Wonder Women: The Musical
by Joan Birsh
I’ve been toying with the idea of a musical about accomplished women at Ocean Reef. I am calling it Wonder Women: The Musical. (I know many of you can come up with a better title, but this is the best I can do.)
Beyond the title, what interests me is the casting of the female leads.
Who are the women who have brought something unique and lasting to our Club and community?
I’ve selected the following five Members (though I am sure there are more), who in my estimation are deserving of top billing in my imaginary PLAYBILL.
• Vicki Goldstein
• Adelaide Skoglund
• Teresa Holmes
• Martha Kavanaugh
• Nancy Zakon
What follows is a brief bio of these “Wonder Women”, plus a summary of their contribution to the good life at Ocean Reef. (Note: If my director agrees, I’m going to send the list right on to Stephen Sondheim.)
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
Vicki Goldstein….No question that Vicki is an OR Leading Lady.
It is impossible to innumerate how many projects at The Reef were conceived, born and nurtured by Vicki Goldstein. But, what the heck, I’m going to try.
Editorial Advisory Board. For many years I’ve been on this Board, which provides oversight, ideas and editorial content to the Ocean Reef Press. I never knew that Vicki, along with Dick Skelly (d. 2016), was an original founder.
But that’s not all. Vicki was First Executive head of the Cooking School (founded by the late Sis Kelm, an early Wonder Woman). Food and Film and Campus at the Cultural Center were both Vicki’s creations.
And then there is Vintage Weekend. Vicki became involved with boats in her early 20’s on an adventurous 2 year Around the World sailing trip. Later, when she married Alan Goldstein, the couple raced in Maine for 30 summers in a restored 1907 sailboat.
So it’s not surprising that it was a classic yacht show in ME that prompted Vicki to believe a Vintage Boat Show might work at Ocean Reef.
How right she was. Under her knowledgeable guidance Vintage Weekend quickly expanded to include antique cars and planes.
Over the last 25 years this annual 3-day event at Ocean Reef has become a highly acclaimed showcase for prestigious collectors. As well as a fun event for OR Members and their guests. Let’s have a standing ovation for Vicki!
Adelaide Skoglund.…Adelaide came to Ocean Reef in 1982 with her husband John Skoglund, who in addition to other business interests was the owner of the Minnesota Vikings. “I was a child bride” joked Adelaide. John was 16 years her elder.
In 1999 John died (not of old age, he was only 67, but of lung cancer).
During their years together at Ocean Reef, John had been deeply involved with The Medical Center, serving several terms as Chairman. And good wife Adelaide, chipped in, conceiving of and running a money making auction and an annual golf tournament. So after John’s death, only Adelaide was surprised when the Med. Center Board asked her to come on as a director.
In the ensuing 20 years, right up to the present, where she has been an active participant in the Medical Center’s fight against COVID19, Adelaide’s goal has been to help the OR Medical Center become a premiere medical facility. She was Chairman of the Board from 2012 -14 and is currently serving as Chairman of the Foundation.
Adelaide, along with Tom Davidson, oversaw the significant renovation of the Medical Center. It was a project that presented problems which required talents Adelaide never realized she had (e.g. reading architectural plans, managing workmen, envisioning how a useless terrace could be converted to a first-rate physical therapy unit).
Adelaide’s capabilities were also a huge asset when, during her term as their President, the Card Sound Golf Club constructed its new Club House.
It’s important to mention one other much appreciated contribution Adelaide Skoglund has made to the Ocean Reef community. In 1990 Adelaide along with Denny Morgan and Mary Zick initiated the first Boutique d’Reef, where five venders displayed their wares in Adelaide’s garage. Last year the 30th annual Boutique d’Reef was held in the Town Hall and there were 33 vendors. Let’s give Adelaide a big hand!
Teresa Holmes….In April 2019 Teresa completed a starring role as the First Woman Chairman of the Ocean Reef Board.
It was a position that she was well prepared for, both by temperament and experience.
In the early 80’s Teresa with her first husband had launched and managed 16 new restaurants, that employed 1000 workers. When her husband died suddenly, the young widow moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she started a cooking school and retail tabletop business. In 2005 on a visit to her sister Linda Noble at Ocean Reef, she met and later married long-time OR Member Jay Holmes.
Teresa’s first involvement with the workings of Ocean Reef came in 2013, when she co-chaired All Charities with Mike Berman. Shortly after that she was asked to become an Ocean Reef Club director. Four years later she stepped into the ORC Board Chairmanship, a ground-breaking first for a woman.
During her term as Chairman, Teresa provided leadership in the wake of Hurricane Irma. She oversaw significant culinary changes (e.g. the Galley to Italian, the Clubhouse to a steak house and the new Carysfort Kitchen). Also initiated on her watch: Fat Tuesday Parade; Blessing of the Animals; the reopening of The Point.
Teresa Holmes, now a retired ORC Chair, has taken on new responsibilities. She is Vice Chair of the OR Political Action Committee, which is instrumental in maintaining good rapport with local and state politicians. And she is Chairman of Everglades.
Features above Wonder Women Adelaide Skoglund and Vicki Goldstein at the Boutique d’ Reef.