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 813.633.3500
Hours 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., M-F sccboard@suncitycenter.org Website: suncitycenter.org Information Center: 813.633.4670
D.O.G. Dog Owners Group
By Paula Lickfeldt
If you have a dog and would like to have an enclosed outdoor space for your dog to run and play with other dogs and you would like a place to meet other dog owners, give the dog park a try.
166 people and their dogs currently belong to the Dog Owners Group of SCC. The yearly dues are $35. For that money you (and your household) can bring up to three dogs to the park. The park is located on the south campus behind the Community Hall and the softball diamonds. There is access both by car and golf cart. The dog park is open from sunrise until sundown. If someone would choose not to join the Dog Owners Club, they may bring their dog to the park before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. after registering their dog and obtaining a special ID tag.
To join the club, each dog’s parent must present a Rabies Vaccine certificate every time they renew their membership. Even if the dog has a three year Rabies Vaccine, a certificate of proof must be supplied each year. All dogs must be spayed or neutered by the time they are eight months old. If a dog is a rescue, the club requires the owner to wait three months before introducing the dog to the park. This way the dog and
SCC Photo Club Winners
On June 10th, the SCC Photo Club held its third competition of the year with club President and professional photographer James Corwin Johnson judging. There were 76 entries, with many of them winning first place and second place awards.
First place winners in the Digital Color category were Joe Sclafani with “Temple Offerings.” Sherry Kalczynski with “Loving Touch,” Bobbie Ray with “Tulip Field Sunset,” Earl Hughes with “Venetian Solitude,” and Barbara Klimczak with “Wonderful Nature.”
In the Digital Creative Category awards were given to first place winners as follows: Peter Bates for “Infrared Diner,” Sherry Kalczynski for “Floating in the Breeze,” and “Preening,” and Wayne Adams for “Floating Pier” and “Train a Coming.”
In the Digital Documentary category, first place awards went to Paul Quinn for “Family Time” and to Dale Hughes for “Looky There” and “Blue Collar, Red Hat.”
In the Digital Mono category first place awards went to Joe Sclafani for “Looking At You,” Bobbie Ray for “Neighborhood Parking” and Wayne Adams for “Philadelphia Art.”
In the Print Color Category, first place awards went to Wayne Adams for “Cherry Blossom Kiss” and Bruce Crain for “Proud Eagle.”
Scan the code with your
In the Print Creative category, Madlyn Blom won a first place award for “The Transparent Family.” In the print Documentary category, Nick Fader won a first place award for “Museum Staircase.”
In the Print Mono category, Pat Jones won two first place awards for “Dinner Time, Honey” and “Sir Remington.”
There were also many of our talented photographers who won second place awards and third place awards. The Photo club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Caper room at 945 North Course Lane, Sun City Center. There is also a fully equipped photo lab at 1203 North Pebble Beach which is open Monday through Thursday 9-12 and the second Saturday of the month. Stop by and see all the Photo Club offers to its members.
Dogs and their parents
owner can get to know each other and the owner can determine if the dog will get along with other dogs. There are two large separated, fenced areas at the dog park. One is for little dogs and one is for large dogs. The separation is determined by the weight of the dog. Dogs under 30 pounds go
to the little dog park and dogs over 30 pounds go to the large dog park. Small dogs may go to the large dog park if they get along with large dogs or if a brother or sister is there but big dogs may not go to the little dog park.
Each side has a sturdy shelter, fans, a
Dog continued on page CA-3.
Peter Bates, Infrared Diner
Sherry Kalczynski, Loving Touch
Pat Jones, Sir Remington
July 4 Community Breakfast
Cindi Malin and Len Lewinski want to remind everyone of this year’s 4th of July Breakfast – where we come together as neighbors, family and friends! This year will continue the fun tradition starting at 8 a.m. Friday, July 4, until 11:30 a.m. with our volunteers rising early to put on a delicious meal for you! What we are most excited about is that we are not raising the price this year from last – even with the cost of eggs! $7 gets you 2 pancakes, 2 scrambled eggs, yogurt, orange juice and coffee.
We welcome all CA members, King’s Point members and their family. 50/50 drawings will be available too! We also work hard to keep all lines inside the air-conditioned hall for your safety and comfort. So please join us to celebrate our Country’s birthday and to show our Unity in our Community! We hope to see you there!
Community Hall
1910 S. Pebble Blvd.
Sun City Center
Volunteers are still welcome. For more info please email us at “julybreakfast@suncitycenter.org” or leave a voicemail or text to 231-675-0115.
President’s Report
By Ron Clark, CA President
We may be in the summer months when events seem to slow down, however we continue to make excellent progress on the various projects to upgrade our facilities. In June, the grand opening was held for the new volleyball courts and the new bocce courts. The shell surface golf cart path in the south campus was paved since trucks would no longer be using it for construction of the new courts. Please visit the south campus to see our new additions as the Board and Community Manager Reitz are committed to having excellent and safe facilities.
In the Central Campus… the restrooms for the outdoor pool were refreshed with a new coat of paint. Much progress continues to be made on the construction of the new 12,000 sq. ft. Applied Arts Building which is Phase 1A of the Central Campus Upgrade project. The walls are up and the June focus was to finalize the underground utilities and pour the slab concrete. July will bring the installation of the roof structure. Even with the recent rain, the project is still on track with final acceptance by the CA scheduled for April 14, 2026.
The Board continues to work with the Architect and General Contractor on Phase 1B which is the new 8,000 sq. ft. Rollins building and new 7,000 sq. ft. pool. In June, the Board issued a contract to design and engineer the new resort style pool to AdAu Aquatics Engineering. That will allow us to have accurate Phase 1B construction costs for the Town Hall meeting at 5 p.m. on September 9 in Community Hall. The Board will provide an update on Phase 1A and discuss Phase 1B cost and potential alternative financing. As a reminder, all construction and financing costs would be paid from the Capital Fund and not from dues or assessments from members. Home buyers pay a $3,000 fee into the Capital Fund.
Please mark your calendars for the Community Breakfast on July 4 at Community Hall. It will be a fun event and a good start to the day that includes subsequent activities at the CA pool. Volunteers are needed not only for the July 4th Breakfast, but also for the Elections Committee and the Information Center. Please consider helping out your community and go to “www.suncitycenter.org/visitors/volunteerism. html” and scroll down to “Click Here” to download a Help Us Govern (HUG) form or stop by the CA office. That’s all the news for now. Enjoy the summer and let’s all be positive, respectful, and kind while having fun in our senior years!
Looking for Election Committee Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for the Elections Committee please let us know your name, phone number and email address by email to SCCboard@suncitycenter.org. We will forward this information to the Elections Committee Chair.
Looking for Information Center Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for the Information Center reach out to Janet Ditmore by phone at 813-633-4670 to let her know your name and phone number or by email with the same information to “info@suncitycenter.org”.
Thank you to the Following for Purchasing
Announcement to all CA
Members
There will be a Fitness Center Orientation
Last Saturday of each month 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
With the dates listed as follows:
June 28 Selectorize (Machine) Equipment
July 26 Free Weights
August 30 Cardio
September 27 CORE
October 25 Open Discussion (Q & A)
CA Board of Directors Meeting
By Bob Sanchez
The Community Association Board of Directors met in the Rollins Theater on June 11.
Secretary Debbie Caneen acknowledged donations totaling $2,279.59 from The Elegant Gardeners Club of Sun City Center, Concessions, GFWC Sun City Center Women’s Club, Paxton Medical Management, the Men’s Club and Jackie Bowling.
