06/18/2026
An open letter and thank you from Ronnie Marinelli
Life is unpredictable, one moment things are calm and relaxed the next your world is upside-down in the middle of a storm. Through this whole journey, I have learned a lot about myself. I realized true strength is not measured in the gym, it is not how loud one speaks or their aggression. True strength is silence and remaining calm and standing firm in the middle of the storm.
Confidence is waking up every morning with mental and physical pain but still smiling and pushing forward through the day. As you are reading this letter, know that I have been facing my hardest competition. I honestly cannot tell you the range of thoughts and emotions that have been through my head.
Eleven months ago, I became very dizzy and lost hearing in my right ear. After several tests and an MRI of the brain, results came back, I was facing a brain tumor. As the doctor’s appointments were piling up, it was clear that I was in for a long road. That is where all of you came in. On October 15th of last year, you and Harkers Hollow so generously helped raise funds to help my wife Heidi and I offset costs. We were beyond humbled and grateful.
On October 24th the journey began. The first surgery went very well; the doctors were very pleased with the procedure. I was ahead of schedule, back up and walking within 24 hours! I was on the road to recovery. I was following doctors’ orders to a “T”. Things were going so well that were getting ready to donate the remaining funds to the Acoustic Neuroma Foundation.
A month into the recovery, out of nowhere things went sideways. What was thought to be a sinus infection turned out to be a brain fluid leak. What followed were three additional brain surgeries, spinal meningitis, and a recovery process that was not only physically taxing but mentally, spiritually and emotionally exhausting.
It is now 118 days since the last and hopefully, final procedure. I still have a few restrictions and benchmarks to meet, but I am now back enjoying my work at Harkers full-time and continuing the beautification process that I thoroughly enjoy.
It brings joy and peace to our heart knowing that you have a village behind you when you run through a storm. We are so very grateful for all the support that I have received and that I continue to receive from my family and friends at Harkers.
As a small token of our appreciation, my wife Heidi and I are donating the remaining $500 that was given to us by all of you last fall to the Acoustic Neuroma Foundation.
In addition, Harkers will continue to help support us and this cause. Going forward, each third Thursday of October will be Acoustic Neuroma Recovery Day at Harkers Hollow. A percentage of the sales from golf and dining will be donated to the Acoustic Neuroma Foundation. More details to follow but save the date of October 15, 2026.
From the bottom of our hearts thank you and God Bless you all!
Ronnie and Heidi Marinelli
Pictured are Ronnie and Dr. Samy of Jefferson+LHVN
