Dear Friends,
I would like to thank Gena Cameron for her very informative presentation on rock painting history at our March meeting and for providing materials so that we could paint some rocks to take home with us and share with the Flathead Valley of Friendship Force members who will be visiting us in June. Karen Sherrets reported on all the activities that are being planned for them. We encourage everyone to join in as much as possible, especially the Welcome and Farewell parties. (Scroll down for details.) I was also excited to report on the exchanges that FFI has assigned to us for next year. If conditions allow, we will have clubs come from Brazil and Austin, Texas and we will visit Ketchikan, Alaska and Dallas, Texas.
Don't forget our Sunday/Funday on April 11 at the Bogota Kitchen + Bar in Old Palm Harbor or our regular meeting at 2:30 p.m. on April 17 at the Bardmoor Country Club. Geri Espy and Jean Pellegrini will tell us about their journey to Egypt. When we meet on May 15–place to be determined–FFFS members will entertain you with the do's and don'ts of home, dinner and day hosting in preparation for our Montana guests. Marilyn Whelan and I presented this program at the regional FFI conference in Charleston in 2018, and it was well received.
Gena and I tuned in to a SPIFFS general meeting on March 23. Their annual Folk Festival is scheduled for Oct. 21-24, and they are depending on our club to provide volunteers again. Please put these dates on your calendar. We usually work in four-hour shifts. On Thursday and Friday, we will help with the school children, and on the weekend, we will help staff the booths. Sports Around the World is this year's theme and they are encouraging everyone to wear team shirts if possible.
While Suncoast Hospice Foundation was celebrating Women's History month, they paid tribute to our membership chair Betty Oldanie for her many years at Suncoast and the many other contributions she has made to our community. Please congratulate Betty when you see her at one of our meetings. She is very diligent in welcoming our guests and extending an invitation to them to join our organization. She also keeps copious and updated records of our members.
I hope that most of you have received your second vaccination and are able to join us for future meetings. We are still wearing masks and doing our best to protect each other from the virus. The safety of our members is our priority. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me at wlee315695@aol.com.
In Friendship,
Jane Lee
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Sunday/Funday at Bogota Kitchen + Bar
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April 11 @ 2:30 pm
917 11th Street
Palm Harbor
So many members asked us for a Sunday/Funday in April that we decided to have one on April 11 because April 4, when we normally would meet, is on Easter Sunday. Come join us at the Bogota Kitchen + Bar in Old Palm Harbor. Outdoor seating under trees, music and drink specials are part of the charm.
It is a small but interesting Latin American menu which includes Mexican, Peruvian, and Cuban food but still has grouper sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They also have gluten free items and a couple of vegan bowls, or enjoy a fried chicken special on Sundays. It is very casual and rustic but different. How is that for diversity? Please RSVP to Jean Pellegrini at 727-403-9643 or pelle1217@aol.com by April 9.
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Travel to Egypt on April 17
by Geri Espy
Ready for some adventure? How about mummies, pyramids, hieroglyphics, pharaohs, temples, and camels? Want to see the Great Sphinx, the temples of Luxor, the Valley of Kings? What about King Tut’s tomb, the Aswan Dam and a cruise on the Nile? You guessed it: We will venture through Egypt at our April 17 meeting via a slide presentation of a 2018 trip taken by Jean Pellegrini and Geri Espy. Join us at 2:30 at Bardmoor Country Club, 8345 Bardmoor Blvd, Largo, FL 33777.
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April 17 at 2:30
Bardmoor Country Club
8345 Bardmoor Blvd, Largo
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New Member
Wendy Colquhoun
Please add Wendy's contact information to your directory.
2401 Franciscan Drive, Unit 23 Clearwater 33763
727-732-7918
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Sharon Swallwood invited Wendy to join us at our March meeting, and she enjoyed herself so much, she decided to join that day. Please introduce yourself to Wendy at a future FFFS outing.
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Home Hosts Needed
by Geri Espy
A great opportunity to make a new friend while representing Friendship Force Florida Suncoast in a positive way: Open your home to one of our 12 Friendship Force visitors from Montana for six nights in June. As a home host, you will share stories and experiences and make new memories. To sign up or receive more info, please email Geri Espy, Home Host Coordinator, at geritravels@hotmail.com.
