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| TEAM Punta Gorda Newsletter |
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 Joanne and Richard Collins, Editors |
April 2016
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TEAM's Golf Tournament
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| | In memory of Judy |
The 11th Annual TEAM golf tournament, held each year in memory of TEAM's wonderful COO Judy Brentano, was held on Saturday March 19th at Saint Andrews South Golf Club. Ninety-two players had a fun day on the links, and all groups finished their rounds just before an afternoon deluge swamped the course! Saint Andrews South Golf Club did another fabulous job supporting this year's event.
The golf tournament is a key source of TEAM's yearly operating funds, and this year's event raised one of the highest totals ever. It included a great silent auction, auction (raffle), 50/50 raffle and other fund raising efforts that the Golf Committee worked countless hours for six months to assemble and execute.
Some of the key members of the Golf Committee included Karen Wedemeyer (past committee chairperson), Arlene Sofranko, Susan Miller, Barbara Ann Wastrodowski, Rebecca Diemer (also a member of TEAM's leadership team), Bill Beston, Vic Poitras, Norm Gravelle, Vince Ann Wahlrab, and Ed Bouton (chairman). TEAM President Shelly Harris provided dedicated assistance and support to the Committee. TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson attended the tournament's awards ceremony and gave a nice speech recognizing the tournament's sponsors, thanking Saint Andrews members and management, and of course remembering Judy. Thanks so much for making it such a success and so much fun!
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Join Pedal and Play in Paradise on April 1 and 2
 New for 2016! TEAM's 2016 Pedal and Play event has:
One price, Two days - an expanded event!
When you check in Friday to pick up your packet, don't go back home. Friday at 5 p.m. offers the City Manager's "Here and There" ride, a slow ride to Ponce de Leon Park ending with yoga by sunset. Finish off the evening at a wine and cheese fundraiser or, if you prefer beer, use your free sampler tickets at various libation establishments.
The next day has all the traditional rides through Punta Gorda, including a brand new Mystery Ride.
Can't make it Saturday for the traditional ride? No worries! A low cost Friday Only event is available. As always, this event has a noble cause of benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and TEAM's Bicycle Friendly Initiative, hosted by TEAM Punta Gorda and Isles Yacht Club.
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April TEAM Mixer
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Chef Keith's Trabue Restaurant
will host the next TEAM mixer
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Join us for the next Team Mixer at
Trabue Restaurant's Outdoor Patio
258 W Marion
Tuesday, April 26
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Trabue will provide appetizers and a cash bar. Come hear about events coming up and meet our volunteers!
Find out about how you might help out TEAM. Check in to win raffle prizes. Don't miss out. It will be a fun evening! |
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Have you noticed Punta Gorda's Bike Art?
 TEAM's Bike Art brings a harmony of artists, business owners and bike enthusiasts together. Look for it!
TEAM's Bike Art Project started when Betsy Spagnolo, a former Pittsburgh, PA resident, moved here 3 ½ years ago. Her idea was to brand the painted bicycles to the area. Each bike became a work of art, painted by artists from our town. At this time, there are 20+ unique bicycles painted and placed around Punta Gorda. The goal is to have 35 bikes finished by October 2016, just in time for the snowbirds and many visitors to our fair city.
As we continue to go forward with the project, the design possibilities of the bikes are endless.Thanks so much to the contributing artists: Wendi Smith, Helen Paul, Diane Dean, Dorothy Simescu, Sue Krasny, Bev Yankwitt, Nancy Morris, Avery McBee, Morgan McAtee, Sarah Corey, Marilyn Maulin, the CHS Art Club and Betsy Spagnolo. They worked diligently to design special and unique bicycle art.
If you are interested in helping to paint one the bikes, contact Betsy Spagnolo at 412- 303-8686 or call the Team Office. We are also in need of bicycles to paint. Just imagine - one of your used bikes could turn into a Work of Art for our community!
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 Slow Spokes Roll
Join us for a Slow Spokes Roll
on
Wednesday, April 6 and 20
5:30 PM
Herald Square Parking Garage
Please note that Slow Spokes Roll Community rides are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. Always start at 5:30 p.m. and then end at Herald Square Parking Garage. Lights and Helmets required All ages and abilities welcome
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Looking for a Fun Activity for visiting kids?
