Ending a winning season at Shula’s Steak House in Naples

Don Shula was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and won Super Bowl titles in 1972 and 1973. His record as an NFL coach will probably never be surpassed. If the decor of the Naples steak house is any indication, the theme of his restaurants centers around sports memorabilia, with pictures and game balls from the 1972 undefeated season. The rooms all have dark wood paneling and upholstered leather furniture in subdued colors. There are many, many sports photos on the walls of every room. Together, the décor and photos give the restaurant a distinctly masculine ambience. We had our own private dining room and a menu with a choice of entrées.

Our business meeting was concerned mainly with the coming year: our 2017-2018 budget; a schedule for the fall recruitment of Kappa Chi Chapter, Florida Gulf Coast University; and a line-up of very interesting programs for the year to come. Off-season, we will probably meet for a casual luncheon.

After the luncheon, some members went to the Holocaust Museum, which was located a short distance from the hotel. Having begun as a Naples, Florida, middle school classroom exhibit created by students and teachers studying the Holocaust, the exhibit was transformed into a museum with a focus on educational activities. The museum houses over 1,000 World War II and Holocaust artifacts and original photographs, many of which have been donated by local survivors and liberators.   

The Hilton Hotel in Naples, Florida

The Hilton Porte-cochère

Container gardens lining the curb on the way to the hotel

The side entrance to Shula’s Steak House

Outside entrance to Shula’s Steak House

The Hilton Hotel lobby

Judy, Nancy, Shirley & Nancy at the Hilton Hotel lobby entrance to the restaurant

Nancy & Judy

A framed photo of a triumphant Don Shula, Miami Dolphins head coach, carried off the field by his players on November 14th, 1993, after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 19-14. The win was Shula's 325th in his career, making him the winningest coach in NFL history. #10 was kicker Pete Stoyanovich.

Restaurant kitchen

Well-stocked restaurant sports bar

Seating in the sports bar area

Restaurant dining room

Our private dining room

An impressive roster of Delta Pi Delta members--all first-round picks

Teddy & Nancy

Teddy, Sandi, our new Recording Secretary, & Darlene

Scottie, Darlene & Sandi

Marjie & Ann

Co-presidents Pat & Margi

An outstanding lineup of Delta Pi Delta members: Nancy, Judy, Shirley, Jackie, Amy, Carolyn, Scottie, Rosemary & Dee

Amy, Jackie & Shirley

Caroline, Rosemary & Dee

Entrée: Grilled chicken breast  with pasta, seasoned with shallots and garlic, with boursin cream sauce, mixed with kalamata olives, tomatoes, and mushrooms, garnished with basil 

Entrée: Premium black angus beef prime rib served rare au jus with mashed potatoes 

Entrée: Pan-seared crab cake with remoulade sauce and lemon garnish and grilled asparagus with balsamic vinaigrette

Key Lime Pie dessert

Judy & Shirley leaving the hotel

Becky at the Holocaust Museum 

(no pix allowed inside)

In Celebration of Hera Day

On March 11, 2017, members of Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity celebrated Hera Day, a special day for Alpha Chis because it celebrates the altruistic tradition that has guided its members ever since the founding of the sorority in 1885. Shirley Blake was our hostess at Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida. 

Our presenter for the day was Linda Oberhaus, Executive Director of the Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Alpha Chi Omega has long committed itself to addressing domestic violence, and collegiate and alumnae chapters across the country work closely with local shelters to combat the issue. Today, members brought clothing items for children and pet items for animals at the shelter. While the Naples center provides a safe haven for abused individuals, its long-term goal is to empower victims of abuse by providing them with comprehensive services to assure their success when they leave the shelter. There is no charge to clients nor is there a time limit on how long they can stay. Presently, the agency faces an ever-increasing demand for its services. 

In the name of our patron goddess, Hera,  members of the alumnae chapter who have contributed to the welfare or happiness of others are honored with a red carnation. This year, Delta Pi Delta members have amassed over 6,000 volunteer hours. Also honored were three members who received their 50-year pins: Ann Farrell,  new member Marjie Taggart and Mary Swan. Birthday girls, Donna and Margi received their carnation nosegays. The installation of two officers took place: Vice President in charge of Membership, Julie Blanton, and  Recording Secretary, Sandi Chetwynd. 

The meeting on this special day closed with the recitation by all members of the “Rededication Bond,” as a reminder  of  the spirit of Alpha Chi Omega and in celebration of many years of sisterhood in Southwest Florida.

The porte-cochère at Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida

Magenta bougainvilleas in bloom at the entry to Worthington

Ann, Marjie & Valary on the way in to the luncheon

A table of Alpha Chis--Julie, Ann, Valary, Marjie, Mary, Carol and guest speaker Linda Oberhous

Margi, Phyllis & Carol

Judy & Marcia

Ann & Shirley

Mary Lou, Rosemary, Carolyn & Nancy

Brenda & Linda

A table of Alpha Chis--Margi, Diane, Mary, Phyllis, Carol, Shirley, Judy & Sandi

Carol, Phyllis, Ann, Marjie & Valary

Mary Lou in beautiful springtime colors

Diane & Mary, frequent visitor and new member

Marjie, a new member who was an AX at Northwestern, Mary & Carol

Rosemary & Becky

A table of Alpha Chis--Mary Lou, Rosemary, Carolyn, Nancy, Marcia, Brenda & Jane

Sandi & Margi

Fran & Jane

Brenda & Julie

Teddy, Rosemary, Amy & guest Maureen

Darlene & Sasha

A table of Alpha Chis--Teddy, Maureen, Donna, Amy, Fran, Darlene & Sasha

Linda Oberhous, Executive Director of the Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children

Linda, assuring us that domestic abuse is pervasive, even though we may not be aware that it is  going on in our own communities

Donna and carnations for Birthday Girls--herself & Margi

Awarding of fifty-year pins

Ann, Marjie & Mary received their fifty-year pins 

Julie and Sandi were installed as officers for 2017-2019

We bid a sad farewell to Sasha, who will be relocating to another state. We will miss you!

Fran & Darlene on their way home from the luncheon