6
The News of Sun City Center
Emergency Squad Volunteer Needs Your Support
Meet Your Neighbors Uta Kuhn - Where do we begin with this very interesting lady? How about - - - Born in Germany, Uta left wartorn Berlin and came to the United States with her parents in 1951, settling in Chicago. At age 11, she started her education over again in order to learn a new language and customs of her adopted homeland. She completed her schooling and worked at various jobs, including factory work and driving a school bus. She was so good at driving, she became a dispatcher and then moved on to driving motor coaches. Uta and her second husband, Bud, came to Sun City Center in 1996, moving here from Louisville, Ky. Unfortunately, her husband died in 1998. After a grieving period, she became active in many groups, including the Emergency Squad, Security Patrol, Woman’s Club, Pelican Players (performed in the Follies a few years back and took on a nun’s role in another production). She also served as a director of the CA board from January 2005 to January 2008. She worked on the committee coordinating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Sun City Center and the golf cart parades, participates in various activities such as FunFest, Hi Neighbor, etc. She is a reporter for ‘The News of Sun City Center,’ and she is the president of the Patriots Club, dear to her but slated to disband at year’s end due to lack of membership. Remember the flags along 674 during national and military holidays? They are displayed thanks to the efforts of the Patriots Club. If you want to help keep this tradition going, call Uta for information (813-642-9555). One honor bestowed on Uta, of which she is very proud, was receiving the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion for patriotic achievement by MOWW (Military Order Of The World Wars).
April 2015
$5,000 reward offered for information in hit and run case
Noting all of the above, my esteem rose considerably as I watched this lady battle cancer. Diagnosed in February 2014, she had radical surgery the next month. From May through December, Uta endured chemo until she asked for—and got—a break from her doctor for a “rest period.” In February 2015 she started on radiation and will, by the time this is published, be well on the road to complete recovery. Of note is that, upon hearing the diagnosis, she sent a message to all she could to implore them to “get a checkup, now!” Recently, this Mom was gifted with a new car from her children - Erich and his wife Barbara, who live in Illinois with their two children - and Kristine, who lives here and was her Mom’s greatest supporter, side by side during this arduous journey. Rounding out this family is lovable, adorable, very friendly Snoopy1. Way to go, Uta! You epitomize what make us proud to be Americans!!
By Uta Kuhn w/Emergency Squad staff On Tuesday night March 10 at approximately 10 p.m., volunteer EMT Chris Simko, a member of the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, was hit by a truck on his way home to Brandon. Simko sustained head injuries and broken bones after being knocked off his motorcycle. According to reports, the vehicle that struck Simko fled the scene of the accident. Simko said he woke up in the hospital unaware of where he was. “My jaw is broken, I’ve got plates on my jaw, scrapes on my elbows, stiches on my elbows and all the tendons in my left knee are ripped.” Although Simko still has a long road to recovery, he said he is “thankful for his family and all the support he has received.” “It’s heartbreaking,” said Anna Simko, his youngest daughter, “But we know that he’s going to be okay.” The Emergency Squad is asking anyone who can to send words of encouragement to Chris in this time. This man spends his free time volunteering to help all of us as a member of the Squad, and now he could use our support. Please send “get well” and/or “words of encouragement” greeting cards to Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. All cards will be forwarded to the Simko family and passed along to Chris during his long recovery. REWARD OFFERED According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Simko was operating his motorcycle northbound on US Hwy 301 when an unknown vehicle that was
traveling in opposite direction made a left turn in the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the passenger side of the suspect vehicle, which caused the victim to be ejected from his motorcycle. The suspect vehicle fled the scene without stopping, and the victim was transported to Tampa General Hospital where he was treated for serious bodily injuries sustained in the crash. As reported to the Highway Patrol. The suspect vehicle is a gold-colored Chevy 1500 truck that should have damage to the rear passenger side. In addition to a reward offered by Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay, the Sun City Center Emergency Squad is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the driver in this accident. This reward is only offered for six months from the date of the accident and will expire on September 10, 2015. This $5,000 reward has been raised by the volunteers of the Emergency Squad and the Simko family. No funds contributed by the public to the Emergency Squad, for the good of the community are included in this reward. All tips must go through Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect in this case. Anyone with any information regarding this case and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). You may also report anonymously online at www. crimestopperstb.com.
The History of Hospice
Part 4:The South County Hospice House Opens! By Agnes Baker The South County Hospice House opened on August 9, 2011. What a tremendous achievement for those many hardworking fundraisers who watched the dedication ceremonies that opened this special place to Sun City Center residents. The House, designed to provide a home-like environment, opened with eight bedrooms, each decorated differently and equipped with the most functional patient bed and a convertible lounge chair if a family member wished to stay. There was a family room, a chapel and a residential type kitchen. Additionally, many items were donated. The Purcells donated a residential room in memory of their spouses, Betty Pettersson did likewise in memory of her brother and sister-in-law; the nurses station was completed thanks to Betty Bocka; Marilyn Sobel crafted quilts for each room and Irv Albrecht donated the accoutrements to make the kitchen functional. Our apologies to anyone we missed - we thank all of you! The most important ingredient in any successful charitable undertaking is folks willing to give their time and effort to help others. Volunteer Coordinator Kim Floyd worked diligently to assure they were ready for the opening of the doors. Besides patient support, there were so many jobs they were trained to handle - receptionist, phone, clerical work, etc. Volunteers were—and still are—required to take 20 hours of intensive training to assure they understand end of life concerns. A reminder that LifePath hospice is a not-for-profit organization providing medical, nursing, emotional and spiritual support to those with life-limiting illnesses whether in their home or in a LifePath facility and, with this health system designation, Hospice serves patients and families regardless of their ability to pay. In the year 2013, more than $3.3 million in services were provided as uncompensated care. This emphasizes the vital role played by volunteers for, during 2013, the value of the hours placed on 1,114 volunteers was $1,793,034! Coming Up Next - Out with the old, and on with the new!
Read the News of Sun City Center Anywhere
Did you know the News of Sun City Center is available online, 24-7 at “www.NewsOfSunCityCenter.com”? Never miss an issue, no matter where you roam. Plus, our handy website allows you to easily read the NEWS on your smartphone or tablet. SUBSCRIBE today for FREE and get updates when we post each new issue and other important community news.
Past Presidents (PP) and Honorary Members (HM) of the South Bay Genealogical Society. Left to right: Judy Jouglet (PP), Dick Fricke (HM), Mary McIntyre (PP), Bill Patterson (PP), Russ Kenyon (PP), Maurice Musholt is the current president (shown holding the sign), Don Churchill (PP), Pat Fricke (HM), Jim Cox (PP), Sharon Tate Moody (HM), George G. Morgan (HM); Jack Fischer (HM) missing.
South Bay Genealogical Society Celebrates 25 Years
By John Bowker This is the 25th Anniversary of the South Bay Genealogical Society, one of the largest such groups in Florida. The Society celebrated this milestone on March 17 with a luncheon at Little Harbor in Ruskin. The Society President is Maurice Musholt. Over half of our 165 members are residents of Sun City Center and Kings Point; the rest live south of the Alafia River.
Southeast Window & Glass, Inc. “Replacement Window Specialist”
Your Local Glass Company Since 1979
603 Hwy. 41 S., Ruskin, FL
813-645-3370 Free Estimates
Vinyl or Aluminum Windows & Hurricane Impact Windows • Full Service Glass & Mirror • Door Replacement & Inserts • Shower Enclosures • Sliding Glass Doors • Broken Window Repair • Window Screen & Soft Vinyl Replacement • Hurricane Shutters