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Sarasota, Florida December 2016
President’s Message
Merry Christmas, Happy
Hanukkah, Bountiful
Kwanzaa, and a Magical
Solstice to one and all.
December is the time to
celebrate all the wonderful
winter holidays; a time to
gather together for fun,
fellowship and lots of merry making. A time to let
your family and friends know how much you love and
care for them. And most importantly of all, a time to
set the scales back ten pounds! I hope we are all able
to set aside the cares of this world for at least a little
while to celebrate the magic of this wonderful holiday
season and express our gratitude for all the many
blessings that fill our lives.
Have you polished your dancing shoes yet? Our
annual holiday banquet is coming up soon on
December 11th
. The deadline for purchasing a
ticket is December 5th
or when we sell out. We can
accommodate 100 people, and we already have close
to 90 tickets sold. It’s truly a special evening and I
wouldn’t want you to miss out.
We had a wonderful time at our annual picnic at
Turtle Beach. Over fifty of you came out to join in
the festivities. The weather was just perfect.
Changing the date from April to November was an
excellent idea! I personally want to thank everyone
who so generously gave of their time and talents to
make this event such a success, but especially our
events chairman, Jack Stewart. Very nice job! A
special shout out to Juan Espino for donating
the hamburgers and standing over a hot grill cooking
all afternoon. And thanks to each of you who took
time to prepare so many great things to eat.
Our annual board member election is coming up in
January. Thanks so much to those who have stepped
up to serve on our 2017 board of directors. We have
one or two openings still available, so sign up
IN THIS ISSUE
Page 1
President’s Message
Page 2
Officers & Members of the BOD
December Birthdays
Page 3
2017 BOD Election
Calendar of Events
Page 6
In Memoriam: Michael Fiorentino, Jr.
Membership Meeting Reminder
Page 7
Fall Picnic
Page 9
South Lunch
Writing the Best Bios – Let Us Do the Work
Page 10
Prime Timers Invade Normandy
Page 11
Classifieds
Page 12
Information on Celebration of Friends
Newsletter Contact Information
2
quickly. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the joy
of serving your fellow Prime Timers. I have enjoyed
serving on the board and have made many wonderful
new friends. It feels good to give back a little to keep
our organization strong and moving into the future.
Just a reminder that it’s time to renew your annual
dues. It’s just $25 per person for a standard
membership and $35 if you want land mail. Thanks
to all of you who have already signed up.
Two new members joined in November, George
Kraper and Jim Snopku. Let’s all give them a warm
welcome into our club.
It is with a sad heart that I report we lost another
friend and member in November, Michael Fiorentino.
See his obituary in this newsletter. Michael, you will
be missed my friend!
Several members are having health issues and could
use your good thoughts and prayers. Those that I’m
aware of are Cole Williams, Nick Robbins and Dale
Curtsinger. If you know of any others, please let us
know. We send you our love and prayers and hope
you all have a speedy recovery.
Love and hugs, David Simpson, President
12/2 Bill Enslen
12/3 Gary Davis
12/7 David Farris
12/10 Ron Polley
12/19 Jim Nichol
12/20 Ronald Luon0
12/21 Edward Hurley
12/25 Jerry Gulley
12/29 Steven Rowe
Officers & Members of the
Board of Directors:
President – David Simpson
941-924-8965
E-Mail: [email protected]
Vice President – Tom Comerford
941-776-9838
E-Mail: [email protected]
Secretary - Charles Tramer
941-371-0720
E-Mail: [email protected]
Treasurer - John Mickelbank
941-792-1133
E-Mail: [email protected]
Members At Large
Stan Willis 941-358-5364
E-Mail: [email protected]
Bill Patton 941-378-8111
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ron Gibson 317-501-7496
E-Mail: [email protected]
Jack Stewart (Events Coord.) 215-990-5691
E-Mail: [email protected]
Steve Horowitz: Newletter Editor 941-993-
3561; [email protected]
3
2017 ELECTION OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gentlemen: It is that time of year again where we notify our Membership of our upcoming
election to be held on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
Certain unforeseen circumstances occurred this year which resulted in a number of positions
being open. This year we have 4 members staying on the Board for 2017. We need between 3
and 5 additional members for the Board.
John Mickelbank has agreed serve a fourth year as Treasurer. Board Members Jack Stewart,
Stan Willis, and Ron Gibson will be completing the second year of their two-year term.
Positions are normally for 2 years.
