06.21.2020
of Sun City Center & South County News Line: 813.938.7441 • Ad Line: 813.938.8721 • www.soco.news • June 2020
Healthcare Heroes Thank You Parade
By Diane M. Loeffler We are all very grateful to all the doctors, nurses, paramedics, lab personnel and others who keep us healthy and take care of us when we are hurt or ill. We are especially aware of all they do for us during this time. On Thursday, April 30, Sun City Center residents showed their appreciation to our healthcare heroes by driving past the hospital honking and holding signs and posters thanking our “Healthcare Heroes.” Before the event, healthcare workers gathered in front of South Bay Hospital while photos were taken. Community Association Entertainment Director, Renee Bray, sang “God Bless the USA” and a version of “Danke Schoen” with special lyrics about healthcare workers. Among the heroes gathered were healthcare volunteers and professionals from SouthBay Hospital, Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue Ladder 28, Americare Ambulance, the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, and the Hillsborough County
has been a great outpouring of supplies to healthcare workers. The community continues to make and distribute masks. We think this is part of the reason the virus has been minimized in this community.” Commenting on the masks worn by everyone outside the hospital, Mike Bardell says, “We may look like a bunch of bandits out here, but we are being safe.” Let’s all continue to behave safely.
Local healthcare professionals and volunteers gathered outside the hospital before 9 a.m. on April 30 (Photo by James Corwin Johnson).
Paramedics Rescue Squad. Those wishing to show their gratitude lined up at the United Methodist Church. Debbie Caneen, Admission Coordinator at Sun Towers, led the parade in a white pickup truck decorated with a poster reading, “Heroes in Scrubs.” A procession of more than 60 cars followed from the church and through the hospital parking lot. Some people held
COVID-19 Update
Please continue following social distancing guidelines until any such orders have been lifted. Be sure to check with the Florida Department of Health (“floridahealthcovid19. gov”) and Hillsborough County (“hillsboroughcounty.org”), as conditions may change subsequent to press time. In May, Governor DeSantis announced Florida has entered “full Phase 1” for reopening. This means: • Continue to avoid groups of 10 or more people where social distancing is difficult. • Elective surgeries can resume. • Face masks are still recommended for in-person interaction where social distancing is difficult. • Individuals at higher risk should continue to avoid close contact with people outside the home. • Restaurants may increase indoor capacity to 50 percent, outdoor seating encouraged. • Bars, nightclubs, and large venues remain closed. • Retail may operate up to 50 percent capacity indoors. • Museums and libraries may
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operate up to 50 percent capacity where allowed by local government. • Gyms and fitness centers may operate up to 50 percent capacity. • Professional sports venues may open and operate for games. • Barber shops, hair salons, and nail salons may operate using safety protocols. • Guest visits to long-term care and assisted living facilities remain prohibited. SCC Facilities Beginning June 1, 2020, the SCC Community Association will transition to opening the Community Association office, library, indoor walking pool, indoor locker room, Atrium walking path, and the Fitness Center. Specific restrictions apply. See detailed announcement in the News of Sun City Center section. Kings Point Facilities The outdoor pools are open to residents only, by reservation. Some outdoor courts will also be available. Consult specific club presidents for detailed information. Most facilities remain closed in Phase 1. Hillsborough County Libraries Some Hillsborough County libraries are now open for curbside pickup, including the SouthShore Regional Library. Public libraries will re-open and services will return gradually as safety measures are put in
Covid continued on page 6.
signs, everyone in the line of cars honked and waved. Many vehicles driving down SR-674 honked and waved as well. Emergency Squad Chief Mike Bardell says, “This is a time when all health care workers are feeling beat up, so we wanted to show our appreciation.” Bardell says the community has really met the challenges this virus presents. He says, “There
Squad Chief Mike Bartell initiated the event (Photo by Diane Loeffler).
United Methodist Church Offers Disaster Relief
Members of the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center Disaster Response Team.
By Bob Sanchez Sun City Center’s United Methodist Church maintains a Disaster Response Team (DRT) whose mission is “to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster,” according to team leader Linda McGovern. Although they typically serve Sun City Center and Kings Point, their presence is more than local. Within a typical range of 500 miles, the DRT helps those affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or other disasters. They have traveled as far as 1,000 miles, but they prefer to work within a day’s drive. About 70 members of the church are currently on the team, responding to requests for assistance from individuals and organizations without regard to denomination. In the last two years, their missions have included: •Painting the interior of Nearly New •Helping with rebuilding projects in the Everglades area after Hurricane Irma •Helping with rebuilding
projects (several mission trips) in the Apalachicola area after Hurricane Michael •Helping with repair and maintenance projects (several mission trips) to TiAnVica Riding Academy in Bartow, Florida •Cleaning a section of the roads within Sun City Center on a quarterly basis as part of the Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful program. The team has two parts. The Early Response Team usually begins its work within a week or two of the disaster. They may help with anything from minor home and property repairs to assisting with rebuilds, tarping roofs and removing debris. Months or even years later, the Long Term Recovery team may help with organization and distribution of relief supplies. Members of the DRT must be certified by the national United Methodist Church. The process includes a one-day training class and a background check. For more information, visit the UMCOR Global Ministries website at “www.umcmission. org/umcor/serve/us-disasterresponse”.
