Bonita Bay Club's Podcast

Unstoppable a Conversation with Kate Danaher Parks

This is Kate Danaher's first novel. She's been a member of Bonita Bay Club for over 18 years. She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Delaware and is a former professor of English at Rosemont College, Pennsylvania. She is an Irish storyteller, fiddler, and a founder and emeritus board member of the Irish Heritage Theater in Philadelphia. She also performed with and served on the board of the Delaware Shakespeare Festival. Under the name Danaher and Cloud, she and her music partner, Amy Cloud Chambers, produced four Americana albums: Portraits, Late Bloomers, The Holiday Album, and the multi-award-winning album for kids, Just Kiddin'. All available on popular streaming services. Victoria Woodhull helped shape women’s rights in America, yet most of us never learn her name or we only hear the rumors. We talk with Bonita Bay Club member Kate Danaher Parks (pen name Kate Danaher), the debut author of Unstoppable: The Victoria Woodhull Story, a new historical fiction novel publishing in June that aims to put truth back where myth has taken over. Kate shares why Woodhull’s fight was bigger than “the vote” and how a falling out with better-known leaders helped push her out of the mainstream narrative. We get specific about what surprised Kate most during her research: how often sensational claims get repeated as fact, and how hard it can be to correct the record once a story becomes convenient. With support from longtime Woodhull researcher Mary L. Shearer (VictoriaWoodhull.com), Kate revisits the “free love” label, the misunderstandings around Woodhull’s personal life, and the real stakes of advocating for social freedom in the 1860s and 1870s. If you’re searching for women’s history, women’s suffrage, feminist pioneers, or the untold story of Victoria Woodhull, this conversation is a smart starting point. We also pull back the curtain on craft and process: why Kate wrote the screenplay first, what screenwriting forces you to cut, and how the novel finally gave her room to make Woodhull feel human and relatable. Kate shares the COVID-era routine that kept her drafting, what it took to deliver a full manuscript, and why “clear” beats “perfect” on the page. You’ll also hear about her community storytelling, from tournament articles to Irish music and live events, plus what’s next with the sequel volumes Shattered and Victorious. Subscribe for more member stories, share this with a friend who loves historical fiction and women’s rights history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part of Victoria Woodhull’s story do you think deserves the spotlight now?

The Real Cost Of Doing Nothing

Bonita Bay Real Estate Now

Understanding the West Clubhouse Refundable Assessment

Super Senior Explained

A New Clubhouse Plan

Wine 101 With Melissa Hemmingway

Great wine starts with a great story, and Melissa Hemmingway is here to show how history, place, and people turn a glass into an experience. We dig into the essentials that actually matter at the table: what “varietal” really means, how color comes from grape skins, and why a thin-skinned Pinot Noir looks and drinks differently than a dark, structured Cabernet. From there, we connect style to setting, pairing to place, and give you the shortcuts that help you buy smarter and enjoy more.Our members’ travel is reshaping the club’s palate. Napa Cab still shines, but curiosity now points to Burgundy, Sicily, Portugal, and especially the Loire Valley, where Sancerre’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc fits our fresh seafood and warm climate. Melissa lays out clear, practical ways to read labels without getting lost, including the key that red Burgundy means Pinot Noir, plus the importer names that function like quality stamps: Kermit Lynch, Eric Solomon, and Becky Wasserman.We also zoom out to a world tour of regions worth your time: France as the motherland (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Alsace, Provence), Italy and Spain as tireless powerhouses, and rising quality from Germany’s reds to New World stalwarts in California, Oregon, Washington, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, and Australia. You will learn the difference between viticulture and vinification, how to protect your bottles from heat and light, and why storage sabotages more wines than flawed winemaking ever does.Curious about non-alcoholic wine? We talk about how producers are dialing in techniques to keep flavor while removing alcohol, and why zero-proof sparkling rosé, Chardonnay, and Cabernet are gaining fans at the club. Whether you are new to wine or leveling up, you will leave with confidence, context, and a list of next steps for your own tasting journey.If this conversation sparked ideas for your next bottle, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review telling us your current favorite region. Your feedback helps us bring more stories — and better pours — to the table.

