As Hurricane Milton swept through our community, the residents of Kings Point faced significant challenges together. From widespread power outages to substantial debris, downed trees, and water accumulation issues, every day required resilience and teamwork. Yet through these difficulties, Kings Point showed its true spirit as neighbors helped one another and our team leaders worked tirelessly to provide support.
Storm Impact and Immediate Recovery Efforts: The storm left its mark with blocked roads, damaged signage, and widespread power and communication disruptions. TECO worked around the clock to address power outages, with nearly all of Kings Point and Sun City Center affected. The mobile StarLink unit became a lifeline for some residents, offering internet and device charging at set times each day, helping everyone stay connected despite traditional channels being down. Road cleanup was a top priority, focusing on large downed trees on 36th Street and main roads impacted by debris. Despite initial setbacks, additional resources arrived to expedite the roadclearing process, while flooded zones on Hammersmith, Tremont, and Princeton Greens were closely monitored and eventually cleared.
Additionally, the storm resulted in approximately $6 million in damages to association property, including extensive roof damage, water intrusion, and fallen trees throughout the area. The community’s patience and support will be invaluable as these challenges are met.
Support for Essential Services: The lift station malfunctions led to sewage leaks in several areas, creating an additional hazard for residents and pets. Hillsborough County responded with roundthe-clock repairs to restore functionality, while residents were cautioned to avoid standing water. Additionally, relief Points of Distribution (PODs) were quickly set up in coordination with Hillsborough
Though Hurricane Milton left its mark on Kings Point, we are incredibly fortunate compared to our neighboring communities. Nearby areas like Valrico endured severe flooding, and even now, some regions remain submerged. Many residents have lost homes, vehicles and belongings to storm surge and wind damage. While we face an estimated $6 million in damages, our losses are repairable, and our stormwater system held up well, despite runoff from new developments.
County and the National Guard to provide residents with essential supplies, including ice, water, meals, and tarps at multiple nearby locations. Thanks to Operation BBQ and former County Commissioner Michael Owen, along with County Commissioner Christine Miller, Senator Jay Collins, and Representative Danny Alvarez, daily meals were provided to residents in need.
Moving Forward with Preparedness: Our Disaster Planning Committee, with support from community leaders, has been steadfast in promoting readiness through seminars, disaster preparation guides, and partnerships with local authorities. This storm served as a real-life test of our preparedness efforts.
Community Thanks and Appreciation Following the Storm: Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all those who demonstrated extraordinary dedication to our community in the wake of the recent storm. Special thanks to the Master Association and Federation Board, who put in countless hours clearing roads and organizing storm debris pickup to ensure our community remained accessible and safe. Special thanks to Master Association Vice President, Chris Robinson, for volunteering to operate and manage the StarLink system during this time, keeping essential communication channels open.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Master Association General Manager, Shawna Deiulio, and her dedicated staff for their tireless efforts. Even without power or cell service at home, Shawna and her team kept us all updated through eblasts
In Perspective: Hurricane Recovery in Kings Point community will take time, and we appreciate your patience as we work to restore Kings Point to its high standards. Let’s remember how fortunate we are that, in the larger picture, our damages are manageable and temporary. Thank you for your understanding and community spirit as we move forward.
Cleanup throughout our
and social media, arriving onsite bright and early the morning after the storm to assess flood damage, inspect areas of concern, and coordinate with contractors for immediate cleanup.
A very special thank you to Denny Brensinger, whose unwavering commitment to our community was apparent both before and after the storm. Despite the profound personal loss he experienced from Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior, Denny, alongside our water manager, worked tirelessly to resolve the flooding issues in Princeton and Tremont.
Many thanks to Matt Permuth and the Vesta team for getting the clubhouses back in operation and organizing efforts to coordinate with Operation BBQ for residents. A big thank you also to FSR CAMS, Deb Lauber, and her staff, who promptly started assessing damages and assisting associations. Curtis Carlson from FSR went above and beyond, stepping in to help with cleanup even though his own home had suffered significant damage.