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June 2020
The News
The Editor’s Corner
Lasting Words
By E. Adam Porter, Editor “At press time, the FDVA was still restricting visitor access to its State Veterans’ Nursing Homes and Domiciliary, with the exception of essential visitors, such as family members of those residents undergoing end-of-life care…” The first time I read those words, while preparing the April issue of The News, I had no idea I would soon be among those “family members” mentioned. Earlier this year, my uncle, Robbie Dixon, my mother’s twin, went in for some routine tests. The results were not routine. Liver cancer. Immediate treatment recommended. Then, COVID-19. As his health deteriorated, Robbie went back and forth for short stints at Haley Veteran’s Hospital. We could not visit him there, because of COVID restrictions. The docs at the VA were talking with the docs at Moffitt Cancer Center. We were assured he would begin treatment soon. That was not to be. Despite the collective wisdom and best efforts of medical teams at two hospitals, my uncle was moved to palliative care in early May. He died on May 12, not two weeks after we were told they had a plan in place, and he would begin treatment soon. In the days leading up to his passing, my family visited him in the hospital. Due to COVID regulations, we had to wait downstairs, going up one at a time. The staff apologized time and again, but this was not an onerous restriction. This allowed each of us to invest one-on-one time with Robbie, so he could say anything he wished in total privacy. Downstairs, as we waited for our turn, other people came into the palliative care wing. Some carried blankets and pillows and overnight bags. As each checked in and had their temperature taken, we heard snippets of their stories: “I’m here to see my dad,” and “My grandfather asked if I could spend the night.” Each face was different, but the emotions were the same: sadness, resignation, love. The literal definition of “putting on a brave face.” They were stepping on that elevator knowing they were probably going to watch someone they loved die. Someone once said we live, and we die, then we become stories. These stories become part of family lore, passed down to help our children and grandchildren make sense of a world that, quite often, doesn’t make sense at all. When I describe the world my uncle grew up in to my children, they look at me as if I’m reading a passage from a dusty history book. In some ways, I suppose I
am. North Central Florida in the 40s and 50s, was not a facsimile of the 1950s America remembers. The small town my mother and uncle grew up in still had a bit of the frontier in it. Orange Springs started out much like other nearby settlements that have gained international renown. It had fresh water springs, a rail spur, abundant timberland, and rich soil. A small, tight-knit community developed, but the economic boom that found other nearby towns passed it by. Like many people looking back, my mother and my uncle would often say they never knew they were poor. They made their own clothes, grew their own food, fished, and raised hogs. Their shoes came from the local firefighter’s charity. But didn’t everyone’s? The first time I ever saw the small, block home my mother and uncle spent their childhood in, there was still only one store in town, and the single traffic light only worked part-time. The local café - yes, the local café - served fresh-from-the-lake catfish, hushpuppies, and collards. The only school, a small, all-ages building, was in the next town. The lake they fished in was still a great place to cast a line, and the chilly water of the spring-fed swimming hole was the ideal place to beat the oppressive summer heat. Sadly, like many other natural springs, someone dropped a bottling plant next to it and closed the hole to swimming. The stately hotel out front that once drew visitors from across the country interested in the “medicinal wonders” of the spring looked like it came right out of Dodge City or Tombstone. We visited there several times as I was growing up, and it always felt like we were walking into a Western. Boundless imagination fuel for a young boy. When the bottling company bought the land, they turned that place into an office. On my first visit, the old, whitewashed church looked the same as it has for generations. If Laura Ingalls had come bouncing down the front steps in her bonnet and homespun gingham, I would not have been surprised. Nearby, the town cemetery dog-ears corners in the pages of time. The graves closest to the church are those of soldiers who died in the Civil War. My grandparents and aunt are buried here, and my uncle will soon join them. Stroll past those grave markers into the woods, pass through a rusty gate, and you find another cemetery. Older? No, not older… separated. This is the Deep South, and there are a few things folks down here got very wrong for a very long time. Standing in this final resting place, and you feel an indelible reminder of how foolish and ignorant humans can be. While Uncle Robbie grew up in a segregated world, there was a place the government would ask him to go that was much more of a melting pot. Along the way, they were issued boots, rifles, and uniforms of OD green. It’s a part of his life my uncle did
not speak about. Not ever. Then, in 2015, I published a memoir coauthored with the subject of the story, retired USAF LTC Spencer Faircloth. Later that year, my uncle said there was something he wanted to share with me. Just me. He said he’d read the part of the book where Spence talked about his service overseeing the team tasked with writing military condolence letters for LBJ. Spence talked about how some of those letters included fictions invented in the service of national security. American boys had died in places their government pretended they had never been. My uncle knew some of those young men, because he’d been there with them. And so, he told some of their stories, as well as a bit of his own. A few years later, I asked him about it, and he just shook his head and looked away. On that topic, he’d said his fill. A few years after that conversation, as he lay in that VA hospital bed, watching me watch him while I wore my own “brave face,” he smiled. Once again, he had a few things he wanted to say, only to me. He’d already shared a private word
with my mother, my brother, and others he loved. Now, it was my turn. We talked for a while. Mostly, he talked, and I listened. Robbie was always someone well worth listening to. Over the course of that conversation, he told me he’d done all the things he needed to do and most of what he wanted to do. There were a few things, he said, that still needed doing. That would always need doing: Be good, he said. Be honest. When something is wrong, something is broken, find a way to fix it. You won’t always succeed. Promise me you will try. I took his hand and made a promise I know I won’t be able to keep. There’s too much broken. In people, in the world, in myself. I believe I can make a reasonable effort on that last score. For the others, I’ll need some help. So, if you’re reading this, I’m asking you to help me breathe life into one of my uncle’s last requests: Will you be good? Will you be honest? I think, if we can manage those two, it will go a long way toward fixing the rest.
of Sun City Center & South County Is a publications of NOKPmedia PO Box 6212, Sun City Center, FL 33573-6212
News Line: 813.938.7441 • Ad Line: 813.938.8721
Submission Deadline: 15th of the month prior to publication.
ADVERTISING: Neither NOKPmedia, nor its representatives or publications are liable for errors in advertising. THE NEWS does not endorse and cannot verify the accuracy of claims or representations made by advertisers who are solely responsible for advertisement contents. SUBMISSIONS: THE NEWS is proud to be the ONLY print media publication distributed to EVERY home and business in Greater Sun City Center, as well as several nearby communities in South Hillsborough County. We are dedicated to providing you a local paper with a “hometown” feel. Submissions we accept include: community events or business news, club or group announcements, stories and poems, as well as your favorite joke, song, photo, artwork, or travel story. NOKP Media (Publisher) reserves the right to edit or otherwise refuse all submissions. Neither the publisher nor the editor assume any responsibility for the return of submitted items. Mailed submissions can ONLY be returned if a correctly sized SASE is included with the submission. Basic paragraph format required for all submissions. Submissions including ALL CAPS, multiple colors, and other ‘flyer-type’ formatting will not be considered for publication. 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. E. Adam Porter Editor in Chief 813.938.7441 editor@soco.news
Ilona Merritt Reporter imerritt@soco.news
Diane Loeffler Reporter dloeffler@soco.news
Andrea L.T. Peterson Reporter
John Wolf Advertising 813.938.8721 ads@soco.news
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Bob Sanchez Reporter
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Contributors: Frank Kepley, Garry Higgins, Bob Monahan, Peggy Burgess, Renee Bray, Debbie Caneen, Michelle Jolly, Uta Kuhn, Linda Bowker and Sam Sudman (CA President).
A1 June 2020
The News
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COMMUNITY 4
June 2020
The News
Please continue following current social distancing guidelines, until any such orders have been lifted. Be sure to check with the Florida Department of Health (floridahealthcovid19.gov) and Hillsborough County (hillsboroughcounty.org), as conditions may change subsequent to press time. Due to the shifting dynamics of conditions and closures related to COVID-19, any events listed are subject to change. Readers should contact the club or group before attending.
Computer Club Classes
The Computer Club Lab is closed. The classes held this month will be virtual classes using GoToMeeting teleconferencing software. Registered students will receive an email with instructions, the day before the class. Sign-up for classes can be done online. Students must be a member in good standing at Sun City Center or Kings Point with a gold usage card. Tuition is payable upon registration. For additional information email Pauline Baker, Education Director at “paulinebaker864@gmail.com”. Full class descriptions available at “www.scccomputerclub.org”. Cut the Cord? – Friday, June 19, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Smartphone SIG – Monday, June 22, 10 to noon.
Sun City Center Line Dancers Club
While SCC Line Dancers shelter in place, we can do what we love to do: line dance at home with online instruction. Scooter Lee and Jo Thompson have released “Shake it Loose and Dance it Out”, line dance videos with fun steps that are easy to learn. Find them at “www.DancingForTheDream.com”. We hope to be “live dancing” soon.
Mary Petro Office to Reopen
Food and medicine fund will reopen June 2 The Mary Petro Food and Medicine Fund office, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W, will reopen June 2, 2020. The office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the phone number is 813.634.8306. The Mary Petro Fund assists full-time residents of Sun City Center and Kings Point with food and medicine or medical needs.
Poetry Workshop at the Firehouse
By Debbie Caneen Saturday, June 13, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL. One of six monthly poetry workshops that will continue in August, October, and December.
Support of Feed the Tuna Chest
Cat Lovers Club would like to thank our local community for their ongoing support for our Feed the Tuna Chest program that provides help for cats in need and the people who love them. Our volunteers are still working in our community to deliver donated cat food to nearly 370 cats each month. We can’t thank them enough for their commitment and devotion to help others. We couldn’t do this without you.