 TEAM's Maritime Committee in partnership with Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) is conducting a series of FREE Kids Fishing Clinics at the Cedar Point Environmental Center in Englewood and Bayshore Park in Port Charlotte. Children ages 8-12 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.
All equipment is provided. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Pre-registration required at CHEC. Snacks and drinks are included.
When? The last one will be held on April 16 in Bayshore Park, Port Charlotte
This hands-on program teaches conservation-based fishing techniques including knot tying, rod and reel use, fish identification and proper fish handling for responsible and ethical saltwater fishing. All sessions will be taught by knowledgeable and experienced local anglers using Florida Fish & Wildlife protocol.
Volunteers are welcome and donations are appreciated. Contact Bobbi Rogers at 941-475-0769 or bobbi@CHECflorida.org to reserve a spot for your visiting kid or grandkid!
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Community Gardens News
Real World Kids, a special needs program at Charlotte Tech, was given tools and equipment by TEAM Punta Gorda and Mosaic. The students worked in teams of two on projects that beautified their campus through gardening. Three teams competed at SkillsUSA Region 6 in Community Action Project and won gold, silver and bronze medals. They are now eligible to move onto SkillsUSA State Championships in Lakeland, Florida to be held April 24 - 27. They need $2,500 to attend. If you would like to help sponsor them, please contact TEAM.
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| | New sign at Community Gardens |
Our Community Gardens at the Public Safety Building recently installed it's own sign on the pretty white fence.. Check out the picture!
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Congrats to new Police Chief
 TEAM sends it congratulations to Tom Lewis, who was recently appointed Punta Gorda's Police Chief.
Chief Tom Lewis began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the Punta Gorda Police Department as a Police Officer. He has served in the Criminal Investigation Section, Operations Commander in charge of the Uniform Patrol Section, Criminal Investigations Section, School Resource Officers, Specialty Teams, and Employee Development.
In 2010, he attended and graduated from the prestigious 243rd Session of the FBI National Academy. In 2012, Chief Lewis was honored by the Southwest Florida Police Chiefs Association as the 2012 Command Officer of the Year. Tom graduated as Class President of the 2013 Leadership Charlotte Class.
Tom serves as an assessor and team leader with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation as well as a committee member and instructor for the Florida Police Accreditation Coalition.
Tom is currently the Treasurer of the Southwest Florida Police Chiefs Association and is an active member of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
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Beautification Committee
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| | | Suzanne McCormick creates beauty in our community - Thank you! | |
Thanks to Suzanne McCormick for 10 years of outstanding service to TEAM's Beautification Committee. She and her group spent countless hours putting touches of beauty to our town. Here is a picture of Suzanne landscaping a Paint Your Heart Out property. Check out this fine hard working group. Isn't Bobbi Crane's mailbox gorgeous? She and other members of the Visual Arts Center created unique mailboxes for some of the Paint Your Heart Out homes.
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| | Bobbi's original design |
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The Beautification Gang finishes working on the Paint Your Heart Out Landscaping
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Help Wanted - TEAM needs YOU !
Do you have time to help
TEAM?
We can use your help. Here's just a sampling of some of the fun things you can do with just a little bit of your time:
Looking for a Volunteer TEAM Coordinator
Need Beautification Chairperson & volunteers.
Help by becoming a Co-chair of the School Community Gardens
Become a member of the Outreach Committee and help spread the word
about TEAM's many volunteer activities by organizing Mixers and working the
TEAM table at special events.
Join the Membership Committee in welcoming new and renewing
contributing members
Interested? Just give a call to Sue Carman, TEAM Volunteer Coordinator
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Save the DATE for TEAM
Don't forget to put this date
in your smartphone or paper calendar!
April 1 & 2 - Pedal & Play Bike Event
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HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR!
We invite you to visit the community calendars below for more information about upcoming events.
