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Residents gather for costume party, pumpkins

Photo by LAURA CONE

Bill Roe and Gladys Wolfeld donate money to find a cure for Alzheimer's while selecting their favorite pumpkin display at Freedom Plaza.

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By LAURA CONE

THE SUN

Published: November 11, 2009

Looking like a cross between a rodeo cowboy, basketball player and movie star - complete with a necklace of Gasparilla beads - Andy Nash of Sun City Center held nothing back when he prepared for the combined costume party and pumpkin carving contest at Freedom Plaza.

Nash, who is used to wearing costumes for the holidays, handed out candy for employees, residents and family members gathered in the atrium Oct. 30. In a little less than two months, Andy and his wife, Ardis, will don their red suits as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

"I love it here at Freedom Plaza," Andy said. "They bring in the children for Halloween and Christmas."

Andy said he plans to spend Thanksgiving Day with his daughter, Shannon Cox, on Harbor Island. Last year he visited his granddaughter, Erin Shepperd, in Dallas. Shepperd will be giving birth to Andy's first great-granddaughter in three months.

Connie Lesko, the business development coordinator for Freedom Plaza, said the costume party was the closing activity for their campaign to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. They also had a Memory Walk, a cake auction and an outside game day in the past few months.

She said the pumpkin contest brought in $421 which brought their total donations to help in the fight against Alzheimer's to close to $12,000. Each dollar placed in small boxes in front of each display counted as a vote. Victor Durate, a member of the housekeeping staff, won first-place for his lit-up Rays baseball carved pumpkin.

"He is incredible," Lesko said. "He is an outstanding artist. In fact, we were thinking about changing the name of the trophy to be the Victor award. He has won the last five years in a row."

Charles Hofmann, an eight-year resident of Freedom Plaza, put money in a box in front of his favorite pumpkin display. Some of the most popular pumpkin displays - which were all created by staff members - included a patriotic pumpkin, a female M&M candy pumpkin with a ribbon on top and another featuring the "Village People."

During the event, Suzy Burt,director of lifestyles for Freedom Plaza, encouraged residents to clap for their favorite pumpkin displays and the best-dressed during the costume parade. Maria Maddox, a resident, won first place for her ghoulish costume.

Lesko said residents and well as staff participated in the costume contest. Lesko said the staff try to make every holiday special at Freedom Plaza.

Frieda Hofmann, who socialized with friends during the party, said she is also looking forward to Thanksgiving in SCC.

"This is a great place to be for Thanksgiving," Frieda said. "It's beautiful."

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

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