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Volunteer Information Meeting
By Robin Watt, Sun City Center Emergency Squad Asst. Chief, Public Relations The Sun City Center Emergency Squad is hosting our Neighbors Helping Neighbors volunteer information meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday June 10, for prospective volunteers. The meeting will take place at the Training Building at 124 S. Pebble Beach. With this meeting, we invite interested residents to find out more about the Squad and the volunteer opportunities we have available. The Squad is always looking for volunteers who want to become Dispatchers, Emergency Medical Responders, Ambulance Drivers and Emergency Medical Technicians. Other volunteer positions the Squad has available include IT specialists, vehicle maintenance volunteers, cooks and front desk receptionists. We will hold “safely distanced” meetings to keep our volunteers and prospective volunteers safe.
Driver Refresher Course for SCC Residents
By Stevi Schermond Deputy Chief, SCC Security Patrol The SCC Security Patrol in conjunction with Deputy Jeff Merry and Pete Blair, member of SCC Connects, has made a Driver Refresher Course on the Security Patrol website available to all residents of Sun City Center. To take the test, click on the Security Patrol website “sccsecuritypatrol.org”, scroll down to SCC Traffic Refresher, then click on ‘Take the Course’. The course takes about fifteen minutes. When finished, you can print out a certificate of completion. If you’re a member of the Patrol, Samaritans, or Emergency Squad, you can have it sent directly to them. The refresher course consists of proper stopping procedures, turning procedures, and some golf cart procedures. All procedures are according to current Florida Laws and some may be different from what you had learned when you got a license. These items, according to Deputy Jeff Merry and Security Patrol Chief Fred Fiedler, are some of the major causes of accidents and violations in Sun City Center. Chief Fiedler encourages everyone to take this course as it has some very interesting facts.
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Social Distancing Golf
Tennis courts are closed so these tennis friends changed to playing golf. Caloosa Golf & Country Club members Nancy Clark and Nancy Williams (right side) brought guests Rolande Poulin and Terri Vaillancourt (left side) for a round of single carting golf fun.
Community continued on page 5.
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June 2020
The News
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Community continued from page 4.
Rockin’ Thru The Years Dance Club
“Join Us For a Rockin’ Good Time!” Two dances scheduled this month! Sunday, June 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Southshore Cruisers will provide the dance music. Saturday, June 27 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. SoulRcoaster will provide the dance music. Veterans Theater, Kings Point North Clubhouse. Doors open for members at 6 p.m., 6:15 for guests. Admission is $6 for guests. BYOB and snacks. Club provides cups, napkins, water, and ice. Please email your full name to Sandi at “rockinthrutheyears@gmail.com” before Saturday morning, June 6, so she can include your name on the list she must send to the Kings Point Front Gate.
Star Samaritan
S-Selfless; T-Trustworthy; A-Accomplished; R- Reliable Meet Denny Gray, the Star Samaritan for the second quarter of 2020. Denny volunteers a minimum of two times per month with Samaritan Services as both an in-town and out-oftown driver. Denny has been a volunteer since July 2015, and really enjoys his volunteer work with the organization as his time as a volunteer shows. Denny also serves as Treasurer for the Sun City Center Men’s Club, and definitely loves giving back to the Sun City Center community. Congratulations to Denny on his STAR SAMARITAN award and his continued great work for the Sun City Center Community.
KP Quilters Make a Difference
The Year 2020 proved challenging to all of us, but the ladies of King’s Point Quilters (and friends and neighbors) joined forces and decided to “Make a Mask and Make a Difference”. Along with the help and support of this amazing community, King’s Point Quilters have made over 4,500 masks for neighbors, individuals, and organizations since the middle of March. We would like to thank those folks who supported us with supplies, food, and of course their time and patience. We were able to supply masks to the Kings Point Community, Vesta, Brandon Hospital, Sun Towers, Moffitt, Senior Helpers, the SCC Emergency Squad, My Warrior’s Place and many others. That is how a community “Makes a Mask and Makes a Difference.”
Redeemer Lutheran Church Donates to Sister Sara
Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church recently donated funds and medical supplies to Sister Sara Proctor, a PA and the program coordinator of Catholic Charities Free Medical Clinics. Services provided include Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, and Ophthalmology.
Do you Facebook?
Get “social” in Sun City Center. Share your favorite SCC pictures and news and view pictures from fun SCC events. “LIKE” the News of Sun City Center Facebook page at “www.facebook.com/NewsofSCC”.
Jack Migliore, on behalf of the Florida Camera Club Council, presented Jackie Hanson with the very first Florida Excellence in Photography award.
SCC Archery Club Member Wins Competition
SCC Archery Club member Mike Barkman (on the right) is shown receiving his first place certificate after winning the 3D archery competition last month. The shoot was held at Central Florida Archery in Ft. Meade.
Local Wins Very First Award
By Kai Rambow Jackie Hanson received the very first Florida Excellence in Photography award. Recipients of this award need to have won a blue ribbon for their images 12 times in Florida Camera Club Council’s annual competitions. Congratulations Jackie on being the very first winner!
Parkinson’s Support Group of Sun City Center
By Debbie Caneen Monday, June 15, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Sun Towers Retirement Community 101 Trinity Lakes Drive. Join Us for Taking “ON” Parkinson’s Disease, A Live Educational Event. Learn about Parkinson’s disease and how to manage it from a leading healthcare provider. Explore a treatment option for Parkinson’s. Hear an inspiring story from a person affected by Parkinson’s. Get resources and tools for talking to your doctor. Connect with others in the Parkinson’s community. If you have Parkinson’s, or are caring for someone with this disease, be sure to attend this support group! Complimentary valet parking available at entrance. For additional info, call Debbie Caneen 813.892.2990.
Entertainment Corner June 2020
By Renee Bray, SCCCA Entertainment Director In an abundance of caution, the SCCCA 20202021 Entertainment Series is cancelled. To ensure the health and safety of our members, both the Friday night dance series and the Sunday show series will not occur. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold some smaller entertainment events at a later date during the year, practicing social distancing. Tickets would be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the kiosk, with Renee Bray CA members having first priority. Future shows may be split into two events, to accommodate fewer attendees and allow for social distancing. We also plan to hold free Bandstand concerts for SCCCA members only. Watch for announcements on upcoming events. If you had tickets to the March 2020 Jersey Tenors show that had to be cancelled due to the Safe at Home Order, refund checks will be mailed to you at the address on record, provided at the time of your ticket purchase. Thanks to all our season ticket holders and those who supported the 2019-2020 season. It was a good season filled with a variety of outstanding entertainers. While I am very disappointed that we can’t move forward with the 2020-2021 full season, I am very hopeful we will find ways to bring you some wonderful entertainment in a safe environment. Your feedback is welcome. Email: Entertainment@SunCityCenter.org.
