senior housing community in California.  Seems like the few senior housing communities here are missing out on a potential market. 

Memorial in the Key West Cemetery