News of Sun City Center January 2024 by The News of Sun City Center & South County

The News of

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SUN CITY CENTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Sun City Center

January 2024

CA SCHEDULE

JANUARY, 2024 1 All Facilities Closed 3 Annual Membership Meeting Community Hall – 3 p.m. Zoom ID: 823 6090 5682 Passcode: 922171 8 Board Workshop Rollins Theater – 9 a.m. Zoom ID: 817 1487 9465 Passcode: 382729 10 Board Meeting Rollins Theater – 9 a.m. Zoom ID: 858 7760 5223 Passcode: 763583 16 Club Leaders Meeting Florida Room – 10 a.m. Zoom ID: 829 1943 0441 Passcode: 155943 16 Referendum on Recall Sandpiper Room – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m 17 Referendum on Recall Community Hall – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 25 Board Supplemental Meeting Board Room – 1 p.m.

Golf Cart Parade Shows That It’s a Wonderful Life

By Bob Sanchez Hundreds of residents lined the streets in golf carts or lawn chairs to witness 45 beautifully decorated golf carts in SCC’s annual Holiday Golf Cart Parade on December 2. The theme this year was “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The Santa’s Workshop entry by Peter and June Hyjek won first place in the Individual category. The Tennis Club won the best Club entry, and Aston Gardens took the honors for the Business division.

“This was our first year participating in the golf cart parade,” June Hyjek wrote in an email, “and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see how many folks came out to see the carts along the route and to see all the other carts that participated. A very fun activity.” She added that decorating their cart was “about a 6-month process, doing just a little bit each time in between golf, softball, pickleball, hospice volunteering and other SCC activities. We are already looking forward to next year’s parade

and have identified a theme to start on in the upcoming year.” The judges were Jo Boggs from Boggs Jewelry, Troy Milquist from Replays, and Robyn Payant from Payant Financial Services. Golf Cart Parade Chair Carrie Blaylock wrote that she was “very impressed” with all of the entries.

Agendas for the monthly Board Meetings will be posted on the Official Bulletin Board in the Atrium the Friday before and on the CA website www.suncitycenter.org – under “Residents” – Upcoming Meeting Agendas. They will also be sent via “What’s New in the CA” email.

CA Contact Information

Administration Office 1009 N. Pebble Beach Blvd, SCC Phone: 813.633.3500 Hours – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., M-F sccboard@suncitycenter.org Website: suncitycenter.org Information Center: 813.633.4670

Barb Wins Big

By Mike Lee Barb Virts was the lucky winner of the Sun City Center Security Patrol’s golf cart raffle this year. Barb expressed her gratitude to the Patrol, and said “I never win anything!” She is shown here with her dog, Archie, admiring the beautiful cart that she won. The Security Patrol holds multiple fundraising events annually, including an upcoming concert by Jimmy Buffett’s former back-up band, The Landsharks. The concert is being held in the Community Hall on January 14. It is expected to sell out, and tickets are going fast. Get yours now!

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There will be another concert in February, and another one in March featuring the local barbershop quartet and chorus. According to Tim Broad, Chief of the Patrol, the 2024 raffle will be something different. The raffle will be for a luxury cruise. Look for raffle tickets to go on sale later in 2024. “From the feedback we have had, people like the idea of a cruise,” Broad said. The fundraising events help support the Patrol, along with grants that are received, as well as donations from residents of the community. The Security Patrol is always looking for volunteers. A commitment of only three hours a month is needed. Volunteers can drive or dispatch. Various other positions are available as well. Anyone that is interested in volunteering can stop by the Patrol’s office, or call (813) 642-2020 between the hours of 9:00 and 3:00 Monday through Friday. Help the Patrol assist in making our community the safest area in Hillsborough County!

Holiday Walk is Creative Fun

By Mike Lee The annual holiday walk, which had most of the Sun City Center craft clubs selling products that were produced by club members, was recently held. There were many beautiful items sold, and the clubs reported great success with their sales. According to Donna, president of the Weavers Club, “We make money by selling our merchandise. It helps us to purchase things and we give money to charities. Most of the money we get, we give back. And we buy equipment for our club.” The holiday walk is held annually

during the holiday season. Many of the clubs have shops that are also open at various times throughout the year.

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Sun City Center Community Association, Inc. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024 3:00 PM – COMMUNITY HALL REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AT 2:30 PM ALSO VIA ZOOM Meeting ID:823 6090 5682 Passcode: 922171 200 SCCCA members required for a Quorum CA Membership Cards are required for admittance (Your 2023 stickers will be accepted)

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January 2024

The News of Sun City Center

-AGENDA-

Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Minutes: October 25, 2023 III. Installation of newly elected Directors IV. President’s Report V. Treasurer’s Report VI. Community Manager’s Report VII. Samaritan Services – How we serve the CA. VIII. Long Range Planning Committee Report Central Campus Plan Update-PI Architects IX. General Discussion by Members X. Adjournment

President’s Report

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF REFERENDUM VOTE

TO REMOVE DIRECTOR RON CLARK PER CERTIFIED PETITION SUBMITTED WITH NO CAUSE LISTED TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024, SANDPIPER ROOM, 8 AM TO 3 PM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024, COMMUNITY HALL, 9 AM TO 5 PM CA Membership Card or Photo ID required to vote. Absentee Ballots are available in this issue of the News of Sun City Center and in the CA office until 3 pm, January 17, 2024. For those individuals who are not in Sun City Center between January 1st and January 17th they can request via email to secretary@suncitycenter.org by January 8th that an absentee ballot be mailed to them. Ballots will not be sent via email nor can they be returned via email. Absentee ballots must be either on a printed newspaper ballot or in an official absentee ballot envelope. No copies will be accepted. Sun City Center Community Association Board of Directors

VOLUNTEER PICNIC

In appreciation of your hard work, dedication and support given to the CA throughout the year, the Board of Directors cordially invites you to attend a picnic lunch in your honor on: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 FLORIDA ROOM 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

THANK YOU TO ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED ON COMMITTEES AND WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2023!

SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THE FOLLOWING WHO CONTRIBUTED $1,000 & OVER TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IN 2023 (thru 12/15/23)

By Ron Clark, CA President Happy New Year! I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2024. I am honored by the recent unanimous vote of the new Board to reelect me as President of the CA Board of Directors for 2024. I look forward to continuing my service to the community in this volunteer position. In 2024, the Board will continue to be focused on transparency, attracting volunteers, sound fiscal management to keep our community affordable and debt free, supporting all the clubs since they provide so much enjoyment to many members, and making sound decisions that improve the quality of life and enjoyment of members. The main focus for the Board in 2024 will be continued progress on implementing the Master Plan for the upgrade of the Central Campus. The current plan is for the membership to vote on the funding for the construction of Phase 1 in April. Our facilities need to meet our current needs and be modern for our enjoyment and to protect our investment in our housing values. Pi Architects will provide an update on the Master Plan at the Membership meeting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, at Community Hall. Please join us. On September 13, 2023, the majority of the Board decided to locate the Billiards Club in the rear of the new Applied Arts Building in lieu of the Needlecraft Club who wanted to remain in their current location. This Board decision avoided the CA spending over $300,000 in additional project costs and preserved the Armstrong & Heritage rooms for over 900 meetings per year. Unfortunately, this Board decision triggered a recall process with a petition listing no cause. There will be an election on January 16 & 17 to determine if I should remain on the Board of Directors. Our CA community is at a crossroads. Should we remove the Board President because the majority of the Board made a decision they felt was in the best interest of the membership? Should we remove a Board member without cause, with the basis being subjective opinions and misinformation? The choice will be up to the membership, and I hope the choice is to support me and by extension the entire Board. We are all elected volunteers making what we believe are the best decisions for the membership of this great community. Let’s end the division and move forward. As always, let us all be respectful, positive, kind, and have fun in our senior years. Have a great 2024!

Statement of Purpose

The Sun City Center Community Association serves the residents of Sun City Center by providing assistance for the elderly, assistance and essential services to tax exempt entities, and operates in lieu of a municipal government, thereby lessening the burdens of government (Hillsborough County, Florida).

NAME AMOUNT APPLIED TO CLUBS Duplicate Bridge Association $2,000 Operations Computer Club $1,000 Hardship Fund Dog Owners Group $2,000 Their share of maintenance of the dog park Softball Club $2,500 Their share of maintenance of the softball field Tennis Association $10,000 Their share of maintenance of the tennis courts Pickleball Club $10,000 Lighting at the Pickelball Courts GRANTS RECEIVED Community Foundation of Tampa Bay (Durward & Janet Seville Fund) $15,388 Sun City Center Library We thank the Lawn Bowling Club who directly paid $12,896 as their 1/2 share of the maintenance of the lawn bowling courts We also thank the RV Club and Tillers & Toilers for maintaining their own areas.

CLUB/ORGANIZATION

Computer Club Front Porch Pickers Tillers & Toilers Woman’s Club Potters Wheel Club Metaphysical Society

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AMOUNT

$1,000 $550 $500 $50 $150 $200

APPLIED TO

Hardship Fund Hardship Fund Operations Library Hardship Fund Hardship Fund

Newcomers

List prepared from CA staff data. Report corrections, additions to CA at 633-3500. 11/15, 2023 thru 12/15, 2023

Local Adress 1001 Athens Way 1004 Athens Way 907 Bluewater Drive 360 Caloosa Palms Court 407 Castle Pines Lane 704 Chipper Drive 241 Courtyards Blvd. #106 2214 Del Webb Blvd. W. 2236 Del Webb Blvd. W. 1014 Fordham Drive 1504 Fort Duquesna Drive 727 Fox Hills Drive 2105 New Bedford Drive 608 Ojai Avenue 2205 Myrtle Vista Court 444 Noble Faire Drive 2507 Runningbrook Way 1125 Signature Drive 1928 Wolf Laurel Drive

Name Alvin & Faith Hulbert Cecil Brown/Lana Gibson Joseph & Jean Kehoe Day & Josephine Kokarev Clyde Way Van & Margaret Ensworth Neil & Judy McAllister Jay Hanson Dave & Joann Sturm Karen & Frank Price, Jr. Shawn & Heidi Cartagena Raymond & Vivian Renner Douglas & Judith Maxwell Richard & Faye Baker Michael & Cathy Antonucci Vincent & Tami Masson David & Peggy Squier Peter & Margaret Palermo Gail Chase/Sandi Hawkes

Hometown Westborough Nitro Philadelphia Berlin Parkersburg Bradenton Fishkill Kokomo Patterson Columbus Belleville Manchester Sugar Grove Paso Robles Perkasie Sarasota Morgantown Union Grove Hendersonville

State/Country Phone MA 508-330-6480 WV 813-562-0604 PA 215-760-9231 VT 802-233-0077 WV 304-201-4786 FL 941-518-1024 NY 813-633-9684 IN 448-666-4561 NY 813-296-1004 OH 614-946-6541 MI 313-410-3003 ME 207-245-2304 IL 630-338-6750 CA 805-423-4292 PA 267-664-5376 FL 614-633-9269 GA 813-789-8095 WI 414-630-4334 NC 203-641-6431

January 2024

The News of Sun City Center

Notice of Hardship Relief for 2024

Annual Community Association Dues Hardship Applications are due by February 29, 2024 Hardship financial relief for 2024 annual membership dues is available to Sun City Center Association members. The resident owner/owners of the property applying for financial hardship assistance must have been Community Association members in good standing for a period of three years prior to applying for assistance. They must also complete a full financial disclosure. Applications for hardship are available at the Community Association Office (1009 N. Pebble Beach Blvd.) and must be received by February 29, 2024 for the current year. For additional Information please contact Member Services at 813-633-3500.