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June 2020
The News
Covid continued from page 1.
place to ensure the protection of employees and the public from the further spread of COVID-19. For updates: HCPLC. org or 813.273.3652. HCFL Parks and Recreation Some neighborhood parks and dog parks have been opened. Certain amenities and locations remain closed. Others are gradually being opened to the public. (www. hillsboroughcounty.org) Visitor Access to State Veterans’ Homes At press time, the FDVA was still restricting visitor access to its State Veterans’ Nursing Homes and Domiciliary until further
notice, with the exception of essential visitors, such as family members of those residents undergoing end-of-life care. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has also temporarily restricted access to their nursing and community living center facilities to only essential visitors until further notice. VA Medical Centers and Clinics Open with Enhanced Screening All VA Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics in Florida have implemented enhanced screening protocols at their facilities. Face coverings are mandatory. Please plan to arrive at the facility well in advance of your appointment
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to allow additional time for the screening process. Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 877.741.3400 toll free. COVID-19 FACTS Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes appear to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. Exposure & Symptoms If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider. Symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. In addition, any of these symptoms may indicate infection: fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. Getting Tested Contact your medical provider first. Hillsborough County is also offering testing at SouthShore Community Resource Center, 201 14th Avenue SE in Ruskin. You do not need to have symptoms to be tested, however preregistration is required. For an appointment, call: 813.272.5900,
weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For further testing information, as well as what to bring for the test, visit “www.hillsboroughcounty. org” and search “gettingtested”. In the results, scroll down to “Testing & If You’re Sick”. Prevention & Protection Health experts believe the virus is spread mainly from person-toperson, between people who are in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Hillsborough County is urging residents to wear face coverings when in community settings. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises the use of face coverings to help slow the spread of the virus. Medical grade masks are not needed for the general public and should be reserved for healthcare professionals. Simple cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost.
Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news
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MEMBER WEST FLORIDA
June 2020
News of Freedom Plaza
By Peggy Burgess “And the beat goes on!” can refer to musical rhythm, but at Freedom Plaza it means that we continue to “beat” the effects of the coronavirus crisis by “going on” with the rhythm of life. We even opened some new doors in doing it. Residents have enjoyed a weekly “Guess Who” quiz game that involves a mystery resident. Flyers exhibiting a childhood photo of a resident, plus a series of “clues” about that individual, are placed in door-boxes and folks submit their guesses as to his/her identity. Winners are awarded a free selection from the weekly door-to-door shopping cart. Speaking of “doors”, many Freedom Plaza doors now display special adornments relative to the recent “It’s Spring!” doordecorating contest in which photos of doors were circulated (with occupants’ approval) and votes taken. The proud winner of that venture was resident Pearl Ashe. On Mother’s Day, four lucky residents found bountiful gift baskets at their doors, their names drawn from a pool of female residents who have children. Another door, this one the portico entrance to Freedom Plaza, has become its “al fresco stage”, with residents enjoying various entertainments from chairs placed at social distance along the sidewalks, or from
The News
the lanai of their apartments. These sidewalk serenades have included a mariachi band celebrating Cinco de Mayo and weekly performances by Thor, a popular disc jockey. The performances, with restrictions observed, are repeated at Golf View Terrace’s outdoor pavilion. Regardless of pandemics some special events just must be observed, one such being resident Kim Freeman’s 100th birthday in April. To circumvent restrictions, her party was a “oneon-one” affair held in Freedom Plaza’s Clubroom with its doors at either end. The guest of honor was seated in a designated area and wellwishers were admitted, at Kim Freeman, f i v e - m i n u t e celebrated her i n t e r v a l s , 100th birthday through one in April with a door to chat party uniquely (at social designed to distance) and maintain social sign the guest distancing. book, leaving by the opposite door. When Freedom Plaza reopens its doors, possibly in June, residents and staff alike will celebrate with a new-found confidence that they can cope with adverse circumstances, and in the knowledge that, “when life handed them a lemon, they made lemonade.”
The Men's Club of SCC Offers Peace of Mind!
At Affordable Prices! 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 Philips Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) at a more competitive rate than what Philips 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 Philips 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.
Life During Lockdown
By Kai Rambow Many SCC residents self-quarantined before we had any directives from Tallahassee. Some of you found creative ways to beat both the isolation and boredom. These are just a few moments from the past few weeks.
After gathering at a distance to sing God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood, these spirited residents created an impromptu parade.
Dabney Hill, President of the Sew’n Sews, works on a protective mask. Over 50 club members have produced about 4,000 masks, which were distributed all over the South County area.
When barber shops reopened, they were overrun. They politely fixed Covid-19 haircuts (which we had given ourselves).
COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY In light of the recent Coronavirus outbreak, we have taken many measures to help the families we serve. While keeping our funeral homes safe and clean is important, it is equally important to find creative solutions for families who cannot meet with us in person. As many of our community members are beginning to limit their time in public spaces, we are making changes to help every family make arrangements and gather from wherever they feel safest and most comfortable. We are prepared to help you make arrangements online, via video call or over the phone. We can even live stream memorial services for family members that cannot attend. We will make any changes necessary to accommodate your family — today and always. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions, call us today at 813-634-9900.
Call the Men’s Club
813-633-7091
or stop by our office 1002 Cherry Hills Drive,SCC
7
1851 Rickenbacker Dr., Sun City Center 33573 813-634-9900 SunCityCenterFuneralHome.com
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June 2020
The News
BOOK REVIEW
Where the Books Are…Something Waits for You
By Andrea L. T. Peterson Well, folks, I think we can all agree: there’s a new normal, and it means changes in how we do some of the most basic things. For instance, unless you’re a healthcare professional, I doubt you washed your hands nearly as often before the coronavirus as you do now. You might use wipes to clean off your groceries, even wash or microwave your money-- I don’t recommend the microwave, but that’s another story. But what about how we’re all spending our time? Cleaning your own home, washing your own car, cooking nightly at home, cleaning out closets and rearranging cabinets, watching videos and streaming online, shopping online. But if you’re hooked on books, you’re probably long past the early stages of withdrawal. No library, no bookstores, fewer and fewer books on the “to-read” pile at home. I’m here to tell you that the well has not run dry! If you’re venturing out a bit, you should know that there are at least three fully loaded mini-libraries (book nooks)— two on Fordham Drive and one on Riviera near Desert Hills— just a golf-cart ride away. The assortment is amazing (fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, military, sports and celebrity bios, and more). Lots of folks bring bags and boxes of great books to share. You can take a book— or two—or leave books. If you
2020 Hyundai
Tucsons
see a few you’re interested in, I suggest you take them when you see them, 'cause, a day later, they’ll be gone. You can pass them on after your read them or return them to the same or one of the other boxes. Bring disinfecting wipes to wipe books and door handles off for your own safety and read to your heart’s content. If you’re staying in 24/7, you have options, too. If you’re overly concerned about getting mail, I don’t recommend ordering books online. However, I get great books online from all kinds of discount places-even Goodwill online. If you’re looking for a certain book, type the title into Google or your search engine. Not only will you get a list of retail stores selling the book, you will also get lots of online sites where you can order it, often for a fraction of the cover price. Google will also provide you with a list of area libraries that have the book. Check the condition of the book before ordering it— make sure it’s in the format you want (hardback, paperback, audio, or e-book) and the condition suits you. Search for a site that offers free shipping. When the package arrives, I wipe it down outside, open it, and wipe down the books. I also leave them on the porch in the air for a day or two before bringing them in to read. In addition, some local and notso-local bookstores will ship free
if the order is over a certain amount. Call local stores to see what they are doing to help. But the BEST, easiest, and safest option is to dig out that Kindle, tablet, or iPad you’ve refused to use for reading books because you “love the feel of a real book,” or you “love turning the pages,” or you’re “not a techie!” Trust me, it’s easy once you start doing it, and you can get countless books sent right to your device within days (depending on demand). You can visit the library ONLINE multiple times a day and request dozens of books at one time. All you need is a device on which you can actually read, a library card, and the free Overdrive app. If you’re a snowbird and have a card for your library up north, you can sign up for our Hillsborough County libraries and your library “up home.” How to get started? Pull out your tablet. The Hillsborough County Library site HCPLC.org can walk you through the process of downloading onto your device the free Overdrive app or you can call 813-273-3652 during regular business hours and ask a librarian for help getting started. Search the library site for their e-book collection and begin hunting. You can hunt by title, author, or just see what’s new. You request the book or, in Overdrive lingo, place a hold. When it’s available, you’ll get an email telling you it’s been sent to
your device. A word of warning: if you are travelling or live where you have limited internet access, I suggest you not just request and place a hold, but also download any and all titles you think you’ll be reading before you hit the road or lose the connection. Otherwise, you’ll be hunting for nearby parking lots where you can go to download titles. You can almost always download onto your phone, but not your tablet where you need to connect when you’re not home. I’ve been stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dozen books that I can’t read because I can’t download them in the dead zone! I can assure you, that is beyond frustrating! Likewise, for the near (hopefully) future you can request physical books from your county library and ask that they be sent to the Sun City library for pick-up. I’m often reading the “real” book during the day and have the same book on my tablet to read at night when I don’t want to have to keep the lights on! A special thanks to all of our neighbors here in Sun City Center who have brought me bags and boxes of books— not old dusty ones, but current books by great authors! I could not have kept the box full or managed to have the wide, seemingly endless, selection to keep all of you (and me) sated! Stay safe, stay calm, and read.
