Culinary Creativity with Chef Ralph Motta

This morning members of Ha’Penny Beach Club gathered for an unforgettable cooking class with the talented Chef Ralph Motta. The focus? Dips that are as delicious as they are entertaining-friendly. Attendees left inspired and equipped with recipes sure to impress at any gathering.

Chef Ralph guided members through a series of delectable creations:

  • Artichoke Leek Dip: A savory blend of creamy goodness and subtle sweetness from leeks.
  • Creamy White Bean Dip: Smooth, hearty, and a versatile favorite.
  • Whipped Feta with Carrots Dip: A perfect combination of tangy feta and natural sweetness.
  • Hot Crab Dip: Rich, indulgent, and a crowd-pleaser.

Participants enjoyed sampling each dip while picking up tips on presentation and pairing. Thank you, Chef Ralph, for sharing your expertise and creativity! Stay tuned for more culinary adventures at Ha’Penny Beach Club.


HaPenny Club: Where Community Thrives

At HaPenny Club, we believe life is richer when shared. Our gatherings are all about fostering meaningful connections, celebrating friendships, and creating unforgettable moments of joy. Whether it’s a casual meet-up or a festive event, the HaPenny Club brings people together to enjoy the simple pleasures of camaraderie and fun. Join us and be part of a vibrant community that cherishes togetherness and good times.

Let the laughter and memories begin!


Join us for Ha’Penny Game Day

Ha’Penny Club Game Day is a vibrant mix of strategy, laughter, and friendly competition! Members gather to enjoy an afternoon filled with the clatter of domino tiles and the thoughtful tension of Bridge.

The Dominoes table is especially lively, with players showcasing their sharp math skills and playful banter as they outmaneuver opponents to claim victory. From classic draw games to Mexican Train, every round brings its share of surprising turns and triumphant cheers.

Over at the Bridge corner, the focus is palpable as teams delve into intricate strategies, bidding wars, and precision plays. Partnerships are tested (and strengthened!) as each hand unfolds like a story, culminating in an exciting tally.

Game Day reminds us that no matter the stakes, the real win is the joy of shared moments and community.

Game day is every Thursday—join us for new games and old favorites !

Photo credit: Molly Winkleman
Photo credit: Molly Winkleman
Photo credit: Molly Winkleman

Welcome New Member: Lisa Mordhorst

Ha’Penny Beach Club is delighted to welcome Lisa Mordhorst as a new member!

Lisa resides in Frederiksted, St. Croix, and brings her deep passion for the arts and community engagement to our club. A graduate of the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC, Lisa is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, where she fosters creativity and cultural connections on the island.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys exploring the arts, fine dining, hiking, and swimming. We are excited to have her as part of our Ha’Penny community and look forward to seeing her around the club! Welcome, Lisa!


Mary & Tony’s Great Adventure

This summer was packed with unforgettable experiences for Mary and Tony Komlanc,!

It all began with an exciting trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Tony attended the Republican Convention as a delegate. From there, they enjoyed a family reunion in Hayward, Wisconsin, filled with boating and quality time.

August brought a tropical escape to Hawaii for a spectacular family wedding, complete with the largest drone display ever seen on the islands—an unforgettable finale!

Back home in Houston, September was all about transformation as they reimagined their backyard with new decking and landscaping, creating a serene oasis around the pool.

October delivered the greatest gift of all—a new granddaughter, Livy (short for Olivia), who has brought so much joy to the family.

The adventures didn’t stop there! Mary and Tony capped off the season with front-row seats to an incredible R.E.O. Speedwagon concert in October, celebrating the band’s 50-year legacy from Bloomington, Illinois.

What a summer filled with love, excitement, and memories to treasure!


Welcome To 2024/2025 Season At Ha’Penny

Welcome to another exciting season at Ha’Penny Beach Club! We’re thrilled to see familiar faces and welcome new ones as we kick off 2024/2025. This year, we’re enhancing your experience with upgraded tables and chairs and a refreshed wine and spirits list for our upgraded bar, complete with enhanced bar service during happy hour.

We’re diving right into the season with a fantastic lineup of holiday events. Join us on December 5th for a delightful lunch at 12 PM, followed by Game Day starting at 1 PM. On December 9th, come together for our cherished tradition of Holiday Decorating from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, where members volunteer to deck the halls with festive cheer.

