Talents in Common

 

Talents in Common is an organizational effort by The Commons Club members to voluntarily share their interests, expertise, and friendships. Members volunteer to facilitate discussion groups, clinics, mentoring, and instructional activities. The Commons Club Members and their guests may join, free of charge, one or more of the fun activities to develop and maintain their social, physical, mental, and adaptive fitness, knowledge and skills. The Commons Club members tailor their choices of activities to fit their different lifestyles.

Click here to view the full 2025 Talents in Common Brochure

 

Check out the upcoming offerings... 

JANUARY

Le Cercle Français 

Le Cercle Français will meet at the Enrichment Center at 11:30 this Wednesday to have fun practicing how to make a reservation and order a meal in French at a French restaurant. RSVP to the Commons Club for this week. Next week, On January 29, we will be going to Bistro La Baguette in Naples on Wednesday for lunch, to practice our French and enjoy a lovely French meal. Please RSVP to Lisa Baroni ( [email protected] ) immediately  or call  914-438-4271 if you would like to join us.

Facilitator: Lisa Baroni

Wednesdays, January 15th to April 16^th
11:30 pm to 12:30 pm
Complimentary

A La Carte Lunch at the Rookery on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

All Sessions are via ZOOM and in person at The Enrichment Center.

Click here to register so we know how many members will be attending
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Suzie's Silk Flower Arranging - This class has been canceled

Suzie will show you how to decorate a basic candlestick with silk flowers as a beautiful piece of décor for an event or your home. 
No skill necessary
A week prior to class a list of supplies will be emailed to each registrant.
Facilitators: Suzie Tjarks

Monday, January 20th
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Complimentary (Reservations Required)

Sports Panel with Current and Former Athletes

What's it like to be a professional athlete? Hear from three former, and still active professional athletes about how their sport has figured into  their professional  and retired years.
Ryan Vesce - pro hockey player
Claire Batista -PGA professional
John Foley - pro tennis player
Facilitators: Claire Batista, John Foley and Ryan Vesce

Tuesday, January 21st
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Click here to register for the Sports Panel with Current & Former Athletes on Tuesday, January 21st
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Women Owned Businesses Panel

Women owned businesses panel - She's The Boss! -the good, the bad, and the trials and tribulations of 3 women who started and ran their own businesses and served in local government. Join us for the 5 pm Happy Hour function. (Beer and Wine for purchase) 

Facilitators: Debbie Russo, Colleen McDonald, and Cathy Melchert
Thursday, January 23rd
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required) 

Click here to register for the Women Owned Businesses Panel on Thursday, January 23rd
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Antarctica - The Last Frontier

Why vacation in the coldest, windiest and most remote continent on Earth? Learn from fellow TCC Members who recently had a two week  adventure in Antarctica which included kayaking, hiking on the icy mountains  with penguins and taking a submersible ride to the bottom of the ocean! Eighteen countries operate year round scientific research stations to study the effects of the big ice! 
A special, frosty  Antarctic Freeze cocktail is available for purchase.
Facilitators: Pam Gatz and Patty Kasold

Friday, January 24th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

 

Holocaust Survivor Presentation - Antisemitism: Past, Present, & Future

Antisemitism led to the Holocaust in World War II and it still exists in increased abundance today. Irwin Frank, a second-generation Holocaust Survivor, will share details of his own parents' ordeals as Holocaust victims and survivors. Irwin will then introduce you to his 95 year old Uncle, Arthur Gelbart, who survived imprisonment in a number of concentration camps from Auschwitz to Buchenwald, where he was liberated by the US Army after a terrible death march journey. With Arthur is his wife of 69 years, Rose Gelbart, a hidden child during the war, lucky enough to be reclaimed by her mother after the war.
Facilitators: Irwin Frank and Stanley Ruskin

Monday, January 27th
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

This presentation is full, please register to add your name to the waitlist.

Click here to add your name to the waitlist for the Holocaust Survivor Presentation on Monday, January 27th
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

A second presentation has been added

Tuesday, January 28th
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

Click here to register for the TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH Holocaust Survivor Presentation
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

For the Love of Birds

Tom invites a small group of residents to join him on a hike nearby.  Other than a respect for nature and a comfortable pair of walking shoes, nothing else is needed. Binoculars and a camera are good but not necessary.  The walking pace is slow. The trails are flat. Depending on the weather, some areas may be wet.