Without these vacancies being filled, THERE CAN BE NO BOARD AND WITHOUT A
BOARD, THERE CAN BE NO PRIME TIMERS SARASOTA!
If you are interested in serving on the Board, please advise either President David Simpson
([email protected]) or Secretary Charles Tramer ([email protected]).
calendar of events November 2016 – January 2017
NOVEMBER
QUESTIONS? E-mail Jack Stewart, [email protected] OR call 941-993-1193.
Membership Meeting: Sunday, November 27th, 3:00 p.m. at MCC Church (Lazy Lobster
after).
Purple Rhino: Hamburger night ($7.50 with fries/onion rings/potato salad) Wednesday,
November 30th
, 6:00 p.m. (Corner of Beneva & Webber). Open to all.
4
DECEMBER
Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, December 7th, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity MCC on
Lockwood Ridge Rd. All are welcome.
North Side Lunch: Thursday, December 8th
at 1:00 p.m., Lucky Pelican Bistro (6239 Lake
Osprey Drive, Sarasota). RSVP Stan Willis, [email protected].
HOLIDAY PARTY: Sunday, December 11th at 6:00 p.m., Sara Bay Country
Club. $40 (same price as last year!). Tasty gourmet dinner, live DJ music &
dancing, cash bar, great venue! Entrée choices: Boneless Pork
Diane OR Teriyaki Glazed Salmon. Send reservation, entrée choice, phone
number, and name of group (checks payable to “Prime Timers”) to John
Mickelbank, 6109 35th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34209.
RSVP DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 5TH. (We have 90 out of 100 reservations confirmed;
last year was FULL!)
South Side Lunch: Thursday, December 15th at 1:00 p.m. NOTE: CHANGED TO Roni’s
Café, 2833 Bee Ridge. RSVP Dale Curtsinger, [email protected] or 941-346-0757.
Purple Rhino: Hamburger night ($7.50 with fries/onion rings/potato salad). Wednesday,
December 28th, 6:00 p.m. (Corner of Beneva & Webber). Open to all.
JANUARY
The Dali Museum/Vinoy Hotel Tour, St. Petersburg: Thursday,
January 26th. $86 (day trip) Beautiful art by Dali followed by lunch
at the Vinoy. Call Kelly at All Around Tours for reservations. 941-
488-9393.
Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity MCC on
Lockwood Ridge Rd. All are welcome.
North Side Lunch: Thursday, January 12th
at 1:00 p.m. Location to be scheduled. RSVP Stan
Willis, [email protected].
South Side Lunch: Thursday, January 19th
at 1:00 p.m., Sommers Dutch Family Restaurant,
4000 Cattlemen Road. RSVP to Dale Curtsinger at [email protected] or 941 346-
0757.
Membership Meeting: Sunday, January 22nd, 3:00 p.m. at MCC Church (Lazy Lobster after).
Purple Rhino: Hamburger night ($7.50 with fries/onion rings/potato salad) Wednesday, Jan
25th, 6:00 p.m. (Corner of Beneva &Webber). Open to all.
OTHER EVENTS: There are other events that are not sponsored by Prime Timers
of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. These events may be advertised in our
Newsletter or announced at meetings. Call these people for information: Michael
Stone’s New Orleans Land & Sea cruise January - 941 359-8212 (sponsored by
Worldwide Prime Timers).
5
Upcoming Trip with Pink Flamingo Group Trips & Dan Warren (in conjunction with Al & Chuck Travel): CUBA: January 18-25, 2017. This trip is an official “people to people” tour and includes 7 nights in Havana at the 4-star centrally located Tryp Havana Libre Hotel, 3 full days of guided sightseeing (including Havana, the Vinales Valley, and several historic towns), daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, and nonstop air from Tampa or Miami. Optional guided tours will also be available during the 3 free days. There will also be some group dinners at local Havana restaurants. Join us for what promises to be a fun and educational trip during the most pleasant time of year in Cuba. RATES: $1995 (including nonstop air and taxes) from Tampa and $1795 PP (including nonstop air and taxes) from Miami. Single supplement rates are also available. For more information contact Dan Warren at [email protected] or 941-359-2526. For reservations call Sheila Monaghan at Al & Chuck Travel at 941-953-4879 Ext. 195 and tell her you’re with Pink Flamingo Group Trips.
Prime Timers Worldwide, Michael and Robert and
Courtyard Travel present
New Orleans and a Cruise to the Mexican Yucatan!