RPC Master Plan Update

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Moving Forward And Staying Debt Free

CA Board Sets Dates for Recall Vote, Simplifies Club Reporting By Bob Sanchez At its December 13 meeting in the Rollins Theater, the CA Board of Directors scheduled January 16 and 17 for SCC residents to vote whether to recall President Ron Clark and remove him from the Board. Clark recused himself from the vote. The Board also approved Director Carrie Blaylock’s proposal to simplify Clubs’ annual reporting requirements. President Clark stated that the design of the new Applied Arts Building continues to make progress, as LongRange Planning Committee members Debbie Caneen and Gary Marston met for a second time with Pi Architects and representatives from the five affected clubs to discuss final details of the planned construction. He noted that “members can also donate to the SCCCA Future Facilities Fund. In addition, the Board will be creating a new Fundraising Committee to lead the fundraising

effort. Donations to augment our Capital Fund fees will allow us to complete all phases for the Central Campus upgrade sooner.” Treasurer Roger Zieg provided the following balances as of November 30: Operations $1,393,154 Capital Fund $5,468,276 Replacement Fund $1,864,397 Renovations Fund $43,453 Community Manager Lyn Reitz reported that 8500 pounds of shredding were done on our most recent shredding day. Coupons should be mailed to members within the next couple of weeks. The next Membership Meeting will take place on January 3 at 3pm at Community Hall. We have 11,458 residents. Carrie Blaylock reported the success of the Golf Cart Parade, the Holiday Walk, and Music on the Greens hosted by the front Porch Pickers at the bandstand.

The Newest CA Board Members By Bob Sanchez

Four newly elected CA Board members have all expressed that they are honored by the confidence that Sun City Center voters have placed in them, and they look forward to productive terms.

Geri Roberts wants to make a positive effect within our community through communication.

Nancy McCall is excited to be on the Board and looks forward to helping Sun City Center.

Julie Porto says she is honored to have been elected to the board and wants to continue to work on making Sun City Center the best place to retire.

Tony Rickert says that serving on the board to drive the improvements planned in the Long Range Plan will be a great way to make life better for all our residents.

Our committee has been busy! Before launching into the Rollins entertainment, dining/bar and new resort style pool area design and construction, we must relocate Weavers, Seniors vs. Crime, News of Sun City Center and the Palm room, which presently occupy Rollins. Being fiscally mindful of membership dues, (which pay for operating expenses such as electricity) our primary goal is to reduce costs at every turn. Pottery, Ceramics and Stained Glass clubs all use kilns which create a tremendous amount of heat in each of their spaces. From approx. 1200 – 2900 sq ft of space each. To cool those three clubs while combating the kiln heat, it was decided to bring the kiln users together into the future Applied Arts Building. Their kilns will be located toward the rear of the building and the space will be heavily insulated and ventilated. By isolating this heat, it is predicted the electric bill for these three users will be drastically reduced. The potential cost savings will hopefully allow us to pay for the new resort style pool pump energy use without raising dues for that particular addition. During this process, we learned from Pi Architects that Billiards must also be relocated due to sharing utilities with Rollins. Needlecrafters Club had been considered as a club to move into the new building, but club members decided to remain where they are and have a door added to the Cherry Hills side of their club creating a display window to give them more exposure.

The new Applied Arts Building will house Pottery, Ceramics, Stained Glass, and Weavers along the Cherry Hills side of the building with display windows to maintain the marketplace feel, mirroring the Arts and Crafts building on Swan Lake while Billiards will be strategically located in the rear of the new building. These Club members have had several individual meetings with Pi Architects. The input received during these collaborative meetings has developed customized, creative spaces for each club. If you are a member of these clubs, be sure to drop by your club for a look at the rendering of your future creative space! Staying Debt Free At this point in December, our Capital Fund (money used to build facilities and funded from the $3,000 per home sale fee) is at approximately $5,000,000 which is estimated to be well more than needed to complete phase 1a. As the project moves forward in time, the Capital Fund should continue to be replenished to allow us to continue building until we have our own Rollins restaurant with dining, bar, carry out window and resort style pool. Our C ommittee is excited for members to see the updated images of the future resort style pool and Rollins entertainment complex from Pi Architects at the January 3 Membership Meeting in Community Hall at 3 p.m. so please join us! For questions regarding our Master Plan update, please email: Debbie Caneen at “DCaneen@suncitycenter.org”.

Security Patrol Open House

By Mike Lee You’ve seen the cars cruising through your neighborhood or the parking lot of local stores and you’ve returned a friendly wave from a driver. Now come to our Open House for the Security Patrol on January 27 between 12 and 4 p.m. and find out what it’s all about. For instance, do you know how Security Patrol assists pet owners, golf cart owners, vacationing home owners / snowbirds, and folks who have lost or found items? You can learn all about those as well as how the organization is called upon for wellness checks and how it is in liaison with Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office. Operating 12 hours a day 363 days per year, lots of volunteers are needed to keep the wheels rolling and the phones and radios manned. Don’t be overwhelmed by the broad scope of services provided. Volunteers are asked for just three hours per month and there are a variety of ways in which to help with the main jobs being those of drivers and dispatchers. Come see what you can do. “Snowbirds” are most definitely welcome. Light refreshments will be available for potential volunteers who stop by for a chat. Visit with current volunteers on Saturday, January 27, anytime between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Sun City Center Security Patrol is located at 1225 N Pebble Beach Blvd.

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The News of Sun City Center

January 2024

NOTICE: Each community and club in Sun City Center and Kings Point has specific rules about membership and attendance. Unless specifically stated or posted, most venues, meetings and events hosted on the Community Association campus and in Kings Point require attendees to bring their SCC CA or KP ID or come with a resident member. When in doubt, contact the club in question - not the venue or association - prior to arrival. Thanks.

Organ and Keyboard Club

Organ/Keyboard meets every Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Armstrong Room. Beginners and advanced cost $3.

Happy New Year From The Bunka Club

Thinking about a new art craft, why not try Bunka? It is the Art of Japanese Embroidery. It is done with 4-3-2-1 ply threads, needles, punch method no knots on canvas we meet Monday-Thursday in the Arts and Crafts Building on Cherry Hills. Come see us, the door is always open.

SCC Pickleball Lessons

The Pickleball Club offers Introduction to Pickleball lessons to all SCC Community Association members. Our classes are given every Tuesday and Friday from 1-3PM over a 6-week period. At the end of six weeks you’ll graduate and be able to confidently play with your friends and make new friends with other members of the club. 2023 sessions are almost full, but we have lots of sessions open for 2024. We ask for a $5 per person, non-refundable registration fee for students who are not yet a member of the PBC. To get more information and register for classes go to the club’s website at SCCPICKLEBALL.CLUB, then go to “LEARN” link at the top of the page. Click on the SIGNUPGENIUS link to register for a class. If you have problems registering, email the club at “SCCPICKLEBALL002@gmail.com” with a brief message, your name and phone number.

Learn to Play Bridge

Beginning Tuesday, January 2, Tom Richard and KC Chilton will be teaching Easybridge1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 12 in the Horizon room. You’ll be able to play hands on the first day. The first four lessons are free and fun! Studies show that learning something new and keeping your brain active is a great way to ward off dementia. Playing Bridge is a great social game and a chance to get out of the house and meet new people. Sometimes food is involved. Come with a partner or by yourself (we’ll find you a partner). You can just show up that first Tuesday or preregister by contacting Don Acker at 813-634-4165 or “EasyBridgeSSCFL@gmail.com”.

Historic Marker Dedication

January 13, at 2 p.m. Community Association offices, North Pebble Beach The History Society invites members of the SCCCA and their guests to the formal unveiling and dedication of the new historic marker. Refreshments will also be provided.

SCC New England Club’s Ham and Bean Dinner

Wednesday, February 7, doors open at 4 p.m. SCC Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. Open to any SCC Community Association or KP card holder once they join the New England Club at $5 per person. Dinner is $20 per person for NEC members for the dinner. Deadline for reservation is January 31, 2024, tables of 8 max. Registration and membership forms can be downloaded from the website at SCCNEC.NET. Instructions are on the forms. Info: Greg McKeown at 813-633-9922.

Galaxy Bridge Luncheon

January 4, at 11 a.m. UMC of SCC, 1971 Haverford Ave. Lunch is $18. For reservations or cancellations, call Kathie at 410-879-1112 or Annetta at 813-633-3277. Cancellation deadline is Tuesday, December 26, 2023. This group is open to all women of Sun City Center women, Freedom Plaza and Kings Point card members who are interested in bridge.

The Art Club Presents Open Gallery

The Art Club in Sun City Center presents Tom Haverfield, one of our watercolor instructors and his students of watercolorists and their extraordinary artwork. Tom started his career at Bowling Green State University and after his 50-60 year career is a multi-award winning artist and has enriched the lives of his students and all those who have his painting in their private collections. Their art work will be on display the entire month of January starting with the Open Gallery in the Art Club Gallery starting Jan. 3. The reception will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and is open to Art Club Members, their guests and visitors, and current Sun City Center CA members. Refreshments brought in by Tom’s students will be served during the Open Gallery reception. The Art Club is located off Cherry Hill Road (look for open signs and art club banners).

Needlecrafters Donate to Samaritans

The Needlecrafters of Sun City Center donated $700 to Samaritan Services. Pictured are Diane Skinner and Kirk Warren. Samaritan Services, a 501(c)3 charity, provides many support services needed by residents of greater Sun City Center. We will transport ambulatory residents to medical appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Brandon, Bradenton and Tampa, with advance notice of 10 to 14 days. SCC Ride provides transportation for in-town appointments and shopping, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Samaritan Services also coordinate the Meals on Wheels program, and provide Alzheimer’s and Dementia respite care. For Samaritan Services information call 813-634-9283. For SCC Ride, call 813-633-6111.

Computer Club

Swim Dancers

The new year is off to a busy year for the Sun City Swim Dancers. On January 8 they are hosting an open house at Dance Studio 2 at 5 p.m. You will have the opportunity to learn how many of the numbers are rehearsed in the studio. A brief description of moves such as the flamingo and the London Bridge will be presented. Club member Sharon Axtell will explain why swim dancing is a very healthy sport for the mind and body. This will be a fun evening for guests and swimmers. A preview of the March 2 annual show will be the highlight of the evening. For reservations call Sharon at 813 514 5302.

