Welcome to Nancy’s Bulletin Board! This Board connects us in real time with updates on events, activities, community resources and with your feedback.
At the bottom of the page please leave a positive comment, story, joke, pun, riddle or timely community news to post on the board. Resident art and photography has a place to be shared on this website’s “Show and Tell” board. Please email me your contribution at general_activity@scaclw.com and confirm that you want it published here.
To make a reservation on the calendar please email me at general_activity@scaclw.com or leave me a voicemail at 727-799-2734 with the type of event that you are planning and for whom, preferred date and room. I will review the calendar for availability. Once we confirm a reservation, I will direct you to complete the online Facility Request form or you may stop in the Community Service Office to pick up a paper Facility Request form to complete and submit in that office where I have a mail box.
If you are a new resident and have questions, please attend our Good Neighbor’s “Get Acquainted & Coffee” on the second Thursday of each month 8:30 – 11:00 at the East Activity Center Auditorium. I will be available after the event at 11 am to answer your questions and or take you on a tour of the Activity Centers. A meeting by appointment in my office is also an option. Email me at general_activity@scaclw.com or give me a call at 799-2734.
Note: The Good Neighbors Association will be taking a summer break June through August. Our monthly “Get Acquainted & Coffee” event will return on Thursday, September 12th, 8:30 – 11 am. In the meantime, I will be available on Thursdays mornings in the Auditorium from 8:30 – 11 am for in person meetings with residents.
MOVIE NIGHT – WED , JULY 17, 4 PM EAC AUDITORIUM
Arthur the King: (2024) Director: Simon Cellan Jones- Rating: PG 13 – Studio: Lions Gate Films, Inc. Release Date: 04/20/24 Runtime: 107 minutes.
Seating for 80, first come, first served, no reservation required.
Cast: Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Simu Liu, Mark Wahlberg :
Synopsis: Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, ARTHUR THE KING follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman) for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.
The movie is for OTOW residents only and offered at NO Charge. For optimum sound and viewing, seating will be limited to 80, first come, first served. SCA provides Popcorn free (1 bag per). The Good Neighbors Association will be serving refreshments and goodies at a great price. We look forward to seeing you!
FOOD TRUCK NIGHT – WED AUGUST 14, 3 – 7 PM EAC FRONT LOT
Featuring: Gigglewaters and Puff Mama
Fathers’ Day Celebrated
Writer: Jan Larraine Cox (resident of On Top of the World contributed last June 2023)
It may seem in the previous division of labor in the 1950s and 1960s that we children didn’t see as much of Dads as we did our Moms. Dads traditionally worked outside the house yet everyone’s Dad experience is unique.
My sister and I won the Dad jackpot in many ways notably in his gregariousness. He was well suited to his sales endeavors as he “talks to everyone” as Mom would say. In particular he took any opportunity to talk sports, as his family of 3 females was not much interested in sports at that point in life. Having been both a basketball and baseball player in high school and college he was excited to write a monthly sports column in school under the byline of Ecks, his nickname.
Always aspiring to be a good sport himself, the competitiveness of the business world was an aspect we might hear about at home around the dinner table.
As both an only child and a college graduate, the Army chose to induct him into the medical corps where he was trained for one year as a surgical technician. With the 96th Evacuation Hospital, he followed General Eisenhower’s path through Europe in World War II, treating the wounded. He told us he tried his best to give them the will to live through the nights, and make it through to recovery. Dad wrote a self published memoir of these experiences called “It Seems Like Yesterday”.
When he finally came back to America after Victory in Europe Day, his step father introduced him to our eventual mother, a beautiful strawberry blonde soprano soloist who sang in the family church. Soon afterwards they were engaged, married and off to a Niagara Falls honeymoon!
Having had years to plan the rest of his life during the war, he was more than glad to start a career, have a family and buy a house in the suburbs. He found a Cape Cod style frame house one mile from Huntington Beach Park on Lake Erie. The house was reminiscent of his favorite vacation spot, on the Cape in Massachusetts. He enjoyed driving his family to visit its beaches and seafood restaurants.
At the time we moved into our home by Lake Erie there were ten acres of undeveloped land at the end of our street, with an abandoned orchard of grape vines, blackberry bushes and apple trees. Mom quickly caught on to the neighborhood penchant of sending the kids there to harvest the fruit to be made into pies and jams. Delicious baking fragrance!
Dad liked to start the summer work days early, then change into swim attire and meet us at Huntington Beach to have fun. He was a dashing father figure, always dressed to the nines for work, and a fine complement to Mom wherever they went. His love of education was contagious, as the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. His dream was for his kids to follow in these footsteps and we did!
Area on Aging Agency S.H.I.N.E.
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.
SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential. SHINE Counselors do not sell anything.
SHINE Counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.
July In Person Meetings
The Genesis Center MOW- Medicare Basics Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m.