Celebrate the season on December 12th with a Holiday Cookie Swap at 10:30 AM, paired with lunch and another lively Game Day. Don’t miss our Holiday Party on December 17th at 6 PM—festive attire encouraged! Then, on December 19th, dive into our first Book Club meeting featuring Doris Kearns Goodwin’s An Unfinished Love Story, moderated by Ellen Ruslin at 10:30 AM, followed by lunch and Game Day.

Wrap up the month with a Saturday Holiday Dinner Buffet on December 28th at 6 PM and start 2025 in style with our New Year’s Day Brunch on January 1st at 11:30 AM.

Looking ahead, save the date for our Second Annual International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 8, 2025. Featuring Chef Ralph Motta’s global menu and wine pairings, it promises to be an unforgettable celebration.

We’re also excited to welcome new full members Lisa Mordhorst, Donna & Mike Trappen, and Veronica Birkenstock. Their introductions will appear on HaPennyClub.com and in our upcoming newsletters. Let’s keep the momentum going—please invite friends and potential members to share in the Ha’Penny experience.

Here’s to a season filled with joy, connection, and unforgettable memories!

Warm regards,
Jim Hughes, President
Kristin Bryant, Vice President


Welcome New Member: Veronica Berkenstock

Welcome Veronica Berkenstock

Ha’Penny Beach Club is excited to welcome Veronica Berkenstock as a new member!

Veronica divides her time between her residences in St. Thomas, USVI, and Hilton Head, SC. She holds a BA from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Webster University, bringing her expertise as President of Practical Employee Solutions to our community.

An active member of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and the Cowboy Club in Dallas, TX, Veronica enjoys connecting through shared interests and experiences.

We’re thrilled to have her join us and look forward to seeing her at Ha’Penny! Welcome, Veronica!


Welcome New Members: Mike and Donna Trappen

Herb Land and Joan Miner on the right welcome Mike & Donna Trappen on the left to Ha’Penny

Ha’Penny Club is delighted to welcome Mike and Donna Trappen to our community!

The Trappens reside in Christiansted and bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our club. Donna holds a Master’s in Nursing Education from Penn State and an undergraduate degree from Villanova, while Mike is an engineering graduate of the University of Maryland. Both are retired and now dedicate their time to volunteering and enjoying life on St. Croix.

They are active members of the St. George Village Botanical Garden (SGVBG) and the Orchid Society, contributing their time and passion to these organizations. Additionally, they volunteer at the CMC art museum and SGVBG, reflecting their love for art, nature, and community service.

We look forward to seeing Mike and Donna around the club and learning more about their interests and experiences. Welcome to Ha’Penny!


You’re Invited to a Holiday Cookie Swap!

Embrace the magic of the season with us at Ha’Penny Beach Club! Bring your favorite cookies to share and swap with friends. Let’s celebrate together with sweet treats and holiday cheer!

 Date: December 12, 2024
 Time: 10:30 AM
 Location: Ha’Penny Beach Club

We can’t wait to see you there! 


Ha’Penny Member Anne Berger Welcomes Yoga Expertise to the Club

Anne Berger, a Ha’Penny member since 2017, has shared her love of St. Croix with her family for decades. Her daughter, Liz Daneu, first visited the island in 1988 as a teenager and has been returning ever since with her husband, Jeff, and their children as regular Ha’Penny guests.

In 2023, Liz, a certified Yoga Alliance RYT-500 instructor with over 25 years of experience, founded Island Girl Yoga Experience. This wellness initiative offers personalized yoga instruction, group workshops, and all-level retreats.

In July 2024, Liz hosted her inaugural week-long retreat on St. Croix, held at a private Grapetree property. Showcasing her commitment to the local community, she exclusively collaborated with island vendors and partnered with The Courtyard STX to provide a sound bath experience open to residents and retreat participants alike. Liz’s retreats also feature a Seva (selfless service) element, often supporting animal rescue. In July, she partnered with Real Cruzan Cats, facilitating the transportation of 10 rescue cats to the mainland for adoption.

Liz will return to St. Croix in January, once again as Anne’s guest at Ha’Penny, and will be available to share complimentary yoga tips with our members.

Learn more about her yoga and wellness offerings at IslandGirlYogaExperience.com.