Southwest Florida’s Seniors Serve Up Family Recipes
Gulf Coast Village
Jun 17, 2021
Florida - Southwest
Email US
Click to Email Us
Family recipes tell our life's best stories.
Sometimes, all it takes is a taste of home to unlock the warm, familiar feelings of being with loved ones. We continue to savor each bite of grandmas famous casserole as if it were the first time.
These special recipes are the ones we save over the years. Whether scribbled down on a piece of torn notebook paper or recited by memory, every family seems to have their favorite go-to meals.
Its what inspired Gulf Coast Village, a continuing care community in Cape Coral, to publish their own best crowd-pleasing dishes and dessert recipes from senior residents.
Its a piece of their past written down on paper, Bill Djerf said, an independent living resident at Gulf Coast Village. Its a recipe that warms their heart and brings back good memories.
Djerf is a firm believer that the way to a persons heart is through their stomach.
When he mentioned the idea of collecting recipes for a community cookbook, the residents, staff members and volunteers were excited to share their most cherished family meals.
Younger staff and volunteers would sometimes say, this looks so good, or Id like to cook this, Djerf adds. The older residents would then tell them about their family recipe they used to bake all the time that they learned from their mother.
In a matter of months ,Djerf and a small team gathered up 230 recipes and sent them to get published as their first Gulf Coast Village cookbook.
When life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie
Lemon Meringue Pie | Resident Dewie Robinson
1 9 pastry pie shell 2 cup Boiling water
1 cup Sugar 3 Egg yolks, beaten
6 Tbsp Corn starch 1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Flour 1 tsp Lemon peel ,grated
tsp Salt 3 Tbsp Lemon juice
Meringue
3 Egg whites 6 Tbsp Sugar
Good food has a way of bringing people together. We can feel immersed in exciting, new cultures or transported back to our fondest memories.
The best cookbooks are exactly the same. They can be our life manuals.
Inside Gulf Coast Villages cookbook, Our Favorite Recipes ,people find more than just delicious homecooked meals.
"I sold several books just because of the helpful hints in each section, said Djerf. I sold one to a lady who said she doesn't cook, but she liked the helpful hints so much that she bought it for that.
Between more than 100 pages of unique appetizers, dishes and desserts, each section is divided by a list of helpful tips.
For the main dish recipes section, the helpful hints include one pound of boneless chicken equals approximately three cups and scaling a fish is easier if vinegar is rubbed on the scales first.
"A lot of gals say they bought it for their granddaughters and great granddaughters for the recipes, helpful hints and bonus pages in the back, which cover tips for things like baking bread, added Djerf.
The last eight pages of the cookbook cover important pantry basics as well as tips for cooking measurements, terms and napkin folding.
Food for Thought
Icing will remain where you put it if you sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar first.
- Baking Perfect Cakes
From creating a community-inspired cookbook to popular resident cooking classes, its safe to say food plays a big part in life at Gulf Coast Village.
But creating the ultimate senior living experience is more than just food. Its focusing on the unique, special needs of each individual.
That's where the Gulf Coast Village Foundation comes in. Grouped into four areas of need general, benevolent ,educational and spiritual each fund of the foundation helps improve the lives of residents within the senior community.
The foundation provides a lot of things here for Gulf Coast Village. Just to name a few, they've bought specialized equipment for the care center, stuff for the gym and they just remodeled our caf, statesDjerf.
Proceeds from each $15 cookbook goes towards the Gulf Coast Village Foundation and providing the best quality of life for older adults in Southwest Florida.
To purchase the Gulf Coast Village cookbook, visit gulfcoastvillage.com.
Other Articles You May Like
When You Dont Care What Happens, You Have It Right
Kim and Carla have been friends for decades. They like to share ideas oneverything, including investing.Kim confided, Im worried about some of my friends. Theyre anxious aboutinflation, changing interest rates, healthcare costs, and the economy. Im so gladyoure managing my money, Carla!Carla smiled. Thanks! I just maintain a firm safety net under our portfolios thatcurrently reimburses us for a 20% market loss so that we dont have to worryabout what might happen in the future. And we dont have to settle for lowerreturns to reduce risk. We can stay 100% invested for excellent growth becauseof the safety net without the sleepless nights.Kim nodded, I have referred several friends to you, but making a big changecan be intimidating."True, Carla acknowledged, but losing money is scarier. Everything changesrapidly, but with the right protection you dont have to worry about whats next.Its like having an airbag for your investments always there, always ready.As youve always said, Kim grinned, if your portfolio protection is done right,you dont need to care what happens. You have confidence in being protected. Iwish more people would listen to your advice, its worked so well for me!Ready to invest with confidence, no matter what the future brings?Contact me to learn how Safety Net Solutions can improve your finances!MARK FENTON(239) 404-6750 markfenton239@gmail.com GrowthNetSolutions.com
Why Go Backward to Move Forward?
