First Thursday Bridgeport Group
Newsletter Audio file (usually top item)
Hello, this is Rita Labarbara on behalf of VIP chairperson Melinda Zeman
Hello everyone!
I hope to see all of you at our July 3rd meeting at 1:00 p.m. at our Bridgeport Recreation Center. This month’s speaker will be Dave Christensen, the Exclusive Sales Representative for enhanced vision.
As I am starting my second year as your visually impaired chairperson, I am looking for a member who would like to be my vice chair. If you are interested or you know someone, please reach out to me at 386-867-0284, or you may email me at Zemanzoo@gmail.com
Attention everyone!
If you enjoyed the vision Expo that we have every year at Eisenhower in February, we are looking for someone to lead it next year, Donna Evans has done it for many many years and would like to step down we would like to form a committee of representatives from the Lions group’s, New Vision for Independence, the VA and the VIPs. We need someone from the visually impaired group to lead it. (I will not be able to do it myself) If you know of someone, please let me know. You can reach out to me at 386-867-0284, or you can email me at Zemanzoo@gmail.com
Good news!
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
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 Grand Turks. If you have not received an email from me, please call if you are interested.
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.
VIP t-shirts are available for $10.00 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.
Calendar of events
July 3rd
Monthly meeting at Bridgeport 1:00 p.m.
July 10th
Game day at Laurel Manor 1:00 p.m.
July 21st
Meeting at Ezell Regional Recreation Center 1:00 p.m.
July 23th
Bowling at Fiesta Bowl 3:00 p.m.
Lake Sumter Lions are collecting aluminum cans and old eyeglasses. If you have any of those items that you would like to donate, please bring them to our meetings.
Did you know that we partner with New Vision for Independence and all 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.
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 VillagescaringNeighbors.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.
Melinda Zeman
VIP chairperson and leader of the Bridgeport meeting
386-867-0284
Zemanzoo@gmail.com
Third Monday Ezell Group
Newsletter Audio file (usually top item)
Our speaker this month will be John Corneille. John has been involved with the Foundation Fighting Blindness for many years, and will update us on the areas of research they are currently involved with, along with some of the results that may provide promise of improvements and/or restoration of vision in the future. John is a Village resident with retinitis pigmentosa, which has taken almost all of his sight, and is willing to share some of his experiences in dealing with progressive loss of vision.
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!
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 from 3 to 5pm. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward. Contact Al Sessa: 908-812-6523 for more information.
Hope to see you at the Ezell, Monday, June 16th meeting.
Our speaker this month will be John Corneille. John has been involved with the Foundation Fighting Blindness for many years, and will update us on the areas of research they are currently involved with, along with some of the results that may provide promise of improvements and/or restoration of vision in the future. John is a Village resident with retinitis pigmentosa, which has taken almost all of his sight, and is willing to share some of his experiences in dealing with progressive loss of vision.
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!
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 from 3 to 5pm. There’s always a plan to get together for dinner afterward. Contact Al Sessa: 908-812-6523 for more information.
Hope to see you at the Ezell, Monday, June 16th meeting.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting
Call or text: 352-391-4586