A heartfelt thank you to Legislative Aide, Sherrie Almand for her outreach to TECO on behalf of our community, and to our Master Association TECO account manager, Tina Lluck, who collaborated with our General Manager to ensure accurate reporting on the outage map and to initiate work orders for areas mistakenly marked as restored.
Our gratitude also goes to Master Deputy Jeff Merry from HCSO for helping coordinate resources, including meals and relief efforts for our residents. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Mike
Bardell and the SCC Emergency Squad for their steadfast support, especially for their essential efforts in delivering oxygen to those in need. Their dedication to our community provided invaluable assistance and peace of mind during this challenging time.
We also want to express our appreciation to the Kings Point Amateur Radio Club for manning the radio room and fielding calls from residents as part of the Disaster Radio Program. Their efforts ensured vital communication was maintained, helping us stay informed and connected during the storm’s aftermath.
To our Disaster Planning Committee, thank you for your proactive efforts to ensure our community was prepared. Your work helped us all stay safe and resilient through challenging conditions. The Master Board looks forward to reviewing your recommendations for future improvements.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the residents who lent a helping hand to their friends and neighbors during this difficult time. Whether it was letting someone use a generator to charge a phone, providing food and water, or helping others find the resources they needed and sharing those resources on social media, it was truly beautiful to witness such a strong sense of community. Your kindness and generosity made a significant difference in the lives of many, reminding us all of the power of coming together in times of need.
As we look back on the resilience shown by our residents, we are reminded of the incredible strength of our community. The sense of unity, willingness to lend a hand, and support from organizations and volunteers alike have been nothing short of inspiring. Thanks to each of you for coming together and showing that Kings Point is more than just a neighborhood— it’s a family that stands strong in the face of adversity.
As we continue to recover from the recent storm, the Disaster Planning Committee held a meeting to debrief on our preparation, response, and recovery efforts. While the storm is still fresh on everyone’s mind, we want to share what went right, areas for improvement, and additional resources needed to enhance our community’s preparedness and resilience.
Over the past three years, the committee has been dedicated to helping you prepare for situations like this. We’ve hosted disaster planning symposiums with representatives from Hillsborough County, TECO, local hospitals, and others to educate residents on hurricane preparedness, aftermath expectations, and individual responsibilities. We’ve also held board workshops to assist associations in understanding their disaster planning roles and provided templates to help them create their own plans. Additionally, we offered one-onone consultations for associations needing further guidance.
Throughout the year, we distribute critical publications on disaster planning from USI, FirstService, and Hillsborough County. We also publish a special disaster preparedness edition of The News of Kings Point, promote signing up for disaster radios and county alerts, and introduced the Starlink satellite system, which can be invaluable during power outages and cellular interruptions.
Communication Task Team: One area for improvement is communication. To address communication challenges during and after the storm, we are forming a Communication Coordination Task Team. This team will not only manage social media updates but
also be responsible for pushing out Amber Alert-type notifications and handling eblast communications. By ensuring multiple people are available to send out crucial information, we can avoid delays and miscommunication. Additionally, we plan to create a centralized communication hub, such as a dedicated social media page, where official updates from FirstService, Vesta, and the Master Association can be consolidated. This will streamline the process and ensure residents receive accurate, unified information.
Amber Alert-Type Notification System: For some time now, we have been exploring an Amber Alert-type system to push critical notifications to the community. The communication issues during the recent storm highlight the urgency of moving forward with this initiative as soon as possible. This system would require residents to sign up, similar to TECO or county alerts. We will continue to work on this and promote the service to ensure everyone is informed.
StarLink Satellite System: Unfortunately, the stress test for the Starlink system was scheduled
ASK THE PET VET November 2024
I hope all of you are recovering from Milton. In the aftermath, we should all consider what we did right, and what we could have done differently and what we should do now.
All pets ( and people) suffer from stress. So having a stress reliever for your pet is a good idea-- either from the pet store or by prescription or both.