Neighbors Mark and Nancy went out for a walk after dinner as they frequently do.Nancy commented, I appreciate you inviting me to your financial seminar lastweek, I want to learn more about your focus on avoiding losses.Its simple, Mark replied with a smile. As were walking now, do you take a fewsteps forward and then a few steps backwards to move farther along the path?Of course not, you wont get anywhere!He continued, Unfortunately, many investors have portfolios that are stuck inthis exact pattern up and down but not making any real progress. Its not awinning strategy.Nancy recalled something that intrigued her at the seminar. You talked about aportfolio that reimburses you for loss. How does that help?Imagine, Mark explained with some excitement in his voice, that yourportfolio avoids the rollercoaster ride and doesnt lose value when the marketdrops. Then, when the market rises, your account goes up from a higher startingpoint. Doesnt that sound like a better way forward?Mark emphasized, Your account thrives because new gains are actually addedto your portfolio value instead of just offsetting previous losses. Why take stepsbackward when you can leap forward?Nancys expression showed she understood. Thank you! I see now how I wouldbenefit from this. I really can earn more by losing less! Ill call you tomorrow toset it up for myself, and Ill talk to my mom. Growth with a safety net is ideal forher financial security, too.Ask me to demonstrate how this can work for you! Face the future withconfidence you have a partner dedicated to your financial success.Looking forward to hearing from you,MARK FENTON(239) 404-6750 markfenton239@gmail.com GrowthNetSolutions.com
New Tax Law Breakdown: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Could Affect Your Finances
Youve probably seen the headlines everywhere: A sweeping new tax law has just been signed into effect. Its called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it represents one of the most significant overhauls to household finances in years. Think of it like a home renovation: The 2017 tax cuts laid the foundation, and this new law keeps that structure while adding new featuresand tearing out a few that no longer fit. Theres no denying this bill is controversial. Some people love it. Others dont. But politics aside, what really matters is this: how will it impact youyour taxes, your savings, and your financial future? Heres a quick breakdown of some key changes: Tax brackets stay the same for now, but lower income tax rates and higher standard deductions are now permanent. In 2025, the deduction increases to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. State and local tax (SALT) deduction cap quadruplesjumping from $10,000 to $40,000 in 2025, with annual increases through 2029. Bigger breaks for seniors: If youre 65 or older, you may qualify for an additional $6,000 deduction, depending on income. New help for families: The Child Tax Credit increases to $2,200, and every baby born between 20252028 will receive a $1,000 Trump Account to help jumpstart their savings. Major changes to student loans: Repayment plans like SAVE and PAYE are being phased out, PLUS loan caps are coming, and the Grad PLUS program ends July 1, 2026. 529 plans are more flexible: They can now be used for K12 tuition (up to $20,000), educational therapies, and more. Temporary perks & disappearing credits: New deductions apply to tipped income, overtime, and U.S.-made car loans, while credits for EVs and clean energy are being phased out. This is a massive piece of legislationover 900 pageswith some changes taking effect immediately and others rolling out in 2026. While the political debates dominate the headlines, the impact is deeply personal. The good news? You dont have to navigate these changes alone. With a law this complex, reviewing how it affects your individual financial situation is critical. Whether its adjusting your savings strategy, exploring new deductions, or planning for future tax breaks, we can help you create a plan that keeps you ahead of these changes. If youd like to talk through what this means for you, lets connect. Warmly, Dianne Odom, CPA, CFS Karen Roberts, ChFC DPO Wealth Management 12500 Brantley Commons Court, Suite ST Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-970-1711
Local Services By This Author
Gulf Coast Village Home Care
Home Health 1435 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Florida, 33991When you need help caring for a loved one, or live alone and need assistance caring for yourself, our Home Care is a home health care program that goes beyond the specifics that Medicare pays for. Our range of private pay options includes day-to-day assistance and caregiving tasks that make life easier, with trusted aides and caregivers supporting your independence at home.When you need help caring for a loved one, or live alone and need assistance caring for yourself, our Home Care is a home health care program that goes beyond the specifics that Medicare pays for. Our range of private pay options includes day-to-day assistance and caregiving tasks that make life easier, with trusted aides and caregivers supporting your independence at home.
Gulf Coast Village
Housing - Other Types 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Florida, 33991What sets us apart from other retirement communities in Cape Coral, FL? People who are the neighborly sort relaxed, sincere and down-to-earth. Walk around and youll find friendly residents and our kind-hearted staff create a warm, wholesome sociability throughout our beautiful senior living community.What else sets us apart? Delicious dining, 5-star services and amenities, and more classes, activities and events than you could ever imagine. Plus, were close to everything you love about Southwest Florida, including the best of Lee County coastal living.One more thing and it differentiates Gulf Coast Village. Were the only senior living community in Southwest Florida to offer you a choice like this. Under the Volunteers of America umbrella, you can get a life plan at your current home when you choose Senior Choice at Home. You can also get a life plan right here on our award-winning campus, where we provide independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab, memory care, home care, and home health in a complete, friendly continuum.
Palmview at Gulf Coast Village - Memory Care
Memory Care 1433 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Florida, 33991Even as memory fades, your loved one can still embrace moments with purpose and joy. Youll have peace of mind with the compelling care they receive in our secure, comfortable, homelike setting, and theyll feel a greater sense of freedom and self-esteem as they go about their lives. Our exceptional memory care in Cape Coral includes 2 unique specializations:Assisted living for memory lossWhen loved ones with memory loss need a hand with their daily routines, turn to our dedicated memory care wing in our Palmview community. Private residences are designed for assisted independence, with shared spaces where its safe and easy to go for a walk, spend time with friends or take part in favorite activities. Care plans support every level of memory loss, and are tailored to your loved ones abilities and preferences.Skilled nursing for memory loss.For those who need round-the-clock memory care for Alzheimers or other forms of dementia, we offer long-term skilled nursing care thats the first and only one of its kind in Cape Coral. Highly experienced nurses and aides are trained to work with all levels of memory loss, providing the kind of care that comes from the heart.Favoring warm, open communication, we work hard to achieve the right balance of independence and care for your loved one. We reach out to you for insight into their likes, dislikes and life story, so we can continue to give them the best possible quality of life. Memory loss can have a devastating impact on a family. We understand what youre going through and were here for you every step of the way. Support groups, counseling, expert advice youll find all this and more, along with an unlimited supply of hugs.