First Thursday Bridgeport Group
The most recent February audio newsletter is right here!
Hello, this is Rita Labarbara on behalf of VIP chair Melinda Zeman
I’m looking for the lovers that have been together the longest! If you think you may qualify, wear red or pink to the meeting and raise your hand you’ll be able to win a $5 Publix gift card.
March will be our luncheon at Bridgeport. The menu will be, hot dogs, potato chips, and a dessert, the cost will be $10.00, you may purchase your tickets at the February meeting or by mail made out to VIP and care of Jean Hatten at:
17725 Southeast 84th Sheldon Terrace
The Villages Florida 32162
No later than February the 26th
Attention!
Until further notice, all VIP game day meetings held on the second Thursday of every month at Laurel Manor at 1:00 p.m. will be on pause starting immediately due
to poor attendance, I have decided to put it on pause and see who is truly interested in joining us for game day. If you would like to let me know please call me at 386-867-0284.
DID YOU KNOW?
There are several of the VIPs that play bingo online with new vision for Independence every Thursday. If you are interested in joining us please reach out to Lisa Fisher at the meeting or call the new vision for Independence office. This past Thursday we had the first EVER trifecta where three of the members, Sandy, Madeline and yours truly won on the same bingo game! It was so much fun!
Our bright orange VIP t-shirts are available for sale for $10 each at every meeting. Show your support by wearing them to all events.
Check out an audio version of our flyer for the February 28th Vision Expo, you will find it on our website’s front page at www.villagesvip.org
Also I am happy to report that new vision for Independence now has a audio version in their email of their weekly report.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for February 28th for our yearly vision Expo held at Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. you won’t want to miss this we have wonderful guest speakers from University of Florida, as well as New Vision for Independence and the VA of Central Florida, plus many vendors will be there to help you with all Vision supplies.
I encourage you all to check out the
Be my eyes website for the latest in innovation for the low vision and blind. They have some wonderful exciting articles that are worth listening to. You can reach them at bemyeyes.com
Transportation news for Sumter County
If you are a village 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.
Attention all golfers, the Lake Sumter lions have a program that meets on the second Saturday of every month at El Santiago Golf Course at 1:00 p.m.
If you are interested please reach out to Bill Sheehan His phone # is 630-632-3682 and his email is w.sheahan@icloud.com. Interested golfers can phone, text or email him. They should know that this is for previous golfers who have subsequently had vision problems; we don’t have the expertise to train new golfers or to provide equipment.
Calendar of events
February 5th
Meeting at Bridgeport 1:00 p.m.
February 16th
General meeting at Ezell Regional Recreation Center 1:00 pm
February 25th
Bowling at Fiesta Bowl 3 pm
February 28th
Vision Expo
Eisenhower Regional Center
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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 for Independence at 352 607-7607.
2026 large print calendars are available!
Please see Lisa at all General meetings and if you’d like to order one you can call their main office at 352-607-7607 they’re $10 a piece.
FYI, New Vision has many used donated pieces of visual equipment that they are looking to rehome. If you are looking for a particular item, please reach out to them.
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 The Villagescaring Neighbors.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.
Thank you to all that bring a healthy snack to our general meetings, you’re 50/50 donations contribute to our beverages as well as other purchases such as t-shirts, crowns and all kinds of fun stuff!
Melinda Zeman
VIP chairperson and leader of the Bridgeport meeting
386 867 0284
Zemanzoo@gmail.com
Third Monday Ezell Group
Most recent audio newsletter didn’t get emailed. But here is a brief announcement for January 19.
The next Villages VIP meeting at Ezell Rec Center is right around the corner. It is this Monday at 1 PM till 2:30. This meeting is sharing experiences, a bit about our favorite BARD audio books. Plus we always get nutrition advice from Lisa Fisher from New Vision.
Don’t forget about the Vision Expo on February 28 at Eisenhower Rec Center! You can find all the details on the website.
The balance is repeated recurring announcements from earlier…
The Vision Awareness Expo is only a month away. It’s the 30th year and it will be bigger and better than ever. Remember your VIP Support Group along with the VA Veterans Health Care System Visual Impairment Service Team are the sponsors. The date is Saturday, February 28th from 9:45 to 2:30 at the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center. You don’t want to miss it, so make sure to mark the date on your calendar. The Expo opens at 10 with Dr Sonal Tuli, the head of Ophthalmology at UF, and colleagues, speaking on eye diseases and advances in vision care. The exhibit hall opens at 10:45. There will be service and support agencies, low vision aid providers and ophthalmology practices in the hall for you to visit. At 11:30 New Vision will be speaking about their services, and at 12:30 Gabino Lares, the Event Director, will speak about the Blind Rehabilitation services offered to Veterans with a visual impairment. So again, make sure to mark your calendar so you won’t miss it.
You can check out an audio version of our flyer for the 2026 Vision Awareness Expo on the front page of our website: www.villagesvip.org
We always want to remind you about all of the programs offered by New Vision 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.
You are encouraged to check out the Be My Eyes website @ www.bemyeyes.com. They have some wonderful exciting articles that are worth listening to.
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!
In addition to the monthly VIP meetings, there are other activities that you may be interested in.
VIP Game day is the second Thursday of each month is cancelled for awhile due to low attendance.
VIP Bowling is the third Wednesday each month, at Fiesta Bowl in Spanish Springs @ 3pm. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward. Contact Al Sessa: 908-812-6523 for more information.
The Lake Sumter Lions have a golf program that meets on the second Saturday of each month at El Santiago golf course at 1:00. If you are interested please reach out to Bill Sheehan at 630-632-3682 or w.sheahan@icloud.com. This activity is only for existing golfers. They do not have the expertise to train new golfers.
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 you home for all your hearing testing. Please call her at 352-775-2554
VIP T-Shirts are available for $10. Either see Frank Traina at our Ezell meeting or Melinda at the Bridgeport meeting.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586