Veterans Photo Shoot For SCCCA Members

The next photo shoot for the Veterans Wall of Honor Project as shown in the Atrium will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2023 from 10 to noon in the Photo Lab located in the multipurpose building at the corner of North Course Lane and N. Pebble Beach Blvd. This is available for all Community Association members who served honorably in any branch of the U.S. Military. Please call Carol Donner in the CA office (633-3500) to register, along with your CA membership number, by noon on Thursday, January 18th and you will be assigned a specific time.

Monthly Meeting: Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. Atrium, Florida Room Ron Brown from Tech for Seniors will present “Medical uses for Smartwatches”. Ron Brown, a Retired Technologist will discuss Using Smartwatches for monitoring medical conditions like heart rate and possibly atrial fibrillation and blood pressure. Computer Club Classes Computer Club Lab is open from 12:30 to 4:30, every day except Sunday. Sign up for classes can be done online. Students must be a member in good standing at Sun City Center or Kings Point. Tuition is payable upon registration. For additional information email: Judy Lee, Education Director at education@scccomputerclub. org. • Beginner Class I – Tuesday, January 2 and Wednesday, January 3, from 10 to noon (two-day class). • Windows Bits and Tricks – Thursday, January 4, from 10 to 11 a.m. • Streaming Movies & TV – Wednesday, January 17, from 10 to noon. • Beginner Class II – Tuesday, January 23, from 10 to noon. • How to buy a Computer – Monday, January 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. • Android Smartphones 1 & 2 – Wednesday, January 24 and Friday, January 26, from 10 to noon. • Excel – Tuesday, January 30, from 9 to noon.

January 2024

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The News of Sun City Center

Ballet For Seniors and West Coast Swing

Ballet for Seniors

SCCCA Expresses Gratitude

CA President Ron Clark & Community Manager Lyn Reitz delivered Christmas goodies to Security Patrol, Emergency Squad, Samaritans, Fire Station 28, and the Sheriff ’s office to thank them for their service to our community. Pictured are L-R Ron Clark, Tim Broad-Security Patrol Chief, Bob Lochte-Security Patrol President, Lyn Reitz.

West Coast Swing

By Paula Lickfeldt Cindy Rohr had a dance studio in Port Huron, Michigan for 20 years. She moved to Chicago where she met her husband Wayne. Wayne and Cindy danced in competitions nationally for six years. When they moved to Sun City Center, they wanted to share their love for dancing with the residents of SCC and Kings Point gold card holders. Cindy teaches Ballet for Seniors on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. in dance studio 2 which is by the lawn bowling greens. There are no dues to belong

and everyone is welcome. No previous experience is necessary.. Cindy says that ballet is good for balance and fluidity of movement and it is good exercise. Cindy and Wayne teach West Coast Swing on Friday night in dance studio 1 which is in the Atrium Building. West Coast Swing is a slower swing and seniors like it. Beginners come from 6 until 6:30 and intermediate dancers come at 6:30. Again, there are no dues and everyone is welcome. Dancing is good exercise and a lot of fun.

Monday Movies Rollins Theater

Second and Fourth Monday, 1 p.m. Movies are normally shown on the second and fourth Monday of each month in the Rollins Theater at 1 p.m. Movie attendees must present a current SCCCA ID Badge, a SCCCA Guest Card or a Kings Point usage card to attend. Dates and time may be changed if necessary. Theater capacity is limited to 145 attendees per the Hillsborough County Fire Code. January 8• Retro Monday Movie starring Elvis Presley Flaming Star • 1 hour, 32 minutes In the years after the Civil War, western Texas was an uneasy meeting ground of two cultures: one white, the other Native American. Elvis plays Pacer Burton, the son of a white rancher and his beautiful Kiowa Indian wife. When fighting breaks out between the settlers and natives, Pacer is pulled into deadly violence despite his peacemaking efforts. Also Starring: Steve Forrest, Dolores del Rio, John McIntire, Barbara Eden Genre: Western, Drama Rating: Not Rated January 22 • Oppenheimer • 3 hours During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world’s first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history. Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Genre: Drama, History, Biography Rating: R for nudity, language, sexuality

German American Club Christmas Tree Lighting

By Mike Lee A large crowd gathered to sing Christmas carols, and witness the annual Christmas tree lighting in the Atrium. The tree can be viewed in the Atrium entrance closest to the ticket booth at the north entrance. Residents are encouraged to come see the tree throughout the holiday season.

Music on the Green

By Mike Lee Sun City Center residents and their guests were entertained by the Front Porch Pickers at a recent Music on the Green concert at the gazebo. Concerts are usually held on the first and third Saturdays of the month, and will take place until April. Residents can enjoy the music from their golf carts, or they can bring their own lawn chairs.

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January 2024

The News of Sun City Center

D.O.G. (Dog Owners Group)

The Sun City Center D.O.G. (Dog Owners Group) exists because of the vision of the Seiferts back in 2001. We have pavilions with fans, drinking fountains, chairs and hand sanitizer for the two legged members and water bowls, toys, balls and a never ending supply of poo bags for the four-legged members. We have two fenced parks, one for dogs under 30lbs and one for bigger dogs. Our focus this year is to work on the addition to the dog park of a Rainbow Bridge Memorial so that members can leave dog tags, collars, etc. on the bridge’s structure for their pets who have crossed over that bridge. Stop by our booth at

FunFest, March 9, along Cherry Hills Drive for more information on this special undertaking. Thank you so much to the CA Board of Directors for their support in our endeavor. To join our park and join in the conversations and camaraderie, both human and canine, see our website SCCDOG.org for a membership form and mail it in along with a check for $35, proof of rabies vaccination and a self-addressed stamped envelope. You must be a member of the CA in Sun City Center, Freedom Plaza, Aston Gardens or have a club usage card for Kings Point residents. Your fur babies need friends and a club, too!

The Cormorants’ Picnic

By Andrea L.T. Peterson Unlike the other birds we see on South Lake, cormorants are dedicated to teamwork. When word is out that the fishing is good, dozens gather together, form a barricade kind of like when they’re

searching for a missing child in the forest shoulder to shoulder and they herd all the fish into the corner of the lake where there’s no escaping and they feast. It’s quite strategic and quite effective and when they’ve had their fill they move on.

Shuffleboard Dinner Dance

By Mike Lee The Sun City Center Shuffleboard Club held its holiday dinner/dance recently. Entertainment was provided by Kevin Brooks, and members dined on an excellent catered dinner. The Shuffleboard Club plays during the winter at 12:45, with sign-in at 12:30 on

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Free lessons are offered on Fridays at 12:30 for anyone interested in learning the game. In addition to regular club play, the club features social events such as this dance, and other special events. Residents are encouraged to come join the fun! Dues are only $20 per year.

Executive Director of The Florida Turtle Conservation Trust to Speak

Presented by SCC Audubon Club January 6, doors open 9:15 a.m. SCC Community Hall, South Pebble Beach Biologist, environmental educator and executive director of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust, George L. Heinrich, will be giving a PowerPoint presentation about the fieldwork being done of the Suwannee Cooter River Turtle in the Alafia River. The fairly swift moving 45 mile river is in Eastern Hillsborough County, and stretches from Mulberry to Riverview, FL, where it empties into Tampa Bay. Ac c ord i ng to He i n r i ch , “ T h is presentation will review fieldwork focused on this large Emydid (Fresh Water) Turtle in the Alafia River,” he said. The Alafia is considered a “Blackwater” colored river, due to the tannins, leaf detritus and other organic materials in the water. In addition to the Alafia River, the next large waterway close to Sun City Center is the Little Manatee River. That body of water is home to the Florida Cooter, a cousin of the Suwannee, and the Common Snapper, the much larger Alligator Snapping Turtle, the Florida

Birds of prey were the stars of the show at the December SCC Audubon Club meeting. This is a photo of a Florida Crested Caracara Falcon with Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Raptor volunteer Donna Conroy.

Softshell Turtle and another family member of Cooter called “The Chicken Turtle.” It reportedly got its moniker in the 1800’s, because many people believed it tasted like chicken. It will be an Open Fundraiser event. Nonmembers may attend for a cash donation at the door. For more information, contact Dennis at 570814-2803.

Roland Reuterfors Jim McCaw, Jan Cline and Angelo Viscidi.

Table Tennis SCC Style

By Paula Lickfeldt Four 80-year-olds play table tennis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 until 10:30 in room 5 at the Community Hall. They have been playing together since 2010. The players are Angelo Viscidi age 87 (will be 88 in January), Jan Cline turned 87 in

November (Jan was part of the beginning of the Table Tennis Club), Roland Revterfors 84, and Jim McCaw 82. All four of these players have been playing table tennis for a long time. They all love the game and are glad that they can play with others here in Sun City Center.

Donations to the Community Association from Members in 2023 (thru 12/15/23) Thank you all from the Board of Directors

Epcot Candlelight Processional

By Mike Lee Epcot has continued its annual tradition of holding a Candlelight Processional this year. The tradition was started by Walt Disney at Disneyland in California more than 60 years ago, and it is presented every year at Epcot as well. The Processional features the story of Christ’s birth, narrated by celebrity speakers with traditional Christmas music performed by a full symphony

orchestra, and a choir of more than 200, which is composed of high school and college students from around Central Florida. Narrators this year included such celebrities as Ann-Margret, Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Longoria, and Chrissy Metz, among many others. The Processional occurs every year from around Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. The complete schedule will be available on the Disney website late in the summer.

Antonucci, Carol Armstrong, John & Elaine Beauvais, Jean Blodgett, Clarence Boyd, Vivian Burns, Leonard Cantrell, Edward Cawein, Walt Clark, Ronald & Nancy Cori, Robert & Joan Davidoff, Richard & Ilene Dieden, Cornelia Dowdy, Edward & Mae-Ellen Epps, Gerald & Charlotte Erickson, Art Floyd, Julie Friedenreich, Harry & Carole Haas, John Hiller, Margaret Jozefak, Jan & Bety Karpinski, Cheryl Keleher, Patrick Kennedy, William & Susan Kimec-Wilhelm, Phyllis Ligotti, James & Maureen Lipski, Stanley & Paula Littrell, Paul & Kristine

Litzinger, Carolyn Lombardi, Paul & Margaret Lucas, Stephen & Sheryl Miller, Michael & Janet Mitchell, Ann Muise, Susan Narten, Susan Perez, Sandra Prater, Carl & Jo Ransbury, David & Karen Riley, Debbie Robinson, Mary Rottman, James & Virginia Sears, James & Cynthia Shanley, Paul & Maribeth Siola, Patricia Smith, Patricia Sobel, Peter & Bonnie Szoke, Jamie Tranfalia, Louia Trautman, Pauline Turner, Beverly Vesche, Nicky, Jr. & Dolores Weeks, Jo Ann Weisman, Rose Wilson, Jane Wyrick, Donald

Happy New Year!

