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Sun City Center June 2015 - ISSUE #82
...an official publication of the Sun City Center Community Association
Information Center/History Society Open for Business at New Location
By Phyllis Hodges April 27 was the big day—the long awaited first day of business in the SCC Community Association Information Center at 901 Cherry Hills Drive (813633-4670). The new building also serves as headquarters for the SCC History Society (813-633-3038). The facility was part of a yearlong, $3.2 million program on the Central Campus that included two other buildings (one for multi-purpose use and one to house Samaritan Services), a major library expansion, reconfiguration and expansion of the parking lot, new lighting and landscaping. The entire program was paid for by the CA’s Capital Fund. Information Center Administrator Janet Ditmore was on hand opening day to monitor activities, as was History Society Chairman John Bowker. It was a busy day with 20 visitors, both residents and out-of-town folks. Opening day followed a “soft opening” on April 23 and 24, held to give residents a chance to ooh and ah the new building. Over 145 visitors stopped by on those two days. The SCC Information Center serves two important roles. Volunteers dispense information to visitors about the SCC lifestyle and they field residents’ calls and drop-in visits. Their goal is to help, i.e., if they don’t have the information,
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE
June 10 Board Meeting Rollins Theater – 9 a.m. July 4 4th of July Breakfast Florida Room – 7 a.m. to Noon 4 Fireworks Concert Central Campus – Sundown Approximately 8:30 p.m. 8 Board Meeting Rollins Theater – 9 a.m. Community Leaders Meetings are not scheduled in June, July or August. Agendas for monthly Board Meetings will be posted on Official Bulletin Boards the Friday before and on CA website (suncitycenter.org – under “Association”). They will also be sent via “What’s New in the CA” email. Every Wednesday: Orientation for new members in the Board Room at 1 p.m.
CA Contact Information Phone: 633-3500 sccboard@suncitycenter.org Website: suncitycenter.org
Information Center 813-633-4670
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Jim and Donna Frasier are part of the Information Center’s cadre of about 80 volunteers who serve two hours weekly. They had the first two-hour shift to greet visitors on opening day April 27.
they will do their best to get it or direct you elsewhere. The History Society’s mission, of course, with John Bowker at the helm, is to prevent the community’s rich history from fading into oblivion. John has an office in the new building and is organizing historic documents for storage in a climate-controlled space onsite. Let’s take a look back at the part of SCC history that led to the creation of the Information Center. It was the brainchild of John Bowker, but he says the credit goes to those who made it work. “Evelyn Lunsford, Susan Muise and Theresa Phillips offered support in its earliest years, and those who later took over the operation, Joe Elam and
R to L: Janet Ditmore and John Bowker with Paul and Nancy Carrier from Bartow, Florida, at the Information Center on opening day. They just purchased on Ft. Duquesna. “We’ve visited about 200 places all over Florida,” they said. “We wanted to come here three years ago but was told we could not have a dog.” They came back when they learned that was wrong.
now Janet Ditmore, have expanded and refined what they inherited.” The Center’s first home was in the northwest corner of the Old Town Hall in 2003, in space shared with the History Society. It moved, along with the History Society, to a CA-owned house at 1002 Cherry Hills Drive in 2006. The interior renovations and furnishings were funded by contributions of many of the initial volunteers in both organizations. About the new structure, Janet said, “This new location certainly gives us
higher visibility, although I did like the idea of being housed in one of the first houses Del Webb built,” said Janet. “I am really pleased with our new home. Everything is all fresh and new, which gives a good first impression to visitors. Our maintenance and office staffs have been really helpful in working out the bugs that always come along with a new building, and our volunteers are getting oriented quickly.” Want to help at the Information Center or History Society? Contact Janet or John at the above numbers.
July 4 Breakfast is a “Go”- So are the Fireworks By Phyllis Hodges BREAKFAST Fireworks Déjà vu, folks! It’s back to the Central Y Campus (Florida Room) for this year’s July 4 Breakfast because Community Hall is closed this summer for renovations. Residents and guests have found that starting the day with friends is a great way to begin the holiday and, at the same time, “feel good” about supporting the Fireworks Fund, which is the recipient of proceeds. Over 1,200 people attended last year. Sam and Joanne Sudman, who have chaired the community breakfasts for the past four years, have recruited Donna and Jim Frasier to be co-chairs for this year’s event. Donna and Jim were “active observers” at the December Holiday Walk breakfast, and they will be responsible for most of the tasks associated with the July 4 breakfast. The Frasiers will then take on full management of the December event. The July 4 pancake breakfast that was started a few years ago has turned into a REAL community holiday happening. For only $5, we enjoy pancakes in red (strawberries), white (plain) and blue (blueberries), sausage, eggs, toast, juice
es, we will have July 4 fireworks in Sun City Center this year on the ClubLink property just north of Central Campus on N. Pebble Beach Blvd. So how is the $25,000 event being funded? CA Community Manager Lyn Reitz says, “The money from the cancelled last year’s display is being used this year, so Minto Communities and Brandon Honda, who contributed in 2014, along with CA monies earned from the breakfasts, will pay the cost.” She says that to make it a more enjoyable evening, port-a-potties will be at the site, the coffee shop operator will be selling boxed dinners, and the CA will be providing free ice cream as long as supplies last. The fireworks will start at sundown/dark. Park wherever you can, but don’t go beyond the roped off area.
and coffee. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. and continues to noon. “First order of business,” say the Sudmans and the Frasiers, “is to marshal a workforce to handle the various jobs involved.” With only about a month to go, they are appealing to last year’s volunteers and anyone else who wants to come forward. About 130 volunteers are needed, and they are urging an early indication of willingness to help.
On the Inside Arts & Entertainment...........15 & 16 CARE.....................................................17 Club News.................................... 9 -14 Crossword..........................................31 CryptoQuote.....................................31 Faith & Services ....................... 28 -30 Golf.............................................. 20 - 22 Library Update.................................... 8 Lifestyles............................................... 8 Meet our Deputy .............................. 7 Meet your Neighbor(s).................... 6
Military................................................27 Movies.................................................15 Newcomers.......................................... 2 Poem ...................................................28 President’s Report............................. 3 Solutions ............................................21 Sports.......................................... 19 - 23 Sudoku................................................ 31 Travel ...................................................18 Where Will You Take The SCC Story?..................................26
Volunteers are needed to work three shifts (6 a.m. – 9:30; 8:30 – noon; or 11:30 – 2 p.m.) cooking, serving, clearing tables, cleaning up and taking care of the many tasks to make the morning go smoothly. You can specify your preference of job and shift; Donna will try to accommodate it. If you can help, contact Donna Frasier by email at donnasd7@gmail.com or call her at 813-260-3976.
Did You Know?
The Information Center’s “previous home” at 1002 Cherry Hills Drive is slated for transformation into a mini tri-purpose facility. It will continue to house the Men’s Club Lifeline Office, but the DAV will also be located there, and there will be a much-needed meeting room. More on this next month when work on the building is completed and the moves are made.
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