The pet taxi should ideally be hard plastic rather than cloth , which is too hard to keep clean. Have a ready - to - go bag with veterinary records, cleaning supplies, extra food, water and medication. Also have an emergency kit for them AND for you. Stressed and scared pets that are normally sweet can bite or scratch when frightened. Also keep the carrier where they can get in and out of it all the time so at least that is one thing that can provide comfort rather than fear.
Consider a microchip-- they even have gps collars and ones that
can read body temperature.
If you can, make arrangements with friends and family FIRST because pet friendly shelters are NOT desirable, hotels are hard to find and many won’t take cats or more than 1 pet and some restrict pet size to less than 10 lb. ALL of them charge a fee of $25 to $50 or more per pet per night.
After the storm there will be displaced, lost and injured animals. If you ok and are able, consider foster, donation of food, water or a donation to local shelters.
The storm brings down powerlines, limbs, leaves and other dangerous debris such as carport metals, shingles, glass, etc so there can be danger for them outside AND an increase of ticks, worms, fleas, mosquitos and other parasiie risks. It could be days or weeks for veterinary clincs to re-open so consider having some parasite prevention products in your emergency kit or get some after the storm.
Give your pet some extra soothing after the storm. They will be upset by the storm for days or longer. YOU are the constant -- even if your property is destroyed. If you are displaced, then have a plan for them, prefably not near the expected storm zone if at all possible.
If you are able, help other pet owners recover and help pet clubs clean up and fix any pet friendly areas.
We all can recover together.
just before the storm, leaving us without a complete logistical plan. Thanks to the initiative of Master Association Vice President, Chris Robinson, the system was set up at Falcon Watch and later moved to his home to run on a generator. While this provided essential connectivity, the hours of operation were limited. Moving forward, we will:
Conduct the stress test to fully evaluate the system. Recruit volunteers for a task team to manage shifts and ensure increased operation. Acquire a dedicated generator for the Master Association office to provide a stable hotspot. Install signage at Starlink locations with clear instructions.
Expansion of Disaster Radio Program: We advocated for a new antenna to expand the disaster radio program, and while the installation was delayed by the storm, we will reschedule as soon as possible. The new tower will expand the range of handheld radios so that all of Kings Point is covered. This improvement will also allow for a separate radio network to support
In the past four weeks, Sun City Center has faced two significant natural disasters: Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These storms caused extensive damage and brought moments of peril to our community, unprecedented in our lifetimes. Helene’s storm surge pushed the Little Manatee River and local water tables beyond the 100-year flood levels. Shortly after, Hurricane Milton struck, delivering powerful winds that resulted in further destruction and prolonged power outages. We hope to never see such events again.
I write this article not to dwell on the hardships we faced but to highlight the incredible strength and resilience of our community.
After Hurricane Milton devastated our area, tearing roofs from homes and damaging aluminum structures, everyone sprang into action. Vesta and First Service quickly began assessing the damage and initiating critical repairs. TECO worked tirelessly to restore power to over 400,000 Hillsborough County customers, including those in Sun City Center.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office focused on clearing roads and protecting essential infrastructure. Commissioner Christine Miller assessed local needs and secured ice, tarps, and MREs from the National Guard, ensuring residents didn’t have to travel to Ruskin for assistance.
Representative Danny Alvarez, Senator Jay Collins, Former Commissioner Mike Owen, Commissioner Miller, and Battalion Chief Chris Boles coordinated efforts with Operation BBQ Relief, providing over 20,000
our management companies in response and recovery efforts, enhancing coordination among staff, contractors, and vendors.
The committee will be working on a detailed plan to ensure we are maximizing this new resource. This plan will include establishing protocols for how the radios will be used in disaster response and recovery, ensuring streamlined communication across all parties involved.
Unauthorized Vendorsand Community Safety: We have received reports of unauthorized vendors soliciting services and collecting scrap metal left by other vendors. To protect residents and prevent potential scams, we would like to work on a plan to help prevent unauthorized access to the community following a storm.
Coordination with Hillsborough County Emergency Services: We are working with a representative from Hillsborough County Emergency Services to establish a direct link with the Public Information Office. This partnership will enable us to push critical notifications and provide access to relief resources more quickly and efficiently.