2024

of Sun City Center & South County News Line: 813.938.7441 • Ad Line: 813.938.8721 • www.soco.news • January 2024

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars

By Kai Rambow One of the people we have followed over several years is Josh Santillan. Santillan, as you may remember, is a figure skater and he was also some people’s favorite server at Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Ellenton. There have been big changes in his life since our last coverage. First, he got married to a lovely young woman, Kelly. Congratulations to both of them! Second, Santillan and his skating partner, Jessica Pfund, after winning the Swiss national pairs championship, retired from amateur competition. Both became involved in coaching. Pfund is engaged to be married later this year. Third, he joined Disney’s ice show, Magic in the Stars. Santillan had always wanted to join a show at some point. When this opportunity arose, he seized it. Ironically, the training for this transition took place in Photo by Jacquelin Zimmerman. Josh and his new partner, Kloe Rozgonyi, practicing their routine for Magic in the Stars. Ellenton. Rozgonyi had never a death spiral the first time she Santillan trained with a new Pfund. partner, Kloe Rozgonyi, who is skated in pairs before, but skated with Santillan. almost the same size as Jessica most impressively nailed doing They’ll be touring on mostly the

east coast this winter, ending up in Mexico City in July. Following that the show tour may come to Tampa in the spring of 2025. The show skating is a little different and the ice surface is smaller than a regular rink. Josh and Kelly are traveling with the show with time to explore each city. Kelly is not only traveling with the show, she is working with one of the vendors. Since they are traveling and working all the time, they packed up their belongings and gave up their apartment. Looks like they’ll be sharing their adventures in a new YouTube channel: you can reach the channel at “youtube. com/watch?v=w4OXNjZQ2T4”. Suggest you might want to subscribe to catch future episodes. In case you are wondering, rehearsals started at the end of July, time off for the wedding and honeymoon, followed by joining the show in North Carolina. A busy schedule. We wish them all the best in their new adventures.

Meet South Shore Authors

By Bob Sanchez South Shore Authors is a group of published literary talent who trade ideas for marketing their books. The group’s seven members meet regularly at the South Shore Branch of the Hillsborough Public Library, and each has two or more books with a four-star average on Amazon.

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Shown from left to right are Mark Sondrini, Linda Bleser, Lawrence Drake, and Terri Houston. Not shown are Joyce Lee McIntosh, Harold Emanuel, and Robert Curtis. Collectively, they have published 46 books. Read samples of their work at “southshoreauthors.com”. To inquire about joining the group, email “ldrake@drakeip.com”.

Ruskin Seafood Festival

By Mike Lee The Ruskin Seafood Festival returned to E.G. Simmons Regional Park after a threeyear absence this year. The festival was paused due to the pandemic, and has just come back. The festival was a two-day event, and featured

entertainment, crafts for sale, and, of course, lots of seafood, as well as many other food options. Crowds were large and enthusiastic about the festival coming back. It is expected that the annual event will return late in 2024.

January 2024

The News

The Editor’s Corner

Curiouser and Curiouser

By E. Adam Porter Editor, News of SCC & South County Happy New Year! I hope that, as you think about the year ahead, you are excited about the possibilities and opportunities in front of you. It’s easy to get caught up in the “stuff,” in the doing, and forget to enjoy, to explore, and to seek out new ideas, new information, and new experiences. Composer and philosopher John Cage put it this way: “Our business in living is to become fluent with the life we are living, and art can help this…” "Fluent with the life we are living." That’s an interesting way to describe the act of pressing in, being curious… the act of seeking to understand. And, once something is understood, realizing the depths unplumbed, unseen, and yet to be fathomed. Doesn’t really matter what the subject is. The hobby, the interest, or the art… there will always be more to try, more to learn, and more to experience. That’s pretty amazing. Especially when I think about it in the context of what’s happening in this community. There are some incredible wonders in the works. New facilities, entirely dedicated to

helping folks become fluent with life. Facilities for leisure and learning, discovery and discipline. Arts, crafts, music, along with games, crafts, sports, and social connection. Continuous opportunities to learn and grow, to make new friends and learn new skills… to discover hidden talents and test boundaries. Those are pretty great ways to invest our time. Come to think of it, those are some of the first ways we choose to invest our time. You don’t need to tell kids to ask questions. To seek out the unfamiliar and the unexplored. Children are naturally curious, because discovery is a joyous exercise. Too many of us lose this love at some point in our lives, forgetting the inherent joys of learning and growing, of turning over rocks and leaves and peeking around corners. Why do we stop exploring? Because we have obligations? It’s an old question, something Lewis Carroll asked us to reckon with when joining Alice on her Adventures in Wonderland. She chases the embodiment of stress, worry, and societal pressure never quite catching up… and isn’t that an apt metaphor? Eventually, Alice looks around a little bit and finds herself entranced by the strangeness and newness engulfing her. She is literally—and metaphorically— surrounded by the bizarre, and she leans all the way into it. Alice has questions for the weirdness, certainly, but as her curiosity is heightened, her fear is forgotten. It is, after all, her dream… And that’s another way to look at it. We cannot control what is happening around us. In many ways, we cannot control what is happening to us or in us either.

New Machines to Help Low Vision and Blind People

SCC library

KP library

By Paula Lickfeldt Using a grant from the Interfaith Social Action Council of which Barb Celeca is president and Nick Celeca is grants chair, three magnification machines were purchased to be used by low vision individuals. One is in the Sun City Center library, one is in the library at Sun Towers and one is in the Kings Point library. Weekly classes will be held at the SCC library to learn how to use the machines. The classes will be on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. beginning in January. Watch for the date, or call Michelle Mason at 813-4928920. An appointment does not need to be made for the classes. The unveiling of the SCC machine took place in the SCC library on Monday December 11. The following people were

present: seated JoAnne Gilray SSC librarian; Michelle Mason Seniors in Service; standing are Ann Hammond SCC Rotary Club; Denny Gray SCC Men’s Club; Bob Schrepfer Magnification Company; Barb Celeca president of the Interfaith Social Action Council; Vincent Lopez SCC Men’s Club; Hal Knight from the Low Vision Club and Jill Mask Seniors in Service. On Tuesday December 12, the machine in the Kings Point library was set up. Three ladies were present for the unveiling: Claire Artibee KP library volunteer, Michelle Mason Seniors in Service and Tosha Salinas KP Clubhouse Manager. Everyone is invited to go to a library to see these wonderful machines and how they are used.

Life happens… and we struggle with that in a myriad of different ways. All the while, through all that struggle, our next joy is waiting. It may be simple and fleeting, or it may be the discovery that defines a season or a lifetime. We never can tell until we try. Thinking about that, I’m reminded of visiting someone in SCC many years ago. She needed some remodeling work done, and I was doing that kind of work on the side. A mutual friend connected us, so I went by to talk about the work. I walked into the house to find watercolor and oil paintings everywhere. Nature scenes, landscapes, people of all ages and sizes and expressions. Truly exceptional work. I asked if she had been painting long, and her answer surprised me. “A few years… I spent my life working in the sciences, in the medical field… I had no clue I had any artistic talent.” This remarkable woman had

taken a painting class on a whim. She discovered a hidden talent well that had eluded her for six decades. I asked how she felt about that, and she smiled. “I wish I had learned sooner, but I’m going to make up for lost time…” Based on what I saw, she had done that and then some. And the trigger for all that joy? Curiosity. She tried something completely new, completely outside of her personal and professional experience. That takes courage. It takes the realization that joy is very often on the far side of risk… the realization that curiosity may “kill the cat” but, for people, it is often the key to life. I hope, in this new year, you decide to explore something new, to try something unfamiliar, and find some joy in it. If you do, I’d love to hear about it. Write me at “editor@soco.news” and, if you see me out and about, ask me which curiosity I’m following down the rabbit hole.

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Contributors: Frank Kepley, Garry Higgins, Bob Monahan, Peggy Burgess, Joanne Baskinger, Debbie Caneen, John Lampkin, Cathy Meyerhoff, Judy Cesarski and Ron Clark. (CA President).

January 2024

The News

Cheers For A Safe New Year Emergencies don’t take a holiday. We understand the importance of swift medical care when you’re injured. The dedicated team at the ER at Sun City Center, an extension of Manatee Memorial Hospital, can provide assistance 24/7. In an emergency — we are here for you.

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COMMUNITY 4

January 2024

The News

Daughters of the American Revolution

January 17, at 11 a.m. The Colonel George Mercer Brooke Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will hold our regular meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the Atrium Building Florida Room, 945-D North Course Lane in Sun City Center. Book Club discussion of the book “Never Caught, the story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington’s Courageous Slave”. All are welcome to attend. Beginning at 12:30 we will have a social time with light refreshments, the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with speaker Mary Ann Rowe, a DAR member and a veteran. Her presentation will be titled “Elizabeth Zane – Hero”. All members, guests and anyone interested in learning more about DAR are welcome to attend. Do you have a patriot in your family tree? We will help you find out. For more information, email Kay Adkins, Regent, at mujerdragona@ yahoo.com.

Guy Fawkes Bridge Tournament Champions

Sun City Center Duplicate Bridge Club Association organized a team tournament on November 5, 2023, designated Guy Fawkes Swiss game. Standing left to right are: Jacob Orlofsky, Sheila Puz, Lola Wehrman, Diana Wheeler. The game requires each team to consist of four members. Each participating team must include Novice players (designed value 1), Intermediate players (designated value 2) and Expert players (designated value 3).

South Bay Genealogy Society Meeting

Tuesday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m. UMC of SCC, 1971 Haverford Ave. Optional Round Table Discussion, followed by a sit-down luncheon at noon, and then the presentation by our Guest Speaker, Shelby Bender, who will be presenting two cemetery case studies; “John Fuller’s Long Journey Home” and “ Estate Land for Sale, Families Included”. The cost is $18 for the meal and the presentation. For reservations and meal choice, call Vicki at 360-608-1647. Make your check payable to SBGS and mail it to South Bay Genealogical Society, PO Box 5202, Sun City Center, FL 33571. Your check must be received by January 4.

Eagle Audubon Presents: The Nature of Owls

Monday January 15, doors open at 1P.M. St Andrew Presbyterian,1239 West Del Webb Blvd. After social time and a membership meeting, Barbara Walker will present her program with live birds. Barbara is manager of Moccasin Lake Nature Park and she founded Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue. She’s a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Free. Public welcome. Info: “eagleaudubonflorida.org ”.

Kindred Spirits January Meeting

January 3, at 3:30 p.m. Banquet Room at Kings Point, 1900 Club House Drive Come meet other women to enjoy life with and build friendships. This month’s topic is fraud. We are honored to have Deputy Merry from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department and Donna Moses Risk Management and Member Victim Advocate Lead from SunCoast Credit Union. Did you know last year there was $6 million in fraud losses in our zip code alone. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or “mmason@seniorsinservice.org”.

Left Center Right Club

Remember Left Center Right? That fun game in which 3 quarters and 3 dice can win you untold riches? Well it’s here at Kings Point! Join us the first and third Saturday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. in the East Social Room. We offer both the traditional games as well as LCR Extreme! created by our own Rick Miles. B.Y.O.E! Snacks to share are always welcome. If you are coming in from outside Kings Point let the guard know you are here for LCR. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or “mmason@seniorsinservice.org”.