April 1-2, Pedal and Play in Paradise, 2-day bike event (see above article)
April 1-11, The Nina and The Pinta, Tour replicas at Fisherman's Village, 9 AM - 6 PM. $8 per adult, $7 per senior, call 787-672-2152 or check out website, www.ninapinta.org
April 6: Slow Spokes Roll, Herald Square Parking Garage, 5:30 p.m. (see above article)
April 20: Slow Spokes Roll, Herald Square Parking Garage, 5:30 p.m. (see above article)
April 26: TEAM Mixer at Trabue, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (see above article)
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Calendar
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Spotlight on our Platinum Sponsors
 Platinum sponsor Waste Management (WM) may be a huge company with facilities all over the North American continent, but when it comes to community involvement, the company operates just like a local business.
The company website emphasizes that "our customers are also our neighbors, associates, friends and family." Waste Management's partnership with TEAM Punta Gorda exemplifies just that. In addition to its financial support, Waste Management provides in-kind support for many TEAM events, including hundreds of backpacks, water, ice, coolers and trash removal for the hugely successful Pedal & Play in Paradise as well as Pinnacle golf balls for the memorial golf tournament. The company's Government Affairs Manager Stephanie Kissinger recently attended a Bicycle Friendly Committee meeting and asked if bicycles left out for trash could be re-purposed.
Stephanie explained why Waste Management stays engaged. "TEAM is a resource channel to the community's citizens. TEAM promotes action, influence, unity and quality of life." Waste Management is "honored to offer our full commitment to Charlotte County as a whole," says Stephanie, who looks forward to providing the City with an "an opportunity to expand our services."
Waste Management has effectively "recycled" itself year after year since its humble founding at the dawn of the 20th Century by Harm Huizenga, a Dutch immigrant, who began hauling garbage for $1.25 a wagon in Chicago. In 1971, grandson Wayne Huizenga, partner Dean Butrockand others founded Waste Management, Inc. and began aggressively purchasing garbage collection services across the country. The transformation of Waste Management into the global environmental services powerhouse it has become is quite a story. Read More.
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Message from TEAM CEO
 TEAM Punta Gorda Volunteers are special people. Many of you will leave us shortly to return to other communities for the summer. We want to send you off with our heartfelt thanks for being a real part of this community. Your efforts are what makes our efforts successful
Probably the most volunteer-intensive effort of TEAM Punta Gorda's many activities and events, is our upcoming annual community bicycling event Pedal and Play in Paradise. This event is so much more than a ride, as it provides a real demonstration of the community spirit that makes this town special. It also raises money to continue TEAM Punta Gorda's Bicycle Friendly Community efforts, and for an outstanding charity, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). The Isles Yacht Club is our partner in this event, as part of their month-long Leukemia Cup activities. Last year, these activities collectively raised nearly $50,000 for LLS. In order for the 550-plus riders to participate in this two day event, over 125 volunteers are needed. Many of these volunteers have been working steadily since last year's ride to make it happen all over again. You can still register for the event at www.pedalandplayinparadise.com.
The most energizing kind of volunteer activities are those that rise from a strong, personal, community interest. Last month, the City of Punta Gorda Urban Design staff held a series of community input meetings on the upcoming, badly needed, re-make of the playground in Gilchrist Park. Punta Gorda City Staff filled the walls of Council chambers with drawings of possible playground equipment and themes. The hope was that residents would come to give input on their preferences. What the staff did not anticipate was that Sally Jones Elementary School was closed that day. The residents that showed up brought with them their young children, the end users of the playground. Families marched around the room, placing blue dots on the equipment that they liked best. It was citizen participation at its finest, and an early lesson for the kids about democracy in action. The mothers of these budding citizens and several other interested residents have since formed an ad-hoc group called Friends of the Gilchrist Park Playground. Their goal is to make the playground spectacular, while saving the taxpayer's money. They plan to raise funds privately for additional equipment and playground amenities that might not fit in the City's limited budget. The entire effort must be completed by July when the playground process goes into the final design phase. TEAM Punta Gorda will host this committee. They are planning a fundraising kick off on Thursday, April 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Turtle Club Patio. Tax-deductible contributions to the playground fund can be made payable to TEAM Punta Gorda and labeled Friends of the Gilchrist Playground. Amazingly, a total of 456 Punta Gordians jumped in this past year to serve on over 20 committees or events to help make our community an even better place to work and play. Some events were high profile; other contributions were made behind the scenes. We are most grateful to them all. Nancy Johnson
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Parting Shot
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| | Hopping down the Bunny Trail on Shreve |
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Thanks to our "year-round" sponsors
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