FallFest October 16: Don’t miss it!

FallFest October 16: Don’t miss it!

FallFest October 16: Don’t miss it!

Entertainment, Food, Art, Shopping, and a Health Fair               

By Diane M. Loeffler

Rain or shine, FallFest will take place on October 16. The day will begin at the gazebo with opening remarks, the flag raising, the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. The rest of the day will be similar to our traditional March FunFest with entertainment, food, club sales, vendors and a health fair. Participants include 74 clubs and organizations, 12 businesses, a bloodmobile, and health care services.

Where to Park

Car and golf cart drivers are encouraged to park by Community Hall (1910 S. Pebble Beach Boulevard). Aston Gardens will be providing three buses to take you from the Community Hall Parking Lot on South Pebble Beach to the Community Association Administration Building on North Pebble Beach.

Park at Community Hall and one of the three buses provided by Aston Gardens will take you to the parking lot in front of the Community Association Administration Building. Driver Jerry Crabb has driven buses for Aston Gardens for 20 years.

Three buses will run continuously from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. These buses are handicapped accessible. Each air conditioned bus has 24 comfortable seats plus two places for wheelchairs. Remember: the parking lots in and near North Pebble Beach and Cherry Hills will all be closed. There will be no car parking available near North Campus. For safety reasons, no one should park along the nearby streets.

Golf carts may also opt to park in the fields behind the Atrium Building’s parking lot. This is where the temporary offices once stood. Be sure to remember where you park.

Look For

Information booths will be set up at the CA Office where the buses drop you off, at the end of the Pottery Wheel Building, along Cherry Hills Drive, and inside the Atrium Building. Volunteers will give you maps with schedules and answer your questions. The booth near the Pottery Wheel Building will also be the lost and found (people and items) area during the festival.

You will see men and women wearing bright orange shirts or jackets. These HAM radio operators will help you if you are lost or if you are looking for someone who is lost.

What to Bring

Bring your appetite, your shopping list, some cash, masks, and your cell phone. The following items are on the menu: breakfast sandwiches, sloppy joe’s, hot dogs, Italian sausage, potato salad, beans, apple and cherry pies (with ice cream and toppings), BBQ chicken sandwiches, grilled pork chops, homemade cookies, homemade brownies, burgers, chips, beverages and popcorn. Just in case the menu changes or clubs run out of your favorites, have alternatives in mind. Popcorn will be sold near the gazebo, the other items in the parking areas near Rollins Theater.

FallFest will be an opportunity to buy some genuine “made in Sun City Center” items created by your talented friends and neighbors. You will also be able to buy gift baskets and other items. Shop locally to get great deals while supporting clubs. Many clubs donate all or a portion of their revenues to area charities. Feeling lucky? There will be many chances to purchase lottery tickets for all sorts of items.

Masks are requested for when you are inside buildings. When indoors, you may find you are rather close to other people, especially when you are at the health fair.

You might want to take photos of those in your party with your phone. Should one of you get lost or separated from the others, you can show your phone’s photos to the radio club men and women (wearing bright orange). It is much easier for them to reunite people when they can see exactly what the individual is wearing that day.

What NOT to bring

Leave your pets at home unless they are certified service dogs. Also, do not bring bicycles near the venue area. Leave them at home or near Community Hall.

Health Fair

Stop by the Horizon Room to talk to companies and individuals offering health care services. One new service is flu shots. Walgreens will be providing up to 100 of them. You can walk through the Horizon Room to the parking lot where a Bloodmobile will welcome anyone willing and able to donate blood.

Festival guests clapping and singing along with Bill “Elvis” Lindsay at a previous FunFest (News file photo).

Entertainment

There are six places providing entertainment. The gazebo will be the site for the opening ceremonies beginning at 9 a.m. Starting at 9:15, go to the Florida room for presentations or performances by Southeastern Guide Dogs, the Women’s Chorus, Par for the Chorus and Wonders of Nature.

The Dance Studio will start with Cloggersizers at 9:30 followed by Let’s Dance Ballroom Dancers, Jazzmatazz, and West Coast Swing and Country Dance. The Main Tent will be set up near the Arts and Crafts Building on Cherry Hills Drive. At 9:30, Razzmatazz (a ventriloquist) will perform as well as the Dukes, Bill “Elvis” Lindsay with Kevin Brooks, and Nunez at Night. The Rollins Theater will feature the Front Porch Pickers at 11 and 12. The Swim Dancers will perform at the indoor pool from 11:30 to 11:50.