President Ron Clark stressed the importance of the Board approving an engineering contract for pool design now so accurate costs for Phase 1B will be available in time for the September 9 membership meeting. All construction costs will come from the Capital Fund and will not affect members’ dues.
Volunteers are needed for the Election Committee, the Information Center, and for the July 4 breakfast at Community Hall, which all members are encouraged to attend.
Treasurer Jim Collins reported a Capital Fund balance of $6,445,807. He broke that number down as follows:
Capital Fund commitments total $3,454,756, including $3,432,058 for Phase 1A; $12,698 for the Bocce courts; and $10,000 for Volleyball overage. Uncommitted capital funds total $2,991,051.
Replacement Fund $1,084,851
Operations Fund $3,250,605
Renovation Fund $76,118
There were 42 home transfers in May, adding $126,000 to the Capital Fund. This exceeds the annual monthly average of 38 as well as the forecast average of 35.
Community Manager Lyn Reitz reported a resident count of 11,222 and total membership dues were 11,316. Director Collins read Director Nancy McCall’s announcement of a Ms. Sun City Center pageant to be held on October 29.
In new business, the Board approved the new Thespian Troupe Club and voted to hire AdAu Aquatic Engineering to design and engineer the new pool at a cost of $45,000.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Elegant Gardeners
GFWC Sun City Center Woman's Club, Inc.
Family Connections To SCC
By Paula Lickfeldt
Sue and Bill Baker lived in Buffalo, NY, where they were married 47 years ago. They moved to Minnesota where they lived for 28 years and raised two children, a daughter and a son. They have six grandchildren.
Sue went to culinary school when she was in her 40s, after she had raised her children. She went on to be the pastry chef at a Tea House. When she wasn’t working, she went to ceramic classes and she liked to bowl. Bill worked for Northwest Airlines for 26 years. When Northwest filed for bankruptcy, they offered early retirement which Bill took. Along with working, Bill liked to play racquetball and bowl. He was the coach of his daughter’s softball team and his son’s baseball team.
Bill had been coming to SCC since he was a teenager. His grandparents moved to SCC in 1968 after retiring from their work in Attica, NY, and his parents moved to SCC in 1988 after retiring from their work in Syracuse, NY. Bill’s stepmother still lives on Desert Hills Dr. Bill and Sue always believed they would move to SCC after they retired. They just expected it to be further in the future. In 2005, after Bill took early retirement they came down and bought a home. Bill stayed in SCC and started a “handyman” business which kept him very busy. Sue flew back and forth from Florida to Minnesota until she retired
and moved to SCC.
Since Bill had been coming to SCC for over 40 years, he says he saw many changes to the community during that time. When he retired from his “handyman job” he started playing pickleball and billiards. He also belongs to the Sawdust Engineers and the Irish Connection. He has been the treasurer of the Irish Connection, Lapidary and Billiards clubs. Sue and Bill joined the SCC Travel Club and enjoy traveling
with them. Sue is an instructor and on the board of the Aquasizers Club. She likes to play cards with friends she enjoys playing volleyball and she was in the Elegant Gardeners Club. Both Sue and Bill attend the SCC Methodist Church They say that they have enjoyed the variety of activities and clubs that SCC offers. They have tried many different ones to see what they enjoy doing.
Sue and Bill both like living in SCC and hope they never have to see snow again.
Monday Movies In
The opportunity to view a relatively new movie once a month for a mere $2 donation is a real treat! It seemed as though that attendees might not realize just what goes into getting these movies and being able to show them here in our theater without copyright infringement as well as harnessing the people power to pull it off.
Thanks to the generosity of Linda Clapp, the following document, which she created for the SCC History Society, was provided to The News for the edification of our readers! Hope to see you at the movies!!
Thanks to enthusiastic researching by the History Society’s Susan Muise and Amber Gronovius, records were found that indicate in 2003, SCCCA Board President Cawein appointed three teams of members to report to the Board and Membership on “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” about Sun City Center. One finding that was presented by Team Two Captain John McRee was the need for more entertainment. Thus, the first Monday Movie was shown June 9, 2003 (22 years ago) at 1 p.m. in the Florida Room with over 80 people attending. Originally shown monthly, John and Janet McRee agreed to do the “first few showings” of what was termed a free movie with popcorn available for 25 cents. That agreement led to the McRees running movies until 2012 as, per what John told Linda Clapp, a way to contribute to the Community. Eventually, movies were relocated to the Rollins Theater with popcorn no longer an option. And a donation suggestion was added as a way to help offset part of the large fee the Association pays yearly to provide various entertainment for SCCCA members.
Roy and Helen Skinner showed the Monday Movies from 2012 through 2014. When they became unable to continue, the McRees stepped back in to run the movies and look for new volunteers. In August 2015, Linda Clapp worked with John to learn the Monday Movies procedures. Her
stipulation was that, rather than having one couple responsible for movies, she (as Chairperson) would form a three person Committee so showings would be less likely to be interrupted. Also, to ensure smooth operations, she created a Procedures Manual and gave a copy to each Committee member. The members added were Barbara Lewis and Sally Foree.
In 2023, the Committee added a fourth member, Denise Duperrault. The 2025 Committee consists of Linda Clapp, Denise Duperrault, Terri Michaud and Sabine Prather. Three Committee members each devote up to four hours twice monthly to check IDs, handle donations and lights, and act as back up to show movies. Linda Clapp chooses movies, creates posters for the Atrium display board, sends the information to the SCCCA, the radio station, and to The News of Sun City Center by the 15th of the month prior to movie showings, obtains and returns DVDs, hosts showings and runs the movie projector.
Choosing movies is complicated. Subject matter, rating, popularity, availability, and cost are major factors. For instance, some people complain about “R” ratings but others say we are adults with the right to see any movie and those who don’t want to can just stay home.
Another example is new movies have become harder to obtain as some Producers (like Netflix and Amazon) keep control of their output and sell directly to viewers. A recent news article predicted that, in a few years, DVDs will no longer be produced meaning that every time a person views a movie a fee will be charged. Covid also affected many companies’ ability to pop back and make new movies.
Redbox, which was our inexpensive source for new movies, went bankrupt meaning we now wait on long library reserve lists or must spend big money to buy a new movie DVD. If a new movie is bought, the cost is deducted from
water fountain, water bowls and even a water hose for the dogs. A ready supply of doggie waste bag containers placed in various locations throughout the park are always filled with quality bags for use within the park.
The Dog Owners Group holds three social/business meetings each year in the months of January, March and November. The meetings are typically held in the Florida Room and are either a potluck or a catered meal. Every year the D.O.G. contributes money to the CA for the upkeep of the park.
For more information about this wonderful SCCCA asset, go to the D.O.G. Club website at “sccdog.org” or write to the club at “sccdogownersgroup@gmail. com”.
Rollins Theater
donations made the day it is viewed, and, after the showing, the movie DVD is donated to the Sun City Center Library. As one solution to availability and high cost problems, the Committee began showing an older movie on the second Monday of the month, which is now called Retro Movie Monday. However, even then, all rules must be followed—especially making sure to only show movies of companies we are licensed for. To a lesser degree, difficulty sometimes results when asking to see a patron’s SCCCA ID Badge, SCCCA Guest Card or a KP Club Usage Card. As a long-time rule of the SCCCA Board for all locations on every campus, this requirement is strictly enforced to avoid any accusation of favoritism. Attendees can avoid the problem by keeping a current photo of their card on their cell
phone or by wearing a lanyard which holds the current card.
