Blossoms of Asia at Selby Gardens

Blossoms of Asia at Selby Gardens

Blossoms of Asia at Selby Gardens

By Kai Rambow

 

Stunningly beautiful with seemingly infinite varieties, orchids fascinate even people who don’t pay much attention to flowers.  Selby Gardens does a tremendous job of creating thematic displays showcasing orchids.

Blossoms of Asia showcases Asian orchids in a Japanese inspired setting in the conservatory.  Note: The bamboo and many other materials were harvested on the grounds. The beauty of the flowers is intoxicating; the calming effect of the Zen-like landscape garden is relaxing. It’s a wonderful, ascetic combination.

The Payne Mansion, once again, hosts part of the exhibition. Fabulously colored pages from old botanical reference guides are displayed.  Resplendent Japanese woodblock prints and paintings on vellum are also visually entrancing.  This should be of particular interest to any artists or craft enthusiasts.  Tip: Recommend catching a docent led tour in the mansion to learn more about the displays here.

Selby Gardens is a worthwhile destination and an especially rewarding one during their special themed displays. Blossoms of Asia runs until December 1.

Trip Tip: Mornings and weekdays should give you cooler temperatures and fewer people.  An early time will also give you the opportunity to revisit your favorite display before leaving.

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

The annual Christmas in July event for SouthShore area children, held on Saturday, July 13, involved multiple area nonprofits and high school students to coordinate this huge, successful event. Over 100 kids of all ages and their parents came to celebrate...

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What's That? By Paula Lickfeldt   You may have noticed little "book boxes" taking up residence around Sun City Center. What are they?  Where did they come from? Let’s find out! Todd Bol decided he wanted to honor his mother, who had been a...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”

By Bob Sanchez

 

Hundreds of residents poured into Community Hall for “Hi, Neighbor!” on November 7, when representatives from 94 clubs and organizations welcomed them with smiles, colorful displays and great reasons to join their clubs. At the Sunsations Dance table, Susan Seipelt’s reaction was typical. Her club gave out plenty of fliers, she said, expressing optimism about attracting new members.

“This was one of our most successful events,” said Hospitality Chairman Janet Ditmore, who has organized ‘Hi, Neighbor!” for the last seven years. She mailed close to 400 invitations to SCC residents who bought homes here within the last year and estimated that over 800 people attended. Once again, Aston Gardens generously donated their fresh-baked cookies, while the Sun City Center Line Dance Club served refreshments under the supervision of Information Center volunteer Dorothy Kociban.  She credits other volunteers from the Information Center for contributing to the evening’s success, as well as a crew led by Bob Sullivan who kept traffic moving in the parking lot. 

Ditmore also offered thanks for “the cooperation of the attending club volunteers and the hard work of the SCC maintenance crew and our CA office liaison, Claudia Hinson.” 

 

*Photos by Bob Sanchez and Kai Rambow

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

The annual Christmas in July event for SouthShore area children, held on Saturday, July 13, involved multiple area nonprofits and high school students to coordinate this huge, successful event. Over 100 kids of all ages and their parents came to celebrate...

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What's That? By Paula Lickfeldt   You may have noticed little "book boxes" taking up residence around Sun City Center. What are they?  Where did they come from? Let’s find out! Todd Bol decided he wanted to honor his mother, who had been a...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart Parade

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart Parade

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart Parade

By Bob Sanchez

 

Mark your calendars for the Home for the Holidays Golf Cart Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 14. CA Director Larry Smith, the event coordinator, says that residents from Sun City Center, Kings Point, and Freedom Plaza are all welcome to decorate their golf carts and join in the fun. Entrants may be individuals or groups, including clubs, service organizations, HOA’s and businesses.

Over $1,000 in prizes will be awarded. There’s no cost to enter, and all entries have a chance to win. To participate, pick up an entry form at the front desk of the CA office and turn it in on December 9.

 

PHOTO: Drone photo by John Wakeman (News File Photo).

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

The annual Christmas in July event for SouthShore area children, held on Saturday, July 13, involved multiple area nonprofits and high school students to coordinate this huge, successful event. Over 100 kids of all ages and their parents came to celebrate...

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What's That? By Paula Lickfeldt   You may have noticed little "book boxes" taking up residence around Sun City Center. What are they?  Where did they come from? Let’s find out! Todd Bol decided he wanted to honor his mother, who had been a...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Kings Point Arts & Crafts Fair – Nov. 9

Kings Point Arts & Crafts Fair – Nov. 9

Kings Point Arts & Crafts Fair – Nov. 9

November 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Free to attend! Kings Point North Clubhouse, 1900 Clubhouse Drive. Kings Point and SCC Area residents welcome. Items for sale will include: pottery, jewelry, quilts, ceramics, fine art, knits, holiday items, wood projects, stain glass art, and much more!

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

The annual Christmas in July event for SouthShore area children, held on Saturday, July 13, involved multiple area nonprofits and high school students to coordinate this huge, successful event. Over 100 kids of all ages and their parents came to celebrate...

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What's That? By Paula Lickfeldt   You may have noticed little "book boxes" taking up residence around Sun City Center. What are they?  Where did they come from? Let’s find out! Todd Bol decided he wanted to honor his mother, who had been a...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Fun Train Robbery?

Fun Train Robbery?

Fun Train Robbery?

By Kai Rambow

 

There was a lull in the shooting; both sides were out of bullets. “Keep talking while I’m reloading,” instructed the sheriff to the bad guy. This is just one of the fun moments during the Hole in the Head Gang – Train Robbery.

The Florida Railroad Museum has a knack for not just taking passengers on a train ride, but creating memorable experiences.  Adults were just as enthused, maybe more so, than kids to get their picture taken with a cast of characters.

The first set of dates will be at the end of this month.  Events at the Railroad Museum are very popular and sell out quickly.  So, if you’d like to do this, get your tickets early.

 

Hole in the Head Gang Train Robbery

November 30, December 1

Florida Railroad Museum

12210 83rd Street East

Parrish, FL 

(941) 776-0906

www.frrm.org 

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

Christmas in July Community Event a Success

The annual Christmas in July event for SouthShore area children, held on Saturday, July 13, involved multiple area nonprofits and high school students to coordinate this huge, successful event. Over 100 kids of all ages and their parents came to celebrate...

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What’s That?

Book Nook, What's That? By Paula Lickfeldt   You may have noticed little "book boxes" taking up residence around Sun City Center. What are they?  Where did they come from? Let’s find out! Todd Bol decided he wanted to honor his mother, who had been a...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...