NOVEMBER 2020
Greetings from City Hall!
After what seems like forever, we are back (writing this newsletter)! I missed you all more than you missed me, I’ll bet. Never thought I’d miss writing to you each week, but I did. Oh well, let’s see what we can catch up on from this past month.
Happy New Year!!!!!! (Not that one)…..our fiscal year is October 1st to September 30th, so we just started our municipal “new year.” That means more to us than it does you, I’m sure, but wanted to share that piece of information with the community.
On October 12th, we had a surprise visit from Lord Stanley, in the form of the Stanley Cup itself, in the Council Chambers, as a thank you to the City employees from the world champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Our relationship with the Lightning organization, which originated from our collaborative outdoor rink project, continues to pay big dividends. Not to worry, also, sometime after COVID leaves us, we will likely have a public event with the Cup, at the Oldsmar Sports Complex outdoor rink. Stay tuned!!!!
Over the course of the past two weeks, we’ve had two GREAT kids events, both at RE Olds Park. First, on October 16th, we had a Movie in the Park event, which drew over 300 people, and last week, we topped that with a great live performance of Aladdin, Jr., which was presented on the Elizabeth Smith Stage (long-time employee and resident Brian Smith’s mom) by the evolving OPAL theatre arts group, directed by City resident Ms. Suda Yantiss-Colon (you all know about Ms. Suda’s Dancers, another great kids program). The kids were great, growing in confidence, and the venue was fantastic, a nice night outdoors, in one of our fabulous parks. The weather cooperated, there was food available, and it was a magical night. The support from parents and families in putting this together was a tribute to the kind of community we have. I saw moms and dads building sets, making costumes, acting as the stage crew, handling sound and lighting, and a bunch of other things that you probably didn’t notice. Oh yeah, by the way, there was 570 people at this show.
After reflecting on that performance, it reminds me about how many great things go on in this community. I need to recognize the many City employees that continue to make these programs successful. As the “Cheerleader-in-Chief” for this organization (sounds weird, I know), I’ve got to tell you all that our Leisure Services Department brings it all together, every single time, for these events. From the hatching of an idea to the complete execution of the event, they are dedicated to making each one a huge success. Based on the popularity of the last two events, I’d say job well done!
Don’t forget the next creative kids’ event this Friday night, at the Oldsmar Sports Complex…….our “drive-thru” Haunted Happenings (details below). Spoiler alert……city employees are going to be involved for more than just directing traffic…..don’t tell them I told you. Please come check it out.
There is NOTHING I would rather be known better for than great kids events…as a big kid, that makes me very happy.
Don’t forget the read the helpful information below. Have a great month ahead. Can’t wait to see what we come up with next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al b
