Resident Spotlight: Johnny and Karla Rupp
December 11th, 2019
Meet Johnny and Karla Rupp
This month we spoke with Johnny and Karla and got to know more about their lives and why they love Grande Dunes!
WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND WHAT SCHOOLS DID YOU ATTEND?
Johnny moved to Phoenix, AZ when he was around 9 from Germany and Karla grew up in AZ. We both lived in the same area and went to the same middle and high schools.
HOW DID YOU TWO MEET AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER OR MARRIED?
Even though we went to the same schools we did not meet until Karla’s senior year in HS (1982), the year after Johnny graduated. Our best friends introduced us, at first we were friends for a few years, then we started dating about 5 years later…..were married March 1989 in Las Vegas!
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS SUCH AS CHILDREN, PETS, GRANDKIDS, ETC.?
We have 3 children, 3 grandchildren, Teddy and Julie are our furbabies.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING OR IF YOU ARE RETIRED, WHAT DID YOU BOTH DO IN YOUR PREVIOUS LIFE?
Johnny is retired after 30 years with the Federal Government (FAA) and Karla is a Realtor, I feel so blessed to have been in this career for over 23 years and still love it!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIMES AND HOBBIES INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A COUPLE?
Johnny and I for years, played on softball and volleyball teams together. We as a family spent many summers at the lake boating, skiing and tubing.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT EACH OF YOU?
We love to travel, Colorado/AZ mountains, San Diego and Germany are our favorite places that we have been. While we lived in AZ we had racehorses for a short time and still like to watch them race and will bet on a pony or 2 when we can.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO MYRTLE BEACH AND HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU LIVED HERE?
We moved from the DC area (5 years ago) to get away from traffic and live a more relaxed way of life.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN GRANDE DUNES AND IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
There are so many activities to pick from throughout the week that we can always stay busy. We love to golf and even when we are not golfing we enjoy watching the golfers from our back patio. The ocean is a short golf cart ride away, the dogs love the cool mornings there to play ball and splash around. Sunday Fundays, after a round of golf, are the best on the veranda at Members Club with our fun group of friends.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL FAMILY AND FRIENDS BACK HOME ABOUT THE OVERALL “LIFESTYLE” IN GRANDE DUNES AND WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?
In Grande Dunes the activities are not just a one size fits all, there is so much to choose from. The Ocean Club is for all of the residents, the ocean has chairs and umbrellas set up daily (during the season) and makes it most convenient not having to lug everything down. So many activities and clubs to choose from, happy hours, luncheons, dinner, theme and seasonal parties are just a start. Not only are there activities for the residents but throughout the months there are activities that raise money for charity that benefit local organizations. Members Club over the bridge has social, tennis and golf memberships to join and even more activities like yoga, line dancing lessons, bridge and trivia night that keep us all busy.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A NEW HOMEOWNER WHO WOULD LIKE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE?
With so much going on both at Ocean Club and Members Club, just show up to whatever activity that may tickle your fancy. The people who live here are so very warm and welcoming as well as the staff, you are sure to meet your new friends!
