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| TEAM Punta Gorda Newsletter |
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| Joanne and Richard Collins, Editors |
Oct 2014
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Remembering Judy
Message from TEAM CEO
Team lost a very special person - our COO, Judy Brentano passed away on Sept. 19, 2014, at the age of 66 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was smart, excellent with people and could get anything done. She could talk anyone into anything. She was a tremendous writer and communicator. She made complex issues really simple. Her aim was to "get 'er done." Above all, Judy was my colleague and friend whom I will never forget. Please join us for a celebration of her life at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Assn., 2001 Shreve St., with a reception immediately following at St. Andrews South Golf Club, 1901 Deborah Dr. Please see the article below for more information about her life.
Nancy Johnson
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Judy Brentano
Judy Brentano had previously lived in Parma Heights, Ohio, and Marietta, Georgia. Soon after moving to Florida in 2004, Hurricane Charley devastated Punta Gorda. Judy joined TEAM Punta Gorda, initially serving as chair of the fundraising committee and then becoming the second CEO of the organization. She returned to TEAM Punta Gorda to become its COO until just recently. She was a tireless volunteer who knew how to get things done. She loved TEAM Punta Gorda and this town, and was a major factor in the success of the organization, particularly in the years following Charley.
Judy began her career in court reporting in Cleveland, Ohio, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She loved her chosen profession and worked tirelessly on its behalf. She went on to become president of both the Georgia and the National Court Reporters associations, eventually being awarded the Distinguished Service Award by both associations. She was always looking for a challenge, so when closed captioning of live television became a possibility, she was one of the first to begin providing that service to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Atlanta and beyond.
While widely published in professional journals during her career, it was after being diagnosed with breast cancer that she really found her voice in writing. She began with The Cancer Dance, a humorous, informative and inspirational chronicle of her initial battle with breast cancer. She went on to write an unpublished mystery novel entitled
I Love You Dead.
Judy is survived by her husband, Mike. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Tidewell Hospice, http://tidewell.org/hospice/donors/tidewell-ecard/. She will be missed.
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TEAM Turns 10 - Don't Miss Out!
TEAM's 10th Anniversary dinner dance to be held Oct. 24 at the Event Center has 12 wonderful sponsors. Our major sponsors are Jerry Hayes RE/MAX Anchor, Time Insurance and Mosaic.
We have 41 exciting items to be auctioned including Disney passes, local restaurant certificates and much much more. But time is running out. The deadline for ticket purchase is Oct 15. Go to
and chose the link for TEAM Turns 10 and purchase online - or stop by - or call the office 637-8326, to reserve your spot and submit a check today.
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Miami Herald: Punta Gorda is quick-trip destination
The Miami Herald recently published a flattering story about our town and Team's efforts in its recovery post Hurricane Charley. They stated "Punta Gorda is even more appealing 10 years after the hurricane."
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Grant Awarded
 TEAM Punta Gorda's Bicycle Friendly Communities Committee has been awarded a $7,000 grant from the Charlotte Community Foundation to conduct a public education and safety campaign, called "Share the Road." This committee is made up of City staff, Punta Gorda Police and Fire Department representatives, the Health Department, riders associations, and Acme Bicycle Shop as well as TEAM volunteers. More volunteers are needed.
The committee meets every second Monday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m.. A strategic planning agenda is scheduled for the next meeting at Laishley Community room. All interested parties are welcome. This Committee is co-chaired by Court Nederveld and Bob Armstrong.
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Hand-crank Bike
 City Council approved the purchase of a hand-crank bicycle for the Bicycle Loaner Program operated in partnership with TEAM Punta Gorda. Community partners are working to raise funds for the purchase through donations.
The Bicycle Loaner Program report through August 2014 showed the fiscal year-to-date riders totaled 4,052, a 35% increase over the previous year. During August, the Wyvern Hotel and Laishley Park Marina were the locations with the highest ridership. The program continues to increase in popularity.
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Are you a friendly person?
 If so, you may want to consider joining our Bicycle Friendly Community Committee! TEAM Punta Gorda's Bicycle Friendly Community Committee is a collaborative effort of City and residents, with the objective of helping Punta Gorda become a more Bicycle Friendly Community.
We meet at 4 p.m. on the second Monday of every month at the Laishley Marine Community Meeting Room, to discuss ways we can do this. Our next meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 13.
At this meeting we will have a Planning Session, led by TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson. We will review what we've accomplished, where we are now, and what we would like to do in the future. If you have any bicycle-friendly ideas, or are just interested in seeing what we're doing, please consider joining us for this interesting brainstorming session! If you can't make this meeting, but are interested in helping, please call Bob Armstrong at 575-0785, or email Bob at RCArmstrong@comcast.net.
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Airport Emergency Volunteers Needed
Oct. 21, 2014
The Punta Gorda Airport is conducting an emergency drill and needs volunteers.
When: Oct. 21, 2014, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Punta Gorda Airport
For more information, contact Ben Duke, Airport Operations, 941-639-4119 (ext 119).
For a copy of the Volunteer Instruction Sheet, click here
For a copy of the release, click release
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Join the TEAM!
Great Opportunities Available
Fall is in the air and it's time to roll out action plans for Team's busy committees. Several are holding facilitated workshops to organize for the coming year. It's a great time to jump in and help! For more information, contact us at:
TEAM Turns 10
For those who are not attending the Oct 24 event, we are looking for volunteers to help with checking people in, manning the silent auction tables, acting as ushers and helping at auction check-out.
Bicycle Friendly Communities Committee
Come to a planning session on Oct. 13, 4 p.m. Laishley Marina Community Room, and see how you can help.
Maritime Committee
Come to a planning session on Oct. 27, 10 a.m. Laishley Marina Community Room and see how you can help.
Paint Your Heart Out Chair: 5 hours per week, October through March
Initial Meeting is Oct. 7, volunteers welcome. Coordinate this service event; committee, funding, and operations management are already in place. What is needed is an overall project coordinator.
Additionally, all TEAM committees can always use new faces. Those who are unsure where they fit in should contact Sue Carman for more information.
Sue Carman, TEAM Volunteer Coordinator
VolunteerTeamPG@aol.com
941-637-8326
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And Big Dates to Save!
Upcoming TEAM Events
The TEAM Annual Meeting will be held at the PGI Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda:
January 15, 2015
7 p.m.
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TEAM Annual Golf Outing will be held at St. Andrews Golf Club in Punta Gorda on:
March 21, 2015
This event serves as one of TEAM's principal fundraising events of the year. Golfers of all abilities are more than welcome to play (established golf handicaps, while desired, are not required). The format for play will once again be "Captain's Choice/Scramble." In addition to the 18-hole competition, the tournament will include putting, long drive, "closest to the line" and closest to the pin competitions for both men and women. A continental breakfast will precede the tournament with buffet lunch/19th hole, raffle, silent auction and awards presentation to follow.
There will be a sign-up table at the TEAM Turns 10 dinner dance on Oct. 24.
This is an excellent opportunity to get out and meet both members of TEAM and leaders in our community.
Ed Bouton, TEAM Golf Outing Chair
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Pedal and Play in Paradise annual bicycle event will be held:
March 28, 2015
Over 500 riders of all bicycling skill levels participated in the 2014 Pedal and Play and had a great time! Mark your calendar!
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HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR!
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