A SHINE Volunteer with be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, July 17th at 11 a.m. at the Genesis Center MOW, 38112 15th Ave. Zephyrhills, FL 33542. For information call 813-782-7859
Land O’ Lakes Library-Medicare Basics Saturday, July 20th at 10:00 a.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Saturday, July 20th at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639. For information call 813-929-1214
Hugh Embry Library- Medicare Basics Thursday, July 25th at 12:00 p.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Thursday, July 25th at noon at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St, Dade City, FL 33523. For information call 352-567-3576
Largo Public Library- Medicare 101 Wednesday, July 3rd at noon
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, July 3rd, at 12:00 p.m. at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr. Largo, FL 33771. For more information call 727-587-6715 ext. 2508
Pinellas Park Library-Medicare 101 Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781. For information call 727-369-0669
Gulfport Public Library-Medicare 101 Wednesday, July 17th at 1:00 p.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, July 17th at 1:00 p.m. at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. Gulfport, FL 33707. For information call 727-893-1073
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.
SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential. SHINE Counselors do not sell anything.
SHINE Counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
August In Person Meetings
New Port Richey Library- Medicare Basics Thursday, August 1st at 10:00 a.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Thursday, August 1st at 10 a.m. at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652. For information call 727-853-1279
New River Library-Medicare 101 Thursday, August 8th at 10:30 am
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on August 8th at 10:30 am at the New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543. For information call 813-788-6375
Land O’ Lakes Library-Medicare Basics Saturday, August 17th at 10:00 a.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Saturday, August 17th at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639. For information call 813-929-1214
The Genesis Center MOW- Medicare Basics Wednesday, August 21st at 11:00 a.m.
A SHINE Volunteer with be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, August 21st at 11 a.m. at the Genesis Center MOW, 38112 15th Ave. Zephyrhills, FL 33542. For information call 813-782-7859
Hugh Embry Library- Medicare Basics Thursday, August 22th at 12:00 p.m.
SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Thursday, August 22th at noon at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St, Dade City, FL 33523. For information call 352-567-3576
Largo Public Library- Medicare 101 Wednesday, August 7th at noon A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, August 7th, at 12:00 p.m. at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr. Largo, FL 33771. For more information call 727-587-6715 ext. 2508
Pinellas Park Library-Medicare 101 Wednesday, August 21st at 11:00 a.m. A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, August 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781. For information call 727-369-0669
Gulfport Public Library-Medicare 101 Wednesday, August 21st at 1:00 p.m.
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions on Wednesday, August 21st at 1:00 p.m. at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. Gulfport, FL 33707. For information call 727-893-1073
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2023
Statewide Program Provides Free, Unbiased Insurance Counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries
Older Floridians are encouraged to review plan options during Open Enrollment
St. Petersburg– The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas is reminding residents that their Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program has specifically-trained counselors to help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand their health care options so they can make the best decisions for their individual needs during the Open Enrollment period. During open enrollment, beneficiaries can change their Medicare Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage plan to effect things like cost, coverage, drug formularies, in-network providers, and pharmacies.
“Medicare can be a daunting subject for most people and the Open Enrollment Period only runs from Oct. 15, 2023, through Dec. 7, 2023, but you don’t have to go it alone. During this time, lean on our experts for advice and utilize a local, valuable resource by connecting with the SHINE program,” said Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director.
SHINE is a program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and is operated locally through The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas. The SHINE mission is to provide free and unbiased information about Medicare and Medicaid for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SHINE also educates beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage. SHINE strongly encourages beneficiaries to be on the lookout for their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which they should receive from their plan no later than Sept. 30, 2023. Reviewing their benefits and evaluating their health care options each year is vitally important for beneficiaries. Acting quickly can assure a smooth transition into the 2024 benefit year.
To receive help from SHINE, individuals may call to schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites, attend enrollment events in their local communities, or arrange to speak with a trained SHINE counselor at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and enrollment events, please visit www.floridashine.org.
LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY?
HURRICANE TIPS
- Purchase a battery-operated radio and a supply of batteries.
- Purchase flashlights with batteries. Use caution when using candles.
- Get an ice chest. Stock up on a week’s worth of water, food that won’t spoil, pet supplies, toilet paper, purchase a battery-operated fan.
- Refill medical prescriptions.
- Go to an ATM or bank and get cash.
- Fill your vehicle with gas. Fill a lawn mower container with gas.
- Do you need a generator? Never operate a generator indoors.
- Recharge cell phone batteries and use only when necessary.
- If you are evacuating, tell people where you are evacuating to and leave you contact information.
- Bring lawn furniture and outdoor decorations indoors.
- Sign up for the RAVE alert system from OTOW.
- Community updates will be posted on otowclearwaterinfo.com,
OTOW-TV Channel 732 and the Box Office (otowboxoffice.com).
- Make sure you have a first-aid kit, including bandages, ointments.
- Make sure important documents are safely stored.
- Don’t forget rain gear, blankets and home entertainment.
Don’t panic, but you may not have internet service for days.
WHEN A STORM HAS PASSED
- Do not go outside and begin cleanup on your own. Let OTOW
employees remove limbs and all damage. There could be wires down.
- Traffic lights may be out. Stop at all intersections.