First Thursday Bridgeport Group
The most recent December audio newsletter is right here! Added November 23.
Hello, this is Rita Labarbara on behalf of VIP chairperson Melinda Zeman
Hello everyone !
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!
NO meetings for December ( at Bridgeport due to replacement of AC unit) and January (due to New Year’s Day.)
We are inviting all the VIPS to join the Holiday luncheon 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?
Our bright orange VIP t-shirts are available for sale for $10 each at every meeting plus I will have them at the meet and greet Cruise meeting in December. Show your support by wearing them to all events.
Check out an audio version of our flyer for the February 26th 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 an audio version in their email of their weekly report.
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
2026 Cruise news
Final chance!
Come join us on December 11th , 1pm at Lake Miona Regional Center in the Courageous room 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
December 11th
Game day / Cruise meet and greet LOCATION IS CHANGED to Lake Miona Regional Center 1:00 p.m.
December 15th
1:00 p.m. Holiday Luncheon and Bingo at Ezell Regional Recreation Center
December 17th
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:
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.
Thank you to all that bring a 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 is right here!
For November.
For the latest information on what’s happening, go to our Web page! www.villagesvip.org.
Our next meeting is Monday, November 17th, at 1pm at the Ezell Recreation Center
This month our program is a presentation by The Villages Community Watch. There many functions performed by Community Watch that provide us with security and comfort. In addition to their presentation, we will have a mini craft show available at the end of the meeting. There will be many interesting items that you will be able to look at and examine. Perhaps you will find that perfect gift for someone for this holiday season. Nothing will be priced over $15.
In December, on the 15th, is our Holiday lunch and Bingo. Since there will not be a Bridgeport Holiday Luncheon this year, everyone is invited to join us at Ezell. The lunch is Publix subs and chips and please bring a desert to share. Seating is limited so please reach out to Donna Evans at 352-391-4586 to reserve a spot. We are asking for a $3 to $5 donation.
The Vision Awareness Expo is only a few months 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 28thfrom 9:45 to 2:30 at the Eisenhower 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.
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!
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 at Laurel Manor 1pm. to 3pm. This month on November 13th is Turkey Trot Bingo. Please bring a $5 gift card or gift item. Dessert and refreshments will be served.
VIP Bowling is each month at Fiesta Bowl in Spanish Springs. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward. Because of the holidays, November and December schedules may be different than normal. 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 VHA is sponsoring a Health Expo on Friday, November 21st from 1 to 4pm at Rohan Recreation Center. Your VIP group will be there so come by and say hi and check out all of the various organizations in our area.
December 11 at Lake Miona Recreation Center is a meet and greet for this year’s VIP Cruise as well as planning for 2027’s cruise. If you have questions contact Melinda Zeman at 386-867-0284.
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, November 17th meeting.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586