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Sorority's Woman Of The Year Busy Helping Children, Community

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune Correspondent

Published: May 21, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - On March 13 at the home of Gerri Roth, members of the Xi Xi Omicron chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority voted to make Pat Pelton, chairwoman of the service committee, the chapter's woman of the year.

Present for the vote were Roth, Kathy Panzner, Pat Harkins, Linda Atkins, Angela Wallace, Rosie Clifton, Jan Bassett, vice president-elect Liz Jacobs and Pelton.

Jacobs presented the certificate to Pelton on April 24 at Circles Waterfront Restaurant in Apollo Beach.

Pelton moved to Sun City Center 14 years ago after teaching school in Chicago and Ohio.

"Although not a longtime member, she enthusiastically embraced the service aspect of our sorority and led several projects to help those less fortunate," said Clifton, publicity chair.

Pelton, now retired from teaching, continues to tutor children and works as a substitute teacher. She initiated a project in which Cypress Creek Elementary School children and Xi Xi Omicron members wrote appreciative letters to U.S. service men and women in Iraq.

Pelton drives for the sorority's main service project, the Samaritan Services' Sun City Center Ride, which takes people who cannot drive to appointments. She also has been successful at getting people to donate, be it box tops for the local schools, toiletry items for the Mary and Martha House in Ruskin or stationery, cards and art supplies for the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, Clifton said.

Pelton considers the sorority "a special part of my life" and the sisters "a joy and dear friends. ... I have always liked to help others, and the service committee chairmanship has given me the opportunity to arrange such projects for the needy."

When not performing acts of kindness for strangers, she enjoys reading, playing bridge, cooking, weaving and traveling - especially to visit her five children and 14 grandchildren throughout the United States.

Freedom Is The Theme
SUN CITY CENTER - "Let's Celebrate Freedom," a Fantastic Friday event, will take place Friday at United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Ave.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be at 6 and the evening's entertainment, by Daniel Paul Fugazzotto, will start at 7:15.

Those who attend are asked to bring a photo of their military active-duty children or grandchildren. The photos will be returned, said Hazel Martin, church publicity coordinator.

Tickets for the dinner and show are $15. Tickets for only the show are $3. Tickets may be purchased from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday at the church office.

For information, call committee co-chairmen Dick and Marge Herrmann, (813) 633-3740.

Wednesday Afternoon At The Movies
SUN CITY CENTER - United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Ave., will present the movie "The Straight Story" with popcorn and lemonade from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

The Rev. Lou Leone will lead a discussion about the movie afterward for those who would like to stay and participate.

"Have you ever seen a good movie and wanted to talk it over with someone?" asked Hazel Martin, publicity coordinator for the church. "Well, this is your opportunity to do so."

A different movie will be shown at 1 p.m. every two weeks, including June 4 and 18, July 2, 16 and 30.

Patriots Club Invites All To Gather At Flagpole
SUN CITY CENTER - All Sun City Center and Kings Point residents are invited to a free pre-Memorial Day flag installation and dedication of two U.S. flags at 10 a.m. Saturday at the new service club sign on the south side of State Road 674.

The dedication is being done "with the blessings of WCI" and John Luper, director of amenities, said Uta Kuhn, president of the Patriots Club of Sun City Center.

No one should park along S.R. 674. Guards at the Kings Point front gate will direct attendees to parking near the ceremony site.

Bill Hodges will be the event's master of ceremonies, and Par for the Chorus will sing some patriotic tunes. Veterans will raise and dedicate the flags, which will be illuminated by solar-powered lights and displayed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 20-foot-tall telescoping poles.

"We are proud to be dedicating these two flags to all of the veterans, past and present, of this great community," Kuhn said. "It is a time for remembering those who fought and paid the ultimate price with their lives to help keep us free."

The 5-year-old club has 52 members and three officers - Kuhn, president; Don Renwick, vice president; and Patty Brandt, secretary. Unlike social clubs, the Patriotic Club meets only once a year in January to elect officers. The club sells patriotic items and has a drawing for a flag at events such as the Sun City Center Fun Fest and the Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce's spring trade show. Members will hand out small flags to attendees at the Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m. Monday in the Borini Theater in the Kings Point Clubhouse, 1900 Clubhouse Drive.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mai l neighbors@tampabay.rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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