This 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 convertible owned by Ron and Alice Gaither of Sun City Center is the Roamin’ Oldies Car Club cruiser of the month.

55 Years on, Ron’s Olds Still a Winner

In 1968, USAF Airman Ron Gaither bought a well-used four-yearold Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 convertible. Fifty-five years later, it is the Roamin’ Oldies Car Club cruiser of the month. As a first-year 442, It’s a pretty rare and desirable Olds today. But for Ron and wife Alice it was basic transportation including a daily 40-mile commute to Philadelphia from their home in Aston, PA. Early on, Ron says, “I had no idea what I had, but I’ve held on to it for all those years.” In 1979, with a young family on the way, the 442 was retired as a daily driver and tucked away in the garage. In 2000, Ron and son Geoff embarked on a 10-year frame-off restoration. They did pretty much everything in the home garage. That included lifting the body off the frame, welding in all new floors, installing new suspension components, rebuilding the engine, replacing rustedout body parts and doing all the other work required for a quality restoration. Only the seats and interior panels were sent out for reupholstering. The Roamin’ Oldies host a cruise-in from 1 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of every month, with a rain date the following Sunday, at the Mira Bay Village Shopping Center on US-41 in Apollo Beach. About 100 of the area’s finest antique and collectible cars often take part, accompanied by classic oldies music played by DJ Joey Ferrante. Event sponsors include Thompson’s Auto Parts and McElwain Custom Exhaust. For information, call Frank at 856-373-8497.

Community continued on page 5.

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January 2024

The News

Community continued from page 4.

SCC Rotary Club Delivers Thanksgiving Meals

The Sun City Center Rotary Club has provided individual Thanksgiving meals in the Wimauma area for many years. Once again an enthusiastic group of Rotary members hand-delivered 80 meals on Thanksgiving morning. This activity was organized by member Steve Overton, who is also serving as Rotary District Governor this year. Freedom Plaza assisted with meal preparation. The SCC Rotary Club meets each Tuesday for lunch with a topical speaker at Freedom Fairways (for more information visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/RotarySCC or call Connie (membership) at 813-957-6482).

SCC Rotary Club Supports Local Elementary Schools

The Sun City Center Rotary Club has historically provided dictionaries for all third grade students in six local elementary schools. After speaking with educators, it was decided that students would benefit more by receiving a twice monthly Scholastic Magazine, which addresses current events geared toward third grade students. Teachers agreed that not only can they integrate this magazine in their lesson plans, but students can take the magazine home and involve parents in what they are learning. This new program is now underway in Ruskin, Wimauma, Reddick, and Thompson Elementary schools. After we receive feedback from teachers in March, Rotary is hoping to add one more local elementary school beginning in the 2024 school year. If student reaction is any indication of the benefits of a twice monthly magazine over dictionaries, Rotary has received an A+. The SCC Rotary Club meets each Tuesday for lunch with a topical speaker at Freedom Fairways (for more information visit its Facebook page at “facebook.com/RotarySCC” or call Connie (membership) at 813-957-6482).

Fashions For Freedom Luncheon

Hosted by CAHT and Nearly New It was a beautiful day - a fantastic lunch - and a wonderful fashion show, with our volunteers modeling designer fashions from Nearly New. Following our theme of Fashions for Freedom, based on the movie The Sound of Freedom, our volunteer began with an American Girl Doll and created a likeness of the little girl who was rescued in the movie. This included outfits to match. The doll was auctioned off, and then donated back to CAHT so we can display her at our meetings. Major Nathaly Patterson from the St. Petersburg Human Trafficking Task Force presented information about current investigations. The Campaign Against Human Trafficking is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit organization. For more information email “information@ sccblueheart.org” or go to “sccblueheart.org”.

Rotary Holiday Sing-A-Long at Plaza West

The Sun City Center Rotary Club visited the Plaza West Health Center to share some holiday cheer, including a group sing-along. Club member Louis DeSousa accompanied on the piano, with overall coordination of the event by Kathleen Stasia. The SCC Rotary Club meets each Tuesday for lunch at Freedom Fairways. For more information visit its Facebook page at “facebook.com./ RotarySCC” or call Connie (membership) at 813-957-6482.

Rhonda Byrd of Operation Veteran Connect, Dee Kelly of Nearly New and Maryanne Aylesworth of Seniors in Service.

Warmth for the Winter

The Nearly New Shop, a nonprofit charity in Sun City Center FL, donates household items in conjunction with Seniors in Service and Americorps Operation Veteran Connect project to furnish apartments for Veteran independent living.

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January 2024

The News

If You Make It to 99, What Will You Be Doing?

By Andrea L.T. Peterson “Brad” Braddy lied about his age so he could enlist in the Army just days after the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor. He did his time, then spent most of his career in the insurance business. But his passion was ice dancing. That’s where he met his second wife, Sandee. She, too, was an ice dancer in need of a new dance partner. They danced competitively as well as for sport. They married in 1969 and have been together for 54 years. Born into a family of artists— his mother and sister were both artists—Braddy didn’t discover his own talent until after he retired at which time he went to art school. Living in Colorado, his focus was mostly western art. In 1998, they sold all of that and moved to Florida. They rented on Simmons Lake for a few years with no intention of buying, but when a friend told them the house next door was on the market, they bought it. That was in 2000. About 15 years later, they moved to Freedom Plaza. Recently Braddy’s art has taken a few turns. He has done some cartoons, and quite a few portraits. He enjoys collages where he takes the portrait and adds some items into the image, like one where he and Sandee are standing together. This portrait is of their daughter. Included in it are real hair and

real fur. Most of his work he does from images in magazines or books. Displayed with the final portrait is the original image as well as his pencil sketch. Subjects range from Cleopatra and Genghis Khan to Custer, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Abraham Lincoln. He’s currently working on a cartoon. He just recently donated three full-size portraits of nurses with saying like “I save lives” to Moffitt and he plans to send six portraits to his alma mater, Knox College in Galesville, Illinois. Along with

the donation will be a $5,000 scholarship. Braddy received his B.A. from Knox in 1949 and his M.A. from the University of Illinois in 1951. He’s also waiting for the OK to donate several portraits to the South Shore Regional Library. The 99-year-old shows no signs of stopping. Some nights his wife wakes up at 3 a.m. to find him in his art room painting. “I have so much fun doing it! I can’t believe it!” he said. “I call him ‘Picasso,’” Sandee told me. Braddy explained to me that “older adults whose brains are declining learn to access both

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the left and the right sides of their brains to offset the decline.” He referred me to a Duke University study about this and says, he’s living it! He’s done things he couldn’t do before with his art and I have to say, his portraits are amazing!

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January 2024

The News

PERFORMING

Remembering Jimmy Buffett Fundraising Concert

Eva Adams in Concert

Sunday, January 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. SCC Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. Don’t be left out! Concert tickets are being sold to benefit the SCC Security Patrol. They have arranged for the original Landsharks Tribute Band, who played with Jimmy Buffett for 20 years. Gather your family and friends for a memorable afternoon of fun while enjoying songs such as “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five o’Clock Somewhere,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Included in the $30 ticket price will be a fabulous silent auction. BYOB and snacks. Tickets, payable by cash, checks or credit cards are being sold through the SCC Security Patrol office at 813-6422020.

Friday, January 12, at 7 p.m. UMC of SCC, 1971 Haverford Ave. Eva studied opera and piano at the Music Academy in Brno, Czech Republic and has been performing all over the world for over 33 years. She is a multilingual singer performing in her native Czech language as well as German, English, Polish, Spanish, Italian and several others. She sings a wide range of music and styles from the 50’s to the 80’s as well as some of her own original songs. Tickets are available in the Pages of Life bookstore Mon-Thur 9 to 12:30, in the church office Mon-Thur 8:30AM – 4:00PM and online at www.sccumc.com/events.

SCC Art Club

Premier Performance of newest Pelican Players play Once again, the Pelican Players are partnering with AAUW Sun City Center SouthShore Branch with a performance raising scholarship money for both clubs. This time the play is written by local author James Williams who uses our town as the location of scandalous events. This will be a play never seen before so buy your tickets now! Sunday, February 4, 2024 Doors open at 1 p.m.; Play begins at 2 p.m. Location is Community Hall on S. Pebble Beach Rd. $25 per ticket with BYOB and food allowed. Patsie Ginley has tickets available by email (patsieginley@aol. com) or phone (954-258-5714). Tickets can be delivered or mailed. They will also be on sale at the Atrium ticket kiosk Jan. 17, 19, 24 and 26; also available at the monthly AAUW meeting in the Florida Room at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2024.

January 6 is a follow up workshop from our December demo with Susan Hurwitch. It is 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. Her forte is Whimsical mixed media. The cost for the workshop is $40. There is a signup sheet in the art room for Art Club members. The Art Club of Sun City Center has a very busy January. January 15 we will be hosting an oil/acrylic demonstration with Joanna Coke. It will be in the Rollins Theater at 1 p.m. and is open to all SCCCA members, as well as Kings Point card holders.Joanna is one of the Manatee Arts Center’s finestinstructors. Her work is shown in manygalleries throughout Southwest Florida. For our demonstration she will be painting an old water wheel mill. Then, in February, she will follow up with a two-day workshop to teach her techniques to our members. Annual Art Show will be January 26 and 27 in the Florida Room at the main atrium. It is open to the public and is always a community favorite. Call Ann Savage at 813-938-4094.

Scorned in SCC A Murder Mystery

DANCING

Let’s Dance Ballroom Dance Club

Saturday, January 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. SCC Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. Dance to your favorites with your DJs Mike and Peg Johnston. Dress is casual attire. BYOB and snacks. Water and ice will be served. Bring your friends, or come and make new friends. 2024 Club members are free; everyone else is $6 each. You don’t have to be a SCC Association member to attend; all are welcome! For more info, call Tom Hart at 810-923-8446.

Dancing continued on page 8.

Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news

By Judy Cesarski, SCCCA Activities Director Happy New Year Everyone! As we enter 2024, we look forward to great times with family and friends. Just a reminder that the 2023-2024 Entertainment Series continues in January with Sound Society and Foreigners Journey as well as the Entertainment Showcase. Performing in February, is Rocky & the Rollers and The Olivia Show. The 2023-2024 Series completes with Yesterdayze and Heart Breaker. We have added two additional shows, Friday February 16 at 7 p.m. for $20., you can see Celebrity Comedy Impressionist Holly Fais, she will keep you laughing all night. Ticket sales for this show will be held January 8 for CA members and January 15 for KP members. Back Home Again, A Tribute to John Denver on Wednesday March 6 at 7 p.m. for $20. Ticket Sales for this show will be held February 5 for CA members and February 12 for KP members. Both Friday and Wednesday night shows are BYOB so please feel free to bring your favorite snacks. Both shows will be held at the Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. All Entertainment Tickets can be purchased from 10 am to Noon Monday – Wednesday- Friday at the Kiosk in the Atrium 945 N. Course Lane. Cash or Checks only. If you have any additional questions, please contact Judy Cesarski, Activities Director at “activities@suncitycenter.org” or 813-642-2001.