The Committee strives to achieve the Monday Movies’ purpose which is to provide an inexpensive, local source of entertainment and social activity for SCCCA residents. With that in mind, movie suggestions are welcomed. However, as mentioned previously, it must be a movie we are licensed to show. Also, it should not be easily (often) seen on TV and it needs to be a movie most people would actually show up at the theater to view.
Unless a date and or time change is necessary, movies are shown on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 1 PM in the Rollins Theatre which, per the County Fire Code, has a capacity of 145 people.
Monday Movies
Rollins Theater
Second and Fourth Monday, 1 p.m.
Movies are normally shown on the second and fourth Monday of each month. 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. Theatre capacity is limited to 145 attendees per the Hillsborough County Fire Code.
July 14 **
RETRO MOVIE MONDAY **
Two Mules For Sister Sara 1 hr., 54 min.
When gunslinger Hogan discovers a group of men trying to rape a nun (Sara), he shoots them and rescues her. They escape to a camp of Mexican revolutionaries, who hired Hogan to help fight the invading French army.
While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man Justin Kemp finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer.
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Drama
Rating: PG-13 for some strong language and violent images
This dog loves to chase a ball
Steady Progress on Phase 1A
Despite some rain, construction remains on schedule for the new 12,000 square foot Applied Arts Building, to be ready in April 2026.
Cygnet Yacht Club Celebrates 50 Years
By Glenn Surkont, CYC Commodore
The Cygnet Yacht Club recently celebrated turning 50 years old as a club in Sun City Center. Members and their significant others celebrated with a dinner at the Renaissance Club. Pictured L-R are Past Commodore Rich Link and current Commodore Glenn Surkont. Rich received the Appreciation Award for serving 6 years as Commodore and spending countless hours maintaining members’ boats.
This is only the 2nd time in 50 years this award has been given, the last one being 30 years ago. This is quite an honor
and we’ll deserved. The Club started in 1975 when 2 then residents brought a radio control tug boat to Swan Lake and motored around the lake and thus the club was born. The club soon began racing radio control sailboats which has evolved into the 3 classes of sailboats that we race today. The EC12, DF95 and our newest class DF65 which are smaller and easier to handle boats that are becoming popular with our senior community. The club promotes model sailing adventures to those who have never sailed.
Competitive racing and good
sportsmanship is what we strive for. Spectators that come to watch the racing are welcomed and encouraged to give model sailing a try if they wish, or just enjoy the excitement and shared adventures offered. The Club offers free sailing instruction and has extra boats for newcomers and storage space for members boats. We sail from our dock on Swan Lake in sun city center next to the craft shops on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. till noon. No sailing experience is required. If interested, call or text Cygnet YC 401-261-6907.
CLUBS
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.
Metaphysical Society
The first Wednesday Open Fundraiser $5 admission for Non-Members. The Metaphysical Society presentation starts at 10 a.m. in the SCCCA Heritage Room. Membership costs $10 annually. SCCCA residents are permitted one visit before joining. Kings Point residents may join after obtaining an active Club Card at the SCCCA office. Others may attend with approved guest passes obtained at the SCCCA office. The mission of the Metaphysical Society is to inspire and empower others to explore and discover their highest expression of spiritual self-awareness and universal oneness. Contact the club office on 813 438-6136 for more information.
July 2 • Chantal Wilson “Cleaning House-benefits, processes and other rituals”
July 9 • Lani Gonzales, “The Body Remembers-you don’t have to stay stuck”
July 23 • Robin LeBleu “Essential Oils-usage and benefits”
July 30 • Jikara Starita “How Energy Cords Work: Reclaim your energetic sovereignty”
Model Railroad Club Announces New Hours
Beginning Sewing Class
Sew ‘n Sews is offering a Beginning Quilting 102 class for beginners who have either taken a beginning quilting class or know all the basics for quilt making. It is especially important to know how to make half-square triangles. Quilting basics will not be taught in this class. Refreshers can be done on day one. The class will be on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for six consecutive weeks beginning July 17 and concluding on August 21. We will have an intro day followed by a possible trip to buy fabric and have lunch. The remaining days will consist of construction. This class is open to Sew’n Sews members and Kings Point Activity cardholders. The class fee is $10. Membership in Sew’n Sews is required to participate in the class. Membership is an additional $10 fee. Registration is limited to ten participants. Stop by Sew ‘n Sews on Cherry Hills Drive to register for the class.
The Sun City Center Model Railroad Club has initiated new operating hours and has taken steps to ensure that the club room is open and available to visitors during those times. The Club has traditionally been open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Those days remain the same, but the new hours are 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Visitors, especially kids accompanied by adults, are encouraged to view the Club’s facility, located behind the fitness center on the SCC Community Center North Campus.
The Club’s current website is under review and is slated for replacement. While it displays the old operating hours, the Club is in the process of employing a new web host and a new website, which will display more accurate and timely information. The Club is now open to new membership. Applications are available in the Club room during operating hours. There are no particular skills required for membership, other than an interest in model trains. Members have 24/7 access to the Club’s facility, and they can operate the Club’s trains, or they can run their own. The Club has been a local pioneer in Digital Command Control or DCC, which allows model engineers to control their train’s speed, direction, lighting, and sounds, through the use of handheld digital “throttles,” and they can walk with their train as it navigates the layout.
For residents of Sun City Center and their out of town guests, the SCC Model Railroad Club is a “must see” local attraction.
Freedom Plaza Awards Nearly $100K in Scholarships
Freedom Plaza proudly awarded $3,000 scholarships to 33 employees, totaling $99,000 in aid, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The scholarships were made possible through a residentsupported golf tournament and the incredible generosity of the Freedom Plaza community, via the Freedom Plaza Scholarship Fund, Inc.
The event, held in Freedom Plaza’s auditorium, was filled to near capacity with residents, staff, families and friends – all gathered to celebrate the commitment of these young professionals and the supportive environment that defines the Freedom Plaza community.
“These scholarships are more than just financial assistance,” said Dave Lowe, president of the Freedom Plaza Scholarship Fund, Inc. “They provide mentorship, hope and the tools to build a successful future.”
Among the highlights of the event was featured speaker Melissa S., now in her fifth year as a scholarship recipient. She
shared her moving journey toward earning a master’s degree in speech therapy, made possible through ongoing support from the Freedom Plaza community.
“This program has changed my life,” said Melissa. “I wouldn’t be on this path without the encouragement and support I’ve received here at Freedom Plaza.”
UMC of SCC Receives Grant
The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant for their Bare Necessities for All project. This project will focus on assisting the underserved and vulnerable populations such as lowincome seniors, veterans and school-age children and youth by providing healthy food, clothing, and hygiene products.
Funds will be used to provide basic day-to-day necessities to individuals and families who have challenges navigating everyday life in the local area of Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, Riverview, Ruskin, Sun City Center, and Wimauma. For additional information about the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay visit www. cftampabay.org.
To qualify, employees must work at least 200 hours a year, maintain a C average, obtain a supervisor recommendation, and submit a personal essay that outlines career and life goals. Freedom Plaza remains a leading example in the senior living industry – showing how intergenerational partnerships between residents and staff can foster a culture of community, education and long-term success.
July 4 Community Breakfast
8 a.m. Friday, July 4, until 11:30 a.m.
$7 gets you 2 pancakes, 2 scrambled eggs, yogurt, orange juice and coffee.
