First Thursday Bridgeport Group
The most recent November audio newsletter is right here! Added October 28.
Hello everyone !
I hope to see all of you at our November 6th meeting at 1:00 p.m. at our Bridgeport Recreation Center. This month’s guest speaker will be TLC which stands for Transition Life Consultants. They are comprised of more than 20 plus volunteers with experience in mental health counseling, marriage and family matters. This month’s topic is WHERE DID I PUT THAT?
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON CANCELED
We are sorry to announce that due to a unforeseen air conditioning replacement for Bridgeport Recreation Center, they will be closed from November 24th through December 30th. We just received the notice this weekend, and unfortunately there are no other venues available for us to use near Bridgeport,
HOWEVER,
we are inviting all the VIPS to join the Holiday Luncheon and Bingo on December 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the Ezell Regional Recreation Center. They will be serving Publix subs, potato chips drinks and please bring a dessert. Seating is limited so please reach out to Donna Evans at 352 391 4586 to reserve a spot. They are asking for a $3 to $5 donation.
DID YOU KNOW?
Target just announced that they are starting to have self checkout especially made for low vision and blind people. That is great news! Right now they’re in the Midwest testing it out, but hopefully it’ll be in our area soon.
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.
Audio descriptive for the movies
Don’t forget to ask for audio descriptive headphones whenever you go to the movies. They are a big help to those of us that cannot see clearly, they fill in a lot of blanks for us.
2026 Cruise News
Come join us on December 11th at Lake Miona Regional Center for a meet and greet for this year’s Cruise as well as planning next year’s Cruise
If you have any questions, please call me at 386-867-0284
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
November 6th
Monthly meeting at Bridgeport 1:00 p.m.
November 13th
TURKEY TROT BINGO
Please bring a $5 gift card or item
Dessert and refreshments will be served!
Game day 1:00 p.m. Laurel Manor
November 17th
Meeting at Ezell Regional Recreation Center 1pm
November 19th
Bowling at Fiesta Bowl 3 pm
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.
Here is a list of their upcoming events
November 25th Thanksgiving luncheon 11 to 2:00 at the Christ United Methodist Church in Leesburg
December 10th Client Christmas Party from 10:00 to 12:00 in Leesburg Library.
Please consider joining them for all of these special activities by calling 352 607-7607.
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.
Check our website villagesvip.org for all the latest news articles and guest speakers.
Melinda Zeman
VIP chairperson and leader of the Bridgeport meeting
386 867 0284
Zemanzoo@gmail.com
Third Monday Ezell Group
Most recent audio newsletter is right here!For October. Too soon for November.
Our next meeting is Monday, October 20th, at 1pm at the Ezell Recreation Center
This month we going to socialize, have fun and play games. Don’t miss out.
As a reminder, next month, November 17th, our program will be provided by Community Watch.
And in December, on the 15th, it is our Holiday lunch and Bingo.
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.
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 next meeting at Bridgeport will be Thursday, November 6th. Remember all VIPs are welcome to attend either or both monthly meetings.
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 3.00. 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.
The next Giving Club Showcase will be held on October 25th from 10 to 2 at Everglades recreation center. It’s a great way to come out and see all the different clubs and organizations that give back to our community. The VIP group will be there so come by and say hi!.
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 you 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, October 20th meeting.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586