April 1, Newsletter

President's Message

Now that we are well into a very busy year, I want to acknowledge all of you who have contributed your time and talents to make Friendship Force Florida Suncoast so active and successful. As with any club, the “faithful few” work hard behind the scenes at each event to ensure that everything runs smoothly. As a very new president, I am so grateful to every person who steps in to provide help that I sometimes don’t even know I need! Your participation makes a huge impact, no matter how small the effort may appear. From simply attending an occasional fun social event or informational meeting, to the larger commitment of becoming an officer, team leader or working on a journey, there are many opportunities to be as active as you would like. Thanks to Sue Olnick, our online newsletter has a plethora of great information about the very active life of our club.

There are popular monthly social activities, including the Saturday Socials (formerly Sunday/Funday) and the Fun Stuff events that members organize for our enjoyment and social engagement. They are a great way to reach out for new members and to enjoy some time together. The more members that attend, the more successful these events will be. They are also fun and effective ways to increase membership, which is important for the future of our club.

Our incoming journey from Bogota, Colombia in October will provide many exciting opportunities to become involved. The Bravo Team will soon be recruiting members to work on the itinerary as well as home hosts, dinner hosts and day hosts.

Research shows that being socially and physically active by participating in club activities can provide many emotional and physical benefits, including lower blood pressure, strengthened immune system, lower risk of cardiovascular problems, lowered anxiety or depression and instilling a sense of community. So our involvement in Friendship Force is as good for us as it is for the club! If you haven't already, I hope you will find a place to plug in. You’ll be glad you did.

In Friendship,

Karen Sherrets

Saturday, April 27

at 1:00pm

Shelter #2, Eagle Lake Park, Largo

Let's celebrate this year's incoming and outgoing journeys and the fun and fellowship we've had right here in Florida Suncoast at our annual potluck picnic on April 27. The festivities will kickoff at 1 pm at our usual Shelter 2 at Eagle Lake Park off Keene Road in Largo. If you haven't already signed up, Terry Gourdine is keeping track of participants and collecting $5 each. His contact information is in the directory.

The club will provide chicken, lemonade, iced tea and ice. You can bring other drinks, but no alcoholic beverages are allowed in county parks. Our good cooks will bring their special salads, sides and desserts to share. Maybe members have ESP, but somehow, we always wind up with a delicious assortment. If you are going green, bring your own place settings, but there will also be paper products available. Candy Hays will be sending out an email reminder which you can return with information about what you will be bringing if you wish.

Karen Grubb, one of our newest members, has put together a Travel Trivia game and will be organizing lawn darts, Frisbee and other mildly energetic activities. (The games at our holiday party demonstrated that some of us still have that competitive spirit!)

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our spring fling!

Saturday Social

April 13

La Mordida Grill

14100 US Hwy 19

Clearwater 33773

Sunday Funday is now Second Saturday Social, and we welcome coordinator Dianne Hall, one of our brand-new members. Her maiden voyage sounds delicious and colorful.

"La Mordida is a Colombian/Peruvian cuisine restaurant that

I have been wanting to try for a while," she says. "The menu is

extensive. The reviews are great. Join me at 4 pm to find

out. Check out the menu at their website: Lamordidagrill.com. We

may also be able to check out the Saigon Night Market afterwards. RSVP to [email protected] by April 11. Hope to see you there."

Members of FFFS celebrated World Friendship Day at Duff's Buffet by enjoying a scrumptious meal together. The day was filled with laughter and joy as we played games related to travel. It was a great opportunity for our members to strengthen their bonds of friendship while indulging in their love for travel and food.

In March, members gathered at Johnny's Restaurant after our meeting to celebrate Geri Espy's birthday.

In January, members dined at Asian Pearl after the monthly meeting.

We Are Invited to Vancouver This Fall

Now that our fantastic Kentucky incoming journey is behind us and our Austin outbound journey is set for April, it is time to plan for our outbound journey to Metro Vancouver, which is scheduled for September 24 - October 1. They are hoping to host 12-14 Ambassadors. If we don’t have enough interest from our club, we will reach out to the Villages and Tallahassee clubs. Tallahassee has a wait list for their journey to Vancouver next August, so we don’t anticipate difficulty in filling any open spots.