We welcome all CA members, King’s Point members and their family. 50/50 drawings will be available too! Community Hall • 1910 S. Pebble Blvd.• Sun City Center
SCC Rotary Club College and VoTech Scholarships Awarded
some of this year’s scholarship winners to a weekly club meeting. Each student introduced themselves and described their future plans. For many years the club has awarded college scholarships to graduating high school seniors totaling more than $350,000 since its inception.
ten outstanding winners from Lennard and East Bay high schools. Each of these students has the option to apply for continuing college scholarships for the next three years. Of special note, the SCC Rotary club began a new category of scholarships last year, i.e., 2025. The SCC Rotary Club meets each Tuesday for lunch with a topical speaker at Freedom Fairways. For more information visit its Facebook page “facebook.com/RotarySCC” or call Bill (membership) at 813-6343936.
L to R: Linda Whitt, Andy Lotze, Victoria Sorensen, Dr. Cynthia Weems, Pastor Travis Taylor, Pastor Debbie Marion.
The Editor’s Corner
Looking Up… And Around
By E. Adam Porter Editor, News of SCC & South County
“It’s gonna be a blast,” he said, and my mind snagged on the pun, almost missing it when he added, “Much bigger than last year.”
Which is, of course, what you want to hear when someone is inviting you to a firework show. Doesn’t matter what happened last year, this year better be “bigger.” So, I sat up and paid more attention.
My friend went on to describe the stockpile of pyrotechnic indulgence he was building, his eyes alight with precursory joy. His delight was so palpable, it was easy to surf on his wavelength. Somewhere in a dusty corner of my mind, Jimmy was crooning about “rockets in the air” and “people everywhere putting away their differences for a while…”
I thought… yeah, we could all use a little bit of putting away our differences for a while and maybe a little bit longer. Not dismissing our differences, but, instead, being intentional about sharing an experience together. Because sharing something together is how you reset your priorities. It’s how you scan the dial, bypass the static, and make connections.
These days, we’re bombarded by static: advertising, propaganda, threats, promises, and temptations. A constant barrage of programming and counter-programming. On one level, life has always been that way. The immediate byproduct of the advent of human language was some guy trying to twist those ideas in a way that would push our Fear Of Missing Out button.
These days the messaging is inescapable. The Idea Saturation we all experience on a daily basis is what the word “inundated” was created to describe. We are absolutely
swamped and besieged by carefully crafted notions. We’ve been intentionally sorted into colors and camps, facilitated and filtered by quips and slogans and curated sets of incomplete facts. Otherwise benign words have been coded to elicit extreme emotions—to short circuit our empathy and poke our lizard brain.
Someone asks a question or offers an idea, and it feels like fireworks exploding on the ground. Yes, we’ve been here culturally before. Yes, it’s been worse. But I can’t help trying to make it better.
As a student of human communication, media, and advertising, I’ve watched this coming. I’m hardly alone. Psychiatrists, sociologists, writers, and musicians have been banging this drum for decades. Our Founders openly cursed the corrosive nature of a false ideological dichotomy. Centuries later, mid-80s metal sage, Jani Lane, opined that folks are too busy complaining to take time to connect. That’s a remarkably salient idea wrapped in a hard rock anthem about hooking up. I guess the truth really is where you find it.
Jani laments that people miss out on joy when they waste time complaining, and that’s true. It’s also true that complaining is reductive— especially complaining about a person or an idea. We have to box the situation up and slap a label on it in order to point that particular finger. Then we pull that box out every once in a while and show it to friends who will point and complain along with us. Nothing wrong with that in principle, and it’s even cathartic in moderation. We all have to vent from time to time. But complaining won’t solve the problem in the box. It won’t help us understand the problem—or even if it is a problem.
Labeling something that upsets us won’t make it go away. Labeling people who upset us won’t make them go away either. It just makes them easier to dehumanize. And it makes the people selling the labels richer than any of us will ever be.
Kierkegaard said we use labels to make people less of who they are. I think that’s true. Describe someone using words we like,
and it’s easier to forgive their faults. Call someone something we don’t like, and it’s easier to ignore their virtues.
That’s why, to me, all the sloganeering and groupthink propagated today is so putrid. If I get a steady stream of “Those people are bad” it’s a whole lot easier to assume they “deserve it…” Whatever the “it” is, they definitely got it comin’ We have to learn how to snap out of that spell. It’s not nearly good enough to look back on the atrocities of history and say, “that was bad.” We have to be able to recalibrate our vision well enough to look at what’s hurting people today and say, “No more.”
That kind of refocusing takes work. That’s why, every once in a while, it pays to look around and, when you can, look up. When the sky flowers are blooming it’s
easy to focus on what unites us. We don’t see differences, we only see bright flashes of beauty. If humans can create transitory beauty when we blow things up, what will happen when we build things—and people—up together?
What if, instead of pointing fingers, we look for beauty in each other? Is it possible, that in a world where so many rockets are being fired by drones, we can figure out something better? What might our world be if we stopped treating people as targets? That is, after all, one of the fundamental beauties of fireworks—they are not aimed at anything but delight. What would change if we tried to find delight in each other, instead of fault? Is that a naïve question? Maybe… might be that I’m dreaming. I hope I’m not the only one.
of SCC & South County
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Email submissions are preferred. Submit stories and photos to “editor@soco. news”. Place the content in the body of the email and attach pictures in .jpeg or .png format. Submissions may be submitted via the SUBMISSIONS link at www. soco.news
Mailed submissions should be sent to:
The News of Sun City Center & South County
C/O NOKPmedia PO Box 6212
Sun City Center, FL 33573-6212.
LETTERS: The News of Sun City Center & South County will not publish any political, proselytizing, or complaint letters. We will consider “thank you” notes for good service directed toward local people, organizations, or businesses.
DECLARATION: No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of NOKPmedia. All editorial copy is strictly the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of this publication, its officers or employees, or the Sun City Center Community Association.
Contributors: Frank Kepley, Garry Higgins, Bob Monahan, Peggy Burgess, Joanne Baskinger, Debbie Caneen, John Lampkin, Cathy Meyerhoff, Judy Cesarski and Ron Clark. (CA President). Stewart
The Men’s Club Fights Fraud
The next Men’s Club of Sun City Center monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday July 16th. The Men’s Club meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday in Community Hall on S. Pebble Beach in Sun City Center. If you are new to Kings Point or Sun City Center, please join us for a buffet lunch and an interesting presentation. Doors open at 10am.
Kings Point Baby Boomer’s Club Events
Kings Point Baby Boomer’s Club Welcome Summer: July 2, Kings Point Baby Boomer’s Club Poker Run Ready to Deal Some Fun? Join us for the Kings Point Baby Boomer’s Club Golf Cart Poker Run on July 2 — where speed doesn’t matter, but your poker face might! This is a free event! Check-in is at 10:30 a.m. at Falcon Watch (Kings Blvd). Cruise from checkpoint to checkpoint (4 stops) in your trusty golf cart, drawing one card at each stop. With luck on your side and a lot of laughs, you’ll build your best poker hand. Whether you’re a high roller or just along for the ride, it’s all about the cards, the carts, and the company. Prizes for the best hand — and maybe a surprise or two for the worst! Hop in. Hold on. May the best hand win!
St. Andrew Presbyterian, 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd. All like-minded people are welcome. Hear representatives from local, regional, state and national government and organizations speak on issues that affect our lives in Florida. “Politics is all local” This month we will hear from Glen Pearson. Mr. Pearson has officially filed as a candidate for Congressional District 16, the seat currently held by Vern Buchanan. Social time and light refreshments before the meeting. Help with voter registration and Vote By mail renewals will be available. www.southshoredemocrats.org or “SSDmembership@ gmail.com”.