New Orleans March 29 - 31, 2017/5-Night Cruise April 1,
2017 - April 6, 2017
Spend 3 nights at a 4-star hotel in the heart of the French Quarter with
hot breakfasts daily and free WiFi, and a private tour of New Orleans as
well as a 5-night Yucatan Cruise, and an all day private tour of Uxmal, a
World Heritage Site. Price includes:
New Orleans 3 - 5 night Yucatan Cruise
March 30; New Orleans Tour Private tour in Uxmal
1 - 3 night Hotel in New Orleans Inside Cabin $ 884.45
Private Tour of New Orleans Outside Cabin 929.45
Cozumel Balcony Cabin 1,079.45
Progresso with tour New Orleans
All Taxes & Port Charges included. Ask about optional transfer hotel to ship. Deposit is $200 Final payment
due January 31, 2017. Full deposit refunded up to 90 days before sailing. ALL FARES BASED ON DOUBLE
OCCUPANCY. For info and reservations contact: Courtyard Travel 1010 Northern Blvd., Suite 228 Great
Neck, NY 10021. Bobette at Courtyard, 800-437-9685, Fax 516-829-5427/Michael Stone for Courtyard 941-
359-8212. Donations will benefit Prime Timers!
6
In Memoriam
Michael J. Fiorentino, Jr.
3/18/41 – 11/2/16
Prime Timer's Sarasota member and friend Michael Fiorentino passed away on Wednesday, November
2 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Michael was born in New York City in 1941 and spent most of his life there
with his partner of 48 years, Anthony Mancuso. After Anthony's passing, Michael began traveling to Florida to
spend part of each winter in the Tampa Bay area.
In October of 2011, he met many of our Sarasota members on a cruise from New York to Montreal;
that's when our friendship started and he became a world traveler. He began to winter in Sarasota each year
stretching the season to spend more time here.
In January of 2014, he relocated to Sarasota and settled into his condo on Siesta Key. One day he called
me to tell me that as a child he always looked at a post card of Siesta Key and dreamed of having this view.
Now it was his.
Before health issues slowed him down, Michael was always seen at Sarasota events, dressed and dapper
as always. Michael wrestled with heart disease the past two years. He will be sadly missed by those of us who
knew him here and in New York. There are no services planned and his remains will be sent to New York
where he will rejoin 'his Anthony'.
Submitted by Michael Stone
At our next General Membership Meeting Sunday, on November 27th
at 3:00
PM at MCC Church, Steve Horowitz and Dale Moore will share some stories
and pictures from their recent trip to South Africa.
From Cape Buffalo to Capetown, from safaris to salt water, from elephants to
elegant dinners at renown wineries, they discovered what the other side of the
world is like. Steve, being a shutter bug, took over 1,200 pictures. (No, they
aren’t going to show them all.) Looking forward to seeing you on the 27th
.
**We, as a club, are so very fortunate to have so many members who have traveled around the
globe. If you have had the thrill of exploring a different world and/or culture, PLEASE share
your trip with us. Call Bill Patton and he will schedule a meeting date for you to do that.**
Membership Meeting Reminder
7
WE’VE BEEN KEEPING BUSY!
FALL PICNIC AT TURTLE BEACH
We had an excellent turn out and a great time was had by all.
8
9
South Lunch at Millie’s
22 Attended
WRITING THE BEST BIOS: LET US DO THE WORK FOR YOU!
Because writing an autobiography can be intimidating and time-consuming,
we have decided that the best way to learn about members is to interview
them and we will compose a biography for your review. You don’t have to
answer any questions with which you aren’t comfortable. This way, it
shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. You can either volunteer by
contacting Steve Horowitz, Editor, or we will randomly select people from
the membership and arrange a mutually convenient time for the interview. I
think you will enjoy the new process.
10
Prime Timers Invade Normandy Michael Stone, President
Prime Timers Worldwide
Two years of planning and dreaming all came true on Saturday, October 15th as
a bunch of us headed for France. There were 5 of us from the Sarasota Chapter (which
Delta managed to split onto two difference flights) The remaining group came from
Cathedral City and San Jose and Mission Viejo, California, Destin and Pompano Beach,
Florida, Michigan, and Charlotte, NC. Some assembled in a Paris hotel earlier in the
week. Eight of us took overnight flights and met at Paris DeGaulle airport bleary-eyed
early Sunday morning.
