Board
Bios, Reports and Minutes
Molly Buccafurni - Park Manager
Molly Buccafurni has been the Community Association Manager of Dove's Rest since 2017 and the Office Manager since 2014.
Her career before working for the community was as a full-time Youth and Music Pastor for several congregations in the state of Ohio. Molly graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor's degree in Sacred Music with a minor in Youth ministry from the Assemblies of God ministerial college, Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. Her year in church ministry and growing up in their family run Christian campground business has given Molly both a love for caring for people and leading a well run business. Molly is a second generation owner in Dove's Rest as well as the on-site Manager. She and her husband Dominic have been residents of the community since 2006.
Rev. Ben Walls - Chairman
Ben has been married to Melanie for 45 years and they have two children, Crystal and Ben. Both children are married and have blessed them with a total of five grandchildren. Ben graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene College (now University) with a degree in Theology. Ben has been a pastor for 43 years. For 31 of those years, Ben served the congregation of Brighton Nazarene Church in Brighton, Michigan where the church grew from 100 in attendance to over 800. During this time, he also served on the District Advisory Board for many years as well as a Trustee at Olivet Nazarene University. Ben retired from full-time ministry in 2019. He and Melanie purchased lot 101, which was owned by Mildred (Bruce) Palmeteer, Melanie’s mother. Ben is currently assisting as a speaker for vespers this season. Ben and Melanie are currently “snowbirds” with a summer home in Michigan.
GaryRoth - Vice-Chairman
Gary and his wife Rena have been owners and active residents of Dove’s Rest for 21 years and have resided full-time for the last six. Gary has served 1 and a ½ previous terms (4 years total) on the Dove’s Rest Board and has enjoyed working with his friends and neighbors to maintain and improve the quality of life for all park residents. Gary graduated from Sandusky Ohio High School in 1953 and attended college as his Air Force career permitted. He served 13 years in the Air Force with a commission and aeronautical rating. His last position was as Field Maintenance Squadron Commander. Gary went on to join the JC Penney Company in retail management for 28 years and retired in 1997. He also spent 13 years after retirement working seasonally for Trupointe Agricultural Cooperative in a variety of capacities dealing with commercial farming. Gary has been a staunch supporter of park rules and bylaw issues as a foundation for keeping Dove’s Rest one of central Florida’s best kept secrets. He has used his knowledge and experience for many years at the park in helping maintain equipment and serving in many capacities including the board of directors, taking care of the sound system and overseeing the shop.
Larry Hammond - Treasurer
Larry is married to Diane and has five children and eleven grandchildren. Larry and Diane are from St. Mary’s Ohio and have resided part-time in the park since July 2021. The Hammonds spend about six months a year here at Dove’s Rest. Larry continues to work as a financial consultant. He earned a BA degree in Organizational Management from Bluffton University and an MBA from the University of Nebraska. Larry was CEO of Trupointe Farmers Cooperatives (30 years). Larry is regularly active in the Nazarene church in Celina Ohio as well as Winter Haven. Larry serves on many advisory boards including Nazarene District Advisory Board Secretary (18 years), Secretary and Audit Chairman of Mt Vernon Nazarene University Trustees (17 years), Treasurer for five Nazarene congregations (28 years), Treasurer of Northwest Ohio District Nazarene, and the Secretary of the Rotary club (8 years). Larry is a member of General Board of Church of the Nazarene, Nazarene Theological Seminary and Joint Township Hospital. Larry has served on the Board of Directors from 2023-2026 as the Treasurer. Larry’s hobbies include working and bicycle riding.
Mari Docusen - Secretary
Mari Docusen is a Michigan resident, but has been visiting her parents (Jim and Maxine Ruddle) at Dove's Rest since the mid-90's. With the passing of her father Jim in 2019, Mari became a second-generation owner when she and her husbandGino purchase lot #@65. They reside at Doves Rest January through April. Mari and Gino are both retired teachers. Mari taught high school English and Art, as well as English as a Second Language. They have one daughter Brooke, who lives in FL, and grandchildren who love being a part of the Dove's Rest family when they visit. Mari and Gino have been part of the team that were instrumental in putting in the pickleball court and organizing regular play. not only has served on the Board of Directors, but her gift of design has been a blessing as she assisted in refreshing the clubhouse paint and décor in 2024. When back in Michigan, the Docusens attend the Brighton Nazarene Church, and while in FL attend the Highpoint Church in Lake Wales.
