First Thursday Bridgeport Group
Newsletter Audio file (top item)
As I start my second year as your VIP chair, I’m asking for a member to think about joining me in a vice chair position. The only requirement would be that you are visually impaired as well, and you would like to help me serve our members. If you are interested, please reach out to me at 386-867-0284 or you may email me at zemanzoo@gmail.com.
Hello everyone! I hope to see all of you at our February 6th meeting, 1:00pm at our Bridgeport Rec Center location. This month’s speaker will be Dr. John Randolph from the Center for Retina and Macula Diseases.
Our annual Vision Expo is coming up on February 22nd at Eisenhower Regional Rec Center. Doors open at 9:45am until 2:00pm. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Tuli from the University of Florida Opthamology Department. Her presentation will begin at 10:00am. There will be representation from the Lions Clubs in The Villages and also New Vision for Independence. There will also be lots of vendors and physicians to showcase their latest products and services.
The Lake Sumter Lions will be hosting our March 6th luncheon. The cost will be $7.00 per person. The menu will consist of a hot dog, coleslaw, potato chips, cookie and a drink. You’ll be able to purchase your tickets at our February meeting. In the event that you are unable to attend the February meeting but would like a ticket for the luncheon, please mail your check made out to the VIPs to:
Jean Hatten
17725 Southeast 84th Sheldon Terrace
The Villages, Fl. 32162
The Lake Sumter Lions are also collecting aluminum cans and old eyeglasses. If you have any that you would like to donate please bring them to our meetings.
Eastport Lions continue to support the VIPs at the Ezell Regional Rec Center. Last month they hosted bingo which was a lot of fun! Lion Charlie will be having VIP t-shirts for sale at our meeting for a cost of $10.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Feb. 6th: Monthly meeting Bridgeport RecCenter 1:00pm
Feb. 13th: Game Day at Laurel Manor 1:00pm
Feb. 17th: Monthly meeting Ezell Regional Rec Center 1:00pm
Feb. 22nd: VISION EXPO Eisenhower Regional Rec Center 9:45 to 2:00 Feb. 26th: Fun Bowling Fiesta Bowl 3:00pm
2025 CRUISE
There’s still time to sign up for our 2025 cruise. It is open to all VIPs, family and friends. Our ship, the Celebrity Equinox, will depart Port Canaveral on March 22nd, 2025 and return on the 29th. If you are interested in joining us on board please reach out to me, Melinda Zeman at 386-867-0284 for further information. There are still seats available on the bus as well.
For information on the spousal support group please call Joyce at 941-661-4108.
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. Lisa will be coming to our meetings every month to assist us with any questions we may have and also with mini classes of eating healthy. You can reach Lisa with any questions by calling the New Vision office at 352-607-7607.
Don’t forget to reach out to Caring Neighbors to find out if transportation to our meetings and elsewhere is available in your village. Call Ann Bosler at 352-674-9022. You can also check the website at:
Thevillagescaringneighbors.com
In the event that you should miss a meeting with a guest speaker, their talk is available in audio on our website. Please check us out at:
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 beverages for our meetings each month.
Melinda Zeman
VIP Chairperson and leader of the Bridgeport meeting
386-867-0284
Third Monday Ezell Group
Audio file MP3 also available
February Newsletter
The word for our February 17th meeting is FUN! We’ll have announcements and updates on what’s going on, and an update from Lisa from New Vision, and then the Eastport Lions will have us playing various games. Come and enjoy!
Please make sure you put The Vision Awareness Day Expo on your calendar. The date is Saturday, February 22nd, at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 10am until 2pm. There will be some twenty exhibitors: Vision Technology Companies, Vision Services Agencies, and Ophthalmology Practices. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Sonal Tuli, the Chair of the Ophthalmology Department at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She will be speaking at 10am.
The Lake Sumter Lions will be hosting a luncheon at the Bridgeport meeting on March 6th. The cost is $7.00 per person. The menu will consist of a hot dog, coleslaw, potato chips, cookie and a drink. You will be able to purchase tickets at our February meeting. In the event you are unable to attend the meeting but would like a ticket for the luncheon, please mail your check, made out to the VIP Support Group, to: Jean Hatten
17725 Southeast 84th Sheldon Terrace
The Villages, FL 32162
VIP CRUISE 2025: There’s still may be time to sign up for our 2025 cruise. It’s open to all VIPs, family and friends. The cruise is March 22-29 2025. For all the details call Melinda: 386-867-0284. Come and join the fun!
We also 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 of neighborhood groups that can help residents within those neighborhoods. Check out their website at www.thevillagescaringneighbors.com
Charlie from the Eastport Lions wants to remind you that he will have VIP t-Shirts the day of the meeting. They are $10.
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. It’s a great way to financially support the VIP Support Group!
In addition to the two monthly VIP meetings, there are a number of 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.
Golf for VIPs with the Lake Sumter Lions. For more information call John Thomson: 352-259-6104.
Hope to see you at the Ezell Monday February17th meeting.
Donna Evans, leader of the VIP Ezell meeting Call or text: 352-391-4586