Days after Valentine’s Day, MorseLife resident Esther Feldberg signed copies of her debut memoir, “Sunshine and Moonstruck: My True Story of Love, Joy and Sadness,” for fellow residents and friends.

Published in September 2024, the book chronicles her first marriage to her college sweetheart who she met while attending University of Illinois. “The first minute I met him, we fell in love. He was very handsome and the love of my life,” she said. Her husband of 18 years was a lieutenant and communications officer in the Navy and sadly passed away of an illness at the age of 41, leaving her to raise their three children on her own.

Feldberg also goes back deeper in her family’s history to share her maternal and paternal grandfathers’ stories of moving from Europe to the United States, recounting the trials and tribulations Jewish immigrants faced.

“Sunshine and Moonstruck” is available for purchase on Amazon. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

With too many stories to tell in its 110 pages, Feldberg is currently hard at work on her next memoir about her second chance at love with Sumner “Sonny” Feldberg. The future couple rode the school bus together when she was in seventh grade, and she thought he was cute. They later reconnected as adults and eventually married.

The pair moved to MorseLife in July 2019, and he passed away in July 2022 at the age of 98. Fashionistas and “Maxxinistas” will really enjoy Felberg’s second book. Sonny was the founder of such stores as BJ’s Wholesale Club, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and Homesense and she’ll share the backstories of their creation.

About to celebrate her 99^th birthday in April, Feldberg is still going strong and enjoys spending time at Palm Beach Country Club, where she’s been a member since 1990.

Many people are hesitant to share their age, but members of MorseLife’s “100 Club” wear it like a badge of honor – and rightfully so! Our senior living community proudly includes 19 remarkable men and women who have surpassed the 100-year milestone. Members of the “100 Club” range in age from 100 to 105.

To put this into perspective, several Palm Beach County cities including Boca Raton and Jupiter, as well as the University of Miami in Coral Gables, aren’t even turning 100 until this year!

Not many people have the privilege of making it to the triple digits, but the select few who do have so many compelling stories and memories to share—and we’re all ears! Among the centenarians are movie star and Broadway actress Gloria Friedman, 105, and decorated WWII veteran Franklin Simon, 100. We recently hosted a party to honor these special seniors and created a memory wall exhibit to share their stories, photos and achievements.

Live entertainment was provided by pianist Richard Page, who played a nostalgic collection of iconic jazz and pop standards from the mid-20th century. Family members celebrated alongside these extraordinary centenarians, expressing their pride and admiration.

Residents find more fun at MorseLife! New Putting Green in Place for National Senior Health and Fitness Day

Residents are now enjoying a new putting green located at the MorseLife’s independent Living, the Levin Palace.

While National Senior Health and Fitness Day is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday of May, residents can be seen every day of the year enjoying all the leisure activities offered on campus.

According to data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the country. The game is fun and social with rules that make it easy for beginners to learn while experienced players vie to win fast-paced games. All levels of players can be found on our pickleball courts.

Residents enjoy swimming and luxuriating in our heated indoor and outdoor pools all year around. If it’s raining or just plain too hot to be outside, our state-of-the-art fitness center offers great classes and the latest workout equipment.

No matter what physical activity you enjoy, at MorseLife, you can relax in the inviting spa and wellness center.

Of course, health and fitness also are enjoyed by getting together with others and participating in the many activities and classes offered throughout the month, such as painting, beading, and discussions of current events.

At our new putting green and throughout the campus, residents get in the swing of enjoying life at MorseLife.

Volunteers Share Sweet High Holiday Traditions with Seniors in Need

MorseLife volunteers, residents and staff once again gathered to package and deliver kosher holiday meals to more than 1500 vulnerable seniors living throughout Palm Beach County.

“It’s wonderful to be able to bring the community together again this year to enjoy the sweet traditions of the High Holidays with seniors who depend on MorseLife for support,” said President & CEO Keith Myers. “We are grateful to have such dedicated volunteers who have made it an annual tradition to serve meals to isolated seniors through the MorseLife Homebound Mitzvah program.”

Seniors received traditional meals of homemade Matzoh Ball Soup, wine, challah, an apple and honey, and homemade honey cake for dessert.

“We continue to maintain social distancing measures for the safety of our seniors, which includes contactless meal drop-offs,” added Myers. “Even though these challenges exist, it’s a joyous occasion to share traditional holiday rituals.”

MorseLife’s Homebound Mitzvah Program for Passover and the High Holidays gathers hundreds of community volunteers to assist with pre-delivery meal packaging and/or meal delivery to Palm Beach County seniors. Volunteers assist in many programs that benefit community seniors in need, such as the Homebound Mitzvah Program, which are made possible through generous donations to the MorseLife Foundation.