0
% APR
For 84 Months^
Stay At Home While We Service Your Vehicle! “Save Every Day The Brandon Hyundai Way,” isn’t a slogan, it’s a promise. We’re committed to your complete satisfaction and safety. So, stay home. Schedule your service appointment online and we’ll pick your vehicle up. After servicing your vehicle, it will be sanitized and returned to you safely. This month, get an oil change for $9.93 with the purchase of an alignment*. Plus, we’re offering 0% APR for 84 months on all 2020 Hyundai Tucsons^.
FREE
9
$
Sanitization Service
CFNA Credit Card
Every vehicle we service will have the steering wheel, door handle, shifter and applicable areas cleaned before the car is returned to you with a disinfectant during this challenging time in our history to help keep our employees and customers safe. Should you opt for a complete interior sanitizing, we are equipped to perform such a service for a nominal fee.
Earn a 10% discount on your first service visit and get special financing to pay for it!
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Pickup & Delivery Available
Oil Changes
By appointment only. Offer expires 7/5/20. Please call (813)628-555 or visit BrandonHyundai.com
By appointment only. Offer expires 7/5/20. Please call (813)628-555 or visit BrandonHyundai.com
With The Purchase Of An Alignment
See your sales advisor for details. Offer expires 7/5/20.
$149 minimum purchase required. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase balance if not paid in full within 6 months or if you make a late payment. Not all will qualify. See your sales advisor for details.
*By appointment only. Offer expires 7/5/20. Call 813-628-5555 or BrandonHyundai.com. ^All offers with approved credit. Monthly payments based on 84-month term at $11.90 a month per $1,000 financed. Some restrictions may apply. Not all will qualify. See dealer for details. Offer ends 7/5/20.
Brandon Hyundai 9915 E Adamo Dr, Tampa, FL 33619 BrandonHyundai.com
Service: 888-435-8314 Sales: 813-328-6498
June 2020
Adogable Pets Pet Salon & Spa
The News To show our support Adogable Pets is offering Law Enforcement & 1st Responders a 15% discount on all Grooming services for your civilian pets. K-9 Officers Grooming services are 100% on us! In lieu of our services, Officers are welcome to use our facility to bathe their own police dog ! For an appointment call 813-419-4972
Quality, Convenient & Dependable
Sun City Center’s Premier Grooming Salon & Holistic Pet Supplies Store
9
4884 Sun City Center Blvd. east end of Publix Plaza
813-419-4972 Mobile Grooming
813-300-7902
Call for an Appointment
www.adogablepets.com
2020 Hurricane Season is Poised to be Potent
By Ilona Merritt The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins Monday, June 1. Forecasters say it’s poised to be a potent season. In addition, the historic coronavirus pandemic has left emergency and disaster relief workers overtaxed and threatened with exposure to this virus. The more prepared we are, as individuals in a community, the better it will be for everyone. Forecasts can change as weather conditions shift. And it doesn’t matter if the hurricane forecast is very active, regular, or below average: Anyone living in a hurricane zone must be ready for a violent storm. After all, it only takes one major hurricane, not the threat of many, to cause a catastrophic season. This season’s first named storm was Arthur. Atlantic storm name lists are maintained by a committee of the World Meteorological Organization. These names can repeat every six years unless a hurricane or storm was so destructive and deadly that the committee votes to retire the use of a name. If a hurricane threatens this season, some evacuation requests may be replaced by stay-at-home orders as officials struggle to minimize the spread of coronavirus. Details may include requiring people in hurricane-fortified homes to shelter-in-place through a storm. In Florida, except in the case of mobile homes, evacuation zones are often based on storm surge, not wind speed. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will have a plan that outlines guidance for counties on how
they may want to handle storms differently to contain infections. At the same time, some Florida power companies have said it may take extra time to restore electricity with the possibility of limited help from outside resources and the added precautions of social distancing. Planning Ahead Preparing now, before a storm is on the way, is very important. Make sure you have an all-hazards NOAA weather radio, which will work when the power is off and are specially designed for emergencies. They come in various easy to carry sizes and with many different features. They are priced to be affordable, but don’t be surprised if the demand is high, the prices will go up. Getting one now will improve your choices. Sun City Center is not in an evacuation zone, and unless you need medical help or are specifically directed to evacuate, it is the better place to remain. Shelters are usually crowded and uncomfortable. There are many people who have to go to shelters, and there will be more room for them if we stay home. Staying home can be lonely. Get some friends together, especially giving consideration to your single friends, and plan time together while waiting for things to happen. The safest place in anyone’s home is an inside room or closet. Last time we had a storm on the way, we had to settle for my closet, so we planned ahead, emptying out most of my clothes, placing three chairs in there, a footstool for comfort, a bed for our dog, Toby, and other items we might need. We woke up
in the morning and found out that we had once again been spared. Year after year, Tampa is spared from the wrath of a hurricane. But don’t ever think that we are always going to be so lucky. Last time a storm was on the way, a group of ladies here in SCC acquired walkietalkies and kept in touch with each other. If the power and telephone is out, and you need to get in touch with some out of town, the SCC Amateur Radio Club may be able to help you. Members of the club will have old fashioned, bright orange telephone signs in their windows, which is the sign that they can and will help you. If you need medical assistance, check out the shelters in your area and make advance arrangements there. If leaving your home, please let your neighbor or the leaders of your HOA know that you are gone. Stocking Your Supply Kit Review important documents. Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents like ID are up to date. Place them in a watertight container and keep them with or near you. Make copies of these documents and keep them in a secure passwordprotected digital space. •Check all your medicines, consider adding the medication list to your protected digital space. •Declutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture. •Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least five days. •Food: at least one week’s worth of non-perishable food. •Battery operated or hand crank radio •Extra batteries
•You may also consider investing in a solar powered trickle charger for your cell phone and other gadgets. •Well-stocked first aid kit with medicines, ointments, bandages, and allergy medication; insect repellent, lidocaine, and sunscreen are also a good idea. •At least one flashlight for each person in the household. Be sure they are in good working order. You may also want to have one or two battery-powered LED lanterns. •Whistle to signal for help •Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation •Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes •Basic toiletries •Dust mask to help filter contaminated air •Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place •Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, don’t forget your hot water heater •Manual can opener •Local maps •Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery •Cash in case ATMs are down •If you own a generator, be sure it is in good working order and you have plenty of fuel. •If you have a grill, stock up on propane or charcoal.