Encouraging Associations to Finalize Plans: We continue to encourage any associations that do not yet have a disaster plan to get one in place. If your association needs assistance, please contact Maryann Meeker, Chair of the Disaster Planning Committee, at mmeeker3@tampabay.rr.com.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we work to improve our community’s disaster preparedness. We will continue expanding and refining our plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Kings Point residents.
meals to Sun City Center and an additional 12,000 to Wimauma.
Our local service organizations stepped up remarkably. Special thanks to The Sun City Center Emergency Squad, led by Chief Mike Bardell, along with the Sun City Center Security Patrol, Sun City Center CERT, and Vesta. Many residents, neighbors, and friends dedicated countless hours delivering ice, meals, and clearing debris. The list of those deserving gratitude is extensive and could easily fill the pages of this publication.
It will take weeks, if not months, for all the damage from these hurricanes to be fully repaired and for life to return to normal. Throughout this process, our neighbors have generously contributed their time, money, and talents to help one another. This spirit of solidarity is the essence of Sun City Center. We are a remarkable community, and we will continue to be the number one retirement community in the United States, thanks to our incredible residents.
The holidays are right around the corner, and preparations for Kings Point’s holiday events are well underway. Last year’s festivities were a tremendous success, raising over $28,000.00 for A Kid’s Place in Brandon. This year, we are excited to continue our support for this important organization, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping foster children. A Kid’s Place focuses on keeping siblings together by providing housing for up to 60 kids, ensuring they have a safe and nurturing environment during a challenging time in their lives.
The events will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on November 29th at Charles Hassel Park at 6:30 PM. This event will feature a beautifully decorated park, Christmas Carol Sing-a-long, Festive Holiday Attire Contest, a visit from Santa and specialty food trucks. The tree lighting will coincide with the unveiling of the holiday lighting at the front and back entrances.
The Fourth Annual Celebration of the Holidays will be held on December 9th in the North Clubhouse. The festivities will include food, fun, spirits, and a raffle. There will be tasty entrées and desserts along with a collection of adult beverages. Numerous
You may not know that the University of Florida (UF) has an extensive number of publications that can provide answers to your questions regarding horticulture, agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H. As an Extension Agent in Environmental Horticulture, focusing on FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM, that is the focus of this article.
I selected my 4 favorite publications to share with you and summarize the contents. They are Central Florida Gardening Calendar, Landscaping in the Shade, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, and Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Principles.
Central Florida Gardening Calendar – This is a month-bymonth guide that provides information on what to plant (annuals/bedding plants, bulbs, herbs, vegetables) and what to do (trees, shrubs, bulbs, lawns, flowering plants, pests fertilizer, irrigation). It also includes what to do every month: adjust irrigation based on rainfall and restrictions, prune off dead blossoms and seeds to encourage new flowers, monitor plants for early signs of insects and disease, plant trees, shrubs, and flowering annuals/perennials and water until established, see The Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design, mow lawns at recommended heights every 7-10 days during warm months and every 10-14 days in cool months.
Landscaping in Florida Shade
2024 Holiday Events
clubs will be stationed throughout the North Clubhouse to allow for some last-minute shopping, the halls will be lined with beautifully decorated trees and opportunities for a photo with Santa will be available. Thousands of dollars in raffle prizes will be waiting to be won which may include items like a cruise, hotel stays, sporting event tickets, ipads, gift cards and baskets and much, much more.
The Festival of Trees and wreaths will also be on display at this event giving you the opportunity
to bid on a special themed tree or wreath. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees will also benefit A Kids Place. For more information about the Festival of Trees, please reach out to Sue Martucci at suemartucci@gmail.com.
