The News of
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SUN CITY CENTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Sun City Center
November 2021
CA SCHEDULE
NOVEMBER 1 Board Workshop Rollins Theater - 9 a.m. Zoom ID: 892 2860 6236 Passcode: 203249 7 SCC 60th Birthday Ice Cream Social Community Hall – 1 to 4 p.m. 10 Board Meeting Rollins Theater – 9 a.m. Zoom ID: 814 3166 5292 Passcode: 397566 10 Meet the Candidates Community Hall – 3 p.m. 16 Club Leaders Meeting Florida Room – 10 a.m. Zoom ID: 854 1140 8646 Passcode: 613311 25 CA Office & Library Closed All facilities closed 26 CA Office & Library Closed Facilities open 29 Board Workshop Rollins Theater - 9 a.m. Zoom ID: 821 3775 2943 Passcode: 413962 30 Membership Vote Sandpiper Room – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. DECEMBER 1 Membership Vote Community Hall – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Agendas for the monthly Board Meetings will be posted on Official Bulletin Board in the Atrium the Friday before and on the CA website (www.suncitycenter.org – under “Residents” – Upcoming Meeting Agendas). They will also be sent via “What’s New in the CA” email.
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
Is it too hard for you to replace your lightbulb in your post lamp? Lamplighters may be able to help
Lamplighters
By Diane M. Loeffler As we age, we cannot do everything we did when we were younger. We may not have a landlord or a nearby relative to help us. Luckily, if we live in Sun City
Lamp continued on page CA 5.
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SCC Celebrates FallFest
By Diane M. Loeffler Here at Sun City Center, we love to get together to celebrate. On October 16, we were able to do that. We weren’t able to have FunFest in March 2020 or 2021 or “Hi, Neighbor!” in November 2020, so this year the community planned FallFest. Community Hall’s parking lot was full of cars and golf carts. People parked there and rode to Central Campus on one of the three buses provided by Aston Gardens. Many golf carts were parked in the field behind the Atrium’s back parking lot. This year the rows were labeled with letters of the alphabet making it easy to find your cart at the end of the day. Entering the Atrium from the west entrance, we were greeted by live music being played by the Organ and Keyboard club. We visited every room in the Atrium, the Arts and Crafts Building, the rooms near the pool, and every outdoor booth. Over sixty clubs participated. Some gave demonstrations, many offered “made in Sun City Center” items for sale, two gave opportunities to vote for our favorites, some had special items available through a raffle,
Historian John Bowker (right) and editor Bob Lochte (left) signed my copy of Sixty Years in Sun City Center. Linda Bowker (far left) looks on. (Photo: Diane Loeffler)
some had games with prizes, all offered information on joining. I took advantage of the opportunity to buy some items for the grandchildren and some for me including the book Sixty Years In Sun City Center. If you missed this opportunity to shop, clubs offer items for sale all year round, so check out
the club rooms for signs indicating the hours they are open. The Art Club tables were covered with original artwork for sale in the morning, but by afternoon, the tables were almost empty. Art Club member Lori Murray
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Be sure to check out our FallFest photo gallery on pages 16, 28, and 29.
Outdoor Concerts: How a Resident’s Initiative Became an Ongoing Event
By Diane M. Loeffler Are you one of the many Community Association (CA) residents who attend the outdoor concerts at the gazebo bandstand? Entertainment Director, Renee Bray, has been overseeing the events since 2018. Weather permitting, she schedules one per month from April through October. Have you ever wondered how the tradition of outdoor concerts got started? It all began with Dave Mohl. Dave’s wife Judy says, “Dave is a person who, when he sees a need, asks, ‘Can I do it?’ He doesn’t complain. He gets permission first and then does what needs to be done.” In 2010, Dave Mohl heard people talking about the great outdoor concerts held in The Villages. He decided to drive there and see them for himself. Upon returning he looked around and decided that the gazebo bandstand area would be a great location for concerts. He says, “There’s plenty of shade under the two giant live oak trees.” Mohl talked with the CA directors. They gave Mohl permission to try a couple of concerts. However, there wasn’t money in the budget for the concerts. Mohl paid $400 to have John Ridell, perform the first concert. Ridell was a Sinatra style singer who performed at Longboat Key’s Beach House restaurant. Mohl ran ads and encouraged his golfing buddies to attend. He “suggested people bring blankets and picnic baskets” and “got the CA to post signs on Pebble Beach.” Mohl says, “About 250 people attended, mostly in golf carts. The outdoor pool provided bathrooms and maintenance provided trash cans.” Mohl says he “acted as emcee and then passed out free programs and ice cream bars.” A month later, Ridell performed
Dave Mohl helped bring the Bandstand Concert series to SCC. (Photo courtesy Dave Mohl)
again. Winn Dixie provided water and ice cream bars. Mohl says, “The CA liked the results and agreed to hire and pay the future performers and promote these events.” The CA continues to provide bathrooms and trash can. They also have special insurance for the events. In addition, the CA makes sure there are supervisory and maintenance personnel near the venue during the performances. Eleven years later, the outdoor concerts continue to be popular. Recently, food trucks have been on site during the performances, so those attending the
concerts have been able to enjoy cold treats, sandwiches, beverages and other offerings. If you haven’t already attended one of these free CA events, you are missing a great opportunity to listen to great live music and, perhaps, dance. If you know someone who you would like to perform, contact Renee Bray by phone 813-633-3500 or email “entertainment@suncitycenter.org”. Dave Mohl is a great example for us all. The former Tennis Association President saw needs and stepped up to solve them. In addition to the concerts,
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