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August 2010
Their Pickin’ Leaves Us All Grinnin’ By NOKP Staff David Lickfeldt steps to the microphone. He leans in, rosy cheeked and smiling. “Hey everyone, it’s the Front Porch Pickers!” Suddenly the room comes alive, hands start clapping and toes start tapping in anticipation of the music. It is an appreciative audience who has obviously been here before. A split second later the music starts, hillbilly tunes that might, at first, seem anachronistic coming from the Atrium Building in Sun City Center. But step inside and the energy will sweep you away. The Front Porch Pickers are a community treasure, a family of 35 or so pickers and grinners plucking and strumming guitars – acoustic, electric and steel – as well as banjos, mandolins and even a standup double bass. So popular are the Pickers that even a rehearsal, such as the one we visited today, draws a significant crowd. That was not always the case.
When he moved to Florida from the hills of Pennsylvania, Ike McClosky immediately looked for other folks who enjoyed making music, specifically down-home hillbilly music. He came across a harmonica club and joined right up. One complication: Ike’s guitar made a funny-looking harmonica. Ike played on. Then, one day, Ike met Ray Kelly, Virginian with the same love for mountain music. A few months later they were joined by mandolin player, Ken Ward. Word spread and the trio became a quartet and continued to grow. Soon, appreciative music lovers were showing up for the practice. The Front Porch Pickers was born. Pickers and grinners were coming out of the woodwork to hear what Randy Owen of the country superstars, Alabama, calls: “the music Grandma and Grandpa used to play.” While none of the Front Porch Pickers voluntarily claim Randy,
David Lickfeldt, Les Pollard, Jim Spencer and Ed Watson get ready to jam
many are grandparents and they are all keen to pass their love of music on to anyone. Their practices are upbeat, lively and open to the public. And their motivation is pure love for the music. “There is nothing
better than music,” says Les Pollard, “Especially when you are playing it with such a loving and accepting group as this one.” Picker, jokester and de facto Pickin’ to Page 2
Finding Purpose by Building a Stronger Community By NOKP Staff “He did not leave him as he found him.” It is a simple statement drawn from a familiar story, but it is a life calling and rallying cry for Rev. William Cruz, a second generation minister and community builder. “That’s from Luke 10. The story of the Good Samaritan, but it’s really the story of the Good Neighbor.” Bill pauses almost as if watching the scene unfold before him, “He saw a person in need, beat up and half dead, and did not pass him by. He picked him up from where he was, bandaged his wounds and took him to a better place.” Bill and his staff at the Good Samaritan Mission see this scene play out in stark reality each and every day. Simple acts of service and a vision of staggering magnitude carried out with the casual air of neighbors helping to build a community. People accomplishing miracles every day by simply being “neighborly.” The Mission is also a legacy.
Inside
Bill and Kathy appreciate Kings Point’s generosity
Bill’s parents, William and Dora passed their passion and purpose on to their son and his wife, Theresa, in 2008. At that time, GSM had been providing food, clothing and care for those in need for over 24 years. Countless lives had been impacted. Many would look at the ministry and think: “mission
accomplished.” But Cruz and his staff challenged themselves further: “How can we have a deeper impact? How can we be even more neighborly?” The Good Samaritans decided to do what they could to meet people where they were and committed to move them to a Finding’ to Page 5
Crossword .................... 21 ? For Catherine .............. 7 Jim & Nell Taze CARE ............................... 8 33573.........13, 14, 15 & 16 Contract Bridge ........... 21 Just Ask Anne................. 9 Dixon’s .......................... 17 Sudoku .......................... 21 Horticulture Column Day Trips Golf .......................10 & 11 Bulletin ..................18 & 19 Horoscopes .................. 23 Solutions to Puzzles ...... 23
Volunteers from The View Church painted these picture frames in the children’s area
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