Jim Pickett - At-large Member
Jim and his wife Deborah are full-time residents and have been stockholders of lot 87 for four years. After highschool Jim joined the Air Force and served for five years, the last three of which were in Japan. After graduating college in 1975 with a degree in Business Management, he joined the JC Pennet Companyrising to Men's Department Manader. The Picketts moved to FLA in 1985 and Jim began working for the State of FLA. He retired after 20 years. Jim accepted the Lord as his Savior in 1965. Jim is an active member of Lake Wales Alliance Church where he serves on the church board. He is also the past President of Lake Swan Christian Camp located in Melrose, FL and with Deborah also managed the camp's snack shack for several years. The Pickett's enjoy exploring the country and traveling in their RV. Jim has faithfully served as a Board member and volunteers to assist with many park projects and activities including helping Deborah as she serves on the Fellowship Committee.
Rev. Don Smith - At-large Member
Don has been married to Denise for 47 years and are the parents of four grown children and fourteen grandchildren. Don has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Olivet Nazarene University (1976) and a Master of Divinity Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary (1980). Though his Michigan roots are deep, Don has pastored in the Florida District Church of the Nazarene for 36 years. He also served on the Florida District Advisory Board for 14 years and as a Trustee on Trevecca Nazarene University Board for 14 years. Don has on the Board of Doves Rest for the past four years. He and Denise continually find ways to serve those around them. They are full-time residents most of the year, except for part of summer in Michigan. Don is an avid sports fan and has served as a coach and chaplain for several teams. Don enjoys playing pickleball, assisting with vesper services, and providing transportation to neighbors when needed.
Larry Schindel - At-large Member
• Dove’s Rest Board Member (April 2024 - Present)
• Dove’s Rest Rules Committee Chairperson (2021 - present)
• Dove’s Rest Game Night coordinator (2023 – present)
• Dove’s Rest Block Party Host (2023; 2024; 2025)
• “Phase 2” Compassion Ministry of Winter Haven Church of the Nazarene: Wednesday night volunteer (2025-present)
• With Shirley, my wife, we have raised two boys. (All three are Olivet Nazarene University graduates.) Shirley and I were Treatment Therapeutic Foster Parents for 20 years. We fostered approximately 50 children (mainly teens), working with Social Service Departments, private agencies, and the court system. (MD)
• President, Vice President, Board Member – Stoneridge Lakes HOA (SC)
• Secretary, Treasurer, Board Member - Bryantown Hills Civic Association (MD)
• Mission Trips:4 to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina cleanup/rebuild. Organized/led., Haiti, Jamaica & Guatemala – 3 trips.
• Funded the building of “Happy Tummies” afterschool care centers. Panyebar and Santa Clara, Guatemala.
• Lead Usher and Board Member- LifeStream Church of the Nazarene (MD)
• “Crash the Chatterbox” – Small group leader 3 times. New Life Wesleyan Church (MD)
• Growing Positivity volunteer- food distribution Polk County (FL) Elementary Schools.
• Retired. 45 years in Printing Mgmt - customer service, billing, estimating. BS from Rochester Institute of Technology (NY).
• Was part of Maplewood environACTION Group (NJ)- it started the town's recycling program-mid 1960's.
• Created and raised Earth Day flag at Columbia High (Maplewood, NJ) on First Earth Day 4.22.1970.
• Co-founded Recycling Action for Charles County (MD) (1989). We educated the County Commissioners and community about recycling; and put our words into action. For nineteen months RACC collected over 1.4 million pounds of recyclables. Then, the County saw the light, and the County took over and expanded the program.
• Co-founder of the Smithsonian Frisbee Festival (1977 in Washington, DC).
• Director of the National Frisbee disc Festival (on the National Mall in Washington-- between 5,000 and 28,000 people attended each year--1977 to 1995)
• Ultimate (Frisbee) Hall of Fame-- inaugural member (2004) for coordinating and spreading Ultimate Frisbee to other high schools, colleges, clubs--now played by 7 to 10 million people around the world, in at least 122 countries.
• Johnny Appleseed member of the Ultimate (Frisbee) Hall of Fame (2014).
• Founder Washington Area Frisbee Club (DC) 1977;
• Virginia Frisbee Hall of Fame-Inaugural member 2017.
• Have visited all 50 states, all 10 Canadian Provinces.
• Was named “Citizen of the Year” by local Lions and Rotary Clubs (MD).
• Was the Commencement Speaker at Columbia High School 1996 (Maplewood, NJ).
• Mottos: "Anything worth doing is worth doing well," "Organize so that others can enjoy," and "At the heart of life is service."
• Lot 69 Chickadee Lane. Permanent Florida Residents.
• HE>i HE is Greater than I