8:00 am - Meet at Trails
CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails
15970 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Wear comfortable shoes, bring binoculars, camera & hat
Carpooling is encouraged
Facilitator: Tom Myles

Tuesday, January 28th
8:00 am to 9:30 am
Complimentary (reservations required) Maximum of 10 participants

This walk is full, please register to add your name to the waitlist.

 

 

Boating Safety 

A brief course on the basics of boating safety is being offered by an experienced boater and USCG Auxiliary certified instructor. This condensed course is not an official USCG Auxiliary boating course.

The course will explain:

How to read a nautical chart using Estero/Naples/Ft. Myers charts. The course will cover how to use the chart color schemes, buoy markers, Compass Rose, depth readings, and other symbols on the nautical charts.

The basic navigation rules of the road will be explained, including ROW, overtaking another boat, and other rules.  Frank will demonstrate the proper use of the marine radio. 

Tips will also be provided on boating apps for navigation and tides.

This course will be taught by an experienced boater who has held a "six pack" Captain's license, and currently is a certified boating instructor with the USCG Auxiliary.

Facilitator: Frank Connelly

Wednesday, January 29^th
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Complimentary (Reservations required)

Click here to register for Boating Safety on Wednesday, January 29th
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800

 

Power & Pinstripes

Jeff Mangold shares his family history as a child involved in sports. With childhood sports figure heroes, he ended up working with or associating with during my tenures with the Yankees, Mets, University of Nebraska and University of Florida. He shares priceless stories as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New York Yankees. Winning three out of the five World Series Championships are what the attendees enjoy hearing the most and his relationships with the super star players.
Facilitator: Jeff Mangold

Friday, January 31st
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

Click here to register for Power & Pinstripes on Friday, January 31st
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800

 

FEBRUARY

Fresh Flower Arranging

Have you ever gotten a fresh flower bouquet and thought -
Do I trim the stems? What kind of container should I use? How can I make the flowers last? 
Come find out - Rene Knudson and Trish Brown from the The Brooks Garden Club will have all the answers.
Facilitators: Rene Knudson and Trish Brown

Tuesday, February 4th
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

This class is full, click here to add your name to the waitlist.

Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Eyes, Lips, and Cheeks, Oh My! (formerly Day to Evening Make Up)

How does that work? Jill is a certified makeup artist and an attorney who has addressed and advocated for the need of sanitary practices and products in the makeup industry. This will include a lecture and full face demonstration. Attendees are welcome to bring their foundations, to be sure they are correctly color-matched for their complexion.
Facilitator: Jill Glaser

Wednesday, February 5th
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

Click here to register for Eyes, Lips, and Cheeks, Oh My!
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

The History of Hershey PA and Chocolate Martinis

Please join Bill and Holly Simpson, long time residents of Hershey Pennsylvania, to learn about the life of Milton S. Hershey, (the founder of Hershey's Chocolate), his town, his world famous destination, and the philanthropic school that bears his name. It is one of the greatest stories that many have never heard about.

Bill is the former President and CEO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Holly was a community leader serving in numerous not for profit activities.

You will also enjoy some goodies from "The Sweetest Place and Earth". What would a discussion about Hershey be without a chocolate martini prepared by the team at the Rookery after the program?!
Note: Chocolate Martinis for purchase.

Facilitators: Bill and Holly Simpson

Thursday, February 6th
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

This class is full, click here to add your name to the waitlist.
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Make-Up for Mature Skin

Whether you're a makeup novice looking to master the basics or an enthusiast aiming to refine your techniques, our class offers a personalized and hands-on experience. Join us for an empowering journey of makeup mastery, where you'll not only enhance your skills but also embrace your beauty in a whole new light.
Facilitator: Robin Marcus

Friday, February 7th
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

 

Conversational Spanish

Join us as you learn some basic vocabulary which could be used whether traveling, going out to eat, or just speaking with a native.  Highlights include pronunciation and "short cuts" - without the proper full verb conjugation.
No prior experience necessary - you may know more than you think.
Facilitator: Dianne Giglietti

Monday, February 10th
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)

Click here to register for Conversational Spanish

Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.

 

Download the Seasonal Brochure above for the full list of classes.