Hi my name is Charlene Johnson. I joined BAGS in July of 2021. I was a member then I became the Executive Administrative Assistance and I was recently promoted to the Director of Community Outreach for BAGS!!!

I recently lived in Pennsylvania and New York. My husband Ralph and I moved from Indiana in 2014 to Palmetto, Fl. We are both retired and living the best life. Before retiring I worked in the Automobile Industry for 26 years. I was Team Leader, Supervisor , was over the Service Dept and work in Customer Service. I dealt with Businesses from all over the world. My husband and I have 2 daughters, 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. I enjoy doing crafts, fishing, playing cards, going to the beach, traveling, you name it I like it and especially family time. My passions are helping others in need, volunteering, and getting involved with the community. I have volunteered with several organizations such as; FELT (Feeding Empty Little Tummies), Mothers Helping Mothers, Hunger End, The Blessing Bags, Nutrition Initiative of Manatee County, and Food Banks. Before getting involved with BAGS I knew no one. My granddaughter is the one who found BAGS for me and told me I had to join. If I didn't she was going to sign me up. BAGS has changed my life so much and I am so glad BAGS was started.

You can reach me at:

outreach@bags50.com

Hello to all our Beautifully Aging Girlfriends!! My name is Linda, and I originally came from New York with my wonderful husband, Ron. As my husband is retired from the military, I have traveled extensively and lived in other states as well as overseas. But coming to Florida has been a “Paradise” here on earth.

Before retiring I was a Real Estate Broker for 25 years, so being in the “people” business is where I like to shine. Being a member of BAGS has changed my life. Although married, I missed having girlfriends and “girl fun.” BAGS has opened doors for me to have fabulous connections with amazing women. I have not only enjoyed the wonderfully fun activities but have had the honor of being able to volunteer in service to others. BAGS is a well-rounded group of women who support, respect and encourage each other.

I'm happy to say that I am currently the Director of Member Relations. This position excites me because I can not only interact with current members but am able to reach out to new members for any questions and need of support they may have. I look forward to meeting all the lovely ladies that are part of this amazing BAGS community.

You can reach me at:

welcome@bags50.com

Hi, my name is Dawn Howdyshell. My husband, Roy, and I were born and raised in Maryland. We were high school sweethearts and have been married for over 36 years. We raised our daughter and son in the same county where we grew up. Both of our children are married, and have blessed us with 3 grandsons, that we absolutely adore. 

Roy and I vacationed on the gulf side of FL and fell in love with the area. We knew this is where we would retire. After a 28-year career with the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, as Executive Assistant to the CEO followed by Human Resource Coordinator, I officially retired in 2019 and we made the move to Bradenton. When we moved and left our family “up north”, we knew no one. I found BAGS on the Nextdoor app in October 2021 and joined immediately. Being an extremely shy person, I stalked the Facebook page for weeks before attending my first event. Once I started attending more events, I knew this group was for me. I am honored to be a part of such an awesome group of caring women. I recently became an Event Organizer then moved into my current role as the BAGS Administrative Director. I look forward to meeting many more friends!

You can reach me at:

support@bags50.com

Hello, my name is Debbie and I have been involved with BAGS since the middle of October when my sister and I went to a dinner and a movie that was hosted by Nancy. I immediately loved being involved with the BAGS group and have participated in many events since then.

I moved to Holmes Beach in 2016 from Ohio after I retired. I worked for almost 30 years at a property/casualty insurance company wherein I travelled to many states for work. I have 2 grown sons and 3 grandchildren. I have had many, many fur babies through the years and currently have two of them.   I vacationed in Anna Maria for many years and I knew this was where I wanted to spend the rest of my life when I retired.

I love the island and the surrounding area; I am living my dream.   I am passionate about walking the beach, being outdoors and eating great food. As an Event Organizer, I hope to share this beautiful island and the surrounding area with many others as this is truly a paradise to enjoy.  