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January 2024

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Dancing continued from page 7.

Moonglow Dance Club

Thursday, January 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. SCC Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Beautiful music provided by Cyndi Burger and Bryan Ashley. Members free, guests $6. KP card holders and FP residents are also welcome. Dressy casual attire. Info: Sharon 918-845-7747.

Come Dance With Us

Saturday, January 13, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Kings Point North Clubhouse Veterans Theater Dancing from 6:30-9 p.m. with LB and Chloe. Cost: $5. Ice and water provided. BYOB. All are welcome. Info: Ken (513-582-8449 or Rosemary (513-258-8238).

Kings Point Dance Club Presents

Dress For Your Favorite Decade Dance Wednesday, January 24, doors open 6:30 p.m. Kings Point Veteran’s Theater, 1900 Clubhouse Drive Ballroom Music by: DJ’s Mike and Peg. All KP, SCC singles and guests are welcome. Dressy casual. BYOB. Members free, guests $5. Info: Eileen 813-296-4038.

New Day & Time For Senior Social Dance Group

Thursday, January 11, doors open at 6:00 PM St. John Divine, 1015 Del Webb East To kick off the New Year, the Senior Social Dance Group dances will now be held on Thursdays at the new start time of 6:30 p.m. and only one dance per month. These dances are always open to everyone and admission is $6, payable at the door. Come and enjoy music of the 50’s & 60’s with all types of dances featuring entertainer Thor Stevens and his keyboard & sax. Dressy/casual attire, no shorts or jeans please. Singles Tables available. BYOB, ice, set-ups & snacks/munchies, nothing furnished. Info: Judy Furman, (813) 606-1233 or “judyannfurman@gmail.com”.

Belated New Year’s Dance

Saturday, January 13, dance from 7 to 9 p.m. SCC Community Hall Proceeds benefit Samaritan Services of SCC. Dance to old music greats like Frank Sinatra, as well as some more contemporary artists. To toast the New Year, we will have a bottle of sparkling drink on each table (non-alcoholic). If you wish, BYOB and use our glasses which will be filled with a few chocolates. This is an open to the public dance, so bring your friends and celebrate 2024. SCC Dance Club members are free. All guests are $6 per person. For questions, call Sue Hicks at 813-633-6682.

Do You Wanna Dance Club

Saturday, January 27 SCC Community Hall, 1910 South Pebble Beach Blvd. Dance along with DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and their amazing rock sounds from the 70’s thru today! You can purchase the tickets at the Atrium Kiosk on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Jan 22, 24, and 26, from 10am-12n. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the dance from 6:30 to 7:15. The cost is $5 for members/$10 for non-members. Dress is casual. You may bring snacks/food and beverages of your choosing. For further information: “jfkfunnsun@ yahoo.com”, “bgocek1@gmail.com”.

Swing and Country Dance Club

Free dance lessons for SCCCA members, Freedom Plaza residents, and KP activity card holders. Fridays January 5,12, 19 in Studio 1. For more information contact Cindy Rohr at 630-235-1277. • 6 p.m. Beginner West Coast Swing • 6:30 p.m. Intermediate West Coast Swing • 7 p.m. Open Dancing And Individual Instructions 2 Hour Country Dance Workshop • Sunday, January 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. • Couples/Singles Line Dances • River Waltz – Stationary Waltz • El Paso - Circular Cha-Cha Line of Dance • Neon Moon - Stationary Cha Cha • Triple 2 – Circular Swing Line of Dance

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south January 2024

County Events Provided by Debbie Caneen, Director Admissions, Sun Towers

WED. JAN 3, 10, 17, 24 THERAPEUTIC TAI CHI FOR HEALTH 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community, 101 Trinity Lakes Drive, Sun City Center. Our therapists have advanced training in therapeutic Tai Chi for Seniors and will provide guidance in this healthy exercise. For more information, contact Debbie Caneen at 813-892-2990. THU. JAN 4, 11, 18, 25 PARTNERS IN NETWORK BUSINESS REFERRAL MEETINGS Every Thursday 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community, 101 Trinity Lakes Dr. Sun City Center. PIN hosts weekly meetings where business professionals throughout the Tampa Bay area get together, promote their businesses, and provide each other with quality business referrals. Join us! Questions? Call Debbie Caneen 813-892-2990. THU. JAN 4 - CRAFT BEER & WINE CLUB OF SUN CITY CENTER “Fermenting Fanatics” 1:30 p.m. Sun Towers Retirement Community, 101 Trinity Lakes Dr.

The News SCC. The January theme is all about “new”. So bring your best new beer or wine that you have been wanting to try. We gather to discuss craft beers and wines, enjoy tastings as a club and learn about the process of fermenting along with participating in field trips! We meet the first Thursday of every month and have a field trip to a local establishment. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or mmason@seniorsinservice.org. FRI. JAN 12 - LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP SPONSORED BY THE MEN’S CLUB OF SCC 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at 101 Trinity Lakes Dr. SCC. Join us for our monthly meeting. This month we are talking about (and showing) the Magnifier at Sun Towers. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or mmason@seniorsinservice.org. MON. JAN 15 - PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SUN CITY CENTER 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community 101 Trinity Lakes Drive, Sun City Center in the theater. This month our speaker will be Linda Bruns who is a contributing author of The Top 25 Change Makers and most recently discovered fourteen powerful women influencers whose life experiences impact the world by change. Join Jennipher Lenoir, COTA with Sun Towers Outpatient Therapy Department as she facilitates. If you have Parkinson’s, or are caring for someone with this disease, be sure to attend this support group! For info, call Debbie Caneen

SunTowers Retirement Where Couples Stay Together and Singles Find Friends

813-892-2990. THU. JAN 18 - FREE BALANCE SCREENING TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF FALLS 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon – Sun Towers Outpatient Therapy Dept. Did you know one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year? Are you at risk? Have your fall risk screened at no cost to you! This simple screening takes less than ten minutes. See the results before your eyes through biofeedback. Call to schedule today! (813) 331-3035. THU. JAN 18 - DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP IS BACK 1:30 p.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community, 101 Trinity Lakes Dr. SCC. Shirley Sullivan, Nutritionist and founder of Southshore Wellness, integrates a holistic approach and love of healthy, simple living through personalized, seasonal nutritional detox & cleanse

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The Men's Club of SCC Offers Peace of Mind!

A ConnectAmerica Company

Enjoy 3 Chef prepared meals daily, weekly housekeeping and more!

programs, meal planning, FIT Testing, wellness workshops, lunch-n-learns, as well as providing other natural products to support your wellness goals. Embrace the journey. For info, call Debbie Caneen 813-8922990. THU. JAN 25 - WHISKEY UNIVERSITY CLUB FOR SUN CITY CENTER 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community, 101 Trinity Lakes Dr. SCC. Whiskey University is a prep, undergraduate and graduate school that teaches a series of “Tasting Classes” on the topics of Bourbon and Whiskey. Instructor led so we understand the history that is built into the taste. We meet the 4th Thursday of every month and provide several tastings as well as food. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or mmason@seniorsinservice.org.

At Affordable Prices!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you lived alone and there was an emergency? Or do you like to take your dog for a walk but are concerned about falling and no one being there to assist you? For Greater SCC residents who think they need a medical alert button and don't believe they can afford it, the Men's Club of Sun City Center would like for you to contact our office. Because the Men's Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit club, we offer the Lifeline Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) at a more competitive rate than what Lifeline charges at the national level. Our pricing is comparable to other systems in the market as well – just compare systems with similar capabilities. Installation and all service calls are completed by Men's Club volunteers at no charge to the Subscriber. The Men's Club was formed in the early 1960's. In 1991, the Men's Club decided to offer the Lifeline Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) to residents of Sun City Center and Kings Point with no annual contract. The PERS offering began with the purchase of four units with installation provided by Men's Club volunteers. This offering continues today with multiple systems from which to choose - including one that will work anywhere in the U.S., a dedicated office staff, and over 25 trained Men's Club volunteers who provide personable and knowledgeable service for our Subscribers. Get prompt caring assistance at the push of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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SPORTS 10

January 2024

The News

LAWN BOWLING • TENNIS • GOLF • SOFTBALL• PICKLEBALL & MORE!

SSC Horseshoe Association “Ringers” Win at Senior Games

2023 SCCLBC Tuesday League Champions, Andy Davis, Marge Lange and Gary Houdek.

Lawn Bowling League Winners

This year, the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club’s Tuesday League consisted of four divisions of five teams each. In the final playoff match, it was the Division 2 team of Andy Davis, Gary Houdek, and Marge Lange defeating the Division 4 Team of Jerry Healy, Connie Gilpin, and Michael Mitchell. Marge Lange is one of the club’s more senior members and is regularly the “star’ player on the green. League play is only one aspect of lawn bowling. Whether a social bowler or a competitive player, the club is sure to have an activity of interest to you. For more information about the Club and lawn bowling, visit www.suncitycenterlbc.com or drop by the club, located behind the library.

Three members of the Sun City Center Horseshoe Association participated in the Horseshoe tournament of the 2023 Florida State Senior Games held on December 8 at the Clearwater Horseshoe Club facilities. Charlotte and Scott Wood both won gold medals in their respective age brackets (70 to74 for Charlotte and 75 to 79 for Scott). The SCC Horseshoe Association plays Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., rain or shine (also snow or sleet) on the 12 covered courts near the south campus Community Center. Come join us.

Front L to R: Secretary Janet Hoffman, Social Chairperson Pat Iacurci, Social Chairperson & Director at Large Deb Zieg. Back L to R: President Randy McPhee, Vice President Wayne Keys, Treasurer John Milano, Membership Chairperson Neal Peterson.

SCC Tennis Association 2024 Board Members

The Tennis Association elected new officers during an annual business meeting held November 16 in the Florida Room. 75 year old Basketball State Champions: Gary Sutton, Jim Rogers, Phil Coates, Lee Saucier, Neal Westenforg, Wayne Dersch.

50 Year Old Basketball State Champions: Paul Williams, Charles Matthews, Chris Crusey, Jim Snell, Pete Mitchell.

Local Team Wins State Championships in 3 on 3 Senior Basketball Olympics

By Bob Monahan, Senior Sports Writer The South Shore Basketball Club playing for the pride of Hillsborough County won the state basketball championships in two divisions and won silver in a third division. The team plays out of the Ruskin Recreation Center. They qualified for the state championship by winning gold medals in all divisions at the Polk County Games in March. Prior to reorganizing the team was known as the Sun City Center Basketball Club. At the Games the Club had the largest contingent at the Senior Championships, 22 players playing in four age divisions. One of the fastest growing divisions of the Club is the 50-year-old group which is unique to our area with dozens of players who come in weekly to play on Monday and Friday mornings when they can since most work out of home and set their own schedule. The 30 other players are all ages from 60 to 80. In half court pickup games each week younger players guard younger players and older players guard each other. There is no fee to join the Club, but the county charges $10.75 per month to use this beautiful, air conditioned facility with cushioned hardwood floors that are easy on the knees. It is expected that seniors who have not played in a while will need a slow conditioning period. No one is turned down to play. The Club has a helpful website, “southshorebasketball.com” which is sponsored by Rich Shelley at First Choice Realty, who also sponsors uniforms. Commissioner Michael Owen of District 4 encouraged the helpful county staff to provide a bus and refreshments to the games which were held Saturday, December 2, in Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Sports Campus. There were 16 indoor courts at this facility. For more information about playing indoor Senior basketball call Director Joy Robinson at 813-672-7881.

