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Stepping Out At Freedom Plaza

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2009

The phrase, "stepping out" has numerous connotations and residents at Freedom Plaza are exploring several new ones this month.

"Stepping out together" in its social aspect is certainly nothing new: it is practiced regularly among Freedom Plaza singles, as it is among the many others in this retirement community who have also lost mates.

"Stepping out in style" is something residents do frequently as they attend operas, the theater or other events.

However, residents were recently offered a novel, "fine feathered stepping out" with a Night at the Plaza Club. Many of them seized the opportunity to don their best bib and tucker and partake of a sumptuous repast in an elegant setting.

The evening began with champagne and hors d'ouvres and proceeded through surf and turf to a deliciously decadent dessert.

Now Freedom Plaza residents are presented yet another form of "stepping out," this one requiring only comfortable clothing, good shoes and the ability to put one foot in front of the other: a walking club.

While walking is almost as natural as breathing and our chief means of locomotion, doing it regularly, on a set course and with a companionable group makes it much more enjoyable.

This new group, to be called the Freedom Stridders, will take early morning walks on pre-measured routes of half-mile, one-mile and two-miles. They will be accompanied by various department directors and staff members who relish the opportunity to get to know better the residents they serve. They can do this as they stride along together, letting their conversation help to pace their speed.

Walking, for both its health-related benefits and its social side is nice; walking toward a specific goal even better. The goal of the Freedom Stridders is to reach the 100 mile mark this year, each at his or her own pace.

There are incentives along the way, at certain marks, such as visors and tee-shirts with a special club logo; walking poles; walks at interesting locations such as Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard and, eventually, the Riverside Walk at Charleston, S.C.

For whatever reason they choose to do it, and whatever form it may take, you'll find Freedom Plaza residents putting their proverbial best foot forward as they go "stepping out" in 2009.

Peggy Burgess is a creative consultant for Freedom Plaza.

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