SCC Slow Pitch Softball
The Sun City Center slow pitch summer session champions were the Road Runners who ended their season with a perfect 10-0 record. The team was comanaged by Diane Barnes and Clyde Hancock.
Meet Pat Rapach, The STAR Samaritan for the 2nd quarter of 2025. Pat has lived in Florida since 1978, and made the move from Brandon to Sun City Center in 2013. Pat has done everything at Samaritan such as an out-of-town driver, a SCC Ride driver, a dispatcher, Vice President, and most recently served as President from 20232025. Pat also serves as Captain of Team 22 for Security Patrol. Pat has been volunteering at Samaritan Services for 10 years and is working on her next ten as a volunteer there. She enjoys helping our residents and encourages others to give it a try. “I think they will find it very rewarding.”
If you like to drive, we need you for local and out-of-town rides. If you like to tell people where to go, we need dispatchers for our 2 local cars. Or if you like variety, we need receptionists to greet people, book out-of-town ride appointments and provide general information. Call (813) 634-9283 for more information.
Galaxy Bridge
Congratulations to the Galaxy Bridge June winners Cindy Slaughter, Annette Pucci, Diane Swakow, and Claire Hadley (not pictured).
The next Galaxy Bridge Luncheon will be Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m. in the Atrium building Caper room catered by CC’s Grill. For reservations or cancelations call Kathie 410-375-6363 or Gena 813-633-5342. If you leave a message to cancel or confirm someone will get back to you. The cancelation deadline is Sunday June 29.
Galaxy Bridge is open to all women of Sun City Center, Freedom Plaza and Kings Point gold card members who are interested in social bridge. Annual dues are $10 and the monthly lunch is $15.
SCC-KP Singles Dating Group Happenings
If you missed our Patriotic Indoor Picnic on Memorial Day Weekend, all members present formed a circle around our American Flag. Steve Drobnis asked for members who served our country to raise their hands. We were surprised to have veterans from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard and everyone applauded. After the pledge of Allegiance to our country, Steve Drobnis read a prayer to thank them for those that gave some and for those that gave all to make this country free. Our Professional DJ played a patriotic song. Then we partook of Kentucky Fried Chicken with all the fixings in our air conditioned comfortable surroundings. We enjoyed music from our DJ Stash and had a wonderful time. If you are single and live in SCCCA or KP then you can be a part of this incredible social group. This group is not just for dating people of the opposite sex; but also to gain friends for life. We meet a minimum of two days a month. Each month on the second Sunday in the Ripple Room, North Club House, Kings Point from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for our business meeting, social interaction, games or skits; then usually on the last Sunday or Saturday in the Waterside Room, North Club House, Kings Point from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for our monthly party, which includes food, sometimes wine, always surprises and prizes.
On July 27 we are having our meet and greet where you will get to know other members. This event is BYOB and snacks and is at no cost. We will have games, and ways to get to know the participants.
On August 31 we are having our successful wine and cheese party. With games, music and other fun activities.
For Reservations contact Steve 781-264-1215 or Nancy 813-4168203 Remember a reservation made is a reservation paid, if you cannot make it call to cancel within 48 hours of the event. If you live in SCCCA just go to the Kings Point Gate, Visitor side and tell them you are going to an event in the North Club House.
L to R Front: Steve Sole, Brian Henderson, Diane Barnes , Clyde Hancock. L to R Back: Al Dragamoni, Walt Harrison, Lou Klusty, Mark Polak, Dennis Echevaria, Dan Shipley, John Wakeman, Paul Natasia. Not pictured John McMahon.
By Peggy Burgess
Freedom Plaza, like Sun City Center, is an ideal place to spend one’s final days-- and “final days” do come, for everyone, everywhere: they begin at birth. When they come to residents at Freedom Plaza and apartments are vacated, someone must see to that resident’s belongings, from pianos to pot-holders. This falls to their family members. However, many of them live far away and do not have unlimited time to remain on the scene for this sometimes long, involved task.
Enter, Helping Hands, a new resident-organized and managed program that is up
News of Freedom Plaza
and going strong. The need for such an organization has long been recognized by the residents who have so generously volunteered their help in these circumstances. Resident Jean Aronson (who recently moved to Panama) was a “regular” in offering her assistance at these times. She gathered a group of likewise helpful residents and, together, they created “Helping Hands”. This is the way it works: when a resident passes and an apartment must be vacated, the family takes whatever they wish to keep; Helping Hands sees that all remaining items are given to either residents or employees who may need
them. Items left at “turnover time” are donated to one of the local charitable sources. Then, Helping Hands has the apartment totally cleared and turned over to management, as is required. Residents and employees who may need particular items are invited to fill out forms, which are kept on file: if/when requested items become available, applicants are notified. The nominal fee charged to families by Helping Hands pays for large item transport and trash removal service; any money remaining is donated to either the Freedom Plaza Scholarship Fund or the Employee Appreciation Fund.
The work performed by Helping Hands (managing files and funds; sorting household items; recording data; filling requests, plus myriad other tasks) is done, gratis, by resident -members of Helping Hands. This caring, neighborly spirit demonstrated by Helping Hands, along with other resident-initiated and managed groups, is what transforms such a large establishment as Freedom Plaza into “home”… a place to live one’s life to the fullest and know that family members will have the help they may need at your passing.
Providing: Lymphedema Treatment and Compression garments (Covered by most insurances) Call for more info and to schedule an appointment
Military News
Military Order of the World Wars
The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) 2025 National Convention is being held at the Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, AZ. It is programmed from Tuesday – Saturday (August 5-9, 2025). Keynote speaker scheduled is special guest, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Scott Mann, USA (Ret). LTC (retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and founder of Rooftop Leadership. He regularly advocates in Congress and on national media outlets, such as CNN, FOX, and MSNBC, for the safe passage and resettlement of our abandoned Afghan Allies, as well as U.S. Veteran Mental Health.
During these annual National Conventions, MOWW takes measures such as the modification of existing bylaws or the adaptation of new constitution and bylaws amendments. Notwithstanding, the organization would adopt a new executive leadership team for the organization’s new calendar year.
The MOWW Sun City chapter 226 has recently selected its new calendar year leadership team. Commander: Colonel Lonnie Dale Vona, USA (Ret; Senior Vice Commander: Major Bob Smith, USA(Ret; First Vice Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Joe Muhlberger, USAF (Ret; Second Vice Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Mike Small, USAF (Ret); Adjutant: Captain James Williams, USA(Fmr; Treasurer: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Zahrobsky, USAF (Ret) Chaplain: Captain Vern Elarth, USAF(Fmr) JAG: Captain Kirsten Nyquist, USAR Outreach Points of Contact: Patriotic Education/ YL Coordinator: First Lieutenant Thomas Hart, USA(Fmr); JROTC/ROTC Coordinator: Colonel Lonnie Dale Vona, USA (Ret) Scouting Coordinator: Lieutenant Colonel John Ingraham USA (Ret); Veterans Affairs Coordinator: Colonel Jim Fletcher, USAF (Ret); National/Homeland Security Coordinator: BG Hector Lopez, USA (Ret); IT and PAO Coordinator: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Edgar Smart-Homer, USA (Retired).
Most recently, we (MOWW Chapter 226) partnered with other local community organizations such as (Vietnam Veterans of America, IAFF organization, Park Recreation, Bellmont Heights Memorial) Cemetery to clean the headstones of deceased veterans laid to rest at the Memorial Park Cemetery, 2425 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa FL 33610, who had served our nation.
