When it comes to enriching residents’ lives with social, educational and community events, Sandra Reynolds sets the bar as a lifestyle director.
Responsible for the lifestyle component of both communities of Bridgetown and Somerset at The Plantation in Fort Myers, Reynolds faces a bit of a challenge in that the populations are mixed and residents have a wide range of interests and needs. Bridgetown HOA residents are by and large families with kids, on-site year-round. Somerset has many seasonal residents that come and go through the year.
A Variety of Monthly Events
Reynolds tries to offer her residents a “little bit of everything,” which includes classes, trips, seminars, parties and gatherings. She usually plans one major event per month with extras sprinkled in.
Looking for ideas for your own event-planning calendar? Check out Reynolds’s 2016’s schedule:
- January: Flashy Car Cruise and Chili Cook-off (2016 was the fourth year for this popular event)
- February: Mardi Gras Parade (residents dressed up, rode bicycles)
- March: Easter Egg Hunt (one of the year’s big hits for the kids)
- April: Spring Pool Party with crab races
- May: Kentucky Derby Party with a Big Hat Contest; a Late Cinco de Mayo Party
- June-August: Summer Pool Parties with different $5 menus each month (pork loin, hamburgers, grilled hot dogs and mac n cheese)
- September: Naples Boat Cruise
- October: Welcome Back Party in honor of returning seasonal residents. (This is an annual party, and is always a dress-up, themed event. One year it was a 60’s night; another year it was a masquerade ball.) October also has a Halloween event for the kids, which is a consistent pleaser.
- November: Veteran’s Day Breakfast Celebration and an Annual Fashion Show (last year’s venue was a cruise ship).
- December: Winterland Holiday Party. Last year’s winter party was attended by 120 residents!
Ahead in 2017
Reynolds doesn’t do the same-old-same-old every year. She mixes things up and is always thinking of different things to plan for her communities.
This year she did a Dining by Boat event. Residents embarked in one location, sailed to a venue at a second location for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, sailed to a restaurant at a third location for dinner, and then sailed back home. People loved it.
Coming up this spring are cooking classes, outings, and a “Boots and Bling Fling” with entertainers.
Once a year the ladies of Bridgetown and Somerset get an event planned just for them: a shopping day at Waterside Shopping Center in Naples that begins with a continental breakfast and includes lunch out. It’s a hit event, of course!
The beautiful Bridgetown at the Plantation amenities center opened in June 2016 and makes bigger events possible for the communities. This is nice since Somerset’s center has some space constraints. (The recent hypnosis/comedy event at Somerset was a full house with 87 people attending.) With the bigger center at Bridgetown available, events for both communities can be held there.
Fitness Classes: A Popular Lifestyle Addition
One area of activities that Reynolds is pleased about is the fitness classes she’s been able to add for residents. She has planned a wide variety of classes, from line-dancing, yoga and tai chi to body-fit classes and water aerobics. Once at the fitness center, residents often also take advantage of the Spa with its two massage therapists, tennis courts, pickle ball (at Somerset) and bocce ball (at Bridgetown).
It’s no wonder that residents enjoy life at Bridgetown and Somerset and that homes for sale in the Plantation don’t stay empty long. Residents love their beautiful, well-kept surroundings and, thanks to Reynolds, enjoy a smorgasbord of creative activities and events designed to bring them fun, stimulation and connection.