Dear Friends,
A special thank you to Marilyn Whelan for putting together our February Zoom meeting that had to do with health and traveling. We learned so much from Doctor Luke. If you missed the meeting, it will be available on FFI’s selection of virtual meetings. These programs are so rewarding. Find one that interests you and take advantage of how your membership in our club opens doors to find out about other countries as well as information on various subjects.
March is here and we are excited to announce that there are two outdoor activities this month. Our Sunday/Funday is coming on March 7. Then for our regular meeting on March 20, we will meet at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. We will also learn about painted rocks and how they are creating friendships for people all over the world. For those who would like, you will have an opportunity to paint a rock or two. Our goal is to give one to each of our ambassadors coming from Montana in June. Speaking of that, we need your participation so our visitors feel more than welcomed. It has been over a year since we hosted the Raleigh Club, so we should all feel rested and ready to entertain once again. Because the Montana members are arriving in the evening of June 2, our welcome party will be the morning of June 3. Please put this on your calendar. We hope to have at least half of our membership participate in this event. Our theme for this exchange will be “Welcome to the Beach.” We will enjoy a breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn at Indian Rocks Beach. Karen Sherrets and the Alpha team have been working hard to make this a wonderful experience for our Montana guests. When guests come, we usually have a Welcome Party to give them an opportunity to meet our members. Then after a week of visiting we send them off with a Farewell Party. The Farewell Party will be a potluck, and we need everyone to participate in this. The club supplies the paper products, meat—usually chicken—and beverages. Our members supply the salads, vegetables, and desserts. Of course, we also need home, dinner and day hosts so be sure to let the Alpha team know how you would be willing to help.
We have a wonderful program planned for April prepared by two of our members; however, we need to find a place to hold this meeting. We also need someone to help us with AV equipment. Let us know if you or someone you know can help with this.
I know many of you have had or are scheduled to have your vaccination. This will give us all a lot more confidence to attend meetings and activities. We will still follow the guidelines with masks and social distancing at our events as long as necessary. Our goal has always been to keep you safe and healthy whenever we meet.
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In Friendship,
Jane Lee
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Sunday/Funday at Jimmy Guana's
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March 7 @ 2:30 pm
401 2nd St
Indian Rocks Beach
South Side of the Walsingham Bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway
Music 1-5 pm
Drink Special—Bucket of Beer $15 (4 beers)
Tables outside. Masks required.
Please text Linda Mills 727-410-8293 by March 2 if you are planning to attend, so she will have an estimate for table size.
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Please Welcome Cindy Blocker
by Gena Cameron
A warm welcome to our new member Cindy Blocker, a long-time traveler. She was born in Florida but lived in many states and Europe with her Air Force family. Her beginning seemed to have given her the travel bug. Today, Cindy lives in Largo and is a friend of Karen Sherrets, who introduced her to our club. She has been retired for two years and was an RN.
Cindy returned to Florida for retirement because she loves the ocean; she swims almost daily in her pool and enjoys spending time at the beach. She said her friends are happy she came back to Florida as she motivates them to spend time at the beach.
Cindy lives with some cool cats, literally. She has two: one named Data and the other Dax. One is a “Cheetoh” breed, and the other is a special bred cat, a “Jag” that can no longer be found. (https://www.mokavecats.com/) They are wonderful companions to Cindy.
I asked Cindy to describe herself, and she said she is adventurous; she has sky dived, jet skied and enjoys kayaking. A future trip she has on her bucket list is Australia. She joined FFI to travel some more, meet people and said she is happy to host. We’re glad to have Cindy join us and be so open to helping with our incoming Ambassadors. When you see Cindy at a meeting, please stop by and visit with her. She is a fun lady, and I’m sure she has some great stories to share.
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Newsletter Mysteries Explained
by Sue Olnick
Newsletters are sent out twice every month. They are sent out at midnight on the 1st day of every month; then, they are sent out on the 5th day of the month to everyone who has not opened it yet. The newsletter is archived on the FFFS website, where it is available to everyone, after it is sent the second time. If you don’t want to receive a second copy of the newsletter, just click it open before the 5th. If you don’t receive your newsletter on the 1st day of the month, contact a friend to forward it to you, as single newsletters cannot be sent by the system.
Email addresses for the newsletter have not been changed or reentered, and they should be the same for the newsletter and for the member directory. Check the directory to make sure we have your correct email address.
There is a possibility that your newsletter may go into your spam or junk folder. If you do not receive your newsletter on the 1st day of the month, check these folders. Your newsletter email may come into your electronic mail box from Friendship Force Florida Suncoast or from [email protected]. Both are determined by your own personal computer settings. The subject line of your email will read Friendship Force Florida Suncoast for the newsletter or any announcement from our club.