HOLE IN ONE
Herb Hause scored a hole in one on Saturday, May 2, on Scepter Ibis #2 (137 yards), using a 6 hybrid. Witnessed by Greg Franczyk, Ron Doncouse, and John Giddings.
We Welcome Selina J. Lin, M.D.
813-633-3065
Coastal Eye Institute is pleased to welcome Dr. Selina Lin to our Sun City Center office. Dr. Lin is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Fellowship-Trained Retina Specialist with expertise in:
1515 Sun City Center Plaza CoastalEye.com
• Macular Degeneration • Diabetic Eye Care • Flashes & Floaters • Laser Surgery of the Retina
Dr. Lin is now accepting new patients!
The News of
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SUN CITY CENTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Sun City Center
...an official publication of the Sun City Center Community Association
CA SCHEDULE
No meetings will be held until further notice due to social distancing guidelines currently in place.
CA Contact Information
Administration Office 1009 N. Pebble Beach Blvd, SCC Phone: 813.633.3500 Hours – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., M-F sccboard@suncitycenter.org Website: suncitycenter.org Information Center: 813.633.4670
July Fourth Festivities Cancellation Notice
The Board of Directors has come to the realization that the July 4th Breakfast and Pool Party will no longer be able to be held under the current conditions of social distancing that will most certainly continue for some time to come. We thank you in advance for your understanding.
June 2020
$25,000 Grant to Samaritan Services
By Diane M. Loeffler In May 2020, Samaritan Services was able to purchase a 2020 Subaru Forester with grant money from The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Samaritan Services wishes to thank the Foundation for their $25,000 grant by letting the community know about the Foundation’s generosity. John Mayoka, Debbie Caneen, and Julie Floyd were present for the press briefing. Mayoka is on the Board of Directors for Samaritan Services. Debbie Caneen serves on the Southshore Council. Floyd is the President of Samaritan Services. While at the Foundation’s March council meeting, Caneen learned about the grant and encouraged Samaritan Services to apply for it. When choosing a vehicle, their criteria included reliability, ease of getting into and out of the back seat and room to accommodate a walker. Although Samaritan Services does not transport wheelchairs, many of the residents who avail themselves of the service do use walkers. Background Good Samaritans / Samaritan Services is located at 1207 North Pebble Beach Boulevard, two buildings north of the library. You may have noticed the bear
with a welcome sign in front of the entrance on weekdays. The volunteers provide rides for residents of the Sun City Center Community Association and Kings Point. Their in-town service boundaries include up to US-301 (but not Walmart) on the east and over to 30th Street including the tax collector’s office and the Big Lots mall on the west.
Samaritan Services has six cars. Their goal is to keep a car for five or six years or around 75,000 miles. One hundred and forty volunteers, all with clean driving records, drive the vehicles. During 2019, Samaritan Services provided 7,731 rides in town and 985 rides out of town. This includes 189 rides to the Veterans’
Samaritan continued on page 11.
Barrier Masks: The New Fashion Trend
By Paula Lickfeldt Very early during the onset of the Pandemic, Carol Aberisk saw a future need to provide barrier masks to others. She talked with some of her neighbors and they decided to make barrier masks out of scrap fabric that they had, to send to friends and relatives and for their neighbors. Donna Gustavsen has a fabric cutter, and she volunteered to cut the fabric for Carol. While they
Paula Lickfeldt and her golf cart buddy wear their masks on their trip to the post office.
Pickers Play Another Driveway Concert
Barbara Geywits’ birthday balloon is even wearing a barrier mask.
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA FL PERMIT NO 157 ECRWSS ******ECRWSSEDDM****** Postal Customer Sun City Center FL 33573
Scan the code with your smartphone to find us online. www.newsofsuncitycenter.com
A few members of the Front Porch Pickers put on another driveway concert. L to R: Tom Harding Sr., Jan Ring, Tom Harding Jr., Jim Kelly, Ed Mooney, and David Lickfeldt.
were making the masks, Carol was in touch with Dabney Hill, the president of SCC Sew’n Sews. They discussed the possibility of getting the members of the club involved in making masks for anyone who would need one. Dabney was able to get one-time permission to enter the Sew’n Sew workroom to collect the fabric and all of the elastic that they had. Dabney got the word out, and 90 club members and 10 non-club members made over 4,000 masks. She said she had no ideas how many miles of elastic she cut. They donated masks to the Cancer Center of SCC, Southeastern Guide Dogs, 200 were given to The Salvation Army for homeless people, drivers for Meals on Wheels, Feeding Tampa Bay, Freedom Plaza, Cypress Village Assisted Living, and Sun Towers. They also donated masks to residents of SCC who needed them. Phyllis Laufer and Madeline Hughes from the Multicultural Heritage Club made masks for friends and club members in SCC, and they sent them to relatives living up north who could not get masks. SCC Entertainment Director Renee Bray led a group of community volunteers who made over 1,200 masks for area nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and first responders. Next, they made another 1,400 masks to be given to SCCCA members at drivethru give away events in April. Even though Florida is moving into the early phases of “re-opening,” we all need to continue to wear our barrier masks when we leave home. When we are out, the mask protects others that we come in contact with. It keeps our breath, coughs, and sneezes to us.
June 2020
The News of Sun City Center
SCCCA Membership Approves Fee Increase for Home Buyers
President’s Report
COVID-19, Long-Range Planning, Our Next Steps
By Sam Sudman, CA President Phase 1 of the reopening of the Association is under way and is progressing reasonably well. Our process for “normalization” is a bit more cautious because our members are the highest risk group for having serious consequences if they contract COVID-19. Any deviation from or relaxation of the measures we employ, such as social distancing and reduced numbers of participating members, could result in an increase in the number of persons testing positive for the coronavirus and contracting the illness. This could result in shutting the campus down once again. Let us be smart and cautious. We may not be able to assess the impact of COVID-19 on home sales in Sun City Center for some time. The prudent approach is to move slowly for several months while we monitor the real estate market. If sales continue at the same pace as in the past, 40 or more per month, and we do not experience a new outbreak this fall and winter, we will be initiating the procedures we will follow to begin and complete phase 1 of the Long-Range Plan, the new multipurpose building, to be constructed on the remaining three acres to the north of the Atrium and Fitness Center (North Course Lane). If you have any questions, send me an email at “sudmans@suncitycenter.org” or call me at 813.642.2005. If I am not available, please leave a message and I will get back to you.
