[red tail]

Mary Louise ("Mema") Brown-Schwartz was divorced from the founder, Harold S. Schwartz and she moved back from Chicago IL. to Central Lake, MI (where she was raised) about 1944 with her two children, Harold Gary Schwartz and Mary Louise Schwartz. She later married Clifford H. Morse there and started Brownwood Farms about 1945. Because the war was still going on, she didn't want the Schwartz name of her children to be an anti-semetic target in case the Nazis invaded the US. Clifford adopted the children and their names were legally changed to his (Morse). Son, H. Gary (his Mom preferred to use his middle name) later operated the Farmhouse Restaurant there with his Mom and wife, Sharon. Gary's sister, Mary Louise ("Mar") married David S. Detar and continued to run Brownwood Farms with her son, Stephan Detar. She still lives in Central Lake and Gary visits her often.

Founder, Harold Schwartz later married Bernice Newman (about 1946) and had three other children, one of which is Richard A. Schwartz (who lived in "Eden Prairie", MN. for a while), Gary's half brother, who now lives in the area but no longer is involved with the golf operations of the corporation. Harold went around the country buying up radio stations until he got to Wildwood, FL. and found Orange Blossom Gardens. He bought and sold land plots in Florida and New Mexico and even owned a hotel in Miami, FL. at one time.

About 1983 after buying out his OBG partner, Albert J. Tarrson, Harold asked his son Gary to come down and manage the business and help develop the growing retirement community. Gary, Sharon and their three children moved to Paradise Drive. Harold returned to Chicago for two years then came back to live on Aloha Way about 1985. Together, Harold and Gary had a bright vision for a retirement place they eventually named The Villages. By the time Harold died (just before Chrismas, 2003), he was 93 years old, had 5 children, 16 grandchildren (Mark Gary, Jennifer Louise and Tracy Lee among them), 28 greatgrandchildren and shook thousands of hands on the Town Square.

H. Gary Morse, who lost his wife Sharon to cancer just before New Years in 1999, is now 74 years old and loves to spend time on his 143 ft. yacht named "Cracker Bay" with his second wife, Renee.

[eweissenbach]

You know I wonder how happy the Morse clan is? I realize they are wealthy beyond imagination, and can afford anything they want, but are they really happy? Everything I have heard about Harold Schwartz implies he was a man of the people, who lived in a fairly common Villages home, and spent a lot of time at the squares enjoying the people and the lifestyle he had helped to create for them. His offspring and their offspring seem on the other hand to live a cloistered life, not wanting to mingle with Villagers (May be a wrong perception, but that is what I have garnered from various sources.). Here in a place created to help make peoples' lifelong dreams come true (on a modest budget if desired), they seem not to enjoy much of it. Oh, I know they have places in Montana, and yachts, and horses, and money to burn, but do they really have a joy for life? I wonder if they feel they can't enjoy the Villages because of their wealth or their position? I am not trying to denigrate them in any way, but it is just something I think about. You know the old saying money can't buy you happiness.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by red tail

Mary Louise ("Mema") Brown-Schwartz was divorced from the founder, Harold S. Schwartz and she moved back from Chicago IL. to Central Lake, MI (where she was raised) about 1944 with her two children, Harold Gary Schwartz and Mary Louise Schwartz. She later married Clifford H. Morse there and started Brownwood Farms about 1945. Because the war was still going on, she didn't want the Schwartz name of her children to be an anti-semetic target in case the Nazis invaded the US. Clifford adopted the children and their names were legally changed to his (Morse). Son, H. Gary (his Mom preferred to use his middle name) later operated the Farmhouse Restaurant there with his Mom and wife, Sharon. Gary's sister, Mary Louise ("Mar") married David S. Detar and continued to run Brownwood Farms with her son, Stephan Detar. She still lives in Central Lake and Gary visits her often.

Founder, Harold Schwartz later married Bernice Newman (about 1946) and had three other children, one of which is Richard A. Schwartz (who lived in "Eden Prairie", MN. for a while), Gary's half brother, who now lives in the area but no longer is involved with the golf operations of the corporation. Harold went around the country buying up radio stations until he got to Wildwood, FL. and found Orange Blossom Gardens. He bought and sold land plots in Florida and New Mexico and even owned a hotel in Miami, FL. at one time.

About 1983 after buying out his OBG partner, Albert J. Tarrson, Harold asked his son Gary to come down and manage the business and help develop the growing retirement community. Gary, Sharon and their three children moved to Paradise Drive. Harold returned to Chicago for two years then came back to live on Aloha Way about 1985. Together, Harold and Gary had a bright vision for a retirement place they eventually named The Villages. By the time Harold died (just before Chrismas, 2003), he was 93 years old, had 5 children, 16 grandchildren (Mark Gary, Jennifer Louise and Tracy Lee among them), 28 greatgrandchildren and shook thousands of hands on the Town Square.

H. Gary Morse, who lost his wife Sharon to cancer just before New Years in 1999, is now 74 years old and loves to spend time on his 143 ft. yacht named "Cracker Bay" with his second wife, Renee.

This post really was informational me as I have a book on TV that doesn't goes into as much detailed information that you posted. This is very interesting.

I just want to thank all of the Schwartz and Morse family for their vision in creating a little slice of paradise on earth.

Money doesn't buy happiness but it sure make you suffer in comfiort.

[jblum315]

Red Tail, a fascinating bit of history. Thank you.
Eweissenbach, I don't know how to respond to your theory. Maybe to the present Morse family it's just a business like any other business and you don't look for fun in your shop. Maybe they have friends living in The Villages. I doubt I would recognize Gary Morse if he was walking around Lake Sumter landing with sunglasses on. I might spot Mark but I'm not sure. I imagine they're as happy as any other wealthy family, but who knows?

[billethkid]

perhaps what we are witnessing is the difference of what founders do/did when they could reach out and touch all the aspects of the business and had the time to make the all important people contacts. Then the business gets to a point where the management's time is consumed with the goings on of the busies(es) and little time left for the feely touchy aspect of the business. That however could easily be taken on by the underlings that run the day to day. That unfortunately usually never happens because they have no personal invested interest (itsa job!). Or they do it to a very limited degree....never like the founder(s).

My biggest complaint during my career was as I was promoted to the bigger aspects of the business I was losing contact with those who turned the handles to make things work.

btk

[2newyorkers]

Why does someone assume that because you are wealthy you are not happy?

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by 2newyorkers

Why does someone assume that because you are wealthy you are not happy?

I did not and do not assume that. It was a question that I have had in my mind, since they are seldom seen. They may well be deleriously happy for all I know, and I hope they are.

[Tom Hannon]

If I was Gary Morse, I'd be a member of TOTV just to listen what people have to say and maybe once in a while say a thing or two. Yes, I agree with Coach Ed. I also feel the Morse family stay away from us normal people. If I'm wrong Gary, speak up. We'd like to hear from you.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

If I was Gary Morse, I'd be a member of TOTV just to listen what people have to say and maybe once in a while say a thing or two. Yes, I agree with Coach Ed. I also feel the Morse family stay away from us normal people. If I'm wrong Gary, speak up. We'd like to hear from you.

Tom -

You are wrong.

Gary

[Tom Hannon]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

Tom -

You are wrong.

Gary

If you are a Morse...you are really laying low. I would have never thunk it. Only the Shadow knows... Maybe he (the Shadow) is Gary Morse.