News of www.newsofkingspoint.com
Save March 15 for FunFest
By Phyllis Hodges Susan Muise, FunFest Chair, has her 17-member committee hard at work planning for Sun City Center’s FunFest No. 15 set for March 15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). This annual event is the community’s largest, drawing thousands to the Community Association’s Central Campus on North Pebble Beach Boulevard. Last year, an estimated 6,000 or so people descended on the Central Campus to enjoy the various club and vendor displays, food and entertainment.“In recent years, the committee created a theme; this year, we decided that we could not improve on the event’s built-in theme—FUN!” Susan said The very first FunFest back in 2000 was the brainchild of then Club Liaison Walt Cawein. He thought it would be a good way for the clubs to raise funds and to tell others about their activities. “As I recall, the weather was beautiful and we were overwhelmed with the huge turnout,” he said when reminiscing about those early
Committee members for FunFest 2014: (seated) Susan Muise, Mike Killian (L to R standing): Phyllis Hodges, Kelly Emerson, Judy Schings, Roxann Seeley, Hud Richard, Claudia Hinson, Lynne Murphy, Bill Barron, Lyn Reitz, Joe Elam, Dave Birkett, Bill Hodges. Not shown: Jane Keegan, Bob Powers, Joanne Baskinger.
days. No doubt subsequent years were easier in that organizers knew more about what to expect. Commercial vendors were not invited to that first event. Now, they are an integral part of the day and help “pay the bills” for permits, security, rented chairs/ tents, etc. Returning for her second year as chair, Susan said, “Most of
our committee members have volunteered for jobs they have done before. I don’t micromanage because they know what they are doing. Committee brainstorming always produces ideas for improvement.When new people join us, I’ve found that the person stepping down from that role has always been willing to offer guidance.This is a great group.”
February 2014
Local Writers Produce Anthology Ten writers walk into a bar, er… make that a library, and then the words really flew! No, seriously, what h a p p e n s when you get a group of writers together? Besides parsing words, it might result in a collection of short stories and poetry. That’s what happened when South Shore Librarian Frank Collia invited local authors and writers to join him twice a month to share their work and ideas. “It’s taken more than two years, but we’ve assembled a unique selection of poetry and short stories,” Frank stated. As “Editorin-Chief” Frank has taken a step many librarians only dream of – producing a work of the written Continued on Page 2
Blind Veteran Challenges Community to Join the Honor Ride
Annual Cycling Event Helps Make a Difference in the Lives of Healing Heroes
Ride 2 Recovery will kick off the 2014 cycling season in Tampa on February 1, 2014 at the second annual Honor Ride Tampa.The purpose of the Honor Ride is to support and celebrate Florida’s veterans and healing heroes and to raise funds and awareness for Ride 2 Recovery. The Honor Ride Tampais a self-paced, noncompetitive cycling event open to all veterans and the general public. “Ride 2 Recovery is honored to once again start the 2014 Honor Ride season with our mutual partners in Tampa and bring these fun and inspiring cycling events to local communities in 2014,” said John Wordin, founder and president of Ride 2 Recovery. “The Honor Ride Tampa raises awareness about cycling and its ability to improve the health and wellness for local injured veterans,” added Wordin. There will be more than a dozen Honor Ride community cycling events held across the country in 2014. One cyclist that is leading the charge for the Honor Ride Tampa is Kathy Champion of Tampa. Champion, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Army, is blind,
About Ride 2 Recovery Ride 2 Recovery, a 501(c) 3, helps injured veterans improve their health and wellness through individual and group cycling programs at military bases, as well as on seven longdistance challenge events staged each year. Cycling has proven to be a catalyst in the recovery process by providing a new physical challenge while concurrently helping to cope with the mental challenges. For more information, visit Ride2Recovery.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter at @Ride_2_Recovery.
deaf in one ear, and at one point was told she would never walk again. “In 2006, I sustained injuries in Iraq that left me with weakness and limited use of my left side. I then lost my eyesight in 2008 due to a virus I had contracted when in Iraq. I knew that if I didn’t stay physically active, that mental depression could take over,” said Champion. She was motivated to try cycling as a means of physical recovery after
spinal surgery in 2012, and her mental and physical state has rebounded. Now, Champion rides and runs in triathlons and climbs mountains. “Cycling has helped me learn to trust again, and it gives me the freedom to enjoy the environment and be in the elements,” added Champion. “You hear about soldiers helping soldiers, but I want to pass that on to the community, where civilians
Inside
WITW ....................................... 5 Golf ............................... 16- 18 Poem ...................................... 6 Club News....................... 19-22 33573............................... 7 - 12 Faith .................................... 23 Crossword & Sudoku........... 29 Care ..................................... 13 Bulletin......................... 24 & 25 Contract Bridge................... 29 Emergency Squad....... 14 & 15 Military ......................... 26 & 27 Solutions to Puzzles.............. 31
can help and pay it forward. One great way to get involved is to come out to the Honor Ride and support the cyclists riding for this purpose,” noted Champion. Lt. Col. Champion’s dear friend, Dr. Allison Campbell, will travel from Washington State to be the pilot of their tandem bike at the Honor Ride Tampa. Other injured veterans motivated to ride in the Honor Ride Continued on Page 3
Scan the code with your Smart Phone to find us online at www.NewsOfKingsPoint.com.