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FunFest 2019: SCC Celebrates Spring

FunFest 2019: SCC Celebrates Spring

FunFest 2019: SCC Celebrates Spring      

By Diane M. Loeffler

 

We were all nervously watching the sky on March 16. Thankfully, the early morning shower ceased well before the 9 a.m. opening ceremony, and the rest of the day was rain free. FunFest Chairman, Dave Birkett, welcomed us, followed by Jim Haney raising the flag, Salvina Tannenholz singing the National Album, and Uta Kuhn leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tai Chi was already underway at 9 a.m. Soon after, the Dukes began performing in the main tent, and German American Club Singers sang in Rollins Theater. By 10, the entertainment was in full swing with The Women’s Chorus, Gals & Guys Productions, and Non-Impact Aerobics followed by 3Dom, Jazzmatazz, The Men’s Chorus, Par for the Chorus, Latin Fitness Dance, Solo Line Dance, Front Porch Pickers, Kevin Brooks, Swim Dancers, the Wonders of Nature and Bill “Elvis” Lindsay. The performances were amazing. Who knew that there are so many talented people in Sun City Center and the surrounding area?

Clubs offered a wide assortment of “made in Sun City Center” treasures for sale: greeting cards, ceramics, woodworking, pottery, shell creations, fused glass, stained glass, plants, and needlecraft items. The Weavers Club were weaving baby blankets for the Shriners Children’s Hospital throughout the day. Joe Kanoza painted a gorgeous seaside scene with oil paint as he sat near the pool. Potters worked clay into bowls on their wheels. Stained glass artisans welded glass together. Everywhere you looked, someone was creating something amazing.

If you love taking a chance on raffle items, this was heaven for you. The baskets and package deals were better than ever and included gift cards, lottery tickets, spa packages, artwork, special event tickets and everything in between. Artwork was on display in several areas. The photography club has professionals judge their work quarterly, but on March 16, it was a “People’s Choice” day. Anyone who came to view the pictures could vote on the three they liked the best.

The smell of cookies baking and meat on the grill permeated the air. These were just a few of the many tasty options. James Crist volunteered two hours of his day to serving coffee and cookies at the Shuffleboard booth before sitting down to eat. Crist says, “FunFest keeps growing a bit more each year. More good food to eat.” Ken Mertens especially enjoyed the breakfast sausage and cheese on a croissant. Carol Zeller says, “The apple pie was delicious.” Looking around the tables crowded with happy diners, it was obvious that people were enjoying their food.

Judy Pember recently moved here from Portland, Oregon. She says, “This is our first FunFest and it’s fun, very fun.” Community Association Director Larry Smith says, “What a wonderful day. My fourth in a row. Excellent turnout. I want to say thank you to the 36 people who volunteered to hand out programs and information.”

Thank you, sponsors, clubs, performers, artists, hobbyists, and attendees.

You made this a wonderful day.

 

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In this issue… Have some Pool Party fun, celebrate with the History Society, register for the Active Life Games, see why local volunteers rock, go Trail Blazing, learn why a local fire chief received a lifetime honor, support Adaptive Sports,...

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In this issue… Relive the fun of the Pancake Breakfast and the Pool Party, make some Community and Family Connections, see how local Sew’n Sews are helping our community, get Shell Craftin’, celebrate the music of Bob Dylan with the Pickers,...

July 2023 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

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In this issue… Enjoy the artistry of some local green thumbs, be sure not to miss the July 4th Breakfast and Family Fun Day, explore the art of Quilling (not Quilting), take a Smooth Ride down Del Webb, hear about Master Plans, high five some...

June 2023 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

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In this issue… Save the Date for the July 4 community breakfast, applaud student excellence at HCC SouthShore, see how Rotary is helping feed the community, relive Earth Day, celebrate national acclaim for our lawn bowlers, enjoy Music on the...

May 2023 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

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In this issue… Learn about the Moffitt Cancer Center kickoff, get an update on the Waterset Sports Complex, improve your green thumb with the Tillers and Toilers and the Elegant Gardeners, sail with the Cygnet Yacht Club, save the date for the...

April 2023 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

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In this issue… Explore the myriad of opportunities in the community through FunFest, marvel at the wonders created for the Stained Glass Show, swashbuckle with the History Society, save the date for shredding day, catch up with the Long Range...