Teeing Up Excellence: Insights from Bonita Bay Club's Director of Golf

Every exceptional golf experience begins with people who genuinely care. That's the cornerstone philosophy shared by EJ, Bonita Bay Club's Director of Golf, who has been crafting unforgettable golf experiences since 1999. Throughout our conversation, EJ revealed the thoughtful approach behind Bonita Bay Club's renowned golf program. "If somebody's nice and they care and they want to be there, we can train them to do anything," he explains, highlighting how the right team creates a contagious culture of exceptional service. This people-first mentality extends to how EJ's team supports golfers across all skill levels – from competitive tournament players to social golfers to complete beginners.For newcomers intimidated by the game, EJ shares his own golf mishaps to reassure them that "there's nothing they can do to a golf ball that every other golfer hasn't done at some point in their journey." The club's golf academy has been transformative, offering private instruction where beginners can learn without feeling observed or judged. Meanwhile, comprehensive tournament programming ensures that there's something for everyone, from highly competitive events to purely social gatherings.Having overseen five course renovations, EJ offers fascinating insights into golf course architecture and the complex systems beneath the surface that most players never consider. He embraces technological advancements that enhance the member experience, from teaching tools to the recently introduced full swing launch monitors that members can check out.What truly sets Bonita Bay Club apart is EJ's forward-thinking philosophy: "If you think status quo is okay, you're going to get run over by a freight train." By constantly innovating while maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere, the club creates what EJ hopes every visitor experiences – "a feeling of wow, the members of Bonita Bay Club have a special place they can call home."

Building Connections: Daniela Jacob on Membership at Bonita Bay Club

What makes a club truly special? According to Daniela Jacob, Director of Membership at Bonita Bay Club, it's when members and staff alike describe it as feeling "like home." In this heartfelt conversation, Daniela shares her journey since joining the club 14 months ago and the immediate sense of belonging she experienced from both members and colleagues.With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality and member relations, Daniela brings a valuable perspective to her role. She highlights what makes Bonita Bay Club's membership unique - their extraordinary loyalty not just to the club, but to the friendships they've cultivated over years of shared experiences. Some members have called Bonita Bay home for over 34 years, creating a community where members are "extremely happy," according to Daniela.Perhaps most interesting is Bonita Bay Club's innovative approach to membership waiting lists. Rather than the traditional all-or-nothing model common at prestigious clubs, they've created "progressive golf tiers" that provide immediate golf access at their Naples courses while members wait for full privileges. New members also lock in current initiation fees, providing financial predictability in a region where many clubs don't offer such protections. For those considering membership, Daniela conducts personalized orientation sessions and hosts new member mixers that facilitate connections among recent arrivals.Discover the Bonita Bay difference - where existing members organically welcome newcomers, the membership committee actively supports the onboarding process, and exceptional amenities include everything from five golf courses to tennis, pickleball, croquet, a lifestyle center, spa and salon, and outstanding dining. Ready to explore membership options or upgrade your current status? Contact Daniela Jacob to begin your journey home to Bonita Bay Club.

Summer One-On-One with Joseph Elwell Bonita Bay Club's Assistant GM: Balancing Tradition with Innovation

What does it take to rise from busboy to Assistant General Manager at one of Florida's premier private clubs? Joseph Elwell's remarkable 22-year journey at Bonita Bay Club reveals the dedication, adaptability, and passion required to excel in club management.Following in his father's footsteps, Joseph began his hospitality career at just 17 years old, washing dishes and bussing tables at Bonita Bay Club. What started as a test to see if he'd enjoy the industry blossomed into a lifelong vocation. Through rotations across departments—from scraping tennis courts to maintaining golf course bunkers—Joseph gained a holistic understanding of club operations that now serves him well in his leadership role.As Assistant General Manager, Joseph's responsibilities extend far beyond what members typically see. While food and beverage operations fall under his purview, he also oversees sports and lifestyle amenities including the spa, salon, and fitness facilities. His days are unpredictable, requiring flexibility to address everything from staff conflicts to service issues across the club's extensive amenities.The club's highly seasonal nature presents unique challenges, with 80% of activity occurring during just six months of the year. Balancing peak-season excellence with year-round value requires careful planning and resource management. Joseph approaches innovation thoughtfully, viewing new technologies as tools to enhance rather than replace human connection. The club's willingness to test new ideas while respecting traditions demonstrates its commitment to evolution without losing its identity.What truly distinguishes Bonita Bay Club, according to Joseph, is its exceptional people—both the 600+ staff members who deliver memorable experiences and the uniquely warm, genuine membership. With over 240 team members boasting five or more years of tenure, the club has cultivated a culture of excellence that perpetuates itself. For those considering a career in club management, Joseph offers straightforward advice: do the work, get your hands dirty, and master each step before moving to the next. His own journey stands as testament to the rewards of this approach.