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Member Profile: Karen Sherrets
by Kathleen Jamison
One of the best ways to get to know Friendship Force members is to be in charge of a project, and Karen Sherrets–a relatively new member–has taken on a big one. Which means many of you are already getting to know her as she coordinates plans for our June visit from the Flathead, Montana club. (It's going to be a lot of fun, so please watch for details and mark your calendar!) You may also have been with her on our last pre-Covid FFFS/Habitat for Humanity trip to Romania.(See photo on left of Karen with Marilyn Whelan and Judy Ormsby on Margaret Island, Budapest, an add-on to the trip.) In case you haven't noticed, Karen never misses a chance to "go for the gusto." She's already dreaming about her next travels–Armenia, Africa, Machu Picchu, New Zealand–but at the top of her list these days is an overdue visit with her son Dane in Washington, DC which is coming up in a few weeks.
The Largo resident took an early retirement from her insurance industry career but, like a lot of retirees, she is busier than ever. She is active in Habitat for Humanity, the Seminole Lake Rotary, Anona Church, Panther Pals reading volunteers of Ridgecrest Elementary, Young Life, and her book club. Next time you drive by the Young Life Center on Wilcox Road in Largo, check out the Little Free Library out front. It was her inspiration and sweat equity that is now bringing books to the youngsters of an underserved community. In her "spare time," she plays a lot of tennis and walks 10,000 steps a day.
If you want an adventure or need to have something done, Karen is the original Annie Get Your Gun gal–"I'm just a girl who cain't say no" and "come on, let's go." Aren't we lucky to have her?! Thanks to Betty and Chuck Oldanie for introducing her to FFI.
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Rock Painting Program
by Jane Lee
At the March meeting in beautiful Phillipe Park, we learned from our rock painting president-elect Gena Cameron about the history of the small painted rocks that are sometimes found in parks and other places. In recent years, this prehistoric form of storytelling has caught on all around the world. According to Gena, many with inspirational messages such as Peace, Love, Joy or Hope have been discovered at just the right time by people going through hard times.
Thanks to Gena's rocks, paints and encouragement, we each created two "masterpieces" - one for the Montana visitors' goody bags and one to leave in a park or when we are out walking.
Anyone wishing to pursue their artistic talents further can contact her at 140gecko@gmail.com to get on her list. There also are rock painting clubs in several Pinellas County towns that you can find by Googling.
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These rocks were painted by FFFS members to place in welcome bags for the incoming Montana Club.
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Florida Suncoast Journey Assignments for 2022
Inbound:
1) Austin, Texas to Florida Suncoast
2) Fortaleza, Brazil to Florida Suncoast
Outbound:
1) Florida Suncoast, to Ketchikan, Alaska
2) Florida Suncoast to Dallas, Texas
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Click Here for a List of All FFI Journey Assignments
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Stay Healthy and Safe When Traveling
by Sue Olnick
The FF Florida Suncoast guest speaker for our February meeting, Dr. Luke Williams, explained how we can stay healthy during travel. Dr. Luke relayed how we can boost our immune systems before traveling, suggested exercises we can do during long plane travel, and advised what medications we should take along. He also discussed what types of foods we should avoid and much more. Just a few of his recommendations are highlighted below.
Before traveling to a foreign country, we should do our research to find out to find out how they are doing with Covid. It is extremely important to understand what type of health care system the country has and to make a plan for returning to the US in case of emergency. Seven days before you travel, it may also be a good idea to start taking probiotics for stomach health and baby aspirins to keep from getting blood clots in your legs. Make sure you get plenty of rest before starting your trip and when you arrive. It’s a good idea to plan for a day of rest when you arrive.
Preparing an emergency kit to take along is also important. Take extra medications and medical supplies just in case your trip is delayed. Your kit should also include Zofran (prevents nausea and vomiting), Meclizine (treats dizziness or vertigo), a course of antibiotics, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and melatonin for jet lag. Dr. Luke says getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol and caffeine are good ways to stay healthy during your trip
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To watch the entire video, click on the photo (on right) or find it on the FFI Virtual Experiences web page.
