First Thursday Bridgeport Group
Hello Everyone and welcome to our December newsletter.
Audio file also available
Dear Members,
What a year this has been! Can’t believe that it went by as fast as it did, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The meetings, all our new members as well as seeing our snowbirds come back. We started off this year with a lot of new innovations such as the addition of audio in our newsletters, a second meeting per month down at Ezell Regional Recreation Center, the creation of our new website villagesvip.org, some great speakers and most of all our wonderful members and helpers that have made this a great group of people. I can’t wait to see what next year brings us.
Till then, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year
Your VIP Chairperson
Melinda Zeman
I hope to see all of you at our December 5th meeting, 1:00 pm at our Bridgeport Recreation Center location. It will be our holiday luncheon as well as entertainment by the Tight Genes. If you have not paid for your lunch, you have until 11/28/2024 to get your payment to Jean Hatten.
CALLING ALL BINGO PLAYERS
We will be having a holiday bingo on our game day on December 12th, 1:00 pm at Laurel Manor. We will have a surprise guest caller over the phone. Please bring a dessert such as cookies to share as well as a $5 gift with you.
VIP Bowling
Due to the Christmas holiday our monthly bowling date has been changed to Wednesday December 18th at 3:00 pm at Fiesta Bowl.
CALLING ALL CRUISERS
On January 9th we will have a meet and greet for all those who are joining us on the March cruise. Please plan on coming to Laurel Manor at 1:00 pm. This will give us a chance to meet each other prior to the cruise. We are also signing up for the bus transportation at that date.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec. 5th: Holiday luncheon Bridgeport Rec Center @ 1:00 pm
Dec.12th: Christmas Bingo Laurel Manor
@3:00pm
Dec.16th: Meeting at Ezell Rec Center @1:00pm
Dec.18th: Bowling at Fiesta Bowl @3:00
CRUISE NEWS 2025
Our cruise is open to all VIPs, family and friends. If you are interested in joining us on our 7 night cruise on the Celebrity Equinox leaving Port Canaveral on March 22nd and returning on March 29th please reach out to me either by email at zemanzoo@gmail.com or by calling or texting me at 386-867-0284.
Eastport Lions is working on a game day for VIP South. We now have large bingo cards! Stay tuned and Happy Holidays from Lion Charlie.
If you are interested in golfing with the Lions please call John Thompson at 352-259-6104.
The 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.
You will now have a monthly chance to win a $5 Publix card by playing “Name That Tune” at the beginning of each regular meeting.
Did you know that 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. Erica comes to our meetings every month and is glad to assist us with any questions you may have. You can also reach her by calling the New Vision office at 352-607-7607. Starting in January Lisa from New Vision will be visiting us on a monthly basis with mini classes of healthy eating. We are so excited to be able to partner with them!
Don’t forget that if you should miss a meeting with a guest speaker they are available in audio on our website. Please check us out at villagesvip.org.
Thanks and hope to see you at our holiday party!
Melinda Zeman, VIP Chairperson and Leader of the Bridgeport Meetings
Email: zemanzoo@gmail.com
Phone/Text: 386-867-0284
Third Monday Ezell Group
Audio file also available
November Newsletter
All VIP’s and their companions are welcome to join us for the Visually Impaired Persons Support Group meeting on Monday, November 18th at the Ezell Recreation Center across from Sawgrass Grove. Doors open at 1pm and the meetings are over at 2:30pm.
If you can, please bring a snack to share. We will provide the drinks.
This month we are pleased to have Dr. John Randolph from the Center for Retina and Macular Disease. We have enjoyed having Dr. Randolph in past meetings. He brings us information on recent happenings in the field, and is always willing to allow time for questions and answers.
Our friends from The Eastport Lions Club are moving forward with the details to offer games for VIP’s and other activities in the very near future. Thank you Eastport Lions for your support and active involvement with the VIP Ezell meeting!
We 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
Caring Neighbors has added additional Villages to their list that can help residents within those neighborhoods.
Check their website www.thevillagescaringneighbors.com
Remember the VIP Group has two meetings each month, Ezell and Bridgeport. We appreciate your participation in the 50/50 drawings at both our meetings. It’s a great way to financially support the VIP Support Group!
There will be a Holiday Luncheon at the December Bridgeport meeting on Thursday December 5th. The menu will consist of pulled pork and beef brisket, along with corn casserole, macaroni and cheese, plus cornbread, a special dessert and a beverage, all for the price of $15 per person. If you are not able to make a reservation at our November meetings, you can mail a check made out to VIP to Jean Hatten at 17725 Southeast 84th Sheldon Terrace, The Villages, FL 32162.
In addition to the two monthly VIP meetings, there are a number of other activities that you may be interested in.
The spousal support group is meeting the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Mallory Country Club at 3:00 pm. For more info call Joyce Isaacson, 941-661-4108.
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 from 3 to 5pm. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward.
Lawn Bowling, every Friday at the Rio Grande rifle range, at 10am will start again in November. Contact Al Sessa : 908-812-6523 for more information about these 2 activities.
Golf for VIPs with the Lake Sumter Lions. For more information call: John Thomson 352-259-6104.
VIP CRUISE 2025, MARCH 22-29 2025. For all the details call Melinda 386-867-0284 Come and join the FUN!!
Hope to see you at the Ezell VIP meeting Monday November 18th.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586