Miraculously, we found each other and our driver at the airport and our private bus took us into Paris to
pick up and meet those staying at the hotel. The bus took us to Honfleur where our ship, the Seine Princess,
awaited us docked on the Seine. Once our luggage was aboard we set out by foot exploring Honfleur to sample
the first of many wonderful French meals.
Returning to ship late afternoon we unpacked our luggage into our cabins and assembled for a shipboard
welcome, including cocktails. Not all the passengers had boarded so we had the ship to ourselves for a while.
Dinner followed in the French tradition. It was to be the first of many wonderful French meals. The distance
from Honfleur to Paris is not that far so most of the river journey was about the excursions at each port each
day.
All meals aboard ship were breakfast buffets, with lunches and dinner served in the French tradition
with unlimited Beer and Wine. Cocktails were always offered without charge in the Lounge. One of our
lunches was in a restaurant during a full day excursion.
Day 2 began with an 8:00 AM bus departure for the 'Beaches of Normandy' excursion, which began
with a very emotional 'circularama film' and then visits to the bunkers. We visited and walked Omaha Beach,
Utah and Gold beaches. We walked through the cemetery. Emotions ran high as we looked at markers and
names of the young men who lost their lives there.
Day 3 took us to Duclair where we visited two very different Abbeys and walked their grounds. Once
returning to the ship, we sailed on to Rouen where we docked for the night. The next day (Day 4) was spent
with a guide on a walking tour of Rouen (old capital of Normandy). While the guide was very good and
knowledgeable, she outpaced some of us. Rouen was a wonderful city; especially memorable was the cathedral
and the spot where St. Joan was sacrificed at the stake. Our guys returned to the ship loaded with boxes of
chocolates, so the shopping must have been great!
The morning of Day 5 took us to Vernon. After breakfast we boarded the bus for a wonderful guided
tour of Versailles. After returning to the ship, we made our way to Paris, arriving at the perfect time to
appreciate all the wonderful lights the city had to offer. We docked near the Eiffel Tower. Anyone wishing to
leave the ship could, to explore Paris at night.
The last day aboard started with a guided bus tour of Paris, taking us to all the famous sights. On our
last night we celebrated with a wonderful banquet dinner. After a good night's sleep, we moved to the hotel up
the embankment and across the street. From there our fellow travelers returned home at different times. For all
I know, there may still be a few stragglers still enjoying Paris. The five of us from Sarasota stayed two nights at
the hotel, sampling exquisite French cuisines (as if the ship's meals weren't enough). The flight home got us to
Sarasota on the same day we left Paris, loaded with treasured memories and pictures we'll have forever.
Our next great and exciting adventure starts on March 29, 2017 where our group begins a stay in a New
Orleans four-star hotel, including excursions and a meet-up with the New Orleans Prime Timers. From there
we will board the Carnival Triumph for a beautiful 5 days which includes the ports of Cozumel and Progresso.
We will have our own, private, day excursion to the exquisite Mayan ruins at Uxmal. Don't miss this great
opportunity with exciting Prime Timers travels.
11
Men’s HIV+ Discussion Group
The Community AIDS Network and The Clark West and Elliott Mitchell Family Foundation
are sponsoring a Men’s HIV+ Discussion Group on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
This group meets across the street from the main campus of CAN on 12th and Tuttle. A
Licensed Mental Health Counselor facilitates the group. This is a free group open to all men
who are HIV+. The 3rd Tuesday of each month will be open to caregivers and partners of those
who are HIV+. All other groups are close for Men who are HIV positive. For information
please contact Clark West at 941-366-6900. You can find other information by going
to Facebook page : SRQLGBTfoundation.
Hello, My name is Kevin Barlow,
and I am a Sarasota Prime Timers
member currently looking for a room to
rent over the winter months. My original
plans didn’t happen and I am hoping one
of your members might have or know
someone who has a room to rent from
December to May. I am 64 years old
living on medical retirement. Light social
drinker, non-smoker, active, clean,
normal guy with no drama who can assist
with daily chores. Thank you.
937-760-015.
12
Info on Celebration of Friends
Official Newsletter Articles and letters are due no later than the 20th of each month and can be emailed to [email protected].
PRIME TIMERS SARASOTA P.O. Box 1411
Sarasota, Fl. 34230-1411 941-556-1344
Be sure to visit our website at: www.primetimerssarasota.org
Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/PTsarasota
PrimeTimers Worldwide Newsletter
World Wide Newsletters click on the issue you want to read. You can also go to ‘Chapters’ and click on chapter names and read many of the chapter newsletters. Find out what’s happening all around!