The COA will host their annual holiday lighting contest again this year so get ready to brighten up the holidays and show off your decorating skills and festive spirit. Judging will take place on December 20th and prizes will be awarded for First Place ($100),
– provides the preferences of many shade-tolerant plants, such as four or less hours of full sun, all day dappled shade, high, and shifting shade. Difficult shade areas include dense and dark areas with no sun, in the shade of buildings, dominated by tree roots and very wet or dry locations. There is a list of plant types that are generally good candidates for shade in north, central and other considerations for growing plants in the shade. The plant list includes north, central and south Florida and turf, small trees under 30 feet, palms/cycads, shrubs, plants, ornamental grasses, ferns, groundcovers colorful annuals and perennials and assorted houseplants.
Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide – This publication lists the COA November Meeting
The November Business Meeting of the COA will be held on Wednesday, November 6 at 2:00 PM in the Main Clubhouse Banquet Room. We will be presenting upcoming events such as the Holiday COA Light Decorating Contest (Dec. 20) and COA Golf Cart Parade (Dec. 21). Shredding Day is scheduled for April 29, 2025 from 9:00 AM – Noon.
COA Membership Directory
The COA is working on the 2024/2025 COA Membership Directory. Several Member
Association Presidents have already provided changes and updates to the new directory for their residents. Time is running outyou may want to check with your President if you have a change to be made – stop in and fill out a change form at the COA Office.
COA Services
KP COA provides a variety of convenient services to COA Members such as copying, faxing, bulletin board and Internet postings, free notary services (by appointment), annual shredding – save a trip to the Post Office to
Second Place ($50), and Third Place (Honorable Mention). A golf cart parade, also sponsored by the COA, has been added to the line up again this year. The parade will be held December 21st. This is your chance to show off your creative and festive spirit. $250 will be awarded to the winning golf cart, second place will receive $150, and third place will receive $100. More details on all of these events including start times, parade routes, menus, judging criteria and how to sign up for these events will be sent out soon. We are still looking for sponsors for these events so if you own a business or know of one that may like to participate, please call 813-812-7580 or contact master@kpmaster.com.
All sponsors will receive recognition through various outlets including digital and print releases, website exposure and possibly a designated table the night of the event depending on the level of sponsorship. We are suggesting that the monetary value of the item/s donated reach above $25 and that all gifts that are contributed be unused, unopened, unwrapped, and be publicly presentable so that we may draw as many donations as possible for all items received.
steps involved in vegetable gardening. The site should be near the house, on a well-drained site with a close source of water and at least six hours of sunlight each day. Create a garden plan before you plant and create a list of supplies including plants. This article includes information on soil preparation, organic matter, compost, cover crops (green manure), adjusting the soil pH, fertilizing, irrigation and drainage, extending the gardening season, pest management, no-pesticide approaches and using pesticides wisely. There is a detailed planting guide for Florida vegetables that covers north, central and south Florida.
Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM
purchase postage stamps. COA has a closet of medical assistance equipment such as walker, canes, crutches, wheelchairs for loan to Members. If your Association decided not to include your COA Membership fee in their Association dues, you are welcome to stop in and join for a mere $5.00 per year.
COA Volunteers
The KP COA is an all-volunteer organization that provides SERVICES to KP Members. COA is not a governing body – Association matters are handled by each Association and FirstService
Principles – provides detailed information and links to University of Florida publications that make your edible landscape much easier to create and manage. The principles and one of the many tips per principle include: right plant, right place (follow planting dates for your region’s season), water efficiently (observe your plants and watch for signs of water stress), fertilize appropriately (amend soil with compost or other organic amendments), mulch (mulch your vegetable garden, herbs and fruit trees to control weeds, etc.), attract wildlife (the majority of fruit/vegetable crops need pollination to set fruits), manage yard pests responsibly (use the Integrated Pest Management process to make decisions about pest management), recycle yard waste (purchase a bin, build a compost pile or check with your Extension office to see if they offer a class), reduce stormwater runoff (collect rainwater in rain barrels for use on nonedible plants if harvested off a roof structure or check with your Extension office for a workshop) and protect the waterfront (do not plant edible crops that require tilling, irrigation or fertilization within a minimum of 10 feet of water bodies).
If you are looking for a garden stroll, please consider our Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden in the courtyard of our office at Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. This garden is open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.