You can reach me at:

Deb@bags50.com

Hello! My name is Karen, and I became a member of BAGS in July of 2021. I was invited to join by fellow Event Organizer, Nancy Armbruster, when she came into the ER where I was working, she noticed I was a Tampa Bay Lightning fan from something I was wearing and asked me “Do you want to meet the BIGGEST Lightning Fan?” Of course, she was referring to herself! I looked at her and said, “She’s right here!” as I pointed to myself! We both laughed and from that point on we became good friends!

I grew up in the once small town of Stafford County, Virginia. I was adopted from the Philippines by a Navy couple & brought to the United States. I became a citizen of the US when I was less than a year old! Like most families in the service, we moved around from time to time. I lived in Stafford through my mid-20s, then moved down to Florida. I currently live on the west side of Bradenton. I’ve been married to my honey Shawn for 6 years. I have 3 grown sons from my first marriage ages 34, 26, & 24 who I very much adore! I worked at Blake Medical in the ER processing insurance and authorizations for 6 plus years! In April 2021, I left Blake Medical and I’m currently taking classes to change my line of work. I wanted to be more hands on and love helping people they best way I can!

The things I love most are the simple things in life! I love nature! As a child I loved walking in the woods, being outdoors and being one with nature, it just calms my soul and clears my head! My hobbies include kayaking, nature walks and camping. What I mean by camping, as in a cabin not in a tent! I also enjoy using my imagination to create things I see but putting my own spin on it just to be different! I love spending time with my family and friends and became an Event Organizer, in hopes to meet new friends and ENJOY LIFE!!

You can reach me at:

karenB@bags50.com

Hi, my name is Patti Phillips. We moved to Lakewood Ranch in June 2021 from Carlsbad, California. It was a rather spur-of-the-moment decision, and we haven’t regretted it for one minute! My husband Don & I got married in August in a small wedding with our family.

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, and after a short time living in Waikiki I moved to the San Diego area over 42 years ago. I am the mom of 3 adult children, 2 whom I birthed, and one I acquired through other means! But, no matter how you look at it, I am mom to 3 humans I raised into adulthood!

About the time I unpacked the last of the moving boxes, and was preparing for my wedding, I found out about BAGS. What a perfect fit! I have gotten to know so many fun and fabulous women through this group! I love the women, the concept and all of the social interaction! I love socializing, and I don’t know WHAT I would have done without BAGS! When I was asked to become a Specialist Organizer, I jumped at the chance! It has been a fun and fulfilling challenge!

A lot of you know me as “The Queen of Damn Near Everything” because I love to be involved in lots of different activities. I am an author, comedienne, blogger, artist and whatever else strikes my fancy on a particular day! If there is a theme, a tiara, bling or fun involved, I’m all in! I love living life to the fullest!

Many of you know me from BAGS activities and for my art & craft classes. I love helping women find their creative spirit and flourishing under it! Every one of my classes feels like a party!

If we haven’t yet met I look forward to meeting you soon at one of our fun activities!

You can reach me at:

Patti@bags50.com

Hi Friends, my name is Pam and I am originally from Connecticut, moving to Bradenton in 2022 after living in Guatemala for 8 years. I wanted to join BAGS even before I moved to Florida. I don’t remember (not a surprise these days) where or how I heard of BAGS but it was shortly after I decided to move here and I took learning of BAGS as a sign I had made a good decision.

I not quite fully retired and often have consulting work as a Systems and Business Analyst and so the majority of the events I organize are after typical work hours and weekends. Although I consider myself a klutz I do enjoy physical activities. I love to swim and be in the water, my sister often refers to me as “Fish”. I also love to bicycle, love to TRY to dance (I have taken Salsa, Tango, Belly, Flamenco, and Pole (Really!) and LOVE LOVE LOVE to play games of just about any kind. 



I have an adult son who lives in the area but other than him, I moved here without knowing anyone else so I am very grateful for BAGS. BAGS has provided me many opportunities to meet women of similar and different interests, to meet women of similar and different backgrounds and experiences, and to have a lot of fun. I have been to outdoor concerts, night kayaking, dancing to live music, hunted for Alice down the rabbit hole, rode the Legacy Trail on bicycle, played cornhole, and met some great friends.

You can reach me at:

pameladonis@yahoo.com