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 When Art Penland became the square dance partner of Betty Gatchell over
seven years ago, they never expected their partnership to last as long
as it has.
Art first moved to Highland Lakes from Myrtle Beach about 12 years ago
with his wife, Gloria. Before that, he lived in Chester, PA, where he
was employed by the Scott Paper Company for 34 years. After enjoying
several years of retirement in Highland Lakes, Gloria passed away in
1994.
Betty Gatchell also moved to Highland Lakes with her husband, Milton, in
October 1992 from Lewiston, Maine. Betty worked for the Raytheon Corp.
in Quality Assurance, and then worked for the St. Croix Credit Union as
a teller and eventually, a Loan Adjustment Supervisor. Their son, Ralph,
lives in Maine and their daughter, Sharon, lives nearby in Ocala. In
1993, Milton passed away and Betty decided to remain in the Highland
Lakes community.
Art and Betty both became active in the community, and Art, who had been
an ardent fan of square dancing for about 30 years, continued to
participate in square and round dancing in and around Highland Lakes.
Betty also became interested in square dancing, but felt that she needed
a partner to really get involved. Art graciously agreed to be her
partner, and to help her learn some of the steps. They have been dancing
together ever since.
This past May, Art and Betty completed the partnership by doing a –do-si-do”
down the aisle at the Royal Harbor Recreation Center. They invited many
of their friends from Highland Lakes, as well as some of their newer
neighbors at Royal Harbor, to help celebrate the occasion. Bettyęs
brother, who is a minister in California, performed the ceremony, and
their next-door neighbors in Royal Harbor, Ken and Joanne Helton, both
of whom are very active in square dancing circles, provided the music.
Art had lived in a larger home in Highland Lakes, and Betty had lived in
a smaller home, so they decided to build a medium-size home in Royal
Harbor - Pringle Developmentęs newest, lakefront community. Both
continue to be active square dancers, as members of the Sunshine
Promenaders. But they also keep in contact with their friends in
Highland Lakes by bowling in their league every week. Betty also enjoys
playing Bingo and working on the computer. She serves as a volunteer in
the ASU unit at Waterman Hospital in Eustis. She is a member of the
Royal Harbor Finance Committee and also a founding member of the
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Leesburg.
 Art and Betty, and their 12 year old Jack Russell Terrier, Brandy, have
now settled in comfortably to their new Princess model home in Royal
Harbor.
They said that they were originally attracted to Highland Lakes because
of the friendliness of the people, the overall attractiveness of the
community, and the quality of Pringleęs home construction. After living
in Highland Lakes, they felt very confident in having their new home
built in Royal Harbor. Betty feels that Central Florida reminds her of
the Lewiston, Maine area, where the Penlands still own a home on Keoka
Lake in Waterford, Maine.
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