Village residents looking for connection with like-minded community members have given birth to several new clubs in recent months, focused on culture, musicals, glass art and singing.
Rachel Barnes founded the South African Springboks club. Barnes grew up in South Africa and moved from San Diego to the Village with husband Samy a year and a half ago.
“I asked around for a group of South Africans and found that there was none,” Barnes said. “So I thought, why not?”
She belonged to a large community of expats in San Diego and wanted to reach out to others in her new home.
Asked how many South Africans she thought might live in the Village, she said: “That is what I am trying to find out. I know there are lots, and I am not going to rest till I find them all.”
In December, Barnes chaired an informal gathering of around 35 of her country mates who had heard about the meeting by word of mouth.
The first order of business was choosing a club name from three that were proposed. Springboks won out over Barnes’ choice, Birds of Paradise, and Koeksisters, the name of a sweet South African pastry.
Running immediately after the meeting to the Village recreation department, Barnes secured official status for the newborn club.
The springbok is an antelope found in South Africa. The name comes from the Afrikaans words for “jump” and “antelope,” said Barnes, because the animal can perform repeated leaps of up to 2 meters high, called “pronking.” The animal is known for its distinctive black stripes, white markings and unique horn shape and is the mascot for South Africa’s national rugby team.
The South African Springboks group, which meets once a month, is intended to be a social club with a dedication to charitable work, Barnes said. There is not yet a set time and day of the month for meetings.
“It’s heartwarming to witness the retired community actively contributing to the well-being of others, much like our families have made a positive impact in South Africa,” she said.
Barnes is involved with local shelters for abused women and their children, donating clothing, food, prepared meals and even offering babysitting services when they attend church.
She hopes that the club will undertake the same kind of work, under leadership that includes Vice President Merle Ettin and Secretary-Treasurer Lynette Lazarus. Barnes would also like to see the club share South African cultural traditions and holidays, such as Guy Fawkes Day celebrations.
Membership has grown to more than 40.
“Most of the people here are from the apartheid era, which ended in 1994, so we are connected by culture, memories and experiences,” Barnes said. “When you meet a fellow South African, you know a lot about him or her.”
Membership is open to all Village residents for $10 until the end of December. To join, email Ettin at ettinfam@comcast.net. After December, there is an application process before membership fees are accepted.
“You can meet new people with different accents but who have much in common with Americans,” Barnes said of prospective members who might not be South African.
The Springboks’ next event is today, June 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the 19 Restaurant. A professional service dog trainer will speak and answer questions.
A welcome party and brunch for new and prospective members will be held July 14 at Clubhouse 6. July birthdays will be celebrated, including Barnes.’
For the love of Broadway
A love and appreciation of Broadway musicals has sparked the formation of the Broadway Music Lovers club by professional actresses and singers Elissa Kaplan Senter and Kate Barclay.
“The club will be nonperformance based,” said Senter, meaning that participants will not have to audition or perform. “We will have educational programs on the history of Broadway musicals.”
The club’s first meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 2. Featured will be Genette Lane, a Broadway performer from New York City who was active in the 1950s show business world and is Senter’s mother.
“She will share backstage stories about performers she worked with and her knowledge of the behind-the-scenes world,” said Senter, who will accompany her mother on the piano as she performs Broadway tunes.
Village residents with interest, knowledge and/or experience of Broadway shows are invited to attend the first meeting. Coffee and cookies will be served along with the program.
Future activities being considered include a Broadway musical cruise, on which shows will be performed.
Membership will be $25 single and $45 household. For information, call Senter at 845-304-3908 or Barclay at 310-493-9144.
Art and beauty of stained glass
The Glass Club of Laguna Woods is brand new, having been established late last month. Its goal, says club Secretary Trudi Meyers, is to boost interest and skills in stained and fused glass techniques.
The club plans to hold workshops, offer trips to glass art destinations and participate in local art fairs.
Beginners and experienced glass artists are welcome to join – anyone who’s interested in “trying their hand at creating a lasting glass piece that they’re proud of,” says member Monica Berg.
The club is also looking for residents with glass-making experience who are willing to volunteer to get the club up and running, she said.
Residents can stop by the glass/lapidary studio at Clubhouse 4 and ask a supervisor on duty for more information about the club.
Singing for a cause
Also in the music field is the Silver Singers of Laguna Woods, a group of solo singers who give performances two days a month at the Healthy Aging Center of Laguna Woods, a day-care facility for dementia patients.
Folk songs, opera and melodies popular when the singers were young are in the mix for the performances.
“Singers sing whatever they like, usually with their own accompaniment but sometimes a capella,” said David Korts, founder and president of the club, which does not hold regular meetings.
For more information, call him at 949-597-0209.