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FFI and Coronavirus Vaccine
by Sue Olnick (edited from FFI blog)
Friendship Force International is often asked to take a position on establishing travel restrictions. These requests are based on many things, from civil unrest to natural disasters. The typical response is: we rely on Journey and Host Coordinators to make those determinations, based on resources provided by FFI.
With this pandemic, there is a temptation to want to mandate vaccinations for Journey participants, but it is affected by other factors: What vaccine options are available in my country? Has my doctor recommended against getting a vaccine due to other health conditions? What kinds of treatments are available outside of a vaccine in the country I’m in or traveling to? What if I am not comfortable with vaccines in general and willing to sign a waiver to that effect? There is no doubt that border security will also establish travel criteria, not to mention your travel insurance carrier.
Friendship Force International continues to trust in the judgment of Journey Coordinators and Journey participants to make the best decisions about upcoming Journeys, and we at FFI remain available to you as a resource and to support the decision you are most comfortable with. As always, we encourage you to study the data, and before you make any definitive decision, schedule a time to meet with your counterpart Coordinator(s) in the other country/ies to discuss the realities and the options.
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Somewhere South
by Linda Mills
You can learn a lot about a particular culture by exploring their food. Food is a universal necessity; it doesn’t matter where in the world you’re from—you have to eat.
Somewhere South, a series on PBS, explores cross-cultural dishes with Chef Vivian Howard, my niece. The episodes are about international dishes including Indian, Jewish Holiday food, Mexican, and Southern dishes. Somewhere South debuted on WEDU PBS last fall and continues as reruns. One show was filmed in Terra Ceia Island at the Smoked Mullet Festival located just over the SunShine Skyway Bridge.
Previously, Vivian hosted the PBS television series, A Chef’s Life, which focused on the ingredients and cooking traditions of Southeastern North Carolina combined with the culinary skills Vivian learned while living in New York City. The show ran for five years and was a reality series about behind the scenes operations of a restaurant, and focused on the farmers in North Carolina. The show won a Peabody Award, Daytime Emmy Award and James Beard Award.
If you haven’t seen either show, reruns are on WEDU PBS, and you may see a glimpse of me in a one or two of the episodes. Very proud of my niece and wanted to share with Friendship Force—especially the Somewhere South series.
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Photography Tips
by Sharon Swallwood
Before taking your trip (or actually any) pictures, you need to do some basic camera care. This should be done every time you use your photographic equipment. Make sure you have a clean viewing surface, batteries or a full charge, and enough memory for all your pictures. Especially with cell phones, be sure the phone does not have finger prints on the lens and the viewing screen as these can affect what you think you are seeing. Have a clean and secure place to store your equipment while on the go, be it a camera bag or a pocket. Carry a cleaning cloth for smudges and it might be a good idea to breathe on the glass first, before you wipe, so you do not create a tiny scratch. Do not use anything abrasive. When traveling, do not forget your charger/connectivity cords.
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Theatre Updates
by Jean Pellegrini
Early Bird Dinner Theater is offering "A COMEDY OF TENORS," which is a sequel to "LEND ME A TENOR," and is billed as a madcap comedy full of mistaken identities and bedroom hijinks. The cost is $36 for the buffet dinner and show. Dates are March 11th-April 18th. Tickets are available by calling 727 446-5898. Times are varied. This venue is located at 13355 49th St. N, Clearwater.
Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg is still having a few shortened concerts and with only a 25% capacity. Still if you are wanting a somewhat mellow evening out listening to the wonderful Florida Orchestra, it could be time well spent. Tickets can be obtained online at themahaffey.com.
The Show Palace Dinner Theatre in Hudson may be a drive for some of you, but it is worth it if you like "MAMA MIA," and what is not to like about that musical? This theatre has been completely remodeled and has kept their tables for 4 so far apart that there should be nothing to worry about. Also, levels are stepped up so there is not a bad seat in this very large theater. If we can get a group of 12 people, the tickets are $49, which includes, tax, tip and dessert. Otherwise, tickets are $60. They have a delicious buffet and is only handled by servers with gloves. For more information and to schedule a time, call Jane Lee at 727-266-4380; she and Bill will be going for sure. Several dates starting March 12th.
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Sunday/Funday at Jimmy Guana's
March 7 at 2:30 pm
Contact Linda Mills 727-410-8293
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Zoom Board Meeting
March 12 at 7:00 pm
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Membership Meeting at Philippe Park
March 20 at 2:30 pm
Program: Have some fun and learn to paint rocks with Gena Cameron.
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Incoming Journey from Flathead Valley, MT
June 2 - June 9 (new dates)
Contact Karen Sherrets at 727-415-4404 or [email protected] to confirm participation.
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If Your Birthday is in March . . .
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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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