Samaritan from page 10. Hospital and Clinic. In addition to providing transportation, Samaritan Services also oversees Alzheimer’s Respite Care and Meals on Wheels. Funding for Samaritan Services is mostly through private donations. Once a year, they send out a mailing asking for donations. President Julie Floyd says they can always use more volunteers. In addition to the drivers, volunteers include receptionists, dispatchers, officers and a board. The only paid positions are the office manager and the two part-time coordinators of Meals on Wheels. Members of the Women’s Club volunteer to deliver the meals. Due to COVID 19, services were suspended on March 16. They hope to resume them in June if possible. According to their posting on the “suncitycenter.org” website, they transport ambulatory residents to medical appointments in Brandon, Bradenton and Tampa, with advance notice of 10 to 14 days. SCC Ride provides transportation for in-town appointments and shopping from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday... For Samaritan Services information call 813.634.9283. For SCC Ride, call 813.633.6111.” If you need their services, please call them well in advance. If you are willing and able to volunteer for and/or donate to this great organization, please stop by their office or call.
Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news
By Bob Sanchez O n Apr i l 2 8 , t he C om mu n it y Association announced via an online membership meeting the passage of a $300 fee increase for the sale of homes in Sun City Center. The increase raises from $1,800 to $2,100 the capital fee paid by home buyers, and became effective May 1. Bridget Lewis, who tallied the mail-in ballots, said that the final tally was 959 in favor and 480 against, with 39 spoiled ballots. In an email, CA President Sam Sudman stated, “The recent capital fund fee increase, like the previous increases, can and will only be used for new construction for the modernization of Community Association facilities. Our community is built out and the developer has moved on. Without a
developer, these fees are the only source for new construction, short of assessing current members. It will take several months to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative impact on housing sales in Sun City Center…” Meanwhile, “The CA capital fund fee is among the lowest being charged by other communities.” CA manager Lyn Reitz organized the meeting using a computer application called Zoom. One hundred and twelve residents dialed in to the voice-only telephone meeting in which the fee increase was the only item on the agenda. The CA’s legal counsel had advised that the Zoom meeting fulfilled the requirements for the membership meeting originally scheduled for March 25.
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Reitz described the meeting as “a new experience” that went well. Zoom “is a great tool if everyone cannot get together” in person. During the shutdown, she said, the “staff has been busy cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing the facilities. We have redone the walking pool, we’re redoing the lap pool, we’ve repaved the dog park handicapped road, re-shelled all of the south campus roads, re-shelled the RV and Tiller and Toilers roads, and painted parking lots and signs.” “COVID-19 has changed the way we live,” Sudman concluded. “Zoom has enabled us to maintain communication and to conduct official business. Likely, we will rely upon it for monthly Board meetings if we are unable to reconvene the traditional meeting, as in the past.”
Entertainment Series Cancellation Notice
In an abundance of caution, the SCCCA 2020-2021 Entertainment Series is cancelled. To ensure the health and safety of our members, both the Friday night dance series and the Sunday show series will not occur. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold some smaller entertainment events at a later date during the year, practicing social distancing. Tickets would be available on a first come first serve basis, with CA members having first priority. We also plan to hold free Bandstand concerts for our members, again observing social distancing. Watch for announcements on upcoming events. If you had tickets to the March 2020 Jersey Tenors show, that had to be cancelled due to the Safe at Home Orders, refund checks will be mailed to you at the address on record, provided at the time of your ticket purchase. Please be patient as these checks will be mailed out over the course of the next several months.
MOVIES at the Rollins Theater
NOTICE:
Monday Movies have been canceled until further notice.
Next Opening Phase for Community Association Facilities
Starting on June 1, 2020, we will transition to opening the SCC Community Association Office, Library, Indoor Walking Pool, Indoor Locker Room, Atrium Walking Path, and the Fitness Center. These facilities will be handled in the same procedural manner as the Outdoor Pool. We will have one entry point for the Indoor Pool, Walking Path, and Indoor Locker Rooms which will be the North Atrium Main Entry Doors. We will have one entry point for the Fitness Center, which will be the Main Entry Doors
to the Fitness Center. There will be two-hour sessions with one-and-ahalf hours of usage and then closure for thirty minutes for cleaning and sanitizing between sessions. There will be a lesser capacity with social distancing and the suggestion of masks to be worn. Capacity will be 10 people in the Walking Path Area, 20 people in the Walking Pool/Locker Room Area and 40 people in the Fitness Center. The Offices and Library will adhere to strict social distancing regulations and will operate at their normal
hours. There will be no club usage of these facilities or club room usage at this time. This is for Community Association and Freedom Plaza card holding members only, No Guests. The Lap Pool is closed at this time as it is still being resurfaced and repaired, but will be included once it is completed. Hours of Operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. NOTE: By using any Community Association Facilities you are voluntarily assuming all risks to possible exposure to COVID 19.
Bunka Art: A History Lesson
By Paula Lickfeldt Bunka Shi Shi “Japanese Cultural Embroidery” is the art of painting with thread and needle. The origin of this embroidery ranges from the 11th century in Russia to China in the 12th and 13th centuries and to the present or 20th century in Japan. Three hundred years ago, the ladies of the Imperial Crown were the only ones allowed to do Bunka Embroidery. Bunka Embroidery, in its present form, was started in Tokyo, Japan, about 100 years ago. At that time, silk embroidery was taught and practiced by many Japanese people. One Japanese gentleman, while traveling in Europe, noticed a form of embroidery being done with a punch needle. He returned to Japan with this idea in mind and experimented for ten years with various threads and needles until he perfected the needle and thread style that is used today. The Bunka Art Club of SCC began around 30 years ago. In the beginning, the “stitchers” met in various places which include; private homes, United Community Church, Prince of Peace, and the room where the pottery club meets. They were able to move to their own space when the Arts and Crafts Building on Cherry Hills opened. The
Club members Sue King, Linda Panthen, Tina Kotek, and Sandee Brundrige enjoy the creativity and skill of Bunka.
ladies of the club were able to design their work space which included track lights and a room on the end which has windows on three sides. Proper lighting is very important for their stitching. The Bunka Art Club has 49 members who pay dues of $10 a year to belong to the club. The club/work room is open on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon. Members of the club can come to the club room to work on their projects at any time, however, because when joining the club, they were given the code to open the door. New members can buy a starter kit and are given the code to the door when they
join. All of the ladies that are already in the club love to be able to share their knowledge with the new members. Past teachers include Doris “Dee” Sims, Joan Wetzel, Edith Head, Anita Tardiff and the present teacher Annette Lesser. The present club president is Sandee Brundrige. If you would like to have more information about the Bunka Art Club you could email Sandee at “sanjo1231@yahoo.com” or go to the club room any time that it is open. NOTE: As of this writing, many SCC Club facilities remain closed. Check with the CA office and/or club leadership for further information.
