Rainbow Village residents started out 2014 with meals that are to bring them good luck in the new year.
In Pennsylvania, we have pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes. In the south, some have pork jaw and green eyed peas, or corn beef and cabbage for good luck. Whatever tradition you follow, it’s always been the way to bring in the new year.
You don’t always get to hear about the nice things people do at Christmas time, especially businesses. Our Rainbow Village residents were very generous at Christmas and collected enough money to purchase 18 big bicycles for the needy children in Zephyrhills.
Our manager, Sue Flynn, went to Walmart, and the assistant manager there, John, went above and beyond helping them select and purchase the 18 bikes. Thank you, John at Zephyrhills Walmart. Residents also collected many toys and games for the children, too.
Denny Ellis entertained us at a Sunday night ice cream social with a lot of country songs, especially Merle Haggard songs. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Jimmy Smith performed his gospel show at a recent Sunday night ice cream get-together. He did some of his Elvis gospel songs and some Vince Gill and other artists’ gospel songs. Jimmy has a beautiful voice and he closed out his show honoring the veterans.
We were very privileged to have Rich Wilson for our first show of the season. He has performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and many other places. His unique brand of interactive comedy, along with his great vocals, was a perfect combination for Rainbow Village to love his performance. He sang many songs of yesteryear that most of us grew up on. We sure would welcome him back to our resort.
We started off the state dinners with the Multi-State Dinner. These are the states not from Michigan, Canada and New England. Dick Elliott and his committee did a great job of planning this event. There were raffle prizes, and entertainment by Doug and Mary Sawyer, and Jan Peyton, singing country songs. It was very entertaining.
The food was great, and there was so much of it. Thanks, Dick and your committee.
Our next Rainbow Village show is the Steve Jeffris’ one-man band variety show, with guitar and vocals, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
On Feb. 19, Sarah Getto, a musician and songwriter, will perform.
On March 5, our last show will feature Jimmy Smith Remembering the Legends and Gospel Show.
These shows all start at 7 p.m., and the price of the tickets is $8 each. Call Sue Flynn at (813) 782-5075.
So far the season has been great and we’re looking forward to a very eventful February.
By Sandra Gilbert-Abel
