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www.thenewsofkingspoint.com
April 2010
Fling Puts Kings Point in the Swing of Spring By NOKP Staff On a gorgeous Tuesday, the second week of March, residents from Kings Point and all around Sun City Center gathered to ring in the season at the annual Spring Fling. Organizers called this year’s event the best ever since the Fling began in 2006. Booths lined the festival ground, highlighting many of Kings Point’s clubs, groups and activities as well as showcasing several of Sun City Center’s best and brightest businesses. The weather was perfect, the food was amazing and everywhere you looked was another smiling face. In its fifth year, the Spring Fling is an event that fosters community pride and introduces newcomers to all the wonderful things Kings Point has to offer. This year’s event certainly delivered. “The Spring Fling gives us the opportunity to provide a place for all of our residents and other
Art League member, Barbara Graham, was on hand doing caricatures
2010 Spring Fling
folks in our community to come have some good, old-fashioned fun.” Said Kings Point President and General Manager, Ginger Anzalone. “These events have been great in the past, but this year has topped them all.”
Assistant GM, Matt Permuth, agreed. “We are very pleased with the turnout and happy everyone appears to be having such a great time. We, of course, want to thank the vendors and the amazing entertainment for
making 2010 the best event ever.” The top of the heap. The best year ever. This was our first year to come to the Spring Fling; but, we agree, there was certainly Continued on Page 5
SammyRides Cyclists Are Grandparents on a Mission
Every grandparent loves his or her grandkids. Many have been known to joke: “If I knew it was going to be this fun, I would have had the grandkids first!” But, when you find out your special angel has incurable cancer, the doting becomes mobilization. Sammy Rotman was born May 21st, 1999. Mike and Lois Libenson adored little Sammy and her big sister, Rebecca. The girls loved spending time with Granddad and Grandmom. Sammy also loved to dance. The diagnosis and treatment of the bone cancer, osteo sarcoma, eventually led to the amputation of Sammy’s left leg. But even that did not crush her spirit. In April 2007, Sammy toured Hollywood as the guest of model Heather Mills. The bright, beautiful nine-year-old lost her battle with osteo sarcoma on September 17th, 2008. Sammy’s story, and the knowledge that she was but one of thousands suffering
Inside
from this remorseless disease, gave birth to a movement with a mission – defeat pediatric cancer. SammyRides, a group of bicyclists, most over age 70, are committed to biking over 2,400 miles – from Sun City, Arizona to Sun City Center, Florida – in a effort to raise awareness that seniors are active and committed to volunteerism. They also hope to raise $1,000,000 for research, care and, hopefully, a cure for pediatric cancer. These folks have “geared up for war” and are committed to the long haul; and they want you to join them. From the SammyRides website: “We can set the standard and energize the rest of our nation’s seniors as we fight for the health of our grandchildren.” Their request is simple: “will you stand with us?” Mike Libenson calls riding for Sammy a “precious obligation.” He and Lois first recruited another cycling couple, Dick and Susan
Front Row L to R: Lois Libenson, Joan Connelly, Sue Kelleher Back Row: Mike Libenson, Susan Vogt, Adolf Lex, Dick Vogt, John Bear, Jim Wheeler, Harry the Parrot
Vogt to help them lead the ride. Others were quick to embrace the cause. John Bear, Mike Brown, Adolf Lex, Jim Wheeler, and Jim’s feathery sidekick, Harry Gray, will join Mike and the Vogts on the cross-country ride. Averaging 50-plus miles per day may seem daunting, but each one of these folks is not only driven, but also very experienced. Even the parrot has over 25,000 miles under her beak. Lois Libenson and Nora
CARE ............................... 3 Jim & Nell Taze Sudoku .......................... 21 Just Ask Anne................. 7 33573......13,,14,15,16 &17 Horoscopes .................. 23 Horticulture Column Bulletin .............18,19 & 20 Solutions to Puzzles ...... 23 Deputy Rob ................... 9 Crossword .................... 21 Community Alert Golf ..................10, 11 &12 Contract Bridge ........... 21
Nelson, both with EMT training, will drive vans trailing the riders. To learn more about these determined and courageous riders, map their route, follow their progress and to donate to their cause, visit www.sammyride. com, email paula@sammyrides. com or call 813.938.4794. Those interested in individual or corporate sponsorship may also get additional information at www.sammyrides.com.
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