“Lightning Bowls”, the 2023 Fall League Champions; Bob Fladung, Marge Lange, Karen Turman, and Bob Ferguson.

SCC Lawn Bowling Fall League Finals

The 9th season of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club’s Fall League concluded with a best of 3 series between the “Lightning Bowls” and the “Trust Us” team. The Lightning Bowls swept the series, 2 games to none. The Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club helps its members stay active and socially connected. The Club has programs suited to competitive and recreational bowlers alike. Visit “suncitycenterlbc.com” for more information about the sport of Lawn Bowls, Croquet, and the Club.

HOLE IN ONE

Accomplished By: Kamir Singh Pahal

Kamir Singh Pahal shot a hole in one at Scepter Golf Club Ibis #6 (160 yards). Witnessed by Gurjit Bajwa.

Sports continued on page 11.

January 2024

The News

Sports continued from page 10.

CWGA-18 Annual Awards Luncheon

By Aileen Engel The members of the Caloosa Women’s Golf Association 18 (CWGA-18) met for their annual awards luncheon after playing an 18-hole ABCD scramble. Hospitality Chair, Rosemarie Bryan and her committee provided a wonderful luncheon with beautifully decorated tables and delicious appetizers and food, along with a small Christmas gift for each golfer. Tarek Mekhail, Caloosa President, joined us for lunch to present the special gift for the Lynne Fandetti receiving the President’s Cup trophy winner of the 2023 President’s CWGA18 from Tarek Mekhail, President of Cup Tournament. Pictured is the the Board of Directors at Caloosa President’s Cup winner Lynne Golf & Country Club. Fandetti receiving her President’s Cup trophy from Tarek Mekhail, President of the Board of Directors at Caloosa Golf & Country Club. Sue Daveler presented the Most Improved Golfer Awards to Diane Blackwell 1st most improved, Judy Wagner 2nd most improved, and Jill Wright 3rd most improved. Break Pins, Hole-in-One prizes were presented by Mary Ellen Laprade. The winners are: Hole-in-one - Lynne Fandetti, Eagle - Deb McKenna, Break 100 Diane Blackwell, Break 90 - Jill Wright, Janet Lutrell, Sharon Mathieu and Break 80 - Deb McKenna, Judy Wagner. Prizes for the Ringers Winners were presented by Bev Valentine. The winners for the Green Flight were Judy Peterson, Jana Roberts, Linda Su and Mary Lou Anderson. Winners for the Blue flight 2 were Jill Wright, Joyce Stafford, Barb Stebler, Lynn Noyes, Mary Ellen Laprade and Sharon Mathieu. Winners for Blue flight 1 were Kim Roush, Judy Wagner, Bobbie Cesarek, Denise Berry and Judy Tickles. Lynn Noyes presented the prizes for Birdies, with 33 members receiving money.

SCC Pickleball Tournament

Sun City Center Pickleball Club held their Naughty or Nice Xmas Tournament on December 8, 9, and 10.

L to R: Kathy Norton, Karen Montgomery, Sheryl Doom, Mary Huntington, Janet Smith, Deb Lowe, and Juanita Vila.

Bumblebees in State Competition

The Bumblebees tennis team participated in the Florida statewide sectionals at the USTA National Campus in Orlando Nov 7-8. The team won the 2023 Sectional Championship for Adult 65 and over league 6.0 and were Women’s Champions. They brought home the banner which is hung at the Sun City Center tennis courts. Mary Huntington is the captain of the team which was formed in 2022. Last year (2022) the team also won the Sectional in Orlando and went to the National tennis tournament in Surprise, AZ.

Military News Attention all Military Veterans

The next meeting of the American Legion Post 246 will be held on Friday, January 26, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3, CA Community Hall,1910 South Pebble Beach Blvd., SCC. The program will include discussions on how to expand our Post activities to better support our community veterans. Coffee and donuts will be available at 9 a.m. All veterans and spouses are welcome. For information call Paul Wheat at 813-391-7309 or email at “pawheatjr@aol.com”.

Men’s Singles: Steve Rybczynski (gold), Rick Johnson (silver), and Jeff Williams (bronze).

Women’s Doubles: Deb Zieg/Sandee Rahner (gold), Felicia Orton/ Jenny Williams (silver), and Lydia Buettner/Diana Foster (bronze). Men’s Doubles: Steve Rybczynski/Rick Johnson (gold), Gary Taylor/Mike Steele (silver), and John Orton/Bob Storie (bronze).

Men’s Doubles: Steve Rybczynski/Rick Johnson (gold), Gary Taylor/Mike Steele (silver), and John Orton/Bob Storie (bronze).

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The News

News of Freedom Plaza

By Peggy Burgess The custom of lighting Christmas trees dates from 1440 according to Estonian history books; from 1556 if Latvian historians are correct. In both cases, the practice involved erecting a large evergreen tree in a public place, decorating it, holding a ceremony, then “lighting” it, literally, by setting fire to it. Freedom Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremonies follow that pattern—up to a point. When, at our events, the words “Let there be light!” are invoked—usually by the Executive Director-someone pushes a switch that sets electric tree-lights ablaze. Then the entire company bursts into singing “O, Christmas Tree” and the Freedom Plaza Holiday Season is, officially, opened. This (now) 31-year-old Freedom Plaza tradition was happily repeated on December 4 and, as always, brought forth a joyous response from the large group assembled around the tree in our atrium. The 2023 Tree Lighting was one of the “sweetest” ever, thanks to the confectionary skills of Freedom Plaza’s Food Services Department, with the only thing rivaling their delectable display: the sweet sound of Christmas music. This came from pianist Eddie Tobin , a regular entertainer at Freedom Plaza, and also from a quartet of professional singers from Caroling Company. Dressed in typical winter “caroling attire” and singing a cappella, they presented a program of secular holiday songs and traditional carols. The Holiday Season launched by the tree-lighting proved not only “sweet” , but spectacular with an array of special occasions. One event, the “Jingle Bell Jubilee” offered luscious refreshments, entertainment by Martini Pop, a seven -piece

January 2024

TRAVEL

Join us for our Travel Meeting

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 • 10 a.m. Please RSVP! Kings Point Main Clubhouse Ripple Room • 1900 Clubhouse Dr. HAWAII ISLANDS SOLAR ECLIPSE CRUISE 23 Days / 22 Nights Holland - MS Koningsdam

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CARIBBEAN 13 Days / 12 Nights Celebrity Constellation

“Caroling Company” singers at Freedom Plaza’s Christmas TreeLighting Ceremony.

musical ensemble, plus a novel “Ugliest Christmas Sweater Contest” for attendees…with prizes, of course. Another affair, the “Sip and Stroll Social” found the atrium, the mezzanine and even the sun deck festooned in the finest “holiday style”. Refreshment stations provided sweet and savory delicacies plus a bevy of beverages while live music afforded a melodious holiday ambiance. Amid all the enticing holiday festivities, the true meaning of Christmas was not lost; it was eloquently expressed with a luminous and meaningful Christmas Candlelight Service in the Freedom Plaza Auditorium that included scripture readings and carol singing. Freedom Plaza’s 2023 Holiday Season ended as it had begun at the Tree Lighting Ceremony: the atrium filled with jovial residents, this time celebrating at a New Year’s Eve party, reveling in the merry days past and anticipating more happy experiences in the year ahead.

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Toys for Tots

By Kai Rambow Roamin’ Oldies held their annual fundraiser for Toys for Tots at the beginning of December. It was a big success. When I checked with them, about halfway through the event, they had already filled ten bags worth of toys, plus four bicycles. There were more than 180 classic car owners who participated. This does not include the visitors attracted to the event. If you missed it, look out for it next year.

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TRAVEL January 2024

The News

By Kai Rambow If I gave you the opportunity to guess what is the number one travel article that I’ve been asked the most about, you probably would never get it right. Over the years, someone would pull me aside and ask, “Are they going to bring it back?” People were referring to the Chinese lantern lights at the Tampa zoo. Tampa is not bringing it back, but there is a fantastic show taking place at the Jacksonville Zoo. It is similar but different. There are reminders of the show years ago and there are design setups entirely unique to this show, Colors of the Wild. The Jacksonville Zoo has several pathways with gentle curves. Several displays take advantage of the curves to create stunning visual impressions. In other spots entire scenes, such as an African savannah were created. No creature was too small. Giant bees are fun, once you notice them. Each display is in its own

Colors of the Wild

right – magical. There is a sizable, hands on, interactive area children will love. It was fun to see the kids enjoy it so much. Babies, Babies, Babies The zoo has had several babies. A baby jaguar, who is now about six months old. Two baby bongos, who are also about six months old. Bongos are rare. This is a great opportunity to see a beautiful, forest antelope. As one of the staff members described it, “they look as if someone painted their stripes.” There is an add-on ticket available. This ticket allows you early entry to see the animals, then wait for about 30 minutes before the Colors of the Wild exhibit. A rare Amur tiger at the zoo just delivered three babies. They may not be out for the public to see yet, but recommend asking about them. St. Augustine Since it takes several hours to drive to the zoo, I recommend staying overnight. You might

This African savannah scene is one of several spectacular scenes at Colors of the Wild.

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also consider taking advantage by adding another night in nearby St. Augustine. Their annual Christmas lights display is impressive. Best way to catch this is on their Night of Lights trolley tours. The tours run until January 28. There are, of course, fun things to see and do in St. Augustine. For chocolate lovers, visit Claude’s Chocolates at 6 Granada Street. Tips for a Great Trip Plan for a weekend getaway. It will take four to five hours to drive there. After seeing Colors of the Wild, do you really want a long drive back? There are plenty of hotel choices near the zoo. The zoo itself is basically right off the interstate. It’s easy, but GPS will be a big help. Make your drive easier. If you leave around 9 a.m., you will probably miss most of the stop and go traffic in the Orlando area. I slowed down, but encountered no stop and go traffic. Once you connect to I-95

north, look for exit 265. Stop at Bucee’s for gas and food. Their gas prices are competitive. I checked on GasBuddy. Food and snack options are plentiful inside the store. Check the weather before, so you know what to expect and dress accordingly. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes – and take a camera. Jacksonville Zoo 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 (904) 757-4463 jacksonvillezoo.org Colors of the Wild will be on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until February 11

Gardens themes are integrated into the show.