The April 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The April 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue…

Celebrate spring at FunFest, learn SCC history, get up-to-date information about local growth, see the new and improved Tampa Airport, go behind the scenes at Sun’n Fun, get to know the Front Porch Pickers, explore ‘Fascinating Havana,’ protect yourself from fraud, see how SCC residents contribute to the Florida State Fair, meet a local creative person, and don’t miss the Veteran and Spouse information fair.

 

And be sure to…

Check out the SCC Bulletin, Kings Point, Community News, Dance, Military News, Faith & Service, Performing Arts, Sports, Travel, and South County Events sections to help you plan your month. And travel with your friends and neighbors who took The News around the world.

 

Read the April 2019 issue

 

Come to FunFest on March 16    

Come to FunFest on March 16    

Come to FunFest on March 16       

By Diane M. Loeffler

 

Come to FunFest for a day of food, entertainment, shopping, prizes and a health fair! The day begins at 9 a.m. with the flag raising, Pledge, National Anthem, and opening remarks.

 

Getting There

Drive your car to Community Hall at 1910 South Pebble Beach Boulevard and take one of Aston Gardens comfortable, handicapped-accessible buses to north campus. Buses will begin running at 8:30 in the morning and run until 2:30 in the afternoon. The bus will get you closer to the action than you can get to any other way.

Prefer coming by cart or bike? Parking will be in the same place as last year, the fields behind the parking areas north of the Atrium Building. As always, there will be parking attendants. This year the rows will be labeled to make it easier to find your bike or cart afterwards.

Streets and parking lots will be blocked off beginning the evening of Friday, March 15. The parking lot that is reached via North Course Road will be reserved for the Eye Associates’ Eye Mobile Bus, One Blood and other vehicles associated with the festival. The Arts and Crafts parking lot will be for the use of the entertainers.

Have a pet? Unless your four-legged friend is a certified service animal, please leave him or her at home.

 

Entertainment

Stop by the information tables for the FunFest map and schedule. These tables will be located near the bus stop, next to the Pottery Wheel Club, along Cherry Hills, and at the Club Kiosk in the Atrium.

This year you can see the entertainers you have enjoyed in the past, and some new acts as well. Elvis, Kevin and the Dukes will be back. 3Dom will be there as well. If you have gone to Circles on Saturdays, you may have heard 3Dom perform at that restaurant. You may also have enjoyed 3Dom when they entertained at the CA Gazebo. The Wonders of Nature program is among those outside groups returning to inform and entertain us this year.

Fourteen CA clubs are providing entertainment this year including the Swim Dancers, many of our wonderful vocal groups, dance classes and exercise groups. See how talented your friends and neighbors are. Maybe you can even learn how to join their groups. Of course, it wouldn’t be an event without The Front Porch Pickers. You can count on them putting a smile on your face again this year.

 

Health Fair

Be sure to stop by the Health Fair. It will be located in the Caper and Horizon Rooms in the Atrium. You will learn so much about your health and what you can do to maintain it.

During the fair, you can receive a diabetes screening consisting of measuring your BMI (Body Mass Index) and blood draws for cholesterol screenings. You can have your blood pressure, your skin and your veins checked. You can find out about DNA cancer testing from one organization or have the test done (a mouth swab) from another. Proof of your Medicare card will be necessary before the swabbing.

Have your balance assessed and your walking assistance devices tested for safety. Learn about new hearing aid technology, insurance options, prostate cancer, Lifeline, hearing loss, as well as organ and tissue donations.  If you step outside you will see two buses. In one bus, vision screenings including distance and glaucoma checks will be offered at no cost. In the other bus, you will have the opportunity to donate blood.

 

Shopping and Prizes

Stop by the club rooms. These spaces will be full of items to purchase. Most clubs also sell chances to win some of their best and most unique creations. Many clubs will be demonstrating their craft. There will also be vendors selling their wares.

 

Food

If being out in the fresh air and taking part in all of the activities doesn’t make you hungry enough, the wonderful food aromas wafting around on March 16 certainly will. The assortment of foods available can allow you to eat breakfast, lunch and snacks without ever repeating a menu item. Menus are tentative at the time of publication, so decide on a few favorites to choose between. Here is the mouthwatering list: scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches, sausage, bacon, pretzels, Elite Donut donuts, brats, Italian sausage, beans, potato salad, hotdogs, cookies, apple pie, cherry pie, strawberry shortcake, pork chops, chicken sandwiches, Polish sausage with kraut, ice cream bars, popcorn, chips and beverages.

See you on March 16!