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June 2020
The News
Emergency Planning Meeting: Plan Now, Be Safe Later
By Bob Sanchez About 150 people attended the Emergency Planning Meeting held February 25 in Community Hall and heard 12 speakers give specific critical advice on preparing for storms and deciding whether to stay or go. The key points made by each person: Mike Bardell, Chief, SCC Emergency Squad: You don’t have to be in a flood zone to go to a shelter. Jeff Merry, Deputy Sheriff: Prepare your home for storms. No one will respond to your emergency if sustained winds exceed 35 mph. Home welfare checks will be a low priority. Vern Hendricks: WSCQ (96.3 FM) will do everything it can to stay on the air, but people should
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plan on a backup information source. Tyler Fleming, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Flooding is the major danger, followed by wind. Never try to drive through a flooded area. “Turn around, don’t drown.” Consider the storm’s potential flooding impact, not just its category number. Jerry Stickney of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue: There are eight pet-friendly shelters in the area, with 45 in the entire county. Know your plan. Mike Zimmerman, Director of Emergency and Preparedness Services, South Bay Hospital: Plan to provide for your own care in case of emergency. The South Bay Hospital is not a shelter. If you have special needs, get
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Ryan Pedigo, Florida Department of Health: Plan ahead. Bring a caregiver if you are going to need help at a special needs shelter (registration required). Bring all the medications you need. There will be no bedside nursing or care. Greg Waltz, insurance executive: Be sure your house has proper coverage. Wind and hail are the most common claims. Elect to insure property at full replacement in current dollars. Homeowners are allowed to make temporary repairs prior to making a claim. Joe Bahl: Amateur Radio Club can help getting in touch with relatives. The bottom line: hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
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your name on the Special Needs registry at 813.307.8063. Julie Floyd of Samaritan Services: Samaritan provides transportation for people who are mobile, as well as some transportation in preparation for Kelly Knigge, Disaster Manager, TECO: Avoid downed power lines. Avoid flood waters. Keep your portable generator outside if you have one. Report power outages to TECO. Otherwise they don’t know about them. Report gas leaks; if you smell gas, get out of the house. Security Patrol: Mission: “observe and report.” Their vehicles stay off-road until the emergency ends. Leaving home during hurricane season? Fill out a “House Watch Card” at the Security Patrol office.
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Answers to Puzzles on Pages 18 and 19
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The News
How Did You Spend Your Time at Home?
By Paula Lickfeldt During the time that we were ordered to stay at home, what did you do to keep yourself busy? Bob White decided that he wanted to clean up the block where he lives. He swept up all of the rocks, sand, and debris that was in the street by the curb. After he got that all swept up he power washed all of
the sidewalks and curbs for his neighbors on the block. When he finished, the block just shone in the sunshine. He said that was enough, and he is now retired. Suzy Rathzke has been doing a lot of cooking and reading. She experimented with using different herbs, spices and oils as different dressings and rubs. And, she said that her lanai has never been so clean. Time was
spent getting her house ready to be painted. She spent time getting in touch with old friends. She even called a gal that she worked with twelve years ago. Carma Witwer cleaned her kitchen. She took everything out of the cupboards and rearranged things. She says now she can’t find anything. She ironed everything in the house; tablecloths, sheets and pillowcases. She borrowed books from a friend and read everything she could get her hands on to keep from climbing the walls. Jan Ring moved her sewing machine out of her sewing room and put it on her dining room table so she could sew and watch her big screen TV. She is a member of the Sew’n Sews and she made lots of barrier masks. She is also a quilter, so she was able to work on several unfinished projects. Ron and Kathy Hatfield went on lots of long walks. Ron had been renovating a pool in his back yard. He spent time playing his guitar and singing. Kathy had been taking piano lessons. She and her teacher figured out how they could continue the lessons by using video conferencing software. According to the Week Magazine, David Lickfeldt
June 2020
found out that puzzles were in short supply. They were one of the most ordered items on the internet. He has lots of puzzles waiting to be done and he always has one set up, ready to be worked on. He spent a lot of his “stay at home” time working on puzzles and he finished several of them. He also did a plumbing project that he had been putting off, and he built a “she shed” for me. Rev. Tim Shirley, pastor of SouthShore United Church of Christ, was not able to visit congregants in the hospital or at their home. He invested his time working on his PhD dissertation on the topic of “Biblical Hospitality.” Teri Brockway sends out monthly newsletters to all of the members of the Elegant Gardeners. During the pandemic, she did very special newsletters by getting members of the club to send pictures of their yards to her and sharing the pictures in the communications that she sent out. Club members looked forward to seeing the yards of fellow club members. Many had no idea how creative they could be in finding things to do to keep our minds and bodies busy during this very trying time. I know that we were all able to surprise ourselves at how creative we could be.
Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news
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Birthday Celebration, Coronavirus-Style
Photos by Andrea L. T. Peterson Friends and neighbors join Sue Muise to celebrate her 73rd birthday in style: Taco Bell and social distancing at their finest!
Catch The NEWS on the web at www.soco.news
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The News
Wonderful Dali Surprises at Selby Gardens
By Kai Rambow Selby Gardens had been closed due to COVID-19 precautions. They announced a reopening date for the general public of Wednesday, May 27. If you plan to visit, call ahead for information on any limitations or closures that may be in place. Chagall, Warhol, Gauguin and now Dali. Selby Gardens has, once again, inventively featured their orchids around an artist and theme. Most of you will be familiar with Dali’s surrealist visions in his artwork. Selby has incorporated that into their displays. The first, an eye in the middle of an orchid, might startle you. By the time you see
the piano in the pond, you’ll be laughing. Tropical Conservatory Rather than a profusion of orchids this year, orchids are thoughtfully, deliberately placed, much like Dali would have done. A slower walk than usual is required. Soon you’ll see the eyes placed in the middle of orchids. Be sure to look at the backdrops. The Dali Museum commissioned Clyde Butcher to photograph Dali’s world in Spain. Some of those photos provide the backdrop for displays. The “clouds” of cacti floating against the black and white background of Dali’s coastal Spain as captured by
The piano in the pond definitely evokes Dali. Selby Gardens has once again created a masterful display.
Clyde Butcher is wonderful. Be sure to walk around and explore it from different viewpoints. Payne Mansion The mansion has some more of Clyde Butcher’s photographs. Additionally, some prints done by Dali, owned by the Dali Museum but not on regular display are shown here. These are a great addition, especially for Dali fans. Outside Displays As with previous exhibits, Selby has used most of the grounds. You’ll need to walk through the gardens slowly as many of this year’s displays are subtle. Artificial butterflies, used to symbolize transformation, can
June 2020
be found on several bushes throughout. Selby also added a butterfly house with many real butterflies. It is small but incredibly well done, a delightful surprise. The crutches are the hardest to spot. Dali used these in his paintings and they are used in the gardens. Be sure to read the quick guide to “Gardens of the Mind,” before you move through the exhibit and gardens. Dali Gardens of the Mind until June 28 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 900 South Palm Avenue Sarasota, Florida 941.366.5731 www.selby.org
The eyeballs in orchids might, at first, startle you a bit.
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Edna Lozosky, Judy Budziak, Della Georges, Connie Anderson, Betty MacDonald, Marlene Columbia, Pam Columbia, Paulene Andrews, Linda Wilkes, Bonnie La Barron, and Margaret Blackmore with The News.
Paul & Jo Miletich, Nancy Eckstrom, and Alex Roik of Kings Point took their copy of The News to Cozumel, Mexico.
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Our pledge to the health and safety of our residents has long been paramount. It has ingrained in us a commitment to preparedness, even for the unpredictable. That’s why we have an expansive inventory of supplies, allowing us to deliver onsite healthcare services and immediately enact Enhanced Safety Protocols and Operational Procedures. Through forward thinking, we have long embraced new technologies and are never ill-equipped or without a resource for someone who needs us, when they need us most. That’s why our community allows families and loved ones to schedule virtual visits and why our Senior Lifestyle Counselors offer virtual tours.
That’s why we are still accepting new residents. Call us to speak with a Senior Lifestyle Counselor or schedule a virtual tour to find out how we can help today. Prices, plans and programs are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Owned and operated by Discovery Senior Living. Void where prohibited by law. Assisted Living Facility License #9439. ©2020, Discovery Senior Living, AGSSC-AGCY-0027 5/20
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