Residential at 1904 Clubhouse Drive. If you would like to join the COA team as a volunteer in the COA office, stop in at 1902 Clubhouse Drive Suite B during our business hours 9:00 AM – Noon weekdays.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH - November 2024
David Neil Thomas!!!!!
We’re thrilled to honor Neil Thomas as our Volunteer of the Month for November. Known by many in the Nantucket neighborhood as the “neighborhood mayor,” Neil is always ready to lend a hand, often without even being asked. From taking neighbors to doctor appointments and hospital visits to rescuing stranded golf carts, Neil is there for everyone. His generosity also extends to repairing homes free of charge and assisting a blind neighbor through countless situations to help them live more independently.
Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, Neil has been a valued member of the Kings Point community since 1996. His kindness and commitment to helping his neighbors have made him a beloved figure in our community. Thank you, Neil, for your selfless dedication and for embodying the spirit of Kings Point.
Congratulations - David Neil Thomas!!!
KP Michigan Club Go Team!
Dance Party - November 30
Christmas in Florida- Dec 7
On Saturday, November 30th you are invited to dance to the music of Phoenix Rising at the KP Veterans Theatre from 6-9pm (doors open at 5:30). Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite NFL, WBA, NBA, College, NHL, etc. sports gear!
Ticket Sales will be on Tuesdays, November 19 and 26th from 9-noon in the North Clubhouse Lobby. Tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
The recipient of the Care/Share Raffle will be Bicycles for Christ. They help out homeless Veterans (and others) who need bikes to get around. Bikes have lights and locks. Even though Veterans’ Day has passed, we still wanted to honor our vets through this local 501(c)(3) charity. Tickets are 8 for $5. Don’t forget to bring cash or your checkbook for tickets!
KP Michigan Club December 7
Dance Tickets for “Christmas in Florida” will be on sale in the NC Lobby on Tuesdays, November 12 and November 19.
Thank you, Karen Begg on Behalf of KP Michigan Club
Save The Dates!
November 29th
4th Annual Tree Lighting Charles Hassel Heritage Park
Oct. 2 thru Nov. 24th Festival of Trees Submissions on Display at KPNCH - Nov. 25th - Dec. 9th
December 9th
4th Annual Celebration of the Holidays - KPNCH
December 20th
COA - Holiday Lighting Contest
December 21st
Holiday Golf Cart Parade
The Kings Point Mixed Chorus is proud to announce upcoming Concerts for the 2024 Holidays Joy to The World, will be presented by our talented vocalists on the 13th of December, 5:00 PM at the Kings Point Veterans Theater. Gather your friends and neighbors for an evening of wonderful holiday music, both old and new! You can bring your own beverages and snacks of choice for reserved cabaret style seating. Tickets/reservations are $12.00 and are available at the Kings Point Box Office between the hours of 8AM to4PM Monday-Friday in the North Clubhouse. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the performance.
If you cannot make the above date, you have another chance to see this program!
Joy to The World will be presented at the United Methodist Church on December 11th at 7PM. The church is located at 1971 Haverford Ave. Sun City Center.
Tickets are $ 10.00 and are available at the UMC bookstore, open Sundays 9:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday – Thursday 10:00AM2:00PM and at the UMC office Monday – Thursday 8:30AM – 4:00PM. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the performance.
Feline Folks Annual Fundraising Dinner- November 14th
Feline Folks will once again be hosting their Annual Spayghetti – No Balls Dinner. This fundraiser dinner and the raffle gift areas with all the great raffle items has always been an exciting event and a sellout. Plan on joining us on Thursday, November 14th in the Kings Point Veterans Theater. Doors Open at 4:30 with dinner served by our volunteers in our “Meow Ristorante” at 5:00 PM by Kings Point Vesta Catering. Tickets are only $20.00 and are available now at the Kings Point Box Office located at 1900 Clubhouse Drive. The event is open to everyone. Feline Folks is a nonprofit operating on donations and through the kindness of volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful group of people who daily feed and care for the community cats contact us at Info@FelineFolks.us or visit our Facebook site - “Feline Folks of Sun City Center.”