The Metro Vancouver Club is developing an exciting and interesting itinerary to showcase Canada’s history and culture as well as breathtaking natural sites. Some of the highlights include:

an Aquabus ride around Granville Island
drive through Stanley Park
drive up Cypress Mountain
picnic lunch at Shannon Falls
Britannia Mine tour
Sea to Sky Gondola ride
Richmond Cannery and shops
Chabberton Winery

You can check out this link to review area attractions: https://friendshipforcevancouver.ca/welcome-to-vancouver-a-tapestry-of-culture-and-nature/

For anyone who may be interested in additional travel before or after the journey, Seattle is only three hours from Vancouver and Victoria Island is only an hour and a half.

Please contact our Ambassador Coordinator Mair Murphy at 727-560-9632 or [email protected] for more information regarding this journey and also ASAP to get important details about Canadian government Covid guidelines.

All Ambassadors must confirm that they are vaccinated to the journey coordinator prior to visiting Vancouver as well as test on the day of departure and every other day if any symptoms occur during the visit. You can go to http://www.bccdc.ca for details.

April Fun Stuff

Waste to Energy Plant Tour

2940 110th Ave N St Petersburg 33716 (Education Building address)

727-464-7500

Teresa Farr Klinger has arranged a tour of Pinellas County's 703-acre Solid Waste and Recycling facility. Join us to learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle to create less waste. It also includes a driving tour for an up-close look at what happens after garbage is collected from homes and businesses.

There will be a classroom portion with a question-and-answer session then the tour of the operating landfill facility. The tour will provide a shuttle to the different areas in the complex. There are limited spots so RSVP early. Meet at 9:30 outside the classroom building since ample parking is available.

Teresa has secured 20 spots for a free Friday April 5th 10-11:30 tour. Please email/text your RSVP. [email protected] or 727-687-5080.

If the group would like we may extend the day with possible lunch.

May Fun Stuff

Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement

An exciting cultural adventure is planned for 12 noon on Wednesday, May 8.

The Museum of The American Arts and Crafts Movement in downtown St. Petersburg is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American arts and crafts movement. There are amazing collections and the five-story, 137,000 square-foot museum is a work of art itself, with incredible architectural elements such as a grand atrium, skylights, and a dramatic spiral staircase.

Emerging at the end of the Victorian era in England, the arts and crafts movement was fueled by anxieties about the quality of life in the industrial era, and the rise of mass-produced goods. Arts and crafts designers sought to reform both decorative design and daily life, creating objects that were both beautiful and functional.

A 57-minute movie on Elbert Hubbard, an American original, is a story of love, art, passion and controversy set against the backdrop of the arts and crafts movement. At the turn of the 20th century Hubbard was an influential figure who died as dramatically as he lived.

We will meet in the museum, outside the Two Red Roses Theatre. The film starts at 12pm so come a few minutes early. Afterward we will tour the museum and stop for dessert in the cafe.

RSVP to Marilyn Whelan at 321-356-7809 or [email protected].

June Fun Stuff

Wine Tasting at Aspirations Winery

Saturday, June 15 at 3pm

Cost is $18 per person with at least 10 people (fewer is $20 per person)

Aspirations Winery is the top-rated winery in Florida! After we are greeted and seated, each person will receive a 3 oz. flight of any three of their delicious wines, accompanied by a small meat and cheese plate and a souvenir wine glass. After we have enjoyed our wine and food, they will provide an introduction followed by a demo and tour of the winery. Come and experience the best of wine tasting at Aspirations Winery! You may pay online at aspirationswinery.com or pay when you get there. Email Sue Olnick at [email protected] or text 410-245-3048 to RSVP. They have plenty of space, so invite your friends.

22041 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater

The winery is located behind Clearwater Toyota (Access Road A).