America’s 242nd birthday celebrated in lively fashion
By PHYLLIS HODGES
The Sun City Center Community Association-sponsored July 4th Family Fun Day included a pancake breakfast at Community Hall. Then at the Central Campus, partygoers enjoyed music, dancing, food, games, free ice cream, a model railroad exhibit and fun in the pool.
The breakfast drew 1,310 people eager to start celebrating the holiday with friends, neighbors and family. Against a backdrop of lively chatter and music by the SCC Organ and Keyboard Club, 176 volunteers moved with precision and smiles to serve the delectable breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage, toast and drinks. The 50-50 raffle table was busy offering tickets “by the arm’s length” and the drawings made two lucky winners very happy. Kathy Norton won both first and third totaling $290; Peter Aluotto took home $150 for second.
Organizers Bob and Pat Sullivan attributed the breakfast’s smooth operation and cheery atmosphere to the unwavering support of volunteers and CA staff members. “This is a community event — for the people, by the people,” they said. “Nearly 200 people are willingly giving a few hours of their holiday as a service to their community. It is amazing to watch them work together to get so much done — from planning, to setting up, to cleaning up afterward. We have been asked why we don’t have the breakfast catered, but no way would we change it; it just wouldn’t be the same.”
On the Central Campus, food was plentiful, and music wafted continuously as DJ Leanne Williams entertained with karaoke and dance music, followed by duo Cyndi Burger (vocals and guitar) and Thor Stevens (vocals, keys and sax) at the grandstand. The SCC Model Railroad Club’s exhibition of a new portable N Scale modular railroad known as T-Trak proved to be a popular addition to the event. It was an operating display of individually owned modules in various stages of development, from bare plywood to completion.
Community Association President John Luper called this Family Fun Day, the third since the first one in 2016, “a day of fun to celebrate our country’s independence.” He extended congratulations to the Sullivans for another successful breakfast and thanked his fellow volunteers and CA staff for their efforts.
This and other CA events are funded by proceeds from CA-sponsored holiday breakfasts. That fund will also be tapped to help defray costs of the December 8 Golf Cart Parade. Want to see more July 4 pictures? Go to the Friends of Sun City Center Facebook page.
At the CA Central Campus poolside, music by DJ Leanne Williams brought line dancers to their feet and Karaoke singers to the mike.
BILL / PHYLLIS HODGES PHOTO
SCC Keyboard & Organ Club member Mira Beck takes her turn at providing music for dining enjoyment.
Kitchen Supervisor Lori Germain said her kitchen volunteers are a joy to work with.