Kiwanis Club
of Southshore
Hosted “Reading in Comfy Socks”
On May 19, the Kiwanis Club of Southshore celebrated Little Free Library Week with a community event titled Reading in Comfy Socks, held at the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin. The event welcomed over 125 participants and promoted the joy of reading through a variety of fun and educational activities.
Each child received a free book donated by Goodwill BookWorks, a pair of socks from Bombas Socks, activity books from 4imprint’s One by One program, and coloring sheets courtesy of Little Free Library. The event was partially funded by a mini-grant from the Florida Kiwanis Foundation, which supported hands-on activities including minibook making, scratch bookmarks, blackout poetry, friendship bracelets, LEGO building, creative play, and more. In total, there were 19 different activities—some so popular that children participated multiple times!
The event was made possible with the help of 28 volunteers, including 20 high school students from our Key Clubs.
The Kiwanis Club of Southshore has been awarded two Little Free Libraries through the Impact Library Program, serving areas designated as “book deserts” with limited access to reading materials. In addition to maintaining libraries at the Firehouse Cultural Center and Ruskin Memorial Park, the club was honored to be one of only 44 organizations nationwide to receive a special grant celebrating Little Free Library Week.
A cornerstone of our club’s literacy efforts is our partnership with Goodwill BookWorks, a division of Goodwill Suncoast. Throughout the school year, our volunteers read monthly to children in local Head Start programs, ensuring every child receives a personalized book to take home. Goodwill BookWorks also supports our annual book drop to local elementary schools and helps us provide books at various community events. With their help, we distributed more than 10,000 books in the Southshore community this school year alone.
Locally, we run school-based programs including Head Start reading, Terrific Kids in 11 elementary schools, Bring Up Grades in two elementary schools, Builders Club in one middle school, and Key Clubs in three high schools—with plans to expand to Aquilla J. Morgan High School in Wimauma this fall. Each year, we also award 18–20 scholarships of $1,000 to graduating seniors. In addition to our Little Free Libraries, we maintain a Story Walk at Ruskin Recreation Center in Beaudette Park.
For more information, contact us at “kiwanissouthshorefl@gmail. com”, visit “www.kiwanissouthshorefl.org”, or follow us on Facebook at “facebook.com/southshorekiwanis”.
BOOK REVIEW
A Mystery with a Dash of Romance
Author Interview
By Andrea L.T. Peterson
Local author, Celeste Fenton, contacted The News to offer a copy of her new book, Lost Heart in King Manor: Some hearts don’t break quietly, for possible review. I have to say—not only should you not judge a book by its cover, you should be careful judging one by its title. I expected a romance, and I admit, I was instantly put off, but once I met the author, got a copy of the book, and started reading, I was most pleasantly surprised! This is Book One in the Mysteries of the Heart series, featuring Gabby Heart (hence the title). Once I finished the book, I contacted the author to set up an interview and share with her how much I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next installments.
Way up and off the east coast, a world away from us here in Florida, is Dost Island. Here, on this small island independent, widowed, 45-year-old Gabby’s world gets flipped upside down.
First she is dealing with her daughter going off to graduate school in Michigan. The separation is difficult for Gabby, but she has her small shop “in the village,” Ocean Current; classes she teaches at the Lifelong Learning Institute; and her mother, Connie, who lives nearby to occupy her time.
As a hurricane threatens to hit the island—and all hope and pray it will pass them by—her mother is hurried to the medical wing of the local state of the art senior center, ACHE—the result of a total renovation of what was
once known as King Manor. The storm traps Gabby; her office mate at the Institute, Jay Laird; the son of her mother’s neighbor, Rick Payne; and several parttime employees along with all of the residents.
The hurricane hits and together with the accompanying tornadoes, it wreaks havoc with the village in general, and King Manor in particular. And in King Manor there is chaos!
Everyone has secrets! The residents of Dost Island and those at King Manor are no exception. Those secrets lead to ‘murder and mayhem’ as several residents are attacked by an unknown assailant. Security cameras show no one entering the rooms of those who are assaulted. There is no explanation for their appearance or disappearance, no clue as to who it is. And there is no clear motive or link connecting those victimized. And the Manor, itself, holds secrets well.
I asked the author if she was one of those who has always wanted to write a book. “No,” she told me, “I haven’t always had a burning desire to write, but I remember in school, in English classes, I loved creative writing. I took creative writing courses in college.” Having gotten positive feedback from her writing certainly helped her eventually write a book—or what will be a series of books. But, as often happens, life got in the way.
“It wasn’t until I retired,” she told me, “in 2016, that it hit me again: I’d love to write a mystery!” So,
she wrote her first book, “Heart Ache.”
“It was horrible!” she told me. I asked how she knew it was horrible (we don’t always see our own work in a realistic light). But she said, simply, “I read it and thought ‘this isn’t good!’” So, that was that.
So, time went by, as time will do, and it was 2022. “My husband of 30 years passed away (suddenly) and I went to spend some time in Maine. And “while there,” she said, “I wrote and I wrote and I wrote.” With the kids gone and no real obligations or responsibilities, she was free to let the writing happen, and it did! “It was cathartic, and it was gratifying!”
But, she told me, getting the time isn’t easy. “I have to steal time. Maybe in the morning when my brain is fresh, or five or 10 minutes here and there to get some thoughts down on paper. I just sit and write.” A writing routine is ideal. While that’s not feasible for everyone, she emphasizes, the commitment to the task is essential.
“Sometimes,” she said, “the characters wake me up in the middle of the night to tell me what they want! “On one occasion,” she said, “Gabby woke me up to tell me she wanted more time on the page.” One of Gabby’s two potential suitors (Jay and Rick) woke her to inform her he thought Gabby should show more interest in him [not his rival] as the author had planned!
“I get inspiration from daily life, too.” She may overhear a conversation on the grocery checkout line or see something happen in front of her that gives
her new ideas. She writes what she knows! “Some characters,” she explained, “are composites of people she knows. “One,” she says, “I think is my shadow self.” She wouldn’t say which one! And I read books on writing, found articles online, and took courses and attended lectures. All of that helped--some say you need an outline first, or you have to plot it out, or suggest how you should structure it. So many opinions!
People tell her they want to write--to write their life stories--but “don’t know how.” She tells them “You just have to do it! Don’t worry about making it perfect, just find the time you can and write what you can. Don’t try to ‘be’ your favorite author. Don’t try to write what the market wants. Be you. It has to be your voice or it won’t be authentic.
“One thing that kept me from writing,” she adds, “was being afraid. I was afraid it would be rejected.” With determination, you have to get past the fear, too.
“What has become more apparent to me [not just about writing], especially losing my husband,” she says, “is the value of time! It is so limited and if there are things you really need to do or say to people,” do and say them. Connect or reconnect with friends and family. Make your neighborhood a better place, spend time to make the world a better place. “Don’t let that time get away from you! You can get your copy of Lost Heart from Amazon now. The second book in the series, “Captive Heart,” will be out this fall.
The Boxer and The Bodybuilder… Timeless Titans
By Gezil Andrews
Professional sports are big money! I just came across a Muscle Training Illustrated magazine from 1968 profiling that year’s Mr. America Contest. The magazine was priced at $195 versus its sale price of about $4 in 1968. In fact, Muscle Magazine is no longer in business, but in 1968, you could buy a pack of four magazines for around $10. But I’ll do you one better, I recently met with a former multi-state rep from World Body Building Guild. And he will do you one better in that he qualified for the finals for Mr. America in 1966 and 1967! Let me introduce you to Sun City Center resident and former professional Body Builder, Ed Martin.
