Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
ORANJESTAD — One thing that Aruba’s frequent, dedicated patrons know is how the island connects people in so many, and sometimes surprising, ways. For two couples who stay annually at the Renaissance Beach Suites, and were recently honored by the Aruba Tourism Authority, it kindled friendships for neighbors who were barely aware of each other prior to sharing a beach on Aruba.
Ken and Gail Lewis of Freeport, Long Island celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Aruba on last week, with a gala catered affair at the Renaissance Convention Center in Oranjestad with 22 family members and friends. They have been escaping winter to Aruba for twenty years now, progressing from owning only one week to eight, for a blessed two months in the sun on the island they love best.
Celebrating with them was another couple from Bethpage, Long Island, Bruce and Harriett Woodruff, who will soon coming up on their 50th wedding anniversary in May. The two couples were honored by the ATA on Wednesday morning, being named “Ambassadors of Goodwill” by ATA Representative Ernest Giel.
Together they received flag pins and certificates from the Aruban Government. Renaissance Resort Concierge Linda Garcia further demonstrated the resort’s appreciation for their loyal patronage by presenting them with bottles of champagne and vouchers for dinners at the Beach Suites or Aquarius restaurant.
The Lewis’ first came to Aruba after being offered a timeshare at the Renaissance from an agency they used in the U.S., and after trying several other islands in the region, Aruba became their preference for their annual winter getaway. “You have everything here,” states Ken. “No place we have been to, can compare, so we don’t bother going anywhere else, anymore.”
Robert Franke, a close neighbor of Ken’s, shared his passion for being a volunteer fireman. He and his wife, Rosie, had also discovered the Renaissance, just coincidentally, and the two couples became close friends during their days sharing the beach and pool.
Bob, it turns out, was an insurance broker, as was Bruce Woodruff, so when they bumped into each other on the streets of Oranjestad, there was recognition, and their friendship blossomed. Bruce and his wife joined their cozy group at the Renaissance, and over their many years vacationing together, their casual, neighborly relationships developed into a strong bond of friendship, sharing many of life’s milestones together, on Aruba and back in the U.S.
It was here that Ken’s daughter, Kim and her husband, Richard Koos, were married on the Renaissance Beach in 2003, with all their good friends and extended Aruban family attending. Sadly, they lost Robert in 2011, but Rosie still joins the group every year for their annual winter sojourn, “Robert and Rosie were definitely the glue that kept us all together,” commented Bruce, “he is missed, but we are still thrilled to return each year to share this time with Rosie, and all the wonderful experiences we always have together while here.”