The dragon is one of my favorites. You’ll find it near the end of the walk.

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January 2024

The News

Pelican Players Raise the Curtain

By Gezil Andrews What happens when the theater stage lights go down and a myriad of voices and dialects begin to tell a story? The Pelican Players Community Theater comes to light! One of the fundamentals of the Pelican Players comes in the form of artistic talent. Many of the theater members have been involved for years. Some play characters in the play, others work on the stage crew, designing wardrobes, and selling tickets. In 1981, The Pelican Players Community Theatre was first founded on the premise of good clean entertainment with proceeds supporting productions, operations, and scholarships to area high school students in the Arts. Two hundred + members, not including those who buy tickets and fill the audience at the plays, make up the ranks of faithful followers. Plays are performed at the Veterans Theater located in Kings Point North Clubhouse. Seven residents serve on the Club board. The President must be a Kings Point resident, and 75% of the board must be made up of King Point Residents, serving three-year terms. A good place to begin research on the Pelican Players is a cup of coffee with a club member, friend or family who supports the group or reading the Pelican Playbill, the quarterly newsletter for the Club. I took the opportunity to hear firsthand from James Williams and Kevin Steinke, Vice President, and Treasurer, respectively., Both serve in their leadership role as well as work on and in many of the plays. James, also a performing and recording artist, has written several plays, and is well known in the rank and file of the Club and throughout the community. There are people who drop his name in with the likes of Noel Coward, Woody Allen, and Kaufman & Hart – playwrights, directors, songwriters, and allaround creators of the written, sung and performed word. James and Kevin moved to SCC in 2014 as snowbirds and emerged as a team with effective ideas. James was involved with

Pelican Players Make it Happen Team

James Williams & Kevin Steinke

his first play in Pelican Players in 2020, a flexi play, where the Director can choose stories to build out the play! With the rest of the good folks who serve on the board fill the rank and file of actors, there are many more spots that must be filled: Assistant Directors, Food Prep, Graphic Artists, Makeup Artists, stagehands, etc. It’s far more than just two people, it’s a theater full! Four times per year, The Reader’s Theatre is free to members and the community– this production requires no memorization – the lines are read from print material. This permits new Directors to get their feet wet and helps recruit new actors who transition into other Theatre formats. Our local Gannon University uses acting opportunities with the Pelican Players together as occupational therapy for some of their students – Gannon puts the script together – this permits a student to get out in the real world! Pelican Players also creates and supports The Twig Theatre for kids in schools, churches, and libraries. Kids love to see seniors act out! Each year, the Pelican Players produce one play with the Sun City Center American Association of University Women (AAUW). To further the cause of success in education for local women our local AAUW branch raises money to give a minimum of two scholarships a year to mature women (age 24 or older) to be able to attend Hillsborough Community College at Ruskin. AAUW utilizes their assigned part

together for a good time and a good cause and a responding community, and you have a history that can be told in story form, over the kitchen table, or while sharing a cup of coffee, tea or other beverage and the Pelican Players helps put Sun City Center, Florida in the limelight.

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of the revenue from the February play toward these scholarships. “Scorned in SCC,” written by James Williams, will be presented February 4 at the SCC Community Hall. Tickets go on sale in January. Put together local talent, a strategy for pulling people

Answers to Puzzles on Pages 18 and 19

Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news

January 2024

The News

BOOK REVIEW

Arrows of Light The Journeys of Afghan Women edited by Pamela D. Varkony

If you think your entire world can’t change in the blink of an eye, you haven’t been paying attention! Pam Varkony spent quite a few years working on four different continents, but it wasn’t until the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021 that all of her activities came to a halt so she could devote her time and energies to collecting the stories of Afghan women, doing what she could to help them escape from Afghanistan, and eventually editing this collection of stories, Arrows of Light. “Prior to 9/11,” Varkony says, “most Americans had never heard of Afghanistan. Suddenly it became the focus of our lives and our policies.” Professional photographer, Mariam Alimi, whose beautiful image of the mountains of Afghanistan graces the cover of this slim volume, is among those who were able to leave Afghanistan. She currently lives with her family in the United States, where she has been able to rebuild a successful business. All three women I spoke with told me what “a nightmare” it was to leave or to even try to leave Afghanistan. In a recent interview, Alimi told me she was fortunate. Because of her professional connections as a photojournalist, she was sponsored by National Geographic. “It [leaving Afghanistan] was one of the hardest decisions of my lifetime.” She had offers to help her leave but, she told me, “I wanted to get out with my family. Without them I could not go anywhere.”

They left with what they could carry. She feared she would lose members of her family. “It was heartbreaking to see” the chaos at the Kabul Airport. “I had left that airport many times, [traveling around the world]” she added, “but never had I had the feeling I had that day— that I would never come back here. But I had my whole family with me, so that was the positive side of it.” Shakilla Sadaqat wasn’t as fortunate. By way of her brother, Assad, translating for us, she told me that “living under the Taliban is like being in home prison. I can’t go out of the house, even for shopping.” Her ethnic group, the Hazara, are lowest [in the country]. The Pashtun are the majority, The Tajiks are the second largest, and the Hazara are among the smallest. “We are considered refugees; we are not accepted as citizens.” she told

me. “The Taliban banned school for all female students and I am not allowed to continue my education.” Unable to get the necessary documents or a sponsor, she is unable to leave Afghanistan. She is 20 years old, “in home prison, with no opportunities or chance to continue [my] education. Please help me pursue my education,” she pleads. Her brother, who also did translation for the book, The Arrows of Light, said, “She needs a student visa, a scholarship, a grant, or an invitation to come to another country. She deserves a better life!” Unlike Mariam and Shakilla, Sedra Aman has chosen to remain in Afghanistan, though she had the opportunity to leave. We feel safe at home. There is no motivation to go out. [I can’t go out] with friends or to bookstores. “I am the eldest daughter,” she told me. “I am responsible for them [her family]. I had my own online business, but had to close it.” She makes original design bookmarks and book covers and she sells her mother’s handmade silk dresses. “This is a very confusing situation.” Echoing the words of Shakilla, she says, “We are trapped in our own country. We want to study, go to work, have a chance—have our freedom. [We need] something— international platforms--that could get us out, help us get our education, improve our situation at home, and be the voice of other women in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a rich and

varied history. Situated in what Varkony describes as “a really tough neighborhood,” bordered by Pakistan, Iran, and China. “Afghanistan has been, for hundreds of years, in the middle of all of these Central Asian conflicts.” Before the Taliban takeover, Kabul was known as “The Paris of Central Asia.” While it is hard to imagine a westernized, modern, Afghanistan when all we see are women covered from head to toe, often housebound, unless with a male family member in public, photos from years prior to 2021 look as though they could have been taken in any modern city of the roaring (20)20s! But for modernized, educated students, and professional women, life DID change almost literally in a moment. Varkony had gathered stories of these women—their lives before and after the Taliban takeover and their struggles (some successful, some not) to escape to other countries and find satisfying family, social, and professional lives out from under the suffocating rule of the Taliban. There is much excellent fiction that gives a true picture of life under the Taliban. One such novel is The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi. Of this novel, the author of The Kite Runner and One Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini said, “Hashimi has written...a tender and beautiful family story. Her always engaging multigenerational tale is a portrait of Afghanistan in all of its perplexing, enigmatic glory.” And that, it is!

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FAITH &service January 2024

The News

Beth Israel Sisterhood Event

January 2, at 1 p.m., the Beth Israel Sisterhood will sponsor a presentation given by Carla Miles, the founder of the Hope Fund. This all volunteer, non-profit organization provides readers, tutors, mentors and special programs to the Wimauma school children in grades K-5. The event will be held in the social Hall at Beth Israel which is located at 1115 East Del Webb Blvd, Sun City Center. Refreshments will be provided. The public is welcome to attend. Please email “Sisterhood@jcscc.org” if you plan to attend.

Interfaith Social Action Council Winter Grant Cycle

The Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center is pleased to announce it will begin accepting grant applications beginning February 1 through March 1. All information on the grants can be found on our website at “www.interfaithcouncilscc.com”, including the application forms and instructions. Completed forms are to be emailed to isacofscc@gmail.com, no hand delivered or USPS deliveries accepted. No applications will be accepted after the March 1 deadline. If you have any questions, email Nick Caleca, Grants Chair at the above address or leave a message at 314-703-6789. ta Jus nute mi om 20 e fr ter n iv dr y Ce t Ci Sun

“Choices in 2024!”

The SouthShore Christian Women’s Connection Planning Team would like to invite you to a Luncheon on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. “Choices in 2024” is the theme of our luncheon. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch for only $20. All women are welcome to join us at the Life Enrichment Center of Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1971 Haverford Avenue, Sun City Center, Florida. The doors will open at 11:00 and the program is from 11:30 - 1:30. Our Feature will be Eileen McGuire, a lifelong health and wellness professional. Nancy Self, a Stonecroft Speaker, will share with us “Choosing to Hang onto Peace When Your Heart is at War!” Reservations AND payments are required by January 3. Please call Amy with your reservation at 317-414-9062 or email “SSCWCFlorida@ gmail.com” by Wednesday, January 3 and send your check payable to Stonecroft Ministries to Nancy Decker, 5203 Admiral Pointe Dr., Apollo Beach, FL 33572.

Join Sun City Center Resident Pastor Mac Clements at 10:30 this Sunday Morning 9912 Indiana Street Gibsonton, FL

Church like it used to be!

or enjoy our service via Livestream www.1stbaptistgibsonton.com

YOU Need US. WE Need YOU.

Profiles in Compassion—Ken Ayers

“People often ask me why I work on the Emergency Squad since I

don’t live in either Sun City Center or Kings Point. It’s an easy answer; since retiring and moving to the area I found that I was missing something that club memberships don’t provide. Being a member of the Squad not only provides the comradery that I missed but, even more rewarding is the smile or simple thank you from one of our patients after we've helped them.” After seeing the world during a military, teaching and consulting career as an engineer, Ken and his wife, Kathy, retired to Valencia Lakes from Nashville. You might say that he’s a prime example that if an old, Iowa farm boy can make it on the Emergency Squad, anyone can. Since joining the Emergency Squad in 2016, Ken has served as an Emergency Medical Responder, Ambulance and Van Driver, Emergency Medical Technician, Captain of several teams, and ultimately, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Emergency Squad.

“Being past Emergency Squad volunteers, we

never thought we would be in the situation we were. One day my husband Joe was in a lifeͲthreatening condition, and I called the Emergency Squad. Upon their quick arrival, their highly professional crew helped save Joe. If not for them, he would not be here today. Please consider volunteering for this great organization.” Diane & Joe Michalizsyn

We are FREE, because we are allͲvolunteer. Please consider giving your time. Without you, our service and time in the community, may not last.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

For more information, contact Chris McCann, Assistant Chief of HR at 813Ͳ434Ͳ4184

January 2024

The News SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE 15

January 2024

The News

January 2024

The News

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