Ed was in the Navy and at 19 years old did physical fitness obstacle course training… not for the lighthearted. He was the East Coast winner among all military divisions, based in the area, (Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, etc.) Ed hails from Long Island New York and yes, he still has the New York accent. Ed’s training partner was Dan Lurie, Publisher, and founder of high-test magazines such as Muscle Training Illustrated, Wrestling Training Illustrated, World Karate, World Champion Boxing and Hot Rock. He is best known for arm wrestling President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1984. He was a staunch supporter of clean drugs as is Ed Martin. This lifelong
friendship is part of the great stuff that makes up Ed Martin! In 2015, Ed competed in Sr. Olympics Power Lifting – bench pressing 235 pounds! There are many Body Builders who, today, bench press over 1,000 pounds, but in Ed’s day, he kept pace with many of the other great lifters.
We have a lot to be proud of in having Ed in our community. I was recently sharing space in water aerobics, testing my article idea on my fitness friends and during the sharing session, one of the ladies shouted out “Tony Frontenatta” – he’s a retired professional boxer and he lives here! It seems my friend frequents our Fitness Center and has interacted with Tony many times. So, let’s take a look at a former professional boxer, Tony Frontenatta! Tony focuses on staying healthy – when he started boxing in his twenties, he weighed 175 pounds, now he weighs 176! He always boxed as a light heavyweight.
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.
When Tony was 26 years old, he turned an early corner on his career when he had his second operation on his right leg. He developed Osteomyelitis (a bone infection) which resulted in wearing a full-length cast for some time. This injury stopped Tony’s professional career, so he began working with youth. His approach is and has always been to show the youth through his own style rather than tell them. They received firsthand experience from a man who had walked the walk.
A “guy” Tony knew donated a large gym space and every day of the week; Tony worked out with about 40 kids. This continued for years. A couple of these kids went on to the Olympics and few went into professional boxing. This is one of Tony’s proudest achievements. For over ten years Tony and many of his gym friends “Rumbled” – where 8 or 9 guys would spar together. Tony credits a lot of this activity with
Tony shared that when he wasn’t boxing, he worked second shift. He would walk the neighborhood at night to make sure everything was safe. He said, “forget watching for the dogs, watch for the owner!” It was a pretty tough neighborhood. He began running down the hill when he started his routine and ran back up the hill when he finished. Good conditioning! Every time you turn the corner in Sun City Center, you can come across a highly accomplished senior like Ed or Tony. I always find a way to interact with these folks as best I can without coming across like a crazy reporter. Our community has a lot of good “life journey” stories. Take a moment and connect with your neighbors, folks in the Atrium (catch a walker or two!), at CC’s, at the Fitness Center, the pool or on the Bocce court. It’s worth your time and theirs. But for now… Hats off to Ed and Tony, these two men are truly Timeless Titans.
Ed Martin - Powerlifter
Tony Frontenatta & Joe Schmidt Frontenatta Sparring
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.
SCC Men’s Chorus Wants You
Men, have you ever sung in a choir or had a desire to do so? Here is your chance! Our chorus is looking to increase our numbers for an even better sound; you could be the answer we are looking for!
We sing four-part harmony in a variety of musical styles and perform concerts during the winter holidays and in the spring. Rehearsals are held each Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. beginning on August 28 at the SCC United Methodist Church. You do not have to be a resident of Sun City Center: anyone is welcome to join and contribute to the joy of song!
The Men’s Chorus was formed in 1962 which makes it one of the longest continuous groups in the community. Please come and help us continue this proud tradition!
For more information, please contact our President, Mr. Patrick Odell at (863) 640-0487.
We look forward to having you as a part of this fine group of songsters.
PERFORMINGARTS DANCING
Come Dance With Us Club
July 13, doors open at 6 p.m. • Kings Point Veterans Theater
Dancing from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Casual outfits in red, white, and blue are encouraged. Music provided by LB & Chloe. Water and ice provided. BYOB. Cost $5. Info: Call Ken at 513-582-8449 or Rosemary at 513-258-8238.
Jammin’ July Kool Karaoke
Friday, July 18, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Sing, dance, and have a great time at our “Jammin July” Kool Karaoke Party featuring Liquid Lyrics hosted by Kings Point Music Makers., doors open at 4:30 p.m. at the KP North Club, Waterside Room. Free for members, $5 for Non-members and open to all KP and SCC residents. All proceeds help fund local school music programs. BYO Everything. For more information, check us out at “kpmusicmakers.org”.
Do You Wanna Dance Club
Florida Hit Machine July 19, from 7 to 10 SCC Community Hall, 1910 S Pebble Beach OPEN TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
Put on your dancing shoes and come out and dance the night away to the sounds of the Florida Hit Machine. Tickets on sale at the Atrium Kiosk from 10 to 12, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, July 14,16,18 and at the door, July 19. Doors open at 6 p.m. (ticket sales will end promptly at 7 p.m.). Tickets $5 members and $10 nonmembers. BYOB. We have tables reserved for singles and a Share The Wealth Raffle. You can purchase a prorated membership for $25. Please bring non-perishable food items for Our Ladies Pantry.
For more information email Barbara “bgocek1@gmail” or Kathy “jfkfunnsun@yahoo.com”.
Paula Spangler Klein, Cynthia Mikos, and Betty Giles.
Women’s Chorus Season – Save the Dates!
Registration for current members will be held at the Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1971 Haverford Avenue, Sun City Center, on Wednesday, August 27, at 10:00a.m. Members will pay the fall registration of $30 and pick up their music for the Christmas concerts.
The executive board members taking office this year are Nancy Starewicz, president, Linda Wren, vice president, Cheryl Szumski, secretary, and Julieanne Peterson, treasurer. They will serve twoyear terms on the board.
Auditions for women who are interested in joining the chorus will be held at the church on August 27 at 9:00AM with the director and section leaders. Interested women can call Nancy Starewicz at 219-805-1378 for more information and to reserve an audition time.
The first chorus rehearsal will begin at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, at the church. The deadline for members who are returning to the area for the winter is Wednesday, September 17.
Two holiday concerts are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at 3:00 p.m. and Friday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the SCC United Methodist Church. Tickets will be available at the church office and at the door for $15.
The Women’s Chorus is excited to be launching their 63rd season of helping area residents, friends, and families to celebrate the holiday season with beautiful music.
July holds some great events. We will kick off the month with our Independence Day Event. The first event of the day is our Pancake Breakfast starting at 8 until 11:30 a.m. You can enjoy pancakes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, sausage, juice & coffee for $7.
This event will be held at the Community Hall 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. We also will have our wonderful food vendor C & J Specialties serving some yummy fair food at the North Campus. Free ice cream will be distributed while supplies last, in the early afternoon. Several musical groups will be on hand for the day. We start with EQ – The Little Big Band at 11 a.m., followed by Time Peace Band at 1 p.m., and to end the day we have The Island Boys (steel drum) Band at 3:30 p.m.
The remainder events for July are as follows:
July 13 • Poolside music with Rick Wynn, 1:30 -3:30 p.m.
July 20 • Jack Shack Ice Cream Truck, Time to be announced. July 27 • Poolside music with Mari -O, One Man Band, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
CC’s Grill will be on hand both July 13 and 27 with a special food offering. Please remember these events are free to SCCCA members and their family members with guest passes, which can be purchased at the CA office 1009 N. Pebble Beach Blvd. M-F 8-3 p.m.