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Good Times at Jimmy Guana's
by Geri Espy
March 7 was truly a Sunday/Funday when FFFS gathered on the outdoor second-story deck at Jimmy Guana’s in Indian Rocks Beach. Enjoying the sunny afternoon, tasty food and drinks, and lively music were 34 FFFS members and six guests who were invited to join our club. It was delightful to meet in person with friends again, rather than on Zoom, text or email. We thank our hostess Jean Pellegrini and Linda Mills, reservations, for organizing this fun event.
Photos by Marion Ruuge-Aronson
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Photography Tips
by Sharon Swallwood
April's tip is a way to improve the composition of your photograph, regardless of what you use to take your picture. If you have trouble visualizing what your photograph will look like, use a viewing card. A viewing card can help with focusing your presentation and help see the picture before you take it, which can also reduce editing time at home. You can buy a premade viewing card or make one by taking an 8x10 or even a 5x7 stiff piece of heavy duty paper or cardboard and cut a 4x5 opening (4:3 proportion) or a 2x3 opening (2:3 proportion). You can also hold the card up to view your scene, instead of using a viewfinder, to explore the structure of the image. You can move it left, right, up, down, and even nearer to or farther away from your eye, simulating a zoom lens effect. You can carry this with you, and if you punch a hole in a corner, it can be clipped to your camera bag/strap when not in use. Carry this with you whenever you are taking a walk, either outside or even within your house.
If you don't want to buy a viewing card or make one, you can simply use both hands to make a rectangle by placing thumbs to index finger. If you use a white card, it will simulate a matted picture! Using a viewing card will give you a good perspective and another way of looking at your environment with new eyes.
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Theatre Updates
by Jean Pellegrini
Tarpon Arts in Tarpon Springs still seems to be one of the few theaters open with limited seating. So, in April they will present "A BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES" April 9 through April 24—another delightful comedy at the Heritage Museum. Tickets are available at 727-942-5605 or Tarponarts.org, and are $20.
The Early Bird Dinner Theater on 49th Street in Clearwater has ongoing performances of "A COMEDY OF TENORS," with a buffet dinner for $36. It continues through April 18. I have heard really good things about this play. Call 446-5898 for reservations.
And don't forget the "MAMA MIA" musical production in New Port Richey that we talked about last month which is also a dinner theater. Check with Jane Lee for the details and dates.
Click the link below to watch a wonderful four-minute poem presented by Tomfoolery. THE GREAT REALISATION is a post-pandemic story of how it started and why hindsight is 20/20. You may already have seen it, but it is worth watching again. This young man is very talented, and his voice is lovely. He has other videos you might also enjoy.
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Zoom Board Meeting
April 8 at 7:00 pm
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Sunday/Funday at Bogota Kitchen and Bar
April 11 at 2:30 pm
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Membership Meeting at Bardmoor Country Club
April 17 at 2:30 pm
Program: Geri and Jean Present Their Trip to Egypt
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Incoming Journey from Flathead Valley Montana
June 2 - June 9
Thursday, June 3
Welcome Breakfast 9am
Brunch at Holiday Inn and Suites
401 2nd St, Indian Rocks Beach
McGough Park 11:30 am
Imagine Museum 2 pm
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill 4pm
Friday, June 4
Tarpon Springs/St. Nicholas Cathedral 9:45 am
Mama’s Restaurant 11:30 am
Saturday, June 5
Ybor City 11:30 am
Ybor City Museum State Park/Ferlita Bakery Museum 12:30 pm
Ride Streetcar to Tampa History Museum 2:30 pm
Columbia Restaurant 5:30 pm
Sunday, June 6
FREE DAY
Monday, June 7
Dali Museum Including Van Gogh Alive Immersive Exhibit 10 am
Sunken Gardens 2 pm
Tuesday, June 8
Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Charter Eco Dolphin Tour 10 am
Farewell Potluck Party 4pm
Randolph Farms Club House
13300 Indian Rocks Road
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If Your Birthday is in April . . .
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Officers
Jane Lee
President
Marilyn Whelan
VP/Programs
Betty Oldanie
VP/Membership
Teresa Farr Klinger
Treasurer
Connie DuBois
Secretary
Gena Cameron
President-Elect
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Board Members
Geri Espy
Sue Olnick
Art Worth
Click On Links
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