The Willows Newsletter

Laguna Beach and fine arts have been synonymous since 1878 when the first painting in Laguna Beach was created. The exquisite natural beauty of the area ensures that arts and artists will flourish in this picturesque vacation spot. Laguna Beach was established as a permanent art colony. As a result of this recognition of Laguna Beach, the community established the Laguna Art Association in 1918.

The theme of this year’s 78th Pageant is "Eat, Drink and Be Merry." We are very fortunate at The Willows to live so near to this world-famous annual production. Each year The Willows purchases a block of tickets for residents to attend the Festival of Arts including the “Pageant of the Masters.”

This year the bus will make its annual arts journey to Laguna Beach on Tuesday, August 10. Fifteen fortunate residents will be able to make reservations for the event through the Off-Campus Committee. The charge, including bus donation, is only $60. Be sure to bring a warm wrap, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a seat cushion (the latter two may be rented). Be prepared to climb steps to our reserved seats. All seats are stadium seating.

Jackie Alexander

The Willows Residents’ Association is thrilled to feature Saxophonist Rob Verdi once again this year. This time Rob brings his Disneyland musical friends, Terry Evans, on guitar and Dave Eastley, on the string bass and vocals.

Rob began his association with Disney when he had just finished his Music degree at Arizona State University in 1984. Since then he has become one of the foremost sax players (and the foremost sax collector) in music-rich California. He and old friends from Arizona State and new friends from Disneyland often free-lance in small ensembles such as “The Royal Street Bachelors.”

The program will take place in the Willows Garden Room at 7:00 p.m. on August 26. All are invited, and donations are much appreciated to defer the costs of the program. Don’t forget to bring your toe-tapping dancing shoes!

Betty Everett

You may know the Director of Finance for The Willows Foundation as “Jeff.” If you are a resident at The Willows, he is one and the same man who bills you for your lease payment. However, Paul Geoffrey Lane handles many other financial duties, including oversight of all personnel records for the 34 part-time and full-time employees, prepares all lease documents, prepares the monthly financial reports for the Board of Directors, the auditor, and for the Annual meeting, processes all contributions, insurance records and worker’s compensation reports.

Prior to being Director of Finance, Jeff was on the Board of Directors of The Willows Foundation for 10 years. At that time he was teaching Math and Computer Programming at Capistrano Valley High School and part-time at Saddleback College. Jeff has seen The Willows transition from the Life-lease method, to an investment-lease method, to the present day month-to-month leases for the residents. He has seen cash flow turn into positive territory allowing The Willows to repaint and reroof our campus.

Arrange your time to say “hi” on the three days Jeff works part-time in the Finance Department, as he is only here twelve hours per week. And know he will be smiling as he says, “this is a great place to work!”

Jane Morton