The Women’s Chorus of Sun City Center held their annual board of directors meeting on April 30 to plan for their upcoming season. Pictured are the following chorus leaders: Front: Sandy Stratton, Nancy Starewicz, Lynn D’Antoni, Mae Ellen Dowdy. Back: Linda Wren, Janet Warren, Julieanne Peterson, Diane Daugherty, Pam Greer, Barb Carver, Cheryl Szumski,
Ms. SCC is Back
Celebrate the return of a tradition that promotes the very heart of our community! After nearly two decades, the Ms. SCC Pageant is coming back on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, with more meaning, energy, and purpose than ever before.
This isn’t just a beauty pageant. It’s a celebration of grace, grit, and the vibrant contributions of senior women in our community. Open to all women aged 60 and up who reside in Sun City (regardless of SCCCA membership), this event honors those who demonstrate talent, vitality, and spirit—the qualities that make our community thrive.
Why Now?
In the years following COVID, we’ve all felt the need for connection, renewal, and purpose. What better way to lift our community spirit than to showcase the resilience, humor, and strength of the women who built it? We’re looking for contestants who want to:
Inspire others by sharing their talent—music, dance, storytelling, comedy, or any unique performance. Express their personality and inner beauty. Check something off their bucket list. Be celebrated for their lifetime of contributions— and remind us all that it’s never too late to shine.
The Crown Is Just The Beginning Contestants will rehearse, bond, and prepare for a fun and uplifting evening at Community Hall from 5–9 p.m. on October
29. With awards like Miss Congeniality and community spotlight features, every participant will be honored. This is more than a show—it’s a movement to recognize and reinspire the women of SCC. How To Join Interested participants can download the application on our website (www.suncitycenter. org), contact Nancy McCall at “nmccall@suncitycenter. org” or stop by the Community Association Office front desk. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 5, 2025 to allow ample time for rehearsal and preparation. Enter early to have more time to prepare.
Get Involved – Even If You’re Not On Stage
Clubs and neighbors: Help us spread the word and help us with the silent auction..
Businesses and organizations: Partner with us as sponsors or supporters. Audience members: Mark your calendars and join us to cheer on your favorite and be part of this powerful evening.
From The Community, For The Community
This is more than an event— it’s a revival of spirit, a call to courage, and a celebration of the women who make Sun City Center strong. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Let’s show the world that beauty, talent, and leadership don’t fade—they evolve. Join us for the return of Ms. Sun City Center.
Florida Railroad Museum
By Kai Rambow
Last month we looked at what to do if you have an under 12 child to look after this summer. This month we have a 12-andover option. We’re looking at the Florida Railroad Museum.
Located in Parrish, a short drive away, Florida Railroad Museum can be a fun adventure. First, you need to secure your tickets. Once you have done so, give yourself at least 20 minutes to look at the model trains.
The model section is not large, but there is a sufficient variety of trains there to capture everyone’s attention. There is also a larger building, which is currently under construction.
Riding the Train
Once you have your ticket to ride, hop aboard. There is plenty of seating, and the volunteers will show you your options. The volunteers love to answer questions, and you may be surprised at the age range of those volunteers. Love of trains is open to all ages.
The track leading out of the facility is well-maintained by the museum. The ride is nice, and the views are incomparable. Get to know the central Florida countryside up close. The ride, one way, takes about 90 minutes, as will the return trip.
Steps to Ensure a Great Visit
Come prepared with your own snacks before you arrive. A little snack will go a long way. They have limited snacks and drinks, but nowhere near what you might expect.
Before you go, check for special events. The museum has several throughout the year. You’ll be able to avoid crowds and take advantage of any specials. For example, in September
reenactment, murder mystery, and so on. Check out the website (see below) for all the options.
Getting there: When traveling south on 301, have your GPS on.
The entrance comes up very quickly.
south County Events
Provided by Debbie Caneen
WED. JUL 2 - FRONT PORCH
PICKERS 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Rollins Theater, SCC. Enjoy 2 fun hours of entertainment by your local musicians. SCC residents and Kings Point residents are all welcome! Questions? please reach out to the Club President: Dave Oglesby at 508-331-7728.
FRI. JUL 4 - FOURTH OF JULY
BREAKFAST Save the date for a great event at Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. SCC.
THU. JUL 10 - CRAFT BEER & WINE CLUB OF SUN CITY CENTER “Fermenting Fanatics” 1:30 p.m. Kings Point North Clubhouse Waterside Room. July is the time to celebrate our country’s birthday. Show us how you celebrate the 4th. 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! If you are interested in craft beer or wine and tasting local offerings, check us out www.facebook.com/groups/ craftbeerandwineclub
We meet the second 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. JUL 11 - LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP MOVING TO KINGS POINT 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Low Vision Support Group is moving to Kings Point. Finally, we were able to secure the Waterside Room. This month we have Dr. Abrams from Apollo Beach. He covers many interesting topics
including dry eyes, macular degeneration and even eye therapy. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or “mmason@seniorsinservice. org”. Meta Glasses User Group launching 7/24 1:30 at Kings Point East Social Room. We can’t say enough about these glasses. In addition to sharing tips we will take a look at AI Live. If you have discovered them, come share tips and tricks. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or “mmason@ seniorsinservice.org”.
SAT. JUL 12 - ZACH BARTHOLOMEW: BALANCING ACT ALBUM RELEASE AT THE FIREHOUSE 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin. Event type: Center Stage. Balancing Act Album Release. Celebrate the release of Balancing Act, the latest album from awardwinning Miami-based pianist and composer Dr. Zachary Bartholomew, with a highenergy performance at the Firehouse Cultural Center! Book your tickets now! Limited seats remain. Call in for tickets: 813645-7651. Leading an all-star trio, Zach brings his signature blend of virtuosic playing, infectious creativity, and magnetic stage presence to every performance. His dynamic and diverse musical approach has made him a fan favorite across Florida, turning every show into a one-of-a-kind experience.
We start each meeting with exercises and then have a discussion. Questions? Contact Michelle Mason 813-492-8920 or “mmason@seniorsinservice. org”.
SAT. JUL 26 - LA LUCHA AT THE FIREHOUSE CULTURAL CENTER
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin. Event type: Center Stage. La Lucha returns to The Firehouse! La Lucha is a Tampa
Bay based trio of three best friends from three different parts of the world: Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Book your tickets now! Limited seats remain. Call in for tickets: 813-645-7651. Become a FCC Member and SAVE! Ticket Prices: $23 Members $30 Future Members. All Reservations are in Advance:. Call for tickets: 813645-7651 or book online below. Tickets are non-refundable.
SunTowers Retirement
MON. JUL 21 - PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP SPONSORED BY THE MEN’S CLUB OF SCC 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community in the Theater Room. Facilitator: Jill Mask is a fitness professional with over 10 years of experience in contributing to Parkinson’s Support groups and will have helpful hints for members! Her dedication to assisting group members in managing PD shines through! If you have Parkinson’s, or are caring for someone with this disease, be sure to attend this support group! The third Monday of every month is a group for Parkinson’s sufferers.
Announcing an amazing opportunity for you to save big and start living your best life today! Settle on select apartment residences by December 15, 2022 and you can
Fairways, our premier executive golf course and clubhouse, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, and more!
Announcing an amazing opportunity for you to save big and start living best life today! Settle on select apartment Friday, September 15th, 2023 and you
Announcing an amazing opportunity for you to save big and start living your best life today! Settle on select apartment residences by December 15, 2022 and you can
Announcing an amazing opportunity for you to save big and start living your best life today! Settle on select apartment by Friday, September 15th, 2023 and
