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Hi Neighbor! ushers in busy season in SCC

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By LAURA CONE THE SUN

Published: November 4, 2009

It would not be November in Sun City Center without pumpkins, sweater weather - and the annual Hi Neighbor! event.

John Bowker, director of the Sun City Center Information Center, said representatives from more than 95 clubs and organizations have signed up to participate in this year's showcase of the community set for Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Bowker, who has hosted the SCC Community Association-sponsored event for the past 15 years, expects more than 500 people to attend Hi Neighbor! at Community Hall.

He sent out 327 letters of invitation to people who have arrived in Sun City Center since the last Hi Neighbor! in November 2008. The event is open to everyone living in SCC.

"We will have displays by a couple of new clubs, and most of the displays from each club are new or updated," Bowker said.

David Burbery with the SCC Lawn Bowling Club said members of his group will be at Hi Neighbor! talking to visitors and explaining the game of lawn bowls.

"We have lawn bowls on the table and we explain the different sizes available and how a lawn bowl has a bias which affects the way the bowl travels down the green," Burbery said. "We have leaflets on the table, and the lawn bowlers in attendance will be dressed in lawn bowling attire - a white shirt with a Sun City Center logo and white shorts."

He said the group offers free lessons with the next one commencing on Nov. 9. He also hopes to promote the club's Nov. 6 and 7 yard sale, the Tuesday league and their Dec. 13 Christmas Party.

"The Hi Neighbor! is useful to our club because it gives us a chance to promote the sport and recruit new members," he said. "Many Americans are unfamiliar with the sport even though America has a national team who play all over the world. In fact one of our members - Linda McDougall - has just returned from Malaysia where she represented the United States."

Of the 180 lawn bowling club members, Burbery estimates about 70 spend their summer months away from Florida.

Jack Fischer, director of the SCC Computer Club, said his group has table 93 reserved for the event. His club is one of the largest clubs in Sun City Center with more than 2,000 members.

Fischer said most people don't sign up on the spot, but learn more about the different clubs and organizations available.

"We hand out applications," Fischer said. "They take material with them and they join the clubs they want to join."

Monica McPhillips, the publicity chairwoman for The GFWC Sun City Center Woman's Club said members of her club will also attend. She said the club is selling tickets for their major fundraiser, a Night in Italy. The Nov. 7 event will feature Carme and the Charley Raymond Band as well as wine and Italian desserts.

"We will have a stand at the Hi Neighbor! event - a big display of what we are all about," McPhillips said. "We try to entice women to join our group."

She said the women's club has more than 100 members who raise funds for area schools, charities and clubs in SCC.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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