Bonnie Bozzo Wows as Karen Blixen

On November 19, 2025, 175 seniors attended the Lunch with Friends at the Marco Island Lutheran Church. Thanks to the luncheon sponsor, Marco Island Civic Association (MICA), a busy line-up of volunteers who came to set up the tables early, and a dedicated kitchen crew making sure the guests enjoyed a full-course meal courtesy of Chef Ron McClay,along with yummy home-baked desserts. Also, a big thanks to sponsors Al’s Pals, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Marco Lutheran Church, and the YMCA, with a birthday shout-out to all the November birthdays who each received a celebratory birthday cake to take home. 

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Pastor Jim Thelen of the Marco Lutheran Church led the guests in a brief moment of “prayer and gratitude for all the many blessings that come our way, too many to even count with our hands and for this moment as we gather together as friends, filling our hearts beyond measure.” 

Many of the November luncheon guests are friends and admirers of Bonnie Bozzo, a localceleb and well-known for her portrayals of historical women.  Bonnie is also the founder of a very popularsocial club - in 2004, she launched “Just Friends” to promote and develop continued friendship and fellowship for former members of the Newcomers Club of Marco Island. Just Friends is now enjoying 21 years! 

Bonnie also started the Murder Mystery Series, a two-act play written and directed by Bonnie. Itssixth play, held in February 2025, was at a local restaurant and usually sells out each year. In addition, Bonnie also finds time to write 

adventure books as Bonnie Bee. 

We all have seen the movie Out of Africa starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. The movie was based on a true story, written by Karen Blixen, on the complexities of her life in Africa. Bozzo’s portrayal, sans the captivating African landscape, was able to take the audience with her on an autobiographical narrative of love, resilience, strength, and her quest for identity as a woman.  

Blixen’s Out Africa was published in 1937 and is amemoir about her personal relationships and deep connection to the African landscape. It detailsthe complexities of colonial life and features love, loss and Blixen’s search for identity, themes that still resonate with readers today.  

A note from Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Nancy Kot: Please make sure to reserve for the December Lunch with Friends by emailing: lunchwithfriendsmarco@gmail.com or call 706-566-8532.