New Member bios

September 2005

Aaron Coleman, who uses the pronouns he/him and they, is from all over Florida. He’s a new UU, who now lives in Summerfield. Aaron is very interested in the ethical uses of technology, LGBT rights, and in figuring out what to do next in life. At TriUU he hopes to be his true, bisexual, bipolar and honest self among a group of people who accept and show him acceptance. Aaron considers himself an open book.

Karen Fletcher grew up in Northern Virginia. She has worked as a psychotherapist in different settings throughout her career, including a maximum-security prison, a Community Services Board and private practice. She found her true calling working in a public school system with adolescents and their parents, helping them navigate their lives and relationships in a world sometimes void of understanding. Karen enjoys reading, quilting, cooking, working with children and has a lifelong interest in politics and social justice. She is delighted to have found her tribe at TriUU and to be part of a welcoming community that is bound by shared values. Karen lives in the Villages with her husband T and their lovable cat, Dorrie.

Michael Gelman was born in the Bronx and has been a UU at different congregations. He and his wife currently live in The Villages. Michael holds graduate degrees in business, historic preservation and library/information science. He’s currently in the process of restarting his historical research business. At TriUU he’s hoping to develop and sustain caring friendships and learn from others. Michael is very interested in environmental and social justice. Ask him about the “One Health Movement”.

Phyllis Gelman, born in Baltimore, has attended previous UU congregations. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and sold newspaper advertising for many years. Phyllis lived in Israel for nine years. For fun she loves to read mystery novels. At TriUU Phyllis hopes to make friends and is very interested in Social Justice work.

Calvin Groover, who is a trans man and uses the pronouns he/him, was born in South Florida. His parents moved to the Ocala area when he was four. He lived here for fifteen years. Then in a span of five years he moved to Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and then North Carolina where he remained for 20 years. After returning to Florida last year, he struggled to find his way here. Our welcoming presence here at TriUU has given him hope for an accepting community and spiritual family. Calvin is open to any questions you may have for him in a one-on-one setting.

Glenn Maerkl is originally from New York State. He’s a new UU and presently lives in Ocala. Having been a middle school band director for 36 years, he’s interested in everything musical, especially playing jazz piano. Glen hopes to become part of our TriUU family and to help the church thrive as his time and talents allow. He also looks forward to learning and growing as a person by trying to live out the beliefs of our religion.

Rose Maerkl is originally from West Virginia and now lives in Ocala with Glenn. She’s also a new UU. Rose enjoys spending time with her family, children and grandchildren. She also enjoys decorating with and arranging paintings. After retiring she became very active in local art clubs and displayed her paintings. Here at TriUU, Rose hopes to use her talents and abilities as she’s able, and to become part of our TriUU family. She also wants to worship, learn and grow in our religion.

Constance Rademacher was born in DC and lived in the Washington area until she married Rick 50 years ago, when she moved to Ohio. They moved to The Villages in 2017. A former Unitarian and Methodist, she is trying to marry the two traditions to practice what has always been there anyway. She is thankful for the welcome she has found in this congregation.

Marsha Sturgill moved to The Villages from Michigan four months ago. She is excited to join us because the shared values of TriUU resonate with her profoundly. All are accepted and embraced for who we are - and where we are spiritually - based upon compassionate concern for all without exception. Marsha gratefully embraces Tri-County Unitarian-Universalists as a source of balm for her Soul, and she rejoices at becoming a part of this loving community.

February 2025

Shelly Burnett is a snowbird and a retired teacher from southwestern Michigan. Her husband and she had wintered in The Villages for twenty years. She lives in a courtyard villa in Mallory Square. She and her husband were once members of North Lake Presbyterian Church but had attended many different churches in the area, sorry to say, never a UU. Shelly lost her husband to cancer this past summer so she’s a little lost and still trying to find her way. She’s looking for new friends, a community that provides a sense of belonging, and projects that involve fun, fund-raising, and social justice. If there’s a need, she will try anything once!

Diane Popp is a retired nurse, originally from Los Angeles. She and her husband, Ed, are now living in The Villages, via Crystal River. She came to Florida from Flagstaff, Arizona. Diane is very interested in reading and lifelong learning. Her husband and she love to travel. They’ve been to many interesting places around the world. Diane hopes to help with various needs associated with TriUU.

Sally Primc was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in a Catholic household. She attended a Catholic school for the first four years of school. Since her mother told her that she was named for a Jewish friend named Sally, she feels like from birth she had a little of every religion in her. Sally majored in French in Ohio, finishing up in Utah after she married her dear husband, Ron, who was in the Air Force. They had many experiences in North Dakota and returned to Cleveland, where Sally earned her teaching certificate. She taught second grade in Cleveland. Sally had three sons and substitute taught while raising them. Ron and Sally joined a UU congregation in Ohio. There Sally taught the kids. She was also head of a major fundraiser for the congregation, an annual art show which made thousands of dollars. Sally looks forward to being a Member of TriUU. After her husband passed away this year, she felt lost until she found us. Sally thanks us for being so friendly and kind to her during this difficult year.