First Thursday Bridgeport Group
Latest September audio newsletter
Hello Everyone!
I hope to see all of you at our September 4th meeting at 1:00pm at our Bridgeport Rec Center location. This month is our luncheon meeting. This will be a social only with no guest speaker or entertainment so you may visit with each other during your lunch time. The Lake Sumter Lions Club will be serving the following lunch for a cost of $10. We will have hamburgers, calico beans, chocolate cake and sweet or unsweet iced tea. If you have not gotten your lunch ticket, please feel free to mail your check made out to the VIPs in care of:
Jean Hatten
17725 S. E. 84th Sheldon Terrace
The Villages, Fl. 32162
New Vision for Independence is now offering a new family and friends support group that’s going to be a phone/video service. For more information, please see Lisa Fisher at any of our meetings or call 352-607-7607.
ATTENTION All VIP Veterans and their veteran friends!
I am pleased to announce that our October 2nd VIP meeting guest speaker will be The Villages Honor Flight Program. This past May I had the distinct privilege of being a guardian to a veteran and going up to Washington, D.C. for the day. I have invited him as well as a Lake Sumter Lions member who also went up with us to come share their experience with us. Please show your support and come listen to their amazing stories.
2026 Cruise News
We are making plans for our next cruise on April 4th, 2026. It will be a seven-night cruise from Port Canaveral on board the Celebrity Apex with the following ports of call: Key West, Bimini, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos. There is still time for you to sign up so if you have not received an email from me please call if you are interested. 386-867-0284
Transportation news for Sumter County
If you are a Villages resident that lives in Sumter County, you may call 352-568-6683 for transportation assistance in and around Sumter County as well as transportation down to the New Vision for Independence offices in Leesburg.
Audiologist Dr. Rosier is now offering a mobile service that will come directly to your home for all your hearing testing. Please call her at 352-775-2554.
VIP T-Shirts
Are available for $10 and must be prepaid. Either see Frank Traina at our Bridgeport meetings or reach out to Maria at 210-602-8249 to place an order.
DID YOU KNOW? The Sumter County Sheriff’s Department offers a special sticker for those of us who are hard of hearing or deaf to be placed on the rear window of your vehicle to alert officers. Please reach out to them for more information.
Calendar of Events
September 4th: Monthly meeting
Bridgeport Rec Center 1:00pm
September 11th: Game day
Laurel Manor 1:00pm
September 15th: Monthly meeting
Ezell Rec Center 1:00pm
September 24th: Bowling at Fiesta
Bowl at 3:00pm
Lake Sumter Lions are collecting aluminum cans and old eyeglasses. If you have any that you would like to donate please bring them to our meetings.
Did you know we partner with New Vision for Independence and all of the resources that are available to us as visually impaired persons? They offer training in all areas for independent living as well as the opportunity to exercise with them over the phone or play games. Lisa will be coming to our meetings every month and is glad to assist us with any questions we may have. You can also reach her by calling the New Vision office at 352-607-7607.
FYI, New Vision has many used donated vision equipment to rehome. If you are looking for a particular item, please reach out to them at 352-607-7607.
Don’t forget to reach out to Caring Neighbors for a ride and to find out if your village is available. You can call Ann Bosler at 352-674-9022 or reach out to their website at
Thevillagescaringneighbors.com.
I would like to take this time to thank all of you who have supported our group by playing the 50/50 at our meetings. Those contributions help support our yearly Christmas luncheon as well as supply drinks for our meetings each month.
Don’t forget to check our website
villagesvip.org for all the latest news articles and guest speakers.
VIP Chairperson and leader of the Bridgeport meeting
386-867-0284
Third Monday Ezell Group
Most recent audio file right here!
Our next meeting is Monday, September 15th, at 1pm at the Ezell Recreation Center
Our speaker this month will be Jennifer Henson with Millhorn Elder Law Planning Group. Jennifer is a lawyer who practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, guardianship and family law. She has a wealth of information in these areas, including specifics to Florida law and any current changes.
We always want to remind you about all of the programs offered by New Visions for Independence. They are our go-to local agency for support. You can reach them at 352-607-7607. Or check out their website at www.newvisionfl.org.
Lisa Fisher with New Vision has been joining us every month and bringing us healthy snack suggestions, along with the latest information on what’s happening at New Vision.
Caring Neighbors has added additional Villages to their list of neighborhood groups that can help residents within those neighborhoods. Check out their website at www.thevillagescaringneighbors.com
The VIP Support Group provides the drinks at our meetings. If you are able, please bring a snack to share with your friends.
We appreciate your participation in the 50/50 drawings at both our Ezell and Bridgeport meetings. We do not charge dues and those contributions help support our VIP Support Group!
The October 2nd meeting at Bridgeport will have a guest speaker from the Villages Honor Flight Program.
In addition to the two monthly VIP meetings, there are other activities that you may be interested in.
VIP Game day is the second Thursday of each month at Laurel Manor 1pm. to 3pm.
VIP Bowling is the 4th Wednesday of each month at Fiesta Bowl in Spanish Springs at 2:30. They have changed our starting time so please arrive around 2:00 to 2:15. We meet at the other end of the bowling alley where Lane 1 is. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward. Contact Al Sessa: 908-812-6523 for more information.
We are making plans for our next cruise on April 4, 2026. It will be a seven-night cruise from Port Canaveral on board the Celebrity Apex with the following ports of call: Key West, Bimini, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos. There is still time for you to sign up so call Melinda Zeman at 386-867-0284 if you are interested.
If you are a Villages resident that lives in Sumter County, you may call 352-568-6683 for transportation assistance in and around Sumter County as well as transportation to the New Vision for Independence offices in Leesburg.
Audiologist Dr. Rosier is now offering a mobile service that will come directly to your home for all your hearing testing. Please call her at 352-775-2554
VIP T-Shirts are available for $10 and must be prepaid. Either see Frank Traina at our meetings or reach out to Maria at 210-602-8249 to place an order.
Hope to see you at Ezell, at the Monday, September 15th meeting.
Donna Evans, Leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586